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The Daily Union
Washington, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
In Pensacola on January 25, 1847, the U.S. schooner Onkabyee under Lieut. Berryman prepares to depart hastily for Chagres with Major William Rich and Mr. J. P. Norris carrying military and naval despatches for California commanders. Rich, accompanied by W. R. and J. D. Hutton, transports treasury notes and $20,000 in gold for troops. They plan to proceed upriver and across Panama.
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Pensacola, January 25, 1847
The U. S. schooner Onkabyee, Lieut. Berryman, commanding, is getting under way in haste to convey to Chagres two bearers of despatches, respectively for the military and naval commanders in California. The two gentlemen arrived here yesterday morning post-haste from Washington, and are Major William Rich, paymaster United States army, and Mr. J. P. Norris, Com. Stockton's secretary. The former named is also accompanied by two young kinsmen, Messrs. W. R. and J. D. Hutton. He has with him a large amount of treasury notes. and some twenty thousand dollars in gold, for the payment of troops in California. This gentleman was formerly botanist to the exploring expedition, and has been selected, no doubt. for his present duty with reference to his peculiar qualifications, as the appointment was conferred on him unsolicited, and he 'is well known at Washington as thoroughly conversant with the people and country he is going through, as well as the language and customs. The department desired him to take one hundred and fifty thousand dollars in gold, but he, more prudent, declined it; and it was well that he did so, for the night previous to his arrival here, the stage broke down in the forest between Blakely and this place, in a violent rain storm, and the luggage was for the most part left to come up in a wagon this morning. From Chagres the route of this party will be up the river some thirty miles in boats, and thence by mule carriage across the Panama, where they expect to embark in some United States vessel for their ultimate destination.
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Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Pensacola
Event Date
January 25, 1847
Key Persons
Outcome
the party carries despatches and funds for california; stage broke down en route but luggage arrived; planned route via chagres river and panama isthmus to u.s. vessel.
Event Details
The U. S. schooner Onkabyee, Lieut. Berryman commanding, is getting under way in haste to convey to Chagres two bearers of despatches for the military and naval commanders in California. The two gentlemen arrived here yesterday morning post-haste from Washington: Major William Rich, paymaster United States army, and Mr. J. P. Norris, Com. Stockton's secretary. Major Rich is accompanied by two young kinsmen, Messrs. W. R. and J. D. Hutton. He has with him a large amount of treasury notes and some twenty thousand dollars in gold, for the payment of troops in California. Major Rich was formerly botanist to the exploring expedition, selected for his qualifications, knowledge of the country, people, language, and customs. The department desired him to take one hundred and fifty thousand dollars in gold, but he declined; the night before arrival, the stage broke down in the forest between Blakely and Pensacola in a violent rain storm, luggage left to come by wagon. From Chagres, the route is up the river some thirty miles in boats, thence by mule carriage across the Panama, to embark in some United States vessel.