THE COPPER MINES. 
299 
to the parties for the survey of the Gila, which General 
Conde was most anxious to commence at once. Our sur- 
veying parties had long been organized, and were ready ; 
but we had no astronomical corps to send with them, 
without which, it would not be proper to undertake so 
important a work. Lieutenant Whipple was making 
rapid progress with his survey of the line west from 
the Rio Grande ; and he believed it best, as we had 
now waited so long, to defer further action until Colo- 
nel Graham should arrive. 
June 23d To avoid the heat of the day, we set 
out on our return at 2 o’clock, a. m., and reached the 
Copper Mines at nine. 
