Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-02-28

TtcONtfcu
They complain of the Mexicans who live among them,
that they steal their corn that they refuse to pay any
for living in their houses that they continually
omentng dscord and cause them live unhappiy IN the
pueblo and they earnestly desire their removal rom
among them.
The greatest harmony appears exist among the In
dams themselves, but there is want of energy and de-
termination the part Of the officers TO enforce their
laws One Of their number can read and write. They
produced paper from your Excellency warning them
against disposng of their lands and urging them to exc
cute the laws of the pueblo with greater gor than they
had done heretofore.
In taking leave of them we thanked them for their
kindness and hospitality and told them that measures
would be taken by which their lands and property should
be protected and that the whole matter would be repre-
scented to your Excellency return to Santa re-
The next day visited the Pueblo Of Santa Domago
which miles south of Coehi the east bank OF
the Rio Grande twenty five miles west Of Santa re- ana
is of the most densey populated and hourishing
pueblos in the Territory
They own about six hundred head of cows and oxen,
fine cayalada of horses and mules, and large Hooks OF
sheep and goats Their lands under fine cultivation,
and they own large orchards of apples pums and peaches
The water Of the Rio Grande is conducted by large
mother acequa for miles, and used by them for
the purpose OF irrigation.
Ali the Indians were busy in getting in their corn vast
quantities of which they depositing upon the fiat
roofs of their houses dry Pumpkins and watermelons
were piled in heaps upon every house.
We were cordially received by the principals, and at
once repaired the Governors house. where the council
was to be held After stating the object Of our visit
very ocious Indian, by the name Of Juan Steven intro
duced himself the lawyer Of the pueblo and gave
us to understand that he could read and write that he
was great orator and that all the business Of the pueblo
had to be conducted through him. This fellow caused us
much trouble in his anxiety to /" show Off orator
for we found it almost impossible discover his
ing as he darkened counsel with multitude OF words
After comforting among themselves in the Pueblo Ian
guage, for time, they gave us TO understand that
the king Of Spain had given them their land long time
ago. for the benefit Of themselves and their children they
had never sold foot Of it to their knowledge but had
always considered the land given to them that they
might settle themselves and be good Chrlstans and they
asked to be protected in their rights and privileges The
Mexcans had possession Of their lands at both ends
of the Valley until they had nearly onehird of it, and
| were now living upon it and planting it.
ssThey had made application to several Mexican Gov
redress but never succeeded Castro
and Governor Martinez had both cheated them out of
lands They ask that their lands may be restored to
/ them
During the Council Juan Steven said that before the
Pueblo Indians lived in pueblos, they were wild like the
Camanches and Apaches and lived by hunting the buffalo
| and the deer
This gave great offence to all the chiefs present, and
with much excitement they contradcted his statement
No greater aront be offered Pueblo Indian than to
class him with the Genaes" as the wild Indians are
called
This Pueblo is in excellent condition They allow no
Mexicans to live among them have no disputes among
themselves their buildings kept in good repair and
they increasing in numbers Fhey can muster about
two hundred warriors.
After compimenting them upon their prosperity, and
the good feeling manifested towards us, we left them to
visit the Pueblo Of San Felipe which is built on the west
bank Of the Rio Grande thirty miles from Santa Fe.
On the top of about hundred feet above the
present village may be the ruins of an old Pueblo,
in which the ancestors Of these people used to live
The population is between 400 and 500, and they own
about 25 horses about $50 head Of and and
about 500 head of sheep and goats and large number
of burros fine orchard of apples, peaches and plums
belonging them stands upon the opposite bank OF the
river and is well taken care Of Their wheat crop has
failed this but they have raised large quantities
Of corn
Government train under Major Rucker having broken into
teir cornfelds and destroyed their property it became
necessary to investigate the matter in order to arrive a.
the extent of the damages Uncertain whether the lnd
ans would have objection to take oath not the
inquiry was made if they willing to be sworn The
answer was brief and earnest "Why should we
be; are not Christians " The deposition of each
individual who had lost property at once TAKEN anc
the extent of the damage estimated eighysx costa
of corn The evidence in this sent to your Elk
, cellency from Mgodones
, The only complaint they wished to make was, that
Mexican by the of Montoya who aarge ranch
on the west bank Of the Rio Grande, and who owns
large of stock turns his cattle out to Craze upo
their lands and win neither keep them away nor pa.
them for the pasturage.
A large mother acequa belongs to the Pueblo and al
liberty to take water from it, in proportion to tn
amount Of ground cultivated.
Being asked il they had any difficulties among them
selves as to the rights Of property they said Tha
one in the Pueblo knew his rights and the laws tina
governed them and all were bound to obey them Thu
poor bound to respect the rich man; the nci
in return helped the poor man. They all got alonl
WELL for they united togther and helped one an
other"
We left this Pueblo much pleased with the people,
made our way to the Pueblo Of Santa Anna, which i
located the North bank Of the Jemes River, five mile
west Of the Rio Grande and contains population OF be
tween and 600 IL is well constructed, Clean and neat
and the people very Industrious They own abou
125 horses about 225 head Of cattle and large ocks
sheep and goats. Their orchards abound in apples
peaches, and plums and they raise large quantities
melons and pumpkins They will have on hand, besides
what they use for their consumption, about loo
bushels Of corn.
The river Jemes upon which they depend TO irrigat
their lands surrounding the Pueblo entirely DIR.
during the last summer and their Jemes lands produced
nothing this season.
They fine large body Of land on the Rio Grande
upon which they have built village Of adobes in which
they live during the while attending to raising
their crops and guarding their cattle Fortunately thes
lands have produced abundsntly this The alcad
and number Of the young men accompanied from the
village the Rio Grande TO the Pueblo, where me
2 all the principal men in council
After being seated, told them glad to NEE
with them the industrious habits OF their people
that at their village the river their womer
making tenajos their old men making baskets their young
men gathering in their crops. We had to Their
Pueblo and drying every house. horses and
mules in every corral and happy children playing in every
street.
The alcslde said he was happy TO hear praises; i
sounded pleasant in his cars; they had their difficulties
now il true but he had the time when this
the bappest Pueblo in the Territory.
Their Mexican neighbors caused them much trouble
pay regard TO the rights Of the Pueblos they
trespass upon their grazing lands down their timber
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