The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-10-02

doors and occasions all this alarm all this
turbulence of zeal Real strength is steady
weakness irritated falls into commissions and
the nation is bent now upon making itself a
spectacle for men to
Admire exult despise laugh, weep.
For here there is such matter for all feeling"
SENIOR.
NEW MEXICAN CORRESPONDENCE
SANTA FE, august IS, 1851.
To the Editor Of the National Era
DEAR SIR After An almost unprecedented
drought of eight or nffe months a kind Provi-
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
cearing-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 will be much better than
was anticipated 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
berries VERY much like the raspberries of the
States in abundance plums, apricots, and a
very diminutye species of apples not bad in
flavor but not much larger than a good-sized
persimmon or crab-apple. 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 q
Wild state in the mountains and even those
kinds that are favored with more special SUI
perysion might as we'll be turned out to shift
for themselves. Green corn and muskmelons
make up about our vegetable variety ut this
season unless should add onions In the lat
ter article, have never seen this Territory and,
Old Mexieo surpassed, or even equalled. 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 80 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 a great deal of dissatisfaction
amongst the people. His course of policy
Though believe he acts under positive instruc-
uon from headquarters, without any discre-
nonary 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
subordlnates to be in speaking of their superior
omcer, where the rule of discipline is as rigid
as That OF the army, but it requires no superior
discernment to tell what the feeling is. No
one, believe is disposed to doubt Col Summers
courage or godheaddt'yeness but the want of
confidence IL IN his Judgment 1t IL not diff
cult to perceive that not few of the officers
start upon this Navajoe expedition with no lit
tie misgiyng 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 a successful issue, no
one can venture to predict the results further
than that the Territory will be in more pre-
carous 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
from 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 impohcy leave for others to decide. Colonel
Sumner and the Governor, | believe cannot
pun IN the same traces or even the same irGy.
In this matter should certainly think Sumner
IN the wrong, proc,ded he is acting upon his own
responsibility. IL he acts, i'm al his policy, un-
der positive Instructions he is not Of course GEN.
surable. But should the Colonel make a sue
cesstul expedition to the Nayajoe country, it will
OF course atone for many sins now laid at his
door II however, he should make a failure.
his sins will be objectionable
minated in my last letter that III ~ Smith
would likely be brought out in opposition to
Major Weghtman; but as Captain REYNOLDS
has refused to withdraw his name neither
Smith nor any other would enter npon the
course, with only certain defeat before them.
The issue h now made up between Major w.
and the Captain. Some Of the Captains friends
appear TO be sanguine of his success. though |
think he will be badly beaten. There are no
Wing and Democratic parties proper, here.
Several OF the appointments by the Governor
have been Democrats, and some of his most
Jealous and influential supporters are Demo-
crats. On the other hand this has driven
Wings and Democrats Of the opposition together.
and no the parties stand Governor and Opposi-
ton OF Independents
J see that Webster has been again enlghten-
ing all the world and the rest of mankind
N relation to New Mexico. He DECLARE, in his
hunaio speech, that there il not the shining
, Va OF an African" in New Mexico or Utah
Mr. Webster knows no better than this, he
Mnentably ignorant for an eminent politi-
M II he makes such speeches for the pur-
Elso VI deeeiving, knowing his statements to be
h. ne certainly gives the best evidence that
~ much more familiar with the slower law
d.. une higher stated in former letter,
n"1 as nearly as could ascertain their numbers,
IT,. r. were about thirty negro slaves held in this
even ~ These were brought here before
..o''. une passage Of the organic law, and con-
,,d daentiy' by the Mexican laws still in force,
no, only entitled 10 freedom but to the full
nf"'a VI citizenship yet they have been, and
pr na.e o. them that rcmain) still are, held rs
man 10y Ono Of the-e--a light mulatto wo-
j. "h claimed by our present postmaster, who
in-iaw 10 Goyernx Cslhoun-oscaped
~. ling '"rmes residence II the postmsst~r in
" y''y, and secretei herself asacog tho Mexi.
-. ~ The city for ahcus a year. n ths meat
A ner claimant had returned 30 the State
WI time Subsequent 10 my ARRIVAL hsrs last
Of :, Ae was discovered, and At thu instance