The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-21

stream (throo-quarters OF nilc in widthl con-
tsins In many places no water, and, when found,
MIR Gregg, In his Commerce of the Prairies,n
page lb7, saysi 4it
| "a still more powerful cause operating against
this, (the cultivation of tobacco as well every
other branch Of agriculture in New Mexico is the,
utter want OF navigabie streams as cheap and
convenient means of transportation TO distant
markets" Hti ,ftH1) tett3E
Many more extracts of the same character might
be added but these sufficient to illustrate the
inadcquateness of the rivers and streams of New
Mexico even for the purpose of irrigation, and
much more for navigation and other uses OF civil
ICED life. $50 PISS "a.
8. Timber and hard wood. New Mexico is desti-
tute Of both.
MIR. Kendall, in his Narrative" page S95, says:
"From the time we first struck the valley of this
stream, 1.-THE Rio Grande,) after leaving the
| mountains in the neghborhood of Santa Fe, to
| that when reached the Paso del Norte, but lit
| tie timber was seem and that was composed ex-
clusivey Of cotton wood The inhabitants
saving Of this timber. Though il is exceedingly
soft and brittle, yet as they can obtain no other
them are invaluable. Sometimes we would jour
| ney for days, hardly SEEING tree to each mile
Mr.. Gregg, in his Commerce of the Prairies,"
page IFS, says:
"There is little timber in New Mexico except in
| the mountains and along the water courses. The
table plains are generally all open prairie. The
first growth moreover, of all the north of Mexico,
presents quite limited variety Of timber, among
which the common pitch pine mostly predomi-
mates. = On the water courses there
is little timber 10 be found except cotton wood
! scantily scattered along their banks. Those of
the lilo del Norte arc now nearly bare throughout
the whole range OF the settlements, and the inbab
itants are forced to resort to the distant noun
tains for most of their fucl.''
Lieutenant Albert, in his report page ATS, says;
"Hard wood cannot be obtained in the whole Of
New Mexico. The country around US seemed to
produce no wood except cedar"
Again. page 49,
"On the ridge we collected wood enough to last
couple OF days; for no wood was to be obtained
In less than nine or ten miles of Albuquerque,
where we should stay couple of days. as it was
absolutely necessary our mules should have some
rest''
What must country be which i, so entirely des-
titue of such important elements as wood and tim
Der? And how valuable as the theatre of slave or
any other kind of labor, let the people of the States
the Atlantic coast and in the Mississippi valley
| answer.
g. Its artificial products. Mr.. Kendall, in his
Narrative" page 365, says, that
The valley [of the Rio Grandel is generally
fertile, we'll adapted to the growth of corn, wheat
or Irish, did we see, although the latter, in par
ticular, would attain great perfection. Under
Anglo Saxon cultivation, this region might sup
port five times the population it contains.
Still, the want of timber and the immense dis
! lance to market, will always present obstacles to
emigration in that direction"
Lieutenant Emory, in his report page 80, says,
the soil'' of the above named valley "is very
| sandy, and is better adapted to Indian corn than
wheat"
On the other hand, Mr.. Gregg says, in his work.
p. lSG:
"Whcat has been produced of superlatve quail
lty and OF such abundance that, as is serted ,
the crops have often yielded over a hundred fold
would not have il understood however that this
is fair sample of New Mexican soil, though, in
point OF fact many OF the bottoms of very
| fertile character. The upiands must chiefly
main unproductivc owing in part to the sterility
of the soil, but as much no doubt to the want of
irrigation since nearly all the farms and settle
| mcnts arc located in those valleys which may be
| watercd by some constantly flowing stream
Lieutenant Peck says, (Abcrt's Report, page
457;)
''ln point OF coil the valley Of Taos compares ia
voraby with other portions of New Mexico and
though snow is 10 be seen in every month of
the year on the neighboring mountains, wheat
and corn ripen very well on the plains. These last
are the staple productions of the country, though
beans, pumpkins melons, and red pepper, are
raised to some extent"
II thus appears that cotton, sugar, and rce-the
usual products of slave abor-arc not and il is be-
| lieyed cannot, be raised in New Mexico. viii
shareholders abandon these OF wealth in the
present slave States to devote themselves and the
labor of their people to the production of wheat,
CORN. beans, pumpkins, melons, and red pepper,
amidst the Rocky mountains?
u The natural products or resources Of New
| Mexico, These are pasturage and mines. With
respect TO the former, Lieutenant Peck, (Abcrt's
| report, page 45O,) speaking OF the country about
! Taos, says
"The hills covered with very good grass
which furnishes subsistence to herds of cattle and
| horses, as well to fine focks of sheep and
goats In thcse lie the principal wealth of the in
| habitants."
| Mr.. Gregg, in his Commerce of the Prairies :"
| page 100, says:
by far the. most important of the indigenous
| products OF the coil of New Mexico is its pastur
age Moot OF the high table lands afford the finest
grazing In the world, while, for want of water,
they are utterly useless for most other purposes.
That scanty moisture which sulices to bring forth
the natural vegetation is insufficient for agricul
3 tural production without the aid Of irrigation
The gramma being rarely nipped Ivy
the frost until the rains over, il cures upon
| the ground, and remains excellent hay--equal if
not superior, to that which is cut and stacked from
| our western prairies. Although the winters are
rigorous, the feeding of stock Is almost unk nown
| IN New Mexico. Nevertheless, the extensive herds
OF the country, not only Of cattle and sheep, but
OF mules and horses, generally maintain them
selves in excellent condition upon the dry pas
| turagc alone through the cold season, and until
the rains start up the green grass the following
| summer"
| Pssturage is, in fact, the principal source Of
wealth to New Mexico, but il has of late been
greatly impaired, and almost destroyed, by the
ncursions Of the savages of the surrounding coun-
try. II these can be restrained, and property and
life protected as they should be- at any cost by the
strong arm OF the Government, no doubt the bust
meas OF horse, mule, cattle, and sheep raising can
be pursued there to great advantage. But wool
growing 10 no object on account Of the low price
OF wool Lieutenant Albert says, in his report,
page 452
| "Wool is not considered very valuable, and can
be bought for four cents fleece, or a proprietor
will permit any one TO shear his sheep for dol
| lar per hundred
Sheep, therefore, raised in New Mexico mere
ly for the sake Of mutton and this is understood to
be the best in the world. Stock OF every kind is
taken into Mexico and sold at remuncrating prices.
| No doubt, then, this kind of business may become
| a capital object. But can slave labor be employed
therein! II any STAKEHOLDER were to make up his
| mind to remove 90 that country 20 undertake this
pursuit, would he take his slaves with him, or would
| he employ the cheap labor of the country In the
hrs place, have 10 say that the business requires
very few hands. One hali-dozcn pastorcs shep-
herds would be adequate TO take care of thousands
OF horses, mules, cattle, sheep. There grass
/ TO be cut, cured aud housed, and no fodder To be
dealt out in tho winter season Probably or two
thousand pasorcs would be sufficient for the whole