EL PASO DEL NORTE. 397 
Colonel Langberg kindly tendered me an escort of 
Mexican soldiers, in case I would take the route by 
the city of Chihuahua, and thence through the States 
of Durango, Coahuila, Nueva Leon, and Tamaulipas, to 
such point as I wished to reach on the Lower Rio 
Grande. This offer, after due consideration, I accept- 
ed, and advised Major Emory of my decision, request- 
ing him to meet me at a point lower down the river 
than Eagle Pass, which would probably be Comargo. 
About this time the mail party from San Antonio 
arrived. They had been attacked and surrounded by 
a large body of Indians; but had kept their assailants 
at bay for several days, by entrenching themselves 
behind some rocks. This party consisted of men cele- 
brated as Indian fighters, and was commanded by Mr. 
Wallace, one of the most intrepid and experienced 
men on the frontier. Hvery Indian who exposed him- 
self was instantly brought down by a shot from the 
unerring rifle, until they were actually driven from the 
field. Mr. Wallace returned to San Antonio, procured 
a new outfit, and strengthened his party ; he then set 
out again, and came through with the mail in safety. 
During my stay here, one of those events took place 
which are not unusual on the Mexican frontier, and 
which sometimes produce a rupture between the Mexi- 
can government and its people. 
Itis known that the duty of sixty per cent. imposed 
by Mexico on many articles of merchandise, amounts to 
a prohibition. Yet, owing to the laxity of the custom- 
house officials, the law has been evaded, and goods 
regularly admitted at a mere nominal rate. Hach col- 
lector knows that if he exacts the legal duty, either the 
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