History of Mexico; her civil wars, and colonial and revolutionary annals; from the period of the Spanish conquest, 1520, to the present time, 1847

Front matter

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Chapter I

The Origin of the Mexicans — Montezuma's Account of the History of his People — The Exodus of the Toltecs, Chichemecas, Acolhuans, and Aztecs — Their Conquest of the Valley of Anahuac — The Building of Tenochtitlan — Montezuma — His Character — His Power and Magnificence — The great Temple of Mexico — The Religion of the Aztecs 23

Chapter II

Hernando Cortes — He lands at Vera Cruz — His Force — The Gallant Defence of the TIascalans — The Massacre at Cholula — The Spaniards enter Tenochtitlan — The Imprisonment of Montezuma — The Expedition against Narvaez — The Revolt of the Mexicans and the Death of Montezuma — ^^The Retreat of the Invaders — La Noche Triste — The Battle of Otumba — The Fall of Mexico — The Cruelty of the Conquerors — Conversion of the Indians — Missionaries — Government of Mexico — Las Casas — Leyas Las Indias — Council of the Indies — Philip II. — His Policy — Decline of the Power of Spain — English Buccaneers — Ignorance of the Mexicans — Their Depravity and Superstition 33

CHAP TER III.

Colonial History Continued — The Tyranny of Spain — The Mexican Hierarchy — Its Splendor — The Inferior Clergy — Their Power — The War of 1739 — The Policy of Philip V. — The Revolt of 1778 — Proposition of the Count D'Aranda — The Provinces of Mexico — Its Population. 53

CHAPTER I.

The Opening of the 19th Century — The Condition of France — Spain, Mexico, and Europe — The Administration of D'Urquijo — Charles IV. — Queen Louisa — The Prince of Peace — The Recession of Louisiana to France by the Treaty of St. Illdephonso — Cession of the same Territory

to the United States 65

m CHAPTER II.

The Abdication of Charles IV Ferdinand the VII. proclaimed King by the

Mexicans — The Violent Deposition of the Viceroy of Mexico, Iturrigary

— Vanegas — His Administration — Conspiracy against the Government

— Its Premature Disclosure — Padre Hildago — The Eevolt — Capture of Celaya — The Rebels enter Guanajuato — Storming of the Alhondiga

— The Sacking of the City, and Massacre of Col. Riana and his Troops . 71

Chapter III

The Evacuation of Valladolid — The Rebel Host advances upon the Capital

— The Condition of the City of Mexico — The Insurgents Excommunicated — The RoyaUsts Defeated at Las Cruces — Hildago Encamps in sight of the Capital — His sudden Retreat — The Battle of Aculco — Massacre at Guanajuato — The Recapture of Valladolid — Battle of the ■ Bridge of Calderon — Capture and Death of Hildago 79

Chapter I

Defeat of Rayon at Zitaquaro — Organization of the Patriot Junta — The Rebels adopt the Guerilla Mode of Warfare — The Character of these Troops — Padre Morelos — The Action of Quatla Amilpas — Capture of Oaxaca — The Siege of the Castle at Acapulco — The Guerilla Chiefs: Victoria, Teran, Cos, and Ossourno 87

Chapter II

Invasion of Texas by the Americans — Capture and Siege of Goliad — Battle of San Antonio — Defeat of Salcedo — Massacre of Spanish Officers — Defeat of Elisondo — Advance of Arredondo — General Toledo assumes the Command — Treacheiy of the Mexicans, and Defeat of the Americans and Indians — Retreat from Bexar — Capture and Fate of the Fugitives 93

Chapter III

Return of Calleja as Viceroy — Progress of the Civil War — The Patriot Junta assembled at Azpatzmgan — Manifesto of the Rebels — Folly and Treachery of the Junta — The Intrigues of Calleja — The Siege of Valladolid — The Retreat of Morelos — Battle of Puruaran — Augustin Iturbide

— Rout of the Insurgents — Death of Matamoras- — March to Tehuacan — Execution of Morelos 99

Chapter IV

Dispersion of the Rebel Junta by General Teran — Exploits of the Guerillas : Victoria, Ossourno, and Guerrero — Expedition against Guasacualco

— Affair at Playa Vicente — Battle between Topete and Teran — Defeat of the Spaniards — Return to Tehuacan — Apodaca appointed Viceroy — Capitulation of Teran — The Character of that Chief 109

Chapter I

Progress of the Revolution — Success of the Royalists — General Victoria's Troops dispersed — He withdraws from the Contest — Surrender of Copero — Character of Ossourno and his Lieutenant, Gomez Vincenta — The famous Guerilla, Jose Antonio Torres — His Character and Cruelty toward his own Party — Organization of a Revolutionary Committee — Condition of the Patriot Party in Mexico at this period 119

Chapter II

Xavier Mina — His Birth, Parentage, and early Exploits — Sails for Mexico — Lands on Galveston Island — Commodore Aury — Colonel Perry — The Expedition sails for the Rio Santander — Soto la Marina — Defeat of La Garza — Mina's Plans — Desertion of Colonel Perry and Fifty Men — Suffermgs of the Fugitives — Desperate Battle between the Americans and Mexicans — Heroic Death of Colonel Perry . . 127

Chapter III

Mina Marches toward the South — He is opposed by the Enemy, under Colonel Arminan — El Vallede Mais — Battle of Peotillas — Defeat of the Spanish Forces — The Crafty Priest of Hideonda — The Women of Espiritu Santo — Capture of Real del Pinos— Execution of a Soldier for Sacrilege — Mina Enters Guanajuato — Termination of the March to Sombrero — Mina's Evil Genius 135

CHAP TER IV.

General Arredondo besieges the Fort at Sota la Marina — Desertion of La Sala — Gallant Defence of the Garrison — Noble Action of a Mexican Woman — A Drove of Horses used as a Defence — Discomfiture of the Spaniards — Capitulation of the Fort — Cruel Treatment of the Prisoners — They plan an Escape — March to Vera Cruz — The Fate of the mifortunate Prisoners 143

Chapter V

Colonel Castanon — Battle of San Juan de los Llanos — Defeat and Death of Castanon — A Mexican Croesus — Plunder of El Jural — Interview of Mina and the Patriot Chiefs — Conduct of Torres — Popularity of Mina — Policy of the Viceroy — Abortive Attempt upon Villa de Leon — Siege of Sombrero — SufiFerings of the Patriots — Death of Colonel Young — Evacuation of the Fort and Massacre of the Prisoners 149

Chapter VI

Mina Recruits another Corps — Capture of Bichoco and San Luis — Skirmishing with Orrantia — Linan besieges Los Remedios — Bombardment of the Fort — Night Attack upon Guanajuato — Cowardice of the Soldiery — Conflagration of the Valenciana Mine — Perfidy of a Mexican Priest — Mina is Surprised and Captured by Orrantia — Barbarity of that Officer — Closing Scene of Mina's Life — Bombardment of Remedios Renewed — Conflicts betweed the Hostile Forces — Abandonment of the Fort — Horrible Cruelty of the Victors — Surrender of Jauxilla to the Enemy — Noble Conduct of a Spanish Leader 161

Chapter I

DisPEBsiON of the Guerillas — Exploits of El Giro — Appointment of Arago to the Supreme Command — Death of Lieutenant Wolfe — Guerrero entrenches himself on the Pacific — Pacification of Mexico — End of the War — Treaty of 1819 — Permission granted for Anglo-Americans to settle in Mexican Territory 173

Chapter II

Revolution in Spain — Its effect upon Mexico — Preparations of the Viceroy

— Opposition of the Clergy to the Decree of the Cortes ordering the Sequestration of the Church Property — Conspiracy of Iturbide — Plan of Iguala — Spread of the Revolt — Apodaca is Deposed by liis own Party

— Marcli of Victoria upon the Capital — Iturbide enters Puebla — Arrival of O'Donaju — Treaty of Cordova — Independence of Mexico. . . . 179

CHAP TER III.

Difficulties of the New Government — Conspiracy of Bravo and Victoria — The Deputies swear to Support the Plan — Factions in Congress — Intriguee of Iturbide — Financial difficulties of the Nation — Reduction of the Standing Army, and the increase of the Militia — Iturbide's Ambition — Nocturnal Tumult — Conduct of the Mexican Mob — Meeting of the Deputies — Election of the Emperor — The fifteen honest Representatives 1 90

Chapter IV

Coronation of the Emperor — Refusal of the Archbishop to officiate at the Ceremony — Persona! appearance of Iturbide — Tyrannical administration of the Emperor — Imprisonment of fourteen Deputies for Treason — Dissolution of Congress by force — Organization of a National Junta — Unlawful seizure of money at Perole — Imperial Order of Guadalupe — Colonization laws 198

Chapter V

Iturbide's progress to Jalapa — His fatal interview with Santa Anna — Revolt of the Garrison of Vera Cruz — Pronunciamento against the Emperor — Fraternization of the hostile Armies — Convention of Casa Mata — Victoria assumes the Command — Requisition upon the Clergy — Advance of the Malcontents — Abdication of the Emperor — Formation of a Triumvirate 204

Chapter VI

Constitution of 1824 — Opposition of the Clergy and Military — Intrigues of the friends of the late Emperor — Revolt of Echavarri — Insurrection at the Capital — Banishment of Staboli and his accomplices — Decree against Iturbide — Sudden return of that Personage — His arrest — Death of Iturbide — His reputation in Mexico 209

Chapter VII

Abolition of Negro slavery in Mexico — Origin of African slavery in Southern America — Financial difficulties — Negotiation of a Loan — Recognition of Mexican Independence by the United States and Britain — National Colonization Law — Election and Inauguration of Victoria and Bravo — Prosperous condition of the Colonies east of the Rio Grande . . 216

Chapter VIII

Struggle between the rival Masonic Lodges — Efforts of the Clergy to suppress Masonry — Political Principles of the two Factions — Pronunciamento of Colonel Montanyo — General Bravo Revolts — Guerrero quells the Rebellion — Services of Commodore Porter — Santa Anna takes up Arms —He is Outlawed — He enters the Capital — Struggles of the Factions — The City is Pillaged 221

Chapter IX

'Conspiracy of the Escoces — Landing of a Spanish army under General Barradas — Santa Anna marches against him — Capitulation of the Spaniards — Revolt of Bustamente — Union of Santa Anna with the Rebels — Flight of Guerrero — Tyranny of Bustamente — Difficulties in the Northern Provinces — War between the Rival Parties — Capture and Death of Guerrero 229

Chapter X

Fall of Bustamente — Elevation of Gomez Pedraza to the Presidency — Struggles of the Factions — Death of General Teran — Santa Anna elected President — Zavala's Bill to cut down the revenues of the Church — Sudden conversion of Santa Anna — Expenses of the Army — Cruel Treatment of the Government to the Texan Envoy 235

Chapter I

Congress of 1834 — Collusion of the Clergy and the Military to subvert the Constitution — Dissensions in the Government — Dissolution of Congress by Santa Anna — Disanning of the People — Rising of the Provinces — The People of Zacatecas take up Arms — Defeat of the Zacatecans by Santa Anna — Decree of 1835 — Revolt of the Texans — Capture of Bexar and Goliad 241

Chapter II

Mexia's Expedition against Tampico — Death of twenty-eight of his Men — Santa Anna invades Texas — Siege of the Alamo — Bravery of the Ganison — Fall of the Alamo — Organization of a separate Government in Texas — That State Declares her Independence — Retreat of the Texans

— Advance of the Mexicans — Battle of San Jacinto — Capture of Santa Anna • . . . 252

Chapter III

Santa Anna agrees to recognize the Independence of Texas — Retreat of Filisolo — Santa Anna is sent to the United States — His return to Mexico

— Second administration of Bustamente — The French Blockade Vera Cruz — Description of San Juan de Ulloa — Bombardment of the Castle

— Santa Aima's Gallantry — Revolution of 1841 — General Canales . . 262

Chapter IV

Yucatan : its Climate, Soil, and Topography — Its Population — The Revolt

of Santiago Inian — Attack upon Espeta — Battle of San Fernando

Proclamation of the Rebel Chief against the Clergy — Colonel Roquena's

attack upon Tizimin — General Rivas — Strength of the Rebel Party

Advance upon the city of Valladolid de Yucatan — Iman proclaims the Constitution of 1824 — Siege of Campeachy — Tyranny of Bustamente — Revolution of 1841 — Fall of Bustamente 275

Chapter V

Invasion of Newr Mexico — Capture and fate of the Invaders — Cruelty of Salazar — Dissolution of Congi-ess by Santa Anna — Convocation of a Junta — Condition of Yucatan — Commodore Moore — Expedition against Yucatan under General Morales — The Vomito — Its Effects — Return of the Mexican Army — Foray into Texas — Capture of Bexar — General Canales — General WoU's Expedition — The Texans cross the Rio Grande — Battle of Mier — Capture of the Texans — The new Constitution — Order for the expulsion of Americans from the north-western departments — Conduct of the American Envoy — Remonstrances of Mexico against the Annexation of Texas — Armistice between Mexico and Texas

— Sam Houston — The British Charge cV Affairs — Negotiations for Peace

— Santa Anna and los Texanos — General Almonte's Protest — Opening

of the Chamber of Deputies — Installation of Santa Anna 285

Chapter I

FiNAifciAi. difficulties of Mexico — The amount of the National Debt — Revenues of the Republic — Expenses of the Government — The cost of the Army — Mexican Navy — Santa Anna's personal Popularity — His Leg

— Commencement of Difficulties with the United States — History of the Annexation Movement ~ Mediation of European Powers — Mexican aggressions upon the Commerce and Citizens of the United States — Treaty of 1831 — Its Violation — Forbearance of the American Government — Convention for the adjustment of Claims, 1839 — Indemnity Allowed — Renewal of the Annexation Question — Mr. Calhoun — Sam Houston . . 301

Chapter II

Satisfaction of the people of Mexico at the rejection of the Treaty of Annexation — Castle of Perote — Description of that Fortress — Texan Prisoners

— Houston's Proclamation — Yucatan Indemnity — Condition of Political Parties — Santmanet's Expedition to Tobasco — Its Result — Barbarity of Arnpudia — Senor Rejon and the American Envoy —

Santa Anna's demand upon Congress — The Four Million Grant — Revolt of Paredes — Progress of the Revolution — Surrender, Trial, and Banishment of Santa Anna — Intrigues of Foreign Ministers — General Taylor encamps at Corpus Christi 317

Chapter III

Administration of Herrera — Intrigues of the Monarchists — Condition of the Public Funds — Arrival of Mr. Slidell — Refusal of Herrera to receive the Envoy — Revolt of General Paredes — Resignation of the President — Paredes assumes the Supreme Power — Return of the American Envoy — Yucatan — Army of Occupation — General Taylor marches to the Rio Bravo — Commencement of Hostilities — Capture of Captain Thornton's Command — Siege of Fort Brown — Battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma — Retreat of the Mexicans — Occupation of Matamoras by the American Forces 334

Chapter IV

Law of the Convocation — Tyranny of Paredes — Condition of the public Treasury — The Government suspends Payment — The Clergy is called upon to assist the Stale — Reply of the Archbishop — Meeting of the Chapter — The opulence, number and influence of the Mexican Clergy — Captain Fremont enters Upper California — His Reception — He is ordered to leave the Province — His Reply and Departure — Revolt of the Indians under Juan Alvarez — Insurrection of the garrisons of Mazatlan, Tepic, and San Bias — Liberty of the Press destroyed — Removal of Arista from the command of the Army — Blockade of Vera Cruz and the ports of the Pacific — Pronunciamento at Guadalaxara — Meeting of Congress — Progress of the Revolt 359

Chapter V

The Congress of the United States declares the existence of the War with Mexico — Declaration of Paredes, 1st of June — Pronunciamento at Vera Cruz — Revolt of the Capital — Fall of Paredes — Return of Santa Anna

— He is allowed to pass the American Fleet — The Reasons for the same

— Paredes imprisoned at Perote — General Kearney's Expedition — He takes possession of Santa Fe and New Mexico — Commodore Sloat raises the Flag of the Union in California — General Taylor advances to Camargo — March toward Monterey — Number of American Troops, artillery, cavalry, and bayonets, employed in the siege and capture of Monterey — Description of the City — Skirmish with the Enemy's Cavalry at Ramas — The Army encamps at the Walnut Sprmgs — Advance of General Worth — Garland's attack on the first Battery — Captain Backus and his men — Capture of die Redoubt by Quitman's brigade — Advance of the Ohio troops — Garland's second charge — The Bridge of Purissima — Charge of the Mexican lancers — Braggs light battery — Storming of the

Heights — Bishop's Palace — The Tcxans — The Retreat of the Enemy to the Plaza — Ampudia proposes to surrender the Town — Correspondence between the Generals — Terms of Capitulation — And the cause of their acceptance 379

Chapter VI

Re-sstablishment of the Federal Constitution — Overtures of the United States for Peace — Santa Anna invited to assume the Supreme Power — His Reply — His reception at the Capital — His efforts to raise an Army — Organization of the Mexican Army — Regulars and Militia — Ranchero Cavalry — Santa Anna arrives at San Luis — Ampudia evacuates Saltillo — General Worth advances to Saltillo — March of Wool's Division — He is compelled to alter his course at Santa Rosa — Monclova — Parras — The Mexicans abandon Tampico — Its occupation by the Americans — Commodore Perry attacks Tobasco — March to Victoria — Retreat of the Mexicans — Occupation of the City — Distress of the Mexican Government — Circular to the Several States 40 7

Chapter VII

Meeting of the Federal Congress — Election of Santa Anna and Gomez Farias — Rejection of the Pacific Overtures from the United States — Law confiscating the Property of the Church — Protest of the Clergy — Administration of Farias — Policy of the Clergy — Massacre of Governor Bent in New Mexico — Battles of Canada and EI Embudo — Occupation of El Paso — Battle of Sacramento — California — Santa Anna's advance upon Saltillo — Capture of Major Gaines — The Pass of Angostura — Battle of Buena Vista — Retreat of the Mexicans — General Scott — Preparations for the reduction of Vera Cruz — Landing of the Americans — Investment bombardment, and capture of the City and Castle 426

Introduction

That portion of the continent of North America formerly known as the Viceroyalty of New Spain, extended from the 16th to the 42d parallel of north latitude.* It was bounded on the east by Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico ; on the west, by the Pacific Ocean; on the north, by the territory of the United States, and on the south, by Guatimala and the Pacific. This vast country embraced within its limits every variety of soil, chmate, and productions ; but was sadly deficient in population, the principal element upon which nations build their hopes of greatness.

The Peruvian Andes, concentrating themselves at the Isthmus of Darien, gradually expand as they advance towards the north, until their ridges spread out into great plains, which are called table lands. These plateaus are elevated from 6000 to 8500 feet above

* Before the treaty of 1819, the Spaniards claimed the whole territory to the north of this line.

the level of the adjacent seas; and from their surface spring volcanic peaks which piercing the clouds, are covered with perpetual snow; the height of their summits varying from 13,400 to 17,500 feet. The Mexican Cordillera, passing in a northerly direction, takes the name of Sierra Madre, and beyond Guanajuato divides into three great chains which traverse the country in different directions. The central branch runs through the departments of Zacatecas, Durango, Chihuahua, and New Mexico, where it joins the southern extremity of the Rocky Mountains. In this chain rise the head waters of the Rio Grande which flows into the Mexican gulf, and those of the Rio Gila, which empty into the Sea of Cortes. The western arm of the Sierra Madre, advancing toward the north-west, passes through Guadalaxara, Sonora, and Sinaloa, and forms the eastern barrier of Upper California. The eastern chain, traversing San Luis Potosi and New Leon, disappears in the hills of Coahuila. These mountains are composed of porphyritic rock, interspersed with granite, basalt, am3^gdaloid, trap, hornblende, gypsum, and limestone. They abound in rich veins of gold, silver, zinc, copper, and mercury. Iron ore also exists, but the scarcity of fuel prevents its manufacture.

The table lands are for a great part of the year above the clouds, and during the dry season they present a parched, dusty, arid appearance, nearly destitute of trees; yet the soil is extremely fertile, and where water can be procured to irrigate the land, it yields a most luxuriant harvest. In tropical Mexico the rivers are small and confined within high, narrow banks, which are overflowed during the rainy season. This is also the case with the rivers of Texas.* The wet season begins in June or July, and continues until September or October. These genial showers are accompanied by the evolution of vast quantities of electrical fluid, attended with terrific peals of thunder. They commence upon the eastern declivity of the Cordillera, and following the direction of the trade winds pass from east to west; the rain falling ten or fifteen days earlier at Vera Cruz, than at the city of Mexico.f

The departments of Yucatan, Chiapas, a portion of Tobasco, Vera Cruz, Mechoacan, Jalisco, Oaxaca, Puebla, and Mexico, are situated within the regions called Tierras Calientes (hot lands), and produce in abundance 'every variety of tropical vegetation. Sugar, cotton, rice, cocoa, cochineal, indigo, vanilla, oranges, lemons, grapes, pineapples, yams, and various odoriferous and medicinal gums, grow with a rapidity and luxuriance unknown in other portions of the country. Along the coasts, and in the low humid valleys, where the vegetable world seems to have reached perfection, the oppressive heat, conjoined with the rapid and continuous decomposition of whole forests, generates a pestilential and mortal poison, which destroys life in a few days; even the natives

* In Yucatan there are no rivers worthy of the name. f Humboldt.

sicken and die if they expose themselves, at certain periods, to the influence of these noxious vapors.* These districts may be hkened to a vast grave covered with flowers, beautiful indeed, but nourished with festering corses.

The mean temperature of the Tierras Calientes is from 77° to 79° Fahrenheit; the thermometer often rising to 100° in the shade, and sometimes sinking to 61° during the winter.

At an elevation of 4000 to 5000 feet, upon the expanded ridges of the mountains, the genial warmth of spring reigns, unbroken by the hot breath of summer, or the rude blasts of winter. These delightful regions are called Tierras Templadas, and possess a chmate unequalled upon the earth. The mean temperature is from 68° to 70° of Fahrenheit, the variation being about ten degrees during the year. The productions of the temperate region are both abundant and various ; the apple, cherry, straw^berry, melons, peaches, olives, wheat, rye, tobacco,t potatoes, and maize ; the last forms the principal food of the people in union with chili^ or red pepper, tons of which are consumed annually. Great quantities of beans are also cultivated on the table lands. Next in importance to tlie latter is the maguey (agave Americana), from which the natives distil a beverage of which they are excessively fond, called pulque,

* The Vomito Prieto, and malignant intermittents, are the common diseases.

f Tobacco is a government monopoly.

and a still stronger liquor, (aguardiente,) which is used to great excess in the large cities and towns. This plant is one of the curiosities of Mexico; paper, thread, and ropes, are made of its fibres, and pins of its sharp thorns. To the ancient inhabitants of Mexico, the maguey was invaluable. It has been called the " vine of the Aztecs." It furnished them with medicine and even food. It is cultivated extensively, and flowers every five or ten years; it grows in any soil, and is neither injured by heat, drought, or cold. As we ascend the mountains, we reach the Tierras Frias (or cold lands), which commence at an elevation of 7200 feet above the level of the sea. The mean temperature of this region is about 60° Fahrenheit, the mercury sometimes sinking below 40°. The valley of Anahiiac is situated in this zone, and is blessed with a climate resembhng that of France and Italy, with an atmosphere perfectly transparent. Owing to the great elevation of the high table lands, and the diminished atmospheric pressure, the evaporation of fluids is extremely rapid, and gives to them a dry barren aspect, which detracts much from their beauty. All the productions of the temperate regions flourish in the Tierras Frias, until they rise above 8200 feet. The northern provinces of Mexico are equally as fertile as those of the interior, though they do not possess their chmate.

The principal rivers of Mexico are the Rio Bravo del Norte, the Rio Santander, the Panuco, the Tobasco, Santiago, Zacatula, CuHacan, Rio Gila, and the Colorado ; but few of these streams are navigable. There are several inland lakes in Mexico; at one time nearly the whole of the central plain, or valley of Anahuac, was covered by sheets of fresh and salt water.

The principal cities of Mexico are, the capital, which is built on the site of ancient Tenochtitlan, Queretaro, Guanajuato, Valladolid of Mechoacan, Merida, Guadalaxara, Zacatecas, Durango, San Luis IPotosi, Puebla, Valladolid of Yucatan, Oaxaca, Jalapa, Vera Cruz, Tampico, Acapulco, Monterey, .Saltillo, Chihuahua, Mazatlan, Campeachy, and Santa Fe of New Mexico. The first fourteen, are cities which would grace any country, abounding as they do in churches, convents, and palaces, built of costly, durable materials, and in an imposing style of architecture. The great roads leading to and from the capital and chief cities are good; some of them, which were constructed by the viceroys, are magnificent.

The population of Mexico has never been accurately ascertained; it is estimated to be about eight millions and a half. Of this number, four millions are Indians, three millions or more are composed of Mestizoes, Mulattoes, Zamboes and Negroes. The smallest portion is made up of Creoles and Spaniards, who are the most intelligent, as they are the most opulent of the inhabitants of Mexico. From the latter class arise the dignitaries of the church, the commanders of the army, and the principal officers of the state; while the castes, and Indians are little better than slaves, or serfs, who are bought and sold with the land they cultivate.

The Mexican churches are splendid structures, and are the depositories of immense wealth, which has been accumulating for centuries. The mass of the Mexican people are steeped in poverty, ignorance, and vice ; a condition they have been brought to by the monstrous policy of their Spanish masters.

Mexico abounds in stupendous ruins and natural curiosities. Among the latter is the volcano of JoruUo, in the state of Mechoacan; which burst forth on the night of the 28th of September, 1759, from the centre of a vast plain, converting it in a few hours into a sea of burning lava, from the middle of which arose six mountains, from 1,312 to 1,640 feet above the surrounding country. The principal crater was environed by thousands of smaller ones, from which issued sulphureous vapors and subterraneous noises. Seventy-five miles north-east from the city of Mexico, is the cataract of Regla, which forces its way through a gorge, from the sides of which basaltic columns rise to the height of more than a hundred feet. These columns are composed of regular prisms of five or six sides, and resemble those of Staffa, in Scotland. There are also numerous thermal springs and extensive caves scattered through the country, portions of which seem to be hollow like a honeycomb; through which flow subterranean rivers and volcanic fires. Earthquakes sometimes, though rarely, occur in Mexico.

The architectural ruins of Mexico are among the most interesting in the world, from their extent, preservation, and the skill displayed in their construction. These singular remains are very numerous, and are found in all parts of the country, from the Isthmus to the Rio Gila. The most important of these edifices are those of Mitla, in Oaxaca, of San Juan Teotihuacan, near Otumba. The pyramids of Cholulu, and Papantla; the ruins of Xochicalco, and those of Chi-Chen, Uxmal, Zayi, Kabah, Ichmul, and Palenque in Yucatan : all of which have been described by Stephens, Meyer, Norman, Humboldt, and other travellers.

Since the revolution of 1823, Mexico has been divided into states, each of which was then declared to be sovereign and independent. They are as follows: Yucatan, Chiapas, Tobasco, Vera Cruz, Puebla, Mexico, Oaxaca, Guadalaxara, Mechoacan, Jahsco, Guanajuato, Cohma, Zacatecas, Queretaro, Durango, New Leon, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, Sonora, Upper and Lower California, Chihuahua, New Mexico, Tamauhpas, Coahuila, and Texas.

These states have since been changed into departments which are dependent upon a central consolidated government, the head of which is the supreme arbiter of the destiny of the Mexican people.

The Mexican people are a remarkable race, differing in all respects from even the mongrel nations of the southern continent. They are of a melancholy temperament, and bear in their sad countenances the marks of much suffering. The descendant of the Aztec is pecuharly distinguished in this way ; and we can see in his subdued mien, and pensive features, that he has felt the injuries which have been showered upon his devoted head by the bigoted, cruel, and bloody conquerors, who, not content with robbing him of his liberty, and the proceeds of his toil, have even placed a gyve upon his mind, which has doomed him to eternal, as well as temporal misery. The Mestizoes, Mulattoes, and other castes, are more gay, but less honest and brave. Some of the Creoles of Mexico are intelligent, and possess the virtues of their Castilian sires in a high degree.