The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1870-03-10
The Darien Expedition.
The Beginning of the Exploration Undertaken
10y tao Unlted States-Caplain selfFidge'S Plans.

The BcgtnEing of the Exploration Undertaken
Dy tao Unlted States-Captaln soifFsdge'S Plans.
Correspondence of the New York Tribune.
PANAMA, February 18, 1870.
The great event of the past two weeks
has been the arrival at Aspinwall of the
United States Steamer Nipsic, of the Da-
rlen surveying expedition, on the 9th in
slant. Commander Selfridge came to
Panama on the day following the Nipsic's
arrival, with the object of arranging with
President Correoso, of this State the
various details in the shape of prelim-
iffaries, and the President furnished HIM
with the requisite communications to the
several authorities of the departments or
districts through which he will have to
pass Captain Selfridge returned to AS
p,nwal on the 18th instant, and after
efiecting some trifing repairs required by
| the Nipsic, she vas to have sailed from
Aspiawall on the 18th instant to join the
guard IN Caledonia bay The United
States steamer Nyack has been ordered
up frola Callao to this port, and may be
shortly expected She is 10 take part in
the expedition, and Immediately after
her ARRIVAL here she is to proceed to the
anlfof San Miguel, and be employed il
lexplorjng the important rivers Savanna
sud Lara until joined by the pioneer
party from the Nipsic, on the Atlantic
side Immediately upon his arrival at
Caledonia bay, Captain Selfridge viii at
once send out two or three distinct par
ti0s to strike out separate paths III the
woods, with the object of reaching the
same point on the Pacific side of the 18TH
mas bv their several different routes. A
sort Of road will be cut through the woods
and underground, and if necess-
4ry relays Of men will
keep up communication between the
Slips and the explorers, and keep the
latter supplied with proyisions Captain
selfrd ga will also have sheds or ranches
erected every few miles Of the several
routes taken to serve for shelter and The
deposit OF proyiaions if necessary. When
Il central point OF the Isthmus is reached
camp or rendezvous will be formed,
from which point smaller parties will be
sent out in all directions TO explore, and
report apon the nature of the country
which is there expected TO show most OBJ
staces TO the construction Of the canal.
I1e 100 miles OF telegraph wire which
tire expedition was provided With, will
be l8ed TO keep up continuous commnni-
cation between the several parties and
headquarters Captain Selfndge does
got anticipate much trouble from the
Indians, having engaged several natives
possessing experience of their habits and
language, wno have assured him that
little or no fears leed be enterttined of
hostile demonstrations. Should they,
however, prove inclined TO be FESTIVE,
he can command power OF fully "ne
huadred and fifty men, we'll armed with
breech. leaders and six shooters, who
wauld.provc forra ida blsagainst ten times
that number Of Indians with their bows
and arrows and occasional, rasty and old
fashioned firearms It is q matter Of
great regret that the expedition could
not hare commenced operations two
months earlier, with full advantage Of
tue dry season, which can only bedepend-
Ell upon during the months Of January,
February, March and April Captain
Selfridge is however. confident that
much can be accomplished in the two
months that yet remain to him, and
THINKS it possible to continue operations
until early in JuIy bus this, in view of
the swampy nature Of the country, APP
pears extremely doubtful, in the face Of
the heavy early rains, without mourning
serious risk Of and RESPONSE bilIty for,
many Of the valuable lives composing the
eXped ton.