[97] Among the New Mexicans, the terms _foreigner_ and _American_ are synonymous: indeed, the few citizens of other nations to be found there identify themselves with those of the United States. All foreigners are known there as _Americanos_; but south of Chihuahua they are indiscriminately called _Los Ingleses_, the English.--GREGG. [98] See post, pp. 227-232.--ED. CHAPTER XX {IV} Preparations for a Start to Chihuahua -- Ineptness of Married Men for the Santa Fé Trade -- The Chihuahua Trade -- Annoying Custom-house Regulations -- Mails in New Mexico -- Insecurity of Correspondence -- Outfit and Departure -- _Derecho de Consumo_ -- Ruins of Valverde -- 'Towns without Houses' -- La Jornada del Muerto -- Laguna and Ojo del Muerto -- A Tradition of the _Arrieros_ -- Laborious Ferrying and Quagmires -- Arrival at Paso del Norte -- Amenity of the Valley -- _Sierra Blanca_ and _Los Organos_ -- Face of the Country -- Seagrass -- An accidental River -- Laguna de Encinillas -- Southern Haciendas -- Arrival -- Character of the Route and Soil. After passing the custom-house ordeal, and exchanging some of our merchandise for 'Eagle Dollars'--an operation which occupied us several weeks, I prepared to set out for [Pg146] the Chihuahua market, whither a portion of our stock had been designed. Upon this expedition I was obliged to depart without my brother, who was laboring under the 'home fever,' and anxious to return to his family. "He that hath wife and children," says Lord Bacon, "hath given hostages to fortune; for they are impediments to great enterprises, either of virtue or mischief." Men under such bonds are peculiarly unfitted for the chequered life of a Santa Fé trader. The domestic hearth, {65} with all its sacred and most endearing recollections, is sure to haunt them in the hour of trial, and almost every step of their journey is apt to be attended by melancholy reflections of home and domestic dependencies. Before starting on this new journey I deem it proper to make a few observations relative to the general character of the _Chihuahua Trade_. I have already remarked, that much surprise has frequently been expressed by those who are unacquainted with all the bearings of the case, that the Missouri traders should take the circuitous route to Santa Fé, instead of steering direct for Chihuahua, inasmuch as the greatest portion of their goods is destined for the latter city. But as Chihuahua never had any port of entry for foreign goods till the last six or eight years, the market of that department had to be supplied in a great measure from Santa Fé. By opening the ports of El Paso and Presidio del Norte,[99] the commercial interest was so little affected, that when Santa Anna's decree for closing them again was issued, the loss was scarcely felt at all.