Hall Jackson Kelley 105

If railroads were good for New England, why not for Mexico also?

"While exploring the country between Vera Cruz and the City of Mexico, I became satisfied of the feasibility of a rail- road route between one and the other of those places. Desir- ous of seeing Mexico benefited with the same kind of institu- tions and improvements as those effecting such great things for my native New England, I planned and advised that im- provement — especially would I have internal improvements commenced without the least possible delay, in a country, where the common people were but little in advance of the heathen; where most of the roads were in a state of nature, and the earth bore but few marks and evidence of civilization dwelling there.

"The improvement suggested by me was a topic of frequent conversation with Wilcox . . . and with other enterprising foreigners. It was one of the subjects of a communication to President Santa Anna, describing, according to my appre- hension, what would be the utility of railroads."'*

In the midst of all his troubles, this strangest of mortals was open-eyed and active in studying the natural phenomena about him. The plants, animals and minerals received his careful attention, and his curiosity as to the heights of moun- tains must be! served. He also interested himself in the welfare of the natives, and vaccinated some of them. "I lost no time, neglected no opportunity, relaxed no effort to do the good I had proposed to do in that country." He even indulged in recreational activities, a fact for which he half apologized.

"I engaged in no idle amusements, expended not so much as a dollar 'for that which is naught,' yet occasionally I took a game at checkers with my distinguished fellow-boarders at the hotel, and once did I attend the theatre to witness a bull- fight, and learn concerning that ancient, barbarous custom.

5 Kelley, Narratwt of Evtnts and DifUcMlties^ 74*5/ Sg-^a. "Shortly after my return to Massachusetts [in 1836], I had the satisfaction to learn, that the road had been commenced. It does not follow, as a thing in course, that the under- taking originated from anything I had said; but. there is a possibility; yes, a prob- ability, and some strong indications of such being the fact." — Ibid.. 76.