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 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 determined 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 eastward as far as the valley of the Skagit, near the one hundred and twenty-first meridian, a distance of about 90 miles, and the astronomical 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 was carried eastward from the valley of the Skagit to the Columbia River, a distance of about 150 miles. General Parke, writing 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 parallel 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.

In the season of 1860 the surveying and marking of the entire land boundary was nearly or quite completed. I have not found any statement as to just when the field work ended. The Auditor's accounts indicate that a considerable number of laborers, axmen, packers, etc., were employed during 1861, of whom 22 were discharged on March 31 and 14 on June 30. Others received their final pay at various dates in 1861, the latest being in September. General Parke, who came out with the last party, tells me that on reaching the Columbia Plains he heard of the first battle of Bull Run. It seems to me likely, therefore, that the field work closed late in 1860 or early in 1861. During this season, then, the surveying and marking of the line was carried on over a distance of 170 miles-between the summit of the Rocky Mountains and the Columbia River.

As to the disbanding of the field parties and their return to Washington we gather some facts from the Auditor's accounts, so often cited here. It appears that all returned via the Isthmus of Panama, the fare being $258 from San Francisco to New York and $7.50 from New York to Washington. Commissioner Campbell, Secretary Warren, Geologist Gibbs, and Artist Alden left the field November 25, 1860, and reached Washington January 10, 1861, the journey taking forty-six days. Henry Custer, Charles T. Gardner, T. Hudson, and James Nooney left the field April 30, 1861, and G. Clinton Gardner on May 10, 1861. All these came direct to Washington. Finally, in the last quarter of 1861 (exact date not given), General Parke, J. S. Harris, J. V. Wurdemann, and John J. Major returned to Washington. With these returning parties came instruments, records, collections, baggage, etc. There is a charge for freight on " 41 packages instruments and baggage" and "24 boxes natural-history specimens.'

Arrived in Washington, the commission rented rooms and established an office over a store at the SE. corner of Pennsylvania avenue and Twentieth street NW., and there proceeded with the plattings, computations, drawing of maps, and preparation of the final report. The scientific reports appear to have been completed in 1862 and the drawing of the final maps, at least of the land boundary, late in 1865 or early in 1866. The work upon the report, however, continued, and there began to be some good-natured raillery as to when it would be completed. Finally, on January 13, 1869, the House of Representatives, by a resolution, requested information as to expenditures on account of the Northwestern Boundary Survey. The reply to that request has furnished the chief source of information for this history. In October, 1869, the work was brought to a close and the results deposited in the State Department. But the report, unfortunately, was not published, and the manuscript has for many years

1 House Ex. Doc. No. 86, Fortieth Congress, third session. Bull. 174

-2

been lost to view. Its whereabouts are still unknown. The reason it was not published, I am informed, is that Mr. Fish, Secretary of State at that time, deemed its publication too expensive. The war had brought a mountain of debt, and under these conditions he refused to sanction so costly a publication.

COST.

The total cost of surveying and marking the line, including all expenses, was about $600,000, or $1,463 per mile. The first appropriation for the work, made August 11, 1856, was $71,000. This and the subsequent appropriations are as follows:

Appropriations for surveying and marking the boundary along the forty-ninth parallel, between the United States and the British Possessions, from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean.

The amount actually expended somewhat exceeded this sum, aggregating nearly $600,000.

In response to the House resolution of January 13, 1869, above referred to, Mr. Seward, then Secretary of State, transmitted, on February 9, 1869, a detailed reply, consisting, in the main, of a statement by Mr. C. M. Walker, then Fifth Auditor of the Treasury Department, of "disbursements on account of Northwest Boundary Survey from February 14, 1857, to December 31, 1868." The total expenditures in that period were for

Salaries.....

Contingent expenses..

Total

$385, 508. 78

209, 724. 25

595, 233. 03

Most of these were made in the five years 1857 to 1861, inclusive. After the latter year a small office was maintained in Washington at an annual rental of $250, which, with various minor items, entailed an annual expense of from $1,200 to $1,400. The work was finally closed up and the records deposited in the State Department in October, 1869.2

1 House Ex. Doc. No. 86, Fortieth Congress, third session, 102 pp.

2 Letter from Archibald Campbell to Acting Secretary of State, June 27, 1872.

For the preparation of scientific reports on magnetics, mammals, birds, fishes, plants, insects, fossils, etc., including the making of drawings, there was expended about $3,5001 and for the drawing of the final maps about $9,400.

For building the initial monument at Point Roberts was paid $7,590.38, one-half of which was paid by the United States and onehalf by Great Britain."

The cost to the British Government of running and marking the boundary line I have not found. A single item bearing on the matter is contained in Parliamentary Papers, 1863, volume 37, page 287 (55–v), where there is "An estimate of the sum required to be voted in the year ending March 31, 1864, to complete the expenses of surveying the line of boundary between the British and United States territory in the western part of North America, 4,300 pounds."

While the boundary survey was going forward there was another independent exploration by the British in progress in the region, under the direction of Capt. John Palliser. Early in 1857 the president of the Royal Geographical Society recommended to the British foreign office that a grant of £5,000 be voted to cover the expense of two years' exploration along the forty-ninth and fifty-third parallels and between the one hundredth and one hundred and fifteenth meridians.3 This sum was voted and later on £1,500 additional, to continue the work one year more, making three years in all. Among the estimates for the year ending March 31, 1861, is an item of £6,300 for completing Palliser's explorations. The results of Palliser's work, his route of travel, etc., are set forth in the Journal of the Royal Geographical Society of London, 1859, volume 29, pages xcvii-c; and 1860, volume 30, pages 267-314.

MAPS.

ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT MAPS.

Two large blue chests in the manuscript room at the State Department contain the original observations, computations, sketches, notes, etc., relating to the Northwestern Boundary Survey. They do not contain the final maps, these being kept among the treaty maps. They do, however, contain the following manuscript map material, which may be classified as preliminary and final:

Preliminary.—First. Several rolls of rough sketches of reconnoissances, triangulation, trails, office plattings, field sketches, etc., on rough paper, drawing paper, tracing linen, and tracing paper. Some of this is original field material identified by title, date, and signature. Much of it, however, is of the nature of office studies, plattings, etc., which served a temporary purpose and is no longer of value.

1 House Ex. Doc. No. 86, Fortieth Congress, third session, p. 101.

2 Same, p. 97.

Parliamentary Papers, 1857, vol. 26, p. 29 (38-vii-sess. 2).

Second. There is a series of 19 sheets on tracing linen covering the entire line from the sea coast eastward to the Rocky Mountains. These sheets are numbered from west to east, 1 to 19. Each sheet except the first embraces 30' of longitude and from 15' to 25' of latitude. Sheet 2, for example, includes from 123° to 122° 30'; sheet 3, longitude 122° 30′ to 122°, while sheet 19, the easternmost of the series, includes longitude 114° 30′ to 114°. The relief is shown by broken horizontal curves. The scale is not stated, but the parallels and meridians enable us to infer that it is 1: 64000, or about 1 mile to 1 inch. These sheets bear no title, no legend, no date, and no names.

Third. There is a series of five manuscript maps (not numbered) on a scale of 1:120000, showing the entire line from the sea coast to the Rocky Mountains. They appear to be unfinished drafts. Relief is shown by contours in green, trails in red, and there are a few names. They are drawn on backed drawing paper. None of them have legends or titles, or names of draftsmen or any authority. They contain no dates. They appear to be compilations from original sketches, notes, and surveys. They are not numbered. Beginning at the west end of the line, the sheets cover the following areas: The first sheet covers from latitude 48° 40' to 49° 25', and from longitude 123° 20′ to 120° 50', being 30 inches high and 61 inches wide. The second sheet covers from latitude 48° 33′ to 49° 35', and from longitude 121° 15' to 119° 12', being 38 inches high and 50 inches wide. The third sheet covers from latitude 48° 30' to 49° 18', and from longitude 119° 35' to 117° 40', being 29 inches high and 50 inches wide. The fourth sheet covers from latitude 47° 35′ to 49° 10′, and from longitude 117° 50' to 114° 40', being 59 inches high and 55 inches wide. Owing to its inconvenient size this sheet has been cut into two pieces along the parallel of 48° 21'. The meridians are erroneously numbered. The fifth sheet covers from latitude 48° 15' to 49° 35', and from longitude 116° 08′ to 113° 13′, being 50 inches high and 71 inches wide. This map also has been cut into two pieces along the meridian of 114° 55'. Like the preceding, the meridians are erroneously numbered. Owing to its size, this roll of maps is not kept with the other material in the chests above mentioned.

Fourth. There is an unfinished manuscript map, in two sheets, on unmounted drawing paper, covering the entire line from the sea coast to the Rocky Mountains. It includes latitude 47° to 50° and longitude 113° 30′ to 125°, is on the conic projection, and is projected on the one hundred and nineteenth as the central meridian. The eastern part includes longitude 113° 30' to 119°, the western 119° to 125°. The scale is not stated, but appears to be 1: 601000. There is no title, no date, no signature. It is an outline map, no relief being shown. The camps are shown, but the boundary monuments are not.