The true Democrat., 1856-06-10
Letter from saata Fe.
Saata Fee, Ne,0 Merico, :
 April 26, 1856. {


 EDITOR TRUE DEMOCRAT
 Your welcome paper is sometimes re- ceved in this far country, but owing to the freauent mail failures this winter we are with out the paper of January or February. Infor- nation reached here by the last two mails, that large number of mail bags are at Council Grove, left there by the contractors, although the trips from Missouri were regularly made during the months of March and April This certainly is wrong and 1 hope the post mas- ter general will apply the remedy. The con- tractors leave the mail on the road to bring passengers and freight.
 The weather for several days has been de- lightful, but to-day it is cold and showing only think of snow on the 26th of A pril.- The winter has been the coldest ever known: more snow has fallen here and in the moun- tains than for many years so look out for high waters in the Arkansas. The Rio Del Norte is now full from bank to bank, while the resi- dents say they apprehend much damage when the snow melts. The sight of the mountains from Santa Fe is beautiful I have lately made a trip to the lower country, and had mow-capped mountains on each side of me for one hundred miles; the valley through which traversed constitutes the best portion of New Mexico. It is occupied by Mexcans and Puebla Indiars, now and then few Ameri- cans are found among the natives I cannot say that like this country. There is nothing that would cause me to settle here except the climate. 1 believe it is the healthiest coun- try in this world. We are here seven thousand feet above the level of the sea- The air is delightful, while tEe health of the country is acknowledged by every one. The country is generally barren and mountainous in my opin- ion never will be very thickly settled. The wild Indians keep up their old practice of foraging on the people; whenever they want provisions they make descend upon the nu- merous herds of sheep and drive them off; not long since they drove off obout ten thou sId at one time. The Governor has made treaties with them, but they still keep up their former habits; of course one lays the blame on the other which makes it hard to tell which should be punished. The Puebla h. dans are exempt from these charges they are farmers and in every respect equally as good far mers as the native populations; they number about twelve thOusand; their homes are per feet, curiosity Their houses or Puebas are generally two stories high; you enter the first by ll tl, .l,. l ascuttle hole In case of an attack they can draw up the ladder and defend themselves within their houses. This they have to do frequently under Mexican rule, but since our government has taken the country they have, in some instances, changed their mode of liv- ing. They are apparently happy people.
 There is much in this country that might be interesting to the people of the States but it would take an abler pen than mine to give you afull description of every thing that takes place in New Mexico. Suffice it to say, the people are free and happy, kind and hospitable, and if properly managed would soon adopt our laws and usnges; as it is now change will have to take place in certain quarters or the progress will be slow indeed.
 l will close by congratulating you on the manly efforts you are making to drive the dark lantern oligarchy out of the pale of Arkansas l hope the people will re-elect their present governor, who has so nobly stood up for the rights through the trying crisis which is just departing from Arkansas. 1 am glad to see that your railroad prospects are frightening, aud hope that the good work begun will never be abandoned until my beloved Arkansas shall occupy that position which her immense and undeveloped resources entitle her to occupy. l long to get back, and hope the day is not far distant when I shall once more meet the friends Iparted from to come to New Mexico. I will write to you monthly, and if you think my letters interesting enough to publish you have my permission to do so. Yours truly,
 A. G. M.