The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1866-09-06
Montezuma of the New Mexican
Indians,

subject. AT meeting, last week, OF
the American Geographical and Stats
teal Society, DR.. Macgowan read an
chronological paper on the Pueblos of
New Mexico and their Montezuman
legends, of which we give briet
abstract.
Soon after the conqucstof Mexico,
missionaries made their appearance on
the Rio Grande Santa Fo CITY of the
Holy Faith was built by priests who
came from Spain with Cortez The
Indians of that region, Pueblos, that
is Villagers, "a doclle agricultural peo-
pie, soon recovered the new faith.
From what we can CLEAN from Spanish
writers, it appears that these Indians
were at least as prosperous at that time
as they have been siuce. How much
they have gained by exchanging their
original superstitions, for those the
Spaniards imposed, may be ascertained
by considering the character of the
legends which have been disclosed by
DR.. Macgowan's investigations.
The rapid rate at which our red
brethren are disappearing, is a source
of pain TO every humane mind; the
more so, as our civilization is the prin-
eipaI canse Of the extinction that seems
toawait them. Other causes, however,
seem to be in operation, which Dr.
Mcgowan shows as having the same
tendency, although very gradual in their
operation Particularly is this the case
with the Pucblos, who have been too
far removed from the vices and Opprcss
ions of white men to have materially
suffered from that cause. They, too,
are decreasing in numbers; and what
remarkable, the proportionatc number
of deaf and dumb, of the blind and
insane is greater among them than
perhaps is to be found in any commu-
nifty Of whites,--a result doubtless Of
intermarrages,
Nominally the Pueblo Indians are
Roman Catholics Zach pueblo has its
patron saint whose day is observed, as
is Sunday, by religious exercises in
church, aud then by horse and foot
racing, cock fighting, gambling, feast
ingand dancing Until a comparatively
recent period, they kept fire burning
in an estufa, or temple, at the pueblo Of
Pecos, which was attended by a person
who was annually selected for that pur-
pose but this fire, though kept burn
ing, asthoy affirm, by the express orders
of Montozuma, docs not appear to have
been an object of worship. On that
subject, however, as on their belief in
Montezuma, they are so reticent as to
battle all attempts at accurate iniorma-
tion when interrogated by white men.
The subioined legends are recorded in
manuscript written in Spanish, and
copied some twenty years ago in the
city of Mexico, copy OF which Mr..
Ward, United States Indian Agent at
Santa Fe, procured from DR.. Macgowan.
The birth of Montezuma, which took
place in one Of the pueblos of New
Mexico, was miraculous event. lie
was born Of virgin, in consequence OF
eating fir cone, which God had pre-
sontod to her Hisdeath wasmysterious;
lie was inferred in the Atlantic Ocean,
and will return again to appear among
the Pueblos if they remain faithful to
the Catholic religion. Prophecies and
miraculous events constitute the main
features Of these legends. The Virgin,
the Queen of Heaven, holds ire'
quent conversations with him Among
other things she apprises him that the
Spaniards should come and take his
kingdom, but that he should be com
pensated by the holy religion which he
should receive.
Cortcz arrived, Mllinche, the beau.
tiful daughter of Montezuma became
enamored Of him. She receives the
holy waters of baptism, becomes his
wife, and persuades her father to abdi
cate and become n Catholic. Such, il
brief, are the pious frauds by which
these Indians are retained as children
of the Church
An account Of one Of these monkisl
traditions will suffice to show theil
general character. Montczuma inquiries
of Cortoz, by what means the Spaniard'
became aware Of the existence of tn,
Aztec kingdom. Cortez replied
"Great Monarch, | will tell you how
the discovery of this vast kingdom wa
made. There was n girl in one of on
schools attached to nunnery, Mari
Agnela dc Jesus, who,. one day wa
absent for two hours. When she cam
up for punishment by the Abbess, sh
said, Don't whip mei will tell tn
truth where have been Then til
Abbess said Tell me where you hay
been She replied, 'Ah lady mistress
have this moment passed over muc
water, and went till | reached land o
the other side, where is great king
dom, where found myself among pee
pie who were dancing, and where ! 81
great king, who had an imper
scrown of gold on his head all coverc
With featherssv Or -nU~4"E
"'fte lady mistress Immediately wei
and gave account to the King Of SpaiT
and as he had before received nows
the King Of the Indies, but did II,
know where lac was, until that q
discovered him, the King ordered tn
three days vacation should be given q
girl, that she might como aud brlr