Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-02-18


zen published We give below some extracts from
he second part, which has just been completed.
he public curiosity having been lately attracted to
e vast and fertile regions Of the Amazon from the
emoir of Lieut. MAuRY and the reports OF Lieut..
rpNnoN and Lieut. GIBBoN, OF the Navy, these
tract, from the report of the latter officer will
ssess interest for most OF our readers
ROUGH NOTES ON THE ANDES
ma a small town in Perjury Alpha and Beta CEN
thin latitude lie 25/ south, is situated in rch well
ctvated narrow valley, between the Andes range Of
nntains on the east and the lofty Cordera chain on
Invest
the 9th July, 1851, the writer turned southeast,
acnpaned by Henry c. Richards, native Of Virginia,
In United States and Jose Casas of Spanish descent
nate Of Peru volunteer mestizo arrero with his little
sonarove train Of mules which carried the baggage.
Oupath was shaded by willow trees and the way OBJ
stred with droves Of amas loaded with rock salt from
mint in the neighbcrhood The leaves of the trees
seema calling for water while the temperature Of the air
ut midday in the shade 68o Fahrenheit Peach and
apple zee leaves doubled up showing both their edges to
the sun the fruit is small obong, and unthrfty looking
The rape through which ascend is thicky populated
with QuShua Indians Their houses are built of stone
and wood and matched with coarse mountain grass The
natives are basiy employed gathering the harvest
maize, which il small-graned, and OF four coors red,
white yellow and blue It is Of excellent quality
rally usedas food roasted parched Potatoes of which
there varieties, are also now gathered.
They grow perfection though much smaller than their
descendants in the United States. The little estates
chacras) nwnsd by of Indians
In almost all the cultivation of the soil is performed
by aborgnes at wages from ten to twenty cents day.
rise above the foliage the mountain tops begin to
look wild and barren with rocks and red clay Below
have beautiful view of the town Of Tarma, amidst It's
green trees and pasture fields My mule Rose pants for
breath she fat and plump that the climbing troubles
her On the mountain side is seated ne-ooking In
dian blowing seni-crcular shaped trumpet made Of
number of cows horns slipped into the other with the
joints sealed He don't to be particular to the
tune as he does the distance he may be heard and he
makes the valley ring Jose thinks he is trying to blow
mp a wedding with fair among the flowers below.
The Indians celebrate harvest time with merry making.
Their meals cooked in the fields where their kitchen
utensils are carried They have music and dancing in
the barley stubble 1t is amusing to these happy
people enjoying themselves in the open air pass
the reapers seated the road in bareyfeld ut din
upon the ground in behind the other laugh
ing and talking among themselves. When we meet them
they very civil modest and unassuming in manners
The men carry enormous loads Of barley wheat on
their backs while the drive the loaded and
sling the children over their own shoulders Their
horses mules sheep, horned CATTLE pigs, and dogs are
all admitted together with the family into the harvest
field While the father reaps and mother gathers the boys
tend the ocks and the elder girls take of the ba
bies and the cooking while at the same time they spin
wooen yarn by hand for stockings One of them offer
ed pair for sale at twenty-five cents which pretty
nearly long enough for trousers They always en-
ployedgo to bed early and rise before the sum- their
1ncas taught them to do.
At the top Of the mountain not house tree to
be and sign of cultivation. On tufts of
mountain grass flock of sheep grazing some Of
them Merinos and of good size. Their wool is sert to
Lima where is sold to be exported around Cape Horn
to the manufacturers in the north.
To the east snow-peaked mountain and as the
rises if from the Atlantic ocean, followed by
cold north wind The sky is clear and of deep blue
On our left see the remains of an ancient Peruvian
road such as was used in the times of the Incas 1t is
said that good roads marks of civilizations could my
mule Rose give her opinion she would certainly decide
in favor of the Inca road in preference to those found in
Peru the present time These remains show width
of thirty feet of rock pavement with welplaced curb
stone ON each side Where the road has considerable
cnaton Of stone placed higher than the
general level of the pavement that it appears like
stairway on the side Of hill That it was not coach
road is argument against it. 1t made before the
horse the ass the COW were introduced into South
America from Europe 1t was constructed for the Indian
and his llama who is the surest OF the surefooted and
therefore the Improvement speaks well for the civilian
tion Of those times of which have but Evolutionary
record. a0a
Passing over plain on the mountain top, there
cstern by the side of path where water is caught
during the rainy to supply the thirsty in the dry
The rainy commences here about the middle Of
September, sometimes later, and lasts six months the
remainder of the year is dry.
Night had overtaken where not living thing was
to be seen except black eagle returning to its roostng
place under overhangng rocks. On the west side OF
lofty peak little pitched the baggage piled
I'D and covered at the door the mules let free for the
night to feed upon the mountain grass around fire
was kudled and water from small spring heated tea
was made. Jose produced bread and cheese from his
saddle Wallets placed upon clean cloth over trunk
Looking into the tent, he says, very slowly, Senor la
bora de sir it is the hour of supper. Both men
and beasts seem tired. We have assembled all day. The
first days travel is always the most harassing Our Ar
riero Francisco mestizo is small slim built man, with
respectful manners; he and his little Ignacio keep
watch by turns the mules. The little boy is out
while his father gets supper. The night clear and
cold the shining brightly. The world is not 80
silent in the middle of the do not think heard
any thing almost listened to hear the globe turn upon
its axis Long after the people asleep heard lit
tie gnacio singing to himself wrapped up in his home
spun pouche, as he follows the mules.
AT daylight in the morning found heavy frost and
ice about u.s. with thermometer at 24o and wet bulb 30
The mules loaded breakfast over, observations
made and off after sunrise. This is the way to
travel at on elevation where we find no inhabitants
The mountains are becoming more rounding, and COW
cred with fine sort Of grass Shepherdesses follow
ing thousands Of sheep and lambs The girls spin wool
we pass close to the flock and the sheep back these
dogs make furious attack upon u.s. keeping between us
and their flock The temperature of spring of excellent
water near the path 48o. To the southeast snow
peaks stand up in full view. The day is warm and plea
Here cheerful party of ladies and gentle
on horseback. As pass each other the gentlemen
take off their hats and the prey under their
white straw Their figures show to advantage in rid
ing dresses they manage and sit their horses WELL The
cool mountain air gives them fresh color which contrasts
well with gazelleeyed beauty and long black hair
thought their dresses rather short but sight Of the foot
of Of them small it was reminds one there is proof
positive against the propriety Of mans travelling
through this world alone.
Now we meet the market Indian driving asses loaded