Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-08-20
From the N O. Nationall
General SCOTS advance to the City Of
Mexico.

There is the greatest probability that we shall
soon hear that General Scott is in the city of
Mexico From Pueb'a, he has march of four
days TO accomplish it. The road is over the
table land except at Rio Fro, where the eleva-
ton of mountain is TO be overcome of twelve
miles ascending and descending. At his point
only, nature has provided some little means of
offence and defence, otherwise the road from
Puebla to the city of the Aztecs is level plain.
Beyond the Rio Frio, no obstruction is to be
met with, except it may be the bayonet and ar
tillery of General Santa Anna.
The traditions of the original inhabitants Of
Mexico are full of interest. The Tlascalans,
who founded it, said they were driven out from
the South and ordered by their seers, to travel
Northward, until they saw an eagle with SER
pent in its mouth, sitting on cactus plant.
For many weary day they pursued their pill
grimage until they came to the shores of beau
tiful lake, surrounded by cloud-capt mountains.
In the centre OF the lake, was a large rock
while admitting. an eagle rose before them with
a serpent in its mouth-it rose high in the air,
and descending in narrowing circles. settled
upon a solitary cactus, growing upon the lone
rock in the bosom of the lake before them. The
wanderers gave shout of eXultation, they had
found the place of their favored city.
They at once went TO work and laid off four
causeways, running according to the cardinal
points of the compass. These great works COM
pleted, the great temple Of the Mexicans was
erected on the centre of the rock where rested
the eagle, and the priests palaces sprung up
around it, and the houses Of the rich occupied
the rest of the surface of the rock Streets then
began to be made by building on each side OF
the causeways. Such was the commencement
of this singular city, towards which our troops
are approaching
When Cortez and his troops viewed it from
the heights of Rio Fro, II seemed malestcaly
floating in the pelucid lake the four causeways
leading to it, looked like silver cables to keeI
it in its central mooring Around it played til,
light sklf and the gay gondalier.
Over the very causeway which Gen. Scot
will take, Cortez approached the city and Tough
his way, hand to hand. successfully against nm
precedented odds. He conquered and became
its master. Filled with holy horror at the hu
man sacrifices that were commanded by the re
ligion of the Aztecs, he tumbled down their TEN
pies, and the immense mounds of earth or
which they stood, into the surrounding lake
and thus enlarged the foundations of the city
Time has accomplished since, what Cortez be
gan. The rains in two centuries, have WASHED
from the mountains earth sufficient to quite I'll
up the lake. And Mexico, now. instead of bein;
in tie centre OF lake, sets enshrined in Il low
marshy suburb. without a wall or place afin'd
ing the least protection to the city: it is NOR
helpless than when only to be approached by it
causeways or boats.
The jealousy OF the leaders Of the modcr
| Mexicans would never permit them to FORTH
the city. They were afraid that walls and fort
might. in the hands of tyrant, be used 70
tyranny at home. Hence, every distant Stron
place situated in passes leading to the city Ina
hem fortified, but the city has been left wthor
defence.