TO SAN DIEGO. 107 
head of the Gulf of California to the unexplored 
region and great Central Basin, with which we have 
been made acquainted by Colonel Frémont. This 
desert is from one to two hundred miles in width, and 
alike destitute of water and vegetation, excepting a 
few thorny shrubs and cacti. 
Before leaving California, I take this occasion to 
acknowledge the favors rendered to the Boundary 
Commission by the officers of the United States army 
in California. ‘To General Hitchcock, for the facilities 
afforded me in my journey to the Geysers, and for an 
escort of twenty-five men to the Pimo villages. To 
Lieutenant Hddy, Commissary of Subsistence at San 
Diego, for provisions furnished us during our stay in 
the country, and for our homeward journey, as well as 
for various acts of kindness and attention shown to the 
members of the Commission. Also to Colonel J. Bank- 
head Magruder, commanding at San Diego. To this 
gentleman in particular, both personally and in behalf 
of the government, I feel under the deepest obligation. » 
At a time when we were left without a carpenter or 
blacksmith, and when none could ‘be procured, this 
officer permitted me to send to his mechanics my 
wagons for repairs, and my animals to be shod, without 
which aid I could not have left San Diego. In other 
ways he was of great service to me and the Commis- 
sion, both during our stay in the country, and while 
preparing for the journey before us. 
