Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-02-19
MEXICAN PEON SLAVES.
THE CURIOUS SYSTEM BY
WHICH THEY ARE HELD.
Tho Chamulas and Tenejapas OF the State Of
Chiapas and Their Historic Dread Of
the Spania.ds-A Strange Policy
Of Non .IntereOurse.


The little town OF Tuxtla is situated
IN the State of Chiapas. which is one
OF the extreme southwestern cOuntries
of Mexico. The country is inhabited
by tribes of pure blood Indians. Each
tribe speaks q separate language and
all are entirely different in habits
and dress. These aborigines refuse to
associate with the descendants OF the
Spaniards or with the people OF any
other nationality who have settled in
this section. They even go so far, in
order to maintain their identity. as to
refuse to marry into other tribes. and !
have strictly adhered to endogamy for
more than three hundred years. The |
principal tribes in the state OF CHA
pas are the Chamulas and Tenejapas.
1t is stated in history that Cortez
captured beautiful Tabascan girl,
who was the princess OF her tribe. and
made her his concubine and interpre-
i ter 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 it
is said to be the cause OF the exceed
ingly great caution exercised by the
Indians here in dealing with the Span
iards even to the present day. Tuxtla
is supplied with wood and products OF
the farms, gardens and orchards by
the Indiars, but the latter is dealing
with the Spaniards here pretend to be
unacquainted with the Castilian Ian
guage. It is said that all the tribes
can speak Spanish auently. but that
they claim to be ignorant OF the Ian
guage for fear that they will be cap
tured and forced into slavery.
The fear that these Indians enter
tain for the Spaniards is so strong
that they will cross to the other side
OF the street to avoid meeting them.
Such instances arc seen here every
day. The Mexican government has
attempted to educate and civilize these
. savages and number Of schools have
been established in their midst, but
the Indians refuse to send their child
rem to school and father has often
been known to pay the school master a
, liberal sum in order to be given the
privilege OF keeping his children at
, home. In this country schoolmaster
is an important parsonage. He is ap-
, pointed by the governor OF the state
, and is vested with judicial power. it
being one OF his duties to decide all
questions OF difference among the
people.
A system Of peonage or slavery is
:, extensively carried on in Chlapas, and
, its workings are novel and interesting.
The slaves nearly all come from the
middle class of Spaniards. and are not
> Indians, as is generally supposed. The
usual custom is for family who may
have boy or girl 10 or IA years OF
age to take the CHI lid 10 some planta-
ton owner or family of the first class
and propose that it shall take posi-
ton as servant on condition that an
advance Of ten or fifteen dollars Is
made to the parents. The contract
also generally stipulates Shat the child
shall rec1vo a certain amount as
wages and that the sum shall be placed
10 its credit until the money advanced
has been paid, when the child will
again be free. As the child grows
older and becomes able to earn more
money its parents so it happens II
nearly every case. apply for more
money. thus piling up the debt Wher
the child becomes of age 1t generally
asks for money for its own persona
use, and thus bound to its master i
must continue in slavery until the deb
is paid.
A peon cannot change masters
his will, but he must have writer
statement OF his debts from his frs
owner, which is accepted by his ne,
master, should one be found who
willing to advance the amount.
any attempt to escape paying thi
de BIT is made by the slave. he is car
ried to Jail and punished until he
willing to take up the yoke AGAR
OF This system of slavery is contrary
the statute law OF the country. but
a. has been in operation so long that /
On this part OF the republic it is carrie
r. on without molestatiOn.
en- Owing to the ignorance OF the mid
die classes. it is seldom that slav
becomes acquainted with his natur'
g. rights. and there are very lew cast
he of rebellion. One of these exception
ID cases recently occurred in the city
at San Cristobal. in this state, the sla'
ok being a young woman who was Il
'e- property of u family to whom 81
lot owed large debt. A prominent arm
ief officer. stationed In that city at Il
nv t;mo bacame enamOred of the Cir