The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-04-02
Correspondence Democratic Statesman
Letter from Mexico.

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CRY OF Mexico, March 2, 1874.
Editors Democratic Statesman gTeeable
to my promise l shall attempt to keep you
posted on certain affairs transpiring in Mex
leo, and on events which your readers may
probably be interested. We left Austin on
the fourteenth of January, and DELAYING at
New Orleans some time, we arrived at Vera
Cruz on the fourteenth of February. Our
voyage across the gulf was a stormy one
During portion of the storm fears were
entertained for our safety, and portion of
the cargo was discharged overheard to ease
the vessel. 1t was the first storm ever
witnessed at sea, and the impressions re-
ceived from the grandeur and sublimity of
the scene / shall never forget. Ninety
miles from land we beheld the snow top of
mount Orizaba,n which is thirty miles in
the interior, making total of one hundred
and twenty miles in which it was visible
At that distance at sea it only appeared as
white cloud above the horizon, and we
could not discern the outlines until in sight
of the lower lands The mountain is about
IL, 800 feet above the level of the sea, and
its snow capped head is visible to the traV-
eler ninety miles at sea- and then for two
hundred miles as he approaches and passes
it on the railway from Vera Cruz to the
city of Mexico. At Vera Cruz we took the
only railroad in the Republic for this city,
two hundred and sixty-seven miles distant
The cars are of the very inconvenient Eng
ish compartment kind, but the road itself
is a masterpiece Of engineering skill, for
which the world may be challenged, and is
q monument to our American and English
engineers and artisans. Beginning In the
low country Of Vera Cruz, called the Terra
CahenteY Tor warm EARTH, traversing beau
tiful valleys, sugar and coffee plantations
orange and banana groves, il directs its
iron way towards the mountains, and mount
ing them to the sTerra Templadan Tor
temperate earth), with an ease at once won
derful as the scenery is sublime In ascend
ing these mountains in the cars, at one mo-
ment we seem to be virtually hanging over
precipice, where, far below, one can see
the inhabitants as mere specZs In the valley
beneath, and the next moment the cars ara
rolling over beautiful and substantial iron
causeways, where waterfall scenery chal-
lenges his admiration IS some fanciful
work of art. On our way we pass through
the city Of Condova, which is surrounded
by the large coffee plantations famous for
producing the best coffee in either Mexico
or South America, thence through Orizaba
tne stopping station Tor tourists who wish
to visit Mount Orizaba; thence to Apizaco,
where branch road has been buiIs thirty
miles to the City Of Puebla- After q ride
Of eighteen hours, we were ushered into
this beautiful city, whose altitude = 90
great IS 70 make il cooler in summer time
than IN Austin, but is equity Of teulper
ature Is charming, and We have only 70
dread the rainy season, which Commences
I IN May or June, and lasts until October a.
November But I am lrd to suppose that 4
EiD not be unpleasant even then, because I
am told that the mornings are always clear
ND pleasant Up @ 3 O'Clock and then II
tsually rains until near day. So the raiag
tsan1 Il about as much q hurbear -
arangers 70 Mexico IS Cur Texas ssnorfherr''
re 70 people unacquai1ted with them
And nov that am in the capital Of TIE
Nexicau Republic, shah Be able after =
more mature observation, 70 write some