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TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
a Comfortable home in the place. The desolation was the effect of the most unprecedented rains which fell in 1842, from which it has never revived. The town is divided into two distinct villages by the Rio Grande, both however bearing the Common name of Laredo. And being governed by the same local Authorities. The origin!J:l town be- longs to the eastern bank; and the joint population amounts to some nineteen hundred souls, about equally divided between the two por- tions. It is an isolated Town, much exposed to the ravages of the Indians and has suffered greatly from that source, seven hundred of its inhabitants have been killed within the last twenty years. The adjacent Country is entirely uninhabited except during the brief period required for the Cultivation of the Corn and bean Crops, these two articles being the only objects of Culture. Laborers are then sent out to some 25 or 30 Ranchers which are scattered on the river above and below the town, for 30 miles, and owned by individuals residing here. Corn is rather scarce, and is worth $3.00 pr Feniga. It is a matter of some doubt if there is a suffici [e]ncy to last until the Coming Crop. Mexican Jnour can be had from the towns above this, enough to supply the Garrison at $600 pr hundred pounds in the bran.- Beef is abundant of excellent quality, and worth from 1¼ to 2 cts pr pound, when bought on foot, the mode of purchaseing which we have thus far [a] dopted, Laredo is distant about 70 miles from Guerreo, 120 from :Mier and 180 miles from San Antonio. The roads to the above places, can with little labor be made practicable for any kind of wheel Carriages, Sometime, previous to my arrival several indian depradations had been Committed And one outrage occured shortly after we got here, A. mexican boy was captured by a party of 4 or 5 Comanches at a Ranch some 2 leagues from this place. No information of this was received until l 5 hours after its occurence. I pursued with all pos- sible despatch: and at a distance of about 50 miles Came so closely upon the indians, that they became aware of our approach; and in the sudden Confusion thus produced the boy made his escape. From this point the pursuit became difficult and uncertain and was conse- quently abandoned. Scouting parties have been kept out almost daily, since the 4th. day after our arrival There has been Considerable sickness, but no deaths in the Com- mand, Amongst the inhabitants an epidemic has prevailed to an alarm- ing extent. · Attended with great mortality. To the scarcity of medi- cines, and the total absence of efficient medical advice, much of the fatality can, doubtless be ascribed. I Considered the Circumstances as justifying a permission which I gave for the public medicines to be used amongst the Citizens, I did this from a spirit of humanity, as well as conciliation: The first Lieutenant of my command gave medical attendance free of Charge. The town however has the reputation of healthfulness, such a visitation as the present being very unusual, Previous to my arrival it became necessary to dismiss four privates from my command, for drunkenness and and [sic] insubordinate Con-
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