The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1842-12-08
..S. From the New York Post.
THE UNKNOWN NATION OF CENTRAL
AMERICA

AMERICA.
Those ofour readers who have had the pleasure of
psrusing Mr. Stephens Travels in Yucatan, published
sOme time since, will remember the curious account
which is there given of"a living city, by which is
meant city nhahIted by people who are entirely un-
known 10 the rest OF the world. Mr. Stephens profes
hes to have derived his information from priest who
rel'ted that when ne youth, he had climbed 10
the top of sierra, some ten or twelve thousand feet
high, and looking over immense plain extending
from Yucaan 10 The Gulph Of Mexico saw a large
city covering large spot ofgound' with its walls, &
palaces, and turrets gtering in the sun. Tie priest
then went on say, that the tradtionay ofthe
neighborng Indians Of Chagri, for nstance-was
that no white man had reached that city, that they
murdered every stranger who attempted to enter their
territory, that they seduouSy kept from all intercourse
with those around them, that they used coin,
in possession ofno cattle, dom, site animals, and
that they held the secret of the history and fate of the
popuIous race that crowded the lost and dlapda-
ted cities that are scattered over the surface of Central
America.
When we first read this account of Mr.. S:ephenS,we
were inclined to regard it, either exaggeraton Of
the good padre a wild and worthless tale ofsome
Indian in.pos,or. But find on reading the recent
work of Mr.. Norman, that he more than confirms the
statement of his fore runner. appears moreover that
the French traveller Wadeck conversed with some Of
the inhabitants Of this monastc city. Norman, as it
will be seen by the following passage, speaks Of such
city, though there could be doubt ofis existence.
There is district Of country situated between Qua
tamaa, Yucalan. aud Chapas that has yet been
subdued. This seciiun is surrounded by mountains &
is Aad to be inaccessible except by way, aud that
moi generally known. No one yet, who has had the
bodness to follow the inhabitants to their wild retreat,
has to render account Of his journey.
The inhabitants are represented speaking the Maya
and Tchole languages, aud many olthem as conversng
well IN Spanish From the latter circumstance, they
are enabled to visit the nearest cities, sci their tobacco
the principal article they cultivate, and afterwards to
turn their retreats. They onstitued ofthe Lac
androns and other savage tribes; expert warriors.
remarkably athletic, and very cruel. They wor-
shippers efIdoIs, and their religious ceremonies
said to have undergone little OIL no change.
'Palenque is in the neIghborhood this settlement;
and WaIdeck, who says he has conversed with some
cfthese people, understood that they had white persons
among them-but whether they stay voluntarily, or
detained prisoners, he has not mentioned. The
nation is spoken ofby Mr.. Stephens. Their number is
estimated at thirty thousand their secluded mode OF
life makes it almost impossible to arrive at any thing
like correct Impressions respecting them. The Indians
of fYucatan and the neghboring provinces have been
in conversation with persons from this district
they, however, appear to little of the people Of
whom speak as Others Could friendly intercourse
hxo ho aI al ,rth
country there scarcely doubt that complete knowl
edge ofthe former inhabitants of the immense ruins
scattered throughout the provinces would be revealed
That their temples and records remain in safety, and
are capable speaking to posery there scarcely
be question.
IL doubt if the above be true estimate of .ke mum
bers since they have been enabled to sustain themselves
for ages [no knows how long, against enemies and
intestine wars and dissolution. 1t would be more
sonabe to suppose that they the outcast Peasg Of
some invading nation, and the remnants of power
that once defended those wasted towns that lie
huge fscatered ruins. The gathered fragments
ofPaIenque, and other conqueiej places Of equal i'm
porance may have concentrated their broken strength
wirhn the boundaries of these hills, and under the
strong impulse of desperation they may have preserved
their nationality in defiance of all the force that surroun
dsd them. II may well excite universal astonishment
when the fact becomes known that there actually exists
within territory of five hundred miles. distinct peo.
pie, that have governed themselves for ages and that
they continue 10 do without assistance or protection.
II would be lesson TO mankind to ascertain how they
have managed their elfgcverning principles, and how
they have reserved the national individuality. Three
eenlures have ranspred Pnce the conquest and ifnei
her Yankee nor Irislman have found his way among
these Lacadrones before hs it deserves the careful
consideration both of the psychologist & statesman
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