TO CORPUS CHRISTI. 515 
The course I had to pursue was plain. Congress 
had said that if the southern boundary of New Mexico 
had been established further north of the town of El 
Paso than it is laid down in Disturneli’s map, the 
money appropriated to carry on the survey could not 
be used. This was a new interpretation of the treaty, 
and one not required either by my instructions or by the 
words of the treaty itself. The boundary line was 
sum of eighty thousand dollars. This was immediately absorbed by the 
drafts and liabilities which were then outstanding, and the additional 
sum of twenty-five thousand dollars for like demands was obtained by 
the act approved 31st August, which has also been nearly exhausted, 
and other debts still remain unpaid. In this latter the sum of one hun- 
dred and twenty thousand dollars was appropriated for the present fiscal 
year, with a proviso that it should not be used “until it shall be made 
satisfactorily to appear to the President of the United States that the 
southern boundary of New Mexico is not established by the Commis- 
sioner and Surveyor of the United States further north of the town 
called ‘ Paso’ than the same is laid down in Disturnell’s map, which is 
added to the treaty.” Inclosed I send you a printed copy of my report 
to the President in regard to this proviso, and of his indorsement 
thereon. You will perceive that the President and myself have been 
forced to the conclusion that, in view of this restriction, the money can- 
not legally be drawn from the treasury. It will not be proper, therefore, 
for you to make any further drafts upon the department. * * * 
No exception has been, or could possibly be, taken to the river portion 
of the boundary; and it is much to be regretted that the department 
has not authority to use the appropriation for that portion of the survey. 
* * * You may, possibly, already have the means of maintaining 
your respective parties long enough to complete the survey of the river, 
or until you shall have been advised of further action by Congress on 
the subject. The withdrawal of the Commission is not imperatively 
called for by the action of Congress, except in so far as the withholding 
of funds may render it necessary. It would be very desirable to avoid 
it, if possible ; as Congress will again be in session in the course of about 
six weeks, and possibly as soon as you will receive this communication. 
