Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-09-14
Wonders Of the Rio Grande Valley--.NO. 9


Mr.. Editor Later in the history OF this won
derful valley came the Spaniard. lie taught the
native to cringe and slave, and hate the Chris
tian's cross to which he had to bow. In the H.
brary at Santa Fe are endless musty Spanish
manuscripts, which, when once explored, will
tell us much Of these old days Of which we litt Q
dream.
1t was In the year 1912 that the invaders, un-
der the famous adventurer Coronado, first crossed
the plains and mountains OF New Mexico, in
quest OF precious metals and the seven cities
lie penetrated as far north as the city OF Atchi-
son, on the Missouri River, but returned to
Mexico a disappointed and ruined man. No
holder enterprise is recorded in the history of
early American explorations than this of Coro-
NADIA, and none of more adventurous interest
He marched four thousand miles through coun-
try wholly unknown, inhabited by the fiercest
tribes Of Indians; was deserted by the larger part
of his command, but returned with flying coors,
to be treated as Columbus was, by the governor
OF the province. After march more wonderful
and glorious than that of Xenophon and his ten
thousand, Coronado was disgraced and ill-treated,
dying at last in obscure poverty.
A local historian has briefly recorded the events
which followed Coronado's expedition, trusting
for his dates to random manuscripts and anony.
nous records. His accounts is substantially this:
The first expedition for the purpose OF occupy
ing the country was commanded by Espejo, and
marched up the Rio Grande In the year 1880.
This was met by forcible resistance, and COM
PEELED to retreat. Espejo again undertook the
task, but was met and driven back by an army
OF forty thousand natives In 1891 the Spaniards
were more successful, and penetrated the valley
to the mouth of the Rio Chama, and founded
settlement named by Onate, its leader San Ca
brel. From this time the Spanish settlements
increased very rapidly, and the naughty masters
improved their opportunities. The valley was
reclaimed by irrigation; mines OF gold, silver,
copper and turquoise were developed in the
neighboring mountains; and the p,esas were COW
cred with herds of cattle. And while the poems
toiled, their masters reveed In debauchery and
ill-gotten wealth. The traditions Of that period,
In regard to the wealth taken from the mines
and boarded by the Spaniards, are absolutely in
credible. 1t is authentic history, however, that
magnificent presents of gold and gems were sent
to the royal family OF Spain, and jewels Of untold
value were worn by the successive rulers In the
viceroyalty of Mexico, that were taken from these
mines. In the records Of the Catholic church It
is stated that the tithes collected from single
mine In the Taos Mountains amounted to S1O-
100000 The acquisition of such vast wealth
tempted the Spaniards to acts Of cruelty to the
Indians, which finally led to revolt and after
a succession of battles, in which the Spaniards
suffered great loss, they were compelled to re-
treat to Chihuahua. Their route was down this
valley, and the hardships OF the forced march
were aggravated by the ever-present reminder OF
the loss they were suffering in abandoning its
blooming fields"
The Indians. after the withdrawal Of the Span
iards, filled up the Mines concealing them as best
they could; declared all marriages under the
Christian church void went back to their old re-
ligion, and In every way possible blotted ont the
evidences of their former servtude Twelve
years later another army, led by another COM
mander, marched up the valley for the same OBJ
ject, and after several hard fought battles recap
tured the city and again dominated the country
by Spanish authority. Finding the Indians dis
posed TO be submissive, Vergara evacuated Santa
Fe, marching in two columns, sending the greater
part OF his army down the valley Of the Rio
Grande, and accompanying the remainder through
the village Of Pecos, in the old church Of which
two hundred and fifty Indians were baptized by
the priests upon the arrival OF the army. Then
came long era of peace between the Pueblos and
Spnniards during which their energies were d.
rected to agriculture, and especially to the i'm
provement of the valley OF the Rio Grande. lrri-
cation was begun on a more extensive scale than
before, and orchards and vineyards were planted
along the river for hundreds Of miles.
These are the chief points known regarding the
Spanish occupation of the country; but the whole
question is as yet shrouded in mystery. Stories
and traditions among the Indians point to many
a dark and bloody chapter, OF which no authentic
record has yet been found. Certain it is that the
early Spanish rule was one Of extreme cruelty
and bloodshed.
In the beginning Of the present century, during
the Mexican revolution Of 1921 and later in the
Mexican war, when the forces OF Amigo retreated
before the victorious forces OF General Kearney,
the Rio Grande was the scene Of stirring events,
involving much bloodshed.
And later still, in 1862, the rebel forces marched
up the valley and occupied Santa Fe, defeating
the Union forces at valverde; but retreated soon
after, severely punished by General Candy.