Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-01-19

THINGS IN NEW MEXloo.-.A Deptora6'e nc
fWe.-The following extracts from letter from
Lieutenant Colonel Sumner, who commands the
military division embracing the Department OF
New Mexico, although dated in May last, has
Just come to light 1t contains startling eXposltlons
of the unfortunate state of affairs in that territory
Colonel Sumner has been for long time stationed
in New Mexico, and is thoroughly acquainted
with the institutions and people of that territory
We are in possession of facts from an authentic
source which tend to confirm the most eSSen'iai
features of his statement. Ii will be recoIlec'eu
that Secretary Corwin, in his last annual message
recommended the abandonment OF New Mexico 10
the Indians. Such disposition OF this territory,
in view of the facts stated by Colonel Sumner,
would almost seem to be unavoidable ~ Y.
Express.
consider it certain that some radical change
must and will be made in the government of this
territory sooner or later that the people of the u
uited States will not consent to bear this heavy
burden, endlessly, without receiving the slightest
return, and without even the possibility OF better
ing the condition of this people,
exertions in agriculture, &C., so long as we hole
this country, as we do now, it must be very
heavy burden to us and there never can be tht
slightest return for all this outlay not even IN me
lioratino the condition of the people, for this DIS
tribution of public money makes them more ldlt
and worthless There is no possibility Of any
change for the better. Twenty-hity years
hence this Territory will be precisely the same a:
it is now. There can never be an lnducement to
any class of our people to come here whose exam
pie would improve this people. Spectators, ad
venturers, and the like, are all that will come
and their example is rather pernicious than beneh
cial
No civil government, emanatlng from the Gov
eminent of the United States, can be maintalne
here without the aid of military torce-ln FACT
without its being virtually military government
do not believe there is an intelligent man IN tn
Territory who is not, at the present time, full
sensible of this truth. All branches Of this civ
government have equally failed-the executive, ti
want of power the Judiciary, from the total ines
pacity and want of principle in the jures; and tn
legislature, from want of Knowledge want {
identity with our Institutions, and an extreme rt
luctance to impose taxes SO much 50, that the
have never even provided the means to suhSlst prs
oners, and consequently elous of all kinds are ruI
ming at large.
The New Mexcans are thoroughly debased an
totally incapable of selfgovernment, and there
no latent quality about them that can ever max
them respectable citizens They have more Ind
an blood than Spanish, and in some respects al
below the Pueblo Indians, for they are not as hoI
est or industrious. In this remark allude to tn
lower classes There are some educated gentl
men, with respectable families-about enough f
magistrates and other official persons. There
not much increase in the population, owing to the
gross depravity. doubt if there is a tribe OF II
dams on the continent who are more abandoned
their commerce between the sexes than the gre
majority of this people.