New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-05-02
YUCATAN.
The Origin and Character of the Iudiau
MAR

concise sketch Of the history of the Indian
War in Yucatan, by which, at present,
the entire exterminstion of the white race
Of that Peninsula is threatened. 1t gives
4 brief, impartial, and interesting presenta-
ton of the subject:
Peon servitude is now well understood. that
do not think it necessary. at this time, to dilate
on the subject; but would however remark IN
PEASANT that the system is no worse than our
former laws of imprisonment for debt 1t is true,
this feature in the policy of the Spanish Repub-
lies has given rise to much discomfort among the
Indian population; and parties taking advantage
Of this discomfort have offered conditions Of anne
lioration which they were unable to comply with;
the consequence of which was, the Indians were
led to scan their condition with more oircumspec-
too, and TO exaggerate their grievances Butin
Yucatsn those who were loudest in their COM
plants were not held in Peon servitude at all;
but being Indians, their sympathy inclined to
ward their brethren of the same race. rhis feeling
was more particularly manifested IN all the towns
and villages bordering the British settlement IN
I'll az length il appeared in the interior OF the
state and peryaded the capital and principal CT
ties accompanied with threats, and hints of p0ic.
e,fai aid in case OF intuuection or revolution.
This was in 1916. aud in the midst Of this state
o. things two parties were divided on the cues
ton relative 20 the claims set forth by the Indian
population neither Of which distinctly understood
| the secret motives which actuased che move
| One party, headed by Santiago dendezi was
loud in its ympathies for amellorauon OF the con-
| dition of the Indians, and consequently PT0Run-
! cameHt0 took place in Campeschy, IN December
| eth 1876, the real object OF which was % place
| Don Santiago Mendez in the Governors chair.
| At the same time, British emissaries, some as
! tunling 20 DO petty traders, and some doctors,
we're playing distinct characters Those who
were educated, early gained access to the lead,
| ing men Of the white population, and prohered
advice and assistance while others, pretending to
| be more hsmble carefully avoided this class, In
order to gain the confidence of the Indians whom
they Piled with their sympathy, and dl!ated upon
| the wrongs snd weakness Of their oppressors
In the small town of Tihosuco, in the Interior,
| lived Antonio Trujeque with sfew other lndolens
! whites ready for any expedition, either against
! the whites or Indians, as tho circumstances
! should appear more to his advantage. Tr1Jeque
! roused the Indians TO Instruction, by proclaning
! that the pronunciamento at Campeachy was the
signal for their emgncp alton, and that ioreiga ala
| as at hand. The indians, smartng under long
oppression arose TO q fearful crisis and marched,
or rather rushed on the city ot Nailadoid' and IN
their path the villages were laid waste with fire
end blood. The city was given up to plllase, and
all who had not the good fortune to escape were
msssscrcd without distinction OF age or sex they
! T. n amid that horrible onset without resistance
| In the meantime the Government became
! alarmed NJ this sudden revolt and hastily raised
force 10 march on the Indians and suodue the IA,
or It all events TO treat with them the principal
| leaders of the expedition being rruleluc and his
! friends before named, they having Withdrawn
! their counter ance from tho Indians, aud become
| Eatriots. The indians were astounded at TINS
turn OF affairs TO behold the movers OF the lnsur-
| rection 50 suddenly become the assallants, was
bevond their comprehension. BY bold move
| q g progreEs of the Indians was checked, ind a
military police established for thirty leagues
! around the scene Of operations. Antonio TruJeque
became GER PoiVic0 Political Head OF this de-
| partmtnt, making the town OF Peto hls mead
! quarters Then commenced asystem OF taxation
for the support " the Government, or rather Gov
eminent officers in this unexpected emergency
All tue indian land Wners or possestors Of other
Fpecles Of property were called upon TO render la
| their accounts; among them was Jacinto rasp the
richest aud most powerful Indian IN tue country
! Truieque told Par that bis nee Chrt and trIend'
! me aning himsef) had fixed his present contri'
! button az two thousand dollars. Pat was mag.
| pant at this extortion, and replied that no owed
| him nothing. Whereupon TruJeque caued ser'
! eespt of the guard, and ordered him TO prison, at
| the same time loading him with reProacaes, and
! epithets, such as Plcar0, tadF0H, eM0H'teTo'
/ breton, &c.
! Juan VAGUE, who was at that time Conms
sioper Of the Government Immediately gave Pat
! f,s liberty, and Trujeque made this as pre'ext
TO seize upon the estate OF Pat, which no conhs-
Gated 70 his own use, and In less than two months,
accumulated one huRdred thousand dollars by hs
pqtriottsm. He and bis band OF officials became
pfoprietors OF ell tho principal estates situated
! within his iuriscictiOn At thls crisis az "no
had until then remained passive, raised the s.an
! GARD OF rebellion and called upon all the Indian,
| OF the Pensinsula 70 take up arms a. they had
| been deceived that war OF races had com
/ ruenced, and one or the other mu., be exsln-
/ suished Trueqae and bis band oi olhcials con
tlnued 10 practice the most tughsiui oatfages on
the Indians in order 10 inElmlds,e the a. "hlle
/ Pat was constantly strengthening his power ior
a mighty effort. At length be Tell upon the
town Of Tepich, ak leagues from IlhosucO
snd reduced il 70 ashes. The force OF Pa' was
RAPIDLY increasing and soon amounted TO eight
thousand men painting tor revenge WIN tots
+ force be attacked Tihosuco and sustained com
bat Of three days, az the end OF which ne re-
/ NAMED master Of the place Not single whlse
man was spared " no fell into his hands bat tue
/ Vrcrnen were reserved and compelled 20 become
| the wives Of the Indians. The Indians continued
10 nock ia from all parts 20 the town OF lleoSuGo'
/ and here Pat made bis final arrangemeo. lof tne
} externinarion Of the whites lie sent nS owS
saries 10 all directions, and macy Of tneu 70
I turped with munitions Of war and iunds' ACCOM-
/ panied with white men from Belize.
In Iess than two months he took possession
and occupied ssbao, Wsym11 Yeemal, eicalacr
/ Tipum, IihOlop, NOhcacao reIo, as ~
e., .i,,t -, nat of the country which had been
under the jufi.dictiJn of Trujeque, Who together
win bis followers had taken refuge Ia the City OF
Tia Al this time she Government sent new
/ Commissioners to treat with Pat, bat he declared
tbat he would listen 70 no terms until the movers
of the revolution were delivered up 20 Dc Pua,
-. - and a
Don Antonio Trujeque, gsfe po!ttteo Lieut. Col;
Don Victor Vichsco Gen Don Juan ' ssqaeT ana
Capt Don Jose Ma BetiA. Ia the midst Q. 'ns
state of things Mendez retired from the dSVe ~
ment, and Miguel Barbachaoo Eas sssla i "a 80
Chair. He Immediately Pot forth al nIs A.ar
to save bis country from hna run 1870 ~
, a;pb him b1s ,Sev coaid come 70 no understand