Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1847-06-25
Col. Doniphan's Expedition.

q thousand men, from Santa Fe Chhuahua and thence
by the way OF Monterey, to New Orleans, perhaps the
remarkable incident OF the Mexican war Penetra-
ting into the very heart of the enemy county, the
of only thousand men, who met in conflict and over
threw thrice their number with oil the advantages of posi-
ton their side he possessed himself Of the capital of
tho most aourshing Mexican States which, the auhor
Ties having He'd he exercised the governing power until the
approaching expiration OF the service OF his gallant
comrades compelled him abandon his eonquess 1t the
expedition has been productive OF permanent results il
possesses all the atiractveness OF and its slight
details fail inspire emotions of admiration and
wonder-admraton the ntrepidy this little band of
heroes, advenlung ioarcssy into the midst hostile peo
plesnd wonder that the population Of the county, even
though unafmed aud abandoned by their leaders had not
nnnhilaied them by mere weight of numbers.
Col Doniphan described, by the New Orleans Nathan.
al as "a Of giant Frame and of that loose carriage pc
ruor to the west that decces the eye proportion and
strength" ellis officers and men (that paper tells us have
strange, uncouth appearance Piece the l-made
clothing OF the volunteers has fallen from Them and they
have supplied It's place with what chance and the wild beasts
OF New Mexico have thrown in their way. Their sun
burnt faces grzzy boards and witha their may-care
air, perfectly irresistible. Yet beneath those rough ex
concealed minds educated and heightened sem
umenIs full OF lofty thoughts and love berty-minds tina,
destined be felt in the the nation and to
play prominent part the stirring OF the tmes"
We have copied from the Piedyune brief sketch the
mnTch OF Col Donphan's regiment In the National we
lind another, less interesting, which, not having
room for the whole propose make several
When Gen. Kearny Santa Fc for California he order
ed Col Donphan make a campaign against the Navajoe
Indians living in the Rocky Mountains Del Norte
and the Pacific Ocean, aud who had been the
Mexcans for hundred and fifty years. and lived entire
y upon plumber taken from that people The object this
expedition, which attended with great toll and labor
successfully accomplished A treaty was concluded
with the Indians binding them keep the peace towards
both the Mexcans aad Americans The description given
OF the NHvsioes and likewise another Tribe called the
Suma living them possesses great interest as Civ
information Of the habits and customs of race
o people OF whom little nothing known in the United
States. The writer Of the narrative says;
" The Navajoc Indians are a warike people. have no
towns houses lodges they live the open ar or on
horseback, and remarkably wealthy, having immense
herds OF horses, cattle and sheep They celebrated Tor
their intelligence and good order. They treat their women
with great attention. consider them equals and relieve them
from the drudgery OF mental work. They are handsome
we'll made and IN every highly civilized people
being, 4 nauon OF higher order of beings than the
Of their neghbors, the MeXcans. About the time
Colonel Donlphan made his treaty, division his COM
mand entirely out Oi provisions the NavaJOcs supplied
MS wants with hbeIaliiy portion OF the command re-
turned To CuVano; MAJOR Gipns command, together with
Col Doniphan, the city the Sumai Indians living
on the Rio Pseow whchis supposed to be branch
Geys, made treaty peace between the Sumai and Ma
vajoes and then returned TO the Rio Del Nore.
These Sumai, unlike the Navaoes live IN a civ con-
mining, probably. thousand inhabitants VINO support
themselves entirely by agriculture.
The city is of the extraordinary in the world
Ii 10 divided into four solid squares having streets
crossing its right angles AL the buildings are Two
story hgh composed OF burnt brick The FIRST story pre-
solid wall the street, and constructed thar
each house J,ns until onefourth OF the city may be said
be building. The second stories rise from this vast
sod structure 10 designate each house, leaving room
60 walk upon the roof of the first story between build
ng. The inhabitants OF Sumai the second story of
their buildings by ladders which they draw up nj night a
defence against any enemy that might be providing about
In this city thirty Abino Indians who have
no dodb given rise TO the story that there living the
Rocky Mountains tribe OF white aborignes The disco
very Of this city Of the Suma will afford The curious
specuauons among those who have so long searched
Tor city Of Indians who possessed the manners and ha
birs OF the Azecs No doubt have here a race living
did that people when Cortez entered Mexico. il il re-
markabe fact that the Sumaians avs since the Spanisds
lei the country refused have any intercourse with the
modern MeNcans, looking upon them inferior peo
pie They have also driven from among them the priests
and other dgnares who formerly had power over them
and habits and own; their Great
Chef Governor. being the civil aud religious head The
country round the city Of Sumai cultivated with great
deal OF and affords food only for inhabitants
but for large hocks OF cattle and sheep"
The city of chihuahua the capital OF the State of that
name, which for several months the headquarters Of
Col Donphan, contains about 900 inhabitants and is
said to be Of remarkable beauty. The says:
alt is situated on plain between high mountains
that rise in the east and Al the north and south
country far the eye see open and nerpsred
with farms The buildings many Of which very hand
some are composed OF white porphyry, that is easly
wrought when Ts taken from the quarry but by exposure
TO the air becomes hard. The old Spanards who on
ginnlly tui IT, conveyed from mountain four miles dis.
tani, through stone canal, the Of a spnng This
abundant fountain the vi the grand plaza
ovethJws octagOnal BASIN and then pusues it, way
over the whole city The plaza - surrounded By seats
with backs carved Of the solid At this place
could mighty be seen the entire population Of chihuahua,
indSgIng themselves in gossip and dleness.
AS evidence Of the richness Of the mines Of Chi
huahua under the Spauurds stated that the nsgnl6
cent church Of that city, which OF immense proportions
Snd ornamonted by three towers Of solid stone, built
NJ cost Of sG hundred thousand dollars end that this i'm.
mense sum raised by Of one bit every eight
dollars coined IA the mines These silver mines are n rich
ne they and neEhausibe but the Indians have
driven the Mexcans from the richest Of thom aud the
people too lazy to work those IN their POSSESSION
"When army left chihuahua. there was no organz-
ed government; the Mexican Governor Tuas fed Col
Donphsns approach, aud left him sole afber Of the
ny Col Donphau departed ebyng the city and the State
70 take esre Of Themselves prey the first asprant that
wished for temporary power"
We alluded yesterday the steriiy Of those portions
Of the Mexican Conedcrcy which have been
peculiarly desirable aud the acquisition Of which, We
have been od is TO be Insisted upon sine qua noH 10
the negotiation Of treaty Of peacowe refer Of course
60 New Mexico aud tho Cali1fnas What sort Of 'in.
Identification" they will be tho long and dark catalogue
81 the hands Of Mexico. say nothing of the lives sscr-
feed and the millions Of money expended the pfJocu.
lion Of the waeed secure h. may be learned from
Che following brief but comprehensive description Of The
~ Dorado which Mr. Polk fo obennatoy bent upon
embracing within the "arcl Of freedom"
THE county II Nov Mexico and the Two California
ore represented by troops bo perfectly worthless
except iof the htfbIrs the Pac 10, coast No Americans
vii ever make home boz either the States and ne pos
ssfsi0H niH b. ~ me country Tho whole of q
hn ard plain almost destitute Of water with bot here and
thcfc green would have boon occupied by
any civilized people, but io Che age Tor gold that inspired
fho early aud ldscuturoas sginiurls"
" The brief Description give sny thing like on accurate
idea Of The vauo Of the three Mexican PROVINCES the cam
neSauon" of which TO c United States has already been
docrced BY the American commander actng under tb,
orders Of The President, We beg TO know fany disciple Of
tho "Manilost Destiny" school, what advantage DO they
promise the people o bs Union by their scqusuon1 We
sometimes iaunuugy asked to oiose this wal
without being able TO point territorial acquisitions
Mexico having nothing sse to give. the remuneration
a. 49, A. 49, - ~.