The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-06-27

path winding along on the very brink OF chasms,
to look down which, almost made one dizzy, and
where, to have made false step, would have
been perdition. At last descended to the PLAIN,
where the road excellent. Al midday we
stopped to rest in the village of Chihuitan. We
fell in here with Frenchman, by name Don Juan
Condier We dined with him, and found him very
sociable. From this gentleman ! obtained much
information about the country and people. The
productions were nearly all consumed by them
selves-there being but little commerce with the
rest of the world. The little there was, carried
on with the cities of Oaaca and Guatemala, by
mule carriage There were no coasting vessels, and
no port of entry, nearer than Acapulco. IL was
rare thing to see "a vessel off the coast. |
shown some coarse blankets, Rebosas, and cotton
fabrics, made in the State, (Oajaca)
Leaving Don Juan, we set of for Tehuantepec,
and entered that city about sunset, while the bells
were ringing for Oracion. lnquiring for the casa
of Doi1a Guadalupe Rodrigues, TO whom we had
been REFERRED and finding it, we were soon INSTALL
ed in the most comfortable house We had been in
since leaving Vera Cruz. It'll strange in place the
size fTehuantepec, 10000 inhabitants that there
is not single inn; but such is the case, and ira
velers are obliged to depend upon the hospitality
of private houses for accommodations. This I'M
pute TO there being so little communication with
other parts Tehuantepec is rather romantic
looking place. situated on both sides OF the river Of
that name There are tall hills rising up on each
same in all other Mexican towns, with
church on one side, and the Governors palace Gas
it is caHed) on the other. The Market which We
stroled through the next morning, was well stored
with fruits fish from the coast and good beef. The
Indians here are of the race called Zapoteca. They
are well made, and have remarkably fine features.
The women are beautiful. The river is shallow,
rapid stream-men, women, and even children OF
ten years, were wading across 1t. In the morning
early the whole population turn out to battle IN 1T
women and men, nudis naturalibus. l had been
furnished with letter to Don Miguel Petrez, the
Secretary of the Governor. In the course of the
day called upon this gentleman at his Office and
found him young man of far more liberal and ex-
tended views than the generality OF his country
men. He enthusiastic about the lsthmus be-
coming day the highway between the two
oceans. friend of his had copy Of Moro's sur
vey which he sent for, in order that might see it.
Showing our passports, he requested us to walk to
the house of the Governor with him, that he might
sign them for our return. This we did, and short
walk brought us to the house of Col MunoZ, the
Governor. In the verandah were loungng some
half dozen of Mexican officers, who stared at us
we entered. Ushered into the presence of the Gov
ernor we found him portly mlddle-aged man, IN
uniform. He bowed to US, examined our passports,
and signed them-after which we departed. There
200 soldiers of the line In the place. As the
sun was too hot for exercise, returned to our
quarters, and in the evening rode down to the sea,
four leagues off | shall never forget this, my first
view of the old Pacific. As / stood upon its shore,
and looked over the broad expanse of waters,
gancng in the evening sun, ] felt that that hour
compensated for all the foil and travel had en-
dured good bath, you may be assured did my
companion and myself have; and long we sported
upon the billows tearing ourselves away only when
the night approached. We remained for the night
at the hacienda of Zuleta near by, and returned to
Tehuantepec next morning.
| forgot to mention that we beheld sail in sight,
not usual thing on this coast. The spot visited
was small bay, and would prove an excellent an
chorage for vessels
must hasten to close with my description.
After remaining few dogs longer in Tehuanepec,
we returned by the way of lnchitan, "a consider
able town, the hacienda of La Venta, lake Su-
peror through the Paso Tarifa, and to the Barro;
thence back to the Coatzcoacos, and down 10 Mi
NATHAN, where we found the schooner ready TO sail
for Vera Cruz. Embarking, we reached the latter
place in two days, last Sunday. Let me enter into
short recaptuation of the advantages of this
route
A steamer can reach the mouth Of the Coatzaco-
acos in four days from New Orleans. A small
steamer, drawing two feet, the river at
nearly all seasons, for fifty leagues up-making il
in thirty-six hours. Thence across by land thirty
five leagues, the distance can be made in two days
by coaches, soon the road is finished
now about to be undertaken by Don Cazetano Mo-
TO and the house Of Manning Macintosh & Co.
Say four days the Isthmus, and four more
from New Oreans-making, in all, eight days from
that city the Pacific, and at point nine hundred
miles above Panama The superiority of this route
is visible at once and do not hesitate tn nrophe-
sy that II will be the only one used, after II gets
opened, between the United States and California.
Yours, &c, L. c. J.