The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-08-03
COPY OF LETTER.

COPY OF LETTER.
LATITUDE 49, 10 NJ, JUNE 10th, 1913,
ITO MILES ABOVE FORT UNION.
To DR.. ]. BAcHMAN-
My DEAR FRIEND:
II Is with transport of pleasure that avail my
self OF this opportunity of sending a letter (by
hunter gong down TO Fort Unlon) to impart the
qualification have experienced since the date of
my last, Cat the Fort, 18th nst,) | cannot say but
that consider all my tolls, troubles and travels in
the wilderness are fully and amply repaid by the dis
covery OF an animal which bids fair to become not
only a valuable, but domestic one-although |
have been successful in this my last journey In col
lectng number more of beautiful specimens of
birds, attended to with great hardship in some
cases; but still they nothing in comparison
with that which have so lately discovered existed
In these regions; and from my own observations,
together with the inquiries have made OF the
Indians In this neghbeurhood relative thereto,
am satisfied that these animals can be procured in
great plenty In certain portions OF this territory. But
must proceed, as you always expect, with my
dolnes since the date of my last. We left the Fort
(Union)lon the morning of the 18th instant-a more
beautiful day never beheld. Just picture to your
self clear sky, and not too warm a sun, with the
most beautiful scenery in the world before you,
affording wide plains for your researches filled with
the melody OF Innumerabe wild songsters, scented
with the delightful perfume of thousand variega-
ted and useful unknown plants andherbs, which not
only delight the eye by their various hues, but at
once show the vast fields that nature has provided
for the OF man and the improvement of science :;
it was indeed beautiful subject for reflection, tho
cannot say paid 1t just tribute, being intent
my pursuits. We travelled that day distance of
forty miles, and procured two more additional and
beautiful specimens to my collection, but nature
seemed afterwards toAbe not quite so munlfcent
continual heavy showers have moested US daily, and
1t is In greatm owing to this that acciden-
tally came upon the animal l am going to describe
Yesterday about 10 A. M, we saw dark heavy
clouds coming from the South East, attended with
heavy peas of thunder and vivid lightning, when in
the distance, about mile to the westward, per-
ceived large wood or forest, on the borders of a
lake, some ten miles In circumference, towards
which number of f1ocks of birds were directing
their course This led us there not for the pur
pose of shelter, Qor that to man of my pursuits
would be temlnine), but that we might he enabled
among so great variety OF the teathered tribe, to
procure something in addition to my stock. We
had no sooner arrived at the place described, than
1t rained in torrents-my companions placed them
selves under sheltero large tree, while myself, too
well aware of the abundance before me OF that,
which have so long made my study, sailed forth
with my towing piece, with the lock well protected
from the rain had proceeded the distance OF about
400 PAGES. when to my horror, iheard not far from
me, very singular cry, In some measure resembling
that OF a human being In DISTRESS but much louder.
For moment did not know what to do, ha-
wing nothing with me but small shot; however,
was determined to proceed towards the spot from
whence the cry arose, and ascertain, if possible
what was the cause, knowing from Its continuance
and loudness, that my companions would be at
tracted hther. had not advanced many PAGES to
the LETT, verglng the margin OF the lake. before
| approached very cautiously, and to my surprise
saw two beasts, engaged In playing, or fighting;
they appeared there to be of enormous heights,
when they stood on their hind legs, which have
since ascertalned they continually sit on. | re-
manned watching them short time, uncertain
what to do, when to my great Joy my friends
came up being attracted by the noise,
and having some fears tor my safety. Inactive spec
tatOrs could not remaln-so determined there,
fore attack them, and they then lay exhausted
thought IT they were not too vicious, might pro-
cure alive. Filled with this incentive advanced
towards them, and when near, they both sprang up
and sat their hind parts with their fore paws up
raised, seeming to threaten descent upon us. One
of my companion being somewhat afraid, imme
dlatey shot one, and the other bounded OIL with the
most fearful leaps Another such animal never
saviour Buffaio's or mountain Elks, nothing
in comparison, In the scale OF worth. To give you
a proper description will be to hken it somewhat in
shape to a Kangaroo, but varying in many partlcu-
lars. 1t sits on its hind legs the same way, but
shaped in the abdominal regions the same; its front
legs are short, but armed with sharp claws,
and they bound or jump with their hind legs. They
have tail somewhat like that of sheep, about
ten inches long, and round the middle OF the body
they have ring of flesh about IL inches wide and
inches thick in the middle or center, which pro-
duces great quantity OF oil. On their heads they
have two horns very similar to the horns OF the
deer but not more than Is inches long-the head is
shaped also very like that of the deer, aud has the
same kind OF teeth, bat what is more remarkable
than all the rest, their coat is of the most Seauu
tul tur L ever Dehel0, oil a uhrR Drown COlOT LIE
proportions of the one killed were very great, it
weighed, the best of calculations, upwards OF
600 pounds, and II measured from the top OF the
headto the end OF the tail feet inches, which aI-
pears to be their full grown size We had no sooner
killed this one, than some Indians, attracted by the
report of the rifle, Joined Our interpreter con-
versed with them-they said that IN these woodlands
these animals were In great abundance They called
it in their tong the koka-k) or jumper; they
feed on grass herbs and foliage. Upon observing us
take off the skin, the Indians expressed desire to
have some of the flesh, which we gave them. We
some of the same, and found it delicious
il very white and tender, tasted very similar to
veal but the ring on the body was nearly all oil, and
the whole upper part will produce great quantity
The Indians took us to their huts or village, which
consisted but OF SIX families; there we saw no less
than six of these animals domestcated, two young
ones, male and female, which | bsrtered some
beads for and intend to send down to the fort by
the first opportunity.
think, without doubt, in point of usefulness and
value, may pride myself in surprising most OF my
in thus bringing so great a discovery TO
light. Every information respecting them, | shall
endeavor TO attain before leaving here
LATER FROM KINGSTON, JAMAlcA-By the arrival |
at this port of the schooner Currency, Capt. Sharp,
we have received advces from Cape Hayten four |
DAYS later and from Kingston, jamaica ten days |
later but learn nothing OF interest except the fol-
lowing. which we clip from the Jamaica Despatch |
Of the llth ult;-
By an arrival from Hayti, we learn that French |
Admiral, with five ships, comprising two fiitles,
sloop of war; brig and schooner, had arrived there
The precise object of this visit is not generally |
known; but coupling it with the late transactions |
there but little doubt can be entertained on the sub
ect We are aware of the fact OF France having |
been solicited to take Hayt under her protection,
Or in other words the Haytians wishtul TO re-
urn to their allegiance and we know that de.
,patches were sent to France some time ago by the
French commandments in these seas for in
,tructions. BY the treaty with France, Hayti is
,ouad to pay heavy sum for her independence
md, if we mistake not, she is about TO pay the
penalty of the bond. One of the ittes will be
Town to-day, when probably we shall hear more
,kN,,t n