The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1822-07-30

! Extract q q letter from gentleman ia Meri-
co, 10 has brother IN Franklin Coultu. h en-
lucky, dated,
Cry OF Mexico, Jan. s, 1922.
On the 25lh of November we arrived at
the great city Of MexIco, distant from Vera
Cruz, about ftree hundred miles The main
road leading from one of these cities TO the
other IS the best ever travelled, although The
country through which it passes is the most
mountainous | ever beheld. Mexico is sur
rounded by mountains, some Of which are coy
cred with snow all the year they afford a
grand and splendid prospect from the city.
where gardens are covered with flowers and
other vegetable productions at all seasons of
The year. have eaten ripe peaches in the
morning at the foot o. a mountain, and in the
evening, after having passed the mountain,
have seen orchards ia bloom
This country produces all the fruits Of the
WesI-lndies, as well as those Of North Ameri-
ca; the apple comes to great perfection the
watermelon may be had every day in the
mdu can "rss,--J - 49, IL
though the inhabit ants live wrechedly 1.-The city
is filled with poor /; you are attacked at every
corner Of the street by beggars-a large mum
raised IN Incidence, and can do nothing except
ride or pack mule, which is their only mode
o. transportation.
| have been informed that al the time Cortez
conquered tue city, il contained two hundred
thousand inhabitants, and al the commence
meni Of the revolution one hundred aud sew
enty thousand al this time the population IS
calculated al one hundred & twenty thousand,
two thirds of which are indians, the most Ig-
norant, superstilious and indolent people 1
have ever seen-lhey have been priest ridden,
until they are neither fit for soldiers, sailors,
or citizens. have frequently visited the old
palace of Moniezums, aud have been ~ the
room which he filled with gold 10 purchase
peace with the Spanards. have Likewise
seen the large stone that Montezuma and his
people worshipped this stone is made to re-
semble he sun, and is about eight feet IN dr.
ameter, of solid stone, on which is carved the
figure of all The animals inhabiting this count
ry-ii is now put in front OF the Cathedral as
an ancient ornament. At this time lnhablt
part Of the Vice Roy's palace il is spen-
did bulding-itis calculated to quarter t"en.
ty thousand dragons the lower story IS all
stables and granares-the second, quarters
for sodiers-the third, officers of the govern
ment."
The papers have abeunded with numerous details Of
the late duel between Cumming and MDuihe,-we
have scarcely looked at them having no desire 10 read
or 10 present them to our seaders the following
article is Of another description, and will, proba-
bly,, afford amusement -
From the aurora.
" They paced with rapid steps the way TO greatness
Female d,elling-On the 5th inst. in Chester coun
ty Pennsy lsania, young ladies determined to I'm
Iate Cummings and Nj Duie the challenge was giver
the time Of meeting hxed--seconds were chosen Z
make the necessary preparations for the sad aflar
the mediation Of friends Of no avai-the battle
was TO be iought-the fair damses were to encounte
each other the field Of honor, or their reputation
was TO sufer-the whole union would make II puoll
business and it would be general topic of converse
ton unless of the daughters Of Eve shed her bloc
nobly in duel Miss Lllyroach had already bequeatf
: ed part OF her personal estate, the beautiful flower
2 pluckcd from the nolntdans orow, were 10 oecom
, the properly of her lover Miss Godhnch had sghet
with her last BREATH the prospect OF losing her ter
! der passion in the arms of death. The meeting wa
to take place at six o'clock. A. nj. the 9th inst Su
geons TO be the ground TO prevent the unnece
2 sarv shedding Of blood-(as in the case OF Cummn!
q and M'Duf1iel silk gowns of Canton camblet
e be worn with of the Helmets Of corde
4 twisted and worsted silk, were to be used On the
: casion The words before firing were to be :" az
T" aim touch -fre."-Three shots only were
u be exchanged and if neither received mortal woun
q reconciliation was to take place All things wei
l. in readiness-the awful time had arrved--a few pc
ID sons were secreted the dreadful spot where Is
PAGES were TO be marked out, when. behold, sad
) relate. The parties did not appear-the ladies' wei
= both locked in the AIMS Of Morpheus. and
- Night, fair virtues friend
TX brought them to their Senses and was procaE
n ed with ivory hands, blue eyes. and rosy cheeks
,e A FRIEND TO THE PARTIES