New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-07-15
PcOn slavery on the Rio Grnnde-Letier
from the Border.


The Senate recently refused to decree the
abolition of Peon Slavery in New-MexicO,
because no information was at hand of the
existence Of such Slavery in that region.
The following is a portion of letter just re-
ceived from Cora Montgomery an ingram
Texan, whose efforts in favor Of Annexation
were most Jealous and effective, and some
of whose writings against the Wilmot Pro-
viso have been reprinted in pamphlet form
and widely circulated by the Tammany Hall
Committees On the subject Of PeOn Slavery
on our side of the Rio Grande below Ell
Paso, she writes to a lady friend in this city
as follows:
EAGLE PASS, Upper Rio Grsrde,l Tuesday, May2l.
NV soul is sick OF the sights and sounds OF Slave
~. You know right well how long and faithfully
i have pleaded and defended what reigiously
believe to be the Right Of the South, how almost
alone l urged the doctrine Of Nonlnterference
| with the Slavery Compromises in the Northern
Press when even the South was hardly stirring in
| selfdefense and to all this still hold with every
| pulse of my heart, but | abhor the presence Of
| Slavery in my own household Free, willing, well
paid service will have, or will be my own ser
| want forever.
have as lovely and dear resting place here on
the banks of the Rio Grande as any wsyfaring NOR
tal can desire and if il were really and altogether
nv own could bar my dwelling and its enclosure
from the intrusion Of the lash, but am not in sole
possession, and my resource would be instant flight
| To nv paterna acres whose green sod has-l thank
| Heaven and my fathers for it-never been turned
| by enforced labor-whose precious shades have
| never resounded with the scream Of torture-if
| bad not in reach surer asylum of peace and nde-
| pendence. My cool, delicious tent Of reed peeps
| forth through the boughs OF mulberry grove, TO
watch the meeting of the beautiful Mexican river
Escondda with the Rio Grande at the far.famed
| Eagle Pass the gateway Of the Overland Emigra-
ton from the southern Mississippi and the Gulf
coast to California. Under those clustering shades
there is none TO modest nor make me afraid. Not
| but what there are men in the South nnnly enough
70 insult a woman, as well as at the North, but the
reed tent is really my own, and there are brave
and true men near enough to guard its precincts
from Indians praire-dogs and other wild beasts.
But when | speak Of shutting out Slavery from
| my range Of domestic privacy, do not mean Negro
Slavery alone. The Peon Slavery Of Mexico is
whether from prejudices Of habit, or the mild
winning demeanor Of the Mexicans-mnch more
repusnant TO my feelings. There are few Negro
Slaves on the Rio Grande, because they have but
to cross the ponds at low water and be free. The
| only negro Slave know Of near Eagle Pass is at
my door, wilful, wayward boy who If he were a
white apprentice at the North, would be likely to
receive as many stripes as he gets rom bis master
here-for he is a just and humane gentleman-and
positively know girls Of the age OF this black boy,
have been whipped more severely at the New
York House Of Refuge for sighter oiienses. Yet
would not live in hearing Of the brutal lash any.
where while have the power to escape from It,
and but for my reed tent refuge, you would be hear
ing instead OF reading my protest of disgust.
We have a man here on the American side who
deals in Mexican slaves. His name and some de.
tails are at your husbands service, il you choose
hereaf err; but let me now give you hint Of the
system. Any body OF the working class can be sold
for debt in Mexico and these poems receive the
worst fare and the hardest treatment of any slaves
on this Continent. When they get this side Of the
river they should be free, but are often too timid
ard ignorant especially the wOmenl 70 avail them
selves Of the fact | am not certain that this mar
entices the poems 70 run away from their masters
in bis trips to the other side Of the river, bat i
somehow happens that excellent servants Of thi,
class do escape and take shelter Ia his house s,
far so good. If would not abet the flight of
bond servtnt still less would | aid in persuading
! Door Indian Girl that her chains were binding o,
our own sell. Not so this trader in poems
He makes some arrangement with the master
who is glad TO get anything, and hires out the poo
slave until this debt is cancelled 70 his satisfaction
In this way he makes some money and gets his oyl
{ house served cheaply. If corrupt public opinio
could be created, we should have the poor syster
Of Slavery taking root on this side of toe river bu
z that thiAk and hope, is impossible Thus far th
4 advance Of our line westward has been an adyanc
- Of Emancipation; if II left servtude In the rear
2 crushed il In front and, whatever may be the COZ
!. sequences to me personaly-and they cannot b
altogether pleasant shall not fail to invoke h
n attention Of the Press OF the Union 10 every a.
10 proach toward the Reimbursement Of the poems "
, have liberated They are quiet, respectful, we
70 spoken race, submitting to more sxaetions and