Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-06-24
CHINA, (Mexico.) Nav %. Is47.

CHINA, (Mexico,) May %, Is47.
Dear -: have just received orders to march
with my company for Monterey, to carry up some
dispatches which cannot be DELAYED. Col. Ran
doph, with the rest of the battalion, will follow in
some eight or ten days, OF as soon as necessary
transportation can be had for the sick Our under
standing is that the Post here is to be broken up,
and that we, for awhile, are to be stationed at Mon
terey, whence we will be removed to Sal,illo.
We had very melancholy affair evering before
iast-a duel between two of our officers, Leuts.
Munford and Mahan. They fought with muskets,
both hred at the same instant, and both fell mortal
ly wounded; as was thought. Lieut.. Munford recei-
we'd seven shots, one in the head, the rest in his
body and legs. Nlahan was shot clear through the
breast, and has wound in the side under the
shoulder. Muntord died this mornng-Mahan still
fingers. The whole garrison was taken by sur
prize by the affair, or means would certainly have
been taken to prevent the meeting. understand
that statement is to be made by the immediate
friends OF the parties 1t seems that they had no
seconds, and that the two three who were on the
ground, went there to use their endeavors 10 put
stop to it.
A fuller opportunity Of making observation upon
tins country satisfies me, that if regularly watered
oy showers, as IS our own, ii would be a very pro-
ducive, 1t not a charming and delightful region
The long drought, however, which prevails for
three-tourths of the year. parches up every thing
except the few plants and shrubs which either re-
quire little moisture, or send their roots to a re-
markable depth in the earth. The most common
timber Is the nuskete, which grows in favorable
situations, into a tree of considerable size. 1t ia
very haTd wood, and makes the best fuel have
ever seen--better even than our hickory. Nothing,
though, seems to flourish like the cactus have
seen prckley pears full twelve feet high, and they
face Of fba
Me1icans, find, make good deal of use Of Them
L nc tender shoots are sometimes eaten as salad,
and the taste is said TO be pleasant They are also
used as food for their oxen. Large branches are
broken off and thrown into fire to clear them of
the prlckles, when they are eaten greedily by the
hungry cattle. have noticed frequently on the
march, both mules and steers cropping of the new
growth OF the pear, and have been told that in the
dry regions they found to serve them for water
as well as food. The fruit Of the prickly pear is
now approaching maturity. 1t is about the size of
an egg, and contains sweet juice or fluid of which
the Mexicans are very fond. have understood
that they sometimes make liquor of II, not unlike
the miserable brandy, so common among them,
called na,scale
The rains In this country during the rainy sea
son last year, Were not as copious and frequent
usual Ihe consequence was that but single crop
OF corn was raised, and the effects are now becom
ing seriously visible in general scarcity. What
adds to the evil upon the people is that large guam
titles have been bought up to feed the mules and
horses employed In our trains and cavalry. AS
corn is the principal food of the Mexcans the evil
as may well be supposed, is serious one. This
state or things find causes the MeXicans to look
forward to the approaching season with great anxi
ETY.. They say that unless the rain sets in this
month. or during the present moon, they will have
none until September. If So they can at most raise
but single crop. find that their time of corn
planting Is not much earlier than our own. About
the trst OF April they usually have few showers,
which enable them to break up and prepare their
ground, and the rainy season Gas it is called, which
IS but long spell of showery weather, alternating
between rain and sunshine, such as we regard in
.he States as the very best weather for corn sets
IN about the last of May. The growth, therefore,
Oh the corn Is very rapid and it comes to maturity
III the course OF a few weeks In an excursion I
made four weeks ago, saw the farmers very busy
In preparing their corn lands with wooden ploughs
drawn by oxen.
had the curiosity to ask the price of land in this
neighto!hood the other day, and was told it could
be had In the immediate vicinity Of town for fifty
GEMS an acre. You may Judge, then, of the value
winch IS put upon it IN less advantageous situations
away from the rivers. AS to springs they can scarce
~ be said to have any, though am told that water
may be had by sinking wells at convenient depths
with this feature of the country | was forcibly
struck on hrst ascending the Rio Grande. In
meahdering course of some five hundred miles, that
iVeI, SO lar as noticed, receives bat single tri-
butary.
had the qualification of Witnessing marriage
ceremony among The natives a few days ago-It
took place IN the Church. Of course, could not
understand what was said, and must therefore relate
only what was done. After a Ginning of the bells
IN the tower for some time, the company assem-
oied, the Priest in his robes and the wedding party
In their best attire, just inside the Church door
iiefe after some parley the Priest prcsea silver
piate to the bride and groom on which were de-
posted several gold rings and quantity Of small
silver coins. He then approached the latter, pa
tneTinS the rings and coins into his own hand, and
paced them In the hands of the groom. At the
cicSe Oh this part OF the ceremony the rings and
COINS Were returned to the plate and the same was
repeated with the bride. The whole party then
went forward to the altar, where some religious
services took place
In the evening Handango was given to the new
married pair, and had thought of attending it,
having never seen social gathering of any kind
among the MexlCans, but found them to be entirely
loo fashionable in their hours for ne. At nine o.
'lock left my tent for the purpose, but ascertain
ng that was at least an hour too early, return
I'd and went to bed
The burials of the Mexicans are likewise worthy
= I, . wV'i'e' On yesterday, woman lost young
child In the neighboThood and her bowls and wall
ngs were distinctly heard all day. In the evening
The child was carried to the grave. dressed in the
most fantastic manner, in an erect posture. and its
Eyes wide open. While on drill outside the plaza
III adult was also carried by for burial The corpse
was on litter, aud wrapped up tightly in white |
sheet. No collins are used H. is the custom, |
n told, to bedeck the corpses Of all particularly Of
FEMALES, while lying out, with tinsel and fnery in !
ne most e%tTavagant manner. It is not unfre- |
luenuy me case also that small rockets OF squibs
We SET OH IN 'front.' OF the funeral procession it
moves to the place of burial.
| have niven Won the k,ronoin.. L.,.. .L.aL 80, |