Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-06-04
CITIES AND TOWNS BETWEEN VERA
CRUZ AND MEXICO.

elevated ground, yet for many miles the ascent
is quite gradual. From the city of Vera Cruz
is visible as is also the sea, ninety miles dis
tant. The city itsel is upon a high hill
highest IN the centre so that the streets incline
so much so that no wheeled We
hcle can pass along any of them except the
main street or road, W hich has considerable
rise and descent. The city is surrounded by
a wall, and has strongly built church near
the western gate which could be converted in
to citadel. The streets are paved. The hous-
es, as in other Mexican towns, are of stone,
with flat roofs and iron barred windows OPP
poslte the city, on the left of the road is hill
from which the road might be annoyed, and
shells thrown into the town; the road is a hand
some and substantial structure of Chequered
pavement, and must have been very costly
The city is 10 be Immediately occupied by our
troops, and is to be the headquarters of Gen
Scott till he takes up his march for the Halls
of the Montezumas.
Pe1ote and ITS Cashe.-At the base of a high
mount, bearing the same name, some distance
from the road on the left is cluster of hous-
es, with a church called Perote. Opposite,
on the right of the road, and commanding it
IN every direction, stands the castle. 1t is up
on fiat sandy plain, strong ~ built OF stone
encrcled by deep dry fosse or ditch. The
main entrance is by going over a cheUeaur de
triee by a stile descending some twenty-five
or thirty stone steps to the bottom of the fosse,
and thence TO the gates, which are on a level
with the bottom: The population of Perote
is estimated at eight thousand souls; it is a
fine little city, the houses are generally Of one
story, built OF stone and covered with terraces;
the principal street is remarkably fine, the 9TH
ers are wide and paved. On market day it
Is astonishing to see the great variety of the
best fruits of Europe and II, the tropics, piled
round the square. On leaving the Perote you
pass through extensive plantations of Mague
(aloes.)
City Of Puebza.--This city is walled and
fortified. 1t is built of stone and the streets
are we'll paved Here water is abunant, and
from the national bridge to this city no water
can be obtained; the natives substituting pm-
que as beverage. From Jalara to Puebla
there are occasional heights near the road
which, if fortified, might annoy invaders In
fact, from Vera Cruz to Puebla this is the case
the travel being alternately over broad, I'M
obstructed roads and narrow passes, comman-
ded by heights. The road passes through Pue-
ba. The Pueblanos have particular charac-
fer; they are cunning and courageous, and the
most expert robbers and assins throughout
Mexico, where there is no lack of such Il
an offender is brought before an alcalde, any
where else, and is known or ascertained to be
a PuebIano, his condemnation is sure.
Puebla is situated at the extremity of We
ry large plain, on the Vera Cruz side; its pop
ulatlon is estma ed at 80, 900 souls; the streets
are paralleled, and very wide and we'll paved
the houses, built of stone and covered with
terraces, and two and three story high, are
remarkably fine. The public palace would be
admired IN any part of the world-it forms d
perfect square; facing it stands the cathedral:
on three other sides are magnificent palaces
There are many other editices striking for
their beauty. There are few churches IN the
world more richly and magnificenrly ornamen-
ted than the cathedral of this city. All the
chandeliers and lamps, which are in great
numbers, are OF massive gold or silver; the
dome is in marble of the country, of great
beauty AMI fine workmanship. There are ten
chapeIs, richly decorated, and closed each OF
them with an iron CRATE door of very great
height and of tie finest finish. This church
was finished in 1903, and is said to have cost
SIS, OOO,0 900. There are also many other very
fine churches.
The AImeida, or public walk, is very we'll
kept. 1t is composed of three alleys (of 500
to 600 feet EACH of popIars and other fine
trees, and is surrounded by a wall, at the foot
of which runs fine stream of water. There
are good many fountains in different parts
OF the city, and few jets d'cau, or water
spouts. Few cities in Europe are finer than
Puebla but much cannot be said of the popu-
latlon, which, since the expulsion of the Eu-
ropean Spaniards, who were by far the most
intelligent and industrious portion of it, leaves
a curious contrast between the present occu-
pants of public and private edfices, indicating
the highest state Of civilization. The same
may be said of the whole population border
ing the road from Vera Cruz to the city
Time will no doubt correct this.
Cordora-A small walled and garrsoned
town, through which the road passes Beyond
Pueb!a the road is good till it reaches the
mountain Of Cordova, about midway between
the former and the city Of Mexico, where the
ascent is very rugged and steep, though with
dehles Near the road, at the foot of this
mountain, passes the Rio FRO or Cold River.
which has its rises in the neighboring noun
tain of Popocatapetl, $4,000 feet above the
level of the sea. A work on some of the
heights of Popocatapetl would command the
road. After leaving the mountain of Cordova
the road is good and unobstructed with plenty
of water to the city of Mexica. For several
miles before reaching that city the road is de-
lightful, passing between parallel canals and
rows of Lumbardly popIars. This point is to
be occupied by Gen. Worth for the purpose
of guarding the southern road from Puebla
Tie Lake of Tezcuco.-This lake common
ces on the right OF the road, near the city, in
to which its waters are carried by canal, the
latter serving also to drain the cutters, &c, In
to the lake. The so-called lake is large
long, and very irregular shaped basin, shall
low, and containing numerous small islands
and covered by myriads Of wild ducks The
depth of water varies with the same season
in the rainy m onths the basin is filled, and
then it assumes the appearance OF large lake
Being the receptacle of all the drainage from
the city, it is very filthy. The canals from
the city passes through it, fed by its waters, five
or six mics in a southeast direction, to the
small fort of Chalco, at the extreme margin Of
the basin in that direction. This canal is uset
for transporting produce into the city, and fol
pleasure excursions IN gondolas.
Cuy Of Merico.-Lke all other Mexican
cities, this has walls and houses of stone, with
fiat roofs, &c; it is well paved; gutter foul
feet wide passes through the centre of each
street, covered by broad flag stones, remova
bic at pleasure. All the cutters are drained
into the canal or lake. The city has many
large and strong churches and other great bull
dings, easily converted into fortresses. If it:
walls were repaired and mounted with cannon
: and well garrisoned, it could make a formida
able resistance to beseigers. During the fes