x PREFACE. 
and California, of gold, silver, copper, and quicksilver, 
and obtained specimens of the ores; besides which 
much valuable information was collected in reference 
to the extent, value, and productions of these mines. 
I should do injustice to our accomplished artist and 
draughtsman, Mr. Henry (©. Pratt, who accompanied 
me in my journeys to and from California, did I not 
speak of his valuable services. Besides the portraits 
of the Indian tribes and illustrations of their manners 
and customs, Mr. Pratt has made a series of many a 
hundred sketches, representing the peculiar character 
of the country extending from ocean to ocean along 
the boundary line, and in the States contiguous. 
Many of these sketches are panoramic views embracing 
wide districts of country, and convey to the mind a 
better idea of it than the most elaborate description. @ 
I have, therefore, very reluctantly been compelled to ‘ 
omit the most important of them from the present — 
work, as it would detract too much from their merits — 
to reduce them to the size of an octavo page. | 
There is another topic, one too, which possesses a 
deeper interest for the American people and the whole — 
civilized world, than those to which I have alluded. 
This is the adaptation of the country explored,by the 
Boundary Commission for the purposes of a-ratlway. 
The descriptions of the country given in our daily 
marches will convey some idea of the advantages pre- 
sented; but without the ee. sketches mentioned, | 
