Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1849-09-22
FROM CALIFOR n [ A .
The Juniata Company.

LOUIS Il. FRANCISCuS, we regret 10 tearl, al'd
ON boafd the Schooner Swallow en- the Pacific
Ocean, on the goth June, after having safely
traversed long and tedious journey from
Vera Cruz TO Sar Bias, where the party took
shipping fer their port of destination. OF the
letters received, Mr. keIIy's, addressed TO our
neighbor of the True Democrat, embody more
general infor IN alton than any others, and we
accordingly transfer them to our columns:
SAN Francisco, July IL, 1919.
II ]. MATTERS, EsQ,
Dear Sir II promised you on the eve OF
my departure from Iewistown, that would
write TO YOU upon the arrival OF the Junata
Company IN California. | shall now en-
deavor To fulfil that promise, and give you
such information as may not be devoid OF
interest.
We arrived in this city on the Sth inst,
having been four months aid one day on
our journey, taking as you doubtless are
aware. the rout by way OF Vera Cruz, Ja-
lapa, PuebIa. Mexico, Queretaro- Salamau-
"a Guadalai ara, Tcpic and San Bias, and
from there by Sea 10 This port Like every
other route, to this land of promise, this one
had its difficulties and lis privalions though
we now all think it decidedly preferable TO
any other one. except that by way of Cha
gres and Panama. The expenses of the
Journey from Lewist0wn to this city, were
not more than about $500 or 1925 for each
person. And we have found that with the
above exception, il requires less time to
perform the tourney than it would 10 90
any other way. None of the companies
from independence or Fort Smith have
arrived, and none OF those coming around
Cape Horn. except those which left the
States in December, and January. And
then we travelled through country which
has become, since the late war, full of ab-
sOrblng interest TO an American. We
stood upon the battle grounds of Vera Cruz,
Cerro Gordo, Chapultepec and Molino del
Rey, spots which have become almost clas-
sic ground, and will ever remain enduring
monuments of The skill and bravery of the
gallant Scott, and his no less gallant army.
We saw the missiles Of warfare lying ne
elected on those battle fields. Indeed there
are many tons Of cannon balls, grape shot
and musket balls lying by the wayside at
the base of Cero Gordo. which were fired
when that battle was fought Ny only
wonder is, that the MeXicans Lave not col
lected and sold them for old iron. We
stood, too, upon the graves where lie buried
the almost forgotten brave of the American
army, who fell in those terrible conflicts
subdued and saddened when we thought of
the ravages of war, and of the emptiness
of earthly renowA-of those who ere un-
timely slain, and those who were left to
mourn their fallen kindred. Suck scenes
as those give an interest TO this route
which no other one posesses-and then we
have moreover learned great deal about
the manners and customs of the MeXcans,
which we would not otherwise have known.
This knowledge of the Mexican character
has, however, not given US favorable
opinion of them. They are, with but few
exceptions, a despicable, treacherous and
degraded people. This is not my own opin-
ion only, but that Of every member of my
company, and do assure you that often,
very often, we possessed even a stronger
desire than even Mr.. Clay did, TO get into
s some nook or corner Uhere 1ce might
sldy Meric0n." Among the lower or
ders of the Mexicans, land that is by far
the greatest number) there is still a strong
antipathy to the Americans, caused, doubt
less, by the late war. Two or three times
stones were hurled at us by the boys as we
passed along the streets of towns and vii
lagos, but rifle pointed or pistol present
ed, we found, was a very effectua way to
convince them that we were determined TO
protect ourselves from insult and injury.
And | assure you that they have now as
much dread OF the American rifle and the
American citizen, as they had when our
armies covered their land
As soon as we landed in Vera Cruz we
assumed a military organization, both of
our own and other companies that travelled
with US. had the honor TO be elected
Captain Of the whole. We generally en-.
camped, pitched our tents and kept our
guard through the highland it was well
we did so, for without these precautions it
~ altogether unsafe to travel through the /
country, infested as it is with robbers
We got through without accident. One
oi the companies, however, that travelled I
with us. lost one man, who remained be- I
hind day at Vera Cruz and took the dill I
gence. The coach was attacked by rob- /
bers, and he was shot in the hips with /
three back shot, which entered his groin (
On the following morning he overlook US,
suffering the most excruciating pain from
his wound. gave him my mattrass to
lie upon, and we advised him to go on in
the diligence. lie went few miles, but
was at length compelled to stop at Plan del
Rio, within three miles Of Cer0 Gordo, at
which place he died. We buried him
in lhe woods, beside number of Amcri-
CABS who died from wounds received in
battle. The Alcalde would not permit
heretlc, AS he termed him, 10 be buried in
n0nsecraled around. Tic lnan who was