The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-01-30

to say positively am under the impress
Sion that those who 60 down to the sea with
delicate digestive organs and young babies
4ould'not regret the expenditure Of few
dollars in this valuable preparation, and
bless the discoyerer on each Valentines day.
AS the day waned we were nearing
THE COAST OF MEXICO;
and as the sun sunk behind the rugged Sierra
Nevadas of Lower California-tipging the
deep .az,re-colorcd sky with vnriegnted and
exquisitely beautiful shades Of violet, purple,
and green, with few light clouds floating
lanouidlv along the distant horizon-we
sailed into the peaceful and picturesque
haven of Guaymas as the full, golden moon
greeted us--a moon that any child should
have been excused from crying after-soft-
eniug the rugged outiites OF the barren
mountains and hills surrounding the harbor,
and adding fairy-like appearance to the
distant city.
Guaymas possesses an excellent harbor,
completely sheltered from the sea, and has
large foreign commerce, as all mcrchan-
disc destined for the States of Sonora and
Chihuahua passes through its custonl-l ousa,
whence 1t is transported by pack-mu!es. 1t
contains about five thousand inhabitants, To-
Gated on the margin ofthc bay, occupying q
narrow strip OF land about a mile in length
and scarcely more than quarter of a mile
in width, when the mountains rise and hem
it closely in. The houses are built of stone.
brick, and adobe, and in the best portion Of
the town are plastcrcd. They are only one
story high, iron bars across the windows.
and 10 each residence is attached large cor.
raj. enclosed with high walls-yery sugges-
tive of prison. The bay abounds in fish of
great variety, also with shrimps, crabs, lob-
sters. and oysters noted for their superior fla
yor. Just here allow me to say that the fish
and oysters of the Pacific coast cannot com-
nare with those from the Virginia waters in
delicacy If flavor.
The heat here is intense, the thermometer
in July reaching 1i0 degrees f. in the shade,
and was uncomfortable warm at this time
4th of November. AS soon as we had an
chorcd the vessel was surrounded with small
boats. eager to take us ashore; and num-
Der of us, anxious to see the sights, en-
barked at once. Our first visit was to So.
loon,-an ating-saloon-where we feaSted
on fresh bivalves served up in variety OF
STYLES. We then proceeded to call on the
Consul and several other Americans, who
gave us cordial reception. AS we arrived in
port after sundown the authorities would not
permit any freight to be landed, and Gus
tom-house officer-a tall, swarthy Mexican,
with green goggles and loud-crying shoes
was sent out to keep watch over the crafttill
morning. This fellow was politely attended
to; refreshments, wine, and cigars set out TO
cheer him during his nocturnal Figils. But It
was stated in the morning that soon alter
midnight this watchman's shoes ceased to
cry, his goggles rested quietly on his nasal
extremity, and he seemed 10 be lndulglnS IN
profound meditation. At sunrise 1t was
whispered that the ship had llghtened du-
ring the night, aud the officers pocket was
heavier, though not in just proportion.
Whether this was true or false, When sonora
becomes a part of the United States this
would be an excellent terminus for tue
Southern Pacific railroad, and many city
lots have already been purchased with THIS
expectation. The surrounding country and
the coast on either side OF the Cult presents
evidences of volcanic origin. ln some
pluces masses of nearly pure sulphur are
Visible. Three days more Of pleasant
but uneyentful travel brings us to
the mouth of the Colorado river. Here
the tide rises fifteen feet, and ebbs and flows
with great rapidty. at this point we are
transferred to a tlit-bottom steamboat, with
an immense paddle-whecl at the stern-ccn-
structcd so rs to draw less than two feet OF
water, and at this season of the year 1t Is
tedious and difficult TO ascend the river
even with these boats. The banks along
this portion Of the river are ilned
with dense growth Of willow, cottonwood,
mesQuit, arrow-weedS, &c., and on the Dol.
tom-land the Indians, favored by the annual
overflow, raise abundant crops of wheat,
corn, pumpkins, melons, and beans. Ihe
soil is extremely fertile, and ut no distant
day will be covered with rice, sugar, and cot
ton, for the growth of which it is well
adapted, These Indians Qhe CocopaWs) are
very friendly and industrious after their
flsbion. Some of them are employed Dy the
steamboat company at fifty centsa day. Ihelr
costume is very simple, covering their IONS
only. the head uncovered, with their straight,
black hair falling over their shoulders. They
are fine specimens OF anatomy, and would
make excellent subjects for DR.. Whites stu
dents. A great variety of ducks, cranes, and
Delicans are found along this stream. 1t
takes Us three days to reach
ARIZONA CITY
(about $50 niles, which is the port of entry
for the Territory. The name of this place
has recently been changed by the Legislature
to Yuma. after the tribe Of Indians who oc.
cppied this district--once hostile and power
ful. now conquered, and gradually disap-
pearing before the advance of civilization.
The Gila river joins the Colorado at this
point, and on the California side the famous
Fort Yuma is constructed. The town is
built almost exclusively of adobe, and con-
tains about $500 inhabitants-One-tenth
white. the remainder MeXicans and Indians.
Considerable business Is transacted here, and
large quantities of army supplies are stored
TO supply the interior. The heat in summer
is excessive, and the place has been described
as hell put out but not coolcd"; and sto-
rjes are told how 4 soldier who died there
some wears ago returned from the regions OF
Pluto for his blankets, finding them Chilly
in comparison how in July the hens lay
hard-boiled eggs; how you broll beef
steaks in the sun; and poor fellow
who broke his arm some time ago
in the act of thawing stove was urged to
get out of the country, as the marrow was
being dried out of his bones. You will al
most be prepared to believe these statements
when I tell you the thermometer actually
rises to 130 degrees F. in the shade; that it
rains only once or twice year; and that
few fakes of snow last winter frightened
half the female population into hysterics-a
civilized excitement that even the Mexican
and Indian women alike indulge in. The
,-.n.. 80 tbo ,tmocnb hoWnVpr DrO.