504 SALTILLO 
ral, About halfa mile from the city on this plain, 
stands the ‘‘ Black Fort,” or citadel, a prominent fea- 
ture in its fortifications. I went to this fort, but 
although I sent my card to the commanding officer, 
was refused admission.* It covers an area of about 
three acres. Its walls are of solid masonry, with bas- 
tions commanding the approaches from the northward. 
On the eastern side of the city, are several redoubts, 
as well as along the margin of the arroyo. It was in 
the taking of these that our army suffered most. The 
old tannery, where there was a sharp contest, remains 
just as it was left by our troops. An American gen- 
tleman familiar with the history of the affair, accompa- 
nied me in a visit to this quarter, and pointed out the 
several localities. 
Monterey is the capital of the State of Nueva Leon, 
and hasa population of from fifteen to eighteen thou- 
sand souls.t It is the only city I visited in Mexico 
(Hermosillo in Sonora, alone, excepted) which is in- 
creasing. Here improvements were in progress. Many 
fine houses were 1n the course of erection ; others were 
undergoing repairs, and every thing had the appear- 
ance of a thriving, active place. The streets are paved 
and kept clean. Muchas has been said of the filth of 
Mexican towns, I can testify that our New York street 
inspectors might profit by the example of Monterey. 
* In my various journeys through Mexico, this was the only instance 
of the kind that I met with. 
+ My estimates of the population of this and other towns, are from 
Mexican authority, and are not always reliable. People are too apt to 
over estimate the population of their towns, and are reluctant to confess 
their decline. 
