_August 19._--A beautiful day; I find some difficulty in purchasing the required corn for my mules. Last year the corn crop of this valley was a partial failure, in consequence of which the corn at present in use here is brought from Chihuahua; I pay equal to about $2 50 per bushel. I find it impossible to purchase mules and get them here in season to be of use for the next mail going west, due here on the 21st or 22d. To insure that the next mail shall go forward with despatch, I deemed it best to-day to send the train up the river with directions to proceed as far as Fort Fillmore, 50 miles above El Paso, there to await the coming mail. Our mules need shoeing, and some other preparations are required for the journey. I have bought all the mules I could find, and lastly borrowed fourteen from the herd of government mules which I brought from Fort Davis. The others I returned in charge of the corporal who came up with me, (see journal, August 2.) I purchased to-day a pair of large Missouri mules, and at once sent my small wagon and nine mules down to the Presidio, 25 miles below El Paso, with directions to receive the up mail there, and bring it with all speed to Fort Fillmore; this I planned to save time. _August 20._--Was engaged all day in preparing the way, as far as possible, to have the business of the line run smoothly during my absence, I stored my two heavy coaches to wait the chances of the future. _August 21._--Early this afternoon an express came in from Captain Holliday, who was _en route_ to Fort Fillmore, for the purposes stated under date of August 19. He wrote me that his wagon had broken down, with the further prospect of being scarcely able to reach the post with it. I immediately purchased a private carriage, the only one in El Paso any way suited to our purpose. By the kindness of Colonel Reeves, commanding Fort Bliss, who loaned me a team, I was enabled to despatch the carriage for Fort Fillmore this evening. I had no mules at Franklin with which to send it up. At 10 p.m. the mail and Mr. Giddings came in from San Antonio, having left there August 9, the contract day. Our coach arrived here with a broken pole which is by no means a small obstacle in this remote country, particularly when the accident chances to happen after dark and no other carriage is to be obtained, while the mail must go on. By splicing we made it answer our present purpose, though consuming nearly all night in preparations.