322 SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD 



by the then new Republic of Mexico for the purpose of gathering 

 every possible species of information pertaining to the country. 

 General Mier y Teran was the head of this Commission. 



This Commission must have been dissolved about 1830. Ber- 

 landiere then settled in Matamoras as a physician, where he was 

 universally beloved from his kind amiable manner and regard for 

 the sick poor of that city, being always ready to give advice and medi- 

 cine to such without pay. 



He followed a very general custom in that country, living with 

 a woman as his Mistress, but married her a short time before his 

 death. The result of this connexion was several children one of 

 them being a Captain of Mexican Infantry. 



In the commencement of the difficulties between the Mexican 

 Government and ours, 1845-6, Berlandiere was in charge of the 

 hospitals at Matamoras and employed by General Arista, the Mexican 

 Commandant, in making maps, sketches, etc. of the country adjacent 

 to the Rio Grande. He was the officer that met General Taylor 

 previous to his crossing the Colorado and ordered him to remain on 

 the left bank of that river. 



Berlandiere made many excursions into the country for the pur- 

 pose of collecting in Botany, Nat. History, Mineralogy, &c., &c. 

 Also, to make Astronomical and Meteorological observations; the 

 latter made at Matamoras very complete and extensive his Mss. 

 show that he was also a thorough Geographer and Statistician. 



Doctor Berlandiere left Matamoras sometime in 1851, I think 

 in May or June, for the purpose of visiting the City of Mexico to 

 obtain a claim of his against the general government. When crossing 

 on horseback the Rio San Fernando at a town of the same name 90 

 miles south of Matamoras, he was drowned, aged about 45 years. 

 His extensive collection came into my hands by purchase from his 

 widow. . . . 



I am glad that Pope has found my crow in the U. S. but as my 

 specimen was taken only 20 miles from the Rio Grande I thought 

 it very strange if his majesty did not occasionally come over to enjoy 

 democratic freedom. 



We are getting along here very well. The country slowly filling 

 up and very doubtful if it will eventually be pro-slavery or free soil. 



Believe me, sincerely yours, 



D. N. COUCH 



