Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1865-12-23

In
Country ON the RaiIrOads-The End
ing Toward the Freneh-Loi siie fco'
Nerro-The Mineral wealth Of the
Iand-Mincs BEING Iteopencd-sfis'o-
Nv ofSome Of Them. etc, etc, etc'
From the Correspondence oftho New York News
MAzAT1AN. Mexico, Nov. 10, 1865.
rb;s nIace i the landing port and CONNER
c;,I mari for this State lSinaloa,) and Du-
rIneo. II has population Of from 10 to To-
600 situated upon the Gulf OF California,
without scarcely any harbor. All the Euro
pean goods Of every description for these two
states. consumed in the central portion and
sold in remote districts, are landed and sold
here and carried on mules throughout the
country. IL is a mode of transportation 10
which tbe Nexicans have been accustomed,
and notbinc seems TO change them. Wagons
are too modern TO be used by them. Some
of the mining companies use them Tor the
TRANSPORTATION Of their machinery, and a few
others are used by foreigners. In travelling
from here to Durango, i have seen some as
fine agricultural land as i have ever seen
any where. From the small patches the soil
seems rich and productive, even with Next
can cultivation. The average production OF
Che VALLEYS | have passed through IN gong
from here 10 the mineral districts IN the
mountains Of Durango, is said 10 be twenty
bushels of wheat. and from thirty 10 forty Of
corn to one acre Of these rich valleys, not
one acre in hundred is in cultivation. II
the valleys were occupied by a population
from the United States, all would be cultiva-
ted like garden, and nowhere would the
care and industry of a farmer meet so rich a
reward.
The system Of agriculture by the natives
is 20 wretchedly bad, that il is difficult to
form any correct opinion Of the productive
ness Of the soil, unless il be from the opera
tions Of a small number Of Americans (cit-
zcns of the United States, most of whom
have devoted their principal attention to
cotton. And do not think ] have heard Of
an instance among them that was not a sue
cess.
The pillow in usiversal use among the Mex
leans Is that used two thousand years ago,
nothing more nor less than a wooden wedge
without a particle Of iron attached TO it.
The hoe is a wooden staff, with an iron spike
in the end. And another remarkable fact
is. that the only animal used in blowing is
the OK; planter may have large herds of
mules and horses, still he will only use his
oxen in the pillow. If you ask why this is,
the only answer j can give, these people
never change their habits, nor anything
else but their government. All the passion
for change which exists in other people, with
them is concentrated in political changes.
1t isa peculiar characteristic, which has
done much TO produce the present degra-
ded condition Of the country. Ii is n re-
markablc fact there is not railroad in the
country, with the exception of one partially
completed between Vera Cruz and the City
of Mexico, which owes its beginning to
English and American enterprise
Constantly as the contrast between every
thing here and in the United States is pre-
scented, the feelings which are excited are
not so much Of pride in our superiority Of
everything as sympathy for the wretched
condition of a country upon which boun-
tiful Providence has showered its blessing
with more proluse hand than upon any
other upon the face Of the earth.
While in our cities and towns ouhear the
busy hum of incessant industry, the whistle
Of the steam engine, here one is reminded of
Our cemeteries.
While other nations have been making
railroads, they have been making revolu-
tions--forty-six of which they have had in
forty years.
The export Of these two States is nothing
but silver Notwithstanding logwood, gutta
percha, mahogany, rosewood and lignumvita
are indigenous, and some of them stand in i'm
monse forests, have yet to see where stick
of either has been cut for transportation. All
the tropical fruits oranges, lemons, pine
apples, etc, grow here profusely, and Of SUI
perior quality, none of which are ever sent
TO foreign market. The peach grows as
large and fine as ip any part of the world,
still all of that dried fruit which is used is
imported from the West Indies.
The people seem 10 have no idea of the
value OF the natural products of the country,
and in speaking TO them of the value of their
different woods, their notions are they are
only used for fire everywhere as here.
In passing the road from here TO Durango
you pass through a country inexpressibly
picturesque and beautiful yet the Ignorant,
idle and degraded population, and almost
absence Of anything like enterprise and inn
provement, with a general appearance of
wilderness, is apt TO produce feelings par
taking Of gloom and melancholy.
These States are now under the entire
control of the French, they having driven
out all belligerents, and TO their credit must
be said, stopped the many bands of robbers
which have heretofore infested this country:
they have made many beneficial changes,
but vet there is much 20 do.
The universal sympathies and influence of
capitalists are, and have been from the be-
ginning, with the French. Most of the
estates, mines and capital is in the hands Of
foreigners-Spaniards English, Germans
and a few Americans, (the Spaniards are
much the more numerous) When asked
L. - : Al. l.. Il. Il
20 possess the country, the answer from all
Is: We wish Government have suffered
much by not having one the French bid
fair 20 give us one first They further say
they have no partially for the French over
other nations, but from them, under the cir
cumstanccs, they expect sooner Govern
ment that will induce and protect emigrants,
who will devclope the hidden wealth of the
country that would have lain dormant under
the old Mexican rule, who, instead of en-
couraging enterprise, place insurmountable
obstacles in its way.. To illustrate, thew
refer You TO their own State-with a rich
soil and n climate adapted TO everything
which grows out OF the earth, and possessing
every metal used by man-almost a wilder
ness so far as improvements are concerned.
l have seen many negroes in Mexico, and
il is a mistaken idea that they enjoy a social
equality even with the Indian population.
There is no political distinction, but the
aristocracy Of color is as great here as in any
place have ever seen. In no place have |
seen greater pride shown of no cross in
blood than is shown by the Castilian here.
The negro here is looked upon little
lower than the lowest the same law, filthy
and vicious creature they become every
where when not held in bondage. Bondage
or barbarism seems TO be their destiny-a
destiny from which the Ethiopian race has
furnished no exception in any country. The
only idea the free negro of Mexico has of
liberty is, exemption from labor and the
privilege 10 be vicious, idle and dishonest.
As 20 sentiments Of liberty, and eleyatiug
consciousness Of equality, the former they
are incapable Of and the latter never did or
will exist among them. There is a line
which cannot be passed by any degree Of
talent, virtue or accomplishments.
The greater of these, which may exist in
rare cases, and the nearer their possessors
may approach this indispensable barrier,
they are only the more miserable This
may be called prejudice; if it is, il exists
wherever the Caucasian race is found and
nowhere is ii stronger than in Mexico.
The mineral interest consists ofiron, cop
per, tin and silver. None Of the mines of