The New York herald., 1870-03-27
THE DARIEN EXPEDITION.
SAFE ARRIVAL OF THE VESSELS.
OPERATIONS COMMENCED.
IsTHMUs OF DARIEM !
CALEDONIA BAY. March IA. 1910.

ISTHMUS OF DARIEN
CALEDONIA BAY, March IA, 1870.
The departure Of q schooner from here bound for
Aspinwall enables me TO give you some Information
regarding the expedition TO explore the isthmus.
All the vessels OF the fleet arrived here safely In this
one OF the finest bays on the coast The steamship
Guard, employed as supply ship to the expedition is
here but the Nipstc sailed some time ago for Car
thagena. for the purpose Of procuring more native
lab0rers, those here being insufficient In numbers.
The oficers ana crews OF both vessels are wel ex
cepling Commander Selfridge who Is suffering from
alame Leg which prevents his accompanying the ex.
ploring party across the isthmus.
The work OF exploration has fairly commenced
and all are very sanguine Of success in discovering
an easy route for the construction OF q satp canal
Contrary to tho general expectation the Indians
have thus far been very friendly though somewhat
frightened at our first appearance ana have assisted
the explorers In every possible way The expedition
has already cut road three miles niength into the
interior meeting with river which Is said to now
into the Pacific ocean.
AS the schooner leaves Immediately cannot enter
upon the details OF the expedition, which will be
forwarded IN few days by steamer SO far every
thing looks favorable 10 successful solution OF the
canal problem.
Information from the Expedition at Aspir,.
wnii-Its Safe Arrival mt Caledonia Bay
An American Claims to Know Better
Ronte Tor n Canal thnn Any Yet Proposed.
PANAMA, March II, 1870
! wrote last on the 7th inst via ST. Thomas
enclosing copy OF the treaty just negotiated at
Bogota for the excavation OF an interoceanic canal
cross this isthmus, and giving full particulars o6
what had transpired at Bogota relative to it. On
this subject there Is nothing to add today, as there
has been no communication whatever with the inte-
rlor since tnat date, and consequently no news has
been received.
small coasting vessel has arrived at Aspin.
wall from Caledonia bay, and brings intelligence
that the steamers NDsic and Guard OF the
surveying expedition, had arrived there safely
and reports that as the vessels neared the
shore the Indians fed from the coast towards the
interior Nothing has yet been received as to the
progress made by the expedition. Another expedi
ton, on less preteniious scale, Is also now at work
IN the same locality. Captain (or Generab Heine
an American, who arrived at Asp,nwall by the
steamship Alaska on the 1st inst, claims that he
knows of route across the Darien superior to all
others, by which he could pass from Asplnwa TO
Panama entirely by water In proof Of this assertion
lie has chartered small sallboat on the other slde
to be delivered here, and, accompanied by two men,
he started on his voyage ten days ago. He also
arrived safely at Caledonia bay, but when he VIII
put In an appearance at Panama 1t Is hard
to say. Not soon unless hc can procure
force sufficient to carry his yacht from one stream,
to another over the mouatatns. He Is said to have
been sent out by some capitalists In New York.
There seems TO be no end at present to the number
Of feasible canal routes said to nave been discovered
across this i5thmus, but which have never been
heard Of before. All, including that OF Mr.. Lucien
lie Puydt OF the French Colombian Canal Company
are originated or based on an old survey made in
l754 and the map accompanying 1t, lying In the ar.
chlves at Bogota. The map Is published in Admiral
Davis report and Is very complete OF that portion
OF the isthmus. Those who knew NJ. de Puydt when
here have good reason to doubt that he
the Darien at all
No Uni,ed States man-of-war has yet arrived on
this side to cooperate with the surveying party