376 
THE COPPER MINES 
attempted to stampede ; but the herders were so fortu- 
nate as to get the start of them, and succeeded in 
driving the animals safely into camp. On hearing of 
our loss at the Copper Mines the Greneral had increased 
the guard over the mules, but for which he would have 
lost the whole. 
A meeting of the Joint Commission was held 
to-day, at which all the members were present. On 
this occasion Mr. Gray first made known his dissent 
from the agreement entered into relative to the south- 
ern boundary of New Mexico, stating, moreover, that 
“ his reasons, and his interpretation based upon them, 
had been referred to the Government, in pursuance of 
the 21st article of the treaty.” General Conde re- 
marked, that “this course did not agree with the 
stipulations of the 5th article of the treaty ; and that 
the Initial Point had been determined, and the deci- 
sion could not be reversed.” 
September ^tli. The Joint Commission met again 
in my tent ; but in consequence of Mr. Gray’s illness, 
adjourned to his, where he and Mr. Salazar presented 
a plan for continuing the survey. This was adopted, 
and it was determined to enter upon the duty at once. 
Mr. Gray and Lieutenant Whipple, with their parties, 
were to run the Gila portion of the work on the part 
of the United States; while the Chief Astronomer was 
to have the entire charge of the Eio Grande survey on 
the part of the same. Mr. Salazar was to operate with 
the latter, and General Conde and his officers with the 
former. 
The Mexican Commissioner announced his inten- 
tion to proceed at once to Santa Cruz, the nearest set- 
