The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-01-23

1sr The letter below is the first of series
which we expect from an intelligent citizen of
Ohio, who lately left for New Mexico.-Ed Era
FROM NEW MEXICO.
Murders--CharaC,er Of the People-The new Govern
ment-H. ". Smith-Slayery-The Indians, &c.
SANTA FE, NOunlJer 20, 1850.
To the Editor Of the National Era:
arrived here last Thursday night in {" good
order and well conditioned for one who had
been an outcast from civilization, wandering over
wide-extended plains" and Handicapped "
mountains for the space Of two months. OF
course have not been here a sufficient length
of time to become we'll acquainted with either
persons events or things, and cannot therefore
send you just such letter as would like to fur
nish, and as hope to furnish hereafter. In fact,
should not attempt letter at all, but for the
fact that will not have another opportunity be.
fore the first of January, 1851. ] might furnish
your readers with few extracts from wsyside
notes of travel, but these, perhaps, would be more
interesting to myself than to them. Besides.
should commence such a work, with my tenden-
cy to infinite prolixity, should be in danger of
writing book, as many other unfortunates before
insSrpJris5s S5as Il lib SS SSs sifs ssa an
There have been two or three very atrocous
murders perpetrated here within few weeks
past. One Of the murderers is now in Jail, and
will doubtless be hung, unless he can bride his
keepers and make his escape Such scenes Of
violence aud bloodshed must continue 10 be fire.
be thrown over this community 1t is needless to
shy that such tragedies seldom II .ver, occur out
of the precincts of the gambling hells" and fan
dsngo rooms. Tens Of thousands or even hun.
dreds Of thousands, of dollars are annually swal-
lowed up in these maelstroms of dissipation and
ruin aud the almost beggared victims leave for
California to recruit their broken down fortunes
One man came out here last spring in charge Of
train belonging to Judge Brown of Missouri,
threw himself into the stream Of dissipation, and
was soon borne upon the rocks, and ruined lie
sold the goods he hsd in charge converted all he
few nights, and then left for California, leaving
his employer minus some ten thousand dollars
Drunkenness is also very prevalent here among
both sexes, tthis will apply to the Mexican Jc-
maies) and among the Mexican women prostitu-
ton is almost universal. II Is painful TO see to |
what q profound Of degradation human nature |
can sink itself when left to the freedom Of Its own
will. Where moman Is 30 suuken and debased,
we are apt TO think there is nothing redeeming, |
and we instinctively inquire, "Can any good |
come out of Nazareth ~ But here, as Of old, the |
answer may appropriately be given, "Coms and |
seen The little have seen of these people has |
convinced me that they have many redecmng
traits Of character with ell their debasement.
There is q natural ease and gracefulness Of de- |
pertinent strangely blended with filthy rags and
marks of deepest AFFECTION. II Is Terpsiohors
sporting the cast-of duds Of the Moenades after
a Bscchapalia In their extreme urbanity this |
people are only equalled by the French, and far
transcend our own American population In the
States. They are sympathetic and impusive In |
their feelings, and in this lies the element Of their
ruin. In short II this people could be American
lied, aud receive the polish and refinement of |
education and civilization, and above oil the |
Christening, purifying influences Of our holy re-
ligion, they would become most interesting part
of our population.
Can the work of reformation be accomplished
| believe 1t can, If the proper influences can be
brought TO bear for It's contamination. Those in
6uences must he Ameycan, and they must be sanefi-
fell All, or nearly all, tho influences hitherto
brought TO bear upon this community, whether |
American or otherwise, instead Of being reomiato-
~, have been OF corrupting and debasng charac-
ter Even those who have been the spiritual (athos
and gnid>s, have themselves led the way, and |
shown themselves the most notorious examples OF |
proflgacy and licentiousness. Is II surprising |
- Il ~ i'll A Al. III u 4 =
fall into the pit together The holy ladre here, |
! am informed, has five mistresses, with whom he
Is living in open adultery and like state of
things exists among the Romish clergy through
out the whole Territory and old Mexico. In
fact, 1t would be manifest injustice 10 Judge the
unfortunate female hire by the rigid standard
that condemns the prostitute Of the States Ihere,
public opinion condemns IL here II sustains II.
Thvs, marriage Ia hallowed by religious respect,
and sanctihed by holy rites here, its sacred obli
cations are scarcely known, much less religiously
regarded. Thers, VIRTUE is one Of the brightest
Of our holy religion; here, mitred
priests have voted II worthless bauble, and con-
secrated hec,aiouSne0 as the handmaid OF religion
Let the American mothers and daughters, then,
pity rather than execrate these unfortunate ones,
her 10 whom the compassionate Son
If God said; Daughter, 90 thy way, Gin no
norep
All parties here are just at present on the qui
'pe, awaiting the official announcement OF the
,ew Government and Governor, and | do not
NOW but the next mail stage will be demolished
~ the tumultuous rush that will be made upon
I by the eager populace. Dame Rumor has been
more modest and retiring In this instance than 10
Ter custom. ! believe she has not ventured 10
ender, In advance, the gubernatorisl chair and
obes TO any one, save Hugh N, Smith, and no
laS been too sick 10 accept of II M douht hov-
ysr, but when the announcement 10 officially