New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-04-29


Pacific by the river Atrato, in the attempted re-
connoissance of which Lieut.. Strain suffered so
much, has just been completed and the data OBJ.
tanned for determining with precision the practics-
bility Of an inter oceanic ship canal by that line.
From a report addressed to the War and Navy
Departments by Lieut.. Mcher of the Topographic
cal Engineers at the head of the expedition, we
gather the following particulars:
From nssr the head Of the Gulf of Dsrien, into
hch the Atrato discharges this route is nearly due
south, through Choco, one of the States of New
Granada to the Pacific. The surveying party,
numbering twenty-five officers and men, conveyed
TO the mouth of the Atrato in the United States
schooner Varina, which remained there at anchor,
embarked on the 9TH of December, on board a
bsrauetins so called, vessel of the country of the
kind employed for coasting and river navigation,
taking with them, al.O lie-bOat and canoe.
The navigable portion of the AtratO and its branch,
the Truando, runs through swampy delta, extend
ing frcm the Gulf of Darien to the falls of the Tru
aDdo up to which latter point the explorers had
hoped TO ascend, TO establish there depot of sup
plies, and from that point 10 commence the survey.
But, after voyage of fourteen days, they encoun-
tered, in the river Truando, 60 many distractions
from fallen trees, that the larger vessel could as
ceDd no further, and, at point twenty-five mles
aud half below the falls on about the
frs. piece Of ground showing any degree
If frmness which they had yet reached, they
established a camp and landed their supplies.
1t took several days to do this and the survey for
which they had only the life beat aud canoe did not
commence TIL the 2Sth of December Eleven days
were consumed in surveying the course OF the Trl-
ando, SIX miles below and three and half above
the camp, at which latter point the Indian village
of Tocome. The river in this part of ts course was
full of obstructions from falling and everhangDg
trees. II was also extremely tortuous and divided
into number of narrow channels By clusters of
small islands The banks were lined by dense
growth of trees that TO obtain open space enough
10 take observations heavy cuttings had To
he made The party were slso deluged by
heavy rains, SO that sometimes their camp was
not mere than few inches out OF water.
This section of country is notorious for ts humidity
End inelemency. Very seldom do twenty four
hours pass By without rains, which keep the river
banks in al almost constant state of overflow.
For three miles above TocOme 10 point called
tbe Palasado. the survey of the Truan9o continued
very difficult: but by this time the weather had
improved, and was remarkably favorable during
the whole remainder of the survey. Except sin.
Gle thunder shower and few sprinkles, there was
10 more rain. The days were almost universally
clear. and not uncomfJrtabSly WARN; the nights al
ways cool and refreshing. The stars, though
obscured toward morning by passing clouds, gen.
orally shone brightly during the early part OF the
night. thus enabling Lieut.. Michler 10 get good OBJ
.trvatio2s.
The falling of the waters IN consequence Of the
cessation of the rain, left the river banks exposed
and dry for several feet, and amos. every bend
offered sand bsrs on which the instruments could
he placed without the necessity Of making a clear
ing. The Indians, Also along the route, proved
very friendly and seTviceable and with their light
canoes, long and narrow. rendered great-in fact
acknowledgements in transporting tho men
ard the instruments. From the head OF tae Pa
lasdo, at which poin. the Truando became
bread aid beautiful. the party moved rapidly to the
70, of the fall., fifteen miles above. These fails
are succession Of shoots ssd rapids three niles in
extent the river at this pon; forcing its say through
mountain spur and descending into the delta which
extends thence 10 the Gulf OF Darien- EeFe the
mountains were struck, aud here commenced the
most interesting and important Pait OF the survey.
The Truasao was still followed ies 6Te miles above
The falls to the mouth Of the Nercus, up which the
survey extended distance Of fourteen miles to the
mouth of the Hngaeor. In ascending the Hinga
dor for three mile', two magnificent falls were &C
c,pntersd. Above the upper fall the survey ini