New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-12-18
MIR. SEWARD IN MEXICO.



MINES OF la LUZ
GUANAJUATo Mexico, Nov. 4.-Weleft Lagos
Nov for 36 mile ride to Leon being led to eNl"e
ane ride ard easy trip. To cut on three or fonr
the driver avoided the fine bridge ana drove uec'b
into the river which came up the body OF the stage
and was quite rapid and broad The mules suspicious OF
the security Of the bottom banked in the middle OF the
stream aud all the laShng by half dozen volunteer
socherOs and positions and curses aud bashemy enough
sink ship would start them foot we were taken
OF in boats, aud We landed IMAM we 81"
the pig headed mules up OF their own free will ana
walk maiesticaly ashore Perhaps their hides did not
suffer for that freak Then entered broad alameda
lined with immense trees OF the variety known farther
north California pepper tree but here as the Peru
vian which has dropping limbs and foliage, giving it the
graceful appearance Of the weeping willow, and Is OF
this season covered with long clusters of brghred Der
ries which nclose the pungcut black pepper grains
This alameda hanked by bitches ueosing cultivated
fields which higher than tho road OF course we
found 1t river Of mud and water and almost impossible
We had not gone a mile before found our three lug
gage which had started before daylight all down IN
the mud and unlOaded Pleasant prospect indeed! After
than three miles Of 1Ounderng the mud, running
along the embankmonts. and climbing in and out OF the
stage, reached higher ground at noon aud went on
comfortably over an open rolling country wholly
devoted stock raising. until reached the boundary
Of the State Of JascO and entered the state OF Guana
iuatO, miles from leon.
THE CITY OF LEON
Entering the city, found for the first time In our
tourney no deputatiOn with carriages waiting TO receive
the party and directly 10 the magnificent house
lust finished and beautifully furnished for the occasion
fronting on the grand plaza-which had been prepared
for u.s. The Pefeco PoieO Of Leon. Col RosadO, and
deputatOn Of the dtamienO called at once to say that
they had not received the telegram announcing the de-
parture Of Mr. Seward from Lagos, and that we had ar
rived many hours than expected which accounted
for the apparent neglect to send out carriages to meet
the coach This city during tho war, under the wise adj
instratiOn of Gen. DObado who tolerated all classes
who obeyed the laws irrespective Of Republican or I'm
perias tendencies gained largely In population and is
now OF the most prosperous or least unrosperous
towns in the country The population Of the city proper
Is $1,000 or 1000 than that OF Guadalaara and the
smaller towns IN the suburbs swell the population Of the
municipality to 100000 more. There are very few rlch
families, most Of the people being tradesmen, boot
makers saddlers hatmakers rebOsa and serape weayer
workers in metal, etc. There many pure white
families and the average complexion OF the population
Is much lighter than In the Pacific coast
The country around has been much afflicted with rob
bers, but Col RasadO acting vigorously In CONJUNCTION
with other State and Federal authorities is fast thinning
them out Only month two since he discovered the
existence OF band Of seventy Of these gentry In cave
near road to Guanauato, teegaDhed TO the three
principal towns tho vicinity, organized simultaneous
attack upon them. aud captured them all at blow lie
took OF the capyes to Leon and tried and shot
them those taken 20 some Of the other towns Were
practice of their profession. The town appears very
orderly, aud is well and compacty built. II has some
old convent buildings converted Into free schools
and one immense church and several minor ones was
disappointed these churches The largest has beaut-
f coIored glass memorial windows, the pictures being
OF the highest grade Of merit and many rich paintings
but otherwise it does not equal that at San Juan de
Lagos and the others are comparatively poor affairs
very old and not IN the best Of repair.
DIsCoUNTGNG A MIRACLE
Apropos Of churches, relate incident which
recently here Two robbers had been arrested
by the authorities and theythe robbcrs-threw them
selves upon the protection OF the new saint OF he place.
who, probably from acknowledging so interested him
self In behalf that tho hearts Of che authorities
were moved. aud they were discharged without tIla
The priests seized upon this fact as miracle ana
played for all there on the board. They Issued
taurblet or tract setting forth the details OF the
miracle and rudely illustrated for the edhcaton OF the
faithful But. alas. they had crowed before they were
fairly out woods, and the result was diseourag1g
Col Rosado who is educated man, and appears TO
have prejudice against saints aud highway robbers be-
ing allowed to work together, immediately rearrested
the two robbers tried, convicted and shot them, thus
spoing the miracle and causing the impression TO 80
abroad the community that even sixty thousand dollar
saints will not always do to gamble on
THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS.
When We entered Leon the Feast Of AL Saints was IN
tu blast The plaza large and very beautiful being
surrounded by handsome iron railing fanked with tall
heavy.foaged fresno trees and Is paved Win httle
cobbles In a beautiful mosaic filed with beautiful
lowers and very large and elegant fountain In the
center municipal palace, the handsomest building
Of the kind exteriorly which we have seen In Mexico
and other public buildings, anc rows OF stores with
portals front Shis plaza. During the feast
the broad sidewalk around the plaza is wholly given up
70 the sale Of articles peculiar the occasion. 1t Is the
custom Of the country 70 distribute bOnbons, correction
cry made into every conceivable form in imitation OF
birds beasts fishes men, angels devils, &c, &c, richly
s,ilded and elaboratey ornamented among all ones
friends and especially among the children. Around the
entire plaza was q row Of stalls constructed OF light
mating and CLOTH aseiny decorated with colored cur
tans and flowers devoted exclusively TO tho sale OF this
confectionery and d,ees, and attended by women old
and young Beyond the sidewalk was another row OF
stalls devoted to the salo OF candles OF all lengths
from six inches TO feet for offerings at the church
affairs When evening set IN. the crowd which surged
around the plaza became dense that was almost i'm
possible TO pass through 1t. and when the lamps were
lighted and the military band played its most Inspiring
sr the scene as looked down upOnit from the bal
cODy Of house, the most animated ana brilliant
We have ever seen i'm Mexico At about q p. IN. the
common and partly people began to thin out and
the richer and pretcntous came In to make their
purchases sit the benches promenade up and down
In company with Mr.. Burgess. an American photo
grapher resident here, Mr. Fitch and myself walked
around IN the crowd for some The booth keepers
cried their wares-fair women old men and women and
children In rags tOsteully dressed walked up and
down. young in broad SomberaS and gorgeous sapes
lounged around in groups, beggars blind ragged filthy
aud hdeOus, grOyeled the pavement Of tie street
and yelled forth their wants, md necessarily dis
cotsed on blesscdness Of giving In charity while
the church bells sent forth their cangor until the whole
air was filed with a surgng ocean Of sound We were
lost I'm the crowd and admiration OF the scene just then
party OF tall young men hustled u.s. and /, having had