Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/548

542 (sized) city, but now under the civilized Mexican government. It contains one church, convento, and an out-house.

Saturday, May 6, 1848.—This morning the news from Queretaro is not so encouraging. It states that there is a party in the Mexican Congress rallying under the name of Pureza (Purity), who are doing everything in their power to prevent the union of Congress, and had also determined at their meetings, or caucuses, that whenever the treaty should be brought up in Chamber of Deputies they would withdraw or resign for the purpose of preventing a quorum. Is it possible that any Mexicans can be found so degraded and corrupt as to resort to such a mean course? If the Puros are determined to withdraw from their seats for the purpose of preventing a quorum, and to prevent the treaty from being passed they will be marked men for some time to come. The mass of the people are in favor of peace all the time, but Pena y Pena, who is, I believe. President of the Senate, says that they must hold their seats and serve the Government or lose their rights of citizenship. Good for Pena y Pena. They must come and remain and perform the high duties which they were chosen to perform. Let our prayers be that the Moderados and Puros, between wealth and poverty, may put their heads and minds together and support the legal Government, which is for peace; and the storm, which is now brewing at Queretaro, may die an everlasting death, and peace and harmony prevail.

Sunday, May 7, 1848.—This morning we had a company inspection at our quarters, inspected by our genial first Lieut. Aquilla Haines, who gave us a little taffy for neat appearance.

At noon Gen. Robert Patterson paid a visit to our villa, San Angel, going through all the different quarters and hospitals, examining their quarters, and encouraging the sick and wounded soldiers, by telling them to keep their courage up, that we all will soon be on our way home, as the peace prospect looks very encouraging—that it is believed that there are only eighteen or twenty advocates of war. We are all anxiously awaiting for that highly interesting news from Queretaro which