Page:Memoir of a tour to northern Mexico.djvu/41

Rh most maps it is as many minutes north of the 32d degree as it really is south of it; a fact which may deserve consideration, if the suggestions of some statesmen, to make the 32d degree of latitude our southern line towards Mexico in that quarter, should he adopted. The position of el Paso is in many points an important one. It is distant about 340 miles from Santa Fe, about 240 from Chihuahua, and is the largest town between these two capitals. At the same time, the road by el Paso is the only practicable wagon road leading from Santa Fe to Chihuahua. Another circuitous road might in case of necessity be taken from the right bank of the river, on the northern end of the Jornado del Muerto, to the copper mines near the sources of the Gila, and from there, by Carmen, to Chihuahua; but it is by far more mountainous, circuitous, and difficult, than the direct road by el Paso; that has become the high road, and in fact the only thoroughfare between these two States.

As to natural advantages for a military station, I have not seen a better point on the whole road from Santa Fe to Chihuahua. Appropriate fortifications erected on the mountain pass above el Paso would command the fords of the river, and the roads leading to the north; and a garrison well provided with provisions and ammunition, could hold out there against a ten-fold stronger force. If the Mexicans, instead of attacking the Americans at Brazito, like mad-men, and running like cowards, had prepared themselves here in these hills for defence, they would no doubt have been also defeated by the Americans, but probably not in so disgraceful a manner.

But besides all those advantages, the valley of el Paso is the most fertile country that we have seen along the river. Besides maize and wheat, they raise a large quantity of fruits, as apples, pears, figs, quinces, peaches, &c., but especially an excellent grape, from which they prepare the celebrated "el Paso wine," and a liquor called by the Americans "Pass whiskey." The grape, which they cultivate extensively, is of Spanish origin; blue, very sweet and juicy, and produces a strong, sweet, southern wine of straw-color. For want of barrels they preserve it generally in large earthen jars, or in leather bags of ox-skin. The wine contains a great deal of body; when improved by age, it tastes like Malaga wine. Besides the blue grape, they raise sometimes also a white one, tasting like Muscadine grapes, but I have not seen any wine made of it. Their manner of cultivating the grape is very simple; they cover them with earth in the winter, keep the vineyards clear from weeds, hoe and prune them at the right season, but do not stake them. The soil and climate seem to be so favorable, that less labor is wanted than in most other countries. A great deal, if not most of the fertility in the valley must be ascribed to the ingenious system of irrigation, which they have introduced by a dam constructed in the river above Paso, and turning a considerable quantity of water into a canal. This canal, spreading into numerous branches and reuniting again, provides all the cultivated land with a sufficiency of water. Wine and fruits are the principal articles of exportation from here; they are carried to the north and south, and enrich the people of el Paso, some of whom are very wealthy.

The population of the town proper, which is but a small place, and of the long line of settlements that extend for 20 miles down the river, is estimated at from 10 to 12,000.

The elevation of the town above the sea is at the Plaza 3,814 feet. Some