The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-11-05


bes, A messenger came in, too, from the alcsIds
OF Tonic, with an official note stating that ArmlJo
had left with him 100 mules pressed into ssyice BY
him, 10 meet US at the eahon, and that AnmD0 had
also notified him that 100 more would be lef at tlIe
Passo del Noue. These belonged TO citizens OF
New Mexico. and had been taken from them with
out their consent II his practice, IN peace or ~
war, To seize the person or property OF any who ie
under his displeasure.
The town Of Bernals is small, but Of the best
built IN the territory We were here invited 70 lhe
houss Of very wealthy man, named Pasilla 70 take
some refreshment. We were led INTO an oolong
room furnished like that Of every Mexican who Is
| well 10 do la the world banquet runs entirely
around the room, except where the 'coueh" goes.
| Ii is covered with cushions, carpets and pillows,
upon which the yisiter sits or recines. The dirt
floor is usually covered third or half with com
mon looking carpet On the uncovered part is the
table, frelghtsd with grapes sponge-eake, ana ths
miserable pictures Of the saints, crosses innumera-
BILE, and common Yankee mirrors without number.
These last hung entirely out OF reach, and u one
wishes TO shave or TO adjust his shirt he must do u
without mirror, be there ever SO many 10 inc
chamber.
Mr.. Pasilla was hospitable, but very uncommu-
NEGATIVE. He evidently had not yet the news from
below, of the retreat Of Ugarte and Armijo. We
passed on 10 the house of his wealthy son, where
we were invited TO dine. Here we found arother
table of Refreshments, and, after waiting some hours
dinner was announced Ii was queer tumble OF
refinement and barbarsm, the first predomInating ~
everything, except in the mode Of serving, which
was chiefly done by the master, his Mexican
guests, ADD few female serfs.
The plates forks, and spoons, Of solid silver,
clumsily worked ia the country. The middle OF the
table was strewed with the finest white bread, cut
into pieces and within the reach Of every plate.
Az close intervals glass deeanters, Of Pusburg
manufacture, filed with wine made on the planta-
ton The dishes came ON separately; the frst was
soup meagre then followed roast chicken, stuffed
with onions then mutton boiled with onions, and
var Gus Others all stuffed with the everlasting onion,
and the whole terminated by chile-the glory OF
New Mexico. This dish, which the Mexcans
consider the ehet deuwe Of the cuisine, they seem
really to reve in; but the first mouthful brought the
tears triekling down my cheeks, very much To the
amusement Of the lealher-throaIed spectators. IL
was red pepper stuffed with mlnce meat.
From Bernalo the valley opens, but parrows
again at Sandia, an Indian town, on a sandbank, al
the base Of high mountain of the same name, said
TO contain the precious metals Here they were
treading wheat, which is done by making circular
enclosure, on level ground, clay. Upon this floor
they scatter the wheat, turn IN dozen or so oil
mules, and one or two Indians. who, with whooPs,
yells, and blows, keep the atfrghted brutes con-
slantly in motion. To separate the wheat from the
chat, both Indians and Mexicans use simple
hand-banow, with bottom of raw bulls hide,
pierced with holes. should think Il took an hour
TO wInnow one bushel. ....
Afler dining sumptuously at Sandiral IS, we went
TO our camp in the Allaboyo. Here the valley 4
wide, and well cultivated. The people Of the sur
rounding country hoek in with grapes, melons, and
eggs. Several very pretty women were clustered
md the generals tent; and, as night approached
he asked them il they were not afraid 10 venture
amongst strangers at thet dangerous hourl sNo, "
said one, "what have we to fear when our generals
here I" ...r...
Swarms Of wild geese and sand-cranes passed over
camp. They frequent the river, and are undsturbed
save when some American levels his rife. ...
September 6-Encamped last night on very indlk
ferent grass. Breakfasted with Don Jose ChavIs,
at PardIlla When sitting, the table was as high as
our cbins. There were i've or six courses, ending
with coffee. Before breakfast we were summoned
to mass in the private chapel Of Don Jose, where Of
fcated the eccentric dandy we met yesterday q,
dinner Priest and dandy were curiously combined
in this person. Proud of his pure white hands, he
AourIshed them incessantly, sometimes running his
fingers through his hair, TO give an air OF elegant
negligee and ever and anon looking into one oil
the many lookng-slasses with which they decorate
their churches After mass, to our surprise, he de-
liyered dscouse--euogiZing the grandeur, mag
nanimity power, and justice Of the United States.
When we visited his chapel at the town OF lsoletta
bled into the refreshment room before II was intend
ed and surprised two tn rec pretty women aiding
| in the arrangements. ..... .. g.Fe
| Mass was anything butan appetizer before break
| fast. The church was crowded with women Of all
| conditions; and the horrd reboso, which the poor
use for shawls, bonnet, handkerchief and spitb box
sent out an odor which the incense from the altar
failed to stihe. ... ...a -.
One thing struck singular--in all the houses
the better classes that visited the ladies never
made their appearance but here we caught, in the
of running the court, the very pretty and
gay widow of Mr.. Chavis, who was killed for his
gold, near the western borders of Missouri, year
or two since. ... .,... ..a s# o.. ..s.
At lsoletta became tired of the show, and see
ing my servant talking at the door of Of his
quaintances, took the liberty of asking an intro
duction, with the intention of taking quiet sesta
but this was out of the question. The good woman
overwhelmed me with thousand questions about the
United States. | could only stop her by asking
questions myself. She denounced Armlo as COW.
ard, and said, with Castillian flash of the eye
81 do not see how any man, wearing those things,
(pointing to my shouder-straps,) "could run away
"He had good army to back him, and could have
driven you all back to the United States"
The valley suddenly contracts below Perdilla
Between Isoetta and Perala, the east side of the
river, there is deep sand, and the country perfectly
barren. ...-l.r.
September Last night was most beautiful
light and serene; the air OF the natural temperature
of the body, occasionally varied by gentle breeze
iIoHi HouHtdibs, wuubB oio"6 aiS Poi'oHAeo vi
the vineyards.
Observed for time and latitude; the last unsatis.
factoriy in consequence of the brightness of the
moon dimming the southern stars. About II
o'clock the whole character of the night was chang
ed by an east wind, that came rustling down from
the mountains, and driving the sand before it.
Nearly the whole distance travelled to-day and yes
terday, and indeed the day before, was over deep
sand, with only occasional patches Of firm soil. AL
though up late, rose early and after despatching
(by order) note to Colonel Ruff, requiring him ia
move at 8 O'Clock, walked over the town of Pa.
raIta, which is dotted with cottonwood trees
growing in nearly the regular order Of an apple
orchard. Having seen all, repaired to headquar
tiers, at the palace of Mr.. Hortera, spacious ed.
| fee, nearly five hundred feet front. ! found the
general up, and waiting for the sow-coming break.
| fast This was announced about 10; and as l had
already breakfasted, stretched myself on the lux
urous ottoman that surrounded the whole room
| and mapped away, well knowing the length of .
Mexican deiune. This over, we waited till the real
Of the army passed, and escorted the general to Mr.
| Hortera, senior.
Here ends all my journal that could be copied il
| time to go by the mail | wish could 60 on, AND
IL i.