354 
INCIDENTS AT THE COPPER MINES. 
I waited for the escort I must delay my departure at 
least a month, thereby deranging the plans of the 
Mexican Commission by failing to keep my engage- 
ment with them, and retarding our own work to so 
late a period that it might be impossible to complete 
the survey of the Gila before winter set in. 
In the midst of all these difficulties, I determined 
to push forward with the work, and notified Mr. Gray 
and Lieutenant Whipple, the chiefs of the parties that 
were to accompany me, to be in readiness to leave on 
the 27th instant. Colonel Graham, whose parties had 
also been organized for the survey of the Hio Grande, 
and were then awaiting his orders to enter the field, 
informed me that he would accompany me to the camp 
of General Conde, in order ‘‘to pay his respects” to 
that officer, and to his friend Mr. Salazar. 
At this time our supply of provisions at the Cop- 
per Mines was very limited ; but as a train of wagons 
sent to our depot near El Paso for provisions was 
expected in three or four days, with an ample supply, 
I determined to start with only about ten days’ rations 
of fiour, sugar, coffee, pork, etc., leaving orders for 
the remainder to be sent forward immediately on its 
arrival. Of fresh meat we had an abundant supply, 
taking with us twenty-five head of beef cattle, and one 
hundred and eighty sheep. 
