Weekly national intelligencer., 1847-09-18
THE NEWS FROM MEXICO.

co, lSayS the journal OF commerce., the reader Will
be able to see the wisdom of Gen. ScoTT's move
ments and his position in reference to the capital
at the date of the accounts of August 22d To
those who have not such map within their reach,
verbal delneation will be better than none
Our readers will remember that news was re-
ceived several days since that on the 9th the Ame-
rican army was at Ayotla, twenty miles from Mexi-
co, on the main road from Vera Cruz to that capi-
tai, having thus far met with no opposition. About
midway between Ayotla and Mexico, at a place
called Penon, very strong Notifications had been
erected by the Mexicans, and others at another pass
called Mexicazingo, which could only have been
carried at great sacrifice of life. Mexicazingo
lies to the southwark of the Vera Cruz road, at the
head of Lake Xochimilco. 1t is about six miles S.
S. Z from Mexico, while Penon is about nine miles
h. s. b. ON the 18th Gen. ScoTT ordered recon-
noissances, with view to ascertain whether it was
possible reach Mexico without encounterng these
formidable works The result was, that road
practicable for artillery could be cut from Chalco to
San Augustin. The town Of Clalco is situated on
the eastern border of the lake of the same name
three or four miles south Of the Vera Cruz road.
The Venta de Chalco, or village Of Chalco, is in
medlaely on said road, two three miles south
east Of Ayotla, and is probably the Chaco intend
ed. If SO, the route of the army from that point
must have lain along the northern and then the
western border of Lake Chalco, between which and
Lake Xochmilco on the west there is only half
mile of land. If, however, the to,On of Chaco is
meant, the route must have passed entirely to the
southwark of Lake Chalco. Be this as it may,
General Worth's division on the 5th moved from
Chalco in the direction of San Augusn, situated
about eight miles due south of Mexico, and was
followed by the other three divisions, under Gene
rails Quitman. Pillow, and Twiggs. On the 18th
Gen. Worth's division reached the village Of San
Gregorio, on the south side of Lake Xochimilco,
and there halted, by order of Gen. Scott On the
18th he resumed his march, and after several skr-
mishes arrived at San Augustin, about ten miles
due south of Mexico, on the road to Acapulco, two
or three miles southeast of San Angel General
Scott with the other divisions, came up on the
morning of the 18th.
Fronteras, where the first battle was fought is
fortified position between San Augustin and San
Angel Churubusco, the scene of the second great
conflict, is about two miles north of San Angel and
perhaps four south of Mexico.
The city of Mexico, at the mercy of Gen.
Scott is thus described in Murray's Encyclopedia
OF Geography, PIP. 323-4
''The State of Mexico comprises the Valley of Mexico
fine and splendid REGION varegaed by extensive lakes and
surrounded by of the oest volcanic peaks of the
world Its circumference about miles, and forms the
very of the great table of Anahuac elevated
from 5000 900 feet above the level the sea- In the
Of this valley stands the city of Mexico the
Mexico Tenochtan having been built the middle Of
lake. and connected with the continent by extensive
ways or dykes. The Mexico is three miles from the
lake of Tezcuco and nearly six from that Of Chalco yet
Humboldt considers certain, from the Of the ancient
teoca temples, that occupies the identical position OF
the former city, and that great part of the of the
valley have been dried up Mexico long considered the
largest city Of America but surpassed by New York.
perhaps by Rio Janeo Some estimates have raised its
population 200 900 but may, good grounds be fixed
from 10000 l40 900. 1t is beyond dispute the
splendid Mexico is undoubtedly of the finest cities
built by Europeans in either hemisphere with the exception
Of St Peersburgh, Berlin, and Philadelphia and quar-
tes of Westminster there does not exist city of the
extent which be compared to the capital Of New Span
for the uniform level of the ground which stands for the
regularity and breadth Of the Streets and the Of the
squares and public places The architecture generally Of
very pure stye and there edces of a very beautiful
structure The palace of the late Vceroys, the cathedral
built in what termed the Gothic style, several Of the
vents and private palaces reared upon plans furnished
by the pupils of the Academy of the Fine Arts of great
extent and magnfcence yet upon the whole it rahet
arrangement regularity, and general effect of the city which
render il so striking. Nothing in particular be
chanting than the view Of the city and the valley the
cultivated fields to the very base Of the colossal mountains
covered with perpetual The city appears as
washed by the waters of the Lake OF Tezcuco which,
surrounded by villages and hame resembles the beau
tu Of the Swiss lakes and the rich cultivation Of the vicinity
forms striking contrast with the naked mountains Among
these rise the famous volcano Popccaepe and the mountain
of lzaccihua OF which the first, cone burns
occasionally throwing up smoke and ashes in the midst Of
eternal SHOWS The police of the city is excellent most Of
the streets handsomely paved lighted and ceanscd The
annual consumption in Mexico has been computed 800
beeves 49, 900 sheep $4,000 hogs 600 900 fowls in
cudng ducks and turkeys 2o5,oO0 pigeons and patdges
The markets remarkably well supplied with animal and
vegetable productions brought by crowds Of along the
Lake Of Chaco, and the canal leading These canoes
are often guided by females who the weaving
cotton in their simple portable LOOMS pluckng fowls, and
throwing the feathers into the Most Of the flowers and
roots have been raised in cnapas, floating gardens
invention peculiar to the world. They consist of RATS
formed Of reeds roos and bushes, and with black
saline mould which, being irrigated by of the lake.
becomes exceedingly fertile. II great disadvantage to
Mexico, however, that it stands nearly level with the
surrounding lake which, in Of heavy rain over
whems It with destructive inundaons. The construction of
desdgue, canal TO carry off the Of the Lake of