Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-07-22
New Mexico.


Courier & Enquirer, we find somewhat
detailed description of the province OF New
Mexico, the conquest of which appears 10
be contemplated as part of the plan OF
hostllItles to be prosecuted by the Govern
ment. New Mexico lies west of the Rio
Grande, and east of the department of
Sonora, extending south to Chihuahua.
1t has no navigahle streams, the Rio
Grande itself, being, at this part of lis
course fordable during most of the year.
The population of this region is prnci-
pally confined to the towns and villages,
and altogether did not exceed 10000 10
lS41. This estimate is exclusive Of In
dams. The climate is represented as par
ticularly healthy, of mild and uniform lem
perature. The soil Of the values is so
fertile that even with the wretched hus-
bandry OF the inhabitants abundant corps
of maize and wheat are raised. The up
lands are generally sterile and unproduc-
tive. Cotton is little cultivated; fl TX in
particular sections is found in abundance;
the patato is indigenous, and the soil we'll
adapted TO the culture of tobacco. The
lands are, however, chiefly valuable for
tbe extensive and excellent pasturage
which they afford-giviDg sustenance to
immense herds of cattle, sheep, horses and
mules.
The greatest source ofthe wealth of New
Mexico, and yet the most imperfectly ex-
plored, is undoubrly its mines. The most
successful at present known is the gold
mine about 20 miles from Santa Fe. Its
yield is some $4,000 or $4,000 per an
mum, and it could certainly be made inf
niteiy more productive, if worked with
proper efficiency and skill. The ore is
remarkably rich. But for The oppressive
character Of the Mexican government, and
its vexatious policy toward foreigners,
there can be no reason to doubt that cap
ital and enterprise would long since have
extracted The tneminp mineral wealth of
this region.
\ Vast herds of sheep, remarks the author.
} ity above cited, are raised in New Mexico,
and are found to be exceedingly profla
BILE In past years half a million have
r been known to he driven 10 the Southern
market in a single year. The wool pro-
duced is of an inferior quality, but adds
to the profit ofthe business 1t has been
brought in small quantities into Missouri,
: and sold at fifteen cents per ponnd-fye
times lis original cost in New Mexico
The country could undoubtedly be made
to grow the finest wool in the world, and
in the greatest abundance.
t The inhabitants of New Mexico are
i grossly ignorant, superstiious and higoted
: Their social condition is rude and print
S tive--lheir knowledge of the mechanical
0 arts very IimIted--they are, in general
: poor and wret3hed. Under the tyranicaI
$ government and shifting rule of the Mex.
1t lean Government they have experienced
# no protection, little safety, and less kind
n ness The people, Consequently, have
v no attachment to their rulers. in whom
they see only their op ,reSsors. They
y feel the influence of the Government, only
e through lis periodically and arbitrary ex
re actions.
l. In enumerating the inhabitants of New
0, Mexico, we must not omit alluson 10 The
} Aborigines, who dwell in the widest ant
J. least accessible parts, and ever and anon
Is sweep down into the more civilized por
1. ton of country, scattering dismay and de
I'd ISOLATION along their paths. The Indians
t. consist Of several tribes; the Navagoes
a numbering 10000; the Apaches abou
4 $4,000; the Eutaws, 10000; and Canaan
l. ches, whose numbers are not well ascer
le tanned. They are constant source of ter
lie ror TO the MexicanS, and have, at va
~ rious times, committed the most frightfu
at ravages.
n IL, e IL
t. gion be determined on, we presume tina
in almost the sole obstacles to its achievement
lie will be encountered in The country itsel
lie with lis immense unwatered uplands, an
its slender resources for The supply Of pre-
0. visions. Little resistance need be antc
I'd pated from the scattered and enersate
n population. We can scarcely imagin
Id that the United States would seek for tn
te permanent possession of New Mckee
re since so vast a province could hardly b
IN retained, when subIugated, save by tn
he constant presence of military force.
o. is more probable that the conquest of Ne
lis Mexico is intended as a hostage to Ell
ne force acceptable terms from the enem..
lie and to guarantee the future observance
to good faith. 1t may, indeed, he stated as
general principle, that no aggrandIzeme'
n Of territory is worth having, or can be pc
e- manently held BY this country, save sue
ly as becomes ours by the gradual, but p
lily tent influence OF assimilation. 1t is th
IS we have obtained Texas and so shall v
err eventually have California; for the latter
It's now almost uninhabited, and when occ
&c, pied, will be filled almost exclusively
he ofshoots of the Anglo Saxon race. 81
cir Element and emigration are the sure