Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-02-14


about four leagues in that direction, and ter
at the hacinda Of San Miguel Cue
gueyapars, there is a vast amount of mourn
tain Limestone pebble mixed in the coll
This region, like that Of the Matlaynia range,
i always covered with forests OF different
species, and abounds in walnut, cedar, the
gatNado, the zapotilio, the eosadiilo, the bal
sam, and Others.
The district Of Cordovs, in which we we're
pow entering. contains als,st thirty-seven
thousand inhabitants. IL is bounded on the
east by the district Of Vera Cruz, on the
north BY Jaiapa, and on the west and south
by Orizaba It's area is calculated at two
hundred and twenty-four square leagues Of
fiye thousand varas each, and contains an
average population Of one hundred and
twenty-seven to the league, or every three
miles. 1880 s. aatrf 81
Thecity Of Cordoya, which we reached at
noon, bears no resemblance whatever to any
of our Northern cities, thriving in the midst
of busy population, with their freshly
painted houses, large and regular streee and
elegant mansions. Cordova, notwi;hstand-
ing is beautiful surroundings, looks like a
Spanish city Of the middle age, deeply
plunged into an incurable drowsiness, and
incapable Of any motions Of its own. With
a population Of about twelve thousand souls,
mostly Of mixed blood, high steepled
churches larger than any one in the United
States, nice fountains and fine shades, this
city has not the youthful appearance, the
green and freshness, OF eur American towns
Of the same size.i Looked at at distance,
with cloud Of dust hanging over her head,
YOU would say II was a city just emerging
from under the ashes Of the extinguished
volcanoes looming mp in the distant horizon.
The houses are low, strongly built, massive
in their proportions, with pillars in che
front as . protection against earthquakes
and do not appear either pleasant or cori-
Portable. Several Of them are in lament
able state Of decay, and seem as If they had
been abandoned BY their inmates.
When entered Cordova I saw, in the
midst of the plaza, q native Of the country
leaning on a stick, looking with cold inttit
ference upon the scenery around. This
Mexican, type ofthe working class Of tbs,
country, wore pair of threadbare trowser
reaching TO his knees, and ON his shoulders
what might once have been Mexican
blanket, but which was now no better than a
discolored rag Of hugh dimensions. BY his
side was his wife, as poorly clad as himself
with worn out blanket rolled around her
waist and falling down TO her ankles and
another thrown over her shoulders and bare
ly concealing her breast. Both were bare
footed. Near them were three copper col
ored children, entirely naked. As we drew
near, the woman came to'us with basket Of
zapotilia, bananas and pine apples, which
sell here for something ike cent apiece.
She was assisting her husband in makiag a
living for the family. At first You have
some difficulty 10 overcome the unfayorable
impression made upon your mind by the
Pwretched appearance Of these forlorn csea-
lures. Nor are their moral and intellectual
qualities calculated to modify that impress
sion. The native of the country of Indian
and Spanish blood, born and bred in a kind
of semi-servitude, maintained in that state by
his employer, who makes fortune out Of
his ignorance and superstition, unable 10
fnd himself, or in the classes, above him, the
strength and protection required for his ele-
Tasion, is certainly one Of greatest draw
backs Mexico has to endure. Nothing short
of the infusion of new blood and a ewrace,
assisted by Government having really the
intention TO regenerate this unfortunate
class, and acting accordingly, can bring that
country tea complete confidence in itseif
and dessinies. This work will necessarily
be arduous and long. It will require all
the skin of the statesman and Of the phi.
lanthropist, and must of course be attended
by great troubles and great trials. But the
result Of such a work viii be Invaluable, fol
it viii weed the country from the banditti
who are infesting il, and will substitute in
their stead superior population, capable oI
appreciating the benefit of regular Gsoy-
ernment, ready TO acauiescs In the laws, and
disposed, at all times, TO cooperate with the
local and national authorities in the main
tenance Of peace and order. -
Fortunately, GSr2aya possesses other A.
fractions than its native population. Several
foreigners have recently established them
selves here who, no doubt, will, ere long,
contribute 20 increase the hidden resources
of the country, and impart . healthier tone
to society. What makes 1t more attractive
still, to Americans at least, is that it has
been selected by few runaway rebels, as
the headquarters Of an infant colony, located
at a distance of ten miles, and having the
prospect Of becoming some day one of the
chief cities of the district. What heard
Of the colony and of the men composing il,
suggested to me the idea TO deviase slightly
from the straight line and to examine II
with my own eyes II was the first time for
over century that born American citizen
was allowed to witness settlement Of his
selfexiled countrymen, and thesight Of such
an undertaking was, in my estimation, suf-
fciently interesting and curious to modify
my programme, and to make nae remain in
this city longer than / intended.
In accordance with the advice Of my
friends, paid visit to ex-Judge Perkins,
Of Louisiana, who has been appointed by
General Magruder land agent for the
district of Cordova. / found him in small
room hardly furnished his desk, or rather
the table ON which he wrote, loaded with
bundles and papers, himself classifying them
according TO date and character, The Judge
received me with great cordiality; said he
was always glad to see Americans; asked
me several questions concerning the state Of
affairs south and north Of the Potomac !;
spoke Of President johnson rather eulogisti-
cally, but did not believe he would or could
carry out his plan regarding the South.
The abyss between the two sections Of the
country is too great TO be bridged over BY
however liberal they may
be. Asto himself he was decided never 70
set his foot again in the United States. He
did not believe a Southerner could live
there any longer. He had become subject
Of Maximilian with the firm belief that no
inward revolution, nor outward pressure,
could shake hi' chrome or protract the work
Of regeneration he had undertaken. He
gave me several reasons in support Of his
opinions, all based upon the fact that his
throne had received guarantees Of stability
before his departure from Miramon, and
that they were sufficient 10 preserve Il
against any hostile attempt at home and
abroad.
When informed the judge Of the chief
object Of my visit, he immediately offered
me all .he facilities desired. "Since you
wish to see our colony" said he, Il will do
II l can 70 satisfy you He called Rebel
'oldier standing at the door, and ordered
him to fitch two horses, one fog himself, the
,ther for me. When saw the two animals
could not help thinking that the colony
vas not in a very hourishing condition.
They were spawned, lame, and Of very
iiminutive size. They stumbled several
INES on the way, and were 20 hard of mouth
hat steam engine could not have made
hem feel the bride. The Judge was much
Imused ut my efforts 70 keep my horse In
he right direction Don't be angry said
le, laughingly, against these poor creatures;
I is not their fanlt II they don't follow the
iraighf line; II il the fault Of education.
hey have been trained BY guerfilIaros.s
fe inforfncd me that horxca hrnfsttfsf M. II