The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-04-03
FROM NEW MEXICO.
Kit Carson-Hatcher.

SANTA 4, JuHhHIyi % AO"i'
To the Editor of the National Era:
In nv last letter remarked that had not seen
a heavy shower of rain since last September. For
some days past, however, the clouds have been &C.
cssionally marshallng their forces, giving indica
toas that they meant ere long to make ademonstra-
ton Of some kind, and tonight they are down
unon us with sensation much more cheering than
startling.
The world. renowned XII Carson has been here
for some days past. You would not suppose from
. Glance nj the man that he was the hero of so
Dsnv border exploits terror ofthe wild nomad,
the ar.famed Kit Carson. was disappointed at
frs, sight of the man, and 80 perhaps would any
one bs, gho bad beard merely OF the chAfsvter
and exploits of the man, without having seen
minute description Of his contour. 1t was only
when came closely to analyze his features that
| detected the real KIT. He was not dressed in
the outlandsh habliments with which fancy,
since the days of Boone, instinctively invests the
hunter and the trapper, but in genteel American
costume How he dresses when domiciled in his
own yaacham do not know no~, but perhaps
shall some time during the coming Spring or Sum-
mer. Carson is rather under the medium height,
but his frame is exceedingly well knit, muscular,
and symmetrically proportional. His hair, light
auburn, and worn long, falls back from forehead
high, broad, and indicating more than q common
share Of intellect The general contour Of the
face is not handsome, and yet not unpleasing. But
that which at once arrests, and almost monopolizes
your attention, is the eye; such an eye! gray,
searching, piercing, as if with every glance he
would reach the very well-springs ofthought, and
read your very silent imaginings In the language
OfByrOn,
g. the wild sparkle Of his eye seemed caught
From high and lightened with electric thought"
Whether better acquaintance will warrant the
expectations excited by the outward appearance,
cannot yet tell
But Kit is not altogether a SUI gensris in border
exploits and notoriety. There is another man
here at this time, who, though not world-renown-
cd is less known and feared by all the nosnadie
tribes of savages, from the Colorado to the
Arkansas Not even the name Of XII Carson,
have been told, will sooner set the Indian camp
in motion, and put them all ON the gui piDe, than
the name Of Hatcher. This man is little taller,
think, than Kit, but more senderly made sandy
hair light, small, blue eyes, keen in their glance
slightly nclining to squua, and continually dane
ing and flashing about, as if all the time looking
out for Nayaioe, or an Apache. His glance is
quick and piercing, but not steady and penetra-
ting like that of Carson. His face and head are
rather small than otherwise. and do not indicate
as much intellectually as Kits His movements
are of the most mercurial kind, 80 that you are
lonu in ms kinO nm mind n tho verdict
that if caught, it will not be mapping. Such are
the two men whose names carry more terror into
the camp Of the Navajoes Apaches, Camanches,
Chios, and Rappahoes, than whole regiment Of
armed infantry
Word was received here last evening, that one
Of the hostile tribes perhaps Apaches, had made
an attack upon a settlement near Bent's Fort, and,
IN addition to large amount of stock, had carried
of several captives. 1t is but too evident that the
Indians are becoming more and more embodened
every day. Our present fears are, that there is q
grand scheme Of concert and consolidation now on
foot among the different savage tribes, looking to
general and systematic attack. News reached
here a few days since, that Grand Council of
several different tribes has very recently been held
10 the Camanche country, on this side the
Arkansas river There are reported to have been
SIX hundred lodges present, which would make
several thousand indians. Their movements for
some time past have been suspicious and the in
S S,i recently made may only be, apd most
nkey are, mere feelers. Certainly, il that be the
design, they feel greatly encouraged What the
end may be, God alone knows but should they
attempta general attack, they will doubtless make
much blood flow before they will yield, even il
overpowered
We had another murder-trial here last week.
Patrick Mullen, was put on trial before Alcalde
smith, for the murder of VIM Belcuer As uMol.
the horrid deed came of OF tandQngo. There
are now three persons in prison here on the charge
Of murder. If we could only get some kind Of
civil government here, We think We could make
sweep OF the many sinks Of infamy with which
our city abounds, but we are powerless.
But must close, as the gentleman by whom T
SEND this starts early in the morning, and must
deliver it to him yet to night Our census will be
reported at Washington some time during the
month OF March, prorided our sheriff and escort
should save their scalps, and get safely to the
States Yours trnlv Wv ~ "
3, The mail from some cause, is most pro-
'oNingly uncertain. The fault. 1 think. Iies
somewhere between st. Louis and Independence
Vr@ the latter place When was in Indenen,
oe1ce, last fail was told that between that place
ana Lexington Il think it was common prao.
ice; when they could get any passengers. II thew
could not carry boh to leave the mail mi N, uert
up, IN order to take the passengers Certain II
IS mat we here are suffering very much in conse.
quence OF somebody's negligence or rascality WIN
no, The Department at Washington inquire into
the matter? -"f"''' INV"