The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1867-05-29
A Trip Through Mexico.

teresung information regarding the interior
Mexico from the note book of Mr. White. la
bearer ofdispatches from the United Stat
Government to Juarez, the Liberal ruler
that country:
lie left Matamoros on Monday morning
April 9Th, and arrived at Monterey the even
ing of the Goth distance, two hundred an
seTenty-fiVe miles. The country the entr
distance is generally level, covered create
part Of the way with chapparel, and of a will
nature, up to point forty miles this side Q
Monterey. From thence into the city tn
country is beautiful and well cultivated, will
Inc looking crops of wheat, corn and vegeta
bles The city, which has a fine appearance
is well supplied with water, brought in by two
canals from neighboring mountain stream
The population is about forty-fivc thousand
The scenery around the city is rather GRAND
consisting of high mountainous peaks one O
which in particular, is called Saddle Noun
tam, from its close resemblance to saddle
On the evening of his arrival Mr.. w. had
nm interview with Gen. Gomez, who is a small
lightly built man Of about fifty years, Of darl
complexion with clean shaven INTELLIGENT
lace and who speaks no English, but as an
onset, is the father of two handsome, educa-
ted daughters. General Gomez gave him ali
'he necessary information in an aflabe and
gentlemanly manner, and on the morning of
the 17th, Mr. w. renewed his Journey towards
San Luis by stage.
Monterey to Saltillo-distance, sevcntv-fye
miles, Country quite rough and rocky, and
one very high mountain to be crossed. With
IN twelve miles of SatiIlo the country becomes
perfectly level and open, with slight spots of
light chapparel. The land from thence into
me city is rich and finely cropped with wheat,
corn ana variety of vegetables On the high
mountain peaks there are rich signs of ore,
Principally lead. The city Of Saltilo is quite
pretty, and contains population Of thirteen
thousand, and supplied with excellent water
from numerous wells throughout the city
On the morning of the 18th, Mr.. W. left
SaltlIlo for Encarnaeion distance eighty five
miles. Three leagues out of Saltillo the road
enters valley and passes over the battle
field of Beuna Vista. Near the road on this
field is standing solitary tree, which is
pointed out by those in the Immediate vicinity
as beng the exact spot where the lamented
Colonel Clay fell, and under whose shade he
was standing at the time. The old, hastily
erected Notifications still remain, though in a
dilapidatcd condition. From Satillo to En-
carnaclon the country is rolling, but uninhab-
tied, owing to the absence of water Encar-
naclon is an extensive ranch, on which there
is large church. 1t is relay for stage ami
mails, and has some three hundred people liy-
ing on it,
Mr.. W. left Encarnacion for Ccdral on the
morning of April 10Th, distance one hundred
and forty miles; country poor, destitute of
water, and uninhabited, except on isolated
ranches used for relays. Ccdral is moder-
ately fine city Of about eight thousand people
Left Cedral for Catorce on the morning of the
goth, passing through Matahuala, distance one
hundred and twenty miles. Around Matahua-
Ia the country is well settled and is in a good I
state of cultivation. The city is a fine, stir
ring place of about eight thousand people, and |
there arc n number Of silver mines in its imme-
diate vicinity The country, from Cedral to
Calorce is mostly rolling, quite well watered /
and moderately well settled. Catorce is
mining town, and contains fine mill for work
ing crude silver ore into bars: population about
eight thousand.
Lett Catorce on the morning of April 21st
for San Luis, passing through Venado; dis
lance one hundred and thirty miles Country
passed through mostly a valley, and generally /
covered with chappare, and tbinly settled.
Venado is city Of fifteen thousand, and was
a very important point to the Imperialists
while in their possession, being the key to Mon
terey, Tampico and Zacatecas. Thirty miles
this side of San Luis the country assumes a
better appearance, and is finely cultivated and
well watered. Forty miles out of San Luis an
escort Of twenty-five men meets the stage, to
conduct it into the city, owing to the guerrl-
las which infest the roads.
Arriving in San Luis on Sunday evening,
April 2lst, at four o'clock, Mr. White immedi-
atey delivered his dispatches. The next day
he had three interviews with be heads of Gov
including President Juarcz and a
1umber of his secretaries, and at twelve o'clock
IN Monday night, had concluded all his bust
lcss, and was ready to leave Tuesday morn
Dg on the return trip.
Juarez is slow moloncd, stout, heavy built
nan, about fifty years ofage u full blooded
indian, with short, straight, black hair and
yes, clean shaven, broad and coarse fea- s
ured face, expressive of much determination
nd general intelligence, and has long and
veil set head. He was dressed with much I
aste and ncatncss, in black broadcloth, and
VI d ihdu vi HlS StAe anu ScLtias MANI ny, ;
as a good address, and a most easy, if not to s.
ny graceful, gait and carriage Of person. His
tterance is slow, and marked with much de- J
ison; he, however, speaks no English 4
MIR. White was treated, by Juarez and lis !
flicials, with much courtesy and considera-
on; in fact, the department of all the Mexi- P
an officials with whom his mission brought 6
i'm in contact, was of such a character as Il
'ould suggest the idea that it was intended to n
onvey favorable impression of the liberal
luse and government through him, to the
nited States authorities. VI
San Luis is a large city Of fifty thousand g
eople, we'll supplied with good water from n
ellis There are number of heights around D
which could be made excellent defenses for m
lie city. 1t contains magnificent cathedral, o.
churches, aud splendid thcater. 9
he governors palace is.also a splendid struc- I'll
ne, fronting on fine plaza. W
On Tuesday morning, April 22d, at three $;
clock A. NJ, Mr.. White left San Luis, and ar y
we'd in Matamoros on Tuesday evening, q
.pril 50th, and came over 10 Brownsville the a
ext morning. al