EL PASO. 
155 
would be found most of the way. In addition to these^ 
a train of twenty large wagons, belonging to S. Hart, 
Esq., loaded with corn and provisions for the escort, was 
going at the same time, and would open a road wher- 
ever it was necessary. On the 16th, I set out on my 
return to El Paso, and arrived there the following day. 
During my absence, the Indians made another 
descent upon the inclosure near Mr. Magoffin’s house 
in which he kept his mules, and stole thirty. Several 
men were sleeping in the wagons within the corral at 
the same time ; yet so quietly was the robbery com- 
mitted, that the loss was not discovered till morning. 
When the Boundary Commission landed on the 
shores of Texas in August, 1850, it was necessary to 
employ about fifty teamsters, and many laborers, cooks, 
etc. ; and the Quarter-master, whose duty it was to 
engage the former, was obliged to take such as offered 
themselves, giving the preference, of course, to such as 
could produce testimonials of good character. He 
found many who had been in the government employ, 
who had good testimonials ; but there were others who 
possessed no such credentials. Hence several men 
who afterwards turned out to be worthless characters 
obtained menial places in the Commission. On the 
arrival of the several parties at El Paso and San Elea- 
zario, it was necessary to discharge a large number, 
chiefly of the teamsters ; and such as were found to be 
of bad habits or vicious disposition were paid off and 
discharged. There were also many very good men, 
who, having families at San Antonio, engaged only for 
the trip, and who, on being paid off, returned imme- 
diately to that place. 
