The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-06-23
MEXICO.

ioho"ihk shetShes' Dr. w. mas spent some time
on the coasts of the Pacific; and travelled, on his
return, from Mazatlan, that coast, to Vera Cruz
on the Gulf Of Mexico. These sketches will he
found interesting, particularly at this time
To the Editor ofhs Union;
DEAR SIR; Although the route and mode of pro-
cedure between Mexico and Vera Cruz has been
frequently described by tourists, believe there 10
not much familiarity with the road from the Pa
chc TO the capital of the Mexican States and may
not be undressing at the present moment to take
rapid glance at this long route passing through the
heart, the chief provinces, and cities Of the republic.
While hostilitles threatening, but before their
commencement, it became necessary 10 hold Imme-
date communication with the United States across
the continent. The most convenient point Of depar-
ure is al the town Of San Bias little south Of the
mouth of the Gulf Of California, and one days
binary sail from Mazatlan. Starting from San Bias
instead Of Mazatan saves five days laborious land
travel The village on the beach consists of a col
lection OF matched huts, inhabited by sallow I'M
healthy looking population, and particularly rich IN
mosquitoes and sand flies. About a mile back OF
the beach stands the old town Of San Bias, on
rocky eminence, rising like castle from the
swampy Verdant plain surrounding III II Is now
but the Wondering grayestone OF past pros
perity. Both San Bias and Topic, the city Of which
II is the port, are losing themselves in the hourishng
town Of Mazatlan, which has risen rapidly out Of
that smuggling commerce which the benighted pol
icy Of Mexico has rendered the systematic, il not
the legitimate, commerce Of the country. With the
Spanish style Of architecture, Mszatlan has the
freshness, newness, and, disdainlng the limitation
Of walls, the independent, struggling character Of a
new town in the United States.
At San Bias arrangements had been made with
an arrero, or muleeer, TO convey TO the city Of
Topic; some Of our party going no further than
this place; and accordingly on the morning Of May
4th, we found the requisite quantity Of beasts
IL. IL r.. l.. =
next to impossible 10 describe the huge, confused
mass Of wood, leather, thongs, and straps which
make up the equipment Of a Mexican saddle, and
appears sufficient load for the little animal which
sustains il without the addition Of the rider Il is
necessary that each traveller this journey should
have at least one baggage mule; for, besides his
ordinary luggage, he must carry all his bedding,
and, with just discretion, good store Of provI-
sions. Upon this occasion we had handsome and
conye nient brass bedsteads, slowed compactly in
trunks and boxes, and at night, when they were
put up, their glittering posts and canopy frames
formed strong contrast with the rude unfurnished
rooms in which we lodged. In loading the mules
two things surprise the stranger: FIRST the weight
and bulk which the animals carry; and next the
facility with which the arrieros secure articles Of
every weight and size that the animal climbing
precptous paths, and walking narrow shelves,
seems a moving mass Of trunks, boxes, and bales
Our party consisted, including the muleteers, OF
seven persons, and ten horses and mues each OF
us equipped with a formidable battery of carbines
at the saddle bow pistols around the waist, and the
Mexcans wearing long rusty swords which had
lost their scabbards All this warke equipment
was, presume, upon the principle Of scarecrows in
a cornheld, more than with any design Of bloody
conflict. All preparations being completed at seven
o'clock, took our departure from the shore Of the
Pacific ocean, and passed into dense, luxuriant
bottom land thcket or Jungle. This bottom is only
Passable in the dry season, and we noticed the ele-
walton Of the water during the wet season marked
six feet high on the trees. From this bottom we
assembled by gentle rise to some good cultivable
land, upon which was here and there a Mexican
farm rancho and occasionally new clearing such
as are seen in our west. At twelve we reached the
halfway house, plain farm house, where we found
clean and comfortable provision. Resting until
halfpast three we again got under way, and now
commenced the ascent Of the mountains Our way
lay through dark forest Of gigantic trees, up and
down precipitous declivities until about sun down.
we emerged upon naked and desolate mountain
summit from which, looking back over vast re-
glon of country below US, we had our parting view
Of the Pacific losing itself in the distant horizon
The road now passed over hills of white and red
clay, Z steril and lonely country; the moon rose
upon us long before our days journey came to its
close in the city Of Topic, just the serenos, or
watchmen, were whistling their sharp calls the
hour Of en and giving forth their devotional cry of
"Ave Maria purssima." We were received in the
elegant mansion Of Mr.. Forbes, Scotch gentleman,
whose warm hospitality allows TO stranger TO pass
Topic without home. He had been expecting US,
and we found ready an ample supper; aler which
we were assigned chambers provided with every
luxury for the most fastdious, and particularly
agreeable after an unaccustomed ride of ifty-fve
miles.
Topic is handsome and well-buit city of about
eight thousand inhabitants, but in state of decay
its population having fallen off in few years four
thousand. The only thing refreshing, prosperous,
aud - IL, r.
Messrs. Forbes. The situation is pretty and pic
turesque, where they have the water-power of a
mountain stream, and the buildings, both of the fac
tory and residences the persons connected with it,
are in snowy and appropriate architectural. taste.
The superintendent, well as a.the leading work
men, are from the United States; and in the number
of years in which they have been employed, Mr.
Forbes assured me he never had had the least diff
Guilty or cause Of dissatisfaction with any of them
This factory makes eighty pieces day. and it sells
at twenty-five cents the vard-something less than
yard Most of the raw material is brought from
New Orleans, although little is grown in the coun-
try. In the neighberhood of Topic are some fine
sugar estates, where refined sugar is made at a cost
of three or four cents, and sells at ten cents pound
though nothing like supply for the country is pro-
duced, as have known, in the neighborhood of Te-
pic, this sugar to retail at fifty cents pound.
At Topic we first met the hostile proclamation Of
Paredes, directing an advance upon General Taylor
This gave us some uneasiness, although it was the
general impression that this proclamation had some
other design in its threats than the purpose of
executing them.
At Topic we made new contract with an arrero
for himself his mozos, or boys, horses, mules, car
blnes and swords, to carry us to Guadalaxara a
hve-day journey. The annual fair of Topic was in
progress as we passed through. 1t is nothing more
than scene of low dissipation; the public square,
or plaza, which is common to every Mexican town,
being filled with every possible contrivance-wheels,
cards, dice, colored cloths, &c for gambling, and
the tables ranging in wealth from small capital of
copper coin, where children and beggars tried their
fortunes, to those where their elders and betters
might stake gold.
The necessary arrangements being completed, on
the afternoon of May 9th our cavalcade was on
Its way to Guadaaxara, reaching that night the vii
lage of San Leonel. Don Ramon our chief arrero,
instead of taking us to the fonda lodged us in the
farmhouse Of friend of his. The lady of the os-
adjustment was particularly cautious in locking the
doors and securing the windows before retiring; and
as reason for her care, she showed an enorn Gus
scar extending the whole length of her arm, which
had been inflicted bv tba Init &c