The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-05
sr LOUIS, (Mo.,) Nay "a. 1850.

81. LOUIS, (Mo.,) Nay ~, 1850.
Hon. HUGn n SMITH, Washington
DEAR SIR left Santa Re on the 18th April, and
arrived here two three days since; aud believing
that events which TRANSFERRED just previous to my
leaving, and those TRANSPORTING with their causes,
&c, may be OF interest To you a Delegate from
New Mexico, ! have determined to write TO you.
A large majority of the people Of the Territory
have manifested lime and again their preference
for Territorial government, and at the very last
trial of the question IL was shown, even in Santa
Fe, the stronghold of the State party that there
were ten to one in favor of a Territorial govern
ment; but since the arrival of the Texan commits
sioner, who comes with threats in his mouth, 'that
il the jurisdiction of Texas is not submitted to qui-
city, Texas will march sufficient force into the
country to compel submission" an almost univer
sal cry has been raised to organize State govern
ment, in the belief that the government they have
asked for and desire, above all others, will not be
given them during this session of Congress.
They determined to resist Texas in euerp tpap
until resistance is impossible and that they may
make that resistance feasible and effectual, they
must have government; and State government
being the only one within their reach, they have
resorted to that, not from choice but from necessity
They were willing to laugh at the claim of Texas
while peaceable means were used to extend it; but
when threats OF force come with it, they ready
to meet force with force, and to hurl back in her
teeth the empty and baseless claim which she wish
es to force upon them. The means placed by the
existing laws in their hands will be used against
Texas while those means will do; and when they
fail, resort will be had to any means which be
successfully opposed to her. If the minions Of
Texas usurp authority in New Mexico, they will be
punished by the laws of the territory usurpcrs
You need not imagine however, that because they
have commenced organizing State government
for single particular purpose, that therefore they
are dissatisfied with your efforts at Washington
that they really wish any other Government than
that which they sent you TO procure; the contra
ry, let the Congress show that the wishes Of the
people of the Territory will be regarded and that
moment the scheme OF State government will be
abandoned at once, and they would return at once
to the demand for a Territorial government
The feeling which ] have attempted TO show is
not that of Santa Fe alone, but Of the whole peo-
pie--Americans and Mexicans-and il is expressed
by them in their resolutions and private letters
with bitterness greatly augmented by the course
which Texas has seen fit to pursue; and although,
should the Government of the United States turn
them over to the tender mercies of Texas, they
would submit TO the sentence, yet am sure that it
could not be any thing but great misfortune to
New Mexico and Texas, but also to the United
States, as blood would be the result in the end
The whole country is fearfully cxaspcrated against
Texas, and although. her commissioner is every
where treated with with respect the representa-
tive of one of the States Of the Union yet ii is with
that cool determined forbearance which shows very
clearly what may be expected from them the mo-
ment they find their rights invaded by those whom
they have no great reason to love.
Since your election by the convention in Septem-,
Der last, have been almost all the Territory,
and conversed freely with the people on these and
otner SUBJECTS, ana nave reason 10 know, and as.
sure you candidly, that the facts which ! have
above stated are true. have gone from Santa Fe
to Ell Paso side of the river, and back again
on the other and from the extreme western settle
ments to the eastern, and besides have conversed
with others from all the various parts of the Terri
tory, and find their observations agree in every
particular with mine
The Indians becoming more impudent and
daring every day; and unless troops qualified for
service in that country are sent there soon Santa
Fe itself will hardly be secure from attack. Every
day, almost, there accounts given of some
fresh depredations and more daring deeds being
committed.
The day left the frontier of New Mexico 1.-THE
10Th of April) the Indians Thought to be the Lca-
rias) came within three miles OF Los Vcgos, which
has garrison of one company of infantry and one
company of artillery, (mounted,) and killed three
men, and took thirty or forty mules belonging to-
Jose Pley. Things like this may be looked for
stantly, as the troops in the Territory not of
the kind needed there, and know nothing about the
country, nor the proper manner of fighting the In
dams there. Move heaven and earth TO get the ma
tive regiment, as they look upon that their only
hope for protection; and every one who knows any
thing OF the character Of the country, the Indians
and the residents, must know that n regiment of
men bred to Indian warfare, and knowing the In
dian character well, must be worth half a dozen
regiments of men who fight according to rule only
and when called upon for service in any other way
than that TO which they have been bred are unable
TO render il. The impotence and incfficiency of
the troops now in New Mexico ought to be a con
vincing evidence that they arc not fitted for the
service. Yours, respectfully,
L. w. PREwrrT.