180 EVENTS AT 
undoubtedly amply repay him for all the time and 
labor devoted to its examination; and the collection 
of specimens I made, even on this flying trip, con- 
vinces me that, by proper explorations and well 
directed research, a geologist might make discoveries, 
and with the industry and perseverance that a true 
love of the science will inspire, might make collec- 
tions, both geological and mineralogical, that will 
prove of interest at home and abroad, and be of per- 
manent value to the country. 
“In conclusion, I would suggest, if the decision be 
to remove to the Copper Mines, it is important to have 
the provisions, etc., sent forward with as little delay 
as possible, inasmuch as it will be necessary to cross 
the Rio del Norte at San Diego; and this stream is lia- 
ble to be so greatly and so suddenly swollen in the 
spring, that a very little delay might render it ex- 
tremely difficult and dangerous, if not impracticable, 
to ford it with the teams, and thus make it necessary 
to build boats for the transportation of the property 
to the opposite side of the stream.” 
I remained at El Paso until the 19th of April, 
unable to place any other parties on the line, greatly 
to the injury of the Commission and the interests of 
the Government. The whole astronomical force 1 
the Commission was with the acting chief astronomer, 
Lieutenant Whipple; and I did not feel justified in 
sending parties to make the survey of either the Rio 
Grande, towards its mouth, or the Gila, until the chief 
astronomer, Colonel Graham, should arrive, with the 
other officers of the topographical corps, which had 
been detailed for duty on the Commission. ‘Si¥ 
