APPENDICES. 589 
on the part of the United States for running and marking the boundary 
line between the United States and the Republic of Mexico, under the 
fifth article of the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. 
By the documents in this department, copies of which have been 
placed in your possession, or to which you have had access, you 
will perceive that that portion of the boundary between the junction 
of the Gila with the Colorado and the Pacific Ocean has already been 
run by your predecessor. By the same documents it also appears that 
the Joint Commission in February last mutually agreed to suspend their 
operations, and meet on the first day of Nevember next, at El Paso, on 
the Rio Grande, and resume their operations westward from that point. 
You will, therefore, in conformity with that agreement, proceed, with 
the Commission appointed to perform the duties of running the boun- 
dary mentioned, to El Paso, by the nearest and most convenient route, 
so as to reach there by the first of November. 
As the organization of the Commission on the part of the United 
States has been made with a view to other objects beyond that of run- 
ning the boundary, it becomes necessary to call your attention to the 
duties required. 
By the sixth article of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, provision 
is made for the collection of information relative to the construction of 
a “road, canal, or railway, which shall, in whole or in part, run upon the 
river Gila, or upon its right or left bank, within the space of a marine 
league from either margin of that river.” And that “should it be found 
practicable and advantageous to construct such a road, the governments 
of both Republics will form an agreement regarding its construction, in 
order that it may serve equally for the use and advantage of both 
countries.” 
As the examinations to be made, and the information to be collect- 
ed, agreeably to this article, are of very great importance, you will make 
such an organization of parties, and assign to them such duties, as will 
be productive of the desired result. 
The boundary line where you will commence your labors begins at 
the “ point where the Rio Grande strikes the southern boundary of New 
Mexico; then westward, along the whole southern boundary of New 
Mexico (which runs north of the town called Paso) to its western termi- 
i thence northward, along the western line of New Mexico, until 
intersects the first branch of the river Gila (or if it should not intersect 
