The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-02-12
From New Mexico the Navajo 1.a,...


editor OF that paper
sAsTA Fs, NEw MEXICO,
December 80, 1851.
| DEAR Sir: i have Just returned from trim 10
| the Pueblo OF Jemcs, where an appointment had
| been made by Governor Calhoun to hold council
| with the Navaj Indians on Christmas day.
These Indians have committed no depredatons
for three months past, and having evinced q strong
| pie Of New Mexico the Governor concluded to
meet them, and hear what they had to say About
two hundred Of their principal men came in, all
| well armed with bows and arrows.
| Colonel Sumner, accompanied by his stnff, Lieu
| tenant J. g. McFerran and Maj \. A. Cunning
ham, with squadron Of dragoons, commanded BY
Major Blake, arrived in the night, and took quar-
| tiers in the Pueblo.
On the day appointed the Indians assembled, and
having seated themselves on the ground. in a cir
| Gle, Governor Calhoun said:
Do the Navajocs come here to comply wi tn n
| treaty made by Colonel Washington at Canon de
| Cheille?
Narajo.-It was only small part Of our people
that made that treaty; the people who live on the
the treaty was being signed our chief, Narbonne.
| was killed
Governor Calhoun Your people have recog-
missed that trcaty--thc President Of the United
States has approved it. You either com
ply with IT or not, as you please. II you are not
satisfied with the terms there laid down, you
have a free passage back to your own country,
and none shall modest you.
NaUajo.-Thc chiefs that made that treaty are
dead.
Governor Calhoun.-What was your object in
coming here?
| Nar0jo.- We wish to wipe out every thing that
| is past and to begin again.
GousrnOr Calhoun. ia the only treaty
will ever make with tho Navnjocs-I will make no
| other.
The Governor snid he would give them until
twelve o'clock to consider and to talk among
themselves what course they intended to adopt,
when he would meet them again, and hear their
dcDcndcd he
question whether they would have peace or war.
The agent and interpreter accompanied them to
their council room, and explained to them each
article OF tho treaty, 30 that they could properly
understand IT, After stormy session in council,
owing to difference of opinion among themselves
as to what they ought to do. they at last agreed to
deliver up their captives, restore the property
stolen from the Mcxicans, and TO send hostages to
Santa Fee as evidence OF their sincerity to live in
peace.
They then returned to where the Governor. and
Colonel Sumner was in waiting for them, and re-
euIned their seats.
Governor Calhoun Have you any thing to say
to US since your mcctng'
NdUaj0.-Belore We left our homes VIC travelled
great deal among people, and inquired Of all
we met II they wanted peace-and all agreed in
saying that they did. We who have como here all
want peace.
Gosernor Calhoun understand you to say
you are willing to abide by the treaty made with
Colonel Washington?
Napnjo.-That is what we are willing to abide
Governor CdihoLn.-I will now present
captain to you-you will hear what he has to say.
Colonel Sumner was presented to them by the
Governor, and his soldieriike appearance seemed
to have great effect upon the Indians who never
took their eyes OIL OF him during the speech
COLONEL SUMMERS SPEECH.
"NAvAJors: am glad to meet you in peace to-
day, but am disappointed that all your principal
chiefs are not here.
"Thc words the Governor and myself have to say
10 ehOuld he ard bv Nh oea nd vii
be for your own good to remember what we say,
and to repeat it to all your people. When talk
to red men, talk TO them in the same way that
do to white men. We all men. This war be-
tween you and the Mexicans has now lasted for a
very long time, and both Mcxicans and Navsjoes
have been drcadfully injured by it. The President
OF the United States has raised his hand, and said
that this war shall STOP and he has given such
dcrs TO the Governor and myself that il will he
stopped.
III there are not soldiers enough now in your
country. shall send more until have many
there that you cannot raise hill Of corn or field
OF wheat unless you remain at peace. On the other
hand, if you do keep the peace. shail do every
thing in my power for your welfare. In this event.
the soldiers that are in your country will not in.
Jurc you, but they will assist you They will give
you many new seeds that you know nothing about,
and teach you how TO raise them They will i'm
prove your stock Of sheep and cattle by lending
you some OF larger and better kind. They will
assist you in making and repairing the tools with
which you work your fields; and. above all, they
"NayaJoes, there are two paths that lie before
you. In one lie seen fields destroyed, lodges torn
down, and starving widows and children; and tbis
path 10 stained with blood. In the other ia a
smiling and happy people, with beautiful fields Of
corn and wheat. and locks grs zing upon the hills
and the white and red man roaming about. and
mingling together like brothers. Navsjoes, these
two paths lie before you II is for you to say which
you will take. ] have done"
The Indians replied: eve will take tho good
path" And Colonel s. then snd: 81 am happy TO
hear you say this "
Governor Caihoun.-"I want all your people to
understand that Colonel Sumner is our war-cap-
tam When war is TO be made, he ID the man TO
do IT. have been sent by the President OF the
United States TO be your friend. and to give you
good advice-n you will follow IL, you will he kept
out OF the war-captain's hands, as far blood 10
concerned. He has put before you two roadside
one stained with blood have nothing TO do with.
lie IS supreme. If you proper 10 take the other
road, We shall act together unlody for the purpose
OF promoting your happiness while you adhere
TO the treaty, am the who will distribute
among you the prcsents intended for you.
81 am the Governor commanding the forces in
Now Mexico, and alike the friend OF the Mexican
aud the Indian. ] wish you TO understand d's-
uncuy that our object in coming here IL 10 lay
before you peace or war, and war to crtermioa-
ton. You arc TO receive me your friend and
adviser, or will be obliged TO put you under the
care OF Colonel Sumner. have come prepared to
manifest on my part the munifocncc Of the United
States Government, and wish TO know IL you Bre
prepared TO manifest the same Opposition"
ohc oi in' tnl'ls arose, frtSnufd DIS hnnd To inc
Governor, md expressed the willingness Of him
sell and his people 90 perform their part. and he
hinself was ready TO go TO Santa re a n hostage.
Goprnor Cdihoun.-"lfov long before the cap
tvts and stolen property will be brought inl"
Narojo.-"SStccn days"
Goponor Calhoun.--''1 will give you twenty.
five days to bring them 10 Santa Fe, and will pay
all necessary expenses incurred by them. ! want
the hostages to go home with me; and they to
be responsible for the good conduct Of your pcopc.
and as long ms you behave we'll, the hostages will
be treated the same ms my own family; they shall
have tho same food. the same lodging, and the
samc fire. In conclusion, will say, that this IL
tho last effort ] shall ever make 10 bring about
peace between the people Of New Mexico aud the
Navojocs
NaDojo.-'God bless you, Governor; every thing
shall be done according ne you wish "
Prcscnts were then distributed among them, md
the day's proceedings we're closed by grand M
vnJO peace dance
Five Of their principal chiefs acoompsnc the
Governor To Santa Re ne Hostages for the good be
hsviOr Of their tribe.
The Mericans have ever been nj with the
Navsjocs. Every year they fitted out expedition
against them, and avJwod their object 60 be the
Possession OF the fine horsos, mules, cattle and
sheep belonging to the Indians. Every Mepcsn