The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-05-08

derer, is now among the Apache Indians, where
one Of cur citizens saw him few days ago He
says he has now the power to do the Americans
great deal Of mischief bat he has no desire to do
30. IL is not his wish to become leader Of the
Indians aud he will return and obligate himself
to become good and aw-abiding citizen, IL he can
have the assurance Of being pardoned In the event
Of his conviction think II would be as well to
try him. as il would doubtless cost much bloodshed
to re.capture him.
MARCH 30, 1851.
BY the polite invitation of Governor Calhoun,
in company with many others, this evening at
tended conference held at the Palace, between
the Governor and six Apache Chiefs, representing
the Jicanila and Mesquelerro bands Of that tribe.
They came in, as they said to see what their
father would have them do The conference last
ed from o'clock, p. M, till about sunset As
the large room of the Palace filed up with cti-
zeus and officers of the army the Indians appeared
to manifest some sensations Of uneasiness, where
upon the Governor assured them that they need
not have the least apprehension of danger, and
that he wished them to speak with the utmost
freedom
The conference was somewhat tedious, as it had
to be conducted through the medium of interpre-
ters, and the Chiefs were very tscturn, evidently
determined to communicate nothing more than
what should be drawn from them by the most
categorical process Of interrogation. They were
asked If they knew anything of the murder Of
White and his party, at the Point of Rocks, some
thing more than year ago They knew nothing
about it. They were asked If they knew any
thing Of the murder Of Flournoy and his asso-
ciates, at the Wagon Mound last spring They
replied that they were murdered by q band Of
Eutaws accompanied by few Apaches, but could
point out only one Apache as certainly engaged in
the affair. They were asked If they knew what
Indians they were that stampeded DIR. Conelly's
mules on the plains some time during the last
year knew nothing about it. Did they know
anything Of depredations committed about Socoro
and Ell Paso7 They had heard Of such places
! with the hearing Of tho ear, but were not suffi-
GENTLY Travelled to have seen them They were
then asked if there were any Americans or
Mexicans now residing among them. Their
evasive replies to this question would have done
justice to the most inexplicsble live Yankee that
ever whitfield through the world" by making
horn-iints or wooden nutmegs. But little was
| got out Of them, even under the most vigorous
pumping operation, flor when the Governor him.
self became wearied, some other individual took
the pump handle, and 80 kept up the draining OPP
Grafton till near nightfsll aud what little nfcr-
nation was thus elected it struck me- from the
eyasiveness of the answers, was very unreliable
Many OF these Indians have heads that indicate
q massive intellect, but, matter of course its
chief Developments are cautiNusness and seeSea
tiveness, and In these they are iuimitable These
wild birds Of the forests, with their uncouth COS
hc.- es::ssy pendant oynssneuts inc insep-
arabic amulet hanging about their neck, and their
vermilioned faces, fsntastically streaked with
black, aud their long, black name parted from the
crown and hanging down upon the shoulders
present truly picturesque as well as ludicrous
| appearance
Tomorrow they enter into treaty in behalf
of the respective bands they represent They
say they are perfectly willing to quit their rowing
life, settle down in pueblos, and go to cultvatng
the soil, if the other bands will agree to it, but
they must have a consultation before they car
enter into any stipulated agreement Of the kind
II can succeed in getting copy Of the treaty be-
fore the mail leaves, will send it with this let
ter. Yours truly, w. G X.