Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-09-30
A RIDE ACROSS MEXICO.

WARD FITZGERALD BEALE from the Western coast,
together with the wondrous news which he brings
fof the discovery, now at last at the western base
of the Sierra Nevada, of the real Dorado-so long
searched for all over our continent-has already
been noted in your paper. A brief account of his
ride, full Of hazard, and accomplished with such
extreme gallanry and spirit, is due to the service
which this brave enterprising young officer adorns,
and will, at the same time, exempify the deplora-
Bile condition of government and police throughout
Mexico.
Midshpman BEALE left the port Of La Paz the foot
Of the Peninsula Of California, the lst of Augu and
the 5h arrived at Mazatlan, the west coast Of Mexico.
Thence he took passage small Mexican goeta and after
terrible coastng voyage of FIVE days. in such weather
only known off that coast he made the habor of San Bias.
At this place commenced his land journey, southeast
thousand miles, by way Of Guadalaaa and Mexico city,
Vera Cruz 1t with much difficulty that he got away,
certain it held by the Mexican Governor Of San Bias
and every body that travelling thus unprotected he would be
wayad and murdered by of the numerous bands of
aones obbers) who at this time, than ever, in
sequence of the dispersion Of the troops Of Paede line all
the public roads in Mexico Having undertaken the duty,
however, nothing could daunt deain gallant young
officer and accordingly the 18th of August he started
He travelled without any other escort than guide his
plan being to ride full speed both day and night and thus
accomplish his journey the shortest possible space Of time,
and also lessen the dangers of the road by the pdy Of his
transit His wardrobe for the journey consisted-to begin
the topof Mexican glazed sonbgeros below that,
pie red flannel Shirt followed by leather beechos and term
mating pair Of the hide boots of the country In this
tune and with his young moustache and sunbrowned vsage
and speaking Spanish he the counterpart of native Of
the country but his outfit of another SORT and
emineny American-our revoyers barrels EACH and
knife could only be packed the person of genuine Anne
rcan expecting DANGER and determined go through it.
Thus ACQUIRED, young BEALE left San Bias the
18th of August BY his rapid travelling and the formidable
character of his armament, he accomplished the first sixty
miles without serious interruption Here, at sudden turn
Of the road peremptory call Of "aAo a -ha, here!-
brought Of his revovers to bear upon party Of three
genie de camnopeope Of the road-who had drawn up in
his 'front.' To throw him off his guard, they demanded his
passport under pretence Of being road police. Yes
piled Beae, answering in their tongue, eyes you
my passport of you and get !" After some
parey the party appeared disposed to 60 off but Beale in
sisted that it their duty examine his passport and il
might be unsafe for them their backs before they had
done Under this ntmaon, the leader of the party, with
Beaes revolver drawing bead upon him caution against
eachery, approached within arms length, and received the
passport, and at the time the information that the
voyer, with which "Senor adron already acquainted,
only of four equally ready for service The cabaro
Immediately profuse in apologies for stopping Amer
can officer and the whole party were ready turn
back, off by another road Beae, however, know
ing that his safety in having them behind him. ntmaed
his preference for that movements and after hesitation,
they passed front of him. under the muzzes of his
vover, until out of pistol shot when he put his horse to
speed, and soon beyond reach of pursuit.
Tonic dangers of the road had hecone immi-
nen and he constantly assured that he could not fail
be assaulted the way and PROBABLY lose his life that he
determined least the transmission Of the contents
of his important dispatches the Government He there
FORE though without fear of epoo from the Department
in he should get through opened these papers, copied
Them and with to the American Minister in Mexico,
enclosed the copies, ordinary letters, in the mail These
would arrive should he be murdered the way and the
originals thus be lost. t.-.
He continued his journey, travelling both night and day,
with other than he could snatch by throwing himself
the muddy ground in the brief intervals Of ten twelve
minutes occupied each post in bringing fresh horses
and changing the saddles Tive days journey the other side
of Guadalaa, banda gang) out Of the woods in his
rear just nghfa and, discovering him, gave chase He
had nothing do this time but show them his heels Tin
their eyesght good enough them since the
darkness would prevent the udicous of his revolve
on which he depended in the day. He accordingly increased
his already rapid pace expecting speedily to distance his pur
suels but they not easily shaken Off They
tnued the chase hours and frequently the foremost
gained upon him sufficient to fire their cabncs his back
but ne at length made good his way to the mex, post
Having heard Of party Of eleven travellers ahead Of him.
Bee made speed to overtake them for the greater security
of travelling in company This party attacked by large
band Of robbers before arriving az Guadaaas, and the
day following his night pursuit Beale up the
Of the encounter The whole party Of travellers had been
killed wounded and the blood still fresh in the mre
which ii had formed, the bodies having only just been
removed.
From Guadaajara Beale departed six O'Clock in the
evening" choosing that time for starting, both 10 avoid losing
the night and in order that his departure might be the
secret He made the dis TO the village Of Lagos fifty
five leaguesone hundred and sixy-ve mles) in twenty
and half hours arriving there half past nine Of the
night following bis departure from Guadalsjara Il the
rainy season, he had experienced all the way but the
time Of his leaving Gusdasjara il set in with full force The
unparalleled fury Of the storms which prevail in this part Of
Mexico in the height Of the rainy is noted every
traveller ia that country The road by night often visible
only by the intense glare Of lightning, which, though It's
flashes nearly ncessant leaves OF pchy dark
The Of rain which fall tear up rocks and
road The watercourses from the cause become fear
fully deep and rapid, that the traveller, who will still pu
sue his Journey, often swim them great hazard. II