41 [26] 
most maps it is as many minutes north ‘of the, 324 degree as it really is 
south of it; a fact which may deserve fanirappetbe , if the suggestions of 
some statesmen , to make the 32d degree of latitude our southern line 
towards Mexico in wa paige rae be adbped: The position of el 
Paso is in many poin mportant one. It is distant about 340 miles 
from Santa Fe, about 240 1 ras C nihbhud. and is the largest town between 
ae two capitals. At the same time, the road by el Paso is the only prac- 
cable wagon road Jeading from Santa Fe to Chihuahua. Another Cir- 
bee oo road might in case of aps be taken from the right bank of the 
river, on the northern end of the Jornado del Muerto, to the copper mines 
near the sources of the Gila, and ror there, by Carmen , to Chihuahua; but 
it is by far more mountainous, circuitous, and diffic ficult, than the direct road 
by el Paso; that has oye the high road, and in fact the only thorough- © 
fare between these two Stat 
As to natural ineabhies "tok a military station, I have not seen a better 
point on the whole road: “from Santa Fe to Chihuahua. Appropriate forti- 
fications erected on the mountain pass above el Paso would command the 
fords of the river, and the roads leading to the north; and a garrison well 
provided with provisions and ammunition, could hold out there against a 
ten-fold stronger force. If the Mexicans, instead of attacking the Ameri- 
cans - ieek nae like mad-mer, and running like cowards, had prepare 
» Manner. 
But: Besides all-those advantages, the valley of el teed athe most fer: 
- tile country that we po seen along the river. Besides maize and wheat, 
they raise a large quantity of fruits, as apples, pears, figs, quinces, peaches, , 
&ch y oat espe cially an excellent grape, from which they prepare the fe 
brated “ el Paso wine,’’ and aliquor called by the Americans ‘‘ Pass 
key.” “The grape, which they cultivate extensively, is of Spanish ote, 
blue, very sweet and juicy, and produces a strong, sweet, southern wine of 
straw-color. For want of barrels they preserve it generally i in large earthen 
jars, or in leather bags of ox-skin. ‘The wine contains a great deal of body; 
when improved by age, it tastes like Malaga wine. Besides the blue grape, 
they raise sometimes also a white one, tasting like Museadine grapes, but 
have not seen any wine made of it. Their manner of cultivating the 
grape is very simple; they cover them with earth in the winter, keep the - 
vineyards clear from weeds, hoe and prune them at the right season, but 
do not stake them. The soil and climate seem to be so favorable, that less 
labor i is wanted than in most other countries. “A ee deal, if not most of 
pe ee town proper wise is pat a cota a 
the long line of settlements sch “eee : 
