National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-10-07
THREE OLD CHIEFS.
Pueblo Indians from New Mexico-Worship-
If rriual nf Infaraat.

Pueblo Indians from New Mexico-Worship-
ers of Montezums-Arrival Of an Interest
ing Trio in Our City.
Yesterday three old Indians arrived in our city
from New Mexico, and found their way to the
Washington house, showing that they had evil
IDENTIFY been in the city before. None Of them
could speak q word Of English, the Spanish being
the language used by the Pueblo Indians Of New
Mexico, to which nation these old fellows belong.
A young man at the Washington house offered
his services, as he was somewhat familiar with
Spanish, and the red men were escorted to the
office Of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.
a great deal of attention, having on ali their
trappings, such as tomahawks, knives, bows and
arrows, pipes, necklaces, gaudy blankets, &c
wrinkled with years. Their names are Antonio
Hosaco TancIo, Juan Hasio Cello and Antonio
Stelstto. The two latter named carry heavy
ebony canes presented them by Mr.. Lincoln, and
upon the massive silver-head of one is engraved
the Inscription, "a. Lincoln, Taos" and upon
the other, "a. Lincoln, San Juan-Taos and
San Juan being the villages Of which they are
The Commissioner asked II they had any bust
Thomas. Of the PuebIos, had given them letter,
which they handed the Commissioner. The letter
stated that the old fellows were on pleasure
on coming from New Mckee they had been de-
tained, and had spent every cent they bad started
with, and wanted the big Chief" Mr.. Smith)
bills ard other expenses while here. This the
Commissioner promised TO do, provided they had
any cficial business TO transac: for their tribe.
They then produced q communication written In
Spanish, and addressed 10 the President. Mr..
Amado Ohaves, Of the Pension Once, and ma
tive Of New Mexico, was called in by Mr.. Smith
to translate the document 1t was petition
signed by all the principal men Of all the "Pue-
bios, or villages Of the Pueblo Indians In New
Mexico. It represents that the lands OF the Pus-
bios are held by them under grants from the King
Of Spain, and afterwards approved by the Gov
eminent OF New Mexico and still later by that OF
the United States in the treaty OF Guadalupe HI
dalgo. Heretofore they had enjoyed the posses
sion Of these lands without interruption pasturing
stock upon it, cutting timber from It, and exer-
cisiDg all the privileges that title dating back
hundreds of years gave them. But now they are
denied the privilege Of pasturing their stock,
hunting, or cutting wood from those lands, and in
fact prohibited from cultiyating these lands which
New Mexico by their ancestors, the old Incas.
The petition prays that these evils Will be RENE
died Immediately, and that they be permitted the
use of their lands without interference.
These semi-civiliZed Indians are descendants OF
the Incas, and were living in "puebles," or vii
lagos Of houses built Of stone and mortar, or OF
adobes or sun-dried bricks, when the country was
first discovered by the Spanish priests, over three
centuries ago. They raise maize, wheat and
other cereals, vegetables, fruits and nuts. They
can mules, besides weaving blankets Of such fine
OF texture that they can carry water In them.
These villages number about twenty-seven, the
population Of San Juan and Taos, two OF the
largest putblos, being in the neighborhood Of
four hundred souls each. They are hospItable
bic for neatness, cleanliness and virtue. They
are worshipers OF MonteZuma, and still watch
as their ancestors have for centuries back, the
coming Of Montezuma with the rising OF the sun
when driven into their villages by roaming bands
OF numbering Apaches or Navajoes. Commits
mont house, and win have a fbig talk with
them to-day ut II O'Clock.