TO THE COPPER MINES. 215 
termined to abandon the place if the boundary line had 
run south of the village, and thus placed them under 
the jurisdiction of New Mexico. The day came, and 
the event was celebrated by firing of cannon and a 
grand ball, which many from El Paso attended. After 
•this, the population continued to increase ; in October, 
1852, the Prefect of El Paso estimated it at 1,900 
souls. 
Very few Americans ever settled there — -in fact, 
none but traders, and it is probable that there never 
were twenty altogether. 
The lands at La Mesilla are of precisely the same 
character as other bottom lands, on the opposite bank 
of the river, near Dona Ana and Cruces ; and in fact, 
as far as the mountain pass above the town of El Paso. 
A^pril 27. Left Dona Ana at nine 9 a. m., accom- 
panied by all the assistants, and others attached to the 
Commission, except those whose aid was required by 
Lieutenant Whipple in the duty he was about to enter 
upon. My train consisted of twelve wagons, drawn 
by five or six mules each, and my travelling carriage 
with four mules. The assistants rode on horses or 
mules. We continued on our course towards the 
north, and soon struck the great Jornada del Muerto^'^ 
(Deadman’s Journey), on the Santa Fe road, which we 
followed for nine miles, when we turned off to San 
Diego, the old fording place. There is no village nor 
^ Jornada, literally, iheans a day’s journey ; but it does not seem to 
be used, except there is a long reach of desert country without water. 
It therefore is applied to one or two days’ journey. The Jornada del 
Muerto is 90 miles across, without water, and of the most desert-like 
character. 
