Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1847-04-14

anO OeautiIul country, so emlnenliy nlteQ
for the support of human life, 10 find it one
vast solitude, undisturbed save by some
wary traveller or trader, who pursues his
stealthy course by night, with the hope
(oiten vain) Of eluding the crafty savage,
who looks out from his mountain home.
like an eagle from his eyrie, watching for
his victim. But it requires only slight
effort of the Imagination TO fancy it peO.
pied with an industrious and teeming popu-
lalion-iis heights crowned with human
habitations-iis fertile valleys in cultiva-
tion-and its plains covered with herds.
1t remains bat for the government, 10 will
it, and the picture will be realized!
The country beyond the Rio Grande,
between it and the Sabinos, is similar TO
that already described, but is neither so
we'll wooded or waiered: il is neverthe-
less well calculated for the rearing of
stock; for when the natural flow of water
is deficient, il may be supplied by wells;
and there are large quantities of arabic
land abandoned for the want of labor, and
in consequence Of the insecurity Of life
and property.
Monclova, city of about 5000 inhabi-
tants. under the Spanish dominion The ca
pilal of Coahuia, is pleasantly situated on
the Rio Monclova, a small and beautiful
stream of pure water, rising 10 miles 10
the south of the town near the hamlet of
Castana. 1t is fine and rather clearly
town the houses arc well built, the better
class of stone, and the principal church is
avery large and imposing structure; there
IS also an extensive and once comfortable
hospital, and large quarters for troops
The introduction of running water thro'
all the streets, and its numerous alamo
das, skirted with long avenues of trees,
and its we'll irrigated gardens, impart to
Monclova, particularly to persons who
have recently traversed the dry and IN
cultivated plains oil Coahuila, a most
agreeable and charming aspect. 1t wears
nevertheless, that melancholy appearance
of decadence, and of premature old age
so common TO Mexican towns.
The Rio Nonclova is tributary to the
f Salado, and its valley is extremely wei
cultivated for nearly its whole extent, es'
pecialy in The near vicinity OF the town
[ where it expands to a width OF five or sn
: miles. Immediately above the city arr
q
: water power, an inconslderable portlor
. of which is expended on three grist mills
The principal productions OF this d'strIc
are corn, cotton, sugar, beans and hgs
2 the first greatly predominating, and con
e stitnting the main staple. Very llttl
: wheat is grown, flour is brought from g
:. enegas. This region is we'll adapted t
n manufactures, from lis mild climate, II
h great water power, the cheapness OF sui
= sistence, and The peculiar capabillty OF tn
ot surrounding country for the production
cotton. Monclova is not deiensible, ina
=. much as il is commanded from several
If rec,ions by high hills, the possession
10 which by a considerable force will dete
m mine the laie Of the town.
ne Nearly all the houses in CoahulIa a
he constructed of adobe, or unburnt brio
an Wood is too scarce, stone too ex penslV
oh and brick cannot be burned, owing 10 I
';o calcareous nature of the soil. They a
70 constructed with fiat roofs, one story Ing
,re The roofs are formed by placing on
mi walls which are thick and high, joists abb
.s\ eighteen inches apart, over which are
ranged, diagonally, covering of shingl
,;o and over all is deposited thick coatl
os Of dirt and cement. The houses have
ont Ten extensive court-yards, in which flow
af. are planted and they are provided W
ter large reservoirs, kept full of running '
Kan ter, sometimes spouting into jets high
ans the air. Fire. places and chimneys
a. rarely seen.
: of All the land 10 this district Of coun
no belongs to few wealthy pr"prietors, :
so nearly the whole laboring population
life serfs called poems, (slaves sold for de
who are transit rred with the estates,
,ou. go many s.viIliens of the glebe." No =
ared ton of northern Mexico can be cuitiva
emo. except when running water is al comm
, N for purposes of irrIgation; so that the
al. BILE land is very limited in pr"port'oI
. nm that which may be regarded as abs"lu
NAV sterile. The ravages OF the Indians
onr. der even the suburbs of the towns nns
sc On the oath (November,) the whole
Cd NV encamped on the ground which
can. been previously selected lat Castana.
sea. was well supplied with those essenlIa
Nth an army--abundanc of good water,
A, and fuel; which latter article was
= oc wanted. as severe northcr set IN 500
,ur. Ter the tents had been pitched. The
that Their changed suuueny H. freez;no n
lakes to Temperature oeo" a.I, Gov,
The and Inc "inu D'e~ &c d.,s3 ,hro, y
arded the camp WIN o'ouu 80 d;s,;nmu
Tribe. IT was almost ''nPus'' - s.,rcace =
ly as single ooJec,. n,o,;on and i
while soil appeared 10 DC ~ &c - here
ty, or lndeeo' OUT quo "I na.rlv tonr me
Of in. Early in the morning Of the $50; the ne
bugs. mome'er s'oou 80, - IS ,hs anne day