New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-02-04

uci TIE rosa passes the ruins OF tue ieC'S
Church and walled town
| visited these ruins on the morning OF thu
10th of July. They are situated on an eon-
gated hill or ridge, three or four hundred yards
long and about fifty vide. At the eastern cx-
tremity of this hil is the ruin of Il church. tho
walls of which are built of adobes This church
was evidently constructed under the auspices Of
the Spanish Catholics, being craei.orn in plan,
and with a recess at the north end for an altar,
as in all Catholic churches. In its best DAYS it
must have been really tne-lOoking structure;
every girder, joint or beam is of massive pine
timber drawn from the surrounding mountain
slopes, and where exposed 10 view, on the inte.
rior or exterior, is neatly and elaoorately carved
and finished. Surrounding this church are
many apartments now broken down and open 10
the weather, but evidently constructed tor tho
use of the functionaries whooffclatedin religious
services, or in the instruction OF the lnhaol-
tSnts At the western extremity is Kind OF court,
the site OF it being somewhat more elevated
than the eastern portion of the ridge; in tho
center OF the court are two circular reservoirs.
These may possibly be Estgas, If the western
portion is the ruin of an ancient church of tho
natives. Intermediate between these two ru-
ms. and connecting them both on the north and
south crests of the hill, are the remains ot
| houses or huts built of loose stones, and form
inc an inclosed walled town or village. These
! huts all appear 10 have been built in the style
! ALWAYS prevalent among the Indian population
of New-Mexico, being in many instances OF two
stories. On the south side-that nearest 70 tho
road-the hill is abrupt and rugged, with piles Of
| large granite boulders aud slabs which rendes
! the approach 10 the wall on that side extremely
difficult. From what source the inhabitants of
this ancient village Obtained their water, it Is
not easy 10 decide. The springs at our en-
campment were half \ mile from 1t. and were
far from affording tolerable supply OF water.
One month after we passed them they were dry.
North of these ruins few miles is the village oi
PecOs. For further particulars in regard 70
these ruins refer YOU 10 Emorys and Greggs
works.
Two miles beyond PecOs ruins is fork of tho
road-that TO the left leading directly TO Albu-
dueraue, by way OF Galisreo Our route led us
to the right. toward Santa Ft. For twenty
miles here the road winds through rude and
narrow gorges or passes, exceedingly tortuous
and irregular but relieved by very picturesque
views of precipitous and heavily wooded cliffs,
with well wooded valleys.
We passed, at twelve miles from the Pecos
ruins. the famed "AImjjo's Pass" where wa
found two or three small springs OF water. AT
! this spot Governor Armijo intrenched himself
with his forces having under his orders body
| of five thousand Mexican troops, to oppose tho
approach of General kearney with his small
| band; but on the approach OF the Americans
| he abandoned his ground and reiterated to be-
yond Santa Fe, without firing gun.
After a march of "A or - miles, we reached
! Santa Fe, the last ) or miles being over very
billy ground, but open and not so winding as tho
! 20 miles We had already passed over. The first
object within the limits OF the city which got
site Of was a large building near Fort Marcy,
and the second, the large United States garrison
flag of the plaza peerng up over the hills before
us, while yet, scarce building in the valley WAS
! to be seen.
Santa Fe in the first view of it, presented it.
self TO me much more favorably aud agreeably
than anticipated. Having heard so much Of
the sandy ground in It's vicinity, and the absence
of grass, | expected To see dull dry, COM
fortress place, and the houses scattered and i'll
looking instead of which, the eye is gratified
with the site of some prettlly cultivated fields,
and a number of houses tOlcrably closely
grouped together. These houses are all built of
the same dark cOlored adobes, though here and
there whtewashed front appeared TO relieve
the dull aspect. Our camp was formed in what
is called the military plaza, because most Of the
buildings inclosing il were put up by the Ameri-
!
lSi7, but it was teariully sandy and the high
winds covered our tents and clothing with dust
and sand. While encamped here we were visit
ed by some Pueblo Indians, one of whom was
surprised to hears speak in broken English Ho
called himself John, and said be had been to the
States, and had lived two or three years
Vat ide Pache five miles below ST. Louis, with a
trader from that place, who had taken him out
| OF NeT-Mexc0 on his return from Santa Fe
John was dressed in the usual Pueblo Indian
costume, his jetblack hair cut square off in
front and reaching down to his eyebrows, so as
completely To conceal his entire forehead This
is she method of wearing the hair common tO
all the Pueblos in New-Mexco, the side locks
hanging below the ears and generally falling
upon the shoulders. He was something Of
linguist, as he spoke his own native language
chat OF the Pueblos OF San Antonio) Spanish.
French and English.
witnessed in the Plaza OF Santa Fe one Of
those masquerades SO common in the lower
provinces OF Mexico on SUNDAYS and Saints
days. The sound OF yioins and muiied drum
attracted me 10 the window, when my view was
greeted with tho sight of boy on horseback,
masked and dressed in the style OF harlequin,
preceded by the men acting as musicians, and
attended by crowd OF men, women and child.
rem, who were eagerly listening TO the harangue
he was making while riding around the circuit
OF the plaza The object of this display and Of
his harungue and extensive gesticuIatiOn did
not learn. The ringing of the triaing little
bells in the church OF Santa he on Sunday
sounded precisely like the engine bells of our
eastern cities, when proceeding TO fire; 80
that throughout our camp the men continually
amused themselves in crying out Fire Fire,
as soon as they commenced ringing.
was assured in Santa re that there could
be no doubt there was a settled intention and
plot in the city and among the neighboring
Pueblos during the last spring, to revolt against
American authority and that O. ncerted signals
and places Of meeting had been fixed upon for