338 EL PASO DEL NORTE MILITARY IMPORTANCE. 



One of the most important towns in the State of Chihuahua, since 

 the annexation of a part of Mexico to the United States by the 

 treaty of 1848, is El Paso del Norte. According to the observations 

 of Dr. Wislizenius, it lies in 31° 45' 50" north latitude, 3,814 feet 

 above the level of the sea, on the Rio Grande, distant about 340 

 miles from Santa Fe, and about 240 from the town of Chihuahua. 

 The Rio Grande or Rio del Norte, having escaped the mountain 

 pass, runs here in an open fertile field, at the beginning of which El 

 Paso is situated. The town is principally built on the right bank 

 of the river while a few houses are on the left. Stretched out 

 along the stream for many miles, all its dwellings are surrounded and 

 embosomed in groves, gardens, orchards, vineyards and cultivated 

 fields as far as the eye can reach. The position of this town is an 

 important one, inasmuch as the road by it is the only practicable 

 one for wagons leading from Santa Fe to Chihuahua. A circuitous 

 road might, in case of necessity, be made from the right bank of 

 the river, on the northern end of the Jornado del Muerto, to the cop- 

 per mines near the sources of the Gila, and thence by Carmen to 

 Chihuahua ; but it is by far more mountainous, winding and diffi- 

 cult than the direct road through El Paso which has long been the 

 only highway between New Mexico and Chihuahua. Besides these 

 advantages of commercial intercourse, the point is deemed of the 

 greatest value as a military post, in which a well provided garrison 

 could hold out against a ten-fold stronger force. 1 The population 

 of the town proper, and of the line of settlements extending about 

 twenty miles down the river is estimated at from ten to twelve 

 thousand. 



Besides these important considerations, the valley of El Paso 

 is probably the most fertile country along the river. In addition to 

 maize and wheat the inhabitants raise a large quantity of fruits, such 

 as apples, pears, figs, quinces, peaches, &c, but especially an ex- 

 cellent grape from which the celebrated El Paso wine is prepared, 

 and a liquor is made called by the Americans "Pass Whiskey." 

 The grape which is so extensively cultivated is of Spanish origin ; 

 it is blue, very rich and juicy, and produces a strong, sweet, south- 

 ern, straw-colored wine. For want of barrels, the natives preserve 

 the liquor in earthern jars or in ox skins. The wine has a strong- 

 body, and when mellowed by age, has the flavor of Malaga. Be- 

 sides the blue grape, a white species is also raised, having the flavor 

 of the Muscadine, but it is believed that it is not used for wine. 



1 Dr, Wislizenius 's Memoir, &c, &c, 1848, p, 41. 



