16 NORTHWESTERN BOUNDARY OF UNITED STATES. [bull. 174. 
sequence of the great expense, consumption of time, and the impracticable nature of 
the country, to mark the whole boundary by cutting a track through the dense 
forest. 
It was therefore agreed to ascertain points on the line by the determination « »f as! r< - 
nomical points at convenient intervals on or near the boundary, and to mark such 
astronomical stations or points fixed on the parallel forming the boundary by cut- 
ting a track of not less than 20 feet in width on each side for the distance of half a 
mile or more, according to circumstances. Further, that the boundary be deter- 
mined and similarly marked where it crosses streams of any size, permanent trails, 
or any striking natural feature of the country. 
In the vicinity of settlements on or near the line it is deemed advisable to cut the 
track for a greater distance and to mark it in a manner to be determined hereafter. 
This arrangement for the part west of the Cascades appears to have 
been subsequently applied to the whole line; and thus it resulted 
that of the entire boundary, 409.5 miles long, from the boundary 
station on the crest of the Rocky Mountains westward to the obelisk 
on the western side of Point Roberts, 190 miles were cleared and 
marked and 220 miles were not traced out, cleared, surveyed, or 
marked. These figures are obtained by scaling off from the final 
maps. 
At the end of the season of 1858 the line had been reconnoitered east- 
ward as far as the valley of the Skagit, near the one hundred and 
twenty-first meridian, a distance of about 90 miles, and the astronom- 
ical observations necessary for determining three points on the parallel 
in the valley of the Chiloweyuck completed. 
' In the season of 1859 the work of surveying and marking the 
boundary Avas carried eastward from the valley of the Skagit to the 
Columbia River, a distance of about 150 miles. General Parke, writ- 
ing November 12, 1859, thus summarizes the work done during the 
season: 
A completion of the determination and marking of the parallel from three points 
astronomically fixed at the close of the last season. 
A complete set of observations for latitude at four stations, from which the par- 
allel has been determined and marked at the crossings of the following streams: The 
Skagit, Pasayten, Similkameen, Okinakane (Lake Osoyoos), and Nehoialpitkwu; 
and before the astronomical parties leave the field the necessary observations will 
be completed for determining two other points of the parallel, the third crossing of 
the Nehoialpitkwu and the Columbia River. 
A chronometer trip for difference of longitude between Camp Simiahmoo and 
Chiloweyuck depot, 
Observations of the transit of the moon and moon-culminating stars at two of the 
latitude stations for absolute longitude. 
A triangulation covering an area of about 50 square miles. 
A survey of the nearest practical lines to the parallel, connecting the astronomical 
stations, making a total distance chained of about 370 miles. 
Reconnoissances for developing the topography along and adjacent to the boundary 
line, and for locating routes of communication. These reconnoissances have extended 
over an area of about 6,000 square miles. 
A full set of magnetic observations were made at one station, and throughout the 
work all the necessary observations for time, azimuth, micrometer value, and 
instrumental corrections were carefully made. 
