Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-08-28

North Americau was an object Of great inter-
est they were rejoiced 10 see a countrymaB,
the citizen of an independent nation, and OF
free government; they overwhelmed me with
questions and caresses; they had been kept in
ignorance OF the rest OF America, and their
questions respecting the United States were
highly entertaining. The Indians of the tribe
of Ruelches, bring their coarse manufacture
to Mendoza; they consist of rugs aud coinnon
Pouchas. They bring likewise salt from the
river Oiamauti, which formerly was the boun-
dairy between them and the district OF Aendo-
IA. The Diamanti desceuds from the Cordil-
leras and flows in a north eastern direction,
and in common with all the rivers in these lati.
tudes east of the Andes, forms. during summer,
corruscatops of salt OH its banks. In the spring
all these rivers swell with the melting Of the
SHOWS and are perfectly fresh, but during the
remainder of the wear, are brackish aud depo-
sit great quantity OF salt.
Ihired muleteer who engaged TO transport
me and my baggage to Santiago, and TO furnish
the necessary number of mules, for eight dol
lars each mule Two nules were loaded with
provisions for eight days, the time usually Gen.
snmed in passing these mountains and the
whole train consisted of ten mules. My SER
wants left this town early in the morning, aud
j followed in the afternoon to avoid the heat
of the day. Some OF the principal Inhabitants
of Mendoza accompanied me a few miles from
the tewn, mark of respect generally shown
TO stranger. On leaving them, | proceeded
with my guide through barren tract ofcoun.
try, the soil generally covered with low shrubs.
Night soon overlook ms. but the heat continued
10 be excessive. felt the air which had passed
over the parched plains south of us, like the
blast of furnace. After travelling eight
leagues, we turned off the road, TO a small
spring of water, the only one to be found west
OF Mendoza for twelve leagues. We found
the whole cavalcade encamped round large
fire, which proved a useful precaation, the air
towards morning became very cold and pierre
ing, and was more seBsibly felt after the heat
OF the day. The mnles were loose and feeding
.. fl,nxr NJ
a mare which they are accustomed to follow,
and which has hell round her neck. The
loaded mules in passing the mountains always
run loose, aud follow the Aadrina, which is led
oy one oil the muleteers called the madriuero.
The mule at perfect liberty, moves more eau
nousty and securely one man can conduct ten
mules, having only to adjust the loads from
time TO time, when deraBged by striking a.
gainst the rocks. My field bed was nade MP
near the tis, and slept until day break. In
the morning, after the muieteers had taken
their Matu,' the mnies were loaded and we
proceeded over the same gloomy, barren conn
try Tor four leagues, to the valley of Uspallata
here there IS small stream of water, and
mines OF gold and silver, which were formerly
very product tive. Workmep are now employ
ed i'll restoring the works, by order of the go
yernment ct Bnenos Ayres. At Uspalatta
there Is custom-house where goods are ex-
amined and registered on their entry into the
vice royalty of La Plata. 1t consists of four
log huts, two officers are CHARTERED in them
~ shnuaF eStdDi'stf1SnI exists IN all the pdSsd-
ges of the Cordilleras between Chill and La
Plata
The matt, so called from the taatash in which it
s always presented is infusion oi the herb Para
quay, which is ola bitter punsent taste This ntnson
is sweetened, and sometimes little cinnamon and
on peel are added. The calaDash is placed
SILVER stand the liquor is soaked through silver tube
which is furnished at the lower extremity with bulb
piercedtu of small holes prevent any particle of
the herb from passing through it, The matt is the lux
ury rich aud the solaee of the poor thew drink
1t as soon they rise from their beds in the morning
aud after the siesa in the afternoon, and reaueny re-
gale themselves with IL throughout the day.
ITO be Continued.