The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-10-11

INTERESTING FROM NEW MEXICO
The General Condition OF the Territory
Church Troubles THE Navajo Expsdt
tion-Ths Crops, 40.
OUR SANTA FE CORRESPONDENCE.
| SANTA FE, September l, 1851.
| The Anglo American character! is it no
strange, AMI almost fearful, in the manifesto
lions of its ohsra ,teristics Three years age
these people were Observation-Disclosures in man.
ner, in appearance, and in character. They
then knew little or nothing of the ubiquitous
American, and, Of course, looked down upon
him with sovereign contempt. Bot the change
that has already taken place is sufficient to asonish
| even US, the descendants Of those ruthless peo-
pie, whom Caesar, in his Commentaries" CON
stantly described "stxdiosi novarum yeru1, ("
The Mexcans here, for the most part, already wear
| the light and commedous American hat instead of
the great and pondsrous Castilan sombrero-they
wear the ready-made clothing which comes from
New York and Philadelphia, instead of the super.
abundant pantaloons, open from the hip to the
ground, and the short jacket which ever disdained
to approach within half foot of the xpressbles.
Then, again, the Mexican has lost his ancient fear
Of strong drink, and has learnt how to az whis-
key" and to drink it. Many, too, are striving to
acquire language; but the majority of the older
scholars seldom get beyond "G-d d-n." The
coming generation, however, having more flexible
tongues, acquire our difficult language with won
dertul facility. In truth, Mexican children seem
endowed with sprightliness and quickness of ap-
prehension SURPRISING those of children ain the
STATES" Thus, you will perceive that the Mexi-
cans are, IN geological language, assuming meta
rhorc state, and We may expect that, in one gene
ration they will become entirely or greatly Ameri-
canlsed, both in customs, habit add language.
The aptitude of che children in the soquisition of
knowledge greatly encourages this expectation;
and this capacity OF theirs IL would seem, bids fair
to be turned TO good account by the missionaries
OF the different christian denominations who have
been sent to this country. Schools being estab-
llshed-there is nc scarcity of "raw material for
the schooimaster to work upon-and 1t is confident
~ expected that the co ming generation will 90 ga
bow shot" beyond the present, both in mind and
moral.
In addition to the several Protestant M ssiona ries
already among us, there have lately arrived here
the Right Rev. Bishop L'Amy, and several reverend
fathers OF the Catholic church They are all men
OF zeal, intelligence, and learning, doubtless,
as most or all priests are. But the Bishop, above
them all, bears the impress Of genius and moral
courage. This is the very country in which to
work moral woaders, and the Bsnop would seem
to have the qualities wherewlth to accomplish them.
His authority here is not gainsayed; and his power
is great-grs alter than that Of army twi,e ten
thousand men. He can confer innumerable bless
ipgs, aud good of untold mag ntude upon this peo-
pectatiors.
The Bishop is a Frenchman by birth, AID an
American by adoption, having resided SOME twe re
years 10 Ohio OF Kentucky previous to his depar-
Antonio Texas and Ell Paso. and travelled slo wy
visiting the numerous small towns whic lay 10 his
way. LIS arrival in santa Fe, some three weeks
since, was celebrated " tn much ecidt, both civil
and military-a mark of respect, which, having
been, on q former and similar occasion, sh own to
the bishop OF Durango, should, on that count
alone have been shown to our own Bishop
Of our numerous Aboriginal nei Shb Jrs | shall
now only speak to you about the Nsvahoes This
is, perhaps, the most interesting tribe of Indians
ut present existing ON our continent The couotry
which they occupy comprises all, or most, of that
vast portion of the territory of New Mexico lying
between the Rio Grande the east and the SON.
fines Of California the west-the northern aud
southern limits being approximately those Of New
Mexico. ana TINS extensive region is represented.
by those few bold and adventurous Americans, VINO
have either passed through. or deeply penetrated
into it, as the most picturesque and romantic part
OF western America The soil Of the valles aud
plains is said to be very fertile, and were not
covered with timber, bearing ample harvests
of the most nutritious grasses The climate
is spoken Of a cool an delicious in summer aud
SO mild In winter rs not to make travelling very
disagreeabe at any time That this in .erior, and
unknown region abouuds in mineral wealth esps-
cially the precious metals, Is a subject which
the most intelligent people of this count y eater-
tain not q shadow Of doubt That the Nayahoss
have from time to time, for period Of two centu.
ries, brought into this town specimens of native
gold and silver, Is n well known fact. And it is
furthermore true that n few Of these samples have
equalled II not surpassed, the finest that nave ever
yet been discovered 10 California Mark the pre-
diciioD-tbele is another and better California to
be discovered here, near by, and that before the
lapse OF mary ysars, possibly OF many months
So much tor this great terra incog alta; aud now
q few words on the natives who inhabit it, aud
claim it for their own. These, the Navahoes (ia
Spanish spelt Narajo) are tribe of Indians fully
as interesting as the country in which they live.
They may be said to DO semi civilized aud to have
become 20, too, without the instrumentallty Of
those agencies which, nowadays, commonly CT
vil1e the savage. They work, II |, said, in cot
their cotton. That they work in wool in q most
superior manner, too, lie well known to US all. The
"Navaho blanket is . far.famed fabric carrying
with the mention Of its the idea ct brilliancy
OF colors oseness oftexture, and durability Of ma
teiisl They cultivate their rich valleys with in
6ustry, aud they reap the reward Of their industry
In the obtainment Of most abundant crops Of corn,
wheat, melons, peaches, Sc But the Navahoes
are an avarIcious set Of fellows, like their white
friends ON the eastern half Of tho continent, aud
not content with the plenty which their own IA
yoIed country furnishes, they make frequent forays
for plumber into the country Of their neigh the
New Mexicans This has been their favorite
sport from time "whereof the memory Of man run
Ieih not TO the contrary"
AndiOr this long system q unjust pilage, neither
Know, single instance ia which they have suffered
the penalties Of the Ter 7ogiiones. There nave
been made, under the Mexican government, winch
has passed away, and since, faint attempts at
ret iiatlon but they have not been attended with
permanent advaniage-tbe result more, we be-
lieve. OF indian duplicy than American inefcency.
The Navajo 10 the snartest Of diplomatists He
al~sys lights and robs his neig hbors during his LEI
cure mouths, and yet has never been known TO fail
in nskiDg treaty Of everlasting peace and friend
ship -hilst his crops are gro wing. Lot who can
optwit the Navajo
But there has just set of to the Navajo country
man Who, II he cannot outwit them, We believe
can ard vail, ut least, Outright them. Col sam.
Der, the last military commander who has been
sent to this Territory, is of against the Navajo
With an ample force. We kDos out little as yet
Of the Colonel, but what little We do know causes
us ~ look confidently for n successful and perhaps
brilliant termination Of the campaign. sumner
viii do something more than sms On up the hill
ana then march down again" But our standing
army ~ certainly too small TO give sufficient aud
satiefnctnrl protectlon 70 our neonle. a. aid.lx