l899"'oo TRANSACTIONS 157 



organized in 1858 (first meeting August 13th), and in the 

 summer of the same year began the field work at the western 

 terminus of the boundary. The observations and surveys were 

 carried eastward under great difiiculties, owing to the heavy 

 forest and mountainous character of much of the countr3^ Early 

 in 1862 the field work was completed and the preparation of the 

 maps begun, which were, however, not completed and jointly 

 signed by the commissioners till 7th May, 1869. A report was 

 never published. 



Between the extreme east and west points, upon the water- 

 shed of the Rock)^ Mountains, and the eastern shore of the 

 channel which separates the continent of North America from 

 Vancouver Island in west longitude 114" 03' 34" and 123° 3' 53" 

 respectively, the exact length of the boundary line upon the 

 49th parallel of north latitude is 409 4/10 miles. The position of 

 the parallel was determined by 28 astronomical stations, 11 of 

 which were established by the British Commission, 14 by the 

 American Commission, and 3 were observed by both. Another 

 station was fixed by the British Commission at Schweltza Lake, 

 but it was at the time rejected on account of the apparently 

 large deflection of the plumb line, though the after experience of 

 the most accurate instrumental observations in that mountainous 

 country, led to the conclusion that the result at Schweltza was 

 quite as trustworthy as any of the others. It is, however, not 

 included in the final determinations. 



At the first meeting of the Commissioners at Seniiahmoo, 

 Aug. 13, 1858, it was concluded, after discussing plans for 

 determining and marking the line as far as the Cascade Mount- 

 ains, to be inexpedient at that time, in consequence of the great 

 expense, consumption of time, and the impracticable nature of 

 the country, to mark the whole boundary by cutting a track 

 through the dense forest. It was therefore agreed to ascertain 

 points on the line by the determination of astronomical points at 

 convenient intervals on or near the boundary ; and to mark such 

 astronomical stations or points fixed on the parallel forming the 

 boundary, by cutting a track of not less than 20 feet in width on 

 each side for the distance of half a mile or more, according to 

 circumstance. Further, that the boundary be determined and 

 similarly marked where it crosses streams of any size, permanent 



