_August 30._--Commenced operations at daylight. I found here Mr. Tivey, formerly of Texas, a surveyor from California, who was _en route_ for Santa Fé. He had with him a wagon which would suit our purpose, also a dozen of good mules; he had been waiting some weeks for company. I made an arrangement with this gentleman by which he loaned the mail party his outfit, and agreed to accompany them to La Mesilla. This he did, partly for the consideration of protection, but principally from public spirit and a desire to see the new mail line go into operation at once; besides, having been an extensive traveller himself in new countries, he had a good idea of the obstacles to be overcome in our early organization. The wagon and mules belonging to Mr. Tivey, added to those mules I had brought on which were in condition to return, made a respectable outfit to use in sending the mail back to El Paso. I made up another outfit for myself by taking the inferior of the two carriages I had brought from La Mesilla, purchasing seven mules, and selecting five more from among those belonging to the San Diego party, whom I had turned back. To aid me in taking the mail through to its destination, a distance of 469 miles, I took two Americans and a Mexican, making four of us in the party, as we should soon be beyond the point where the Apaches are in the practice of roaming, and, therefore, so strong a party as came from La Mesilla to Tucson would be unnecessary. For the first time since coming on to the road I took command of the mail party. To make the needed connexion here between the eastern and western divisions of our road, I made two arrangements of mail parties. I detailed two men to come on slowly to the Pimos villages, with instructions to await there the next mail from San Antonio. On receiving the mail they were to push on with all speed for Yuma, 180 miles from Pimos, where I would leave further instructions. I took with me two other men, whom I also proposed leaving at the Pimos under instruction to return to Tucson with the next mail going east, which mail would have left San Diego August 24. At Tucson they were to deliver the mail to the present train, which would wait as long as possible. Got away about noon, and in the night met with a disagreeable accident: the perch of our carriage broke. We spliced it with mezquit branches and ropes, but, in the first gully we went through, we broke down again even worse than before. This second accident happened at 2 o’clock in the morning; our carriage was a complete wreck, but in any view of the case it was apparently best to camp until daylight; we could then see whether the damages could be repaired or the carriage would have to be abandoned. Camped about 3 o’clock in the morning. Made 36 miles since leaving Tucson.