Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/465

Rh The Mexicans claimed to be a Republic Government, but it is no Government of any progress or advancement; its history is full of war and bloodshed, superstition and arrogance, revolution upon revolution, and anarchy holds sway. There is constant discord among the people, and are only happy when their land is drenched with human blood.

The city of Mexico is built in the great fertile valley of Mexico, and the regularity, breadth and cleanliness of the streets, and the extent of the squares and public buildings; I have never seen any in the United States to compare with them.

There are several other buildings, such as convents and private palaces, which are beautiful.

The Academy of Fine Arts, or the National Museum, which was founded by Charles V in 1551, is of great extent, and a magnificent building. It contains many rare curiosities and relics of the ancient Toltec, Aztec, etc. In the court-yard stands the quadrangle statue of Charles V. It is the work of Don Tolso, a native Mexican. It was the first equestrian statue cast in Mexico. It was cast in the city of Mexico in 1803, and was first put in the main plaza, in front of the cathedral, and from there to the museum building. It is one of the finest statues I have ever seen.

The Alameda Park is one the best resorting places I ever saw. It was, in 1593, enlarged and beautifully embellished with fountains, and surrounded with statues of liberty. The whole park is enclosed by a well-built wall of about ten feet high.

I have no doubt you have read and, at the same time, wondered how our gallant little army, of nine thousand men, could descend into this valley, break through a line of almost impregnable batteries, and, in all the battles fought in this valley, defeat an enemy from thirty to thirty-five thousand strong. We took more than one hundred cannons, and over four thousand prisoners, and planted the glorious star-spangled banner on its capitol; where, since the conquest of Fernando