Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-10-07

led them between the mountains the view of this
enchanted land with its verdan fields and pmeva forests
and beautiful lakes shut out from the world by lofty chain
Of mountains which encircled it. burst upon them in all its
magnfcence.
Having reached the village of Amecameca situated in the
midst Of this beautiful plain, became necessary make
further preparations for the Of the mountain We
accordingly left wagons in charge of the civil authorities
Of the place. and having hired of pack mules pro-
ceeded the road towards the south until we reached the
village of ozumba, about oyve miles southeast by south
from the city of Mexico We had now proceeded 50 far in
souhey direction that the summit the mountains which is
about southeast Of the city, in direction nearly
northeast by east.
On the morning Of the 9th LEFT Ozumba and bearing
directly towards the summit reached the hamlet of AT
on,la where procured Mexican guides to conduct us
through the dense forest which skirts the base of the noun
tain vacaria pasturage for CATTLE which is found
the per limit of the timber From that point il would be
necessary to rely solely upon resources nothing
could induce these md people to tempt by any further ad
vance the slumberng wrath Of the mountain Leaving At
ona path conducted across The cultivated fields which
skirt the base Of the mountain through country nteseced
by the baracas deep ravincs by the torrents Of the
rainy season. and aordng issues for the waters which
mulae from the constant melting of the snow In order
these baancas the path many places into the
earth leaving both sde for considerable distances per-
pendicular banks fifteen twenty feet in height and as
there only for single mule pass with his pack, the
vegetation which grows upon the Of the banks and
hangs the path, almost completely shelters from the
heat of vertical Passing in this manner distance of
four five miles, reached small spur of the mountain
which extends little distance into the pan and following
along its CREST began gradually ascend above the cult
vated valley We had several hundred feet and were
haop oh ~
turning short the gh. and descending the which
it had hitherto pursued, involved amidst the
deep baanca and almost mpenetrsbe forests Of the
tain. In the mind Of American who had visited no other
country but his own the view Of forest, however magni-
cent would excite little SURPRISE and scarcely be deemed
Of note but those who have looked upon the wild scenery
OF Mexico have found lament that Nature many
respects bountu in her gifts this country, has LEFT her
fertile plains and tall mountains naked and unsheitered
They will therefore, appreciate the feelings which
over us upon this sudden transition from the unbroken glare
Of tropical Mexican Plain, TO the cool of
forest as dense any which fair land.
The scenery grew more novel and romantic advanced
threading way along the path, which became every
difficult AT LENGTH after having proceeded four
or five miles, climbing many rugged almost mpassa-
BILE by any thing but Mexican mule and winding in the
dark shadow of the lofty pines along the crest of many
ghfu precpice emerged from the dense forest into
of the many pasture grounds which Of the
the mountain spurs and form extensive openings the forest
Ascending the upper end Of this PRAIRIE found rude hut
about twelve feet square, constructed by the cowhers
temporary shelter the incIemenccs Of the weather In
the bottom Of deep ravne which passed close by found
small stream Of water sufficient for wants, and conse-
quently pitched cur camp at this spot.
about three o'clock in the afternoon when we reach
ed this position. The day had been beautiful one and had
served melt much Of which several preceding in
clement days had collected unusual DEPTH on The noun
tain and the forest which extended more than mile
above camp. Ascending little higher than the camp,
we reached projection Of spur almost entirely detached by
deep baanca from the body Of the mountain and perceived
at single glance the tempestuous Of position for
every tree upon its summit scaihed by lightning. From
here obtained view from the northwest the southwest
Of almost unlimited extent for we had already ascended about
four thousand feet above the beautiful plains below Us and
than eleven thousand feet above the ocean In
front Of rose the dark forest m altitude Of more
than SIX thousand feet above position, the conca portion
Of the mountain which were yet TO ascend covered almost
entirely with snow but enveoped in the clouds which were
gathering around preclude the possibility proper re
connasance Of the which pursue on the fol-
lowing day.
While admiring the bold outline Of tho mountain of which
we could get an OCCASIONAL GLIMPSE our attention attract
cd by the low of distant thunder of pecu-
liar interest AT tho distance Of twenty thirty miles in the
direction Of The capital observed heavy cloud rolling along
the valley and darkenng the distant lakes with its shadow
As gradually approached and deuged the plains below US
the clouds continued TO gather about the summit Of the
tain until they finally burst in heavy around it,
We thus enjoyed for time the singular spectacle of
thunder storm raging below and above u.s. while
were ourselves in the sunlight and behed tho broad val
eys to the southwest shining oil the brightness Of cloud
less day. As the shades Of night closed around the clouds
gathered about camp, and in the midst Of
heavy halstorm The now derived interest," as
the vivid streams Of light flashed around and below u.s. and
eIPosedSn their mcmenta geams the dark outlines Of the
Forest while the loud crash Of the thunder broke harshy
the and died away in distant echoes amongst the wild
mountain crags.
IL was intention to make very early start from our
camp on the following morning, but the night tempes.
uous that had TO await for daylight The morning was
exceedingly unavoabe the accomplishment Of our purpose
The snow and hail had been falling almost constantly during
the night that now covered all heights our vcD
y well the ground upon which we encamped and
had greatly increased the difficulties to
The clouds still hung around the mountain and promised any
thing bu, favorable day. and the snow extended than
six thousand feet from the summit
Under these unfavorabIe circumstances left our camp
about o'clock the morning Of The 9TH April and
tnuing through the part Of the forest which still