10 NEW TRACKS IN NORTH AMERICA. 
son Davis, when Secretary of War, after several elaborate — 
Government surveys had been made, gave the route along 4 
the 32nd parallel the decided preference. Palmer, however, — 
after collecting all the information possible throughout the 
country—after holding consultations with the most expe-_ | 
rienced guides and prospectors who could by any means be 
summoned to meet him at Santa Fé and elsewhere—after 
consulting with the commanders of forts, Indian scouts, — : 
Mexican shepherds, and examining every source of informa- 
tion connected with the almost unknown regions to the west- 
ward—came gradually to the opposite opinion, and determined 
that the route along the 35th parallel should be most 
thoroughly explored. He sent back to Kansas for two more 
surveying parties under Colonel Greenwood to meet him at 7 
Albuquerque, and applied to Government for additional — 
transportation and another escort of sixty cavalry for their — 
protection. . 
Two parties were intrusted with the examination and 
survey of the 32nd parallel route. One, under Mr. Runk, © 
was to continue the main line down the Rio Grande go as to 
strike the passage westward through the Miembres Moun 
tains, known as Cooke’s Cafion, which opens upon the vas 
plain, the Madre Plateau. To Mr. Eicholtz and his party 
were intrusted the “cut offs,” that is, the examination o 
doubtful passes, which, if practicable, would shorten and — 
improve the line run by Mr. Runk across country which was q 
already known and considered practicable. General Palmer a 
himself, with the third party, viz., that under the command 
of Mr. Imbrey Millar, was to retrace his steps to Albu-_, 
querque, and then, being reinforced by the two fresh parties _ 
brought by Colonel Greenwood, was to explore the route | 
along the 35th parallel. Three parties, therefore, were 
