Newspaper Page Text
nv (ill.v VJ’LAXI) Si OH ME.
MHiLEDGEVILEii, GEOIW l\, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1825.
:
VOL. V.—No. 52.
J_i* Tin* tlmase** 1« put'liihfJ weekly, on
IT tucurk «tr ct, I, ; w uni VVoy,!, -uni J nViiult, at
Tini»- Dnllnr* per nnnum. |nivable in dv.iiire, nr
T mu l' jlliim. if not pniil licfnrotluiiiitiif the year.
(Thi'*e chiu^i’i will in future lie uniformly untile.)
Ai'»rtrn«».Mi:i«T* conspicuously iusct'icd m the
usual rules, l'luiae sent tvithmit a sprrificntion of
the number of iinertimn, will h" published until
Whirred out. ttmlclvccod itcroihUu^U .
S ilrf of land md negroes, by Administrators,
}' uiutors, or tiimidiniH, it re required bv law, to
he helij on the firstTuesday in the month, between
t'lr hours often in the forenoon and three in the
afternoon, at the rourt house of the county in
which the property is situate—Notice of the sale
of laud must ire given in n public gazette sixty
■I ivs, and negroes, forty days, previous to the
day of sale.
Notice of the sale of personal property must be
puon in like manner, rourt days previous to tlic
il.iv of sale. Also, notice to the debtors and credi
ts s of an estate must be published for forty days.
Notice that application will he made to the
fbiurt of Ordinary for leave to sell land, must be
published for Vis's- months.
Alt business, in the line of Printing, will meet
with prompt attention at the Rr.conorn Office.
I.k ri'KH.s (on business) must he post-paid.
Prom the London lYric Monthly Magazine for So-
Timber.
I! •hd.imndnrij of Mr. Snooks, the Grocer.
No wonder they were caught by South Sea
schemes,
\Vlu> ne'er enjoy'd a guinea, hoi in dreams;
No wonder they their third subscriptions sold,
for millions of imaginary gold;—
If io insf'uiet them all my reasons fail,
Be they diverted by this moral tale '
[ouu/l'j Lpistle, lo Mr. Thomas Snow.
Monday—Received n visit from Mr. Mae-
nab, the attorney, who paid me nine hun
dred pounds, being the amount of the le
gacy left to my wile by Farmer Mumpford,
of Ipswich, Iter late uncle, for which we
pave-him our joint discharge. Took him
into the parlour, behind tiie shop, when
Mrs. f‘. bad returned tip stairs, and eon-
suited him ns to the employment of 'this
large sum; when he informed me that all
the world were making fortunes in South
American Securities, and recommended'
rite to try my lurk ; for which purpose, lie
offered to introduce me to his particular
friend Mr. M.innssch M order ai; a remark-
ohlv prudent young gentleman, who had
recently entered the Foreign stork Ex
change, and, as be assured me, was alrea
dy comfortable tiled in as the phrase is.—
Put on my best coat, told Jem to look after
the shop, and accompanied Mactiab to Mr.
Mnrdecai’s counting bouse, whose tilbury
tvas at the door, u bright pett-green pick
ed out with red, and brass mouldings, pie
bald horse, and harness covered witlt bra-
ken ornaments ; a boy-grooin in the gig,
in a sky bine livery, with silver sliouldor-
kieits, varnished hat, silver luce, and cock
ade; altogether the genteele.-t and smart
cat equipage l hud ever seen. Went up
si iits. and found young gentleman afore
said due’ "tig Ins clerk’s eves, he.'uuse lie
bad forgotten to order the turtle soup and
pine apples to be sent to his country liouso
tiie day before, when lien Bubbleton dined
witli him. Took ns into an inner room
about six feet square, and upon being in-
formed the nature of our errand, declared
with an oath that every man wits a cursed
ass, if he had a little money in his pocket,
not to make his fortune ns he had done y
that it was plain sailing, a hollow thins,
clear as daylight, and sure as a gun ; for
Ben Bubbleton had called in New Court
and ascertained that Nathan meant to
make an immense purchase in Poyais,
which he had no doubt would run up 10 or
20 per cent, in consequence, and was out
and out tiie cheapest tiling in the, market
fora buyer. Desired him accordingly to
invest my nine hundred pounds in that
Stock; when lie exclaimed, with a con
temptuous look, "Paha! what will you get
liy that? If it runs up 20 per cent, there
is but a paltry hundred and eighty profit.
No, if tou me a fellow of any spirit and ta
lent, you will lodge this money with me as
a security, and let me buy you a lot for tiie
end of tiie month, before which time I .shall
probably he able to sell it again with a pro
fit of some thousands.” Thought it a pity
pot to he n fellow of spirit and talent, and
consented accordingly to his proposition ;
when he inquired whether 1 had any other
dibhs, any more blunt, or stumpy, which
Mueiiab explained to mean any more mo
ney; and I replied that I lmd saved near
ly six hundred pounds in business, which
1 kept in Exchequer bids. “ Exchequer
l'ills,’ exclaimed .Mr. Mordeeni; “what fol
ly ■ Make op tiie fifteen hundred pounds,
lodge th.e whole stun with me as a securi
ty, since I have not the pleasure of know
ing you, though, as the friend of Mr. Mae-
nah, T ob’ibt not you are perfectly respec
table, and 1 will buy' for you fifty thousand
Pnvflis Scrip for the end of flic month.”—
Fifty thousand 1’oyais!! what a magnifi
cent sound ! there was no resisting it, so
I deposited the fifteen hundred pounds,
and received the broker’s memorandum,
“ Bought by order and for account of Si
mon Snooks, Esquire,”&e. The first time
1 had ever been dubbed Esq. but thought
ii the least that could he appended to the
proprietor of fifty thousand 1’oyais Scrip.
Returned home, when my wife scolded
Tin; for wearing my Sunday coat: told me
there was a loaf of sugar to break up for
Alderman Dewlap, and handed me my
■white apron, which 1 indignantly threw
behind tiie counter, exclaiming “ Damn
white aprons! 1 shall never put on ano
ther.” Mrs. Snooks insisted ; and though
1 make a point of always being master in
my own house, 1 thought I might as well
liuniour her, since she is a very worthy ivo-
>«n, and hang it before me—but as I was
ctertniued to show my independence, 1
Took it off the moment she went up stairs,
and desired Jem to finish breaking the su
gar for the Alderman.
Tuesday—Went to Cnpel Court immedi
ately after breakfast—all in a hustle—Poy-
nb stock rising every minute, all buyers no
sellers ; the knowing ones laying bets that
it will he up, 10 percent, this week ; price
already 2 percent.higher. Two per cent,
on my fifty, is a thousand pounds profit.—
Wear an apron indeed! a clever fellow has
po occ asion for such an appendage. Re
lived K> take time by the. forelock, and
oak.! inv tortuiin lit once, now that mv
band was fairly in. Met my neighbour
Mr. Dry, and asked his opinion of South
American Securities, when 1m observed
they might lie e\e jlcnt things lo purchase,
hut doubted whether they were so good as
the Chinese Turnpike Bonds, which had
been lately introduced into market; and
it Wits whispered there was shortly to he
a general election in Chinn, which by the
additional travelling, would prodigiously
increase the toll money, lie had no doubt
prices would rise considerably. He re
commended also to my attention, the new
Patagonian Loan of which ! had heard
nothing, informing me that the agent they
had sent over was nearly !» feet high, that
the contriiet was drawn up on a sheet of
foolscap, above two yards square, that the
Script Receipts were nearly .'{ feet long,
and that of course the profits would he
proportionally large. Mule a Mein, to
speak to Mr. Morileeai on the subject—
Asked his opinion about the tunnel under
tiie Thames, when ho told me he doubted
whether the scheme would hold water, and
that to wait for your profits till a hole wits
burrowed under the river, must at all e-
tents be a great bore. Said the Thames
would serve the contractors right if it gave
them a sound sousing, adding, that lie
would not do the same if they got under
his bed.
Wednesday—Capel Court again—great
er hubbub timn ntcr—the hears nil fright
ened out of their wits, and the bulls quite
eockahoop. Four per cent, on my fifty, is
two thousand pounds profit. Recom-
inonded by a friend to sell; not such an
ass. No doubt they will be up twenty per
cent, before the account, and twenty per
cent, upon my fifty will lie ten thousand
pounds. \V ont upon the Royal Exchange,
and saw the great man, said to he worth
t" o millions, higgling with a broker for an
eighth per rent, upon a bill of'lOii pounds.
!jooketl up to him with suitable reverence,
and thought him quite handsome enough
for o great capitalist. Don’t see why I
should not ultimately he as rich ns he is,
and come to have a house myself in New
Court, Swithin’s Lane, since I have begun
with a much better start than lie did. On
my return home met Mr. Alderman Dew-
la|i. who saluted me with his usual roiirle-
scention—“ Good morning, Snooks ;” hut
instead of taking off my lint, and bowing
with my customary “ Thank ve, Mr. Alder
man,” 1 was determined to let him see that
times were altered ; so, egad ! I gav e him
a familiar nml, and exclaimed, “Ilotv goes
it, Dewlap ?” Saw he was offended, hut
what do I care ? A fellow with ten thou
sand pounds in his pocket is not to have
his hat perpetually in his hand, like the ci
ty, Sir Walter. Afterwards met my old
acquaintance Jerry Fuyle, who I aupposed
had got some inkling of my successes, lor
he touched his hut us he accosted me, nml
called me Sir, which 1 thought quite un
necessary, for after all I am still nothing
more titan a plain citizen. Thank God ! 1
have no pride, though I am perfectly a-
ware that a mail with ten thousand pounds
in his poeltet, is not to ho addressed with
the same familiarity as a common shop
keeper. Jerry told me lie had just been
ruined, completely cleaned out by an un
successful speculation in the funds. Serve
him right! It requires some talent to
make a hit in this manner. Such simple
tons ns he is had much better stick to the
shop, and work hard to support their wife
and family, and so I told him. Thought
he looked as if he wanted to borrow mo
ney, so pretended to see a friend, and bolt
ed down Finch Lane.
Thursday.—Dreamt last night that I
sawthe Cacique of Poyais, a dignified look
ing copper-coloured personage, with a
how and arrow in his hand, golden shoes,
silver gloves, and a tall plume of peacok's
feathers upon his head, who after giving
me an order for a pound of eight penny
Muscovado Sugar, and a quarter of eight
shilling touching, made tne a grant of
twenty thousand acres of land, the surface
of which was so rich in gold and silver ore,
that it perfectly dazzled my eyes. A cus
tomer came into the shop vt bile 1 was pon
dering over my dream, iV inquired wheth
er 1 had any rice, when 1 replied, Yes, sir,
a rise of five “ per cent, already.”—“ Pslia!”
continued the gentleman, ‘ i mean Caro
lina rice,—have you any ground
“ Ground !*’ I ejaculated, “ yes Hit-, twenty
thousand acres in Poyais!” when tliostran-
ger, thinking probably that 1 was crazy,
walked out of the shop. .Same day, Mr.
Deputy Dump’s servant brought tne hack
a hill, wherein I had put down to his mas
ter’s account fifty thousand loaves of su
gar ! Ludicrous enough, but how can one
attend to these paltry affairs when the mo
ney comes rolling in by thousands? In
deed 1 shall probably give up tlio shop af
ter tliB account.
Friday.—The rise continuing, and it be
ing now certain that I must realize a hand
some property, I communicated the whole
affair to my wife, who had hitherto known
nothing of the transaction ; w hen she rat
ed nte soundly for deciding upon any mea
sure without first consulting her, but ad
mitted that it had been a most clever and
fortunate speculation, and instantly stipu
lated for four things,—first, that we should
do no more w ashing at home—second, that
she should wear white gowns on the week
day—third, that we should never linvu
hashed mutton fur dinner,—und fourth,
that vve should give Mr. Davison, our lodg
er, notice to quit immediately as she was
determined to have as grand a party as
Mrs. Tilth’s and vve should of course want
the first floor for the purpose ; to all of
which propositions I willingly yielded mv
consent. Mr. Snooks was decidedly ot
opinion, tiiat I should wait till thcro was
thirty percent, profit, which would he fif
teen thousand pounds gain, and which, ad
ded to tiie money deposited with the bro
ker, would constitute a very handsome in
dependence ; and she informed me she had
always set her heart upon a country house
at Ilomrrion, with a white front, green
door, and brass plate, haying our name en
graved in large capitals. She is certain
ly a woman of tastcj—indeed, she has a
right to he so, since tier con no J ions, are of
the first respectability, and ho r uncle’s
wife’s sister would have been Lttdy Mayo
ress, had not her husband died of a surfeit
»t a Grocer's Hall dinner, only one week
before the ninth of November; hut for my
own part, 1 must say I particularly hate
Uomerton. Finding her however, inflexi
hie, l withdrew my opposition, not by any
means out of deference to her opinion, lor
every man should he the master in his own
Itouse, but because I think people of pro
perty and respectability should never he
seen wrangling and jangling like vulgar
folks. Upon the same principle i aban
doned the idea of our setting up a gig, like
Mr. Mordeeai's, and yielded to her wish
of having a one horse chariot, like Mr. Lan
cet tiie apothecary, which she observed
was truly keeping a carriage, nml she re
solved that her first visit should be to Mrs.
Tibbs, on purpose to mortify her.
She herself now laughed heartily at the
idea of mv ever again putting on a white
apron,and though she admitted Alderman
Dewlap to he one of our best customers,
she thought 1 hail treated him quite right,
since her family was as good as his any
day in the year, and people whose heads
are, a little up in the world, have no occa
sion to keep their nose on the grindstone.
This day we mutually agreed that in order
to distinguish ourselves from a herd of
jioor relations in very grovelling situations,
it was absolutely necessary to change our
name, and ns our money was made in tiie
city, I proposed to take the addition of ville,
observing that Snooksville had a very 1a-
milyish sound ; but my wile thought that
a termination in veal of any sort would on
ly suggest the idea of a butcher. In con
firmation of this, she reminded me that
cousin Torn, who lmd been to Calais in the
Steutn Bont, had there seen a large build
ing, called tiie Hotel de Veal, because, as
lie was credibly informed, all the calves
were slaughtered therein. 1 tlion hinted
that vve might append to inv patronymic
appellation tiie w ord scrip, which was the
foundation of our fortune, and would form
tiie very pleasing compound of Snook-
scrip; but as Mrs, S. thought that the
founder oftheir property ought to take pre
cedence, it was finally agreed that vve
should he thenceforth called Scripsnooks,
which, as site shrewdly remarked, was no
change ofthe initinl letter, and would con
sequently require no alteration in the
murks upon our linen.
Saturday. Found Capel Court this
morning in what is technically called a
panic. Poyais Scrip falling one per cent,
every five minutes—all sellers no buyers :
the knowing ones who had been laying
bets that it would he up 10 per cent, this
week, proving to have been secret sellers,
and hanging tiie market without merev;
while tiie Bulls were running about in
(treat consternation seeking in vain for
purchasers. /\u my Imaginary profits hav
ing disappeared in about half an hour, I
determined at ail events not to sacrifice tiie
money 1 Had deposited with Mr. Mordeeui,
and scampered to His oftice in great pertur
bation of mind, that he might sell my .Scrip
at any price lie could get. Not finding
him at the Counting-house, I Hurried back
in a profuse perspiration to the Stock Ex-
change, and alter repeating this process
fiv e or six times without catching a glimpse
of him, had at last the unspeakable morti
fication of being informed that lie was a
lame duck, and that lie had not only wad
dled but bolted ; or in other words, that
this “remarkably prudent young gentle
man” had run away, after having lost eve
ry thing, anti had left nothing whatever to
his numerous creditors, but his bright pea-
green tilbury, upon which, however, an
attachment was lodged by the groom in
the sky-blue lively with silver sliouldcr-
k.iots, for arrears of wages !
Sneaked homewards, calling in tnv way
to countermand a pipe of Port, which I
Had been ass enough to order upon antici
pation. Entered my shop as if I were go
ing to be hung: took up a dirty apron of
Jems, which I tied round me, and began
cutting up a sugnr loaf with great humili
ty and compunction of spirit. My wife
breakimr into the shop as she beheld this
apparition from tiie hack parlour, 1 began
to break to her our misfortune while i vvus
breaking the sugar, when she flew into
such it rage that I verily thought slio would
have finished hv breaking my head. Site
would not have minded it so much, she
said, hut that site had lost the opportunity
of mortifying Mrs. Tibbs, and that otir best
customer, Mr. Alderman Dewlap, had sent
for his hill, declaring his intention nf giv
ing Hist custom to another shop. This she
Attributed to my impertinence, and insist
ed upon my vv citing him a submissive apo
logy, which I sturdily refused doing, de
claring I would he the master of nty own
house, and that though I was ruined, 1
would not he humbled or hen-pecked. Ve
ry angry words ensued, hut 1 curried my
point with a High hand, for instead of w rit
ing to the Alderman as she ordered, I cal
led upon him, and made him a very hum
ble apology in person.
SKETCHES OF MEXICO.
SUPERSTITION.
It is a custom not only in .Monterrey, but
generally throughout the Country, when
any one in company sneezes, for the indi
vidual and company present to cry out
“ Jesus,” mid for w hich he or she returns
tbeiruhnnks.
I enquired into the origin of this cus
tom, and was informed that, at a former
time the inhabitants of some particular
district had been afilirted with a disease
which in many enses terminated fatally,
and the patient died sneezing, and that
some individual who was confined with
llie same disease, culled nut “ Jesus,”
whenever lie sneezed, and he recovered.
Olliers who were taken afterwards adopt,
ed the same exclamation, and they all re
covered ; and since that time, no one
sneezes without making that exclamation.
During my stay in Monterrey, 1 bet aine
acquainted with a singular cause tor re-
joit ing.
It was one night after dark, that I heard
the sound of a drum anil explosion of sky
rockets, which I saw explode in the air. I
accordingly enquired the cause. when I re
ceived for a reply, the followihg in sub-
stuure. That a child lmd died that day,
which was considered by tlx* parents, ns
an occurence which should excite in them
joy, instead of lamentation, as the child
would goto Ileaven free from sin, and
without being subject to purgatory—that
tlio joy ofthe parents would he manifested
further by a dunce in the house where the
corpse was, which would lie kept up thro’
tiie night, and then the burial would take
place on the morrow. This custom 1
found was not confined alone to Mon
terrey.
A circumstance wliieh I should have re
lated to you in my former letter, I will now
relate before I close this, ns I received it.
Not long before my arrival in Linares,
a man had been confined in tlio jail of
that place for murder, during which time
lie became sick, and finding he was to die,
sent for a priest (as is the usual custom) to
confess to him his sins, and receive abso
lution. Amongst other enormities, he
confessed that tiie murder for which he
was then confined, was tlio twelfth he hail
committed.
RctL nAiriN'c.—This is n favorite n-
musement throughout t lie Country, hut a
most cruel one. I had an opportunity of
seeing this in several Cities before l reach
ed the City of Mexico, and was surprised
to observe at these exhibitions the most
respectable Ladies, ami also the Priests, all
of whom seemed to take great pleasure in it.
There were two places for tiie exhibition
of this amusement, hut the one ofthe most
consequence win, erected in tiie square in
frontof the Cathedral around the statue of
Charles IV. for the purpose of celebrating
the coronation ofthe Emperor. This is a
temporary amphitheatre said to be capable
of holding from twelve to fifteen thousand
persons.
The Priests had also an extensive box,
hung with crimson ; and besides these,
there were many other boxes belonging to
different persons, very richly furnished.—
These exhibitions took place in tiie fore
and afternoon, where there was always a
great display of beauty and rich dresses,
particularly in tiie afternoon.
The sports commenced by turning a bull
into tiie open circle below, when he inline
diately attacked the horsemen, of whom
there were from six to eight, armed vvith a
spear guarded so tHat it should not enter
the bull more than about three-fourths of
an inch.
Upon this, they received the hull when
he made an attack upon tiie horse, am)
turned him off very dextrous!) , yet 11icv
frequently failed ; in which case, the horse
was gored by the bull ; and 1 have seen as
many as three in one evening gonred *o
that their entrails came out, am! in many
instances, man & horse were both brought
to the ground. There were, also, many
footmen, with a clown. Some of these
footmen were prepared with a red ting on
a stall', which they used to divert the at
tention of tiie bull, in case of any accident
happening to the assailants. After these
horse or spearmen had exercised their
dexterity for some time, they were warn
ed to retire by the sound of tiie horn, to
make room for the footmen. These were
fantastically dressed, according to their
fancy. Some of these were armed witlt
flags (as before mentioned) and others
vvith a short bearded spear, with a handle
about 18 inches in length, which vvu» or
namented with various coloured puper, cut
in ribbons ami gold and silver tinsel, and
handsomely arranged. These tlicv stuck
into the neck ot tiie bullas he made hisat-
tHcks upon them; the fixing of one or two
at the same lime in his neck, diverted Iiis
attention, by the smart, for a few mo
ments. The lust was generally filled with
lire works. In tlio centre ol'tbe pit was a
trapdoor, witJi an upurunent below sutli-
clent for holding a man, and in wliieh out'
of these assailants got where lie attracted
the notice ot tiie hull, who making an at
tack on iiis enemy, received one of these
darts in his forehead, when tiie assuilunt
would let the door fall to avoid tiie hull.—
These were also cnlled off by the sound of
tiie horn, to make room for the ext ent rout i,
who now came on with a sword and flag ;
with which latter lie diverted the hull, till
he made a favorable attack for his pur
pose, when he received him on the sword
passing from Iiis neck into tltu heart ; asul
many of these fellows were so dextrous
that they killed the bull on the first at
tack. On his falling or going to fall, a-
nother man would come up ami strike him
with a knife in tlic spinal marrow of tiie
neck, vv hen he dropped immediately.
At vv liich, the sound of the horn brought
in two mules handsomly caparisoned,
which being made fast to, they drew him
out to muke room for another.
These amusements were occasionally
varied Ivy fire-works, some in tiie figure of
a man brought in on a horse, which laced
at liberty in the ring whilst tiie expln-ums,
carried away an arm, log, <Vc, till the bo
dy was destroy ed. The. bulls were some
times rode, and when they would not
fight, were pursued by the horsemen, who,
getting a hold on the tail, would throw the
Intli fiat. Unbroke hoist s were sometimes
brought in and mounted, but the riders
were seldom orneverthrown. Men were
occasionally killed in these sports. Thu
wealthy went prepared with large silver
pieces, others with dollars, ic. iVr wliieh
they threw to the footmen, according as
they considered their dexterity deserving
rewards. About dusk the last bull was
let loose for the rabble, and sometimes
there would be several hundred “f them in
pursuit of tlio hull, holding him by the tail,
throwing him down, riding him, (Jkc. Jcc.
horsemen or Santander, the Lazo.— I
was surprised ut the expertncssof the men
in this province in cHtchiug and riding
horses. 1 have seen these men mount a
horse five or six years old that never had
been rode, without tiie leust hesitation, and
it is a rare circumstance Iosco one of them
thrown ; they ride ta;remedy well but un
gracefully.
In catching r linr*“ they are also very
expert vvith the, Lazo. This is a long
grass cord vvith a noose in one end, tiie
other being tied to tile pummel or head of
the saddle, and they throw this on the
head of a horse or mule ut tiie distance
of ten paces with great certainty. The
animal caught is obliged to stop, ns tlic
cord chunks him. This Lazo is used also
by tlic Cavalry as a weapon ;—no man
goes on tiie road without his Lazo. I
have seen tlie.se men pursue a mule or
horse through the woods at full speed,
where the thorney brush wood vvus so
thick that every other person would get
themselves much scratched even by going
through it vvith the greatest care ; and in
sueli cases, tliey nearly extend their bo
dies backwards upon a parallel with the
horse’s hack, and when tliey get to an
opening where tliey can throw tHo Lazo,
tliey rise, and after opening the noose suf
ficiently large, and giving it a few turns
around above their head, they throw it,
being in nearly full speed at tiie some time,
and seldom miss their object, so expert are
tliey. They learn the use of this when
quite small hoys, commencing with catch
ing fowls, Ac. about the houses.
Literature.—In the Eastern and North
ern provinces of Mexico, are to be found
few or no hooks, except in the itouse of a
Priest. Few ofthe women can read, and
I trav elled between three and four hun
dred miles, before 1 saw one amongst i vise
I became acquainted with, who knew now
to write. The Catechism is almost die
only print to lie met with. A frit 'id of
mine informed me, that on tiie borders of
the province of Moritorry he met vvitii an
old Catechism, which had been introduced
by tiie Priests in the reign of Ferdinand
•he 7th, which was evidently intended to
impose upon the ignorant and to insure
their adherence to that tyrant. It com
menced in the following manner:
Quts. Who is the first in the world?
Jins. God.
(l. Who is next to Goo? Ji. Ferdinand
the VII.
({. Should God die, who would then be
God?—Ferdinand tiie VII. Ne.
From this will easily lie perceived tiie
policy pursued by Ferdinand und tiie
Priests.
.Yumher of Cattle in the Ii. Prom'arcs.—
Along tiie coast in the province of Santan
der and N. and E. ofthe rsiero Madre are
miuinerable plains, on which the cattle
feed, and are extremely numerous. These,
the owners attend to and mark when young
vvith their brands. A man who resided in
Camango and who has n rancho ot Los
Norias informed me, tiiut formerly in had
100,000 head of cattle, but at that lime on
ly about 10,000; the Comancliee Indians
having killed them in their dill’erout excur
sions uirainst the natives.
Comanche' Indians.—-They nre a pow
erful warlike tribe of Indians inhabiting
the country towards tlio head-waters of;
the Bio Bravo del Norte, and it is said can
bring 1 “,<)()(I warriors into the field. They
hav e never been upon terms of friendship
with the Spaniards nor Creoles, and fre
quently descend into ihe lower country,
rob the villages, attack the inhabitants,
and kill up their cattle, mules, ike. The
people in «omo districts have *uflered
much by these Indians.
Exports of the Internal Provinces,—The
exports from the Internal Provinces con-
fist of mules, horses and jack-asses, which
are carried to Havana, but generally hv
laud to the U. Stules. Besides these, there
are hides, wool, horns and some pig cop
per. Silver bullion is also exported by
stealth, as it is contrary to law to export
silver or gold except in coin, which pay s
an export duty ofabnut 3 per cent. These
articles are bought up by foreigners in the
interior or sent to the ports for sale. In
Refugio, whilst 1 was there, hides were
worth 2 each; wool, which is abundant,
but of common quality, * 3 the avoba of 2fi
pounds. Mules were worth 2b to , w 3U the
puir, and horses from 5 to $ 10 each. ]
saw no copper brought to this place, but I
understood it might lie bought at Soto la
Marina from 3 to $ 5 tfie quintal. Silver
bullion I iiave seen selling in Saltillo at 7
to $ 7 50 the mark of 8 ounces; and some
had been sold as low as li 50. Quantities
of old silver, such as plates, cans, spoons,
forks and old ornaments of bridles, <Nc.
are constantly offering for sale in the dif
ferent places, hut muen of this bus consi
derable alloy in it.
Quicksilver.—Near Rincon do Ortega
(or Quail corner) a Priest shewed me a
large rock which he said contained much
quicksilver. Ho broke off a piece wliieh
was of a bright red and very heavy. From
vv itliin a few feet of this rock, lie informed
me that between 12 and 18 months previ
ous, during a spell of very hot weather,
which followed a succession of heavy
rains, a small stream of liquid quicksilver
burst out ofthe ground and ran in a stream
into the water below.
F.iUnciana—Its mines.— On the summit
of a mountain is a small fort commanding
the village of Vatleneinna and entrances to
it. There is a handsome Church here,
built by tiie owners of the celebrated mine
of Valemuana, ut an expense ol*$4U0,U09.
The population of tiie village about 4,000.
The mine is said not only to be tiie most
extensive one in Mexico, but the largest in
tiie world. Yet the owners have ceased
working it for a considerable time, incon
sequence ofthe quantity of water thut lias
arisen in it; and during my visit here, there
was only one vein which could !>•> worked
without encountering tlic water. This
vein led under the. Church, iti consequence
of which they would not work it, for fear
of undermining that building; (a rare ex
ample indeed, of the respect paid by the
love of wealth to the interests of the
Church.) Shortly after my arrival in the
village from Gnunaxuato, I found my self
in tin: midst of a crowd ofpersons who in
creased on leaving the house ofthe Ad-
ministrudor for the mine, to which vve re
paired. I was shown tlic different mouths
or entrances, four in number, and the wells
up which the ore is drawn by machinery
sveyked by ijtulest. The principal well. I
was informed, was <>•'(<* raraJ (a'm a->nr»
about 21-2 inches toss tliuu our yard,) per
pendicularly deep, and that about two-
thirds of it was filled witli water at that
time. This is walled up with stone in uu
octagon, and is probably 18 to 15 feet iu
dimmer. Tiie entrances are closed
doors. Tiie nihmmstrador (or superinten
dent) had several large bundles of hay
brought, and after being lighted were cast
down the principal well, by which 1 Had a
good view of it to the water. Several
large stones were also cast down, the strik
ing of which against the sides, and falling
into the water produced a considerable
noise not unlike distant thunder. All the
buildings and fixtures belonging to this ex
tensive mine were burnt during Gen. Mi
na’s visit to this section of the country—
tiie replacing of which, 1 was informed,
cost a million and a half of dollars. These
buildings were not set fire to by Mina nor
by his orders, as lias been stated by some;
and in corroboration of this, 1 bad it from
one of Gen. Mina’s officers, that they were
burnt by a Creole Colonel of Gen. M a,
whilst tiie General was at Guaiinxiiato.—
The administrador shewed me a mao of
tiie interior of this mine. I was surprised
to find the numerous avenues intersecting
each other like the streets of u citv. A
person h, attempted to puss through all
l. 1 ese a veil; * fin the shortest possible time,
and it nevt v iud been completed under 8
dnys!
1 was informed, that fi r several years in
succession, the produce of t! i mine had h«
mounted to #4,000,000; and tin* cost of la
bour and other expenses to 8 3' 1,000 per
month—and that upwards of a hundred
millions of dollars have been taken from
this mine alone. When in operation,
there were about 2000 labourers employ
ed at this mine; genernliy 1000 men under
ground, aud about 500 women above, in
separating tlio ore, Ne. The Count of
Valenciiina is the principal owner of this
mine. He resides in tiie city of Mexico—
but is blind. Tins is ime of tho mines
which tiie English Company have under
taken since my visit to the country ; but
tliev will have to labor under much incon
venience on iiocount of fuel, which lias to
be brought a considerable distance on tiie
hacks of asses, and consist of wood and
charcoal. (It appears by the very last ac
counts from London, that the stock of tlio
Mexican Mine Company has risen froti*
z.’iil tlic shore to 700!)
Mine of Maraviiia,—I visited this mine
after my arrival at Guanaxuato previous
to thntof Yalenciuna. This was tho prin
cipal one in nprrtion at that time in tlio
vicinity, and lies to tiie right of the road
from Gmniaxunto to Valenciaua. In com
pany with several of tiie natives and pre
ceded by two labourers who curried each
a torch constructed lor the purpose, I de
scended this mine by rugged steps in the
still inure rugged rocks Jk hy perpendicular
ladders to the distance, as they informed
me, of about 800 varas, but not perpendi
cularly . in some instances during my de
scent, 1 had opportunities of seeing tiie
miners at work more than an 100 feet be
low me, each vvith his small candle stuck
against the reeks; and on viewing this
spectacle and bearing the sound of tiie
hammer mid chizel so far below me and
so deep in the bowels of the earth, I can
not describe my sensations.
There are many men ami women em
ployed at this mine, and 1 found those a-
bove ground employed iu various ways,
some breaking the lurge rocks of ore to
pieces vvitii sledge-hammers, some sepa
rating (ho large pieces from tiie small, tiie
good from the hail, making several differ
ent qualities, which were put in many pile#
or heaps. This mine has also water in
some parts of it. Tiie ore is drawn tip by
machinery worked by mules or horses in
large panniers or baskets composed of uX
hides. On every .'Saturday, the ore taken
out during tiie week is sold at auction,
which is conducted after a singular man
ner. When tlio lot is offered, each pur
chaser goes to tiie siiltismati and whisper#
iu his ear the price lie will give, und no
one know s the, bid of another, except of
him w ho makes tiie highest bid, who is
proclaimed the purchaser ot tiie named
price. 1 endeavored to convince many of
them ofthe advantage of making tiie bids
public and giving tin opportunity for com
petition ; but they seemed to feel no dis
position to lie convinced. These parcel#
arc sold at so much for the usual mule load,
for the quintal or the lot. I saw a lot con
taining less than a quintal, which was tho
selection of the proceeds ofthe week sell
for 5< 372. The day I attended, the stiles
amounted to upwards of $4,000, and soma
weeks they have amounted to 9,1)00.
Mine of Cola.—J also visited this mine,-
which is a few minutes walk from the for
mer, and descended it for u considerable
distance, i found this ami the former well
ventilated, and rather cooler than at the
surface. I visited two of the Hnciendoty
which tire establishments for extracting
and fining the silver, and had an opportu
nity of seeing tiie whole process, which is
as follows: The ore, alter being taken to
tiie. limiciuln, is placed upon platforms
where the pieces are beaten very fine Hy
means of pestles whit It are worked by
inuli '. From this it is taken to a cistern of
4 to ii feet wide hy 2 deep, having no up
right ax! to which are fastened four lurge
stones ut nglit angles and reaching across
the cistern, und here tiie pulverised ore is
combined vv itii water and ground by "'•de*
which turn this uxlc with the stones attach
ed. From tida it —nrc j—,1 ,v tlio potto cr
platform limned of ilut stones and very le
vel and well laid down, where this mortar
is trodden by mules. In tins mortar, is
mixed quiekfilveraiu! mapistrul, which last
appeitl'B to be composed of eojqtcr ore lmd
uuiphuivt of iron (or copperas) and produ
ces considerable heat by tho addition of
water. In some instances I understand
that salt and also lune are added. This
mil after having hot n sufficientlyAvoddea
by the mules, is Miff -red to ren. J>q Homo
tunc on tlio platform; after wliieh, it it)
th;"wn into heaps, from wliich it is taken
to tabled, winch arc wide, »!opuq> at an an-
