is ¥ 
382 New Mexico and California. 
1 direction through the om of Chihuahua, Coahuila and Ta- 
é the Gulf of Mexico, in 25° 56’ north latitude. Its tribu- 
latter states are the Radon from the north; the Conchos, 
I. lamo, and San Juan, from the south. The whole course of 
e sine; ina straight line, would be near 1,200 miles; but by the 
meandering of its lower half, it runs at least about 2,000 miles from 
the region of perpetual snow to the almost tropical climate of the gulf. 
The elevation of the river ab e sea near Albuquerque, in New 
Mexico, is about 4,800 feet ; in Paso del Norte about 3,800; and at 
190 fet. between three and four hundred miles from its mouth, about 
feet. The fall of its water appeared to be, between Albuquerque 
| El Paso, from two to three feet ina mile, and below Reynosa one 
foot in two miles. The fall of the river is seldom used as motive pow- 
er, except for some flour mills, which are oftener worked b “mules 
=~ by water. The principal advantage which is at present derived 
from the river is from agriculture, by their well managed sysiem of 
irigation ~ to its po en in New Mexico, I doubt very much it 
jie point of navigation and New Mexico shall be desired, nothing will 
r but a railroad, crossing from the va gee the Rio Grande 
is ey igh table land in the state of Chihua hu 
and hea’ ns, onions, red peppers, and some fruits. mos 
fertile any of the valley begins below Santa Fe, along the geld ue 
is pape * Rio 0 abajo,” or, (the country) down the river. It is 
com there to raise two crops: in one year. The gene a Nes i- 
ness “of “the ee and the aridity of the soil in New Mexico, will 
always confine agriculture to the valleys of the water-courses, whic h 
