New-York daily tribune., 1856-08-01
NEW-MEXICO.
from Our Ovr CSuespordenL

from Our Own csuespordenL
SANTA FE, June :, lc56.
Much has been written and said iatterly in refer
ence to the little attention that ia given 10 the Uni
ted States to the affairs of the Territory of New
Mexico. And indeed, within the limits of the Ter
ritOry complaint il not unfrequenty made at the
ind, tfert nee O. its own inhabitants 10 their own
lo,al interests and advantages. propose to touch,
in ihss communication, upon such topics as think
may draw attention to the true interests aud re-
sources of this extensive Territory.
When you take into view the wretehed charac-
ter of toe Mexican population, their ignorance,
vciousness and hereditary disregard of opportuni
ties sDd means of Improvement, much, certainly,
cannot be expected OF them. What little improve
meDt they have, as people, experienced IN the
last ten years is due mainly to the efforts and eI-
ample OF emgrants from the States, and in some
measure, also, to the presence and suggestions OF
the military force stationed in their midst. You
may be able to Judge Of what the future is likely
to bring forth, when tell you that American i'm
migra'iOD if it does not from year TO year sens'-
bl, aud Ste adly diminish, does not increase. The
number of merchant traders is not materially
greater than previous to and during the Mexican
war. while the influx OF an agricultural popula-
titn il next TO nothing Texas, California, and
Oregon. until closely settled, will continually
draw away all attention from so forbddlDg coun-
try as this know Of individuals about 10 return
permanently to the States, who declare that, with
all the vast competition which obtains 10 every
business pursuit. In the United States it is still
easy 10 obtain occupation and good livelihood
there as here. Every luxury Of life is brought
here at great expense and trouble, which pre-
cudes the indulgence in anything save the plainest
necesssries of life. These last are enormously
dear, quite equal to- if not higher than the cost of
bread and weat in the States. The privation,
therefore from association with sn enlightened
American community caps the climax of objec-
tions to settlement in New-MexicO.
do not think attention has been drawn as yet
TO the real resources of this Territory In the srst
place, it possesses q most genial and equable eli
mate, and mas benefited many an invalid perms-
neLtly who has sought its clear and invigorating
atmosphere. 1t has been repeatedly asserted Of
late that officers of the army, now in California
and formerly stationed here, are anxious to leave
their present posts to return 10 New Mexico. This
preference is not much in reference TO character
of service as TO climate. No clsss of our citizens
have go fair an opportunity 10 Judge OF advantages
OF climate Is those Of the army-few Of them tsv
ing personal inteIest which bind them 70 particu
lar sections OF country. Climate is, therefore d
Recommendation in favor Of the Territory ofNeS-
Mexico.
If common report is 10 be believed. New
Mexico is not deficient in mineral resources which
if California sold had not been discovered, would
doubtless have attracted an adventurous mining,
gold hunting population, determined TO succeed in
penetrating the serras in spite of hostile sayages
scarcity Of water and other well-known obstacles.
Gold is found in many localities. Ii is daily,
could almost say, brought from the placer, near
this city, and worked into articles Of jewelry.
Silver mines are progressing successfully in the
vicinity Of Dohs Ana and La. Cruces in the south;
and there s every reason 10 believe that with CAPT.
tai, and the proper enterprise and numbers neees-
sary to keep in check the starved and thieying
hordes of Indiana which encircle her boundaries,
other valuable mines might be fJnnd and worked.
Still am satisfied that of late years the mineral
resources Of New Mexico have been greatly over.
rated.
But the best invitation 10 settlement 10 in the
pastorsl advantages possessed by New MeIice. In
so gt nial climate disease among herds Of sheepis
almost unknown. However scanty may be the
means OF subsistipg heavy herds Of cattle, horses,
&C., the obi ctiOn does not hold in reference 70
SHEEP raising. suppose no country on the face
Of the earth possesses the same pastoral adyan-
tsees In the more elevated portions Of the Terri
tory south Of the latitude Of Santa Fe there is an
abundance Of grsHia grass all the year round, while
4 variety Of shrubs and weeds afford additional
mesns of subsistence. 1t 10 impossible for 9
traveller 70 see the lomas alone which border the
valley of the Rio del Norte south Of Socorro with
out being at once impressed with the speculative
advantages offered for grazing purposes. II, there
fore, there are any Of your readers who wish 10
embark in the healthful and printable occupation
of iheep farmers let them no. ioreet what have
said 40 10 the climate and erAss-eeyeSed hil.s Of