The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1847-01-02
From Gregg's Commerce Of the Prairiss.
NEW MEXICO.

New Mexico possesses but few of those natu-
raj advantages which are necessary to any thing
like rapid progress in civilization. Though
bounded north and east by the territory Of the
United States, south by that of Texa, and Chi
huahua, and west by Upper California. it is sur
rounded by chains of mountains and prairie wilds,
extending to distance of 500 miles Or more, ex-
cept in the direction OF Chihuhua, from which its
settlements are separated by an unpeopled desert
OF nearly 200 miles, and without single means
OF communication by water with any other part
of the world.
Inc whole nominal territory, including these
bleak and uninhabitable regions with which it is
intersected, comprises about 100000 square
miles; considered, OF course, according to its orr
ginal boundaries, and therefore independently of
the claims of Texas to the Rio del Norte.
There is not single navigable stream to be
found in New Mexico. The famous Rio del
Norte is so shallow, for the most part of the
year, that Indian canoes can scarcely float in it,
Its navigation is also obstructed by the ripping
sections, for distance of mere than thousand
miles below Santa Fe. Opposite Taos, especial
~, for an uninterrupted distance of nearly fifteen
miles, 1t runs up in deep canon, through which
1T PUSHES in rapid torrents. This frightful chasm
is absolutely impossible, and, viewed from the
top, the scene is imposing in the extreme None
but the bodest hearts and frmest nerves can
venture to Its brink, and look down its almost
perpendicular Precipice, over projecting crags
and deep crevces, upon the foamng current of
the river, which, IN some places, appears like
small ripping brook-while in others it winds its
serpentine course silently, but maestically, along
through narrow little valley, with immense
plains bordering and expanding in every direc.
tlon-yet so smooth and level that the course of
the stream is net perceived till within lew
yards OF the verge
Mr. Gregg says that although the Rio del Norte
is supposed to have numerous tributary streams
very lew reach their destination before they are
exhausted The River Puerco, DIRTY RIVER
which is 100 miles in length, is dry at the mouth
Ior portion OF the year, and the creek OF Santa
re itself, although bold and dashing stream,
SINKS into insignihcance, and is frequently lost
before II reaches the main river. The Rio del
Norte, or River OF the North, Is so called be-
cause it descends from that direction, but in its
passage to the ocean it is called Rio Grande on
account OF its extent, and Rio Bravo. from the
boldness and rapidity OF its current Its entire
length from its source in the Rocky Mountains
10 the Gull OF Mexico, is said TO be two thousand
miles, tut it is hardly navigable TO the extent Of
SIX hundred miles from its mouth
Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico, is the
only town OF importance in the province. Like
most OF the towns in this section OF the country.
e.
lts situation is IL or Is miles distant from the
klo del Norte, at the western base of snow
clad mountain, upon beautiful stream of small
mill-power size, which ripples down in icy cas-
cades, and joins the river some 20 miles to the
southwark The population OF the city itself but
little exceeds 5000, yet including several sur
rounding villages which are embraced in its cor
Porate Jurisdiction, it amounts TO nearly 6O0O
In note, Mr. Gregg states the latitude Of
Santa Fe to be $50 AL. Its elevation above the
level OF the sea is 1000 feet The highest peak
oil the mountain at the base OF which it is situat
ed, is reckoned about 5000 feet above the town
The population of New Mexico according 10
census taken in lS4l, is, or was then about 60
900, being about 10000 less than the population
seven or eight ears previously. if we ex-
clude," says Mr. Gregg, " unsnbiugated savages
the entire population Of New Mexico, Including
the Puebla Indians, cannot be set down, accord
ing to best estimates have been able to obtain
at more than 10000 souls. These NAV be divid.
ed as follows: White creoles 1000 Mestizos or
mixed creoes 5000 and Puebas 5000. Oftbs
naturallzed citizens the number is nconsiderable
scarcely 20; and II we except transient traders.
there are not over double as many alien resi-.
dents" w.