The New York herald., 1868-08-18
MEXICO.

| General Alatorre-Incidents OF a Trip to
/ San Juan-Mineral Resources.
SAN JUAN DE LOS LLANos, July 10, 1858.
| This Mexican town or village, situated on the
western edge OF the northern portion OF the State Of
| Puebla boasts Of a surrounding country stretching
especially to the eastward and northward which
| rivals any upon which our eye has fallen in the
magnificent grandeur and beauty OF it's scenery and
| the native richness Of its SOIL Elevated far above
the level Of the sea- its inhabitants turning to the
| southwark still look upward at the snow-capped
peak OF OriZaba, vieing with the clouds in its altl
tude OF 500 feet above the level Of the Cortes
| In his fllibusterng triumphal march from Jalapa
to Tascala, enjoyed the support OF the present oc
cupants' ancestors The actual inhabitants have
not yet lost many OF those admirable traits which in
their forefathers contributed successfully to the
progress Of "the Conqueror.n His line OF march lay
over the northern part OF the plateau Of which San
Juan de los Lan0s boasts OF being the largest SETTLE
ment, where your correspondent at this moment
happens to be soournng. This pretty little town Is
situated to the eastward Of the city Of Mexico about
one hundred and twenty-five miles, and is reached
by very good wagon road extending three-fourths
or more OF the distance the remainder being bride
| road. Like most or all Mexican houses In this
part OF the country, the buildings of lava or some
| heavier stone, or Of sun-baked brick made OF mud
cemented In part with lime. They have mostly one
STORY, uLIOugn q IeW around the public square
TWO In height. The race which inhaoits this district
and also that OF Tezuitlan, which is Immediately
north, is ALMOST purely Indian, and enjoys pur-
suits 30 satisfactorily as those OF peace. In this
| spect they are unlike most OF the Mexican people,
which, unhappily mixed with the Spanish race, has
had engraited upon 1t thereby too many OF the ee-
ments which make them q revolutionary people,
although it is true that at the time OF the conquest
Cortes found the Aztecs Texcocoans and Tlascalans
| to be more warlike races than the Totonacs. The
| latter, then as now We're not wanting in bravery
in other characerstics OF manhood and yet they had
tn cul
vae the soil and to prosecute The arts according to
| the lights which they possessed was IA much the
part OF great and noble race to be constantly
| impovershing itself and diminishing its population
| by continuous wars 1t Is true that the Totopacs
territory OF Mocezuna, but it was less from love
OF war or conquest than from fear of the grasping
vcti0n that their downfall by the aid Of the omnipo-
tent spaniards would assure them longer
not dissimilar state of public morality and
ambition among this same race to-day. 1t is the
descendants OF the Totonaes, who in Northern
Puebla have been protesting against the wrong in
nicted upon them by the setting aside of the cons
tutionally elected Governor or the State Mendez,
and the unjust and forcible substitution OF Gar
cia who at the election received but fraction of
the votes cast. but who s the choice OF those who
have retained him In power. Like quiet and order
loving citizens they have by pubic addresses by
commissions sent to Congress and the government
protested against this illegality and after four
months patient waiting, their representations and
protestations having been disregarded have ap-
pealed to arms only so far as to dlsown the author
ity of the present incumbent Of the gubernatorial
chair and refusing to pay tribute.
Juan Francisco Lucas, their leader, Is a full
blooded Indian Is regarded bv them with great con-
sderation ana veneraiOn and Is but few miles dis
tant in the sierra in the village Tetea. Juan
tie great principle OF human rights for which these
people are contendlng is also quietly at his home
IN Ietea ana so ar as appears takes no part in the
uprising, but keeps silent. If common report in
this neighborhood Is 60 be relied upon, Juan Fran
cisco Lucas has considerable supply OF arms pow
der, lead and caps and in few hours notice can
collect at single point from three to four thousand
force which can be made Immediately available is
much greater than either Of the above
figures. Two thousand or more English
late, and also gun caps, possibly from the coast;
powder is made in the mountains and lead is found
In the mineral districts Not all any considerable
portion OF the time Is devoted by these men to war
like pursuits They are daily at their usual and
legitimate avocatons, be called into the field at
such moment as the advance Of any force attempt
ing to carry forward the plans Of Governor Garcia
the They aude Of the caeG
the sierra of Puebla On the other hand the troops
been at Whether for the the
purpose OF making campaign in the sierra or OF
showing warllke front, In the hope OF frightening
fr0m Juan Francisco Lucas accommodating terms OF
adhesion 1t is not possible to say. The rnmors are
not few that both influence and money will be used
TO settle the question without opening campaign,
though one would think from the positlveness which
is given to the almost universal expression that no
fed acquescence In the will of the people and the
Inauguration OF Governor Mendez. General Alatorre
Juan Francisco Lucas is reported to have several
small pieces OF artillery which transported from
place to place in the mountains as required Oh the
backs OF mules.
Passing through this country one is Immediately
impressed with the honesty which characterizes
this people and 80 distinguishes them above their
neighbOrs. Your correspondent has actually seen @
family's weeks washing LEFT out over night In this
nelghbOrhood, their owners evidently sleeping with
the that their property thus exposed would
be found untouched In the morning. Padlocks and
bars are not necessary and consequently do not find
n nj
and Pueba. The cultivation OF cOrn wheat, barley
and beans is most assduously and successfully fol-
lowed, while the working Of mines and the raising Of
stock Is followed to the extent Of the facilities and
the capital which the people enjoy. In these respects
Northern Pueba, who are the Totonacs OF Cortes
with the people Of Mexico, Tascala and Puebla who
conqueror. on my journey to this place occasion
was had TO tarry for half hour at the hacienda
Tor him and myself after tedious ride OF many
miles. Your correspondent was met by most anus
suSscSaen,iy learned was in consequence OF the
amount OF tOlerabe wearing apparel which retained
my ANY ~ e corn recs 81
experience OF traveller a day or two previous,
who was taken from the stage, passing near, into
valuables, TO say nothing Of being. frightened
nearly out of hts Wits was relieved OF everything
was permitted to go on his way rejoicing
II he could, or seek consolation from our Kind host.
On the SAME day or one previous, another would-be
emen OF the road 10 get down out OF the coach and
accompany them into the mountains, where tiey
promised to pay his board until such time as his
friends might care to send for him, accompanying
their missve with check for $1,000 or $4,000. This
pasme Ia called In Mexico 'plagato." Innocent
residents OF the United states would call IL man
stealing or kidnapping. These little occurrences
had happened on the road which had just passed
and their recital the only condiments which
my meal required. Upon completing the ride that
day TO Juan de los Lan0s such other stimulus as
may have been needed to hurry my steed onward
supplied by herequent rude crosses erected by
the roadside which mark the spot where violent
deaths had befalen the travellers Your correspond
eat while Ipon his journey. counted six by the way
side within the distance of a single mile.
Going northward and eastward from this place to-
wards San Francisco The route, Just before reaching
the latter place, Is believed TO be the same
which was followed by Cortes when on his way to
Flascala. The prevalence OF mounds and the re-
mains OF every variety OF Indian relics are evidence