Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1841-07-27

lhattouched the imagination-in every step
OF our journey in that country: the old pa
DIRE, in the deep stiffness of The dimly-hght-
ed convent, with a long black coat like a
robe, and his flashing eye called up an
image of the bold and resoIute priests who
accompanied the armies OF the conquerors;
and as he drew map on the table, ana
traced out the sierra to the top oil which he
had Travelled, and the position OF the mys-
ferrous city, the interest awakened III us
was the most thrilling | ever experienced.
One look at that city was worth ten years
Of an every day life. If he is right, a
place is left where Indians and an Indian
city exist az Cortez and Alvarado found
them there are living men who can solve
the mystery that hangs over the ruined
cities of America: perhaps who can go to
Copan and read the inscriptions on It's
monuments. No subject more exciting and
enchanting presents itself to my mind, and
the deep impression Of that n ght can ne
yer be effaced
Can il be true Being now TO my So
Der senses, do verify believe that there Is
much ground to suppose that what the pa
de told us is authentic. That the region
referred 20 does not acknowledge The gov
eminent of Gautamala, has never been
explored, and that no white man ever pre-
tends to enter it | am satisfied. From 9TH
or sources, we heard that from that sierra
a large ruined city was visible, and we were
tod of another person who had climbed 10
the top Of the sierra, but, or account OF the
dense cloud resting upon II had been una
bic TO see any thing. At all events, the
belief at the village Of Chainl is general,
and curiosity is reused that burns 10 be
satisfied. We had craving desire to
reach the mysterious city. No man, even
if willing TO peril his life could undertake
the enterprise with any hope of success,
without lowering fer one or two years on
the borders Of the country, studying the
language and character of the adjoining
Indians, and making acquaintance with
some Of the natives. Five hundred men
could probably march directly 10 the city,
and the invasion would he more unsuitable
than any ever made by the Spanlords; but
The government is too much occupied with
It's own wars, and the knowledge could not
be procured except at the price of blood.
Two young men Of good constitution, who
could afford to spare five years, might sue
coed. II the object of search proved a
phantom, in the wild scenes of new and
uneXplored country there are othe objects
Of interest; bu: if real, besides the glori
Gus excitement Of such novelty, they will
have something to look back upon through
life. AS to dangers, these are always
magnifed, and, in general, peril is disco
ver,d soon enough for escape. But in all
probability, if any discovery is ever made
it will be by the padres. AS for ourselves,
TO attempt it alone, ignorant Of the Ian
guago, and with mozos who were 4 con-
slant annoyance 10 us, was out of the ques-
ton. The most we thought Of was u climb
to the top of the sierra, thence to look
down upon the mysterious city; but we had
difficulties enough in the road before Us
it would add ten days 10 a journey already
almost appalling in prospective; for days
the sierra might be covered with clouds
in attempting too much we might lose all;
Palenque was our great point, and We de-
tcrmined not 10 be diverted from the course
we had marked out.