Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-09-17
from Me .Njssoari MtelWgenccr.
NABIJDS.

Between tho Spanish settlements of New M eyico
and the Pacific Ocean, reside nation of Indians
called the Nabios, whose ingenuity and improve
ments reflect homer upon the undivided state
Their skill III manufacturing, and their excellence
Ill some OF the useful and ornamental arts, show a
decided Superioy ct genius all the other tribes
OF the western continent; even those whose
contiguity civilization has afforded them the bene-
fts Of its example and instruction. That they are
selt-taugit there is doubt and, although our in
formation is deficient relative 10 their origin Gus
toms, manners, and municipal regulations, perhaps
1t may enable us TO state facts concerning
them interesting 10 our readers, and which NAV lead
to more satisfactory intelligence II is believed by
the Spanlards that they remnant of the anci-
ent Mexican nation, under the government of the
emperor Montezuma, who fec from their happy
wales, beautiful lakes, and splendid towns; prefer
riIg TO scent the fragrance of liberty and taste the
sweets oil domestic repose, in distant wilderness,
rather than submit TO tire dominion and cructies of
Cortes. To noble minds, rendered indignant by
multiplied s provoked wrongs, such Il course would
have been perfectly natural. But circumstances
induce us 10 believe that the suppositon is ncor-
rect The barbarous disposition and destroying
policy of Il heart.css invader, in few wears laid
III ruins that powerful and well reguIa i'd empire ;
and swept from the face Of the earth its numerous
inhabitants, who were simple. happy and polished
i'll state of nature.
The miserable remains amagamatcd with their
conqnerurs; and their national character pccuIar-
gother into common grave. II is a more RECON-
cieabie supposticn, that the Ndbiios "cre original
ly different nation, and one whose customs have
never been altered, md whose and mode OF y-
inc have never been aduteracd by an iutcrcours,,
with civilized society. Their power and bravery
ave provcrb,l among the Spanlr,s, who have ey-
per'cnced more moicstaton and in;.irv FROM them
than from all other IneliGus i'll THEN Vicinity They
once sent to Santa fc Large quaniity silver bull
lion 10 DC moulded into dollars which the Standards
ia to i,oir
ards also prohibited the cultivation and nanuf,c-
tuTc OF tobacco aulouG them, with view tu ncces-
state them TO purchase their own for wlI;ciethev
dsHan icd an nxtravagant pricc.-fhese, together
with other causes nf dissatisfaction, have for MANY
years, oct7sioncd mutual Ilosiihcs, in which they
usually igiumphed lie pusii!aniiu;ty of We
Spanidfdi, ana marie Il large projection of their
sheep ani mules the spells OF war. Young cen
'!cHian now III tins town, during the last summer
accompanied strong military expedition against
them nd obliged them to sue FOR ucace They
killed chef who wore shoes, fine voclicu stock
IiGs, small clothes connected the sides by silver
buttons instead Of Il seam. hunting shirt, and a
sca'ict cloth cap tine folds. of which were also Sc
cured by silver buttons. rhcse people 10 not adopt
tie usual lhdian HiauucT Of diving 10 villages but
/ arc "A nation uf comfortable aud ndepen,len, far
incrs.-- Their houses buf; # stone, some one,
and oihcfs two stories high. They have fine iocks
OF sheep, abundance ~ mules and hcfds of cattle
OF superior Kind. They cultivate corn tobacco 6
coiCm which they manufacture into cloth. They
have gardens, in which they raise several kinds Of
escu'ei vegetables; and .,avc peach orchards the
tT''it ct which resembles apIicOts. Several of
/ thcir wGocn manufactures equal tie quality of
ouis.-Wr have seen ccvcslct, made by them. the
/ texture OF which was excellent. The figures ingeni-
| Gus, aud the c0ioTs PERMANENT and brilliant. Our
! towDsmGn NIr. Hood has taken Il 10 philadelphia
los the PGcnsc 0 sending ii to fiicud Ia Europe.
The Spdr1ris initiate tie U'unufactuie Of his arti-
cIc- bot ilr5f miia;0us lar Inferior 10 the orgi-
! nal. They make BASKETS and small dishes of osi-
cfs, 50 comP'etC-WoTfcd TO hold water without
\ the least leakage The wigs, before being wrought
are vdrlously cooured, mi so sklfully put togc-
tnrr' that the hnishedvcsse presents diicrentfgur
Their brides made of tanned leather, and often
enbeii'shed with silver ornaments. They dress al
moss wholly, iu their fabrics. The men dress
IN small clothes, sometimes OF deer skins, tanned
and baEA-o1ncly colorcd. The women wear loose
black robe, orramenfed around the bottom with =
red border, which IS sometimes figured and when
not rG gel, ticy large shawl of the same CO.
lo"r and r1dti-i4j Their different mode of uniting
up the haiti sie', @Jetbcr thcs are single, lately
The wcarons Of this interesting nation are ffe
Ltnce, dHl the bow aud arrow, which 'lny use witt;
dcvterty. These advantages and Improvements a.
inong tive upcivi6cd, If they may be called, wil
no doubt astonish many; bt the characters ofthose
who have given The iaformstion are so far above
ssl'cion, that should fccl little reluctance ir
YoucrG foT SIZE truth C9every fact. But there need