tase : EL PASO DEL NORTE. 385 
I was sorry to find on my arrival, that the military 
post, which was here when I left the year before, had 
been broken up and the troops withdrawn, with the 
exception only of a small detachment under Lieutenant 
Wilkins, which was quartered at Mr. Magoffin’s rancho, 
in the same building where I was. To the regret of 
all the inhabitants, even this small force was withdrawn 
a few weeks after.* : 
* The town of El Paso del Norte, so frequently alluded to, ioe ong 
Mexican side of the river, On the American side there was me atic ? 
Ment until after the war, and the rich bottoms were but partial se 
tivated or suffered tq run to waste. | At present, there are chres = 
Ments here, viz Mr. Coon’s ranch with its adjoining buildings, Mena 
Was formerly the mnilitary post ; Mr. Stevenson’s ranch, with we OM 
Stoup of buildings; and Magoffinsyille. This last is now the principal 
