Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 1.djvu/615

Rh the 18th of June, we began to observe to the eastward, indications of the approach of the rainy season, which generally commences about the 24th. I was now ready, and had made arrangements with my friends to leave them behind, and return alone with my servant to Mexico; and set out accordingly, accompanied by one of the Members of Congress, who was going to see his family in Culiacan, from whom I derived much interesting information on the road.

From El Fuerte, the roads through the whole of Cinaloa, in the travelling season, are superior to any that I ever passed over, not excepting the macadamized ones of the present day. They are of a sandy clay, almost without a pebble, and perfectly even and smooth. On the way from El Fuerte to Culiacan, there are several respectable towns, and a number of small ranchos. The towns of most consequence are Cinaloa, Mocorita, and Morito, none of which however deserve a particular notice. The distance between the two places is about eighty leagues. Culiacan is one of the oldest towns in Cinaloa, and in respect to size and regularity is superior to any, as it contains eleven thousand souls. It is prettily situated on rising ground, above a river of the same name, on the south bank, just above its confluence with the river Mayo, and is sixteen leagues from the sea. The square in the centre of the city is surrounded by the fine houses of the principal inhabitants, from each corner of which the streets branch off at right-angles, and are intersected by others, which run east and west, north and south. The church is an ancient and capacious building, and contains some respectable paintings. The lands in the vicinity are very fertile, particularly the valley through which the two rivers wind, and which contains many fine estates, and farms so well cultivated, as to present to the eye a very varied and pleasing prospect. There are three or four families in Culiacan who pride themselves on the antiquity of their names; the Espinosas de los Monteros, Las Vegas, Las Roxos, and Martinez. So afraid are they of mixing their blood with any of inferior quality, that four daughters of Martinez have married four brothers of Las Vegas, and the youngest daughter is waiting for another Vega, who is too young to marry. Though the people are usually proud,