Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-04-15
6t5tortGQl.
Sketches Of MEXICO.

IHulOGT OF which VIC LdRC IlG IOlIOWlnG;
The state of Coahua contains about $4,000 square
miles, with population Of only l25000 not quite
one and half to the square mile Two-thirds of its
surface is u level plain, and the remainder consists OF
mountains and narrow fertile valleys. More than one
half Of the whole state belongs to the two brothers
Sanchez, who also owns some 10000 poems. Several
of their vast estates managed by Stewards while
the remainder are rented. Their principal town resi-
deHce Is IN Sato but their favortc country seat is
the magnificent hacienda Of Patos This powerful
family, together with their relatives the Blancos Yo-
arros, and the Zuaugos, nearly the entire state
and its population. They have taken no open or active
part in the present war; and have preserved friendly
and even kindly relations with many of our officers
but the Bancos and the SanchezGs are understood to
be prepared, under more promising circumstances, to
uphold the Mexican government with their wealth and
influence. Nearly all our expenditures for supplies
have found their way, directly indirectly into the
Golfers of these princely nabobs
Four-ffths of the population of Northern Mexico are
of the aboriginal race, (pure or mixed in different de-
grecs with Spanish blood,) the ineal descendants of
the once powerful Aztec monarchy. In habits, Gus
toms, mode of life, wants and civilization, they have
probably changed but little with the exception of the
abandonment of their barbarous sacrical rites since
the conquest; and they retain even much of their
original language. They are good-looking people,
and while one seldom sees a very large man amongst
them, they are certainly well-made, agile and mus
cuar race, who we have been much in the custom of
undertaking; Of absemons habits, and of great pow
ers of endurance on foot or on horseback. They are
scarcely equaled courers, and are unsurpassed in
marching. 1t may seem paradox to say that they
possess much holiness and little courage; they would
venture where Drawer men would hesitate, and yet
would offer faint resistance when danger is upon them
Hence it is that they often fall victims to the In
dams
The women are rather under what we regard as the
medium Size slight in figure, well formed ana grace
full and while few are beautiful, many of Them while
young, are good-lookng and agreeable. Their hands
and feet are SMALL with well-turned ancles They
have generally white tecth good mouths, magnificent
black eyes, and glossy black hair in the dressing of
which they daily bestow much pains. They appear to
be amabe and kind hearted, and are said to make good
wives and mothers. They clearly in their habits
for most of the towns and haciendas being situated on
running streams, they have every advantage for bath
ing, OF which they avail themselves most literally,
without encumbcrng themselves with much superlu-
Gus clothing Their usual dress consists of thin slip
pers, without stockings cloth petcoat, usually red
and chemsc, which exposes Of the person than
u.s. in most countries, considered to be consistent with
due regard to modcsty; but this is the custom of the
country, and not disposed TO critlcse it. With
rosary around the neck, and gold earrings, and you
have the female costume complete.
Mexican cookery is to my taste, detestabe but
many Americans, less fastidious perhaps, affect to like
it, Every thing is rendered as hot us fire by red pep
per- which enters, in quantities, each dsh
an essential ingredient The favorte, in Mexico, is
the frjOi, Crhohy) which is universally brought on
the table as bon 6Ouche. 1t consists of small brown
black-cyed BEANS boiled six or eight hours in soft
ter and then mixed with melted lard and salt 1t is,
when thus cooked, very agreeable vegetable. An
other article of food, and almost great favorte, is
the toro. 1t is prepared by boiling maize in pref
l,, rF ,l +l,ob
is afterwards washed in clean cold water till all the
impurities are removed, and it is then mashed flor |
know not how better to express it, on short stone Ia
bc placed in an inclined position, with stone r0tlng
pin, till it is ground into soft plastic paste. woman
them wetng her hands, tit is to be hoped that they
have been previously well washed) takes up small
portonoi the dough- and by deXterously shifting it
from hand to the other, patng it at the same time
land producing loud nolse) soon brings 1t to the re-
CURED consistency, shape and size is then baked
grldde, and taken hot to the table, where serves
the triple purpose of bread, forks and spoons With
butter it would, doubt, make paatable bread; but
in Mexico no butter can be found except in the hou
, SEES of foreigners 1t is extremely difficult tC
procure cot's milk, Notwithstanding their numerous
herds and goats milk is generally used, but that can
not always be obtained and is not fit for till it has
/, been boiled
4 The Weather classes live in style of great luXu-
ry, and have seldom partaken Of more elegant and
Q sumptuous entertainments than at thel hospltablC
boards The service of china and silver are beautiful
and RICH the courses follow each other in rapid sue
cession, ard the table groans with the pfotuslon Of
meats, fruits confectionery, and wine, piled upon it.
= A gentleman whose curiosity induced him to coun
the courses at dinner assured me that they exceeded
f twenty in number
During my short stay at Satlo, had an opportuni
ty of witnessing their burial rites. A young lady o
great beauty, whose loss deeply deplored, had re
Gently died, and an immense concourse of people at
5 tended the funeral soemnities. The deceased wa
u dressed in white with white satin slippers on Ter feet
her head decked with garlands her locks grace
n fully disposed over her shoulders her hands crossed
g in 'front.' and holding large bouquet of flowers Thu
II adorned, like bride waiting her bridegroom, sh
. was placed on white couch--also trimmed with flow
ers, and surmounted with canopy OF satin roses, AM
feathers. On this bier, the mortal remains OF the poo
young girl-beautiiu, even in deatll-was paraded
feet foremost through the principal streets OF the city
and around the main plaza, exposed to the WONDERING
stare of strangers The procession was mead
D. ed by three priests dressed in the rich vesmens
their order, chanting prayers for the deceased-th
chanting being accompanied by three vlollns. 9th
ers carried banners and crosses incense was burnt
E. four men, in clerical costume, bore the bier on the
lie shoulders and then followed the mouners friends, an
n relatives of the deceased, the whole being precede
o. by band of music, while the bells of the Cathedr
" were not different from those of the Roman Catho
" religion in other countries.
e. The Mexcans have been often represented as a sui
re tle treacherous and cruel race, in whom no reanc
TX can be placed with safety This may be 500 but if
at were to speak of hem from personal observation aon
It of the parts which have visited would say that the
~ are naturally hosptabe, kindhearted, and amiabe.
~ In their manners they extremely courteous al
the most civil people | have ever known. My dut
generally carried me in advance of the army-som
times several days ahead-and often to considerob
distances with small escorts. On one OCCASION belr
ad unwell, remained over night in town of l4OO il
lIe habants, without soldier within eight miles OF mt
aid and another time was fifty miles distant from Il
len camp, with only three dragons as guard; and y'
,on at no time did feel the slightest apprehension for
le safety, nor have any to suspect that my
I'VE the prineelv hacienda o tbe humble rancho. WI
treated with kindness and hospitality and must co
Tess that the impression made upon me was greatly
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