The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-08
THE DARIEN IsTHMUs SURVEY.

voyage OF the United states snip Tuscos
rora-Strange Sights Among Strange
PeOple-Amcrican Sailors in u Grand
Fandango Ashore-Ladies' Visit On
Board and an Attractive TOilet-Cap-
tain SelfridGc's Work.
The Panama Herald OF the 10th Of February sup
plies the Following additional and very interesting
particulars in report OF the progress OF the Amer
can expedition for the survey OF the Darien
Isthmus, under the command OF Captain Selfridge
United States Navy.
The United States ship Tuscar0ra and
Her Work.
BY the cOasting sailing vessel Antelope, from the
Darien which arrived at this port on the 18th inst
last from Bahia, we have later news OF the
progress of the United States Darien Surveying
Expedition To MIR. Schmidt, who accompanied
the expedition from Panama in the latter part OF
January, we are indebted for the following par
ticulars:-
The United States sloop Tuscarora arrived at
Cupica Bay, the base OF last years. surveys on the
oath OF January, In twenty-five hours from Panama,
and proceeded thence TO the mouth 81 the Hver
manned till the 9th. Here Commander Belknap
and some OF the officers went ashore and were
much amused with the novelty of the place and
people. Although the village consists OF only
few huts, quite population exists in the neigh
river They are engaged principally in collecting
tagua Of which Bahia Is the chief place Of export
on the coast, anu some lnula-ruDUcT.
The visitors were well received by Don Joaquin
| Gonzales, the governor or head man OF the dis
trict, who Is described as very intelligent
Indian, able both to read and write. The
!, hOsptaities OF the place were literally dis.
pensed, In the shape OF an abundance OF
anisado and grand fandango, or native dance, ID
one Of the cane houses at which the Governor pre-.
sided. Quite number of people had in the mean
| time locked down TO where the steamer was an
| chored and expressed their astonishment at the
novel sight OF large vessel being propelled with
|. out either sails OARS After enjoying the novel.
| ties of the place Captain Beknap and party re.
! turned to the ship.
NATIVE BELLIES RETURN THE VISIT ON BOARD.
On the following day their visit was returned by
the leading people OF the settlement, who came on
board for dinner in full costume, consisting OF
''waistcloth and paint" in which the ladies aP.
| Bahia on the 9th, having previously procured
there the services OF Mr.. Paul Chesman, an Amepi
! can resident, as interpreter, stopping at Cuaca
| to land some OF the Indians VINO came up as pas.
| sengers.
| CAPTAIN sELFRIpGE's POSITION AND PLAN OF DUTY.
This point, selected as base OF operations for this
| seasons survey, is situated about ten miles from
| Lim0n Bay. 1t has no harbOr, but merely beach
| OF some half mile In extent, with pretty good
! anchorage about half mile from Shore The ex-
| peditOn commenced work on the 2Sth, Captain
| Selfridge experimenting the same In person, and
| already the camp was some distance inland
The proposed line OF survey to the River Bojaya,
down 1t to the AtratO and through the Atrato to
! the Atlantic. The route is considered more favor
| able tnan that OF last year-the Napipt. The work,
| it Is expected, will be completed In two months.
! Common lab0rers are paid So day and found.
Although the Tuscarora was much crowded, the
| health on board was remarkably good, there being
| only one sailor on the sick list.