[001] Report of the Surveyor appointed to run the boundary between Georgia & Florida, under direction of the Commissioners The Commissioners having arrived near the head of the St Mary's, on the 7th day of March 1827, agreed that the Boundary between Georgia and Florida should be a line run- ning from the junction of Chattahochie and Flint rivers, to a point near the head of the St. Mary's, and and one mile north of a mound of earth erected by the United States and Spanish Commissioners in 1800, termed in the Journal of Mr Ellicott The Mound B. The Surveyor was therefore directed to calculate the course and distance between those points, and to proceed without delay to the running of a guide line, beginning at the eastern extremity. The data for finding the course & distance are the following: The Latitude of the junction of Chattahochie & Flint - - 30 42 42s N " Longitude " " " -. 84. 53. 15 W Latitude of a point situate from the mound B, No 45 E 640 perches. 30 34 48 N. " Longitude - - -. - - " - - 82 17 15 W. The difference of latitude between the two points one of which is N 45 E640 perches, and the other north 320 perches (or one mile) from the mound B, is 132.56 perches 21.4 and 30 34" 48" - 21.4 - 30 34' 26.6 the lat. required [002] To find the difference of Longitude. Lat of a point No 45 E 640 perches from B. - 3034'48 " - " North one mile - - " " - 30 3426.6 Middle Latitude in a 30 34 37. 3 As Cos. Mid. Lat. 30 34' 37.3~ - ar.co. 0.065026 Radius 10.000000 : Departure 1:22 - - 0.086360 " Diff. of Longitude 1'417 = 1'25" 0.151386 And 82 17'15" + 1'25" = 8218'40', the longitude required. In the spheric triangle PCE let P represent the pole, C. the junction of Chattahochie and Flint, and E the point one mile north of the mound B; then will P C be the Co-latitude of C=5917 "17"2 PE the Co-latitude of E = 59 25 33 4 and P. or diff. of longitude = 2 34 35. We have, then, two sides and their con- tained angle to find the other angles & side. To find the angles. As Radius 10.000000 Cos P 2 34'35" 9.999561 Tangent P C 591717.2 10.226185 tangent Pd 59 15' 45"6" 10.22547 [003] P E 59 25 33 4 Pd 59 15 456 = dE 9 478. And As Sine d E 9 47. 8 " ar co. 2. 545155 Tangent 1 P 2 34' 35" - - 8.653189 Sine Pd 59 15' 45"6 9.934256 Tangent "E 85 47 08" - 11.132600 As Sine P 6 59 17' 17" 2" ar. co. 0.065630 Sine P E 59 25 33.4 9.93989 sine 692 54'00"~" 9.999.443 Sup. 87. 06 Sine 1 E850 47'8" 9 998824 To find the distance C. E. As Fine I 69254 - ar. co. 0.000557 Sine PE 59 25'33"4 - - 9.9398 Sine 1 P 2 34 35 8.652750 sine E E 2 13 25"..... 8.58296 And 2" 13" 25" = 154 miles, 44 chains and 81 links. It therefore appears that an are of a great circle forming an angle with the meridean at the point E from the north towards the west of 85 47 8" and continued 2 13 25 (= 154 miles, 44 chains 81 links) will form the boundary required: provided the geo- graphical positions of the two points have been correctly determined. [004] The excess of the supplemental angle Cover the angle E is 1 18' 52" ; which divided by C.E. gives about 30" 5 per mile. But as it was impracticable with the instrument intended to be used, to make so small a deviation at the end of every mile, it was therefore determined to increase the aforemen- tioned angle & at the rate of 2' 37" 7 For every five miles; in order to make the boundary correspond as nearly as practicable to an are of a great circle. To find the Magnetic Variation. March 6. 1827. Observed the magnetic bearing of Polaris when at its greatest elongation west. No 7.00 00W. To find its longation in Lat. 30 40' N. Its N.P.D. per Nautical Almanae 13640 Declination 88 23 20 Radius -10. As Cos. Lat. 30 40 ar. co. 0.065.426 Cos Dec. 8823'20" 8.448946 Fine Elongation 1 52'23 - - 8. 514372 No 7 00 00 W Magnetic bearing 1-52-23 W. E Mar. 7. Bearing Polaris * 700.00 W Elongation variation 5 07 37" E. Elongation - 1.52.23 W. Vaviation 507'376 [005] March 8. The Surveyor was instructed to proceed with his party to the mound B, and after having measured due north one mile to the point E. to begin at that point a guide Line running to the junction of the Chattahochie and Flint rivers In his progress on the line, the instances from the beginning point to all rivers, Creeks, Swamps, lakes, ponds, roads, trails, &c. were recorded in a Field Book, containing also the several courses rum, and such remarks generally as were thought necessary, at transcript of these notes is herewith presented. And here it may not be improper to state, that in order to represent, Stramps, streamlets &c. correctly, the notes are written from the bottom of each page or column towards the top: they must therefore be read in the same manner. Field book. 37.50 Leave the swamp N 85 47: 08 W S. & W. with X; N. with G. & S with F Mile 1 00.00 Cypress Post, marked on the 52.00 Swamp 45. a Leave the swamp 35. a Bay Swamp North begin at the Mound B and run 10 00.00 N. 85 52'23" W. 5 00.00 N 85 49' 46" W 75.00 Swamp 3 35.00 Leave Swamp 40.00 Swamp 2 19.00 Leave the Swamp 15.00 Swamp 1 00.50 leave the swamp 53. Bay Swamp [006] 53.50 Leave Swamp - as 43 19.00 Branch this 27 26.50 Suwanny river 45.00 Leave Sramt 2 - 78.50 River Swamp - C is 41 19.00 "to us" " 6900 Leave Swamp 58.00 - - - it 26 1 Palmeto Swamp 32.50 had - - Bay Tramp the said 58.50 t Branch 18.00 - l.e. and frond ~ 34.00 the Road is 40 - 00.00 of N 86 08 10 5/1 I Rp D 25 00. 00 No 86o 00: 17"W. 67.50 wir Pim Pond 24 00.00 Leave Swamp 20.00 not, was + 65.00 - Little Suwanny 39 4.00 . Bay Swamb 23 60.00 Swamp - - - 37 00.00 21 5.00 36 50.00 Bay Swamp & 70.00 Bay swamp 43.50 - - - 54.00 46.50 Cypress pond 35 32.50 00.00 Bay Swamp N8605' 32" n 20 - 00.00 No 85 57' 39" W. 17.00 - " s 19 47.00 Bay Swamp 34 2.00 i Cypress pond 48.00 is 32 13.50 18 1.50 15.00 C Road leave ramp- 31 78.00 56.50 Cypress pond 15 6 00.00 No. 55 of tt. 45.80 Cypress pond 13 60.00 45.00 Small Island 8 30 29 00. 00 30.00 No 86 2' 54" Tom's Creek - [007] 56.00 - Leave Swamp 39.00 57 26.00 de - - 19.00 Lake 37.00 00.00 35.00 20.00 52 i. 00 51 69.50 Trail 18.50 - - - - 34.00 Leave Swamp 64 08.00 Lake 50 00.00 " : " N 86 1325 W. 72.00 Road 49 66.50 " " Champ the 63 1.50 Small Cr 50.00 118ft wide Allapaha river 62 68. or Ocopilco creek [Okapilco?] 37.50 - Branch 61 00.00 " " 49 17.00 Swamp 60.00 Lake 48 ( 50.50 Road 60 00.00 No. 18 41 60.00 Alligator Creek 25.00 Leave Swamp - - - 46 4700 Road 59 20.00 Creek 73 500 Swamp 56 20.00 60.00 22.50 55 45 00.00 N 86 10 48 W. 62.50 Swamp... 29.00 " " " 32.00 - 44 750 Cypress pond 58 20.00 Lake in the 72 1.50 in " " 60.00 Bay Swamp 40.00 Bay Swamp No. 86 16 03 W. 70 00.00 No 86 23' 56" Leave swamp 68 36.00 Weeth-lock-ochie Mud Creek 65 00.00 No 86 21-19 Swamp 65.30 small or from [008] 59.00 Road is 1 75.00 I 107 50.00 Bv - - - - - - S2.00 - - " 106 14.50 ~ Road 86 15.00 15.10. Pay Seramp - - - - - 3.00 Cypress pond 2.00 Old trail 48.00 C 105 00.00 6 103 65.00 42.50 is 57.50 20.00 85 00.00 N 86 31' 49'W. 35.05 Deep Cypress pond~ S. W. Cramp 91 22.50 1900 100 00. or 49.00 40.00 Mickasaky Lake Trail " " N86 39 43W. Road - - - Branah - - S. S. W. is 83 00.50 Old trail " " No 86 37:05"W. Crak 81 15.00 Cypress pond 10.00 Leave the pond Leave the Calla as 80 50.00 40.00 00.00 N862912 - " "T 1 + is Island Ocilla N 86 34 27 W. 30.00 Cyrress fond - - swamp 76 64.00 - Branch - - is - - 75 00.00 No 86 26 34 t I Lake " to Watson's line, left 2 M. 17c. 50 L. 73 10.00 Bay Swamp Offest to Mr Nels line, left 2 M.7e. Branch - - N86 42' 20"W small or - " - " - is 95 00. 00 94 67 00 91 10.00 75.00 70.00 18.50 90 00. or 9 qq.00 ss. oo 39.00 " " " 87 00.00 [009] 181. 31.50 Leave Swamp 70.00 Swamp Cr. [creek] 121 10.00 62.50 - Road. 55.00 Ihamp - 24.00 Br - 17.00 Coffees Road 10.00 Swamp 120 00.00 N86 50'14W. 130 00.00 No. 8b 55 29 58.00 the Leave Swamp 2500 Leave swamp 53.00 Branch 20.00 Brunnay 42.50 Swamp 127 7.50 Swamp 119 7.50 55.00 Road - - - 75.00 Coffee's Reach 128 700 Br 117 33.00 Road 30.00 Leave swamp - 63.50 de 22.00 Lord Br ~ 116 6 1.50 Road 125 00.00 No 86 52 57 Tr. 22.00 - " - 49.00 - -.. 18.50 ... 32.00 Horse Cr to Watson's line, left 2 25-28 10.00 Swamp " " ffest to McNeils line left 2 18 40 124 00. 50 Br - - - S.O Road is 123 74.80 Br.-- 115 00.00 No 46 47 36 W. is 45.00 Br 113 7.50 Road... . 122 750 Br 18.50 Rp. 65.00 110 00.00 N 86 44 587 57.50 " - - - " 109 53.50 Br 121 48.00 Okelockonne river [010] 140 00.00 N87 dd 45 K. st 187 06 W. 53ch 50 L. river swamp. 60.00 Swamp sd 3o 54 W. 2 M.13ch.40d. Watson's Line 10.00 Leave Swamp 156 00.00 139 5.00 Branch 158 73.00 Road~~ 69.00 Branch - - 70.00 Leave Swamp - 138 55.00 [unclear] 65.00 Creek 75.00 Roall 153 57.00 - Bn - 45.00 Road - 152 35.00 Musketse Cr 137 20.50 Road - 151 76.00 Sramp 50.00 Leave Seramp 70.00 Br 57.50 Br - 150 00.00 No 87 06' 00"W. 33.00 R..... 67.00 Br.... 50.00 Lille Attapulgas I 146 26.50 is Road 37.50 Rp. Phr 79.00 Road 135 is 00.00 No 56 58. 07.W. 65.50 Leave Swamp 62.00 Br - - - 53.50 Large Branch 39.00 Road 52.00 Thamp 134 2.50 Leave Swamp 145 00.00 No 87 03' 22"W. 76.00 Br: 37.50 Road 67.50 Swamp 13.50 Etat Road 45.00 Leave swamp 143 1.50 Road 133 30.00 Attapulgas Cr 27.00 Leave Swamp 132 72.50 Sramp 140 5.00 Willockochee Cr. [011] On approaching the Apalachicola, the swamp was so inundated by a freshet in the Chattahoochie, that it was found impracticable to measure the distance through it with a chain; and there remained no other method of ascertaining this distance, than by opening vistas through the swamp, and measuring it trigonometrically. But as this would cause great delay, and be attended with considerable expense, it was therefore determined to assume 38 chains as the distance from the outer edge of the swamp to the junction; thereby making the length of the whole line 157 miles, 11 chains & 50 links. To find the angular error at E. As 157. 14 - = 157 miles, & 11chs & 50 links) - - ar. c. 7. 803714 Radius . 10.00000 " 2.166 - (= 2 miles, 13 chains, f 40 links) 0.335648 Tangent Error 47' 23" 8.139372 The deviation of 2 miles, 13 chains, & 40 links from the intended point must have proceeded from one of two causes: Either the Magnetic Vari- ation could not have been correctly ascertained at the head of the St. Mary's, or Messrs Ellicott and Minor failed in deter- mining accurately the latitudes of the two points terminating the boundary. The latter cause is too improbable to be further noticed: the error must therefore have proceeded from the former. In admitting an error [012] to have arisen in ascertaining the Magnetic Variation, the Surveyor believes it necessary to notice the causes which must have given rise to it. The only instrument with which we were provided for making observations, was an excellent Surveying Compass, made on the Rittenhouse construction. With this instrument the Variation could be ascertained only by observations of circumpolar stars. When a series of good observations can he made, this method will always be found sufficiently correct for all practical purposes. In the present instance but two observations were taken; yet their exact coincidence was deemed the best pos- sible evidence of their correctness; and the Surveyors immedi- ate separation from the regular encouragement owing to the deep swamps through which the first part of the line was carried, prevented their repetition as had been intended. In addition to the coincidence of results in these observations, another reason operated to induce a belief of their corrections. From a series of observations made at Eatonton, Georgia, the mean Variation at that place is 515' E. This compared with observations made in different parts of the United States, was deemed satisfactory evidence, that in proceeding to the head of the St Mary's, we were ap- proaching the line of no variation; and consequently the variation must be decreasing. Hence, the conclusion [013] was rational, that the result of our observations 507'37". must be near the truth. Having no means, in addition to those already mentioned, to verify our observations, it was determined to increase the afore mentioned result 5 07' 37" by the singular error 47'23"; thereby making the Variation 5 55'; and to proceed on the Return line from the junction of the rivers, reversing the several courses noted on the Guide Line. On the tenth day of April, the Surveyor was instructed to commence the Boundary at the same point which had been previously designated by Messrs Watson and McNeil as the junction of the Chattahochie and Flint rivers. He accordingly proceeded to the discharge of this duty; and having marked a Cypress and Willow immediately in the junction, the former of which had been marked by Mr. Mc Neil, and a Hickory on the left bank of Flint river which had been marked by both Gen. Watson and Mr McNeil as their point of departure, he commenced the Return Line as follows. 1 00.00 Pine Post 50.00 Mound of earth & Pine Post. S87 06'00" E begin at the junction & run 7.50 Swamp 2 00.00 Pine Post 65.00 Road 1 50.00 Br [014] 10 00.00 P. O. Post & Mound 76.50 Road 25.00 Leave Swamp - 65.00 Leave Swamp 18.50 Creek 15.00 Willochochee 9 00.00 Ash Post 18 1800 55.00 Beech Post Swamp 65.00 Musketoe Cr 17 00.00 Pine Post 11.50 Br 16 00.00 Pine Post 8 00.00. White O Post 33.00 Br 28.50 Br . In in is 31.05 Br is 00.00 S. Jack Port 3 S86 58 07 E. 33.50 Road.. as 15 00.00 P. P. H. Mound 6 00.00 Pine Post 73.01 in a - - - 34.00 Br.... 6150 Swamp 22.50 Dr... 14 00.00 Pine Post o S87o 03' 22" E 65.00 Road 00.00 P P. & Mound of earth. 11.00 Or . .. 3 70.00 Leave Swamp 13 00.00 Pine Post 40.00 - Br ... -. 63.00 Br 38.50 Swamp 48.00 Road 4 00.00 Pine Post 27.50 Road 25.00 Dr . .. 4 r 12 00.00 Pine Post 3.00 Pine Post 62.50 Br 20.00 Leave Swamp 11 00. 00 B J Post 2 is 10.00 Musketoe Cr. - 1870 00'45" E [015] 79.00 Creek 31 00. 00 Pine Post - 65.00 Swamp 16.50 Leave Swamp 22 00. 00 Pine Post 5.00 Br.... 33.00 Road 27 00.00 Pine Post 23.00 Branch 66. s Road 10.00 Branch 17.50 Br.... 21 00.00 Water Oak Post 30.00 Cr 67.50 Branch c 10.00 Leave Swamp 55.00 Small branch 26. 00.00 Chinquapen P. 18.50 Road 70.00 Swamp. 8.00 Road - 12.50 Martin's Cr 24 00. 00 Pine Post- 1 S86 50 14 E. 45.00 Leave Swamp 30 00.00 Chinquapin P. & M. 27.50 Attapulgus Creek 65. 00 Swamp 11.00 Little Attapulgus 29 60.00 Pine Post 23 00. 00 Maple Post 15.00 Road 79.50 Branch 28 10.00 Pine Post 45.00 Swamp 20.00 Br.... S 86 55' 29" E 38. a Sassafras P. Fallows 20 00.00 P. P.P Mound 30.00 Leave Swamp 55.00 Branch 5.00 Swamp Cr 7.50 Road S 86o 52s 51 E. 19 60.00 I Pine Post 25 00.00 Magnolia B Post [016] - 30.00 52 00. 00 Pine Post 7.50 Swamp 17.00 Road - - - 37 00.00 P. O. P.... 51 00.00 Pine Post s - 10.00 Leave Swamp S8639'43" E. 2.00 + Br...... 50 00. 00 P.P. & Mound - 36.00 Post Oak Post- 49 00.00 Pine Post - 78.00 Swamp 67.50 Brun 60.00 Coffees Road 48 00. 00 Pine Post- 35 5 80.00 S86 47 36 E. P.O.P. and Mound 47 00.00 Pine Post 66.50 Or- 45 00. 00 Pine Post. is 50.00 Leave Swamp. 64.00 Road 1900 Small Cr. & serv. C S 86 42 20 E 4.50 Okelockonne 45 00.00 Pine Post & Maund 34 00.00 Water O. P. margin lake 44 00. 00 Pine Post - S3 09 46W 12.50 43 00. 00 Pine Post - S 86 50 14 E18.50 42 00.00 Pine Post- No 3 09 46 E 12 41.50 Road 61.50 Deep Lake 41 00. 00 Pine Post- 33.50 Swamp 59.50 Road 6.00 Swamp S86 44 58 E. 33 00. 00 Pine Post 40 00.00 Pine Post & Mound. 76. 50 Horse Cr 39 00.00 P. Post 32 00. 00 Pine Post 38 00.00 Pine Post- [017] 52.50 Swamp 65 00.00 Pine Post 25.00 Cypress pond 50.00 Swamp - 74 00.00 Pine Post- 64 00.00 Pine Post- 73 00.00 Pine Post 21.00 + 72 00. 00 Pine Post. 15.00 Lake - 25.00 ~ " " 500 Swamp is 20.00 Pond 63 00.00 Pine Post 500 Swanise 62 00.00 Pine Post- 71 00. 00 Post Oak Post - 30.00 Br.... S 8629'12" E 61 00.00 Pine Post 70 00.00 P.O.P. & Mound - S 86 34 27 E 59.50 Road 60 00.00 Pine PostFellaund 1500 Leave Swamp 59 00.00 Pine Post 69 00.00 Water Oak Post 58 00.00 Pine Post 68 00.00 Pine Post. 18.50 Leave the Lake 52.50 Creek 57 00.00 Pine Post 15.00 - 67.50 Mickasuky [Miccosukee?] Lake 67 00.00 Pine Post- 56 00.00 Pine Post. 47.50 Leave Ocilla 1 S 86 37 05 E 66 00.00 Cypress post 55 00.00 Pine Post & Mound 55.00 " " " 54 00. 00 Pine Post 30.00 Swamp 53 00. 00 Pine Post 65 100 Br. Ocilla - 52 is 18.50 Br S 86 31 49 E [018] 83 00.00 Pine Post 57.64 Fine Post, No 92 - 75.50 No 86 18' 41"W. 48.57 Cypress pond 72.20 to the point A 82 00. 00 Pine Post No 41 19 1/2 81 00.00 Pine Post 1 mile 64 ch. 50 links 3.20 Mound of earth With the Guide Line S 8641 19 E S86 23 56 E. 39.19 Guide Line 80 00.00 Pine Post 73.14 N 3 41 19 E 79 00.00 Pine Post 90 00.00 S 86 18 49 E. 44.00 N 3 39' 41" E. 15.00 Cypress pond 61.00 River 00.00 Pine Post 89 00.00 Pine Post 46.50 21.70 Weeth-lock-o-chie 34.00 Cypress pond 88 00.00 Pine Post 16.50 87 00.00 Pine Post 8.50 Cypress pond 86 00.00 Pine Post 7 00.00 Pine Post 29.00 Dr.... 23.50 S 86 21 19 E 5.00 Cypress pond 85 00.00 Pine Post & Mound 76 00.00 Pine Post 65.00 Small Cr S 86 26 34 E 84.00 00.00 Pine Post 75 00.00 Pine Post 68.50 74 62.50 Leave Swamp 83 27.50 Cypress pond [019] 72.33 Weethlockockie 47.50 Mound & Swamp 93 22.36 Pine Post No 93 From the point A, S86 18' 41" E April 26. Mr Spalding, the Commissioner on the part of Georgia, this day received instructions from His Excellency Governor Troup to suspend the completion of the line until it shall be as- certained whether the head of the St Mary's has been correctly determined. In obedience to these instructions, our operations were immediately suspended. In running the Boundary, all trees standing within a convenient distance marked fronting the line with a blaze and chop : those immediately on the line were marked fore and aft with a blaze and three chops, and the initials S.L. cut abord the blaze, G on the north, and F on the south. At the end of every mile a permanent post was placed showing the instance from junation of Chattahochie and Flint rivers; and at the end of every fifth mile, unless prevented by marshes, a Mound of earth was erected, about eight feet in diameter, and three or four feet in height. Respectfully submitted John McBride Surveyor. Eatonton, Ga. May 17th. 1827. [020] McBrides Report of Line between Florida & Georgia Commenced in 1827