Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-02-28
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
INDIANS OF NEW MEXICO.

oava tbe usual monthly nscange Of intelligence from
New Mexico amongst which was an Item statng
that an interview had taken place between the Gov
srnor Of New Mexico and body of Navajo Indians,
,be effect Of which, it was believed would be favor
able to the peace and security Of the country.
Having been obligingy placed in possession OF the
PARTICULARS Of this interesting and importantmeetng
we condense them into the following statement, and
append thereto a valuable report respecting the
Pueblo Indians of New Mexico, prepared at the IN
stance of Governor CALHOUN by Mr.. GREINER In
dian Agent whose intelligence and devotion to duty
are warmly acknowledged by his superior:
Some time after the return Of Col. SUMNER from
the expedition to the Canon of Cheille last fall
message was received by Governor CALHOUN from
BODY Of Mauoio Indians, intimating their wish to
see and confer with him The Governor con-
cIuded to rive them an interview, and the Pueblo
Of .Jemez west of the Rio Grande was appointed as
the place of meeting Two hundred OF the princi-
nal chiefs and men of the tribe came in, all well
armed with bows and arrows Besides the Gov
ernor acting as er o6icio Superintendent Of Indian
Affairs. were Mr. Greiner and an interpreter. Col
r.. v. Sumner, commanding the ninth military de-
partment, accompanied the party, as also Lieut..
McFerran, Major f. A. Cunningham, and Major
Blake with his command of squadron of dragons.
They took quarters in the buildings Of the pueblo
On a subsequent day, mutually appointed, the IN
teryiew commenced by the Governor asking if the
Nayaios had come to comply with the treaty made
with Col. Washington at the Canon de Cheille. To
this the Nayajos replied that the treaty with Col
Washington had been made with only a small part
of their people, and that those of them residing west
of the Canon did not agree to it. They said more
over that whilst that treaty being signed their
chief Na,5ona was killed. Gov. Calhoun rejoined
that the Navajo people had recognised the treaty,
and the Government of the United States had APP
proved of it. The Navajos, said the Governor, can
either comply with it or not, as they please. II
those who were present at the interview were not
satisfied with the terms of it, they could have free
passage back to their own country without molesta
ton. Pressed by these remarks of the Governor
the Indians urged that the chiefs who had made the
treaty were dead Gov. Calhoun then reiterated his
question as to what was the motive Of the Navajos
in seeking an interview. The Americans wished tc
wipe out the past and begin again. The Washing
ton treaty was the only that they could re
cognise.
These bold and decisive remarks produced deeI
sensation among the Indians leading the Governor
to suggest to them to retire few hours and consl
der the subject among themselves The Navajos
accordingly retired, and after stormy debate, IL
verally explained to them by the Indian agent anc
interpreter, the Navajos concluded upon adopting
the policy of delivering up their captives restoring
the property stolen from the Mexicans and sending
hostages to Santa Fe in evidence of their sincerity
to comply with their obligations under the treaty
and Of their wish for peace. Their people, they
said, wished for peace, and, under the influence o
this DESIRE they agreed to be bound by the treaty
made with Col. Washington. This desirable enc
attained they were introduced to Col. Sumner whom
they necessarily eyed and whose martial bearing
evidently much impressed them. They agreed Z
send in their captives and the stolen property il
sixteen days. which the Governor politely EXTENDED
to twenty-five. He also promised the hostages VIII
should be sent to Santa Fe the best treatment in hi
power Presents were then distributed to over tw,
hundred of them, when the Indians danced peace
dance. Five of the leading chiefs went as hostage
to Santa Fe It is matter of regret-whilst it goe
to show the spirit and behavior of the Mexicans to
wards the Indians-that on the night of the arriya
of these Nayajos at the pueblo, five Of their horse
were stolen by the Mexcans, and had not been re
covered at our last advices
As one of the favorable first fruits Of this renewa
of friendly relations with these active and dangerou
Indians, might be mentioned the fact that on tn
first of January some FIVE hundred Pueblo Indian
from various pueblos came into Santa Fe TO mani
fest their satisfaction at the adjustment Of the diff
culties with the Navajos OF this large and int
resting portion of the inhabitants Of New Mexico
the reader will find much undoubtedly correct intel
Hgence in the following report of Mr. GREINER:
+ To his Ercelleney, Governor CALHOUN
Superintendent Of Indian dfdirs, New Mcrico:
Sir In obedience to your instructions, left Santa
November st 1851 to visit the Indian puebos in the Ri
Abajo, accompanied by Indian guide and an inter
prefer
On the west bank Of the Rio Grande, twenty -fy
miles below Santa Fe stands the neat little pueblo Of Co
chit At the time of arrival nearly all the inhabtant
were out a hunting excursion, in accordance with
custom preparatory to celebrating the feast OF the da
Of the dead The young men Of the village select plac
where the game Is supposed TO be the most abundant
and form circle some four or FIVE miles in crcum
ference, for the purpose of driving all the game With
the enclosure towards common centre. No fre-arm
are allowed but spears clubs hoes and stones th
only weapons used upon these occasions Every Twin
thing eatable is alike doomed TO destruction and
as hunter succeeds in killing any thing he is at b.
set by all the women Of the pueblo who pursue him.
they succeed in capturing him his game he is boun
to pay aforfet Of basket Of bread portion Of meat
such articles the women may require Of him for I'll
feast.
The population Of Cochit is about four hundred an
the people very honest and Industrious The building
in oerable order but many Of them unoccupec
rented out TO Mexicans Twenty years ago the puebl
crowded with their people, but some caus
unknown to themselves, their numbers continue d.
crease rapidly Their wheat crop win be failure th
year. but they win have abundant supply of 70
themselves, and win have for sale about fifteen hundre
bushels
As the principal were advised Of our arr
val, at invited to meet with them In thei
council After sating TO them briefly the object
visiting them to inquire into their condition,
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