The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-03-27

thing is rendered hot fire by red pepper which en-
ters N enormous quantities, each dish as essential
hohy) which is universally brought on the table as a
bon bDude. 1t consists of small brown black-eyed
beans boiled or hours in soft water, and then mixed
with melted lard and salt 1t is, when thus cooked,
very agreeable vegetable Another article OF food, and
almost as great iavorlte, is the forfHo. II is pre-
pared by boiling maize in pretty strong ley (of
ashes) which separates the husk. 1t is afterwards
washed in clean cold water till all the impurities are re-
moved and II is then mashed or know not how better
10 express ~ on short stone table placed in inclined
position with stone rolling pin, till it is ground into
soit plastic paste. woman then, wetting her hands
ut IS to be hoped that they have been previously well
washed takes up small portion of the dough- and BY
generously shifting It from enc hand to the other pat
ng It at the same time (and producing loud noise }
soon brings to the required consistency shape, and
SIZE 1t is then baked on grdde, and taken hot to the
table, where it serves the triple purpose of bread forks
and spoons. With butter ii would, no doubt make a
paatable bread; but in Mexica butter can be found
except IN the houses OF foreigners 1t extremely
difhcut to procure coars mfik, notwithstanding their
merous herds and goats milk generally used but that
cannot be always obtained and is not fit for use till it
has been boiled We succeeded occasionally in obtain
ing cur at of the haciendas In no portion of the
world have seen better wheatbread cakes or confec
honary, The Mexicans peculiarly skifu in the
preparation OF fruits and confectionery.
The weather. classes live style of great luxury and
have seldom partaken of more elegant and sumptuous
entertainments than at their hosptable boards The SER
wee OF China and silver beautiful and rch the
follow each other In rapid succession, and the table
groans with the prouson of meats fruits confectionery
and wine, piled upon it. A gentleman, whose curiosity
induced him to count the courses at dinner assured
that they exceeded twenty in number
during my short stay at Saltio, had opportunity
OF witnessing their burial rites. young lady of great
beauty whose loss was deeply depored, had recently
died. and an immense concourse of people attended the
funeral solemntes. The deceased dressed in white
with white satin slippers her feet; her head decked
with garands her raven locks gracefully disposed
her shoulders her hands crossed in 'front.' and holding
large bouquet of flowers. Thus adorned, like bride
waiting her bridegroom" she was placed on white
couch--also trimmed with flowers and sumounted with
canopy OF san roses and feathers On this bier, the
mortal remains OF the poor young grl-beautifu even
IN deatwas paraded, feet foremost through the princ
pal streets of the city, and around the main plaza ex
posed to the wondering stare of curious strangers The
procession headed by three priests dressed the rich
vestmens of their ORDER chanting prayers for the de-
ceasedthe chanting being accompanied by three vions
Others carried banners and crosses incense burnt
four men, in clerical costume, bore the bier on their
shoulders; and then followed the mourners friends and
relatives of the deceased the whole being nreceded bv
band of music, while the bells of the Cathedral olled
mournfuly The ceremonies within the church, We're not
different from those of the Roman Catholic religion in
other countries.
The Mexcans have been often represented as subtle
eacherous and cruel race in whom no reliance can be
placed with safety This may be so but if / were to
speak OF them from personal observation alone, of the
parts which have visited, should say that they are
naturally hospltable nd-hearted, and amabe In their
manners they are extremely courteous and the most
civil people have known. My duties generally
carried me in advance of the armysometimes several
days ahead and often to considerable distances with
small escorts On occasion, being unwe remained
over night IN town OF 400 Inhabitants, without SOL
der within eight miles of me- and another time, was
fifty miles distant from the camp with only three dra
goons as guard and yet at no time did feel the slight
est apprehension for my safety nor have any to
suspect that my confidence was misplaced. Wherever
went whether to the prncely hacienda, or the humble
rancho, treated with kindness and hospitality and
must confess that the impression made upon me was
greatly in their favor. With better and wiser form of
government-one able and willing to destroy their mise
rabe system OF peonage, to the liberty of the
press, educate and beraze the people, and develop the
resources of the country cannot doubt that they would
rise high in the scale Of civilization It is true that while
they possess many Of the virtues they also exhibit many of
the vices of ignorant and half barbarous people
In the northern provinces of Mexico there is strong
feeling in favor of FEDERAL and in decided opposition
to CENTRAL form of government This is the instructive
result of of sef-preservaton; for these people
are not prone to indulge in abstract specuations AS
there may be said TO be government many miles be-
You'd the city OF Mexico, they feel that while they bear
than just proportion of the burden of the State
lection The ederass called the American and the
cenraliss the Mercan party The former have been in
favor either of becoming an integral portion of Unon
Independent republic under protection and guar
anee How far this would be practicable or desira
bic, question for the politician to settle the tenor OF
quiet right of navigating the Rio Grande-
would give almost the exclusive advantage and the
OF American machinery to be paid for in the
precious metals might be matter of some consequence
mer. the whole State of Coahua would have pronounced
against the existing government of Mexico.
Very truly, your obedien servant
GEO w. HUGHES,
Captain Typographical Engineers.