Page:Life in Mexico vol 2.djvu/264

244 23d.—We have received news this morning of the murder of our porter, the Spaniard whom we brought here from Havana. He had left us, and was employed as porter in fabrica, (manufactory) where the wife and family of the proprietor resided. Eight of General Valencia's soldiers sallied forth from the citadel to rob this factory, and poor José, the most faithful and honest of servants, having valiantly defended the door, was cruelly murdered. They afterwards entered the building, robbed, and committed dreadful outrages. They are selling printed papers through the streets to-day, giving an account of it. The men are taken up, and it is said will be shot by orders of the General; but we doubt this, even though a message has arrived, requiring the attendance of the padre who confesses criminals, a Franciscan monk, who, with various of his brethren, are living out here for safety at present. . ..

The situation of Mexico is melancholy.

24th.—News has arrived that General Paredes has arrived at the Lecheria, an hacienda belonging to this family, about three leagues from San Xavier; and that from thence he sent one of the servants of the farm to Mexico, inviting the President to a personal conference. The family take this news of their hacienda's being turned into military quarters very philosophically; the only precaution on these occasions being to conceal the best horses, as the pronunciados help themselves, without ceremony, to these useful quadrupeds, wherever they are to be found.

26th.—This morning. General Bustamante and his troops arrived at Tlanapantla, the President in a coach.