The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-05-15
Southern Railroad.

From the Washington Union. May 18th
We published few DAYS since intimation OF good
route for railroad to the Pacific from the Lower Mis-
sissippi through Texas to the Rio del Nortc, Fl
Diego on the Pacific Since then we have seen the fol-
lowing letter from resident the Del Norte. de-
scrbng the productveness Of the valley Of the Paso
which the railroad would pass Although this let
ter has reference to different route vets its
the productveness Of that region makes II of value to
any route We therefore publish It,
The United States forces under command Of Colonel
Alexander W. Donphan took possession Of the city OF
III Paso. department Of Chihuahua Sunday the 9th
December 1896, two days after the battle of Bracto
the strength Of his command being about 900 men,
My object In this communication is to give the War
and the country ut large some iden of the
Of the fruitful valley Of III Paso and of i'm
portance to the United The of u paso
extends from the falls Of the Rio Grande, the north
to the Preside, the southa distance Of
miles-and is one continuous orchard and vineyard,
bracng In its ample area industrious and peaceabe
population Of mt least 5000 This spacious valley about
midway between between Santa Re and chihuahua. and
s isolated from all other Mexican settlements by the
mountains that rise the east and and close into
the river the north and south The breadth Of the
valley is about ten miles The falls Of the river
miles north OF the plaza Pubiicd,n public square
and afford sufficient water power for grist and saw mills
enough to supply the entire settlement with -four and
lumber The most important production Of the valley il
the grape, from which annually manufactured not
less than gallons Of perhaps the richest and best
wine in the world This wine worth 81 per gallon and
constitutes the principal revenue Of the city The III
Paso wines superior In richness Of OF and pleas
anncss Of taste to anything of the kind met with
III the Ch'eu o."eo' anu aoupI not that thcy are Tar
superior to the best wines produced In the valley
Of the Rhine, or on the sunny hills Of France also
great quantities OF the grape Of this valley dried
clusters and preserved for during the winter In this
state regard them far superior to the best rasns that
imported into the United States
II this valley were cultivated by energetic hmeri-
population, 1t would yield, perhaps ten times the
quantity Of wine and fruits present procured Were
the wholesome influences and protection of our repub
institutions extended beyond the Rio Del Nore
American population possessing American feelings and
speaking the American language, would spring up
here. To facilitate the peopling Of this valley b. the
Anglo American race nothing would contribute much
the opening Of commune alton between this rich val
ley and the western States by turnpike. railroad or
other thoroughfare, which would afford market
for the fruits and wines of this river country Perhaps
tho most feasible and economical plan though the
direct OF opening outlet to the grape valley Of
the Rio 0rande would be tho construction of n grand
canal from this place following the meanderngs OF the
river to its highest navgable point IL communication
by either Of these routes opened this valley would
become the seat Of wealth, influence and refine