Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-05-14

II would be difficult, il not impossible, 10 point
20 another instance Of similar tully; and The most
cnarilaoie construction that can be given 10 it
S-that In the elatipn OF a first command, you
had truly imagined yourself actually in COM
mand OF the naval and military detacbmenis then
approaching, and within short distance OF The
scene OF your exploits.
(Signed) nj. g. PERRY
COMMANDMENT. Chief of Home Squadron.
10 Lieutenant CHARLES G. HUNTER,
| United States Navy.
From the Washington UniOnl
DESCRIPTION OF THE ROAD FROM
VERA CRUZ TO MEXICO,
BY ROBERT eREEHHow.
mo. I'LL
The accounts received on Friday last of the
new Victory achieved al Cerro Cordo on The 18th
Oh April by our gallantsaFmy under its accom-
Tor me to proceed moraSaHdy in my description
OF the road to Mexico, lest ! should be passed ON
The way by some fresh despatch from headquar.
lers, daled Pueba, or, mayhap, Mexico. Gene.
raj Scott, no doubt, entered Jalapa on The 20lh
April, and will, probably, with his usual prudent
diligence, have sent forward an advance under
General Twiggs or Worth, 10 occupy the pass in
The great dividing range of mountains leading 10
PeroIe, which latter place will, under this hypc-
thesis, have been occupied by our troops about
The 10Th of the month
| 1 concluded my second number with the ac-
count oil our arrival al the town OF Perole on the
l7h July, 1887.
| Perole stands in plain al the distance of few
| miles from The loot OF the Cofle, and al the
height OF TOO feet above The ocean level, ac-
cordng TO Humboldts work on Mcxice-the
! great mich COW, from which the cream of all
subsequent accounts Of that country has been
drawn. The town consists OF low houses, with
| lew doors or windows in front, extending for
some distance along The road, and has been well
built, though il is now in dilapidaled condi-
lion. The hotel is OF The best OF these houses
containing moderate.sized path, or courtyard,
with arcades in the centre; and from the size Ut
the rooms, and the carved stone cornices over The
| windows, seems ioh have been once The habi:atiOn
OF some rich or distinguished family The
| Castle stands about malt A mile North of the
town. saw only the exterior, having been pre-
vented from entering il on my first visit to Perote
! by ndsposilion, and on my return by Incidence
or Indifference II is merely large obong en-
closure, OF thick stone walls, with baslions al The
angles. surrounded by ditch; and could never
have been intended for any other purpose han as
stronghold for troops and a depository for mu-
nions Of war, in case OF instruction, and of
bullion for expectation. Against foreign invasion
| il would be useless, as il commands no pass, and
might either be taken or be left without apprehen-
sion, by any force which would venture TO pene-
lrate thus far into the interior. The town enjoys
should think justly, from The appearance OF The
| people, the reputation OF being the most villain.
ous spot in Mexico; and strongly recalled 10 my
memory Terracina, Fondi, Iiri Moa dc Gae,a
and The other famous hannts OF handili, on the
| road between Rome and Maple The population
is about 200, and more miscreant looking set
have never seen, even in The respectable places
| last mentioned
Being much indsposed on reaching Peroe,
was anxious 10 obtain room in order 10 retire
| Immediately; bu. The landlord, a rude fellow, as
found all hlexicans Of the middle classes 10 be,
would pay no attention 10 MY request, and should
| probably have suffered severely but. for The kind
ness Of his wife, who lock me under her protec-
lion. She carried me into snug lille room, and
having caused thicker Cor, as she termed il, at-
tcr-mGs so'do) mattress 10 be placed on the bed
stead, and shcerskn on The floor as Carpet, |
soon found myself more comfortable.
had brought letters from Gen. Castro 10 The
commandant Q! The fortress. and 10 those of The
S9s ss'i an n III attention should be paid 10 me-
and that il desired il, escorts Of Dragons should
be furnished by EACH in succession AS far as Pue-
| bla. The Stage coaches were al that time robbsd
| pretty regularly once a week OH the road be-
tween Pelo!c and Puebla; and the coachman,
who was 10 drive on the following day, had his
arm IN sling, in consequence Of a wound re-
| ceived by him on the last occasion Of this kind
since which Ten days had elapsed The probabi-
liiy was, therefore, great OF our being oyerhauled
| by The Senores LGfrones-a Iobber is always con-
sidered as a gentleman in that part OF Mexico
and, although placed not the slightest faith in The
| escort as means Of protection or intimidation,
die. not consider myself authorized 10 risk The de-
sructinn oil the valuable papers under mycharse
| farther Than was absolutely necessary, by omit
ting 10 employ the only measure al my disposition
for their security. ! accordingly addressed lei
| Ter 10 The commandant OF the castle, enclosing
The one from Gen. Castro, and requested an
cort OF five dragons Tor The following morning /;
apologIslng al The same time for not having pre-
senIed |! IN person, in consequence OF my indis.
position.
The landlady had promised to find me lad
moSo-o carly this communication and when
turned, alter writing, 10 deliver it 10 the messen-
ger who had entered the room saw a figure
which made me start with surprise. The mo-0
was nlestiso, about six feet in height, wrapped
in his patty colored zera2c, or blanket, which was
folded aad draped most effectively; his dark row
sers, open al The outside Of The leg showed wide
drawers Of white, coarse linen his broad-brimmed
som6reT0, with feather in il, sat ohliquely on his
- q
knife and sword, hung from beneath his blanket
AL these equipments, added TO his tall form and
| daredevil countenance, composed model for
bandit; and could not help thinking Of the rounds
OF applause which be would receive in such
| character in mclo.drama al The Park Theatre al
New York.
The messenger soon returned with polite note
from the commandment, Don Diego Maria de Al
cafe, incosing an order for The dragons on the
Il ~ III IA aud &c haty
bcen sent 10 its direction, The officer soon appear
ed, and promised that The escort should be ready
| 10 accompany the Stage in The morning. This
| important matter being settled, l went to sleep,
from which was aroused al three in the follow
ing morning, TO continue my journey towards
Puebla. The night was dark, and saw nothing
until we arrived at small village OF two or three
houses, called Santa Geirudis, from which 10 the
next place, Tepeyasualco, our course was by
daylight. This is one OF the most dangerous
parts of the country as regards robbers. The
road lies along The southern base OF huge: bare
mountain OF volcanic formation, called The Cc77o
| de PiSari0 the surface on The other side being
broken by small, low hills, with volcanic rocks
OF large size srewed about in such a manner as
10 afford every facility Tor concealmenl; while
its entire barrenness, from which 1t derives lis
name of Naipais-the desert-by excluding all
population destroys the risk OF detection or inter
1 TuplIuU Hc uIdsoous SahoPSa hiohe - 49,
side lIhe coach: they were all small men, mount
ed on light horses. and armed with sword pistols
and carbne. On reaching Tepeyagualco, dis
missed them with six reals (seven,y five cen.s) TO
each man, except the corporal, who received
dollar, as usual in such cases; aud having de-
termined not 10 ask for any others, We continued
our Journey unprotected.
l had been very anxious 10 taste pulque, (pro.
nounccd yoolkay,) the universal drink Of The peo.
pie in The upper regions OF Mexico; bnI did not
consider il safe 10 venture on the experiment at
Perote. A. Tepeyaeualco made The first al
tempt, and drank off whole pint tunbler, no!
without some apprehension, considering the slate
of my system al The time. II is lhe sap or juice
Of the maeuey pronounced mod-edgse,) or great
American aloe, which is culliyated-Ihalisto say,
pan,ed-fur The purpose, as il is never after
wards touched, until The liquor is drawn from II
This later process is performed on The plant
about The eighth or tenth year oil its growth, when
the cone in the middle swels, and II leu alone
= li,, liz r