The Express.
London, England, 1853-04-04 00:00:00

TAMPICO.

Improvements were in progress both with regard
to the town and navigation of the river. New build-
ings were continually erecting, the centre of the
town fast filling up, the city council (called the Junta
de Fomento) having shown more zeal of late years,
causing the principal streets to be paved, side-walks
are completing all over the town. Commerce has suf-
fered much in consequence of the extensive trade in
smuggling carried on at Matamoras, and the whole
of the northern frontier, principally induced and
supported by the prohibitory Mexican tariff, which
the late revolution, in a measure, has abolished.
Hopes are entertained that smuggling will cease, and
commerce resume its natural channel—the port of
Tampico. The great abuses of the former
pilot establishment at Tampico liar have already
been done away with, and the Junta have taken the
management entirely in their own hands, and esta-
blished an efficient number of bia!s, well maimed at

a low charge, and have also ordered (st nt the money)
a small steamer from England to act as a tow boat,
At present the communication with the interior is
most imperfect: the roads are only suited for mule
traffic, goods from Tampico to San Luis Potosi hays
ing to be conveyed on mules' backs, expAttl to sun
and rain for '2'l or 30 days. The Junta of San Luis
Potosi have in contemplation the formation of a cart
road down a branch of the river Panaco called
Famina, where steamboats can arrive from Tampico
in 20 hours, by which means goods will reach San
Luis from Tampico in eight days. The most int.
portant of an is the erection of a light on the north
side of the entrance at Tampico Bar : it can be seen,
10 or 12 miles off in fine weather.
GREY TOWN.

When the Trent left (on the nth of March) preps.
rations were being made for the demolition of several
houses built by the Americans on land belonging to
the governmect of Musquito. Notice had been given
to the occupiers that if not vacated and given up by
the 11th, the work of destruction would ensue, the
agent:of the Vanderbelt Company having been heard
to express his determination to shoot the first man
who landed on the disputed territory. lie has been
brought before the magistrates, and compelled to
give security to the amount of 7,000 doll. fur his
good behaviour. A corps of artillery was being or-
ganised, and guns mounted, to carry out the pro-
ceedings of the eventful 11th, and there is every
expectation of a regular row. It. M. Steamer Geyser
was said to be muising in the neighbourhood, and
would in all probability arrive in time to watch the

proceedings.
The railway from Navy Bay towards Panama is
progressing as well as can be expected. The bridge
or viaduct across the Chagrcs from Barbems will be
finished about the beginning of May; and Ili a great
portion of rail is already completed on the Panama
side, the affair may be considered as a fait accompli,
and a magnificent undertaking it certainly is. The
difficulties have been enormous: through twelve
miles of jungle and swamp. lour feet deed, runs the
line, and 'tis said that this portion of the structure
has cost a human life for every foot of line. The
buildings in Navy Bay, or Colon City, as it is called,
are increasing, and iu time, when the surrounding
swamps are filled in, it will be inure healthy.