Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-06-06


volver, So We had forty.four shots. |
think we would have made it very warm
for the robbers II they had come upon
us. The fact is, they generally know
who is In the stage, because they have
men watching the coach as 1t leaves
town; and II there are armed Amerl.
cans, they let the stage alone. Soon
after we left a small place called Salinas,
early in the morning, the American on
the outside said, "Be readyW We drew
our revolvers and looked out, and saw
eight mounted and armed Mexicans; but
they said Good morning" politely, and
also that they were an escort sent out to
watch the robbers, which we were glad
to know. But that number could not
have taken us. Later in the day we
came to q thicket where the robbers
watch, and soon we saw four mounted
and armed men in line, with their faces
to the road. We all had our hands on
our revolvers; but they were polite, and
said they were an escort also. asked
one of them If they had seen robbers
that morning, and he said, ayes, four"
They never have attacked this line but
once. AS it is an American one they do
not like to try it. But this is no pleas
ant country to travel in, unless there are
five or six Americans well armed, and
then there Is but little danger They
are terribly afraid Of our people if armed.
Now, my companion is an American but
an old man. My servant is an American
of African descent, but believe he will
stand fire, and put some confidence in
him. told him if he should run l
would shoot him first. He said he would
kill two robbers with his two shots.
Well, as to the robbers, have devoted
too much space.
Zacaticas is large city of about
twenty-five thousand inhabitants. At
times there are much more, probably, as
| am told that there are about fifteen
thousand miners in the place. That is
a great mining city. 1t had the appear
ance Of more business than any other
place which have seen in this republic.
The mint coined last year over five mil
lions dollars in silver, and that is less
than ordinarily, on account of the OBJ
structions caused by the war. The city
has higher elevation than most any
other one in this country. It is near
$500 feet above the level of the sea,
which is l. 900 feet higher than the city
OF Mexico. 1t is nestled In the bosom
of the hills, so that you cannot see the
city until you come right upon it. 1t is
never very hot, and not very cold, but
sufficiently SO all the year as to require
blankets on your bed. Near the city
there is scarcely any cultivation as the
soil is not productive. But a few miles
toward the south there is a large and
fertile valley. Corn, barley and wheat
are the principal productions. The
cathedral is large and costly church,
Of less magnifcence.
Salinas is small place, halfway be-
tween Zacaticas and San Luis Potosi. 1t
takes its name from the salt.works there.
Salinas in Spanish is a salt-pit or salt
works. The work is owned bv Mex
ican, now in Europe, and it yields him
about five or six hundred thousand dol
lars per annum. He has fine and costly
residence, which l visited 1t is sur.
rounded by wall and ditch, with
draw bridge, to prevent the Indians and
robbers from attacking it. The archi-
tect Of his house was an American. 1t
is one story, but high one, with por-
tico in front and rear, with large pillars
to support it.
San Luis Potesi is large city, there
being only four larger in the republic.
The President and Cabinet are now here,
waiting the capture of Queretero and
the City of Mexico by the Liberal forces.
Macmillan is in Queretero, and cannot
get out and has not sufficient provis-
ions to last long. 1t is expected that
the Imperial forces cannot hold out more
than ten days longer, l,ut they may
month, possibly. Yesterday Mr.. Robin
son and myself had an audience with
the President, remaining but short
time. We requested him to fix a time
for an interview on business. He asked
if it was in behalf of the United States
government and we said no. He then
said that he would receive US to-day at
8 a. N. We called at the hour and were
politely received. He informed US that
as he was expecting the fall Of Queretero
and the City Of Mexico every day, and
consequently had great deal OF busi-
ness to do, that he could not treat with
US on business until he and his Cabinet
reached the City OF Mexico. We then
had a social conversation with Kim for
q while and loft ao bio %;rna ua- rra