The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-10-02
NEW MEXICAN CORRESPONDENCE
SANTA FE, August IS, 1851

NEW MEXICAN CORRESPONDENCE.
SANTA FE, Augls IS, 1851.
To The Editor Of the Nntioqql Fro -.
DEAR SIR: After an almost unprecedented
a37cs stf ht e. maze .:;:e,stllss, k;sS prav;
dence has once more "opened the windows of
heaven and for about two weeks past we have
been cheered by daily genial showers, with an
occasional torrent Last night was one of the
grandest plays of the elements ever witnessed.
and appearances to-day indicate that it was the
"clearing-up shower" We may not have an
other such rain again till this time next year, for
our early and latter rains y usually come all
in pile The crops viii be much better than
was anticipated a few weeks since, though in
this valley the rain came too late to benefit the
wheat Corn, however, will be much improved.
hardly know what we shall do for breadstuff,
as the wheat crop will be very deficient and
there is no American -four in market that can
be had for either love or money ] have known
S25 per hundred pounds to be offered within
few days past for good American -four, but it
could not be had even at that. Other articles
of food are more plentiful, and consequently
more reasonable We have Mexican straw
States) in abundance, plums, apricots and
very diminutiye species of apples, not bad in
flavor, bnt not much larger than a good-sized
persmmon or crab-appe. have no doubt but
that very good fruit might be raised here, with
proper attention and skill but of those have
named, the plums and strawberries grow in a
wild state in the mountains and even those
kinds that are favored with more special SUI
peryision might as well be turned out to shift
for themselves, Green corn and muskmelons
make up about our vegetable variety at this
season, unless should add onions In the lat
ter article, have never seen this Territory and
CID Mexieo surpassed, or even eqnalled. Onions'
are sometimes brought from chihuahua TO this
place, as have been informed of size almost
incredible.
Colonel Sumner and his forces are now in
rendezvous at st. Domingo, about 30 miles
southwest of this place They leave to-mor-
row morning for the Navajoe country The
movements of Col Sumner since his arrival
have created great deal of dissatisfaction
amongst the people His course of policy
Though believe he acts under positive instruc-
uon from headquarters without any discre-
tonary powers) is universally condemned and
what appears to me the worst feature in the
whole is, that not single officer of the army
with whom have conversed upon the subject
has confidence in him. True, they are rather
reserved upon the subject, as we might expect
S9bordnates to be in speaking of their superior
oihcer, where the rule of discipline is as rigid
as That OF the army, but il requires no superior
discernment to tell what the feeling is No
one, believe, is disposed to doubt Col Summers
courage or gOGheGdGticeneSs but the want of
confidence is in his Judgment 1t is not diff
cult to perceive that not few of the officers
start upon this Nayaioe expedition with no lit
Tie mlsglvng as to its results Indeed, the ex-
petition think, may be set down as at least
problem yet TO be worked out to successful
result. Should it fail of successful issue, no
one can venture to predict the results further
than that the Territory will be in more pre-
carlous condition than it has ever been since
the conquest Hence, you will readily conceive
That the movements of the army will be looked
TO with intense interest
The removal of the headquarters Of the army
IRON Santa Fe to the Moro river has occasion
ed much dissatisfaction both in the army and
among our citizens. The question Of its policy
or lmpohcy leave for others to decide. Colonel
summer and the Governor, believe. cannot
pull IN the same traces, or even the same ,nov
In this matter ] should certainly think Sumner
IN the wrong, prov'ded he is acting upon his own
responsibility IL he acts, in all his policv nm
der positive instructions he is not of course cen.
surable But should the Colonel make a suc.
cesstu expedition TO the Nayajoe country. it will
OF course atone for many sins now laid M his
door. If however, he should make n fajIuys
hls SINS will be objectionable
intmated in my last letter that n N. Smith
would likely be brought out in opposition 10
mayor Nelghtman but as Captain REYNOLDS
mas refused 10 withdraw his name neither
o~nh nor any other would enter npon the
gg g~se with only certain defeat before them.
| issue y now made up between Major w.
'' 'ne captain. Some Of the Captains friends
Ill%ar 10 De sanguine of his success though |
W'hK he Will be badly beaten There are no
ing ana Democratic parties, proper here.
1T. ,e'% OIL the appointments by the Governor
aaaI peen Democrats, and some of his most
,.a aoS ana influential supporters are Demo
IN. on the other hand, this has driven
an I'sS ana Democrats Of the opposition together.
t lu 40 the parties stand Governor and Opposi-
"oh or independents
zee mat Webster has been again enlighten.
al the world aud the rest of manknd"
PoS eaton TO New Mexico. He declares, in his
Gac speech, that q there is not tle shining
f. AZ VI an African ia New Mexico or Utah
!. 1T Webster knows no better than this, he
e,a' 'e1nniably ignorant for an eminent politi-
p.e - he makes such speeches Cor the pur-
klo aeceiving, knowing his statements TO be
he !. e certainly gives the best evidence that
than ~ luch more familiar with the lower law y
Aat a we higher. | stated, in former letter
hero nearly as could ascertain their numbers
Terr;, were about thirty negro slaves held in this
even ~. These were brought here before
..,r,en,y passage of the organic law, and con-
were IVY ny the Mexican laws still in force,
rgbt. "ot s only entitled to freedom but to the full
abo'o o -, % citizenship yet they have been, and
woner VI Them that remain) still are. held as
man 'r n.y.; One of thesc--a light mulatto wo-
is son-i n'llled by our present postmaster, who
d1r;nr 'u-Iaw to Governor Calhoun---oseaped
this =. former residence Of the postmaster IN
cans H. ana Secreted herself among the Nexi.
time ~ The city for about year IN the mean
A -h,, sr Claimant had returned 10 the State
wpser Ill'e subsequent 10 my arrival here Last
Of ~, she was discovered and at the instance
then a PSdesent Governor, las I was informed
uiAn Agent was arrested and thrown