The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1869-05-31

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from an old friend, now resident of Mex
leo:
TuxrAN, MExrcer
April -, 1860
y * Well though =! have seen the
dawn Of 22d of April scvcuty-seven times,
it,docs not argue that | nm old, useless,
surperannuated. Far from it, | am
healthy, strong and lively; and here,
when labor properly applied is so fully re-
Enumerated, perform my ..dnily labor
wcy and checrfully. When look around
on my corn-fcll, part ofwhich is just now
in roasting ears, holding forth the promise
of GO or so bushels to the acre. | feel
satisfied that for the labor | have bestowed,
shall be well rewarded. We do all the
cultivation with wedding hoes. Myself
and four little boys cultivate y acres of
corn, ! of an acre Of Pine Apples, / Ofan
acre of Garlic aud Shelo,cs, ] an acre Of
Sweet Potatoes, J an acre of Cabbage and
other garden vegetables, and half an acre
ofirihols, "a kind of black bean, eaten dry,
which arc very highly priced by tho ma
tivcs. and rarely sell for less than So per
busl,el. With much labor, we have
cleared aud planted small plot Of Sugar
Cane, to be enlarged as fastas We can find
time to do SO. What We have planted is
an excellent stand, aud isgrowing luxuri-
antly. We have 554 hills, averaging s
stalks to the hill Of Piantains and Bananas.
These stand II feet apart each way, and
are growing handsomely, Then We have
planted in small patches Cusshaws, Pun
kins, Chile Colorado, Chile Grand, Com
ota Molango, Ginger, Ukcr, Arrowroot,
and various other little things, besides
fruit trees, such as Oranges, Lemons. Ag-
ma Gotta, Mongo, and Zapota, altogether
making my home a plentiful place. q
Besides tho perpetual enjoyment Of the
luscious, health giving fruits, doing away
with the necessity fer animal food almost en-
tirely, there is, to me, another source oflifc
sustaining pleasure rs well as a high dc.
gree of delightful, manly amusement, and
that is found in the pretty river, and the
gulf shores above aud below its mouth.
On the south side Of the river, IS yards
from and Is feet above the high tide
mark, sits my dwelling. The scenery on
the opposite side Of the river, both above
aud below is transceudently beautiful.
Wcsterly-up the river-the scene cx-
tends 3 miles, one mile Of which presents
a picturesque view Of that part Of Tuxpan
city that fronts on the river. Above the
city, the river shore curves South, prescn-
ting to the bclolder complete crescent
which is crowned with little hills and
evergreen forest trees intcrspcrsed with
grass covered adobe huts and small gar
den plats until the scene is lost behind an
intervening point Oil the opposite shore.
Below the city mile or moro in extent,
along tic straight bank Of the river is a
broad strccct, outside Of which, with in
termcdiatc spaces Of rs or 80 yards, ap-
pears line Of well kept adobcs houses,
matched with marsh grass. These extend
castwardly-down the river until tho un-
subducd forest and heavy jungle obtrudes
and changes the picture. Immediately
down,the river, which is six or eight hun
dred yards wide, the scene is very pretty;
both shores are visible, gradually turning
to the left til the view is closed jus! be.
fore the breakers can be sccn-fvc miles
from.my house. In the broad bosom Of
the pretty river is at all times seen many
canoes and little boats, with All occasional
sea going vessel. spreading their white
sails 10 the breeze which completes the
panoramic picture that can be seen from
The north door of my dwelling. When
the cool plcasurable moonlight voyages on
the snil boat in the health going sea breeze,
with an occasional trip to the sea beach
where We camp all night and gorge three
times on fish un oysters; supper. break
fast and dinner, after which, with evening
wind, Which is always homcward, we
hoist our sail, and glide away to our place
on the bank Of the river.
shall not tax your time and patience
with description Of the country aud the
prospects Of tie AZ American families WHO
are settled on homes Of their own in the
Tuxpan Valley. There has been 40 or
so nalcontcnts who came here and not
finding living ready made for them,
have returned. and, as an apology for their
restlessness. instead Of the real cause oft,
have published in the newspapers many
foolish falsehoods. The same cause that
sent them here carried tliem back-lazi-
ness. 1t is, to me, astonishing, and did
not know until since tho war, that labor,
even to sustain ones own life, is to many
such afrightful thing. The world is full
of non-cssenlials, and they must suffer.
The natives are the kindest, clcanest and
most Respectful people I ever dwclt
amongst. An old fisherman came to my
wharf this morning and told me he was
going fishing, | concluded would 80 with
him. lie said Lueno. So getting into my
b,,t TN sct sa;l lIc was in his canoe.