LOWER KIO BRAVO. 



61 



flow, or upon lands whicli are "below the water-level and can he irrigated by artificial 

 channels. Somewhat of this barrenness is due undoubtedly to the excess of lime and saline 



matter 



become more 



As we ascend above Brownsville^ lands within the water-level 

 extended, and at many places cultivated fields form a prominent feature in the landscape. Up 

 as high as Keynosa, the belt of alluvial soil subject to the influence of the moisture from the 

 river is very considerable in width, and in addition to corn, the sugar-cane has been planted 

 with success. The foliage on this portion of the river indicates a richer soil, and the trees assume 



much 



embracin 



be cultivated to advantage ; and in situations sheltered from the northers, I have no doubt 



ges and lemons 



Property, however, is very insecure all along the boundary, and unless extradition laws with 

 Mexico are passed, this fertile tract will never have its capacities developed. 



The boundary between the United States and Mexico is here only an imaginary line running 

 down the centre of the river, and an offence can be committed on either side with impunity. 



mi 



either side step in to protect him ; and where national prejudices are involved, the criminal is 



not unfrequently extolled for his exploits. 



It was in the summer of 1853 that this portion of the boundary was surveyed, and a 

 revolution headed by Caravajal was in its last throes. This chief had retired to the American 

 side of the river, and was occupied in making occasional forays into Mexico, aided by some 

 American volunteers, mostly composed of young men, whose tastes for civil pursuits had been 

 destroyed by the Mexican war. These efforts were attended with no other effect than that of 

 irritating the peaceable inhabitants on both sides, and were of great inconvenience to us in the 

 prosecution of the survey. Attempts were made several times to stop the parties under 

 command eno-aged in the survey of the river, and on one occasion nothing but the forbearance 



my 



c^o 



Mexican 



o 



of the officer in command prevented his party from 

 which threatened to charge them. In the absence 

 compelled to make a direct appeal to General Cruz, then in command on the Mexican side, who 

 promptly gave orders along the line which had the effect to lessen, in some degree^ the inter- 

 ruptions to which the surveying parties were exposed. 



We were scarcely more in favor on the American side of the line ; for some months previously 

 the United States troops had interfered with a strong hand to break up the enlistment of men 

 and the concentration of fillibustering forces on our side of the river. Although most of the 

 hired men employed by me were disbanded fiUibusteros, the parties escorted by a detachment of 

 United States soldiers were usually 

 of the law, who at that time composed the majority of persons on the frontier. 



Some idea of the reckless character of the persons then infesting that frontier may be for] 

 from the following circumstance, the truth of which is vouched for by several respectable 

 witnesses. My own camp was but a short distance from the place where the scene occurred 



One mild summer's evening seve; 



mistaken lor mi 



them 



climate 



miles distant. The guard 



from a 

 pp roach 



