COPPER MINES. 
345 
the Colonel they had not been instrumental in stealing 
his mules, nor did they know any thing about them. 
Upon their promise to go in search of them, and if 
found to bring them in. Colonel Craig returned to the 
fort. 
Government as final. The official documents which have been prepared 
for the purpose, referred to in my letter of appointment and instructions, 
never having been presented, no action has been taken in the matter defi- 
nitely and finally to “settle this important point.” I quote ‘from my 
instructions, for as I shall presently show, it has, by the views taken of 
the subject by both sides, ceased to be an important point. 
But I have done this in compliance with the letter and spirit of 
my instructions. Mr. Salazar, the Mexican Commissioner and Sur- 
veyor, met me at the Presidio del Norte, August 1st, to sign the maps of the 
Rio Grand — forming the boundary. Neither party had the maps pro- 
perly prepared, nor was Mr. Salazar at all prepared in money or means 
to go on with the work at the rate I was progressing. I had already 
signed, conjointly with him, as astronomer and surveyor, the only maps 
fit for signature ; but he remained pressing me to sign other maps which 
involve incidentally the Initial Point agreed upon by Mr. Bartlett, Mr. 
CoNDE, Mr. Salazar, and Mr. Whipple, from which Col. Graham had 
started his survey of the river. I therefore^ on the 2^th of August, 
signed the maps according to my instructions, with the reservation con- 
tained in the paper, a copy of which is herewith sent, marked A., signed 
conjointly by Mr. Salazar and myself, and the statement therein refer- 
red to, setting forth on the face of the maps that it was the “ boundary''"' 
agreed upon by the two Commissioners, April 20, 1851.” 
I presume it was never intended I should give my certificate, as 
Astronomer and Surveyor, to the correctness of the determination of a 
point which had been determined by the observation of others, and with- 
out consultation or advice of mine. On the other hand, I do not for a 
moment doubt the power of the Government to instruct me on the subject, 
or hesitate as to my duty to obey its mandates, which I understand as 
requiring me only to authenticate the Initial Point agreed upon by the 
Commissioners of the two Governments. 
In reference to the importance of the point, I think it as. well to 
