Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-11-13
IFrom The ST. Louis union.l
Pecos valley.

The editor o. the Santa Fe Gazette gives a very in
terestlng editorial on the Pecos Valley, the Pass, Old
Pecos, its ruins, &C., and as he says he gives these de.
~scriPtlons more for the people in the States, than for
those IN the immediate nei2hborhood, we will attempt TO
glean the most interesting facts OF this letter TO place
before our readers. There is a great lack Of inlorma-
ton, as regards the condition, resources, &C., Of the
Territory of New Mexico, and there are many interest
ing descriptions of places and scenery, that never find a
place IN the accounts usually written. The mountain
scenery around Santa Re is particularly grand. The
mountain tops present a carpet of green, variegated
with flowers of every species and color, thick clusters of
red, granite, purple, yellow, and blue, form a delightful
contrast with the dark green foliage of the trees around,
lofty pines and wide spreading cedars, and wild and
startling crags and frowning precipices. About fifteen
miles from Santa Fe is the pass from whence Gen. Kear.
ney dIslodged the forces of Gen. Armijo. This a is natural
fortified position, walled on either side by huge noun
talns oil granite and limestone, hundreds OF ieetin height,
with barely room for a wagon to pass between their
bases. One hundred determined Americans could de-
fend this pass against a force of Eve thousand, and yet
the Mexicans under Armiio, abandoned it at the ap-
proach of a mere handful of men under Gen. Kearney.
Such is the power Of a courageous few against the cow
ardly forces OF the Mexicans. twenty-five miles from
Santa Fe, on the Pecos river, is situated the Pueblo de
Pecos, an insignificant town about a mile and a half fro :
Old Pecos ruins. The situation is beautiful, and the sole
prolific in this part of the valley. and were il not for this
vices of the people, and the lack of skill and industry
among them, this would be made an important and thriy.
ing place. The grazing is excellent. and the corn and
wheat yield as well as in any part Of the States.
The Old Pecos ruins present the appearance rather
Of a city than a village, although the area is but small
for the mode of living here is so different from any other
part Of the world, that an immense population may live
in a very small space. Families do not separate when
they marry, hut continne to dwell together; often sew
eral generations live in the same house. a grey-haired
great grand sire at their head, to whom they pay the
greatest respect and submission, Many of the houses
remain in a considerable degree Of perfection. and some
OF them arc three aud four stories high, containing in
some cases as many as twenty-five rooms. Judging by
this, the population of Pecos must have been very con-
siderable. In speaking of the Cd Pecos church. or the
Aztec church, about which so many curious stories and
traditions have been told. he says that. after a careful
examination, he came TO the conclusion " III was consid-
erahic Of a hoax, " and that the sempiternal fires said tc
have been burning on the affairs since the days of Monte
zrma, until a few years since, he is inclined to think
were nothing ''more or less than snbiimated moonshine :"
The edi6ce is undoubtedly very ancient, hut that its an
tiquity is as great as is ascribed to il. is more than ques-
tionable. The church hears less marks Of antiquity than
the town. and if as old as il is said to be, must have un.
dergone 50 many modern improvements as TO have en-
tirely changed it. The Catholic cathedral odjoining il,
has been an edifce of no little magniicence. but ap.
pears TO he even of more modern build than the cathe-
dral in Santa Fe.
The Gazette proposes to give, weekly. an article dcs.
~criptive Of the people and their habits. and the scenery
and the resources particularly deserving Of description
in the Territory of New Mexico. Such articles cannot
fal! TO be both interesting and instructive.