81 [ 26] 
weed, most of which was mezquite and black ebony. During the whole 
day we saw six steamboats; in the night we laid by again. 
On June 5, about noon, we reached Matamoros, As the city is half a 
mile from the river, and we staid but half an hour, I could get. only a 
glimpse of it. It is built on the plain, ata trifling elevation; the houses are 
either of stone or adobes; the plaza and the principal streets were occupied 
by Americans, and the rest of the city seemed rather deserted, As to beauty 
of situation or*imposing buildings, it cannot compare with any of the 
larger cities we have met with on this route. ° 
From Matamoros we passed by Fort Brown, where the star-spangled 
banner was flying, and the battle-fields of Palo Alto and Resaca de la 
Palma were pointed out to us in the distant chaparrals towards the north. 
The river was here ina very navigable state, but continued to be as crooked as 
ever. Isaw many palm trees of small size; more settlements along the 
banks; sugar and cotton plantations among them, but chaparral always in 
the back ground. We laid by in the night, but after midnight we started 
again with the rising of the moon, and arrived in the morning of 
June 6 at the “ mouth of Rio Grande,’’ and encamped on the left bank 
of the river. About one mile from our camp was the high sea and the 
embouchure of the river. On the left side of the mouth were some com. 
missaries’ and private stores established, and the place is known as 
“ Mouth of Rio Grande.”’ i 
