The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-21
MEXICO.

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DRAINING sf the VaIIey-The Plan and Its
Cess-Description Of the Works-Mectlns
with the Bandit Fragoso--Whas He il
Doins-DiscOvery Of Mammoth Rcmains-
Geological Account.
zUMPANao, Oct. q, 1868.
When Ccrtez marching upon Mexico from Tlas-
Gala, first caught glimpse OF the valley OF Mexico,
it is not to be wondered at that his entire command
enrap by the beauty and grandeur OF the scene
which was spread before them. Green with luxuri-
ant vegetation it stretched to the northward and
westward, mile upon mile. 1900 feet above the level
OF the sea, skirted by Its mountain wall, OF which
Popocatapetl and Ixtacihuat were the watch towers
and relieved in its centre by occasional turrets prick
ing up through the rich plain or the waters of the
lake near whose centre slept or floated lazly the
stronghold Of Moctezuma, the Aztec potentate.
Although it is q question admitting Of discussion
whether the necessity which Cortez found Of APP
preaching Mexico by water and in vessels. for
its ultimate conquest did not In the end
rebound rather TO his benefit it must yet
be admitted that the Aztec chief or the
state OF the art Of war OF those times could
have had no better auxiliary In his contest against
mailed and mounted warriors than these waters
which surrounded him and his capital. After the
conquest the King OF Spain coded to Cortez. among
other lands, property upon the then southwestern
border Of lake TexcocO about eight miles distant
from the centre OF the city OF Mexico. There he
built residence, and the village which grew up
around him received the name Of Coyoacan, which
It retains to-day. owing to some not yet sat-
tsfactorly explained the waters Of the lake have
partially disappeared SINCE leaving this little village
and many others fur removed from the lake's edge
and IN fact dividing the waters into six distinct
lakes, known as lakes Zumpango, Xaltocan, San
Cristobal. Chalco, Aochimilco and Texcoco. The
level OF the waters all these lakes. eXCeDt
Texcoco Is higher than the city OF Mexico; that OF
Zumpango is sixteen ieet higher than the city. Lake
Texcoco and the city are not hooded, for
the reason that upon either side two
weary sens which Gke are nave been
guardianship OF the Department OF Industry and Its
officers. Notwithstanding the greatest precaurion,
There Is frequently great danger OF lnundaton,
especially IN the rainy season, when the fan OF
water is great. In the year 1865 the amount OF water
prevent the water OF Lake Chalco from Overlooking
Lake Texcoco broke away, resulting in complete
anu destructive mundaton OF part OF the valley. The
liability OF the frequent recurrence OF this accident
induced the government during the time OF the en-
firey, by cutting or tunneing viaduct connecting
with one or the streams emptylng INTO the Gull or
mexco rms was MOI new enterprise as It IS SAID
as the year 1921 this had occurred to first Spanish
settlers after the conquest, who Immediately CON-
thousands OF dollars and sacrificing as many
Indian lives 10 the work. which finally has proven 10
actually inaugurated by the commencement Of LABOR
about two years since are under the direction OF the
board OF engineers having at its head M. Jesus Man
Eano assisted by Aureho Almazan and Jose IqIesias
The plan adopted by the Department OF Industry
and which the above gentlemen are now engaged In
carrying out s the construction Of canal from the
centre or Lake Texcoco northward in the direction
west q ,b the city or town q zumpango which lies
name. The canal will be about twenty three miles !
In length and viii conduct the waters nom ali Of lie
ern extremity passing through lakes San Cristopal
and Aaltocan. 1t is not proposed to drain Lake |
Zunpan2o, as Its water Is fresh and be prcftaoy
used for Trigatng lands The extreme northern end |
Of the canal VIII unite with tunnel upon the norlern
VII o n q, LaaT aupango, through Wlicn the water
1Aceatan, nom which 1t win pass into the river
Ieluisqniac tnence INTO the Tula and aoctezuma.
and nnally INTO The Paruco which emptles into the
Gulf OF Mexico al Tamplco
This tunnel VIII be something over six miles long
and viii be thirteen feet wide and sixteen feet hlg
and supported by brick and mason work. The De-
partment OF industry compute the cost OF the entire
work at S6sOs, 46l. The ia OF water in the tunnel
Will be about one foot In every thousand and il is
Thought that the work will be a success. Twenty
Tour perpendicular shafts being sunk meet the
tunnel, most Of which are more than half completed,
the dlameters OF winch WIZ be sufficient ana con-
driving the tunuel work. These shafts pass
through SAND, clay, buccia, vegetable mould.
with lncons'derable diiricaity. me deepest
one VIII be 3l5 feet. one thousand are en-
poyed at thlry-fiye cents aay but thai number VIII
be increased az the moment when funds are appro-
piiated VI the government iog the prosecution OF
The work. The monthly expenditure now reaches
,r., 80 ~
sr tIc = go ps :, SONY t1ns me Ssa]oVo
tho Inrrhese ~ ,,-gei',sr 't,- pS..ou ~, -
ground and beng put UP 80 the mouths OF the dr.
~ H. 49,, 80, 10, s'iJ ins ihoi ~ ~
nuronp v~eter ami ~ - 49,, 60, "a
inn.f, - ~ -, 80 n 800, 49, -. - o .4
al ycsfar VII 49, Ircar 80, y 1870, 0 y, 3s.9
chr Ia en.-neers Thar Int a. . ,Seaf ,vor 49,
tLousaud ma one onestions nave ri carrse 'arisan
as to 1t ana the pr5Daplltes OF entire snesess,
year since the government appointed a colamissioa
consisting OF tne best In ent OF the country Whtcn
after iul Investigation 81 the uiferent r11tas and
methods proposed 10 relieve tue VALLEY 81 Asscco AZ
the waters decided upon the one referred 10 amaze
Tic benefits expected TO be derived ana for which
much labor ana money ars PROPOSED 10 be eN-
pended axe the removal OF an causes or disease |
,.slts. a~o !. tft.-.. \.