, 77 . a 
of the American atmy has performed in the present-war. From the height 
of the bishop’s palace a beautiful view is enjoyed over Monterey, lying 
15 to 20,000. Many of the houses are built of limestone, instead of adobes; 
in the suburbs they are generally covered with stone. ‘The climate of 
With 
“black fort,’’ a strong fort in the plain, northeast from the city, command- 
ing the main road and a great part of the city. The fort had been repaired 
Wh came to camp, a crowd of officers and men was collected about 
a simply dressed and plain looking individual, covered with a straw hat, 
that could not belong to any other person than to the “old Ranchero”’ 
himself, as the Mexicans used to call him—to the hero of Palo Alto, Mon- 
terey, and Buena Vista. When introduced to him, I found him as plain 
and easy in his conversation as in his appearance; and he was so kind as 
to give us some interesting details in relation to the battle of Monterey. 
General Taylor seems to be very partial to his camping ground, on the 
Walnut Springs; and the fresh spring water and fine timber are sufficient 
reasons for it. _ 
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villages on the road, as San EF a, which 
were inhabited, and others that had been destroyed by the American troops. 
Marin is a small town, on an eminence near the Rio Meteros, which 
seems to be the northern headwater of the San Juan. 
On May 28, we mar 33 miles, to Carrizitos. The country was 
hilly, and all around us thick chaparral; but the chaparrals in the lower 
country, from Monterey to the sea-shore, are, rather different from those on 
the high plains and mountainous, parts of Mexico. Although ‘sundry 
Species of mezquite prevail in both of them, other shrubs disappé 
AES cab , or diminish at least, while new shrubbery and small trees 
ke their place. So, for instance, disappears here the Fouquiera splen- 
wo 
