American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1822-06-11


4 his brother in Franklin County, Ken dated
i CRY If Merico, Jan 8, 1929.
| ut is now year since have had any certain
opportunity of writing to the United States, being
in the service of the republic of Mexico. have
been nearly all that time on march and hard duty
and have travelled over the greater part OF this
beautiful country. l am sorry that. Tor want o
time, cannot send you a copy of my Journal which
would probably give you better idea of the country
than any geography Of it you have read On the
25th of August, | left the province of Texas on
board armed schooner OF the same name, IN
company with General Trerpalacies and suit Tor
Campeachy, where we arrived on the 28th oil Octo-
Der and but few days aier its inhabitants had de-
clared in favor Of independence. On landing we
were received as friends and all the military honors
were paid the General which were due to his rank
From that place we proceeded by land TO Vera
Cruz distance of five hundred miles, throu1 a
very ierie but billy country which had previously
declared independence; many beautiful rivers empty
into the gulfon the coast the banks o. some of which
are densely inhabited by Indians and Spaniards;
assembled the river Tobasco, about wenty leagues
the soil in that part Of the country through which
this river runs, is more productive than any in
Mexico it produces the sugar cane, coffee, and
the fruits of every other climate; the forest trees
are chiefly logwood NAH Isany, and Spanish cedar
The people living on he-oanks oil the river not
very healthy; whilst ascending it could scarcely
hear myself speak, owing to the chatterlng of the
parrots and monkeys, On the 10th Of November,
we arrived at The large city OF Vera Cruz, which is
well fortified by strong stone wall, and defended
by quantity of heavy artillery it is situated imme.
dlately OIL the shore, at the distance CT one mile
from which, in the sea- stands castle of immense
strength which is at present in the possession Of the
Royalists, notwithstanding its proximity TO the city,
when hosttes commenced in the interior, the
wealthy Europeans and royalists fed to Vera Cruz,
10 which place they we're pursued by the republi-
can army which besieged it. and being unable to
defend the city against the besegers, they abandoned
It, and took possession Of the castle, carrying with
them the greater part of the artillery and all the
specie and other valuables in the city, no attempts
have been made to reduce the castle, nor will any
be made as the city would sustain immense injury
III bombardment should be commenced; as soon
transports can be obtained TO convey the royalss
IA the castle with their property to Spain, it is said
by some i will be evacuated others think they
only wait the arrival OF reiniorcements that thew
may cooperate in an attempt 10 subdue the republi !
can army and re establish the provincial govern
ment 1t is rumored that troops are on the way
from England, who are to aid in an effort to effect
those objects, but it is mere report, for we receive
no news here authenticated.
On the 25th OF November We arrived at the great
city of Mexico, distant from Vera Cruz about
three hundred miles The man road leading FRONT
one OF these cities to the other is the best everI
travelled. though the cou try through which it'll
passes is the most mountainous ever beheld.-I
Mexico is surrounded by mountains, some of which,
are covered with all the year; they afford al
grand and splendid prospect from the city, wherel
gardens are covered with flowers and other vegetable
productions at all seasons OF the year. have ate
ripe peaches in the morning at the foot of moun-
taln and in the evening, after having passed the |
mountain, have seen orchards in bloom.
This country produces all the fruits Of the West
indies, as we'll as those of North America the an |
PIC comes to great perfection the watermelon NAV
DC had every day in the year potatoes, and in fact
every thing that man wish for, may be produced
here, though the inhabitants live wretchedly, the
city IS Tiled with poor you are attacked at every
corner OF the street by beggars-a large number Of
whom are able to work, but have been raised in in
doence, and can do nothing except ride or pack a
mule, which is their only mode of transportation
have been informed that at the time Cortez con-
quered the city, IT contained two hundred thousand
inhabitants, and at the commencement Of the revo.
nuon, one hundred and seventy thousand at this
Ime the population is calculated at one hundred and
wenty thousand, two thirds Of which are Indians
ne most ignorant superstitious. and indolent people
have ever seen--they have been priest ridden. andl
>ii,% RIDDEN unu they are neither 1T Tor soldiers.
'ailors, or citizens | have frequently visted the
DID palace OF Montezuma and have been in the Il
Dom which he filed with gold to purchase peace
u the Spaniards. have likewise seen the large
stone that Montezuma and his people worshippedi il
this stone is made to resemble the sun, and isl
'oout eight feet in diameter Of solid stone on which,
3 carved the figure of all the animals inhabting
ms country lit is now put in front Of the Cathe-l
iral as an ancient ornament. At this time inhabtI
part OF the Vice Roy's palace it is splendid
,ulldng-i, is calculated quarter twenty thousand
iragoons; the lower story is all stables & granares
Inc second quarters for the sodcrs--the third
'ficers Of the government
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