File No. 3172/72.
Department of State,
Washington, March 5,
1908.
No. 421.]
Request Mexican Government to grant permission for a surveying
party of not more than 10 persons to conduct a line of surveys
on Mexican side of international boundary from vicinity of
Colorado River westerly to vicinity of Calexico, in Imperial
County, Cal. Request also free entry for outfit. The survey is
in furtherance of construction of Laguna Dam by Reclamation
Service.
For your full information in the matter I inclose herewith a copy of the
letter from the Secretary of the Interior on which the telegram is
based.
[Inclosure.]
The Secretary of the
Interior to the Secretary of
State.
Department of the Interior,
Washington, February 28,
1908.
Sir: It is desirable to obtain, if
practicable, permission from the Mexican Government for a small
survey party, consisting of not to exceed 10 individuals, [Page 538] to conduct a line of
surveys on the Mexican side of the international border from the
vicinity of Colorado River westerly to the vicinity of Calexico, in
Imperial County, Cal.
There is now under construction by the Reclamation Service on the
Colorado River, about 25 miles above the international boundary,
what is known as the Laguna Dam. From this a canal line is being
constructed on the west side southerly along Colorado River. This
line if extended will reach the international boundary in the
vicinity of Pilot Knob and at an elevation of some feet above the
level of the present irrigating canal of the California Development
Co.
It is desirable to know whether it is physically possible and
practicable to continue this line through a portion of Mexico around
the sand hills which lie along the border, then turning northward
enter Imperial Valley at an elevation considerably above the level
of the canals now irrigating lands in that valley.
There is known to be a large area of public land which might be
reached by a high-line canal heading at Laguna Dam, and in view of
future negotiations it is important to have facts as to the probable
cost of the canal or ditch, if such should be constructed.
Very respectfully,
