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THE 


REPUBLIC  OF  MEXICO 


1882 


With    Revised    and    Corrected    IVIap 

r 


LORENZO   CASTRO 


THOMPSON     &    MOREAU,    PRINTERS 

Nos.  51  &  53  Maiden  Lane 

1882 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1 882, 

By  LORENZO  CASTRO, 

In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington,  D.  C. 


THOMPSON  &  MOREAU,  PRINTERS,  51  &  53  MAIDEN  LANE, -N.  Y 


INTRODUCTION 


The  author  of  this  little  work  has  resided  in  Western 
Texas,  the  frontier  of  Texas,  and  the  interior  of  Mexico  for 
the  last  thirty-five  years.  His  father,  Henry  Castro,  for 
services  rendered  to  the  Republic  of  Texas  in  early  days, 
received  several  grants  of  land  in  Texas,  one  of  them  now 
comprising  the  county  of  Medina,  and  part  of  Bexar,  Ban- 
dora,  Uvalde,  Frio,  Zavala  and  McMullen  ;  he  colonized  his 
grant  with  immigrants  brought  principally  from  Alsace  and 
Lorraine  and  the  Rhenish  provinces.  Having  brought  to 
Texas,  in  27  ships,  5,200  colonists  from  the  year  1842  to 
1847,  he  founded  the  town  of  Castro ville,  the  present  county 
seat  of  Medina  County,  and  the  villages  of  Quihi,  Vanden- 
bergh  and  Dhanis. 

Before  Henry  Castro  brought  his  people  from  Europe 
to  Texas,  the  country  west  of  San  Antonio  was  a  wilderness 
only  inhabited  by  the  Lipan  and  Comanche  Indians.  The 
San  Pedro  Creek  could  then  be  considered  the  frontier. 
The  difficulties  that  Henry  Castro  had  to  overcome  to  in- 
duce his  people,  after  he  had  brought  them  from  Europe,  to 
remain,  would  hardly  be  believed.  After  spending  a  large 
fortune  and  several  years  of  arduous  labor,  his  settlements 
were   permanently   fixed,    and   are   now   in   a    high    state 


iv  INTRODUCTION. 

of  prosperity.  The  State  of  Texas  honored  his  memory  as 
the  pioneer  of  Western  Texas  by  giving  his  name  to  one  of 
the  new  counties. 

The  writer,  who  assisted  his  father  in  his  efforts  to 
colonize  Western  Texas,  has,  since  the  Confederate  war, 
resided  and  travelled  all  over  Mexico.  He  is  well  acquainted 
with  the  country,  its  language,  laws,  customs  and  the  manners 
of  its  people.  He  has,  since  the  War  of  Secession,  devoted  his 
entire  time  to  make  Mexico  better  known  than  it  is  by  the 
generality  of  the  American  people ;  to  develop  its  untold 
mining  wealth,  its  agriculture  and  industry,  and  promote 
immigration  which  will  be  well  supported  and  encouraged 
by  the  best  and  most  respectable  citizens  of  the  country. 

The  writer  has  consulted  the  following  distinguished 
authors  :  Baron  Humboldt,  Lucas  Alaman,  Michel  Cheva- 
lier, Lerdo  de  Tejada,  Jesus  Hermosa,  Alvarez  y  Duran, 
Dr.  Eleuterio  Gonzales,  Carlos  Maria  Bustamante,  the  Re- 
ports of  the  Minister  of  Public  Works,  and  lastly  the  valu- 
able datas  collected  by  the  distinguished  statistician  Don 
Adrian  Busto. 

Americans  who  desire  to  emigrate  to  Mexico  can  con- 
sult this  little  work  with  confidence,  and  if  they  find  the 
same  useful,  the  undersigned  will  have  accomplished  his 

object. 

LORENZO  CASTRO. 

New  York,  April  5,  1882. 


MEXICO 


ITS  FORM  OF  GOVERNMENT. 

The  Government  of  Mexico  is  a  Federal  Republic,  composed 
actually  of  twenty-seven  States,  one  Territory  and  the  Federal 
District. 

The  independence  of  Mexico  from  Spain  was  proclaimed  for 
the  first  time  on  the  night  of  the  15th  of  September,  1 810,  in  the 
Tov^rn  of  Dolores,  State  of  Guanajuato,  by  the  curate  of  the  parish, 
Don  Miguel  Hidalgo  y  Costilla,  seconded  by  Captain  Ignacio 
AUande,  Mariano  Abasolo,  Don  Juan  Aldama  and  other  persons 
of  distinction.  The  independence  was  finally  effected  by  Don 
Augustin  Iturbide,  commanding  the  Army  of  the  Three  Guarantees, 
on  the  27th  day  of  September,  1821. 

The  present  Constitution  of  Mexico  was  promulgated  on  the 
5th  of  February,  A.  D.  1857,  and  is  generally  known  as  the 
Constitution  of  iSj"/.  It  was  amended  September  25th,  1873, 
establishing  the  Senate,  and  prohibiting  the  reelection  of  the  Pre- 
sident of  the  Republic  and  the  Governors  of  States  to  a  second 
term  of  office.  May  5th,  1877. 

The  Mexican  Government  is  actually  divided  in  three  bodies 
entirely  independent  from  each  other,  viz.:  the  Executive,  the  Legis- 
lative and  the  Judiciar}\ 

THE  EXECUTIVE  POWER. 

The  present  incumbent,  Constitutional  President  Citizen 
General  Manuel  Gonzales,  was  elected  July,  1880,  for  the  term  of 
four  years,  from  December  1st,  1880,  consequently  his  term  of 
office  will  expire  on  the  30th  of  November,  1884. 

In  case  of  death  of  the  President,  the  Constitution  of  1857 
provides  that  the  Chief  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  becomes  the 
President  of  the  Republic. 


The  executive  power  resides  in  the  President  of  the  Republic 
and  a  Cabinet  composed  of  the  following  Secretaries  of  State,  viz. : 

One  Secretary  of  Foreign  Relations, 
One  Secretary  of  the  Interior, 
One  Secretary  of  the  Treasury, 
One  Secretary  of  War  and  Marine, 
One  Secretary  of  Justice, 
One  Secretary  of  Public  Works. 

THE  LEGISLATIVE  POWER. 

This  branch  of  the  Government  emanating  directly  from  the  will 
of  the  people,  resides  into  two  high  bodies,  the  Senate  and  the 
Chamber  of  Deputies.  The  Senate  is  renewed  by  halves  ever)^  two 
years,  and  the  deputies  hold  their  mandates  also  for  two  years. 

THE  JUDICIAL  POWER. 

This  important  branch  of  the  Government  is  composed  of  a 
tribunal  known  as  the  Supreme  Court  of  Justice,  composed  of 
a  Chief  Justice  known  as  the  President  of  the  Tribunal,  eleven 
Associate  Justices  known  as  Magistrates,  and  two  Attorneys-Genet-al, 
one  known  as  Fiscal  Attorney-General  and  Procurador,  or  Pro- 
curer or  Solicitor  General. 

The  following  duties  devolves  upon  the  different  Secretaries  of 
State. 

The  Secretary  of  State  and  of  Foreign  Relations  has  charge  of 
all  the  foreign  relations,  the  consulates,  the  delineation  and  pre- 
servation of  the  limits  of  the  Republic,  the  naturalization  of  foreign- 
ers, the  recording  of  commercial  houses  and  foreign  companies, 
the  legalization  of  signatures  ;  he  is  also  the  depositor  of  the  great 
seal  of  the  nation,  the  keeper  of  the  national  archives  and  has 
charge  of  the  ceremonial  and  official  publications. 

The  duties  of  the  Secretary  of  State  and  of  the  Interior  consist  in 
supervising  all  general  elections.  National  Congress,  constitutional 
reforms,  territorial  divisions  and  boundaries  between  the  States ;  it 
is  his  duty  to  see  that  the  Constitution  is  enforced,  he  has  charge 
of  the  relations  between  the  Executive  and  the  different  States, 
public  tranquillity,  national  guard,  amnesties,  civil  register,  right  of 


citizenship,  right  of  reunion  (meetings),  liberty  of  the  press,  liberty 
of  religion  and  the  police  of  that  department.  He  has  charge  of 
the  public  security  and  salubrity,  the  Post  Office,  the  National 
festivities,  epidemics,  vaccination ;  he  has  also  charge  of  the  political 
government  of  the  Federal  District  and  its  administration,  the  super- 
vision of  public  benevolence,  hospitals,  asylums,  prisons,  peniten- 
ciaries,  houses  of  correction  and  public  printing. 

The  Secretary  of  Justice  and  Public  Instruction  has  charge  of 
the  Supreme,  Circuit  and  District  Courts,  of  the  controversy  that  may 
arise  betv/een  the  Federal  tribunals,  of  cases  of  piracy,  expropria- 
tions for  public  utility.  Codes,  of  the  collection  of  laws  and  decrees, 
of  the  judicial  organization  in  the  Federal  District  and  Territories,  of 
the  freedom  of  teaching,  professional  titles,  national  colleges,  special 
schools,  academies,  and  scientific,  artistic  and  literary  associations, 
libraries,  museums,  national  antiquities,  lawyers  and  notaries,  and 
pardons. 

To  the  Secretary  of  Public  Works  belongs  the  department  of 
statistics,  liberty  of  industry  and  labor,  agriculture,  commerce, 
mining,  exclusive  privileges,  internal  improvements  (including  the 
supervision  of  highways,  railroads,  bridges,  canals,  light-houses, 
telegraphs,  colonization,  public  lands,  public  monuments,  exhibi- 
tions of  agricultural  and  industrial  products,  also  textile  and  mining 
products,  drainage  of  the  valley  of  Mexico,  the  supervision  of  all 
works  of  public  utility  or  ornamentation  done  under  the  patronage  or 
at  the  cost  of  the  national  treasury,  the  preservation  of  the  national 
palaces  and  all  public  buildings),  and  has  charge  of  geographical  and 
astronomical  survey  and  observations,  scientific  explorations,  and 
weights  and  measures. 

To  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  and  Public  Credit  belongs 
the  administration  of  all  federal  revenues,  tariff  of  maritime  custom- 
houses, mints,  loans  and  public  debt,  and  the  nationalization  of 
church  property. 

The  Secretary  of  War  and  Marine  has  charge  of  the  standing 
army,  the  national  navy,  the  national  guard  (when  in  the  service  of 
the  government),  the  military  and  naval  schools,  military  hospitals, 
military  legislation,  military  colonies,  judgments  of  court  martials, 
letters  of  marque,  the  inspection  of  forts,  quarters,  arsenals,  military 
stores  and  federal  depots,  and  the  wild  Indians. 

The  judicial  power  is  composed  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Jus- 


tice,  and  the  District  and  Circuit  Courts.  The  first  is  composed  of 
eleven  magistrates  and  four  supernumerary  magistrates,  and  two 
attorneys  general,  one  styled  Fiscal  and  the  other  Procurador. 
These  supreme  judges  are  elected  by  the  people  and  hold  their 
mandates  for  the  term  of  six  years  from  the  date  of  their  taking 
the  oath  of  office.  During  absence,  or  in  case  of  incapacity  or 
death,  the  President  of  the  Supreme  Court  becomes  President  of 
the  Republic. 

The  Government  of  the  several  States  of  the  Republic  is  also 
divided  into  three  distinct  branches  :  the  Legislative,  Executive  and 
Judicial  Powers,  taking  respectively  the  names  of  Legislature,  Gov- 
ernment of  the  State,  and  Supreme  Court  of  Justice  of  the  State. 

BOUNDARIES    AND    AREA. 

The  Republic  of  Mexico  is  bounded  as  follows :  On  the  south 
by  the  Republic  of  Guatemala  and  the  English  territory  of  Balize  ; 
on  the  north  by  the  United  States  of  America.  This  dividing  line 
between  the  two  nations,  as  settled  by  the  last  treaty  of  December 
30th,  1853,  known  as  the  Gadsden  purchase,  begins  at  the  mouth  of 
the  Rio  Grande,  or  Brazo  del  Norte,  and,  following  its  course  until 
it  strikes  the  31°  47'  parallel  of  north  latitude  ;  thence  west,  follow- 
ing the  same  parallel  for  100  English  miles ;  thence  south  to  paral- 
lel 31°  21',  and  following  the  same  parallel  until  it  strikes  the  ill*' 
meridian  from  Greenwich  ;  thence  northwest  in  a  direct  line  until  it 
strikes  the  Rio  Grande  on  parallel  32^  29'  45"  ;  thence  following 
the  course  of  said  river,  until  the  dividing  line  between  the 
two  Californias  is  reached  ;  thence  following  said  dividing  line  until 
the  shores  of  the  bay  of  San  Diego  on  the  Pacific  Coast  is  reached, 
a  marine  league  below  the  town  of  San  Diego.  The  greatest  length 
of  the  Mexican  Republic  from  northwest  to  southeast,  drawing  a 
straight  line  from  the  southern  extremity  of  the  State  of  Chiapas 
to  a  league  south  of  the  port  of  San  Diego  in  Upper  California,  is 
750  leagues  of  5,000  varas,  or  1,973^  American  miles;  and  its 
greatest  width  taken  on  the  26th  degree  of  north  latitude  is  224 
leagues,  or  589  American  miles.  Its  coast  extends  along  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico  and  the  Caribean  Sea  for  1,613  miles,  and  for  4,168 }4  miles 
along  the  Pacific  Ocean  and  the  Gulf  of  California.  Its  line  of 
frontier  with  the  United   States  extends  for  1,789)^  miles,  and  the 


extent  of  its  southern  frontier  is  of  532  miles.  The  present  area  of 
the  Republic  amounting  to  110,317  square  Mexican  leagues,  or 
766,088  square  miles. 

According  to  the  distinguished  Mexican  historian,  Don  Lucas 
Alaman,  the  territory'  of  Mexico,  when  its  independence  from  Spain 
was  established,  contained  an  area  of  216,012  square  leagues,  of 
5,000  varas  in  length,  or  4, 1 79  metres.  The  Mexican  square  leagues 
contain  1,747  hectares,  or  4,428  American  acres.  He  sets  the  same 
down,  at  the  time  he  published  his  work  upon  Mexico,  at  106,067 
square  leagues,  the  United  States  having  acquired  by  treaty  109,945 
square  leagues. 

GEOGRAPHICAL   POSITION. 

The  territory-  of  the  Mexican  Republic  extends  from  the  13**  to 
the  320  of  north  latitude  and  the  14°  20'  of  east  longitude,  and  the 
270  25'  of  west  longitude  from  the  city  of  Mexico. 

BAYS. 

The  principals  are  those  of  Campeche,  Island  of  Carmen,  As- 
cencion  and  Espiritu  Santo  on  the  east  coast  of  Yucatan,  and  those 
of  Acapulco,  Manzanillo  (on  the  Pacific)  and  those  of  Lower 
California. 

GULFS. 

There  are  three  in  the  Republic,  viz. :  the  Gulf  of  California,  or 
the  Sea  of  Cortez,  that  separates  Lower  California  from  the  State  of 
Sonora  ;  the  Gulf  of  Tehuantepec  on  the  Pacific,  and  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico  on  the  Atlantic. 

CAPES. 

The  principal  ones  are  the  Cabo  Rojo,  that  of  Catoche  on  the 
coast  of  Yucatan,  that  of  San  Lucas  in  Lower  California,  and  that 
of  Corrientes  on  the  coast  of  the  State  of  Jalisco. 


ISLANDS. 

The  Republic  of  Mexico  possesses  many  of  more  or  less  mag- 
nitude.   Among  the  principals    the  following  can  be  mentioned  : 


San  Ignacio,  Angel  de  Guardia,  Salsipuedes,  Tiburon,  Tortuga, 
del  Carmen,  San  Jose  and  Cerralvo  in  the  Gulf  of  California. 
Those  of  Venados,  of  N.  W.,  of  del  Medio,  of  the  S,  E.,  Santa  Cata- 
lina,  and  others  in  the  Pacific  Ocean.  Those  of  Cozumel,  of  Can- 
cun,  de  Mujeres  and  Contey  in  the  Carribean  Sea,  and  those  of 
Jollox  and  del  Carmen  in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico, 

RIVERS. 

Unfortunately  for  Mexico  but  a  few  of  its  rivers  are  navigable, 
and  that  only  for  a  short  distance  ;  below  is  given  the  length  of  the 
principal  streams  of  the  Republic,  viz.: 


Rio  Bravo  [Rio  Grande] 

.     600  leagues 

Rio  Concho,  State  of  Chihuahua 

130 

Rio  de  Santiago    .... 

.     208 

Rio  de  los  Balzas 

161 

Rio  Yaqui 

.130 

Rio  de  Grijalva 

132 

Rio  Usumacinta    .... 

.     131         " 

Rio  Mezquetal  .... 

115 

Rio  Panuco 

.     no 

Rio  del  Altar     .... 

108 

Rio  de  Nazos         .... 

.     103 

Rio  de  Flagualilla      . 

103 

Rio  de  Sinaloa       .... 

.     107 

Rio  del  Fuerte  .... 

105 

Rio  Mayo 

.      80        " 

Rio  de  Ures 

80        " 

Rio  de  Alvarado    .... 

.      62 

Rio  de  Culiacan 

60 

Rio  de  Goazacalcos 

.      35 

The  Rio  de  Moctezuma,  that  takes  its  rise  in  the  hills  that 
separate  the  Valley  of  Mexico  from  that  of  Toluca,  and  which, 
after  uniting  its  waters  with  the  Panuco,  empties  into  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico,  might  be  canalized  and,  probably  will  be  some  day,  thereby 
making  an  internal  water  communication  and  a  drain  for  the  Valley 
of  Mexico. 


MOUNTAINS. 

Among  the  principal  peaks  in  the  Mexican  Republic  are  the 
following  : 
In  the  State  of  Mexico — 

1.  The  Popocatepetl,  5,400  metres. 

2.  The  Ixtacihualt,  4,775  metres. 

3.  The  Nevado  de  Toluca,  4,440  metres. 

4.  The  Ajusco,  3,575  metres. 

In  the  State  of  Vera-Cruz — 

5.  The  Peak  of  Orizaba,  5,298  metres. 

6.  The  Cofre  de  Perote,  4,089  metres. 

In  the  State  of  Coliina — 

7.  The  Volcano  of  Colima,  3,396  metres. 

In  the  State  of  Oxaca — 

8.  The  Zempoaltepetl,  3,368  metres. 

In  the  State  of  Michoacan — 

9.  The  Quinceo,  3,324  metres. 

In  the  State  of  Zacatecas — 

10.  The  Veta  Grande,  2,800  metres. 

11.  The  Bufa  de  Zacatecas,  2,618  metres. 

In  the  State  of  Durango — 

12.  Cerro  Mercado,  2,500  metres. 

In  the  State  of  Chiapas — 

13.  The  Soconusco,  2,400  metres. 

In  the  State  of  Chihuahua — 

14.  The  Jesus  Maria,  2,511  metres. 

15.  The  Tabacotes,  2,359  metres. 

16.  The  Cerro  Puelo,  2,124  metres. 

17.  The  Cusihuiriachic,  1,978  metres. 

18.  The  Cerro  del  Coronal,  1,608  metres. 

In  the  State  of  Michoacan — 

19.  The  Volcano  de  Zorullo,  1,297  metres. 

In  the  State  of  falisco — 

20.  The  Bufa  de  Boianos,  1,250  metres. 

21.  The  Mineral  de  Bolaiios,  1,025  metres. 


FORESTS  AND  VEGETABLE  PRODUCTIONS. 


Among  the  trees  of  the  forests  are  found  the  following.  We 
give  their  names  in  Spanish,  or  Mexican  dialects,  with  a  translation 
into  English,  and  their  technical  names  in  botany  when  possible. 


SPANISH. 

ENGLISH. 

LATIN. 

Guachocares, 

Quiebrahachas, 

A  kind  of  Fir. 

Robles, 

Oak  tree. 

Fraxinus 

Pinos, 

Pine, 

Pinus. 

Olmos, 

Elm. 

Ulmus. 

Nogales. 

Hayas, 

Beach  tree. 

Fagus. 

Encinas, 

Live  oak, 

Quereus  ilex. 

Abetos. 

Cedros, 

Cedar, 

Cedro  de  America. 

Caobas, 

Mahogany, 

Swietenia  mahogani, 

Guachapillines. 

Palmas  reales, 

Royal  palmetto. 

Ceibas  negras. 

Sabinos, 

Sabine. 

Palo  amarillo, 

Yellow  wood. 

/\.ioe. 
Topinuranos. 

J^ulO  gulCuuO. 

Madera  de  Zopilote. 

Palillo. 

Ebanos, 

Ebony. 

Palo  de  hierro, 

Iron  wood. 

Palo  brazo  (a  tree  whose  shade  irritates  the  masculine  sex). 

Palo  rosa, 

Rosewood. 

Guamochil 

Retama. 

Acahuiste, 

Conifera. 

Azumiate, 

Maconia. 

Balsam  0, 

Amyridacea 

Cacao  (female), 

Anacordiasea. 

Cacao  (male), 

Anacordiasea 

Cherry, 

SPANISH. 

Cimal. 
Cuayolote. 
Espino  bianco. 
Esquisuchil. 
Escabo  ordinario. 
Alcamban. 
Huisachi 
Laurel. 
Leoncillo. 
Mamey. 
Mecacahuil. 
Naranjo, 
Palo  Maria. 
Palo  bianco, 
Pochote. 
Pixlta. 

Quechulahuacate. 
Sochimahuit  (black), 
Sochimahuit  (yellow), 
Tesoloahuacate. 
Teolate, 

Tepehuage  bianco, 
Teamole. 
Tlascal, 
Cacao. 

Copalillo  (common). 
Cholahuite. 
Duraznillo. 
Temazcalchihua  1 . 
Tehuiztle. 
Ramon. 
Frijolillo. 
Ispepe. 

Zempoalehual. 
Aceitunillo. 
Ahuacate  chico. 
\  Algodoncillo, 
Ahocoahuitl. 


ENGLISH. 


LATIN. 


Orange, 
Huckleberry. 


Citrus. 
Elnica. 


Laurinea. 

Laurinea. 

Con  if  era. 
Mimosa. 

Conifera, 


Malvacea. 


10 


SPANISH. 

ENGLISH. 

LATIN. 

Amargo. 

Amargoso. 

Ahuacatillo  fino. 

Arrayan. 

Asajarillo  (male), 

Sympl.  Linonc. 

Asajarillo  (female), 

Sympl.  Linonc. 

Axocopa. 

Almacigo, 

Mastic  tree. 

xi  UuCOneCOS, 

Brazil, 

Dye-wood, 

Cisalpinei  Brasilienses 

Acacia. 

A  shrub. 

Albases. 

Campeche, 

Logwood, 

Hematopilis    Campe- 
chicanus. 

Fresno, 

Ash, 

Fraximus. 

Tepeguage. 

Picea, 

Silver  fir. 

Pinus  picea. 

Taray, 

Tamarisco. 

Aliso, 

Alder  tree. 

Betula  almus. 

Palo  Colorado, 

Redwood. 

Camzchm. 

Cobano. 

Arrayan, 

Myrtle, 

Myrtus  corromusus. 

Guayacan, 

Lignum-vitae, 

Guaiacum. 

Azafran, 

Saffron, 

Crocus  Santus. 

Peomia. 

Oregano, 

Wild  majoran, 

Origanum  vulgar. 

Haba, 

A  kind  of  pulu, 

Haba  comun. 

Madera  blanca. 

White-wood. 

Enebro, 

Common  juniper, 

Juniperos. 

Ocote. 

Nazareno. 

Copal, 

Copal. 

Amapa. 

Hovo. 

POPULATION. 

Baron  Humboldt  says  that  in   1804  the  white  population  of 
Mexico  was  in  the  proportion  of  sixteen  to  every  hundred  inhabit- 


11 

ants.  The  distinguished  historian,  Lucas  Alaman,  says  that  out  of 
the  population  of  Mexico  in  1808,  which  he  estimates  at  six  millions 
souls,  one  million  two  hundred  thousand  were  of  Spanish  blood  (in 
that  number  he  includes  sixty  thousand  European  Spaniards  domi- 
ciled in  Mexico),  about  two  million  four  hundred  thousand  of  Indian 
blood,  and  the  balance  of  mixed  blood.  The  proportion  of  inhabit- 
ants of  pure  white  blood  is  larger  in  the  northern  States  than  in  the 
interior  States  of  the  Republic. 

The  distinguished  statesman,  Don  Sebastian  Lerdo  de  Tejada, 
who  succeeded  President  Juarez  to  the  presidency  of  Mexico,  in  a 
statistical  sketch  of  the  Republic,  that  he  published  in  1856,  set  down 
the  population  of  Mexico  at  7,829,564  inhabitants,  and  its  area  at 
110,317  square  leagues. 

It  is  probable  that  to-day  the  population  is  nearer  twelve  mil- 
lions than  any  other  figure. 

CHARACTER    OF   THE    POPULATION. 

The  Mexican  Indian,  who  forms  the  largest  portion  of  the 
population,  is  of  a  bronze  color,  peculiar  to  most  of  the  natives  of 
the  American  continent.  He  is  of  medium  stature,  his  hands  and 
feet  are  small ;  the  palm  of  his  hands  and  soles  of  his  feet  are  of  a 
lighter  color  than  the  balance  of  his  body.  He  is  well  proportioned 
in  form,  with  a  narrow  forehead,  black  eyes,  black  straight  hair, 
with  the  exterior  of  his  eyes  slightly  raised  toward  the  temples, 
beard  scarce,  and  very  little  hair  on  the  body.  The  women  in  gen- 
eral are  pretty,  their  speech  is  sweet,  and  their  countenance  ex- 
tremely modest. 

The  Mexican  Indian  has  a  dignified  appearance  :  he  is  of  a 
melancholy  disposition — is  inclined  to  silence  and  solitude  ;  his  man- 
ners are  genteel  and  passionate  ;  he  is  inclined  to  dissimulate,  and 
his  physionomy  never  show  the  ardent  passions  that  may  animate 
him  within  ;  he  is  constant  in  his  affections  ;  his  fidelity  is  extraor- 
dinary. One  of  the  mam  reasons  why  in  Mexico  the  Indian  has 
preserved  his  race  pure,  is  because  he  very  rarely  contracts  matri- 
mony or  relations  with  women  that  are  not  of  his  race  and  class. 
He  is  not  much  addicted  to  labor,  his  sobriety  is  extreme,  his  w^ants 
are  but  few,  and  as  soon  as  he  has  acquired  enough  to  satisfy  them 
he  will  cease  his  exertions  ;  with  those  defects  that  are  inherent  to 
constitution  and  character,  they  have  many  quaUties. 


They  have  but  little  inventive  genius,  and  having  little  imagina- 
tion their  speech  is  short ;  but  this  should  be  attributed  to  their  long 
ill-treatment  by  the  Spaniards  for  300  years,  and  their  want  of 
education. 

In  regard  to  his  physical  force,  although  far  from  equaling 
the  negro  or  the  white  man,  probably  on  account  of  the  small  quan- 
tity and  the  bad  quality  of  the  nourishment,  his  constancy  to  his 
labor  and  his  great  power  of  endurance  makes  up  his  deficiency  of 
physical  force. 

At  the  beginning  of  this  century  the  negro  population  of  Mexico 
did  not  exceed  10,000  souls. 

Population,  according  to  latest  data  in  1881, 10,025,649  inhabit- 
ants of  all  colors;    this  includes  foreigners  residmg  inthe  country. 


ANTIQUITIES. 

In  the  State  of  Chiapas,  in  the  Valley  of  Quixte,  is  to  be  seen 
two  stones  in  the  shape  of  a  tongue,  three  yards  in  length  and  two 
yards  and  two-thirds  in  width.  To  these  two  rocks  the  Indians  pay 
great  respect,  taking  off  their  hats  to  them  ;  they  adorn  them  with 
flowers,  which,  after  they  have  dried,  they  carry  off  as  relics ;  they 
kneel  and  pray  to  these  rocks,  as  if  they  were  still  practising 
paganism. 

The  ruins  of  Palenque,  so  much  noted  for  their  grandeur  and 
varied  sculpture,  are  also  in  this  State.  Ruins  of  many  large  In- 
dian cities,  which  attest  a  high  degree  of  civilization,  are  found 
scattered  in  this  same  State. 

Many  interesting  antiquities  are  found  in  the  State  of  Oajaca, 
among  the  most  noted  is  the  ancient  palace  of  Mitla. 

In  the  State  of  Yucatan  are  to  be  found  very  interesting  ruins 
on  account  of  their  vast  proportions  ;  among  them  those  of  Uxmal, 
which  are  in  a  better  state  of  preservation  than  those  of  Palenque. 
The  structure  called  "  La  Casa  del  Enano  "  (the  dwarf's  palace)  is 
amongst  the  most  interesting  on  account  of  its  fine  sculptures 

Antiquities  of  high  interest  are  found  in  the  State  of  Tlaxcala, 
among  them  the  portraits  of  four  of  their  ancient  senators  made  on 
some  leaves  of  the  maguey  plant ;  the  fountain  in  which  the  dis- 
tinguished prince  and  poet  Xicotencalt  was  baptized,  and  many 
others. 


13 

In  the  State  of  Chihuahua,  the  ruins  of  Casa  Grande,  on  the 
river  of  the  same  name,  supposed  to  have  been  built  by  the  Astecs 
in  their  migration  to  the  Valley  of  Mexico. 

In  caves  situated  in  the  mountains  of  the  Laguna  country, 
that  belongs  to  the  State  of  Coahuila,  Indian  mummies  have  been 
discovered  in  the  late  years. 

ETYMOLOGY    OF    THE    EXPRESSION    OR    WORD 
"  MEXICO." 

It  originated  from  the  chief  Ocite,  that  degenerated  into 
MexiU,  whose  name  the  country  assumed  in  consideration  of  the 
services  he  had  rendered,  and  which  the  Spaniards  corrupted  into 
Mexico.  The  word  Mejico,  in  the  Astec  language,  signifies  place 
or  residence  of  the  war  god,  called  Mexitle  or  Huitzilopochtli. 

DIALECTS. 

The  national  language  is  the  Castilian.  Amongst  the  natives, 
various  dialects,  the  languages  of  their  forefathers,  are  still  spoken ; 
the  principal  ones  in  our  days  are  :  the  Astec  or  Mejican,  the  Oto- 
mite,  the  Tarasco,  the  Zapoteco,  the  Misteco,  the  Mazahua,  the 
Poloque,  the  Zotzil,  the  Maya  language,  and  many  others ;  the  dia- 
lects most  generally  spoken  are  the  Astec,  Otomite  (in  the  Sierra 
Gorda  country),  and  the  Mazahua. 

CLIMATE. 

Most  of  the  territory  that  now  forms  the  Republic  of  Mexico, 
which  was  so  greatly  reduced  by  the  treaty  of  Guadaloupe  Hidalgo, 
is  almost  equally  divided  by  the  line  of  the  equator,  and  Umited 
north  and  south  by  the  tropics.  This  vast  space  was  formerly 
known  as  the  torrid  zone,  because  it  was  supposed  that  on  account 
of  its  extremely  warm  temperature  it  was  hardly  inhabitable  for 
man.  It  is  true  that  this  zone,  where  the  level  of  the  land  is  but 
slightly  above  that  of  the  Ocean,  presents  the  following  feature : 
Near  a  luxurious  vegetation,  the  heat  is  so  great  that  the  white 
man  cannot  perform  any  arduous  labor,  and  he  is  necessarily 
compelled  to  remain  inactive,  almost  constantly  shut  up  between 


14 

thick  walls,  and  have  his  field  labor,  particularly  that  kind  that  has 
to  be  performed  in  the  sun,  done  by  a  race  better  constituted  to 
stand  the  rays  of  the  burning  sun.  When  near  the  coast,  the 
vicinity  of  the  sea  temperates  in  a  great  measure  the  burning 
influence  of  the  Aster  King,  but  when  the  land  presents  the  vast 
surface  of  a  continent,  heat  becomes  intense,  unless  favored  with 
an  exceptional  configuration,  as  is  the  case  with  Mexico,  I  mean  to 
say  with  high  altitudes.  The  higher  the  altitude  of  a  country,  the 
lower  is  its  temperature,  so  much  so  that  it  would  seem  that  he 
was  leaving  the  equator  for  the  north  pole.  Under  the  line  of  the 
equator  can  be  found  perpetual  ice  and  a  mean  temperature  equal 
to  that  of  Iceland. 

The  great  mass  of  the  Mexican  territory,  in  lieu  of  presenting 
a  country  of  low  altitude,  as  compared  with  the  level  of  the  sea,  like 
the  country  along  the  banks  of  the  Niger,  in  Africa,  or  the  country- 
along  the  banks  of  the  Amazone  River,  in  South  America,  consti- 
tute a  high  plateau,  that  presents  on  each  of  its  flanks  a  rapid 
inclined  plane  of  heavy  grade  to  the  shores  of  the  Atlantic  and 
Pacific  oceans.  It  is  certainly  not  one  of  the  least  privileges  of  the 
Mexican  plateau  to  be  situated  at  elevations  which  are  most  favor- 
able to  the  development  of  the  Caucasian  race,  both  on  account  of 
its  healthfulness  and  products.  It  was  also  on  that  account  that 
prior  to  the  conquest  of  the  country  by  the  Spaniards,  it  was 
already  the  seat  of  a  remarkable  civilization.  The  Cordillera,  after 
it  strikes  the  Mexican  territory,  spreads  out  so  as  to  occupy  the 
greatest  portion  of  the  country  situated  between  the  two  oceans, 
hence  a  region  of  country  suspended  above  the  ocean  at  a  height, 
in  the  southern  portion  of  the  Republic, — as  for  instance  about  the 
cities  of  Puebla,  Mexico  and  in  the  Mixteca — of  4,500  to  5,000 
American  feet.  The  city  of  Puebla  is  situated  at  an  altitude  of  2,196 
metres.  The  City  of  Mexico,  at  an  altitude  of  3,274  metres.  North  of 
Mexico,  the  fine  city  of  Guanajuato,  so  celebrated  for  the  rich  silver 
mines  that  are  worked  in  its  neighborhood,  is  situated  at  an  altitude 
of  2,084  metres,  that  is  a  little  below  the  level  of  the  capital.  From 
the  surface  of  this  plateau  rises  several  peaks  which  are  covered 
with  perpetual  snow,  such  as  the  two  at  the  foot  of  which  are  built, 
on  the  south  side,  the  fine  city  of  Puebla,  and  on  the  north,  the  cap- 
ital of  Mexico.  Those  two  mountains  have  preserved  to  this  day 
their  Aztec  names  :  one,  the  Istaccihuatl  (the  white  woman),  and 


15 

the  other,  the  Popocatapetl  (smoking  mountain),  reach  respectively 
the  altitude  of  4,786  metres  and  5,500  metres.  A  short  distance 
from  the  City  of  Mexico,  is  situated  the  peak  known  as  the  Nevada 
de  Toluca  (snow  mountain  of  Toluca)  which  reaches  the  altitude  of 
4,621  metres.  Those  projections  of  the  plateau  are  mere  dots  com- 
pared with  the  immense  extent  of  the  same. 

The  six  highest  mountains  in  Mexico  are  the  three  above  men- 
tioned, the  peak  of  Orizaba,  the  Coffre  de  Perote  and  the  volcano 
of  Colima  situated  almost  on  a  parallel  line  with  the  equator. 
Excepting  the  narrow  strip  of  country  marked  by  those  high  peaks, 
Mexico  offers  a  plateau  extending  northward,  with  undulations  that 
do  not  materially  change  their  altitude  for  long  distances.  Immense 
plains,  that  at  one  time  were  the  beds  of  vast  lakes,  follow  each 
other,  and  only  separated  by  low  mountains  that  hardly  ever  reach 
in  altitude  2,000  feet.  In  altitude,  this  plateau  equals  the 
height  of  the  Alpine  mountains  of  Europe,  which  have  a  very  cold 
climate  ;  the  former,  on  account  of  its  being  situated  near  the  equa- 
tor, is  found  with  a  temperate  climate.  This  plateau  maintains 
its  great  elevation  northwardly  to  a  point  further  than  the  tropic  of 
Cancer ;  it  really  begins  about  latitude  18  and  ends  at  latitude  40, 
giving  it  a  development  of  22  degrees,  or  2,440  kilometres. 

The  two  slopes  of  this  long  plateau,  as  one  descends  to  the 
banks  of  either  oceans  and  approaches  the  sea,  presents  the 
highest  temperature.  The  grade  being  very  rapid  causes  sudden 
changes  in  the  climate  and  vegetation.  The  traveler  who  as- 
cends or  descends  this  inclined  plane  passes  through  the  most 
picturesque  and  marvellous  contrasts.  If,  for  instance,  he  leaves 
the  plateau  for  the  coast,  he  first  passes  through  forests  of  fir 
trees,  like  those  of  Europe ;  then  fields  of  olive  trees,  grape 
vines,  wheat  or  corn,  and  now  and  then  spaces  filled  by  all  the 
variety  of  the  cactus  plant,  and  fields  of  magueys  {agare  Ame- 
ricana) ;  then  further,  forests  of  orange  trees,  wild  cotton,  bananas, 
coffee  trees,  sugar  cane,  fields  of  indigo,  cacao,  and  finally  all  the 
great  variety  of  tropical  fruits,  with  their  bright  colors,  their  deli- 
cious scent  and  flavors,  which  indicates  a  great  natural  richness,  un- 
equalled in  the  world,  and  susceptible  of  being  easily  improved. 

To  distinguish  the  various  cHmates  and  products  of  Mexico, 
the  Spaniards  have  always  divided  the  country  into  three  different 
zones,   to  which  they  have  given   characteristic  names.      These 


16 

zones  could  themselves  be  subdivided  into  innumerable  others,  ac- 
cording to  their  higher  or  lower  altitudes  or  exposition  to  the  rays  of 
the  sun.  The  first  of  these  three  zones,  named  "  Tterra  Caliente  " 
(torrid  land),  begins  on  the  coast  and  extends  to  a  certain  height 
on  the  inclined  plane  by  which  the  plateau  is  ascended.  Vegetable 
produces  are  here  of  great  exhuberance,  caused  by  the  very  high  tem- 
perature and  by  its  numerous  running  streams.  This  zone  has  a 
very  particularly  active  vegetation  on  the  eastern  flank  of  the  pla- 
teau (Atlantic  side),  because  the  prevailing  winds,  the  trade-winds, 
reach  the  low  lands  impregnated  with  all  the  dampness  they  have 
gathered  on  their  long  course  over  the  surface  of  the  ocean.  It  is 
also  distinguished  from  the  other  two  by  its  cultures,  which  are 
altogether  tropical.  Unfortunately,  in  the  vicinity  of  its  ports  on 
the  Atlantic  side,  its  coast  is  desolated  by  the  yellow  fever,  known 
as  "  vomito." 

Half  way  above  the  inclined  plane  leading  to  the  plateau,  the 
second  zone,  known  as  Tterra  Templada  (temperate  land),  is 
reached.  This  portion  of  Mexico  has  a  mean  annual  temperature  of 
18  to  20  degrees  (Reaumur),  the  thermometer  scarcely  varying  during 
the  whole  year,  so  that  its  inhabitants  are  blessed  with  a  perpetual 
Spring.  This  region  is  one  of  the  most  deligthful  in  the  world,  the 
best  type  of  which  is  found  about  the  cities  of  Xalapa,  Orizaba 
and  Chilpancingo.  This  zone  possesses  a  vegetation  nearly  as 
active  and  as  vigorous  as  that  of  the  coast,  but  without  its  burning 
heaven  and  the  poisonous  miasmas  of  the  sea-shore,  and  none  of 
the  innumerable  poisonous  insects,  which  constantly  torment  the 
inhabitants  of  the  torrid  zone,  are  found  in  the  temperate  zone. 
This  zone,  where  water  is  found  in  abundance,  as  it  is  also 
found  in  the  neighborhood  of  Xalapa  and  some  other  districts  of 
Mexico,  where  snow-peaks,  like  those  of  Orizaba  and  the  Coffre 
de  Perote,  feed  numerous  little  streams,  is  a  perfect  paradise. 

Above  the  temperate  zone  is  found  the  third,  known  as  the 
"'  Tterra  Fria  "  (cold  land),  so  named  by  the  Spaniards  on  ac- 
count of  the  analogy  of  its  climate  with  that  of  the  two  Castilles, 
but  most  Europeans  find  the  climate  of  this  zone  very  mild. 

The  mean  temperature  of  Mexico  and  the  greater  portion  of  the 
plateau  is  17  degrees  (Reaumur)  ;  it  is  a  little  below  that  of  Naples, 
and  the  same  as  the  three  months  of  summer  in  Paris,  France.  The 
variations  or  changes  from  a  season  to  the  other  are  much  less 


17 

felt  than  in  the  most  temperate  climate  of  European  countries. 
During  the  season  called  winter,  in  the  city  of  Mexico,  the  mean 
temperature  never  falls  below  13  degrees. 

A  country  favored  with  such  physical  constitution,  can  unite 
the  most  varied  productions,  not  only  in  its  divers  States,  but  in  the 
neighborhood  of  the  same  city.  Four  basins  are  stretched  along 
very  unequal  altitude  and  surround  the  Mexican  capital.  The  first 
comprises  the  valley  of  Toluca,  capital  of  the  State  of  Mexico,  at 
an  elevation  of  2,600  metres  above  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  ;  the  second, 
the  valley  of  Tenochtitlan  (Mexico)  at  2,274  metres ;  the  third,  the 
valley  of  Actopan,  at  1,966  metres,  and  the  fourth  the  valley  Tistla, 
at  981  metres  above  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  These  four  basins  differ 
as  much  by  their  climate  and  vegetable  productions,  as  by  their 
different  altitudes  above  the  Gulf.  The  fourth,  the  least  elevated,  is 
proper  to  the  culture  of  the  sugar-cane ;  the  third,  to  the  cultivation 
of  cotton ;  the  second,  to  the  cultivation  of  grain ;  and  the  first, 
that  of  Toluca,  is  distinguished  by  its  maguey  plantations.  The 
maguey  plant  constituted  the  real  vineyards  of  the  Aztecs  ;  it  even 
to-day  furnishes  a  beverage  called  ptilque,  much  in  use  among  the 
Mexican  population  of  the  interior.  When  railways  will  spread  out 
from  the  city  of  Mexico  as  they  do  from  our  great  American  cities, 
a  few  hours  only  will  be  necessary  to  unfold  to  the  eye  of  the  tra- 
veler the  most  varied  cultivations  and  climes. 

Supposing  the  railroad  from  Vera  Cruz,  via  Mexico,  to  Aca- 
pulco  completed  :  the  traveller — going  from  Mexico  to  Acapulco — 
from  a  vegetation  like  that  found  in  the  vicinity  of  Paris  would,  in 
one  or  two  hours'  time  be  amidst  the  plants  natural  to  Cuba  and 
San  Domingo,  for  it  is  only  18  leagues,  or  47  miles  from  the  city  of 
Mexico  to  Cuemavaca,  w^iere  the  sugar-cane  grows  remarkably  well. 
Independently  of  the  phenomena  that  determine,  here  and  there,  the 
exceptionable  most  favored  expositions  to  the  sun's  rays,  the 
extreme  variety  of  the  vegetable  reign  displayed  to  the  eye  of 
the  traveller  is  accrued  by  the  peculiar  elasticity  that  seems  to 
characterize  in  Mexico  the  nature  or  the  temperament  of  the  plants, 
even  of  those  who  are  supposed  to  be  extremely  delicate,  like  the 
sugar-cane.  For  instance,  the  cultivation  of  the  latter,  which 
begins  near  the  sea-shore,  continues,  in  all  its  fruitfulness,  to  a 
height  of  3,000  feet,  and  even  produces  well  in  the  valleys  that  are 
sheltered  from  the  north,  at  an  altitude  of  5,000  feet,  and  even  do 


18 

well  at  a  still  higher  altitude.  Sugar-cane  plantations  are  found  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  city  of  Valladolid,  or  Morella,  the  capital  of  the 
State  of  Michoacan,  at  an  elevation  of  6,000  feet.  Very  prosperous 
sugar-cane  plantations  are  also  found  in  the  State  of  San  Luis 
Potosi,  in  the  valley  of  Rio  Verde,  at  an  altitude  of  6,000  feet.  But 
the  latter  valley  is  deep  and  narrow,  the  sides  of  the  mountains, 
standing  as  straight  as  a  stone  wall,  reflects  the  sun's  rays  to  such 
a  point  of  heat  that  makes  it  unbearable.  It  is  proved  by  the  will 
of  Hernando  Cortez,  the  conqueror  of  Mexico,  that  in  his  day  sugar- 
cane grew  in  the  valley  of  Mexico.  The  proper  extension  to  be  given 
to  the  cultivation  of  the  cane  itself  would  insure  a  great  future  to 
Mexico. 

There  is,  in  all  probability,  no  country  to  be  found  on  the  face 
of  the  earth  v^hose  configuration  is  so  particularly  advantageous  as 
Mexico.  In  Europe,  the  high  land  consists  in  plains  situated  at  an 
altitude  of  2,600  to  2,800  feet  above  the  sea.  The  plateau  of  Cas- 
tille,  in  Spain,  is  situated  at  an  altitude  of  2,300  feet.  In  France, 
the  plateau  forming  the  central  departments  from  which  rises  the 
Mont-d'Or,  the  Puy-de-D6me  and  the  Cantal,  has  about  the  same 
altitude  as  that  of  Castille.  The  plateau  of  Bavaria  has  an  eleva- 
tion of  1,650  feet.  All  of  the  plateaus  above  mentioned  are  far  from 
possessing  the  advantages  of  the  Mexican  plateau,  whose  base  is 
bathed  by  the  waters  of  two  great  oceans;  and  it  is  not  by  descend- 
ing from  the  European  plateau  to  the  sea-shore  that  one  will  meet 
this  admirable  succession  of  all  the  climates  and  all  the  riches  of 
the  vegetable  reign. 

In  South  America,  the  vast  territory  formerly  composing  the 
Republic  of  Columbia,  now  divided  into  three  Republics,  whose 
coast  presents  the  shape  of  a  large  semi-circle,  united  to  the 
Isthmus  of  Panama,  offers  like  Mexico  the  character  of  a  territory 
situated  in  the  equinoctial  regions  descending  by  heavy  grades  to 
the  sea-shores  of  the  two  oceans  ;  but  here  the  elevation  of  the 
plains  is  much  greater  than  it  is  on  the  largest  portion  of  the 
Mexican  plateau,  the  altitudes  are  too  great.  The  city  of  Santa- 
F6-de.-Bogota,  the  capital  of  the  Republic  of  Columbia,  is  situated 
on  a  plateau  at  an  elevation  of  8,662  feet ;  Caxamarca,  the  ancient 
residence  of  the  Incas,  which  became  celebrated  at  the  time  of 
Fernando  Pizarro's  conquest  of  the  country  on  account  of  the  place 
of  keeping  of  the  fabulous  treasures  of  the  Inca  Atahualpa  and  the 


19 

murder  of  that  unfortunate  prince,  is  situated  at  an  elevation  of 
9,438  feet.  The  great  plains  of  Antisana  are  still  more  elevated, 
reaching  an  altitude  of  13,530  feet,  an  altitude  of  1,284  feet  above 
the  peak  of  the  island  of  Teneriffe.  Even  when  an  altitude  like 
that  of  the  city  of  Santa-Fe-de-Bogota  is  reached,  it  becomes  a 
disadvantage,  as  it  determines  a  low  temperature  that  paralyzes  the 
power  of  vegetation,  and  prevents  the  establishment  of  a  well  pro- 
ducing agriculture,  and  in  so  doing  becomes  an  impediment  to  the 
ascending  march  of  public  wealth  and  the  progress  of  civilization. 

On  the  Mexican  plateau,  it  can  be  observed  that  after  reaching 
the  altitude  of  8,250  or  8,500  feet,  the  sun  ceases  to  give  during 
the  summer  a  sufficient  quantity  of  heat  to  bring  to  maturity  many 
of  the  most  desirable  products  to  the  civilized  man.  On  the  pla- 
teau of  Bogota,  or  on  that  of  Anahuac  (Mexico),  the  winter  is 
milder  than  in  Europe,  or  in  the  so-called  temperate  climes  of  the 
United  States,  as  that  portion  of  the  country  between  Boston  or 
Chicago  to  New  Orleans  ;  on  the  other  hand,  the  sun  rays,  during 
the  summer,  have  not  sufficient  power  to  furnish  the  heat  required, 
at  a  certain  moment,  to  ripen  many  of  the  grains  and  fruits 
necessary  to  the  subsistence  and  the  arts  of  the  civilized  man. 

Between  the  Mexican  plateau  and  the  elevated  regions  of 
South  America,  another  feature  is  found  altogether  to  the  advant- 
age of  the  former.  The  plains  of  South  America  are  longitudinal 
valleys,  shut  up  between  the  two  branches  of  the  Cordillera,  while 
in  Mexico  it  is  the  largest  portion  of  the  mountain  chain  that  forms 
the  plateau.  From  what  has  just  been  said,  it  is  plainly  shown 
that  in  width, — that  is  perpendicularly  to  the  equator, — the 
plains  of  South  America  are  not  of  great  extent.  They  are  also 
of  limited  extent  in  length  ;  the  country  is  torn  across  by  ravines 
or  crevices  whose  depth  reaches  4,620  feet  which  opposes  to  the 
communications  obstacles  difficult  to  overcome.  South  America,  in 
lieu  of  a  plateau  like  that  of  Mexico,  presents  a  checker-board  of  small 
plateaus,  separated  by  immense  precipices,  when  they  are  not 
separated  by  the  perpendicular  walls  of  mountains.  According  to 
Baron  de  Humboldt,  the  little  plateaus  of  South  America  have  a 
mean  area  of  40  squares  leagues  or  170,200  acres  ;  they  are  isolated 
islands  amidst  an  aerial  ocean.  The  deep  cuts  that  furrow  the 
continent  in  the  elevated  regions  of  South  America  impedes  the 
transportation   of  merchandise  and  prevents    all  traveling  except 


20 

on  horseback,  on  foot,  or  on  the  back  of  Indians;  ,to  this  day, 
this  labor,  proper  to  beast  of  burden,  is  for  them  a  profession.  In 
Mexico,  on  the  contrary,  and  aUhough  there  are  but  few  roads, 
except  natural  roads,  wagons  can  easily  roll  upon  an  almost 
natural  level  road,  that  is  a  road  whose  easy  grade  is  not  felt  by  the 
wagoner,  from  the  city  of  Mexico  to  the  city  of  Santa  Fe,  in  New 
Mexico,  now  a  territory  of  the  United  States,  for  a  distance  by  the 
traveled  natural  road  of  631  Mexican  leagues,  or  1,640^  miles. 

Another  great  superiority  of  Mexico  over  a  portion  of  the 
other  equinoctial  regions  of  South  America,  is  in  the  small  number 
of  its  volcanoes  and  the  absence  of  those  violent  earthquakes  that 
from  time  to  time  destroy  and  devastate  a  portion  of  the  country. 
In  the  whole  of  Mexico,  one  hundred  years  ago,  only  four  volcanoes 
were  known  to  be  on  fire  :  the  peak  of  Orizaba, who  has  not  had  any 
eruption  of  any  note  for  300  years ;  the  Popocatapetl,  which  con- 
stantly ejects  smoke  in  small  quantity  (it  seems  that  at  the  time  of 
the  conquest  he  emitted  much  more);  the  mountain  of  Tustla  and 
the  volcano  of  Colima,  that  never  had  caused  any  damage  to  the 
surrounding  country.  In  September,  1759,  an  extraordinary  phe- 
nomenon without  any  precedent  in  natural  history  took  place.  A 
volcano  spontaneously  arose  in  the  valley  of  Jorullo,  destroying 
all  vestige  of  civilization  for  several  miles  of  country,  and  throwing 
out  ashes  in  such  a  quantity  as  to  obscure  the  sunlight.  Some  of 
the  ashes  fell  in  the  city  of  Queretaro,  a  distance  of  forty  leagues. 
In  our  days  it  is  smoking.  Although  Mexico  is  subject  to  earth- 
quakes, no  shocks  have  ever  been  felt  in  that  city  like  those  who 
destroyed  the  cities  of  Guatemala,  Lima,  Carracas,  and,  of  late, 
Iquique  and  many  others. 

What  Mexico  lacks  is  navigable  streams,  most  of  its  rivers 
being  torrents,  dry  during  a  large  portion  of  the  year.  The  Rio 
Bravo  del  Norte,  which  now  forms  a  part  of  the  boundary  line 
between  the  United  States,  is  only  navigable  for  small  boats  to 
Roma.  The  Guazacoalco  is  a  navigable  stream,  at  the  mouth  of 
which  a  good  port  could  be  made,  but  it  is  not  accessible  to  the 
populous  portions  of  Mexico.  The  Santiago  (St.  James),  or  Tolo- 
lotlan,  which  empties  into  the  Pacific  Ocean  near  the  port  of  San 
Bias,  passes  through  a  rich  country,  and  its  navigability  could  be 
improved.  Fortunately  for  Mexico,  during  the  raining  season,  which 
lasts  four  months  of  our  summer,  the  Mexican  soil  is  abundantly 


21 

watered  every  afternoon,  and  all  the  natural  reservoirs  that  supply 
the  springs  are  filled  up,  as  well  as  all  the  basins  and  tanks 
necessary  to  the  cultivation  of  the  soil  where  no  streams  are  found. 
This  same  phenomenon  occurs  in  calcareous  countries.  The  cause 
is  to  be  attributed  to  the  constitution  of  the  soil,  the  earth  being 
so  cracked,  the  rain  water,  absorbed  by  the  soil,  percolates  through 
innumerable  fissures  and  forms  small  streams  that  gush  out  on  the 
flanks  of  the  inclined  plain  leading  to  the  sea. 

Mexico  must  be  considered  a  dry  country,  often  barren.  Some 
small  lakes  are  scattered  about  the  country.  The  largest  is  that  of 
Chapala,  containing  an  area  of  75,695  acres.  This  lake  is  situated 
in  a  thickly  settled  portion  of  Mexico,  near  the  city  of  Guadalajara. 
The  lakes  that  surround  the  city  of  Mexico  are  only  large  lagoons, 
they  are  the  lake  of  Texuco,  Xochimilco  Chalco,  San  Cristobal  and 
Zumpango.  They  together  form  an  area  of  11,100  acres.  Nine 
more  lakes  are  found  north  of  the  city  of  Zacatecas,  and  five  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Chihuahua.  Unfortunately,  the  water  of  these 
lagoons  is  so  impregnated  with  carbonate  of  soda,  that  works  have 
been  established  for  the  extraction  of  this  salt,  but  this  manufac- 
turing advantage  is  counterbalanced  by  great  inconvenience,  as 
these  waters  cannot  be  used  for  irrigating  or  household  purposes. 

The  same  salt,  of  which  we  have  spoken  of  in  the  above 
paragraph,  impregnates  a  part  of  the  Mexican  soil.  In  some  places 
the  salt  rises  to  the  surface,  attracted  by  the  dryness  of  the  atmos- 
phere. It  appears  in  efflorescence  that  can  be  seen  with  the  naked 
eye,  on  account  of  its  white  color.  This  salt  is  found  also  in  the 
valley  of  Mexico,  on  the  shores  of  lakes  Texuco,  Zumpango  and 
San  Cristobal,  as  well  as  in  a  portion  of  the  plains  that  surround 
the  city  of  Puebla  and  many  other  portions  of  Mexico.  The  presence 
of  this  salt  is  certainly  a  great  obstacle  to  agriculture,  and  even  to 
all  sorts  of  vegetation,  and  causes  the  country  to  have  a  lonesome 
and  forlorn  look. 

It  is  true  that  the  presence  of  this  salt  condems  at  present  a 
part  of  the  Mexican  territory  to  a  want  of  vegetation  that  is  un- 
pleasant to  the  eye,  but  there  is  still  plenty  of  excellent  lands  to 
exercise  the  industry  of  the  farmer  and  to  produce  rich  and  varied 
crops  that  would  be  of  great  profit  to  the  interior  laborer  and  the 
commerce  of  exportation. 


22 


PLANTS. 


Mr.  De  Candolle,  a  distinguished  botanist,  estimates  that  there 
is  in  America  more  than  100,000  vegetable  plants  whose  species  or 
varieties  have  not  yet  been  classified. 

Clavigero  (book  VII,  p.  251)  says  that  Europe  is  indebted  to  the 
Mexican  doctors  for  the  discovery  of  tobacco,  American  balsam,  gum 
copal,  the  Hquidambar,  sarsaparilla,  gum  tacamaque,  and  many 
other  plants  employed  in  modern  medicine. 

Tobacco,  called  by  the  Mexican  pycietl,  was  used  by  the 
Aztecs  at  the  time  of  the  conquest,  to  snuff  and  to  smoke.  American 
balsam  is  taken  from  a  tree  called  huitziloxitl  (Balsamo-dondron). 
This  tree  is  common  in  the  torrid  zone.  The  Mexican  kings  had 
it  transplanted  in  the  celebrated  garden  of  Huaxtepec,  from 
whence  it  was  propagated  in  the  mountains.  It  is  of  moderate 
growth  ;  its  leaves  resemble  those  of  the  almond  tree,  but  are  a  lit- 
tle larger ;  its  wood  is  reddish  and  odorous ;  its  bark  of  an  ash 
color ;  its  flower  white.  Gum  copal  is  taken  from  a  tree  called 
copaliquahuitl  (copalli  is  an  Indian  word  given  to  all  gum  trees). 

The  liquidamar  of  the  Spaniards  is  the  xochiocotzotl  of  the 
Mexicans. 

Sarsaparilla  is  the  7necapatli  of  the  Mexicans. 

The  tacamaca  is  a  gum  taken  from  tocomacihayac  tree, 
which  also  abounds  in  the  tierra  caliente  or  torrid  zone. 

The  hule  of  the  Spaniards  is  the  elastic  resin  taken  from  the 
olquakmlt ;  it  is  a  large  tree  also  found  in  the  torrid  zone.  In  the 
State  of  Michoacan  there  is  a  tree  of  the  same  species,  but  which 
differ  from  the  former  by  its  leaves. 

Gum  lacque  {goma  laca  of  the  Spaniards)  is  taken  from  a  tree 
called  by  the  Mexicans  tzinacancuitlaquahiutL 

Besides  these,  many  other  medicinal  plants  and  herbs,  too 
numerous  to  be  mentioned  in  this  brief  sketch  are  to  be  found  in 
Mexico.  There  is  certainly  a  wide  field  for  botanists  and  chemists 
to  look  after  and  work  these  valuable  gums  and  medicinal  plants, 
and  export  them  to  other  countries. 

Before  concluding  we  will  add  the  following  plants  among  the 
most  useful: 

Tominogua,  a  sure  cure  for  fever.       Canaguat  (root). 

Parroqui  (herb).  Chupi  (herb). 


23 

Barba  de  chebato  (buck  beard),  Guaguat  (a  plant). 

Ubalamas  (a  fruit).  Guaco  (Jalapa  root). 

FLOWERS. 

It  would  take  a  volume  to  enumerate  all  the  beautiful  flowers 
of  Mexico  ;  besides  dl  those  known  to  Americans  are  some  of  ex- 
treme beauty,  of  vivid  colors  and  most  delicious  perfumes.  Among 
them  I  will  only  mention  a  few,  giving  their  names  in  the  Spanish 
of  the  country,  viz.  : 

Flor  del  Corazon.     (It  grows  on  a  large-size  tree.) 

Flor  de  la  Mano. 

Flor  de  Tigre. 

The  Coatzontecoxochitl. 

Flor  de  Cabeza  de  Ribora. 

Flor  de  Zempoaxochitl  (flower. of  a  beautiful  gold  color). 

The  Azucena.    (Eng.  White  Lilly:)     (Lat.  Lihim  Candidum.) 

La  Camelia. 

El  Tulipan.     (Eng.  Tulip) 

El  Clavel.     (Eng.  Pork)     (Lat.  Dianthus  Caryophillus.) 

The  Flor  del  Cuerro. 

El  Floripondio. 

The  dahlia,  one  of  the  finest  flowers  in  the  world,  on  account 
of  its  great  varieties  and  beautiful  colors  (although  it  has  no  per- 
fume), is  aborigeneous,  but  has  been  improved  in  Europe  with 
great  success,  and  the  most  varied  sizes  and  colors  produced. 

Roses  of  all  varieties  and  of  the  very  finest  colors  and  most 
delicious  perfumes. 

AGRICULTURE. 

The  cultivation  of  corn  is  and  has  been,  without  any  doubt,  of 
the  greatest  importance  to  Mexico,  as  this  grain  constitutes  the 
principal  nourishment  of  the  poorer  classes;  it  forms  really  the  basis 
of  Mexican  agriculture. 

Some  people  believe  that  there  are  several  classes  of  corn, 
when  really  there  is  but  a  variety  of  the  grain.  There  is  a  quality 
of  com  called  in  the  country  Maiz  pinto,  whose  grain  is  blue  ;  Mai2 
czanuro,  on  account  of  the  whiteness  of  its  grain,  is  employed  to 


24 

make  certain  pastes.  Maiz  de  riego,  is  a  corn  raised  by  irrigation  ; 
when  the  crop  is  good,  it  generally  yields  500  to  i  ;  it  is  very  abun- 
dant and  is  generally  planted  in  most  of  the  plantations.  Maiz 
tremis  is  what  in  the  United  States  is  called  early  corn,  and  will 
mature  in  three  months  ;  is  sown  or  planted  in  dry  lands,  but  must 
be  planted  early.  Although  corn  does  well  in  every  State  of  the 
Mexican  Republic,  a  warm  climate  is  better  adapted  to  its  cul- 
tivation. 

Wheat  is  cultivated  with  more  or  less  success  in  most  of  the 
Mexican  States.  The  Mexican  wheat  is  very  nutritive.  In  1856,  it 
was  estimated  that  about  11,000,000  of  bushels  were  raised  in  the 
Republic,  but  the  natives  in  general  prefer  corn  to  wheat.  But 
M.  de  Humboldt,  whose  name  has  to  be  cited  often  when  speaking 
of  Mexico,  said  that  corn  has  the  great  disadvantage  of  containing 
less  nutrition  than  wheat  cultivated  on  the  same  space  of  ground. 

Barley  is  put  to  divers  use,  and  it  was  reported  that,  in  1856, 
about  8,000,000  bushels  were  raised  in  the  Republic. 

The  Maguey  or  Agave  ai7iericana  is  one  of  the  peculiar 
plants  of  Mexico,  it  hardly  needs  any  cultivation.  It  is  generally 
planted  from  sprouts  in  gravelly  or  dry  soil ;  a  plantation  of  20  to 
25,000  magueys  will  produce  a  handsome  income.  What  is  called 
B.  fanega  de  seiJibradura,  about  ten  of  our  acres,  will  admit  1,300 
plants  ;  after  five  or  eight  years,  it  will  produce  the  aguauiiel  or 
sap,  out  of  which  is  fermented  the  pulque,  the  principal  beverage 
of  the  Mexican  population  in  the  interior  of  Mexico ;  each  plant,  for 
the  period  of  from  four  to  six  months,  will  yield  on  an  average  nine 
quarts  of  the  juice  per  day ;  each  plant  will  give  a  return  to  its 
owner,  in  general,  from  20  to  30  dollars.  It  is  estimated  that  the 
cost  of  planting  each  plant  is  3>^  cents,  or,  in  the  term  of  the 
country,  a  cuartilla.  We  will  speak  more  extensively  of  this  plant 
hereafter. 

The  culture  of  sugar-cane  constitute  also  one  of  the  principal 
branches  of  Mexican  agriculture,  which  could  be  greatly  propagated, 
for  no  country  in  the  world  is  better  adapted  to  its  production.  In 
some  of  the  Mexican  States  it  will  yield  twenty  per  cent,  more  than 
in  the  State  of  Louisiana.  It  does  Well  in  all  of  the  Mexican  States, 
but  yield  large  crops  in  the  States  of  Morelos,  Vera  Cruz,  Tamauli- 
pas  and  southern  Nuevo  Leon. 

Cotton  is  also  raised  in  Mexico,  but  not  in  sufficient  quantity 


25 

for  the  wants  of  its  inhabitants,  although  some  States  are  particu- 
larly well  adapted  to  its  growth. 

The  coffee-tree  was  first  brought  to  Mexico  from  the  island  of 
Cuba  about  the  beginning  of  this  century,  and  was  first  cultivated 
with  success  in  the  neighborhood  of  Cordova,  in  the  State  of 
Vera  Cruz  ;  afterwards  it  was  propagated  in  other  Mexican  States. 
The  coffee  produced  in  Cordova  and  Orizaba  is  equal,  if  not 
superior  to  that  raised  in  Cuba ;  and  that  raised  in  the  State  of 
Colima  is  said  to  be  superior  even  to  Moca.  It  is,  in  after  years, 
destined  to  be  one  of  the  main  exports  of  Mexico.  Its  culture  is 
fast  improving ;  for  a  few  years  ago  only  about  $100,000  worth  of 
coffee  was  exported,  while  in  the  fiscal  year,  ending  June,  1878, 
$1,275,058.11  was  exported  from  Mexican  ports  to  foreign  countries. 

Tobacco  is  also  produced  in  several  of  the  Mexican  States,  and 
will  be  eventually  one  of  its  principal  exports.  The  best  tobacco 
is  produced  in  the  State  of  Tabasco.  It  is  certainly  equal  to  the 
Havana  tobacco.  Tobacco  is  also  grown  in  Orizaba,  Cordova,  and 
the  District  of  Tepic,  in  the  State  of  Jalisco,  on  the  Pacific. 

Anil,  or  aniseed,  is  cultivated  in  the  State  of  Chiapas,  and  on 
the  western  coast  of  Mexico — Sinaloa,  Sonora,  and  other  States. 

The  cochz7iilla,  or  cochineal,  a  very  useful  insect  on  account  of 
the  beautiful  red  color  it  produces,  is  proper  to  Mexico,  and 
is  raised  on  a  certain  variety  of  the  nopal  {cacti)  that  are 
cultivated  in  the  Republic.  The  cochineal  is  a  very  small  insect; 
it  is  bred  more  largely  in  the  State  of  Oajaca  than  any 
other  Mexican  State,  and  does  remarkably  well  in  that  State.  Gen- 
erally three  crops  are  gathered  yearly ;  as  already  said,  it  produces  a 
red  substance  of  extraordinary  beauty  ;  on  this  account  cochineal, 
after  gold  and  silver,  was  considered  one  of  the  principal  exports  of 
Mexico.  In  1856,  602,832  pounds  of  cochineal,  valued  at  $1,214,388 
were  exported  from  the  Republic. 

In  1856  it  was  estimated  that  the  agricultural  products  of  the 
Republic  amounted  to  $200,000,000. 

ZOOLOGY. 

We  will  only  mention  the  animals  that  existed  in  the  country 
at  the  time  of  the  conquest,  such  as  mountain  cats,  wolves,  squirrels, 
rabbits,  wild   hogs    called  javalin,  various  species    of    monkeys. 


26 

The  coyote,  called  by  the  Mexicans  el  coyotl,  an  animal  resembling 
the  dog  in  form  and  size  and  the  wolf  in  ferocity.  The  camomiotte, 
a  specie  of  marten.  The  coyopalin,  an  animal  the  size  of  a  rat,  but 
with  a  very  large  tail.  A  large  variety  of  snakes ;  among  the  most 
venomous  are  the  rattlesnakes,  the  coral.  The  centoatl  is  a  snake 
about  five  feet  long  and  eight  inches  in  diameter,  it  is  easily  distin- 
guished from  all  others  as  its  skin  shines  in  the  darkness.  The 
saltillo  (darting  snake)  is  a  large  reptile,  with  an  ash-color  stripe 
running  along  his  spine  and  a  brown  stripe  under  his  belly  ;  he  is 
venomous  and  darts  upon  its  prey  from  trees. 

Among  the  reptiles  worthy  of  notice  is  the  alcatelepon,  a  sort 
of  lizzard  fifteen  inches  in  length,  with  a  rugged  gray  skin  covered 
with  pimples  ;  it  has  an  extremely  ferocious  look,  and  its  bites  are 
very  painful.  The  iguana,  a  kind  of  lizzard  native  of  America 
{Lacerta  iguana,  bot.),  sometimes  three  feet  in  length.  Among 
the  spiders  are  the  tarantula,  the  ham  and  casapulga,  whose  bites 
are  exceedingly  dangerous ;  the  scolopundo,  known  as  centipede, 
is  an  insect  of  the  order  Aptera,  which  is  sometimes  found 
eighteen  inches  in  length.  The  rinagrillo,  a  dangerous  insect ; 
and  many  scorpions  whose  bites  are  said  to  cause  death. 

There  is  in  Mexico  six  species  of  bees,  one  of  which  has  no 
sting  and  is  peculiar  to  the  States  of  Yucatan  and  Chiapas.  The 
honey  they  produce  is  said  to  be  more  delicious  than  that  of  all  others. 

A  great  variety  of  butterflies  of  the  most  beautiful  colors. 
Among  the  worms,  the  teocuiliJi  or  shining  worm,  which  is  said  to 
possess  the  qualities  of  the  cantharides.  The  temahuani  is  covered 
with  yellow  thorns,  which  are  very  venomous.  A  great  variety  of 
ants.  Among  them,  the  kind  called  arrzeras  (carrying  ants)  does 
a  great  deal  of  harm  in  the  fields.  There  is  a  small  black  ant  and 
a  large  red  one  whose  stings  are  very  painful.  There  are  two 
kinds  of  ticks  {Acarus  ricinus)  ;  one,  known  as  the  pinonillo,  is 
of  a  black  color,  very  small  and  very  numerous  ;  also  an  insect 
called  cochii7iilla,  which  resemble  the  bed-bug  in  size  and  appear- 
ance ;  both  of  the  latter  are  dangerous. 

There  are  in  Mexico,  besides  the  domestic  fowls,  over  two 
hundred  species  of  birds,  among  them  several  varieties  of  the 
eagles,  hawks,  sparrow-hawks,  the  royal  eagle,  the  raven  and  all 
kind  of  buzzards. 


27 


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28 
POLITICAL  DIVISION. 

The  Republic  of  Mexico  is  divided  into  27  States,  one  Territory 
and  one  Federal  District.  The  States,  for  their  interior  govern- 
ment, are  divided  into  48  departments,  170  districts,  48  cantons, 
no  counties,  1,411  municipalities,  146  cities,  378  towns,  4,886 
villages,  872  hamlets,  5,869  haciendas,  14,705  ranches  and  6 
missions. 

REVENUES. 

Average  revenue  of  the  Mexican  Republic,  $20,477,788. 

The  revenue  of  the  different  States,  is  in  the  following  order : 
1st,  Guanajuato,  $811,430;  2d,  Puebla,  $636,560;  3d,  Oaxaca, 
$569,489;  4th,  Jalisco,  $540,680;  5th,  Mexico,  $462,103  ;  6th,  Vera 
Cruz  Llave,  $391,688;  7th,  Michoacan  de  Ocampo,  $390,230;  8th, 
Zacatecas,  $360,960  ;  9th,  San  Luis  Potosi,  $329,238 ;  loth,  Hidalgo, 
$311,500;  nth,  Yucatan,  $232,000;  12th,  Sinaloa,  $184,976 ;  13th, 
Morelos,  $180,000;  14th,  Queretaro,  $165,450;  15th,  Durango, 
$159,717;  i6th,  Sonora,  $136,565  ;  17th,  Chiapas,  $120,202;  i8th. 
Chihuahua,  $117,673  ;  19th,  Tamaulipas,  $114,300;  20th,  Guerrero, 
$108,530;  2ist,  Aguas  Calientes,  $95,186  ;  22d,  Coahuila,  $92,483  ; 
23d,  Tlaxcala,  $85,890;  24th,  Nuevo  Leon,  $76,000;  25th,  Colima, 
$75,418  ;  26th,  Campeche,  $66,893;  27h,  Tabasco,  $62,400. 


STATE  OF  AGUAS  CALIENTES. 

This  State  is  bounded  on  the  west  by  the  State  of  Zacatecas, 
on  the  north  by  that  of  San  Luis  Potosi,  on  the  east  and  south  by 
that  of  Jalisco  ;  its  area  contains  1,771,479  acres,  or  377  square 
miles. 

This  State  contains  one  city,  one  town,  three  villages,  three 
mining  towns  {minerales),  57  haciendas  or  estates,  and  288  ranches 
or  farms. 

Population  in  1856,  85,859  inhabitants. 

Population  in  1881,  140,000  inhabitants. 


29 

Capital,  the  city  of  Aguas  Calientes  (Hot  Springs),  derives  its 
name  from  a  spring  of  thermal  water  that  rises  in  its  vicinity.  The 
city  possesses  1 3  churches,  i  hospital,  i  penitentiary  for  women. 
The  principal  public  buildings  are  the  City  Hall,  the  market  and  the 
jail ;  it  has  also  fine  public  walks. 

The  population  of  the  city  is  set  down  at  35,000  inhabitants. 

Products, — Corn,  beans,  wheat,  pepper,  lentils,  tobacco,  pota- 
toes ;  all  fruits  and  vegetables  of  warm  and  cold  climates ;  pulque, 
also  a  liquor  made  out  of  the  cactus  figues,  called  coloche,  wines, 
alcohol,  cheese,  etc. 


STATE  OF  CAMPECHE. 

BOUNDARIES,    AREA,    POPULALION. 

This  State  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  the  Gulf  of  Yucatan,  on 
the  east  by  the  State  of  Yucatan,  on  the  south  by  the  State  of  Ta- 
basco and  the  Republic  of  Guatemala,  and  on  the  west  by  the  State 
of  Tabasco. 

Its  area  contains  3,841  square  leagues.  Its  present  population 
is  66,724  inhabitants. 

Mountains. — In  this  State  the  Cordillera  is  reduced  to  the  size 
of  high  hills. 

Rivers. — The  principals  are  those  of  Champoton  and  Jaraliza. 

Lakes. — Lake  Terminos  is  worthy  of  notice. 

Ports. — The  principal  are  those  of  Campeche,  an  old  Spanish 
town,  and  that  of  El  Carmen  has  a  considerable  foreign  commerce. 

Natural  Productions. — Many  dye-woods,  tobacco  of  superior 
quality,  sugar-cane,  hennequien,  and  valuable  palmettoes. 

Political  Divisions. — This  State  is  divided  in  five  districts, 
viz. :  Campeche,  Los  Chenos,  Hecelchacan,  El  Carmen,  Champoton. 

Principal  Cities  and  Towns. — The  city  of  Campeche,  an  old 
fortified  Spanish  town,  has  a  population  of  1 5,000  inhabitants ; 
is  situated  in  a  fertile  valley  surrounded  by  the  Gulf ;  it  has  a  fine 
theatre,  several  institutions.  For  many  years  it  was  the  only  port 
of  Yucatan,  and  was  sacked  repeatedly  by  filibusters.     The  land  is 


30 

gradually  invading  the  bay,  so  much  so,  that  only  boats  of  light 
drafts  can  navigate  into  the  port. 

Value   of  real  estate   $700,000.      Campeche  was   created   a 
State  in  the  year  1856.  ^^ 


STATE    OF   COAHUILA. 

This  portion  of  Mexico  was  inhabited  by  the  following  barbar- 
ous tribes  of  Indians,  viz. :  the  Guachichiles,Tobosos,  Cotzales,  Pi- 
huiques,  Irritilas,  Laguneros  and  others.  Under  the  Spanish  Gov- 
ernment it  was  known  as  the  Province  of  "  New  Estramadura."  Its 
boundary  line  then  extended  to  the  Medina  River,  Texas. 

The  independence  of  Mexico  being  achieved,  it  was  united  with 
Texas  and  formed  a  part  of  the  State  of  Coahuila  and  Texas.  In 
1837  it  was  erected  into  a  department,  and  in  1847  into  a  State  with 
its  present  territory,  Texas  having  been  lost  to  Mexico  by  military 
occupation.  In  1857  it  was  united  to  Nueva  Leon  by  Governor 
Vidauri,  but  the  law  of  the  i8th  of  November,  1868,  restored  defin- 
itely that  territory  to  its  sovereignty. 

It  contains  an  area  of  9,500  square  leagues  or  42,066,000  acres ; 
population,  125,400  inhabitants.  The  State  contains  the  following 
cities  and  towns,  viz. : 

First. — District  of  the  Centre,  46,583  inhabitants  ;  municipality 
of  Saltillo,  27,500  inhabitants.  The  city  of  Saltillo,  founded  in  1586 
with  the  title  of  town  (villa),  and  created  a  city  on  the  5th  of  Novem- 
ber, 1827,  with  the  name  of  Leona  Vicario,  in  honor  of  a  heroine  of 
the  Mexican  revolution,  which  name  did  not  prevail,  has  a  beautiful 
church,  ornamented  with  fine  sculptures,  also  six  other  churches, 
one  hospital,  an  amphitheatre  dedicated  to  bull-fighting,  a  public 
garden,  a  college,  a  government  palace  on  the  principal  square, 
known  as  the  Plaza  de  Zaragoza,  and  an  alameda  with  beautiful 
shade  trees. 

The  etymology  of  the  word  Saltillo  is  a  corruption  of  a  "  Chichi- 
mec  "  word  which  signifies  "  high  lands  with  much  water,"  and  was 
given  to  it  for  its  being  situated  on  the  declivity  of  a  hill  that  gives 
birth   to   abundant  springs  of  water.     Population,    18,000.      The 


31 

towns  of  Arteaga,  Patos,  San  Pedro,  Ramos  Arispe,  are  in  the 
same  district. 

Second. — District  of  Parras:  18,330  inhabitants.  The  City  of 
Parras  de  la  Fuente,  had  the  name  of  Fuente  added  to  it  in  honor  of 
the  Mexican  ambassador  of  that  name  to  France  who  heroically  pro- 
tested against  the  French  intervention.  The  place  was  founded  by 
the  Jesuit  father,  Juan  Augustin  Espinosa,  and  Captain  Antonio 
Martin  Zapata,  with  families  of  the  Tlaxcaltec  nation  brought  from 
Saltillo  in  1598.  It  was  created  a  city  in  January,.  1868.  It  has  a 
good  City  Hall,  six  churches  and  eight  thousand  inhabitants.  The 
town  of  San  Pedro  is  in  the  same  district. 

Third. — District  of  Nazas :  18,842  inhabitants.  Town  of 
Nazas  formerly  known  as  the  Alamo  de  Parras. 

Villages  of  Saucillo,  Santa  Margarita  Soledad. 

Town  of  Laguna  de  Matamoros,  created  September  8th,  1864. 

Fourth. — District  of  Monclova :  31,749  inhabitants.  The  City  of 
Monclova  founded  by  Captain  Antonio  Balcarcel  Sotomayor  y  Riva- 
deneyra  on  the  23d  of  November,  A.  D.  1784,  under  the  name  of 
"  Our  Lady  of  Guadaloupe  of  New  Estramadura."  Founded 
again  by  Don  Jose  Escandon  in  1748.  It  was  the  capital  of  the 
State  of  Coahuila  and  Texas  for  some  years.  It  has  two  churches 
and  a  population  of  3,500  inhabitants. 

Villages  of  Mota,  Estancia,  San  Francisco  Aguayo,  San  Miguel 
Aguayo.  The  town  of  San  Buenaventura,  was  founded  by  Fernando 
del  Bosque,  first  alcalde  of  New  Estramadura,  on  the  14th  of  May, 
1678.     Population,  3,500  souls. 

Village  of  Coronel  Fuentes,  Juares,  and  the  town  of  Abasolo, 
founded  14th  of  May,  1675,  and  named  San  Vicente  del  Alto. 

Town  of  Rodriguez,  formerly  hacienda  of  San  Vicente  el  Bajo. 

Town  of  Cuatro  Cienegas,  4,000  inhabitants. 

Town  of  Sacramento,  formerly  a  fort  or  presidio,  founded  in  1 736. 

Town  of  Musquiz,  formerly  towm  of  Santa  Rosa,  founded  in 
1698.  In  1789  the  headquarters  of  the  captain-general  command- 
ing the  eastern  internal  provinces  of  New  Spain,  were  established 
in  this  town. 

Town  of  San  Juan  de  Sabinas,  founded  as  a  mission  on  the 
22d  day  of  June,  1699,  by  Father  Juan  Martin  Trevinio,  with  the 
name  of  San  Juan  Bautista  y  valle  de  Santo  Domingo,  and  finally 
created  into  a  town  in  i  86q. 


32 

Candela,  3,867  inhabitants,  has  valuable  copper  mines  in  its 
neighborhood.     It  was  founded  in  1689. 

Town  of  Valiadares,  founded  under  the  name  of  Santiago  de 
Valladares  in  1790. 

Town  of  Progreso,  founded  in  i860. 

Fifth. — District  of  Rio  Grande — City  of  Zaragoza,  founded  on 
the  1st  of  February,  1753,  by  Pedro  de  Rabago  y  Teran,  under  the 
name  of  San  Fernando  de  Austria.  It  was  then  called  Valley  of 
Santa  Rosa,  then  San  Fernando  de  Rosa,  and  last,  in  1868,  it  was 
created  a  city  with  the  name  of  Zaragoza — population,  2,000  inhabi- 
tants. Towns  of  Allende,  Nava,  Piedras  Negras,  2,738  inhabi- 
tants. Towns  of  Guerrero,  formerly  Presidio  de  San  Juan  Bau- 
tista  de  Rio  Grande,  founded  in  the  seventeenth  century,  and 
removed  to  its  actual  position  in  1704. 

Towns  of  Rosales,  Fuente,  Morelos. 

Town  of  Gigedo,  founded  in  1725  with  the  title  of  Santo  Nom- 
bre  de  Jesus  de  Peyotes,  by  Fray  Francisco  Penasco  ;  repeopled  in 
1737,  under  the  name  of  San  Pedro  Gigedo.  It  is  also  known  under 
the  name  of  the  town  of  Luga. 

Town  of  Tomines :   864  inhabitants. 

This  State  contains  4  cities,  27  towns,  8  villages,  12  hamlets, 
88  haciendas  and  320  ranches. 

Besides  the  Spanish  language  the  Indians  speak  the  Lippan  and 
the  Apache  dialect  called  the  llanero. 

Productio7is. — Gold,  silver,  copper,  lead,  salt,  nitre,  onix 
alabaster,  cotton,  sarsaparilla,  wines  made  out  of  the  grapes,  that 
have  received  a  gold  medal  at  the  Philadelphia  Centennial ;  mezcal 
de  la  popa,  a  liquor  made  out  of  the  maguey  plant,  of  the  very 
best  quality  ;  all  small  grains,  good  timber,  all  fruits  of  temperate 
climes,  and  wool  and  cotton  manufactures. 

The  following  factories  are  at  present  in  good  working  order, 
viz.  :  "  La  Hibernia,"  "  La  Esmeralda,"  "  La  Aurora,"  "  La  Liber- 
tad,"  "  El  Labrador,"  and  "  Palomas,"  all  in  the  Central  District  in 
the  vicinity  of  Saltillo.  In  the  District  of  Parras  "  La  Estrella,"  and 
in  the  District  of  Monclova  "  La  Abundancia,"  all  worked  by  water- 
power.  There  is  in  this  State  fifty  flour  and  corn-mills  and  several 
saw-mills. 

Public  instruction. — In  1876,  this  State  expended  $26,322  for 
115  public  schools,  attended  by  4,359  scholars  of  both  sexes. 


33 

The  present  Governor  of  this  State,  Don  Evaristo  Madero, 
one  of  its  wealthiest  real  estate  owners  and  manufacturers,  is  a  man 
of  large  views  and  of  great  spirit  of  enterprise.  His  liberality  is 
equal  to  his  success.  He  accepted  the  position  contrary  to  his 
wishes,  and  abandoned  his  salary'  for  the  benefit  of  the  poor  of 
the  State. 

MINING   IN    COAHUILA. 

Formerly  in  the  divers  mineral  districts  of  this  State, 
over  sixty  mines  were  worked,  but  after  the  declaration  of  inde- 
pendence from  Spain  only  four  in  the  District  of  Viezca  were 
worked;  they  were  the  mines  of  Sierra  de  Ramirez,  Sierra  de 
Timulco,  Canon  de  Ribera,  and  Sierra  de  Hornos.  Actually 
various  mines  are  worked  in  the  valley  of  Santa  Rosa. 

Besides  silver,  iron  is  found  in  this  State  near  Monclova ;  and 
in  Reis  and  Guadaloupe,  copper  and  lead  are  found  in  abundance. 
Magnetic  iron  abounds  in  Viezca  and  in  the  vicinity  of  Monclova, 
the  former  capital  of  the  province.  Nitre  is  found  in  San  Bias,  in 
the  jurisdiction  of  San  Buenaventura.  Sulphur  and  copperas  is 
found  in  the  hills  of  Gigedo  or  Peyotes. 

The  principal  causes  of  the  abandonment  of  the  mines  in  this 
State  were  the  same  ones  which  affected  all  northern  Mexico  :  the 
insecurity  occasioned  by  Indian  incursions,  and  the  want  of  capital. 

The  mining  district  of  Sierra  Mojada  is  mostly  situated  in  this 
State. 

The  mines  of  Matehuapile,  situated  in  the  mountain  and  near  the 
present  farm  of  the  same  name,  on  the  lands  of  the  estate  of 
Salado, — are  rich  silver  mines  which  produced  an  immense  donan^a 
from  1720  to  1735,  prior  to  the  discovery  of  the  mines  of  the  Cerro 
de  Catorce  mountain,  of  which  this  chain  is  a  sort  of  foot  hill.  Its 
owner  purchased  them  from  the  crown  with  the  title  of  Count  of 
Matehuapile,  and  afterwards  that  of  Marquis  de  las  Guadianas. 
Near  the  present  ranche  of  Matehuapile  existed  a  town  that  had  as 
much  as  five  thousand  people  engaged  in  mining,  who  were  all 
massacred  by  the  Indians  in  the  year  1735.  At  a  short  distance 
from  these  mines  is  an  elevation  of  almost  pure  iron. 


34 
THE  STATE  OF  CHIAPAS. 

SITUATION,      BOUNDARIES     AND     AREA. 

This  State  is  situated  between  the  15^45'  and  the  17°  55'  north 
latitude,  and  the  3^  54'  50"  and  the  6°  45'  50"  east  longitude  from 
the  City  of  Mexico.  Is  is  bounded  on  the  north  and  the  east  by  the 
State  of  Yucatan,  on  the  south  by  the  Pacific  Ocean  and  the  Repub- 
lic of  Guatemala,  on  the  west  by  the  States  of  Tabasco  and  Oaxaca. 
It  has  an  area  of  2,598  square  leagues. 

Topographical  aspect  and  climate. — The  Sierra  Madre 
mountain,  in  three  chains  almost  parallel,  cross  this  State  from 
east  to  west,  which,  on  the  south,  present  considerable  depression. 
Its  general  climate  is  good. 

Chiapas  was  created  a  State  on  the  12th  November,  1824. 

Rivers. — Among  those  worthy  of  note,  are  to  be  found  the 
Chiapas,  that  takes  its  rise  in  the  mountains  of  Cuchumatanes,  in 
Guatemala ;  the  Odumacima  ;  the  Julija,  which  is  navigable  for  a 
short  distance ;  the  Chapa ;  the  Blanquillo,  that  passes  near  Cha- 
pultenango  and  empties  in  the  Gulf. 

Lakes. — The  lake  of  Tepancuapan,  situated  in  the  southern 
district  of  the  State,  is  about  17  miles  long  and  three  miles  wide. 
Also,  the  small  lake  of  Islotes. 

Natural  productions. — The  mango,  the  caomito,  the  bixa 
ocellana.  Brazil-wood,  Campeche  wood,  zopote  mamey  {achras 
zopota),  pasiflora  granadilla  or  passion-flower,  the  zenjula  tobacco, 
vanilla,  pepper,  ginger,  coffee,  tea,  India-rubber  tree,  wild  vine,  and 
the  orejuela.  Also  a  great  variety  of  medicinal  herbs :  the  viper 
herb  or  escorzonera  luciniada,  julep  root,  the  copalchy,  and  many 
others. 

This  State  is  divided  into  7  districts,  1 5  counties,  and  possesses 
4  cities,  7  towns,  and  96  villages. 

Capital  of  the  State. — San  Cristobal  contained  in  1856,  a  popu- 
lation of  7,649  inhabitants.  It  has  a  few  good  public  buildings,  and 
is  situated  287  leagues  east-southeast  from  the  City  of  Mexico. 
Population  of  the  State,  193,406. 


35 


THE   STATE   OF    CHIHUAHUA. 

SITUATION,      BOUNDARIES     AND     AREA. 

The  State  of  Chihuahua  is  situated  between  the  25*'  50'  an^ 
31*^  47'  north  latitude,  and  the  4°  10'  and  9°  6'  west  longitude 
from  the  City  of  Mexico.  It  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  the 
United  States,  on  the  east  by  Coahuila,  on  the  south  by  Durango, 
and  on  the  west  by  Sonora  and  Sinaloa.  Its  greatest  length  from 
north  to  south  is  159  leagues,  and  its  greatest  width  132  leagues  ; 
it  contains  12,557  square  leagues. 

Chihuahua  was  created  a  State  in  1824. 

Topographical  aspect  attd  climate. — This  State  is  broken  and 
mountainous,  principally  in  its  western  portion,  where  several  chains 
of  mountains  run  parallel  to  the  main  chain  or  Sierra  Madre,  and 
form  that  district  called  Tarahumara.  These  chains  of  moun- 
tains are  divided  by  deep  ravines,  where  streams  take  their  rise, 
among  them  the  Yaqui,  Mayo  and  Fuerte  rivers,  which  empty  into 
the  Gulf  of  California.  In  this  mountainous  region,  plenty  of  good 
land  is  found  for  agricultural  purposes,  and  rich  forests. 

In  the  northern  part  of  the  State  are  found  the  sand  hills 
known  as  the  Medanos  de  Zomalayucan  ;  they  occupy  sixty  miles  of 
country.  The  climate  varies  according  to  the  altitude  ;  in  the  vast 
plains,  it  is  considered  cold  by  the  Mexicans,  but  would  be  con- 
sidered pleasant  by  northern  people  ;  it  is  generally  agreeable  and 
very  healthy. 

Lagoons. — In  this  State  are  to  be  found  the  following  :  that  of 
Guzman,  Santa  Maria,  Patos,  Castillo  and  Encinillias,  all  of  little 
importance. 

Mountains. — The  Sierra  Madre  mountain,  which  runs  over 
the  western  portion  of  the  State,  where  it  is  known  as  the  Tara- 
humara ;  the  Sierra  de  en  Medio,  the  Sierra  de  Carcay,  the  Sierra 
de  la  Escondida,  the  Sierra  del  Nido,  and  the  Sierra  de  la  Cam- 
pana  (or  bell  mountain). 

Rivers, — The  Bravo  or  Rio  Grande  ;  the  Concho  rises  in  the 
Sierra  Madre,  and,  after  a  course  of  130  leagues,  empty  into  the 
Rio  Grande  at  the  old  fort  and  town  of  Presidio  del  Norte.  The 
Santa  Maria,  that  has  a  course  of  60  leagues  ;  also  those  of  El  Car- 


36 

inen,  Chihuahua,  the  Florido,  the  Casas  Grande,  which,  after  a 
course  of  over  60  leagues,  empties  in  the  Lagoon  of  Guzman. 

Vegetable  productions. — Among  the  forest  trees  are  found  the 
following,  viz.:  pine,  cypress,  oak,  beech-tree,  silver  fir-tree,  acacia, 
alder-tree,  logwood,  ash.  Brazil-wood,  lignum-vitae,  and  many- 
others. 

All  the  fruits  of  temperate  climes  can  be  produced  in  this 
State.  Grapes  do  remarkably  well,  between  the  mountains  and 
the  Rio  Grande. 

Among  the  medicinal  plants  are  the  following :  sarsaparilla, 
saffron,  aniseed,  wild  marjoram,  and  others. 

Agriculture. — The  following  cereals  are  cultivated  in  the  State 
of  Chihuahua  :  corn,  wheat,  rye,  pepper,  peas,  beans,  lentils.  Cot- 
ton grows  very  well  in  the  southern  part  of  this  State.  The  fibre  is 
short,  but  it  is  very  white.  In  1856  the  cotton  crop  amounted  to 
312,000  lbs.  All  kinds  of  stock  thrive  well,  and  are  raised  with 
little  or  no  expense. 

Among  the  wild  animals  are  the  Mexican  tigers,  wolves,  pan- 
thers, deers,  bears,  wild-hogs,  coyotes,  and  the  celebrated  Chihua- 
hua dog,  and  others.    Among  the  birds  the  pheasant  and  the  eagle. 

The  State  of  Chihuahua  has  always  been  considered  one  of  the 
richest  in  minerals  of  the  Republic.     \^See  our  catalogue  of  jnines.'] 

Industry. — The  principals  are  mining  and  agriculture.  There 
are  a  few  cotton  factories,  and  the  inhabitants  manufacture  Mexican 
blankets  and  hats,  but  not  in  sufficient  quantities  to  supply  the 
home  consumption. 

Population. — This  State  has  been  for  years  back  desolated  by 
the  various  tribes  of  Apaches  known  as  Chrichahuis,  Tontos,  Mim- 
brenos,  Gilinos,  Farones,  Goyames,  Mescalesos,  Llaneros,  Lipanes 
and  Navajoes,  and  the  Comanches  who  roamed  about  the  Bolsom 
of  Mapimi  and  the  Laguna  de  Jaco,  where  rich  gold  placers  are 
said  to  exist.  The  Tarahumaras  occupy  the  western  portion  of  the 
State.  They  are  nearly  civiUzed,  and  number  presently  over  30,000 
souls.  In  1856,  the  population  of  Chihuahua  was  set  down  at 
147,000  inhabitants. 

Cities  and  towns. — The  City  of  Chihuahua,  capital  of  the 
State  and  District  of  the  same  name,  is  situated  at  the  foot  of 
the  Sierra  Madre  mountains,  in  a  large  plain,  in  latitude  28^ 
35'    10"   north,   and  longitude  6°  17'  o"  west,   from   the  City 


37 

of  Mexico,  with  the  streets  running  at  right  angles.  It  has 
seven  churches,  a  city  hall,  one  hospital,  and  a  jail.  Among 
the  edifices  of  note  are  the  parish  church,  the  Sanctuary  of 
Guadaloupe,  the  church  of  San  Felipe,  the  old  college  of  the 
Jesuits, — behind  which  the  leaders  of  the  revolution  of  1810,  Don 
Miguel  Hidalgo,  curate  of  Dolores,  and  Capt.  Allende,  were  decapi- 
tated— the  Congressional  palace,  the  tribunal  of  justice,  the  mint, 
and  the  alhondtga  or  granary.  An  acqueduct,  6,553  varas  long,  is 
built  to  the  centre  of  the  plaza,  where  it  discharges  its  water  through 
a  well-sculptured  fountain.  In  the  square  of  San  Felipe  a  modest 
monument  was  erected  to  the  memory  of  the  unfortunate  leaders  of 
the  revolution.     The  present  population  of  the  city  is  16,000. 

Parral,  or  Hidalgo,  in  the  centre  of  a  large  and  rich  mining 
distnct. 

Guadaloupe  y  Calvo. 

Jimenes,  or  Guajuquilla,  contains  a  population  of  about  eight 
thousand  people,  and  is  a  neat,  clean,  little  town.  It  is  situated  near 
the  Rio  Florido. 

Allende. 

Concepcion. 

Paso  del  Norte  is  situated  on  the  western  bank  of  the  Rio 
Grande,  in  the  northeast  comer  of  the  State.  It  is  compactly 
built  for  the  space  of  a  half  mile  near  the  plaza,  and  from  there  it 
extends  from  five  to  ten  miles  along  the  rich  bottom  lands  of  the 
river — each  house  is  surrounded  by  orchards,  vineyards  and  cul- 
tivated fields.  The  valley,  or  bottom  land,  is  from  one  to  two  miles 
in  width.  It  is  supposed  to  have  been  settled  about  the  year  1585. 
In  1600  missionaries  were  living  in  the  valley,  then  occupied  by  the 
Piso  Indians,  who  had  a  village  named  Sinecu  in  the  neighborhood 
of  the  present  town  of  El  Paso.  The  height  of  the  valley,  at  El 
Paso,  according  to  Dr.  Wentzelnus,  is  3,800  feet  above  the  level  of 
the  gulf. 


38 
THE  STATE  OF  COLIMA. 

BOUNDARIES,   AREA,   POPULATION. 

This  State  is  bounded  on  the  north  and  northeast  by  the  State 
of  Jalisco,  on  the  east  by  the  State  of  Michoacan,  and  on  the  south 
and  west  by  the  Pacific  Ocean. 

Its  area  contains  552  squares  leagues. 

Mozmtams. — Steep  mountains  of  no  great  height  separate 
this  State  from  that  of  Jalisco.  Among  the  principal  mountains  is 
the  volcano  of  Colima ;  deep  ravines  and  steep  mountains  surround 
this  State. 

Population:  65,827  inhabitants. 

Rivers  aitd  Lakes. — The  principal  rivers  are  those  of  Colima, 
la  Armeria,  Coahuayana,  Maracasco  and  Huerta.  The  lakes  of 
Cuyutlan,  or  of  Alligators,  and  that  of  Alcazagua  are  worthy  of 
note. 

Seaports. — The  principal  seaport  of  this  State  is  that  of  Man- 
zanillo  ;  it  does  a  large  foreign  commerce. 

Natural  productions. — This  State  produces  delicious  fruits. 
Among  its  production  is  a  quality  of  coffee,  which  is  said  by  com- 
petent persons  to  be  superior  to  the  mocha.  Stock  raising  is  carried 
on  to  some  extent  and  is  very  profitable.  The  sea-coast  abounds  in 
fish.  The  principal  industry  of  this  State  consist  in  refining  salt, 
cocoanut  oil,  aniseed,  nitre,  sugar,  aguardiente  de  caiia,  rhum,  and 
mescal. 

Political  divisions. — This  State  is  divided  into  seven  municipali- 
ties, viz. :  Colima,  Villa  Alvarez,  Cornala,  Coquinatlan,  Tecoman, 
Ixtlahuacan,  Manzanillo. 

The  City  of  Colima,  situated  on  the  river  of  the  same  name, 
has  a  population  of  32,000  inhabitants.  At  the  time  of  the  conquest 
the  inhabitants  of  this  portion  of  Mexico  were  tributaries  of  the 
Mexican  Emperor,  and  paid  their  tribute  in  tilmas  (a  mexican  cloak 
made  of  feathers,  etc.),  cacao,  and  pearls.  After  the  conquest, 
about  sixty  Spaniards  settled  there  and  intermarried  with  the 
natives,  a  few  Manillians  also  mixed  with  them,  who  to-day  form  the 
principal  part  of  the  population,  although  many  French,  English 
and  Germans  have  settled  at  Colima. 

Colima  was  created  a  State  in  February  1857. 


39 
THE   STATE   OF   DURANGO. 

SITUATION,  LIMIT  AND  AREA. 

The  State  of  Durango  is  situated  between  the  22°  53'  20"  and 
the  26^  27'  50"  north  latitude,  and  the  3^^  45'  and  7°  47'  west  lon- 
gitude from  the  City  of  Mexico. 

This  State  is  bounded  by  the  State  of  Chihuahua  on  the  north, 
the  State  of  Coahuila  on  the  east,  Zacatecas  on  the  southeast,  Jalisco 
on  the  south,  and  Sinaloa  on  the  west. 

Its  superficy  contains  an  area  of  6,745  square  leagues.  Du- 
rango  was  created  a  State  in  1824. 

Topographical  aspect  and  climate. — The  country  is  divided 
by  high  mountains — part  of  the  Sierra  Madre  range  that  separate 
this  State  from  that  of  Sinaloa. 

As  in  all  the  Mexican  States  the  climate  varies  according  to 
the  altitude,  but  on  an  average  the  climate  can  be  considered  as 
temperate. 

Rivers. — Those  worthy  of  note  are  the  Rio  de  Nazas,  that  has 
a  course  of  108  leagues,  after  which  it  empties  in  the  Lake  of  Cai- 
nan.  Along  the  banks  of  this  river  are  some  of  the  best  haciendas 
or  grain  estates  in  all  Mexico ;  also  the  Rio  de  las  Palomas  and  Rio 
del  Tunal. 

Mountains. — Those  of  most  importance  are  formed  by  the  pro- 
longation of  the  Sierra  Madre  mountain  range. 

Natural productio7ts. — Com,  wheat,  beans,  pepper,  which  are 
the  main  articles  of  home  consumption,  are  cultivated  with  success. 
Cotton,  peas,  sugar-cane  and  barley  are  also  grown  with  success. 

Stock. — Horses,  homed  cattle  and  sheep  do  remarkably  well. 

Mining, — This  State  is  rich  in  mining  and  agriculture; 
but,  owing  to  the  incursions  of  the  Apaches  and  other  Indians, 
as  well  as  on  account  of  civil  strifes,  those  elements  have  not 
been  worked  with  profit  of  late  years.  Rich  mines  of  copper,  tm, 
lead  and  other  metals  are  known  to  exist.  \See  the  catalogue.]  In 
the  district  of  Durango  is  known  to  exist  one  of  the  richest  iron 
mine  in  the  whole  American  continent.  It  is  known  as  the  Cerro 
del  Mercado,  and  was  named  after  a  distinguished  Spanish  captain, 
who  conquered  that  country  for  the  king  of  Spain. 

In  the  mint  of  this  State,  in  the  year  1855,  $682,812  were  coined 
in  gold  and  silver. 


40 

Population. — The  population  of  the  State  in  1856  was  set 
down  at  156,159  inhabitants  ;  population  in  1881,  200,000. 

Industry. -^Y^y^  cotton  and  wool  factories,  five  or  six  in  num- 
ber, form  all  the  industry  of  the  State, 

Principal  cities  and  towns. — Durango,  capital  of  the  State. 
The  District  and  municipahty  of  the  same  name  is  situated  between 
latitude  24*^  1'  north,  and  \^  52'  west  longitude,  from  the  City  of 
Mexico.  The  city  has  a  population  of  28,000  souls.  It  has  eleven 
churches,  one  mint,  one  hospital,  a  theatre,  and  an  arena  for  bull 
fights. 

Among  the  other  principal  towns  should  be  noted  the  following : 

Santiago  Papasquiaro,  Santa  Maria  del  Oro,  Nombre  de  Dios, 
Cuencami,  Mezquital,  Tomazula,  Cerro  Gordo,  San  Dima,  San 
Juan  del  Rio,  and  Naza. 

When  railroads  will  unite  this  State  with  the  United  States,  it 
will  prove  to  be  one  of  the  most  important  of  the  Republic. 


THE    STATE    OF     GUANAJUATO. 

SITUATION,   BOUNDARIES   AND   AREA. 

The  State  of  Guanajuato  is  situated  between  the  lo""  and  21' 
44"  north  latitude,  and  between  the  o*'  30'  and  2°  47'  west  longi- 
tude from  the  City  of  Mexico. 

This  State  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  the  State  of  San  Luis 
Potosi,  on  the  east  by  Queretaro,  on  the  south  by  Michoacan,  and 
on  the  west  by  the  State  of  Jalisco. 

Its  greatest  length  from  north  to  south  is  46  leagues,  and  its 
greatest  width  from  east  to  west  is  53  leagues — containing  a  total 
area  of  1,755  square  leagues. 

Rivers. — The  principal  rivers  are  the  following  : 

The  Rio  de  Santiago,  or  de  Lerma,  that  enters  this  State  from 
the  southeast,  and  passing  through  the  cities  of  Acambaro,  Salva- 
tierra,  Salamanca  and  the  Hacienda  of  Pantoja.  After  a  course  of 
35  leagues  in  this  State,  it  empties  into  Lake  Chapala. 

The  Rio  de  la  Laja  that  takes  its  rise  in  the  mountain,  and 


41 

after  irrigating  the  lands  near  the  city  of  San  Miguel  de  Allende, 
and  flowing  by  that  city  and  those  of  Chamacuero,  Celaya,  and 
before  uniting  its  waters  with  the  Rio  de  Lerma,  has  a  course  of 
over  30  leagues. 

The  Rio  Turbio  rises  in  the  mountain  near  the  Hacienda  de 
Altos  de  Harra. 

Mountains. — Among  the  highest  mountains  in  the  sierra,  or 
mountain  chain,  of  Guanajuato  are  the  following  : 

The  Cerro,  or  peak,  of  the  los  Nanitos  is  situated  two  leagues 
north  from  the  capital.  Its  highest  point  being  3,359  varas  above 
the  level  of  the  sea. 

The  mountain  of  El  Gigante,  which  is  situated  northwest  of 
Guanajuato.     Its  elevation  is  2,800  varas  above  the  level  of  the  sea. 

West  of  the  city  of  Guanajuato,  and  near  the  city  of  Silao,  is 
the  Cerro  del  Cubilete. 

The  population  of  this  State  was  set  down  at  874,073  inhabit- 
ants in  1856.     Its  population,  in  188 1,  at  889,575  souls. 

Dialects. — The  majority  of  the  population  speak  the  Spanish 
language.  The  Indians  speak  mostly  the  Otomi,  with  the  exception 
of  those  of  the  town  of  Amedo  in  the  Sierra  de  Xichu,  who  speak 
the  Fame,  and  those  who  live  near  the  boundary  line  of  Michoa- 
can,  who  speak  the  Tarasco  language. 

Cities  and  towns. — Those  of  most  importance  in  the  State  are 
Guanajuato,  the  capital  of  the  State  and  of  the  district  of  the  same 
name.  It  is  situated  94  leagues  northwest  from  the  City  of  Mexico, 
in  a  caiion  in  the  21*^  of  latitude  north,  and  i*^  49'  west  longitude, 
from  the  City  of  Mexico.  Its  population  was  set  down,  in  1856, 
at  63,398  inhabitants. 

Celaya. 

Salvatierra. 

San  Miguel  de  Allende  is  a  beautiful  city,  situated  on  the  de- 
clivity of  a  high  hill,  at  the  foot  of  which  runs  the  Rio  de  la  Laja, 
which  is  crossed  by  a  good  stone  bridge,  although  it  is  fordable 
nearly  all  the  year.  The  population  of  the  city  is  not  less  than 
25,000. 

Leon,  situated  west  of  Guanajuato,  is  a  manufacturing  city. 
The  best  saddles  and  leather  in  the  Republic  are  manufactured  at 
this  place.  In  1865,  its  population  ascended  to  166,000  people ; 
and,  although  it  is  noted  in  geography  as  a  town  of  ten  or  twenty 


42 

thousand  inhabitants,  it  was  then,  and  is  now  in  population,  the 
second  city  of  the  Republic. 

Salamanca,  a  city  of  some  importance. 

Among  the  large  towns,  the  following  are  worth  mentioning, 
viz. :  Dolores  Hidalgo.  The  streets  in  this  town  are  well  paved. 
There  are  several  fine  churches  and  plazas.  This  place  has  become 
celebrated  in  Mexican  history  on  account  of  its  parish  priest.  Padre 
Hidalgo,  having  declared  Mexican  independence  on  the  i6th  of 
September,  1810. 

Silao. 

Acambaro. 

San  Luis  de  la  Paz. 

The  principal  villages  of  this  State  are  the  following  (some  of 
these  villages  are  really  good-size  towns) :  Romita,  Valle  de  San- 
tiago, Pueblo  Nuevo,  San  Juan  de  la  Vega,  Rincon  de  Tamaye, 
San  Andres  el  Alto,  Guaje,  Tarrandacuo,  San  Bartolo,  Neutta  and 
others. 

In  1856,  there  existed  in  the  State  398  haciendas  and  816 
ranches  (or  farms). 

The  total  assessed  valued  of  real  estate  in  this  State,  in   1856, 
amounted  to  $27,117,728. 

Mming. — The  mines  of  the  State  are  celebrated,  not  only  for 
their  antiquities,  but  for  their  extraordinary  richness  {see  the  Cata- 
logue']. The  principal  mining  districts  in  the  State  are  those  of 
Guanajuato,  La  Luz,  Monte  de  San  Nicolas,  Santa  Rosa  y  Santa 
Ana,  San  Jose  Iturbide,  San  Luis  de  la  Paz,  Xichu  and  Arteaga, 
belonging  formerly  to  the  territory  of  Sierra  Gorda.  The  rich 
mines  of  Valenciana,  Mellado,  Villalpando,  Rayas  y  la  Luz,  and  San 
Jose  de  los  Muchachos  produce  gold,  silver,  copper,  lead,  iron,  tin, 
magistral,  cinnabar  and  many  other  substances. 

The  amount  of  gold  and  silver  coined  at  the  mint  of  Guana- 
juato, from  the  year  1827  to  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1855, 
amounted  to  $124,896,504. 

Industry. — In  the  city  of  Salamanca  there  are  several  factories 
of  unbleached  cotton  ;  in  Salvatierra,  factories  of  cotton  thread  ;  in 
Celaya,  several  factories  of  woolen  cassimeres  of  very  good  quality. 


43 
THE  STATE  OF  GUERRERO. 

SITUATION,   BOUNDARIES   AND    AREA. 

The  State  of  Guerrero  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  that  of 
Mexico  ;  east,  by  the  States  of  Puebla  and  Oaxaca  ;  and  on  the  south 
by  the  Pacific  Ocean.     Its  area  contains  3,500  square  leagues. 

Guerrero  was  admitted  as  a  State  in  1849. 
Topographical  aspect  and  climate. — This  is  one  of  the  States 
of  the  Republic  that  displays  to  the  traveller's  eye  the  gpreatest 
variety  of  vegetation.  The  numerous  mountains  and  hills,  forests 
and  ravines,  that  divide  the  country  at  short  distances,  occasionally 
show,  in  a  savage  way,  the  untold  wealth  of  this  extraordinary 
portion  of  Mexico,  where  immense  richness  will  only  be  developed 
when  the  railway  from  the  City  of  Mexico  shall  be  constructed  to 
Acapulco,  on  the  Pacific. 

The  climate  of  the  State,  with  few  exceptions,  is  extremely 
warm,  and  very  unhealthy  along  the  Pacific  coast. 

Rivers. — The  most  noted  is  that  of  Las  Balsas. 

Lakes. — Those  of  Coyuca  and  Tecpa. 

Natural  productions. — All  tropical  fruits  are  produced  in  this 
State  ;  also  a  great  variety  of  timber  ;  com,  peas,  beans  are  raised 
in  large  quantities,  and  constitute  the  principal  nourishment  of  the 
inhabitants. 

Mining. — This  State  is  considered  one  of  the  richest  of 
Mexico  in  mineral  wealth.  Lately,  some  gold  placers  have  been 
discovered,  which  are  said  to  be  richer  than  those  of  Upper 
California. 

Population. — It  was  set  down,  in  1856,  at  270,000  people,  and, 
in  1 88 1,  at  325,000. 

Tixtla,  or  Ciudad  Guerrero,  is  situated  in  latitute  17^  34'  north, 
and  0°  11'  west  longitude,  from  the  City  of  Mexico.  It  is  situated 
in  one  of  the  gorges  formed  by  the  cordillera,  at  an  elevation  of 
1,740  varas  above  the  sea.     Its  population  is  about  8,000  souls. 

The  capital  of  this  State,  Chilpancingo,  has  a  small  population 
of  about  3,000  inhabitants.  It  is  celebrated  in  Mexican  history  for 
being  the  town  where  the  first  Mexican  Congress  met,  after  the  first 
cry  for  liberty  had  caused  the  Mexican  people  to  rebel  against  the 
iron  rule  of  Spain. 


44 
THE    STATE   OF   HIDALGO. 

Hidalgo  was  created  a  State  in  1 869, 

It  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  the  State  of  San  Luis  Potosi ;  on 
the  northeast  by  the  State  of  Vera  Cruz ;  on  the  east  by  the  State 
of  Puebla ;  on  the  south,  by  the  State  of  Tlaxcala  ;  on  the  souhwest 
by  the  State  of  Mexico  ;  and  on  the  west  by  the  State  of  Queretaro. 

Area. — Its  area  covers  1,521  square  leagues. 

Population. — Its  population  consists  of  404^207  inhabitants. 

Productions. — This  State  produces  all  kinds  of  cereals,  and 
all  fruits  grown  in  tropical  and  temperate  climates.  It  possesses 
rich  mines  of  silver,  copper,  lead,  stone-coal  and  sulphur.  The 
maguey  plant  is  produced  in  abundance. 

The  value  of  real  estate  was  $10,507,828,  in  1880. 

Principal  cities  and  towns. — Pachuca,  capital  of  the  State,  has 
a  population  of  1 5,000  souls.  The  seat  of  the  Real  del  Monte  Min- 
ing Company,  the  largest  mining  company  in  Mexico,  is  located  in 
this  city.     There  are  in  its  vicinity  many  rich  smelting  works. 

Tulancingo  is  situated  in  one  of  the  richest  portions  of  Mexico. 
The  Gould  and  Degress  International  and  Interoceanic  Railway, 
from  Laredo  to  the  City  of  Mexico,  will  pass  through  this  city. 


STATE    OF  JALISCO. 

SITUATION,  BOUNDARIES  AND   AREA. 

Tbe  great  State  of  Jalisco  is  situated  between  18°  51'  and 
23^  12'  of  north  latitude,  and  2°  20'  and  6*  57'  west  longitude, 
from  the  City  of  Mexico.  It  is  bounded  dn  the  north  by  the  States 
of  Sinaloa  and  Durango  ;  on  the  east,  by  the  States  of  Zacaltecas, 
Guanajuato  and  Michoacan  ;  on  the  south,  by  Michoacan  and 
Colima ;  and  on  the  west,  for  a  distance  of  142  leagues,  by  the 
Pacific  Ocean.    Its  superficial  area  is  8,324  square  leagues. 

Jalisco  was  created  a  State  in  1824. 

Topographical  aspect  and  climate. — The  Sierra  Madre  chain 
of  mountains  runs  almost  through  the  centre  of  the  State,  from  north 


45 

to  south.  On  both  sides  of  the  mountains  are  beautiful,  extensive 
and  rich  valleys  fertilized  by  several  streams.  One  of  the  princi- 
pal valleys  is  that  of  the  Rio  de  Santiago.  A  great  variety  of  trees, 
its  rich  vegetation  and  beautiful  scenery  give  this  portion  of  Mexico 
a  most  beautiful  landscape.  Its  climate  varies  according  to  its  alti- 
tudes. It  may  be  considered  cold  in  the  districts  of  Lagos,  La. 
Barca  and  Cololtan  ;  temperate  in  those  of  Guadalajara  and  Etzat- 
lan ;  warm  in  those  of  Aultan  and  Tepic ;  and  variable  in  the  dis- 
trict of  Sayula. 

Seaports. — The  port  of  San  Bias  is  situated  ii6  leagues  from 
the  capital  of  the  State,  on  the  Pacific  coast.  The  old  town  of  San 
Bias,  about  three-quarters  of  a  mile  distant  from  the  new  site,  is 
situated  on  the  summit  of  an  isolated  rock,  from  one  hundred  and 
fifty  to  two  hundred  feet  high.  This  rock,  which  rises  abruptly 
from  a  low,  swampy  and  partly  wooded  plain,  is  inaccessible  on 
three  sides.  The  northern  side  has  been  cut  away,  and  a  winding 
path,  of  easy  ascent,  leads  to  the  top.  This  road  is  closely  lined 
wdth  a  dense  forest  of  cocoa,  banana,  plantain  and  other  tropical 
trees,  together  with  a  thick  undergrowth  of  flowering  plants  and 
vines,  which  are  closely  bound  together,  and  prevent  all  ingress. 
The  bold,  rocky  mass  presents  a  most  picturesque  appearance. 
Portions  of  it  exhibit  a  bare  perpendicular  front,  while  others  are 
covered  with  a  most  luxuriant  vegetation.  The  summit,  which  is 
about  five  hundred  yards  square,  was  formerly  occupied  by  the 
town ;  but,  owing  to  the  unhealthiness  of  the  location,  it  has  been 
deserted  and  suffered  to  fall  into  decay. 

The  business  of  the  town  has  long  been  transacted  at  the 
Playa,  or  shore,  where  the  present  landing  is.  The  Custom-House 
was  for  many  years  at  Tepic,  a  city  twenty-five  miles  mland.  It 
was  established  there  on  account  of  the  unhealthiness  of  San  Bias. 

Among  the  other  ports  of  some  importance  are  those  of  To- 
maltan,  Ohamelta,  Tenacatita  and  Natividad. 

Rivers. — The  Rio  Grande,  which  is  also  known  as  the  Rio  de 
Santiago  (James  River)  or  Lerma,  the  Rio  Verde,  in  the  district  of 
Lagos,  and  those  of  Lagos,  Ameca,  Ayuquila,  San  Pedro,  the  Tepic, 
the  Acaponela,  the  Jerez,  and  the  Rio  de  Cafias. 

Lakes. — The  lake  of  Chapala,  that  contains  an  area  of  75,695 
acres,  and  those  of  Sayula,  la  Magdelena,  and  that  of  Mescaltitan, 
in  the  district  of  Tepic. 


46 

Mountains. — The  principal  chains  are  those  of  Tapalpa  and 
Tigre,  in  the  district  of  Sayula ;  the  Sierra  Madre,  that  runs  through 
the  districts  of  Sayula,  Etzatlan  and  Cololtan  ;  the  Nevado,  and  the 
Volcano  of  Colima  on  the  south. 

Vegetable  productions. — Among  the  timber  most  worthy  of 
note  are  the  following,  viz. :  cedar,  mahogany,  pine,  ash.  Brazil- 
wood, log-wood,  copal,  mezquite,  sabin,  white-wood,  and  many 
others  too  numerous  to  mention  here. 

Among  the  fruits,  which  in  this  State  are  of  excellent 
quality  and  great  variety,  are  to  be  noted  the  bananas,  oranges, 
lemons,  plums,  nuts,  figs,  pine-apples,  the  sweet  zote,  the  Amer- 
ican mammee-tree,  the  chirimoya,  the  most  delicious  fruit  on  the 
American  continent. 

A  great  portion  of  the  State  produces  coffee,  sugar-cane, 
cotton,  vanilla  and  tobacco. 

Agriculture,  like  in  all  Mexican  States,  is  in  the  most  primitive 
condition ;  corn,  wheat,  beans,  peas,  barley,  and  pepper  are  cul- 
tivated with  great  success  and  form  the  main  subsistence  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  State. 

Mines. — The  principal  mining  districts  of  this  State  are  those 
of  Bolafios  and  Copala  ;  they  produce  gold,  silver,  copper  and  iron. 

In  the  year  1855,  the  mint  at  Guadalajara  coined  $10,368  in 
gold  and  $644,050  in  silver. 

Zoology. — All  kinds  of  stock  do  well  in  the  State.  In  the 
lake  of  Chapala  are  found  a  great  variety  of  aquatic  birds  and  fishes. 
Among  the  birds  most  all  the  varieties  of  wild-geese  and  ducks  ; 
among  the  fish,  a  variety  of  the  ''Bagre,"  a  delicious  fish,  and  the 
white-fish.  In  the  small  bay  of  Valle  de  Banderas,  on  the  Pacific 
coast,  are  rich  pearl  fisheries. 

Territorial  Divisions.— Th^  State  is  divided  into  eight  dis- 
tricts,whose  names  are  given  below  :  Guadalajara,  Lagos,  La  Barca, 
Sayula,  Etzatlan,  Autlan,  Tepic  and  Cololtan. 

Population. — Was  set  down  in  1856  at  804,058  inhabitants. 
In  1 88 1  at  934,850  souls. 

Principal  Cities  and  Towns. — The  city  of  Guadalajara, 
capital  of  the  State  and  of  the  district  of  the  same  name,  is 
situated  in  latitude  20*^  41'  north  and  4°  15'  west  longitude  from 
the  City  of  Mexico,  and  1 50  leagues  distant  from  that  capital.  Its 
streets  are  wide  and  at  right  angles.     It  has  fourteen  squares ;  the 


47 

principal  square  is  the  Plaza  de  Armas  (Military  Square),  on  the 
east  side  of  which  is  situated  the  Government  Palace.  The  portico 
of  Cortazar  (a  distinguished  leader  of  the  revolution  of  1810),  on 
the  south ;  the  Portico  of  Bolivar  on  the  west,  and  the  Sagrario 
(Sagrario  is  a  church  where  holy  relicts  are  kept)  on  the  north. 

Among  the  principal  edifices  are  the  Government  Palace,  the 
Hospital,  the  Bishop's  Palace,  the  City  Hall,  the  Mint,  the  Custom- 
House  and  the  Theatre.  Among  the  private  buildings  are  many 
that  would  be  an  ornament  to  any  city.  Guadalajara  was  always 
considered  the  third  city  of  the  Republic  in  wealth  and  population. 

This  city  possesses  a  university,  a  college,  an  academy  of 
painting,  drawing,  architecture  and  sculpture,  also  a  seminar}", 
besides  many  establishments  of  primary  education. 

The  Alameda  is  a  fine  public  walk,  well  ornamented  with  trees 
and  fountains.  The  climate  of  the  city  is  very  dry.  The  popula- 
tion of  the  city,  in  1856,  was  set  down  at  68,000  inhabitants. 

liidustry. — There  are  in  the  city  several  factories  of  unbleached 
cotton  and  of  woolen  goods.  It  was  at  one  time  the  most  noted 
city  for  the  manufacture  of  silk,  thread,  and  cotton  rebozos  (a  sort 
of  Mexican  scarf,  used  by  Mexican  ladies  in  which  to  wrap  them- 
selves, a  very  graceful  piece  of  attire  that  distinguishes  the  Mexican 
ladies  from  those  of  other  nations). 

The  City  of  Lagos,  containing  10,000  inhabitants,  is  an  import- 
ant manufacturing  place. 

The  City  of  San  Juan  de  los  Lagos — its  population  was  setdown^ 
in  1856,  at  6,000  people.  This  is  a  noted  place  on  account  of  the 
yearly  fair  that  used  to  take  place  in  that  city.  At  one  time  it  was 
the  emporium  of  commerce  of  all  the  country  situated  northwest 
of  the  capital.  Merchants  from  all  parts  of  the  world  resorted  to 
that  great  fair.     It  has  lost  much  of  its  importance  of  late  years. 

La  Barca. 

Tepatitlan. 

Sayula, 

Zapotlan. 

Ameca — has  large  sugar  refineries  and  tanneries. 

Autlan. 

Mascota. 

Compostela. 

Almacatlan. 


48 

Colotlan. 

All  the  above  are  large  towns,  with  populations  varying  from 
five  to  fifteen  thousand.  Also  Tepic,  a  large,  fine  city,  well  laid  out, 
about  twenty-five  miles  from  the  port  of  San  Bias,  in  a  beautiful 
country ;  it  is  also  a  manufacturing  place  of  importance.  Among 
its  produce  it  is  celebrated  for  its  good  quality  of  cigars. 

In  this  State  there  are  many  little  towns  where  Mexican  pottery 
is  manufactured. 


THE    STATE    OF   MEXICO. 

This  State  is  bounded  as  follows :  On  the  north,  by  the  new 
State  of  Hidalgo  ;  on  the  east,  by  the  States  of  Tlaxcala,  Puebla  and 
Morelos  ;  on  the  south,  by  the  States  of  Morelos  and  Guerrero  ;  and 
on  the  west,  by  the  State  of  Michoacan. 

This  State  is  divided  into  the  following  districts,  viz. :  Toluca, 
Lerma,  Tenango,  Ixtlahuaca,  Jilotepec,  Zumpango,  Otumba,  Tex- 
coco,  Chalco,  Sultepec,  Tejupilco,  Tenancingo,  Tlalnepantla,  Cuau- 
titlan,  and  Villa  del  Valle. 

The  city  of  Toluca,  capital  of  the  State,  has  a  population  of 
14,376  inhabitants.  The  district  of  the  same  name,  in  which  it  is 
situated,  is  the  highest  inhabited  land  of  Mexico,  being  situated  at 
an  elevation  of  3,110  varas,  or  8,638  feet  above  the  level  of  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico.  Toluca  itself  is  498  varas  higher  than  the  City  of 
Mexico.     The  climate  is  cold. 

The  district  of  Tlalnepantla  is  composed  of  rich  plains,  well 
cultivated,  in  which  is  situated  the  city  of  the  same  name,  and  is- 
renowned  for  its  mild  climate  and  pretty  landscape.    It  is  a  Summer 
resort  for  the  inhabitants  of  the  City  of  Mexico,  being  almost  one 
of  its  suburbs. 

The  district  of  Texcoco  comprises  the  lowest  portion  of  the 
great  valley  of  Mexico,  where  all  its  waters  unite  and  form  the  two 
great  lakes  of  Texcoco  and  Chalco.  The  other  portion  of  this  dis- 
trict is  composed  of  beautiful  hills,  whose  climate  is  delightful.  The 
district  of  Zultepec  comprises  rich  mineral  hills,  and  also  enjoys  a 
temperate  climate. 


49 

The  population  of  this  State  was  set  down  at  607,435  inhabi- 
tants in  1 88 1. 


STATE   OF  MICHOACAN. 

SITUATION,    BOUNDARIES   AND   AREA. 

The  State  of  Michoacan  is  situated  between  17°  50'  5" 
and  20  26'  30"  north  latitude,  and  i  °  9'  20"  and  4  °  3'  30" 
west  longitude  from  the  City  of  Mexico.  The  western  portion  is 
crossed  by  the  Cordillera.  It  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  the  State 
of  Guanajuato.  The  Rio  de  Lerma,  known  here  as  the  Rio 
Grande,  and  a  portion  of  Lake  Chapala,  forming  a  natural  boundary ; 
on  the  east,  by  the  States  of  Queretaro  and  Mexico  ;  on  the  south,  by 
the  States  of  Mexico  and  Guerrero,  and  on  the  west,  for  more  than 
thirty  leagues,  by  the  Pacific  Ocean,  the  States  of'Colima  and 
Jalisco.     Its  superficy  contains  an  area  of  6,556  square  leagues. 

Michoacan  was  admitted  as  a  State  in  1826. 

Topographical  aspect  and  climate. — This  State  is  very  fertile. 
Its  surface  is  composed  of  vast  inclined  plains,  of  easy  grade  toward 
the  Pacific  shore,  which  are  divided  by  branches  of  the  Cordillera. 
The  Sierra  Madre  (Mother  or  Main  Chain)  enters  this  State  in  the 
district  of  Coalcoman.  The  climate  in  general  is  temperate  but 
damp. 

Rivers. — The  principal  are  the  Rio  Grande  or  de  Lerma,  the 
Rio  Duero,  the  Pantla,  the  Rio  de  las  Balsas  or  Puebla  and  the 
Melonar. 

Lakes. — The  principal  one  is  that  of  Patzcuaro.  In  this  lake 
are  five  small  islands  ;  their  names  are :  Xanicho,  Pacanda,  Xara- 
cuaro,  Yuguan  and  Tecuen.  These  small  islands  present  to  the 
traveller  an  enchanted  landscape  of  beauty  beyond  description, 
particularly  those  of  Xanicho  and  Pacanda,  which  are  covered  with 
beautiful  flowers  and  rich  vegetation.  All  those  appear  to  move 
like  the  floating  gardens  of  the  Valley  of  Mexico.  This  lake  is  only 
five  leagues  long  from  northeast  to  southwest,  and  about  twelve  in 
circumference.     And  the  lake  of  Cuitzco,  north  of  Morelia. 

Mountains. — The  most  important  are  the  Jorrullo  (volcano), 


50 

the  Taneitaro,  Periban,  the  Tzirate,  and  the  peaks  of  Pantamban, 
San  Nicolas  and  San  Andres. 

Natural  productions. — Here  we  will  only  enumerate  a  few  of 
the  most  valuable  productions  of  this  rich  State,  where  everything 
is  still  to  be  developed.  Among  the  timber  are  found  the  maho- 
gany, oak,  ebony,  iron-wood,  cedar,  rosewood,  evergreen  oaks,  and 
many  still  unknown  in  the  United  States.  Corn,  wheat,  barley, 
oats  and  beans  are  cultivated  with  success ;  also,  the  cocoa,  sugar- 
cane, coffee,  cotton,  vanilla  and  aniseed  are  produced  and  could 
be  made  the  chief  produce  of  this  State  for  exports. 

Zoology. — Among  the  wild  animals  the  deer,  hare,  rabbit,  the 
coyote  and  many  others  are  found.  Also  a  great  variety  of  birds. 
Among  the  fishes  are  the  Bagre  and  white-fish. 

Aiming. — Among  the  richest  in  all  Mexico  in  old  times  was 
the  mining  district  of  Tlalpujahua,  also  those  of  Angangueo, 
Espiritu  Santo,  Guayabo,  Inguaran,  Curucupaceo,  Ozumaltan  y 
Barra,  Chapatuato,  San  Antonio,  Cualcoman,  and  many  others. 
The  produce  of  these  mines  consist  of  silver  mixed  with  gold, 
copper  mixed  with  gold,  iron,  cinnabar,  antimony,  stone-coal,  and 
emery. 

The  State  is  divided  into  four  districts,  known  as  the  districts 
of  Morelia,  Patzcuaro,  Maravatio,  and  Zamora. 

Population. — This  State,  in  1856,  had  a  population  of  491,679 
inhabitants,  entirely  7n^tis  (mixed  breed)  and  Indians;  in  1881, 
618,240  souls. 

Dialects. — The  principal  spoken  are  the  Tarasco  and  the 
Otomi. 

Real  estate. — In  1856,  there  was  in  the  State  6,989  country 
estates  or  small  farms,  and  2,386  houses,  situated  in  cities.  The 
assessed  value  of  the  same  amounted  to  the  sum  of  $14,181,662. 
This  aggregate  value  did  not  include  the  clergy,  or  church  property, 
which  then  amounted  to  the  sum  of  $800,000. 

Industry. — The  principal  industry  of  this  State  consists  in 
mining,  agriculture,  also  some  silk  and  cotton  manufactures  of  good 
quality,  which  can  be  developed  when  railway  communications  are 
opened. 

The  State  possesses  three  cities :  Morelia,  Patzcuaro  and 
Zamora ;  two  towns  :  ITacambaro  and  Zitacuaro  ;  276  villages,  and 
many  haciendas  and  ranches. 


51 


THE   STATE   OF   MORELOS. 

This  State  was  created,  in  1 869,  out  of  the  States  of  Mexico  and 
Puebla.  It  is  bounded  as  follows  :  On  the  north,  by  the  State  of 
Mexico  ;  on  the  east,  by  the  State  of  Puebla  ;  on  the  south,  by  the 
State  of  Guerrero ;  and  on  the  west,  by  the  State  of  Mexico. 

It  contains  an  area  of  262  square  leagues. 

Its  population,  according  to  latest  statistics,  consists  of  1 59,300 
souls. 

Its  principal  productions  are  coffee,  sugar,  fruits,  com,  rice, 
alcohol,  wheat,  etc.,  etc. 

History. — This  State  is  situated  in  the  ancient  country  of  the 
Tlahuicos,  part  of  the  estate  of  the  Marquis  del  Valle  Hernando 
Cortez,  the  conqueror  of  Mexico,  and  was,  prior  to  the  17th  of  April, 
1869,  a  district  of  the  State  of  Mexico.  It  was  named  in  honor  of 
ex-priest.  General  Don  Jose  Maria  Morelos  y  Pabon,  one  of  the 
principal  chiefs  of  the  revolution  for  independence  of  Mexico. 

Principal  cities  a7id  towns. — Cuemavaca,  capital  of  the  State, 
was  founded  by  the  Tlahuicos,  a  tribe  of  the  nation  Nahuatlacos, 
about  the  fourteenth  century.  It  was  incorporated,  in  1432,  by 
Itzcoatl  to  the  crown  of  Mexico  ;  was  conquered  by  the  Spaniards 
in  April,  1521  ;  declared  a  city  October  14th,  1834.  It  contains  the 
palace  of  Hernando  Cortez,  the  parochial  church,  built  in  171 3,  the 
beautiful  church  of  Guadaloupe,  and  of  Los  Tepetates,  San  Pedro 
and  San  Pablo,  the  immense  gardens  of  Borda  in  ruins,  market, 
hospital,  a  garden  on  its  principal  square,  two  Protestant  churches, 
a  literary  institute,  the  Stage  and  San  Pedro  hotels.  The  Indian 
name  of  this  city  was  Quanhuahuac  (which  means,  adjoining  the 
beautiful  hills).  It  contains  a  population  of  12,000  souls.  The  un 
fortunate  emperor,  Maximilian,  made  it  his  favorite  place  of  resort 

Cuantla  de  Morelos,  principal  city  of  the  district  of  Morelos, 
called  the  "  Heroical  Cuautla,"  was  also  founded  by  the  Tlahuicos, 
with  the  name  of  Quanhtli  (delightful  hills)  ;  was  conquered  by  the 
Spaniards  in  1521,  who  called  it  Cuautla  de  Amilpas  ;  it  was  cre- 
ated a  city  in  April,  1829.  It  possesses  a  fine  city  hall,  a  public 
garden,  a  parochial  church,  built  in  1605,  and  the  churches  of  San 
Diego,  Senor  del  Pueblo,  or  lord  of  the  city  and  the  calvary.  It 
has  a  population  of  3,000  souls.     Yantepec  of  Zaragoza,  the  princi- 


52 

pal  city  of  the  district  of  Yantepec,  was  founded  by  the  Tlahuicos 
and  conquered  by  Montezuma  the  first,  in  1440,  and  by  the  Span- 
iards in  1 521.  Its  Indian  name  was  mountain  where  the  flower  of 
yahutli  grows  ;  said  flower  has  a  scent  like  the  anil.  It  was  cre- 
ated a  city  in  1869,  and  has  a  population  of  4,500  souls. 

In  the  same  district  is  the  City  of  Tetecala  de  la  Reforma, 
created  a  city  December,  1873.  Its  Indian  name  Tetecala  means  a 
stone-house.  It  has  a  good  City  Hall,  hospital  and  a  main  square. 
Population,  2, 500  inhabitants. 

City  of  Jojutla  de  Juares,  created  a  city  in  May,  1873.  Has 
a  City  Hall,  parochial  church,  hospital  and  4,175  inhabitants. 

This  State  contains  5  cities,  13  towns,  106  villages,  7  hamlets, 
48  haciendas  and  54  ranches. 

The  value  of  real  estate  is  set  down  at  ^4,193,315.32. 


THE    STATE    OF   NUEVO    LEON. 

SITUATION,    BOUNDARY   AND   AREA. 

This  State  is  situated  between  the  23^  5'  and  27**  10'  latitude 
north,  and  o^  30'  east  longitude,  and  I  ^  26'  40"  west  longitude 
from  the  City  of  Mexico.  It  is  bounded  on  the  north  and  west  by 
the  State  of  Coahuila ;  on  the  north  and  east  by  the  State  of  Ta- 
maulipas  ;  on  the  south-west  by  the  State  of  San  Luis  Potosi.  Its 
greatest  length  from  north  to  south  is  284  American  miles,  and  its 
greatest  width  from  east  to  west  is  105  miles;  its  area  contains 
6,695  square  miles.  Population  in  1856,  according  to  Jesus  Her- 
mosa,  144,869  inhabitants  ;  population,  according  to  a  semi-official 
paper  published  in  1875,  178,872  ;  in  1881,  201,732  souls. 

Mountains. — Besides  the  Sierra  Madre  and  many  other  spurs 
of  mountains,  the  most  noted  are  the  Cerro  de  la  Silla,  or  Saddle 
Mountain,  about  six  miles  south-east  from  the  City  of  Monterey, 
the  Mitra,  the  Picacho,  Santa  Clara,  La  Iguana  and  Gomez 
Mountains. 

Rivers. — Among  the  principal  streams  are  the  Salado,  El  Can- 


53 

dela,  El  Sabina.  The  San  Juan,  which  rises  in  the  Sierra  Madre 
mountains,  and  has  a  course  of  about  130  miles  before  uniting-  its 
waters  with  that  of  the  Rio  Grande;  the  Pilon,  Monterey  and 
Linares  rivers,  etc. 

Census. — In  1856  this  State  contained  4  cities,  29  towns,  118 
haciendas,  481  ranches  and  182  small  ranches. 

Natural  Productions. — Agricultural  productions  are  numer- 
ous and  of  a  great  variety  ;  among  the  timber  is  found  the  ebony. 
Brazil-wood,  beech  tree,  oak,  ash,  coyotilla,  huisache,  cedar,  pal- 
metto, frijolillio,  huiachillo,  elm,  mesquite,  willow,  pecan,  hackberry, 
cypress,  pine,  javay.  The  Irish  potato  grows  wild  in  the  mountains. 

Fruzts,  Vegetables  and  Grain. — Among  the  fruit  trees  are 
found  the  peach,  pomegranate,  apple,  pear,  lemon,  orange,  mul- 
berry, aguacate  or  laureus persea,  the  chirimoya,  which  is  consi- 
dered the  most  delicious  fruit  in  America  (known  in  botany  as  the 
anana  kumboldtzana),  figs,  bananas,  pears,  grapes,  etc. 

This  State  produces  all  kinds  of  vegetables  and  corn,  sugar- 
cane, oats,  wheat  and  beans,  and  a  great  variety  of  flowers. 

Stock  Raising. — Good  grazing,  adapted  to  all  kinds  of  stock, 
is  found  in  this  State.  In  1856  the  State  assessed  48,988  head  of 
horses,  11,278  head  of  mules,  117,210  head  of  cattle,  529,159  head 
of  sheep,  and  15,568  head  of  hogs. 

Wild  Animals,  Gaine  Birds,  Aquatic  Birds. — Among  the 
wild  animals  and  birds  are  found  the  following,  viz. :  mountain 
cats,  bears,  tigers  (that  is  the  jaguar),  wolves,  wild-hogs,  hares, 
squirrels,  armadillos,  panthers,  coyotes.  Among  the  birds  :  mock- 
ing-birds, linnets,  larks,  cardinals,  doves,  colibris,  pigeons,  partridges 
and  turkeys.  Among  the  aquatic  birds :  duck,  cranes,  geese, 
herons,  etc. 

Fish. — Among  the  fish  are  found  eel,  trout,  bass,  crawfish, 
perch  and  sea  breams.  Pearl  oysters  are  found  in  the  Salado  river, 
also  otter  and  beaver. 

Thermal  Waters. — There  are  those  of  El  Topo,  Potrero 
Prieto,  Huestas  and  Huajuco. 

Mines. — Most  of  the  mines  in  this  State  have  been  but  very 
httle  developed,  the  surface  metal  only  having  been  worked.  Ac- 
cordmg  to  experts,  they  contam  silver,  iron,  copper  and  lead, 
sulphur,  nitrate  of  potash,  alabaster,  white  and  colored  marble,  and 
munate  of  soda.     In  the  mineral  district  of  Villa  Aldamas,  known 


54 


before  the  Mexican  Independence  as  Boca  de  Leones,  the  Minas 
Viegas,  Ladera,  Catitta,  etc.,  Vallecillo,  Cadereita  Jimenez.  The 
mining  districts  of  Sabina  Santiago  de  las  Sabinas,  Santa  Teresa 
and  others.  Most  of  the  above  mines  are  rich  galena,  containing 
silver  varying  from  five  to  forty  dollars  per  cargo  of  three  hundred 
Mexican  pounds. 

Schools. — In  this  State  there  w^ere,  in  1875,  278  primary  schools, 
carried  on  at  a  yearly  expense  of  $70,400.00. 

Principal  Cities  and  Towns. — Monterey,  capital  of  the  State, 
is  situated  in  latitude  2^°  40'  6"  north,  and  o**  49'  west  longitude 
from  the  City  of  Mexico  ;  602  miles  from  the  capital,  and  i  ,626 
American  feet  above  the  level  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  (For  a  better 
description,  see  itinerary  from  San  Antonio,  Texas,  to  the  City  of 
Mexico.)  Although  it  is  situated  in  a  warm  climate,  it  is  very 
healthy,  and  is  certainly  destined  to  be  one  of  the  greatest  cities  on 
this  side  of  fhe  Sierra  Madre  mountains  ;  its  present  population  is 
over  40,000  souls. 

The  towns  of  Cadereita  Jimenez,  Linares,  Montemorelos,  Sa- 
linas, Ceralvo,  and  many  others  are  beautiful  places  whose  sur- 
rounding country  is  well  adapted  to  agriculture. 


STATISTICS. — Agricultural  productions  of  the  State  of 
Nuevo  Leon,  and  value  of  the  same  for  the  year  1878  : 


Oats,  2,154  bushels. 

Sugar-cane, 

Sweet  potatoes, 

Wax,  11,150  pounds,     . 

Onions, 

Chile  pepper,  104,050  pounds, 
Beans,  11,850  bushels. 
Peas,         270 
Corn,  751,200 

Maguey,        1,098,000  plants, 
Potatoes,  177,000    cwt..     . 

Pelloncillo,    1,368,250 
Ixtle,  3,811,875 

Wheat,  120,000 

Amount  carried  forward. 


$14,160  00 

165,300  00 

5,680  00 

8,840  00 

20,850  00 

4,136  00 

19,700  00 

280  00 

250,000  00 

144,250  00 

2,950  00 

437,840  00 

86,475  00 

9,600  00 


$1,170,061  00 


55 


Amoui 

nt  brought  forward. 

.   $1,170,061  00 

Tobacco, 

45,750-     " 

4,490  00 

Sugar, 

300,000 

36,000  00 

Mezcal, 

264,500 

41,840  00 

Fodder, 

7.303750      " 

73,085  00 

Bagging, 

37,500      " 

3,000  00 

Tomatoes 

measure,     . 

590  00 

Peas,  900 

cwt 

amount  of  products. 

72  00 

Total 

.     $1,329,138  00 

Total  value  of  stock  of  all  kinds. 


,021  00 


THE    STATE    OF   OAXACA. 


SITUATION,    BOUNDARIES    AND    AREA. 


Oaxaca,  in  olden  times  called  Antequera,  is  one  of  the  principal 
States  of  the  Republic  of  Mexico. 

It  is  bounded  on  the  north,  by  the  State  of  Vera  Cruz ;  on  the 
east  by  the  State  of  Chiapas  ;  on  the  south  by  the  Pacific  Ocean  ; 
on  the  west,  by  the  State  of  Puebla.  It  contains  an  area  of  4,426 
square  leagues. 

Oaxaca  was  created  a  State  in  1824. 

Topographical  aspect  and  climate. — Many  chains  of  moun- 
tains run  over  this  State  in  various  directions,  and  although  the 
country  is  much  broken,  its  climate  in  general  is  mild;  like 
the  balance  of  the  Mexican  territory,  it  varies  according  to  its 
altitudes. 

Rivers, — They  are  few  and  of  no  importance. 

Natural  productions. — Rich  in  all  productions.  This  State 
has  large  forests  of  valuable  timber,  all  tropical  fruits,  many  valu- 
able gum  trees,  coffee,  cacao,  wheat,  com  and  many  other  products 
of  the  temperate  zone  are  cultivated  with  profit  by  the  inhabitants. 


56 

Zoology. — All  kinds  of  stock  are  raised  in  this  State  with  little 
or  no  expense.  Game  and  fish  are  abundant,  and  there  are  rich 
pearl  fisheries  on  its  Pacific  coast. 

Mining. — This  State  possesses  many  mines  rich  in  silver,  gold, 
quartz,  jaspers,  marble  and  other  valuable  minerals  ;  but  in  former 
days  the  principal  revenue  of  the  State  v^as  derived  from  cochi- 
neal and  aniseed. 

This  State,  in  1856,  had  a  population  of  489,969  inhabitants, 
and  of  733,556  in  1881. 

Principal  cities  and  towns, — The  City  of  Oaxaca  was  founded 
in  a  beautiful  valley  by  Juan  Nunez  del  Mercado  in  the  year  1628. 
Its  streets  are  laid  off  at  right  angles.  On  the  main  square  is  situ- 
ated the  Government  palace,  the  cathedral,  worthy  of  note  on 
account  of  its  elegant  style  of  architecture  and  the  porticos  of  our 
Lord  and  of  the  Star  (la  Estrella).  Its  population,  in  1856,  was  set 
down  at  28,000  souls. 

Principal  towns. — Teotitlan,  Huahuapan,  Ejutla,  Jamiltepec, 
Teposcola  and  Villa  Alta. 

Among  the  distinguished  men  born  in  this  State  was  President 
Juarez,  who  was  a  pure  Zapotec  Indian,  educated  at  the  Jesuit  col- 
lege  of  Oaxaca,  and  whose  memory  will  live  in  the  minds  of  all  lovers 
of  liberty  as  one  of  the  great  figures  of  this  continent. 


THE   STATE   OF   PUEBLA. 

BOUNDARIES     AND     AREA. 

This  State  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  the  States  of  Vera  Cruz 
and  Hidalgo  ;  on  the  east  by  the  State  of  Vera  Cruz  ;  on  the  south 
by  the  States  of  Guerrero  and  Oaxaca ;  and  on  the  west  by  the 
States  of  JVIorelos,  Mexico,  Tlaxcala  and  Hidalgo. 

Area,  1,725  square  leagues. 

Puebla  was  created  a  State  in  1 824. 

Population,  697,788  inhabitants  in  1857. 

Population  in  1881,  784,466  souls. 


57 

Mountains. — A  wide  chain  of  high  mountains,  cut  at  intervals 
by  fertile  valleys  or  plateaus,  like  those  of  San  Martin,  Puebla, 
Alixco  and  Chalchicomula,  gives  this  State  a  peculiar  topographical 
aspect  without  monotony.  The  mountains  of  Huaunchinango,  Za- 
capoaxtla,  Zacatlan  and  Tezintlan  are  among  the  principals.  On 
the  eastern  boundary  of  the  State  are  found  the  Cofre  de  Perote 
and  the  peak  of  Orizaba  ;  and  on  the  west,  the  Popocatepetl  and 
Ixtlacihuatl ;  and  on  the  north,  the  mountains  of  Zacatlan  and 
Huaunchinango. 

Rivers. — The  principal  rivers  of  this  State  are  the  Atoyac,  that 
rises  in  the  mountains  of  Tlaxco,  which  in  its  course  is  also  known  as 
the  Rio  de  las  Balsas,  and  those  of  Vinasco,  Pantepec,  Cazenes  and 
Zempoala. 

Climate  and  natural  productions. — Climate  generally  tem- 
perate and  healthy ;  the  soil,  very  fertile,  produces  all  kinds  of  gra- 
minea,  com,  wheat,  barley,  oats,  cotton  and  sugar. 

Mining. — In  this  State  are  seven  mineral  districts  that  produce 
gold  and  copper,  argentiferous  lead  and  iron ;  stone-coal  is  sup- 
posed to  exist  in  this  State.  The  names  of  those  districts  are  Tetela 
del  Oro,  San  Jose,  San  Miguel,  Ixcamastetlan,  Tlalchachalco  Hue- 
capan,  Tlachiaque,  Izucar.  The  ores  of  these  mines  are  worked 
by  both  the  smelting  and  amalgamating  processes. 

Principal  cities  a7id  tow7is. — Puebla  de  Zaragoza  (formerly  of 
the  Angels),  capital  of  the  State  and  seat  of  the  Bishopric,  is  situated 
in  a  fine  valley,  at  an  altitude  of  over  7,000  feet,  in  latitude  19° 
2'  45"  north,  and  longitude  2°  4'  45"  east,  from  the  City  of  Mexico. 
It  was  founded  on  the  28th  of  September,  1531. 

Puebla,  on  account  of  its  industries,  is  in  importance  general- 
ly considered  as  the  third  city  of  the  Republic.  Surrounded  by  the 
Atoyac,  the  San  Francisco  and  Alzezeca  rivers.  It  has  an  abun- 
dance of  good  water.  It  possesses  26  squares.  Its  cathedral  is  one 
of  the  finest  in  Mexico  ;  its  sculptures  and  ornaments  are  extremely 
gaudy.  Puebla  has  a  fine  museum — interesting  for  the  numerous 
antiquities  it  contains.  In  1856,  the  city  contained  71  churches  and 
chapels.  Its  population  amounts  to  76,817  souls.  A  railroad  con- 
nects this  city  with  that  of  Mexico  and  the  port  of  Vera  Cruz. 
It  has  factories  of  unbleached  cotton,  thread,  crockery,  glass  and 
soap.  Among  the  principal  towns  of  this  State  are  those  of  Alixco, 
Cholula,  Izucar,  Tehuacan,  San  Marten  and  San  Andres. 


58 

Cholula  is  celebrated  on  account  of  its  pyramid  of  the  same 
name,  which  resembles  very  much  the  Egyptian  pyramids. 


THE  STATE  OF  QUERETARO. 

BOUNDARIES,    AREA    AND    CLIMATE. 

This  State  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  the  State  of  Guanajuato 
and  San  Luis  Potosi ;  on  the  east  and  south  by  the  State  of 
Mexico,  and  on  the  west  by  the  States  of  Michoacan  and  Guana- 
juato.    It  contains  an  area  of  506  square  leagues. 

Queretaro  was  created  a  State  in  1824. 

The  climate  in  general  is  temperate  and  very  healthy. 

Rivers. — There  are  none  of  much  importance,  although  the 
State  is  well  watered,  we  will  only  mention  the  Rio  de  la  Silla  and 
Santa  Lucia. 

Natural  productions. — Wheat,  com,  beans,  cotton  and  all 
kinds  of  vegetables  and  fruits  proper  to  European  and  American 
climates  do  remarkably  well  in  this  State.  There  is  in  the  mountain 
forests  a  great  variety  of  first  class  timber. 

Industry. — Queretaro  has  had  quite  a  name  in  Mexico  for  its 
manufactures  of  wollen  cloth,  casimires,  carpets,  blankets,  and  un- 
bleached cotton.  It  possesses  one  of  the  largest  factories  on  this 
continent ;  it  is  a  cotton  factory  and  a  mill  that  we  have  described 
in  our  itinerary  from  San  Antonio,  Texas,  to  the  City  of  Mexico ; 
this  factory  is  known  as  the  "  Herculus."  The  artisans  of  the  city 
have  the  reputation  of  being  the  best  stone-sculptors  in  the  Republic. 

Population. — The  population  of  this  State  was  set  down  at 
147,119  souls  in  1856,  and  in  1881  at  154,000  souls. 

The  City  of  Queratero  which  we  have  described  in  our  itinerary 
from  San  Antonio  to  the  City  of  Mexico,  is  the  capital  of  the  State. 
San  Juan  del  Rio,  a  large  manufacturing  city  of  some  importance  ; 
Cadereita  and  other  small  towns. 

The  Mexican  Central  Railway,  which  is  to  connect  with  the 
United  States  Railway  system  at  El  Paso,  is  now  running  four 
daily  passenger  trains  from  the  capital  to  the  City  of  Queretaro. 


59 


THE  STATE  OF  SAN  LUIS  POTOSI. 

This  State  is  situated  between  the  21*^  40'  and  24^  35'  north 
latitude,  and  o*'  36'  east  and  3*^  15'  west  longitude  from  the  City 
of  Mexico.  It  is  bounded  on  the  northeast  by  the  States  of  Nuevo 
Leon  and  Tamaulipas  ;  on  the  south  by  Guanajuato,  Queretaro  and 
Mexico  ;  on  the  west  and  northwest  by  Zacatecas.  It  has  an  area 
of  10,792  square  miles.     It  was  created  a  State  in  1844. 

Various  chains  of  mountains  cross  this  State,  forming  many 
fine  valleys,  among  which  that  of  San  Luis  is  noted  for  its  large 
area  ;  that  of  Valley  del  Mais  and  Rio  Verde  are  among  the  richest. 
The  ravines  and  mountain  chains  in  this  State  are  spurs  of  the 
Cordillera  chain,  which  covers  the  eastern  portion  of  the  Mexican 
Republic  and  forms  the  natural  boundary^  line  between  the  States 
of  San  Luis  and  Tamaulipas. 

This  State  enjoys  all  climates,  that  is  the  warm,  temperate  and 
cold ;  but  the  greatest  portion  of  its  territory  is  favored  with 
temperate  and  warm  climates. 

But  few  rivers  are  found  in  this  State,  the  most  noted  are  the 
Santa  Maria,  the  Montezuma  or  Zimapan,  the  Rio  Verde  and  the 
Tampaon. 

The  most  remarkable  chains  of  mountains  are  the  Sierra  de 
San  Luis  and  the  Sierra  Gorda ;  that  on  the  south  forms  the  bound- 
ary lines  between  this  State  and  those  of  Guanajuato,  Queretaro  and 
Mexico. 

Natural  productions. — In  the  temperate  climes  of  this  State, 
cedar,  balsam,  ebony,  rosewood,  mahogany,  juni,  cypress,  oaks, 
millon  and  other  woods  are  indigenous. 

There  are  many  fruit  trees,  among  which  the  following  can  be 
noted,  viz.:  lemon,  peach,  pears,  oranges,  apricots,  zapote,  small- 
white  and  black  zapote  {achras  mammosd),  mulberries,  chirimoya 
{anana  Humboldtiand)  and  others. 

Among  the  grains  that  can  be  cultivated  with  success  in  this 
State  is  com,  wheat  and  oats,  and  all  kinds  of  vegetables. 

Coffee,  cotton,  tobacco  and  sugar-cane  of  good  quality  can  be 
produced  with  profit. 

Horn  cattle,  goats,  sheep  and  horses  do  well  in  this  State,  and 
are  raised  in  large  quantities,  as  well  as  poultry. 


60 

Among  the  wild  animals  of  the  mountains  and  forests  are 
found  the  jaguar  or  Mexican  tiger,  the  puma  or  Mexican  lion,  pan- 
thers, wolves,  deer,  fox,  monkeys  and  antelopes. 

Among  the  birds  are  found  the  following  species,  viz.:  eagles, 
eaglets,  larks,  linnets,  wild  turkeys,  golden  pheasants,  mocking- 
birds, sparrow-hawks  and  vultures. 

The  mountains  of  this  State  are  very  rich  in  minerals ;  but, 
like  other  portions  of  Mexico,  they  are  not  worked  properly  for 
want  of  capital  and  enterprise  on  the  part  of  their  owners,  who  do 
nothing  or  little  with  them,  and  will  not  allow  any  one  else  to  ex- 
tract the  mineral.  The  principal  mines  are  those  of  Catorce, 
Guadalcazar,  Charcas,  Ramos,  Ojo  Caliente,  San  Pedro  and  Santa 
Maria  del  Penon  Blanco.  The  above  mentioned  mines  produce 
gold  and  silver,  copper,  lead,  mercury  and  sulphur,  the  minerals 
being  mostly  of  the  kind  called  in  the  country  red  and  bine  silver. 

Santa  Maria  del  Penon  Blanco  has  also  very  rich  salt  deposits. 

And  also  the  following  mines  :  Blancas,  Los  Pozos,  Matehuala, 
Ramos,  Rio  Verde  and  San  Luis  Potosi. 

There  is  a  mint  at  San  Luis  Potosi,  and  during  the  Maximilian 
rule  one  was  also  estabhshed  at  the  City  of  Catorce,  which  was 
suppressed  in  the  year  1865.  The  mint  at  San  Luis  Potosi  coined 
$1,849,794.95  in  silver  in  1855. 

Political  divisions  of  this  State. — This  State  is  divided  in  four 
prefecturas,  known  as  those  of  San  Luis,  Rio  Verde,  El  Venado 
and  Tancanhuiz,  and  eleven  districts.  Population,  650,000  inhabi- 
tants. 

Public  instruction. — In  1875  there  was  in  this 'State  252 
schools,  attended  by  9,676  boys  and  3,343  girls — in  all,  13,019  child- 
ren— carried  on  at  a  cost  of  $91,400. 

The  price  of  public  lands,  as  fixed  by  law  for  the  year  1875, 
was  $1,755.61  per  sitio,  or  4,605  of  our  acres. 

The  City  of  San  Luis  Potosi,  capital  of  the  State  and  district  of 
the  same  name,  is  situated  on  the  east  side  of  the  great  plateau  of 
Anahuac,  in  a  valley  extending  from  north  to  south  about  45  miles, 
in  latitude  22^^  8'  north,  and  longitude  i*'  40'  west,  of  the  City  of 
Mexico.  Its  streets  are  narrow,  and  run  at  right  angles.  Among 
the  principal  buildings  are  the  City  Hall,  the  Granary,  the  Market, 
the  Theatre.  This  city  contains  churches  which  for  their  sculptures 
can  rival  any  in  Mexico,  particularly  those  of  "  El  Carmen,"  the 


»  61 

Cathedral,  San  Francisco,  San  Augustin,  La  Merced,  the  College  of 
Loretto  and  San  Nicolas,  the  Hospital  of  San  Juan  de  Dios,  the 
Chapel  of  El  Rosario  and  Los  Remedios,  and  the  Sanctuary  of 
Guadaloupe,  situated  at  the  end  of  the  Alamada  public  walk,  well 
adorned  with  shade  trees  and  sidewalks. 

Its  population  is  45,000  souls.  It  has  not  prospered  lately, 
although  it  has  always  held  a  certain  rank  among  the  Mexican  manu- 
facturing cities.  It  is  of  easy  access,  north  and  south,  and  any  rail- 
road constructed  from  Texas  to  the  City  of  Mexico  must  neces- 
sarily pass  through  it.  It  is,  in  future,  destined  to  be  a  railroad 
centre,  and  will  be  the  great  commercial  centre  of  Northern 
Mexico  and  the  frontier  of  Texas.  Its  climate  is  healthy ;  it  is 
temperate,  being  never  very  cold  nor  very  warm. 

Its  principal  commerce  consists  in  Mexican  groceries,  seeds, 
bagging,  leather  and  shoes. 

After  the  Royal  Decree,  dividing  New  Spain — as  Mexico  was 
then  called — into  Intendencies,  the  City  of  San  Luis  Potosi  was  made 
the  capital  of  the  Intendency  of  the  same  name,  of  which  Texas 
formed  one  of  the  provinces.  It  was  also  the  headquarters  of  the 
Tenth  Military  Brigade,  at  the  time  of  the  revolution  of  Hidalgo 
against  the  Spanish  rule,  on  the  i6th  of  September,  1810;  and 
it  was  to  the  energy  of  its  then  distinguished  Spanish  commander. 
Gen.  Calleja,  that  the  revolution  was  suppressed  and  the  indepen- 
dence of  Mexico  set  back  eleven  years. 

Other  cities  and  towns. — The  present  State  of  Texas  formed 
part  of  the  loth  military  brigade. 

Matehuala,  situated  within  a  few  miles  of  the  Cerro  de  los 
Frailes  and  the  Catorce  mountains,  is  fast  improving.  It  has  a 
population  of  25,000  souls. 

Cedral,  situated  six  miles  north  of  Matehuala,  is  also  a  mining 
town.     It  has  a  population  of  1 5,000  souls. 

Catorce — the  real  de  Catorce — is  only  distant  four  leagues 
from  Cedral,  in  the  mountain  of  Catorce,  one  of  the  richest  mining 
districts  of  Mexico.     It  has  a  population  of  20,000  souls. 

Charcas,  also  a  mining  town,  beautifully  located  ;  population, 
4,000  inhabitants. 

El  Venado,  a  city  of  10,000  inhabitants ;  Ciudad  del  Mais,  Rio 
Verde,  Valle  of  San  Francisco,  Moctezuma,  and  many  other  impor- 
tant and  thriving  towns. 


63 

One  of  the  largest  haciendas  (estates)  in  the  Republic  of  Mexico 
belongs  to  the  jurisdiction  of  this  State ;  it  is  known  as  the  Ha- 
cienda of  Salado,  situated  on  the  main  highway  between  the  City 
of  San  Luis  Potosi  and  Saltillo.  Its  lands  belong  to  the  four 
States  of  Zacatecas,  Coahuila,  Nuevo  Leon  and  San  Luis,  and  con- 
tain an  area  of  over  200  leagues  in  one  block,  or  885,600  acres. 
It  is  one  of  the  best  properties  situated  on  the  table  lands  of 
Mexico,  being  well  adapted  to  all  kinds  of  stock  raising,  and  to  the 
cultivation  of  all  small  grains  and  corn,  the  grape  and  all  the  frjits 
of  the  temperate  climates.  This  hacienda  is  well  watered  by 
springs,  wells  and  tanks,  and  water  is  found  at  a  depth  that  varies 
from  five  to  fifty  feet.  Its  mountains,  which  are  really  the  foot- 
hills of  the  Sierra  de  Catorce,  contain  over  two  thousand  metallic 
veins  ;  some  of  its  mines  produced  immense  bonanzas  last  century  ; 
they  are  principally  silver,  lead,  copper,  cinnabar,  and  some  gold, 
also  a  rich  iron  deposit.  The  building  materials,  such  as  marble, 
rock  suitable  for  hydraulic  lime,  fire-brick,  and  earth  for  the  best 
kind  of  brick  and  crockery,  are  found  in  abundance  for  all  purposes. 
Brushwood  and  small  timber  fit  for  fuel  abound  in  the  mountains. 
Its  natural  productions — if  properly  worked,  would  alone  pay  a 
large  income — they  consist  principally  of  the  plants  known  as  the  ma- 
guey, the  lechuguillas,  the  zotole,  the  zolmandoque,  the  palmetto, 
the  cactus,  all  of  which  abound  over  the  hills  and  valleys  of 
this  immense  estate,  and  all  of  which  produce  a  valuable  fiber,  and 
whose  roots  or  fruits  can  be  distilled  profitably  into  alcohol.  The 
line  of  the  Palmer-Sullivan  Railway  will  traverse  the  lands  of  this 
estate  from  south  to  north  on  its  section  between  the  City  of  San 
Luis  Potosi  and  Saltillo,  passing  through  the  ranches  of  El  Gallo, 
Salado,  San  Miguel  and  San  Salvador,  all  properties  belonging  to 
said  hacienda.  As  poorly  as  it  is  worked  to-day,  it  brings  to  its 
owner  ten  per  cent,  on  a  capital  of  one  million  dollars.  The  name 
of  this  vast  estate  is  San  Rafael  del  Salado  y  Agua  Dulce,  more 
commonly  known  as  El  Salado.  It  is  the  property  of  General  Don 
Juan  Bustamante,  ex-Governor  of  the  State  of  San  Luis  Potosi. 


63 

! 
THE    STATE    OF    SINALOA. 

SITUATION,  BOUNDARIES    AND    AREA. 

The  State  of  Sinaloa,  or  country  of  the  Ostimuro,  is  situated 
between  the  11°  30'  and  28**  of  north  latitude.  It  is  bounded  on 
the  north  by  the  Yaqui  and  Sonora  rivers  ;  on  the  east  by  the  State 
of  Durango  and  Chihuahua ;  on  the  south  by  the  Rio  de  los  Cafias 
and  the  State  of  Jalisco  ;  and  on  the  west  by  the  Gulf  of  California, 
It  contains  an  area  of  3,825  square  leagues. 

Sinaloa  was  created  a  State  in  1834. 

Topographical  aspect  and  climate. — South  of  the  City  of 
Culiacan,  capital  of  the  State,  there  are  barren  hills  ;  some  portions 
of  the  State  are  level,  with  some  high  hills  scattered  about 
the  plains.  The  climate  of  Culiacan  is  rather  warm,  but  very 
healthy. 

Rivers. — The  principal  rivers  are  the  Culiacan,  which  takes  its 
rise  in  the  Sierra  Madre  mountains  of  the  State  of  Durango,  and  in 
this  State  unite  its  waters  with  the  Humaya  River,  that  empties  into 
the  Gulf  of  California  at  the  port  of  Altata. 

Natural  productions. — Among  the  most  important  are  the 
following  :  Coffee,  sugar-cane,  tobacco,  com,  rice  and  beans  are 
raised  with  great  profit.  There  are  many  fine  trees  in  the  forest 
such  as  the  Brazil-wood,  etc.,  and  all  fruits  raised  in  tropical  and 
temperate  climates  abound. 

Mining. — Rich  mines  are  worked  in  this  State.  They  contain 
gold,  silver,  copper  and  lead.  From  the  year  1846  to  the  year  1853 
the  mint  coined  $4,620,422  in  gold,  and  $1,963,636  in  silver,  making 
a  total  of  $6,584,058. 

Population. — The  population  of  the  State  was  set  down  at 
250,000  inhabitants  in  1856. 

Principal  cities  and  towns. — Culiacan,  capital  of  the  State  and 
district  of  the  same  name,  was  founded  in  1 532,  by  Nuno  de  Guz- 
man. It  is  situated  in  latitude  north  24^  48',  and  8^  1 5'  32"  west 
longitude,  from  the  City  of  Mexico.  The  city  is  built  on  the  left 
bank  of  the  river  of  the  same  name.  Its  streets  are  straight,  and 
cut  each  other  at  right  angles.  It  has  a  fine  square,  on  one  side  of 
which  is  situated  the  cathedral,  and  on  the  other  are  fine  porticos 


64 

and  magnificent  (for  the  country)  private  buildings.    The  popula- 
tion of  this  city  was  set  down  at  9,647  in  1856. 

Mazatlan,  a  seaport  of  some  importance,  which  has  a  great 
future,  and  will  be  probably  the  greatest  port  of  Mexico  on  the 
Pacific.     Its  population  in  1856  was  registered  at  3 1,000  inhabitants. 


THE   STATE   OF   SONORA. 

SITUATION,  BOUNDARY  AND   AREA. 

The  State  of  Sonora  is  situated  between  26°  40'  and  33*^  50' 
north  latitude,  and  8®  50'  and  14^  55'  longitude  from  the  City 
of  Mexico.  Its  boundaries  are,  on  the  south,  the  State  of  Sinaloa — 
the  Rio  del  Fuerte  being  the  dividing  line — and  the  Gulf  of  Califor- 
nia ;  on  the  east,  by  the  State  of  Chihuahua ;  on  the  north,  by  the 
United  States  of  America ;  on  the  west  by  the  Gulf  of  California. 
Its  superficy  contains  an  area  of  11,953  square  leagues.  Sonora 
formed  a  part  of  the  State  of  Occidente  from  1822  to  1830. 

Topographical  aspect  and  climate. — A  large  portion  of  this 
State  is  composed  of  vast  plains  separated  by  low  mountains  or 
hills.  The  climate,  particularly  along  the  coast  of  the  Gulf  of 
California,  is  warm. 

Rivers.— Th^  principal  rivers  are  the  Rio  del  Fuerte,  the  Yaqui, 
the  Mayo,  and  the  Colorado  of  California. 

Natural  productions. — The  northern  portion  of  the  State  is 
well  adapted  to  agriculture ;  com,  wheat,  beans,  peas,  lentils, 
sugar-cane  and  tobacco  produce  good  crops.  Among  the  fruits 
cultivated  are  dates,  peaches,  figs,  pears,  grenades,  lemons,  and 
many  others. 

Among  the  timber  are  found  the  logwood,  the  ebony,  the  elm, 
brown  and  Brazil-wood. 

This  State  is  rich  in  medicinal  plants.  Some  used  by  the  na- 
tives, like  the  tomenagua  and  the  root  of  canaguat,  are  a  sure  cure 
for  fever. 

Zoology. — This  State  is  well  adapted  to  stock  raising.  The 
vast  amount  of  wild  lands,  forests,  and  its  large  water  courses  are 


65 

full  of  game  and  fish.  The  Yaqui  and  Mayo  Indians  subsist 
mostly  by  hunting  and  fishing.  Among  the  wild  animals  are  the 
bear,  tiger,  wolf,  the  coyote,  buffalo,  otter,  hare,  rabbit  and  others. 

In  the  Gulf  of  California,  the  following  fishes  abound  :  the 
doree,  the  horse-mackerel,  herring,  the  tunny-fish,  whales,  and 
many  others  for  whose  name  no  equivalent  is  found  in  the  English 
language. 

In  the  rivers,  carps,  eels,  bagres,  and  a  variety  of  the  trout 
called  robalo,  are  found  in  abundance. 

This  State  is  considered  the  richest  in  Mexico,  and  wonderful 
tales  are  told  about  its  hidden  wealth ;  until  lately,  mining  was 
almost  abandoned  on  account  of  Indian  depredations  ;  fortunately, 
but  few  Apaches  are  left  to  do  harm,  and  the  construction  of  the 
Southern  Pacific  Railway,  with  the  investment  of  American  capital 
and  industry,  will  soon  again  develop  its  mining  wealth.  [See 
Catalogue  of  Mines.]  The  following  minerals  abound,  particularly 
in  the  eastern  portion  of  the  State,  viz. :  gold,  silver,  copper,  lead, 
sulphur,  carbonate  of  soda,  tin,  antimony,  alum,  salt,  potash,  mar- 
ble, and  gypsum  ;  pearls  are  found  on  the  coast  of  the  Gulf  of  Cali- 
fornia. 

This  State  is  divided  into  nine  partidos  or  districts,  known  as 
Hermosillo,  Salvacion,  Ures,  San  Ignacio,  Altar,  Moctezuma,  Opo- 
sura,  Sahuaripa,  Arispe  and  Alamos. 

In  1856,  this  State  assessed  four  cities,  two  towns,  seventy- 
seven  villages,  fifty-two  mining  places,  two  Indian  towns,  and  two 
hundred  and  fifty  haciendas  and  ranches. 

Population. — In  1856,  it  was  put  down  at  124,000  inhabitants. 
1 10,000  are  either  pure  or  descendants  of  Indians,  and  the  balance 
white.  The  present  population,  official,  is  141,000.  Among  the 
various  nations  of  Indians  who  inhabit  this  State  are  the  Opata, 
who  live  in  the  centre  of  the  State  ;  the  Pimas,  the  Papagos  and 
Yumas,  who  live  in  the  northern  portion  of  the  State  ;  the  Yaquis 
and  Mayos,  who  live  in  that  portion  of  the  State  watered  by  the 
rivers  of  the  same  name,  are  corpulent ;  their  women  are  generally 
pretty,  kind  and  of  a  jovial  nature.  They  preserve  to  this  day  their 
traditions  and  customs ;  they  are  also  very  industrious,  and  are 
good  carpenters,  blacksmiths  and  good  sailors,  and  form  the  best 
laboring  class  of  the  State. 

The  Opatas  are  half-civilized  and  very  friendly  to  the  whites. 


56 

They  are  a  true,  sober,  and  warlike  race.  They  are  mostly  addicted 
to  agriculture.  Inveterate  enemies  of  the  Apaches,  whom  they 
used  to  fight  with  success,  they  are  notwithstanding  good  and  law- 
abiding  citizens. 

The  various  tribes  of  Apaches  that  have  constantly  warred 
upon  the  people  of  Sonora  and  desolated  the  northern  States  of 
Mexico,  were  the  Tontos,  Chiricahuis,  Gilefios,  Mogollones  and 
Mescaleros.  The  Spaniards  were  never  able  to  subdue  or  induce 
them  to  become  Christians. 

Principal  cities  and  towns. — The  City  of  Ures,  the  capital  of 
the  State,  is  situated  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Sonora  River ;  was 
originally  a  missionary  establishment,  and  among  the  earliest  in  the 
State.  The  town  presents  a  lonely  aspect.  There  are  no  edifices 
worth  mentioning — the  Legislative  Hall  being  a  large  adobe  house, 
distinguished  by  a  flagstaff  from  the  other  buildings.  The  Jesuits, 
before  their  expulsion  from  Mexico,  had  commenced  building  a  large 
church,  which  was  never  completed.     It  has  a  population  of  8,000. 

Alamos  is  of  some  importance  on  account  of  the  mines  situated 
in  its  neighborhood.  It  possesses  a  few  churches  and  a  Government 
mint. 

Hermosillo  is  the  modern  name  for  the  old  Presidio  of  Pitic. 
It  is  thirty  leagues  distant  from  the  nearest  point  on  the  shore  of 
the  Gulf  of  California,  and  thirty-six  leagues  from  the  port  of  Guay- 
amas,  which  lies  nearly  south.  It  is  probably  the  finest  city  in  the 
State.  In  1856  it  had  a  population  of  15,000  people.  The  climate 
is  dry  and  exceedingly  hot,  but  nevertheless  healthy. 

Guayamas  stands  on  the  eastern  shore  of  the  Gulf  of  California, 
in  latitude  28*^  north,  and  i  lo*'  \o'  west  longitude,  from  Green- 
wich. It  is  completely  shut  in  from  the  sea,  as  well  as  from  the 
winds.  Mountains  protect  it  on  the  main  land,  while  islands  with 
elevated  hills  surround  it  by  sea.  Next  to  Acapulco,  it  is  the  best 
port  on  the  Mexican  coast.  The  entrance  from  south  to  north  is 
formed  by  the  Island  of  Pajaros  on  the  east,  and  by  the  islands  of 
San  Vicente  and  Pitayas  and  the  mainland  on  the  west.  There  is 
another  entrance,  called  Boca  Chica,  from  the  southeast,  having 
the  Island  of  Pajaros  on  the  south,  and  the  shore  of  Cochori  on  the 
north,  which  terminate  at  the  Morro  Ingles,  or  English  Hammock. 
From  the  principal  mouth  to  the  mole  is  about  four  miles,  and  the 
bay  is  of  about  the  same  extent.     The  bottom  is  so  muddy  that 


67 

ships  which  are  to  remain  some  time,  find  it  necessary  to  raise  their 
anchors  every  week  or  so  to  prevent  their  becoming  too  deeply  im- 
bedded to  be  extricated.  The  soundings  commence  with  seven 
fathoms  and  diminish  gradually  to  two  at  the  mole. 

The  bay  abounds  in  fish  of  great  variety  and  delicacy ;  also 
with  shrimps,  crabs,  lobsters  and  oysters. 

The  town  stands  close  on  the  margin  of  the  bay,  occupying  a 
narrow  strip  about  a  mile  in  length,  and  not  exceeding  a  quarter  of 
a  mile  in  width,  when  the  mountains  rise  and  hem  it  closely  in.  It 
is  entered  from  the  north  by  a  single  avenue,  which  forms  the  main 
street ;  and  this  is  intersected  by  short  lateral  ones  leading  to  the 
bay.  The  houses  are  built  of  stone,  brick  and  adobe.  The  water- 
supply  comes  from  wells  situated  in  the  suburbs ;  it  is  somewhat 
brackish,  but  is  considered  wholesome. 

Although  Guayamas  has  one  of  the  finest  ports  in  the  world, 
and  is  the  key  to  the  interior  of  Sonora,  it  has  never  enjoyed  much 
trade  until  of  late  years.  When  it  will  be  connected  by  railway 
with  the  Southern  Pacific,  it  will  become  the  greatest  port  of  the 
Gulf  of  California. 

La  Magdalena,  a  well-built  town,  Arispe,  Presidio  del  Altar,  in 
a  rich  grain  valley,  and  Satmaripa,  all  capitals  of  the  districts  of  the 
same  names,  are  among  the  important  cities  of  this  State. 


THE   STATE    OF   TABASCO. 

BOUNDARIES   AND    AREA. 

The  State  of  Tabasco  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico,  on  the  east  by  the  State  of  Campeche,  on  the  south  by 
the  State  of  Chiapas,  on  the  west  by  the  State  of  Vera  Cruz.  Its 
area  contains  1,876  square  leagues. 

The  name  Tabasco  is  derived  from  the  Cacique  that  governed 
the  country  at  the  time  that  it  was  discovered  by  the  Spaniards.  It 
was  conquered  and  reduced  to  Spanish  vasselage  by  the  Spanish 
captain,  Vallecilla. 


68 

The  climate  is  warm  and  generally  unhealthy. 

Water  communications  along  the  coast  by  the  bars  of  Puerto, 
Real,  Puerto  Escondido,  Punto  de  Zicalango  ;  bars  of  San  Pedro 
and  San  Pablo,  and  bar  of  Tabasco  are  of  easy  access  for  small 
crafts. 

The  population  of  the  State,  in  1856,  was  set  down  at  63,580 
inhabitants. 

The  capital  of  the  State,  the  City  of  San  Juan  Bautista  de 
Tabasco,  contains  a  population  of  8,000  souls.  The  uresent  popu- 
lation of  the  State  is  104,759  inhabitants. 


THE    STATE    OF    TAMAULIPAS. 

BOUNDARIES   AND   AREA. 

The  State  of  Tamaulipas  Hes  between  latitudes  22*^  14'  4"  and 
27/  20"  north  of  the  City  of  Mexico.  It  is  bounded  on  the  north 
by  the  United  States,  or  rather  by  the  Rio  Grande  river,  which  is 
the  boundary  line  ;  on  the  northwest  by  the  State  of  Nuevo  Leon  ; 
on  the  west  and  southwest  by  the  State  of  San  Luis  Potosi ;  on  the 
south  by  the  State  of  Vera  Cruz,  and  on  the  east  by  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico.  Previous  to  the  treaty  of  Guadaloupe  Hidalgo,  in  1848,  a 
large  portion  of  the  present  State  of  Texas,  in  the  United  States, 
belonged  to  Tamaulipas,  the  Nueces  river  being  then  the  bound- 
ary line. 

Climate. — In  the  greater  portion  of  the  State  the  climate  is 
warm  and  moist.  In  that  part  of  Tamaulipas,  situated  west  of  the 
Sierra  Madre  mountains,  it  is  cooler  and  dryer.  Exclusive  of  a 
small  strip  of  country  bordering  on  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  subject  to 
yellow  fever,  the  climate  is  salubrious. 

Rivers,  lakes  and  mountains.  —  The  principal  rivers  and 
streams  in  Tamaulipas  are  the  Rio  Grande  del  Norte,  Panuco, 
Concha,  Rio  de  la  Purificacion,  San  Fernando,  Goyalejo,  and  a 
number  of  others  of  minor  importance.  Of  these  rivers,  the  Rio 
Grande  del  Norte,  the  largest  and  most  important,  is  navigable  for 
a  distance  of  about  250  miles  from  its  mouth,  while  the  Panuco,  the 


69 

next  largest,  is  navigable  for  the  distance  of  eighteen  miles  for 
steamers.  The  only  lake  worthy  of  mention  is  the  Laguna  Madre, 
which  connects  with  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  Tamaulipas  is  traversed 
by  the  continuation  of  the  Sierra  Madre  range,  which  crosses  the 
State  from  the  southeast  to  the  northwest,  from  the  Hacienda  del 
Chaburo,  on  the  division  line  between  this  State  and  that  of  San 
Luis  to  the  town  of  Villagran,  near  the  division  line  of  Nuevo  Leon, 
forming  an  almost  impenetrable  barrier.  From  this  range  of 
mountains,  spurs  extend  in  different  directions,  forming  many  beau- 
tiful valleys,  among  the  principals  of  which  are  those  of  Santa  Bar- 
bara and  the  Chamal  Valley.  The  products  are  corn,  cotton,  rice, 
sugar-cane,  beans,  peas,  sweet  potatoes,  Irish  potatoes  (the  latter 
being  indigenous  to  the  soil),  all  of  which  can  be  raised  with  but 
little  trouble,  and  when  properly  cultivated  yield  prodigious  crops. 
The  maguey  {Agave  americana)  is  grown  in  large  quantities.  The 
principal  fruits  are  peaches,  bananas,  mangos,  the  goayaba  (from 
which  the  celebrated  guava  jelly  is  made),  citron,  the  aguacate  (a 
fruit  resembling  a  pear,  of  which  a  delicious  salad  is  made,  the 
technical  name  being  Paurus  persea),  the  chirmoya  {Anana  hum- 
boldh'ana),  the  most  delicious  fruit  in  Am.erica.  Timber  is  for  the 
most  part  confined  to  the  mountain  regions.  Besides  abundance 
of  timber  fit  for  building  purposes  and  fine  cabinet-work,  there  is 
the  ebony  tree  and  the  anacahuite.  The  latter  is,  however,  more 
like  a  bush  than  a  tree,  and  its  use  is  purely  medicinal ;  the  bark 
and  root  being  remarkable  for  their  curative  properties  in  cases  of 
diseased  lungs  and  throat. 

Stock  raising. — The  eastern  portion  of  this  State,  as  well  as 
that  bordering  on  Texas,  is  admirably  adapted  for  stock  raising. 
Horses,  horned  cattle,  sheep  and  goats  are  raised  in  large  numbers. 
The  mules  raised  in  this  State  are  the  finest  in  Mexico. 

Game. — Game  is  abundant,  and  includes  deer,  turkey,  hares^ 
rabbits  and  quail.  The  feathered  creation  is  well  represented,  the 
trees  being  filled  with  parrots  and  many  other  kinds  of  birds.  Among 
the  wild  animals,  wolves,  leopard  and  mountain  cats  may  be  enum- 
erated.    The  rivers  abound  with  fish. 

Mineral  products. — Tamaulipas  is  very  rich  in  minerals, 
which  are  found  exclusively  in  the  mountainous  regions.  The  sup- 
ply of  gold,  silver,  copper  and  other  minerals  is  almost  inexhausti- 
ble.    Marble  and  jasper  have  also  been  discovered.     In  the  year 


70 

1856  the  mines  of  Trinidad,  Providencia,  Los  Pastores  and  Colorado 
were  worked  with  great  profit.  The  copper  mine  of  San  Carlos  is 
also  very  rich,  the  copper  ore  containing  a  large  percentage  of  gold. 
One  great  advantage  this  mine  possesses,  is  the  facility  with  which 
the  metal  could  be  exported,  as  the  seaport  of  La  Carbonera,  on  the 
gulf,  is  only  120  miles  distant.  There  are  25  abandoned  mines  in 
this  State  which  could  be  worked,  under  more  favorable  local  sur- 
roundings, with  great  profit. 

Territorial  divisions. — This  State  is  divided  into  three  dis- 
tricts {prefecturas),  in  which  are  thirty-four  municipalities.  The 
former  are  called  the  Southern,  Centre  and  Northern.  The  muni- 
cipalities are  Santander,  Tamaulipas,  Villanos,  Aldama,  San  Anto- 
nio, Tancasnequi,  Magiscatzin,  Xicotencatl,  Morelos,  Santa  Bar- 
bara, Ciudad  Victoria,  Tula,  Jaumave,  Palmillas,  Bustamente, 
Miquihuana,  Llerra,  Guemez,  Casas  (Croix),  Padilla,  La  Marina, 
Abasolia,  Jimenez,  Hidalgo,  Villagran,  San  Carlos,  Matamoros, 
Reinosa,  Mier,  Guerrero,  New  Laredo,  San  Fernando,  Crucillas, 
Burgos  and  San  Nicolas. 

Principal  cities  and  towns. — Matamoros,  one  of  the  principal 
ports  of  entry  of  the  Republic  of  Mexico,  is  situated  on  the  west 
bank  of  the  Rio  Grande,  opposite  the  town  of  Brownsville,  in  Texas, 
and  about  30  miles  from  the  mouth  of  the  river.  Matamoros  con- 
tains about  18,000  inhabitants.  During  the  days  of  the  Confeder- 
acy this  city  had  an  immense  trade  in  cotton  from  Texas,  but  at 
present  its  commerce  is  for  the  most  part  with  the  northern  States 
of  Mexico.  Ciudad  Victoria,  the  capital  of  the  State,  is  a  town  of 
some  8,000  inhabitants,  beautifully  situated  at  the  foot  of  a  high 
mountain.  It  is  well  watered  by  a  large  clear  stream,  and  lies  in 
the  midst  of  gardens,  and  fields  of  sugar-cane.  A  graveyard  sur- 
rounded by  a  high  wall,  provided  with  port-holes,  and  bearing  the 
marks  of  shot  and  shell,  occupies  a  commanding  position  near  the 
town.  The  only  object  of  interest  about  the  place  is  the  old  church, 
built  by  the  Spaniards,  but  which  has  never  been  finished  entirely. 
This  city  has  been  desolated  for  the  last  forty  years  by  the  civil 
wars  that  have  been  almost  constantly  waged  in  that  part  of  Mexi- 
co. It  is  a  desolate,  dreary  place,  almost  destitute  of  commercial 
life  and  enterprise.  There  is  no  wagon-road  through  the  Sierra  ; 
what  trade  and  travel  there  is  has  to  be  carried  on  through  the  moun- 
tains over  the  almost  impassable  mule-path.      The  road,  or  rather 


71 

trail,  that  leads  to  the  port  of  Soto  la  Marina,  runs  for  the  entire 
distance,  150  miles,  through  dense  forests.  This  portion  of  the 
State  of  Tamaulipas  is  subject  to  heavy  rain  storms,  called,  in  the 
language  of  the  country,  temporals.  These  storms  last  for  several 
days,  and  the  rainfall  is  so  great  that  the  v^hole  country  is  placed 
under  water,  the  damage  done  at  times  being  ver}^  great. 

Croix,  named  in  honor  of  the  Marquis  of  Croix,  is  an  old 
Spanish  tov^rn,  of  which  but  few  traces  of  its  former  importance  are 
still  visible.  On  the  ruins  of  the  villas  and  stately  residences  of  its 
former  inhabitants  a  growth  of  thatched  hovels  has  sprung  up. 
The  town  of  Croix  is  now  called  Casas,  it  being  the  native  town  of 
Col.  Casas,  who  was  shot  at  Monclova  for  having  headed  the  revo- 
lutionists who  took  San  Antonio  and  captured  the  Spanish  garri- 
son, in  1 81 2.  The  name  of  the  town  was  changed  to  Casas  after 
the  Spanish  were  driven  out,  similar  changes  were  the  case  with 
nearly  all  towns  in  Mexico. 

Soto  la  Marina  was,  in  the  time  of  the  Spaniards,  a  flourishing 
little  town,  but  it  has  dwindled  down  to  an  insignificant  village. 
Small  as  it  is,  it  presents  quite  a  gay  appearance,  consisting  of  about 
one  hundred  houses,  and  a  very  pretty  little  church.  The  Corona 
River  runs  through  the  town,  which  is  about  35  miles  distant  from 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  Sota  la  Marina  lies  midway  between  Mata- 
moros  and  Tampico,  on  the  Gulf,  and  has  a  far  better  bar  than 
either  of  these  seaports.  Its  harbor  affords  to  shipping  complete 
immunity  from  the  violence  of  the  northers,  by  which  this  part  of 
Mexico  is  visited.  This  port  will  some  day  become  a  place  of  great 
importance.  That  it  is  not  so  already  is  due  to  the  great  difficulty 
in  crossing  the  mountains  between  it  and  San  Luis  Potosi,  but  as 
soon  as  the  railroad  takes  the  place  of  mule-transportation  in  the 
traffic  and  travel  of  Mexico,  Soto  la  Marina  will  be  one  of  the  most 
important  of  Mexican  seaports.  In  1864  the  trade  of  this  port  was 
carried  on  by  a  few  American  merchants,  the  principal  item  of  ex- 
port being  hides.  Soto  la  Marina  enjoys  a  kind  of  mournful 
celebrity  from  the  circumstances  of  it  being  the  place  where  the 
brave  but  unfortunate  Gen.  Mina  and  the  lamented  Emperor 
Iturbide  landed,  the  former  in  1817,  and  the  latter  in  1824.  Both 
were  shot,  shortly  after  their  landing,  by  their  political  enemies. 
The  town  was  founded,  September  3d,  1750. 

Padilla  is  also  an  old  Spanish  town,  of  which  but  little  remain- 


J 


to  be  seen,  except  ruins.  It  was  on  the  public  plaza  of  Padilla  that 
the  unfortunate  Iturbide,  the  first  emperor  of  Mexico,  was  shot,  in 
1824,  in  compliance  with  a  decree  of  the  Mexican  Congress,  which 
the  rebel  General  Gutierrez  de  Lara,  who  was  the  Governor  of  the 
State,  took  great  pleasure  in  enforcing.  Gutierrez  de  Lara  is  the 
same  individual  who  ordered  the  butchery  of  fourteen  Spanish 
officers,  prisoners  of  war,  among  them  two  governors,  Herrera  and 
Salcedo,  at  San  Antonio,  Texas,  in  the  month  of  April,  181 3.  The 
population  at  Padilla  is  estimated  at  1,500  souls,  and  it  has  no  com- 
merce to  speak  of. 

Tampico,  on  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  is  second  only  to  Vera  Cruz 
in  importance.  It  is  situated  at  the  mouth  of  the  Panuco  river, 
which  is  navigable  as  high  up  as  Altamira,  a  distance  of  eighteen 
miles  from  the  mouth  of  the  river.  Tampico  has  quite  a  large 
trade  with  Europe.  The  population  is  about  12,000.  It  is  visited 
by  yellow  fever  annually. 

Area  and  population. — The  area  of  Tamaulipas  is  11,102 
square  miles.  According  to  the  census  taken  in  1871,  and  published 
in  the  Perez  Almanac  of  1875,  the  population  of  Tamaulipas  is  set 
down  at  108,788,  which  is  rather  under  than  over  estimated.  Ac- 
cording to  latest  statistics,  it  is  of  1 20,000. 

Schools. — In  1865  there  were  within  the  limits  of  the  State 
sixty  primary  schools,  attended  by  3,600  pupils,  and  carried  on  at 
an  annual  cost  of  $10,000. 

Public  lands.— VvHqXxz  lands  can  be  purchased  from  the  General 
Government  at  $363.34  per  sitio,  or  league,  containing  4,428  Ameri- 
can acres.     Even  better  terms  can  be  made  with  private  individuals. 

According  to  the  statistics  compiled  by  Garcia  y  Cuba,  the 
State  of  Tamaulipas  contained,  in  1856,  6  cities,  128  towns,  18  con- 
gregas  (Indian  settlements),  118  haciendas,  nearly  all  of  which 
are  in  ruins,  and  984  ranches. 

Historical. — About  the  year  1720,  the  Indians  made  war  on 
the  inhabitants  of  the  Kingdom  of  Leon,  at  present  the  State  of 
Nuevo  Leon.  This  portion  of  New  Spain  (Mexico)  was  so  com- 
pletely overrun  by  hostile  Indians  from  Tamaulipas  that  it  became 
apparent  that  the  only  way  to  save  Nuevo  Leon  was  to  colonize 
Tamaulipas,  and  by  this  means  divert  the  minds  of  the  Indians  into 
other  channels.  In  the  year  1738,  several  Spanish  gentlemen  made 
application  to  the  viceroy,  and  also  to  the  court  of  Spain,  to  colo- 


73 

nize  this  territory,  but  little  attention  was  paid  to  their  desires  until 
about  the  year  1747,  when  Don  Jose  Escandon,  having  been 
appointed  Governor  of  the  new  colony,  and  also  Vice-Regent  of  the 
Mexican  Gulf  coast,  entered  this  territory  from  the  south  with  a 
body  of  troops  and  a  large  number  of  colonists,  subduing  some 
Indian  tribes  and  driving  others  before  him.  He  founded  missions 
and  towns  in  all  parts  of  the  country,  but  as  the  Indians,  as  a 
general  thing,  objected  to  being  brought  under  the  dominion  of 
the  Spaniards,  an  immense  number  of  them  retired  to  the  rolling 
plains  of  Texas,  so  that  very  soon  after  the  colonization  of  Tamau- 
lipas,  the  State  of  Nuevo  Leon  became  free  from  Indian  invasion 
from  the  east.  From  that  time  on,  the  Indians  carried  on  a 
frontier  war,  which  is  kept  up  to  the  present  day.  Until  after  the 
declaration  of  Mexican  Independence,  this  colony  was  known  as 
New  Santander,  when  its  name  was  changed  to  that  of  Tamau- 
lipas,  the  name  of  a  mountain. 


THE  STATE  OF  TLAXCALA. 

SITUATION,    BOUNDARIES   AND   AREA. 

This  State  is  situated  between  19^  i'  and  ip"*  41'  of  north 
latitude,  and  the  o^  37'  east  longitude  from  the  City  of  Mexico, 
and  is  bounded  on  the  northeast,  east  and  south  by  the  State  of 
Puebla ;  on  the  west  by  the  State  of  Mexico  ;  and  on  the  northeast 
by  the  State  of  Hidalgo. 

Its  territory  contains  an  area  of  221  square  leagues. 

Topographical  aspect.  —  Part  of  this  small  State  presents 
fine  valleys  like  that  of  Huamantla,  and  in  others  is  rugged,  being 
cut  up  by  mountains  and  ravines.  Among  the  curious  features  of 
this  State,  is  the  Sierra  de  la  Malitzin,  a  high  mountain  that  occu- 
pies an  important  place  in  the  Tlaxcaltecan  mythology,  on  account 
of  its  top  being  so  shaped,  by  nature,  as  to  represent  a  corpse  lying 
in  its  grave  and  partly  covered  up  with  its  shroud.  At  times  the 
clouds,  loaded  with  electricity,  gather  on  the  top  of  that  mountain. 


74 

and  burst  with  a  tremendous  crash  ;  for  that  reason  the  Tlaxcaltecs 
gave  it  the  name  of  their  favorite  god.  The  sides  of  the  mountain 
are  cut  up  by  deep  ravines  and  rocky  bluffs,  covered  with  a 
luxurious  vegetation.  Part  of  this  State  is  well  irrigated  by  the 
waters  of  the  rivers  of  Zahuapan  and  Atollac. 

Lakes. — The  small  lakes  of  Acuitlapilco ;  the  Rosario  and 
Tonecuila,  are  the  only  ones  worth  mentioning. 

Natural prodiicf ions. — Grain  is  produced  in  abundance  ;  such 
as  com,  wheat,  barley,  oats,  peas,  lentils  and  chili-pepper.  Fruits 
of  all  climates  are  also  produced  in  abundance. 

Climate. — Is  agreeable  and  healthy. 

Mining. — In  the  mountains  of  San  Ambrosio  and  San  Mateo : 
silver,  copper,  stone-coal,  and  lead  have  been  found. 

Political  divisions. — This  State  is  divided  into  three  districts, 
those  of  Tlaxcala,  Huamantla  and  Tlaxco,  which  are  subdivided 
into  twenty-two  municipalities. 

Populatio7i. — In  1856,  it  was  put  down  at  80,171  people. 

The  City  of  Tlaxcala,  the  capital  of  the  State,  has  a  population 
of  5,000  inhabitants,  and  at  the  time  of  the  conquest  was  the  capital 
of  the  Republic  of  the  same  name,  and  occupied,  by  its  industry 
and  wealth,  a  distinguished  place  in  ancient  Mexico,  as  a  rival  of 
the  Mexican  Empire.  Some  interesting  antiquities  are  found  in  its 
neighborhood. 

Commerce. — Consists  principally  in  exporting  to  other  States, 
grain  and  hides,  and  some  woolen  manufactures,  for  which  is 
imported  in  return  groceries  and  linens. 

Census. — In  1856,  this  State  assessed  i  city,  4  sanctuaries, 
112  villages,  26  neighborhoods,  150  haciendas,  153  ranches  and 
16  (ventas)  markets. 


THE   STATE   OF   VERA   CRUZ. 

This  State  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  the  State  of  Tamaulipas ; 
on  the  east  and  southeast  by  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  ;  on  the  east  by 
the  State  of  Tabasco  ;  on  the  southeast  by  the  State  of  Chiapas ; 
on  the  southwest,  by  the  State  of  Oaxaca ;  on  the  west  by  the 


75 

States  of  Puebla  and  Hidalgo,  and  on  the  northwest  by  the  State 
of  San  Luis  Potosi. 

It  was  created  a  State  in  1824. 

Area. — 3,501  leagues. 

Population. — 552,918  inhabitants.  It  possesses  620  primary- 
schools  and  nine  colleges,  attended  by  24,000  scholars. 

Value  of  real  estate :  $6,202,928.91. 

Principal  cities  and  towns. — The  City  of  Vera  Cruz,  formerly 
the  capital  of  the  State,  and  the  principal  seaport  of  the  Republic 
of  Mexico,  is  situated  on  a  sand  beach  surrounded  by  lagoons, 
which,  on  account  of  its  burning  sun,  makes  it  very  unhealthy  ;  yel- 
low fever  reigns  there  the  greatest  portion  of  the  year.  Popula- 
tion, 20,000  souls. 

Jalapa,  sumamed  by  all  those  who  have  seen  it,  the  paradise 
of  this  continent,  is  situated  on  the  side  of  the  mountain  of 
Macuiltepec,  in  latitude  19°  31  26"  north,  and  1^  10'  longitude 
east  of  the  City  of  Mexico.  It  enjoys  a  fine  and  temperate 
climate.  Its  principal  buildings  are  the  old  convent  of  San  Fran- 
cisco, the  church  of  St.  Joseph,  an  Hospital,  and  substantial 
public  buildings. 

Cordova,  a  town  of  some  importance,  surrounded  by  rich 
coffee  plantations. 

Orizaba,  a  city — the  principal  of  the  district,  90  miles  from  Vera 
Cruz  and  80  miles  from  Jalapa — to-day  the  capital  of  the  State,  is 
located  in  a  beautiful,  healthy  and  rich  country.  It  has  good  pub- 
lic buildings.     Its  populations  amounts  to  20,000  souls. 

Natural  productions. — Among  them  are  tobacco  and  coffee  of 
superior  quality,  vanilla,  sugar,  rice,  corn.  Chili  pepper,  all  kinds  of 
tropical  fruits  in  abundance,  as  well  as  vegetables  of  tropi- 
cal climates  ;  valuable  timber  of  great  variety,  also  dye  and  gum 
woods,  and  many  valuable  medicinal  plants. 

Mines. — Gold,  silver,  copper,  iron  and  lead  exist  in  this  State. 
There  are  good  smelting  works  at  Zomelahuacan  and  Tenepanoya. 


76 
THE    STATE   OF  YUCATAN. 

This  State  is  bounded  as  follows  :  On  the  north  by  the  Gulf 
of  Mexico,  on  the  east  by  the  Caribbean  Sea,  on  the  southeast  by  the 
Republic  of  Guatemala,  and  on  the  west  and  northwest  by  the  State 
of  Campeche. 

Etymology  of  the  name  Yucatan. — According  to  some,  it 
originated  from  the  word  Yucaltepen,  which  means  a  pearl  or  neck- 
lace ;  and,  according  to  others,  from  the  words  Nathan  cubiatan 
"  We  don't  understand  what  you  say,"  (answer  given  by  the  Mayas, 
the  nation  of  Indians  that  inhabited  the  country,  when  the  Span- 
iards asked  them  what  was  the  name  of  their  country.) 

The  Mexicans  called  the  peninsula  of  Yucatan  and  Tabasco, 
Pais  ae  Onohtialco  (country  of  Onohualco). 

Principal  cities  and  towns. — District  of  Merida,  49,749  in- 
habitants. City  of  Merida,  founded  by  Francisco  de  Montejo  in 
January,  1542.  Its  principal  buildings  consist  of  a  Government 
palace,  palace  of  justice,  city  hall,  jail,  hospital,  soldiers*  quarters, 
a  theatre,  a  public  walk,  a  literary  institute.  Catholic  college,  medical 
school,  school  of  pharmacy  and  jurisprudence,  seminary,  a  con- 
servatory of  music,  public  library,  museum  of  antiquities,  various 
schools,  a  Catholic  cathedral,  four  parochial  churches,  nine  other 
churches,  and  a  population  of  56,000  souls. 

In  the  District  of  Progreso,  the  city  of  the  same  name,  founded 
in  1856.     Population,  1,900  inhabitants. 

The  City  of  Motul  de  Zepeda  Paraza,  2,900  inhabitants,  in  the 
District  of  Motul. 

The  City  of  Valladolid,  in  the  district  of  the  same  name, 
founded  by  Francisco  de  Montejo,  with  sixty-three  colonists,  in 
May,  1 543,  at  a  place  called  Chauachaa,  and  removed  to  its  present 
site  in  March,  1 544.  Its  principal  buildings  consist  of  a  city  hall, 
hospital,  six  churches,  a  public  walk.  Its  population  numbers 
3,000  souls. 

The  City  of  Tical,  in  the  district  of  the  same  name,  has  good 
public  buildings  and  a  population  of  6,000  souls. 

The  City  of  Ixamal,  in  the  district  of  the  same  name,  has  also 
good  public  buildings.     Its  population  numbers  4,797  inhabitants. 

There  are  many  other  towns  of  importance. 

The  total  population  of  this  State  amounts  to  422,365  inhabi- 


77 

tants,  who  reside  in  7  cities,  13  towns,  152  villages,  1,136  haciendas 
or  estates,  363  ranches,  and  831  farms. 

Natural  productions. — Corn,  rice,  beans,  a  great  variety  of 
fruits  and  roots,  all  kinds  of  vegetables.  Among  those  of  more  im- 
portance are  the  anil,  tobacco  of  superior  quality,  coffee,  cotton, 
vanilla,  various  gums  and  dye-woods. 

Industry. — In  this  State  it  consists  principally  in  the  manu- 
facture of  sugar,  in  the  working  of  a  variety  of  the  palmetto  that 
produce  a  fibre  called  hennequen,  in  the  exportation  of  logwood 
which  is  carried  on  in  a  large  scale.  It  also  produces  a  large  quan- 
tity of  wax. 


THE    STATE    OF   ZACATECAS, 

This  State  is  situated  between  the  21^  2'  and  24°  29'  north 
latitude,  and  i  °  46'  and  4°  54'  longitude,  west  of  tlie  City  of  Mexico. 
It  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  the  State  of  Coahuila,  on  the  east  by 
the  State  of  San  Luis  Potosi,  on  the  southeast  by  the  State  of 
Guanajuato,  on  the  south  by  the  State  of  Jalisco,  and  on  the  west 
and  east  by  the  States  of  Jalisco  and  Durango. 

Its  area  contains  6,270  square  leagues. 

Population. — 4/0,000  inhabitants. 

Configuratio7t,  topographical  aspect,  and  climate. — The  in- 
terior of  this  State  is  rough  and  mountainous  to  its  western  bound- 
ary, and  presents  a  succession  of  plains  cut  by  mountain  chains  in 
its  eastern  portion,  among  which  are  found  rich  valleys. 

The  temperature  is  cold  in  the  mountains  and  pleasant  in  the 
valleys. 

Mountains. — This  State,  as  all  mineral  countries,  is  rather 
mountainous.  Its  principal  chains  are  those  of  Mazapil,  Norillos, 
Guadaloupe,  Mesa  del  Fraile,  Palomas  Pinos,  Monte  de  Garcia, 
Concepcion  del  Oro,  Matehuapil,  etc. 

Natural  productions. — Among  the  timber  :  mountain  cedar, 
oaks  of  various  kinds,  elm,  millons,  cotton-wood,  ash,  and  many 
others.  Excellent  fruits :  among  them,  pears,  apples,  peaches,  apri- 
cots, grapes,  etc.  All  kinds  of  vegetables,  corn  and  wheat.  Cattle, 
horses,  mules,  sheep  and  goats  thrive  w^ell  in  this  State. 


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Minerals. — This  State  ranks  among  the  first  in  the  Republic. 
The  most  noted  districts  are  those  of  Bolanos,  Carcamo,  Cedros, 
Chalchihuites,  Fresnillo,  Mazapil,  Noria,  Nieves,  Sombrerete,  San 
Juan  de  Guadaloupe,  Sierra  Hermosa,  Pinos,  Rio  Grande,  Teul, 
Pico  de  Freire,  Zacatecas,  Matehuapil,  Concepcion  del  Oro  and 
others. 

Principal  cities  and  towns. — Zacatecas,  capital  of  the  State, 
is  situated  in  latitude  22^  46'  3"  north,  and  1^  47'  39"  longitude, 
west  of  Mexico,  at  an  altitude  of  7,500  feet  above  the  level  of  the 
gulf.  This  mining  district  was  discovered  by  Captain  Juan  de  To- 
losa  on  the  8th  of  September,  1 546.  Philip  the  Second  granted  it 
the  title  of  city  in  April,  1 585.  This  city  is  built  in  a  ravine  situated 
in  the  middle  of  a  mountain.  Its  streets  are  very  irregular.  Among 
its  principal  edifices  are  the  Government  palace,  city  hall,  markets, 
hospital,  jail,  mint,  soldiers'  quarters,  a  theatre,  a  public  walk,  a 
cathedral  and  fourteen  churches,  an  amphitheatre  for  bull-fighting, 
and  thirteen  squares.     Population,  62,000  inhabitants. 

City  of  Fresnillo,  mining  district  discovered  m  1 569,  possesses  a 
city  hall,  jail,  a  handsome  theatre,  a  parochial  church,  market  and 
well-adorned  squares.     Population,  15,000  souls. 

City  of  Sombrerete,  mining  distnct  discovered  by  Juan  de  To- 
losa  in  1555,  obtained  the  title  of  city  in  1570  under  the  name  of 
Town  of  St.  John  the  Baptist  of  Yllerera,  city  with  the  name  of 
Herrera,  in  1824,  which  name  was  not  maintained.  Has  a  city 
hall,  a  hospital  in  ruin,  various  churches,  thirteen  chapels,  and  a 
population  of  5,173  inhabitants. 

City  of  Nieves,  also  a  mining  district  discovered  in  1559,  1,500 
inhabitants. 

City  of  Garcia,  founded  in  1531,  under  the  name  of  St.  John 
of  Gahcia.  In  1572,  the  name  of  Jerez  de  la  Frontera  was  given  to 
the  place  on  account  of  its  being  the  residence  of  the  military  chiefs 
sent  by  the  Viceroy  of  New  Spain  to  prevent  the  invasion  of  the 
interior  by  the  Nayarit  Indians.  Its  present  name  was  given  it  in 
1856.     Population,  7,255  inhabitants. 

City  of  Villanueva  was  founded  on  the  7th  of  November,  1691, 
under  the  name  of  Gutierrez  del  Aguila.  Has  good  public  buildings. 
Population,  6,065  inhabitants. 

City  of  Sanchez  Roman  created  with  its  present  name  in  i860. 
Its  Indian  name  was  Tlalli  (land)  or  Tenamitl  (wall).     Mazapil, 


discovered  in  1582,  is  a  rich  mineral  district,  with  public  buildings. 
Its  Indian  name  was  Mazatl  (deer),  and  {pzllz)  small. 

Albaradon  and  Guatemapile  have  rich  mines  in  their  vicinity. 
Population,  1,780  souls. 

The  State  of  Zacatecas  has  7  cities,  14  towns,  33  villages,  4  In- 
dian villages,  18  mining  districts,  120  haciendas  or  estates,  and  1,068 
ranches  or  farms. 


THE    TERRITORY    OF    LOWER    CALIFORNIA. 

SITUATION,    BOUNDARIES    AND    AREA. 

Lower  California  is  situated  between  the  22''  53'  and  32°  42'  30" 
of  latitude  north,  and  the  lo*'  12'  and  18^  longitude  west  from  the 
City  of  Mexico.  Its  greatest  length  is  240  leagues,  and  its  mean 
width  32  leagues.  It  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Upper  California, 
now  a  State  of  the  United  States  of  America ;  on  the  east  by  the 
Sea  of  Cortez  or  Gulf  of  California ;  and  on  the  west  and  south  by 
the  Pacific  Ocean.     It  contains  an  area  of  8,000  square  leagues. 

Topographical  aspect  and  climate. — The  peninsula  of  Lower 
California  is  properly  a  chain  of  mountains  bathed  by  the  sea, 
although  in  the  centre  there  is  a  small  interception,  which  forms 
the  two  great  divisions  of  the  Territory.  The  country  is  broken, 
its  plains  barren,  and  the  landscape  disagreeable  and  unpleasant  to 
the  eye. 

The  climate  is  temperate  in  its  northern  portion  and  extremely 
warm  in  the  south. 

Islands. — The  principals  are  those  of  the  Guardian  Angel 
(Angelo  de  Guardia),  which  is  over  60  miles  long,  and  of  Salsi- 
puedes  and  del  Carmen. 

Capes. — In  the  Gulf  of  California,  those  of  San  Gabriel,  south 
of  the  islands  of  Las  Animas ;  Cape  Virgenes,  Cape  San  Marcos, 
on  the  same  parallel  of  latitude  as  the  port  of  Mazatlan,  and  Cape 
Porfia.  San  Jos6  and  San  Lucas  on  the  Ocean  ;  Cape  Falso  and 
other  few  smaller  ones. 

Bays. — The  principal  ones  in  the  Gulf  of  California  are  those 
of    San    Luis    Gonzaga,  Los  Angeles  and  Muluge ;   and  on  the 


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Ocean  those  of  San  Barnab^,  Santa  Maria,  Almejas  and  La 
Magdalena,  of  some  importance  as  a  rendezvous  for  whalers. 

For^s.— The  principal  ones  are  those  of  Loreto,  formerly  capital 
of  the  Territory ;  Escondida,  Pichilingue,  and  on  the  Ocean  that 
of  San  Bartolom6,  situated  on  the  27^  45'  north  latitude. 

Natitral  productions. — They  are  but  few,  for  the  want  of 
streams,  the  scarcity  of  rains  and  the  barrenness  of  the  soil.  Some 
few  fruits  are  produced,  sugar-cane,  olives,  corn  and  grapes  do  very 
well. 

But  little  stock  is  raised  in  the  Territory. 

Mining. — It  is  supposed  that  mining  would  pay  well  if  it  was 
developed  properly.  The  mines  of  Flores,  Santa  Ana,  Vallc  Per- 
dido,  San  Antonio,  Mulege  and  La  Guella  were  at  one  time  worked 
with  great  profit.  The  untold  wealth  of  mines  in  this  Territor)^  is 
equal  to  that  of  any  of  the  Mexican  States. 

La  Paz,  capital  of  the  Territory,  is  situated  in  latitude 
24°  6'  40"  north,  and  the  11^  i'  15"  west  longitude  from  the  City 
of  Mexico.     Population,  4,000  souls  and  increasing. 

The  whole  population  of  the  Territory,  in  1862,  was  set  down  at 
12,000  people,  but  according  to  later  statistics  the  population  is 
now  21,645  inhabitants. 


THE    FEDERAL   DISTRICT   OF   MEXICO. 

Limits. — The  Federal  District  of  Mexico  extends  northward  to 
the  town  of  San  Cristobal  Ecatepec,  westward  to  the  town  of  Re- 
medios,  southward  to  the  town  of  San.Augustin  de  ias  Cuevas  or 
Tlalpan,  and  eastward  to  El  Pinon  Viejo. 

Area. — 50  square  leagues. 

Population. — 31 5,906  inhabitants. 

Political  divisions. — The  Federal  district  is  divided  into  four 
sub-districts,  viz.:  Guadaloupe  Hidalgo,  Tacubaya,  Tlalpan, 
Xochimilco. 

The  total  value  of  real  estate  in  the  district  is  set  down  at 
$51,650,464.  The  expenditures  of  the  municipality  of  the  City  of 
Mexico  amounts  yearly  to  the  sum  of  $856,000. 


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THE    CITY  OF   MEXICO. 

The  City  of  Mexico,  capital  of  the  RepubHc,  seat  of  the  Arch- 
bishopric of  the  same  name,  and  one  of  the  finest  cities  of  the  New 
World,  is  situated  in  19*'  25'  45"  north  latitude,  and  loi"  25'  30" 
west  longitude,  from  the  City  of  Paris,  France,  at  an  elevation  of  7, 108 
feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea.  Its  site  is  in  the  centre  of  an  oval- 
shaped  valley  about  forty-seven  miles  long  by  thirty-two  miles  wide. 
It  enjoys  a  healthy,  temperate  climate  ;  the  temperature  of  the 
city  averaging  17^  Reaumur;  the  atmospheric  pressure  being 
^g^mm^  The  winds  that  prevail  are  from  north  and  northwest. 
The  longest  day  in  the  year  has  13  hours  10  minutes,  and  the 
shortest  10  hours  and  50  minutes. 

The  vegetation  in  the  valley,  as  in  the  mountains  that  surround 
it,  is  noted  for  its  vigorous  growth  and  its  endless  variety.  The 
winter  is  hardly  felt.  Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  the  environs  of  the 
city  are  charming  in  the  extreme,  and  well  deserve  to  be  visited. 

"  The  soil  of  the  valley,"  says  the  Count  de  la  Cortina,  "  is 
composed  of  debris  of  modern  alluvial  soil,  with  beds  of  calcareous 
sweet-water,  and  other  living-beds  covered  with  humus  or  vegetable 
soil."  In  some  places  saline  efilorescence  predominates  with  an 
occasional  covering  of  sand.  At  about  three  miles  from  the  city  in 
a  northwest  direction,  springs  of  naptha  or  fluid  bitumen  are  found 
and  eight  miles  north  are  found  good  thermal  springs. 

Mexico,  according  to  the  most  reliable  data,  was  founded  by 
the  Aztecs,  on  the  i8th  of  July,  1327.  Its  origin,  like  Rome,  has 
a  curious  tradition. 

It  appears  that  after  a  vagabond  life,  which  lasted  about  fifty 
years,  the  Aztecs  came  in  contact  with  the  Alcohuas,  who,  being 
pursued  by  them,  started  for  the  lagoons,  which  in  those  days  cov- 
ered most  of  the  valley.  Among  the  Aztecs  w^as  an  oracle,  who,  in 
one  cf  his  answers,  had  said  to  them  that  they  should  not  found 
their  city  until  they  came  to  a  place  where  they  would  find  an  eagle 
standing  on  a  rock.  The  Aztec  nation,  led  by  the  priest,  reached 
the  margin  of  the  lagoon,  they  undertook  to  find  and  select  the  most 
convenient  place  for  their  city.  Going  ahead  they  explored  the 
banks  and  canebrake  about  the  lagoon  so  well  that  they  soon  came 
across  the  headland,  upon  which  stood  the  Tenuchtli,  or  the  real 


83 

ization  of  the  oracle's  promise.  Here  you  have  the  origin  of  the 
coat-of-arms  of  the  Mexican  Republic. 

The  Aztec  nation,  being  then  convinced  that  they  had  reached 
their  promised  land,  commenced  building  their  cabins  around  the 
Tenuchtli,  making  artificial  soil  by  means  of  vines  and  drift.  In 
this  manner  the  city  was  raised  out  of  the  waters  of  the  lagoon. 

The  life  the  Aztecs  led  at  first  was  a  poor  and  miserable  one. 
Their  city,  which  they  called  Tenochitlan,  or  the  city  of  the  "  cac- 
tus upon  a  rock,"  which,  in  a  long  course  of  years,  was  changed 
into  "  Mexico,"  which  means  fountain  or  flowing  water ;  although  it 
is  more  probable  that  it  was  named  after  an  idol  that  the  first  set- 
tlers brought  with  them  and  named  Mexitly. 

At  the  time  of  the  conquest  it  had  a  population  of  over  three 
hundred  thousand  souls ;  but  when  it  surrendered  to  Cortez,  on  the 
13th  of  August,  1 521,  it  was  nothing  but  a  heap  of  ruins  and  ashes, 
and  the  fine  edifices  and  temples  which  had  succeeded  the  first  huts 
of  the  Aztecs  were  all  destroyed. 

The  population  of  the  city,  at  the  present,  can  well  be  estimated 
at  over  two  hundred  and  twenty-five  thousand  people. 

Buildings  and  institutions. — In  1865  the  city  boasted  of  482 
streets,  all  at  right  angles,  and  not  less  than  fourteen  varas  or  forty 
feet  wide,  and  of  sixty  squares. 

The  city  has  fourteen  curacies  or  parish  churches,  fifteen  mon- 
asteries for  men,  and  twenty-two  female  convents,  which  were 
seized  and  sold  by  the  Juarez  Government ;  also,  sixty-eight  churches 
or  chapels,  six  pantheons  or  vault  cemeteries  to  bury  the  dead,  three 
principal  public  walks,  three  first-class  theatres  and  many  small 
ones,  two  amphitheatre:;  for  bull-fighting,  ten  hospitals,  three  public 
libraries,  and  other  important  establishments. 

La  Fuente  del  Salto  del  Agua,  or  the  "  spouting  fountain," 
terminates  the  aqueduct  at  Bclen,  which  brings  to  the  city  its  water 
from  the  spring  at  the  foot  of  the  Chapultepec  hill.  It  was  begun 
by  the  Viceroy  Fray  Antonio  de  Bucarelli,  and  completed  on  the 
20th  of  May,  1779. 

La  Fuente  de  la  Tlaxpana  (the  Tlaxpana  Fountain)  on  the 
Avenue  of  San  Cosme,  bears  two  inscriptions  by  the  side  of 
the  coat-of-arms  of  the  liouse  of  Austria,  stating  that  it  was  con- 
structed in  1737,  when  Don  Juan  Antonio  Bizarron  y  Equiarreta 
was  archbishop  and  viceroy  of  New  Spain.     It  belongs  to  a  peculiar 


83 

style  of  architecture,  known  as  that  of  Churiguera.  To  reach  this 
fountain  you  cross  El  Peunte  de  Alvarado  (Alvarado's  bridge), 
which  nov/  is  a  handsome  street.  A  stone  yet  marks  the  place 
that  became  celebrated  for  the  prodigious  leap  made  by 
Alvarado  when  Cortcz  retreated  from  Mexico.  A  little  further  on, 
following  the  straight  road,  the  little  village  of  Popotla  is  reached, 
where,  on  the  left  side  of  the  road,  in  a  little  enclosure  near  an  old 
chapel,  is  found  the  venerable  AJiuahuete  tree,  the  same  under 
which  Cortez  sat  and  cried  over  his  disaster  on  the  night  of  the  22d 
of  August,  1 521,  which  is  called  by  the  Spaniards  the  "  noche 
irisie"  or  sorrowful  night. 

La  Flazuela  de  Santo  Domingo. — The  small  square  of  St. 
Dominick,  one  of  the  smallest  in  the  city,  forms  a  quadrilateral, 
having  a  portico  on  the  west,  the  church  of  Santo  Domingo  on  the 
north,  the  Custom-house  block  on  the  cact,  a  portion  of  a  block  and 
a  street  on  the  south.  In  the  angle  between  the  Custom-house  and 
the  church  is  the  building  of  the  ex-Inquisition.  The  Convent  of 
Santo  Domingo  was  at  one  time  one  of  the  most  famous  and 
wealthiest  convents  in  the  city.  It  has  been  rumored  that  a  treas- 
ure of  some  twelve  millions  v/as  buried  v.'ithin  its  walls.  Many 
searches  have  been  made  for  it ;  even  a  company  was  formed  at  one 
time  to  raise  the  neccesary  capital  to  hunt  up  the  treasure,  but  up 
to  this  day  it  has  failed.  The  building  of  the  ex-Inquisition  is  used 
as  a  medical  college. 

Iturbide  Market  (Ancient  Square  of  St.  John). — Its  comer- 
stone  was  laid  by  the  President  of  the  Republic,  Don  Jose  Joaquin 
de  Herrera,  on  Sunday,  the  15th  day  of  May,  1849.  Den  Enrique 
Gri{ion,w.  i  its  architect.  This  edifice  is  one  hundred  feet  front  and 
sixty  deep.  It  has  one  hundred  and  eight  stalls  or  shops  inside  and 
outside,  most  of  them  occupied  by  butchers  and  porkmen.  It  has 
a  fountain  in  the  centre  and  six  entrances,  two  cast  and  two  west, 
and  one  north  and  south. 

La  Plazuela  de  Guardiola.  —It  is  a  small  square  enclosed  on 
the  east  by  the  old  residence  of  the  Condes  del  Valle,  on  the  west 
by  a  portion  of  San  Isabel  Street,  on  the  south  by  the  residence  of 
Mr.  Escandon,  one  of  the  wealthiest  citizens  of  the  city  and  first 
promoter  of  the  construction  of  railroads  in  Mexico,  and  on  the 
south  by  the  walls  of  the  chapel  of  our  "  Lord  of  Burgos,"  which 
belongs  to  the  great  convent  of  San  Francisco.     This  square  was 


84 

named  after  the  Marquis  of  Guardiola,  who  built  his  residence  there, 
which  is  now  the  property  of  Mr.  Escandon.  In  olden  times  the 
waters  of  the  lagoon  came  as  far  as  this  place.  It  is  reported  that 
Chirino,  who  had  revolted  against  Cortez,  while  absent  on  his 
expedition  to  Yucatan,  was  exposed  in  an  iron  cage  on  this  square. 
On  this  square  is  a  hack  station. 

El  Sagrario. — This  beautiful  church  (the  name  signifying  the 
place  where  sacred  relics  are  kept)  is  adjoining  the  cathedral,  and 
was  the  first  parochial  church  built  in  the  City  of  Mexico  after  its 
conquest  by  Cortez.  It  is  said  that  the  Franciscan  friars  were  the 
founders  of  the  parish  church,  which  is  at  present  the  cathedral,  in 
1524,  and  Don  Pedro  de  Villagran  was  the  first  parish  priest  of 
Mexico.  The  Sagrario  was  burned,  and  was  rebuilt  by  Don  Fran- 
cisco Antonio  Lorenzana,  archbishop  of  Mexico  in  1767.  The 
style  of  its  architecture  is  one  which  is  contemporary  with  the 
reign  of  Louis  XV.  in  France  ;  it  was  in  its  apogee  in  Spain  at  the 
end  of  the  seventeenth  and  the  beginning  of  the  eighteenth  cen- 
turies, and  is  considered  by  competent  judges  of  architecture  to  be 
a  style  of  decline ;  it  was  named  after  the  Spaniard  who  invented 
it,  "  Churiguera,"  leaving  out  the  defects  that  are  proper  to  a  style 
that  has  laid  aside  all  known  rules  applicable  to  the  different  orders 
of  architecture,  the  front  of  the  Sagrario  will  captivate  the  attention 
of  the  traveler  by  the  neatness  and  perfection  of  its  mouldings, 
for  the  boldness  of  its  columns,  and  the  masterly  finish  in  its 
smallest  details. 

Palacio  Mumcipal  (City  Hall). — It  is  also  called  Deputacion 
(Deputation),  Casa  de  Cabildo  (corporation  or  chapter  house).  The 
present  building  was  finished  in  1792  at  a  cost  of  $130,000 ;  it  has 
91  varas,  or  over  252  feet,  front  on  the  main  plaza  of  Mexico,  and 
122  feet  deep,  occupying  an  area  of  4,004  square  varas.  Besides 
the  city  and  district  offices,  the  building  contains  the  corporation 
jail,  some  apartments  rented  to  private  individuals,  and  the  Longa 
or  Merchants'  Exchange,  which  is  as  fine  as  any  in  the  world.  The 
first  municipal  house  was  burned  by  a  mob,  together  with  the  vice- 
roy's  palace  and  other  buildings,  in  the  year  1692,  while  the  Count 
de  Galve  was  viceroy,  and  a  part  of  the  city  was  also  sacked  by 
the  mob. 

Iturbzde  Hotel,  or  Stage  Hotel. — This  house  was  occupied  by 
Don  Augustine  de  Iturbide,  Emperor  of  Mexico,  and  is  known  as 


85 

*•  La  Casa  del  Emperador  Iturbide."  It  was  built  by  the  Count  de 
Moncada,  Marquis  of  El  Jaral,  one  of  the  richest  men  in  Mexico,  as 
a  private  residence.  It  is  used  to-day  as  a  hotel,  where  first-class 
accommodations  can  be  had. 

Theati'o  Nacioiial  (National  Theatre). — The  comer-stone  of 
this  edifice  was  laid  by  General  Santa  Anna,  on  the  8th  of  Febru- 
ary, 1842;  it  was,  in  consequence  of  this,  called  "Santa  Anna 
Theatre."  It  is  second  to  none  in  America  ;  it  can  accommodate 
an  audience  of  three  thousand  persons.  It  was  built  by  Don  Fran- 
cisco Arbue,  an  enterprising  Mexican,  on  the  site  occupied  by 
houses  Nos.  1 1  and  1 2  of  Bergara  Street. 

Plaza  Mayor,  or  Main  Square,  also  called  Military  Square. 
On  the  east  side  of  it  is  the  National  Palace,  where  the  President  of 
the  Republic  resides,  and  where  most  all  the  Government  offices  are 
located.  It  is  a  huge  mass  of  stone  without  any  architectural 
significance  ;  it  covers  all  the  east  side  of  the  square,  and  has  three 
entrances  fronting  on  the  same.  Its  front  extends  675  feet.  It 
was  originally  the  property  of  the  family  of  Cortez,  but  was  subse- 
quently purchased  by  the  Spanish  Government  for  its  viceroys  for 
$33>30o;  not  being  large  enough,  it  was  rebuilt  in  1693.  The  Ca- 
thedral and  Sagrario  occupy  the  north  side  of  the  square.  The 
Municipal  House  and  Merchants'  Portico  form  the  other  two  sides  of 
the  square ;  it  is  well  paved  and  surrounded  by  spacious  sidewalks. 

The  Cathedral  of  Mexico. — It  would  take  a  book  to  describe 
that  fine  monument ;  we  can  only  afford  to  give  a  brief  sketch  of 
it.  The  edifice  stands  on  the  side  of  the  main  square,  and  is 
built  on  the  same  spot  where  stood  the  temple  dedicated  to  the 
Aztec  god  "  Huitzilspotchli,"  tutelar  god  of  the  nation.  It  was 
begun  in  1573,  by  order  of  King  Philip  II.,  Don  Pedro  Moya  de 
Contreras  being  archbishop,  and  was  completed  in  1657,  under  the 
government  of  Don  Fray  Marcos  Ramirez  de  Prado,  94  years  after 
its  corner-stone  had  been  laid,  at  a  cost  of  $1,752,000,  which  sum 
was  paid  by  Philip  II.,  Philip  III.,  Philip  IV.  and  Charles  II.  (sur- 
named  the  bewitched).  This  building  is  about  432  feet  long  from 
north  to  south,  and  about  203  feet  wide  from  east  to  west,  without 
counting  the  space  which  is  situated  between  its  porch  and  the 
level  of  the  square,  about  140  feet,  which  is  surrounded  on  the 
south,  east  and  west  by  1 24  columns  over  5  feet  high,  to  which  are 
fastened  heavy  iron  chains  ;  about  1 5   feet  from  the  chains  are  'jy 


86 

ash-trees  equally  distant  from  the  columns,  and  in  a  parallel  line 
with  them ;  these  constitute  one  of  the  finest  walks  in  the  city,  and 
is  known  as  the  Paseo  de  las  cadenas ;  it  is  particularly  attrac- 
tive by  moonlight. 

The  entrance  to  the  prebendary  {canonigos)  is  situated  on  the 
east,  surrounded  by  a  fine  iron-raiHng ;  the  principal  front  of  the 
building,  which  faces  south,  has  three  entrances,  composed  of  two 
styles  of  architecture — the  first  Doric,  and  the  second  Ionic,  with 
statues  in  bas-relief. 

Its  two  towers  are  72  varas,  or  200  feet,  in  height,  and  cost 
$199,000. 

Between  the  two  towers,  and  above  the  main-entrance,  is  a 
beautiful  clock,  with  a  face  of  gilt  metal,  above  which  are  three 
statues  representing  the  three  theological  virtues,  artistically  exe- 
cuted. In  the  two  towers  are  forty-eight  bells  ;  those  worthy  of 
notice  are  :  ist,  Santa  Maria  de  Guadaloupe  (Holy  Mary  of  Guada- 
loupe),  which  is  36  feet  in  height ;  2d,  that  of  "  Dona  Maria," 
which  weighs  15,000  pounds  ;  and  3d,  called  "  Saint  Angel,"  weighs 
14,000  pounds. 

Besides  the  entrances  already  mentioned,  the  cathedral  has 
three  more,  two  of  which  are  situated  on  the  north  of  the  building, 
on  one  side  of  which  is  the  chapel  of  Las  Animas  (the  Souls), 
where  the  remains  of  the  clergy  are  deposited. 

The  cupola  and  lantern,  which  in  height  is  nearly  on  a  level 
with  the  towers,  show  elaborate  and  tasteful  art. 

The  interior  of  the  edifice  belongs  to  the  Doric  order ;  has 
beautiful  and  elevated  arches,  five  naves,  two  closed  and  three 
opened,  the  latter  with  fourteen  pillars  with  columns  on  each  of  its 
sides  ;  from  the  pilasters  start  the  arches  to  meet  others  before  it, 
and  on  the  sides  of  the  two  lateral  naves  are  located  fourteen 
chapels,  all  enclosed  with  balustrades  of  iron  and  carved-wood,  be- 
sides the  six  chapels  named  as  follows  :  ist,  De  los  Reyes  (of 
the  Kings),  where  are  buried  the  viceroys ;  2d,  Las  Animas  (the 
Souls)  ;  3d,  Del  Buen  Despacho  (of  the  Good  Resolution) ;  4th, 
San  Jose  (St.  Joseph)  ;  5th,  San  Lorenzo  (St.  Lawrence)  ;  and  6th, 
the  El  Pardon  (the  Pardon).  In  the  latter  a  mass  is  said  every 
half  hour  every  day  during  the  year. 

Between  the  vaults  and  other  space  of  the  temple  are  147 
windows,  and  in  the  cupola  and  lantern  already  mentioned,  which 


87 

shape  is  octogonal,  is  a  fresco  painting  representing  the  Assumption 
of  our  Lady,  executed  by  the  distinguished  Spanish  painter,  Jimeno. 

The  presbyterium,  where  stands  the  main  altar,  which  is 
situated  in  the  middle  of  the  church,  between  the  choir  and  the 
altar  of  the  kings,  to  which  one  ascends  by  a  flight  of  wide  steps ; 
the  four  fronts  of  the  altar  is  surrounded  by  a  balustrade  of  metal 
called  tinnbaga,  which  extends  in  a  straight  line  on  either  side 
until  it  reaches  the  choir ;  this  balustrade  is  ornamented  with  sixty- 
two  statues,  who  hold  a  chandelier  of  the  same  metal  in  one 
hand. 

The  cypress  over  the  main  altar  is  sustained  by  eight  columns, 
covered  with  stucco,  in  which  are  located  the  magnificent  statues 
of  the  apostles,  evangelists  and  principal  saints,  all  of  natural  size ; 
above  the  second  order  of  architecture  is  a  group  of  angels,  above 
which  is  the  mother  of  our  Redeemer;  all,  formerly,  were  covered 
with  precious  stones,  etc.  Its  treasure,  at  one  time,  was  enu- 
merated as  follows  :  20  chalices  of  gold  ;  6  vessels  of  gold,  in  which 
wine  and  water  are  served  for  mass  ;  132  rubies ;  1,676  diamonds, 
with  13  marcs  of  gold  ;  i  chalice,  with  122  diamonds  ;  143  emeralds, 
with  107  marcs  of  gold  ;  2  gold  vessels  for  incense  ;  a  silver  image 
of  the  Conception,  weighing  28  marcs  (a  marc,  eight  ounces)  ;  the 
principal  reliquary,  which  is  ornamented  with  2,651  emeralds  ;  44 
rubies,  8  saphires  and  many  more  treasures  too  long  to  enumerate. 
Most  of  the  jewels  were  presents  from  the  Emperor  Charles  V. 

Theatro  Iturbide  (Iturbide  Theatre). — It  was  designed  by 
the  distinguished  Mexican  architect  Don  Santiago  Mendez,  who 
also  constructed  it.  It  cost  $180,000,  and  was  opened  on  the  3d  of 
February,  1856,  with  a  brilliant  masquerade  ball.  It  is  very  richly 
ornamented  inside  with  red  velvet  and  gold,  and  is  one  of  the  finest 
halls  in  America. 

El  Paseo  de  Bucareli  (the  Walk  of  Buccareli). — This  is  one  of 
the  most  fashionable  promenades  in  the  City  of  Mexico.  Leaving  the 
main-scuare  ana  riding  up  the  streets  of  Plateros  and  San  Fran- 
cisco, passing  the  house  of  Iturbide  on  his  left,  then  the  square  of 
Guardiola  to  his  right,  the  convent  of  San  Francisco  to  the  left,  and 
the  beautiful  Alameda  or  public  garden  to  his  right,  the  old  prison 
of  the  "  Acordada  "  to  his  left,  the  promenader  reaches  the  Paseo 
Nuevo,  a  beautiful  ride  planted  with  trees,  and  spacious  sidewalks; 
the  magnificent  statue  of  Charles  IV.  is  passed ;  it  was  designed 


and  moulded  by  Don  Manuel  Tolsa,  and  was  placed  on  its  pedestal 
in  1803.  From  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  mounted  police  are 
placed  on  guard  from  the  Acordada  prison  to  the  end  of  the  paseOy 
from  distance  to  distance,  in  order  to  preserve  order  among  the 
numerous  files  of  carriages  circulating. 

The  College  of  Mzties. — This  grand  edifice  was  planned  and 
built  by  Don  Manuel  Tolsa,  and  was  completed  April  3,  181 3,  at  a 
cost  of  $1,500,000.  The  front  of  the  building  faces  north  on 
St.  Andrew  Street ;  it  has  298  feet  front ;  one  of  the  sides  of  the 
edifice  faces  east  on  the  alley  of  Bethemite,  and  has  344  feet  front  ; 
the  other,  west,  on  the  alley  of  the  Countess,  and  has  2,123^ 
feet ;  the  edifice  occupies  an  area  of  10,835  square  varas  (nearly 
two  American  acres)  ;  the  lower  floor  has  7  court-yards,  5  foun- 
tains, 5  stairways  and  76  rooms.  The  floor  between  the  ground- 
floor  and  first-floor  has  i  fountain,  4  stairways  and  75  rooms.  The 
first  story  has  3  fountains,  2  stairways,  83  rooms.  The  terraces : 
2  fountains,  2  stairways  and  5  rooms,  making  a  total  of  7  court- 
yards, II  fountains,  13  stairways  and  238  rooms.  Its  organization 
as  a  high-school  leaves  nothing  to  be  desired,  and  well  deserves 
the  visit  of  the  traveler. 

El  Paseo  de  la  Viga. — It  is  situated  on  the  bank  of  the  canal 
of  the  same  name,  and  is  a  beautiful  walk,  well  planted  with  trees. 
This  canal  unites  the  two  large  lakes  of  the  valley  of  Mexico.  At 
times  the  canal  and  the  walk  presents  one  of  the  most  picturesque 
sights  that  one  can  imagine  ,;  the  little  boats  in  which  the  Indians 
bring  to  market  their  great  variety  of  fruits  and  flowers,  their  game, 
poultry  and  fish,  the  great  variety  of  their  costumes,  and  particu- 
larly those  of  the  women,  who  always  dress  in  bright  colors,  give 
this  place  a  curious  appearance  to  the  traveler.  It  is  a  busy  place 
on  market  days ,  this  is  really  the  people's  walk,  while  the  Paseo  de 
Bucareli  is  the  aristocratic  walk  and  drive. 

,  The  Street  of  Roldaft  Bridge. — At  this  bridge  is  the  real 
landing  for  boats  going  up  or  down  the  canal,  and  at  this  point  a 
disagreeable  smell,  caused  by  the  stirring  of  the  turbid  water  of  the 
canal,  the  fruits  and  garbage  that  is  thrown  into  it,  takes  away  a 
great  deal  of  the  charm  that  the  place  would  otherwise  have.  But 
no  one  visiting  the  City  of  Mexico  should  fail  to  see  it. 

Environs. — The  hall,  castle,  stately  trees  and  spring  of  Cha- 
pultepec. 


89 

The  beautiful  hills,  town  and  gardens  of  Tacubaya. 

The  town  of  San  Angel. 

The  town  of  San  Augustin  de  las  Cuevas  ;  it  was,  before  the 
conquest,  a  very  important  city,  known  as  Tlalpan,  which  meant 
upland,  and  communicated  with  the  city  by  means  of  causeways. 
It  became  celebrated  on  account  of  a  gambling  fair  that  used  to  be 
held  there  yearly. 

The  town  of  Ixtacalco,  situate  on  the  bank  of  the  canal  de 
la  Viga. 

The  town  of  Guadaloupe,  situate  one  league  north  of  the 
capital,  on  the  border  of  the  lake  of  Texcoco  ;  in  this  town  is 
situated  the  holy  sanctuary  of  Guadaloupe,  a  beautiful  and  richly 
adorned  church,  which  was  built  to  commemorate  the  apparition  of 
the  Holy  Virgin  Mary  to  the  poor  Indian  Juan  Diego,  from  the  9th 
to  the  1 2th  of  December,  1531. 

The  Theatro  Principal,  the  Academy  of  San  Carlos,  the  Na- 
tional Museum,  the  Military  School  of  Tacubaya,  should  all  be 
visited. 

In  the  yard  of  the  Academy  of  San  Carlos  can  be  seen  the 
great  sacrifice-stone  upon  w^hich  the  Aztecs,  in  the  practice  of  their 
inhuman  religion,  sacrificed  their  prisoners,  and  part  of  the  people 
of  both  sexes  designated  for  that  purpose  by  the  priest. 

The  great  Indian  calendar  is  to  be  seen  on  the  west  wall  of 
the  cathedral,  where  it  cannot  fail  to  attract  the  attention  of  the 
traveler. 

A  curiosity  of  the  Lake  of  Texcoco  is  a  white-fish  with  legs 
and  feet. 

Public  instruction  in  the  City. — There  are  in  the  City  of 
Mexico  the  following  high-schools  : 

A  national  second  grade  school  for  girls,  kept  in  the  old  convent 
of  Encarnacion. 

A  preparatory  national  school,  kept  in  the  old  college  of  San 
Idelfonso. 

A  national  school  of  jurisprudence,  in  Encarnacion  Street, 

A  national  school  of  medicine,  in  the  old  edifice  of  the  In- 
quisition. 

A  national  school  of  agriculture,  in  the  hacienda  of  San 
Jacinto  in  Popotla,  a  suburb  of  the  city. 

A  national  school  of  engineers,  in  the  College  of  Mines. 


90 

A  national  school  of  fine  arts,  situated  in  Academy  Street. 

A  national  civil  service  and  commercial  school,  in  the  old 
hospital  of  Terceros. 

A  national  school  of  arts  and  trades,  kept  in  the  ex-convent  of 
San  Lorenzo. 

A  national  school  for  deaf  and  dumb,  in  the  old  convent  of 
Corpus  Christi. 

The  National  Museum  is  situated  in  the  old  mint  building-. 

The  National  Library  is  situated  in  the  ex-convent  of  San 
Augustin. 

All  of  these  high-schools  or  academies  are  interesting  to  the 
scientist ;  they  are  perfect  in  their  organization.  Their  libraries 
are  interesting  and  can  be  consulted  with  profit.  As  much  has 
been  done  in  the  City  of  Mexico  to  teach  the  highest  branches  of 
science  as  in  any  other  large  city  of  the  world. 


DESCRIPTION    OF   THE   SANCTUARY   OF    THE    HOLY   VIRGIN    OF 
GUADALOUPE,    PATRONESS  OF   MEXICO. 

El  Santuario  de  Guadaloupe. — Two  fine  causeways  and  a 
railroad,  the  first  constructed  in  the  Republic  by  Mr.  Escandon, 
lead  from  the  City  of  Mexico  to  the  town  of  Guadaloupe,  distant  a 
little  less  than  three  miles  from  the  City,  on  the  border  of  lake 
Texcoco. 

Here  is  situated  the  sanctuaiy  of  Guadaloupe,  cf  which  it  may 
by  said  that  there  are  fev/  in  the  world  as  celebrated  with  the  Catholics 
as  this  one,  especially  in  the  Republic  of  Mexico,  where  it  is  the 
symbol  of  religion  and  independence. 

Tradition. — The  tradition  is  simple  and  practical,  and  the 
participants  of  humble  origin.  Juan  Diego  was  an  Indian  from  the 
village  of  Cuautitlan — who  had  but  recently  been  converted  to  the 
Catholic  faith — of  good  conduct  and  behavior;  his  family  consisted 
of  his  wife,  Maria  Lucia,  and  an  uncle  named  Bernardino.  Juan 
Diego  earned  his  living  by  working  in  the  town  of  Tolpetlac,  from 
which  place  he  was  accustomed  to  often  visit  the  village  of  Santiago 
Thaltilolco  to  hear  the  Franciscans  that  had  charge  of  the  parish 
preach  the  Catholic  doctrine.  In  one  of  his  trips,  while  crossing 
the  ridge  of  brushy  mountains  that  rise   in  that  portion  of  the 


91 

valley  on  the  border  of  a  lake  which  the  Indians  called  Tepetlyecae- 
zcl,  and  the  Spaniards  pronounced  Tepeyacac,  which  means  "  Nose 
of  the  Mountain  "  (a  very  appropriate  name  for  it),  Juan  Diego 
heard  soft  and  harmonious  music,  such  as  he  had  never  heard 
among  his  people  or  among  the  Spaniards.  He  stopped  to  observe 
whence  came  these  harmonious  sounds,  and  then  saw  a  rain-bow  of 
very  bright  colors,  and  in  the  centre  a  white  and  transparent  cloud 
in  the  middle  of  which  appeared  the  figure  of  a  beautifully  formed 
woman,  dressed  as  the  Indians  of  noble  caste  were  dressed  in  those 
days.  Juan  Diego  approached  her  without  fear,  and  then  the  lady 
told  him  that  she  was  the  Mother  of  God,  that  she  desired  that  a 
temple  should  be  erected  in  that  locality,  and  that  she  would  devote 
herself  and  give  aid  and  protection  to  all  those  that  would  have 
faith  and  would  call  upon  her  in  distress.  At  the  same  time  she 
told  Juan  Diego  that  he  should  without  delay  report  to  the  bishop 
what  he  had  seen  and  heard.  The  Indian  accordingly  went  to 
the  residence  of  Don  Fray  Juan  de  Zumarraga,  of  the  order  of 
San  Francisco,  who  was  then  bishop  of  Mexico,  and  although  he 
found  much  difficulty  in  gaining  admittance,  he  was  fortunate 
enough  to  speak  to  the  prelate,  and  related  what  had  happened  to 
him,  but  did  not  receive  a  satisfactory  answer,  because  the  bishop 
beheved  that  it  was  only  the  imaginary  vision  of  an  Indian  who  had 
but  recently  joined  the  Catholic  faith  and  abandoned  the  worship 
of  his  idols. 

Juan  Diego  returned  to  his  home  very  disconsolate,  but  the 
Holy  Virgin  again  appeared  to  him  three  times.  The  fifth  time, 
Juan  Diego,  much  depressed  in  spirits, — owing  to  the  many  re- 
pulses he  had  met  with  at  the  hands  of  the  archbishop, — and  his 
uncle,  Juan  Bernardino,  being  seriously  ill,  he  concluded  that  he  had 
better  procure  his  uncle  a  confessor  who  might  save  him  more 
surely  than  anything  else  ;  but  in  order  not  to  meet  again  the 
apparition,  he  took  a  different  road  than  the  one  which  he  used 
to  travel.  However,  all  this  was  in  vain,  because  at  the  place  where 
now  is  a  thermal  spring,  held  in  respect  by  the  sick  and  by  all 
people,  the  Virgin  met  him  and  told  him  that  his  uncle  was  then 
perfectly  well,  or  in  other  words  that  he  had  recovered  from  all  his 
sufferings ;  and  the  Virgin  also  ordered  him  to  go  on  the  top  of 
the  hill, — the  same  one  already  mentioned  as  the  "  Nose  of  the 
Mountain,"  on  the  border  of  lake  Texcoco, — and  gather  beautiful 


93 

flowers  which  he  was  to  take  to  the  bishop  in  proof  of  the  truth  of 
what  has  just  been  related. 

In  these  hills,  where  nothing  grows  but  chapparal,  and  where 
no  flowers  are  ever  seen,  still  Juan  Diego  found  a  great  many  beau- 
tiful and  fragrant  flowers ;  which  he  gathered  in  his  cloak  {tzhttd) 
and  went  to  Mexico  to  take  them  to  the  bishop,  who  having  heard 
that  the  Indian  was  bringing  the  proof  he  had  called  upon  him  to 
produce,  received  him  in  his  parlor  with  much  curiosity,  and 
accompanied  by  many  priests  and  friends. 

The  Indian,  in  a  very  modest  way,  related  to  the  bishop  what 
had  taken  place,  then  dropping  the  flowers  he  had  in  his  cloak 
{tilmd),  the  bishop  and  his  followers  dropped  on  their  knees  before 
the  image  of  the  Virgin  that  appeared  painted  on  the  cloak  or 
ay  ate  of  the  happy  and  fortunate  Juan  Diego. 

This  took  place  from  the  9th  to  the  12th  of  December,  1531, 
nineteen  years  and  four  months  after  the  conquest,  Clement  XII. 
being  pope,  and  the  Emperor  Charles  V.  being  king  of  Spain. 

The  above  is  the  religious  tradition,  transmitted  from  father  to 
son  in  regard  to  the  Virgin  which  is  venerated  in  the  Sanctuary. 

As  soon  as  the  Bishop  Zumarraga  recovered  from  his  great 
emotion  and  admiration  caused  by  the  beautiful  and  rich  flowers  and 
by  the  sight  of  the  singular  image  of  the  Virgin  that  appeared  to 
him  on  the  cloak  of  the  Indian,  he  complimented  Juan  Diego  and 
sent  for  his  uncle,  Juan  Bernardino,  who  sure  enough  was  found 
well  and  cured  of  all  his  infirmities,  as  the  Virgin  had  announced 
to  the  poor  Indian,  Juan  Diego.  The  bishop,  accompanied  by 
many  priests  and  persons  of  notability,  together  with  Juan  Diego, 
visited  all  the  places  where  the  Virgin  had  appeared  to  him.  While 
visiting  these  places,  they  kissed  and  prayed  over  them  with  great 
devotion  and  then  returned  to  the  episcopal  palace,  which  in  those 
days  was  situated  on  the  site  of  the  present  street  of  Donceles, 
and  there  temporarily  deposited  the  image  of  the  Virgin,  which 
a  few  days  afterwards  was  transferred  to  the  Cathedral.  A  short 
time  afterwards,  the  building  of  an  hermitage  was  begun  on  the 
hill  of  Tepeyacac  at  the  expense  of  Bishop  Zumarraga,  and  the 
following  year,  1533,  the  image  was  removed  to  the  hermitage 
amid  a  solemn  procession  made  for  that  purpose. 

Juan  Diego  built  himself  a  little  home  adjoining  the  temple, 
and  entirely  dedicated  himself  to  the  worship  of  the  Virgin  for 


93 

seventeen  years  after  the  miracle,  and  died  in  1548,  at  the  age 
of  seventy-four.  His  uncle,  Juan  Bernardino,  died  of  yellow  fever 
{cocolzxlz)  in  the  year  1544,  being  eighty-six  years  of  age,  and  was 
buried  in  the  old  chapel  of  the  Virgin. 

For  ninety  years  the  Virgin  remained  in  this  temple,  which  was 
rather  small  and  of  poor  architecture,  but  among  the  good  Catholics 
of  Mexico  the  devotion  to  the  Virgin  of  Guadaloupe  had,  by  this 
time,  increased  so  much,  that  many  contributions  were  made  and 
the  beautiful  cathedral  which  now  adorns  the  town  of  Guadaloupe 
was  begun,  the  comer  stone  of  which  was  laid  about  the  middle 
of  November,  1622,  by  the  most  illustrious  Lord  Don  Juan  de  la 
Ssrna,  archbishop  of  Mexico.  The  building  alone  of  the  cathedral 
cost  the  large  sum  of  $800,000,  not  including  a  tabernacle  of  silver, 
a  present  from  the  Viceroy  Count  of  Salvatierra,  and  sixty  lamps  of 
silver  which  were  hung  in  the  vaults  of  the  temple. 

The  worshippers  became  so  liberal  that  with  their  gifts  and  the 
amounts  they  subscribed,  many  rich  ornaments  were  purchased, 
some  of  them  more  valuable  than  those  owned  by  the  Cathedral  of 
Mexico.  The  ornaments  and  articles  used  for  services  in  this  great 
Church  were  of  silver,  and  valued  at  five  thousand  marcs. 

The  chapel  called  Del  Cerrito,  which  is  built  on  the  spot  where 
the  Virgin  first  appeared  to  Juan  Diego,  was  constructed  one  hun- 
dred years  later  at  the  expense  of  Don  Cristobal  de  Aguirre, 
and  his  wife  Dona  Teresa  Peligrina.  The  causeway,  built  of  rock, 
was  cc«istructed  at  the  expense  of  Don  Fray  Payo  de  Rivera,  arch- 
bishop and  first  viceroy  of  Mexico,  as  well  as  the  aqueduct  and 
fountain  which  is  located  in  the  square  of  the  town. 

For  many  years  this  temple  was  placed  under  the  care  of  four 
or  six  priests,  but  in  1750,  Don  Manuel  Jose  de  Rubio  y  Salinas 
being  archbishop,  it  was  transformed  into  an  abbey,  and  the  abbot 
and  canons  took  possession  of  the  abbey.  About  that  time  Pope 
Benedict  IV.  conceded  to  the  church  a  special  mass  and  prayer. 

In  175 1,  an  enquir)'  was  held,  at  the  demand  of  Dr.  Don 
Francisco  de  Soles,  and  judicial  proceedings  were  instituted  to 
prove  the  apparition  of  the  Virgin. 

The  Spaniards  called  the  place  Tepeatilla,  and  here  were  de- 
posited all  the  treasurers  of  Gonzalo  de  Sandoval  during  the  bloody 
battles  that  preceded  the  storming  of  Mexico. 

The  Virgin  of  Guadaloupe  was  stamped  upon  a  cloth  made  of 


94 

the  fibers  of  indigenous  plants,  manufactured  by  the  Indians,  "  sons 
of  the  soil "  {hijos  del  pais).  She  appears  clothed  with  a  loose 
woolen  gown  falling  from  her  neck  to  her  feet,  a  mantle  covering  her 
head,  the  same  as  worn  by  the  noble  Aztec  maidens  ;  her  color  is 
dark  brown,  her  hair  black  and  loose,  her  physiognomy  is  amiable, 
candid  and  modest.  She  appeared  to  an  Indian  in  a  place  cele- 
brated among  the  Indians,  all  of  which  is  entirely  natural  and  charac- 
teristic of  the  country  which  had  but  just  been  conquered.  The 
Virgin  was  called  the  Creole  Virgin,  and  the  poor  race  which  had 
just  been  vanquished  and  humiliated,  after  having  seen  its  fields 
destroyed,  its  cities  and  homes  burned,  and  its  blood  run  into 
streams,  found  itself  with  a  divine  being  to  whom  they  might  appeal 
from  the  cruelties  and  injustice  of  humanity.  After  fire  and  sword, 
came  the  sweet  and  pacific  conquest  of  religion. 

When  the  old  curate  of  Dolores,  Don  Miguel  Hidalgo,  raised 
the  first  cry  in  favor  of  Mexican  independence  on  the  night  of 
September  i6th,  1810,  he  caused  a  flag  to  be  raised  upon  which  was 
painted  an  image  of  the  Virgin  of  Guadaloupe.  After  the  Mexican 
independence  was  gained,  the  village  where  the  temple  of  Guada- 
loupe is  situated  was  raised  to  the  rank  of  ciudad  or  city.  Under 
the  name  of  "  Ciudad  de  Guadaloupe  de  Hidalgo,"  a  name  which 
causes  every  Mexican  to  remember  the  civil  and  religious  history 
of  which  we  have  just  given  a  sketch. 

In  October,  1821,  the  Emperor  Iturbide  instituted  the  order  of 
Guadaloupe,  which  became  extinguished  after  the  overthrow  of  his 
Empire  and  the  republican  foi-m  of  government  established.  This 
order  given  as  a  reward  to  civil  and  military  merit  was  reestablished 
by  General  Santa  Anna  on  the  19th  of  December,  1853. 

Guadaloupe  also  brings  to  recollection  one  of  the  greatest 
events  that  took  place  on  this  continent.  It  was  in  that  city  that 
the  celebrated  treaty  of  peace,  that  put  an  end  to  the  war  between 
the  United  States  and  Mexico,  was  signed  on  the  2d  day  of  Febru- 
ary, 1848.  Messrs.  Licenciado  Don  Bernardo  Couto,  Licenciado 
Don  Miguel  Atristani  and  Don  Luis  G.  Cuevas  being  plenipoten- 
tiaries on  the  part  of  Mexico,  and  Mr.  Nicolas  P.  Trist  on  the  part 
of  the  United  States  of  America. 

The  city  has  improved  a  great  deal  of  late  years.  The  principal 
income  of  the  Cathedral,  which  is  actually  one  of  the  finest  churches 
on  this  continent,  i^  derived  from  a  lottery  which  is  drawn  in  the 


S5 

City  of  Mexico  monthly  ;  but  gifts  from  all  classes  of  people  amount 
yearly  to  very  large  sums. 

The  1 2th  of  each  month  a  high  mass  is  celebrated,  which  is 
generally  well  attended  by  people  from  the  City  of  Mexico  ;  but  on 
the  1 2th  of  December  is  a  great  religious  festival  which  is  attended 
by  people  from  all  parts  of  Mexico  to  celebrate  the  day  upon  which 
the  Virgin  patroness  of  Mexico  first  appeared  to  Juan  Diego. 
Thousands  of  Indians  in  their  orignal  dress  attend  the  festivities 
every  year. 

The  original  flag  used  by  Hidalgo  in  1810  is  deposited  in  this 
Cathedral. 

The  number  of  miracles  which  the  Mexicans  claim  to  have 
been  performed  by  their  patroness  is  much  too  large  to  be  pub- 
lished in  this  notice,  although  a  catalogue  of  them  would  be  inter- 
esting to  read  by  the  faithful.  Nevertheless  persons  going  to  Mexico 
should  not  fail  to  visit  the  place. 

Among  the  distinguished  dead  buried  there  are  the  Viceroy 
Antonio  de  Bucarelli,  one  of  the  best  executives  Mexico  ever  had, 
and  Colonel  Obregon,  who  has  a  chapel  in  which  a  lamp  is  con- 
stantly kept  burning. 


HISTORY    OF    MINING    IN    MEXICO 
UNDER   SPANISH    RULE 


EXTENT   OF  THE   SPANISH    DOMINION. —  THE  FIRST   BONANZA. 

In  1737,  the  Spanish  dominion  extended  as  far  as  the  "  Pimeria 
Alta,"  that  is  to  the  Gila  river,  owing  to  the  efforts  made  by  the 
Jesuits  to  convert  to  Christianity  the  savages  who  inhabited  the 
country,  and  teach  them  the  arts  of  civilization.  This  vast 
region  of  country  is  situated  between  the  31*^  and  33^  of  north 
latitude  ;  it  is  about  300  miles  in  length,  and  is  bounded  on  the  east 
by  the  Apache  country,  on  the  south  by  Sonora,  on  the  West  by 
the  Gulf  of  California  (or  Sea  of  Cortez)  and  the  country  of  the 
Seris  Indians,  and  on  the  north  by  the  Coco  Maricopa.  In  that 
portion  of  the  country  which  is  known  as  Arizona  was  found  large 
pieces  of  mineral,  almost  pure  silver.  As  soon  as  the  Sonora 
miners  heard  of  it,  they  rushed  to  the  place,  where  they  found  a 
large  quantity  of  metal,  some  of  the  pieces  weighing  20  arrobas,  or 
500  pounds,  and  one  piece  of  120  arrobas,  or  3,000  pounds  ;  probably 
no  such  a  piece  of  native  silver  has  ever  been  found  in  the  world. 

Such  an  abundance  of  silver  raised  a  doubt  in  the  minds 
of  the  counsellors  of  the  Audiencia  as  to  whether  the  regular 
fifth  should  be  collected  for  the  crown,  or  whether  it  should  be 
regarded  as  a  treasure,  in  which  case,  after  paying  the  discoverer 
his  share,  the  balance  would  revert  to  the  crown  The  case 
appeared  doubtful  to  the  counsellors  of  the  Audiencia  at  the  City 
of  M  xi  O;  who  referred  it  to  the  council  of  the  Indies,  and  while 
this  appeal  was  pending  the  discoverer  removed  all  the  silver  that 
was  to  be  found  on  top  of  the  earth,  so  that  when  the  question  was 
decided  by  the  council  of  the  Indies  the  commission  reported  that 
the  wealth  had  vanished. 


97 

THE  GOLD  PLACERS  OF  SONORA. 

The  gold  placers  of  Ceineguilla,  State  of  Sonora,  situated  640 
leagues,  or  1,584  miles,  north-west  of  the  City  of  Mexico,  produced 
from  January,  1773,  to  November  17th  of  the  following  year,  4,832 
marcs  of  gold,  which  paid  into  the  royal  treasury  of  the  town  of 
Alamos  as  duties  to  the  king  the  sum  of  $72,000,  and  it  is  estimated 
that  at  least  one  third  of  the  yield  of  these  placers  was  smuggled 
out.  The  immense  richness  of  these  placers  greatly  contrasted 
with  the  scarcity  of  provisions  and  water ;  as  much  as  $6  was  often 
paid  for  a  barrel  of  water. 

QUEBRADILLA    PRODUCES   GREAT   WEALTH   AND    A   TITLE. 

In  1786,  the  mines  of  Ouebradilla  and  la  Vicayna,  near  Zaca- 
tecas,  were  worked  with  success.  Don  Antonio  Obregon  having 
sunk  a  new  shaft,  worked  with  great  success  the  mine  of  La  Valen- 
ciana,  near  the  City  of  Guanajuato,  from  the  year  1770  to  the  14th 
of  December,  1778 ;  he  presented  to  the  royal  treasury  4,699  bars 
of  silver,  weighing  28,039  marcs  and  3  ounces,  upon  which  the 
duties  amounted  to  the  enormous  sum  of  $648,972,  and  the  further 
sum  of  53,088  castellanos  of  gold,  upon  which  the  duties  amounted 
to  $1 3,05 1 .  The  above  statement  was  made  by  the  Viceroy  Bucarelli 
in  a  letter  to  the  king  of  Spain,  in  which  he  recommended  to  the 
king  that  the  successful  and  fortunate  miner  be  granted  the  title  of 
Count  of  Valenciana,  which  distinction  was  granted  by  the  king. 

In  June,  1778,  the  mining  district  (mineral)  of  Hostotipaguillo, 
distant  5 1 3  miles  west  north-west  from  the  City  of  Mexico,  in  the 
then  province  of  Guadalajara,  at  present  the  State  of  Jalisco,  was 
discovered  and  promised  great  riches. 

THE   CATORCE   MINES   AND   THE   VICEROY. 

In  the  year  1779,  the  mining  district  of  Catorce,  distant  164 
leagues,  431  miles,  north  north-east  from  the  City  of  Mexico,  was 
discovered.  It  is  situated  in  a  canon  of  the  mountain  of  the  same 
name,  which  rises  above  a  high  plateau  in  the  State  of  San  Luis 
Potosi.  Its  name  Catorce,  "  fourteen,"  was  given  it  because  this 
canon   was  inhabited   by  a  band    of  fourteen   robbers.      It  was 


98 

discovered  in  the  following  manner  :  A  militia  soldier  from  San  Luis 
Potosi  had  lost  his  horse  while  on  the  way  to  the  town  of  Mate- 
huala,  162  leagues  or  436  miles  north  north-west,  situated  on  the 
east  side  of  the  Catorce  mountain ;  he  returned  to  search  for  it,  and, 
in  crossing  the  mountain  of  the  Conception  of  Alamos,  or  of  San 
Antonio  de  los  Coroncados,  in  the  jurisdiction  of  Charcas,  150 
leagues  or  405  miles  north  north-west  from  the  City  of  Mexico,  dis- 
tant 150  miles  from  San  Luis  Potosi,  he  found  a  large  and  rich 
silver  lead.  The  metal  found  on  top  the  earth  when  assayed  rendered 
20  marcs  to  the  carga  of  300  pounds.  Having  dug  a  little  below 
the  surface,  ore  was  found  rendering  50  marcs  to  the  carga,  or  $400 
to  300  pounds  of  ore.  The  ore  afterwards  averaged  30  marcs 
to  the  carga.  The  soldier  who  discovered  the  mine  was  named  El 
Negrillo  (probably  a  nickname)  ;  he  was  a  drunkard  and  a  dis- 
solute man,  which  caused  the  Viceroy  Bucarelli  to  have  him  a 
guardian  appointed.  The  notice  of  this  discovery  was  the  last 
made  by  Viceroy  Bucarelli  to  the  king,  for  he  died  thirteen  days 
afterwards.  He  was  much  beloved  for  his  valor  and  his  many 
virtues,  and  was  one  of  the  best  viceroys  that  governed  Mexico. 
His  memory  is  venerated  to  this  day. 

Don  Carlos  Maria  Bustamente  says  that  the  news  of  the 
death  of  Viceroy  Bucarelli,  and  the  appointment  of  the  President 
of  Guatemala  as  his  successor,  was  carried  from  the  City  of 
Mexico  to  the  City  of  Guatemala,  a  distance  of  400  leagues,  or 
1,052  miles,  over  a  rough  mountainous  path,  with  many  wide  rivers 
to  cross,  in  seven  days.  The  courier's  name  who  performed  this 
feat  was  F.  Varo.  This  extraordinary  man  in  his  way,  was  born 
in  the  province  of  Andalusia,  Spain. 


THE   MINES   OF   GUANAJUATO. 

Every  (mineral)  mining  district  was  a  prosperous  centre  and  a 
great  source  of  revenue  to  the  treasury.  The  province  of  Guana- 
juato alone  produced  to  the  crown  of  Spain,  from  1760  to  1781,  in 
tax  upon  silver,  tobacco,  tributes,  powder  and  playing  cards, 
the  sum  of  $23,143,921,  and  the  following  years  still  produced 
more  revenue,  so  that  after  paying  all  the  costs  of  government 
left  a  clear  revenue  to  the  crown  amounting  to  $1,100,000  an- 


99 

nually.  That  was  about  the  time  of  its  greatest  prosperity.  In 
those  days  the  mines  of  Cata  and  Mellado  were  in  bonanzas.  They 
were  the  property  of  the  Marquis  of  San  Clemente,  one  of  the 
richest  and  most  honored  families  of  Guanajuato.  After  the  above 
mentioned  mines,  those  of  Santa  Anita  and  Rayas  come  next,  also 
yielding  large  profits.  The  mine  of  Rayas  was  the  property  of 
Sardaneta.  The  head  of  that  family,  while  that  mine  was  in  its 
great  bonanza,  was  granted  by  the  king  of  Spain  the  title  of  Mar- 
quis of  Sardaneta. 

THE   ZACATECAS   MINES. 

The  riches  derived  from  the  Zacatecas  mines  were  anterior  to 
that  of  Guanajuato. 

Its  mines  were  discovered  about  the  time  of  the  conquest,  and 
during  the  i8o  years  that  elapsed  from  the  discovery  oi  its  leads  to 
the  year  1732,  they  had  produced  the  sum  of  $832,232,880,  which 
paid  as  tax  to  the  royal  treasury  the  sum  of  $46,523,000.  From 
these  mines  the  following  wealthy  and  enobled  families  came  forth  : 
The  counts  of  San  Mateo  Valparaiso,  Santa  Rosa,  Santiago  de  la 
Laguna,  and  many  others.  In  the  year  1728,  Zacatecas  produced 
$1,800,000  yearly,  which  was  at  that  time  one-fifth  of  all  the  silver 
coined  in  Mexico.  It  afterwards  even  produced  more,  and  became 
a  bonanza  equal  to  the  Quebradilla  mines,  the  property  then,  in 
1 8 10,  of  Don  Firmin  de  Apezechea.  In  other  mineral  districts 
many  mines  were  very  flourishing,  such  as  the  Bolanos  mine,  the 
property  of  the  Marquis  of  Vivanco  ;  the  mine  of  "  El  Pabellon,"  in 
Sombrerete,  State  of  Zacatecas,  distant  105  leagues,  or  265  miles, 
north-west  from  the  City  of  Mexico,  the  property  of  the  family  of 
Fagoaga,  and  those  of  Real  del  Monte,  situated  in  the  State  of 
Mexico,  about  21  leagues,  or  50  miles,  north-east  from  the  City  of 
Mexico,  the  property  then  of  the  Count  of  Regla,  now  worked  by 
an  English  company.  Most  of  these  rich  miners  finally  became  the 
owners  of  the  largest  and  best  estates  (haciendas)  in  the  country, 
having  mostly  purchased  the  estates  of  the  Jesuits  when  they  were 
expelled  from  the  countr}'-.  These  wealthy  citizens  expended  gener- 
ally a  large  portion  of  their  fortune  in  charities.  The  large  surplus 
of  money  existing  in  Mexico  caused  real  estate  to  raise  in  value, 
and  brought  forth  many  new  industries. 


100 

MAMMOTH   VEINS. 

One  of  the  peculiar  features  of  the  silver  mines  in  Mexico, 
distinguishing  them  from  all  others  in  South  America,  is  the  large 
size  of  the  veins  more  than  the  richness  of  the  metals.  The  vein 
worked  at  Real  del  Monte,  near  the  City  of  Mexico,  which  is  calkd 
la  "  Biscaina,"  is  several  yards  wide  ;  the  vein  "  Calle  Veta  Madre  " 
(main  vein),  at  Guanajuato,  is  about  ten  yards  wide,  and  some- 
times more ;  this  one  has  been  worked  for  a  distance  of  thirteen 
kilometres. 

One  great  advantage  that  Mexican  mines  have  over  those  of 
other  countries  is  the  character  of  the  climate  where  they  are  found. 
They  are  seldom  situated  more  than  six  or  seven  thousand  feet 
above  the  level  of  the  sea,  hence  they  enjoy  a  temperate  climate. 
The  mines  of  Guanajuato  are  situated  in  a  country  that  produce, 
in  the  valleys,  two  crops  of  grain  yearly  ;  while  the  mines  of  Peru 
are  at  a  height  of  12,000  to  13,000  feet  above  the  level  of  the 
ocean  ;  although  under  the  equator,  the  mines  of  Peru  are  situated 
in  a  country  as  cold  as  Siberia ;  this  alone  is  greatly  in  favor  of  the 
Mexican  mines. 

COINAGE   OF   THE   MINT   IN   THE   CITY   OF   MEXICO. 

By  consulting  a  statement  published  by  Don  Jose  Maria  Za- 
morra,  it  will  be  seen  that  the  mint  at  the  City  of  Mexico,  from 
1690  to  1822,  had  coined  : 

In  gold  and  silver, $1,640,493,786 

And  from  1823  to  December,  1839,     ....  32,834,361 
And  in  other  mints  established  in  other  States 

and  Provinces 162,263,021 

Making  a  toUl  of $1,835,591,168 

From  1 8 14  to  January,  1873,  the  mint  at  the  City  of  Mexico 
coined  $5,060,178.38  copper  money.  But  it  must  be  remarked  that 
the  amount  of  silver  and  gold  coined  does  not  indicate  the  pro- 
ducts of  the  mines,  as  a  large  amount  of  plaia  pasta  (silver  bars) 
were  sent  to  Spain,  or  smuggled  out  of  the  country  to  avoid  paying 
export  duty,  and  that  a  considerable  amount  was  manufactured 
into  plate  and  used  in  the  mounting  of  jewels. 


101 
THE  PRODUCT   OF   LA   VALENCIANA. 

To  conceive  an  idea  of  the  products  of  some  of  the  best  mines 
of  Mexico,  it  is  only  necessary  to  know  that  the  mine  of  "  La  Va- 
lenciana,"  near  the  City  of  Guanajuato,  produced  to  its  owners, 
from  the  5th  of  April,  1788,  to  the  20th  of  March,  1798,  a  net  profit 
of  $8,000,000. 

Until  1848,  Mexico  was  the  first  country  on  the  face  of  the 
earth  in  the  production  of  precious  metals  ;  it  produced  more  than 
all  the  American  States  together. 

HISTORY   OF   MEXICAN   MINES. 

Immediately  after  the  conquest  of  Mexico  by  Cortez,  its 
mineral  wealth  was  hardly  known,  and  Peru  took  the  palm  as  a 
silver  producing  country.  Its  name  Peru  still  seems  to  designate 
an  unlimited  wealth.  The  greatest  mine  in  Pern  was  known 
as  the  Paton  Potocckz,  which  has  been  corrupted  into  Potosi» 
and  out  of  which  $280,000,000  have  been  extracted. 

Under  Montezuma,  the  Aztecs  worked  but  few  silver  mines;  they 
were  not  enhghtened  enough  td  work  any  but  those  that  contained 
native  silver,  and  such  mines  are  very  scarce.  In  most  of  the  mines 
that  are  worked  with  advantage,  the  appearance  of  silver  is  entirely 
hid  by  its  intimate  association  with  sulphur,  antimony,  arsenic  and 
other  substances,  so  much  so  that  a  person  who  is  not  versed  in 
science  would  not  recognize  the  presence  of  silver.  It  is  also  very 
difficult  to  separate  the  silver  from  the  various  c(5mbinations.  It  is 
well  known  that  with  gold  it  is  the  contrary,  as  that  metal  is  always 
found  in  a  natural  state.  This,  in  all  probability,  explains  the  phe- 
nomena well  proved  by  history,  that  the  Spaniards  found  among 
the  population  of  America  more  gold  than  silver,  although  silver 
mines  are  found  in  much  greater  number ;  or,  to  express  it  more  cor- 
rectly, they  are  much  more  prolific  in  metals  than  the  gold  mines. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  eighteenth  century  the  mines  of 
Mexico  only  produced  in  gold  and  silver  from  six  to  seven  millions 
of  dollars.  In  the  middle  of  the  last  century,  they  produced  about 
thirteen  millions  of  dollars.  At  the  end  of  the  last  and  beginning 
of  this  century  they  produced  from  twenty-five  to  twenty-six  mil- 
lions of  dollars.     At  present  they  do  not  produce  as  much. 


102 

THE  DISCOVERY   OF  THE  PATIO   PROCESS. 

It  was  a  Mexican  miner,  by  the  name  of  Bartholomew  Medina 
(to  whose  memory  no  monument  has  ever  been  erected,  and 
whose  name  and  resting  place  is  forgotten,  a  shame  to  our  rich 
miners),  who  invented  or  discovered,  in  1557,  the  method  by  which 
nearly  all  the  mineral  has  been  worked  to  this  day.  This  method 
is  called  in  Spanish  patio,  or  cold  amalgamation,  and  consists 
in  mixing  quicksilver,  and  other  ingredients  less  expensive,  such 
as  salt  and  a  substance  called  magistral  (a  mineral  composed 
of  sulphur  of  iron  and  sulphur  of  copper,  which  has  previously  been 
calcinated),  by  which  method,  silver  can  be  extracted  out  of  the 
poorest  minerals  without  melting  them.  This  was  a  fortunate 
discovery  for  a  country  where  fuel  was  scarce,  particularly  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  mines,  which  are  seldom  found  in  places  where 
fu6l  abounds,  and  many  mines  in  Mexico  have  been  abandoned  on 
account  of  the  difficulty  or  expense  in  procuring  fuel  to  work  them. 
On  the  other  hand,  this  method  consumed  large  quantities  of 
quicksilver,  as  it  is  calculated  that  to  extract  a  pound  of  silver  it 
takes  a  pound  and  a  half  of  quicksilver.  All  the  quicksilver  was 
furnished  by  the  Almaden  mines,  of  old  Spain,  until  the  California 
mines  of  New  Almaden  were  put  in  working  order.  It  was  a 
monopoly  in  the  hands  of  the  crown  of  Spain,  and  itc  agents  often, 
abused  it  to  the  great  distress  of  the  miners. 

HUMBOLDT'S   OPINION. 

Mr.  de  Humboldt,  at  the  beginning  of  this  century,  wrote  as 
follows  :  "  In  general,  the  abundance  of  silver  is  such  in  the  Cor- 
dillera chain,  that  when  one  reflects  upon  the  mines  that  have  not 
yet  been  worked  or  explored,  one  is  tempted  to  believe  that  we 
have  not  yet  begun  to  enjoy  the  inexhaustible  richness  that  the 
New  World  contains." 

The  world  would  be  inundated  with  precious  metals  if  the 
mines  of  Bolanos,  Batopilas  Sombrerete,  El  Rosario,  Pachuca, 
Moran,  Zultepec,  of  Chihuahua,  and  many  others  which  have  here- 
tofore been  celebrated,  were  worked  with  the  improved  machinery 
that  has  been  invented  since  1848. 


103 
MR.    DUPONT'S   opinion. 

Mr.  Dupont,  a  competent  Frenchman,  after  speaking  of  the 
wealth  of  Mexico,  adds  that  a  time  will  come,  sooner  or  later,  when 
the  production  of  silver  will  only  be  limited  by  its  certainly  increasing 
depreciation.  When  we  look  at  our  production  of  silver  to-day,  we 
are  tempted  to  believe  that  this  time  has  arrived. 

In  the  State  of  Guanajuato  alone,  from  July,  1876,  to  July, 
1878,  the  sum  of  $4,437,286.92  in  silver  and  gold  has  been  coined. 


MINTS    AND    ASSAYING    OFFICES. 
COINAGE. 

City  of  Mexico,  from  1537  to  1867, $2,251,993,61365 

City  of  Zacatecas,  from  1810  to  1867,      .     .     .  214,870,89862 

City  of  Guanajuato,  from  1 8 12  to  1867,      .     .     .  187,950,385  25 

City  of  San  Luis  Potosi,  from  1827  to  1867,      .  52,723,419  75 

City  of  Durango,  from  1811  to  1867,     ....  39,827,60868 

City  of  Guadalajara,  from  1812  to  1867,  .     .     .  30.307,755  96 

City  of  Chihuahua,  from  1811  to  1867,  ....  18,055,570  08 
City  of  Culiacan,  from  1846  to  1867,  exclusive  of 

the  year  1857, 18,416,336  49 

Guadaloupe  y  Calco,  from  1844  to  1850,    .     ,     .  4,375,06206 

Sombrerete,  from  1810  to  1812, 1,551,24925 

Tlalpan,  from  1828  to  1830, 1,162,660  87 

Oaxaca,  from  1859  to  1867, 1,525,231  35 

Catorce,  in  1865, .  1,321,545  00 

Alamos,  Hermosillo,  Cosala,  Batoseagachi,  Par- 

ral,  Jesus  Maria. 
Supposing  that  the  mints  of  Mexico,  Zacatecas, 
Guanajuato,  San  Luis  Potosi,  Durango,  Gua- 
dalajara, Chihuahua,  Culiacan  and  Oaxaca 
coined,  in  1868  and  1869,  the  same  amount 

as  in  1867,  we  find  the  following  amount,    .  36,557,733  92 

Carried  forward, $2,860,639,070  93 


104 

Brought  forward,  ......  $2,860,639,070 

And  supposing  that  the  amount  of  silver  used 
in  circulation  and  manufactured  into  silver- 
ware or  jewelry,  and  the  amount  fraudu- 
lently-extracted from  1 52 1  to  1867,  accord- 
ing to  the  calculation  of  the  distinguished 
statesman  Lerdo  de  Tejada,  is  $2,500,000 
per  year,  we  find  the  sum  of 862,500,000  00 

We  find  the  products  of  the  mines  in  Mexico 

amounting  to  the  sum  of $3>723, 139,070  93 

The  above  statement  only  gives  an  idea  of  the  mineral  wealth 
of  Mexico,  which  will  yet  astonish  the  world  when  American 
capital  and  industry  develop  the  untold  wealth  of  that  country. 

AMERICAN   GOLD   AND    SILVER  PRODUCTION   SINCE    1 848. 

According  to  the  best  data,  the  production  of  California, 
Nevada,  Colorado,  Utah,  Dakota,  Montana,  Idaho,  Oregon,  Wash- 
ington, New  Mexico  and  Arizona,  from  1 848  to  the  i  st  of  January, 
1882,  amounts  to  the  following  sums  : 

Gold, $1,713,174,508 

Silver, 583,421,678 

Making  a  grand  total  of $2,296,596,186 

Most  of  it  produced  in  territory  formerly  belonging  to  Mexico. 


CATALOGUE 

OF  SOME  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  MINING  DISTRICTS  SITUATED 
IN  THE  DIFFERENT  STATES  OF  THE  REPUBLIC,  AND  DES- 
CRIPTION  OF   SOME  OF  THEIR  MINES. 

STATE  OF  AGUASCALIENTES. 

This  State  possesses  rich  mines,  which,  as  we  will  often  have 
occasion  to  remark,  are  not  operated,  like  many  others  in  the  Re- 


105 

public,  for  want  of  security  of  capital ;  but,  fortunately  for  beautiful 
and  rich  Mexico,  such  time  is  over,  and  this  country  will  soon  expose 
its  latent  wealth  to  the  world. 

In  the  mining  Districts  of  Asientos  and  Tepesala,  1 5  leagues 
North  East  of  the  Capital,  are  found  the  abandoned  mines  of  San 
Francisco,  Romana  and  others,  Descubridora,  Cristo,  San  Antonio 
de  los  Pobres,  celebrated  in  olden  times  for  the  richness  of  their 
silver  ores.  In  the  Descubridora  mine  a  vein  1 1 .7  metres  wdde  was 
worked. 

In  the  District  of  Calpulalpan  are  situated  the  mines  of  San 
Pedro  del  Bosque  and  La  Purisima. 

MINES  OF   "  MAGISTRAL." 

Those  of  La  Magdalena,  La  Cruz,  Santo  Tomas,  Santo  Do- 
mingo, San  Dimas,  Corralillo,  La  Verde,  San  Vicente,  La  Chicaro- 
na,  El  Aguila  and  La  Peiiuela. 

In  all  23  mines. 

STATE  OF  CHIHUAHUA. 

The  State  of  Chihuahua  is  very  justly  considered  to  be  one  of 
the  richest  in  minerals  in  the  Republic.  It  is  divided  into  twenty 
cantons — where  120  mining  districts  are  known  to  exist;  in  these 
mining  districts  575  mines  have  been  worked  since  the  conquest 
of  the  country  by  the  Spaniards.  Some  mines,  yielding  16  ounces 
of  silver  to  the  carga  of  300  pounds,  have  been  abandoned  on 
account  of  being  too  isolated  and  also  for  the  want  of  laborers. 

The  mines  that  have  been  worked  have  only  been  worked  at 
a  depth  of  300  metres,  on  account  of  the  difficulties  encountered 
in  the  extraction  of  the  ores.  The  inundations  of  the  mines  and 
the  necessity  of  fortifying  the  shafts  with  timber  in  a  country 
where  wood  is  scarce  or  only  to  be  had  at  a  great  distance,  has 
also  been  the  cause  of  abandonment  of  well-paying  mines,  but 
with  the  completion  of  the  projected  railroads,  and  with  Ameri- 
can capital  and  enterprise,  a  wonderful  change  will  take  place  in 
the  next  five  years.  Lands  have  already  more  than  quadrupled  in 
value  since  the  completion  of  the  Southern  Pacific  to  El  Paso  and 
Texas. 


106 


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113 

Of  these  mineral  districts  14  are  producers  of  gold,  4  of  copper, 
4  of  lead,  I  of  mercury,  3  of  salt,  2  of  coal  and  541  of  silver.  They 
also  contain  zinc,  antimony,  arsenic,  cobalt,  nickel,  bismuth,  tin 
and  other  minerals.  It  is  supposed  that  the  Bolsom  of  Mapini, 
which  has  never  been  thoroughly  explored,  contains  immense  and 
untold  wealth. 

The  mountains  of  this  State  are  also  rich  in  marble,  alabas- 
ter, jasper  and  coal. 

Discoveries. — Santa  Barbara  was  discovered  in  1 547  ;  Parral 
in  1600;  Cieneg^illa  in  1608;  Guazaparesin  1628;  Uriquein  1630; 
Batopilas  in  1632;  Cusihuiriachic  in  1666;  Chihuahuilla  in  1671 ; 
Santa  Eulalia  in  1704;  Topago  in  1750;  Umachic  in  1760;  San 
Joaquin,  in  1774;  Umapa  in  1778 ;  El  Refugio  in  1810;  Jesus  Ma- 
ria in  1 82 1  ;  Palmares  in  1824 ;  Morelos  in  1826 ;  Setentrion  in  1829; 
Batouzachic  in  1839 ;  Santo  Domingo  in  1867  ;  Guadaloupe  in  1869 ; 
Zapuri  in  1873. 

If  classified  according  to  their  richness,  they  have  to  be  placed 
in  the  following  order,  viz. :  ist,  Batopilas;  2d,  Parral ;  3d,  Santa 
Eulalia ;  4th,  Jesus  Maria ;  5th,  Cusihuiriachic ;  6th,  Morelos  ; 
7th,  Guadaloupe  y  Calvo ;  8th,  Uriqui ;  9th,  Umachic ;  loth, 
Corralitos  ;  nth,  Zapuri;  12th,  Topago  and  13th,  Umapa. 


STATE    OF    COAHUILA. 

At  one  time,  more  than  sixty  mines  were  worked  to  advantage 
in  this  State.  There  are  mines  of  iron,  copper,  silver,  sulphur,  nitre 
and  amianthus,  which  would  pay  well  if  worked  with  American 
improved  machinery. 

The  river  Nazas  runs  through  the  important  mining  district  of 
Real  de  San  Juan  de  Guadaloupe.  In  the  mining  district  of  Santa 
Rosa  a  number  of  mines  are  now  worked  with  profit. 

Castafia  ;  this  mine  was  worked  with  profit  until  it  filled  with 
water  ;  it  is  now  the  property  of  an  American  company,  which  will 
in  all  probability  be  successful. 

Viezca  ;  this  mine  near  Parras  was  at  one  time  worked  with 
profit- 


113 

Escondida. 

Within  the  last  two  years,  some  veins  have  been  discovered 
near  the  City  of  Monclova,  but  are  hardly  rich  enough  to  pay. 

It  was  claimed  by  this  State  that  the  territory  upon  which  the 
Sierra  Mojada  mines  are  situated  properly  belonged  to  it. 

There  is  now  no  doubt  but  that  large  quantities  of  ore  are  found 
in  the  Mojada  mountains,  but  the  lack  of  water  and  fuel,  and  more 
particularly  the  desert  of  one  hundred  miles  without  water  which 
has  to  be  crossed  before  reaching  the  mining  district,  is  at  present 
a  great  impediment  to  its  development. 

In  the  archives  of  the  Presidio  of  Santa  Rosa,  now  Villa  (town) 
de  Musquiz,  can  still  be  found  a  report  made  to  the  Government  at 
Mexico,  by  Don  Felipe  Torralva,  president»of  the  mining  board  of 
the  department  in  which  Santa  Rosa  is  situated ;  it  is  dated  no- 
vember  24th,  1 844.  It  shows  that,  at  that  time,  5 1  mines  were 
known  in  said  mineral  mining  district,  all  producing  easily  smelted 
ores,  and  their  yield  in  silver  to  have  been  as  follows,  viz. :  18  mines 
produced  ores  yielding  from  4  to  6  ounces  of  silver  per  carga  (300 
Mexican  pounds),  or  $28  to  $42  per  ton  ;  17  mines  yielding  i  marc 
to  the  carga,  or  $56  to  the  ton ;  5  mines  yielding  3  marcs  to  the 
carga,  or  $168  to  the  ton  ;  i  mine  yielding  4  marcs  to  the  carga,  or 
$224  to  the  ton  ;  2  mines  yielding  6  marcs  to  the  carga,  or  $336  to 
the  ton  ;  i  mine  yielding  8  marcs  to  the  carga,  or  $448  to  the  ton  ; 
I  mine  yielding  10  marcs  to  the  carga,  or  $560  to  the  ton  ;  3  mines 
yielding  30  marcs  to  the  carga,  or  $1,680  to  the  ton,  and  i  mine 
yielding  100  ounces  to  the  carga,  or  $5,600  to  the  ton.  In  the  latter 
mine,  which  is  known  as  the  San  Juan  mine,  according  to  tra- 
dition, large  pieces  of  pure  silver  were  found.  In  the  mines  of 
Santa  Gertrudis  and  El  Pabellon,  which  produced  ores  yielding  as 
much  as  thirty  marcs  of  silver  per  carga  or  $1,680  to  the  ton^ 
pieces  of  virgin  silver  weighing  one  ounce  and  more  were 
found — leaves  of  silver  as  thin  as  paper  were  also  found  mixed  with 
slate. 


114 

STATE  OF  DURANGO. 

In  this  State  many  mines  have  had  to  be  abandoned  on  account 
of  the  Indian  incursions.  American  companies  have  lately  been 
formed  to  develop  some  of  them. 

The  principal  mining  districts  of  this  State  are  the  following, 
viz.  :  San  Dimas,  Guarisamey,  Tayoltita,  Ventanas,  Negros,  Gavi- 
lanes,  Tominil,  Basiz,  Huahuapan,  Guasaya,  Amaculy,  Tamazula, 
Rodeo,  Chacala,  Bajada,  Sianori,  Topia,  Metatitos,  Birimoa,  Cane- 
las,  Copalquin,  Todos  Santos,  Ocotal,  Tamazula,  Saucito,  Santa 
Elena,  Boca  Ortiz,  Comitala,  Cerro  de  las  Minas,  Guanacevi,  Cone- 
to,  Papasquiaro,  Chiquihuistita,  Inde,  El  Oro.  In  the  interior  of 
the  State  :  Cuencame,  Parilla,  Mapimi,  San  Juan  de  Guadaloupe, 
Noria  de  San  Juan,  Noria  de  Carlena,  Agua  Nueva,  and  lastly  the 
inexhaustible  iron  mountain  of  Mercados.  In  all,  43  mining  dis- 
tricts. 

The  inexhaustible  iron  mountain  known  as  the  Cerro  del  Mer- 
cado,  was  discovered  by  the  Spanish  captain  Gines  Vasquez  del 
Mercado  in  1 562,  it  is  situated  two  kilometres  north  of  the  City  of 
Durango.  Speaking  of  this  mine,  Mr.  Bouring  says  it  could  supply 
for  330  years,  all  the  English  iron  foundries,  which  consume  yearly 
15,000,000  quintals  of  iron  (a  quintal  is  100  lbs.)  This  would  be 
worth  9,900  millions  of  dollars,  a  sum  representing  seven  times  the 
gold  and  silver  coined  in  the  mint  at  the  City  of  Mexico  from 
1690  to  1803. 

Five  specimens  of  the  ore  from  the  Mercado  mountain  were 
essayed  by  M.  H.  Borje,  of  Philadelphia,  on  the  25th  of  May,  1880, 
and  gave  the  following  results. 

In  one  hundred  parts  of  metal. 

ist  Essay.  2d  Essay.  3d  Essay.    4th  Essay.  5th  Essay. 

Oxide  of  iron,    .     .     .  96.3  93.8  98.2  71.0  67.1 

Silica,      .....  2.6  3.4  0.6  28.1  25.5 

Aluminum,    ....  o.i  1.2  0.5  0.2  0.5 

Carbonate  of  lime,    .  0.3  0.0  0.0  0.0  0.5 

Water, 0.7  1.6  0.7  0.7  6.4 

Total,    .     .     .     1 00.0       1 00.0       1 00.0       1 00.0       1 00.0 

Pure  iron,  ....      66.77         65.3         68.8       49.23       50.55 


115 


STATE  OF  GUANAJUATO. 

The  mines  of  this  State  are  celebrated  as  much  for  their  anti- 
quity as  for  their  extraordinary  richness,  among  the  principal  are 
those  of 

Guanajuato. 

La  Luz. 

San  Nicolas. 

Santa  Rosa. 

Santa  Ana. 

La  Valenciana. 

Mellado. 

Villalpando. 

San  Jose  de  los  Muchachos. 

The  above  mines  contain  gold,  silver,  copper,  lead,  iron,  tin, 
cinnabar  and  other  valuable  minerals. 

Capulin. 

Comangilla. 

Gigante. 

Monte  de  San  Nicolas. 

Real  del  Marfil. 

Real  de  Salinas. 

Rincon  de  Centeno. 

San  Antonio  de  las  Minas. 

San  Juan  de  la  Chica. 

San  Rafael  de  los  Lobos. 

In  the  vicinity  of  the  city  of  Dolores  Hidalgo,  is  found  a  finv. 
quality  of  rock  for  mill-stones. 


STATE  OF  GUERRERO. 


This  State  is  very  justly  considered  as  one  of  the  richest  ol 
the  Republic  in  minerals  ;  it  is  said  that  gold  placers  have  been 
discovered  far  more  rich  than  any  found  in  Upper  California ;  civil 
war  in  this  State  and  the  hostility  of  some  of  the  population  to 


116 

foreigners  has  in  a  great  measure  prevented  the  development  of 
the  immense  wealth  of  this  State.  In  1880,  460  mines  were  known 
to  exist  in  this  State  (too  numerous  to  be  described  in  this  work). 
Among  the  principal  mining  districts  are  those  of  Cuitlanapa,  Tasco, 
Hidalgo,  Aldama,  Brazos,  Morelos,  Chilapa.  In  Huilzuco  are 
found  rich  quicksilver,  silver  and  coal  mines. 


THE   STATE   OF   HIDALGO. 


This  State  embraces  two  well-defined  hydrographical  regions : 
that  of  the  river  Amajaque,  and  that  of  Tula  and  Moctezuma  rivers, 
separated  by  extensive  chains  of  mountains  rich  in  minerals.  This 
State  was  formed  out  of  the  States  of  Mexico,  San  Luis  Potosi 
and  Vera  Cruz,  comprising  that  rich  portion  of  Mexico  known  as 
"  La  Huastesca." 

The  most  important  mining  districts  of  this  State  are  the 
following : 

Pachuca. 

Real  del  Monte. 

Mineral  del  Chico— 23  mines  were  worked  in  this  district  in 
1879,  and  17  remained  abandoned. 

Potosi. 

Capula. 

Santa  Rosa — this  district  was  formerly  worked  by  the  cele- 
brated house  of  Jecker,  whose  pretended  debt  was  the  cause  of  the 
French  intervention  in  Mexico.  The  following  mines  are  situated 
m  this  district :  Santa  Rosa,  San  Jose,  Franco-Mexicana,  El  Escri- 
bano.  El  Nino,  Providencia,  Trinidad,  Buenaventura,  Soledad,  San 
Briguel,  Santisima,  and  Santa  Isabel. 

Mineral  de  Tepeni. 

Zimapan. 

Tolenian,  24  mines. 

Lomo  del  Tore,  1 9  mines. 


117 

Monte  San  Felipe,  17  mines. 
Mineral  de  Jacala. 
Mineral  de  la  Encamacion. 
San  Bemado,  iron  mines. 
Mineral  del  Cardenal,  37  mines. 


THE   STATE    OF   JALISCO. 


This  State  possesses  mines  of  gold,  silver,  copper  and  iron. 
Among  the  richest  districts  are  the  following :  The  mining  district 
of  Tepic  contains  8  mineral,  or  mining  districts,  and  56  mines  ;  the 
Mountain  of  Mascota  is  said  to  be  rich  in  minerals.  The  mining 
district  of  San  Sebastian,  60  miles  south  of  the  city  of  Tepic,  in 
which  most  of  the  mines  are  not  worked  actually ;  the  mining  dis- 
trict of  Talpa,  in  which  36  mines  are  worked,  and  a  great  many 
more  are  either  idle  or  abandoned  ;  in  the  mining  district  of  Te- 
quila, 54  mines  are  worked  at  present ;  in  the  mining  districts  of 
Eolanos  and  Comanja.  (Bolanos  is  one  of  the  mining  districts  of 
Mexico  that  has  produced  immense  wealth.)  The  following  sta- 
tement, showing  the  amount  of  coin,  the  produce  of  some  mines 
in  this  great  State  of  Jalisco,  gives  an  idea  of  the  state  of  mining 
industry  in  that  State  in  1879  : 


rom 

the  mining  district  of  Bramador,    . 

•     I399.394 

" 

Cuale, 

281,466 

" 

Hostotipaquillo, 

•       235,643 

" 

Ixtlan, 

178,643 

" 

Etzatlan, 

167.578 

" 

Yesca, 

70,779 

" 

San  Sebastian, 

33,875 

'* 

Santo  Tomas,    . 

27.366 

" 

La  Bautista, 

7,753 

** 

Bolanos,     . 

883 

Total,     .. 

.  $1,403,380 

118 


TABLE   SHOWING  THE   MINERAL   DISTRICTS   IN   THE 
STATE  OF  JALISCO. 


Number 

Names  of  districts. 

of  mines. 

Quality  of  metal. 

Bolafios,  .... 

— 

Gold  and  silver. 

Comanja,      . 

— 

(<               tt 

Amalco,  .... 

9 

Silver. 

Santo  Tomas, 

— 

" 

Palmarejo, 

— 

" 

Copala, 

— 

" 

Amatlan  de  Jora,     . 

3 

" 

Ameca, 

— 

Gold,  silver  and  copper- 

Ahualulco, 

3 

Silver. 

Anonas, 

— 

" 

Hostotipaquillo, 

27 

" 

Etzatlan, 

6 

Silver  and  lead. 

Garabatos, 

I 

(< 

Yesca, 

3 

'« 

Montaje, 

7 

" 

Ixtlan, 

2 

" 

Mojo  Cuatultlan, 

2 

" 

Acuitapilco, 

16 

" 

San  Jose  en  Tatepusco,    . 

— 

" 

Amasaquas, 

— 

" 

Santa  Maria  del  Oro, 

4 

" 

Tenamiche, 

5 

<< 

Estanzuela, 

4 

i( 

Heutzisila,    . 

II 

t( 

Chimaltitlan,    . 

7 

" 

Huanchinango,     . 

— 

Silver,  gold  and  copper 

Altena,     .... 

— 

Silver. 

San  Sebastian, 

22 

Silver  and  gold. 

Avillas,    .... 

— 

Silver. 

Los  Reyes,  . 

— 

" 

La  Navidad,     . 

— 

" 

Ocotital, 

50 

Negros. 

Jalapa,     .... 

— 

Silver. 

Veladero,      . 

52 

Copper. 

119 


Number 

Names  of  districts. 

of  mines. 

Quality  of  metal 

Cuale,       . 

30 

Gold,  silver,  etc. 

Desmoronado, 

3 

Black  metals. 

Bramador, 

8 

Silver  and  gold. 

Aranguez,     , 

4 

Black  metals. 

Ayulta,   .         .          . 

— 

Silver. 

Guadaloupe, 

3 

Silver  and  gold. 

Agua  Blanca,  . 

— 

Copper. 

Talpa,  .... 

— 

Gold  and  silver. 

La  Bautista,     . 

— 

Silver. 

Tapalpa, 

— 

Iron  and  silver. 

San  Rafael, 

23 

Silver. 

El  Jabon.      . 

— 

" 

Providencia,     . 

T          n       ._     _.    •  -  • J 

_i-_'      ^_         •-      ___!-•      1- 

Iron. 

In   all,  47  mining  districts,  in  which  303  mines  are  actually- 
worked  ;  there  is  in  this  State  46  smelting  works  for  smelting  ores. 


THE  STATE  OF  MEXICO. 


This  State  possesses  very  rich  mining  districts,  among  which 
are  the  following,  viz. :  Mineral  del  Oro,  situated  in  a  group  of 
mountains  about  45  miles  N.  W.  of  the  city  of  Toluca,  capital  of 
the  State.  It  is  a  rich  gold  district,  the  principal  veins  are  those 
named  Chihuahua,  San  Acasio,  La  Descubridora,  San  Rafael, 
vetilla  or  smaller  veins  de  los  Mondragones,  de  la  Caliza  and  de  la 
Descubridora.  There  are  at  present  seven  mines  not  worked  for 
want  of  capital  and  1 8  more  abandoned  for  various  reasons. 

Temascaltepec — In  1 881,  39  mines  were  worked  in  this  district. 
The  best  mine,  known  as  La  Magdalena,  produces  silver  ore  that 
yield  50  marcs  to  the  carga  of  300  pounds,  or  2,100  ounces  of  pure 
silver  to  the  ton  of  ore. 


130 

Tejupilco — 3  silver  mines  are  actually  worked  in  this  district 
and  4  are  abandoned. 

Nancitilla — There  are  1 1  silver  mines,  at  present  abandoned. 

Amatepec — 3  mines  are  worked  actually. 

Ixtapa  del  Oro — 4  mines  are  actually  worked  in  this  district 
and  13  are  at  present  idle. 

Jultepec — 38  mines  are  actually  worked  in  this  district  and 
105  are  either  idle  or  abandoned. 

Zacualpan — 10  mines  are  actually  worked  in  this  district  and 
68  are  either  idle  or  abandoned. 

In  this  State  65  mines  are  actually  worked  and  259  are  either 
idle  or  abandoned. 


THE  STATE  OF  MICHOACAN. 


This  is  also  one  of  the  richest  mineral  States  of  Mexico. 
Among  the  most  celebrated  mines  of  Mexico  is  that  of  Halpujahua, 
as  well  on  account  of  its  richness  as  on  account  of  its  historical 
record.  Close  to  this  mine  is  situated  the  peak  known  as  "  Campo  del 
Gallo,"  where  Padre  Hidalgo  established  a  gun  foundry,  and  where 
the  first  Mexican  cannons  used  by  the  revolutionists  against  their 
Spanish  oppressors  were  cast.  The  following  mineral  districts 
are  also  worked  in  this  State,  viz. : 

Angangueo. 

Espiritu  Santo. 

Guayabo. 

Omoltan. 

Iguaran. 

Curucupaceo. 

Ozumatlan  y  barra. 

Chapatuato. 

San  Antonio. 

Cualcoman. 

Tlalpujahua. 

The  metals  of  these  mines  consist  of  gold  mixed  with  iron, 


121 

cinnabar,  coal,  antimony  and  emeril.     The  ores  are  worked  both 
by  the  patio  or  cold  amalgamation  process  and  smelting. 

In  1880,  32  mines  were  worked  in  the  district  of  Tlapugahua 
18  in  that  of  Omatlan  and  5  in  that  of  Curucupasco.  The  names 
of  the  innumerable  mines  situated  in  the  other  mining  districts  are 
not  known. 


THE    STATE    OF    MORELOS. 


The  principal  wealth  of  this  State  consists  in  its  agricultural 
productions,  although  the  following  mines  are  operated  at  present : 


Mining  district  of  Oaxtepec, 
Huaulta, 


The  mine  of  Tenango. 

.'•  Tlachichilpa. 


San  Esteban. 
"  Concepcion. 

"  San  Jose. 

Peregrina. 

In  the  municipality  of  Cuemacaca  is  a  peak  called  Barriga  de 
Plata  (Silver  Belly),  in  old  times  some  mines  were  worked  in  that 
mountain,  but  are  now  abandoned.  In  the  municipality  of  Ju- 
tepec  is  a  mountain  whose  formation  consists  of  carbonate  of  lime, 
marble  with  metallic  veins  formed  by  various  oxydes,  and  a  fine 
quality  of  gypsum. 

There  is  actually  in  this  State  15  paralyzed  mines,  7  silver 
mines,  i  of  cinnabar,  i  of  alabaster,  2  of  jasper,  4  of  marble. 


THE    STATE    OF    NUEVO    LEON. 


In  this  State  mines  are  found  in  the  valleys  as  well  as  on  the 
mountain  tops.      Most  of   its    mines  are   now  abandoned,  they 


123 

contain  silver,  gold,  lead,  iron,  copper,  sulphur,  nitrate  of  potash, 
alabaster  and  white  marble.  Muriate  of  soda  is  also  found  in 
large  deposits. 

Great  bonanzas  were  found  during  the  last  century  in  the 
mountains  of  Boca  de  Leones  or  Villaldama,  and  the  Iguana  Hills, 
situated  southeast  of  the  latter  place,  as  appears  by  the  annexed 
reports  of  the  Spanish  governors  and  inspectors  of  that  province. 

The  mines  in  the  District  of  Serralvo,  which  produced  great 
bonanzas  last  century  are  now.  worked  again  with  success,  and  one 
of  them  is  in  bonanza. 

The  following  mines  have  been  worked  successfully,  and  are 
now  being  placed  in  good  working  order,  viz. : 

Minas  viegas. 

La  Catita. 

La  Ladera. 

Moreno,  Coyache,  La  Farandula  and  Chihuahua,  four  silver 
mines  now  in  working  order,  the  property  of  the  Anglo-Texan- 
Mexican  Mining  and  Smelting  Company,  organized  by  Mr.  W.  A. 
Gifford.  Said  company  has  its  domicile  at  Houston,  Texas,  and 
its  smelting  works  at  the  town  of  Villadama. 

La  Valenciana. 

San  Nicolas. 

New  mines  in  Potrero  de  la  Parra. 

El  Rosario,  now  worked  by  a  Texan  company. 

Vallecillo. 

jL,a  Iguana. 

Santa  Rita. 

Candela. 

Pinitas. 

Montanas. 

Sabinas  Hidalgo. 

Real  de  Salinas. 

La  Plomosa,  Sabarado  and  Sacramento 


REPORTS   FROM   OFFICIAL   DOCUMENTS. 

Las  Minas  de  San  Antonio  de  la  Iguana  were  discovered  in 
the  year  1757.     They  were  very  rich  in  native  silver ;  and  although 


123 

the  bonanza  lasted  but  a  little  while,  it  attracted  many  people  from 
ihe  interior. 

A  tour  of  inspection  was  made  in  1775  by  Lieut.-Colonel  Don 
Melchor  Vidal  de  Lorca,  in  the  new  kingdom  of  Leon,  belonging 
to  New  Spain,  while  Governor  of  the  same.  The  following  is  taken. 
from  his  report : 

"  In  the  Real  de  San  Antonio  de  la  Iguana,  mining  district  of 
La  Iguana,  distant  from  this  city  (Montery)  37  leagues  north-west, 
was  discovered  a  bonanza  in  the  year  1757,  it  was  visited  by  me 
on  the  27th  of  February  of  the  present  year.  In  this  place  there  are 
fifteen  Spanish  families  with  thirty-two  servants,  mostly  all  males, 
who  are  all  engaged  in  mining.  None  of  the  mines  are  worked  regu- 
larly, but  rocks  taken  from  them  here  and  there  still  maintain  the 
hope  in  these  people.  Those  mines  were  in  Borrasca  (eight  leagues 
south-west  of  Lampasas)  and  situated  between  two  small  moun- 
tains divided  by  a  creek  having  a  small  spring  at  its  head,  hardly 
giving  a  sufificiency  of  water  for  the  population,  which  is  obliged  to 
dig  wells  in  order  to  provide  for  the  daily  wants  of  that  community." 

In  his  Information  and  Catalogue  of  Mines  (written  in  1806),. 
Don  Simon  de  Herrera,  then  Governor  of  Nuevo  Leon  and 
commander  of  the  Corps  of  Observation  sent  to  the  Louisiana  fron- 
tier (the  same  who,  with  Governor  Salcedo,  was  butchered  in  cold 
blood  on  the  Rosillo,  in  181 3,  by  order  of  Lara)  speaking  of  these 
mines,  says:  "In  1737,  the  celebrated  mines  of  La  Iguana 
(lizzard),  well-known  in  mineralogy,  produced  many  millions 
in  a  few  days  on  account  of  the  richness  of  its  ore.  Miners  called 
it  a  lizzard  of  silver,  which  disappeared  in  a  few  days.  Most  of  the 
silver  was  found  in  loose  stones  in  a  ravine  in  the  direction  of  the 
mine  that  produced  the  lizzard."  The  writer  had  one  in  his  pos- 
session which  weighed  twenty-five  pounds,  and,  being  smelted,  lost 
only  eight  ounces  in  weight.  Being  lead  and  silver  it  was  easily 
smelted.  To-day  there  are  only  a  few  buscones.  Searchers  now 
occasionally  find  small  veins,  which,  although  very  rich,  do  not  pay 
on  account  of  the  rebelliousness  of  the  ore,  in  which  much  powder 
and  steel  are  wasted.  Mining  engineers  who  have  visited  the 
district,  say  that  it  would  become  of  great  importance  if  its  ores 
were  steadily  worked  with  sufficient  capital,  and  prospecting  made 
for  the  principal  vein. 

In  1757,  near  the  frontier  of  Nuevo  Leon,  at  La  Iguana,  was 


124 

discovered  immensely  rich  silver  mines,  which,  if  the  abundance 
of  silver  they  furnished  at  first  had  continued,  w^ould  no  doubt 
have  been  by  far  the  richest  mines  of  New  Spain.  Its  veins  {reta) 
furnished  three  qualities  of  metal :  The  first  was  very  curious  {Greta 
45  Lend)  being  a  quality  of  sand  which  hardened  when  exposed 
to  the  air,  and  which  would,  when  broken,  uncover  threads  of  pure 
silver,  so  entangled  together  that  art  could  not  have  imitated  them. 
Though  beautiful,  this  metal  was  inferior.  The  second  vein  was  of 
silver  lead,  which,  when  smelted,  produced  50  per  cent,  of  silver. 
The  metal  found  in  the  third  vein  was  of  a  yellowish  color,  which, 
if  cleansed  of  a  few  pebbles  and  sand,  was  pure  silver. 


THE    STATE   OF   OAXACA. 

This  State  contains  the  following  mining  districts  :  Ixtlan, 
Villa  Alta,  Teoxocomulco  and  Peras. 

The  districts  of  Ixtlan  and  Villa  Alta  are  pro'^ucing  nearly  all 
the  silver,  whether  coined  or  exported  from  the  State.  One 
hundred  and  forty  mines  are  now  actually  in  operation  and  forty 
are  abandoned. 


THE   STATE   OF   PUEBLA. 

But  little  is  known  of  the  mining  wealth  of  this  State,  though 
it  is  generally  believed  that  important  discoveries  will  hereafter  be 
made.  At  present,  a  superior  quality  of  stone-coal  has  been  found 
in  the  department  of  San  Juan  de  Los  Llanos,  and  silver  mines  at 
Xihuitlipa,  San  Andres  Chalchicomula,  Techachalco  and  Teteta 
del  Oro. 


125 
THE   STATE   OF   QUERETARO. 

The  mining  history  of  this  State  is  only  known  with  some 
degree  of  certainty  since  the  year  1770,  when  a  mining  deputation 
was  estabHshed  at  Cadereyta,  that  had  within  its  jurisdiction  the 
mining  districts  of  El  Doctor,  San  Pedro  Escanela,  Amoles,  Rio 
Blanco  and  Majada  Grande. 

The  variety  of  minerals  found  in  this  State  are  natural  siher, 
sulphur  of  silver,  galena,  grey  copper,  copper,  malachite,  antimony, 
red  iron,  grey  iron,  cinnabar,  native  mercury,  lignite,  anthracite,  opal, 
very  fine  and  ordinary  calcedoine,  rock  cristal,  copperas,  and  many 
others. 

In  1881,  the  follovdng  mines  were  either  worked  or  abandoned 
as  shown  in  the  statement : 

Mineral  del  Doctor ;  mining  district  of  Las  Aguas. — The  mines 
of  Santa  Ines,  producing  silver,  and  that  of  Sombrerete,  producing 
green  silver  or  chlorure,  are  both  worked  with  profit. 

Mining  district  of  Vizarron. — The  mines  of  La  Sojonia  and 
Nuestra  Senora  de  las  Nieves,  are  refractory  earth  and  are  worked. 

Mining  district  of  Tierra  Colorada. — Five  quicksilver  mines 
are  operated,  viz. :  San  Joaquin,  Senor  de  la  Esperanza,  San  Jose 
and  San  Lorenzo. 

DISTRICT   OF   TALPAN. 

Mining  District  of  Akuacatlan. 

Peiiasco, .  Lead. 

Santa  Clara, Lead  and  silver. 

San  Jose, " 

El  Carmen, " 

Mina  Grande, Silver. 

Purisima, Lead  and  silver. 

Rosario,         .......  " 

La  Merita, •• 

DISTRICT  OF  TOLIMAN. 
Mining  District  of  Rio  Blanco. 
Nuestra  Seiiora  de  Guadaloupe,    .         .         .     Gold  and  silver. 


Santa  Ana, 

San  Antonio  del  Oro, 


126 

There  are  actually  23  idle  mines  in  the  mining  district  of 
Las  Aguas,  3  in  the  district  of  Vizarron,  4  in  the  district  of  El 
Doctor,  II  in  the  district  of  San  Cristobal,  16  in  the  district  jf 
Attuacatlan,  3  in  the  district  of  Tollman,  2  in  the  district  of  Tolo- 
manejo,  and  7  in  the  district  of  Rio  Blanco,  mostly  for  the  want  of 
capital  and  enterprise,  one  only  on  account  of  its  poor  ores. 


THE  STATE  OF  SAN  LUIS  POTOSL 


The  rich  mines  of  this  State  are  not  developed  for  the  want  of 
necessary  capital  to  work  them,  they  ranked  at  one  time  among 
the  richest  of  the  country. 

The  principal  mining  districts  are  the  following,  viz. : 

Real  de  Catorce. 

Guadalcazar. 

Charcas. 

Ramos. 

Ojo  Caliente. 

San  Pedro. 

Santa  Maria  del  Pefion  Blanco. 

The  above  mines  contain  silver,  copper,  lead,  mercury,  sulphur, 
native  silver,  gold  ;  and  also  others  containing  red  and  blue  silver 
ores  of  rare  beauty. 

Santa  Maria  del  Pefion  Blanco  has  very  rich  salt  deposits. 
i         Blancas. 

Los  Pozos. 

Matehuala. 

HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE  GUADALCAZAR  MINING  DISTRICT, 

This  mining  town  was  first  settled  in  the  years  161 2  and  1620. 
Don  Diego  Fernandez  de  Cordova,  Marquis  of  Guadalcazar,  being 


137 

then  Vice-Roy  of  New  Spain  (Mexico).  This  mining  district  con- 
tains a  great  variety  of  metals,  such  as  gold  in  placers,  silver, 
copper,  lead,  mercury,  iron  and  sulphur. 

It  was  overflowed  in  1622  by  a  water-spout ;  these  mines  are 
said  to  be  very  rich  and  only  need  capital  to  be  developed  profit- 
ably. They  were  known  under  the  following  names :  As- 
cencion  de  Alvarado,  Veta  Vizcaina,  San  Pedro,  Santo  Tomas, 
Tercias  partes,  Corcovada,  San  Clemente,  Remedios,  Estaquillo  and 
San  Amaranto :  all  of  them  situated  on  the  eastern  slope  of  the 
mountain  of  San  Cristobal ;  on  the  west  side  of  said  mountain  are 
also  rich  mines  known  as  San  Francisco  del  Ramillo,  San  Jose,  El 
Cascajal,  La  Cocinera,  Santa  Catarina,  La  Angelica,  La  Compania 
and  the  Sacramento.  All  of  the  above  mentioned  mines  produced 
ores  very  rich  in  metal,  but  also  were  abandoned  in  those  days  on 
account  of  the  rebelliousness  of  the  ore,  but  no  doubt  that 
they  could  with  improved  American  machinery  be  worked  profit- 
ably. At  the  foot  of  the  mountain  is  situated  a  mine  known  as 
San  Juan  Stanislao,  it  was  discovered  in  the  year  1648,  and  it 
produced  a  great  bonanza  in  1650.  Its  ores  rendered  $80.00 
per  carga  of  300  pounds  when  smelted.  Adjoining  this  mine 
are  those  of  Jesus,  Promontorio  San  Juan  de  Encino,  Marquesote, 
El  Muerto,  La  Cruz,  La  Manavilla.  On  the  south  slope  of  said 
mountain  the  following  mines  are  also  found  :  that  of  San  Rafael, 
which  was  discovered  in  1627,  and  denominated  as  Santo  Domingo, 
it  produced  immense  wealth ;  also  those  of  San  Vicente,  La  Encar- 
nacion,  San  Jose,  La  Concepcion,  El  Carmen,  Guadaloupe,  and  San 
Miguel  el  Gato.  In  all  of  the  above  mentioned  mines  are  found  ores 
that  do  not  average  less  than  $24.00  per  carga  of  300  pounds.  They 
have  the  great  disadvantage  of  becoming  inundated  when  worked 
at  a  small  depth.  No  doubt  that  they  could  be  drained  and  work- 
ed with  great  profit. 

Good  quicksilver  mines  were  also  worked  in  this  district  until 
the  year  1853,  when  this  metal  was  abundantly  produced  by  the 
new  Almaden  California  mines. 

HISTORICAL   NOTICE   OF    THE   MINING  DISTRICT   OF   CHARCAS. 

The  town  was  founded  in  the  year  1 574  by  Don  Juan  de  Ofiate 
Moctezuma,  great-grandson  of  the  emperor  of  the  same  name.     It 


128 

was  burned  by  the  wild  Indians  in  1 583,  and  was  removed  to  the 
present  site.  It  is  now  situated  about  four  leagues  west  of  the  old 
town.  In  the  year  1 574,  the  mines  of  San  Cristobal,  situated  about  a 
league  south  of  the  old  town,  were  discovered.  Their  ores  were  easily 
reduced  by  smelting.  These  mines  were  abandoned  soon  after  their 
discovery,  on  account  of  becoming  inundated.  In  1 583,  at  the 
time  that  the  town  was  removed  to  its  present  site,  other  valuable 
mines  were  discovered  in  the  neighborhood.  Large  quantities  of 
metal  were  taken  from  them — ^mostly  argentiferous  lead.  In  the 
year  1600,  the  mines  of  San  Carlos,  El  Sabino,  Preasitas,  Verganza, 
Sierpe,  Coronado,  and  San  Pedro  were  discovered.  Out  of  the 
above  mentioned  mines  belonging  then  to  the  jurisdiction  of  Char- 
cas  only  two  were  worked  on  a  large  scale — those  of  San  Carlos 
and  Sabino,  the  incursions  of  the  Indians  were  a  great  drawback 
to  their  working. 


MINING   DISTRICT    OF   RAMOS. 

It  appears  that  the  mines  of  Ramos  were  first  worked  about 
the  year  1608,  but  were  abandoned  on  account  of  a  great  Indian  in- 
vasion of  the  country  between  the  years  1636  and  1640,  and  were  not 
reopened  until  the  year  1796,  when  the  rich  mine  of  Cocinera  was 
discovered,  together  with  nine  other  mines  situated  on  the  same 
vein ;  they  were  also  abandoned,  though  paying  well,  on  account 
of  being  inundated.  The  principal  mines  of  the  district  were  those 
of  La  Cocinera,  San  Juan,  San  Jose,  San  Vicente,  Animas,  Aura, 
Valenciana,  San  Geronimo,  Cinco  Senores,  and  San  Nicolas.  They 
produce  native  silver,  red  and  blue  silver,  pirites,  galena,  and  rose- 
color  silver  {Rosicler),  The  stream  that  floods  these  mines  is 
abundant,  and  they  only  can  be  drained  properly  with  steam- 
engines  of  great  power. 


MINING  DISTRICT   OF  OJO  CALIENTE. 

In  this  district  is  situated  the  mountain  of  San  Miguel,  con- 
taining valuable  quicksilver  mines. 

Santa  Maria  del  Pefion  Blanco  is  a  great  salt  mine,  so  rich 


129 

that  the  crown  of  Spain  reserved  it  as  a  crown  property.  In  1868, 
it  was  the  property  of  Don  Joaquin  Erraza. 

The  mines  of  La  Nevada  discovered  in  .1858.  San  Pedro,  La 
Pastora,  and  La  Ventura  are  situated  on  lands  belonging  to  the 
estate  of  El  Salado. 

In  the  district  of  San  Luis,  the  mountain  of  San  Pedro  and 
Bernalejo,  8  mines  are  actually  worked  and  66  are  idle  ;  in  the  dis- 
trict of  Catorce,  65  mines  are  worked  and  26  are  idle  ;  in  the  district 
of  Charcas  and  Sabino,  8  mines  are  worked  and  16  are  idle  ;  in  the 
district  of  Penon  Blanco  and  Ramos  there  are  23  mines  lying  idle  ; 
in  the  district  of  Guadacalzar,  18  mines  are  worked  and  99  are  idle 
— making  a  total,  in  the  State  of  San  Luis  Potosi,  of  90  mines 
worked,  and  231  lying  at  present  idle  or  abandoned. 


THE    STATE    OF   SINALOA. 


The  mines  of  this  State  contain  gold,  silver,  copper  and  lead. 
The  nchest  are  its  gold  mines,  viz. : 

Bacuvirito. 

Chamelta,  in  the  jurisdiction  of  Rosario. 

Charcas,  m  the  jurisdiction  of  Rosario. 

Cosala. 

Culiacan,  capital  of  the  State,  situated  60  miles  from  the  Gulf 
of  Cahfornia,  on  the  River  of  Culiacan. 

Frailes. 

Guadaloupe  de  las  Abas. 

Noxotal, 

Palo  Blanco.  * 

Panuco. 

Sivirijoa. 

Tacupeto. 

Todos  Santos. 


130 

There  is  in  this  State  47  mineral  districts  containing  406  mines, 
36  gold  placers,  9  salt  mines,  and  52  smelting  works.  (The  limita- 
tion of  this  work  does  not  permit  us  to  give  all  the  names  of  the 
different  mines.) 


THE    STATE    OF   SONORA. 


The  State  of  Sonora  has  always  been  considered  one  of  the 
richest  in  minerals  of  the  Repubhc  of  Mexico. 

Immense  masses  of  virgin  iron  are  found  in  large  veins  in  the 
Sierra  Madre  mountains  and  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Colorado  River. 
The  mountain  of  Antunez,  between  the  Sonora  and  Horcasitas 
rivers,  north-east  of  the  city  of  Aripe,  and  principally  the  Cananea, 
are  renowned  for  the  great  quantity  of  copper  they  contain,  which 
is  of  very  good  quality,  and  yields  a  large  percentage  of  gold. 

Lead  ore  containing  silver  abounds  in  Aguacaliente,  Alamo, 
Papagueria,  Aripe  and  Cieneguilla. 

Sulphur  of  iron  is  found  in  abundance  at  San  Xavier,  San  An- 
tonio, La  Huerta,  Cieneguilla  and  Aguacaliente. 

Silver  is  found  in  paying  quantities  in  the  districts  of  Topago, 
Saguaripa  and  Alamos.  Among  the  most  noted  gold  placers  are 
the  following  :  San  Idelfonso,  La  Cieneguilla,  San  Francisco,  Quito- 
vac,  San  Antonio,  Sonoita,  El  Zoni,  La  Basura,  San  Perfecto,  Las 
Palomas,  El  Alamo,  El  Muerto,  and  El  Vado  Seco,  that  have  in 
former  years  produced  immense  wealth.  In  Cieneguilla  and  vicinity 
pieces  of  gold  have  been  found  weighing  from  one  to  twenty-seven 
marcs. 

According  to  the  latest  statistics  the  mineral  productions  of 
Sonora  can  be  classified  as  follows  : 

In  the  district  of  Hermosillo — silver,  gold,  lead,  copper,  salt, 
alum,  and  marble. 


131 

In  the  district  of  Guayamas — gold,  silver,  copper,  salt,  lead, 
alum,  iron,  sulphur,  and  marble. 

In  the  district  of  Ures — gold,  silver,  tin,  iron,  lime,  gypsum, 
rock  salt,  precious  stones,  and  topaz. 

In  the  district  of  Aripe — gold,  silver,  copper,  lead,  iron,  tin, 
nitrate  of  potassium,  rock  salt,  and  marble. 

In  the  district  of  Alamos — gold,  silver,  copper,  lead,  iron,  anti- 
mony, sulphur,  salt,  and  marble. 

In  the  district  of  Altar — gold,  silver,  copper,  iron,  salt,  sulphur, 
carbonate  of  soda,  and  marble. 

In  the  district  of  Sagiiaripa — gold,  silver,  copper,  lead,  iron, 
tin,  alum,  and  antimony. 

In  the  district  of  Magdalena — gold,  silver,  iron,  copper,  lime, 
g}'psum,  nitrate  of  potassium,  and  carbonate  of  soda. 

In  the  district  of  Oposura — gold,  silver,  copper,  lead,  nitrate  of 
potassium,  carbonate  of  soda,  lime,  gypsum,  and  marble. 

There  are  thirty-four  mineral  districts  in  the  State,  in  which 
a  great  number  of  mines  were  abandoned  for  the  want  of  security, 
as  well  as  of  labor  and  capital,  but  not  on  account  of  the  low 
grade  or  lack  of  abundance  of  the  ores. 

In  the  mining  district  of  Alamos,  the  mines  of  Alamos  produced 
in  gold  and  silver,  $146,236.61 ;  the  mines  of  Promontories, 
$61,128.92;  the  mines  of  Adriana,  $37,415.34;  the  mines  of  Minas 
Viejas,  $6,027.94,  during  the  last  six  months  from  July  to  De- 
cember of  1880. 


132 


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134 

Mining  district  of  San  Bautista  de  Sonora — Santa  Ana,  El 
Rosano,  and  San  Francisco,  silver  mines,  and  Cata  de  Agua,  a 
copper  mine. 

Mining  district  of  Nocosari — La  Cobriza,  San  Pedro,  El 
Rosario,  El  Barrigon,  all  silver  mines. 

Mining  district  of  San  Miguel — San  Miguel  and  El  Huacal, 
silver  mines. 

Mining  district  of  Toriquipa — Toriquipa  and  Santa  Genoveva, 
silver  mines. 

Mining  district  of  Valenzuela — Valenzuela  and  San  Ignacio. 

Mining  district  of  Tobacachi — Tobacachi,  San  Pedro,  and  La 
Prieta. 

Mining  district  of  San  Miguel — Dagiiiro,  Chumbarri,  and 
Guadaloupe. 

Mining  district  of  Promontorios — Promontorios. 

DISTICT   OF   ALTAR. 

The  Rosefia  mine,  in  the  mining  district  of  El  Ploma;  within 
the  tv^enty  border  leagues  on  the  frontier  of  Arizona.  The  lead 
runs  from  east  to  west,  is  75  centimetres  wide,  and  its  inclination  is 
4.0°.     It  produces  gold  and  bronze  silver. 

La  Descubridera  mine,  is  situated  also  within  the  twenty  border 
leagues.  The  lead  runs  from  north  to  south,  its  width  varies  from 
28  centimetres  to  i  metre  12  centimetres,  and  its  inclination  is  20°. 
It  produces  gold,  silver  and  lead— $16.00,  gold  ;  $82.00,  silver, 
and  72  per  cent,  of  lead  to  the  ton. 

The  mine  of  Cerro  del  Oro,  in  the  mining  district  of  San  An- 
tonio, situated  as  the  above.  The  lead  runs  from  east  to  west,  its 
width  varies  from  two  to  two  and  a-half  metres,  and  its  inclination 
is  35^.  It  produces  $26.00,  gold  ;  $56.00,  silver,  and  70  per  cent, 
of  lead  per  ton. 

The  Mina  Vieja  de  Oro,  in  the  mining  district  of  San  Antonio. 
The  lead  runs  from  east  to  west.  It  produces  gold  about  $40.00  to 
the  ton.   The  lead  is  74  centimetres  wide,  with  an  inchnation  of  50°. 

The  mine  of  Rebosadero,  also  in  the  mining  district  of  San 
Antonio.  The  lead  runs  from  south-east  to  north-west,  with  a  width 
varying  from  56  centimetres  to  one  metre  and  40  centimetres,  with 
an  inclination  of  20°.     Its  produce  average  $15.00  to  the  ton. 

The  Cobrisa  mine,  also  in  the  same  mining  district.   The  course 


135 

of  its  lead  is  east  and  west ;  its  width  one  metre,  with  an  inclina- 
tion of  35°.     It  produces  gold  averaging  $25.00  to  the  ton  of  ore. 

La  Providencia  mine,  in  the  same  mining  district.  The  course 
of  its  lead  is  north  and  south  ;  its  width  averages  a  metre,  with  an 
inclination  of  35*^.  It  produces  gold,  silver,  copper  and  lead ; 
yielding  $8.00,  gold ;  $40.00,  silver ;  $20.00,  copper,  and  $2.00  of 
lead  per  ton  of  ore.  All  these  metals  are  smelted  at  the  works 
estabHshed  in  said  mining  district. 

Mine  of  Rosario,  in  the  mining  district  of  Sonoita.  Its  lead 
runs  from  south  to  north ;  being  56  centimetres  in  width,  which 
sometimes  reaches  i  metre  25  centimetres.  It  produces  silver 
averaging  $180.00  to  the  ton. 

Mine  of  San  Francisco,  in  the  mining  district  of  the  same  name. 
The  course  of  its  lead  is  from  south  to  north,  with  a  width  varying 
from  28  to  84  centimetres  ;  its  inclination  is  55°.  It  produces  gold 
averaging  $40.00  to  the  ton. 

Mine  of  Rosales,  in  the  mining  district  of  San  Antonio.  Its 
lead  runs  from  south  to  north,  with  a  width  varying  from  28  centi- 
metres to  one  metre  ;  its  inclination  is  35^.  It  produces  gold  aver- 
aging $30.00  to  the  ton. 

Mine  of  San  Francisco,  in  the  mining  district  of  El  Corazon. 
Course  of  lead,  from  south  to  north  ;  width,  two  and  a-half  metres ; 
inclination,  65^.  It  produces  gold  and  silver  ores  averaging  $20.00, 
gold,  and  56.00,  silver,  per  ton. 

The  Mine  Grande,  in  the  mining  district  of  Juares.  Its  vein 
runs  from  south-east  to  north-west,  with  a  width  that  varies  from  84 
centimetres  to  3  metres,  36  centimetres,  with  an  inclination  35*^. 
It  produces  gold  and  silver  averaging  $50.00,  gold,  and  $15.00,  sil- 
ver, per  ton. 

The  Mina  Juares,  in  the  mining  district  of  the  same  name.  The 
course  of  its  lead  is  from  south-east  to  north-west,  with  a  width 
varying  from  84  centimetres  to  i  metre  68  centimetres ;  with  an 
inclination  of  65°.  It  produces  silver  ore  averaging  $30.00  to 
the  ton. 

The  mine  of  San  Felix  is  also  situated  in  the  mining  district  of 
Juares,  near  the  coast,  56  leagues  from  the  frontier.  The  course  of 
its  lead  is  from  north  to  south  ;  its  width  varying  from  56  centi- 
metres to  I  metre  68  centimetres;  its  inclination  is  15".  It  pro- 
duces silver  ores  yielding  from  $35.00  to  $200.00  per  ton. 


136 

Total  number  of  mines  worked  at  present  in  the  district  of 
Altar : 


Mining  District. 

Plomo, 

No. 
2 

Mining  District. 

Corzon,    . 

No. 
I 

San  Antonio,  . 

6 

Juares, 

I 

Sonoita, 

2 

In  all,    . 

12 

IN  THE  DISTRICT   OF   ARISPE. 

The  mine  of  San  Fernando  is  situated  five  kilometres  west  of 
the  village  of  Sinoguipe.  The  course  of  its  lead  is  from  east  to  west ; 
its  width,  two  metres,  and  its  inclination,  7 5*^.  It  produces  silver 
ores  averaging  $80.00  per  ton.  Its  ores  are  worked  by  the  Lixivia- 
tion  process. 

The  mine  of  Santa  Elena,  situated  six  kilometres  west  of  the 
village  of  Banamichi.  The  course  of  its  lead  is  from  east  to  west, 
with  a  width  varying  from  50  centimetres  to  two  and  a-half  metres, 
and  sometimes  five  metres.  It  produces  gold  and  silver.  Its  ores 
average  $25.00  per  ton — four  parts  gold  and  one  of  silver. 


THE   STATE    OF   TAMAULIPAS. 

The  mines  of  this  State  are  not  worked  for  want  of  capital,  and 
on  account  of  the  indifference  which  the  inhabitants  show  to  the 
development  of  that  branch  of  industry ;  notwithstanding  this,  the 
few  persons  engaged  in  mining  in  this  State  during  the  five  years 
elapsing  between  1844  and  1848,  took  out  of  them  7,680  marcs  of 
silver,  valued  at  $61,440. 

There  are  six  mining  districts  in  this  State  which  are  known 
under  the  following  names,  viz. :  San  Nicolas,  San  ]os6,  Busta- 
mente.  El  Zique,  La  Miquihuana  and  Villagran. 

San  Nicolas  has  twenty-five  abandoned  mines,  known  as  San 
Nicolas,  Santa  Salome,  Remedios,  San  Gayetano,  Santa  Gidirina, 
Santa  Gertrudes,  Espiritu  Santo,  Animas,  Soledad,  San  Augustin, 
La  Mejora,  Toyagua,  Pilar,  San  Jos6,  San  Roman,  La  Cruz,  La 
Estaca,  San  Miguel,  Dolores,  La  Luz,  El  Teniente,  La  Corrolena, 
La  Mexicana,  Las  Hormigas  and  the  Tres  Candelarias ;  four  are 


137 

now  worked,  which  are  those  of  La  Trinidad,  Providencia,  Fastores 
and  Colorada. 

The  ore  of  these  mines  is  extracted  by  men  known  in  Mexico 
as  "  buscones  "  or  searchers,  who  then  sell  it  to  the  smelters. 

The  Miquihuana  district  has  four  abandoned  mines  known  as 
Mina  Verde,  a  copper  mine  ;  and  San  Cajetano,  Refugio  and  Pro- 
montorio,  silver  mines. 

The  mine  of  El  Zigiie  or  La  Muralla  contains  lead  and  silver; 
the  depth  of  its  shaft  is  138  feet.  Alabaster  also  abounds  in  these 
mines. 

The  mining  district  of  Bustamente,  originally  known  as  Infantes, 
has  twelve  abandoned  mines,  known  as  Santa  Ana,  Cinco  Senores, 
Guadaloupe,  San  Rafael,  Nuestra  Sefiora  del  Refugio,  San  Simon 
and  Judas,  San  Cayetano  and  Promontorio,  all  silver  mines ;  Mina 
Verde,  of  copper,  and  La  Ascencion,  Dulce  Nombre  de  Maria, 
Santo  Nino  de  Atocha,  lead  mines.  Judging  from  the  duties  that 
these  mines  paid  to  the  Spanish  crown,  they  must  have  been  very  rich. 

The  mining  district  of  Villagran,  known  when  first  discovered 
as  Real  de  Borbon,  contains  gold  and  silver  mines,  which  have  been 
abandoned  many  years  ago.  In  the  stretch  of  country  situated  be- 
tween the  towns  of  San  Carlos,  Morelos,  Guerrero  and  Camargo, 
are  found  copper  ore,  and  in  the  vicinity  of  the  two  latter  places, 
coal  mines  ;  about  Guerrero,  red  ochre  and  red  lead. 

In  the  vicinity  of  Omillas,  alabaster  of  fine  quality  is  found. 
About  Santa  Ana  of  Tamaulipas,  a  fine  quality  of  jasper  marble 
abounds. 

In  the  vicinity  of  Aldama,  silver,  copper  and  iron  ores  are 
found  ;  also  good  slate  quarries. 

In  the  vicinity  of  Victoria,  iron  ore  of  good  quality  is  found. 


THE   STATE   OF   ZACATECAS. 

This  State  is  considered  as  the  first  in  the  Republic  of  Mexico 
for  its  mineral  productions.  It  would  take  a  volume  to  attempt  to 
describe  its  mineral  wealth.  Below  we  give  the  names  of  some  of 
its  most  important  mineral  districts. 


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"         143 

MINING  DISTRICT   OF   FRESNILLO. 

This  mining  district  is  next  in  importance  to  that  of  Veta 
Grande,  in  the  State  of  Zacatecas.  The  Cerro  of  Proano,  which  is 
the  principal  mining  point,  is  worked  since  the  eighteenth  century ; 
it  is  located  south  of  the  city  of  Fresnillo,  and  is  about  850  metres 
long  and  650  wide,  and  only  100  metres  above  the  surrounding 
country,  which  is  2,368  metres  above  the  sea.  This  little  hill  con- 
tains within  its  bosom  more  than  100  metallic  veins  ;  some  of 
them  have  been  worked  to  a  considerable  depth.  In  the  same 
plain,  at  a  distance  of  about  two  leagues  from  Fresnillo,  are  situ- 
ated the  hills  of  Animas,  San  Demetreo,  and  Bueno  Aires,  in 
which  are  found  the  mines  of  Plataros. 

The  principal  mines  of  Proano  are  the  following:  Betena, 
Barranco,  Obscura,  Epasote,  Salcedo,  Colorado,  Santo  Domingo, 
Valdenegros,  Barbosa,  San  Pedro,  Valencia,  Plateritos,  San  Nicolas, 
Espiritu  Santo,  Rosario,  Amarilla,  Tiro  Nuevo,  and  Santa  Ifigenia. 


MINING  DISTRICT  OF  SOMBRERETE. 

This  rich  mining  district  was  discovered  by  Juan  de  Tolsa  in 
1555.  It  has  had  its  ups  and  downs,  having  been  in  bonanzas 
several  times. 

Until  1792  the  rich  products  of  the  mines  of  Veta  Negra  and 
Pabellon  gave  the  mining  district  great  renown,  placing  it  among 
the  first  in  Mexico. 

Sombrerete  is  situated  in  a  Canada  near  the  boundary  of  the 
State,  on  the  road  to  Durango,  36  leagues  northwest  of  the  City  of 
Zacatecas,  at  an  elevation  of  2,369  metres  above  the  level  of  the  sea, 
and  comprises  the  following  mining  districts  :  Sombrerete  and  La 
Nona,  El  Chacuaco,  Chapultepec,  Minollas,  Chalchiquihuite,  El 
Manto  and  Colorado. 

In  the  conical  hill  del  Pabellon,  which  rises  above  the  plain 
north  of  Sombrerete,  in  a  southeast  to  northwest  direction,  almost 
in  a  parallel  line,  are  found  the  veins  of  El  Pabellon  and  Veta 
Negra.  Many  mines,  mostly  abandoned,  have  been  opened,  and 
from  them  gold,  silver,  lead,  copper  and  iron  have  been  ex- 
tracted, besides  many  other  substances  such  as  sulphur,  antimony. 


143 

arsenic  and  copperas,  whose  combination  have  presented  to  the 
miner  great  difficulties  for  the  extraction  of  silver.  The  principal 
cause  of  abandonment  of  these  mines  has  been  the  difficulties 
encountered  to  work  their  ores.  The  principal  mines  situated  on 
the  vein  of  Pabellon  which  has  an  extension  of  three  kilometres  are 
the  following :  La  Concordia,  Aranzaza,  Arrete,  Santa  Gertrude, 
La  Cruz,  El  Carmen,  El  Oriste,  San  Juan  Bautista,  Soledad,  San 
Nicolas  del  Arroyo,  Tiro  General  de  San  Francisco,  San  Nicolas  de 
la  Cruz,  La  Esperanza,  Quebradilla,  Santo  Catuna,  Refugio,  San 
Amaro,  Santo  Domingo,  La  Joya,  Cata  Rica,  Cruz  de  Moros,  San 
Jose  de  la  Llanada. 

The  temperature  at  Sombrerete  averages  iS*'  to  20".  Six  mines 
are  actually  worked  (1881)  and  seventy-seven  are  abandoned. 

These  mines  produce  gold,  silver,  copper,  iron,  lead,  tin  and 
copperas. 

MINING  DISTRICT   OF   CHALCHIHUITES. 

This  mining  district  was  also  discovered  by  Juan  de  Tolsa, 
about  the  same  time  as  that  of  Sombrerete.  It  is  situated  south, 
eight  and  a-half  leagues  from  the  latter  mining  district.  It 
contains  numerous  mines  of  lead  silver,  which  metal  is  easily 
smelted.     Its  mines  are  the  following : 

Working— Arellana,  Santa  Teresa,  La  Purisima,  La  Trinidad, 
Las  Canoas,  Chuza,  Sangre  de  Cristo. 

Worked  by  searchers  {buscones) — Santa  Eduwigis,  San  Pedro, 
El  Manzanillal,  La  Vidriosa^  San  Francisco  el  Duro,  San  Francisco 
el  Blando,  Candelaria,  Manto,  Guadaloupe,  Tajos  de  los  Marciales, 
Colorado,  Santo  Domingo,  Todos  Santos,  San  Antonio,  El  Capu- 
lines,  Guantes. 

The  ores  of  the  above  mines  are  worked  in  seven  smelting 
works,  and  three  patio  or  cold  amalgamation  works,  all  located 
within  the  mining  district. 


MINING   DISTRICT   OF   NIEVES. 

This  old  mining  district  and  town,  seat  of  the  same,  is  situ- 
ated 45  leagues  northwest  of  Zacatecas,  at  the  foot  of  a  range  of 
mountains  running  from  south  to  north,  whose  principal  peaks  are 


144 

those  of  El  Calvario,  Las  Cabras,  Colorado.  This  range  of  moun- 
tains is  situated  on  the  same  plain,  south  of  which  extend  the 
mineral  lands  of  this  district  and  comprises  the  veins  of  Potrero,  El 
Tapon,  El  Rosario  and  Santa  Rita,  all  running  from  east  to  west. 
The  following  mines  are  situated  in  this  district,  but  it  is  not 
known  whether  they  are  at  present  (1882)  in  operation,  viz.: 
Santa  Rita,  Guadaloupe,  San  Francisco,  El  Cristo,  El  Patrocinio, 
Seriollaga,  San  Jose,  San  Nicolas,  San  Joaquin,  San  Antonio, 
Dolores,  La  Cruz,  San  Pedro,  San  Cayetano,  Collachi,  Guadaloupe, 
Marquito,  San  Antonio,  Tiburona,  Dolores  and  San  Joaquin 


MINING   DISTRICT   OF   SAN   MIGUEL   DEL   MEZQUITAL. 

This  mining  district  is  situated  59  leagues  N.  W.  of  the  city  of 
Zacatecas. 

Its  mines  are  those  of  San  Jos^,  Santa  Catarina,  Tajo  de 
Berun,  La  Bejareiia,  El  Pabellon,  Las  Navajas,  Animas,  Guada- 
loupe, Pozo  de  Santa  Ana,  La  Blanca,  Tiro  del  Calvario,  El  Guije^ 
La  Prieta,  El  Burro,  El  Corral,  Tapetes. 

There  is  no  definite  information  as  to  which  of  the  above 
mines  are  at  present  worked  or  abandoned. 

MINING   DISTRICT   OF   MAZAPIL. 

In  the  northeast  portion  of  the  State  of  Zacatecas,  which  ad- 
joins Coahuila,  and  at  a  distance  of  70  leagues  from  the  capital,  rise 
several  chains  of  mountains  which  are  considered  of  great  impor- 
tance, on  account  of  the  large  number  of  metallic  veins  that  they 
contain,  whose  ores  can  easily  be  worked  at  but  Httle  expense.  The 
principal  chains  are  the  following  :  Masapil  in  the  center  of  this 
group  of  mountains ;  those  of  Zuloaga,  Pozo,  Guadaloupe,  Potrero 
and  others  that  unite  on  the  south  with  those  of  Piquita  and  Sierra 
Hermosa.  In  the  above  mentioned  group  of  mountains  are  found 
old  mining  districts  which  have  produced  immense  wealth.  Such 
are  Mazapil,  Albarradon  and  Bonanza,  in  the  northeast ;  Cedros 
in  the  west,  Concepcion  del  Oro  in  the  east,  and  El  Rosario 
in  the  southeast.  Besides  the  cordilleras  or  chains  of  mountains 
above  mentioned,  others  are  found  more  distant  from  Mazapil ; 


145 

west  of  that  of  Novillos,  and  actually  known  and  worked  as  tii-j 
mine  of  Pico  de  Teyra. 

The  section  of  country  above  referred  to  was  inhabited  by  the 
Chichimec  Indians  until  the  latter  part  of  the  XVI  century,  at  which 
time  it  was  occupied  by  the  conquerors.  In  1612  Mazapil  was  made 
an  Alcaldia  Mayor  and  in  1786  was  created  a  district  of  the  pro- 
vince of  Zacatecas  with  the  boundaries  which  it  has  retained  to  this 
day.  In  the  district  of  Concepcion  del  Oro  are  two  very  rich  mines, 
those  of  San  Jos6  and  Santa  Eduwigis,  producing  gold  and  silver 
ores  easily  worked. 

It  is  generally  known  that  these  mines  produce  silver,  copper, 
lead  and  gold :  the  principal  of  these  are  :  Animas  del  Norte, 
Malcriado  ;  La  Cruz,  San  Pedro,  El  Abra,  Aranzaza,  San  Antonio, 
El  Placer,  Albaradon,  San  Gregorio,  Cuevas,  Purisima,  Catasillas, 
Alicante,  La  Cata  Oportuna  in  Cedros,  El  Potrero.  And  in  the 
district  of  Concepcion  del  Oro,  San  Jose  and  Santa  Eduwigis. 

MINING  DISTRICT   OF   PINOS. 

About  30  leagues  east  of  the  city  of  Zacatecas  is  found  the 
mining  district  of  Pinos.  Its  principal  mines  are  :  Cata  Nava, 
San  Rafael,  Aposentillo,  Carmen,  Santa  Gertrudis,  Quebradilla, 
Mina  Grande,  Santo  Nino,  Cara  de  Pcrro,  Animas,  Don  Julian,  Do- 
lores, Cinco  Senores,  Ave  Maria,  Almirante,  Sapo  Pinto,  San  Igna- 
cio,  Santa  Brijida,  Santa  Anita,  Sacramento,  Purisima,  Reyes,  Za- 
catecas, San  Matias,  Afiijidos,  San  Miguel,  Santiago,  Restaurado- 
ra,  Valenciana,  Cueva  Santa,  San  Bias,  Coyotes,  San  Antonio,  Gua- 
iupito,  Tinajas,  Mala  Noche,  Cucurrasola,  Popula,  Gloria,  Gongora, 
Campana,  Tepozan,  San  Pedro,  Mina  Blanca,  Concepcion  del  Oro,  a 
very  rich  gold  district,  Guadaloupe,  Tunel  of  El  Oro,  Santa  Marga- 
rita, San  Luisito,  San  Felix,  Patrocinio,  Lobena,  Doncellas,  San  Ni- 
colas, Bemalejo,  Trinidad,  El  Escarbadero,  Estano,  Sacramento  de 
Cascarona,  San  Francisco,  Merced,  Derrumbadero,  de  Ahualula,  La 
Garriga,  Maravilla,  Refugio,  Esperanza  del  Picacho,  Guadaloupe 
de  Agostadero,  La  Providencia,  La  Luz,  Ahualulco,  Capulin,  Pena 
del  Colorado,  Jocoqui,  San  Miguel  de  Agostadero,  Maravillas  de 
Agua  Gorda,  Los  Narcisos,  Purisima  de  Ahualulco,  San  Jose,  Co- 
llazo,  Angostura,  San  Pedro  and  San  Pablo,  San  Juan,  Santa  Rosa 
de  Ahualulco,  Candelaria. 


146 

MINING  DISTRICT   OF  NOVIA  DE  ANGELES. 

This  mining  district  is  situated  22  leagues  east-south-east  from 
the  city  of  Zacatecas  and  12  leagues  west  of  the  Town  of  Pinos. 
Its  principal  mines  are :  Santo  Cristo,  San  Antonio,  Cata  Rica, 
San  Juan,  El  Nino,  San  Jos6,  Mina  Grande,  Aurora,  Purisima, 
Jesus  Maria,  Mantos,  Belen,  Atanasia,  San  Francisco,  Guadaloupe, 
San  Antonio,  La  Cumbre,  Dolores ;  all  situated  in  the  Cerro  de  los 
Angeles. 

MINING  DISTRICT   OF   MEZQUITAL   DEL   ORO. 

The  only  information  we  have  of  this  old  mining  district  is  that 
it  is  situated  18  leagues  south-west  of  the  town  of  Tuchipila,  founded 
in  1732,  about  the  time  a  rich  gold  vein  was  discovered.  Its  owners 
obtained  very  profitable  results  up  to  the  year  1741.  The  bonanza 
having  given  out,  the  inhabitants  dedicated  themselves  to  the 
pursuit  of  agriculture. 

THE   STATE  OF   CHIAPAS. 

No  mines  appear  to  be  worked  at  present,  although  several  sil- 
ver mines  were  worked  to  advantage  in  olden  times.  Trementon, 
native  load  stone  (magnet)  is  found  ;  also  sulphur  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  town  of  San  Bartolom^  and  in  several  springs  situated  in  the 
southern  portion  of  the  State.  In  the  neighborhood  of  the  capital 
of  the  State,  San  Cristoval,  lead  and  iron  ores  are  found ;  also 
a  s.ort  of  transparent  fossil  formation  called  in  Spanish  talco, 

IN  THE  STATE  OF  COLIMA. 
I  The  \  fining  District  of  Tuliapan. 

THE   STATE  OF  VERA  CRUZ. 

Somelahuacan,  a  rich  copper  mine. 

THE   STATE  OF  YUCATAN. 

This  State  has  never  been  well  explored,  but  it  is  known  that 
gypsum  and  a  great  variety  of  marbles  are  found  in  quantities. 


I 


147 

THE  TERRITORY   OF   LOWER  CALIFORNIA. 

This  vast  territory  is  rich  in  minerals  as  are  also  some  of  the 
islands  situated  along  its  coasts. 

In  the  municipality  of  La  Paz  are  3  gold,  7  silver,  i  diamond 
and  2  copper  mines. 

In  the  municipality  of  San  Antonio  are  16  gold  mines,  3  gold 
placers,  42  silver  mines,  3  of  copper,  i  of  lead,  and  2  of  lime. 

In  the  municipality  of  Todos  Santos  are  i^^silver,  i  copper  and 
I  lime  mine. 

In  the  municipality  of  Santiago  are  3  gold,  8  silver,  2  copper,  2 
gypsum,  I  stone  coal,  i  lime,  and  3  sulphur  mines. 

In  the  municipality  of  San  Jos6  del  Cabo  are  found  i  silver  mine 
and  two  other  mines  whose  mineral  products  are  not  given. 

In  the  municipality  of  Muleg6  there  are  5  silver,  28  copper 
I  lead,  2  marble,  3  gypsum,  i  sulphate  of  lime,  and  seven  more  mines 
whose  products  are  not  specified. 

In  the  municipality  of  Comondu  are  2  gold  mines,  3  silver,  14 
copper,  I  of  gypsum,  i  of  lime  and  17  whose  products  are  not 
specified. 

In  the  municipality  of  Santo  Tomas  are  2  sulphur,  i  salt-peter, 
I  fine  quarry,  i  gold  and  3  other  mines  whose  products  are  not 
specified. 

The  following  are  the  mines  actually  worked  in  the  mining  dis- 
trict of  Santa  Agueda  in  the  municipality  of  Mulege  :  Esperanza, 
Santa  Rosalia,  Fortuna,  Reforma,  Lucifer,  Soledad,  Providencia,  A, 
Humboldt,  Los  Angeles,  Nochebuena,  San  Juan,  F^,  Gloria,  Igual- 
dad,  Santa  Rita,  Titulo  Octavo,  Caridad,  Ley,  Libertad,  Purisima, 
San  Francisco,  Purgatorio,  Republicana,  Porvenir,  Abundancia  and 
Hallazgo. 

In  old  times  Lower  California  was  celebrated  for  its  pearl 
fisheries,  but  it  would  take  a  whole  volume  to  describe  the  placers 
and  pearl  fisheries  of  the  territory.  One  pearl  was  sent  to  King 
Philip  the  Second  that  weighed  250  qtiilates  and  was  estimated  to 
be  worth  %\  50,000. 

STONE-COAL. 

Coal  of  good  quality  is  known  to  exist  in  the  following  localities 
which  will  some  day,  when  reached  by  railroads,  prove  a  great 


148 

source  ot  wealth  and  will  materially  aid  in  developing  the  industries 
of  the  country,  viz.: 

The  Cerro  del  Ocre,  State  of  Puebla. 

Rancho  del  Tiber,  Zacatula. 

Tantoyuquita,  State  of  Tamaulipas. 

Tezontla. 

Hacienda  de  la  Imagen. 

Cerro  de  Chimatitlan,  near  Tepic,  in  the  State  of  Jalisco 

Laguna  de  Enmedio,  Tetipac. 

Patatlan,  Galeana. 

South  of  the  City  of  Cuhacan,  in  the  State  of  Sinaloa. 

Tancauhuitz,  State  of  Tamaulipas,  near  the  port  of  Tampico. 

Chilpancingo,  in  the  State  of  Guerrero. 

Santa  Marta,  Tepehi  de  la  Seda. 

Tlalnepantla,  near  the  City  of  Mexico,  State  of  Mexico. 

Huehuetlan. 

Orizava,  State  of  Vera  Cruz. 

Ixhuatlan,  Isthmus  of  Tehuantepec. 

E spinal.  State  of  Vera  Cruz. 

Juchi,  near  Chalco  Valley  of  Mexico. 

Rancho  de  Copula,  Teziutlan. 

Zomelehuacan,  Zacapoaxtla. 

On  the  Panuco  River,  State  of  Tamaulipas. 

In  the  Sierra  Madre  mountains,  in  the  State  of  Nuevo  Leon, 
and  will  probably  be  found  in  abundance  in  many  other  points  of 
the  mountains  which  are  to-day  unknown. 

PETROLEUM. 

Petroleum  has  been  found  in  the  following  localities  and 
neighborhoods,  viz. : 

Guadaloupe  Hidalgo,  Federal  District  of  Mexico.  J 

Puerto  Angel,  State  of  Oaxaca.  * 

P«»chutla,  State  of  Oaxaca. 

Cantarranas,  near  Huejutla. 

Cerro  del  Ocre,  State  of  Puebla. 

Hacienda  de  Santa  Ana,  Tenancingo. 

Tantoyuca. 

San  Pedro  de  las  Vaquerias,  near  Atotonileo  el  grande. 


149 

De  Moloacan  a  Tabasco,  State  of  Tabasco. 
Cerro  Coapinoloaya. 
Minatitlan. 
Rancho  del  Baldwin. 
Hacienda  de  Almagres,  Acayucan. 
Sayula,  Acayucan. 
Tamapache,  Tuxpan. 
Huehuetlan. 

La  Estrella,  north  of  the  City  of  Puebla. 
Casa  de  Llora,  west  of  the  City  of  Puebla. 
Tierras  de  San  Antonio,  north-west  of  the  City  of  Puebla. 
Niscomel  el  Grande,  north-west  of  the  City  of  Puebla. 
Rancho  de  Posadas,  north-west  of  the  City  of  Puebla. 
San  Francisco,  north-west  of  the  City  of  Puebla. 
San  Fernando,  Macuspana,  State  of  Tabasco. 
Mascalapa,  State  of  Tabasco. 
Near  Lake  Tigre,  State  of  Tabasco. 
Cerro  del  Espinal,  near  the  river  of  the  same  name. 
Chapopote,  Aldama  District. 
Tomatitas,  near  Tuxpan. 
Tranhuigo,  near  Tuxpan. 
Rancho  del  Cura  Osorio,  near  Tuxpan. 
Rancho  de  Juan  Felipe,  near  Tuxpan. 
Rincon  de  las  Minas,  near  Mapimi. 
Ceroncitos,  west  of  Aldama. 

Casa  de  la  Pila,  to  the  left  of  road  leading  to  Toluca. 
In  the  neighborhood  of  Juchi  District  of  Chalco,  Valley  of 
Mexico. 

Mesa  de  San  Diego,  Huachinango,  State  of  Vera  Cruz. 

Potrero  de  Otapa. 

Jalapilla,  near  Papantla. 

Rancho  de  Copula,  State  of  Puebla. 

Cerro  de  Zacapoaxtla,  State  of  Puebla. 

Macuipana,  State  of  Tabasco. 

El  Limon,  State  of  Tabasco. 

Ixhuatlan,  near  Tehuantepec. 

Paquatatempa,  State  of  Puebla. 

El  Cedral,  2  wells,  State  of  Vera  Cruz, 

Ell  Jaguar,  6  wells.  State  of  Vera  Cniz. 


150 

El  E spinal,  State  of  Vera  Cruz. 

According  to  assays  of  Mexican  petroleum,  made  by  Doctor 
Manfred,  it  is  estimated  that  every  three  pounds  of  i6  ounces 
or  every  48  ounces,  produces  44  ounces  of  oil,  2j^  ounces  of  w^ater, 
and  I  Yz  of  coke. 

The  consumption  of  the  Republic  of  Mexico  amounts  yearly  to 
more  than  half  a  million  of  dollars,  and  is  daily  increasing. 


AMERICAN    SILVER   MINING   IN   CHIHUAHUA,   MEXICO. 

For  centuries  Chihuahua  has  ranked  among  the  most  famous 
Mexican  States  for  the  production  of  silver  ;  but,  for  various  reasons 
useless  to  enumerate  here,  it  w^as  not  until  lately  that  the  energies 
of  Americans  have  been  directed  to  this  rich  region. 

There  are  now  in  the  State  of  Chihuahua,  at  work  and  organ- 
ized for  work,  no  less  than  ten  American  companies  owning  and 
controlling  the  richest  and  best  mining  property  in  the  State.  Nine 
of  them  have  been  organized  within  the  last  fifteen  months.  A 
brief  mention  of  these  is  all  that  will  be  attempted  at  present. 

THE   SANTA   EULALIA   MINES. 

The  Santa  Eulalia  Mining  Company  owns  the  mines  of  Santa 
Eulalia,  sixteen  miles  from  the  City  of  Chihuahua. 

Under  Spanish  rule  these  mines  paid  to  the  Catholic  church  a 
tax  on  %i II, 000,000. 

They  are,  without  doubt,  the  most  extensive  deposit  mines  in 
the  world.  Owing  to  a  want  of  capital  they  are  still  being  worked 
by  the  ancient  methods  used  by  the  Mexicans.  The  company  pro- 
poses soon  to  tunnel  the  mountain,  build  a  railroad  twelve  miles  long 
to  the  fork  of  the  Sacramento  and  Chihuahua  rivers,  and  there  es- 
tablish large  works  for  the  reduction  of  ores  by  modem  methods. 

THE    CUSIHUIRIACHIC   MINES. 

These  mines  were  purchased  last  fall  by  a  company  from  San 
Francisco  for  the  comparatively  trifling  sum  of  $500,000.  These 
mines  are  situated  ninety  miles  south-west  from  the  City  of  Chihua- 


( 


151 

hua.  The  records  do  not  show  their  former  wealth,  but  it  is 
known  to  have  been  great.  The  veins  are  true  fissures,  containing 
at  the  depth  of  600  feet  soHd  metal  in  some  places  fifteen  feet 
wide,  averaging  nearly  $100.00  per  ton.  The  ores  are  now  being 
reduced  by  the  lixiviation  process  with  excellent  results. 

SIERRA   RICA   MINES. 

The  Rich  Mountain  Mining  Company,  of  New  York,  have  pur- 
chased the  Sierra  Rica  mines,  located  about  thirty  miles  south  of 
Presidio  del  Norte,  on  the  Rio  Grande,  for  $150,000,  and  propose  to 
erect  reduction  works  at  the  very  earliest  date. 

THE   CORRALITAS   MINES. 

The  Corralitas  mining  Company,  of  New  York,  have  purchased 
the  famous  Corralitas  mines,  situated  200  miles  north  of  the  Chi- 
huahua, for  the  sum  of  $350,000,  and  will  soon  have  their  works  in 
operation  at  a  cost  of  over  $500,000,  including  the  price  of  mines. 

THE   BATOPILAS   MINES. 

Are  situated  in  the  south-west  part  of  the  State,  owned  and 
operated  b,y  Wells,  Fargo  &  Co.,  they  contain  large  deposits  of 
native  silver  and  are  enriching  their  owners.  The  record  shows  that 
under  Spanish  rule  they  produced  $400,000,000.  Humboldt  said 
that  their  wealth  was  inexhaustible. 

THE  MINE   OF   LA   GABILANA. 

The  Chihuahua  Silver  Mining  Company,  of  Logansport,  India- 
na, have  secured  the  rich  mine  of  La  Gabilana,  situated  about  eighty 
miles  south  of  the  city  of  Chihuahua,  and  will  establish  their  works 
as  soon  as  they  can  get  their  machinery  on  the  grounds.  These 
truly  famous  mines  were  worked  by  the  Jesuits  until  about  the  year 
1687,  at  which  time  they  were  driven  out  of  the  country  by  the 
Spanish  Government,  and  owing  to  the  fact  that  this  section  of  Mexi- 
co was  until  within  a  very  few  years  in  possession  of  the  Indians, 
the  mines  have  remained  undeveloped  until  secured  by  the  above 
named  company. 


152 
THE   CONSOLIDATED    MINES   OF   HIDALGO   OR  PARRAL. 

The  consolidated  mines  of  Hidalgo  or  Parral,  owned  by  the 
Knott's  Company,  of  Chicago,  are  situated  in  the  city  of  Hidal- 
go or  Parral.  Their  record  shows  that  they  have  produced 
$60,000,000.  They  are  true  fissure  veins,  aggregating  in  length 
three-fourths  of  a  mile,  with  a  width  of  from  six  to  thirty  feet.  The 
last  six  years'  working  by  the  Mexicans  yielded  over  $900,000,  the 
ore  averaging  $81.00  per  ton.  These  mines  have  been  worked  only 
at  a  depth  of  little  over  400  feet. 

This  company  claims  that  they  own  a  larger  body  of  good 
paying  ore  than  any  other  company  in  the  world. 

The  Philadelphia  Mining  Company  have  located  their  works 
three  miles  west  of  El  Parral  or  Hidalgo,  on  the  Parral  river,  and 
have  secured  several  valuable  mines  in  the  immediate  vicinity,  and 
improved  the  river,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  water-power  for 
their  works.  Their  buildings  are  completed  at  a  cost  of  about 
$30,000,  and  when  their  entire  works  are  fitted  with  machinery, 
which  will  be  at  an  early  date,  it  will  cost  not  less  than  $250,000. 

THE   MINE   OF    LA    LUZ. 

The  Dry  Mountain  Silver  Mining  Company  of  Terre  Haute, 
Indiana,  owns  the  mine  of  La  Luz,  situated  four  miles  from  Parral. 
This  is  one  of  the  best  mines  in  the  district  of  Parral.  It  is  a 
true  fissure  vein,  nine  feet  in  width,  yielding  from  $20  to  $100 
per  ton. 

The  Company  propose  to  secure  good  water-power  which  is 
accessible  to  them,  and  establish  large  works  for  the  reduction  of 
ores.  Having  no  water  to  contend  with,  the  cost  of  mining  will 
be  comparatively  small. 

LAS   GIJAS   MINES. 

The  Hidalgo  Mining  and  Power  Company,  of  Chicago,  owns 
the  mine  of  Las  Gijas,  in  the  dry  mountain,  five  miles  west  of  Par- 
ral, which  is  celebrated  for  having  at  one  time  produced  a  large 
pocket  of  native  silver. 

This  company  propose  to  establish  works  for  the  reduction  of 
the  castaway  ores  of  the  Knott's  Company,  and  do  a  general  custom 


153 

business;  they  also  propose  to  establish  a  foundry  and  machine 
shop  in  Parral. 

THE   MINES   OF   EL   DULCE  NOMBRE,    LA   SANTA   NIJJA   AND 
SAN   JUAN. 

The  Chihuahua  Silver  Mining  Company,  organized  at  Logans- 
port,  State  of  Indiana,  for  the  purpose  of  working  the  Gabilana 
mines,  situated  in  the  Gabilana  mountain,  eighty  miles  from  the  City 
of  Chihuahua,  in  the  canton  of  Victoria,  State  of  Chihuahua.  This 
company  owns  three  mines — that  of  El  Duke  Nombre,  La, Santa 
Nina,  and  San  Juan.  Each  mine  is  half  a  mile  in  length  by  one 
or  to  two  hundred  yards  in  width,  and  veins  when  opened  are  from 
six  to  fourteen  feet  in  width. 

The  mines  of  this  company  are  situated  in  the  same  range  of 
mountains  as  the  famous  Cusihuiriachic,  Batopilas,  and  Morelos 
mines,  from  which  millions  have  been  extracted.  El  Dulce  Nombre 
was  worked  by  the  Jesuits  about  the  year  1787.  Fine  specimens 
from  these  mines  assayed  by  Don  Manuel  Merino,  assayer  of  the 
mint  of  Chihuahua,  with  the  following  result : 

Specimen  No.  i,  assay  in  silver,     .     .     .  ^112  00  per  ton. 

"  "     2,     "  "  ...       112  00       " 

"  •'     3,     "  "  ...     380  00       " 

"  "     4»     "  "  ...       440  GO       ' 

"     5,     "  "  ...  1,612  50 


MINING  IN  NUEVO  LEON. 

THE  ANGLO-TEXAS-MEXICAN   MINING  AND   SMELTING   CO. 

Officers  of  the  Company. — As  we  understand  the  matter,  this 
Company  is  incorporated  and  organized  under  the  laws  of  Texas, 
and  with  its  headquarters  in  Houston,  Harris  Co.,  Texas,  with  the 
following  well  known  persons  as  officers  : 

A.  C.  Schryver,  of  San  Antonio,  President ;  W.  A.  Taylor,  of 


154 

Waco,  Vice-President ;  I.  C.  Stafford,  of  Houston,  Treasurer ;  A- 
W.  Guifford,  of  San  Antonio,  Secretary. 

Prospectus  of  the  Company  and  location  of  its  works, — The 
company's  works  and  smelters  are  now  located  at  the  town  Villal- 
dama,  in  the  State  of  Nuevo  Leon.  It  is  a  prosperous  little  city» 
romantically  situated  at  the  foot  of  the  mountains,  on  the  bank  of  the 
river  of  the  same  name,  in  the  center  of  a  rich  mining  country.  It 
has  an  industrious  population  of  four  thousand  people,  all  Mexicans 
favorably  disposed  toward  Americans  and  American  capital  and 
enterprise  for  the  development  of  their  mines.  Its  distance  from  La- 
redo, on  the  Rio  Grande,  is  one  hundred  and  thirty-five  miles  south- 
west ;  from  Monterey,  the  capital  of  the  State,  seventy-nine  miles 
north.  The  town  was  founded  as  a  mining  settlement  in  1646,  and 
called  Mineral  de  San  Pedro  Boca  de  Leones — meaning  the  mining 
district  of  St.  Peter  of  the  Lion's  Mouth.  In  April,  1826,  its  name 
was  changed  to  San  Pedro  de  Villaldama — St.  Peter  of  Villaldama 
— in  honor  of  the  Mexican  patriot,  Licenciado  Don  Ignacio  Alda- 
ma,  who  was  arrested  at  San  Antonio,  Tex.,  while  on  his  way  to 
the  United  States  as  special  envoy  of  the  leader  of  the  Mexican 
revolutionist,  Hidalgo,  taken  to  Monclova,  then  the  capital  of  Coa- 
huila,  and  shot  by  the  Royalists,  in  July,  181 1. 

Property  of  company. — This  company  now  owns  first-class  ma- 
chinery for  crushing  and  smelting  forty  tons  of  ore  per  day,  consist- 
ing of  two  boilers,  two  engines,  one  roaster,  three  smelters,  diamond 
drill  capacity  three  thousand  feet,  set  of  Howe  scales,  and  saw  mill 
capacity  of  ten  thousand  feet  of  lumber  per  day,  together  with  the 
following  mines :  Chihuahua,  with  an  inferior  tunnel  of  five  hu'hdred 
feet,  and  a  well-defined  vein  of  galena  ore,  running  from  three  to  nine 
feet  in  width,  and  carrying  from  forty  to  sixty  ounces  of  silver  to  the 
ton.  This  mine  was  considered  by  the  Spaniards  as  one  of  the  best  in 
the  district,  and  was  abandoned  after  striking  fifteen  feet  of  water. 
The  company  have  machinery  to  take  the  water  from  this  mine  in 
thirty  days. — Coayache  containing  a  valuable  vein  of  earth  ore,  run- 
ning from  one  to  three  feet  wide,  which  produces  from  two  hundred 
to  three  hundred  and  fifty  ounces  of  silver  to  the  ton. — To  make  this 
mine  valuable  and  profitable  a  tunnel  from  two  hundred  to  five 
hundred  feet  must  be  constructed  lower  down  the  mountain.  More- 
no containing  a  rich  vein  of  galena  ore,  carrying  silver  running  from 
one  to  three  feet  in  width,  producing  from  two  hundred  to  three 


155 

hundred  dollars  silver  to  the  ton.  The  Farandula  was  known  by 
the  Spaniards  as  the  richest  mine  in  the  district,  but  was  abandoned 
because  of  striking  ore  which  they  could  not  reduce  by  their  crude 
Mexican  machinery.  The  works  and  machinery  of  the  company 
are  especially  adapted  for  working  the  ores  of  this  mine  and  will 
undoubtedly  yield  for  them  an  immense  bonanza. 

The  company  has  secured  for  the  erection  of  their  works  all 
the  lands  they  needed  from  the  municipality  of  Villaldama. 

THE  ROSARIO   MINING  COMPANY. 

The  Rosario  Mining  Company  of  the  Republic  of  Mexico  was 
organized  at  Dallas,  Texas,  by  Jules  Randle,  Esq.,  of  Brenhani, 
with  a  capital  stock  of  $2,640,000.  The  officers  elected  for  the 
present  year  are :  John  Martin,  President ;  Jules  Schumacher, 
Vice-president ;  J.  L.  Leonard,  Secretary  and  Treasurer ;  S.  O. 
Heminway,  General  Superintendent,  and  Srs.  Licenciado  Ygnacio 
Galindo,  Federal  Judge  for  the  State  of  Nuevo  Leon,  Don  Jos6 
Maria  Garza,  Don  Jose  Maria  Fernandez,  of  Mexico,  Jules  A.  Ran- 
dle, S.  J.  Adams,  John  Martin,  Jas.  H.  Britton,  and  Jules  Schneider, 
as  Directors. 

This  mine,  w^hich  is  situated  within  six  or  eight  miles  of  the 
flourishing  town  of  Salinas  Victoria,  through  which  the  Mexican 
Railway  from  Laredo  to  Monterey  will  soon  pass,  was  worked  for 
a  period  of  175  years,  and  only  abandoned  on  account  of  Indian 
incursions.  Its  ores  are  what  is  called  low  grade  ores,  but  are  said 
to  be  abundant. 

The  men  that  are  at  the  head  of  this  company  are  a  guarantee 
of  its  success.  They  are  all  capitalists  of  high  standing  in  Mexico 
and  Texas. 


156 


RAILROADS    IN    MEXICO. 


LIST   OF   RAILROADS   IN   OPERATION  DURING  THE 
YEAR   1880. 

The  Vera  Cruz  Railroad. — So7ne  of  the  most  important  railroad 
charters  granted  by  the  Mexican  Government. —  Tariff  rates. 
— Railroad  connections  with  the  United  States. —  Jay  Gould's 
south-west  system. —  The  International  and  Great  Northern, 
and  International  and  Interoceanic  Railroad. —  The  New 
Yorky  Texas  and  Mexican  Railroad,  better  known  as  Count 
Telfeners  road. —  The  Sunset  Extension  into  Mexico,  or  Col. 
Pierce  &*  Huntington's  roads. 


V 


RAILROADS   IN   OPERATION   IN    1880. 


1.  Mexican  Railway, 

2.  From  Jalapa  to  Coatepec, 

3.  "     Esperanza  to  Tehuacan,  . 

4.  "      Merida  to  Progreso, 

5.  "     Vera  Cruz  to  Medallin, 

6.  Ferrocaril  de  Hidalgo,     . 

7.  "        de  Zacatecas, 


Kilometers. 

Traction. 

423,620 

Steam. 

126,000 

Tramway, 

50,000 

<< 

32,000 

Steam. 

22,000 

" 

26,000 

Tramway 

6,500 

" 

» 


157 

8.  From  Celaya  to  Leon,     . 

9.  "      Cuantitlan  to  Salto,  . 

10.  "      Morelos,        .... 

11.  Tramways  in  the  Federal  District,     . 

12.  Other  cross  branches, 

13.  Other  branches  to  the  baths, 

14.  From  Puebla  to  Cholula  and  Mata- 

mores  de  Izucar,  .... 

15.  From  San  Luis  to  Tampico,    . 


THE   VERA    CRUZ    RAILROAD. 


kilometers. 

Traction. 

60,000 

Steam. 

71,432 

« 

95,000 

« 

98,598 

16,428 

2.653 

15,617 

6,000 

The  Mexican  Railway  Company  presented  at  the  annual  meet- 
ing of  the  shareholders,  held  in  the  City  of  London,  England,  on 
the  29th  of  July,  1880,  the  following  statement : 

Receipts  for  1876, $2,175,000 

"  1877; 2,700,000 

1878 2,895,000 

1879,         .....  3,512,000 

"  five  months,  1880,       ....      1,512,000 

Supposing  that,  for  the  remaining  seven  months  of  last  year, 
the  returns  have  been  in  the  same  proportion,  it  will  give  for  the 
year  1880,  $3,628,000,  which  is  the  largest  amount  that  has  been 
received. 

The  Vera  Cruz  Railway  and  Puebla  branch  are,  together,  292 
miles  long.  The  cost  of  construction  was,  for  various  reasons, 
excessive,  yet  its  bonds  and  preferred  stocks  are  at  a  premium  on 
the  market.  — 


158 


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161 


SKETCH   OF   SOME   OF  THE   MOST    IMPORTANT   RAILROAD 
CHARTERS    GRANTED    BY   THE  MEXICAN   GOVERN- 
MENT  TO   AMERICAN   COMPANIES. 

Contract  made  between  the  Department  of  Public  Works, 
representing-  the  Executive,  and  Messrs.  Sebastian  Camacho 
and  Ramon  G.  Guzman,  representatives  of  the  Mexican  Central 
Railway  Company  (limited),  for  a  railroad  to  be  constructed  from 
the  City  of  Mexico  to  Leon,  connecting  with  the  City  of  Queretaro, 
Celaya,  Salamanca,  Irapuato,  Guanajualto  and  Silao  ;  from  Leon, 
connecting  with  Aguascalientes,  Zacatecas  and  Chihuahua,  and 
from  any  convenient  point  between  the  cities  of  Mexico  and  Leon 
to  any  port  on  the  Pacific  coast,  and  connecting  en  route  with  the 
City  of  Guadalajara.  This  road  is  to  be  of  standard  gauge.  The 
charter  extends  during  the  period  of  ninety-nine  years  ;  the  Govern- 
ment having  to  pay,  in  this  case,  cash  upon  the  valuation  to  be 
made,  as  in  other  cases  already  stated,  of  all  property  of  the  com- 
pany except  the  road-bed  and  structures  comprising  it.  If  the  Gov- 
ernment determine  to  sell  or  rent  the  road,  the  company  to  have 
the  preference  in  either  case.  The  line  from  Mexico  to  Leon  to  be 
finished  on  December  31st,  1882  (a  very  short  time)  ;  the  line  to  the 
Pacific  within  five  years,  and  to  Paso  del  Norte  within  eight  years 
after  the  conclusion  of  the  road  from  Mexico  to  Leon.  A  bond  of 
$250,000  to  be  deposited  in  the  City  of  Mexico. 

Contract  between  the  Executive  and  James  Sullivan,  represen- 
tative of  the  National  Mexican  Construction  Company,  for  the  con- 
struction and  operation  of  a  narrow-gauge  railroad  from  the  City  of 
Mexico  to  the  Pacific  ocean  at  the  port  of  Manzanillo  or  Navidad, 
passing  through  Toluca,  Maravatio,  Acambaro,  Morelia,  Zamora 
and  la  Piedad,  and  from  Mexico  to  the  northern  frontier,  leaving 
the  Pacific  line  between  Maravatio  and  Morelia,  and  passing  through 
the  cities  of  San  Luis  Potosi,  Saltillo  and  Monterey  to  any  point  on 
the  Rio  Grande  between  Laredo  and  Eagle  Pass.  This  concession 
is  for  ninety-nine  years,  the  Government  obligating  itself  to  pur- 
chase for  cash,  or  rent  or  sell  to  the  company  as  under  the  conces- 
sion of  September  8th  last.  The  line  to  the  Pacific  to  be  finished 
within  five  years,  and  that  to  the  frontier  within  eight  years  from 
date  of  charter.     A  subvention  granted  of  $7,5oo*per  kilometre,  or 


162 

$i2,o75  per  mile,  for  the  line  from  the  City  of  Mexico  to  the  Pacific, 
and  $6,500  per  kilometre,  or  $10,465  per  mile,  for  that  portion 
extending  from  the  junction  with  the  Pacific  line  to  the  northern 
frontier,  to  be  paid  out  of  the  proceeds  of  four  per  cent,  of  the 
maritime  and  frontier  custom  duties,  without  interest,  A  subsidy 
granted  of  $9,500  per  kilometre,  or  $15,295  per  English  mile,  except 
when  route  adopted  takes  lines  subsidized  under  other  grants. 
Payment  to  commence  after  the  construction  of  the  first  hundred 
and  fifty  kilometres,  and  paid  in  installments  upon  each  succeeding 
fifty  kilometres,  except  for  those  portions  of  the  road  already  occu- 
pied by  narrow-gauge  roads,  when  the  difference  of  $1,500  per 
kilometre,  or  $2,415  per  mile,  only  will  be  paid,  to  be  met  out  of  an 
appropriation  of  six  per  cent,  of  the  duties  to  be  collected  at  all  the 
maritime  and  frontier  custom-houses  of  the  Republic.  The  tarifl: 
for  freight  and  passengers  to  be  as  authorized  by  act  of  Congress  of 
June  1st,  1880.  Length,  1,767  miles.  Thirty  miles  of  track  laid 
north  from  the  City  of  Mexico,  and  construction  being  pushed  for- 
ward.    Date  of  contract,  September  8th,  1880. 

First  payment  to  be  made  upon  the  completion  of  one  hundred 
and  fifty  kilometres,  and  succeeding  payments  upon  the  comple- 
tion of  each  twenty-five  kilometres.  A  bond  of  $300,000  in  cash 
to  be  deposited  in  the  City  of  Mexico,  to  remain  on  deposit  until 
one  hundred  kilometres  of  road  are  constructed. 

The  tariff  rates  fixed  at  the  time  of  the  granting  of  the  charter ; 
to  be  revised  every  two  years,  as  is  generally  provided  for  under  all 
charters;  but  in  every  case  the  company  is  prohibited  from 
increasing  these  rates  under  any  circumstances.  Length  of 
main  Hne  and  branch,  1,230  miles.  Construction  said  to  be 
going  on  rapidly.     Date  of  contract,  September  13th,  1880. 


THE   INTERNATIONAL   AND   INTEROCEANIC   RAILWAY   CO. 

The  Jay  Gould  South-west  System  of  Railroads  to  connect  with 
the  City  of  Mexico  and  the  Pacific  and  Atlantic  Oceans  in 
Mexico. 

The  South-west  system  of  roads  consists  of  the  Missouri  Pacific, 
the  Texas  Pacific,  the  Missouri,  Kansas  and  Texas,  the  Iron  Moun- 
tain, the  International  and  Great  Northern,  and  the  New  Orleans 


163 

and  Pacific.  They  comprise  about  7,000  miles  of  line.  They  have 
all  been  placed  under  one  head,  with  Mr.  Gould  as  president  of  all 
the  roads,  with  Mr.  R.  S.  Hayes  as  vice-president  and  executive 
officer,  with  headquarters  at  St.  Louis.  The  managers  are  A.  A. 
Talmage,  A.  W.  Soper,  H.  M.  Hoxie.  The  general  management 
of  the  seven  roads  has  been  reduced  to  one.  Its  eastern  connection 
is  through  the  Wabash,  which  connects  with  a  line  through  Canada, 
reaching  to  the  sea-board  on  one  side,  and  a  line  south  of  the  lakes 
reaching  to  New  York  on  the  other  side,  giving  them  two  through 
outlets.  These  outlets  are  the  Great  Western  of  Canada,  the  Dela- 
ware and  Lackawanna,  and  by  means  of  the  Pennsylvania  road  a 
link  that  connects  with  the  New  Jersey  Central,  which  takes  them 
to  New  York.  This  system  of  roads  has  obtained  a  charter  from 
the  Mexican  Government  under  the  name  of  the  International  and 
Interoceanic  Railway  Co.  They  are  to  run  from  Laredo  to  the 
City  of  Mexico  via  Guerrero,  Mier  Santander,  Jimenes  and  Victoria 
in  the  State  of  Tamaulipas,  and  from  Victoria  via  Jalancingo  to  the 
City  of  Mexico,  with  the  option  of  building  branches  to  Vera  Cruz, 
to  Tampico  and  Matamoros.  This  company  is  pushing  the  building- 
of  their  roads  in  Mexico  at  a  rapide  rate.  This  line  is  of  easy 
construction  from  Laredo  to  Victoria.  At  the  latter  place  it  will 
have  to  go  through  mountain  ranges,  and  will  be  more  expensive  to 
construct ;  but  as  it  will  run  through  the  "  Huasteca  "  country,  one 
of  the  richest  portions  of  Mexico  in  natural  and  agricultural  produc- 
tions and  mineral  wealth,  as  well  as  on  account  of  its  shortness,  it 
will  highly  repay  for  the  cost  of  its  construction. 

This  system,  at  the  City  of  Mexico  connects  with  the  conces- 
sions obtained  by  General  Grant,  which  is  part  of  the  same  scheme. 
The  connections  extend  from  the  City  of  Mexico  via  the  City  of 
Puebla  to  the  City  of  Oaxaca,  and  is  to  connect  with  the  trunk  line 
which  is  to  run  almost  due  south  from  Vera  Cruz  to  the  Pacific, 
passing  through  the  State  and  City  of  Oaxaca. 

THE  NEW  YORK,  TEXAS  AND  MEXICAN  RAIROAD,  BETTER 
KNOWN  AS  COUNT  TELFENER'S  ROAD. 

The  initial  point  of  this  line  is  at  Rosenburg  Junction,  in 
Texas,  via  Wharton,  Victoria,  San  Patricio  and  Banquete.  It  will 
reach  Brownsville  on  the  Rio  Grande. 


164 

This  company  has  lately  obtained  a  charter  from  the  Mexican 
Government  to  construct  a  road  from  Matamoros  to  Tampico  in 
Tamaulipas. 

THE   MEXICAN    NATIONAL    OR    PALMER-SULLIVAN    RAILROAD 
IN   MEXICO    (IN    FEBRUARY,    1 882). 

Official  reports,  that  are  beyond  a  doubt,  show  that  this  com- 
pany is  progressing  as  rapidly  as  possible  in  the  construction  of 
their  lines,  viz. : 

Toluca  Division. 

22  kilometres  of  completed  road. 
37         "  graded. 

Maravatio  Division. 

42  kilometres  completely  graded. 
55         "  nearly  graded. 

8         "  completed  road  from  Maravatio  to  Acambaro. 

Zacatecas  Division. 

20  kilometres  of  completed  road. 
12        "  of  graded  road. 

Morelia  Division. 

58  kilometres  of  road  graded  east. 
20        "  of  road  graded  west. 

Colima  Division. 
31  kilometres  of  graded  road. 

Laredo  Division. 

40  kilometres  of  completed  road. 

40        "  of  graded  road. 

Making  a  total  of  82  kilometres  of  road  in  running  order  and 
339  of  graded  road.  Since  writing  the  above  the  line  from  Laredo 
to  Monterey  has  been  completed  through  the  town  of  Lampasas, 
to  Villaldama  and  will  be  completed  to  Monterey  by  September 
next. 


165 


THE   MEXICAN   PACIFIC. 


The  Mexican  Pacific,  which  is  an  extension  of  the  Galveston, 
Harrisburg  and  San  Antonio  Railway  in  Texas  (or  Sunset  Route), 
connects  at  Houston  with  the  New  Orleans  and  Houston  Railway ; 
also  with  the  International  and  Great  Northern,  and  at  Rosenberg- 
Junction  with  the  New  York  and  Texas-Mexican,  or  Count  Tel- 
fener's  road,  and  the  Galveston  and  Santa  Fe  Railway.  It  is  con- 
structed through  one  of  the  prettiest  portions  of  Western  Texas.  It 
is  almost  finished  to  Eagle  Pass,  on  the  Rio  Grande,  and  is  now 
the  shortest  and  quickest  route  to  the  following  points  in  Mexico  : 
Piedras  Negras  (town  opposite  Eagle  Pass),  Monclova,  Duran- 
go,  Zacatecas,  Guanajuato,  Queretaro  and  the  City  of  Mexico. 

Within  tv/o  months  it  will  be  completed  to  El  Paso,  where  it 
will  connect  with  the  Southern  Pacific,  and  also  with  the  Mexican 
Central  road.  When  completed,  which  will  be  about  1883,  it  will 
be  the  main  artery  of  travel  and  trade  in  Mexico. 

It  is  the  intention  of  Cols.  Pierce  and  Huntington  to  construct  a 
railway  which,  starting  from  Eagle  Pass  and  running  through  a  rich 
portion  of  Mexico,  will  connect  at  the  rich  mining  district  of  Parral 
wdth  the  Mexican  Central,  and  reach  the  Pacific  at  or  about  the 
mouth  of  the  Fuerte  River,  near  the  boundary  line  of  the  States  of 
Sonora  and  Sinaloa.  They  will  probably  also  construct  another 
line  running  from  Eagle  Pass  to  Durango,  to  connect  with  the 
Ivlexican  Central,  and  reach  the  port  of  Mazatlan  on  the  Pacific. 

The  construction  of  these  roads  in  the  United  States,  by  Cols. 
Pierce  and  Huntington,  has  been  pushed  with  wonderful  rapidity. 
They  deserve  great  credit  for  the  manner  in  which  they  have  lavish- 
ed capital  to  make  them  first-class  roads  in  every  respect,  and  for 
opening  to  the  world  the  garden  spot  of  Texas  and  the  hidden 
wealth  of  Mexico.  They  must  be  looked  upon  not  only  as  great 
railroad  builders  but  as  public  benefactors. 


166 


TELEGRAPHIC    LINES    IN    THE    RE- 
PUBLIC  OF   MEXICO    IN    1881. 


LINES   BELONGING   TO   THE  GOVERNMENT. 

Eastern  lines,  1,945  kilometres,  483  metres;  45  offices.  East- 
ern lines,  6,440  kilometres,  119  metres;  99  offices.  Western  lines, 
1,394  kilometres,  940  metres  ;  37  offices.  Southern  lines,  584  kilo- 
metres, 376  metres  ;  9  offices.  Making  a  total  of  10,364  kilometres, 
918  metres,  and  190  offices,  which  carried  during  the  year  1881, 
281,697  messages  for  the  amount  of  $126,962.43. 

LINES   BELONGING    TO    THE    STATES. 

State  of  Zacatecas,  1,076  kilometres,  492  metres;  19  offices. 
State  of  Hidalgo,  314  kilometres  250  metres  ;  9  offices.  State  of 
Morelos,  251  kilometres,  400  metres  ;  12  offices.  State  of  Michoa- 
can,  II  kilometres;  2  offices.  Making  a  total  of  1,653  kilometres, 
142  metres,  and  42  offices,  which  carried  31,609  messages  for  the 
sum  of  Si  1,031.28. 

LINES  THE   PROPERTY   OF   RAILROADS. 

Mexican  Railway,  485  kilometres;  39  offices  that  carried 
349,092  messages  for  the  estimated  amount  of  $203,704.82. 

The  Morelos  Railroad,  127  kilometres;  9  offices  that  carried 
30,300  messages  for  the  amount  of  $610.33. 

The  Cuantitlan  and  Salto  Railroad,  81  kilometres,  995  metres  ; 
8  offices  that  carried  3,855  messages  for  the  sum  of  $590.51.  . 

The  Central  to  Tula,  80  kilometres,  210  metres. 

The  line  from  San  Marcos  to  Puebla,  49  kilometres,  169  metres  ; 
2  offices. 

Making  a  total  of  887  kilometres,  834  metres  of  telegraphic 
lines,  with  58  offices,  the  property  of  railroads  in  Mexico  that  carried 
355,977  messages  for  the  sum  of  $204,905.66. 


167 

LINES   OWNED    BY   PRIVATE   COMPANIES. 

From  Mexico  to  Vera  Cruz,  1,047  kilometres  500  metres;  i-] 
offices  that  carried  55,956  messages  for  the  sum  of  $42,170.78. 

Lines  in  the  State  of  Vera  Cruz,  617  kilometres  980  metres; 
14  offices  whose  receipts  amounted  to  $14,743.55. 

Lines  in  the  State  of  Jalisco,  1,635  kilometres  685  metres;  39 
offices  that  carried  17,823  messages. 

Making  a  total  of  3,301  kilometres  165  metres  ;  70  offices  that 
carried  71,779  messages  for  the  sum  of  $56,914.33. 

Submarine  cable,  inaugurated  in  March,  1881,  703  kilometres 
133  metres;   3  offices. 

Making  a  grand  total  of  16,910  kilometres  192  metres  of  tele- 
raphic  lines,  with  363  offices  in  the  Republic  that  carried  744,917 
messages  for  the  amount  of  $399,813.72. 


168 


WEIGHTS   AND    MEASURES. 


The  French  metric  system  of  weights  and  measures  has  been 
adopted  in  the  Repubhc  of  Mexico  and  is  now  in  force. 

But  in  the  country,  the  inhabitants  have  not  done  away  with 
the  old  system,  (although  it  is  no  longer  the  legal  one,)  of  which 
we  give  a  sketch. 

MEXICAN    LAND    MEASURES. 

{Translated /ro7n  the  "  Ordeiia7izas  de  tierras y  agtias.") 

The  Mexican  vara  is  the  same  as  the  vara  of  Castile,  and  is 
divided  into  thirds  or  foot-fourths,  sixths  and  thirty-sixths  inch.  It 
equals  33 jS^  inches  American  m.easure. 

Fifty  Mexican  varas  make  a  measure  called  "  cordel." 

A  Mexican  league  contains  100  cordels,  or  5,000  varas. 

The  league  is  divided  into  halves  and  quarters.  The  half-league 
contains  2,500  varas,  and  a  quarter  of  a  league  1,250  varas. 

Sitzo  de  Ganado  Mayor  {sit  to,  a  farm  for  raising  cattle^. 

The  figure  of  a  sitio  de  estancia  de  ganado  mayor  is  a  square 
whose  sides  measure  5,000  Mexican  varas.  The  area  of  a  sitio  is 
25,000,000  square  varas,  or  4,428  acres. 

Criadero  de  Gattado  Mayor  {place for  breeding  animals). 

It  is  a  square  equal  to  a  fourth  part  of  a  sitio  de  ganado  mayor  y 
whose  sides  measure  2,500  varas,  and  contains  an  area  of  6,250,000 
square  varas. 

Sitio  de  Ganado  Menor  {farm  for  raising  sheep  or  goats). 

The  form  of  a  sitio  de  estancia  de  ganado  menor  is  a  square 
whose  sides  measure  3,333  >^  varas.  Its  area  contains  1 1,1 1 1,1 11^ 
square  varas. 


169 

Criadero  de  Ganado  Menor. 
It  is  a  square  whose  sides  measure  1,6665^  varas,  and  its  area 
contains  2,j6j,J77l  square  varas. 

Caballeria  de  Tierra  {jj  i-j  acres  American  measure). 
The  form  of  a  caballeria  de  tierra  is  a  rectangular  parallelo- 
gram whose  north  or  small  side  contains   552  varas,  and   whose 
greatest  length  is   1,104  varas.     Its  area  contains  609,408  square 

varas. 

Media  Caballeria  de  Tierra. 

It  is  a  square  whose  side  measures  552  varas,  and  contains 
304,704  square  varas. 

Suerte  de  Tierra  {lot  of  ground — a  ckatice). 

It  is  the  fourth  part  of  a  caballeria  de  tierra  and  the  same 
figure,  whose  long  side  measures  552  varas  and  276  in  width.  It 
contains  152,352  square  varas. 

The  Caballeria  de  Tierra  is  also  divided  into  twelve  fanegas  of 
good  seed  oats.  The  fanega  is  equal  to  three  American  bushels,  or 
a  superficy  of  8.5624  American  acres. 

Solar  de  Tierra  {^ground  on  which  a  house  is  built — town  lof). 
Any  parcel  of  land  less  than  a  suerte. 

Solar  para  Casas  {for  houses,  mills  and  markets). 
It  is  a  square  of  50  varas  ;  2,500  square  varas. 

Fundo  Legal  {piece  of  ground  which  is  cultivated — town  site). 
It  is  a  tract  of  land  whose  form  is  a  square  of  1,200  varas  on. 
e:ich  side,  and  contains  an  area  of  1,440,000  square  varas. 

Porcion. 
Porcion  is  a  measure  sometimes  used.     It  is  a  tract  of  land 
1,000  wide,  and  16,000  long. 

Labor  {a  cultivated  field). 
A  square  containing  1,000,000  square  varas  or  177  acres. 

Texas  Measure. 
League  and  labor,  26,000,000  square  varas  or  4,605  acres. 
To  find  the  number  of  acres  in  a  given  number  of  square  varas, 
divide  by  5,646,  fractions  rejected.  , 


170 


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171 


ENGLISH  WEIGHTS   AND    MEASURES   COMPARED 

WITH   THE    METRICAL   SYSTEM    OF 

WEIGHTS    AND    MEASURES. 


LINEAR   MEASURES. 


English. 

I  inch  (^  of  a  yard)  corresponds  to 

I  foot  (>^  of  a  yard) 

I  yard 

I  fathom  (2  yards) 

I  pole  or  perch  (5>^  yards) 

I  furlong  (320  yards) 

I  mile  (1,760  yards) 


Metrical. 

2.539954  centimetres. 
3.0479449  decimetres. 
0.91438348  metres. 
1.82876696       " 
5.0291 1 
201.16437 
1 609.3 1 49 


Metrical.  English. 

I  millimetre  corresponds  to 0.03937  inches. 

I  centimetre  " .  ,      .     .       0.393708 

I  decimetre  " 3-937079      " 

(  39-37079 
I  metre  "       "  .     .       •<     3.2808002  feet. 

(     1 .093633  yards. 
I  kilometre,  or  1,000  metres,  corresponds  to 

0.62137  miles,  or  3,280  feet  10  inches. 
I  myriametre  corresponds  to 6.2138  miles. 

SUPERFICIAL   MEASURES. 
Englbh.  Metrical. 

I  square  yard  corresponds  to 0.836097  sq.  metres. 

I  rod  (or  sq.  perch)  " 25.291937 

I  rod(i,2iosq.y'ds)  "         10.116775  acres. 

I  acre  (4,840  s.  y'ds)  " 0.40467  hectares. 

Metrical.  English. 

I  square  metre  equals 1.196033  sq.  yards. 

I  are  " 0.98845  rods. 

I  hectare  " 2.471 143  acres. 


172 


MEASURES   OF   CAPACITY. 

English. 

I  pint  (j^  of  a  gallon)  equals 


I  quart  (X  of  a  gallon) 
I  imperial  gallon 
I  peck  (2  gallons) 
I  bushel  (8  gallons) 
I  sack  (3  bushels) 

Metrical. 


Metrical. 

0.567932    litres. 

1. 135864 

4-54345794    " 
9.0869159      " 
36.347664 
1 .09043  hectolitres. 


English. 


1  litre  equals ]  '■^^^^\  P'"'^ 

(  0.2200967  gallons. 

I  decalitre  equals 2.2009668       " 

I  hectolitre     "         22.009667 


WEIGHTS. 
English  Troy  Weight.  Metrical  Weight. 

I  grain  (3^  of  a  pennyweight)  corresponds  to  ,     .  0.06477  grams. 

J  pennyweight  "    .     .     .     .  1.55456       " 

I  ounce  (Jg^  of  a  pound)  "       ....  31.0913         " 

I  pound  "     .     .     .     .  0.3930956  kilos. 

English  Avoirdupois.  Metrical. 

3  dram  (j^  of  an  ounce)  corresponds  to      .     .  0.06477  grams. 

I  ounce  (yV  of  a  pound)         " 28.3384       " 

I  imperial  pound  "         0.4534148  kilos. 

I  cwt.  (q'ntalof  ii2pounds)  " 50.78246         " 

I  ton  (20  cwt.)  "         .....    1015.649 

Metrical.  English.  ^ 

r  15.438  troy  grains. 

I  gram  corresponds  to -|    0.643  pennyweights. 

/         (    0.03216  troy  ounces. 

I  kilogram \    2.68026  troy  pounds. 

(    2.20549  avoirdupois  p'ds. 

The  troy  weights  are  used  to  weigh  principally  precious  metals 
and  medicines,  etc.,  and  the  avoirdupois  for  general  use  in  com- 
merce. (The  above  tables  are  taken  from  the  Bureau  of  Longitudes, 
Paris,  France.) 


173 


TARIFF    OF    PUBLIC    LANDS    IN    1 876. 


In  the  Territory  of  Lower  California, 
State  of  Sonora, 

Chihuahua, 
"  "        Coahuila, 

"  "        Nuevo  Leon, 

Tamaulipas, 
"  "        Sinaloa,     . 

"  "        Durango, 

"        Zacatecas, 
"  "        San  Luis  Potosl,    . 

"  "        JaKsco,      .         .         .i 

"  •'        Aguas  CaHentes,  . 

"  "        Guanajuato, 

"  "        Oueretaro, 

"  "        Michoacan, 

CoHma, 
Guerrero, 
Morelos, 
"  "        Mexico, 

Federal  District, 
"       State  of  Tlaxcala,  . 
Puebla, 
Hidalgo,    . 
"        Vera  Cruz, 
"  "        Oaxaca,     . 

"  "        Chiapas, 

"         /    "        Campeche, 
"        Yucatan, 


Price  of  a  Sitio 
de  Ganado 
Price  of     Mayor  or  4,42^ 
Hectare.            acres. 

%o  06 

$105  34 

0    12 

210  67 

0    12 

210  67 

0    12 

210  67 

0    15 

263  34 

0    15 

263  34- 

0    18 

316  01 

0    18 

316  01 

I    GO 

1,755  61 

I    00 

1,755  61 

I    00 

1,755  61 

I     50 

2,633  ir 

2   CO 

3,511  22 

2   00 

3.511  22 

I    00 

1,755  61 

I    CO 

1,755  61 

0  75 

1,316  71 

2   00 

3,511  22 

2    00 

3,511  22 

2    50 

4,389  02 

I    50 

2,633  41 

2   00 

3,511  22 

I    50 

2,633  41 

0  65 

1,141   15 

0   75 

1,316  71 

0   25 

438  90 

0  75 

1,316  71 

0  25 

438  9a 

ITEMS     OF     INTEREST    TO     ALL    IMPORTERS    OF   MERCHANDISE 
INTO   THE   REPUBLIC    OF    MEXICO. 


All  persons  sending  articles  of  commerce  from  foreign  coun- 
tries into  the  Republic  of  Mexico  shall  make  out  invoices  in  tripli- 
cate of  all  goods,  fruits  or  effects  remitted  to  each  consignee. 


174 

The  invoices  shall  be  drawn  up  according  to  the  form  attached 
to  the  tariff. 

It  shall  indicate : 

1st.  The  name  of  the  vessel,  her  captain,  port  of  destination, 
consignee  of  articles  contained  in  the  invoice,  and  the  nation  from 
which  the  merchandise  originally  proceeds,  the  date  of  invoice  and 
the  signature  of  shipper ;  same  in  total. 

2d.  An  account,  both  in  v^^riting  and  figures,  of  the  number  of 
packages,  boxes,  barrels,  bales,  or  any  other  kind  of  packing  ;  the 
same  zn  total. 

3d.  The  mark  and  corresponding  number  of  each  package  as 
well  as  its  gross  weight,  excepting  that  of  iron,  machinery  and  rail- 
road material,  which  may  be  given  with  total  weight  of  each  lot ; 
same  in  total. 

4th.  The  name,  material,  and  class  of  merchandise  specificed 
in  accordance  with  tariff ;    same  in  total. 

B.  The  quantity  in  writing  and  figures  of  articles  that  are  to 
pay  duty  by  piece,  pair,  dozen  or  thousand  ;  same  in  total. 

C.  The  new  weight  of  merchandise  that  are  to  {>ay  by  net 
weight,  giving  the  unit  taken  as  a  basis. 

The  names  of  the  goods  contained  in  one  and  the  same 
package,  and  paying  different  duties,  should  be  given  whether  there 
IS  any  duty  on  net  weights  on  them,  or  whether  they  are  free. 

D.  The  length,  width  and  number  of  pieces  of  merchandise 
that  ought  to  pay  by  measurement,  giving  unit  of  measurement  that 
has  been  used  as  a  basis  ;  same  in  total. 

Invoices  should  state  the  value  of  free  goods. 

Invoices  must  be  presented  with  consular  certificates. 

As  importers  will  always  have  to  employ  a  custom-house 
iDroker,  we  do  not  deem  it  necessary  to  pubhsh  here  the  tariff — the 
law  of  December  14th,  1881 — which  is  too  lengthy.  It  is  only 
necessary  to  say  that  the  penalties  imposed  by  the  Mexican  laws  for 
non-compliance,  bad  faith  and  fraud  are  very  severe,  and  importers 
should  be  careful  in  having  their  documents  properly  drawn  up. 


\ 


175 


ABRIDGED 


Mexican   Tariff  on  Imports, 


Cotton  Goods. 

Domestic  (unbleached), 

per  square  metre. 

$0  09 

(bleached), 

"        "          "           ... 

16 

Calico, 

"        "           "               ... 

14 

Thread  (white),  . 

"  kilogram,    .... 

60 

Thread  (colored),  . 

"        " 

96 

Thread  (spool). 

"  dozen,         .... 

14 

Cassimeres  and  similar 

woolen  goods. 

"  square  metre, 

I  40 

Carriages    (open),    and 

coupes,  . 

each, 

176  00 

Coaches,  phaetons,  lan- 

daus, etc.,  . 



396  00 

Buggies,     . 

" 

132  00 

Sulkies,  .... 

" 

66  00 

Wagons,     . 



80  00 

Harness  for  carriages,   . 

per  kilogram  (gross  weight). 

2  00 

Harness  for  wagons,  . 

" 

86 

Furniture,  55  per  cent,  on  invoice  and  25per  cent,  additional. 

Pianos,    .... 

per  kilogram  (gross  weight),      . 

43 

Flour, 

net           "     . 

10 

Wheat,    .... 

' 

04 

Barley, 

"     . 

03 

Rice,       •         .         .         . 

' 

07 

Hops, 

"     . 

18 

Hams  (smoked),     . 

' 

24 

Meats  (salt  and  smoked). 

(           <( 

24 

Lard,       .... 

" 

24 

Butter, 

"     . 

24 

176 


)er  kilogram   (net  weight),    . 

14 

gross        "     . 

08 

<(           <<              «           it 

19 

«           «              <i           « 

38 

net 


gross 


Cheese,  . 
Candles  (tallow). 
Candles  (stearine),  . 
Candles  (parafine), 
Crackers, 

Canned   fruit  (cans   in- 
cluded), . 
Canned  meats  and  fish 

(cans  included), 
Pickles  (jars  included), 
Soap  (toilet), 
Soap  (common). 
Glass  (common),    . 
Gunpowder, 
Nails  of  all  kinds  (iron), 
Tools(iron,  steel  orwood),  "  "  "  "     , 

Clothing  (ready-made),  .   all  kinds,        .         .        .  i, 

India-rubber  clothing,        per  kilogram,  (gross  weight), 
"  shoes,  etc.,     "  "  "  " 

"  cloth    for 

table,        ..."  "  "  "      . 

Oil-cloth  for  floors,  . 
Leather  boots  (yellow),  . 
"  "  (calf  or 

morrocco), 
"  shoes   (men's 

common), 
"   shoes  (men's  fine), 
"       "  (women's 

fine), 

"     shoes    (women's 
common). 
Carpets  (2  and  3-ply), 
"       (Brussels), 
"       (velvet). 
Cocoa  matting. 
Vinegar  (barrels). 
Vinegar  (bottles),  . 
Whisky  (barrels). 


50 


dozen. 


48 

I  15 

30  to  80 

17 

2  00 

12 

19 

32  p.  cent. 

I  43 

45 

29 

29 

16  50 

square  metre, 


kilogram  (gross  weight),  . 
"        net  "     . 


27  00 

7  00 

16  50 

17  00 

5  SO 
80 

95 

I  40 

16 

5 
10 

33 


177 


Whisky  (bottles),    .         .     per 

kilogram  (gross  weight), 

38 

Beer  (barrels),     . 

" 

10 

Beer  (bottles),         .         .     " 

«           "               " 

20 

Petroleum  (cans  included),  " 

K                            <<                                       « 

09 

Rosin,     .         .         .         .     " 

gross 

25 

Tar,    .         .         .         .         " 

"     . 

3 

Salt,        .         .         ..." 

" 

5 

Potatoes,     ..." 

"     .' 

2 

Onions.  .         .         .         .     " 

It          i(              « 

2 

From  the   ist  of  November  machinery  is  taxed  with  a  duty  of 
50  cents  per  hundred  kilogram  weight  imported  into  the  Republic. 


NEW  TARIFF  LAW  OF  JUNE    25th,   1881,  THAT  WENT 
INTO  FORCE  NOVEMBER  ist,  1881,  IMPOSING  AN 
ADDITIONAL  PACKAGE  DUTY  UPON  MER- 
CHANDISE IMPORTED  INTO  THE 
REPUBLIC  OF  MEXICO. 


SECTION   I. 


The  President  of  the  Republic  has  thought  proper  to  address 
to  me  the  following  decree  : 

Manuel  Gonzales,  Constitutional  President  of  the  United  States 
of  Mexico,  to  its  inhabitants  make  known  :  That  in  accordance 
with  the  power  granted  to  the  Executive  by  the  common  law  of 
the  31st  of  May  last,  to  form  tariffs  corresponding  to  the  new 
duties  which  said  law  establishes,  have  decreed  the  following  : 


ARTICLE 


From  the  ist  of  November    next    the   foreign   merchandise 
comprised  in  the  schedule  below,  when  imported  through  the  marl- 


178 

time  and  frontier  custom-houses,  shall  pay  the  following  duty  upon 
each  and  everyone  hundred  kilograms  (gross  weight),  viz. : 

Iron  or  steel  wires  for  carding  from  No.  26  and  above,        .     $0  50 

Rough  alabaster, 50 

Live  stock  (except  castrated  horses),    .         .         .         .         ,  50 

Ploughs  with  plough-shares,     ......  50 

Masts,  spars  and  anchors  for  ship-,      .         .         .         •         •  50 

Oats  in  grain  and  straw 50 

Quicksilver, 50 

Sulphur, 50 

Cylindrical  or  angular  steel  bars  for  mining,         ...  50 

Fire  engines  and  all  kinds  of  pumps,  ....  50 
Crow-bars,  common  cutlasses  without  scabbards,  scythes, 

sickles,  harrows,  rakes,  shovels,  hoes  and  spades  for 

agricultural  purposes, 75 

Hydraulic  lime, ,  50 

Water-pipes, 50 

Iron  and  vegetal  cards, -  50 

Wheelbarrows, 50 

All   collections    of    minerals,   geology,   and   all   branches 

pertaining  to  natural  history, 75 

Crucibles, 50 

Whalebone  and  parts  of  the  whale, 50 

Designs  and  models  of  machines,  edifices,  monuments  and 

ships, 50 

Staves  and  heads  for  barrels, 50 

Fresh  fruit  and  vegetables,        ..'...  50 

Guano, 50 

Ice, 50 

Hyposulphate  of  soda, 50 

Corn-meal,  and  hand  corn-meal  grinders,         ...  50 

Scientific  instruments, i  00 

Books,  pamphlets  (bound  or  without  binding),         .         .  i  00 

Fire-wood, 5*^ 

Bricks  and  refractory  earth,      ......  50 

Types,  shields,  chases,  leads,  rules,  vignettes  and  printing 

material, 50 

Box-wood, 50 


179 

Building  timber,            ........  50 

Corn, 50 

Maps  and  spheres, i  cx> 

Machines  and  apparatus  for  industry,  agriculture,  mining, 

science  and  arts,  whole,  or  separate,  or  in  extra  pieces,  50 

Sewing  machines,  whole  or  in  parts,       .         .         .         ,  i  00 

Undressed  blocks  or  marble  slabs  for  paving,      ...  50 

Wicks  and  fercue-grass  for  mining,           ....  50 

Moulds  and  models  for  arts 50 

Cabinets  of  coins  of  all  sorts,             1  00 

Objects  of  natural  history  for  museums  and  cabinets,          .  50 

Hay  and  straw, 50 

Plants  and  seeds  for  improving  agriculture,          ...  50 

Lithographic  stones, 50 

Slates  for  roofs  and  pavements, 50 

Common  powder  for  mining  and  dynamite,      ...  50 

Vaccine  virus 50 

Oars  for  boats, 50 

Common  salt  introduced  through  Paso  del  Norte,       .         .  50 

Saltpetre, 50 

Sulphate  of  copper, 50 

Anvils  for  silversmiths 50 

Printing  ink, 50 

Wooden  type  and  other  articles  used  in  lithography,        .  50 

Rags  used  to  manufacture  paper, 50 

Iron  rafters  for  roofs,         .......  50 

Anvils, 50 

ART.    II. 

The  merchandise  specified  in  the  Custom-House  tariff,  now 
in  force  from  and  after  the  ist  of  November  next,  shall  pay,  besides 
the  duties  imposed  by  said  tariff,  an  additional  or  package  duty  as 
follows  • 

SCHEDULE   A. 

Those  comprised  in  the  following  fractions  shall  pay  fifty  cents 
for  each  one  hundred  kilograms  gross  weight. 

I  to  3,  6  to  9,  13  to  16,  18,  21,  22,  26  to  36,  38  to  40,  42  to  46, 


180 

51,  52,  54»  5^  to  65,  71  to  74,  ^6,  77,  79  to  84,  86  to  88,  90,  96,  97, 
loi,  103  to  107,  112  to  114,  117,  118,  120,  127,  129  to  131,  136  to 
138,  149  to  151,  162  to  167,  170,  171,  183  to  185,  188  to  191,  198, 
200,  202,  207,  208,  210,  212,  215,  233,  234,  252,  255,  256,  260  to  262, 
265,  267,  268,  272  to  288,  290  to  299,  302  to  305,  314,  316,  317,  322, 
324  to  330,  336,  343,  347  to  359,  364,  369,  371  to  373,  377  to  387. 
39I'  393  to  395,  397,  404  to  407,  409  to  412,  414,  416,  419  to  430, 
434  to  437,  440  to  442,  444,  445,  447  to  453,  458,  460,  461,  465.  470 
to  476,481  to  489,  493,  495,  499,  502  to  504,  506,  507,  511,  515,  517, 
522  to  527,  529,  530,  532  to  538,  540,  542  to  555,  559,  598,  599,  6or 
to  610,  612  to  614,  618  to  626,  631  to  634,  637  to  648,  651,  653  to 
^55'  657,  658,  660,  661,  663,  668,  686  to  705,  710  to  713,  717,  719, 
725,  726,  728  to  731,  733,  735,  736,  738  to  740,  743  to  746,  749,  750, 
752,  753.  756,  757.  759  to  762,  769  to  774,  793,  795,  797  to  799,  801 
to  807,  816,  820  to  825,  827  to  838,  840,  841,  844  to  853,  855  to  864, 
866  to  872,  874  to  882,  884  to  887,  and  894. 

SCHEDULE    B. 

All  articles  mentioned  in  the  following  fractions  shall  pay  75 
cents  for  each  one  hundred  kilograms  (gross  weight)  : 

4,  II,  19,  20,  23,  37,  41,  47,  56,  57,  78,  91,  92,  108,  III,  116, 
119,  122  to  125, 132,  135,  141,  142,  153,  154,  155,  173,  186,  187,  192, 
I93»  203,  204,  209,  211,  213,  218,  253,  257,  264,  266,  300,  301,  312* 
315,  360  to  363,  366  ta  368,  389,  392,  408,  413,  415,  418,  433,  443" 
446,  497,  498,  505,  528,  531,  539,  541,  557,  558,  617,  649,  650,  656, 
664,  667,  669,  718,  724,  727.734,  737.  751.  754.  755.  763.  767.  768, 
792,  796,  839,  854,  883,  888,  889,  and  891. 

SCHEDULE  C. 

All  articles  mentioned  in  the  following  fractions  shall  pay  $1.00 
for  each  one  hundred  kilograms  (gross  weight)  : 

5,  10,  12,  24,  25,  48  to  50,  53,  66  to  70,  75,  85,  89,  93  to  95,  98 
to  100,  102,  109,  no,  115,  121,  126,  128,  133,  134,  139,  140,  143  to 
148,  153,  156  to  161,  168,  169,  172,  174  to  182,  194  to  197,  199,  201^ 
205,  206,  214,  216,  217,  219  to  232,  235  to  251,  254,  258,  259,  263, 
269,  270,  271,  289,  306  to  311,  313,  318  to  321,  323,  331  to  335,  337 
to  342,  344  to  346,  365,  370,  374  to  376,  390,  396,  398  to  403,  417, 


181 

431,  432,  43^,  454  to  457,  459,  462  to  464,  466  to  469,  477  to  480, 
490  to  492,  494,  496,  500,  501,  508  to  510,  512  to  514,  516,  518  to 
521,  556,  560  to  597,  600,  611,  615,  616,  627  to  630,  635.  636,  652, 
659,  662,  666,  670  to  685,  706  to  709,  714  to  716,  720  to  723,  732, 
741,  742,  747,  748,  758,  764  to  766,  775  to  791,  794,  800,  808  to  815, 
3i7  to  819,  826,  843,  865,  873,  890,  892  and  893. 

ART.   III. 

Raw  petroleum  and  naphtha,  when  imported  after  the  istof 
November  next,  instead  of  88  per  cent.,  which  they  pay  at  present 
on  invoice  value,  according  to  section  393  of  the  tariff  now  in  force, 
will  pay  80  cents  for  each  one  hundred  kilograms  (gross  weight) 
as  additional  or  package  duty. 

ART.    IV. 

Foreign  goods,  not  specified  in  the  tariff  now  in  force,  after 
the  ist  of  November  next,  besides  the  duties  now  assessed  on 
the  importation,  according  to  Article  XXI  of  said  tariff,  shall  pay  an 
additional  or  package  duty  of  75  cents  for  each  one  hundred  kilo- 
grams (gross  weight). 

ART.  V. 

Packages  comprised  in  the  same  entry  which,  together,  weigh 
less  than  one  hundred  kilograms,  shall  pay  the  same  duty  from  50 
cents  to  $1.00,  according  to  their  respective  classification  in  the  tariff. 

ART.  VI. 

When  a  package  contains  goods  of  different  value  the  duties 
shall  be  assessed  upon  the  goods  contained  in  said  package  having 
the  greatest  weight. 

ART.    VII. 

The  duty  on  packages  shall  not  be  collected  on  goods  which 
are  exempt  from  duties  by  virtue  of  the  privileges  granted  to  rail- 
road companies,  and  upon  those  that  in  each  importation  the  Sec- 
retary of  the  Treasury  may  think  proper  to  exempt. 


182 

ART.   VIII. 

From  and  after  the  ist  of  November,  1881,  the  liquids  men- 
tioned in  the  schedule  below  shall  pay,  besides  the  present  duties 
imposed  by  the  tariff  now  in  force  and  the  package  duty  imposed 
by  Article  II  of  this  decree,  an  additional  duty  per  net  kilogram  as 
follows : 

Gin  in  jars,  bottles,  jugs  and  demijohns,  .         .         .     $0  10 

Gin  in  barrels, 08 

Rum,  arack  and  kirch-water  in  jars,  bottles,  jugs  and 

demijohns, .            12 

Rum,  arack  and  kirch-water  in  barrels,    .                  .         .  10 

Whisky  in  jars,  bottles,  jugs  and  demijohns,         .  8 

Whisky  in  barrels,             SH 

Brandy,  cognac  and  aniseed   in  bottles,  jars,  jugs  and 

demijohns, 8 

Brandy,  cognac  and  aniseed  brandy  in  casks,  ...  5^ 
Rum,  absynthe,  or  other  liquors  not  specified,  in  bottles, 

jugs  and  demijohns, 8 

Rum,  or  other  liquors  not  specified,  when  in  casks,          .  4)4 

Beer  and  cider  in  bottles, i 

Beer  and  cider  in  barrels, o}4 

Liquors  in  bottles  or  jars,      ......  8 

Liquors  in  barrels, 3  3!^ 

White  wines,  except  those  that  are  medicinal,  when  in 

bottles,  jugs  and  demijohns,           ....  6 

White  wine  in  casks, 2|^ 

Clarets  (all  sorts),  except  those  which  are  medicinal,  when 

in  bottles,  jugs  and  demijohns 4}^ 

Claret  in  casks, ij^ 

ART.    IX. 

From  and  after  the  ist  of  October,  1881,  lumber  for  construc- 
tion and  cabinet  work  of  all  kinds,  which  are  exported  through  the 
coast  and  frontier  ports  of  the  Republic,  besides  the  duties  col- 
lected, according  to  Section  19  of  Article  LXXVIII  of  the  tariff  now 
in  force,  shall  pay  an  additional  duty  of  $1.00  per  each  ton  of  one 
cubical  metre. 


183 


ART.    X. 


From  and  after  the  ist  of  October,  1881,  lumber  for  construc- 
tion and  cabinet  work  of  foreign  production,  which  passes  in  transit 
by  rivers  and  through  part  of  the  RepubHc,  on  their  exportation 
shall  pay  a  single  duty  of  $4.50  per  ton  of  one  cubic  metre. 

The  above  provision  of  this  decree  shall  not  be  applied  to 
foreign  lumber  in  transit  carried  by  railroads,  when  contractors 
have  special  contracts  with  the  Mexican  Government,  containing 
clauses  in  regard  to  transits. 

ART.   XI. 

In  liquidating  the  duties  imposed  on  foreign  goods,  imported 
through  the  maritime  and  frontier  Custom-House,  they  shall  place 
in  separate  columns  the  amount  of  package  duty  and  that  of  addi- 
tional duty  upon  liquids  established  by  this  decree. 

Ordered  to  be  printed,  circulated  and  enforced. 

(Signed)        Landero, 

Secretary  of  the  Treasury 
and  Public  Credit 
Mexico,  June  25th,  1881. 


late  decree  of  the   MEXICAN  CONGRESS  CONCERNING  THE 

REVENUES   OF  THE  MEXICAN   REPUBLIC   FOR  THE 

FISCAL   YEAR   1 882   TO    1 883. 

{Rendered  May  26th,  1S82.) 

Tax  upon  Imports  and  Exports. 

Goods  imported  through  the  maritime  and  frontier  custom- 
houses, which  are  subject  to  the  duties  fixed  in  the  tariff  of  1880 
and  to  the  laws  of  the  28th  and  31st  of  May,  25th  of  June  and  14th 
of  December,  1881,  will  be  subject  to  the  following  modifications  . 

A. — Shall  be  excepted  from  paying  the  package  duties  imposed 


184 

by  the  laws  of  31st  of  May  and  25th  of  June,  1881,  the  following 
articles : 

Ploughs  and  plough-shares,  masts  and  anchors  for  ships,  quick- 
silver, live  animals,  bricks  and  tiles  of  all  kinds,  refractory  earth, 
ordinary  building  timber,  cotton,  tobacco,  coffee,  sugar-cane  seeds, 
slates  for  roofing,  vaccine  matter. 

B. — All  goods,  arms,  materials  of  war,  etc.,  that  the  executive 
will  purchase  for  the  use  of  the  public  service,  shall  be  imported 
free  of  duties. 

//. — Duties  on  the  consumption  of  foreign  goods  that  are  col- 
lected according  to  the  law  of  the  nth  of  August,  1875,  by  the 
collectors  of  the  Federal  District  and  of  the  territory  of  lower 
California. 

///. — Tonnage  duties,  pilot  duties,  storage  and  light-house 
duties  shall  be  collected  according  to  the  tariff  of  November  8th, 
1880,  and  the  law  of  28th  of  May,  1881. 

IV. — Transit  duties  shall  also  be  collected  according  to  said 
tariff  respecting  the  special  concessions  granted  to  railroad  con- 
struction companies  in  the  country. 

V. — From  and  after  the  i  st  of  November  next,  silver  and  gold 
coin,  or  bullion,  mineral  ores  in  powder,  mineral  rock  or  mineral  in  any 
other  form,  shall  be  free  from  circulation  duties  while  passing  from 
one  State  into  another,  in  the  interior  of  the  Republic,  and  shall  be 
free  from  export  duties.  In  order  to  provide  for  the  deficit  caused 
by  the  above  fraction  of  incomes  to  the  Treasury,  on  the  same  day 
the  different  quota  fixed  by  the  tariff  on  importation  of  foreign  mer- 
chandise shall  be  raised  two  per  cent. ;  in  the  meantime  the  export 
duties  upon  gold  and  silver  shall  be  collected  according  to  the 
existing  laws  for  the  fiscal  year. 

VI. — From  the  ist  of  November  next,  precious  metals  shall 
pay  a  tax  of  one-half  of  one  per  cent,  upon  the  value  of  silver,  and 
one-quarter  of  one  per  cent,  upon  the  value  of  gold,  the  value  of 
the  same  to  be  determined  by  a  test  of  the  metals.  The  executive 
shall  determine  the  time  and  manner  in  which  the  same  shall  be 
collected. 

VI. — Archil  shall  pay  an  export  duty  of  $10.00  per  ton  of  1,000 
kilograms. 


185 

VII. — Building  and  cabinet  timber  shall  pay  an  export  duty  of 
$2.50  per  st^re,  besides  the  duties  imposed  by  the  tariff  of  Novem- 
ber 8th,  1880. 

IX. — Tax  on  patents  of  navigation  shall  be  collected  according 
to  laws  in  force,  in  the  same  manner  as  for  this  fiscal  year. 

X. — Fees  may  be  collected  by  consuls,  vice-consuls  or  commer- 
cial agents  of  the  Republic,  according  to  the  tariff  of  November  8th 
1880,  and  other  laws  in  force.  The  executive  is  fully  authorized  to 
modify  during  the  coming  year  all  the  regulations  in  regard  to  con- 
sular documents  used  for  the  importation  of  foreign  goods. 


NATURALIZATION     LAWS, 


(LAWS   IN    FORCE.) 

Minister  of  Foreign  and  Interior  Relations. 

His  Excellency  the  General-in-chief  of  the  supreme  executive 
power  has  thought  proper  to  address  me  the  following  decree  : 

Jose  Maria  de  Salas,  General  of  Brigade  and  Chief  of  the 
liberating  army  of  the  supreme  executive  power,  to  the  inhabitants 
of  the  Republic  of  Mexico  be  it  known : 

Having  under  my  consideration  the  fact  that  one  of  the  most 
efficacious  means  of  procuring  the  felicity  of  the  Republic,  is  to  pro- 
mote the  augmentation  of  its  population  and  facilitate  the  natural- 
ization of  industrious  men,  by  removing  the  impediments  that  have 
opposed  laws  dictated  by  a  principle  less  frank  and  liberal  than 
those  now  professed  by  the  administration,  I  have  thought  proper 
to  decree,  that  before  the  national  Congress  will  make  the  neces- 
sary reforms  the  following  articles  shall  be  observed  : 

1st. — Any  foreigner  who  shall  manifest  the  desire  of  becoming 


186 

a  citizen  of  the  Republic,  and  who  will  produce  proof  that  he  has  a 
profession  or  carries  on  an  industry  that  permits  him  to  make  an 
honest  living,  can  obtain  his  letter  of  citizenship. 

2d. — In  the  same  manner  any  foreigner  may  obtain  his  natural- 
ization letter  by  serving  the  nation  either  in  the  army  or  navy. 

3d. — Letters  of  citizenship  shall  be  issued  by  the  President  of 
the  Republic,  without  any  charge  except  those  following  for  those 
named  in  Article  I,  stamp  paper  of  the  first-class,  and  for  those 
under  paragraph  i  upon  common  paper. 

4th. — There  shall  be  kept  in  the  Ministry  of  the  Interior  and 
Foreign  Relations  a  register  where  the  names,  country  and  profes- 
sion of  all  foreigners  that  have  become  naturalized  shall  be  entered. 

5th. — The  foreigners  who  will  have  become  naturalized  by 
virtue  of  the  conditions  of  this  decree,  shall  be  considered  as  Mexi- 
cans, and  in  consequence  shall  be  entitled  to  all  rights  and  obliga- 
tions imposed  upon  them. 

6th. — No  letter  of  citizenship  shall  be  granted  to  any  citizen  of 
any  nation  at  war  with  the  Republic. 

This  is  accordingly  ordered  to  be  published  and  circulated,  and 
enforced.  Done  in  the  National  Palace  of  Mexico,  September  loth, 
A.  D.  1846. 

JOSE    MARIA   SALAS, 
MANUEL   REJON. 

I  communicate  the  same  for  your  information,  and  its  enforce- 
ment. 

God  and  liberty! 

REJON, 
Secretary  of  State  and  of  Foreign  Relations, 
September  loth,  1846. 

The  President  of  the  Repubhc  has  thought  proper  to  direct  to 
me  the  following  decree : 

Benito  Juarez,  Constitutional  President  of  the  United  States  of 
Mexico,  make  known  to  its  inhabitants  : 

That  the  Congress  of  the  Union  has  decreed  the  following : 

Sole  and  only  article. — All  letters  of  citizenship  shall  be  issued 
by  the  President  of  the  Republic  on  common  paper,  stamped  with 


187 

the  seal  of  the  Ministry  of  State.     Accordingly  Article  III  of  the 
law  of  the  loth  of  September,  1846,  is  hereby  repealed. 

M.  ROMERO  RUBIO, 

Deputy  President, 

JUAN  SANCHEZ  AZCONA, 

Deputy  Secretary. 

JULIO  ZARATE, 

Deputy  Secretary. 

Hall  of  Congress,  Mexico,  April  9th,  1870. 

Accordingly,  this  decree  is  ordered  to  be  printed,  published  and 
irculated,  and  enforced. 

National  Government  Palace  in  Mexico,  nth  of  April  A.  D. 
1870. 

BENITO  JUARES. 

To  the  citizen,  Sebastian  Lerdo  de  Tejada, 
Minister  of  Foreign  Relations. 

The  same  is  communicated  to  you  for  your  information  and 
desired  end. 

Independence  and  liberty! 

LERDO   DE   TEJADA 

To  the  citizen  Governor  of  the  State  of 

April  loth. 


ABSTRACT   OF   THE   LAWS   OF   MEXICO   FOR   THE 
ACQUISITION   AND  OWNERSHIP  OF  REAL 
ESTATE    AND   MINES   IN   THE   RE- 
PUBLIC  OF   MEXICO. 

Foreigners  established  or  residing  in  Mexico  are  authorized  to 
acquire  and  possess  real  estate  from  private  owners,  and  also  mmes 
of  all  kinds. 


188 

The  legitimate  means  of  acquiring  real  estate  and  mines  or 
mining  interests  are  by  purchase,  adjudication,  denouncement,  and 
by  any  other  means  established  by  the  Mexican  common  law,  and 
mining  ordinances. 

No  foreigner  can  own  any  real  estate  in  a  frontier  State  or 
Territory  of  the  Republic  except  by  previously  obtaining  permission 
of  the  President  of  the  Republic ;  or,  without  this  permission, 
provided  it  is  situated  beyond  sixty  miles  from  the  frontier  line,  or 
beyond  fifteen  miles  from  the  coast. 

Any  foreigner  who,  desiring  permission  to  own  real  estate 
within  the  above  mentioned  limits,  must  address  his  petition  to  the 
Secretary  of  Public  Works  at  the  City  of  Mexico,  accompanied  by  a 
report  from  the  Government  of  the  State  or  Territory  where  the " 
property  is  situated. 

The  foreigner  proprietor  of  real  estate  forfeits  his  rights  of 
possession  under  any  of  the  following  circumstances : 

1st. — By  being  away  from  the  Republic  with  his  family  for 
more  than  two  years  without  permission  from  the  general  Govern- 
ment. 

2d. — By  residing  outside  of  the  Republic,  even  though  he  has  a 
representative  residing  upon  his  property  or  in  the  Republic. 

3d. — By  the  transferring  or  conveying  said  property  by 
inheritance  or  any  other  means  to  any  person  non-resident  in  the 
Republic. 

Any  foreign  property-owner  who  may  fall  into  any  of  the 
three  conditions  above  stipulated,  is  compelled  to  sell  his  real  estate 
to  a  Mexican  citizen  within  two  years  from  the  date  of  his  absence 
from  the  Republic  ;  or,  in  case  he  fails  to  comply  with  this  pre- 
scription, the  public  authority  will  effect  the  sale  of  the  property, 
depositing  the  proceeds  of  it  to  the  order  of  the  owner  of  the 
property.  If  said  sale  has  been  made  by  denouncement  of  the 
property,  one-tenth  of  the  proceeds  shall  go  to  the  person  who 
made  the  denouncement  and  the  balance  to  the  absent  foreigner. 

Are  exempt  from  these  rules,  any  foreigners  who  are  members 
of  any  mining  company  that  has  either  discovered  or  restored  any 
abandoned  mine.  In  this  case  he  will  keep  his  right  to  his  pro- 
perty through  his  co-associates  in  it,  no  matter  what  may  be  the 
time  and  circumstance  of  his  absence,  as  long  as  the  labors  of  the 
association  are  kept  up. 


189 

It  is  entirely  forbidden  to  natives  of  neighboring  nations  and 
to  those  naturalized  in  them  to  obtain  Government  lands  situated 
in  a  neighboring  State  or  Territory. 

In  order  that  foreigners,  who  have  acquired  real  estate,  may 
become  naturalized,  it  is  sufficient  that  after  reporting  their  acquisi- 
tion to  the  proper  local  authority,  they  apply  for  their  naturaliza- 
tion papers. 

The  foreigner  residing  in  the  Republic  and  able  to  acquire 
public  lands,  can  denounce  2,500  hectares,  and  no  more,  as  the 
same  privilege  is  granted  to  native  citizens. 

In  order  to  obtain  public  lands  in  Mexico,  a  denouncement 
must  be  made  before  the  judge  who  may  have  charge  of  Federal 
matters  in  the  judicial  district  where  the  land  is  situated.  After  the 
denouncement  has  been  presented  by  petition  in  writing,  the  survey 
and  measurement  of  the  land  has  to  made  by  the  engineer  appointed 
by  the  judge.  When  the  survey  and  measurement  has  been  made 
and  plated,  the  judge  will  ascertain  if  the  land  really  belongs  to 
the  public  domain.  If  such  is  the  case,  and  there  is  no  opponent, 
the  judge  will  decree  the  adjudication  and  ownership  of  the  person 
who  has  denounced  it. 

If  there  is  an  opponent  to  the  denouncement,  a  judgment  has 
to  be  passed  after  a  legal  trial. 

If  the  land  is  not  represented  in  the  Federal  Treasury  to  have 
been  granted,  the  denouncement  will  be  published  three  times 
within  thirty  days,  in  which  time  if  an  opponent  to  the  denounce- 
ment appear,  the  same  proceedings  will  take  place  as  stated  in  the 
clause  above.  If  no  opponent  appear,  the  judge  will  then  decree 
the  possession  only,  and  not  the  title  of  the  denounced  lands. 

The  judicial  decree  of  adjudication  of  public  lands,  either  in 
possession  or  property,  cannot  take  its  whole  effect,  until  it  has 
been  approved  by  the  President  of  the  Republic ;  for  which  pur- 
pose the  papers  in  the  case  w^ill  be  sent  to  that  supreme  authority 
through  the  Department  of  Public  Works,  accompanied  by  a  report 
from  the  Government  of  the  State,  or  the  highest  political  authority 
of  the  Territory  where  the  denouncement  has  been  made.  The 
approval  of  the  President  once  obtamed,  and  the  value  of  the  land 
having  been  paid  by  the  denouncing  party,  accordmg  to  existing 
tariff,  the  judge  will  then  grant  title  of  property  or  of  possession  as 
the  case  maybe. 


190 

The  adjudication  in  possession  differs  from  that  in  property  in 
that  the  former  gives  property  as  far  as  the  Government  and  the 
opponent  defeated  in  the  trial  are  concerned,  but  not  in  regard  to  a 
third  party,  in  which  case  the  property  may  be  obtained  by  Hmita- 
tion  or  any  other  legal  title. 

All  expenses  of  surveying,  measurement,  and  otherwise  con- 
nected with  the  denouncement,  must  be  paid  by  the  denouncing 
party,  but  they  may  be  charged  to  the  opponent  in  case  that  judg- 
ment shall  be  passed  to  that  effect. 

Grantees  of  public  lands  are  compelled  to  locate  on  their  grant 
at  least  one  inhabitant  for  every  two  hundred  hectares,  who  shall 
reside  thereon  without  interrruption  during  ten  years,  not  being 
absent  more  than  four  months  during  each  year.  In  failing  to  com- 
ply with  this  clause  of  the  law  he  will  forfeit  his  right  to  the  land 
as  well  as  the  price  paid  for  it. 

Any  person  enabled  to  own  property  by  denouncement  of  pub- 
lic lands  cannot  obtain  more  than  2,500  hectares,  by  virtue  of  the 
law  of  limitation,  until  he  has  had  possession  of  the  land  for  ten 
years  and  has  complied  with  the  other  requisites  of  law  and  those 
prescribed  in  the  above  clause. 

Foreigners  who  have  acquired  real  estate  from  private  owners 
or  the  Government  of  Mexico,  are  subject  to  all  kinds  of  taxation, 
and  are  bound  to  do  military  duty  whenever  called  upon  to  protect 
the  property  they  have  acquired,  preserve  public  order  and  tran- 
quihty  m  the  place  where  they  reside,  and  are  bound  to  take  part  in 
the  elucidation  of  all  questions  that  may  arise  in  regard  to  said 
property,  according  to  the  existing  laws  and  before  the  tribunals  of 
Mexico,  without  ever  appealing  to  their  rights  of  foreign  citizenship, 
to  any  intervention  from  any  foreign  power. 

The  rules  to  be  observed  in  the  transfer  of  any  property 
obtained  from  private  owners  are  very  simple,  but  it  is  always  bet- 
ter for  foreigners  to  observe  the  practice  of  the  native  citizen,  which 
consists  in  engaging  a  notary  public  or  a  lawyer  to  examine  the 
title  and  have  it  registered  in  the  archives  at  the  ofiice  of  the  notary 
public  and  in  the  register  of  the  office  where  taxes  are  paid  for  the 
local  (municipal)  and  Federal  Government 


191 


SYNOPSIS   OF   MEXICAN    LAWS    ON    INHERITANCE. 

Foreigners  making  their  last  will  and  testament  within 
Mexican  territory  can  select  the  law  of  their  country  in  regard  to 
the  minor  solemnity  of  the  act ;  but,  regarding  the  external  legal 
formalities,  will  subject  themselves  to  the  Mexican  laws  upon  the 
matter. 

When  the  testator  is  not  conversant  with  the  language  of  the 
country,  there  must  be  present  in  the  act,  besides  the  witnesses, 
two  interpreters  appointed  by  the  testator  himself. 

Testaments  made  in  foreign  countries  will  have  their  value  in 
Mexico  whenever  they  have  been  made  authentically  and  in  com- 
pliance with  the  laws  of  the  country  in  which  they  are  executed. 

Only  foreigners  who,  according  to  the  laws  of  their  country, 
can  will  or  leave  ab  intestado  their  estate  to  Mexican  citizens,  are 
authorized  to  inherit  or  to  obtain  ab  intestado  the  estate  of  any 
citizen  of  Mexico. 


INFORMATION     FOR    PERSONS    DESIRING  TO    PURCHASE    REAL 
ESTATE   OR   MAKE   CONTRACTS   OF   ANY   KIND   IN   MEXICO. 

All  transfers  of  property,  arguments,  contracts  and  all  other 
documents  in  order  to  become  valid  in  Mexico  must  be  drawn  up 
and  executed  before  a  notary  public  {escribano  piiblicd). 

The  required  stamps  must  be  placed  on  the  document,  or  it 
will  be  null  and  void  (see  stamp  law),  and  parties  using  the  same 
without  stamps  are  subject  to  heavy  penalties. 

The  original  document  remains  in  the  archives,  and  only  certi- 
fied copies  are  delivered  to  parties  interested. 

The  Alcabala  is  a  tax  that  has  to  be  paid  into  the  Govern- 
ment Treasury  upon  the  amount  mentioned  in  every  transfer  of 
real  estate.  It  is  uniform  all  over  the  Republic — being  one  and 
a-half  per  cent,  upon  the  amount  mentioned  in  the  deed  or  transfer, 
and  twenty-five  per  cent,  additional  tax  upon  the  one  and  a-half 
per  cent. 

Some  States  have  imposed  a  railroad  tax  on  real  estate  trans- 
fers. In  the  State  of  San  Luis  Potosi  it  is  ten  per  cent,  on  amount 
paid  as  alcabala  for  transfer  of  dominion. 


192 


STATISTICS. 

FEDERAL   REVENUE   DURING   THE   FISCAL  YEAR    1 879  TO    1880, 

AS     PRESENTED     IN    THE     REPORT     OF    THE   TREASURER 

OF   THE   NATION — $21,936,165.39  DERIVED    FROM 

THE   FOLLOWING   RESOURCES. 


I. 

From  custom-houses  (imports  alone  $12,338,- 

771.87), 

$13,438,284  35 

2. 

Incomes  from  the  District  and  Territory  of 

Lower  California,          .... 

1,173,877  81 

3. 

From  stamp  duties, 

3,725,036  73 

4- 

"      direct  taxation,           .         .         ,  *       . 

592,688  48 

5- 

"      products  of  national  property, 

148,535  22 

6. 

"             "        of  mints,     .... 

300,389  32 

7. 

Renting  of  the  following  mints  : — 

Guanaguato  and  Zacatecas,     .    $300,000 
Alamos,  Culiacan  and  Herme- 

sillo,      .         .         .         .           100,000 
San  Luis,          ....      100,000 
Chihuahua,           .         .         .             60,000 
Durango  and  Guadalajara,      .       160,000 

720,000  00 

8. 

Fund  belonging  to  public  institutions,  . 

46,716  68 

9- 

Post  office, 

967,927  23 

:o. 

Smaller  branches  of  revenue  : — 

Rents,         ....      $22,221  75 
Miscellaneous  profits,      ,           188,13604 
General  archives,         .         .             108  71 
Gift  to  the  Treasury,       .                 1 20  00 
Appointments     of     notary 

publics,        .         .         .            600  00 

Legalization  of  signatures,          2,305  60 

From  telegraphs,         .         .      119,890  15 

"      fines,      .         .         .            11,104  16 

Naval  patents,     .         .         .          1,385  31 

193 


Premiums, 

7,306  26 

Costs  of  courts, 

2,705  63 

Redintegration, 

497  25 

Salt  mines, 

400  00 

Public  lands. 

33,061  49 

Sale  of  useful  objects, 

2,731  01 

Privileges  and  patents    . 

565  00 

Not  specified. 

10,117  40 

From  consulates,    . 

70,366  00 

473,621  ^d 

II. 

Products  of  property  and  capital. 

. 

856  25 

12. 

Ten  per  cent,  tax  upon  lotteries. 

. 

41,341  53 

13- 

Product  of    the  lottery   of    the 

Cuantitlan 

Railway, 

, 

25,000  00 

14. 

Duties  on  home  manufactures, 

. 

148.178  09 

15- 

Balance  of  taxes,    . 

>         •         • 

90,320  09 

i6. 

Donation  to  pay  the  American  debt, 

43.391  85 

^21,936,165  39 

Balance  on  hand  from  last  year. 
Total  amount  to  meet  the  budget. 

1,468,116  35 

$23,404,281  74 

STATEMENT   OF   THE  REVENUE  AND   EXPENDITURES   OF 

THE  DIFFERENT   STATES   OF   THE   REPUBLIC  OF 

MEXICO   DURING  THE   FISCAL   YEAR 

1879  TO    1880. 

Revenue.  Expenditures. 

1.  Ag^ascaliente,         .         .         .          $66,748  57  $61,085  85 

2.  Campeche,           ,         .         .              126,301  32  183,061  21 

3.  Coahuila,        ....           57,ii6  dd  57,ii6  66 

4.  Colima,       ,        .        .        .               96,365  43  9^,357  44 

5.  Chiapas,          ....           79,958  55  78,400  00 

6.  Chihuahua,          .         .         .              100,084  ©4  122,472  37 

7.  Durango,         ....          144,280  56  118,641  58 

8.  Guanajuato.        .        .        .             927,576  30  819,053  93 


194 


9-  Guerrero, 

10.  Hidalgo, 

11.  Jalisco,    . 

12.  Mexico 

13.  Michoacan, 

14.  Morelos, 

15.  Nuevo  Leon,  . 

16.  Oaxaca, 

17.  Puebla,   . 

18.  Queretaro,  . 

19.  San  Luis  Potcsi, 

20.  Sinaloa, 

21.  Sonora,  . 

22.  Tabasco, 

23.  Tamaulipas,    . 

24.  Tlaxcala, 

25.  Vera  Cruz, 

26.  Yucatan, 

27.  Zacatecas, 

Total,    . 


88,426  15 

382,385  39 
307,540  51 
415,633  40 
271,555  69 

233.527  II 
97,460  23 

530.993  58 
688,155  00 
178,831  20 
332,927  78 
123,969  30 
142,000  00 

91,425  26 
100,000  00 

87,369  79 
618,557  75 
229,172  44 
493,600  00 


91,640  36 
361,026  00 
325,050  27 
449^734  09 
233,763  42 
200,467  56 

96,083  00 

530,993  58 

688,155  00 

178,728  83 

327,429  91 

122,369  04 

167,296  50 

84,019  91 

98,525  25 

^7,7^7   34 

607,335  43 

228,792  33 

477,383  06 


,011,962  01  $6,825,684  07 


STATEMENT    SHOWING    THE    EXPENDITURES    OF   THE   DIFFER- 
ENT   BRANCHES    OF   THE   GOVERNMENT    FOR   THE 
FISCAL   YEAR    1879-1880. 


1.  Legislative  Department, 

2.  Executive  " 

3.  Judicial  "    . 

4.  Exterior  relations, 

5.  Interior         "    . 

6.  Justice, 

7.  Public  vv^orks,    . 

8.  Treasury, 

9.  War  and  marine. 

Total,    .         .         . 


Amount  authorized 
to  be  expanded. 

$983,242  00 

48,832  40 

347,878  00 

273,711  46 

2,831,648  24 

1,152,347  36 

3,018,119  42 

4,938,294  14 

9,938,224  10 


Amount  actually 
expended. 

$901,897  69 
42,170  48 

319,915  91 
255,290  ^^ 
2,432,168  14 
1,057,183  00 
2,179,088  57 
4,565,519  87 

8,678,562  66 


$23,532,297  12  $20,431,797  20 


195 


RECAPITULATION. 


Sums  of  Authorized  Budget. 


For  Federal  Government,      .         ,         .         .         .     $23,532,297  12 

For  divers  State  Governments,  .         .         .  7i^S7>^97  ^5 

Total, $31,190,194  17 


Federal  revenue  according  to  Treasurer's  Report 

for  1879-1880, $21,936,165  39 

Revenue  of  the  different  States  as  already  stated,  7,011,962  01 

Total, $28,948,127  40 


Sums  Expended. 

For  Federal  Government,            ....  $20,431,896  15 

For  the  Government  of  the  States,         .         .  .         6,825,684  07 

Total, $27,257,580  22 


THE   VALUE   OF   REAL    ESTATE. 

The  number  of  estates  or  farms  in  the  Republic  of  Mexico  in 
1856  amounted  to  13,000,  according  to  documents  on  file  with  the 
collector  of  direct  contributions,  and  the  value  of  the  same  was 
assessed  at  $720,000,000,  and  the  value  of  city  property  was  set 
down  at  $635,000,000,  making  together  the  total  value  of  real  estate 
in  Mexico  at  that  time  amount  to  $1,355,000,000. 

The  majority  of  the  population  of  Mexico  resided  in  1856  in 
26,468  cities,  towns,  villages,  plantations  and  ranches,  most  of  them 
situated  on  the  plateau  and  on  the  planes  of  the  Cordilleras  or  the 
inclined  plane  leading  from  the  plateau  to  the  coasts. 


196 

It  was  estimated  that  in  1856  over  one  hundred  millions  of  dol- 
lars was  in  circulation  in  the  Republic. 


STATEMENT    SHOWING    THE  VALUE  OF   REAL   ESTATE   IN   THE 
REPUBLIC   OF   MEXICO   IN    1881. 


Value  of 

Value  of 

Total  Value  of 

Name  of  State, 

City  Property. 

$ 
1,700,000  00 

Rural  Property. 

Real  Estate. 

I 

Aguascalientes 

3,342,000  00 

$ 
5,042,000   00 

2 

Campeche 

552,509  00 

691,286   00 

1,243,795    00 

3 

Coahuila 

1,140,828   00 

1,809,865   00 

2.950.693   00 

4 

Colima 

1,891,790  00 

800,852   00 

2,692,642    00 

5 

Chiapas 

439,994   00 

1,836,286  00 

2,276,280   00 

6 

Chihuahua 

1,646,730  00 

3,007,200  00 

4.653.930   00 

7 

Durango 

2,653,331    00 

4,404,548   00 

7,057,879   00 

8 

Guanajuato 

8,572,982  88 

21,285,290  89 

29.858,273  77 

9 

Guerrero 

1.993.304  00 

11,503,400  00 

13.496.704  00 

10 

Hidalgo 

2,559.311  22 

11,825,426   37 

14.384.737  59 

II 

Jalisco 

10,085,295  75 

12,980,953  77 

23,066,249  52 

12 

Mexico 

4,444,651  43 

18,946,445  46 

23.391.096  89 

13 

Michoacan 

7,299,057  00 

13,650,657  00 

20,949,714  00 

14 

Morelos 

1,064,059  07 

4,193.315  32 

5.257.374  39 

15 

Nuevo  Leon 

5,029,463  00 

4.555.327  00 

9,584,790  00 

16 

Oaxaca 

6,178,534  00 

5,262,766  00 

11,441,300  00 

17 

Puebla 

18,411,678  55 

14,609,865  91 

33,021,544  46 

18 

Queretaro 

4,861,238   GO 

5,699,245  00 

10,560,483  00 

19 

San  Luis  Potosi 

5,625,608    58 

7,928,048  14 

13.565.656  72 

20 

0  T 

Sinaloa 
Sonora 

2,996,313   00 

1,611,477  00 

4,607,790  00 
6,898,000  00 

21 

22 

Tabasco 

1,001,309  00 

1,856,940  00 

2,858,249  00 

23 

Tamaulipas 

4,264,665    00 

1,950,270  00 

6,214,935  00 

24 

Tlaxcala 

713,157   00 

5,069,457  00 

5,782,614  00 

25 

Vera  Cruz 

18,139,822    14 

5.793.565  00 

23.933.387  14 

26 

Yucatan 

1,449,604  44 

1,728,573  62 

3,178,178  06 

27 

Zacatecas 

5,774,416  42 

9,841,235  59 

15,615,652  01 

28 

Ter.  of  L.  Cal. 

7,598,682  00 

29 

Federal  districts 
Total 

49,194,724  04 

5.689,697  97 

54,884,422  01 

169,684,376  52 

181,873,994  04 

366,055,052  56 

197 

The  estimated  value  of  real  estate  in  Mexico,  without  regard  to 
its  taxable  value,  sums  up  for  the  year  1881  to  the  amount  of 
$432,000,000.  The  author  of  the  present  work,  from  his  own  obser- 
vations in  traveling  through  the  country,  believes  that  the  above 
sum  does  not  actually  represent  more  than  one-fourth  of  the  true 
value  of  real  estate  in  Mexico. 


MINING  STATISTICS. 

During  the  time  that  Mexico  was  a  colony  of  Spain,  that  is 
from  1537  to  1821,  the  sum  of  $2,086,269,703  silver  and  $68,768,411 
gold,  making  a  total  of  $2,155,038,124,  was  produced  by  the 
Mexican  mines ;  and  after  independence  was  effected,  from  1822 
to  1880,  the  mines  produced  in  silver  $900,658,309,  and  in  gold 
$49,413,786,  making  a  total  of  $950,072,095,  which  amounts  in  all 
to  the  sum  of  $3,105,110,219.  This  immense  amount  of  coin  is 
about  the  sum  in  round  numbers  that  France  lost  in  the  Franco- 
Prussian  war.     What  is  mining  compared  with  industry  } 


TABLE     SHOWING     TH«      EXPORTS      OF     TIMBER     TO     FOREIGN 

COUNTRIES   FROM  THE   REPUBLIC   OF   MEXICO 

THE   FISCAL   YEAR   ENDING   IN    1 87  5. 


Total  value  exported 

Amount  of  duties 

Quality  of  Timber. 

through  all  the 

paid  the  Mexican 

ports,  m  dollars. 

Government. 

Mahogany, 

$877,973   97 

$103,455   78 

Cedar 

79,859   00 

8,114   25 

Lumber, 

3.963    14 

8  64 

Palo  Moral, 

105,555    20 

Palo  de  tinte  (dye  wood), 

543,378   06 

Tapinceran,     . 

150  GO 

3  00 

$1,610,879    37 

$111,581  67 

198 


TOTAL      IMPORTS      FROM      FOREIGN      COUNTRIES       INTO 
REPUBLIC    OF   MEXICO   DURING   THE   FISCAL 
YEAR   ENDING   IN    1875. 


THE 


From  what  countries 

Invoice 

Value  at  Mexican 

Custom  House 

imported. 

value. 

ports. 

duties. 

England,     . 

$8,657,168  68 

$12,523,745    -J^ 

$5,157,476   92 

France,    . 

3,096,990  17 

4,453,327    26 

1,811,713   42 

Germany,     . 

1,005,763  33 

1,658,394    12 

721,912    75 

Spain, 

914,908  58 

1,329,527    02 

610,738   42 

South  America,  . 

90,031  94 

202,553    93 

74,869    89 

United  States, 

5,028,635  91 

7,133,307    B3 

3,444,822   09 

$18,793,493  61 

$27,300,855    93 

$11,821,523   49 

TABLE  INDICATING  THE  COST  OF  RAISING  AND  GATHERING 
ONE  "ARROBA,"  OR  25  POUNDS,  OF  COTTON  IN  THE 
DIVERS  STATES  OF  THE  MEXICAN  REPUBLIC,  AND  ITS 
COST  LAID  DOWN  AT  THE  NEARESTf  PORT  OF  EXPORTS, 
AND  THE  PROFIT  ITS  CULTIVATION  WILL  GIVE  TO  THE 
AGRICULTURIST. 


Taken  from  a  memoir  upon  the  culture  of  cotton  in  Mexico 
by  Seiior  Don  Jose  Andrande  in  August,  1864. 

(Since  that  time  other  States  have  been  created  out  of  the  State 
of  Mexico :  Puebla,  Tamauhpas,  San  Luis  Potosi,  etc.,  and  Yu- 
catan.) 

The  price  of  freight  given  in  this  table  is  at  present  much 
reduced,  but  it  must  be  remembered  that  in  1 864  nearly  all  the 
means  of  transportation  was  engaged  in  hauling  cotton  from 
Texas  to  Mexico,  and  that  all  the  facilities  for  transportation  were 
inadequate  to  the  task. 


199 


The  price  of   i8  cents  is  a  fair  average  price  as  is  also  tl 
cost  of  raising  the  same. 


Cotton  gathered 

the  following 
States. 

Transported  to  the 

follo^vlng- 

ports. 

li 

1 

Total  expense 

to 

port  of  embarcation. 

Average  Value 
per 
25  pounds.              ! 

Pi5 

s 

$  U  i  $ 

$ 

$ 

Aguasca-     ) 
lientes       \ 

San  Bias, 

1 38I2  25 

3  634  50 

87 

264   GO 

Baja    Call-  [ 
fornia        \ 

j  Any  port  in  that  ) 
I      territory           ) 

37 

I  75 

2  75 

836    GG 

Chiapas 

Tonala 

55 

I  93 

2  57 

781    GG 

Chihuahua 

Altata 

2  5o|3  88 

62 

188    GG 

Coahuila 

Matamoros 

I    62  3    GO 

I  50 

456    GO 

CoHma 

Manzanillo 

37 

I  75 

2  75 

836    GO 

Durango 

Mazatlan 

I   12 

2  50 

2  00 

6g8  go 

Guanajualo 

Tampico 

I  37 

2  75 

I  75 

532    GO 

Gerrero 

Acapulco 

62 

2  00 

2  50  760  00 

Island    of     { 
Carmen    \ 

Carmen 

25 

I  63 

2  87  872  00 

Jalisco 

San  Bias 

I  5o|2  88 

I  62 '492  00 

Mexico 

Vera  Cruz 

I  25  2  63 

I    87  568    GO 

Michoacan 

Zacatula 

I  703  08 

I    42431    00 

Nuevo  Leon 

Matamoros 

I  25  2  63 

I    87  568    GO 

Oaxaca 

Huatula 

842  22 

' 

2    28693    00 

Puebla 

Vera  Cruz 

87 

2  25 

2    25  684   GO 

Queretaro 

Tampico 

I   10 

2  48 

2    G2;6l4   GO 

San     Luis    [ 
Potosi       \ 

J                          1 
do. 

137 

275 

175 

532    00 

Sierra  Gorda 

do.                      1 

I   10 

2  48 

2   G2 

614   GG 

Sinaloa 

Altata                      i         i     87 

2  25 

2    25  684   GO 

Sonora 

Guaymas 

62 

2  00 

2    50  760   GG 

Tabasco 

Frontera 

50 

I  88 

2    62 

796    GG 

Taraaulipas 

Tampico 

52 

I  90 

2  6g 

790   GG 

Tehuantepec 

{  Tehuantepec  or  ( 
)       Minatillan        \ 

24 

I  62 

2  88 

875    GO 

Tlaxcala 

Vera  Cruz                1 

S7 

2  25 

2  25 

684   GO 

Vera  Cruz 

do. 

37 

I  75 

2  75 

836    GG 

Yucatan 

Campeche                         !     45 

I  83 

2  67 

811    GG 

Zacatecas 

San  Bias 

2  00 

3  38 

I   12 

340   GO 

200 


TABLE  SHOWING  THE  NUMBER  OF  PUBLIC  SCHOOLS  IN  THE 
STATES  AND  THE  TERRITORY  OF  LOWER  CALIFORNIA, 
AND  THE  COST  OF  THEIR  MAINTENANCE  FOR  THE  YEAR 
1880. 


STATES, 

fl 

|| 

H 

Number 

of 

male 

pupils. 

Number 

of 
female 
pupils. 

Total 
number 

of 
pupils. 

l-gil 

I.  Aguasca-    ) 
lientes      \ 

53 

26 

79 

4,800 

1,200 

6,000 

1 

10,000 

2.  Campeche 

43 

14 

57 

3,600 

700 

4,300 

15,000 

3.  Coahuila 

70 

30 

100 

5.230 

2,127 

7.357 

26,000 

4.  Colima 

18 

17 

35 

1,452 

1,502 

2.954 

18,000 

5.  Chiapas 

78 

12 

90 

2,125 

500 

2,625 

10,000 

6.  Chihuahua 

73 

40 

113 

3.350 

928 

4,278 

28,473 

7.  Durango 

95 

30 

125 

3,102 

1.350 

4.452 

20,000 

8.  Guanajuato 

176 

145 

321 

10,754 

7,045 

17,799 

81,386 

9.  Guerrero 

392 

28 

420 

13,006 

1.755 

14.761 

34.965 

10.  Hidalgo 

442 

76 

518 

15,819 

3.371 

19.190 

82,287 

II.  Jalisco 

439 

275 

714 

28,376 

11,160 

39.536 

100,000 

12.  Mexico 

887 

181 

i,q68 

41.321 

10,245 

51.566 

187,216 

13.  Michoacan 

154 

89 

243 

7,000 

3.200 

10,200 

52,756 

14.  Morelos 

47 

40 

S7 

8,209 

5.387 

13.596 

22,866 

1 5.  Nuevo  Leon 

181 

104 

285 

8,928 

4,732 

13.660 

68,000 

16.  Oaxaca 

234 

47 

281 

16,420 

3.296 

19.716 

50,982 

17.  Puebla 

889 

118 

1,007 

50,320 

15,000 

65,320 

153.000 

18.  Queretaro 

lOI 

62 

163 

6,271 

2,922 

9.193 

30,000 

19.  San  Luis     ) 
Potosi     \ 

183 

56 

239 

9,486 

3.690 

13.176 

40,000 

20.  Sinaloa 

238 

42 

280 

6,600 

2,600 

9,200 

58,000 

21.  Sonora 

80 

25 

105 

3.500 

740 

4.240 

20,000 

22.  Tabasco 

48 

17 

65 

2,695 

525 

3.220 

20,000 

23.  Flascala 

176 

18 

194 

8,100 

1.550 

9.650 

20,000 

24.  Tamaulipas 

60 

— 

60 

4,000 

4,000 

10,000 

25.  Vera  Cruz 

580 

149 

729 

20,021 

5.937 

25.958 

218,935 

26.  Yucatan 

163 

39 

202 

8,659 

2,643 

11.302 

50,000 

27.  Zacatecas 

311 

178 

489 

13.738 

6,653 

20,391 

72,000 

Ter.  of  Lower  ) 
California       ) 

17 
6,228 

9 
1,867 

26 
8,095 

677 

367 

1,044 

10,000 

Total 

307.559 

101,125 

408,684 

1,510,446 

201 


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203 


MEXICAN  STAMP  DUTY— ABRIDGED. 


This  work  does  not  permit  us  to  give  in  full  the  stamp  duty- 
law  (ley  del  timbre),  but  we  make  such  abstracts  as  will  be  found 
most  interesting  to  foreigners. 

Article  ist  of  the  law  says  :  "  The  Federal  Revenue,  known  as 
stamp  duty,  shall  be  made  effective  by  means  of  stamps,  according 
to  the  disposition  of  this  law." 

Article  2d. — The  stamp  shall  consist  of  three  different  classes, 
first,  stamps  for  documents  and  books ;  second,  stamps  for  goods, 
and,  third,  stamps  for  Federal  contributions. 

Article  3d. —  The  stamps  shall  only  be  valid  for  the  year 
mentioned  in  their  faces,  or  during  the  time  the  executive  may 
determine,  changing  their  value,  if  necessary. 

Article  4th. —  The  stamps  for  documents  and  books  shall  be  of 
the  following  denominations  : 

I. — First,  ten  dollars. 
Second,  five  dollars. 
Third,  one  dollar. 
Fourth,  fifty  cents. 
Fifth,  twenty-five  cents. 
Sixth,  ten  cents. 
Seventh,  five  cents. 
Eighth,  three  cents. 
Ninth,  one  cent. 

II. — The  stamps  for  merchandise  shall  be  of  the  following 
denominations,  viz.,  one,  three,  five  and  ten  cents. 

III. — The  stamps  to  be  used  for  the  payment  of  Federal  con- 
tributions shall  be  of  the  following  denominations,  viz, : 
First,  five  dollars. 
Second,  one  dollar. 
Third,  twenty -five  cents. 
Fourth,  five  cents. 
Fifth,  one  cent. 


204 

IV. — The  stamp  duty  may  be  paid  with  the  stamps  specified  in 
this  law,  or  with  several  stamps  together  amounting  to  the  value 
required. 

E. 

42. — Public  docujnents  itestimonid),  titles,  etc. 

A. — When  no  sum  is  expressed  or  determined  in  the  first  page, 
five  dollars,  and  for  each  additional  pasfe,  fifty  cents. 

B. — When  sums  are  mentioned  or  expressed  on  every  page, 
fifty  cents. 

And  for  each  one  hundred  dollars,  and  every  fraction  of  a 
hundred  dollars,  ten  cents. 

C. — When  sums  are  mentioned,  and  at  the  same  time  include 
objects  whose  value  cannot  be  determined  :  for  the  first  page,  five 
dollars,  and  each  additional  page,  fifty  cents. 

And  for  each  one  hundred  dollars  or  fraction  thereof,  ten 
cents. 

D. — Contract  of  rent  or  yearly  lease,  for  each  page,  fifty 
cents,  and  for  each  hundred  dollars  or  fraction  of  one  hundred 
dollars  mentioned  in  the  same,  ten  cents. 

E. — For  a  division  or  partition  sale,  for  each  leaf,  fifty  cents  ; 
and  one  cent  on  all  sums  from  one  to  twenty  dollars,  and  one  cent 
for  each  additional  twenty  dollars  or  fractions  thereof. 
43. —  Titles  to  Mines,  for  each  page,  fifty  cents. 

I. 

50. — Inventories,  taken  by  order  of  court,  per  page,  fifty  cents. 

L. 

5 1 . — For  each  legalizatioti  of  signature,  ten  cents. 
52. — Bills  of  exchange. 

From  one  to  twenty  dollars,  one   cent;    over  that  sum,  for 
each  twenty  dollars  or  fraction  thereof,  one  cent. 
53. — For  drafts,  as  above. 

M. 

58. — Memorials,  petitions,  etc.,   before  any  authority,   for  each 
leaf,  fifty  cents. 


205 

65. — Promissory  notes,  from  one  to  twenty  dollars,  one  cent ;  ex- 
ceeding that  amount,  for  each  and  every  twenty  dollars 
or  fraction  thereof,  one  cent. 
67. — Patent  rights — Shall  be  written  upon  special  paper  and  con- 
tain stamps  to  the  amount  of  twenty  dollars. 
76. — Private  power  of  attorney. 

A. — In  which  no  sum  is  specified,  and  in  which  none  can  be 
determined,  for  each  page,  fifty  cents. 

B. — If  any  quantity  is   determined,  in  all  cases  where  it  is 
legally  admissible  from  one  to  twenty  dollars,  one  cent ;  exceeding 
that    amount,    for    each    and    every   twenty  dollars    or  fraction 
thereof,  one  cent. 
"JT. — For  a  judicial  power. 

A. — On  the  first  page  of  the  document,  five  dollars,  and  each 
succeeding  Qne,  fifty  cents. 

B. — For  substitution  of  powers  of  attorney,  for  each  page, 
fifty  cents. 

80. — Protest,  for  each  page,  fifty  cents. 
81. — Protocol,  for  each  page,  fifty  cents. 

R. 

82, — Receipts,  or  any  document  given  to  prove  payment  or  deposit 
of  goods  or  money.  For  sum  of  twenty  dollars  or  less 
one  cent ;  exceeding  the  sum  of  twenty  dollars  or  frac- 
tion, one  cent. 

T. 

For  each  will  or  testament,  for  the  first  page,  five  dollars,  and 
fifty  cents  for  each  additional  page. 
89. —  Tesiimonio. 

A. — For  any  legalized  document,  each  page,  fifty  cents. 

B. — And  for  each  and  every  hundred  dollars  or  fraction  of  a 
hundred  dollars  mentioned  in  the  sum,  ten  cents. 

C. — If  no  sum  of  money  is  mentioned  in  the  document,  and  the 
same  is  not  determined  on  the  first  page,  for  the  first  page,  five  dol- 
lars, and  each  succeeding  page,  fifty  cents.  And  for  each  and  every 
hundred  dollars  or  fraction,  ten  cents. 


206 

90. — Professional  titles. 

A. — Titles  and  license  tax  shall  be  extended  on  special  paper, 
and  the  following  stamp  duty  shall  be  attached  to  the  same : — 

For  lawyer, %io  oo 

Business  agent, lo  oo 

Agriculturist 5  oo 

Broker,  ist  class lo  oo 

'♦        2d      " ,         .         .         .  5  oo 

Dentist, 5  oo 

Notary  public  (yf-ac/), 15  oo 

Apothecary, 20  00 

Flebotomist 5  00 

Engineer,         , 15  00 

Teacher,  professor 5  00 

Doctor, 20  00 

Midwife,      . 5  00 

Scientific  professors  not  mentioned  in  the  tariff,     .         .  10  00 

91. —  Titles  to  lands. 

When  value  does  not  exceed  two  hundred  dollars,  for  each 
title,  fifty  cents. 

92. —  Titles  to  mines. 

A. — When  no  quantity  or  sum  is  expressed,  nor  can  be  deter- 
mined on  first  page,  five  dollars,  and  fifty  cents  for  each  following 
page. 

B. — When  a  sum  is  mentioned.  For  each  page,/?/"/)'  cents, 
and  ten  cents  for  each  one  hundred  dollars  or  fraction  of  a  hun- 
dred dollars  mentioned  in  the  same. 

Penalties  for  not  complying  with  this  law  are  very  heavy. 


207 


THE    MAGUEY    PLANT, 

OR  AGAVE   AMERICANA. 

The  maguey  plant  is  a  true  vegetal  spring.  When  the  plant  is 
about  to  bloom  it  is  anxiously  watched  by  the  patient  Indian,  who, 
as  soon  as  he  discovers  the  true  signs,  which  consist  in  the  stem 
beginning  to  shoot  up,  the  leaves,  which  are  usually  bent  toward 
the  ground,  close  up,  and  the  appearance  of  the  plant  changes 
completely.  The  stem  is  then  cut  short  and  an  incision  made 
with  a  sharp  spoon  into  the  heart  of  the  plant,  and  the  leaves 
tied  close  over  it ;  the  sap  or  juice  is  then  gathered  as  often 
as  three  times  a  day.  One  Indian  can  attend  to  three  hundred 
plants,  usually  called  a  quebra.  A  plant  will  commonly  furnish, 
in  twenty-four  hours,  four  cubic  decimetres  (or  242  cubic  inches, 
English  measure),  equal  to  eight  Mexican  quartillos.  Of  this  total 
quantity  they  obtain  three  quartillos  at  sunrise,  two  at  midday,  and 
three  at  six  in  the  evening.  A  very  vigorous  plant  will  yield  as 
much  as  fifteen  quartillos,  or  454  cubic  inches,  EngHsh,  per  day, 
for  four  to  five  months,  which  amounts  to  the  enormous  volume  of 
more  than  1,100  cubic  decimeters,  or  67,130  inches.  This  abun- 
dance of  juice,  produced  by  a  single  maguey  of  scarcely  a  yard  in 
height,  is  so  much  more  astonishing  from  the  fact  that  the  planta- 
tions are  generally  situated  on  arid  ground  where  nothing  else  will 
grow  except  yuca.  It  is  well  to  add  that  the  produce  of  the  maguey, 
like  the  produce  of  the  vine,  varies  very  much  according  to  the 
latitude  and  the  atmosphere,  etc. 

After  the  plant  has  furnished  its  crop  of  juice  it  dies  off.  Then 
out  of  the  leaves  a  very  good  paper  can  be  manufactured  ;  the  point 
of  the  leaves  are  used  by  the  Indians  as  needles.  Out  of  the  leaves 
is  made  a  kind  of  hemp  called  istle,  which  is  worth  as  much  as  12^ 
cents  per  pound,  and  is  exported  to  manufacture  rope,  brushes,  etc. 
The  plant  is  prevented  from  blooming,  because  all  that  nature 
destined  to  produce,  the  growth  of  the  stems,  flowers  and  fruit  is 
to  become  the  favorite  beverage  of  the  Mexicans,  pulque.  The  plant 
which  has  until  then  been  abandoned  to  itself  as  the  wild  tree  of  the 


208 

forest,  when  it  is  about  to  blossom,  becomes  an  object  of  the  greatest 
care  and  vigilance.  The  Mexican  Indian,  with  the  patience  that 
characterizes  his  race,  watches  the  appearance  of  the  indications  of 
the  growth  of  the  stem,  the  straightening  and  closing  of  the  leaves, 
and,  in  fact,  the  general  appearance  of  the  plant ;  he  inspects  care- 
fully the  field  and  marks  each  plant  that  is  about  to  bloom.  It 
is  then  that  the  sap  is  gathered,  which  is  called  in  Mexico 
agua  miel  (honey-water)  on  account  of  its  sweet  flavor,  and  with  it 
the  pulque  is  prepared.  After  cutting  the  sprout  or  stem  of  the 
plant  and  taking  away  the  leaves  surrounding  it  with  the  spoon,  the 
stem  is  hollowed  out  six  or  seven  inches  in  diameter,  and  four  to 
six  inches  in  depth.  It  is  in  this  cavity  that  the  sap  is  gathered  ; 
the  hole  or  wound  made  in  the  plant,  enlarged  gradually,  is  covered 
by  closing  the  leaves  growing  around  the  stem,  tying  them  together 
at  the  points,  or  bending  them  by  placing  a  flat  rock  over  them. 
The  liquid  sap  is  carried  off  two  or  three  times  a  day,  and  in 
order  to  facilitate  the  flow  of  sap,  the  cavity  made  in  the  plant 
is  rasped  with  a  sharp  instrument  each  time  that  it  is  emptied^ 
something  like  a  spoon  with  sharp  edges.  To  gather  this  sweet  sap 
the  Indians  use  an  instrument  acting  like  a  pipette,  which  they  call 
Acocote.  It  consists  of  a  long  gourd,  to  each  end  of  which  are 
affixed  two  pieces  of  sharp  horn  :  while  one  end  is  plunged  in  the 
liquid,  the  other  placed  in  the  mouth  draws  the  liquid,  which  is 
then  emptied  in  an  earthen  jar  and  then  carried  into  the  cellar  where 
the  fermentation  is  to  take  place. 

Although  the  maguey  will  grow  in  soil  where  no  other  plant 
will,  It  matures  with  more  precocity  when  planted  in  good  soil  and 
is  cultivated,  and  in  some  localities  watered  occasionally.  In  some 
soil  the  agave  will  mature  in  five  years.  Heat  has  great  influence 
over  the  expansion  of  the  growth  of  the  stem  and  its  blooming. 
Experience  shows  that  the  maguey  acclimated  in  Africa  and  in  South 
America  will  travel  over  the  cycle  of  its  vegetation  much  more 
rapidly  than  on  the  table  lands  of  Mexico  and  Peru.  This  rapid 
growth  is,  however,  unfavorable  to  the  accumulation  of  the  sweet 
sap,  and  that  is  probably  the  reasoii  why  in  Spain  and  Italy  the 
agave  is  not,  as  in  the  plateau  of  Anahuac,  cultivated  as  a  produce. 

In  northern  climes  the  maguey  vegetates  but  rarely  matures. 
That  is  probably  the  reason  that  has  caused  the  popular  belief  that 


309 

it  only  blossomed  in  a  hundred  years.  In  the  State  of  Oaxaca,  in 
the  Republic  of  Mexico,  at  an  altitude  of  10,000  feet,  Xhefurcrcza 
lo72gcEva  being  forty-two  to  forty-five  feet  in  height,  bearing  leaves 
from  rix  to  nine  feet  long,  only  brings  forth  its  yellow  flower  once 
in  every  hundred  years — if  the  Indian's  statement  can  be  relied  on. 
In  the  vicinity  of  Toluca  and  Cacanumecan,  State  of  Mexico, 
and  Cholula,  State  of  Puebla,  the  cultivated  maguey  reaches  its 
maturity  in  eight  years.  In  that  section  of  the  country  a  plant  fur- 
nishes a  gallon  of  liquid  daily,  and  a  vigorous  plant  will  furnish  as 
much  as  seven  quarts  in  every  twenty-four  hours,  during  four  or  five 
months  ;  this  is  the  maximum  yield.  In  bad  soils  a  plant  will  not 
render  in  the  same  period  of  time  more  than  1 1 2  quarts  of  juice 
(agua  miel). 

Dr.  Dreyer,  m-ilitary  apothecary  in  the  French  army,  has 
observed  that  one  plant  during  three  months  yielded  one  to  two 
quarts  daily ;  altogether,  136  quarts.  The  difference  in  the  yield  of 
this  plant  is  attributed  to  the  locality,  the  quality  of  the  soil,  and  the 
culture  or  the  care  taken  of  the  plant  when  the  first  signs  of 
maturity  are  shown,  and,  above  all,  of  the  choice  m  the  variety  of 
the  plant  to  be  cultivated.  In  the  State  of  San  Luis  Potosi  the 
maguey  matures  in  from  four  to  eight  years,  according  to  locality  ; 
five  years  are  considered  a  fair  average.  The  cost  of  planting  100,000 
magueys  in  that  State  is  from  $400  to  $600.  A  large  maguey  can 
produce  twenty-five  pounds  of  istle,  worth  from  $2.50  to  $3.00. 

The  maguey  stands  at  the  head  of  the  alcohol  producing  plants, 
producing  fifty  per  cent,  more  alcohol  than  com,  sugar-cane,  Irish 
potatoes,  grapes,  and  in  fact  of  all  plants  on  an  equal  space  of 
ground.     It  excels  all  other  products  in  its  production  of  alcohol. 


210 


ITINERARIES 

ITINERARIES   OF   ROUTES   THROUGH   THE   ISTHMUS   OF     TEHU- 
ANTEPEC,  NICARAGUA  AND    PANAMA. 

Fro77i  the  Atlantic  side. 

From  New  Orleans,  crossing  the  Isthmus  of  Tehuantepec,  to 
the  port  of  Ventosa  on  the  Pacific,  956  miles ;  time,  46  days. 

From  New  Orleans,  crossing  the  Isthmus  of  Nicaragua,  to  the 
port  of  San  Juan  del  Sur,  1,430  miles;  time,  ^Yz  days. 

From  New  Orleans,  crossing  the  Isthmus  of  Panama,  to  Pana- 
ma, 1,458  miles  ;  time,  6^  days. 

From  New  York,  via  Tehuantepec,  to  La  Ventosa,  2,053  miles  ; 
time,  9^  days. 

From  New  York,  via  Nicaragua,  to  San  Juan  del  Sur,  2,182 
miles;  time,  loj^  days. 

From  New  York,  via  Panama,  to  Panama,  2,045  miles  ;  time. 
9>^  days. 

From  the  Pacific  side. 

From  the  port  of  La  Ventosa,  in  the  Isthmus  of  Tehuantepec, 
to  San  Francisco,  Cal.,  2,118  miles  ;  time,  9X  days. 

From  the  port  of  San  Juan  del  Sur,  in  the  Isthmus  of  Nicara- 
gua, to  San  Francisco,  Cal.,  2,670  miles  ;  time,  11 X  days. 

From  Panama,  Isthmus  of  Panama,  to  San  Francisco,  Cal., 
3,210  miles  ;  time,  14  days. 

ROUTE   NO.    I. 

From   the   City  of  San  Antonio,   Texas,  to  the  City  of  Mexico, 
overland  in  j866. 

From  San  Antonio  several  roads  lead  to  the  City  of  Mexico, 
but  they  have  more  or  less  inconvenience,  and  many  of  them  are 
scarce  of  water  and  forage  at  long  intervals  between  the  towns, 
haciendas  and  ranches  situated  along  the  routes.  The  writer  of 
this  itinerary  will  describe  those  which  he  has  found  the  best  and 


211 

safest  at  all  times  of  the  year,  having  made  the  trip  several  times 
with  one  companion  and  two  servants. 

The  route  by  way  of  Eagle  Pass  is  good,  but  is  much  longer 
than  by  way  of  Laredo  It  was  preferred  during  the  rebellion  for 
trains  and  travelers  because  all  the  streams  along  that  route  are 
fordable,  and  havmg  good  grass  and  also  safer  from  robbers  and 
Indians  than  the  Laredo  route 

From  San  Antonio  to  Eagle  Pass,  passing  through  the  towns 
of  Castroville.  Dhanis  and  Uvalde,  it  is  145  miles,  over  a  good  road 
with  abundance  of  water  and  grass,  and  stores  and  hotels  along  the 
road  where  the  traveler  can  find  all  he  desires. 

At  Eagle  Pass,  which  is  situated  opposite  the  town  of  Piedras 
Negras,  in  the  State  of  Coahuila,  m  the  Republic  of  Mexico,  the 
Rio  Grande  is  crossed  in  a  good  ferry-boat.  The  first  thing  the 
traveler  has  to  do  is  to  repair  to  the  custom-house,  and  either  pay 
the  duties  on  his  outfit  or  give  bond  to  return  the  same  at  the  cus- 
tom-house where  he  took  the  permit  within  sixty  days  or  return  a 
certificate  from  any  other  custom-house  in  the  Republic,  showing 
that  he  has  recrossed  into  the  United  States  with  the  same  outfit 
that  he  took  into  Mexico.  [By  outfit  is  meant  the  ambulance  or 
conveyance  and  animals  with  which  one  travels.] 

The  next  thing  is  to  procure  a  passport  from  the  authorities, 
with  permission  to  carry  the  weapons  necessary  for  the  defense  of 
the  part}^ ;  to  obtain  this,  no  impediment  is  thrown  in  the  way  of 
the  traveler,  if  any  respectable  citizen  will  answer  for  his  good 
behavior. 

The  road  the  writer  traveled  to  Monterey  and  Saltillo  is  the 
one  described  here  as  route  number  one.  There  are  several  others, 
but  I  will  only  describe  one  or  two. 

ROUTE   NO.    2. 

From  Pzedras  Negras,  in  the  State  of  Coahuila,  to  the  town  and 
old  presidio  of  La  Punta  de  Lampasas,  in  the  State  of  Nuevo 
Leon. — Distance  by  way  of  the  Alamo  de  Los  Borregos,  ij^. 
jniles. 

The  distance  from  Piedras  Negras,  in  Coahuila,  situated 
opposite  the  town  of  Eagle  Pass,  in  Texas,  to  the  agricultural 
town  of  Nava,  where  forage,  lodging  and  good  water  can  be  had. 


212 

is  twenty-six  miles.  From  the  town  of  Nava  to  the  old  town  and 
fort  of  Peyotes,  it  is  eight  miles.  From  the  town  of  Peyotes  to  the 
San  Diego  cave  and  ranch,  on  the  arroyo  (creek)  of  the  same  name* 
it  is  thirteen  miles. 

From  San  Diego,  where  the  desert  is  reached,  to  a  stopping 
place  known  as  El  Potrillo,  is  distant  forty-two  miles  ;  here  v/ater 
is  scarce,  but  seven  miles  further  the  river  Sabinas  is  reached,  and 
forded  at  the  passo  del  coche,  a  short  distance  below  a  small  vil- 
lage ;  total  distance,  forty-nine  miles. 

From  the  passo  del  coche  to  the  large  hacienda  del  Alamo  de 
los  Borregos,  on  Alamo  river,  it  is  about  ten  miles.  At  this  place 
lodging,  forage  and  good  water  can  be  found. 

From  the  Alamo  to  the  arroyo  of  el  Saus,  where  the  water  is 
generally  bad,  it  is  distant  thirteen  miles.  The  road  is  level  to  the 
city  and  old  fort  of  La  Punta  de  Lampasas  ;  distance,  fifteen  miles. 

Lampasas  has  some  irrigable  lands.  A  mine  of  some  value  was 
formerly  worked  in  its  vicinity.  In  former  times  it  was  established  as 
a  frontier  post,  where  a  company  of  Spanish  troops  were  stationed. 
The  soldiers  used  a  sort  of  armor  called  "  escopilla,"  which  was 
entirely  arrow-proof.  Some  years  ago  many  of  these  accoutrements 
could  still  be  seen,  as  they  were  preserved  as  curiosities.  The 
people  of  Lampasas  manufacture  good  Mexican  blankets.  Opposite 
this  town  is  the  (table)  Mesa  de  los  Cartuhanes,  a  plateau  that 
rises  about  two  thousand  feet  above  the  surrounding  plain.  On 
this  plateau  there  is  good  water,  good  grass,  and  timber  is  found  ; 
its  extent  is  about  twenty  miles  from  north  to  south,  and  fifteen 
from  east  to  west,  and  is  only  accessible  from  one  point.  In  old 
times  it  was  an  Ind'a  i  hiding  place.  It  is  now  the  property  of  Don 
Patricio  Milmo,  a  rich  merchant  and  proprietor,  of  Irish  descent, 
who  is  transforming  it  into  one  of  the  finest  stock  ranches  in  this 
part  of  Mexico. 

ROUTE   NO.    3. 

From  San  Antonio  de  la  Punta  de  Latnpasas,  in  Nuevo  Leon, 
passing-  through  Laredo.  —  Saji  Antonio  to   Laredo,   lyo 
miles  ;  Laredo  to  La  Punta,  yg  miles  ;  making  together  24g 
miles. 
From   San   Antonio  to  Laredo,  in  Webb  county,  plenty   of 

water,  good  grass,  and  stores  where  supplies  can  be  procured,  are 


213 

found  on  the  different  roads  ;  its  distance  being  170  or  180  miles. 
The  best  road  is  by  crossing  the  Medina  at  the  old  Presidio  crossing 
or  above,  and  taking  the  Castroville  and  old  Fort  Ewell  road.  By 
this  road  you  avoid  the  sand.  The  Frio  has  a  good  ford  near  the 
Waul  pasture,  and  from  thence  rolling  hills  to  Fort  Ewell  where 
the  Nueces  is  forded  or  ferried  according  to  the  season.  Here  is  a 
little  village  and  store  provided  with  everything  the  traveler  needs. 
From  here  to  Laredo  it  is  seventy  miles,  mostty  through  an  open 
country. 

Nev/  Laredo  is  situated  opposite  Old  Laredo,  of  which  it 
formed  a  part  before  Texas  was  separated  from  Mexico.  It  is  also 
improving  very  fast,  as  some  large  foreign  importing  houses  have 
established  depots  for  their  goods  at  this  place. 

From  New  Laredo  to  the  Aguaje  of  Las  Habras  del  Maiz, 
fifteen  miles;  from  Habras  del  Maiz  to  the  Aguaje  la  Lomeria, 
road  good  between  hills,  the  Peyotes  chain  ;  distance,  fifteen  miles  ; 
Aguaje  la  Lomeria,  road  level  through  a  bottom  of  huisache  to  the 
Rio  Salado  ;  distance,  fifteen  miles.  From  Rio  Salado  to  Rancho 
la  Barranca  of  Mogina,  road  over  a  prairie  to  the  ranch  ;  distance, 
thirteen  miles.  From  Mogina  to  the  town  of  La  Punta  de  Lam- 
pasas, crossing  this  side  of  the  town,  the  San  Matias  river,  partly 
covered  with  mesquites,  is  distant  eleven  miles.  In  dry  seasons 
water  and  grass  are  more  scarce  on  this  route  than  on  that  from  San 
Antonio  to  Monterey  by  way  of  Piedras  Negras,  particularly  the 
distance  from  Laredo  la  Punta. 

ROUTE   NO.   4. 

JFro?n  the  town  of  Lampasas  to  Villa  Alda7na,  Salinas  and  Mon~ 
te7'y,  distance,  loj  miles. 

From  the  town  of  La  Punta  de  Lampasas  to  the  ranch  of  Golon- 
drinas  the  road  is  rough.  Here  are  pens  for  animals,  and  a  good  well 
and  tank.  This  rancho  is  a  stock  farm  formerly  belonging  to  the 
Hacienda  del  Canizal.  It  is  tv/enty-one  miles  from  Lampasas,  and 
six  miles  further  is  the  rancho  of  Lagunillas,  formerly  belonging 
also  to  the  Carrizal,  where  good  water  and  forage  can  be  had. 
Here  comes  in  the  straight  road  from  El  Sauz  through  the  town 
of  Santiago  de  Valladares,  leaving  the  town  of  Lampasas  to  the 
right.     From  the  Lagunillas  to  Villa  Aldama  it  is  ten  miles. 


2l4 

Villa  Aldama,  formerly  known  as  Boca  de  Leones,  is  a  town  of 
some  importance  owing  to  the  mines  situated  near  it,  which  were 
formerly  of  great  profit.  To-day  a  large  amount  of  lead  silver  is 
extracted  from  these  mines,  also  containing  silver.  The  mineral  is 
galena.  At  this  place  was  located  a  hospital  used  as  a  resting  place  for 
the  Franciscan  Friars  and  other  priests,  who  attended  the  missions 
of  Texas  while  traveling  between  Mexico,  Guadalajara  and  Texas. 
Its  population  is  mostly  descendants  of  Spaniards.  About  two 
leagues  north-west  of  this  place  is  the  town  of  Tlaxcala,  also  known 
as  San  Miguel  Aguayo,  and  presently  as  Bustamente,  settled  by 
people  from  the  original  Tlaxcaltec  tribe.  It  is  a  pretty  little  vil- 
lage where  cultivated  gardens  could  produce  all  kinds  of  fruit  and 
vegetables.  From  this  village  a  good  road  through  the  Gap  of 
Tlaxcala  leads  to  the  Bajan  well.  The  distance  from  Villa  Aldama 
to  Las  Cuevas,  a  stopping  place,  is  ten  miles. 

From  Las  Cuevas  to  the  Hacienda  de  Palo  Blanco  the  road  is 
through  a  palm  forest,  not  bad,  but  heretofore  considered  dangerous 
on  account  of  Indians  ;  distance,  fifteen  miles.  At  this  large  ranch^ 
water  and  forage  can  be  procured. 

From  Palo  Blanco  to  the  pueblo  of  Los  Morales,  passing 
through  a  forest  of  palm  trees,  is  the  pass  of  La  Gacha,  a  noted 
place  for  Indians  in  former  days,  and  further  down  the  valley  is  Los 
Morales,  where  forage  and  water  can  be  had.  This  road  is  eight 
miles. 

From  the  rancho  of  Los  Morales,  over  rolling  prairie  to  the 
town  of  Salinas  Victoria,  it  is  seven  miles. 

The  town  of  Salinas  Victoria,  situated  on  the  river  of  the  same 
name,  has  a  fine  church,  well-paved  streets,  a  good  square,  and 
presents  a  neat  appearance.  Its  people  cultivate  the  soil,  raise 
stock  and  work  the  silver  mines  in  the  caiion  de  Salinas.  The 
metal  is  galena  and  is  easily  smelted ;  population,  about  4,000  peo- 
ple.    Orange  trees  were  formerly  cultivated  here  in  the  open  air. 

From  Salinas  to  the  City  of  Monterey  the  road  is  veiy  good, 
and  six  miles  before  reaching  the  city  the  road  passes  the  village  of 
La  Etanzuela,  a  beautiful  place  shaded  with  a  stately  forest  and  fruit 
trees.     From  Salinas  to  Monterey  the  distance  is  twenty-six  miles. 

Monterey,  capital  of  the  State  of  Nuevo  Leon  (formerly  the  New 
Kingdom  of  Leon)  is  situated  25"  40'  6"  north,  and  longitude  o*'  49' 
o"  of  the  City  of  Mexico,  on  the  river  of  the  same  name,  which  is 


215 

sometimes  called  Rio  de  Santa  Catarina.  It  is  602^  miles  distant 
from  the  City  of  Mexico,  and  1,626  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea. 
It  is  probable  that  this  portion  of  Mexico  was  conquered  by  the 
celebrated  Spanish  Gen.  Francisco  de  Urdinola,  sumamed  "  El 
Viego  "  to  distinguish  him  from  his  son  who  was  also  a  distinguished 
warrior.  It  was  probably  thirty  years  after  the  conquest  of  Mexico 
by  Cortez,  that  Urdinola  conquered  this  portion  of  Mexico  from  the 
Chichimecas  (the  Spaniards  were  in  the  habit  of  calling  all  wild 
tribes  of  Indians,  Chichimecas)  ;  no  exact  date  is,  however,  fixed  for 
the  foundation  of  Monterey.  It  was  first  named  after  Santa  Lucia, 
a  beautiful  spring  situated  in  the  heart  of  the  city.  It  is  v/ell  known 
from  the  archives  that  in  1 569,  that  portion  of  the  country  was 
known  as  the  New  Kingdom  of  Leon,  that  it  had  a  Governor,  etc. 
In  1569,  Don  Luis  de  Caravajal,  was  Governor  at  the  City  of  Leon 
(now  Monterey),  then  the  capital  of  the  New  Kingdom,  and  in  1 596 
Don  Diego  de  Montemayor  solemnly  founded  the  metropolis  of  our 
Lady  of  Monterey,  the  present  city.  ' 

Monterey  is  built  mostly  of  stone,  has  several  fine  churches,  a 
good  hospital,  a  college,  a  convent  of  sisters  of  charity,  a  spacious 
city  hall,  several  well  paved  squares  ornamented  with  shade  trees 
and  stone  benches  ;  it  has  several  good  hotels,  and  one  of  the  best 
populations  in  Mexico.  Its  people  seem  to  be  more  industrious  than 
their  neighbors.  Among  the  noted  buildings  is  the  Bishop's  palace, 
which  is  situated  on  a  hill  west  of  the  city,  on  the  right  of  the  Sal- 
tillo  road.  The  Black  Fort  is  situated  north  of  the  city,  and  was 
intended  for  a  cathedral,  but  has  been  used  as  a  fort,  and  since  the 
downfall  of  Maximilian  this  property  has  been  donated  to  meritori- 
ous soldiers.  The  convent  of  San  Francisco  is  now  used  as  a  jail. 
The  Governor's  palace,  now  stands  where  the  Jesuits  formerly  had 
a  church  and  school. 

Monterey  has  a  good  market,  and  fine  gardens  where  the 
orange  tree  grows  indigenous  without  any  attention.  Its  climate  is 
warm,  but  is  much  tempered  by  the  breeze  that  comes  through  the 
valley  of  Juahuco,  situated  between  the  Sierra  Madre  Mountains 
and  the  mountain  of  La  Silla,  the  saddle  mountain.  Population, 
40,000  souls. 

To  Santa  Catarina,  the  road  to  Saltillo,  after  following  the 
main  street  of  the  city,  leads  to  the  foot  of  the  hill  where  the 
Bishop's  palace  is  situated,  leaving  the  Monterey  River  to  the  left. 


216 

and  a  high  ridge  of  hills  situated  south  of  it.  The  road  is  good  but 
a  little  rocky.  Beyond  the  Bishop's  palace  hill  is  another  hill  called 
Independence  Hill,  upon  which  it  is  said  the  American  army  in  1 847 
mounted  a  gun  that  commanded  the  Bishop's  palace  and  finally 
caused  it  to  surrender ;  the  gun,  I  believe,  was  under  the  command 
of  Lieutenant,  now  Comander-in-chief  of  the  United  States  army, 
W.  T.  Sherman.  The  road  then  follows  the  beautiful  Cerro  de  la 
Mitra,  a  high  mountain,  rich  in  galena,  silver,  marble,  alabaster 
and  plaster  of  Paris.  To  the  left,  about  eight  or  ten  miles,  is 
the  Sierra  Madre,  which  looks  as  if  it  was  within  reach.  The  next 
place  is  the  Molino  of  Jesus  Maria,  one  of  the  largest  wheat  mills  in 
the  country-  A  little  further  on  the  road  passes  an  important  cot- 
ton factory,  which  v/as  cstabhshed  by  an  American  called  Steel,  one 
of  nature's  noblemen,  who,  through  friendship  to  Gen.  Trevino,  was 
killed  in  some  revolutionary  engagement,  fighting  on  Gen.  Trevino 's 
side.  At  a  short  distance  further  is  an  aiameda,  the  road  being 
surrounded  by  fields '  as  far  as  the  town  of  Santa  Catarina.  Dis- 
tance, four  leagues  from  Monterey.  The  road  is  very  good,  being  an 
inclined  plane  of  pretty  heavy  grade.  One  passes  the  rancho  of 
Carabajal,  to  reach  a  point  called  El  Alto,  v/here  is  found  a  pretty 
good  Mexican  hotel,  and  forage  for  animals.  From  this  point  the 
road  still  leads  down  the  valley  of  the  hacienda  de  la  Rinconada, 
leaving  the  hacienda  to  the  right,  and  turning  to  the  left  is  a  point 
situated  on  a  high  hill  between  the  mountains,  called  Lcs  Muertos, 
and  another  of  the  Sierra  Madre  Mountains.  It  is  said  that  the 
Mexican  Gen.  Ampudia  intended  to  stop  Gen.  Taylor's  advance  at 
this  point  and  had  begun  fortifying  it.  It  can  be  added  here  that  a 
few  determined  men  with  artillery  could  stop  a  v/hole  army,  but  it 
has  a  great  disadvantage  as  it  could  be  easily  turned,  first  by  the 
pass  of  Santa  Catarina  to  the  left,  and  by  the  pass  leading  to  Pes- 
queria  on  the  right,  and  v/as  therefore  abandoned  by  the  Mexicans. 
Los  Muertos  is  the  dividing  line  between  the  States  of  Nuevo  Leon 
and  Coahuila.  It  has  always  been  considered  a  dangerous  point 
for  robbers  and  Indians.  The  road  leads  down  hill  to  a  poor  little 
rancho  called  los  Muertos,  and  from  there  it  rises ;  you  rea.ch  the 
hacienda  of  San  Gregorio,  where  forage  and  accommodation  can  be 
had  for  travelers.  This  place  is  twenty-one  miles  to  Saltillo.  The 
straightest  road  being  by  way  of  el  Jarral.  Another  good  road  is 
bv  the  hacienda  of  Santa  Maria. 


217 


ROUTE   NO.    5. 

From  Piedras  Negras  by  way  of  Monclova,  leavitig  otit  Sa?ita 
Rosa  a7id  travelzfig  the  straightest  and  best  road,  where 
water  and  forage  are  found  at  all  seasons  of  the  year — lyo 
miles.     From  Moficlova  to  Saltillo,  IJ4  miles. 

From  the  town  of  Piedras  Negras,  opposite  Eagle  Pass  in 
Texas,  over  a  good  road  crossing  the  Rio  Escondido  and  one  creek 
with  good  water,  it  is  thirty  miles  to  the  town  of  San  Fernando  de 
Rosa,  known  at  present  as  Saragoza.  The  town  has  a  good  church 
soldiers's  quarters;  it  is  principally  built  of  stone,  and  adobe  houses 
Avith  flat  roofs  ;  has  very  good  irrigable  lands,  and  cultivates,  with 
profit,  wheat,  corn,  sugar-cane  and  beans.  Its  population  is  about 
6,000  people. 

From  Saragoza  to  the  Cabecerra  Springs,  passing  the  rancho 
of  La  Sorra,  it  is  about  ten  miles.  From  Cabecerra  Springs  through 
the  plains  of  San  Jose  to  the  tov/n  of  San  Juan  de  Sabinas  it  is 
forty-two  miles  ;  a  little  further  on  Alamo  River  is  crossed.  A  little 
this  side  of  the  Alamo  River  a  road  to  the  right  leads  to  Santa 
Rosa,  about  13  miles  distant  from  the  Alamo. 

From  San  Juan  de  Sabinas  to  the  village  of  La  Aura,  the  road 
is  good.     Distance,  twenty-four  miles. 

From  the  village  of  La  Aura  to  the  stock  rancho  of  Lampasi- 
tos  it  is  twenty-one  miles.  From  Lampasitos  to  the  hacienda  of 
Hermanas  it  is  thirteen  miles.  This  was  a  rich  grain  and  stock 
place  at  one  time. 

(Santa  Rosa  was  made  headquarters  of  the  military  department 
of  the  eastern  international  provinces,  after  the  decree  of  the  court 
of  Spain  ordering  the  international  province  of  New  Spain  to  be 
divided  in  two  separate  departments,  had  been  carried  out,  in  the 
year  1788.  The  province  of  Tejas  formed  a  part  of  this  military 
department,  and  Colonel  Don  Juan  de  Ugalde  was  appointed 
its  commanding  general.  This  ofhcer  having  concentrated  his  forces 
which  consisted  of  the  presidio  troops,  militia  and  a  few  auxiliaries, 
made  a  successful  campaign  against  the  Indians  in  the  year  17S9, 
which  ended  in  a  complete  destruction  of  the  combined  forces  of 
the  wild  Indians  in  the  canon  de  Uvalde,  Uvalde  Co.,  Texas  (this 
has  by  mistake  been  altered,  and  should  be  Ugalde,  as  the  canon 


218 

was  named  after  the  distinguished  Spanish  officer).  This  great 
success  so  completely  demoralized  the  Indians  that  they  kept  at 
peace  with  the  Spaniards  until  the  revolution  broke  out.  Santa 
Rosa  was  almost  entirely  washed  away  by  a  great  freshet  that  took 
place  about  the  beginning  of  this  century.  It  is  now  a  large  town, 
and  the  silver  mines  situated  in  its  vicinity,  and  which  are  now 
developed  by  American  capital  and  industry,  will  give  it  greater 
importance.) 

The  distance  from  Hermanas  to  the  springs  known  as  Ojo 
Caliente,  which  are  famous  throughout  the  country  and  are  recom- 
mended for  rheumatism  and  syphilitic  diseases,  is  three  miles. 
From  the  Hot  Springs  to  the  Salado  River  it  is  about  four  miles. 
From  the  Salado  River  to  a  point  called  Los  Adjuntas  it  is  ten 
miles.  Thence  following  the  margin  of  the  Rio  de  Monclova  to 
the  city  of  Monclova,  it  is  thirteen  miles. 

From  the  city  of  Monclova,  formerly  the  capital  of  Coahuila 
to  the  village  Castano,  the  road,  although  broken,  is  good.  Dis- 
tance, thirteen  miles. 

From  Castano  to  the  Estanque  del  Marquez,  level  road,  over 
an  open  country,  covered  with  scattering  mesquite.  Distance, 
thirteen  miles. 

From  El  Estanque  del  Marquez  to  the  rancho  de  Bajan,  good 
road.  Distance,  fifteen  miles.  Forage  doubtful.  Here  is  to  be  found  a 
good  well  of  fresh  water.  This  point  in  the  desert  has  become  cele- 
brated on  account  of  it  being  the  place  where  Padre  Hidalgo,  the 
Generalisimo  of  the  Insurgents  and  leader  of  the  first  Mexican 
struggle  for  independence,  was  captured  with  all  his  retinue,  after 
having  lost  the  battle  of  Puente  de  Calderon,  and  while  making  his 
way  to  the  United  States,  by  Colonel  Elisondo,  the  same  that  was 
afterwards  defeated  at  the  battle  of  the  Alazan,  one  mile  from  San 
Antonio,  in  1813.  This  important  event — the  capture  of  Hidalgo, 
took  place  on  the  morning  of  the  21st  of  March,  181 1.  The 
remainder  of  Hidalgo's  army  was  dispersed,  893  prisoners  taken, 
and  40  killed  ;  24  pieces  of  artillery  and  3  swivels,  and  over  half 
a  million  in  silver  taken,  besides  many  officers  and  all  the  leaders 
of  the  revolution — Hidalgo,  Allende,  Jimenes,  Aldama,  Ballezo, 
Abasolo,  Camargo,  Lanzagorta,  Mariano  Hidalgo,  brother  of  the 
curate,  who  was  Treasurer-General  of  the  Insurgents,  and  many 


219 

others.  This  important  capture  virtually  ended  the  revolution  of 
Hidalgo. 

From  Bajan  to  Anhelo,  the  road  is  good,  one  and  a  half  miles  to 
the  hills,  then  over  a  level  prairie,  ten  miles,  then  about  eight  miles 
through  a  huisache  thicket,  to  la  punta  del  Espinaso  (the  point  of 
the  spine,  w^hich  is  the  end  of  a  spur  of  high  mountains),  where 
there  is  a  small  rancho  and  a  tank  of  water  ;  here  a  fork  of  roads 
leads  to  the  city  of  Parras.  It  is  a  disagreeable  place  on  account  of 
of  three  gaps  in  the  different  ranges  of  mountains ;  high  winds 
prevailing  all  the  year  around. 

From  La  Punta  the  road  is  good,  having  the  mountains  of 
Espinazo  to  the  south  ;  for  twenty-five  miles  it  is  level  to  la  punta 
de  Anhelo  ;  from  la  punta  to  the  rancho  of  Anhelo  it  is  six  miles 
over  a  good  road. 

Anhelo  has  a  fine  tank,  some  good  buildings,  and  is  a  grain 
country  where  large  quantities  of  oats  are  raised.  Distance  from 
Bajan  to  Anhelo,  fifty  miles  and  a  half. 

From  Anhelo  to  the  rancho  of  Mesillas,  good  road  for  seven 
and  a  half  miles  to  the  hills  (cerrito),  where  there  is  a  small  rancho 
called  Los  Cerritos  ;  then  two  and  a  half  miles  to  the  arroyo  del 
Barreal,  and  from  there  seven  and  a  half  miles  over  a  good  road  to 
Mesillas.  Distance  from  Anhelo  to  Mesillas,  seventeen  and  a  half 
miles. 

From  Mesillas  (aguaje)  of  la  cuesta  del  Cabrito,  three  miles 
level  road  and  seven  miles  of  broken,  rough  road  to  la  Cuesta. 
Distance  from  Mesillas,  ten  miles.  At  this  point  Don  Francisco 
Guilbeau  was  attacked  by  a  band  of  robbers  from  Saltillo,  which  he 
succeeded  in  driving  off  with  his  brave  Mexicans  from  San 
Antonio.  It  was  about  the  year  1848.  This  place  has  been  con- 
sidered dangerous  from  Indians  and  robbers. 

From  La  Cuesta  del  Cabrito  to  the  city  of  Saltillo  the  road 
leads  up  the  Cabrito  hill,  and  is  good  to  the  hacienda  de  Capellania, 
four  miles.  A  very  pretty  place,  where  Dr.  Hewitson,  many  years 
ago,  erected  a  cotton  factory.  This  place  used  to  be  General 
Taylor's  favorite  ride  at  the  time  he  was  in  Saltillo.  Then  four 
miles  to  the  rancho  de  los  Bosques,  which  is  situated  between  two 
little  peaks.  This  is  also  a  pretty  place.  Then  over  a  level  road 
six  miles  to  the  city,  making  the  whole  distance  from  the  Cuestx 
del  Cabrito  to  Saltillo  fifteen  miles. 


220 

From  Monclova  to  Saltillo,  121  miles.  Over  this  road,  when 
the  season  is  good,  grass  and  water  are  found,  but  in  dry  times  it 
is  a  hard  road  to  travel.  General  course  of  road,  south  X  degree 
south-east, 

ROUTE  NO.  6. 

Fro77i  the  City  of  Saltillo,  the  capital  of  the  State  of  Coahuila,  to 
the  City  of  Sa7t  Lttis  Potosi,  capital  of  the  State  of  the  same 
name,  266  Americati  miles. 

Saltillo.— The  City  of  Saltillo,  the  present  capital  of  the  State, 
formerly  province  of  Coahuila,  to  which  Texas  was  at  one  time 
attached,  is  a  well-built  city  with  paved  streets,  situated  on  the 
slope  of  a  ridge  that  crosses  the  whole  valley  coming  from  Mon- 
terey :  after  leaving  the  hacienda  of  San  Gregorio  you  have  it  in 
sight.  In  the  valley  of  Saltillo  several  important  cotton  factories 
have  been  established  for  the  manufacture  of  unbleached  cotton 
goods,  and  are  doing  well.  This  city  is  situated  25°  25'  15''  north 
latitude,  and  longitude  i^  31'  30^'  west,  from  the  City  of  Mexico; 
its  population  is  estimated  at  17,000;  it  has  several  hotels,  and 
stores  supplied  with  all  kinds  of  goods.  A  considerable  trade  in 
goat  and  sheep  skins  is  carried  on  here,  and  the  country  about  pro- 
duces wheat.  Saltillo  has  a  fine  parochial  church  fronting  on  its 
main  square  ;  the  church  of  the  convent  of  San  Esteban  a  convent 
for  the  sisters  of  charity,  who  keep  a  school  for  girls,  with  its  chapel 
situated  on  the  main  street ;  an  abandoned  church  used  at  present 
as  a  soldiers'  barracks  (this  latter  was  built  by  the  Jesuits)  ;  there 
is  also  a  fine  amphitheatre  for  bull  fighting,  situated  on  the 
square  of  San  Esteban.  The  beautiful  alameda  is  one  of  the  pret- 
tiest parks  of  the  kind  in  Mexico.  On  the  hill  to  the  southward  of 
the  city,  is  a  small  fort  built  during  the  empire. 

Isi"oTE.— This  city  and  its  surroundings  afford  much  entertainment  for  travelers 
or  tourists.  Its  gardens,  its  maguey  plantations,  and  a  hundred  other  objects,  are 
equally  interesting  to  the  stranger. 

Buena  Vista. — From  Saltillo  to  the  hacienda  of  Buena  Vista 
the  road  is  good  for  four  miles  and  then  rough  to  the  hacienda. 
Passing  Angostura,  the  traveler  reaches  La  Encantada  (enchanted 
ranch).     This  is  the  place  where  the  American  army,  under  Gen. 


221 

Taylor,  was  encampea,  at  the  time  of  the  approach  of  Santa  Ana 
with  his  army  of  25,000  men.  Previous  to  the  battle  of  Buena 
Vista,  Gen.  Taylor,  not  finding  this  position  a  good  one,  fell  back 
and  took  position  at  Angostura,  the  narrowest  point  of  the  valley. 
This  pass  lies  between  two  ridges  of  mountains,  five  or  six  miles 
apart,  which  approach  to  the  north-east  until  at  Angostura  the 
space  is  not  more  than  two  miles  ;  the  eastern  range  is  much  the 
highest,  rising  more  than  1,200  feet  above  the  plateau  ;  the  western 
range  is  about  half  that  height.  The  plateau  from  the  eastern 
ridge  extends  about  a  mile  or  half  way  across  the  valley,  where  it 
drops  off  abruptly  to  the  first  or  alluvial  plain.  In  this  plain 
runs  a  small  rivulet,  which  takes  its  rise  at  Encantada,  but  at  times, 
after  heavy  rains,  it  becomes  so  large  that  it  has  cut  for  itself  a 
deep  bed,  with  perpendicular  banks  of  thirty  to  forty  feet  deep ; 
this  bed  is  quite  inaccessible  from  above,  except  in  a  few 
places.  These  deep  gullies  or  ravines  are  called  "  barrancas,"  and 
peculiar  to  the  country ;  the  tenacity  of  the  soil  prevents  it  from 
crumbling  except  at  the  base  where  the  water  washes  it  away,  the 
portion  projecting  until  it  becomes  so  much  undermined  that  it 
cannot  sustain  itself,  and  breaks  off,  leaving  perpendicular  walls. 
These  barrancas  extend  for  more  than  a  mile  above  and  below  the 
narrow  pass  of  Angostura,  and  also  intersect  at  various  points  in 
the  flat,  rendering  it  impossible  for  a  body  of  troops  to  traverse  it. 
Hence  all  the  operations  of  the  battle  were  confined  to  the  plateau 
above,  which  extends  to  the  eastern  range  of  mountains  ;  the  bat- 
tery of  Col.  Washington  was  stationed  between  the  barrancas  and 
a  spur  of  the  plateau  forming  a  narrow  pass  of  some  sixty  or 
seventy  feet  in  width.  (This  is  the  substance  of  a  description  of 
the  battle-field  as  given  by  J.  R.  Bartlett,  and  the  correct  one.) 

At  La  Encantada,  the  road  to  Parras  forks  to  the  right.  From 
Monterey  to  this  point,  a  distance  of  about  seventy-six  miles,  the 
traveler  rises  4,478  feet,  as  Encantada,  according  to  Dr.  Wislizenas, 
is  6,140  feet  above  the  sea.  Over  a  rough  road  you  reach  the 
hacienda  of  Agua  Nueva,  distant  from  Saltillo  twenty-one  and 
a-half  miles.  At  Agua  Nueva  plenty  of  good  water  can  be  found, 
and  comfortable  rooms  in  the  buildings  of  the  haciendas  ;  forage, 
corn  and  large  corrals  for  animals.  In  good  times  this  place  could 
accommodate  six  or  eight  hundred  animals.  Beyond  the  hacienda 
is  the  pass  of  Agua  Nueva,  where  Gen.  Taylor  had  his  advance 


222 

guard  ;  the  road  up  the  pass  is  very  good  and  leads  down  to  a  val- 
ley about  two  miles  wide  to  another  pass  called  Puerto  del  Camero. 

This  has  been  a  point  celebrated  for  the  exploits  of  robbers 
and  Indians,  and  here  a  battle  was  fought  between  General  Jimenes, 
commanding  the  revolutionary  forces  of  Mexico,  and  Colonel  Cor- 
dero,  Governor  of  Coahuila,  on  the  9th  of  January,  181 1.  Most  of 
Cordero's  forces  having  passed  over  to  the  so-called  insurgents,  he 
fled  towards  Messillas  on  the  road  to  Mexico,  was  captured  and 
well  treated  by  Jimenes.  Three  days  after  this  battle,  a  royalist 
force  that  came  to  reinforce  Cordero,  consisting  of  700  men  from 
Zacatecas  and  four  pieces  of  artillery,  commanded  by  Colonel 
Ochoa",  found  Jimenes  occupying  the  pass  with  8,000  men  ;  a  battle 
ensued,  which  terminated  in  the  retreat  of  Ochoa. 

From  this  pass  the  eye  reaches  far  away,  as  the  country  is 
open  ;  the  road  is  good.  Passing  a  point  called  Messillas  you  reach 
Tanque  la  Vaca,  where  plenty  of  good  water  is  found  in  the  tank. 
This  stock  ranch  was  abandoned  on  account  of  Indians.  It  is  now 
the  town  of  Gomez  Farias  with  a  population  of  400  souls.  It  is 
said  that  in  its  neighborhood  are  very  rich  silver  mines  that  have 
never  been  worked.  Distant  twenty-one  and  three-quarter  miles 
from  Tanque  la  Vaca  is  the  hacienda  de  la  Encarnacion. 

In  this  place  lodging  can  be  had  for  several  hundred  people, 
plenty  of  forage,  also  well-water  and  a  good  tank.  The  population 
of  the  hacienda  is  over  200  people  ;  it  is  a  large  stock  ranch. 

At  Tanque  la  Vaca  the  road  forks,  the  left-hand  road  goes  to 
the  ranch  of  Jesus  Maria,  situated  eight  miles  east  of  Encarnacion, 
and  to  that  of  La  Ventura,  a  small  stock  ranch  about  six  miles 
this  side  of  the  San  Salvador  rancho  comes  into  the  direct  road 
from  Encarnacion  to  San  Salvador ;  it  is  a  plain  good  road  ;  course, 
south  X  south-east ;  distance,  twenty-six  miles.  La  Ventura  has 
been  made  a  fine  hacienda ;  it  is  now  the  property  of  Gen.  Trevino. 

San  Salvador  is  also  a  stock  ranch,  whose  population  is  about 
1,500  hundred  souls.  Here  is  a  well  and  a  tank  of  sweet  water. 
San  Salvador  to  the  little  rancho  of  San  Miguel,  which  consists  of 
only  two  houses.  Here  is  a  good  well  but  nothing  else  ;  it  is  eight 
and  a-half  miles  to  the  hacienda  del  Salado,  one  of  the  largest 
estates  in  Mexico,  as  it  contains  over  885,600  acres  of  land,  all  well 
adapted  to  stock  raising,  and  over  one-half  well  adapted  to  the 
raising  of  small  grams  ;   cotton  could  also  be  raised  with  advantage. 


223 

This  vast  estate  is  covered  with  natural  productions  such  as  the 
maguey  {agave  Americana),  the  lechuguilla,  Xho-ptta,  the  zoloman- 
doqiie,  the  zotol  and  other  plants  whose  fibre,  if  properly  exploited, 
would  bring  an  immense  income.  Water  and  grass  abounds  all  over 
the  estate.  The  various  Cordilleras  that  run  from  south  to  north 
on  the  lands  of  this  estate  are  covered  with  innumerable  metallic 
veins  rich  in  silver,  lead  copper,  gold  and  other  metals.  At  this 
place,  which  will  hereafter  be  a  railroad  centre,  good  accomodations 
can  always  be  found. 

From  El  Salado  to  Las  Animas  the  road  is  good,  through  a 
vast  plain,  mountains  in  view  in  the  distance ;  general  course, 
south,  south  one-quarter  west ;  distance,  eighteen  miles.  Las  Ani- 
mas is  a  stock  ranch  belonging  formerly  to  the  hacienda  del  Salado ; 
there  is  good  enclosure  ;  water  not  plentiful,  and  very  salty  on  ac- 
count of  the  quantity  of  nitrate  of  potash  it  contains  ;  forage  plentiful. 
Las  Animas  to  La  Punta  de  Vanegas  :  general  course  of  the  road, 
south,  south-west ;  road  good,  through  plain  covered  with  palm 
trees.  At  tkis  point  the  road  to  San  Luis  Potosi,  forks,  the  shortest 
is  to  the  right  by  way  of  San  Cristobal,  hacienda  de  Guadaloupe, 
El  Canicero,  and  that  of  Laguna  Seca,  leaving  the  mountain  of 
Catorce  that  rises  several  thousand  feet  above  the  plain  to  the 
left ;  and  the  other  route,  which  leads  to  the  left  by  the  hacienda  of 
San  Juan  de  Vanegas,  the  mining  towns  of  Cedral,  Matehuala  and 
hacienda  de  Solis,  and  leaving  the  mountain  of  Catorce  to  the  right, 
coming  into  the  other  road  at  Laguna  Seca.  I  will  describe  the 
shortest  by  way  of  San  Cristobal : 

La  Punta  de  Vanegas  is  a  good  ranch,  belonging  to  the 
hacienda  of  the  same  name ;  it  has  a  fine  tank  of  good  sweet  w^ater ; 
and  contains  about  twenty  houses.  Three  miles  further  on  is  the 
hacienda  of  San  Juan  de  Vanegas ;  distance,  from  Las  Animas, 
twenty-one  miles. 

San  Juan  de  Vanegas  is  a  very  large  hacienda  where  ore 
from  the  Catorce  mines  is  worked  both  by  smelting  and  by  patio, 
or  cold  amalgamation  process.  It  raises  large  crops  of  grain  and 
all  kinds  of  stock  ;  there  is  a  beautiful  bath  about  half  a  mile  from 
the  hacienda  ;  it  is  a  bountiful  spring  that  comes  out  of  a  grotto 
hollowed  out  of  the  granite  ;  the  water  is  clear  and  beautiful  and 
possesses  no  mineral  taste  although  it  comes  out  of  the  Catorce 
Mountain  which  is  one  of  the  richest  in  Mexico. 


224 

From  San  Juan  de  Vanegas  to  San  Cristobal,  the  road  lies  over 
small  hills  covered  with  brush  and  palm  trees  to  a  place  called  Las 
Ratas  (the  rats)  w^here  there  is  a  house  and  a  good  well.  From  there 
the  road  is  over  a  large  plain,  the  mountain  of  Catorce  to  the  left, 
and  a  range  of  mountains  to  the  right,  in  the  distance ;  general  course 
of  road,  south,  south-west ;  distance,  sixteen  miles.  San  Cristobal 
consists  of  about  twenty  small  houses,  inhabited  by  about  a  hun- 
dred poor  people  ;  they  generally  get  their  forage  from  San  Juan 
de  Vanegas  or  the  Real  de  Catorce.  Nothing  can  be  had  here  but 
kids  or  sheep  ;    there  is  a  well  and  a  tank,  but  the  water  is  bad. 

From  San  Cristobal  to  the  hacienda  of  Guadaloupe  el  Cami- 
cero.  Half  a  mile  takes  you  to  the  hacienda  of  San  Miguel,  where 
minerals  from  Catorce  are  smelted  ;  its  buildings  are  good.  You  pass 
the  rancho  of  San  Rafael  and  of  El  Refugio,  insignificant  places, 
the  latter  distant  eight  miles  from  Guadaloupe.  The  road  is  through 
a  large  plain  to  the  hacienda,  general  course  of  road  south  ;  distance, 
twenty-one  and  one-third  miles.  This  hacienda  is  also  a  stock 
ranch  ;  it  has  a  little  chapel  and  a  population  of  1 50  souls  ;  has 
good  enclosures  and  good  lodgings ;  forage  can  be  had  here.  From 
this  place  a  road  leads  to  the  city  of  Catorce,  a  Mexican  Leadville 
in  former  days,  situated  in  a  depression  on  top  of  the  Catorce 
mountain,  and  containing  20,000  inhabitants ;  it  is  about  eighteen 
miles  from  this  hacienda  to  the  city.  The  wealth  of  its  mines  was 
such  that  at  one  time  a  mint  was  established  at  that  place  ;  one  of 
the  principal  miners  is  a  wealthy  Spaniard,  Don  Santos  de  la  Massa. 

Prom  Guadaloupe  el  Carnicero  to  the  hacienda  of  Laguna 
Seca,  road  hilly  for  some  distance  to  the  pass  of  Messillas,  where 
there  is  a  ranch  consisting  of  twelve  or  fifteen  houses,  and  an 
enclosure  of  stone  about  500  yards  in  length.  To  the  left  of  the 
road,  about  half  a  mile  further  on,  is  the  rancho  of  Mata  Pulgas 
(kill  fleas).  At  one  time  an  old  friendly  Indian  kept  the  only  house 
in  the  place,  and  would  graciously  furnish  the  traveler  with  a  good 
meal  and  a  glass  of  mescal.  Road  through  a  vast  plain,  small 
hillock  to  the  right  of  the  road  ;  to  the  ranch  of  El  Berendo,  where 
there  is  a  tank  of  good  water ;  road  south-west,  with  a  small  chain 
of  hills  to  the  left,  leaving  a  tank  to  the  right.  A  mile  further  on 
you  reach  the  hacienda  of  Laguna  Seca,  distant  from  Guadaloupe 
el  Carnicero  fifteen  miles.  Laguna  Seca  was  at  one  time  one  cf  the 
richest  haciendas  of  the  State  of  San  Luis ;  it  was  celebrated  for 


its  good  horses  ;  it  has  good  buildings  ;  lodging  and  forage  can  be 
obtained  here  ;  population,  about  one  hundred. 

From  hacienda  de  Laguna  Seca  to  hacienda  de  los  Charcos, 
road  with  stone  wall  sometimes  to  the  left  and  sometimes  to  the 
right  for  a  long  distance,  and  finally  the  wall  to  the  right  and  hills 
to  the  left  to  Charcos,  fifteen  miles.  Charcos  has  a  church  ;  forage 
and  lodging  can  be  had;  this  was  at  one  time  a  large  grain 
hacienda. 

From  the  hacienda  de  los  Charcos  to  the  city  of  El  Venado. 
Leaving  Los  Charcos,  the  road  runs  between  a  stone  wall  to  the 
right  and  within  gunshot,  a  range  of  hills  for  about  eight  miles, 
when  the  rancho  of  Laborcillo  is  reached,  which  consists  of  one 
good  house,  situated  in  an  open  plain,  and  commands  a  good  view 
of  the  country ;  for  three  miles  the  earth  is  very  white,  to  the 
rancho  del  Troncon,  where  there  is  a  good  house.  Here  we  begin 
to  enter  the  cactus  country;  course  of  road  south-west  to  the 
rancho  of  San  Sabino,  a  village  of  huts  ;  a  mile  and  a  half  further 
on,  crossing  a  stone  bridge  over  a  ravine  in  which  flows  a  small 
stream,  the  city  of  El  Venado  is  reached  ;  distance  from  Los  Char- 
cos, thirteen  miles.  The  city  of  El  Venado  is  situated  in  a  hollow 
surrounded  by  hills  ;  it  is  a  paved  city,  has  two  large  churches  and 
a  cotton  factory.  I  estimate  its  population  at  8,000  inhabitants  ; 
the  people  cultivate  the  soil  and  manufacture  very  good  blankets. 

From  the  city  of  El  Venado  to  La  Hedionda,  sometimes  called 
Montezuma,  course  of  road  south-west  one-quarter  west,  level, 
passing  through  a  large  "  potrero  "  (pasture)  enclosed  by  a  stone 
wall,  the  ranch  del  Garatillo  is  reached  ;  then  over  hills  to  the  town 
of  La  Hedionda. 

The  little  stream  that  the  road  crosses  before  entering  the 
town  is  so  impregnated  with  sulphur  that  it  is  disagreeable  to 
drink.  This  place  is  surrounded  by  shade  and  fruit  trees  ;  it  is 
really  a  beautiful  place,  an  oasis  in  the  desert ;  forage  abundant ; 
population,  about  3,000  ;  its  people  are  mainly  engaged  in  cultivating 
the  soil ;  distance,  thirteen  miles. 

From  la  Hedionda  to  Bocas,  a  large  hacienda,  the  road  is 
generally  good  ;  passing  through  maguey  hedges,  then  up  hill  to 
the  hacienda  de  la  Monterilla,  about  six  miles  from  la  Hedionda  ; 
about  three  miles  further  on,  a  lone  hill  is  seen  to  the  left  of  the 
road ;  a  short  distance  from  the  road,  to  the  right,  is  a  large  grange 


(troja),  where  there  is  a  good  well  of  water,  then  over  plain  to 
rancho  del  Colorado,  which  is  about  half  way  between  la  Hedionda 
and  Bocas ;  course,  west-south-west,  up  a  pass  the  road  becomes 
rocky  to  the  huisache  rancho  ;  then  over  hill  to  the  rancho  de  las 
Sartenegas ;  then  over  a  plain  covered  with  cactus  and  maguey, 
crossing  the  bed  of  a  dry  creek  about  600  yards  from  the  hacienda, 
Bocas  is  reached  ;  distance,  twenty-one  and  a  half  miles. 

The  hacienda  de  Bocas  was  one  of  the  richest  in  the  State  of 
San  Luis  ;  it  is  built  of  rock  on  a  small  plateau  ;  it  has  a  square 
surrounded  by  substantial  buildings  ;  a  neat  church,  a  (meson) 
hotel  with  good  rooms  and  large  court  yard  well  paved  ;  it  has  a 
fine  orchard  surrounded  by  high  walls  ;  an  alameda  of  large  trees 
leads  from  the  hacienda  to  the  "  huerta  "  (orchard)  and  to  the  dam, 
which  is  a  fine  piece  of  masonry,  closing  the  outlet  of  a  creek  as  it 
comes  out  between  two  hills.  It  is  several  hundred  yards  long  and 
about  fifty  feet  high,  forming  a  beautiful  lake,  from  which  the  water  is 
taken  to  irrigate  the  large  fields  of  the  hacienda ;  on  the  right  hand 
of  the  dam  is  a  pretty  little  chapel.  During  the  Mexican  revolution 
the  owner  of  this  hacienda  mounted  and  equipped  a  squadron  at 
his  own  expense,  to  sustain  the  cause  of  the  King  of  Spain.  It 
was,  until  a  few  years  ago,  the  property  of  the  Countess  of  Perez 
Galvez,  one  of  the  descendants  of  the  Vice-Roy  Galvez,  and  was 
almost  ruined  by  the  different  factions  that  took  possession  of  it ; 
at  present  it  is  in  good  workmg  order. 

From  Bocas  to  the  hacienda  del  Penasco.  Leaving  the 
hacienda  the  road  is  rocky  and  up  hill  through  the  Tinajeula  pass, 
when  the  high  plateau  of  Anahuac  is  reached ;  from  the  rancho  de 
Tinajeula  to  the  hacienda  del  Penasco,  quantities  of  maguey  and 
cactus  are  found.  Passing  several  houses  on  the  way,  in  a  Httle 
plain  before  reaching  the  hacienda,  is  a  curious  formation  in  the 
shape  of  a  lone  hill  formed  of  balsatic  columns,  hence  the  name, 
"  Penasco."  The  hacienda  has  a  population  of  about  a  thousand 
people  ;  good  buildings  and  its  fields  enclosed  by  stone  walls.  Large 
crops  of  grain  and  extensive  plantations  of  maguey  are  its  principal 
resources.     Distance  from  Bocas,  eighteen  miles. 

From  the  hacienda  del  Penasco  to  the  city  of  San  Luis  the 
road  is  good  and  settled,  passing  through  maguey  and  cactus  of  all 
kinds.     About  six  miles  this  side  of  the  city  a  fine  causeway  is 


227 

reached,  which  is  shaded  by  stately  trees  all  the  way  to  the  Indian 
town  of  Tlaxcala,  a  suburb  of  San  Luis  Potosi. 

San  Luis  Potosi  is  seen  in  the  distance  as  soon  as  the  plateau 
above  Bocas  is  reached,  for  at  least  twenty-five  miles  ;  it  presents, 
with  its  eighteen  domes  and  towers,  a  beautiful  appearance,  looking 
in  the  distance  like  a  Moorish  city.  The  city  of  San  Luis  Potosi, 
capital  of  San  Luis  Potosi,  is  situated  on  the  east  side  of  the  grand 
plateau  of  Anahuac,  in  a  valley  extending  from  north  to  south  about 
forty-five  miles,  in  latitude  22*^  8'  north  and  longitude  i°  40'  west 
of  the  city  of  Mexico.  Its  streets,  although  narrow,  are  straight 
and  intersect  at  right  angles.  Among  the  principal  buildings  are  the 
city  hall,  the  granary,  the  market  block  and  the  theatre.  This  city 
possesses  churches  that  rival  any  in  Mexico  ;  among  them  may  be 
particularly  cited  :  "  San  Francisco,"  "  El  Carmen,"  "  San  Augus- 
tin."  La  Merced,  the  colleges  of  Loreto  and  San  Nicolas,  the  hos- 
pital of  San  Juan  de  Dios,  the  chapel  of  El  Rosario  and  of  los 
Remedios,  the  Alameda,  and  the  sanctuary  of  Guadaloupe,  are  all 
very  interesting  to  visit  on  account  of  their  architecture  and  the  fine 
paintings  some  of  them  still  possess.  I  suppose  that  the  population 
of  the  city,  with  the  suburbs  of  Tlaxcala,  San  Juan  de  Guadaloupe 
and  San  Miguelito,  reaches  to  about  60,000  souls.  This  city,  by 
its  situation,  when  a  railroad  reaches  it,  will  be  one  of  the  greatest 
commercial  centres  of  the  Republic.  It  carries  on  a  great  trade  in 
groceries  and  home  manufactures,  such  as  leather,  shoes,  saddlery, 
roping,  bagging,  cassimeres,  hats,  blankets  and  grain.  In  its  vicinity 
is  situated  the  great  San  Pedro  mine,  out  of  which  was  taken  the 
largest  piece  of  solid  gold  found  in  America  up  to  that  time  ;  it 
was  sent  to  the  King  of  Spain  as  a  present,  and  in  return  the  King 
presented  the  cathedral  with  a  beautiful  clock,  where,  to  this  day, 
it  strikes  the  hours.  The  pillars  of  this  mine  having  been  cut  away 
and  the  mine  has  caved  in.  Competent  engineers  who  have  carefully 
examined  this  celebrated  mine  say  that  by  an  expenditure  of  two 
millions,  from  twelve  to  fifteen  millions  could  be  taken  out  of  it. 


228 


ROUTE   NO.   6. 

From  the  City  of  San  Luis  Potosi,  capital  of  the  State  of  the 
same  nam.e,  by  way  of  San  Miguel  de  Allende,  to  the  City  of 
Queretaro,  capital  of  the  State  of  Queretaro  :  j6o  American 
miles. 

From  the  city  of  San  Luis  Potosi  to  the  city  of  Queretaro, 
capital  of  the  Sta/e  of  Queretaro,  level  road  to  Los  Posos  :  six 
miles. 

From  Los  Posos  to  the  town  of  San  Francisco,  a  place  of 
about  5,000  inhabitants,  the  road  is  good  ;  distance,  twenty-six 
miles. 

From  San  Francisco  to  Ojo  dei  Gato,  road  story  and  hilly  ; 
three  miles. 

To  Rancho  de  las  Russias,  partly  hilly  and  partly  level ;  dis- 
tacen,  five  miles. 

To  the  hacienda  del  Jaral,  road  level,  through  a  forest  con- 
sisting principally  of  "  huisache  "  and  "  arbol  del  Peru,"  a  species  of 
mesquite  ;  distance,  eight  miles. 

El  Jaral  was  at  one  time  probably  the  largest  estate  in  Mexico, 
as  it  worked  or  owned  twenty  thousand  peones.  It  has  a  fine  church 
and  a  chapel  of  red  granite,  where  the  remains  of  the  family  of  the 
Marquez  del  Jaral,  Count  of  Moncada,  are  buried.  It  is  a  grain 
and  stock  farm  ;  it  was  renowned  for  its  horses,  and  when  the 
revolution  of  Hidalgo  broke  out,  in  September,  1810,  the  Count  of 
Moncada  raised,  mounted  and  equiped  from  his  estate  one  whole 
regiment  of  cavalry,  of  which  he  was  the  Colonel,  in  favor  of  the 
King's  arms  ;  he  greatly  aided  with  his  men,  money  and  influence 
General  Calleja,  the  Spanish  commander,  at  San  Luis  Potosi,  in 
quelling  the  revolution  and  re-establishing  the  King's  authority. 
Afterwards,  when  Mina,  with  300  men,  invaded  Mexico,  having 
marched  from  Soto  la  Marina  to  el  Jaral,  he  levied  heavy  contribu- 
tion on  this  hacienda,  where  he  found  in  specie  alone  the  sum  cf 
$180,000. 

The  road  runs  between  adobe  and  stone  walls  of  this  hacienda 
for  nearly  thirty  miles.  Between  El  Jaral  and  La  Russia  is  the 
dividing  line  between  the  State  of   San  Luis  and  that  of  Guana- 


229 

juato.  From  El  Jaral  to  San  Bartolo,  partly  through  a  forest 
before  reaching  the  hacienda,  seven  and  a  half  miles. 

Road  a  little  rough,  up  the  hill  of  San  Bartolo,  for  six  miles 
to  the  town  of  San  Felipe,  a  place  of  about  5,000  or  6,000 
inhabitants. 

From  San  Felipe  to  the  hacienda  de  la  Quemada,  road  level 
through  rich  cultivated  fields  of  wheat  and  com.  In  this  portion 
of  Mexico  two  crops  are  raised  annually,  mostly  by  irrigation.  The 
water,  during  the  rainy  season,  is  gathered  in  large  tanks  and  used 
in  the  dry  season.  The  mountains  to  the  right  of  the  road  are 
among  the  richest  in  silver  in  the  Republic.  At  La  Quemada  a 
stage  hotel  is  kept  for  the  entertainment  of  travelers.  Before 
reaching  the  hacienda  you  cross  the  dry  bed  of  the  Cubo  River, 
which,  during  the  rainy  season,  runs  a  mighty  torrent.  Distance 
from  San  Filepi,  io>^  miles. 

From  ranch  La  Quemada  to  the  ranch  de  Laborcilla,  road 
broken  near  La  Quemada  and  broken  before  reaching  the  ranch  ; 
distance,  three  miles. 

From  the  ranch  de  Laborcilla  to  the  hacienda  de  Trancas, 
good  road  ;  distance,  ten  miles. 

From  the  hacienda  de  Trancas  to  the  city  of  Dolores  Hidalgo, 
the  road  crosses  the  pass  of  el  Gallinero,  where  there  is  fine  quarries 
of  mill  and  "  metate  "  stone,  a  stone  used  by  the  Mexicans  to  grind 
com  for  their  tortillas,  a  kind  of  com  pan-cake,  their  principal  arti- 
cle of  food  ;  distance,  ten  miles. 

The  city  of  Dolores  Hidalgo  has  become  celebrated  on  account 
of  having  been  the  parish  of  Padre  Hidalgo,  and  the  place  from 
which  he  gave  the  first  cry  for  the  independence  of  Mexico,  on  the 
1 6th  of  September,  18 10.  A  Mexican  chronicler  says  that  "  Don. 
Miguel  Hidalgo  y  Costilla  (that  was  the  name  of  the  hero  of  the 
first  revolution)  addressed  the  people  from  the  balcony  of  his 
house."  The  misfortune  is  that  the  Padre's  house  being  of  one 
story,  has  no  balcony ;  it  must  be  inferred  that  it  was  from  the 
vs^indow :  in  fact,  I  was  told  this  was  the  case  by  an  old  corporal 
who  was  among  the  few  soldiers  that  were  in  that  city  at  the  time 
and  was  sent  as  a  courier  to  carry  the  news  to  the  city  of  San 
Miguel.  The  old  corporal  then  belonged  to  the  Queen's  dragoons, 
a  corps  in  which  Allende,  another  hero  of  the  revolution,  was  a 


230 

captain,  and  had  been  in  1865  installed  a  keeper  of  Padre  Hidalgo's 
house  by  the  Emperor  Maximilian,  where  I  met  him. 

From  the  city  of  Dolores  Hidalgo  to  the  hacienda  de  la  R, 
road  level ;  distance,  five  miles. 

From  hacienda  de  la  R  to  Atotonilco,  road  over  barren  hills  ; 
distance,  seven  and  a  half  miles. 

The  town  of  Atotonilco  is  an  Indian  town,  where  there  is  a 
church  with  curious  fresco  paintings. 

From  the  town  of  Atotonilco  to  the  fine  city  of  San  Miguel  de 
AUende,  the  road  is  over  barren  hills ;  just  before  arriving  at  the 
city  the  road  crosses  the  bed  of  a  river  ;  distance,  seven  and  a  half 
miles. 

San  Miguel  de  Allende  is  a  city  of  about  20,000  people  ;  its 
streets  are  well  paved ;  there  are  fine  churches,  a  college  and 
several  squares,  and  the  city  presents  a  very  neat  appearance.  It 
is  situated  on  the  declivity  of  a  high  hill  and  can  be  seen  almost 
from  Atotonilco. 

From  San  Miguel  el  Grande,  as  it  was  called  before  the  Mexi- 
can independence,  to  the  ranch  de  los  Ricos,  the  road  is  level ; 
distance,  fifteen  miles. 

From  Rancho  de  los  Ricos  to  the  town  of  Santa  Rosa  the 
road  is  hilly  and  stony  (bad  for  robbers)  ;  distance,  ten  miles. 

From  the  town  of  Santa  Rosa  to  the  city  of  Queretaro  the 
road  is  rough  and  hilly ;  distance,  thirteen  miles. 

Queretaro,  capital  of  the  State  of  Oueretaro,  was  founded  by 
the  Aztecs  in  1445  or  1446.  It  was  conquered  by  the  Spaniards 
under  Don  Fernando  de  Tapia,  a  lieutenant  of  Cortez,  in  July, 
1 53 1,  and  converted  to  the  Christian  religion  by  the  Licenciado 
Don  Juan  Sanchez  Alaniz,  a  celebrated  secular  priest.  Its  climate 
is  temperate  ;  it  is  surrounded  by  gardens.  This  city  has  very  fine 
churches  and  convents  ;  it  is  noted  among  the  cities  of  Mexico  for 
the  great  religious  devotion  of  its  people.  Among  the  principal 
edifices  the  convents  of  San  Francisco,  Santa  Cruz,  San  Antonio, 
Santo  Domingo,  San  Augustine  and  El  Carmen  are  to  be  noted, 
also  the  hospital  of  la  Merced. 

Although  the  city  has  irrigation  ditches,  water  is  brought  to  it 
by  an  aqueduct  from  the  neighboring  hills,  some  of  the  arches  of 
which  are  ninety  feet  high.  It  was  certainly  a  great  piece  of 
masonry   at   the   time   it  was   built,    in  the   last  century;  it   cost 


231 

$124,000,  most  of  which  sum  was  paid  by  Don  Juan  Antonio  de 
Urutio  y  Arana,  Marquis  del  Villar  del  Aguila,  whom  the  Quere- 
tanos  consider  to  this  day  the  benefactor  of  the  city.  A  statue  of 
the  Marquis  exists  on  one  of  the  squares.  The  city  also  boasts  a 
fine  Alameda. 

Near  the  city  is  the  factory  of  "  Herculus,"  one  of  the  finest  in 
the  world.  No  traveler  should  pass  Queretaro  without  visiting  it. 
In  1866  it  was  the  property  of  Don  Francisco  Rubio.  It  cost 
$4,000,000.  It  was  worked  by  water,  steam  and  horse  power.  It 
turned  out  1,500  pieces  of  unbleached  cotton  daily,  and  at  night 
run  a  large  number  of  mill  stones,  grinding  principally  wheat.  It 
has  probably  the  highest  overshot  wheel  in  the  world.  The  build- 
ings of  the  factory  are  of  stone,  and  are  surrounded  by  fine  gardens, 
with  artificial  ponds,  after  the  European  st^de.  Among  the  statues 
that  adorn  the  grounds  is  that  of  "  Herculus ;"  it  cost  in  Italy 
$15,000.  The  superintendents  are  very  polite  and  have  always  a 
clerk  at  hand  to  show  the  stranger  about  this  beautiful  establish- 
ment. 

There  are  several  hotels  in  Queretaro ;  among  the  best  is  that 
of  the  "  Red  Eagle  ;  "  the  city  has  also  a  fine  theatre. 

It  was  in  this  city  that  Maximilian  sustained  a  siege  against  the 
liberal  forces  under  Gen.  Escobedo,  which  resulted,  through  the 
treachery  of  his  bosom  friend.  Colonel  Miguel  Lopez,  of  the 
Empress'  regiment,  whom  he  had  just  made  a  general,  and  who 
betrayed  him,  in  his  surrender  to  Generals  Palaclo  and  Escobedo, 
on  the  19th  of  May,  1867.  Maximilian  was  subsequently  tried 
before  a  drum-head  military  tribunal,  and  shot,  with  his  unfortunate 
companions,  Gens.  Miramon  and  Mejia,  at  the  foot  of  the  "  Cerro 
de  la  Cruz,"  on  the  19th  of  June,  1867. 

The  dehcious  climate  of  Queretaro,  the  abundance  of  fruits 
and  flowers,  the  country  produces,  makes  it  a  delightful  place. 

ROUTE  NO.   7. 

From  Queretaro  to  the  City  of  Mexico,  the  capital  of  the  Repub. 
lie,  IJ4  1-2  fniles. 

From  Queretaro  to  the  hacienda  de  la  Noria,  the  road  leads 
up    a    hill,  called    "Cuesta    de    China."      There    are   very  large 


232 

t 
cactus   of  several   varieties   on   the   road-side,    among  them    the 
"  organos."     Distance,  five  miles. 

From  La  Noria  to  the  hacienda  del  Colorado,  road  up  hill 
through  thickets,  dangerous  for  robbers  ;   distance,  five  miles. 

From  El  Colorado  to  Arroyo  Seco,  level  road ;  distance,  seven 
and  a-half  miles. 

From  Arroya  Seco  to  El  Sauz,  five  miles. 

El  Sauz  to  las  Trojas  Mocha,  good  road  ;  here  road  forks  more 
direct  to  San  Miguel  Allende  by  v^ay  of  Chichimequillas,  and  cross- 
ing a  river  over  a  good  stone  bridge,  the  City  of  San  Juan  del  Rio 
is  reached  ;  distance,  six  miles. 

San  Juan  del  Rio  has  been,  and  will  be  again,  a  large  com- 
mercial centre,  on  account  of  its  situation,  as  it  is  from  this  point 
that  all  roads  to  the  interior  branch  out.  It  was,  in  former  times, 
one  of  the  greatest  manufacturing  cities  of  Mexico,  renowned  for 
its  woolen  textures.  Its  streets  are  wide  and  well  paved,  and  at 
one  time  it  had  20,000  inhabitants. 

From  San  Juan  del  Rio  to  hacienda  de  Palmillas,  six  miles. 

From  Palmillas  to  San  Antonio,  a  small  town  on  a  high  plain, 
road  rolling ;  distance,  seven  and  a-half  miles. 

From  San  Antonio  to  Ruano,  ten  miles. 

From  Ruano  to  Encinillas,  down  hill ;  distance,  five  miles. 

From  Encinillas  to  the  hacienda  of  Arroyo  Zarco  ;  the  limits  of 
this  estate  is  the  boundary  line  between  the  State  of  Queretaro  and 
Mexico.  It  is  a  large  grain  estate,  has  a  fine  hotel  and  spacious 
yards  for  animals,  also  a  fine  cotton  mill ;  distance,  four  and  a-half 
miles. 

At  this  place  two  stages  meet  daily — one  coming  from  Mexico 
and  the  other  from  Queretaro ;  they  are  large  Concord  coaches, 
carrying  twelve  passengers  inside. 

From  the  hacienda  of  Arroyo  Zarco  the  road  goes  up  hill  to 
the  highest  point  reached  on  this  route  than  Queretaro  to  Mexico, 
which  is  9,675  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea. 

This  road  runs  through  stunted  pines,  then  goes  over  a  road 
down  hill  to  the  village  of  San  Miguelito  de  Capulalpan.  This 
portion  of  the  road  is  noted  for  robbers,  so  much  so  that  the  Mexi- 
can Government  formerly  sent  an  escort  along  with  the  stages. 
San  Miguelito  is  a  small  Indian  village,  and  is  celebrated  not  only 
on  account  of  the  robberies  committed  in  its  neighborhood,  as  on 


f 


238 

account  of  the  battle  of  the  same  name,  fought  between  the  Hberal 
forces  commanded  by  Gen.  Ortega,  and  the  reactionists  commanded 
by  Gen.  Miramon. 

From  San  MigueHto  to  San  Francisco,  Soyaniquilpan,  a  large 
Indian  village,  the  road  is  over  a  rough  hog-wallow  prairie  ;  distance 
from  Arroyo  Zarco,  thirteen  miles. 

From  San  Francisco  Soyaniquilpan  to  the  hacienda  de  la  Can- 
ada road  is  a  little  rough,  then  down  hill ;  a  small  rivulet  is  crossed 
over  by  a  stone  bridge  to  the  hacienda,  which  has  good  buildings  ; 
it  is  a  grain  plantation  ;  distance,  ten  miles. 

From  the  hacienda  de  la  Canada  to  the  large  town  of  Tepehi 
del  Rio,  six  miles.  This  place  is  located  between  a  hill  and  the 
river  of  the  same  name ;  has  good  buildings,  fine  gardens  and 
stately  shade  trees. 

From  the  town  of  Tepehi  del  Rio  to  San  Miguel  you  cross  the 
Tepehi  River,  which  is  a  fine  mountain  stream,  crossed  by  a  good 
stone  bridge ;  distance,  nine  miles. 

From  San  Miguel,  a  small  rancho,  to  the  large  town  of  Cuatit- 
lan  the  distance  is  eleven  miles. 

This  place  seems  to  be  a  very  active  business  place  ;  its  popu- 
lation may  amount  to  12,000  or  more  people.  Going  towards  Mex- 
ico you  pass  a  stone  bridge  over  a  river  of  the  same  name.  It  is 
said  that  Cortez  entered  the  valley  of  Mexico  at  this  point.  Some 
years  ago  a  rock  on  the  left-hand  side  of  the  bridge,  going  towards 
the  city,  was  still  standing  upon  which  was  an  inscription  to  that 
effect.  Here  you  enter  the  beautiful  valley  of  Mexico ;  flowers  and 
fruit  abound. 

From  Cuatitlan  to  the  hacienda  of  la  Lecheria  (which  is  said  to 
have  been  purchased  by  Maximilian  at  one  time),  distance,  about 
three  miles. 

From  la  Lecheria  to  the  large  Indian  town  of  Tlalnepantla, 
distance,  seven  and  a-half  miles.  This  is  a  very  pretty  place,  shad- 
owed by  stately  trees. 

From  Tlalnepantla  to  the  City  of  Mexico  the  distance  is  seven 
and  a-half  miles. 

You  enter  the  city  by  the  causeway  of  San  Cosme,  and  pass 
the  house  built  by  Cortez,  the  conqueror  of  Mexico  ;  this  house  is 
to  the  left  of  road  before  passing  the  city  gate,  and  which  but  few 
people  have  noticed.     It  should  be  visited. 


234 


DISTANCES 


IN   MEXICAN    LEAGUES   FROM   THE   CITY   OF    MEXICO   TO   SOME 
OF   THE   PRINCIPAL   CITIES   OF   THE   REPUBLIC. 


From  Mexico  to — 
Aguas  Calientes, 

Acapulco  (sea  port  on  the  Pacific), 
San  Bias  (sea  port  on  the  Pacific), 
Colima  (capital  of  CoHma), 
Culiacan  (capital  of  Sinaloa), 
Chihuahua  (capital  of  Chihuahua), 
Chiapas, 
Durango, 
Guanajuato, 
Guadalajara, 
Monterey,     . 
Matamoros, 
Morelia, 
Merida,     . 
Oajaca, 
Puebla, 
Queretaro,    . 
San  Luis  Potosi, 
Saltillo, 

San  Juan  Bautista  de  Tabasco, 
Tanripico  (by  way  of  San  Luis),    . 
Tampico  (by  way  of  La  Huastica), 

Textla, 

Toluca, 

Ures, 

Vera  Cruz  (sea  port), 
Victoria  (Tamaulipas), 
Zacatecas,         .... 
La  Paz  (Lower  California  .  . 
Tlaxcala,  .... 


Leagues. 

132 
IIO 
210 
149 

333 
289 
203 
88 
161 

234 
326 

69 
386 
108 

28 

57 
114 
209 

239 
218 
103 

70 

16 
582 

93 
195 
130 
416 

28 


235 


Itinerary  No.  i. — Fro7n  the  City  of  Mexico  to  the  Cities  of  Quere- 
taro,  San  Luis  Potosi,  Saltillo,  Montery  and  Matamoros. 


From  Mexico  to — 
Cuautitlan, 
Tula,      . 
Arroyozarco, 
San  Juan  del  Rio, 
Queretaro, 
San  Miguel, 
Dolores,,    . 
San  Felipe.     . 
Eljaral, 
Valle,     . 
San  Luis,  . 
Bocas,    . 
El  Venado, 
Laguna  Seca, 
Guadaloupe, 
San  Cristobal, 
La  Parida, 
Salado, 

San  Salvador,    . 
Encarnacion, 
Agua  Nueva,     . 
Saltillo, 

Santa  Maria,     . 
La  Rinconada. 
Santa  Catarina, 
Monterey, 
Cadereyta, 
Ayancual, 
Salto, 
China,    . 
Zacate, 
Noria,    . 
Reynosa,  . 
La  Mesa, 
Matamoros, 
(328  leagues,  or  863  and  a 


Leagues. 

Total. 

•   7 

0 

II 

18 

•  13 

31 

12 

43 

.  14 

57 

14 

71 

.   8 

79 

10 

89 

•   7 

96 

6 

102 

.  12 

114 

12 

126 

.  II 

137 

9 

146 

.   5 

151 

8 

159 

.   8 

167 

10 

177 

•   7 

184 

9 

193 

.   8 

201 

8 

209 

.   6 

215 

7 

222 

.   8 

230 

4 

234 

•   9 

24s 

8 

251 

.   8 

259 

12 

271 

.  II 

282 

12 

294 

.  13 

307 

10 

317 

.  II 

328 

fraction  American  miles.) 


236 


No.  2. — From  the  City  of  Mexico  to  the  port  of  Acapulco  on  the 
Pacific  Ocean. 

From  Mexico  to-                                      ^^"S"^^-  "^^^^i" 

Tlalpan,    ......  4  o 

Venta  del  Arenal,           ...  3  7 

Huichilaque,      .         .         .         .         .6  13 

Cuernavaca, 4  17 

Sochiltepec, 5  22 

Puente  de  Ixtla,     .        '.         .         .  5  27 

Los  Azuchiles, 6  33 

Tuxpan, 5  38 

Tepecoacuilco,           ....  3  41 

Venta  de  Papula.  ....  6  47 

Venta  de  Estola i  48 

Rio  de  Mezcalo,    ....  5  53 

Venta  del  Zopilote,    ....  7  60 

Zumpango,    .....  4  64 

Chilpancingo 3  d"] 

Hacienda  de  Acahuizotla,     .         .  7  74 

Hacienda  de  Bueua  Vista,         .         .  4  "jZ 

Dos  Caminos,         ....  3  81 

Venta  de  Palo  Gordo,        ...  5  86 

Los  Pozuelos,         .         .         .         .  '    7  93 

Dos  Arroyos, 6  99 

Venta  del  Egido,  ....  4  103 

Venta  Viega,     .         .         .         ■         •  3  106 

Acapulco, 4  no 

(no  leagues,  or  about  289^  miles.) 


JSfo.  J. — From  the  City  of  Mexico  to  Queretaro,  Guainlajara^  capi- 
tal of  Jalisco,  and  the  port  of  San  Bias  on  the  Pacific  Ocean. 


From  Mexico  to — 
Tlalnepantla,     . 
La  Lecheria, 
Cuantitlan, 
Huehuetoca, 
Rancho  de  Bata, 


Leagues.       Total. 


237 


Leagues. 

Total. 

Tula, 

3 

i8 

San  Antonio,     .... 

•       3 

21 

La  Goleta,     .... 

3K 

'2.\% 

Capulalpan,       .... 

•      3 

28 

Arroyozarco, 

3 

31 

Tenazat, 

2 

33 

San  Isidro,     .... 

2 

35 

Palmillas,           .... 

.      6 

41 

San  Juan  del  Rio, 

2 

43 

Eljarez, 

.       5 

48 

Colorado,       .... 

4 

52 

Queretaro,          .... 

•       5 

57 

Rio  Cuichiti, 

SV^ 

(yiYz 

Celaya, 

.       5K 

68 

Salamanca.    .         . 

6 

74 

Irapuato, 

4 

78 

Horcones,      .... 

II 

89 

Punta  de  San  Juan,  . 

.     aVz 

93>^ 

Hacienda  de  Frias, 

VA 

lOI 

Los  Alamos,      .... 

•       3 

104 

Sauz, 

8 

112 

Ranchos  de  Tierra  Colorado,   . 

•       4 

116 

Puente  de  Calderon, 

9 

125 

Rio  Grande,       .... 

•       3 

128 

Guadalajara, 

7 

135 

El  Mezcal,         .... 

5 

140 

Hacienda  de  Huasca,    . 

6 

146 

Amatitan,          .... 

•       4 

150 

Tequila,          .... 

5 

155 

La  Magdalena, 

ID 

165 

Rancho  de  Tepequiste, 

ID 

175 

Hacienda  de  Portezuelo,   . 

■       9 

184 

Las  Barrancas, 

4 

188 

Ixtlan, 

.       9 

197 

Ag-uacatlan, 

4 

201 

Tetitan,     ..... 

.       8 

209 

Santa  Isabel, 

6 

215 

Zapotlan,            .... 

•       5 

220 

238 


Leagues, 

Total 

San  Leonel,   ....                   6 

226 

Tepic, 8 

234 

Guaristemba,         ....           9 

243 

San  Bias, 8 

250 

(250  leagues,  or  about  660^  miles.) 

No.  4. — From  the  City  of  Mexico  to  the  City  of  Morelia,  capital 
of  the  State  of  Afichoacan,  for?nerly  known  as   Valladolid. 


From  Mexico  to — 

I,eagues. 

Total 

Cuajimalpa, 

•       5 

0 

Lerma,           .... 

7 

12 

Toluca,      .... 

4 

16 

Ixtlahuaca,    .... 

9 

25 

San  Felipe  del  Obraje, 

•       7 

32 

Hacienda  de  Tepetongo, 

8 

40 

Maravatio, 

.       9 

49 

Ucareo,          .... 

6 

55 

Zinapecuaro, 

•       4 

59 

Indaparapeo. 

3 

62 

Charo,        .... 

•       3 

65 

Morelia,          .... 

4 

69 

(69  leagues,  or  181  >^  miles  approximately.) 


No.  J. — From  the  City  of  Mexico  to  the  City  of  Oajaca,  capital 
of  the  State  of  the  same  name. 


From  Mexico  to — 
Ayotla, 
Rio  Frio, 
San  Martin, 
Puebla, 
Amozoe,   . 
Tepeaca, 
La  Venta, 
Tlalcotepec,  . 
Tehuacan, 
San  Sebastian, 


Leagues. 

Total 

0 

14 

21 

28 

32 

36 

41 

46 

•       9 

55 

6 

61 

239 


T-eagues. 

Tota] 

LaVenta, 

2 

63 

La  Calavara, 

7 

70 

San  Juan  de  la  Cues, 

.       8 

78 

Quiotepec,      . 

4 

82 

San  Pedro, 

.       6 

88 

Dominguillo, 

4 

92 

Trapichi  de  Aragon, 

.       6 

98 

San  Juan, 

7 

105 

Oaxaca,     .... 

.       7 

112 

(112  leagues,  or  294^  miles  in  round  numbers.) 


No.  6. — Frofn  the  City  of  Mexico  to  the  Cities  of  Zacatecas  and 
Durango,  capitals  of  the  States  of  the  same  names. 

From  Mexico  to—  Leagues.       Total. 

San  Juan  del  Rio   (see  itinerary  to 

Queretaro), 
La  Palma, 
Chichimequillas, 
Los  Ricos,     . 
Jacales, 
Atotonilco,     . 
Gallinero, 
Quemada, 
San  Felipe, 
Santa  Eugenia, 
Ojuelos,     . 
Encinillas, 
Las  Letras, 
Cuniga  Grande, 
Santa  Gertrudis, 
San  Francisco  de  Adames 
Refugfio,    . 
Zacatecas, 
La  Calera, 
Fresnillo, 
Rancho  Grande 
La  Escondida, 


o 
6 
8 

5 

6 
7 
4 
8 

5 

7 
5 
6 

7 
5 
6 

7 
6 

7 
8 

5 


43 

49 

57 

63>^ 

68>^ 

74 
80 

87 

91 

99 
104 
III 
116 
122 
129 

134 
140 

147 
153 
160 
168 
173 


240 


Leagues. 

Total. 

Sain,           .... 

.       6 

179 

Arenal, 

6 

185     . 

Sombrerete, 

•      5 

190 

Calabazal, 

6 

196 

Muleros,    . 

5 

201 

San  Quintin, 

7 

208 

La  Punta, 

.      6 

214 

Anaracoyan, 

7 

221 

Durango, 

.      3 

224 

(224  leagues,  or  589>^  miles 

in  round  numbers.) 

No 

7. — From  the  City  of  Mexico  to  the  City  of  Culiacatty  capital 

of  the  State  of  . 

Sinaloa. 

From  Mexico  to — 

Leagues. 

Total. 

Gualajara  (see  No.  3), 

•        .  iS9% 

mVz 

Amatitan, 

^0% 

170 

La  Magdalena, 

•      .     s% 

17^% 

Hacienda  de  Mochitiltic, 

S% 

187^ 

Ixtlan,        .         .         .         . 

.     10 

I97K 

Ahuacatlan, 

3K 

200^ 

Hacienda  de  Titan, 

.         .       5K 

206 

Hacienda  de  San  Leonel, 

10 

216 

Cuidad  de  Tepic, 

•         •       8K 

2Hyi 

Rancho  de  Santa, 

io>^ 

234K 

Santiago, 

•         .       3^ 

238 

Posole,  .... 

8 

246 

Rose  Morada    . 

6H 

^S2% 

Acaponeta,    . 

16 

26^% 

Esquinapa, 

■         .     i^% 

285^ 

Rosario, 

8 

293  >^ 

Potrerillo, 

.      4 

297  K 

Aguacaliente, 

5 

302  >^ 

Ciudad  de  Concordia, 

.      7 

309K 

Los  Veranos, 

8 

317K 

La  Nona, 

•        •      5 

322K 

Limoncito,     . 

9 

33i>i 

Coyotitan,          . 

.        ,      3K 

354^ 

341 


Piastla, 

Elota, 

Guarimas, 

Higuerita, 

Vinapa, 

Abuya, 

Higueras  de  Abuya, 

Tlacuichamona, 

San  Lorenzo, 

Salado, 

Milpa,    . 

Pueblo  Viego,    . 

Carrizal, 

Culiacan, 


Leagues. 

Total. 

4 

358% 

.   8 

346^/^ 

lO 

356^/^ 

2 

358^/^ 

5 

363^/^ 

2 

365?^ 

2 

367^ 

•   5 

372  M 

4 

376^ 

4 

380^ 

2 

382^/^ 

•   3 

385^ 

2 

387  K 

8K     396 


iVb.  8, — From  the  City  of  Mexico  to   Ures,  capital  of  the  State 


of  Sonora. 


From  Mexico  to— 

Culiacan   (see  No 

itinerary),  . 
Moholo, 
Paredones, 
Las  Higueras, 
La  Mosita, 
Los  Mescalitos, 
Palmar  de  los  Leyvas, 
Mocosito, 
La  Cienega, 
Los  Coyotes, 
Rancho  Negro, 
Los  Cenllos, 
Sinaloa, 
Cabrera, 
Ocoroni,    . 
Tarajera, 
Los  Ojitos, 
Montoya, 


Leagues.       Total. 


7  preceding  this 


?6 

396 

3 

399 

4 

403 

4 

407 

4 

411 

5 

416 

7 

423 

4 

427 

6 

433 

3 

436 

3 

439 

2 

441 

2K 

443 

4 

447 

8 

455 

6 

461 

7 

468 

4 

472 

242 


Canutillo, 

Fuerte, 

Mesquite, 

Caranate, 

Jerocha,    . 

Real  de  Alamos,   . 

Comicari,  . 

Real  de  Sobia, 

Rancho  de  los  Vasitos 

Real  de  Baroyeca, 

Presidio  de  Buenavista, 

Comuripa, 

San  Francisco  de  Borja 

Rancho  de  Sanguijuela^ 

San  Jos6  de  Pimas,  . 

Hermosillo  or  Pitic, 

Molino  de  Monterey, 

Villa  de  Guadaloupe. 

Ures, 


Leagues. 

Total 

•      3 

475 

I 

476 

.      8 

484 

3 

487 

.       8 

495 

8 

503 

8 

511 

4 

515 

•      4 

519 

8 

527 

.     i6 

543 

12 

567 

.       12 

555 

lO 

577 

.         6 

583 

II 

603 

•      5 

608 

6 

619 

.         2 

621 

No.  p. — /^rom  the  City  of  Mexico  to  the  City  of  Chihuahua,  north- 
west J -4  north,  404  leagues. 


^rom  Mexico  to — 

Leagues. 

Total. 

Durango  (see  itinerary  No.  6),   . 

. 

234 

Sauz  Bendito, 

ID 

244 

Molino  de  la  Cienega, 

.       ID 

254 

Molino  de  Huichapa,     . 

12 

266 

San  Salvador  de  Horta,     . 

.       II 

277 

Estancia  del  Casco, 

12 

289 

Hacienda  de  la  Zarca, 

.       10 

299 

Cerro  Gordo, 

14 

313 

La  Parida,         .... 

•      7 

320 

La  Noria 

7 

327 

La  Florida, 

.      6 

333 

Hacienda  la  Concepcion, 

3 

336 

de  Salais,  . 

10 

346 

del  Rio  del  Parral, 

II 

357 

243 


Puerto  de  la  Cruz, 
San  Pablo,     . 
Ojito, 
Chihuahua,   . 


Leagues.  Total. 

.       I 2  369 

•       I  I  394 

10  404 


7 

7K 

A% 

iij^ 

8 

19K 

2 

21K 

5 

26^ 

7>^       34 


No.  10. — From  the  City  of  Mexico  to  the  Rio  Grande  via  Tula, 

Ciiidad,  Victoria  and  Guerrero,  the  straighiest  route  to 

reach  the  Texas  frontier. 

From  Mexico  to—  leagues.       Total. 

Cuantitlan,   large    and     Prosperous 

city,  on  the  river  of  the  same 

name, 

Huehuetoca — altitude,  2,296  metres, 

Atitalaquia, 

San  Pedro  Tlascuapa, 
Misquiahuala,        .... 
Ixmiquilpan,   a  large    Indian    town 

whose  altitude  is  5,638  feet, 

Mountain  pass  between  Ixmiquilpan  and  Zimapan  the  altitude 
is  8,383  feet ;  to  Rio  de  Moctezuma,  situated  west  of  the  former 
mountains  to  a  point  where  the  road  from  Tecosantla  to  Zimapan 
crosses  the  river  at  the  crossing  of  Las  Maromas — altitude,  4,815 
feet. 


Zimapan,   .        , 

Las  Adjuntas, 

Jiliapa, 

Pacula, 

Jalpan, 

La  Purisima  de  Arista, 

Paculilla  (S.  G.),       . 

Rancho  de  Tierra  Fria, 

Rancho  de  Saus, 

Santa  Maria  Acapula,  , 

San  Ciro  de  Alberca, 

Rio  Verde,    . 

Cuidad  del  Maiz, 


Leagues. 

Total. 

.      10 

44 

4K 

48K 

.       4 

52>^ 

iX 

54 

.      8X 

62>^ 

4 

66K 

.      4 

lo% 

4 

UVz 

.      3 

77  }i 

5X 

83 

.      1% 

90X 

14 

io4>^ 

•    25 

I29>^ 

244 


Leagues. 

Total. 

Hacienda  del  Meco, 

. 

lO 

I39>^ 

Tula, 

.      8 

147^ 

Rancho  de   las   Norias   (road 

over 

timbered  hills — water  scarce), 

•      5 

I52>^ 

Las  Presas,    .... 

. 

5 

I57X 

Town  of  Palmillas,    . 

.      6 

\6y/^ 

Town  of  Jamauve, 

5 

i68K 

La  Maroma,      .... 

.         2% 

171 

La  Mulita,     .        .        *.        . 

3K 

174X 

Rancho  de  Minas,     . 

.      4 

178X 

City  of  Victoria,     . 

8 

i86>^ 

Town  of  Hidalgo,     . 

•     17 

203X 

"       Villagran, 

8 

iiiYz 

"       Linares, 

•     14 

23S'A 

"       San  Cristoval, 

9 

244)2 

"       Montemorelos,  or  el  Pilon, 

6 

2S0/^ 

"       Cadereita,  . 

•      9 

259K 

"       Pescheria  Chica, 

. 

6 

265X 

SanJos6.           .... 

•       4X 

270 

Serralvo,        .... 

. 

lO 

280 

Guerrero,           .... 

.     14 

294 

Bank  of  Rio  Grande,     . 

. 

2 

296 

From  the  City  of  San  Louis  Potosi  to  the  Port  of  Tampico. 


From  San  Luis  Potosi  to — 

Hacienda  de  Laguna  Seca  (over  a  plain  and 

partly  rolling — a  good  wagon-road), 
Hacienda  de  la  Corcobada  (barren  hills). 
Hacienda  de  Peotillos  (over  rocky  hills). 
Ranch  of  the  defile  of  San  Jose  (partly  level 

and  rolling), 

Indian  town  of  San    Isidro   (broken   and 

woody), 

Indian  town  of  Turubiates  (road  as  above). 
Hacienda  de  Viejo,  .... 

Ranch  of  Qrulital  (water  scarce), 
Hacienda  of  Buena  Vista, 


Leagues. 


10 
2 

2 


245 


Leagues. 

Rancho  de  la  Incada,  .... 

La  Vignita, 

Rancho  del  Coronel  (between  this  and  the 
above  mentioned  point  is  the  boundary- 
line  between  the  State  of  San  Luis 
Potosi  and  Tamaulipas — a  rough  road 
for  wagons), 

Hacienda  de  la  Viga, 

Hacienda  de  la  Borrega, 

Town  of  Tula, 

La  Boquilla, 

Los  Gallos,       .         .         . 

La  Laja,      , 

Town  of  Santa  Barbara, 

Rancho  del  Chamal,    . 

Cucharas, 

El  Commandante, 

El  Limon, 

Horcasitas  or  Magicatzin, 

Rancho  del  Carrizal  (rocky  road),  . 

Chocoy  (heavy  sandy  road  to  Tampico), 

Estero  de  la  Tuna, 

Altamira  or  Villerias,  .... 

Tampico, 


Total, 


Total. 

4 


3 
5 
3 
4 

4 
4 
5 
6 

4 
5 
4 
4 
6 
8 
6 
5 

lO 

6 


[42 


The  Mexican  league  equals  5,000  varas,  and  the  American 
mile   1,900  varas. 

Distance  from  San  Luis  Potosi  to  Tampico  by  the  above  route 
370  miles. 


Itinerary  from  San  Luis  Potosi  to  Victoria  in  Tamaulipas. 
From  San  Luis  Potosi  to —  Leagues. 

Tula  (the  same  road  as  described  above),       65 
From  Tula  to  Las  Norias  ranch  (timbered 

hills — water  scarce),     ....         5 
Las  Presas  Rancho  (road  level  and  woody),         5 


246 


Leagues.       Total. 

Town  of  Palmillas  (about  the  Sierra),    .  6 

Town  of  Jamauve  (about  the  mountain  and 

water  scarce), 5 

La  Maroma    (rancho  in  the  mountains — 

water  scarce), i% 

La  Mulita  (water  scarce),    ....        3>i 
Mining    place    in    the    mountains   (water 

abundant), 4 

Ciudad  Victoria  (road  in  the  mountain — 

water  plentiful,  crossing  a  deep  ravine 

called  el  Voladero),       ....        8 

Total, ,104 


From  Victoria  to  Soto  Lamarina, 

From  Victoria  to—  Leagues. 

The  town  of  Casas  or  Croix,       .         .         .12 
La  Puerta,        .        .        .        .        .        .  10 

Soto  la  Marina  (port),  .        .        .        .10 

Total,        .        .        .        .        .        .  32 


From  Victoria  to  Monterey. 

From  Victoria  to—  Leagues. 

Hacienda  of  Santa  Engracia,       ...  8 

Town  of  Hidalgo  or  Hoyos,     ...  9 

Town  of  Villagran  or  Cerro  de  Santiago,    .  8 

City  of  Linares, 14 

Town  of  San  Cristoval,        ....  9 

Town  of  Montemorelos  or  El  Pilon,        .  6 

Los  Guajes, 12 

Monterey 3 

Total, 59 


347 


From  Saltillo  to  Zacatecas — ii8  south  south-west. 


illo  to— 

League 

Encantada,    . 

.      4 

San  Juan  Vaqueria,    . 
Puerto  del  Capulin, 
Santa  Elena, 

6 

.      4 

.        .          8 

Rancho  de  Santiago,     . 
Cedros,       .        .        . 

.      9 
II 

La  Candelaria, 

.      12 

Hacienda  de  Grunidora, 

.        .            8 

Charco  del  Muerto, 

•      5 

Rancho  del  Gato, 

8 

Barranquita,    ■ 
Sierra  Hermosa, 

.      5 
3 

Sancarron,     . 

.      7 

Pueblo  de  San  Cosme, 

•        .          7 

Hacienda  de  Banos, 

.      7 

San  Antonio,      . 

.    .        .        .         6K 

"        Guadaloupe, 
"        Zacatecas, 

.      6 

.        .        .          1% 

From  the  town  of  Piedras  Negras,  in  the  State  of  Coahutla, 

Mexico  {opposite  Eagle  Pass,  Texas),  to  the  Sierra 

Mojada  mifies,  ij8  leagues. 

From  Piedras  Negras  to — 
The  town  of  Morelos,    . 
Las  Cabeceras  (spring), 
San  Juande  Sabinas, 
La  Aura,   . 
Obailos, 

Las  Borregas,    . 
La  Rainas, 

Puerto  del  Carmen,  ....  5 

Rancho  Nuevo,  .....       3 

Cuatro  Cienegas, 8 

Through  the  desert  to  Sierra  Mojada,  .        .     50 

Total, 138 


Leagues. 
14 

6 
20 


248 

Itinerary  from    Saltillo,   the  present  capital  of  the    State  of 

Coahuila,  to  the  City  of  Durango,  capital  of 

the  State  of  Durango, 

From  Saltillo  to—  Miles. 
Hacienda    de    Buena  Vista  road   over  the 
battle-field  where  General  Taylor  won 
that  glorious  battle  over  General  Santa 

Anna, 8 

Hacienda  de  Patos,  one  of  the  finest  estates 

in  the  country, 31^ 

Castafiuela, i8>^ 

Town   of  Parras,  well-buil  place  in  a  rich 

country, 21 

Hacienda  la  Pefia,  rough  road,  forage  scarce  39^ 
Alamo  de  Parras,  level  road,          .         .         .  i8>^ 
Estancia  (stock  ranch)  de  Poso  y  Calvo,   .  31 1^ 
Rio   Guanaval,   dividing  line  between  Coa- 
huila and  Durango,     ....  8 

Cuencame  (large  mining  town  ),good  road 

between  high  mountains,       .         .        .  39X 

Yerbanis,            .         .         .         .         ,         •  16 

Tapias,  .         .         .         .         .         .         .21 

Sauces  (road  rough),          .        .         .         .  io>^ 

Porfias  Rancho  (level  road),          .         .         .  i8>^ 
Hacienda   del  Chorro    (good    road — water 

scarce), 16 

City  of  Durango, 23^ 

Total, 322X 


249 


DILIGENCIAS   GENERALES. 


GENERAL   MEXICAN   STAGE-LINE   FARES. 


From  Mexico  to — 
Cuantitlan, 
Tula,  . 

San  Juan  del  Rio, 
Queretaro, 
Celaya,  . 
Salamanca, 
Irapuato, 
Guanajuato, 
Leon, 

Lagos,         ... 
San  Juan  de  los  Lagos, 
Guadalajara, 

From  Lagos  to  Zacatecas, 
"      Aguas  Calientes  to  Zacatecas, 
Guadalajara  to  Zapotlan, 

From  Mexico  to — 

San  Miguel, 

Dolores  Hidalgo,   . 

San  Luis  Potosi, 

Venado,  .... 

Charcas,      .        .        .        ,        , 

Matehuala,     .... 

Saltillo, 

Montery,         .... 

From  Montery  to  Metamoros,    . 
"      San  Luis  to  Zacatecas, 
"      Mexico  to  Morelia,    . 
"      Mexico  to  Cuemavaca, 
"      Mexico  to  Cuautla,  . 
"      Zacatecas  to  Durango, 


Fare. 

$1  50 
4  GO 

12  GO 
15  OD 
18  CO 

21  00 

22  00 
25  00 
28  00 
31  GO 

34  00 
45  00 
10  00 

13  00 


19  00 
21  00 

32  GO 

38  GO 

40  GO 

46  GO 

64  GO 

69  00 

30  GO 

16  GO 

19  GO 

4  50 

6  GO 
12  GO 


i 


250 

Passengers  on  the  general  stage  line  are  only  allowed  twenty- 
five  pounds  of  baggage ;  they  are  also  allowed,  when  taking  a 
through  ticket,  to  stop  at  any  point  on  the  line  where  there  is  an 
agent  of  the  company,  by  notifying  said  agent  of  their  intention  cf 
doing  so  upon  their  arrival  at  the  station.  Hotel  fare  on  the  line 
is  $2,  for  supper,  bed  and  breakfast ;  price  of  meals,  for  breakfast 
or  dinner,  is  75  cents  per  meal.  Most  of  the  hotels  in  Mexico  are 
kept  on  the  European  plan. 

Passengers  carrying  arms  have  to  procure  a  permit  from  the 
authorities. 

ITINERARY  OF  THE  FERROCARRIL  MEXICANO  (MEXICAN  RAIL- 
WAY) FROM  THE  CITY  OF  MEXICO  TO  VERA  CRUZ — PRINCI- 
PAL LINE. 

Stations.  Distances  in  Kilometres, 

Mexico, 

Tepexpan,        .         .        .        .        .         .  32^^ 

San  Juan  Teotihuacan,         ...  43^ 

Otumba,  .        .        .        .        .        .        .  55>i: 

LaPalma, 61 X 

Ometusco,        .        .        .        .        .        .  6y}4 

Irolo 77 'X 

Apan g2% 

Soltepec, II 2X 

Guadaloupe,  (hacienda),  .         .         .         .124 

Apizaco I39X 

Huamantla, .182 

Rinconada,  .         .         ...         .  200 

San  Andres, 22o>^ 

Boca  del  Monte,  .  25 iX                M 

Alta  Luz 257X                 ■ 

Bota, 266}i 

Maltrata, 271)^ 

Encmal 281 X 

Orizaba, 291 X 

Fortin, 310 

Cordova, 318 

Atoyac 337  X 


251 

Stations.  Distances  in  Kilometres. 

Paso  del  Macho 347^ 

Camaron 360^^ 

Soledad 381^ 

Tejeria, 4<j8X 

Vera  Cruz, 423X 

Branch  to  Puebla, 
Apizaco. 
Santa  Ana,   .         .         .         .         .         .  16^ 

Panzacola, 3$ 

Puebla 47 

INFORMATION    TO    TRAVELERS. 

I. — Tickets  sold  to  passengers  are  only  good  for  the  day  they 
are  sold,  but  passengers  with  through  tickets  are  allowed  to  stop 
over  night  a  Orizaba,  if  they  desire  it. 

2. — Passengers  for  Puebla  must  change  and  take  the  train  at 
Apizaco. 

MEXICAN   STEAMSHIP   LINE. 

Line  from  Progreso  to  Bagdad  and  Tabasco. 

From  Frontera  to  Progreso,  touching  at  Laguna  and  Cam- 
peche,  and  from  Frontera  to  Bagdad,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Rio 
Grande,  touching  at  Minatillan,  Vera  Cruz,  Tuxpan  and  Tampico. 

The  agent  of  the  line  in  Matamoros  is  Sr.  Francisco  Armendaiz. 

NAMES     OF     PROMINENT     MERCHANTS    RESIDING    IN    LAREDO, 
NUEVO   MEXICO. 

Patricio  Milmo,  banker. 

Gilgan,  importer  of  foreign  goods  and  commission  merchant. 
Francisco  Viscaya,  importer  of  foreign  groceries  and  commis- 
sion merchant. 

Joseph  Brosig,  custom-house  broker. 

NAMES   OF   PROMINENT  MERCHANTS   RESIDING   IN    MONTERY. 

Francisco  Palacio,  "  La  India." 
Francisco  Oliver,  commission  merchant. 


252 

Pedro  Mais. 

P.  Milmo. 

John  Weber,  commission  merchant. 


TABLE    GIVING    AN    IDEA^OF    THE    EXTENSION    AND   VALUE   OF 

SOME    OF    THE    PRINCIPAL    ESTATES    SITUATED     BETWEEN     I 
THE   CITY    OF    SALTILLO    AND    THE   CITY    OF    MEXICO.  j 

Of  the  largest  of  them  there  is  not  one  to  be  found  that  con-    ^ 
tains  half  of  the  area  of  that  of  "  San  Rafael  del  Salado  and 
Aguadulce." 

From  Saltillo  to  San  Luis  Potosi. 


Names  of  Haciendas. 

Agua  Nueva,    . 

Santa  Helena, 

La  Encarnacion, 

Potosi,  . 

Penuelo,    . 

Soledad, 

Rocamonte, 

San  Tiburcio, 

Palo  Blanco, 

Canelo, 

Salado, 

Vanegas, 

Carbonera, 

Pastorizo, 

La  Tresa, 

Santa  Gertrudis,    . 

San  Cristobal,  . 

Solis,     .        .         .         , 

Guadaloupe  Carnisero, 

Mingole, 

Laguna  Seca,    . 

Los  Charcos, 

Coronado, 

Guaname, 

Cruces, 


Area  in  sq.  m. 

no 

25 

50 
120 

120 

130 

45 
190 

90 

70 
600 
210 

45 
48 

52 

52 

36 
170 

84 

62 
130 


Value. 


60 

220    $500,000 
270     400,000 


253 


Names  of  Haciendas. 

Area 

in  sq.  m. 

Value. 

Bocas,  . 

. 

48 

250,000 

Rancho  de  Bocas,     . 

, 

40 

230,000 

La  Parada,    . 

. 

80 

400,000 

Tenasco,  . 

. 

30 

150,000 

El  Corte, 

. 

20 

100,000 

Between  San  Luis  Potosi  and  Mexico. 


Names  of  Haciendas. 

Gallinas,    . 

Cienega  de  Mata 

Mataza?,    . 

La  Tila, 

Peotillos,  . 

Peso  de  Carmen, 

La  Sauceda, 

Arroyos, 

La  Laguna, 

Bledos, 

Tardo, 

Gogorron, 

Garal, 

Sauceda  Mulatos, 

Carretas,  . 

Norias  de  Charcas 

Santana  de  Lovasa 

Trancas, 

El  Gallinero,     , 

La  Erre, 

Noria  deVasques, 

La  Venta, 

Tuerto  de  Nieto, 

Buena  Vista, 

Chichimegillas, 

Amascala,     . 

La  Griega, 

La  Esperanza, 

Cochitlan, 


Area  in  sq.  m. 

Value. 

.         60 

250,000 

100 

500,000 

.         70 

300,000 

50 

250,050 

.       180 

500,000 

40 

400,000 

•      37 

150,000 

37 

120,000 

.       18 

130,000 

50 

500,000 

.      84 

180,000 

84 

600,000 

•      51 

800,000 

60 

250,000 

.      40 

,  200,000 

30 

400,000 

•      30 

250,000 

22 

200,000 

.      38 

150,000 

10 

450,000 

20 

200,000 

18 

160,000 

•       15 

1 20,000 

12 

150,000 

.      40 

350,000 

12 

160,000 

•       32 

160,000 

37 

230,000 

•       19 

1 50,000 

254 


James  of  Haciendas. 

Area  in  sq.  m. 

Value. 

La  Llave, 

32 

45o,cxx> 

Toachi,     .... 

.          17 

140,000 

El  Saus,         .         . 

20 

180,000 

Llano  del  Casadero, 

.       120 

800.000 

Venta  Hermosa,   . 

16 

1 20,000 

Arroyo  Zarco,  . 

.         70 

500,000 

La  Goleta,     . 

24 

150,000 

Canada  Flautla, 

.          18 

160,000 

San  Antonio  Tula, 

20 

200,000 

Talpa,       .... 

.          13 

300,000 

Batla 

8 

80.000 

ElSalto,  .... 

9 

250,000 

Tetla,    .... 

9 

250,000 

La  Condesa, 

3 

200,000 

LaTeja, 

3 

150,000 

La  Gaupa, 

9 

900,000 

San  Juan  de  Dios, 

2 

150,000 

Potreros  de  Balmena, 

3 

170,000 

Ahuahuetes, 

2 

190,000 

Amores,   .         ,         .         . 

I 

120,000 

El  Cabrito,    . 

I 

90,000 

El  Hospital,      . 

•       13 

350,000 

i 


There  are  many  small  estates  that  are  worth  millions  of  dollars, 
situated  betvveen  Oaeretaro  and  Mexico,  not  mentioned  in  this  state- 
ment because  their  extension  is  insignificant  when  compared  to 
their  great  value. 

In  the  estate  of  San  Rafael  del  Salado  and  Aguadulce,  parties 
who  desire  to  enter  largely  upon  stock-raising,  agriculture  and  the 
development  of  mines,  will  find  a  vast  and  productive  field  baside 
the  exploitation  of  the  natural  products,  like  the  LechuguiUa  Ma- 
guey, Zolmandoque,  Palmetto,  Cactus  and  Zotol,  that  will,  if  pro- 
perly worked,  alone  pay  for  the  hacienda  in  less  than  ten  years. 


TABLE    OF   CONTENTS. 


PAGE. 


The  present  Government  of  Mexico  —  Mexican  Independence, 
when,  where  and  by  whom  proclaimed  —  The  present 
constitution  of  Mexico — The  different  branches  of  govern- 
ment ^  Executive,  Legislative  and  Judicial  powers  —  The 
Cabinet  and  attributes  of  the  several  Secretaries,  .  .  i 
Boundaries  and  present  area  of  the  Republic  —  The  area  of 
New  Spain  (Mexico)  before  its  independence  —  Area  of 
Mexican   territory   acquired    by  the    United    States,  by 

treaty, 4 

Geographical  position, 5 

Bays,  gulfs,  capes,  islands,  ,         .         .         .         .         .         .5 

Rivers,  their  names  and  length, 6 

Mountains,  their  altitudes, 7 

Forest  and  vegetable  productions,  their  names  in  the  native 
languages,  and  their  equivalent  in    English,  as  well  as 

the  botanical  terms  when  possible, 8 

Population ;  its  estimate  by  Humboldt  and  Alaman  —  Char- 
acter of  the  people  —  The  Mexican  Indian  —  Population 

of  Mexico  in  1881, 10 

Antiquities, 12 

Etymolog}'-  of  the  word  Mexico 13 

Mexican  dialects, 13 

The  climate  of  Mexico,  the  future  and  resources  of  the  country, 
its  agriculture,  the  situation  of  Mexico  more  favorable 
than  that  of  other  countries  situated  under  the  same 
latitudes, 13 


258 

PACK. 

Considerable  altitudes  of  the  Mexican  plateaus  or  table  lands 
—  Mountains  of  Mexico  —  The  Mexican  plateau  extends 
from  the  iS*'  to  the  40°  degree  of  north  latitude,        .         .15 

Variety  of  climates  and  the  different  cultures  on  the  two 
inclined  planes  or  slopes  that  connects  the  plateau  with 
the  Pacific  and  Atlantic  oceans, 16 

Mexico  divided   in    relation  to   its    climate  in  three  zones : 

1 .  Tierra  caliente,  the  powerful  vegetation  of  that  region  ; 

2.  Tierra  te?nplada,  or  temperate  zone,  the  mildness  of 
its  climate,  its  resources  ;  3.  Tierra  frz'a,  or  cold  zone,  its 
temperature — Favorable  situation  of  Mexico — Proximity  of 
the  four  great  basins  of  unequal  altitudes — Their  differ- 
ent cultures,  ...  16 

Temperament  of  divers  plants  in  Mexico  —  The  sugar  cane,  .  17 
The  advantages  of  the  climate  of  Mexico,  superior  to  European 

countries   and   South  America  —  The    altitudes    of   the 

plateaus  cf  South  America  too  great,  .        .         .         .17 

The  great  plains  of  South  America  are  in  width  and  length 

cut  by  deep  ravines,  19 

Small   number   of   volcanos   in   Mexico  (earthquakes  seldom 

happen), 20 

Small  number  of  streams  —  Lack  of  water  on  the  plateau,  .  21 
Principal  lakes  near  the  City  of  Mexico,  .  .  .  .  .21 
Saline  substance  in  the  soil  in  some  portion  of  Mexico,  .  .21 
Botany  —  Medicinal  plants  —  Tobacco  —  Various   valuable 

gums, 22 

Flowers, 23 

Agriculture  —  The  cultivation  of  corn,  wheat,  the  maguey,  the 

sugar-cane,   cotton,   coffee  tree,   tobacco,  aniseseed,  the 

cochinilla — Estimated  value  of  agricultural  productions,  .  23 
Zoology  —  Venomous  reptiles,  etc 25 


359 

PAGE. 

Table  showing  the  names  of  the  different  States  composing  the 
Republic  of  Mexico  —  Their  area,  their  population,  their 
capital  and  population  in  1881, 27 

Political  division  of  the  Republic  of  Mexico  and  datas  fur- 
nished by  the  latest  census, 28 

Average  revenue  of  the  Mexican  Republic  —  The  revenue  of 

the  different  States, 28 

The  State  of  Aguas  Calientes  —  Its  boundaries,  area,  number  of 

estates,  population,  its  capital,  its  productions,  .  28 

The  State  of  Campeche  —  Boundaries,  area,  population,  moun- 
tains, rivers,  lakes,  ports,  natural  productions — Its  capital, 
Campeche — Value  of  real  estate, 29 

The  State  of  Coahuila — Indian  tribes  who  inhabited  the  country 
when  the  Spaniards  took  possession  of  it  —  Its  former 
dependencies  —  Its  present  area  and  population  —  Its 
political  division  —  Its  present  capital,  Saltillo  —  Descrip- 
tion of  the  same  and  all  principal  towns  in  the  State  — 
Dialects  spoken  —  Production  —  Industry — Public  instruc- 
tion —  Mining  in  the  State  —  Sierra  Mojada  and  the 
mines  of  Matehuapile, 30 

The  State  of  Chiapas — Situation,  boundaries,  area — Rivers, 
natural  productions — PoHtical  divisions — Its  capital  and 
population,  .  34. 

The  State  of  Chihuahua — Situation,  boundaries,  area — Topo- 
grafical  aspect  and  cHmate  —  Lagoons,  mountains,  rivers, 
vegetable  productions,  agriculture,  zoology,  industry, 
mining,  Indian  tribes,  population — Its  capital,  the  City  of 
Chihuahua — Description  of  some  of  the  principal  tovms,  .     35 

The  State  of  Colima — Boundaries,  area,  population — Moun- 
tains, sea  ports,  natural  productions,  political  divisions, 
the  City  of  Colima, 38 


360 

PAGB 

The  State  of  Durango — Situation,  limits,  area — Rivers,  moun- 
tains, industry,  products  of  the  mint,  population — Principal 
cities  and  towns, 39 

The  State  of  Guanajuato — Situation,  boundaries  and  area — 
Rivers,  principal  cities  and  towns,  mountains,  population, 
dialects,  principal  villages,  number  of  estates,  value  of  the 
same  mining,  industry, 40 

The  State  of  Guerrero  —  Situation,  boundaries  and  area  — 
Topographical  aspect  and  climate  —  Rivers,  lakes  — 
Natural  productions,  mining,  population,  its  present 
capital .43 

The  State  of  Hidalgo — Boundaries,  area,  population,  produc- 
tions— Principal  cities  and  towns,       .         .         *         .         .44 

The  State  of  Jalisco  —  Situation,  boundaries,  area  —  Topo- 
graphical aspect  and  climate  —  Seaports — Rivers,  lakes, 
mountains,  vegetable  productions,  agriculture,  mines, 
zoology,  territorial  divisions,  population,  principal  cities 
and  towns,  industry,  .......     44 

The  State  of  Mexico — Boundaries — Political  divisions — Its  cap- 
ital, the  City  of  Toluca,  population, 48 

The  State  of  Michoacan — Situation,  boundaries,  area — Topo- 

■    graphical  aspect  and  climate  —  Rivers,  lakes,  mountains, 

natural  productions,   zoology,   mining,    political   division, 

population,     dialects,    real    estate,    industry,    cities    and 

towns, 49 

The  State  of  Morelos — When  created  a  State — Its  boundaries 
— Area — Population — History — Principal  cities  and  towns 
— Value  of  real  estate 51 

The  State  of  Nuevo  Leon — Situation,  boundary  and  area — 
Population,  mountains,  rivers — Census — Natural  produc- 
tions, fruits,  vegetables  and  grain — Stock  raising — Wild 
animals,  birds,  fish  —  Thermal  waters,  mines  —  Schools, 
principal  cities  and  towns — Statistics,  agricultural  produc- 
tions in  1878, 52 


261 


The  State  of  Oaxaca — Situation,  boundaries  and  area — Topo- 
graphical aspect  and  climate — Rivers — Natural  produc- 
tions, zoology,  mining — Population,  principal  cities  and 
towns,  President  Juarez, 55 

The  State  of  Puebla — Boundaries  and  area  —  Population — 
Mountains,  rivers,  climate  and  natural  productions  — 
Mining,  industry — Principal  cities  and  towns     .         .         .56 

The  State  of  Queretaro  —  Boundaries,  area  and  climate  — 
Rivers — Natural  productions  —  Industry —  Population  — 
City  of  Queretaro 58 

The  State  of  San  Luis  Potosi — Situation,  boundaries  and  area 
—  Climate  —  Mountains,  rivers  —  Natural  productions  — 
Stock  —  Wild  animals  —  Mines  —  Political  divisions  — 
Public  instruction  —  The  City  of  San  Luis  Potosi,  its 
commerce  —  Other  cities  and  towns  —  The  Hacienda  of 
Salado,        .        .        . 59 

The  State  of  Sinaloa  —  Situation,  boundaries  and  area  — 
Topographical  aspect  and  climate  —  Rivers  —  Natural 
productions  —  Mining  —  Population  —  Principal  cities  and 
towns — The  port  of  Mazatlan     .         .         .         .         .         -63 

The  State  of  Sonora —  Situation,  boundary  and  area — Topo- 
graphical aspect  and  climate — Rivers — Natural  produc- 
tions— Zoology  —  Mining  —  Political  divisions  —  Popula- 
tion —  Census  —  Indians  —  Principal  cities  and  towns  — 
The  port  of  Gua  yamas,  64 

The  State  of  Tabasco — Boundaries  and  area — Climate — Water 

communications — Population,     ......    61 

The  State  of  Tamaulipas — Boundaries  and  area — Climate — 
Rivers,  lakes,  mountains  —  Products,  fruit  trees,  etc.  — 
Stock-raising  —  Game  —  Mineral  products  —  Territorial 
divisions  —  Principal  cities  and  towns  —  Population  — 
Schools — Public  lands — Historical  sketch,  .         .         .68 


The  State  of  Tlaxcala  —  Situation,  boundaries  and  area  — 
Topographical  aspect  —  Lakes  —  Natural  productions  — 
Climate  —  Mining —  Political  divisions — Population — The 
City  of  Tlaxcala — Commerce — Census,      .         .        .        .73 

The  State  of  Vera  Cruz — When  created — Boundaries  and  area 
— Population — Principal  cities  and  towns — Natural  pro- 
ductions— Mines, 74 

The  State  of  Yucatan — Boundaries — Etymology  of  the  name 
Yucatan  —  Principal  cities  and  towns  —  Population  — 
Natural  productions — Industry, 76 

The  State  of  Zacatecas  —  Situation,  boundaries  and  area  — 
Population  —  Configuration,  topographical  aspect  and  cli- 
mate— Mountains — Natural  productions — Minerals — Prin- 
cipal cities  and  towns — Census,  .         .         .         .         '17 

The  Territory  of  Lower  California,  situation,  boundaries  and 
area — Topografical  aspect  and  climate  —  Islands,  capes, 
bays,  ports — Natural  productions — Mining — The  capital. 
La  Paz, 79 

Federal  District  of  Mexico — Its  boundaries — Area — Popula- 
tion— Political  divisions — Real  estate,  etc. — The  City  of 
Mexico — Description  of  the  City  of  Mexico — Its  situation 
— Vegetation — Soil  of  the  valley — Its  foundation — Etymo- 
logy of  the  word  Mexico — Its  population  at  the  time  of  the 
conquest — Its  buildings  and  institutions — Its  monuments  : 
La  Fuente  del  Salto  del  Agua,  La  Fuente  de  la  Tlaxpana, 
La  Plazuela  de  Santo  Domingo,  Iturbide  market  (ancient 
square  of  St.  John,  La  Plazuela  de  Guardiola,  El  Sagrario, 
Palacio  Municipal  (City  Hall),  Iturbide  Hotel,  or  stage 
hotel  (the  ancient  residence  of  the  Emperor  Iturbide) — 
National  Theatre — Plaza  Mayor  (Main  square) — The  Ca- 
thedral of  Mexico — The  Walk  of  Buccareli — The  College 
of  Mines  (where  Gen.  U.  S.  Grant,  ex-President  of  the 
United  States,  received  hospitality  from  the  Mexican  Gov- 


263 

PAGC 

emment  while  visiting  Mexico) — El  Paseo  de  la  Viga — 
The  street  of  Roldan  Bridge — Environs — Public  educa- 
tional institutions  of  the  city — Description  of  the  Sanc- 
tuary of  the  Holy  Virgin  of  Guadaloupe,  patroness  of 
Mexico, 80 

History  of  mining  in  Mexico  under  Spanish  rule — The  Arizona 
bonanza  and  a  title — The  gold  placers  of  Sonora — Que- 
bradilla  produces  great  wealth — The  Catorce  mines  and 
the  viceroy — The  mines  of  Guanajuato — The  Zacatecas 
mines — Mammoth  veins — Coinage  of  the  mint  in  the  City 
of  Mexico — The  product  of  La  Valenciana — Until  1848 
Mexico  was  the  first  country  on  the  face  of  the  earth  for 
the  product  of  precious  metals — History  of  Mexican  mines 
— The  discovery  of  the  Patio  process,  or  cold  amalgama- 
tion process  of  working  ores — Humboldt's  opinion — Mr. 
Dupont's  opinion — Mints  and  assaying  offices — Coinage — 
American  gold  and  silver  production  since  1848,       .         .     96 

Catalogue  of  the  principal  mining  districts  situated  in  the  dif- 
ferent States  of  the  Republic,  and  description  of  some  of 
their  principal  mines,  .         .         .         .         .        .         .104 

State  of  Aguascalientes  —  Mines  of  magistral  (this  metal 
is  only  found  in  Mexico,  and  is  indispensable  to  work  cer- 
tain classes  of  ore), 104 

State  of  Chihuahua,  one  of  the  richest  in  minerals  of  the 
Republic — Catalogue  of  mining  districts  situated  in  said 
State,  giving  the  number  of  mines  in  each  mining  district 
{mineral),  the  names  of  the  districts,  in  what  canton  they 
are  situated,  class  of  ores,  and  whether  exploited  or  idle — 
date  of  the  discovery  of  the  principal  mines  in  Chihuahua, 
names  of  mines  classified  according  to  their  richness,        .  105 


264 

PAGE. 

State  of  Coahuila  —  Number  of  mines  worked  at  one  time, 
their  ores — San  Juan  de  Guadaloupe,  Santa  Rosa,  Viezca, 
etc,       .        .        .        .        , 112 

State  of  Durango — The  inexhaustible  iron  mountain  Cerro  del 

Mercado — Its  discovery — Report  of  assays  of  the  same,    .  1 14 

State  of  Guanajuato  —  The  names  of  some  of  its   principal 

mining  districts, .         .115 

State  of  Guerrero  —  one  of  the  richest  in  the  Republic  — 
number  of  mines  in  said  State  and  names  of  some  of  its 
principal  mining  districts,  .         .         ,         .         .         .115 

State  of  Hidalgo— La  Huastesca — some  of  its  most  important 
mineral  districts — Jecker,  the  banker,  who  was  the  cause 
of  the  French  intervention  in  Mexico,         .         .         .         .116 

State  of  Jalisco — Description  of  its  mining  wealth — Statement 
showing  the  amount  of  coin  produced  by  some  of  the 
mines  in  this  great  State — Table  showing  the  mineral  dis- 
tricts in  the  State,       117 

State  of  Mexico — Its  mining  wealth,  .         .         .         .         .119 

State  of  Michoacan — Its  most  celebrated  mines  ;  their  ores,     .  1 20 

State  of  Morelos — Some  of  its  principal  mines  ;  their  class  of 

ores, 121 

State  of  Nuevo  Leon — Its  minerals — Names  of  some  of  the 
principal  mining  districts — Reports  from  official  documents 
— Extract  taken  from  the  report  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Don 
Melchior  Vidal  de  Lorca  about  the  mines  of  this  State  in 
1775 — Extract  of  the  report  of  Don  Simon  de  Herrera 
about  the  mines  of  Nuevo  Leon — Class  of  ores  found  at 
the  I^-zmna  mints, 121 

State  of  Oaxaca — Some  of  its  mining  districts,  .         .         .124 

State  of  Puebia — But  little  of  its  mineral  wealth  is  known,        .  1 24 


265 

FACE. 

i  State  of  Queretaro  —  Its  mineral  wealth  —  Variety  of  metals 

found  in  this  State — Mines  worked  in  1881,        .         .         .125 

San  Luis  Potosi — Great  wealth  of  this  State  yet  undeveloped — 
Its  principal  mining  districts  —  Historical  sketch  of  the 
Guadalcazar  mining  district  —  Historical  notice  of  the 
mining  district  of  Charcas — Mining  district  of  Ramos — 
—  Mining  district  of  Ojo  CaHente  —  The  names  of 
some  rich  mines,  such  as  la  Nevada,  la  Pastora,  San  . 
Pedro  and  la  Ventura,  situated  on  lands  of  the  estate  of 
San  Rafael  del  Salado — Number  of  mines  worked  or  idle 
in  the  State, 126 

State  of  Sinaloa — Metals  produced  by  the  mines  in  the  State — 
Names  of  some  of  its  principal  mining  districts — Number 
of  known  mines  in  the  State, 129 

State  of  Sonora — Great  reputation  of  this  State  for  its  mining 
wealth — Immense  masses  of  virgin  iron,  rich  copper  mines, 
gold  placers — Description  of  some  of  its  principal  mining 
districts — Statement  showing  the  mines  actually  worked  in 
the  district  of  Magdalena,  giving  the  number  of  mines  in  . 
each  mining  district,  names  of  mines,  locality,  hacienda 
or  ranch,  where  situated,  and  name  of  municipality,  .  130 

State  of  Tamaulipas — Present  state  of  mining  industry  in  that 

State — Names  of  some  of  the  mining  districts  and  mines,  136 

State  of  Zacatecas  —  The  first  of  the  Repubhc  for  its  mineral 
productions — Statement  giving  the  names  of  the  mining 
districts,  and  names  of  their  mines,  class  of  metals 
actually  exploited  in  the  State  —  Statement  giving  the 
names  of  the  mining  districts  in  said  State  actually 
paralyzed — Description  of  some  of  the  principal  mining 
districts, 137 


266 

PAGE. 

The  States  of  Chiapas,  Colima,  Vera  Cruz  and  Yucatan  are 
classified  among  the  poorest  of  Mexico  for  their  mineral 
wealth.     Some  few  mines  are  worked  in  each  of  them,      .  146 

Territory  of  Lower  California — This  large  territory  is  rich  in 
minerals — Number  of  mines  and  their  class  of  ores  in  the 
municipalities  of  La  Paz,  San  Antonio,  Todos  Santos, 
Santiago,  San  Jos6  del  Cabo,  Mulege,  Comondu  and  Santo 
Tomas — Stone  Coal,  different  localities  where  it  is  known 
to  exist  in  the  Republic  —  Petroleum,  different  localities 
where  it  is  known  to  exist  in  the  Republic,        .         .         .147 

American  silver  mining  in  Chihuahua — The  Santa  Eulalia 
Mining  Company — The  Cusihuiriachic  mines — The  Rich 
Mountain  Mining  Company  —  The  Corralitas  mines  — 
The  Batopilas  mines  —  The  Chihuahua  Silver  Mining 
Company  —  The  consoHdated  mines  of  Hidalgo  or  Parral 
—  The  Hidalgo  Mining  Company  —  The  Philadelphia 
Mining  Company, 1 50 

Mining  in  Nuevo  Leon  —  The  Texas-Mexican  Mining  and 
Smelting  Company — Organization,  prospect  and  property 
of  the  company — The  Rosario  Mining  Company,       .         •  153 

Railroads  in  Mexico  —  List  of  railroads  in  operation  during 

the  year  1880, 156 

The  Vera  Cruz  Railroad, ,         .         .157 

Table  showing  the  railroad  concessions  granted  by  the  Mexican 

Government  from  August,  1877,  to  February  3d,  188 1,       .158 

Sketch  of  some  of  the  most  important  railroad  charters 
granted  by  the  Mexican  Government  to  American  com- 
panies,                  ,         .         .  161 

The  International  and  Interoceanic  Railway  Company,    .         .162 

The  New  York,  Texas  and  Mexican  Railroad  (better  known 

as  Count  Telfener's  road), 163 

The  Mexican  National  or  Palmer-Sullivan  Railroad,  and  its 

several  divisions, 164 


267 

PAGE. 

The  Mexican  Pacific, 165 

Telegraphic  lines  in  the  Republic  of  Mexico,     .         .         .         .166 

Weights  and  measures, 16S 

Mexican  land  measures  translated  from  the  Ordinanzas  de 

tierras  y  aguas, 168 

Table  showing  the  old  Mexican  or  Spanish  land  measure  com- 
pared with  the  metrical  system  and  our  American  acres,  1 70 
English  weights   and   measures  compared  with  the  metrical 
system  of  weights  and  measures — Linear  measures,  super- 
ficial measures,  measures  of  capacity,  weights,  .         .171 
Items  of  interest  to  importers  of  merchandise  into  the  Republic 

of  Mexico, 173 

Tariff  of  public  lands  in  1876, 173 

Abridged  Mexican  tariff  on  imports, 175 

New  Tariff  Law  of  June  25th,  1 88 1, 177 

Late  decree  concerning  the  revenue, 183 

Naturalization  laws, 185 

Abstract  of  the  laws  for  the  acquisition  and  ownership  of  real 

estate  and  mines, 187 

Synopsis  of  Mexican  laws  on  inheritance,  ....  191 

Information  for  persons  desiring  to  purchase  real  estate   or 

make  contracts  of  any  kind  in  Mexico,        .         .         .         .191 
Statistics — Federal  revenue  for  the  fiscal  year  1 879-1 880,  .  192 

Statement  of  the  revenue  and  expenditures  of  the  different 
States  of  the  Republic  of  Mexico  during  the  fiscal  year 

1879  to  1880, 193 

Statement  showing  the  expenditures  of  the  different  branches 
of  the  Mexican  Government  for  the  fiscal  year  1879- 
1880,  ...........  194. 

The  value  of  real  estate 195 

Statement  showing  the  value  of  real  estate  in  each  of  the  States 

of  the  Mexican  Republic  in  1 88 1, 196 


268 

PAGE. 

Mining  statistics — Products  of  the  mines  in  Mexico  from  1537 
to    1 82 1,   and   after  the    independence  from   Spain  was 

achieved, 197 

Table  showing  the  exports  of  timber  to  foreign  countries  from 

the  Republic  of  Mexico  for  the  fiscal  year  ending  in  1875,  197 
Total  imports   from  foreign   countries  into  the  Republic  of 

Mexico  during  the  fiscal  year  ending  in  1875,     .         .        .198 
Table  indicating  the  cost  of  raising  and  gathering  one  arroba 
or  twenty-five  pounds  of  cotton  in  the  divers  States  of  the 
Republic,  and  its  cost  laid  down  at  the  nearest  port  of 

exports, ,         .         .  198 

Table  showing  the  number  of  public  schools  in  the  various 

States  and  in  the  Territory  of  Lower  California,  the  cost 

of  their  maintenance  in  the  year  1 880,       ....  200 

Table   showing  the  altitudes  of  some  of  the  most  important 

points  in  the  Republic,  taken  from  the  best  authorities  on 

the  subject,         .         .         . 201 

Mexican  stamp  duty  (abridged), 203 

The  Maguey  plant,  or  agave  americana,  ....  207 

Itineraries   of   routes   through   the    Isthmus  of  Tehuantepec, 

Nicaragua  and  Panama  from  the  Atlantic  side,  .         .210 

From  New  Orleans  to  the  port  of  La  Ventosa,  .         .         .  210 

"  "         "  the  Port  of  San  Juan  del  Sur,         .         .210 

"  "         "  Panama,         .         .         .         .         .         .210 

New  York,  via  Tehuantepec,  to  La  Ventosa   .         .         .210 
"  "        "    Nicaragua,  to  San  Juan  del  Sur,      .         .210 

"  "        "    Panama,  to  Panama,         .         .         .         .210 

La  Ventosa  to  San  Francisco, 210 

San  Juan  del  Sur  to  San  Francisco,          .         .         .         .210 
Panama  to  San  Francisco, 210 


269 

PAGE. 

Route  No.  I,  from   the  city  of    San  Antonio,  Texas,  to  the 

city  of  Mexico,  overland, 210 

Route  No.  2,  from  Piedras  Negras,  in  the  State  of  Coahuila,  to 
the  town  and  old  presidio  of  La  Punta  de  Lampasas,  in 
the  State  of  Nuevo  Leon  —  Distance,  by  way  of  the 
Alamo  de  los  Borregos,  134  miles, 211 

Route  No.  3,  from  San  Antonio  de  La  Punta  de  Lampasas,  in 
Nuevo  Leon,  passing  through  Laredo — San  Antonio  to 
Laredo  (by  the  wagon  road),  170  miles,  Laredo  to  La 
Punta,  79  miles,  together  249  miles, 212 

Route  No.  4,  from  the  town  of   Lampasas  to  Villa  Aldama, 

Salinas  and  Monterey  ;  distance,  103  miles,        .         .         .  213 

Description  of  the  city  of  Monterey, 215 

Route  No.  5,  from  Piedras  Negras,  by  way  of  Monclova,  leav- 
ing out  Santa  Rosa  and  traveling  the  straightest  and  best 
road,  where  water  and  forage  is  found  at  all  seasons  of  the 
year,  170  miles.    From  Monclova  to  Saltillo,  134  miles,     .  217 

Route  No.  6,  from  the  city  of  Saltillo,  the  capital  of  the  State 
of  Coahuila,  to  the  city  of  San  Luis  Potosi,  capital  of  the 
State  of  the  same  name,  266  miles,  .         .         .         .  220 

Route   No.  7,   from    Queretaro   to  the   city   of  Mexico,    the 

capital  of  the  Republic,  1 34>^  miles,  .         .         .         .231 

Distances,  in  Mexican  leagues,  from  the  City  of  Mexico  to  some 

of  the  principal  cities  of  the  Republic,        ....  234 

Itinerary  No.  i,  from  the  City  of  Mexico  to  the  cities  of  Quere- 
taro, San  Luis  Potosi,  Saltillo,  Monterey  and  Matamoros,  235 

No.  2,  from  the  City  of  Mexico  to  the  port  of  Acapulco  on  the 

Pacific  Ocean, .  236 

No.  3,  from  the  City  of  Mexico  to  Queretaro,  Guadalajara, 
capital  of  the  State  of  Jalisco,  and  the  port  of  San  Bias 
on  the  Pacific  Ocean, 236 


270 

PAGE. 

No.  4,  from  the  City  of  Mexico  to  the  City  of  Morelia,  capital 

of  the  State  of  Michoacan, 238 

No.  5,  from  the  City  of  Mexico  to  the  City  of  Oaxaca,  capital 

of  the  State  of  the  same  name, 238 

No.  6,  from  the  City  of  Mexico  to  the  cities  of  Zacatecas  and 

Durango,  capitals  of  the  States  of  the  same  names,  .  239 

No.  7,  from  the  City   of    Mexico    to  the   City  of    Culiacan, 

capital  of  the  State  of  Sinaloa, 240 

No.  8,  from  the  City  of  Mexico  to   Ures,  the  capital  of  the 

State  of  Sonora, 241 

No.  9,  from   the  City  of  Mexico  to  the  City  of  Chihuahua, 

capital  of  the  State  of  Chihuahua, 242 

No.  10,  from  the  City  of  Mexico  to  the  Rio  Grande,  via  Tula, 
Ciudad,  Victoria  and  Guerrero — the  straightest  route  to 

reach  the  Texas  frontier, 243 

From  the  City  of  San  Luis  Potosi  to  the  port  of  Tampico,  .  244 
Itinerary  from  San  Luis  Potosi  to  Victoria,  in  Tamaulipas,  .  245 
From  Victoria  to  Soto  Lamarina,  ..*...  246 
From  Victoria  to  Monterey,  capital  of  the  State  of  Nuevo  Leon,  246 

From  Saltillo  to  Zacatecas, 247 

From  Piedras  Negras,  in  the  State  of  Coahuila,  Mexico  (oppo- 
site the  town  of  Eagle  Pass,  Texas),  to  the  Sierra  Mojada,  247 
Itinerary  from  Saltillo,  the  present  capital  of  the  State  of  Coa- 
huila, to  the  City  of  Durango,  capital  of  the  State  of  the 

same  name, 248 

Fares  of  the  general  Mexican  stage  line — Regulations  of  the 

same  line, 249 

Itinerary  of  the  Ferrocarril  Mexicano  (Mexican  railway)  be- 
tween Vera  Cruz  and  the  City  of  Mexico,  .         .         .250 

Information  to  travelers, 251 

Mexican  steamship  line, 251 


271 

PAGE. 

Names   of    prominent    merchants  residing  in   Laredo,   New 

Mexico, 251 

Names  of  prominent  merchants  residing  in  Monterey,      .         .251 
Table  giving  the  extent  and  value  of  some  of  the  principal 
estates  situated  between  the  City  of  Saltillo  and  the  City 
of  Mexico, 252 


LORENZO  CASTRO, 


'rEMERAl^    ^USIMESS    ItQEMT, 


San  Antonio,  Texas. 


Thirty  years'  experience  in  the  Real  Estate  Business  in 
Texas  and  Mexico.  Will  furnish  valuable  information  for 
)rofitable  investment  of  capital  in  Mexico,  where  high  rates 
yi  interest  can  be  obtained. 

Will  locate  or  purchase  lands  and  mines  in  any  State  of 
the  Republic  and  give  perfect  titles  and  possession  of  the 
same. 

Will  investigate  all  titles  and  furnish  abstracts  of  the 
same. 

Will  also  prosecute  the  rights  of  legatees  to  property  in 
Mexico. 

Has  now  for  sale  valuable  mining  interests  and  several 
large  productive  Haciendas  (estates)  in  the  northern  States 
of  Mexico,  varying  in  area  from  25  to  200  leagues  in  one 
block. 

Will  also  prosecute  all  kinds  of  claims  against  the  Gov- 
ernments of  the  United  States  and  Mexico. 

Charges  entirely  conventional ;  full  satisfaction  guaran- 
teed. Correspondence  in  English,  Spanish  and  French 
solicited. 


ADVERTISE 


£C 


LA    REVISTA 


J> 


A  Daily  Newspaper,  published  at 

MONTEREY, 
State  of  Nuevo  Leon,  Republic  of  Mexico, 

BY 

DESIDERIO  LAGRANGE. 


The  best  Advertising  Medium  in  the  northern  frontier  States  ol 

Mexico.    Circulation  greater  than  any  other  Daily 

in  the  State  of  Nuevo  Leon. 

RUSSELL  HOWARD, 
COUNSELLOR    AND     ATTORNEY-AT-LAW. 


Well  versed  In  Spanish  and  Mexican  Land  Laws. 
More    than    thirty   years'   practice    in   all    U.   S.    Courts. 

Office,  SOLEDAD  STREET,  in  the  Devine  Building, 

CITY  OF  SAN  AKTOMO,  Bexar  Co.,  TEXAS. 
HARRISON  &  HARRISON, 

jeLTTOK.2srEirS--A.T-Ij.A."V7". 


Will  attend  promptly  to  any  business 
entrusted  to  their  care. 

OFFICE  IN  THE  DEVINE  BUILDING,  SOLEDAD  ST. 

CITY  OF  SAN  ANTONIO,  Bexar  Co.,  TEXAS. 


FRANCISCO  ARMENDAIZ, 

Plaza  del  comercio, 

MONTEREY, 

Wholesale  and  Retail  Dealer  lu 

Ty  Goods  and  Groceries, 

MICM  HOME  HANDFACTURES, 

J 

of    all    kinds    of    Foreign    Merchandise. 


HAT  AND  LEATHER  MANUFACTURERS. 


Beside  the  above  this  house  does  a  General  Commission  Business, 
receives  orders  for  Importations  and  Exportations  of  all  kinds  of  mer- 
chandise and  produce.  It  also  offers  its  services  to  its  customers  and  the 
public  in  general  for  all  commercial  transactions  in  their  various  branches, 
and  also  for  the  purchase  and  sale  of  Stock,  Agricultural  and  Industrial 
interests. 

FREDERICO  PALACIO, 

Principal    representative    of   the    House    at 
MONTEREY,  MEXICO. 


Z"^  -■^-"  .■■ljlii.!!.luijulLVTM( 'M'.!'..l 


rowiiiTWiw.>m>"'^.,