The New York herald., 1869-10-11
M = xICO.

road- -Festivitios ON the Occnsion-What
Was Said at the Observation-Disclosures
respondence Between the Mexican and
American Governments-Ropero' Financial
Statement-rhe National Debt-Taxes and
Tarin-Ciaims.
Cry OF MEXICO, sept. 20, 1859.
The opening OF the Pueo!a branch OF the Mexico
and Vera Cruz Railroad marks the beginning Of
new epoch in the history OF Mexican progress, an
age OF quick transit and closer intercourse between
different parts OF me republic and at the same sme
Is to be hoped for the Interest OF the country thas
II marks the end OF the age OF animal oconotion as
principal means OF intercourse and OF mule pack
Ing as the only means OF transporting merchandise
and the produces OF the land The asst rail- OF this
road was put down September 10, and from that
time until the 10th construction trains were con-
stanty running over the new portion. The station
house at Pueoa, begun in July was far COM
pleed tnat the roof could be put on the
greater par, OF Il by the l6th. Such
despatch is rarely seen in Mexico. The
building furnishes striking contrast to the mas
sve Mexican architecture, being stone building
with portico and wings in good proportion, resem
bling the small stations OF European roads. Flower
beds occupy the space between the footwalk ana
carnage drive, and, when completed, the station
viii be very attractive spot, and very creditaole
to those hs whom II was Designed and executed.
The road being completed, Mr.. Gorsucb, an Amerl
can engineer, was appointed by the government to
inspect IT, VINO went over the new portion on the
14th, ana reported it ready for travel. The rolling
stock OF the company transported at great cost from
Vera Cruz in carts, is suncient for the ordinary
travel OF the road but is capable Of transporting
q very large excursion; still, 1900 invitations
were given out, exclusive Of those which were re-
turned by parties who were unable 10 make use or
them. In this number we're included the Presl-
dent and Cabinet and the principal officials OF
Mexico. Two trains were made up OF the American
and English cars Of the company, while third con.
sisted Of freight prepared In the best manner
possible. An American car was very beautifully ht-
ted up for the President and Cabinet. AT an
early hour on the 10th the people began to congre
gate at the Buena Vista station in Mexico, among
which the bellies OF the city largely predominaed.
The opening OF Congress- the festivities In the Ala
media and all the other rare events which were
transpirng at the same time were forgotten in the
excitement of witnessing an event OF much greater
novety--the starting OF grand railroad excursion.
The great mass OF the people were kept without the
gateway Of the station by guard furnished for the
purpose, while those having tickets passed between
two lines OF soldiers from the gate to the The
Presidents train started at ten o'clock, not amid
the shouting Of the people, waving oil handkerchefs
and tossing OF nats-for II was neither an American
nor an English crowd, and seemed either too deeply
interested or else ignorant or such means OF show
ing enthusiasm. For q mile out OF town the people
In carriages. on horseback and on foot, lined the
road either alde In some circles fears had been
entertained that some damage might be done to the
track the Presidential train by revolutionists
short distance by a pioneer locomotive, While
all the troops OF the government the coun.
Try road guards IN all styles o ATTIRE were rn
latter all presented arms with great solierly pride
as we rushed past,
At every station and at intermediate points crowds
Of the natives were out 10 witness the prodigies OF
the iron horse. The Mexican who could not be num-
bugged into believing that the mules were not inside
did not present himself this occasion. All the
country bands, lor miles from The ROAD, were out
playing as we passed, entertaining us at the sta
tions Every telegraph pole in the vicinity or an
lndian hut was decorated in some manner, ana at
many stations the popular taste for fireworks IN the
rockets. We made the circuit OF PopocaIepeu in
time, and the peaks OF Maiinche and 0rlzaba made
seemed suddenly TO have changed places the beauti-
full haciendas IN the vicinity of Puepa were seen,
and we were received at tnat city at i've
P. NJ. by crowd even larger than the one
we left at Mexico, and an artillery salute. La
Malinche always coquetsh In tile rainy season, had
been gathering about her many black ana omnous
clouds during the afternoon from which she
suddenly cast down upon the crowds OF people,
decked IN their hnery, and gathered at distance
from their houses, fearfully violent thunder storm,
such as are common only to tropical countries. II
was over in half an hour but the host OF people had
vanished. The streets OF Puebla were handsomely
decorated, and particularly those leading from the
station to the plaza Many arches. OF them quite
elaborate, spanned the principal street. beneath
which the President and party passed. Such an
influx or people, and especially OF citizens, never
occurred before to any city In all Mexico. The
scarcity OF accommodations there may readily be
conceived At a late hour, and the next day as
well, parties were rushing about baggage in maud
looking for apartments, and fabulous prices were
offered, frequently in vain The only French resau-
rant In the city was crowded with hungry people,
and II was only with great difficulty that palatabie
food could be obtained Some parts of the city were
Illuminated after dark. The Cathedral and the Mu
ncipal and Gubernatorfa buildings presented very
fine appearance. Thousands OF Indians and the
lower classes 6lled the streets, which were bright
with the torches OF burning pitch, at the corners
where the 'tortilan bakers occupied the curbsones.
The bali gwen by the railroad company-qulte an
extensive afiar-began at halfpast nine O'Clock, IN
the theatre. The house was handsomely decorated
and well lighted and the music good. The number
OF persons present, particularly during the early
part OF the night, was however, too great for
TORT The ladies' OF Pueba did not dance much, but,
occupying the boxes gave up the floor almost en-.
tirely 10 those OF Mexico, whose gentlemen friends
were perhaps more numerous among those present.
An extensive supper was served at twelve O'Clock,
with plenty OF wines and liquors OF all kinds. At
noon on the 17th President Juarez laid the corner
stone OF the Zaragoza monument in the centre OF
the park OF the Plaza. banquet took place In the
afternoon given by MI. Romero Vargas to ABOUT 400
invited guests. The Hon. Thomas H. Nelson United
dent Juarez. About an hour had elapsed when the
Governor OF Pueba called the attention OF the Pr-i-
dent and signied 10 him that IL was time 10 COM
Lence the toasts upon which the President, rising
proceeded to make very sensible and concise
speech; He referred & more par.ienlarly s.n to the
Puebla. lie spoke kindly OF the directors OF the
company, showing that he fully appreciated the
sacrifices they had made TO carry on and finish the
works, &C., and personally complimened Messrs
William Barron and Antonio Escandon, acknowedg
ing that the country is indebted to these gentlemen
Tor the completion OF the works. &c. The President
took MS seat aniust great applause. after which the
Governor Of Puebla made speech OF considerable
length, full OF hope for the future. Progress the
theme. He spoke highly or the government or the
country. dwelling upon the cooperation that might
be expected rom the state Of Pueba, &C. The Mn-
lister OF Foreign Affairs, IN choice terms, spoke OF
the difficulties the country had undergone; OF the
march OF progress which had begun III Mexico; OF
the railway, and above ALL OF the friendly relations
which existed between this country and the United
States and the moral help received therefrom the |
similarity Of their institutions, &C., expressing
great desire to cultivate the best relations the
north ana paying Mr.. Nelson personally some very
high compliments
Mr. Nelson among other things spoke OF the Mexi-
can people, OF their great sacrifices in retaining The
integrity OF their country, their love for this land OF