The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1859-08-31
COMMUNICATIONS.

new Mexico Correspondence.
Foar UNIoN, N. MEXICO, July Is, 1859.
Dear Colonel:-I concluded my letter the
other day rather abruptly, for the reason that
nv sitting was disturbed by call for "dinner,"
since which time have not had leisure mo-
ment until the present.
The closing part Of my last letter believe
expressed the admiration which felt in wit
Messing the Mexican women smoking. fully
believe that one half of their time is spent in
this agreeable occupation. Every man and
woman in the country carries q small bunch Of
corn shucks, cut about three inches long, which
arc used for cigar wrappers. The tobacco is
enclosed in one of these, the ends turned down,
and the cigarette is ready for smoking.
The Camanches are now very troublesome,
having committed many depredations, and the
troops are in hot pursuit after them. It is the
fervent wish of every white person in the Ter
rtory that the Indians will all be wiped out,
which is however extremely improbable, - in
about every conflict which has taken place late
y the soldiers have been defeated.
New Mexico is an extremely mountainous
country-about every town is separated from
others by range of mountains. The people
in the northern part Of the territory are mostly
poor; while in the southern part,-wbich is by
far the best part of the country,-they arc gen.
orally speaking rich; that is, in the Mexican
sense, which means that if a man has q few
thousands or even hundreds of dollars he is rich.
Ibave learned the truth of the old adage that
"Misfortunes never come single" Since the
rascally P. o. Department abolished my Office
hare been continually in bad luck Every.
thing has conspired to keep me back. have
suffered everything except actual taruation
sincs l left Iowa-having gone two days or
more without food. A fit emblem Of the prod
igal son am I-work cannot, and too proud to
beg. Iexpected to find an uncle of mine out
here-a colonel in the army; but he had gone
to the States before my arrival My motto how.
ever, is, "Keep stiff upper lip" I intend to
make my way to the southern part of the terri.
tory where can get = good situation. have
some thoughts Of going down to Old Mexico,
and offering my services to the Liberal party; I
now speak Spanish like a native. Wherrvvr I
stop will write to you. Give my regards to
CHARLEY SoUrHMAYD.
To illustrate the state Of morals in this coun.
ny would merely mention that almost every
unmarried man in the territory keeps a mistress,
and in fact a. far as peace of mind is concerned
It 10 better TO adopt this temporary arrangement
than TO marry Mexican woman. In the lat
ter instance, they think that marriage confert
upon them the right to be unfaithful, while il
the former case it is extremely rare that the!
ever divide their affections. The inhabitants il
this part of the territory are scattered over {
large tract Of country, and seeing or hearing
anything of interest is almost impossible; ant
knowing that nothing else ever appears in tn
columns of the Times, l will close-trusting tina
ny next letter will be dated in . more interest
ing part Of tho country than this. W.s.F.