Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1847-04-14
scenes i'm Northern Mexico.

More than half oi the whole State Of CoahuI-
Ia belongs to two brothers Sanchez, who also
own some 10000 poems. Several of their vast
estates are managed by steward, while the re-
mainder are rented. Their principal town res
idence is In SaItillo; but their favorite conn
try seat is the magnificent hacienda of PatOs.
This powerful family, together with their rela-
tons, the Blancos, Yodrros, and the Znatugos,
own 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 Elanchos and Sanchezes are understood
to be prepared, under more promising circum-
stances, to uphold the Mexican government
with their wealth and influence. Nearly all
our expenditures for supplies have found their
way directly or indirectly into the Golfers of
these princely naboos.
Except for the education of the clergy, there
are no scminaries of learning, deserving of the
name in Coahula, but there is an ecclessiast-
{ al college in Saltillo. of some reputation, but
the course of instruction seduously excludes ev-
erything approaching to science, and is confn-
ed to the classics and to the reading Of the Fc-
Tiers. The consequence of this state OF things
is that by far the greater portion OF the popula-
ton are plunged into the most profound igno-
rance, and can neither read nor write. Many
of the better class were formerly sent to the
United States to be educated; but, for some
wears, this plan has been abandoned, and they
are now, sent for that purpose, to France and
to the city of Mexico.
Four-ffths the population of northern Mex
leo are of the aboriginal race, (pure, or mixed
in diffe rent degrees with Spanish bloody the
lineal defendants of the once powerful Aztec
monarchy. In habits. customs, mode of life.
wants and civilization, they have probably
changed but little, with the exception of the
abandonment of their barbarious sacrifcial rites
since the conquest; and they retain even much
of their original language. They are good
looking people and while one seldom sees a
a very large man amongst them,they are certain
" a well-made, agile and muscular race, who
we have been much in the custom of unierta-
ting: of abstemious habits, and of great powers
of endurance on foot, or on horseback. They
are scarcely equalled as couriers,and are unsur-
passed in marching. 1t may seem paradox to
saw that they possess much boidness and little
courage, they would venture where drawer mer
would hesitate, and yet would offer faint resis-
lance when danger is upon them. Hence i
is that they so often fall victims to the Indians
Fancy to yourself rather light colored Ind
an. dressed in pair of leather uncomfortable
without suspenders, buttonlng from the knee
downwards, which are usually left open In warn
weather for comfort, and to exhibit the draw
ers underneath a cotton shirt, generally like
our hunting shirt: a red sash tied tightly arount
the waist pair of sandals on his feet, and e
nornous iron spurs on heel, with heavy conf,
cal felt hat, THAT would resist sabre cut,l OF
head and long ashen-iron pointed goad ii
hand: and you have perfect picture Of the
ranckero, or rather Uachero, mounted on spir-
tied pony, with lasso at his saddle bow,and he
!. no mean adversary for a single man to en-
counter. File rides well and fearlessly, and
throws the lasso with unerring aim. 1t is
beautiful sight to see him with his red -blanke
(worn as a poncho in cold weather. streaming
n the wind, bis head bent eagerly forward, ant
issso whirling in circles high in air, riding dol
some refractory animal that he seldom fails t
catch at the first throw, by the neck or HIM
foot. bringing him violently to the ground
The animal thus caught, feels that the conkes
h ended, and quietly submits to his eaPtor.--