Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-05-08
Mn. GREEsuow's Norris, No. Ii.

| Mn. GREEsHow's NorEs, No. H.
In the preceding number described the road from Veu
Cruz Jaapa, the length Of which, according to nv est
mate, Is 6s miles passes surface being
IN fact series of ascents and descents from the vicinity
Vera Cruz to Plan del Rio At the latter place begins the
first grand ascent from the low hot country Of the coahe
Ieru Caeneo the table land Of the cooler regions
Ieras 1empas and Cero Gordo on the line Of scpara
ton between the two climates wisely chosen by the Mex
leans for their stand against forces which would
doubt rapidly melt away confined much longer to the pes
tiferous wastes below Jaapa is at the other extremity
first line Of heights, about four Thousand above the
level and there begins the ascent great
central plateau of Mexico, among the mountains Of the Sierra
l1e, principal chain dividing the which flow into
the Atlantic from those entering the Pacific.
The view of these mountains, obtained the heights
Jaapa IS one OF the grandest have though by
means so picturesque many which recolsct in Swzer-
land, where the actual well the visible of the oh
ecs is inferior The defect in the Mexican picture is occa-
stoned by the extreme backness of the moupans and by
too great regularity OF their outline, except the southern
end where the volcano of Ozaba its snowy cone ao
from the other parts of the chain the height of nearly
teen thousand feet above the level Of the sea- In the north
part Of this division the Sierra Madre the great
tain Of Peote called III Coe by the Spanard from its fan
cled resemblance to chest though hogs back might be
cited with proprety order convey an idea Of it's
form and at its northern end is the gap pass ardn
lar as yet KNOWN the only Of communication by wheel
carriages between the coast Of the Mexican Gulf and the high
tabeand Of the INTERIOR south and Of that between Mon
terey and Salo 1t very probable that many such
passes equally practicable might be found in the space of
thousand miles separating the two here mentioned but Mex
cans are not the people to look for them.
On approaching Jaapa before sunrise obtained
the outside OF the coach order enjoy the prospect which
was wholly different from any the preceding day.
The lower country is, in fact almost entirely uncuvated
scarcely OF ground the way exhibits the marks
human labor neither grains fruits nor any other vege
tables appear to be produced and the people
gagged IN manufactures of any kind is difficult imagine
on what they subsist remember that reaching the Ma
NJ man IF hot bad
the luxury Of fresh pucked from the plant but
there such thing in the village vicinity could
procure there any where else between Vera Cruz and ia
lapa, orange lemon, any other fruit whatever
the vicinity OF the latter place. the contrary signs of
dusy and civilization exhibited all sides houses
had walls, generally made of adobes unbut bricks pas-
tered and whitewashed, and covered with tiles We drove
on road well paved the of many of cities
bodered by hedges of aoe pck pears and other tropical
plants and around fields of Indian corn BEANS sugar
canes and coffee trees and gardens filed with bananas pine
apples fig trees and gapevines all loaded with fruits The
gloomy OF the Cofe de Perote high in front and
it, background the PICTURE Jalafa a. length APP
peaed relieved with its low white houses and tall church
towers, embosomed in rich foliage the decvity Of the
small mountain of Macuepec The beauty Of the in
creased drew nearer aud entering the the plea
surabe feelings excited dspeed by any of those
signs of filth and misery which had often in Italy found
enclosed in the most charming envrons The streets
clean the houses seldom exceeding story in height
neatly though plainly built, with balconies, mostly of wood
to the windows and except in two Of the principal
streets IN which the shops situated they are generally
surrounded by gardens Few Of the buildings have
tensions to grandeur the most remarkable being the Paro
qua parish church, the marketpsce and the
of the Francscans in its vicinity, of the oldest religious
establishments subsisting in Mexico Of the other houses
Of the best the hotel called the Meson de las Dgn
at which carriage stopped opposite the
and there remained two days. order recruit my strength
which had been completely exhausted by the fgues of the
preceding thysix hours added thirty days of
| sickness on board Of the Vandaia
carried letter of introduction General Antonio Castro
of the department of Vera Cruz who
had his headquarters at aapa and this delivered
proprey would allow He about Fifty years old, with
stout weknt person and good determined face par
iculaTly remarkable however, way. He received
very politely, after the Mexican fashion, insisting-in Pick
wckan sense OF coursethat his house and all its coptcnt
were at my entire disposition and then proceeded to offer
in sincerity every facility which could desire while remain
ed within the limits Of his authority We talked TIM
different matters, during which he evidently attempt
ing to find out the object Of my journey great skill
however, necessary to eude his inquiries; and, after
wards learned the report which he sent by the diligence
Mexico was as far from exact it could well be. saw hin
several times during that and my subsequent visit Jaap
and much pleased, in the end with his good humor
frankness that could help aEenting, asI plainly
told him parting that should have been his lot orde
the execution Of many Of who had land
ed with Mexia in his foolish attempt Tampco short tim
previous
had letter also to his excellency Don Juan Barsena tn
lieutenant governor Of the department, whom found
the keeper of very small shop in the lower part of the
He was an amabe and intelligent person, formerly
wealth. which had been all lost in the revolution ana hghl
respected for his honesty and patriotism well for hi
fmness and good He inquired particularly concern
ing former minister in Mexico Mr. Ponset (then Secre
tary Of War; for whom he 10 have the greatest re
gard and afterwards found that this feeling was fully
q cprocated.
The magnate of the place. taking precedence Of all
and commandments at that me was, however, Mr. Welsh
English gentleman, formerly consul Of his nation at Yer
Cruz who, having accumulated large fortune in business
merchant and married lady of the country had vested
funds in land and cotton manufactures Jaapa in his par
aton which devoted chiefly to coffee trees he was er
deaVorng to combine the neatness and completeness of
English farm with the grandeur Of Mexican hacienda an
whether the would justify the outlay might be que
tonable For his mandatory he erecting at vast
pense dam in the shape of wall of cyclopean dimension
the little which flows through the town and
these works he distributing among the inhabitants arp
Sums Of money, which could not fail his popua
long least the supply should be kept up He inform
ed that he could obtain sufficient number Of laborers WI
would work we'll ut three reals (37 cen) per day. REGULAR
paid and he appeared be very sangunc TO the
/ oil his plans. ..#s" a.~a
Snce writing the above, learn that Mr. Welshs schen
proved aborvc and that he has been entirely ruined by
failure Of his cotton factory, consequence Of which he h.
been obliged TO leave Jalapa. &
u The only American whom found there was Mr. Samu
Jewett of Vermont who had lived in Mexico ever since n
establishment Of its independence, and had also married
native Of the country He appeared 10 have been engage
Q in almost every kind Of business and then making oom
" and bleaching wax with what could not learn III
: however, lived very comfortably and gave dinner
OF the best Of which preserve the remembrance il
u wholly Mexican, he had promised inviting me an
though Sonora Jewe acknowledged that she had been spa