New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-03-11
CHIHUAHUA.
The Indians of the Plains and of Northern
Mexico.
corre,roudcpes OF TIE y Y. rrisan-.

CoFresrondrncs OF TIE y. Y. Tfbun-
CHrHUAHUA Saturday, Dec. II, 1852
Expecting that my two previous letters
dated, if | am not mistaken, the 18th OF last
month and the 18th inst.) have reached you, L
shall continue my remarks on the Indian tribes,
which are the plague of Northern and Eastern
Mexico, and will ultimately effect the ruin OF
that country if it remains IN the helpless state
il is in at present. Immense tracts OF the hnest
grazing land, once forming rich estates, contain
ing millions of cattle, horses and mules, are now
desolate. the herds having been driven away
and the herdsmen SO consnually harrled by the
sAvages that the owners have either been ruined
or have finished by abandoning an income which
had formerly attained All immense amount. In
a later part of my remarks | shall treat OF the
particular circumstances which make the de-
tense of the country against these depredatlons
more difficult than il would appear 70 North
Americans, and of the injustice of the repr0ach
of cowardice pat upon the Mexican population
in that respect. Before treating this question,
! desire TO speak again of the Camanches and
KeOwas, whom our train met in great numbers
on the Arkansas.
Ii is well known that in the spring Of this
wear these and other western tribes assumed
rather threatening position at the crossings Of
LONGER for the presents which the Government
had promised TO send them. All the young
warriors were for war, and only the old men had
the contrary opinion, and advised the tribes TO
he pstieut. trusting 70 the good faith OF the
Government of the United States. When our
train passed the western plains, they had not
long before received those presents, and the
value of them had undoubtedly far surpassed
their expectations They did not at all conceal
this fact, but would speak with expressions OF
more than satisfaction Of the valuable things
they had got, extending their arms as II to seize
a very great bulk, and uttering, with the ex-
pressiye accent of the Spanish language. the
words mHckO mHehO very much, very
much
The policy Of the United States toward these
barbarians is undoubtedly very wise one. BY
presenting them with wooden blankets aud other
objects Of comfort, the Government not only
induces them TO keep the peace and let the
traders and travellers pass unmolested, but at
the same time weskens their native character
ard makes them dependent on civilized life
This. however. turns out TO the misfortune OF
the unhappy Mexicans Formerly they could
distinguish troop Of Indian horsemen from
afar by their appearance; now they arrive
wrapped In blankets, and many Of them wearing
hats. which, seen from aiar, eiiaees the distine-
ton between them and civilized people, and
they know very well bow to avail themselves Of
this fact.
In general found them very fond Of civilized
dress, and most ready TO exchange their own
national costume for il. With some old pieces
of my wardrobe put Comanehe chief entire
" in fashionable dress, which made the man,
who had been very reasonable before, become
almost fool of pride and vanity He mounted
hi. horse. ordered, in rather an overbearing
manner, every one of bis tribe to leave our
camp, from fear, suppose, that neaner man
might also be presented With objects BY which he
wanted 10 be alone distinguished; and, being
entirely absorbed in the idea Of his sublime sp-
pearance, would have left not only his butaloe
robe, but even his arms behind, if We had not
called his attention 10 the latter objects, 30 val
liable 10 every Indian. he thea declared me