Chap. XII. DEPARTURE OF THE BRIGADE. 393 
Madre, near the Villa de la Concepcion. General Trias 
understands German well, and he has Schiller's and 
Goethe's works in his library. He speaks French and 
English fluently. I was told some curious anecdotes of 
his youth, and of the circumstances which led to his 
having undertaken some extensive journeys ; and I will 
repeat them here, without, however, making myself 
answerable for their accuracy. A youthful adventure 
involved results for which his confessor refused him absolu- 
tion, referring him to the Bishop of Durango. The Bishop 
of Durango took the same course, and referred him to the 
Archbishop of Mexico. The Archbishop sent him to the 
Pope at Borne, who enjoined upon the young Mexican 
a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and penance at the Holy 
Sepulchre, where at last he received absolution. On his 
return through Turkey, and up the Danube, he visited 
Germany, and remained for a time in some of its principal 
towns. 
When the intelligence reached Chihuahua that the 
Governor of New Mexico intended to take possession of 
Mesilla, General Trias immediately put in motion that 
portion of the Mexican army under his command, and 
without waiting to be empowered by the then disorganised 
central authority, set off, April 7th, with his brigade from 
Chihuahua to El Paso. 
I found an inducement to accompany this expedition in 
a fixed capacity. For the transport of its stores and am- 
munition, the detachment had hired of my friends, Mayer 
and Co., ten of the largest waggons which had formed our 
caravan from the United States, with about 110 mules, 
muleteers, drivers, and waggon-master, for the sum of 3000 
dollars ; and I undertook to represent the firm during the 
journey, and after its arrival at El Paso. The personal 
