Washington sentinel., 1854-05-12

OF the fayIsa canoe men the party might hav
been relieved on the 18th, or about one weel
before the timely arrival of the expedition from
your ship.
With all haste, within an hour after Mr.
Avery's return, engaged five canoes, and de
Eanded men from the authorities, who levied
them in the three adjoining towns of Yayisa
Real, and Pinogana.
Fearing much from the results of retro
grade movement in party already so much
broken down, / determined not to risk its safe
ty in the hands of the Granadian boatmen, who
might, and had every reason to believe, would
desert US at critical moment and would no,
be induced to advance far enough to be of any
service. / directed Mr.. Avery to set off with the
canoes and provisions as soon as the men o.
the levy might arrive, while determined tc
hasten to the ship to ask your assistance. As
the tide was now ebbing, could not even ven
ture to remain and see the last sad Offices per
formed over my late comrade, and then, leav
ing the priest and Mr.. Avery in charge with
that duty, l set out for the Virago which !
hoped to reach at daylight After proceeding
some eighteen miles, | fortunately met your
paddle-box boat. armed and equipped for the
expedition, and under the command of Lieut..
w. g. Forsyth, the first lieutenant of the Vira-
go, who delivered to me your very kind and
polite note Of the 10Th instant inviting me to
accept the hospitality of your ship for myself
and party, for which very considerate and
courteous invitation permit me, sir, to return
my sincere thanks, and those of my remaining
companions.
Arriving at Yayisa on the same evening,
with the aid Of your officers, assisted in very
high degree by Mr.. Bennett we obtained three
Of the five canoes which were promised me,
and were enabled to commence ascending the
river about III, a. m. The natives whom had
engaged did not join us until the next after
noon, when eleven made their appearance in
two canoes.
The particulars of the expedition you have
doubtless received from Lieut.. Forsyth, by
whom it was so ably conducted and that por-
tion Of the subject will dismiss by remarking
that the strength, courage, and indomitable
energy of your officers and men, aided by the
dexterity Of the natives in the management of
canoes, enabled us to make the most rapid
journeys, and to pass over distances in few
hours which had cost me many weary days in
the descent
Arriving at Hospital camp No. 2, from
which our party had commenced their retro
grade, the natives insisted on returning, which
/ resisted by mingled entreaties and threats
and again on the ensuing day they insisted
upon gong no luTtneT, ann HHdily uecldreu IL
to be their irrevocable intention to return after
that days journey.
During the last day Of our ascent, we dis
covered the grave of Mr.. Ramon Castillo Rada,
the principal New Granadian commissioner,
who had died during the return march, and
and been inferred by the main body Of the party;
upon it was the remains of the other commits
sioner, Mr.. Bernardo Polanco, whose failing
strength had induced him to remain behind
and die on the grave of his comrade. Lieut..
Forsyth caused the remains of Mr.. Polanco to
be buried in the grave of Mr.. CASTILLO, and
erected cross to mark their place of inter-
ment
In the afternoon Of this day March 23d)
signs of camps became every hour more recent,
and were followed up with unerring sagacity
by our native -eaaeemen, who appeared to lose
their dread of Indians in the intense excite
ment Of the hunt, which involved the lives of
SO many persons. As they made each an
nouncement Of our near approach, it was re-
ceived with an enthusiastic cheer from the men
of Mr.. Forsyth's party, who renewed their al
ready wonderful efforts to overtake the missing
parry. At the same time that we we're rejoiced
to observe the signs Of near approach to my
party, by an occasional cartridge-box, and in
one case an abandoned carbine, alarmed us as
to the state in which we should find it, and
well aware of the disorganizing influence of
retrograde, | feared that we might find it tho
roughly demoralized. Near sunset the natives
in the advance canoe discovered the remainder
of our party on the bank of the river, which an
nouncement was received by enthusiastic cheers
from the whole Of the relieving party.
Upon landing we learned that of the eighteen
persons whom / left on the 18th of February
thirteen only remained, the greater number of
these being in O state Of the EXTREMIST debility
from starvation and fatigue. Of the dead were
the two New Granadian commissioners and
three Of my own men, of the crew of the Cyane,
one of whom had buried at Yavisa M
AT least three Of the living could never had
made another march, and must have perished
within few hours, had it not been for our pro-
vidential arrival with medical assistance and
provisions. Assistant surgeon William Ross,
OF the V'rago, at my request. approved by
Lieut.. Forsyth, Immediately took charge Of the
party, who were almost without exception in
valids, and under his unremitting care several
have entirely recovered, while others are now
free from danger. Of the thirteen we encoun-
tered at Camp Recovery, one only died, and he
was in the last stage Of disease and debility
when first met and had really remained Ee-
hind to die during the same days march. He
died, and was buried at Yavisa, where his fune
raj was attended by the officers and men of
yonr expedition, Mr.. Bennett, and all of our
party who were in a condition to be present.
Having given you this brief summary Of our
proceedings, and the circumstances of the posi-
tion from which my party was rescued by your
efforts, and those Of the officers and men com
posing the relief expedition, it only remains for
me, pending the action Of the United States
government, to renew our sincere thanks for
the prompt assistance and unremitting atten-
tions we have received at your and their hands.
Owing to the supply of provisions and cloth
ing which we have received from the Virago,
we have now nothing to DESIRE while the as
siduous attentions of your medical officers have
removed all, as we have every reason to hope
and believe, beyond the reach Of danger.
Tothe energy and activity Of the commander
of the relief party, Lieutenant w. c. Forsyth,
we owe much, as the condition of some mem
bers Of our expedition was so precarious, that
even few hours afterwards we should have
arrived too late. To him, DR.. VIM. Ross, and
Paymaster w. FL. Hills, and the men compos-
ing the crew of the paddle box boat, you will
please communicate my thanks and those of