baker.] REPORT RY CAMPBELL, 1869. 75 
arrival the excitement arising from the discovery of gold on Frazer 
river was at its height. This event caused for a time great increase 
in the price of labor and supplies, and created considerable embar- 
rassment, delay, and additional expense in the field operations of the 
season. 
A meeting of the joint commission was held for the purpose of 
agreeing upon a plan of field operations for the survey of the land 
boundary. The following is a copy of the arrangement made: 
After discussing plans for determining and marking the line as far eastward as the 
Cascade mountains, it was concluded to be inexpedient at the present time, in conse- 
quence 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 of 
astronomical 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 
cutting 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. 
The work of running and marking the land boundary was carried 
on through a country previously almost unknown. The 49th parallel 
extends over rugged and precipitous mountains that attain great 
elevation, and in the Cascade range, on and near the boundaiy, per- 
petual snow covers many of the peaks, whose northern gorges are 
tilled up with immense glaciers. The timber on the western slope of 
the Cascade mountains is dense, being a heavy growth of pine and fir, 
that in many places stands over a fallen forest not yet decayed. This 
is the character of the country as far east as the valley of the Simil- 
kameen river, one of the tributaries of the Columbia. Here the 
timber becomes more open and surveying operations less difficult. 
After passing the Okinokane river, which is the lowest line of the 
great valley between the Cascade and the Rocky mountains, the country 
again becomes rough and the timber more dense, but less so than the 
western slope of the Cascade mountains. 
It being impossible to follow the 49th parallel continuously, the 
line of survey was carried over the nearest practicable route for a 
pack trail, connecting each astronomical station, making a total length 
of line of survey of about 800 miles. Astronomical stations were 
established by- parties of the joint commission at almost every acces- 
sible point from which the boundary line is ascertained, and marked 
by a vista across all valleys and trails, where rough stone monuments 
were erected over posts buried in the ground to indicate the exact 
line. 
