Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-02-08
NATIONAL lNTELLIGENCER.
FROM Ell pAse AND THE UPPER RIO GRANDE.

We had the pleasure Of conversing with a
very intelligent geatleman just from Santa Fe, via
FL Paso. which latter place he left the 10Th De-
cenber, making thejourney thence TO San Antenio
in twenty-one days, in the andst of snow and Sc
we're cold. He gives, we are sorry-to say, dir
couragng account NOT only of the country Of New
Mexico ITSELF bu. Of It's present destitute condition
through all the settlemsnss on both sides Of the
river. Corn was selling at % the jaaega, of 2a
bushels, and it was supposed would run up to sl2
by March or April. Vegetables, of even the few
kinds there found were exceedingly scarce making
living not only hard but precarious. The expecta
tion was entertained that the troops throughout the
whole ninth military department would have 70 be
put upon half ratons in most of the usual articles
Of subsistence; flour beiag probable exception.
The weather at Santa Fe, and indeed down the
whole valley of the Del Norte, has been unusually
cold this winter. On the 4th, 9th, and 9Th of De-
cember snow fell in the neghborhood Of Santa Fe
several feet in depth. Near Delgado's Rancho
six men, herders, were frozen to death; cattle that
had stood together for mutual shelter were found
dead and stiff, and even the poultry on the roost
succumbed to the inclemency of the season. For
long series of years no cold has been remembered
so severe as that of December last. Even at FL
Paso, in region renowned for the mildness of its
climate, the thermometer fell to near zero. The
coolest day was Friday, the 9th. Wind east
southeast, with .pelting hominy grained snow
falling. .'@r
The whole Of the American Commission for
the location Of the Treaty Boundary line between
the Mexican territory and the new acquisitions
Of the American Government had arrived at the
Pass, with the exception of the OK train carry
ing the supplies. The Mexican Commissioner,
Gen. CoNDE, had also arrived. Col. CRAIe, COM
manding the military escort TO the American Com
mission was encampod near Masofin Rancho, op-
posi,e FL Paso, expecting, however, to leave with
his command in the course Of short time for the
Coppermine region, on the Rio Gila.
An unhappy conflict occurred on the evening OF
the 9Th Of December, between Mr.. U. b. WAKE
NAN the wagonmaster of the OK traln mentioned
above, and person attached to the Commission,
by which Wakeman lost his life. He received two
shots from his antago nisfs revolver shattering his
left ankle knee. Orthe 9TH day modification took
MACE but death nd not put an end to the wounded
mans sufferjsgs till the 18th. An investigation into
the circumstances was no doubt made on the ar
r;,al Of the OK train at the Pass, from which they
we're distant, when our informant met them on
Christmas day, some two hundred miles. All the
other members Of the Commission were in the en-
ioyment Of robust health.
Accommodations for the Commission being very
scanty a, the Pass, its members distributed be-
tween that place, Socorro, and the Preside of San
Elixario The main party, with the mule trains, un
der Colonel Crag's escort got to their respective
pos,y on ihe.9th and 10Th of December; though
tbe Commissioner himself with few companions
got into El Paso about the middle of November.
They took the route up the Pecos, leaving it at the
Horsehead crossing. laaa. aa
Many conferences took place between the Amer
icap and Mexican Commissioners before the impor-
tan. preliminary off starting point for the boundary
could be agreed upon, FOR it appeared that the
terms Of the treaty Of Guadalupe Hidalgo, the map
by Disiurnell, and the old Mexican maps were as
inconsisten, with each other as they are with the
true typography Of The country ITSELF Preparatory
measures were in progress 70 send an exploring
party The eastern section Of the probable line,
in order that the fnal operations might be rendered
Of more speedy attainment
During the second week Of December the annual
fair was held al El Pasc a, which the usual exhi-
bitoas Of bul-6gh,s and gambling, mixed with 9th
or smusemeais, took place.
Our informant came in with citizen party OF ff.
teen men. They encountered no Indian hostili,ies,
though party which had preceded them couple
Of weeks lost four men from Camanche AZ
tack. Water scarce. grass tolerably at.sinable.
Al Santa re much interest was manifested as TO
who would rcceise the appcininent Of Governor OF
the Territory. Our friend thinks she choice on
whom i has fallen will be generally acceptable in
the Territory. Colonel CALnogx has had much
Indian expenehce, and is by ihis tine quite well ac-
qusisssd w,ih the wants and wishes ef the people.
The Indians. especislly the Apsehes, were gen.
erally ssiet. though the Nsvsios have been demon
sra,ng ,heit fidelity 20 ,eaiy-epgagemens by the
stealing of several ihousaad sheep ths fall from
some cf ,he ssslemens sleag The river. The gen.
sral impression 10 New Mexico b, with regard 70
lslians, ,has che system Of seeking shsir goodwill
BY the means now in favor vish Inc Government
vix. .ioseeHs or prcssals--is oae thai must be
abanAsnsd u the country 10 % have security and
peace.
The Psstlos were cutie pssceshle. though they
suffered much alarm before hey were assured ,ha,
,he census-,akers among them had not cone 10 lead