The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1842-01-18
THE SANTA FE EXPEDITION.

The fate of the expedition which left Texas
some months since, TO visit Santa Fe or New
Mexico, is no longer doubtful. The New Or
leans Picayune contains a letter from place
north CT Mexico, dated Nov. 4, 10 DR.. Chal-
mers, at Austin, in Texas, giving an account
of the expedition. Mr.. Kendall, one Of the
Editors CT The Picayune, accompanied the ex-
petitions as an amateur. Whether he was
among those that were shot, was not known.
Mr.. Kendall was formerly of this place, where
his father still resides. Bur. Sentinel
The followil is an extract from the letter.
"The advance party of about one hundred
men, had reached the neighborhood Of Santa
Fe, leaving the rear guard, with the Wagons
and artillery, some 200 miles behind. -Four or
five men were then sent forward to announce
the purposes of their mission to the authorities,
ana to say that they had come up more as
friends than foes that they wished to cultivate
the acquaintance of their neighbors, and open
commercial relations with them, and not to pro-
yoke h"s:ilitias, OF the arani cogrisrs, one
WAS Captain Lewis, and another was Mr.. Ken
}
were seized, ard two or three, some say four Of
them, wcre Immediately shot BY order ofGov.
Armiio. The Governor then, with large
body Of New hicxicans, in arms, went out to
salute their vsiters. The latter had, however,
taken up strong position, and prepared to act
on the defensive, should 1t be recessary-hith-
erto ignorant of the fate Of their emissaries as
of the reception they were likely to meet.
In a ravine, formed by the freshets, having Il
stream of some magnitude in their rear, stood
Col. Cook and his men, confident that from
this position they could not be dislodged. Here
they waited the approach Of their adyersaries,
doubtful vet whether 10 regard them as friends
or focs-impatent for the order to fire, yet re-
strained by their pacific instructions from the
Texan Government, they watched for some act
of aggression to Justify them in testing the tenn
per Of their guns. At this critical moment
comes forward Captain Lewis.accompanied by
a nephew of the Governor, Twho speaks and
understands the English language we'll and
bcgs Col Cook not TO fire, nor be concerned.
He assures them there is no need of an engage
ment, as the Governor is disposed to receive
them kindly, and that articles of agreement
had been already entered into for an armisiice
which might lead to a friendly alliance. On the
other hand ne represented the Mexican force
as numerous and strong ; that in an hour they
would be surrounded by five thousand men, al
armed, and obedient to their chief; that it was
vain to resist, and The Governor was anxious
to avoid a conflict. and would deal better by
them than they had any right to expect.
"These representatives and assurances, com.
ing from their own interpreter, and supported
by the Governors nephew, exercised fatal in.
fiuence. They inclined to listen to terms of
-capitulation, which were agreed upon as follows
they were to lay down their arms, and re-
turn forthwith to Texas, their persons were to
be safe and inyiolate the Governor was to pro.
tect them against the populace-to escort them
to the borders of Texas, and there having re.
stored to them their guns, despatch them for
their homes.
These articles were ratified in the usefu
manner in such cases, and the Texan party, II
good faith, surrendered their arms. q They
were, Instantly seized, tied, plundered OF every
thing. Even their uniform was stripped OIL
Hats, boots and shoes shared the same tate
and in this condition they were ordered t.
march under a strong escort to the cry
Mexico, distance of near two thousand miles
and answer to the authorities there as PRISON
ers of war. They arrived here about ten day
ago, having suffered greatly from fatigue, hun
ger and thirst. In this place they received a
good treatment as could be expected IN theI
circumstances. Though restrained of all lib
erty, their personal wants were attended to
and by voluntarily subscriptions of both for
eigners and natives, they were clad (near 1Ot
men) in light but comfortable suit, and theI
sent forward on their dreary march. They ar
ex,ected to reach the capital some time il
December next.