INHABITANTS. 
The Isthmus of Tehuantepec comprises within its limits a 
mixed and heterogeneous population (as nearly as can be ascer- 
tained) of 61,000, consisting of Europeans, Creoles, Mestizos \ 
Indians, Mulattoes, Zambos, and Negroes. 
The European portion, numerically considered, is exceedingly 
insignificant ; embracing only a small remnant of French colo- 
nists, with a few German adventurers, and some old Spanish 
settlers, dispersed over various localities. Their influence, how- 
ever, is extensive ; and to their energy is due the few evidences 
of civilization which exist. They control almost the entire trade 
of the Isthmus, and with few exceptions are the only mechanics 
and tradesmen to be found. Their houses are characterized by 
comfort and neatness, and the people themselves by the utmost 
hospitality to strangers. 
The Creoles (the descendants of the Conquistadores and other 
Europeans) compose the native white population, and are some- 
what more numerous. On the southern portion of the Isthmus, 
where they principally reside, they are found holding all the 
civil and military appointments ; in the exercise of which, the 
power and prerogatives incident to official position are often 
abused to the exclusion of right and justice. Although the 
landed wealth of the country is mostly in their hands, they are 
far from being individually rich; and there is, perhaps, no 
social organization in which the extremes of wealth and the ex- 
tremes of poverty so often meet. The difference in color is 
made the criterion of respectability ; and a fair complexion is 
deemed a gift which makes honest labor a shame and a degra- 
dation. Under these circumstances, indolence and the gaming- 
