The Evansville journal., 1846-10-15

where Cook aud his me n are, and return 10
me at such time." They furnish no man
for the performance of the duty, and give nc
compensation. Yet no Mexican dare to re.
fuse, or fail to perform the duty. What a
change will be affected among these peo-
pie when they are emancipated. If Gen.
Kearney succeeds in this expedition with
out inhicting any pain, he will be the greatest
man that has ever been in New Mexico
There are extensive fields of corn near us
cultivated by irrigation. After spring sets
in there is no rain here till in August, when
they have refreshing showers, and the grass
begins TO grow again. The rain of this sea-
son commenced abou! ten days since, and
grass is more abundant. But for this, it
would be impossible to tale our animals TO
Santa Fe, probably not bszeud this place.
Gen. Kearnsy's sseeaaalu luck" still attends
him. We have pissed within the last two
days, cattle and sheep enough TO subsist the
army all winter, and we have no fear of
starving.
Saturday, Aug. I5.-Staned att A. NJ,
and passed through the village. The Col.
was oveHaken at this place by Major Swords
from Fort Leavenworh, who brought him a
commission as Brigadier General.
And having passed through the village the
troops halted near it, while the General ad
dressed the Alcalde and people from the top
of one of the houses. lie told them ''thai
he came by order of the Government Of the
United States, TO fake possession of New
Mexico, and TO extend the laws of the u
States over them. That he had an ample force
with him, and that another army would soon
join them. That, in future they were ab.
solved from all allegiance 10 the Mexican
Government and to Gov. Armiio. and mus
hold allegiance to the u. 5. and 10 him as
their Governor. That for this allegiance
they would be protected by the U. S. Gov
ernment from the Indians, lwho are dread
ful scourges toihem,) and from all their en-
emies. That he came to protect the pool
man as well as the rich man. That if they
remained peaceably at home they would be
considered good citizens, but if found fight
ing against him, they would be considered
traitors and treated accordingly"
He continued The Alcade in bis Office, and
told him 10 be governed b. the laws of Mex
leo, for the present.
He stated to them that he had been well
informed ''lhat some of the priesis had en-
deavored 10 make him believe that he was
coming 10 destroy their religion and TO in
flict grievous wrong upon them.p This lie
said was false. He told them that their
persons, properly and religion would no, be
nterfered with. Now, said he, under these
circumstances, are you, "Mr. Alcalde, and
you, two Captains of militia, willing to take
the oath of allegiance TO the United States
Two of them readily consented, bu. one of
the Captains evaded the question. The
General demanded a categorical answer
The Captain said "yes," bu, it was eviden
with bad grace. They then raised ihei
hands and made the sign of the cross with
the thumb and finger, all present uncoverDe
their heads, and the General in a solemn
manner administered the following oath:-
"You do swear 10 hold faithful allegiance Il
the United States, and to defend its govern
ment and laws against all its enemies, in tht
name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost,
or words to that effect. The General thel
said: 81 will shake hands with them as goot
| friends" When he came 10 the Captain
who did not seem TO enter fully into th,
matter, he took him by the hand, and toll
the interpreter, ''telI the man TO look me il
| the eye." The General gave him one o
his significant smiles, and with his keen eye
| fixed firmly on him, seemed TO say, 81 know
you are rascal,"-( such, he no doubt was,
but the others, | think, were honest
| He then told the people, (about two hun
dred,) | shake hands with you all, through
your Alcalde, and hail you as good citizen
of the United States; upon which they rails
ed a general shout. At this town are ex
tensive fields of wheat and corn, cultiyatet
| by irrigation from a beautiful creek. Th
water is taken out on each side in canals
and spread over their fields 1t was a beau
tiful sight TO see the clear fountain wa,e
rushing through these canals, and producing
luxuriant fields of corn and wheat, where
rain so seldom falls.
Our camp was near these fields, and al
though seniinels were placed very near tc
gelher, with strict orders 10 keep every ami
nal out of them, yet some did get in, an
some damage was done. The General toll
the Alcalde that he had used every precau
ton to prevent "any Interference with thei
crops" yet "they had sustained some loss
He told him TO examine the fields and as
certain what the damage was 10 each man
to send him a statement of it to Santa Fe
and that full compensation should be pai
them. They seemed delighted with thi
exempi6cation OF equal iustice--a thin
not dreamed of in New Mexico, under tn
rule of Armjo.
| News reached the General late last night
that we would have fight to-day in one Q
the mountain gorges, and our movement ha
been in strict military manner. Whe
passing through these narrow de6les, (wher
an enemy would be most formidable,) tn
! kk-i- 9