Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 1.djvu/590

560 these, there are many other considerable merchants. Rosario is likewise the residence of the Commissary-General of the State, and other public authorities: the streets are narrow, but well paved, and the houses built principally of stone, which gives the town a very airy appearance. It is, however, hotter than any place that I have visited, being built in a ravine, and very confined. Below the town there is a stream which falls into the Pacific a few leagues below. It is navigable for canoes, by which people frequently go to Mazatlan, the distance by water being short. There is a considerable trade carried on from Rosario with Durango, and latterly with Guadalaxara, the Indiamen preferring Mazatlan to San Blas as a port. Mr. Wyley is the only Englishman established there, and is much beloved by the natives. There are several foreigners who occasionally visit the place, but the residents are principally established in the Presidio of Mazatlan, which may be termed the half-way house between Rosario and the Coast. I should not do justice to the character of the natives, if I omitted to state the manner in which we were treated by them. The Commissary-General, Don Miguel Riesgo, and Mr. Fletes, had both of them, (hearing of our intended visit to the State,) provided apartments in their houses for our reception; but as our party was numerous, we declined accepting them, and procured an empty house for ourselves. Mr. Fletes, however, finding that it was our intention to proceed to the upper part of the Province, (about four hundred leagues,) on horseback, proposed that we should accept a passage in a schooner which he had in Mazatlan ready to sail to Guaymas, and dispatched an express that night to stop the vessel, and to have her provisioned for our whole party, which consisted of Don Pedro Escalante, Lieutenant-Colonel Parres, Lieutenant Hardy, R.N., myself, and five servants. It was in vain that we refused to accept the offer, and equally so to induce him to accept of any return. The vessel was detained, a bull killed, wine, brandy, tea, sugar, and fruits put on board, and instructions given to the agent of the house in Mazatlan to receive us, and make us as comfortable as possible until we sailed, while men were sent with us to the Coast to bring back our horses and mules, and to take charge of them until our return.