crossing the divide to the east of Lake Osogoos [sic], the trail strikes the Nehoialpitkwu, and follows down the valley of this stream crossing the parallel three times.

From the astronomical station on the Similkameen, two points of the parallel, at an interval of about fifteen miles, were determined and marked by triangulation: one at the crossing of the Similkameen and the other at Lake Osoyoos, in the valley of the Okinakane. The intervening country is generally destitute of timber, and made up of a collection of knobs and high hills with intervening plains and valleys, affording good ground for the location of well conditioned triangles. The first station on the Nehoialpitkwu was occupied by Mr. Harris, and the parallel was determined by a measurement from the observatory, on the meridian, and marked by a cut, nearly a mile in length, across the valley, and by three monuments-two of earth and one of stone. At this station the stream passes from north to the south of

the parallel.

The second station on the Nehoialpitkwu, about thirty miles distant by the trail, is now occupied by Mr. Gardner's party, and Mr. Harris's party is in position on the right bank of the Columbia river, near the mouth of Clarke's Fork. It is believed that these points of the parallel will soon be determined and marked, when these parties, together with the surveying and reconnoitering parties, are instructed to repair to this point and go into winter quarters. The weather, however, is at present very severe, the ground being covered with three or four inches of snow, and the thermometer giving readings for the last three mornings as low as four, two, and ten degrees below zero.

To recapitulate, the following is the amount of work accomplished by parties of the United States commission during the present season: A completion of the determination and marking 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 Chilowayuck 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 fifty square miles.

A survey of the nearest practicable lines to the parallel, connecting the astronomical stations, making a total distance chained of about three hundred and seventy 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 six thousand 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.

The two astronomical parties and the reconnoissance party were furnished with sets of meteorological instruments. Full and detailed registers have been kept at the different stations, and, as far as possible, simultaneous readings of the barometer have been taken, while the parties were moving from station to station; which, with the corresponding observations at camp Simiahmoo and the fixed stations, will enable us to give very exact profiles of the country traversed.

The geological reconnoissance has been extended over the field of operations, and valuable collections made of botanical and natural history specimens.

The forty-ninth parallel, as far as determined during the present season, traverses a mountainous country, and, excepting a few localities, the entire region is eminently unfit for occupation or settlement. The mountains are rugged and precipitous, and attain great elevations; the ridges and peaks of the Cascade mountains being covered with perpetual snow. Glaciers were discovered; and during the months of June and July snow to the depth of two feet was encountered on our very route of travel. A heavy growth of pines and fir abounds throughout the entire line from the Gulf of Georgia, with the exception of short intervals in the valleys of the Similkameen, Okinakane, and Nehoialpitkwu.

Under the forty-ninth parallel the Cascade mountains have a breadth of about two degrees in longitude, and as the general trend of these mountains is at right angles to the line of our work, we were necessarily forced into crossing the ridges with our routes of communication, involving much labor in cutting, grading, and bridging to make these routes practicable for even pack-mule transportation. The water courses are numerous and rapid, rendering the fords frequent and dangerous. A slight rise in these streams makes them impassable. Notwithstanding the difficulties of the country and the precarious mode of transporting the instruments, I am happy to report that we have got thus far through the season's work without any damage to our astronomical instruments. I regret, however, that we have been less fortunate with the magnetic instruments. The mule carrying these missed his footing and rolled down a precipitous bank. The magnetic theodolite will have to be replaced, and the other instruments will require repairing. I also have to report the breakage of our barometer. We were, however, able soon to replace this instrument from the lake depot.

On reaching the valleys of the Similkameen and Okinakane we were met by our additional escort, under the command of Captain Archer, United States army. I take great pleasure in acknowledging my obligations for the timely and valuable assistance rendered us by himself and officers of his command.

Preparations are now making at this place to winter the several parties on their return from the field. A great abundance of material for building quarters is found directly at hand. A supply of provisions has been procured.

The winters of this region are reported to be very severe on animals, the snow falling to a great depth. We have laid in a good stock of hay, and, by erecting temporary shelter, we have little fears of losing any of our mules.

Our work during the next season will extend from the Columbia river to the Rocky mountains. From careful inquiry, the entire distance is represented as mountainous and timbered, excepting perhaps a short stretch in the valley of the Kootenay, near the base of the Rocky mountains. In this valley the Hudson's Bay Company have a trading post near to the parallel. This post is supplied from Fort Colville, and the company's trail to that point will no doubt be of great service to us in sending parties to the line, particularly to those stations close to the Rocky mountains.

In reference to the mode or order of proceeding with the astronomical stations during the next season, I would respectfully suggest that we be allowed to proceed directly to the extreme eastern stations, so that on the melting of the snows, we will be able to complete those, and retire in good season, leaving these nearer this depot for the last. By following this plan we will have less difficulty in falling back on this place, in the event of any great detention or delay from ruggedness of country and swollen streams, or even should the winter set in before the completion of the work. It is confidently expected, however, that we will be able to complete all of the astronomical stations during the next season. Mr. Gibbs is at present making a reconnoissance of the trail in the direction of the Kootenay. This will enable us to commence in the early spring with a working party on this route. It is believed that we will have to build bridges and make flatboats for ferrying Clarke's Fork (Pend d'Oreille) and one of its tributaries, besides much cutting and corduroying.

Before closing this report I take great pleasure in again commending to you the great zeal and devotion to duty evinced by the assistant astronomer and surveyor, and the several assistants engaged upon the work; and I am happy to say that the amount of work accomplished during the season has quite equalled the highest estimates.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN G. PARKE,

Lieut. Corps Top. Eng's, Chief Astron'r and Surv'r.

APPENDIX C.

REPORT OF ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL, FEBRUARY 3, 1869.1 UNITED STATES NORTHWESTERN BOUNDARY COMMISSION.

Washington, D. C., February 3, 1869.

SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th ultimo, asking for information concerning the matters mentioned in a resolution of the House of Representative of the 13th of January:

That the Secretary of State be directed to communicate to the House the total amount expended for the northwestern boundary commission, and to give in detail the items of expenditure, the number and names of persons employed in such commission, how long employed, and at what salaries, and the nature and extent of the services performed.

In reply to your letter I have the honor to transmit herewith the following papers:

Financial statement, January 1, 1869, marked A.

List of persons composing the commission, with rates of salaries &c., marked B.

List of assistants employed in running and marking the boundary line, with statement of pay, &c., marked C.

List of assistants employed in working up the results of the survey, with statement of pay, &c., marked D.

Statement of labor employed in running and marking the boundary line, marked E.

Statement of services of Indians, marked F.

In regard to "the nature and extent of the services performed," nothing short of the full reports of the chief astronomer and surveyor, and other officers of the commission, and the detailed maps of the survey of the boundary line, can give an adequate idea of the subject. It is not supposed, however, that the House of Representatives desires so comprehensive a reply to their inquiry. I shall therefore endeavor as briefly as possible to furnish the information called for.

On the 11th August, 1856, Congress passed a law, authorizing the appointment of a commission on the part of the United States, to unite with a similar commission to be appointed by Great Britain, for the purpose of carrying into effect the first article of the treaty of June 15,

1 Reprinted from House Ex. Doc. 86, 40th Congress, 3d session.

1846, that is, to determine and mark the boundary line between the United States and British possessions, agreed upon in the treaty, viz: From the point on the 49th parallel of north latitude, where the boundary laid down in existing treaties and conventions between the United States and Great Britain terminates, * * westward along the said 49th parallel of north latitude, to the middle of the channel which separates the continent from Vancouver's island, and thence southerly, through the middle of the said channel and of Fuca's straits, to the Pacific ocean.

*

Toward the close of the year the British Government appointed Captain Prevost, royal navy, commanding steamer Satellite, first commissioner to determine that part of the line which runs through "the channel which separates the continent from Vancouver's island," and announced that he had started on his way to the vicinity of the boundary line, and that Captain Richards, royal navy, second commissioner, would shortly follow.

Although the powers of the British commission were limited to the determination of the water-boundary alone, while the act of Congress authorized, on the part of the United States, the determination of the boundary from the crest of the Rocky mountains to the Pacific ocean, the President decided to carry out the law by the appointment of officers authorized thereby, and to notify the British government of the difference between the powers of the two commissions. In February, 1857, I was appointed commissioner, Lieutenant John G. Parke, United States army, chief astronomer and surveyor, and G. Clinton Gardner, assistant astronomer and surveyor, on the part of the United States.

Under instructions from the State Department, the United States commission was duly organized and directed to repair to Fuca's straits, via San Francisco, to meet the British commission. At the close of June, I met Captain Prevost, the British commissioner, at Esquimalt harbor, at the southern end of Vancouver's island, and was informed by him that until the arrival of Captain Richards, second commissioner, with the surveying party, he was not prepared to enter upon the determination of the water boundary. The United States commissioner therefore proceeded to the western terminus of the 49th parallel, on the main land, and established a depot and located an observatory, for the commencement of the survey along the 49th parallel, eastward, to the crest of the Rocky mountains. The British government not yet having provided a commissioner for that part of the boundary line, we were obliged to commence the work without its co-operation. Reconnoissances and explorations in the vicinity of the boundary line were at once commenced, and continued as long as the season permitted field operations. Before the spring, four astronomical points on the 49th parallel were determined, and the country thoroughly reconnoitered in the vicinity of the parallel, for a consider able distance eastward.