Year: 1859

A. ]. Grayson, in his Notes of Travel on
the Western Coast Of Mexico" now being
published in the Alta, speaks of Tepic as
being very compactly built city, with mar
row, well Taved streets, and containing a
mixed population of about twelve thousand
inhabitants. Most of the houses are large,
and constructed after the old Spanish or
Moorish style. The lands in the neighbor-
hood of Topic are unsurpassed in fertility,
and the climate is all that could be desired.
The description given 10y Mr.. Grayson of the


soil and climate, will hold good when ap.


piled to the greater portion of Mexico If


we were disposed to moralizc, we might now


do SO at considerable length, by taking into


consideration the miserable condition of a


country, abounding in natural resources.
/ What would a Mexican farmer do (if he


can be called a farmer) supposing him to be
| placed in one of the New England States, on


a small patch Of ground, for the purpose OF


earning hvclihood2 A tiller of the soil


from youth, he would, all of a sudden find


himselfoblighed to toll for living, and to


take few lessons in agriculture.


Recently, we read in newspaper, how
! Elihu Burrett, the learned blacksmith, had
purchased firm some where in yankee


land and had turned farmer for good AT


last accounts, he was forcing the earth to


yield him her tribute Day after day he


was plowing his field, picking numberess
stones therefrom and carrying them away.
Elihu Burrett is the embodiment of energy
and in this respect he is faithful type of his
race.


But we set out to make an extract or two
from "Graysons Notes of Travel" and not to
contrast the American with the Mexican race.
Mr. Grayson, on leaving Topic, returned to
San Bias. His way was over rugged noun
tains, and he was told by his attendant, that
he was in danger of being robbed He SAYS


"NIy mozo now informed me, with much
seriousness depicted in his long, sallow face
that the part of the road we were entering
upon was infested by the sdlteddoreS, or ban
ditti, and if | had money vauables about me-
had better conceal them about my person
or my saddle; but had already taken the
precaution to guard against an accident Of
this kind. | did not tell him so, however; !;
but taking from my pocket the little loose
change had there, showed it to him, at the
same time saying "that was my purse-if
they robbed me it would hardly pay them
for their trouble" and further Informed him
that call my dinero was in San Bias" had
at the same time few ounces concealed in
my cravat. | did not fear or apprehend
much danger from the robbers, although
travellers, both native and foreign, are fire.
quently attacked and robbed; but, having
escaped from an adventure of this kind thus
far, had become Indifferent to the fearful
reports had so often heard, of the dangers
to be encountered on the road from this
source. But it is well for all travellers to be
on the 9ui eive for it is too true that in this
part of the country, every road and highway
is infested with these miserable ladroneS"


In regard to San Bias, he says:


Before we quit San Bias let us drop her
past and present and look forward to her
future history. The natural resources of eli !
mate, soil, and mineral wealth now lying |
dormant in this vicinity, and commanded by |
his harbor, give to it an importance which |
uture years will certainly bring to notice.
t does not require any great foresight to
oresee brighter future for her That this
inc region of country will be suffered to con-
inue in its present idle and neglected condi
ion much longer, is not at all probable the
world is growing too restless. Sooner or
ater the scene must change, and changed hy |
a population more vigorous than its present |
people that carry with them
industry, peace and justice, that will foreve er
end the civil strife and robberes that have
been for years consuming the country. and in
whose hands, too, tie wand of civilization
will change and beautify the land, aud cause
the wilderness to "blossom as the rose"
When mills will be erected to turn the mag
niticent cedros, mahogany. and rosewood,
into useful and valuable lumber sagar mills
to grind the cane that is so richly produced
throughout the year; cotton gins to gin the
cotton so easily grown; when her port will
be crowded with ships from every sea-then
then will San Bias be awakened from her
long sumher, and again resume her march
ON to prosperity, and become one of the many
busy commercial emporiums that will en-
liven this now silent coast.