Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1849-03-02
A New and Better Route 20 Cali
fOEnia

Is pointed out by writer in the New
Orleans Delta of the lst inst, (R. l.. o.
who has had some three years experience
of the ways of reaching the Pacific overland.
1t is from Matamoras 10 Mazatlan-a dlss
lance of only $50 miles. We quote TINS
account of the route, with his advice TO emf
grants:
Persons, in taking this route, will pro-
coed to Matamoras, or Brownsville, on the
Rio Grande, from which place they can fit
ont and obtain all they desire in lhe way of
means for transportation. Horses and
mules can be obtained there at reasonable
rates, and wagons, harness &C., if required,
can also be purchased at less price than
.hey can be delivered there from this place,
as they were purchased there at the great
sales. Mr.. S. A. Belden of BrOwnville can
furnish any quantity at the shortest notice.
From BrowmviIle party can embark on a
steamboat for Roma, the highest point to
which boats can get at the present. From
Roma they commence the journey by land,
taking the old route to Monterey, Parras and
Durango. On arriving at that place, all
baggage must be packed on mules The
road thence leads over the mountains.
The traveller here meets with some Of
the most splendid scenery in the world
and, on arriving at the summit of the noun
tain, the Pacific bursts upon his view, and
the City of Mazatlan seems almost at his
feet although it is sixty miles distant
The advantages of this route over the Cha
gres route are apparent: Firstly, it is thro'
the richest portion of Mexico, where sick
man is a natural curiosity. Secondly, it is
less expensive, costing less than one dollar
per day while.on the road. Again, on your
arrival at Mazatlan, you can embark as Of
ten as at Panama. Ii is healthier place,
and probably less crowded.
To those who propose taking this route,
i would make few suggestons Do rot
take wagons with the idea Of getting them
to MaZatlan, as they cannot be transmitted
further than Durango; buy pack mules, at
Brownsville or Camargo-(Captain Peter
Dowd will furnish you with plenty at that
place )-have no packages weighing over
1875 pounds, and have those as compact as
possible.
Do not load your horses down with hea-
Wy saddle bags, &c.-the less weight you
have the better. Do not undertake TO carry
a quantity VI PIONlSIOllSs Ou Cdll JtI-
chase beef and kids on the route take your
coffee, tea, sugar, &c. coffee pot, tin cup,
and gourd to carry water, is all the culina-
ry articles you require, unless you wish to
indulge i'll luXurles ; in that case, treat yours
self to a gridron or lrying-pan, as rabbits,
hares, and other game can be obtained on
the route.
Do not go in large parties; party of
twenty is PLENTY large enough; the smaller
the parties are the better accommodations
they get on the route. There may Be now
and then chance to indulge in scrm.
mage with the Camanches look out that
they do not steal your horses-keep good
watch and there is no danger.
Obtain your passports before leaving
New Orleans from the Mexican Consul 4;
this is Indispensable, unless you wish to
wait six weeks AT Brownsville, to get one
from the City of Mexico. And remember,
also, that the United States troops are not
now in possession of the country, and you
had better mind your own business on the
route, and indulge IN no 'chicken stealing"
or evidences of affection for "sow venisOn,"
unlawluIly.
Pay for what you get, act like gentlemen,
and behave yourselves, and you will be
well treated; if you kick up a row, you will
get into trouble to certainty. 1t will not
do TO make greaser Il target--those days
are over.