Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-01-22


day in advance of here while wagons heavily
loaded The weather has been delightful since we left
FL Paso on the 9Th of October not drop Of rain has
fallen The days are generally warm, though not oppres
sye the nights cold that invariably sleep under
| blankets.
| PARRAs, STATE OF CoAHuILA, MEXICO,
NOVEMBER %, 1852.
We arrived at this place last evening all in good health
though somewhat tired of long Journey for we have
not stopped day to rest since leaving chihuahua dis
lance OF more than 500 miles But in this distance
have had many delays repair injuries to our wagons
For the last 100 miles the road has passed hills and
mountains through dees and gorges and have broke
several wagons that win be necessary stop here
at least three days to repair them We then leave for
Saltllo Monterey, and Camargo and hope reach the
latter place in eighteen or twenty days.
We have passed over what is considered the most dan
gerous portion Of the route and many parties had
lately been attacked and the whole country infested by
these robbers and murderers we compelled to
poy guard OF fourteen in addition those
had before We then presented strong force that
came through without opposition. At the well where
encamped the night before reaching here the Caanches
had been but two days before and the day before had
attacked and cut train of pack mules and donkeys
We passed several fresh graves by the road side within
miles of Parras From here west the valleys through
which the Indians pass in their ncursons into Mexico,
and scarcely day passes when less
To give you idea of the murders they commit it
to by gentleman here that from twenty to thr
ty persons killed every month in district extending
from sixty to eighty miles west and the number mules
horses and cattle stolen is many thousands But what
remarkable is that efforts are made to check or
pursue the Indians There soldiers in this part of
the country and there is not spirit and courage among
the people to send out parties themselves in pursuit
They sit down quietly and suffer themselves be robbed
| and their people murdered.
Many entertain the idea that the United States is bound
pay them for all their losses have agreed keep
the Indians out of Mexico We have taken pains tell
them such is not the case that will aid them and do
all in power to protect Them but if they will lift
i met 10 fha
have. Parras contains 1000 200 inhabitants Sal
to from 10000 to 1000, and there many places of
1000 5000; yet all these together cannot raise
hundred armed to protect their lives and property
The result is that the country is becoming depopu
lated Every town have visited is the decline and
many fine estates have been entirely abandoned Even
chihuahua, the largest city in Northern Mexico, has
dwndled down one half and many places which once
tanned 200 5000 inhabitants have now less than 500
There is very little Of interest to the traveller between
FL Paso and this place More than threequarters of the
country no better than DESERT and not fit for cuva-
ton Along the watercourses rich valleys which are
very productive; but owing to the scanness of rain the
land must be irrigated to produce any thing Hence the
attention of the people has been devoted raising
cattle than to cultvatng the se and that they
been robbed Of their stock by the Indians they lost
their all more impoverished country and people do
not exist and the poorest and most miserable population
have amongst beyond Cities enjoy of the
comforts Of life than do the lower classes in Mexico
shall feel thankful when get of the country and
never desire to visit this portion Of again shall love
appreciate the many blessings enjoyed by them until they
visit the miserable poverty stricken, and barren regions
we have traversed.
MONTEREY, STATE OF NEW LEON,
MEXICO DECEMBER IL, 1852
We have got far towards the Rio Grande which is
now but six or seven days journey distant but feel
that the most disagreeabe part is over From Parras
where wrote to you last, journey has been among
settlements and hence agreeable than before But
the Indians have been around here and at Sal
III lluon -lAa.1
approached within three miles Of the town. n few DAYS
before our arrival there and killed several persons Yet
no pursuit was maze. They were permitted quietly to
carry off their booty.
pairs and at Saltillo two for the purpose Our
wagons mostly DID, and continually breaking
down. Then, when we reach town, there me-
chanics TO be found and when they are it is equal
chance that it is feast day. the celebration Of some
saint when they not permitted by their priests to
work. This has occurred in than half the cases
where have been detained More than one-third of
the whole year is devoted by the Mexcans the holy
days and feasts when nothing will induce them to work
It matters not how poor they are how much their fam-
lies may be suering it is for their dleness
and that is sufficient for them.
In Parras and Salo found several foreigners and
Americans from whom received much politeness Sal
tlo and Monterey in possession OF the American
troops under Gen Taylor for nine months during the
but there not half dozen in either place Still
their occupation did much good the people country
is apparent visiters. Monterey is quite an
active place. and exhibits appearance of business such
: as have not seen in any other part of Mexico.
We and have been for week past the region
where General Taylor and his army their laurels
We encamped night at Encanards where Gen Taylor
was encamped when Santa Anna approached with his
% 900 men This six miles from the battlefield of
Buena Vista. We had to pass directly the spot in
the pass where Sherman and Braggs celebrated
battery was which did such terrible execution in that
battle We stopped there couple Of hours and examined
that memorable field from which nearly all Of brought
z away some relic.
Between Satlo and Monterey is the celebrated noun
tain pass of the Rconada the most sublime and grand
scenery surprising any thing have in the whole OF
nv travels This pass is about twelve miles through and
abeu two miles wide with mountains thousand feet
high towering on either side We did not fail TO make
some additions to sketches in this pass In coming
through here Of wagons broke down wheel was
smashed, and had to come in three with IT, We
arrived feast day that Of the Lady Of Guadalupe
patron Saint Of Mexico OF course nothing could bt
done shall be kept here another day to repair our
|, wagon when shall leave for Camargo.
There has been great change in the temperature We
have been in the high table lands aud Monterey Fol
the last six weeks have constantly been on an eleva
ton of from 5000 5000 feet but in the last sixty
i miles we have descended 900 to 5000 feet We ar,
now but 800 feet above the level of the sea- From
barren and cold region we have at into
where the trees hanging with oranges and whore fu
trees Of all kinds abound.