The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-05-29
Fo~ D< Nsw Orleans Crescent.
Ths Isthmus OF Tehuantepec.

Sumcl6nt depth TO admit vessels OF medium
draught; and if the navigation Of the river is
obstructed by shadows, snags, RATS, or other
impediments.
So far as relates to tho former he is not prepared
70 answer, otherwise than from information deriv
ed from parties who have crossed the isthmus, and
from the nature of the table lands which he
has travelled. Every person who has creased from
the Pacific, with whom he has convcrsed on the
subject, express their unqualified opinion that
far A. regards the grading. the material Of wood.
stone, ETC., railroad can be constructed equally
a. cheap a. in any part of the United States where
the inequalities Of the ground of similar
ture the obstacles in this respect being not greater
ON tho isthmus than in the hlly country Of New
England.
In regard to labor, 1t il unquestonable there can
DO no difficulty in procuring the services Of the
Indians, who, if properly and prudently managed.
are more valuable than the negro. The wages of
the Indian, on agricultural estates, range from
i've TO six dollars a month
The depth of water on the Coatzacoalcos bar
hardly ever falls short Of eleven feet the prevail
ing depth il twelve feet. The last soundngs which
the writer took, at nearly high water, four days
after the full Of tho moon, gave thirteen feet The
length of the channel the bar, by trianguIation,
10 not less than two hundred and twenty fathoms;
and the width, by actual measurement, is one hum
.dred and eight feet.
A little above the points 81 land which, from the
entrance to tho river, il harbor unrivalled for
safety and convenience. Vessels of any depth
moor alongside of the bank. The land from the
river has gradual descent, and is exempt from in
undation. A village or town must, of necessity,
be located here. The high, billy lands in the vi
cinity fronting the sea, and the lofty ridge that
parallel with the coast. afford excellent sites
for residences. From the nature of the SOIL which
il mixture of sand and loam, well the preva-
lence of the breeze it cannot be otherwise than
salubrious Fish are 20 abundant at the mouth of
tho river that barrels full may be taken at haul
of the seine.
The river up to Minatitan, which is AZ far as the
writer ascended, is navigable for vessels Of the
largest class The least depth at the low stage of
the water is eighteen feet, over limited space. In
all other parts of the channel it ranges from three
and half TO seven fathoms. The banks, with the
exception of two prominent bluffs. . rancho, and
that on which Minattlan is situated, are low, ex-
tending but short distance to the high ridge In
the rainy season they are overlooked. During the
dry season immense herds of cattle feed on the lux
uriant grass.
In regard to the healthiness of the country, the
table lands situated few miles from the river
of unquestionable salubrity. The climate is mild
and dry. During our stay at Minatitlan, parties
belonging to the boat slsp. At Hattipan, and did
not encounter the annoyance of single mosquito
The banks of the river, however, during the sum-
mcr months, are far from being healthy. Inter-
mittent and endemic diseases prevail.
Among the numerous productions of these de-
lightful regions is plant resembling the American
aloe, and from which the natives obtain the siken
hemp, which they manufacture into hammocks,
bags, etc. This plant could easily be cultivated to
considerable extent, and might be made article Of
export. II could be manufactured into garments
and variety Of useful articles.
Among the woods is species of morus- multi
cauls. The silk worms feed on it, and spin their
massive webs Of silk. The writer has in his pos
session a branch, with numerous twigs, covered
with silk Of the finest texture. This taken from
the tree on tho 2lst March; the 25th the leaves
being faded fell off. Notwithstanding the worms
thus deprived Of food, they continued to spin, and
seemed lively up to the 7th April. The woods
abound with this silk.
Cotton of fine fibre and fair staple, some Of
which il in possession Of the writer could be raised
the table lands to any quantity. Likewise cof-
fee of the finest flavor. Strange to say, when we
were at Ninatitlan in March last, the natives were
destitute of coffee. Cane, tobacco, and cocoa
are produced of q superior quality. All these
might become staple exports when once American
capital is introduced, and American skill and en-
ergy are brought to bear upon the cultivation Of
the soil.
Among the various woods may be reckoned the
mahogany tree, which abounds, and attains to an
astonishing size; also various drugs and dyes.
The annatto of the latter we saw growing luxu-
riantly. Further south, where the climate is
;cJS hc ro,c In
abundance.
Besides the various fruits common to tropical
climo, such a. the orange, lemon, banana, and
pineapple. ETC., there exists . variety of delicious
wild fruits. We saw the wild plum tree without
a leaf; tho branches were literally loaded with
fruit, of flavor equal 30 the northern green gage,
which it resembles. A shrub grows in the forest,
which the Indians use a. a substitute for sugar;
species of grain grows profusely, which they often
use ~ substitute for corn. Neither vegetable nor
garden produce are raised by the natives; nor did
We sec in any of tho villages which we visited any
thing like gardcn-not even mellon of any de-
scription. The Indians are the only cutiyators of
the soil, and. when not employed on the extensive
estates of the rich proprietors cultivate the ground
to a very limited extent. With experience, and
the use Of modern agricultural implements, they
might become industrious agricultursts.
In all our intercourse with the Mexican people on
the Isthmus, we invariably found them kind and
courteous. Much has been said Of Mexican treach-
cry and dishonesty. To rcfute this, we need only
appeal to Mr.. QUINN who was left ut Minatitlan in
charge Of the stores belonging to the survey. He
declared he had not missed a single article, not
even old garment. Other Americans corrobo-.
rate what Mr.. @. has stated. They also bear ties.
timony TO their amiablo and friendly department.
In country this Isthmus is, and possessed Of all
the essential elements to reward the industry of
man, it cannot be otherwise than agreeable to
template its rich bounties. Providence, in it's inf
mite wisdom, will decree that it shall not long
main garden ovcrrun with weeds. H. w. f.
SAILING DREorIoss Fon TINE CoArzAcoALcos
RIvER.-Sailing vessels, bound for the Coatzaco-
alcos, ought to make the land to the eastward.
This precauton IL necessary on account of the pre-
vailing tradewinds, which cause strong westerly
current also, in of northsr, TO have the ad-
vantA O6 Of searOom The eptrance tn the river