The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-12-26
From the Pennsylvania

December IL, t846.
From the Pennsylvanian.
THE TOWNS AND COUNTRY ON THE
(. COAST or THE GULF OF MEXICO.
The recent operations Of the navy in
the Gulf Of Mexico, the concentration
Hot the enemy at San Luis Potosi, and
the evident design Of the American ar
my to move in the same direction, will
render Information respecting the pop
ulation of the various towns along the
coast, the face ofthe country in the de-
partments adjoining, together with the
products Of the soil, and the distances
between these places and San Luis Po-
tosi and the city Of Mexlco-added to
the character Of the several harbors-
Of the highest importancs. The in
creased and commendable. activity in
the navy, as manifested in the late sue
cessful expeditions against Tabasco
and Tampico, will render this informa-
ton still more interesting and import
ant. Up to this period, little or moth
ling is known on the subjects; the best
ma ps are very imperfect; and we look
in vain for essential details through our
books. aa Sast't '
Sisal and Campeachy on the west
coast OF Y ncatan, are important only as
ports of entry for Merida and the in
terror towns Of Yucatan, and as ship
ping points for logwood, Sisa' grass.
&c. Yucatan does not contribute to
the support Of the general government,
and has no communication with Mexi-
CO by land. ~ 7H ;.
Laguna, at .he southeast bottom of
the Gulf, has a population Of about 1000,
is healthy, lies on the west end OF an
island, and at the mouth of Laguna de
terminos. 1t Is. important to hostile
force, as a depot and watering station,
and cutting off communication between
Yucatan and Mexico. Harbors safe
and sheltered from all winds. The bar
at the mouth passabe with fifteen feet
| of water. The country bordering the
various streams emptying into the La.
COON, is covered with forests of log
wood, and is sparsely inhabited by
wood.cutters, and much cut up by wat
err courses. II has an inland commu
nication with Tabasco, navigable by
steamers. The only defence is block
houss with two guns. The harbor is
at all times accessible. 7J ild Hs
| Tabasco river empties into the Gull
about fifty miles west ofLaguna. The
mouth Of the river is protected by bar
shifting with gales and river freshes-
depth Of water on the bar varying from
eight to ten feet. u 900 3
! Frontera, a village of about 800 in
inhabitants, lies at the mouth Of the
river. Ito s - 7a yo
i The city Of Tabasco lies about 20
miles from the mouth Of the stream,
which is rapid, and can only be ascend
ed with the aid OF steam or leading
breeze. The district Of Tabasco, il
proper hands, would be rich in agricul
tural products, having, for the mos
part, a rich strong soil. Its chief pro
ducts are now cattle, dye-woods, ant
large quantity of fcacao, which is high
,lly esteemed by the Mexicans, and !.
shipped to all parts Of the country
| The land communication with, Yer;
Cruz district is very difficult and tedi
, Gus, and rarely or never attempted, tn
, fishing boats and small CO asters render
i ing water communication more easy
: There is not any port between Tabas
/, L CO and Alvarado, except Of the mout
!. of the river Huasacualco, which ma.
!. be entered by boats drawing feet, an
E is worthy of notice as being Of the cor
: templated lines of canal conmunic'
: ton with the Pacific ocean. i
Alyarado is about 920 miles west /
Tabasco, and about 40 s. E. of Yer
,fI Cruz. A. the mouth of the river is
! shifting bar over which the water varie
). from 8 to Is feet. After crossing thi
r. there is plenty Of water. The waite,
: are navigable through a lagoon s. |
h of the city, to Joluca, a town Of 4.0c
:. souls, about 40 to so miles from the ,ba
i The town of Alvarado lies about
miles from the bar, contains a popul
:. ton Of about 500, and is, defended
y the difficulty Of approaching il over 4
e bar, and a recently erected fort; but
A. the summer season, they would pro
Is bu, peor deiences, as, in calm weathe
- hostile force could be landed und
TO the guns of ships of war, (Which cou
ie approach quite, near to the beach) al
q the works and the town could be TAKE
4, from the rear. q During the revolutio
10 whilst the Castle oi San Juan de Ull,
~ was in possession Of the forces Of SPai
n Alvarado became the chief port Of 9
ID try on the gull, and most Of the impo'
N and exports were through II, sit b
ur the advantage Of an easy and 50
"a road to The ;;lissssfior; and Il Is b. Il