Santa Fe gazette. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1859-1864, 1863-05-09
usUBsC RIPTION,
subscription.



handing Department Of Ne,c llerico.
GENERAL The undersigned have the honor to
represent and call yur attention to u new enemy
which has invaded the County OF Socoro more
threatening than the Texan invasion and more
terrible than the presencc Of the savage 1t Is
Hunger.
The greater portion of the families of this Coun-
ty. are in the most alarming state of destitution,
their meaus Of subsistence disappearing and every
day reduces the necessary supplies.
The cause ofths calamity is the nundation Of
the Rio Gmnde and the iIeessant depredatons Of
the Indians,
lst. LAST year the Rio Grande caused The ruin
of many families of the County of Socorro des
troying nearly the entire crops of many Of the
towns by the extraordinary rise in the river which
submerged the crops and destroyed the Accquias
so that in many places there was too much water
and 10 Others not enough for irrigation.
End. 10 the rise caused by the river we must
add the deprcdations committed by the barbOrous
nations. You are well aware, General that the
County Of Socorro has always been troubled by
Che several tribes of Indians which surround it,
They have continued their robberies until the
people are left without animals. Heretofore the
families growing a little wheat and corn subsisted
very well on those articles milk and the meat oil
their herds but at present no herds are to he seen
The Indians have driven them off aud the few ami
mails remaining are IN state Of starvation because
the proximity OF the saynges prevents their owner
from pastwing them on good grazing and render
it necessary to keep them near the towns.
Persons who few years since Owned from Al
to 80 yoke Of oxen are now compelled to brin!
their wood on burros and to plunt their corn witt
poor mule or most wretched horse. 10 tbes
together with many other causes which will u
readily suggest themselves to yOu as to us, Gener
al. Is attributable the great desttution Of tn
families Of Socoro where every thing Is neede
rs above stated Wheat cannot be had a $40 pc
ianega, corn is not to be had or found any where
Money and the means Of procuring itare wantin
and this deplorabe state of things will continu
for the ensuing three months--three months c
amine--three long months to the parent who ha
no means Of supplying his family with necessar
food. Wedoubt not, but that this painful cond
dtion of families in Territory belonging to, an
under the protection of generous Governmen
which extends its fostering hand even to the bal
harous nations within its limits and which duTin
the last fifteen years has left nothing undone
secure the peace and prosperity ofthis Territor.
will move your kind consideration.
1t is the worthy representative OF this magn
nimous Government, the distinguished Commal
der of the Military Department, the undersgnt
address in the name of the people of the Ooun
ofSOcorro praying him to be pleased to ado
prompt and active measures to relieve their want
The best means to adopt in order to remedy Il
evils specified would, in our opinion, be to depoi
grain 10 the towns of SocoTo and Lenitar,
sufficient quantities to supply the most nee
families until their wheat shall mature. or GeneI
by your order, sell the grain at reduced prices
loan the same to the most needy families to
returned to the Government at the proper time.
The known interest you have ever shown
wards the inhabitants of our Territory, your vi
liant attention, your active solictude in procuri
the welfare of our people assure US that you "
give your kind attention to this our petition, a
this new favor will secure you the lasting lc
Of many families exposed to famine, and the
mage Of gratitude and profound respect of tht
who will ever be; Your most obedent servan
Rev John Aug. Truchard, Parish Priest
J. A, Bucay Perea, Judge of Probate,
Andres Romero, Justice Of the Peace, Soco
Prec't.