The New York herald., 1870-06-20
THE DARIEN CANAL EXPEDITION.
Poor Prospects-Heavy Rains-A New Working
Party-Return of the Old One-Condition Of
the Men-No Satisfactory Results Ac-
complished-The Mon Becoming .
Disseminated = Desertons-
The Nyack Heard from.

Dy ARRIVAL OF an Aspnwa mail per steamer
Merrilnac (vla St. Thomas we have advlces from
the Darien surveying expedition TO May 80.
INC weather mad continued extremely unfavora-
pe ior 'he surveying parties. The rains were OF
daily occurrence and very heavy swelling the
streams TO torrents. In consequence OF the heavy
iall OF water II had been difficult to keep the work.
Ing parties at the front supplied with provisions
On the 18th OF May new working party, lunder
Lieutenant Hubbard started for front to relieve
Lieutenant Hitchcock and party, who had con.
Quoted the survey from the Bay OF San Bias to
point thirteen miles inland. The return squad ar
rived at the beach on the lsth hungry. ragged and
exhausted. On the same date Lieutenant Hubbard
reported from point fourteen miles inland by the
line Of survey, that the highest elevation yet at
tained was only 176 feet.
On the Goth Ave men of the working party were
lost in the woods. Search was instituted and they
were found, after two days wandering and when
serious fears for their safety had begun TO be enter
tained
On May 27 active preparations were going forward
on board the Nipsic and the Guard for return to
New York. On the 2sth the commander of the ex-
pedition changed his plans and 1t Is believed he
will continue his survey until one OF the surveying
party shall have crossed the dividing ridge and
communicated with the survey from the Nyack, on
the Pacific side. letter received the 2sth
from the commander OF the Nyack stating that his
party were some distance up the Byano river. the
course OF which they expected to leave shortly TO
ascend the Marmonia river. The aim OF Captain Self
ridge Is TO reach the Marmona from this side and
descend the stream, meeting tine party from the
Nyack. The Nipsc was to leave for Aspinwall ON
the 3lst, 1t being Serldge's intention pay visit
to the Nyack's commander, via Panama Railroad.
AT date OF advices Lieutenant HuDbard's
winch distance the highest land elevation found was
800 feet the elevation Of the rivers bed being 295
feet. The surrounding country was very rugged
and difficult. Donkey transportation mad been
abandoned, and provisions for the working party
were sent forward in small quantities the backs
of the men.
On the Goth OF May Captain selfrdge ordered
Messrs. Moser and Bowdtch to take one naac',eerO.
with plenty Of provisions for the party, go to the
head OF Lieutenant Hubbards line, and from thence
strike south southeast course aud endeavor to
reach the san Jose. Marmonia other river on that
line flowing towards the Pacific Ocean. They were
TO make pace traverse OF the route, and Iieuten-
ant Hubbard was TO follow as fast as possible with
| compass and level.
| On the 3oth orders were Issued that Lieutenant
Hitchcock, Lieutenant GOodreu and six men, fully
provsioned, leave the beach early on the following
morning TO relieve Lieutenant Hubbard and party =
| the latter to return TO the beach at Once-and,
| taking a south southeast course, to make for the
| San Jose or MOrmona river, then to proceed or
deemed prudentl 10 the racine ocean, until tho
| party from the Nyack Is encountered No Orde. q
| had been issued recalling Messrs Moser ami Bow
| ditcn.
The general health OF the expedition was fair, no
| sickness having appeared except lever and ague.
| The men, however, were exceedingly dissatisfied
| with captain ssefrldge's determination to prolong
their stay on the isthInus Five men have deserted
| from the Guard and more would 20 II they ad an
| opportunity. Ofccrs and men complain that their
| endurance has now been taxed 70 the utmost and
| that longer stay In such climate will be
| dangerous. Most OF the men have worn
| out all their clio hing and shoes, and the officers
| are In little better condition. There not
| half dozen pairs Of shoes In the Daren or ships
stores The men deeply IN debt, having worn
out more clothes on the expedition than would be
required for three years crui G. The pay aud al
| lOwances are not greater than when on cruise. and
unless relief Is Afforded 10y the government the expe
dltion Will be q costly one To those engaged In it.
The following incident occurred on the 10th o
| May:-One Of the marine guard, returning from the
front, while swimming river, chased by two
| large alllgatOrs, and with difficulty escaped.
on the l7th irish potatoes, beeIs and carrots
| distributed IN camp, which were brought from San
| Francisco via Panama and Aspinwa.
| On the 18th In attempting To ford river Lieutenant
| Hubbard was swept down by the current aud mar.
| rowly escaped drowning.