The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-01-11
MEXICAN PEON SLAVES.
The Curious System by Which Natives Are Held
In Bondage.

This little town is situated in the State of
Chiapas, which is one of the extreme south
western States of Mexico. The country
is inhabited by tribes of pure blood Indians.
Each tribe speaks separate language aud
all are entirely different in habits and dress.
These aborignes refuse to associate with the
descendants of the Spanards or with the
people of any other nationality who have
settled In this section. They even go so far,
writes correspondent from TuXtla, Mex
leo, to the Philadelphia Times, in order to
maintain their identity, as to refuse to
marry into other tribes, and have strictly
adhered to endOgamy for moro than 800
years. The principal tribes in the State of
Chiapas are the Chamulas AID TenejapaS.
1t is stated in history that COrteZ captured
beautiful Tabascan girl, who was the
Princess of her tribe, and made her his con-
cubne and interpreter. An account of this
action OF the conquerOr of Mexico has been
handed down from generation to generation
by the members Of the Indian Tribes in this
and adjoining countries, and II Is said to be
the cause II the exceedingly great caution
exercised by the Indians here in dealing
with the Spaniards even to the present day.
TuXtla IS supplied with wood aud products
of the farms, gardens and orchards by the
Indians, but the latter IN dealing with the
Spaniards here pretend to be unncquainted
with the CaStilian language. 1t is said that
all the tribes can speak Spanish tiuently,
but that they claim to be ignorant OF the
language for fear that they Will be captured
and forced into slavery.
The fear that these Indians entertain for
the Spauiards is so strong that they will
cross to the other side of the street TO avoid
meeting them. Such instances are seen here
every Gay. The Mexican Government has
attempted to educate and civiliZe these saw
ages and number OF schools have been
established in their midst but the Indians
refuse to send their children to school, and
father has often been known to pay the
SchOomaSteT a liberal sum in order to be
given the privilege Of keeping his children
at home. In this country scho llmaSter is
an important parsonage. He is appointed
by the Governor OF the State and is vested
with judicial power, it being one of his du-
ties TO decide all questions OF difference
among The people.
a system OF peOnage or slavery is extern
slvey carried on in Chiapas, and its work
ings are novel and Interesting The slaves
nearly all come from the middle class of
SpanardS, and are not Indians, as is gpner-
ally supposed. The usual custom is for
family who may have boy or girl 10 or Il
years OF age to tIke the child to some plau-
taton-owner or family of the first class and
propose that II shall take a position as serv-
ant on condition that an advance OF SO or
$50 Is made to the parents. The contract
also generally Stipulatss that the child shall
receive certain amount as wages, and that
the sum shall be placed to its credit until
the money advanced has been paid, when
the child shall again be free. As the child
grows older and becomes able to earn more
money its parents, so it happens in nearly
every case, apply for more money, thus
piling up the debt. When the child becomes
of age it generally asks for money for its
own personal use, and thus bound to its
master it must continue in slavery until the
debt is paid
A peOn cannot change masters at his will,
but must have written statement of his
debts from his first owner, which is accepted
by his new master, should one be found who
is willing to advance the amount. If any
attempt to escape paying his debts is made
by the slave he Is carried to Jail and pun
ished until he is willing to take UP the yoke
again. This system of slavery is contrary
to the statute law Of the country, but it has
been in operation so long that in this part of
the republic it is carried on without mo!es-
| tatOn.
Owing to the ignorance of the middle
! classes, it is seldom that a slave becomes ac-
| quainted with his natural rights, and there
are very few cases OF rebellion. One of these
exceptional cases recently occurred in the
city of San Crstobal, in this State, the slave
being young woman who was the property
of family to whom she owed a large debt.
a lrominent army officer, stationed in that
city at the time. became enamOred of the
girl. He Informed her what her rights were
ing the family, without taking any state
ment OF her debts or attempting to find
another master Owing TO the influence of
the army officer all efforts of the family to
have her arrested aud punished were I'M
succe SSful.