Southern shield., 1850-03-02
Indians iR New TTeXic0,

| 4 very interesting letter, dated Los Vegas, | New Mexico. Dec. lst, l849 appears in the St.
 Louis Republican of the lst ut Giving full
 information of the present condition, habits, 1 power and intentions of the various tribes of
 Indians, whose depredations in the Plains and in New Mexico, on even American citizens,
 have been the cause of so much distress and ruin, and of wonder that our Government has not yet adopted the only means which experience dictates to repress the ucursions of these sava- ges. The writer states that the Indian difficult ties still continue in all quarters. The Eutaws. Navajos, Apaches and Jicorilles are all at open hostlities, and, unless checked at once, will give infinite trouble.
 The Navajos, inhabiting the country west of the Rio Grande, number about 1000. They are more industrious and further advanced in civilization than any other Indians bordering on the country. The great source of their wealth consists in their immense herds of sheep, goats and horses. Col. Washington headed an expe- dluon against them last summer, and, in a skir- mlsh, killed their principal chief, but afterwards made treaty of peace with them, with which they have failed to comply in every particular, and haVeslnce committed more depredations than all the rest of the Indians combined.
 The EutaWs inhabit the north and northwes- tern frontier of New Mexico, and number be- tween 4OOO and 5000. They are brave, athletic and warllke, subsishng entirely upon plunder and the game of the country. Their hostility is of but recent date They have been pretty roughly dealt with once or twice by our troops. During the summer they stay in their mountain retreats and fastnesses, and it is impossible to tl, 4 of cess; but during the winter they are driven in the Plains by the severe snows, and can readily be overhauIed. They have been comparatively quiet for fhe last two months, and as soon as they are forced by the snow into the Plains they will agaln be suelng for peace; this amlcable disposition, however, will last just as long as the snow lies on the mountains
 The Apachas inhabit the country east of the Rio Grande, and north of Fl Paso, and do not number over 5000, are not very brave, and are always on the look out for small parties on the famous "Jornado del Muerto." Major Stein, lst Dragoons commanding at Dona Anna, has had several skirmishes with them.
 The Jlcorles, tribe of the Apaches, inhabit the northwestern frontier of New Mexico, and though numbering only 800, have very much annoyed the inhabitants on that frontier as well as small parties on the route from Fort Leaven- worth to Santa Fe They are effeminate and cowardly men and had several severe encounters with our troops last summer and fall.
 Besides these Indians, there are the Caman- ches, Cheyennes and Araphoes, all warllke and powerful tribes, bordering on New Mexico, and who may at any moment become hostile, tor| our peace with them has been purchased byI presents.
 From the best data, the above tribes are thirty thousand strong. Many of them are now hos tile and the others may become so at any mo- ment. Col. Washington has done all he could to protect the inhabitants of New Mexico from Indian depredatons, but with only handful off troops at his disposal and line of frontier of 45O miles, from Don Fernandez de Taos toI Presidio de San Elezario, to defend, it is impos- sible for him to accomplish any serious results An infantry force is of no earthly use in such al country and against such willy foes; one regiment of mounted trontiersmen or rangers would dol more etfectual service than ten of footmen. ltI is to be hoped the attention of Congress will be drawn 10 thIs Important subject.