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- 
landiére 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, Berlandiére 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. 
Berlandiére 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 Berlandiére 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. Coucu 
