term of 3 years, being ineligible for a second term; a Vice-President, chosen in the same manner, and for the same period, presides over the Senate. The legislative department is composed of the 2 Houses of Congress, a Senate chosen for the term of 3 years, and a House of Representatives chosen annually. The President nominates, and with the consent of the Senate, appoints the principal executive officers; but the judges are elected by joint ballot of the 2 Houses, for terms of 4 years.

The

10. History. The Spaniards established a post at Bejar, in the year 1681, but it continued to be a mere military post until 1719, when a colony of Canary Islanders was seated here. The province was at this time called the New Philippines, and several missions and presidios or military posts existed in different quarters. A party of patriots commanded by Gutierrez, captured the Alamo and Bahia in 1812, but were soon after defeated under General Toledo. The republic of Fredonia, proclaimed at Nacogdoches in 1819, was a short-lived state. American immigration into the province began in 1821, when Austin obtained a grant of a large tract of land from the Mexican government. As the number of immigrants increased, they became desirous of forming a separate State; but their request was rejected, and when the federal constitution was overthrown by violence, in 1834, the inhabitants refused to acknowledge the new government, and established a provisional government for themselves. In the following spring, Santa Anna, the President of the Mexican Republic, invaded the province in person, and captured the Alamo or fortress of Bejar; but was defeated and made prisoner by General Houston, on the San Jacinto, April 21. Meanwhile, a convention composed of delegates from all the districts, had assembled at Washington, and declared Texas to be a free, sovereign, and independent State (March 2), and a constitution was adopted on the 17th of that month.

CHAPTER LIV. MEXICO.

1. Boundaries and Extent. Mexico is bounded on the N. by the United States; E. by the United States, Texas, and the Gulf of Mexico; S. by the Republic of Central America; and W. by the Pacific Ocean. It extends from lat. 16° to 42° N., and from long. 87° to 124° W., being about 2,000 miles in length from N. to S., and from 150 to 1,200 in breadth, with an area estimated at about 1,300,000 square miles.

2. Mountains. The country is traversed from south to north by a chain of elevated mountains, which is composed of several branches. The Central Chain enters the country on the south, and bears the local names of the Cordilleras of Mexico, the Sierra Madre, Sierra Mindres, &c.; passing into the United States, it is known as the Rocky Mountains. It consists, strictly speaking, of an elevated table-land from 6,000 to 8,000 feet high, from which, as from a base, rise irregular ridges and lofty summits. Some of the most elevated summits of this chain are the Popocatepetl, or the Mountain of Smoke, a volcano covered with perpetual snow, its elevation being 17,835 feet above the level of the sea; and the Istaccihuatl, or the White Woman, having an altitude of 15,700 feet. These mountains are distinctly visible from the city of Mexico, and the snow with which they are covered is of an extraordinary brilliancy. The Nevado de Toluca is another colossal summit, 22 miles to the southwest of Mexico. It is 15,156 feet above the level of the sea. The Citlaltepetl, or the Star Mountain, called also Orizaba, is visible from Vera Cruz; it is 17,376 feet above the level of the sea. The Nauhcampatepetl, or the Coffer of Perote, is 13,514 feet above the level of the sea. There are 5 volcanoes in activity near the parallel of 19° N.; Orizaba, Popocatepetl, Tustla, Colima, and Jorullo. The Volcan de Jorullo is of recent origin. It sprung up in 1759, in the centre of a vast and beautiful plain in the intendancy of Valladolid, and the air around it is still heated by the action of the small funnels or ovens. This chain of mountains is remarkable for its rich silver mines. Near Guanaxuato it sends off two branches, the Eastern, or Sierra of Catorce, of which the Masserne Mountains are a continuation, and the Western, which sinks down in California. Another chain rises in the Californian peninsula, and passes north into Oregon District.

3. Rivers. The Mexican rivers rise in the central plateau or table-land, and flow easterly into the Gulf of Mexico, or westerly into the Pacific. In the south, where the distance from the mountains to the sea is small, there are no considerable rivers. In the north, are the head waters of the Red River and the Arkansas, which pass into the United States. The Rio del

Norte, or North River, the largest river in the country, rises in the northern part of New Mexico, and traversing that Territory, and the States of Cohahuila and Tamaulipas, flows into the Gulf of Mexico. It is about 2,000 miles in length, but receives few tributaries, and its navigation is impeded by sand-bars and falls. The Colorado of the East rises in the mountains of New Mexico, and traversing the State of Cohahuila, flows into the Gulf of Mexico. The principal rivers of the west are the Francisco, Western Colorado, and Gila, flowing through regions imperfectly known. The Tampico on the eastern, and the Grande on the western declivity of the central table-land, are the principal streams in the south. The southern and most populous part of the country suffers from want of water.

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4. Lakes. There is a number of lakes of no great extent in the valley of Mexico, near the city of that name, the waters of which are diminishing. Tezcuco, the principal, formerly received the waters of San Christoval, Zumpango, Chalco, and Xochimilco, and was subject to inundations. To prevent this disaster, its waters have been made to discharge themselves into the river Tampico. The celebrated floating gardens or chinampas, formed by covering a sort of raft, composed of rushes and shrubs, with a layer of rich earth, were formerly numerous on these lakes; but most of those now called by that name are fixed, though some move from place to place. Lake Chapala, in the State of Xalisco, is distinguished for the beauty of its scenery. In the north, are lakes Timpanogos and Buenaventura or Salt Lake, large sheets of water, of which little is known.

5. Bays and Harbors. Although this country has a very great extent of seacoast, it presents few good harbors; but there are some on the western shores. Most of the rivers are obstructed by sand-bars, and both coasts are rendered inaccessible for several months by violent tempests. The Gulf of California is 800 miles in length by 80 or 100 in breadth, but its navigation is rendered difficult by numerous shoals. The Gulf of Tehuantepec, in the State of Oaxaca, and the Bay of Campeachy, between Yucatan and Tobasco, are the other chief bays.

6. Climate. About one third of the country lies within the torrid zone, but the remarkable elevation of its surface modifies its climate in a striking manner. The low country along the coasts has a tropical climate, and produces sugar, indigo, &c., while the region which occupies the central table-land from 6,000 to 9,500 feet in height, is mild and temperate, and yields the cereal grains of the temperate zone. The intervening space, from 3,000 to 5,000 feet in height, exhibits an intermediate climate. Thus in ascending the successive terraces, which rise from the sea to the surface of the table-land, the climates succeed each other, as it were, in layers, and in 2 days the whole scale of vegetation is presented to view. Some of the farms or haciendas are at an elevation of 10,000 feet. Above this table-land, single prominences rise into colder regions, and terminate in that of perpetual ice and snow. The year is divided into 2 seasons; the rainy, lasting about 4 months from the end of May, and the dry season, comprising the rest of the year. The northern part has a climate resembling that of the Mississippi valley in corresponding latitudes, but to the west of the mountains the cold is less severe.

7. Soil. The low plains on the coast are fertile, and have a luxuriant vegetation. Much of the central table-land is dry and sterile, but in those parts which are well watered the vegetation is remarkably vigorous. In the northwest and northeast are extensive tracts of rich soil. 8. Vegetables. The variety of the indigenous vegetation is immense, owing to the great diversity of soil and climate. The banana grows in the warm and humid valleys, and its fruit, which is 10 or 11 inches in circumference, and 7 or 8 in length, is an important article of food. Various preparations are made from it, both in its ripe and immature state. When ripe it is dried, cut into slices, and converted into meal by pounding. Manioc, the root of which also furnishes a nutritive flour called cassava, likewise grows in the hot regions. The juice is an active poison, which is expressed after the root is ground; the remainder or cassava is made into bread. Tapioca, the purest and most wholesome part of the manioc, is

The bed of the central or low lake of Tezcuco, is progressively rising, in consequence of the loose earth carried down by the torrents and deposited in it. If the report of a survey made in the 16th century (says Humboldt) be true, the great square of Mexico was elevated 43 feet above the level of this lake; which latter is now only 47 inches lower than the former. On the other hand, the cutting down of the ancient forests, and thereby exposing the na

ked plain to the direct influence of a tropical sun, has diminished the humidity of the atmosphere, and has ano increased the evaporation both in degree and rapidity The lake has, therefore, decreased both in extent and depth; and the city of Mexico, which in the days of Cortez stood environed by water, is now almost three miles from the lake of Tezcuco, which receives much less water by infiltration than in the 16th century.

prepared from cassava, by kneading it with the hand, and then stirring it over a slow fire, until it forms into grains. The maguey, or American agave, yields a refreshing drink, called pulque, resembling cider. It is obtained by cutting off the flower stalk at the moment of flowering. Into the cavity thus formed, the juice, that would have gone to nourish the blossoms, is deposited, and continues to run for several months. This liquid is called honey-water, and being allowed to ferment, becomes pulque, from which by distillation an intoxicating drink, called mexical, is obtained. The ancient Mexicans used the leaves of the agave for making paper, and its prickles for pins and nails. The root of the jalap, a twining vine, furnishes a valuable purgative medicine. Logwood or Campeachy-wood, used in dyeing black and purple, is abundant along the bay of Campeachy, and mahogany is cut on the shores of Honduras Bay in great quantities. The dahlias, whose many-colored blossoms give such a splendor to our flower beds, at the season when the approach of winter renders them doubly valuable, are natives of the hilly parts of Mexico. The cheirostemon, or hand-plant, forms immense forests in the southern parts. The sugar-cane, indigo, cótton, cocoa, vanilla, tobacco, cochineal, &c. are among the productions of the Mexican States.

9. Minerals. The Mexican mountains contain almost every mineral of use in agriculture, manufactures, and the fine arts. But the mines of iron and lead have been wholly neglected; while those of silver and gold have been sedulously wrought. Copper is found in considerable quantities, and tin is pretty abundant; and extensive iron mines exist in the internal provinces. Coal is very rare. Among the precious stones, a few diamonds are found, with amethysts and turquoises. The mountains produce jasper, marble, alabaster, magnets, steatite, jade, and talc. But it is the mines of silver and gold which constitute the chief wealth of this country. Since their first discovery, in the middle of the 16th century, the silver mines of Guanaxuato have alone produced to the amount of 257,000,000 dollars. Among the other celebrated mines are those of Catorce, Zacatecas, Pachucha, La Biscaina, Zimapan, and Durango. At one period 3,000 silver mines were worked in 500 different places. Before the Mexican revolution, in 1810, their annual produce was 24,000,000 dollars, but since that period it has diminished more than one half. The gold is for the most part obtained from alluvial grounds by means of washing. It sometimes occurs in masses of great purity. The gold of Mesquital is most esteemed, as being least alloyed with silver, iron, and copper. The principal vein in the mine of Villalpando is intersected by a great number of small veins, of exceeding richness.

10. Animals. With the exception of the cochineal insect, the most valuable animals of Mexico have been introduced by Europeans. The techichi is a species of dog without voice, which was eaten by the ancient Mexicans. The bison or buffalo is seen wandering in immense

California Quail.

herds in New Mexico and New California. The domestic animals imported from Europe have multiplied amazingly. Vast herds of wild horses, said to be of Arabian extraction, wander in the savannas of the Internal Provinces. Of the animals peculiar to this country, the gigantic stags of New California, called venados by the Spaniards, are among the most beautiful quadrupeds of America. The feathered tribes are so numerous, that Mexico has been called the country of birds, as Africa is of quadrupeds. There are said to be more than 200 species of birds peculiar to this country.

The California Quail (Ortyx Californica) is found in great numbers in the woods and plains of California, where it is seen in

bands of 200 or 300. It is a very beautiful bird, and its flesh is sweet and delicate.

11. Face of the Country. Mexico comprises all the varieties of soil, climate, and temperature on the globe. The lands on both sides are low; thence there is a gradual rise till the

The clayey slime, with which these veins are filled, contains so great a quantity of gold disseminated in impalpable particles, that the miners are compelled, when they

leave the mine nearly naked, to bathe themselves in large vessels, to prevent any of the auriferous clay from being carried off by them on their bodies.

country attains the elevation of from 6,000 to 8,000 feet, spreading out into immense plains, called table-land, estimated to comprise three fifths of the whole country. The difficulty of communication between the interior of Mexico and the opposite coasts, will long prevent this country from becoming a great commercial power.

12. Divisions. The Mexican confederacy consists of 19 States, 5 Territories, and the Federal District, which contains the capital; and, although the federal government has been abolished, these divisions are still preserved. The States are subdivided into partidos or dis

The population of the confederacy is estimated at present to be about 7,000,000 souls, including about 3,000,000 Indians, and as many of mixed breed.

sea.

2. Towns. Mexico, the capital city of the republic, is situated in the Federal District, at about an equal distance from the sea on each side, at Vera Cruz and Acapulco. It lies in a large valley, 63 miles in length, by 43 in breadth, which has the volcanic summits of Popocatapetl and Iztaccihuatl on the south, and contains the five lakes already mentioned. This great basin, called the valley of Mexico, is in no part less than 6,000 feet above the level of the The city is one of the most beautiful in the world; the streets are broad and regularly laid out, well paved, clean, and provided with wide footpaths; the houses are generally handsome, and their flat roofs, ornamented with shrubs and flowers, have a pretty appearance, and form an agreeable promenade. Many of the public buildings are magnificent, surpassing those of any other American city. The cathedral is a splendid edifice, of which the centre is surmounted by a dome resting upon 4 beautiful columns, and the front is adorned with 2 lofty towers, ornamented with statues and pilasters; the gold and silver ornaments in the chapel, attached to the cathedral, are the richest in the world. Opposite the cathedral on the same square, is the government-house, an immense quadrangular building, nearly a mile in circuit, in which, besides the president's house, are contained the mint, the national library and printing office, a prison, &c., and in the spacious grounds attached to it, is the public botanic garden. There are several churches and convents, which are equally remarkable for beauty and grandeur of style, their vast extent, and the richness of their decorations, among which are statues and altars of massy silver, fine paintings and works of sculpture, &c. The mineria or mining school, the spacious prisons of the acordada, the buildings of the University, the palace of the Inquisition, and the hospital are also worthy of note. The population of Mexico is estimated at about 180,000, of which about one half are Creoles, one fourth Indians, and the remainder of mixed races.

In the vicinity of Mexico is Huehuetoca, celebrated for the desagua or canal by which the waters of lake Zumpango are discharged into the river Tula. It is one of the most gigantic works of the kind ever constructed, being about 13 miles in length, and in some places 197 feet in depth, and 360 at top in breadth. Guadalupe, a little village, is remarkable for a rich shrine of the Virgin Mary, to which thousands of pilgrims annually resort. Otumba, a small

town to the northeast of the capital, contains some remarkable monuments of the Aztecs of ancient inhabitants of Mexico, among which are two teocallis or Mexican pyramids.

Puebla, the capital of the State of the same name, is situated on an elevated plain, in the midst of a fertile country. It is inferior only to the capital in population and beauty, being regularly laid out, containing many handsome buildings, and having an active trade and important manufactures. Population, 70,000. The churches and monasteries resemble those of Mexico in extent and the richness of their decorations. The cathedral, a vast and superb edifice, with magnificent ornaments, and the house of religious retreat, the richest charitable institution in the world, are among the most remarkable buildings. The Palafoxian seminary is one of the best institutions for education in Mexico. In the vicinity are Cholula and Tlascala, noted for their ancient greatness, before the conquest of the country by the Spaniards. The latter is the capital of the Territory of the same name, situated between the States of Mexico and Puebla.

Oaxaca, capital of the State of the same name, lies in a beautiful valley, and is one of the prettiest cities in the Mexican States. Population, 30,000. Vera Cruz, the principal commercial place in the confederacy, is prettily built and regularly laid out on the borders of the gulf of Mexico; but it is situated in an arid plain, surrounded with moving sand hills, and is rendered unhealthy by the marshes in its neighborhood. The water is also bad, and the heat excessive. The black vomit or yellow fever carries off a great many strangers. Population, 10,000. Xalapa, in the vicinity, is delightfully situated, and its cool, clear sky, and beautiful gardens and groves, render it an agreeable retreat from the intense heat and sickly air of the port. It contains 13,000 inhabitants. The other principal towns in the State of Vera Cruz are Orizaba, a flourishing place near the volcanic mountain of that name, and Cordova, noted for the extent of their tobacco plantations; and Perote, which contains a citadel and a military academy, and near which rises the lofty peak called the coffer of Perote, to the height of 14,000 feet.

Acapulco, in the State of Mexico, on the Pacific Ocean, is one of the finest harbors in the country, but like Vera Cruz, lying in the hot, low region, is unhealthy. Population, 4,000. Queretaro, capital of the State of that name, is distinguished for the beauty of its situation, the magnificence of its edifices, and the wealth and industry of the inhabitants. The convent of Santa Clara is the largest in the world, being 2 miles in circuit, and is said to resemble a little town in its interior. The woolen manufactures of Queretaro are extensive. Population, 40,000. Guanaxuato, capital of the State of Guanaxuato, is situated in the centre of the richest silver mines in the world, which have rendered it a place of great wealth. It contains a mint, a college, some fine churches, a londiga or immense warehouse, &c. The town and vicinity had formerly a population of 70,000, which has dwindled down to 30,000. Irapuato and Salamanca, in the same State, have each a population of about 16,000. In the northern part of the State lies the hacienda or estate of Jaral, the proprietor of which is the most extensive landholder in the world; his landed estate in this and the neighboring State of Zacatecas, amounts to about 50,000 square miles, and his live stock to 3,000,000 head.

Valladolid, the capital of Mechoacan, is a well-built city, in which the aqueduct and cathedral are remarkable constructions. Population, 15,000. In the southeast part of the State is the volcano of Jorullo, which suddenly rose out of a plain in 1759, to the height of 1,600 feet, and has continued burning ever since.

Guadalazara, capital of Xalisco, one of the most important States of the confederacy, is a large and beautiful city, inferior in wealth, population, and magnificence only to Mexico and Puebla. Its streets, broad, airy, and straight, its 12 fountains, supplied by an aqueduct 15 miles in length, its 14 squares, and its pretty alameda or public walk, give it an appearance of elegance which is heightened by the magnificence of the public buildings, and the neatness of the dwelling-houses. The cathedral is a vast building surmounted by 2 towers, and richly ornamented with gold and silver lamps and vessels, and fine paintings of the Spanish masters. Several other churches and convents, the mint, the university, and the college, are also fine structures. Guadalaxara has about 60,000 inhabitants. The port of San Blas in this State contains a navy-yard. The situation is unhealthy, and the town contains but 3,000 inhabitants, who desert it in the sickly season. Zacatecas, capital of the State of the same name, owes its importance to the rich silver mines in its vicinity. There are here a college, a mint, and the magnificent church of our Lady of Guadalupe. Population, 22,000. Aguas Calientes, Sombrerete, Fresnillo, Pino, and Nochistlan are the other principal towns in the State, and contain each from 12,000 to 15,000 inhabitants.