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an industrious and peaceful tribe. From the western margin of the Lower Klamath, in the 93d mile from point of beginning, the boundary passes out of that great plateau between the Sierra Nevada and the Cascades, which, if not very valuable for fertility, is nevertheless reported by the surveyor to be an interesting geographical district, rich in its chain of numerous extensive and beautiful lakes, forming a large reservoir from which the Sacramento, Willamette, Des Chutes, Rogue, Klamath, and lesser rivers draw in part their supplies. Much of this extended area will in time be reclaimed by a judicious system of irrigation. Nature has done much to the furtherance of this end; but little remains for man to do, and that may be accomplished with inconsiderable expense.

Again the boundary line traverses elevated timbered mountains, and at the 109th mile crosses the Klamath River, where it breaks through in an immense chasm of great depth, with precipitous, rocky sides, from 1,000 to 1,200 feet altitude. Ascending more sparsely timbered spur ridges of the Siskiyou Range, cut off by ravines whose perpendicular sides rise to several hundred feet, at the 130th mile pass two miles to the south of that remarkable landmark, Pilot Knob, towering far above the surrounding mountains; thence commences a gradual descent to "Cole's Ranch," near which, and on the California and Oregon stage road, was determined, by a long series of observations, the fourth astronomical point of the line. From this point Mr. Major, the astronomer and surveyor, states that the boundary parallel follows up lateral spurs of the main ridge close to the mining trail, and, passing valuable deposits of marble, slate, and auriferous quartz, begins to traverse the gold-producing belt of forty-second parallel, extending across even to the ocean. Leaving the formerly rich mining camp of Hungry Creek just south of the line, while dividing those of Grouse and Beaver Creeks, it follows up the steep ascent of Sterling's Mountain, crossing the main Siskiyou "divide" in a low saddle on the 147th mile, and strikes transversely the numerous high ridges and deep cañons, bearing down to Elliott Creek to the south crossing the principal Applegate at the 160th mile. This creek is a large torrent flowing through a cultivated valley, containing good farms with substantial improvements, and was, years since, a rich placer mining camp, where the hard-working miner was amply rewarded for his industry; but most of the "diggings" have been worked out, and quartz mining is partially supplying the defection of the wandering pros pecters.

Thence west, the line penetrates the timber-clad, rugged mountains of the Siskiyou Range, and follows near the ill-defined "divide" between the waters of the Klamath and Rogue Rivers, passing ridges exceedingly irregular, broken, and cut by ravines of great depth, choked with dense underbrush, and boulders, interlaced with many fallen trees, rendering the passage very difficult.

Near the summit of a high, backbone ridge, at the 167th mile, the astronomer made a set of observations for latitude and azimuth, and established the fifth astronomical station. Continuing west, over much the same general elevation, through a labyrinth of mountains, the precipitous sides of which were covered with densely matted brush, necessitating the cutting of trails, it was found that the character of the country did not vary much, unless to become more impassable, with great scarcity of grass for the animals. The parallel leaves the wellknown "Alt House" mining district, some four miles to the north, and at 1844 miles crosses the Illinois River, near the junction of its branches, about three miles south of the town of Waldo, or "Sailor Diggins."

From the 133d mile to the 190th mile, traversing the irregular ridges and crests of the Siskiyou Range, the whole region is reported to be a granite and quartz formation, and has been irregularly prospected by individual miners, but without system. Such is the extreme difficulty of traveling these unknown localities that miners generally follow the creekbeds, and seldom the mountain sides. There was not a stream that the men of the surveying party prospected which did not give the "color" and, in many places, good "pay."

The country about Alt House, Sailor Diggins, and adjacent neighborhood, formerly was the richest portion of the Pacific States, and although the placers now pay very much less on being rewashed, there is every probability, upon the introduction by capitalists of improved machinery, that quartz mining will become a lucrative business.

Running further west on the boundary, the country assumes a changed appearance on entering the Coast Range, being less elevated and less timbered, but more diversified by deep cañons, which offer serious obstacles to progress. Ten miles north of the parallel is the rich and productive farming valley of the Illinois River, well settled and cultivated. The line ascends to the summit of Red Mountain, passing across, on the 199th mile, the wagon road from Jacksonville to Crescent City, the principal trade outlet for Rogue River Valley and vicinity, and then enters a district of rich deposits of copper, chromium, and iron, passing several mines, in the development of which much capital has been expended. Approaching the Pacific Ocean, the surveyor says language fails to describe the almost insurmountable difficulties experienced in measuring the line through impenetrable undergrowth of tropical density, entangled masses of burned and fallen timber, perpendicular mountain sides, and profound ravines; the winds from the ocean, laden with moisture, deposit dense fogs on the mountain tops and ravines, adding much to the difficulties of exploration.

The boundary line terminates at the coast line of the Pacific, 2121 miles from the initial point, and about one-third of a mile south of the Winchuck River. The field-notes of the survey of the boundary show that throughout the whole distance it is most durably marked by substantial stone monuments, with inscriptions giving the latitude, longitude, and distance, erected at the exact termination of each mile, where possible. It is also extensively blazed through the timber, and perpetuated by over a thousand bearings of prominent landmarks, designed permanently to indicate the common boundary between the States of California and Oregon.

BOUNDARY BETWEEN COLORADO AND KANSAS.

This boundary is coincident with the twenty-fifth meridian of longitude west of Washington, and extends from the intersection point of the thirtyseventh parallel of north latitude to the fortieth-estimated distance, 210 miles.

No survey of this boundary has yet been made, although its establishment is of importance. The appropriation of $2,520 made by Congress, at $12 per mile, having proved entirely insufficient for the purpose, special estimate, at the rate of $25 per mile, was submitted for $2,730, in addition to the former sum, which, if authorized, would have made an amount of $5,250; but in giving authority for the increase of mileage from $12 to $25, Congress omitted to appropriate the said sum, $2,730, consequently we have been unable to secure the services of competent and scientific contractors to perform that work. Since steps were taken

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by this office looking to an early survey of the boundary, it has transpired that the initial point of the survey of the boundary, or the intersection of the thirty-seventh parallel of north latitude with the twentyfifth degree of longitude, had not been determined by the War Department in the survey of the southern boundary of Kansas, and that this circumstance will require additional scientific service in determining astronomically the point in question, and hence an allowance of $35 per mile is needed, with an appropriation of $7,350, as the former appropriation of $2,520 for this service became inapplicable in consequence of statutory interdict of July 12, 1870, (U. S. Laws, 1869 and '70, p. 251, sec. 7.)

EASTERN BOUNDARY OF NEVADA.

Soon after the passage of the act of Congress authorizing the survey of the common boundary between the State of Nevada and the Territories of Utah and Arizona an act was passed, on the 20th July, 1868, appropriating the sum of $10,625 for the survey of the eastern boundary of the State of Nevada, estimated at 425 lineal miles, at the rate not exceeding $25 per mile; instructions were given to the surveyor general of that State to have the boundary astronomically surveyed. As the establishment of the boundary involved determination of both latitude. and longitude, requiring superior mathematical instruments and high professional skill in the survey, that officer was not able to procure suitable persons for the compensation provided by law, and consequently nothing was done in the matter during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1869.

Representations having been made to Congress respecting the inadequacy of the mileage allowed for the astronomical work, increased rate per mile was made during the last session, authorizing the pay of $40 per mile, in lieu of $25, heretofore allowed; corresponding appropriation was made for the work; whereupon additional instructions were given to the surveyor general of Nevada, directing him to contract for the service by establishing the initial point at the intersection of the thirty-seventh meridian west from Washington with the tract of the Union Pacific Railroad, instead of with the middle of the River Colorado of the West, as was in the first instance determined upon. The change in this respect was introduced on account of more convenient and acceptable locality for astronomical determination of the longitude in connection with telegraphic facilities, securing greater accuracy in the results of astronomical data than could be had in the former locality, a region situated far from these advantages.

The contract for the survey of the boundary was closed by the surveyor general in August last, and being approved by the Commissioner of the General Land Office, the work is now in progress, with the prospect of early completion. The result will put to rest numerous conflicts respecting political and civil jurisdictions of the coterminous State and Territories.

BOUNDARIES OF THE STATE OF NEBRASKA COMMON TO THOSE OF THE TERRITORIES OF COLORADO AND WYOMING.

By the act of Congress approved July 20, 1868, there was appropriated for surveying the boundary line between the State of Nebraska and the Territory of Colorado and that portion of Dakota (now part of Wyoming) Territory embraced within the forty-first and forty-third degrees of north latitude the sum of $4,800; which sum, being afterward found insufficient

for the service, was augmented by the sum of $3,200, appropriated by the act of Congress approved March 3, 1869. The United States surveyor general of Nebraska and Iowa was accordingly instructed to enter into contract with a practical astronomer and surveyor to determine the aforesaid boundary lines astronomically, and to survey and mark them in the field in accordance with the boundaries described in the act admitting Nebraska into the Union, approved April 19, 1864. The southern boundary of Nebraska, on the fortieth parallel of north latitude, was established in 1854 by a member of the Corps of Topographical Engineers as the base line governing the surveys of public lands in Kansas and Nebraska, thus obviating the necessity of determining this parallel further than the point of intersection of the base line with the twenty-fifth degree of longitude west from Washington. The following points of intersection of latitude and longitude, together with the twenty-fifth degree of longitude west from Washington, were required to be astronomically determined:

First. The forty-first degree north latitude with the twenty-fifth degree longitude west from Washington;

Second. The forty-first degree north latitude with the twenty-seventh degree longitude west from Washington; and

Third. The forty-third degree north latitude with the twenty-seventh degree longitude west from Washington.

During the winter of 1868-69 the United States Coast Survey made telegraphic connection across the continent for the purpose of determining the difference of longitude between Cambridge, Massachusetts, and various other points west of that place. Omaha, Nebraska, was one of these points, and the observatory being in operation at the period when the boundary survey was commenced by Mr. O. N. Chaffee, the astronomer and surveyor contracting with the surveyor general of Iowa and Nebraska for the service, advantage was taken of the facilities afforded in determining the position of Julesburg, Colorado, and Bushnell Station, Nebraska, on the line of the Union Pacific Railroad. Accordingly the surveying party first proceeded to Bushnell Station, where sets of time signals were exchanged by telegraph with the officer in charge of the Omaha observatory, the mean of forty-two sets of seven each, recorded at Omaha by the Coast Survey clock and chronograph working in the electrical circuit, giving the difference of time between the two stations as 31 minutes and 45.75 seconds, from which the position of Bushnell was found to be in longitude 26° 50′ 6".45 west from Washington. Numerous circum-polar and circum-meridian observations of stars determined the latitude of Bushnell to be in 41° 13′ 54′′.4.

By a similar mode of proceeding the longitude of Julesburg, Colorado, was found to be 25° 18′ 30′′.9 west from Washington. The mean of 115 circum-meridian observations of stars north and south of the zenith places Julesburg in 40° 59' 1".56 north latitude. All these observations were conducted with care and precision, and the results attained may be regarded as practically corrrect.

The next important feature of the work was the survey and marking of the twenty-fifth meridian, and curve of the forty-first parallel of north latitude on the earth's surface. The longitude of the Julesburg meridian being first ascertained, the twenty-fifth meridian was found to be distant therefrom 16 miles 10.47 chains due east.

Starting at Julesburg, the surveyer ran due north a distance of 1° mile and 9.65 chains to the forty-first parallel of north latitude, establishing at 10.47 chains east of this intersection the 16th mile-post west of the twenty-fifth meridian. The survey of this forty-first parallel is

commemorated by 104 mile-posts of cottonwood and Norway pine, eight feet in length, and six inches square, planted firmly in the earth to a depth of three feet, above a small marked stone described in the fieldnotes, the earth being raised three feet high above the post, and pits dug each side on the line. A charred stake, or a small quantity of charcoal, was deposited under each post as a substitute for the stone, in cases where the latter was not available; the fact being duly noted in the field-notes of survey. These corners were witnessed by marking all noticeable permanent natural objects, such as rocks, peaks, and hills, whose relative positions were also described in the field-notes. At the intersection of the forty-first parallel of north latitude with the twentyfifth meridian west of Washington there was placed a limestone monument, six feet long and one foot square for one foot from the top, and of octagonal shape below, planted two feet deep in the ground, a mound three feet high raised around it, seven feet in diameter at the base, and sloping in toward the top, four pits, two feet square and one foot deep, being dug toward the cardinal points. This monument is inscribed on the north side, "250 W. L.;" on the east side, "Nebraska;" and on the west side, "410 N. L." At the intersection of the forty-first parallel with the twenty-seventh meridian a similar monument was erected and a mound of stone, three feet high, seven feet in diameter at its base, and five feet at its top, raised around it. On the side of this monument facing north, there was inscribed "270 W. L.;" on the side facing east, "104 miles 72 ch. 7 l'ks;" on that facing south, "Colorado ;" and on that facing west, "410 N. L." From the 16th mile-post the surveyor continued the transit line eastward, making proper offsets at the end of each mile, to the north, before establishing each mile-post. At 46 chains and 93 links east of the tenth mile-post west of the twenty-fifth meridian, the Union Pacific Railroad crosses the boundary, from northeast to southwest. The soil between Julesburg and this point is poor and sandy, with some marshy land. The surface is low and level in most places. Stopping here, the surveying party retraced their steps, and, commencing at the intersection of the Julesburg meridian with the parallel, the transit line was continued westward to the twenty-seventh meridian, where its intersection was marked by a monument hereinbefore described. At 11 chains and 3 links west of the 17th milepost the Union Pacific Railroad track again crosses the boundary line, bearing northwest and southeast. At the distance of half a mile to the west of this point the boundary crosses Lodge Pole Creek, here a small stream only 25 links in width. From this point the line passes through a rather uninteresting monotonous stretch of country, with poor soil and little water at the season (July) when the survey was made. The parallel frequently crosses dry creek beds, but the scarcity of running water is a noticeable feature. Banks of red gravel and small knolls literally paved with cobble stones were frequently met with, and near the 33d mile-post a large bank of good limestone was observed. Between the 38th and 47th mile-posts the region contains a large amount of good land, although the usual scarcity of water is manifest. The general appearance of the country is that of a gently rolling prairie, dotted frequently with surface knolls. There are no large stones near the surface, but the ground, in many places, is overspread with limestone gravel. Between the 66th and 85th mile-posts the region assumes a more broken and bolder aspect, being frequently worn into ravines and cañons, where water can be obtained by digging a few feet below the surface. Bluffs rise in some cases to the height of one hundred feet, the soil, being dry and arid, affording only scanty growth of grass. At

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