The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-12-18

took the bark seat and commenced the study Of
The Spanish language We made the trip at easy stages
OF about twenty five miles per day and reached The CITY
OF Mexico on the evening OF the 9th OF August The
TRIP was one OF tho longest, most laborous ana hazard
Gus OF my life; but Will not tax your time or mine
with its details, many Of which would interest you
deeply # were there to give them to you.
officials here all that could have expected de
sired. We were invited TO audience with the Emperor
at the palace, the far-faued Halls OF the Monczumas
AT the time fixed we called and were most kindly re-
ceved by the Emperor and Empress and assured
OF their sympathy In misrortunes and of their
nest hope that we might find homes for ourselves aud
friends n Mexico. The Empress Interpreter in
the interview She speaks fucnty the French Spanish
German and English languages, and is in all respects
We overlook at the city OF Mexico General Magrudcr
Commod re haury Governor Allen, of louisiana Judge
Perkins, oil Louisiana; Governor Reynolds, OF Missouri
and Governor MurTah and Governor Clark, of Texas,
with many other and lesser Confederate lights On
bh OF september the Emperor published decree open
ing all Of Mexico to immigration and colonization and
Commodore Maury and myself and other Confcderates
were requested TO prepare regulations to accompany tho
decree which we did, and which approved by the
Emperor the 9th. The and regulations offer
very liberal inducements TO immigration AMONGST which
are donation OF pablo lands at the rate OF six hundred
and forty acres TO each head of family, and three
hundred and twenty acres to each single man. free
passage to the country to such not able pay
Their own expenses freedom from taxation for year.
and from military duty for i've years, religious tolera
tion &c, &c. sr
missioner Of colonization t,hich makes has authority in
ne matter 81 colonization second only q thai Of NE En-
appointed agents OF colonization, and requested TO
anime the lands lying upon and the line of railroad
determining whether they we're suited TO American
colonization We are engaged at this time IN the dis
charge of that duty We find in The r'cnIy q ns plaee
H. most beautiful, and al things considered ne tet dgri
cultural country that haze The climate
is delightful. never hot never cold, always tenn
perate always pleasant The soil richer and more produc
tive than the best OF the prairie lands OF Mississippi
the 0kolona country yielding large crops OF corn barley
rice tobacco sugar cane and coffee with all fruits Of
raise two crops of corn on the same land each year. the
usual mode Of farming here crop of corn and crop
OF tobacco on the same land the ripenng always
before time to plant tobacco and ten miles from here IN
the direction of the coast you strike as good cotton
country can be found in the world.
The most profitable crop here is coffee you plant about
six hundred trees to the IL begins to bear
at two and produces full crop at four years DID, yol
can always calculate safely on an average OF two pounds
to the tree, though there instances of trees bearing
as high as twenty eight pounds The tree hardy and
will live fifty or one hundred years 1t costs about as
much labor to cultivate and put into market oil
coffee as 1t does Of corn in Georgia
Tho coffee plantation, with its shade OF bananas figs
oranges mangos and zapotes with the walks fringed
with pine apple all in full bearing is the richest and
most beautiful spectacle upon which my eyes have ever
rested | have selected six hundred and forty acres
about ten miles from here, where propose to surround
myself with the coffee plantation, IN the midst Of which
will nestle down. constantly nhakng the odors Of the
rich tropical fruits, and gaudy colored and fragrant
tropical flowers, in atmosphere Of perpetual spring.
turning the to the northwest you constantly be-
hold the snowcapped peaks OF Orizaba and Popo Cata
pet from which can draw my ice at all seasons Of tho
year.
There are about thirty Confcderates now here all Of
whom will locate their lands and the work OF
settlement within week or ten days.
The place where begin the first colony was highly
improved and in high state Of cultivation hundred
years ago. The extensive ruins Of what was mag
ncen structures show that these haccndas highly
productive and the homes Of wealth. luxury and refine
mcnt but about fifty years since slavery abolished
in the State Of Vera Cruz and the proprieors of these
magnificent estates left the country with the large for
tunes they had amascd The church seized the lands and
allowed them to lie idle and go TO ruin. Tho buildings
upon each Of those places must have cost from 800 900
to $500, 600 The church held the property I'LL about
Ave years SINCE when IL taken by the government
and the government now sells to US for colonization Of
family and $40 to each single man. a credit OF one,
two three, four and five years THIS !. The Leainaing
| Of The first Confcd-rate cotmy ia Mrioo Among
those who propose to settle immediately orc
General Price and General shelby, from Missouri
Judge Perkins, OF Louisiana and myself Tho
Of this country are such insure fortune 10 iht
energy and industry that has usually characterized ouI
remain undeveloped long; but this is the ndo
lent lazy and worthless population on earth
win many of the people Of the Southern states feel in.
| cned TO seek now homcs2 or will they follow the
example Of Lee Johnston and others? Mexico presents
the finest field that have for the enterprise
Of people, and that slavery abolished in the
| South, hired labor be much easily procured
the United States do not propose, however, TO urge
even advise any one TO como-I only propose 10 give
them facts and leave them TO decide for themselves
| have done for myself Such feel inclined TO come
will be received with open arms aud cordial welcome.
But enough Of this.
Where il Forrest, and what Is he dong2 and where
and how Is everybody else2 for have heard from none
/ Of our friends since left Mississippi
Give my kind regards to Mrs Adair, Robin, Jack and
Forrest and kiss Mary for me- and tell her that would
give great pleasure to have roInp with her this
| evening
| Write me fully and do your best at penmanship SO
that may be able read at least the greatest part
the letter Gent You copy OF the Mexican Neics, an
i English newspaper edited by Governor Allen about a
| month ago hope you received II, though there was
very little OF interest In II except that IL shows the
fact that had started American nospdper at The
city of Merico. neglected to TO You that this
| place Is situated the line OF railroad from
Vera Cruz to the city OF Mexico, seventy miles
west OF Vera Cruz The railroad is In operation
within eighteen miles Of this place and all the balance
TO the city OF Mexico is under contract and the work rap
idly progressing II few hours by rail from hrT
Vera Cruy; from Vera Cruz II is three days by
New Orleans and from New Orleans II Is three fou
days by rail To Atlanta. so you see that still
! neghbors IL you should remain In Georgia TIL
rad is omed ~ Engiish company but Is almost
| ttrey in Amer icdn hands.
| My health is excellent and feel that II cannot BE-
otherwise in this charming climate Direct your lettc
| to me at Cordova, Mexico And In conclusion lot
beg you this horrid dsjointcd letter,
was written the midst OF n crowd, half of whom
| them. Very truly your friend,
| IsHAM G. HARRIS
MARINE DISASTERS.