Year: 1871




Within few days the question or a canal route
across this portion OF the Isthmus will have been
determined. The surveying party from the Gulf of
Darien, now absent from the United States steamer
Guard over two months, Is al present crossing the
summit OF the divide, while Its base this the Pa.
cifc) side viii probably be reached tomorrow. But
1 cannot, unfortunately, delay the transmission OF
my letter for the important news as to the exact
height OF the elevation, since the only means OF CON-
munication must leave here for Panama in order to
catch the mail for the United States. The fate OF
this expedition will be known, perhaps, tomorrow
Both parties expect TO meet, without fail, in the
afternoon, when the reliable announcement will
be made. Should the elevation not excee
three hundred feet or thereabouts, the undertaking
VIII prove genuine success, as deep cut can be
made without difficulty. On the other hand, If it be
ascertaned that the rise exceeds double that num-
ber OF feet, tunneing for half mile will be pro-
posed. Upon that point 1t would be premature to


fer opinion pen ling the result OF the investiga
ton on the summit. In case, however the antic
pations of the more sangulne OF the explorers fan
20 be reailzed-and such event is not improbable
In section OF country comparatively unknown-the
disappointment should not weaken whit the
praise that must be accorded to the commander as
well as to the officers and men OF the expedition
for the energy and unwavcring perseverance they
have displayed, TO say nothing OF the hard
ships and suferings they have willingly un.
dergone to further project which commands the
attention Of the commercial world. / have previously
dllated upon the encouraging prospects which the
proposed route presented. Even at this writing
success is confidently looked forward to. It's favor
able surroundings, including the excellent harbor
at either end, and the length to which navigation
Extends both on the Atrat0 and Tuyra rivers, at
pnce commended themselves to all acquainted with
the subject. Not unimportant feature to be con-
sidered should tunneling be resorted to- is the fact
Shat the divide is not gradual in its as
cent, especially on this side, where the
Chain or mountains rises almost perpendicu-
larry. l shall push forward tonight and
learn the exact condition of affairs. Meanwhile Is
ut least satisfactory to know that the nature Of the
dividing ridge is not unfamiliar to the explorers, as
the deposits in the river and other geological for
NATION confirm the impression that deep cut
would be matter OF easy accomplishment. How
belt, the two parties are within a days march of
each other, and night the result OF three
months hard work-of which, by the way, your
correspondent has at times been suffering eye
witness-will be made anown Having an hour or
two to spare before the canoe starts with the mail
/ will~ava myself OF the opportunity Of setting
: forth some


CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF TIE EXPEDITION,


pointing ont especially what has already been ac-
complished on this side Of the Isthmus. only those
taking an active part in the operations can appre-
ciate the deep anxiety, the trouble the delays and
disappontments the sIeepleSs nights and incessant
tortures ruthlessly imposed by myrlads Of ravenous
insects. Those who imagine that an exploring
party In search OF canal route have simply to
march along, cutting their way as they proceed,
certainly do not comprehend the innumerabe OBJ.
stacles to be encountered In an undertaking
or the kind. Very frequently has It occurred
that after the most vigorous working from
daylight 10 dark distance OF only half
a mile has been accomplished. Then, again.
there are such things as mistaking the road; some.
tmes attributable to the ignorance OF the guides;
and very often has party, after travelling the
entire day, found themselves at dusk at the very
spot whence they started at dawn. Considering the
many difficulties that have been overcome, and
hayn2 due regard to the pluck skill and 'goahead-
ativeness Of the Two parties now in progress. there
can be no hesitation IN saying that the expedition
mas shown itself to be the best organized the most
willing and enthusiastic and the most systematic In
Its operations that ever issued upon similar en-
terprse. Pending the important result which
another day will disclose l shall give q
brief summary OF the operations since my last de-
spatch was forwarded. On the 2lst Of March the
party running the line of the Rio Cue in charge Of
Mr.. J. G. Eaton MASTER with Ensign Wiley, estab.
llshed camp No. 6. 1t was generally thought that
they would reach the divide by the end OF the week.
They were, however, very much lmpeded by the
snags and other obstacles In the river. ana did not
proceed half the distance. though the most de-
termined efforts were made TO push forward. The
unrelentng enemies TO all expeditions in this quarter
OF the globe, the mosquitoes, came out In full
force during the night, ana Morpheus fed the camp.
On the following day an advance Of six miles
was made. The party had now struck into the
a nd n
thick underbrush but that method OF proceeding
was soon abandoned and the course up the Cue was
again resumed. On the 2Sth a letter was received
at camp No. from Mr. A. r. COuden. master, who
had been sent in charge OF the surveying party from
the Gulf OF Darien February T. to the eject that
he, In company with engineer Barnes, had crossed
over by way OF Paya and had come down the Cue
ahead OF the others on the Atlantic side. A canoe
was Immediately despatched for them and they
were not long In joining the camp where they were
received amid rousiug cheer OF welcome. From
al accounts the exploring party on the Atlantic
side had very severe time OF It, having suffered
greatly from prolonged marches, but chiefly from
The savage attacks OF mosquitoes Mr. Couden re.
ported that his party, with few exceptions enjoyed
pretty good health. although his men were


ALMOST ENTIRELY EXHAUSTED,


from want Of sleep and usual suferIngs Incidental
20 such an extended exploration. The geoogist and
myself quilted their camp on February 2s, and
what their sunerngs must nave been then can
ht least form fair idea. At that portion OF the
ulvide crossed by Mr.. Couden .and Mr.. Barnes this
elevation, .ccordlng TO the statement Of the latter
would seem to be much higher than was expected;
but as they probably did not come over the deprcs
sion which is confidently asserted to exist In the
vicinity & Paya. the actual fact cannot bt
determined or established until the two parties
have surveyed the crest. Both Couden ant
Barnes left the camp on the 10th OF Marcf
aud proceeded TO reoin their party, wnie the Others
continued up the Cue, being then about fifteen miles
from the divide. on the Sd OF April Mr. Eaioni
party reached camp No. 10, and were making
strenuous exertons to connect with the approach
sng party from the other side. SO far as they hat
proceeded up the Cue the mean level was ascer
stained to be 2sl feet or l6f feet above the initia