
          of a month or six weeks. The next thing we hear
 of him he is on his way through the Interior of Mexico 
 to the lower Rio Grande. This news was received
 by the Commissioner himself accompanied
 with a statement that it was necessary for him to be in
 New York at an early date. These facts in the present
 state of the work rendered it imperative on the
 part of the Maj [Major] to hurry on so as to be certain to meet 
 the Commissioner before he shall have left the line
 for New York.


 With regard to the point where the boundary line on
 the Rio Grande strikes the Southern boundary of New
 Mexico about which so much dispute has arisen
 between Congress and the Executive Department it is
 difficult to explain in a few words my view of it
 and I fear if I undertake it I shall tire your patience.
 Disturnells map appended as a guide to the Commissioners
 and attached to the treaty is incorrect. But it
 appears that the position of Santa Fe and other towns
 on the Southern borders of New Mexico are relatively
 correct as regards El Paso the only town near the
 northern borders of the Province or State of Chihuahua
 but it is set about 30 miles too far north 
 on the lines of latitude and also incorrectly on the lines
 of longitude. Now the gist of dispute between the 
 two parties arises from the view each side takes of 
 the error. One side (Mr. Bartletts & Mr Stuarts) arguing
 that the topography is wrong and the parallels of latitude
 are correct and the [added above: other] side (Mr. Mason & majority in Congress)
        