Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/557

Rh the peace proposition had passed the House by a majority of fifty-one to thirty-five. This raised the peace stock, and six cheers were given for peace and three for Penia y Penia, for his determination and stand he took in favor of peace.

Monday, May 22, 1848.—This morning all the talk is about the peace.

At noon our company got paired off. I did not draw my money in consequence of us going home soon,

Tuesday, May 23, 1848.—This morning myself and three others got permission from our Lieut. Haines to go to the city to purchase several curiosidades (curiosities) to take home. We went by the way of Tacubaya Road. On our way we noticed several of our men digging up some of the deserters who were hung in September last. The ropes were still around their necks. They are to cut their heads off, and then boil the meat off and take their skulls to the United States. Arrived at Tacubaya about 10 o'clock. Here is Gen. Worth's encampment. This town, before Cortez's time, was called Tlapan. It was a strong and large city, and it was by this route Cortez first retreated. It was afterwards, like nearly all the Mexican cities, destroyed by the order of Cortez. It seems that almost every Mexican we meet either on the road or in this city we could read the brand of peace in his smiling face—shaking hands with such good feeling and saying "Silencia, Americanos''. The streets were thronged; crowds of aged matrons and charming senoritas were seen wending their way through the population. Yet it is not the stirring multitude which characterizes our Atlantic cities; there is the absence of bustling business and rattling of wagons and carts, shrieking of whistles, etc.

Being thirsty, we entered the gate of a large and beautiful casa (or a gentleman's hacienda). Here a beautiful fountain stood in the centre of the square; a cup being attached to it, we took a drink. At this, the Don (Mr.) of the casa came out on the piazza, and saluted us by saying, "Silencia, Americanos" called us up into his well-adorned sitting-room, and gave each