The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-03-29
Our Jalapa Correspondence.

JALAPA, March l, lS49.
The Progress of the Cat.fornia Em,grants-Advrcs
to Those Gong through Msrseo--Rrley, the De-
serteY.
Being on a pilgrimage to the Ell Dorado Of the
West, Iseize leisure moment to give. through
your columns, few words of advice to such as
contemplate taking the route through Mexico to
California. was one of a ompany Of one hun
dred and forty -one called the Manhattan California
Overland Association, which left New York on the
3lst OF January, In the bark Marah, tor Vera Cruz
where we arrived after a passage OF twenty-four
days We found at this place the prices Of every
thing much beyond our expectation. mule, fit
tor service, cannot be bought for less than sixty
dollars, and very scarce at that. Horses were pro-
missed us at thirty-two dollars, i we would wait
several days for them to be sent for. But we soon
found there was no dependence to be placed ON
anybody or anything in Vera Cruz. Our associa-
ton dissolved, and recognized themselves into
OF from re- ten to thirty each
tor even our small party, It would be impossible to
get mules enough at reasonable rate, and so de-
termined to getjust enough to take on our baggage
mules and horses were cheaper. Another party,
rather than buy mules, contracted to have their
baggage and themselves taken to Mexico In twelve
days for twenty FIVE dollars.
We lett Vera Cruz on Sunday last, and arrived
here yesterday. The road lies through most de-
ISOLATE and God-forsaken country. The weather Is
very warm; water to be had only every SIX eight
very hlgh. We have laid out In the open air every
night, and walked every step of the Way. We
have met with no accident, and arrived in good
health and spirits; We have here bought horses
at twenty five dollars each, and saddles and brides
at SIX dollars each.
will now give few words of advice to emil
grants who take this route to California,
L: Place no dependence upon the faith Of asso-
Citations No large body of men can be kept to-
sether for any. length OF time. They will quarrel
and break up in three days from the time Of start
!. Be careful when leaving New York for Vera
Cruz, to provide good cook, and ample conve-
niences tor cooking. For not doing this our party
have suffered immensely, and wasted hundreds Of
dollars worth OF provisions.
weight Of baggage. 1t Is more trouble than 1t is
worth, and many things can be bought cheaper
here than in New York: Captain Hatton's party,
who are ten days IN advance of us, have sold of
baby oneehaif Of theirs. f' - ~
4. After getting your outfit, and paying your pas.
sage to Vera Cruz, take at least $3.50. This should
be either in Mexican COIN or In United States gold
eagles, profit of about five per cent can be made;
but on the gold coin Of the South American States
there is q loss OF 81 10 on doubooa; they bring
here only SD. American ten cent pieces fetch
This is pleasant little city; The weather is
not too hot to be uncomfortable. The gardens
are full Of beautiful trees, IN full bloom !;
orange and lime trees are to be seen every
where. One Of the first acquaintances made
here, was tho noted Riley, who deserted from our
army, and commanded the party OF American de-
serters at the battle of Churubusco, where they
were taken and most of them shot. He escaped,
1t will be recollected, on account of his having
deserted before the war was declared; but he was
branded IN the face, and believe whipped. He
is very unreserved In relating the facts Of his his.
tory, and professed to be a great friend to the
Americana. He is now q colonel in the Mexican
service, and says he is worth $4,000. He
showed me a letter he had just received from Pre-
sident Herrera, IN which he is addressed In terms
of consideration and respect, He has just In
formed me that revolution has broken out In
some of the western provinces of Mexico, but I
can learn no particulars. Herrera's administra-
ton 10 said to be unpopular with the wealthy
classes here. He is said to be too democratic.