Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-05-12

a. duhpa on the Zou. Lleutenant Strain las
we learnFom the Panama Star) has consent
ed to Republication of the subjoined letter,
giving condensed history Of the salient events
Of the expedition from the 9Th of February.
To fill the hiatus, the Star states that Lieuten-
ant Strain left the Atlantic on the 10Th of JAM
uary, and on the 9th their provisions gave
out. From this date until the 9Th of Febru-
airy, when Lieutenant Strain takes up the re-
countal Of his adventures, the whole party ex-
listed upon pantains and such game as they
could kill. From the 9Th Of February their
principal and almost only subsistence was the
palm nut National Iateuigencer.
uNIrsD STATES DARIEN EXPEDITION,
CANToNMENT OF la PALMA,
Darien Harbor, April s, 1854.
Commander EDWARD MARSHALL, R. N,
Commencing H. B. Ms ship Virago. /,
SIR: In my own behalf and Of the officers
and others composing the expedition under
my command, wish to tender to you, and
through you to the officers and seamen under
your command, our sincere thanks for the
prompt and inestimable assistance rendered
by the party despatched to the Upper Chuqu-
naque, under the immediate command of Lieu
tenant w. G. Forsyth. For the perfect under
standing of the service rendered brief reca-
pitulation of preceding events will be neces-
sary:
You are already aware of the circumstances
connected with my crossing the Cordieras and
reaching the Chuqnnaque, and of the impera
tive reasons which induced me to follow the
banks of that stream.
During our progress down the river we suf-
fered great Inconvenience for want Of provi-
sions, those which we brought from the sloop-
of,war Cyane having entirely failed us on the
eighth day, when we we're deserted by our In
dian guides. On the 9th and 9th of February
we halted, and with great difficulty constructed
raft for the conveyance Of the invalids, but
were obliged to abandon it on the first day on
account of an insuperable obstacle which we
encountered in the channel Of the river.
On the 18th of February, twenty-four days
from the Cyane, the necessity for sending
party in advance to obtain provisions and ca
noes forced itself upon my mind; although l
entertained it with much hesitation, as / was
10th to separate the party, which, though it
consisted of twenty-five men, was, owing to
physical debility, in no condition to cope with
the Indians, who were well aware of our where
abouts and condition. Yet the step became
imperative, as the spirits of few Of our own
men began to flag, while despair had taken
possession of the minds Of the New Granadian
commissioners.
Of the other naval officers of the expedition
none could have taken the advance with the
slightest apparent prospect of reaching the Pa
ciGc.
The same remark will apply to the engineers
and surveyors, all of whom suffered excessively
from sore feet and general debility, arising from
the deficiency and character Of the food.
After mature deliberation, came to the
conclusion that the time had arrived when /
must separate myself temporarily from the
party, and that, whatever service | might rem.
der by my presence, could assist them more
effectually by reaching the settlements and
bringing them provisions and means of trans
portation. Early on the morning Of the 9th
Of February / called together the officers and
men, and, after announcing my intentions, cal
led for three volunteers to accompany me.
From the many who presented themselves /
selected Mr.. Frederick Avery, volunteer as
sistant engineer, and two of the crew Of the
Cyane, whose appearance seemed to promise
most physical endurance.
Independent of the absolute and increasing
necessity Of obtaining assistance, calculated
upon powerful moral benefit from my absence,
as a prospect, however remote, of aid from
without would excite even those who were in
clined to despair to greater exertion. The cor
rectness of my suppostion was afterwards
verified to certain extent, especially when
the main body of the party after six days
marching only reached my first nights camp,
where they found note which / had left for
them.
From the 18th of February to the 9th of
March we followed the river. On the 10Th and
10th of February We attempted to float down
the stream on raft constructed of drift wood;
but, after having several times touched among
the snags and rapids, we were obliged to aban.
don it.
On the I'd of March, finding that lowing to
the laceratsd state Of the feet of myself and Mr..
Avery itwou!d be impossible to proceed much
further by land, we halted and constructed
raft large enough to carry two persons, intend
ing to add to it as soon as an opportunity Of
fered, and the two men had overcome a repug-
nance, which the narrow escapes we had made
on the 10Th and 10th Of February had caused
them to entertain to raft navigation.
On the Sd of March we set out, on the 4th
met tide water, and on the 9th arrived at va.
visa in canoes, which we met some two miles
above the town. Understanding that the Vira.
go was at Darien, and about to sail for Panama,
/ determined to lose no time in obtaining an
interview with you, and in making an effort to
obtain your assistance in behalf of my party.
Immediate aid was, however, q matter Of the
first Importance; and about 8, p. M, on the
10th, a little more than "a hours after my ar.
rival, despatched Mr.. Avery with four canoes,
ten men, and all obtainable provisions, accom-.
panied by Mr.. Noriega, who acted as inter.
prefer, and was expected to use his influence
among the natives, and incite them to proceed
as far as necessary up the riversslO On the morn
ing of the 18th set out, and, arriving the next
day at daylight at Chapigana, was informed
that the Virago had sailed for Panama, to be
absent for six days, and that upon her return,
it was your intention to despatch force up
the Chuqunaque tot the assistance of our party.
From Chapigana, proceeded without loss of
time to the junction of the Savanna and Lara
rivers, where | was received by Mr.. w. G. Ben
nett, G. E., in the service of the Atlantic and
Pacific Junction Company. With the provi-
sions which he kindly supplied me, returned
to Yavisa, where / arrived on the evening Of
the 18th instant, and learned that one canoe