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MEXICO. 



town to the northeas. of the capital, contains some remarkable monuments of the Aztecs of 

 ancient inhabitants of Mexico, among which are two teocallis or Mexican py/amids. 



Puebla, the capital of the State of the same name, is situated on an elevated plain, in the 

 midst of a fertile country. It is inferior only to the capital in population and beauty, being 

 regularly laid out, containing many handsome buildings, and having an active trade and impor- 

 tant manufactures. Population, 70,000. The churches and monasteries resemble those of 

 Mexico in extent and the richness of their decorations. The cathedral, a vast and superb ed- 

 ifice, with magnificent ornaments, and the house of religious retreat, the richest charitable insti- 

 tution in the w-orld, are among the most remarkable buildings. The Palafoxian seminary is 

 one of the best institutions for education in Mexico. In the vicinity are Cholula and Tlascala, 

 noted for their ancient greatness, before the conquest of the country by the Spaniards. The 

 latter is the capital of the Territory of the same name, situated between the States of Mexico 

 and Puebla. 



Oaxaca, capital of the State of the same name, lies in a beautiful valley, and is one of the 

 prettiest cities in the Mexican States. Population, 30,000. fera Cruz, the principal com- 

 mercial place in the confederacy, is prettily built and regularly laid out on the borders of the 

 gulf of Mexico ; but it is situated in an arid plain, surrounded with moving sand hills, and is 

 rendered unhealthy by the marshes in its neighborhood. The water is also bad, and the heat 

 excessive. The black vomit or yellow fever carries off a great many strangers. Population, 

 10,000. Xalapa in the vicinity, is delightfully situated, and its cool, clear sky, and beautiful 

 gardens and groves, render it an agreeable retreat from the intense heat and sickly air of the 

 port. It contains 13,000 inhabitants. The other principal towns in the State of Vera Cruz 

 are Orizaba^ a flourishing place near the volcanic mountain of that name, and Cordova, noted 

 for the extent of their tobacco plantations ; and Pcrote, which contains a citadel and a military 

 academy, and near which rises the loftv peak called the coffer of Perote, to the height of 

 14,000 feet. 



Jlcapiilco, in the State of Mexico, on the Pacific Ocean, is one of the finest harbors in the 

 country, but like Vera Cruz, lying in the hot, low region, is unhealthy. Population, 4,000 

 Queretaro, capital of the State of that name, is distinguished for the beauty of its situation, the 

 magnificence of its edifices, and the wealth and industry of the inhabitants. The convent of 

 Santa Clara is the largest in the world, being 2 miles in circuit, and is said to resemble a little 

 town in its interior. The woolen manufactures of Queretaro are extensive. Population, 40,000. 



Guanaxuato, capital of the State of Guanaxuato, is situated in the centre of the richest 

 silver mines in the world, which have rendered it a place of great wealth. It contains a mint, 

 a college, some fine churches, a londiga or immense warehouse, &c. The town and vicinity- 

 had formerly a population of 70,000, which has dwindled down to 30,000. Irapuato and 

 Salamanca, in the same State, have each a population of about 16,000. In the northern part 

 of the State lies the hacienda or estate of Jaral, the proprietor of which is the most extensive 

 landholder in the world ; his landed estate in this and the neighboring State of Zacatecas, 

 amounts to about 50,000 square miles, and his live stock to 3,000,000 head. 



Valladolid, the capital of Mechoacan, is a well-built city, in which the aqueduct and cathe- 

 dral are remarkable constructions. Population, 15,000. In the southeast part of the State is 

 the volcano of Jorullo, which suddenly rose out of a plain in 1759, to the height of 1,600 feet, 

 and has continued burning ever since. 



Guadalaxara, capital of Xalisco, one of the most important States of the confederacy, is a 

 large and beautiful city, inferior in wealth, population, and magnificence only to Mexico and 

 Puebla. Its streets, broad, airy, and straight, its 12 fountains, supplied by an aqueduct 15 miles 

 in length, its 14 squares, and its pretty alameda or public walk, give it an appearance of ele- 

 gance which is heightened by the magnificence of the public buildings, and the neatness of the 

 dwelling-houses. The cathedral is a vast building surmounted by 2 towers, and richly orna- 

 mented with gold and silver lamps and vessels, and fine paintings of the Spanish masters. Sev- 

 eral other churches and convents, the mint, the university, and the college, are also fine struc- 

 tures. Guadalaxara has about 60,000 inhabitants. The port of San Bias in this Slate con- 

 tains a navy-yard. The situation is unhealthy, and the town contains but 3,000 inhabitants, 

 who desert it in the sickly season. Zacatecas, capital of the State of the same name, owes 

 its importance to the rich silver mines in its vicinity. There are here a college, a mint, and 

 the magnificent church of our Lady of Guadalupe. Population, 22,000. Jlguas Calientes, 

 Sombrerete, FrcmiUo, Pino, and jYochistlan are the other principal towns in the State, and 

 contain esch fi-om 12,000 to 15,000 inhabitant"?. 



