Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-09-27

prefer, talk was held with Del Gadito, quieter
chief, and with happy results. 1t was so arranged
that the captives should be retained by the Com
mission, and the friendly relations with the Indians
not impaired.
1t was fortunate that this matter was so well set
tied, or the consequences to the speedy prosecution
Of the work Of the survey might have been disas-
uous. The Chiefs were apprized that all captives
coming into the hands of the Americans would be
protected, in order TO fulfil our solemn obligations
to Mexico and that the Americans always fulfilled
their promises, and would do so to the Indians as
well as to the Mexicans.
These Indians were encamped at the time, July
5ih, about ten miles from the Coppermines, in
force. They appeared friendly, and made daily
visits. The mules and horses of the Commission
being sent TO Craze in the valley of the Mimbres,
where the grass and water are plenty, were CON-
them off, In promising their friendship the Indians
were told they would best show it by protecting
the animals of the Commission; and if any Of them
were stolen by bad Indians they must deliver them
up. This they promised, and have so far kept,
having several times restored strays, and once some
that had been stolen. Mangus Colorado on one
occasion, when on hunt, observed some tracks OF
animals, which he believed to belong tothe Commits.
son He pursued the trail, came up with the strays
in the mountains, and, deferring his hunt, brough,
them many miles to the American camp.
The members Of the Commission 60 about with
in twenty or thirty miles of the Coppermines in
small parties, or even singly, without molestation.
In the same way the wagons moving to and fro,
and the surveying parties scattered for fifty miles
along the line, 60 comparatively unprotected, for
the escort does not amount to much. This happy
state Of affairs has been brought about by good man
agement and the occasional distribution OF the pre-
senis brought out by the Commission for the
purpose.
The Coppermine Apaches occupy the country
on both sides The Rio Grande, extending west
wardly 10 the Pimos. But within the last FIVE
years they have been greatly reduced, and it is be-
lieved cannot now muster over two hundred
warriors.
In speaking of the past depredations of the In
dians, Mr.. Bartlett states, in one Of his commu-
nications that ten days before he crossed the Yanos
road, which intersects Cookies road, band of
Apaches.attacked party Of Americans, ten in num-
Der, who were passing from El Paso to California
with two wagons and much valuable property.
One man was killed, and the rest escaped after
three had been. badly wounded, leaving their
wagons and property. They reached Yanos,
when Gen. CARRAsco, who happened to be there,
dispatched 200 Of his soldiers in pursuit on the
road where the attack was made. Nothing is said
as to the success Of this expedition.
The Commissioner urges the policy Of co-ope-
rating with Mexico in the effort to curb these In
dians. and suggests to that branch of the United
States Government having charge Of the subject
The necessity of granting licenses only to respon.
sble and trustworthy individuals, of disallowing
the unlimited increase Of party under color of a
license and of no longer permitting the sale or gift
Of ardent spirits to Indians by traders, under any
circumstances whatever, as the law as now sub
sisting is regularly evaded.