The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-11-04

importance oil the Trade OF the Rio Grande
The recent exploration Of the Rio Grlnde, an
account of which was published, has called our
attention TO the great importance TO the commercial
community Of the trade of that valley. Situated
as il IL, within about two weeks sail Of our city.
it seems 10 ug to offer great field for the enterprise
of the mercantile portion of our community
Already do we sec towns sprineng up, as it
were by magic, on and near its banks, and repre-
sented to be in the most fourishing condition
Amongst them we may name Brownsville, popula-
ton 1900; Matamorls, Ian old established place,
by the by,) population 5000; Freeport, -; ca
margo, population 2,0o0; Roma, 500; Alcantes,
1000; Preside, 1900; and Guerrero, 1000; and
other places Of hardly lees notes and this, too, at
time when the country was oyenun by Indians,
and its soil and productions almost wholly un-
known TO the people Of the Atlantic States The
establishment OF line OF military posts on this
river, by the Government of the United States ex-
tending up as far as FL Pesc, as they ore bound to
do by the late treaty with Mexico, 10 suppress Ia.
dian depredsiions, will open a range Of country not
surpassed for fertility, by the richest lands of the
Mis- sissiPpi, aud with climate the most saubrous
Already has the Government established several
posts, viz; Of Fort Polk Fort Brown, RInrpold's
Barracks, Fort Mcintosh, and Fort Duncan, and
we understand, they are about establishing another
at " I'll Psso," the whole of which will give SO.
curity TO this most important valley, which. AT n
comparatively trilng expense, can b. payigaled
by steamboats,, for upwards of 400 m les from the
mouth 0fthe Rio Grsnde.
TO give but faint idea of the capabilities Of this
valley, we shall make an extract from a letter TO
the Hon. w. l.. Marcy, written 10 him while
Secretary of War, and describing the extreme end
OF the valley of the Rio Grande by IL gaso.
EI E1S S W% rG msIeT HESe tS His
dated FL Paso, January p, lSi7 aud published in
the Washington Union, May 10, ls7 .
"My object in this Communication, is give the War
Department and the country at large idea Of the
resources. Of the fuitu valley Of Nj Paso and OF its
Importance TO the United states The settlement Of
El faso extends from the falls of the Rio Graude on
the north the Preside the south distance of
TIVE Htytwo miles, aud l, one continuous orchard and
vineyard emorsei 10 u. ample area an Industrious
This spacious valley Is about midway between santa
Fe and chihuahua and IL isolatedfrom all other Next
can settlements, BY the mountains that rise sn the
east and the west and clese into the on the north
and south. The breadth Of the valley Is about ten
miles. The falls are two miles north OF the public
ouare and afford suicicnt water lor grit and saw
mills enough to supply the entire settlement with
sour and lumb,r. The most important production OF
the valley, IL the grape. frem which are Annually
manufactured not less than two hundred thonsaud
gaous Of perhaps the richest and beet vines the
world THIS wine In worth two dollars per GALLON. aud
constitutes the principal revenue OF toe city The III
Psso vines superior in richness of flavor ard plea
ssLtnsts or ,aste 70 enysnne e'r met WIN IN me
best wit produced in The Valley OF the Rhine
the sunny hills Of Fra nee. Great Quantities OF
the grape Of this valley are dried and preserved In
clusters Tor use during the winter In ths state re.
card them far superior TO the best rssins ever i'm
rerted into the Unted states Ifths valley waa oult
waited By on energetic American population 10 would
Weld perhaps, ten times the qutntity Of vines and
fruits az present pSocured
Pear apples, peaches quinces, snd figs are pro.
duced n the greatest TrcfusiOn. The climate Of this
country is most luxurioss and hsalthful
Add 90 the iiuit and wines Of this
rich valley vast quantity Of corn, wheat ana other
fns erains and the surplus rfoducton Of the plaoe
will under It's present state o. agriculture amount 20
near one million Of dollars per annvm. What then
would be the amount CT the surplus, under American
rgricultOrein
When we take into consideration. that the
whole If this valley, from the north Of me Rio