The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-04-24
The Mexican Treaty-The DepredatlOns OF
the Indians OH the Mexican Frontier.


The Mexican Treaty-The Depredations OF
the Indians OH the Mexican Frontier.
From the New Orleans Delta, April 49,
In conversation with an intelligent gentleman,
who accompanied Col. Hays on his late expedi-
ton to FL Paso, we learned that the depredaons
of the Indians on the Mexican territory have be-
come even more extensive since the conclusion
of the late war, than they ever were before. Our
informant describes the terror and affection of the
Mexicans in the frontier towns approaching to
absolute despair. Even in towns of considerable
size, they are kept in constant dread Of the sud-
den inroad OF these savages, who rush IN upon
them with the quickness of lightning, and Selling
their wives and children, their cattle and movea-
BILE property disappear as mysteriously and sudden
y as they come, bearing their sPoils atar Oft to
their distant camping grounds. The scenes of dis
tress, OF barbarous violence, of cruel and remorse
less ravages, which have of late become so familiar
the northern frontier OF Mexico, exceed even the
records of anything that can be found in the set
Element of our own country Our settlers were not
only bold, strong, and courageous, but they were
well furnished with arms and accoutrements Of
war; But the Mexicans are weak and timid, and
have no arms. They live an idle, enervatng life,
removed alike from the nvigorating empoyments
of civilized state of society, and the stirring
scenes of the chase and of war, the pastime of
baibarans. AS consequence, they have become
degenerate, and the victims of race of warriors,
over whom even the old Spanish colonies exer-
cised doubtful domination, race equal to the
famous Mamalukes, as horsemen-as cunning -
cruel-,as fearless as skiltul. This band of savage
depredaors has been, for years. the scourge of the
northern country of Mexico Hundreds and thou
sands of Mexicans have been seized by them and
kept in ignomnous captivity, or only restored upon
the payment OF enormous ransom. Others, when
captured quite young are reared to savage life and
habits, and become members of their tribes.
1t was with view of putting end to these
distressing scenes, that certain clauses intro
duced into the late treaty of Guadalupe by which
our government solemnly pledged its faith to re-
strain the depredatons of the Indians on our Dor
der, compel them to surrender their Mexican pri-
soners, and to punish them for any barbarities
against the Mexicans, which might come under
the observation of our authorities. In addition to
this treaty obligation, it is certainly matter of
deep interest to our border settlements to remove
this great check upon Mexican settlement and
prosperity, as the trade with that people promises
The great body of both the Camanches and
Apaches, the constant and most formidable of these
savage dcpradators upon the Mexican territory,
reside within our territory, chiefly on the Western
plains of Texas and in the valley of the Rio
Grande. Here, they find themselves pressed on
one side by the vast, sterile plains of the West,
and on the other by the advancing settlements of
The buffalo has, in, a great measure, abandoned
the dry plains OF the South Thus, then, these
Indians find themselves driven either to steal or
work for bare subsistence. The former pursuit
gicn than the latter. Stealing is the only art
known TO them. Their skill and cunning in this
pursuit are equal to those of the ancient Spartans.
In driving Oft cattle, Rob Roy's men were to
the CsmanChcS mere bunglers and trfcrs.
Thousands and thousands of horses and mules are
every year driven by them out of Mexico into our
own territory, where they are either sold to Anne
ricans, or eaten as food by the Indians. Though
depredations is clear, and admits of no doubt
or msconstructlon, there is. certainly consi-
derable difficulty in practically and efficiently
performing the duties thus incurred.
tad
the Mexicans, they will be thrown back upon our
cur own settlements, and will transfer to our own
territory those distressing events of which Mexico
is now the scene. This would lead to a long,
upon the progress of our new settlements, and
lead, eventually, TO the extinction of the abort
gines. These Indians, too, unlike those which
have successfully disappeared before. the cvza-
ton and settlement of the whites on this continent
have no territory to fall back upon. The SHOWS
and cold of the North offer to their Southern blood
and habits, obstacles scarcely less formidable than
the settlements of Mexicans; Navajos, and other
ncpoiZed the best portions of New Mexico.
Whittier then can they go, and how can they be
supported without depredating upon their neigh
bors, are questions which should employ the most
anxious concern and Investigations of our Home
Department.
Some mode by which agriculture may be intro
duced, and the peaceful arts incucated is the only
means by which these savages can be induced to
war. The bayonct will be found notifications. A
force double that of our Whole army would be found
ins dequate to restrain the depredatiOns of these
numerous, cunning, and active barbarians, flying
as they do, with the speed of the wind, from place
to place, over the vast praires. Now and then we
might possibly be able to capture and punish them.
But these cases would bear but small proportion
to the number and extent of their depredations.
They would, too, arouse deep feeling of revenge,
which in the Indian is not easily sated The Ca
manches have two main points in their religious
creed, two virtues which they cultivate more ar
IDENTITY end deyotedy than most Christians do the
articles of their faith: they theft and revenge
wrong is never forgotten or forgiven by them.
1t may not be to-day, tomorrow, this year, the
ne Xt. ten years hence; but sooner or later, the
Camanche's revenge will fall upon his enemy, when
he least expects.
AT present these Indians profess friendly dispo-
sltion for our government and people, But this
tility might seriously interfere with their de-
predatons upon the Mexicans, and cannot be con-
tded in 1t will, therefore, be necessary for the
government to increase our force on the south
western frontier. General Worth has already
commenced the organization and establishment
OF various posts in that quarter but the Generals
ability TO restrain the depredations Of the Indians
in addition to the smallness of the force placed at
his disposal, finds serious obstacle in the fact
that the territory where the Indians camping
grounds lie, is included within the boundaries Of
Texas All his measures, therefore, would have
TO he aiken with reference to the will of the So
yereien State. Despite these embarrassments
however, we trust that the sagacity and ability of
General Worth will enable our government faith
fully to execute the obligations of the treaty with
Mexico, and thus to terminate the most distress
ing scenes of barbarty and cruelty which have
ever been exhibited on this continent.