Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-12-09

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s,ruc,ed wholly Of mud. and plastered
both inside and. outside with mortart
some of them are constructed entirely
with Palmetto. The site Of this town
has many advantages over Pueblo Vie
10, on the opposite side, as vessels can
approach the former without any diff
Gully; while access TO the latter is much
obstructed by oyster banks.
Tampico is situated on an emf.
nence which commands fine view OF
the harbor. 1t is generally considered
as healthy place; though at some sea-
sons OF the year, the inhabitants are Vi
sited by iniermi,,ents. In regard to
the mechanic arts, Sc it is astonishing
TO observe, how much behind the rest
of the civilized world the natives OF
this country are; they would perhaps
suffer by comparison with the Moors
on the coast Of Barbary; as respects
agriculture and architecture, feel con-
fdent they are far below them. The
sugar made in this country is OF an ex-
cellent quality, although manuiactur-
ers are not perfectly acquainted with
the different processes which the cane
is submitted to before sugar can be
made The cane grows to a great
height. The sugar mills are similar
in construction 10 those OF Louisiana.
eli slavery was not absolutely pro.
hibited in this country, an immense
fortune could be soon realized by an en-
,erprising sugar planter The natives
manufacture kind of sugar from mo-
lasses, which they cast into loases a
bout the size OF tumbler, two OF which
are Joined together by the large ends,
and wrapped in kind Of grass very
neatly. These loaves are called pllon-
sito, and their price is about 81 cents
Cotton grows very well, and is pro-
duced in much abundance, and OF an
excellent staple. The meat market in
Tampico is in most wretched situa-
ton; the beef is as tough almost as
raw hide. and in the market is expos
ed on dirty benches, and literally man
g!ed into small pieces, instead OF being
cut o. sawed. Cattle and horses here
feed on the leaves of the Zaoate, the
branches Of which are made into bun
dies, and exposed for sale in the mar
Eet.
"The mangle is very curious tree,
its leaves are very much like those OF
the Oak, but the branches fall from the
body Of the tree, nearly perpendicular;
they take root in the ground, shoot
forth additional branches, and thus ex
tending itself to large distance. he
tree would form an impenetrable hedge.
1t grows generally in marshy and we,
situation. The Cedar and Sopote or
Zapote, Iron wood are very abundant.
This last is a very hard and heavy
wood, of light mahogany color and
variegated with dark streaks; it Is an
excellent material for cabinet or join
ers work. The timber used in this
country is sawed almost entirely by
hand. Its almost inconceivable, how
ignorant and indoleht the natives are;
manual labor is considered as the Sc
verest punishment that could be i'm
posed upon them While l was in this
place | had frequent opportunities of
forming acquainlances with the Anne
ricans from the United States, who's
had embarked for Mexico with the
most sanguine hopes Of amassing i'm
mense riches, and were as completely
disappointed; their only concern now
was, how they could sc, back again;
most Of them attributed their setting
out, OH this fool's errrand,'' to the
high expectations which was excited
in them, respecting this country, by
reading Mr.. Poinsett's "Notes on Mex
leo" The tediors andSexatious con-
duct Of the revenue officers upon the ar.
rival Of strangers, is not small item
in the complaints, which foreigners are
making. Bread stuffs'aIl through this
country are scarce and dear; half
pound Of bad bread is sold for one
shilling. Fish and oysters are very a.
bundant. Vegetables are Likewise
high. Transportation in wagons or
carts, is unknown in this country, eve
~ thing is borne on the backs of men
or mules. A credit is given on Gus
tom house bonds of ninety days.
"While ! was at Tampico, vessel
arrived having some wine on board, it
was entered on the manifest as Lisbon
wine. The Custom-house officers were
unable to determine its quality, for the
duty; they accordingly filled two bottles
with it, and sent it TO the. Supreme Con-
gress at the city Of Mexico, in order
that they might settle the question.
"Snakes are very abundant here.
killed one that was about the size of
my finger, it had rings from its head
to its tail, of most beautiful red, yell
low and black colors handsomely sha-
ded 1t was amphibious and very
poisonous
For Freight,
-l The fine schr