Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-09-10
Monterey.
From the AfaiamOras Flag

As the army of occupation has commenced Its adj
vance upon the interior of Mexico, by pursuing tie
Rio Grande up as high as Camargo, both by land and
water, and this will be the place where permanent
depot will be established, and from which the ad.
ing army will leave the Rio Grande when it takes up its
general march upon Monterey, will naturally hold
conspicuous place in the estimation of the American
people. Camargo is situated Immediately upon the
banks of the San Juan river, three miles from its
junction with the Rio Grande. 1t is small, rudcy
constructed village with some few stone buildings,
many built Of mud bricks dried in the sun,
sructed by driving stakes into the ground, and then
pas,crng them with mud, and others formed of cane
and plastered in like manner. The number of nhab
ltans viii not exceed two thousand but the Mex
lean government has never thought her population
worthy of enumeration positive statement can be
made of the population of any of tLeir towns The
late extraordinary rise of the Rio Grande has caused
the San Juan to back up and literally inundate Camar
CO. the great damage Of houses aud other property
also to the sacrifice of several lives.
Camargo may be considered the head of navigation,
as above here 81 bed of the river is so filled up with
rocks that its navigation higher up has never been
attempted. The road upon leaving Camargo and
crossing the San Juan, becomes higher and less OBJ
structed by swampy grounds and it then becomes an
important inquiry what other obstacles may present
themselves in the distance between this place and
Monterey, which is 30 miles. The road passes
through a level country, thickly set with a small
underwood, the largest timber being ebony and the
musqute, neither of which grow TO the height of
more than II or 10 feet aud - to Ii inches in d.
ameier. 81 dense IS this underground, armies of
10000 men each might march for half a day within
mile of each other without the vicinity of to
the other being known.
The literal meaning Of Monterey is the Kings
coods but to those who have been raised in heavily
timbered country, IL would appropriate to
call it grove of brush. II is common saying with
Texans who have travelled through the forest that
ait - id thick you can't shove bowie knife into
it," Ind what may appear somewhat singular, every
bush and shrub Is armed with Ihorns curved in the
shape of ish-hooks and the hold they take upon the
clothes and skin of travellers is not easily shaken off
the jackets Of the soldery will testify before
they reach Monterey.
| The whole distance is well watered from August
until March, plenty of wood reasonable pasture, many
herds of cattle, numerous ocks of sheep and goats
now and then small yillage-which all have the
appearance of decay. Scattered along the road are
miserable huts, singuarly picturesque from their
original construction, not quito equal to railpen sta
bes built in the backwoods Of Arkansas and Texas for
scrub ponies. Yet nature, in her mighty formations
has formed some positions on this road, which If
taken advantage of by sklful and daring enemy
would prove a second Thermopye to those who might
have tie emcrity TO tread these formidable passes
The American army will no doubt look ahead before
entering these dangerous and shady pavions The
mazes of the labyrinth beautifully pictured out by
meandering paths and conflicting crossroads leading
Il
willy lure of some Mexican bandit.
When in fifteen leagues of Monterey the village of
Caiderate presents itself, enjoying the most lovely
situation standing upon perfectly level plain, sur
rounded with green groves, presenting everlasting
summer; the fields blessed with natural fertility The
behoder involuntarily exclaims, " Why should
Mexican toll or labor
1t is not indispensable that the army should pass
through Caderate, as there are other roads by which
Monterey can be approached, but we mention this
route as supplies be obtained in Caiderate and
the direction is nearest straight line Immediately
upon leaving this place you enter again those shady
winding paviions, and continue in them until within
sight of Monterey Many little streams and rivuletS
intersect the road, and some muddy lanes, which at
] times become impossible so that the army will be
fortunate if able TO proceed in files of six Deep but
as tie vicinity TO Monterey is somewhat opened
owing TO the many fields, small DEPRESSION might be
made to the right, and nersect the road that comes
from the mouth of Il Canon de Salinas, il being the
most open road Of the two The creek that washes
the southeast side of Monterey runs between these
two roads, the fields forming border on either side
The road that leads from Caideratc, when within a
mile of Monterey, has the appearance of a small
village, the houses being numerous. Passing
through this seeming village, and arriving upon the
bank of the creek, you have Monterey in view on the
opposite side, presenting very handsome appearance
The city is. regularly laid out, the streets avenues
and squares shaded with numerous fruit and other
trees, and the houses generally exhibiting much
and regularity in their construction The city is well
waered and every thing about it strikes the beholder
as grand and beautiful. passing view of the city
would convey the idea of a large population, but a
close inspection will show It's large casie-ke edces
sometimes occupying whole square, sheerng but
the members and servants of a single family; there
fore, from observation, should give the city
population of more than 5000 SOULS and it is doubt
| full whether it is even so great.
! Cast the eye beyond Monterey, and the sublime
presents itself in lofty upreared pyramids of adaman
/ tine stone, tinged with a crimson red where the
creeping vine cannot be found and where the cedar
and pine - children of the Alpine heights have
never dared TO rear their heads-the sides and sum-
mts of these vast mountains presenting nothing to
view but the bare and glistening stone; but in whose
bosom lie concealed shining beds Of pure silver, and
sparkling beds of virgin gold.
| In the midway distance rises numerous table
mounds, commanding the town and all the entrances
from the northeast Upon one of these commanding
positions the devoted people endcavored TO raise a
temple dwelling for their bishop but their zeal was
greater than their means, and the structure remains
unfinished. If the Mcxcans could withstand the
doube-dealing havoc of an American charge here
might they plant the coors Of their unfortunate coun-
try and reap Of the laurels awarded to Leondas
perhaps family portray in miniature the dazzling
chivalry Of those devoted heroes who fell battling
upon the ramparts Of the ever-to-be-remembercd
Alamo.
The main road passes through the principal street
Of the city from north TO SOUTH and as you leave the
last houses the road begins TO ascend. and passe,
along at the foot of many OF those table mounds
The river upon the east side of the town. the
houses extending down TO its very margin. Upon
the west side rise perpendicular mountains one mile
in height.
CHEATING THE LAw.-No matter how carefully
law may be framed, men will always find a way to
/ cheat IL. Since tho naseape of the lcpnse Law in