Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1847-05-20
The Valley Of the Rio Grandc.

llt valley vi lllG nlO UIuluC.
Prior to the breaking out of hostilities
between this country and Mexico, the
people were comparatively ignorant of
the many advantages which our ncghbors
of the south enjoyed over the more north
evn portion ofthIs continent and its nhab-
itanis. The soil, climate and resources
of many miles Of waste territory, now I'M
der charge of the Mexican government,
are almost incredible. The fact of such
extraordinary advantages being monopo-
LIED by people that know not what in
dustry and enterprise are, is the great
cause of Mexican stupidity and lack of in
dustry. Tue earth is too fruitful for such
people; for instead of their improving
the thousand advantages with which their
country has been favored, they more than
balance the blessings of providence by
their extreme neglect and inactivity. The
strips of territory lying between the Rio
Grande and the Sierra Madre, which has
been overrun by the American forces, and
'retofore considered Of little value even
" the Mexicans themselves, is said by one
acquainted with the country, to possess in
$ bosom sufficient of the precious metals
80 fully compensate the United States gov
eminent for the expenses Of the war. The
Slowing extract from the New Orleans
NcIta is from the pen Of one entirely
.cquainted with the country:
One fact of vital importance should be
kept in mind, that the Rio del Norte is to
be great highway, leading from the
Gulf of Mexico From its mouth to Ca
MARCO distance by water of 400 miles,
II is now at ITS lowest stage navigable for
boats, drawing three feet; from Camargo
to Preside de Rio Grande, with a very
little Improvement Of the bars, rs they
are called, boats drawing two to two and
a half feet can run all seasons of the year,
thereby giving water communication of
nearly 1000 miles. Merchandise has,
therefore, found its way into Chihuahua,
Durango and Zacatecas, by the route Of
ST. Louis and Santa Fe, by land trans
portation of from 1900 to 5000 miles -
Now, by opening this co communication,
they are brough; within short distance
the farthest off not over 600 miles.
Another important feature of this valley
u.s. that its soil is peculiarly adapted to the
culture Of cotton, cane and corn. Cotton
grows spontaneously, aud without cuItlva,
ton; and the far-lamed valley Of the Wa
bash cannot produce better corn than that
grown by the semi.barbarious Mexicans,
whose only plough Is crooked stick and
who scarcely, if ever, use the hoe. Now,
what, let me ask, would it be in the hands
OF an enlightened aud industrious people
1t would become paradise, compared to
its situation under the Mexican govern
ment. But the most important features of
the Sire Made are its rich silver, copper,
lead, iron and coal, and several other
minerals. If the present war should cost
the United States one hundred millions
predict, from what knowledge | have o.
the country, that she would be amply ant
fully repaid by the possession of the dis
trlct of country lying between the Rio
Grande and the Sierra Madre, which
heretofore has been Of little value TO Mex
co: being continually inject to the irrup
,ion of the Camanches and other ruthles
tribes, who have in great measure de
populated the the country, carrying the
dcpredatons to the immediate vicinity o
their large cities-Zacalecas, Durango
&c.-wihQut moesiatlon
One word on the subject Of the bonn
dairy that is to be- If the Rio del Nor,t
is taken as the line, it will require an ar
my of 10000 men to hold it involate from
the incursions of the different bands o
robbers, who ever have continued to rove
over this country. But if a line common
ces near Tampico, and follows the range
of mountains passing south of SalIllo t'
Sierra Madre, the country can be held by
small force and at one quarter of the ex
pense, for all that will be necessary is tc
station a small force at Tampico, and a
ihe different passes Of the mountains, AM
they are under our CONTROL -PHsJm4