The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-04-25

BAD News FROM CALIFORNIA CoMPANY.-We
regret to learn that letters were received In Mar
blehead, on Saturday, which contain most rnwel-
come intelligence to the friends of those who left
that town for California, by the Rio Grande route.
They bring tidings of the sudden death, by chole-
ra, Of Mr. Nathaniel r.. Blaney, the leader of the
expedition, which is therefore broken up, and the
survivors, seven in number, on their return to
New England. The company sailed from New
York early in March, in the Peerless.
We have been permitted to make the following
extracts from one of the letters received, written
by. Mr.. John w. Glover, nephew Of Mr. Blaney.
1t is dated New Orleans, April IL. Mr.. G. says
s'We arrived at the Brazos on the 22d of March.
On the 23d we went to the mouth of the Rio
Grande, and proceeded up the river that evening
The next morning we arrived at Brownsville,
where we remained until we had made all neces-
sary arrangements to continue the route. On the
18th, we crossed the river to Matamoros, and had
proceeded on our way about two miles, when
heavy rain squall overlook us, and drenched us
completely. We kept on, however, about mile
farther, to farm house, where we passed the
night. At about three o'clock, Mr.. Blaney got up
and said he was very cold, and went to the fire,
where he soon got warm. AT six in the morning.
we put the mules to the wagons, and started, three
teams of us-one from Boston, one from New
York, and one from Marblehead-besid four or
whole company felt well, but no one complained,
i'll we reached the first watering place, about
seven miles from Matamoros.
"There we found party of seven miss onaries,
one OF whom was taken SICK, LOT WHOM tney ndQ
sent for a carriage to take him back. We had
been there but short time, when three OF our par
ty were taken sick. This decided us, not to go
farther until they were better. At twelve O'Clock,
the carriage which had been sent for arrived, and
the sick missionary having died, we persuaded
Mr.. Blaney to get into 1t and 90 back to town.
Mr. Chapman went with him. and also Mr.
Owen, one of the New York company who had
taken quite fancy to him. Mr.. Owen said he
would return as soon as possible, and tell us what
the doctor said. | waited until o'clock, and
hearing nothing, started and rode to Brownsville,
where they had carried him. About o'clock, |
found him very sick, and three doctors about him.
AT O'Clock one of the New York party offered to
go back to the camp if we wished to send, and
started with my horse, since which he has never
been seen or heard ot-in all probability he has
been murdered
CAT o'clock Mr.. Blaney died, and the next
morning Mr.. Owen was attacked, and died the
same afternoon.
"The New York party returned with us.
"The day we started for the mouth OF the river,
the Concul received news from the Boston party, re-
quesng him to send carriage for them, as one
man lay at the point of death, and three others
were attacked. 1t is impossible TO cross now the
cholera is violent. On the Sd of April we start
ed for New Orleans"
Mr.. Blaney, we understand, has left wife and
seven children
Other letters say that the destruction of life on
the Rio Grande, by cholera, has been most fearful
Large companies wasted away, and hardly
enough remain to tell the tale. The Brownsville
Flag of April 4, however, says that the cholera had
then nearly disappeared from Matamoros.-Salem
Register, AfrH %.