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APPENDIX A.—PROGRESS OF THE SURVEY. 
where it enters the lake, which Captain Gunnison was about to explore, with the country to the 
west of it, when he was killed. This survey, it was supposed, would not detain him beyond 
two or three days. Thence he proposed to go north, if possible turning the range of mountains 
through which the Sevier passes; but if not practicable, then to go through the pass of that river 
north to Utah lake and Salt Lake City, examining, if possible, the Timpanogos Pass, when oppo¬ 
site it. You will see, therefore, that but a trifle of labor remained to be accomplished in the 
field, when operations were so suddenly terminated, for it is no longer deemed safe to explore 
these districts until better informed of the numbers and present hostile condition of nearly all of 
the Indians of the Territory, did not the condition of our supplies and the advanced state of the 
season forbid it. 
A few of Captain Gunnison’s notes, those since October 8th, when we were on the St. Rafael, 
he had with him, and they were carried off by the Indians; also,, some of the topographical 
notes and sketches of his assistant, Mr. Kern ; but I have not yet been able to ascertain to what 
precise point, but hope the loss will not be great. I have, through Mr. Call, the president of the 
settlement, now here, who extends to us all the assistance in his power, sent an express to the 
chief of the band which was engaged in the massacre, and entertain a faint hope that I may 
recover these papers and books,* and also the instruments, with which we can ill dispense. I shall 
keep the assistants left of the party busily employed during the winter in bringing up their obser¬ 
vations and notes, and, if possible, employ a draughtsman to supply the vacancy occasioned by 
Mr. Kern’s death. Should no other instructions be received, intended for Captain Gunnison, 
than those furnished him before commencing the survey, and should I receive none myself before 
the proper season arrives for commencing spring operations, I shall, if I am able to get the 
means, continue the survey, in conformity with those instructions. Captain Gunnison’s party 
was employed for the trip, and cannot, therefore, be discharged until we again arrive in the 
States. As all the funds for this survey were in Captain Gunnison’s name, I am left without the 
means of paying assistants and employes, as I am without those for subsisting them during the 
winter, &c., &c. I have, therefore, the honor to request that [ may be furnished with authority 
to draw upon the proper department for the amount necessary to meet the demands against the 
survey, present and prospective. Could this arrangement be effected, it would relieve me from 
the risk and responsibility of transporting money with me over vast districts of uncivilized terri¬ 
tory, loss by mails in coming to me, &c. If this may not be done, however, I have then the honor 
to request that drafts for small amounts may be sent to me without delay, to be used from time 
to time, as the mails cannot be depended upon to arrive with any regularity. I am not able to 
estimate accurately the amount of money expended by Captain Gunnison in this survey up to the 
time of his death, but believe it will not vary materially from eighteen thousand dollars, and I 
estimate the expense of the-party, including wages and subsistence of men, and wear and tear of 
transportation, at ten or twelve hundred dollars per month. It may be necessary that I should 
be furnished with an order, directing me to pay the dues against the survey previous to the 
death of Captain Gunnison. If so, I have to request that it may be furnished to meet the unpaid 
amounts due the men of the party, and one thousand dollars, in addition to the monthly estimate 
above, furnished me to meet these amounts. 
The public accounts of Captain Gunnison will be forwarded to the bureau of Topographical 
Engineers, as soon after arriving in Salt Lake City as it is possible to select them from his other 
papers. 
I am, sir, most respectfully, your obedient servant, 
E. G. BECKWITH, 
Colonel J. J. Abert, 
First Lieutenant 3 d Artillery. 
( hiej of the Corps of Top Engs., Washington City , D. C. 
* The notes and sketches were all thus recovered. 
