The Placer herald., 1857-03-28
Death of DR.. Kane.

we have been permitted to extract the fol-
loving account of the last illness and death
of DR.. Kane, from private letter received
by the last steamer. 1t will be remembered
the late Eastern papers spoke of the death
Of the Arctic Explorer as being imminent
indeed almost as foregone event. The let
ter is dated Havana Feb. 22d, and came to
Aspnwall by the steamer Grenada.
The letter states that the Doctor died on
the 10th February, at the hotel Of Mr. Alney,
in the city Of Havana. DR.. Kane, while on
his expedition to the NORTH had contracted
scurvey, in consequence Of which his consti-
tuition, naturally not very vigorous, was i'm
paired. On his return, his physician advised
him to 90 to the West Indies, and make his
diet principally Of oranges, as the most likely
means of restoring his health. Accordingly
he visited the Island of St. Thomas, and to
all appearance with good effects, as his health
was improving, when be became impressed
with the belief that he should not recover,
and determined to return home, wishing, as
he said, to die on his native soil, or at least
beneath the flag of his country.
He therefore left ST. Thomas, though
strongl y persuaded by the Governor and his
medical attendant to remain, and embarking
on the British steamer sailed to Havana
The weather being rough. he suffered much
from sea-sickness OH the passage, ard in
vomiting, SO strained himself that he rup-
tured a blood vessel. This, after his arrival
at Havana, induced a fit Of apopleXy, causing
parallzatlon of one-haf of the body. From
the effects of this he was slightly recovering
when the other half Of the system was at
tackled in like manner, and period put to
his existence. Such is the brief history Of
his last days, as derived by the writer from
the brother Of the deceased, who as well as
his mother, and another brother was present
at the time of his death, as was also man
named Morton, who had accompanied Dr.
Kane on his expedition, and who fastened to
his bedside from New York, on learning
his critical situation.
On the following day the American Con
sui called a meeting of American citizens.
both resident and transient, at which resou
tons of coincidence were adopted, aud COM
mittee appointed to embark the remains and
make arrangements for the funeral. 4 copy
Of these proceedings have been transmitted
to the Captain General, and he signted a
desire to add to the procession various lite
rary and corporate bodies of the city of
Havana
On the morning of the 21st, Col. Wade
having been appointed marshal, formed the
procession in the following order:-frst,
the body wrapped in the American Flag, and
laid in an iron coffin, borne on the shoulders
of his countrymen; next, his physician, with
Mr.. Morton, then full band, furnished by
the Captain General, then the Amerian Con-
sui, followed by the Consuls of different ma
tions, behind whom was the great body of
American citizens and citizens in general, all
brought up by the funeral car.
The procession having been joined by vari-
Gus official ignitaries-state, municipal, IL
terary, scientific, etc-marched through the
different streets to the wharf, where the gov
ernment barge, already dressed in mourning,
received the cofiin and carried it, together
with numerous attendants to the steamer
Catawba, waiting to receive them.
The body lad BEEN embalmed, with la view
to Its removal to New York.
After it had been placed under the hatch
es, the political and military Governor as
sembled those present on the quarter deck,
and pronounced an appropriate speech, which
was replied to by the Z. S. Consul, Mr..
Blythe.
In the evening the committee waited on
the Captain General, and expressed their
thanks for his kindness and courtesy on the
OCCASION His reply was very happy, and
gave much satisfaction to the American popu-
lation.
The procession was one of the most bril-
IN hoinc
exceeded even by the French Admiral Du-
quesne, about three years ago.
TOMB OF THE MARTYRS AT BRooKLYN.-
From ten to eleven thousand prisoners are
supposed to have pershed in the prison
ships, and their precious remains now moul-
der near the scenes of their woes. America
with all her wild patriotism, seems to have
forgotten them She has seen Napoleon,
whose triumphs were as brief as his power
taken from his lonely isle and borne to an
imperial tomb, attended by dazzling pageantry
and mourned by a weeping world; she has
seen Wellington, who has fought for kings
and crowns, carried amid showery honors to
an exhalted grave, and still here are men who
famed the spark of expiring liberty until its
rays have cheered the desponding of every
cline, and they lie
'Unwept, unhonored and unsung."
The genius of Egypt has lowered up
her imposing pyramids Greece has left her
history in chiseed tombs, and England has
adorned the graves of her heroes with her
wonders of classic art but rich tasteful, gen
erous America, has awarded her dead only
a carpenters obelisk. A throb of patriot
ism is now rocking this nation to its centre,
and threading every artery Of the American
heart, and men are pausing to enquire if
they owe no duty to their country May
not this notent snirit breathe The MARTYRS