The Express.
London, England, 1846-09-17 00:00:00

THE PEOPLE OF NEW MEXICO.

(From the Matamoros Flap, July 19.)
The territory of New Mexico hes north of the 26th
parallel of latitlide, and its greatest length from north to
south is 700 miles ; from east to west, its boundary has never
been circumscribed within the limits of certainty. Its geo-
graphical position is remarkably singular ; the Itio Grande
passes through it nearly in a central line from north to south.
Its whole entire surface is a succession of mountains rising
in majestic splendour t 2 that giddy height where even the
cedar and pine can retain no foothold, their conic heads
covered with the white veil of perpetual snow. The inheai-
, tants live in the deep valleys, and upon the margin of the
' Rio Grande. Villages on the river are situated in its dif-
ferent bends, where a sufficiency of bottom lands are left for
the purposes of agriculture. The greatest extent occupied
by settlements is 300 miles in length, and 100 in. width ; the
population taken collectively is about 50,000.
The first village in the north is El Pueblo de Taos, which
gives name to the valley in which it is situated. TIF.e origi-
nal inhabitants arc Indians, and known by the name of
Pueblos. They were in possession of this collar: when the

Spaniards first visited Mexico, and they have remained until
the present time. When the Spaniards extended their do-
minion over this Indian country by the aid of Gospel mis-
sionaries, they found these Puebl Andians friendly, honest, and
industrious, brave and confiding; endowed with great natural
good seuse—neighbours to be conciliated, but not subdued.

The Pueblo of Taos is immediately at the foot of the
west side of the first ridge of the Rocky Mountains. There
is a small stream that issues from a ravine, flows out into
a valley, and eventually mixes its waters with the Rio
Grande, which separates the two departments. The vil-
lage possesses much singularity, combining great strength
with the boldest conception in the architecture, enjoying
the most complete utility in its honey-comb formation.
The village is formed of two distinct departments, the rivu-
let dividing it in the centre. This at first eight mieht not
seem to have particular design. The buildings are exactly
similar. The first, or basement story, occupies a large area ;
upon this is reared another story, being smaller than the
first by ten feet—each successive story falling off in the same
ratio until the pagoda becomes nine stories high. In the
basement story there are no doors, the entrance being through
a round hole in the offset which forms the roof; a pile being
planted in the aperture with a ladder attached, by which
they ascend and descend. The buildings resemble pyramids,
with the exception of their being square.
In the formation of this village an equal number of the
heads of families divided themselves off and laid two foun-
dations precisely similar, and reared upon them two equal
structures. What a field was here for emulation ? What
barriers to an assailing enemy ? As their generations grew
up, the youths from both sides would meet and in manly
sports endeavour to excel. The great patron saint of the
village is Saint Jerome; they having adopted the Catholic
religion through the powerful influence of missionaries
from Old Spain. The day of St. Jerome is celebrated by
selecting thirty of the choicest youths from each side of the
stream, to compete with one another in manly sports. A
race-course is cleared out in front of the village 400 yards
in length, and wide enough fur two to run abreast. An
equal number of the old men of each village arc chosen
to prepare the lists and marshal the competitors. Nothing
can be so animating and soul•stirring to the beholder as to
view those sixty champions, in all the pride of nature,
adorned with the simplest arts and yet so appropriate. In
making selections for the lists, the pride and boast of the
villagers are brought out, all are chieftains of the greatest
note. The honour of their ancient houses is staked upon
them; their own fair name is entrusted to the race, and
their feats are viewed by the "fairest of the fair." The
houses present one vast pyramid of human beings, all the
women from the adjoining villages coming to wanes' this
annual festival. About 11 o'clock the signal is given, and
the race commences. At each end of the tract stand 30
runners, 15 on a side ; as one starts from one end, another
from the opposite party starts from the other, and the first
30 that run through arc considered as having gained the
laurels of the day. They then form in grand processions,
and in wild chorus of song surround the buildings, from
which in great profusion is showered upon them varieties of
fruits and cakes, the crowd of spectators mixing in a joyful
scramble. The morning feats having passed off, the even-
ing's interlude commences. Between these two heaven-
reared towers stands a tall slender pole of native pine, the
bark pealed off, and the polished surface greased. On the
top of the pole is framed a cross, upon which are hung bas-
kets of fruits and festoons ingeniously woven, of sweet
cakes, flowers, and emblematical devices, pictured with
silver dollars suspended by wires; and to crown the rich of-
fering, upon the very ,top of the pole stands an aged and
respectable ram, fast pinioned to the place. A large crowd
has gathered round to witness the rustic scene which is an.
nounced by the merry peals of music, and the loud piercing
screams of the scaling squadrons, as they come rushing to
the trial. The pole is t 3 be scaled ; the treasure is to be
lowered, the lists are open, the world may enter. Here then
may be seen the resources and ingenuity of nature's children.
The prize would seem totally beyond their reach, yet their
minds once bent upon the attainment of the object, they
make of their holies ladders, hoops., chain., leaning pyra-
mids, until at last some daring spirit reaches the suspended
treasure. As the evening shades prevail, the festivity com-
mences within doors, where the victors of the day are re-
warded by the maidens of their choice. The sole object of
the separate villaess is to excel in all they undertake in
common. In their agricultural pursuits the same emulation
exists : when they go into battle what desperate feats of
bravery will they not attempt to wear the victor's crown.
Indiasolute bonds of friendship bind them together, and
they have ever been the white friend. Their honesty
and industry, is proverbial, and well cultivated fields and
well-stocked farms give token of much thrift and independ-
ence. They are strict observers of the Catholic faith, the
priests being allowed to live in their villages. If it had not
been for these Indians, New Mexico would have been over-
run by the surrounding Indian tribes. They do not make
war a trade, but their bravery is unequalled in the redress
of injuries.

Santa Fe is the capital of New Mexico. It is a small
and inconsiderable Tillage, in its most prosperous days
never having had a population of snore than 2000, and it
is now upon the decline. It is situated 20 miles from the
Rio Grande, upon the east side. It is owing to an ex-
tensive commerce with the state of Missouri and the gold
mines in the vicinity, that has given Santa Fe a name
abroad. From Santa Fe a large waggon road winds around
through the valleys, and emerges out into the plains be-
fore reaching Red ]Liver. Through the moantains to San
Miguel or el Bado it is 60 miles. San Miguel is situated
upon a small creek or river, called Pecas River, which
takes its rise within fifteen miles of Santa Fe, and after
running 000 miles falls into the Rio Grande. About half-
way between Santa Fe and San Miguel, is the celebrated
I''.. as village, being of the sante tribe that has been de-
scribed, but claiming a more ancient origin. They have
no records, but are governed by oral traditions. They ob-
serve the Catholic faith, but, strange to tell, they say they
are waiting the return of their great king, who promised
them that he would return in due season ; and from time
immemorial hare they preserved the same fire that was
burning upon his departure. They describe him as their
great King and Saviour, and they take it by turns in watching
the tire, which is preserved in a deep well or cellar. The
old and most decrepid are destined to the never-ending watch.
In latt r years great sickness prevailed amongst them, and the
village went to decay in consequence. They became fearful
that it was some visitation, andabout the year 1839 or 1840,
they moved to the west side of the Rio Grande, to a small
village called Jemas, about 50 miles from Santa Fe. where
they carried the everlasting lire, to continue its ominous
blaze through all time. ,