He did everything in his power for our comfort and assistance, and supplied us with letters to the _jefes politicos_ of the districts through which we were to pass.

We congratulated him upon the cart-road over which we had come from Zanatepec, an important public work for this part of the world; he told us he began it three years ago with a force of but nine men; that it would be extended to San Cristobal and San Bartolome; that he was no engineer, but that he could tell quite well when a road was passable for a cart.

We found him greatly interested in a congress which he had called of persons interested in labor questions.

Among the questions which he hoped to see considered was the abolition of the system of _peonage,_ which still exists in full development in the state.
Less than three leagues from Tuxtla Gutierrez is Chiapa, famous for the brightly painted gourds and calabash vessels there manufactured and sent out to all parts of the republic.

Toys, rattles, cups, and great bowl-basins are among the forms produced.