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OFFICE  OF  INDIAN  AFFAIRS 


THE 
OFFICIAL  CORRESPONDENCE 

OF 

JAMES  S.  (^ALHOUN 

WHILE  INDIAN  AGENT  AT  SANTA  FE  AND  SUPERINTENDENT 
OF  INDIAN  AFFAIRS  IN  NEW  MEXICO 


COLLECTED  MAINLY  FROM  THE   FILES  OF  THE  INDIAN  OFFICE 
AND  EDITED,  UNDER  ITS  DIRECTION,  BY 

ANNIE  HELOISE  ABEL 


WASHINGTON 
GOVERNMENT  PRINTING  OFFICE 


EL-  ii<r 


•"^^  9    1915 


CONTENTS. 


Maun.scriiJt  sources vii 

lutroductiou ix 

Corresijoudeuce 1 

ludex 551 

ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Portrait  of  James  S.  Calhoun 1 

Sketch  map   (No.  1)   prepared  by  Calhouu  in  1849,  suggesting  localities 

for  Indian  agencies In  pocket. 

Map  (No.  2)  of  New  Mexico,  with  pueblos,  as  noted  by  Calhoun,  1850__In  pocket. 
Map  (No.  3)  of  the  Territory  of  New  Mexico,  compiled  by  Bvt.  Second 

Lieut.  John  G.  Parke,  1851 ' In  pocket. 

IMap  (No.  4)  of  the  country  between  the  frontiers  of  Arkansas  and  New 

Mexico,  embracing  the  section  explored  in  1849.  1850,  1851,  and  1852, 

by  Capt.  R.  B.  Marey In  pocket. 

Ill 


LIST  OF  ABBREYIATIO]^a 


O.  I.  A Office  of  ludian  Aflfairs. 

B.  I.  A Bureau  of  Indexes  and  Archives. 

A.  G.  O Adjutant  General's  Office. 

A.  L A.bstract  of  Letters  Sent,  Office  of  Indian  Affairs. 

L.  B Letter  Book,  Office  of  Indian  Affairs. 

L.  R Letters  Registered.  Office  of  Indian  Affairs. 

R.  B Report  Book,  Office  of  Indian  Affairs. 

D.  L Domestic  Letters.  Bureau  of  Indexes  and  Archives. 

M.  L .Miscellaneous  Letters,  Bureau  of  Indexes  and  Archives. 

M.  B Military  Book.  Adjutant  General's  Office. 

R.  L.  R Register  of  Letters  Received,  Adjntc\nt  General's  Office. 

V 


MAI^USCKIPT  SOURCES. 


Office  of  Indian  Affairs  (Mails  and  Files  Division)  : 

1.  Originals   (unbound) — Files   (incoming  letters,  reports,  &c.)  — 

a.  St.  Louis  Snperintendeucy. 

b.  New  Mexico   Superintendency. 

c.  Utah  Superintendency. 

d.  Fort  Leavenworth. 

e.  Santa  Fe  Agency. 

f.  Salt  Lake  Agency. 

g.  Rio  Gila  Subagency. 

h.  San  Jqachim  Subagency. 

i.  Depredation  claims. 

j.  Treaties,  originals. 

k.  Treaties,  copies. 

1.  Miscellaneous  papers,  no  file  marks. 

2.  Copies— 

a.  Abstract  books  (abstracts  of  letters  sent)  — 

No.  5.  January,  1848,  to  February,  1849. 
No.  6.  March,  1849,  to  June,  1851. 
No.  7.  July,  1851,  to  December,  1852. 

b.  Letter  books  (letters  sent)  — 

No.  41.  June  1,  1848.  to  March  31.  1849. 
No.  42.  April  1,  1849,  to  January  31,  1850. 
No.  43.  February  1,  1850,  to  October  31,  1850. 
No.  44.  November  1,  1850.  to  July  20,  1851. 
No.  45.  July  21,  1851,  to  March  31,  1852. 
No.  46.  April  1,  1852,  to  January  20,  1853. 

c.  Letters  registered  (record  of  letters  received)  — 

No.  36.  January  1,  1849,  to  December  31,  1849. 
No.  37.  January  1,  1850,  to  October  11,  1850. 
No.  38.  October  12.  18.50,  to  April  30,  1851. 
No.  39.  May  1,  1851,  to  December  31,  1851. 
No.  40.  January  1.  1852,  to  December  31.  1852. 

d.  Receipt  book  (receipts  for  salaries,  employees  of  Indian  Office. 

1846-18.52). 

e.  Report  books  (letters  from  the  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs 

to  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior)  — 
No.  6.  July  26.  1848.  to  June  23,  1851. 
No.  7.  June  28,  1851.  to  April  29,  1854. 

f.  "  Records  " — New  Mexico,  No.  1 — 

This  is  a  volume  containing  several  Journals  of  Daily  Tran- 
sactions, and  among  them  is  .John  Greiner's.  It  extends 
from  April,  1X52,  to  September,  1852. 

VII 


VIII  MANUSCRIPT    SOURCES. 

A.  Office  of  Indian  Affairs — Continued. 

g.  Letter  press  book — New  Mexico — 

At  tlie  beginning  of  Volume  I.  wbich  covers  the  period  from 
April  4,  1852,  to  December  27,  1853,  are  two  sets  of  in- 
serted pages,  evidently  pages  torn  from  other  letter  press 
books.  The  first  set  of  inserted  pages  contains  copies  of 
some  of  Greiner's  letters. 

B.  State  Department  (P.iirenu  of  Indexes  and  Archives)  : 

1.  Originals    (bound) — Miscellaneous   letters    (incoming).    184S    to    1853. 

These  letters  are  carefully  indexed  in  separately  bound  volumes. 
(2.  Copies  (bound) — Domestic  letters   (outgoing) 

Vol.  37.  August  8,  1848,  to  April  20,  1850. 

Vol.  38.  April  22,  18.50,  to  March  31,  1851. 

Vol.  39.  April  1.  18.51.  to  March  6,  1852. 

Vol.  40.  March  5.  1852,  to  August  27.  1852. 

C.  War  Department  (Archives  Division  of  the  Adjutant  General's  Office)  : 

1.  Originals  (unbound)  — 

a.  Regnlar  files,  1848-1853. 

b.  Two  boxes  ol*  New  Mexican  papers,   1848-1849  and  1850,   for 

which    there    is    no    "  register    of   letters    received "    in    the 
A.  G.  O. 

2.  Copies  (bound) —  * 

a.  Military  books  (outgoing  letters)  — 

No.  28.  August  17,  1847,  to  December  31,  1848. 
No.  29.  January  1.  1849,  to  December  31,  1.849. 
No.  30.  January  1.  1850.  to  December  31,  1850. 
No.  31.  January  1.  1851,  to  September  30,  1851. 
No.  32.  October  1.  1851,  to  April  30,  1852. 
No.  33.  May  1,  1852.  to  October  13,  1852. 

b.  Registers  of  letters  received — 

No.  68.  October  1.  1848,  to  March  5,  1849. 
No.  69.  March  G.  1849.  to  June  30,  1849. 
No.  70.  July  1,  1849,  to  December  31,  1849. 
No.  71.  January  1.  1850.  to  August  30,  1850. 
No.  72.  September  1,  1S.50.  to  May  31.  1851. 
No.  73.  Jnne  1.  1851,  to  December  31.  18.51. 
No.  74.  January  1.  1852.  to  June  30,  1852. 
No.  75.  July  1,  1852.  to  December  31.  1852. 

c.  Letter  books.  Department  of  New  Mexico — 

No.  5,  being  Old  Book,  No.  1,  rebound.  The  first  part  of  this 
book  is  taken  up  with  copies  of  Charles  Bent's  letters, 
September,  1846.  to  January,  1847;  the  second  part  with 
Sumner  corresiwndeuce,  November,  1851.  to  February,  1852. 

No.  6,  being  Old  Books,  Nos.  lA  and  3  rebound.  Old  Rook  No. 
lA  (-(.ntains  letters  fnnn  Santa  Fe.  1862.  1863,  1864;  Old 
Book  No.  3,  letters  from  Headquarters  of  9th  Military 
Department.  18.50.     There  are  a  few  1849  letters. 

No.  7.  being  Old  Books,  Nos.  2  and  4  rebound.  The  letters 
are  from  Headquarters  of  9th  Military  Department,  1849. 
and  are  mostly  Munroe's.    There  are  a  few  of  Sumner's. 

No.  8,  being  Old  Book,  No.  5,  rebound. 

No.  9,  being  Old  Books,  Nos.  5  A  and  6,  rebound. 

No.  11,  being  Old  Book.  No.  13,  rebound.  There  is  one  letter 
for  1851.  The  other  letters  are  for  the  period  from  Janu- 
ary, 1852,  to  December  5,  1852. 


INTRODUCTION. 

For  many  years  past  the  Office  of  Indian  Ali'airs  has  been  the  vic- 
tim of  the  most  untoward  circumstances  and  events  imaginable.  Its 
records  have  been  like  the  people,  the  repository  of  whose  history 
and  financial  status  they  are,  both  in  the  frequency  of  their  removals 
and  in  the  uncertainty  of  their  occupancy  tenure.  As  a  matter  of 
fact,  the  Indian  Office  has  never  really  had  a  place,  suited  to  its 
needs,  that  it  could  call  its  own,  either  a  whole  building  or  a  part  of 
a  building.  It  has  always  been  obliged  to  accommodate  itself  to  cer- 
tain rooms  not  needed  at  the  moment  by  some  other  bm^eau  and  to 
vacate  them  the  instant  they  were  needed.  The  wonder  is  that  the 
Indian  Office  files  are  so  nearly  complete  and  so  well  preserved  as 
they  are,  considering  how  little  concern  they  have  ever  caused  those 
highest  in  authority.  The  day  of  their  safety  is,  however,  fast  draw- 
ing to  its  close  unless  something  be  soon  done  to  arrest  the  tendencies 
of  these  later  years. 

Upon  the  occasion  of  its  transfer  from  the  old  Post-office  Build- 
ing to  the  Pension  Building,  where  it  was  allowed  to  use  the  west 
rooms  on  the  ground  floor  and  the  corresponding  half  of  the  base- 
ment and  of  the  court,  the  Indian  OtHce  was  permitted  to  appropriate 
certain  old  cases  that  had  been  discarded  by  the  Pension  Office. 
These  cases  contained  numerous  huge  drawers,  huge  in  that  their  ex- 
tension was  deep.  They  were  otherwise  shallow  and  not  in  any  sense 
adapted  to  the  accommodation  of  the  Indian  Office  files.  The  great 
bulk  of  the  files  were  then  in  filing  boxes  just  such  as  are  in  use  at 
the  War  Department  today;  they  were  folded;  and  were  arranged, 
in  the  filing  boxes,  chronologically  and  with  strict  reference  to  tribe, 
agency,  superintendency,  or  locality.  The  transfer  from  the  old 
Post-office  Building  had  been  made  solely  with  a  view  to  giving 
more  room  to  the  General  Land  Office.  There  was  no  money  to 
spend  on  Indian  Office  furniture  or  equipment  and  no  place  in  the 
new  quarters  for  putting  up  the  tall  cases  of  shelves  upon  which  the 
old  filing  boxes  had,  for  so  long,  reposed.  Under  the  circumstances 
the  only  thing  to  be  done  was  to  empty  the  filing  boxes  and  arrange 
their  contents  as  conveniently  and  as  compactly  as  possible  in  the  dis- 
carded Pension  Office  cases.  Many  things,  such  as  maps  and  books 
and  papers  that  were  not  needed  for  the  current  business  of  the  In- 
dian Office,  and  in  consequence  regarded  as  not  particularly  valuable, 
were  deposited  in  the  basement,  exposed  to  furnace  heat  and  dirt 
and  to  danger  of  destruction  from  fire.     It  soon  developed  that  suffi- 


X  INTRODUCTION. 

cient  space  had  not  been  allotted  to  the  Indian  Office  for  the  accom- 
modation of  its  office  force  and  its  files  and  so  additional  space  on  the 
topmost  floor  of  the  same  building  was  grudgingly  conceded.  Here 
some  of  the  most  valuable  papers,  historically  considered,  that  the 
Indian  Office  possesses,  were  placed  and  there  they  remained  for  a 
long  period,  comparatively  inaccessible  except,  be  it  remembered,  to 
fire.  When,  finally,  the  larger  part  of  the  space  they  occupied  came 
to  be  again  demanded  by  the  Pension  Office,  many  of  them  were 
moved  at  a  few  hours  notice  and  fairly  dumped  on  the  floor  of  the 
court.  The  Indian  Office  was  not  responsible ;  for  it  was  powerless. 
The  Letter  Boohs  and  the  Re/port  Bool's^  covering  over  a  hundred 
years  of  history,  are  still  at  the  top  of  the  Pension  Building.  They 
are  folio  volumes  and,  if  needed,  are,  of  necessity,  roughly  handled ; 
for  there  is  no  table  or  desk  near  by  upon  which  to  place  them  and 
they  are  carted  from  attic  to  court  on  trucks. 

Needless  to  say,  the  Indian  Office,  anxious  for  the  safety  and 
preservation  of  its  records,  has  been  untiring  in  its  efforts  to  arouse 
an  interest,  congressional,  historical,  or  popular,  as  the  case  may  be, 
in  them:  but  it  has  met,  as  yet.  with  only  very  slight  success.  The 
first  evidence  of  this  success  came  in  the  shape  of  the  following  item 
in  the  Indian  Appropriation  Act  of  June  17,  1910 : 

For  the  classification  and  indexing  of  the  files  of  the  Office  of 
Indian  Affairs  and  preparing  historical  data  from  records  therein, 
including  the  pay  of  employees,  five  thousand  dollars. 

As  is  apparent  at  first  glance,  the  scope  of  the  work  was  to  be  out 
of  all  proportion  to  the  means  appropriated,  especially  as  there  was 
no  certainty  of  an  indefinite  continuance.  The  work  contemplated 
could  not  possibly  be  accomplished  in  a  year's  time,  yet  was  of  such 
a  nature  that,  if  once  entered  upon,  would  have  to  be  completed  or 
the  records  sacrificed.  Hoping  for  the  best  and  trusting  that  the 
work  would  sufficiently  progress,  under  the  existing  appropriation, 
to  supply  its  own  justification  for  a  renewal,  the  Indian  Office  en- 
gaged three  persons  at  a  salary  of  twelve  hundred  dollars  each  and 
set  them  at  work  arranging  the  old  files.  The  idea  was  to  have  them 
consolidate  General  and  Landj  files  and  flat-file  the  whole.  k.\.  the 
close  of  the  fiscal  j'Car,  the  work  came  abruptly  to  an  end.  Congress 
having  failed  to  make  provision  for  its  further  prosecution. 

A  policy  such  as  this  was  exceedingly  hazardous.  The  old  system 
of  classification  of  the  files  had  been  broken  in  upon,  one  might 
almost  say  ruthlessly  demolished ;  and,  thus  far,  there  was  absolutely 
nothing  to  take  its  place.  Things  were  in  a  state  of  transition  that 
bid  fair  to  be  annihilation.  Eventually,  it  was  made  possible  for 
work  to  be  resinned  for  another  fiscal  year.  This  was  under  the 
Indian  ApiDropriation  Act  of  August  24,  1912,  which  was,  in  reality, 
simply  a  re-issue  of  the  earlier  enactment.     Its  terms  were  just  as 


INTRODUCTION.  XI 

broad  in  the  one  direction,  scope  of  work,  and  just  as  narrow  in  the 
other,  means  at  the  disposal  of  the  office. 

In  the  spring  of  1913,  the  attention  of  the  Office  of  Indian  Affairs 
was  called  to  the  fact  that  one  part  of  the  congressional  enactment 
had  not  been  complied  with  and  it  happened  to  be  the  part  that 
certain  influential  members  of  the  Senate  and  House  committees, 
having  supervision  of  the  matter,  were  most  interested  in;  namely, 
the  publication  of  historical  data.  Almost  simultaneously,  notice 
came  from  the  all-powerful  comptroller  that  no  portion  of  the  five 
thousand  dollar  appropriation  could  legally  be  expended  for  flat- 
filing  cases,  without  which,  of  course,  the  fiat-filing  could  not  pro- 
ceed. The  coincidence  was  purely  circumstantial;  but  it,  none  the 
less,  induced  the  Indian  Office  to  enter  upon  a  new  course  of  action. 
It  resolved  to  edit  and  publish  a  set  of  historical  papers.  It  was 
then  ]\Iarch  and  the  money  for  the  purpose  would  not  be  available 
after  June  30,  1913. 

It  was  under  such  circumstances  as  these  that  the  project  for  edit- 
ing the  Calhoun  correspondence  had  its  inception.  Any  other  set 
of  papers  might  just  as  conveniently,  perhaps,  have  been  selected; 
but  the  time  for  work  was  short  and  the  period  covered  by  the  Cal- 
houn letters  was  known  to  be  of  short  duration.  Moreover,  it  was 
hoped  and  confidently  expected  that  papers,  issuing  from  the  great 
southwest  right  after  the  Mexican  War,  could  not  fail  to  contain 
matters  of  historical  interest  and  prove  to  the  world  the  exceedingly 
great  value  of  records  in  the  Indian  Office,  the  preservation  of  which 
would  of  itself  justify,  in  large  measure,  the  erection  of  a  national 
Hall  of  Records. 

Very  little  seems  to  be  known  of  the  early  life  and  family  connec- 
tions or  antecedents  of  James  S.  Calhoun,  first  territorial  governor 
of  New  Mexico.  Apparently,  he  has  only  two  descendents  living, 
two  great  grand-daughters,  Mary  Calhoun  Simmons  and  Osgood 
Catharine  Simmons  Arnold  (Mrs.  Joe  Arnold),  sisters,  living  to- 
gether in  Atlanta.  From  Mrs.  Arnold  some  slight  biographical  in- 
formation has  been  obtained.  She  is  of  the  opinion  that  her  great- 
grandfather was  born  near  Abbeville,  South  Carolina,  about  1802 
or  1803,  although  he  refers  to  himself,  in  a  letter  to  Luke  Lea,  Com- 
missioner of  Indian  Affairs,  June  30,  1851,  as  a  native  of  Georgia, 
and  it  was  with  that  state  that  the  greater  part  of  his  life  was  identi- 
fied. "  On  one  Calhoun  family  record,"  so  reports  Mrs.  Arnold, 
"  he  is  shown  as  a  brother  of  John  C.  Calhoun,  on  another,  as  his 
half-brotherj  and  on  another  as  his  first  cousin."  Suffice  it  to  say^ 
that  his  living  relatives  know  nothing  that  they  are  willing  to 
vouch  for  of  the  connection.  His  fame,  such  as  it  is,  rests  upon  his 
own  life-work  and  upon  that  alone,  and,  assuredly,  he  needs  no 
reflected  glory.     Lie  was  a  self-made  man.     "  On  December   19th, 


XII  INTRODUCTION. 

1822,  he  was  married  to  Caroline  Ann  Sinnnons  of  South  Carolina. 
This  wife  died  in  1828,  and  in  Februarv,  1880,  he  married  Mrs.  Annie 
V,  Williamson  of  Greene  County,  Georgia.  He  had  two  children  by 
his  first  wife — Carolina  Louisa  and  Martha  Ann.  Carolina  married 
Wm.  E.  Love  in  1848,  Martha  married  a  Mr.  Davis  (John  B.)  and 
died  without  any  heirs.  Wm.  E.  Love  and  Carolina  had  two  chil- 
dren, Anna  Calhoun  and  James  Calhoun.  James  died  at  the  age  of 
eighteen,  unmarried.  Anna  married  J.  O.  A.  Simmons  in  December, 
1877.  .  .  .*' 

After  his  marriage  to  Mrs.  Williamson,  Calhoun  moved  to  Colum- 
bus, Georgia  and  engaged  in  the  shipping  business.  He  was  the 
owner  or  part  owner  of  several  large  vessels,  presumably,  the  senior 
l)artner  in  the  shipping  firm  of  Calhoun  and  Boss  (Bass)  of  Colum- 
l)us.  During  the  Second  Seminole  War,  a  boat,  the  Anna  Calhoun, 
and  two  large  barges,  all  owned  by  this  firm,  were  engaged  by  Lieu- 
tenant D.  H.  Vinton,  acting  quarter-master,  for  the  United  States 
service  and  detained  by  him,  to  the  very  great  pecuniary  loss  of 
Calhoun  and  Boss,  beyond  the  contract  time.  The  firm  entered  claim 
against  the  government,  therefore,  for  consequential  damages.  In 
1838.  the  report  ^  of  an  investigating  committee  proved  adverse  and 
the  claim  was  disallowed.  In  1840.  the  case  Avas  re-opened  and,  on 
July  10th  of  that  year,  Mr.  Giddings  from  the  Committee  on  Claims 
to  which  had  been  referred  House  bill.  No.  490,-  reported  favorably. 
March  3.  1843,  an  act  ^  was  passed  appropriating  $15,000  ''  for  the 
relief  of  James  S.  Calhoun." 

Calhoun  was  a  stanch  Whig,  a  "  rabid '"  one,  says  his  great  grand- 
daughter. He  professed  a  great  admiration  for  General  Zachary 
Taylor,  an  ndmiration  developed  most  likely  by  his  interest  in  events 
leading  up  to  and  resulting  from  the  Mexican  War.  In  that  war, 
Calhoun  rendered  personal  service.  He  was  captain  of  a  company 
In  a  regiment  of  Georgia  volunteers,  received  in  June  of  1846,  com- 
manded by  Colonel  Henry  R.  Jackson,  and  discharged  in  ]\Iay  of 
1847.  For  almost  a  year  subsequent  to  either  August  or  September. 
1847,  Calhoun  was  the  lieutenant-colonel  commanding  a  battalion  of 
Georgia  mounted  volunteers,  which  battalion  was  disbanded  in  July 
of  1848.* 

It  was  at  the  opening  of  President  Taylor's  administration  that 
James  S.  Calhoun  received  the  appointment  of  United  States  Indian 
xVgent  at  Santa  Fe.  He  had  no  especial  fitness  for  the  position 
except  the  moderate  familiarity  Avith  fhe  region  where  his  duties 
were  to  lie;  but  he  proved  himself  a  thoroughly  capable  and  honest 
official.     Not  a  single  scandal,  not  a  single  suspicion  of  peculation 

1  Report  of  Committees,  No.  1034,  25th  Congress,  2nd  session,  Vol.  IV  [July  2,  1838]. 

2  House  Report,  No.  654,  26th  Congress,  1st  session. 

3  6  U.  S.  Stat,  at  L.,  906. 

■>  Charle.s  K.  (iardiier,  "  Dictionary  of  All  Officers  iu  II.  S.  A.,"  p.  533. 


INTRODUCTION.  XIII 

tarnished  his  record  and,  in  his  time,  at  least,  that  was  a  singidarly 
rare  experience  in  the  United  States  Indian  service. 

The  reasons  for  Calhoun's  appointment  were  undoubtedly  mainly 
political  and  his  official  correspondence  offers  a  certain  surprise  and, 
withal,  a  certain  disappointment  because  that  thing  was  so.  The 
new  agent,  and  the  first  ever  sent  from  Washington  to  Santa  Fe 
forsooth,  had  practically  nothing  to  sa}^  about  the  remarkable  Indian 
civilization  of  the  southwest.  He  seems  not  to  have  been  even 
remotely  interested,  scientifically.  His  letters  are  all  strangely  lack- 
ing in  references  to  scenery,  to  archaeological  remains,  to  interesting- 
Indian  customs,  or  to  evidences  of  previous  Spanish  occupation. 
Thej^  are  likewise  lacking  in  more  than  a  vague  and  occasional 
reference  to  the  presidential  administrative  plans  for  New  Mexico 
Calhoun  was  most  certainly  sent  to  Santa  Fe  for  a  purpose  but 
what  the  real  purpose  was  does  not  appear.  Somewhere,  no  doubt, 
and  very  probably  in  the  confidential  files  of  Interior,  War,  or  State 
department,  there  are  papers  that  hold  the  secret.  It  is  unfortunate 
that  the  limited  time  allowed  for  collecting  the  Calhoun  corre- 
spondence did  not  permit  the  ransacking  of  all  government  archives 
for  the  years  1849,  1850,  1851,  and  1852.  Enough  is  told  in  the 
letters  now  printed  to  convince  even  the  most  casual  reader  that 
more  might  have  been  told  and  very  probably  was;  for  James  S. 
Calhoun  was  a  ready  writer  and  a  highly  intelligent  man.  He  was 
in  the  close  confidence  of  men  like  Ewing.  Crawford,  Iverson,  and 
Dawson. 

One  noticeable  thing  about  all  the  Calhoun  letters  is  the  com- 
plaint of  inadequate  support  from  Washing-ton.  The  Indian  Office 
was  evidently  quite  unprepai-ed  to  enter  upon  the  task  that  legiti- 
mately fell  to  its  lot  of  taking  charge  of  the  Indians  of  the  south- 
west, and  Congress  had  other  things  seemingly  more  vital  to  attend 
to.  Calhoun's  career,  both  as  Indian  Agent  and  as  Superintendent 
of  Indian  Affairs  was  one  long  fight  with  corrupt  local  political 
influences;  but  he  surely  did  his  best  to  make  bricks  without  straw. 
His  closing  days  were  sad.  He  left  Santa  Fe  a  sick  man  and  he 
died  on  the  plains.  There  is  something  yqvj  pathetic  in  the  thought 
that  he  carried  his  coffin  with  him.  Evidently  he  half  expected 
never  to  see  Georgia  again.  In  William  Walker's  Journal,  under 
date  of  July  2,  1852,  this  entry  is  given :  ^ 

"  The  corpse  of  Gov.  Calhoun,  who  died  on  the  road  from  Santa 
Fe  to  Kansas  was  bro't  in  for  burial.  He  is  to  be  buried  with  Masonic 
Honors.    AVhat  train  bro't  the  remans  in  is  yet  unknown." 

The  family  believe  him  to  have  been  buried  at  Independence, 
Missouri. 

'  Connelley,  "  The  Provisional  Government  of  Nebraska  Territory,"  p.  .353. 


XIV  INTEODUCTION. 

The  text  of  the  Calhoun  and  rehated  correspondence  as  here  printed 
calls  for  a  few  explanatory  remarks.  As  nearly  as  possible  all  docu- 
ments have  been  presented  just  as  they  appear  in  the  files,  with  all 
mistakes  in  syntax,  capitalization,  punctuation,  and  so  forth,  uncor- 
rected. One  exception  to  exact  reproduction  is  found  in  the  use  of 
the  caret,  which  has  not  been  inserted  on  the  printed  page,  although 
found  in  the  originals  in  connection  with  all  omissions  and  inter- 
lineations. Another  exception,  equally  minor  in  character,  is  in  the 
form  of  a  few  irregular  abbreviations,  the  form  of  the  original  having 
been  slightly  changed  to  suit  the  requirements  of  the  typesetting 
machines. 

Objections  to  the  strict  ad  literatim  procedure  offered  themselves 
when  it  came  to  a  copying  of  letter-book  records.  Such  records  are 
■  of  course  merely  copies  of  official  correspondence.  They  often  abound 
in  errors,  due  to  the  ignorance  or  carelessness  of  copyists.  So  numer- 
ous and  so  unwarranted,  indeed,  were  the  mistakes  in  spelling  that  the 
editor  had  misgivings  about  reproducing  them.  The  rule  for  making 
exact  transcripts  had,  however,  been  laid  down  and  could  not,  even 
under  sucli  adverse  conditions,  be  Jegitimatelv  depai-ted  from. 


JAMES    S.    CALHOUN. 


OFFICIAL  CORRESPONDENCE  OF  JAMES  S.  CALHOUN. 


[CALHOUN   TO   CLAYTON/] 

Ante  Room, 

Apl  3,  18Jt9. 
Sir, 

It  is  now  probable  that  I  may  leave  for  Georgia  on  to-morrow 
morning.-  And  as  I  conceive  it  of  great  importance  to  have  a  Copy 
of  all  the  Laws  of  the  United  States  to  take  with  me  to  New  Mexico 
will  you  pardon  me  for  enquiring,  again,  whether  you  can,  with 
propriety,  furnish  them  to  me,  together  with  Disurnell's  Map,  1616? 
Respectfully 

J.  S.  Calhoun. 

[Related  Correspondence.] 

[In  connection  with  the  establishment  of  the  Santa  Fe  Ageacy,  the  two  de- 
partmental letters  here  subjoined  are  instructive] 

1 B.  I.  A.,  M.  L.,  Marcb  and  April,  1849.  Presumably  this  letter  was  addressed  to 
John  M.  Clayton  of  Delaware  who  served  as  Secretary  of  State  under  President  Taylor 
from  March  7,  1849  to  July  22,  1850. 

2  This  was  preparatory  to  his  taking  up  his  work  as  United  States  Indian  Agent  at 
Santa  F6. 

Upon  the  recommendation  of  the  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs  [O.  I.  A.,  Report  Book, 
No.  6,  pp.  65,  14&-148]  and  at  the  direction  of  the  President,  acting  under  the  discre- 
tionary power  vested  in  him  by  the  4th  section  of  the  Act  of  .Tune  .30,  1834,  the  Indian 
Agency  at  Council  Bluffs  had  been  transferred  to  Santa  F6. 

The  Act  of  June  30,  1834  was  "An  Act  to  provide  for  the  organization  of  the  depart- 
ment of  Indian  Affairs  "  and  its  4th  section  reads  as  follows  : 

"  *  *  *  And  the  President  shall  be  and  he  is  hereby  authorized,  whenever  he  may 
.ludge  it  expedient,  to  discontinue  any  Indian  Agency,  or  to  transfer  the  same,  from  the 
place  or  tribe  designated  by  law,  to  such  other  place  or  tribe  as  the  public  service  may 
require     *      *      *."      [4  U.  S.  Stat,  at  L.,  p.  736.] 

The  immense  territorial  acquisition,  ro&ulting  from  the  Mexican  war,  called  for  a  re- 
organization of  the  Indian  service  [see  Medill  to  Marcy,  November  30,  1848,  O.  I.  A., 
Report  Book,  No.  6,  p.  65]  ;  but  Congress  failed  to  make  the  necessary  provisions  for  the 
same  and,  as  a  last  resort,  the  method  of  agency  transfer  was  called  into  requisition. 
The  preliminary  details  of  the  transfer  were  quite  complicated. 

Under  existing  law,  the  number  of  agencies  was  limited  but  that  of  sub-agencies  un- 
limited. There  were  two  Council  Bluffs  Indian  establishments,  a  suhagency  on  the  Iowa 
side  of  the  Missouri  River,  accommodating  "  the  united  nations  of  Chippewa,  Ottawa  and 
Pottawatomie  Indians,"  and  an  agency  on  the  Nebraska  side,  at  Bellevue.  accommo- 
dating the  Otoes  and  Missourias,  the  Pawnees,  and  the  Omahas.  Under  the  provisions 
of  the  Treaty  of  1846  [Kappler,  11:558]  "the  united  nation  of  Chippewa,  Ottawa  and 
Pottawatomie  Indians  "  agreed  "  to  remove  to  their  new  homes  on  the  Kansas  River, 
within  two  years  from  the  ratification  of  the  treaty."  This  discontinued  the  "  Council 
Bluffs  Sub-agency  "  and  made  it  possible  for  the  Indian  Ofiice  to  meet  the  new  needs  of 
the  Southwest  by  reducing  the  "  Council  Bluffs  Agency  "  to  a  subagency  and,  that  done, 
completing  the  number  of  agencies  by  erecting  one  at  Santa  F6. 

5021—15 1 


2  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[ewing  to  medill"^] 

Depaetment  of  the  Intebioe 

March  29th  mO. 
Hon.  Wm  Medill 

Commissi  Ind.  Affairs 
Sib 

The  President  directs  that  the  Indian  Agency  at  Council  Bluffs  be  removed 
to  Santa  Fe.    You  will. make  out  an  order  of  removal  accordingly. 

And  you  will  prepare  a  Commission  for  James  S.  Calhoun  of  Georgia  to  be 
Indian  Agent  at  Santa  Fe. 
Very  Respectfully 
Yours 

T.  Ewing  Secy 
[ewing  TO  MEDILL  2] 

Department  of  the  Interior 

Washington 

S  April  1849. 
Sir 

You  may  allow  to  the  Indian  Agents  at  the  Salt  Lake,  in  California  and  at 
Santa  F6,  in  New  Mexico,  one  year's  salary  in  advance,  each,  and  their  travel- 
ling expenses  from  Saint  Louis  to  the  place  of  rendezvous.  The  necessary  In- 
terpreters may  be  allowed  $300.  each,  and  perhaps  even  that  is  too  small  for 
the  agency  at  Santa  Fe. 

For  contingencies,  presents  «&c.  $1000.  each,  may  be  allowed  and  a  reasonable 
sum  for  procuring  the  necessary  statistical  information. 

Similar  proportionate  amounts  may  be  advanced  to  the  Sub  Agents  at  San 
Joachim  and  the  Rio  Gila,  respectively. 

You  will  please  also  place  in  the  hands  of  the  Agent  at  Santa  Fe  $300,  to  be 

applied  in  searching  for  and  obtaining  the  Mexican  boy 

I  wish  this  branch  of  the  service  to  be  well  cared  for,  as  the  future  action 
of  the  Department  in  our  Indian  Affairs  depends  upon  its  accuracy  and  extent. 
Very  respectfully 
Your  Obedient  Servant 

T.  Ewing 

Secretary 
William  Medill  Esq 

Commissioner  of 

Indian  Affairs 

^0.   I.  A.,   Santa  F6  Agency,  I   175. 
2  O.  I.  A.,  Salt  Lake  Agency,  I  193J. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  3 

[MEDILL'   TO   CALHOUN.'] 

Office  Indian  Affairs. 

April  7th,  1849 
Calhoun  Esqr  James  S 

Indian  Agent.  Santa  Fe. 
Sir: 

I  have  the  honor  to  enclose,  herewith,  a  commission  constituting- 
you  Indian  Agent  at  Santa  Fe,  to  include  the  Indians  at  or  in  the 
Adcinity  of  that  place,  and  any  others  that  may  hereafter  be  desig-^ 
nated  by  this  Department.^ 

Your  compensation  will  be  at  the  rate  of  $1500  per  annum,  in  full 
of  salary  and  all  emoluments  whatever,  to  commence  as  soon  after 
the  execution  of  your  bond  as  a  notification  can  reach  the  person  now 
holding  the  appointment  and  receiving  the  salary,  advising  him  of 
the  change  which  has  been  made  in  the  location  of  the  Agency  and 
of  the  discontinuance  of  his  services  and  salary. 

I  enclose  also  the  form  of  a  bond  to  be  executed  by  you  in  the  penal 
sum  of  $5000,  with  two  or  more  sureties,  whose  sufficiency  must  be 
certified  by  a  United  States  District  Judge  or  District  Attorney. 

So  little  is  known  here  of  the  condition  and  situation  of  the  Indians 
in  that  region  that  no  specific  instructions,  relative  to  them  can  be 
given  at  present;  and  the  Department  relies  on  you  to  furnish  it  with 
such  statistical  and  other  information  as  will  give  a  just  and  full 
understanding  of  every  particular  relating  to  them,  embracing  the 
names  of  the  tribes,  their  location,  the  distance  between  the  tribes, 
the  probable  extent  of  territory  owned  or  claimed  by  each  respectively, 
and  the  tenure  by  which  they  hold  or  claim  it;  their  manners  and 
habits,  their  disposition  and  feelings  towards  the  United  States, 
Mexico  and  whites  generally  and  towards  each  other,  whether  hostile 
or  otherwise ;  whether  the  several  tribes  speak  different  languages,  and 
when  different,  the  apparent  analogies  between  them,  and  also  what 
laws  and  regulations,  for  their  government,  are  necessary,  and  how 
far  the  law  regulating  trade  and  intercourse  with  the  Indian  tribes, 
2.  copy  of  which  I  enclose,  will,  if  extended  over  that  country,  properly 
apply  to  the  Indians  there  and  to  the  trade  and  intercourse  with 
them  and  what  modification  if  any,  will  be  required  to  produce  the 
greatest  degree  of  efficiency. 

You  are  authorized  to  employ  one  Interpreter,  permanently,  by  the 
year,  and  such  others  from  time  to  time  as  you  may  find  necessary 


1  William  Medill  of  Ohio  served  as  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs  from  October  28, 
1845  to  June  30,  1849  inclusive.  See  O.  I.  A.,  Receipts  for  Salaries,  Employees  of  Indian 
Office.  1846  to  1852. 

-  O.  I.  A.,  L.  B.,  No.  42,  pp.  17-19  ;  Special  File,  No.  2G. 

^  Calhoun's  was  a  recess  appointment.  His  qualifications  for  the  position  of  Indian 
Agent  at  Santa  F6  were  probably  his  military  experiences  in  the  Southwest,  his  familiarity 
with  the  reg^ion,  and  his  acquaintance  with  tlie  Georgia  delegation  in  Congress. 


4  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

in  the  discharge  of  your  duties.  As  the  hiw  limits  the  compensation 
of  interpreters  to  $300  per  annum,  that  amount  cannot  be  exceeded; 
but  in  the  case  of  those  employed  temporarily,  you  will  engage  their 
services  on  the  best  terms  you  can  and  employ  them  for  as  short 
periods  &  as  seldom  as  possible  consistent  with  a  proper  discharge  of 
your  duties. 

You  will  be  allowed  a  horse  for  yourself  &  one  for  your  interpreter 
to  be  held  as  public  property  and  accounted  for  as  such. 

As  you  will  doubtless  avail  yourself  of  the  military  escort  ^  which 
will  leave  St.  Louis  shortly,  funds  will  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  the 
Supt.  of  Indian  Afi'airs  at  that  place  to  be  turned  over  to  you.- 

The  remote  position  of  the  scene  of  your  operations  has  induced  the 
Secretary  of  the  Interior  to  authorize  an  advance  of  one  years  salary 
to  yourself  and  your  Interpreter  together  with  other  sums  for  other 
objects  as  follows  viz : 

One  years  salary  for  yourself $1500.00 

One  years   salary   for   your   Interpreter 300.00 

Pay  of  additional  Interpreters 200.  00 

Contingent  expenses,  including  Presents  to  Indians,  purchase  of  two 
horses,  forage  for  the  same,  house  rent,  fuel,  stationery,  eolieetion 
of    statistical    information    &c    &c,    together    with    your    travelling 

expenses  to  your  agency 1500.00 

For  the  release  of  such  Mexican  captives  ;.s  may  be  found  among  the 
Indians  and  for  which  demand  may  be  made  on  the  government  of 
the  United  States 300.00 

$3,  800.  00 

It  has  been  represented  to  the  Department  that  there  is  a  Mexican 
boy  in  captivity  among  the  Indians  either  in  New  Mexico  or  Cali- 
fornia, and  for  whose  release  the  Mexican  Minister  has  made  a 
demand  on  this  government  but  as  the  Department  is  as  yet  unac- 
quainted with  the  particulars  of  the  case  it  W'ill  be  made  the  subject 
of  a  special  communication  to  you,  as  soon  as  they  can  be  ascertained. 

After  obtaining  all  the  information  you  can  collect  wdth  regard  to 
any  captives  you  will  report  their  names,  ages,  whether  they  are 
Mexicans  or  Americans,  the  length  of  time  they  haA'e  been  held  in 
captivity,  and  if  they  are  Mexicans  whether  they  were  taken  prior 
to  the  termination  of  the  war  and  treaty  with  Mexico  or  subsequently. 

In  dispensing  Presents  to  the  Indians  you  will  be  as  economical 
as  possible  and  confine  the  disposition  of  them  to  cases  where  some 
important  end  is  to  be  accomplished. 

1  See  order  of  Secretary  of  War,  p.  5. 

2Ewing  to  Medill.  April  lli,  184!),  O.  I.  A..  St.  Louis  Supi-riiiteiideucy.  I  120-2;  L.  R., 
No.  36,  April  12,  1849:  Medill  to  Superinteudent  D.  1).  Mitchell.  April  12.  184!>,  L.  B., 
No.  42,  p.   33. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  5 

You  will  report  directly  to  this  office  and  will  lose  no  opportunity 
of  doing  so,  as  it  is  extremely  desirable  that  the  Department  be  kept 
well  advised  of  the  state  of  affairs  in  that  region. 

I  enclose  blank  forms  to  guide  you  in  rendering  your  accounts, 
which  must  be  done  quarter  yearly  or  as  nearly  so  as  possible. 

In  rendering  your  accounts  you  will  account  for  the  money  placed 
in  your  hands  under  the  following  heads  of  appropriation,  viz: 

Pay  of  Superintendents  and  Indian  ngents $1500.00 

Pay  of  Interpreters 500.00 

Contingencies,  Indian  Department 1800.  00 

$3,  800. 00 
I  enclose  copy   of  a   communication  ^   from   Charles  Bent  Esq,* 
Governor  of  New  Mexico,  in  which  you  will  find  a  good  deal  of 
information  that  will  be  useful  to  you. 

W.  M. 
P.  S.  I  enclose  a  copy  of  the  late  treaty  with  Mexico,  and  also 
copies  of  the  reports  of  Messrs  Fremont,^  Emory,*  Abert^  and 
Cook.« 

[Related  Correspondence,] 

[order  or  SECRETARY  OF  AVAR.] 

[The  following  letter,  recorded  in  A.  G.  O..  M.  B.  No.  29,  pp.  129-130.  shows 
that  the  War  Department  made  timely  provision  for  Calhoun's  transportation:] 
Adjutant  General. 

The  following  persons  engaged  in  the  public  service  in  California  and  Oregon, 
are  to  be  furnished  by  the  proper  Staff  Officers  with  transportation  and  sub- 
sistence during  their  journey  to  their  destination,  viz: 

John  Wilson,  Indian,  Agent,  for  California,  with  his  family. 

James  Collins,  Collector  at  San  Francisco. 

Jas.  S.  Calhoun.  Indian  Agent  at  Santa  Fe. 

These  gentlemen  will  furnish  to  the  Quarter  Master  and  Commissary,  a  list 
of  persons  attached  to  the  public  service  under  them,  for  whom  also,  transpor- 
tation and  subsistence  will  be  supplied.  Arms  will  be  issued  to  those  of  the 
party  who  may  require  them — to  be  turned  over  to  an  officer  of  the  Army  on 
reaching  their  destination,  and  the  subsistence  furnished  under  this  order,  is  to 
be  paid  for  at  Government  prices. 

1  rrobably  the  letter  to  Medill  printed  on  pages  6-9. 

-Charles  Rent  was  the  man  whom  General  Kearny  appointed,  under  recognised 
authority,  governor  of  New  Mexico  upon  Ihe  occasion  of  his  own  departure  for  California. 
Sop  Bancroft.  Illetory  of  Arizona  and  Now  ^le-vico,  p.  441.  Governor  Bent  was  assassi- 
nated by  insurgents  at  Taos,  January  19,  1847.  See  Twitchell,  Leading  Facts  of  New 
Mexican  History.  II,  pp.  2.S3-2.'^5  and  notes. 

■''  Fremont.  .T.  «'.  K(>poit  of  tlie  oxiiloriii"  lOxpodition  lo  tlie  Rocky  Mountains.  House 
Doc,  28th  Cong.,  2nd  Sess.,  No.  166. 

*  Emory,  Lieutenant-Colonel  W.  II..  Notes  on  a  Military  Itoconiioissance  from  Fort 
Leavenworth  to  San  Diego,  1846—47.  House  Ex.  Doc,  30th  Cong.,  1st  sess.,  No.  41, 
and  Senate  Ex.  Doc,  30th  Cong.,  1st  Sess..  No.  7,  pp.  .5-416. 

^  Abert,  Lieutenant  .1,  W.,  Report  of  his  Examination  of  New  Mexico,  1846,  47.  House 
Ex.  Doc,  30th  Cong.,  1st  Sess..  No.  41,  pp.  417-54S. 

«  Cooke,  Lieutenant  Colonel  V.  St.  George,  Report  of  Iiis  March  from  Santa  F6  to  San 
Diego,  Ibid.,  pp.  551-563. 


6  COEKESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN". 

A  suitable  escort  from  the  Army  will  be  fiiruisiied  for  the  protection  of  the 
pa  rties. 

Geo  W  Crawford. 
Secret ary  of  War. 
War  Department 

April  3d.  18J,9 

[bent  to  MEDILL.^] 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico  yov  10th  IS'/G. 
Sib 

Having  been  appointed  by  Brig  Genl  Kearney,  Governor  of 
the  Terry 

of  New  Mexico,  and  by  virtue  of  that  appointment  ex  officio.  Superin- 
tendent of  Indian  Affairs,  for  said  Territory,  it  becomes  my  duty  to  lay  before 
you  the  following  information  in  regard  to  tlie  different  tribes  of  Indians  inhab- 
iting and  frequenting  this  Territory 

First:  I  will  mentioned  the  Apaches  or  Jicarillas  a  band  of  about  100  lodges 
or  about  500  souls.  The  Jicarillas  have  no  permanent  residence,  but  roam 
through  the  northern  settlements  of  New  Mexico.— They  are  an  indolent  and 
cowardly  people  living  principally  by  theft  committed  on  the  New  Mexicans, 
there  being  but  little  game  in  the  country,  through  which  they  range,  and  their' 
fear  of  other  Indians  not  permitting  them  to  venture  upon  the  plains  for  Buffalo. 
Their  only  attempt  at  manufacture  is  a  species  of  potter  ware,  capable  of  toler- 
able resistance  to  fire,  and  much  used  by  them  and  the  ^Mexicans  for  culinary 
purposes.  This,  they  barter  with  the  Mexicans  for  the  necessaries  of  life,  but 
in  such  small  quantities  as  scarcely  to  deserve  the  name  of  traffic.  The  preda- 
tory habits  of  these  Indians  render  them  a  great  annoyance  to  the  Mexicans 

Second :  The  apaches  proper  who  range  through  the  southern  portion  of  this 
Territory,  through  the  country  of  the  Rio  del  Norte,  and  its  tributaries,  and 
westward  about  the  headwaters  of  the  river  Gila.  They  are  a  warlike  people, 
are  about  900  lodges  and  from  5000  to  6000  souls;  know  nothing  of  agriculture 
or  manufactures  of  any  kind  but  live  almost  entirely  by  plundering  the  Mexican 
settlements.  For  many  years  past  they  have  been  in  the  habit  of  committing 
constant  depredations  upon  the  lives  and  aft  property  of  the  inhabitants  of  this 
and  the  ad.1oining  territories  and  states  from  which  they  have  carried  off  an 
incredible  amount  of  stock  of  all  kinds  The  only  ai'ticle  of  food  that  grows  in 
their  general  range  is  the  Maguey  plant  and  that  spontaneously  and  in  very 
small  quantities. 

Several  bands  of  the  Apaches  have  for  several  years  past  received  a  bounty 
of  so  much  per  diem  per  head,  from  the  Government  of  the  state  of  Chihuahua, 
but  still  without  having  the  intended  effect  of  preventing  them  from  plundering 
the  inhabitants. 

Third :  The  Navajoes  are  an  industrious  intelligent  and  warlike  tribe  of 
Indians  who  cultivate  the  soil  and  raise  sufficient  grain  for  their  own  con- 
sumption and  a  variety  of  fruits.  They  are  the  owners  of  large  flocks  and 
herds  of  cattle,  sheep,  horses  and  mules  and  asses.  It  is  estimated  that  the 
tribe  possess  30000  head  of  horned  cattle  500.000  sheep  and  10.000  head  of 
horses  mules  and  asses,  it  not  being  a  rare  instance  for  one  individual  to 
possess  5000  to  10000  sheep  and  400  to  500  head  of  other  stock,  and  their 


1  Found  in  the  Archives  Division  of  the  Adjutant-General's  Office  and  in  a  book  bearing 
the  following  memorandum  :  Old  Book  No.  I.  Bound  as  No.  5,  Dep't  New  Mexico,  A.  G.  O. 
It  is  to  be  found  on  pp.  25-33. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  7 

horses  are  said  to  be  greatly  superior  to  those  raised  by  the  Mexicans.  Most 
of  their  stock  has  been  acquired  by  marauding  expeditions  against  the  settle- 
ments of  this  Territory.  They  manufacture  excellent  coarse  blankets  and 
coarse  woolen  goods  for  wearing  apparel  They  have  no  permanent  villages  or 
places  of  residence,  but  roam  over  the  country  between  the  river  San  Juan  on 
the  north  and  the  waters  of  Jila  on  the  south.  The  country  between  these 
two  rivers  is  about  150  miles  in  width,  consisting  of  high  table  mountains  difB- 
cult  of  access  and  affording  them  as  yet  effective  protection  against  their 
enemies.  Water  is  scarce  and  difficult  to  be  found  by  those  not  acquainted 
with  the  country,  affording  another  difficult  natural  safeguard  against  invasions. 
Their  numbers  are  variously  estimated  at  from  1000  to  2000  families  or  from 
7000  to  14000  souls.  The  Navajoes  so  far  as  I  am  informed,  are  the  only  Indians 
on  the  continent  having  intercourse  with  white  men,  that  are  increasing  in 
numbers. — 

They  have  in  their  possession  many  prisoners,  men  women  and  children  taken 
from  the  settlements  of  this  Territory  whom  they  hold  and  treat  as  slaves. 

The  Moquis  are  neighbours  of  the  Navajoes  and  live  in  permanent  villages, 
cultivate  grain,  and  fruits  and  raise  all  the  varieties  of  stock.  They  were  for- 
merly a  very  numerous  tribe  in  the  possession  of  large  stocks  and  herds  but 
have  been  reduced  in  numbers  and  possessions  by  their  more  warlike  neighbours 
and  enemies  the  Navajoes.  The  Moquis  are  an  intelligent  and  industrious 
people,  their  manufactures  are  the  same  as  those  of  the  Navajoes.  They  number 
about  350  families  or  about  2450  souls. 

The  Yutas  inhabit  the  country  north  of  the  Navajoes  and  west  of  the  north-  * 
ern  settlements  of  this  Department.     They  number  800  lodges  and  about  4000  to 
5000  souls.     Their  range  extends  from  Navajo  Country  in  latitude  about  35° 
to  40°  North.     Their  range  of  coiMitry  is  very  mountainous  and  broken,  abound- 
ing in  wild  game,  deer,  elk  and  bear,  which  serve  them  for  food  and  raiment. 
They  are  a  hardy,  warlike  people,  subsisting  by  the  chase,  and  several  bands 
of  them  have  been  carrying  on  a  predatory  war  with  the  New  Mexicans  for  the 
last  two  years  and  killed  and  taken  prisoner  many  of  the  people  and  driven  ' 
off  large  amounts  of  stock.     Since  Genl  Kearney's  arrival,  these  Indians  have  ) 
sued  for  peace,  and  measures  are  now  taking  to  effect  a  permanent  treaty. 

The  Cheyennes  and  Arrapahoes  range  through  the  country  of  the  Arkansas 
and  its  tributaries  on  the  north  of  this  Department.  They  live  almost  entirely 
on  the  Buffalo,  and  carry  on  a  considerable  trade,  both  with  the  Mexicans  and 
Americans,  in  Buffalo  robes,  for  which  they  obtain  all  the  necessaries  not 
derived  from  the  Buffalo.  They  are  a  roving  people  and  have  for  many  years 
been  on  friendly  terms  with  the  New  Mexicans. 

The  Arappahoes  number  about  400  lodges  2000  souls.  The  Cheyennes  300 
lodges  1500  souls. 

East  of  the  mountains  of  New  Mexico,  range  the  Comanches,  a  numerous  and 
warlike  people  subsisting  entirely  by  the  chase.  Their  different  bands  number 
in  all,  about  2500  lodges  or  12000  souls.  They  have  been  at  peace  for  many 
years  with  the  New  Mexicans  but  have  carried  on  an  incessant  and  destructive 
war  with  the  Department  of  Chihuahua,  Durango  and  Coahuila  from  which 
they  have  carried  off  and  still  hold  as  slaves  a  large  amettftt  number  of  women 
and  children,  and  immense  herds  of  horses,  mules  and  as.ses 

The  Kayuguas  range  through  a  part  of  the  snnie  country  and  are  similar  in 
their  habits  and  customs  and  are  considered  a  more  brave  people  than  the 
Comanches.    They  number  about  400  lodges  or  2000  souls 

Below  I  give  you  a  tabular  statement  of  the  population  of  the  tribes  of  In- 
dians  ranging   the  country   within   the  Territory   of  New   Mexico   and  on   its 


100  lodges 

500 

souls 

8-900 

do 

5500 

do 

200 

do 

1400 

do 

600 

do 

3000 

do 

1000 

do 

7000 

do 

350 

do 

2450 

do 

2500 

do 

12000 

do 

400 

do 

2000 

do 

300 

do 

1500 

do 

400 

do 

1600 

do 

8  CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.   CALHOUN. 

<    borders,  made  up  from  the  most  reliable  information  I  have  been  able  to  obtain 
during  a  residence  of  many  years  in  New  Mexico  and  its  vicinity 

,    Apaches  or  Jacarilla 
Apaches  proper 
I'utas    (Southern) 
Yutas   (Grand  &  Yu-uinte  rivers) 
Navajoes 
Moguls 
Oamanches 
Kayuguas 
I  Cheyennes 
Arappahoes 

Total  36, 950. 

1  You  \A'ill  perceive  by  the  above  statement  that  since  New  Mexico  has  become 
a  Territory  of  the  United  States  nearly  40000  Indians  will  fall  under  the  im- 
mediate sui^erintendence  of  the  U.  S.  Government,  and  it  becomes  a  subject 
,  of  serious  inii)ort,  how  the  numerous  and  savage  tribes  are  to  be  controlled 
and  managed.  And  as  it  becomes  my  duty  by  virtue  of  my  office  to  lay  before 
you  all  the  information  I  possess,  in  regard  to  these  tribes  of  Indians,  I  will  also 
1  venture  to  make  a  few  suggestions  for  your  consideration — 

Agents  and  subagents  are  absolutely  necessary  for  the  regulation  and  con- 
trol of  the  various  tribes  of  Indians  above  named. 

A  very  desirable  effect  might  be  produced  upon  the  Indians  by  sending  a 
delegation  from  each  tribe  to  Washington.  They  have  no  idea  at  this  time  of 
the  power  of  the  United  States  and  have  been  so  long  in  the  habit  of  waging 
war  and  committing  depredations  against  the  Mexicans  with  impunity,  that  they 
still  show  a  disposition  to  continue  the  same  kind  of  warfare,  now  that  the 
Territory  is  in  possession  of  the  United  States  I  am  convinced  that  a  visit  to 
our  capital  of  some  of  the  principal  men  of  each  of  these  nations,  would  secure 
future  peace  and  quiet  to  the  inhabitants  of  this  Territory. 

I  would  also  suggest  the  propriety  of  sending  with  this  delegation  of  un- 
s  civilized  Indians,  a  deputation  from  the  '  Pueblo '  or  civilized  Indians  who  are 
by  law  citizens  of  this  Territory  and  of  the  United  States 
very 

They  compose  a  considerable  portion  of  the  population  of  New  Mexico 

and  if  excited  so  to  do  might  cause  a  good  deal  of  difficulty  here 

A  small  expense  in  this  matter  on  the  part  of  our  Government,  now,  might  be 
the  means  of  avoiding  blood  shed  hereafter. 

You  are  doubtless  avi^are  that  presents  of  goods  are  indispensable  in  all 
friendly  communications  with  Indians.  I  would  respectfully  suggest  the  neces- 
sity of  Goods  of  that  kind  or  the  means  wherewith  to  purchase  them,  being 
placed  at  the  disposition  of  the  Superiuteuclent  of  Indian  Affairs  for  this 
Territory. 

I  deem  it  highly  necessary  to  establish  stockade  Forts  in  the  Yuta  and 
Nabajo  countries  with  sufficient  troops  to  keep  these  in  check,  and  from  mak- 
ing their  long  accustomed  inroads  upon  the  Territory,  one  also  at  some  suit- 
able point  on  the  Arkansas  River,  for  the  purpose  of  protecting  travellers,  be- 
tween this  Territory  and  Missouri  and  the  settlements  that  may  extend  in  that 
direction,  and  from  the  Indians  of  that  vicinity 

Another  establishment  of  the  kind  should  be  located  in  the  Southern  part  of 
this  Territory  to  serve  as  a  safeguard  against  both  the  Apaches  and  Mexicans, 
who  it  may  be  confidently  expected,  will  continue  to  make  inroads  upon  the 


COKEESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  "  9 

Territory  from  that  quarter  for  many  years  to  come  I  neglected  to  mention 
in  the  proper  phice  that  Col  A.  W.  Doniphan  received  orders  from  Genl  Kearney 
before  leaving  the  Territory  for  California,  to  march  his  regiment  against  the 
Navajoes.  Overtures  of  peaces  had  been  made  to  them  without  effect.  They 
have  continued  their  depredations  up  to  the  time  Genl  Kearney,  after  leaving 
Santa  Fe  wrote  to  me,  advising  that  full  permission  should  be  given  to  the 
citizens  of  New  Mexico,  to  march  in  independent  companies  against  these  In- 
dians, for  the  purpose  of  making  reprisals,  and  for  the  recovery  of  property 
and  prisoners.  In  conformity  with  his  suggestion,  I  issued  a  proclamation  to 
that  effect. 

Cor  Doniphan  left  here  a  few  days  ago  with  his  command  for  the  Nabajo 
Country  and  I  feel  confident,  that  with  the  aid  of  the  auxiliary  war  parties, 
he  will  soon  compel  the  nation  to  sue  for  peace,  and  to  make  restitution  of 
property  and  prisoners  taken  since  the  entrance  of  American  forces  on  the 
ISth  August  last 

In  conclusion  I  earnestly  solicit  your  full  and  particular  instructions  on  the 
subject  of  the  trilies  of   Indians  referred  to  in  this  communication,  at  your 
earliest  convenience,  by  so  doing  you  will  greatly  oblige. 
Your  obedient  Servant 

[Charles  Bent?] 

Honble  Medill 

Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs. 

[CALHOUN   TO   CRAWFORD.'] 

^  Chattanooga  Tennessee  April  17  181^9 
Sir 

Before  leaving  Washington,  I  understood  you  to  say,  you  would 
cause  to  be  issued  the  necessary  orders  for  the  Transportation,  arms 
&c  I  would  require  in  going  to  Santa  Fe — The  Commissioner  of  In- 
dian Affairs,  I  suppose  now  ^  of  your  department,  called  upon  me 
for  the  information  necessary  to  justify  orders.  I  gave  it  to  him^ 
eight  less  than  I  Avill  have  with  me — Fourteen  are  now  here — and 
six  are  to  join  me  at  St  Louis — This  morning  while  at  breakfast  in 
Dalton  Georgia,  I  received  a  letter  from  Genl.  John  Wilson,*  Indian 
Agent  at  Salt  Lake,  informing  me  that  it  was  necessary  I  should 
"  address  a  paper  "  to  each  particular  Bureau,  making  known  to  them 
what  will  be  absolutely  necessary — 

The  foregoing  is  written  for  the  purpose  of  explaining  to  a'ou  why 
I  have   sent   to   the   different   Bureaus   the   requisitions   alluded   to 

1  George  W.  Crawford  of  Georgia  must  have  been  the  recipient  of  this  letter  since  he 
smcocflfd  Wm.  L.  Marcy  of  New  York  as  Secretary  of  War  and  entered  upon  the  duties 
of  the  office,  March  14,  1849. 

-  A.  G.  O.,  Files,  C  86  of  1849.  See  also  entry  for  April  27,  1840,  in  A.  G.  O.,  R.  L.  R., 
No.   69. 

3  The  Home,  or  Interior  Department,  had  been  created  under  Act  of  March  3,  1849 
(9  U.  S.  Stat,  at  L.,  395),  and  the  Office  of  Indian  Afifairs  had  been  transferred,  as  a 
Bureau,  to  it  from  the  War  Department.      (See  sec.  5.) 

*  John  Wilson  had  been  appointed  United  States  Indian  agent  at  "  the  Salt  Lake, 
California."  He  travelled  across  the  plains  In  the  summer  of  1849,  at  about  the  same 
time  Calhoun  did,  and  his  account  of  the  journey  is  highly  interesting.  It  is  found  In  his 
letter  to  Secretary  Ewing  under  date  of  December  22,  1849.  O.  I.  .^.,  San  .Joachim  Sub- 
Agency,  W  420. 


IV  COERESPONDEISrCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

above — and  under  the  impression  that  Genl.  Wilson  has  misappre- 
hended the  matter — I  go  to  St,  Louis  with  all  dispatch — where  I 
hope  to  hear  from  you 

I  am  Sir 

With  great  respect 
Your  obt  Svt 

James  S.  Calhoun 
Secty  of  War  Indian  Agent 

Washington  City  at 

Santa  Fe. 

[CALHOUN  TO   EWING.'] 

Chattanooga  Tennessee  -  April  17,  181^9 
Sir 

I  am  here  on  my  way  to  St  Louis,  and  will  speed  forward  with  all 
practicable  despatch — I  have  with  me,  fourteen  persons — all  told — 
four  females  among  them  of  my  family — Six  others  will  join  me  at 
St.  Louis — 

From  Independence  I  shall  have  with  me  twenty  bold  &  enterpris- 
ing adventurers — several  of  whom  served  in  the  war  against  Mex- 
ico— as  Volunteers  under  my  command  ^ — these  young  gentlemen  will 
do  faithful  service  in  Mexico — For  them  I  desire  arms  &c  «S;c — I 
have  asked  for  rations  and  transportation  for  Baggage  for  twenty, 
not  less  than  fourteen — the  number  now  with  me — I  would  be  glad 
to  include  the  gentlemen  refered  to  above — for  I  regard  them  as  abso- 
lutely necessary  to  the  entire  success  of  my  efforts  to  discharge  my 
duties  in  New  Mexico — 

The  Commissioner  of  Indian  affairs,  Col.  Medill — required  of  me  a 
memorandum  of  the  number  of  my  family  before  I  left  Washington, 
to  the  end,  as  I  understood,  to  have  the  necessary  orders  issued  from 
the  proper  Bureaus — I  gave  the  number  twelve  two  others  have  come 
with  me — I  mention  these  matters  to  say  this  morning  at  the  moment 
of  my  departure  for  this  place,  I  received  a  letter  from  Genl.  John 
Wilson,  saying  it  was  necessary  to  address  separate  papers  to  each 
Bureau — for  arms  &c,  rations  and  transportation — I  have  done  so 
in  general  terms — I  have  only  to  inquire  whether  it  would  be  im- 
proper to  cause  orders  to  issue  in  general  terms  to  the  proper  officers 

1  Thomas  Ewing  of  Ohio  was  appointed  first  Secretary  of  the  Interior  Department. 
President  Taylor  nominated  him  and  he  served  from  March  7,  1849  to  July  25,  1850. 
Members  of  the  Ewing  family  were  very  largely  interested  in  the  Santa  F6  trade. 

2  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  300. 

3  In  connection  with  this  somewhat  obscure  matter,  the  letters  on  pages  11-1.3  are 
elucidating. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  11 

to  furnish  arms — transportation  &  rations  upon  my  requisition   to 
such  only  as  should  be  present — 

I  hope  to  hear  from  you  at  St.  Louis — 

Wishing  you  entire  success  in  the  administration  of  your  depart- 
ment— 

I  have  the  honor  to  be 

Yr  obt  svt  James  S.  Calhoun 

[  Related  Corresp  ondence.  ] 

[mARCY  TO  JONES.^] 

Washington  City. 
Decemher  10'  iS.}7. 
Jones.  John  A.  Esq 

Milled geviUe,  Georgia. 
Sir, 

I  liave  received  your  letter  of  the  24'  ultimo  respecting  tbe  appointment  of 
Capt.  J.  S.  Calhoun  to  the  command  of  the  Georgia  Battalion.  The  appoint- 
ment of  the  officers  of  the  battalion  rested,  under  law,  entirely  with  the  Gov- 
ernor of  Georgia.  Captain  Calhoun  had  several  times  tendered  to  this  Depart- 
ment his  services  to  raise  volunteers,  and  had  been  recommended  by  letters  from 
the  Hon.  W.  T.  Colquitt,  A.  Iverson,  John  H.  Lumpkin  and  Seaborn  Jones, 
speaking  highly  of  his  character,  intelligence,  influence  and  military  zeal. 
On  this  account  when  the  next  requisition  was  made  on  the  State  of  Georgia, 
the  following  paragraph  was  added  with  regard  to  Captain  Calhoun. 

"As  pressing  application  has  been  made  to  accept  a  regiment  proposed  to  be 
raised  by  Captain  J.  S.  Calhoun  of  your  State,  it  is  deemed  not  improper  for 
the  Department  to  apprise  you  of  the  fact  and  to  express  a  wish,  as  he  has 
seen  service,  that  it  may  not  be  inconsistent  with  your  views  to  aid  in  bringing 
liini  into  service  again  with  this  battalion. 
^'ery  respectfully.  Your  Obt  Serv 

W.  L.  Marcy 

Secretary  of  War 

[CALHOUN   AND  OTHERS  TO 2] 

CUERNAVACA.   MEXICO 

March  29th.  JS-'fS. 
Sir, 

The  uiKlersigned  desiring  to  continue  in  the  Military  Service  of  the  United 
States,  and  from  an  association  in  said  service,  having  the  fullest  confidence 
in  each  other,  and  beleiving  the  best  interests  of  the  country  may  be  promoted 
thereby,  they  respectfully  submit,  should  it  be  deemed  advisable  by  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States,  to  raise  an  additional  Mounted  Rcffiment,  for  New 
Mexico — the  Californias — or  any  other  place.  Volunteers  or  Regulars,  ih^y  pledg- 
ing themselves,  within  ninety  days  after  the  disbanding  of  the  Volunteers  now 
in  service,  to  raise  and  have  ready  for  effective  service,  a  full  regiment  for  one. 
two,  three,  four,  or  five  years — as  may  be  desirable — 

lA.  G.  O.,  M.  B.,  No.  28,  p.  166. 

=A.  G.  0.,  Files,  Inclosuros  of  P  2^0  of  1S4S. 


12  CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

This  tender,  or  suggestion,  is  made,  upou  the  sole  condition,  that  the  under- 
signed are  to  be  the  three  principal  Chiefs,  in  the  order  in  the  order  in  which 
their  signatures  are  hereunto  appended— 

To  you  we  are  each  known — Col  Iverson  will  speak  to  you  in  behalf  of  Capt 
Goulding— Capt.  Hamilton— the  son  of  your  old  friend,  Dr  Hamilton  of  Cass 
County,  you  will  remember.  Lt.  Col.  Calhoun  and  Capt.  Goulding  have  been 
in  service,  now,  near  two  years.— This  is  Capt.  Hamilton's  first  campaign: 
but  tee  think  we  understand  the  duties  of  the  positions  we  ask  to  be  assigned 
to  us,  and  that  we  can  discharge  them  with  credit  to  ourselves,  and  with  benefit 
to  the  country — 

We  respectfully  request  you  to  make  known  to  the  President  of  the  TTnited 
States  the  contents  of  this  communication,  and,  we  have  the  honor  to  be 
Your  very  obt.  Servts. 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Lt.  Col  Comdg.  Mtd.  Bat.  Geo.  Vols. 
E  R  Goulding 
Capt  Comdg  Camp  "A"  Mtd  Bat  Geo  Vols 
C  V  Hamilton 
Capt.  Comdg  Corny.  "5"  Mt.  Batt.  Ga  Vols. 

[HARALSON  TO  THE  PRESIDENT^] 

Ho  Reps.  U.  S.  J2th  May  ms. 
Sib, 

As  the  best  means  of  complying  with  the  request  in  the  last  paragraph  of 
the  accompanying  communication  I  forward  to  you  the  paper  as  I  received  it. 
With  great  respect  &c. 

H.  A.  Haralson 
The  President  of  the  United  States 

[mARCY   TO    HARALSON  ^] 

War  Department. 
Washington  August  21.  tSJfS 
Sir, 

The  President  referred  to  this  Department  your  letter  of  the  12"  of  May, 
enclosing  a  proposit'on  of  the  oflicers  of  the  Georgia  Mounted  Batt.-ilion,  to 
recruit  a  battalion  for  service  in  California.  At  that  time  it  was  not  known 
precisely  what  arrangements  would  be  adopted  respecting  the  force  to  be  em- 
ployed in  the  Western  territories  and  no  satisfactory  answer  could  be  given 
to  the  offer.  You  are  now  aware  that  there  is  no  necessity  or  authority  for 
the  employment  of  an  additional  volunteer  force. 

Very  respectfully,  Your  Obt  Serv  W.  L.  Marcy 

Srcrctdrii  of  War 
Hon  H.  A.  Haralson 

Lagrange,  Geoiigia. 

~*  lA.  G.  O.,  Files,  P  256  of  1848. 

2A.  O.  O.,  M.  R..  No.  28,  p.  ?,7o  ;  Inclosure  of  P  256  of  1848. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES    S.    CALHOUN.  13 

[CALHOl'N  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR  ^] 

Columbus,  Georgia 

yon:  25th  1S',S. 
Sir. 

It  occurs  to  me,  tlint  a  Mounted  Regiment  of  Dragoons  will  be  required,  at 
no  distant  day,  for  service  in  New  Mexico  and  California. 

This  is  to  repeat,  what  I  have  said  to  you,  and  to  others,  that  in  sixty  d:iys. 
if  not  in  less  time,  I  can  raise  a  Regiment.  One  thousand  Strong,  and  desire 
to  engage  in  that  Service — In  order  to  render  siich  a  Regiment  effective,  and 
not  to  interfere  with  existing  arms  of  the  public  defence,  I  am  inclined  to  the 
opinion,  it  should  be,  to  a  certain  extent.  indei>endent  in  its  organization,  so 
far  as  all  its  officers  are  concerned — This  will  secure  harmony,  and  if  it  can 
be  so  organized,  we  are  ready  to  enlist  for  two.  three,  four,  or  five  yeai-s — ready 
to  assume  an  armed  occupation,  and  to 

range  it  the  country  named  in  every  direction — Capt,  Gouldiug,  who  again 
unites  with  me  in  this  tender  of  our  survices.  agrees  with  me,  that  a  Battalion 
could  be  put  en  route  for  New  Mexico  and  California  in  less  than  sixty  days. 
With    great    respect. 

Your  obt  Servt,  • 

J,  S.  Calhoun 
late  Lt.  dn.  Comdg  Mtd.  But.  (leo.  Vols. 
Skc'rktary  of  War 

Washington  City. 

[mARCY   TO   CALHOUN  "] 

War  Dep.\rtmf.nt, 

Washington,  Deer.  7.  18-',S. 
Sir, 

In  reply  to  your  letter  of  the  25.  ultimo  I  have  the  honor  to  state  that  the 
Executive  has  no  authority  to  accept  the  services  of  the  regiment  which  you 
offer  to  raise  for  service  in  California. 

Very  respectfully  Your  Obed.  Servt,  W.  L.  M.\rcy — 

Secretary  of  War 
Calhoun,  J.   S.   Esq, 

Columbus, 

Georgia. 

[CALHOUN   TO   MEDILL,  ] 

[May  17.  1^40.  the  riuliaii  OfHco  ivcoived  a  coiiiuninication  witli- 
out  date  from  Calhoun,  It  covered  his  official  bond  and  a  notice 
that  K.  B,  Alexander  and  D.  McDoiii>:ald  would  he  his  sureties.  It 
was  sent  to  the  Secretary  the  day  of  its  receipt.  See  II.  Bfe.  No.  6 
p.  178  and  L.  B.  Xo.  42,  p.  237.  It  was  returned  with  objections. 
May  18.  1849.  O.  I.  A.  Santa  Fe  Agency.  I  230.  Ewino's  objections 
were  embodied  by  Brown  in  his  letter  of  July  1<>,  1840.  L.  B.  Xo. 
42,  p.  237.] 

'A.  (i.  O..   Files,  O  4:iT   of   I S4S, 
-A,  (i.  O..  M.   H,.   Xo.   -JS.   p,  -404, 


14  COREESPOXDEXCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[CALHOUN   TO   CRAWFORD,'] 

Camp  six  miles  west  of  Kaw  kivj:k 

May  2%d.  181^0. 
Sir 

This  is  the  fourth  day  we  have  been  at  this  place  and  the  third 
of  the  halt  by  order  of  Genl.  Brooke  - — Wliy  it  is  so,  we  can  not  tell. 
We  have  rumors  of  Canadian  outbreaks,  that  possibly  may  require 
to  be  looked  to  by  the  military  arm  of  our  Government — We  also 
have  a  rumor  in  our  Camp  that  Indian  hostilities  against  Americans 
New  Mexicans  and  all  emigrants  have  been  commenced  by  the 
Apaches,  Nabojos,  Comanches  &  others  combined — The  truth  in  rela- 
tion to  the  foregoing  matters,  is  better  known  at  Washington  than 
here — Upon  this  subject  I  addressed  a  note  to  the  Secty  of  the  In- 
terior commenced  on  yesterday — Will  you  see  the  Secty  ? 

The  foregoing  is  promised  that  I  may  say,  as  early  as  Decemher 
18Ji7 — I  offered  my  services  to  raise  a  mounted  regiment  to  serve 
East,  West,  North,  or  South  for  two,  three,  four,  or  five  years.^  I 
renewed  the  proposition  twice  in  March  1848  and  again  in  August 
1848 — and  now  I  mention  it  again  in  view  of  the  possibility  that  cir- 
cumstances may  prevent  my  executing  the  wishes  of  the  Administra- 
tion in  the  capacitj^  in  which  I  go  to  New  Mexico — I  do  not  wish  to 
be  idle,  and  so  I  have  said  to  Mr  Ewing  by  the  mail  that  will  convey 
this  to  you — Should  troops  be  desired,  such  as  I  have  alluded  to  I 
beg  to  say,  that  the  tide  of  emigration  will  favor  an  early  filling  up 
of  such  a  regiment — 

On  the  subject  allow  me  to  say,  the  troops  I  desire  to  raise  it  is 
desired  should  have  an  independent  organization — Volunteers  if  you 
please,  subjected  as  a  matter  of  course  to  the  rules  &  regulations  of 
the  service.  In  this  way  I  can  raise  a  large  force,  and  secure  for 
New  Mexico  a  desirable  population — I  will  now  add  the  impression 
is,  a  larger  number  of  troops  will  be  wanting  in  New  Mexico  and 
Calafornia  than  the  Government  can  send  there  from  the  Army  as 
now  organized^ — I  regret  the  idea  is  so  prevalent,  that  desertion  Avill 
thin  the  ranks  to  an  unusual  extent. 

Take  the  foregoing  suggestions  for  what  you  may  think  them 
worth,  and  remember,  if  I  cannot  be  profitably  employed  in  execut- 
ing the  commands  of  the  government  in  New  Mexico,  with  the  per- 
mission of  those  who  have  the  power  to  grant  the  authority,  I  can, 
and  will,  at  an  early  moment  raise  a  regiment — one  thousand  strong — 


1  a.  G.  O.,  C  122  of  1849.     See  also  entry  for  .Tune  11,  1849.  A.  G.  O.,  R.  L.  R.  No.  (50. 

2  George  Mer -er  Brooke  who  rendered  distinguished  service  in  the  second  war  with 
Great  Britain  ;inil  also  in  the  war  with  Mexico.     He  died,  March  9,  1851. 

*  The  only  dot^umentary  evidence  of  this,  extant  in  the  United  States  archives,  seems  to 
be  the  letter  i)f  Secretary  of  War,  W.  L.  Marcy,  to  .John  A.  .Tones  of  Milledsevillc,  Georijia, 
December  lo,  1847,  M.  B.  No.  28.  p.  HiB. 


COERESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  15 

have  it  duly  organized — put  in  motion — and  which  shall  render  as 
good  service  as  any  troops  to  be  found  anywhere — 
I  am 

dear  Sir 

Your  very  obt  Svt 

James  S.  Calhoun. 
Hon. 

Secretary  of  War 

Washington  City 
D.G. 

[CALHOUN   TO   MEDILL.'] 

28  M.  W.  OF  Ft.  Lea\^n  worth 

May  2If,  18^9. 
Sir, 

I  write  only  to  repeat  what  I  addressed  to  you  two  or  three  days 
ago,  that  we  are  still  halted  at  this  point,  awaiting  orders  from  Genl. 
Brooke,  from  whom  we  have  no  certain  intelligence  as  to  his  arrival — 
and  when  he  does  arrive,  in  consequence  of  the  feebleness  of  our  oxen, 
our  progress  must  be  slow.  For  obvious  reasons  this  state  of  things 
is  to  be  regretted,  for  I  apprehend  it  is  important  that  I  should  be 
at  Santa  Fe  at  the  earliest  practicable  moment. 
I  am 

with  great  respect 

Your  obt.  Servt. 

J.   S.  Calhoun 
In.  Agt. 

Santa  Fe. 
To  the  Commissioner  of  Ind.  Aff. 

This  note  was  written  to  the  Sec.  of  the  Int  before  I  remembered 
it  should  be  addressed  to  you. 

J.  s.  c. 

[BROWN  TO  CALHOUN/  &C.] 

Office  Indian  Affairs 

July  13,  18Ji9. 
Circular  to  Agents  c&  Sub  Agents 

of  Indian  department. 

Sir: 

I  herewith  inclose  you  forms  for  a  census  of  the  Indian  tribes  of 
the  United  States,  which  you  are  requested,  with  the  aid  of  your 
interpreter,  to  fill  up  for  the  Indians  under  your  charge,  and  return 
to  this  office  at  the  earliest  possible  time.    It  is  desirable  to  do  this 

1  O.  I.  a.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  317. 
2L.  B.,  No.  42,  pp.  2.S1-232. 


16  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

without  alarniino-  the  prejudices  of  the  tribes,  and  with  this  view  to 
give  it,  as  much  as  possible,  the  air  of  an  ordinary  business  trans- 
action, in  which  it  is  their  interest,  as  it  is  believed  on  all  hands  to  be. 
to  give  you  every  proper  aid.  The  object  has  been  much  misappre- 
hended heretofore  by  portions  of  the  tribes,  and  in  some  instances,  by 
the  Agents.  But  the  general  success  of  the  measure,  and  its  absolute 
importance  to  a  correct  understanding  of  the  condition  of  the  tribes 
and  the  just  and  ready  administration  of  their  affairs,  is  such  as  to 
induce  the  office  to  press  it,  to  completion.  Were  it  otherwise  how- 
ever, the  act  is  imperative,  and  makes  it  the  duty  of  every  agent  to 
exert  himself  to  the  utmost. 

These  forms  have  been  prepared  for  the  most  advanced  class  of 
tribes,  and  such  queries  are  inserted  as  to  bring  out  all  the  requisite 
classes  of  facts  wanted  for  the  investigation.  To  do  this  efficiently 
and  well  the  statistics  of  ''families  ■'  have  been  called  for.  But  it  may 
be  impracticable  to  extend  this  degree  of  scrutiny  to  tribes  who  are 
still  simply  in  the  hunter  state — who  rove  a  great  part  of  the  year 
from  place  to  place,  without  fixed  habitations  and  who  have,  in  fact 
few  or  no  animals  and  little  or  no  agriculture.  In  the  latter  case, 
it  will  only  be  necessary  to  denote  the  facts  or  deficiencies  in  the 
forms,  crossing  or  dashing  the  blanks  in  the  queries;  but  still  giving 
as  many  details  as  you  can,  to  enable  the  department  to  judge  of  the 
true  state,  condition  and  prospects  of  the  tribe.  It  is  recommended  in 
all  cases,  where  the  returns  by  faTnilies  cannot  be  given,  and  estimates 
are  resorted  to,  that  you  take  up  the  tribe  by  its  natural  village,  bands 
or  divisions  under  separate  chiefs,  which  can  be  afterwards  concen- 
trated for  the  whole  tribe.  It  is  seldom  that  the  number  of  lodges 
cannot  be  given,  even  in  the  wildest  bands,  and  from  those  who  re- 
ceive annuities  the  old  pay  rolls  &  schedules  cannot  fail  to  afford 
some  important  light.  * 

It  is  the  duty  of  all  the  subordinates  about  your  Agency,  and  of 
persons  in  the  pay  or  countenance  of  the  government,  to  aid  you  in 
these  investigations.  But  the  department  relies  chiefly,  for  success. 
upon  your  personal  influence  with  the  Indians  and  your  ability  and 
promptitude  in  secondino-  its  views. 

O.  B. 

[BROWN   TO   CALHOUN.'] 

Office  Indian  Affairs 

July  16.  18Jf9. 
Calhoun  Esq  Jas.  8.  (Ind  Agt.  Santa  Fe) 

care  of  D  I)  Mitchell  Esq.  St.  Louis  Mo 
Sir: 

I  have  had  the  honor  to  receive  your  official  bond  as  Indian  Agent 
at  Santa  Fe.     On  examination  I  find  it  is  defective  in  several  particu- 

1  L.  B.,  No.  42,  p.  237. 


COERESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  17 

lars — viz:  The  omission  to  fill  in  the  names  of  the  sureties  in  the 
body  of  the  bond,  the  date  of  its  execution  and  of  the  oath  of  office — 
and  also  the  official  character  of  the  officer  who  certifies  the  sufficiency 
of  the  security — These  defects  must  be  supplied  and  I  therefore  en- 
close the  form  of  a  new  bond  to  be  executed  by  you  and  forwarded 
to  this  office  with  as  little  delay  as  possible  In  the  meantime  the 
bond  forwarded  bv  vou  will  be  retained  and  placed  on  file 

O  B.i 

[CALHOUN   TO   MEDILL.'] 

No.  1. 

In  Camp  near  Santa  Fe 

July  29  m9 
Sir. 

You  are  already  advised  of  my  departure  from  Ft  Leavenworth 
on  the  16"  of  May,  and  I  have  now  to  inform  you  that  we  reached 
Santa  Fe  on  the  22d  of  the  present  month,  having  been  employed 
in  marching  forty  nine  days:  our  halting  days  numbering  nineteen, 
the  greater  portion  of  which  was  six  miles  west  of  Kaw  River,  in 
obedience  to  an  order  issued  by  Genl,  Brook  to  Col.  Alexander  com- 
manding the  Troops.  This  you  will  perceive  is  the  eighth  day  in 
camp  at  this  place,  not  having  been  able  to  procure  quarters  else- 
where. I  have  the  promise,  however,  of  an  adobe  building  at  the 
enormous  rent  of  $100  pr  month,  to  which  an  additional  expenditure 
must  be  made  to  americanize  it  so  that  it  may  be  inhabited  with  any 
degree  of  comfort.  This  excessive  rent  I  was  compelled  to  submit 
to,  or  remain  in  camp.  All  the  buildings  in  Santa  Fe  are  of  mud, 
with  floors  and  covering  for  the  roof  of  the  same  material.  Until 
our  Government  established  a  saw  mill,  near  this  place,  sawed  lum- 
ber could  not  be  had  at  any  price.  Since  then,  it  has  been  sold  as 
high  as  $80  pr  M. 

The  foregoing  statement  of  facts  is  submitted  to  the  department 
to  explain  the  apparent  tardiness  of  n^y  movements  and  the  extrava- 
gent,  if  not  unusual  and  unreasonable  expenditures  to  be  incurred, 
and  altogether  unavoidable  in  Santa  Fe.  Before  the  meeting  of 
the  ensuing  Congress  I  hope  to  be  able  to  communicate  to  the  depart- 
ment information  more  precise  and  in  detail  on  this  subject.  While 
en  route,  and  during  the  few  days  I  have  been  in  camp  here,  I  have 
omitted  no  opportunity,  that  has  offered  to  procure  such  informa- 
tion, as  might  enable  me  to  execute  discreetly,  the  important  trusts 
confided  to  me  by  the  President  of  the  United  States.  '  The  obstacles  \^ 

1  Orlando  Brown  was  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs  from  July  ],  1849  to  June  30, 
1850  inclusive.  See  0.  I.  A.,  Receipts  for  Salaries,  Employees  of  Indian  Office,  1846  to 
1852. 

2  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  338. 

5021—15- 2 


18  COKEESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

to  be  overcome  in  adjusting  our  Indian  relations  in  New  Mexico,  and 
its  borders,  are  of  a  much  more  formidable  character  than  has  been 
anticipated.     At  and  near  the  Arkansas  Crossing,  we  found  several 
thousand  Indians  of  various  tribes  assembled,  awaiting  the  return 
of  Mr.  Fitzpatrick^  from  Washington.^    Their  expectations  in  rela- 
tion to  presents  to  be  received  by  them,  on  the  return  of  Mr  Fitz- 
patrick,  were  so  extravagant  as  to  cause  emigrants,  and  others  to 
have  fearful  apprehensions  on  account  of  those,  who  were  expected 
\  to  be  on  the  plains  after  the  15  of  July,  the  day  named  by  the  Indians 
for  the  return  of  Mr  Fitzpatrick.     Being  ignorant  of  Mr.   Fitz- 
patrick's  authority  to  enter  into  stipulations  ^  with  these  Indians, 
j  and  his  means  to  quiet  their  expectations,  I  did  not  feel  at  liberty 
i  to  communicate  with  them  in  my  official  capacity.     The  Arapahoes, 
Cheyennes,  Keoways,  Comanches  &  Utahs  were  the  principal  tribes 
in  lodges  at  the  Arkansas  Crossing.     It  will  be  readily  perceived,  if 
I  it  were  practicable  at  this  time  to  visit  the  tribes  in  this  territory, 
I  and  in  its  borders,  the  influence  which  a  government  agent  should 
exercise  over  being,  guided  chiefly  by   animal  instincts  would  be 
j  completely  ineffective,  were  I  to  attempt  it  without  definite  infor- 
,  mation  in  relation  to  what  Mr  Fitzpatrick  may  have  accomplished. 

Without  visiting  them,  the  information,  precise,  and  definite,  which 
I  am  instructed  to  lay  before  the  Department  cannot  be  accurately 
gathered.  Yet  the  nearest  possible  and  reliable  approximation  shall 
be  transmitted  at  an  early  day.  The  Pueblo  Indians,  it  believed  are 
entitled  to  the  early,  and  especial  consideration  of  the  government 
of  the  United  States.  They  are  the  only  tribe  in  perfect  amity  with 
the  government,  and  are  an  industrious,  agricultural,  and  pastoral 
people,  living  principally  in  villages,  ranging  North  and  West  of  Taos 
South,  on  both  sides  of  the  Kio  Grande,  more  than  two  hundred  and 
fifty  miles.  By  a  Mexican  statute  these  people,  as  I  am  informed  by 
Judge  Houghton  *  of  Santa  Fe,  to  whom  I  am  greatly  indebted  for 
much  valuable  information,  were  constituted  citizens  of  the  Kepublic 
of  Mexico,  granting  to  all  of  mature  age,  who  could  read  and  write 
the  privilege  of  voting.  But  this  statute  has  had  no  practical  opera- 
tion. Since  the  occupancy  of  this  territory  by  the  government  of  the 
United  States  the  Territorial  Legislature  of  1817  passed  the  follow- 

1  Thomas  Fitzpatrick,  Uniterl  States  Indian  Agent  for  the  upper  regions  of  the  Platte. 
See  Thwaites'  Early  Western  Travels,  XXl :  192,  note.  In  1848,  Fitzpatrick  made  an 
interesting  report  on  the  Indian  tribes  along  the  Santa  F€  trail.  It  is  published  as  an 
accompanying  document  to  the  Report  of  the  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs  for  1848. 

2  See  Brown  to  Fitzpatrick,  August  16,  1849.     L.  B.  No.  42,  pp.  294-296. 

3  Thomas  Fitzpatrick  in  conjunction  with  Superintendent  D.  D.  Mitchell  negotiated  the 
Treaty  of  Fort  Laramie,  1851,  for  the  protection  of  the  routes  of  travel  to  California  and 
Oregon.     See  Kappler,  Indian  Affairs,  Laws  and  Treaties,  II,  pp.  594-596. 

*  Under  the  Kearny  regime  in  New  Mexico,  or  the  so-called  Kearny  Code,  Joab  Houghton 
had  been  appointed  one  of  the  three  .iudges  of  the  superior  court.  See  Bancroft,  History 
of  Arizona  and  New  Mexico,  p.  426,  n.  21  ;  also.  House  Doc,  29th  Cong.,  2d  sess..  No.  19, 
p.  26,  and  Senate  Ex.  Doc,  32d  Cong.,  1st  sess.,  No.  71,  pp.  4-5. 


COEEESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  19 

ing-  act — which  is  now  in  force,  Be  it  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly 
of  the  Territory  of  NeAV  Mexico.  Sec.  I.  That  the  inhabitants  within 
the  Territory  of  New  Mexico  known  by  the  name  of  Pueblo  Indians^ 
and  living  in  Towns  or  Villages  built  on  lands  granted  to  such. 
Indians  by  the  laAvs  of  Spain  or  Mexico,  and  conceding  to  such 
inhabitants  certain  land  and  privileges,  to  be  used  for  the  common 
benefit,  are  severally  hereby  created  and  constituted,  bodies  politic 
and  corporate,  and  shall  be  known  in  law  by  the  name  of  the  "  Puebla 
de  (naming  it)  and  by  that  name  they  and  their  successors  shall 
have  perpetual  successions,  sue  &  be  sued  &c  &c. 

These  Indians  are  anxious  to  have  schools  established  amongst 
them  and  to  receive  agricultural  information,  which  if  granted  on  a 
liberal  scale,  could  not  fail  to  produce  marked  and  beneficial  results, 
not  only  upon  them,  but  upon  all  of  the  tribes  of  the  territory.  So 
soon  as  it  may  be  attempted  with  propriety,  it  is  my  intention  to  visit 
the  principal  villages  of  this  tribe  that  I  may  from  personal  obser- 
vation ascertain  their  true  state  and  condition,  and  from  them  glean 
such  information  as  they  may  be  able  to  afford  in  relation  to  other 
tribes.  At  present  it  is  the  opinion  of  Col.  Washington,^  the  Mili- 
tary commander  of  this  division,  that  any  attempt  to  conciliate  the 
tribes  who  have  caused  the  recent  and  present  troubles  in  this  terri- 
tory, would  have  a  very  injurious  tendency.  The  Indians  presuming 
upon  their  knowledge  of  safe  retreats  in  the  mountains,  and  our 
entire  ignorance  of  all  avenews,  except  established  military  roads  and 
well  known  trails,  are  not  to  be  subjected  to  just  restraints  until  they 
are  properly  chastised.  When  they  shall  feel  themselves  so  chastised, 
thev  will  sue  for  peace,  and  it  is  respectfully  suggested,  that  the 
government  of  the  United  States  ought  to  be  prepared  to  meet  them 
without  delay.  It  may  not  be  amiss  to  invite  for  a  moment  the  atten- 
tion of  the  Department  to,  perhaps,  the  very  gravest  subject  connected 
with  our  Indian  affairs  in  this  territory. 

There  are  wandering  tribes,  who  have  never  cultivated  the  soil,  and 
supported 
have  themselves  alone  by  depredations.     This  is  the  only 

labor  known  to  them.  The  thought  of  annihilating  these  Indiana 
can  not  be  entertained  by  an  American  public — Nor  can  the  Indians 
abandon  their  predatory  incursions,  and  live  and  learn  to  support 
themselves  by  the  sweat  of  their  own  brows  unsustained  by  a  liberal 
philanthropy — This  subject — I  humbly  conceive,  should  engage  the^ 
earnest  and  early  consideration  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States, 


1  Lieutenant  Colonel  John  Macrae  Washington  assumed  the  duties  of  military  governor 
in  New  Mexico,  October  11,  1848.  He  fought  in  the  war  with  Mexico  and  was  promoted 
for  gallant  conduct  at  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista.  Several  of  his  letters  relative  to  New 
Mexican  affairs  arc  published  in  House  Ex.  Doc,  31st  Cong.,  1st  sess.,  No.  5,  Pt.  1,  pp. 
lOi-11.5. 


20  COEEESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

for  it  is  respectfully  submitted,  that  no  earthly  power  can  prevent 
robberies  and  murders,  unless  the  hungry  wants  of  these  people  are 
provided  for,  both  physically  and  mentally. 
I  am,  with  great  respect 

Your  obt.  Servt  James  S.  Calhoun 


Indian  Agent 

S.  F. 


Col.  Medill 

Comr.  of  (&c. 


[CALHOUN   TO   MEDILL  ^] 

Xo.  -2. 

Santa  Fe,  New  ^Iexico. 

August  15.  1849. 
Sir. 

I  had  hoped  by  the  mail  of  to-day  to  have  transmitted  to  you  some 
agreeable  intelligence — the  Utah  Indians  promised  to  come  in  for 
the  purpose  of  sueing  for  peace,  they  have  disappointed  us.  On  to- 
morrow we  leave  for  the  Navajoe  territory,  intending  to  return  by 
way  of  the  Utah  Country. 

The  Indians,  generally,  are  in  bad  temper — the  number  of  Troops 
are  not  sufficient  here  to  keep  upon  them  a  proper  check,  and  In- 
fantry are  useful  only  to  protect  posts— stations — and  property. 
Mounted  troops  are  the  only  military  order  of  this  country  that  can 
be  effectively  used  against  the  Indian  tribes  of  this  remote  region. 
Col.  Washington  goes  in  person  in  command  of  the  expedition. 
With  great  respect 

I  am  Your  obt  servt  James  S.  Calhoun 

Indian  Agt.  Santa  Fe 
Col.  W.  Medill. 

Comi'  of  Afs  (&c 

i  [CALHOUN  TO  medill  ■'] 

Xo.3. 

Santa  Fe,  Xew  Mexico. 

Sej)tr25th.m9. 
Sir:  With  this  note  I  transmit  to  you  a  copy  of  a  treaty.^  the 
character  of  which  will  be  elucidated  bv  a  reference  to  it. 


1  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F^  Agency,  C  346. 

2  0.  I.  A.,  Santa  Fe  Agency,  C  356.  Filed  in  File-box,  "Treaties,  Copies."  Also  to  be 
found,  printed,  among  the  documents  transmitted  to  Congress  along  with  President 
Taylor's  Message,  January  21,  1850  (see  Richardson,  Messages  and  Papers  of  the  Presi- 
dents, V,  pp.  26-30)  in  answer  to  House  Resolution,  December  1,  1849.  (House  Ex.  Doc, 
31^'  Cong.,  1st  sess.,  No.  17,  p.  202.) 

3  McLaws'  commnnicatiou  to  Ker  February  3,  1850,  A.  G.  O.,  Old  Book.  No.  2.  p.  22. 
gives  some  idea  as  to  how  the  terms  of  the  treaty  were  complied  with. 


COERESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN,  21 

With  GoA'ernor  Washingrton^  and  others  I  returned  to  Santa  Fe 
on  the  afternoon  of  the  23d  instant. 

Durinji  the  expedition  against  the  Xavajoes  my  health  was  all  that 
I  could  desire ;  but  I  am  seriously  threatened  this  morning,  resulting, 
as  I  suppose  from  occupying  a  room  where  the  air  is  more  confined 
than  I  have  been  accustomed  to  of  late.  T  trust,  however,  my  re- 
cuperative energies  will  come  to  the  rescue  in  time  to  enable  me  to 
make  you  a  more  elaborate  report  before  our  mail  is  ordered  to  the 
United  States. 

I  have  no  communication  from  the  Department  of  the  Interior  of  a 
later  date  than  the  14th  of  May  last. 

Is  it  possible  that  no  plan  can  be  adopted  to  remedy  the  want  of 
mail  facilities  of  which  we  now  complain? 
I  am, 

With  great  respect, 

Your  obt.  Servt. 

James  S.  Calhoun, 

Indian  Agent, 

Santa  Fe. 
W.  Medill.  Esq.. 

Com''  of  Indian  Affairs,  Washington  city 
P.   S.     The  great  canon,  which  we  have  spelt  "  cheille  "  in  the 
treaty,  is  pronounced  "  chey  ".    I  am  not  at  all  satisfied  as  to  the  cor- 
rect spelling,  nor  have  I  yet  met  with  any  one  who  could  enlighten 
me  in  reference  thereto.  J.  S.  C. 

[Inclosure] 

COPY  OF  A  TREATY.  BETWEEN   THE    UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA   AND  THE 
NAVAJO  TRIBE  OF  INDIANS. 

The  following  acknowledgements,  declarations,  and  stipulations 
have  been  duly  considered  and  are  now  solemnly  adopted  and  pro- 
claimed by  the  undersigned :  that  is  to  say,  John  M.  Washington, 

^  Colonel  Washington  seems  to  have  taken  charge  of  the  original  of  the  treaty.  See 
this  letter : 

Office  Indian  Affairs, 

February  16th,  1850. 
Hon.  Thomas  Ewing 

Secretary   0/    the  Interior. 
Sir: 

On  the  0th  of  September  last,  a  treaty  was  made  with  the  Navajo  Indians  in  New 
Mexico,  by  Col.  Washington,  and  ,1.  S.  Calhoun.  Indian  Agent,  a  copy  of  which  was  sent 
by  the  latter  to  this  office. — The  original,  it  is  presumed,  was  sent  by  Col.  Washington 
to  the  War  Department,  as  the  treaty  is  published  with  the  documents  accompanying  the 
late  annual  report  of  the  head  of  that  I>epartmcnt.  I  would  respectfully  suggest  whether 
application  should  not  be  made  for  it  to  be  laid  before  the  Senate  by  the  President,  as  in 
the  case  of  all  other  treaties  with  Indians. 

Very  &c  O.  B. 

[O.   I.  A.,  R.  B.,  No.   6,  p.  279.] 


22  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

Governor,  of  New  Mexico,  and  Lieut.  Col.  Commanding  the  troops  of 
the  United  States  in  New  Mexico,  and  James  S.  Calhoun,  Indian 
Agent,  residing  at  Santa  Fe,  in  New  Mexico,  representing  the  United 
States  of  America,  and  Mariano  Martinez,  Head  Chief,  Chapitone, 
second  cheif,  on  the  part  of  the  Navajo  Tribe  of  Indians. 

1 

The  said  Indians  do  hereby  acknowledge  that  by  virtue  of  a  treaty 
•entered  into  by  the  United  States  of  America,  and  the  United  Mexican 
States,  Signed  on  the  second  day  of  February  in  the  year  of  our  Lord, 
Eighteen  Hundred  and  Forty  Eight  at  the  city  of  Guadalupe  Hidalgo 
by  N  P  Trist  of  the  first  part,  and  Luis  G.  Cuevas,  Bernardo  Conto, 
and  Migl  Atristain  of  the  second  part,  the  said  tribe  was  lawfully 
placed  under  the  exclusive  jurisdiction  and  protection  of  the  Govern- 
ment of  the  said  U  States,  and  that  they  are  now,  and  will  forever 
remain  under  the  aforesaid  jurisdiction  and  protection. 


That  from  and  after  the  signing  of  this  Treaty,  hostilities  between  the 
contracting  parties  shall  cease,  and  perpetual  peace  and  friendship 
shall  exist,  the  said  tribe  hereby  solemnly  covenanting  that  they  will 
not  associate  with,  or  give  countenance  or  aid  to  any  tribe  or  band  of 
Indians,  or  other  persons  or  powers  who  may  be  at  any  time,  at 
enmity  with  the  people  of  the  said  U  States:  that  they  will  remain 
at  peace,  and  treat  honestly  and  humanely,  all  persons  and  powers  at 
peace  with  the  said  States,  and  all  cases  of  agression  against  said, 
Navajoes  by  citizens  or  others  of  the  United  States,  or  by  other  per- 
sons or  powers  in  amity  with  the  said  States,  shall  be  refered  to  the 
Government  of  said  States,  for  adjustment  and  settlement. 

3 

The  Government  of  the  said  States  having  the  sole  and  exclusive 
right  of  regulating  the  trade  and  intercourse  with  the  said  Navajoes, 
it  is  agreed  that  the  laws  now  in  force  regulating  the  irade  and 
intercourse,  and  for  the  preservation  of  peace  with  the  various  tribes 
of  Indians  under  the  protection  and  guardianship  of  the  aforesaid 
Government,  shall  have  the  same  force  and  efficacy,  and  shall  be  as 
binding,  and  as  obligatory  upon  the  said  Navajoes  and  executed  in 
the  same  manner  as  if  said  laws  had  been  passed  for  their  sole  benefit 
and  protection :  and  to  this  end  and  for  all  other  useful  purposes,  the 
Government  of  New  Mexico,  as  now  organised,  or  as  it  may  be  by  the 
Government  of  the  United  States  or  by  the  legally  constituted  authori- 
ties of  the  people  of  New  Mexico,  is  recognised  and  acknowledged  by 


COKEESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  23 

the  said  Navajoes;  and  for  the  due  enforcement  of  the  aforesaid  laws, 
until  the  Government  of  the  United  States  shall  otherwise  order,  the 
territory  of  the  Navajoes  is  hereby  annexed  to  New  Mexico. 


The  Navajo  Indians  hereby  bind  themselves  to  deliver  to  the  Military 
authority  of  the  United  States  in  New  Mexico,  at  Santa  Fe  New 
Mexico,  as  soon  as  he  or  they  can  be  apprehended  the  murderer  or 
murderers  of  Micenti  Garcia,  that  said  fugitive  or  fugitives  from 
justice  may  be  dealt  with  as  justice  may  decree. 


All  American  and  Mexican  captives,  and  all  stolen  property  taken 
from  Americans  or  Mexicans,  or  other  persons  or  powers  in  amity 
with  the  United  States  shall  be  delivered  by  the  Navajo  Indians  to 
the  aforesaid  military  authority  at  Jemez,  New  Mexico  on  or  before 
the  ninth  day  of  October  next  ensuing  that  justice  may  be  meted  out 
to  all  whom  it  may  concern,  and  also  all  Indian  Captives  and  stolen 
property  of  such  tribe  or  tribes  of  Indians  as  shall  enter  into  a  similar 
reciprocal  treaty,  shall  in  like  manner,  and  for  the  same  purposes 
be  turned  over  to  an  authorized  officer  or  agent  of  the  said  States  by 
the  aforesaid  Navajoes. 


Should  any  Citizen  of  the  United  States  or  other  person  or  persons 
subject  to  the  laws  of  the  United  States,  murder,  rob,  or  otherwise 
maltreat  any  Navajo  Indian  or  Indians,  he  or  they,  shall  be  arrested 
and  tried  and  upon  conviction  shall  be  subjected  to  all  the  penalties 
provided  by  law  for  the  protection  of  the  persons  and  property  of 
the  people  of  the  said  States. 


The  people  of  the  United  States  of  America  shall  have  free  and  safe 
passage  through  the  territory  of  the  aforesaid  Indians,  under  such 
rules  and  regulations  as  may  be  adopted  by  authority  of  the  said 
States. 


Jn  order  to  preserve  tranquility  and  to  afford  protection  to  all  the 
people  and  interests  of  the  contracting  parties,  the  Government  of 
the  United  States  of  America  will  establish  such  military  posts  and 
agencies,  and  authorize  such  trading  houses  at  such  time,  and  in 
such  places  as  the  said  Government  may  designate. 


24  COEEESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

9 

Relying,  confidently,  upon  the  justice  and  the  liberality  of  the  afore- 
said Government  and  anxious  to  remove  every  possible  cause  that 
might  disturb  their  peace  and  quiet,  it  is  agreed  by  the  aforesaid 
Navajoes  that  the  Government  of  the  United  States  shall  at  its  con- 
venience, designate,  settle,  and  adjust  their  territorial  boundaries, 
and  pass  and  execute  in  their  territory,  such  laws,  as  may  be  deemed 
conducive  to  the  prosperity  and  happiness  of  said  Indians. 

10 

For  and  in  consideration  of  the  faithful  performance  of  all  the 
stipulations  herein  contained  by  the  said  Navajo  Indians,  the  Gov- 
ernment of  the  United  States  will  grant  to  said  Indians  such  dona- 
tions, presents,  and  implements  and  adopt  such  other  liberal  and 
humane  measures  as  said  Government  may  deem  meet  and  proper. 

11 

This  treaty  shall  be  binding  upon  the  contracting  parties  from  and 
after  the  Signing  of  the  same.  Subject  only  to  such  modifications 
and  amendments  as  may  be  adopted  by  the  Government  of  the 
United  States,  and  finally,  this  treaty  is  to  receive  a  liberal  construc- 
tion at  all  times,  and  in  all  places,  to  the  end  that  the  said  Navajo 
Indians  shall  not  be  held  responsible  for  the  conduct  of  others  and 
that  the  Government  of  the  United  States  shall  so  legislate  and  act 
as  to  secure  the  permanent  prosperity  and  happiness  of  said  Indians. 
In  faith  whereof  we  the  undersigned,  have  signed  this  treaty  and 
affixed  thereunto  our  seals  in  the  valley  of  Cheille  this  the  ninth  day 
of  September  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  One  thousand  eight  hundred 
and  forty  nine. 

J  M.  Washington 

Bvt.  Lt  Col.  Comg.  (&c. 
James  S.  Calhodn 

Indian  Agent, 
residing  at  Santa  Fe, 
his 
Mariana  Martinez     x 
mark 
Head  Chief 
his 
Chapitone     X 

mark 
Second  Chief 


COEEESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 


25 


J.  L.  Collins 
James  Conklin 
Lorenzo  Torez 

his 
Antonio    x     Sandoval 
mark 
his 
Francisco     x     Josto, 
mark 

Governor  of  Jemez. 


Witnesses 

H.  L.  Kendeick. 

Bvt.  Maj.  U.S.A. 
J  N.  Ward. 

Bvt.  1st  Lt.  3d  Infy. 
John  J.  Peck. 

Bvt  Major  U.S.A. 
J.  F  Hammond 

Asst.  Surgn.  U.  S.  A. 
H.  L.  Dodge. 

(Jai)t.  Comdg  Exit  Rgs 
Richard  H.  Kern. 
J.  H.  Nones, 

2nd  Lieut  2d  Arty 
Cyrus  Choice. 
John  H  Dickerson 

2  Lt  1st  Artillery 
W  E.  Love 
John  Gr  Jones. 
J.  H.  Simpson 

1st  Lt.  Corps  Top.  Engr. 


[Belated  correspondence] 
[Mclaws  to  KER.'] 


Head  Quarters  9"  Mil  Department 

Santa  F6  New  Mexico  Feby  S,  1850. 
Captain 

I  have  the  houor  herewith  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  communica- 
tion of  the  29"  of  Januavy  which  was  laid  before  the  Colonel  Commanding 
for  his  consideration  &  he  directs  me  to  reply. 

A  copy  of  the  treaty  made  last  September  with  the  Navajos  will  be  sent  you. 
It  is  sufficiently  comprehensive  to  shew  the  policy  to  be  pursued  with  that 
tribe.  They  have  not  complied  with  the  terms  of  that  treaty  which  the 
Colonel  intends  exacting  from  them  before  entering  into  a  new  one. 


A.  G.  0.,  Old  Book,  No.  2,  p.  22. 


26  COERESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN. 

Should  any  parts  of  the  tribe  be  disposed  to  establish  Pueblos,  seperate  from 
the  rest;  come  under  our  protection  and  thus  relieve  themselves  from  the 
consequences  of  hostile  acts  by  the  Balance  of  the  tribe — Such  propositions  can 
be  received.  But  the  actual  consummation  of  a  treaty  will  only  be  made 
through  the  Indian  Agent,  or  some  other  regularly  deputed  person,  after,  all 
the  conditions  have  been  duly  considered 

Sandoval,  Chief  of  the  Pueblo  Navajos,  has  called  &  paid  his  respects  to  the 
Govenor 

The  other  points  of  which  you  make  mention  in  your  letter  will  be  acted 
on,  at  some  future  time 
Respectfully 

Your  obdt  servt  '   LMcLaws 

1  Lieut  7  Infy 

AAA  Genl 
Captain  C  Ker 

Commanding 
CihoUetta. 

[CALHOUN  TO  MEDILL/] 

No.  4. 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

October  1st.  1849. 
Sir, 

You  were  advised  by  my  note  of  the  15th  of  August  last,  that  on 
the  ensuing  day,  we  were  to  leave  on  an  expedition^  against  the 
Navajoes,  with  the  intention  of  returning  through  the  Utah  coun- 
try. Governor  Washington  was  so  obliging  as  to  extend  to  me  an 
invitation  to  accompany  him,  which  was  readily  accepted.  Our 
rendezvous  was  Jemez,  an  Indian  Pueblo,  fifty  seven  47/100  miles 
from  Santa  Fe,  as  indicated  by  Major  Kendrick's  ^  Viameter,  and  in 
a  direction  nearly  due  west. 

We  marched  from  Jemez  on  the  22d.  of  August  for  the  Canon 
of  Cheille,  the  capitol  Spot  of  the  Navajo  tribe  of  Indians,  and  by 
them  supposed,  or  rather,  reported  to  be  entirely  impracticable  of 
approach  by  an  American  army.  Passing  over  an  exceedingly 
rugged  country,  checkered,  occasionally,  by  beautiful,  fertile  and 
extensive  valleys,  and  encamping  sometimes  where  we  could  not 
obtain  wood,  water,  or  grass,  we  pitched  out  tents,  in  a  corn  field,  in 
the  Canon  of  Cheille,  on  the  evening  of  the  6th  day  of  September, 
last,  apparently  to  the  utter  amazement  of  several  hundred  Navajoes. 
who,  during  the  evening,  and  until  a  treaty  was  concluded  with  them, 

1  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  357.  Published  in  Annual  Report  Commissioner  of  In- 
dian Affairs,  1849,  pp.  994-1002. 

*  Washington's  letter  descriptive  of  this  expedition  and  dated  September  25,  1849,  Is  to 
be  found  In  House  Ex.  Doc,  31st  Cong.,  1st  sess..  No.  5,  Pt.  1,  pp.  111-112.  See  also 
Crawford  to  Ewing,  March  6,  1850. 

*  Henry  Lane  Kendrlck. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  27 

continued  to  occupy  the  surrounding  heights,  dashing  with  great 
speed  from  point  to  point,  evidently  in  great  perturbation. 

It  is  proper  here  to  mention  an  incident  that  occurred  on  the  east 
side  of  the  mountain  range  from  Cheille. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  30th  of  August  we  encamped  near  ex- 
tensive corn  fields  belonging  to  the  Navajoes,  in  the  Valley  of 
Tunicha,  where  we  were  met  by  several  hundreds  of  their  tribe. 
They  asked  for  permission  to  confer  with  the  Governor,  which 
was  conceded  to  the  chiefs.  The  Governor  frankly  stated  to  them 
that  his  purpose  was  to  chastise  them  for  their  bad  conduct,  in 
committing  murders,*  and  stealing  horses,  sheep,  and  every  thing 
else  they  could  put  their  hands  upon.  The  Chiefs  replied  that  law- 
less men  were  to  be  found  everywhere,  that  such  secreted  themselves 
during  the  day,  and  prowled  about  at  night — that  their  utmost 
vigilance  had  not  rendered  it  possible  for  the  Chiefs  and  good  men 
to  apprehend  the  guilty,  or  to  restrain  the  wicked;  but,  that  they 
were  ready  to  make  every  possible  restitution  by  returning  an  equal 
number  of  animals  stolen,  returning  certain  captives,  and  delivering 
the  murderer,  or  murderers  of  Micente  Garcia,  to  be  dealt  with  as 
justice  might  decree.  In  short,  they  were  ready  to  submit  themselves 
and  their  interests  to  the  authorities  of  the  United  States,  as  the 
best  means  of  securing  the  prosperity  and  happiness  of  all  concerned. 
A  skeleton  of  a  treaty,  in  substance  the  same  as  the  treaty  concluded 
at  Cheille,  was  immediately  submitted,  and  thoroughly  discussed, 
and  agreed  to ;  and  certain  Chiefs  named  to  accompany  us  to  Cheille, 
the  residence,  so  far  as  he  has  one,  of  the  Head  Chief,  and  the  seat 

an 
of  the  supreme  power  of  the  Navajo  tribe  of  Indians — As  earnest 
of  their  intentions,  they  delivered  to  us  one  hundred  and  thirty  sheep, 
and  some  four  or  five  mules  and  horses.  This  accomplished,  orders 
were  given  to  prepare  to  resume  our  march.  In  the  mean  time,  the 
Indians  were  all  permitted  to  descend  from  the  heights,  and  to  oc- 
cupy a  level  space,  commencing  within  fifty  paces  of  the  Governor's 
Quarters — The  actings  and  doings  of  the  parties  were  duly  explained 
to  them  by  a  long  and  noisy  harangue  from  a  Navajo.  They  were 
further  informed,  that  a  certain  horse,  which  was  pointed  out  to 
them,  was  the  property  of  a  Pueblo  Indian  then  present,  and  that 
the  horse  must  be  delivered  to  the  proper  owner  at  once.  The  fact 
of  having  stolen  the  horse  was  not  denied,  but  a  statute  of  limitation 
was  suggested  by  the  reply,  that  the  horse  had  been  rode  back  to  the 
country  from  where  the  animal  was  taken,  and  that,  that  was  the 
time  to  have  claimed  him,  and  ended  by  the  enquiry  why  he  was  not 
then  claimed — This  conversation  was  reported  to  Governor  Wash- 
ington in  the  presence  of  several  Chiefs,  who  were  distinctly  notified 
by  him,  that  he  required  the  immediate  delivery   if  the  horse — The 


28  COERESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

Chiefs,  among  them,  the  Senior  Chief  on  the  east  side  of  the  before- 
mentioned  mountain  range,  left  the  Governor's  tent,  as  was  sup- 
posed, to  instruct  their  jDeople  what  they  should  do.  The  Governor 
having  waited  a  sufficient  length  of  time  without  the  return  of  a  sin- 
gle Chief,  or  any  report  from  them,  ordered  a  small  detachment  of 
the  guard  to  proceed  to  the  crowd,  with  instructions  to  the  officer  of 
the  guard,  to  demand  the  immediate  surrender  of  the  horse,  and 
walked  out,  in  jDerson,  to  superintend  the  execution  of  the  order — The 
demand  not  producing  the  desired  effect,  Lieut  Torez,  the  officer  of 

by  the  Governor 
the  guard,  was  directed  to  seize  the  horse  and  his 

rider,  and  to  bring  them  before  him.  The  moment  the  guard  was 
ordered  forward,  every  Navajo  Indian  in  the  crowd,  supposed  to 
number  from  three  to  four  hundred,  all  mounted  and  armed,  and 
their  arms  in  their  hands,  wheeled,  and  put  the  spur  to  their  horses ; 
upon  which,  the  Governor  ordered  the  guard  to  fire.  The  Senior 
Chief,  Narbone,  was  left  lifeless  upon  the  ground,  and  several  others 
were  found  dead  in  the  vicinity.  The  Indians  did  not  attempt  to  fire 
until  their  own  and  our  forces  were  scattered,  when  feeble  efforts  to 
kill  and  cut  off  small  parties  were  unsuccessfully  made.  Except  the 
killing  of  a  few  horses,  and  the  loss  of  a  few  mules,  we  sustained  no 
injury. 

The  distance  from  Santa  Fe  to  Tunicha,  is  one  hundred  and  ninety 
eight  99/100  miles. 

In  pursuance  of  orders  previously  given  wc  marched,  during  the 
afternoon  of  that  day,  about  six  miles  in  the  direction  of  Cheille, 
and  encamped  adjoining  Cornfields  belonging  to  Narbone,  the  Chief 
killed  at  Tunicha.  During  the  same  afternoon,  and  every  day  there- 
after on  our  march  to  Cheille,  Indians  of  the  tribe  would  come  within 
hallowing  distance,  and  renew  expressions  of  their  desire  for  peace, 
and  of  their  intentions  to  comply  with  the  terms  which  their  Chiefs 
had  agreed  to.  On  the  evening  that  we  entered  the  Caiion  of  Cheille, 
we  were  again  spoken  to  from  the  heights,  when  it  was  announced 
they  were  ready  to  comply  with  the  Governor's  demands;  and,  as 
the  Governor  did  not  order  a  halt,  they  said,  the  Governor  did  not 
want  peace  or  why  persist  in  going  into  the  Caiion.  The  Governor 
ordered  our  Indians,  who  were  talking  to  the  Navajoes,  to  be  silent. 

we 
and  quietly  entered  the  much  talked  of  Caiion.  284,  08/100  miles, 
from  Santa  Fe;  rich  in  its  Valleys,  rich  in  its  fields  of  grain,  and 
rich  in  its  vegetables  and  peach  orchards.  Water  at  this  season  of 
the  year  may  be  had  in  any  desirable  quantity  by  digging  a  few 
feet,  and  wood  in  abundance,  pine,  juniper,  and  cedar,  a  few  miles 
off.     The  qii:  iitity  of  water  that  runs  through  and   under  tlie  snr- 


COKRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  29 

face  of  the  Canon  is  immense;  and  in  many  places,  above  Cheille, 
there  is  a  bold  and  continuous  stream  of  pure  water;  but  as  it 
leaches  the  debouching  point,  the  earth  becomes  quite  porous,  and 
the  water  sinks  a  few  feet. 

Early  on  the  day  after  our  arrival  at  Cheille,  the  Head  Chief  of 
the  tribe  having  ascertained  by  what  process  he  could  approach  the 
Governor,  presented  himself  at  Head  Qrs  (Quarters),  heard  the 
demands  of  the  Governor,  and  after  a  rather  long  talk,  pledged  him- 
self to  a  compliance,  and  appointed  the  second  day  thereafter  as 
the  time  to  consummate  the  agreement.  At  the  appointed  time,  the 
Head  Chief  with  the  second,  appeared  and  announced  their  readi- 
ness and  their  full  authority,  to  redeem  the  pledge  of  the  Head  Chief; 
at  the  same  time,  bringing  forward  104,  Sheep,  4  mules  &  horses, 
and  delivering  four  Captives. 

Mexican  Captives  delivered. 

1  Anto  Josea  about  10  years  old,  taken  from  Jemez  where  his 
parents  now  live,  by  the  Navajo,  who  delivered  him.  A  flock  of 
Goats  &  Sheep  were  stolen  at  the  same  time.  He  says  he  was  well 
treated. 

2  Teodosia  Gonzales,  twelve  years  of  age,  was  taken  about  six 
years  ago,  from  a  corral  near  the  Rio  Grande,  where  he  supposes  his 
parents  now  live.  He  was  stolen  while  herding  Goats,  but  no  effort 
was  made  to  take  the  Goats.    He  was  well  treated. 

Marceito,  eighteen  j^ears  of  age,  was  taken  from  Socorro.  He 
Icnows  nothing  of  his  parents,  nor  how  long  he  has  been  captive.  He 
has  evidently  been  a  captive  many  years,  as  he  has  entirely  forgotten 
his  native  tongue.  The  novelty  of  a  home,  as  explained  to  him, 
seemed  to  excite  him  somewhat. 

Josea  Ignacio  Anane,  became  a  prisoner  seventeen  years  ago, 
taken,  when  quite  a  boy,  by  a  roving  band  of  Navajoes.  at  Tuck- 
alotoe.  His  parents  then  lived  at  Sante  Fe,  where  he  supposes  they 
now  reside.  He  is  the  fortunate  possessor  of  two  Avives,  and  three 
children,  living  at  Mecina  Gorda,  (Big  Oak)  north  of  Cheille  two 
and  a  half  days  travel.  He  was  originally  sold  to  an  Indian  named 
Waro,  to  whom  he  yet  belongs.  I  do  not  think  he  is  under  many 
i-estraints,  for  he  prefers  most  decidedly  to  remain  with  the  Navajoes, 
notwithstanding  his  peonage. 

Subsequently  at  Zunia  the  Navajoes  brought  to  us. 

Manuel  Lucira  taken  from  Del  Mansiiia  two  years  since,  while 
herding  sheep.  The  Indians  took  only  such  sheep  as  was  needed  at 
the  moment.  He  is  about  fourteen  years  of  age,  and  has  been  sold 
several  times,  and  badly  treated,  by  flogging  &c.  His  parents  are 
said  to  be  living  near  the  place  where  he  was  stolen  from.  At  the 
same  time  a  brother  of  Manuel's  was  taken;  but  he  was  returned  last 


30  CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.   CALHOUN. 

year.  These  Captives  except  the  one  so  fortunately  married  ha\'c 
been  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  friends  and  acquaintances  of  their 
parents. 

The  treaty,  a  copy  of  which  I  have  already  addressed  to  you,  having 
been  duly  executed,  on  the  10th  of  Sept,  we  marched  for  Zunia, 
distance   106/  17/100  miles,  in  a   South  eastern  direction,  instead 

the 
of  returning  by  way  of  Utah  country.     Governor  Washington, 

previous  to  marching  from  Santa  Fe,  ordered  about  three  hundred 
mounted  troops  into  the  Utah  country,  for  the  purpose  of  repressing 
disturbances,  checking  depredations,  and  to  recover  lost  and  stolen 
property.  Two  of  the  companies  were  ordered,  if  practicable,  to 
effect  a   junction  with  the  troops  under  the  Governors  immediate 

is 
command  before  they  reached  Cheille.  It  matter  of  regret,  that 
this  could  not  be  done.  The  Governor  having  no  reliable  information 
as  to  what  had  been  done  against  the  Utahs ;  and  hearing  what  was 
believed  to  be  true,  and  which  proved  to  be  false,  that  the  Apaches 
had  entered  Zunia,  killed  a  number  of  its  inhabitants,  and  drove  off 
a  great  many  horses,  mules,  and  sheep,  changed  the  route  of  his 
return  march,  as  before  stated. 

The  Pueblo  of  Zunia  contains,  in  my  opinion,  more  than  500, 
Indians,  a  hardy,  well  fed  and  well  clothed  race,  and  their  location 
being  more  than  200,  miles,  from  Santa  Fe,  and  130  m,  from  Albur- 
querque,  on  a  good  road  in  every  respect,  now  growing  into  favor 
as  the  best  route  to  California,  are  subjected  to  various  annoyances 
from  Navajoes,  North  and  north  west,  and  the  Apaches  South  &  south 
east.  But  what  is  shockingly  discreditable  to  the  american  name, 
emigrants  commit  the  grossest  wrongs  against  these  excellent  Indians 
by  taking,  in  the  name  of  the  United  States,  such  horses,  mules,  and 
sheep,  and  grain  as  they  desire,  carefully  concealing  their  true  name, 
but  assuming  official  authority  and  bearing.  A  wrong  of  this  kind 
had  been  perpetrated  a  few  days  previous  to  our  arrival  there. 

About  the  same  time,  the  Navajoes  descended  from  the  mountains, 
and  made  an  unsuccessful  attempt  to  drive  of  a  number  of  sheep  &c. 

and 
A  battle  ensued,  several  Navajoes  are  said  to  have  been  wounded, 

and  one,  whose  undried  flesh  was  food  for  Carrion  Crows  as  we 
passed  his  remains,  was  left  dead  on  the  field,  within  half  a  mile  of 
the  village.  The  inhabitants  of  this  Pueblo  gave  us  a  hearty  recep- 
tion, manifesting  their  gratification  in  the  most  uproarious,  wild,  and 
indescribable  manner,  offering  to  us  large  quantities  of  fruit  and 
bread;  all  of  which  was  becomingly  received. 

Passing  over  a  distance  of  88,  30/100,  miles,  wild  in  its  mountains 
and  caiions,  beautiful  and  rich  in  its  extensive  valleys,  highlands  and 


CORRESPONDENCE   OP   JAMES   S.   CALHOUN.  31 

lowlands,  affording  superior  grazing,  the  purest  and  most  delightful 
water,  excellent  pine  lumber,  and  a  superabundant  supply  of  the 
finest  rock,  limestone,  and  Plaister  of  Paris,  for  building  purposes, 
we  We  encamped  in  the  Valley  of  Laguna  on  the  afternoon  of  the 
19th  inst,  within  view  of  the  Pueblo  of  that  name,  containing  some 
400  inhabitants.  The  outrages  committed  against  these  Indians  by 
emigrants  to  California,  and  others,  are  as  frequent  and  as  flagrant 
as  those  mentioned  of  Zunia.  Indeed  the  last  outrage  was  of  an 
infinitely  more  aggravated  character.  Near  the  hour  of  12.  m.  the 
day  not  remembered,  the  Valley  was  entered  and  sheep  and  other 
things  demanded,  to  which  the  Governor  of  the  Village  replied,  no 
sheep  could  be  furnished  at  that  hour,  as  their  flocks  were  regularly, 
every  morning,  sent  off  that  they  might  graze  during  the  day.  The 
emigrants,  if  such  they  were,  assuming  official  importance,  in  their 
anger,  threatened  to  lynch  the  Alcalde,  tied  the  Governor  and  in 
that  condition  carried  him  from  his  home,  Laguna,  to  Zunia  the  next 
Pueblo  west. 

The  distance  between  Laguna  and  Alberquerque  is  46,  84/100  miles. 
The  road  between  the  two  places  is  good,  water  scarce  and  bad,  with 
but  little  timber,  and  less  grass, — no  settlements  and  no  cultivation 
after  passing  east  from  Laguna  six  miles  on  the  road  to  Albuquerque. 

About  ten  miles  N.  W.  of  Laguna  there  is  a  small  Spanish  village 
called 

At  one  of  these  points,  I  venture  to  say,  our  government  should 
establish  a  military  post,  and  I  understand,  Governor  Washington 
will  station,  at  an  early  day,  two  companies  in  that  neighborhood. 
The  Navajoes  and  Apaches  are  exceedingly  troublesome  in  that  neigh- 
borhood. At,  or  near  Sandia,  an  Indian  Pueblo,  some  15  miles,  on 
the  road  from  Albuquerque  to  Santa  Fe,  five  Mexicans  were  killed, 
by  a  straggling  band  of  Navajoes,  and  some  property  taken  off  on 

preceding 
the  24th  of  the  pfeseftt  month,  the  second  day  after  we  passed,  on  our 
return  to  Santa  Fe.  Numerous  bands  of  theiving  Indians,  princi- 
pally, Navajoes,  Apaches,  and  Ccmanches,  are  straggling  in  every 
direction,  busily  employed  in  gathering  their  winter  supplies,  where 
they  have  not  sown.  Not  a  day  passes  without  hearing  of  some  fresh 
outrage,  and  the  utmost  vigilance  of  the  military  force  in  this  country 

and 
is  not  sufficient  to  prevent  murders  and  depredations  there  are 

but  few  so  bold  as  to  travel  alone  ten  miles  from  Santa  Fe. 

How  are  these  wrongs  to  be  remedied? 

I  answer  by  a  compulsory  enlightment,  and  the  imposition  of  just 
restraints  both  to  be  enforced  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet. 

You  are  already  advised,  if  not  before  by  my  letter  of  the  29th 

bands 
of  July  last,  that  there  were  wandering  of  Indians,  who  did 


32  CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

not  cultivate  the  soil,  and  lived  alone  by  depredations.  The  language 
I  used,  on  the  occasion  alluded  to,  should  have  been  so  modified  as 
to  have  excepted  the  sustenance  which  they  derive  from  their,  some- 
times, successful  hunting  of  Buffaloes,  the  Bear,  Deer,  and  other 
game.  It  is  now  stated,  upon  a  more  intimate  knowledge  of  the 
various  tribes  of  Indians  in  this  region,  that  a  vast  majority  of  the 
Apaches  and  Comanches,  live  chiefly,  by  depredations;  that  they 
look  upon  the  cultivators  of  the  soil  with  contempt,  as  inferior  beings, 
the  products  of  whose  labor  legitimately  belong  to  power,  the 
strongest  arm;  and  that  labor,  except  in  War,  and  in  love,  and  the 
chase  is  degredation;  and  the  man  who  has  not  stolen  a  horse,  or 
scalped  an  enemy,  is  not  worthy  of  association  with  these  lords  of 
the  woods. 

The  wild  Indians  of  this  country  have  been  so  much  more  suc- 
cessful in  their  robberies  since  Genl  Kearney  took  possession  of  the 
country,  they  do  not  believe  we  have  the  power  to  chastise  them. 
Is  it  not  time  to  enlighten  them  upon  this  subject,  and  to  put  an 
end  to  their  ceaseless  depredations.  At  this  moment,  above  our 
estahlished  Indian  country  on  the  Arkansas,  these  people  are  com- 
mitting every  depredation  within  their  power,  so  far  up  as  Bent's  ^ 
Fort.  These,  with  the  Navajoes  &  Kioways  are  known  to  be  in  every 
section  of  the  territory. 

Indeed,  we  are  in  a  state  of  War,  and  their  disappointment  in  Mr 
Fitzpatricks  promises  is  their  excuse  for  their  conduct.  Concerning 
Mr  F.'s  actings  &  doings,  and  his  promises  and  authority  to  act. 
I  am,  as  yet,  wholly  ignorant. 

The  Navajoes  commit  their  wrongs  from  a  pure  love  of  rapine 
and  plunder.  They  have  extensive  fields  of  Corn  &  Wheat — fine 
Peach  orchards,  and  grow  quantities  of  Melons,  Squashes,  Beans 
and  Peas,  and  have  immense  flocks  of  sheep,  a  great  number  of 
Mules  and  horses  of  a  superior  breed;  they  have  nothing  of  the  cow 
kind.  This  statement,  I  know,  is  antagonistical  to  official  reports 
made  by  others;  but  I  report  to  you  from  personal  knowledge,  ob- 
tained during  Govr  Washington's  expidition  against  the  Navajoes. 

Distance  and  numbers,  by  red  men.  are  matters  of  fact  not  to  be 
comprehended  and  understood  by  Indians  of  this  country,  as  it  is 
elsewhere.  Distance  is  measured  by  time,  at  their  pace,  which  is 
never  slow,  and  so  far  as  their  population  is  concerned,  the  Governor 
of  the  smallest  Pueblo  can  not  accurately,  rarely  approximately  give 
you  the  number  of  its  inhabitants. 

It  is  still  a  much  more  impracticable  matter  to  ascertain  the  ex- 
tent of  the  population  of  such  a  tribe  as  the  Navajoes. 

^  Bent's  Fort  was  the  great  stopping  place  on  the  north,  or  Arkansas,  branch  of  the 
Santa  Fe  trail.  See  Twitchell,  Leadin?  Facts  of  New  Mexican  History,  II,  p.  120 ; 
Chittenden,  American  Fur  Trade,  III,  p.  970 ;  Kansas  Historical  Collections,  VII,  p.  327, 
note ;  VIII.  p.  487,  note. 


COEEESPONDENCE   01''   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  33 

of  their  local 
ef-fefeeH-'4eeftl4iftbifc%tie«H^  the  whereabouts, 
habitations, 

depending  solely  upon  the  seasons  of  the  year  and  their 
apprehensions  of  danger,  not  one  of  them  having  a  permanent  abid- 
ing place.  Their  only  houses  are  mere  lodges,  scfuare  or  circular, 
brought  to  a  point  about  fifteen  feet  from  the  grounds  and  some- 
times the  outer  covering  is  mud,  one  room  only. 

The  stone  walls  Avhich  are  built  and  inhabited  by  them  are  in  the 
shape,  or  nearly  so,  of  a  square,  and  some  times  have  more  than  one 
room  from  eight  to  twelve  feet,  in  height,  and  not  one  that  I  saw 
was  covered  in  anj^  ^vay. 

The  number  of  Indians  of  this  tribe,  I  do  not  think;  can  exceed 
five  thousand,  and  they  claim  from  about  35°  to  38°  north  latitude, 
and  29°  to  33°  longitude  west  from  Washington.  The  conflicting 
claims  of  the  Utahs  east  and  north,  to  some  extent  must  indent  their 
supposed  borders,  and  they  are  barred  on  the  South  East,  Se«th, 
and-  West  by  special,  Spanish  and  Mexican  Grants  to  their  then 
Cristiano  Indian  allies;  all  of  whom  live  in  pueblos  hold  lands  in 
common,  the  boundaries  of  which  they  say  are  distinctly  defined  by 
original  grants,  now  in  existence.  They  complain  of  many  encroach- 
ments upon  their  boundaries,  and  hope  the  U.  S.  government  will 
restore  them  their  ancient  rights.  Wicked  men,  some  americans,  but 
chiefly  Mexicans,  for  their  own  mischevious  purposes,  have  aAvak- 
ened  the  apprehensions  of,  the  Pueblos  by  declaring  the  americans 
would  take  from  them  their  lands,  and  remove  them  to  an  unknown 
region.  The  fears  of  many  on  this  point,  I  think  I  have  quieted, 
by  the  assurance  that  the  President  had  no  designs  of  that  charac- 
ter; instead  of  which,  if  their  population  required  it,  he  would  add 
to  their  grants  rather  than  narrow  their  limits. 

But  to  return  to  the  Navajoes.  They  derive  their  title  to  the 
country  over  which  they  roam,  from  mere  possession,  not  knowing 
from  whence  they  came,  or  how  they  were  planted  upon  its  soil : 
and  its  soil  is  easy  of  cultivation,  and  capable  of  sustaining  nearly 
as  man}^  millions  of  inhabitants  as  they  have  thousands.  I  respect- 
fully suggest,  these  people  should  have  their  limits  circumscribed, 
and  distincth''  marked  out,  and  their  departure  from  said  limits 
should  be  under  certain  prescriloed  rules,  at  least  for  some  time  to 
come.  Even  this  arrangement  would  be  utterly  ineffective  unless 
enforced  by  the  military  arm  of  the  country. 

These  Indians  are  harch',  and  intelligent,  and  it  is  as  natural  for 
them  to  war  against  all  men,  and  to  take  the  property  of  others  as 
it  is  for  the  sun  to  give  light  hj  day. 
5021—15 3 


34  COERESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.   CALHOUN. 

In  reference  to  a  majority  of  the  Apaches  and  Comanches,  they 
should  be  learned  and  made  to  cultivate  the  soil,  and  should  have 
prescribed  limits,  under  the  rules  and  regulations,  and  to  be  enforced 
as  suggested  above. 

The  Pueblos  by  many  are  regarded  as  a  tribe.  A  more  decided 
error  in  reference  to  these  Indians  could  not  be  suggested.  The 
number  of  Pueblos,  each  containing  inhabitants  from  3  to  COO,  is 
about  twenty,  not  including  the  Indians  west  or  south  of  the  Moquies. 
Of  these  twenty  Pueblos,  the  languages  of  at  least  ten  of  them,  are 
altogether  different,  and  it  is  said  by  some  who  claim  to  be  judges, 

in  language 
there  is  not  the  slightest  analogy  existing  between  any 

two  of  them;  and  they  communicate  with  each  other,  through  the 
instrumentality  of  Mexican  interpreters,  or  pantomimic  action.  The 
same  may  be  said  of  the  Apaches  and  Comanches,  with  the  qualifi- 
cation which  follows. 

I  have  seen  but  a  few  of  either  of  these  last  named  tribes,  and  I 
can  not  say  there  is  as  much  dissimilarity  in  their  languages  as  exist 
with  the  various  Pueblos.  As  to  the  number  of  either  of  these  tribes, 
I  can  not  even  venture  a  guess;  and  in  reference  to  the  extent  of 
territory  claimed  by  them,  no  satisfactory  information  has  yet  been 
acquired;  nor  can  it  be,  until  a  sufficient  number  of  troops  are  sent 
here  to  afford  escorts  to  those  who  may  be  charged  with  such  investi- 
gations. It  may  be  remarked  however,  that  the  Comanches  range, 
principally,  between  32°  &  3G°  N.  latitude,  and  longitude  west  from 
AVashington  22°  &  27°.  From  thence  west  2  or  300  hundred  miles, 
across  the  Rio  Grande,  the  Apaches  ^  are  found,  on  both  sides  of  the 

1  John  C.  Hays,  of  San  Antonio,  Texas,  who  had  been  appointed  "  sub-Indian-agent  for 
the  Rio  Gila,  New  Mexico  (see  Ewmj?  to  Medill,  April  5,  1849,  O.  I.  A.,  Rio  Gila  Sub- 
agency,  I  184),  reported  January  5,  1850,  that  the  Apaches,  who  "may  be  said  to  be 
the  only  Indians  who  live  on  the  Gila  in  New  Mexico,"  "  were  shy  and  hostile  with  feel- 
ings aroused  against  the  whites  by  an  attack  recently  made  on  them  by  some  Americans 
employed  by  the  Gov.  of  Chihuahua  expressly  to  flght  Indians.  *  *  *  Accompanied 
by  some  emigrants,  I  went  into  the  country  of  the  Gila  Apaches,  and  sought  by  every 
means  to  establish  a  friendly  intercourse  with  them  without  success.  At  one  time  a 
few  were  preparing  to  come  into  our  camp,  and  had  actually  collected  within  two  or  three 
miles  of  us,  but  were  unfortunately  dispersed  by  a  Mexican  force  of  four  hundred  men, 
the  day  before  they  were  to  visit  us. 

"  *  *  *  From  all  I  have  seen  and  known  of  the  Apaches,  they  are  treacherous, 
warlike  and  cruel,  and  need  severe  chastisement  before  they  can  be  made  to  know  the 
policy  of  observing  good  faith  with  white  people.  Some  of  my  own  companions  were 
killed  by  them  at  the  very  time  they  were  intimating  an  intention  to  treat  with  us. 
It  is  exceedingly  hazardous  for  any  but  large  parties  to  attempt  to  pass  through  their 
country.  There  is  no  head  chief  of  the  Apache  nation.  They  are  scattered  in  small 
bands,  independent  of  each  other,  throughout  the  southern  portion  of  New  Mexico,  parts 
of  Sonora,  Chihuahua,  and  along  the  country  of  the  Rio  Grande  on  both  sides  of  the 
River  down  as  low  as  San  Carlos.  They  have  made  a  number  of  treaties  with  Mexico, 
and  the  different  states  of  Mexico,  but  never  observe  them  longer  than  suits  their  inter- 
ests, and  some  portion  of  them  continue  a  constant  war  against  the  Mexicans,  which  is 
marked    with    great    atrocity    and    cruelty.     The    same    want    of    faith    will    be    practised 


COEEESPONDEXCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  35 

dividing  line,  between  the  United  States  and  the  United  ^Mexican 
states;  and  this  circumstance  will  be  fruitful  of  some  trouble,  be- 
cause those  on  either  side  of  the  line  will  charge  upon  the  other, 
the  wrongs  they  themselves  commit.     I  am  not  prepared  to  say,  the 

11th 
evils  alluded  to,  would  have  no  existence  if  the  article  of  the 

late  treaty  was  reciprocal. 

The  terms  by  which  they  hold  the  country  over  which  they  roam, 
is  a  mere  possessors^  title,  which  the  God  of  nature  has  permitted  to 
them;  and  one  tenth  of  the  country  would  be  more  than  sufficient 
to  satisfy  all  the  wants  of  a  much  more  consuming  people.     The  dis- 

no 
position  of  the  Utahs  is  rather  equivocal.  They  have  committed 
wrongs  recently,  against,  Americans,  proper.  These  Indians 
met  Col.  Beall,^  who  had  charge  of  the  expidition  ordered 
against  them  at  the  same  time  Govr.  Washington  marched 
upon  the  Navajoes,  and  agreed  to  all  his  demands,  an  impossibility 
among  them,  as  I  have  reason  to  believe;  to  witty  the  restoration  of  all 
the  Fremont  property  lost  during  the  past  winter.  That  was  out 
of  the  question,  as  a  portion  of  it,  as  I  am  informed,  has  long  since 
been  consumed.  This  fact  was  seized  upon,  by  worthless  Mexicans,  to 
frighten  the  Indians  off;  for  they  made  the  Indians  believe,  if  every 

within 
article  was  not  restored,  Col"  Beall  would  cause  every  one  i»  his 

Utahs 
reach,  to  be  put  to  death;  therefore  it  was,  as  I  am  informed,  by  Col° 
Beall,  they  did  not  come  up  at  the  appointed  time,  to  consu- 

mate  the  treaty  agreed  upon.  From  the  facts  herein  stated,  it  must 
be  evident  to  reflecting  minds. 

1st  That  an  additional  mounted  regiment,  full  and  complete, 
should  be  in  service  in  New  Mexico.  I  repeat  what  I  have  said  in  a 
former  communication,  Infantry  are  useful  only  in  taking  care  of 
public  stores,  and  isolated  places, 

2nd  Without  an  additional  force,  not  a  single  interest  of  the 
country  can  be  fully  protected, 

3  Military  stations  ought  to  be  established  at  Tunicha,  and  the 
Canon  of  Cheille,  in  the  Navajo  country;  at.  or  near  Jemez,  Zunia 

toward  us,  unless  as  I  have  before  said  they  be  taught  to  fear  us.  *  *  •  "  (O.  I.  A., 
Pao  Gila  Sub-Agency,  H  1160.) 

At  the  same  time  that  Hays  sent  this  letter,  he  tendered  his  resignation  as  sub-agent, 
saying,  "  The  only  Indians  in  my  department  are  the  Apaches,  and  to  effect  any  thing 
with  them  requires  much  tinn',  a  number  of  troops,  and  a  large  expenditure  of  money. 
My  inability  to  be  of  any  service  whatever,  with  the  means  furnished,  compels  me  to 
abandon  the  undertaking."     (Extract  from  letter  of  January  3,  1850.) 

1  Benjamin  Lloyd  Beall,  upon  whom  the  command  of  the  0th  Military  Department  had 
devolved  in  the  absence  of.Colonel  Sterling  Price.  See  Twitchell,  Leading  Facts  of  New 
Mexican  History,  IL  p.  263. 


36  COEEESPOXDEXCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUX. 

and  Laguna,  and  perhaps  in  other  places,  in  the  direction  of  El  Paso, 
?nd  within  the  Pueblo  region. 

4th  To  every  Pueblo,  there  ought  to  be  sent  at  once,  an  Indian 
ngent,  to  protect  the  Indians,  and  to  preserve  the  character  of  the 
United  States.  Such  agents  should  be  continued  at  each  Pueblo  for 
(he  next  year  or  two. 

5.  Unless  this  is  done,  emigrants  and  others,  claiming  to  be  officers 
of  the  U  S;  will  disaffect  these  people  by  their  lawless  conduct. 

6.  It  is  but  fair  to  presume,  that  in  a  year  or  two,  such  improve- 
ments in  public  morals,  will  take  place,  as  to  justify  the  continuance 
of  most  of  the  agencies,  that  ought  noiv  to  be  in  existence  in  each 
Pueblo.  Just  at  this  moment,  the  Pueblo  Indians,  in  number  54  who 
accompanied  Governor  Washington  in  his  expedition  against  the 
Kavajoes  are  complaining  that  they  are  not  paid  for  their  services. 
In  New  Mexico  a  better  population  than  these  Pueblo  Indians  can 
not  be  found,  and  they  must  be  treated  with  great  delicacy.  The 
slightest  disappointment  in  their  expectations,  no  matter  how  created, 
rhe}'  regard  as  a  deliberate  deceit  practised  upon  them.  If  properly 
cared  for  and  instructed,  in  all  Indian  wars,  these  Pueblos  would  be 
very  important  auxiliaries.  Even  now,  notwithstanding  the  dis- 
content mentioned  above,  at  least  two  hundred  of  ihem  could  be 
I'eadily  raised  for  mounted  service;  and,  if  I  had  the  military,  com- 
mand of  this  territory,  I  should  regard  them  as  necessary  adjuncts. 
In  compliance  with  one  of  the  stipulations  of  the  treaty  entered  into 
by  Governor  Washington  with  the  Navajoes,  they  are  to  deliver  at 
Jemez,  on  the  ninth  of  next  month,  certain  captives  and  stolen  prop- 
erty. Although  they  have  delivered  to  us  Sheep,  Horses,  Mules  & 
Captives,  as  an  earnest  of  their  intentions,  we  do  not  feel  confident 
that  they  will  comph^  with  the  terms  of  the  treaty.  They  may  not 
be  there.  At  the  time,  and  on  the  occasion  alluded  to.  the  Governors, 
Captains,  and  Alcaldes  of  most  of  the  Pueblos,  East  and  north  of  the 
Moquies,  it  is  supposed,  will  be  at  Jemez.  It  is  my  intention  to  be 
there  too,^  and  if  permitted,  what  shall  then  and  there  occur,  shall  be 
immediately,  thereafter,  reported  to  you. 

1  Provision,  judging  from  tlie  annexed  letter,  D  53,  which  was  found  in  a  box  of  mis- 
cellaneous papers,  "  Dep't  of  New  Mexico,  1848-49,"  in  the  Archives  Division  of  the  Ad- 
jutant-General's Office  and  for  which,  apparently  there  is  no  Register  now  in  existence, 
was  made  for  a  military  escort  to  accompany  Calhoun  to  Jemez. 

AssT  Adjt  General's  Office 

9  Mil  Department 
Santa  F€,  N.  M".,  Oct  30,  49 
Sir 

The  Col.  Comdg.  directs  that  you  proceed  at  once  to  Santo  Domingo  with  the  det.  of 
Capt  Chapman's  compy.  under  your  command  It  is  necessary  that  you  be  at  that  place 
by  Saturday  evening.  From  Santo  Domingo  you  will  accompany  Col.  Calhoun,  Indian 
Agent,  to  Jemez  and  return  to  Santa  P6  with  him 

Should  the  supply  of  subsistence  stores  which  you  now  haye  be  exhausted  before  you 
return  you  will  get  more  at  Jemez. 

I  am  &c 
Lt  O.  R.  Anderson 

Comdg  det.  vols  Vallas  Orarich  Xeic  Mo 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  37 

The  mail  leaves  on  to-morrow  morning,  and  I  have  not  been  able, 
to  clay,  to  complete  the  labor  that  belongs  to  my  position — nor  have 
I  been  able  to  revise,  with  care,  what  I  have  caused  to  be  recorded  in 
the  foregoing  pages.  It  is  sincerely  hoped,  I  may  yet,  and  in  due 
time,  cure  my  omissions  of  to-day.  No  opportunity,  for  the  trans- 
mission of  intelligence,  shall  pass  me  by,  without  my  advising  you  of 
my  actings  and  doings,  and  my  whereabouts. 
I  am. 

With  great  respect, 

Your  obt.  Servt. 

James  S.  Calhoun 

Indian  Agent 
Santa  Fe. 
Col.  IVIedill  New  Mexico 

Comr.  of  Indian  Affairs. 
Washington  City 
D.  G. 

[CALHOUN   TO   MEDILL.^] 

No.  5. 

Indian  Agency. 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

Octr.  4.  1849. 
Sir, 

Without  having  recovered  from  the  prostration  occasioned,  as  I 
suppose,  by  the  occupancy  of  a  room  more  confined  than  I  have  been 

to 
accustomed       of  late,  I  will  attempt  to-day  to  cure  some  of  the  omis- 
sions which  you  will  have  noted  in  my  communication  of  the  first 
of  the  present  month. 

It  is  with  pleasure  I  bring  to  your  notice  several  Indians,  from 
different  Pueblos,  who  accompanied  Governor  Washington  in  his 
late  expedition  against  the  Navajoes.  They",  as  a  matter  of  course, 
knew  but  little,  if  any  thing,  about  the  military  discipline  of  the 
United  States,  yet  their  deportment  and  bearing  was  such  as  to 
justify  high  expectations  of  their  effectiveness  in  expeditions  against 
their  implacable  enemies,  the  wild  tribes  of  New  Mexico. 

Of  the  fifty  four  Pueblos  with  us,  the  following  named  Indians 
were  the  most  prominent  and  influential. 
From  Jemez 
Francisco  Sosto — civil  Governor  and  Alcalde. 

1  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F^,  C  371. 


S8  COKRESPOXDEXCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

San  Felipe 
Mariano  Chavis — AVar  Captain. 

Santa  Anna. 
Salvadore — War  Captain 
Hosea   Beheale — Selected   Captain   to   command   all   the   Indians 
engaged  in  the  expedition.     This  excellent  man,  is  Avithout  official 

are 
j)Osition  in  the  Pueblo  to  Avhich  he  belongs,  and  there  but  few, 

who  have  such  a  decided  influence  over  these  people,  generallv. 
Cia 
Francisco.     "War  Captain 

Santo  Domingo 
Quandiego — Civil  Governor. 
These  men  are  all  deserving  of  favorable  consideration.  When 
they  were  about  to  part  with  us,  to  return  to  their  homes,  occasion 
was  seized  to  compliment  them  upon  their  gallantry  and  general 
good  conduct,  which  was  received  with  lively  demonstrations  of 
gratification,  and  an  expression  of  the  desire  that  the  President  of 
the  United  States  should  be  made  acquainted  with  the  estimate  in 
which  we  held  them  as  men,  and  as  soldiers. 

In  this  connection.  I  may  be  pardoned,  I  trust,  for  commending, 
in  terms  of  decided  praise,  Henry  Linn  Dodge,  Captain  commanding 
[I  Volunteer  Company,  also,  with  us  in  the  late  Xavajo  expedition. 
He  was  at  all  times,  efficient  and  prompt,  and  commanded  the  ad- 
miration of  Governor  Washington,  as  well  as  others.  If  I  mistake 
not,  Capt.  Dodge  has  a  father  ^  and  brother  -  now  Senators  in 
Congress. 

It  may  be  useless  to  add,  the  officers  and  soldiers  fully  sustained 
American 
the  character  of  the  Army. 

Zuni  is  an  isolated  Indian  Pueblo,  one  hundred  and  Six  miles  from 
the  Canon  of  Cheille — or  Cheya— and  Eighty  eight  miles  west  of 
Laguna.  At  Zufu  we  met  with  its  Governor,  Pedro  Pino — the  Cap- 
tain of  War,  Salvadore,  and  the  Alcalde,  Mariano  Vaca — all  intelli- 
gent men.  Indeed,  the  citizens  of  this  Pueblo,  it  is  beleived,  are,  in 
ever}-  sense  of  the  word,  excellent  people,  and  ought  to  be  immediately 
protected,  as  well,  against  the  lawless  conduct  of  emigrants  and 
others,  as  against  the  treacherous  Navajoes. 

At  Laguna.  the  men  were  out  gathering  pine  mass  [mast?] — Martio 
Conchi,  the  Alcalde,  was  at  home,  and  done  the  honors  of  the  Pueblo, 
and   manifested  every  dis]K)sition  to  oblige   us.     This  village,  and 

miles 
another,  some  ten  or  fifteen  to  its  south,  Aconia.  from  their 

locations,  will  continue  to  suffer  gross  Avrongs,  until  they  are  pro- 

1  Henry  L>odge  of  Wisconsiu.  2  Augustus  Caesar  Dodge  of  Iowa. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OP   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN.  39 

tected  by  the  Laws  of  the  United  States,  and  the  presence  of  an 
Agent. 

I  have  been  kindly  furnished  with  the  following  statement  by  the 
Hon.  Joab  Houghton,  one  of  the  Supreme  Judges  of  this  Territory. 
If  the  number  of  Indians,  in  each  Pueblo,  was  accurately  ascertained, 
I  am  of  the  opinion,  from  actual  examinations  in  the  villages  I  have 
visited,  the  aggregate  would  be  more  than  ten  thousand.  Be  that 
as  it  may,  it  is  desirable  to  know  their  entire  strength,  and  this  can 
not  be  done  until  agencies  are  duly  established. 

(Here  let  the  statement  follow) 

The  Pueblo,  or  civilized  Towns,  of  Indians  of  the  Territory  of 
New  Mexico,  are  the  following. 

In  the  County  of  Taos. 
Taos 

Picoris  283  iuhabitauts 
lu  the  County  of  Rio  Arriva  ' 

San  Juan  500  inhabitants 
Santa   Clara. 
In  the  County  of  Santa   Fe, 
San    Illdefonso 
Xanibe 

Pojoaqiie    590    inhabitants. 
Tezuque. 
In  the  County  of  Santa  Ana. 
Cochiti 

Santo    Domingo 
San  Felipe 
Santa   Ana 
Tia 

Jemez.     1,918    inhabitants 
In  the  County  of  Bernalillo 
Sandia 

Gleta    833   inhabitants.  ' 

In  the  County  of  Valencia 
Laguna 

Acoma  ■' 

Zunia    ISOO   inhabitants 
Opposite   El    Paso. 
Socoro 
Isletas  600 
Recapitulation  ' 

Pueblos   of   New   Mexico. 

County  of  Taos  283.  over  5  years  of  age 

Rio  Arriva  500 

Santa   Fe  590 

Santa    Ana  1918 

Bernalillo  833 

Valencia  1800 

District  of  Fontero  oppo-  600 

site   El    Paso   del    Norte.      

6524 


40  COKKESPONDENCE    OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUX. 

The  above  nmneration  was  taken  from  the  Census  ordered  by  the 
Legislature  of  Xew  Mexico,  convened  December  1847,  which  in- 
cludes only  those  of  five  years  of  age  and  upwards. 

near 

It  is  well  to  remember  these  Pueblos  are  located  from  ten  to 
one  hundred  miles  apart,  commencing  north  at  Taos,  and  running 
east  and  west  two  hundred  miles — This  statement  has  no  reference 
to  Pueblos  west  of  Zuiii. 

It  must  be  remembered  too,  but  a  few  of  these  Pueblos  speak  the 
same  language  and,  so  far  as  a  majority  are  concerned,  they  are  so 
decidedly  ignorant  of  each  others  language,  they  are  compelled  to 
call  to  their  aid  Sf)anisli  and  Mexican  interpreters — I  have  not  found 
a  single  individual  in  the  country,  who  can  render,  any  one  of  the 
languages  of  the  Pueblos,  or  Xavajoes,  into  English. 

The  protection  of  these  Indians,  in  their  persons  and  property,  is 
of  great  importance.  In  addition  to  the  obligation  which  the  gov- 
ernment of  the  United  States  has  assumed  for  their  protection,  it 
ma}^  be  suggested,  as  a  matter  of  government  economy,  their  property 
should  be  protected,  and  their  industry  properly  stimulated  and 
directed.  These  people  can  raise  immense  quantities  of  corn  and 
wheat,  and  have  large  herds  of  sheep  and  goats — the  grazing  for 
cattle,  generally,  is  superior,  and  the  reason  why  they  have  so  few  of 
the  cow  kind,  is  to  be  found  in  the  ease  with  which  they  may  be 
driven  off  by  the  Navajos,  and  others.  The  average  price  paid  for 
corn  in  this  territory  by  our  government,  can  not  be  less  than  two 
dollars  per  bushel — and  since  I  have  been  in  Santa  Fe  public  horses 
have  not  received  half  the  forage  allowed  to  them  by  the  regulations 
of  the  army.  The  exorbitant  price  now  paid  for  corn,  and  the  insuffi- 
cient quantity  grown  in  this  country,  and  other  inconveniences,  may 
be  remedied  in  one  3'ear,  certainly  in  two  years. 

For  reasons  herein  suggested,  I  venture,  respectfully,  to  say. 

1st  The  Pueblos,  for  the  present,  ought  to  be  divided  into  six  or 
seven  districts,  and  an  agent  conveniently  located  in  each. 

2d  Blacksmiths,  implements  of  husbandry — and  other  implements, 
ought  to  be  sent  to  them.  Also,  some  fire  arms,  powder  and  lead,  and 
other  presents  should  be  given  to  them. 

3d  None  of  the  Indians  of  this  territory  have  a  just  conception  of 
the  American  power  and  strength ;  and  many  of  them  think,  as  we 
have  associated  with  us  the  Mexicans,  for  whom  they  have  no  respect, 
we  may  not  have  a  more  efficient  government  for  the  protection  of  the 

than  they  afforded  to  them 
people  here  therefore,  it  is.  I  add  to  the 

recommendations  above,  the  propriety  of  allowing — or  rather,  invit- 
ing some  fifteen  or  twenty  of  them,  and  perhaps  it  would  be  well  to 


COERESPOXDEXCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  41 

select  a  few  other  Indians,  to  visit  Wasliington  City,  at  anj'  early 
day,  during  the  Session  of  the  approaching  Congress — Unless  my 
powers  are  enlarged,  or  other  duties  assigned  me,  I  may,  without 
detriment  to  the  public  service,  leave  here,  for  a  short  period — and 
if  agreeable  to  the  Department,  I  should  be  pleased  to  receive  orders 
to  take  a  certain  number  to  Washington  City,  as  one  among  the  best 
means  of  securing  order  and  quiet  in  this  territory. 

In  January,  or  February,  we  might  with  safety  take  the  southern 
route,  by  the  El  Paso,  and  through  Texas,  passing  by  and  through 
the  country  inhabited  by  the  Apaches  and  Comanches. 

We  continue  to  complain  that  we  are  without  a  mail,  or  proper 
mail  facilities. 

I  am  with  great  respect. 
Your  obt.  Servt. 

James  S.  Calhoun 
Indian  Agent 
Santa  Fe 

New  Mexico 

P.  S.  Since  the  foregoing  was  written,  I  have  been  informed,  an 
arrangement  with  a  merchant  has  been  effected,  by  which  the  Pueblo 
Indians  who   accompanied   Govr.   Washington 

in  his  late  Xavajo 
expedition 

have  been  satisfied  for  their  services. 

J.  S.  C. 
Col  W  Medill 

Corner  of  Indian  Affairs 

WaaJdngton  City 

D.  G. 

[CALHOUN   TO   MEDILL.'] 

No.  6. 

Indian  Agency 

Santa  Fe. 
October  5th  18^9. 
Sir.  W- 

Since  my  letter  of  yesterday's  date,  I  regret  to  say,  rumors  of 
Indian  troubles  have  increased,  and  received  some  confirmation  by 
tlu>  murder  of  a  Mexican  within  three  miles  of  this  place.     The  sur- 

on    yesterday 
goon  who  examined  the  murdered  man  says  he  was 

shot  with  sixteen  arrows  in  the  back,  and  two  in  front — that  he 

1  O.  I.  a.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  371. 


42  COERESPONDENCE    OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUX. 

found  arrows  upon  the  ground,  and  that  the  trail  indicated  the 
number  of  Indians  as  unusually  large.  Several  Indians  from  Ilede- 
fonso  came  to  me  yesterday,  also,  saying  the  Xavajos  were  impudent, 
troublesome,  and  dangerous — and  that  they  were  in  every  nook  and 
corner  of  the  country. 

A  few  moments  since,  the  Governor  and  others  of  Santo  Domingo, 
thirty  one  miles  Avest  of  Santa  Fe,  came  to  give  me  similar  intelli- 
gence. One  ^  of  the  owners  of  Bent's  Fort,  has  removed  all  property 
from  it,  and  caused  the  Fort  to  be  burnt  ^ — M"".  St.  Vrain,^  long  a 
citizen  here,  every  w^ay  reliable,  and  intelligent,  says  a  worse  state 
of  things  has  not  existed  in  this  country  since  he  has  been  an  in- 
habitant of  it.  This  fact  is  sustained  by  Mr  Folger  and  others, 
among  them,  Mr  Smith  *  who  will  be  in  Washington  at  an  early  day, 
as  the  delegate  ■'  of  a  convention  ^'  assembled  here  on  the  24:th  of  last 
month,  to  consider  of  the  public  good. 

The  number  of  discontented  Indians  in  this  territory  is  not  small 
and  I  regret  to  add,  they  are  not  the  only  evil  people  in  it. 

This  w^hole  country  requires  a  thorough  purging,  which  can  be 
accomplished  only  by  a  thorough  exploration  of  every  hole  and 
corner  in  it.  The  entire  country  should  be  immediately  examined, 
and  surveyed— and  military  roads  should  be  opened,  and  posts  and 
depots  established. 

This  policy  would  render  it  absolutely  necessary  to  send  out  one 
or  two  additional  regiments,  mounted,  as  the  surest  and  only  plan 
of  economizing  in  this  branch  of  the  public  service — and  with  this 
branch,  should  one  or  more  additional  regiments  be  raised,  I  should 
be  pleased  to  be  associated,  as  I  have  written  to  you,  and  to  the 
Secretary  of  War,  heretofore. 

Governor  Washington  left  for  Taos  on  j^esterday  morning  to  be 
absent  for  a  few  days  only — I  am  arranging  to  leave  for  Jemez,  on 
tomorrow,  where,  it  is  understood,  a  number  of  the  chief  officials  of 
several  Pueblos  are  to  be,  on  the  8th  of  the  present  month. 

1  Wm.  W.  Bent. 

2  Kansas  Historical  Collections,  VII,  p.  .327,  note. 

3  Ceran  St.  Vrain,  who  was  "  closely  identified  with  the  social,  official,  military,  and 
commercial  life  of  New  Mexico."  See  Twitchell,  Leading  Facts  of  New  Mexican  History, 
II,  p.  121,  note. 

*  Hugh  N.  Smith. 

B  As  New  Mexico  had  not  yet  been  organized.  Congress  refused  to  accept  the  credentials 
of  Hugh  N.  Smith  as  Delegate.  Full  information  regarding  the  controversy  may  be  found 
In  Congressional  Globe,  31st  Cong.,  1st  S.,  pp.  94,  279,  1038,  1392,  1394,  1407,  1408,  and 
in  Bancroft,  History  of  Arizona  and  New  Mexico,  p.  446. 

•Twitchell,  II,  p.  209,  and  notes. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  43 

Col.  Monroe  ^  has  not  arrived,  no  reports  of  troops  approaching 
from  the  States,  and  we  are  yet  without  a  mail. 
I  am,  Your  obt,  Servt 

James  S.  Calhoun 

Indian  Agent 

Santa  Fe, 
Col.  Medill,  Comr.  c&c.  N.  M. 

Washington  City 

[CALHOUN  TO  MEDILL.'] 

No.  7. 

Indlan  Agency 
Santa  Fe.  New"  JNIexico 

October  13th.  ISlfi. 
Sir, 

For  obvious  reasons,  my  communications  to  the  Department  should 
have  been  numbered,  to  remedy  the  omission,  as  far  as  practicable, 
is  now  my  purpose. 

Since  my  arrival  at  Santa  Fe,  on  the  22nd.  of  July  last,  the  follow- 
ing is  the  order  of  my  letters  to  the  Department. 

No.  1. 

July  29th  mo. 

No.  2. 

August  loth.  1849 

No.  3. 

Sejjtemher  2oth  1849 

No.  4. 

October  1st.  1849 

No.  5 

Octr.  4th.  1849 

No.  6 
Octr.  5th.  1849 
AVill  you  oblige  me  so  far  as  to  cause  the  foregoing  numbers  and 
dates  to  be  appropriately  endorsed  on  my  letters  which  you  will 
have  received  before  this,  my  Tth. 
I  am,  with  great  respect. 
Your  obt.  Servt. 

James  S.  Calmoun 

Indian  Agent 
Col.  W.  Medill  Santa  Fe. 

Comr.  of  Ind.  Affs. 

1  Colonel  John  Miinroe  was  in  command  of  the  Department  of  New  Mexico,  which  was 
the  Ninth  Military  Department.  He  exercised  both  civil  and  military  functions  which 
made  his  administration,  like  that  of  his  predecessor,  Colonel  John  M.  Washington,  subject 
for  grave  censure  and  the  occasion  for  serious  controversy  between  the  military  and  the 
regular  civil  authorities. 

2  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  ¥&  Agency,  C  3G8. 


44  COKEESPOJSTDEXCE    OF    JAMES    S.    CALHOUN. 

[CALHOUN   TO   MEDILL.'] 

No.  8. 

Indian  Agency 

Santa  Fe.  New  Mexico. 

Octoher  13th.  181^9. 
Sir, 

My  intention  to  visit  Jemez  was  announced  to  yon  in  my  letter  of 
the  5th  inst.  which  should  have  been  numbered  6.  I  reached  Jemez 
on  the  afternoon  of  the  7th  inst.  and  departed  therefrom,  on  the 
morning  of  the  10th. 

In  the  first  place,  it  is  proper  to  state,  during  my  stay  at  Jemez, 
not  one  word  of  reliable  information  was  received  from  the  Navajo 
tribe  of  Indians,  who,  through  their  -first  and  second  Chiefs,  had 
bound  themselves,  by  the  fifth  article  of  a  treaty,^  a  copy  of  which 
was  forwarded  to  you  on  the  25th  of  last  month,  (No  3)  to  be  there 
in  such  a  way  as  to  comply  with  certain  stipulations  contained  in 
said  treaty.  A^^iether  they  failed  to  be  there  by  design,  or  were 
operated  upon  and  kept  away  by  the  artful  misrepresentations  of 
theives,  and  robbers,  and  their  associates^  is  not  yet  revealed.  It  is 
a  matter  of  no  little  import,  in  my  opinion,  to  ascertain  the  cause  of 
their  absence,  and  I  have  put  in  requisition  every  thing  at  my  com- 
mand for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  the  facts  in  the  case.  In  a 
very  few  days,  I  trust  I  shall  be  able  to  afford  you  some  light  upon 
this  subject. 

AVhile  at  Jemez  I  met  with  the  Governors — War  Captains — Al- 
caldes, and  other  controlling  individuals  from  twelve  Pueblos — viz. 

12  3  4  5 

Jemez  —  Laguna  —  Acoma  —  Santo  Domingo  —  San  Juan  —  Santa 

6^7  8  9  10  11 

Clara  —  San  Illdefonso — Namba  — Pojoaque — Cia  — Santa  Anna  — & 

12 
Sandia — No  information,  of  a  perfectly  satisfactory  character,  can 
be  obtained,  as  to  the  number  of  Pueblos — the  number  of  inhabitants 
in  each — and  their  respective  languages — If,  as  far  as  it  goes,  the 
information  in  these  particulars,  transmitted  to  you  in  my  letter  of 
the  4th  inst.  (No  5.)  and  the  statements  made  to  me,  at  Jemez,  by 
the  most  intelligent  Indians,  be  correct,  there  are  twenty  three  Pueb- 
los east  of  Zuiii — inclusive — of  these,  I  am  informed  by  intelligent 
Indians,  (5)  five  use  a  language  in  common,  without  having  sprung 
from  a  common  tribe.  Two  of  these  are  near  Taos — two  near  Albuf- 
querque,  and  one  below  El  Paso.     There  are  six  who  have  a  com- 

1  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  368. 

2  House  Ex.  Doc,  31st  Cong.,  1st  sess..  No.  5,  Pt.  I,  pp.  113-115  ;  Kappler,  II,  pp.  583- 
585. 


COERESPONDEXCE    OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUX.  45 

mon  language,  peculiar  to  themselves,  and  altogether  unknown  to 
others — To  seA^en  others  the  same  remarks  are  applicable — as  their 
language  differs  from  all  others — Jemez  has  its  own  peculiar  lan- 
guage, and  so  has  Zuni — In  relation  to  the  languages  of  the  Pueblos 
of  Gleta,  Socoro,  and  Seneco,  I  have  found  no  one  who  could  give 
me  information  upon  the  subject. 

It  must  be  remembered,  the  Indians  using  the  same  language  are 
not  confined  to  the  same  section  of  country— For  instance,  of  the 
five  Pueblos,  first  spoken  of,  Taos  and  Pecoris  are  near  Taos,  seventy 
five  miles  north  of  Santa  Fe — Sandia  and  Isletta  are  from  sixty  to 
eighty  miles  south  of  Santa  Fe;  and  another  Isleta,  near  El  Paso, 
more  than  four  hundred  miles  from  the  two  first  named.  All  the 
others  lie  between  the  extremes  mentioned,  running  west  about  two 
hundred  miles. 

The  Indians  informed  me  at  Jemez,  there  were  seven  Pueblos  of 
Moquies.  six  having  a  language  of  their  own,  and  differing  from  all 

(first) 
others,  and  one  the  language  of  the  six,  before  mentioned. 

The  best  information  I  could  obtain,  in  relation  to  these  people, 
them 
induces  me  to  locate  about  one  hundred  miles  west  of  Zuhi, 

in  an  excellent  country,  through  which  a  road  must  run  to  the 
Pacific.  Indeed,  it  is  said,  a  large  number  of  emigrants  selected 
that  route  this  season.  They  are  supposed  to  be  decidedly  pacific 
in  their  character,  opposed  to  all  wars,  quite  honest,  and  very  indus- 
trious— It  is  said,  in  years  gone  by,  these  Indians  abandoned  a 
village  because  its  soil  had  been  stained  with  the  blood  of  a  human 
being.  I  deeply  regret  that  I  have  not  been  able  to  visit  these,  and 
all  other  Pueblos  in  this  Country — that  I  might  be  able  to  lay  before 
3'ou  information,  of  a  character,  more  precise  and  accurate. 

The  Indians  at  Jemez,  with  one  Voice,  renew^ed  their  complaints 
of  gross  wrongs  to  which  they  have  been  compelled  to  submit — and 
the}^  are  such  too,  as  require  immediate  remedial  measures — the  law- 
lessness— the  outrages  of  roving  associations^  comprising  all  colors 
and  dialects,  can  not  be  seen,  and  felt,  and  appreciated  in  Wash- 
ington as  the  truth  would  sanction—And  even  here,  so  much  of  it 
comes  to  our  knowledge,  we  become  more  indifferent  to  our  own 
possible  fate  every  day. 

But  a  short  time  since,  a  band,  said  to  be  commanded  by  an  Eng- 
lishman, well  known  in  Santa  Fe,  ordered,  in  the  name  of  the  United 
States,  the  Pueblo  of  Laguna  to  furnish  them  with  twenty  five  horses, 
and  to  call  upon  the  Quarter  Master,  in  Santa  Fe,  for  payment — 
The  order  was  promptly  obeyed,  and  the  Indians  do  not  yet  nnder- 
-tand  the  contrivance  bv  which  they  lost  their  horses — 


46  COEEESPONDEXCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

The  frauds  and  impositions  of  certain  Alcaldes,  unknown  to  their 
laws,  ought  not  to  be  endured,  if  their  various  statements  are  correct, 
and  these  Indians  have  not  given  me  one  reason  to  question  their 
Veracity — 

It  is  a  matter  of  no  moment  whether  an  Indian  is  in  debt  or  not,  a 
judgement  can  be  obtained  against  him,  which  must  be  paid  in 
cash,  or  the  spirit  of  the  6th  article  of  the  Ordinance  of  1787  is 
immediately  Violated — 

Again;  the  Prefects,  who,  to  some  extent,  govern,  each,  a  district, 
the  Alcaldes  being  subordinate,  and  their  jurisdictions,  so  far  as  the 
Indians  are  concerned,  confined  to  the  Pueblos  to  which  they  are 
appointed,  do  not,  in  my  opinion,  use  their  authority,  whatever  it 
may  be,  without  abusing  it.     Contributions  upon  their  labor,  and 

frequently 
property,  are  made  by  the  law,  or  laws,  which  Alcaldes 

and  Prefects  munufacture  to  suit  the  occasion.  Many  facts  of  this 
character  were  mentioned  to  me,  that  it  is  useless  to  record  for  your 
reading. 

There  are  clever  Alcaldes  and  Prefects  in  this  Territory,  who  are 
not  to  be  subjected  to  the  above  condemnatory  suggestions — 

To  understand  the  condition  of  these  people,  it  must  not  be  for- 
gotten, they  hold  possession  of  the  lands  which  they  occupy,  and  till, 

2  1 

by  special  grants,  from  the  government  of  Mexico,  or  Spain^ 

The  extent  of  these  grants  are  not  well  understood  here — 

That  checkered  throughout  the  whole  country,  of  which  I  have 
any  knowledge,  old  Spanish  Villages  are  yet  to  be  found — inhab- 
ited by — paying  people — almost,  in  utter  seclusion — The  extent  of 
the  grants  and  priviledges  to  the  proprietors  of  these  Villages,  is 
not  yet  known,  and  the  spurious  claims  will  be  in  proper  form  in 
time  to  meet  the  legislation  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States — 

Let  me  add,  these  Pueblo  Indians  pride  themselves  upon  their 
Catholicism,  without  having  abandoned  the  queer  ceremonials  of  a 
very  remote  and  superstitious  parentage — and  they  make  no  prisoners 
in  war. 

To  the  Indians  at  Jemez,  I  explained  the  relation  in  which  they 
stood  to  the  government  of  the  United  States — and  to  the  powers 
controlling  in  New  Mexico — They  were  made  to  comprehend  the 
laws  enacted  by  Congress  for  the  government  of  our  Indian  rela- 
tions— and,  as  they  understood  the  design  and  effect  of  said  laws, 
they  foreshadowed  a  better  state  of  things,  and  they  urged,  with 
much  emphasis,  the  application  of  these  remedial  measures  to  their 
present 

wants  and  necessities — To  this  end,  four  of  the  Pueblos  have 
signified  their  wish  to  make  a  treaty — ^Vhat  ought  to  he  done? 


COREESPONDEXCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  47 

In  a  day  or  two  I  mux  again  have  occasion  to  renew  this  subject, 
and  will,  if  possible,  condense,  and  present  in  one  view,  all  the  sugges- 
tions I  have  heretofore  made  in  compliance  with  your  instructions 
to  me. 

I  am, 

With  very  great  respect, 
Your  obt  servt. 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Indian  Agent 
Santa  Fe. 

New  Mexico 
Col.  W.  Medill 

Comr.  of  Ind.  Ajfs. 
Washington  City 
D.  G 

[CALHOUN   TO  MKDILL.^] 
No.  9. 


Sir- 


Santa  Fe.  Neav  Mexico. 

Octr.  H.  ISlfi. 


It  may  not  be  amiss  to  advise  you,  that  your  letter  of  Instruction, 
of  May  the  IMh,^  1849, 
with  accompanying  papers  is  the  last  and  only 

communication  I  have  received  from  the  Department  since  my  de- 
parture from  St  Louis  to  this  place.  This  information  may  be  im- 
portant to  the  Department,  inasmuch,  as  I  am  aware  it  was  intended 
to  give  me  special  instructions  in  relation  to  Mexican  Captives,  so 
soon  as  the  Mexican  Minister  should  be  more  precise  in  compliance 
with  the  terms  of  the  treaty  betw^een  the  respective  Governments. 

Sometime  during  the  latter  part  of  August,  while  we  were  out 
the 
on  Navajo  Expedition,  a  mail  was  received  here,  and  despatched 
for  Govr.  Washington's  Head  Quarters.  The  carrier  and  his  guide, 
were  intercepted,  killed,  and  the  mail  distributed  to  suit  the  fancy 
of  the  Indians  then  present,  and  it  is  said,  they  lost  eight  men  be- 
fore they  succeeded  in  overpowering  Mr  Charles  Malone — the  car- 
rier— and  his  Mexican  guide. 

These  murders  were  committed  about  the  5th  of  September  last, 
near  forty  miles  east  of  Tunicha,  and  one  hundred  and  fifty  west  of 
Santa  Fe,  by  Navajo  Indians — These  facts  have  been  elicited  by 
enquiries  instituted  by  Govr.  AVashington  whose  agent  returned  some 
eight  or  ten  days  since,  and  encourages  the  hope,  a  large  portion  of 

'  O.  I.  A.,  Sivnta  Fe  Agency,  C  368. 

-  An  office  lettor  of  this  date  has  not  been  found. 


48  COKEESPOXDENCE    OF    JAMES    S.    CALHOUN. 

the  mail  may  yet  be  recovered.  Let  me  add,  however,  by  the  lost 
mail,  none  came  to  this  place  to  my  address :  a  large  package  of  news- 
papers were  received,  and  despatched  as  before  said. 

During  m}^  absence  at  Jemez,  a  mail  was  received  here,  and  \)y  it, 
I  received  nought  but  a  solitary  letter  from  the  States.     Colonel 
Monroe  is  expected  in  Six  or  eight  days,  when  it  is  hoped  we  may 
have  some  intelligence  from  home. 
With  great  respect, 
I  am, 

Your  obt  Servt. 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Indian  Agent 
Santa  Fe 

Neio  Mexico 
Col.  W.  Meuill 

Comr.  of  Ind.  Affs. 
Washington  City 
D.  C 

[CALHOUN   TO   MEDILL.'] 

No.  10. 

Indian  Agency 

Santa  Fe. 
New  Mexico. 
Octr.  15.  ISJfO. 
Sir, 

Before  I  proceed  to  the  consideration  of  the  primary  objects  of 
this  communication,  let  me  first  premise,  Governor  Washington  hns 
afforded  me  every  possible  facility  in  the  execution  of  your  instruc- 
tions of  the  7th  of  April  last. 

Where  I  have,  in  nw  former  letters,  (or  may  in  this,)  refered  to 
ascertained  distances,  I  am  indebted  to  Brvt.  Maj.  Kendrick  of  the 
Arty,  a  gentleman  of  distingTiished  merit. 

Genl.  Cyrus  Choice,  AVilliam  E.  Love,-  and  John  G.  Jones,  have 
accompanied  me  in  all  my  trips  to  the  Indian  Country,  and  Avere 
especially  useful  in  the  Navajo  expedition — 

During  my  absence,  Mr.  John  H.  Davis  had  charge  of  my  ollice. 
and  its  affairs,  and  conducted  matters  to  my  entire  satisfaction. 

Andrew  Lee,  and  Benjamin  F.  Lee,  both  from  South  Carolina, 
have  rendered  me  very  efficient  aid,  in  various  ways,  in  the  dischar.'i'e 

1  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  Po  Agency,  C  368. 

2  William  E.  Love  was  Calhoun's  son-in-law,  he.havinfr  married  Carolina  Louisa,  the 
elder  of  Calhoun's  two  daughters.  The  younger  daughter,  Martha  Ann,  married  Juo.  [1. 
Davis. 


COEEESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  49 

j  of  my  duties.  I  may  make  the  same  remark  of  William  H.  Mitchell, 
whose  general  health  has,  somewhat,  interfered  with  his  efficiency. 

I  may  here  state,  I  am  under  increased  obligations  to  Judge  Joab 
Houghton  for  valuable  information,  and  for  pointing  out  to  me 
avenues,  through  which  I  might  glean  more. 

I  may  be  pardoned,  I  trust,  for  saying,  my  efforts  have  been 
unceasing,  and  that  I  have  avoided  no  exposure,  either  by  night  or 
day,  in  order  to  comply  with  your  instructions;  and,  although,  the 
compliance  is  not  precise  and  accurate  in  every  particular,  yet,  I  am 
emboldened  to  say,  with  such  aid,  and  such  assistance,  as  I  have 
named  above,  there  must  be  a  near  approximation  to  a  compliance, 
where  a  compliance  has  been  possible;  and,  that  it  is  sufficiently  so, 
or  will  be,  when  this  paper  is  completed,  to  enable  the  (lovernment  at 
Washington  to  legislate,  and  order  wisely  in  the  premises — 

Recent  information  has  confirmed  me  in  opinions,  heretofore, 
gravely  impressed  upon  my  mind ;  and,  I  now  the  more  readily  pro- 
ceed to  lay  before  you  a  summary,  or  rather  a  condensation  of  the 
suggestions  contained  in  my  previous  letters,  and  such  other  sugges- 
tions, and  facts^  as  may,  possibly,  serve  to  some  extent,  to  guide  you 
in  the  management  of  our  Indian  affairs  in  this  country,  imder  sudi 
laws  as  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  may  be  pleased  to  enact 
in  relation  thereto. 

On  yesterday,  or  the  preceding  afternoon,  as  I  am  informed,  a 
part  of  the  lost  mail,  concerning  which  I  wrote  you  on  yesterday, 
(No  9.)  was  received  by  Governor  Washington. 

It  appears  that  Chapitone,  the  second  in  rank  among  the  Xavajoes. 
was  found  by  the  Governor  and  others  of  Zuni.  at  Paguati,  a  small 
Pueblo  belonging  to,  and  about  two  leagues  from  Laguna — this  oc- 
curred about  the  8th  of  the  present  month — Chapitone  stated  that 
he  and  his  people  had  gathered  all  the  stolen  property — collected 
together  the  captives,  and  had  preparetl  themselves  in  every  way, 
to  comply  with  the  terms  of  the  late  treaty,  and  would  have  done  so 
but  for  the  statements  of  Mexican  traders^  representing  that  all  the 
l^leblo  Indians — the  Spaniards  from  the  villages  near  the  Pueblos, 
and  American  Troops,  were  marching  to  their  country  for  the  pur- 
pose of  exterminating  them,  and  taking  possession  of  all  that  be- 
longed to  them — Under  the  impressions  made  by  the  statements  of 
these  traders,  they  were  frightened  from  their  purpose  of  being  at 
Jemez  on  the  day  appointed — It  was  then  he  resolved  to  ascertain 
from  actual  observation  whether  the  reports  of  the  traders  were  true 
or  false— and  therefore  it  was,  he  was  at  Paguati — He  accom- 
panied the  Zunies  to  Jemez,  sent  out  a  messenger  who  brought  in  the 
recovered  portion  of  the  lost  mail,  and  sent  word  to  Governor  Wash- 
ington and  myself,  that  he  and  others  would  be  at  San  Isidora  on  the 

5021—15 4 


50  COEEESPONDEXCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUX. 

28tli  or  29th  of  this  month,  prepared  to  comply  with  the  terms  of  the 
treaty — These  are  the  facts  as  gathered  by  my  agents  who  Avere 
charged  to  go  out,  and  enquire  into  this  matter — ■ 

Sometime  about  the  5th  of  this  month,  at  and  near  the  Spanish 
Vilhige  Le  Bugarito,  not  more  than  fifteen  miles  north  west  of 
Laguna,  Navajoes,  and  others  unknow^n,  attacked  the  people  of  said 
Village,  in  the  day  time,  killed  two  Spaniards,  and  wounded  one, 
and  succeeded  in  carrying  off,  as  a  captive,  a  woman — 

This  morning  an  Indian  came  in  from  Cochiti,  a  Pueblo  on  the 
west  side  of  the  Rio  Grande,  a  few  miles  north  of  Santo  Domingo, 
and  informed  Governor  Washington,  in  my  presence,  that  he  and  his 
friends  had  killed  three  Apaches  the  preceding  day,  overtaken  in 
"  the  manner  "  of  driving  off  sheep  belonging  to  their  village —  He 
further  said,  there  were  a  number  of  Apaches  in  the  mountains  be- 
yond Cochiti,  who  gave  them  much  trouble  by  driving  off  their 
stock,  killing  their  men,  and  making  captives  of  their  women  and 
children — 

B^^This  Indian,  in  behalf  of  the  people  of  Cochiti,  asked  for 
munitions  of  War — 

The  Governor,  the  Grand  Captain,  and  the  Captain  of  War,  from 
Zuili,  an  Indian  Pueblo,  which  you  will  remember  is  two  hundred 
and  one  ^^  miles  west  of  Santa  Fe,  has  been  with  me  to-day. 

These  are  intelligent,  active,  and  athletic  Indians,  and  stated  their 
grievances  with  great  energy,  and  were  especially  vehement  and 
vindictive  in  their  denunciations  of  the  faithlessness  of  all  Nava- 
joes— they  represented,  they  had  been  greatly  harrassed  since  we  left 

so 
their  village  on  the  16th  of  September  last — that  where     ever  they 
went,  the}'  were  under  the  necessity  of  going  guarded  and  armed,  and 
that  they  had  to  watch  their  horses,  mules,  and  sheep,  during  every 
hour  of  the  twenty  four. 

m^^These  people  asked  for  arms  and  ammunition,  and  permission 
to  make  a  war,  of  extermination,  against  the  Navajoes. 

The  deputation  from  Zuiii,  also  stated,  there  were  five  hundred 
and  fifty  five  able-bodied  men  in  their  village,  and  only  thirty  two 
fire  arms,  and  less  than  twenty  rounds,  each,  for  said  arms.*  They 
spoke  confidently  of  their  ability  to  protect  and  defend  ^Aemselves 
against  the  aggressions  of  the  Navajoes  and  Apaches,  and  if  per- 
mitted to  form  a  combination  of  Pueblos,  they  could  and  would  ex- 
terminate these  tribes,  especially  every  Navajo  who  should  be  so  un- 
to 
fortunate  as  be  caught  south  of  the  high  mountains  north  of  the 
San  Juan,  a  supposed  tributary  to  the  western  Colorado,  provided 
the  Government  of  the  United  States  would  furnish  the  necessary 


COKKESPONDENCE   OP   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  51 

fire  arms,  ammunition,  and  subsistence.  That  a  combination,  as  sug- 
gested above,  could  accomplish  the  end  so  desired  t>y  them^  admits 
not  of  the  slightest  doubt,  notwithstanding  the  ties  existing  between 
the  Xavajoes — Utahs,  and  Apaches,  backed  as  they  might  be  by  the 
Comanches:  provided,  that  Mexicans  from  either  side  of  the  line  be- 
tween the  United  States  and  Mexico,  and  all  others,  were  effectually 
prevented  from  the  indiscriminate  and  viscious  commerce  now  open 
to  them,  and  against  which,  there  seems  to  be,  at  this  time,  not  the 
slightest  impediment. 

While  at  Zuni,  I  saw  several  Mexican  traders^  who  hailed  from 
various  places,  all  however,  on  our  side  of  the  supposed  boundary 
line  between  the  United  States  and  Mexico,  They  informed  me  they 
had  travelled  through  the  Apache  Country  from  the  Eio  Grande, 
west,  a  great  distance  on  the  Gila  river,  in  the  direction  of  the  Colo- 
rado. They  spoke  of  the  Apaches  as  good  people,  who  had  treated 
them  kindly,  which  fact  is  not  to  be  doubted,  and  although  it  was 
true,  that  these  Indians  had  a  number  of  Mexican  captives,  they 
were,  nevertheless,  friendly  with,  and  peaceably  disposed  towards 

States, 
the  people  of  the  United  and  guiltless  of  outrages,  gen- 

erally— 

So  long  as  these  wandering  merchants  are  perniitted  a  free  and 
unrestrained  access  to  the  wild  and  roving  Indians  of  this  country, 
just  so  long  are  we  to  be  harrassed  by  them,  and  their  allies,  the 

of  the  peace, 
various  bands  of  robbers,  and  other  disturbers  to  be 

found  east,  west,  north,  and  south,  and  A^hose  agents  these  mer- 
chants may  be—  It  is  through  the  medium  of  these  traders  that  arms 
and  ammunition  are  supplied  to  the  Indians  who  refuse  submission 
to  our  authority —  These  traders  go  where  the}'^  please  without  being 
subjected  to  the  slightest  risk;  but  one,  not  of  the  fraternity,  dare  not 
advance  an  inch  abroad  without  risking  life  and  property.  Why  is 
it  that  these  trader's  have  no  fears,  no  apprehensions,  and  pass  in 
every  direction  through  the  country  roamed  over  by  the  Comanches, 
Apaches,  Navajoes,  and  Utahs,  unharmed  in  person  or  property, 
when  these  same  Indians  show  by  their  conduct  a  determined  and 
eternal  hostility  to  all  Mexicans,  and  others,  who  remain  quietly  at 
home,  and  whose  towns  and  children,  and  property  of  every  kind, 
are  unsafe  beyond  the  shadow  of  their  own  domicils? 

The  question  can  not  be  answered  in  such  a  way.  as  to  justify  a 
further  toleration  of  these  travelling  merchants,  who  are  daily  creat- 
ing much  anxiety  among,  and  bewildering  many  of  the  Indians  of 
the  various  Pueblos,  by  attempting  the  impression  that  the  Govern- 
ment of  the  United  States  are  unable. to  hold  possession  of  this  coun- 
try— that  the  Mexican  Government,  at  this  time,  has  twenty  five  thou- 


52  CORKESPONDEXCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

sand  troops  marchino-.  or  ready  to  march  into  Xew  Mexico  for  the 
puriDOse  of  reconcjuering,  and  re-possessing  the  ceded  domain;  and 
that  extermination  will  be  the  fate  of  all  Indians  who  are  found  in 
alliance  with,  or  claiming  the  protection  of  the  United  States:  and 
further,  if  it  were  possible,  and  none  but  a  very  wild  imagination  can 
think  it  possible,  that  the  Americans  should  continue  to  hold  the 
country,  the  fate  of  all  Indians  is  fixed,  as  nothing  will  satisfy  the 
American  people  short  of  the  entire  possession  of  their  whole  coun- 
try, and  their  utter  extermination — to  this  may  be  added,  the  crafty 
misrepresentations  of  loic'ked  priests,  aided  by  the  robbing  and  thiev- 
ing instincts  of  others,  have  also  contrived  to  give  circulation  to  false- 
hoods of  every  line,  for  the  purpose  of  alienating  these  people,  and 
causing  them  to  beleive  the  Americans  were  more  heartless  and 
untruthful  than  their  former  oppressors,  and  more  insatiable  in  their 
purposes  upon  their  property  than  the  banded  robbers  of  the  moun- 
tains— 

The  whole  oliject  of  these  people  is  to  keep  American  settlers  out 
of  the  country  as  long  as  possible;  for  their  presence  might  lessen  the 
power  of  some,  and  throw  impediments  in  the  way  of  others,  so  as 
to  check  their  present  impositions  and  frauds  upon  the  Indians,  and 
put  an  earlier  end  to  their  designs  upon  the  lands  of  this  country,  in 
covering  the  most  desirable  spots  with  fictitious  grants —  I  do  not 
pssert,  that  all  these  mischeivous  people  are  under  preconcerted  ar- 
rangements: but  the  tendency  of  their  efforts  point  to  a  common 
end — 

a 

There  is  scarcely  day  passes,  that  a  deputation  from  some  one  or 
more  of  the  Pueblos,  does  not  come  to  me  with  statements  confirma- 
tory of  what  is  herein  stated,  and  the  facts  noted  in  my  jDrevious 
communications — and  the  question  comes  up.  ought  not  some  effective 
remedial  measures  to  be  adopted  at  once? 

Before  I  conclude  this  letter.  I  will  shoAv,  what  to  me,  is  very  plain, 
the  measures  that  should  be  adopted  for  the  government  of  the  Indian 
tribes  in  this  far  off  region. 

First  then,  the  Pueblos. 

You  are  already  ajDprized  of  the  fact,  if  Ave  include  the  Mochies 

each 
only  beyond  Zuni^these  people  of  various  tongues.  unknown  to 

respective 
the  tribes  of  their  origins,  are  to  be  found  in  villages, 

(Pueblos)  at  uncertain  distances  from  each  other,  in  an  extent  of 
country  near  four  hundred  miles,  square.  Their  Pueblos  are  built 
with  direct  reference  to  defence,  and  their  houses  are  from  one  to  six 
gtories  high,  and  not  one  is  reached,  in  the  ordinary  way,  except  by 


COEEESPONDENCE    OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  53 

J adders — these,  and  all  other  Indians  of  this  country,  send  out 
mounted  warriors  only — Foot  soldiers  remain  at  home,  and  fight  on 
foot,  only  when  their  Pueblos  are  assaulted. 

The  rapidity  of  the  movements  of  all  Indian  warriors — or  robbers — 
?how  the  utter  worthlessness  of  Infantry,  except  to  take  care  of 
localities  and  property — 

To  remove  and  consolidate  the  Indians  of  the  various  Pueblos  at 
a  common  point,  is  out  of  the  question — the  general  character  of 
their  houses,  are  superior  to  those  of  Santa  Fe — they  have  rich  val- 
leys to  cultivate — grow  quantities  of  corn  and  wheat,  and  raise  vast 
herds  of  horses,  mules,  sheep  and  goats — ail  of  which,  may  be  im- 
mensely increased  by  properly  stimulating  their  industry,  and  in- 
structing them  in  the  agricultural  arts —  For  the  reasons,  in  an 
economical  point  of  view,  heretofore  given,  the  Government  of  the 
United  States  should  instruct  these  people  in  their  agricultural  pur- 

a 
suits — they   are        valuable,   and    available   people,    and    as   firmly 
fixed  in  their  homes,  as  any  one  can  be  in  the  United  States. 

Their  lands  are  held  by  Spanish  and  Mexican  grants — to  what 
extent  is  unknown — and  in  their  religion,  they  are  Catholics,  with  a 
certain  admixture  of  an  early  superstition,  with  its  ceremonials;  all 
of  which  attaches  them  to  the  soil  of  their  fathers — the  soil  upon 
which  they  came  into  existence,  and  the  soil  upon  which  they  have 
been  reared — and  their  concentration  is  not  advisable — 

But,  in  considering  this  subject,  it  must  not  be  forgotten,  there 
are  a  few  old  Spanish  villages  to  be  found  in  the  vicinity  of,  per- 
haps, all  the  Pueblos — and  the  extent  of  their  grants  and  privileges 
is  not  yet  known,  and  judicial  proceedings,  only,  can  reveal  the  truth 

is  country  of  the 

in  relation  to  these  matters —  In  this  way  ft^ethe  Indian 
Pueblos  checkered,  and  the  difficulties  in  relation  to  a  disposition  of 
them  suggested. 

Santa  Anna,  as  Maj.  Weightman,  a  gentleman,  and  a  very  intelli- 

in  1843, 
gent  lawyer  informs  me,  decreed  that  one  born  in  Mexico, 

was  a  Mexican  Citizen,  and,  as  such,  is  a  voter;  and  therefore,  all  the 
Pueblo  Indians  are  voters —  But,  still,  the  exercise  of  this  privilege 
was  not  known,  prior  to  what  is  termed,  an  election,  the  last  one  in 
this  territory —  I  understand  this  was  a  hurried  affair,  and  manage- 
able voters  picked  up  at  what  ever  place  found  and  this  arose  from 
their  extreme  anxiety  to  secure  the  services  of  an  exceedingly  clever 
man,  the  Hon.  Hugh  N.  Smith  as  the  delegate  of  certain  influential 
Citizens  of  this  territory — 

Under  this  view  of  the  subject,  what  will  you  do  with  them? 


5i  COEEESPONDEXCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

sooner  or  later. 
They  must  become  Citizens.  of  the  United  States; 

and  if  there  was  a  State  or  territoiy  to  be  formed  immediately  west 
of  the  Rio  Grande.  I  should  not  hesitate  to  say,  these  Pueblo  Indiai'S 
are  entitled  to  all  the  rights  and  privileges  of  citizens  of  the  United 
States,  as  mere  voters —  As  to  the  rights  which  it  may  have  been  de- 
signed to  confer  iii^on  them  under  the  9th.  Art.  of  the  late  treaty,  I 
venture  not  an  opinion.  If  Congress  must  give  to  this  country  a 
territorial  government,  they  must  of  necessity,  include  the  Spanish, 
and  if  there  be  such,  Mexican  villages  too,  that  are  found  in  the 
neighborhood  of  the  Pueblos.  If  the  Pueblo  Indians  are  to  be  taxed, 
they  are  from,  their  general  intelligence^  and  prohity  as  much  entitled  to 
select  their  agents^  as  the  mass  of  New  Mexico —  But,  for  the  present, 
unless  a  territorj-,  or  State,  is  to  be  organized  on  the  western  side  of 
the  Rio  Grande,  these  people  should  be  subjected  only,  to  the  laws 
passed  by  the  Congress  of  the  United  State — ^^^The  Mexicans 
and  the  PueMo  Indians,  have  not  one  feeling  in  common — 

It  is  a  subject  of  great  delicacy,  yet,  I  apprehend,  it  is  easier  to 
dispose  of  the  tribes  of  roving  Indians,  than  the  better,  and  more 
civilized  Pueblo  Indians. 

In  disiDosing  of  the  ''  savage  "  Indians,  the  most  vexatious,  trouble- 
some, and  delicate  questions  will  arise  from  our  obligations  as  re- 
corded in  the  11th  Art.  of  the  before  referred  to  treaty —  At  all 
hazards,  and  without  reference  to  cost,  the  Government  of  the  United 
States,  will,  to  the  letter,  and  to  the  spirit,  comply  with  our  every 
pledge,  and  redeem  our  every  undertaking — 

It  is  not  necessary-  to  repeat  to  you,  that  the  Apaches,  although 
frequently  roving  east  of  the  Rio  Grande,  their  conceded  localities, 
and  the  great  mass  of  them,  when  at  home,  are  to  be  found  on  the 
west  side  of  the  aforesaid  river — and  on  both  sides  of  the  boundary 
line  between  the  United  States  and  Mexico,  as  indicated  by  the  maps, 
running  west,  several  hundred  miles  to,  or  near,  the  Pimo  Villages — 
Here  are  to  be  found  a  majority  of  the  caiytlces  to  be  delivered  up, 
under  the  before  mentioned  treaty —  Here  are  a  people,  who  feed 
on  game,  the  spontaneous  products  of  the  soil,  and  the  fruit  of  other 
people's  labor.  Here  it  is,  the  boundary  line  will  present  a  barrier  to 
the  castigations  which  these  Indians  should  receive —  Here  you  will 
find  about  an  equal  number  upon  each  side  of  the  boundary  line, 
all  alike  committing  depredations;  and  it  may  be,  we  shall  be  called 
upon  to  pa}^  millions  on  account  of  the  doings  of  Mexican  Aimclies 
whose  bad  deeds  will  be  charged  to  those  on  our  side  of  the  line — the 
one  not  being  better  than  the  other — 

Here  too,  the  most  delicate  questions  will  arise.  How  are  these 
people  to  subsist  if  you  ejfectually  check,  and  stop  their  depredations  ? 


COEEESPONDENCE    OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  55 

How  are  you  to  comply  with  your  obligations  under  the  aforesaid 
11th  Art.  without  invading  foreign  territory? 

To  establish  a  proper  state  of  affairs  in  this  country,  with  the 

States 
economy  which  the  Government  of  the  United  should,  and  will, 

ever  observe,  requires  a  strong  arm — and  a  prompt  arm,  guided  by 
an  enlightened  patriotism,  and  a  generous  spirit  of  humanity — 

^^Expend  your  milJioii  no%L\  if  necessary,  that  you  may  avoid  the 
expenditure  of  millions  hereafter — 

The  Comanches  and  Apaches,  with  all  the  adjacent  fragments  of 
other  tribes,  must  be  penned  up;  and  this  should  be  done  at  the 
earliest  possible  day. 

If  the  Navajoes  comply  with  the  treaty  as  entered  into  with  Gov- 
ernor Washington  and  myself,  it  is  beleived  the  Utahs  will  ask 
for  a  similar  treaty — there  are  strong  indications  of  a  disposition  to 
yield  upon  their  part,  independent  of  the  course  which  the  Navajoes 
may  pursue.  But,  suppose  these  tribes  continue  to  withhold  their 
submission  to  our  authority,  and  to  war  upon  our  interest,  it  will  be 
absolutely  necessary  to  remove  and  concentrate  these  people^ 

To  what  localities  should  these  wild  tribes  be  confined? 

Can  the  foregoing  question  be  discreetly  answered  without  a  thor- 
ough knowledge  of  this  country?  and  can  such  thorough  knowledge 
be  obtained  without  a  thorough  exploration?  I  affirm  that  it  can  not 
be  done,  and  without  an  additional  number  of  mounted  troops,  such 

made 
an  exploration  can  not  be  at  an  early  day. 

If  I  had  authority  to  do  so,  I  could  make  treaties  with  all  these 
tribes;  and  they  would  comply  with  every  stipulation  just  so  long  as 
you  have  an  arm  raised  to  strike  them;  and  no  longer — provided 
they  are  permitted  to  roam  as  heretofore.  But  confine  them  to 
certain  limits — restrict  intercourse  with  them,  and  instruct  them, 
and  compel  them  to  cultivate  the  soil —  When  you  have  thus  sub- 
jugated, and  caused  them  to  feel  and  appreciate  your  power,  then 
the  proper  time  Mill  have  arrived  when  presents,  to  a  limited  extent 
will  have  a  salutary  influence  in  awakening  their  pride  of  person, 
and  creating  a  love,  a  desire  for  some  of  the  luxuries  of  life,  for, 
until  a  man  has  reached  that  point,  he  has  made  but  a  slight  advance 
in  civilization. 

Let  it  be  remembered,  the  Navajoes  have  all  the  tiecessaries  of 
life — and  grow  large  quantities  of  corn  and  wheat,  raise  immense 
fl<xks  of  sheep  and  goats,  and  a  great  number  of  fine  horses  and 
mules — and  rob,  and  murder,  and  seize  captives,  because  it  is  a  busi- 
ness of  life  in  which  they  delight — 

In  reference  to  the  number  of  Pueblo  Indians,  east  of  the  Mochies, 
wliich  includes  the  Pueblos  named  in  No.  5  I  have  come  to  the  con- 


56  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

elusion  it  can  not  be  put  down  at  less  than  twelve  thousand,  and  it 
would  not  surprise  me,  if  it  should  reach  fifteen  thousand.  We  ven- 
tured to  guess  while  at  Zuiii,  at  the  number  of  its  people;  and  no  one 
supposed  it  to  exceed  six  hundred,  all  told —  It  now  appears  they 
have  five  hundred  and  fifty  five  warriors,  which  does  not  include  boys 
under  sixteen  years  of  age,  or  old  men.  If  this  be  true,  and  I  do  not 
question  the  fact,  the  aggregate  number  of  inhabitants  in  Zuiii,  will 
reach  two  thousand:  and  I  have  no  reason  to  beleive,  the  estimates 
as  to  other  Pueblos,  are  more  correct,  than  was  the  estimate  for  Zufii. 

I  do  not  feel  at  liberty,  at  present,  to  disturb  the  estimates  as  for- 
warded to  your  office  by  the  late  Governor  Bent —  I  will  remark, 
however,  it  is  advisable  to  reduce  the  number  of  tribes,  in  any  general 
classification  which  may  be  made  by  authority  of  the  Government  of 
the  United  States — for  there  are  a  number  of  fragments  of  tribes, 
being  the  product  of  amalgamations,  who  are  not  entitled  to  the  con- 
sideration of  distinct  tribes,  and  they  should  be  compelled  to  an 
association  with  one  or  the  other  of  the  amalgamating  parties,  and 
located  and  considered  accordingly —    Without  alluding  to  the  In- 

of  New 
dians  of  the  Arkansas,  I  would  reduce  all  the  roving  tribes 
Mexico, 

to  four,  the  Comanches— Apaches — Navajoes,  and  Utahs. 

It  would  ill  become  me,  to  venture  an  opinion  as  to  the  proper  dis- 
States 
position  of  the  United  military  force  now  in  this  country: 

that  duty  is  confided  to  an  abler  head.  But  as  preventive  measures, 
and  as  measures  too,  of  a  defensive  character,  allow  me  to  submit, 
with  all  due  respect,  the  following  suggestions  and  recommenda- 
tions— 

found 

I  repeat  the  suggestions  to  be  in  my  previous  letters — 

1.  The  presence  of  Agents  in  various  places  in  the  Indian  coun- 
try, is  indispensably  necessary — their  presence  is  demanded  by  every 
principal  of  humanity — by  every  generous  obligation  of  kindness — 
of  protection,  and  good  government  throughout  this  vast  territory. 

m^^These  agents  should  be  entrusted  with  Ordnance  and  Ord- 
nance Stores,  to  be  used  as  emergencies  might  require,  under  the 
direction  of  a  general  superintendent,  and  should  be  selected,  not 
only  with  regard  to  their  prudence  and  discretion,  but  with  a  view 
to  the  proper  training  of  the  Pueblo  Indians,  in  the  efficient  use  of 
our  arms — 

I  design  preparing,  to  accompany  this  communication,  a  diagram, 
Indian 
exhibiting  my  view  of  the  localities,  and  pointing  out  the 


COEKESPONDENCE    OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  57 

most  appropriate  places  for  the  residence  of  agents;  and  from  which 
you  will  perceive  how  easily  the  depredations  of  Utahs,  Navajoes, 

of  the 
and  a  portion  Apaches,  may  be  checked,  by  a  proper  use  of  the 

nde 
arms  which  I  have  recomme       d  to  be  placed  in  charge  of  Indian 
Agents. 

By  keeping  up  a  proper  line  of  communication  between  the 
Pueblos,  and  other  places  in  this  territory,  it  will  be  no  difficult  mat- 
ter to  intercept  roving  bands  of  robbers,  no  matter  what  their  color 
may  be,  so  soon  as  it  is  ascertained  from  what  quarter  they  proceed; 
and  that  may  be  done  unerringly  by  an  examination  of  their  trail — 

That  I  may  be  distinctly  understood  upon  this  point,  look  at  the 
location  of  Laguna — Zuni — Jemez,  and  other  places — Ncvv-  the  Ord- 
nance and  Ordnance  Stores,  under  the  control  as  before  suggested, 
would  enable  these  people,  effectually,  to  protect  themselves  against 

time, 
their  implacable  enemies,  and  at  the  same  a  vigorous  and  rapid 

movement  along  the  line  of  comuiunication  between  the  Pueblos,  and 
other  points,  would  give  them  the  additional  and  important  power 
of  intercepting  those  who  should  dare  to  penetrate  towards  the  heart 
of  New  Mexico. 

will  show. 

The  rough  diagram  ^  which  will  be  hereto  appended,  why 

it  is.  with  the  views  herein  expressed,  I  recommend 

1st.  The  establishing  of  a  full  agency  at  Taos,  or  near  that  place, 
for  the  Utahs — and  Pueblos  of  that  neighborhood — 

2.  Also,  a  full  agency  at,  and  for  Zuhi — and  the  Navajoes — 

3.  A  full  agency  at  Socoro,  a  military  post,  south  of  Alburquerque, 
now  being  established— the  agent  of  this  place  to  look  after  the 
Apaches,  and  Comanches,  and  the  Pueblo  of  Isletta,  north — 

Sub-agents  should  be  sent  to  San  Illdefonso,  or  near  there — to 
Jemez  Laguna — and  at  the  military  post  near  El  Paso — 

These  agents  and  sub-agents,  are  absolutely  necessary  to  an  eco- 
nomical administration  of  our  Indian  affairs,  in  this  territory — 
It  is  my  honest  opinion,  that  for  the  ensuing  year,  at  least,  a  sub- 
agent  should  be  in  every  Pueblo — the  whole  to  be  under  the  direction 
of  a  general  superintendent,  who  would  be  compelled  to  have  one 
or  more  clerks — 

I  am  aware,  that,  possibly,  I  may  be  twitted  concerning  my  no- 
tions of  economy  in  these  recommendations,  but,  it  will  be  by  no  one 

the  subject 
who  has  maturely  considered  in  all  its  various  bearings — 

Adopt  my  suggestions  in  all  their  breadth — especially  those  in  ref- 

'  See  map   (No.  1^   in  pocket. 


58  COEEESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALIIOUX. 

erence  to  the  appointing  of  agents,  and  depositing  with  them  Ord- 
nance and  Ordnance  Stores — and  properly  stimulating  and  direct- 

and  it 
ing  the  industry  of  the  Pueblos,  will  give  quiet  and  tranquility 

to  this  entire  territory — and  materially  reduce  the  now  necessary 
expenditures  of  the  government  here — the  labor  of  the  country  will 
be  protected — the  quantity  of  subsistence  stores  will  be  annually  in- 
creased, and  the  prices  greatly  diminished,  and  millions  \n\\\  be  saved 
to  the  Government,  that  must  be  expended  as  at  present  conducted, 
and  this  I  say,  after  due  deliberation,  and  without  intending  the 
slightest  disrespect  to  any  human  being — 
here 
The  powers  have  neither  the  authority,  or  the  means  to  reduce 
to  order  the  chaotic  mass  in  this  territory — and  the  Government  at 
Washington  has  not  thoroughly  comprehended  the  diversity,  and  the 
magnitude  of  the  difficulties  to  be  overcome — 

In  conclusion,  I  still  think  it  important  to  allow  a  few  of  the 
Pueblo  Indians  to  visit  Washington  City —  Some  of  them  are  ex- 
tremely anxious  to  do  so. 

Commending  this  communication  to  your  indulgent  criticisms,  and 
refering  you  to  the  appendix, 
I  have  the  honor  to  be, 

Your  very  obt.  Servant 

James  S.  Calhoun 
Ind.  Agt. 

Santa  Fe.  N.  M. 
Col.  W.  Medill 

Comr.  of  Ind.  Affs. 

Washing/ton  City 

D.  C. 

*Mr.  F.  Brown,  an  American,  assisted  in  taking  this  census,  and 
says  there  are  597  men  &  42  muskets  &  rifles — and  555  men  without 
firearms. 

[CALHOUN  TO  EWING.'j 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico, 

October  16,  IS.'^f). 
Sie:  I  forward  to  you,  for  the  information  of  whom  it  may  con- 
cern, the  printed  "JournaP  of  the  Convention  of  the  Territory  of 
New  Mexico."    It  is  stated  that  the  election  for  delegates  to  the  con- 

iThis  letter  is  missing  from  the  Indian  Office  files  but  the  text  of  it  is  printed  in 
Senate  Ex.  Docs.,  31st  Cong.,  1st  sess.,  No.  18,  p.  219 ;  also  in  House  Ex.  Doc,  31st  Cong., 
1st  sess..  No.  17,  p.  90. 

2  Printed  with  the  letter  that  covered  it. 


COEEESPONDENCE    OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  59 

vention  was  held  "  in  conf ormitj^  with  the  proclamation  of  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Beall,  civil  and  military  commandant,"  &c.,  &c.  I  have  not 
been  able  to  i3rocure  a  copy  of  the  proclamation;  therefore,  one  is  not 
enclosed  to  you. 

Before  the  honorable  Hugh  N.  Smith  left  Washington,  he  informed 
me  that  Governor  Washington  had  refused  to  approve,  or  rather  to 
recog-nise  officially,  the  actings  and  doings  of  the  convention. 
All  of  which  I  submit  to  you  without  an  additional  remark. 
I  am,  with  great  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Hon.  T.  EwiNG, 

Secretary  of  the  Interior^  W ashington  city^  D.  C. 

[CALHOUN  TO  EWING.'] 

No.  11. 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico. 

Oct.  18.  18k9. 
Sir, 

It  may  be  important  to  the  Government  of  the  United  States,  un- 
doubtedly important  to  many  of  the  inhabitants  of  said  States,  that 
the  accompanying  "Table-  of  Marches  &c."  should  be  made  public. 
For  the  "Table  &c."  as  will  be  seen  by  a  reference  to  it,  I  am  in- 
debted to  that  liberal  and  enlightened  officer,  H.  L.  Kendrick.,  Bvt. 
Maj.  U.  S.  A  who  on  every  occasion,  so  far  as  I  have  seen,  or  beleive, 
has  manifested  every  becoming  disposition,  to  furnish  all  the  infor- 
mation which  he  could  command,  for  the  general  good ;  and  I  know  of 
no  gentleman  who  could  surpass  him  in  successfully  advancing  the 
general  good — 

With  great  respect. 

Your  Obt.  Servt. 

J.   S.  Calhoun. 

Hon. 

T.  EWING 

Sec.  of  the  Intr. 

Washington  City 

D  C 

10.  I.  A.,  Santa  Fe  Agency,  C  368;  Senate  Ex.  Doc,  31st  Cong.,  1st  sess.,  No.  18,  p. 
220 ;  also  House  Ex.  Doc,  31st  Cong.,  1st  sess..  No.  17,  p.  91. 

2  Recorded  as  having  been  sent  to  J.  Gales,  Esq.,  December  27,  1840.  It  is  printed 
in  House  Ex.  Doc,  31st  Cong.,  1st  sess.,  No.  17,  p.  92,  and  in  Senate  Ex.  Doc,  31st  Cong., 
1st  sess..  No.  18,  p.  221. 


GO  COKEESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES    S.    CALHOUN. 

[CALHOUN   TO   MEDILL.^] 

No.  12. 

Indian  Agency 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico, 

Oct  25th.  18Jf9. 
Sir. 

My  communication,  No.  5,  of  the  4th  of  this  month,  stated  in  a 
p.  s.  that  "  The  Pueblo  Indians  who  accompanied  Govr.  Washington 
in  his  late  Navajo  expedition,"  had  been  satisfied  for  their  services 
by  an  arrangement  with  a  merchant — 

^A'Tien  the  foregoing  statement  was  made  to  you,  I  supposed  it  was 
an  arrangement  effected  by  the  Government  chief  in  this  territory — 
To-day,  I  have  learned  otherwise;  and  further,  that  all  had  not 
become  parties  to  the  mercantile  arrangement,  into  which,  some  of 
their  associates  had  voluntarily  entered —  But,  it  is  -.aid,  all  of  said 
Indians  will,  after  a  while,  come  into  terms — 

The  complainings  of  these  Indians  are  exceedingly  unpleasant  to 
me;  but  they  are  not  unjust — and  such  wrongs  should  he  remidied. 
I  am, 

With  great  respect 
Your  Obt.  Servt. 

J.  S.  Calhoun, 
Ind.  Agt. 
Col.  Medill, 

Washington  City., 
B.C. 

[CALHOUN  TO   CRAWFORD."] 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico. 

Octv.  27th  18If9. 
To  the 

Hon.  G.  W.  Crawford, 

Sec.  of  War. 

I  hope  sir,  you  will  pardon  me  for  this  intrusion —  The  accompany 
ing  ^'■memorandum,''''  will  show  the  object  I  have  in  view. 

Lt.  Burnside  ^  is  a  relation  of  the  family  in  Georgia  of  that  name ; 
a  graduate  of  West  Point,  and  an  intelligent,  active,  and  promising 
officer;  and  it  would  be  exceedingly  agreeable  to  me,  as  I  doubt  not 

1  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  368. 

2  A.  G.  O.,  C  47  of  1849  ;  C  245  of  1849. 

3  Ambrose  Everett  Burnside  of  Indiana,  a  leading  general,  on  the  Union  side,  in  the 
Civil  War. 


COEKESPONDENCE    OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  61 

it  would  be  to  j-ou,  in  years  to  come,  if  you  can,  with  fro])Tiety^ 
gratify  him,  as  is  indicated  in  the  "  memorandum  "  enclosed — 

That  you  may  not  be  misled  by  what  I  have  here  written,  I  beg  to 
advise  you,  Mr  Burnside  is  a  cousin  of  my  son-in-law,  Mr  Jno.  H. 
Davis,  and  I  may  be  permitted  to  say,  that  circumstance  can  not 
render  him  less  meritorious. 

Have  you  time  to  say  one  word  in  reply? 
Very  respectfully, 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

[Inclosure.] 
MEMORANDUM    FOR   COL   "  CALHOUN — 

My  proper  promotion  is  in  the  2d  Artillery — I  am  now  in  the  3d — 
The  mistake  occurred  in  this  way — The  death  of  Lieut  C.  J.  Minor 
3d  Arty  was  not  heard  of  before  the  promotions  were  made :  also  the 
resignation  of  Maj  Wm  W  Mackall  of  his  "  line  appointment "  was 
not  received  in  time — neither  of  these  were  considered  in  making 
the  jDromotions, —  I  spoke  to  Lt  Col  L.  Thomas  Asst  Adjt  Genl  "  on 
the  subject  in  the  "  City  of  Mexico,"  and  he  told  me  that  the  case 
was  so  perfectly  plain  that  I  need  have  no  fear  about  the  transfer 

I  afterwards  met  him  on  the  "  Ohio  Eiver,"  and  gave  him  my  ap- 
plication for  the  transfer  in  person — I  have  heard  nothing  from  it 
since —  It  makes  a  difference  of  six  or  seven  files  in  my  promotion — 
A  statement  of  the  promotions  may  be  found  in  the  iVdjt  Genl's  office 
with  mv  application  for  the  transfer — 
Col  "^ 

Will  you  be  so  kind  as  to  use  your  influence  in  seeing  that  I 
get  my  rights — 

Vy  Rspy  Yr  Obt  Svt 

A.  E.  BuRNsmE, 

Lieut  3d  Arty 

[CALHOUN   TO   MEDILL.'] 

No.  13. 

Indian  Agency 
Santa  Fe,  Xew  Mexico. 

Octr.  27.  1849. 
Sir, 

Col.  Monroe,  our  neiv  Governor,  came  into  this  City  a  few  days 

military 
ago,  and  assumed  the  command  of  this  department.     By 

'  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  ¥€  Agency,  C  3GS. 


62  COBEESPONDEXCE   OF    JAMES    S.    CALHOUN. 

him,  I  had  hoped  to  have  received  some  additional  light,  such  addi- 
tional instructions  as  m}^  earlier  communications  might  have  sug- 
gested, as  necessary — 

I  am  yet  without  the  slighest  intelligence  from  the  States;  and  I 
must  repeat,  the  mail  facilities  are  not  such  as  we  are  entitled  to, 
and  that  it  is,  infinitely,  of  more  importance  to  the  Government  at 
Washington  than  to  us — the  controlling  powers  should  be  advised 
more  promptly  in  reference  to  the  various  sinuosities  daily  perpe- 
trated in  this  far  off  region. 

The  truth  in  relation  to  governmental  affairs  here,  is  not  under- 
stood at  Washington;  and  until  we  are  brought  more  immediately 
under  the  proper  supervisory  eye,  nothing  of  a  highly  reputable  char- 
acter may  be  expected  to  transpire  in  this  territory;  and  how  can  a 
proper  supervision  be  had  without  certain  means  of  receiving  early 
intelligence,  and  promptly  transmitting  orders? 
I  am, 

Very  respectfully 
Your  obt  Servt 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Ind.  Agt 
Col.  Medill 

Comr.  of  Ind.  Ajfs. 

Washington  City 
D.  C 

[CALHOUN  TO  MEDILL.^] 

No.  14 

Indian  Agency 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

Octr.  28th.  18k9 
Sir, 

The  Quarter  Master  having  arranged  to  despatch  a  mail  for  the 
States,  on  to-morrow,  my  agent  at  Jemez  was  directed  to  advise  me 
as  to  the  compliance  of  the  Navajoes  with  their  promise  to  be  at 
San  Isidoro  on  the  2Tth,  (yesterday)  in  time,  to  give  you  by  the  mail, 
whatever  might  have  transpired 

This  evening,  at  about  8  O'clk  the  courier  came  in  with  the  intel- 
ligence that  up  to  the  moment  of  his  leaving  San  Isidoro.  this  morn- 

1  O.  I.  a.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  368. 


COKEESPOXDENCE    OF   JAMES   S.   CALHOUN.  63 

ing,  not  one  word  had  been  heard  from  the  Navajoes.     He  brought 
to  me  a  note  from  my  agent,  confirmatory  of  his  statement. 
The  reports  of  robberies,  and  murders  continue  to  come  in  upon  us. 
I  am, 

With  great  respect, 

Your  Obedient  Servant, 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt. 
Col.  W.  Medill 

Gomr.  of  Ind.  Afs. 

Washington  City 

D.  G. 

[CALHOUN   TO   MEDILL.'] 

No.  15 

Indian  Agency 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico. 

Octoher  29th.  1849. 
Sir, 

The  arrival  of  an  express  during  the  past  night,  brought  to  us  such 
intelligence  as  to  cause  the  issuing  of  an  order,  by  Col,  Monroe, 
postponing  the  departure  of  the  mail  for  the  United  States. 

Four  or  five  days  ago,  Mr,  Spencer,  an  American  Merchant  of  this 
City,  on  his  return  from  a  recent  visit  to  the  United  States,  accom- 
panied by  a  gentleman  whose  name  I  do  not  remember  at  this  mo- 
ment, in  passing  a  well  known  camping  ground,  '  Point  of  Eocks,' 
saw  the  dead  bodies  of  Mv  White  and  five  or  six  others  of  his  party, 
recently  from  St  Louis —  They  also  noticed  a  baggage  waggon  upset, 
and  broken  into  pieces,  and  what  is  yet  more  horrible,  some  Pueblo 
Indians  were  met  the  ensuing  day,  who  stated  they  were  just  from 

saw 
the  Camp  of  the  Apaches,  and  there  an  American  female  with 

her  little  daughter — supposed  to  have  been  the  wife  and  daughter 
of  Mr  White — It  is  known  they  were  of  the  party,  and  no  trace  of 
a  female  was  discovered  by  Mr  Spencer,  or  his  companion  at  the 
'  Point  of  Kocks.' 

P)Ut  it  is  not  to  be  presumed  that  these  gentlemen  remained  long 
enough  upon  the  ground  to  have  ascertained,  accurately  all  the  facts 
the  horrible  scene  might  have  disclosed.  What  they  saw  was  by  the 
light  of  the  moon;  and  that  the  perpetration  was  of  so  recent  a  mo- 
ment, as  to  admonish  them  that  the  hot  breath  of  the  Indians  might 
be  near  enough  to  be  scented ;  they  therefore  hastened  on  to  Las 

1  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F€  Agency,  C  368. 


64  COKKESrONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUX. 

Vegas,  and  were  seventy  eight  hours  without  rest.  From  Las  Vegas, 
Mr.  Spencer  transmitted  a  communication,  by  express,  which  I  read 
a  few  moments  since,  announcing  the  facts  as  stated  above — 

As  you  will  perceive  by  an  examination  of  the  Schedule  of  distances 
forwarded  to  you  in  my  niunber  11.,  the  '  Point  of  Rocks  '  are  one 
hundred  and  sixty  two  -^  miles  N.  E.  of  Santa  Fe,  eighty  nine  -^ 
miles  from  Las  Vegas,  and  about  twenty  miles,  in  the  same  direction, 
from  Red  River — and  two  hundred  and  forty  -f^  South  west  of  the 
Arkansas  Crossing. 

The  caiions,  and  valleys  of  Red  river  afford  the  usual  route 
through  which  these  Indians  pass,  a  very  considerable  distance,  in 
making  for  the  Rio  del  Norte —  When  they  suppose  American  troops 
are  in  vigorous  pursuit  of  them,  they  at  once  make  for  the  Rio  del 
Norte,  cross  it,  and  push  on  to,  or  near  the  boundary  line  between  the 
United  States  and  Mexico,  ready  to  rest,  for  a  time,  on  the  discreet 
side  of  it — 

Col.  Monroe  has  not  disclosed  his  purposes  yet ;  but  one  thing  is 
certain,  the  most  vigorous  measures  should  be  pushed  forward  with- 
out one  moments  delay,  and  when  this  is  done,  as  it  doubtless  will  be 
by  Col.  Monroe,  the  Government  of  the  United  States  will  not  have 
sustained  its  ancient  reputation  for  protecting  its  citizens,  and  cha^> 
tising  their  enemies.  The  military  force  in  this  territory  is  not  suffi- 
cient— 

The  liberation  of  Mrs  White  and  her  daughter,  is,  to  me,  a  matter 
of  deepest  concern.  But  being  entirely  destitute  of  the  means  neces- 
sary to  an  efficient  and  prompt  action  in  the  premises,  I  am  left  to 
lament  the  impotency  of  my  arm,  and  if  the  two  captives  are  not 
to  be  liberated,  it  is  to  be  hoped  they  are  dead.    An  effort  must  and 

can 
shall  be  made  for  their  liberation,  and  I  regret  that  I  not  put 

it  forward  at  this  moment —  A  purely  military  effort,  in  my  opinion, 
can  not  be  successfully  made — and  I  had  determined  to  select  an 
Indian — and  a  Mexican  trader,  and  send  them  forthwith  in  the  sup- 
posed direction  of  the  retreat  of  the  Apaches — offering  such  induce- 
ments to  them  as  would  secure  the  end,  if  that  end  be  attainable;  but 
Col.  Monroe  designs  a  move  of  some  kind,  and  is  unAvilling  to  do 
so  without  further  and  more  precise  information:  and  that  further 
information,  I  apprehend,  can  not  be  acquired  during  this  day,  and 
every  moments  delay  lessens  the  probability  of  a  successful  effort. 
I  was,  a  moment  since,  in  consultation  with  the  Colonel  upon  this 
subject,  and  he  is  determined  to  do  all  in  his  power  to  rescue  the 
captives  the  moment  the  facts  in  the  case  are  sufficiently  ascertained. 

Conflicting  efforts  must  not  be  attempted. 

I  have  just  secured  the  services  of  a  mexican  trader,  who  knows 
the  Apaches  well,  their  haunts  and  trails.    This  man  is  well  known  tc 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  65 

respectable  people  here,  as  a  daring,  fearless,  and  withal,  a  discreet 
man —  I  promised  to  pay  him  one  thousand  dollars,  and  other  gra- 
tuities, if  he  succeeds  in  bringing  in  to  me  Mrs  White  and  her 
daughter —  He  goes  out  quietly,  but  rapidly,  as  a  trader,  and  if  he 
finds  the  objects  of  his  search,  will  doubtless  secure  them.  I  made 
him  understandj  the  same  inducements  would  be  held  out  to  other 
parties,  and  that  the  reward  should  be  paid,  promptly,  to  the  suc- 
cessfid  and,  relying  upon  the  just  action  of  the  Government  of  the 
United  States,  I  shall  most  certainly,  and  cheerfully  redeem  my 
every  promise  in  this  matter — and  I  may  be  pardoned  for  adding,  if 
the  money  jDromised  was  the  last  cent  I  could  command  on  earth,  and 
I  without  the  slightest  hope  of  its  reimbursement,  it  should  not  be 
the  less  promptly  paid  upon  the  happening  of  the  contingency  which 
induced  the  reward. 

In  less  than  one  hour  from  the  time  I  had  an  interview  with  this 
trader  he  was  off,  manifesting  the  greatest  confidence  in  his  ability 
to  command  success —  If  I  can  quietly,  and  in  a  way,  that  can  not  by 
the  remotest  possibility  conflict  with  Col.  Monroe's  efforts,  I  will 
induce  other  parties  to  go  out,  and  hope  to  send  another  off,  in  a 
different  direction  on  to-morrow  morning. 

The  sad  event  at  the  '  Point  of  Rocks '  has  caused  the  delay  of 
several  of  my  communications  to  you — as  the  Hon,  H.  N.  Smith,  the 
delegate  to  Congress  selected  by  a  convention  in  this  City,  had  them 
in  charge,  and  hearing  of  the  murder  of  Mr  White  and  the  male 
portion  of  his  party  before  progressing  so  far  as  the  '  Point  of 
Rocks  '  on  his  journey  to  Washington  City,  has  returned  to  Las  Vegas. 
to  await  further  developments —  I  exceedingly  regret  the  delay 
on  account  of  the  various  important  suggestions  and  recommenda- 
tions contained  in  my  letters,  and  which  I  desired  you  to  receive  be- 
fore the  President's  Message  should  be  sent  to  Congress,  for,  if  there 
ever  was  a  time  for  energetic  and  prompt  action  in  this  territory, 
this  is  the  time — and  the  winter  should  not  prevent  campaigns — 

contained  in  No.  10. 

BI^^  One  word  more —    If  my  recommendations, 
which  I  earnestly  renew,  in  reference  to  Agents,  and  Ordnance  and 
Ordnance  Stores  should  be  adopted,  a  larger  number  of  the  troops 
now  in  the  territory  might  be  usefully  and  successfully  employed  in 
a  winter  expedition  against  the  Apaches  and  their  allies — 

B^^Give  me  four  companies  of  Dragoons,  and  allow  me  to  organ- 
ise a  force  from  the  Pueblo  Indians,  with  the  means  to  subsist  them, 
and  to  pay  them,  and  my  life  for  it,  in  less  than  six  months  I  will  so 
tiime  the  Navajoes  and  Utahs  that  you  will  scarcely  hear  of  them 
again —  In  such  an  expedition  I  should  desire  authority  to  conduct 
it  without  being  controlled  by  any  one  in  this  Department,  and  no 
oilier   Government    ofRcers,   except   the   proper    connnanders   of    the 


66  COEEESPOiv^DEXCE    OF    JAMES    S.    CALHOUN. 

Dragoons —  I  should  desire  to  select  1113'  own  Quarter  Masters  and 
commissaries,  and  to  give  to  them  such  directions  as  would  stimulate 
to  the  utmost  extent,  the  energies  of  the  Pueblo  Indians — ■    I  will 

add 
only  by  adding  four  companies  of  Infantry,  to  guard  posts  and 

public  Stores — and  sending  out  proper  scientific  men,  that  whole 

time 
country  should  at  the  same  be  thoroughly  explored— 

The  foregoing  is  respectfully  submitted,  wdth  an  earnest  request 
that  it  be  immediately  placed  before  the  Chief  of  the  Department, 
and  I  have  the  honor  to  be, 


Your  obt.  Servt. 


James  8.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agent 


Col.  W.  Medill 

Com.  of  Ind.  Affs. 

Washington  City 

D.  G. 

[CALHOUN   TO   MEDILL.'] 

No.  16. 

Indian  Agency. 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico: 
Oct.  30.  181^9— '7  o'dk,  p.  m. 
Sir, 

At  the  last  moment,  before  the  closing  of  the  mail  for  the  United 
States,  I  ask  for  permission  to  say,  that  I  have  to-day,  sent  out  three 
additional  parties  in  search  of  Mrs  White  and  her  daughter — and  I 
have  offered  to  each  party,  rewards  that  they  hesitated  not  to  say 
were  entirely  satisfactory.  They  did  not  intimate  a  desire  that  the 
reward  for  their  services  should  be  increased — and  I  know  of  nothing 
more  that  I  can  do,  as  the  representative  of  your  department,  for  the 
recovery  of  Mrs  White  and  her  daughter —     But,  I  will  not  sleep ;  and 

or  rather  attempt 
if  I  see  wdiat  more  I  may  accomplish  no  matter  at 

what  cost,  it  shall  me  done. 

What  Col.  Monroe  has  done,  if  any  thing;  or  what  he  may  design 
to  do,  I  know  not — nor  is  it  my  pi'ivilege  to  know — 
Yeiy  respectfully 

Your  obt  Servt. 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt. 
Col.  W.  Medill 

Comr.  of  Ind.  Affs. 

Washington  City 

D.  C. 

^  O.  1.  A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  368. 


COEKESPONDENCE    OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  67 

[CALHOUN   TO   EWING.'] 

Sa:nta  Fe,  New  Mexico,  Noveinber  i,  18]^9. 
Sir:  Xot  until  last  evening  was  I  aware  of  the  existence  of  execu- 
tive document  No.  60,  ordered  to  be  published  on  the  28th  of  April, 
1818 ;  otherwise  the  labor  of  preparing  my  communication  of  the  25th 
of  September  last  would  have  been  saved,  and  you  the  trouble  of  its 
receipt. 

At  the  time  the  document  was  ordered  to  be  printed,  I  was  in 
Cuernavaca,  Mexico,  to  which  fact  I  attribute  my  ignorance  of  the 
publication.  In  addition  to  which,  the  secretary  of  state  for  this 
Territory  could  give  me  no  information  as  to  the  transmission  of 
copies  of  the  paj)ers  to  Washington  city — such  as  I  forwarded  to  you. 
^^''ith  great  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  S.  Calhoux 
Hon.  T.  EwixG, 

Secretary  of  Intenor.  Washington  city. 

[CALHOUN   TO   BROWN."] 

No.  17 

Indian  Agency 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico, 

Now.  1st.  18  ltd. 
Sir, 

I  am,  this  moment,  in  receipt  of  your  communications  of  the  13th 
&  IGth  of  July  last — the  first  instructing  in  reference  to  a  Census  of 
Indian  tribes,  and  the  latter  enclosing  a  blank  Bond,  both  of  which 
shall  receive  my  earliest  possible  attention — 

This  is  sent  to  Las  Vegas  with  the  hope  of  there  overtaking  the 
mail  that  left  here  on  yesterday  morning. 
In  great  haste. 

Your  obt.  Servt. 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt. 
Orlando  Brown  Esqr. 

Gomr.  of  Ind.  Affs. 

Washington  City 
D.  G. 

1  Senate  Ex.  Doc,  31st  Cong.,  1st  sess.,  No.  18,  p.  226;  House  Ex.  Doc,  31st  Cong., 
ls?t  ROSS.,  No.  17,  p.  229.  This  letter  was  received  by  the  Indian  Office,  January  10.  1850 ; 
see  L.  R..  No.  37. 

^O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F^  Agency,  C  368. 


68  COEEESPONDEJs'CE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUJST. 

[CALHOUN   TO  BROWN.'] 

No.  18. 

Indian  Agency 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexicxj 

Now.  2nd  18 ltd. 
Sir, 

On  yesterday,  after  the  departure  of  the  mail  which  carried  my 
letters  for  you,  numbered  from  7  to  17  inclusive,  I  had  an  interview 
with  Mr.  Barclay,  a  very  quiet,  cool,  and  considerate  gentleman,  who 
passed  the  "  Point  of  Rocks ",  subsequent  to  the  murder  of  Mr. 
White,  and  his  party.  His  narration  is  much  more  full,  and  some- 
what different  from  that  contained  in  my  No.  15,  but  it  is  confirma- 
tory of  the  horrible  facts  therein  stated. 

The  gentleman  named  above  does  not  claim  to  have  seen  the  bodies 
of  Mr.  Wliite,  or  any  one  of  his  party.  He  saw  the  upset  carriage, 
and  several  dead  bodies,  upon  which,  he  dismounted,  and  those  that 
he  examined,  were  Mexicans — but  not  yet  cold  in  death—  This  was 
after  night,  and  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  press  forward,  as  their 
own  condition  was,  supposed  to  be,  one  of  great  peril. 

From  Mr.  Barclay's  statement,  I  learn,  he  subsequently  overtook 
the  Hon.  H.  N.  Smith's  party,  who  hearing  of  the  murders  at  the 
'  Point  of  Eocks '  were  returning  for  protection —  That  some  Mexi- 
can Buffalo  hunters,  came  to  the  aforesaid  fatal  spot,  before  Mr. 
White's  party  was  completely  overwhelmed — that  at  the  moment  of 
their  arrival,  there  were  two  yet  alive,  struggling  for  their  exist- 

the   two 
ence — that  they   saw   them  dispatched — and    immediately 

thereafter,  the  "peace  party.,  of  all  gangs  of  the  present  day.,  approached 
them — the  Mexican  Buffalo  hunters,  and  made  the  most  friendly 
salutations,  and  the  strongest  declarations  of  friendship.  In  a  few 
moments  thereafter,  the  war  party  returned,  and  with  the  utmost 
speed  of  their  animals,  circled  round  them  two  or  three  times,  and 
then  fired  upon  them — killing  several,  and  wounding  others,  how 
many,  they  could  not  tell. 

It  seems,  that  a  lad.  not  more  than  twelve  years  old,  whose  father, 
a  Mexican,  was  killed  in  the  last  of  the  two  conflicts  was,   also, 

places 
severely  lanced  in  several  and  saved  his  life  by  feigning  to  be 

dead — After  the  party  to  which  he  belonged,  had  made  their  escape, 
the  Indians  retired,  he  crawled  forward  as  rapidly  as  possible,  and 
was  met,  and  picked  up  by  the  Hon  H.  N.  Smith's  party,  who  imme- 

'  O.  I.  a.,  Santa  Fe  AgeDcy.  C  309. 


COEEESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  69 

diately  returned  to  Las  Vegas —  The  Buffalo  hunters,  say,  distinctly, 
that  Mr.  "White  and  the  male  portion  of  his  party  were  all  killed, 
including  a  colored  servant.  They  say,  further,  that  Mrs  White, 
with  her  daughter,  and  a  colored  female  servant,  were  carried  off  as 
captives.  The  wounded  Mexican  lad  picked  up  by  the  Hon,  Hugh  N. 
Smith,  gives  it,  as  his  opinion,  that  the  Apaches,  after  the  murder 
of  White  and  others,  travelled  in  a  North  Western  direction.  Mr. 
Barclay,  from  the  best  investigations  he  could  give  the  subject,  came 
to  the  conclusion,  they  had  made  for  the  Caiions  of  the  Red  River, 
in  the  direction  of  the  Rio  del  Norte —  Neither  could  have  ascer- 
tained the  truth,  unless  a  part  of  these  Buffalo  hunters,  and  the 
murdering  Apaches,  belonged  to  a  common  association^  having  a 
common  end  in  view,  the  reward  of  rapine. 

The  Department  must  not  forget,  these  Apaches  are,  by  some  called 
Jicarillas — pronounced,  Hickorees— that  they  are,  generally,  the 
produce  of  the  amalgamations  of  the  Utahs  and  Apaches,  and  that 
they  roam  from  the  mountains  south  east  of  the  "  Great  Salt  Lake," 
through  the  Caiions  of  the  Red  River,  crossing  the  Rio  del  Norte, 
north  of  the  El  Paso,  and  continuing,  westward,  to  the  Pimo  Villages, 
near  the  junction  of  the  Rio  Salina  and  Rio  San  Francisco,  and  not 
far  remote  from  the  junction  of  these  two  rivers  with  the  Gila;  and 
many  assert  they  go  to  the  Pacific.  They  are  not  considered  a 
numerous  hand;  but  they  are  bold,  daring,  and  adventurous  spirits ; 
and  they  saj^,  they  have  never  encountered  the  face  of  a  white  foe, 
who  did  not  quail,  and  attempt  to  fly  from  them. 

At  present,  we  hear  nothing  of  the  Navajoes  or  Utahs;  and  the 
Comanches,  of  whom  we  hear  any  thing,  seem  to  be  deliberating,  and 
you  may  not  be  surprised  at  any  disasters  that  may  happen  here,  at 
any  course  which  events  may  mark.     Without  the  substitution  of  a 

one 
different  policy  from  the  now  observed  in  this  territory,  rob- 

beries. Massacres,  and  assassinations  will  continue  to  be  the  order  of 
the  day;  and  without  additional  means,  and,  perhaps,  modified  in- 
structions, what  other  policy  than  that  of  quiesence,  submission  to  the 
disorders  which  prevail,  can  be  introduced  as  a  corrective  of  the  evils 
of  which  we  complain. 

The  civil  government  of  this  territory  is  scarcely  a  terror  to  evil 
doers;  to  prove  which.  I  Avill  merely  state,  that  about  the  close  of  the 
day,  on  yesterday,  a  man  was  shot  down  in  the  plaza,  and  during  the 
evening  another  was  knocked  down  with  a  rock,  and  most  severely 
bruised  in  the  face;  and  a  third,  about  the  same  hour,  was  most 
dangerously  stabbed  in  four  or  five  places,  in  front  and  rear;  but 
neither  were  dead  when  I  last  heard  from  them.  At  the  moment  of 
the  transpiring  of  these  occurrences,  the  Superior  Court,  the  court 


70  COBEESPOXDENCE    OF    JAMES    S.    CALHOUN. 

for  the  trial  of  criminals  was  in  session;  and  it  remains  to  be  seen 
what  will  be  done  with  them. 

Thus  it  will  appear,  that  while  hostile  Indians  do  not  greatly  fear 
the  military  arm  of  our  Government,  the  civil  arm  of  this  Territory 
does  not,  nay,  can  not  restrain  the  vicious  from  the  indulgence  of  the 
most  horrible  crimes. 

It  is  said,  with  what  truth,  I  can  not  aver,  that  orders  issued  from 
the  War  Department  during  the  previous  administration,  directing 
the  Chief  of  this  Military  department  not  to  oppose  the  effort  of 
Texas  to  take  possession  of  that  portion  of  this  territory  lying  east 
of  the  Eio  del  Norte,  and  to  extend  over  it  her  laws,  rather  than  to 
oppose,  to  aid  in  the  premises. 

It  is  also  intimated  that  the  present  Sec.  of  War  lias  also,  given 
similar  instructions. 

I  vouch  for  neither  of  these  statements,  and  they  are  lohispered 
in  private  and  confidential  circles,  only,  but  one  thing  is  certain,  the 
impression  which  the  statements  have  caused,  is  a  barrier  in  the  way 
of  a  more  efficient  government,  that  of  a  state  government^  for  while 
the  civil  officials  ruling  in  this  territory  are  opposed  to  any  other  than 
the  present,  or  such  an  one  as  Congress  may  accord  to  their  sug- 

are  the 

gestions,  there  others  opposed  to  precipitating  question  in  con- 
sequence of  the  apprehension  that  the  claim  of  Texas  may  be  sus- 
tained, and  by  postponing  action  in  the  matter,  a  forced  connection 
with  Texas  is  rendered  less  probable. 

There  are  other  difficulties  in  the  way  of  a  general  reformation  in 
at 
this  territory,  but  I  am  not  liberty  to  trouble  you  with  a  recital 
of  them,  suffice  it  to  say,  efforts  are  being  made  to  overcome  every 
difficulty ;  and  it  is  hoped,  these  efforts  will  be  attended  with  success. 
The  "  modified  instructions  "  before  mentioned  is  suggested  in  ref- 
erence to  the  supposed  orders  emanating  from  the  War  Department 
in  reference  to  the  claim  of  Texas.  Similar  instructions  in  behalf  of 
the  suffering  and  oppressed  of  this  territory  would  greatly  facilitate 

good 
the  establishing  of  a  government. 

The  disorders  in  this  territory  could  never  have  been  greater,  and 
the  correcting  hand  should  be  the  loved  one  of  the  land.  Our  Indian 
disturbances  are  so  blended  with  the  civil  disorders  of  this  territory, 

not 
you  can         affect  the  one  without  the  other,  either  for  good  or  evil — 
and  hence  it  is,  the  most  searching  scrutiny  of  the  most  discriminat- 
ing mind  is  required  to  prescribe  and  direct  in  this  critical  conjunc- 
ture.    The  evils  to  be  redressed  and  corrected,  and  the  positive  good 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  71 

to  be  accomplished  will  afford  to  the  most  ripe  and  fruitful  minds, 
full  scope  and  verge  enough  for  the  glorious  exercise  of  the  most 
imbounded  philanthropy, 

of    traders 

The   constant   and   unrestricted    intercourse  with   the 

Indians  of  this  territory  is,  perhaps,  the  greatest  curse  upon  it,  and  so 
exceedingly  pernicious  is  it,  I  have  ventured  to  suggest  to  Governor 
Monroe,  the  propriety  of  extending  by  Order,  the  Laws  of  Congress 
in  relation  to  trade  and  intercourse  with  Indian  tribes,  over  this  terri- 
tory, as  a  military  measure,  offensive  and  defensive,  called  for  by  the 
war  demonstrations  of  the  wild  tribes.  He  has  taken  the  subject  into 
consideration,  but  has  given  no  intimation  of  the  conclusion  to  which 
he 

may,  possibly,  arrive. 

In  this  connection,  I  have  also  suggested  the  recommendations  con- 
tained in  my  number  10,  in  reference  to  the  arming  the  Pueblo  In- 
dians, under  rules  and  regulations  to  be  prescribed. 

Without  the  adoption  of  these  two  measures,  or  others  that  will 
bring  about  similar  results,  you  may  in  vain  expect  to  preserve  the 
peace  and  quiet  of  this  territory.  These  two  important  measures,  are 
commended  to  the  favorable  consideration  of  the  frugal,  because, 
instead  of  additional  cost  to  the  Government  of  the  United  States, 

reconmiendation 
the  latter  will  secure  a  positive  saving,  greatly  be- 

yond any  outlay  that  may  be  rendered  necessary  by  its  adoption. 

B^^The  greater  security  to  persons  and  property,  and  the  addi- 
tional laborers  that  would  be  thrown  into  the  fields  of  the  Pueblo 
Indians,  would  operate  a  saving  greatly  beyond  all  expenditures  in 
the  production  of  the  solitary  article  a^tiele  of  C07m — to  say  nothing 
of  wheat,  and  stock  of  every  kind. 

The  records  of  the  War  Department  will  show  the  vast  expendi- 
tures incurred  in  foraging  horses,  mules  &c.  but  it  may  not  be  quite  so 
apparent,  how  many  horses  have  been  lost  for  the  loant  of  forage. 

In  previous  communications  I  have  recorded  my  opinion,  that  the 
average  price  paid  for  corn  in  this  territory  w^ould  reach  two  dollars 
per  bushel,  and  I  venture  to  say,  the  adoption  of  my  suggestions 
would  reduce  the  price  of  the  next  crop  to  less  than  one  dollar  per 
bushel,  an  event  that  would  not  effect  injuriously,  the  profit  of  the 
laborer  of  the  fields. 

In  concluding  this  communication,  I  must  again  repeat,  that  the 
separate  questions  belonging  exclusively  to  distinct  Departments,  are 
so  blended  and  intermixed,  that  it  is  impossible  to  present  for  the  con- 
sideration of  the  appropriate  Chief,  subject  matters  over  which  he 
has  exclusive  control,  without  bringing  to  his  notice,  matters  pertain- 


72  COREESPONDEISrCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

iiig  to  other  Departments,  hence  the  episodical  cliaractor  of  this,  and 
my  former  conmiunications. 
I  am. 

With  great  respect, 

Your  obt.  servant. 

J.  S.  Calhoun, 

Iiid.  Agt. 
Orlando  Brown  Esqr, 

Comr.  of  I  nil.  affs. 

Washington  City 

D.  a. 

[BROWN   TO   CALHOUN.^] 

Office  Indian  Affairs 

Nov'.  '/,  181i9 
Calhoun  Esq  Jas.  S.  {agt  Santa  Fe) 
care  of  D.  D.  MitclieU.^  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Sir: 

I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of  the 
25th  September,  with  a  copy  of  the  treaty  with  the  Navajos.  made  by 
Col.  Washington  and  yourself,  and  also  of  your  interesting  report, 
dated  the  1st  ulto,  in  relation  to  the  military  expedition  which  led 
to  that  treaty,  and  on  our  Indian  affairs  generally  in  New  Mexico. 

O.  B 

[CALHOUN   TO   BROWN."] 
No.  19 

Indian  Agency. 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico. 

A^ovr.  7th  1849 
Sir, 

An  opportunity  will  occur  to  forward  letters  to  the  States  by  way 
of  '  El  Paso ',  on  to-morrow  and  I  seize  the  occasion  to  say,  as  yet,  we 
are  without  tidings  in  reference  to  the  poor  captives,  Mrs  White, 
her  daughter,  and  a  colored  female  servant.  A  gentleman,  with 
whom  I  conversed  this  morning,  and  who  passed  the  "  Point  of 
Rocks  "  after  the  late  butcheries  at  that  place,  arrived  here  on  yes- 
terday morning.  He  knew  Mr  White  well — recognized  his  dead 
body,  and  fully  confirms  all  the  essential  particulars  of  my  previous 
letter  upon  this  sad  subject. 

That  Govr.  Washington — I  mean  Governor  Munroe,  is  making 
some  efforts  in  behalf  of  the  captives,  I  do  not  doubt,  but  I  am  with- 
out information  upon  the  subject. 

1  O.  I.  a,  L.  B,  No.  42,  p.  423. 

2  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  399. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  73 

We  received  information  on  yesterday,  that  the  Apaches,  some 
fifty  miles  west,  or  north  west  of  "  El  Paso,"  had  fallen  upon  some 
twenty  five  german  emigrants  from  Texas,  a  few  days  since,  killed 
seven  or  eight,  and  made  prisoners  of  the  rest  whom  they  attempted 
to  exchange  wath  the  Mexicans  for  Apache  prisoners,  which  was 
declined  by  the  Mexicans.  This  occurred,  it  is  beleived,  on  the 
Mexican  side  of  the  supposed  boundary  line. 

These  are  the  same  Indians  pursued  some  eighty  miles,  recently, 

miles 
by  Maj  Steen  ^  from  his  post,  fifty  north  on  the  Rio  del  Norte. 

The  result  of  that  pursuit  is  better  known  at  Washington  than  here. 
Suffice  it  to  say,  the  Major  was  severely  wounded,  and  it  became 
necessary  for  him  to  return,  although  he  had  driven  the  Apaches 
from  their  positions.  But  these  impudent  Indians  are  frequently 
near  his  post,  sending  him  words  of  defiance,  and  saying  they  desire 
to  meet  him  again  in  the  Canon  from  which  he  drove  them. 

Two  or  three  days  ago,  the  Navajoes  made  a  demonstration  against 
the  Pueblo  of  Santa  Anna,  and  succeeded  in  driving  off  quite  a  num- 
ber of  horses,  mules,  sheep,  and  other  stock.  This  occurred  about 
fifty  miles  from  this  place. 

USiF"  There  is  evidently,  a  spirit  of  discontent  manifested  by  the 
Pueblo  Indians.  While  under  the  yoke  of  the  Mexican  Government, 
they  were  permitted  to  make  reprisals.  Not  so  now.  They  have 
applied  for  permission  to  do  so,  and  it  has  not  been  deemed  advisable 
to  accede  to  their  requr.-t. 

Thus  it  is,  they  lose  their  women  and  children,  and  stock,  and  are 
remidiless ;  and  efforts  are  made  by  secret  agents  to  induce  the  belief 
that  a  change  of  Government  has  not  bettered  their  condition,  and 
finally,  they  may  conclude  we  are  more  kindly  disposed  to  the  Mexi- 
cans, and  to  the  roving  tribes,  than  to  themselves,  the  christian 
Indians. 

21^5=  Rely  upon  it — these  Pueblo  Indians  are,  generally,  a  good 
people,  and  a  useful  people,  and  are  entitled  to  the  earliest  possible 
consideration  of  the  Government  of  the  United  States. 

In  reference  to  the  wild,  or  rather,  the  roving  tribes  of  Indians, 
their  claimed  successes  have  given  theui  confidence  in  their  martial 
prowess,  and  they  have  never  before  shown  such  boldness  and  dar- 
ing against  Americans. 

These  tribes,  it  is  confidently  beleived,  are  uniting,  if  they  have  not 
already  done  so,  for  the  purpose  of  acting  in  concert,  and  being 
well  acquainted  with  the  country,  it  will  not  be  a  difficult  matter  for 

1  Enoch  Steen  of  Kentucky,  brevetted  major  for  gallant  and  meritorious  conduct  in  the 
Battle  of  Bnena  Vista,  was,  at  this  time,  in  command  of  the  post  at  Dofiana.  His  re- 
port of  his  pursuit  of  and  partial  engagement  with  the  band  of  marauding  Apache  Indians 
was  referred  from  the  Ninth  Military  department  "  to  Washington  for  the  consideration 
of  higlier  authorities."     See  Old  Book,  No.  i".  pp.  27-2S. 


74  COREESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

them  to  elude  the  most  piercing  military  e3'e  in  this  territory.  Look 
upon  the  maps,  and  see  the  extent  of  country  over  which  they  roam, 
and  say,  whether  six  hundred  troops,  of  all  arms^  about  one  half 
Infantry^  are  sufficient  to  check  for  a  moment,  these  Indians  in  their 
irregular  mode  of  warfare  ? 

They  are  well  mounted,  and  becoming  every  day,  better  armed; 
and  should  they  perfect  an  arrangement  to  act  in  concert,  you  will 
have  a  more  formidable  foe  than  our  peace  loving  citizens,  will  find 
agreeable,  or  easy  to  manage.  But  sir,  economy  urges  the  adoption 
of  a  new  policy^ — ^The  old  one  should  not  be  continued.  Every  Indian 
difficulty,  in  this  territory,  should  be  settled^  and  fixed,  during  the 
ensuing  tAvelve  months,  and  I  say,  after  due  reflection,  if  the  present 
course  of  policy,  or  management  is  to  be  continued,  our  troubles 
and  difficulties  with  these  Indians,  will  not  end  in  twelve  years. 
Posts  must  he  established — the  country  Tnust  he  thoroughly  scoured 
and  explored;  commerce  with  the  Indians  must  he  restricted;  and 
they  shoidd  he  required  to  remain  within  certain  fixed  and  well  de- 
ij,ned  limits,  under  pain  and  'penalties,  that  would  secui'e  the  end.  or 
prevent  its  repitition. 
I  am,  dear  Sir. 

Your  Very  obt.  Servt. 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt. 
To, 

Orlando  Brown,  Esqr, 
Comr.  of  Ind.  Affairs. 
Washington  City, 
D.  G. 

[CALHOUN   TO  BROWN.'] 

No.  20. 

Indian  Agency. 
vSanta  Fe,  New  Mexico. 

Now.  8th  1849. 
Sir. 

Your  letter  of  the  IGth  of  July,  last,  on  the  subject  of  my  Bond, 
was  received  on  the  1st  day  of  this  month,  as  you  were  advised  by 
my  No.  17. 

The  Supreme  Judge  of  this  territory  resides  at  this  place,  but  he 
is  now  absent  on  his  circuit — Besides,  I  was  assured  by  the  Judge 
some  weeks  ago,  on  a  business  occasion  which  required  an  0-fficial 
Seal,  there  was  not  one  in  this  territory. 

At  the  time  I  received  the  Bond  which  you  have,  from,  the  hands 
of  Col  Medill,  I  informed  him  of  the  difficulty  of  reaching  even  in 

lO.  I.  a.,  Santa  Fe  Agency,  C  399. 


COKKESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES    S.    CALHOUN.  75 

Georgia,  a  United  States  district  Judge,  or  Attorney — Upon  which 
he  stated,  the  certificate  of  a  Eepresentative,  or  Senator  in  Con- 
gress would  be  sufficient — therefore  it  was  sent  to  the  Hon.  AV.  C. 
Dawson  ^ — Senator — to  whom  I  will  write  by  this  mail,  requesting 
him  to  call  at  your  office  "  without  a  moments  delay  "  and  cure  the 
defects  you  have  pointed  out  to  me. 
I  am, 

With  great  respect. 

Your  obt  Servt 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
To,  Ind.Agt 

Orlando  Brown  Esqr 

Gomr.  of  Ind.  Afs. 

Washington  City 

D.  C. 

[CALHOUN   TO   BROWN.-l 
No.   21. 

Indian  Agency, 
Santa  Fe,  New^  Mexico, 

Now.  8,  1849 
Sir, 

A  moment  is  allowed  to  me  to  say,  since  I  wrote  you  this  morning, 
a  deputation  from  the  Pueblo  of  Laguna,  among  them  its  Governor, 
begging  that  the  laws  of  the  United  States  regulating  trade  and 
intercourse  with  various  Indian  tribes,  shall  be  extended  over  them, 
and  asking  that  an  American  shall  be  sent  to  remain  for  their  pro- 
tection. 

The  Governor  is  the  one  who  was  tied  by  some  emigrants  on  their 
way  to  California,  and  carried  to  Zuni,  as  I  have  heretofore  ad- 
vised you. 

Of  the  twenty  odd  Pueblos  east  of  the  Mochies,  Laguna  is  second 
only  to  Zuni,  and  has  a  population  of  about  nine  hundred. 

My  opinion  of  the  importance  of  an  immediate  extension  of  the 
laws  as  requested  by  these  Indians  has  been  so  often  repeated,  it  would 
be  an  unnecessary  consumption  of  time  to  add  another  word. 
I  am, 

With  great  respect 

Your  obt.  Servt. 


Orlando  Brown  Esq 

Comr.  of  Ind.  Affs 

Washington  City 
D.G 


J.  S.  Calhoun, 

Ind.  Agt 


1  William  C.  Dawson,  United  States  Senator  from  Georgia. 
»  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  399. 


70  COEEESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[CALHOUN   TO  BROWN,^] 
No.  22. 

Indian  Agency 
Santa  Fe,  Neav  Mexico 

Novemher  15th.  18Jt9 
Sir, 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  13th  inst.  a  mail  from  the  States  was 
received  by  the  Quarter  Master,  in  this  City;  but  it  brought  to  me, 
neither  letter  or  Newspaper. 

Notice  is  given  by  the  Qr.  Master,  that  a  mail  for  the  States  will 
be  made  up  this  evening,  and  despatched  on  to-morrow,  by  way  of  El 
Paso ;  and  I  seize  the  occasion  to  note  such  items  of  intelligence,  for 
your  consideration,  as  have  come  to  my  knowledge  since  my  last 
number  of  the  8th  inst  was  forwarded  to  you. 

It  is  with  extreme  pain  that  I  communicate  to  you  the  fact,  that 
not  one  particle  of  intelligence  has  reached  us  in  relation  to  the  fate 
of  Mrs  A^^iite,  her  daughter,  and  Servant,  since  their  inhuman  seizure 
at  the  '  Point  of  Rocks.'  Two  of  my  agents,  upon  whom  I  have  most 
relied,  have  not  yet  returned. 

A  short  time  since,  the  Navajoes  made  a  sudden  descent  upon  a 
small  Spa^nsh  Village,  Cebolletta,  about  sixty  miles  west  of  Albu- 
querque, and  drove  off  four  liorses,  one  mule,  and  sixteen  oxen.  The 
individual  who  says  he  lost  this  stock,  came  to  see  me  two  days  ago,  to 
enquire  whether  there  was  a  remedy  provided  for  such  a  wrong.  It 
gave  me  no  pleasure  to  give  him  an  answer  in  the  negative,  which  was 
accompanied  by  an  expression  of  the  opinion,  that  in  due  time,  some 
just  provision  for  such  wrongs  would  be  provided — this  seemed  to 
quiet  the  excitement  under  which  the  complainant  labored,  especially 
after  my  making  a  memorandum  of  his  alledged  losses,  and  the  names 
of  the  witnesses  to  establish  the  justice  of  his  claim. 

During  our  conversation,  in  quite  an  agitated  manner,  he  contrasted 
the  i^resent  with  the  former  government  of  this  territory.  The  pre- 
ceding government  permitted  reprisals,  which  is  not  tolerated  now; 
and  like  the  Pueblo  Indians,  neither  the  Spaniards  or  Mexicans,  can 
see  the  propriety  of  this  government  interdict  unless  it  is  the  purpose 
of  said  government  to  make  an  appropriate  restitution  from  its  own 
treasury.  The  eternal  state  of  war,  and  reciprocal  robbery,  under  a 
former  government,  gave  to  many,  a  pleasurable  excitement,  and 
afforded  to  all  an  opportunity  of  satisfying  their  own  demands, 
whether  founded  in  justice,  or,  in  a  mere  desire  to  possess  other 
people's  property. 

1  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F<5  Agency,  C  391. 


COERESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  77 

J'lie  (jiovernment  of  the  United  States  will  be  called  upon  to  pay 
a  number  of  such  claims;  and  the  adoption  of  my  suggestions  in  ref- 
erence to  Agents  and  Arms  for  the  Pueblo  Indians,  would  put  a  stop 
to  such  claims  as  will  otherwise  arise  from  the  depredations  of  the 
Navajoes  and  Utahs — ■ 

In  my  number  18.  I  informed  you,  I  had  ventured  to  suggest  to 
Govr.  Munroe  the  propriety  of  extending,  by  a  military  order,  the 
laws  of  the  United  States  regulating  trade  and  intercourse  with  our 
Indian  tribes,  over  this  territory ;  and  also  to  furnish  for  the  use  of 
the  Pueblo  Indians.  Ordnance  and  Ordnance  Stores,  under  certain 
regulations — both  as  War  measures,  offensive  and  defensive — The 
Governor  declines  adopting  my  suggestions,  deeming  it  more  advis- 
able to  await  the  action  of  our  home  government,  in  the  premises — 

From  the  Governor,  I  learned  on  yesterday,  he  had  ordered  mili- 
tary posts  to  be  established  at  Cebolletta — the  Spanish  Village — and 
Jemez — the  first  to  have  a  company  of  Dragoons  and  the  latter,  a 
company  of  Infantr^y —  If  an  Agent,  with  arms  &c.  was  established 
at  the  pueblo  of  Jemez,  the  company  of  Infantry  ordered  to  that  post, 
could  find  useful  service  elsewhere,  and  the  section  of  country  which 
Jemez  covers,  would  have  better  protection,  because  arms,  where 
necessary,  could,  and  would  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  mounted  In- 
dians, who  could  pass  from  place  to  place  with  a  most  desirable  rap- 
idity— and  would  render  service  where  Infantry  could  not — 

It  is  proper  to  state,  the  intelligence  we  occasionally  receive  from 
the  Navajo  Country,  is  designed  to  convey  the  idea  they  will  yet 
comply  with  the  spirit  pervading  the  treaty  agreed  to  at  Cheille; 
and  that  domestic  dissensions  alone,  has  prevented,  so  far,  their  ad- 
herence to  the  letter  of  said  treaty.  It  may  be  so,  but  who  can  avouch 
the  fact?— 

We  have  frequent  messages  from  the  Utahs.  They  say  they  want 
peace,  but  they  can  not  accomplish  impossibilities — that  the  Fre- 
mont property  was  parcelled  out  to  those  who  found  it.  and  that 
i'.iost  of  it  has  been  consumed^  and  that  the  residue  has  changed 
i lands  so  frequently  that  no  human  power  can  gather  it  into  one 
parcel  again — and  that  the  murders,  with  which  they  are  charged, 
was  subsequent  to  the  murders  which  they  charge  upon  Lt.  Whittle- 
sey, and  thus,  they  balance  that  account  current — 

On  the  13th  inst.  a  deputation  of  the  Santa  Clara,  pueblos,  visited 
nie  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  the  provisions  of  the  laws  regu- 
hiting  trade  and  intercourse  with  the  various  Indian  tribes  under 
(lie  guardianship  of  the  United  States.  Mexicans,  and  others  have 
attempted  to  mislead  them  upon  this  subject —  After  a  talk  of  some 
length,  these  Indians  begged  for  an  immediate  extension  of  these 
hiws  over  them — complained  bitterly  of  the  nein  policy  of  being  or- 
dered, controlled,  and  governed  by  Alcaldes  and  prefects,  to  them. 


78  COERESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

heretofore,  unknown — a  system  infinitely  more  annoying  than  that 
of  submitting  to  the  mandates  of  the  tyrants  who  have  ruled  here  un- 
der the  previous  government  of  this  territory —  These  Pueblo  In- 
dians say.  the  Mexican  government  demanded  what  they  wished  of 
them:  and  that  they  met  these  demands  without  expecting,  or  ever 
receiving  remuneration  for  the  fruit  of  their  labors:  but,  with  the 
exception  of  these  demands,  they  were  permitted,  each,  a  separate 
government  for  every  Pueblo — a  separate  and  undisturbed  political 
existence — 

Of  the  twenty  two  Pueblos,  east  of  the  Mochies,  Sixteen  have  asked 
for  the  extension  of  the  laws  which  regulated  the  intercourse  with 
the  Indian  tribes  of  the  United  States  prior  to  the  late  treaty  with 
Mexico.  The  other  six  are  located  at  extreme  points,  north  and 
south,  on  the  Eio  del  Norte — and  I  have  not  been  able  to  see  them. 
SI^^This  I  can  say,  if  I  now  had  the  authority  to  make  a  treaty  with 
these  Pueblos,  extending  the  aforesaid  laws  over  them,  it  could  be 
accomplished  Avithout  the  slightest  difficulty;  and  in  doing  this,  their 
apprehensions  would  be  quieted;  bad  men  could  no  longer  have  in- 
fluence with  them,  and  they  would  go  to  work  as  good  people,  and 

service 
render  important  to  the  Government  of  the  United  States— 

not  exclusively  as  soldiers,  but  as  good  honest  tillers  of  the  soil— 
I  am. 

With  great  respect 

Your  obt.  servt. 

.1.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt. 
Orlando  Bkown  Esqr. 
Comr.  of  Ind.  Affs 
Washington  City 

D.O. 

[CALHOUN   TO   BROWN.^] 

No.  23. 

Indian  Agency 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

November  16th,  1849. 
Sir 

The  question,  as  to  the  proper  disposition  of  the  Pueblo  Indians, 
is  now  being  agitated  in  this  territory,  and  exceedingly  impracticable 
conclusions  are  promulged  by  many  who  have  not  well  considered 
the  difficulties  to  be  apprehended  from  their  hastily  conceived  plans, 
should  their  execution  be  attempted. 

1  O.  I.  a..  Santa  F^  Agency,  C  391. 


COEEESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    GALIiOUN.  79 

Tliere  are  a  few,  and  at  present,  but  few,  who  advise  tlie  immedi- 
ate blending  of  these  Indiims  with  the  mass  of  the  people  of  this  terri- 
tory, with  common  laws,  and  institutions  for  the  government  of  all 
alike — The  execution  of  this  plan  w'ould  in  my  opinion  produce 
terrible  results — . 

To  say  nothing  of  the  Mochies,  thei'e  are  east,  including  Zuhi, 
twenty  Pueblos,  proper;  and  several  of  these,  in  consequence  of  the 
crowded  state  of  the  present  Pueblo,  have  established  colonies,  or 
branches  of  their  Pueblos — ■  These  various  Puebloes  have  a  popula- 
tion of  not  less  than  twelve  thousand:  and,  I  am  inclined  to  the 
opinion,  the  number  is  greater.  While  at  Zufii,  we  did  not  suppose 
it  had  a  population  exceeding  five  or  six  hundred ;  but  if  the  state- 
ments of  its  Governor,  War  Captain,  and  Alcalde,  endorsed  by  Mr  F. 
Brown,  an  American,  are  to  be  relied  upon,  they  actually  have  five 
hundred  and  ninety  se^'en  warriors.  It  is  scarcely  to  be  presumed 
that  one  third  of  an  entire  population  can  be  warriors,  that  is,  fit  for 
military  service —  I  therefore,  confiding  in  the  statements  before 
mentioned,  put  down  the  population  of  Zuhi  at  two  thousand — 
Many  of  their  houses  are  from  six  to  eight  stories  high.  The  con- 
clusions in  reference  to  other  Pueblos,  are  deduced  from  the  facts 
stated  in  relation  to  Zuhi.  The  number  of  these  Indians  is  an  ele- 
ment not  wholly  immaterial  in  determining  the  question,  what  will 
you  do  with  them  ?  or,  what  will  you  do  for  them  ? 

The  localities  of  these  Indians,  are  chequered  by  their  own  Pueblo-. 
and  old  Spanish,  and  Mexican  Villages —  The  former  Government  of 
this  territory,  having  never  interfered  with  their  peculiar  form  of 
governments,  each  Pueblo  has  had,  from  time  immemorial,  a  separate 
and  distinct  political  existence—  Instances  are  now  occurring  of 
Prefects  and  Alcaldes  extending  the  operation  of  some  of  the  laws 
of  this  territory  over  these  people — a  matter  they  can  not  compre- 
hend, and  of  which,  they  daily  complain,  and  beg  for  releif.  Add  to 
this,  the  fact,  they  are  no  longer  authorized  to  make  reprisals  upon  the 
wild  Indians  who  annoy  them  so  much,  and  you  have  the  causes  of 
the  uneasiness,  and  the  distrust,  which  they  sometimes  manifest — 
Suppose  you  w^ere,  at  a  breath,  to  dissipate,  and  scatter  to  the  winds, 
their  long,  long  cherished  institutions,  the  only  rules,  regulations, 
and  laws  known  to  them,  do  you  not  perceive  inextricable  confusion 
would  ensue,  if  a  yet  more  terrible  collision  should  be  avoided;  and 
hence  the  insuperable  objection  to  the  plan  suggested,  at  knist  so  far 
as  the  present  moment  is  concerned. 

I,  by  no  means,  deem  it  an  impracticable  matter,  to  make  these 
people  as  worthy  and  useful  Citizens  as  will  be  found  in  this  terri- 
tory; but,  this  is  not  the  labor  of  a  day. 

The  removal  and  concentration  of  the  Pueblo  Indians,  is  advocated 
by  others.    Tlic  bare  suggestion  of  this  measure  to  men,  at  this  time, 


80  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

would  produce  a  plirensy,  a  desperation  ot  the  most  terrible  charac- 
ter. But  this  result,  that  is,  the  removal  and  concentration  of  these 
Indians,  may  be  peaceably  accomplished  in  a  few  years — I  am  not 
prepared  to  recommend  the  adoption  of  any  measure  looking  to  tliis 
result — There  are  many  weighty  considerations  against  such  a  con- 
centration, which  will  readily  occur  to  your  mind — 

My  own  opinions  in  reference  to  this  subject  is  recorded  in  my 
previous  letter,  and  which  I  will  here,  briefly  recapitulate.  The  exact 
number  of  the  inhabitants  of  each  Pueblo,  together  with  the  extent  of 
their  territorial  grants,  should  be  ascertained;  and  the  conflicting 
claims,  (and  there  are  several)  to  a  portion  of  their  soil,  set  up  by 
Spaniards  and  Mexicans,  should  be  adjusted  at  the  earliest  possible 
day — In  all  cases,  where  it  is  apparent  the  quantity  of  their  soil, 
having  reference  to  its  quality,  is  not  sufficient  for  the  numbers  of  its 
inhabitants,  the  boundaries  of  such  Pueblos  should  be  enlarged. 

Extend  to  them  the  protection  of  your  laws  regulating  trade  and 
intercourse  with  the  various  tribes  of  the  United  States,  establish 
trading  houses,  liberally,  give  to  them  agricultural  implements,  for 
a  few  years,  allow  them  blacksmiths,  and  carpenters,  and  locate  among 

ize 
them  such  agents  as  will  american  their  laljor,  and  morality,  and 

you  will,  at  an  early  day,  discover  the  gratifying  fact,  that  a  more 
upright  and  useful  people  are  no  where  to  be  found;  fit  to  be  associ- 

and  to  have — 
ated  with,  all  the  rights  and  privileges,  of  the  body 

politic,  at  least,  so  far  as  the  right  of  suffrage  is  concerned;  or, 

it 
if      should  be  preferable,  you  may  then  colonize  them,  without  risk- 
ing a  convulsion. 

In  addition  to  the  various  recommendations,  which  I  have  sub- 
mitted in  reference  to  these  Indians,  I  would  go  one  step  further,  and 
establish  a  press  among  them,  which  should  publish  matter,  both 
in  English  and  Spanish — There  are  those  who  can  read  the  Spanish, 
but  not  one  who  can  read  English.  This  suggestion  would  afford 
them  a  proper  facility  for  the  acquiring  of  our  language,  and  ulti- 
mately they  would  give  us  a  written  language  of  their  own. 

I  am  deeply  impressed,  and  concerned,  in  relation  to  the  proper 
training  of  these  people,  and  their  ultimate  fate,  is  a  subject  that 
should  invite  the  most  searching  consideration  of  the  gravest,  wisest, 
and  purest  men  of  our  land. 

Whatever  the  Government  may  determine  to  do  in  reference  to 
the  Pueblo  Indians,  should  be  done  without  delay,  and  in  time  to  have 
its  effect  upon  the  ensuing  year;  agricviltural  products— thi^  is  an 
important  consideration,  as  a  hiatter  of  public  economy — 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  81 

I  apprehend  no  legislation  can  take  place,  in  Congress,  in  time  to 
bring  about  this  desirable  result,  and  therefore  it  is,  I  have  suggested 
the  propriety  of  acting  under  the  treaty  making  authority — In  this 
way  the  end  may  be  secured — 

If  it  be  the  pleasure  of  the  Government  to  extend  these  laws,  at 
once,  over  these  Indians,  by  a  treaty,  there  should  accompany  the 
instructions,  orders  to  furnish  the  necessary  escort  and  transporta- 
tion, to  such  points  as  it  may  be  necessary  to  visit — If  I  am  permitted 
this  service,  and  at  the  same  time  I  should  be  allowed  to  select  Vis- 
itors from  the  Pueblos  for  Washington  City,  in  thirty  days  after  the 
authority  shall  be  received,  I  would  be  ready  to  set  out,  from  the 
Pueblos  below  El  Paso,  for  the  Seat  of  Government. 

Adhering  to,  and  urging  the  adoption  of,  my  recommendations  in 
reference  to  confining  the  Utahs,  Navajoes,  Apaches,  and  Comanches, 
and  others  within  fixed  limits,  and  interposing  a  suggestion  of  the 
impropriety  of  making  presents  to  these  Indians,  before  they  are 
properly  chastised,  and  subdued, 
I  have  the  honor  to  be. 

Your  Very  Obt.  Servt. 

J.  S.  Calhoun, 

Ind.  Agt. 
Orlando  Brown  Esqr. 

Comr.  of  Ind.  A/fs. 
Washington  City. 

D.  C. 

[CALHOUN   TO   BROWN.'] 

No.  24 

Indian  Agency 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico, 

Novr.  17th.  18^9. 
Sir, 

Before  adequate  and  just  compensation  can  be  provided  by  law,  for 
Indian  Agents  in,  and  near  this  territory,  the  following  facts  must 
be  considered — 

For  two  weeks,  or  more,  after  my  arrival  here,  we  were  compelled 
to  encamp  near  the  City,  before  we  could  procure  a  house  in  which 
to  shelter:  and  then  could  obtain  one  only  by  agreeing  to  pay  the 
extravagant  rent  of  One  hundred  dollars  per  month — which  I  have 
since  reduced  to  seventy  dollars  per  month,  by  submitting  to  the 
inconvenience  of  otherwise  disposing  of  a  portion  of  the  premises — 

1  0.  I.  A..  Santa  F^  ARoncy,  C  391  ;  Annual  Report,  Commissionor  of  Indian  Affairs, 
1850,  pp.  03-97. 

5021—15 (5 


82  COEEESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

I  offered  to  purchase  the  property  at  Tliree  thousand  dollars;  but  the 
OAvner  refused  to  take  a  cent  less  than  four  thousand  dollars. 

You  are  apprised  that  all  the  houses  in  this  City  are  built  up  of 
adobes — with  floors  of  dirt,  and  covered  by  spreading  dirt  three  to 
six  inches  thick  upon  rough  boards — ^You  w.ll  readily  conclude,  and 
correctly  too,  we  have  dirty,  and  leaky  houses. 

I  have  managed  to  procure  rough  plank  for  floors,  and  have  laid 
them  down  without  being  able  to  get  them  plained— The  value  of  the 
lumber,  and  work  in  repairing,  exceeds  two  hundred  dollars. 

Plank  and  scantling,  to  any  considerable  extent,  can  not,  as  yet, 
be  obtained  here,  and,  except  for  the  Quarter  Master's  and  Commis- 
sary's departments,  there  is  but  little  demand  for  it — The  sales  that 
have  been  effected,  have  been  at  prices  varying  from  fifty  to  eighty 
dollars  per  thousand  feet — No  lumber  can  be  procured  here,  except  the 
pine,  and  that  of  the  most  inferior  quality,  being  short,  knotty,  and 
principally,  sap;  and  this  must  be  brought  over  rough  roads  a  con- 
siderable distance — Hence,  the  price  of  this  kind  of  lumber  will 
always  be  extravagantly  high — 

Rock,  for  building,  may  be  obtained,  within  two  or  three  miles  of 
this  place;  and,  I  am  informed,  lime  rock,  in  abundance,  may  be 
found  not  more  than  five  miles  from  Santa  Fe.  But,  in  consequence 
of  the  materials,  which  must  be  transported  from  the  States,  and  the 

extravagant  chai-^es  of  laborers  and  Mechanics,  it  can  not  be  inferd 
that  houses  can  be  built  here  as  cheap  as  in  the  United  States. 

Upon  the  presumption,  there  must  be  a  Superintendency,  or  Agency 
of  Indian  affairs,  permanently  established  in  this  City,  I  should  do 
injustice  to  whoever  may  be  the  incumbent  if  I  failed  to  recommend 
such  an  appropriation  as  would  enable  him  to  live  in  quarters  some- 
what comfortable — ^and  this  would  require  an  appropriation  of  not 
less  than  ten  thousand  dollars.,  provided  government  transportation 
was  used  in  bringing  to  this  City,  the  materials  that  must  be  brought 
from  the  States. 

Examine  the  following  prices  and  rates — 
Lumber  from  $50.  to  $80.  per  1000  ft. 
Nails  25^  pr.  lb. 

Brick — none — but  good  clay — 
Mechanics — a  ration  a  day  $40  to  $  per  month 

$600 
Houses  rent  from  (six)  to  $1800  (1800)   "    year. 
Wood,  pine  and  cedar,  there  is  no  other  kind, 
$3.50  per  cord ;  and 
two  cords  of  this  wood  is  not  equal  to  one  of  Oak  & 
Hickory — 


COKEESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  83 

Blacksmith — daily,  a  ration,  and  $40.  per  month. 
Shoeing  of  a  horse,  all  round.  $.4  to  $6.00 — 

price. 
Iron  20^  per  lb.     Increase  demand  would  increase  the 
Good  sound  dry  corn  $2.00  per  bushel,  and  not  abundant 

at  that — 
Wheat,  usually  the  same  as  corn  per  bushel 
Hay  and  fodder — but  little  of  either  $60.  per  ton. 
Flour, 

Bacon,  and  Pork — none — except  at  the  commissaries — 
Beef  &  mutton  8  to  100  per  lb- 
Sugar  250  per  lb — Coffee  250  per  lb — 
Tea  $1.25     "      "  — a  poor  article  of  gunpowder. 
Crockery  ware,  and  every  thing  else,  in  proportion — 
Freight  from  Ft.  Independence  to  Santa  Fe,  ten  to  12  cts.  per  lb. 
Common  servants,  from  $10  to  $15  per  month,  and  rations — 
Wood  choppers  75  cents  per  cord,  and  a  ration  a  day — 
They  can  cut  a  cord,  to  a  cord  and  a  half  a  day — and  then  it 

must  be  brought  from  three  to  five  miles  from  where  it  is  cut. 
Board  $25.  to  $40.  per  month — and  find  your  own  lodging — and 
a  small  room  may  be  obtained,  such  as  it  is,  at  from  $8  to  10$ 
per  month — 
A  common  pine  Bedstead,  such  as  you  can  buy  in  the  States  for 

$  you  can't  purchase  here,  for  less  than  $. 

For  seats,  if  you  aspire  to  any  thing  more  than  a  bench,  pine 
lumber  is  thrown  into  the  shape  of  a  chair,  for  which  you 
must  pay  from  $2.00  to  $2.50 —    This  will  give  the  best  speci- 
men of  furniture  to  be  had  here — 
We  are  so  far  from  water,  we  are  obliged  to  have  it  hauled  to  us 
in  a  waggon — 

Washing,  if  well  done,  $1.60  per  doz. 

Common  Interpreter.  $50.  per  month — one  that  can  read  and  write, 
receives  $75.  to  $100  per  month — 

The  impression  here  is  that  the  Quartermaster's  Bureau,  will  show 

cost 
that  the  corn  bought  during  the  past  year  more  than  $2.50  per 

bushel — and  /  know,  until  recently,  since  July,  public  animals  have 
not  received  full  forage — and  animals  lost  in  consequence  thereof, 
must  their  value  should  be  added  to  the  price  paid  for  corn — 

In  my  former  communications,  I  have  shown  you  how  the  prices 
of  Corn,  Wheat,  &  Fodder  &  Hay,  may  be  legitimately  reduced — 
and,  also  Beef — and  how  the  lives  and  usefulness  of  your  horses  and 
mules  may  be  prolonged — and  that  too,  without  calling  off  from 
service  to  recruit  them — and  I  hesitate  not  to  sav.  such  a  result  can 


84  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

not  be  brought  about,  for  years  to  come,  unless  such  suggestions  as 
I  have  made  to  you,  are  adopted — 

To  save  you  the  trouble  of  referring  back  to  my  letters,  I  will  state, 
I  have  allusion  here  to  the  recommended  protection  of  the  Pueblo 
Indians,  and  properly  stimulating  and  shaping  their  industry — 
With  the  hope  that  our  Government  will  extend  this  protection  to 
them,  I  have  already  advised  them  to  throw  an  additional  number 
of  laborers  into  their  fields,  and  increase  the  products  of  their  soil  by 
increasing  the  quantity  of  ground  in  cultivation. 

The  statement  of  facts  given  above,  will  enable  intelligent  legis- 
lators to  determine  the  proper  measure  of  appropriations  for  this 
territory,  and  the  compensation  that  should  be  given  to  Indian 
agents — and  with  them,  I  leave  the  subject. 

Before  committing  this  subject  to  Congress,  however,  I  ought  to 
have  reminded  you,  that  Escorts  are  positively  necessary  in  passing 
from  one  Indian  Pueblo  to  another,  and  that  we  must  go  unsheltered 
and  unfed  unless  transportation  is  afforded  in  which  to  convey  tents, 
subsistence,  and  cooking  utensils — even  in  travelling  between  Mexican 
Villages,  it  would  be  imprudent  to  dispense  with  these  precautionary 
measures. 

This  being  the  state  of  things,  it  will  be  impossible  for  a  Superin- 
tendent, or  Agent  to  discharge  his  full  duty  unless  he  can  control  a 
Waggon,  mules,  forage,  and  a  teamster,  and  subsistence  for  him. 

If  arms  should  be  deposited  in  the  Pueblos,  as  I  have  recommended, 
Indian  escorts,  and  guides^  can  always  be  procured  at  the  cost  of  a 
few  presents  and  subsistence. 

Trade  and  Intercourse  with  Indians. 

Under  this  head,  it  is  my  intention  to  present  such  views  as  have 
occurred  to  me,  after  a  careful  examination  of  the  Act  of  Congress  to 
regulate  Trade  and  Intercourse  with  Indian  tribes,  and  to  preserve 
Peace  on  the  frontiers.  I  shall  refer  onlj^  to  such  sections  as  should 
be,  in  my  opinion,  amended.   .  The  Act  of  June  30th.  1834, 

Sec.  2.  To  prevent  all  irregularity  and  confusion,  and  that  a  full 
and  perfect  knowledge  of  the  trade  with  Indians  may  be  accurately 
known,  and  properly  controlled,  the  Superintendent  only,  should 
have  authority  to  grant  a  lice^ise.  If  there  should  be  no  Superin- 
tendent, the  Agent  should  have  the  authority — A  copy  of  every 
license  granted,  should  be  recorded,  and  fees  charged  for  the  service, 
to  be  paid  by  the  licensed.  Sub  agents  should  have  the  power  to 
suspend  trade  under  a  license,  but  the  revoking  power  should  be  in 
the  hands  of  the  granting  power — 

Sec.  If..  No  one  but  traders.,  and  their  assistants  and  families.,  should 
be  permitted  to  "  reside  "  in  the  Indian  Country,  except  such  as  may 


COREESPONDENCE    OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  85 

be  in  the  service  of  the  United  States,  and  their  assistants  and  fami- 
lies— Hence  the  necessity  of  clearly  defining  the  boundaries  of  each 
Pueblo. 

be 

Sec.  6.  There  are  mischievous  persons  from  whom  it  would  im- 
jjossible  to  extract  a  dollar — Such  should  not  go  unpunished. 

Sec.  7.  The  Avord  ''  clothing  "  in  this  section  may,  possibly,  include 
Blankets — and  some  of  the  finest  in  the  world,  are  manufactured  by 
the  loild,  and  other  Indians — they  make  but  few,  and  they  are  gener- 
ally, for  sale  at  from  five  to  one  hundred  dollars  each.  A  kind  of 
carpetting,  and  other  articles  are  manufactured  by  them — These 
jjeople  should  be  properly  encouraged. 

be 

Sec.  8.  Where  fines  cannot  be  collected,  other  penalties  should 
substituted — 

Sec.  9.  I  would  strike  out  the  words,  "  Without  the  consent  of  such 
tribe." 

Sec.  12.  There  are  instances  of  encroachments,  by  Spaniards  and 
Mexicans,  on  lands  granted  to  Indian  Pueblos,  haciendas  have  been 
established,  and  Villages  built  up.  These  questions  may  be  settled 
hy  compromise;  in  which  it  may  be  necessary  to  vest  the  legal  titles 
in  the  Spaniards  and  Mexicans. 

Sees.  13,  14. 15, 16.  Where  fines  and  penalties  can  not  be  collected — 
let  offenders  be  punished  otherwise— 

Sec.  17.  The  limit  of  twehe  months  is  too  long — three  months  is 
quite  sufficient — In  the  second  proviso,  I  would  strike  out  "  three 
years  "  and  insert  three  months. 

See.  20.  The  exceptions  in  favor  of  "  The  Officers  of  the  United 
States  and  troops  of  the  service  " — should  be  extended  to  all,  alike, 
in  the  service  of  the  United  States. 

Sec.  23.  The  derangements  in  this  territory,  at  the  present  time, 
are  such  as  might  justify  a  longer  detention  "  than  five  days  after 
the  arrest  and  before  removal." 

Sec.  25.  After  the  last  word  in  this  Sentence,  or  Section,  I  would 
add,  of  the  same  Paehlo,  or  Tribe. 

These  amendments  are  required  by  the  localities  of  the  Indians  and 

number  of 
the  varied  character  of  a  lari.>:ei=  persons  in  this  territory. 

Stringent  laws,  promptly  enforced,  are  demanded  b}^  the  temper  of 
the  times — 

Let  every  process — and  every  act,  be  stamped  with  a  promptitude 
that  will  arrest  the  consideration  of  offenders.  The  pi'esent  organi- 
ation  of  the  Indians,  is  not  swift  enough  in  its  judgements  to  secure 
proper  order  and  quiet  in  the  Indian  Country  of  this  territory — 


86  COERESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

Without  a  special  court  for  this  service.  T  am  not  prepared  to  say, 
end 
the         suggested,  in  the  last  paragraph,  can  be  accomplished. 
I  am, 


With  gi^eat  respect. 


Your  obt.  Servt. 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt. 
Orlando  Brown  Esq 
Comr.  of  Ind.  Affs. 
Washington  City 

D.G. 

[CALHOUN   TO   BROWN.'] 

Xo  25 

Indian  Agency 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

Novr.  20th.  181(9 
Sir, 

On  the  14th  of  the  present  month,  the  Navajoes  visited  San  Isi- 
doro,  and  succeeded  in  driving  off  a  number  of  Horses,  Mules  and 
Oxen — No  other  mischief  was  done — 

It  will  be  remembered,  that  San  Isidoro  is  a  small  Spanish  Village, 
about  three  miles  west  of  the  Indian  Pueblo.  Jemez.  and  sixty  miles 
west  of  Santa  Fe. 

It  is  understood,  that  during  the  past  month,  the  Commissary  has 
lost  a  number  of  Beeves— and  the  Quarter  Master  a  number  of 
public  animals,  the  particulars  of  which  I  have  not  been  able  to 
ascertain — 

Bl^^Public  expenditures  to  the  extent  of  the  robberies  for  the 
present  year  would  nearly,  if  not  quite,  have  effectually  checked  these 
depredations,  provided  the  value  of  the  losses  were  properly  ex- 
present  in 
pended  in  conjunction  with  the  military  operations  ef  this 
territory. 

Various  representations  have  been  made  to  me  by  Pueblo  Indians 
of  Mexican  and  Spanish  encroachments  upon  their  grants,  and  it 
may  be,  many  of  these  encroachments  will  be  difficult  of  adjustment — 
There  is  no  doubt  that  villages  are  built  upon  grounds  rightfully 
belonging  to  Indian  Pueblos — These  grounds  were  seized  by  those 
who  now  occupy  them,  at  a  moment  when  resistance  by  the  legitimate 
owners  was  impracticable,  and  justice  to  Indians  is  too  often  withheld. 


O.  I.  a.,  Santa  ¥6  Agency.  C  391. 


COEEESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  87 

This  subject,  at  this  moment,  is  the  cause  of  much  anxiety  and 
irritation  with  the  Pueblo  Indians — I  do  not  hesitate  to  say,  that 
many  of  the  present  possessors,  deeming  that  a  lapse  of  time  had 
perfected  their  titles,  are  taunting  the  Indians  with  the  fact,  and  at 

time 
the  same  avering  that  the  United  States  can  not  redress  the 

wrongs  of  which  they  complain:  indeed,  that  the  United  States 
feel  no  concern  about  the  Indians  (Pueblos)  or  they  would  assist 
them  in  making  reprisals  against  the  wild  Indians  for  the  injuries 
which  they  have  suffered  by  them. 

But  a  moment  since,  the  Governor,  Lt.  Governor,  and  an  Indian 
of  less  repute,  of  the  Pueblo  of  Santo  Domingo,  waited  upon  me  to 
enter  a  formal  complaint  in  reference  to  encroachments  upon  their 
planting  grounds,  and  asking  for  a  redress  of  grievances.  I  could 
only  reply,  their  complaint  should  be  immediately  laid  before  the 
President,  who  would  give  instructions  as  to  the  course  to  be 
pursued — 

The  planting  season  does  not  commence  here  before  the  first  of 
May,  and  measures,  before  that  period,  should  be  adopted,  pointing 
to  an  ultimate  adjustment  of  the  question — This  course  is  rendered 
necessary  to  prevent  collisions  at  the  commencement  of  the  planting 
season — 

Perhaps  a  commission  to  examine  the  tenure  by  which  the  respec- 
tive parties  hold  possession  of  their  lands,  with  instructions  to  report 
all  the  facts  in  reference  to  the  complaints  made,  would  releive  the 
present  anxiety  of  the  Indians,  and  throw  such  light  upon  the  sub- 
ject as  would  show  the  proper  course  to  be  pursued. 

To  obtain  this  information,  may  require  a  visit  to  each  Pueblo; 
and  if  so,  a  complete  census,  and  other  information  desired  by  the 

States 
Government  of  the  United  could,  at  the  same  time,  be  ob- 

tained— 

I  have  the  honor  to  be. 
Your  very  ol>t.  Servt 


S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt. 


Orlakdo  Brown  Esq. 

Comr,  of  Ind.  Affs. 

Washington  City 
D.  C. 


88  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[CALHOUN   TO   BROWN.^] 

No  26. 

Indian  AoENcr, 

Santa  Fe.  New  Mexico 

Novr.  30th  18Jf9. 
Sir, 

The  fate  of  poor  Mrs  White  is  sealed.  Maj.  (jrier-  was  in  pursuit 
of  the  Apaches,  as  I  am  informed,  and  came  upon  them,  so  suddenly, 
as  to  secure  their  food,  a  number  of  animals,  and  various  articles — 
Their  Lodges  were  destroyed,  six  Indians  killed,  and  the  body  of 
Mrs  White  found,  yet  warm,  evidently  killed  by  the  Indians — By 
american  soldiers  she  was  laid  below  the  cold  sod — The  result  is  such 
as  I  feared,  and  alluded  to  in  a  former  communication. 

In  reference  to  Mrs  White's  daughter  and  female  servant,  not  one 
word  of  intelligence  has  reached  us. 
are 

Matters  in  this  territory  is  in  a  most  deplorable  condition — in- 
finitely worse  than  you  possibly  can  imagine  them,  and  which,  without 
being  an  eye  witness,  you  can  not  realize — 

The  Department  will  determine  whether  the  expenditures  I  have 
incurred  in  attempting  the  rescue  of  Mrs  White,  her  daughter  and 
servant,  shall  be  refunded  to  me — The  amount  will  not  be  less  than 
one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  if  nothing  further  is  incurred  in  an 
attempt  to  recover  the  child  and  servant — ■ 

(jigr'ln  reference  to  this  case,  and  as  a  frecedent,  I  ask  for  such 
instructions,  as  may  be  deemed  advisable  by  the  Department. 

Matters  are  growing  worse  between  the  Pueblos  and  Mexicans — 
and  the  latter — officials — have  managed  so  artfully,  as  to  embroil 
the  Pueblos  of  Laguna  and  Anconia — in  reference  to  their  boun- 
daries— Prefectos,  and  even  Alcaldes,  assuming  to  adjudicate  ques- 
tions of  that  character;  but  it  is  not  supposed,  if  they  had  the 
authority,  they  would  ever  settle  such  questions,  so  prolific  in  fees, 
and  rank  impositions.  Scarcely  a  day  passes  that  complaints  are  not 
brought  before  me  of  Mexican  aggressions — Two  deputations  are  now 
here,  one  complaining  of  a  Mexican  wrong — the  other  lodging  'i 
complaint  against  another  Pueblo  in  reference  to  the  restraints  im- 
posed upon  the  locomotive  of  a  woman — I  will  not  trouble  you  with 
the  details.  So  far  I  have  managed  to  keep  them  quiet,  by  an  assur- 
ance, in  due  time,  the  President  would  give  orders  as  to  the  manage- 
ment of  their  affairs — 

1  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F^  Agency,  C  391. 

2  William  Nicholson  Grier  of  Pennsylvania,  who  was  brevetted  major  for  conspicuous 
service  in  the  Battle  of  Santa  Cruz  de  Resales.  He  fought  on  th<^  T'nion  side  in  the 
Civil  War  and,  after  the  Battle  of  Williamsburg,  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  colonel. 
Later  on  he  was  made  a  brigadier-general.     He  died  in  1885. 


CORKESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN.  89 

The  people  are  becoming  excited  in  reference  to  a  State  government 
and  I  think  they  will  form  a  State  Constitution — 
Very  respectfully 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt. 
Orlando  Bkown  Esq 

Comr.  of  Ind.  Ajfs. 

Washington  City, 

D.  C. 

[CALHOUN  TO   BROWN.'] 

No.  27. 

Indian  Agency, 
Sante  Fe,  New  Mexico 

Now.  30,  18k9. 
Sir, 

The  enclosed  communication  from  Drs.  Robinson  and  Thomas, 
will  explain  the  object  of  this  note;  and  I  have  but  to  say  if  the 
Government  of  the  United  States  shall  regard  it  to  be  an  obligation 
incumbent  upon  them,  to  discharge  such  duties  to  the  Indians  of  this 
territory,  these  gentlemen  are  eminently  worthy  of  the  service  they 
desire  to  discharge— I  think  the  object  a  laudable,  and  proper  one; 
and  if  I  dared  to  do  so,  I  would  urge  their  appointment  in  stronger 
terms. 

I  am. 

Very  respectfully, 

Your  Obt.  Servt. 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Orlando  Brown  Esq. 

Comr.  of  Ind.  Ajfs. 

Washington  City 

D.  C. 

[Inclosure] 
[robinson  to  calhoun  j 

Santa  Fe  N  Mexico 

November  30th  1849 
To  Col  Calhoun 
Sir. 

us 
It  has  occurred  to  me  that  humanity  would  be  benefitted  by  the 
tliorough  vaccination  of  the  Pueblos  under  your  governn^.ent — The 

1  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F€  Agency,  C  301. 


90  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

fatal  and  loathsome  scourge — for  which  vaccination  is  a  specific, 
almost  always  in  its  periodical  visits  to  this  Country  makes  it  ap- 
pearance in  their  villages,  where  as  any  one  will  inform  you  the 
mortality  is  frightful.  Their  confined  and  ill  ventillated  apartments 
nourish  and  propagate  the  poison  to  such  an  extent  that  it  is  unsafe 
for  the  unprotected  citizen  to  go  within  their  atmosphere. 

We  have  been  informed  on  creditable  authority  that  small  Pox  or 
Varioloid  has  not  ceased  to  exist  in  one  or  the  other  Pueblos  for  the 
last  twenty  years. 

In  addition  to  the  immediate  benefit  realized  by  the  Pueblos  and 
our  people  generally,  we  may  be  forgiven  for  mentioning  the  inci- 
dental benefit  to  the  world,  which  a  close  observation  of  the  effects 
of  vaccination  on  Varioloid  or  small  Pox  in  so  large  a  body  of  men 
as  the  Pueblo  nation,  must  necessarily  produce. 

James  D.  Robinson  M.  D. 
Carroll  Thomas  M.  D. 

[CALHOUN  TO  THE  UTAH  CHIEFS'] 


Indian  Agency,  Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico. 

December  3rd  181^9. 
Dr  C.  W.  Bowman  visits  the  Utahs  by  my  permission,  charged  to 
say,  if  they  are  honestly  disposed  to  submit,  fully,  and  uncondition- 
ally, to  the  Constituted  Authorities  of  the  United  States,  and  the 
Chiefs  will  assemble  at  Abiquin,  on  or  before  the  20th  day  of  the 
present  month,  a  firm  and  lasting  treaty  of  peace  and  intercourse 
may  be  entered  into,  by  and  with  the  consent  of  the  Supreme  Au- 
thority of  New  Mexico. 

The  Chiefs  must  come  clothed  with  plenary  powers  to  the  end  that 
every  vexed  question  may  be  settled. 

(Signed)  James  S.  Calhoun, 

Indian  Agent. 

[CALHOUN   TO   MUNROE.'] 
COPY  OF  PAPERS   PREPARED  EOR  GOVERNOR  MUNROE. 

bvJ.S.C. 
I.  A. 
Head  Quari-ers.  9th  Military  Department. 

Santa  Fe.  New  Mexico^  9th  December.  1849. 
"Brvt.  Lieut.  Col.  Charles.  A.  May,  and  Genl.  Cyrus.  Choice,  are 
liereby  appointed  Commissioners,  on  the  part  of  the  United  States 


Inclosure  of  No.  28,  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F^  Agency,  C  406. 
O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  429. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OP   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  91 

of  America,  to  enter  into,  conclude,  and  sign  a  treaty  of  peace  with 
the  Apache  Tribe  of  Indians, 

(Signed)  John  Munroe. 

Bt.  Col.  U.  S.  Army  d; 
Ex.  Officio  Govr.  of  the 
Territory  of  New  Mexico. 

Head  Quarters.  9th  Military  Department. 

Santa  Fe^  New  Mexico.  9th  December  181^9. 
Gentlemen, 

The  accompanying  order  will  show  you,  the  high  and  important 
trust  of  consummating  a  Treaty  of  Peace  with  the  Apache  tribe  of 
Indians  is  confided  to  you — 

Three  copies  of  a  Treaty  which  this  Department  requires  you  will 
also  receive  with  this  letter  of  instruction — 

The  tribe  must  be  fully  represented,  and  you  must  be  satisfied 
that  the  Chiefs  with  whom  you  negotiate,  have  the  right,  under  the 
usages  and  customs  of  said  Indians,  to  bind  the  whole  tribe. 

You  must  explain  to  the  Chiefs  fully  and  distinctly,  the  teniis  of 
the  treaty,  and  that  they  are  required  to  confine  themselves  to  their 
usual  homes,  or  localities,  and  leave  only  when  permission  is  granted 
to  them. 

If  it  should  so  happen  that  any  portion  of  their  tribe,  whom  they 
may  have  the  right  to  control,  shall  refuse  an  instant  compliance 
with  the  terms  of  the  Treaty,  the  Chiefs  of  the  tribe  shall  point  out 
their  localities,  that  the  American  troops  may  properly  chastise 
them. 

You  will  ascertain,  as  near  as  it  may  be  possible,  the  extent  and 
locality  of  the  Country  claimed  by  the  Apaches,  and  the  aggregate 
number  of  their  tribe,  and  what  portion  of  them  cultivate  the  soil 
and  raise  stock,  and  the  kind  of  stock. 

In  concluding  the  Treaty  you  will  cause  your  Interpreters  to  sii!ii 
their  names  as  such,  and  call  as  many  respectable  gentlemen,  as  may 
be  convenient  to  witness  its  execution. 
I  am  respectfully 

Your  Obt.  Servt. 

(Signed)  John  Munroe. 

Bt.  Col.  U.  S.  Army  d; 
Ex  Officio  Govr.  of  the  territory  of 

New  Mexico. 
To  Brevt.  Col.  Charles  A.  May 

U.  S.  Army  Commanding  at  Socoro.  d 
Genl.  Cyrus  Choice, 

Commissioners  d'c. 


92  COEEESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[CALHOUN   TO   THE   PREFECT   OF   ABIQUIN'] 
DOC  B 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

Dec  20  18Jf9. 
Sir, 

It  is  my  intention  to  be  in  Abiquin  -  on  the  28tli  day  of  this  month, 
for  the  purpose  of  meeting  such  chiefs  of  the  Utah  tribe,  as  may  be 
in  attendance  at  that  time.  I  hope  the  Chiefs  will  exert  themselves 
to  secure  the  presence  of  every  Chief  that  can  possibly  reach  there, 
for  when  a  treaty  is  formed,  it  must  be  a  lasting  one,  having  the  full 
sanction  of  the  tribe. 

With  great  respect, 

Your  obt  Servt. 

(Signed)  J.  S.  Calhoun. 

Ind.  Agent. 
To  the, 

Prefecto, 
A hiquin 

NeiD  Mexico. 

[Related  Correspondence] 

[McLAWS  to  BEALL.s] 

Head  Qt'ARXKRs  0  Mii.  Department 

8anta  Fc'.  Dccciiihcr  23d — IS-'/!) 
Colonel 

The  Indian  Agent  Colonel  Callionn.  having  engaged  himself  to  meet  ihe 
Eiitaw  Indians  at  Alblquin  on  the  2Sth.  for  the  pnrpose  of  entering  into  a 
treaty  with  them — Colonel  Munroe  directs  that  you  detail  an  officer  and 
twenty  men  from  your  command  as  an  escort  for  the  agent,  with  instructions 
to  meet  him  at  Chama  at  the  earliest  practicable  moment. 

Should  circumstance  intervene  which  would  render  it  probable  that  the 
command  could  not  reach  Chama  by  the  27th  you  will  send,  or  give  instructions 
that  a  special  express  be  sent,  to  that  place  in  order  to  notify  the  agent  when 
it  will  arrive — If  on  its  arrival  at  Chama  the  agent  has  passed  on,  the  escort 
will  nevertheless  proceed  and  join  him,  unless  he  has  left  contrary  instructions. 

The  escort  will  be  absent,  perhaps,  ten  or  twelve  days  will  accordingly  cause 
such  arrangements  for  their  subsistence  to  be  made,  as  in  your  opinion,  will 
enable  the  above  instructions  to  be  carried  into  effect,  with  the  least  possible 
delay. 

1  Inclosure  of  No.  28,  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F4  Agency,  C  406. 
-  See  McLaws  to  Beall,  December  23.  1849. 
3  A.  G.  0.,  Old  Book,  No.  2,  p,  11. 


COEEESPONDENCE    OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUX.  93 

The  Expressman   (sergeant  Pishon)   will  leave  here  to-morrow  morning,  he 
is  expected  to  reach  Taos  on  the  25th  in  time  for  the  above  detail,  to  be  In 
readiness  &  to  march  for  Chama  at  an  early  hour  on  the  26th — . 
Respectfully 

Your  obdt  servt  L  McLaws 

1st.  Lt.  7  Infv. 

A  A  A  Oenl 
Col.  B  L.  Beall 

Commanding 

Don  Fernandez  de  Taos 

[CHOICE  TO   CALHOUN.'] 

SocoRO,  New  Mexico,  24th  Beer.  1849. 
Dear  Sir, 

I  arrived  here  on  the  14th  inst.  The  Indians  did  not  come  in 
according  to  their  appointment,  but  came  into  Limatah  on  the  18th, 
and  got  into  a  drunken  frolic.  The  Alcalde  came  down  and  in- 
formed the  Col.  and  requested  permission  to  take  a  party  of  Mexi- 
cans and  arrest  them.  The  Col.  refused  and  at  three  Oclk.  the  Col. 
despatched  Capt  Humber  with  twelve  men  as  an  escort  for  them. 
They  arrived  here  at  seven.  I  requested  Capt  Humber  not  to  let 
any  act  of  his  create  any  suspicion  with  the  Indians  whatever,  that 
would  let  them  suppose  for  a  moment,  that  they  were  to  be  held  as 
prisoners.  On  their  arrival  here,  Humber  sent  for  me,  I  had  an  in- 
terview with  them.  They  appeared  to  be  perfectly  satisfied,  we 
obtained  comfortable  quarters  for  them,  and  had,  a  good  corral  for 
their  animals,  with  a  sufficient  guard  over  them,  had  rations  issued 
to  the  Indians,  and  they  were  apparently,  perfectly  satisfied  with 
their  situation.  I  then  retired,  half  past  ten  Oclk.  The  Col  sent 
for  Capt  Humber  and  ordered  their  animals  to  be  moved,  and  their 
arms  to  be  taken  from  them,  which  excited  them.  The  Capt  permit- 
ting them  to  move  their  animals,  thirteen  of  them  sprang  on  them, 

two  of 
and  ran  off,  leaving  their  party,  and  eight  animals,  and  all 

of  their  baggage.  One  of  those  left,  was  the  old  woman  that  came 
in,  and  made  the  appointment  to  hold  a  treaty  on  the  twelfth  inst. 
Under  the  circumstances,  we  thought  it  best,  to  let  those  two  return 
to  their  people,  under  the  promise;  that  they  would  return,  and 
bring  in  all  of  their  chiefs  and  Captains,  in  twenty  days,  and  make 
a  treaty  of  peace.  They  all  expressed  a  great  desire  to  make  a  peace 
with  the  Americans.  I  am  still  inclined  to  the  opinion  that  they 
will  come  in  if  they  are  not  prevented  in  consequence  of  some  recent 
depredations,  committed  by  them,  a  small  party  of  the  tribe,  about 
one  hundred  and  forty  miles  below  here;  this  happened  about  the 
time  this  party  came  in,  and  Lieutenant  Tyler  found  the  bodies 

1  Enclosure  of  No.  29,  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  P6  Agency,  C  406,  No.  1. 


94  COKEESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

of  three  discharged  teamsters,  and  buried  tliem.     They  not  were  yet 
cold,  when  found,  did  not  get  hold  of  any  of  the  Indians,  though 
I  am  told  that  they  obtained  all  of  their  Mules  &  baggage, 
the 
I  remain  here,  until  twenty  days  is  out.     This  I  write  in  a 

great  hurry,  as  the  express  is  waiting.  I  wrote  to  you  with  the  in- 
tention of  sending  it  by  Capt  Brent,  but  he  left  before  I  could  see 
him. 

Nothing  more,  but  yours,  &c. 

(Signed.)  Cyrus  Choice. 

[BROWN   TO   CALHOUN.'] 

Office  Indian  Affairs, 

December  28,  181^9. 
Calhoun,  Esq.,  J.  S. 

Indian  Agent, 

Santa  Fe,  Neio  Mexico. 

Sir  : — I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  several 
communications,  numbered  from  7  to  17  inclusive,  in  relation  to 
Indian  Affairs  in  Ncav  Mexico,  and  the  necessity  that  exists  for 
prompt  and  effective  measures  of  a  military  character  to  put  a 
stop  to  the  continued  outrages  perpetrated  upon  our  citizens  by  the 
Indians  of  that  territory.  That  portion  of  them  relating  to  this 
subject  will  immediately  be  laid  before  the  Secretary  of  War  for 
his  information  and  for  such  action  as  the  means  at  his  control  will 
admit;  and  sucli  as  relate  to  organization  in  this  branch  of  the 
service,  and  to  the  proper  mode  of  conducting  our  intercourse  and 
relations  with  those  Indians  will  be  communicated  to  Congress  for 
the  consideration  of  that  body,  and  its  early  action  upon  the  subject 
solicited. 

The  Department  has  received  with  much  pain  the  intelligence  of 
the  attack  by  a  band  of  Apaches  upon  the  party  of  Mr.  White,  re- 
sulting in  the  murders  of  himself  and  others  and  the  capture  and 
carrying  off  of  his  wife  and  child,  whose  situation  as  captives  among 
this  barbarous  and  merciless  people  has  excited  the  most  painful 
solicitude.  The  Department  cannot  however  but  entertam  the  hope, 
that  through  the  prompt  measures  which  you  have  so  commendably 
adopted,  and  those  doubtless  also  taken  by  the  military,  she  and  her 
child  have  ere  this  been  rescued  and  are  now  in  safety.  Should  this 
however  not  be  the  case,  you  will  continue  to  exert  yourself  to  the 
utmost  to  effect  it,  and  the  military  will  be  required  to  do  the  same 
by  instructions  which  will  immediately  be  sent  out  by  the  Secretary 
of  War.     The  measures  you  have  already  taken  are  approved,  as? 

1  O.  I.  A,  L.  B.  No.  42,  pp.  492-493. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OE    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  95 

will  be  any  others  you  may  think  it  advisable  to  adopt  to  delivej- 
the  captives  or  secure  their  safety ;  early  intelligence  of  which  being 
accomj)lished  I  need  not  say  will  not  only  afford  the  highest  gi'atifi 
cation,  but  relieve  the  Department  as  well  as  their  friends  and  rela- 
tions from  a  most  painful  state  of  suspense. 

There  not  yet  having  been  time  for  appropriations  by  Congress 
for  the  purposes  of  the  Department  in  our  distant  territories,  the 
only  mode  of  obtaining  funds  to  meet  the  expenses  which  you  have 
incurred,  or  may  incur,  in  your  efforts  to  relieve  Mrs  AVliite,  which 
can 

now^  be  suggested,  will  be  to  draw  drafts  upon  this  office  payable 
as  soon  as  the  appropriations  shall  have  been  made.  It  is  presumed 
that  you  Vvill  find  no  difficulty  in  cashing  such  drafts,  as  they  will 
of  course  be  very  desirable  as  remittances  East. 

Enclosed  is  a  section  of  a  map  ^  of  Xew  Mexico,  embracing,  it  is 
supposed,  the  portion  of  territory  occupied  by  the  Indians,  or  the 
greater  part  of  it,  on  which  I  will  thank  you  to  designate,  as  accu- 
rately as  ma}^  be  in  your  power,  the  locations  of  the  several  tribes 
and  the  extent  of  country  severally  claimed  by  them;  and  return  it 
to  this  office  by  the  first  opportunity.  You  will  also  please  to  indicate 
the  proper  locations  for  agents  and  sub-agents,  informing  the  De- 
partment by  letters  in  detail  the  number  of  each  class  you  deem 
necessary  to  aid  in  a  proper  administration  of  Indian  Affairs  in 
New  Mexico,  the  salaries  which  should  be  allowed  them,  the  objects 
for  which  expenditures  will  generally  be  necessary  in  connection 
with  the  different  agencies  and  the  amount  that  will  be  required  for 
each.  It  is  hoped  that  this,  and  such  other  information,  having  a 
bearing  on  the  object  of  a  proper  organization  for  the  Indian  branch 
of  the  service,  will  be  received  in  time  to  be  considered  and  acted 
upon  before  Congress  rises:  so  that  there  will  be  no  unavoidable 
delay  in  adopting  such  a  course  of  policy,  and  such  measures  as  are 
necessary  to  a  prompt  and  effective  administration  of  the  affairs  of 
this  Department  in  that  quarter. 

This  communication  wall  be  handed  to  you  by  Mr.  Isaac  B.  Dunn,^ 
a  brother  of  Mrs.  White,  who  proceeds  to  New  Mexico  as  bearer  of 
despatches  under  an  escort  furnished  by  the  War  Department,  but  the 
object  of  whose  journey  is  to  seek  to  aid  in  rescuing  his  sister  and 
her  child,  or  to  afford  her  protection  in  her  destitute  and  bereaved 
situation,  if  their  rescue  shall  have  happily  been  effected.^ 

O.  B. 

^  See  p.  171;  and  map   {Iso.  2)   in  pocket. 

-  See  Ewing  to  Brown,  December  31,  1849. 

3  See  Brown  to  Mason,  .January  3.  1850,  O.  I.  .\.,  L.  B.,  No.  42.  pp.  500-501. 


9(j  COHRESPONDENOE   OF    JAMEH   H.    CALHOUN. 

[CALHOUN   TO   BROWN.'] 

No.  28. 

Indian  Agency.     Santa  Fe, 
New  Mexico^  January  Ist^  1850. 
Sir, 

AccompiiiiyiM*,^  Uiis  note  you  will  receive  the  record  of  a  Treaty  ^ 
which  1  concluded  with  the  Utah  tribe  of  Indians,  at  Abiquin,  on 
the  30th  day  of  the  last  month. 

It  is  proper  to  remark,  these  Indians,  since  last  Sepleniber,  have 
frequently  manifested  a  disj)Osition  to  enter  into  treat.y  stipulations 
with  the  United  States,  and  so  far  as  facts  have  come  to  our  knovvl- 
ed^^e,  theii-  conduct  lias  been  unexceptionable,  except  so  far  as  tlie 
allowing  of  Apa(;hes  and  Navajoes  to  visit  and  associate  with  them. 

That  the  wild  Indians  have  attempted  a  coalition  for  the  purpose 
of  overrunning  and  ravaging  this  territory,  T  entertain  not  the  slight- 
est doubt.  If  that  purpose  is  abandoned,  or  has  been  defeated,  it  is 
I  he  result  of  the  Utahs  influence  over  the  wild  tribes.  The  Apaches 
and  Navajoes  have  been  with  the  Utahs  until  a  few  days  since,  and 
three  Navajo  chiefs  left  them  only,  when  it  appeared  they  could 
not  prevent  the  Utah  Chiefs  from  meeting  me  at  Abicjuin. 

On  the  3d  of  Deceml)ei'  last,  the  Prefect  of  Abiquin  informed 
Governor  Munroe,  through  the  Secretary  of  State,  of  this  territory, 
that  several  Utah  Chiefs  desired  a  conference  in  relation  to  a  treaty 
of  peace — The  (Governor  was  so  obliging  as  to  advise  with  me,  and 
after  consultation,  I  sent  to  said  Chiefs  the  enclos(Ml  communication 
marked  A."  Subsequently,  ascertaining  a  sufficient  number  of  Chiefs 
coidd  not  assemble  by  the  time  mentioned  in  document  A,  T  sent  a 
runner  with  a  comuiunication  to  tlu^  Pi-efcct  of  Abiquin,  marked  B,* 
also  enclosed. 

On  the  day  aj)pointed,  tlie  28th  of  De(;ember  last,  I  was  in  Abiquin, 
and  received  the  information  that  the  Utah  Chiefs  were  encamped 
a  few  miles  therefrom,  northwest,  in  their  own  countrf/^  but  would 
be  in  during  the  afternoon  of  that  day,  or  very  early  the  ensuing 
morning  'I'lic  influence  of  traders^  and  perhaps  the  three  Navajo 
Chiefs,  iK'forc  alluded  to,  prevented  their  coming  in  on  the  20th  of 
I)eceml)er.  During  the  night  of  that  day,  after  T  had  retired,  a  Chief 
came  in,  and  begged  me  to  be  patient,  and  that  on  the  31st  of  Decem- 
ber every  Utah  o-fjir'ud  should  come  to  me,  that  they  had  removed 

»0.  I.  A.,  Santa  F6  ARoncy,  C  li»().  Sec  li'llc-hox,  "  Troatles,  Copies";  See,  also,  In- 
closiire  No.  ;!5. 

ii  Not  ratldod  unUI  Hoptcinbor  1»,  IMHO.  I'or  report  on,  hoo  Brown  to  Ewln^,  March  14, 
\H:,(),   p.  98. 

•■'  Soe  p.  90. 

'  Sco  I).  92. 


CORRESPONDEIS^CE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  97 

from  their  encampment  near  Abiquin  and  were  not  at  that  time, 
within  twenty  miles  of  that  place. 

To  my  enquiry,  this  lone  Indian  replied,  there  were  between  twenty 
five  and  thirty  Chiefs  in  camp,  and  the  Principal  Chief  of  the  tribe 
would  lead  them  over,  and  that  said  Chiefs  had  full  power  to  repre- 
sent them.  Not  crediting  the  statement  as  to  the  distance  the  Chiefs 
were  from  Abiquin,  and  discovering,  as  I  supposed,  the  obstacle  to  be 
removed,  notice  was  given  to  a  trader  that  he  was  suspected,  and  at 
the  same  time,  I  caused  the  Utah  Chief,  then  present,  to  be  informed 
that  I  would  wait  until  the  ensuing  midday^  and  not  a  moment  longer^ 
for  the  Chiefs  to  come  in.  By  10  Oclk,  on  the  next  morning,  they 
were  present,  and  the  enclosed  treaty  was  fully  and  thouroughly 
explained  to  them — 

Let  it  be  understood,  they  reluctantly  agreed  to  the  7th  ^  article — 
expressed  their  utter  aversion  to  labor — and  enquired  what  they 
would  do,  to  sustain  life,  if  so  restricted  and  Confined.  I  replied  to 
them,  the  government  of  the  United  States  had  ever  been  just  and 
humane — and  if  they  behaved  well,  would  take  care  of  them.  In  the 
conclusion,  I  stated  to  them,  I  had  no  sword  to  frighten  them  into 
terms — that  I  brought  no  jrresents  to  seduce  them — and  that  if  they 
thought  they  ought  not  to  agree  to  the  terms  of  the  treaty,  that  I  would 
at  the  peril  of  my  life,  secure  them  a  transit  to  their  own  Country 
unmolested  and  unharmed — In  a  few  moments  their  countenances 
seemed  to  brighten  up,  and  they  declared,  they  beleived  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States  would  take  care  of  them,  and  tell  them 
what  to  do,  because  he  did  not  authorize  his  Agents  to  attempt 
either  force  or  bribery. 

It  is  hardly  necessary  to  add,  I  gave  them  nothing — I  promised 
them  nothing,  but  humane  treatment,  if  they  complied  with  the  terms 
of  the  treaty. 

What  Governor  Munroe  may  authorize,  in  executing  this  treaty, 
is  not  yet  settled — I  shall  advise  the  tenvporary  appointment  of  an 
Agent  to  reside  at  Abiquin,  until  Superior  orders  are  received  from 
Washington  City. 

I  am  with  great  respect,  your  obt.  Servant, 

James  S.  Calhoun, 

Ind.  Agt. 

To 

Orlando  Brown  Esqr. 

Comr  of  Ind.  Affs. 

Washington  City  D.  C. 

iKappler,   11,  p.  iiS4. 
5021—15 7 


98  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[Related  Correspondence.] 

[brown  to  ewing^] 

Office  Indian  Affairs, 

March  14th,  1850. 
Hon.  Thomas  Ewing, 

Secretary  of  the  Interior. 

Sib:  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  for  the  consideration  of  the  President,  and, 
if  he  shall  think  proper,  for  transmission  to  the  Senate  for  its  constitutional 
action,  two  treaties  with  Indians  of  New  Mexico :  one  negotiated  with  the 
Navajoe  tribe,  on  the  9th  Sept.  1849,  by  Col  J.  M.  Washington  of  the  Army,  and 
J.  S.  Calhoun,  United  States  Indian  Agent  at  Santa  Fe,  and  the  other  with  the 
Utah  tribe,  negotiated  by  Agent  Calhoun  on  the  13th  [30th?]  of  December  last. 

The  circumstances  under  which  the  first  mentioned  treaty  was  entered  into, 
are  set  forth  in  an  official  desjiatch  of  Col  Washington  dated  September  25th 
1849,  communicated  to  Congress  with  the  President's  late  annual  message,  and 
which  will  be  found  at  jiage  111  of  Senate  doi-ument  No.  1.  of  the  present  Ses- 
.sion.  For  information  in  relation  to  the  other.  I  would  respectfully  refer  to 
the  report  of  Agent  Calhoun  transmitting  it.  a  copy  of  which  is  herewith. 

The  provisions  of  those  treaties  ai)pear  to  be  judicious  and  well  suited  to 
establish  a  definite  understanding  with  tlie  Indians  on  the  subject  of  our  futui'e 
relations  with  them  :  and.  if  properly  carried  out.  will,  no  doiibt.  be  productive 
of  good  results.  I  would  therefore  respectfully  commend  these  tre.-ities  to 
favourable  consideration. 

Very  &c  O.  B. 

[CALHOUN   TO  BROWN.=] 

No.  29. 

Indian  Agency, 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico. 

Jany  3rd  1850. 
Sir, 

In  consequence  of  a  communication  addressed  to  Governor  Munroe, 
by  Col.  May,  which  was  placed  before  me,  at  the  request  of  the 
Governor,  I  drew  up  the  terms  of  a  treaty,  and  Col.  May  and  Genl. 
Cyrus  Choice  were  authorized,  as  Commissioners,  to  hear  what  the 
Apaches  had  to  say,  and  to  make  with  them  a  treaty,  if  the  said 
Commissioners  should  come  to  the  conclusion,  the  Apache  Chiefs, 
who  might  present  themselves,  were  duly  authorized  to  represent  the 
tribe. 

The  accompanying  copy  of  a  letter  ^  from  General  Choice,  marked 
No.  1,  will  give  you  all  the  information  which  has  come  to  this 
point — that  I  have  seen. 

Within  the  last  fifteen  days,  a  number  of  murders  have  been  com- 
mitted— between  this  and  El  Paso — and  in  the  interior  South,  and 

1  O.  I.  A.,  R.  B.,  No.  6,  p.  291. 

»0.  I.  A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  406.     See  File-box,  "Treaties,  copies." 

^  See  p.  0.3. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OE    JAMES    S.    CALHOUN,  99 

South  East.  It  matters  not  what  others  may  say,  a  stronger  arm 
than  has  yet  been  here,  ought  to  be  in  this  territory — All  is  not  well — 
Murders  and  depredations  are  occuring  daily,  and  they  are  of  sur-h 
frequent  occurence,  we  seem  to  await  patiently,  our  fate. 

While  absent  at  Abiquin,  the  Governor  of  San  Ildefonso  called 
to  complain  that  Mexicans,  and  others,  were  thrusting  themselves 
into  their  Pueblos  selling  spirituous  liquors,  and  creating  great  mis- 
chief and  trouble  with  his  people,  and  desiring  advice  as  to  what  he 
should  do — I  have  not  yet  seen  the  said  Governor ;  but  I  beg  you  for 
advice  in  the  premises — 

Pardon  me  for  saying  we  are  as  ignorant  of  the  actings  and  doings 
in  the  United  States,  as  w^e  were  two  months  ago — We  have  neither 
letters  or  papers — 
I  am, 

dear  Sir, 

Your  obt  Servt. 

James  S.  Calhoun 
To.  Ind.  Agt. 

Orlando  Brown,  Esq 

Comr.  of  Ind.  Affs.  ■:]{:\  vn;   >•  asarfrv  .; 

Washington  City,  '    •  ■ 

^       D.  C. 

[CALHOUN   TO   BROWN.^] 

No.  30. 

Indian  Agency 
Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

Jany  17th  1850 
Sir 

A  mail  closes  for  El  Paso  this  morning  and  I  learn  that  Gen 
Brooke  has  established  a  monthly  mail  between  that  point  and  San 
Antonio.  Tex.  I  seize  the  moment  to  say,  we  have  a  rwmor  that 
our  mail  for  the  States,  for  the  1st  of  Novr  last,  is  lost,  and  the 
carriers  killed  by  Indians.^  If  this  be  true  then  we  are  ready  to 
concede  the  loss  of  those  of  the  1st  of  Deer  and  1st  of  this  month — 
and  if  so,  it  will  be  a  matter  of  the  deepest  regret  to  us  of  this 
territory. 

Our  Indian  troubles  ^  are  increasing  in  every  direction,  I  made  a 
treaty  with  the  Utahs  on  the  30th  of  last  month  and  since  then 
it  is  said  they  have  killed  seven  Mexicans  and  drove  off  a  large 

^  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  416. 

2  Lieutenant  Burnsldo  was  sent  out  to  investigate  the  attack  upon  the  mail-carriers 
and  his  account  of  the  expedition  Is  given  later  on,  in  full,  also  a  copy  of  the  orders 
under  which  he  acted. 

=  .\s  evidence  of  tins,  see  the  letters  from  McLaws  on  pp.  101-102. 


100  CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

quantity  of  Stock,  There  is  no  doubt  as  to  the  mischief  done,  but  as 
to  the  circumstances,  and  by  whom,  there  is  doubt,  which  I  will 
enquire  into,  so  soon  as  I  can  procure  a  proper  escort.  We  hear  of 
the  Apaches,  East  West  and  South,  more  daring  and  impudent  than 
ever,  As  earnest,  I  suppose,  of  their  future  good  intentions,  the 
Apaches,  some  eight  days  ago,  sent  ten  of  their  women  to  Col  May 
at  Socorro,  [who]  sent  tliem  off  immediately.  The  circumstances  are 
not  explained  to  us. 

The  trade  and  intercourse  with  the  Apaches  and  Comanches  by 
Mexicans^  Americans,  and  Pueblo  Indians,  is  rapidly  increasing,  and 
until  this  is  checked,  we  can  not  hope  for  the  slightest  improvement 
in  our  affairs. 

1  Let  the  Laws  regulating  ti"ado  &c  be  extended  over  these  tribes 
at  once. 

2  Each  tribe  should  have  -fixed  limits  assigned  to  them,  and  there 
compelled  to  remain,  though  the  U.  S.  Govt,  should  have  to  support 
them  for  a  time. 

3.  The  Laws  of  No.  1.  should  be  extended  over  the  Pueblos,  and 
they  divided  in  such  a  way  as  to  give  to  each  district  an  Agent,  and 
each  pueblo,  for  this  year  should  have  a  Sub-Agent. 

4.  These  Agents  should  have  Ordnance  and  ordnance  Stores,  to 
be  used  as  occasion  may  require. 

5  It  is  my  decided  opinion,  it  would  be  the  best  possible  economy, 
to  send  out  two  mounted  regiments  for  service  here — without  them, 
you  can  not  explore  the  country,  so  as  to  decide  discreetly  where  you 
should  locate  the  four  wild  tribes — the  Apaches,  Comanches,  Nava- 
joes  and  Utahs — without  them,  you  can  not  keep  the  Indians  in  the 
limits  you  may  assign  them,  nor  can  you  prevent  an  illicit  trade  and 
intercourse,  and  the  people  of  this  territory  must  neither  expect 
safety  to  their  persons  or  property. 

night 
Mr.  Hatcher,  the  guide  to  Col.  Colliers  party  returned  last 
and  gives  us  melancholy  intelligence  as  to  the  suffering  of  emigrants 
on  the  road — Something  ought  to  be  done  for  these  starving  people. 
Caf)t.  Thorn,  who  had  command  of  the  escort,  was  drowned  in 
crossing  the  Rio  Colorado — also,  a  dragoon  and  two  Mexicans — 
There  was  a  death  also,  from  disease — -The  balance  of  the  party, 
went  through,  in  safety. 

I  am  admonished  I  must  close. 

B^^A  few  Indians  ought  to  be  called  to  Washington. 
Respectfully 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt. 
O.  Brown  Esqr 

Comr.  Ind.  Affs 

W  ashington 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF   JAM}5S   S.    CALHOUN.  101 

[Related  Correspondence.] 

[McLAWS  TO  HOWE.i] 

Head  Quarters  9th  Mil  Department 

Decemher  24th  18J,9. 
Major. 

I  liave  the  honor  herewith  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  communication 
of  the  22nd.  with  the  letter  of  Don  Manuel  Armijo  enclosed. 

Colonel  Munroe  directs,  That,  if  there  is  a  probability  of  overtaking  the  party 
of  Apache  Indians  of  which  you  make  mention.  You  organise  immediately  a 
sufficient  mounted  force,  to  pursue,  and  endeavour,  to  overtake  an  punish  the 
Indians  in  the  most  exemplary  manner  for  their  depredation  &c,  to  recapture 
the  prisoners  and  prisoners  carried  off. 

You  are  authorised  to  make  any  disposition  of  Captain  Kers  command  which 
you  think  necessary,  to  ensure  the  execution  of  the  above  objects. 

You  will  forward  to  Captain  Ker,  the  enclosed  communication  addressed  to 
him,  in  which  he  is  notified  of  the  authority  granted  to  you,  relative  to  his 
command. 

So  soon  as  the  services  of  Capttiin  Ker  or  his  command  can  be  dispensed  with, 
you  will  order  them  to  return  to  Cibolletta 
Your  obdt  Servt 

L.  McLaws 
1st  Lt  7  Infv 

AAA  Genl 
Major  Howe 

Commanding 

Alhurquerque. 

i  McLAWS  TO  KER.2] 

Head  Quarters  9th  Mil  Department 

December  2J,tn  18^9 
Captain. 

Major  Howe,  being  instructed  to  make  an  expedition  against  a  party  of 
Apache  Indians  &  it  being  probable  that  a  larger  mounted  force  will  be  re- 
quired, than  he  has  under  his  control— Colonel  Munroe  has  authorised  him,  to 
make  such  disposition  of  the  force  at  your  Post  (Cibolletta)  as  he  may  deem 
necessary. 

You  will  accordingly  hold  yourself  and  command  in  readiness  to  obey  any 
order,  from  Major  Howe. 

So  soon  as  your  services  can  be  dispensed  with,  from  the  expedition  now 
contemplated  Major  Howe  has  been  inslructed  that  you  return  to  your  Post. 
Respectfully 

Your  obdt  servt 

L  McLaws 
1st  Lt  7  Infy 

AAA  Qenl 
Captain  Ker 

Commanding 

Cibolletta 


A.  G.  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  2,  pp.  11-12. 
lUUi.,   p.    12. 


102  COREESPONDENCJE   OF    JAMES    S.    CALHOUN. 

[Mc,.AWS  TO  IMAY.'l 

Head  Quarters  9th  Mil  Department 
Santa  FA  New  Mexico,  January  13th  1850. 
Colonel. 

The  accompany  Department  order  No.  1  directs  that  company  D  2nd 
Dragoons  be  turned  over  to  Tvieut  Griffin  2nd  artillery  with  the  proper  pro- 
portion, from  the  squadron,  of  horses  and  horse  equipage,  arras,  amunition. 
accoutrements  &c  Lieut  Griffin  will  then  proceed  with  the  company  and  take 
Post  at  Albiquin 

Recent  Indian  difficulties  in  the  northern  portion  of  the  Territory  require  a 
mounted  force  to  be  stationed  at  Albiquin.  and  it  becomes  necessary  to  detail 
a  company  from  your  command  for  that  service  there  being  no  other  availaWe 
mounted  force — The  Dragoons  at  Taos  have  become  so  much  reduced  in  num- 
bers that  they  are  barely  sufficient  to  protect  the  inhabitants  in  the  vicinity 
of  that  Post  from  the  constant  depredations  of  the  Indians — 

It  was  Colonel  Munroes  intention  and  desire  to  retain  the  squadron  under 
your  command.    But  the  necessities  of  service  have  rendered  the  sejieration  of 
that  force,  at  present,  unavoidable.    But  it  is  hoped  that  events  may  so  happen, 
that  the  squadron,  can  be  again  united. 
Your  obdf  servt 

L  McLaws  1st  Lt  7  Infy  A  A  A  Genl 
Col.  May 

rMcLAWS  TO  BEALI..2] 

Head  Quarters  9th  Mil  Department 

Santa  Fe  Ne^v  Mexico  J  any  31"  1850. 
Colonel 

I  have  the  honor  herewith  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  communica- 
tions of  the  29th 

Colonel  Munroe  directs  me  to  inform  you  that  one  company  of  Dragoons, 
under  Lieut  C.  Griffin  2  arty  is  now  at  Abiquin  He  is  aware  that  there  is  not  a 
sufficient  force  under  your  command  to  accomplish  all  that  you  would  desire 
to  perform,  But  there  is  no  disposable  force  now  in  the  Territory  which  could 
be  sent  to  reinforce  your  command.  ^Nlajor  Steen's  company  at  Dofiana  has  been 
continually  in  the  field.  The  exigencies  ofi  service,  render  it  necessary  that  his 
present  position  should  be  occupied — It  is  hoped  that  the  company  at  Abiquin 
will  be  sufficient  for  all  purposes, — I  have  been  instructed  by  the  Col.  to  in- 
form Captain  Judd  at  Las  "Vegas,  that  the  L^ta  &  Apache  Indians  are  reported 
to  be  in  large  numbers  on  the  Rayado  Frontier. 
Respectfully 

Your  obdt  servl 

L  McLaws 

1  Lieut  7  Infy 

AAA  Genl 
Col  B  L.  Beall 

Commanding 

Don  Fernandez:  dc  Taos 

lA.  G.   O.,  01(1   Book.   No.   2,  p.   17. 
2  Ibid,  p.  21. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  103 

[CALHOUN   TO   BROWN.'] 

No.  31. 

Indian  Agency, 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico. 

J  any  25,  1860. 
Sir, 

On  the  iTtli  of  the  present  month,  I  addressed  to  you  a  hastily- 
written  letter,  a  copy  of  which  is  herein  enclosed.  Since  then  I  have 
crossed  the  mountains  north,  and  visited  the  Pueblo  of  Taos,  and 
returned  last  night  having  been  in  a  continual  snow  storm  for  seven 
days. 

The  Indians  of  Taos  were  in  a  moody  and  dissatisfied  State.  They 
complained  of  Mexican  encroachments  upon  their  Soil,  and  that  the 
laws  hy  which  they  had  been  governed  from  time  immemorial,  were 
being  subverted,  and  gave  as  evidence  of  the  latter  fact,  that  their 
Alcaldes  were  now  appointed  by  the  Government  at  Santa  Fe,  instead 
of  the  annual  elections  to  which  they  had  been  accustomed.  They 
pray  for  protection,  and  the  extension  of  the  United  States  Indian 
Laws  over  them. 

I  promised  to  make  known  to  the  President  of  the  United  States 
their  complaints,  and  assured  them,  that  in  good  time,  proper  reme- 
dies would  be  applied.  This  gave  them  decided  satisfaction.  The 
wrongs  to  which  the  Pueblo  Indians  are  subjected,  are  inconceivable, 
and  ought  to  be  remedied  without  a  moments  delay.  Mexican 
Alcaldes,  sheriffs  &.G  &c.  appointed  by  American  authority,  are 
demanding  just  such  contributions  as  they  may  desire,  for  their  own 
use — and  many  of  the  Pueblos  have  yielded  to  these  unjust  demands, 
and  for  which  there  is  not  the  shadow  of  a  law.  The  Alcaldes  go 
a  step  further,  and  divorce  a  woman  from  her  husband,  whenever  it 
suits  their  pleasure. 

On  my  return  from  Taos,  I  found  two  deputations  waiting  for 
advice  in  reference  to  these  glaring  wrongs,  and  through  Governor 
Munroes  orders  I  hope  to  arrest  a  part  of  the  mischief  com- 
plained of. 

I  must  repeat,  what  I  have  so  frequently  written  to  you.  that  these 
Indians  ought  to  have  immediate  protection,  or  worse  evils  than  any 
yet  experienced,  will  be  witnessed  in  this  territory. 

B^^  If  there  can  not  be  immediate  Congressional  action,  I  respect- 
fully submit,  that  by  a  treaty,  which  I  can  make  at  once  with  these 
Indians,  the  evils  alluded  to  can  all  be  corrected.  There  ought  to  be 
no  delay  in  this  matter. 

The  depredations  by  the  Apache  and  Navajo  Indians,  during  the 
past  week,  have  been  numerous,  and  several  murders  perpetrated.    It 

1  O.  I.  a.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  416. 


104  COKliESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

inattei's  not  what  others  may  say  to  yon,  it  is  my  duty  to  advise  you, 
tliat  our  Indian  troubles  are  daily  increasing,  and  our  e-fjiciency  as 
rapidly  decreasing. 

i^^Two  additional  mounted  Regiments  are  absolutely  necessary 
for  the  proper  protection  of  the  interests  of  New  JSIexico,  and  this  w-itl 
would 

be  conceded  by  every  intelligent  individual,  if  he  could  see 
the  truth  as  Ave  know  it  to  exist. 

Many  of  the  Indians  are  exceedingly  anxious  to  visit  the  President 
of  the  United  States,  and  I  am  decidedly  of  the  opinion,  they  ought 
to  be  indulged  on  account  of  the  public  good  that  would  necessarily 
result  therefrom.  Unless  the  Government  of  the  United  States  should 
bo  pleased  to  give  me  military  employment  in  this  territory,  T  should 
be  pleased  to  accompany  such  a  deputation  as  may  be  authorized 
to  visit  Washington. 
I  am,  Sir, 

With  great  respect. 

Your  obt.  Servt 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt 
Orlando  Brown  Esqr. 

Comr.  of  Ind.  A/fs. 

'  W ashington  City 

D.r. 

[CALHOUN   TO   BROWN.'] 

No.  :V2. 

Indian  Agency 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

Jany.  25th  1850.  ' 
Sir. 

Since  T  forwarded  my  mail  of  this  morning,  in  charge  of  Mr  lirent 
and  party,  I  have  had  a  large  number  of  applications  for  Licenses  to 
trade  with  the  Kioway  and  Comanche  Indians.  As  these  traders 
informed  me  they  did  not  intend  leaving  for  several  days,  I  did  not 
give  them  the  permits  asked  for. 

I  have  frequently  called  your  attention  to  the  pernicious  conse- 

and  intercourse 
quences  resulting  from  the  indiscriminate  trade  ^ 
permitted  with  the  Indians  of  this  territory — See  my  letters  of  the 
15th  of  last  October— Novr.  2d.  &  7th.     The  following  is  an  extract 
from  my  No.  18.  Novr.  2d. 


1  O.  I.  a.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  429. 

"The  documents  on  i)i).  107-10*)  ilUislrato  the  various  troubles  growing-  out  of  the  trade 
with  the  Indians. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  105 

"  The  constant  and  unrestrained  intercourse  of  traders  with  the 
Indians  of  this  territory,  is,  perhaps,  the  greatest  curse  upon  it,  and 
so  exceedingly  pernicious  is  it,  I  have  ventured  to  suggest  to  Govr. 
Munroe,  the  propriety  of  extending,  hy  order^  the  laws  of  Congress  in 
relation  to  trade  and  intercourse  with  Indian  tribes,  over  this  terri- 
tory as  a  military  measure,  offensive  and  defensive,  called  for  by  the 
war  demonstrations  of  the  wild  tribes.  He  has  taken  the  matter 
into  consideration,  but  has  given  no  intimation  of  the  conclusion  to 
which  he  may  possibly  arrive." 

I  was  authorized 

On  the  21st  of  November,  last,  to  give  the  fol- 

lowing notice,  which  I  caused  to  be  extensively  circulated. 

Indian  Agency 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico, 

November  Ust,  18 h9. 
Licenses,  to  trade  with  Indians,  will  be  granted  by  the 
undersigned,  upon  the  following  conditions,  provided         ( 
they  are  approved  by  His  Excellency,  Governor  Munroe, 
Military  commander  of  this  Department. 

Applicants  must  be  citizens  of  the  United  States,  pro- 
duce satisfactory  testimonials  of  good  character,  and 
give  bond  in  a  penal  sum  not  exceeding  five  thousand 
dollars,  with  one  or  more  sureties,  that  he  will  faithfully  , 

observe  all  the  laws  and  regulations  made  for  the  gov-  { 

ernment  of  trade  and  intercourse  with  the  Indian  tribes 
of  the  United  States,  and  in  no  respect  violate  the  same, 
and  that  they  will  not  trade  in  fire-arms,  powder,  lead, 
or  other  munitions  of  war. 

Applicants  will  distinctly  state  what  tribe  they  wish 
to  trade  with,  and  under  a  license  granted,  they  will  not  \ 

be  authorized  to  trade  with  others. 

For  the  present,  no  license  will  be  granted  authorizing 
trade  or  intercourse  with  the  Apaches,  Navajoes,  or 
Utahs. 

James  S.  Calhoun, 

Indian  Agent. 

The  foregoing  regulations  having  been  approved,  all 
traders  and  others  are  informed,  a  non-compliance  with 
the  conditions  will  subject  offenders  to  the  penalties  due 
to  irregular  traders. 

By  calling  at  my  office,  the  laws  mentioned  can  be 
examined,  and  such  further  information  given  as  may  be 
desired. 

J.  S.  C. 

Nov.  24-2in. 


106  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S,    CALHOUN. 

At  the  time  I  issued  the  foregoing  notice,  I  was  not  ignorant  that 
the  hiws  of  the  United  States,  regulating  trade  and  intercourse  with 
Indians,  had  not  been  extended  over  this  territory,  and  my  object 
was  to  arrest  the  evils — inflicted  upon  this  people  by  mischievous 
wandering  traders,  to  such  an  extent  as  might  be  practicable.  To 
Americans  and  Mexicans,  I  have  taken  the  responsibility  of  charging 
each  a  fee  of  ten  dollars — $10. 

This,  I  supposed  for  a  time,  had  checked  the  trade  and  intercourse ; 
but  not  So — for  a  dozen  or  more  would  Club  together,  select  one  as 
Chief,  and  the  whole  business  would  be  conducted  in  his  name — 
Under  these  circumstances  I  have  issued  three  licenses — but  the  num- 
ber of  traders  now  actually  with  the  Indians,  were  I  have  reason  t<» 
beleive,  were  never  greater,  and  never  more  injurious  to  the  public 

the  effort 
tranquility — No  one  doubts  the  fact,  that  notwithstanding 
to  arrest  and  restrict  the  trading  mentioned,  many  of  the  traders  da 
not  hesitate  to  go  into  the  Countries  where  the  Apaches,  Navajoes 
and  Utahs  are  found.  This  induced  me  to  give  the  following  notice 
in  Spanish  as  well  as  English. 


Indian  Agency, 

Santa  Fe,  December  16th^  18^9. 

In  no  instance  has  the  undersigned  granted  a  License 
authorizing  trade  with  the  Apaches,  Navijoes  or  Utahs, 
and  with  the  first  and  last  named  tribes  he  includes  the 
Jicarillas.  All  trade  with  these  Indians  is  irregular, 
and  traders  are  subject  to  such  penalties  as  may  be  im- 
posed by  the  legally  constituted  authorities  of  this  Terri- 
tory. 

J.  S.  Calhoun,  Indian  A<jf. 

2  in. 

But  1  doubt  very  much  whether  this  notice  has  had  any  other  effect 
than  to  make  the  traders  a  little  more  cautious — 

The  Pueblo  Indians  are  in  the  in  the  constant  habit  of  trading 
with  the  Comanches,  which  ought  to  be  gently  and  quietly  stopped. 
In  every  instance  I  have  promptly  given  to  these  applicants  a 
simple  permit,  without  charging  a  fee  of  any  amount,  but  treating 
them  with  the  greatest  kindness  and  hospitality .^  the  latter  at  some 
considerable  cost^  which  I  trust  will  not  be  disapproved,  when  it  is 

our  relations  with  them 
remembered,  are  in  a  critical  State,  rendered 

so,  as  I  have  frequently  advised  you,  by  the  iniquitous  conduct  of 
Alcaldes,  Prefects,  and  evil  disposed  Mexicans,  Americans,  English, 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN,  107 

and  others — all  committing  gross  wrongs,  which  are  not,  and  which, 
as  the  law  stands,  I  can  not  correct  or  remedy — To  some  of  these 
wrongs,  I  alluded  to  in  ni}^  letter  of  this  date,  which  should  have  been 
numbered  31. 

With  the  hope  that  this  letter  may  overtake  Mr  Brent's  party,  and 
reach  you  at  an  early  day, 

I  have  the  honor  to  be, 
Your  obt.  Servt. 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt 
Orlando  Brown  Esqr 

Comr.  of  Ind.  Afs. 

Washington  City 

B.C. 

[Related  Correspondence.] 
[McLAWS  TO  ALEXANDER.!] 

Hd.  Qrs.  9  Mil.  Dept. 
Mnta  Fe  N.  Mer".  June  6.  50. 
Colonel, 

I  have  the  honor  hereby  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  the  Post  return  of 
Las  Vegas  under  your  command  for  the  month  of  May  1S50  copies  of  orders 
issued  during  the  montli  &  of  a  communication  of  the  2d  Inst.  In  reference  to 
Maj.  Griers  command  at  the  Rayado,  to  persons  trading  with  the  Indians  & 
requesting  that  one  or  two  Mountain  Howitzers  with  ammunition  be  sent  to 
Las  Vegas. 

Col.  Munroe  directs  me  to  reply 
As  regards  sending  Co.  K  2d  Drgs:  to  tlie  Rayado  to  reinforce  Maj.  Griers  com- 
mand; you  are  allowed  to  make  such  disposition  of  that  company  as  in  your 
opinion  would  most  conduce  to  the  interest  of  the  Service  But  in  ordering 
Lt.  Adams  with  Co.  K  to  report  to  Major  Grier  inform  the  Major  that  in  so 
doing,  you  are  not  deprived  of  the  right  to  recal  the  company  for  service  at 
your  Post,  should  .any  exigency  arise  requiring  its  presence;  It  is  not  thought 
necessary  that  any  order  or  instructions  other  than  those  already  given  should 
be  issued  relative  to  the  joint  co-operation  of  the  Forces  at  Las  Vegas  &  the 
Rayado  whenever  you  or  Major  Grier  should  require  assistance  from  each 
other;  because  it  is  known  that  entire  unanimity  will  be  observed  in  order  to 
advance  the  interest  of  the  Service.  The  authority  to  grant  Licences  to  trade 
with  the  Indians  has  been  vested  by  the  Governor  in  the  Indian  Agent  alone. 
No  Licence  to  trade  with  the  Apaches  has  been  or  will  be  granted  by  the  Indian 
Agent.  You  will  keep  a  strict  watch  on  all  trading  parties  if  any  are  found 
without  licences  you  can  use  your  discretion  as  to  retaining  them  in  confine- 
ment keeping  their  Goods  or  merely  turning  them  back  with  orders  not  to  pro- 
ceed In  both  cases  you  will  report  the  facts  to  these  Hd.  Qrs:  If  persons  or 
parties  even  with  Licences  to  trade  should  be  found  having  contraband  articles 
for  traffic  in  their  possession  such  as  arms  or  amunition  of  any  kind  or 
liquors  of  any  sort  you  will  arrest  &  confine  the  Parties  &  seize  &  hold  their 

lA.  G.  0.,  Old  Book,  No.  3,  pp.  90-91. 


108  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

Goods  until  the  decisiou  of  the  Col.  Couidg  upon  each  case  is  known.  You  will 
be  careful  on  every  occasion  to  obtain  the  correct  names  of  the  Individuals 
I  forward  herewith  a  Letter  from  Col  Calhoun  the  Indian  Agent  to  Col.  Munroe 
of  June  2.  l.snO  containing  a  list  of  Persons  who  have  been  authorized  to  trade 
with  the  Indians  in  iV:  upon  the  Borders  of  New  Mexico. 

A  large  body  of  Camanche  Indians  who  are  represented  as  being  friendly  are 
now  collected  on  the  Pecos  at  the  Bosque  Redando;  So  soon  as  arrangements 
can  be  entered  into  with  them  by  which  we  will  be  enabled  to  open  trade  & 
at  the  same  time  cut  off  all  intercourse  with  the  hostile  Apaches  &  other 
unfriendly  Indians;  trading  Licences  will  be  granted  under  proper  guarantees 
&  restrictions;  It  is  desirable  to  send  them  the  above  notice  &  if  an  opportunity 

perhaps  be 
does  not  otherwise  offer,  it  will  necessary  to  effect  that  object  for 

you  to  grant  a  Licence  to  some  one  to  trade  with  them ;  if  such  is  the  case  you 
are  hereby  authorised  to  grant  a  special  License,  specifying  the  time  when  the 
Licence  was  given  &  when  it  expires  &  designaling  by  name  first  the  principal 
&  then  his  associates 
Respectfully 

Your  obt.  Servt. 

L.  McLaws 

1st  Lt  7th  Infy 

AAA  Genl 
Col.  E.  B.  Ar-Kx.\NDEU 

Conimdg 
Las  Vegas 


[munroe   TO   JONES/] 


Hd.  Qrs.  9  Mil.  Dkpt: 
Santa  Fe  N.  Mex:  11  June  1850. 
Sir, 

The  proper  regulation  of  Trade  &  Intercourse  between  the  people  of  New 
Mexico  &  the  Indian  Tribes  on  its  Borders  is  so  intimately  connected  with  what- 
ever relates  to  Military  ojjerations  that  I  regret  I  did  not  bring  the  subject  to 
the  particular  notice  of  the  Secretary  of  War  at  an  earlier  period.  The  Files  of 
the  Home  Dept  will  I  believe  shew  from  the  correspondence  of  the  Ind :  Agent 
Col :  Calhoun  many  of  the  difficulties  which  exist  from  the  want  of  such  regula- 
tions; As  a  sequence  to  these  remarks  I  take  the  liberty  of  submitting  the  fol- 
lowing propositions  for  such  consideration  as  they  may  seem  entitled  to. 

1st  The  Extension  over  New  Mexico  &c  of  the  present  Laws  regulating  Trade 
&  Intercourse  with  the  Indians  Tribes  with  such  modifications  as  may  adapt 
ihem  to  their  new  sphex-e  of  operation. 

2d  The  Imposition  of  suitable  penalties  for  Violations  of  the  eleventh  article 
(if  the  Treaty  of  peace  between  the  U  S  &  Mexico 

3d  That  the  Connuander  of  the  Ti-oops  be  invested  with  superiory  authority 
over  the  Indians  Department  in  whatever  relates  to  these  1st  &  2d  propositions 
so  long  as  our  present  peculiar  relations  with  the  Indian  Tribes  continue.  The 
independant  action  of  different  agents  owning  no  common  superior  makes  the 
l)ropriety  of  some  such  rule  sufl3ciently  obvious.  For  a  long  time  past  the 
Praire  Tribes  have  been  supplied  with  arms  and  ammunition  by  the  traders  on 
the  Frontier  of  Texas  &  the  contiguous  States;  In  this  Territory  from  the  utterly 
unscrupulous  character  of  much  of  its  population  illicit  trade  has  at  all  times 


A.  G.  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  ;{,  pp.  98-99. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  109 

uuder  its  former,  as  well  as  its  present  government  been  extensively  carried  on. 
I  believe  I  do  not  err  in  stating  tliat  five-sixths  of  the  Mules  in  New  Mexico 
and  have  been  brought  from  Mexico  the  produce  of  predatory  Indian  incursions 
into  that  country. 

Mules  form  the  Staple  on  one  side  »&  arms  and  ammunition  the  first  item  on 
the  other  of  all  the  Traffic  carried  on  &  this  commerce  is  pursued  with  Bauds 
in  actual  Hostility  against  us,  nearly  to  the  same  extent  as  if  at  peace 
I  am  respectfully 

Your  Very  obt  Servt 

Sgd  John    Munroe 

Bvt.  Col.  U.  8.  A 

Gomdg 
Maj.  Genl.  R  Jones 

Adg.  Qen. 
V.  S.  A. 

[munroe  to  graham.^] 

Hd.  Qks.  9  Mil.  Dept. 
Santa  Fe  N.  Mex.  Octr.  15.  50 
Sir, 

I  have  received  your  Letter  of  the  13  Inst,  on  the  subject  of  the  Utahs  aud 
New  Mexico  Traders. 

For  the  purpose  of  properly  regulating  trade  with  the  Utahs  you  are  hereby 
authorised  to  grant  such  Licenses  to  traffic  with  them  as  in  your  judgement  & 
discretion  you  may  deem  proper.  In  relation  to  ammunition  you  will  also 
have  the  regulation  of  it  allowing  them  to  purchase  moderate  supplies  as  you 
suggest. 

The  enclosed  Letter  of  this  date  from  Col.  Calhoun  Indian  Agent  to  me  and 
having  my  approval  you  can  view  as  being  addressed  to  yourself 

Mr.  Ashurst  Attorney  General  will  visit  you  for  the  purpose  of  bailing  out 
the  prisoners,  I  pursued  a  similar  course  with  contraband  traders  at  Cibolletta 

The  absence  of  Congressional  Legislation  regulating  trade  with  the  Indian 
Tribes  within  our  new  acquisitions  and  also  to  carry  out  the  terms  of  our 
treaty  with  Mexico  throws  responsibilities  upon  me  in  the  exercise  of  which 
I  have  to  use  all  due  discretion 
I  am  &c  &c 

Major  Graham—  John  Munkoe 

[CALHOUN    TO    CRAWFORD.'] 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

Ja7iy.  ^6th  1850. 

Sir, 

The  impression  prevails  that  our  mail  for  the  United  States  of 
November  last,  is  lost.  That  mail  contained  the  original  of  the  en- 
closed copy  of  a  letter  ^  to  yon,  which  with  the  accompanying  memo- 
randum,* will  fully  explain  the  object  desired;  and  I  sincerely  hope 

lA.  G.  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  3,  p.  202. 

2  A.  G.  O.,  C  64  of  1850. 

3  See  Calhoun  to  Crawford,  October  27,  1849,  A.  G.  0.,  C  47  of  1849. 
*  Prepared  for  Calhoun  by  Lieutenant  A.  C.  Burnside,  Ibid. 


110  CUKRESPOXDEXCE    OF    JAMES    S.    CALiKJUX. 

you  will,  at  an  early  day,  gratify  my  friend,  Lt  liitrnside,  who  is  an 
officer  of  decided  merit.  Lt.  B's  application  will  be  forwarded  to 
the  Adjt.  General's  Office  by  the  conveyance  which  carries  this  to 
you. 

My  last  letter  from  Washington  was  dated  in  July  last,  and  we 
are  as  ignorant  as  men  can  be  of  what  has  transpired  in  the  States 
since  that  period. 

Will  you  not  enlighten  m^e^  hy  domiments,  or  othe'rwise? 
"With  great  respect, 

Your  obt.  Servt. 

J.  S.  Calhoitn 
Sec.  or  Wak 

Washington   City 

[CALHOTTN  TO   CRAWFORD.'] 

Santa  Fe,  Xew  Mexico 

J  any.  25th.  1850. 
Sir, 

The  two  enclosed  letters  Avill  show  you  the  reason  wliy  I  again 
arrest  your  attention  for  a  moment.  These  gentlemen,  the  writers 
of  the  two  letters,  feel  themselves  aggrieved,  and  I  am  decidedly  of 
the  opinion,  if  you  will  cause  this  matter  to  be  thoroughly  investi- 
gated, as  I  doubt  not  you  will,  you  will  come  to  the  conclusion  that 
I  have  too  wit,  they  have  been  neglected,  for  causes  not  stated  in 
either  of  the  accompanying  communications. 

My  impression  is.  the  names  of  these  gentlemen  were  sent  up,  and 
the  individuals,  in  consequence  of  their  meritorious  conduct,  'trere 
recommended  for  promotion.  But  unfortunately  for  them,  Lt. 
Thomas  -  is  a  relation  of  Governor  Francis  Thomas  of  Maryland, 
and  it  is  believed  that  Senator  Benton  prevailed  upon  Sec.  Marcy 
to  withhold  Thomas'  name,  and  that  could  not  be  done  without  show- 
ing to  the  public  gross  injustice,  as  the  officers  were  alike  meritorious, 
and  therefore,  rather  than  act  in  opposition  to  Mr.  Benton's  wishes, 
in  reference  to  Thomas,  the}'  were  made  to  share  the  same  fate,  which 
was  just,  but  the  fate  to  which  they  were  subjected,  I  verily  beleive 
should  be  reversed,  and  I,  respectfully,  ask  you  to  make  such  en- 
quiries as  shall  satisfy  your  own  mind  upon  the  subject,  and  if  com- 
patible with  your  sense  of  justice,  I  know  it  will  afford  you  as  much 
pleasure  to  advance  these  officers,  as  they  will  derive  by  receiving 
what  they  claim  as  but  sheer  justice,  too  long  deferred. 

lA.  G.  O.,  Files  C  63  and  C  132  of  1850. 

2  Francis  John  Thomas  fought  on  the  Confederate  side  durinsr  the  Civil  War  and  was 
killed  at  the  Battle  of  Bull  Run. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  Ill 

The  facts  as  I  state  them,  are,  in  my  opinion,  unknown  to  Judd, 
and  hence  some  unjust  allusions  in  his  letter.  Lt  Thomas'  friends 
were,  doubtless,  correctly  informed^  as  they  were  as  devoted  to  the 
then  administration  as  Mr  Benton,  but  they  were  less  potential. 

I  am, 
Sir, 

With  great  respect. 

Your  obt  Servt. 

J.  S.  Calhoun. 
Sec.  of  War. 

Washington  Oiti/, 
D.  C. 

[Inclosures] 
1. 

[thomas  to  calhoun] 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

January  ^Jfth  1850 

My  Dear  Sir 

At  Captain  Jndd's  ^  advice  &  request,  I  beg  to  mention  to  you  the 
follow-  facts,  premising,  that  though  myself  a  party  interested,  still 
as  I  have  almost  concluded  my  arrangements  to  leave  the  Army,  E 
feel  that  I  ought  not  to  let  any  false  delicacy  on  my  part  restrain  me 
from  claiming  what  I  conceive  to  be  due,  inasmuch  as  silence  on  my 
part  might  indirectly  militate  against  the  just  claims  of  my  friends 
and  brothers-in-arms.  I  will  therefore  mention  the  main  facts  as 
succinctly  as  possible — 

On  the  12th  day  of  September  1847,  while  the  Army  was  lying  in 
front  of  Mexico,  Twiggs'  ^  Division,  constituting  the  Right,  was 
employed  in  making  an  active  demonstration  against  the  enemy's 
left  to  favor  the  operations  of  our  left,  on  the  enemy's  right,  to  wit, 
the  points  of  Chapultepec,  and  the  causeways  lending  thence  into  the 
city. 

Twiggs'  Artillery  being  found  too  light  for  effective   service,  a 

was 
twelve  pound  field  Battery  belonging  to  Quitiiunrs''  Division  ftftd 
ordered  to  perform  tem'porary  service  with  Twiggs.    On  this  <^orvice 

1  Henry  Bethel  Judd.  Many  of  the  letters  of  Major  Judd,  descriptive  of  New  Mexican 
conditions,  are  on  file  in  the  War  Department  and  are  highly  interesting. 

-  David  Emanuel  Twiggs,  who  distinguished  himself  at  the  storming  of  Monterey  and 
who  was  the  general  in  command  in  Texas  at  the  time  of  her  secession.  Twiggs  was  dis- 
missed from  the  U.  S.  A.  and  joined  the  C.  S.  A. 

"John  Anthony  Quitman  who  also  distinguished  himself  at  the  storming  of  Monterey. 


112  CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

fehcy  it  continued  until  the  afternoon  of  the  13th,  whe,  the  enemy's 
right  having  been  beaten,  and  our  left  rapidly  approaching  the 
Gavita's  of  Belen  and  San  Posme,  the  Battery  Avas  again  ordered  to 
rejoin  Quitman,  which  it  did  at  the  Belen  Gate  before  night,  threw 
up  epaulments,  and  on  the  14th,  marched  into  the  City  of  Mexico 
with  the  victorious  Army,  and  was  the  first  Battery  in  the  Grand 
Plaza.  The  services  of  this  Battery  were  spoken  of  in  the  highest 
terais,  by  Generals  Scott,  Quitman,  and  Twiggs,  the  latter  of  whom, 
in  his  Division  Order  on  the  occasion,  "  tendered  his  personal  thanks 
to  Captain  Steptoe  and  the  Oificers  of  his  Battery,"  with  a  few  ex- 
pressions of  compliment,  and  admiration,  unnecessary  for  me  to  par- 
ticularize. 

From  the  above  short  statement,  you  will  j^erceive  that  Steptoe's 
Battery^  acted  under  the  great  disadvantage^  of  serving  during  the 
same  battle,  under  tioo  different  Generals.,  and  with  tioo  distinct 
Divisions.  The  consequence  was,  that,  the  Battery  was  only  known 
to,  and  mentioned  by,  the  two  Generals  as  Steptoe''s  Battery,  and  the 
after  result  is,  that  the  reward,  bestowed  in  every  other  case  without 
exception  upon  every  ojfhcer  of  Light  Artillery  during  the  war.^  has  in 
this  case  been  withheld  from  the  effie©  subalterns  of  this  particular 
Battery.  That  the  Battery  %t)as  productive  of  effect,  is  shown  by  the 
fact  that  its  effieefs  Captain  received  the  Brevet  of  Lieutenant  Colonel 
for  this  very  action,  while  its  subalterns,  1st  Lieut.  Judd,  1st  Lieut. 
Brown.,  1st  Lieut.  Thomas  and  2d  Lieut.  'Welch  were  passed  by  un- 
noticed. 

I  would  further  mention  that  Captain  Judd  and  myself  have  both 
received  many  letters  from  our  Brother  officers,  expressive  of  the 
feelings  with  which  they  regard  this  neglect, — Of  the  tone  of  their 
letters,  that  of  Captain  Judd's  to  me,  which  has  been  placed  in  your 
hands,  is  but  the  reflection — Should  you  be  of  opinion  that  our  serv- 
ices entitle  us  to  a  reward  (which  we  do  not  claim  as  a  desert.,  further 
than  that  the  services  were  of  the  same  nature,  and  in  fact  a  part  of 
those  that  have  been  so  rewarded)  I  beg  to  bespeak  your  aid  and  in- 
fluence on  behalf  of  the  subalterns  of  that  Battery,  whose  services 
gained  its  Captain  a  Lieutenant  Colonelcy, 
in  the  case 

/  have  but  little  interest  — (and  that  principally  from  a 

desire 
feeling  of  friendship,  and  a  strong  feeling  of  justice  to  my  Brother 
officers)  since  one  of  the  subalterns  I  have  referred  to  (Lieut.  Welch) 

iThe  letters  on  pp.  114-119,  146-148.  throw  additional  light  upon  Steptoe's  Battery. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  113 

is  since  dead,  and  another,  nwself  expect  shortly  to  retire  from  the 
service 

I  am  Colonel 

With  great  respect 

Yours  Very  Sincerely 

FRA^  J.  Thomas 
Col  J.  S.  Calhoun 


[judd  to  thomas.] 

Las  Vegas  New  Mexico 

January  loth 
My  Dear  Thomas — ■ 

The  more  I  dwell  upon  the  indignities,  slights  and  neglects  cast 
npon  the  officers  of  Steptoes  Battery  by  being  passed  on  in  silence, 
while  men  who  have  never  seen  the  soil  of  Mexico  or  heard  the  sound 
of  a  hostile  shot,  have  been  crowned  with  honors,  the  less  am  I  in- 
clined to  support  such  d— — g  injustice  and  to  be  subjected  to  such 
inequitous  insults — It  is  our  right,  it  is  our  solemn  duty  to  demand 
justice  and  we  must  not  allow  false  delicacy  to  suppress  the  truth  or 
balk  our  principles  of  what  we  believe  to  be  our  righteous  dues. 

The  acts  making  the  last  Brevets  have  capped  the  work  and  we  need 
no  longer  hesitate  to  demand  what  we  have  fought  and  toiled  for  so 
long  in  vain — I  need  not  say  how  much  I  appreciate  the  treatment 
you  have  received  nor  how  greedily  I  thirst  to  see  your  neglect 
repaired 

Now  must  be  our  time,  or  never;  the  present  Session  is  a  long  one 
and  may  be  the  last  which  will  offer  us  a  chance  to  obtain  the  desired 
end  of  simple  justice — I  have  written  to  Hugh  Smith  a  very  decided 
letter  in  behalf  of  yourself,  the  Bearer  and  myself,  and  have  desired 
him  to  go  direct  to  the  President  and  demand  as  our  right  that  posi- 
tion conferred  upon  so  many  less  deserving  of  it.  He  will  probably 
at  my  request  consult  with  Mr.  Yulee — 

Now,  Thomas,  do  you  by  the  opportunity  offered  b}^  Mr.  Beek's 
party  renew  your  statement  of  last  winter,  demand  our  rights,  as 
rights  alone  and  call  upon  the  member  to  whom  you  address  yourself 
in  the  name  of  all  of  us  for  that  justice  withheld  from  us  so  long 
thro'  the  indolence  or  indifference  of  our  Captain  for  whom  we 
gained  a  Lt.  Colonelcy — 

Go  also  to  Col.  Calhoun  who  is  the  intimate  friend  of  the  War 
statement  in 
Secty,  and  give  him  a  writing  of  our  claims,  our  services 

and  our  demands,  and  from  what  I  know  of  him,  he  will  be  an  able 
5021—15 S 


114  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

and  a  willing  advocate.  Let  no  false  modesty  interfere  with  this 
duty,  but  look  upon  it,  as  I  do,  as  a  sacred  obligation  demanded  by 
what  is  due  our  friends,  our  history  and  our  future  reputation — Make 
your  statement  full,  clear  and  explicit;  let  the  dates  be  made  plain 
and  the  reasons  why  we  have  not  been  mentioned  in  the  Reports  of 
the  Generals  so  apparent  that  no  misconception  can  arise — viz;  the 
indolence  or  indijference  of  our  immediate  Commander,  or  the  fact 
that  being  attached  to  no  particular  Division  no  Genrl.  felt  interested 
in  our  proceedings  and  consequently  omitted  the  mention  of  the 
Subalterns — Do  this,  my  dear  Thomas,  for  us  all,  and  be  assured  that 
I  will  not  relinquish  our  claims  until  justice  is  either  forgotten  or 
received — 

Yours  hastily  but  truly  Judd 

We  seek  nothing  that  is  not  right;  omit  therefore  no  step  that  is 
honorable — 

[Related  Correspondence.] 
[jUDD  AND  THOMAS  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  AVAR.^] 

New  Mexico,  21th  January ISJ/O. 

At  the  request  of  our  friend  Col.  James  S.  Calhoun  the  following  statement  is 
respectfully  submitted  to  The  Honourable.  The  Secretary  of  War. 

Of  all  the  OfBcers  who  were  attached  as  Subalterns  to  the  Batterie's  oper- 
ating with  the  Army  under  the  General  in  Chief  during  that  brilliant  Campaign 
which  resulted  in  the  fall  of  the  Mexican  Capital,  and  the  termination  of  the 
War,  those  alone  of  "  Steptoe's  Battery  "  have  remained  unnoticed,  unretoarded, 
and  tinknoiDH,  as  having  been  participators  in  that  glorious  achievement. 

This  Battery — of  Brass  12  Pdr.  Guns,  and  24  Pdr.  Howitzers  arranged  for 
Field  purposes, — was  organized  and  equipped  at  Tampico.  by  Lieut.  &  Bvt.  Capt. 
Henry  B.  Judd,  assisted  by  Lieut.  &  Bvt.  Capt.  Brown  3d.  arty,  under  the 
supervision  of  its  Captain  E.  J.  Steptoe  3d.  art. 

Bvt.  Capt.  Judd  with  one  half  the  Battery — 3  Guns — landed  with  the  Troops 
at  Vera  Cruz,  and  was  the  first  place  in  position,  soon  after  which  he  was 
joined  by  the  rest  of  the  Officers,  and  the  remainder  of  the  Battery.  The 
history  of  that  Campaign  embraces  the  history  of  that  Battery,  whose  Officers 
were  present  with  it,  commanding,  directing,  and  bringing  into  action  the  men 
whom  the  Subalterns  had  instructed  and  disciplined  in  the  duties  of  that  arm 
of  Service  at  all  the  actions  in  which  it  was  engaged.  It  was  the  good  fortune 
of  Lleuts.  Judd  and  Brown  to  be  placed  in  a  situation,  at  the  bridge  of  Medelin 
near  Vera  Cruz,  where  a  signal  service  was  rendered  to  the  gallant  Col.  Harney, 
by  routing  with  their  Guns  the  enemy  that  had  held  him  at  bay  from  a  position 
unapproachable  with  his  Command,  and  for  which  service  he  made  it  his  duty 
to  cause  them  to  be  remembered.  These  Brevets,  however,  not  beii^g  in  any  w^ay 
connected  with  the  movements  which  followed  the  fall  of  Vera  Cruz  have 
failed  to  place  the  recipients  on  that  honourable  list  which  in  future  years  will 
be  referred  to  as  the  most  distinguishing  mark  of  the  serA-ice  rendered  by  those 
whose  names  are  there  enrolled. 

In  this  small  but  hotly  contested  affair  Capt.  Steptoe  was  not  an  actor.  Dur- 
ing the  siege  of  Vera  Cruz ;  at  the  battle  of  Cerro  Gordo ;  the  Capture  of  Pueblo  ; 

1  A.  G.  O.,  C  31  and  C  132  of  1849,  enclosed  in  C  63  of  1850. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OP    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  115 

at  the  Garita  of  Piedad  (or  San  Antonio)  ;  the  entrance  into  the  City  of  Mexico 
and  for  three  days  afterwards  while  the  populace  and  released  prisoners,  were 
let  loose  upon  our  army  that  Battery  was  in  position  and  never  without  its 
Subalterns  who,  each  commanding  a  Gun,  directed,  controlled,  and  entirely  gov- 
erned the  pieces  which  they  fought. 

If  facts  are  wanting  to  prove  the  efticieucy  of  this  Battery,  they  are  amply 
furnished  by  the  tico  Brevets  received  by  its  Captain,  one  of  a  Major,  the  other 
of  a  Lieut.  Col :  and  the  certificates  of  merit,  issued  by  the  department  to  nearly 
every  private  of  his  Battery  who  returned  to  the  United  States.  But  his 
Subalterns.  liieuts.  and  Bvt.  Captains — Judd — H.  Brown,  and  Lieut.  F.  J. 
Thomas,  who  were  present  at,  and  took  part  in  every  affair,  in  which  their  Cap- 
tain was  engaged — and  some  that  it  was  not  his  good  fourtune  to  share,  remain 
neglected,  forgotten  and  unmentioned. 

The  cause  of  this  is  easily  explained.  The  Battery  from  its  being  the  heav- 
iest Field  Battery  with  the  Army,  was  permanently  attached  to  no  Division, 
Brigade,  or  particular  Army  Corps,  but  held  in  reserve  and  sent  wherever 
its  superior  weight  of  metal  rendered  it  efficient  over  the  lighter,  but  more 
mobile  Batteries  of  6  pounders,  which  were  all  incorporated  with  some  particu- 
lar Brigade  of  Troops.  Thus  very  naturally,  no  General  Officer,  considered  it 
as  his  especial  duty  to  mention,  the  Services  of  a  Battery  not  under  his  imme- 
diate contronl,  beyond  the  ordinary  thanks  he  might  choose  to  convey  to  its 
Captain,  and  each  thinking  us  attached  to  another  Brigade  or  Division  whose 
General  would  see  that  justice  was  rendered  us,  refrained  from  giving  us  that 
place  in  his  report,  which  our  services,  and  successes  fully  entitled  the  Bat- 
tery to  receive,  and  we  have  suffered  accordingly. 

Our  names  will  not  be  found  on  record,  even  in  the  reports  of  the  several 
affairs  above  enumerated,  or  if  they  enter  into  any  of  them,  so  partial  a  men- 
tion is  made,  as  to  cause  an  inviduous  and  unjust  inference  to  be  at  once  drawn 
from  them :  as  for  example  at  Cerro  Gerdo  and  the  Garita  of  Beliu,  when  all 
were  present,  but  somewhat  seperated  by  the  disposition  of  our  respective 
Guns,  two  are  mentioned  and  the  others  not  noticed  because  not  coming  under 
(he  direct  observation  of  the  Officer  in  that  part  of  the  field  with  the  first  two. 
We  cannot  therefore  refer  to  records.  Orders,  or  Reports,  but  to  our  statements 
upon  honour,  to  our  Captain  and  to  half  the  Officers  of  that  victorious  Army. 
Honours  and  rewards  have  been  showered  upon  our  Commander  and  upon  our 
men,  while  the  perils,  trials,  efforts  and  successes  of  the  junior  Officers  remain 
unrequited.  If  those  only  who  have  fought  for,  and  won,  their  honours  have 
been  rewarded,  how  loto  are  we  sunk,  in  the  opinion  of  our  judges  who  still 
I>lod  through  our  profession  with  humble  grade  and  lowly  rank  from  which 
we  have  striven  in  vain  to  elevate  ourselves?  How  dreary  is  the  future  to 
those  whose  honourable  ambition  meets  with  such  a  return?  The  past  has 
gained  us  nothing,  what  hope  have  we  then  for  the  future,  even  should  our 
experienced  but  neglected  services  be  again  needed  by  our  beloved  Country? 
Of  the  three  Subalterns  of  that  Battery  now  living.  One  has  served  his  Country 
eleven  years,  seven  of  which  have  been  passed  in  the  field  or  upon  distant 
stations,  another  nine,  and  another  six  years.  The  junior  Lieut  F.  J.  Thomas, 
was  an  active  participator  in  the  siege  and  fall  of  Monterey  for  which  he  has 
never  been  noticed  and  it  is  but  fair  for  us  all  to  Infer,  that  onr  lives  devoted 
to  a  profession  which  wo  love,  might  draw  lo  an  linni  ilc  close  amid  (he  most 
brilliant  successes,  to  wiiidi  we  may  li:i\e  been  permitted  to  be  martyrs,  but 
never  allowed  to  hope  for  rewards  while  living. 

On  the  12th  and  l.'itli  of  Sepr.  -17.  our  Battery  was  posted  on  an  open  road,  to 
open  a  fire  upon  the  work  at  tiie  C.-iiii;!  I'iedad  i  or  S.-ni  Antonio  >  as  .i  diversion 


116  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

in  favour  of  the  attack  upon  the  Castle  of  Chepultepec.  We  contended  against 
a  I'.attery  in  position,  behind  strong  fortifications  of  double  our  number  of 
Guns  in  double  our  calibre. 

We  on  both  days  silenced  their  fire,  dismounted  some  of  their  Guns,  caused 
the  work  to  be  hastily  evacuated,  and  under  this  powerful  diversion  the  Castle 
of  Chepultepec  was  attacked  and  carried;  Each  Subaltern  here  commanded  a 
Gun,  our  Captain  was  Brevetted  a  Lieut.  Col.  for  Chepultepec.  five  miles  off; 
his  Officers  were  not  noticed  but  the  men  have  received  Certificates  of  Merit 
for  this  affair. 

Pardon,  Sir,  the  plainness,  and  abruptness  of  this  statement,  made  at  the 
instance  of  one  who  has  seen  and  felt  an  interest  in  our  position  and  the  neg- 
lect we  have  suffered,  and  which  is  also  essential  in  the  absence  of  all  reports 
and  records  at  the  War  Office. 
With  liigh  respect, 
We  remain 

Tour  Obt  Servts 

(Signed)  Henry  B.  Judd, 

F.  J.  Thomas, 
Lieutenants  3d.  Artillery. 
The  Honourable 

The  Secbetary  of  War 

Washinffton  City 

D.  C. 

[brown  to  shields.^] 

Fort  Adams  R.  I. 

June  7th  1830 
General : 

I  have  the  honor  to  recall  myself  to  your  recollection  and  with  this  without 
further  preface,  to  ask  your  valuable  services  in  seconding  my  claims  upon  the 
government  for  a  Brevet  earned  as  I  think  at  "  Cerro  Gordo." 

You  may  remember  that  I  was  in  that  engagement— that  it  was  with  the 
assistance  of  the  sturdy  men  of  your  Brigade  we  were  enabled  during  the  night 
of  the  18th  April  to  place  our  guns  upon  the  eminence  opposite  the  enemy's 
works — that  the  night  preceeding  the  battle  was  one  of  hard  endurance  and 
labor  for  the  men  of  your  command  with  whom  I  was  associated  in  dragging 
the  guns  by  inches  up  the  mountain — that  tlie  two  guns  of  Steptoe's  Battery 
were  placed  upon  the  crest  of  the  hill  without  a  shovel  full  of  earth  in  front 
to  cover  our  thin  files  from  the  plunging  fire  of  the  ennimy's  batters,  while 
the  24  lb  gun  on  our  Right  was  comfortably  ensconced  behind  a  parapet  built 
by  the  sai)pers  and  miners  the  previous  night — that  the  next  morning  you — • 
the  only  General  Officer  I  saw  then,  came  up  in  person  to  the  summit  of  the 
mountain  and  while  examining  the  position  of  the  guns  exchanged  some  words 
with  me  while  we  were  preparing  for  action,  and  to  the  effect  that  we  were 
not  to  fail  to  open  upon  the  ennemies  heights  by  8  O.  cloclv — and  your  own 
personal  observation  then  &  there  made  can  enable  you  to  judge  whether 
steptoes  guns  had  been  planted  at  the  post  of  danger  and  of  honor — 

I  now  claim  a  small  share  of  the  credit  due  for  that  brilliant,  bold  feat  of 
arms,  in  placing  our  Artillerj'  on  a  vantage  ground  amidst  the  clouds,  and 
that  in  presence  and  in  face  of  the  ennemies  batteries — 

All  the  officers  of  artillery  who  participated  in  tlie  cannonade  that  followed, 
were  brevetted — except   myself, — I   am   impatient  under   this   unenviable   and 

1  A.  G.  0.,  S  157  of  1850. 


COKEESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN".  117 

as  I  think  unjust  exception^— wliich  leaves  me  alone  without  distinction  and  at 

this  late  day   I   ha^e  determined   to   surmount   all    scruples  of   delicacy   and 

plead  my  own  cause  with  that  energy  and  perseverance  which  ever  comes  to 

the  assistance  of  men  resolved  at  all  hazards  to  vindicate  themselves  in  what 

is  just  and  Right — 

If  upon  consideration  of  my  case  you  deem  it  worthy  of  your  attention  and 

good  wishes  I  earnestly  solicit  your  intercession  with  the  war  department  in 

my  favor — You  linow  general  from  your  past  experience,  that  injustice,  slights 

and  neglects  must  be  fatal  to  the  hopes  and  aspirations  of  a  military  man  who 

strives  for  an  honest  fame. 

With  many  wishes  for  your  continued  prosper! tj'  and  advancement  in  the 

high  cause  before  you 

I  remain 

With  high  respect  &  esteem 

Your  ob.  svt. 

Hach  Brown 

,„    ^  ,  .  c  Bvt  Capt  U.  8.  A. 

lo  General  James  Shields, 

Hon.  Senator  from  lU. 

Washington  D.  C. 

[brown  to  JONES.^] 

Fort  Adams  R.  I. 

June  8th  1850 
General : 

As  the  subject  of  conferring  Brevets  for  services  in  the  late  war  with  Mexico 
may  again  be  revived  and  reopened,  I  respectfully  request  and  invite  an  exami- 
nation of  my  claims  to  an  additional  Brevet  for  the  Battle  of  "  Cerro  Gordo." 
No  particular  report  of  the  operations  of  Colonel  Steptoe's  Battery  In  that 

in 
action  was  made;  it  formed  no  part  of  the  Division  of  General  Twiggs,  and 
his  report  of  the  action  was  altogether  overlooked — 

A  supplemental  paragraph,  in  vague  and  general  terms  of  the  usual  stereo- 
typed form,  which  would  have  applied  as  well  to  any  other  battle  as  that  of 
"  Cerro  Gordo ; "'  carried  with  it  no  convincing  proofs  and  so  far  from  amend- 
ing only  aggravated  and  made  the  previous  slight  more  glaring  and  apparent. 

Hence  it  is,  I  earnestly  seek  from  the  Department  a  more  particular  exami- 
nation of  my  claims  for  a  Brevet  for  services  in  the  action  above  referred  \o — 
I  have  the  honor  to  be 
Very  respectfully 
Yr.  ob.  St. 

Hach  Brown 

Bvt  Capt  U.  8.  A. 
To  Major  Genl.  R  Jones 

Adj  Genl  U  8.  A. 

Washington  D.  G. 

[STKI'TOK    TO    JOKES.^] 

Fort  Meade,  Fla. 

June  28  1850 
General — 

At  the  request  of  Capt.  Browne  I  have  the  honor  to  inclose  to  you  a  com- 
munication received  by  me  a  day  or  two  since ;  and,  also,  one  from  myself  to  the 
Secretary  of  War. 

lA.  G.  O.,  B  354  Of  1850,  enclosed  in  C  63  of  1850. 
2  A.  G.  O.,  S  341  of  1850,  enclosed  In  C  G3  of  1850. 


118  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

It  is  known  to  you  that  my  Section  at  the  cerro  Gordo,  and  my  Battery  on  a 
subsequent  occasion,  liad  the  singular  misfortune  to  fight  in  a  different  Division 
from  that  it  S3rved  &  marched  with,  and  thus  to  lose  the  advantage,  enjoyed  by 
other  Batteries,  of  a  Division  organisation.  As  the  only  officer,  therefore,  to 
whom  my  subalterns  could  look,  I  made,  as  you  will  remember,  an  effort  two 
years  ago  (at  Jalapa)  to  call  attention  to  their  claims  for  Brevet:  may  I  again 
solicit  your  services  &  kind  consideration  of  their  merits. 

At  least  I  will  indulge  the  hope  that  the  appeal  of  Capt.  Browne  will  rece:ve 
your  approbation.  &  successful  interposition. 

To  me  this  is  a  matter  of  deep  concern.  Although  conscious  that  it  arises 
from  no  neglect  on  my  part,  that  fact  that  almost  every  officer  in  other  Bat- 
teries received  two  Brevets,  while  mine  received  but  one,  at  most,  fills  me  with 
mortification  and  regret 

I  have  the  honor  to  be 

General,  with  high  respect, 
your  obt  St. 

E.  J.  Steptoe 
CV//</.  Bt.  Li.  Vol.  3d  Ally 
Maj.  Genl. 
R.  Jones 

Adjt.Genl.U.S.A. 

Wa.'iJiington 

[steptoe    TO   THE    SKf'RETAHV    OV    WAK.^] 

Fort  Meade  Florida 

June  28  1850 
To  the  Honble 

The  Secretary  of  War — 
Sib, 

I  have  the  honor  to  inclose  a  communication  from  Bvt.  Capt :  H.  Browne, 
Adjutant  of  3d.  Regt.  Artillery;  and  upon  it  to  submit,  respectfully,  the  fol- 
lowing remarks : — 

Captain  Browne  was  the  only  Lieutenant  on  duty  with  my  Section  of  Artil- 
lery at  the  Cerro  Gordo,  and  to  present  his  services  on  that  occasion  to  the 
notice  of  the  AVar  Department  in  the  wny  that  they  deserved,  has  been  a  con 
stant  hope  with  me  ever  since  the  close  of  the  war;  but  my  humble  military 
rank  &  little  influence,  seemed  to  give  me  small  prospect  of  success. 

^ly  Section  belonged  to  Genl.  Patterson's  Deivision  previous  to  the  battle  of 
Cerro  Gordo;  was  attached  to  Genl.  Twiggs'  Division  during  the  battle;  and 
joined  Genl.  Worth's  the  moment  it  xvas  over.  In  other  words,  it  really  be- 
longed to  no  Division,  and  had  not,  of  course,  the  sympathy  &  official  support  of 
any  General  officer; — for  it  is  well  known  how  rife  was  the  spirit  of  emulation 
&  excliisiveness,  amongst  the  several  Divisions.  Genl.  Twiggs  not  deeming,  as 
he  said,  my  Section  to  be  part  of  his  command,  merely  adverted  to  it — hici- 
dentally.  as  it  were. 

Respecting  the  conduct  of  Capt:  Browne  in  the  battle; — I  hazzard  nothing  in 
saying  that  no  finer  conduct  was  witnessed  on  that  occasion; — of  all  those  en- 
gaged, not  one  displayed,  in  his  sphei'e.  qualities  highei*,  or  more  deserving  of 
notice.  Now  will  those  who  know  this  officer  well,  fail  to  appreciate  this 
tribute  to  his  merits 

'  .\.  <;.  O..  S  .S41  of  3850,  encloserl  in  C  63  of  1850. 


CORRESPOXDEXCE    OF    JAMES    S.    CALHOUN.  119 

My  guns  were  got  uix»u  the  hill  acllaoeut  to  the  Cerro  Gordo  ou  the  night 
of  17  April,  with  infinite  difficulty,  and  Captain  Browne  labored  at  them  almost 
unceasingly  through  the  night — long  after  sickness  &  exhaustion  had  quite 
prostrated  me.  Finding  that  they  would  be  exceedingly  exposed— (no  Parapet 
having  been  prepared  for  them  as  for  the  Iron  2-i  Pdr.)  to  give  confidence  to 
the  men  he  threw  up  a  hasty  screen,  using  in  part  the  Mexican  dead  of  the 
previous  day:  And  here,  with  the  utmost  enthusiasm  of  a  true  soldier,  he  dis- 
charged his  duty  throughout  the  action — no  one,  whether  in  the  storm  hig  party 
or  at  the  Guns,  more  exposed,  or  more  active. 

Capt.  Browne  seems  to  have  made  this  appeal  with  great  reluctance.  Noth- 
ing but  a  stern  consciousness  of  his  own  merits,  and  a  keen  sense  of  the  neglect 
he  has  experienced,  could  have  overcome  his  diffidence.  I  am  glad  that  has 
made  it: — is  it  asking  too  much  that  my  endorsement,  and  testimonial  *e-i* 
should,  under  the  circumstances,  have  the  force  due  to  higher  grades?  I  was  not 
in  command,  tis  true,  but  then,  as  has  been  stated,  my  Section  was  to  all  intents, 
perfectly  isolated;  and  there  was,  and  is,  no  higher  officer  to  interest  himself 
for  it. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be.  Sir, 
With  great  respect 
Your  obt  St. 

E.  J.  Steptoe 
Capt.  Bt.  Lt.  Col.  3d  Arty 

[CALHOUN   TO   BROWN.'] 

No.  33. 

Indian  Agency 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico. 

J  any.  28th.  1850. 
Sir, 

For  this  and  the  precedmg  day,  I  have  been  incessantly  annoyed 
by  complaining  representations,  made  to  me,  by  deputations  from 
the  Pueblos  of  Santa  Anna,  San  Juan,  Tesuque,  and  Pojaoque.  The 
two 

first  are  complaing  of  encroachments  upon  their  lands,  by  Mex- 

Court 
icans — The  first  has  been  brought  into  the  Circuit  of  this 

territory,  to  defend  their  claims  to  lands,  which  they  say,  they  have 
always  possessed,  and  which  was  formally  and  legally  granted  to 
them. 

One  of  the  Indians  of  Tesuque,  was  sued  in  the  Alcaldes  Court  of 
this  place,  by  a  man,  who  says  he  left  a  mule,  in  March  last,  with 
the  Indian  alluded  to;  that  he  did  not  apply  for  the  mule  before 

not 
last  August,  and  as  he  did         get  a  mule,  he  sued  the  Indian  in  De- 
cember last,  obtained  judgement,  execution  issued,  and  on  the  same 
day,  returned  ^''Satisfied.''''     And  yet,  on  the  6th  of  this  month,  the 
plaintiff  goes  to  said  Pueblo,  about  eight  miles  from  this  place,  with 

1  0.  I.  a.,  Santa  F6  Agenc.v,  C  420. 


120  COREESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUX. 

another  individual,  with  this  "  Satisfied  "  Execution,  and  not  being 
able  to  find  the  late  defendant,  he  seizes  one  of  his  mules,  and  has 
him  now  in  his  possession,  as  his  own  property.  I  have  notified  him, 
the  present  possessor  of  the  mule,  that  if  he  did  not  restore  him,  I 

send 
would  his  conduct  before  a  Grand  Jury.     And  this  I  may  do ; 

but  what  will  it  avail?     For,  with  the  ignorant  Indians  of  this  terri- 

Judges, 
tory,  (neither  of  the  three  ever  studied  the  law  for  a  moment, 

I  presume,  until  they  were  appointed  Judges  by  Genl.  Kearney,  in 
1846,)  justice  is  just  blind  enough  to  favor  the  strong  at  the  expense 
of  the  weak;  and  consequently,  I  may  fail  in  my  attempts  to  protect 
the  Indians,  and  with  them,  must  necessarily  lose  caste,  and  their 
confidence  in  the  justice  and  pov;er  of  the  Government  of  the  United 
States  is,  in  the  same  proportion,  diminished — 

A  palpable  case  of  stealing  two  cows  from  the  Pojaoque  Indians 
occurred  while  I  was  at  Abiquin — the  colored  man,  Avho  drove  them 
off,  was  brought  before  an  Alcalde  in  this  City,  charged  with  the 
theft,  and  acquitted.  The  Indians  then  sued  the  negro  for  the  value 
of  the  cows,  and  on  my  return,  I  attended  the  trial — Judgement  was 
obtained  against  the  negro,  and  although  the  Alcalde  was  requested, 
by  the  Attorney  I  employed  for  the  Indians,  to  issue  Execution  forth- 
with, require  the  Security  which  the  law  directs,  or  hold  the  person 
of  the  defendant,  yet  neither  was  done,  but  the  cost  was  collected,  and 
the  negro  has  left  for  the  United  States,  and  the  Indians  are 
remidiless — 

These  cases  shall  be  officially  laid  before  Governor  Munroe  so  soon 
as  the  lawyer  shall  be  able  to  give  me  the  facts — and  I  shall  ask  for 
the  removal  of  the  Alcalde,  and  that  the  Courts  shall  not  entertaiii 
Civil  Suits  against  Pueblo  Indians,  until  the  will  and  pleasure  of 

States 
the  Government  of  the  United  shall  be  made  known,  and  that 

those  now  pending,  shall,  also,  lie  over  for  the  present.  What  the 
Governor  may  do  in  the  premises,  is  extremely  doubtful — Had  I  the 
power  to  arrest  these  dangerous  wrongs,  it  should  be  done  without 
another  moment's  delay. 

Depend  upon  it,  if  ever  a  strong  arm,  and  a  mind  of  firmness  and 

decision  were  required  at  any  time,  or  at  any  place,  they  are  needed 

here. 

I  am. 

Sir, 

Your  obt  Servt. 

„  -r,  -r^  J.  S.  Calhoun 

Orlando  Brown  Esq 

Comr.  Ind.  Affs. 

Washington  City 

D.  C. 


COEEESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  121 

[CHOICE  TO   CALHOUN/] 

— Copy —  Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

Jany.  29th  1850 
Sir 

After  an  absence  of  fifty  two  days,  I  returned  from  Socorro  on 
yesterday,  and  regret  to  report  that  Col.  May^  and  myself  failed  to 
make  a  treaty  with  the  Apaches  as  we  were  authorized  by  Govr. 
Munroe's  appointment  and  instructions  of  the  9th  day  of  december 
last. 

In  my  communication  of  the  24th  of  last  month,  you  were  advised 
of  the  extension  of  time,  given  by  the  Commissioners,  to  enable  the 
Apache  Chiefs  to  assemble  and  come  in.  At  the  appointed  time. 
twelve  Indian  squaws^  well  mounted,  and  armed  with  Bows  and  Ar- 
rows, came  in  and  reported  that  the  Principal  Chief  was  then  in 
council  with  the  subordinate  Chiefs  of  the  tribe,  and  that  the  Apaches 
and  Navajoes  had  a  fight  a  few  days  previous  to  the  assembling  of 
the  Chiefs,  in  which  the  latter  had  been  victorious;  and  that  these 
facts  might  detain  the  Apache  Chiefs  for  a  few  days  longer,  as  a 
portion  had  gone  in  search  of  the  Navajoes,  to  give  them  another 
battle. 

These  Squaws  were  immediately  dismissed  by  Col  May,  and  I  re- 
gret that  I  could  not  concur  in  the  propriety  of  the  dismissal,  as  pos- 
sibly, we  might  have  gleaned  some  important  information.  We  de- 
termined to  wait  still  longer  for  the  Chiefs,  but  up  to  the  23d  of  this 
month,  not  a  word  more  had  been  heard  from  them,  and  I  deemed  it 
proper  to  return  to  this  place. 

It  may  be  proper  to  remark,  that  the  Chiefs  who  so  unexpectedly 
escaped,  as  mentioned  in  my  letter  of  the  24th  ult,  left  three  mules 
and  three  horses  with  a  few  Bows  and  Arrows,  and  a  number  of 
packs,  containing  robes,  skins  meat,  corn,  and  other  articles  of  no 
great  value. 


I  am. 


Sir 

With  great  respect 

Your  Obt  Servt 


Cyrus  Choice 

CoTn 


Col.  J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt. 
Santa  Fe 

New  Mexico 


1  O.   I.  a.,  Santa  ¥&  Agency,  C  429. 

-  Chiirles  Augustus  May,  another  of  the  Buena  Vista  heroes. 


122  COERESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[CALHOUN   TO   MUNROE  ^] 

—Copy—"  B  "  Indian  Agency 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

J  any  29th  1850 
Sir 

I  submit,  for  your  consideration,  the  accompanying  instructions  to 
Genl  Cyrus  Choice,  in  discharging  duties  at  Abiquin,  as  an  Indian 
Agent. 

In  consequence  of  the  want  of  appropriations,  if  not  inconsistent 
with  your  views  of  propriety,  I  should  be  gratified  to  receive  your 
authority  to  the  acting  Quarter  Master  and  Commissary  at  Abiquin, 
to  furnish  upon  the  requisition  of  Genl  Choice,  forage  for  one  horse^ 
and  such  rations  as  he  may  require,  to  be  accounted  for  and  settled 
by  this  Indian  Agency,  so  that  it  may  not  be  an  improper  charge 
against  the  War  Department. 
With  great  respect, 

I  am  your  Obt  Servt 

James  S.  Calhoun 

Ind  Agent 
Govr  MuNROE 

Col  Comdg 
9th  Mil  Dept 

Santa  Fe  Nev)  Mexico 

[Inclosure] 

— Copy —  Indian  Agency 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

J  any  29th  1850 

General  Cyrus  Choice  is  hereby  authorized  and  requested,  to  dis- 
charge the  duties  of  Indian  Agent  for  the  Utah  tribe  of  Indians,  to 
reside  at,  or  near  Abiquin. 

A  copy  of  the  laws  of  the  United  States  regulating  the  trade  and 
intercourse  with  the  Indian  tribes  within  the  limits  of  the  said 
States,  herein  enclosed,  will  be  his  general  guide  in  the  discharge  of 
his  duties. 

He  will,  without  delay,  enquire  into  the  character  and  result  of  the 
murders  committed,  near  Abiquin,  on  or  about  the  3d  of  the  present 
month,  and  the  cause,  or  causes  that  led  to  the  aforesaid  murderous 
collision  between  Mexicans  and  Utah  Indians.  Precise  and  accurate 
information  upon  this  subject,  is  desired,  and  which  shall  include  the 
names  of  all  engaged,  directly  or  indirectly,  in  that  outbreak,  dis- 
tinguishing the  killed  and  wounded,  and  exhibiting  a  statement  of 

1  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  429. 


COKKESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  123 

the  i^roperty  carried  off,  or  destroyed,  and  to  whom  said  property 
belonged. 

It  is  important  to  ascertain  the  purpose  of  these  Indians,  and  their 
disposition  and  feelings  towards  the  United  States,  and  especially 
towards  all  the  people  residing  in  the  territory,  acquired  from 
Mexico  by  the  treaty  of  1848. 

As  correct  an  estimate  as  can  be  obtained  of  the  aggregate  num- 
ber of  the  tribe  is  desired,  distinguishing  the  Pah  Utahs  from  the 
others. 

As  there  is  no  advice  in  reference  to  an  appropriation  for  the  com- 
pensation of  an  Agent,  and  other  expenses  incidental  to  an  Agency, 
for  the  Utah  Indians,  those  questions  can  alone  be  determined  by 
Congressional  legislation,  and  to  the  proper  department  they  will  be 
immediately  refered. 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind  Agt 
Approved 

John  Munroe 

Col  c&  Mil  Governor 

[MUNROE  TO   CALHOUN.'] 

(Copy)  Santa  Fe  29th  J  any  1850 

Sir 

Your  appointment  of,  and  instructions  to  Genl  Choice  as  Agent 

to  the  Utah,  is  herewith  returned,  meeting  my  unqualified  approval. 

The  other  part,  with  my  understanding  of  its  meaning,  will  be 

acted  on  affirmatively.     I  refer  to  the  expression  "  and  such  rations  ^ 

as  he  may  require." 

Your  very  Obt.  Servt  ^ 

J.  Munroe 

Bt  Col.  &c 
Col  Calhoun 

Ind  Agt 

[Related  Correspondence.] 

[TYLER  TO  McLAWS.sj 

Albiquin 
Fe:by.  2na.  1850 
Sib: 

Having  left  Santa  Fe  without  written  instructions  as  to  tbe  relations  exist- 
ing between  the  Indian  Agencj-  and  Quarter  Mjister's  Dept.,  I  would  respect- 
fully request  that  the  same  be  forwarded  at  your  earliest  convenience — 


1  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  429. 

-  As  slightly  bearing  upon  1  iiis  subject,  note  letter  from  Tyler  to  McLaws. 

3  A.  G.  O.,  Pile-box,  1850,  Department  of  New  Mexico,  T  2. 


124  COEEESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

Qrs 
I  should  like  information,  as  to  whether  Fuel,  Forage  and  Rations  are  to 

be  furnished  to  the  Agents  of  the  Indian  Department  on  requisition,  as  indi- 
viduals of  some  conventional  grade,  or  whether,  I  furnish  them  to  any  amount 
they  may  thiulv  proper  to  draw,  on  their  receipts. 

I  aslc  for  '  ivritten  instructions  '  that  all  difficulties  may  be  obviated  and  that 
the  Indian  Dept.  may  be  taught  their  relative  position  to  other  public  depart- 
ments— 

I  have  the  honor  to  be 

A^ery  respy.  yr.  obt.  St. 

Wm  H.  Tyler 

Lt.  7  Iny 
A.  A.  Q.  M.  (f-  A.  A.  C.  8 
Lt.  L.  McLaws 

7th  Iny 

A.  A.  A.  Gl. 

[CALHOUN   TO   BBOWN.^] 

Xo.  34 

Indian  Agency. 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico. 

Jany.  31st.  1850. 
Sir, 

The  enclosed  papers.-  with  my  letter  and  its  enclosure  of  the  3d. 
No.  29. 
inst.  will  make  known  to  you,  the  origin,  and  the  result  of  an 

effort  to  treat  with  the  Apaches — General  Choice's  report  to  me, — 
a  copy  of  which  is  enclosed,  will  show,  that  Colonel  May  and  him- 
self, differed  as  to  the  propriety  of  sending  off  the  Female  Envoys — 
and  I  agree  with  Genl.  Choice,  it  would  have  been  most  discreet  to 
have  retained  them. 

B^^  If  we  have  reached  the  worst,  it  is  not  because  the  Indians  have 
not  been  most  successful  in  their  depredations.  The  lambing  season 
is  at  hand,  and  I  shall  be  greatly  surprised,  if  the  Indians  do  not 
drive  off  a  sufficient  number  of  sheep  to  subsist  a  Regiment  of  Troops 
for  twelve  months  within  the  ensuing  two  months — and  for  these 
losses  indemnification  will  be  demanded  of  the  United  States. 

It  may  be  proper  to  say,  that  t^  during  the  lambing  season  of  the 
year,  sheep  are  driven  to  the  Woodlands,  that  they  may  be  protected 
against  inclement  weather,  and  where  the  Shepherds  can  take  care  of 
the  lambs;  and  where  too,  Apaches  and  others  frequent,  and  very 
often  succeed  in  driving  off  vast  herds — 

Genl.  Choice  is  aware  that  there  is  no  appropriation  to  pay  for  such 
services  as  he  has  attempted  to  render;  but  I  gave  him  my  promise  to 

1  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  429. 

2  Enclosure  "  B,"  a  letter  from  Calhoun  to  Munroe,  January  29,  1850,  has  been  placed. 
In  its  chronological  sequence,  in  the  body  of  the  text,  as  have  also  Munroe's  letter  in  reply 
and  Choice's  report  to  Calhoun,  both  of  the  same  date. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  125 

submit  the  question  to  your  consideration — The  General  has  Labored 
faithfully  and  zealously,  and  should  be  compensated. 

In  view  of  the  fact  that  many  of  my  despatches  may  have  been 
lost,  I  venture  to  say,  again,  the  interests  of  our  common  country, 
so  far  as  affairs  in  this  territory  can  affect,  will  be  best  promoted  by 
calling-  me  to  Washington,  with  a  few  of  the  Pueblo  and  other 
Indians,  unless  the  Government  shall  give  me  military  employment, 
in  subjugating,  and  locating,  in  proper  districts,  the  Apaches, 
Comanches,  Najoes,  and  Utahs — I  desire  this  service. 
All  of  which,  is  respectfully  submitted  by 

Your  very  obt.  Servt  J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt 
Orlando  Brown  Esqr. 

Comr.  of  Ind.  Affs. 

Washington  City. 

D.  0. 

[CALHOUN   TO   BEOWN.^J 

No.  35. 

Indian  Agency 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

Jany.  31st.  1850. 
Sir. 

On  the  1st  day  of  the  present  month,  I  enclosed  to  you  a  Treaty 
made  with  the  Utah  tribe  of  Indians,  at  Abiquin,  Deer.  30.  1849. 
Fearing  that  the  two  originals  may  have  been  lost  on  the  road  to 
the  United  States,  I  send,  accompanying  this  note,  a  correct  copy  of 
said  treaty. 

My  letter  of  the  17th  of  this  month,  No.  30,  informed  you  that 
a  Utah  Indian  had  been  killed,  and  subsequently,  seven  Mexicans, 
near  Abiquin, 

and  several  herds  of  Stock  were 'driven,  off.  From 
the  various  conflicting  statements  afloat,  I  have  come  to  the  con- 
chision,  the  Indians  were  less  to  blame,  (if  blamable  at  all,)  than  the 
Mexicans.  It  is  an  ascertained  fact,  the  Utah  was  first  killed  by 
the  Mexicans,  which  doubtless  lead  to  the  murder  of  the  Mexicans 
who  were  supposed  to  be  concerned  in  the  murder  of  the  Utah :  and, 
it  is  said,  no  other  stock  was  driven  off  but  such  as  was  in  the  posses- 
sion of  the  Mexicans  who  were  adjudged,  by  the  TTtahs.  to  be  offend- 
er rs  against  their  peace. 

Abiquin  has  long  been  the  Head  Quarters  of  a  very  mischeivous 
band  of  traders  with  the  Navajoes  and  Utahs;  and  any  thing  like 
order  and  quiet,  will  have  an  injurious  effect  upon  their  viscious 


O.  I.  a.,  Santa   F€  Agency,  C  249. 


126  COKEESPOXDEKCE    OF    JAMES   S.   CALHOUN. 

practices  with  these  Indians,  and  that  they  caused  the  outbreak  nun- 

doubt. 
tioned,  I  entertain  not  the  slightest  My  regret  at  the  occur- 

rence would  have  been  materially  diminished,  if  the  most  guilty  had 
been  the  victims  of  the  Indians  revenge. 

Frequent  messages,  similar  in  character  to  the  enclosed  copy, 
Marked  A,  have  been  sent  to  me.  For  this  copy,  I  am  indebted  to 
Governor  Munroe — 

Governor  ^Slunroe  having  deemed  it  advisable  to  establish  a  mili- 
tary post  at  Abiquin,  and  having  no  officers  of  mature  experience  to 
send  to  that  post,  and  as  we  both  agreed  that  it  was  of  the  utmost 
consequence  to  ascertain,  correctly  and  precisely,  the  dispositions  and 
feelings  of  the  Utahs  towards  the  People  and  Government  of  the 
U.  S.  General  Cyrus  Choice  was  proposed  in  the  terms,  and  with  the 
instructions,  and  approved  by  the  Governor,  as  will  be  seen  in  accom- 
panying document,  marked  B,  to  which  I  invite  your  attention,  to 
the  end  that  Genl.  Choice  may  be  duly  provided  for.  should  the 
course  which  has  been  pursued,  in  this  matter,  meet  the  approbation 
of  the  Department,  and  the  Executive,  which  they  would  not  fail  to 
do,  could  they  see,  for  themselves,  the  true  condition  of  our  Indian 
affairs  in  this  territory — 

An  express  came  to  Governor  Munroe,  to-day,  that  a  large  number 
of  Apaches,  some  Utahs,  and,  perhaps,  other  Indians,  were  assem- 
bling in  the  mountains  near  Rayado,  some  fifty  miles  North  east  of 
Taos,  and  it  was  supposed  they  were  meditating  some  bold  and  daring 
movement,  or  concerting  schemes  for  Spring  outrages — 
I  am. 

Sir. 

With  great  respect, 

Your  obt  Servt 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt 
Orlando  Brown  Esqr. 

Comr.  of  Ind  Affs. 

Washington  City 

D.  C. 

[Inclosures.] 
A 

[\  ALDKZ  to  the  prefect  of  TAOS.] 

(Translation.) 
To  THE  Prefect  of  the 

County  of  Taos 
I  Avould  inform  your  Excellency  that  Miguel  Gallego  the  Euta 
has  arrived  at  this  place  with  four  Eutas  two  Men  and  two  Women, 


OOREESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN.  127 

and  he  authorizes  me  to  say  that  he  has  been  sent  by  the  Chief  au- 
thorities to  make  a  treaty  of  peace,  as  the  Utas  did  a  short  time  ago. 
He  has  had  communication  with  all  the  Utas  and  all  the  Captains 
and  people  wish  peace  legal  and  forever.  That  what  occurred  in 
A-biquin  they  knew  nothing  about,  that  their  people  were  in  El 
Panchi ;  and  the  white  mountain  at  that  time,  and  if  people  want  to 
trade  with  them,  they  can  do  so  with  perfect  security.  He  is  not 
able  to  return  there  because  his  animals  are  very  poor  and  there  is  a 
great  deal  of  snow  and  he  will  await  here  the  determination  of  your 
Excellency  to  inform  his  people  San  Antonio  del  Rio  Colorado 
26th  Jany  1850 

Mariano  Yaldez 

Alcalde 
B 

TREATY  ^    BETAVEEN    THE    UNITED    STATES    OF    AMERICA    AND    THE    UTAH 

INDIANS. 

The  following  articles  have  been  duly  considered  and,  solemnly 
adopted  by  the  undersigned — that  is  to  say,  James  S.  Calhoun,  Indian 
Agent,  residing  at  Santa  Fe,  Acting  as  commissioner  on  the  part  of 
the  United  States  of  America  and  Quixiachigiate,  Nanito,  Nincocu- 
nachi,  Abaguanixe,  Ramahi,  Subleta,  Rupallachi,  Saguasoxego, 
Paguisachij  Cobaxanor,  Amuche,  Puigniachi,  Panachi,  Sichuga, 
Uvicaxinape,  Cuchuticay,  Nachitope,  Pueguate,  Guanojuas,  Pacachi, 
Saguanchi,  Acaguate,  Nochi,  Puibu-quiacte,  Quixachetuate,  Saxiabe, 
Pichiute,  Nochichigue,  Uvive,  Principal  and  Subordinate  chiefs,  rep- 
resenting the  Utah  tribe  of  Indians. 


The  Utah  tribe  of  Indians  do  hereby  acknowledge  and  declare, 
they  are  lawfully,  and  exclusively,  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Gov- 
ernment of  said  States;  and  to  its  power  and  authority,  they  now 
unconditionally  submit. 

2 

From  and  after  the  signing  of  this  treat}',  hostilities  between  the 
contracting  parties  shall  cease,  and  perpetual  peace  and  amity  shall 
exist,  the  said  tribe  hereby  binding  themselves  most  solemnly,  never 
to  associate  with,  or  give  countenance  or  aid  to  any  tribe  or  band  of 
Indians,  or  other  persons  or  powers,  who  may  be  at  any  time,  at 

iThe    Utah   Treaty   was    ratified    September   9,    1850.      The   text   of    it   is   printed   in 

Kappler,  11,  pp.  585-586.     For  a  second  manuscript  copy  see  O.  I.  A.,  File  Box,  "  Treaties, 
Copies." 


128  COERESPOXDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

enmity  with  the  people  or  government  of  said  States:  and  that  they 
will  in  all  future  time,  treat  honestly  and  humanely,  ev^py  every 
citizen  of  the  United  States,  and  all  persons  and  powers  at  peace  with 
the  said  States,  and  all  cases  of  aggression  against  said  Utahs. 
shall  be  referred  to  the  aforesaid  Government  for  adjustment  and 
settlement. 

3 

All  American  and  Mexican  Captives,  and  others  taken  from  per- 
sons or  powers  at  peace  with  the  said  States,  shall  be  restored  and 
delivered,  by  said  Utahs  to  an  authorized  officer  or  agent  of  said 
States,  at  Abiquin,  on  or  before  the  first  day  of  March,  in  the 
year  of  Our  Lord  One  Thousand  Eight  hundred  and  fifty.  And  in 
like  manner,  all  stolen  property,  of  every  description,  shall  be  re- 
stored, by  or  before  the  aforesaid  first  day  of  March — 1850.  In 
the  event  such  stolen  property  shall  have  been  consumed  or  de- 
stroyed, the  said  Utah  Indians  do  agree,  and  are  hereby  bound  to 
make  such  restitution  and  under  such  circumstances,  as  the  Govern- 
ment of  the  United  States  may  order  and  prescribe.  But  this  article 
is  not  to  be  so  construed,  or  understood,  as  to  create  a  claim  against 
said  States,  for  any  losses  or  depredations  committed  by  said  Utahs. 


The  contracting  parties  agree  that  the  laws  now  in  force,  and 
such  others  as  may  be  passed,  regulating  the  Trade  and  Intercourse, 
and  for  the  preservation  of  peace  with  the  various  tribes  of  Indians, 
under  the  protection  and  guardianship  of  the  Government  of  the 
United  States,  shall  be  as  binding  and  obligatory  upon  the  said 
Utahs  as  if  said  laws  had  been  enacted  for  their  sole  benefit  and 
protection.  And  that  said  laws  may  be  duly  executed,  and  for  all 
other  useful  purposes,  the  territorj^  occupied  by  the  Utahs  is  hereby 
annexed,  to  New  Mexico,  as  now  organized,  or  as  it  may  be  organized, 
or  until  the  Government  of  the  United  States  shall  otherwise  order. 


The  people  of  the  United  States,  and  all  others  in  amity  with  the 
United  States,  shall  have  free  passage  through  the  territory  of  said 
Utahs,  under  such  rules  and  regulations  as  may  be  adopted  by 
authoritv  of  said  States. 


In  order  to  preserve  tranquility,  and  to  afford  protection  to  all 
the  people  and  interests  of  the  contracting  parties,  the  Government 


COEEESPONDElSrCE    OF    JAMES  S.    CALHOUN".  129 

of  the  United  States  will  establish  such  military  posts  and  agencies, 
and  authorize  such  trading  houses,  at  such  time  and  in  such  places, 
as  the  said  Government  may  desismate. 


Eelying,  confidently,  upon  the  justice  and  liberality  of  the  United 
States  and  anxious  to  remove  every  possible  cause  that  might  disturb 
their  peace  and  quiet,  it  is  agreed  by  the  Utahs  that  the  aforesaid 
Government,  shall,  at  its  earliest  convenience,  designate,  settle,  and 
adjust  their  territorial  boundaries,  and  pass,  and  execute  such  laws 
in  their  territory  as  the  Government  of  said  States  may  deem  con- 
ducive to  the  happiness  and  prosperity  of  said  Indians. 

And  the  said  Utahs,  further,  bind  themselves  not  to  depart  from 
their  accustomed  homes  or  localities  unless  specially  permitted  by 
an  agent  of  the  aforesaid  Government  and  so  soon  as  their  boundaries 
are  distinctly  defined,  the  said  Utahs  are  further  bound  to  confine 
themselves  to  said  limits  under  such  rules  as  the  said  Government 
may  prescribe,  and  to  build  up  Pueblos,  or  to  settle  in  such  other 
manner  as  will  enable  them  most  successfully  to  cultivate  the  soil, 
and  pursue  such  other  industrial  pursuits  as  will  best  promote  their 
happiness  and  prosperity;  and  they  now  deliberately  and  consider- 
ately pledge  their  existence  as  a  distinct  tribe,  to  abstain,  for  all 
time  to  come,  from  all  depredations,  to  cease  the  roving  and  ram- 
bling habits  which  have  hitherto  marked  them  as  a  people;  to  con- 
fine themselves,  strictly,  to  the  limits  which  may  be  assigned  them, 
and  to  support  themselves  by  their  own  industry,  aided  and  di- 
rected as  it  may  be,  by  the  wisdom,  justice,  and  humanity  of  the 
American  People. 

8 

For  and  in  consideration  of  the  faithful  performance  of  all  the 
stipulations  contained  in  this  treaty,  by  the  said  Utahs,  the  Govern- 
ment of  the  United  States  will  grant  to  said  Indians,  such  donations, 
presents  and  implements,  and  adopt  such  other  liberal  and  humane 
measures  as  said  Government  may  deem  meet  and  proper. 


This  treaty  shall  be  binding  upon  the  contracting  parties  from  and 
after  the  signing  of  the  same,  subject,  in  the  first  place,  to  the  ap- 
proval of  the  Civil  and  Military  Governor  of  New  Mexico,  and  to 
such  other  modifications,  amendments  and  orders,  as  may  be  adopted 
by  the  Government  of  the  United  States. 
5021—15 ^9 


130  COBBESPONDENCE  OP   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN. 

J^^l!^  "''""'!  "''  ""'^'^■^ignod  have  signed  this  treaty,  and 
affixed    hereunto  their  seals  at  Abiquin,  in  New  Mexico,  tM^  the 

ItZt'  TV'  ?T'"'"=^'  '""  *^  ^'^^  °'  "^  Lord  One  Thous^d 
Eight  hundred  and  forty  nine.  ii"ubdiia 

(Signed)  James  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agent. 

QmxiAOHiGiATE    x^  P^n^ip'^ 
mark      ^*^/ 
his 
Nanito    X 
mark 

his 

NiNCOCUNACHI,     X 

mark 
his 
Abaganixe    X 
mark 
his 
Ramahi    X 
mark 
his 

SUBLETA     X 

mark 
his 

RUPALLACHI     X 

mark 
his 
Saguasoxego    X 
mark 
his 
Paguisachi    X 
mark 
his 

COBAXANOR     X 

mark 
his 
Amuche    X 
mark 
his 

PUIGNIACHI     X 

mark 


COREESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 


131 

his 


Panachi    X 

mark 
his 

SiCHUGA     X 

mark 
his 

UviCAXINAPE     X 

mark 
his 

CuCHUnCAY     X 

mark 
his 
Nachitope    X 
mark 
his 

PUEGUATE     X 

mark 
his 

GUANOJUAS     X 

mark 
his 
Pacachi    X 
mark 
his 
Saguanchi    X 
mark 
his 
Acaguate    X 
mark 
his 

NOCHI     X 

mark 

his 

PUIBUQUIACTE     X 

mark 


QUIXACHE-TUATE     X 

mark 
his 
Saxiabe    X 
mark 
his 

PlCHIUTE     X 

mark 


his  'g 


132  CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  3.   CALHOUN. 

his 

NOCHICHIGUE     X 

mark 
his 

UVIVE     X 

mark 
Witnesses 

An'^°  Jesus  Salosa 
Fran^^  Tomas  Baco 

his 
Vicente    x    Vilarde    Interpreter 

mark 
Antoine  Peroiox    Interpreter 
James  Conklin    Interpreter 
J.  H.  Whittlesey 

1st  Lieut.  1st  Dragoons 
Edw°  M  Kern 
Geo  W.  Martin 
Wm  H.  Mitchell 

Approved 

John  Munroe 

Bt  Col.  U.  S.  Army 

Civil  (&  Mily  Governor. 

[CALHOUN  TO  BBOWN.'] 

No.  36 

Indian  Agency 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico. 

Felry  M.  1850 
Sm, 

As  it  is  my  duty  to  keep  you  promptly  and  thoroughly  advised  on 
the  subject  of  our  Indian  relations  in  this  territory,  I  deem  it  neces- 
sary to  say,  on  yesterday  I  received  a  letter  from  the  Pueblo  of  Taos, 

affixed 
to  which  was  the  marks  of  Sixty  nine  Indians.     The  letter, 

although  in  Spanish,  was  evidently  written  by  a  designing  American. 
At  an  election  of  Delegates  to  a  Convention,  in  September  last,  in 
order  to  secure  a  result  adverse  to  a  State  Organization,  many  of 
the  Indians  of  the  Pueblo  of  Toas,  were  brought  to  the  polls  and 
induced  to  vote,  and,  thereby,  the  factious  purpose  of  thwarting  the 


O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F€  Agency,  C  429. 


COERESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.   CALHOUls'.  133 

supposed  policy  of  the  Administration/  in  regard  to  New  Mexico, 
was  secured;  so  far  as  the  election  of  delegates  from  the  county  of 
Taos,  could  accomplish  the  reckless  design.  On  my  visit  to  the 
Pueblo,  of  which  I  have  heretofore  advised  you,  I  found  the  In- 
dians moody  and  complaining,  and,  evidently  in  a  feverish  State  of 
excitement.  They  complained  of  aggressions,  encroachments  upon 
their  lands,  and  unjust  and  unusual  interferences  with  their  laws  and 
customs,  and  the  general  administration  of  justice.    Many  of  them 

were  selected 
complained  bitterly,  that  Alcaldes  for  them  by  Ameri- 

can authority,  instead  of  their  old  and  approved  custom  of  annually 
electing  said  officer,  and  others,  in  their  own  Pueblo,  and  by  their 
own  people.  They  desired  to  know  if  these  evils  could  not  be  reme- 
died. These  representations  were  first  made  to  me,  in  San  Fernando 
de  Taos.  During  the  same  day,  I  took  occasion  to  consult  Col.  Beall 
and  other  officers  at  that  Post;  and,  also,  Judge  Beaubien  of  the 
Supreme  Court,  and  the  Curate,  not  only  of  that  place,  but  of  the 
Indian  Pueblo  of  Taos,  between  two  and  three  miles  from  the  former. 
The  two  latter  gentlemen  have  a  controlling  influence  over  the  In- 
dians, and  the  Curate  was  one  of  the  delegates  elected  in  last  Septem- 

Beaubien 
ber  by  the  votes  of  these  Indians,  and  Judge  had  acted  in 

concert  with  the  successful  clique.  After  obtaining  all  the  informa- 
tion I  could,  I  frankly  stated,  to  the  before  named  gentlemen,  my 
views  as  to  the  proper  course  to  be  pursued  to  preserve  the  quiet  and 
contentment  of  the  Indians,  until  the  Government  of  the  United 
States  should  determine  its  policy  in  reference  to  them.  I  did  not 
expect  the  hearty  approval  and  cooperation  of  the  Judge  and  the 

1  W.  W.  H.  Davis,  in  "  El  Gringo,"  pp.  111-112,  says,  "  In  the  spring  of  1849,  James  S. 
Calhoun,  Esq.,  went  to  New  Mexico,  under  an  appointment  as  Indian  agent,  but  upon  hia 
arrival  he  declared  that  he  had  secret  instructions  from  the  government  at  Washington 
to  induce  the  people  to  form  a  state  government. 

"  For  a  time  the  plan  of  a  state  government  received  but  little  support,  but  In  the 
course  of  the  summer  and  fall  an  excitement  was  raised  upon  the  subject,  and  both 
parties,  state  and  territorial,  published  addresses  to  the  people ;  the  former  being  headed 
by  Messrs.  Calhoun,  Alvarez,  and  Pillans,  and  the  latter  by  St.  Vrain,  Houghton,  Beau- 
bien, and  others.  The  matter  continued  to  be  discussed  without  much  effect  In  favor  of 
the  state  organization  until  the  spring  of  1850,  when  Colonel  George  A.  McCall  arrived 
In  Santa  F6  from  the  States,  upon  a  like  mission  as  Calhoun.  He  informed  the  people 
that  no  territorial  government  would  be  granted  by  Congress,  and  that  President  Taylor 
was  determined  that  New  Mexico  should  be  erected  into  a  state  government,  in  order  to 
settle  the  question  of  slavery,  and  also  that  of  boundary  with  Texas.  The  delegate  In 
Congress,  Mr.  Smith,  wrote  home  to  the  same  effect ;  and  things  appeared  very  much  as 
though  the  general  government  had  left  the  people  of  the  Territory  to  shift  Tor  them- 
selves." 

When  Richard  H.  Weightman  presented  himself  as  United  States  Senator  from  New 
Mexico,  his  credentials  were  discredited,  inasmuch  as  New  Mexico  had  not  been  authorized 
to  effect  a  State  organization.  In  the  course  of  the  debate  on  the  subject,  the  charge 
was  made  that  the  Administration  was  really  responsible  for  the  Statehood  agitation. 
A  similar  charge  had  been  made  against  President  Taylor  with  respect  to  California,  It 
being  affirmed  that  Thos.  Butler  King  of  Georgia  had  been  sent  to  the  Coast  as  Executive 
agent.     The  charge  was  not  sustained.     [Cong.  Globe,  31st  Cong.,  1st  sess..  p.  1933.] 


134  CORBESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN. 

Priest  which  they  manifested  on  that  occasion.  The  Indians  were 
notified  that  I  would  talk  to  them  on  the  succeeding  day,  and  the 
gentlemen  already  mentioned,  with  others,  were  invited  to  accom- 
pany me,  and  the  invitation  was  accepted. 

At  the  appointed  time,  we  repaired  to  the  Pueblo,  and  I  explained 
to  the  Indians  the  character  of  the  laws  of  the  U.  S.  regulating  trade 
and  intercourse  with  Indians,  and  made  them  understand  how  such 
laws  might  affect  them.  I  also,  told  them,  if  they  prefered  to  be  a 
part  of  all  the  people  of  New  Mexico,  they  might  have  the  right  of 
voting  for  Governors,  Member  of  Congress,  and  all  of  the  officers 
of  a  State,  or  territory;  and  that  if  they  adhered  to  their  present 
state  of  existence,  and  the  Government  of  the  United  States  should 
secure  them  in  a  separate  and  distinct  community,  they  could  only 
vote  for  the  officers  of  their  own  Pueblo,  and  closed  by  adding,  em- 
phatically, that  if  they  should  determine  to  ask  the  President  of  the 
United  States  to  secure  them  in  an  independent  government^  and  to 
extend 

to  them  the  benefits  of  the  laws  regulating  trade  and  inter- 
course with  Indians  under  the  protection  of  the  Government,  they 
ought  not  to  allow  themselves  to  be  used  by  Americans  or  Mexicans 

at 
in  voting  fe?  elections  for  officers  out  of  their  Pueblo — that  in  said 
elections  they  should  take  no  part,  but  quietly  attend  to  their  own 
business.  I  then  called  upon  Judge  Beaubien  and  the  Priest  to 
make  an  expression  of  their  opinions  of  the  correctness  of  my  talk. 
They  done  so  in  very  satisfactory  terms,  without  attempting  to 
influence  their  decision,  and  closed  with  a  full  endorsement  of  my 
advice  as  to  voting,  unless  they  prefered  to  yield  their  identity  as  a 
distinct  people. 

we 

The  Indians  went  into  Council,  and  returned,  immediately,  to 
San  Fernando  de  Taos — Late  in  the  afternoon,  the  Governor  and 
principal  men  came  in  to  announce  their  determination,  which  they 
preceded  by  enquiring,  if  the  laws  of  the  U.  S.  which  I  had  explained 
to  them,  could  not  be  extended  over  them  at  once.  I  replied  in  the 
negative,  and  explained  to  them  that  the  Government  of  the  United 
States  only  had  that  power.  They  then  communicated  their  deter- 
mination, and  urged  me  to  beg  their  great  Father  to  give  them  the 
protection  of  these  laws  as  soon  as  possible — which  I  promised  to  do, 
and  our  conference  closed  at  the  Curate's  house,  and  the  Indians 
seemed  perfectly  delighted  with  their  future  prospects,  and  with 
strong  and  cordial  demonstrations  of  affection  for  nie,  as  their  father 
who  had  come  to  them,  we  embraced  and  parted.  The  letter  which 
these  Indians  sent  to  me  shows,  that  the  impression  has  been  at- 
tempted, to  make  them  beleive,  that  if  the  laws  of  the  U.  S.  were 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN.  135 

them,  as 

extended  over  they  would  be  so  shut  up,  so     not  to  be  able  to 

buy  or  sell,  and  that  their  condition  would  be  worse  than  it  is  now. 
I  have  ascertained  from  whence  their  letter  emanated,  and  have  no 
hesitation  in  saying,  it  is  not  only  intended  to  disaffect  the  Indians 

be 
towards  me,  but  to  keep  such  a  control  over  them,  as  to  able  to  use 
them  in  any  coming  election,  and  if  possible,  embarrass  the  admin- 
istration of  General  Taylor.  These  are  the  naked  facts,  and  there- 
fore it  was,  I  adopted  the  course  in  replying  to  them,  which  the 
accompanying  copies  of  my  letters,  all  enclosed  to  Col.  Beall,  will 
fully  explain.  I  am  satisfied  Judge  Beaubien  is  incapable  of  approv- 
ing such  conduct,  nor  am  I  prepared  to  beleive  the  Priest  has  done 
so,  for  both  of  these  gentlemen  gave  me  positive  assurances,  in  each 
others  presence,  that  in  future,  they  intended  to  act  with  General 
Taylor's  real  friends,  and  that  at  first,  they  did  not  understand  the 
factious  purposes  designed. 

I  sincerely  regret  that  I  have  been  compelled  to  make  allusions  to 
the  conduct  of  violent  partizans;  but,  without  doing  so,  I  could  not 
have  conveyed  to  you  an  adequate  idea  of  the  true  condition  of  our 
Indian  relations  in  New  Mexico;  nor  could  I  have,  otherwise,  made 
it  so  apparent,  that  the  question,  as  to  the  future  government  of  the 
Pueblo  Indians,  should  be  settled  at  the  earliest  practicable  day. 
I  am, 

Sir, 

With  great  respect, 

Your  obt.  Servt. 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt. 
Orlando  Brown  Esqr. 

Comr.  of  Ind.  Affs. 

Washington  City 

D.C, 

[CALHOUN   TO   BEALL,   GRIER,   WHITTLESEY'] 

(Copy)  Indian  Agency 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

Febry  M  1850. 
My  Dear  Sirs, 

I  send  to  you,  accompanying  this  note,  a  reply  to  a  letter  addressed 
to  me  by  sixty  nine  Indians  of  the  Pueblo  of  Taos;  and,  I  now  beg  of 
you,  the  personal  favor  to  me,  to  ride  out  to  the  Pueblo,  with  Judge 

1  Inclosure  of  Calhoun's  letter  to  Brown,  February  2,  1850. 


13b  COBRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN. 

Beaubien,  and  the  Priest,  for  whom,  I,  also,  enclose  a  letter,  and 
explain,  carefully,  and  explicitly,  the  contents  of  my  note  to  the 
Indians. 

It  is  evident  to  me,  there  are  mischievous  individuals  who  are  im- 
properly interfering  and  meddling  with  the  affairs  of  these  Indians, 
we  think  we  know  oTie  or  more  of  them,  and  the  immediate  purposes 
contemplated,  which,  in  bringing  about  the  results  they  so  much  de- 
sire, they  may  inflict  upon  the  community  a  tragic  spectacle,  the 
horrers  of  which,  may  not  affect  the  minds  of  those  viciously  resolved. 
The  Indians  asked  for  a  Spaneish  reply,  which  I  have  not  sent  them, 
for  I  am  of  the  opinion,  that  you  can,  with  the  aid  of  Judge  Beaubien, 
and  the  Priest,  give  them  a  more  satisfactory  translation  from  the 
english  I  send,  than  any  span»ish  that  could  be  sent  to  them.    And, 
further,  I  am  unwilling  that  designing  men  should  have  the  inter- 
pretef  ing,  or  the  reading  of  my  letter  to  the  Indians. 
Will  you  allow  me  to  hear  from  you  at  an  early  day  ? 
Your  generous  kindness  on  a  former  occasion,  has  emboldened  me  to 
make  this  draft  upon  your  time ;  and  by  obliging  me  in  this  matter,  I 
am  confident  you  will  advance  the  public  good. 
I  am. 

My  dear  Sirs 

Your  very  obt.  Servt 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind  Agent. 
Col.  Beall 
Maj  Geier  & 
Lt.  Whittlesey 

&an  Fernando  de  Taos^ 

New  Mexico 

[CALHOUN  TO  THE  INDIANS  OF  THE  PUEBLO  OF  TAOS'] 

— Copy —  Indl^n  Agency 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

Fehry  M  1850. 
My  Deak  Friends, 

I  am  grieved  by  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of  the  30th  of  January 
last,  because  it  shows  me  there  are  some  bad  Mexicans,  or  worse 
Americans,  who  are  trying  to  deceive  you,  in  order  to  advance  their 
own  wicked  purposes. 

My  friends,  wlien  you  want  good  advice,  go  to  Col  Beall,  Maj 
Grier,  Lt  Whittlesey,  or  any  of  the  American  Officers.    They  will  not 

*  InclosuKe  of  Calhoun's  letter  to  Brown,  February  2,  1850. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  137 

deceive  yoUj  but  explain  to  you  the  truth,  in  such  a  way,  that  you 
shall  not  be  mistaken. 

Or,  if  you  prefer  it,  go  to  my  excellent  friends,  your  wise  and 
good  Priest,  and  the  just  and  upright  Judge  Beaubien;  they  heard 
my  talk  to  you;  and  they  explained  it  to  you  fully,  and  told  you 
it  was  good,  and  you  told  me  your  understood  it,  that  you  did  not 
wish  to  be  New  Mexicans,  that  you  wished  to  live  as  a  separate  com- 
munity, and  to  make  your  own  laws,  and  to  execute  them  in  your 
own  way,  and  to  select  your  own  Officers,  all  in  the  same  way  that 
you,  and  your  fathers,  and  fathers  fathers  have  done,  since  the  Great 
Spirit  sent  you  into  this  country  I  promised  you,  that  I  would  tell 
your  great  Father^  the  President  of  the  United  States,  by  a  letter 
which  I  would  send  to  him,  what  you  said  to  me.  I  have  kept  my 
promise,  and  my  letter  is  now  on  the  way  to  the  United  States;  and 
in  that  letter,  I  have  begged  your  great  Father,  to  grant  your  re- 
quests, and  make  you,  and  your  women,  and  children,  happy  and 
prosperous. 

My  friends,  your  great  Father  loves  you,  and  so  long  as  you  con- 
tinue to  be  good  children,  he  will  take  care  of  you,  and  protect  you 
against  bad  men,  that  is,  if  you  so  behave  as  to  induce  the  Govern- 
ment of  the  United  States,  to  extend  over  you,  such  good  laws  as 
shall  keep  bad  men  from  you.  If  this  is  done  your  great  Father  will 
prescribe  such  rules  and  regulations,  as  will  enable  you  to  buy  and 
sell  as  you  may  wish,  and  to  the  greatest  advantage  to  you,  and  he 
will  cause  to  be  severely  punished  every  improper  medler  with  your 
peace,  and  quiet,  and  happiness,  and  prosperity.  He  will  impose  no 
unjust  restrictions  upon  you,  or  your  trade,  or  upon  any  one,  and  he 
will  do  you  all  the  good  that  may  be  in  his  power,  and  you  know 
he  is  a  great  man,  with  very  great  powers. 

It  is  not  intended  to  disturb  the  laws  as  they  now  exist,  all  the 
rights  and  privileges  which  you  are  entitled  under  them,  are  to  be 
continued  to  you,  and  measures  will  be  taken  to  protect  your  pastur- 
age, your  lands,  and  to  protect  you  in  your  persons,  and  from  unjust 
contributions,  and  when  you  are  aggrieved,  you  will  find  friends  who 
have  the  power  to  protect  you  in  the  persons  of  Col.  Beall  and  Judge 
Beaubien. 

Now  my  friends,  let  me  tell  you,  as  I  did  when  I  was  with  you,  if 
you  prefer  to  be  mixed  up  with  the  laws,  and  the  people  of  New 
Mexico,  and  take  your  chance  to  become  citizens  like  them,  and  to  be 
governed,  not  by  your  own  laws,  but  by  such  as  the  Americans  and 
Mexicans  here  may  make  for  you,  I  do  not  think  your  great  Father 
will  object  to  it,  But  it  is  my  duty  to  tell  you,  I  do  not  think  that 
course  would  be  the  best  for  you.  and  my  advice  to  you  is,  be  quiet. 


138  CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN. 

attend  to  your  own  business  pursuits,  and  dont  listen  to  the  talk  of 
bad  men,  and  in  due  time,  your  great  Father,  the  President  of  all  the 
Indians,  and  all  the  people,  of  the  United  States,  will  take  care  to 
order  his  agents  here,  so  as  to  act  as  to  secure,  to  you  happiness  and 
prosperity. 

God,  the  Great  Spirit,  bless  you,  my  friends,  and  receive  the  honest 
assurance,  that 
I  am, 

Your  friend  James  S  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agent 

[CALHOUN  TO  BEAUBIEN.'] 

Indl^n  Agency,  Santa  Fe, 

New  Mexico,  Fehry.  2nd,  1850. 

My  EXCELLENT  FRIEND 

From  a  letter  which  the  Indians  of  the  Pueblo  of  Taos  have  sent 
to  me,  it  is  evident,  some  mischeivous  and  designing  individuals  have 
been  improperly  meddling  with  them,  and  disturbing  their  minds.  I 
have  sent  them  a  plain  talk  in  reply,  and  have  requested  Col  Beall, 
Majr  Grier,  and  Lt.  Wliittlesey  to  go  out  to  the  Pueblo  with  you, 
and  my  worthy  and  good  friend,  the  Priest,  for  the  purpose  of  ex- 
plaining fairly  and  fully,  my  letter  to  them. 

Should  you,  and  the  Priest,  oblige  my  by  complying  with  my 
request,  you  will  oblige  the  President  of  the  United  States,  and  serve 
the  country  most  faithfully,  as  no  one  can  satisfy  the  minds  of  the 
Indians,  so  effectually,  as  you  and  the  Priest — 

I  shall  be  happy  to  hear  from  you  both  in  reply,  and  whatever  you 
say,  I  shall  transmit  to  the  President  of  the  United  States,  with  a 
cojDy  of  this  letter,  which  I  send  to  you. 

I  pray  you,  present  me  respectfully  to  your  good  wife,  and  to  my 
friend  the  Priest,  and  accept  for  yourself  assurances  of  my  sincere 
regard. 


Your  very  obt.  Servt. 


To 
His  Honor, 

Judge  BEAUBn:N 

San  Fernando  de  Taos, 

New  Mexico. 


James  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt. 


Inclosure  of  Calhoun's  letter  to  Brown,  February  2,  1850. 


COREESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  139 

[CALHOUN   TO   BROWN.'] 

No.  37. 

Indian  Agency 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

Fehry.  3d.  1850. 
Sir, 

This,  you  will  perceive,  is  my  37th  letter  to  you,  and  I  am  not  yet 
advised  of  the  receipt  of  any  one  of  them,  and  have  reason  to  fear 
many  of  them  are  lost.  This  induces  me  to  submit  to  you,  a  brief 
recapitulation  of  various  suggestions  I  have  ventured  to  address  to 
you,  so  modified,  as  to  conform  to  the  conclusions  which  a  more  per- 
fect knowledge  of  our  Indian  affairs,  in  this  territory,  may  have 
induced. 

1.  The  Pueblos,  who  pride  themselves  upon  their  Christianity, 
should  each  have  a  Sub  Agent  of  the  Government  of  the  United 
States  for  the  ensuing  twelve  months. 

2.  That  these  Sub  Agents  should  be  under  the  immediate  control 
of  a  General  Superintendent;  and  that  Ordnance  and  Ordnance 
Stores  should  be  deposited  with  them,  to  be  used  under  the  direction 
of  the  Superintendent, 

3.  There  should  be  a  line  of  communication  opened  from  some 
point,  to  be  selected  after  a  careful  examination,  from  the  Arkansas 
River,  not  South  of  the  place  known  as  Bent's  Fork,  in  the  direction 
of  Abiquin,  touching  at  such  military  posts  as  may  be  established. 
From  Abiquin  to  Jemez,  and  from  thence  to  Zuni,  Lagima,  Acoma  to 
Isletta,  South  of  Socoro.  Also,  from  Jemez  to  Lagima,  by  way  of 
Cia,  and  Santa  Ana — These  lines  of  communication  should  be  fre- 
quently passed  over,  in  order  to  ascertain  whether  Apaches.  Navajoes, 
Utahs,  or  any  one  of  their  various  Bands,  had  passed  in  the  direction 
of  our  Settlements — From  Abiquin  to  Isletta,  daily  or  weekly  com- 
munication could  be  established  at  a  very  inconsiderable  expense,  by 
employing  Indian  Couriers,  and  the  Ordnance  and  Ordnance  Stores 
deposited  with  the  Agents,  would  enable  the  Pueblo  Indians  to  pro- 
tect themselves,  and  others,  against  the  savage  incursions  of  the  Wild 

they  would  be  able 
Indians,  and  to  intercept,  effectually,  such  In- 

dians as  might  cross  the  established  line  for  the  purpose  of  commit- 
ting depredations.  In  this  way,  north  of  Isletta,  depredations  would 
be  checked,  if  not  entirely  stopped,  and  at  a  trifling  expense — North 
of  Abiquin,  and  South  of  Isletta,  the  military  only  could  be  em- 
ployed. 

» O.  I.  a..  Santa  F4  Agency,  C  429. 


140  COERESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN. 

4.  Implements  of  husbandry,  with  Blacksmiths,  and  common  car- 
penters, should  be  sent  among  these  Indians,  and  their  industry  should 
be  properly  guided  and  directed — This  alone,  during  the  first  year, 
would  save  to  the  Government  of  the  United  States,  in  cheapening 
grain — Fodder  and  Hay,  more  than  twice  the  amount  that  it  would 
cost  to  keep  up  the  lines  from  Abiquin  to  Isletta,  to  furnish  thorn 
the  Pueblo  Indians 

with  implements  of  husbandry,  and  to  pay  the 
Mechanics  and  Sub  Agents — 

5.  The  foregoing,  in  part,  contemplates  the  extension  of  the  laws, 
regulating  trade  and  intercourse  with  various  tribes  in  the  U.  S.  over 
these  people,  and  I,  earnestly,  insist  that  should  be  done.  These 
Indians,  generally,  are  a  good  people,  and  may  be  rendered  exceed- 
ingly useful.  They  ought  to  be  amenable  only,  to  their  own  laws, 
to  the  criminal  laws  of  this  territory  for  ojffences  committed  in  it,  and 
without  the  limits  of  their  own  Pueblo,  and  to  the  laws  of  the  United 
States  generally. 

6.  A  commission  should  be  established  at  once,  to  adjust  and  mark 
their  boundaries ;  and  where  they  have  not  land  enough,  more  should 
be  given  to  them — Arrangements  should  be  made  to  settle  all  law 
suits  between  them  and  Mexicans  about  their  lands. 

7.  The  idea  of  their  removal  and  concentration,  should  not  be 
suggested  at  this  time. 

8.  In  consequence  of  the  wrongs  inflicted  upon  them  by  Alcaldes, 
Sheriffs,  and  Prefects,  many  of  them,  have  already,  expressed  a  de- 
sire to  leave  their  homes,  and  seek  quiet  in  some  solitude — Such  a 
movement  would  throw  them  among  the  Apaches,  Navajoes,  Utahs, 
and  Comanches;  and  with  the  latter,  they  are  on  friendly  and  in- 
timate terms,  and  carry  on  with  them  a  considerable  trade.  This 
matter  ought  to  be  corrected  by  a  very  gentle  hand. 

7  &  8 
The  two  last  paragraphs.  will  suggest  to  you  matter  of  deep 

and  dangerous  import,  and  remedial  measures  should  be  adopted  in 
time. 

9.  On  several  occasions,  I  have  suggested  the  propriety  of  inviting 
some  of  these  Indians  to  Washington  City,  to  which  place,  they  are 
extremely  anxious  to  send  delegations,  and  if  other  duties,  in  locating 
the  wild  Indians,  making  treaties  &c.  are  not  assigned  to  me,  I 
should  like  to  take  to  the  United  States,  such  Indians,  as  the  De- 
partment may  be  pleased  to  authorize. 

10.  Since  I  came  into  the  Country,  the  Indians  have  changed  their 
opinions  in  reference  to  schools.  Wicked  Priests  have  suggested 
to  them,  such  teachers  as  might  be  sent  to  them,  would  make  their 
young  men  aspiring  and  presumptions,  and  ultimately  disturb  their 


I 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  141 

existing  in 
religion;  and  under  the  feverish  excitement  throughout  this  terri- 

not 
tory,  I  have  deemed  it  prudent  to  attempt  to  controvert,  or 

modify  their  conclusions. 

The  Apaches,  Comanches,  Navajoes,  and  Utahs. 

1.  Two  additional  Regiments  of  Dragoons  ought  to  be  at,  or  near 
El  Paso,  before  the  close  of  April.  From  that  point,  after  establish- 
ing Military  posts  at  or  near  the  Great  Crossings  at  Arkansas,  &  at 
the  "  Point  of  Rocks,"  two  columns,  one  east  and  Northeast,  and 
north,  the  other  west,  north  west  and  north,  should  move  forward 
for  the  purpose  of  chastising  our  Indian  enemies,  and  others,  thor- 
oughly exploring  the  country,  driving  theives,  robbers,  &  murderers 
from  their  dens,  and  hiding  places;  and  selecting  four  districts  of 

miles 
country,  the  districts  not  to  be  within  one  hundred  of  each 

other,  defining  and  marking  distinctly,  the  boundaries  of  each  dis- 

limits, 
trict ;  and  into  these,  the  Apaches,  Comanches,  Navajoes,  and 

Utahs,  with  their  straggling  Bands,  known  by  other  names,  should 
be  forced  to  enter  and  remain,  under  penalties  that  would  secure 
submission,  and  ultimate  contentment  and  happiness.  For  a  time, 
the  U.  S.  Government  would  have  to  support  the  Indians  who  have 
not  been  engaged  in  pastoral  pursuits — The  cost  of  this  support 
would  be  absolute  economy  compared  with  the  expenditures  that 
must,  otherwise,  necessarily  ensue.  So  far  as  the  Navajoes  are  con- 
cerned, not  one  dollar  would  be  necessary  to  subsist  them. 

Military  Posts  should  be  established,  and  a  most  vigilant  and 

of  each 
piercing  eye  should  have  command  of  these  posts — 

When  I  speak  of  columns,  I  do  not  mean  they  should  be  held  in 
one  body,  but  should  be  so  dispersed,  having  a  common  centre,  as  to 
scour  the  whole  country  over  which  these  wild  Indians  roam — 

Such  a  campaign  as  this,  will  secure  protection  to  this  country, 
happiness  and  prosperity  to  Indians,  and  all,  and  with  an  economy 
that  can  not  be  observed  in  any  other  way. 

If  the  movements  I  have  here  suggested,  could  commence,  by  the 
1st  of  May,  ensuing,  I  venture  what  little  reputation  I  claim  to 
possess,  that  before  the  severe  winter  could  catch  us,  the  most  per- 
fect order  would  be  established  throughout  this  whole  territory,  and 
it  can  not  be  done  otherwise — 

Two  suggestions  more,  and  I  have  done — 

1st.  There  is  an  inefficiency  here,  that  is  not  known,  I  think,  at 
Washington — There  is  a  want  of  the  material,  and  the  personnel  of 
war. 


142  CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES  S.   CALHOUN. 

2.  Reports  of  "  all's  well,"  and  that  our  difficulties  are  being  over- 
come— and  that  there  ought  to  be  no  changes  in  affairs  here — that 
the  people  are  happy,  and  contented  and  prosperous — and  that  our 

and  temper, 
Pueblo  Indians  are  in  the  best  possible  condition  may 

reach  you^such  reports  can  emenate  only,  from  luxurious  ease — 
stupid  ignorance,  or  combinations  whose  interests  it  is,  to  perpetu- 
ate the  present  state  of  things,  which  Mr  St  Vrain  and  others,  long 
residents  of  this  Country,  pronounce  to  be  worse  than  any  they  have 
ever  witnessed  before — and  I  assure  you  they  are  infinitely  worse 
than  you  can  imagine — It  requires  seeing  and  feeling,  as  I  have 
witnessed,  to  come  to  just  conclusions — 
I  am, 

Sir, 

Your  Very  obt,  Servt. 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

laid.  Agt 
Orlando  Brown  Esqr. 

Oomr.  of  Ind.  Affs. 

Washington  City 

D.  G. 

[CHOICE  TO  CALHOUN.*] 

(Copy)  Indlan  Agency 

Albiquin  New  Mexico 

Feby  6.  1850. 
Col  James  S.  Calhoun 
Sir 

I  arrived  here  on  Friday  evening  last  and  upon  examination  of  my 
papers,  I  find  that  I  have  not  the  letter  that  Governor  Munroe  wrote 
you  in  reply  to  yours  authorizing  the  Qr  Master  at  this  post,  to 
furnish  me  with  provisions  &c.  You  will  please  forward  it  to  me 
by  the  first  opportunity,  so  that  I  may  satisfy  him  that  I  am  acting 
in  conformity  with  orders  from  proper  authority. 

I  suggest  for  your  consideration  the  propriety  of  your  sending  a 
suitable  person  among  the  Utahs,  and  have  them  brought  in.  I  have 
been  informed  by  the  Prefect  of  this  place,  that  a  number  of  them 
have  been  to  Taos,  since  your  departure  to  see  Col.  Beall,  petitioning 
for  peace. 

The  name  of  the  Indian  that  was  killed,  is  Pagagaait.  Assus 
Maria  Garcia  was  cutting  wood  for  coal  when  the  Utah  Indian  came 
up  to  him,  without  any  cause;  took  forcibly  from  him  his  hat  and 
handkerchief  and  made  off  with  them,  he  returned  immediately,  and 
Assus  Maria  Garcia,  says  he  caught  hold  of  his  bridle,  and  demanded 

1  Accompanying  Calhoun's  letter,  No.  39,  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C.  431. 


COEKESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES  S.   CALHOUN.  143 

of  him  his  hat  and  handkerchief.  The  Indian  drew  his  bow  and 
was  drawing  an  arrow,  when  he  seized  hold  of  the  bow,  and  got  pos- 
session of  it,  told  the  Indian  that  if  he  did  not  give  up  his  hat  and 
handkerchief,  he  would  keep  his  bow.  The  Indian  dismounted, 
drew  his  knife  and  made  towards  him,  he  ran  in  the  direction  of 
Antoina  Gardoonia  with  the  bow,  and  an  axe,  and  saw  that  the  In- 
dian was  close  behind  him,  he  turned  and  gave  him  a  blow  with  the 
axe,  striking  him  on  the  temple,  which  caused  almost  instant  death, 
he  saw  no  other  Indian,  or  Indians;  came  immediately  to  Albiquin 
and  informed  his  master  what  had  taken  place. 

Antonia  Gardoonia  says,  he  was  going  where  Assus  Maria  Garcia 
was,  when  he  got  in  sight  he  hallooed  to  him,  saw  no  Indian,  had  to 
cross  a  hollow,  and  when  he  saw  him  again  Assus  Maria  Garcia  was 
running  towards  him  with  an  axe  and  a  bow,  that  the  Indian  was 
close  behind  him  with  his  knife  drawn,  crying  out  "Carrajo" 
[Cawajo?],  he  immediately  turned  and  gave  him  a  blow  with  the 
axe  on  the  temple,  he  came  directly  up  and  saw  him  expiring. 

This  took  place  on  the  3d  of  January  about  11  Oclock  A.  M.  at 
AUumas  Lavonarrianna,  about  ten  miles  from  Albiquin. 

Thomas  Jaconi  says  the  Indian  left  his  house  on  the  morning  of 
the  3d  of  January,  and  knows  what  the  Indian  had,  that  he  found 
his  horse  in  the  Mountains,  with  all  of  his  trappings,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  two  small  loaves  of  bread  and  a  small  bunch  of  powder 
tied  up  in  a  rag,  that  he  saw  the  body  of  the  deceased  and  that  his 
bow  and  arrow  were  laying  close  to  it. 

The  names  of  those  that  were  killed  by  the  Utah  Indians,  are 
Jose  Manuel  Martim  Jr.,  Jose  Vacilia  Martim  Juan  Manuel  Solisar, 
Antonia  Maria  Archeletto,  Jesus  Maria  Martim,  Francisco  Cossair, 
Jose  Blass,  and  Antonia  Solisar  was  taken  prisoner. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  those  who  had  their  property  taken  off 
by  the  Utahs. 

Jos6  Antonia  Mansanaris    Prefect     Eighteen  sheep. 
Padro  Salasar,  Thirteen  hundred  and  sixty  sheep, 

"  Eighty  goats,  one  horse,  one  rifle,  one  brass 

"  kettle,  one  copper  Ijettle,  two  blanljets,  one 

"  buffaloe  robe,  one  sack  of  flour. 

Juan  Christo  Martim  Two  hundred  and  twenty  five  sheep 

"  one  axe,  one  brass  kettle,  three  blankets 

"  one  sack  of  flour. 

Dona  Doloris  Lopiz  (a  woman)  Two  hundred  sheep  one  hundred 
goats  one  blanket  one  shot  gun 
"  one  buro, 

Encumacion  Valardar  One  ox 

Jos6  Miguel  Solasar  Three  oxen 

Jos6  Larlusa  Giago  Three  hundred  sheep,  ninty  goats, 

"  eighteen  cows,  one  buro  one  sack  of  flour. 

"  three  empty  sacks,  one  copper  kettle, 

••  one  saddle. 


144  COEKESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN. 

Maria  Barborn  Giago  (a  woman)      Two  hundred  sheep  sixty  goats  one 

buro,  one  copper  liettle 

Franlialuna   Giago  Sixteen  cows. 

Jose  Manuel  Martini  Nine  cows,  thirty  goats 

Martino  Arsons  Martiuue  Eighty  goats,  sixty  sheep 

Julian  Valdez  Sixty  sheep,  one  ox 

Francisco  Martim  Five  oxen 

Josg  Maguil  Riville  One  shot  gun,  one  ox,  half  sack  of 

"  flour,  two  blankets,  two  sheep 

"  one  brass  kettle 

Jose  Maria  Truillo  Two  horses,  one  mule,  one  rifle 

"  One  ox,  one  rifle,  one  axe 

"  One  sack  of  flour 

Julianna   Montoya    (woman)  Two  oxen 

Solada  Martim  Two  sheep 

Francisco  Antonia  Truxillo  Twenty  four  goats 

Juan  Santas  Samora  Eighteen  goats 

Juan  Andres  Kintana  Twenty  six  goats 

Vacinta  Varlarda  Five  oxen 

Wanocila  Valdez  Ten  oxen 

Juan  Salisar  Ten  goats 

Guadiloup  Quintanna  One  ox  half  sack  of  flour 

You  will  please  suggest  the  propriety  to  Gov.  Munroe,  of  furnish- 
ing this  post  with  an  Interpreter;  Lieut.  Tyler  ^  has  written  to  Capt. 
Reynolds  in  relation  to  it,  one  would  answer  the  purpose  of  both. 
I  have  given  you  a  statement  of  all  the  facts  which  I  have  been 
enabled  to  collect. 
I  am  Sir 

Your  obt  Svt 

Cyrus  Choice 
Acfg.  Asst.  Ind.  Agt. 
To 

Col.  James  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agent 

Santa  Fe  N  M 

[Related  Correspondence.] 

[SUMNER   TO   CONRAD  ^J 

Head   Quabtebs,  9th   Dept: 

Albuquerque,  N.  M. 
December  22nd  1852 
The  Honble:  C.  M.  Conbad 

Sec:  of  War. 

Washington,  D.  G. 
Sib: 

I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of  the  8th  of 
October  last,  in  relation  to  Capt:  Reynolds  A.  Q.  M.     I  inclose  a  detailed  re- 

^Very  probably  William  Henry  Tyler  who  was  brevetted  1st  lieutenant  tor  conspicu- 
ously gallant  conduct  in  the  battles  of  Contreras  and  Churubusco. 

3  A.  G.  C,  vol.  8,  pp.  414-415. 


CORKESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES  S.    CALHOUN.  145 

port  from  Major  Sibley  chief  quartermaster,  which  I  can  fully  confirm.  I  con- 
sider that  Capt :  Reynolds  had  ample  time  to  have  turned  over  all  the  property 
in  his  charge,  before  he  went  on  the  Navajo  expedition 

On  my  arrival  at  Santa  F6  on  the  19th  July  '51  I  found  the  officer  engaged  In 
a  political  struggle  preparing  to  run  for  delegate  to  Congress.  I  knew  that  no 
man  could  do  the  duty  of  Quartermaster  and  be  engaged  in  politics  at  the  same 
time.  I  therefore  determined  to  remove  Capt :  Reynolds  from  Santa  F6,  and 
to  take  him  with  me  on  the  Navajo  expedition,  and  thus  to  secure  his  undivided 
attention  to  his  military  duties.  He  was  not  however  required  to  join  me  till 
about  the  14th  August,  when  the  expedition  moved  from  San  Domingo,  and  he 
was  back  at  Santa  Fe,  about  the  1st  of  October,  and  did  not  leave  that  place 
for  the  States  till  the  latter  part  of  that  month.  I  do  not  think  that  Capt: 
Reynolds  is  entitled  to  any  consideration  for  losses  of  property  in  this  terri- 
tory, on  account  of  want  of  time  to  settle  his  affairs. 
I  am.  Sir, 

with  high  respect, 

E  V  Sum  NEB 
Bvt:  Col:  U  8  A.  Lt:  Col:  Int  Draffn.  Comdg:  Dept: 

[CALHOUN  TO  BROWN.*] 

No.  38. 

Indian  Agency 
Santa  Fe  N.  M.  Fehy  7, 1850 

SlE, 

Late  last  night  I  had  the  honor  to  receive  your  letter  of  Novr.  the 
7:  and  have  only  time  to  acknowledge  its  receipt,  by  a  gentleman, 
who  leaves  this  morning  with  the  intention  of  overtaking  the  party 
which  left  two  days  ago 
Very  KespectfuUy, 
Your  obt.  Svt 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt 
Orlando  Brown  Esqr 
Comr.  of  Ind  Affairs 

Washington  City 
D.  C. 

[CALHOUN  TO  BROWN.'J 
Xo.  39. 

Indian  Agency. 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico, 

Fehi-i/  7.  1850 
Sir, 

I  have  this  moment  received  from  Genl.  Choice,  the  enclosed  re- 
port ^ — and  as  a  gentleman  will  leave  in  a  few  moments,  intending  to 


1  O.  I.  a.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  429.  '■  See  pp.  142-144. 

« Ibid,  C  431. 
5021—15 10 


146  CORKESPONDENCE   OF  JAMES  S.   CALHOUN. 

overtake  the  party  for  the  States,  who  left  three  days  ago,  I  seize  the 
opportunity  to  send  it  to  you — (copy) 

In  reference  to  the  treaty  which  I  made  with  them  on  the  30th  of 

Jany  last,  I  think  it  ought  to  be  ratified — for,  if  the  accompanying 

report  is  true,  in  every  particular — the  tribe  should  be  held  to  the 

terms  of  the  treaty,  for  it  would  be  folly  to  treat  with  them  again. 

Very  respectfully. 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt. 
Orlando  Brown  Esqr. 
Comr.  of  Ind.  Affs. 

Washingtcyri  City 
D.  C 

[THOMAS  AND  JUDD  TO  CALHOUN.*] 

Sante  Fe  New  Mexico 

Felraary  10th  1850 
Colonel 

You  have  so  kindly  interested  yourself  in  our  behalf  that  we  are 
induced  to  trouble  you  again.  The  enclosed  copy  of  a  letter  from 
Lt.  Col.  Steptoe,  (our  Captain  in  Mexico)  to  General  Quitman 
explains  itself,  and  we  send  it  as  an  additional  proof  of  the  fact  that 
we  are  not  alone  in  believing  ourselves  to  have  been  left  without 
chances  when  the  grand  drawing  of  the  Brevet  lottery  took  place. 

By  enclosing  this  letter  of  Steptoe's  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  or 
making  such  other  use  of  it  you  may  deem  fit,  you  will  only  add  one 
other  to  the  many  favors  with  which  you  have  already  loaded  your 
sincerely 

Grateful  Fra".  J.  Thomas 


Col.  Calhoun 

[Inclosure.  ] 
[steptoe    to   QUITMAK, 


Henry  B.  Judd. 


PiLATKA   FlA. 

October  %5  18^9. 


My  dear  General  : 

It  is  no  light  matter  to  thrust  oneself  rudely  upon  the  notice  of  a 
man  eminent  like  yourself;  therefore  much  occupied;  but  when 
you  understand  that  the  motive  to  it  involves  no  selfishness  unless 

1  Accompanying  letter  of  Calhoun  to  Crawford,  February  13,  1850. 


COBEESPONDENOE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN.  147 

an  earnest  desire  to  rid  myself  of  an  obligation  may  be  so  regarded. 
I  will  explain  briefly — 

You  may  possible  be  aware  that  in  the  raffle  for  Brevets,  I  won  that 
of  Lieu^  Col.  which,  of  course,  gratified  me  highly;  but  my  pleasure 
would  have  been  enhanced  hi^fhly  more  than  I  can  express  to  you, 
had  my  subalterns  been  suitably  noticed  at  the  same  time — It  is  just 
this,  Genl,  which  induces  me  to  trouble  you  now ;  your  former  valued 
&  unvarying  kindness,  encouraging  me  to  do  so — 

You  no  doubt  well  remember.  Lieutenants  Judd,  Browne  &  Thomas, 
who  were  with  me  in  Mex°  and  I  am  certain  you  will  agree  with  me, 
that  three,  more  meritorious  officers,  could  scarcely  be  found,  and 
that  they  deserved  some  reward — for  all  their  service  rendered  from 
the  fall  of  Vera  Cruz  to  the  close  of  the  campaign 

Lieutenants  Judd  and  Browne  were  brevetted  Captains  for  the 
affair  near  medellin,  march  26th,  but  never  afterwards;  while  Lieut 
Thomas  (who  joined  me  at  Puebla)  has  not  been  brevetted  at  all — 

Now,  the  chief  reason  of  this  was:  that  my  Battery  fought  twice 
out  of  its  own  Division  and  consequently  had  no  general  officer  to 
interest  himself  for  it.  At  the  "  cerro  Gordo  "  it  joined  Genl  Twiggs 
just  before  the  Battle  and  left  him  immediately  after,  and  doubtless 
he  considered  his  entire  duty  discharged  by  simply  adverting  to  it — 
On  the  11th  Sept  it  also  left  you  (to  our  deep  regret)  before  fight- 
ing— to  rejoin  you  at  the  Garita — Genl  Twiggs  here  again,  not  con- 
sidering it  as  a  part  of  his  Division,  complimented  it  highly,  but 
altogether  informally  and  so  for  want  of  official  support  stronger 
than  my  humble  name — these  officers  have  not  received  their  due 
consideration — 

But  I  believe  an  effort  will  be  made  this  winter  to  have  some  omis- 
sions in  the  Brevet  system  considered  and  I  hope,  mostly  through 
your  generous  assisfearftee  influence,  to  have  these  attended  to  likewise. 
Many  officers  who  never  saw  mexico,  have  been  brevetted,  and,  surely, 
those  who  served  there  arduously  and  fought  gallantly  deserve  equal 
attention — -Nearly,  if  not  all,  the  officer(s)  of  the  other  Batteries 
have  received  two  Brevets,  except  mine,  which  is  a  source  of  deep 
concern  and  mortification  to  me,  more  than  to  them  perhaps — May  I 
ask  your  kind  and  powerful  interest  in  this  matter — Believe  me — it 
will  not  be  soon  forgotten  by  me  or  by  those  for  whom  it  is  solicited 
and  I  am  confident  you  will  have  pleasure  in  doing  what  may  seem 
to  you  advisable  to  attain  the  object,  thus  completing,  my  dear  Gen- 
eral, the  series  of  friendly  acts  which  we  love  so  well  to  remember 
when  under  your  command. 

My  Battery  was  serving  undo  with  your  Div"  during  a  large  por- 
tion of  its  career ;  and  although  it  never  had  the  honor  to  fight  under 


148  CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN. 

your  orders,  the  general  character  of  its  officers  is  perhaps  best  known 
to  you — 

I  intend  to  request  General  Twiggs  to  add  his  o-fficial  testimony 
to  their  conduct  in  Battle — 

Please  direct  an  answer  to  me  at  Tampa  Bay,  Florida  and  with 
assurances  General  of  my  warm  regard  and  faithful  attachment,  I 
remain  yonr  friend 

(Signed)  E.  G.  Steptoe 

Genl  John  A.  Quitman 

{near)  Natchez 

Miss 
Correct :  literatim  et  punctuatim. 
Newport — Deer.  3rd.  49 

H.  B. 

[CALHOUN  TO  BROWN.'] 

No.  40. 

Indian  Agency, 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mex., 

Fehry,  12th  1850 
Sir, 

The  receipt  of  the  mail  which  I  so  hastily  announced  to  you  on  the 
7th  of  this  month,  has,  to  a  great  extent,  releived  me  from  the  exces- 
sive anxiety  I  felt,  occasioned  by  the  apprehension  that  my  various 
communications,  to  you,  had  been  lost,  and  consequently,  you  could 
not  be  advised  of  my  statements  of  facts,  as  I  see  them^  and  the  con- 
clusions to  which  I  have  come  in  reference  to  the  proper  management 
of  our  Indian  Affairs  in  this  territory.  Perfect  unanimity,  upon 
no  subject,  is  to  be  anticipated.  This  territory  is  encircled  by  wild 
Indians— the  Apaches — Comanches — Navajoes,  and  Utahs,  and  a 
large  portion  of  the  country  within  this  circle,  checkered  by  the 
Pueblos  of  Indians,  known  as  the  "  Christian  Indians  ",  and  in  close 
proximity  to  these,  are  various  Spanish,  or  Mexican  villages.  It  is 
impossible  for  the  people  of  the  Pueblos  and  the  villages  to  har- 
monize— they  can  not  agree,  and  it  will  require  the  most  careful 
management  to  prevent  the  retrograding  of  these  Indians,  both  mor- 
ally and  socially.  The  great  mass  of  the  remaining  portion  of  the 
population  of  this  territory,  is  not  of  a  character  to  aid,  materially, 
in  establishing  a  wise  and  salutary  system  for  the  protection  of  In- 
dians, and  in  advancing  them  in  the  scale  of  civilization.  Those 
within  the  circle  and  those  who  form  the  circle,  look  upon  each  other 
as  natural  enemies,  and  they  are  eternally  at  war,  robbing  and  en- 
slaving each  other — This  state  of  things  was  somewhat  checked  for  a 
time,  greatly  to  the  dissatisfaction  of  many  in  the  circle — for  they 
were  robbed  and  captured,  and  could  make  no  reprisals,  hy  authoHty. 

1  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F^  Agency,  C  431. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  149 

In  former  years,  such  authority  was  easily  obtained,  and  robbery  and 
murder,  with  their  usual  terrible  accompaniments,  were  cured  by 
robbery  and  murder,  and  in  all  such  instances,  the  most  innocent  be- 
came the  victims — for  the  guilty  were  soon  beyond  the  reach  of  pur- 
suit—  (A.  The  next  page  should  be  inserted  here) 

A. 

A  plan  has  been  adopted  by  which  the  "  check  ",  to  which  I  have 
alluded,  is  so  modified,  that  it  will  soon  cease  to  be  regarded,  at  all,  as 
a  barrier  to  entering  upon,  with  renewed  energies,  the  old  system  of 
Reprisals  But  it  is  not  so  called  b«t.  It  is  not  difficult  to  perceive,  if 
men  are  permitted — not  authorized — to  organize  a  body  of  men,  to 
repossess  themselves  of  property  which  may  have  been  stolen  from 
them,  it  not  only  gives  them  a  chance  to  carry  out  the  odious  reprisal 
system,  but  of  comiDromising,  and  carrying  on  an  improper  traffic  with 
Indians  hostile  to  our  every  movement  to  subjugate  them,  and  to  make 
them  obedient  to  just  laws,  and  Submission  to  proper  restraints — 
Many  of  the  individuals  who  have  lost  property,  affect  to  have  as- 
certained where  it  may  be  found,  and  who  can  say,  they  should  not 
be  permitted  to  go  out  and  recover  their  property?  No  one  in  this 
territory — nor  can  any  one  tell,  the  amount  of  claims,  which  Mexico 
will  present  against  the  U.  S.  for  depredations,  that  may  be  conse- 
quent upon  this,  apparently,  very  just  way  of  regaining  one's  lost 
property — 

This  matter  should  be  seriously  considered  and,  I  must  repeat  te 
you,  what  I  have  written  to  you,  heretofore,  that  the  commercial  inter- 
course, from  this  territory,  with  the  wild  Indians  around  it,  inflicts 

any 
a  greater  amount  of  mischief,  than  other  difficulty  we  have  to 

encounter — This  nuisance  should  be  immediately  abated — and  can 
you  abate  it,  without  establishing  military  posts  and  trading  houses, 
and  forbidding  the  present  peddling  system,  utterly  unknown  to  our 
laws,  so  far  as  I  have  any  knowledge  of  them  ?    I  think  not. 

I  hesitate  not  to  say,  until  our  Indian  Laws,  amended  as  I  have 
suggested,  are  extended  over  the  Indians  in  this  country,  you  may, 

here 
in  vain,  expect  quiet  in  this  territory — At  present,  your  agents 
are  at  sea,  with  no  authority  but  to  communicate  facts  to  you — 
(which,  I  am  confident,  I  have  faithfully  done,)  and  whatever  else 
they  may  do,  is  a  mere  assumption  of  action  (not  authority,)  justi- 
fied only  by  a  most  pernicious  custom,  and  which  can  not  be  abolished 
too  soon — 

(Return  to  page  2. — after  letter  A 

The  Navajos  are  rich  in  all  the  necessaries  of  life  they  cultivate 

and  collect,  by  stealing, 
the  soil  very  successfully,  raise,  numerous 


150  COERESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN. 

herds  of  sheep  and  goats,  fine  horses  and  mules,  and  make  the  finest 
Blankets 

I  have  ever  seen;  and  yet  they  have  no  fixed  habitations — 
no  permanent  homes — The  Apaches — Comanches,  and  Utahs  are  a 
different  people,  almost,  wholly  disdaining  to  follow  peaceful  pur- 
suits, and  relying,  chiejly,  upon  their  skill  in  making  successful  dep- 
redations, to  secure  to  themselves  a  necessary  subsistence. 

Without  reference  to  our  Treaty  ^  with  Mexico,  it  is  abundantly 
apparent,  it  will  require  the  gravest  consideration  of  the  most  saga- 
cious Statesmen  to  devise  a  system  that  will  secure  peace  and  quiet 
in  this  territory,  and  promote  the  happiness  and  prosperity  of  all 
within  its  boundaries,  and  at  the  same  time,  advance  the  glory  of  our 
common  country.  On  a  question  of  this  magnitude,  and  so  intricate 
in  its  windings,  it  may  be  expected,  that  among  the  wisest  and  most 
discerning,  but  who  can  not  be  upon  the  spot  to  see  for  themselves, 
there  must  be  some  diversity  of  opinion,  mainly  resulting  from  the 
contradictory  character  of  the  information  upon  which  they  must  act. 

Judging  from  what  I  have  seen  in  the  few  straggling  Newspapers 
which  have  reached  us,  I  am  inclined  to  the  opinion,  a  majority  of 
the  flippant  advisers  of  the  public — eye  witnesses  in  this  territory — 
are  mischeivously  bent,  or  deplorably  ignorant  as  to  the  true  condi- 
tion of  affairs  in  this  territory — Many  are  known  to  belong  to  the 
first  class — and  the  latter  have  hastily,  and  inconsiderately  formed 
their  opinions,  boldly  proclaimed  them,  and  obstinately  adhere  to 
them. 

But  few,  very  few  men  in  this  territory,  have  examined  this  sub- 
ject with  the  slightest  care,  and  hence,  the  mischeivous  hy  design^ 
and  others,  because  they  have  not  duly  considered  the  subject,  may 
submit  grave  suggestions  antagonistical  to  those  I  have  submitted  to 

in  all 
you,  from  time  to  time — and  which  I  now  earnestly  renew, 
their  length  and  breadth, 

as  the  only  plan  of  establishing  order  in 
this  territory. 
I  am, 

With  great  respect. 

Your  obt  servt. 


Orlando  Brown  Esqr. 

Comr.  of  Ind.  Affs. 

Washington  City 

D.  G 


J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt 


Treaties  and  Conventions,  I,  pp.  1107-1121. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OE    JAMES  S.   CALHOUN.  151 

[CALHOUN  TO  CRAWFORD/] 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mex. 

Fehy  13  1850. 
Sir, 

The  two  enclosed  ^  communications  are  sufficiently  explanatory  of 
the  object  sought  to  be  attained — and  are  addressed  directly  to  you 
in  order  to  secure  a  proper  consideration  of  the  subject. 
I  am, 

Very  respectfully 

Your  obt.  Servt 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Hon. 

G.  W.  Crawford 

Sec.  of  War. 

Washington  City 

D.  G. 

[CALHOUN   TO   BROWN/] 

No.  41. 

Indian  Agency, 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mex. 

Fehy.  13th  1850. 
Sir, 

Since  I  announced  to  you  the  death  of  Mrs  White,  not  one  word 
has  come  to  me  in  reference  to  her  daughter,  and  the  colored  servant, 
who  were  taken  off,  at  the  same  time,  with  Mrs  White,  by  the 
Apaches — I  am  not  advised  as  to  what  information,  if  any,  others 
may  have  received.     I  do  not  suppose  any  has  been  received. 

In  this  connection,  allow  me  to  say  it  has  been  intimated  to  me, 
that  individuals  who  attempted  to  aid  in  the  recovery  of  Mrs  White, 
her  daughter  &  servant,  expended  money  to  a  limited  extent,  and  are 

be 
inclined  to  the  opinion,  that  under  the  circumstances,  they  ought  to 
remunerated.  The  class  of  claimants  to  whom  I  now  allude,  do  not 
pretend  to  have  a  claim  against  this  Agency,  for  they  understood, 
distinctly,  that  upon  their  success,  alone,  depended  their  reward — - 
and  which  I  pledged  myself,  should  not  be  less  than  one  thousand 
dollars — and  if  they  failed,  they  were  not  to  expect  the  slightest  re- 
muneration— 

Notwithstanding  this  matter  was  so  well  understood,  I  can  not  do 
less  than  recommend  that  I  may  be  allowed  to  pay  them  a  reasonable 

1  a.  G.  O.,  C  93  of  1850,  enclosed  in  C  63  of  1850. 

*  Steptoe  to  Quitman,  October  25,  1849,  and  F.  J.  Thomas  to  Calhoun,  February  10, 1850. 

»  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  ¥6  Agency,  C  431. 


152  CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.    CALHOUN. 

sum,  which,  in  all,  can  not  reach  two  hundred  dollars.    This  amount 
has  no  reference  to  small  sums  I  have  already  paid  according  to  my 
agreement,  and  which  will  appear  in  an  "Account  Current,"  which 
I  will  send  to  you  in  a  few  days — 
I  am, 

Very  respectfully. 

Your  obt.  Servt 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt, 
Orlanuo  Brown  Esqr. 

Gomr.  of  Ind.  Affs. 

Washington  City 

B.C. 

[CALHOUN  TO  BROWN.'] 
No.  42. 


Indian  Agency 

Tew  IV 

Feb.  18.  1850. 


Santa  Fe,  New  Mex. 


Sir, 

It  may  not  be  amiss  to  call  your  attention  again  to  the  disorders 
that  prevail  within  and  adjacent  to  the  Indian  Pueblos.  That  there 
is  a  determined  purpose  to  stir  up  strife  among  these  Indians,  and 
to  disaffect  them  against  the  Government  of  the  United  States,  there 
can  not  be  the  slightest  doubt.  Col.  Beall  of  Taos,  who  so  obligingly 
received  and  caused  to  be  explained  to  the  Indians  the  letter  which 
I  addressed  to  them  on  the  2d  inst,  a  copy  of  which  I  enclosed  to 
you  in  my  No.  36.  confirms  my  impression  in  reference  to  the  wicked 
designs  of  individuals,  as  stated  by  me  in  said  No.  36 — without, 
however,  suggesting  political  considerations  as  one  of  the  motives 
that  induced  the  mischeivous  intermeddling — The  Colonel  communi- 
cated to  me  verbally  that  my  letter  to  the  Indians  (Pueblo  of  Taos) 
had  the  happiest  effect,  and  when  he  left  Taos  for  this  place,  they 
were  preparing  to  send  me  a  written  reply — Col.  Beall  concurs  in  my 
opinion  in  reference  to  the  proper  management  of  these  Indians,  and 
my  views  generally,  as  to  the  course  that  should  be  pursued  towards 
the  Indians  of  this  territory — I  derive  especial  gratification  from  this 
fact,  because  Col.  Beall  is  known  to  possess  a  much  more  accurate 
knowledge  of  Indian  character,  their  various  localities,  and  the 
topography  of  the  country,  than  any  other  officer  in  this  territory. 

A  short  time  since,  a  thief  succeeded  in  stealing  a  horse  from  the 
Indian  Pueblo  of  San  Juan,  about  thirty  miles  north  of  Santa  Fe, 

1  O.  I.  A„  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  439. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES  S.    CALHOUN.  153 

and  was  found  and  recovered  from  a  Mexican  at  Algadones,  some 
forty  miles  South  of  this.  The  Mexican  claimed  to  have  bought 
the  horse  from  a  Stranger — The  Indian  having  recovered  his  horse, 
supposed  the  matter  was  at  an  end;  but  it  was  not  so — and  The 
Mexican 

has  commenced  a  system  of  annoyance,  by  which  he  hopes 
to  repossess  himself  of  the  horse,  or  make  the  Indian  pay  a  certain 
amount  of  money,  and  has  instructed  a  Mexican  Alcalde  to  sue  the 
Indian  for  the  feed  of  the  horse  while  in  his  possession — So  far  I 
have  protected  the  Indian,  and  will  continue  to  do  so  to  the  utmost 
of  my  power — But,  unless  an  Agent  is  sent  there,  the  Mexican  thro' 
the  Alcalde,  will,  ultimately,  get  the  horse  or  the  money — Hence, 
the  necessity  of  extending  to  these  Indians  the  benefits  of  our  Indian 
laws — with  as  little  delay  as  practicable — and  if  early  legislation 
can  not  be  had,  ought  not  the  end  to  be  accomplished  by  treaty? 

An  Indian  of  San  Illdefonso,  sold  a  mare  and  Colt  a  few  years 
ago,  the  colt  having  been  killed,  the  mare  strayed  off,  followed  by 
another  Colt,  and  some  months  thereafter,  the  mare  was  taken  up  by 
the  Indian  who  had  sold  her,  and  the  Colt  by  a  Tesuque  Indian, 
where  they  have  remained  for  the  last  five  years,  no  claimant  ap- 
pearing in  the  mean  time. 

Some  designing  wretch  has  induced  the  San  Illdefonso  Indians 
to  claim,  at  this  late  day,  the  Colt  also  persuading  them,  if  the 
Indian  Agent,  (myself)  was  friendly  towards  them,  and  decided 
justly  in  the  matter,  he  would  order  the  Colt  into  their  possession — I 
have  ordered  matters  to  remain  as  they  were — and  the  Indian  claim- 
ant declares  he  is  perfectly  satisfied  with  my  decision;  and  he  will 
remain  so,  unless  evil  persons  shall  control  him  again. 

My  position  just  now,  is  an  exceedingly  unpleasant,  having  no  posi- 
tive legal  right  to  interfere  in  preserving  order  and  tranquility,  and 
therefore  my  acts  are  subject  to  such  military  control  as  may  seem 
wise  to  the  chief  of  this  Department.  It  is  proper  to  remark  the 
chief  has  not  reversed  or  modified  a  single  act  of  mine;  but  in  con- 
sequence of  misapprehension  on  his  part,  he  has  felt  it  to  be  his 
duty  to  enquire  concerning  them — and  so  far  I  have  submitted  to 
this  supervision,  and  shall  continue  to  do  so,  until  proper  action  is 
had  at  Washington — and  trust  that  will  be  at  an  early  day. 

Two  of  these  enquiries  occurred  during  the  present  month,  the 
last  one,  since  I  commenced  writing  this  letter — It  so  happened, 
in  both  instances  my  views  and  actions  had  been  in  perfect  unison 
with  Governor  Munroe's  views — this  fact,  however,  does  not  releive 
me  from  the  dissatisfaction  which  necessarily  results  from  the  sug- 
gestion, consequent  upon  the  enquiry,  that  I  had,  possibly,  grossly 
erred,  to  correct  which,  some  action  might  be  necessary.     You  will 


154  COBRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN. 

at  once  perceive,  that  such  a  state  of  things  can  not  be  agreeable — 
and  this  will  also,  explain  to  you,  why  I  have  been  so  minute  in  rela- 
tion to  matters  of  no  great  moment,  in  my  letters  to  you — In  order 
to  guard  against  misrepresentations,  as  well  as  misapprehensions,  I 
have  taken  the  precaution  to  send  to  you  a  faithful  record  of  my 
actings  and  doings  in  this  territory. 
I  am. 

With  great  respect, 

Your  obt.  Servt. 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt. 
Orlando  Brown  Esqr. 

Comr.  of  Ind.  Afs. 

Washington   City 

D.  G. 

[CALHOITN  TO  BROWN.'] 

No.  43. 

Indian  Agency. 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mex. 

Fehy.  28th  1850. 
Sir, 

In  a  few  days  a  mail,  we  are  informed,  will  be  made  up  for  the 
States,  and  I  take  the  occasion  to  lay  before  you  such  items  of  intelli- 
gence as  have  come  to  my  knowledge  since  I  addressed  to  you  No.  42. 

I  have  received  the  promised  communication  from  the  Taos 
Indians,  in  which  they  express  the  most  perfect  satisfaction  in 
reference  to 

my  advisory  letter  to  them,  a  copy  of  which  I  forwarded 
lo  you  with  my  No.  36.  They  urge  me  to  beg  the  President  of  the 
United  States  to  extend  to  them  the  benefits  of  the  laws  which  has 
been  adopted  for  the  protection  of  the  Indians  resident  in  said  States 
before  the  acquisition  of  the  territory  of  New  Mexico. 

They  also,  formally  apply  for  permission  to  send  one  or  more  of 
their  men  to  Washington  City,  at  the  expense  of  the  Government  of 
the  United  States,  that  their  delegates  may  in  person,  see  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States,  and  learn  from  Am,  his  purposes  in  refer- 
ence to  their  Pueblo,  and  their  various  grievances. 

The  Governor  of  San  Illdefonso,  and  four  of  his  Captains  came 
to  see  me  on  yesterday  complaining  of  Mexican  encroachments  within 
their  Pueblos,  and  on  their  pasturage  grounds.    Mexicans,  and  per- 


»  O.  I.  a.,  Santa  F«  Agency,  C  440. 


COERESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN.  155 

haps  others,  manage  to  secure  houses  in  the  Pueblo,  open  shops,  sell 
the  Indians  ardent  spirits,  and  are  learning  them  to  gamble — the 
Governors  of  these  Pueblos  say  they  can  not  control  their  young  men 
as  formerl}^,  and  that  the  causes  stated  above,  are  fruitful  sources  of 
disorders  and  crimes.  At  my  solicitation.  Governor  Munroe  has 
issued  an  Order  that  will  enable  me  to  remedy  some  of  the  grievances 
complained  of. 

Several  deputations  from  different  Pueblos  have  begged  me  to  go 
and  live  with  them,  that  they  might  have  the  benefit  of  my  protec- 
tion; and  to  my  replies  that  I  could  not  do  so  with  propriety,  they 
enquired  if  I  could  not  send  them  an  agent  who  would  be  governed 
by  me;  and  the  San  Illdefonso  Indians,  on  yesterday,  offered  to  fur- 
nish a  house  to  such  an  agent,  if  I  would  send  them  one.  I  sincerely 
regret  I  have  not  the  power  to  take  care  of  the  Indians  in  this  par- 
ticular. 

I  regret  to  state,  that  on  the  24th  or  25th  inst.  a  party  of  Apaches, 
numbering  some  twenty  or  thirty,  made  a  sudden  descent  from  the 
high  hills  South  of  San  Miguel,  and  on  the  broad  road  from  Santa 
Fe  to  Las  Vegas,  killed  one  Mexican  and  wounded  two  others.  This 
occurred  within  eight  miles  of  San  Miguel.  A  band  of  these  same 
Indians,  a  few  days  previous  to  this  outrage,  drove  off  about  twelve 
thousand  sheep  from  our  neighborhood,  killing  several  herdsmen, 
and  securing  several  captives. 

Between  El  Paso  and  Socoro,  the  Indians  are  becoming  more 
troublesome  and  impudent,  and  in  the  very  neighborhood  of  Don 
Ana,  they  hesitate  not  to  approach,  murder,  make  captives,  and  drive 
off  stock. 

I  learn  from  the  Governor  of  San  Illdefonso,  that  on  Sunday  the 
24th  inst,  four  Apache  Indians  were  at  their  Pueblo,  on  their  way  to 
the  Utah  country,  and  would  enter  it  west  of  Abiquin,  at  a  point 
where  the  Navajos  and  Utahs  frequently  meet  each  other.  They 
stated  their  object  was  to  secure  the  cooperation  of  the  Utahs  in  their 
war  against  the  Government  of  the  United  States.  I  doubt  not  they 
have  visited  every  Pueblo  they  dared  to  approach,  for  the  same  pur- 
pose; but  the  San  Illdefonso  Indians  say,  they  know  nothing  of  the 
fact  as  to  other  Pueblos,  deny  it  as  to  themselves,  admit  that  their 
object  was  unhesitatingly  announced,  and  could  not  say  whether  the 
Apaches  intended  to  visit  the  Navajos,  or  not. 

I  received  this  information  last  evening,  and  immediately  dis- 
patched a  trustworthy  trader  to  ascertain  the  present  feelings  of  the 
Utahs  towards  the  American  people — their  true  state  and  condition, 
and  whether  they  were  in  league,  or  about  engaging  in  a  league  with 
any  other  Indians  against  the  quiet  of  this  territory  &c  &c.  he  will 
be  absent  ten  or  fifteen  days. 


156  COEKESPONDENCE    Of    JAMES  S.    CALHOUN. 

Thus  stand  matters  on  this  day.     It  is  not  needful  that  I  should 
add  a  commentary,  for  it  could  only  be  a  repetition  of  what  I  have 
heretofore  written  to  you. 
I  am, 

very  respectfully, 

Your  obt.  Servi 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt. 
Orlando  Brown  Esqr. 

Comr.  of  Ind.  Affs 

Washington  City 

D.  0. 

[CALHOUN  TO  BROWN.*] 

No  44. 

Indian  Agency. 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico. 

March  1st.  1850. 
Sir. 

I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  to  you  an  "Abstract "  of  Disburse- 
ments, as  Indian  Agent,  residing  at  Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico,  together 
with  an  "Account  Current ",  which  will  show  the  pecuniary  state 
and  condition  of  this  Agency,  on  the  last  day  of  the  year  1849. 

The  migratory  character  of  my  duties,  in  this  territory,  up  to  the 
present  time,  has  not  afforded  me  the  leisure  to  make  my  "  Ketums  " 
promptly,  at  the  proper  periods — I  have  now,  I  think,  so  arranged 
and  systematized  the  business  of  this  Agency,  as  to  enable  me,  on  the 
morning  after  the  termination  of  a  Quarter,  to  forward  my  Returns, 
should  an  opportunity  offer. 

The  expenditures  of  the  Quarter  ending  on  the  last  day  of  this 
month,  will  exceed  eight  hundred  dollars,  without  including  Salaries. 
This  will  show  you,  that  to  sustain  this  Agency  for  the  ensuing  quar- 
ter, will  require  every  dollar  of  my  own  Salary,  and  I  shall  so  expend 
it,  relying  upon  the  Department's  sense  of  justice  for  its  reim- 
bursement. 

A  former  letter  of  mine  will  have  convinced  you,  that  the  extrava- 
gant charges  made  for  every  article  sold  in  this  territory,  excludes 
the  idea,  that  a  just  estimate  of  the  proper  expenditures  for  this 
Agency,  may  be  ascertained  by  referring  to  like  expenditures  made 
within  the  former  limits  of  the  United  States. 

I  desire  it  to  be  remembered,  in  passing  over  this  territory,  you 
are,  generally,  under  the  necessity  of  carrying  your  own  bedding — 
cooking  utensils— and  subsistence,  and  if  you  are  shielded  from  in- 

1  O.  I,  a.,  Santa  Fe  Agency,  C  441. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.   CALHOUN.  157 

clement  weather,  after  leaving  i:ertain  localities,  you  must  carry  your 
tents. 

Bl^^If  the  Commissary  at  this  post,  had  not  ha^  sold  me  subsistence 
upon  the  same  terms  as  he  sells  them  to  officers,  before  this  day, 
every  dollar  of  the  $3800  with  which  I  was  intrusted,  would  eye  this 
have  been  expended. 

The  importance  of  some  immediate  arrangement  for  this  Agency, 
will  occur  to  you,  without  another  word  from  me. 

The  continuous  and  exciting  character  of  the  duties  assigned  to 
me  here,  is  agreeable,  and  all  I  care  for,  independent  of  an  honest 
and  faithful  discharge  of  my  duties,  is  the  means  to  sustain  myself 
with  usual  respectability. 

I  think  my  Returns  are  in  conformity  to  the  instructions  given 
by  the  Department  on  the  7th  day  of  April  1849,  to  which,  I  very 
respectfully,  refer  you. 
I  am, 

With  great  respect, 

Your  obt.  Servt, 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt 
Orlando  Brown  Esqr. 

Gomr.  of  Ind.  Afs. 

Washington  City 
D.G. 

[CALHOUN   TO   BROWN.'] 

No.  4.5. 
[Inclosure.^I 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

February  27th  1850. 
To  the  President  of  the  United  States 
Sra, 

"We  respectfully  represent  to  you  that  the  condition  of  affairs  in 
this  territory — New  Mexico — requires  the  interposition  of  the  strong 
arm  of  the  Government  of  the  United  States  to  repress  the  disorders, 
from  which  no  place  within  its  borders  is  exempt.  No  one  in  this 
territory  is  safe  in  his  person  or  property.    Murders  and  robberies 

*  Apparently  not  on  file  in  the  Indian  Office,  but  referred  to  in  the  following  entry  for  May  11,  1850, 
O.  L  A.,  L.  R.  No.  37: 


I  1 

11  I 

O.  I.  A.  Santafe         Calhoun,  J.  S.  :  Enclosing    Petition    to   the 

448  '  4  Mch.  1850  '       President  I ■.  S.  in  relation 

J  i      to  Indian  murders  &  rob- 

I  beries  in  New  Mexico. 


Comr.       Ref 'd  Sec.  of  War. 


«0.  I.  X.,  Santa  F4  Agency,  C  448. 


158  COKRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN. 

are  of  daily  occurrence.  Only  four  days  ago  a  band  of  Apaches 
suddenly  came  down  from  the  hills,  and  killed  one  Mexican  and 
wounded  two  others,  within  eight  miles  of  San  Miguel,  on  the  broad 
highway  from  Santa  Fe  to  Las  Vegas.  A  few  days  before  this  mur- 
der they  drove  off  about  twelve  thousand  sheep  from  places  south 
of  San  Miguel.  These  same  Indians  infest  the  whole  country  between 
Socorro  and  Don  Ana,  and  they  are  so  daring  as  to  come  almost 
within  sight  of  the  latter  Military  Post,  and  commit  murders,  make 
captives,  and  drive  off  stock.  We  hear  of  these  outrages  in  every 
direction.  We  have  reliable  information  that  these  same  Indians,  are 
now  attempting  to  alienate  the  affections  of  the  Pueblo  Indians  from 
the  people  of  the  United  States,  and  to  engage  them  in  their  deeds 
of  murder,  rapine,  and  plunder.  We  further  learn  that  a  deputation 
of  Apaches  passed  within  twenty  five  miles  of  this  place  West  from 
South  to  North,  on  Sunday  the  24th  Inst,  and  are  now  in  some  part 
of  the  Utah  Country  for  the  purpose  of  exciting  said  Utahs  to  fresh 
outbreaks,  and  to  unite  with  them  in  their  savage  warfare  against 
the  American  people.  We  have  reason  to  believe  the  same  concert 
of  action  will  be  attempted  with  the  Navajoes,  and  the  constant  inter- 
course of  Indians  generally,  and  yet  more  unscrupulous  Indian 
traders  who  are  roving  in  every  portion  of  New  Mexico,  lead  us  to 
apprehend  an  increase  of  evils  from  the  Comanches. 

The  savage  butchery  of  poor  White  and  the  male  part  of  his  party 
in  October  last,  at  the  Point  of  Rocks,  and  the  yet  more  horrible 
fate  of  Mrs.  White,  call  for  a  vengeance  that  there  is  not  power 
enough  in  this  territory  to  inflict,  and  to  these,  when  the  facts  are 
ascertained,  we  may  have  to  add  as  victims,  the  daughter  and  servant 
woman  of  Mrs.  White. 

These  are  the  foreshadowings  of  our  own  fate,  unless  the  Govern- 
ment of  the  United  States  shall  promptly  and  efficiently  come  to 
our  aid. 

We  say  to  you  Sir  with  all  due  solemnity,  our  Indian  troubles  at 
this  moment  are  of  a  more  terrible,  and  alarming  character,  than 
we  have  ever  known  them  before,  and  many  of  us  have  lived  in  this 
territory  from  five  to  fifty  years. 

We  feel  confident  Sir  you  are  ready  and  willing  to  give  us  all 
proper  aid  and  protection,  and  that  the  Congress  of  the  United 
States  will  promptly  place  at  your  disposal  the  means  necessary  to 
effect  that  object. 

Pardon  us  for  adding,  we  shall  never  have  protection  and  quiet 
in  this  territory,  until  the  Comanches,  Navajoes,  and  Utahs  are  con- 
fined and  forced  to  remain  in  certain  fixed  limits.  This  whole  coun- 
try should  be  thoroughly  explored  and  surveyed,  and  Military  posts 
established  and  roads  opened  in  every  direction. 

We  beg  for  an  adequate  Mounted  force  to  accomplish  these  ends, 
and  we  further  pray  there  may  be  no  delay  in  sending  them  to  our 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN. 


159 


rescue.    Allow  us  further  to  say,  the  Pueblo  Indians  should  be  con- 


not  he  alienated.  Upon  all  these  points,  we  doubt  not  you  have  been 
promptly  and  correctly  officially  advised;  but  without  any  feelings 
of  disrespect  to  any  one  we  thought  we  might  venture  to  make  this 
communication  as  testimony  designed  to  sustain  the  reports  which 
we  doubt  not  the  Officers  of  the  Government  of  the  United  States 
have  made  to  you. 

As  in  duty  bound,  we  shall  ever  pray. 


J.  W.  Austin 
W.  T.  Dalton 

WiLMER  KUDOLPH 

Henry  Winslow 
Thomas  F.  Bowler. 
Jesus.  G.  Abrin 
J  M  GiDDiNGS  Clk  C.  G 
Richard  Owens,  Foreman 

Grand  Jury 
J.  Mercure  Grand  Juror 

Wm.  a.  JNIiller    Grand  Juror 
T.  McCuTCHEN    Grand  Juror 
Benito  Amo  Lanugoiti 
Murray  F.  Iujjley  Attorney  General 
Joaquin  Chaves  G  Juror 
BiSENTA  Lopez    G  Juror 
T.  H.  Kelly        G  Juror 
B.  f.  Mahan       Dyty  Clk 
T  B  Giddings 
Eurus  Beach 
D  L.  Rood. 
Manuel  Alvarez 
John  Devaux 
John  Baptiste  Fourrier 
Fereol  Conturs 
H.  L.  Dickinson 
Smith  D.  Towne 
F.  G.  EwiNG 
Joseph  Naugle 
James  Conklin 
Joseph  Johnston 
Andrew  J  Murphy. 
"Wm.  Ascales. 
J.  M.  McIntosh 
Jno.  N.  Abell. 
Alex  Duvall 


J.  Houghton  Judge  C.  G 

Wm.  Raymond 

Chs.  Blumner 

E.  P.  West 

W  Z.  Angney 

C  H  Merriti 

A  T  Donaldson 

J.  M.  Hunt 

E.  W.  Prewitt 

Alex  Valle 

H.  M.  Beckwith 

m.  swabacher 

Teny  Romeno 


Jose 

W  Curtis  Skinner 


Chas.  E.  Kearny 
E.  M.  Wood 


Treauser 
Lawyer 
Lawyer 
Sheriff 
Sheriff 
Grand  Jur 
G^  Juror 
G  Juror 
G  Juror 
Grand  Juror 
Grand  Juror 


Grand  Juror 
Lawyer 


160  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[CALHOITN  TO  BROWN."] 

No  46. 

Indian  Agency 
Santa  Fe,  Neav  Mexico 

March  15th  1850 
Sir, 

A  number  of  gentlemen  will  leave  for  the  States  on  to-morrow 
morning,  and  have  kindly  offered  to  take  charge  of  letters  I  may 
desire  to  forward ;  and  to  them  I  shall  be  indebted  for  the  conveying 
of  this  communication. 

For  the  last  two  months,  the  weather  has  been  so  favorable,  we  had 
hoped  for  some  approach  to  regularity  in  the  receipt  of  our  mails. 
It  is  now  thirty  six  days  since  our  last  mail  was  received  here;  and 
this  delay  is  the  more  distressing  to  us,  as  the  few  straggling  news- 
papers which  have  come  to  Santa  Fe,  have  induced  fearful  apprehen- 
sions, in  our  minds,  as  to  the  public  tranquility  of  our  once  happy  and 
glorious  Union. 

I  can  but  utter  the  fervent  prayer  of  my  heart,  that  harmony  may 
have  been  restored,  that  all  vexed  questions  may  have  been  satisfac- 
torily adjusted,  and  that  the  Government  of  the  United  States  may 
continue  to  prosper  and  advance  in  the  scale  of  human  grandeur, 
unrivalled,  and  unequalled,  to  the  end  of  time. 

Since  my  last  letter  was  addressed  to  you,  the  accustomed  annoy- 
ances in  this  territory  have  kept  pace  with  the  progress  of  time.  We 
have  heard  of  several  fights  between  Mexican  traders  and  Indians,  in 
which  there  were  killed  and  wounded  upon  both  sides;  and  subse- 
quently a  treaty  of  peace  entered  into,  and  the  usual  trading  opened 
between  them.  In  this  way  a  large  number  of  captives,  horses  and 
mules  from  Mexico  are  brought  into  this  territory,  and  for  which,  I 
presume,  the  United  States  will  be  called  upon  to  make  no  reasonable 
restitution. 

One  of  my  agents,  dispatched  for  the  rescue  of  the  unfortunate 
Mrs  White  and  daughter,  returned  a  few  days  ago,  and  reports  that 
he  found,  after  roaming  in  various  directions  for  six  or  eight  weeks, 
an  encampment  of  Apaches  not  numbering  less  than  two  thousand, 
including  women  and  children,  in  a  valley  near  the  "  Sierra  Gauda- 
lupe  ".  about  three  days  travel  north  of  the  road  from  San  Antonio, 
Texas,  to  El  Paso,  and  he  supposes,  about  seven  days  travel  from  the 
latter  place,  and  thirteen  from  Santa  Fe,  and  that  a  good  wag  on 
road  may  be  easily  opened  from  San  Miguel  on  either  side  of  the  Rio 
Pecos,  to  the  very  spot  which  these  Indians  now  occupy.  My  in- 
formant supposes  there  were  about  one  thousand  warriors  present,  a 
few  Comanches  among  them,  all  well  mounted  on  fine  mules  and 
horses  in  excellent  condition,  the  grazing  being  decidedly  good,  and 

1  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  449 ;  A.  G.  O.,  Files,  I  34  of  1850. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.   CALHOUN.  161 

that  they  had  but  a  few  arms,  except  the  bow  and  arrow.  They  are 
said  to  be  well  supplied  with  food,  consisting,  chiefly,  of  the  meat  of 
horses  and  goats,  and  the  maguey  root  substituted  for  bread. 

Encamacion  Garcia,  (my  agent,)  and  his  party  were  invited  into  a 
large  Lodge  to  talk  with  the  captains  of  these  Indians.  During  the 
talk,  the  captains  stated,  they  were  tired  of  war,  and  desired  peace, 
that  they  could  move  in  no  direction  without  having  to  fight  and 
that  they  had  a  large  number  of  captives,  horses  and  mules  which 
they  had  not  found  a  market  for,  as  traders  did  not  come  to  them  as 
formerly.  The  superabundance  of  captives,  horses  and  mules  on 
hand,  has  not  resulted,  in  my  opinion,  from  there  being  fewer  traders 
than  usual,  but  because  the  Indians  have  been  unusually  successful  in 
their  depredations.  Garcia  thinks  they  had  upwards  of  fifty  captives  T 
with  them,  all  taken  from  Mexico  and  brought  into  this  territory  / 
during  the  last  year.  His  party,  while  out,  bought  four  captives,  but 
not  from  the  Indians  alluded  to  above. 

The  Captains  requested  Garcia  to  see  the  Governor  of  Santa  Fe, 
and  ascertain  whether  he  was  willing  to  make  peace  with  them,  and 
if  so,  upon  what  terms,  when  and  where.  With  one  of  the  party,  I 
called  to  see  the  Governor,  who  was  fully  advised  in  relation  to 
the  facts  stated  above ;  but  what  he  may  design  to  do  in  the  premises, 
I,  of  course,  do  not  know. 

It  will  not  fail  to  occur  to  you,  a  most  decisive  blow  might  be  in- 
Indians 
flicted  upon  these  at  this  particular  moment,  if  the  means  were 

properly  concentrated.  Such  another  opportunity  may  not  occur 
for  months,  as  the  Indians  will  disperse  so  soon  as  the  snow  upon 
the  mountains  will  allow  them.  Every  one  of  these  Indians  could 
now  be  captured — horses  and  mules,  now  so  much  needed  in  this 
territory,  could  be  procured — and  we  could,  in  part  comply  with  one 

to  Mexico, 
of  our  obligations  in  rescuing  and  returning  captives,  in 

compliance  with  an  article  of  the  treaty  of  1848. 

It  may  not  be  improper  to  remark,  in  relation  to  captives,  whether 
Indians  or  Mexicans,  or  in  the  possession  of  either,  they  are  bought 
and  sold  as  Peons,  and  are  relieved  from  servitude  only  by  the  pay- 
ment of  such  an  amount  as  their  masters  may  demand.  Neither  a 
Mexican,  or  an  Indian  have  the  slightest  objection  to  become  the 
purchasers  of  their  own  "  kith  and  kin  ".  Peons,  you  are  aware,  is 
but  another  name  for  slaves,  as  that  term  is  understood  in  our  South- 

the  system  of  peonage  is 
em  States;  but  not  confined  to  a  race  of 

the  human  family.     All  colors  and  tongues  are  subjected  to  its  laws, 
as  the  laws  have  been  executed  in  this  territory.    Although  within 
the  sphere  of  our  Government,  they  yet  think,  the  right  to  buy  and 
5021—15 11 


soil  oaptivos  is  [xM-ffrC,  ami  Uuil    iu>  hiiiiiaii  powtT  ran  ilisturh  that 
ri^hl. 

'I'ho  valiu'  of  captivos  tU'poiul  ii|>»mi  n^v,  si'\,  beauty,  aiul  iisoful- 
ness.  (looil  loolvini>'  ftMiialos,  not  liaviii*^  passoil  the  ''soar  ixud  vollow 
leaf,"  arc  \alucil  fiom  liriv  [o  oiu>  hiiiulroil  aiul  tll'lv  tlollars  eaoli. 
Males,  as  {\\v\  m;i\  Ix-  um'I'uI,  one  hall"  K'ss,  iio\iM-  moic.  Tho  cap- 
tives due  to  iMi'xiro,  1  .shall  not  fail  to  diMiiaiul.  1  lia\t>  rotiuirod 
Garoia's  \M\vt\  to  hrin-;  («>  \\\c  tlu>  foui-  captivi's  alioady,  distiiu'tly, 
iiuMi(u>iu'd  What  thoy  may  do,  1  oaii  not  tolU-  If  thoy  are  hroii«;ht 
to  \\\i\  I  will  (ako  i-aro  id'  thorn,  Althoiinh  1  am  without  instructions  to 
thai  rili'i't,  aiul  unsustaiiu'd  l>y  a  lawful  iMuutmcnt,  so  as  to  enforce 
the  atluK"  iA'  the  treaty  alluded  to,  yd.  1  ri'^aiil  it  as  my  duty  to 
take  I'liait'c  i^(  siieli  t-apli\e.s  wluMiexer  I  I'an  {{{^  m>  with  propriety, 
und  shall  rely  upon  the  Meparimeiii  to  i'eiml>uisi>  tt)  me  the  expendi- 
tures nt«eossarily  ineuired  in  this  diil\,  so  soon  as  it  may  have  the 
means  of  so  (h>ini;. 

'i\>  show  tlu^  I'vieiii  id"  the  tiavle  in  .Me\i<-aii  eapti\t's,  I  need  hut 
mention  the  fact,  that  tht*  ivioway  Indians,  residing  north  of  the 
Arkansas,  have  just  returned  from  Mexico  to  their  homes,  with 
several  caplivos. 

.Vll  will  a<4ftH>  that  this  revoltiiiii'  trade  slu>uld  he  sto[>[>iHl;  hut  may 
not  agret^  a-,  to  the  mode  of  doinj:;  so.  1  will  merely  restjite  what  I 
have  more  than  om-e  siiooested  to  you  on  this  subject.  Kveiy  tribe 
of  hulians  shmild  he  eoiilined  io  eeitain  limits,  beyond  which  tliey 
Jrvliould  not  wander. 

No  tribe  siiouKI  be  lov-ait"d  within  one  hundred  miles  of  the  lino 
botwei>n  tlu>  rniiCil  Slates  and  Mt>\iio. 

M\ery  hoisc  and  miiU'  slu>uld  be  laken  from  tlu'  Apav-hes,  if  not 
fn>m  oi  lu>r  tribes. 

I'lvtMN  tribe  shoiihl  be  made  to  culti\ato  the  soil  in  ordm'  to  sup- 
port themselves. 

1  am  iu>t  munindful  of  the  heavy  cxpeiulitures  such  an  arrani>o- 
ment  would  require,  to  leave  out  the  iiuostit)ns  of  humanity  and  good 
g,ovori\mont,  such  an  arrangement,  in  the  end,  would  be  an  absolute 
saving  (^f  money  to  the  T nit od  States  Treasury — - 

I  will  i'i»m'ludo  this  letter  by  adding  that  (uircia  informs  me,  that 
there  are  a  large  numluM-  o(  wounded  Indians  among  the  Apaches, 
and  that  tlu^  daughter  o(  .Mrs  AVhito  was  killoil  on  the  satno  day  her 
nu>ther  w.as  killed.      This  is  w  hat  the  Indians  state. 
I  am, 

\'ery  respect  fully 

Ymir  obt.  Sorvt. 

J.  S.  Camuhtn 

/nd.  A(jt. 

OuuViNoo  IhiowN   Ksip-. 

Comr.  of  Jnd.  Afs  tfv. 


COKRESPONDENCE    OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 


163 


[CALHOUN   TO   BROWN/] 

Xo.  47. 
[Related  Correspondence.] 
[VAN   HORNE  TO   McLAWS.2] 


Head  Quarters  Batln.  S^  Infantry, 

Paso  del  Norte,  New  Mexico, 

February  23,  1850. 
Sir, 

Yours  of  3d  Feby.  is  received.  In  yours  of  28tli  Deer.  1849  you  say  to  me  "  it 
is  hereby  directed  tbat  you  sustain  tlie  civil  jurisdiction  of  the  territory  of  New 
Mexico,  her  civil  officers  and  magistrates  in  the  execution  of  their  duties  for 
the  protection  of  their  persons  and  property  only,  under  what  is  called  the 
"  Kearney  code,"  until  such  time  as  Texas  shall  officially  assume  civil 
jurisdiction." 

Major  Neighbours  has  arrived  here  as  Commissioner  from  the  State  of  Texas, 
with  instructions  to  assume  jurisdiction  over  all  New  JNIexico,  east  of  the  Rio 
Grande,  to  hold  elections  for  all  various  County  Officers  &c.  The  country  from 
Presidio  del  Norte  to  70  miles  below  this  is  called  Presidio  county;  thence  to 
San  Diego  above  Don  Aiia,  El  Paso  county,  thence  north  is  divided  into  Worth 
and  Santa  Fe  counties.  Mr.  White  informs  me  that  he  has  given  you  the  par- 
ticulars with  copies  of  the  papers  &c.  Major  Neighbours  is  busy  holding  elec- 
tions, circulating  the  Govrs.  message,  addresses  &c.  and  will  in  a  few  days 
proceed  northward. 

He  left  Col  McCall  at  San  Antonio,  waiting  for  the  arrival  of  recruits  from 
La  Yaca,  on  their  way  here  with  him.     He  brings  news  of  the  deaths  of  Lieuts. 
Neil  and  Harrison  of  Dragoons,  the  former  by  suicide,  and  says  Genl.  Brooke 
is  ill  and  has  applied  for  leave. 
Very  Respectfully 

Tour  obedt  Servt 

J.  Van  Horne 
B.  Maj.  3  Iny  Comdg 
Lieut.  L.  McLaws, 

Actg.  Asst.  Adjt.  Genl, 

9th  Mil.  Department, 

Santa  F6 
Mr  Coons  writes  me  from  S.  Antonio  that  Qr.  Mr.  Babbitt  has  issued  pro- 
posals for  the  services  of  250  IMexican  carts  to  transport  supplies  here  in  the 
spring 

1  The  text  of  this  letter  has  not  been  found,  but  the  following  register  entry,  taken  from  O.  I.  A.,  L.  R. 
No.  37  gives  the  substance  of  its  contents. 


1S50 
May 


O.I.  A.  Santa  f(? 
4o0 


J.  S.  Calhoun 

IC,  Mch.  1850 


Reports  that  the  Comm"  of 
Texas  are  mo\-ing  onward 
to  possess  New  Mexico— 
and  that  the  New  Mexi- 
cans speak  of  resistance. 


In  connection  with  the  subject  matter  of  No.  47,  the  documents  on  pp.  189,  243,  252, 
are  elucidating  and  in  the  highest  degree  interesting.  The  special  message  of  President 
Fillmore,  August  6,  1850,   (Richardson,  V,  pp.  07-7.S)   furnishes  additional  facts. 

»A.  G.  0.,  Pile  box,  Department  of  New  Mexico,  1850,  V5. 


164  CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN. 

[munroe  to  beall  and  others/] 

Head  Quarters  9  Mil  :  Dept. 
Santa  Fe,  N.  M°  Mar.  12  1850. 
Sib, 

Having  been  duly  notified  by  Major  Robert  S  Neighbours  of  his  arrival  as  a 
commissioner  of  the  State  of  Texas  for  the  purpose  of  establishiug  the  civil 
jurisdiction  of  the  State  over  this  territory;  Your  command  will  observe  a 
rigid  noninterference  with  him  in  the  exercise  of  his  Functions  and  equally 
avoid  coming  in  conflict  with  the  Judicial  authorities  created  by  that  State 
I  am  respectfully 

Your  Ob"'  Serv' 

Signed  John  Munroe 

Bvt  Col.  V.  8.  Army 

Comds  Dept: 
To 
Lt.  Col.  Beall — Taos 
Capt.  JuDD,  Las  Vegas 
Maj.  Howe,  Alburquerque 
Col.  May,  Socorro 
Maj.  Steen,  Dona  Anna 
Maj.  Van  Horne,  Opp:  El  Paso 
Maj.  Henry,  San  Elizario 

[SCOTT  TO  MUNROE  ^J 

War  Department 

August  6th  1850 
Munroe,  Brevet  Colonel  J. 
U.  8.  Army 

Conidg.  9th  Military  Department 

New  Mexico. 
Sir, 

About  seven  hundred  and  fifty  recruits  are  now  in  route,  via  the  Missouri 
and  Lavaca,  respectively,  to  fill  up  the  regiments  and  companies  under  your 
command.  They  may  be  expected  by  you,  in  all  the  next  month,  and  the  7" 
Regiment  of  Infantry,  with  one  or  two  troops  of  the  1st  Dragoons  will  soon 
follow.  Some  two  hundred  men  of  the  7th  Infantry  will  leave  the  Missouri 
mounted. 

These  reinforcements  are  deemed  necessary  to  enable  you  to  protect  the 
people  of  New  Mexico  against  the  incursions  of  hostile  Indians;  but  another 
and  more  painful  contingency  may  be  apprehended. 

It  is  Ijnown  here,  that  the  Legislature  of  Texas  has  been  summoned,  by  the 
Governor  of  that  State,  to  meet,  on  the  12th.  instant,  to  adopt  measures  for 
extending  her  political  and  civil  jurisdiction  over  that  part  of  New  Mexico,  on 
this  side  of  the  Rio  Grande,  claimed  as  a  part  of  Texas. 

It  is  quite  possible,  perhaps  probable,  if  the  disputed  boundary  between  Texas 
and  New  Mexico,  be  not  earlier  established  by  Congress,  that  a  large  body  of 

by  Texas 
troops  may  be  levied,  in  all  this  month,  and  sent  to  New  Mexico,  to 

effect,  by  force  of  arms,  the  object  stated. 


lA.  G.  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  2,  p.  29. 
'A.  G.  0.,  M.  B.,  No.  30,  pp.  266-268. 


COERESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN.  165 

In  such  event,  your  position,  as  the  Immediate  commander  of  the  Unitad 
States'  forces,  in  New  Mexico,  will  be  one  of  much  delicacy  and  difficulty,  and 
hence  demanding  adequate  instructions  from  the  highest  in  authority. 

It  is  held  by  the  President  of  the  United  States  to  be  his  duty,  under  consti- 
tutional obligations  and  the  9th  Article  of  the  Treaty  of  Guadalupe  Hidalgo; 
and  until  the  boundary  between  Texas  and  New  Mexico  shall  be  duly  estab- 
lished, to  protect  to  the  extent  of  the  means  at  his  disposition,  against  all  vio- 
lence whatsoever,  the  inhabitants  in  the  country,  known,  at  the  date  of  that 
treaty,  as  New  Mexico,  in  the  enjoyment  of  all  rights,  political  and  civil,  which 
were  secured  to  them  by  the  said  treaty. 

Accordingly,  you  are  hereby  instructed,  in  the  case  of  any  military  invasion 
of  New  Mexico,  from  Texas,  or  by  armed  men  from  any  other  State  or  States, 
for  the  purpose  of  overturning  the  order  of  civil  government  that  may  exist 
In  New  Mexico  at  the  time,  or  of  subjugating  New  Mexico  to  Texas,  to  interpose, 
as  far  as  practicable,  the  troops  under  your  command  against  any  such  act  of 
violence. 

The  invaders  will  probably  announce  their  approach  and  purposes  by  procla- 
mation. It  may  be  expedient  for  you  to  meet  them  by  a  like  public  declaration, 
in  terms  at  once  moderate  and  firm,  intimating  the  general  character  of  these 
instructions  from  the  President,  and  your  purpose  to  execute  them.  You  will 
also  profit  by  all  opportunities  to  remonstrate  and  use  such  means  of  persuasion 
as  may  be  in  your  power  with  the  principal  invaders  to  avoid,  if  possible,  a  re- 
sort to  repulsive  violence ;  but,  when  necessary,  and  without  losing  any  material 
advantage,  by  delay,  you  will  take  all  preliminary  steps  for  defence,  and,  in  the 
last  resort,  resist  with  vigor. 

Acts  of  violence,  on  the  part  of  the  invaders,  may  commence  by  the  arrest 
of  the  existing  civil  functionaries  of  New  Mexico,  and  imprisoning  them;  or 
by  setting  up  substitutes  for  those  functionaries  and  imprisoning  opposers  and 
remonstrants ;  or  the  invaders  may  endeavor  to  coerce  the  inhabitants  into  sub- 
mission, by  taking  or  destroying  their  property.  Any  such  act  will  present  a 
clear  case  for  the  direct  and  active  employment  of  the  forces  under  your 
command. 

How  far,  prior  to  the  commission  of  such  acts  of  violence,  the  intention  to 
commit  them,  avowed  by  proclamation  or  otherwise,  on  the  part  of  the  invaders, 
may  warrant  you  to  resist  the  advance  of  the  invaders,  must  depend  on  the 
terms  of  the  avowal,  the  exposed  condition  of  the  frontier  settlements,  towards 
Texas,  and  other  circumstances  which  may  be  better  estimated  in  your  position 
than  by  the  Executive  at  this  distance.  His  expectation  is  that  you  will  take 
all   preliminary  measures,  within  your  power,  to  protect  the  people  of  New 

by  force, 
Mexico  against  violence,  and  to  repel  force  when  clearly  necessary  to 

that  end. 

With  entire  confidence  in  your  judgment,  discretion  and  firmness 
I  remain, 

With  great  respect  Tr  Obt  Serv 

WiNFiELD  Scott 
Acting  Secretary  of  War. 

A  duplicate  this  day  forwarded,  under  cover,  to  General  Brooke,  at  San 
Antonio,  with  instructions  to  give  it  dispatch  to  Colonel  Munroe,  at  Santa  Fe, 

WiNFiELD  Scott 
Sept  5'  IS.W. 


166  CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUiV, 

[CALHOUN   TO   BROWN.'] 

No  48. 

Indian  Agency. 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico. 

March  16th  1850. 
Sir, 

I  ask  your  particular  attention  to  the  enclosed  copies — A — B.  C. 
D  &  E.  in  the  order  in  which  they  are  marked.  For  A  &  B  I  am  in- 
debted to  Govr.  Munroe,  C.  will  show  you  why  D  was  issued,  and  E. 
the  report  required. 

D  &  E.  contain  all  that  the  Department  can  have  an  interest  in. 
A.  B.  &  C.  have  personal  bearings  upon  myself. 

I  am  not  indifferent  as  to  public  opinion,  but  feel  but  little  con- 
cern as  to  the  opinions  of  certain  individuals,  who  are  not  only 
ignorant,  in  many  respects,  but  whose  political  prejudices  exclude  the 
possibility  of  their  doing  justice  to  one  they  do  not  follow,  or  to 
one  who  will  not  follow  them.  It  is  enough  to  defer  to  the  Chief  of 
this  Military  Department — ^The  right  of  a  suhordinate  to  control  me, 
or  to  be  advised  of  my  actings  and  doings,  I  can  not,  I  will  not 
recognize.  Upoji  this  subject,  I  do  not  desire  to  add  another  word. 
A.  B.  C.  &  E  were  received  within  the  last  two  hours,  and  I  intend 
this  communication  shall  overtake  my  mail  of  this  morning. 

The  Report,  E.  confirms  the  statement  of  Encarnacion  Garcia, 
that  Mrs.  White's  daughter  was  killed  on  the  same  day  her  poor 
mother  was  so  inhumanely  butchered. 

In  relation  to  the  Utahs,  I  have  nothing  to  add  to  my  former  com- 
munications. The  accompanying  documents  do  not  influence  my 
opinions — I  am  aware  and  so  I  have  informed  you,  that  mischeivous 
advisers  were  among  the  Indians — My  opinion  is,  the  treaty  I  made 
with  them  at  Abiquin  should  be  confirmed,  and  the  Utahs  forced  to 
a  compliance. 
I  am, 
Sir. 

Very  respectfully 
Your  obt.  Servt 


Orlando  Brown  Esqr. 

Comr.  Ind.  Affs 

Washington  City 


S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt. 


1  O.  I.  a.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  444. 


I 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  167 

[Inclosures.  ] 

Copy— A 

[BEALL  TO  McLAWS] 

Head  Qrs.  Detchmt  1st  Dragn 

Don  Fernanda  de  Taos,  N.  M 

13th  March  1860 
Sir, 

It  is  well  known  to  you  that  there  is  a  large  party  of  the  Utah 
tribe,  with  whom  peace  has  never  been  made.  These  Indians  have 
been  and  still  are  in  the  vicinity  of  Red  River,  doubtful  as  yet  of  the 
policy  of  the  government  toward  them.  As  these  Indians  are  actu- 
ally, and  consider  themselves,  at  war  with  us,  although  no  hostile 
demonstrations  have  been  made  by  them,  it  is  evident  that  all  trad- 
ing with  them  must  be  unlawful  &  injurious  to  the  interests  of  the 
United  States.  A  few  days  ago  I  received  authentic  information 
that  two  Frenchmen  named  Lacombe,  of  Arroyo  Hondo,  had  gone 
out  to  these  Utahs,  taking  with  them  many  contraband  articles  of 
traffic  such  as  flints,  knives  &c.  Accordingly  acting  on  the  above 
views,  I  immediately  sent  an  order  to  arrest  them  &  bring  them  be- 
fore me.  They  themselves  stated  that  they  had  a  license  to  trade,  & 
were  also  invested  by  the  Governor  with  powers  to  make  peace  if 
they  thought  fit.  This  seeming  so  absurd  (as  in  case  of  their  ever 
receiving  a  license  to  trade  I  would  have  been  informed  of  it)  & 
knowing  well  that  they  are  men  utterly  devoid  of  all  character  & 
principle  (having  been  punished  for  the  same  offence  before)  I  have 
acted  as  above  stated,  &  when  they  shall  be  apprehended,  will  treat 
them  according  to  their  deserts. 

Respectfully  submitted  for  the  consideration  of  the  Colonel  Com- 
manding 9th  Military  department. 
I  am  very  respectfully 


Your  obt.  Servt. 


B.  L.  Beall 

Bvt.  Lt.  Col.  U.  S.  A. 

Comd 


Lt.  L.  McLaws 

Infantry.  A.  A.  A.  Genl. 

0th  Military  Dej>t. 

Santa  Fe 


168  COEEESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

Copy— B. 

[BEALL  TO  McLAWS] 

Hd.  Qrs  1  Dragoon  Det. 

Don  Fernandez  de  Taos 

March  ll^th  1850 

SiK. 

Since  my  communication  to  the  Col.  Comg.  of  yesterday,  I  have 
received  information  that  the  persons  alluded  to  in  that  communica- 
tion, have  positively  stated  to  certain  Mexicans,  that  they  have  been 
empowered,  to  make  peace  with  and  trade  with  the  Band  of  Eutas 
alluded  to.  I  have  been  expecting  a  delegation  of  this  Band  at  this 
post,  as  I  sent  out  a  runner  to  them  inviting  them  here  to  meet  the 
U.  S.  Indian  Agent  for  this  Territory;  but  I  am  fearful  that  these 
traders  will  induce  them  not  to  come  here.  For  further  information 
I  would  respectfully  refer  the  Col.  Comg.  to  Mr  Ortubus  the  bearer 
of  these  Communications. 


I  am  respy. 

Your  Obt  Servt 


B.  L.  Be  ALL 
Bv  Lt  Col.  V.  S.  A. 

Comg, 
Lt  L.  McLaws 

A.  A.  A.  Genl 

9  Mily  Dept. 

Santa  Fe. 

Copy— C. 

Santa  Fe.  March  16th  1850.  We  the  undersigned  hereby  certify 
that  Auguste  Lacome  was  recommended  by  us,  to  Coin.  J.  S.  Calhoun 
(U.  S.  Indian  Agent,  for  the  Territory  of  New  Mexico)  for  the  pur- 
pose of  obtaining  information  of  the  condition,  &  disposition  of  the 
Eutaw  Indians,  but  chiefly  through  their  agency  to  effect  the  rescue 
or  ransome  of  the  Daughter  of  J.  M.  White,  lately  murdered  by  the 
Apaches.  And  that  from  the  knowledge  we  have  of  said  Lacome  he 
is  entitled  to  all  respect  &  confidence  &  in  our  opinion  no  agent  more 
fit  or  suitable  could  have  been  selected, 

Manuel  Alvarez 
late  V.  S.  Consul  at  Santa  Fe. 
Wm.  S.  Messervy 
Copy— D. 

Indian  Agency,  Santa  Fe, 
New  Mexico^  Feby  26th,  1850. 
Auguste  Lacome  is  hereby   authorized   to   proceed   to  the   Utah 
country,  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  the  true  state  and  condition 


CORKESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN.  169 

of  the  Indians  of  said  country,  their  temper  and  feelings  towards  the 
people  of  this  Territory,  and  of  the  United  States — their  present 
localities  and  the  probable  numbers  at  each  place,  and  their  intentions 
as  to  a  compliance  with  the  terms  of  the  late  Treaty  made  with  them 
at  Abiquin — Having  ascertained  these  facts  he  will  report  to  me  in 
person  at  the  earliest  possible  day — In  order  to  obtain  access  to  said 
Indians,  the  said  Auguste  Lacome  is  authorized  to  take  with  him  such 
articles  as  are  usually  sold  to  Indians,  and  to  trade  with  them  taking 

them 
care  to  sell  no  articles  of  war. 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Indian  Agent. 

Original — E. 

report  of  auguste  lacome  to  coln  j.  s.  calhoun  u.  s.  agent  for  the 
territory  n.  mexico. 

Sir, 

According  to  your  instruction  of  the  26th  of  Feby  1850  I  pro- 
ceeded to  the  camps  of  the  Eutaw  Indians  &  there  endeavoured  to 
further  the  ends  of  the  U.  S.  government  which  you  did  me  the 
honour  to  entrust  to  my  charge. 

All  the  principal  chiefs  of  the  Eutaw  Tribe  of  Indians  with  whom 
I  held  communication  to  wit. 

(1st  Pachuco  2d  Chico  Belasques  3d  Amparua  4th  Tarihuachi 
5th  Domingo  6th  Miguel  Gallegos.  Tth  Apparujah  8th  Garcias.) 
desire  or  f)retend  to  desire  peace  with  the  Government  &  people  of 
the  United  States,  They  promise  never  again  to  take  up  arms  against 
the  people  of  the  United  States,  either  Americans  or  Mexicans.  They 
furthermore  requested  me  to  return  with  the  United  States  Indian 
Agent  to  make  with  them  a  permanent  peace. 

They  furthermore  desired  me  to  say  to  the  Gov  that  the  Chiefs, 
who  should  be  recognized  by  you  as  having  authority  among  their 
people,  should  be  so  distinguished,  by  receiving  from  you  some  sign  or 
simbol  of  their  rank,  such  as  an  Alcaldies  cain  or  some  such  mark  of 
distinction. 

That  when  they  broke  the  old  treaty  they  were  forced  to  do  so  from 
the  fact,  that  they  were  in  a  starving  condition,  that  when  they  robbed 
the  ranches  of  the  people  of  the  northern  part  of  this  Territory,  it 
was  the  purpose  of  the  Chiefs  subsequently  to  make  reparation. 

The  Treaty  at  Abiqui  they  do  not  consider  as  binding  &  never  did 
so  consider  it,  as  but  one  of  their  Chiefs  entered  into  that  Treaty, 
&  he  was  not  authorized  by  the  other  Chiefs  of  his  Tribe  to  make 
such  Treaty,  and  furthermore  when  he  the  only  Chief  who  made  it 
(Chico  Belasques)  entered  into  negociations  did  not  act,  nor  did  he 
ever  intend  to  act  in  good  faith  &  it  is  the  opinion  of  the  undersigned 


170  CORRESPONDENCE    OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

that  the  Indian  Agent  of  the  United  States  Government  can  never 
safely  repose  confidence  in  said  Chico  Belasques,  that  he  has  sworn 
eternal  hatred  &  enmity  both  to  Americans  &  Mexicans,  &  that  the 
his  mark  of  distinction  among  his  tribe,  are  the  ornaments  of  his 
"  legings,"  being  the  finger  nails  of  Americans  on  one  side  &  of  Mexi- 
cans on  the  other.  That  the  said  Chico  Belasques  was  engaged  with 
the  Apaches  in  their  massacre  of  the  party  of  Mr.  J.  M.  "White,  & 
that  he  boasts  of  the  jDart  he  took  in  that  disaster  &  furthermore  he 
(C.  B.) 

was  with  the  Apaches  at  the  time  of  Majr  Griers  attack 
upon  them. 

That  all  the  above  named  Chiefs,  desire  that  all  former  Treaties 
may  be  regarded  as  null  &  void,  as  they  alledge  to  have  had  as  much 
reason  to  complain  of  infringements  of  the  same  on  the  part  of  the 
people  &  troops  of  the  United  States  as  can  possibly  be  brought 
against  them. 

That  they  desire,  immediately  to  hold  a  Council  with  the  U.  S. 
Indian  Agent  at  a  place  called  Costilla — about  two  journey  from 
Taos,  or  at  the  Sand  Hills  about  the  same  distance  from  Abiqui 
They  desire  that  the  escort  of  said  Agent  may  not  consist  of  more 
than  five  men 

That  they  are  all  very  poor,  &  are  entirely  destitute  of  Arms, 
poAvder  &  lead,  but  manifested  a  strong  desire  to  be  supplied  with 
those  articles. 

The  undersigned  regrets  to  state  that  the  chief  object  of  his  mis- 
sion to  the  Eutaws  was  not  accomplished;  viz:  through  the  agency 
of  that  Tribe  now  in  friendly  relations  with  the  Apaches  to  rescue 
or  ransome  the  Daughter  of  the  late  J.  M.  White,  but  was  assured 
and  convinced  that  the  daughter  was  murdered  a  short  time  after  the 
murder  of  her  mother,  in  the  retreat  of  the  Apaches  before  the  attack 
of  Majr  Grier  upon  them. 

Santa  Fe  March  IGth  1850. 

AUGUSIIE  Lacome 

To  Col°.  J.  S.  Calhoun 

Z7.  S.  Indian  Agent  for 

The  Territory  of  N  Mexico 

[CALHOUN   TO  BROWN.'] 

No.  49. 

Indl\n  Agency 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

March  25th  1850 
Sir, 

I  had  the  honor  to  receive  your  connnunication  of  the  28th  of 
December  last,  on  the  afternoon  of  the  18th  inst.     In  relation  to  the 

1  O.  L  A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  460. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  171 

fate  of  Mrs  "WHiite,  you  have,  long  before  this,  received  my  letters 
detailing  the  facts  as  they  were  made  known  to  me.  I  have  also, 
given  you  the  intelligence  brought  to  me  by  my  agents  sent  out  to  the 
Utahs  and  Apaches,  as  to  the  probable  fate  of  Mrs  White's  daugh- 
ter, The  two  agents,  Auguste  Lacome  and  Encarnacion  Garcia, 
made  to  me  similar  reports,  the  first  from  the  Utahs,  and  the  latter 
from  the  Apaches,  the  two  tribes  in  Lodges  six  hundred  miles  apart, 
and  I  scarcely  entertain  a  doubt  as  to  the  murder  of  the  daughter  on 
the  same  day  that  the  mother  was  murdered.  But,  as  it  is  within 
the  limits  of  possibility  the  statements  made  by  the  Indians  to  my 
Agents,  originated  in  a  design  to  stop  further  enquiries  concerning 
the  child,  I  shall  seize  every  possible  opportunity  to  procure  precise 
and  more  authentic  information. 

Not  one  word  of  information  concerning  Mrs  White's  colored 
female  servant,  has  reached  me;  and  it  is  hoped  she  lives,  and  may 
be  recovered.  That  an  approach  to  truth,  in  relation  to  this  horrible 
tragedy,  may  be  brought  to  light. 

Allow  me  to  express  my  gratification  that  my  efforts  in  this  matter, 
as  I  have  detailed  them  to  yon,  have  met  with  the  approbation  of 
the  Department  of  the  Interior. 

I  trust  you  will  pardon  me  for  addressing  a  few  words  more  to  you 
upon  this  painful  subject.  I  have  noticed  in  several  straggling  news- 
papers, published  in  the  United  States  in  December  and  January 
last,  various  statements  in  relation  to  the  efforts  made  here  for  the 
rescue  of  Mrs  White  and  her  daughter,  in  Avhich  the  shadow  of  a 
truth  is  not  discernable — Without  intending  the  slightest  disrespect 
to  the  citizens  of  Santa  Fe,  or  to  the  friends  of  the  murdered.  I 
desire  to  say.  there  was  no  public  meeting  held  on  the  occasion — there 
was  no  reward  of  one  thousand  dollars  offered,  except  the  one  offered 
by  me— nor  have  I  ever  heard  of  Indians  or  others  being  sent  out 
for  the  purpose  of  attempting  the  rescue  of  the  captives,  except  the 
military  effort  by  order  of  Col.  Munroe,  and  the  agents  sent  out  by 
myself,  precisely  as  I  have,  from  time  to  time,  advised  you — and  I 
must  add,  until  the  untruthful  publications,  to  which  I  have  alluded, 
met  my  eye,  I  had  not  heard  one  word  as  to  the  "  active  but  fruitless 
search  made  over  a  large  extent  of  country  for  the  body  of  Mrs 
White  ",  by  persons  belonging  to  the  "  main  train  ",  at  the  "'  Point 
of  Rocks";  nor  was  it  known  here,  that  "a  small  party,  composed 
principally  of  those  who  had  arrived  in  the  train,  was  immediately 
organized  and  started  back  on  the  search  after  the  fabulous  meeting 
of  the  citizens  of  Santa  Fe. 

These  unfounded  Statements  arc  some  what  annoying  to  me,  because 
they  are  of  a  character  to  mislead  the  public  mind,  if  not  designed  for 
that  purpose — Indeed,  it  is  my  opinion  these  untruthful  publications 
were  intended  to  awaken  an  unjust  censure  against  your  Indian  Agent 


172  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

here,  and  the  militar}^  authorities  of  this  territory,  and  I  affirm,  that 
no  efforts  were  made,  for  the  rescue  of  Mrs  White  and  her  daughter, 
to  the  best  of  my  knowledge  and  beleif ,  except  those  made  by  the  two 
aforesaid  authorities. 
I  am, 

With  great  respect, 

Your  obt.  servt. 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt. 
OrTxAndo  Brown  Esqr 

CoTYw.  of  Ind.  A-ffs. 

Washington  City 

D.  C 

[CALHOUN  TO  BROWN.>] 

No.  50. 

Indl^n  Agency 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

March  Wth.  1850. 
Sir. 

Herewith,  I  return  the  Section  of  a  map  ^  of  New  Mexico,  which 
you  enclosed  to  me  on  the  28th  day  of  last  December.  You  will  find 
marked  in  this  way  [o],  the  various  Indian  Pueblos  located  in  this 
territory  upon  the  Section  of  Country  which  the  map  represents — It 

that 
may  be  well  to  remember  there  are  two  Indian  Pueblos  below 

30 
El  Paso,  Isletta  &  Socorro — and  Zuiii,  an  Indian  Pueblo  88.  miles 
N.  W.  of  Laguna — Of  course,  neither  of  these  three  Pueblos  could  be 
marked  upon  the  map.  Beyond  Zuni,  west,  perhaps  one  hundred  and 
fifty  miles,  the  Moqui  countiy  is  reached — These  Indians  live  in 
Pueblos,  cultivate  the  soil  to  a  limited  extent,  and  raise  horses.  Mules, 
Sheep  and  goats,  and,  I  am  informed,  manufacture  various  articles — 
I^^I  am  extremely  anxious  to  visit  these  Indians ;  but  it  would  be 
unsafe  to  do  so,  without  a  sufficient  escort,  as  the  Apaches  are  upon 
the  left,  and  the  Navajos  on  the  right  in  travelling  from  Zufii  to  the 
Moquies — The  Pueblo  Indians,  all,  are  alike  entitled  to  the  favorable 
and  early  consideration  of  the  Government  of  the  U.  S.  My  infonna- 
tion  concerning  the  Moqui  Indians  is  not  of  a  character  to  justify  me 
in  making  suggestions  in  reference  to  an  Agent,  or  agents,  further 
than  to  say.  without  an  absolute  examination  by  some  one  deputed 
for  that  purpose,  information,  precise  and  reliable,  may  not  be  looked 


>  O.  I.  a.,  Santa  F4  Agency,  C  462. 

2  See  p.  95  and  map  (No.  2)  in  pocket. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  173 

for.  I  shall,  therefore,  confine  my  remarks  to  the  Pueblos  of  Zuni — 
Socorro,  and  Isletta,  and  those  marked  upon  the  accompanying  Map — 

In  relation  to  the  extent  of  territory  belonging  to  each  Pueblo, 
nothing  is  definitely  known,  and  can  only  be  settled  by  instituting 
such  a  commission  as  was  recommended  by  the  President  in  his 
annual  message — The  lands  are  held  under  Spanish  and  Mexican 
Grants,  and  the  boundaries  of  the  original  grants  have  been,  from 
time  to  time,  enlarged  to  meet  the  wants  of  these  Catholic  Indians — 
They  claim  that  this  whole  territory  originally  belonged  to  them, 
and  that  their  Supreme  Government  was  in  Santa  Fe;  but  after  the 
Conquest,  this  place  was  taken  from  them,  and  their  limits  fixed 
by  authority  of  the  conquering  Government — The  general  opinion 
is,  not  one  of  the  Pueblos  have  a  square  of  less  than  eight  miles  and  a 
half  on  each  side — In  addition  to  this,  it  is  said,  many  of  them 
have  bought  other  lands  near  their  Pueblos,  and  perhaps  others  are 
planting  on  unappropriated  lands — There  are  a  few  Mexican  Vil- 
lages built,  without  doubt,  upon  lands  granted  to  Pueblos,  and 
there  are  various  law  suits  pending  between  Pueblos,  and  Mexicans 
&  Pueblos  as  to  the  right  of  the  parties  to  certain  lands.  These 
Law  Suits  ought  to  be  quieted  without  delay,  or  serious  and  bloody 

that 
consequences  will  result — I  must  further  add  additional  grants 

of  land  may  be  necessary  for  these  Indians,  and  it  should  be  given 
to  them  liberally,  near  where  they  are  now  located,  if  vacant  public 
lands  should  be  found  there;  i^"  for  it  will  not  do  to  agitate  the 
Subject  of  their  removal  at  this  time;  and  it  would  be  as  dangerous 
to  the  public  tranquility  to  compel  them  to  a  repugnant  association 
with  the  people  of  New  Mexico,  as  Citizens  of  the  State  or  terri- 
tory— Either  would  produce  a  bloody  contest  at  this  time. 

You  will  notice  on  the  returned  map,  that  I  have  marked,  with 
some  approach  to  accuracy  the  Seven  Counties  of  this  territory,  as 
organized.  The  four  great  tribes,  the  Apaches,  Comanches,  Navajos 
and  Utahs,  make  frequent  incursions  into  these  counties— All  east, 
west,  north  and  south  of  the  outer  lead  and  red  ink  lines,  is  regarded 
as  Indian  Country — On  the  east  side  of  the  Arkansas,  the  Arapahoes, 
Cheyennes,  Kioways,  and  other  roving  Indians  are  to  be  found. 
These  Indians  are  frequently  on  the  west  side  of  said  river,  hunting, 
trading,  and  uniting  with  the  Indians  of  this  territory  in  their 
War  and  robberies  against  the  people  of  the  U.  S.  and  Mexico. 

The  apparent  dividng  line  between  the  Apaches  and  Utahs,  com- 
mences on  the  Rio  del  Norte,  about  latitude  37°.  The  lands  N.  E. 
&  E.  from  this  point,  between  the  pencil  and  red  ink  lines,  to  the 
Arkansas,  is  accorded  to  the  Jicarillas,  a  band  of  Apaches  well 
mixed  with  Utah  blood — Occasionally,  every  tribe  of  Indians  are  to 


174  COEEESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

and  South 
be  found  in  this  region — East  of  the  said  lead  and  red 

ink  lines,  the  Apaches  first,  and  then  the  Comanches  are  found.  I 
have  had  no  means  of  ascertaining  the  supposed  dividing  line  between 
these  two  ti-ibes — The  Comanches  are  chiefly  South  of  the  Apache 

East  of  the  Rio  del  Norte, 
district  and  between  it  and  the  State 

of  Texas — The  strip  of  country  runing  South  from  the  County  of 
San  Miguel  del  Bado,  known  as  the  Apache  country,  is  not  less 
than  three  hundred  miles  wide — Not  an  inch  of  the  Comanche  coun- 
try is  to  be  found  upon  the  returned  map,  although  I  have  written 
upon  an  outer  edge  the  word  "  Comanches "  for  the  purpose  of 
showing  the  direction  of  their  localities — West  of  the  Rio  del  Norte 
on  both  sides  of  the  supposed  line  between  the  United  States  and 
Mexico,  is  the  Apache  country  proper,  in  my  opinion;  and  they 
claim  the  country  west  to  the  Pimo  Village,  and  North  West  to  the 
Moqui  country;  and  west  of  the  Pueblo  of  Zuiii,  and  between  that 
place  and  the  Moqui  country,  the  Apaches  think  they  are  bounded 
north  by  the  Navajos — Thus  it  will  be  seen,  they  claim  to  possess, 
and  certainly  roam  over  three  fourths  of  a  circle  in  and  around  the 
territory  of  New  Mexico — 

The  Navajo  country  is  west  beyond  the  lines  of  the  Counties  of 
Bernalillo,  Santa  Anna,  and  Rio  Arri\  a  to,  and  perhaps  passing  the 
Rio  Colorado,  and  running  north  as  far  as  latitude  37°  or  38°.  All 
west  of  the  Rio  del  Norte,  not  included  in  either  of  the  counties  of 
this  territory,  as  organized,  nor  included  in  the  Navajo  country,  to 
the  very  foot  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  and  between  the  Navajo  country 
and  the  Great  Salt  Lake,  north,  is  called  the  Utah  country — 

You  will  perceive,  ujDon  the  map  as  marked,  there  is  but  very 
little  of  the  Navajo  country,  less  of  the  Utahs,  and  none  whatever 
of  the  Comanches,  but  an  immense  strip  claimed  by  the  Apaches^ 
that 

Let  me  remark  the  Pah  Utahs,  who  inhabit  the  country  East 

of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  are  Utahs  proper,  benumbed  by  cold,  and 
enfeebled,  intellectually  and  j)bysically,  by  the  food  upon  which 
they  subsist,  it  consisting  only  of  roots,  vermin,  insects  of  all  kinds, 
&  every  thing  that  creeps,  crawls,  swims,  flies  or  bounds,  they  may 
chance  to  overtake — And  when  these  resources  fail  them,  and  they 
can  find  no  Stranger,  they  feed  upon  their  own  children — Such  a 
people  should  not  be  permitted  to  live  within  the  limits  of  the  United 
States,  and  must  be  elevated  in  the  scale  of  human  existence,  or 
exterminated — These  people  never  approach  the  confines  of  civili- 
zation unless  they  are  called  upon  by  their  more  adventurous  and 
warlike  brethren — 


COERESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  175 

I  have  seized  several  occasions  to  convey  to  you  my  opinions  in 
reference  to  the  Apaches,  Comanches,  Navajos  &  Utahs,  four  great 
tribes,  who  occupy,  or  claim,  immense  regions  of  Country  belonging 

that 
to  the  United  States — I  may  be  pardoned  for  repeating         each 

with 
of  these  tribes,  should  be  compelled  to  remain  in  certain  fixed 

limits — 

A  square,  each  side  of  which,  shall  measure  fifty  miles  in  length, 
if  properly  selected,  would  be  ample, — infinitely  more  than  can  be 

equal  number  of 
necessary  to  subsist  these,  or  any  other  people. 

For  a  time,  a  generous  liberality  should  be  meted  out  to  them,  and 
they  should  be  instructed  in  agricultural  pursuits — 

For  a  time  also,  you  would  have  to  feed  all  but  the  Navajos — they 
can  take  care  of  themselves — Implements  of  husbandry,  however, 
should  be  given  to  them — 

No  Indian  tribe  should  be  located  nearer  than  one  hundred  miles 

of  the  line  of  Mexico — I  have  no  reference  here  to  Pueblo  Indians — 

These  suggestions,  if  adopted,  would  require  corresponding  and 

appropriate  military  dispositions,  of  which,  it  is  not  my  privilege  to 

speak,  when  it  may  be  avoided  with  propriety — 

In  reference  to  Agents — their  proper  locations,  numbers  and  neces- 
I  intend  to  record  my  views 
sary  expenditures  &c  &c.  in  a  letter 

which  I  propose  writing  on  to-morrow — 
With  great  respect. 

Your  obt.  Servt 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind  Agt 
Orlando  Brown  Esqr. 

Comr,  of  Ind.  Afs. 

Washington  City 

D.  G. 

[CALHOUN   TO  BBOWN.^] 

No.  51. 

Indian  Agency 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

March  30th  1850 

Sir, 

Having,  as  accurately  as  possible  with  the  limited  knoAvledge 
which  I  have  been  able  to  command,  marked  upon  the  section  of  a 

iQ.  I.  A..  Santa  F6  Agency,  0  461. 


176  COKRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN. 

map  which  you  enclosed  to  me  on  the  28th  of  December  last  the  vari- 
ous locations  of  the  Pueblo  and  other  Indians  who  were  entitled  to 
a  place  on  said  map,  and  made  explanatory  remarks,  in  my  letter  of 
yesterday's  date  (No  50)  concerning  all  other  Indians  of  this  terri- 
tory, I  proceed  to  place  before  you  my  views  in  relation  to  Agents, 
subagents,  their  proper  locations,  their  Salaries  and  expenditures 
generally. 

In  the  first  place,  let  me  state,  What  is  considered  liberal  pay  and 
expenditures  on  account  of  Indian  Agents  and  agencies  already 
established  by  law  in  the  United  States,  would  be  utterly  insufficient 
in  this  territory — This  fact  will  be  established  by  reference  to  the 
Quarter  Master's  and  Commissary's  returns  from  this  place. 

In  travelling  through  this  territory,  you  can  not  safely  travel 
alone,  and  when  in  the  Indian  country,  an  escort  is  absolutely  neces- 
sary ;  and  at  all  times,  in  visiting  the  Pueblos,  and  most  of  the  Mexi- 
can places,  you  will  suffer  if  you  do  not  take  with  you  a  Cook,  Cook- 
ing Utensils,  Subsistence,  Forage,  Tents,  and  all  necessary  trans- 
portation.    Cooking  Utensils  must  be  brought  from  the  U.  S. 

There  is  no  place  in  this  territory,  where  it  is  not  absolutely  nec- 
cessary  to  "corral",  watch  and  guard  everything  you  may  have  in 
your  possession — Even  in  this  city,  where  Sentinels  are  posted  to 
guard  corrals,  horses  are  frequently  stolen  from  them. 

I  adhere  to  my  original  opinion,  that  there  should  be  a  subagent, 
for  the  present,  at  each  Indian  Pueblo,  twenty  in  number,  not  includ- 
ing Nambe  or  Tesuque,  near  Santa  Fe,  which  might  be  left  to  the 
care  of  the  Agency  that  may  be  established  in  this  city. 

To  support  such  subagencies  would  require — 

Salary  $1000. 

House  rent  &  wood  300. 

Interpreter  300. 

Rations  for  Interpreter  125. 


$1725. 

20  Pueblos 


$34, 500 
Implements  of  Husbandry  for  22  Pueblos,  ea  $200.  4,400 

$38,  900 

The  implements  should  be  distributed  under  the  direction  of  a 
General  Agent,  or  Superintendent,  as  some  of  the  Pueblos  would 
require  more  than  the  $200,  and  others  less — 

If  the  Government  of  the  U.  S.  should  deem  it  advisable  to  divide 
the  Pueblos  into  Districts,  I  would  then  submit,  an  examination  of 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 


177 


the  marked  map,  will  show  there  should  be  Eight  Divisions — as  fol- 
lows— 


1  Dist. 


4th  Dist. 


7  Dist. 


Taos. 

Cochiti. 

Laguna, 

Picuritz. 

S.  Domingo. 
'  S.  Felipe. 
Sandia. 

.\coma. 

2(1  dist. 

5  dist. 

8  dist. 

San  Juan. 

Isletta. 
Leutis. 

Zufii. 

Popiaque. 

Santa   Clara 

San  Ildefonso. 

3  dist. 

Below  El  Paso. 

You  will  perceive  I  make 

6th  dist. 

no  arrangements  for  the 
Moqui  Indians. 

fJemez. 

Socorro. 

Silla  (orCia). 

Isletta. 

iSauta  Ana. 

To  support  each  division,  I  would  recommend, 

Salary  for  an  Agent 

$1500. 

Interpreter 

600 

House  rent  and  stabling 

300 

Forage  for  three  horses 

or  mules 

525 

Horse  Shoeing 

50. 

Hostler 

180. 

Rations 

120. 

$3275 
8 

$26,  200 

Implements  for  22  Pueblos,  including  Nambe 

and 

Tesuque — $200  ea.     4,400 

$30,  600 


Note.     (Horses  $350  ea.  aggregate  $33,400. 

This  arrangement  exhibits  an  apparent  saving  of  $8,300. 


But  to 

secure  the  tranquility  of  the  Territory,  which  is  certainly  menaced, 
and  to  stimulate  and  properly  direct  the  labor  of  the  Pueblo  Indians, 
the  first  plan  is  recommended  as  the  most  preferable — Adopt  either 
plan,  and  in  a  year  or  two,  you  might  with  propriety  consolidate 
these  Agencies  so  as  to  diminish  the  expences  nearly  one  half — But 
this  can  not  be  done  with  propriety  until  order  and  perfect  quiet  is 
firmly  established  in  this  territory.  The  Indians  are  far  from  being 
contented,  as  I  have  advised  you  in  my  former  letters,  and  unless 
they  are  properly  protected  and  watched  over,  you  may  prepare  for 
an  outbreak  at  no  distant  day. 
5021—15^—12 


X/8  COERESPOJNDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

In  reference  to  my  second  plan,  you  will  observe,  I  have  estimated 
for  Forage  for  three  animals,  and  they  are  necessary  to  enable  the 
Agent  to  visit  the  Pueblos  of  his  District — Eemember  he  must  pack 
his  provisions,  bedding  &c  &c.  I  have  not  estimated  for  the  value  of 
these  animals,  which  can  not  be  less  than  $350.  for  each  District.  So 
far  as  the  Head  Quarters  of  the  Agent  is  concerned,  within  his  Dis- 
trict, I  would,  at  this  time,  leave  him  to  select  the  place,  or  commit 
it  to  the  discretion  of  Agent  a  Superintendent. 

Having  disposed  of  the  Pueblo  Indians  upon  the  best  and  most 
economical  terms  that  I  can  conscientiously  suggest,  I  shall  proceed 
to  submit  my  views  in  relation  to  the  wild  Indians,  the  Apaches, 
Comanches,  Navajos  and  Utahs.  These  Indians,  including  their 
various  independent  Bands,  I  take  it  for  granted,  must  be  located  and 
confined  within  certain  fixed  limits  and  there  compelled  to  remain, 
and  to  build  up  Pueblos  and  cultivate  the  soil.  I  do  not  recommend 
that  these  four  tribes  should  be  located  near  each  other.  It  is  pos- 
sible the  Apaches  and  Comanches  might  be  located  in  adjoining  dis- 
tricts, and  in  like  manner,  the  Navajoes  and  Utahs.  If  so,  two 
Agents  to  be  located  at  a  Central  Military  post  would  be  sufficient — 
otherwise,  you  must  have  four — each  to  be  located  at  a  Military  Post, 
for  which  I  submit  the  following  estimate. 
Salary  for  Agent  $1500. 

"         "     Interpreter  600. 

Forage  for  2  Horses  375, 

Horse  Shoeing  ,  35. 

Hostler  180. 

Rations  120. 


2S10 


Incidental  expences  for  the  1st  year  to  secure  shelter  for  Agent, 

Interpreter.   Hostler  and  2  animals  600 


$3,  410. 

4     tri 


$13,  640. 
I  have  not  estimated  the  value  of  the  2  horses — which  would  in- 
crease the  aggregate  of  each  Agency  $250.  $3660 

1st  year  

$14,  640 

For  the  first  twelve  months,  if  these  Indians  are  confined  to  fixed 
limits,  and  required  to  build  Pueblos  and  cultivate  the  Soil,  you 
would  be  obliged  to  contribute  largely  to  the  support  of  the  Apaches, 
Comanches,  and  Utahs — You  would  have  to  send  men  among 
them 

to  teach  them  the  use  of  agricultural  implements,  which  should 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES  S.    CALHOUN.  179 

be  furnished  to  them,  and  also,  to  direct  their  labor  in  building  of 
Pueblos.  To  accomplish  these  things  successfully  will  require  an 
appropriation  of  one  hundred  thousand  dollars,  to  be  expended  un- 
der the  direction  of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  or  the  Secre- 
tary of  the  Interior. 

To  establish  order  in  this  territory,  j^ou  must  either  submit  to 
these  heavy  expenditures,  or  or  exterminate  the  mass  of  these  In- 
dians.    After  the  present  year,  I  would  recommend  the  employ- 
ment 

of  Blacksmiths  for  these  Indians,  and  for  the  Pueblos. 
I  do  not  think  presents  should  be  given  to  Indians  of  this  territory 
except  in  the  Shape  of  food,  and  implements  of  husbandry.  They 
should  be  taught  at  once  to  rely  upon  their  own  industry,  not  only 
for  the  luxuries  of  life,  which  they  should  be  taught  to  appreciate, 
but  for  all  that  is  necessary  for  their  personal  wants  and  com- 

that 
forts — to  that  end,  they  should  be  made  to  know  the  food  which 

it  is  proposed  to  furnish  to  them,  was  intended  to  subsist  them  only 
until  they  could  make  one  crop,  and  no  longer. 

If  a  Superintendency  of  Indian  Affairs  is  established,  I  submit 
the  following  estimates  for  its  support. 

1st  Year.  2ncl  Year 

Salary  of  Superinteudent  $2000.  $2000. 

Secretary  1200.  1200 

Interpreter  $600.  Board  of  Interpr.  600.1  600 

while  in  Santa  Fe  200  (  .  200 

Rents  for  House  &  Stables  600.  600 

2  Horses  &  6  mules  850.  000 

Forage  1600  1600 

Horse  Shoeing  100.  100 

Hostler  300 1  300 

Board  120}  120 

1  W.-iggon  &  Harness  150.  000 

1st  Year  $7,720  .2nd  Year   6,720 

To  which  s-hould  hs  added  $1000.  for  contingencies,  in  paying 
guides,  runners,  and  subsisting  Indians  &  their  horses  during  their 
visits  to  the  Superintendency. 

It  must  be  known  to  you,  that  our  expenses  are  heavier  in  Santa  Fe, 
than  in  any  other  place  in  the  territory.  At  present  m}^  rent  account 
is  $70  per  month.  Corn  is  worth,  at  this  time,  $2  per  bushel — Shoeing 
of  a  horse  $4.00— Sugar  50^  per  lb.  Coffee  37^^,  lumber,  $65.  pr.  M. 
Bacon  &  Lard,  none  except  at  the  Commissary's — Beef,  exceedingly 
poor  and  course,  8^-  pr  lb — a  Shoat  not  weighing  more  than  CO  to  75 
lbs  $8  to  10$— chickens  from  25^  to  50^  each— Turkeys  from  $1  to 
$2.00.     The  necessaries  of  life,  such  as  we  have  been  accustomed  to 


180  COKRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

in  the  States,  and  the  delicacies  &  luxuries  which  we  require  must  all 
be  brought  from  the  U.  S.  For  expenditures  on  account  of  rents, 
pay  of  Interpreters,  Teamsters,  forage  &c  &c,  I,  again,  refer  you  to 
the  returns  of  the  Quarter  Master  and  Conunissary  of  this  Depart- 
ment— Had  not  the  commissary  sold  me  subsistence  on  the  same  terms 
he  is  authorized  to  sell  to  officers  of  the  Army,  and  had  the  Quarter 
Master  refused  to  furnish  me  with  transportation  and  forage,  I 
should  utterly  have  failed  to  have  discharged  my  duties  in  this  terri- 
tory. In  addition  to  my  salary,  $1,500 — before  the  end  of  my  first 
year,  I  shall  have  expended,  necessarily  of  my  own  private  funds,  about 
$1500  more — The  expenditures  of  the  second  year  will  not  be  so  great, 
and  as  the  country  becomes  quiet  and  settled,  will  continue  to 
diminish,  but  can  never  fall  to  the  reasonable  limits  assigned  to 

that 
them  in  the  States — Hence  the  suggestion,  what  would  be  con- 

sidered quite  liberal  in  the  United  States,  b«fe  would  be  wholly 
inadequate  in  this  Territory — 

I  have  to  remark  the  Superintendent  should  be  required  to  visit 
every  Agency,  twice  a  3'ear,  if  possihle — and  ascertain  from  personal 
observations,  the  true  State  and  condition  of  each  Agency,  and  the 
necessary  wants  of  the  Indians  attached  to  such  Agencies, 

The  following  recapitulation  is  made  in  order  that  the  heavy  ex- 
penditures which  I  recommend,  may  be  examined  as  a  whole. 
1st  plan  for  Pueblos  $.38,  900  —2d  plan,  iucliuling 

"      "  the  four  Horses.  $33, 400. 

wild  tribes  •  14, 640.        2d  plan.  7, 320. 

Food  for  one  year  100,000.         "      "  100,000 

Superintendeucy  7, 720.         "      "  7, 720 


For  the  1st  Year. 

$161.  260 

$148,  440 

Less  2nd  year — 

Food  appropriation 

$100,  o<:)0 

Horses  for  Pueblo  Dists 

2,  800. 

"       for  Wild  Ind.  Agencies 

1,  000. 

Horses  &  Waggon  for  Super 

intendent 

1,000 

104, 800 

$104.  800 

104, 800 

Expenditures  for  2d  year  $56,460—      $43,640 

When  we  take  into  view  our  obligations  to  Mexico,  as  they  are 
recorded  in  the  treaty  of  1848,  our  obligations  to  establish  good  gov- 
ernments, and  to  protect  the  lives  and  property  of  every  Citizen,  we 
can  not,  we  must  not,  be  influenced  by  doUars  and  cents — Who  would 
not,  most  willingly,  have  prefered  to  have  heard  that  the  Govern- 
ment of  the  U,  S,  had  ordered  an  expenditure  of  $50,000  or  $100,000, 
rather  than  to  have  heard  of  the  butchery  of  poor  White,  his  wife, 
daughter  and  friends? 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  181 

Again,  remember  the  vast  demands  that  will  be  made  upon  the 
Government  of  the  United  States,  by  Mexico,  and  Citizens  of  this 
territory  in  consequence  of  Indian  depredations — These  evils  can  be 
quieted  only,  by  the  minor,  and  humane  expenditures  which  I  have 

to  enquire 
recommended — I  do  not  stop  by  the  way  as  to  what  re- 

turn may  be  expected  from  the  sale  of  Public  Lands — that  is  not  a 
question  that  should  weigh  an  atom  in  the  consideration  of  this  Sub- 
ject— Our  duties  should  be  discharged  honestly  and  faithfully,  and 
a  proper  economy,  and  a  becoming  liberality  should  be  observed. 

I  trust  to  be  pardoned  for  the  frank  manner  in  which  I  communi- 
cate my  views — It  is  my  custom ;  and  I  should  feel  very  awkward  if 
I  did  not  record  them  just  in  the  shape  in  which  they  occur  to  me; 
and  they  are  based  upon  the  supposition,  that  the  Government  of  the 
United  States  will  select  Agents  competent,  and  perfectly  willing, 
to  discharge  their  duties  honestly  and  faithfully — The  converse  of 
this  supposition  will  readily  occur  to  reflecting  minds;  and  to  the 
proper  departments,  I  commit  the  subject. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be. 

Your  very  obt.  servt. 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Indian  Agt 
P.  S. 

I  beg  to  refer  you  to  my  No.  24.  dated  November  I7th  1849,  on  the 
subject  of  expenditures  in  Santa  Fe. 

J.  S.  C. 
Orlando  Brown  Esqr. 

Comr.  of  Ind  Affs. 

Washington  City 

D.  G 

[CALHOUN   TO   BKOWN.*] 

[No.  52] 

Indian  Agency, 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico,  March  31, 1850. 
Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  advise  you  that  four  Mexican  captives 
were  delivered  to  me,  on  Friday  the  22d  inst.,  and  from  them  I  gather 
the  following  facts. 

1.  Refugio  Picaros,  about  twelve  years  of  age,  was  taken  from  a 
Rancho,  called  Papascal,  near  St.  Jago,  State  of  Durango,  Mexico, 
two  years  ago,  by  the  Comanches,  who  immediately  sold  him  to  the 
Apaches,  and  with  them  he  lived  and  roamed,  on  both  sides  of  the 
Rio  del  Norte,  until  January  last,  when  he  was  hought  by  Jose  Fran- 

1  Annual  Report,  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs,  1850,  pp.  105-106.  This  letter  Is  not 
on  file  in  the  Indian  Office  but  from  the  entry  In  L.  R.  No.  37  under  date  of  June  8,  1850, 
I  Infer  it  is  No.  52  of  the  series. 


182  CORRESPONDEJSrCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

cisco  Lucero,  a  Mexican,  residing  at  the  Moro,  in  this  territory.  He 
eays,  the  purchase  was  made  at  the  Coro  Carmel,  about  two  days 
travel  east  from  the  Rio  del  Norte,  and  four  knives,  one  plug  of 
tobacco,  two  fanegas  of  corn,  four  blankets,  and  six  yards  of  red 
Indian  cloth,  were  paid  for  him.  He  has  no  father  or  mother  alive, 
but  has  brothers  and  sisters. 

2.  Teodora  Martel,  ten  or  twelve  years  of  age,  was  taken  from  the 
service  of  Jose  Alvardo,  at  La  Popes,  near  Saltillo,  Mexico,  by 
Apaches,  two  years  ago,  and  has  remained  the  greater  portion  of  the 
time  on  the  west  side  of  the  Rio  del  Norte.  He  was  bought  by  Powler 
Sandoval,  who  also  resides  at  the  Moro ;  from  the  Apaches  at  Ague 
Asule,  near  the  Pecos  river,  in  this  territory,  in  February  last.  The 
payment  for  him  was  one  mare,  one  rifle,  one  shirt,  one  pair  of 
drawers,  thirty  small  packages  of  powder,  some  bullets,  and  one 
buffalo  robe.  The  hoy  was  claimed  by  Diego  Sandoval,  from  whom 
I  received  him.    He  knows  of  no  relations. 

3.  Caudalans  Galope,  about  twelve  years  of  age,  was  seized  by  the 
Apaches,  he  thinks,  four  years  ago,  at  the  Rancho  Fernandez,  near 
Santa  Cruz,  Mexico.  He  is  unable  to  name  the  State  in  which  Santa 
Cruz  is  situated.  Two  brothers  and  sisters  of  his  were  taken  at  the 
same  time,  and  he  supposes  they  are  yet  with  the  Apaches.  His 
father  and  mother  were  alive  at  the  time  he  was  captured.  He  was 
bought  from  the  Apaches,  in  January  or  February  last,  by  Vincente 
Romero,  of  the  Moro,  at  a  place  called  Lo  Cerro  Queso,  perhaps  "  Ei 
Cerro  del  Queso,"  east  of  the  Rio  del  Norte,  in  this  territory.  Price 
paid  was  some  corn  and  tobacco,  one  knife,  one  shirt,  one  mule,  one 
small  package  of  powder,  and  a  few  balls. 

Rosalie  Taveris,  about  twenty-five  years  of  age,  resided  in  Mon- 
clova,  and  was  captured  in  November  last,  by  a  band  of  Apaches  and 
Comanches,  within  two  days  travel  of  M-onclova.  Her  husband,  San- 
tiago Costellan,  and  her  daughter,  four  j'^ears  old,  were  killed  at  that 
time.  Her  mother,  Etuedas  Guerris,  lives  in  Monclova.  She  is 
known  to  Don  Miguel  Corteues,  and  Don  Ramon  Moseus,  and  was 
bought  from  the  Apaches  by  Powler  Sandoval,  of  the  Moro,  at  Cerro 
Queso,  in  January  last,  who  paid  for  her  two  striped  blankets,  ten 
yards  blue  cotton  drilling,  ten  yards  calico,  ten  j^ards  cotton  shirting, 
two  handkerchiefs,  four  plugs  of  tobacco,  one  bag  of  corn,  and  one 
knife.  She  is  quite  an  intelligent  woman;  says  that  the  band  by 
whom  she  was  cajDtured  consisted  of  about  fifty  Indians,  who  seized 
at  the  same  time  eight  other  captives,  strangers  to  her,  and  all  but 
two,  who  sickened  and  died  (perhaps  killed),  were  brought  from 
Mexico  into  this  territory  with  her.  She  states  there  are  a  great 
number  of  captives,  at  and  near  La  Cerro  Queso,  that  all  the  men 
who  are  captured  are  killed ;  that  parties  of  Apaches  and  Comanches 
are  constantly  going  out  and  coming  in  with  horses,  mules,  sheep, 


COKKESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  183 

goats,  COWS,  goods,  money,  and  captives,  and  while  at  La  Queso,  she 
saw  the  clothing  of  an  xVmerican  man  and  boy,  whom  the  Apaches 
said  the}"  had  killed. 

These  captives  complain  of  very  cruel  treatment,  the  woman  espe- 
cially, who  says  she  was  spared  but  one  humiliation. 

Encarnacion  Garcia,  and  the  indiA'idiials  from  whom  I  received  the 
captives,  confirm  in  general  terms  the  foregoing  statements,  but  pro- 
test no  munitions  of  war  were  paid  for  them.  I  give  full  credit  to 
the  statements  of  the  captives.  The  Mexicans  from  whom  I  received 
the  captives  will  claim  to  have  paid  more  than  is  stated  above,  and 
without  doubt,  can  prove  any  statement  they  may  mahe.  The  trad- 
ing in  captives  has  been  so  long  tolerated  in  this  territory,  that  it 
has  ceased  to  be  regarded  as  a  wrong;  and  purchasers  are  not  pre- 
pared willingly  to  release  captives  without  an  adequate  ransom.  In 
legislating  upon  this  subject,  it  should  be  distinctly  set  forth  under 
what  circumstances  captives  shall  be  released,  and  limiting  the  expen- 
ditures that  may  be  incurred  thereb3\  Unless  the  Mexicans  are  paid 
for  such  captives  as  they  have  purchased,  and  have  now  in  possession, 
but  very  few  of  them  will  be  released;  nor  will  it  answer  well  to 
allow  captives  to  make  their  election  as  to  a  release,  for  their  submis- 
sion to  their  masters  is  most  perfect,  and  they  are  well  instructed  as 
to  proper  replies  to  interrogatories. 

That  a  proper  economy  may  be  observed  in  releasing  captives,  some 
arrangement  should  be  made  for  their  early  return  to  Mexico,  or  to 
some  authorized  agent  of  Mexico,  who  might  reside  at  El  Paso,  or 
in  Santa  Fe. 

It  is  presumed,  should  treaties  be  made  with  the  Apaches  and 
Comanches,  they  will  be  required  to  deliver  up  all  captives,  free  of 
charge,  and  all  stolen  property  that  they  may  at  the  time  have  in 
their  possession.  Many  of  the  captives  belong  to  this  territory,  and 
such  of  course  will  be  turned  over  to  their  relatives.  But  until  this 
can  be  accomplished,  they  must  be  clothed  and  fed,  and  stolen  prop- 
erty must  be  taken  care  of,  and  disposed  of.  Expenditures  in  both 
cases  must  be  incurred,  and  should  be  provided  for.  The  law  to  be 
passed  by  Congi-ess  for  the  release  of  captives,  under  the  late  treaty 
with  Mexico,  will,  without  doubt,  contain  suitable  provisions  for  their 
subsistence  and  clothing.  Those  that  I  have  on  hand,  I  am  clothing 
and  feeding,  and  respectfully  ask  for  instructions  in  the  premises. 

I  may,  in  conclusion,  mention  that  there  are  a  number  of  Indian 
captives  held  as  slaves  in  this  territory,  and  some  congressional  action 
may  be  necessary  in  relation  to  them ;  and  I  respectfully  submit  the 
question  for  appropriate  consideration. 

I  am,  with  great  respect,  your  obed't  serv't, 

J.  S.  Calhoun, 

Orlando  Brown,  Esq.,  Indian  Agt. 

Corner  Ind.  AJfs,  Washiiigton  City,  D.  C. 


184 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 


[CALHOUN    TO    BROWN/] 

No.  53. 

[CRAWFORD   TO   CALHOUN.'] 

War  Department 

Washi7igton.  April  8th  1850 
Calhoun,  James  S.  Esqr. 

Santa  Fe' 
New  Mexico. 
Sir, 

I  have  received  your  letter  of  the  31st  of  January  with  the  enclosed 
statements  of  Lieutenants  Thomas  and  Judd. 

The  President  has  uniformly  declined  to  take  action  on  any  of  the 
numerous  applications  which  have  been  presented  to  him  by,  and  in 
behalf  of  officers  claiming  brevets.  During  the  present  session  the 
views  of  the  Executive  have  been  submitted  to  Congress,  looking  to 
some  modification  of  the  law  in  relation  to  brevets,  and  until  the 
result  shall  be  known,  I  apprehend  that  no  nominations  will  be 
made.  Your  letter  and  its  enclosures  can,  therefore,  only  be  filed 
for  consideration  whenever  the  subject  shall  be  taken  up. 
Very  respectfully,  Your  Obt  Serv 

Geo  W.  Crawford 

Secretary  of  War, 

[CALHOUN   TO   MUNROE.'] 


Sir 


Indian  Agency  Santa  Fe. 
New  Mexico  April  8th  1850 


I  have,  at  this  Agency,  four  Mexican  Captives  which  I  supposed 
my  duty  required  me  to  take  charg  of  under  the  11th  Article  of  the 
Treaty  of  1848,  by  the  United  States  and  Mexico  1st  Refocio  Pisaros, 
a  boy  about  12  years  of  age  taken  from  a  Rancho  (papaschal)  near 
St  lago.  State  of  Durango,  Mexico,  by  the  Comanche  Indians,  who 
immediately  sold  him  to  the  Apaches.  Pie  supposes  he  has  been  a 
captive  about  two  years,  and  had  Brothers  and  Sisters  alive  when  he 
was  captured. 

1  Not  on  file  in  the  Indian  Office.    This  is  the  entry  for  it  in  O.I.  A.,L.  R.No.37: 


O.  L  A. 

Calhoun,  James  S. 

Encloses  his  account  &c  for 

Finance. 

Santa  F4 

Santa  Fd 

1st  quarter  1850. 

464 

April  1,  1850 

Submits  explanations  rela- 

(No. S3) 

tive  to  expenditures. 

Acct  to  2nd  Audi- 
tor 
4th  October  1850. 


sa.  G.  O.,  M.  B.,  No.  so,  pp.  125-126. 
^.Accompanying  No.  54. 


COKKESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  185 

2nd  Teodoro  Martel,  abaut  12  years  of  age,  taken  from  the  service 
of  one  Jose  Ahardo,  at  La  popo,  near  Saltillo  Mexico,  by  Apaches, 
about  two  years  ago.     He  knows  nothing  of  relations 

3d  Candalaris  Talope,  about  12  years  of  age,  was  seized  by  the 
Apaches  he  thinks,  about  four  year  ago,  at  the  Rancho  Fernandez; 
near  Santa  Cruz  Mexico,  but  knows  nothing  of  the  States.  His 
father  and  mother  were  alive  at  the  time  he  was  captured,  and  resided 
as  stated  above. 

4th  Rosalie  Toreves,  about  25  years  of  age,  resided  in  Monclova 
Mexico.  She  was  seized  in  the  month  of  November  last,  about  two 
days  travil  from  Moncolva,  by  Apaches,  who  at  the  time  killed  her 
hunband,  Santiago  Casteyaro,  and  her  daughter  four  years  of  age. 
Her  mother  Etrudes  Trurris,  lives  in  Monclova.  She  says,  she  is 
known  to  Don  Miguel  Cartenes,  Don  Romore  Moscus,  and  many 
others  in  Monclova.     She  is  quite  an  intelligent  woman. 

I  am  without  specific  instructions  in  relation  to  the  proper  disposi- 
tion of  Captives,  nor  am  I  advised  of  the  appointment  of  an  "Agent " 
by  Mexico,  as  contemplated  by  the  11th  article  before  alluded  to. 
Until  such  instructions  shall  be  received  from  the  Government  of 
the  United  States,  I  submit  the  matter  for  your  advice  and  direction, 
I  take  leave  most  respectfully,  to  suggest  if  the  Mexican  Authorities 
should  be  pleased  to  designate  and  authorize  an  Agent  to  receive 
Captives  here  or  at  El  Paso,  their  release  and  return  might  be  more 
speedy  and  economical,  and  carry  out  the  humane  intention  that 
dictated  the  11th  Article  of  the  Treaty. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be 

Your  very  obt  servt. 


John  Munroe, 

Mil  i 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico. 


J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt. 


Civil  <&  Mil  Governor, 


[CALHOUN   TO   BROWN.^] 

No  54 

Indian  Agency 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

ApHl  IJith,  1850 
Sir, 

The  accompanying  copy  of  a  note  ^  addressed  to  Governor  Munroe 
on  the  8th  inst.  is  forwarded  for  the  information  of  the  Department. 

1  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F^  Agency,  C  465. 

2  See  p.  184. 


186  COEEESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN. 

The  note  will  sufficiently  explain  the  object  I  desire  to  accomplish, 
and  was  induced  by  enquiries  which  the  Governor  addressed  to  me. 

I  understand  an  official  communication  was  received  a  short  time 
since  by  the  chief  of  this  Department  from  Chihuahua,  enquiring 
concerning 

certain  captives  that  we  have  heard  nothing  of.  A  copy 
of  the  letter  mentioned  above,  I  have  reason  to  suppose,  was  trans- 
mitted to  the  official  authorities  of  Chihuahua  by  order  of  Governor 
Munroe,  in  replying  to  the  official  enquiries  addressed  to  him  in  rela- 
tion to  Captives. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be. 

Your  very  obt.  servt. 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt 
Orlando  Brown  Esqr. 

Comr.  of  Ind.  Affs 

Washington  City 
D.C. 

[CALHOUN  TO  BROWN.'] 

No.  55. 

Indian  Agency, 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico. 

April  15th,  1850. 
Sir, 

Two  mails  have,  recently,  been  received  here,  bringing  a  few  letters 
and  News-papers  from  the  United  States  to  as  late  a  period  as  the 
1st  of  March ;  but  I  have  nothing  from  you  of  a  later  date  than  the 
28th  of  December  last.  Our  frequent  disappointments  in  relation  to 
intelligence  from  Washington,  have  not  quieted  our  anxieties,  and  it 
is  utterly  impossible  for  the  good  people  of  the  States  fully  to  appre- 
ciate the  painful  incertitude  of  our  existence  in  this  territory.  A 
rumor  has  not  reached  us  in  relation  to  the  purposes  of  Congress  for 
the  defence  of  the  people  of  this  territory,  our  Indian  Affairs,  gen- 
erally, or  the  mail  facilities  that  may  be  granted  to  us. 

Hostile  Indians  have  been  somewhat  active  since  the  1st  of  the 
present  month — On  the  7th  inst.  they  drove  off  from  near  Kayada,  a 
farm  some  forty  miles  South  east  from  Taos,  and  twenty  or  thirty 
west  from  the  Moro,  a  large  number  of  animals — They  were  pursued 
by  eight  or  ten  Dragoons,  as  I  am  informed,  overtaken  and  nearly  all 
the  Stock  recovered — Five  Indians  were  killed,  and  one  severely 
wounded — The  only  loss  sustained  by  the  Dragoons  was  one  horse 
Killed. 

1  0.  I.  A->  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  467, 


I 


COERESPONDENCE   OP   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  187 

We  hear  of  other  incursions  and  depredations  between  this  and  El 
Paso. 

General  Choice  who  is  at  Abiquin  watching  the  Utah  Indians,  in- 
forms me  they  continue  to  send  him  friendly  messages,  affecting 
an  anxiety  to  be  at  perfect  peace  with  all  people,  and  to  be  placed 
under  the  immediate  direction  and  protection  of  the  Government  of 
the  United  States.  They  are  beginning  to  break  up  their  encamp- 
ment, and  travel  to  the  mountains  as  the  snow  disappears.  The  Nava- 
jos  frequently  send  in  friendly  messages,  and  add,  they  are  afraid  to 
come  in. 

We  have  had  no  later  intelligence  than  I  have  already  given  you, 
in  relation  to  the  encampment  of  Apaches  and  Comanches  near  the 
Cerro  Gaudalupe. 

These  roving  Indians  can  not  be  properly  disposed  of  until  the 
Government  of  the  United  States  shall  mark  out  its  policy  in  ref- 
erence to  them,  and  afford  the  means  to  execute  it. 

The  Pueblo  Indians  continue  to  make  known  their  grievances. 

suits 
Vexatious  and,  frequently,  unjust  are  brought  by  Alcaldes,  in 

this  City,  against  Indians  who  are  in  the  habit  of  visiting  this  City — 
During  the  past  week,  I  was  compelled  to  employ  counsel  for  them, 
or  permit  the  Governor  of  the  Pueblo  of  Tesuque  to  be  unjustly 
punished  and  fined — At  my  request  Major  R.  H.  Weightman  at- 
tended the  trial,  which  lasted  two  days,  and  resulted  in  the  acquital 
of  the  Governor,  to  the  manifest  chagrin  of  the  Alcalde. 

I  have  requested  Major  Weightman  ^  to  attend  to  all  such  cases, 
and  he  has  consented  to  do  so,  and  I  can  not  do  less  than  earnestly  to 
recommend  that  some  provision  be  made  to  compensate  him,  liberally, 
for  his  services. 

Pardon  me  for  again  urging  the  instituting  of  a  Judicial  Com- 
mission for  the  immediate  adjustment  of  all  Indian  titles  to  land — 
The  Pueblos  have  been  wronged  in  this  matter,  and  are  annoyed  by 
the  Judicial  tribunals  of  this  territory.  I  hesitate  not  to  say,  the 
Judges  and  Alcaldes  should  be  instructed  to  suspend  all  civil  actions 
in  their  courts  against  the  Pueblo  Indians. 
I  am, 

With  great  respect. 

Your  obt  servt. 


Orlando  Brown  Esqr. 

Gomr.  of.  Ind.  Ajfs. 

Washington  City 

D.  G. 


J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt 


See  Twitchell,  Military  Occupation  of  New  Mexico,  pp.  381-394. 


188  COERESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[CALHOUN   TO   BROWN.'] 

No.  56. 

Las  Vegas. 
New  Mexico 
April  W,  1850. 
'Sir, 

Last  night  the  Indians,  it  is  said,  made  several  attacks  upon  in- 
dividuals near  this  place,  killed  some  herders,  and  drove  of  Stock. 
Troops  under  command  of  Lt.  Burnside,  are  now  mounting  for  the 
purpose  of  enquiring  into  the  facts,  and  pursuing  the  Indians. 

Col.  Washington  ^  and  others  left  this  morning  for  the  States  and 
in  a  few  moments  I  leave  for  Santa  Fe. 
With  great  respect, 


I  am, 

Your  obt.  servt. 


J.   S.   Calhoun 

hidian  Agent 


Orlando  Brown  Esqr 

Gomr.  (&c  &c 

Washington  City 

D.  C. 

[Related  Correspondence.] 

[munroe  to  freeman.^] 

Head  Quarters  9  Mil.  Dept: 
Santa  Fe'  N.  M°     Mar.  15,  1850. 
Sib, 

I  have  heretofore  represented  the  Insufficiency  of  the  Calvalry  Force  in  this 
Department  for  the  services  required  of  it  &  would  now  state  that  if  any  are  to 
be  withdrawn  without  or  before  being  replaced  by  others  I  apprehend  the  most 
serious  consequences. 

It  will  be  impossible  with  any  number  of  Troops  to  prevent  the  Depredations 
of  the  Indians  but  the  knowledge  that  we  have  a  respectable  active  force  will 
from  apprehensions  of  retaliation  keep  them  within  some  Limit  in  their  preda- 
tory aggressions  whereas  if  we  are  reduced  to  the  numbers  contemplated  even 
the  military  Posts  will  not  be  free  from  Insult. 

From  these  considerations  I  trust  that  the  Commanding  General  will  not 
disapprove  of  my  retaining  the  three  companies  of  the  1st  Dragoons  until  I  can 
receive  his  further  orders  on  the  subject  which  I  presume  will  be  as  early  as 
any  movement  of  Cavalry  should  be  made  across  the  plains. 

Bvt  Major  Steene's  Company  1st  Dragoons  stationed  at  Doua  Anna  cannot 
be  replaced  although  occupying  an  important  position;     He  has  asked  that 

1  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  466. 

2  Touching  tlifi  subject  of  Colonel  Washington,  the  report  of  Colonel  Munroe  is  of 
Interest. 

3  A.  G.  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  2,  pp.  29-30. 


CORKESPONDENCE   OP   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 


189 


when  ordered  in  he  may  be  permitted  to  march  direct  to  his  Post  in  place  of 
taking  the  route  via  Santa  Fe'  &  Fort  Leavenworth. 

Bvt  Major  Grier's  &  the  company  late  Eustis  are  mere  fragments. 

Lieut.  Col.  Washington  will  leave  about  the  10th  proximo,  I  propose  giving 
him  as  an  Escort  the  Head  Quarters  &  a  portion  of  Lieut.  Col.  Bragg's  Com- 
pany 3d  Arty  &  to  retain  at  Las  Vegas  until  I  receive  your  Instructions  a  de- 
tachment of  the  company  of  about  forty  men  &,  horses.  Many  of  these  men  are 
unfit  to  serve  on  horseback  but  they  can  be  replaced  by  others  from  the  com- 
pany of  the  3d  Inftry  which  I  recently  sent  to  reinforce  the  post  of  Las  Vegas. 

I  have  not  received  an  acknowledgement  of  a  single  official  communication 
written  since  my  arrival  on  the  23d  October  last  &  addressed  to  either  Wash- 
ington, New  York,  or  Tampa  Bay 


I  am  respectfully 

Your  Very  obt  Servt 


Bvt  Lt.  Col  W.  G. 


Feeeman 
Asst  Adjt.  Genl. 

Hd  Qrs  Army 


John  Mxjneoe 

Bvt  Col.  U.  S.  A. 

Comdg  Dept. 


true  copy 

L  McLaws 

1  Lt  7  Infy 

AAA  Ocnl. 

SlE, 

In  reference  to  that  part  of  my  communication  of  the  15th  which  states  that 
I  propose  sending  the  Head  Quarters  of  Bvt  Lt.  Col :  Braggs  Company  3d  Arty 
&  retaining  a  detachment  of  it,  I  beg  leave  to  say  that  this  arrangement  may 
be  so  modified  as  to  send  in  with  Col.  Washington  only  a  detachment  of  it 

Written  from  recollection  of  original 

Sgd  J.  M. 

True  Copy 

L  McLaws 

lLt7  Infy 

AAAGenl 


[CALHOUN  TO  BROWN. 

No.  57. 


1  Not  on  file  in  Indian  Office, 
furnishes  the  following  data  : 


The  entry  in  O.  I.  A.,  L.  R.,  No.  37  for  June  26,  1850, 


Calhoun,  J.  S.,  Sant 

F^,  April  24,  1850, 

No.  57. 


Relative  to  jjolitical  affairs 
in  New  Mexico.  Enc.  copy 
of  proceedings  of  a  public 
meeting  of  citizens  &  proc- 
lamation of  Gov.,  in  regard 
to  election  of  delegates  to 
a  convention  to  form  a 
State  Constitution— Agent 
of  Texas  has  returned,  &c. 
Apprehends  difficulty 


190  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[BROWN   TO   CALHOUN.'] 

Office  Indian  Affairs 

April  24.  1850 
Calhoun  Esq  J.  S. 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico. 
Sir: 

Your  several  commimications,  numbered  from  18  to  30  inclusive, 
one  without  number,  dated  25tli  January  last,  and  those  from  32  to 
38  inclusive,  have  been  duly  received. 

The  information  contained  in  these  reports,  in  relation  to  your 
movements  and  exertions,  gives  evidence  of  a  degree  of  activity  and 
zeal  on  your  part  well  worthy  of  the  commendation  of  the  Depart- 
ment. I  am  satisfied  you  have  done  all  in  your  power,  and  no  doubt 
all  that  could  be  accomplished,  under  the  embarassing  and  trying 
circumstances  in  which  you  have  been  placed,  to  preserve  proper 
and  peaceful  relations  between  the  Indians  and  the  white  population 
of  New  Mexico.  This,  however,  must  at  all  times — and  especially 
until  Congress  shall  have  provided  the  requisite  number  of  Agents 
and  made  other  necessary  provision  for  the  proper  management  of 
Indian  Affairs  in  the  Territory — depend  mainly  upon  the  military. 
Such  is  the  character  of  most  of  the  Indians  there,  that  they  can 
be  kept  in  a  proper  state  of  subjection  and  system  of  control  by  fear; 
though  with  enlarged  powers  and  additional  assistance,  you  could 
doubtless  have  accomplished  much  more  than  you  have  done;  and 
it  has  been  a  source  of  constant  regret  on  the  part  of  the  department 
that  it  has  been  unable  to  place  you  in  a  more  advantageous  position. 
Ha^^ng  no  power  to  do  this,  or  to  take  any  definitive  action  upon 
most  of  your  many  suggestions,  there  has  been  but  little  occasion  for 
writing  to  you,  or  for  giving  you  more  particular  instructions  than 
those  you  originally  received.  It  is  sincerely  to  be  hoped  that  Con- 
gress will  not  much  longer  delay  making  provision  for  the  requisite 
Superintendents  and  Agents,  and  such  other  measures  as  are  neces- 
sary for  the  proper  management  of  our  Indian  relations  in  the  new 
territories;  and  when  this  shall  have  been  done,  no  time  will  be  lost 
in  endeavoring  to  place  the  affairs  and  operations  of  the  Indian 
Department  Avithin  them  upon  a  proper  &  efficient  footing. 

A  good  beginning  has  been  made  by  the  treaties  with  the  Navajoes 
and  Utahs;  the  provisions  of  Avhich  appear  to  be  well  considered 
and  judicious.  Both  of  these  treaties  have  been  laid  before  the 
President  to  be  submitted  to  the  Senate  for  its  constitutional  action. 
If  ratified,  and  the  requisite  military  force,  and  the  necessary  agents, 
are  provided  to  compel  those  two  tribes  to  observe  their  stipulations 
in  good  faith,  I  presume  that  so  far  as  they  are  concerned,  but  little 


»0.  I.  A.,  L.  B.,  No.  43,  pp.  153-157. 


CORRESPON^DE^'CE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  191 

further  will  be  required.  It  will  be  a  leading  object  to  effect  the 
negotiation  of  similar  treaties  with  all  the  other  tribes  of  New 
Mexico,  at  as  early  a  day  as  practicable ;  and  it  is  regretted  that  the 
attempt  with  respect  to  the  Apaches  failed.  It  is  hoped  that  Con- 
gress will  at  an  early  day  provide  for  the  appointment  of  Commis- 
sioners for  the  purpose  of  making  all  such  further  treaties  as  may  be 
necessary  &  expedient;  to  determine  the  proper  boundaries  of  the 
country  rightfully  claimed  by  the  different  tribes,  and  to  enter  into 
conventional  arrangements  with  them  all — defining  their  relations 
with  the  United  States  and  with  each  other;  and,  thus,  to  obviate, 
as  far  as  possible,  all  disputes  and  difficulties  hereafter.  A  bill  has 
been  introduced  into  Congress  which,  if  it  pass,  will  enable  the 
Department  to  carry  into  effect  a  measure  of  this  kind ;  and  as  soon 
as  it  can  be  done,  proper  steps  will  be  taken  for  the  purpose  of 
which  you  will  be  duly  advised.  As  a  part  of  the  contemplated 
proceedings  it  is  proposed  to  assemble  all  the  Indians  of  New  Mexico 
and  others  in  that  quarter,  by  large  delegations  from  each,  at  some 
proper  point,  and  in  the  presence  of  a  considerable  military  force,  for 
the  purpose  of  impressing  them  to  some  extent  with  the  power  of  the 
United  States,  and  of  making  a  general  treaty  with  them,  defining 
their  relations  &  duties  towards  each  other  &  towards  the  govern- 
ment. It  is  further  proposed  that  a  large  delegation,  to  be  composed 
of  members  of  all  the  tribes,  shall  be  organized  and  brought  on  to 
visit  this  place  and  some  of  our  principal  cities,  in  order  still  further 
to  make  them  sensible  of  our  greatness  and  strength. 

The  Pueblo  Indians  present  a  curious  &  interesting  problem;  but 
I  am  disposed,  for  the  reasons  given  by  j^ou,  to  think  that  the  course 
of  policy  which  you  recommend  shall  be  pursued  towards  them,  the 
best ;  at  least  for  the  present,  and  if  you  can  negotiate  a  treaty  with 
them  upon  the  general  principles  you  suggest,  you  are  authorized  to 
do  so ;  unless  you  think  it  advisable  to  await  the  appointment  of  the 
contemplated  Commissioners.  This  would  probably  be  the  best 
course,  unless  you  are  of  opinion  that  earlier  action  is  required,  in 
consequence  of  the  embarassing  questions  that  are  continually  arising 
between  the  Pueblos  and  the  whites,  and  the  constant  liability  to 
difficulties  of  a  serious  character  being  caused  by  them. 

Notwithstanding  the  information  you  have  furnished  and  the  many 
suggestions  jou  have  made — all  more  or  less  valuable — the  Depart- 
ment is  still  at  a  loss  with  regard  to  making  specific  recommendations 
to  Congress  as  to  what  would  be  a  suitable  organization  for  this 
branch  of  the  service  in  New  Mexico,  and  the  expenditure  that  would 
probably  be  required  to  put  into  operation,  and  carry  it  out,  in  a 
proper  and  efficient  manner. 

The  Department  is  in  favor  of  one  general  Superintendent  to  have 
the  supervision  and  direction,  under  the  orders  of  the  Department. 


192  COERESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

of  and  over  all  the  agents,  sub  agents  and  tribes  within  the  territory ; 
and  that  this  Superintendency  shall  not  be  vested  in  or  connected 
with  the  governorship,  as  has  been  the  case  heretofore  with  regard  to 
Indian  Affairs  in  our  newly  organized  territories.  The  disadvan- 
tages of  such  an  arrangement  and  the  propriety  and  necessity  of 
independent  Superintendencies,  are  fully  discussed  in  my  late  annual 
report,  and  it  is  hoped  that  Congress  will  concur  in  the  views  therein 
expressed  &  make  provision  accordingly. 

With  respect  to  Agents  and  Sub  Agents,  I  understand  you  to 
recommend  four  of  the  former — one  for  each  of  the  four  principal 
tribes — Comanches,  Apaches,  Navajoes,  and  Utas — including  all 
their  amalgamated  offshoots,  which  you  suggest  should  be  compelled 
to  join  and  live  with  one  or  the  other  of  the  principal  tribes,  accord- 
ing to  circumstances.  Being  anxious  to  obtain  all  the  information 
in  my  power  on  this  and  other  subjects  connected  with  our  Indian 
relations  in  New  Mexico,  to  enable  me  to  make  a  special  report  to 
congress,  with  specific  recommendations  as  to  the  measures  &  general 
course  of  policy  required  to  be  adopted,  I  addressed  a  letter  of  en- 
quiry to  the  Hon.  H.  N.  Smith,  the  delegate  elect,  asking  his  views 
on  various  points.  In  his  reply,^  he  states  with  reference  to  Agents, 
that  there  should  be  appointed  at  least  five,  "  for  the  following  five 
"tribes:  viz:  Comanches,  Southern  Apaches,  Navajoes,  Utahs,  and 
"  northern  Apaches ;  or,  as  the  latter  are  sometimes  called ;  the  Jicaril- 
"  las.  Though  the  last  are  united  by  Col.  Calhoun,  they  are  entirely 
"  separate  and  distinct  from  any  other  tribe,  and  are  preeminently 
"  distinguished  for  their  ferocity  and  cruelty.  They  infest  our  north- 
"  ern  settlements  and  have  been  a  greater  annoyance  to  New  Mexico 
"  than  any  other  tribe  within  or  surrounding  our  territory."  As  it 
is  essential  to  have  a  full  number  of  agents  and  better  too  many  than 
too  few  be  authorized,  the  Department  is  disposed  to  recommend  to 
Congress  to  provide  for  five ;  in  accordance  with  Mr.  Smith's  views, 
and  if  it  be  found  that  there  is  one  too  many  he  can  be  dispensed 
with. 

With  reference  to  the  Pueblos,  Mr  Smith  states  that  they  do  not 
exceed  in  number  about  7000,  and  might  be  divided  into  three  dis- 
tricts and  an  Agent  appointed  for  each.  Your  estimate  of  their 
number  is  larger — over  10  000.  In  jour  number  5  you  state  that  the 
Pueblos  may,  for  the  present,  be  divided  into  six  or  seven  districts 
and  an  Agent  conveniently  located  in  each,  though  in  your  number  4 
you  suggest  that  there  should  be  one  for  each  Pueblo  for  the  next 
year  or  two;  which  suggestion  you  repeat  in  your  37th  communica- 
tion, except  that  you  say  Sub  Agents  instead  of  Agents.  In  your 
number  8  you  state,  that  there  are  23  Pueblos  east  of  Zuni,  and  seven 
of  Moquies  west  of  that  place — making,  as  I  understand  it,  thirty  in 

1  Smith's  report  and  the  letter  of  inquiry  that  elicited  it  are  given  on  pp.  223-226. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  193 

all.  An  Agent,  or  Sub  Agent  for  each  would  be  a  very  large  number, 
and  greatly  disproportioned,  it  seems  to  me,  to  the  number  of  In- 
dians— especially  as  they  are  in  a  great  measure  civilized  and  are 
tractable  and  easily  influenced  and  managed.  In  view  of  Mr  Smiths 
recommendation  and  of  your  own,  in  your  number  5,  the  Department 
IS  disposed  to  favor  the  plan  of  arranging  the  Pueblos  into  districts, 
so  far  as  this  is  practicable,  with  full  Agents  for  the  more  important, 
and  minor  Agents  with  a  somewhat  less  salary  than  the  Agents  for 
those  of  lesser  importance;  it  being  the  wish  of  the  Department  to 
abolish  all  Sub  Agencies;  and  where  the  duties  and  responsibilities 
are  less  than  generally  pertain  to  an  Agency,  to  establish  in  their 
stead  minor  Agencies,  with  more  liberal  salaries  than  that  of  Sub 
Agent;  which  will  not  command  the  required  character  and  talent. 
Between  the  conflicting  views  of  Mr  Smith  and  yourself  however,  I 
am  at  a  loss  to  determine  how  many  Agents  in  all  there  should  be 
provided  for  the  Pueblos;  and  I  have  no  information  to  enable  me 
to  form  a  judgment  of  what  should  be  the  proportion  between  the 
two  classes  of  Agencies.  There  are  other  points  of  difficulty  by  which 
I  am  met  on  the  threshold  in  any  attempt  to  make  to  Congress  a 
specific  report  in  relation  to  a  proper  organization  and  means  neces- 
sary for  the  management  of  our  Indian  relations  in  New  Mexico,  and 
in  reference  to  which  early  information  is  desirable. 

Though  you  have  mentioned  and  given  illustrations  of  the  exorbi- 
tant prices  of  labor,  provisions,  materials  &c  in  New  Mexico,  you 
have  not  stated  the  salary  which  should  be  allowed  the  Agents  nor 
furnished  any  estimate  of  the  probable  cost  of  maintaining  an  agency, 
and  all  the  agencies  necessary,  for  the  period  of  a  year-^including  a 
house,  necessary  travelling  expenses,  fuel,  stationery  and  other  ex- 
penses incidental  and  requisite  to  the  proper  performance  of  official 
duties.  Nor  has  the  Department  any  information  of  the  number  of 
interpreters  that  it  will  probably  be  necessary  to  employ  perma- 
nently, what  they  should  be  allowed  annually,  and  how  much  will 
probably  be  required  for  Interpreters  other  than  those  permanently 
employed.  It  also  lacks  similar  information  in  regard  to  the  Mechan- 
ics of  different  descriptions  it  would  be  expedient  and  advisable  to 
employ  for  the  benefit  of  the  Indians ;  and  as  to  how  far  it  might  be 
expedient  and  advisable  to  aid  and  instruct  them  in  agricultural 
operations,  and  the  cost  of  the  requisite  employees,  in  stock,  imple- 
ments &c.  The  question  likewise  arises,  how  far  the  present  laws 
regulating  trade  and  intercourse  between  the  Indian  tribes,  which  are 
not  in  force  in  New  Mexico,  are  applicable  and  would  be  suitable  to 
the  Indians  there  and  with  respect  to  the  relations  between  them  and 
the  whites.  This  is  a  question  which  the  Department  would  find  it 
difficult  to  answer  from  lack  of  the  requisite  information.  I  there- 
5021—15 l.s 


194 


COREESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 


fore  beg  leave  to  request  that  you  will  be  so  good  as  to  turn  your 
attention  to  all  these  points,  and,  as  early  as  possible,  furnish  the 
Department  with  all,  &  as  accurate  information  in  relation  to  them, 
as  may  be  in  your  power.  Such  a  report  will  be  of  great  value  and 
assistance  if  it  can  be  received  before  Congress  adjourns 

O  B 

I  CALHOUN  TO  BROWN. '] 

No.  58. 

[BROWN   TO    CALHOUN.n 

Office  Indian  Affairs 

May  6  1850 
Calhoun  Esq  J  S. 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico. 
Sir: 

Your  letter  (No  44)  of  the  1st  March,  transmitting  your  accounts 
for  disbursements  to  31st  December  last,  has  been  duly  received. 

The  latter  will  be  speedily  examined  &  referred  to  the  accounting 
officers  of  the  Treasury  for  settlement 

()  B 

[CHOICE   TO   CALHOUN/] 

Indian  Agency 
Albiquin  New  Mexico 

May  8th  1850. 
Col  J.  S.  Calhoun 
Sir 

Lieut  Griffin,  was  informed  on  Sunday  night  last  by  a  Pueblo 
Indian,  that  Pedro  Solisair  (one  of  the  Constables  of  this  county,) 
had  been  all  around  the  Pueblo,  requesting  the  Mexicans  to  meet  at 
his  house,  on  the  day  of  the  Election  for  Deligates  to  the  Conven- 
tion,— That  he  had  some  important  facts  to  communicate.  The  In- 
dian understood  him  to  say  that  their  were  a  large  Mexican  force 
coming  from  Old  Mexico,  and  he  wished  to  know  if  the  Mexicans 
here,  would  join  them  or  the  Americans. 

»  Not  on  file  in  Indian  Office.  Tlie  entry  in  O.  I.  A.,  L.  R.,  No.  37,  under  date  of  July  1.  Ig-W  is  as  follows: 


July  1 

O.  I.  A.,  Santa  Fe. 


Calhoun,  J.  S.,  Santa 
F^,  May  2,  '50 
No.  58 


States  his  views  (in  accom- 
panying papers)  and  what 
has  been  done,  in  regard  to 
efforts  made  to  secure 
votes  of  Pueblo  Indians 
by  designing  persons,  un- 
der late  proclamation  of 
Gov.  Munroe. 


«0.  I.  A.,  L.  B.,  No.  43,  p.  187. 
•  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  47 


CORRESPONDEISrCE   OF    JAMES   S,    CALHOUN.  195 

I  have  been  vigilant  ever  since  I  received  yours  of  tlie  26th  April 
last,  advising  me  to  notice  all  their  movements.  There  visits  to 
my  quarters  for  the  last  two  or  three  weeks  have  been  seldom,  and 
remarked  by  the  Officers,  that  it  is  the  case  with  themselves.  The 
greater  portion  of  the  Male  population  for  the  last  three  days:  have 
absented  themselves,  I  know  not  where  to. 

In  relation  to  the  Utah  Indians.  On  Monday  morning  a  herds-man 
came  in,  stating  that  he  had  seen  four  Utah  men  and  one  woman 
the  evening  before,  that  they  expressed  friendship  to  him,  and 
wished  to  know  if  they  would  be  treated  friendly  were  they  to  come 
in, — Consequently  I  employed  a  Mexican  who  speaks  their  language, 
to  go  and  see  them  and  bring  them  in.  He  went  to  their  camp, 
but  one  would  come.  The  ballance  said  they  were  afraid  that  they 
would  be  made  prisenors.  He  states,  that  the  Utahs  sent  him  with 
the  others,  to  see  how  they  would  be  received,  and  find  out  if  we  were 
hostile  towards  them,  that  if  I  would  send  with  them,  one  American 
and  one  Mexican,  that  all  of  the  Chiefs  would  come  in  and  have  a 
talk,  he  states  also,  that  portion  of  the  tribe  he  belongs  to,  never 
had  violated  the  treaty,  it  was  another  Part  of  them,  that  they  had 
all  left  for  the  Navajoe  Country,  to  live  there  never  to  return  again. 
There  were  three  or  four  of  his  tribe  making  preperation  to  go  after 
them  on  the  river  Saint  Wan  [San  Juan],  and  and  induce  them  to 
come  back,  at  the  time  he  left. 

I  have  employed  one  American  and  one  Mexican  to  return  with 
them,  with  writen  instructions,  to  ascertain  the  feelings  of  the  Chiefs, 
and  endeavour  to  get  them  and  the  whole  of  the  tribe  to  come  and 
have  a  friendly  talk.  I  furnished  the  Indian  with  provisions  to 
take  him  home,  and  ten  days  provisions  for  the  two  men  employed, — 
They  leave  this  morning. 

Ever}'  attention  was  paid  to  the  Indian.  He  was  very  much 
allarmed  on  his  arrival,  x^fter  smoking  and  going  through  the  usual 
forms,  he  soon  became  contented.  He  told  his  people  that  they  had 
better  come,  for  his  father  would  make  them  a  present. 

I  had  to  give  him  some  few  articles, 
I  am 

Your  Obt  Servt. 

(Signed)  Cyrus  Choice 

Ind.  Agt. 

To  Col  J.  S.  Calhoun 
Ind  Agent 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 


196  CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN. 

[CALHOUN  TO  BROWIJ-.^] 

No  59. 

Indian  Agency. 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mex. 

May  ]Oth  1850 
Sir, 

My  number  56,  dated  Las  Vegas,  April  20th  50,  advised  you  of 
Indian  attacks  near  that  place.  Lt  Burnside^  with  his  command 
hastened  in  the  direction  of  the  supposed  place  where  the  Indians  had 
committed  butcheries,  found  three  murdered  Mexican  wood  choppers, 
and  pursued  the  trail  of  a  small  party  of  Indians,  in  a  northern  direc- 
tion, until  it  was  wholly  lost  on  the  sides  of  the  mountains,  without 
making  any  other  discovery. 

We  have  just  received  authentic  intelligence  that  the  Apaches  have 
driven  off  several  hundred  head  of  cattle  from  a  place  about  ten  miles 
east  of  Pesalta,  and  fifteen  or  twenty  from  Albuquerque,  a  military 
post.  A  herder  was  killed,  others  wounded,  and  some  captives 
taken — It  is  said,  there  were  about  fifty  Indians  engaged  in  the  affair, 
and  that  ihey  were  impudent  enough  to  commit  their  outrages  in  the 
broad  day  light,  and  within  view  of  several  people  near  the  place.  I 
■exceedingly  regret  that  I  can  not  advise  you  of  the  slightest  improve- 
ment in  the  condition  of  affairs  in  this  territory,  nor  is  it  possible  for 
any  one  to  convey  to  you  an  adequate  idea  of  the  various  disorders 
which  prevail,  and  seem  to  be  fastened  upon  this  country. 

A  party  of  traders  were  recently  upon  the  Gila  river  between 
Sholay's  and  Williams'  forks,  as  marked  upon  Emory's  Map,  and  in 
that  region,  in  various  localities,  fell  in  with  large  numbers  of 
Apaches.  They  represent  these  Indians  as  being  friendly  towards  the 
people  of  the  United  States,  and  they  were  doubtless  so  to  their 
friends,  the  traders,  who  bought  and  brought  to  this  neighborhood 
some  of  the  finest  mules  to  be  seen  any  where.  These  mules  are  taken 
from  Sonora,  Mexico,  and,  most  frequently  sold  to  traders  from  this 
territory  who  pay  for  them  at  the  rate  of  twenty  to  twenty  five  dollars 
per  head,  in  such  articles  as  the  Indians  may  require.  One  of  these 
traders,  who  denies  having  traded  with  the  Indians,  but  who  returned 
with  some  exceedingly  fine  mules,  says  the  Apaches  are  well  mounted, 
well  armed  with  Eifles,  have  a  large  supply  of  powder,  lead,  Superior 
beef  Cattle,  and  many  valuable  articles  of  merchandize  for  which  they 
have  no  use — They  are  continually  making  depredations  upon  Sonora, 
and  immediately  returning  to  their  accustomed  localities  on  our  side 
of  the  Gila.     When  the  traders  left,  the  Indians  were  preparing  for 


1  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F€  Agency,  C  471. 

*  For  an  account  of  Burnslde's  orders,  Investigation  and  discoveries,  see  documents  on 
pp.  197-200. 


COREESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.    CALHOUN.  197 

another  descent  upon  Sonora;  and  I  have  reason  to  believe  quite  a 
number  of  trading  expeditions  are  now  being  fitted  out,  on  the  East 
side  of  the  Rio  del  Norte,  for  the  purpose  of  trading  with  these 
identical  Indians. 

We  are  yet  without  the  slightest  intimation  as  to  the  purposes  of 
our  Government  in  relation  to  these  disorders. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be, 

Your  very  obt.  Servt. 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt 
Orlando  Brown  Esq, 

Conw.  of  Ind.  Affs. 

Washington  City 
D.  C 

[Related  Correspondence.] 

[ALEXANDER  TO  McLAWS.*] 

Las  Vegas  N.  M. 

May  2Jitn  1850 
Sib, 

I  have  the  honor,  to  report,  that  on  the  20th  Instant,  a  part  of  the  U.  S. 
Mail,  which  left  Fort  Leavenworth  about  the  middle  of  last  month,  was  brought 
to  this  place,  by  a  party  of  traders,  who  had  started  from  here,  some  days 
before,  for  the  U.  S. 

They  reported,  that  they  had  proceeded  as  far  as  the  "  Wagon  Mound," 
(about  forty  three  miles  from  this  Post),  when  they  found  the  dead  bodies 
of  eleven  men,  and  some  mail  bags,  which  had  contained  the  mail  for  this 
Territory. — This  party  was  afraid  to  proceed  farther,  and  so  returned  imme- 
diately to  this  Post,  bringing  the  principal  part  of  the  Mail. — 

On  the  21st  Inst.  I  sent  out  Lieut  Burnside  3d  Arty,  with  a  detachment  of 
mounted  artillery,  to  the  place  of  the  murders,  with  directions  to  bury  the 
dead,  to  recover  such  letters  &c  as  might  be  found,  to  try  and  find  out  the 
probable  time,  and  circumstances  of  the  murders,  and  the  number,  and  tribe, 

is 
of  Indians  which  committed  them.     Enclosed  pkaee-in^T  the  report  of  Lieut 

that 
Burnside   which   contains   all    the   information,  could    be   gathered    In 

relation  to  the  matter 
I  am  Sir, 

Very  respectfully 

Your  Obedt.  Servt. 

E.   B.  Alexander 

B.  Lt.  Col  U  8.  A 

Com 
Lieut.  L.  McLaws 

A.  A.  A.  Oenl 

Santa  Fe 

»  A.  G.  O.,  Pile-Box,  Department  of  New  Mexico,  1850,  A  6. 


198  COEEESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[burnsidf.  to  WARD.^] 

Las   Vegas   New   Mexico 

May  23d  1850. 
Sib, 

I  have  the  honor  to  report  for  the  Information  of  the  Lieut  Col:  Com- 
manding, that  in  obedience  to  Post  order  No.  11  dated  Hd  Qrs  Las  Vegas 
N.  M.  May  21st  1S50,  I  proceeded  with  my  Detachment  in  the  Direction  of  the 
Wagon  Mound  for  the  purpose  of  interring  the  bodies  of  the  Mail  Carriers  & 
others  who  were  murdered  near  that  place  as  well  as  to  collect  such  parts  of 
the  Mail  as  were  not  destroyed  or  had  not  already  been  brought  in.  I 
arrived  at  the  Scene  of  Murder  on  the  day  after  I  left  this  place  &  found  the 
remains  of  the  persons.  I  at  once  put  the  mexicans,  taken  for  the  purpose, 
to  digging  a  Grave  for  the  Bodies  &  commenced  immediately,  a  careful  examina- 
tion of  all  the  Ground  in  the  Vicinity  assisted  by  Lieut.  Plympton,  attached 
to  this  command  and  Mr.  Barclay  of  "  Barclay  Fort."  The  Wagon  which  Clay 
&  Hendrickson  (Mail  Carriers)  took  from  this  place  last  March  was  found 
about  half  a  mile  from  the  foot  of  the  Wagon  Mound  with  the  Tonge  broken 
&  a  dead  mule  still  in  harness,  attached  to  it.  Two  of  the  Bodies,  in  a  com- 
plete state  of  putrifaction,  were  found  in  the  Wagon,  the  remaining  Eight 
very  much  eaten  by  the  Wolves,  in  its  immediate  Vicinity  the  farthest  one 
probably  seventy  five  Yards  off,  one  horse  and  two  INIuIes  were  killed  near 
the  Wagon,  &  two  American  Horses  near  the  foot  of  the  Mound;  The  Ground 
from  these  two  horses  to  the  Wagon,  was  strewn  with  arrows.  On  the  road 
which  passes  the  foot  of  the  Mound  «&  about  a  Mile  from  the  Wagon  we  found 
where  the  party  had  encamped  before  they  were  attacked;  The  Track  of  the 
Wagon  could  not  be  discovered;  The  Trail  of  the  Marauding  Party  was 
Indistinct.  We  examined  the  Cafiada  formed  by  the  rising  Ground  near  the 
mound  &  in  fact  all  the  Ground  in  its  neighborhood  &  secured  all  the  mail 
that  could  be  found  which  consisted  principally  of  "blank  forms"  &  a  few 
private  papers. 

From  these  Facts  I  am  led  to  the  following  conclusion;  that  the  Mail  party 
with  five  or  six  other  persons  that  joined  it  arrived  at  the  Wagon  Mound  either 
before  the  snow  fell  on  the  3d  of  this  month  or  whilst  the  snow  was  still  on  the 
Ground  for  no  Tracks  of  any  Description  pould  be  seen :  that  the  Wagon  with 
eight  of  the  Party  started  from  camp,  two  of  the  Party  (not  Mail  Carriers) 
Mounted  on  American  Horses  remained  at  the  Fire  for  a  short  time ;  afterwards, 
starting,  were  charged  upon  by  the  Indians,  who  were  laying  behind  the  small 
Mound  at  the  foot  of  the  Wagon  Mound,  their  Horses  killed  and  them  wounded, 
they  ran  to  the  Wagon  &  were  assisted  in  getting  in  by  the  main  party,  while 
In  the  act  of  doing  this,  the  party  were  charged  upon  by  the  Indians  thrown 
into  a  State  of  Confusion  &  finally  all  killed  within  seventy-five  yards  of  the 
Wagon,  on  either  side  of  the  road.  This  opinion  is  sustained  by  the  fact  of 
the  two  men  who  were  in  the  Wagon  being  wounded,  each  in  the  left  thigh,  the 
most  common  wound  a  man  receives  on  horse  back,  &  one  that  could  not  have 
been  inflicted  whilst  they  were  in  the  Wagon.  No  signs  were  discovered  of  any 
Indians  being  killed.     The  attacking  party  were  evidently  in  great  numbers 

number 
from  the  large  of  arrows  found  on  the  Ground,  but  the  best  evidence 

of  it  is  the  small  si)ace  within  which  the  whole  party  were  killed :  so  large  a 
party  of  Americans  have  never  before  been  entirely  destroyed  by  the  Indians 

1  A.  G.  O.,  File-Box,  Department  of  New  Mexico,  1850,  A  20. 


COEKESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.   CALHOUN.  199 

of  that  portion  of  the  Territory,  &  in  fact,  ten  Americans  have  heretofore  been 
considered  comparatively  safe  in  traveling  over  the  road  with  proper  care — 
Mr.  Barclay  who  had  been  a  great  deal  among  the  Eutaw  Indians  &  in  fact, 
traded  with  them  for  some  time  recognized,  certain  arrows  among  those  left  on 
the  gronnd.  One  of  the  Mexicans  that  I  carried  with  me  had  been  for  many 
years  a  prisoner  among  the  Indians  &  recognized  both  Eutaw  &  Apache  Indian 
arrows  which  confirm  me  in  the  opinion  that  it  was  a  combined  movement  of 
the  two  Tribes;  The  party  consisted  certainly  of  not  less  than  one  hundred  War- 
riors. All  these  are  mere  matters  of  opinion  &  may  appear  to  show  conceit  & 
arrogance  in  so  inexperienced  a  person  as  myself  but  I  have  taken  particular 
pains  to  weigh  all  the  circumstances  &  have  formed  my  opinion  not  only  from 
my  own  observation,  but  from  that  of  Lieut.  Plympton  &  Mr.  Barclay.  The 
latter  has  been  in  this  country  for  many  years  &  knows  the  Indian  habits  almost 
perfectly.  No  possible  clue  to  the  direction  of  the  Trail  could  be  found  &  in 
fact  the  murder  was  committed  so  long  before  it  was  known  (at  least  fifteen 
days)  that  all  pursuit  would  have  been  unavailing  could  we  have  found  the 
Trail ;  no  fresh  signs  of  Indians  were  seen,  but  it  was  reported  that  a  party 
had  been  seen  by  a  Hunter  near  Barclay's  Fort  but  not  being  able  to  learn  any 
thing  positive  on  the  subject  I  cannot  say  that  the  report  is  correct. 

It  is  probable,  that  Clay  &  Hendrickson  who  went  out  in  March  were  the 
carriers,  Benj.  Shaw  &  Mr.  Goldstein  are  probably  two  others  of  the  party,  as 
many  private  papers  belonging  to  them  were  found  on  the  ground.  Mr.  Bar- 
clay is  of  opinion  that  Mr.  Brown,  who  owned  the  Train  that  wintered  near 
the  Arkansas,  was  another  He  judges  from  the  appearance  of  the  Hair  on  the 
Head  as  well  as  from  the  shape  of  the  Head;  I  have  heard  other  persons  spoken 
of  as  probably  belonging  to  the  party  but  seeing  no  evidence  dont  think  it  best 
to  mention  their  names  as  it  may  create  unnecessary  alarm  among  their  friends. 
Two  of  the  Party  only  were  scalped  but  all  of  them  were  stripped.  The  prin- 
cipal part  of  the  letter  Mail,  I  think  has  been  brought  in.  The  Indians  evi- 
dently thought  the  large  rolls  of  blanks  to  be  the  most  important  &  consequently 

worth 
tore  them  open.     I  have  brought  all  that  was  picking  up;  The  bodies  were 

buried  in  a  common  Grave  &  the  Wagon  with  all  the  rubbish  were  burned  over 
it  to  prevent  if  possible  the  Bodies  being  dug  up  by  the  Wolves. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be  Very  respectfully. 
Your  obt  Servt 

(Sgd)  A.   B.   BURNSIDE, 

Lt.  3d  Arty  Comdg  Dep. 
Lt.  J.  N.  Ward 

Post  Adjutant 
official 

Ti  McLaws     AAA  Oenl 

[burnside  to  plympton^] 

Las  Vegas  New  Mexico 

June  12th  1850 
Sib 

I  have  the  honor  to  report,  that  in  accordance  with  orders  received  from  the 
Lieut  Col  Comdg.  I  started  with  my  detachment  composed  of  Lieut  Plympton 
&  twenty  two  non-commissioned  officers  &  privates  on  the  27th  of  May  for  the 
purpose  of  escorting  the  Mail  in  the  direction  of  Fort  Leavenworth  as  far  as 

» A.  G.  0„  Pile-Box,  Department  of  New  Mexico,  1850,  B  11. 


200  CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

the  Ce<lar  Spring,  or  as  much  farther  as  I  thought  necessary  to  insure  its  safety. 
Just  beyond  the  "  Rabbit  Ear  Creels  "  we  found  in  the  road  placed  between  two 
stones  one  of  the  blank  muster  rolls  taken  from  the  mail  with  a  representation 
drawn  upon  it  of  the  manner  in  which  the  murders  were  committed  near  the 
"  Waggon  Mound."  I  send  enclosed  the  drawing.  A  fresh  trail  of  a  few  horses, 
apparently  with  grazing  lines  draging,  crossed  the  road  at  this  place.  This 
convinced  me  at  once  that  the  murderers  were  in  the  vicinity  watching  our 
movements.  Two  or  three  miles  beyond  this  point  we  met  with  a  party  of 
Mexicans  about  two  hundred  strong  who  represented  themselves  as  being 
"  buffalo  hunters."  The  head  man  of  the  party  told  us  they  had  fought  a  few 
days  before  with  the  Arapahoes  &  Chains  on  the  Cimmaron  loosing  one  man  & 
killing  three  Indians;  soon  after  we  met  with  some  Pueblo  Indians  belonging 
to  the  same  party  who  told  us  that  they  had  not  fought  or  even  seen  any  In- 
dians. Some  of  them  told  us  they  had  »et  met  the  mail  party  at  the  "  Point 
of  Rocks"  on  the  5th  of  May  and  had  traded  some  horses  or  mules  with  them; 
others  said  they  had  not  seen  them.  From  all  these  contradictions  we  were  led 
to  suppose  that  they  might  in  some  way  be  connected  with  the  murder.  We 
passed  one  of  their  encampments  that  evening  and  found  in  it  a  letter  directed 
to  a  lady  in  Santa  Fe  written  at  El  Paso  about  the  time  Mr  Shaw,  who  was 
one  of  the  murdred,  party  left  that  place.  He  had  probably  forgotten  to  de- 
liver it  when  in  Santa  Fe  and  was  cari-ying  it  back  with  him.  This  went  to 
confirm  our  suspicions.  They  had  some  three  or  four  hundred  pack  animals 
with  them  but  no  buffalo  meat.  All  these  circumstances  were  not  such  as  to 
give  me  any  positive  suspicion,  but  I  at  once  decided  to  keep  with  the  mail  to 
the  crossing  of  the  Cimmaron  which  I  did,  returning  to  this  place  yesterday. 
The  party  was  from  the  neighbourhood  of  Toas.  I  send  enclosed  some  of  their 
names.  We  encamped  with  Major  Grier  and  his  command  at  the  crossing  of 
the  Red  River.  He  was  to  return  to  his  post  in  four  or  five  days.  Nothing  was 
heard  of  the  mail  or  any  train  coming  in  from  the  States 
I  have  the  honor  to  be 

Sir  very  respy.  Your  obt  Sevt 

A.  E.  Burn  SIDE 
Lieut  Comdg  Dpt 
To  Lieut  P.  W.  L.  Plympton 

Post  Adgt. 

List  of  Names  of  persons  belonging  to  the  Mexican  party 
Salvidor  Carpios  de  Herera  of  Chama  Comandante 
Cruz  Romero  of  Pueblode  Taos 

Jose  Barquez  of  Pueblo  de  Taos 


A    E   BURNSIDE 

Lieut  Comdg  Dpt 


[CALHOUN  TO  CHOICE.*] 


Indian  Agency  Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

May  10th  1850. 
Sir 

I  have  received  your  two  communications  of  the  8th  Inst.  The 
(A)  copy  of  the  one  detailing  the  Pueblo  Indians  report  in  reference 
to  the  conduct  of  Mexicans,  I  intend  sending  to  Washington  in  cor- 


A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  472;  No. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  201 

roboration  of  statements  I  have  heretofore  forwarded,  and  shall  re-       ] 
peat  by  the  next  Mail.  / 

Wliile  I  am  pleased  you  have  succeeded  in  procuring  suitable  per- 
.sons  to  go  amongst  the  Utahs  to  ascertain  their  purposes  and  inten- 
tions, I  exceedingly  regret  I  can  not  approve  the  tone  of  the  letter 
which  you  sent  to  them,  although  I  fully  appreciate  your  good 
intentions. 

You  will  remember,  I  have  not  deemed  it  proper  to  make  presents 
to  Indians  except  as  a  reward  for  services  rendered,  Again,  it  is  not 
regarded  as  advisable  to  send  to  the  Indians  an  entreating  letter  to 
come  in  for  the  purpose  of  having  a  friendly  talk.  At  present,  we 
can  make  no  further  treaty  with  them:  and  all  that  can  be  done 
with  my  consent,  will  be  to  allow  those  who  say  they  are  not  a  party 
to  the  treaty,  which  I  made  with  them  on  the  30th  of  December  last, 
to  come  in  and  make  known  their  entire  submission  to  the  terms  of 
said  treaty,  by  signing  the  Memorandum  which  I  have  appended  to 
a  copy  of  the  treaty  which  you  will  receive  with  this  letter.'  Should 
they  come  in,  let  each  article  of  the  treaty  be  distinctly  explained  to 
them;  And  as  containing  my  views  in  relation  to  presents,  I  invite 
your  attention  to  the  8th  article.  While  they  are  with  you,  they 
fchould  be  liberally  provided  with  food,  and  some  little  for  their  use 
as  they  are  returning  to  their  lodges. 

My  object  in  desiring  a  confidential  person  to  visit  the  Utahs,  was 
to  ascertain  their  present  locations,  their  probable  locations  for  the 
Summer,  their  true  state  and  condition,  and  their  numbers,  and  in- 
tentions with  respect  to  the  treaty  Mentioned  above;  and  also,  to 
ascertain  what  influences,  if  any  were  operating  upon  their  minds, 
and  whether  any  combinations  have  been  attempted  with  them  by 
any  persons,  tribe  of  Indians,  or  community  of  persons,  for  an}'  pur- 
pose or  purposes  whatever.  You  will  at  once  perceive,  unless  they  are 
decidedly  submissive,  they  will  be  upon  their  guard,  if  they  ascertain 
the  Agent  comes  to  them  by  your  direction,  and  they  will  mislead  and 
decieve  if  they  do  not  otherwise  maltreat  him;  therefore,  you  are 
requested,  if  it  be  practicable,  to  withdraw  that  letter. 

Whenever  Indians  manifest  a  proper  feeling  of  friendship,  it 
should  be  encouraged,  and  all  necessary  facilities  afforded  to  them 
to  approach  their  Agent,  and  all  authorities  of  our  Government, 
without  the  fear  of  being  harmed.  To  induce  them  to  come  to  you 
by  promises  of  Presents,  is  but  to  encourage  deceit  and  fraud. 

If  it  should  so  happen,  they  should  come  in,  I  mean  the  Chiefs 
generally,  and  desire  to  be  put  in  immediate  communication  with 
His  Excellency  Governor  Munroe,  or  Myself,  I  shall  be  gratified  if 
you  can  induce  them  to  come  with  you  to  Santa  Fe.  If  they  consent 
to  come  with  you,  they  may  postpone  the  signing  of  the  "  Memo- 
randum," to  the  Copy  of  the  treaty  until  their  arrival  here. 


202  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

If  any  important  information  should  be  obtained,  or  any  important 
result  secured,  give  me  all  needful  advice  at  the  earliest  practicable 
moment. 

I  am 

Very  respectfully 

Your  Obt.  Servt. 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt. 
Genl  Cyeus  Choice 

Ind  Agt. 
ATbiquin 
New  Mexico. 

[CALHOUN  TO  MUNROE.^] 

Indian  Agency 
Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

May  nth  1850 

V  ^'^ 

/  In  consequence  of  the  friendly  messages  frequently  received  from 

the  Utah  tribe  of  Indians,  it  is  respectfully  submitted, 

That  a  confidential  and  trusty  agent,  be  sent  to  the  controlling 
chiefs  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  the  true  state  and  condition  of 
their  tribe,  their  intentions  with  respect  to  the  treaty  made  with 
them  at  Albiquin  on  the  30th  of  Deer  last,  their  feelings  towards  the 
people  of  this  territory  and  of  the  U.  S.  generally,  and  their  present, 
and  probable  localities  for  the  summer.  In  this  connection  the  agent 
should  obtain,  all  the  information  he  may  be  able  to  command  in 
relation  to  their  numbers,  distinguishing  sexes  and  "Warriors,  and  also 
whether  any  attempts  have  been  made,  by  any  person  or  persons  to 
induce  a  general  and  united  effort,  against  the  people  and  authorities 
of  this  territory,  or  any  portion  of  either — 

The  agent,  that  he  maj^  the  more  readih''  have  access  to  the  chiefs, 
and  ascertain  the  truth  in  relation  to  the  foregoing  enquiries,  should 
be  permitted  to  go  out  as  a  trader.,  and  his  character  as  an  agent 
should  not  be  disclosed. 

If  the  agent  should  find  the  Utahs  really  anxious  to  submit  to  the 
authorities  of  the  United  States,  and  subscribe  their  names  to  the 
before  mentioned  treaty  he  ought  to  have  authority  to  conduct  them 
either  to  Taos  or  Albiquin,  as  may  be  most  convenient,  where  they 
should  be  properly  and  liberally  subsisted,  until  your  Excellency 
shall  definitely  order  in  the  premises. 


O.  I.  a.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  472,  No. 


CORBESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN.  203 

In  order  to  obtain  the  confidence  of  these  Indians,  and  to  secure 
a  thorough  knowledge  of  their  intentions  and  purposes,  it  is  desir- 
able they  should  be  advised  to  visit  your  Head  Quarters,  and  all 
proper  protection  should  be  afforded  to  them  in  coming  to,  and  re- 
turning from  said  Head  Quarters 
I  am, 

With  great  respect 

Your  obt  Servt 

J  S  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt 
His  Excellency 
John  Munkoe 
Civil  &  Mil  Governor 

Santa  Fe, 

New  Mexico 

[CALHOUN  TO  CEAWFOBD/] 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

May  11th  1850 
Sir, 

I  can  not  do  less  than  to  commend  to  your  favorable  consideration 
the  accompanying  copy  of  a  communication  -  addressed  to  Brig. 
Genl.  E.  Jones,  Adjt.  Genl.  U.  S.  A.  I  confess,  I  do  not  approve 
the  policy  and  more  particularly  do  I  object  to  the  manner  in  which 
the  Brevetting  power  has  been  exercised  for  some  years  past.  To 
me,  it  appears  evident,  there  has  been  glaring  injustice  and  partial- 
ity exhibited  in  the  selection  of  meritorious  officers  for  distinction; 
and  I  think  you  will  concur  in  this  opinion  if  you  have  time  to  read 
carefully  the  copy  of  Lt.  Simpson's  letter  ^  referred  to  above. 

I  accompanied  Col,  Washington  in  his  Navajo  expedition^  which 
gave  me  an  opportunity  of  becoming  acquainted  with  Lt.  Simpson's 
unflagging  zeal  in  the  discharge  of  his  official  duties,  and  his  maps 
and  documents  which  he  has  transmitted  to  the  appropriate  Bureau 
at  Washington,  attest  his  eminent  abilities  as  a  Topographical  En- 
gineer. It  gives  me  unqualified  pleasure  to  add,  his  high  moral 
qualities  are  equalled  but  by  few,  and  excelled  by  no  man  in  the 
army,  or  indeed,  in  the  United  States,  and  I  hesitate  not  to  say,  no 
officer  of  the  army  has  superior  claims  to  a  Brevet  distinction  to 


1  a.  G.  O.,  Files,  C  11  of  1850,  enclosed  in  C  64  of  1850. 

*  Not  found. 

'  Note  the  documents  here  quoted. 


204  CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN. 

Lieut.  Simpson's  and  therefore  it  is,  I  respectfully  pray  you  to  in- 
vestigate his  claims  as  he  has  recorded  them. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be, 

With  great  respect. 

Your  obt.  servt. 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Hon, 

G.  W.  Crawford, 

Sec.  of  War, 

Washington  City 
B.C. 

[Related  Correspondence] 

[FILLMORE   TO   CRAWFORD  ^] 

Washington,  July  1,  1850. 
Hon.  G.  W.  Crawford 

Secy,  of  War: 
Db,  Sir 

I  have  just  received  a  letter  from  Lieut.  J.  H.  Simpson  informing  me  that 
he  has  applied  for  two  brevet  commissions  on  account  of  his  recent  surveys, 
maps  and  reports — I  do  not  feel  competent  to  judge  whether  his  military  merits 
entitle  him  to  the  promotion  which  he  solicits,  and  therefore  do  not  presume  to 
recommend  him  on  that  ground.  But  I  have  known  him  for  many  years  and 
regard  him  as  a  gentleman  of  high  character,  and  beg  leave  to  bespeak  a  fair 
and  candid,  if  not  a  favorable,  consideration  for  his  application. 

I  have  the  honor  to  send  herewith  a  letter  addressed  to  you  by  Col.  Calhoun, 
which  was  enclosed  to  me.  also  recommending  Lieut.  Simpson  to  your  con- 
sideration— 

Truly  yours. 


[CRAWFORD   TO    FILLMORE  ^] 


Millard  Fillmore 


War  Dept. 
Washn.  July  3,  '50. 


I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of  the  1st  inst,  In 
which  you  bring  to  the  notice  of  the  Dept.  the  application  of  Lt  J.  H.  Simpson 
for  two  brevets  for  his  military  services  &  bespeak  for  it  a  favorable  considera- 
tion. 

This  subject  has  been  one  of  great  embarrassment  &  detracted  from  the 
efficiency  of  the  Army.    No  brevet  has  been,  nor  will  one  probably  be  con- 
ferred, until  after  the  question  which  is  now  before  Congress  has  been  acted  on. 
Very 

G.  W.  C. 
Hon.  M.  Fillmore. 

Senate. 


1  A.  G.  O.,  Files,  P  47  of  1850. 

*A.  G.  O.,  Files,  C  11  of  1850.     See  also  S  326  of  1850. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.   CALHOUN.  205 

[CALHOUN   TO   BROWN.'] 

No  60. 

Indian  Agency. 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico. 

May  Wth  1850. 
Sir, 

It  is  now  about  forty  five  days  since  our  last  mail  was  received 
from  the  States,  and  your  communication  of  the  28th  ^  of  December 
last,  is  the  last  one  that  has  come  to  me,  from  the  Department. 

As  I  am  informed  a  mail  will  be  forwarded  from  here  on  to-morrow, 
for  the  States,- 1  seize  the  occasion  to  say,  we  continue  to  hear  of  In- 
dian murders  and  depredations  in  various  directions. 

The  Utahs  continue  to  send  us  friendly  messages,  and  you  are, 
respectfully,  requested  to  read  the  accompanying  paper,  marked  A.' 
and  also,  B.*  in  reply^ — On  the  same  day  I  received  Genl.  Choice's 
letter  (A)  Govr.  Munroe  honored  me  with  a  visit,  to  say,  he  had  re- 
ceived information  that  the  northeim,  Utahs  desired  to  be  upon  more 
confidential  terms  with  us,  and  requested  my  views  upon  the  subject, 
which  I  gave  to  him  in  the  form  and  shape  which  the  paper,  C.^  dis- 
closes. I  am  not  advised  as  to  the  Governor's  subsequent  action  in 
the  matter. 

B^^I  take  leave  to  say,  sufficient  funds  should  be  at  the  disposal 
of  this  Agency,  to  the  end,  that  correct  information  might  be  dis- 
seminated and  obtained  from  every  point,  at  the  earliest  possible 
moment.  At  this  moment,  such  a  fund  is  decidedly  important,  and 
I  have  exhausted  my  own  means,  and  my  own  salary  in  the  public 
service — 

I  am, 

with  great  respect. 

Your  obt.  Servt. 


Orlando  Brown  Esq 

Comr.  of  Ind.  Affs. 

Washington  City 

DC. 


J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt 


*  O.  I.  a,,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  472. 
«  See  p.  94. 

»  See  p.  194. 

*  See  p.  200. 
•See  p.  202. 


206  CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[CALHOUN   TO  BROWN.'] 

No  61. 

Indian  Agency 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico. 

May  %li.  1850. 
Sir, 

The  mail  for  the  States  did  not  leave  as  I  indicated  in  my  No.  60. 
At  the  very  moment  the  mail  carriers  were  about  to  mount,  intelli- 
gence came  to  us  that  eleven  dead  bodies  had  been  found  near  the 
Waggon  Mound,  about  forty  miles  from  Las  Vegas.  A  portion  of 
our  expected  mail  was  found  scattered  at  and  near  the  same  place, 
but  not  one  line  from  Washington  was  recovered  for  me. 

It  is  not  known  that  any  one  of  the  party  survives,  nor  have  I 
been  able  to  ascertain  the  names  of  the  eleven  dead  men.    More  hor- 
rible deeds  are  in  reserve  for  us,  unless  speedy  releif  is  sent  to  us. 
I  am,  Sir, 


1 
Very  respectfully 


Your  obt  servt. 

J.    S.    Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt 
Orlando  Brown  Esqr. 

Comr.  of  Ind.  A-ffs. 

Washington  City 
D.  G. 

[  In  closure.  1 

extract  from  a  letter  dated 

Las  Vegas  May  Wth  1850 
I  write  you  a  few  lines  in  haste  to  inform  you  of  the  untimely  fate 
of  those  who  accompanyed  the  mail  from  the  States — On  the  18th 
we  left  the  Moro  &  camped  at  Wolf  creek — 19th  we  started  intending 
to  noon  at  the  Wagon  mound  about  one  mile  this  side  of  the  W.  M. 
we  came  to  where  the  mail  was  robbed  and  eleven  men  murdered, 
parts  of  their  bodies  were  lying  around  partly  eaten  by  the  wolves. 
It  was  a  shocking  sight.  Two  men  were  in  the  wagon  where  they 
had  been  killed,  these  were  not  touched.  One  was  a  large  man,  the 
other  middle  sized — We  did  not  know  them — We  went  to  the  water 
with  our  mules  &  camped — Myself  and  another  man  went  on  about 


O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F^  Agency,  C  473. 


COERESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  207 

a  mile  farther,  where  they  had  camped  as  we  supposed;  the  night 
before  they  were  killed — there  was  an  arrow  lying  there  likewise  a 
bloody  handkerchief,  which  seemed  to  have  been  tied  around  a  mans 
head — The  company  seemed  to  have  been  attacked  travelling  as  the 
mules  were  in  harness,  &  in  running  'round  the  tongue  was  broken — ■ 
three  mules  were  killed  &  two  horses — The  horses  were  lying  betwixt 
where  the  company  had  camped  &  where  they  were  killed — Another 
man  &  myself  followed  a  trail  about  a  mile  to  the  top  of  a  high  hill 
there  we  found  the  mail  bags  cut  open  and  the  contents  all  'round 
We  gathered  all  the  letters  and  papers  we  could  find  &  concluded 
we  had  better  return  and  bring  in  the  mail — and  as  one  of  our  com- 
pany plainly  heard  a  gun — we  thought  that  they  might  still  be 
about — so  Mr  Adams  &  myself  brought  the  mail  to  Las  Vegas. 

[Related  Correspondence.] 

[MUNROE  TO  McDOWELL.i] 

Hd  Qrs  :  9  Mil  :  Dept. 

Santa  Fe  N.  M  May  23-50. 
Sib 

I  aui  sorry  to  report  tliat  the  mail  carriers  from  Fort  Leavenworth  to  this 
Place  were  liilled  near  the  Wagon  Mound  (Santa  Clara  Springs)  about  forty 
four  miles  east  of  Las  Vegas.  They  were  accompanied  by  a  number  of  other 
White  Persons  altogether  eleven  dead  Bodies  have  been  found  their  persons 
have  not  been  identified 

The  probable  perpetrators  of  these  murders  were  the  Jaarillas  Apaches  who 
have  generally  associated  with  them,  some  straggling  Camanches  &  Utahs;  on 
this  occasion  it  is  not  improbable  that  they  were  joined  with  Mexicans  &  even 
Whites  as  the  appearance  of  many  of  the  Letters  which  were  collected  indicate 
that  they  had  been  opened,  torn,  &  replaced  in  the  Envelopes. 

A  Party  of  Citizens  going  hence  to  the  States  discovered  the  dead  Bodies  on 
the  ISth  Inst :  in  such  a  state  of  decay  as  to  show  that  they  had  been  killed 
some  ten  or  twelve  days  previous 

The  jMail  Bags  were  broken  open  &  the  contents  nmch  scattered  but  by  the 
care  of  Mr.  Harley  &  others  whatever  portion  of  it,  that  could  be  found  was 
collected  &  sent  to  this  Place. 

I  have  directed  Lt.  Col.  Alexander  3d  Inftry  commanding  at  Las  Vegas  if 
he  has  not  anticipated  my  order,  to  send  a  Party  to  the  Wagon  Mound  &  have 
the  dead  Bodies  interred;  a  particular  examination  made  of  the  Ground  &  to 
report  direct  to  the  Adjt.  Genl.  &  to  Army  &  Division  Hd.  Qrs.  any  additional 
Facts  he  may  collect. 

The  mail  will  leave  this  place  for  the  IT.  S.  tomorrow  the  24  Instant,  a 
mounted  Detachment  of  an  officer  &  twenty  men  will  escort  it  on  its  way  so 
far  as  it  will  be  thought  necessary  to  ensure  its  safety  from  the  attacks  of  the 
Hostile  Band  of  Indians  which  commit  Depredations  in  and  around  this 
Territory. 


»A.  G.  0.,  Old  Book,  No.  3,  pp.  85-86. 


208        •  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

The  officer  in  charge  of  the  Escort  has  orders  to  afford  all  protection  &  assist- 
ance in  his  power  to  any  &  all  Parties  he  may  meet  or  overtake  coming  from 
or  going  to  the  TJ.  S. 

I  am  respectfully 

Your  obt.  Servt. 

Sngd.  John  Munboe 

Bvt.  Col:  U.  8.  Army 
Capt.  J.  McDowell  Commanding 

Asst.  Adjt.  Qenl. 

Arm,y  Hd.  Qrs: 

New  York 

[CALHOUN"  TO  BROWN.'] 

No.  62 

[CALHOUN  TO  BROWN.'] 

No  63. 

Indian  Agency 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

Jyne  mh  1850 
Sir, 

On  yesterday  afternoon  I  returned  from  Abiquin,  which  place  I 
visited  under  the  expectation  of  meeting  some  Utah  Chiefs  who 
came  to  that  Military  Post  on  the  3d.  inst.  I  did  not  reach  there  in 
time,  as  they  left  for  their  homes  on  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day 
that  they  came  in,  giving  as  a  reason  for  their  haste,  that  their  water 
courses  were  rising  so  rapidly  from  the  melting  of  the  snow  on  the 
mountains,  in  a  few  days  it  would  be  impossible  for  them  to  travel. 
Genl.  Choice  who  has  been  watching,  and  in  indirect  communication 
with  the  Utahs  since  the  latter  part  of  January  last,  was  thoroughly 
advised  in  relation  to  my  views  on  the  subject  of  further  negotia- 
tions with  them.  I  could  not  entertain  the  proposition  for  the  forma- 
tion of  a  new  treaty  with  them,  and  I  could  not  see  the  propriety  of 
doing  more  than  to  permit  Chiefs,  who  were  not  present  at  Abiquin 
on  the  30th  of  December  last,  to  come  in  and  affix  their  names  to  the 
original  "  Memorandum  "  attached  to  the  accompanying  cop}''  of  the 
treaty  made  at  Abiquin  on  the  aforesaid  30th  of  Deer.  Genl.  Choice 
informs  me,  they  seemed  fully  to  have  understood  the  terms  of  the 
treaty  before  they  came  to  Abiquin,  and  expressed  themselves  grati- 
fied that  they  were  permitted  to  sign  it.  These  Chiefs,  as  all  others 
have,  of  that  tribe,  declare,  with  an  apparent  proper  solemnity,  that 
they  have  committed  no  acts  of  hostility,  or  depredations  against  the 


1  Not  on  file  in  Indian  Office.    The  L.  R.,  No.  37,  entry  for  July  1, 1850  is, 


Calhoun,  J.  S.,  May 
25,  '50. 
No.  62. 


Copy  of  Constitution  of  New  l  Chfclk. 
Mexico,  which  he  supposes 
will  be  adopted. 


•  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  P6  Agency,  C  490.     See  Pile-box,  "  Treaties,  Original. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  209 

people  of  this  territory  and  I  am  inclined  to  credit  the  declaration, 
so  far  as  they  are  concerned  as  a  tribe.  There  are,  doubtless,  quite  a 
number  of  Utahs  who  roam  with  the  Apache  Band,  known  as 
"  Jicarillas,"  and  aid  and  share  in  all  murders  and  depredations.  In 
this  opinion  I  am  sustained  by  the  military  authorities  of  Abiquin  and 
Taos,  and  by  the  entire  Mexican  population  at  and  near  the  former 
place. 

Genl.  Choice  also,  informs  me,  the  Chiefs  seemed  to  care  for  no 
other  purchases  but  powder,  and  think  the  Mexicans  supplied  them 
to  a  limited  extent.  The  Indians  said,  without  they  could  procure 
powder  thej^  would  suffer  for  the  want  of  meat.  The  Chiefs  ex- 
pressed great  anxiety  for  the  immediate  establishment  of  one  or  more 
trading  posts. 

I  am  decidedly  of  the  opinion  this  is  a  favorable  moment  to  dis- 
pose of  the  Utahs.  They  could  now  be  located  within  certain  fixed 
limits,  and  by  the  selection  of  a  suitable  Military  Post,  and  estab- 
lishing there  a  trading  point  their  well  being  would  be  promoted, 
other  tribes  could  be  prevented  from  making  to  them  improper 
visits,  and  their  entire  submission  secured.  But  to  accomplish  these 
results  troops,  additional  troops  are  necessary  in  this  territory. 

Since  it  has  ever  been  the  policy  of  our  Government  to  form  treaties 

one 
with  Indian  tribes,  I  give  it  as  my  opinion,  that  the  two  treaties, 
with  the  Navajos,  and  the  other  with  the  Utahs,  should  be  ratified, 
and  the  two  tribes  compelled  to  comply  with  the  stipulations  con- 
tained therein. 

In  relation  to  the  Navajos,  it  is  proper  to  mention,  they  have  been 
committing  numerous  depredations,  and  some  murders,  and  carrying 
off  captives  during  the  past  week.  These  Indians  ought,  and  must 
be,  severely  chastised  before  they  will  submit  to  a  proper  subjection. 

Since  the  murders  at  the  Waggon  Mound,  of  which  I  advised  you 
in  my  number  61.  (ten  dead  bodies  only  were  found)  the  Apaches 
seem  to  be  a  little  more  quiescent.  The  enclosed  copy  of  a  letter  from 
Maj  Steen  to  Governor  Munroe,  will  show  his  impressions.  Surely, 
surely,  a  just  and  severe  chastisement  awaits  these  people  for  their 
numerous  butcheries  perpetrated  since  the  first  of  October  last. 
I  am,  with  great  respect. 
Your  obt.  Servt. 


Orlando  Brown  Esqr 

Gomr  of  Ind.  Affs. 

Washington  City 

D.G. 


J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Aqt. 


5021—1.5 14 


210  COERESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[  Related  Correspondence.  ] 
[WHITTLESEY  TO  McLAWS.i] 

:  Santa  Fe  N.  Mex. 

June  10—1850 
Sib 

I  should  be  culpable  if  before  leaving  this  place  I  should  fail  to  bring  offi- 
cially to  the  notice  of  the  Col.  Comg  the  posture  of  affairs  in  the  Valley  of 
Taos  and  the  dangerous  situation  of  the  American  Citizens  in  that  place, 
without  military  protection  of  any  kind 

The  present  political  excitement  in  this  country  is  not  understood  by  the 
lower  class  of  Mexicans,  and  it  is  feared  by  intelligent  citizens  that  outrages 
may  be  committed  before  it  is  over.  Though  not  disposed  myself  to  be  an 
alarmist  yet  I  feel  it  my  duty  to  express  my  opinion  that  it  is  unsafe  to  leave 
Taos  any  longer  without  at  least  a  Detachment  of  ten  or  fifteen  men.  Con- 
siderable public  property — some  arms  a  munition  &c  are  now  there  with  no 
other  guard  than  some  half  dozen  ill-armed  teamsters 

The  revolutionary  character  of  the  inhabitants  of  that  Valley  is  well  known, 
and  should  be  guarded  against 
Respectfully  submitting  the  above 
I  have  the  honor  to  be 

Sir  Very  Respectfully 

J.  H.  Whittleset? 

1st  Lt  1st  Drags 

To   Lt.    McLaWS  *.i'*,»>-^-'-t  :^.-' 

Gen  9 — Mily  Dept  ~" 

[GRIER  TO  McLAWS.2] 

Hd  Qrs  Sqdn  1st  Deags 

Rayado,  N.  M.  June  18,  1850 
Sib, 

For  the  information  of  the  Col.  Commdg.  Department,  I  have  the  honor  to 
report  that  I  have,  this  day,  sent  Lieut  Taylor  with  '  G '  Compy  to  take  post 
at  Taos.  In  my  opinion,  the  presence  of  at  least  a  small  force  is  necessary 
there,  particularly  for  the  preservation  of  good  order,  during  the  approaching 
election —  I  have  not  the  slightest  confidence  in  the  honesty,  patriotism  or 
fidelity  of  the  people  of  Taos  Valley —  On  those  three  points  I  regard  them  as 
but  slightly  superior  to  the  Apache's 

I  expect  to  return  to  Taos  with  my  own  Company,  on  the  26th.  of  this  month, 
unless  I  receive  orders  to  the  contrary — 
Very  Respectfully 

Your  Obt  Servt 

Wm.  N.  Grieb 

Capt  &  Brvt  Majr 
Commdg  Sqdn  1st  Drags 
Lieut  L.  McLaws 

A.  A.  Adjt  General 

9th  Mil.  Dept. 

Santa  Fe 

N.  M. 

1  A.  G.  O.,  Files,  Department  of  New  Mexico,  W  3  of  1850. 
•9  Ibid.  G  23  of  1850. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 


211 


[CALHOUN   TO  BROWN.'] 

No.  64 


[CALHOUN   TO   BROWN/] 

No  65 

Indian  Agency, 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

June  15th  1850. 
Sir, 

I  have  but  a  moment  to  say,  the  Navajos  are  continuing  their 
depredations  on  the  west  side  of  the  Rio  del  Norte,  and  the  Pueblo 
Indians  are  living  in  a  constant  state  of  excitement — I  leave  this 
afternoon  on  a  visit  to  some  of  the  Pueblos,  for  the  purpose  of  as- 
certaining such  facts  as  I  may  be  able  to  glean. 

A  few  days  ago  a  package  of  papers  were  found  attached  to  the 
top  of  a  pole  that  had  been  planted  on  a  mound  in  the  Prairies, 
near,  or  within  the  borders  of  the  Comanche  country.  An  examina- 
tion of  the  papers  shows. 

1.  A  letter  from  President  Houston  dated  May  4,  1843.  to  Pah-hah- 
you-co  inviting  the  Comanches  to  visit  Bent's  Fort  for  the  purpose 
of  making  peace. 

2.  A  Treaty  of  Peace  duly  signed  by  J.  C.  Eldride  and  Pah-hah- 
you-co  dated,  Comanche  Encampment,  Augst  9th  1843. 

3.  A  letter  from  President  Jones  of  Texas  to  Pah-hah-you-co, 
inviting  the  Comanche  chiefs  to  meet  his  chiefs  at  the  Council  Ground 
at  Taliuacano  Creek — dated  July  14,  1845 

4.  A  "  Talk  sent  to  Pa-ha-eu-ka,  Head  Chief  of  the  Comanche 
Nation  by  P.  M.  Butler,  U.  S.  Commissioner,  11th  Deer.  1843  " 

5.  A  ratified  treaty  in  print,  "concluded  at  Council  Springs,  in 
the  County  of  Robinson,  Texas,  near  the  Brazos  river,  this  15th 
day  of  May,  A.  D.  184G,  P.  M.  Butler  and  M.  G.  Lewis,  Commis- 
sions "  &c  &c.  and  the  Chiefs  and  others  of  the  Comanche  &  other 
tribes  of  Indians= 

The  manner  in  which  these  pajoers  have  been  disposed  of  by  the 
Indians  is  significant  of  dissatisfaction,  if  not  mischief — The  Co- 
manches and  other  Indians  are  to  hold  a  Council  at  the  full  moon 
of  this  month,  somewhere  near  the  Rio  Colorado,  at  a  place  known 


1  Not  on  file  in  Indian  Office,  but  registered  in  O. 
2^\  1850. 


A,  L.  R.  No.  37,  under  date  Sept. 


O.  I.  A.  Santa  Fe. 
491 


Calhoun,  J.  C,  Agt 
Santa  F^,  New  Mex- 


June  13/50. 


Encloses  copies  of "  proposed 
constitution"  of  New  Mex- 
ico—remarks in  reference. 


*  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  402,  or, 
September  2,  1850,  C  491  i. 


icorded  in  L.  R.  No.  37  under  date  of 


212  COKRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

as  Suttons  Fort — twelve  days  travel  from  Santa  Fe — I  have  pro- 
cured an  old  Indian  trader  and  the  Governor  of  the  Pueblo  of 
Tesuque,  to  be  there  on  that  occasion. 

I  will  keep  you  fully  advised  of  all  important  movements  when- 
ever opportunities  present= 

No  news  yet  from  Washington  City — I  have  only  time  to  add,  I 
firmly  adhere  to  all  of  my  former  suggestions  in  reference  to  the 
best  and  most  economical  mode  of  adjusting  our  Indian  affairs  in 
this  territory. 
I  am, 

With  great  respect. 

Your  obt.  Servt. 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt. 
Orlando  Brown  Esq 

Gomr.  of  Ind.  A-ffs. 

Washington  City 

D.C 

[CALHOUN  TO  BROWN.'] 

No.  66. 

Indian  Agency. 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico. 

June  19th  1850 
Sir, 

In  connection  with  my  letter,  No.  66,  I  place  before  you  a  copy  of 
a  translation  from  the  Spanish,  of  a  communication  received  a  few 
days  ago  by  His  Excellency,  Governor  Munroe. 

"  River  Pecos,  June  10th  1850. 
The  Captains  of  the  Comanche  ^  tribe,  Yraquipa  and  Quisaqueca, 
have  joined  the  Apaches,  Jiccarilles  and  Mescaleros  for  the  purpose 
of  making  a  treaty  with  the  U.  S.  The  Apaches,  Mescaleros,  and 
Jiccarilles  ask  for  peace  on  condition  that  all  captives  in  their  hands 
shall  be  given  up,  and  that  all  in  the  possession  of  the  U.  S.  be- 
longing to  them,  shall,  also,  be  given  up.  The  Captains  of  the 
Comanches  request  His  Excellency,  the  Governor,  to  have  two  horses 
taken  from  some  rogues  on  the  lower  Rio  Grande.  One  is  a  black 
horse,  not  branded,  one  a  gray,  branded  with  a  Mexican  brand.  In 
case  these  horses  are  recovered,  please  send  them  to  their  proper 
owners. 

(Signed.)  Carentas  Asui.es.     El  Phnrtn. 

E.  LoBO.  E.  Bvrranquito 

Jose  Largo.  Santa  Ana. 


1  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F6  Agency.  C  493. 

•Connected  with  the  relations  lietween  the  Comanches  and  the  Apaches,  see  McLaws  to 
Grier,  June  28,   1850. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OP   JAMES  S.    CALHOUN.  213 

The  Governor  has  the  comniiiiiication  under  consideration,  but  I 
am  not  advised  as  to  the  inclination  of  his  mind. 

As  the  policy  of  the  Government  of  the  United  States  in  reference 
to  the  Indians  of  this  territory,  if  fixed,  is  not  known  here,  it  requires 
an  assumption  of  power  to  maintain  any  thing  like  respectability  in 
official  position.  The  consequences  will  be  seen  in  frequent  blunders, 
and,  perhaps,  some  mischief.  The  errors  of  the  head  should  be  ex- 
amined with  great  lenity,  for  our  charts  and  compasses  are  very 
mcomplete,  and  the  elements  of  society,  here,  do  not  favor  the  idea 
that  the  most  honest  guessing  will  accomplish  much  that  is  good. 

The  character  of  my  letters,  I  know,  have  afforded  the  Department 
no  pleasure,  nor  could  they  afford  pleasure  to  a  patriot  or  a  philan- 
thropist. I  have  faithfully  advised  you  in  relation  to  affairs  that  it 
was  my  privilege  to  allude  to.  But,  sir.  no  human  minds  can  ap- 
preciate, or  understand,  the  character  and  extent  of  the  disorder  in 
this  territory  without  being  personally  present,  and  I  regret  to  add, 
there  are  but  few  present  who  seem  to  laiow,  or  care  to  know  the 
true  condition  of  affairs.  There  are  those,  who,  if  they  can  counter- 
act honest  efforts  to  advance  the  public  good,  are  perfectly  content, 

are 
and  there  those  who  are  so  recklessly  bent,  to  accomplish  their 

ends  niether  life  or  character  would  be  regarded  for  a  moment. 

To-morrow  the  proposed  Constitution,  for  a  State  Government,  is 
to  be  passed  upon  by  the  people.  At  the  same  time,  a  Governor, 
Lieut.  Governor,  a  Representative  to  Congress,  and  Members  for  a 
State  Legislature,  are  to  be  elected.  The  Pueblo  Indians  are  excited, 
the  Mexicans  are  excited,  and  a  certain  class  of  Americans  are  greatly 
excited.  The  most  unimaginable  incongruities  have  combined,  and 
are  divided  into  two  parties,  neither  possessing  the  characteristics  of 
a  national  party.  It  is  a  contest  between  those  who  have  controlled, 
officially,  since  Genl.  Kearney's  organization  of  this  territory,  and  a 
portion  of  the  people  who  have  not  approved  the  civil  administration 
of  public  affairs — because  they  thought  it  was  arbitrary,  partial  and 
unjust  in  its  operations,  and  all  territorial  legislation  suppressed. 
The  people  never  have  been  permitted  a  solitary  voice  in  the  selec- 
tion of  public  functionaries.  The  contest  is  extremely  violent.  The 
Pueblo  Indians  have  been  called  upon  by  both  parties,  and  during 
the  week  past,  various  deputations  have  called  upon  me  for  advice. 
Up  to  the  issuing  of  Governor  Munroe's  Proclamation  of  the  6th 
inst.,  herein  enclosed,  there  seemed  to  be  a  general  disposition,  upon 
the  part  of  the  Indians,  to  have  nothing  to  do  with  the  elections,  and 
J   approved,  most  heartily,  their  determination.     The  propriety  of 


214  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

has 
issuing  the  proclamation,  is  not  apparent  to  me,  It  had  the  effect 
of  agitating  and  disturbing  the  minds  of  these  Indians,  and  my  situa- 
tion is  rendered  exceedingly  awkard  and  disagreeable.  The  ac- 
companying half  sheet,  will  show  the  use  that  is  made  of  it,  and 
many  of  the  Indians  are  inclined  to  the  opinion  they  are  to  be  aban- 
doned by  their  Great  Father,  the  President  of  the  United  States.  In 
order  to  avoid  the  appearance  of  official  Collision,  I  have  deemed  it 
advisable  to  abstain  from  smy  effort  to  counteract  the  apparent  design 
ef  the  in  issuing  the  proclamation.  This  course  I  have  adopted  with- 
out the  slightest  change  in  my  views  in  reference  to  these  Indians. 
For  the  present,  they  should  remain  under  the  exclusive  jurisdiction 
of  the  Government  of  the  United  States.  My  reasons  for  this  decided 
opinion,  I  have  had  occasion  to  give  you  in  my  previous  letters,  and 
I  will  not  trouble  you  with  a  repetition  of  them. 

I  am, 
>  With  great  respect, 

Your  obt.  servt. 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt. 
Orlando  Brown  Esqr. 
Co7nr.  of  Ind.  Af». 
Washington  City 

B.C. 

[  Inclosure.  ] 

a   U')S   INOIOS  DE   PITEBLO   DE   NUEVO   MEJIfO. 

Para  evitar  que  sea  uzado  un  influjo  bajo  el  pretesto  de  autoridad 
oficial,  dando  una  direccion  a  sus  votos  en  la  procsima  eleccion. 

Por  cuanto,  esta  declarado  que  sus  derechos  de  votar  sobre  la 
adopccion  de  la  Constitucion  de  Estado,  y  por  los  Candidates  que 
scan  de  su  gusto,  o  rehusar  de  hacerlo,  quedandose  en  sus  casas  como 
en  su  juicio  lo  crean  mejor  esta  plenamente  reconocido,  y  que  ningun 
agente  oficial  del  gobierno  esta  autorizado  de  atentar,  gobernar, 
dirigir  o  de  otra  manera  influir  con  V.  V.  en  el  ejercicio  libre  e  inde- 
pendiente  de  este  derecho. 

Dado  bajo  mi  firma  en  la  Casa  de  Gobierno  de  la  Ciudad  de  Santa 
Fe  este  dia  6,  de  Junio  del  ano  de  nuestro  Senor  de  1850. 

John  Munroe, 
Gohernndor  Civil  y  Military  del  Territorio  de  N .  Mexico. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.   CALHOUN.  215 

[Related  Correspondence.] 
[McLAWS  TO   GRIER.i] 

Hd.  Qrs  9  Mil:  Dept  : 
Santa  Fe  N.  Mex:  June  28/50. 
Major, 

I  have  the  honor  herewith  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  communication 
of  the  26th  reporting  the  descent  of  a  band  of  Apaches  &  Comanches  on  the 
Royado  &  your  intention  of  starting  in  pursuit  so  soon  as  reinforcements  could 
be  received  from  Taos  &  Las  Vegas. 

The  Reports  of  Indian  Depredations  are  such  that  Col.  Munroe  directs  that 
you  must  not  go  on  any  Expedition  so  distant  from  your  Post  as  to  prevent  a 
recall  in  case  an  emergency  should  require  you  in  another  direction. 

A  party  of  about  twenty  Camanches  have  been  among  the  San  Domingo 
Indians  for  the  purpose  of  making  a  Treaty  with  them,  these  are  circumstances 
in  regard  to  that  Fact  in  connection  with  the  report,  that  two  hundred  of  the 
same  tribe  are  about  the  Placer  who  intend  efoasing  the  River  for  the  purpose  of 

which 
engaging  the  Navajos  so  soon  as  they  can  cross  the  Rio  Grande  will  show 

the  necessity  of  requiring  that  a  sufficient  number  of  Troops  be  held  in  readi- 
ness to  act  so  as  to  defeat  any  combinations  between  the  Pueblo  «&  Comanche 
Indians  or  to  put  down  any  War  between  tribes  which  would  result  injuriously 
to  this  Territory. 

Until  the  above  reports,  are  in  some  way  elucidated,  your  instructions  before 
mentioned  will  remain  in  force. 

All  proper  measures  have  been  taken  to  gain  requisite  information  &  you 
will  be  notified  of  the  result  at  an  early  period. 
Respectfully 

Your  obt.  Servt. 

L.  McLaws 
Ist  Lt  7th  Infy 

AAA  aenl. 
Major  W.  N.  Grieb 

Comdg 
Rayado 

[CRAWFORD   TO   CALHOUN.'] 

War  Department 
Washmgton,  July  2d  1850 
Calhoun,  Colonel  J.  S, 

Santa  Fe* 
New  Mexico. 
Sir, 

Your  letter  of  May  11th  commending  to  the  favorable  consideration 
of  the  Department,  the  claims  of  Lieut.  J.  H.  Simpson  to  brevet 
rank,  has  been  received. 


»A.  G.  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  3,  pp.  110-111. 

«  A,  G.  O.,  M.  B.,  No.  30,  p.  225  ;  Files,  C  11  of  1850. 


216 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 


It  is  the  determination  of  the  President  not  to  take  any  action  on 
this  subject  until  the  question  of  brevet  rank,  which  has  been  sub- 
mitted to  Congress,  shall  have  been  definitely  acted  on.  Your  letter 
will  therefore  be  placed  on  file  and  brought  to  the  notice  of  the  Presi- 
dent, when  the  subject  of  brevets  shall  be  under  consideration  by  him. 
Very  respectfully.  Your  Obt  Serv 

Geo  W.  Crawford 

Secretary  of  War 

[CALHOUN   TO   BROWN.'] 

No.  or. 

[CALHOUN   TO    BROWN.'] 

No  r,8. 


Indian  Agency. 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico, 

_  \  J  nly  15.1850 

Sir, 

The  receipt  of  your  communications  of  the  24th  of  April  and  the 
6th  of  May,  of  the  present  year,  is  hereby  acknowledged. 

A  mail  leaves  here  to-day,  for  the  United  States,  and  it  is  my  pur- 
pose to  submit  for  your  consideration,  as  briefly  as  possible,  several 
topics  of  some  importance. 

AVliile  the  Comanches  have  been  roving  through  this  territory,  in 
various  directions,  without  manifesting  any  decided  purpose,  so  far 
as  my  knowledge  extends,  the  x\paches  and  Navajos  have  not  been 
idle.  The  Apaches,  and  perhaps  others  with  them,  a  few  days  ago, 
drove  off  quite  a  number  of  animals,  killed  one  soldier  and   an 

>  Not  on  file  in  Indian  Office;  but  the  substance  of  it  is  given  in  O.  I.  A.,  L.  R.  No.  37,  under  date  of 
September  6, 1850. 


Relates  to  excitement  among 
the  Pueblo  Indians  after 
elections,  (at  which  some 
of  them  voted,)  and  the 
cause  thereof — to  efl'orts 
made  to  bring  him  into 
disrepute  wilh  the  In- 
dians, &  to  deputations 
having  visited  him  to 
know  if  he  was  their 
agent— to  their  impres- 
sions regarding  him.— En- 
closes talk  issued  to  them 
by  Gov:  Munroe,  since 
Which  all  is  quiet,  and 
hey  anxious  to  hear  from 
Washington.— Also  re- 
lates to  certata  roving 
bodies  Comanches  in 
mountains  (to  whom  he 
sent  agents),  and  to  their 
depredations— &c. 


A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  0  495. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  217 

American,  almost  within  sight  of  the  Military  Post  of  Rayado,  com- 
manded by  Maj.  Grier.  The  number  of  Indians  was  supposed  to  be 
some  three  hundred,  and,  I  presume,  the  few  troops  we  had  at 
Rayado  were  compelled  to  maintain  a  defensive  attitude.  I  have 
heard  that  Maj.  Steen  in  attempting  to  penetrate  the  Apache  coun- 
try, east  of  Donafia,  discovered  that  he  was  in  the  neighborhood  of 
a  very  large  body  of  Indians,  who  were  amusing  themselves  with  the 
display  of  red  and  white  flags.  The  Major,  in  my  opinion,  would 
have  been  exceedingly  indiscreet  if  he  had  not  immediately  returned 
to  his  post. 

The  Navajos  have  driven  off  Stock  in  large  numbers,  west  of  the 
Rio  del  Xorte,  and  seized  a  few  captives,  but  I  am  not  advised  of 
r.ny  murders  committed  by  them  during  the  present  month. 

An  associated  gang  of  Utahs,  a  few  weeks  ago,  drove  off  some 
forty  animals,  from  a  place  called  Rita,  about  ten  miles  north  of 
Abiquin.  The  Utah  chiefs  have  secured  the  animals,  sent  word  to 
the  owners,  they  were  ready  to  deliver  them  up,  and  had  severely 
chastised  the  thieves. 

The  wild  Indians  are  moving,  generally,  in  the  direction  of  the 
Arkansas,  they  say,  for  the  purpose  of  securing  Buffalo.  I  shall  be 
mistaken  if  we  do  not  hear  of  mischief,  of  some  sort,  from  that 
quarter. 

On  the  4th  of  this  month,  an  Apache  who  had  been  confined  in 
prison  for  several  months  past,  for  murder,  made  a  desperate  effort 
to  escape,  wounded,  severely,  three  soldiers,  one  since  dead,  and  his 
murderous  purposes  were  arrested  by  the  timely  arrival  of  a  fourth 
soldier,  who  plunged  his  bayonet  through  the  body  of  the  Indian, 
who  fell  immediately  dead. 

During  the  night  before  the  last,  an  American,  for  what  purpose  is 
not  known,  was  clambering  over  a  corral  wall,  in  which  public  ani- 
mals were  kept,  and  not  answering  to  the  challenge  of  the  Sentinel 
on  duty  there,  was  Shot  through  the  head,  and  died  immediately 
thereafter. 

This  morning,  a  soldier,  a  german,  deliberately  shot  himself 
through  the  head,  with  his  musket,  and  is  dead. 

The  constitution  submitted  to  the  people  for  a  state  organization, 
on  the  20th  of  last  month,  was  approved  with  a  voice,  almost  unani- 
mous. The  party,  as  such,  to  whom  the  Governor  had  committed 
the  formation  of  the  State  Government,  submitted  to  an  overwhelm- 
ing defeat,  and  the  party  who  commenced  the  agitation  of  the  ques- 
tion during  the  fall  past,  triumphed.  Maj,  R.  H.  Weightman,  and 
Maj.  Cunningham,  Pay  Master,  have  been  elected  Senators  to  Con- 
gress by  the  Legislature  now  in  Session.  Maj  Weightman  leaves 
to-day  for  Washington. 


218  COKKESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.' 

I  enclose  you  a  Proclamation  of  Governor  Munroe  authorizing  the 
Legislature  to  assemble — The  Legislature  are  not  manifesting  much 
respect  for  the  limitations  and  restrictions  contained  therein,  and 
point  to  California  as  a  proper  precedent.  Dr  Connelly,  the  Gov- 
ernor elect,  who  was  supported  by  both  parties  in  the  Southern  Coun- 
ties, is  not  in  the  territory,  and  the  Lieut  Governor,  Alvarez,  is  the 
acting  Governor — between  whom,  and  Governor  Munroe,  an  un- 
pleasant correspondence  has  occurred,  in  which,  I  understand.  Gov- 
ernor Munroe  ^  announces  his  purpose  to  sustain,  with  all  the  power 
at  his  command,  the  authorized  officials  under  the  Kearney  code, 
who,  until  recently,  were  violently  opposed  to  a  State  Government. 

This  annunciation  gives  great  dissatisfaction  to  the  Legislature, 
as  they  look  upon  the  old  civil  officials  as  micheivously  purposed, 
and  who  have  held  arbitrary  sway  for  four  years,  and  in  the  mean 
time,  the  people  have  never  been  permitted  to  select  an  agent,  except 
once,  in  1847,  during  the  war,  they  were  permitted  to  elect  members 
to  a  Legislature — And  now,  that  the  Governor,  reluctantly,  author- 
ized a  convention  to  form  a  constitution,  which  the  people  have 
adopted,  and  authorized  the  Legislature  to  assemble,  they  say,  the 
Governor  (Munroe)  ought  not  to  force  upon  them  rulers  they  have 
so  long  detested  and  feared,  and  whom  they  have  condemned  by  an 
overwhelming  majority — What  will  be  the  result  of  this  diasagree- 
ment,  we  cannot  tell — The  minority  charge  the  majority  with  revo- 
lutionary and  treasonable  designs,  a  charge  that  I  do  not  think  can 
be  dignified  as  a  hallucination — As  to  the  merits  of  the  controversy 

me 
between  Governor  Munroe  and  Alvarez,  it  would  ill  become         to 
utter  a  word. 

When  I  commenced  this  letter,  I  had  intended  to  have  included  in 
to 
it,  the  information,        which  you  called  m.y  attention  in  the  conclu- 
sion of  your  letter  of  the  24th  of  April  last,  but  on  reflection,  I  have 
concluded  to  transmit  it  to  you  in  a  separate  letter. 
I  am. 

Sir, 

Your  obt.  sert. 

James  S.  Calhoun, 

Ind.  Agt 
Orlando  Brown  Esqr. 

Gomr.  of  Ind.  Ajfs. 

Washington  City. 
D.G. 


»Witb   reference   to   this  trouble,   see   letter   from    Conrad    to    Munroe,    acknowledging 
Munroe's  letter  of  July  16,  1850. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  219 

PHOCLAMATION.^ 

Whereas,  the  people  of  New  Mexico,  by  their  Delegates  in  Con- 
vention assembled,  did,  on  the  25th  day  of  May,  frame  a  State  Con- 
stitution for  the  Territory  of  New  Mexico,  and  request  the  present 
Civil  and  Military  Governor  of  this  Territory  to  issue  a  Proclamation 
for  Elections,  for  the  purpose  of  submitting  the  same  to  the  people, 
and  for  the  purpose  of  electing  such  officers  as  are  provided  to  be  so 
elected  in  said  Constitution: 

Therefore,  I,  John  Munroe,  Civil  and  Military  Governor  of  the 
Territory  of  New  Mexico,  do  hereby  direct  that  the  qualified  electors 
shall  assemble  at  the  precincts  of  their  respective  counties  on  Thurs- 
day, the  20th  day  of  June  next,  between  the  rising  and  setting  of  the 
sun,  to  vote  on  a  separate  ballot  for  or  against  the  Constitution  as 
framed  by  the  Convention,  the  same  to  be  deposited  in  a  separate 
box ;  and  on  another  separate  ballot  to  be  deposited  in  a  separate  box, 
for  Governor,  Lieut.  Governor,  Representatives  to  Congi-ess,  and  for 
Senators  and  Representatives  to  a  State  Legislature,  to  convene  at 
the  Capitol  on  Monday,  the  first  day  of  July  next.  It  being  provided 
and  understood  that  the  election  of  all  officers  in  this  election  can 
only  be  valid  by  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution  by  the  people  and 
otherwise  null  and  void ;  and  that  all  action  of  the  Governor,  Lieut. 
Governor,  and  of  the  Legislature,  shall  remain  inoperative  until  New 
Mexico  be  admitted  as  a  State  under  said  Constitution,  except  such 
acts  as  may  be  necessary  for  the  primary  ste])s  of  organization,  and 
the  presentation  of  said  Constitution  properly  before  the  Congress 
of  the  United  States. 

The  present  Government  shall  remain  in  full  force  until  by  the 
action  of  Congress  another  shall  be  substituted. 

The  election  shall  be  conducted  in  manner  and  form  as  prescribed 
in  the  statute  laws  now  in  force  in  this  Territory,  except  that  the 
Prefects  are  hereb}^  directed  forthwith  upon  the  receipt  of  this 
Proclamation,  to  divide  their  respective  counties  into  convenient 
election  precincts,  and  to  appoint  three  discreet  persons  in  each  pre- 
cinct as  judges  of  election,  who  shall  appoint  two  clerks  of  their 
respective  precincts. 

The  Prefects,  with  the  assistance  of  the  Prefects'  clerks,  shall 
within  six  days  after  the  election  count  up  all  the  votes  in  the  returns 
of  the  several  precincts  of  their  counties,  and  shall  immediately  issue 
certificates  of  election  under  their  hands  to  the  persons  having  the 
highest  number  of  votes  for  Representatives  to  the  State  Legislature. 

They  sh.nll  also  make  a  fair  abstract  of  the  returns  from  the  several 
precincts  of  their  respective  counties  of  all  the  votes  for  and  against 
the  Constitution,  for  Governor,  Lieut.  Governor,  Representatives  to 

1  This  proclamation  is  filed  with  Calhoun's  lotter  but  is  evidently  not  the  one  to  which 
he,  whon  writing,  hnd  refereuco. 


220  CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

Congress,  and  State  Senators,  and  despatch  the  same  immediately, 
certified  under  their  hands,  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Territory,  who 
shall  issue  certificates  of  election  to  the  persons  having  the  highest 
number  of  votes  for  members  of  the  State  Senate,  and  shall  lay  such 
returns  before  the  two  houses  of  the  Legislature  upon  the  first  day 
of  their  session  and  immediately  upon  their  being  organised. 

The  number  of  Representatives  and  Senators  for  the  respective 
counties  and  districts  for  the  State  Legislature,  shall  be  the  same  as 
prescribed  for  the  Territorial  Legislature  in  the  statute  laws  of  this 
Territory  now  in  force. 

When  any  county  officer  whose  duty  it  may  be  to  sum  up  or  make 
returns  of  votes  or  certificates  of  election,  shall  be  a  candidate  for 
any  office,  the  senor  Alcalde  of  such  county  shall  be  required  to  aid 
in  counting  up  said  votes,  and  shall  in  place  of  such  officer,  being  a 
candidate,  sign  all  certificates  of  elections  as  hereinbefore  prescribed. 

Given  under  my  hand  at  the  Government  House,  City  of  Santa  Fe, 
this  28th  day  of  May,  A.  D.,  1850. 

John  Munroe, 
Civil  and  Military  Governor  TerHtory  of  New  Mexico. 

[Related  Correspondence.] 

[ CONRAD  TO  MUNROE.^] 

Wab  Department 
WafiMngton  Sept  10th  1850 
Munroe,  Brevet  Colonel  J. 

Fort  Marcy, 
Santa  F6 
Neio  Mexico. 
Sir 

Your  letter,  addressed  to  the  Adjutant  General,  dated  Santa  F6,  New  Mexico 
July  16'  1850,  has  reached  this  Department,  and,  together  with  the  documents 
ficcompanying  the  same,  been  submitted  to  the  President.  I  am  directed  to 
malje  the  following  reply. 

The  President  has  learnt  with  regret  that  any  misunderstanding  should  exist 
between  a  portion  of  the  people  of  New  Mexico  and  yourself  in  relation  to  the 
Government  of  that  country,  and  hastens  to  relieve  you  from  the  embarrassment 
in  which  that  misunderstanding  has  placed  you. 

I  have  now  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that  Congress  has  at  length  passed  a 
law  providing  for  the  establishment  of  a  teri'itorial  government  in  New  Mexico. 
The  President  will  proceed  with  the  least  possible  delay  to  organize  the  govern- 
ment, and  as  soon  as  it  goes  into  operation,  all  controversy,  as  to  what  is  the 
proper  government  of  New  Mexico,  must  be  at  an  end.  and  the  anomalous 
state  of  things  which  now  exists  there  will  be  determined.  You  will  perceive 
however  that  the  same  act,  (a  duly  authenticated  copy  of  which  accompanies 
this  communication)  also  fixes  the  boundary  between  New  Mexico  and  Texas, 
and  that  its  operation  is  suspended  until  the  assent  of  Texas  shall  have  been 
given  to  the  boundary  established  by  the  Act. 


A.  G.  O.,  M.  B.,  No.  30,  pp.  268-264. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES  S.    CALHOUN,  221 

Although  there  is  little  doubt  that  such  assent  will  be  given,  yet,  as  some  time 
must  elapse  before  it  can  be  obtained,  it  is  proper  that  some  instructions  should 
be  furnished  for  your  guidance  in  the  interval. 

It  is  at  all  times  desirable  that  the  civil  and  military  departments  of  the 
government  should  be  kept  entirely  distinct.  Although  circumstances  may 
occasionally  arise  which  require  a  temporary  departure  from  this  principle, 
that  departure  should  cease  with  the  necessity  which  occasioned  it.  No  neces- 
sity seems  to  exist  at  present  for  departing  from  it  in  regard  to  New  Mexico. 
The  country  is  represented  to  be  tranquil,  and  although  the  inhabitants  have 
undertaken  to  establish  a  government  for  themselves,  without  the  authority 
of  a  previous  Act  of  Congress,  nevertheless  there  is  no  reason  to  believe  that, 
in  so  doing,  they  intended  to  throw  off  their  allegiance  to  the  United  States,  and 
as  the  government  they  seek  to  establish  is  entirely  consistent  with  the  lawful 
authority  and  dominion  of  the  United  States  in  and  over  the  Territory  and  its 
inhabitants,  the  President  does  not  consider  himself  called  upon  to  suppress  it 
by  military  force.  Unless,  therefore,  it  should  become  necessary  to  suppress 
rebellion  or  resist  actual  hostilities  against  the  United  States,  (an  event  hardly 
to  be  apprehended)  or  unless  the  inhabitants  or  a  portion  of  them  should  de- 
mand from  you  that  protection  which  is  guarantied  to  them  by  the  9th  Article 
of  the  Treaty  of  Guadalupe  Hidalgo,  you  are  directed  to  abstain  from  all  fur- 
ther interference  in  the  civil  or  political  affairs  of  that  country. 

In  case  you  should  have  any  further  communications  to  make  to  this  Depart- 
ment in  relation  to  the  civil  and  political  affairs  of  New  Mexico,  you  will  ad- 
dress them  directly  to  the  Head  of  this  Department. 
Very  respectfully.  Your  Obt  Serv 

C  M.  Conrad 
Secretary  of  War. 

[CALHOUN  TO  BROWN.'] 

No.  69. 

Indian  Agency 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico. 

July  15,  1850 
Sir, 

By  or  before  the  first  day  of  June,  last,  I  have  reason  to  beleive, 
you  received  my  letters,  Nos.  50  and  51.  These  two  letters  have  con- 
veyed to  you  my  opinions  of  a  Suitable  organization  for  the  Indian 
Service  in  New  Mexico,  and  the  amount  of  expenditures  that  I  deem 
absolutely  necessary  in  order  to  carry  it  out  in  a  proper  and  efficient 
manner. 

My  opinions  in  relation  to  "  one  general  superintendent "  &c.  are 
in  perfect  accord  with  those  of  the  Department,  as  I  have  heretofore 
written.  I  regret  exceedingly  that  I  have  not  seen  your  "  annual 
report ". 

iQ.  I.  A.,  Santa  F4  Agency,  C  496. 


222  COREESPONDEISrCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

In  your  remark,  "  better  too  many  than  too  few  "  Asrents.  I  fully 
concur;  but  I  am  really  astonished  at  the  authoritative  manner  in 
which  tlie  Hon.  H.  N.  Smith  states  that  the  Jiccarillas  "  are  entirely 
separate  and  distinct  from  any  other  tribe  ".  This  statement  is  an- 
tagonistical  to  every  particle  of  information  that  has  reached  me  in 
reference  to  these  Indians.  These  people  to  some  extent,  are  the 
issue  of  Apaches  and  Comanches — but  to  a  much  greater  extent, 
Apaches  and  Utahs.  At  least,  this  is  my  understanding  of  the 
subject. 

In  relation  to  the  number  of  Pueblo  Indians,  for  reasons  which  I 
have  heretofore  given  you,  I  can  not  agree  with  Mr.  Smith  in  his 
estimate — 7,000.  In  my  number  51,  my  views  are  given  in  reference 
to  Agents  and  Sub-agents,  and  expenditures  generally.  I  am  aware 
that  if  we  look  at  the  number  of  the  Indians  only,  the  number  of 
agents,  which  I  recommend,  would  seem  to  be  unreasonable.  On  the 
section  of  a  map  which  I  enclosed  to  you  in  my  No.  50,  the  spots 
upon  which  Pueblos  are  built,  are  somewhat,  accurately  marked — By 
an  examination  of  it,  and  remembering  the  topography  of  the  coun- 
try, you  will  not  fail  to  perceive  why  it  is,  the  number  of  agents  must 
be  greatly  disproportioned  to  the  number  of  Indians — And  here,  I 

these  Indians 
may  remark,  may  be  easily  managed,  if  properly  pro- 

tected and  cared  for — But,  if  driven  to  desperation,  and  they  combine 
their  forces,  it  will  be  no  easy  matter  to  subdue  them. 

I  am  inclined  to  think,  my  Nos  50  &  51.  contain  all  the  informa- 
tion you  desire,  except  as  to  mechanics — I  would  recommend  a  Black- 
smith, and  a  man  who  could  make  Waggons  and  Plough  Stocks, 
should  be  attached  to  the  Agency  of  each  district — Such  Mechanics 
would  have  to  be  sent  from  the  States,  and  all  the  tools  necessary  for 
their  trade. 

In  my  number  24.  my  views  are  defined  in  reference  to  the  present 
laws  regulating  trade  and  intercourse  with  Indians  &c.  The  amend- 
ments therein  suggested,  would  adapt  them  to  the  peculiar  condition 
of  affairs  in  this  territory,  and,  perhaps,  improve  their  eiEciency 
elsewhere. 

With  great  respect, 

Your  obt.  servt, 

J.  S.  Calhoun, 

Ind.  Agt 

Orlando  Brown  Esqr. 

Comr.  of  Ind  Affs 


CORKESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUX.  223 

[Related  Correspondence.] 

[brown  to  smith.'] 

Office  Indian  Affairs 

Fehruary  27,  1850 
Smith  Hon  H  N 

of  New  Mexico,  noio  in  Washington 
Sir: 

The  Department  bas  under  consideration  the  subject  of  a  suitable  organization 
and  arrangements  for  the  proper  management  of  our  Indian  relations  in  New- 
Mexico,  and  which  will  tend  to  put  an  end  to  existing  difficulties  and  prevent 
their  recurrence.  I  am  well  aware  that  our  main  reliance  to  I^eep  the  Indians 
in  proper  subjection,  and  to  prevent  difficulties  between  them  and  our  citizens, 
must  be  upon  an  efficient  military  force ;  but  the  services  of  active  and  efficient 
agents  are  also  essential.  It  is  by  and  through  such  officers  that  our  Indian 
relations  must  be  directly  managed  and  controlled ;  and  it  is  deemed  important 
that  an  adequate  number  be  provided  for  by  Congress  as  early  as  possible. 
Anxious  to  have  the  aid  of  the  best  advice  and  information  in  my  power  ta 
obtain,  I  would  be  glad  to  have  your  views  on  some  points  connected  with  the 
subject,  about  which  the  Department  is  not  so  well  informed  as  is  desirable 

Col  Calhoun,  our  Indian  Agent  at  Santa  Fe,  is  of  the  opinion  that  all  the 
roving  tribes  of  New  Mexico — those  that  have  no  fixed  and  permanent  place  of 
residence — may  be  regarded  as  consisting  of  the  Comanches,  Apaches,  Navajoes, 
and  Utahs,  and  that  all  others — excluding  those  found  in  the  vicinity  of  the  head 
waters  of  the  Arkansas  River — are  but  offshoots  from  these,  who  have  become 
more  or  less  intermixed  and  amalgamated  together.  He  recommends  that  the 
limits  of  the  country  properly  claimed  by  these  four  tribes  be  ascertained  and 
clearly  defined,  and  that  they  with  the  fugitive  or  offshoot  bands,  should  be 
compelled  to  remain  within  them.  Such  a  measure  it  is  presumed  could  only 
properly  be  brought  about  by  treaties  with  these  Indians,  to  be  negotiated  by 
Commissioners  appointed  for  the  purpose.  The  further  question  arises  whether 
one  Agent  for  each  of  these  tribes  will  be  sufficient,  and  it  is  i)resumed  it  will, 
at  least  after  such  an  arrangement  as  that  above  suggested. 

The  Indians  of  New  Mexico,  not  included  in  or  belonging  to  those  above  men- 
tioned, as  I  understand  Agent  Calhoun's  view^s.  are  all  to  be  classed  under  the 
head  of  Pueblos — not  because  they  are  all  of  one  tribe,  or  speak  the  same,  or 
even  similar  language,  but  because  they  have  all  fixed  habitations,  called 
Pueblos,  and  in  their  disposition,  pursuits,  and  habits,  closely  resemble  each 
other.  These  Pueblos,  embracing  about  12000  Indians,  as  estimated  by  Col 
Calhoim,  he  states  are  scattered  over  a  considerable  section  of  country,  &  he 
recommends  that  they  be  divided  into  about  six  districts  and  an  Agent  appointed 
for  each.  This  would  seem  to  be  a  large  number  of  Agents  for  the  number  of 
Indians,  bearing  the  character  they  do  for  being  in  a  considerable  degree  civil- 
ized, peaceably  disposed  and  industrious. 

The  Indians  of  the  difl!erent  Pueblos,  it  is  stated  claim  a  greater  or  less 
extent  of  country — portions  of  which  are  claimed  also  by  whites,  under  Spanish 
or  Mexican  grants  or  otherwise.  Col  Calhoun  considers  it  very  important  that 
these  conflicting  claims  be  adjusted  at  an  early  day,  and  the  limits  of  the  Indian 
possessions  be  fixed  and  well  defined;  and  he  states  that  the  Pueblos  are  very 
anxious  to  have  the  laws  of  the  United  States  regulating  trade  and  intercourse 


»  O.  I.  A.,  L.  B.,  No.  43,  pp.  46-47. 


224  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN, 

with  our  ludiau  tribes  extended  over  them,  so  that  they  may  be  protected  from 
improper  intrusions  from  the  whites,  and  be  free  to  enjoy  their  own  peculiar 
modes  of  government;  with  which  privilege  it  is  stated  the  whites  are  disposed 
to  interfere.  The  questions  of  the  extension  of  these  laws  over  the  other 
Indians  of  New  Mexico ;  how  far  they  are  applicable,  and  what  modifications, 
if  any,  should  be  made  in  them  to  render  them  so,  are  also  subjects  for  con- 
sideration, upon  which  the  Department  has  no  satisfactory  information  I 
enclose  a  copy  of  the  principal  law  upon  the  subject  for  your  examination. 

Another  matter  upon  which  the  Department  is  at  a  loss  to  form  a  satis- 
factory judgment,  is  as  to  what  amount  would  be  a  fair  and  just  compensation 
to  a  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs  in  the  Territory,  should  Congress  provide 
an  independent  one,  and  to  Agents  and  Sub  Agents  and  interpreters.  I  am 
aware,  from  the  increased  expense  of  living,  their  more  exposed  positions,  and 
the  greater  perplexity  and  difficulty  of  their  duties,  that  larger  allowances,  to 
some  extent,  should  be  made  to  them  than  those  fixed  by  existing  laws  for  such 
officers  and  employees,  generally;  but  I  am  altogether  at  a  loss  to  know  what 
amounts  to  recommend  for  the  consideration  of  Congress. 

I  would  respectfully  ask  your  consideration  of  the  several  subjects  referred 
to  in  this  letter,  and  would  be  much  indebted  to  you  for  your  views  and 
opinions  in  regard  to  them,  or  upon  any  other  points  connected  with  the 
proper  management  of  our  Indian  relations  in  New  Mexico,  which  should  be 
considered  in  the  preparation  of  a  report  upon  the  subject. 

If  you  would  like  to  examine  Col.  Calhoun's  reports  it  will  give  me  pleasure 
to  submit  them  to  you  if  you  will  call  at  the  office. 

O  B 
[smith  TO  BROWN.^] 

Washington  City  March  9tJi   1850 
Sib 

Your  letter  of  Feby  27th  upon  the  subject  of  our  Indian  relations  in  New 
Mexico  has  been  received,  and  in  reply  I  would  remark  that  while  I  entirely 
concur  with  you  in  opinion  that  our  main  reliance  to  keep  the  Indians  in  a 
proper  subjection  and  prevent  the  recurrence  of  those  depredations  and  acts 
of  outrage  which  have  so  long  afflicted  New  Mexico,  must  be  upon  the  efficient 
and  active  Military  force,  still  your  department  can  effect  a  great  deal  for  us. 

The  appointment  and  proper  distribution  of  a  suitable  number  of  Indian 
agents  in  that  country,  would  enable  the  government  to  act  correctly  and  ad- 

to 
visedly  both  with  a  view  the  interest  of  the  Iiuliau  and  also  of  the  emigrants 
and  settlers  in  that  country,  when  the  government  undertakes  (which  it  must 
do)  to  mark  out  and  set  apart  the  country  which  it  intends  shall  be  the  perma- 
nent and  future  home  of  each  sei)arate  and  distinct  tribe.  The  agents  would 
also  be  able  to  give  the  government  officers  immediate  and  correct  information 
of  all  acts  of  hostility  committed  by  the  different  tribes,  of  their  different 
localities  and  haunts,  so  that  they  might  be  pursued  and  punished  immediately; 
a  prompt  retribution  has  a  better  effect  than  even  a  severer  punishment  after 
a  long  delay.  The  agents  would  be  of  great  service  in  carrying  out  that  stipu- 
lation of  our  recent  treaty  with  Mexico  whereby  we  agree  to  restore  to  liberty 
all  those  Mexican  captives  now  in  possession  of  the  Indians  who  have  become 
incorporated  within  our  limits.  The  agents  would  be  necessary  in  regulating 
the  proper  intercourse  of  traders  with  those  Indians,  as  much  of  our  «  diffi- 
culty with  them  arises  in  my  opinion  from  the  misconduct  of  lawless  and  im- 
proper persons  who  are  allowed  to  go  among  them  under  pretense  of  trading. 


O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  S  449. 


CORKESPONDENCE   OP   JAMES  S.    CALHOUN.  225 

I  do  not  think  the  Indians  in  and  surrounding  New  Mexico  are  so  lazy  and 
indolent  as  tribes  nearer  here  and  bordering  upon  our  own  civilization.  After 
they  are  once  reduced  to  a  proper  subjection  and  made  to  feel  the  Strength  and 
power  of  our  government  and  afterwards  experience  its  clemency  and  kindness, 
I  am  of  opinion  that  they  can  easily  be  induced  to  adopt  an  agricultural  life, 
that  they  will  prove  to  be  very  tractable,  and  under  the  guidance  of  discreet  and 
worthy  agents  we  may  yet  see  some  of  their  rich  mountain  valleys  teeming 
with  the  produce  of  a  laborious  cultivation.  The  Spaniards  reclaimed  from 
Savage  life  all  our  Pueblos  and  made  them  industrious  and  honest  Cultivators 
of  the  soil,  in  a  short  time  we  might  succeed  as  well  with  several  of  the  wild 
tribes  surrounding  New  Mexico. 

I  think  there  should  be  appointed  at  least  five  agents  for  the  five  following 
tribes  viz  Comanches,  Southern  Apaches,  Navajoes,  Utahs,  and  Northern 
Apaches  or  as  the  latter  are  sometimes  called  the  Jicarillas;  though  the  last  are 
omitted  by  Col.  Calhoun  they  are  entirely  separate  and  distinct  from  any  other 
tribe  and  are  preeminently  distinguished  for  their  ferocity  and  cruelty,  they 
infest  our  northern  settlements  and  have  been  a  greater  annoyance  to  New 
Mexico  than  any  other  tribe  either  within  or  surrounding  our  Territory. 

The  Pueblos  or  civilized  Indians  residing  within  the  settlements  of  New 
Mexico  a  very  peaceable  honest  and  industrious  people  possess  many  of  the 
rights  of  citizenship,  they  do  not  exceed  in  numbers  about  7000,  and  might  be 
divided  into  three  districts  and  an  agent  appointed  for  each.  They  own  the  best 
lands  now  under  cultivation  in  that  country  and  their  claims  are  undoubted 
good  grants  from  the  Spanish  and  Mexican  governments ;  but  for  some  years 
past  trespasses  and  gradual  encroachments  have  been  committed  upon  their 
lands  by  the  Mexicans.  I  see  no  way  in  which  our  government  can  aid  them  in 
adjusting  these  conflicting  claims  except  by  assisting  them  with  the  advice  of 
counsel  and  agents  whenever  their  causes  or  complaints  are  brought  before  the 
proper  judicial  tribunals.  These  different  Pueblos  are  now  according  to  law 
Quasi  Gorporations,  and  to  a  great  extent  have  the  management  of  their  own 
affairs,  and  the  internal  police  of  their  towns,  and  can  appear  in  any  court 
and  sue  and  be  sued  by  the  name  of  their  separate  towns  and  villages. 

In  reference  to  salaries  and  compensation  to  be  paid  such  officers  in  that 
country,  I  would  suppose  that  the  Superintendent  of  Indian  affairs  residing  at 

least 
Santa  Fe'  should  receive  at  twenty  five  hundred  Dollars  per  annum,  and 

that  he  could  not  live  there  for  less,  and  other  agents  and  employees  should  be 
paid  in  proportion,  as  the  expense  of  living  there  is  greatly  more  than  here. 

A  very  desirable  effect  might  be  produced  upon  some  of  the  wild  tribes  of 
Indians  by  sending  a  delegation  from  each  tribe  to  Washington  City.  By 
allowing  the  tribes  themselves  to  select  some  of  their  principal  chief  men  for 
this  visit  you  would  secure  to  those  distant  savages  some  idea  of  the  strength 
and  power  of  our  government,  a  correct  knowledge  of  which  would  induce  a 
greater  disposition  to  enter  into  formal  stipulations,  and  secure  a  better  good 
faith  in  the  execution  and  observance  of  their  treaties. 

But  in  connexion  with  all  this  allow  me  to  remark  that  Superintendents, 
agents,  nor  formal  contractors  nor  commissioners  can  be  effective  without  the 
presence  and  cooperation  for  some  time  of  a  strong  and  active  military  force; 
it  should  be  well  mounted  and  composed  of  those  hardy  and  adventurous 
pioneers  and  mountain  men  who  are  to  be  found  upon  our  frontier  and  should 
always  be  commanded  by  an  officer  well  acquainted  with  Indian  character  and 
warfare.     The  officer  commanding  against   those  Indians  should  be  vigilant, 

5021—15 15 


226  CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

prompt  and  energetic,  undnunted  by  any  difficulties  or  obstacles,  he  should 
pursue  tbeni  through  their  mountain  haunts  and  wild  retreats  and  never  desist 
until  he  has  visited  their  first  infractions  of  their  treaty  with  severe  and 
speedy  punishment.  Every  day  we  hear  of  fresh  acts  of  outrage  being  com- 
mitted by  those  Indians,  and  our  government  has  so  long  delayed  its  punish- 
ment that  they  now  believe  they  can  commit  any  depredations  with  impunity, 
and  will  hardly  go  through  with  the  formality  of  making  a  treaty.  A  timely 
interference  and  check  imposed  now  by  our  government  might  prevent  at  com- 
paritively  a  small  cost  those  massacres  and  terrible  scenes  of  bloodshed  which 
will  undoubtedly  ensue  if  those  Indians  are  permitted  to  go  on  and  add  to  their 
strength  by  combinations  of  the  different  tribes,  and  which  would  entail  upon 
our  government  a  succession  of  military  operations  more  protracted  and  more 
expensive  than  the  famous  Florida  War 
Most  IJespectfu  ly 

Your  obt  servt 

Hugh  N  Smith 
To   - 

Orlando  Brown  Esqr 

Coiitmisfiioner  of  Indian  Affairs 

Washington  City 

D.    C. 

[CALHOUN   TO   BROWN.^] 

No.  70. 

Indian  Agency. 
Santa  Fe,  Keav  Mexico. 

Jubj  15th  1850. 
Sir, 

The  enclosed  certificate  will  show  you  that  thirteen  captives  have 
been  rescued  and  released,  in  compliance  with  a  treaty  stipulation 
between  the  United  States  and  Mexico,  entered  into  in  1848.  To  re- 
duce expenditures  as  much  as  possible,  I  thouglit  it  best,  to  send  the 
captives  to  El  Paso — 

I  have  not  had  time  to  prepare  an  account  of  expenditures  incurred 
in  releasing  them,  but  will  do  so,  at  an  early  day — ^Nor  have  I  had 
time  to  prepare  my  a/c  current  for  the  quarter  ending  on  the  30th 
of  June — 

On  yesterday  I  was  obliged  to  raise  a  thousand  dollars  for  the  use 
of  this  Agency,  and  drcAV  for  that  amount,  payable  a  sight  to  Cyrus 
Choice,  which  I  trust  the  Department  Avill  cause  to  be  honored. 
Very  respectfully. 

Your  obt.  servt 

J.  S.  Cai.iioun 

Ind.  Agt. 
Ok.  Brown  Esqr 

Comr.  of  Ind.  Affs 

>  O.  I.  a.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  497. 


COEEESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUK.  227 

[Inclosure.] 

This  is  to  certify,  that  I  have  this  27th  day  of  June  1850,  received 
from  Mr.  John  G.  Jones  Agent  of  J.  S.  Calhoun,  United  States 
Indian  Agent,  residing  at  Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico,  Thirteen  Captives, 
rescued  and  released  in  compliance  with  treaty  stipulations  of 
Eighteen  hundred  and  forty  eight,  entered  into  between  the  United 
States  and  Mexico — The  Captives  are  known  by  the  names  as 
follows. — 

(Viz) 
1st  Refocio  Priaros— from  near  St  lago,  Durango. 
2nd  Teodoro  Martel        "  La  Paps  near  Saltillo. 

3d  Candalalario  Galope  "  Fernandez  near  Santa  Clara. 

4th  Rosalie  Terares         "  Monclova 

6th  Roman  Felice  "  Sonora 

6th  Valvaneda  Mendes    "  Sonora 

7th  Marguerite  Belardo  "  Sonora 

8th  Jose  INIarea  "  Sonora 

9th  Cruz  Romaro  "  Sonora 

10th  Juan  de  Dios  Fernandez,    Sonora 
11th  Patro  Cocoba  "  Sonora 

12th  Patro  Rejalva  "  Sonora 

13th  Revfeta  Mendes  "  Sonora. 

Villa  del  Paso  el  Norte  Mejico  Junis  27  de  1850 

Comr.  pr'al  de  frontera 

Jose  N.  Peieto 

[CALHOUN  TO  BROWN.'] 

No.  71. 

Indian  Agency, 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico. 

July  IGth  1850. 
Sir, 

A  moment  is  afforded  to  me  to  enclose  the  accompanying  Treaty,^ 
which  I  felt  it  to  be  my  duty  to  make,  under  the  authority  of  your 
letter  of  the  24th  of  April  last. 

The  treaty  is  made  with  the  Pueblos  of  Santa  Clara — Tesuque — 
Nambe — Santo  Domingo — Jemez — San  Felipe — Cochiti — San  Ilde- 
fonso — Santa  Ana — and  Cia  (or  Silla)  the  only  Pueblos  I  have  been 
able  to  see  since  the  receipt  of  your  letter  alluded  to — I  hope  to  be 

1  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  408.     See  File-box,  "  Treaties,  Originals,  &c.,  &c." 
»  See  facsimile,  pp.  238-246. 


228  COREESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

able  to  see  the  others  in  a  short  time,  and  there  is  no  doubt  as  to  their 
entering  into  similar  stipulations. 
With  great  respect, 

Your  obt  Servt. 


Orlando  Brown,  Esq. 

Comr.  of  Ind.  Afs 


J.  S.  Calhoun 

hid.  Agt 


Washington  City 

D.  C. 

[CALHOUN   TO   BROWN.'] 

Xo  72. 

Indian  Agency. 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

July  30th.  1850. 
Sir, 

On  yesterday  morning  a  mail  was  received  with  dates  from  Wash- 
ington City  as  late  as  the  20th  of  June.  Your  annual  report  was 
all  that  I  received  from  the  Department. 

It  is  exceedingly  to  be  regretted,  and  really  embarrassing  to  me, 
that  the  necessary  appropriations  have  not  yet  been  made  by  Con- 
gress. 

You  were  advised  by  my  No.  TO,  (July  15)  that  I  had  drawn  on 
the  Department  for  one  thousand  dollars,  payable  at  Sight.  The 
whole  of  that  sum  is  exhausted,  and  although  I  have  not  yet  been 
subjected  to  any  absolute  inconvenience,  you  will  readily  perceive 
that  I  can  be  in  no  very  quiescent  state — I  suppose  before  the  draft 
for  the  $1000  is  presented,  the  necessary  appropriations  will  have 
passed.  But  whether  passed  or  not,  I  pray  you  protect  the  draft — 
I  shall  submit  to  serious  inconveniences  before  I  assume  a  similar 
responsibility  in  drawing — In  consequence  of  the  great  number  of 
Indian  Deputations  that  has  visited  me  during  the  last  three  months, 
my  expenses  have  been  very  heavy,  and  although  my  means  are  ex- 
hausted, my  necessary  agents  and  assistants  are  unpaid,  and  although 
they  are  subjected  to  some  inconvenience,  yet,  they  have,  so  far, 
submitted  uncomplainingly,  as  they  know  it  might  be  hazardous  in 
me  to  draw  upon  the  Department  without  authority. 

On  the  morning  of  the  16th  inst,  or  the  previous  evening,  a  large 
number  of  animals  were  driven  off,  by  Indians,  from  near  Moro — 
This  fact,  with  an  application  from  the  Citizens  of  that  neighbor- 


»  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  487. 


CORRESPONDENCE  OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN.  229 

hood  to  be  permitted  to  organize  and  pursue  the  Indians,  and  retake 
their  property,  was  communicated  to  Governor  Munroe  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  17th.  The  permission  was  promptly  granted,  and  they 
are  now  out  with  a  small  detachment  of  our  own  troops.  We  are 
in  hourly  expectation  of  hearing  from  them. 

On  the  25th  inst.  the  Navajos  drove  off  from  Polvedara,  a  village 
upon  the  west  side  of  the  Rio  del  Norte,  about  twelve  miles  north 
of  Socoro,  a  military  post,  a  number  of  oxen — Report  says,  they  were 
pursued  by  some  Mexicans,  on  foot,  overtaken,  and  three  of  the 
Indians  killed — This  report  needs  confirmation. 

The  animals  taken  off  by  a  band  of  Utahs,  about  which  I  wrote 
you  on  the  15  inst  (No  68)  have  been  returned,  at  which  time  several 
of  the  chiefs  visited  our  military  post  at  Abiquin,  and  made  frequent 
and  strong  declarations  in  favor  of  a  peaceable  and  quiet  life,  and 
their  determination  to  adhere  strictly  to  the  terms  of  the  treaty — It 
may  be  well  to  remember,  these  declarations  are  only  valuable  when 
you  have  the  power  to  coerce  such  people.  An  agent  who  was  sent 
into  the  Utah  Country  some  ten  days  ago,  travelled,  as  he  supposes, 
about  sixty  miles  north  from  Abiquin,  and  found  a  great  number 
of  Utah  Lodges,  variously  estimated  at  from  five  to  fifteen  hundred — 
The  estimate  to  a  Lodge,  generally,  is  about  one  warrior  and  a  half 
to  a  Lodge.  It  is  represented,  these  Indians  are  well  supplied  with 
provisions,  skins,  and  animals,  excellent  muskets  and  Rifles,  and  a 
superabundance  of  Powder  and  Lead;  and  were  constantly  amusing 
themselves  by  firing  at  marks.  Major  Graham,  the  commanding 
officer  at  Abiquin,  had  been  ordered  to  abandon  that  post,  and  had 
marched  for  Alburquque;  but  so  soon  as  the  foregoing  facts  were 
made  known  to  Col.  Munroe,  the  Major  was  ordered  to  retrace  his 
steps — The  citizens  near  that  frontier  are  under  painful  apprehen- 
sions. 

On  the  I7th  of  the  present  month,  facts  were  communicated  to  me, 
that  induced  a  faint  hope  that  Mr  and  Mrs  AVliite's  daughter  yet  sur- 
vived. I  immediately  despatched  Auguste  Lacome,  with  instruc- 
tions, if  possible,  to  reach  the  encampment  of  the  "  Jiccarrilles."  the 
band  of  Apaches  who  commit  most  of  their  depredations  north  of 
Taos.  There,  it  was  said,  the  child  would  be  found.  On  the  23d. 
inst.  near  the  foot  of  a  mountain,  at  a  place  known  as  Vale  Gulebra^ 
some  two  days  north  of  the  Rio  Colorado,  which  flows  into  the  Rio 
del  Norte,  Lacome  found  himself  near  some  twenty  Lodges  inhab- 
ited by  Utahs. — About  forty  warriors  came  out  to  meet  him,  and 
finally  managed  to  get  hold  of  his  rifle,  and  filled  the  barrel  with 
water — Lacome  had  with  him  an  interpreter  and  two  peons  only. 

they 
So  soon  as  the  rifle  was  rendered  unfif  for  service,  proceeded  to 


230  CORRESrONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

examine  his  packs,  and  divided  ainon*::  ilienisolves  his  Stock  in  trade, 
consistini?  of  about  six  hundred  and  ninety  dollars  in  Indian  goods — 
one  hoi-se,  and  one  mule.  The  Indians,  at  one  time,  had  resolved  to 
kill  the  party  Avith  the  exception  of  one  of  the  peons,  who  was  to  be 
allowed  to  live  that  he  might  tell  Col.  Munroe  what  they  had  done  - 
An  arrow  was  sped  at  Lacome,  but  failed  its  mark  in  consequence 
of  the  Interpreter's  jarring  the  Indian  who  held  the  bow.  Finally, 
by  various  promises,  and  hard  begging,  the  Indians  abandoned  their 
murderous  designs,  but  gave  a  severe  whipping  to  the  interpreter 
and  a  peon — Lacome's  rife  being  too  heavy  for  Indian  service,  it  was 
returned  to  him.  Lacome  explained  to  them,  he  was  in  search  of  the 
(  "  Jiccarrilles  "  for  the  purpose  of  trading  with  them — They  replied, 
j  it  mattered  not  what  his  object  was,  they  w^ere  the  lords  of  that 
region — the  whole  country  was  theirs,  not  only  the  grass,  wood  and 
'  water,  but  the  winds  and  the  sky  above  was  theirs,  and  that  he,  La- 
come, should  not  proceed  one  step  further  north — and  ordered  him  to 
return  forthwith,  and  bade  him  to  present  their  compliments  to 
Governor  Munroe,  and  say  to  him,  representing  as  he  may  Ameri- 
cans, Mexicans,  and  Texans,  they  desired  to  try  his  rnetal  in  battle^ 

they 
that  wanted  no  peace  with  either,  and  would  have  none — This 

is  a  band  of  the  Utahs  known  as  the  "  Marches,"  led  on  by  one  Am- 
pariia,  said  to  be  a  bold  and  fearless  chief. 

These  Indians  had  descended  from  the  mountains  that  morning, 
where  they  had  been  in  camp  with  the  "  Jiccarrilles  "  who  had  about 
one  hundred  and  twenty  lodges.  AVhile  the  Utahs  occupied  the  west 
side,  the  .Jiccarrilles  were  to  occupy  the  east,  so  as  to  secure  the  per- 
sons and  property  of  some  traders  who  are  daily  expected  to  return 
from  the  Kioways— they  have  taken  their  positions  not  remote  from 
the  Spanish  Peaks — The  estimate  for  this  class  of  Indians  is  three 
warriors  to  a  Lodgo— 

luunodiatoly  after  Lacome,  returned  to  Taos,  the  a  petition  of 
which  the  following  is  a  copy,  was  forwarded  to  Col.  Munroe. 

To  His  Excellency,  Governor  Munroe,  Military  and  Civil  Gov- 
ernor of  New  Mexico. 

The  undersigned  citizens  of  the  County  of  Taos,  w^ould  respect- 
fully represent  that  the  Apache  Indians  are  within  a  days  travel, 
and  but  a  few  days  ago  entered  the  village  of  the  Rio  Colorado,  and 
are  daily  becoming  bolder  in  their  depredations.  We  therefore  pray 
Your  Excellency  to  issue  an  order  for  a  campaign  of  the  People  of 
this  County.     The  bearer  of  this  petition  while  explain  the  present 


COKEESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN.  231 

Avhereabouts  of  these  Indians,  their  feelings  &c.  as  he  has  just  re- 
turned from  their  village. 

(Signed) 
James  H.  Quinn  Auguste  Lacome 

LuciEN  B.  Maxwell  Jose  Manuel  Arrogon 

Thomas  Birch  Anto.  Jose  Valdez 

Wir.  Krowing  Vital  Truhillo 

Wm,  Becket.  Phillipe  Aragon 

Francis  Laeoret  Jean  Baptiste  Charlefour 

CiioTEAU  Laforet  Anto.  Laforet. 

Carlos  Beaubien  Christopher  Corson. 

Charles  Ortebees 
Wm.  White 

It  escaped  my  recollection  at  the  proper  point,  to  say,  the  Utahs 
first  mentioned  in  this  letter,  say  they  procure  their  munitions  of 
War  from  the  Mormons^  and  a  trading  post  near  the  Great  Salt 
Lake—  "" 

I  also,  ommited  to  say,  that  Lacome  was  permitted  to  bring  off 
four  of  his  own  mules;  they  were  worn  out  and  unfit  for  service — 
The  Indians  gave  him  two  Oxen  and  two  cows,  which  show  they  are 
not  suffering  for  food — 

In  reference  to  the  above  Petition,  I  do  not  know  what  the  Gov- 
ernor may  have  ordered. 
I  am, 

Sir, 

With  great  respect, 

Your  obt  Servt. 

James  S.  Calhoun 

Incl.  Agt 
Orlando  Brown  Esqr. 
Comr.  of  Ind.  Afs. 

Washington  City 

D.  C. 

[CALHOUN  TO   BROWN.'] 

No  73. 

Indian  Agency 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

Juhj  31,  1850 
Sir, 

The  enclosed  papers  exhibit  the  present  aspect  of  political  affairs 
in  this  territory. 

1  O.  I.  a.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  486. 


232  CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

No.  1.  Shows  that  Texas  has  taken  the  iniatory  in  extending  her 
jurisdiction  over  this  territory,  by  ordering  certain  elections  on  mon- 
day  next. 

No.  2.  Governor  Alvarez's  proclamation  ordering  certain  elections 
to  be  held  on  the  second  monday  in  August  next,  under  the  recent 
State  organization  of  this  territory. 

No.  3.  Governor  Munroe's  proclamation  announcing  his  purpose 
to  continue  the  military  organization  until  he  is  otherwise  instructed 
from  Washington — You  will  observe  that  he  speaks  in  emphatic 
terms  in  relation  to  Governor  Alvarez's  proclamation,  but  not  a  word 
in  allusion  to  the  Texan  order. 

These  conflicting  efforts  have  not  created  the  slightest  excitement 
except  with  the  immediate  actors  in  this  triangular  love  of  order  and 
good  government,  and  the  old  and  time  honored  incumbents  of  mis- 
rule, as  they  are  called  by  those  who  are  not  in  office — 

hear 

Judging  from  the  past,  you  will  doubtless  of  much  excite- 

ment, and  insurrectionary  designs  against  the  old  territorial  organiza- 
tion— If  I  could  so  far  stultify  myself,  I  should  beleive  such  reports, 

the 
because  Governor  has  ordered  the  troops  from  several  of  the  out- 
posts to  concentrate  at  interior  points — But,  I  do  not  beleive  there  is 
one  man  in  this  territory,  who,  in  his  wildest  moments,  ever  dreamed 
of  attempting  to  seize  the  reins  of  government  by  force — There  can 
be  no  contest  between  the  people  and  the  military  power  of  this 
territory — 

In  conclusion,  I  will  remark,  there  was  danger,  at  one  time,  of 
civil  strife  and  bloodshed  between  antagonistical  parties  for  politi- 
cal supremacy,  and,  on  that  occasion,  I  have  reason  to  beleive,  the 
Pueblo  Indians  were  tampered  with — But  the  overwhelming  defeat 

established 
of  the  supposed  invincible  party  has  given,  so  far  as  I 

am  able  to  judge,  perfect  tranquility  among  the  people, 

notwithstanding  the  great  efforts  made  to  provoke  an  outbreak. 

This  much  I  have  deemed  it  necessary  to  say,  in  order  that  my  ver- 
sion of  the  present  state  of  affairs  here,  may  be  placed  before  the 
Department. 
I  am, 

Sir, 

With  great  respect. 

Your  obt.  Servt. 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Orlando  Brown  Esqr.  Ind.  Agt 

Comr.  of  Ind.  Affs. 

Washington  City 

D.  G. 


COEKESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.   CALHOUN.  233 

[Inclosures] 

No.  1  (Copy). 

ELECTION    NOTICE 

In  accordance  with  the  law  and  the  proclamation  of  the  Governor 
of  the  State  of  Texas,  there  will  be  a  general  election  held  throughout 
the  State  of  Texas  on  the  first  Monday  in  August  next,  for  the  follow- 
ing Officers:  To  Wit,  1  Secretary  of  State,  1  Attorney  General,  1 
Cheif  Justice  and  2  Associate  Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court,  1  Com- 
missioner of  the  General  Land  Office,  1  Adjutant  General,  1  Treas- 
urer and  one  Controler. 

Within  the  county  of  Santa  Fe; 

Also  at  the  same  time  and  place  officers  for  the  County  of  Santa  Fe, 

To  Wit  one  Cheif  Justice  of  the  County  Court  four  County  Com- 
missioners 1  Coroner  1  Sheriff,  1  Clerk  of  the  district  Court,  1  Clerk 
of  the  County  Court  and  1  Assessor  and  Collector. 

Also  at  the  same  time  and  place  for  district  officer  with  the  County, 

To  Wit,  2  Justice  of  the  peace  and  one  Constable  for  each  district. 

For  the  district  of  Toas  (No  1)  2  justice  of  the  peace  and  Con- 
stable—Rio Ariba  (No  2)  2  J.  P.  &  Constable.  Santa  Fe  (No  3) 
2  J.  P.  &  1  Const.  Santa  Anna  (No  4)  2  Justice  of  the  Peace  Con- 
stabl.  Burnadilla  (No.  5)  2  Justice  of  the  Peace  &  1  constable.  San 
Miguel  (No  6)  2  J.  P.  &  1  Const. 

For  the  first  district  as  numbered  above  the  election  will  be  held  at 
the  most  convenient  place  in  the  Town  of  Taos.  In  the  second  at  the 
most  usual  place  of  transacting  public  business.  In  the  3d.  at  any 
convenient  place  in  the  Town  of  Santo  Fe ;  In  the  fourth  at  the  Town 
of  Algodonis.  In  the  fifth  at  the  Town  of  Alburquerque.  For  the 
6th  at  the  Town  of  San  Miguel. 

The  presiding  officers  for  each  precinct  will  be  appointed  between 
this  and  the  time  of  the  election  and  furnished  with  all  necessary 
instructions.  In  case  of  the  failure  or  refusal  of  the  regular  presid- 
ing officer  to  act  it  will  be  Lawful  for  the  elector  (Voters)  present 
at  the  precinct  to  appoint  a  presiding  officer  who  will  as  in  ordinary 
cases  appoint  2  Judges  and  2  Clerks  of  the  election  the  presiding 
officers  will  make  their  returns  to  me  within  Ten  days  from  and  after 
the  election  In  accordance  with  instructions. 

Alburquerque  July  20th  1850. 

S.  M.  Baird 
Judge  of  the  11th  Judicial  District 

of  the  State  of  Texas. 


234  COEEESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN, 

No.  2. 

PROCLAMA 

Como  en  Virtud  de  un  acto  de  la  Legislatura  del  Estado  de  Nuevo 
Mejico  aprovado  el  dia  12  de  Julio  de  1850.  es  obligacion  de  dicho 
Estado  de  expedir  su  proclamacion  ordenando  la  eleccion  de  ciertos 
oficiales. 

Por  tantos,  sepan  todos,  que  gro  Manuel  Albarez  Vice  Gobernador, 
funcionando  de  Gobernador,  por  la  precente  ordeno  y  requiero  que 
se  liaga  una  eleccion  el  segundo  Lunez  de  Augusto  proximo  en  los 
diferentes  precintos  de  los  diferentes  Candados  de  este  estado  para 
los  siguientes  oficiales;  para  cada  Candado. 
1  Alcalde  primero 
1  Alguacil 
1  Coronario, 
Y  para  el  condado  de  Taos  seis  Alcaldes  y  seis  Sota-Alguaciles, 
id  Eio  Ariba  Seis  Alcaldes  y  seis  Sota-Alguaciles. 
id  Santa  Fe  seis  Alcaldes  y  seis  Sota-Alguaciles. 
id  San  Miguel  Cuartro  Alcaldes  y  Cuartro  Sota-Alguaciles 
id  Santa  Ana  tres  Alcaldes  y  tres  Sota-Alguaciles. 
id  Bernalillo  Conco  Alcaldes  y  Cinco  Sota-Alguaciles. 
id  Valencia  cuartro  Alcaldes  y  Cuatro  Sota-Alguaciles. 
id  Socorro  Cinco  Alcaldes,  y  Cinco  Sota-Alguaciles. 
Por  un  acto  de  clicha  Legislatura  aprovada  el  5  de  Julio  de  1850,  el 
Condado  anteriormente  conocido  como  el  Condado  de  Valencia  ful 
■dividido  en  dos  candados,  a  Saber,  Valencia  y  Socorro  por  una  linea 
tirada  del  oriente  al  Poniente,  arriba  de  las  ultimas  casas  del  Sabinal ; 
y  la  parte  de  al  Sur  Mamado  condado  del  Socorro  procedera  a  la 
«elecion  de  los  oficales  como  se  dice  arriba — 

Dado  bajo  de  mi  firme  y  sello  particular  per  falto  del  gran 
L.  s.     Sello  del  Estado  en  la  Cuidad  de  Santa  Fe.  a  20  de  Julio 
1850. 

Lewis  D.  Sheetz 

Secretary  of  State. 

No.  3. 

Al  Prefecto  del  Condado  de 

Senor  : — 

Por  cuanto:  dos  documentos  firmados  "Manuel  Alvarez,  Vice- 
Gobernador  del  Estado  de  Nuevo  Mejico,"  dirigidos  al  Prefecto  del 
condado  de  Santa  Fe,  uno  significa  ser  una  proclamacion  para  tener 
elecciones,  y  el  otro  un  extracto  tomado  de  una  ley  pasada  en  la 
ultima    seccion    de    "la    Legislatura    del    Estado    de    N.    Mejico," 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN.  235 

dirigiendo  el  tiempo  y  la  manera  de  tener  ciertas  elecciones,  me  han 
sido  remitidos  por  dicho  Prefecto;  y  como  se  presume  que  iguales 
documentos  han  sido  dirigidos  a  los  otros  Prefectos  de  los  diferentes 
condado  del  Territorio,  esta  V.  por  este  instruido,  que  el  Gobierno  del 
Estado  de  Nuevo  Mejico  no  tiene  existencia  legal,  hasta  que  Nuevo 
Mejico  este  amitido  en  la  Union  como  Estada  por  el  Congreso  de  los 
Estados  Unidos,  y  que  hasta  que  este  asi  determinado  de  otra  manera 
por  autoridad  competente,  el  presente  Gobierno  continuara,  y  sera 
sostenido  como  el  Gobierno  actual  del  Territorio  de  Nuevo  Mejico. 

Por  tanto  V.  se  desentendera  de  la  proclama,  mandatos  u  otros 
actos  espedidos  por  mano  de  Alvarez,  Vice-Gobernador,  o  cualquiera 
otro  oficial  bajo  del  dicho  Gobierno  de  Estado,  y  tener  los  mismos 
como  nulos  y  de  ningun  efecto,  y  cualquiera  comunicacion  hecha  a  V. 
por  el  arriba  espresado  u  otros,  esta  V.  por  esta  instruido  a  remitir 
inmediatamente  al  Secretario  del  Territorio,  por  orden  de  John 
Munroe,  Gobernador  Militar  y  Civil  del  Territorio  de  Nuevo  Mejico. 

Dado  bajo  mi  firma  en  la  Secretaria  del  Territorio,  este  veinte  y 
tres  dia  de  Julio,  ano  de  mil  ocho  cientos  y  cincuenta. 

[CALHOUN   TO   BROWN.'] 

No.  74. 

Indian  Agency. 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico. 

July  31st  1850. 
Sir, 

This  morning  it  is  reported,  that  Maj  Grier,^  with  the  citizens  who 
were  authorized  by  Col.  Munroe  to  organize  and  pursue  the  Indians 
who  recently  drove  oil  from  near  the  Moro  a  number  of  animals, 
came  upon  a  number  of  Indians  some  two  or  three  days  travel  north 
of  Rayado,  and  in  two  skirmishes  which  he  had  with  them,  killed 
six  Indians,  wounded  a  number,  and  securred  a  number  of  Horses, 
Mules,  Sheep,  and  beef  Cattle. 

The  foregoing  facts  are  credited  at  Head  Quarters,  but  the  official 
report  had  not  been  received  this  morning. 

The  prefect  of  Abiquin  came  in  this  morning,  and  says  that  some 
thirty  odd  traders  were  authorized  by  Genl.  Choice  to  go  to  the  Utah 
Lodges  mentioned  in  my  letter  No.  72.  for  the  purpose  of  trading 
with  the  Utahs — About  three  days  ago  they  reached  the  Lodges,  and 
finding  the  traders  had  no  powder  or  lead  to  sell  them,  they  retained 
thirty  of  them  as  prisoners,  and  sent  two  or  three  to  Abiquin  for 
certain  Mexicans  to  come  to  them  and  explain  why  powder  and  lead 

1  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  488. 

«  For  Report  of  Major  Grier,  see  A.  G.  O.,  Department  of  New  Mexico,  G  33  of  1850.     . 


236  COERESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

is  not  sold  to  them — They  told  the  traders,  in  the  mean  time,  they 
might  trade  with  their  woman,  but,  as  they  had  nothing  that  a  man 
wanted,  they  could  not  trade  with  them. 

The  prefect  states,  that  the  Mexicans  sent  for,  speak  the  Utah 
language,  and  did  not  hesitate  to  leave  after  confering  with  Genl. 
Choice,  who  sent  to  the  Indians  a  message,  the  purport  of  which  was 
unknown  to  the  i^refect. 

The  prefect  left  Abiquin  on  yesterday,  but  as  he  did  not  inform 
Genl.  Choice  of  his  intention  to  come  to  this  place,  I  am  without  the 
requisite  intelligence  from  the  General — 

Unless  to  accomj)lish  some  end,  in  perfect  unison  with  the  military 
views  of  that  post.  General  Choice  had  no  authority  to  grant  trading 
licenses  to  any  person,  I  therefore  doubt  the  correctness  of  the  in- 
formation, which  the  Prefect  says  he  received  from  others,  that  he 
had  issued  to  this  trading  party  licenses  to  trade  with  the  Utahs — I 
have  uniformly  refused  all  applications  for  licenses  to  trade  with 
Apaches,  Navajos,  and  Utahs,  except  so  far  as  they  were  immediately 
connected  with,  and  designed  to  effect  the  liberation  of  Mrs.  White, 
her  daughter  and  servant.  But  Sir,  under  the  circumstances  existing 
here,  a  license  is  a  matter  of  but  slight  consequence  to  a  trader,  for, 
if  he  succeeds,  his  profits  are  quite  satisfactory,  and  he  will  not  often 
fail  if  he  will  take  with  him  a  proper  supply  of  powder  and  ball — 
It  is  true,  the  Military  power  of  the  territory  may  harrass  for  a  time, 
but  what  more  can  they  do,  since  trading  with  Indians  is  no  violation 
of  LaAV,  or  any  Military  order? 

It  is  painful  to  perceive,  that  the  true  conditions  of  matters  in  this 
territory,  the  dangers  which  are  impending,  are  not  thoroughly  un- 
derstood at  Washington,  because  truthful  statements  are  evidently 
discredited. 

An  express 

Thc-niitil  for  the  States  closes  this  afternoon,  and  my  pressing 
duties  do  not  allow  me  to  add  another  word  at  this  moment. 
With  great  respect. 

Your  obt.  servt 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt. 

O.  Brown  Esqr. 

Comr.  of  Ind.  Afs. 
Washin(/fon  City 
D.  G. 
P.  S. 

A  copy  of  my  letter  to  Genl.  Choice  accompanies  this  communica- 
tion— 

J.  S.  C. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.    CALHOUN. 


237 


PACSIMILE  OF  CALHOUN'S  LETTER  TO  ORLANDO  BROWN,  JULY  16, 
1850,  AND  OF  THE  INDIAN  TREATY  WHICH  IT  ENCLOSED. 


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238  COEEESPONDEiNCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 


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COEKESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  239 


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240 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 


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CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S,    CALHOUN. 


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CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN. 


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COERESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN.  243 


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244  COREESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 


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COEEESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN. 


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246  COEEESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 


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CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN.  247 

[CALHOUN   TO   CHOICE.'] 

[Copy.] 

Indian  Agency 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

JuUj  31st  1S50. 
Sir. 

The  Prefect  from  Abiqiiin  came  to  me  this  morning  with  the  in- 
formation that  you  had  granted  licenses  to  some  thirty  odd  traders 
to  go  into  the  Utah  Country  for  the  purpose  of  trading  with  the 
Utahs — I  hope  this  is  not  so,  as  you  are  aware,  that  I  have  uniformly 
refused  all  api)lications  for  permission  to  trade' with  the  Apaches, 
Navajos  and  Utahs,  except  in  the  cases  where  the  design  was  to  se- 
cure the  liberation  of  Mrs.  AVhite,  her  daughter,  and  servant.  These 
Indians  are  in  the  hands  of  the  Military  power  of  this  Department, 
and  we  have  no  authority  to  interfere,  except  so  far  as  said  power 
may  desire  our  action  in  obtaining  desired  information. 

The  Prefect,  also,  informs  me  that  thirty  of  these  traders  are  re- 
tained at  the  Lodges  of  the  Utahs  as  prisoners,  and  that  they  sent 
to  Abiquin  for  two  Mexicans,  who  could  speak  the  Utah  language, 
to  come  to  them  and  explain  why  the  Americans  do  not  allosv  powder 
and  lead  to  be  sold  to  them,  and  he  further  states,  the  tAvo  JNIexicans, 
after  consulting  with  you,  and  receiving  your  instructions,  left  for 
the  Utah  Camp  on  yesterday — 

I  need  not  say  to  you,  I  feel  deeply  concerned  in  relation  to  this 
aflfair,  and  I  fear  the  lives  of  the  traders  are  in  great  jeopardy — 
I  beg  that  you  will  at  the  earliest  possible  day,  give  me  full  and 
particular  information  in  reference  to  this  entire  transaction,  and 
the  fate  of  the  traders. 

I  regret  that  the  Prefect,  did  not  allow  you  to  know  that  he  was 
coming  to  this  place. 

A  mail  closes  for  the  States  this  afternoon,  and  I  write  in  great 
haste. — 

Your  obt  servt. 

(Signed)  J.  S.  Calhoun 

Inch  Agt. 
Genl.  Cyrus  Choice 

Ahiquin 

New  Mexico 

1  Inclosed  with  No    74. 


248  COKRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[CALHOUN  TO  BROWN.'] 

No.  75. 

Indian  Agency, 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico. 

August  6, 1850. 
Sir, 

An  Abstract  of  Current  Expenses,  and  Account  Current  for  the 
second  quarter  of  the  present  year,  ending  June  30th  1850,  of  this 
Agency,  accompanies  ^  this  note. 

for  the  1st  quarter 
You  will  remember,  that  the  Account  Current 
exhibited  a  deficiency  of  thirteen  hundred  and  two  dollars  and  ninety 
four  cents — 

say  $1302. 94 

The  accompanying  Account  Current  shows  an 
aggregate  Deficiency  during  the  present 
quarter  of  1006.  25 


Deficiency  on  the  30th  of  June  1850  $2309. 19 

This  deficiency  will  be  increased  by  the  end  of 

the  3d  quarter,  Sept.  30,  1850.  1000.  00 

$3309. 19 
Less  the  amount  of  my  draft  on  the 
Department,  dated  July  14/50 

(See  my  No  70.)  $1000.00 

$2309. 19 
This  deficiency  does  not  include,  you  will  perceive,  such  compensa- 
tion as  should  be  allowed  to  Genl.  Cyrus  Choice,  who  has  been  ac- 
tively engaged  in  aiding  and  assisting  me,  by  authority  of  Governor 
Munroe,  Since  the  9th  day  of  December,  1849.  (see  my  letters  Nos. 
29,  34  &  35,  Genl.  Choice  is  yet  at  Abiquin,  rendering  to  the  country 
important  services — He  ought  to  be  compensated,  and  I  hope  it  will 
be  agreeable  to  the  President  of  the  United  States  to  confer  upon 
him  the  appointment  of  Agent  for  the  Utah  Indians,  and  at  the 
same  time  authorize  me  to  pay  him  liberally  for  services  already  ren- 
dered. 

Mr.  John  G.  Jones  is,  also,  entitled  to  liberal  compensation  for  im- 
portant services  rendered  me  in  the  discharge  of  my  duties — For  the 

1  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F^  Agency,  C  514. 

a  Enclosures  not  found,  although  the  record  shows  they  were  filed  in  the  Finance  Divi- 
sion of  the  Indian  OflBce. 


COERESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  249* 

last  four  months  he  has  been  constantly  engaged  as  Secretary  in  my 
office,  and  previous  to  that  period,  he  acconiiDanied  me  in  the  Navajo 
c-xpidition  with  Col.  Washington;  also,  to  Jemez  in  October  1849, 
and  in  January  last  to  Taos — I  hope  I  may  have  authority  to  pay 
Mr  Jones  for  his  services,  and  that  it  may  be  agreeable  to  confer 
upon  him  the  appointment  of  Agent  in  a  Pueblo  district — 

You  will  remember  that  Genl.  Choice  and  William  E.  Love,  also, 
accompanied  me  in  the  Navajo  expedition,  and  Mr  John  H.  Davis 
was  left  in  charge  of  my  office  during  my  absence — (see  my  letter 
No  10.)  Mr  Love  and  Mr  Davis  are  my  sons-in-law,  and  left  for  the 
States  on  the  16th  of  April  last — they  both  gave  me  efficient  aid  up  to 
the  time  of  their  departure — If  the  laborer  should  be  paid  for  serv- 
ices, these  men  are  entitled  to  some  compensation — I  desire  you  to 
understand,  distinctly,  I  have  made  to  no  one  of  them  promises  of 
compensation  beyond  the  mere  agreeing  to  submit  the  matter  to  your 
consideration — In  connection  with  this  subject,  I  take  leave  to  say, 
/  ought  to  he  allowed  a  Secretary^  at  the  pay  of  fifteen  hundred  dol- 
lars per  annum,  from  the  first  day  of  August,  1849 — This  would  be 
hut  sheer  justice  to  your  Agent,  (the  writer.),  and  meet  out  to  my 
assistants  something  like  a  due  reward  for  services  voluntarily  ren- 
dered. 

I  will  merely  add,  it  is  of  the  utmost  importance  to  my  feeling,  and 
to  my  usefulness  as  a  public  servant,  that  I  should  have  immediate 
pecuniary  relief. 
I  am, 

Your  obt.  servt. 

James  S.  Calhoun, 

Ind.  Agt 
Orlando  Brown  Esqr. 

Comr.  <&c  &c. 

'Washington  City, 

D.  C. 

[CALHOITN  TO   BROWN.'] 

No.  76. 

Indian  Agency. 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico. 

August  12,  1850. 
Sir, 
On  the  7th  and  8th  of  this  month,  the  Gobernador,  the  Captain  de 

came  to 
Guerra,  and  other  Principals  from  the  Pueblo   of  Zuiii, 
Santa  Fe, 

not  only  for  the  purpose  of  signifying  their  concurrence 

1  O.  I.  a.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  51^ 


250  COEEESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

in  the  terms  of  the  treaty  proposed,  and  signing  the  same,  but  also, 
for  the  purpose  of  urging  the  Commanding  Officer  of  this  Military 
Department  to  permit  them  to  make  war  upon  the  Navajds — 

These  people  made  a  similar  application  to  Col.  Washington,  as  T 
advised  you  in  my  No.  10.  dated  Oct.  15,  1849:  Their  application 
was  not  then  acceded  to.  On  this  occasion  Col.  Monroe  has  con- 
sented to  their  wishes,  and  has  furnished  them  with  powder  and 
lead  to  a  limited  extent. 

Within  the  last  four  weeks  the  Navajos  have  made  two  assaults 
upon  Zuni.  -On  the  first  assault,  they  killed  two  of  the  Zuhi  In- 
dians, and  on  the  second  the  Governor's  Lieutenant  was  killed,  and 
.several  animals  kiUed  were  driven  off. 

It  appears  the  Pueblos  did  not  venture  far  beyond  the  walls  of 
the  Pueblo — although  they  saw  not  more  than  fifty  Navajos  the 
first  time,  and  about  one  hundred  the  second  time,  yet  they  appre- 
hended the  assailants  were  an  advanced  party  of  a  more  formidable 
force = 

In  a  note  to  my  number  10.  you  will  perceive,  I  have  given  my 
authority  for  saying,  at  that  time,  there  were  fve  hundred  and  ninety 
seven  men  in  the  Pueblo  of  Zuhi,  and  only  forty  two  muskets  and 
rifles — leaving  five  hundred  and  fifty  five  without  fireaivns.  On  the 
present  occasion  they  again  begged  for  arms,  in  which,  I  do  not 
think  they  were  successful — Their  present  undertaking  is  a  fearful 
one,  and  I  fear  will  prove  disastrous  unless  other  Pueblos  fly  to  the 
rescue — Col.  Munroe  has  intimated,  that  if  the  supreme  authorities 
of  the  respective  Pueblos  will  apply  to  him,  in  person,  his  consent 
may  be  obtained  for  conjoint  operations  against  the  Navajos  by  the 
applying  Pueblos= 

In  order  that  you  may  have  a  correct  understanding  of  the  feel- 
ings of  the  Pueblo  of  Zuhi,  who  alone  have  spoken  out  what  seemed 
to  be  their  thoughts,  it  is  proper  that  I  should  state,  the  Governor  of 
Zuhi,  inveighed,  in  very  emphatic  terms,  against  the  disappointments, 
(he  meant  deceits)  to  which  he,  and  others,  had  been  subjected  to  since 
Genl.  Kearney  entered  the  country,  and  pledged  to  them  the  protec- 
tection  of  the  Government  of  the  United  States.  He  enquired,  how 
does  it  happen  that  at  the  very  moment  the  Navajos  are  commencing 
a  war  against  the  him,  (the  Pueblo  of  Zuhi)  the  American  troops  are 
withdrawn  from  Cibolletta  ?  He  answered,  I  suppose  to  give  the 
Navajos  a  fair  chance  against  us — who  were  promised  protection  = 
It  will  be  remembered,  that  there  has  been  a  concentration  of  troops 
at  interior  posts,  for  reasons  which  I  have  not  appreciated,  and  the 
troops  formerly  at  Cibolletta  are  now  at  Albuquerque = These  move- 
ments are  not  understood  by  the  Pueblo  Indians,  and  will  not  in- 
crease their  affection  and  confidence  for  the  Government  of  the 
United  States. 


COERESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.   CALHOUN.  251 

This  morning,  the  Governors  and  others  from  the  Pueblos  of  Santa 
Domingo,  Cochiti,  Jemez,  Cia,  Santa  Ana,  San  Felipe,  and  Sandia, 
waited  upon  Col.  Munroe,  as  they  supposed,  in  obedience  to  his 
orders.  In  this  supposition  the  Indians  were  not  quite  correct — In 
the  earlier  part  of  this  letter,  I  have  stated  that  Col.  Munroe  had 
intimated  his  willingness  to  grant  to  such  Pueblos  as  might  apply, 
leave  to  engage  in  a  war  against  the  Navajos — This  fact  was  seized 
upon,  and  some  interested  watcher  of  movements  caused  these  Indians 
to  be  notified  that  Col.  Munroe  desired  to  confer  with  them  to-day 
in  relation  to  a  Navajo  war — The  Indians  announced  their  readiness 
to  obey  any  and  all  orders,  that  Col.  Munroe  should  direct  to  them. 
But  as  no  orders  were  directed  to  them,  the  war  project  being  left 
exclusively  to  the  discretion  of  the  Indians,  they  have  just  signified 
to  me,  they  will  leave  for  their  homes  to  night,  for  the  purpose  of 
attending  to  their  own  business,  and  I  commend  them  for  the  Avisdom 
of  their  conclusion — I  will  add  but  the  remark,  that  a  general  war 
between  the  Pueblo  Indians  and  the  Navajos,  would  beget  results  that 
every  lover  of  humanity  would  deeply  deplore — and  the  policy  of  per- 
mitting such  a  war^  is  a  question  for  others  to  determine. 

THE    UTAHS= 

In  my  letter,  No.  74,  dated  July  31,  1850,  I  furnished  you  with  a 
statement,  made  to  me  by  the  Prefect  of  Abiquin,  in  relation  to 
Licenses  granted  by  Genl.  Choice  to  Mexicans  to  trade  with  the 
TJtahs — I  transmitted  to  you  a  copy  of  my  letter  to  Genl.  Choice  in 
reference  to  the  Prefect's  statement.  The  General  came  immediately 
to  this  Agency,  and  confirmed  my  first  impressions  upon  tlie  state- 
ment. The  facts,  briefly  stated,  are  as  follows — In  compliance  with 
the  earnest,  and  frequent  requests  of  the  Utahs,  to  aUow  traders  to 
visit  them,  Genl.  Choice,  under  the  advice  of  the  Commanding  Officer, 
Maj.  Graham,  of  Abiquin,  gave  permission  to  several  to  go  out — and 
in  a  few  hours  they  were  with  the  Utahs — But,  as  they  were  not  al- 
lowed to  take  with  them  powder  and  lead,  for  the  purposes  of  trade, 
they  were  not  making  as  profitable  trades  as  they  otherwise  might, 
they  resorted  to  the  fabrication  of  the  falsehood  that  thirty  were 
held  as  prisoners,  for  the  release  of  whom,  it  was  supposed,  that  Genl. 
Choice  would  allow  them  to  take  powder  to  the  Utahs — Failing  in 
this,  their  next  effort  was  to  Col.  Munroe,  and  if  he  gave  orders  on 
the  subject,  I  am  not  advised  of  the  fact — The  Prefect  next  came  to 
me,  and  by  him,  I  sent  my  letter  to  Genl.  Choice — Before  the  Prefect 
returned  to  Abiquin,  the  traders  had  returned  with  a  number  of  the 
Utah  chiefs,  and  the  chiefs  were  with  Genl.  Choice  at  12  o'clk.  at 
night,  when  my  letter  was  delivered  to  him — As  far  as  it  was  neces- 
cary,  Genl.  Choice  caused  the  contents  of  my  letter  to  be  made  known 


252  CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

to  the  chiefs,  who  expressed  their  utmost  surprise  at  the  story  of  the 
thirty  traders  retained  as  prisoners. — The  entire  statement  was  a 
base  fabrication  for  base  purposes.  They  remained  in  Genl.  Choice's 
quarters  during  the  night,  and  it  is  General  Choice's  opinion  that  the 
Utahs,  generally,  at  this  time,  are  honestly  purposed — to  comply  with 
the  terms  of  the  treaty  I  made  with  them  on  the  30th  of  Deer,  last — 
Of  course,  you  will  not  understand  him  to  give  a  favorable  opinion 
of  the  intentions  of  such  hands  as  associate  with  the  Apaches  and 
Navajos= 

They  begged  Genl.  Choice,  as  he  loved  his  own  kith  and  kin,  to 
procure  for  them  some  little  powder  and  ball,  that  they  might  be 
enabled  to  secure  meat  for  their  wives  and  daughters. 

After  consultation  with  Col.  Munroe,  I  determined  to  send  them  a 
keg  of  powder,  and  some  lead,  and  directed  Genl  Choice  to  give  it  to 
them  in  small  quantities,  from  time  to  time — 

=APACHES  = 

Two  days  ago,  the  Apaches  secured  a  number  of  Ap^ehes  captives, 

the  neighborhood  of  the 
and  drove  a  large  number  of  animals  from 

"  Ojo  Caliente  " — about  fifteen  miles  east  of  Albiquin — Such  wrongs 
are  not  to  be  remedied  here. 
With  great  respect, 
I  am. 

Your  obt.  Servt 

James  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt 
Orlando  Brown  Esqr 

Comr.  of  Ind.  Afs. 

W ashingt07i  City^  D.  C. 

[CALHOUN   TO   BROWN.'] 

No.  77. 

Indian  Agency. 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico. 

August  13,  1850 
Sir, 

My  communication,  No  73,  dated  July  31st,  gave  you  the  then 
aspect  of  political  affairs  in  this  territory — The  elections  for  Texan 
officers  were  to  come  off  on  the  5th  day  of  this  month — The  day, 
however,  passed,  and  not  a  solitary  effort  was  made  to  proceed  with 
the  election,  nor  did  it  excite  the  talking  qualities  of  our  very  in- 
flammable fabricators  of  public  sentiment. 

1  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  516. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  253 

The  elections  under  the  proposed  state  organization  should  have 
come  off  on  yesterday,  but  no  elections  were  held  in  this  city,  nor  was 
any  attempt  made  to  induce  the  people  to  assemble  at  the  polls, 
unless  the  two  documents,  of  which  copies  will  accompany  this  note, 
shall  be  so  regarded — The  precise  object  of  the  two  documents  is 
beyond  my  comprehension;  one  is  dated  the  8th  the  other  the  9th 
of  August,  but  both  were  simultaneously  published  on  the  latter  day, 
two  days  only,  intervening  between  that  period  and  the  day  of  the 
proposed  election. 

The  truth  is,  in  my  judgement,  the  much  talked  of  insurrectionary 
designs,  and  certain  movements  and  concentration  of  troops,  has  so 
completely  chilled  the  anxieties  of  those  who  had  been  honestly 
desirous  of  a  state  organization,  it  required  a  much  earlier  and  more 
powerful  effort  than  the  two  documents  exhibit  to  animate  and  bring 
to  life  again,  the  really  laudable  designs  frustrated,  indeed  silenced 
in  death,  by  Governor  Munroe's  proclamation  which  I  enclosed  to 
you  in  my  No  73.  and  his  subsequent  disposition  of  troops.  There 
is  one  fact  not  to  be  questioned,  that  although  bloody  and  fearful 
civil  strife  may  occur,  it  will  never  happen  that  the  people  of  this 
territory  will  ever  array  themselves  against  the  military  authority 
of  the  Government  of  the  United  States,  unless  they  are  sustained 
by  stronger  arms  than  they  possess.  It  is  true,  the  people  feel  deeply 
mortified,  1  mean  the  reflecting  portion  of  them  who  desired  to 
assume  what  they  supposed,  was  a  natural  right,  that  of  self  govern- 
ment, that  the  very  power  which  authorized  them  to  confer  to-gether 
upon  the  subject,  is  the  very  power  that  compels  them  to  submit  to 
the  old  order  of  affairs,  and  continue  their  submission  and  obedience 
to  rulers  they  have  long  detested — a  party  that  violently  opposed  a 
State  organization  until  Governor  Munroe  required  them  to  do 
otherwise — and  they  have  now  come  to  the  conclusion,  if  their  at- 
tempted State  organization  is  now  to  be  set  aside,  these  old  rulers  are 
to  be  their  masters  under  a  territorial  government,  as  they  take  it  for 
granted,  that  Congress  will  adjust  the  Texan  Claim. 

The  foregoing  is  respectfully  submitted  as  a  record  of  the  times. 
I  am. 

With  great  respect. 

Your  obt.  servt. 


Orlando  Brown  Esqr. 

Comr.  of  Ind.  Affs. 

Washington  City 
D.C 


James  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt. 


254 


CORRESPONDEISrCE    OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 


[Inclosures.  ] 

No.  1. 

PROCLAMATION, 

7'6»,  the  peojjle  of  the  State  of  New  Mexico. — 

Be  it  known  that  by  virtue  of  a  joint  Resolution  of  the  Senate  and 
House  of  Representatives  of  said  State,  approved  July  15th  1850,  no 
officer  elected  or  hereafter  to  be  elected  holding  any  office  by  appoint- 
ment under  said  State  will  attemp  to,  or  exercise  any  jurisdiction 
under,  or  by  authority  of  said  State  until  after  the  first  day  of 
Nov.  A.  D.  1850,  and  until  after  they  are  duly  Commissioned  to  act 
as  such, — 

Given  under  my  hand  and  Seal  &c  &c.  this  8th  day  of  August  1850. 

(Signed)  Manl  Alvarez 

Acting  Governor. 
No.  2. 

To,  the  prefect  of  the  County  of.  <&c.  <&c. 
Sir 

In  your  official  character  of  Prefect.,  you  will  oppose  no  obstruc- 
tions to  the  holding  of  elections  on  the  Twelfth  of  the  current  month, 
under  the  State  Constitution — nor  will  you  take  any  part  in  them, — 

You  will  not  however  recognise  those  elections  as  giving  the  per- 
sons chosen,  any  right  to  assume  the  duties  of  the  offices  to  which 
they  may  be  elected,  until  the  competent  authority  has  so  decided 
by  giving  the  act  the  validity  of  its  sanction, — 

By  order  of  Col  John  Munroe. 

Civil  &  Mil  Governor. 

9th  August  1850. 

[CALHOUN  TO  BROWN.'] 

No.  78. 

J  Not  on  file  in  Indian  Office  but  see  entry  for  October  23,  1S50  in  O.  I.  A.,  L.  R.,  No.  38. 


O.  I.  A.  Fanta  F^ 
617 


In  relation  to  "the  anoma- 
lous condition  ol  affairs" 
in  the  Terry,  of  I'ew  Mex- 
ico; about  confiding 
claims  of  Pueblo  Indns.  & 
Mexicans  to  lands,  and 
trespasses  by  the  latter  on 
fields  &c  and  Ihe  renewal 
of  their  claims  to  Indns. 
as  peon*,-— fight  between 
Pueblos  of  Lapuna  and  a 
hand  of  "'avajoes; — visit 
and  complaints  of  Gov- 
ernors &c  of  pueblos  of 
Cochiti,  San  lldefonso; 
Santa  Clara  &c  of  Mexican 
depredations  upon  their 
fields,  &c.— Suggestions  as 
to  the  necessity  for  the 
action  of  Congress  upon 
Indn.  Aflrs.  of  the  Terri- 
tory, &c.  &c.  &c. 


Aekd  5  Dee. '  SO 


OOERESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.    CALHOUN.  255 

[CALHOUN   TO   BROWN.'] 

No  79. 

Indian  Agency. 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico. 

August  30th  1850. 
Sir, 

The  mail  from  the  States  was  received  on  the  28th  inst,  bringing- 
St.  Louis  news-papers  down  to  the  23d  day  of  July. 

By  this  mail,  I  had  hojoed  to  receive  such  information  and  instruc- 
tions as  would  remedy  my  embarrassments — But,  in  this,  I  have  been 
disappointed — My  pecuniary  affairs,  as  Indian  Agent,  are  known 
to  you;  and,  allow  me  to  add,  I  am  aware,  it  may  be  necessary  for 
the  Department  to  await  the  action  of  Congress  before  it  can  releive 
the  pressing  and  unpleasant  necessities  of  this  Agency — 

The  incessant  intercourse  which  I  am  compelled  to  have  with  the 
Pueblo  Indians,  is  exceedingly  expensive — and  I  have  exhausted  the 
Government  funds,  including  my  own  salary,  and,  notwithstanding 
I  have  drawn  upon  the  Department  for  one  thousand  dollars,  yet  I 
fear,  at  the  end  of  this  quarter,  this  Agency  will  be  in  debt  to  others 
than  myself,  near  eight  hundred  dollars — My  letters  have  explained 
to  you  why  so  many  Pueblo  Indians  visit  this  Agency — When  they 
come,  they  must  be  fed  and  taken  care  of— Their  animals  must  be 
fed  and  corraled — All  must  be  watched — The  thirteen  Pueblos  with 
whom  I  have  made  treaties,  have  contributed  very  much  to  the 
increase  of  expenditures  absolutely  necessary  But  these  things  you 
already  understand,  and  I  only  remind  you  of  them  that  I  may 

you 
respectfully  request  to  releive  this  Agency  of  its  embarrass- 

ments, at  the  earliest  possible  moment. 

the  apaches 

These  Indians  are  not  idle — A  few  days  ago,  they  drove  off  from 
grazing  grounds,  about  twenty,  or  twenty-five  miles  below  Socoro,  a 
military  post,  a  large  number  of  animals,  belonging  to  the  United 
States.  How  many,  I  have  not  been  able  to  ascertain — But,  I  sup- 
pose, at  least,  one  hundred — About  the  same  time,  unknown  Indians, 
or  others,  succeeded  in  driving  off  between  eighty  and  ninet}'  mules, 
at  Cedar  Creek,  about  Two  hundred  and  forty  miles  from  Santa  Fe, 
on  the  Cimmarone  route  to  the  States — These  mules  belonged  to 
Dr  Connelly's  train,  and  were  returning  from  the  United  States, 

10.  I.  a.,  Santa  F^  Agency,  C  518. 


256  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

drawing  waggons, 

freighted  with  merchandize — In  that  condition, 
they  must  lie  to,  until  other  animals  can  be  procured  and  sent  to 
them. 


No  hostile  manifestations  of  the  Utahs,  have  come  to  my  knowl- 
edge, during  the  past  week — Genl.  Cyrus  Choice  seems  to  have  estab- 
lished a  good  understanding  with  them — They  frequently  visit  him, 
at  Abiquin — The  following  copy  of  a  letter,  the  original  of  which, 
was  transmitted  to  me  by  Gen.  Choice,  is,  not  only  worthy  of  entire 
credit,  but  contains  valuable  information — 

"  3   MILES  BELOW  CROSSING  OF   St.  JuAN. 

Dr.  Genl. 

The  bearer  of  this,  Tamucha,  came  to  camp  last  evening,  and  is  the 
first  Utah  seen  since  leaving  Abiquin.  We  have  now  in  camp  some  ten 
or  twelve — two  Chiefs.  These  men  aided  us  this  morning  in  crossing 
the  St.  Juan.  Their  main  encampment  is  some  3  or  4  leagues  from 
here,  on  the  Eio  Piedra — and  they  seem  peaceably  inclined — They 
are  a  little  importunate  for  presents;  but  otherwise  very  quiet  and 
well  inclined.  Unless  they  change  we  anticipate  no  difficulties  from 
them.  Hitherto  we  have  not  seen  any  of  the  Utahs,  we  saw  at  your 
house.  For  Indians,  they  are  seemingly  clever.  With  very  little 
trouble  you  can  secure  their  lasting  friendship. 

The  Navajos  will  meet  us  on  the  Plata,  and  are  said  to  be  friendly, 
but  we  shall  place  no  confidence  in  their  professions. 

Hitherto,  our  trip  has  been  pleasant.  The  country  is  remarkalily 
•well  fitted  for  packing,  but  not  for  Waggons.  I  have  never  travelled 
through  any  region  better  Supplied  with  grass,  water,  and  wood. 
We  are  on  the  Spanish  trail,  it  has  many  ramos,  but  I  beleive,  lead- 
ing to  the  same  point.  An  expedition  with  cavalry,  or  Infantry, 
could  be  readily  made,  and  easily  sustained.  The  country,  up  to 
this  time,  is  better  than  New  Mexico.  We  have  gone  over  the  Sierra 
Madre,  and  the  same  kind  of  country  continues,  only  vegetation  is 
far  more  abundant;  and  also,  wild  fruits,  as  red  and  black  currants, 
service-berries,  cherries  &c. 

Treat  the  bearer  well,  as  I  have  assured  him  you  will;  and  also 
that  it  is  the  wish  of  our  people  to  be  friendly  with  them.  Be  good 
enough,  if  occasion  offers,  to  send  my  lady  word  of  my  arrival  here, 
in  safety  and  good  spirits.     Our  men  are  just  eating  some  fine  fish; 

Able 
but  our  mess  fishers  have  not  been  so  successful.       Abel    and  Naugle 


COEEESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN.  257 

send  love  &c  &c.     Our  encampment  is,  as  most  of  them  have  been, 
very  pleasant.     A  fine  stream  of  water,  luxuriant  grass,  fine  trees, 
and  good  shade,  are  the  soul  of  an  encampment — 
August  11,  1850. 

Truly  &c.  W.  Z.  Augney." 

Capt.  Augney  and  his  party  left  here  about  the  25th  of  July  last, 
with  some  ten  or  twelve  thousand  sheep  for  California.     He  is  an 

a 
intelligent  man,  and  lawyer  of  distinction,  and  implicit  confidence 
may  be  reposed  in  the  statement  which  he  has  been  pleased  to  give 
to  Gen.  Choice — In  relation  to  the  locality  of  his  camp,  I  have  not 
been  able  to  procure  any  reliable  information.  The  Rios  Piedra,  and 
Plata  are  rivers  unknown  to  me;  but  it  seems  they  are  not  re- 
mote from  each  other,  west  of  the  Sierra  Madre,  and  the  first  in 
the  Utah  countrj'^,  and  the  latter  in  the  Navajo  region — It  is  per- 
fectly evident,  that  the  whole  Indian  country  should  be  thoroughly 
examined,  and  it  does  seem  to  me,  in  order  to  the  more  effectual 
checking  of  the  Indians,  that  we  should  have  fewer  troops  stationed 
in  the  interior  towns,  and  a  larger  number  upon  the  frontiers  of  this 
territory.  And  in  this  way  your  Quarter  Master,  and  Commissary's 
Stocks  could  be  better  protected  and  grazed — It  is  not  proper  for  me 
to  say  more  upon  this  subject,  as  it  would  be  trenching  upon  mat- 
ters with  which  another  Department  is  charged. 

It  may  not  be  improper  to  state,  the  Bishop  of  Durango,  Jose 
Antonio  Zuberia,  arrived  in  this  City  on  Tuesday  the  27th  inst,  and 
was  received  under  a  Salute  of  thirteen  guns,  by  Govr.  Munroe,  his 
Staff  and  other  officers,  and  a  large  concourse  of  Citizens — His  recep- 
tion gave  decided  satisfaction  to  the  Mexican  population — 

August  31st. 
An  express  came  in  from  Fort  Leavenworth  last  night,  having 
left  there  on  the  15th  inst.  bringing  us  Washington  City  intelligence 
as  late  as  the  3d  inst. — Not  a  word  came  to  me  from  any  quarter — 
At  7  o'clk  p.  m.  this  day,  a  mail  for  the  States  will  close — 
I  am, 

With  great  respect. 

Your  obt.  servt. 

James  S.  Calhoun, 

Indian  Agt 
Orlando  Brown  Esqr 

Gomr.  of  Ind.  Affs. 

Washington  City 
D.  G. 

5021—15 17 


258  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[DERRICK   TO   CALHOUN.'] 

Department  of  State 
Washington,  September^  19th  1850. 
To  His  Excellency 

James  S.  Calhoun 

Governor  of  the  Territory  of  New  Mexico 

Santa  Fe. 
Sir:  The  Department  has  this  day  forwarded  to  you,  via,  Fort 
Leavenworth,  one  box  containing  the  following  volumes. 

Documents  of  the  1st  Sess.  31st  Congress  in  36  Volumes,  (11  &  12 
Senate  documents,  will  be  transmitted  with  the  next  distribution.) 
Plates  to  Bache's  Keports,  in  1  vol : — 

Life  and  works  of  John  Adams,  Vols  2  &  3,  (The  distribution  of 
this  work  is  committed  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Senate,  but  in  the 
present  instance  the  volumes  are,  for  greater  securit}^,  entrusted  to 
this  Department  for  transmission.) 

Narrative  and  works  of  the  Exploring  Expedition,  viz.  Vols.  1,  2, 
3,  4,  5,— Atlas  to  Vol  5— Vols  6,  7,— Atfas  to  Vol  7— Vols  8,  9,  10,— 
Atlas  to  Vol.  10^ Vol.  11 — Vol.  1  of  Hydrography,  completing  the 
series  of  this  work  so  far  as  published. 
Annals  of  Congress  in  6  Volumes. 

Every  precaution  has  been  taken  to  secure  the  safe  transmission  of 
the  box  and  its  valuable  contents  to  Santa  Fe.  With  this  view,  it 
has  been  addressed  to  the  care  of  Major  E.  A.  Ogden,  of  the  Quar- 
termaster Department,  at  Fort  Leavenworth  and  that  officer  will  be 
requested  to  forward  it  to  your  Excellency  by  the  first  train  that 
leaves  his  post  after  the  receipt  of  the  box. 

It  appears  proper,  in  this  connection,  to  call  your  attention  to  the 
fact,  that,  on  the  4th  of  October  1850,  five  boxes  of  books  were  for- 
warded from  this  Department  to  you,  for  the  iTse  of  the  Territory  of 
New  Mexico,  the  receipt  of  which  has  never  been  acknowledged. 
They  were  addressed  to  the  care  of  James  Patton,  Esq.,  then  (sup- 
posed to  be)  Postmaster  at  Independence,  Mo.  On  the  11th  Deer. 
Mr.  Patton  acknowledged  the  arrival  of  the  boxes,  but  said,  at  the 
same  time,  that  they  could  not  be  sent  on  to  Santa  Fe  before  May  of 
the  next  year,  since  that  time,  the  Department  has  received  no  in- 
formation from  any  source  respecting  the  whereabouts  of  these  boxes, 
and  you  are  now  notified  of  what  was  done,  that  enquiries  may  be 
instituted  by  you,  as  will  be  by  this  Department  to  discover,  if  possi- 
ble, whether  the  boxes  have  miscarried,  and  if  so,  to  what  point. 
I  am.  Sir,  very  respectfully 

Your  obedient  servant, 

William  S.  Derrick, 

Acting  Secretary. 


B,  I.  a.,  D.  L.,  vol.  38,  pp.  157-158. 


COKKESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  259 

[CALHOUN   TO   BROWN.*] 

No.  80. 

[CALHOUN   TO   BROWN.'] 


No.  81. 


Sir. 


Indian  Agency. 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

September  30,  1850. 


It  is  with  extreme  pain  I  announce  the  death  of  General  Cyrus 
Choice,  a  well  known  and  excellent  citizen  of  Georgia.  He  died  at 
Abiquin  on  the  evening  of  the  14th  of  the  present  month,  of  erysip- 
ilas.  You  will  remember  he  has  been  in  the  service  of  this  Agency 
for  several  months  past,  cheifly  as  Agent  for  the  Utahs,  residing  at 
Abiquin,  and  to  his  discretion  and  good  management  the  country  is 
greatly  indebted  for  the  quiescent  state  which  the  Utahs  have  exhib- 
ited since  the  formation  of  the  treaty  with  them,  on  the  30th  of 
December  last. 

I  would  thank  you  to  cause  this  bereavement  to  be  announced 
through  the  news-papers  of  Washington  City. 

In  consequence  of  the  death  recorded  above,  I  left  here,  for  Abi- 
quin, on  the  24th  and  returned  on  the  27th  inst.  So  far  as  facts  have 
come  to  my  knowledge,  the  Utahs  have  behaved  well  during  the 
present  month. 

APACHES 

These  Indians  continue  their  annoyances.  About  the  1st  of  this 
month  four  of  them  were  surprised  and  killed  on  this  side  of  the 
mountain  range  between  this  and  Taos.  A  Mr.  Maxwell  left  Santa 
Fe  some  three  or  four  days  ago,  having  in  his  possession  merchan- 
dize and  money,  accompanied  by  two  Mexicans,  who  have  returned, 
and  say,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  mountain  between  this  and  Taos, 
they  were  attacked  by  Apaches,  made  good  their  escape,  but  suppose 
Mr.  Maxwell  was  killed,  and  as  a  matter  of  course,  his  property  was 


1 

Not  on  file  ia  Indian  O.Hce,  but  see  entry  hr  Norembar  15,  1850,  in  0. 1 

.  A.,  L.  R 

No.  38. 

0 

15 
I.  A.,  Santa  Fd 

Calhoun,  Jas.  S.    San- 

In relation  to  law  suits  pend- 

CM. Clk 

Ackd.  5  Dec.  '50 

523 

ta  F^,  New  Mexico 
Sept.  21/50 
(No.  80) 

ing  for  lands  belonging  to 
Pueblo  Indians— Asks  in 
behalf  of  the  Indus,  inter- 
position of  Govt.  U.  S.— 
Encloses   copies   of  three 

letters  from  him  to   His 

Excy  John  Monroe,  Civil 

&  Mil.  governor  of  New 

Mexico,  on  the  subject. 

Renews    his    requests    for 

"means  and  instructions." 

'O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  524. 


260  CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN. 

carried  off  by  the  Apaches,     Many  other  depredations  have  been 
reported. 

The  Comanches  continue  to  send  us  friendly  greetings. 
The  Navajos,  in  the  early  part  of  the  month,  committed  some 
depredations.  To-day,  the  Governor  of  the  Pueblo  of  Jemez,  came 
in,  at  the  request  of  the  two  principal  chiefs  of  the  Navajos,  to  say 
these  Indians  desired  to  confer  with  me  in  relation  to  their  future 
conduct.  After  consultation  with  Col.  Munroe,  the  Governor  Jemez 
was  authorized  to  invite  the  Navajo  chiefs  to  come  to  Santa  Fe;  for 
which  purpose  a  safe  conduct  was  granted  by  Col.  Munroe. 

It  is  understood,  that  the  Pueblo  of  Zuni  and  the  Navajos  are  at 
war  with  each  other,  and  in  a  recent  battle  the  former  gained  a  vic- 
tory, having  killed  about  thirty  of  the  latter — The  Navajos  are  pre- 
paring for  another  conflict. 

This  war,  you  will  remember,  is  a  violation  of  our  treaties  with 
these  Indians. 

in 
The  Pueblo  Indians  continue  to  come        with  complaints  against 
Mexican  encroachments. 
I  am, 

With  great  respect 

Your  obt.  servt 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt 
P.  S.     The  mail  from  the  States  came  in  on  the  evening  of  the 
28th  inst,  but  brought  me  no  intelligence  from  Washington  City. 

J.  S.  C. 
Orlando  Brown,  Esqr. 

Comr.  of  Ind.  Affs. 

Washingto7i  City. 

[Related  Correspondence.] 

[VAN  HORNE  TO  McLAWS.i] 

Head  Qrs  Batln  3d  Infy. 

Paso  del  Noete  New  Mexico. 

Septemher  19th  1850. 

Sir, 

Simon  Manuel,  Simon  Porode,  another  Chief,  and  eight  other  Apache  Indians 
df  the  Muscahiros  band,  living  between  the  Sacramento  Mountains  and  Presidio 
del  Norte,  came  in  to  this  post  and  San  Elizario  a  few  days  since,  instructed 
they  say  by  their  people,  to  ascertain  whether  they  would  be  kindly  received 
end  that  if  they  were  assured  that  their  people  would  be  received  in  a  kind  and 
friendly  manner  that  they  would  return  to  their  tribe  and  bring  them  In  about 


lA.  G.  0.,  Files,  Department  of  New  Mexico,  V  20  of  1850. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  261 

ten  days  or  more  from  this  time.  They  were  received  with  kindness  and  some 
presents  made  them,  both  at  this  post  and  at  San  Elizario,  and  appeared  to  go 

would 
away  well  satisfied  saying  they  expected  their  people  be  in,  in  consid- 

erable numbers  about  the  time  specified  to  make  a  treaty.  They  also  visited  the 
town  of  El  Paso  over  the  river,  and  were  very  kindly  received  there.  I  pre- 
sume it  is  the  wish  of  the  government  to  cultivate  friendly  relations  with  them, 
and  to  do  this  effectually  I  should  be  authorized  to  issue  provisions  in  limited 
quantities  and  to  make  small  presents  to  the  infiuential  men  among  them. 

A  part  of  the  train  of  supplies  have  arrived.  The  remainder  will  all  be  here 
within  a  week  probably.  The  teamsters  &c  in  Coons  part  of  the  train  (about  120 
in  number  and  well  armed,)  are  represented  to  me  by  Mr.  Coons  and  his  agent 
Smith  as  a  lawless  and  desperate  set  of  men  over  whom  they  could  exercise  no 
control,  and  that  they  have  lost  250  of  Coons  oxen,  and  wasted  and  lost  much 

pay 
of  his  property.     He  has  declared  he  will  not  more  than  a  third  of  them— 

They  drove  off  Smith  and  tried  to  shoot  the  issuing  agent.  There  are  some 
apprehensions  that  they  may  seize  upon  the  train  and  supplies.  This  I  think  not 
very  likely.  Coons  has  promised  to  have  them  disarmed  before  they  reach  here. 
I  have  no  doubt  these  men  will  occasion  much  disorder  and  annoyance  here. 
Majr.  Sprague  informs  me  that  the  Immense  hordes  of  teamsters  &c.  about 
320  attached  to  this  train  are  by  the  contract  subsisted  from  the  Govt  Stores 
which  they  brought  up  and  until  their  return  to  San  Antonio,  and  that  together 
with  the  supplies  destroyed,  lost,  and  unfit  for  use,  only  about  one  half  the  sub- 
sistence will  remain  for  the  use  of  the  troops  here.  The  clothing  and  other 
property  is  also  damaged,  the  tierces  &c.  being  broken  open.  Majr.  Sprague 
calculates  that  by  this  mode  of  transportation  the  ration  will  cost  the  U.  S. 
here  at  least  $1.50.  The  provisions  are  badly  and  inconveniently  put  up  and 
many  of  the  packages  broken. 

A  Mr.  French  is  also  arrived  here,  with  a  letter  from  V.  E.  Howard,  M.  O. 
to  me,  with  a  train  of  carriages  and  some  300  passengers  for  California  and 
employees.  An  express  is  just  in  from  Washington  City.  The  house  of  How- 
land  and  Aspinwall  upon  whose  authority  he  has  been  lavishing  immense  sums 
to  carry  120  emigrants  from  N.  Y.  to  California  and  subsist  them  on  the  way 
for  $250  each  ! ! !  have  dishonored  his  drafts,  and  a  Sheriff  is  now  here  to  seize 
him  and  all  his  property,  carriages  &c.  They  say  the  letter  of  credit  whlcli 
French  exhibits  purporting  to  be  from  them  is  a  forgery.  Lockwood,  Divine, 
and  others  at  San  Antonio  furnished  his  outfit  chiefly,  and  it  is  believed  the 
Govt  officers  at  San  Antonio  and  elsewhere  may  suffer  loses.  ^Most  of  these 
300  men  are  also  wholly  destitute,  and  with  the  others  there  is  likely  to  be  some 
500  men  wholly  destitute  of  means,  and  those  first  mentioned  of  the  most  law- 
less character  thrown  out  of  employment  at  this  place,  where  there  is  at  all 
times  a  horde  of  loafers  and  desparadoes. 
Very  Respectfully 

Your  Obdt  Servt 

J.  Van  Horne 
U.  Maj.  3  Inf  Comdg 

Lieut  Tj.  McLaws 

.1.  .1.  .1.  Genl. 

9th  Md  Dept. 

Santa  Fe,  N.M. 


202  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN, 

[LGITGHERY  TO   CALHOUN.'] 

Department  of  the  Interior 

Office  Indian  Affair^ 

Oct  m  1850 
Calhoun  Esq  James  S. 

Santa  Fe 

New  Mexico 
Sir: 

I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  herewith  your  commission-  as  Indian 
Agent  at  Santa  Fe,  your  former  appointment  having  expired  with 
the  close  of  the  late  session  of  Congress. 

I  also  enclose  the  form  of  a  bond  which  you  will  execute  in  the 
penal  sum  of  $5000  with  two  or  more  sureties  whose  sufficiency  must 
be  certified  by  a  U  States  Judge  or  District  Attorney;  &  return  it  to 
this  office  as  soon  as  it  is  completed. 

Very  respectfully  Your  Obt  Servt 

A  S  LOUGHERY 

Actg  Gomr 

[CALHOUN   TO   BROWN.'] 

No.  S2. 

Indian  Agency. 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

October  13,  1860 
Sir, 

I  avail  myself  of  an  ojjportunity  which  will  offer  to-day,  or  on  to- 
morrow, to  say  to  you,  that  the  report  concerning  the  murder  of 
Mr  Maxwell,  of  which  I  advised  you  on  the  30th  of  last  month,  was 
not  true — He  reached  Taos  in  safety,  with  his  effects,  notwithstand- 
ing a  number  of  Apaches  were  in  his  immediate  neighborhood. 

Two  Apaches,  a  man  and  his  wife,  are  now  at  this  Agency — They 
were  brought  to  the  Head  Quarters  of  this  Military  Department  by 
order  of  the  Commanding  Officer  at  Abiquin,  and,  at  the  request  of 
Col.  Munroe,  they  are  in  charge  of  this  Agency. 

It  appears  a  party  of  some  fifteen  or  twenty  Apaches,  men,  women, 
and  children,  were  on  their  way,  from  the  North  East,  to  Abiquin,  as 
they  represent,  to  ask  permission  to  reside  near  that  post,  and  under 
its  protection.  Before  reaching  Abiquin,  near  the  Ojo  Caliente,  they 
stopped  at  a  Mexican's  house,  and  asked  for  something  to  eat,  which 
was  promptly  given  to  them.  After  they  had  eat,  the  Mexican  man- 
aged to  induce  them  to  wander  about  his  premises,  having  previously 

1  O.  I.  A.,  L.  B.,  No.  43,  p.  442. 

==  President  Fillmore  sent  in  ttie  nomination,  September  23,  1850  (Senate  Exec.  Journal, 
VIII,  p.  241).  It  was  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Indian  Affairs,  of  which  Atchison 
was  chairman,  and,  on  the  25'^  favorably  reported  upon.      (Ibid.,  p.  250). 

»  0.  I.  A.,  Santa  Fe  Agency,  C  529. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  263 

prepared  to  have  executed  his  bloody  purpose,  and  while  thus  sepa- 
rated, four  of  them,  one  man  and  three  small  boys,  were  murdered 
upon  the  spot — One  man,  a  girl,  and  two  boys,  are  missing.  The 
Mexican  ordered  his  men  to  fire  on  the  survivors,  consisting,  prin- 
cipally, of  women  and  children,  but  they  refused  to  obey  the  Order — 
The  man  who  is  at  this  Agency,  was  not  present,  having  gone  a 
short  distance,  to  report,  as  cheif  of  the  party,  to  the  Prefect  of  the 

the 
county,  the  objects  and  destination  of  Apache  party  under  his 
command.  The  Prefect  gave  them  an  escort  to  Abiquin.  A  son  of 
the  Apache,  here,  was  slain.  These  Indians  will  be  permitted  to 
reside,  for  the  present,  near  Abiquin,  and  at  Col.  Munroe's  sugges- 
tion, I  will  cause  them  to  be  supplied  with  provisions,  to  a  limited 
extent.  By  this  course,  we  may  induce  others  to  come  in  from  whom 
we  may  glean  some  useful  information — The  one  present  claims  to 
have  been  in  retirement,  and  therefore  ignorant  as  to  the  murders 
and  depredations  committed  by  the  Apaches.  He  says  there  is  a 
number  of  Mexican  Captives  among  them. 

The  Mexican  who  caused  the  murders  to  be  committed  at  the  Ojo 
Caliente  has  been  in  prison  here  for  the  three  last  days,  and  will  be 
set  at  liberty  upon  a  mere  nominal  recognizance.  The  demoralization 
of  Society  here,  is  such,  it  would  be  impolitic,  if  not  altogether  im- 
practicable to  administer  justice  in  this  case.  A  considerable  sum 
of  money  has  been  subscribed  to  procure  a  gold  medal  to  be  presented 
to  this  cold-blooded  murderer,  and  this  is  done,  cheifly,  by  Americans. 

By  reference  to  my  No.  76,  dated  August  the  12th  of  the  present 
year,  you  will  perceive  I  notified  you  of  the  assaults  made  by  the 
Navajos  upon  the  Pueblo  of  Zufii.  I  again  alluded  to  this  subject 
on  the  30th  of  September  last,  (No.  81).  We  now  learn,  the  Navajos, 
a  few  days  since,  made  another  attack  upon  Zuiii,  with  a  force,  it  is 

have 
api^rehended,  that  will  proved  disastrous  to  the  Pueblo,  by  the 

destruction  of  their  crops,  if  nothing  more  serious  has  occurred.  This 
attack  was  delayed,  for  a  few  days,  in  consequence  of  the  presence 
of  the  escort  at  Zuiii,  who  accompanied  the  Bishop  of  Durango  to 
that  place.  After  leaving  Zuiii,  it  was  discovered  that  one  of  our 
dragoons  was  missing,  and  the  commanding  officer  ordered  a  few 
others  back  to  bring  him  up.  While  these  dragoons  were  yet  in  view 
of  the  Pueblo,  the  Navajos  had  commenced  the  attack.  In  reference 
to  this  attack,  nothing  further  is  known.  Col.  Munroe  has  ordered 
a  company  of  Dragoons  stationed  at  Cibolletta,  to  proceed  to  Zufii, 
and  has  sent  fifty  old  muskets  for  the  use  of  the  Indians  of  that 
Pueblo.  If  the  Pueblo  Indians  have  been  able  to  save  their  crops,  it 
will  be  fortunate  for  our  troops,  as  they  relied  upon  them  for  a  por- 
tion of  their  supplies,  which  would  have  been  greatly  augmented  if 


Z04  CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

their  warriors  could  have  been  engaged  in  tilling  the  earth  instead  of 
guarding  the  Pueblo,  and  the  laborers  who  were  compelled  to  work. 
An  Agent  at  Zuni,  in  my  opinion,  as  I  have  frequently  suggested, 
might  have  secured  them  such  protection  as  greatly  to  have  increased 
their  crops,  and  prevented  the  present  war,  especially  if  he  had  been 
permitted  the  use  of  the  ordnance  and  ordnance  stores  which  I  have 
heretofore  recommended.  Until  protection  is  afforded  to  the  Pueblo 
Indians,  you  may  in  vain  expect  your  government  animals  to  be  kept 
fit  for  service.  Independent  of  this  consideration,  there  are  other 
and  higher  obligations  which  require  the  Government  of  the  United 
States  to  protect  these  Indians,  and  establish  and  preserve  the  tran- 
quility of  this  territory.  Unless  Congress  has  acted  discreetly  upon 
this  subject,  almost  the  entire  American  population,  unconnected  with 
the  army,  must  leave  the  country.  Immigration  has  entirely  ceased, 
and  many  who  came  into  the  country  to  reside,  not  daring  to  venture 
into  the  interior  of  the  country  so  as  to  ascertain  its  resources,  have 
been  compelled  to  go  to  California,  or  return  to  the  States.  I  venture 
the  opinion,  that,  at  least,  one  half  of  American  immigrants  to  this 
territory  have  left  it  during  the  last  six  months.  They  are  daily  de- 
parting. The  mineral  resources  of  New  Mexico,  are  beleived  to  be 
equal  to  those  of  any  country,  and  yet,  the  most  daring  and  enterpriz- 
ing  dare  not  venture  so  far  abroad  as  to  ascertain,  with  any  degree 
of  certainty,  the  mineral  wealth  of  the  territory.  It  would  be  a  blind- 
ness to  well  established  historical  facts  to  suppose,  the  native  popu- 
lation of  this  territory,  in  its  present  demoralized  and  subdued  con- 
dition, could  develope  its  resources — and  unless  American  energy  and 
enterprize  are  properly  protected  here,  as  elsewhere,  it  must  ever 
remain  a  heavy  charge  upon  the  Treasury  of  the  United  States.  It 
is  unnecessary  to  repeat  my  views  in  relation  to  a  proper  disposition 
of  affairs  in  this  territory — They  are  well  known  to  the  Department. 
The  seven  Moqui  Pueblos  sent  to  me  a  deputation  who  presented 
themselves  on  the  6th  day  of  this  month.  Their  object,  as  an- 
nounced, was  to  ascertain  the  purposes  and  views  of  the  Government 
of  the  United  States  towards  them.  They  complained,  bitterly,  of 
the  depredations  of  the  Navajos — The  deputation  consisted  of  the 
Cacique  of  all  the  Pueblos,  and  a  chief  of  the  largest  Pueblo,  accom- 
panied by  two  who  were  not  officials.     From  what  I  could  learn 

the 
from  Cacique,  I  came  to  the  conclusion,  that  each  of  the  seven 
Pueblos,  was  an  independent  Republic,  having  confederated  for 
mutual  protection.  One  of  the  popular  errors  of  the  day,  is,  there 
are  but  five  of  these  Pueblos  remaining,  another  is,  that  one  of  the 
Pueblos  speak  a  different  language  from  the  other  Six — I  under- 
stood the  Cicaque  to  say,  the  seven  spoke  the  same  language,  but 

Tanoquevi, 
the  Pueblo  in  which  he  resided,  Oriva,  spoke  also,  the 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN.  265 

language  of  the  Pueblo  of  Santa  Domingo — hence  the  error  first 
mentioned.  These  Pueblos  may  be,  all,  visited  in  one  day.  They 
are  supposed  to  be  located  about  due  West  from  Santa  Fe,  and 
from  three  to  four  days  travel,  North  West,  from  Zufii.  The  fol- 
lowing was  given  to  me  as  the  names  of  their  Pueblos — 

1.  Oriva  5.  Opquive 

2.  Somonpavi  6.  Chemovi 

3.  Juparavi  7.  Tanoquevi. 

4.  Mansana 

I  understood,  further,  they  regarded  as  a  small  Pueblo,  eeffipfti-*e4 
t  Zuiii,  as  compared  Avith  Oriva.  The  other  Pueblos  were  very 
much  like  Zuiii  and  Santa  Domingo.  They  supposed^  Oriva  could 
turn  out  one  thousand  warriors.  I  desired,  and  beleived  it  to  be 
importent  to  visit  these  Indians,  and  would  have  done  so,  if  Col. 
Munroe  had  not,  in  reply  to  my  application  for  an  escort  that  -he 
replied,  that  he  could  not  furnish  me  with  one  at  this  time.  They 
left  me,  apparently,  highly  gratified  at  the  reception  and  presents 
given  to  them. 

These  Indians  ought  to  be  visited  at  an  early  day. 

THE   UTAHS 

seem  to  be  quiet,  and  no  one  has,  recently,  complained  of  their  con- 
duct. 

THE    COMANCHES. 

I  have  heard  nothing  concerning  these  Indians  since  my  letter 
to  you  of  the  day  of 

THE    APACHES, 

are  reposing,  or  preparing  for  an  outbreak  of  some  kind.  Without 
an  adequate  fund,  we  shall  never  be  able  to  pry  successfully,  into 
the  purposes  of  the  wild  Indians  of  this  territory. 

At  my  request,  the  enclosed  ^  communication  was  politely  sent  to 
me  this  day. 
I  am. 

With  great  respect, 

Your  obt.  servt, 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Iiid.  Agt 
Orlando  Brown  Esqr 

Comr.  of  Ind.  Afs. 

Washington  City 

D.  C. 

1  See  p.  266. 


266  CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN. 

[KERN  TO   CALHOUN'] 

Santa  Fe  Oct  12  1830 
Dear  Colonel 

Below  is  the  list  of  the  different  bands  of  Apaches — Mr  Francisco 
Fletcher,  Interpreter  at  Doilana  is  my  authority. 

Jicarillas. 

Mezcaleros  or  Muscaleros. 

Sacramentos. 

Aqua  Nuevas. 

Nortenians 

Lipans 

Garroteros  called  also  Gilanians 

Tontos  called  also  Gilanians 

Coyoteros  called  also  Gilanians. 

Mogoyoneros  called  also  Gilanians 

Copper  Mine  Apaches  called  also  Gilanians 

Carrijalanians 

T^'     ^,  iln  Chihuahua  &  Sonora. 

Fronteranos 

Pifialanios 

Very  truly 

EiGHARD  H.  E[ern. 

To  Col.  J.  C.  Calhoun  Ind  Agt. 

.S. 

[CALHOUN  TO   LEA.''] 

No.  83. 

Indian  Agency 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

October  31st.  1850 
Sir, 

I  have  this  day  drawn  upon  the  Hon.  Secretary  of  the  Interior,  for 
f.ve  hundred  dollars  ($500)  payable  one  day  after  Sight  to  Mrs  Mary 
Reynolds,  (of  Philadelphia)  which  amount  when  paid,  you  will 
please  charge  to  this  Agency. 

In  reference  to  future  fiscal  arrangements  for  this  Agency  I  have 
the  honor  to  refer  you  to  my  second  letter  of  this  date,  No.  84. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be, 
Your  obt.  Servt. 

James  S.  Calhoun 

Indian  Agent 
Hon. 

Commissioner  of  Ind.  Atts. 

Washington  City. 
B.C. 

1  Enclosure  of  No.  82. 

^  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  536. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OP    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  267 

[CALHOUN  TO   LEA?'] 

No.  84. 

Indian  Agency. 
Santa  Fe,  Mew  Mexico. 

Oct^.  SI.  1850. 
Sir, 

of 
Since  the  date  of  my  letter      Oetp  12tli  of  the  present  month,  No. 
82.  every  element  of  discord,  in  this  territory,  has  been,  and  continues 

one 
in  repose.  There  have  been  a  few  small  depredations,  but  not 
worthy  of  special  record.  Not  a  murder  has  come  to  my  knowledge. 
The  Pueblo  Indians  manifest  their  accustomed  anxiety  to  know 
what  the  Government  of  the  United  States  intend  to  do  with,  or  for 
them. 

In  reference  to  the  Apaches,  Comanches,  Navajos,  and  Utahs,  I 
have  nothing  to  add  to  my  former  communications, 

THE  MOQUI  PUEBLOS. 

My  No.  82,  advised  you,  that  the  Cacique  of  the  Moqui  Pueblos, 
and  others,  had  visited  this  Agency,  in  order  to  ascertain  the  pur- 
poses of  the  Government  of  the  United  States  towards  them.  At 
that  time,  I  supposed  it  to  be  my  duty  to  visit  these  people,  but  Col. 
Munroe,  then,  could  not  spare  an  escort.  I  had  hoped  after  the 
adjustment,  by  Congress,  of  certain  vexed  questions,  and  an  arrival  of 
additional  troops,  the  escort  thee  would  be  granted — But  it  is  not  so, 
for  Col.  Munroe  thinks  it  would  be  indiscreet  to  travel  in  that  direc- 
tion at  this  season  of  the  year.  The  Colonel  may  be  entirely  correct, 
but  my  information  leads  me  to  an  antagonistical  conclusion. 

I  had  thought,  and  yet  think,  the  Department  ought  to  have  before 
it,  at  the  earliest  possible  day,  authentic  information  in  reference 
to  the  country  West  of  Santa  Fe — Judging  from  the  oifidal  docu- 
ments, printed  by  order  of  Congress,  such  as  I  have  seen.,  they  have 
no  reliable  information,  for  the  authors  could  have  been  correct  by 
accident  only — and  we  do  know,  they  have  been  sadly  duped. 

Fiscal  arrangement  for  this  Agency. 

My  number  83.  of  this  day's  date,  advises  you,  that  I  had  drawn 
upon  the  Department,  at  one  day  after  sight,  in  favor  of  Mary 
Reynolds,  (of  Philadelphia)  iov  pve  hundred  dollars.,  ($500).  I  beg 
the  Department  to  honor  this  draft. 

1  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F6  .\gency,  C  537.  Luke  Lea's  term  as  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs 
began  July  1850.     See  Receipts  for  Salaries,  Employees  of  Indian  OflBce,  1846  to  1852. 


268  CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

Allow  me  to  suggest  to  the  Department,  that  the  Commissary, 
Quarter  Master,  and  Pay-Master,  of  this  Department,  have  the 
entire  control  of  the  money  market  of  this  Department,  and  I  deem 
it 

of  decided  importance,  that  some  arrangement  should  be  effected 
between  the  Departments  at  Washington,  by  which  one  of  the  fore- 
going officers  should  be  required  to  furnish  to  the  Agency,  the  money 
appropriated  for  disbursement  at  this  office. 

With  the  fact  staring  me  in  the  face,  that  I  have  drawn  on  the 

an 
Department,  without  previous  authority,  I  rely  upon  the  approval 
of  my  course,  because,  I  think  my  various  communications  must 
have  satisfied  the  Department,  to  have  failed  in  assuming  the  respon- 
sibilities, of  which  it  is  advised,  I  could  not  have,  properly,  dis- 
charged the  duties  assigned  to  me,  as  Indian  Agent. 
I  am, 

With  great  respect. 

Your  obt.  servt. 

J.  S.  Calhoun. 

Ind.  Agt 
Hon. 

Commissioner  or  Ind.  Afts. 

Washington  City 

D.  C. 

[CALHOUN   TO   LEA?*] 
No.  85. 

Indian  Agency. 
Santa  Fe,  Neav  Mexico. 

Now.  4-  1850 
Sir, 

I  seize  the  occasion,  which  offers  to-day,  to  say,  that  since  my 
No.  84,  dated  Octr.  31st  several  depredations  have  been  committed 
by  the  Navajo  on  the  west  side  of  the  Rio  del  Norte — Near  Cibol- 
letta,  they  have  driven  off  several  thousand  Sheep— I  have  heard  of 
no  murders  committed  by  them. 

These  Indians  have  become  so  bold,  they  dare  to  visit,  frequently, 
many  of  the  Pueblos,  for  the  purposes  of  trade,  so  the  Pueblos  say — 
That  they  are  engaged  in  an  extensive  traffic,  there  is  no  doubt. 
During  the  past  week,  a  band  of  these  people  were  at  Santa  Domingo, 
on  this  side  of  the  Rio  del  Norte,  thirty  one  miles  from  Santa  Fe — 

10.  I.  A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  538. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 


269 


they  are  frequently  at  Jemez.  The  trade  alluded  to  above,  is  not  con- 
fined to  Indians. 

I  have  not  heard  from  Zuni  for  several  weeks — 
Very  respectfully 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt, 
Hon. 

CoMR.  OF  Ind.  Affs 

[CALHOUN  TO  LEA.'] 

No.  86. 

[LEA   TO   CALHOUN."] 


Department  of  the  Interior, 

Office  Indian  Affairs, 

Nov  18th  1850 
Sir, 

Congress  having  appropriated,  Fifteen  Hundred  dollars  for  the 
redemption  of  the  daughter  of  Mr  &  Mrs  J.  M  Wliite,  now  supposed 
to  be  in  captivity  with  the  Apache  Indians,  this  office  is  charged 
with  the  duty  of  directing  the  disbursement  of  the  fund,  and  it  is 
deeply  anxious  that  the  money  shall  be  expended  so  as  to  give  full 
effect  to  the  benevolent  intention  of  Congress  in  making  the  appro- 
priation. 

If,  as  is  supposed,  the  little  girl  is  a  captive  among  the  tribe 
"Apache  "  proper,  or  that  mixed  band  termed  "  Jaccillaras  ",  which 
for  years  past,  have  infested  the  vicinity  of  San  Fernandez  de  Taos, 
the  country  between  it  and  Bent's  Fort,  and  that  part  of  the  Santa 
Fe  road  which  crosses  the  Rio  Colerado,  it  is  feared  that  her  release 
will  be  attended  with  more  difficulty  and  danger  than  if  she  were 
in  captivity  among  any  other  of  the  New  Mexican  Indians. 

Hence  in  view  of  the  object  to  be  gained,  being  one  which  pre- 
sents itself  with  such  strong  claims  to  our  best  efforts,  it  is  very  much 
to  be  desired  that  the  greatest  care  and  caution  should  be  used,  as  one 
false  step  or  mistake  might  preclude  the  possibility  of  ultimate  suc- 
cess. There  is,  doubtless  a  certain  line  of  policy  to  be  pursued,  in 
dealing  with  these  Indians,  which  experience  has  proved  to  be  most 
successful    This,  it  is  supposed,  can  be  best  learned  from  those  who 

>  Not  on  file  in  Indian  Office,  but  see  entry  for  January  8, 1851,  in  0. 1.  A.,  L.  R.  No.  38. 


\ 


O.  I.  A.  Santa  F^ 
539 


Respecting  extensive  traffic  {  Chf.Clk.    Ackd.  22<J.  Jany '51 
going  on  between  Ameri-  1 
cans  &  Mexicans,  on  the  : 
one  part,  &  various  bands 
of  Apaches  i 


•  O.  I.  A.,  L.  B.  No.  44,  pp.  28-29. 


270  CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

have  long  resided  in  the  mountains,  and  who  have,  from  long  ex- 
perience in  trading  with  the  Indians,  become  thoroughly  acquainted 
Avith  their  character  and  habits,  and  are  informed  as  to  the  particular 
motives  and  influences  most  likely  to  affect  and  control  them. 

It  is  to  be  feared  that  Military  force,  if  employed  against  them, 
would  result  in  the  exasperation  of  the  savages,  and  the  immediate 
destruction  of  the  child  and  should,  therefore,  be  resorted  to  only  in 
the  event  of  the  failure  of  all  milder  measures  Yet  it  is  necessary 
that  the  Indians  should  be  informed  of  the  intention  of  the  Govern- 
ment, to  secure  the  release  of  this  child,  should  recourse  to  that 
branch  of  the  public  service  be  found  necessary  to  accomplish  it, 
even  to  the  extinction  of  the  band 

From  information  received  at  this  office,  it  is  ascertained  that  a 
portion  of  the  Apaches,  numbering  about  fifty  lodges,  have  been 
associated  with  the  Kiowas  and  Comanches,  for  some  time  past,  and 
have  aided  them  in  all  their  wars  upon  both  Mexicans  and  Ameri- 
cans. Having  expressed  a  friendly  disposition,  during  the  present 
year,  it  is  suggested  that  their  influence  might  be  obtained  in  this 
matter,  if  they  can  be  reached. 

It  seems  probable,  that  a  general  knowledge  of  the  fact,  among  the 
Indians,  traders  &c.  that  a  large  reward  was  offered  for  the  recovery 
of  the  child,  would  stimulate  to  more  extensive  individual  and  asso- 
ciated efforts,  than  any  other  practicable  measure. 

You  are  therefore  authorized  and  directed  to  make  known  by  such 
proper  means,  as  may  afford  the  speediest  and  widest  dissemination 
of  the  intelligence,  that  the  Government  will  pay  a  reward  of  $1000. 
to  any  person  or  persons,  who  will  safely  deliver  the  child  into  the 
custody  of  any  agent  of  the  Government.  For  the  amount  of  such 
reward  you  are  authorized  to  draw,  whenever  it  is  jnstly  claimed. 
You  are  also  authorized  to  draw  for  the  remainder  ($500)  of  the 
appropriation;  and  you  are  instructed  to  expend  it  in  such  way  as 
may  seem  to  you  best  calculated  to  accomplish  the  object  in  view 

It  is  deemed  prudent,  not  to  trammel  your  action  by  more  specific 
directions.  Great  confidence  is  reposed  in  your  discretion,  and  I  have 
only  to  add  that  you  are  expected  to  put  forth  your  best  energies  in 
giving  the  utmost  efficiency  to  the  means  in  your  power  for  the 
preservation,  recovery  and  restoration  of  the  captive  child. 
Very  respectfully, 

Your  obt  Servt. 

Commissioner 

To 

James  S  Calhoun 

Indian  Agent 

Santa  Fe^ 

New  Mexico, 


COBRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN.  271 

[Belated  Correspondence.] 

[dunn  to  secretary  of  war.^] 

Richmond  Virginia  Dec  29th  1849 
Sir 

I  have  just  been  advised  through  my  friends,  Hon  F  McMullin  &  F.  S  Hay- 
mond,  that  the  Department  at  Washington  had  determined  that  I  should,  at  my 
request,  be  sent  at  onee  as  dearer  of  dispatches,  to  the  Indian  Agent  at  Santa 
Fee;  and  that  dispatches  would  speedily  be  forwarded  to  me  at  this  place. 

Much  as  I  desire  to  do  all  that  I  possibly  can  to  procure  the  release  of  my 
unfortunate  sister  and  her  little  daughter;  I  have  after  due  deliberation  and 
having  counciled  my  friends  fully  upon  the  subject,  come  to  the  conclusion  that 
nothing  can  be  effected  by  my  proceeding,  now  to  Santa  Fee.  More  than  two 
months  have  elapsed  since  my  sister  was  captured.  It  is  reasonable  to  suppose 
that  all  has  been  done  to  procure  her  release,  that  man  could  expect  to  accom- 
plish, and  if  she  has  not  been  ransomed,  before  this  late  day,  the  strong  proba- 
bility is,  that  she  is  no  longer  living  If  ransomed,  she  could  not  return  to  the 
States  earlier  than  April  or  May  next,  and  is  now  in  the  hands  of  her  friends, 
who  would  see  that  her  every  want  was  provided  for  I  therefore  respectfully 
decline  the  mission  so  readily  bestowed  upon  me,  and  for  fear  that  dispatches 
important  to  the  service,  might  be  delayed,  on  my  account,  I  have,  in  advance 
of  any  official  announcement,  determined  to  communicate  at  once  with  your 
self  &  state  fully  my  object  &  views  in  thus  declining. 
With  great  respect  I  have  the  honor  to  be 
Your  obt  servant 


Isaac  B  Dunn 


To  Secretary  War 
Washington  City  D  C 


[McLAWS  TO  GRIER.2] 


Hd.  Qes:  9  Mil:  Dep  : 
Santa  Fe  N.  Mex.  July  25,  / .50 
Majoh 

1  have  the  honor  hereby  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  communications  of 
July  1st  reporting  that  arrival  and  Departure  from  your  Post  of  Co  K  2d 
dragoons  under  Lieut  Adams  1st  dragoons  Enclosing  a  monthly  return  of  your 
command  and  copies  of  orders  issued  during  the  same  month  of  June,  also  a 
note  which  you  state  was  received  from  a  Mr.  Geo.  Gold  signing  himself  Sub- 
Indian  Agent  relative  to  Augustine  Lacombe. 

Mr.  Augustus  Lacombe  was  authorised  by  Mr.  Gold  acting  under  instructions 
from  Col.  Calhoun,  the  Indian  Agent  to  trade  with  the  Utahs  for  the  mere  pur- 
pose of  gaining  information  relative  to  the  family  of  Mr.  White  and,  if  any 
be  still  alive,  to  effect  a  ransom  at  any  expense.  At  the  time  my  communication 
was  written  giving  the  names  of  all  persons,  to  which  Licenses  to  trade  had  been 
granted  it  was  not  known  what  action  Mr.  Gold  had,  taken  on  the  Instructions 

1  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F€  Agency,  D  287. 
» A.  G.  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  3,  p.  132. 


272  CORRESPONDENCE  OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN. 

of  Col.  Calhoun  which  will  account  for  the  omission  of  the  name  of  Augustus 
Lacombe  on  the  list 
Respectfully 

Your  obt.  Servt. 

L  McLaws 
1st  Lt  7th  Infy 

AAA  Qenl 
MaJ.  W.  N.  Gbieb 

Commdg 

Rayado. 

[STUART  TO  LOUGHERY.^] 

Depabtment  of  the  Interior 

September  17,  1850 
Sib— 

You  are  requested  to  inform  me  what  amount  of  funds  is  at  your  disposal, 
which  can  be  applied  to  the  recapture  or  redemption  from  captivity  of  the 
child  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  White,  late  of  Virginia,  who  were  murdered  on  the 
Western  Plains  last  summer  by  the  Indians;  and.  if  you  are  provided  with 
such  funds,  what  steps  you  can  take  to  rescue  the  child  before  the  next  winter 
«ets  in?  An  immediate  answer  is  desired. 
Respectfully  Your  obt.  servt, 

Alex  H.  H.  Stuart 

Secretary 
A.  S.  LouGHERY  Esq. 

Acting  Comr  of  Indian  Affairs. 

[DUNN  TO  STUART.2] 

Abingdon  Va  Oct  9th  1850 
Mr.  A.  H.  H.  Stuart 
Dear  Sib 

Your  letter  to  my  Bro  J.  B.  Dunn,  In  regard  to  our  niece  (Mrs.  Whites  Child) 
was  received  to  day,  and  in  his  absence  from  home  I  take  the  liberty  of  address- 
ing a  few  lines  in  reply.  W^e  cannot  undertake  to  suggest  any  plan  in  particu- 
lar for  the  restoration  of  the  child,  but  think  the  one  most  likely  to  succeed 
would  be  by  treaty.  Capt.  Aubrey  who  returned  a  few  weeks  since  from  Santa 
Fe,  informs  us.  that  the  child  is  certainly  alive,  that  the  traders  who  go  among 
the  Indians  see  it  frequently,  that  he  has  authorized  the  traders  to  pay  any 
amt  for  its  Ransom,  that  they  have  offered  thousands  of  Dollars,  and  say  that 
it  cannot  be  ransomed  at  any  price.  He  suggests  that  the  Government  should 
negotinte  for  it  in  some  manner,  and  we  think  it  is  the  only  means  left  whereby 
its  release  can  be  obtained.  Much  depends  upon  the  exertions  of  Col  Munroe 
and  we  fear  from  accounts  that  he  has  been  very  remiss  in  his  duty,  or  he 
could  have  succeeded  long  ago. 

We  would  wish  that  the  authorities  at  Santa  Fe  be  required  to  use  every 
exertion  in  every  way  possible,  without  sparing  expense  or  trouble,  even  If  it 
should  extend  to  the  extermination  of  the  last  Indian  on  the  plains  of  New 
Mexico.  We  would  much  prefer  that  the  child  should  be  killed,  than  to  be 
reared  by  such  barbarous  savages. 

My  Dear  Sir  we  congratulated  ourselves  on  your  appointment  to  the  high 
position  which  you  now  occupy — as  secretary  of  the  Interior,  for  we  know  in 

1 0.  I.  A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  I  471. 
•  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F&  Agency,  I  492. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  273 

your  breast,  beat  tlie  heart  of  a  true  virginiau,  tliat  were  almost  from  amongst 
us,  tbat  you  could  sympathize  with  us  in  our  deep  affliction,  that  your  own 
state  pride  alone,  would  prompt  you,  to  extend  your  strong  official  arm,  to  the 
restoration  of  a  -fair  Daughter  of  Va.  Feeling  that  you  will  use  your  best 
exertions  in  this  matter,  we  rely  upon  you  altogether,  hoping  that  your  efforts 
may  succeed. 
With  the  best  wishes  for  your  health  and  prosperity  I  remain 
Most 

Respectfully 

Yours 

Jas.  H.  Dunn 

[CONRAD  TO   STUART.i] 

War  Department, 
Washington  November  2,  1850 
Sib, 

I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  herewith  papers '  received  from  the  Hon  F.  Mc- 
Mullen  with  a  letter  asking  the  aid  of  this  Department  for  the  recovery  of  the 
daughter  of  Mr.  &  Mrs.  White  who  was  carried  into  captivity  by  the  Indians  in 
New  Mexico,  after  the  murder  of  her  parents.  It  is  understood  that  measures 
are  about  being  taken  for  the  recovery  of  the  child,  by  your  Department — Con- 
gress having  placed  funds  at  your  disposal  for  the  purpose,  and  whatever  in- 
structions yon  may  deem  necessary  to  be  given  to  officers  of  the  army  to  aid  In 
the  accomplishment  of  the  object  will  be  promptly  issued  by  this  Department 
upon  being  advised  of  your  views  in  the  matter. 
Very  respectfully 

Your  Obedt.  Servr. 

C.  M.  Conrad, 

Secretary  of  War 
Hon.  A.  H.  H.  Stewart, 

Secretary  of  the  Interior. 

[McLAWS  TO  ALEXANDER.^] 

Hd  Qrs  :  9  Mil  :  Dept. 
Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

Mar.  20,  1851. 
Colonel, 

By  direction  of  Col :  Munroe  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  a  License 
to  trade  with  any  tribe  or  tribes  of  Indians  between  this  place  and  the  White 
Mountains  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  information  relative  to  the  child  of 
Mrs.  J.  M.  White  is  granted  to  Benjamin  J.  Latz 
Respectfully 

Your  obt  Servt 

L  McLaws 

1st  Lieut  7  Infy 
Col :  E.  B.  Alexander  AAA  Genl 

Commanding 

Las  Vegas. 


iQ.  I.  A.,  Santa  F.^  Agency,  I  521. 

3  The  papers  included  the  following :  Isaac  B.  Dunn  to  Payette  McMullin,  September  10, 
1850 ;  Isaac  B.  Dunn  to  Daniel  Webster,  September  10,  1850  ;  Alex.  H.  H.  Stuart  to  A.  S. 
Loughery,  September  17,  1850;  A.  S.  Loughery  to  D.  C.  Goddard,  September  17,  1850; 
Fayette  McMullin  to  C.  M.  Conrad,  September  30,  1850. 

»A.  G.  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  4,  p.  61. 

5021—15 IS 


274 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 


[CALHOUN   TO  LEA.'] 

No.  87. 


» Not  on  file  in  Indian  Office,  but  see  entry  for  January  18, 1851,  in  O.  I.  A.,  L.  R.  No.  38. 


««  18th 

O.  I.  A.  Santa  F6 

.W6 


Calhoun,  Jas.  S. 

Indn  Agent. 
Santa  Fe,N.  M. 
Nov.  30 

No.  87 


Nos.  88  &  89  reed,  on 
10th  Mch.  1851. 


Reports  the  murder  of  a  pri- 
vate of  company  D  3d. 
Infy.  &  the  arrest  of  ttiree 
citizens  as  concerned  in  it, 
on  oth  Nov: — also  the  mur- 
der of  a  Mexican  by  an 
American  on  the  10th  of 
Nov:  &  the  arrest  &  con- 
finement of  the  latter,  Ac- 
Reports  continuance  of 
war  between  the  Navajoes 
&  the  Pueblo  of  Zuni,  the 
former  having  besieged  the 
Pueblo  and  maintained 
their  position  for  sixteen 
days— Supposes  that  the 
arrival  of  the  escort  with  a 
few  muskets  sent  to  Zuni 
by  Col.  Monroe,  was  the 
cause  of  the  raising  of  the 
siege,  &c.— Reports  his  re- 
turn from  Algodones 
where  he  had  gone  to  allay 
some  disturbances  grow- 
ing out  of  suits  for  land  at 
that  place  &c.— States 
that  there  is  some  rumors 
that  the  Pueblos  have 
made  or  are  making  trea- 
ties with  the  Apaches  & 
other  Indus;  remarks 
that  such  coalitions  should 
not  be  permitted.  Gives 
copy  of  his  letter  to  Gov: 
Monroe  in  regard  to  the 
assembling  of  large  force  of 
Mexicans  below  Socorro  & 
between  it  and  the  Jonada, 
said  to  be  bv  his  informant 
Mr  J  Baird  iOOO  men— can- 
not report  the  result,  &c 
Reports  \isit  of  Govr.  of 
Imez  &  five  Navajoes  who 
remained  with  him  a  few 
days  in  Santa  F^— gives  a 
copy  of  a  paper  furnished 
to  the  Chiefs  of  the  party 
when  leaving  Santa  F^,  in 
which  he  gives  him  au- 
thoritv  to,  after  visiting 
the  Chiefs  of  his  tribe  & 
finding  them  disposed  to 
accede  to  the  terms  of  the 
treaty,  conduct  them  un- 
der a  white  flag  to  the 
Pueblo  of  Jmez  &  report 
to  the  Governor  of  that 
Pueblo,  wh(i  is  authorized 
f  o  take  charge  of  the  party 
&  in  like  manner  conduct 
them  to  Santa  F(§— Is  ad- 
vi-ed  by  the  newspapers 
of  the  adjournment  of  Con- 
gress &  the  approval  of  the 
trpaties  with  the  Nava- 
jops  &  ITtahs,- but  learns 
nothing  of  what  has  been 
done  for  the  Pueblo  popu- 
lation, or  of  the  appropria- 
tion to  fulfil  treaties— Is 
embarrassed  for  want  of 
means,  &  hopes  they  will 
be  sent  to  him  at  an" early 
day — &c,  &c. 


Duplicate  copies 
enclosed  same 
day  (18th)  to  Sec. 
Intr.  with  recom- 
mendation that 
they  be  laid  be- 
fore appropriate 
committees  of 
Congress.— Ackd. 
22.  Jany  '51. 


COERESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 


275 


[CALHOUN   TO   LEA.'] 

No.  88. 

[LEA   TO   CALHOUN.'] 

Department  of  the  Interior, 

Office  Indian  Affairs, 

Bee.  6,  1850 
CaiaHoun  Esq  James  S. 

Santa  Fe 

Neiv  Mexico 
Sir: 

Your  letter,  No  82,  of  the  12tli  of  October  last,  making  your  letters 
by  numbers  complete  to  that  period,  has  been  received. 

I  have  perused  them  with  much  gratification  as  possessing  highly 
valuable  information,  and  regret  exceedingly,  that  the  necessary 
means  are  wanting  to  enable  this  office  to  second,  more  effectually, 
your  efforts  to  preserve  the  peace  and  quiet  of  New  Mexico. 

It  is  greatly  desired  that  Congress  at  its  present  session,  will  enact 
such  laws  and  make  such  appropriations  as  are  indispensable  to  the 
proper  management  of  Indian  Affairs  in  that  section  of  country. 

The  present  condition  of  our  Indian  relations  in  New  Mexico  and 
appropriate  suggestions  and  recommendations  in  reference  to  them, 
are  set  forth  in  the  Annual  Rej)ort  of  this  office  for  the  present  year. 
Copies  of  which  will  be  sent  to  you,  when  published. 
Very  respectfully,  Your  Obt.  Servt 

L  Lea 

Comr. 

[CALHOUN   TO   LEA.'] 


No.  89. 

Indian  Agency, 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mex., 

Deer.  10,  1850 
Sir, 

I  respectfully  invite  your  especial  attention  to  the  accompanying 
papers. 

No.  1.  you  will  perceive  is  a  running  subsistence  account  against 
this  Agency,  amounting  to  Nine  hundred  and  fifty  one  dollars,  and 
Sixty  eight  cents,  for  which  amount,  at  the  request  of  Lt.  Frs.  J. 

» Not  on  file  in  Indian  Office  but  see  entry  for  March  4, 1851,  in  O.  I.  A.,  L.  R.  No.  38. 


"   !  Calhoun,    James    S., 

!  agt. 

Santu  Fi;  Santa  F^,  New  Mex- 

578               I  ico              Dec.  5  '50 

'  (No.  88) 


Transmits  his  Accts  for  3d 
qr.  '50,  and  urges  remit- 
tance of  funds  for  relief  of 
his  agency,  immediately, 
&c,  &c,  &c. 


Ansd.  27  Mch.  1851 
Refd   to  2d   Audr 

15  Aug  '51 
See  book  of  Decis- 
ions &c  p.  140 


»  O.  I.  A.,  L.  B.,  No.  44,  p.  57. 

« O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  579. 


276  COKRp:SrONDEXCE   of    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

Thomas,  A.  C.  S,  I  gave  to  him  a  draft  on  the  Department,  dated  the 
18th  of  November  last,  the  day  that  Lt.  Thomas  left  this  place  for 
the  States.  He  had  not  time  to  have  prepared,  for  me,  a  duplicate, 
hence  I  send  to  yoii  the  original  as  presented  to  me.  retaining  a 
correct  copy. 

No.  2  is  an  examination  of  the  Account  No.  1,  and  the  two  mnnbers 
exhibit  the  following  facts  in  reference  to  the  total  sum.  $951.08.  It 
is  made  up  of  the  produce  of  New  Mexico,  which  No.  1  shows  by 
deducting  the  two  following  items  extracted  from  said  number,  (see 

No.  2.)  amount $155.57 

Articles  transported  from  Ft.  Leavenworth,  as  priced  at  that 

place 267.  G2 

Carried   over $423.19 

Amount  brot.  over $423.19 

Transportation  on  the  $267.62 1 528.-19       $951.68 


Total  value  of  the  subsistence  without  transpor- 
tation  $423. 19 

Add  transportation 528.49      $951.68 

I  have  now  four  remarks  to  make — 

1st.     The  good  of  the  public  service  demanded  this  expenditure. 

2.  A  portion  of  the  amount  is  legitimately  chargeable  to  my  per- 
sonal account,  which  shall  be  done. 

3.  The  transportation  charges  show  how  utterly  inadequate  are 
the  Salaries  i3ri)vided  for  the  public  officers  of  this  territory. 

4.  The  transportation  charge  of  Five  hundred  aiid  ttcenty  eight 
dollars^  and  forty  nine  cents ^  (528.49)  is  due  to  the  proper  Depart- 
ment by  Lt.  Frs.  J.  Thomas,  late  A.  C.  S,  he  having  added  that 
amount  to  the  Ft.  Leavenworth  prices  of  subsistence  issued  to  this 
Agency.  The  Quarter  Master's  Department  paid  the  transportation, 
and  as  charged  to  this  Agency  Lt  Thomas  will  have  the  amount  to 
his  credit  in  settling  his  Commissary's  account. 

The  matter  is  perfectly  well  understood  by  Lt.  Thomas,  who  will 
arrange  the  matter  with  the  proper  office,  if  it  should  not  escape  his 
recollection.  That  it  may  not  be  overlooked,  I  have  deemed  it  ad- 
visable to  make  the  foregoing  statements  for  the  benefit  of  whom  it 
may  concern. 
I  am. 

AVith  gre;it  respect. 

Your  Obt.  Servt. 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
CoiNEMissioNKK  OF  Indian  Affairs.  Indian  Agent. 

Washington  City^ 

D.  G. 


CORBESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 


277 


J.  S  Calhoun  Indian  Agent 


[Accompanying  Papers] 
Sheet  No.  1. 

To  Liout.  Fras.  J.  Thomas  A.  C.  S.  ])r 


Apl 


May 


4 

40 

pounds  Lard 

12 

1()(( 

do 

Flour 

15 

47 

do 

Lard 

200 

do 

Bacon 

12 

do 

Coffee 

25 

do 

Sugar 

100 

do 

Hams 

18 

14 

do 

Beef 

lOi 

do 

do 

7 

do 

do 

11 

do 

do 

do 

do 

24 

100 

do 

Flour 

1 

7 

do 

Beef 

3 

f) 

do 

do 

5 

14 

do 

do 

8 

01 

do 

SuKar 

100 
11 

do 
do 

Jlour 
Ilam 

S 

31 

do 

Beef 

43 

do 

Lard 

13 

12 

do 

Ham 

4 

do 

Beef 

8 

do 

11am 

4 

do 

Beef 

15 

12 

do 

Ham 

8 

do 

Beef 

12 

do 

100 

do 

Flour 

74 

do 

do 

9 

do 

Beef 

May   21 


12 

lbs  Hams 

25 

"  Rice 

7 

"  S.  Beef 

7 

"  Beef 

9 

"   Beef 

61 

"  Soap 
"  S.  ifeef 

10 

24 

"   Beef 

42 

"   Lard 

15 

"   Ham 

40 

"  Candles 

90 

"  Cra.  Sugar 

91 

"  Coffee 

12 

"  Ham 

5 

"  Beef 

23 

"  Hams 

100 

"   Flour 

26 

"  Mutton 

10 

"  Beef 

20 

"  Hams 

65 

"   Flour 

19 

"  Hams 

50 

"  Rice 

25 

"  Coflee 

40 

"  Sugar 

100 

"  Flour 

25 

"  Mutton 

43 

"   Bacon 

15 

"   Mutton 

10 

23  1  bs  Lard 

15 

"   Beef 

100 

"   Flour 

15 

"  Beef 

19 

"   Bacon 

25 

"   Mutton 

28 

"   Bacon 

30 

"   Mutton 

75 

"   Flour 

30 

"   Bacon 

77 

"   Flour 

82 

"  Crd  Sugar 

67 

"   Beef 

29 

"  Mutton 

Prices  at 

Leavenworth 

7J 

3  68 

2 

7 

2  50 

3  52.5 

5 

10     " 

8 

96. 

7 

1  75 

7 

7  00 

6  37 

2  50 
63 

3  22.5 
84 


2  50 
1  85 


price  in  Ft. 
Leavenworth 


I'rices  at 

Santa  Fe 

17i  8  57.5 

I2i  12  .JO. 

17i  7  22.  5 

15  30  00. 
18  2  16. 
17  4  25. 
17                   17  00 

84 
63 
42 
66 
42 

12J  12  50 

42 
36 
84 

17  15  47 

12  50 

17  1  53 

1  86 
7  52.5 

17  2  04 

24 

17  1  36 

24 

17  2  04 

48 
72 

12i  12  50 

12i  9  25 

54 

mt  over  167  095 

price  in 

Santa  Fe 

Amt  brot  forward  167  095 

17        2  04 

16  4  00 
8  56 
6  42 
6          54 

16        9  76 


3  15 
1  05 
10.00 
7  20 
7  28 

X4 

00 

1  61 

2  50 

0  00 

1  40 

1  62.5 

1  33 

3  00 

2  00 

3  20 
2  50 
0  00 
2  15 


1  44 

7  35 

2  55 
14  00 
16  20 
16  38 

2  04 
30 

3  91 
12  50 

1  56 

60 

3  40 

8  12.5 

3  32 
8  00 

4  50 
7  20 

12  50 
1  50 
6  45 


mt  brot  up 

320  54 

1  73 

17J 

4  03 

6 

90 

2  50 

12i 

12  50 

6 

90 

95 

15 

2  85 

6 

1  50 

1  40 

15 

4  20 

6 

1  80 

1  87.5 

12.50 

9  38 

1  SO 

15 

4  50 

1  92.5 

12J 

9  62.5 

6  56 

18 

14  76 

6 

4  02 

6 

1  74 

278 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN, 


Sheet  No.  1 — Continued. 


July     1 

27 

'   Bacon 

5 

'   Lard 

200 

'   Flour 

22 

'   Mutton 

24 

"   Beef 

42J  Gals  Whiskey 

0 

22 

'   Beef 

31 

'   Bacon 

11 

136 

'      Do 

200 

'    Flour 

89 

'  Crd  Sugar 

101 

'  Coffee 

46 

:iSf 

20 

20 

19 

i     11 

42 

'  1  " 

160 

'   Bacon 

200 

'   Flour 

82 

'   Beef 

8 

'  ^  '< 

100 

81 

15 

'      " 

25 

'    Mutton 

Aug      3 

23 

'   Mutton 

60 

;   Beef 

13 

100 

'   Flour 

184 

'      Do 

80 

'  Sugar 

13 

'  Beef 

35 

'  Bacon 

47 

'   Fruit 

24 

'  Mutton 

22 

'   Beef 

40 

'  Candles 

Sep      4 

23 

'   Bacon 

100 

'    Flour 

flop 


66  "   Bacon 

10  "   Beef 

5  Gal  Molasses 

20  "    Whiskey 

94  lbs  Sugar 


Flour 

Rice 

Bacon 

Ham 

Lard 

Flour 

Soap 

Hams 

Beef 

Bacon 

Beef 

Beef 


Witness 

M  RtTDULPH 


5 

1  35 

16 

4  05 

n 

37.5 

la 

0  87.5 

2J 

5  00 

25  00 

6 

1  32 

6 

1  44 
85  00 

Amt  carrd  over 

510  93 

price  at 

Santa  Fe 

Amt  brot  over 

510  93 

6 

1  32 

5 

1  55 

15 

4  65 

5 

6  80 

15 

20  40 

2J 

5  00 

12i 

25  00 

8 

7  12 

18 

16  02 

8 

8  08 

18 

18  18 

6 

2  76 

16 

7  36 

6 

1  20 

6 

1  20 

6 

1  14 

6 

2  52 

5 

8  00 

15 

24  00 

^ 

5  00 

121 

25  00 

6 

4  92 

6 

48 

6 

6  00 

6 

90 

6 

1  50 

6 

1  38 

6 

3  60 

6 

78 

2i 

2  50 

12.* 

12  50 

2J 

12.6 

23  00 

8 

6  40 

14  40 

0 

00 

6 

78 

5 

1  75 

15 

5  25 

12§ 

5  88 

22i 

10  58 

6 

1  44 

6 

60 

25 

10  00 

35 

14  00 

5 

1  15 

15 

3  45 

2§ 

2  50 

12J 

12  50 

AmtcarrdtoSheetNo.  2 

776  98 

Sheet  No.  2. 

price  at 

price  at 
Santa  Fe 

Leavenworth 

Amt  brot  from  Sheet  No  1 

776  98 

5 

3  30 

15 

9  90 

6 

60 

44 

2  20 

1.44 

7  20 

52 

10  40 

1  52 

30  40 

8 

7  52 

16  92 

2i 

2  50 

12i 

12  50 

6 

7  38 

19  68 

5 

2  00 

6  (» 

7 

56 

1  36 

7i 

3  90 

m 

9  10 

2f 

2  50 

12I 

12  50 

6 

3  96 

10  56 

7 

5  18 

12  58 

54 

5 

1  40 

4  30 

60 

1  50 

60 

60 

60 

96 

2i 

2  50 

12i 

12  50 

66 

72 

60 

54 

78 
951  68 

f  Interior  dated  Nov  18th  1850 

Frai.  J.  Thomas 

itt  Lieut  3^d  Artlller 

ACS 

CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.   CALHOUN. 


279 


An  examination  of  the  accompanying  account. 


Date 

Prices  at  Ft. 

Prices  at 

1850 

Leavenworth 

Santa  Fe 

Apl.     4 

49  pounds  Lard 

71 

3  68 

m 

8  57.5 

12 

100 

"       Flour 

2 

2  50 

m 

12  50 

15 

47 

"       Lard 

"h 

3  52.5 

ivf 

7  22.5 

200 

"       Bacou 

5 

10  00 

15 

30  00 

12 

"       Coflee 

8 

96 

18 

2  16 

25 

"       Sugar 

7 

1  75 

17 

4  25 

100 

"       Ham 

7 

7  00 

17 

17  00 

24 

100 

"       Flour 

2J 

2  50 

12J 

12  50 

May    8 

91 

"       Sugar 

7 

6  37 

17 

15  47 

100 

"       Flour 

2J 

2  50 

12i 

12  50 

9 

"       Ham 

7 

63 

17 

1  53 

9 

43 

"       Lard 

n 

3  22.5 

17i 

7  52.5 

13 

12 

"       Ham 

7 

84- 

17 

2  04 

8 

do 

7 

56 

17 

1  36 

15 

12 

do 

7 

84 

17 

2  04 

100 

"       Flour 

2J 

2  50 

12i 

12  50 

74 

2i 

1  85 

12i 

9  25 

21 

12 

"       Ham 

84 

17 

2  04 

25 

"       Rice 

6 

1  50 

16 

4  00 

F 

61 

"       Soap 

6 

3  66 

16 

9  76 

30 

42 

"       Lard 

7^ 

3  15 

17i 

7  35 

15 

"       Ham 

7 

1  05 

17: 

2  55 

June    1 

40 

"       Candles 

25 

10  00 

35 

14  00 

90 

"       Sugar 

8 

7  20 

18 

16  20 

91 

"       Coflee 

8 

7  28 

18 

16  38 

12 

"       Ham 

7 

84 

17 

2  04 

23 

do 

7 

1  61 

17 

3  91 

fi 

100 

"       Flour 

2i 

2  50 

12i 

12  50 

20 

"       Ham 

7 

1  40 

17 

3  40 

12 

65 

'       Flour 

2J 

1  62.5 

12J 

8  12.5 

19 

'       Ham 

7 

1  33 

+  17 

3  32 

50 

'       Rice 

Carried  over 

6 

3  00 

16 

8  00 

98  21.5 

272  00 

Continued 

Date 

Prices  at  Ft. 

Prices  at 

1850  . 

Amounts  brot.  over 

1  Leavenworth 

Santa  Fe 

June  12 

98  21. o 

272  00 

12 

25  pounds  oJ  Coffee 

I 

2  00 

18 

4  50 

40 

'       Sugar 

8 

3  20 

18 

7  20 

100 

'       Flour 

2i 

2  50 

12i 

12  50 

43 

'       Bacon 

5 

2  15 

15 

6  45 

18 

23 

'       Lard 

7i 

1  73 

l?l 

4  03 

100 

'       Flour 

2i 

2  50 

12  50 

22 

19 

'       Bacon 

5 

95 

15 

2  85 

24 

28 

1  40 

15 

4  20 

26 

75 

'       Flour 

2^ 

1  87.5 

12i 

9  38 

30 

'       Bacon 

5 

1  SO 

15 

4  50 

27 

77 

'       Flour 

2i 

1  92.5 

12i 

9  62.5 

82 

'       Sugar 

8 

6  56 

18 

14  76 

July     1 

27 

'       Bacon 

5 

1  35 

15 

4  05 

5 

'       Lard 

"i 

37.5 

17i 

87.5 

200 

'       Flour 

^ 

5  00 

I2I 

25  00 

9 

31 

'       Bacon 

5 

1  55 

15 

4  65 

11 

136 

'            " 

5 

6  80 

15 

20  40 

200 

Flour 

2i 

5  00 

12i 

25  00 

89 

'       Sugar 

8 

7  12 

18 

16  02 

100 

'       Coffee 

8  08 

18 

18  18 

46 

'       Soap 

6 

2  76 

16 

7  36 

160 

'       Bacon 

5 

8  00 

15 

24  00 

200 

'       Flour 

2J 

6  00 

12j 

25  00 

Aug.    3 

100 

',       •^'f"'' 

2i 

2  50 

12J 

12  50 

184 

2j 

12 

23  00 

80 

'       Sugar 

S 

6  40 

18 

14  40 

35 

'       Bacon 

5 

1  75 

15 

5  25 

47 

'       Fruit 

12J 

5  88 

22i 

10  58 

40 

'       Candles 

25 

10  00 

35 

14  00 

Sept.  14 

23       ' 

'       Bacon 

5 

1  15 

15 

3  45 

100       ' 

'       Flour 

Carried  forward 

2i 

2  50 

12J 

1:?  50 

212  32 

630  71 

280  CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

An  examination  of  the  accompanying  accovnt — Continued. 


Sept.  24 


Continued 

Prices  at  Ft. 

'rices  at 

Leavenworth 

Santa  Fe 

Amounts  brot.  forward                  212  32 

630  71 

66  pounds  Bacon 

r>                 3  30 

15 

9  90 

5  Gallons  Molasses 

44                   2  20 

L44 

7  20 

20 

Whiskey 

52                 10  40 

1.44 

30  40 

94 

oound.s  Sugar 

8                   7  52 

18 

16  92 

300 

"       Flour 

2J                 2  50 

12i 

12  50 

123 

Rice 

6                   7  38 

16 

19  68 

40 

"       Bacon 

5                   2  00 

15 

6  00 

8 

"       Ham 

7                      56 

17 

1  36 

52 

"       Lard 

7J                 3  90 

17i 

9  10 

100 

"       Flour 

2j                 2  50 

12i 

12  50 

66 

"       Soap 

6                   3  96 

16 

10  56 

74 

"       Ham 

7                   5  18 

17 

12  58 

28 

"       Bacon 

6                   1  40 

4  20 

100 

"       Flour 

2i                 2  50 

m 

12  50 

[CALHOUN  TO   LEA.'] 

No.  90. 

Indian  Agency. 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico. 

Deer.  28,1850. 
Sir, 

Diirino-  the  present  month,  a  large  number  of  sheep  have  been 
driven  off  by  Indians.  About  the  5th  inst.  it  is  estimated  that  near 
ten  thousand  were  driven  from  the  neighborhood  of  the  Military 
post,  Cibolletta — A  military  force  was  ordered  in  pursuit,  but  a 
snow  storm  immediately  ensuing,  the  ti^ail  was  soon  lost,  and  the 
pursuit  abandoned — It  is  said,  that  five  of  the  soldiers  were  bitten 
by  the  frost,  on  that  occasion — The  depredations  alluded  to  are 
charged  against  the  Navajos. 

If  any  information  has  been  received  from  the  INfexican  reprisal 
expedition,  from  this  territory,  against  the  Navajos,  notice  of  which 
was  given  to  you  in  my  number  87  dated  Novr.  30  last,  it  has  not 
come  to  my  knowledge,  and  I  have  been  diligent  in  my  enquiries. 

EI^^This  Agency  should  have  the  means  to  command  all  needful 
information.,  unconnected,  and  independent  of  any  other  branch  of 
the  public  service. 

The  taking  of  the  Census  has  troubled  the  Indians  of  several  of 
the  Pueblos  during  the  present  month,  and,  as  a  matter  of  course,  1 
have  been  greatly  annoyed  by  their  visits,  and  the  expenditures  neces- 
sarily incurred  tliereby. 

The  Census  as  taken  by  Chs.  Blumner,  assistant  Marshall,  of  the 
Pueblos  of  San  Ildefonso,  Pojoaque,  Tesuque,  and  Nainbe,  exhibits 
a  list  of  only  four  hundred  and  seventeen  persons.    In  my  letter  No.  5, 

1  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F^  Agency,  C  565. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  281 

dated  Octr.  4  1849.  you  were  informed  that  a  Census  of  1847  put 
them  down  at  five  hundred  and  ninety.  I  have  before  me  a  memo- 
randum made  from  information  given  to  me  by  old  citizens,  one  a 
native  of  this  territory,  who  gave  to  these  Pueblos  an  average  of 
over  three  hundred.,  each.  Mr,  Blumner  is  capable  and  honest,  and  if 
the  Census,  as  taken  by  him,  is  incorrect,  it  is  because  the  Indians 
have  concealed  the  truth.  Let  us  pass  over  the  estimates  of  visitors 
to  these  Pueblos,  and  compare  the  Census  of  1847  with  that  of  1850. 
The  decrease  in  jDopulation  is  shown  to  be  One  hundred  and  seventy 
three.  What  has  become  of  these  Indians?  We  know  of  no  special 
mortality  that  has  fallen  upon  them  for  the  last  three  years.  Then, 
in  my  opinion,  it  follows,  that  these  Indians  have  deceived  those  who 
have  been  charged  with  the  taking  of  the  Census,  or  many  are  re- 
nouncing their  Catholicism  and  joining  the  nomadic,  if  not  the  wild 
tribes  who  encircle  this  territory. 

EI^^  Ought  not  this  Agency  to  be  in  possession  of  means  to  bring 
to  light  the  truth  in  reference  to  these  discrepancies?  The  question 
is  respectfully  submitted  to  the  Department.  The  Jicarilles,  Apaches, 
remain  yet  in  the  neighborhood  of  Manzana.  (See  my  letter  No  86 
Novr.  5  1850.)  They  visit  Manzana  whenever  they  choose,  and  buy 
and  sell  without  hindrance.  Their  chief  capital  is  known  to  be,  so 
I  am  informed  by  Dr  Connoly,  the  mules  which  they  stole  from  him 
and  others,  of  which  I  advised  you  by  my  letter  No.  79,  August  30th 
1850. 

I^^Ought  not  the  impudence  of  these  Indians  to  be  checked?  I 
think  so. 

The  Utahs  seem  to  be  perfectly  quiet,  and  say  they  are  waiting  to 
ascertain  what  their  Great  Father,  the  President  of  the  U.  S.  will 
do  for  them. 

Many  of  the  Pueblo  Indians  enquire  why  it  is  their  Great  Father 
will  not  allow  them  to  visit  him.  I  have  reminded  them  of  the  great 
distance  from  Santa  Fe  to  Washington  City,  and  assured  them,  that 
in  due  time  the  President  would  invite  some  of  them  to  come  to  his 
house. 

With  great  respect, 
I  am. 

Your  obt  servt. 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt 
Hon. 

L.  Lea. 

Comr.  Ind.  Affs. 

Washington  Gity^ 

D.G. 


282  CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[CALHOUN  TO   LEA/] 

No.  1. 

Indian  Agency. 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico. 

January  6  1851. 
Sir, 

I  fear  what  I  am  about  to  say,  will  not  reach  you  before  the 
adjournment  of  Congress,  but  it  is  really  important,  that  some  spe- 
cial provisions,  or  regulations,  should  be  adopted  for  the  government 
of  trade  and  t^^ftde  intercourse,  suited  to  the  condition  of  affairs  in 
this  Territory. 

Military 

There  are  no  suitable   t^adieg  posts  yet  established, 

where  it  would  be  expedient  to  establish  trading  posts  for  our 
Indians — They  ought,  by  all  means,  to  be  kept  from  the  interior  of 
the  country,  if  for  no  other  reason,  that  depredations  might  be  prop- 
erly charged — 

It  should  be  remembered,  that  the  Apaches,  Comanches,  Navajos, 
and  Utahs,  have  no  fixed  habitations,  or  homes,  and  with  the  excep- 
tion of  the  Navajos,  but  few  cultivate  the  soil.  Trading  with  these 
Indians  has  been  conducted  by  travelling  dealers — Such  intercourse 
is  exceedingly  pernicious — but  until  these  Indians  are  confined 
within  certain  fixed  limits,  you  may  not  expect  the  evils  to  be 
remedied 

If  it  is  not  deemed  advisable  to  prevent  the  vagrant  intercourse 
here  alluded  to,  would  it  not  be  better  to  designate  spots,  and  periods 
where  all  might  congregate  for  trade,  under  the  eye  of  an  Agent,  to 
be  sustained  by  a  suitable  military  force? 

I  have  had  but  a  moment  to  submit  the  foregoing  suggestions  for 
your  consideration, 

and  have  the  honor  to  be, 

Your  obt.  servt, 


Hon. 

L.  Lea. 

Gomr.  of  Ind.  Affs 

Washington  City 
D.G. 


J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt. 


O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  573. 


COREESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  283 

[SABRACINO   TO   CALHOUN.'] 

Pajarito  January  W.  1851. 
Mr  James  S.  Calhoun 
Respected  Sir  and  Friend 

In  compliance  with  the  request  you  made  me  during  your  visit  to 
Albuquerque  a  few  daj^s  ago,  in  regard  to  the  depedations  committed 
by  the  Navajoe  tribe,  and  the  assistance  rendered  by  the  troops  sta- 
tioned at  Socorro  and  Sebolleta  when  called  upon  so  to  do,  I  now 
proceed  to  inform  you  to  the  best  of  my  ability  and  in  accordance 
with  the  facts  I  have  been  able  to  collect  during  so  short  a  period. 

By  the  accompanying  copies  marked  1  &  2  you  will  acertain  the 
incidents  of  the  Expedition  of  Ramon  Luna,  prefect  of  Valencia,  to 
the  Navajo  country.  The  first  will  inform  you  of  the  assistance  he 
demanded  of  the  Commander  of  Sevolleta,  and  his  reply,  the  cir- 
cumstances which  compelled  him  to  advance  into  the  Navajo  coun- 
try and  the  events  that  transpired  during  his  campaign,  the  second 
will  inform  you  of  the  assistance  demanded  of  the  Commander  at 
Socorro,  by  the  alcalde  of  that  place.  As  regards  the  depredations 
commited  in  this  county,  they  are  as  follows. 

On  the  20th  of  June  1850  the  Navajoes,  ran  off  at  Puerco  river 
the  stock  of  Jose  Antonio  Chavez,  Jose  Rafael  Sanchez,  Manuel 
Padillos  and  Felipe  Herrera,  all  those  interested  started  in  pursuit 
of  the  Indians,  while  Francisco  Chaves  went  to  Servolleta  to  demand 
assistance  from  the  troops  at  that  place,  which  he  obtained  but  were 
of  no  use,  as  they  returned  the  next  day  to  their  quarters.  Francisco 
Chaves  with  the  few  men  he  could  collect  at  Sevolleta,  followed  in 
pursuit  of  the  Indians,  and,  overtook  them,  but  unfortunately  they 
were  too  strong  he  made  an  attempt  to  recover  part  of  the  Stock,  but 
was  compelled  to  retreat,  with  the  loss  of  five  saddled  mules,  and  five 
wounded  including  himself. 

Being  at  Sevolleta  on  the  21st  of  October  1850  about  Sunrise  our 
Navajo  Ally  informed  the  commander  that  the  Navajoes  were  run- 
ning off  the  stock  of  Juan  Garcia  and  Rafael  Mejicano,  distant  about 
15  miles,  the  troops  were  ordered  out  but  returned  the  next  day,  the 
stock  was  gone  and  no  reason  assigned  for  the  return  of  the  troops 

On  the  24th  of  the  same  month  the  Navajoes  ran  off  3869  sheep 
belonging  to  Jose  Antonio  Sarracino  at  Agua  Salada,  and  two  men 
were  killed  who  were  pasturing  them,  nothing  was  known  of  the 
affair  until  four  or  five  days  after  the  robbery  took  place. 

On  the  7th  of  December  1850  at  3  oclock  P.  M.  the  same  Navajo 
Indians  ran  off  from  Rincon  de  Concha  the  stock  of  Francisco  Sar- 
racino   and   5822   sheep   belonging  to   Jose   Francisco    and    Jesus 


1  Enclosure  No.  2  of  letter,  No.  3,  1851.     Printed  In  Annual  Report,  Commissioner  of 
Indian  Affairs,  1851,  pp.  187-188. 


284  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S,    CALHOUN. 

Apodaca,  taking  a  northern  route  they  passed  10  miles  to  the  east  of 
Sevolleta,  Jesus  Apodaca  on  being  informed  of  the  occurence  went 
immediately  to  demand  assistance  from  the  commander,  taking  with 
him  as  interpreter  a  soldier  by  the  name  of  Molinete.  The  com- 
mander I  am  informed  ordered  out  seven  men  to  examine  the  trail, 
when  they  arrived  at  the  spot  where  the  stock  had  passed,  their 
tracks  were  scarcely  visible  on  account  of  the  snow  that  had  fallen 
the  night  previous,  the  result  was  that  the  soldiers  turned  back  and 
went  to  their  quarters 

On  the  31st  of  December  last  it  was  known  in  the  prefecture  under 
my  charge  that  the  Apaches  had  stolen,  four  or  five  days  previous, 
from  the  river  Puerco  more  than  100  head  of  Cattle  from  the  town 
of  Isleta.  I  immediately  ordered  out  forty  men  who  started  on  the 
1st  of  January  under  the  command  of  Ambrosio  Beita,  following  up 
the  trail  they  overtook  the  Indians  on  the  morning  of  the  6th  in  the 
Tel  ares  Mountains,  they  made  an  attack  on  them,  recovered  the  stolen 
property,  wounded  two  of  their  number,  and  took  from  them  four 
saddled  animals  and  other  spoil 

Col,  this  is  all  the  information  I  can  give  you  at  present  in  regard 
to  the  incursions  of  the  Indians  The  depredations  they  have  com- 
mitted on  the  lives  and  property  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  district  are 
so  numerous  and  of  so  frequent  occurrence,  that  it  would  take  consid- 
erable time  to  collect  the  information  of  past  injuries 

Without  any  further  information  at  present  I  subscribe  myself. 
Your  mo.  Obdt  Servt 

signed  Frc°  Sarracino 

Prefect. 

I  certify  the  above  to  be  a  correct  translation  of  the  original. 

David  V  Whiting 

Tra7islator 

Santa  Fe  Feh  1.  1815. 

[Inclosure.] 
Nol. 

COPY  OF  A  DESPATCH  SENT  BY  KAMON  LUNA  PREFECT  OF  VALENCIA  TO  HIS 
EXCELLENCY  THE  GOVERNOR  OF  THE  TERRITORY,  RELATn^E  TO  HIS  EX- 
PEDITION  TO  THE  NAVAJO  COUNTRY. 

Hon  DoNACiANO  ViJiL,  Secretaini  of  State  of  tlie  Territory  of  New 

Mexico 
Sir. 

Under  date  of  16  Nov  last  I  received  a  communication  from  Mess 
Andres  Romero,  and  Anastasio  Garcia,  Citizens  of  the  County  under 


COERESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.   CALHOUN,  285 

my  jurisdiction,  informinsr  me  that  the  Navajoes,  had  robbed  them  of 
2000  sheep  at  the  point  called  Valverde  I  immediately  issued  orders 
to  the  Alcaldes  of  the  county  to  collect  the  best  men  they  could  find, 
and  be  ready  at  the  point  of  Cubero  on  the  following  day,  while  I 
proceeded  to  Sevolleta,  to  demand  assistance  from  the  commander  of 
the  troops  stationed  at  that  point  which  I  effected  immediately  on 
my  arrival  through  a  despatch  asking  him  for  the  mentioned  assist- 
ance to  proceed  to  the  vecinity  of  the  town  of  Luna  fi'om  where  it 
was  supposed  the  Indians  would  start  with  the  stolen  property,  he 
returned  me  a  verbal  answer  that  he  would  not  give  me  the  assist- 
ance I  required  as  the  horses  belonging  to  the  troops  were  in  a  wild 
condition  From  thence  I  was  obliged  to  proceed  with  only  fourteen 
men  which  were  furnished  to  me  by  the  alcaldes,  taking  with  me  the 
Clerk  and  Sheriff  of  my  country  I  was  reinforced  by  40  men  form- 
ing part  of  a  volunteer  company  which  was  being  raised  at  that  time 
by  permission  of  the  commander  of  the  troops  stationed  at  Sevolleta, 
and  which  were  going  on  an  Expedition  to  the  Navajo  country,  with 
this  reinforcement  I  proceeded  to  the  vicinity  of  Colorado  Lake, 
where  we  joined  the  balance  of  the  volunteer  company  there  we  suc- 
ceeded in  capturing  500  of  the  stolen  sheep  Finding  myself  at  this 
point  it  was  impossible  for  me  to  return  with  so  small  a  number  of 
men  I  therefore  went  on  with  292  men  to  "  Mesa  de  la  Vaca,"  there 
I  divided  my  forces  and  scattered  them  on  the  various  routes  to  the 
Navajo  country  I  succeeded  in  chastising  the  Indians  and  taking  their 
stock  amounting  to  5,000  Sheep,  150  riding  animals,  11  Oxen  and  28 
prisoners,  also  20  four  men,  who  were  delivered  to  us  by  a  Navajo 
who  surrendered  himself  to  save  his  life  We  used  up  nearly  TOO 
fanegas  of  their  com,  With  these  spoils  we  started  back  without 
sustaining  any  loss  whatever ;  on  m}^  way  back  I  was  unfortunate  in 
losing  some  of  my  men  for  want  of  discipline,  when  we  arrived  at  the 
mouth  of  the  canion  of  Chelle,  6  of  my  men  were  killed  who  left  the 
camp  without  permission  here  we  met  an  Express  consisting  of  13 
men,  when  we  reached  San  jVIiguel  they  thought  themselves  out  of 
all  danger  being  near  Sevolleta,  they  lied  down  Avithout  taking  any 
precaution  whatever,  and  were  surrounded  by  the  Navajoes  while 
asleep  and  defeated,  up  to  this  time  6  of  them  have  been  found  4  of 
which  are  wounded,  the  other  7  are  still  missing 

While  writing  this  communciation  I  will  also  add  that  some  diffi- 
culty exists  between  the  owaiers  of  the  recovered  stock  and  the  cap- 
tors. The  former  claim  the  sheep  as  their  property,  and  can  prove 
it  by  their  brand  wdiile  the  latter  maintain  that  they  are  in  the  same 
position  with  the  other  goods  and  should  be  subject  to  the  same  con- 
ditions. However  I  beleive  the  Governers  decision  will  settle  the 
dispute. 


286  CORRESPONDENCE   Of    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

This  is  all  I  have  to  advise  you  of  You  will  please  communicate 
the  facts  to  his  Excellency  the  Governer  for  the  purposes  which  he 
may  direct 

Lunas  January  20  1851. 

Signed  Ra^mon  Lu^'A,  prefect. 

A  true  copy  of  the  original 

Signed  Fra°  Sarracino,  prefect. 

No  2. 

copy  or    A   DISPATCH  DIRECTED  BY   MR  RAMON    LUNA   TO   THE   ALCALDE   OF 

SOCORRO. 

Territory  of  New  Mexico 

County  of  Valencia 

By  virtue  of  a  note  dated  the  6th  received  from  the  Hon  Circuit 
Judge,  Antonio  Jose  Otero,  advising  me  of  the  depredations  com- 
mitted on  his  property  by  the  Apaches,  with  the  request  that  I  should 
inform  the  commander  of  the  forces  at  Socorro  requesting  him  to 
furnish  the  necessary  aid;  we  assembled  at  the  point  of  Vacas,  from 
whence  we  commenced  our  march  which  at  last  proved  fruitless,  on 
account  of  the  manner  in  which  the  Americans  and  their  officers 
wished  to  travel,  their  days  march  was  to  be  exactly  five  leagues,  and 
was  necessary  they  should  have  an  abundance  of  water  I  was  so 
restricted  to  this  mode  of  travel  that  I  was  compelled  to  return,  not 
only  on  account  of  the  danger  to  which  I  was  exposed  as  the  manner 
in  Avhich  the  American  officer  would  compel  me  to  travel,  we  only 
travelled  the  distance  of  30  leagues,  which  accounts  for  not  carrying 
out  the  object  of  our  Expedition  against  the  Indians 

I  can  say  without  exageration  that  my  return  was  insisted  on  by 
the  Americans  on  the  plea  that  I  was  to  conduct  them  through  places 
where  they  should  have  a  sufficient  quantity  of  water  finding  myself 
in  this  condition  and  observing  a  smoke  to  arise  from  the  foot  or 
northern  extremity  of  the  Sierra  Blanca,  I  ordered  off  a  detachment 
to  that  point.  I  was  now  abandoned  by  the  men  who  accompanied 
me  and  whom  I  left  for  lost  on  those  plains  on  account  of  the  Ameri- 
cans who  Avished  to  lay  the  blame  on  the  Alcalde,  and  insisted  that 
he  was  to  furnish  them  with  everything  necessary  for  their  transpor- 
tation finally  not  to  trouble  your  Honor  too  much  suffice  it  to  say 
that  it  lacked  but  little  that  I  should  go  to  the  Devil  in  company 
with  the  Americans 


COKKESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  287 

In  addressing  your  Honor  this  dispatch  I  do  it  with  the  highest 
considerations  of  friendship  and  respect. 

signed  J  A.  By  Pino 

Alcalde 
To  Mr  E.  Luna  prefect  of  the 

county  of  Valencia 
I  certify  the  above  to  be  correct  translations  of  the  original  docu- 
ments. 
Santa  Fe  Feby  1.  1851. 

David  V  Whiting 

Translator 

[CALHOUN  TO  LEA.^ 

No  2. 

Indian  Agency. 
Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

Jany.  31. 1851. 
Sir, 

The  mail  from  the  States  arrived  on  the  26th  inst.  and  I  have  now 
to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letters  of  Octr.  12th  Novr.  18th 
and  Deer.  5th — The  first  was  received  by  the  previous  mail,  accom- 
panied by  the  Form  of  a  Bond  as  Indian  Agent,  which  you  will 
remember  I  can  not  execute,  just  now,  agreeable  to  your  instructions, 
there  being  no  such  officers  in  this  Territory  as  must  attest  and  certify 
the  Bond — that  is,  its  due  execution. 

My  utmost  efforts,  in  obedience  to  your  instructions,  will  be  put 
forth,  as  they  have  been  heretofore,  to  ascertain  the  fate  of  Mrs 
White's  child,  and  servant,  and  if  possible  to  secure  their  redemp- 
tion— The  enclosed  Hand  Bill  will  explain  itself — I  have  Pueblo  In- 
dians, and  Mexicans  engaged  in  this  holy  undertaking — There  are 
but  few  who  are  willing  to  undertake  a  service  which  they  regard  as 
so  extremely  hazardous  But  you  may  rely  upon  one  fact,  that  noth- 
ing I  can  do,  or  cause  to  be  done,  will  be  without  its  accomplishment, 
in  this  matter. 
I  am, 
Sir, 

Your  obt.  servt 


J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt 


Hon. 

L.  Lea. 

Gomr.  of  Ind.  Affs. 

Washington  City    D.  G. 


1  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  581. 


288  CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[CALHOUN  TO  LEA.'] 

No.  3. 

Indian  Agency. 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico. 

Fehy.  2.  1851. 
Sir, 

I  am  pained,  and  mortified,  that  I  am  not  yet  advised  as  to  the 
pecuniary  means  by  which  this  Agency  may  be  releived  of  its  em- 
barrassments— I  am,  daily,  a  dependent  upon  the  circumstances 
around  me — This  ought  not  to  be  so — Ought  I  not  to  know  what 
means  this  Agency  has  to  assist  in  executing  the  laws,  and  carrying 
out  the  policy  of  the  Administration  in  reference  to  the  Indian 
tribes  of  this  Territory  ?    /  think  so — 

During  the  month  past  the  Indians  have  been  active  in  every 
direction— and  for  no  one  month  during  the  occupancy  of  the  Terri- 
tory by  the  American  troops  have  they  been  more  successful  in  their 
depredations — Early  in  January  they  drove  off  a  quantity  of  stock 
from  near  the  Pueblo  of  Isletta — about  the  15th  of  the  same  month, 
the  Navajos  made  a  descent  upon  Corrales,  a  Mexican  town  upon  the 
Rio  Grande,  seven  miles  above  Alburque — drove  off  all  the  stock 
thej'  could  find,  quantity  unknown — killed  one  man,  wounded  two, 
and  carried  off  a  captive — About  the  25th  near  Pecos,  twenty  five 
miles  from  Santa  Fe,  on  the  road  to  San  Miguel,  the  Indians  drove 
off  several  large  herds  of  Sheep,  and  other  Stock,  killed  three  pas- 
tores,  and  wounded  another — 

A   Band   of  Utahs  have   recently   visit   a   settlement   on   the   St 

and 
Charles,  near  the  Arkansas  river,  carried  off  all  the  provisions, 

animals,  and  money  that  they  could  find,  and  one  captive — During 
the  month  of  January,  the  weather  was  extremely  moderate,  and  the 
Apaches  and  Navajos  have  roamed  in  every  direction  through  this 
[Territory — I  have  reason  to  beleive,  they  assume  the  guise  of  Pueblo 
Indians  and  come  into  this  city. 

While  at  Alburquerque,  a  few  days  ago,  I  ascertained  the  reprisal 
expedition,  of  which  I  have  heretofore  advised  you,  had  returneu — 
and  the  Prefect  inform  me  he  was  having  prepared  an  official  report 
for  Governor  Munroe — I  begged  him  to  furnish  me  with  a  copy  of 
it;  and  I  herewith  enclose  to  you  a  translation  of  the  report,  and  a 
letter  ^  addressed  to  me,  accompanying — Both  of  these  papers  exhibit 
a  state  of  feeling  deeply  to  be  regretted,  and  if  it  was  not  important 

1  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  582 ;  Annual  Report,  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs, 
1851,  p.  186. 
«  See  p.  283. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 


289 


that  you  should  be  fully  advised  as  to  the  true  condition  of  affairs 
in  this  territory,  I  would  not  forward  them  to  you 


Sheep 

Horses 

Mules 
&  Asses 

Cows 

184t) 

14,243 
24,333 
28, 502 
24,754 
58,399 

167 
307 
137 
2fi0 
22 

149 
217 
167 
137 
91 

80 

1847 

210 

1848 

271 

1849 

522 

151 

The  foregoing  table  is  an  api^roximate  statement  of  losses  in  the 
counties  of  Santa  Ana  &  Bernadillo,  without  including  a  large 
amount  of  Government  stock — for  the  years  as  indicated — I  have 
not  been  able  to  procure  similar  information  in  reference  to  the  other 
counties — But  this  table  may  be  regarded  as  a  fair  specimen  for  the 
Territor}^ — and  is  worthy  of  serious  consideration. 
I  am 

With  great  respect 

Your  obt  servt. 


J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt 


Hon. 


L.  Lea. 

Comr.  of  hid.  Afs. 

Washington  City 

D.  G. 


[CALHOUN  TO  LEA. 

No.  4. 


Indian  Agency 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico. 

Fehry.  I,.  1851 
Sir, 

Mr  Kern  arrived  from  Alburquerque  last  night,  and  has  informed 
me  that  on  Saturday  last,  a  band  of  Indians,  supposed  to  be  Navajos," 
made  a  descent  upon  some  Ranches,  six  or  eight  miles  below  Albur- 
querque, and  committed  depredations,  the  extent  of  which  had  not 
been  ascertained.  The  daring  of  these  Indians  produced  quite  a 
sensation  at,  and  in  the  neighborhood  of  Alburquerque,  inducing  the 
Court  Martial  to  adjourn  for  the  day,  on  the  receipt  of  the  intelli- 
gence.    Lt  Pleasanton,  in  command  of  dragoons,  were  ordered  in 

lO.  I.  A.,  Santa  ¥€  Agency,  C  587. 

*  In  connection  with  the  Navaho  Indians,  the  report  of  Colonel  Munroe  affords  some 
slight  interest. 

5021—15 19 


290  COERESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

pursuit,  and  it  is  hoped  the  cunning  of  the  Indians  will  not  avail 
them  on  this  occasion. 
I  am, 

Sir, 

Your  obt  servt. 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Ind.  Agt 
Hon. 

L  Lea. 

Coinr.  of  Ind.  Affs 

[Related   Correspondence.] 

[muNROE  to  JONES.^j 

IIiLVD  Quarters,  9th  Department 

FoBT  Union,  N  Mexico. 
Major  General  R.  Jones  January  27th  J851 

Adjt:  General, 
General, 

I  have  the  great  satisfaction  to  report  the  the  new  posts  that  have  been  estab- 
lished in  this  territory,  are  already  exercising  a  favorable  influence  in  our 
Indian  relations.  The  XJtahs,  and  Jacarilla  Apaches,  have  been  perfectly  quiet, 
these  tribes  are  influenced  by  this  post,  and  in  order  to  ensure  their  permanent 
submission,  I  intend  to  put  a  post  in  the  Utah  country,  about  80  miles  north 
of  Taos.  The  Navajoes  have  shown  no  hostility,  since  the  Governor  and  I  met 
them  in  Council  at  their  own  solicitation,  on  the  25th  ultimo. 

The  Gila  Apaches  have  paused.  I  have  heard  of  no  depredations  committed 
by  them,  since  the  establishment  of  Fort  Webster.  It  is  unquestionably  true, 
that  the  most  certain  way  to  subdue  Indians,  is  to  establish  posts  in  the  heart 
of  their  country-  These  posts  confine  them  at  home,  they  will  never  venture 
to  make  distant  hostile  expeditions,  and  leave  their  families,  and  property, 
within  striking  distance  of  vigilant  garrisons.  Besides  this,  they  are  brought 
into  contact  with  us,  and  their  wants  are  multiplied,  and  as  we  only  can  supply 
them,  it  makes  them  directly  dependent  upon  us.  They  also,  soon  discover, 
that  we  have  no  wish  to  injure  them  so  long  as  they  remain  at  peace. 

I  think  it  would  be  very  desirable,  to  place  a  small  post  on  the  great  plains, 
midway  between  this,  and  the  Arkansas. 

There  is  a  place  on  the  Cimerone,  where  there  is  an  abundance  of  timber, 
good  water,  and  soil,  (It  is  marked  on  the  map.) — a  post  at  this  place,  would 
make  the  traveling  on  the  plains,  as  safe  as  it  is  in  Missouri.  As  soon  as  I 
can  find  time,  I  will  go  down  there,  and  decide  upon  the  matter. 

As  it  will  require  some  time  to  make  the  map  that  has  been  called  for,  I 
have  thought  it  better,  to  have  an  old  map  prepared,  that  may  answer  for 
immediate  reference. 
I  am  Sir 

Very  llespectfully 

Your  Obt.  Servt 

lA.  G.  O.  Old  Book,  No.  1.  Dep.-irtment  of  New  Mexico,  also  vol.  8,  Department  of 
New  Mexico,  pp.  123-124. 


COKRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  291 

[WHITING   TO   CALHOUN.'] 

Santa  Fe  February  10  1851. 
Mr  James  S  Calhoun 

Dear  Sir. 

In  compliance  with  your  request  I  give  you  a  statement  of  some 
facts  relative  to  the  depredations  committed  by  the  Navajo  Indians, 
which  were  related  to  me  during  my  recent  visit  to  the  lower  country, 
as  they  were  told  me  by  persons  of  respectability  and  in  whose  char- 
acter I  have  the  greatest  confidence  I  think  I  can  vouch  for  their 
authenticity. 

Three  or  four  evenings  previous  to  my  arrival  at  Bernalillo  I  was 
informed  the  Five  Navajo  Indians  had  driven  off  about  25  head  of 
cattle  from  that  place,  they  also  killed  a  cow  and  devoured  it  before 
starting  at  Las  Lunas  two  men  belonging  to  the  town  were  out  to 
inspect  their  stock  which  was  distant  about  five  miles,  the  Indians 
came  upon  them  while  they  were  asleep,  and  after  taking  their  lives 
and  robbing  their  persons,  ran  off  with  the  cattle  also. 

I  intended  going  down  as  far  as  Socorro,  but  was  persuaded  not  to 
do  so,  as  the  Indians  were  scouring  the  road  in  bands  of  one  and  two 
hundred  the  danger  is  so  great  that  persons  will  not  travel  that  por- 
tion of  the  country  unless  in  large  parties  and  well  armed.  I  was 
also  informed  that,  one  Indian  alone,  without  any  aid  at  all  entered 
a  small  town  in  the  vicinity  of  Las  Lunas  and  carried  off  25  mules. 
Applications  have  been  made  several  times  to  the  troops  posted  in  the 
vicinity  demanding  assistance  but  to  no  purposes,  It  would  not  be 
worth  while  to  inform  you  of  their  appearance  at  Albuquerque  as  you 
are  already  acquainted  with  the  facts. 

The  depredations  referred  to  above  have  all  occured  within  the  last 
two  weeks,  those  committed  at  Las  Lunas  must  have  occured  very 
recently  as  the  people  of  that  place  had  not  yet  recovered  from  their 
consternation  and  sorrow 
Yours  Kespy 

D.  V.  Whiting 

Mr  J.  S.  Calhoun 

Present 

[CALHOUN   TO   LEA.'] 

No.  5. 

Indian  Agency. 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

Fehruary  13th  1851. 
Sir, 

I  have  this  day  drawn  on  the  Department  for  the  Interior  for  five 
hundred  dollars,  chargeable  to  the  appropriation  of  fifteen  hundred 

1  Enclosure  of  No.  6,  1851. 

2  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  607. 


292  CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

dollars  for  the  redemption  of  the  daughter  of  Mr  &  Mrs  J.  M. 
White— This  draft  is  drawn  in  favor  of  Maj  F.  A.  Cunningham,  Pay 
Master  U.  S.  A.  and  in  obedience  to  your  instructions,  dated,  Novem- 
ber 18th  1850,  which  was  received  at  this  Agency  Jany.  26.  1851. 
I  am. 

With  great  respect. 

Your  obt.  servt 

J.  S.  Cai.houn 

Ind.  Agt 
Hon. 

L.  Lea. 

Gomr.  of  Ind.  Affs. 

Washington  City 
D.  C. 

[CALHOUN   TO   LEA.' J 

No.  6. 

Indian  Agency, 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico, 

Fehrv/aty  16,  1851. 

Sir, 

My  No.  4.  of  the  4th  inst.  advised  you  that  depredations  had  been 
committed  by  Indians  near  Alburquerque — About  thirty  cows,  and 
other  animals,  were  driven  off — The  Indians  were  immediately  pur- 
sued by  the  owners  of  the  Stock,  and  other  citizens,  and  after  several 
hours,  of  rapid  travel,  discovered  the  Indians  retiring  with  the  ut- 
most speed — It  soon  became  apparent  the  Indians  could  not  escape 
with  all  of  their  booty,  whereupon,  every  animal  of  the  cow  kind 
was  speared  by  them,  and  their  escape  effected.  At  or  near  the  spot 
where  the  spearing  occurred,  the  pursuers  encamped,  and  were  over- 
taken by  Lieut  Pleasanton  and  his  command — Further  pursuit  was 
not  deemed  advisable,  and  both  of  the  pursuing  parties  returned. 

The  accompanying  note,  addressed  to  me  by  Mr.  D.  V.  Wliiting,  a 
reliable  man,  will  give  you  a  few  additional  items — Subsequent  oc- 
currences Such  scenes  will  continue  to  occur,  until  the  powers  at 
Washington,  shall  accord  to  the  people  of  this  Territory,  ample  pro 
tection  If  this  is  not  afforded,  tlie  people  must  abandon  the  Terri- 
tory, or  consent  to  be  murdered,  or  starved  to  death — unless  they  are 
able  and  willing,  and  shall  determine  to  protect  themselves — T  state 
the  case  as  it  is  understood  by  me.  Other  conclusions  may  be  pro- 
mulged,  but  factitious  facts  must  be  given  to  sustain  such  conclusions 

1  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  604  ;  Annual  Report,  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs, 
1851,  pp.   190-192. 


COEKESPONDENCE    OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  293 

THE  PUEBLO   INDIANS 

are  manifesting  some  impatience  to  know  what  their  Great  Father 
intends  to  do  with  them — or  for  them — They  are  excessively  an- 
noyed by  Mexicans,  and  others — The  encroachments  upon  their 
rights  and  priviledges  are  innumerable — We  have  promised  them 
protection;  and  yet,  there  is  a  daily  addition  to  the  outrages  pre- 
viously perpetrated. 

days, 
I  have  been  excessively  annoyed,  for  the  last  fifteen  by  com- 

plaints from  these  Indians;  and,  I  suppose.  Col.  Munroe,  the  acting 
Governor  of  this  Territory,  has  not  been  less  annoyed  than  myself 
The  Governor  must  correct  errors,  or  they  pass  without  correction — 
There  is  no  power  in  this  Territory,  but  what  passes  to  the  people 
through  him  or  emanates  from  him  There  are  but  few  restraints  that 
the  ba5^onet  does  not  suggest,  and  it  is  well  there  is  something  here 
to  check  vitiated  and  unbridled  passions  and  purposes,  to  some  extent. 

THE  APACHES. 

It  is  already  recorded,  as  part  of  the  history  of  the  times  in  which 
we  live,  the  Jicarillas,  (Apaches,)  the  Indians  who  combined  with 
others  to  murder  and  rob  a  portion  of  Mr  J.  M  "White's  party  at  the 
"  Point  of  Eocks  "  in  Octr.  1849,  and  to  seize  the  females  as  captives, 
are  now  the  Pastores  of  certain  citizens  residing  below  Alburquerque, 

Creek 
some  of  whom  they  robbed  in  August,  1850,  near  the  Cedar 
Springs  Bl^^See  No  79  of  that  year  This  remarkable  fact,  can,  in 
no  way,  derogate  from  citizens  who  desire  the  usual  protection 
afforded  to  the  people  who  live  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Govern- 
ment of  the  United  States 

An  Apache  Cheif,  and  an  aid  or  servant  of  his,  are  now  with  me — 
The  Cheif  says,  he  resides  about  midway  between  The  Copper  Mines 
and  Pimo  settlement — sometimes  called  villages  He  talks  in  a  very 
clear  way,  and  if  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  have  done  the 
needful,  there  will  be,  I  apprehend,  but  little  difficulty  in  controlling 
these  Indians  I  have  given  to  these  two  Indians  such  presents  as  I 
deemed  necessary,  and  they  propose  departing  on  to-morrow 


With  the  exception  of  the  Band  mentioned  in  my  No.  3.  I  have  no 
reason  to  beleive  they  have  committed  any  outrages  of  late  Nor 
am  I  advised  as  to  the  movements  of  the  Band  since  the  date  of  my 
No.  3. 

1' 


294  COEKESPONDEFCE   OF   JAMES   S.   CALHOUN. 

From  a  note  addressed  to  Govr.  Munroe  by  C.  H.  Merritt,  Mar- 

of  New  Mexico 
shall,  I  learn  that  the  aggregate  of  the  population 
amounts  to  61,574,  including,  as  I  have  reason  to  suppose,  soldiers, 
ftnd  Government  Teamsters,  and  Pueblo  Indians  There  are  not,  in 
my  opinion,  300  American  citizens  in  this  Territory,  unconnected 
with  the  army,  and  many  of  these  remain  upon  compulsion — The 
population  of  the  Territory  has  suffered  considerable  diminuation 
during  the  past  year — The  causes  I  have  already  placed  before  you: 
and  the  same  causes  are  yet  in  full  force 

The  Marshall's  return  of  the  census  to  the  Department  will  show, 
as  I  am  informed  by  the  assistant  Marshall,  the  population  of  the 
Pueblos  named  below,  to  be  as  follows 

Taos 361        Zuiii 1500        Santana 399 

Picai-io 222        Laguua 749        Jemes 3C5 

San  Juan 568        Acoma 350         San  Felipi 411 

Santa  Clara 279        Lentis 210         Santa  Domingo. 606 

Sanlldefonso 139        Isleta 751         Cochiti 254 

Pojoaque 48        Sandia 241  2095 

Tesuque 119        Cia ]24 3925 

Nambe 111 1847 

Total 7867 

This,  you  will  remember,  does  not  include  the  two  Pueblos  below  El 
Paso,  nor  the  seven  Moqui  Pueblos 

Aggregate  of  census  return 61,  574 

Pueblo  Indians 7,867 


Americans.  Mexicans  &  all  others.  53,  707 
I  am, 

With  great  respect. 

Your  obt.  servl. 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Hon.  Ind.  Agt 

L.  Lea. 

Com,r.  of  Tnd.  Afs. 

Washington  OiU/ 

b.  c. 

[CALHOUN  TO   LEA.'] 

No.  7. 

Indian  Agency. 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico. 

Fehry.  28th  1851. 
Sir, 

The  mail  which  arrived  from  the  States  on  the  26th  inst.  brought 
me  nothing  from  your  office,  except  your  "Annual  Report".    My 

>  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F«  Agency,  C  608. 


COERESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN".  295 

embarrassments  are  extremely  harrassing,  as  I  am  without  means  or 
instructions,  and  without  a  satisfactory  guarantee  that  my  actings 
and  doings  will  be  approved. 

Near  the  Indian  Pueblo,  Jemez,  and  in  the  immediate  neighborhood 
of  Socorro,  and  between  the  named  places,  Indians  have  committed 
many  depredations  in  driving  off  Stock  during  the  last  fortnight — 
Efforts  to  commit  depredations  must  increase  in  proportion  to  the 
diminuition  of  stock — which  have  nearly  disappeared  on  the  line  of 
the  Rio  del  Norte — Serious  apprehensions  are  entertained  that  much 
suffering  will  be  experienced  during  the  present  year  for  the  want  of 
food,  especially  among  the  poor,  and,  as  a  matter  of  course,  the  cal- 
endar of  crime  must  be  greatly  enlarged. 

This  is  my  last  letter  to  you  as  Indian  Agent,  and  my  accounts  in 
that  capacity  will  be  immediately  closed  up  to  the  present  date 

Having  received  the  appointment  of  Governor  of  New  Mexico,  I 
am,  by  law,  recognized  as  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs,  and  it 
is  hoped  that  I  may  receive,  at  an  early  day,  all  needful  instructions — 
This  point  I  can  not  too  strongly  urge  upon  the  immediate  con- 
sideration of  the  Department. 
I  am, 

With  great  respect. 

Your  obedient  servant 

James  S.  Calhoun 

Indian  Agent. 
Hon  Luke  Lea 

Confimissioner  of  Indian  Affairs. 

Washington  City 

D.  G. 

[CALHOUN   TO   LEA*] 

Indian  Agency 
Santa  Fe  N  Mexico 

Feh  28''  1851. 
Sir. 

I  have  this  day  drawn  on  the  Department  of  the  Interior  for  one 
Thousand  dollars  in  favour  of  Thomas  A  Reeves  of  Phila,  which 
please  pay  and  charge  to  the  account  of  this  Agency. 

This  amount  is  absolutely  necessary  to  enable  me  to  close  my  out- 
standing accounts  as  Indian  agent. 

James  S.  Calhoun 

Indian  Agent 
Hon.  L.  Lea, 

(Jom^  of  Indian  affairs 

Washington  City 

B.C. 

1  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  P6  Agency,  C  fil8. 


296  CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[WEBSTER  TO  CALHOUN  ^] 

Department  of  State, 
Washington^  January^  9, 1851. 
Sir: 

The  President  having,  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the 
Senate,^  appointed  you  to  be  Governor  of  the  Territory^  of  New 
Mexico,  I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  your  commission.  You  will  be 
pleased  to  inform  *  this  Department  of  the  receipt  of  it,  and,  should 
it  be  accepted,  of  the  name  of  the  State  or  County  in  which  you  were 
born. 


I  am,  Sir,  respectfully. 


Your  obedient  servant, 

Daniel  Webster. 


Hon. 

James  S.  Calhoun, 
;  c&c.  t&c.  <&c. 

Santa  Fe. 

[LEA   TO   CALHOUN'] 

(  Department  of  the  Interior, 

'*>     I  Office  Indian  Affairs, 

January  22  1851 
Calhoun,^  His  Excy  J.  S.  '      "^^t*... . 

Santa  Fe  "~"'2-'_  ^^^^^       -- 

New  Mexico  ^^'^^^l^n^--^-^^''-^^'^'^^ 

Sm: 

I  have  received  your  letters  complete,  including  No.  87,  of  the  30th 
Nov.  last. 

IB.  I.  A.,  D.  L.,  vol.  38. 

*  President  Fillmore  sent  in  the  nomination,  December  23,  1850  (Senate  Executive 
Journal,  VIIl,  p.  280)  It  was  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Territories,  of  which  Douglas 
was  chairman,  and  reported  back  favorably.  (Ibid.,  p.  282)  The  nomination  was  con 
firmed,  January  7.  1851. 

3  The  Territory  was  established  by  the  Act  of  September  9,  1850,  (9  U.  S.  Stat,  at  L.. 
446-452)     This,  as  is  well  known,  was  one  of  the  compromise  measures  of  that  year. 

*  Calhoun's  letter,  supposing  he  wrote  one,  in  reply  to  this,  has  not  been  found. 
5  O.  I.  A.,  L.  B.,  No.  44,  p.  152. 

•Calhoun  was  inaugurated,  March  3,  1851,    A.  G.  O.,  Files,  Filed  with  C  63  of  1850. 

Hd.  Qrs.  9th  Mil  :  Dept, 

Santa  Ffi_,  New  Mexico 

March  2nd  1851. 
Special  Orders 
No.  12. 
Col :  James  S.  Calhoun  having  been  appointed  by  the  President,  by  and  with  the  advice 
and  consent  of  the  Senate.  Governor  of  the  Territory  of  New  Mexico,   and  he   having 
signified  to  Col :  Munroe  the  present  Civil  and  Military  Governor,  his  intention  of  entering 
upon  the  discharge  of  his  Official  duties  tomorrow.  Col :  Munroe  directs  that  the  following 
order  of  arrangement  be  observed  by  the  Troops  at  this  Post. 

Bvt.  Lieut.  Col.  H.  Brooks  Commanding  the  Second  Artillery  Battalion  will  detail  one 
Company  of  Artillery,  and  Major  Morris  Commanding  3rd  Infantry,  Company  "  D  ",  3rd 
Infantry  to  escort  the  Governor  from  his  present  place  of  residence  to  the  Government 
House  now  occupied  by  Col :  Munroe. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES  S.    CALHOUN.  297 

Excepting  the  report  of  the  Committee  of  Ways  &  Means,  recom- 
mending an  appropriation,  for  fulfilling  treaties  with  the  Navajoes 
of  9th  Sept,  and  the  Utahs  of  30th  December  1849,  in  accordance 
with  my  special  estimate,  of  $18000,  each,  there  has  been  no  action 
on  the  part  of  Congress  in  reference  to  Indian  Affairs  in  New 
Mexico, 

As  confirmatory  of  the  deplorable  condition  of  our  Indian  relations 
in  the  Territory,  which  was  fully  set  forth  in  my  annual  Report;  I 
have  transmitted  duplicate  copies  of  your  letter  No.  87,  to  the  Secy 
of  the  Interior  with  the  recommendation  that  it  be  laid  before  the 
appropriate  Committees  in  Congress. 

Very  respectfully,  Your  Obt  Servt 

L  Lea 

Gomr, 

[CALHOUN  TO   LATZ.'] 

Copy. 

Executive  Department. 
Santa  Fe  March  11th  1851 
These  presents  are  to  certify  that  Mr  Benjamin  J.  Latz  has  the 
nescessary  authority  to  communicate  with  any  tribes  of  Indians  that 
may  be  found  between  this  place  and  the  White  Mountains  for  the 
purpose  of  recovering  the  child  of  Mrs.  J.  M.  White,  as  also  any 
other  American  captives  that  may  be  in  the  hands  of  said  Indians. 
And  should  any  of  said  tribes  desire  to  proceed  to  the  seat  of  Gov- 

Footnote — Continued. 

The  escort  to  assemble  at  such  time  and  place  as  may  be  designated  by  Major  H.  L. 
Kendrick  who  is  detailed  to  command  it. 

Bvt.  Lieut.  Col.  Brooks  will  so  order  that  a  Salute  of  flfteen  Guns  be  flred  in  honor  of 
the  Governor  immediately  after  the  inaugeration 

The  Band  of  the  3rd  Infantry  will  be  in  attendance,  the  leader  of  which  will  be  directed 
to  report  this  day  to  Major  Kendrick  for  instructions. 

By  Order  of  Col.  Munroe. 

(Signed)  L.  McLaws^ 

1  1st.  Lt.  7th  Infy. 

^.^  '^  A.  A.  A.  Genl. 

Head  Quarters,  9th.  Mily,  Department 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico  3d  March  1851. 
Sib. 

The  Governor  of  the  Territory  of  New  Mexico,  James  S.  Calhoun,  was  qualified  as  such 
this  day,  and  has  entered  upon  the  duties  of  his  office. 
I  am  with  the  Greatest  Respect 

Your  Very  Obdt  Servant 

John  Munkob 
Maj.  2d.  Art.  Bt.  Col.  U.  8.  Army  Commanding 
To  the  Honble 

C.  M.  Conrad 

Secretary  of  War. 
^Enclosure  of  McLaws  to  Alexander,  May  8,   1851. 


298  COEEESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES  S.    CALHOUN. 

eminent  for  the  purpose  of  delivering  up  said  captives  and  make 
treaties,  under  a  white  flag,  they  are  to  be  allowed  to  do  so  without 
the  interference  of  any  civil  or  military  authorities.  This  docu- 
ment is  to  remain  in  force  for  the  space  of  Thirty  days  from  this  date. 

James  S  Calhoun 

Governor^ 
and  Superintendant  of  Indn  Affrs. 

[CALHOUN  TO  MUNROE.'] 

EXECUTTVE  DePARTIVIENT, 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico^  March  16,  1851. 
Sir  :  The  following  is  a  copy  of  a  letter  which  I  have  this  moment 
received. 

"  New  Placer,  March  15, 1851. 
"This  is  to  inform  you  that  the  Indians  have  killed  one  of  our 
citizens  (Don  Jose  Marie  Baca)  on  the  13th  instant,  within  five  miles 
of  this  place  on  the  road  leading  to  Santa  Fe,  and  they  also  wounded 
his  peon  in  the  side  with  an  arrow.  The  amount  of  damage  done  is 
not  yet  known.  The  Indians  were  seen  in  our  mountains  last  night; 
their  number  is  not  ascertained.  A  party  of  the  same  Indians  (Nava- 
joes)  are  said  to  be  in  San  Domingo  at  this  time  on  a  trading 
expedition. 

"  James  Gumming,  Alcalde. 

"  To  His  Excellency  the  Governor  of  New  Mexico." 

I  hasten  to  place  before  you  this  information,  under  the  hope  that 
you  will  be  able  to  afford  the  necessary  protection  in  the  premises, 
and  to  exterminate  or  expel  the  Indians,  who  have  been  located  for 
months  not  very  far  from  Mazana. 
With  great  respect,  I  am,  &c., 

James  S.  Calhoun. 
Col.  John  Munroe, 

Command^g  9th  Military  Department,  Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico. 

Head-quarters  Military  Department, 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico,  March  20. 

A  true  copy. 

L.  McLaws,  1st  Infantry. 


1  Annual  Report,  Secretary  of  War,  1851,  Hoiiso  Ex.  Doc.  32nd  Cong.,  1st  Sess.,  No.  2. 
pp.   131-132. 


COEBESPONDEIirCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOTJlSr.  299 

[CALHOUN  TO  LEA.'] 

No.    1 

ExECUTTv^E  Department 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

March  2M,  1851. 
Sir, 

A  special  private  express  leaves  on  to-morrow  morning  for  the 
States,  and  I  seize  the  opportunity  to  inform  you  that  Indian  mur- 
ders and  depredations  ^  are,  almost  daily  occurring  in  this  Territory, 
South  and  West  of  Santa  Fe.  The  Navajos  during  the  past  week, 
murdered  one  Don  Jose  Marie  Baca  ^  and  wounded  his  travelling 
companion,  and  drove  off  some  stock  between  this  and  Mangana — 
On  the  same  day,  another  party  of  Navajos  drove  from  a  Mesa,  about 
fifteen  miles  from  this  place,  near  the  road  to  Peila  Blanca,  about 
thirty  horses  and  mules  belonging  to  the  Vicario  of  this  City  and  Don 
Tomas  Baca  of  Peiia  Blanca —  On  the  11th  of  this  month,  the  Jicar- 
illes  took  possession  of  a  flock  of  sheep;  supposed  to  number  one 
thousand,  slaughtered  seven  hundred,  and  returned  to  the  owner  near 
Anton  Chico,  three  hundred  of  the  poorest,  and  demanded  pay  for 
their  honesty,  but  I  am  not  advised  that  pay  was  accorded  to  them — 

Upwards  of  one  hundred  head  of  cattle  were  driven  off  by  Navajos 
from  near  San  Isidro  six  days  ago —  A  number  of  depredations,  of  a 
similar  character,  have  been  perpetrated  between  Jemez  and  Socorro, 
on  both  sides  of  the  Del  Norte,  within  the  last  fifteen  days,  but  less 
extensive  because  of  the  diminished  number  of  animals  to  be  found — 
The  diminution  is  the  result  of  Indian  depredations — 

By  order  of  Col.  Munroe,  Comdg.  Dth  Mil.  Dept.  active  efforts  have 
been  made  to  discover  the  depredators,  but  so  far,  without  success — 
These  efforts  are  yet  continued — 

In  order,  if  possible,  to  check  the  outrages  stated  above.  I  have 
deemed  it  my  duty  to  issue  the  enclosed  Proclamation,  and  Order  to 
the  Pueblo  Indians. 

The  people  of  this  Territory  are  without  the  means  of  self  protec- 
tion, the  Territorial  Treasury  is  a  blank,  and  the  protection  of  persons 
and  property  depends  solely  upon  the  action  of  the  Government  of 

iQ.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy,  N.  1]8. 

2  Consider,  in  this  connection,  the  approximately  contemporaneous  reports  of  the  mili- 
tary authorities  on  pp.  303-S04. 

8  In  the  "  Depredation  Claims  "  files,  O.  I.  A.,  there  are  records  of  many  claims  brought 
because  of  depredations  committed  by  New  Mexican  Indians,  especially  the  Navajos.  in 
1851.  These  are  typical  cases  and  in  every  one  of  them  a  letter  from  the  Governor  of 
New  Mexico,  figured  as  a  paper  in  the  case  :  Francisco  Thomas  C.  de  Baca,  letter  of 
Governor  of  New  Mexico ;  Estabran  Aragon,  letter  of  Governor  of  New  Mexico,  N  343 ; 
Antonio  Serafin  Luzero.  letter  of  Governor  of  New  Mexico,  N  343 ;  Pedro  Armijo,  letter  of 
Governor  of  New  Mexico,  N  344  ;  Lorenzo  Montanio,  letter  of  Governor  of  New  Mexico, 
N  344. 


300  CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

States, 
the  United  A  number  of  applications  and  tenders,  similar 

to  the  enclosed,  Marked  C,  have  been  made  to  me,  and  had  I  the 
means,  and  authority,  I  would  instantly  accept  the  enclosed  proposi- 
tion, and  would  peril  my  reputation  upon  the  full  and  complete  suc- 
cess of  the  expedition — It  is  hoped,  that  Congress,  before  the  termi- 
nation of  its  late  Session,  provided  the  means  of  releiving  the  people 
of  this  Territory  from  the  evils  that  they  have  so  long,  and  so  justly 
complained  of. 

The  mail  from  the  States  arrived  at  the  Moro  on  the  I7th  of  this 
month,  and  we  hope  to  receive  it  on  the  24th  or  25th  inst.,  although 
it  is  said,  the  Conductor  has  orders  to  detain  it  until  the  28th — 
This  is  excessively  annoying  to  us,  for  we  need  expected  instructions, 
our  Judges,  and  the  effective  means  necessary  to  a  proper  execution 
of  our  public  duties  in  this  Territory — Will  you  oblige  us  so  far  as 
to  call  the  attention  of  the  Post  Master  General  to  this  matter,  for  I 
doubt  not,  if  he  has  the  power,  he  will  remedy  the  detentions  com- 
plained of. 

We  had  quite  an  extensive  conflagration  in  this  City  last  night, 
and  the  wood  work  of  some  eight  or  ten  tenements  were  consumed — 
I  am,  with  great  respect,  Your  Obt.  Servt 

James  S.  Calhoun 

Hon :  Luke  Lea 

Com.r.  of  Ind.  Affrs 

Washington  City^  D.  G. 

[Inclosures] 

proclamation  ^ 

james  s.  calhoun 

governor 

of    the    territory    of    new    MEXICO 

To  the  People  of  Said  Territory 

The  present  condition  of  the  Territory  of  New  Mexico,  surrounded 
as  it  is  by  hostile  tribes  of  Indians,  whose  almost  daily  incursions  and 
depredations  are  the  source  of  the  greatest  evils  which  afflict  the 
country,  has  induced  me  to  issue  by  virtue  of  my  powers,  as  Com- 
mander-in-Chief of  the  Militia  of  the  Territory,  this  proclamation. 

1  Nearly  all  printed  matters  relating  to  the  early  territorial  history  of  New  Mexico 
can  be  found  among  the  Territorial  Papers  in  the  State  Department,  Bureau  of  Rolls  and 
Library. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES    S.    CALHOUN.  301 

I  recommend  to  all  able-bodied  male  citizens  of  the  Territory, 
capable  of  bearing  arms,  the  formation  of  Volunteer  Corps  to  pro- 
tect their  families,  property  and  homes,  and  as  Commander-in-Chief, 
as  before  mentioned,  will  commission  the  officers  of  such  companies 
as  may  be  raised  for  service  against  the  hostile  Indians — upon  being 
shown  that  such  companies  have  been  organized,  and  that  the  persons 
to  be  commissioned,  have  been  chosen  to  their  different  commands,  or 
that  the  companies  have  volunteered  to  organize  under  the  commands 
of  such  persons  so  presenting  their  claims  for  commissions. 

Immediately  upon  the  organization  of  any  such  companies,  they 
will  report  to  the  Commander-in-Chief  their  strength  and  numbers, 
and  they  are  then  authorized  to  pursue  and  attack  any  hostile  tribe 
of  Indians  which  may  have  entered  the  settlements  for  the  purpose 
of  plunder  and  depredation. 

I  further  direct  and  order  that  the  property  which  may  be  cap- 
tured from  any  hostile  tribe  of  Indians,  by  any  company  raised  under 
the  foregoing  provisions,  shall  be  disposed  of  in  accordance  with  the 
laws  and  customs  heretofore  existing  in  this  Territory — until  Legis- 
lative action  shall  be  had  upon  the  subject,  either  by  the  Congress 
of  the  United  States  or  the  Legislative  Assembly  of  this  Territory, 

I  also  remind  those  who  may  volunteer  in  any  such  company,  that 
the  law  will  be  strictly  enforced  against  any  person  who  shall  use 
this  measure  of  protection  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  Territory,  as  a 
pretext  for  any  depredations  upon  or  invasion  of  the  property  of  the 
peaceable  citizens  of  N,  Mexico ;  the  intention  being  to  put  in  force 
the  means  which  are  in  the  power  of  the  people  for  their  benefit,  and 
not  that  a  license  for  injury  to  them  shall  be  the  result. 

In  conclusion,  the  aid  and  co-operation  of  the  well-wishers  to  the 
country  is  asked,  that  this  movement,  which  it  is  believed,  can  be 
made  so  remedial  of  the  sufferings  of  the  people,  may  go  into  suc- 
cessful operation,  and  that  life  and  property — and  the  homes  and 
fire-sides  of  the  people  may  be  rendered  secure  from  those  perils  and 
dangers  which  now  so  constantly  and  daily  threaten  them. 

Given  under  my  hand  at  the  City  of  Santa  Fe,  this  18th  day  of 
March,  A.  D.  1851. 

James  S.  Calhoun, 

Governor. 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

March  19,  1851. 
To  the  Cacique,  Governors  and  Principals  of. — 

The  savage  Indians  who  are  daily  murdering  and  robbing  the 
people  of  New  Mexico,  in  which  T  include  your  Pueblo,  must  be 


302  CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

exterminated  or  so  chastised  as  to  prevent  their  coining  into  or  near 
your  Pueblo.  For  tliis  purpose  you  are  directed  to  abstain  from  all 
friendly  intercourse  with  the  Navajo  Indians  and  should  they  dare 
to  come  into  your  neighbourhood,  you  are  authorized  to  make  war 
upon  them,  and  to  take  their  animals  and  such  other  property  as  they 
may  have  with  them,  and  to  make  divisions  of  the  same  according 
to  your  laws  and  customs. 

You  are  required  to  be  exceeding  careful  to  prevent  and  prohibit 
that  the  least  trouble  shall  be  given  to  the  persons  and  property  of 
all  Americans  Mexicans  and  Pueblos,  and  inform  this  department 
at  an  early  date  of  the  movements  of  the  Navajos  and  all  that  you 
may  do  by  virtue  of  this  order. — 

James  S  Calhoun  Gov. 
c§  Superintendent  of  Ind.  Affs. 
A  I^iteral  Translation 
D.  V.  Whiting 

T  c&  I  to  the  Govmnt 


PROPOSALS  TO  RAISE  SIX  COMPANIES  OF  VOLUNTEERS,  FOR  AN   EXPEDITION 
TO    THE    NAVAJO    COUNlTiY 

1st  I  propose  to  raise  Six  Companies  of  Volunteers  of  One  Hun- 
dred men  in  each  Company 

2d  The  Government  is  to  furnish  One  hundred  mules  to  conduct 
the  provisions  necessary  for  the  Expedition  with  the  understanding 
that  they  are  to  be  returned  to  the  Government  after  the  campaign 
shall  be  ended,  with  the  exception  of  those  that  may  be  killed  or 
stolen  by  the  enemy. 

3d  The  Government  is  to  furnish  Six  Hundred  rifles  making 
myself  responsible  for  the  delivery  of  said  arms  after  the  conclu- 
sion of  the  campaign,  except  those  that  may  be  lost  on  account  of 
the  death  of  any  member  of  the  Expedition. 

4th  It  is  expected  that  the  Government  will  supply  sufficient 
amunition  to  conduct  the  war  until  its  termination,  it  is  also  expected 
that  the  Government  will  furnish  the  necessary  provisions  for  the 
support  of  the  troops. 

5th  The  troops  will  not  claim  any  remuneration  from  the  Govern- 
ment of  the  United  States,  the  only  recompense  they  ask  for  their 
services,  is  to  have  the  disposal  of  the  interests  of  the  country  they 
are  to  conquer,  such  as  the  disposal  of  Captives,  animals  cattle  &c. 
and  they  on  their  part  promise  to  pursue  the  Navajo  Nation  to 
their  extermination  or  complete  surrender. 

6th  The  volunteer  forces  will  not  be  subject  to  the  command 
of  any  officer  or  part  of  the  Army  of  the  United  States,  but  will 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.    CALHOUN.  303 

always  be  ready  to  obey  the  orders  of  the  Civil  Government  of  the 
Territory  of  New  Mexico. 
Santa  Fe  March  18.  1851 

Signed.  Manuel  Chaves 

A  Literal  translation  of  the  Original 
D.  V.  Whiting. 

[Related  Correspondence.] 
[McLAWS  TO  ALEXANDER.!] 

Hd  Qrs  :  9  Mil  :  Dept. 
Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

March  U,  1851. 
Colonel, 

Information  lias  been  received  that  a  number  of  Apache  Warriors  with  their 
families  and  perhaps  some  Comauches  are  assembled  at  some  point  about  forty 
miles  south  of  Anton  Chico — towards  the  Rio  Pecos 

Colonel   Munroe  desires  that  you  will  examine  to  find  out  the  truth  of  the 

express 
above  report  and  send  word  by  special  to  these  Head  Quarters. 

Since  writing  the  above  a  report  has  reached  here  that  a  Party  of  Apaches 
have  come  in  with  several  hundred  sheep  which  they  assert  were  found  strolling 
about  without  a  Pastor  they  had  brought  them  in  as  evidence  of  their  friendly 
intention ;  It  is  also  reported  that  they  are  desirous  of  having  a  talk  with  the 
Governor — you  will  enquire  into  the  above  matter  and  report  at  once  as  to  their 
correctness  keeping  a  good  watch  over  the  movements  of  the  Indians  and  hold 
your  command  in  readiness  to  punish  any  depredations. 

If  any  of  the  Indians  should  desire  to  come  to  this  place  you  will  have  them 
escorted  safely. 

Respectfully 

Your  obt  Servt 

L.  McLaws  t  Lt  7  Infy 

AAA  Genl 
Col.  E.  B.  Alexander 

Commdg 

Las  Vegas 

[McLAWS  TO  H0WB.2] 

Head  Quarters  9th.  Mil:  Dept. 

Santa  Fe\  N.  M.  March  16,  1851. 
Major, 

I  enclose  herewith  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  Govr.  Calhoun  to  Col.  Munroe, 
giving  information  of  certain  depredations  committed  by  Navajoe  Indians  near 
the  new  Placero. 

Col.  Munroe  directs  that  if  you  have  not  received  such  information  as  to 
enable  you  to  act  with  more  probability  of  success  against  the  marauding  party, 
that  you  send  at  once  a  mounted  party  in  the  direction  of  Tajeke  to  gain  infor- 
mation, to  be  followed  as  soon  as  possible  by  the  rest  of  the  disposable  force 
of  Co  K. 

1  a.  G.  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  4,  p.  53. 
Mbld.,  p.  69. 


304  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

You  will  iilso  send  at  once  tlie  accompanying  communications  to  Socorro  and 
Cibolletta  with  such  information  as  to  the  movements  of  the  Indians  as  you  can 
collect. 

Respectfully, 

L  McLaws 
Lt  7  Infy  A  A  A  Genl 
Major  M.  S.  Howe 

Commding 

Alhurquergue 
P.  S.    You  will  report  your  actions  in  the  matter. 
Respectfully, 

L  McLaws 
Lt  7  Infy  A  A  A  Genl 
Major  M.  S.  Howe 

[LEA  TO  CALHOUN.^] 

Department  or  the  Interior, 

Office  Indian  Affairs, 

3farrh  27.  1851 
Calhoun  His  Excy  James  S. 

Santa  Fe 
New  Mexico 
Sir: 

Your  letter  (No  88)  of  the  5th  Deer  last,  transmitting  your  ac- 
counts for  the  quarter  ending  30th  Sept  previous,  has  been  received. 
These  returns  will  be  speedily  examined  &  referred  to  the  ac- 
counting officers  of  the  Treasury  for  settlement,  &  whatever  balance 
may  be  found  due  you,  will  be  remitted.     Until  such  settlement  it 

advance 
is  not  competent   for  the   Department   to   make   an    allowance  of 
funds,  your  connection  with  the  Government  as  Indian  Agent  hav- 
ing ceased. 

Very  respectfully  Your  obt  Servt 

L  Lea 

CoTnr. 

[LEA   TO   CALHOUN.''] 

Department  of  the  Ini'erior, 

Office  Indian  Affairs, 

Marrh  27  1851 
Calhoun  His  Excy  James  S. 

Santa  Fe 
New  Mexico 
Sir: 

Your  letter  (No  89)  of  the  10th  Deer.  last,  enclosing  the  sub- 
sistence account  of  Lieut  Thomas,  of  the  Commissary's  Department, 
has  been  received. 

1  O.  I.  A.,  L.  B.,  No.  44,  p.  263.  "  Ibid,  p.  264. 


I 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN,  305 

On  the  examination  of  the  latter,  the  remarks  submitted  by  you 
respecting  it,  will  be  duly  considered. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obt.  Servt. 

L  Lea 

Gomr. 

[CALHOUN  TO  FILLMOKE/] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

March  29th.  1851. 
Sir 

This  note  will  be  presented  to  you  by  Doctor  Henry  Connelly,^  one 
of  the  worthiest  citizens  of  this  Territory,  and  who  will  be  able  to 
give  you  authentic  information  concerning  the  deplorable  condition 
of  affairs  in  New  Mexico.  Until  the  Apaches  and  Navajos  are  com- 
pletely subdued  we  can  neither  have  quiet  or  prosperity  in  this  Terri- 
tory. You  are  aware  that  our  Treasury  is  empty,  and  that  we  are 
without  munitions  of  war.  If  we  had  the  use  of  one  thousand  stand 
of  arms  at  this  time,  we  could  effectually  check  depredations  that  are 
being  daily  committed  in  our  very  midst 

Upon  this  subject  I  will  not  trouble  you  further,  but  pray  you,  at 
a  convenient  moment  admit  Dr  Connelly  to  a  conversation  upon  such 
topics  as  you  may  desire  useful  and  correct  information 
I  am 

With  great  respect. 

Your  Obedient  Servant. 

James  S.  Calhoun 
His  Excellency 

MiixARD  Fillmore  ^ 

President  of  the  United  States 

Washington  City 

D.G. 


lA.  G.  O.,  Files,  N  21  of  1851. 

*ln  1850,  when  New  Mexico  attempted,  in  advance  of  territorial  organization  and  In- 
dependently of  congressional  authorization,  to  set  up  a  State  government  for  Iierself,  Dr. 
Henry  Connelly  was  elected,  by  the  people,  governor,  and  Francis  A.  Cunniugbam  and 
Richard  H.  Weightman,  by  the  newly-formed  Legislature,  United  States  Senators.  In  the 
absence  from  New  Mexico  of  Governor  Connelly,  Alvarez  took  his  place  and  met,  as 
Connelly  would  have  done,  no  doubt,  had  he  been  there,  with  the  vigorous  opposition  of 
Colonel  Munroe.      (Bancroft,  History  of  Arizona  and  New  Mexico,  p.  448.) 

s  President  Fillmore  endorsed  the  letter  as  follows :  "  Mr.  Conrad,  the  bearer  of  this 
calls  on  you  at  my  request.  He  is  the  gentleman  who  was  elected  Governor  under 
the  state  organization." 

5021—15 20 


306  COERESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[CALHOUN  TO  STUART/] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico. 

March  31st  1851. 
Sir, 

It  may  not  be  improper  to  call  your  attention  to  heavy  expendi- 
tures which  this  Department  must  incur,  if  it  discharges  its  duty  with 
fidelity  to  the  people.  In  the  first  place,  every  order,  notice,  or  proc- 
lamation must  be  written  and  published  in  English  and  Spanish — 
consequently,  as  the  great  mass  of  the  people  are  Mexicans,  a  trans- 
lator for  the  Department  is  necessary,  and  expenditures  in  this  Ter- 
ritory must  not  be  measured  as  in  the  States — my  letters,  as  Indian 
Agent,  addressed  to  the  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs,  and  the 
Quartermaster's  and  Commissary's  offices  in  Washington  will  show 
the  extravagant  prices  paid  for  services  and  the  means  of  subsistence 
in  this  Territor}^ 

My  only  object  at  this  moment,  is  to  ask  your  consideration  of  the 
subject,  and  the  exercise  of  such  discretion  as  may  have  been  com- 
mitted to  you  by  the  Government  of  the  United  States. 

The  protection  of  persons  and  property  demands  the  earliest  pos- 
sible action.  My  letters  to  the  Commissioners  of  Indian  Affairs  have 
given  to  the  Department  my  reasons  for  this  opinion. 

In  order  to  protect  our  interior  firesides  if  we  do  not  make  reprisal 
expiditions  against  our  wild  and  savage  neighbors.  We  need  muni- 
tions of  war  of  every  kind.  These  we  have  not,  and  our  Treasury  is 
empty.    Has  Congress  provided  the  means  to  aid  us? 

If  I  had  the  means  at  this  moment  I  could,  in  a  few  months,  secure 
a  lasting  peace  with  the  Indians  in  this  Territory,  and  locate  them 
within  fixed  limits  &  compel  them  to  build  Pueblos  and  cultivate 
the  soil,  provided  trading  posts,  sufficiently  garrisoned,  and  Indian 
Agents  were  established. 
I  will  not  trouble  you  further  in  reference  to  this  subject. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be, 
Your  obt.  Servt. 

James  S.  Calhoun 
Hon.  A.  H.  H.  Stuart, 

Sec.  of  the  Department  of  the  Interior, 

Washington  City,  D.  G. 

IB.  I.  a.,  M.  L.,  March,  1851,  Alexander  H.  H.  Stuart  of  Virginia  entered  upon  his 
duties  as  Secretary  of  the  Interior,  September  16,  1850. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  307 

[CALHOUN   TO  LEA.'] 

No  2 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

March  31st  1851. 
Sir. 

Your  letter  of  the  22d  of  January  last  was  received  on  the  24th 
of  the  present  month,  and  I  trust  your  efforts  to  induce  action  upon 
the  part  of  Congress  in  reference  to  Indian  Affairs  in  New  Mexico, 
have  not  proved  abortive. 

The  Pueblo  Indians  have  caused  me  much  anxiety  during  the 
present  month.  Leguna  and  Acoma  have  had  angry  disputations, 
and  the  shedding  of  blood  has  been  prevented  so  far,  by  my  sending 
an  Agent  to  their  Pueblos  to  compromise  their  respective  claims  to 
certain  lands.  They  have  agreed  to  abide  his  award.  There  is  not 
a  Pueblo  within  One  hundred  miles  of  this  Superintendency  that  has 
not  sent  to  me  delegations,  during  the  month,  to  make  known  their 
grievances  caused  by  incroachments  upon  their  landed  property 
around  their  Pueblos.  This  topic  of  great  danger  to  the  quiet  of  the 
Territory  has  been  so  frequently  presented  for  the  consideration  of 
the  Department,  I  deem  it  unnecessary  to  enlarge  upon  it. 

The  Navajos  continue,  in  small  parties,  to  commit  depredations, 
and  have  not  the  slightest  idea  that  we  can  effectually  check  them. 
They  never  regard  the  loss  of  a  few  men  and  captives.  A  few  days 
since,  the  Navajos  drove  off  stock  from  near  Manzana.  The  Apaches, 
whose  localities  have  been  in  that  neighborhood  for  months  past, 
ascertained  the  fact,  pursued  the  Navajos,  recovered  and  returned 
the  stock  and  brought  in  a  scalp,  four  were  wounded  and  three  have 
since  died.  The  Pueblo  of  Jemez  are  daily  annoyed  by  them,  not- 
withstanding the  occasional  loss  of  a  man.  The  Governor  of  the 
Pueblo  is  now  here  complaining  that  he  has  not  the  american  pro- 
tection promised,  and  begging  for  munitions  of  war,  and  the  Terri- 
tory is  as  powerless  as  the  Superintendency. 

Sandoval,^  our  Navajo  friend  near  Cebolleta,  returned  about  the 
20th  of  the  month  from  a  visit  to  his  Navajo  brethren  with  Eighteen 
captives,  a  quantity  of  stock  and  several  scalps  having  lost  one  man 
in  the  expedition. 

1  O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy,  N  119;  Annual  Report,  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs. 
1851,  pp.  193-194. 

a  See  McLaws  to  Chandler,  p.   309. 


808  CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

THE  UTAHS, 

were  with  me  on  the  25th  inst  and  renewed  their  manifestations  of 
pacific  purposes,  and  reported  that  they  had  not  been  able  to  hear  one 
word  in  reference  to  Mrs  White,  child  and  servant.  Up  to  this 
moment  I  have  not  been  able  to  make  nny  further  discovery  in  rela- 
tion to  the  fate  of  the  child  and  servant,  notwithstanding  I  have  had 
out  a  number  of  traders  in  every  direction,  who  have  ventured  into 
the  camps  of  the  Utahs,  and  the  Jicarillas  and  Mescaleros  Apaches 
But  I  will  not  remit  my  exertions. 


Leut  J  P.  Holliday,^  2d  Dragoons,  left  Albuquerque  on  the  18th 
with  forty  four  men  in  search  of  Indians  who  had  committed  depre- 
dations in  the  neighborhood  of  Manzana.  He  found  the  camp  of 
the  Apaches,  near  the  Smoky  mountains.  Sixty  miles  E.  of  S.  E.  of 
Manzana,  About  two  hundred  Indians  in  the  camp.  Sixty  of  whom 
were  warriors.  The  Superior  Chief  of  the  Apaches  East  of  the  Del 
Norte,  Chacon,  approached  Leut  Holliday,  and  enquired  the  object 
of  his  visit;  declaring  at  the  same  time  he  was  for  peace,  and  that  his 
people  had  committed  no  depredations  of  a  recent  date,  and  at  once 
agreed  to  return  with  the  Leutenant,  and  he  and  others  are  expected 
here  on  the  3d  of  the  ensuing  month  The  Jicarillas  and  Mescaleros 
each  have  a  subordinate  chief  with  four  warriors,  now  at  the  Super- 
intendency.  They  came  in  on  the  29th  inst  to  ascertain  whether  I 
would  entertain  a  proposition  for  a  Treaty  of  Peace  and  while 
engaged  in  a  talk  with  them,  intelligence  of  Chacon's  intention  to 
come  in,  caused  a  suspension  of  our  mutual  enquiries,  and  these  sub- 
ordinates will  remain  here  until  Chacon's  arrival 

It  is  to  be  regretted  that  I  am  without  instructions  upon  this  sub- 
ject. I  have  a  very  great  aversion  to  groping  my  way  in  the  dark, 
but  in  the  absence  of  light,  my  soundest  descretion  must  be  exercised, 
taking  care  to  avail  myself  of  all  the  information  I  am  be  able  to 
procure,  and  the  advice  of  intelligent  gentlemen. 
I  am 

With  great  respect 

Your  Obedient  Servant, 

James  S.  Cai^houn 
Hon  L.  Lea 

Commissioner  of  Indian  A  fairs 

Washington  City 

b.  C. 

iSee  pp.  310-311. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES  S.    CALHOUN.  309 

[Related  Correspondence.] 
[McLAWS  TO   CHANDLER.i] 

Hd  Qrs  ;  9  Mil.  Dept. 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

April  17,  1851. 
Colonel, 

Sandoval,  Cbief  of  the  Pueblo  Navajos  near  Cibolletta  is  now  on  a  visit  to 
this  place,  be  has  requested  that  he  may  be  supplied  with  arms  for  his  people 
and  wishes  to  know  when  an  Expedition  will  be  made  against  the  Navajos  as  he 
Is  desirous  of  accompauying  it  withe«t  about  twenty  of  his  men — In  reference 
to  which  points  Colonel  Munroe  informed  him  that  they  would  be  considered — 
that  he  (Sandoval)  could  confer  with  you  and  that  you  would  write  to  him 
(Col.  Munroe)  and  that  at  a  proper  time  answers  would  be  given  to  his 
request  &  inquiries. 

The  above  is  for  your  information  and  guidance  in  making  inquiries  and 
observing  relative  to  the  position  Sandoval  and  his  people  now  hold,  or  would 
probably  hold  if  an  Expedition  was  undertaken  by  our  Troops  against  the  main 
Navajo  Nation — You  stated  I  believe  on  your  last  visit  here  that  it  was  your 
impression  befe  Sandoval  was  not  on  friendly  terms  with  the  rest  of  the  Nation 
on  a/c  of  some  of  their  depredations  on  the  Flocks  and  Herds  of  his  people  &  of 
some  acts  of  retaliation  on  his  part. 

It  is  reported  here  that  the  Navajos  living  in  and  around  the  Caiion  of  Chelley 
&  on  the  lower  Rio  San  Juan  have  separated  from  those  living  on  the  Upper 
San  Juan,  the  separation  having  taken  place  it  is  believetl  with  a  perfect 
understanding  on  both  sides,  the  agreement  being  that  the  Flocks  &c  of  the 
lower  San  Juan  Party  shall  be  sent  to  the  Upper  San  Juan  until  the  contem- 
plated Expedition  against  the  Nation  should  be  terminated. 

The  Upper  San  Juan  portion  believing  that  Col.  Munroe  will  give  credence 
to  their  professions  of  peace  &  friendship,  which  they  have  been  making  for 
some  time  past,  &  thus  will  not  visit  that  section 

Sandoval  may  be  ostensibly  at  war  with  the  one  portion  of  his  Tribe  but  at 
peace  &  in  communication  with  the  other  &  by  giving  information  of  our  move- 
ments to  the  last,  it  will  tfeefefere  be  communicated  to  the  whole 

It  will  therefore  be  necessary  in  your  conversations  with  Sandoval  not  to 
allow  him,  to  gain  any  information  of  our  movements,  but  endeavour  on  your 
part  to  learn  all  concerning  himself  &  his  people 

For  they  could  be  of  assistance  to  us  if  they  so  desired  &  if  otherwise  might 
do  some  injury.     After  you  have  satisfied  yourself  in  the  matter  Colonel  Munroe 
desires  that  you  would  give  him  your  opinion  as  to  the  necessity  &  propriety 
of  granting  the  request  of  Sandoval  mentioned  in  the  first  part  of  this  Letter 
Respectfully 

Your  obt.  Servt 

L  McLaws 
1  Lt  1  Infy  d  A  A  A  Genl 

Col.  D.  T.  Chandler 

Commanding 

Cibolletta 

lA.  G.  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  4,  pp.  93-94. 


310  CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[McLAWS  TO  HOWE.i] 

Head  Quarters  9th  Mil.  Dept. 
Santa  F6,  New  Mexico  March  SO,  1851. 
Major. 

Information  was  received  this  morning  from  two  teamsters,  who  came  from 
Alburquerque,  that  Lt.  Holaday  had  returned  from  his  expedition  bringing  with 
him  Chacon  a  chief  of  the  Apache  Nation  and  three  of  his  sons — and  that  it 
had  been  determined  by  you  to  send  these  Indians  to  this  place  the  day  follow- 
ing their  arrival  at  Alburquerque — Friday — but  that  you  had  delayed  their 
departure  one  day  in  order  to  await  the  arrival  of  some  twenty  more  Apaches, 
who,  it  was  said  would  come  in  voluntarily,  being  desirous  of  seeing  the  Govr. 
There  is  a  deputation  of  Apache  Indians  now  at  this  place  representing,  as 
they  say  the  Apache  Nation,  Mescaleros  and  Jacarillas.  The  chief  of  this  party 
acknowledges  that  he  is  subordinate  to  Chacon — but  says  that  be  represents 
his  (Chacons)  views. 

It  being  a  matter  of  importance  to  ascertain  the  truth  of  the  above  report 
Mr.  Latz,  the  bearer  of  this,  has  volunteered  to  start  from  this  place  to  meet 
Chacon  supposed  to  be  on  the  way  here  and  to  converse  with  him  on  such 
points  as  Governor  Calhoun  may  direct,  or,  if  he  does  not  meet  him  will  pro- 
ceed on  to  Alburquerque  for  the  same  object. — Two  men  from  the  Arty.  Bat- 
talion have  been  detailed  to  accompany  Mr.  Latz. 
Respectfully 

Your  obd.  Servt. 

L  McLaws 

1  Lt7  Infy 
AAA  Genl 
Major  M.  S.  Howe 

2d.  Dragoons. 

Conidg.  Albuquerque. 
P.  S.     If  Lt.  Holliday  has  returned  and  the  report  above  referred  to,  is  cor- 
rect, Col.  Munroe  desires  that  he.  Lt.  H.  if  his  services  are  not  essential  at 
Alburquerque,  may  be  allowed  to  come  to  this  place,  with  Chacon  and  the  other 
Indians. 

Respectfully 

L  McLaws 
AAA  Oenl 
Major  M.  S.  Howe 

[munroe  to  JONES.^] 

Head  Quarters  9th  Mil:  Dept. 
Santa  Fe',  N.  Me.Hco  March  SOth  1851. 
Sir: 

I  transmit  you  herewith 

1.  Lt.  A  Plensantons  report  of  a  Scout  in  Pursuit  of  Navajoes  Indians. 

2.  Copy  of  a  letter  from  Bvt.  Col.  Alexander  enclosing  a  report  of  Lt  Adams 
with  accompanying  papers. 

8.  Copy  of  a  letter  from  Governor  Calhoun  to  myself  giving  information  as 
to  depradations  committed  by  Navajoe  Indians  near  the  New  Placer  with  a 
report  of  Maj  Kendrick  who  was  detached  with  a  Mounted  party  from  this 

was  ordered  out 
post  in  pursuit — and  a  report  of  Lt.  Holliday  who  from  Albur- 

querque by  Major  Howe  for  the  same  purpose. 


A.  G.  0.,  Old  Book.  No.  4,  pp.  67-68.  » Ibid.,  pp.  70-71. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  311 

By  reference  to  pjipers  marked  No.  3  you  will  perceive  tbat  Governor  Calhoun 
besides  asking  protection  for  the  inhabitants  at  the  New  Placer  desired  that 
the  Indians  who  had  been  for  months  located  not  far  from  Mauzana  might 
be  expelled  or  exterminated.  Major  Kendricks  report  renders  it  a  matter  of 
doubt  whether  or  not  the  Indians  had  been  at  the  New  Placer — and  the  report 
of  Lt.  Holliday  will  explain,  why  the  Indians  near  Mauzana  were  neither 
expelled  or  exterminated — a  consequence  which  might  have  followed  if  Lt 
Holliday  had  not  thought  proper  to  deviate  from  his  instructions  which  were 
based  on  the  hopes  of  the  Executive  of  this  Territory. 

A  letter  from  a  Mr.  W.  S.  Skinner  an  inhabitant  of  this  Territory,  advising 
Major  Howe  that  some  Apaches  w^ere  at  Manzana  is  also  enclosed — the  letter 
is  dated  January  23d.  1851. — his  intention  in  making  the  report  is  at  least 
questionable,  when  it  is  seen  that  scarcely  two  months  had  elapsed,  when  he 
Informs  Lt.  Holliday  that  those  Indians  had  been  protcctinfl  the  Flocks  of  the 
inhabitants  for  a  number  of  months,     (see  Lt.  Hollidays  report) 

From  the  report  of  Lt.  Adams  you  will  perceive  that  but  for  his  accidental 
encounter  with  the  Pastor  of  the  Flocks  of  Sheep  which  had  been  reported 
as  stolen,  the  report  made  by  Mr.  Waters  would  have  been  beleived  as  true, 
and  I  have  no  doubt  so  reported,  and  a  claim  on  the  Government  the  con- 
sequence. 

The  above  mentioned  reports  are  typical  of  the  character  of  a  large  propor- 
in  which 
tion  if  the  assertions  made  by  individuals  as  to  the  depredations  of 

Indians  were  thoroughly  sifted  the  result  would  show  characteristic  of  the 
people  as  pourtrayed  by  Lt.  Pleasonton  or  a  disregard  for  facts  from  motives 
of  self  interest  proved  in  the  instance  mentioned  in  the  report  of  Lt.  Adams. 

Various  statements  emanating  from  persons  in  this  Territory  and  circulated 
In  the  United  States  through  the  public  prints  with  I  beleive  representations 
made  more  directly  to  the  Department  of  War,  having  in  view  to  disparage 
the  Military  force  in  this  Department  and  more  immediately  commanding 
officers,  teem  with  direct  violation  of  truth  or  with  gross  misreitreseutations 
intentionally  made.  The  objects  mainly  to  be  attained  being  to  prepare  the 
public  mind  and  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  to  consider  favorably  the 
claims  proposed  to  be  set  up  for  the  payment  of  all  the  stock  which  has  been 
or  which  they  will  represent  to  have  been  driven  ofE  by  the  various  Bands  of 
surrounding  Indians— through  the  supposed  neglect  of  the  Government  to  give 
that  protection  which  has  been  guaranteed  by  the  people  of  the  Territory,  and 
by  deprecating  the  services  of  the  regular  army,  expect  that  Congress  will 
Authorise  the  Creation  of  a  local  force  as  a  substitute  or  partial  substitute  for 
it.  The  official  positions  of  which  there  is  already  a  surplus  of  Aspirants  ready- 
to  fill. 

The  enclosed  official  reports  will  serve  as  an  illustration  to  show  that  the 
Troops  have  properly  performed  their  allotted  duties,  and  the  few  remarks 
I  have  indulged  will  point  out  the  unwoi'thy  motives  by  which  both  myself  and 
other  Commanding  officers  have  been  assailed. 
Respectfully 

(sd)  John  Munuoe 

Major  2d.  Art.  Bvt.  Col.  U.  S  A 

Comdg  Dept. 

Major  Genl.  R.  Jones 
Adjt.  Genl. 
U  8.  A. 

Washington 
D.  O. 


312  COEKESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[CALHOUN   TO   LEA.'] 

Executive  Departiment 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

March  SI,  1851. 
Sir 

Your  favor  of  January  16th  acknowledging  the  receipt  of  Agent 
Greiners  report,  and  yours  of  the  31st  January  advising  me  of  the 
appointment  of  Spence  M.  Baird  as  Agent  for  the  Indians  of  New 
Mexico  and  requiring  him  to  report  to  this  Department  and  file  his 
bond  have  been  received. 

I  take  great  pleasure  in  informing  you  that  Genl  Baird  has 
accepted  the'  appointment  and  reported  himself  to  this  Department, 
he  has  also  filed  his  bond  with  me,  which  I  herewith  enclose,  in  com- 
pliance with  your  instructions 


Very  Respectfully 

Your  Obedt  Servt 


James  S  Calhoun 

hy  David  V  Whiting 


Hon  L  Lea 

Commr  of  Ind  Affs 

Washington  City 

D.C. 

[MUNROE   TO   CALHOUN.''] 
u 

Hd  Qrs.  9  Mil.  Deft 

Santa  Fe  N.  Mex. 

3Iarch  31st.  1851. 
Sir, 

I  have  just  received  your  letter  of  this  date  stating  the  representa- 
tion made  by  the  Govr.  of  Jemez  that  the  Navajoes  ^  are  depredat- 
ing on  the  property  of  the  Pueblos,  and  that  for  purposes  of  Defence 
they  want  a  supply  of  powder  and  Lead. 

It  is  not  very  long  since  Jousta  accompanied  Archibille  a  Navajoe 
Chief  into  this  place — at  that  time  I  am  led  to  beleive  the  intercourse 
between  the  Pueblos  of  Jemez  and  the  Navajoes  was  not  beyond 
suspision  and  I  would  not  now,  feel  myself  at  liberty  to  supply  them 
with  public  ammunitions,  without  a  very  evident  necessity. 
Respectfully 

(sd.)  John  Munroe 

Col.  James  S.  Calhoun 

Santa  Fe'\  N  M. 

1  O.  I,  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy,  N  35. 
"A.  G.  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  4,  p.  68. 
"  See  Munroe  to  .Tones,  April  1,  1851. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.   CALHOUN.  313 

[Related  Correspondence.  ] 
[munroe  to  jones.^] 

Head  Quarters  9th  Mil:  Deft. 

Santa  Fe',  N.  M.  1st  April  1851 
Sir. 

Should  the  peaceable  state  of  Our  relations  with  the  Adjacent  Indian  tribes 
authorise  the  movement,  I  propose  making  an  expedition  into  the  Navajoe 
Country  next  month,  so  soon  as  the  grass  is  sufHciently  advanced  in  growth  to 
support  animals — contempleating  for  the  movement  the  employment  of  a  force 
of  four  companies  of  dragoons  three  companies  of  Infantry,  and  a  detachment 
of  Artillery. 

Enclosed,  for  General  Head  Quarters  is  a  traced  copy  of  a  map  of  that 
coimtry  executed  by  and  under  the  Superintendence  of  Lt.  Parke,  Top.  Engs. 
with  an  itinerary  of  the  routes.  It  will  form  an  addendum  to  the  map  of  New 
Mexico,  transmitted  by  Lt.  Thomas,  3d  Arty. 

The  basis  of  the  map  is  that  of  Lt.  Simpson  Top:  Engr.  The  additions  from 
detailed  descriptions  of  Carabojal  who  served  as  guide  to  Lt  Col.  Washington 
on  his  expedition  against  the  Navajoes  in  1S49. — and  it  is  pronounced  by  per- 
sons competent  to  Judge,  sufficiently  accurate  for  military  purposes. 

Lt.  Parke  is  now  absent  tracing  a  road  from  the  "  Rayado  "  to  the  point  of 
rocks  on  the  Cimarron  route.  He  will  on  his  return  furnish  the  Topographical 
bureau  with  a  copy. 

There  are  now  at  Santa  Fe'  recently  come  in  two  Apache  Chiefs,  who  rep- 
resent themselves  and  people  to  be  amicably  disposed  and  desirous  of  entering 
into  a  treaty.  They  are  waiting  the  arrival  of  Chacon  a  superior  Chief  who 
accompanied  Lt.  Holliday  2d.  Dragoons  into  Alburquerque.  On  his  arrival  here 
the  Governor  of  the  Territory  will  entertain  the  subject  of  their  mission 
Respectfully 

(sd)  John  Munroe 

Major  2d  Art.  Bvt.  Col.  U.  S  A 

Commdg  Dept. 
Major  Genl.  R.  Jones. 

Adjutant  Genl. 

U.  S.  A. 

[CALHOUN  TO   STUABT.'] 

No.  2 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico, 

April  2d.  1851. 
Sir, 

A  few  moments  since  the  accompanying  Treaty  ^  was  signed,  and 
an  express  is  now  waiting  to  convey  this  and  other  commimications 
so  as  to  overtake  the  mail  that  left  on  yesterday  for  the  States — 

This  is  an  important  move,  and  I  commend  it  to  the  grave  consid- 
eration of  the  President  of  the  United  States — I  have  not  time  to 
record  all  that  I  desire  to  day,  in  time  to  overtake  the  mail — 

^A.  G,  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  4,  p.  72. 
«0.  I.  A.,  Santa  Fe  Agency,  N,  120, 

*The  War  Department  archives  furnish  additional  documents  bearing  upon  this  treaty. 
They  are  given  on  pp.  317-320. 


314  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.   CALHOUN. 

The  Treaty  may  be  observed — and,  if  I  had  the  means  to  support  a 
small  Volunteer  force,  I  could  and  would  secure  a  reasonable  compli- 
ance with  the  Treaty — I  have  no  advice,  I  have  no  instructions,  and 
in  consultation  with  Col.  Munroe,  and  others,  we  came  to  the  conclu- 
sion that  the  protection  of  persons  and  property,  in  this  Territory, 
demanded  some  temporary  arrangement — We  think  it  may  save  the 
lives  of  one  or  more,  and  their  property — We  ask  the  Government  to 
advise  in  the  premises  at  an  early  moment— I  say  to  you,  it  is  impor- 
tant. There  are  dark  secrets  to  be  revealed,  and  there  are  persons  of 
repute  that  may  be  implicated — That  is  my  opinion — I  hope  I  am 
wrong — But  the  truth  must  out — or  it  should  be  so — 

There  are  but  few,  (if  one)^  difficulties  or  annoyances  that  I  could 
not  remedy,  at  an  early  moment,  if  I  had  the  means — That  is  to  say, 
munitions  of  war,  and  the  funds  to  provide  commissary  Stores,  such 
as  the  country  affords. 

The  Judges  for  this  Territory  ought  to  be  here — confusion  and  con- 
flicts must  ensue,  if  they  do  not  come  soon — My  language  is  mod- 
erate— very  moderate. 

I  have  now  to  suggest,  that  my  best  judgement  must  declare  that 
there  should  be  no  delay  in  giving  advice  and  instructions  to  officials 
in  this  Territory — The  cost  of  an  express  should  not  be  considered — 

I  conclude  by  saying,  give  us  the  proper  authority  and  means,  and 
the  needful  shall  be  accomplished,  unless  rebellion  shall  command  the 
ascendency — and  if  this  comes,  it  will  not  be  Mexican  advice  that  in- 
duces it — 

I  have  no  time  to  say  more,  and  have  the  honor  to  be 
Your  obedient  Servant 

James  S.  Calhoun 

Hon :  A.  H.  H.  Stuart 

Sec.  of  the  Department  of  the  Interior 

Washington  Gity 
D.G. 

[Inclosure.] 
Triplicate 


WITH  THE  APACHE  INDIANS   EAST  OF  THE 
RIO  DEL  NORTE 

It  is  agreed  by  the  contracting  parties;  that  is  to  say  James  S. 
Calhoun,  Governor  and  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs  in  the 
Territory  of  New  Mexico,  and  John  Munroe  Brevet  Colonel  of  the 
United  States  Army,  commanding  the  Ninth  Military  Department; 
on  the  part  of  the  Government  of  the  United  States,  and 

Francisco  Chacon,  Lobo 

Guero  and  Josecito 

Head  Chief  and  Captains 


COEEESPONDENCE    OF    -JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  315 

on  the  part  of  the  Apache  tribe  of  Indians  east  of  the  Rio  del  Norte, 
that  the  following  acknowledgements,  declarations  and  stipulations 
shall  be  binding  upon  the  contracting  parties,  in  all  time  to  come. 
Provided;  the  Government  of  the  United  States  shall  approve  the 
following  terms 

First — The  said  Apache  Indians  do  hereby  declare  their  uncondi- 
tional submission  to  the  Government  of  the  United  States,  and  will 
remove  to,  and  confine  themselves  to  such  lands  and  limits  as  said 
Government  may  assign  for  their  use,  and  build  thereon  Pueblos,  and 
cultivate  the  soil  for  their  support,  or  occupy  said  limits,  and  con- 
form to  all  rules,  laws  and  orders  that  said  Government  may  prescribe 
for  their  observance. 

Second  The  said  Indians  pledge  their  identity  as  a  tribe,  and 
their  personal  existence,  individually,  to  abstain  from  all  murders, 
and  depredations,  not  to  roam  within  Fifty  miles  of  the  settlements, 
or  the  established  highways  of  the  people  of  New  Mexico,  or  the 
roads  leading  to  the  United  States;  unless  under  such  rules  and 
regulations  as  the  Governor  and  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs 
may  prescribe,  and  unless  the  aforesaid  Government  shall  assign 
them  limits  nearer  to  said  settlements  and  highways;  that  they  will 
deliver  up  all  murderers,  robbers  and  fugitives  from  justice,  all  cap- 
tives whether  Americans,  Mexicans,  or  others,  and  stolen  property 
that  may  be  with  them,  or  in  their  possession,  by  or  before  the  First 
day  of  August  next,  and  will  at  all  times,  use  their  utmost  exertions 
to  check  and  chastise  all  disturbers  of  the  public  tranquility,  and 
will  never  afford  an  Asylum,  countenance  or  protection  in  any  shape 
to  murderers,  robbers  or  other  wicked  persons;  but  will  secure  all 
such  persons  and  all  stolen  property  that  they  may  be  able  to  seize, 
whether  of  Americans,  Mexicans  or  others,  and  deliver  the  same  at 
the  earliest  possible  day  to  the  appropriate  authorities  of  the  Gov- 
ernment of  the  United  States 

Third. — Should  this  Treaty  be  approved  by  the  Government  of  the 
United  States,  it  is  understood  and  agreed  that  the  said  Government 
shall  establish  such  Military  Posts  and  trading  points,  as  they  may 
select,  and  in  the  mean  time,  duly  licensed  Traders,  shall  be  per- 
mitted to  proceed  to  Bosque  Eedondo  and  such  other  places  as  the 
Governor  of  this  Territory  may  designate,  for  the  purpose  of  trading 
with  the  aforesaid  Apaches,  and  such  traders  shall  not  be  authorized 
to  offer  their  merchandise  for  sale  at  any  other  places. 

Fourth. — It  is  distinctly  understood  that  all  laws  and  regulations 
emanating  from  the  Government  of  the  United  States  assigned  for 
the  Government  of  trade,  and  intercourse  with  the  various  Indian 
tribes  within  the  jurisdiction  of  said  States,  are  valid,  and  to  be 
enforced  in  the  country  or  district  of  the  aforesaid  Apaches. 

Fifth. — Finally,  it  is  agreed  upon  the  part  of  the  Government  of 
the   United    States,   should   the   aforesaid   Apaches   comply,   fairly 


316  COBKESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN. 

and  fully,  with  the  foregoing  stipulations,  upon  their  part;  the  said 
Government  will  grant  to  them  such  donations  and  implements  of 
husbandry,  and  other  gratuities  as  a  proper  and  sound  humanity  may 
demand,  and  as  may  be  deemed  meet  and  prudent  by  said  Gov- 
ernment. 

In  faith  whereof  we,  the  undersigned  have  signed  this  Treaty  and 
affixed  thereunto  our  Seals  in  the  City  of  Santa  Fe,  this  Second  day 
of  April,  in  the  Year  of  our  Lord,  One  thousand  Eight  hundred  and 
fifty  one. 

James  S.  Calhoun  (h  s) 

Governor 
and  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs 
John  Munege  (h  s) 
Major  2d  Reg  Arty.  Bt  Col  U.  S.  Army 

Commanding  Department 
his 
Francisco  x  Chacon  (h  s) 
mark 

head  Chief 
his 
LoBO  X  Captain  (h  s) 
mark 
his 
GuERO  X  Captain  (h  s) 
mark 
his 
JosEciTO  X  Captain  (h  s) 
mark 
Witnesses 

H.  L.  Kendrick  Bvt.  Maj.  JJ .  S.  Army 
B.  V.  Bee 

Bvt.  Capt,  U.  S.  A. 
L.  McLaws 

1  Lieut  Infy 
Jose  de  [     ]  Lupair 
Manuel  Chaver 
Jose  Salazar 

mPino 
W.  G.  Kephart 
Jno.  G.  Jones 
E.  G.  Nicholson 
Manuel  Alvarez 
Horace  L.  Dickinson 
H.  N.  Smith 
D.  V.  Whiting  Translator  &  Interpreter 


COERESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN.  317 

[Belated  correspondence.] 
[mUNROE  to  JONES  ^] 

Hd  Qbs.  9Mil.  Dept. 
Santa  Fe  N.  Mexico 

April  2d  1851. 
Sib, 

I  transmit  herewith  for  the  War  Department  a  Treaty  (executed  in  tripli- 
cate) entered  into  this  afternoon  with  certain  Apache  Chiefs  representing  the 
Apache's  residing  East  of  the  Rio  Grande 
Governor  Calhoun  associating  me  with  him  to  represent  the  United  States 
I  am  Respectfully 

Your  Very  obt.  Servt. 

Signed,  John  Muneoe 

Major  2d  Arty  Bvt  Col.  USA 

Commdg  Dept. 
Major  Gen  R.  Jones 

Adjutant  General 

U.  8.  Army 
Washington 
D.  C. 

[McLAWS  TO  H0WE.21 

Head  Quarters  9th  Mil  Dept. 

Santa  F6,  N  M.  Apl.  5,  1851. 
Major 

I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  Communication  of  March 
31  ulto.  giving  the  information  that  you  had  ordered  Lt.  Holliday  to  report  to 
this  place — with  Chacon  and  the  other  Apache  Indians  brought  from  his  expe- 
dition to  Manzana — also  with  the  Man  Anderson. 

Lt.  Holliday  arrived  on  the  2d.  inst  with  the  party  he  had  in  Charge. 
Governor  Calhoun  has  made  a  treaty  of  peace  with  Chacon  Chief  of  the 
Jacarillas  and  Lobo  Chief  of  the  Muscaleros — Chacon  I  beleive  has  been  made — 
if  he  is  not — Chief  of  all  the  Apaches  east  of  the  Rio  Grande  and  promises  in 
good  faith  to  keep  or  to  do  all  in  his  power  to  keep  on  terms  of  amity  and 
friendship  with  the  people  of  this  Country. 

Anderson  is  now  in  close  confinement  in  the  Guard  House  here — securely 
Ironed. 

Respectfully  L  McLaws 

Lt  7  Infy  d  A  A  A  Genl 
Maj  M.  S.  Howe 

Comdg. 

Alhurquerque 

»A.  G.  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  4,  p.  75.  See  also  Conrad  to  Stuart.  May  9.  1851  O.  L  A., 
Files,  Treaties,  &c.,  W659. 

»  A.  G.  O..  Old  Book,  No.  4,  p.  77. 


318  COKEESPONDENCE    OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[McLAWS  TO   CHAPMAN.i] 

Hd  Qrs.  9  Mil:  Dept. 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

April  18,  1851. 
Sib, 

I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receii)t  of  your  communication  of  the 
15th  giving  information  that  one  party  of  Apache  Indians  under  Questos  Agulos 
were  at  Las  Valles  and  another  had  been  in  La  Cuesta  and  asliing  how  you  are 
to  treat  those  Indians  whether  as  friends  or  enemies 

Col.  Munroe  consulted  with  Governor  Calhoun  on  the  subject  and  the  Gov- 
ernor has  written  a  Letter  to  Mr.  Latz  to  visit  those  Indians,  ascertain  their 
object  in  coming  Into  the  settlements  and  make  inquiries  relative  to  some  other 
points — The  Letter  will  be  handed  to  you  &  if  Mr  Latz  cannot  be  found  you 

no 
are  requested  to  obtain  some  other  person  to  act  in  his  place  or  if  a»y  thing 
interferes  to  go  yourself  and  make  inquiries  relative  to  the  Intentions  of  the 
Indians 

A  Treaty  has  been  made  by  the  Governor  and  Col.  Munroe  with  the  Chiefs 
representing  the  Apache  Indians  East  of  the  Rio  Grande;  by  an  Article  of  that 
Treaty  the  Apaches  promise  not  to  come  within  fifty  miles  of  the  settlements — 
But  unless  in  your  opinion  circumstances  render  it  advisable  you  will  not  now 
enforce  that  agreement  but  will  give  this  Party  notice  to  leave  the  Settlements 
at  once  or  within  a  short  stated  time,  &  in  the  event  of  a  uon  compliance  tfea* 
treat  them  as  enemies 
Respectfully 

Your  obt.  Servt.  L.  McLaws 

Lt  7  Infy  d  A  A  A  Genl 
Lt.  Chapman 

San  Miguel 

N.  Mexico 

P.  S.  As  definite  Instructions  as  to  the  Indian  Tiibes  in  and  around  New 
Mexico  are  expected  to  arrive  from  Washington  by  this  mail,  which  in  all  prob- 
ability will  arrive  within  ten  days,  the  above  instructions  are  so  far  modified  that 
you  will  not  come  into  collision  with  them  unless  their  conduct  is  such  as  to 
require  military  Interference. 

Respectfully  Tour  obt.  Servt  . 

L  McLaws  AAA  Oenl 
Lt.  Chapman 

San  Migeul 

I  McLAWS  TO   ALEXANDER.^] 

Hd.  Qrs  :  9  Mil  :  Dept. 
Sanin   Fe  N.  Mex.  Apl  25.  51. 
Colonel. 

I  have  the  ht)nor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  communication  of  the 
22d  enclosing  a  report  of  Lieut.  Chapman  in  relation  to  Indians  within  the 
settlements  of  San  Miguel  county,  also  a  Letter  from  the  Prefect  Mr.  Grolman 
asking  assistance  of  the  Troops  under  your  command  to  remove  the  Indians, 
also  a  note  from  Mr.  Doyle  relative  to  some  depredations  committed  on  his 
Cattle. 

1  A.  G.  0.,  Old  Book,  No.  4,  p.  95. 
•Ibid,  pp.  108-109. 


I 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  319 

Gi X 1  Qimi  or   II   lie   c ouiCi    not    ctt?  louiici   to   Bwtftiii    BOiw ^   Gt ii^f   Bti I't'ftD i^ — person  to 

nOv   111  "Ills   piHOC--OF"'iI"~xiOtniH^"'"iilrCFit  reel  '  tO'~^G — fiimsGii — flD<,l~~iTiftKC    OIlC(U.inC0   rCift" 

tivc   to   the   intcntiona   of   the   Indiano  no  report   has  yet  been  rce^ivcd   on   the 
rafejeefr 

eSeer  with  a-party  of  Dragoeaa  and  brifig-4e4e-thi&-piae€-aa  many  ei 

Colonel  Munroe,  on  consultation  with  Governor  Calhoun  now  directs  that  you 
send  an  officer  (Lieut.  Chapman)  with  at  least  twenty  five  rank  &  file  to  have 
a  conference  with  those  Indians  and  impress  on  them  the  conditions  of  the 
Treaty  lately  made  at  this  place  between  Chiefs  of  their  Tribe  representing 
their  Nation  and  the  U.  S.  represented  by  Governor  Calhoun  and  Col.  Munroe, 
and  inform  them  that  they  must  leave  and  remain  fifty  miles  beyond  all  settle- 
ments— that  being  an  Article  of  the  Treaty — and  If  they  show  no  disposition 
to  move  and  do  not  move  they  must  be  taken  prisoners  and  sent  to  this  place 

It  is  not  desired  at  this  time  to  press  these  Indians,  the  ofBcer  therefore  who 
is  sent  to  execute  the  above  instructions  must  exercise  a  sound  discretion  based 
on  his  own  observation  as  to  the  propriety  of  carrying  them  into  effect 

If  they  desire  any  of  their  principal  men  to  come  to  this  place  and  confer  with 
the  Governor  you  will  direct  a  safe  conduct  to  be  given  them,  a  small  Escort, 
and  inform  the  remaining  portion  that  they  can  remain  in  their  present  position 
until  the  deputation  returns  to  them 

Respectfully 

Your  obt.  Servt. 

L  McLaws 
Lt  7  Infy  d  A  A  A  Gent 

Col  :   E.   B.   AXEXANDEB 

Commanding 

Las  Vegas 

[munroe  to  JONES  ^] 

Hd.  Qrs.  9  Mil.  Dept. 
Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

April  28,  1S51. 

Sir. 

On  the  3d.  Instant  I  transmitted  through  you  for  the  Secretary  of  War  one  of 
tlie  Triplicates  of  a  Treaty  entered  into  that  day — Governor  Calhoun  &  myself 
signed  on  the  Part  of  the  United  States  and  certain  Apache  chiefs  for  their 
Nation — An  Express  waiting  for  that  Treaty  had  to  be  dispatched  immediately 
on  its  completion  to  overtake  the  mail — in  consequence  of  which  I  had  not  time 
to  give  explanations  which  I  was  desirous  of  making  that  the  Department  might 
understand  the  limited  value  to  be  attached  to  it 

Lobo  a  Jicarillo,  and  Jose  Cito  a  Muscallero  chief  accompanied  by  a  few  War- 
riors presented  themselves  here  &  represented  that  each  for  the  section  of 
Apaches  to  which  he  belonged,  was  authorised  to  treat — In  consequence  of 
which  the  Treaty  as  signed  was  prepared,  Chacon  a  Jicarillo  chief  arrived  soon 
afterwards. — At  the  council  held  with  the  View  of  completing  the  Business  it 
was  stated  by  Chacon  that  the  Mescaleros  Jose  Cito  who  was  at  the  Head  of 
about  Twenty  Lodges  had  joined  his  Band  and  that  the  Mescaleros  were  not 
represented 

It  was  however  deemed  advisable  to  receive  the  signatures  of  those  present 


A.  G.  O.,  Old  Book.  No.  4,  pp.  107-108. 


320  CORRESPONDENCE   OP   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN. 

A  Paper  which  subsequently  came  into  my  possession,  A  copy  of  which  is 
enclosed  will  show  the  Material  purpose  of  those  Indians  in  entering  into  ne- 

i€i    ocdi  "Cii^&^cci  ■  111  ■  iiic^iii  ■'  X  rtiiiic  ft  11  til  tHcrS'  is  strong  ^i^^qu. mp tioit 

"llilQ     DCCIl—ftSSOCltllCQ    Willi     tllCill'   iXl '  90mC~0I  '■■Tll€ir~"fttrOCili€9""ft^ft}fi9l  '111© 

persons  -and   property  ol-our  peef^le — Anderson  la  in  Civil  Durces  on  a  charge  of 
nomicidc  committed  by  him  at  thie-plaee 
Very  Respectfully 

Your  obt.  vServt. 

Sgd.         John  Munkoe 
Maj  2d.  Arty  Bvt.  Col:  USA 
Maj.  Genl,  R.  Jones 
Adjt.  Genl.  U.  S.  A. 

Washington 

D.G. 
*  Lieut.  McLaws  informs  me  that  the  original  was  sent  to  him  by  Lieut.  Holli- 
oday,  who  stated  that  it  was  shown  him  by  Anderson  at  the  time  he  was  cap- 
tured at  Manzana  with  the  remark  that  it  was  written  to  him  by  a  Mr.  W.  S. 
Skinner — ^The  person  Anderson  therein  mentioned  was  closely  affiliated  with  the 
Apache  Indians — had  been  engaged  in  illegal  Traffic  and  there  is  a  strong  pre- 
sumption that  he  had  been  associated  with  them  in  some  of  their  atrocities 
against  the  persons  and  property  of  our  citizens — he  is  now  in  Civil  Duress  on 
a  charge  of  wilful  murder  committed  by  him  at  this  place — See  Lieut.  HoUiday's 
report  of  a  march  made  by  a  detachment  under  his  command  forwarded  to  your 
office  with  my  letter  of  March  30th. — 

[cONRAD  TO  STUART.^] 
Stuaet,  Hon.  A.  H.  H.  Wab  Department 

Secretary  of  the  Interior.  Washington  May  9'  1851 

Sib 

I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  herewith  for  your  information  and  such  action 
as  you  may  deem  proper,  a  dispatch  from  Brevet  Colonel  John  Munroe,  Com- 
manding the  9'  Military  Department,  dated  on  the  2d  ultimo  at  Santa  Fe',  New 
Mexico,  transmitting  a  treaty  entered  into  on  that  day  by  himself  and  Gov- 
ernor Calhoun  on  the  part  of  the  United  States  with  certain  Apache  Chiefs 
representing  the  Apaches  residing  East  of  the  Rio  Grande. 
Very  respectfully,  Your  Obt  Servt 

C  M  Conrad 
Secretary  of  War- 
[LIVINGSTON   TO   CALHOUN.^"] 

Office  of  the  U.  S.  Law  Magazine 

54  Wall  St.  New  York 

April  4th  1861 
Dear  Sir, 

I  take  the  liberty  of  sending,  herewith,  the  Law  Magazine,  which  I 
hope  you  will  do  me  the  favor  to  accept,  and  hereafter  the  Work  shall 
be  forwarded  to  your  address  free  of  expense.  It  has  a  large  and 
increasing  subscription  list  in  the  Territory  over  which  you  preside; 
and  my  design  is,  to  conduct  the  journal  in  such  a  way  as  to  make  it 
still  more  worthy  of  support  by  the  great  body  of  the  profession,  not 
only  in  New  Mexico,  but  throughout  the  Union. 

1  a.  G.  O.,  M.  B..  No.  31,  p.  224. 

•O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy,  Miscellaneous  Files,  1851. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.   CALHOUN.  321 

There  is  a  favor  I  desire  from  your  Excellency  and  before  asking 
which  I  beg  leave  to  say  that  no  offence  will  be  taken  though  it  shall 
be  withheld; — if  granted,  I  shall  certainly  be  much  pleased  and  will 
endeavor  to  reciprocate  the  kindness; — if  desired^  I  shall  be  no  less 
your  friend,  and  have  only  to  ask  pardon  for  troubling  you  with  my 
application. 

I  ask  the  appointment  of  Commissioner  resident  in  New  York,  to 
take  Acknowledgments,  &c.  for  the  Territory  of  New  Mexico.  This 
office  might  seem,  and  indeed  would  be  a  matter  but  of  small  conse- 
quence to  almost  any  other  person :  but  located  as  I  am,  at  the  central 
point  of  the  business  portion  of  the  city,  and  being  Commissioner  for 
every  State  and  Territory,  except  the  Territory  of  New  Mexico,  the 
appointment  would  be  valuable;  and  it  would  be  received  with  pleas- 
ure, not  so  much  on  account  of  what  it  might  be  worth,  as  from  the 
fact  that  it  would  add  to  my  list  the  last  Territory.  I  think,  more- 
over, that  my  appointment  would  be  a  great  convenience  to  the  busi- 
ness public  in  New  Mexico,  as  well  as  in  New  York,  for  I  am  probably 
more  generally  known  by  the  legal  j^rofession  in  your  Territory,  than 
any  other  person  residing  in  this  city. 

Hoping,  therefore,  that  this  matter  will   receive  your  favorable 
consideration, 
I  am. 

Your  Friend, 

and  Obedient  Servant, 

John  I^tvinoston. 

[LEA  TO   CALHOUN,'] 

Department  of  the  I^lTERIOR, 

Office  of  Indian  Affairs, 

Apr?l  5.  1851 
Calhoun  His  Excy  J,  S. 

Santa  Fe 

New  Mexico 
Sir: 

Pursuant  to  the  provisions  of  the  Act  ^  making  appropriations 
for  the  service  of  the  Ind.  Dept.  approved  27  February,  1851,  Rich  H 
Weightman,  Abm  R  Woolley,  John  Greiner  &  Ed.  H  Wingfield,  have 
been  appointed  Agents  for  the  Indians  in  New  Mexico. 

They  have  been  directed  to  report  to  you  for  such  instructions  as 
may  be  necessary  for  their  government;  and  you  will,  therefore, 
assign  them  to  such  positions  within  the  territory,  and  to  the  per- 
formance of  such  duties  as  may  in  your  judgment,  seem  best  cal- 
culated to  promote  the  public  interest. 

1  O.  I.  a.,  L.  B..  No.  44,  p.  290. 

2  9  U.  S.  Stat,  at  !>.,  pp.  586-587. 

5021—15 21 


322  CORKESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    (JALHOUN. 

It  is  contidently  hoped,  that  these  ofHcers,  though  few,  may,  by  an 
active  &  faithful  discharge  of  the  important  duties  committed  to 
them,  prove  valuable  &  efficient  aids  in  the  administration  of  Indian 
affairs  within  your  Superintendency. 

Very  respectfully.  Your  Obt  Servt 

L  Lea 

Comr 

[MUNROE   TO   CALHOUN.'] 

Head  Qrs.  9th  Mily  Dept. 

Santa  Fe'  N.  M.  9th  ^  AjMl,  1851. 
Sir 

Conceiving  that  the  peculiar  circumstances  under  which  issues  of 
subsistence  stores  and  forage  were  made  from  the  Military  Supplies, 
for  the  use  of  the  Indian  Department  to  have  ceased  with  the  new 
organization  of  the  Territory,  it  i§  proper  that  I  give  you  notice 
of  the  change  made  in  withdrawing  the  authority  heretofore  given 
for  these  issues. 

I  am  Respectfully 

Your  very  obdt  Servant 

John  Munroe 
Bt  Col  U.  S.  A. 

Gommig  Dept. 
His  Excellency  Governor  Calhoun 

SupeHntendent  Indian  Affairs 

Terry  of  New  Mexico- 
Correct  copy  of  the  original  letter 

D.  V.  Whiting 

[CALHOUN   TO   MUNROE.'] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

April  8th  1851. 
Sir 

The  receipt  of  your  communication  of  this  morning  is  acknowl- 
edged, and  I  beg  you,  Sir,  to  beleive  me,  when  I  say,  it  is  not  my 
purpose  to  complain  of  the  "  withdrawing  the  authority  heretofore 
given  for  these  issues  (subsistence  stores  and  forage)"  to  the  Indian 
Department,  my  sole  object  is  to  say,  that  if  Indian  supplies,  gener- 
ally were  proper  for  an  Indian  Agent,  they  are  not  less  so  to  a 
Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs,  who  is  charged  witli  all  the  duties 
of  an  Indian  Agent,  there  being  no  other  officer  of  the  Indian  De- 
partment within  the  limits  of  the  Territory  of  New  Mexico 

I  have  only  to  add,  at  this  important  moment,  of  our  Indian  rela- 
tions the  "  withdrawal "  will  operate,  as  I  conceive,  most  injuriously 

1  Enclosed  in  Calhoun  to  Lea,  April  29,  1851.  Pound  also,  but  under  date  of  April  8th, 
in  A.  G.  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  4.  p.  80. 

2  The  correct  date  Is  April  8,  1851.      See  Munroe  to  Calhoun,  April  9,  1851,  p.  323. 
8  Enclosed  in  Calhoun  to  Lea,  April  29,  1851. 


COEKESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  323 

to  the  public  weal,  as  it  destroys  my  influence  with  the  Indians,  by 
confining  me  to  a  locality  where  I  can  be  but  of  little  service,  unless 
I  can  procure  subsistence  and  forage,  and  unless  I  can  send  out 
Agents  to  enquire  into  and  compromise  difficulties  that  have  annoyed 
you  for  some  time  past,  and  are  now  entirely  for  my  disposition. 

Pardon  me,  I  pray  you,  for  addressing  you  this  note,  the  subject 
is  an  important  one,  not  only  to  me,  but  to  a  proper  management  of 
our  Indian  Affairs  in  this  Territory,  and  at  the  earliest  possible  day 
I  shall  ask  the  advice  and  instructions  of  the  appropriate  Department. 
In  the  mean  time,  I  beg  leave  to  declare,  that  to  the  best  of  my  now 
limited  means,  I  shall  continue  to  use  my  best  efforts  to  quiet  dis- 
orders, and  to  promote  the  happiness  and  prosperity  of  the  people  of 
New  Mexico,  in  accordance  with  the  customs  and  usages,  under  the 
laws  of  the  United  States  in  reference  to  our  Indian  Affairs. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be 

Your  Obdt  Servant 

James  S  Calhoun 
Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs 
John  Munkoe 

Brevt  Col.  U.  S.  A 

Commdg  9th  Mil.  Dept 

Correct  copy  of  the  original  letter 

D.  V.  Whiting. 

[CALHOUN   TO   LEA.*] 

Indian  Agency 
Santa  Fe.  New  Mexico 

April  9. 1851. 
Sir, 

My  engagements,  heretofore,  have  precluded  the  possibility  of  for- 
warding, at  an  earlier  day,  my  returns,  as  Indian  Agent,  for  the 
fourth  Quarter  of  the  year,  ending  December  the  31st  1850.  They 
are  enclosed  with  this  communication,  and  show  a  balance  due  to  me 
of  three  thousand  and  eleven  dollars  and  twenty  three  cents. 

By  the  mail  which  will  convey  this  to  you,  I  trust  I  may  be  able  to 
forward  to  you  my  returns,  complete,  as  Indian  Agent,  at  which  time 
I  shall  have  occasion  to  furnish  you  with  explanatory  remarks. 
I  am, 

with  great  respect. 

Your  obedient  Servant 

Jambs  S.  Calhoun 

late  Indian  Agent 
Hon-  L.  Lea, 

ConrV'  of  Ind.  Affs. 

Washington  City 
D^ 

1  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  637. 


-324  CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[MUNROE  TO  CALHOUN.'] 

Head  Quarters  9th.  Mil  :  Dept  : 

Santa  Fe,  N  Mex'>  Apl  9th.  1851. 
Sir, 

I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of  the 
Bth  in  reply  to  mine  of  the  same  date  (by  mistake  dated  the  9th)  on 
the  subject  of  my  withdrawing  the  authority  heretofore  given  to  the 
Commissary  and  Quarter-master  Departments — to  furnish  the  Indian 
Dept.  with  subsistence  and  forage  from  the  Military  supplies. 

That  authority  was  given  by  me  on  my  own  responsibility  and  for 
"which  I  have  yet  to  justify  myself  to  higher  authorities.  It  was 
given  because  I  was  aware  that  no  appropriations  had  been  made  to 
supply  the  requirements  of  the  Indian  Depart,  and  Imew  therefore 
from  the  necessity  of  the  case  that  aid  was  required  from  a  co-ordi- 
nate branch  of  the  public  service. 

But  now  the  condition  of  things  is  changed — the  appropriations 
for  Indian  affairs  made  by  Congress  during  the  first  session  of  the 
Slst  Congress,  enables  the  Indian  Department  to  support  itself,  fis- 
cally— without  assistance  from  other  Departments — and  that  assist- 
ance is  withdrawn. 

In  conclusion,  I  will  remark  in  reply  to  the  latter  portion  of  your 
letter  that  it  is  my  opinion  that  the  Territory  of  New  Mexico  can 
supply  such  subsistence  stores  and  fcrage,  as  may  be  required  for  the 
Indian  Agency  and  for  the  Indians. 
KespectfuUy  &c. 

(Sg)  John  Munroe 

Bt  Col  U.  S.  A. 

CommP  Depart. 
His  Ex  Govr.  Calhoun 

Supt.   Indian  A  fairs 

Territory  of  New  Mex^. 

[CALHOUN  TO  MUNROE.'] 

ExECUTi\TE  Department 

Santa  Fe'  New  Mexico 
^  April  10th  1851. 

Your  note  of  yesterdays  date,  in  reply  to  one  from  me  of  the  8th 
inst,  has  this  moment  been  handed  to  me,  and  my  purpose  is  to  cor- 
rect an  error  into  which  you  have  unintentionally  fallen. 

You  assign  as  the  reason  for  withdraAving  the  authority  heretofore 
given,  to  furnish  the  Indian  Department  with  subsistence  and  forage, 
that  "  the  appropriations  for  Indian  Affairs,  made  b}^  Congi-ess,  dur- 
ing the  1st  session  of  the  31st  Congress,  enables  the  Indian  Depart- 
ment to  support  itself,  fiscally. 

1  a.  G.  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  4,  pp.  81-82  ;  also  enclosure  of  Calhoun  to  Lea,  April  29,  1851. 

2  Enclosure  of  Calhoun  to  Lea,  April  29,  1851. 


COKEESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  325 

In  reference  to  this  statement,  I  pray  you,  in  respectful  terms,  to 
read  the  following  extract  from  the  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs 
to  this  Department,  dated  January  22d  1851.  received  by  the  last 
mail,  from  the  States. 

"  Excepting  the  report  of  the  Committee  of  Ways  and  Means, 
"  recommending  an  appropriation  for  fulfilling  treaties  with  the 
"  Navajos  of  9th  September,  and  the  Utahs  of  30th  December  1849^ 
"  in  accordance  with  my  special  estimate  of  $18,000  each,  there  has 
"  been  no  action  on  the  part  of  Congress,  in  reference  to  Indian, 
"  Affairs  in  New  Mexico. 

I  enclose  for  your  perusal,  the  entire  letter,  which  will  show  yoUj, 
that  the  fiscal  affairs  of  the  Indian  Department  are  precisely  the  same- 
as  when  authority  was  given  to  furnish  this  Department  with  sub- 
sistence and  forage. 

It  is  to  be  presumed,  that  the  2d  session  of  the  31st  Congress,  whicb 
recently  adjourned,  made  the  necessary  appropriations  for  the  De- 
partment of  Indian  Affairs  but  as  yet,  we  know  nothing  of  its  prob- 
able action. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be 

Very  Respectfully 

Your  Obedient  Servant 


James  S  Calhoun 


John  Munroe 

Brert  Col  U.  S.  A 

Commdg  9th  Mil  Dept. 

Santa  Fe' 

N.  M. 
Correct  copy  of  the  original  letter 


D.  V.  Whiting 


[LEA   TO   CALHOUN.'] 

Department  or  the  Interior, 

Office  Indian  Affairs, 

April  12.  1851 
CIalhoun  His  Excy  James  S 

Santa  Fe 

Neio  Mexico 
Sir 

The  third  Section  of  the  "Act  making  appropriations  for  the  cur- 
rent and  contingent  expenses  of  the  Indian  Department,  and  for 
fulfilling  treaty  stipulations  with  various  Indian  tribes,  for  the  year 
ending  June  the  thirtieth,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  fifty 
two",  approved  27  February  1851,  is  in  the  following  words,  '"''And 
"  he  it  further  enacted.^  That  hereafter  all  Indian  treaties  shall  be 
"  negotiated  by  such  oflEicers  and  agents  of  the  Indian  Department,  as 

J  O.  I.  A.,  L.  B.,  No.  44,  pp.  304-305. 


326  COBEESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN. 

"  the  President  of  the  United  States  may  designate  for  that  purpose, 
"  and  no  officer  or  agent  so  employed  shall  receive  any  additional 
"•'  compensation  for  such  service." 

The  Governor  of  New  Mexico,  as  Ex  officio  Superintendent  of 
Indian  Affairs,  and  the  agents  for  the  Indian  tribes  therein  are  des- 
ignated to  negotiate  treaties  with  the  Indians  in  that  territory ;  and 
they  are  authorized,  under  your  direction,  to  act  either  seperately  or 
jointly,  according  to  the  exigencies  of  the  service. 

I  have  been  informed,  that  it  is  contemplated  to  increase  the  mili- 
tary force  in  New  Mexico,  with  a  view  to  the  prosecution  of  hostili- 
ties against  the  Indians.  In  that  event  it  will  be  necessary  that  one 
or  more  of  the  officers  of  this  department  shall  accompany  each  de- 
tachment of  troops  sent  against  the  Indians,  so  as  to  be  in  readiness 
to  act  in  that  capacity  as  occasion  may  require. 

What  particular  negotiations  may  be  required,  it  is  impossible  for 
the  office  to  foresee,  nor  can  it  give  any  specific  directions  on  the  sub- 
ject. Much  must  be  left  to  the  discretion  of  those  to  whom  the  busi- 
ness is  immediately  entrusted.  It  is  proper,  however,  to  state,  that 
in  reference  to  this  matter,  and  all  others  pertaining  to  the  conduct 
and  management  of  Indian  Affairs  in  New  Mexico,  the  Government 
desires  &  expects  that  there  shall  be  the  utmost  harmony  &  concert 
of  action  between  the  officers  of  the  Army  &  of  this  department.  I 
am  advised  by  the  Secretary  of  War,  that  instructions  ^  to  this  end 
have  been  given  to  the  officer  in  command  of  the  Army  in  New 
Mexico,  and  I  trust  that  nothing  will  be  wanting  on  your  part  to 
give  effect  to  the  wishes  of  the  Government  in  this  important  par- 
ticular. 

Very  respectfully.  Your  Obt.  Servt  L  Lea 

Gomr 
[Related  Correspondence.] 

[CONRAD  TO   WEIGHTMAN  ^J 

War  Department 
Washington  April  Sd.  1851 
Weightman,  R.  H.  Elsqr 

Washington 
Sir. 

Your  letter  of  the  21  instant  to  this  Department  has  been  received. 

I  cannot  i*iippose  it  possible  that  Col.  Munroe  has  violated  the  instructions 
to  him  contained  in  the  letter  addressed  to  him  by  this  Department  on  the  10  of 
September  last.  It  is  more  probable  that  your  informant  is  mistaken,  and  that 
the  acts  which  he  considers  as  an  exercise  of  "  civil  and  political  functions  " 
were  connecte<l  with  the  military  duties  of  that  officer,  or  with  the  defence  of 
the  country. 

An  order  lui.s  already  been  issued,  relieving  Colonel  Munroe  from  the  com- 
mand of  the  9"  Military  Department,  and  the  officer  who  will  succeed  him  in 
that  command  will  reach  Santa  Fe,  as  soon  as  any  communication  from  the 


The  letters  on  pp.  327  and  .383  are  in  harmony  with  this  idea. 
'A.  G.  O.,  M.  B.,  No.  31,  pp.  155-156. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   3.    CALHOUN.  327 

Department  could  reach  that  place.  It  is  not  deemed  necessary  therefore,  to 
give  any  further  instructions  on  this  subject  to  Colonel  Munroe,  or  to  direct 
him  to  report  to  this  Department  in  reference  to  the  matters  contained  in  your 
letter. 

If  any  distinct  charges  should  be  made  against  Colonel  Munroe,  and  any 
specific  acts  of  interference  by  him,  with  the  civil  and  political  affairs  of  New 
Mexico,  subsequently  to  the  receipt  of  the  letter  of  the  10"  September,  are  set 
forth,  the  matter  will  be  fairly  investigated. 

Very  respectfully.  Your  Obt  Serv  C  M  Conrad 

{Secretary  of  War 
[cONRAD  TO  STANTON  ^] 
Telegraph 

War  Department 
Washington  April  28  1851 
Stanton,  Geueral  Henry 

8t.  Louis, 

Missouri 
Sir. 

Communicate  to  Colonel  Sumner  that  he  is  authorized  to  afford  protection 
to  any  civil  officers  of  New  Mexico,  who  may  apply  for  it  and  who  are  willing 
to  accompany  his  detachment.  You  are  authorized  to  furnish  each  one  of  them 
transportation  to  the  amount  of  one  thousand  pounds,  if  it  can  be  done  without 
inconvenience,  and  with  a  due  regard  to  the  wants  of  the  detachment. 

C.  M.  Conrad 

Secretary  of   War 
[McLAWS  TO  ORAHAM.2] 

Hd.  Qbs.  9  Mil:  Dept. 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

April  28,  1851. 
Major, 

In  reply  to  your  communication  of  the  26th.  enclosing  for  the  information  of 
the  Colonel  commanding  a  Copy  of  a  Letter  which  you  had  just  Written  to 
Colonel  Calhoun  relative  to  the  Navajoe  Indians — The  Views  expressed  in  Col. 
Calhoun's  Letter  herewith  enclo.'^ed  will  be  your  instructions  relative  to  those 
Indians 
By  order  of  Col.  Munroe. 
Respectfully 

Your  obt.  Servt. 

T,  McL.wvs 
Major  L.  P.  Graham  7.7  7  Infy  d-  A  A  A  Gnil 

Com/ind^p 
AlMqniu 

[CALHOUN   TO   .  ] 

Executive  Depart aieni 
Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

April  18.  1S.51. 
Sir: 

I  understand  there  are  a  Band  *  of  Apachas  now  in  lodges  within 
fifteen  or  twenty  miles  of  Las  Vegas  in  violation  of  the  treaty,  as  you 

lA.  G.  O.,  M.  B.,  No.  31,  p.  197. 

2  A.  G.  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  4,  p.  106. 

»B.  I.  A.,  M.  L.,  AprU,  1851  ;  also  O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy,  W  .S81. 

*  See  Munroe  to  .rones,   Miiy  .SI,  18.",]. 


328  COREESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

will  remember,  made  with  Chacon  ^  and  others  a  few  days  ago.  It  is 
important  to  ascertain  their  purposes,  and  for  that  reason,  you  are 
requested  to  proceed  to  their  encampment  at  once,  first  conferring 
with,  and  conforming  to  Lieut.  Chapman's  views,  and  ascertain  their 
numbers,  designating  warriors  from  others — their  precise  location — 
their  avowed  object,  and  what  band  they  are.  Also  glean  from  them, 
if  possible  information  concerning  Mrs  White's  daughter  and  servant, 
and  the  whereabouts  of  Chacon  and  others.  Give  me  all  the  news 
you  can  gather  at  the  earliest  possible  moment. 
Very  respectfully 


Correct  copy  of  the  original  letter 


James  S  Calhoun 
D.  V.  Whiting 


[Belated  Correspondence.] 
[munroe  to  jones.^] 

IIeau  Quarters  5)th.  Mil  Dept. 

Santa  F6,  New  Mex°.  May  31,  1851. 

Letter  oil  file  SiK. 
the      Secretary     Ou  the  16tli  of  March  hist,  iufonnaiiou  was  received  from  the 
tory*^^    '^'''■'■^"  prefect  of  San  Miguel  County— H.  Grolman  to  the  effect  that  a 
party  of  Apache  Indians  were  within  the  limits  of  that  County. 
Their  presence  gave  some  alarm  to  the  inhabitants  &  the  prefect 
wrote  to  the  Governor  reporting  the  fact  and  asking  instructions 
as  to  the  means  to  be  employed  to  expel  them.     As  parties  of 
Indians  belonging  to  that  tribe  have  been  within  that  section  of 
County  since  that  time,  and  as  there  has  been  a  Good  deal  of  Cor- 
respondence on  the  subject  &  as  their  continued  presence  has  given 
rise  to  many  conflicting  reports,  I  have  thought  it  but  proper  to 
forward  you  the  following  copies  of  Letters  to  show  the  instruc- 
tions I  have  given  relative  to  them,  and  the  action  taken  thereon 
by  the  ofl5cers  and  Troops  engaged  in  Watching  their  movements. 
I  have  the  honor  therefore  to  enclose  herewith 

P.  59.  1st.  My  letter  to  Colonel  Alexander  giving  him  information  that 

a  party  of  Apache  Indians  were  in  San  Miguel  Co.  and  instructions 
thereon. 

Letter  «2.  o.  Letter  from  Col.  Alexander,  in  reply  to  one  from  Dept.  Head 

Quarters  of  the  15th.  addressed  to  Col.  Alexander,  giving  a  full 
account  of  the  number  and  disposition  of  the  Indians  and  of  their 
movements,  and  a  copy  of  a  paper  signed  by  Governor  Calhoun 
referred  to  by  Lt.  Chapman. 

Letter  No.  3d.  Letter  from  Lt.  Chapman  April  15th.  Giving  information 
that  the  Apache  Indians  were  within  San  Miguel  County  and  re- 
questing to  be  informed  whether  he  should  treat  them  as  friends 
or  as  enemies. 


1  Chacon  was  anxious  to  keep  true  to  the  treaty.     In  evidence  of  this  see  letter  from 
McLaws  to  Alexander,  p.  330. 

«A.  G.  O..  Old  Book,  No.  4,  pp.  157-160. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 


329 


4th.  My  reply   (Apl.  18)   to  Lt.  Chapmaus  letter  of  the  15th—     Page  95. 
the  postcript  to  which  was  written  by  the  express  desire  of  Gov- 
ernor Calhoun  for  the  reasons  therein  stated. 

5th.  Letter  from  Col.  Alexander   (Apl.  22)   enclosing  a  report     Letter  10&. 
from  Lt.  Chapman  relative  to  Apache  Indians  within  the  Settle- 
ments— One  from  the  prefect  Grolman  on  the  same  subject — and 
one  from  a  Mr.  Doyle  relative  to  Depredations  committed  by  some 
Indians  which  he  supposed  to  be  Apaches.     In  reference  to  the 
last,  you  are  in  addition  to  the  letter  of  Col.  Alexander,  referred     Letter    from 
to   the  one  from   Captain   Ewell,    who  was  in   Command   at  the  i4^il'    •'°^'"^^" 
Rayado. 

6th.  My  reply  (Apl.  25th)  to  Col.  Alexanders  letter  of  the  22d.     P.  123. 

7th.  Letter  from  Col.  Alexander    (May  2)    forwarding  reports     Letter  110. 
from  Lt.  Ward  3d.  Infy.  and  Lt.  Chapman  relative  to  their  inter- 
views with  Chacon  the  head  chief  of  the  Apaches  &c. 

8.  Letter  from  Governor  Calhoun  (May  7)  informing  me  that  P.  119. 
after  considering  the  subject,  as  to  the  proper  disposition  to  be 
made  of  the  Apaches  then  in  Camp  near  San  Miguel  La  Cuesta 
&c  he  had  come  to  the  conclusion  that  they  should  at  once  be 
placed  under  my  exclusive  authority  as  Commanding  officer  of  this 
Department. 

9th.  My  letter  to  Col.  Alexander  May  8th.  informing  him  of  the     P- 122. 
visit  to  this  place  of  Chacon  Chief  of  the  Apaches. — his  promise 
to  remove  from  the  Settlements  by  the  14th.  and  my  determination 
on  the  subject. 

On  the  morning  of  the  14th.  I  left  this  place  with  Governor 
Calhoun  for  the  pui*pose  of  visiting  Anton  Chico,  the  last  town 
through  which  the  Indians  would  pass,  going  Out  of  the  Settle- 
ments. My  object  in  Going  was  to  meet  the  Indian  Chiefs  on  the 
15th.  as  notice  had  been  Sent  to  them  that  Governor  Calhoun  and 
myself  would  be  there  on  that  day.  WE  arrived,  at  the  Specified 
time  but  found  no  Indians  and  was  informed  by  Lt.  Chapman  who 
had  been  there  for  several  days  with  his  Company  that  no  Apaches 
had  been  near  the  place,  neither  could  he  learn  anything  definite 
as  to  when  they  were.  Accordingly  I  returned  to  this  place. 
After  my  arrival  the  following  communication  was  received  from 
Col.  Alexander 

10   (May)   26.)   enclosing  a  report  from  Capt.  Ewell  relative  to     Letter  1 36. 
his  visit  to  the  Mora  Town  where  he  had  seen  and  Conversed  with 
Chacon  and  several  Apache  Chiefs. 

I  have  thus  laid  before  you,  all  the  correspondence  which  up  to 
this  date  has  taken  place  between  Governor  Calhoun  and  myself 
and  the  officers  whose  appointed  duty  has  been  to  watch  the  move- 
ments of  the  Apache  Indians,  which  I  hope  will  show,  that  the 
Troops  under  my  Command  have  been  in  readiness  at  all  times 
to  act  as  Occasion  might  require  either  as  mediators,  to  promote 
peace,  or  as  Defenders  to  protect  the  inhabitants  and  their 
property. 

You  will  observe  that  throughout  I  have  acted,  so  far  as  peace 
measures  are  concerned,  in  accordance  with  the  wishes  of  the 
Executive  of  this  Territory,  whose  duty  it  is,  as  Governor  and  as 
Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs  to  judge  what  course  should  be 
pursued  towards  the  Indians,  so  as  to  advance  the  interest  of 


330  COREESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

the  country   and  at  the  same  time  promote  the  welfare  of  the 
Indians. 
Pages   75  The  "  Treaty  "  to  which  allusion  is  made  in  the  Correspondence 

enclosed  was  forwarded  to  you  on  the  2d.  of  Apl.  last,  concerning 
Letter  141.     which,  I  beg  leave  to  refer  you  to  my  letter  of  the  28"  of  the  same 
month. 

With  much  respect, 

Your  obd.  Servt: 

(sd)  John  Muneoe, 

Major  2d.  Arty.  Brvt.  Col.  USA  Commdg. 
Maj  Genl.  Jones, 

Adjt.  Oenl.  U.  8.  A. 

Washington 
D.  C 
A  true  copy 
L   McLaws 

Lt  7  Infy 

A  A  A  Genl 

[McLAWS  TO   ALEXANDER  i] 

Hd.  Qrs  :  9  Mil.  Dept. 

Santa  Fe  N.  Mex  : 

May,  8,  1851 

Oor.ONEL, 

Chacon  Chief  of  the  Jicarilla  Apaches  has  been  on  a  visit  to  this  place  holding 
consultation  with  Col :  Calhoun  and  Col :  Munroe  as  to  the  disposition  to  made 
of  his  people  and  of  the  rest  of  the  Apaches  now  within  the  Settlements  of  San 
Miguel  County — He  has  agreed  so  far  as  the  Indians  under  his  control  are  con- 
cerned to  comply  wnth  that  article  of  the  Treaty  lately  made  with  him  &  others 
on  the  part  of  the  Apaches  which  requires  them  to  keep  fifty  miles  beyond  the 
Settlements  and  will  commence  his  movements  so  as  to  be  at  Anton  Chico  by 
the  14  Instant  It  has  been  determined  that  this  movement  must  be  made  by 
all  the  Apaches  now  within  the  Settlements  whether  under  Chacon's  control 
or  not  and  at  the  same  time.  To  enable  you  to  force  it  if  force  is  required 
the  following  Dragoon  Companies  have  been  or  will  be  ordered  into  position 
and  will  act  under  your  instructions  viz 

Capt  Ewell's  Compy  1st  Drags:  to  Las  Vegas 
Capt.  Ker's  Compy  2d  Drags :  to  San  Miguel 
and  you  will  direct  All  the  disposable  Force  of  Companies  '"  F  "  &  "  K '"  1st 
Dragoons  now  under  your  command  to  move  from  Las  Vegas  so  as  to  be  at 
Anton  Chico  on  the  13th. 

If  the  above  mentioned  companies  are  in  their  above  assigned  positions  by 
the  16th  you  will  give  the  necessary  instructions  so  that  the  Indians  commence 
their  movements  from  the  settlements 

Mr.  Lutz  will  be  delegated  by  Govr.  Calhoun  to  visit  the  different  Bands  & 
inform  them  that  they  will  be  required  to  move  with  Chacon  &  at  the  same 
time  the  limit  for  commencing  the  movement  being  the  16 — after  that  time  they 
must  be  forced  out 

Chacon  has  promise<3  to  inform  the  Indians  of  the  determination  of  the 
Government 

1  A.  G.  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  4,  pp.  122-123. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  331 

It  is  not  desired  to  come  into  colision  witli  the  Indians  if  it  can  be  avoided 
but  they  must  move  from  tlie  Settlements  and  if  force  is  necessary  to  effect 
that  object  force  must  be  employed. 

You  will  have  fifty  Fanegas  of  Corn  thrown  into  Anton  Chico  by  the  13 
Instant  this  Corn  will  be  for  distribution  among  such  Bands  of  the  Apaches 
as  may  be  in  a  starving  condition  and  will  be  distributed  among  the  several 
Bands  acording  to  their  several  necessities  under  the  supervision  of  the  Senior 
officer  as  may  be  in  Anton  Chico  at  the  time  the  Indians  arrive  going  on  their 
outward  move 

Chacon  &  his  Special  Band  about  20  Lodges  will  receive  from  12  to  15 
Fanegas 

Respectfully 

Your  obt.  Servt. 

L.  McLaws 
Lt  1th  Infy  d  A  A  A  G 
Col:  E.  B.  Alexander, 
Commdg 

Las  Vegas. 

[DERBICK  TO   CALHOUN  '] 

Department  of  State, 

Washington.  April  ^-5,  1851. 
To  His  Excellenc3^ 

James  S.  Calhoun, 

Governor  of  the  Tei^ritory 

of  New  Mexico;  Santa  Fe. 
Sir: — The  Honorable  A.  H.  H.  Stuart.  Secretary  of  the  Interior 
has  referred  to  this  Department  that  portion  of  your  letter  ^  to  him 
of  the  4th  March  ultimo,  which  relates  to  the  proper  mode  of  address- 
ing your  communications  and  correspondence  as  Governor  of  New 
Mexico. 

The  law  of  March  3,  1849,  establishing  the  Dept.  of  the  Interior 
does  not  prescribe  as  you  suppose,  any  regulation  in  regard  to  this 
subject;  nor  is  there  anything  in  the  Act  of  September  9,  1850, 
establishing  a  Territorial  Government  for  New  Mexico,  which  indi- 
cates the  particular  Executive  Department  to  which  the  correspond- 
ence of  the  Governor  is  to  be  directed. 

In  this  absence  of  positive  instruction,  and  especially  in  view  of  the 
fact  that  a  precedent  is  established  by  the  custom  of  the  Executives 
of  other  Territories,  your  correspondence  as  Governor  may,  until 
other  instructions  are  given,  be  directed  to  this  Department. 
I  have,  &c., 

W.  S.  Derrick, 
Act.  Sec.  of  State. 

1  B.  I.  a.,  D.  L.,  vol  39,  pp.  46^7. 

-  Not  on  file  and  not  registered  in  Indian  Office.  It  was  very  probably  retained  in  the 
office  of  the   Secretary   of   the  Interior. 


332  COREESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[CALHOUN   TO   CLAYTON^] 

Executive  Department 
Sante  Fe'.  New  Mexico 

April  27,  1851. 
Sir 

By  the  March  mail,  I  received  your  letter  of  the  12th  of  December 
last,  enclosing  "  a  statement  of  differences  arising  on  settlement  of 
accounts  of  James  S  Calhoun,  Indian  Agent,  Santa  Fe',  4th  quarter 
1849,  and  1st  quarter  1850. 

The  first  item  suspended  is  $943.29.  The  enclosed  original  bills 
and  receipts  will  show  how  the  suspended  amount  was  created.  With 
the  exception  of  voucher  No.  IT.  $94.00  which  was  expended  between 
Columbus,  Geo.  and  Fort  Leavenworth,  the  entire  sum  was  expended 
in  procuring  an  outfit,  without  which  it  would  have  been  impossible 
to  have  crossed  the  plains.  The  records  of  the  Quarter  Master's, 
Commissary's  and  Ordinance  Officers,  for  the  month  of  April  1849, 
will  show  that  it  was  intended  to  afford  transportation  and  subsis- 
tence to  my  party  from  St  Louis  to  Santa  Fe'.  The  transportation 
was  afforded,  but  the  subsistence  paid  for  by  persons  accompanying 
me,  for  all  but  my  immediate  family,  and  that  subsistence  account  I 
paid,  in  my  official  capacity,  and  is  included  in  this  suspended  item. 
On  the  17th  of  April  1849,  from  Chattanooga,  Tennessee,  I  addressed 
a  letter  to  the  Quarter  Master  General,  giving  him  an  account  of  the 
number  of  my  family  with  me,  and  other  persons  of  the  party — asking 
for  two  A?nh>dances  "  for  myself  and  daughters  &c  ",  to  which  I 
received  in  reply  at  St.  Louis,  that  "  the  Quartermaster  at  St  Louis, 
was  directed  some  time  since  to  furnish  you  with  such  means  of  trans- 
portation as  we  may  have  on  hand."  there  being  no  ambulance  on 
hand  I  was  compelled  to  purchase  one,  and  the  amount  paid  for  it 
is  also  included  in  the  suspended  item.  I  hold  it  yet  as  public  prop- 
erty, and  can  sell  it  at  any  moment  for  what  it  cost.  Unless  I  have 
some  such  vehicle  in  which  to  transport  my  bedding,  subsistence  and 
cooking  utensils,  it  would  have  been  impossible  for  me  to  have  dis- 
charged m}^  duties. 

Before  I  left  Washington  City  in  March  1849,  Col.  Medill  com- 
missioner of  Indian  Aft'airs,  required  from  me,  a  memorandum  of 
the  number  of  my  family,  which  I  gave  to  him.  This  fact  was  made 
known  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior,  from  Chattanooga  on  the 
I7th  of  April  1849  /  beg  you  to  ask  the  Defortment  for  a  copy  of 
that  letter  for  it  will  throw  much  light  upon  the  subject.  Every- 
thing I  required  was  furnished,  except  the  Ambulances,  and  the 
rations  which  I  was  permitted  to  purchase  of  the  Commissary  at 

1  O.  I.  a.,  New  Mexico  Supy,  C  642,  No.  2. 


CORKESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  333 

Fort  Leavenworth,  such  as  I  desired,  at  Government  prices.  This 
payment  of  rations  was  placed  upon  the  ground,  that  my  letter  of 
instructions  from  the  Department,  dated  April  7th  1849  showed  that 
fifteen  hundred  dollars  had  been  placed  in  my  hands  for  the  purpose 
of  paying  my  travelling  expenses,  and  for  other  purposes.  I  desire 
you  to  cause  to  be  examined  said  instructions. 

The  next  item  suspended  is  $110.00  for  a  wagon,  which  was  abso- 
lutely necessary  to  furnish  wood  and  water,  not  only  for  my  own  use, 
but  also  for  the  Indians  who  came  to  see  me  on  business,  in  vast 
numbers;  other  remarks  that  might  be  appropriate  in  reference  to 
the  wagon,  I  omit,  for  the  present  as  I  have  sold  the  wagon,  and 
crpdited  the  Government  with  the  $110.00 

The  third  item  is  $90.00.  Without  these  mules,  I  could  not  have 
visited  the  various  Pueblos,  which  the  quiet  of  the  Territory  re- 
quired. The  mules  were  as  necessary  as  the  ambulance.^  and  either 
would  have  been  useless  without  the  other. 

The  fourth  suspended  item  is  for  Corn,  $33.75,  which  was  used 
to  feed  Government  animals,  and  for  the  animals  of  Indians,  visiting 
the  Agency  on  business 

The  fifth  item  is  $10.87,  and  the  articles  were  required  to  secure 
the  public  animals  and  the  animals  of  Indians  visiting  the  Agency 
on  business 

The  sixth  suspended  amount  is  $175.00,  like  some  other  of  the 
accounts,  this  was  not  authorized  by  instructions,  for  it  was  a  con- 
tingency not  anticipated,  and  was  absolutely  necessary;  not  only  to 
enable  me  to  visit  the  various  points  where  duty  called  me,  but  also 
to  guard  and  protect  the  public  property  in  my  possession.  Without 
such  protection,  you  could  not  retain  in  this  Territorj^,  either  public 
or  private  property  in  your  possession  forty  eight  hours.  This 
account  was  forwarded  to  the  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs  on 
the  1st  of  March  1850,  near  fourteen  months  ago,  without  any  notice 
from  the  Department  that  such  a  charge  was  inadmissible,  conse- 
quently^, I  have  continued  the  Teamster  and  Hostler,  in  service,  for, 
to  have  dispensed  with  him,  the  mules  and  ambulance  would  have 
rendered  me  wholly  useless  as  the  Department's  Indian  Agent.  My 
letter  enclosing  Abstract  of  disbursements  and  Account  Current,  in 
which  the  foregoing  items  appear,  is  No.  44,  to  the  Commissioner  of 
Indian  Affairs,  which  I  ask  you  to  have  examined.  On  the  30th  of 
March  1850,  in  a  letter  to  the  Commissioner  I  again  advert  to  the 
subject,  in  terms  that  could  not  have  been  misapprehended,  and  if 
such  charges  were  not  to  be  tolerated,  ought  I  not  to  have  been  in- 
formed of  the  fact  ?  The  truth  is,  the  Department  saw  the  absolute 
necessity  of  my  assuming  the  responsibility  of  incurring  such  charges, 
or  I  would  have  been  advised  to  the  contrary.     Will  you  examine 


334  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES    S.    CALHOUN. 

said  letter  No.  51  ?  on  other  occasions  I  have  called  the  attention  of 
the  Department  to  the  necessity  of  my  assuming  authority  not  pro- 
vided for  in  m}'  instructions,  and  the  public  tranquility  required 
me  to  continue  to  do  so.  until  I  v^^as  otherwise  instructed,  and  I  have 
received  nothing  in  reply,  but  what  was  commendatory  of  my 
conduct. 

The  last  item  suspended  is  my  compensation  as  Agent  $287.77. 
There  is  quite  a  mistake  in  the  remarks  made  in  reference  to  this 
item  Mr  Calhoun  must  say,  to  the  best  of  his  knowledge  and  beleif 
he  never  before  heard  of  Mr  Miller,  and  knew  nothing  concerning 
his  discontinuance.  The  language  of  my  instructions  are  in  these 
words,  in  reference  to  my  salary  "  to  commence  as  soon  after  the 
•'  execution  of  your  bond  as  a  notification  can  reach  the  jMrson  now 
"  holding  the  appointment  "  &c  "  as  you  will  doubtless  avail  your- 
self of  the  Military  Escort  which  will  leave  St  Louis  "  shortly  "  &c. 
On  the  day  my  bond  was  executed,  the  14th  or  15th  of  April  1849, 
I  left  home  for  St  Louis,  and  left  Fort  Leavenworth  for  Santa  Fe  on 
the  16th  of  May,  and  arrived  at  Santa  Fe  on  the  22d  of  July  1849, 
and  was  compelled  to  remain  in  camp  until  the  4th  of  August,  before 
I  could  procure  a  house,  and  was  in  camp  again,  on  the  16th  of  the 
same  month,  with  Col°  Washington  on  his  Navajo  expedition,  and 
returned  to  Santa  Fe,  on  the  23d  Sept''"  1849,  see  the  instructions 
dated  April  7th  1849.  I  pray  you,  tell  me  if  it  required  more  than 
two  months  to  give  the  person  notice  of  the  "  discontinuance  of  his 
services  "  &c.  But  upon  this  subject  equal  and  exact  justice  should 
be  rendered  alike  to  all.  I  perceive  that  Anson  Dart  Esq,  Superin- 
tendent of  Indian  Affairs.  Oregon  Territory,  executed  his  bond,  on 
the  1st  day  of  July  1850,  and  on  the  20th  of  the  same  month,  the 
Hon  L.  Lea,  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs  advised  Mr.  Dart,  that 
his  bond  had  been  received  and  approved,  and  that  his  "  salary  com- 
menced on  the  1st  inst,  the  day  of  its  execution."  Is  there  a  solitary 
reason  why  I  should  not  have  the  same  liberality  extended  to  me? 
Here  I  have  been,  for  nearly  two  years,  without  the  guidance  of 
law,  or  special  instructions,  groping  my  way  in  the  dark,  under 
most  adverse  and  critical  circumstances 

Suspended  iUms  in  1st  quarter  1850. 

1st  item  $35.00  for  a  mule  which  I  was  compelled  to  purchase,  in 
order  to  send  an  Agent  to  San  Miguel  and  other  places,  on  business 
of  the  Agency  which  I  deemed  of  the  utmost  importance.  This 
animal,  however,  died  in  a  short  time,  while  being  used  in  the  public 
service,  which  will  appear  in  my  property  return,  so  soon  as  I  can 
prepare  it. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  335- 

2d  item.  Provisions  $14.37.  As  the  Department  was  advised  at  the 
time,  in  my  No  31,  I  was  called  to  the  Taos  Pueblo,  in  January  1850, 
and  was  out  in  a  continuous  snow  storm,  seven  days,  with  a  Military 
Escort.  I  was  compelled  to  have  with  me  a  guide  and  additional  ser- 
vants, and  the  provisions  were  used  by  them  and  the  Taos  Indians 
who  came  to  my  quarters. 

3d  and  4th  items,  Were  for  Goods,  bought  and  given  as  presents, 
to  the  Indians  visiting  the  Agency  St  Vrain  and  McCarty  had  two 
stores  at  the  time  and  Messrs  S.  Waters  and  Wm  H.  Mitchell  were 
clerks,  and  the  enclosed  certificate  is  the  only  evidence  I  can  now 
produce  of  their  authority  to  receipt.  St  Vrain  is  absent  and  Mc- 
Carty dead. 

5th,  item  for  a  mule  $80.00.  Without  this  mule,  or  some  other  ani- 
mal, I  could  not  have  fully  discharged  my  duty  as  Indian  Agent. 
The  Department  knows,  that  I  have  been  constantly  either  in  person 
or  by  an  Agent,  on  the  wing;  and  it  is  also  known,  there  were  hn- 
perative  reasons  for  it. 

6th  item.  Repairs  $36.87.  This  was  an  account  for  repairing  public 
wagon,  and  shoeing  public  animals,  property  of  the  United  States, 
and  were  necessary  to  enable  me  to  do  my  duty. 

7th  item.  Paid  to  Genl  Choice  $264.53.  The  services  rendered  by 
Genl  Choice  are  well  known  to  the  Department,  previous  to  the  9th 
of  Dec.  1849  he  had  been  assisting  me  in  the  discharge  of  my  duties, 
on  that  day  he  was  appointed  a  Commissioner  to  be  assosiated  with 
Col.  May  of  the  U.  S.  A  to  negotiate  a  treaty  with  the  Apache 
Indians,  at  Socorro.  My  letters  nos  29  &  34  to  the  Commissioner  of 
Indians  Affairs,  explained  to  the  Department  how  it  happened  that 
Genl  Choice  was  in  the  public  service.  Look  at  these  letters.  I 
could  not  visit  Socorro  at  that  time,  because  of  pressing  engagements 
in  Santa  Fe,  and  an  obligation  existing  to  meet  the  Utahs,  at  Abiquin, 
before  the  close  of  the  month.  This  latter  duty  I  discharged,  and  on 
the  30th  of  Dec.  1849,  made  a  treaty  with  them,  which  has  been 
ratified.  In  reply  to  my  No  34,  the  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs, 
under  date  of  April  24th  1850,  speaking  of  the  treaties  with  the 
Nuvajos  and  Utahs  said  "  it  is  to  be  regretted  that  the  attempt  with 
respect  to  the  Apaches,  failed  "  Remember,  it  was  the  one  attempted 
by  Genl  Choice  and  Capt  May.  I  have  now  to  request  you,  to  examine 
my  letter  to  the  Department,  dated  Jany  31st  1850.  Genl  Choice  was 
proposed  by  me  and  approved  by  Col.  Munroe,  as  an  Agent  for  the 
Utah  Indians,  and  continued  to  discharge  the  duties  of  Indian  Agent, 
for  the  Utahs,  until  the  14th  of  September  1850  with  no  other  com- 
pensation than  the  advances  made  to  him  and  charged  on  my  returns 
for  the  1st.  2d  &  3d  quarters  of  1850  amounting  to  $388.78.  I  beg  you 
to  examine  my  letter  No  81  dated  September  30th  1850  announcing 


336  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

to  the  Department,  his  death.  If  ever  a  man  was  entitled  to  compen- 
sation for  services,  it  was  Genl  Choice,  and  I  ought  to  receive  and  pay 
to  his  heirs,  a  just  and  liberal  compensation  for  his  services,  instead 
of  having  the  amounts  advanced,  stopped  against  me.  If.  however, 
the  Government  should  come  to  the  conclusion,  that  he  was  not,  while 
living,  entitled  to  compensation,  then  I  must  submit  to  the  loss  of 
the  advances  which  I  made  to  him 

8th  item.  Amount  paid  Teamster  &c  $105.00  I  have  only  to  refer 
you,  to  my  explanation  in  reference  to  voucher  10  4th  quarter  1849, 
No.  6  of  the  suspended  items  of  that  quarter.  All  or  none,  ought 
to  be  allowed,  and  this  remark  applies  to  similar,  subsequent  charges, 
as  well  as  those  now  being  under  examination 

9th  item.  $131.25.  This  corn  was  used  in  feeding  public  animals 
in  the  service  of  the  Santa  Fe  Indian  Agency,  and  animals  belonging 
to  Indians,  visiting  the  Agency  on  business 

10th  item  $500.  This  amount  is  in  the  same  Category  with  item 
No  6,  of  the  quarter  under  consideration 

I  am  not  inclined  to  say  another  word  in  reference  to  the  sus- 
pended items.  But  to  show  you  the  liberality  extended  to  others, 
I  call  your  attention  to  certain  instructions  issued  from  the  Depart- 
ment of  the  Interior,  Office  Indian  Affairs,  October  15th  1850  to 
Todd,  Campbell  and  Temple  near  the  close  of  the  instructions  you 
will  find  what  follows. 

"  You  will  find  it  necessarj^  to  procure  an  outfit  of  tents,  camp  uten- 
"  sils,  horses  for  yourself  and  party  &c,  &c,  and  to  employ  such  per- 
"sons  as  you  may  require  as  Guards,  Hunters  &c.  These  you  will 
"provide,  in  your  discretion,  to  be  charged  to  the  appropriation 
"in  your  hands."  Look,  also,  at  the  second  paragraph  in  said  in- 
structions, which  gives  pay  and  travelling  expenses  from  the  resi- 
dences of  the  appointees.  Am  I  entitled  to  less  than  others?  Ask 
the  Department  of  the  Interior. 

Do  not  suppose  that  I  am  ignorant  of  the  fact,  that  the  law  is 
your  guide  in  Auditing  Accounts.  There  are  vested  in  the  De- 
partments, occasionally,  discretions,  which  I  suppose  Auditing  offi- 
cers are  authorized  to  respect,  and,  as  I  desire  that  this  explanatory 
statement  may  go  before  the  Department  of  the  Interior,  I  have 
ventured  remarks,  that  would  have  been  otherwise  omitted 

In  conclusion,  I  have  to  say,  I  can  make  no  other  explanations, 
my  great  anxiety  is,  to  have  closed  the  Returns  I  have  made  to  you. 
I  beg  you  not  to  postpone  the  final  auditing  of  the  Returns,  to  en- 
able me  to  make  further  explanations.  ^Vliat  I  have  charged,  I  know 
to  be  just.  But  if  you  cannot  allow  them,  discard  them  at  once^  and 
allow  me  to  know  the  result.  I  do  not  know  when  I  am  to  die,  and 
I  would  prefer  absolute  and  unqualified  injustice,  while  living,  rather 


COERESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.   CALHOUN.  337 

than  to  have  suspended  accounts  against  me,  in  death.    I  again  beg 
you  let  the  result  be  what  it  may,  adjust  and  settle  my  Returns. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be 

Your  Obedient  Servant 

James  S.  Calhoun 
copy  of  the  original 
D.  V.  Whiting 
Hon  P.  Clayton 

2d  Auditor' 

Washington  City 

D.  C. 

[CALHOUN  TO  LEA.M 

NoS. 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

April  29.  1851. 
Sir 

Referring  to  my  letter  No  89.  dated  December  10  1850  will  remind 
you,  in  reference  to  the  Subsistence  account,  analyzed,  and  enclosed 
with  that  number,  I  stated  "  a  portion  of  the  amount  is  legitimately 
chargeable  to  my  personal  account,  which  shall  be  done".  If  I  am 
placed  on  the  same  footing  with  the  army  officers  in  this  Territory 
then  the  amount  is  $140.28  If  the  transportation  discrimination  is 
enforced,  then  the  amount  should  be  $377.25.     (see  No  1) 

I  have  to  repeat  my  prayer  to  the  2d  Auditor,  of  the  27th  inst. 
Let  my  accounts  be  adjusted  and  settled.  The  suspended  items, 
which  you  will  better  understand  by  referring  to  No.  2,  also  enclosed, 
annoys  me  exceedingly,  I  desire  the  Government  to  be  just  and 
liberal  with  me,  but  I  am  infinitely  more  concerned  that  my  accounts 
should  be  closed  before  T  die,  and.  God  only  knows  when  that  event 
may  happen. 

Also,  accompanying,  you  will  find  my  Returns  made  up  to,  and  in- 
cluding the  28th  day  of  February  1851,  showing  an  amount  due  me 
of  $1181.77.  You  will  observe  that  I  have  credited  contingencies 
with  the  $500.00  (five  hundred  Dollars)  drawn  upon  the  appropria- 
tion to  pay  for  the  recovery  of  Mr  &  Mrs  J  M  Wliite's  child.  If 
you  desire  a  seperate  and  distinct  account  for  my  expedentures,  under 
this  appropriation,  authorized  by  you,  it  can  easily  be  prepared. 

My  condition  is  a  more  unsatisfactory  one,  at  this  time,  than  at  any 
former  period  since  I  have  been  in  the  Territory.  I  am  without  the 
slightest  advice  as  to  the  purposes  of  the  Government  in  reference  to 


1  O.  T.  A.,  Santa  F«  Agency,  C  642. 
5021—15 22 


338  CORRESPOXDEXCE    OF    JAMES    S,    CALHOUN. 

the  Indians  in  this  Territory,  and  I  know  nothing  of  the  means,  pro- 
vided by  Congress,  for  their  management.  Do  you  not  perceive,  I  am 
challenging  consequences  that  may  endanger  the  good  repute,  which, 
I  trust,  I  have  heretofore  sustained?  I  am  daily  assuming  respon- 
sibilities that  will  bring  me  into  discredit,  if  not  sustained  by  the 
Department.     I  ask  that  this  matter  may  be  duly  considered. 

Heretofore  the  Quarter  Master's  and  Commissary's  offices  in  Santa 
Fe  sustained  me,  but  they  are  now  withdrawn.  Read  the  accompany- 
ing correspondence  No.  3. 

I  have  noAv  to  pay  for  wheat  from  $(').00  to  8.00  tlie  fanega  about 
$3.00  per  bushell,  corn  from  $8.00  to  $10.00  a  fanega  about  $4.00  a 
bushell  and  I  am  obliged  to  feed,  not  only  the  public  animals,  which 
are  absolutely  necessary  to  enable  me  to  discharge  the  Indian  duties 
with  which  I  am  charged  but  also,  the  animals  of  Indians  coming  to 
this  Superintendency  on  business.  I  have  now  before  me,  an  account 
of  some  purchases  made,  for  my  account,  since  the  withdrawal  of  the 
Authority  to  purchase  from  the  Commissary's  office.  Star  Candles, 
60  c  pr  lb.  crushed  sugar  35  c.  Hams  35  c  &c.  I  can  get  no  beef  now 
for  the  Indians,  and  it  is  very  difficult  to  procure  sheep,  and  on  one 
occasion  I  was  compelled  to  pay,  as  I  thought  from  20  to  25c  a  pound 
for  some  poor  venison  for  Indian  use. 

This  matter  can  be  remedied  to  some  extent,  if  the  authority  and 
means  are  afforded.    Upon  this  subject,  I  ask  for  instructions 

This  accompanying  correspondence  ^  with  Col.  Munroe,  will  show 
our  respective  views  concerning  the  withdrawal  of  permission  to  me 
to  purchase  Commissary  stores 

In  reply  to  Col.  Munroe's  closing  remark  in  his  second  letter,  I 
have  to  say,  that  "  the  Territory  of  New  Mexico  can  supply  such 
subsistence  stores  and  forage  as  may  be  required  for  the  Indian 
Agency,  and  the  Indians  "  But  it  requires  time  and  means,  and  I 
have  neither.  For  my  own  use,  I  do  not  like  to  be  confined  to  the 
products  of  the  Territory,  and  I  certainly  have  not  time  to  send  to 
the  States  for  the  eommon  necessaries  of  life.  So  far  as  Beef,  Mutton 
and  flour  are  concerned,  for  Indian  use,  that  may  be  obtained  if 
looked  for  in  time.  But  neither  Beef  or  Mutton  can  be  had  near  this 
place,  The  Commissary  has  it  all.  So  too,  with  corn  it  is  all  in  the 
Quarter  Masters  hands,  or  in  those  of  the  Contractors.  To  avoid  the 
embarrasments  to  which  I  am  subjected,  there  should  be  means  to 
provide  supplies  in  time. 

The  Indians  (Pueblos)  are  moody  when  they  come  to  the  Agency, 
if  you  do  not  give  them  Sugar,  Coffee  and  Whiskey.  The  market 
retail  price  for  Sugar  and  Coffee,  50c  pr  lb.  each  and  Whiskey  $3.50 
pr  Gallon.  I  have  been  as  economical  as  possible  in  my  supplies  to 
Indians 

1  See  pp.  :{L'2-H24. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  339 

It  was  with  the  gi'eatest  rehictance  that  I  gave  them  Whiskey. 
There  are  several  Distilleries  in  the  Territoiy  which  supplies  them 
with  ardent  Spirits  in  exchange  for  their  grain  In  addition  to 
which,  unless  I  gave  it  to  them  at  the  Agency,  they  would  roam 
through  Santa  Fe,  until  they  could  find  a  small  Grocery  that  would 
indulge  them.  Thefts  and  bloody  contests  ensued,  and  I  found  it 
would  be  a  matter  of  economy  to  give  them  a  little  at  the  Agency, 
and  cause  them  to  be  watched  until  they  were  beyond  the  limits  of 
the  town.  If  Congress  has  passed  laws  sufficiently  stringent,  this 
pernicious  practice  may  be  abandoned,  but  Sugar  and  coffee  must  be 
given  to  them  in  small  quantities,  for  a  year  or  two,  or  at  the  short- 
est period,  until  they  are  properly  organized  under  the  laws,  and 
trading  posts  established,  where  they  may  exchange  their  products 
for  such  articles  as  they  may  desire.  Whiskey  excepted  This  would 
induce  them  to  increase  the  quantity  of  grain  they  now  sow,  which 
would  rapidly  advance  them  in  the  scale  of  civilization. 

In  conclusion,  for  reasons  assigned  in  my  explanations  to  the  2d 
Auditor,   herewith   accompanying,   I   pray  you   again,  to  have  my 
accounts,  as  Indian  Agent,  adjusted  and  closed. 
I  am 

With  great  respect 

Your  Obedt  Servant. 

James  S.  Calhoun. 
Hon.  L.  Lea 

Co7nmissioner  of  Indian  Affairs 

Washington  City 

D.  C. 

Ref  d  to  T.  R.  C.  14  Aug  1851 

[TULLIS   TO   CALHOUN.'] 

To  His  Excellency  James  S.  Calhoun 

Governor  of  the  Territory  of  New  Mexico — Ex.  officio 

Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs 

I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you,  that  on  the  Sixth  day  of  April 
1851,  I  met.  by  appointment,  the  authorized  agents  of  the  Pueblos  of 
Laguna  and  Acoma,  Consisting  of  the  Governors  Alcaldes  and 
Cacique,  and  many  other  subordinate  officers. 

After  examining  each  and  all  of  their  claims,  I  deferred  giving  my 
decision  until  the  twelfth  day  of  April,  during  which  interval  I  pro- 
posed to  examine  the  lands,  without  the  presence  of  the  Pueblos,  and 
to  collect  all  the  information  that  could  be  obtained,  in  the  neighbor- 
hood relative  to  the  controversy. 

^  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  Fe  Agency,  C  64.3,  accompanying  No.  4. 


340  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

I  learned  that  several  times,  the  claims  of  the  respective  parties 
had  been  referred  to  the  Mexican  authorities  (prior  to  the  occupa- 
tion of  the  country  by  the  United  States  Government)  and  decisions 
had  been  given. 

On  the  twelfth  day  of  April,  I  met  the  agents  of  both  the  Pueblos, 
at  Laguna,  and  informed  them  that  I  had  altered  the  late  line  of 
boundary  between  them  (run  by  Mr  H.  L.  Dodge)  which  made  a 
creek,  running  through  the  lands  in  dispute,  the  dividing  mark. 

The  lands  lie  between  two  ranges  of  mountains,  and  the  creek,  for 
many  miles,  runs  close  to  the  base  of  the  mountains,  on  the  side  given 
to  the  Lagunas,  and  this  it  was  had  given  rise  to  the  dissatisfaction. 

I  further  informed  them  that  I  had  made  a  line  running  at  right 
angles  with  the  creek,  making  a  mountain  spur  and  a  large  rock  the 
terminating  points,  thus  giving  to  the  Acomas  a  portion  of  the  dis- 
puted Territory,  adjoining  the  lands  acknowledged  to  belong  to  them, 
reserving  to  the  Lagunas  the  privilege  of  harvesting  some  feilds 
which  they  had  planted,  but  which  by  my  decision  were  included 
within  the  tract  assigned  to  the  Acomas. 

With  this  decision  the  Acomas  expressed  themselves  satisfied ;  and 
likewise  the  Lagimas  with  the  exception  of  the  Governor,  who  was 
depossesed,  by  this  arrangement,  of  a  few  acres  cultivated  by  him. 

Further,  according  to  the  instructions  of  Your  Excellency,  I  ex- 
amined the  case  in  controversy  between  the  Lagima  Indians  and  the 
Mexicans  living  contiguous,  relative  to  the  northern  boimdary  of  the 
former. 

From  the  configuration  of  the  adjacent  country,  it  was  at  the  time 
mentioned,  agreed  between  the  parties,  which  agreement  was  sanc- 
tioned by  the  Spanish  Government,  (it  seems  that  at  the  period  of 
the  first  settlement,  made  by  the  Mexicans  in  that  section  of  the 
country  a  ravine  or  caiion  was  the  established  boundary  between 
them  and  the  Pueblo)  that  the  said  canon  although  affording  some 
lands  capable  of  cultivation,  should  be  left  as  an  outlet  through  the 
mountains,  through  which  to  drive  the  Stock  of  the  Mexicans  and 
Pueblos  to  pasture. 

As  time  wore  on,  the  Mexicans  cultivated  different  little  spots  of 
land,  and  continued  yearly  to  extend  their  cultivation  to  the  serious 
injury  and  inconvenience  of  the  Pueblos,  notwithstanding  the  ex- 
postulations made  against  these  encroachments. 

I  also  examined  the  matter  in  controversy  between  the  friendly 
Navajos  and  Laguna  Indians 

It  appears  that  the  Navajos  have  possesed  and  cultivated  the 
lands  on  which  they  now  live,  for  at  least  one  hundred  years;  but 
never  had  held  any  Grant  from  the  Mexican  Government.  A  Laguna 
Indian  at  one  time,  having  planted  on  a  portion  of  these  lands,  the 


I 


COKRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.   CALHOUN.  841 

whole  Pueblo  emboldened  by  this  example,  and  knowing  that  the 
Navajos  hold  no  written  title  have  called  in  question  the  validity  of 
the  Claim  of  the  Navajos  to  the  lands  occupied  by  them. 
Your  Excellency's 

Most  Obedient  Servant. 

(signed)  John  K.  Tulles.^ 

[CALHOUN   TO   LEA.'] 

No  4 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe.  New  Mexico 

May  1?  1851. 
Sir, 

On  the  7th  of  last  month  Indians,  supposed  to  be  Apaches,  made 
an  attack  upon  a  party  of  eight  men,  five  Americans  and  three  Mexi- 
cans, at  a  place  known  as  the  "  Dead  Man's  Spring  ",  in  the  Tornado, 
north  of  Dohana.  One  of  the  Mexicans  was  killed,  another  wounded, 
and  also  an  American — The  Indians  soon  retreated,  carrying  several 
of  their  party  off,  evidently  dead,  or  badly  wounded.  The  number 
of  Indians  in  the  attack  was  fifteen,  but  others  were  seen  some  dis- 
tance off.  Several  depredations  have  been  committed,  during  the 
month  upon  both  sides  of  the  Del  Norte — About  the  15th  of  April, 
Stock  were  driven  off  from  near  the  Moro.  Pursuit  immediately  en- 
sued by  a  party  of  Mexicans,  who  succeeded,  on  the  second  day,  in 
discovering  the  Indians,  in  a  body  too  numerous  to  be  assaulted  by  the 
pursuing  party — Indians  unknown 

Quite  a  number  of  the  Apaches  with  whom  Ave  made  a  treaty,  are 
within  fifteen  miles  of  San  Miguel  and  Las  Vegas,  and  the  people 
who  reside  near  their  Lodges^  are  greatly  alarmed,  but  as  yet,  we 
knoAv  of  no  depredation  they  have  committed — If  there  was  an 
Agent  among  them,  and  authority  was  given  to  furnish  them  with 
corn  and  few  other  articles,  these  Indians  would  behave  as  well  as 
others — If  I  had  means,  private  or  public,  I  would  assume  the  re- 
sponsibility, as  the  only  possible  mode  to  prevent  serious  outbreaks — ■ 
But,  Sir,  you  know  I  am  impotent,  so  far  as  means  are  concerned, 
and  I  can  not  procure  the  assistance  of  reliable  agents  witliout  the 
means  of  supporting  them — All  that  I  can  do,  shall  be  accomplished, 
and  if  possible,  I  will  go  out  to  the  Apache  camps  on  the  4th  of  this 
month. 

1  Name  variously  spelt. 

2  O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  C  643. ;  Annual  Report,  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs, 
1851,  p.  195. 

3  In  the  Annual  Report  of  the  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs  for  1851,  this  letter  ap- 
pears under  date  of  May  4  1851.  It  is  registered  as  May  1,  1851  and  so  appears  in  the 
manuscript. 


342  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

The  Comanches  ^  are  assembling,  so  I  am  informed  by  traders,  near 
the  "  Bosque  Redondo '",  where  they  are  to  be  in  Council  with  the 
Apaches — An  Agent  should  be  there= 

The  Utahs  remain  quiet,  but  they  are  upon  \ery  good  terms  with 
the  N"avajos= 

The  Navajos  have^  or  are  removing  from  "  Cheille  '*  to  the  Rio 
San  Juan,  and  pitching  their  lodges  upon  both  sides  of  the  river — 
Upon  the  north  side  of  the  river,  they  must  mix  with  the  Utahs= 

We  have  information  from  Cebolletta  and  Abiquin,  a  deputation 
from  these  Indians  desire  to  come  in,  and  an  opportunity  is  afforded 
to  them — They  have  heard  of  an  expedition  being  fitted  out  against 
them,  which  they  desire  to  prevent. 

At  no  period  since  I  have  been  in  the  Territory,  has  it  been  so  easy 
a  matter  to  manage  the  wild  Indians,  but  this  state  of  things  can  not 
continue  many  days  without  the  necessary  appliances. 

The  Pueblo  Indians  are  daily  complaining  of  impositions  prac- 
tised upon  them,  and  I  am  sorely  troubled  at  my  inability  to  remedy 
their  grievances. 

The  accompanying  copy  of  a  report,  will  show  the  manner,  in  which 
I  have  adjusted  a  serious  difficulty  between  the  Pueblos  of  Acoma 
and  Lagima. 

[I^^Tullis,  the  Agent,  ought  to  be  compensated  for  his  services. 
I  am. 

With  great  respect. 

Your  obt.  servt 

James  S.  Calhoun 

Hon.  L.  Lea, 

Washington  City 

[Related  Correspondence.] 

[McLAWS   TO   CHAPMAN.2] 

Hd.  Qrs.  9  Mil.  Dept. 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

May  30,  1851. 

SiK, 

The  delegation  of  Comanches  which  arrived  here  (hiy  before  yesterday  de- 
camped last  night  leaving  behind  their  horses,  mules,  saddles  &c.  &c.  leaving 
evidently  under  the  impression  that  some  harm  would  follow  if  they  remained. 

It  is  highly  desirable  that  such  impression  should  be  removed  and  therefore 
•Colonel  Munroe  directs  that  you  send  persons  to  endeavour  to  overtake  the 
Indians  and  induce  them  to  return  to  this  place,  receive  their  property  &  depart 
openly  &  as  friends— or  come  to  some  point  in  the  settlements  and  remain  until 
their  animals  &c  can  be  sent  to  them  which  the  Governor  will  do  so  soon  as 
information   is  received  where  they  are  or  induce  them  to  name  some  point 

1  Concerulng  the  disposition  and  the  movements  of  the  Comanches,  see  related  corre- 
spondence. 

2  A.  G.  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  4,  pp.  147-148. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  343 

beyond  the  settlements  some  convenient  point  where  they  will  be  at  some  desig- 
nated time  and  their  property  will  be  sent  to  them  there 

As  these  Indians  came  here  under  a  Safe  Guard  they  should  be  informed  that 
with  us  such  is  considered  sacred  and  every  effort  made  to  remove  from  their 
minds  any  idea  they  may  have  formed  or  any  information  which  may  have  been 
given  to  them  by  designing  persons  which  led  them  to  believe  that  it  would  be 
violated  here 

With  much  respect 

Your  obt.  Servt.  L  Mc  Laws 

1  Ltl  Infy 
A  A  A  Gen! 
Lt.  O.  Chapman 

Commd'ff 

Anton  Chico. 

[McLAWS  TO   ALEXANDER.!] 

Head  Quarters  9th.  Mil  Dept. 

Santa  Fe\  N.  M.  May  30th.  1851. 
Col. 

Col.  Munroe  directs  mo  to  inform  you  tli;il  ;!t  Delegation  of  Camauche  In- 
dians— the  party  consisting  of  "  Eagle  Feathers  ",  the  principal  chief — five  other 
men  &  five  women — (one  woman  with  a  small  child)  came  to  this  place  day 
before  yesterday,  and  yesterday  had  a  talk  with  the  Governor.  Last  night  about 
1  o'clock  they  ran  otf  leaving  behind,  their  Animals,  briddles.  &c  &c  which  leads 
to  the  belief  that  they  left  with  the  impression  that  some  evil  consequences 
would  follow  if  they  remained. 

It  is  highly  desirable  that  such  an  impression  should  be  removed  from  their 
minds.  You  will  therefor  on  the  receipt  of  this  send  persons  or  parties,  as  you 
may  think  best,  to  endeavor  to  overtake  the  Indians,  and  try  and  induce  them  to 
return  to  this  place  and  to  receive  their  property  and  then  depart  openly  and  as 
friends — or,  if  they  do  not  desire  to  return  ask  them  if  they  will  name  some 
point  within  or  without  the  settlements,  where  they  will  remain,  or  will  be  at 
a  certain  named  time,  where  their  property  can  be  sent  to  tliem,  which  the 
Governor  will  do,  so  soon  as  it  is  known  where  they  are. 

Let  the  Indians  Itnow  that  they  came  here  under  a  Safe  Guard  which  is  con- 
sidered sacred  with  us,  and  on  no  account  would  it  first  be  violated  with-tts 
on  our  part. 

Some  evil  disposed  persons  evidently  conveyed  some  idea  to  the  Indians  as  to 
what  in  their  opinion  would  be  our  action  towards  them — which  induced  them  to 
run  away.  Let  you  object  be  merely  to  remove  that  impression — employ  no 
force  against  them — use  persuasion  alone. 

If  they  remain  at  Las  Vegas  until  their  property  is  received  you  will  provide 
them  with  subsistence. 

You  will  communicate  the  above  to  Capt.  Ewell  &  Lt.  Whittlesey, 
lit.  Chapman  &  Lt  Pleasonton  have  been  written  to  on  the  subject. 
With  much  respect 

li  McLaws 

1  Lt  7  Infy 
A   A  A  r.enl 
Lt.  Col.  E.  B.  Alexander 

Commanding 

Laft   Vegas 


'  A.  G.  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  4,  pp.  148-149. 


344  CORKESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[McLAWS   TO   PLEASANTON.i] 

Hd.  Qes  9  Mil.  Dept, 
Santa  Fe  N.  Mex.  May  30/51 
Sir, 

Col.  Muuroe  directs  tliiit  ou  the  receipt  of  tliis  you  send  a  detachment  from 
your  command  to  endea\our  to  overtalce  a  party  of  Comanches  Indians  who  came 
to  this  place  day  before  yesterday  on  a  business  trust  to  the  Governor — They 
had  a  talk  yesterday  and  ran  off  last  night  leaving  their  Horses,  Mules,  Arms 
&e.  it  is  therefore  supposed  they  were  Induced  to  leave  by  some  evil  minded 
persons  who  induced  them  to  believe  that  by  remaining  some  evil  consequences 
would  follow 

The  party  consists  of  "  Eagle  Feathers  "  the  principle  chief,  five  other  men, 
and  six  women  one  woman  with  a  small  child 

If  the  party  is  overtaken  you  will  so  direct  that  they  be  treated  with  all 
kindness  and  effort  made  to  induce  them  to  return  in  order  that  they  may 
obtain  their  property  and  start  from  here  openly  and  as  friends 

If  they  do  not  wish  to  return  tell  them  if  they  so  desire  that  they  are  at 
liberty  to  remain  at  your  Post  or  where  you  are  until  they  receive  their  property 
which  will  be  sent  to  them  immediately 

If  they  desire  to  continue  on  to  join  their  people  after  the  above  representa 
tlons  are  made  to  them  inform  them  that  they  are  at  perfect  liberty  to  do  so 
and  will  not  be  molested  by  our  people  they  came  in  as  friends  and  must  be 
allowed  so  to  depart 

The  only  object  now  is  to  remove  from  their  minds  the  impression  which 
from  the  way  of  departing  they  seem  to  have  that  some  act  of  oppression  or 
Injustice  was  intended  towards  them  here. 

If  they  will  designate  any  point  in  or  out  of  the  Setlements  where  they  will 
remain  or  will  be  present  at  any  future  time  in  order  to  receive  their  property 
the  Governor  will  have  it  sent  to  them 
With  much  respect 

Your  obt.  Servt. 

L  McLaws 
1  Lt  7  Infy 
AAA  Qenl 
Lt.  A.  Pleasonton 

Comd'g  C°  E  2  drys 
Tucalote. 

[McLAWS  TO  CHAPMAN.2] 

Hd  Qrs.  9  Mil:  Dept. 
S'ANTA  Fe  New  Mexico 

May  31,  1851. 
Sib, 

I  enclose  herewith  a  Letter  from  Governor  Calhoun  with  an  Inventory  of 
the  Property  left  behind  by  the  Indians  also  copy  of  one  from  the  Governor  to 
Col.  Munroe  requesting  that  authority  be  given  you  to  send  a  messenger  to 
the  Indians  to  Invite  them  to  return  to  that  place  to  receive  their  property 
and  that  you  should  cause  the  animals  belonging  to  the  Indians  to  be  fed  and 
the  entire  property  well  guarded— Colonel  Munroe  directs  that  you  send  a 
messenger  to  the  Indiitus  and  cause  their  animals  to  be  fed  &  their  entire  prop- 
erty well  guarded  according  as  the  Governor  has  requested. 

1  A.  G.  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  4,  pp.  146-147. 

2  Ibid.,  p.  153. 


COERESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN.  345 

The  Expenses  for  doing  which  will  be  paid  by  yourself,  the  account  kept 
separate  and  forwarded  to  this  place  in  order  that  the  amount  shall  be  trans- 
ferred &  repaid  by  the  Indian  Department 
With  much  respect 

Your  obt  Servt 

L  McLawb 
Lt  7  Infy  &  A  A  A  Genl 
Lt.  Chapman 
Commdg 

Anton  Chieo 

P.  S.  Since  writing  the  foregoing,  information  has  been  received  that  one 
of  the  Indians  has  been  seen  on  the  road  between  this  place  &  San  Miguel  and 
the  persons  who  have  charge  of  their  property  have  been  instructed  to  deliver 
it  to  them  if  they  (the  party)  are  met.  Sergeant  Hall  has  not  charge  of  the 
property,  he  &  party  goes  along  merely  as  an  Escort,  he  however  has  been  in- 
structed to  give  you  information  if  it  is  disposed  of  before  reaching  Anton  Chlco. 
With  much  respect 

Your  obt  Servt  L  McLaws 

Lt  7  Infy  &  A  A  A  Oenl 
P.  S.     You  will  report  at  your  earliest  convenience  such  instructions  as  you 
may  have  received  direct  from  Dept.  Hd  Qrs  to  Col.  Alexander  with  your  action 
therein 

Respectfully  L  McLaws 

Lt  7  Infy  &  A  A  A  Qenl 
Lt.  Chapman 

Comdg.  Anton  Chico 


[munroe  to  jones.^] 


Head  Quaeters  9th  Mil.  Dept. 
Santa  F6,  N.  Mex°  June  29,  51. 
Sib, 

I  received  information  during  the  last  month  from  various 
sources,  that  the  Comanches,  were  collecting  in  large  numbers  at 
the  Bosque  Redondo,  on  the  Rio  Pecos,  distant  about  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  miles  from  Las  Vegas, — The  object  of  the  meet- 
ing was  not  known,  but  as  it  had  been  stated  by  the  Apaches, 
both  Jicarilla  and  Muscaleros,  that  they  were  to  meet  the 
Comanches  at  that  place,  to  have  a  grand  council,  it  became  a 
matter  of  importance  to  gain  some  information  as  to  their  in- 
tentions. 

Governor  Calhoun  and  myself  coincided  in  our  views  on  the 
subject,  and  accordingly  when  we  were  at  Anton  Chico  together, 
May  the  16  ulto. — the  Governor  granted  a  license  to  a  Mr.  Latz 
to  trade  with  the  Comanches  and  among  other  things  desired 
him  to  say  to  them  that  he  would  be  glad  to  see  a  delegation  of 
their  people  at  Santa  Fe. 

Mr.  Latz  went  to  the  Bosque  Redondo  and  brought  back  with  Lieut.    Chap- 
him  to  Anton  Chico  a  Comanche  Chief,  "Eagle  Feathers,"  and  ^^"^S^'aVcx- 
others  of  his  tribe,  with  one  captive,  a  Mexican  boy,  who  desired  ander  145  Page 
to  have  a  talk  with  the  Governor,  and  Lt.  Chnpman  1st  Dnigoons,  Chapman"l47— 
whose  company  "  F  "  was  stationed  there  sent  them  to  this  place  portVook?^ 

1  A.  G.  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  4,  pp.  190-191, 


346  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN, 

with  a  small  escort,  where  they  arrived  on  the  28  ulto.  see  en- 
closed copy  of  a  letter  from  Lt.  Chapman,  No.  1 

On  the  morning  of  the  29th  the  Governor  and  myself  held  a 
talk  with  them,  in  which,  after  professions  of  friendship  had 
been  made  on  both  sides  and  they  were  made  to  understand  that 
they  were  here  as  friends  and  thus  in  safety  and  at  perfect 
liberty  to  I'eturn  whenever  they  desired  and  would  be  escorted 
safely  back — various  propositions  wei'e  made  to  them  in  regard 
to  preserving  their  peaceable  relations  with  our  people,  and  on 
other  matters  connected  with  their  own  welfare,  to  which  they 
were  desired  to  give  full  consideration,  communicate  to  their 
tribe  and  answer  at  some  future  period. — they  then  retired  to  a 
room  which  the  Governor  had  assigned  them,  aiiparently  satisfied 
and  contented. 

But  during  the  night  of  that  day.  they,  for  reasons  not  then 

known — ran  off,  leaving  behind  their  animals  and  other  property. 

See  letter  of     -^^    ^^    ^''^^    supposed    afterwards    ascertained    to    be    true — see 

Lieut.  C.  to      letter  of  I^t.  Chapman,  No.  2  that  some  evil  disposed  person  had 
Col.    Alexander  ^  ^        , 

Page  11  Re-     made   malicious   representations   to    the   Indians,    which    induced 
port  Book,  them  to  run  away — it  was  important  that  they  should  be  over- 

taken and  every  persuasive  metliod  adopted  to  induce  them  to 
return,  receive  their  property,  and  be  undeceived  as  to  their 
wrong  imi)ressions,  in  order  that  they  might  not  join  their  tribe, 
from^De'iot.^'^^  with  the  idea  that  any  act  of  treachery  was  intended  against 
Pl^asanton^"&f'  ^^^^  ^^  ^he  Authorities  here — accordingly  instructions  to  that 
Chapman  and  effect  were  sent  to  Col :  Alexander  Commanding  Las  Vegas 
andCT^'ptgel"  (letter  No.  8.)  to  Lt.  Pleasanton  Comdg  Co  "K  2  Drgs.  at 
146,   147,    148,  Tucalote  and  to  Lt.  Chapman  at  Anton  Chico. 

Se  letters  '^'^  ^^^^  same  day,  it  was  determined  to  send  the  property  left 
from  Governor  behind  by  the  Indians  to  -Anton  Chico  in  order  that  it  might  be 
Munroe"  *&  Lt!  turned  over  to  them  if  they  were  overtaken  on  the  road,  and 
151^Let°ei?^^'^*^^^^'^"^^^  ^^  receive  it  at  any  specified  iioint  in  or  (jut  of  the  Set- 
Book  &  Letter  tlements. 

^'        ■  The  accompanying  copies  of  letters  3  &  4.  will  show  the  wishes 

142,^^  ^^^^^^'  ^'  of  Governor  Calhoun,  on  the  subject  and  No  5.  my  orders  in  the 
case. 
.•<o>>    ReDort        •^'°-  *^**-  ^"^  ^  *-'^l'^  •^^'  ^^-  t'hapmaus  report  of  his  compliance  with 
IN.ik  page  20    instructions  from  Dept.  Hd.  Qrs.  which  were  similar  to  those  given 
t"rs  from  ^       to  Col.  Alexander  (No  2)  and  with  the  wishes  of  the  Governor, 
ma^n*^'  *^''^''*^'  No.  8.  his  further  action  uu  the  subject  and  No  !J  reporting  that 

the  property  of  the  Indians  had  been  restored  to  them — that  they 
had  returned  the  animals  which  tliey  had  taken  on  the  road  while 
going  to  the  Bosque  Redondo — and  that  the  whole  matter  had  been 
settled  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  parties. 
With  much  respect, 

(sd)  John  Munroe 

To  BvT.  Major  Genl.  Jones. 

Adj.  Oenl.  U.  8.  A. 

Wafi]iington 
D.  C. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  347 

[munroe  to  JONES.^] 

Head  Quarters  9th.  Mil:  Dept. 

Santa  F6,  N  M.  July  13,  1S51. 
Sir, 

In  my  letter  to  you  of  the  29th.  ulto.  reporting  my  .letion  and  Page  190. 
that  of  the  Troops  under  my  command,  towards  aud  concerning 
the  Comanches,  who  had  sent  a  Delegation  of  their  tribe,  from  the 
Bosque  Eedoudo,  to  confer  with  Governor  Calhoun.  I  remarked 
in  conclusion  that  "  all  the  difficulties  "  that  had  occurred  between 
those  Indians  and  the  people  and  such  as  had  existed  on  account 
of  their  being  mislead  as  to  the  intentions  of  the  Americans 
towards  their  Delegation  when  on  a  visit  to  this  place.  "  had  been 
settled  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  parties." 

Such  up  to  the  time  I  wrote  was  all  the  information  I  had 
received  relative  to  the  Comanches,  except  that  Lt.  Chapman  had 
reported  on  the  2Sth.  ulto,  that  they  had  left  the  Bosque  Redoudo, 
for  "  other  parts,"  which  last  report  taken  in  connection  with 
Mother  he  made  to  Col :  Alexander,  that  there  was  no  more  corn 
to  be  obtained  at  Anton  Chico.  induced  me  to  accede  to  the  request 
of  Col :  Alexander,  to  be  allowed  to  move  JA.  Chapmans  Co.  "  F  " 
1  Drgs.  to  Las  Vegas  or  its  vicinity  where  Forage  and  Grazing 
for  the  animals  could  be  obtained,  which  will  account  for  there 
being  no  troops  in  position  at  Anton  Chico  or  La  Cuesta,  when  the 
occurrences  took  place  which  are  related  below.  It  may  be  here 
remarked  that  Col.  Alexander  when  he  requested  that  the  Com- 
pany might  be  moved,  stated  that  he  would  from  time  to  time 
send  detachments  to  or  in  the  direction  of  Anton  Chico,  or  La 
Cuesta,  in  order  that  by  their  presence  the  Indians  might  be  pre- 
vented from  coining  into  the  Settlements,  or  if  they  did,  from 
committing  depredations. 

On  the  1st  inst.  information  was  received  from  a  Mr.  Samson  Pa?e  .39  Rp- 
(enclosed  letter  No  1)  that  a  large  body  of  Comanches  were  in  La 
Cuesta  and  had  committed  some  depredations.  I  immediately 
sent  instructions  to  Col :  Alexander  commanding  Las  Vegas  (letter  Page  195. 
No  2)  directing  him  to  enquire  into  the  report  of  Mr.  Samson  and 
to  move  a  company  of  Dragoons  to  Anton  Chico,  so  as  to  give  pro- 
tection to  the  inhabitants  and  to  punish  the  Indians,  if  depredations 
had  been  committed.  It  afterwards  appeared  that  Mr.  Samson  had 
written  to  Col :  Alexander  on  the  27th.  informing  him  that  the 
Indians  were  then  at  Anton  Chico  which  was  the  day  previous 

to  the  one  he  informed  me  that  they  were  at  Lea  Cuesta — (see     ^j^^  2^  „K^- 

^        port  Book  & 
letter  No.  .3,  A.  and  Col.  Alexanders  No.  4)   and  that  the  Colonel  39  Letter. 

had  dispatched  Lt.  Adams  with  his  company  to  watch  their  move- 
ments and  find  out  their  intentions.  Lt.  Adams  arrived  at  Anton 
Chico  on  the  28th.  and  found  the  inhabitants  in  their  fields  and 
every  thing  quiet,  no  one  having  any  fear  of  the  Comanches.  On 
the  next  day  he  met  aud  conversed  with  several  Comanche  Chiefs, 
who  all  professed  peace  and  seemed  peaceable,  .nccordingly  he  ^^g«  25  Re- 
returned  to  Las  Vegas  on  the  30th  (see  Lt.  Adams  report  No  5) 

On  the  morning  of  the  2d.  the  Alcalde  of  Galisteos  reported  that 
a  large  body  of  Comanches  had  come  into  that  place  aud  after 

1  A.  G.  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  4,  pp.  206-209. 


348 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 


Page 


Pages  28 
30  Report 
Book. 


remaining  some  time  and  obtaining  wlierewith  to  supply  their 
wants,  otherwise  peaceable,  had  gone  west-ward,  as  they  said  to 
make  an  incursion  into  the  Navajoe  Country.  As  I  considered 
that  it  was  not  the  policy  of  the  Government  to  allow  tribes  to  war 
with  one  another,  I  at  once  sent  information  of  their  movements 
to  Maj  Howe  Commanding  Alburquerque  (letter  No  6)  and  di- 
rected him  to  prevent  them  from  crossing  the  Rio  Grande — to 
treat  them  as  enemies  if  they  had  committed  depredations,  to 
inform  them  that  they  could  not  go  into  the  Navajo  Country  but 
must  return  to  their  own. 

On  the  same  day  I  sent  Bvt.  Lt.  Col.  H.  Brooks  with  all  the 
disposable  force  of  the  two  Companies  of  Artillery  at  this  post 
to  San  Domingo  (see  Dept.  Sp.  O.  No.  47  of  the  2  inst)  with 
similar  instructions  to  those  given  Maj.  Howe. 

And  sent  an  express  to  Cibolletta  with  orders  to  the  Com- 
manding officer  there  to  send  all  his  disposable  force,  and  if  the 
Indians  had  ci-ossed  the  Rio  Grande,  to  follow  them  and  force 
their  return, — with  other  instructions  also  similar  to  those  given 
to  Maj  Howe  (No  6.) 

On  the  5th  I  received  a  note  from  Col.  Brooks  at  San  Domingo 
forwarding  a  letter  No  7  from  Asst :  Surgeon  Byrne  at  Albur- 
querque (written  by  direction  of  Maj  Howe  who  was  confined 
to  his  bed)  both  reporting  that  the  Comanches  had  at  one  time 
crossed  the  River  for  the  purpose  of  making  an  expedition 
against  the  Navajoes  but,  on  account  of  the  scarcity  of  water 
and  grass,  had  been  compelled  to  recross  the  river  and  when  last 
seen  were  going  eastward  with  the  intention  as  they  said  to 
return  to  their  own  country.  I  afterwards  received  a  letter  from 
Col:  Chandler  (No  8)  to  the  same  effect.  A  Company  of 
Dragoons  being  ordered  to  follow  their  trail,  watch  their  move- 
ments prevent  or  punish  depredations,  and  force  them  if  force 
was  required  to  leave  the  Country.  As  the  Indians  had  behaved 
peaceably,  I  ordered  Col.  Brooks  to  return  with  his  command  to 
this  post  where  he  arrived  on  the  7th.  (see  his  accompanying 
repoi't  No  9). 

On  the  6th  I  received  a  letter  from  Col :  Alexander  No  10 
enclosing  one  from  Lt.  Adams  No  11,  with  one  from  Lt.  A.  sent 
direct  (No  12)  reporting  the  result  of  the  movement  made  from 
Las  Vegas  to  enquire  into  the  report,  made  by  Mr.  Samson  (No  1) 
to  me  as  instructed  in  my  letter  of  the  1st.  inst  (No  2).  From 
these  reports  you  will  perceive  that  Mr.  Samson  altho'  writing 
to  this  place  60  miles — concerning  Indian  depredations,  did  not 
inform  Lt.  Adams,  who  was  at  Anton  Chico  only  18  miles  witli 
two  Companies  of  Dragoons,  and  who  was  thus  in  position  and 
in  force  sufficient  to  intercept  and  punish  the  Indians,  if  their 
conduct  had  been  such  as  to  require  it. — But  from  Lt.  A',  letter 
you  will  perceive  that  it  is  a  matter  of  great  doubt  if  anything 
was  done  for  which  the  inhabitants  desired  the  Comanches  to 
be  molested.  The  people  of  Anton  Chico  and  La  Cuesta  and  along 
the  Rio  Pecos,  carry  on  a  continual  trade  with  these  Indians,  and 
it  is  to  their  interest  to  preserve  a  friendly  relation  towards 
Pages  20, 15  them  and  from  Lt.  Adams  report  and  from  those  of  Lieut  Chap- 
Book  ^^^^^^      man  of  the  4th.  8.  &  9th.  of  June  forwarded  to  you  with  my  letter 


Page  36 
Report  Book. 


COKRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  349 

of  the  29  ulto.  you  will  perceive  that  they  are  considered  as 
friends  coming  without  exciting  any  alarm  among  the  people  for 
the  safety  of  themselves  or  their  property.  As  to  the  cattle 
killed  by  "Eagle  Feathers"  the  cause  Is  shown  to  be  that  he 
had  not  forgotten  or  forgiven  the  loss  of  his  captive  (a  Mexican) 
which  he  left  behind  when  he  and  his  party  ran  away  from  this 
place  on  the  29th.  of  May  last.  That  captiA-e  is  now  living  with 
the  Governor  at  his  house  and  I  respectfully  call  your  attention 
particularly  to  the  fact  that  the  only  aggressions  committed,  or 
said  to  have  been  committed,  by  the  Comanches  of  which  any 
particular  complaint  has  been  made  has  been  done  by  the  party 
of  "  Eagle  Feathers  "  and  the  reason  assigned  for  his  enmity,  is 
the  loss  of  the  Mexican  captive  above  referred  to.  For  the 
opinions  the  Comanches  themselves  formed  as  to  the  loss  of  that 
captive  I  refer  you  to  Lt.  Chapmans  letter  of  the  8th.  &  9th.  of 
last  mouth. 

***** 
As  to  the  causes  of  this  and  for  the  confirmation  of  the  opinion 
of  Lt.  Adams,  your  attention  is  requested  to  the  remarks  of  Col. 
Brooks  on  the  subject  (No.  8)  You  will  observe  from  Mr.  Sam-  Report  Book 
sons  letter  No.  3  "  B  that  he  reported  to  Lt.  Chapman  on  the  28  ^^^®  ^^* 
ulto.  that  the  Indians  altho  in  large  numbers,  professed  friend- 
ship and  very  very  friendly  &  that  he  gave  that  information  in 
order  that  the  Troops  should  not  be  sent  to  La  Cuesta.  Yet  on 
the  same  day  he  informed  me  that  they  were  committing  depre- 
dations and  neglected  to  inform  Lt.  C.  or  Col.  Alexander  of  the 
change  in  the  condition  of  affairs,  which  makes  it  more  evident 
that  neither  himself  or  the  prefect  representing  the  people  de- 
sired that  the  Indians  should  be  disturbed.  It  has  been  the  same 
throughout.  I  have  received  no  Information  of  the  Indians  being 
at  any  place  until  a  day  or  two  after  their  departure,  whereas  in 
every  case,  either  myself  or  other  officers  and  those  in  command 
of  mounted  troops  could  have  been  notified  on  the  same  day  In 
the  case  at  La  Cuesta,  in  a  few  hours.  I,  am  therefore  forced  to 
the  conclusion  that  there  is  a  feeling  among  the  Mexicans 
towards  Americans,  at  least  negative  in  its  character,  and  a 
positive  friendly  one  towards  the  Indians. 

With  much  respect, 
I  am  Sir 

Your  obd.  Servt. 

(sd.)  .John  Muneoe 

Major  2  Art.  Bvt.  Col.  U.  S.  A. 

Comdg. 
Bvt.  Maj  Genl.  Jones 

Adjt.  Genl.  U.  S  A 
Wnshington  D.  C. 


350  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[CALHOUN   TO   MUNROE  ^] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe  N.  Mexico 

May  7,  1851. 
Sir, 

I  have  most  anxiously  considered  the  subject  of  a  proper  disposi- 
tion of  the  numerous  Body  of  Apaches  now  in  Camp  near  San 
INIiguel,  La  Cuesta  and  Anton  Chico  and  have  come  to  the  conclusion 
they  should  at  once  be  placed  under  your  exclusive  authority  as  the 

officer 
Commanding  of  this  Department 

As  the  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs  in  this  Territory  I  am 
without  instructions  as  to  the  Section  of  country  in  which  these  Indi- 
ans should  be  located  nor  have  I  the  means  to  supply  their  hungry 
cravings  with  the  necessaries  of  Life  demanded  by  a  just  humanity — 
It  is  perfectly  evident  they  must  steal  or  starve  unless  some  plan  is 
devised  to  subsist  them  &  without  this  subsistence  it  would  be  folly 
to  suppose  they  could  be  subjected  to  proper  restraint —  If  these 
Indians  remain  in  their  present  localities  we  must  anticipate  blood 
shed  &  depredations  and  their  impoverished  condition  must  become 
infinitely  worse  as  they  will  sell  every  blanket  and  animal  they 
possess  or  may  be  able  to  steal  in  order  to  procure  ardent  spirits 

You  and  you  alone  have  the  only  power  that  can  be  exercised  in  this 
Territory  to  apply  a  temporary  remedy  for  the  evils  herein  sug- 
gested. I  am  aware  you  have  not  a  sufficient  Military  Force  at  your 
disposal  to  protect  the  Border  Settlements  of  the  Territory  if  these 
Indians  are  dispersed  and  their  dispersion  would  result  in  the  re- 
newal of  Butcheries  and  Robl)erieK  on  the  plains  and  in  every  other 
accessible  point 

We  have  reason  to  expect  at  an  early  day  instructions  from  the 
proper  Department  at  Washington  in  reference  to  a  disposition  of 
these  and  other  Indians  without  our  jurisdiction  &  for  this  reason  no 
other  than  a  temporary  arrangement  is  advisable. 

It  is  a  serious  &  threatening  matter  to  have  from  two  to  five 
thousand  Indians  characterised  by  the  worst  possible  passions  of 
man  within  our  Borders  liaving  between  them  in  their  present  locali- 
ties and  their  hiding  places  in  the' mountains  hundreds  of  our  citizens 
with  their  Herds  of  Cattle  put  them  to  flight  and  many  of  these  citi- 
zens must  be  butchered  and  the  greater  portion  of  them  will  be  driven 
off —  I  respectfully  suggest  that  the  military  force  now  in  that  Quar- 
ter is  wholly  inadequate  to  prevent  serious  disorders  should  they 
remain  where  they  are  situated  at  this  time  and  to  remove  them  to  a 
proper  distance  would  require  a  much  more  augmented  force  to  pre- 
serve the  Lives  &  Property  of  people  in  this  Territory 


a.  G.  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  4,  pp.  119-121. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  351 

For  these  last  observations  I  trust  you  will  pardon  me  as  it  is  a 
subject  within  your  Exclusive  Jurisdiction  but  as  the  people  of  the 
Territory  are  immediately  interested  in  this  matter  I  have  ventured 
the  observations 

About  10  o  clock  this  morning  it  is  my  intention  to  call  upon  you 
in  reference  to  this  subject  and  this  communication  is  sent  to  you 
that  you  may  in  the  meantime  reflect  upon  its  contents 
I  am,  With  great  respect 

Your  obt.  Servt. 

Signed,  James  S.  Calhoun 
Col :  Jno  Munroe 

Comdg  9  Mil.  Dept. 

Santa  Fe 
New  Mexico. 
Note — It  escaped  my  recollection  for  a  moment  to  say  I  am  of  the 
opinion  the  Indians  mentioned  in  this  communication  should  be  re- 
moved South  without  Delay  to  a  convenient  place  where  they  may 

'  be 
carefully  watched  by  a  sufficient  Military  Force  and  where  good 
grazing  grounds  are  to  be  found  (This  should  have  proceeded  the 
foregoing  Apology) 

J.  S.  C— 

[CALHOUN   TO   LATZ '] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

May  8, 1851 
Sir, 

I  desire  you  to  see  Chacun  and  the  other  Indians  in  the  vicinity 
of  his  camp  and  inform  them  distinctly  that  they  must  leave  their 
present  place  of  abode  and  be  at  Anton  Chico  on  the  morning  of  the 
15  day  of  this  month  on  their  way  to  a  location  which  I  have  assigned 
them  at  least  two  days  travel  south  of  Anton  Chico 

If  in  obedience  to  this  order  they  depart  peaceably  and  willingly 
corn  will  be  given  them  at  Anton  Chico  on  the  15  or  16  of  this  month 
by  order  of  Col :  Munroe  when  they  have  received  their  corn  they 
must  immediately  depart  for  their  new  but  temporary  homes  and 
you  w'ill  say  to  them,  the  corn  is  to  feed  them  and  must  not  be  sold 
for  any  purpose  Avhatever 

Chacun  understands  the  necessity  of  this  order  but  it  is  well  to 
remind  him  of  his  promise  Avhich  and  all  of  the  Indians  in  the 
neighbourhood  are  required  to  observe,  they  must  not,  cannot  and 
shall  not  remain  wdiere  they  are  &  upon  their  immediate  compliance 

1  A.  G.  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  4,  pp.  124-125. 


352  CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

with  this  order  &  their  good  conduct  depend  the  gratuities  which  the 
Government  of  the  U.  S.  are  disposed  to  grant  them 
Respectfully 

Your  obt,  Servt, 

Signed,  James  S.  Calhoun 
Mr.  Latz 

San  Miguel — 

[Related  Correspondence.] 

[McLAWS  TO  ALEXANDER.i] 

Hd  Qes  :  9  Mil  :  Dept, 
Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

May  8,  1851. 

CCILONEL, 

I  enclose  herewith  by  direction  of  Colonel  Munroe  a  copy  of  a  communica- 
tion to  Mr  Latz  from  Govr.  Calhoun 

The  original  has  been  sent  to  Mr.  Latz  or  Lt.  Chapman,  who  is  supposed  to 
be  at  San  Miguel,  if  however  neither  Mr.  Latz  or  Lt.  Chapman  are  at  San 
Miguel  (&  the  Expressman  has  been  directed  to  euquire  &  to  inform  you)  Col. 
Munroe  directs  that  you  immediately  select  some  suitable  individual  to  com- 
municate with  the  Apaches  aud  inform  them  of  the  purport  of  the  enclosed  copy 
of  a  Letter  to  Mr.  Latz  above  referred  to— 
Respectfully 

Your  obt.  Servt. 

L  McLaws 
Lt  7  Infy  &  A  A  A  Genl 
Col :  E.  B.  Alexandi: R 
Commanding 
Las  Vegas 

[MUNROE   TO   CALHOUN.-] 

Head  Quarters  9th.  Mil  Dept. 

Santa  Fe%  24  May  1851. 
Shi, 

I  duly  received  your  letter  of  the  23d.  inst.  requesting  that  the 
room  now  occupied  by  the  Asst.  Adjt.  Genl.  may  be  vacated  for  the 
use  of  the  Legislature  at  its  coming  session.  The  removal  of  the 
office  at  this  time  would  be  specially  inconvenipnt  and  I  regret  that 
I  cannot  accede  to  your  request. 

I  would  also  recur  to  my  having  already  given  up  for  the  use  of 
the  Executive  of  the  Territory,  all  of  the  building  at  present  habit 
able,  except  this  room,  with  the  understanding  with  your  excellency 
that  the  portion  transferred  was  suiRcient — and  that  this  arrange- 
ment would  continue  until  the  Executive  of  the  U.  S.  or  other  com- 

1  A.  G.  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  4,  p.  12.5. 

2  Ibid,  p.  139. 


COERESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  353 

petent  authority  directed  what  disposition  should  be  made  of  the 
building — whether  for  Territorial  or  other  purposes, 
I  am 

Very  respectfully 

Your  obd.  Servt. 

(sd)  John  Munroe. 

His  Excellency 

Gov.  Calhoun 
Terr.  N.  Mex^ 

[CALHOUN   TO   LEA.'] 

No.  5. 

ExECLTivE  Department 

Santa  Fe',  New  Mexico 

Maij  28th  1851. 
Sir, 

Your  two  letters  of  the  27th  of  March  last,  were  received  on  the 
24th  inst.  In  reference  to  the  one  acknowledging  the  receipt  of  my 
accounts  for  the  quarter  ending  30th  September  1850,  allow  me  to  re- 
mind you,  although  I  am  no  longer  recognized  as  an  Indian  Agent, 
I  am  compelled  to  discharge  the  duties  of  that  officer,  and,  until  I 
am  releived  from  that  duty  by  the  arrival  of  an  Indian  Agent,  I  think 
I  ought  to  be  sustained  by  some  provision,  which,  I  presume,  it  is 
competent  for  the  Department  to  grant,  under  the  peculiar  and  highly 
delicate  position  in  which  I  have  been  placed — To  prevent  terrible 
outbreaks  by  the  Indians  of  the  Territory  has  required  all  the  in- 
genuity and  means  that  I  could  command — To  have  done  less,  in  my 
opinion,  would  have  been  productive,  or  rather,  permissory  of  hor- 
rible butcheries  and  devastations,  that  have  been  avoided,  and  which 

States, 
would  have  been  disreputable  to  the  Government  of  the  United 
and  a  disgrace  to  your  Indian  Agent  in  this  Territory;  and,  hence, 
the  responsibility  which  he  has  assumed,  and  which  too,  if  our  In- 
dian affairs,  in  this  Territory,  are  properly  understood  at  Washing- 
ton, will  not,  and  can  not  be  disapproved—  I  have  notice  this  morn- 
ing, that  a  number  of  Comanches  and  Apaches  will  be  here  on  to- 
morrow, or  the  next  day,  to  confer  with  me  in  relation  to  their  future 
localities,  and  the  purposes  of  the  United  States  towards  them — and 
it  is  extremely  unfortunate  that  I  am  without  instructions  or  means 
to  accomplish  any  permanent  good— Must  I,  therefore,  do  nothing? 
I  should  regard  myself  as  an  unfaithful  servant  if  I  did  not  attempt 
to  conciliate  them  until    the    pleasure  of    the    Government    is    an- 

1  O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  N   123. 
5021—15 23 


354  COKKESPONDENCE   OE    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN". 

noimcecl —  This  course  is  reeymmended  to  me  by  tke  considerations 
of  humanity,  not  to  the  Indians  only,  but  also,  our  own  people —  It 
will  prevent  some  murders  and  depredations —  Under  such  cir- 
cumstances, ought  I  to  assume  proper  responsibilities  to  avoid  the 
calamities  alluded  to,  and  preserve,  if  possible  their  tranquility  until 
the  Government  is  ready  to  speak?     I  think  so,  and  humanity,  as 

good 
well  as  the  repute  of  the  United  States,  will  approve  mj  as- 

sumptions—  What  auditors  may  do,  I  can  not  tell,  but  suggest, 
that  those  who  are  invested  with  discretionary  power  should,  on  some 
occasions,  interfere  to  prevent  the  sacrifice  of  a  faithful  public  officer; 
and  in  that  light.  /  regard  mj'self.  We  are  yet  quite  ignorant  of  the 
laws  passed  by  the  last  Session  of  Congress,  and  if  we  had  the  laws 
regulating  trade  and  intercourse,  with  the  Indians  of  this  Territory, 
if  amended  as  I  have  heretofore  recommended,  they  would  materially 
aid  us  in  preserving  our  quiet. 

I  shall  have  occasion  to  speak  to  3^ou  again,  in  reference  to  Indian 
matters^  before  the  departure  of  our  June  mail  for  the  States. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be. 

Your  obedient  Servant 

James  S.  Calhoun 
Hon.  L.  Lea, 

Comr.  of  Ind.  Affs. 

Washington  City,  B.C. 

[CALHOUN  TO  LEA.'] 

No.   6. 

EXECUTI^^)   DePART3IENT, 

Santa  Fe',  New  Mexico, 

May  28fh.  1851 
Sir. 

Your  letters  of  the  5th  and  12th  of  April  last  were  received  on  the 
24th  inst.  and  I  am  gTatified  at  the  appointment  of  four  Indian 
Agents  for  this  Territory — If  proper  laws  have  been  extended  over 
this  Territor}^,  and  the  means  are  authorized  to  locate  and  subsist  the 
Indians  for  a  short  period,  we  can  lay  the  foundations  of  a  quietude 
unknown  to  the  people  of  New  Mexico.  I  am  acquainted  with  two 
of  the  Agents  appointed,  and  judging  from  their  well  established 
characters,  I  doubt  not,  the  four  will,  indeed,  "  prove  valuable  and 
efficient  aids  in  the  administration  of  Indian  Affairs  in  this  Superin- 
tendency."  These  Agents,  so  much  needed,  have  not  yet  arrived,  nor 
am  I  advised  when  to  expect  them.  If  present,  they  could  materially 
aid  in  preserving  the  public  quiet — In  another  point  of  view,  their 

iQ.  I.  a.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  N  122. 


COKEESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES    S.    CALHOUN.  355 

presence  is  of  less  consequence,  at  this  moment,  because  I  do  not  think 
it  probable  there  will  be  a  very  early  movement  of  troops  against 
Indians.  But  it  is  important  to  locate  them,  and  to  have  them 
directly  under  the  care  of  Agents,  who  should  be  sustained  by  a  suit- 
able military  force. 

In  the  absence  of  all  knoAvledge  as  to  the  legislation  of  Congress 
during  its  last  Session,  and  without  specific  instructions  from  the 
Department,  when  the  time  arrives,  I  shall  exercise  the  discretion 
vested  in  me  by  your  two  letters  of  the  5th  &  12th  of  April  last ;  and 
I  beg  to  assure  you,  nothing  shall  be  wanting,  on  my  part,  to  secure 
the  harmony  expected,  and  to  give  effect  to  the  wishes  of  the  Govern- 
ment in  the  conduct  of  Indian  Affairs  within  this  Superintendency, 
With  great  respect, 
I  am, 

Your  obedient  Servant, 

James  S.  Calhoun 
Hon.  L.  Lea 

Commissioner  die.  &c. 

W ashington  City, 
D.  C. 

[CALHOUN  TO   LEA.^] 

No.  7. 

Executive  Department 

Sante  Fe'  Neav  Mexico 

June  1, 1851. 
Sir, 

I  desired,  in  this  number  to  have  given  you  particulars  in  relation 
to  Apaches,  Comanches,  Navajos,  and  Utahs,  but  have  not  time,  as 
the  mail  is  now  closing — Three  days  ago,  a  Comanche  deputation 
came  to  me,  and  on  the  second  night,  disappeared,  leaving  all  of  their 
animals  and  property  behind — This  was  caused  by  representations 
made  to  them  by  persons  who  are  averse  to  all  order,  by  stating  to 
them  I  was  only  waiting  a  favorable  moment  to  have  them  mur- 
dered— This  I  learned  from  one  of  the  Indians,  brought  to  me  by  one 
my  agents  who  went  in  pursuit — carrying  with  him  their  entire 
property  for  the  purpose  of  restoring  it — 

Respectfully  James  S.  Calhoun 

Hon.  L.  Lea, 

Comr.  &c. 

Washington  City 
D.  C. 

10.  I.  a.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  N  124. 


356  CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[Related  Correspondence.] 

[McLAWS  TO   CHANDLER.i] 

Head  Qrs.  9th.  Mil  Dept. 
Santa  Fe\  N.  M.  June  10  51. 
Colonel. 

I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  Communica- 
tion of  the  2d.  inst  reporting  the  information  you  had  received  con- 
cerning the  movements  of  the  Navajoes — In  regard  to  the  few  families 
of  that  tribe  who  have  expressed  a  desire  to  join  the  friendly  Xava- 
joes  in  the  vicinity  of  Cibolletta,  Col.  Munroe  directs  me  to  inform 
you  that  he  has  consulted  with  Governor  Calhoun  on  the  subject,, 
and  that  both  are  desirous  that  such  should  happen  that  a  com- 
mencement be  made  separating  those  who  are  desirous  of  remaining 
peaceable  from  the  others.  Those  families  will  be  authorised  to 
settle  near  Cibbolletta  as  you  proposed. 
With  much  respect 

L  ]\IcLaws 
1  Lt  7  Infy 
AAA  Genl 
Colonel  D.  F  Chandler 
Commdg. 

Cibolletta 

[CALHOUN   TO   CHAPMAN.^'] 

Executive  Departiment 
Santa  Fe',  N  M.  June  9th  1851 
Sir, 

I  have  employed  Don  Xicolass  Prada,  J  Ant.  Margues,  Carlos  Vigil 
and  Juan  Ant.  Vigil  to  take  charge  of  the  property  left  by  the 
Cumanches  in  their  recent  flight  from  this  City,  and  I  have  to  request 
you  to  deliver  the  same  to  the  individuals  above  named  and  to  take 
their  receipt  for  the  property.  They  are  directed  to  proceed  with 
all  convenient  dispatch  to  the  Cumanche  Country,  and  to  deliver  to 
the  Indians  the  property. 

I  have  to  thank  you  for  the  Aid  you  have  already  afforded  me  in 
this  matter  and  beg  you  to  forward  to  me  the  receipt  alluded  to 
above,  with  such  observations  in  relation  to  the  past  and  the  future, 
as  may  occur  to  you 

I  have  the  honor  to  be 
Your  obd.  Servt. 

(signed)  J.  S.  Calhoun. 

Lt.  O.  Chapman 

U.S.  A 

Anton  Chico 
N  M. 

1  A.  G.  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  4,  pp.  168-169.  *  Ibid,  p.  163. 


COERESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  357 

[BEAUBIEN  TO   CALHOUN.'] 

D.  Fernando  de  Taos 

June  11^  1851. 
To  his  Excellenc}^ 

Govr.  James  S.  Calhoun 
Sir, 

I  hope  I  shall  not  be  considered  as  too  presuming  in  the  communi- 
cation of  information  I  am  about  to  make  to  you.  I  have  been  an 
inhabitant  of  the  Territory  and  the  Valley  of  Taos  in  particular  for 
many  years  and  believe  that  I  understand  the  native  Mexican  well. 

There  have  been  indications  within  the  last  few  weeks  sufficient 
to  convince  me  that  a  rebellion  against  the  constituted  United  States 

tern 
authorities  is  in  con       plation  among  the  Lower  class  of  the  inhabit- 
ants of  the  country  of  Taos;  Every  Effort  has  been  made  to  excite 
the  mass  by  which  I  mean  the  Vagabond  and  unoccupied  part  of  the 
population  against  the  Americans 

From  information  I  have  had  from  reliable  sources  secret  meet- 
ings have  held  under  various  pretences  for  the  purpose  of  organizing 
an  insurrection  its  object  the  extermination  of  the  Americans  and 
the  Kobbery  of  their  Property. 

Every  report  false  or  true  in  regard  to  the  Proceedings  of  the 
existing  Government  and  citizens  of  the  United  States  has  been  put 
in  circulation  to  unite  the  Peoi)le  Iieic. 

Superstition  has  been  appealed  to  and  the  present  bad  season  for 
the  cultivation  of  the  soil  has  been  attributed  to  the  curse  of  Ameri- 
can Domination.  The  Jourse  {sic)  the  individual  incentive  of  these 
excitement  it  is  hard  to  discover  but  such  sinister  excitement  is  on 
foot 

I  am  aware  that  such  an  excitement  insurrection  if  raised  would  re- 
sult in  the  masacre  of  the  isolated  Americans  and  foreigners  in  this 
part  of  the  Territor}^  that  the  retributive  justice  that  would  follow 
Avould  be  the  extermination  of  the  Insurgents.  But  this  it  appears 
to  me  should  be  an  event  much  to  be  deplored  &  that  it  should  by 
timely  and  prudent  measures  be  avoided. 

In  connexion  with  our  entire  want  of  confidence  and  absolute  sus- 
picion of  the  intentions  of  the  ^Mexicans  and  Pueblos  around  us  we 
have  in  addition  the  Apaches  Jicarillas  within  a  few  miles  of  D. 
Fernandez  some  two  or  three  hundred  strong  who  daily  obtain  whis- 
kev  of  the  Mexicans  in  the  ranches  or  elsewhere  &  insult  all  Ameri- 
cans whom  they  find  alone  &  defenceless.  The  owners  &  operators 
of  the  mills  of  Messrs  St.  Vrain  &  C°  in  the  Valley  of  the  Eio  Grande 
some  seven  miles  from  this  place  have  been  within  a  day  or  two  past 
threatened  with  masacre  by  drunken  Jicarrillas. 

1  a.  G.  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  4,  pp.  172-174  ;  B.  I.  A.,  M.  L.,  June,  1851. 


300  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES    S.    CALHOUJN. 

The  Yutas  are  in  force  at  Valley  of  La  Costillo  some  forty  or  fifty 
miles  from  here  and  when  visiting  the  settlements  or  rancheos  are 
insolent  and  provocative  and  its  reported  have  killed  a  citizen — the 
report  wants  confirmation — but  it  is  true  that  the  Yutas  have  held 
council  of  a  secret  nature  with  the  Pueblos  of  Taos 

Being  thus  surrounded  by  well  found  apprehensions  of  Danger  on 
every  side — no  confidence  in  the  Mexican  Population  less  in  the  Yutas 
and  Jicarrillas  now  among  us  by  treaty  &  the  passes  and  safe  guard 
of  military  officers  and  believing  from  all  that  we  can  see  that  these 
Indians  are  tampered  with  by  Mexicans  to  effect  our  destruction  if  in 
their  power  we  belieA^e  the  Infantry  Force  at  present  in  the  Valley 
of  Taos  inadequate  for  its  protection  or  defence  against  both  secret 
and  open  enemies — I  therefore  respectfully  suggest  that  the  Com- 
mander of  the  Department  be  requested  by  Your  Excellency,  to  send 
us  a  company  of  Artillery  or  other  mounted  Troops  I  fully  believe 
that  the  moral  effect  of  such  additional  force  would  be  quell  insurrec- 
tionally  feeling  &  under  proper  directions  from  your  Excellency 
compel  the  Yutas  &  Jicarrillas  to  retire  at  a  sufficient  distaucp.  to  rid 
us  of  their  molestations. 

With  sentiments  of  the  highest  respects  and  esteem 
Your  obt.  Servant 

(Signed)  Charles  Beaubien  ^ 

[Related  Correspondence.] 

[munroe  to  JONES.^] 

Hd.  Qrs.  9  Mil:  Dept. 

Santa  Fe  Ni:\v  Mexico 

Jniir  30,   IS51. 
See  report  Book  SiR. 
P^si"^^-  J  enclose  herewitli  a  co])y  of  ;i  Letter  fi-om  Govr.  Callioiin  to 

myself  of  the  14t]a  with  one  to  him  from  Charles  Beaubien  a  citi- 

circuit 
zen  of  the  County  of  Taos  formerly  one  of  the  Judges  of 

this  Okeuit  Court  Territory  informing  the  Governor  that  from 
indications  in  the  Valley  of  Taos,  he  was  convinced  that  a  rebellion 
against  the  constituted  United  States  authorities  was  in  contem- 
plation among  the  lower  classes  of  luhabitants.  and  if  commenced, 
those  people  would  be  assisted  by  the  Jicarilla  Apaches  and  Yutas. 
Spec.  Order  No.  Acting  upon  the  information  given  by  Judge  Beaubien  and  upon 
''     '  '  consultation  with  Govr.  Calhoun  1  organized  a  force  from  the  two 

artillery  companies  stationed  here,  of  one  subaltern  &  sixty  rank 
vt  File  with  two  twelve  ])ound  Howitzers  and  placed  it  under 
command  of  Bvt.  Major  H.  L.  Kendriclv  2d  Arty  who  left  here  on 
the  lijth  with  orders  to  ])roceed  &  take  command  of  the  Post  of 
Taos  and  on  his  arrival  to  enquire  fully  into  all  the  circumstances 
connected  with  the  contemplated  rebellion  and  report  his  views  on 
the  subject. 


1  For  comment  upon  this  communication,  see  related  correspondence. 
"  A.  G.  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  4,  pp.  193-194. 


COEEESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  359 

With  regard  to  the  remark  in  Judge  Beaubieu's  Letter  that  the 
Yiitas  and  Jicarilla  Apaches  were  among  them  by  treaty  and 
passes  &  safeguards  of  Military  Officers — I  beg  leave  to  assert  that 
he  is  entirely  under  a  niisapiirehension  on  that  I'oint 

By  the  treaty  made  with  the  Jicarilla  Apaches  they  are  re- 
quired to  keep  beyond  all  settlements,  it  is  true,  they  have  not 
complied  with  it  in  that  particular  but  the  policy  of  allowing  a 
non  compliance  with  it  on  their  part,  does  not  rest  with  the  Army 

I  think  it  is  shown  by  my  Letter  to  you  of  the  31st.  Ulto.  and  Page  157. 
correspondence  enclosed,  that  the  Troops  under  my  command  have 
been  in  position  &  in  force  sufficient  «&  had  opportunities  &  no 
doubt  were  willing  to  chastise  &  expel  the  Apaches  if  such  had 
been  required  by  the  Executive  of  this  Territory  but  as  it  is  be- 
lieved and  as  the  Indians  themselves  have  asserted  that  if  they 
are  driven  out  of  the  settlements  it  will  be  necessary  either  for 
them  to  recommence  their  old  system  of  depredations  or  to  starve 
and  as  up  to  the  present  time,  they  have  not  committed  depreda- 
tions and  have  seemed  inclined  to  provide  and  have  been  provid- 
ing for  their  wants  by  following  peaceful  pursuits  it  was  thought 
best  to  let  them  roam  about  unmolested  provided  they  kept  peace- 
able until  some  definite  instructions  were  received  as  to  thei? 
final  disposition  to  be  made  of  them  by  the  Government,  acting 
upon  that  principale  which  was  the  course  advised  by  the  Gov- 
ernor as  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs;  The  officers  who  were 
in  position  to  watch  over  the  movement  of  the  Indians  were 
instructed  accordingly — see  enclosed  Copy  No  3.  of  a  Letter  to  Page  165. 
Captain  Ewell — 

I  have  no  information  nor  do  I  believe  that  any  pass  or  safe- 
guard to  any  Indians  has  been  granted  by  any  officer  except  such 
as  was  aflorded  on  one  occasion  by  an  Escort  of  Dragoons  which 
was  sent  from  Anton  Chico  with  a  delegation  of  Comanches  & 
returned  with  them — 

The  letter  of  Judge  Beaubien  will  show  the  peculiar  position 
of  the  Arn)y  in  this  country  while  the  officers  and  men  are  blamed 
for  affording  protection  to  the  inhabitants  from  the  incursions  of 
the  Indians.  The  inhabitants  themselves  are  in  league  with  those 
Ii'dians  countenancing  their  presence  and  furnishing  them  with 
Liquor  and  other  contraband  articles  which  renders  them  more 
troublesome  than  they  otherwise  would  he ;  thus  the  Army  has  a 
double  duty  to  perform,  not  only  to  give  protection  from  internal 
dissensions,  to  protect  one  class  of  the  inhabitants  from  the  other, 
but  from  Indian  Depredations  from  without. 

Since  writing  the  above  Major  Kendrick  has  reported  his  views     See     Report 
relative  to  the  condition  of  affairs  in  the  County  of  Taos  see  copy  f  ^g^^g^'tf *jjf^' 
enclosed  No.  4  in  which  as  you  will  perceive  he  asserts  that  he  Page  183. 
did  not  think  it  was  necessary  for  any  additional  force  to  remain 
in  that  quarter,  accordingly  he  was  directed  to  return  with  his 
command  to  this  Place  &  arrived  on  the  28  Inst 
Most  Kespectfully.  Your  obt.  Servt. 

Sgd.  John  Munroe  Maj.  2d  Arty. 

Bvt.  Col.  USA 

Maj.  Genl.  R.  Jokes 

Adjutant  Genl.  USA 


360  COERESPONDENCE    OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[MoLAWS  TO  GORDON.i] 

Hd.  Qrs.  9  Mil.  Dept. 
Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

June  2Ji,  1S51. 
Majoe, 

I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  communication  of  the 
21st  (which  should  have  been  sent  through  the  Comd'g  Officer  of  the  Post) 
giving  it  as  your  opinion  that  all  the  excitement  gotton  up  in  Taos  originated 
through  political  feeling  &  stating  that  the  movement  of  the  section  of  artillery 
upon  that  place  would  operate  unfavorably  upon  your  character  with  the  people 
in  as  much  as  it  will  be  reported  that  you  had  asked  for  reinforcement  when 
on  the  contrary  you  considered  yourself  sufficiently  strong  to  hold  your  position 
until  the  Comdr.  of  the  Department  had  been  notified  in  the  event  of  an  out- 
break— also  stating  that  your  position  was  partially  compromised  as  it  is 
known  that  you  are  relieved  from  your  command  &  therefore  but  little  confi- 

in  your  regard 
dence  can  be  placed   in  your  regard  by  the  inhabitants  for  their 

safety  when  threatened  wnth  danger  &  remarking  that  if  you  were  removed  to 
some  other  position  &  another  more  trustworthy  officer  sent  in  your  place  it 
would  possibly  secure  more  confidence  to  the  people. — 

To  which  Colonel  Munroe  directs  me  to  reply  By  the  enclosed  copy  of  a  com- 
munication from  Judge  Beaubien  to  Govi'.  Calhoun  which  was  sent  by  the  Govr. 

an 
to  Colonel  Munroe  you  will  perceive  that  (Judge  B.)  who  has  been  a-  inhabitant 
of  this  Territory  &  particularly  of  the  Valley  of  Taos  for  many  years  &  who 
has  occupied  high  &  responsible  positions  under  the  Government  where  he  has 
had  every  opportunity  of  Judging  &  who  therefore  understands  the  character  of 
the  Mexican  &  whose  views  therefore  eetjtle  in  regard  to  them  are  entitled  to 
the  highest  consideration  says  that  there  was  in  contemplation  a  rebellion 
against  the  constituted  authorities  of  the  U.  S.  by  the  lower  class  of  the  in- 
habitants of  the  County  of  Taos. 

that  he  feared  if  the  rebellion  commenced  the  people  would  be  assisted  in 
their  acts  of  violence  by  the  Jicarilla  Apaches  &  by  the  Yutas  who  were  at 
that  time  within  a  short  distance  of  Taos — and  that  therefore  (he)  speaking 
for  tha  Americans  &  respectable  citizens  did  not  think  one  company  of  Infantry 
a  force  adequate  for  the  protection  of  the  Valley  of  Taos  against  both  secret 
&  open  enemies. 

Governor  Calhoun  in  his  Letter  to  Colonel  Munroe  remarked  that  it  would 
require  the  utmost  Vigilance  to  prevent  an  outbreak  &  requested  that  an  addi- 
tional force  with  some  artillery  should  be  sent  to  the  Valley  of  Taos  in  order 
by  its  presence  not  only  to  overcome  those  who  intended  a  rebellion  but  to 
reassure  those  who  feared  one. 

Under  those  circumstances  a  force  of  one  Subaltern  «&  sixty  rank  &  file  with 
two  pieces  of  ordnance  was  organized  here  &  sent  to  Taos  under  Major 
Kendrick  who  was  ordered  to  assume  command  of  the  Post  because  ha  was 
senior  to  you ;  there  was  no  other  one  to  send  from  here  who  had  a  right  to 
command  such  a  force  of  Arty  except  Col.  Brooks  and  if  he  had  been  sent  the 
same  result  would  have  followed. 

From  the  above  remarks  &  from  the  Letter  of  Judge  Beaubien  you  will  per- 
ceive that  the  Arty  force  was  sent  to  Taos  upon  the  representations  &  urgent 
request  of  one    (Judge  B)    of  the  most  responsible   men   in   that   section   of 

lA.  G.  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  4,  pp.  183-185. 


COERESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  361 

Country;  &  by  tlie  desire  of  the  Governor  of  this  Territory— That  the  main 
object  was  to  prevent  an  outbreali. 

In  conclusion  Col :  Munroe  desires  rue  to  assure  you  that  never  for  a  moment 
was  it  thought  that  your  position  would  be  compromised  by  sending  an  addi- 
tional force  to  Taos  nor  does  he  believe  that  it  will  in  the  least  when  the 
matter  is  properly  understood ;  nor  did  he  by  relieving  you  from  Command 
intend  to  reflect  in  the  slightest  manner  on  your  trust-worthiness — You  were 
relieved  or  superseded  in  command  because  the  accident  of  rank  made  it  so — 
With  much  Respect 

Your  obt.  Servt. 

I;  McLaws 

1  Lt  7  Infy 
AAA  Genl 
Major  W.  H.  Gordon 

Comd'g  Co.  H  Sd  Infy 

Taos 

[CALHOUN   TO   MUNROE/] 

Executive  Department 
Santa  Fe',  N  Mex'\  June  H  1851. 
Sir, 

I  enclose  for  your  perusal  and  consideration  a  letter  -  from  Judge 
Beaubien,  received  last  night  at  9  o'clock. 

The  insurrectionary  and  rebellious  manifestations  to  which  he 
alludes,  are  in  my  opinion  a  part  of  the  mischievous  machinery,  to 
which  your  attention  was  called  by  me  in  a  confidential  note  dated 
June  10,  1851.  The  designs  of  a  few  persons  in  this  Territory  are 
too  evident  to  be  mistaken  and  I  doubt  not  you  will  agree  with  me 
in  opinion  that  it  will  require  the  utmost  vigilance  upon  the  part  of 
all  in  authority  in  this  Territory  to  prevent  the  outbreak  desired  by 
the  reckless. 
I  am, 

Your  obd.  Servt. 

(sd)  James  S.  Calhoun 

Col.  Munroe 

Commanding 

[CALHOUN   TO   WEBSTER.'] 

ExECUTTVE  Department 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

June  30th  1851 
Sir 

I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  communication 
of  the  21st  of  April  last,  informing  me  that  thirty  seven  copies  of 

lA.  G.  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  4,  p.  180. 
2  See  p.  357. 
8B.  I.  A.,  M.  L.,  June,  1851. 


the  Acts  of  the  Second  Session  of  the  thirty  first  Congress,  had  been 
forwarded  to  me,  and  the  receipt  of  said  copies  is  hereby  acknowl- 
edged, I  have  also  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of  the 
23rd  of  April  last  in  reference  to  my  correspondence  as  Governor 
and  your  instructions  will  be  observed 
I  am 

With  great  respect 

Your  obedient  Servant 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Hon 

Danl.  Wkbster 

Secretary  of  State 

Washington  City 

D.  C. 

I  CALHOUN   TO  WEBSTEB/] 

Executive  Departjment 

Santa  Fe,  Neav  Mexico 

June  30th  1851 
Sir 

It  is  my  duty  to  advise  you  in  relation,  to  the  condition  of  affairs 
in  this  Territory  and  I  will  do  so  as  briefly  as  possible 

My  correspondence  with  the  Hon  Secretary  of  the  Interior  during 
A.pril  and  May  last  will  show  that  the  quiet  of  this  Territory  was 
menaced  Since  then  every  element  of  discord  has  been  called,  into 
requisition  to  disaffect  the  Pueblo  Indians  and  others  I  mentioned 
in  April  last  on  the  authority  of  Indians  that  certain  persons  had 
tampered  with  the  Pueblo  of,  San  Dia.  During  the  present  month, 
delegations  from  the  Pueblos,  of  Taos,  San  Juan,  Santa  Clara,  San 
Hilafonso,  Tesuque  Nambe,  Cochito,  Santa  Domingo,  Cia,  Santa 
Anna  San  Felipe,  and  Sandia,  have  visited  me  in  highly  excited 
State  of  mind,  and  without  being  able  or  willing,  to  give  names  they 
confirmed  the  fact,  that  individuals  connected  with  a  faction  de- 
feated at  a  recent  Territorial  election,  had  continued  to  put  in  circu- 
lation among  them  reports  to  the  effect,  tliey  were  to  be  driven  from 
their  Pueblos,  and  their  lands  and  property  taken  from  them 

About  the  same  time  copies  of  the  paper  marked  A.  abounding  in 
positive  falsehoods,  and  excedingly  inflamatory,  were  circulated 
throughout  the  Territory,  both  in  English  and  Spanish,  this,  you 
will  perceive,  is  the  act  of  a  defeated  faction,  and  among  the  signers 
you  will  discover  the  name  of  A.  W.  Reynolds,  assistant  quarter 
master  in  this  place,  with  the  rank  of  Captain  in  the  U.  S.  Army, 
the  paper  marked,  B.  was  deemed  necessary  to  allay  the  excitement 


1  B.  I.  A.,  M.  L.,  June,  1851.     Transcribed  from  copy,  original  not  on  file.     The  signa- 
ture,  however,   is  Calhoun's  own. 


COERESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  363 

and  has  attached  to  it  thirty  members  of  the  Legislature,  and  one 
who  would  have  signed  it  in  consequence  of  indisposition,  was  ab- 
sent, there  are  the  names  of  six  members,  on  the  first  paper,  and  two 
absent,  of  the  members  of  the  council  there  are  twelve  who  consti- 
tute the  majority,  and  one  in  the  minority,  and  in  the  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives nineteen  to  seven.  While  the  merits  of  the  two  papers 
were  being  discussed  the  copy  of  a  letter  marked,  C.  from,  Hon. 
Charles  Bewbien,  late  a  Judge  in  this  Territory,  was  received,  then 
folloAved  a  letter  addressed  to  me  by  the  Probate  Judge  of  Taos 
county  enclosing  a  copy  of  the  paper  marked,  D.  the  persons  named 
in  this  Copy  are  of  the  same  class,  you  will  notice  the  name  of  Rey- 
nolds again,  but  I  do  not  vouch  that  there  was  authority  for  its  use, 
this  is  known  however,  he  has  been  canvassing  a  great  portion  of 
the  Territory  as  Candidate  for  Delegate  to  Congress,  and  a  portion 
of  the  party,  call  it  the  Reynolds  party,  the  letter  from  Judge  Bew- 
bien was  laid  before  Col.  Munroe,  who  promptly  ordered  a  company 
of  Artillery  to  Taos.  Reports  during  this  time,  were  fabricated  and 
put  in  circulation  of  collisions,  the  destruction  of  property,  and  the 
approach  of  Wild  Indians,  and  for  several  days  the  public  mind  was 
in  a  very  fevered  condition.  Fortunately,  the  Pueblos  after  being 
in  council,  at  this  Superintendency,  for  near  three  days  became  thor- 
oughly satisfied,  brought  to  me  their  report  written  by  the  Governor 
of  Sandia,  and  which  report,  I  transmit  to  the  Commissioner  of 
Indian  affairs  by  the  mail  of  to  morrow  Maj.  Kendrick,  who  had 
c;ommand  of  the  troops  sent  to  Taos,  returned  on  the  28th  inst  and 
reports  every  thing  quiet,  but  is  under  the  impression  that  the  ques- 
tion as  to  an  outbreak  had  been  agitated,  the  Civil  officers  of  the 
Territory  advise  me  that,  tranquility  reigns  in  every  direction,  dis- 
turbed only  by  the  incursions  of  the  Navajoes 

In  this  connection,  it  may  not  be  improper  to  state,  I  had  an  agree- 
ment to  meet  at  Anton  Chico  on  16th  of  May  last,  the  Head  Chief  of 
the  Apaches  East  of  the  Rio  del  Norte,  for  the  purpose  of  giving  them 
some  corn 

Cumanche  Indians  arrived  at  that  place  on  the  12th  of  the  month, 
but  two  days  before  I  arrived  they  suddenly  left,  and  I  subsequently 
learned  from  the  Cumanches,  some  Mexicans  had  told  them  we  in- 
tended to  kill  them  all  so  soon  as  I  arrived.  A  Cumanche  deputation 
come  to  this  place  on  the  28th  ult.  held  a  long  talk  with  them  on  the 
29th,  which  appeared  to  give  them  entire  satisfaction,  bought  from 
them  a  captive  boy,  and  between  twelve  and  one  Oclock,  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  30th  ult  they  left  their  lodgings,  leaving  behind  them  all 
of  their  animals,  arms,  and  other  property,  which  I  have  had  re- 
turned to  them,  one  of  the  Indians  aged  and  wanting  in  physical 
strength,  was  left  in  the  rear,  and  was  overtaken  by  one  my  agents 
Avith   whom  he   returned.     He  stated   that  some  person  or  persons 


364  COREESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

had  called  out  their  cheifs,  about  12  Oclock  at  night  and  informed 
him  that  it  was  my  intention  to  have  them  killed  next  morning,  the 
the  foregoing  sketch  will  show  the  obstacles  in  point,  which  I 
have  to  encounter  as  Governor  of  this  Territory,  two  of  the  Judges 
Mower  and  Watts  arrived  on  the  26th  inst,  and  will  remedy  some  of 
the  difficulties,  that  I  have  had  to  encounter  heretofore.  Mr.  Allen, 
Secretary  of  the  Territory,  has  not  arrived,  and  his  absence  embar- 
rasses us,  (as  the)  as  the  Legislature  is  in  session,  and  we  have  no 
instructions  in  relation  to  expenditures 

On  the  25th  of  the  month  the  Navajoes  entered  the  Pueblo  of 
Isletta,  and  drove  off  a  large  number  of  animals,  Isletta  is  an  Indian 
Pueblo  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Rio  del  Norte,  in  the  midst  of  a  heavy 
population,  about  twelve  miles  south  of  the  Military  post  of  Albu- 
querque,— during  the  past  year  the  Navajoes  have  been  more  success- 
full  in  their  depredations  than  at  any  former  period — these  outrages 
should  be  stoped  on  the  29th  and  31st  of  May  last  upon  this  point  I 
addressed  to  the  Hon  A.  H.  H.  Stewart  Secretary  of  the  Interior,  a 
conimunication — in  the  last  letter  I  say  "  We  need  munitions  of  war, 
and  authority  to  call  out  the  militia  to  preserve  internal  quiet  and  to 
repel  aggressions  at  Points  tchich  cannot  he  supported  hy  the  troops 
of  the  Vnited  States  d^c.  &cP  May  not  this  be  yielded  to  us,  and  the 
means  to  support  and  pay  troops.  I  do  hope  the  tv/o  letters  just 
alluded  to  have  had  consideration,  the  wild  Indians  must  be  subdued 
and  the  means  to  prevent  insurrection  rebellion  and  to  rebuke  treason 
should  be  in  some  ones  hands  in  this  Territory  the  Judiciary  cannot 
at  all  times  ferret  out  the  dark  doings  of  traitors,  and  such  People 
are  here  and  money  is  more  potent  in  bringing  to  light  treasonable 
designs 

Facts  are  before  you,  and  that  a  remedy  is  necessary,  you  will  not 
doubt,  and  if  there  is  authority  to  apply  it.  I  am  confident  it  will  be 
at  an  early  moment 
I,  am 

With  great  respect 

Your  Obedient  Servant 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Hon 

Danl.  Webster 

Secretary  of  State 

Washington  City  D.  C, 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  365 

[CALHOUN   TO   LEA/] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe  New  IMexico 

June  30th  1851 
Sir 

At  the  request  of  the  Lacomes,  whose  claim  was  left  you  by  the 
Hon.  W.  S  Messervy  I  pray  to  enquire  concerning  said  claim,  and 
the  probability  of  its  payment 

I  take  occasion  to  suggest  that  unless  a  proper  system  is  adopted 
unjust  demands  will  be  admitted  and  paid.  All  the  testimony  in  ref- 
erence to  claims  for  Indian  depredations  should  be  taken  before 
Indian  Agents,  and  the  Superintendent,  and  perhaps  forwarded  only 
by  the  Superintendent,  there  are  persons  now  engaged  in  preparing 
such  claims  whose  intrests  will  be  advanced  by  increasing  their 
amounts,  and  witnesses  are  easily  obtained 

This  is  deemed  sufficient  to  put  you  on  your  guard 
I  am 

With  great  respect 

Your  Obedient  Servant 


J.  S.  Calhoun 


Hon 

L.  Lea 

Comr  of  Indn  Affs 
Washington  City 
D.  C. 

[CALHOUN   TO   LEA.'] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

June  30,  1851. 
Sir, 

I  have  not  been  without  pressing  duties  before  me  since  I  have  been 
in  this  Territory.  Night  after  night  have  I  been  compelled  to  be  at 
my  desk,  or  on  watch — the  entire  night — I  need  some  respite,  a  little 
relaxation,  and  if  there  are  no  disorders  at  the  time,  I  should  be 
pleased  to  be  permitted  to  visit  Washington  City,  and  my  native 
State  Georgia,  during  the  ensuing  fall.  Might  I  not  render  good 
service  in  taking  to  Washington  Indians  of  this  Territory  ?     I  think 

1  O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy,  N  127. 

a  O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy,  N  128 ;  B.  I.  A.,  M.  L.,  June,  1851.  From  the  duplicate 
sent  to  the  State  Department,  the  reference  to  the  Indians  was  omitted  by  Calhoun. 


S66  COREESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

SO.     I  do  not  desire  to  leave,  and  will  not  go  hence,  pending  dis- 
quietudes— and  I  pray  to  hear  from  you  by  return  mail. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be. 

Your  Obedient  Servant 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Hon.  L.  Lea 

Comr.  of  Ind.  Afs. 
Washington  City 
D.C. 

[CALHOUN   TO   FILLMORE.'] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

June  30th.  1851. 
Sir, 

The  enclosed  memorial  was  handed  to  me,  with  a  request,  to  for- 
ward it  to  you.  It  is  signed  by  members  of  the  Legislature  only. 
I  have  not  read  it,  but  I  am  not  ignorant  in  relation  to  the  subject, 
and  some  remedial  measures  are  absolutely  due  to  the  people  of  this 
Territor3^  The  signers  are  among  the  very  best  citizens  of  the  Terri- 
tory, firm  adherents  to  the  Government  of  the  United  States^  and 
every  way  reliable. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be 

Your  obedient  Servant 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
His  Excellency 

Millard  Fillmore 

President  of  the  United  States 
Washington  City 
D.  C. 

[Inclosure.] 

Eefd.  for  answer  to  Secy,  of  War 
Augt.  14.  '     M  F 

Santa  Fe  Territory  of  New  Mexico 

June  SO.  1851. 
House  of  Representatives  and  Council  Charriber  of  Said  Territory 
To  Hon  Millard  Fillmore 

President  of  the  United  States — 
The  undersigned  Members  of  the  Council  and  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives of  said  Territory  now  convened  would  most  respectfully 
represent  to  your  Excellency,  that  they  have  been  lately  advised  of 
Indian  inroads  upon  the  property  and  persons  of  the  Territory  which 
demand  as  it  seems  to  the  undersigned  the  prompt  and  efficient  action 

1  A.  G.  O.,  Files,  N  44  of  1851. 


COEEESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  367 

of  the  Government  of  the  United  States.  Some  few  days  since  a 
party  of  Navajoes  made  a  descent  upon  the  Pueblo  of  Isletta  one  of 
the  numerous  viUages  upon  the  Eio  Grande  and  drove  off  a  hirge 
number  of  animals,  successfully  completing  the  robbery  and  escaping 
a  rescue,  while  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  regular  army  were 
quietly  reposing  in  quarters  at  Albuquerque  and  Socorro.  The  under- 
signed would  respectfully  suggest  to  your  Excellency,  that  the  mas- 
terly inactivity  of  the  Government  troops  does  not  afford  that  pro- 
tection from  foray  and  rapine  which  the  present  unhappy  and  dis- 
tracted state  of  this  Territory  imperatively  demands;  and  in  view  of 
these  facts  and  of  the  unguarded  situation  of  the  lives  and  property  of 
our  citizens  the  undersigned  respectfully  request  of  your  Excellency 

supplied 

First  That  sufficient  arms  and  munitions  of  war  be  f-ftynishcd  to 
the  Territory  to  equip  and  furnish  a  militia  and  volunteer  force  to  be 
raised  in  the  Territory^ — - 

Second,  That  ample  power  be  delegated  to  the  Executive  officer  of 
the  Territory  to  call  forth  the  Militia  and  to  offer  sufficient  induce- 
ments to  volunteer  corps  as  shall  command  ready  and  effectual  men 
at  arms,  at  the  precise  place  and  moment  of  invasion  or  insurrection 

Third,  That  these  Citizen  troops  when  so  levied  should  be  placed 
under  the  immediate  command  and  supervision  of  his  Excellency  the 
Governor  of  the  Territory  and  officers  to  be  by  him  appointed,  and 
subjected  to  no  other  control  but  that  of  the  Government  of  the 
United  States. 

Your  Excellency  will  permit  your  memorialists  to  urge  the  great  ne- 
cessity of  the  above  suggestions  and  petition  upon  your  consideration, 
inasmuch  as  the  experience  of  the  last  two  years  has  with  thei?  fright- 
ful and  appalling  events  of  murder  and  robbery  convinced  the  minds 
of  your  memorialists  and  their  constituency  of  the  utter  inefficacy 
of  the  regular  troops  to  save  and  protect  the  Territory  from  lawless 
savages  upon  our  frontiers  and  roaming  banditti  in  our  midst.  Whilst 
your   memorialists   cherish   the   highest   sentiments    of   regard    and 

&  soldiers 
esteem  for  the  brave  and  gallant  officers  stationed  among 

us,  they  cannot  but  intimate  to  your  Excellency  their  settled  convic- 

the 
tion  that  best  interests  of  our  constituents  and  the  Territory 

would  be  more  effectually  shielded  by  men  who  will  fight  for  their 
altars  and  their  firesides,  than  by  disciplined  troops  however  power- 
disposed 
ful  and  intrepid  who  seem  to  recline  upon  the  glory  of  past 

triumphs,  and  are  reluctant  to  tarnish  by  petty  skirmishes  with 
hordes  of  half  naked  savages,  or  scattered  bandits,  the  laurels  which 
they  have  so  freshly  won  upon  the  tented  field. 


368  CORRESPONDENCE    OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

Hoping  this  memorial  and  the  unfortunate  state  of  the  Territory 
will  meet  with  your  Excellency's  earliest  consideration  and  action 
We  have  the  honor  to  remain 

With  sentiments  of  resj)ect 

Your  Excellency's  Obt  Servts.^ 

[CALHOUN   TO   LEA."] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

Jime  30th  1851 
Sir. 

The  June  mailed  arrived  on  the  26th,  and  I  am  without  a  word 
from  the  Department.  I  do  not  think  this  ought  to  be  so.  I  am 
the  Governor  of  the  Territory,  the  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs, 
and  discharging  the  duties  of  an  Indian  Agent,  the  appointees  not 
having  arrived.  I  understand  they  are  on  the  plains,  and  may  be 
expected  during  the  ensuing  month. 

For  more  than  a  month  past  insurrection  and  treason  have  been 
rife.  You  are  aware,  if  I  mistake  not,  that  I  visited  Anton  Chico 
on  the  IGtli  of  last  month,  in  company  with  Col.  Munroe  and  others 
for  the  purpose  of  having  a  further  talk  with  the  Apaches  residing 
east  of  the  Eio  del  Norte,  and  of  distributing  among  them  some 
corn,  as  they  complained  of  being  in  a  starving  condition.  Several 
days  before  we  reached  Anton  Chico,  a  Cumanche  delegation  arrived, 
and  resolved  to  await  my  arrival.  On  the  14th,  two  daj^s  anterior 
to  our  arrival,  the  Indians  departed  in  great  haste.  Subsequent  en- 
quiries brought  to  light  the  fact,  that  they  were  frightened  off  by 
infamous  individuals,  who  stated  to  them  the  Americans  were  gather- 
ing for  the  purpose  of  murdering  all  the  Indians  we  could  find.  Not 
an  Indian  was  seen,  nor  could  I  ascertain  who  put  in  circulation  the 
report.  Messengers  (runners)  were  sent  in  the  direction  of  the 
Bosque  Redondo,  who  fell  in  with  the  Cumanches,  who  came  to  this 
Superintendency  on  the  28th  of  May.  During  the  ensuing  day  we 
had  a  long  talk,  in  the  presence  of  Col.  Munroe,  and  a  number  of 
other  persons.  During  the  afternoon,  the  Cheif  Eagle  Feathers, 
visited  me  in  raj  quarters,  sold  to  me  a  Captive,  manifested  perfect 
satisfaction  at  all  that  had  passed,  and  repeated,  that  nothing  but 
death  would  prevent  his  visiting  me  again,  with  Cheifs  and  others, 
before  two  moons  should  terminate  their  rounds.  Between  12  and 
L  O'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  30th  these  Indians  fled  from  the 
City,  leaving  behind  them,  their  animals,  arms,  robes  and  provisions, 
so  soon  as  I  ascertained  the  fact,  I  sent  out  Agents  in  search  of  them. 

1  Names  not  copied. 

2  O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy,  No.  129 ;  Annual  Report,  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs, 
1851,  p.  197. 


CORRESPONDE]SrCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  369 

One  only,  was  overtaken,  and  he  returned,  and  stated,  that  about  12 
O'clock  at  night,  the  Chief  was  called  out,  by  whom,  he  could  not 
tell,  and  when  he  returned  he  stated,  they  must  run  without  a  mo- 
ments dela}^  as  we  were  preparing  to  have  them  all  killed  the  next 
day.  I  sent  out  persons  to  have  their  property  returned,  a  schedule  ^ 
of  which  you  will  find  enclosed,  this  was  done  at  a  heavy  cost,  but  I 
could  not  do  otherwise.  The  Indians  in  their  flight  carried  off  a 
number  of  animals  belonging  to  individuals  residing  between  this 
and  Anton  Chico,  and  a  widow,  who  had  lost  nine,  informed  me,  on 
yesterday  all  had  been  returned  but  one,  and  some  other  articles  of 
no  great  value,  for  which  she  claims  indemnification.  This  return  of 
propert}^  was  caused  by  the  receipt  of  their  own.  which  I  had  sent 
to  them.  Since  then  I  have  received  two  messages  from  them,  desir- 
ing me  to  visit  them,  or  to  authorize  them  to  come  in.  The  latter 
proposition  is  altogether  inadmissible,  and  will  be  so  regarded,  until 
insurrectionary  and  treasonable  intents  are  subdued.  Ignorant  as  I 
am  of  the  purposes  of  the  Government,  and  entirely  destitute  of 
means,  the  first  proposition  cannot  be  entertained.  But  the  end  is 
not  yet 

During  the  present  month,  almost  every  conceivable  effort  has  been 
made  to  induce  the  Pueblo  Indians  to  take  up  arms,  saying  the  party 
in  the  ascendency  in  this  Territory  intended  to  take  from  them  their 
lands  and  property,  and  to  drive  them  out  of  the  Country,  or  extermi- 
nate them.  At  the  same  time,  the  most  inflamatory  articles  were 
being  published  by  the  defeated,  as  the  articles  marked  A,  sent  only 
as  a  specimen,  abounding  in  falsehoods,  will  show.  The  one  marked 
B  was  designed  as  a  response.  The  Legislative  Council  stands  twelve 
against  one,  and  the  House  of  Representatives  nineteen  to  seven. 
The  minority  damn  every  body  but  themselves,  and  a  few  of  them, 
and  I  hope  a  few  only,  are  ripe  for  any  thing,  and  their  motto,  I 
apprehend,  is  "  rule  or  ruin." 

The  Pueblo  Indians  have  beseiged,  almost,  the  Superintendency 
during  the  present  month.  They  held  a  Council  here,  which  lasted 
the  greater  part  of  three  days.  This  council  was  composed  of  the 
Pueblos  of  Sandia,  Santa  ilna,  San  Felipe,  Cia,  Santo  Domingo, 
Cochiti  and  subsequently,  San  Ildefonso,  Santa  Clara,  Tesuque, 
Nambe,  San  Juan  and  Taos,  sent  in  delegations,  all  highly  excited. 
The  paper  marked  C.-  announces  their  final  conclusion.  It  was 
drawn  up  by  the  Governor  of  Sandia,  an  exceedingly  clever  Indian. 
Not  one  of  the  Pueblos,  at  this  time,  desire  to  abandon  their  old 
customs  and  usages,  and  you  may  rely  upon  it,  these  people  must  be 
treated  with  the  utmost  delicacy,  or  bloody  scenes  will  be  witnessed 

^  Enclosure  D.  ^  On  file,  but  not  copied. 

5021—15 24 


370  CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.    CALHOUN. 

in  this  Territory.  A  delicate  induction  will  bring  these  people  to 
any  point  you  may  desire,  but  it  must  be  delicate,  and  protection 
must  be  afforded  to  them. 

You  will  remember  my  correspondence  of  last  year  advised  you  of 
difficulties  I  had  to  encounter,  and  the  labor  I  had  to  perform  to  pre- 
vent an  emeute.  I  was  denounced  for  everything  objectionable  by 
the  same  party  who  are  now  sowing  the  seeds  of  discord  and  treason. 
But  I  have  infinite  pleasure  in  saying,  so  far,  I  have  retained  the  con- 
fidence of  these  Indians,  and  I  think  the  last  effort  of  a  desperate 
faction,  has  strengthened  me  in  their  estimation,  and  increased  their 
confidence  in  the  American  Government,  and  your  instructions  in 
reply,  will  decide  them  as  to  their  future  course.  I  pray  you  be  care- 
ful and  weigh  well  the  matter  before  you  instruct.  In  the  mean- 
time, after  the  arrival  of  the  Indian  Agents,  who  are  directed  to 
report  to  me,  I  shall  assign  one  of  them  to  the  Pueblo  Indians,  and 
require  him  to  visit  them  without  delay,  and  to  remedy,  as  far  as  pos- 
sible, the  many  grievances  of  which  they  have  complained  to  me. 

As  Governor  of  the  Territory,  I  have  today,  given  to  the  Hon  Sec- 
retary of  State,  a  brief  statement  of  some  of  the  obstacles  I  have  had 
to  encounter  of  late.  Treason  is  abroad,  and  power  is  wanted  in 
this  Territory  to  catch  the  infamous  who  are  administering  to  the 
disorders  of  the  Territory 

The  Navajoes,  four  or  five  days  ago,  pounced  upon  Isleta  a  Pueblo 
village,  and  carried  off  a  large  number  of  animals.     Are  these  things 
never  to  be  remedied  ?     Give  me  the  authority  and  means  and  I  will 
remedy  it.     I  have  not  time  to  say  more,  and 
have  the  honor  to  be 

Your  Obedient  Servant, 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Hon  Luke  Lea 

C OTnmissioner  of  Indian  Affairs 

Washington  City 
D.  C. 

[Inclosures.] 

A. 

TO  THE  PEOPLE  OF  NEW  MEXICO. 

Fellow- Citizens  :  We,  a  portion  of  your  fellow-citizens,  interested 
alike  in  the  welfare  of  our  common  country,  desiring  its  advance- 
ment and  the  development  of  its  resources,  respectfully  address  you 
in  relation  to  the  political  affairs  of  our  Territory  at  this  time.  We 
desire  that  you  may  be  fully,  frankly  and  candidly  advised  as  to  the 
state  of  Politics  now  existing,  in  order  that  you  may  judge  for  your- 


COEEESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  371 

selves,  whether  you  will  sustain  the  present  administration  of  your 
Gobernatorial  affairs,  or  go  with  us  in  opposition  to  the  mal-admin- 
istration  and  abuse  of  power  by  your  present  Executive. 

We  submit  to  you  a  platform  of  principles  upon  which  we  expect 
to  stand.  We  unfurl  our  banner,  confident,  that  upon  it  is  inscribed 
Justice  and  the  Rights  of  the  people.  Beneath  this  banner  and  by 
our  principles,  we  are  willing  to  stand  or  fall.  Let  us  submit  to 
your  consideration  the  principles  of  our  political  party,  and  the  rea- 
sons and  motives  that  influence  us  thus  to  array  ourselves  in  opposi- 
tion to  the  present  dominant  party  in  this  Territory.  Our  opposi- 
tion is  not  factious,  but  is  founded  in  justice  and  forced  upon  us  by 
the  abuse  and  usurpation  of  power  on  the  part  of  your  present 
Executive.  At  the  time  of  his  inauguration,  many  of  us,  who  are 
signers  of  this  address,  were  not  only  his  political  friends,  but  desired 
to  sustain  him  in  his  public  acts,  in  all  things  consistent  with  the 
powers  delegated  to  him  as  your  Governor,  and  were  at  last  only 
driven  from  his  support  by  the  utter  and  total  disregard  upon  his 
part  of  either  the  wishes  of  the  people  or  the  powers  conferred  upon 
him.  We  confidently^  believe  that  his  sole  aim  has  been  to  build  up 
a  political  party  that  would  secure  the  election  of  a  certain  indi- 
vidual as  your  delegate  to  Congress,  and  that  the  whole  power  and 
influence  of  his  office  has  been  prostituted  from  what  was  its  proper 
end  and  aim  to  the  securing  of  this  object.  Your  feelings  and 
interests  have  not  been  consulted  in  regard  to  removals  from  or 
appointments  to  office.  But  these  removals  and  appointments  have 
been  made  solely  with  an  eye  to  the  person  who  could  bring  the  most 
political  strength  to  sustain  his  political  friend  in  the  approaching 
election  for  Delegate  to  Congress.  The  very  best  and  most  trust- 
worthy of  your  officers  have  been  removed  to  make  place  for  political 
partizans.  The  Prefect  of  the  Countj^  of  Rio  Arriba,  as  we  are 
informed  and  believe,  was  removed  without  any  complaint  or  charge 
against  him  as  an  officer,  being  made  by  the  citizens  of  the  said 
county.  No  charge  of  mal-aclministration  against  him  as  a  Prefect. 
But  because  he  was  independent  and  could  not  be  used  for  party 
purposes  as  a  tool  of  the  Governor,  he  has  been  prescribed.  The 
Prefect  of  the  County  of  San  Miguel,  than  whom  no  officer  within 
the  borders  of  your  Territory  sustained  a  higher  reputation  for 
efficiency  and  impartiality  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties  too,  has 
been  removed  and  prescribed  to  make  place  for  a  political  partizan, 
and  this  too  has  been  done  without  a  petition  from  a  single  citizen 
of  the  County  of  San  Miguel,  or  a  charge  of  mal-administration  on 
his  part  from  any  quarter.  An  Alcalde  of  the  town  of  Galisteo,  in 
the  County  of  Santa  Fe,  was  removed  against  the  known  wishes  of 
the  citizens  resident  in  that  place  as  expressed  both  by  a  public  meet- 


372  CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

ing  and  by  petition  from  the  people,  desiring  that  he  be  retained. 
But  this  removal  too  was  necessary  for  political  purposes,  without 
regard  to  the  expressed  wishes  of  the  people  of  Galisteo,  but  by  the 
representation  of  two  of  the  Governors  emisaries  sent  out  as  we  be- 
lieve by  his  Excellency  to  enlighten  the  people  upon  their  duties  in 
the  past  election,  neither  of  whom  were  residents  of  Galisteo  or  citi- 
zens of  the  United  States.  These  are  some  of  his  acts  in  relation  to 
removals  and  appointments,  and  we  are  well  satisfied  that  a  recur- 
rence to  the  history  of  his  removals  and  appointments  will  show 
that  the  same  motives  and  influences  have  actuated  him  almost  uni- 
versally ;  a  total  disregard  of  your  feelings,  wishes  and  interests,  and 
an  eye  solely  to  the  accomplishment  of  his  beloved  and  cherished 
object.  That  he  has  interfered  with  the  Judiciary  of  your  country, 
we  now  proceed  to  show.  A  short  time  after  his  inauguration,  he 
requested  the  resignation  of  two  of  your  Circuit  Judges,  because 
they  Avere  political  opponents  of  his  Excellency's  candidate  for  Con- 
gress, and  because  some  two  or  three  individuals  who  had  important 
suits  pending,  desired  their  resignation.  The  individual  or  indi- 
viduals who  asked  the  resignation  of  one  of  the  Judges  was  thought 
to  belong  to  a  family  of  great  influence  in  this  Territory,  and  thus 
to  secure  this  influence,  your  Circuit  Judges  must  stand  aside. 

And  in  the  case  of  the  only  remaining  Circuit  Judge  viz :  the 
Judge  of  the  Southern  Circuit,  he  has  given  instructions  and  opin- 
ions that  the  official  acts  of  the  said  Judge  were  null  and  of  no  effect. 
Thus  has  your  whole  Judiciary  been  swept  from  under  you — to 
gratify  caprice,  revenge  or  ambition.  These  acts  deserve  the  con- 
demnation of  every  impartial  reflecting  person  in  this  Territory.  The 
rights  of  parties  to  suits  have  been  made  to  abide  and  be  controlled  by 
the  will  of  your  GoA^ernor.  The  rights  of  parties  in  your  Courts  has 
thus  been  taken  possession  of :  an  usurpation  unknown  and  unheard  of 
in  the  annals  of  civilized  civil  government.  Prisoners  are  accumulat- 
ing daily  in  your  Jails  at  a  heavy  expense  to  the  different  counties, 
or  are  to  be  turned  loose  upon  the  community  to  commit"  anew  their 
crimes,  and  some  who  have  been  imprisoned  for  some  length  of 
time,  are  now  entitled  to  a  discharge  without  a  trial,  and  will  soon 
be  let  loose  upon  the  community.  The  right  of  the  Judges  vA\o  have 
exercised  these  functions  we  are  not  now  to  decide;  that  is  for  a 
hioher  and  different  tribunal,  but  at  the  same  time,  we  say  that  the 
decision  and  settlement  of  this  question  by  your  Governor  was  an  act 
of  usurpation  on  his  part,  unwarranted  and  dangerous  to  your 
liberties.  We  now  appeal  to  you.  We  ask  you,  Avhat  remedy  or 
where  is  the  tribunal  to  adjust  your  rights?  and  what  remedy  or 
where  is  the  tribunal  to  punish  offenders  against  your  property,  your 
persons,  your  houses,  or  any  of  your  sacred  rights:  swallowed  up 


COERESPONDENCE    OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  373 

and  desh-oyed  by  the  remorseless  and  unsatisfied  ambition  of  one  who 
IS  willing  to  sink  your  whole  interests  to  secure  his  political  objects. 
We  now  call  your  attention  to  other  acts  of  his,  show^ing  tlie  same 
disregard  of  the  obligations  resting  upon  him  as  your  Governor. 
He  has  presumed  to  alter  your  Organic  Law  giving  to  you  a  Civil 
Territorial  Government;  not  satisfied  to  make  edicts,  proclamations 
and  decrees  not  given  to  him  by  virtue  of  his  office,  he  has  assumed 
to  himself  not  only  to  make  Laws  here,  but  has  altered  the  Organic 
Law  of  this  Teritory,  made  and  given  to  us  by  the  Congress  of  the 
United  States.  By  Art.  6th  of  said  Organic  Law,  it  is  prescribed 
who  are  qualified  voters  of  this  Teritory.  Among  other  qualifica- 
tions is  the  one  "  That  persons  resident  in  the  Territory,  at  the  time 
of  the  passage  of  the  said  Organic  Act,  should  be  entitled  to  vote  in 
your  elections.''  By  Proclamation  of  his  Excellency  of  date  of 
he  says,  that  persons  resident  in  the  County,  not 
Territory  alone,  should  be  entitled  to  vote.  From  whence  did  he 
derive  the  authority  to  substitute  County  for  Territory,  and  to  amend 
your  Organic  Law?  Wlio  gave  him  power  to  alter  one  word  or 
sentence  of  your  Organic  Law?  We  say  to  him,  that  our  Organic 
Law  is  our  Constitution,  that  though  not  perfect  in  all  its  details,  we 
are  determined  to  stand  by  it  as  it  is  handed  to  us  by  the  Congress 
of  the  United  States — until  by  them  altered.  We  say  to  him,  that  in 
that  law,  his  duties  are  defined.  That  by  that  act  he  must  be  gov- 
erned in  the  discharge  of  his  duties,  that  he  must  not  presume  to 
blur  or  blot  one  article  upon  its  page,  that  we  hold  him  as  we  hold 
the  other  officers  of  this  Government,  whose  duties  are  defined  by  the 
Organic  Law  to  the  letter  of  the  instrument,  and  that  for  an  usurpa- 
tion or  infraction  of  any  of  the  rights  guaranteed  to  us  by  that  in- 
strument, we  hold  them  responsible  to  the  people.  In  his  annual 
message  to  the  Legislature,  he  has  recommended  an  interference  with 
the  vested  rights  of  parties.  In  relation  to  the  Pueblo  Indians  now, 
and  for  a  long  time  resident  among  you,  he  has  presumed  to  dictate 
a  policy  that  is  calculated  to  disfranchise  them  of  their  rights  if 
they  had  them,  either  as  citizens  or  residents  of  the  Territory.  He 
says,  "  that  he  cannot  recommend  an  union  of  them  as  citizens,  but 
it  is  inevitable — they  must  be  made  slaves,  (dependents,)  equals,  or 
an  early  removal  to  a  better  location  for  them  and  our  people."  We 
say  to  our  Pueblo  friends,  that  whatever  rights  were  guaranteed  to 
them  when  they  became  residents  of  this  Territory  under  the  Mexi- 
can Government,  are  still  secured  to  them.  That  it  is  not  the  pur- 
pose or  intention  of  the  Government  of  the  United  States  to  take 
from  them  one  jot  or  tittle  of  their  rights;  that  our  Government  holds 
the  rights  of  all  living  under  the  broad  fold  of  its  banner  as  sacred ; 
that  her  treaties  are  inviolable,  and  that  if  our  Pueblo  friends  had 


374  CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

rights,  either  as  citizens  or  as  owners  of  the  soil  under  the  Mexican 
Government,  that  right  is  still  secured  to  them,  that  it  is  not  the 
intention  of  the  Government  of  the  United  States,  nor  has  the  legis- 
lature and  Governor  of  the  Territor}^,  if  they  desired  so  to  do,  the 
power  to  make  slaves,  (dependents)  of  them,  or  to  remove  them 
quickly  to  an}"  other  location  against  their  will.  By  the  language  of 
another  portion  of  his  message,  he  is  endeavoring  to  excite  an  angry 
discussion  in  the  States  of  the  Union,  that  is  calculated  to  raise  a 
strong  and  influential  party  in  the  Congress  against  us.  He  has 
presumed  to  say  that  the  entire  society  where  free  negroes  are  tol- 
erated is  degraded.  Fellow-citizens,  the  question  of  slavery  has  been 
a  vexed  and  dangerous  one  in  the  States  for  a  number  of  years. 
That  question  has  been  the  cause  why  the  civil  and  political  rights 
due  to  you  for  the  last  four  years  has  been  withheld  from  you,  and 
now,  when  that  question  has  been  settled  and  taken  away  from  the 
Legislature,  your  Governor  is  exciting  a  discussion  that  must  result 
in  injury  to  you. 

These  are  some  of  the  reasons  that  influence  us  to  array  ourselves 
against  the  dominant  party  in  this  Territory.  If  we  have  spoken 
plainly  we  feel  that  the  circumstances  by  which  we  are  surrounded 
justify  us.  We  ask,  are  you  prepared  tamely  thus  to  submit  to  these 
things  and  not  raise  your  voices  in  behalf  of  the  People.  If  you 
are  prepared  to  fold  your  arms,  and  quietly  submit  to  the  usurpa- 
tions already  assumed,  but  a  short  time  will  elapse  before  you  will 
be  called  upon  to  submit  to  others,  and  ere  long  not  a  vestige  of  your 
Eights  will  be  left.  We  call  upon  you  to  joint,  us  in  our  efforts  to 
maintain  the  Rights  of  the  People.  We  call  upon  you  to  speak,  and 
as  freemen  unite  and  refuse  to  sustain  any  one  that  upholds  the 
present  Executive  in  his  assault  on  your  Rights.  If  you  are  true  to 
yourselves  Justice  will  secure  to  you  all  your  Rights  untarnished. 
The  wise,  good  and  patriotic,  in  every  portion  of  your  Territory,  will 
flock  to  your  Standard,  and  an  universal  triumph  will  be  your 
reward.  If  you  fail  you  will  have  the  proud  consciousness  of  having 
done  your  duty. 

Annexed  is  our  Platform. 

1.  An  equal  and  just  system  of  Taxation  to  support  an  economical 
administration  of  the  Government. 

2.  That  the  several  departments  of  the  Government  shall  be  kept 
separate  and  distinct:  non-interference  on  the  part  of  the  Executive 
with  either  the  Judicial  or  Legislative  Departments. 

3.  In  favor  of  a  modification  of  the  absolute  Veto  power  now  given 
to  the  Executive  by  the  Organic  Law. 

4.  In  favor  of  the  election  of  the  County  and  District  oflScers  by  the 
people. 


COEKESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.   CALHOUN. 


375 


5.  Opposed  to  a  State  Government  at  this  time,  on  account  of  the 


heavy  burden  of  Taxation. 
Antonio  Sandoval, 
Santiago  Armijo, 
Julian  Tenorio, 
Mariano  Yrisarri, 
A.  W.  Keynolds, 
Antonio  Jose  Otero, 
J.  S.  T.  Johnson, 
Wm.  McGrorty, 
Ceran  St.  Vrain, 
J.  L.  Collins, 
J.  M.  Giddings, 
Juan  Jose  Sanchez, 
Francisco  Ortizy  Delgado 
Robert  Brent, 


M.  Ashurst, 
Hugh  N.  Smith, 
Serafino  Ramirez 
Rafael  Armijo. 
Diego  Archuleta, 
Candido  Ortiz, 
John  R.  Tullis, 
Alex.  Duvall, 
Tho.  R.  McCutcheon 
E.  J.  Vaughn, 
Juan  Cruz  Baca, 
Wm.  Curtis  Skinner 
Tomas  Ortiz. 
John  Kelly, 
J.  Houghton, 


Committee. 


B. 


MANIFEST ACION  ACORDADA  EN  JUNTA  AMISTOSA,  COMPLESTA  DE  LOS  .AILEM- 
BROS  DE  LA  LEGISLATURA  TERRITORIAL,  PARA  CONOCIMIENTO  DE  LOS 
HABITANTES  DEL  TERRITORIO. 


Conciudadanos,  la  gratitud  y  reconocimiento  son  sentimientos  que 
jamas  olvidara  la  representacion  Territorial;  los  pueblos  del  Terri* 
torio,  a  la  par  han  depositado  su  voluntad  y  su  confianza  en  la  esfera 
limitada  de  nuestros  pequenos  conocimientos ;  la  suerte  prospera  o 
desfavorable  del  pais,  esta  senalada  por  el  sabio  autor  de  las  socie- 
dades,  y  secundariamente  debe  ser  sistemada  por  la  marcha  con  que 
camine  nuestra  primera  Legislatura  constitucional ;  una  correspon- 
dencia  justa  y  edecuada  a  las  circumstancias,  ecsijeque  vuestrosdeseos 
sean  satisfechos;  que  vuestra  condicion  sea  mejorada;  que  vuestros 
derechos  sean  iguales,  y  que  sea  asegurada  la  propiedad  y  la  persona 
del  debil,  con  las  mismas  preeminencias  y  prerogativas  que  las  del 
opulento. 

Sabido  es,  que  la  ley  debe  ser  universal,  para  patrocinar  y  protejer 
todas  las  clases,  para  desterrar  de  la  sociedad  el  espiritu  despotico, 
que  regularmente  se  engendra  por  la  arbitrariedad  y  por  tendencias 
meramente  particulares ;  se  va  pues  a  dar  la  ley  homogenea  del 
pueblo  de  Nuevo  Mejico,  como  base  fundamental  del  edificio  social, 
sin  tener  por  objeto  esclusivo,  el  engrandecimiento  destructor  de  de- 
terminadas  personas,  y  sin  la  mascara  de  miras  mesquinas  e  infames 
de  protejer  parti dos. 


376  CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

La  iniparcialidad,  la  esperiencia,  y  el  conocimiento  practicamente 
ensayado  de  las  iiecesidades  del  pais,  seran  los  principios  cardiiiales 
que  adopte  la  Legislatiira,  para  el  desempeno  de  una  obra  tan  dificil  e 
importante,  que  supera  a  sus  limitados  conocimientos ;  pero  si,  des- 
cansa  en  la  buena  fe  que  la  anima,  y  en  la  censura  que  sufran  sus 
trabajos,  cuando  debidamente  sean  calificados  por  el  publico. 

Ninguna  materia  presenta  mas  dificultad,  que  reunir  las  simpatias 
e  inteligencias  de  una  comunidad  politica,  cuando  se  halla  atacada 
por  la  maledicencia  de  algunos  hombres,  bien  conocidos  por  los 
colores  de  sus  operaciones ;  pues  a  la  ves  de  conducir  a  los  incautos  por 
la  via  del  progreso,  maliciosamente  se  prevalen  de  sa  ignorancia,  para 
mal  informarlos  con  cuentos  ridiculos  e  imaginarios  caracterisados  de 
f:uj)ersticion,  a  fin  de  precipitarlos  mas  alia  del  Oceano  del  desprecio, 
o  por  mejor  decir,  al  descenso  de  su  ruina  fatal. 

Compatriotas,  un  pequeno  ecsamen,  abrira,  vuestros  ojos,  y  una 
idea  refleja  y  perspicaz,  sera  capas  de  quitar  la  mascara  hipocrita  que 
se  presenta  hoy  a  vuestra  faz. 

El  objeto  deseado  de  los  que  se  empenan  a  perturbar  el  equilibrio 
y  reposo  de  la  tranquilidad  publica,  es  sembrar  la  semilla  abominable 
de  desconfianza,  contra  los  miembros  que  habeis  escogido  para  com- 
poner  vuestra  Legislatura ;  ellos  son  obra  de  vuestra  confianza  y 
beneplacito,  y  sus  labores  futuras,  quedaran  sometidos,  no  solo  a  la 
aprobacion  del  Congreso  General,  sino  tambien  a  la  vuestra. 

El  tiempo,  es  el  tipo  de  los  desenganos,  asi  como  lo  fue  para  dar  a 
conocer  la  conducta  semicivil,  de  la  anterior  administracion,  que 
descuido  los  intereses  sagrados  de  su  inspeccion,  convirtiendo  en 
ludibrio  sus  actos,  bajo  la  influencia  de  la  autoridad  militar.  Triste 
caso,  que  recordar  para  las  paginas  de  la  historia  en  el  siglo  de  las 
luces!  y  mucho  mas  triste,  cuando  se  observan  vigentes  las  mismas 
pre-ocupaciones,  y  los  medios  y  suterfugios  de  que  se  valen,  para  pro- 
curar  una  victoria  sonada  que  conseguida,  realsaria  a  sus  autores  al 
apogel  que  perdieron. 

La  liberalidad  del  Gobierno  Supremo,  esta  dispuesta  para  protejer 
y  mejorar  nuestras  circunstancia ;  la  ley  organica  que  nos  ha  creado  y 
declarado  capaces  de  constituirnos  bajo  la  forma  de  gobierno  territo- 
rial, debe  ser  para  vosotros  y  para  las  generaciones  futuras,  un  monu- 
mento  de  perpetua  memoria ;  ella  declara  en  sus  secciones  5  y  6,  que 
los  indios  no  tienen  derecho  para  votar,  por  lo  mismo,  tienen  supri- 
mida  la  escala  de  ciudadania  como  menores  de  edad ;  la  misma  aclara- 
cion  esta  bien  demostrada  en  las  instrucciones  que  el  Gobierno  Su- 
premo ha  comunicado  al  Yntendente  de  Yndios  de  pueblo;  cuyos 
derechos  de  ciudadanos  tambien  se  renunciaron  por  los  mismos 
Yndios  el  ano  pasado  en  el  mes  de  Julio.  Sus  tratados  son  una 
prueba  autentica  de  esta  verdad.     He  aqui  la  evidencia  incuestiona- 


COERESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  377 

ble  para  que  entendamos  claramente,  que  los  Yndios  de  pueblo  no 
fueron  escluidos  de  ciudadanos  por  voluntad  del  Senor  Gobernador 
Territorial,  ni  tampoco  por  la  Legislatura  actul,  sino  por  un  acto  del 
Soberano  Congreso  de  la  Union. 

Ahora  pues,  a  que  vienen  las  duras  j  gratuitas  esclamaciones  que 
hieren  nuestros  oidos  y  penetran  el  ayre  para  ser  escuchadas?  Si 
nos  compadesemos  ciertamente  de  esta  clase  digna  de  mejorar  su 
condicion  actual;  procuremos  declarar  nuevamente  su  espontanea 
voluntad;  consultemos  los  medios  mas  asequibles  y  racionales,  para 
que  los  pobres  Yndios  procedan  con  inteligencia  y  libertad,  omitiendo 
inferirles  la  violencia,  el  engano  fraudulento,  y  el  juego  de  voces 
seductoras,  para  dar  un  lugarsito  a  la  sana  razon  sin  agravio  de  la 
justicia.- 

La  posesion  que  los  Yndios  tienen  en  sus  terrenos  y  demas  propie- 
dades,  es  inviolable;  la  Legislatura  entiende  que  jamas  se  tocara  por 
ninguna  autoridad  el  sagrado  derecho  de  posesion  que  ellos  retienen 
por  justo  titulo;  a  no  ser  que  los  Yndios,  voluntariamente  traspasen 
sus  derechos,  por  la  via  de  contratos. 

Si  por  una  fortuna  (que  sera  bien  lisongeada)  los  Yndios  se  com- 
prometen  solemnemente  a  componer  la  comunidad  politica  de  nuestro 
Territorio,  bajo  las  condiciones  de  igualdad  con  los  demas  ciudadanos, 
el  problema  quedara  resuelto;  y  entonces  el  ocurso  de  la  Legislatui-a, 
debe  ser  un  memorial  peticionario  al  Gobierno  Supremo,  para  que 
los  Yndios  gocen  de  la  ciudadania  que  tenian  antes  en  el  Gobierno 
de  Mejico,  siendo  declarados  por  la  autoridad  competente. 

La  injusta  alarma  que  ha  causa  do  en  los  incautos,  el  mensage  de 
S.  E.  el  Senor  Gobernador,  cuando  habla  de  los  Yndios  en  la  pagina  5, 
es  considerar  su  materia  sin  acatamiento  a  los  varios  conceptos  que 
pone  a  deliberacion  de  la  Legislatura,  o  por  mejor  decir,  con  olvido 
al  respeto  de  una  sana  logica,  interrumpida  por  miras  misteriosas  y 
rastreras,  que  baticinan  los  profetas  que  las  inducen;  pues  es  claro, 
y  clarisimo,  que  el  mensage  no  tiene  caracter  de  ley,  por  lo  mismo, 
las  camaras  pueden  o  no  conformarse  con  la  materia  que  contiene. 

Conciudadanos,  no  menos  repugnante  y  nocivas  son  las  imputa- 
ciones  siniestras  que  hacen  a  la  Legislatura,  los  enemigos  de  la  verdad ; 
afirman  como  criterio,  que  el  poder  que  retenemos  por  voluntad 
vuestra,  lo  hemos  de  traicionar,  delegandolo  en  S,  E.  el  Gobernador, 
para  que  sin  consultar  otra  voluntad  que  la  suya,  nombre  todo  el  ramo 
de  la  administracion  de  justicia,  que  corresponde  a  los  diferentes 
condados  del  Territorio;  falsedacl  inanidita  que  sera  desmentida  un 
dia  no  muy  distante:  pues  dcseamos  que  el  Pueblo  y  solo  el  Pueblo, 
nombre  a  sus  correspondientes  autoridades  que  le  sean  asignadas 
por  la  ley,  y  le  merezcan  su  aprobacion  y  confianza. 

Nos  preciamos,  conciudadanos,  de  poscer  sentimientos  verdadera- 
mente  republicanos  y   conformes  con  nuestros   deseos,  haremos  lo 


378  COEEESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

posible  en  testimonio  justo  de  niiestras  intenciones,  la  imparcialidad 
sera  la  di^asa  que  coronara  la  grande  obra  de  niiestros  trabajos. 

Antonio  Jose  Marlines,  Florentine  Castillo, 

Vicente  Martines,  George  Gold, 

Jose  Manuel  Gallegos,  Esquipula  Bigil, 

Jose  Francisco  Leyva,  Hilario  Gonzales, 

Seledonio  Valdes,  Mig.  Sena  y  Quintana, 

Jose  Perea,  Juan  Torres, 

Miguel  Sena  y  Eomero,  S.  M.  Baird 

J.  F.  Ortis,  Pascual  Martines, 

Juan   Cristoval  Chaves,  Dionicio  Gonzales, 

Antonio  J.  Ortis,  Eiaymundo  Cordova, 

Teodoro  Wlieaton,  Francisco  iVnto.  Otero, 

F.  T.  Cabesa  de  Baca,  Jose  Andres  Sandoval, 

Geronimo  Jaramillo,  Diego  Salasar, 

Jose  Eamon  Vigil,  Miguel  Mascarena. 
Jose  Pablo  Gallegos, 

Santa  Fe,  Junio  13  de  1851. 

List  of  property  left  in  the  quarters  of  the  Cumanche  Indians  on 
the  night  of  the  29th  of  May  1851. 

2  Indian  Horses. 
11  Mules. 
13  Saddles. 

9  Bridles. 

47  Saddle  Skins. 
5  Lariets. 
•  13  Pack  Strops. 

10  Riding  Whips. 
4  Buffalo  Robes. 
7  Blankets. 

21  Provision  Sacks. 

2  Knives  and  Scabbards. 

1  Quiver  for  Arrows. 

1  Brass  Kettle  (full  of  Coffee) 

1  Wooden  Bowl. 

1  Segar  Case. 

1  Rifle. 

1  Powder  &  Shot  pouch. 

4  Pilloncillos  of  S'ugar. 

A  lot  of  Tobacco  in  plugs  and  papers  for  smoking. 

About  20  loaves  of  Bread. 

1  Hind  leg  of  Mutton  &  the  ribs  of  three  sides  Venison. 

2  peices  making  1^  5c  Star  Candles. 

Jno.  G.  Jones 

P.    R.    TULLY 


COKRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN.  379 

[CALHOUN   TO   LEA/] 

EXECUTI\'E    DePART^IENT 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

Juhj  1st.  1851 
Sir, 

My  accounts,  as  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs,  for  the  four 
last  months,  ending  on  yesterday,  June  30th.  are  now  forwarded  to 
you — The  amount  expended  is  $1241.56,  and  to  pay  it  I  have  drawn 
on  the  Department,  in  favor  of  Wm.  S.  McNight  for  the  precise 
amount.  My  House  rent  is  yet  unpaid,  and  there  may  be  a  few  small 
accomits  overlooked  in  the  hurry  of  preparing  my  returns — Nor  is 
my  Salary  included — Let  them  be  speedily  adjusted — 
I  have  the  honor  to  be   • 

Your  obedient  Servant 

J  S  Calhoun 
Hon.  L.  Lea 

Comr.  Ind.  Affs. 

Washington  City 

D.G 

[CALHOUN  TO  LEA.^"] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

July  1st.  1851. 
Sir, 

I  have  this  moment  received  information  that  the  Comanches  vis- 
ited Anton  Chico  and  La  Cuesta  on  the  2Tth  and  28th  of  last  month, 
declaring  their  purposes  to  be  good,  and  their  admiration  of  Ameri- 
cans— It  is  supposed  there  were  three  hundred  warriors,  and  they 
stated  they  were  en  route  for  the  Navajo  Country,  for  the  purpose  of 
a  tvar  with  that  tribe — On  leaving  the  places  named  above  they  wan- 
tonly committed  various  depredations,  by  killing  stock  for  which 
they  had  no  use,  and  driving  off  others.  No  personal  injury  to  a 
citizen  was  inflicted,  but  some  were  rudely  treated  Col.  Alexander, 
from  Vegas,  sent  troops  to  the  points  named;  and  Col.  Munroe  is 
noA>  issuing  orders  designed  to  repel  and  chastise  the  Indians  if  dis- 
covered. 

The  people  below  San  Miguel  are  in  great  consternation,  and  they 
call  upon  me  for  assistance^  for  protection.,  and  /  am  without  author- 
ity or  means. 


1  O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  N  125. 

2  O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  N   126 ;  Annual  Report  Commissioner  Indian  Afifalrs,  1851, 
pp.  198-199. 


380  CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN. 

I  send  this  by  express  to  overtake  the  mail  that  left  for  the  States 
this  morning. 

Very  respectfully 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Hon.  L.  Lea 

Gomr.  Ind.  Affs 

[NESBIT   AND   PARKER  TO   CALHOUN.'] 

To  his  Excellency, 

James  S.  Calhoun 

Governor  of  New  Mexico 
Sir 

I  deem  it  my  duty  to  inform  you  of  certain  transactions  that  have 
taken  place  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Santa  Fe  within  the  last  two 
days. 

It  is  known  to  you  I  presume  that  myself  and  Mr  Hiram  Parker, 
have  taken  the  contract  to  furnish  the  Quartermasters  Department 
with  hay  for  the  ensuing  year,  and  that  on  account  of  the  excessive 
dryness  of  the  season,  there  was  no  possible  chance  of  procuring  the 
Hay,  except  in  what  is  known  as  the  "  Grande  Biah,"  some  forty 
Miles  from  here — and  for  the  purpose  of  filling  said  contract  we  pur- 
chased of  Mr  P  Tully  his  train  of  Mule  wagons,  and  were  accordingly 
actively  engaged  in  our  opperations  having  commenced  the  delivery 
of  hay — when  upon  the  night  before  last  or  on  that  of  the  Second  of 
July,  inst  there  were  a  large  band  of  Navajoe  Indians,  supposed  to 
be  from  two  hundred  and  fifty  to  three  hundred  in  all — made  an 
attack  upon  our  camp  and  corral,  the  house  in  which  we  lived  being 
built  of  logs  as  a  block  house  and  forming  a  part  of  one  side  of  the 
corral,  which  was  also  built  of  logs  in  the  most  substantial  manner — 
a  the  accompanying  affidavits  and  certificates  will  show — The  attack 
was  made  on  the  night  of  the  2nd  inst.  about  one  oclock,  the  night 
being  very  Dark  it  having  rained  during  the  afternoon  and  forepart 
of  the  night,  and  was  still  drissling  so  that  it  was  almost  impossible 
for  the  two  men  on  guard  to  see  twenty  steps  from  where  they  were 
walking  so  that  the  first  Salutation  or  intimation  they  had  of  the 
approach  of  the  Indians  was  an  arrow  Shot  into  the  neck  of  one  of 
the  Sentinels  with  a  Yell  and  a  Shower  of  Arrows  the  sentinal  fired 
his  Gun  and  gave  the  alarm,  when  all  hands  sprang  to  their  feet  and 
arms  and  commenced  a  defence,  but  by  this  time  the  house  and  entire 
corrall  were  completely  surrounded  by  the  Indians  and  on  three  sides 

1  O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  N.  134.     Enclosure  of  Calhoun  to  Lea,  July  25,  1851. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  381 

of  the  house  keeping  up  a  continual  fight  with  our  men,  while  another 
portion  of  the  Indians  were  endeavouring  to  pull  down  the  corrall 
which  they  Succeeded  in  doing  in  about  tAvo  hours  or  a  little  after 
three  oclock  when  they  ran  off  all  the  Animals  being  over  one  hun- 
dred head,  seventy  nine  of  the  number  belonged  to  myself  (Robert 
Nesbit)  and  Hiram  R.  Parker  and  three  pair  of  Match  horses  belong- 
ing to  me,  (R.  N)  which  I  had  just  brought  from  the  United  States, 
making  eighty  five  Animals — the  balance  of  the  animals  belonged  to 
cither  individuals  who  had  sent  them  out  to  graze  among  those  per- 
sons were  Capt  A.  W.  Reynolds,  James  E.  Sabine  and  Joseph  Hirsch, 
&c,  &c,  who  no  doubt  will  report  the  same  to  your  Excellency  in  due 
time 

We  would  therefore  respectfully  request  your  Excellency  to  be  kind 
enough  to  inform  us  how  to  procede  for  the  purpose  of  recoA^ering 
our  property  as  the  loss  of  so  many  mules  may  not  only  involve  our- 
seh^es  in  ruin  but  may  also  be  the  means  of  involving  our  Securities. 

As  Soon  as  we  can  get  our  evidence  collected  as  to  the  circumstances 
of  the  case  and  the  damage  Ave  have  and  w^ill  sustain  by  the  loss  of 
so  many  Animals  it  shall  be  laid  before  your  Excellency. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  Submitted  to  the  consideration  of 
your  Excellency 

Very  Respectfully 

Your  Obt  SerA^ants 

Robert  Nesbit 
Signed 

Hiram.  R.  Parker 

[SUMNER  TO   CALHOUN.'] 

Head  Quarters,  9th  Deft  : 

Santa  Fe  Jidy  20,^  '51. 

His  Excel.  J.  S.  Calhouiv, 
Sir. 

I  have  received  your  two  lettei's  dated  this  day.  I  thank  you 
for  the  co-operation  afforded  in  the  first:  With  regard  to  the  latter, 
I  regret  that  I  do  not  feel  authorized  to  issue  any  rations  to  the 
civil  prisoners  of  this  territory. 

1  a.  G.  O.,  vol.  8,  Department  of  New  Mexico,  p.  7. 

-  Sumner  had  arrived  at  Santa  Fe  just  tlie  day  before.     See  Sumner  to  Bliss. 


382  COKRE^PONDENCE   OP   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

The  appropriations  for  army  subsistence  is  distinct  from  all  others, 
and  no  one  has  authority  to  direct  these  supplies  to  any  other  pur- 
poses. 

I  am  Sir  Very  respectfully, 
Your  Obt.  Servt. 

E  V  Sumner^ 
Bvt:  Col:  U.  S.  A. 

Comdg:  Dept: 

Santa  Fe 


[Related  Correspondence.] 
[sUMNER  TO  BLISS.^] 

Head  Quarters  9th  Dept. 

Fort  Union,  near  Moro  River 

August  3d  1851. 
Sib; 

I  have  the  lionor  to  report,  tliat  in  consequence  of  tlie  cholera,  and  afterwax'ds 

(very  much) 
the  extraordinary  drought,  both  of  which  impeded  my  march  I  did 

not  reach  Santa  Fe  until  the  19th  Ulto.  I  assumed  command  on  that  day.  and 
immediately  transferred  the  Head  Quarters,  and  principal  Depots  to  this  place. 
I  deemed  it  very  important  to  have  the  Depot  each  of  Santa  Fe  and  directly  on 
the  line  of  communication  with  Missouri,  as  it  gives  me  more  direct  conti'oul, 
over  all  the  affairs  of  the  Department. 

I  have  broken  up  the  posts  of  Las  Vegas  and  Rayado.  as  this  post  makes  them 
unnecessary,  and  they  were  very  expensive,  especially  the  latter. 

I  intend  to  abandon  Alburquerque,  Ablquin,  Toas,  and  Socorro,  and  establish 
two  larger  posts,  one  at  Valvarde  on  the  Rio  Grande,  and  the  other  at  some 
point  in  the  mountains,  in  the  Utah  and  Apache  Country. 

I  shall  march  into  the  Navajo  Country,  on  the  15th  instant  with  4  companies 
of  horse,  3  of  Infantry,  and  one  of  Artillery — It  is  my  intention  to  establish  a 
post  of  five  companies,  in  that  country,  under  the  command  of  Major  Backus. 


1 B.  V.  Sumner  had  already  acquired  a  considerable  knowledge  of  frontier  conditions. 
As  early  as  1837-38  he  had  figured  in  Indian  history  in  connection  with  the  making  of 
an  excursion  into  the  Osage  country.  (See  Osage  Files,  A  292.)  In  1856  he  made  him- 
self obnoxious  to  the  Free-State  men  of  Kansas  by  dispersing,  at  the  head  of  his 
dragoons,  and  under  special  orders  from  President  Pierce,  the  Topeka  Legislature  (Kans 
Hist.  Colls.,  Ill:  439,  IV:  450).  For  information  relative  to  his  appointment  to  the 
command  of  the  Ninth  Military  Department,  see  letters  on  pp.  383-384. 

2  A.  G.  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  4,  pp.  225-22G. 


CORRESPONDENCE   Or  JAMES  S.   CALHOUN.  383 

It  gives  me  great  pleasure  to  state  that  the  intercourse  between  Col.  Munroe 
and  myself,  has  been  of  the  most  friendly  nature,  and  the  information  I  have 
received  from  him,  has  been  of  great  assistance  to  me  in  forming  my  plans. 
Very  respectfully 

Your  obt  Servt 

Sigd  E.  V.  SiJMNJER 

Bvt  Col:  U.  8.  A. 

Comdy  Dept. 
Lt.  Col :  W.  W.  S.  Bliss, 

Asst.  Adjt  Genl: 

Head  Quarters  Westn.  Divn 

Neio  Orleans 
La: 

[CONKAD  TO  SUMNER.^] 

War  Department 
Wasliington  April   I,  JS-yJ. 
Sumner,  Colonel  E.  V. 

1st  Dragoons, 

St.  Louis, 

Missouri. 
Sib, 

You  have  been  selected  to  take  the  cominand  of  the  Ninth  military  depart- 
ment, and  will  repair  to  it  as  early  as  practicable. 

It  is  believed  that  material  changes  ought  to  be  made  in  that  Department, 
both  with  a  view  to  a  more  etficient  protection  of  the  country  and  to  a  diminu- 
tion of  expense. 

You  will,  therefore,  immediately  on  assuming  the  command,  revise  the  whole 
system  of  defense — you  will  examine  particularly  whether  the  posts  now  occu- 
pied by  the  troops  are  the  most  suitable,  and,  if  not,  will  make  such  changes  as 
you  may  deem  advisable. 

In  the  selection  of  posts,  s'ou  will  be  governed  mainly  by  the  following 
considerations,  viz : 

1st.  The  protection  of  New  Mexico. 

2d.  The  defense  of  the  Mexican  Territory,  which  we  are  bound  to  protect 
against  the  Indians  within  our  borders. 

3d.  Economy  and  facility  in  supporting  the  troops,  particularly  in  regard  to 
forage,  fuel  and  adaptation  of  the  surrounding  country  to  cultivation. 

The  Department  is  induced  to  believe,  that  both  economy  and  efficiency  of 
the  service  would  be  promoted  by  removing  the  troops  out  of  the  towns  where 
they  are  now  stationed,  and  stationing  them  more  towards  the  frontier  and 
nearer  to  the  Indians. 

From  all  the  information  that  has  reached  the  Department,  it  is  induced  to 
believe,  that  no  permanent  peace  can  exist  with  the  Indians,  and  no  treaty  will 
be  regarded  by  them  until  they  have  been  made  to  feel  the  power  of  our  Arms. 
You  will,  therefore,  as  early  as  practicable,  make  an  expedition  against  the 
Navajoes,  and,  also,  one  against  the  Utahs  and  Apaches,  and  inflict  upon  them 
a  severe  chastisement.  If  you  should  succeed  in  capturing  any  of  them,  you 
will  retain  them  as  hostages  for  the  faithful  observance  of  any  treaty  that  may 
be  made  with  them. 


1  A.  G.  0.,  M.  B.,  No.  31,  pp.  148-149. 


384  COERESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

In  all  negotiations  and  pacific  arrangements  with  tlie  Indians,  you  will  act  in 
concert  with  the  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs  in  New  Mexico,  whom  you 
will  allow  to  accompany  you  in  the  expeditions  into  the  Indian  territory,  if  he 
should  deem  it  proper  to  do  so,  and  to  whom  you  will  afford  every  facility  for 
the  discharge  of  his  duties. 

Instructions  will  be  given  by  the  De])artniont  of  the  Interior  to  the  Superin- 
tendent and  Agents,  in  all  their  transactions  with  the  Indians,  to  act  in  con- 
sultation and  concert  with  the  military  authorities. 

You  will  use  every  effort  to  reduce  the  enormous  expenditures  of  the  Army  in 
New  Mexico,  i^articularly  in  the  Quarter  Master's  and  Subsistence  Depart- 
ments— you  will  scrutinize  the  administration  of  these  Departments,  and  will 
rigidly  enforce  all  regulations  having  reference  to  the  economy  of  the  service. 

It  is  believed  that  the  number  of  employees  may  be  diminished  without 
inconvenience  to  the  service,  and  that  material  changes  may  be  made  in  the 
ration,  whereby  its  cost  may  be  reduced  without  interfering  with  the  health 
or  comfort  of  the  soldiers.  You  are  authorized  to  make  all  such  changes  as 
you  may  deem  advisable. 

For  the  purpose  of  enabling  you  to  execute  tlie  General  Order  No  1  (current 
series)  you  will  be  supplied  with  such  seed,  agricultural  implements  &c  as  you 
may  require. 

In  carrying  out  these  measures  and  such  others  as  your  own  judgment  may 
hereafter  suggest,  you  will  exercise  a  larger  discretion  than  would  be  allow- 
able where  the  communication  between  the  Commander  and  the  Department  is 
more  frequent  and  more  rapid. 

Very  respectfully,  Your  Obt  Serv 

C  M.  Conrad, 
Secretary  of  War. 

[lea  to  wingfield  ^] 

Dkp.\btment  of  the  Interiok, 

Office  Indi.vn  Affairs, 

April  15  1851 
Wingfield  Esq  Ed^.  H 

Greenshoro,  Greene  Co 

Georgia 
Sir: 

Your  ofiieial  bond,  s;itisfactoi-ily  executed,  enclosed  in  the  letter  of  Hon  W  C 
Dawson,  of  the  6th  inst,  has  been  received 

I  have  understood  that  Col.  E  V.  Sumner  1st  Regt.  U  S  Dnigoons  in  command 
of  a  detachment  of  troops  contemplates  leaving  Fort  Leavenwortli,  Mo  for 
Santa  Fe,  as  early  as  the  1st  proximo,  if  practicable.  The  Department  is  de- 
sirous that  the  agents  shall  reacli  their  posts  in  New  Mexico  as  early  as  pvossi- 
ble,  and  it  will  be  better  therefore  tliat  you  proceed  at  once  to  Fort  Leaven- 
worth, and  avail  yourself  of  this  opportunity  as  the  other  agents  design  doing 
to  proceed  to  Santa  Fe. 

A  remittance  of  $1000  will  at  once  be  made  to  you  from  the  Treasury  with 
which  you  will  be  charged  <&  held  accountable  under  the  following  heads  of 
appropriation  viz : 

Pjesents  to  Indians  $500 

"  Current  expenses  Ind  Dei)t."         "500 

1  O.  L  A.,  L.  B.,  No.  44,  p.  311. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  385 

The  first  amount  is  for  tbe  purchase  of  suitable  articles  as  presents  for  the 
Indians  within  your  agency,  and  the  evidence  of  the  delivery  of  the  same  must 
accompany  your  accounts.  The  second  amount  is  for  the  payment  of  your 
travelling  expenses  to  your  post  in  New  Mexico,  and  in  all  cases  when  practica- 
ble you  will  obtain  receipts  for  all  such  payments:  when  impracticable,  you 
will  keep  an  account  of  the  same  to  be  rendered  with  your  accounts  upon  your 
oertificate  of  honor. 

Very  respectfully  Your  obt  Servt 

L  Lea 

Comr. 

[lea    TO    GREINER  ^] 

Department  of  the  Interior 

Office  Indian  Affairs 

April  15.  1851 
Greiner  Esq  John 

Columbus 
Ohio 
Sir: 

Tour  letter  of  the  11th  instant,  enclosing  your  official  bond,  satisfactorily 
executed,  as  agent  for  the  Indians  in  New  Mexico,  has  been  received 

In  reply  to  the  questions  contained  in  your  letter.  I  state,  that  should  you 
think  proper  to  draw  in  favor  of  some  other  person  on  this  office,  for  tlie 
amount  of  your  salary,  as  it  becomes  due  quarterly,  or  any  portion  thereof,  by 
notifying  tliis  office  of  the  fact  of  your  having  made  such  disposition  of  it,  the 
amount  will  be  paid  wheiK  it  is  due,  on  the  presentation  of  the  drafts.  No 
advance  of  salary,  however,  can  be  made  to  you. 

The  Department  is  desirous  that  the  agents  shall  reach  their  posts  in  New 
Mexico,  as  early  as  possible,  and  you  will  therefore  make  your  arrangements 
to  proceed  at  once  to  Fort  Leavenworth,  Mo.  and  if  possible  in  time  to  accom- 
pany the  detachment  of  troops  under  Col.  E  V  Sumner,  1st  Regt  U  S  Dragoons 
leaving  on  the  1st  proximo  for  Santa  Fe. 

A  remittance  of  $1000.  will  at  once  be  made  to  you  from  the  Treasury,  with 
which  you  will  be  charged  and  held  accountable  under  the  following  heads  of 
appropriation,  viz : 

"  Presents  to  Indians  "  $500 

"  Current  expenses  Ind  Dept  "  "500 
The  first  amount  is  for  the  purchase  of  suitable  articles  as  presents  for  the 
Indians  within  your  agency,  and  the  evidence  of  the  delivery  of  the  same  must 
accompany  your  accounts.  The  second  amount,  is  for  the  payment  of  your 
travelling  expenses  to  your  post  in  New  Mexico,  and  in  all  cases  when  practi- 
cable, you  will  obtain  receipts  for  all  such  payments;  when  impracticable,  you 
will  keep  an  account  of  the  same,  to  be  renderd  with  your  accounts,  upon  your 
certificate  of  honor. 

Very  resi^ectfully 

Tour  obt  Servt 

L  Lea 

Comr. 

1  O.  I.  A.,  L.  B.,  No.  44,  p.  312. 

5021—15 25 


386  COKRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN. 

[MEMBERS  OF  THE  LEGISLATURE  TO  CALHOUN.'] 

With  Governor  Calhoun's  letter  of  the  1st  of  October. 

To  His  Excellency  the  Governor. 

The  undersigned  desiring  to  see  a  cessation  of  the  uninterrupted 
calamities  which  afflict  the  Territory  of  New  Mexico  have  the  honor 
of  addressing  Your  Excellenc}^  Avith  the  greatest  respect,  reminding 
Y.  E.  of  circumstances  which  have  transpired  during  the  last  eighteen 
years  and  the  dreadful  evils  of  war  which  have  been  inflicted  upon 
us  by  the  savage  Indians,  especially  the  Navajoes 

Your  memorialists,  members  of  the  Legislature,  cannot  help  refer- 
ring to  previous  years,  for  the  purpose  of  explanation.  From  the 
3^ears  1830  to  1834  the  country  presented  a  wonderful  state  of  pros- 
perity, consisting  of  large  herds  of  sheep  and  cattle  roaming  over 
ihe  vast  and  extensive  plains  and  numbering  over  a  million  and  a 
half  of  heads,  not  less  than  twenty  five  thousand  head  of  cattle,  and 
over  fifteen  thousand  horses  and  mules,  without  mentioning  other 
animals,  affording  a  large  commerce  with  the  United  States  and  the 
Republic  of  Mexico. 

The  undersigned  now  compare  that  period  with  the  present,  and 
with  unmistakable  feelings,  feel  authorized  to  call  the  attention  of  all 
true  patriots,  and  that  of  Y.  E.  to  the  lamentable  fact. 

To  prove  these  facts  it  is  only  necessary  to  refer  to  the  last  census, 
from  which  may  be  seen  that  at  the  present  time  New  Mexico  does 
not  possess  one  tenth  of  the  property  she  owned  in  previous  years, 
it  has  been  swept  away  as  by  an  impetuous  torrent,  our  prosperity 
has  been  converted  into  misfortune,  and  the  present  miserable  condi- 
tion of  New  Mexico,  is  the  fatal  result  of  the  misfortune  which  has 
taken  place,  paralyzing  every  branch  of  industry  to  the  greatest 
degree,  and  being  the  cause  of  continued  murders  and  the  taking  of 
a  number  of  captives,  the  Indians,  have  with  impunity  carried  off 
nearly  all  the  property  owned  in  New  Mexico. 

It  is  unfortunately  true  in  regard  to  New  Mexico  that  its  abitrary 
Governors  and  Dictators  paid  no  attention  whatever  to  the  remon- 
strances of  the  people,  as  they  were  without  a  legal  constitution  upon 
Avhich  to  base  their  claims.  We  are  now,  to  a  certain  extent,  capable 
of  deliberating  upon  the  welfare  of  our  Country.  Your  Memorial- 
ists sincerely  hope  Your  Excellency's  favorable  attention  will  be  de- 
voted to  garrisoning  the  frontiers  of  our  country,  so  as  to  restrain 
and  prevent  the  incursions  of  the  savages  who  surround  us. 

Your  Memorialists,  taking  into  consideration  the  common  welfare 
of  the  country,  beg  leave  to  designate  the  following  as  frontier  points. 
Tunicha,  in  the  Navajo  mountains,  the  river  San  Juan  in  the  vecinity 

1  Enclosure  of  Calhoun  to  Webster,  October  1,  1851. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  387 

of  Abiquin  and  Taos,  the  Rito  de  Los  Pinos  in  the  vecinity  of  Zuni, 
Cebolleta  and  Socorro,  the  Eio  Colorado  in  the  vecinity  of  Moro, 
Vegas  and  San  Miguel  del  Bado,  the  river  Pecos  at  the  Bosque 
Grande,  and  on  the  South,  a  river  running  at  the  foot  of  the  White 
Mountains.  These  six  points  are  the  most  important  and  prominent 
for  the  entrance  and  departure  of  the  Savage  Indians,  who  have  com- 
jnitted  so  many  hostilities,  and  consumed  the  substance  of  the  Terri- 
tory. They  demand  the  attention  and  activity  of  the  Government, 
and  we  earnestly  pray  that  it  may  extend  its  true  and  patriotic  pro- 
lection  over  us.  and  occupy  the  above  mentioned  points  with  the 
forces  deemed  necessary,  so  that  the  settlements  of  New  Mexico  may 
be  protected,  and  the  people  again  recover  the  immense  losses  they 
liave  sustained  by  reason  of  the  dangers  to  which  they  have  been 
txposed.  and  the  great  changes  and  constant  dryness  of  the  weather. 

Having  mentioned  the  principal  causes  of  our  misfortunes,  the 
undersigned,  desiring  to  be  supplied  with  the  means  of  obtaining 
relief  from  the  enemy,  respectfully  pray  Your  Excellency  to  take 
into  consideration  the  propriety  of  giving  the  people  of  the  Terri- 
tory the  authority  to  raise  volunteer  companies,  against  the  invaders, 
distributing  among  the  parties,  in  proportion  to  their  numbers,  an 
equal  share  of  all  the  Captives,  and  other  spoils  that  may  be  taken 
from  them,  under  the  direction  of  a  leader  appointed  from  among 
themselves,  with  the  powers  that  may  be  deemed  most  necessary 

These  being  our  sincere  desires,  we  respectfully  pray  Your  Excel- 
lency to  adopt  those  measures  that  may  be  deemed  expedient,  to 
remedy  the  evils  with  which  we  are  oppressed. 

Santa  Fe  Juhj  9th  1851. 
Signed 

Celedonio  Valdes.  Juan  Crisobal  Chaves,  Jose'  Andres  Sandoval, 
Antonio  Jose'  Ortiz,  Francisco  Antonio  Otero.  Diego  Salazar,  Flor- 
entine Castillo.  Miguel  Sena  i  Romero,  Juan  Jose'  Shanchez,  Hilario 
Gonzales,  Juan  Cruz  Baca,  Jose'  Pablo  Gallegos,  Geronimo  Jaramillo, 
Pascual  Martinez,  Escapula  Vigil,  George  Gold,  Juan  Torres,  Dionisio 
Gonzalez,  Raymundo  Cordova.  Miguel  Mascarena,  William  Curtis 
Skinner.  S.  M.  Baird,  Francisco  Tomas  Cabeza  de  Baca,  Antonio 
Jose'  Martinez.  Tomas  Ortiz.  Vicente  Martinez. 
Translators  Office. 

July  Wth  1851. 
Whiting 


388  CORRESPONDENCE   OP   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[CALHOUN  TO   LEA.'] 

1st  of  this  date 

Executive  Department 
Santa  Fe',  New  Mexico 

J>dy  25,  1851 
Sir, 

There  is  an  error  in  the  addition  of  my  accounts  as  transmitted  to 
you  on  the  1st  day  of  the  present  month.  Instead  of  $1241.56,  the 
amounts  add  up  $1441.56,  and  is  the  amount  for  which  I  drew.  There 
are,  perhaps,  one  or  more  errors,  such  as  using  Territorial  instead  of 
United  States  Vouchers.  These  errors  arose  from  the  immense 
nmount  of  labor,  that  I  am  daily  compelled  to  perform.  /  ouglit  to 
he  alloiued  a  Secretary. 
I  am, 

With  great  respect, 

Your  obedient  Servant. 

James  vS.  Calhoun 
Hon:  L.  Lea, 
Comr.  of  Ind.  A/fs. 

Washington  City, 
D.  C. 

[CALHOUN  TO   LEA.*] 

Second  of  this  date 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe',  New  MExrro 

Jidy  25th  1851. 
Sir, 

Agitators  are  yet  attempting  to  excite  the  Pueblo  Indians  by 
misrepresentations,  and  outrages  upon  their  rights — The  arrival  of 
our  Judges,  and  two  of  our  Indian  Agents.  Weightman  and  Greiner. 
will  afford  to  the  public  considerable  protection  against  the  disorders 
ilesigned  by  evil  disposed  persons.  At  one  time,  the  peril  was  great, 
and  to  prevent  an  outbreak,  heavy,  and  perhaps,  unauthorized  ex- 
penditures were  incurred,  and  the  Department  must  pass  upon  them 
according  to  its  authority  and  sense  of  Justice. 

^  O.  I.  A..  New  Mexico  Sup^.,  N.  130. 

« O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Sup^.,  N  134  ;  Report  Commissioner  Indian  Affairs,  1851,  pp. 
i99-200. 


COEEESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  389 

Apaches. 

Col.  St  Vrain  came  from  Taos  on  yesterday,  and  says  the  Jiccar- 
rillas  are  entirely  quiet,  and  he  knows  of  no  depredations  they  havf 
committed  since  they  entered  into  the  Apache  treaty. 

Gomanches, 

concerning  whom  I  wrote  you  on  the  1st  day  of  this  month,  crossed 
(he  country  from  La  Cuesta  towards  the  Navajo  region,  by  way  of 
the  Pueblo  of  Santa  Domingo — They  ultimately  bore  South,  and 
passed  near  Cibolletta,  and  promised  a  visit  to  the  Commandant  of 
that  post,  which  they  omitted  to  pay  but  continued  their  course  South 
and  South  east,  and  finally  recrossed  the  Del  Norte  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Alburquerque,  and  returned  to  their  accustomed  locality  near 
the  Bosque  Redondo,  Avithout  committing  outrages  of  any  kind,  ex- 
cept the  killing  of  such  animals  as  they  desired  for  food.  A  Pueblo 
Indian,  in  whom  I  repose  the  greatest  confidence,  and  who  has  don? 
me  good  service  for  months  past,  Carlos  Vigil,  returned  from  tlio 
Comanclie  country  two  days  ago,  reports  all  quiet,  and  gives  it  as 
his  opinion,  they  are  decidedly  peacefully  purposed — 

Navajos 

have  committed  several  murders  and  depredations  during  the 
month.  They  surprised  a  number  of  Mexicans  about  the  1st  of  this 
iuonth,  who  were  in  search  of  animals  run  off  by  Navajos,  killed  eight 
men  and  wounded  eleven  others.  At  the  request  of  Nesbit  and 
Parker  I  transmit  to  you,  their  statement  of  depredations  committed 
by  Navajos. 

About  the  1st  of  this  month,  near  the  Pueblo  of  Laguna,  the 
Navajos  killed  three  men,  and  caused  every  thing  to  be  burnt  up  to 
be  found  in  camp — The  murdered  men  were  Americans,  engaged  in 
complying  with  a  Government  Contract  for  Hay. 

The  Utahs, 

I  have  reason  to  beleive  are  submissive,  patiently  Avaiting  to  see 
what  our  Government  will  do  with  them,  and  for  them. 
I  am. 

With  great  respect, 

Your  obedient  Servant 


J.  S.  Calhoun 


Hon :  L.  Lea 

Comr.  Ind.  Afs. 

Washington  City, 

D.G. 


390  CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[CALHOUN   TO   LEA.'] 

ExECUTrv'E  Department 
Santa  Fe',  New  Mexico 

Juhj  28th.  1851 
Sir, 

During  the  month  of  March  last,  a  feud,  arising  from  antago- 
nistical  claims  to  certain  lands,  was  near  resulting  in  a  war  between 
the  Pueblos  of  Acoma  and  Laguna,  and  I  deemed  it  necessary  to 
interfere,  and  as  I  could  not  leave  the  seat  of  Government  at  that 
time,  I  employed  the  Hon.  John  R.  TuUis  to  visit  said  Pueblos,  and 
adjust  their  claims,  if  possible —  He  done  so  to  my  entire  satisfac- 
tion, although  the  dispute  is  again  assuming  a  threatening  aspect. 

Mr  TuUis  was  engaged  about  fifteen  days  in  that  service,  and  asks, 
as  pay,  Seventy  five  dollars^  which  I  deem  reasonable,  and  recommend 
you  to  cause  that  amount  to  be  paid  to  him —  If  I  were  less  em- 
barrassed in  my  money  matters,  I  should  not  have  hesitated  to  have 
paid  him  the  amount  in  this  City. 
I  am. 

With  great  respect 

Your  obedient  Servant 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Hon:  L.  Lea. 

Comr.  Ind.  J-ffs. 

Washington  City 

D.C. 

[CALHOUN   TO   LEA.=] 

Second  of  this  date 

Executive  Department 
Santa  Fe',  New  Mexico 

Jvh/  28th.  1851 
Sir, 

I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  I  have  five  captives  taken  by 
the  Comanches  from  the  Republic  of  Mexico. 

1.  Andres  Martinez,  El  Gallo,  Durango.  age,  fifteen  years — Father's 

name.  Joaquin  Martinez — Mother's.  Catalina  Morales.  He  sup- 
poses he  has  been  with  the  Comanches  about  seven  years.  Re- 
ceived him  May  29th.  1851. 

2.  Teodosio  Salazar.  Rancho  of  Juan  Perez,  Durango — Supposed  to 

be  twelve  years  old.  Ciprano  and  Petra  Talazar.  parents. 
Mother  dead.     Received  him  June  15th.  1851. 


O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  N  160. 
Ibid.   N   133. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  391 

3.  Cleto  Martinez,  near  the  Cit}-^  of  Durango,  Mexico.     Anselner  and 

Josefa  Martinez,  parents — both  dead— supposes  he  has  been  with 
the  Comanches  near  six  years —  We  suppose  him  to  be  twelve 
years  of  age — Eeceived  him  the  1st  day  of  this  month. 

4.  Antonio  Monsial  Canatana  from  near  the  City  of  Durango,  sup- 

posed to  be  fifteen  years  of  age — Francisco  Monsial  Canatana. 
father — and  Beringua  Quintana.  mother.  He  supposes  he  has 
been  with  the  Comanches  seven  years. 

5.  Feliz — He  knows  of  no  other  name — Parents,  dead.     Taken  cap- 

tive at  the  same  time  with  No.  4,  and  both  were  received  here 
on  the  1st  day  of  this  month 
By  the  first  opportunity  that  presents,  these  captives  will  be  con- 
veyed to  El  Paso,  and  delivered  to  the  Chief  Officer  of  the  Govern- 
ment of  Mexico  at  that  place,  upon  his  receipting  for  them. 
I  am, 

With  great  respect, 

Your  obedient  Servant, 

James  S.  Calhoun 

Supt.  Ind.  Affs 

P.  S.  I  have  recently  liberated  two 
New  Mexican  Captives,  and  restored 
them  to  their  parents. 

J.  C.  S. 
Hon :  L.  Lea, 

Com?'.  Ind.  Afs. 

Washington  City 
D.C. 

[CALHOUN  TO  LEA.'] 

Executive  Department 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

July  29th.  1851. 
Sir, 

The  only  object  of  this  communication  is,  again,  to  caution  you  in 
relation  to  claims  for  depredations.  Many  of  them  are  heavy,  and 
should  be  paid.  But  there  are  others  that  will  be  greatly  exagerated. 
and  the  weakest  proof  will  be  couched  in  terms  that  will  seem  to 
establish  losses  beyond  all  doubt.  The  loose  way  of  preparing  affida- 
vits and  going  through  the  country  in  search  of  the  witnesses,  may 
not,  always,  elicit  the  truth. 

Unless  a  Commission  is  appointed  for  that  Special  purpose,  I  sug- 
gest that  all  testimony  in  relation  to  depredations  should  be  taken  be- 
fore the  Superintendent,  or  Indian  Agents  of  this  Territory,  under 

1  O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  N  132. 


392  CORRESPONDEXCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

such  rules  and  regulations  as  may  be  prescribed  by  Congress,  or  the 
Department  of  the  Interior 
I  am, 

With  great  respect, 

Your  obedient  Servant 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Supt.  bid.  Affs 
Hon:  L.  Lea, 
Oomr.  Ind.  Affs 

Washington  City 
D.  C. 

[CALHOUN   TO   BROOKS/] 

Copy. 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

July  30th  1851 
Sir 

In  order  to  be  prepared  for  emergencies,  I  beg  to  enquire,  whether 
you  are  clothed  with  authority  to  afford  the  Superintendent  and  In- 
dian Agents  with  escorts,  and  other  facilities  that  may  be  necessary 
to  enable  them  to  discharge  the  duties  confided  to  them  by  the  Gov- 
ernment of  the  United  States  ? 
I  am 

With  great  respect, 

Your  obedient  Servant 

Signed  J.  S.  Calhoun 

Lt  Col  Brooks 

U.  S.  A. 

CoTnmanding 

Santa  Fe,  N.  M. 

[CALHOUN   TO   LEA.'] 

Executive  Department 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

July  30th  1851 

Sir, 

I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you,  that  Col.  Woolley  and  Mr.  Wing- 
field  arrived  with  the  mail  wagon  on  the  25th  inst.    Genl.  Weight 


1  Enclosure  No.  1  of  Calhoun  to  Lea,  August  31,  1851 ;  Annual  Report  Commissioner 
Indian  Affairs,  1851,  p.  201. 

2  0.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  N  131. 


COKKESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  393 

man  is  now  engaged  in  attempting  to  adjust  some  difficulties  between 
Pueblo  Indians  and  Mexicans.  Unless  the  boundaries  of  the  Pueblos 
are  clearly  and  distinctly  defined,  our  domestic  annoyances  will  be 
eternal.  Several  Pueblos  are  now  moody,  and  it  will  be  no  difficult 
matter  for  the  evil  disposed  to  induce  them  to  desperation,  unless 
some  plan  can  be  adopted  to  protect  them  from  mal-influences. 

The.  Four  Agents. 

They  are  here,  have  duly  reported  ^  to  me,  and  I  am  without  the 
means  to  enable  them  to  do  full  service — I  received  nothing  from 
your  Department  by  the  last  mail— Col.  Woolley  will  remain  near 
the  Head  Quarters  of  the  Army,  now  established  beyond  our  eastern 
border,  about  one  hundred  miles  from  this  place,  and  six  miles  east 
of  Barclay's  Fort,  on  the  Bent's  Fort  road.  Mr.  Griener  will  be  sta- 
tioned, for  the  present,  near  Taos,  and  whenever  Col.  Sumner  shall 
establish  a  Military  Post  in  the  Utah  Country,  he  will  repair  to  that 
point. 

Mr  Wingfield  will,  if  practicable,  accompany  Col.  Sumner  to  the 
Navajo  Country,  and  take  position  near  the  post  to  be  established 
there. 

B^^In  reference  to  treaties^  unless  I  am  overruled  by  the  Depart- 

residing 
ment,  no  further  treaties  will  be  made  with  the  Apaches  east 

of  the  Del  Norte — the  Navajos,  or  Utahs.  These  Indians  will  be  re- 
quired to  conform  to  the  treaties  which  they  entered  into  with  me — ■ 
But  where  are  they  to  be  located,  and  what  shall  be  the  extent  of  the 
limits  to  which  they  are  to  be  restricted,  and  from  which  they  are 
not  to  depart  except  under  rules  and  regulations  to  be  adopted? 
The  Department  must  answer  these  questions,  or  confer  upon  me,  or 
some  other  person  or  persons,  authority  to  adjust  them.  But,  would 
it  be  just  and  right  to  the  Indians,  or  to  our  own  reputation,  to  re- 
quire of  them  a  compliance  with  their  respective  treaty  Stipulations, 
without  being  prepared  to  manifest  our  own  generous  humanity  to- 
Avards  them?  So  far  as  the  Navajos  and  Utahs  are  concerned,  ample 
l^rovisions  have  been  made;  but  the  appropriations  are  not  within  our 
reach,  nor  do  we  know,  when  or  by  whom  they  are  to  be  expended— 
The  Navajos  will  yield  the  moment  Col.  Sumner  establishes  a  Mili- 
tary post  in  their  country,  and  they  will  then  need  but  few  presents, 
except  implements  of  husbandry,  and  artisan  instructors.  The  Utahs 
will  require  more,  as  subsistence  must  be  furnished  to  them  for  a 
time. 

Another  question,  in  reference  to  the  Utahs,  must  be  considered  by 
the  Department —    The  intelligent  and  dangerous  of  the  tribe  are  in 

1  See  Greiner  to  Lea,  July  31,  1851,  and  Woolley  to  Mix,  August  1,  1851. 


~) 


394  COERESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

New  Mexico,  and  the  more  inoffensive,  in  the  Territory  of  Now 
Utah.  Are  these  to  be  brought  nearer  together,  or,  are  they  to  be 
under  different  Superintendencies  ? 

You  are  aware,  there  are  no  provisions  for  the  Apaches  with  whom 
a  treaty  has  been  made. 

The  only  Indians  (Wild  Indians)  with  whom  a  treaty  should  be 
made,  are  the  Apaches  west  of  the  Del  Norte.  These  Indians  are 
within  the  present  limits  of  this  Territory  (at  least,  that  portion  of 
them  who  are  not  within  the  limits  of  the  Republic  of  Mexico;)  and 
these  are  they  who  are  habitually  seizing  captives,  and  committing 
depredations  upon  Mexican  citizens.  If  I  can  find  time,  and  procure 
a  suitable  escort,  I  intend  visiting  the  Boundary  Commission  before 
the  meeting  of  our  next  legislature,  (1st  monday  in  December  next.) 
This  may,  however,  depend  upon  instructions  to  be  received  from  the 
Department 

The  $100 poo  Apjyrojyriation. 

The  Comanches  and  Eastern  Apaches  are,  principally,  within  the 
limits  of  New  Mexico,  as  now  organized.  Many  of  the  Comanches, 
perhaps  the  greater  number  of  them,  roam  within  the  limits  of  New 
Mexico.  The  homes  of  the  Eastern  Apaches  are  in  this  Territory,  ftft4 
these  Indians  have  committed  more  aggressions  against  the  people 

immediately 
of  the  United  States  than  the  combined  tribes  east  of 

them — and  they  are  as  often,  and  in  as  great  numbers,  upon  the 
plains  as  other  tribes — Was  it  not  intended  that  a  portion  of  this 
appropriation  should  be  expended  in  holding  treaties  with  these 
Indians,  and  sending  delegates  of  them  to  the  Seat  of  Government? 
If  I  mistake  not,  the  Government  of  the  United  States  have  a 
treaty  with  the  Comanches,  and  the  only  question  to  be  adjusted  is 
that  of  settling  their  limits  to  territory,  and  granting  to  them  such 
gratuities  as  may  be  deemed  advisable. 
I  am, 

With  great  respect. 

Your  obedient  Servant 


J.  S.  Calhoux 


Hon:  L.  Lea 

Comr.  Ind.  Affs. 

Washington  City 

D.C. 


COREESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  395 

[BUELL  TO   CALHOUN.'] 

Copy. 

Head  Quarters  9th  Depart. 

Fort  Union.  Xew  Mexico 

August  3d  1851 
Sir. 

Your  note  of  the  30th  ultimo,  to  Bvt.  Lieut  Col.  Brooks,  com- 
manding the  troops  stationed  at  Santa  Fe,  inquiring  whether  he  is 
"  Clothed  with  authority  to  afford  the  superintendent  and  Indian 
Agents  with  escorts,  and  other  facilities,  that  may  be  necessary  to 
enable  them  to  discharge  the  duties  confided  to  them  by  the  Govern- 
ment of  the  United  States,"  has  been  refered  to  this  office,  and  I  am 
directed  by  the  commanding  officer  of  the  Department  to  reply  to 
you,  that  the  troops  in  this  Department  will  be  prepared,  at  all 
times,  for  any  service  which  the  Government  contemplated,  or  it«j 
interest  demand. 

No  general  authority,  or  orders,  can,  however,  I  am  instructed  to 
say,  be  given  to  officers,  to  detach  portions  of  their  commands  upon 
the  discretional  requisitions  of  the  agents  of  the  Indian  Department: 
first,  because  such  demands  might  interfere  with  the  specific  service 
to  which  the  troops  had  been  assigned ;  and  second,  because  the  Gov- 
ernment does  not  contemplate  any  display  of  Military  force  in  the, 
Indian  country,  that  is  not  made  under  the  controll  of  Military 
authority. 

As  baring  upon  this  Question,  I  am  directed  by  the  Commander 
of  the  Department  to  refer  you,  incidentally,  to  the  extract  from  the 
instructions  of  the  War  Department  to  him,  furnished  to  you  on  the 
22d  ultimo,  which  direct  him  to  allow  the  superintendent  of  Indian 
Affairs  or  (Indian  Agents,)  to  accompany  him  in  the  expedition 
which  it  may  be  necessary  to  make  into  the  Indian  Territory. 
Very  respectfully 


Your  Obt.  Sevt. 


Signed  D.  C.  Buell, 

Asst.  Adjt.  Genl. 


To  His  Excellency 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Gov.  of  New  Mexico  and 
Supt.  of  Indian  Affairs 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico. 


1  Enclosure  No.  2  of  Calhoun  to  Lea,  August  31,  1851.  This  same  letter  is  to  be  found 
in  A.  G.  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  4,  pp.  226-227,  and  in  Department  of  New  Mexico,  vol.  S. 
p.  12  ;  but  it  is  signed  in  both  instances  by  Sumner  himself  instead  of  by  his  assistant 
adjutant  general,  D.  C.  Bnell. 


396  COREESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[CALHOUN  TO  SUMNER/] 
Copy. 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

August  Wi  1851. 
Sir, 

I  trust  the  responsible  position  which  I  occupj^,  as  the  representa- 
tive of  the  Government  of  the  United  States  in  its  civil  Department, 
and  my  obligations,  not  only  to  said  Government,  but  also  to  the  people 
of  this  Territory,  to  guard  as  far  as  I  may  hft¥e  rightfully  have  the 
power,  their  persons,  property  and  fire  sides,  will  justify  me  in  your 
estimation  in  addressing  to  you  this  communication. 

It  is  presumed,  our  ignorance  in  relation  to  the  disposition  of 
troops,  and  the  location  of  posts,  for  the  protection  of  the  people  of 
Xew  Mexico  during  your  contemplated  Navajo  Campaign,  has  ex- 
cited the  apprehensions  of  the  people.  Many  enquiries  have  been 
addressed  to  me  upon  this  subject,  which  I  have  not  been  able  to 
answer.  The  Navajo's  are  acquainted  with  every  nook  and  corner 
in  this  Territory,  and  it  would  be  exceedingly  indiscreet  for  any  one 
to  act  upon  the  presumption,  that  pending  your  march  into  the  heart 
of  the  country  which  they  claim,  they  and  other  Indians,  will  not 
seek  to  penetrate  into  our  midst,  and  murder  our  people,  and  carry 
off  captives  and  property.  This  result  is  inevitable  unless  precau- 
tionary measures  are  adopted  to  prevent  it.  I  am  satisfied  you  com- 
prehend the  danger,  and  have  adopted  such  measures^  as  will  afford 
adequate  ftttthei4fcy  protection,  but,  I  have  to  regret  that  I  can  not, 
by  authority.,  satisfy  the  uneasy  manifestations  of  the  public  mind. 

There  are  two  other  facts  which  increases  the  public  disquietude — 

1st.  It  is  known  that  many  of  the  Pueblo  Indians  have  been  tam- 
pered with  by  reckless  individuals  in  this  Territory,  and  unless  means 
are  adopted  to  prevent  an  outbreak,  internal  war  must  ensue. 

2d.  In  the  City  of  Santa  Fe,  a  vast  number  of  Quarter  Blasters 
and  other  men,  have  been  discharged  and  are  now  out  of  employment, 
and  at  this  season  of  the  year,  it  is  impossible  for  them  to  find  em- 
ployment. To  one  of  your  experience  it  would  be  a  waste  of  time 
to  suggest  the  dangers  to  be  apprehended  from  the  two  facts  set 
forth  above. 

3d.  I  must  also  state,  to  enable  the  superintendent  and  Indian 
Agents  to  contribute  all  in  their  power  to  guard  against  Indian  out- 
breaks, they  must  necessarily  travel  in  every  direction,  and  this  I 
cannot  direct  them  to  do  without  adequate  escorts.     Upon  this  sub- 

1  Enclosure  No.  3  of  Calhoun  to  Lea,  August  31,  1851 ;  Annual  Report  Commissioner 
Indian  Afifalrs,  1851,  pp.  203-204. 


COREESPONDEiSrCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN,  397 

ject,  I  addressed  a  note  to  Col.  Brooks,  the  commandant  at  this  post, 
which  he  informs  me  he  has  refered  to  you  for  instructions. 

I  now  beg  to  enquire,  if  I  shall  deem  it  necessary,  to  send  one  or 
more  of  the  Indian  Agents,  or  go  in  person,  with  you  to  the  Navajo 
country,  the  extent  of  the  facilities^  in  transportation  and  subsistence, 
that  will  be  afforded  to  us?  And  further,  v/ill  you  allow  Agents  at 
outposts  to  purchase  subsistence  of  commissaries. 

I  have  in  conclusion,  to  say,  with  perfect  respect,  that  one  company 
of  Artillery  will  be  in  my  opinion,  utterly  insufficient,  if  all  are 
mounted,  to  preserve  the  internal  quiet  of  this  Territory,  and  afford 
timely  succour  to  the  people  of  our  borders,  and  such  escorts  as  are 
absolutely  necessary  to  render  this  superintendency  efficient,  and 
this  can  be  effectively  accomplished,  only  by  having  a  sufficient  num- 
ber of  troops  at  a  central  position. 

The  foregoing  statement  is  placed  before  you  for  your  considera- 
tion, and  such  action  as  you  may  deem  wise. 
I  am, 

With  great  respect 

Your  obt  Servt 

Signed  J.  S.  Calhoux 

Col.  E.  V.  Sumner 

Comd  9th  BUI  Dept 
Fort  Union 
New  Mexico 

[SUMNER  TO  CALHOUN.'] 

Copy 

Hd  Qts  9th  Dept 

Fort  Union 

Augt  8/51 
Governor, 

I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of  the 
4th  inst. — the  proper  measures  will,  of  course,  be  taken,  to  prevent 
the -incursions  of  Indians  into  this  territory,  during  my  absence  in 
the  Navajo  country.  You  are  aware  sir,  that  it  is  not  usual  to  pub- 
lish the  plan  for  Military  operations. — 

With  regard  to  the  reckless  individuals  mentioned  by  your  Ex- 
cellency, it  is  a  source  of  deep  regret  to  me,  that  the  laws  of  this  ter- 
ritory are  not  strong  enough,  to  repress  such  people,  and  keep  them 
in  order;  this  state  of  things  is  not  understood  at  Washington,  or 
special  instructions,  would  undoubtedly  have  been  given  to  me,  to 
support  the  civil  government  in  the  execution  of  the  laws. 

1  Enclosure,  No.  4,  of  Calhoun  to  Lea,  August  31,  1851  ;  A.  G.  O.,  Department  of  Now 
Mexico,  vol.  8,  p.  18  ;  Old  Book,  No.  4,  p.  283. 


398  COEEESPOXDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

With   regard   to  the  transportation   and    subsistence    of    Indian 
Agents.  I  Avoiikl  remarlv.  that  no  allowances,  whatever,  can  be  made 
to  any  person  from  army  supplies,  not  provided  for,  by  express  law. 
It  is  presumed  that  every  department  makes  what  is  deemed  suit- 
able provisions  for  its  own  Agents. 
AVith  high  respect 
Your  obt  Servt 

Signed  E.  V.  Sumner 

Bvt  Col  V.  S.  A. 
His  Exy.  Gomdg  Deft 

J.  S.  Calhoux 
Govr 

[MIX   TO  CALHOUN.'] 

Department  of  the  Interior, 

Office  Indian  Affairs, 

August  8  1851. 
Calhoun,  His  Excy  Jas.  S. 

Santa  Fe^ 

New  Mexico. 

Sir  : 

In  fulfilment  of  the  treaties  with  the  Navajoes  &  Utahs,  ratified  at 
the  late  session  of  Congress,  there  was  appropriated  to  carry  into 
effect  the  9th  &.  10th  articles  of  the  former  the  sum  of  $18000,  &  a 
like  sum  to  carry  into  effect  the  7th  and  8th  articles  of  the  latter, 
making  together  $36,000. 

If  you  are  of  the  opinion  that  this  money  can  now  be  usefully 
applied  for  the  purpose  set  forth  in  the  treaties,  you  are  hereby  au- 
thorized to  draw  on  this  office  for  it.  ^ 
Verv  respeetfullv.  Your  Obt.  Servt 

Chas  E  Mix 
Actg  Gomr.  ad  interim 


0.  I.  A.,  L.  B.,  No.  45,  p. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  399 

[MIX   TO   CALHOUN.'] 

Department  of  the  Interior, 

OrncE  Indian  Affairs, 

August  9.  1851. 
Calhoun,  His  Excy.  J.  S. 

Santa  Fe. 

New  Mexico. 
Sir: 

Your  letter  of  the  1st  ulto,  transmitting  your  accounts  rendered  to 

56 
the  30th  June,  &  advising  of  draft  for  $1241       the  amount  of  said 
account,  has  been  received. 

The  latter  will  be  honored  on  presentation. 
Very  respectfully.  Your  Obt.  Servt 

Chas  E  Mix 
Actg  Comr  ad  interim 

[MIX  TO   CALHOUN.'] 

Department  of  the  Interior, 

Office  Indian  Affairs 

Augt.  12.  1851 
Calhoun,  His  Excy  Governor. 

Santa  Fe 

New'  Mexico. 
Sir: 

In  reply  to  your  letter  of  June  30th,  1851.  asking  permission  to 
visit  Washington  City  «&  Georgia,  I  have  to  state  that  the  Secretary 
of  the  Interior  is  now  absent  from  Washington.  &  that  on  his  return 
your  request  will  be  submitted  to  him  with  the  recommendation  from 
this  office  that  it  be  granted. 

Very  respectfully,  Your  Obt.  Ser\i: 

Chas  E  Mix 
Actg  Comr  ad  interim 

1  O.  I.  A.,  L.  B.,  No.  45,  p.  53. 

2  Ibid,  p.  60. 


400  CORRE.SPONDENCE    OF    JAMES    S.    CALHOUN. 

[MIX   TO   CALHOUN.'] 

Depart:ment  of  the  Interior, 

Office  Indian  Affairs, 

Augitst  15.  1851 
Calhoun,  His  Excy  J.  S. 

Santa  Fe 
New  Mexico 
Sir: 

I  have  to  inform  you  that  your  accounts  as  Indian  Agent  for  the 
3d  &  4th  quarter  of  1850,  and  fractional  part  of  the  1st  quarter  of  the 
current  year  have  been  examined  in  this  office,  allowed  &  referred 
this  day  to  the  accounting  officers  of  the  Treasury  for  settlement. 

The  explanations  respecting  the  vouchers  suspended  on  settlement 
of  your  accounts  for  previous  quarters  made  in  your  letter  of  27th 
April  last  to  the  Second  Auditor,  and  by  him  referred  here,  have 
been  considered,  are  regarded  as  satisfactory,  remove  the  objections 
heretofore  raised,  and  the  accounting  officers  so  informed. 
Very  respectfully.  Your  Obt.  Servt 

Chas  E  Mix 
Actg  Comr  ad  interim 

[CALHOUN   TO   LEA.'] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

August  17.)  1851 
Sir 

I  have  this  day  drawn  upon  you,  at  one  days  sight;  in  favor  of  Mess 
J.  S  Lightner  &  Co  for  Two  thousand  Dollars,  which  amount  is 
absolutely  necessary  to  pay  the  salaries  of  Indian  Agents,  Col 
Wooley,  Mr  Greiner  and  Mr  Wingfield,  and  their  interpreters  to  the 
30th  of  June  last,  and  other  expenditures  at  this  Superintendency 

I  have  been  exceedingly  reluctant  to  draw  without  instructions  but 
(»ur  urgent  necessities  required  me  to  assume  a  responsibility,  which  1 
can  not  doubt  you  will  approve,  and  that  the  draft  will  be  promptly 
paid  as  in  previous  cases 
I  am 

With  great  respect 

Your  Obedient  Servant 

Ja3ies  S.  Calhoun 

Supt.  Ind.  Aifs 
Hon  Luke  Lea 

Commissioner  of  Indian  A  fairs 

W  ashing  ton  City 

B.C.      ■ 

1  O.  I.  A.,  L.  B.,  No.  45,  p.  68. 

=  O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  N.  141. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  401 

[CALHOUN  TO  LEA  '] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

August  22 d.  1851. 
Sir, 

On  the  5th  of  this  month,  I  sent  to  El  Paso  five  captives  to  be 
delivered  to  the  authorities  of  the  Eepiiblic  of  Mexico.  Since  then 
I  have  releived  four  others ;  one,  an  Apache  Indian,  the  three  others, 
will  be  sent  to  El  Paso  so  soon  as  an  opportunity  offers. 

A  large  number  of  Captives  and  animals,  taken  recently  from  the 
Republic  of  Mexico,  are  now  in  the  possession  of  the  Gila  Apaches, 
and  it  is  of  the  utmost  importance  to  have  an  Agent  in  that  neigh- 
borhood. 

Col.  Sumner,  with  a  command  of  troops,  marched  a  few  days  since, 

to 
in  the  direction  of  the  Navajo  country,  and  I  desired  send  out,  as 
suggested  by  you,  an  Agent,  but  Col.  Sumner  positively  declined 
affording  the  "  facilities "  which  his  instructions  authorized — and 
therefore,  no  Agent  accompanies  him — The  Agent  however,  will  not 
be  idle,  and  will  be  stationed  at,  or  near  Dona  Ana,  a  very  important 
point  at  this  time — My  correspondence  with  Col.  Sumner,  will  be 
forwarded  by  the  next  mail. 

It  is  now  clear,  I  shall  not  be  able  to  visit  the  Gila  Apaches,  as  T 
intended,  and  deemed  absolutely  necessary,  because  Col.  Sumner 
declines  affording  this  Superintendency  escorts  for  my  purpose— If 
this  course  is  in  pursuance  of  instructions  from  Washington,  our  In- 
dian Affairs  must  be  conducted  by  the  officers  of  the  Army,  or  they 
must  be  neglected. 

Since  the  departure  of  our  mail  of  the  first  of  this  month,  our 
Indian  friends,  and  indeed  all  others,  have  been  unusually  quiet — ■ 
The  Indians  are  now  in  a  manageable  condition. 
Very  respectfully, 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Hon :  L.  Lea 

Comr.  Ind.  A/fs. 

Washington  City 

10.  I.  a.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  N  136. 
5021— 1."h 26 


402  COEEESPOKDEXCE    OF    JAMES    S.    CALHOUN. 

[CALHOUN    TO   LEA'] 

Executive  Department 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico, 

Avgvst  22,  1851. 
Sir, 

I  am  frequently  receiving  conununications  similar  to  the  en- 
closed— The  people,  notwithstanding  the  present  quiet,  are  uneasy, 
and  with  arms  and  munitions  of  war,  and  the  bare  authority  to  call 
out  the  militia,  confidence  would  prevail,  and  the  means  of  properly 
conducting   our   Indian   relations   in   this   Territory,   would   secure 

for 
quietude — It  is  to  be  hoped,  that  the  mail  we  are  now  looking 
will  bring  me  instructions,  means,  and  such  authorit}^  as  will  enable 
me  to  visit  the  Gila  Apaches,  and  Moquies. 
With  great  respect. 

Your  Obt  Servt 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Hon :  L.  Lea 

Comr.  Ind.  A/fs 

[RODRIGUEZ   AND   OTHERS   TO   CALHOUN.'] 

To  the  Illustrious  Go\t:rkor 

at  Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico. 

Paul  Melendres,  Judge  of  Court  at  Our  Lady  de  la  Candelaria  of 
Dona  Ana,  in  the  jurisdiction  of  the  district  of  Socorro,  for  himself 
and  those  who  subscribed  with  him  this  paper  make  the  following 
petition  and  request  under  the  assurance  and  protestation  of  respect 
and  loyalty  and  in  form  due  to  the  high  position  of  your  Excellency. 
They  have  heard  from  good  and  trustworthy  sources  from  persons  in 
this  circuit  that  there  is  a  rumor  that  the  Cavalry  and  Infantiy,  now 
attached  to  this  colony  will  be  removed  in  a  few  months,  and,  know- 
ing and  realizing  that  the  execution  of  such  a  movement  would  bring 
imminent  peril  to  us.  to  the  extent  that  our  lives  our  wives  and 
families  might  be  sacrificed  and  lose  the  little  we  have  to  live  upon 
and  will  be  exposed  to  the  tnry  of  the  bloody  hands  of  the  Apaches, 
just  as  we  have  been  in  past  years. 

Mr.  Francisco  Velarde,  in  order  to  prevent  such  disaster  and  free 
us  from  anxiety  is  making  this  petition  to  the  Government  at  Wash- 
ington with  the  earnest  request  that  a  detachment  of  an  armed  force 
may  be  left  here  sufficiently  strong  to  insure  us  protection. 

1  O.  1.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  N  138. 

2  Enclosure  of  CaUioim  to  Lea,  August  22,  1851.  Translated  from  the  Spanish  by 
F.  .T.  B..  U.  S.  Pension  Office,  May  28,  1913. 


COERESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  403 

You  well  knoAv,  as  well  as  ourselves,  the  country  in  which  live  the 
barbarous  tribes  and  who  intend  to  make  their  desperate  incursions 
into  this  district,  which  lies  on  their  border. 

There  are  many  malevolents  living  among  us  and  the  tribes  in  our 
vicinity  who  are  at  peace  with  us  and  true  and  loyal,  and  the  former 
can  do  incalculable  harm  in  inciting  others  to  perfidy. 

As  the  Hon.  Government  has  treated  us  with  paternal  considera- 
tion, we  hope  and  trust  in  all  confidence  that  it  will  further  protect 
us  and  concede  us  the  military  force  necessary  to  our  safety  or  suffi- 
cient and  capable  to  aid  us  to  it.  We  see,  and  learn  from  others,  that- 
many  of  our  neighbors,  on  whom  we  counted  for  aid  in  such  emer- 
irencies,  have  left  their  lands  for  the  Mexican  border 

Dona  Ana,  August  8.  1851 

Jose  Maria  Rodriguez  Pablo  Melendres 

Aspertacio  Varela  Ramon  Cruz 

Florentino  Espalin  Man.  Lopez 

Miguel  Montoya  Pedernabe  Montoya 

Alexandre  Maldonado  Franc*=°  Velarde 

Ramon  Contreras  Manuel  Chabez 

Julian  Viscarra  Juan  Fore 
Jose  Ignez  Corona  Carrera 

Ph.  M.  Thompson  *     Antonio  Courtantes 

Jeremiah  Snyder  F.  Flecher 

[CALHOUN   TO   LEA^] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe',  New  Mex. 

August  22, 1851. 
Sir, 

I  did  not  know  until  yesterday,  that  I  owed  you  an  apology.  In 
looking  over  my  correspondence,  I  noticed,  with  mortification,  that  in 
forwarding  a  treaty,  made  with  the  Apaches  on  the  2d  of  April  last, 
it  was  addressed  to  the  Hon :  A.  H.  H.  Stuart,  Secretary  of  the  Inte- 
rior, but  which  should  have  been  addressed  to  you.  I  hasten,  Sir,  to 
assure  you,  it  is  an  inadvertency  which  gives  me  pain,  and  in  no  way 
designed  to  manifest  the  slightest  disrespect  towards  you. 
On  the  contrary, 
I  am. 

Sir, 

With  profound  respect. 

Your  obedient  Servant 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Hon:  L.  Lea 

Oomr.  Ind.  Affs 

1  O.  L  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  N  137. 


404  CORRESPONDEXCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[MIX   TO   CALHOUN/] 

,  Department  or  the  Ixterior. 

Office  Indian  Affairs. 

August  2S.  1851. 
Calhoun,  His  Excy  J.  S. 

Santa  Fe 

New  Mexico 
Sir: 

The  limited  appropriations  made  by  Congress  for  Indian  service 
within  your  Superintendency,  necessarily  causes  the  amount  allotted 
to  you  for  contingencies  to  be  small.  Under  this  head,  therefore, 
for  the  present,  &  until  measures  can  be  taken  through  Congress  to 
increase  the  sum,  there  have  been  allotted  to  you  $500;  and  for  in- 
terpreters $500.  also.  For  these  amounts,  you  are  authorized  to  draw 
upon  this  office,  as  the  necessities  of  the  service  may  require. 

You  will  please  inform  the  four  Agents  for  the  Indians  in  New 
Mexico,  that,  to  each,  the  same  amounts  under  the  same  heads  have 
been  allotted,  for  which,  they  are  authorized  to  draw  in  like  manner. 
Verv  respectfully.  Your  Obt.  Servt 

Chas  E  Mix 
Actg  Comr  ad  interim 

[CITIZENS    or   MESILLA   TO   CALHOUN.] 

With  Governor  Calhoun's  letter  ^  of  the  15th  Septr 

Mesilla  New  Mexico 

August  2ofh  1851 
To  his  Exelency  the  Governor 

of  New  Mexico.  J.  S.  Calhoun 
Sir. 

We  the  undersigned  Citizens  of  Mesilla  beg  leave  to  call  your  at- 
tention to  the  unpleasant  condition  we  are  placed  in,  in  consequence 
of  the  great  oversight  of  Mr  Bartlett  the  Commissioner  on  the  part 
of  the  United  States  in  placing  the  Initial  Point,  or  Starting  place 
of  the  Southern  Boundary  of  New  Mexico,  beyond  the  limits  of  the 
Treaty  according  to  Mr  A  B.  Grays  (U.  S  Surveyors)  Arguments, 
which  we  have  had  the  good  fortune  to  fall  in  with  in  writing,  a  copy 
of  which ;  we  beg  the  honor  of  presenting  to  you. 

We  were  of  the  opinion  ever  since  this  line  was  Established  that  it 
was  wrong,  and  should  have  taken  this  step  Sooner  but  untill  the 

a 
prrival  of  Mr  Gray  (the  U  S.  Surveyor)  we  was  as  it  were  in     per- 
fect state  of  obscurity,  and  did  not  know  how  to  proceed. 

10.  I.  A.,  L.  B.,  No.  45,  p.  100. 
=  See   p.   425. 


COEKESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUjST.  405 

The  town  of  La  Mesilla  was  settled  some  time  in  the  early  part  of 
1850,  by  Americans  and  New  Mexican  Citizens,  under  the  Conviction 
that  it  was  X.  Mexican  Territory  and  was  Subject  to  its  Laws,  Con- 
sequently, the  town  has  flourished  and  now  contains  some  1500  or 
2000  inhabitants  most  of  whom  are  Citizens  of  the  United  States 
and  New  Mexico  and  claim  the  rights  and  protection  as  such. 

We  would  also  call  your  attention  to  what  we  believe  to  be  illegal 
on  the   part   of  the   Mexican   Government,   establishing   a   Custom 

here 
House        for  the  purpose  of  collecting  Duties  for  Mexican  reve- 
nue; they  are  also  taking  away  lands  from  Americans  and  others 
who  are  favorable  to  American  rights  and  priveliges,  and  giving  them 
to  those  who  profess  to  be  Citizens  of  Mexico. 

We  cannot  concieve  that  they  have  any  right  as  yet,  to  their  laws 
as  the  Point  agreed  upon  by  (Mr  Bartlett  and  the  Mexican  Com- 
mission,) not  only  lacks  the  signature  of  Mr  Gray  the  Surveyor, 
but  his  Concurrence,  and  on  the  other  hand  he  is  decidedly  opposed 
to  it,  and  says,  that  the  Initial  Point  or  Starting  place  is  but  a  short 
distence  above  El  Paso,  consiquently  it  renders  this  disputed  Terri- 
tory and  we  believe  would  warrant  us  in  protesting  against  paying 
Duties  to  Mexico,  and  having  our  property  confiscated,  untill,  it  is 
legally  settled  that  this  is  Mexican  Territory  which,  we  believe  never 
can  be  Justly  done. 

We  would  respectfully  request  that  your  Exelency  would  cause  a 
coppy  of  this  our  petition  to  be  forwarded  to  the  State  department 
at  Washington  for  their  further  consideration. 

We  have  the  honor  to  be 

Your  Most  obedient  Servts 

[CALHOUN   TO   LEA.^] 

Executive  Department 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico, 

August  27,  1851. 

SiK, 

My  agent  who  had  charge  of  five  Captives,  concerning  whom  I 
w^rote  you  on  the  28th  of  last  month,  returned  from  El  Paso  thi^ 
afternoon,  having  delivered  the  captives,  in  conformity  to  my  in- 
structions, to  the  Mexican  authorities,  as  the  accompanying  receipt 
will  show. 

It  is  exceedingly  desirable  to  me,  that  the  Department  should  give 
instructions  in  reference  to  captives.  One  of  the  three  captives  men- 
tioned in  m}^  letter  of  the  22d  of  this  month,  to  your  address,  was  j^ 
fine  looking  youth,  and  disappeared  on  the  25th  inst,  doubtless,  doubt- 

1  O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  N  140. 


406  CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.     . 

less,  forcibly  carried  off  by  one  or  more  scoundrels,  that  it  will  afford 
me  pleasure  to  have  punished,  if  they  should  be  discovered. 

The  other  two  are  young  women,  and  one  of  them  seems  to  be 
anxious  to  remain  in  the  country.     In  such  cases,  what  should  be 
done  with  captives?    If  they  remain  in  the  Territory,  the  probability 
)S,  they  will  become  peons  for  life. 
I  am, 

With  great  respect 

Your  obedient  Servant 

J,  S.  Calhoun 
Hon:  Luke  Lea 

Comr.  Ind.  Afs. 

Washington  City 

"d.o. 

[Inclosure.] 

El  Paso,  Mexico 

Aiigust  1851. 
Received  from  His  Excellency,  James  S.  Calhoun,  Governor  of  the 
Territory  of  New  Mexico,  and  Ex  Officio,  Spuerintendent  of  Indian 
Affairs,  the  following  described  captives,  all  recently  in  the  posses- 
sion of  the  Comanche  Indians. 

1.  Andres  Martinez,  El  Gallo,  Durango,  fifteen  years  of  age — ^Parents- 
Joaquin  and  Catalina  Morales — 

2.  Teodosio  Salazar,  Rancho  of  Juan  Perez,  Durango.  twelve  years 
of  age — Parents,  Ciprano  and  and  Petia  Talazar. 

3.  Cleto  Martinez,  near  the  City  of  Durango.  twelve  years  of  age— 
Anselino  and  Josefa  Martinez — 

4.  Antonio  Monsial  Canatana,  near  the  City  of  Durango,  fifteen 
years  of  age — Parents  Francisco  Monsial  and  Beringua 
Quintana — 

5.  Feliz,  does  not  remember  his  surname,  twelve  years  of  age — 
Parents  dead. 

Three  horses,  and  thirty  five  Dollars  Cash 
&c  &c  &c. 

[CALHOUN'S  ENDORSEMENT  OF  SHERMAN  TO  BAKER.^] 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico  Aug.  30th  1851. 
Hon.  Graftois'  Baker 

Dear  Sir, 

Having  noticed  an  article  in  this  days  paper  published  in  this  Citv 
called  the  Santa  Fe  Gazette,  under  the  caption  of  the  "  Triangular 

IB.  I.  A.,  M.  L.,  December,  1851.     Enclosure  of  Baker  to  Fillmore,  December  24,  1851, 
given  on  page  412. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  407 

fight  between  the  Military,  the  Judiciary  and  the  Catholic  Church  "' 

(mis) 
wherein  the  writer  of  the  article  has  uttered  some  gross  state- 

ments of  facts  &  calculated  to  conA'ey  an  erroneous  impression  upon 
the  minds  of  persons  abroad,  I  conceive  it  no  more  than  justice  in 
me,  as  I  was  the  person  through  wdiom  the  negotiation  with  Col. 
Brooks,  (the  commandant  of  the  Military  forces  in  this  City)  and 
the  Bishop,  was  made,  to  conununicate  to  you  in  this  manner  all  the 
conversations  and  circumstances  that  transpired  under  my  observa- 
tion, according  to  the  best  of  my  recollections,  (and  I  believe  they  are 
tolerably  distinct)  and  authorize  you  to  make  such  use  of  the  same  as 
you  may  think  proper,  to  disabuse  the  public  mind  upon  the  subject. 
T.  as  you  are  aware,  came  in  company  with  the  Hon.  Associate  Justices 
of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  Territory,  Judges  Mower  and  Watts, 
fiom  St.  Louis  to  this  City,  and  arrived  here  on  the  26th  of  Jmie,  some 
three  weeks  previous  to  your  arrival;  and  by  the  courtesy  of  the 
(jrovernor,  took  up  our  quarters  with  him,  there  being  no  public 
houses  in  this  City  where  we  could  be  provided  with  rooms,  and  have 
remained  with  him  since  our  arrival; — that  is  Judge  Mower  and 
myself.  Judge  Watts  remained  with  us  some  tAvo  weeks  and  then 
])rocured  other  rooms.  Very  soon  after  our  arrival  here  Ave  Avere 
informed  that  there  Avas  a  faction  here,  extremely  hostile  to  his  Ex- 
cellency, Governor  Calhoun,  and  many  carried  their  hostility  so  far. 
that  they  woidd  not  call  at  the  Governor's  to  pay  their  respect  to  the 
Judges;  at  the  same  time  expressing  regrets  (that)  the  relations  ex- 
isting between  them  and  the  Governor  Avere  such  that  it  precluded 
them  from  visiting  the  Governors  House.  The  leaders  of  this  fac- 
tion appeared  extremely  anxious  to  identify  the  Judges  with  them, 
but  were  told  in  the  most  emphatic  manner,  that  the  Judiciary  could 
not  participate  in  any  political  matters,  whatever.  They  were  told 
by  these  persons  that  it  would  be  impossible  for  them  to  remain 
neutral,  that  they,  the  Judges,  Avould  be  draAvn  to  take  sides  one  way 
or  the  other.  You  are  aAvare  that  on  our  arrival  here  the  first  Legisla- 
tiA^e  Assembly  under  the  Organic  LaAv  was  in  session,  composed 
mostly  of  Mexicans  who  hailed  Avith  unfeigned  delight,  the  arrival  of 
the  Judges  as  an  omen  of  a  better  state  of  things;  they  having  the 
utmost  confidence  in  the  civil  Government  of  the  Territorj^,  and  of 
the  United  States ;  looking  upon  the  Judges  and  the  ExecutiA^e  with 
great  veneration,  being  themselves,  a  law  abiding  people,  and  appear- 
ing very  anxious  to  conform  to  the  customs  and  laws  of  the  United 
States.  Hence  the  extreme  anxiety  of  this  faction  to  secure  the  in- 
fluence of  the  Judges  Avith  them,  hoping  with  the  aid  of  the  Military. 
( Avith  Avhom  they  Avere  identified)  to  raise  up  a  party  in  opposition 
to  the  Executive;  and  thereby  render  the  Governor  unpopular,  if 
j)ossible,  with,  the  Mexican  people,  with  whom  at  that  time,  as  at 


408  COREESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

present,  (he)  was,  and  is  very  popular,  and  in  my  opinion,  justly  en- 
titled to  their  confidence  for  the  extreme  care  he  has  taken  of  their 
interests,  &  his  manifest  desire  to  make  them  feel  that  they  were 
^\jnerican  citizens,  and  entitled  to  all  the  rights  and  priviliges  of 
citizens  of  the  United  States,  and  to  make  them  forget  that  they  are 
a  conquered  people,  by  appointing  many  of  the  eminent  &  prominent 
and  influential  ones  to  such  offices  as  he  though  them  capable  of 
fulfilling  properly.  And  that  appears  to  be  the  head  and  front  of 
his  olfending  with  this  faction.  The  only  specific  charge  that  I  have 
heard  against  the  Executive  is,  that  he  endeavoured  to  conciliate  the 
Mexican  portion  of  our  people  and  pays  less  attention  to  the  Ameri- 
cans than  to  them.  And,  Sir,  such  was  the  situation  of  affairs  on 
your  arrival  here ;  therefore,  you  can  readily  conceive  why  there  was 
so  much  anxiety  to  identify  you  with  them;  but  finding  themselves 
unable  to  accomplish  that,  they  thought  to  destroy  your  influence, 
and  render  the  Judiciary  unpopular  with  the  Mexican  people, 
through  their  religious  prejudices  in  regard  to  the  occupation  of  the 
old  Church  building  in  this  City  for  the  purpose  of  holding  the 
United  States  District  Court  in.  And  aow,  sir,  I  will  endeavor  to 
state  the  reason  why  the  church  was  procured  for  that  purpose ;  also, 
how  it  was  obtained,  and  the  manner  in  which  it  was  turned  over  to 
ihe  Governor  and  abandoned  as  a  Court  House.  On  your  arrival 
here  there  being  great  necessity  of  holding  a  criminal  term  of  court, 
you  were  pleased  to  appoint  me  clerk  of  your  court,  and  immediately 
set  about  making  the  proper  arrangements  for  that  purpose.  And 
after  giving  the  proper  notice  that  there  would  be  a  Special  Term 
held  for  the  trial  of  criminals,  commencing  on  the  25th  of  August, 
your  next  care  was  the  procuring  of  a  proper  place  for  holding  the 
court  in. 

As  there  are  some  ten  acres  of  ground  in  this  City,  belonging  to 
the  Government,  covered  with  buildings  which  had  been  occupied 
by  the  military,  some  of  which  would  have  made  a  good  court  room, 
ihe  old  Quartermaster's  effiee  quarters  in  particular,  you  requested 
me  to  call  upon  Capt.  Reynolds,  the  Quartermaster,  here,  and  obtain 
permission  to  use  the  building  for  a  court  room.  He  readily  con- 
sented, saying  that  the  Quartermaster's  Department  was  to  be  re- 
moved from  Santa  Fe,  and  he  should  have  no  further  use  for  the 
building, — that  on  the  22nd  day  of  August  he  would  turn  it  over  to 
you;  but  would  not  under  any  circumstances  turn  it  over  to  the 
Governor.  With  that  understanding  the  Marshal  immediately  made 
contracts  with  joiners  for  fitting  it  up  properly  for  that  purpose. 
About  this  time  I  conversed  with  Major  Sibley  upon  the  subject,  he 
taid  the  Department  would  not  want  the  building  much  longer, 
and  that  any  arrangement  with  Capt.  Reynolds  would  be  well.  So 
the  matter  stood  until  about  the  18th  of  Aug.  when  Capt.  Reynolds 


COERESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  409 

informed  me  that  the  order  to  turn  over  the  building  for  the  pur- 
poses of  the  Judiciarj^  was  that  morning  countermanded  by  Col. 
Brooks,  the  Military  Commandant  at  this  Post.  I,  by  your  request, 
immediately  called  upon  Col  Brooks  to  ascertain  if  there  was  not 
some  other  place  which  could  be  obtained  for  a  court  room  in  some 
of  the  Government  buildings.  He  informed  me  there  was  none, 
and  regretted  it  was  not  in  his  power  to  accommodate  us.  I  called 
upon  him  again  by  your  request,  and  applied  for  the  old  church,  he 
said  that  he  had  that  day  removed  out  of  the  church  all  the  Gov- 
ernment property,  and  that  they  should  not  in  any  probability  ever 
want  the  use  of  the  building,  and  that  if  Judge  Baker  would  give 
him  a  receipt  to  return  it  to  him  again,  in  case  it  should  be  wanted 
for  military  purposes,  he,  Col.  Brooks  would  give  the  immediate 
jiossession  of  it  to  Judge  Baker.  I,  accordingly  informed  you  of 
the  conversation  between  Col.  Brooks  and  myself,  and  you  were  very 
much  disinclined  to  receive  it  upon  such  terms,  but  after  consulting 
with  Mr.  Jones,  the  Marshal,  on  the  subject,  sent  Col.  Brooks  a 
receipt  by  Mr.  Jones  without  any  reservations  which  Col  Brooks 
Avould  not  accept  &  returned  to  you  by  Mr  Jones.  You  then  called 
upon  Judge  Watts  and  consulted  him  upon  what  course  to  pursue, 
and  finally  sent  him  (Col  B)  another  receipt  by  Mr.  Jones,  agreeing 
to  return  it  to  him  when  circumstances  might  deem  (render)  it 
necessary,  which  the  Col.  accepted,  and  gave  the  key  to  the  Marshal, 
and  he  immediately  commenced  fitting  it  up  suitably  for  a  court 
house.  Some  day  or  two  after  this  the  Bishop  and  one  of  his  Priests 
called  upon  you  in  my  presence  and  asked  you  if  you  were  holding 
the  church  under  the  military  authority  or  the  civil.  He  said  there 
could  be  no  doubt  as  to  the  title  of  the  property  in  the  church,  the 

in 
deeds   were         the  possession   of  the   Vicario,  and   appeared   very 
anxious  that  the  property  should  be  given  up  to  the  church  im- 

a  receipt 
mediately.     You  replied  that  you  had  given  Col.  Brooks  to 

return  it  to  him  when  circumstances  might  render  it  necessary.    You 

said 
also  to  him,  it  was  your  opinion  that  the  Marshal  was  the  proper 

custodian  of  all  the  Government  property  not  actually  in  the  posses- 
sion of  the  military  and  used  for  military  purposes,  and  as  the  prop- 
erty had  been  in  the  possession  of  the  Government  since  the  con- 
quest, and  there  had  been  no  claim  set  up  by  the  church  to  the 
property  until  this  time,  you  did  not  feel  justified  in  giving  it  up; 
the  proper  course  for  him  to  pursue  would  be  to  send  to  Wash- 
ton  his  evidences  of  title,  and  if  they  were  good  you  had  no  doubt 
but  the  proper  authorities  would  direct  the  property  to  be  given  up 
to  the  church.     He  then  desired  you  to  examine  the  title,  and  was 


410  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN, 

willing  to  submit  the  whole  matter  to  you.  You  said  to  him  that 
you  could  not  do  it,  for  it  might  come  before  you  to  be  adjudicated 
upon,  but  he  had  better  submit  his  papers  to  the  United  States  Dis- 
trict Attorney  as  the  proper  law  officer  of  the  Government,  and  if 
]je  had  no  doubt  as  to  the  title  and  so  represented  the  matter  at 
Washington,  you  had  no  doubt  but  they  would  make  the  thing  all 
right.  He  said  he  would  call  upon  Col.  Brooks,  and  also,  upon  the 
District  Attorney  and  left  for  that  purpose;  and  from  that  time 
up  to  the  25th — the  first  day  of  court,  these  same  factionists  were 
busy  in  trying  to  stir  up  the  Mexican  people  to  sedition,  working 
upon  their  religious  prejudices,  calling  it  desecration  &c  endeavour- 
ing thereby,  to  prejudice  the  Mexicans  against  the  Judiciary  and 
the  Executive,  and  for  the  avowed  purpose,  of  defeating  Major 
Weightman  as  Delegate  to  Congress,  and  electing  Capt.  Reynolds. 
Such  was  the  situation  of  affairs  on  Monday  morning,  the  25th 
when  the  excitement  became  so  great  among  the  Mexicans,  stimu- 
lated by  the  tools  of  these  factionists,  that  an  outbreak  appeared 
inevitable.  The  District  Attorney  and  myself  called  at  the  office 
of  Major  Cunningham  and  there  found  you,  Col.  Brooks,  and  Mr. 
Jones  the  Marshal.  You  then  said  to  him  (Col.  B)  in  the  presence 
of  the  above  named  gentlemen,  that  there  were  strong  indications 
manifested  that  you  would  be  resisted  in  holding  your  court  in  the 
church  building,  and  asked  him  if,  in  case  there  should  be  any 
violence  and  it  should  be  necessary  for  calling  upon  him  for  the 
military  under  his  command  to  put  down  rebellion  and  assist  you 
in  the  execution  of  the  laws,  if  you  might  depend  upon  him.  His 
answer  was,  that  he  could  not  act  without  authority  from  Washing- 
ton. You  then  said  to  him.  Sir,  if  it  does  become  necessary  I  shall 
call  upon  you  through  the  Marshal,  and  if  you  do  not  obey  the 
mandate,  and  I  can  put  my  legal  finger  upon  you,  we  will  ascertain 
which  is  the  superiour  law,  the  civil  or  militar}^  He  then  replied 
that,  when  he  Avas  called  ujDon,  he  should  then  determine  himself 
of  the  necessity  and  be  governed  entirely  by  his  own  judgment  how 
to  act.     You  then  made  a  requisition  upon  him  for  arms  to  arm  the 

by 
Marshal's  posse^  he  also,  refused,  saying  that  he  had  none  at  his 
disposal.  You  then  directed  the  Marshal  to  station  as  many  men 
about  tho-btt41diftff  as  he  could  procure,  about  the  building,  and  at 
the  time  appointed,  we,  that  is  your  Honor,  the  Marshal,  the  Dis- 
trict Attorney,  the  Translator  and  myself  went  into  the  house, 
organized  and  opened  the  court,  the  Grand  Jury  were  called,  an- 
swered to  their  names,  and  were  about  being  sworn,  when  some  of 
them, — Mexicans, — refused  to  be  sworn,  saying  that  their  con- 
sciences would  not  permit  them  to  be  sworn  in  the  church.  You  then 
said  to  them  that  you  did  not  come  here  to  oppress  their  consciences, 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  411 

and  as  they  had  scruples  about  taking  the  oath  in  the  church,  the 
court  would  take  a  recess  for  one  half  hour  and  the  oath  would  be 
administered  to  them  at  the  Grand  Jurj-  room,  which  was  accord- 
jngly  done;  while  at  the  same  time  there  was  a  number  of  these 
tools  of  the  faction  still  strong  to  keep  up  the  excitement.  However 
the  court  proceeded  without  interruption  throughout  the  day  and 

the 
adjourned    until  next    morning.      After   the    court    adjourned. 

I-eftHed  by  your  request,  I  called  upon  the  District  Attorney  and 
said  to  him,  if  he  approved  of  your  suggestions  and  the  Bishop 
would  agree  to  refund  the  expense  which  had  been  incurred  in  the 
repair  of  the  house,  you  would  evacuate  the  building  and  hold  the 
court  in  the  Hall  of  the  House  of  Representatives;  and  wished  me 
to  say  to  the  Bishop  that  as  your  instructions  from  our  Government 
were,  to  regard  the  opinions  of  this  people  and  not  to  oppress  the, 
you  were  inclined  to  hold  the  court  at  seme  other  place.  The  Dis- 
trict Attorney  fully  approved  the  course,  and  we  called  upon  the 
Bishop  &  made  known  to  him  your  views.  He  very  readily  accepted 
the  proposition,  and  at  the  same  time,  said  the  people  had  been 
wrought  upon,  he  had  no  doubt,  for  political  purposes,  and  many 
came  to  him  to  know  what  they  should  do  about  resisting  your 
holding  the  court  there,  and  he  said  to  them  he  would  much  rather 
see  every  church  building  in  New  Mexico  destroyed  than  that  one 
finger  should  be  raised  against  the  civil  authorities.  He  told  them 
to  go  home  and  be  quiet. 

The  next  morning  the  court  convened,  and  on  motion  of  the  Dis- 
trict Attorney,  the  court  adjourned  to  meet  at  the  HaJl  of  the  House 
of  Representatives,  and  you  gave  up  the  key  to  his  Excellency,  the 
Governor,  and  he,  under  instructions,  and  by  a  joint  resolution  of 
the  Legislative  Assembly,  gave  possession  of  the  building  to  the 
Bishop  who  was  present  at  the  time. 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully 

Your  obt  sert 

(signed)  Caleb  Sherman. 

We,  the  undersigned  do  hereby  certify  that  the  facts  set  forth  in  the 
foregoing  letter,  as  far  as  we  are  personally  concerned,  are,  to  the 
best  of  our  knowledge  and  belief,  just,  correct  and  true 

(signed)  J.  S.  Calhoun 

E.  P.  West 
John  G.  Jone* 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

Oct.  Wth  1851. 


412  COERESPONDENCE    OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[Related  Correspondence.] 

[baker    to    FILLMORE  ^] 

Washington.  Dec.  2'ith.  1851. 
To  His  Excellency. 

Millard  Fillmore. 
Sib, 

By  the  last  Santa  Fe  mail  I  received  from  Mr.  Caleb  Sherman, — formerly  clerk 
of  my  District  Court. — now.  of  that  of  Judge  Mower, — a  letter  containing  an 
account  of  the  transactions  in  relation  to  the  occupancy  of  the  Old  Military 
Church  as  a  Court  room :  and,  also,  of  some  other  matters  touching  the  interest 
of  our  Territory.  As  this  letter  is  from  an  entirely  reliable  source,  besides 
being  certified  by  the  Governor,  the  District  Attorney,  and  the  Marshal  of  the 
Territory,  and,  supposing  the  facts  detailed  may  be  of  some  moment,  I  take 
the  liberty  of  transmitting  to  your  Excellency,  a  copy  thereof.  By  the  same 
mail  I  received  from  Mr.  West  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  Bishop  Lamy  to  your 
Excellency,  which  he  was  kind  enough  voluntarily  to  write  on  the  eve  of  his 
departure  on  a  visit  to  the  Bishop  of  Durange.  Being  uncertain  whether  the 
(iriginal  had  been  mailed  to  your  Excellency,  or  mislaid,  I  requested  Mr.  West 
to  forward  to  me  the  copy,  which  I,  also,  beg  leave  to  transmit  with  the  en- 
closed. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be.  with  very  great  respect, 
.    Your  most  obt.  sert, 

Grafton  Baker 

[Inclosure.  ] 

Santa  Fe  N.  M.  September  27,  1851. 
To  His  Excellency 

Millard  Fillmore. 
Sir. 

Some  little  disturbance,  undesiguetl  by  those  who  have  caused  them,  having 
lately  taken  jaace  in  this  City  in  reference  to  the  use  intended  to  have  been 
made  of  the  church  of  "Our  Lady  of  Light"  and  having  seen  a  publication  in 
the  paper.  Santii  Fe  Gazette,  which  being  misunderstood  by  strangers  might 
prejudice  our  Chief  Justice  the  Hon.  Grafton  Baker,  I,  Vicario  Apostolic  of 
New  Mexico,  John  Lamy.  do  take  great  pleasure  in  saying  that  in  all  my  trans- 
actions with  the  Hon  Gentleman,  I  had  every  reason  to  be  satisfied  that  his 
intentions  were,  to  do  strict  justice  between  the  United  States  and  myself,  and 
those  whom  I  represent.  That  he  has  done  so  I  am  surely  satisfied 
With  the  highest  respect  for  Your  Excellency. 
[  have  the  honor  to 

Subscribe  myself 

John  Lamy, 
Vic.  Ap.  of  N.  Mexico. 
I.  E.  P    West.  Lnstrict  Attorney  of  the  United  States,  do  certify  that  the  above 
is  a  true  copy  of  the  duplicate  original  placed  in  my  possession  by  Bishop  Lamy. 

E.  P.  West,  U.  8.  Dist.  Atty. 

1  B.  I.  A.,  M.  L.,  December,  1851. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OP   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  413 

[CALHOUN   TO   CONRAD/] 

Executive  Department, 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico,  An<jf.  31,  1861. 
Sir:— 

Col.  Facimde  Pino,  the  Adjutant-General  of  this  Territory.  laid 
before  me  yesterday  evening,  a  circular  from  your  Department, 
signed,  June  14,  1851,  by  R.  Jones,  Adjutant-General,  with  estab- 
lished forms  for  the  return  of  militia,  &c.,  &c.,  &c. 

The  object  of  this  communication  is  to  place  before  you  facts  not 
well  understood  in  the  States.  Of  the  sixty  thousand  inhabitants  in 
this  Territory,  I  am  satisfied  there  are  not  five  hundred  persons. 
unconnected  with  the  army,  who  can  read  the  English  language. 
Hence  the  necessity,  in  communicating  with  the  people,  of  writing, 
or  printing,  both  in  English  and  Spanish.  This  necessarily  increases 
the  number  of  public  laborers,  and  the  expenses  of  the  territory.  At 
present,  we  have  not  one  dollar  in  the  treasury,  nor  is  there  any 
probability  of  there  being  one  in  it  at  an  early  day,  because  of  a 
combination  of  tax  payers,  who  refuse  to  pay  taxes.  This  combina- 
tion is,  in  part,  the  result  of  a  determination  to  bring  into  disrepute 
the  Executive  of  this  territory.  As  a  matter  of  course.  I  am  greatly 
embarrassed.  The  last  legislature  of  the  territory  authorized  the 
organization  of  the  militia ;  but  the  foregoing  statement  shows  you. 
T  have  not  the  means  of  rendering  it  effective,  and  the  object  of  the 
circular,  before  mentioned,  cannot  be  accomplished  except  through  the 
medium  of  the  Spanish  language. 

At  this  moment  the  necessity  of  an  organization  of  the  militia,  is 
oppressively  felt.  Colonel  Sumner  is  advancing  into  the  Xavajo 
country,  and  bands  of  Navajoes  are  now  in  his  rear.  On  the  26th 
inst.,  they  approached  our  settlements,  about  thirty  miles  west  of 
this  city,  killed  a  young  Mexican  girl,  and  drove  off  a  flock  of  goats. 
They  have  so  successfully  committed  murders  and  depredations, 
and  carried  off  captives,  they  do  not  fear  the  possibility  of  being 
caught  by  our  troops.  I  will  only  add,  until  we  can  procure  muni- 
tions of  Avar,  and  the  Executive  is  clothed  with  authority  to  call  out 
the  militia,  there  will  be  no  quiet  in  this  territory. 
Very  respectfully, 

S  -  S.  Calhoun. 

To  Hon.  C.  M.  Conrad, 

Secretary  of  War. 


1  Annual  Report  Secretary  of  War,  1851,  House  Ex.  Doc.  32nd  Cong.,  1st  sess..  Xo.  2, 
Ft.  1,  p.  136. 

2  Misprint. 


414  COERESPOXDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUK. 

[CALHOUN   TO   LEA.'] 

Executive  Department 
Santa  Fe',  New  Mexico 

August  31,  1851. 
Sib, 

The  mail  from  the  States  arrived  on  the  29th  inst.  without  bring- 
ing me  a  word  of  instructions  from  Washington,  and  you  must  feel 
that  I  am  sorely  troubled  at  the  embarrassments  which  surround  me. 
You  are  already  advised  by  my  letter  of  the  22d.  Inst,  which  will  be 
confirmed  by  the  accompanying  copy  of  a  correspondence  between 
your  Indian  Superintendent,  and  the  military  commander  of  this 
Department,  that  no  military  ''  facilities  "  will  be  afforded  to  the 
Indian  Department.  This  to  be  regretted,  and  will  limit  the  useful- 
ness of  Agents — and  devolve  upon  the  OiRcers  of  the  Army  duties 
that  should  be  discharged  by  them,  (the  agents.) 

Col.  Sumner  is  now  enroute  for  the  Navajo  ^  Country,  and  Bands  of 
the  Navajos  are  in  his  rear,  and  approached  our  Settlements  on  the 
night  of  the  26th  inst,  killed  a  little  girl,  and  drove  off  a  flock  of 
goats.  This  occurred  about  thirty  miles  from  this  City,  on  the  west 
bank  of  the  Rio  del  Norte — It  is  reported,  and  I  beleive  its  truth  is 
not  doubted,  that  Indians  have  got  possession  of  a  large  number  of 
public  animals  recently  in  the  possession  of  the  Boundary  Commis- 
sion." Tlie  success  of  the  Indians  will,  doubtless,  encourage  them  to 
more  daring  acts  of  aggression.  Without  a  dollar  in  our  Territorial 
Treasury,  without  munitions  of  war,  without  authority  to  call  out 
our  Militia,  and  without  the  cooperation  of  the  military  authorities 
in  this  Territory,  and  with  numberless  complaints  and  calls  for  pro- 
tection, do  you  not  perceive,  I  must  be  sadly  embarrassed  and  dis- 
quieted? The  difficulties  that  have  occurred  in  the  Boundary  Com- 
mission, is  weakening  the  confidence,  of  our  Mexican  residents,  in 
our  government. 

A  large  number  of  captives,  recently  taken  from  the  Republic  of 
Mexico,  are  among  the  Gila  Apaches,  and  your  Department  ought  to 
have  an  Agent  with  the  Boundary  Commission — -It  was  my  intention 
to  have  visited  that  region  during  the  ensuing  month,  but  that  pur- 
pose is  defeated  by  not  being  authorized  to  secure  an  escort.  These 
Indians  should  be  made  to  know  their  duty,  and  a  Treaty  ought  to 
be  made  with  them,  requiring  them  not  to  go  beyond  prescribed  lim- 
its, except  under  certain  restrictions. 

-  O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Sup^.,  N  139 ;  Annual  Report  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs, 
1851,  pp.  200-201. 

2  The  document  on  page  416  covers  Sumner's  report  of  his  expedition  to  the  Navajo 
country. 

«  See  John  Russell  Bartlett,  Personal  Narrative  of  Explorations  and  Incidents,  Chap- 
ter I. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  415 

THE   SEVEN   MOQUI  PUEBLOS. 

Thirteen  Indians,  from  these  Pueblos,  visited  me  on  the  28th  inst. 
Their  object  was  to  ascertain,  whether  their  Great  Father,  and  they 
supposed  me  to  be  him,  would  do  anything  for  them.  They  com- 
plained that  the  Navajos  had  continued  to  rob  them,  until  they  had 
left  them  exceedingly  poor,  and  wretched,  indeed,  did  they  look. 
They  had  heard  of  a  priest^  but  never  had  see  one;  and  requested  me 
to  see  one  for  them,  and  to  deliver  to  him  some  feathers,  and  a  powder, 
they  called,  as  it  was  interpreted  by  a  Santa  Domingo  Indian,  their 
"  Big  Medicine,"  and  to  beg  the  priest  to  pray  to  the  Great  Spirit  to 
send  them  rain,  and  to  make  their  corn  grow,  that  they  might  not 
perish.  These  Indians  seem  to  be  innocent,  and  very  poor,  and  should 
be  taken  care  of.  The  Navajos  having  exhausted,  or  nearly  so,  the 
supplies  of  the  Moquies,  are  now  at  peace  with  them,  and  will  remain 
so,  until  the  Moquies  increase  their  stores  to  an  extent  that  shall 
awaken  their  cupidity.  More  than  twelve  months  ago,  I  made  an  ef- 
fort to  visit  the  Moquies,  but  then,  as  now,  an  escort  was  not  allowed 
me — You  will  remember,  their  Pueblos  are  situated  west  of  Santa 
Fe,  and  at  a  distance  from  it,  computed  at  Three  hundred  and  fifty 
miles,  and  beyond  the  Xavajo  Country.  Not  very  remote  from  the 
Moquies,  the  Gila  Apaches  should  be  made  to  settle;  but  this  is  a 
question  that  can  not  be  determined  before  that  country  is  thoroughly 
explored. 

I  know  of  no  outrages  committed  by  Apaches  roaming  east  of  the 
Rio  del  Norte,  or  by  Utahs,  subsequent  to  the  Treaties  made  with 
them.  The  mail  conductors  say,  they  were  greatly  annoyed  by  In- 
dians between  this  and  the  Cimarone,  and  think  there  were  Utahs 
among  the  assailants — They  suffered  no  particular  injury — 

I  beg  to  call  your  special  attention  to  the  accompanying  corre- 
spondence, and  after  reading  No.  2,  do  me  the  favor  to  read  No.  5. 
Do  instruct  me  in  the  way  I  should  go. 
With  great  respect. 

Your  obedient  Servant, 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Supt.  Ind.  Aifs. 

Hon:  L.  Lea 

Gomr.  Ind.  Affs. 


416 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN, 
rinclosure.  ] 


>SlR, 


Copy 

War  Department, 

Washington,  April  1st  1851 
(Extract) 


X  XXX 

In  all  negotiations  and  pacific  arrangements  with  the  Indians,  you 
will  act  in  concert  with  the  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs  in  New 
Mexico,  whom  you  will  allow  to  accompany  you  in  the  expeditions 
into  the  Indian  territory,  if  he  should  deem  it  proper  to  do  so,  and  to 
whom  you  will  afford  every  facility  for  the  discharge  of  his  duties. 

Instructions  will  be  given  by  the  Department  of  the  Interior  to  the 
Superintendent  and  Agents,  in  all  their  transactions  with  the  In- 
dians, to  act  in  consultation  and  concert  with  the  Military  authorities. 

X  XXX 


X  X 

Very  respectfully 

Your  obt  vSevt 


Signed.  C.  M.  Conrad 

Secretary  of  War 


Colonel  E.  V.  Su^iner 
Ist  Drar/oons 

St.  Louis 
Missouri 

[Belated  Correspondence.] 

[SUMNER  TO  JONES.*] 

Head  Quarters,  9th  Dept  : 

Fort  Union,  N.  Mexico 

October  2Wi  1S51. 
General, 

I  would  respectfully  submit  a  report  of  my  operations  during  the  past 
summer. 

I  left  Fort  Leavenworth  on  the  26th  of  May  with  a  detachment  of  dragoon 
and  Infantry  recruits.  The  cholera  had  appeared  in  the  command  some  days 
before  I  left,  and  remained  in  it,  till  I  reached  the  Arkansas.  I  lost  one  surgeon 
(Dr.  Kennedy,)  and  about  35  men.  My  other  surgeon  Dr.  Tingley,  was  of 
little  or  no  service  to  the  command,  he  was  unwell  most  of  the  time,  and  was 
left  at  the  new  post  on  the  Arkansas,  with  orders  to  come  on  with  Major 
Rucker,  who  was  following  me  with  a  supply  train.  He  got  well  enough  to 
return  to  the  United  States,  by  what  authority  I  know  not.  The  distance  was 
as  great,  and  the  mode  of  traveling  the  same,  that  it  would  have  been  coming 
In  this  direction.     I  feel  it  to  be  my  duty  to  ask  particular  attention  to  the 


A.  G.  O.,  Department  of  New  Mexico,  vol.  8,  pp.  49-55. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  417 

extniordinnry  coiulnct  of  this  officer.  On  uiy  nrrivHl  at  the  post  on  the 
Arkansas,  I  found  a  large  number  of  Indians  collected  there  of  various  tribes. 
Some  uneasiness  appeared  among  the  "  Cheyennes,"  and  as  I  was  marching 
past  their  village,  several  shots  were  firetl  towards  the  rear  of  my  column,  at 
the  same  time,  I  received  a  note  from  the  Indian  Agent,  to  look  out  for  them,  as 
they  were  bent  on  mischief.  I  immediately  countermarched  a  company  of 
horse,  and  remained  near  the  village  till  my  train  had  passed,  no  further  hos- 
tility was  then  shown  by  the  Indians.  On  the  following  night  I  received  a  letter 
from  Bvt:  Lieut :  Col :  Hoffman,  the  Commander  of  the  new  post,  informing  me 
that  the  Indians  were  evidently  banding  together,  and  it  was  thought  they 
intended  some  act  of  hostility.  At  the  dawn  of  the  day  the  next  morning,  I 
marched  back  with  my  whole  command.  I  assembled  a  number  of  the  chiefs 
and  head  men,  and  said  to  them  I  had  come  back  to  meet  them,  as  friends  or 
enimies,  it  was  for  them  to  say  which,  but  they  must  say  it  immediately.  They 
at  once  disclaimed  all  intention  of  hostility,  and  I  resumed  my  march. 

I  reached  Santa  Fe,  on  the  19th  of  July  and  assumed  command  of  the 
Department.  My  first  step  was  to  break  up  the  post  at  Santa  Fe,  that  sink  of 
vice  and  of  extra vagence.  and  to  remove  the  troops  and  public  property  to  this 
place.  I  left  one  company  of  Artillery  there,  and  shall  have  a  cavalry  station 
within  .striking  distance  of  that  place,  during  the  coming  winter. 

I  understand  that  many  applications  have  been  made  to  the  government,  by 
the  people  of  Santa  Fe.  to  have  the  troops  ordered  back  there.  I  have  no 
hesitation  in  saying,  that  I  believe  most  of  these  applications  proceed  directly 
or  indirectly  from  those  who  have  hitherto  managed  to  live,  in  some  way,  from 
the  extravagant  expenditures  of  the  Government,  I  trust  their  petitions  will 
not  be  heeded. 

I  have  also  withdrawn  the  troops  from  the  towns  of  Las  Vegas,  Rayado, 
Albuquerque,  Ciboleta,  Secorro,  Dona  Ana,  San  Ellzario,  and  El  Paso,  and  I 
have  established  this  post,  (Fort  Union,)  near  the  ^loro  River,  and  on  the  line 
of  communication  with  the  Missouri  frontier,  This  will  be  the  Department 
Head  Quarters,  and  general  depot.  I  have  also  established  a  post  on  the  Rio 
Grande,  near  El  Paso,  (Fort  Fillmore,)  one  at  Valverde  on  the  same  river  (Fort 
Conrad,)  and  one  at  Canon  Bonito,  (Fort  Defiance.)  These  posts  have  all 
been  selected,  with  a  view  to  cultivation  as  well  as  the  defense  of  the  frontier, 
and  they  are  now  being  built  by  the  troops  and  the  expense  will  be  very  small. 

I  designed  establishing  a  post  in  the  Utah  country  this  fall,  but  it  is  so  late, 
I  am  obliged  to  postpone  it  till  spring. 

I  consider  the  withdrawal  of  the  troops  from  the  towns,  a  matter  of  vital 
importance,  both  as  it  regards  discipline  and  economy.  It  is  unquestionably 
true,  that  most  of  the  troops  in  this  territory  have  become  in  a  high  degree 
demoralized,  and  it  can  only  be  accounted  for,  by  the  vicious  associations  in 
those  towns.  These  evils  are  so  great,  that  I  do  not  expect  to  eradicate  them 
entirely,  until  I  can  bring  the  troops  together,  in  considerable  bodies,  for  disci- 
pline and  instruction. 

I  detached  Bvt:  Maj  :  Carleton  with  his  company  of  Dragoons  on  the  1st 
of  August,  to  range  on  the  plains,  between  this  place  and  the  Arkansas  river. 
He  is  still  actively  engaged  on  this  duty,  and  I  am  happy  to  report,  that  no 
depredations,  whatever,  have  been  committed  on  the  road  to  Missouri,  since 
Major  Carleton  has  been  upon  it.  Captain  Pope  of  the  Topographical  Engineers, 
was  sent  to  find  a  better  and  more  direct  route  to  Missouri,  avoiding  if  possible 
the  large  arid  plains.  He  found  an  excellent  route  to  the  Arkansas,  intersecting 
that  river  at  the  "  Big  Timbers,"  Beyond  that  (m  the  head  waters  of  the 
.5021—15—27 


./    -^^ 


418  CORKESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES    S.    CALHOUN. 

Kansas,  he  was  not  so  successful.  He  is  however,  to  return  by  another  line  to 
the  "  Big  Timbers,"  and  I  still  hope  he  will  find  a  good  route  up  the  valley  of 
the  Kansas  river. 

I  have  sent  in  to  Fort  Leavenworth.  71  wagons  aiul  47:;  mules.  Tlie  exi)ense 
of  wintering  these  animals,  will  be  nnich  less  there.  th:m  ir  wdnld  be  here.  ;iud 
they  will  be  ready  to  come  out  again  ni  the  spring.  There  is  so  Inrge  a  supply 
of  subsistence  in  th's  Territory,  the  government  train  cnn  bring  out  next  year, 
the  few  articles  that  will  be  i-equired  and  no  contract  train  wilt  l)e  necessary. 
1  have  also  directed  a  reduction  to  be  made  hi  the  floui-  contrjict  of  (ViO.OOO  lbs, 
as  I  find  there  would  be  this  amount  surplus  next  year. 

On  the  17th  August,  I  marched  from  San  Domingii  for  the  .Na\a.io  Country 
with  four  companies  of  horse  1  of  Artillery,  and  Iwo  of  Infantry.  I  halted  at 
the  Pueblos  of  Laguna,  and  Zuiii  and  confirmed  these  Indians  in  their  friendly 
disposition  towards  us.  We  saw  no  Navajos  till  we  passed  Canon  Bonito,  one 
of  them  then  came  to  my  camp,  and  I  sent  a  message  by  him  to  tl  e  two  chiefs, 
who  were  in  the  vicinitj'',  that  if  they  would  come  to  me.  with  three  of  tlieir 
head  men,  that  I  would  talk  with  them.  they,  however,  refiised.  and  in  pur- 
suance of  the  instructions  from  the  War  Department.  I  ordered  :ill  Navajoes 
to  be  fired  upon,  whenever  they  were  seen  hovering  about.  We  killed  and 
wounded  a  number  of  them,  but  I  cannot  saj^  how  many.  They  never  faced 
us,  or  gave  us  an  opportunity  to  inflict  upon  them  any  signal  chastisement. 

I  left  Major  Backus  with  the  Infantry,  a  part  of  the  Artillery,  and  the  train 
at  the  Canon  Bonito,  and  proceeded  round  the  Canon  of  Chelle  with  the  Cavalry 
and  two  mountain  howitzers.  I  afterwards  i)enetrate<l  this  Caiiou  to  the  dis- 
tance of  eleven  miles. 

My  object  was  to  attack  the  Indians,  if  I  found  them  in  the  Canon,  and  to 
destroy  their  crops.  In  this  I  was  disappointed,  there  being  no  Indians  in  the 
Canon,  and  but  very  little  cultivation  there.  Previous  to  entering  it,  I  detached 
Bvt:  Maj  :  Graham,  with  a  detachment  of  horse,  and  dismounted  dragoons,  to 
march  up  the  right  bank  to  cover  our  movement. 

This  Canon  is  from  100  to  120  yards  wide,  with  perpendicular  sides  of  rocks, 
from  200  to  600  feet  high,  after  we  had  proceeded  about  fonr  miles,  a  party  of 
Indians,  on  the  top  of  the  rocks  on  the  left  bank,  conmienced  an  attack  upon 
the  column  with  a  few  muskets,  and  arrows,  and  by  rolling  down  stones.  At- 
tempts were  made  to  scale  the  rocks  to  attack  them,  by  Bvt :  Maj  :  Thompson, 
and  Capt:  Ewell.  but  it  was  found  to  be  utterly  impracticable.  I  continued  on 
till  about  3.  O'clock  (P.  M.),  and  then  halted  to  rest  my  men  and  horses.  The 
road  was  becoming  worse,  and  as  there  was  no  adequate  object  in  continuing 
to  explore  this  Canon,  at  the  risk  of  losing  men,  who  were  entirely  defenseless, 
as  our  firearms  would  not  reach  the  Indians  on  the  top  of  the  precipice,  I 
thought  it  prudent,  and  proper,  to  leave  the  Canon,  which  I  did  the  same  even- 
ing, and  happily  without  loss.  I  remained  on  the  river  Chelle,  near  the  mouth 
of  the  Caiion  all  the  next  day,  and  then  marched  for  the  Canon  Bonito. 

On  the  next  night  a  party  of  Indians  stole  in  between  my  picket  guards  and 
threw  a  few  shots  upon  the  Camp,  and  immediately  fled.  One  of  my  Orderlies 
was  wonnded  by  this  fire,  but  not  dangerously. 

This  expedition  was  not  as  desislve  as  I  could  wish,  but  I  believe  it  was  as 
much  so,  as  I  ought  to  have  expected.  It  was  hardly  possible  to  close  an  In- 
dian war  of  many  years  standing  by  one  expedition.  I  believe  the  large  post 
at  the  Canon  Bonito,  will  in  a  short  time  effectually  restrain  those  Indians. 

I  instructed  Major  Backus,  to  treat  them  with  the  utmost  rigor,  till  they 
showed  a  desire  to  be  at  peace,  and  would  pledge  themselves  to  abstain  from  all 
depredations  upon  the  Mexicans.     This  post  consists  of  five  companies,  and  it 


COKRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.   CALHOUN.  419 

is  a  great  undertaking  to  supply  it.     I  took  out  witb  me  50  w;igons,  and  have 
since  my  return  (on  the  8th  Inst:,)  sent  out  36  more. 

If  this  post  does  not  put  a  stop  to  the  Navajo  depredations,  nothing  will  do 
it  but  their  entire  extermination. 

I  would  respectfully  ask  the  attention  of  the  commanding  General  to  the  kind 
of  force  in  this  Territory.  In  all  protracted  military  operations,  especially 
against  Indians,  the  main  body  must  be  foot. 

It  is  impossible  to  make  long  marches  with  Cavalry,  on  grasis  alone,  loaded 
down  as  they  are  with  arms  accoutrements  and  clothing,  and  have  the  horses 
equal  to  the  Indian  horses  in  speed  or  bottom,  when  we  reach  the  scene  of 
action,  consequently  our  Cavalry  cannot  act  offensively  in  the  saddle,  and  their 
L-roken  down  horses,  are  a  great  embarrassment,  requiring  a  large  part  of  the 
commnnd  to  protect  them,  which  could  otherwise  be  used  offensively  on  foot. 
Cavalry,  to  be  effective  anywhere,  must  be  in  high  order,  both  jis  it  regards  the 
instruction  of  the  men  and  the  condition  of  the  horses.  In  Indian  expeditions 
I  think  there  should  always  be  a  small  body  of  very  select  horse.  If  the  march 
5s  long,  and  without  grain.  I  would  have  the  horses  habitually  led  till  required 
for  action.  A  small  body  of  this  kind  would  be  worth  ten  times  their  number 
of  ordinary  men  on  broken  down  horses. 

I  would  respectfully  propose  that  4  Companies  of  dragoons  (two  of  each  regi- 
ment,) now  in  this  Territory  may  be  withdrawn  and  that  the  rifle  Regiment 
(dismounted),  or  a  regiment  of  Infantry,  may  be  sent  out  in  their  place.  This 
will  not  increase  the  expenses  of  this  Department,  and  I  can  assure  the  com- 
manding General,  that  it  will  be  a  much  better  force  for  this  service.  I  shall 
feel  far  more  confidence  in  my  ability  to  carry  out  the  orders  I  have  received, 
if  this  change  is  made.  Indeed  I  would  prefer  that  4  Companies  of  horse  should 
be  withdrawn,  even  if  they  cannot  be  replaced  by  any  other  troops.  I  shall 
leave  for  El  Paso,  and  the  Gila  river  on  the  5th  of  the  next  month. 
With  high  respect 

Your  ob't :  Serv't : 

R  V  Sumner 

Bvt:  Col:  USA. 

Comdg.  Dept. 

Bv't:  Maj  :  Genl :  R  Jones, 
Adft:  Genl: 

[OVERMAN   TO   CALHOUN.*] 

With  Go^'el•nor  Calhoun's  letter  of  the  1st  of  Octr 

Santa  Rita  de  Cobre 

August  31  1851 
To  His  Excellency  Jas.  S  Calhoun 

Govr  of  the  territory  of  N.  M. 
Sir 

I  take  this  opportunity  of  informing  you  that  we  have  been  work- 
ing the  gold  mines  near  here  for  the  last  three  months,  and  Colo. 
Cregg  the  Commanding  officer  here  has  done  every  thing  in  his  power 
to  protect  us  from  the  Indians,  no  depredations  of  any  consequence 

1  Enclosure  of  Calhoun  to  Webster,  October  1,  1851 ;  Calhoun  endorsed  it  as  follows : 
"  Reced  Sept  22  1851  J.  S.  C.  No.  2  «^The  Col.  Cregg  is  Bvt.  Lt.  Col.  Craig  of  the 
U.  S.  A." 


420  COERESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

has  been  commited  by  them  until  within  the  last  three  weeks,  and 
then  the  Apacha's  and  Navajos  united  to  geather  and  run  off  nearly 
all  the  government  stock  and  most  of  ours 

Col  Cregg  now  states  that  he  and  all  his  men  will  leave  here  in 
twenty  days  or  so,  and  then  we  will  be  wholly  deserted  of  any  assist- 
ance, except  your  Excellency  would  raise  one  or  two  Companys  of 
mounted  men,  and  then  I  have  no  doubt,  by  whipping  them  well  you 
would  being  them  to  a  good  and  lasting  peace. 

The  Country  here,  from  the  Rio  Grand  to  the  Rio  Gila  cannot  be 
surpassed  by  richness  by  any  other  part  of  New  Mex.  and  the  mines 
all  about  here,  are  very  rich  in  Gold,  Silver,  Copper,  Led  &c.  &c.; 
in  gold  I  do  not  suppose  that  California  can  surpass  it 

Col.  Cregg  has  written  several  letters  to  Col  Sumners  in  regard  to 
sending  troops  here  but  has  not  succeeded  as  yet.  And  if  your  Excel- 
lency should  not  send  any  troops  here,  the  place  will  have  to  be  de- 
serted and  most  likely  such  an  opportunity  of  subduing  the  Indians 
will  never  occur  again 

Hoping  that  your  Excellency  will  send  us  assistance  as  soon  as 
possible 

I  have  the  honor  to  remain 
Yours  Respt. 

Chas.  Overman 

[CONRAD   TO   CALHOUN.'] 

War  Department 

Washington  Septem,her  Jf  1851 
Calhoun,  Hon.  James  S. 

Governor  of  New  Mexico^ 
Santa  Fe' 

New  Mexico 
Sir, 

From  the  character  you  give  Mr.  Martinez  it  cannot  be  supposed 
that  he  would  present  this  claim  if  it  were  not  entirely  just;  never- 
less  you  must  be  aware  that  according  to  the  rules  invariably  pursued 
in  the  settlement  of  such  claims,  they  must  be  sustained  by  some  other 
evidence  besides  the  claimant's  own  statement.  In  the  expectation 
that  such  evidence  might  be  supplied  by  the  reports  of  Army  officers 
in  New  Mexico,  an  examination  has  been  made,  but  no  mention  is 
found  of  the  purchase  or  use  of  the  press  in  the  reports  of  the  Officers 
having  charge  of  such  matters.  Further  enquiry  will,  however,  be 
made,  and  it  is  possible  some  officer  may  be  found  who  served  in  New 
Mexico  during  the  period  mentioned  by  Mr.  Martinez,  and  may  have 

1  A.  G.  O.,  M.  B.,  No.  31,  p.  382. 

2  Omitted  at  the  request  of  the  War  Department. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  421 

such  knowledge  of  the  facts  as  will  enable  him  to  supply  the  necessary 
evidence.  Until  the  evidence  be  thus  supplied  or  furnished  by  Mr. 
Martinez,  the  claim  cannot  be  allowed. 

Very  respectfully,  Your  Obt  Servt. 

C  M  Conrad 
Secretary  of  War. 

[LEA   TO   CALHOUN  •] 

Department  of  the  Interior, 

Office  Indian  Affairs 

Septemher  8.  1851 
Calhoun,  His  Excy  Jas.  S. 
Santa  Fe 

New  Mexico 
Snt: 

I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letters  of  the 
25th,  28th,  29th  &  30th  of  July.  Also  letters  from  Agents  Greiner^  & 
Woolley,^  stating  that  they  had  repaired  to  Santa  Fe,  reported  to  you 
and  were  awaiting  instructions ;  and  in  reply  I  have  to  state  that  the 
subject  matter  of  your  letters  will  be  attended  to. 
Very  respectfully,  Your  Obt.  Servt 

L  Lea 

Gomr. 
[  Related  Correspondence.  ] 

[WOOLLEY,   WINGFIELD,  AND   GREINER  TO  LEA.*] 

Santa  Fe  Aug  29th  1851 
To  Hon.  Luke  Lea 

Commr  Ind  Affairs  U.  8. 
Dear  Sir 

The  undersigned  Agents  of  the  Govt  of  the  United  States  for  the  Indians  in 
New  Mexico,  feel  it  due  to  themselves,  and  as  a  matter  of  justice  to  the  Super- 
intendent of  Indian  Affairs  for  this  District  to  malie  the  following  representation. 

In  obedience  to  instructions  we  received  from  you  as  Commr,  of  Indian  Affairs, 
we  lost  no  time  in  repairing  to  this  place,  and  reporting  ourselves  to  Gov 
Calhoun,  and  were  all  here  on  the  2Sth  of  July  ult.  At  an  early  day  after  our 
arrival  here,  Govr  Calhoun  called  the  Agents  together,  and  conferred  with  us 
freely  in  relation  to  our  duties.  In  this  conference  he  indicated  that  his  line 
of  policy  as  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs  would  be  to  establish  the  agencies, 
at  or  near  the  military  posts,  about  to  be  established  in  the  country.  Col 
Sumner  the  officer  in  command  of  troops  in  New  Mexico,  was  at  this  time  in 
the  midst  of  his  preparation  for  an  expedition  aganst  the  Navajo  Indans. 
Gov  Calhoun  in  obedience  to  his  instructions  from  Washington  immediately 

1  O.  I.  A.,  L.  B.,  No.  45,  p.  124. 

2  See  Greiner  to  Lea,  July  31,  1851,  O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Sup^.,  G  233. 

•  See  Woolley  to  Mix,  August  1,  1851,  Ibid,  W  611,  and  also  the  Joint  letter  of  Woolley. 
Wlngfleld,  and  Greiner,  August  29,  1851. 
*0.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  W  834. 


422  COREESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

addressed  him  on  the  subject  of  an  Agent's  accompanying  him  on  this  Expedi- 
tion, and  inquiring  of  him  the  facilities  he  would  afford  to  Agents  for  their 
transportation  &c.  To  the  inquiry  in  a  communication  to  Govr  Calhoun  he 
positively  refused  to  afford  any  facilities  whatever.  Govr  Calhoun  has  sub- 
mitted the  whole  correspondence  between  Col  Sumner  and  himself  to  us,  and  it 
is  evident  there  is  a  want  of  comity  and  cooperation  between  the  Indian  and 
Military  Departments  of  the  public  service  in  this  Territory.  In  this  state  of 
things,  we  feel  that  it  is  impossible  for  us  to  render  that  efficient  aid  to  the 
public  service,  that  our  duties  require.  Travelling  without  an  armed  escort,  in 
this  Country  is  entirely  unsafe.  It  will  be  necessary  for  us  to  carry  our 
bedding  subsistence  and  cooking  utensils.  At  night  we  must  have  a  watch  on 
duty,  or  our  animals  will  disappear.  If  this  be  true,  (and  none  who  are  in- 
formed will  pretend  to  deny)  we  respectfully  submit  the  question — how  is  it 
possible  for  us  as  Indian  Agents,  to  discharge  the  important  duties  devolving 

when 
upon  us  witfe    all  the  facilities  of  performing  the  same  are  withheld  by  the 
Military  officers  in  command. 

We  deeply  sympathise  with  Govr  Calhoun,  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs, 
on  account  of  the  embarrassing  attitude  in  which  he  is  placed  by  this  unpleas- 
ant state  of  affairs,  and  trust  the  matter  will  command  your  earliest  attention 
We  remain  Sir 

Very  Respectfully  Yr's  &c 

A.   R.   WOOLLEt 
E.    n.   WiNGFIEXD 

John    Greinek 
[CALHOUN  TO  WOOLLEY.'] 

KxECiTTivE  Department 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico, 

Septr.  10,  1851 

SlE, 

It  is  reported,  upon  what  aiithoritj'  I  know  not.  that  there  are  a 
number  of  Indians,  in  lodges,  between  San  Miguel  and  Barclay's 
Fort.    The  truth  in  this  matter  should  be  known  without  a  moments 

1  Enclosure  of  the  following  letter  from  Woolley  to  Stuart,  September  24,  1S52,  O.  I.  A., 
New  Mexico  Sup^.,  I  117: — 

Washington,  nth  Sept  1852 
Sir, 

Since  my  letter  of  yesterday,  in  relation  to  an  extra  compensation  to  one  of  my  Inter- 
preters, which  was  disallowed  by  the  Comr.  of  Ind.  Affrs,  in  looking  over  my  papers,  I 
have  been  so  fortunate  as  to  find  the  enclosed  letter  from  Gov.  Calhoun— 

You  will  perceive  that  the  Governor  was  evidently  alarmed  in  this  instance ;  I  am 
charged  to  investigate  the  matter  of  which  he  treats,  "  without  a  moments  delay,"  to 
ascertain  their  "  purpose"'  &  in  conclusion  am  urged  to  speedy  &  prompt  action  by  the 
following  emphatic  language.  "  Despatch  in  this  matter  is  of  the  utmost  importance  " — 
These  instructions  are  imperative  in  their  tone  amounting,  in  fact,  to  a  positive  order 
from  a  Superior  to  a  Subordinate  Officer — The  means  by  which  such  orders  were  to  be 
carried  Into  effect,  was  the  only  discretion  left  to  me — 

It  was  upon  instructions  equally  urgent  &  imperative  that  I  applied  to  Col  Alexander 
for  a  military  escort,  failing  in  which,  I  equipped  and  sent  Ward,  upon  a  valuable  mare  of 
my  own,   into  the  Jlccarilla   country   to  procure   the   Information  required   of   me  by   the 
order  of  the  Ex-Otficio  Supt. — 
Very  respectfully. 

Yr  Obt  Svt 

A    K     WoOLLKY 

Int.e  Jnd.  Agt.  New  Hex". 
Hon.  A.  IT.  H.  Stuart 

Secy.  Interim 


COERESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  423 

delay,  and  you  are  charged  with  its  investigation.     If  the  report  be 
true,  ascertain  the  purposes  of  the  Indians  in  coming  in  to  our  settle- 
ments.    Dispatch  in  this  matter  is  of  the  utmost  importance.^ 
With  great  respect 

Your  obedient  Servant 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Snpt.  Ind.  Affs 

Col.  A.  R.  WOOLLEY 

Ind.  Agt. 

[DERRICK   TO    CALHOUN.'] 

Department  or  State 
Washington^  September  13th  1851. 
Honorable  James  S  Calhoux, 
Governor  of  the  Territory  of 
New  Mexico. 
Santa  Fe. 
Sir: 

I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  communication 
of  the  30th  of  June,  setting  forth  the  condition  of  the  Territory  of 
New  Mexico,  and  also  your  letter  of  the  same  date  requesting  leave  of 
absence  from  the  Territory  for  about  one  month.  The  Department, 
not  being  aware  of  any  authority  conferred  upon  it  to  grant  requests 
of  such  a  nature,  felt  constrained  to  defer  a  reply  to  your  letter  until! 
the  views  of  the  President — then  absent  from  the  City — should  be 
known.  Occasion  was  taken  this  morning,  to  present  your  applica- 
tion to  the  President,  and  I  have  now  to  acquaint  you  that  he  does 
not  feel  authorized  to  assume  the  responsibility  of  acceding  to  your 
wishes.  The  President  does  not  deny  to  you  the  liberty  to  act,  in 
the  case,  as  your  judgement  may  dictate.  On  the  contrary,  he  desired 
you  to  be  informed,  that,  should  the  State  of  Affairs  in  the  Territory 
justify  your  absence,  and  a  suitable  person  be  left  in  charge  of  the 
business,  no  obstacle  could  be  interposed  to  such  a  procedure  as  you 
might  adopt,  bearing  in  mind,  however,  the  responsibility  that  will 
devolve  upon  you,  for  the  satisfactory  administration  of  public 
affairs  during  your  absence. 

I  regret  exceedingly  that  the  absence  of  the  President  has  so  long 
delayed  a  reply  to  your  letter. 

I  am  Sir  very  respectfully 

Your  Obedient  Servant 

W.  S.  Derrick 

Act  Secretary 

1  In  his  attempt  to  carry  out  Calhoun's  orders,  WooUey  applied  to  Colonel  Alexander 
for  a  military  escort  and  was  refused.  See  Alexander  to  Woolley,  September  20,  1851, 
O.  I.  A.,  Santa  F6  Agency,  W  142. 

»B.  I.  A.,  D.  L.,  vol.  39,  p.  243. 


424  CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[CAIiHOUN   TO   LEA.'] 

Executive  Department 
Santa  Fe',  New  Mexico, 

Septr.  ll^th,  1851, 
Sir, 

The  accompanying  obligation,  or  rather,  the  copy  of  an  obliga- 
tion given  by  the  Alcalde,  and  Governor  of  the  Pueblo  of  Lagima 
is  forwarded  that  you  may  advise  as  to  the  proper  remedy  in  such 
cases.  So  soon  as  an  opportunity  shall  present,  I  will  cause  a  demand 
to  be  made  for  the  amount;  and,  if  its  payment  is  declined,  I  shall 
take  no  further  steps  in  the  matter  until  I  hear  from  you. 

I  repeat   former  suggestions,  that  unless   Agents   are  near  each 
Pueblo,  the  Indians  can  not  be  protected — The  Agents  now  in  this 
Territory  must  suffer  in  public  estimation,  because  of  their  ineffi- 
ciency, rendered  so  for  the  want  of  proper  military  protection. 
With  great  respect. 

Your  obedient  Servant, 

J.  S.  Calhoun. 
Hon :  L.  Lea 

Comr.  of  Ind.  Afs 

[In  closure.] 

San  Jose'  de  la  Lacuna 

January  2J(th  1851. 
We,  Juan  Pedro  Garvino,  Alcalde,  and  Lorenzo  Silva  Governor  of 
the  above  Pueblo,  promise  to  pay  Mr  Ramon  Sanchez,  on  the  24th 
day  of  March  of  the  present  year  1851,  the  full  sum  of  Two  hundred 
and  ninety  six  (296)  Dollars,  for  a  quantity  of  coral  stolen  from  said 
Sanchez  in  our  Pueblo. 

In  testimony  whereof  we  have  hereunto  set  our  hands,  and  bind 
our  real  and  moveable  property,  acquired  and  to  be  acquired.  Signed 
by  two  witnesses,  present  at  tiie  celebration  of  this  obligation,  drawn 
in  order  to  avoid  a  suit  at  law. 

Juan  Pedro  Garv'^ 
Lorenzo  Silva 
Witnesses  present. 
Mateo  Concha 
PiOMENO  Baca. 

Translators  Ojtice, 

August  W  1851. 
The  above  is  a  correct  translation  of  the  Original 

Whiting 
What  ought  to  be  done  with  such 
obligations  ? 

J.  s.  c. 

1  O.  I.  a.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  N  143. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  425 

[LEA   TO   CALHOUN.'] 

Department  of  the  Interior, 

Office  of  Indian  Affairs, 

Sept.  15  1851 
Calhoun,  His  Excy  J.  S. 

Santa  Fe 

New  Mexico 
Sir: 

In  your  letter  of  the  1st  July  last,  transmitting  your  accounts  for 
the  2d  quarter  of  the  present  year,  (which  was  acknowledged  in  one 
from  this  office  of  the  9th  ultimo,)  you  advise  of  having  drawn  for 
the  sum  of  $1241  56/100,  in  favor  of  W  S  McKnight,  the  amount  of 
said  account. 

To  day  there  has  been  presented  ^  your  draft,  in  favor  of  the  same 
individual,  but  dated  on  the  10th  July,  and  for  $1441  56/100,  which, 
notwithstanding  the  discrepancy,  both  in  the  amount,  and  date,  I 
have  concluded  to  pay. 

You  will  please  inform  me  whether  the  latter  draft  was  substituted 
for  the  one  alluded  to  in  your  letter. 

Very  respectfully.  Your  Obt.  Servt. 

L  Lea, 

Gomr. 

[CALHOUN  TO  WEBSTER/] 

Executive  Department, 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico, 

September  15^  1851. 
Sra, 

The  accompanying  petition  will  show  that  I  am  requested  to  for- 
ward it  to  you.  The  subject  will  commend  itself  to  your  considera- 
tion because  of  its  intrinsic  merit,  and  one  that  is  calculated  to  in- 
flame the  public  mind,  especially  in  New  Mexico  where  agitators 
are  hourly  exciting  the  passions  of  the  ignorant,  and  those  whom 
they  control.  The  people  are  persuaded  they  are  not  properly  cared 
for — they  know  that  the  wild  Indians  roam  in  every  direction  in 
this  Territory,  and  commit  depredations  without  being  chastised — 

that  we  are 
that   the   Territorial   Treasury   is   a   mere   void,  without 

munitions  of  war,  or  authority  to  call  out  the  Militia ;  and  now,  the 
conduct  of  the  authorities  of  the  Republic  of  Mexico  is  added  to 
their  list  of  greivances. 

1 0.  I.  a.,  L.  B.,  No.  45,  p.  137. 

2  See  O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  S  722. 

3B.  I.  A.,  M.  L.,  September,   1851. 


426  COKEESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

My  constant  efforts  have  been,  and  will  be  continued,  to  prevent 
exciting  topics  from  maddening  our  people.    I  am  aware  that  wrongs 
may  not  be  redressed  in  a  day,  but  manj^  of  those  we  complain  of, 
can  and  ought  to  be  remedied  at  an  early  day. 
I  am. 

With  great  respect, 

Your  obedient  Servant, 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Hon.  Daniel  Webster 

Secretary  of  State 

Washington  Gity^ 

D.  0. 

[CALHOUN  TO  WINGFIELD '1 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

Septr.  17.  1851, 
Sir, 

T  am  aware,  as  you  have  frequentW  suggested  to  me,  it  is  im- 
possible for  Indian  Agents,  at  this  time,  to  render  that  full  and 
efficient  service  which  the  Government  of  the  United  States  has  a 
right  to  demand  of  its  servants ;  they  must,  therefore,  suffer  in  public 
esteem,  unless  the  causes,  which  are  well  known  to  you,  are  properly 
explained.  In  addition  to  this  consideration,  unless  the  Government 
fully  comprehends  the  character  of  the  embarrassments  to  be  en- 
countered in  this  Territory,  the  Government  must  fail  to  discharge 
the  Parental  duties  with  which  it  is  charged.  The  Navajo  Indians 
are  travelling  in  every  direction  through  this  Territory,  committing 
murders  and  depredations.  It  is  utterly  unsafe  to  penetrate,  in  any 
direction,  towards  the  localities  of  the  wild  Indians,  without  an 
escort,  or  such  other  protection,  and  facilities  as  will  secure  safety 
and  subsistence  in  travelling  through  wastes  and  uninhabited  regions. 
Bedding  and  cooking  utensils  must  be  carried  with  you,  and  indeed, 
every  thing  also  that  is  necessaiy  to  preserve  a  man  from  freezing 
and  starving-  The  supposed  want  of  authority,  by  the  Military  com- 
mandant of  this  Department,  to  afford  "  facilities  "  has  prevented 
your  accompanying  the  Navajo  expedition.  On  the  8th  of  this  month 
Indians  committed  depredations  within  seven  miles  and  a  half  of 
this  City — A  feAv  da3^s  before,  they  committed  a  murder  and  depre- 
dations near  the  Pueblo  of  Cochiti — They  are  daily  to  be  seen,  on 
both  sides  of  the  Rio  del  Norte,  between  Valverde  and  Masilla.  I 
have  no  authority  to  call  out  the  militia,  and  the  Territory  is  with- 
out munitions  of  War.  Under  such  circumstances,  I  do  not  feel  at 
liberty  to  direct  you  to  incur  such  hazards  as  would  be  inevitable 

1  O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  W  21. 


COEEESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUIT.  427 

in  travelling  to  and  through  the  Indian  country  assigned  to  you, 
and  where  the  more  serious  dangers  are  to  be  apprehended.  With 
these  facts  before  me,  I  can  not  do  less  than  approve  your  determi- 
nation to  proceed  to  Washington  City,  for  the  purpose  of  explaining 
the  embarrassments  under  which  we  labor  in  this  Territory,  and  why 
it  is  your  usefulness  is  limited  to  a  circle  so  narrow,  as  not  only  to 
be  disagreeable,  but  to  endanger  your  reputation  as  a  useful  citizen 
and  officer.  I,  in  the  midst,  and  understanding  the  cause  and  charac- 
ter of  the  embarrassments  around  us,  appreciate  your  feelings  and 
approve  the  spirit  that  induces  you  to  risk  the  forfeiture  of  your 
official  position  rather  than  your  reputation  for  usefulness,  or  that 
the  Government  should  not  be  more  fully  advised  as  to  the  true 
state  of  public  affairs  in  this  Territory. 
Your  friend 

J,  S.  Calhoun 

Maj.   E.   H.   WlNGFIELD 

Ind.  Agt. 
[WHEATON  TO   CALHOUN."] 

With  Governor  Calhoun's  letter  of  the  1st  of  October. 

Don  Fernando  De  Taos  Sept  Wth  1851 
DrSir 

I  write  this  at  the  request  of  some  five  hundred  of  the  citizens  of 
the  counties  of  Taos  and  Kio  Ariba,  who  are  anxious  to  make  a  cam- 
peign  against  the  Navajo  Indians  who  have  done,  as  you  are  well 
aware,  infinite  injury  to  the  property  and  persons  of  the  inhabitants 
of  this  Territoryr — 

The  citizens  to  whom  I  refer  labour  under  much  difficulty  for  the 
want  of  arms  as  most  of  them  have  but  their  bows  and  quivers  of  of 
arrows  and  in  this  respect  possess  no  advantage  o\er  the  Indians; 
but  unarmed  as  they  are  they  are  only  waiting  authority  from  your 
excelency  to  organize  and  do  all  in  their  power  to  repel  these  ruth- 
less invaders  from  their  land  and  to  save  their  property  and  lives 
and  prevent  slavery  and  outrage  from  their  wives  and  children 

I  am  well  satisfied  that  could  arsenals  and  arms  be  distributed 
through  this  country,  so  that  these  people  could  be  furnished  with 
arms  and  ammunition  whenever  they  wish  to  carry  on  an  expedition 
of  this  kind  or  could  they  be  organized  into  voluntier  companies  to 
be  equiped  and  paid  by  the  genl  Government,  they  could  do  more  in 
one  year  to  protect  not  only  this  but  the  Mexican  frontier  from  the 
ravages  of  the  different  nations  of  Indians  which  surround  us,  than 
the  regular  army  could  do  in  three 

1  Enclosure  of  Callioiin  to  Webster,  October  1,  1851.  B.  I.  A..  M.  L.,  October.  1851. 


428  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES    S.    CALHOUN. 

My  reason  for  believino-  tliis  is  derived  from  the  fact  that  these 
people  are  well  aware  of  the  mountain  fastnesses  of-fehe  to  which  the 
Indians  retreat  and  which  perfectly  secure  them  from  the  approach  of 
the  regular  troops — and  being  mostly  mountaineers  and  beaver  and 
buffaloe  hunters,  the}^  have  become  accustomed  to  the  mode  of  life 
necessary  and  best  adapted  to  hunting  out  the  Indians  and  bringing 
them  to  an-effeeti^e  permanent  peace 

In  fact  this  is  the  onl}^  mode  by  which  this  state  of  things  can  be 
brought  about  and  the  quicker  it  is  done  the  less  expense  it  will  be 
to  the  Genl.  Government  &  until  it  is  done,  this  country  as  well  as 

Mexico 
Chihuahua  and  the  Northern  part  of  sew-  will  be  u  perpetual 
scene  of  robbery  &  bloodshed:  for  it  would  take  years  for  regular 
troops  or  even  voluntiers  from  Missouri  or  Illinois  to  accustom  them- 
selves to  the  kind  of  warfare  that  would  be  successful  against  these 
Indians  or  to  become  acquainted  with  the  vast  tracts  of  mountain  and 
forrest  by  which  we  are  surrounded 

With  the  hope  that  these  views  will  meet  with  your  approbation 
and  that  the  required  authority  will  be  granted  to  those  in  behalf  of 
whom  I  write,  I  remain — respectfully 
Your  friend  &  servant 

Theodore  D  Wheaton 

His  Excelency 

James  S.  Calhoun 

[CALHOUN   TO   WEBSTER.'] 

Executive  Department, 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico, 

September  23rd  1851. 
Sir, 

The  Books  mentioned  in  the  accompanying  Catalogue  have  been 
received  by  me,  at  this  office;  and  for  the  freight  of  which,  I  have 
paid  out  of  my  private  funds — or  credit — the  sum  of  ninety  nine 
50/100  dollars,  the  Hon.  Sec.  of  Territory  not  deeming  himself 
authorized  to  pay  the  amount  out  of  any  appropriations  granted  to 
this  Territory  by  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  although  the 
Legislature  of  the  Territory  authorized  its  payment.  The  Terri- 
torial Treasury  is  empty,  and  no  probability  of  collecting  taxes  for 
months  to  come,  as  there  is  a  combination  formed  to  resist  such  pay- 
ments.    This  is  an  American  combination. 

j^^I  do  not  know  the  extent  of  the  supervision,  if  any,  which  the 
Legislature  and  the  Governor  may  exercise  over  appropriations  for 

IB.  I.  A.,  M.  L.,  September,  1851. 


COKEESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  429 

the  Territory  made  by  Congress.  If  they  are  left  solely  with  the  dis- 
cretion of  the  Secretary,  under  instructions  from  the  Hon.  Secre- 
tary of  the  United  States  Treasury,  ought  we  not  to  be  so  informed 
that  we  may  avoid  trenching,  or  attempting  to  trench,  upon  the  ju- 
risdiction of  the  Honorable  Secretary?  Nearly  every  appropriation 
made  by  the  Legislature,  payable  out  of  the  appropriations  of  Con- 
gress for  Territorial  purposes,  are  suspended — This  is  exceedingly 
disagreeable  to  me,  as  you  will  readily  beleive  when  I  tell  you,  I  am 
compelled  to  listen,  almost  daily,  to  the  complainings  of  those  who 
have  just  claims,  as  I  conceive,  upon  said  appropriations.  I  pray 
that  this  matter  may  be  remedied  by  the  proper  authority. 

If  the  books,  herein  mentioned,  were  forw'arded  by  order  of  the 
GoA^ernment,  will  you  not  cause  the  "  omitted  "  volumes  to  be  for- 
warded ? 

With  great  respect. 

Your  obedient  servant 

J.  S.  Calhoun. 
Hon.  D.  Webster, 

Sec.  of  State, 

Washington  City, 
D.C. 

[CALHOUN  TO  LEA.*] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe'  N.  M.  Sept  30  1851 
Sir 

I  have  this  day  drawn  on  you  in  favor  of  E.  H.  Wingfield,  Indian 
Agent  for  742  '^Vioo  Dollars  at  one  day  after  sight,  draft  dated 
Sept  30th  1851.  The  account  current  which  I  will  send  to  you  by 
the  mail  of  the  1st  of  October  next  will  show  how  this  amount  obtains, 
and  which  is  chargeable  to  the  aforesaid  Agent 
Very  respectfully 

Your  Obedient  Servant 

James  S.  Calhoun 
Suftdt  of  Indian  Affairs 
Hon  Luke  Lea 

Commissioner  of  Indian  A  fairs 

Washington  City 
D.  C. 


O.  I.  a.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  N  149. 


430  COREESPONDENCE   <J¥    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

1  CALHOUN   TO   LEA.'] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

September  30th  1851. 
Sir 

The  accompanying  draft,  drawn  by  John  Greiner,  Indian  Agent, 
at  present  resident  at  Taos,  for  $708  "Vioo  Dollars,  in  favor  of  Wil- 
liam S.  McKnight,  approved  by  the  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs 
for  the  Territory  of  New  Mexico,  and  which  closes  his  returns  to  this 
date.  The  Vouchers,  Abstract  and  Account  Current  upon  which  this 
draft  is  founded,  will  be  forwarded  with  my  returns  from  this  Super- 
intendency 
I  am 

With  gi-eat  respect 

Your  Obedient  Servant 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Hon  Luke  Lea 

Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs 

Washington  City 

B.C. 

[CALKOUN   TO   WEBSTER.'] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico, 

Octoher  1st  1851. 
Sir, 

I  deem  my  duty,  at  this  time^  to  transmit  to  you  a  copy  of  a  state- 
ment in  reference  to  the  past  and  present  condition  of  this  Territory, 
signed  by  twenty  six  members  of  the  last  Legislature,  who  request 
that  certain  points  be  occupied  by  Troops.  The  statement  would 
have  been  forwarded  at  an  earlier  day,  but  for  the  hope  that  Col. 
Sumner's  Navajo  expedition  would  prevent  the  murders  and  depre- 
dations that  have  been  committed  by  Indians  during  the  past  month. 

No.  2.  is  a  communication  from  Charles  Overman  Esqr.  which  is 
entitled  to  consideration. 

No.  3.  a  letter  from  the  Hon.  Theodore  Wheaton,  Speaker  of  the 
H  of  R.  of  the  Territorial  Legislature. 

Desperation  is  abroad  in  every  direction  in  this  Territoiw,  and 
there  are  no  effective  means  to  check  it — Rely  upon  it,  there  is  no 
time  for  discussion. 

Action,  action  is  demanded,  and  I  doubt  whether  it  can  come  soon 
enough  to  prevent  foul  deeds. 

For  the  last  two  years  I  have,  faithfully,  warned  the  proper  officials 
of  dangers  to  be  apprehended — and  now,  they  are  immediately  in 
front,  and  who  can  foretell  the  result. 


O.   I.  a.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  D  748. 
B.  I.  A.,  M.  L.,  October,  1851. 


COEBESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  431 

g^^It  is  folly  to  suppose,  that  less  than  two  mounted  regiments^ 
(new)  can  preserve  the  quiet  of  this  Territory,  and  enforce  treaty 
stipulations  with  our  Indians. 

fil^^The  Governor  should  have,  at  his  command,  munitions  of  war, 
and  authority  to  call  out  the  Militia. 

2^^ The  military  and  civil  authorities  of  the  Territory,  with  but 
few  exceptions,  are  in  hostile  array  and  one,  or  both  should  be  releived 
from  duty  in  this  Territory. 
I  am, 

With  great  respect. 

Your  obedient  Servant 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Hon.  Danl.  Webster 

Sec.  of  State, 

Washington  City, 

D.  C. 

[CALHOUN  TO  BAKER.'] 

Executive  Office  Santa  Fe 

October  Ist  1851. 
Hon.  Grafton  Baker 

Chief  Justice  <&g 
Dear  Sir. 

It  is  with  pleasure  that  I  have  heard  of  your  intention  to  visit  the 
Federal  Capitol  with  a  view  to  an  improvement  of  the  Organic  Law 
of  this  Territory,  which  is  now  so  defective. 

From  my  knowledge  of  the  importance  of  this  mission,  I  am  satis- 
fied that  you  can  promote  the  interests  of  the  Territory  vastly  at 
Washington,  while  none  of  your  judicial  duties  will  be  omitted  here. 
While  I  shall  regret  your  absence,  yet  I  am  confident  the  good  of 
the  Territor}^  requires  it,  and  I  therefore  cordially  approve  of  the 
measure. 

I  am,  sir, 

Respectfully  &c 

James  S.  Calhoun 
[  Related  Correspondence.  ] 
[mower  and  watts  to  baker  ^] 

Santa  Fe  Sept  18th  1851 
Hon.  Grafton  Bakee 

Chief  Justice   &c 
Dear  sir, 

We  have  heard  with  unfeigned  pleasure  that  you  intend  to  visit  Washington 
during  the  coming  session,  if  compatible  with  your  duties  here.  We  certainly 
trust  you  will  carry  into  effect  this  project,  inasmuch  as  we  believe  you  can 

1  B.  I.  A.,  M.  L.,  October,  1851. 
« Ibid. 


432  COKRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

render  more  service  to  the  judiciary  aud  the  country  there  than  to  spend  the  va- 
cation at  Santa  Fe.  The  defective  condition  of  the  present  organic  law,  its  in- 
applicability to  the  wants  of  the  Territory,  and  the  need  of  some  person  at  the 
Federal  Capitol  intimately  acquainted  with  these  defects,  and  the  remedies  to  be 
applied,  all  suggest  forcibly  to  our  minds,  the  need  of  your  presence  at  Washing- 
ton.    The  present  unhappy  condition  and  poverty  of  the  Territory,  the  necessity 

the 
of  strong  interposition  of  Congressional  aid,  also,  requires  your  presence  to 

strengthen  the  Delegate  in  the  discharge  of  his  arduous  duties. 

In  view  of  these  and  other  facts  we  cannot  too  highly  commend  your  pur- 
pose, knowing  it  will   result  in   so  much  benefit   to  the  Government  and  the 
people,  while  your  absence  will  not  interfere  in   the  least  with   the  full   dis- 
charge of  all  of  your  Judicial  duties. 
We  remain.  Dear  Sir, 
Yours  very  truly 

H.      Mow  KB 

J.   S.   Watts 
[WEIGHTMAN    TO    BAKER. ^] 

Santa  Ve.  Nkw  Mexico,  Sept  JHtli  J851. 
Judge  Grafton  Bakek, 
Sib, 

In  view  of  the  disorganized  state  of  affairs  in  this  Territory  for  want  of  suffi- 
cient Congressional  legislation,  and  the  great  necessity  for  early  action  by 
Congress  in  reference  to  the  courts  here,  I  desire  to  impress  upon  you  the  im- 
portance of  yourself  visiting  Washington  this  Winter,  and  to  urge  upon  you  to 
do  so,  in  order  that  your  efforts  may  be  joined  to  mine  in  urging  immeiliate  and 
sufficient  action  in  relation  to  the  Courts  and  .Judiciary. 

Your  services  in  Washington  will,  in  my  opinion,  be  more  valuable  tli.iu  if  you 
were  to  remain  here.  Between  your  fall  &  sjiring  terms  there  is,  I  believe, 
ample  time  to  go  and  return,  and  without  missing  any  of  your  terms  of  court. 
By  taking  the  steii  I  now  urge  ui)on  you,  you  will.  I  believe,  be  able  1<>  render 
to  the  people  of  this  country  the  most  important  services. 
Yours  Truly 

R.  H.  Weightman 

[CALHOUN   TO  LEA.-J 

Executive  Department 
Santa  Fe',  New  Mexico, 

Octr.  U  1851. 
Sir, 

number  of 
There  have  been  murders,  and  the  depredations  com- 

mitted during  the  past  month  have  not  been  exceeded  in  any  previous 
month  since  I  have  been  a  resident  of  this  Territory — Three  murders 
have  come  to  my  knowledge — but  the  depredations  have  not  been 
heavy,  owing,  in  part,  to  the  want  of  the  desired  materials,  heretofore 
consumed^  (carried  off)  by  our  lords  of  the  mountains  and  valleys — 


IB.  I.  A.,  M.  L.,  October,  1851. 

*  O.  I.  A.,  New  'Mexico  Supy.,  N  150 ;  Annual  Report  Commissioner  Indian  Affairs,  1851, 
pp.  204-205. 


COERESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  433 

We  can  not  do  with  less  than  two  (new)  Mounted  regunents — and 
the  Governor  must  have  authority  to  call  out  the  militia,  and  the 
control  of  war  munitions,  and  the  means  to  subsist  and  pay  the 
Militia. 

I  have,  now,  access  to  the  appropriations  for  the  Navajos^  and 
Utahs.  But  what  can  I  do  with  them  ?  I  can  not  get  to  the  Indian 
country,  in  safety,  for  the  want  of  military  cooperation.  There  is 
another  question  you  must  consider.  By  authority  of  the  Depart- 
ment, during  the  past  year,  I  made  treaties  with  certain  Pueblos — 
During  the  present  year,  without  special  authority,  I  made  a  treaty 
with  the  Apaches  east  of  the  Kio  del  Norte.  To  use  the  appropri- 
ations mentioned,  must  be  well  considered,  or  the  Pueblos,  and 
Apaches  may  manifest  their  discontent — The  Pueblos  are  daily  tam- 
pered with,  and  my  utmost  exertions  are  required  to  prevent  out- 
breaks— The  want  of  harmony  between  the  military  and  civil  authori- 
ties, is  well  understood  by  them,  and  their  management  will  become 
more  difficult,  if  it  is  not  already  so.  Their  discontent  must  not  be 
increased.  These  Christian  Indians  are  a  dangerous  people,  but  none 
can  be  made  more  useful  if  proper  care  is  taken  with  them — There 
should  be  no  delay  in  this  matter — 

In  conclusion — I  must  say — the  Military  officers  and  the  executive 
can  not  harmonize,  and  I  am  not  certain  that  the  public  interests 
would  not  be  promoted  by  releiving  us  all  from  duty  in  this  Territory. 
With  great  respect,  &c  &c  &c. 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Hon  L.  Lea, 

Comr.  Ind.  Afs. 

[Belated  Correspondence.] 
[SUMNER   TO   JONES.^] 

Head  Qurs,  9th  Dept: 

FoKT  Union,  N  M 

January  1st  1852 
Genekax, 

I  have  the  honor  to  report,  that  I  returned  last  night  from  El  Paso.  I  found 
the  posts  of  Fort  Fillmore,  and  Fort  Conrad,  well  advanced,  and  the  troops  are 
now  in  quarters  built  by  themselves,  at  all  the  new  posts.  This  labor  has 
improved  the  health  and  efficiency  of  my  command.  I  broke  up  entirely  the 
establishment  at  El  Passo,  which  was  very  expensive  and  useless.  I  left  an 
officers  guard  in  that  vicinity  for  the  winter.  I  have  established  a  new  post  at 
the  "  Copper  Jlines,"  in  the  Apache  Country,  which  I  think  will  effectually  curb 
that  tribe.  I  have  a  squadron  of  horse  stationed  temporarily  at  Galisteo,  and 
a  company  of  Infantry  at  Taos,  these  commands  will  form  the  garrison  for  the 

1  Sumner  did  eventually  co-operate  with  Calhoun  in  the  matter  of  dealing  with  the 
Navajos.  See  bis  letter  to  the  Adjutant-General,  January  1st,  1852,  also  McFerran'g 
orders  to  Brooks. 

»A.  G.  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  1,  also  Department  of  New  Mexico,  vol.  8,  pp.  96-98. 

5021—15 28 


434  COKKESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

new  post  in  the  Utah  Country,  and  will  move  there  as  soon  as  the  spring  opens. 
On  my  return  to  Santa  Fe,  I  found  the  Navajos  had  sent  in  now  that  tliey 
wished  to  make  peace,  and  the  Governor  and  I  went  to  "  Jamez  "  to  meet  them 
in  Council.     We  met  about  200  and  I  talked  to  them  very  plainly. 

I  told  them,  (and  they  knew  it  to  be  true,)  that  the  troops  at  Fort  Defiance 
could  and  would  prevent  them  from  raising  a  single  field  of  grain,  unless  they 
remained  at  peace. 

They  promised  to  keep  quiet,  and  to  restore  all  their  Mexican  prisoners,  and 
as  a  pledge  that  they  would  keep  faith  they  gave  up  three  hostages.  I  was 
opposed  entirely  to  any  presents  being  given  to  this  people,  until  they  had  been 
put  on  probation  for  at  least  six  months.  They  have  violated  every  treaty  that 
has  ever  been  made  with  them  and  it  would  have  been  much  better  to  have  held 
them  for  a  time,  with  a  rod  of  iron  over  their  heads.  The  Governor  gave  them 
presents  to  the  amount  of  2,  or  3,  thousand  dollars,  and  these  Indians  will 
undoubtedly  feel  that  their  submission  has  been  purchased. 

I  am  by  no  means  certain,  that  this  mistake  will  not  jeopardize  all  the  good 
results  to  be  expected  from  placing  a  post  in  the  Navajo  Country  &  I  consider 
the  mistake  so  important  that  I  wish  to  make  known  to  the  Department,  my 
decided  dissent,  and  disapprobation  of  this  measure 

I  find  it  indispensably  necessary  to  remove  my  head  quarters  from  this  post, 
to  Albuquerque,  on  the  Ilio  Grande,  in  order  to  be  nearer  to  the  new  posts  in 
the  Indian  country.  Circumstances  might  arise  that  would  make  it  very  impor- 
tant, that  I  should  be  within  striking  distance  of  these  posts.  I  have  to 
acknowleclge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of  November  15,  ISul.  The  map  will  be 
commenced  immediately  by  Capt.  Pope  of  the  Engineers. 
With  high  respect 

Your  obt.  Servt, 

[E.  V.  Sumner.] 

Bvt  Maj  Genl  R  Jones  "■'= :         -  .  ^ 

Adjt:   Genl: 
Copy  sent  to  Div  Hd  Qurs 

'Note  Jany  3/52  From  information  I  received  last  night,  I  am  disappointed 
to  find,  that  all  the  troops  at  Fort  Fillmore  are  not  yet  in  Quarters.  They  will 
be  however  very  soon 

[McFERRAN  TO  BROOKS.^] 

Head  Quarters,  9th  Mil  :  Dept  : 

Fort  Union,  N.  M. 

October  24th  185 J. 
Colonel, 

The  Colonel  Commanding  the  Department  directs  me  to  say,  that  he  desires 
you  to  furnish  his  excellency,  Governor  J.  S.  Calhoun,  Superintendent  of  In- 
dian Affairs,  in  this  Territory,  with  a  suitable  escort  to  accompany  him  to  the 
Utah  Country,  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  into  effect  a  Treaty  stipulation  with 
that  tribe  of  Indians 

I  am  Col :  Very  respectfully 
Your  obt:  Serv't: 

J.  C  McFerran 

2  Lt  Sd  Inf 

A.  A.  A.  a 
Col:  H.  Brooks, 

Comdg:   U.   8.   Troops, 
Santa  Fe, 
N.  M. 

1  A.  G.  O.,  Department  of  New  Mexico,  vol.  8,  pp.  57-58. 


COKRESPONDENCE   OE   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  435 

[CALHOUN  TO  WEBSTER.^] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe,  Neav  Mexico. 

Octoher  1  1851. 
Sir, 

The  accompanying  copy  of  an  Act,  "  Establishing  the  Seat  of  Gov- 
ernment of  the  Territory  of  New  Mexico  ",  is  so  plain  as  to  do  away 
with  the  propriety  of  any  effort,  upon  my  part,  to  submit  explana- 
tory remarks.  I  will,  however,  say,  that  the  place,  called  the  Palace,^ 
with  the  grounds  apportaining,  does,  or  should  'belong  to  this  Terri- 
tory. 

In  reference  to  all  public  property,  some  one  should  have  author- 
ity to  take  possession  of  it,  without  detriment  to  the  claim  of  the 
United  States,  or  to  this  Territory. 

The  Legislature,  if  there  should  not  be  an  extra  session,  will  meet 
on  the  first  monday  in  December,  next,  and  it  may  be  desirable  to  lay 
before  them  your  reply. 
I  am, 

With  great  respect. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Hon.  Danl.  Webster, 

S>ec.  of  State, 

Washington  City. 
D.G. 

[  Related  Correspondence.  ] 

[SUMNER  TO  CONRAD.^] 

Hkad  Quarters,  9th  Depi'  : 

Albuquerque,  N.  M. 

December  22nd  1852. 
The  Honble:  C.  M.  Conbad 
Sec:  of  War: 

Washington,  D.  C. 
Sib: 

1  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of  October  11th 
last,  relating  to  an  application  of  Judge  Baker  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior 
for  rooms  for  the  Court  at  Santa  Fe'.  There  has  been  some  strange  misap- 
prehension in  this  affair.  I  never  assigned  any  rooms  in  the  palace  for  the 
Court.  When  I  took  charge  of  the  civil  government  last  spring,  I  found  the 
Courts  were  using  the  legislative  hall  in  the  palace,  and  I  made  no  change 
whatever,  except  to  give  them  a  part  of  another  building  for  a  jury  room.  I 
have   now    relinquished   to   the  civil   authorities,   all    the  buildings   that   are 

i.B.  I.  A.,  M.  li.,  October,  1851. 

2  There  seems  to  have  been  quite  a  little  trouble  about  the  occupancy  of  rooms  In  the 
"  Palace."     Note  the  letter  from  Sumner  to  Conrad. 

^  A.  G.  O.,  Department  of  New  Mexico,  vol.  8,  p.  414. 


436  COEKESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN. 

habitable,  belonging  to  the  War  Department  at  Santa  Fe',  except  those  in  the 
actual  occupation  of  the  company  stationed  there. 
I  am,  Sir,  with  high  respect. 
Your  Obt:  Servant. 

E  V  Sumner 
Bvt:  Col:  U.  8.  A.  Lt:  Col:  1st  Drags 


Conidg:  dept: 


[CALHOUN  TO  LEA,'] 


Executive  Departiment 

Santa  Fe  N.  M. 

October  1st  1851. 
gm 

I  have  this  day  drawn  on  you  for  One  Hundred  and  Fifty  Dol- 
lars, at  One  days  sight  payable  to  the  Hon  Grafton  Baker,  or  order, 
which  amount  you  will  please  place  to  my  account,  in  the  quarter 
ending  September  30"*  1851.  my  abstract  and  account  current  will 
show  for  what  purpose  it  was  used.  By  honoring  said  draft  you 
will  much  oblige 

Your  Obedient  Servant 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Hon  Luke  Lea 

Commissioner  of  Ind.  Afs. 

Washington  City 

D.  C. 

[CALHOUN  TO  LEA.'] 

ExECUTTv^  Department 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

October  2, 1851. 
Sir, 

I  enquire,  respectfully,  whether  I  have  the  right  to  fill  vacancies, 
temporarily,  in  Indian  Agencies,  within  this  Superintendency  ? 

If  a  change  should  come  over  the  spirit  of  our  military  friends, 
so  far  as  to  afford  escorts  &c.  I  may  assume  the  responsibility  of 
employing  an  Agent — 

Instruct  me  in  the  way  I  should  go — 
With  great  respect, 

Your  obedient  Servant, 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Hon.  L.  Lea 

Comr.  Ind.  Affs. 

Washington  City 

D.  C. 

1  O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  N  148. 
a  Ibid..  N  151. 


I 


COKEESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   B.    CALHOUN.  437 

[CALHOUN  TO  WEBSTER.^] 

Executive  Department/ 

Santa  Fe^  New  Mexico,  October  19, 1851. 
Sir: 

I  have  the  honor  to  lay  before  you  a  "  statement  of  salaries  due 
the  officers  of  the  civil  government  of  New  Mexico,  under  the 
Kearny  code,  from  the  treasury  of  the  United  States." 

I  can  not  say  that  the  statement  is  perfectly  accurate,  but  I  have 
no  reason  to  doubt  the  fact.  I  have  not  had  time  to  examine  it. 
Governor  Munroe,  my  immediate  predecessor,  approved  and  caused 
to  be  transmitted  to  Washington  a  copy  of  this  statement,  except  the 
appended  report  signed  by  the  auditor  and  treasurer. 

I  cannot  too  strongly  urge  the  government  of  the  United  States 
to  provide  for  the  immediate  payment  of  these  claims,  not  only  be- 
cause justice  to  the  claimants  named  demand  it,  but  for  the  reason 
that  $12,098  64  is  due  to  the  territorial  treasury,  to  which  may  be 
added  $1,384.36  due  members  of  the  legislature  of  1847;  and  there 
is  not  one  dollar  in  the  territorial  treasury,  and  the  collection  of 
taxes  is  resisted,  with  no  prospect  of  an  early  adjustment  of  the  ques- 
tion involved.  May  I  not,  then,  be  pardoned  for  earnestly  pressing 
upon  your  consideration  the  importance  of  an  early  settlement  of 
these  claims. 

I  am,  with  great  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  S.  Calhoun. 

Hon.  Daniel  Webster, 

Secretary  of  State,  Washington  City,  D.  G. 

LHILL  TO  CALHOUN".^'] 

Memphis  October  W^^  1851 
J.  S.  Calhoun  Esq 

Yours  of  the  28""  August  last  is  received,  saying  that  "  your  Terri- 
tory had  not  yet  passed  a  law  authorising  the  appointment  of  Com- 
missioners in  other  States."    When  such  a  law  is  in  force  please,  to 
remember  my  Application 
Very  Eespectfully 

Your  Obt  Ser^ 

HuaiE  F  Hill 

1  Accompanying  Report  of  Secretary  of  War,  May  3,  1852,  Senate  Ex.  Doc,  32nd  Con- 
gress, 1st  session,  No.  71,  p.  3. 

'  O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  Miscellaneous  Files,  no  flle-mark. 


438  CORKESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN. 

[GREINER  TO  CALHOUN.^ 

Don  Fernandez  de  Taos  Oct  20  1851 
His  Excellency  Gov  Calhoun 

Siiperintendent  of  Indian  Affairs  N.  M. 
Sir 

On  the  4th  instant  a  large  party  of  Kiowa's  &  Arrapahoes  attacked 
a  Eutaw  Village  on  the  Lattira  near  Red  River,  about  30  miles  from 
Taos,  and  drove  off  about  50  head  of  horses  &  mules  and  captured 
two  women  and  four  children. 

On  the  15th  inst  they  made  another  attack  upon  the  same  Band 
within  18  miles  of  Taos  on  the  opposite  bank  of  the  Rio  Grande  and 
drove  off  nearly  all  their  remaining  stock. 

The  Eutaws  were  forced  to  retreat  to  the  Ojo  Caliente,  where  they 
now  are  uniting  their  forces  in  order  to  make  a  Campaign  against 
these  marauding  Indians. 

I  know  of  no  remedy  to  check  these  outrages  The  Military  force 
stationed  here  can  afford  no  assistance.  The  post  intended  to  be 
established  in  the  Eutaw  Country  has — I  learn — been  abandoned 
until  next  Spring.  The  Eutaws  are  peaceable  and  kindly  disposed 
towards  our  Citizens,  and  have  behaved  well 

Travellers  alone  and  unprotected  have  been  received  at  their  lodges 
and  treated  with  the  greatest  hospitality. 

Will  your  Excellency  be  pleased  to  inform  me  if  any  means  can  be 
devised  by  which  the  Eutaws  can  be  protected  in  their  lives  and 
property  from  the  depredations  of  the  Prarie  tribes. 
Very  Respectfully 

Your  Obedient  Servant 

John  Greiner 

[GREINEE   TO    CALHOUN] 

Indian  Agent 

New  Mexico 
His  Excellency  Gov  Calhoun 

Sa7na  Fe  N.  M. 
P.  S.    I  trust  your  Excellency  will  not  overlook  the  fact,  that  prepa- 
rations are  being  made  by  the  Citizens  of  this  Valley  &  others,  to 
settle  the  lands  claimed  by  the  Eutaws  in  the  Valley  of  the  Los 
Conejos. 

The  Indians  have  repeatedly  driven  the  Mexicans  from  this  land — 
they  say  it  is  their  Winter  hunting  gi-ound  that  it  contains  the  bones 
of  their  Fathers,  and  they  cannot  &  will  not  give  it  up  quietly. 
Very  Respectfully 

Your  Obt  Servant 

John  Greiner 

»  Enclosure  of  Calhoun  to  Webster.  Oct.  20,  1851  ;  B.  I.  A  ,  M.  L..  October.  1851. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OP   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  439 

[SUMNER  TO   CALHOUN.'] 

Head  Quarters,  9th  Mil  :  Dept  : 

Fort  Union,  N.  M. 

October  2Iith  1851. 
Governor, 

I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of  the 
21st  inst: 

You  are  right  in  supposing  that  the  article  referred  to  in  the  news- 
paper is  a  mistake,  I  never  intended  to  be  so  understood. 

I  believe  I  said  somewhere  in  conversation  that  the  troops  could 
never  be  used  to  enforce  the  laws  of  the  territory,  until  the  civil 
authorities  required  their  aid,  by  the  usual  legal  forms,  or  something 
to  that  effect,  meaning  in  tumults  and  the  like. 
Very  respectfully 

Your  obt:  Servt: 

E  V  Sumner 
Bvt:  Col:  U.  S.  A. 

Oomdg:  Dept: 
His  Excy.  J.  S.  Calhoun 

[SUMNER  TO   CALHOUN.'] 

Head  Quarters,  9th  Dept: 

Fort  Union,  N.  M. 

October  24th  1851. 
Governor, 

I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of  the 
21st  inst : 

I  am  clearly  of  the  opinion,  that  the  treaty  stipulation  with  the 
Utahs  should  be  carried  into  effect  immediately,  and  I  will  with 
pleasure  furnish  the  necessary  escort.  I  wish  to  apprise  that  people, 
that  it  is  my  intention  to  place  a  post  in  their  country  next  spring, 
and  that  I  expect  we  shall  continue  to  be  on  the  most  friendly  terms. 

AVith  regard  to  the  Navajos,  they  have  broken,  and  set  at  naught 
so  many  treaties,  that  it  seems  useless  to  treat  with  them.  I  think  it 
will  be  better  to  let  them  feel,  for  a  time  that  we  have  a  grasp  upon 
them  that  they  cannot  shake  off  and  then  when  we  do  treat  with  them 
they  will  keep  faith.  If  the  large  post  established  at  the  Caiion 
Bonito,  in  the  heart  of  the  Navajo  Country,  does  not  effectually  re- 
strain those  Indians,  and  put  a  stop  to  further  depredations,  nothing 
will  do  it  but  their  entire  extermination. 

I  have  directed  Colonel  Brooks,  to  furnish  you  with  an  escort  to  the 
Utah  Country. 

*A.  G.  O.,  Department  of  New  Mexico,  vol.  8,  p.  55. 
*  Ibid.,  p.  66. 


440  CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

I  should  like  to  confer  with  you  in  relation  to  the  Navajoes,  before 
any  action  is  taken  with  regard  to  them.    I  will  be  in  Santa  Fe  on 
the  8th  of  Next  Month,  on  my  way  to  El  Paso. 
With  high  respect 

Your  ob't:  Servt: 

E  V  Sumner 

Bvt:  Col:  U.S.A. 

Comdg :  Dept: 
His  Excely:  J.  S.  Calhoun. 

[CALHOUN   TO  WEBSTER.'] 

Executive  Department 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexio^ 

October  2St}i  1851. 
Sir 

The  accompanying  "  Statement  "  shows,  if  the  claims  should  be 
allowed,  that  $12,098.64  is  due  to  the  Territorial  Treasury,  and 
$1384.36  to  members  of  the  Legislature  of  1847.  In  the  event  that 
Congress  shall  provide  for  the  payment  of  these  claims,  it  is  desiied, 
that  the  amounts  named  above  should  be  placed  to  the  credit  of  the 
Territory,  subject  to  be  drawn  for  as  its  Legislature  may  direct. 
I  am. 

With  great  respect. 

Your  obedient  Servant, 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Hon.  Danl.  Webster 

Secretary  of  State^ 

Washington  City 
D.  G. 

[CALHOUN   TO  WEBSTER."] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

October  20th  1851. 
Sir, 

The  receipt  of  your  communication  of  the  13th  of  Septembor  last, 
is,  hereby,  acknowledged.  Anxious  as  I  am  to  visit  the  States  vi  an 
early  day,  I  am  constrained  to  say,  the  Governor  of  this  Territory 
could  not,  with  propriety,  leave  the  Territory  at  this  time.  On  the 
first  monday  in  December  next,  the  Legislature  commences  its  second 
session:  and,  I  fear,  under  circumstances  that  will,  justly^  in  n)y 
opinion,  create  dissatisfaction  among  the  members.  I  apprehend, 
ample  arrangements  to  defray  the  legitimate  expenses  of  the  Session, 

IB.  I.  A.,  M.  L.,  October,  1851. 
2  Ibid. 


COEKESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOTTN.  441 

will  not  be  provided  in  time — I  have  also  to  say,  sound  policy  re- 
quires that  the  legislature  should  be  authorized,  if  it  is  not  already 
so,  to  pass  upon  all  expenditures,  by  appropriations,  at  least  to  the 
same  extent  that  the  Oregon  Legislature  is  authorized  by  the  con- 
cluding sentence  of  Sec:  11.  Do  you  not  think  so?  Col.  Sumuor'^s 
expedition  to  the  Navajo  country  has  been  productive  of  no  good,  as 
yet,  and  if  an  effort  I  am  now  making  fails,  the  people  of  the  Terri- 
tory, to  some  extent,  will  be  forced  to  take  care  of  themselves,  ')r 
consent  to  lie  down  quietly,  and  be  plundered  and  butchered.  A 
similar  disagreeable  statement  I  have  made  to  you  before,  and  have 
begged  for  authority  and  means  to  protect  the  people  of  this  Terri- 
tory, and  I  have  been  honored  with  no  reply  to  my  entreaties. 

We  have  a  treaty  with  the  Utahs,  and  the  Kioways,  and  perhaps 
other  Indians,  are  now  at  war  with  the  Utahs  upon  the  immediate 
borders  of  our  settlements,  and  as  our  troops  seem  to  be  in  winter 
quarters,  our  frontier  disorders  must  increase — I  have  reliable 
authority  for  saying,  that  arrangements  are  now  being  made,  by  a 
large  number  of  Mexicans  to  seize  one  or  more  points  claimed  by  the 
Utahs,  which  the  Utahs  declare  they  will  resist  to  the  death.  Such 
outrages  should  be  prevented,  and  a  military  arm  is  absolutely  neces- 
sary to  secure  that  result. 
I  am, 

With  great  respect, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Hon:  Daniel  Webster 

Secretary  of  State 

Washington  City 
D.  G. 
P.  S.  See  accompanying  letter  from  Jno.  Griener  Esq.  Ind.  Agt. 
&c.  Oct.  20.  51. 

J.  s.  c. 

[LEA  TO  CALHOUN.'] 

Department  of  the  Interior, 

Office  Indian  Affairs, 

Oct  29.  1851 
Calhoun,  His  Excy  J.  S. 

Santa  T^e, 
New  Mexico 
Sni: 

Your  letter  of  the  17th  Augt.  last  advising  of  having  drawn  upon 
this  office  for  $2000,  on  account  of  salaries  of  Agents  &c  was  received 
on  the  22d  instant. 


'  O.  I.  a.,  L.  B.,  No.  45,  p. 


442  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

The  draft,  subsequently  presented,  has  been  paid.  To  prevent 
double  or  conflicting  payments  of  the  salaries  of  the  Agents  within 
your  Superintendency,  it  is  proper  you  should  be  informed  of  the 
payments  that  have  been  made  here  on  powers  of  Attorney.  They 
are  as  follows: 

On    a/c    of    Agent    Wooley,    one    qr.    salary    ending    32    June    1851    $387.50 
"      "       "         "        Greiner  1/3  of  2  qrs.     "  "  5    Oct         "        258.32 

"      "       "         "        Weightman  2  qrs       "  "  12    Sept       "         775.00 


$1420.  82 
Very  respectfully  Your  Obt.  Servt 

L  Lea 

CoTYir. 
[CALHOUN  TO  LEA.'] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

October  29th.  1851. 
Sir, 

Your  letters  of  the  23d  of  August,  and  September  8th,  last,  were 
received  last  night. 

In  reference  to  contingencies,  I  must  beg  the  Department  to  extend 
its  figures  in  reference  to  this  Superintendency,  at  least,  for  the 
present —  The  Pueblo  boundaries  must  be  established,  and  rules  and 
regulations  for  their  government,  and  for  intercourse  with  them, 
must  be  adopted,  before  you  can,  with  safety  to  the  'public,  economize 
in  this  branch  of  the  public  service.  You  must  not  forget,  the  In- 
dians are  not  the  worst  people  in  this  Territory,  and  increasing  efforts 
are  daily  made  to  drive  them  to  desperation  against  the  existing  ad- 
ministration of  its  civil  affairs,  which  must  be  counteracted ;  and  this 
can  not  be  done  without  money — 

In  the  absence  of  the  two  agents — Weightman  and  Wingfield,  if  it 
becomes  necessary,  I  shall  assume  the  responsibility  of  drawing  the 
$500.  allowed  to  each  of  them. 

If  you  should  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  this  letter,  I  beg  you  to 
remember  the  foregoing  statement,  and  if  necessary,  correct  my 
errors. 

I  am,  with  great  respect, 

Your  obedient  Servant, 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Swpt.  Ind.  Affa. 
Hon :  L.  Lea 

Comr.  Ind.  Affs. 

Washington  City 
D.  G. 

lO.  I.  a..  New  Mexico  Supy.,  N  154. 


COBRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN.  443 

[CALHOITN  TO   LEA.*] 

Executive  Department 
Santa  Fe  N  M,  Octr  31,  1851. 
Sir 

The  foregoing  schedule  of  two  drafts  approved  and  three  drawn 
by  myself,  is  sufficiently  explanatory  of  the  appropriations  to  be 
charged,  whether  I  shall  have  use  for  the  amounts  drawn  on  the 
Navajo  and  Utah  Treaty  appropriations  is  doubtful.  As  Col  Sum- 
ner declines  furnishing  me  with  the  facilities  necessary  to  get  amongst 
the  Navajoes,  I  can  do  nothing  with  them,  unless  they  come  to  me. 
Col  Sumner  has  ordered  an  escort,  to  accompany  me  to  the  Utah 
Country,  but  to  what  extent  I  know  not ;  see  my  letter  of  tomorrow's 
date. 

Unless  Col  Sumner  and  myself  can  adopt  a  plan,  by  which  we  can 
harmonize,  but  a  very  inconsiderable  amount  of  the  treaty  drafts 
will  be  used.  As  we  have  monthly  mails  only,  it  was  deemed  advis- 
able to  draw  these  drafts  at  this  time,  in  order  to  be  prepared  for 
contingencies  that  may  arise. 
Very  Respectfully 

Your  Obed  Servt 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Supt.  Ind.  Afs 
Hon  L  Lea 

Commissioner  c&c 

Washington  City 
D  C. 

[Inclosure.] 
SCHEDULE   A. 

Drafts  approved  and  drawn  this  day  by  James  S.  Calhoun  Gov 
&  Sup  of  Ind  Affs.  to  be  paid  from  salaries  of  Agents,  and  appro- 
priations made  at  the  last  session  of  the  31st  Congress  to  fulfil  Treaty 
stipulations  with  the  Navajoe  and  Utah  Indians — as  follows — viz. 

Draft  drawn  by  John  Greiner  Indian  Agent  at  sight,  in 

favor  of  Saml  Galloway  Esq,  approved  Oct  STst  for  $500.00 

'*        "        "        A  R  Woolley   "  "     "    Sixty  days, 

in  favor  of  J.  Lucas  Esq,  approved  Oct  31st  "  $387. 50 

"        "        "        J.  S.  Calhoun  Gov  &  Sup.  in  favor  of 
Gans  Leberman  &  Co,  dated  Oct  31,  at  sight,  payable 
from  appropriation  for  Utah  Indians  $8, 000. 00 

D.  Waldo  &  Co.  "       "    "        "     "        payable 

from  appropriation  for  Navajo  Indians  $1, 500. 00 

Alexander  Majors        "      "     "       "        "     "        "     "  $1,000.00 

Santa  Ffi  N.  M.,  Oct  Slst  1851. 

lO.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  N  157. 


444  CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN. 

[CALHOUN  TO  LEA/] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mex. 

Now.  1, 1851 
Sm, 

At  the  request  of  Col,  Woolley,  Ind.  Agt.  I  have  the  honor  to  trans- 
mit to  you,  his  Abstract  and  Vouchers,  and  Account  Current,  made  up 
to  the  1st  day  of  October,  last. 

If  I  should  exercise  any  supervision  over  Such  returns,  be  pleased 
so  to  advise  me,  and  remember,  I  have  not  had  forwarded  to  me  the 
rules  and  regulations  of  the  Department,  and  daily  am  I  groping 
my  way  in  the  dark. 
I  am. 

With  great  respect, 

Your  obedient  Servant. 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Hon.  L.  Lea,  Supt.  Ind.  Affs 

Comr.  Ind.  Afs. 

Washington  City, 

D.  C. 

[CALHOUN  TO  SUMNER.'] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

November  9th  1851. 
Sir: 

A  moment  since,  the  accompanying  application  was  handed  to  me, 
and,  in  accordance  with  the  wishes  of  the  applicants,  I  make  the  ap- 
plication to  you,  as  they  request,  as  the  Territory,  in  its  capacity  as 
such,  is  entirely  destitute  of  the  munitions  of  War — They  desire  arms 
and  acoutrements  for  seventy  five  and  if  you  can  with  propriety 
grant  them,  I,  as  the  Governor  of  Territory,  will  have  pleasure  in 
receipting  for  them. 

With  great  respect, 

Your  Obt  Servt 

(Signed)  J.  S.  Calhoun 

Col:  E.  V.  Sumner, 

Comdg.  9th  Mil.  Deft. 

Santa  Fe, 

New  Mex: 
A  true  Copy. 

J  C  McFerran 

1st  Lt  3d  Inf 

A.  A.  A.  G 

10.  I.  a.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  N  158. 

*A.  G.  O.,  Files,  S  576  of  1851,  No.  8.  This  Is  the  first  of  a  series  comprehended  In 
the  communication  from  Sumner  to  Jones  on  p.  445. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OP   JAMES   S.   CALHOUN.  445 

[Belated  Correspondence.] 

[SUMNER  TO  JONES  ^] 

Head  Quarters,  9th.  Dept 

Fort  Conrad,  N.  Mexico, 

November  20,  1851. 
General. 

I  regret  to  trouble  the  Genl.  in-chief  with  a  voluminous  correspondence  with 
Governor  Calhoun.  I  have  endeavoured  to  avoid  these  differences  as  much  as 
possible,  but  in  this  case  it  was  so  important  to  prevent  any  Mexican  maraud- 
ing parties  from  traversing  the  indian  country,  that  I  was  obliged  to  enter  into 
this  discussion. 

This  predatory  war  has  been  carried  on  for  two  hundred  years,  between  the 
Mexicans  &  Indians,  quite  time  enough  to  prove,  that  unless  some  change  is 
made  the  war  will  be  interminable.  They  steal  women  and  children,  and  Cattle, 
from  each  other,  and  in  fact  carry  on  the  war,  in  all  respects,  like  two  indian 
nations. 

This  system  of  warfare  will  interfere  very  much  with  my  measures,  and  in- 
deed do  away  with  all  the  advantages,  that  I  confidently  expect  to  reap  from  the 
establishment  of  Fort  Defiance.  This  large  post  is  in  the  very  midst  of  the 
Indians  and  cannot  fail  to  cramp  them  in  all  their  movements,  and  it  will  harrass 
them  so  much,  that  they  will  gladly  make  peace,  and  keep  quiet,  provided,  they 
find  that  the  post  can  protect,  as  well  as  punish.  They  have  already  shown  a 
disposition  to  enter  into  a  treaty,  and  have  sent  a  message  to  the  Governor, 
that  they  would  come  to  Santa  Fe'  for  that  purpose. 

I  would  respectfully  request  that  explicit  orders. may  be  sent,  by  the  proper 
authorities,  to  Gov.  Calhoun,  to  abstain  from  sending  any  war  parties  of  Mexi- 
cans into  the  indian  Country,  and  that  he  should  confine  himself  strictly  to 
defensive  measures,  within  the  Country  occupied  by  the  Mexicans. 
With  high  Respect 

Your  Obt.  Servant 

[E.  v.  Sumnee] 
Bvt.  Maj.  Genl.  R.  Jones 
Adjt.  Genl. 

[BECK  AND   OTHERS  TO  CALHOUN.'] 

Santa  Fe,  Novemher  9th,  1851. 
Sir 

A  volunteer  company,  composed  of  the  American  citizens  of  this 
place  have  organized,  for  the  purpose  of  protecting,  or  aiding  to  pro- 
tect the  inhabitants  from  the  frequent  incursions  and  depredations 
of  the  Wild  Indians  who  surround  us,  and  as  you  are  aware,  are  con- 
tinually coming  into  our  settlements.  The  difficidty  we  labor  under, 
for  our  complete  and  effectual  organization  is  the  want  of  suitable 
arms  and  acoutrements.  And  we  respectfully  pray  Your  Excellency 
to  furnish  us  with  them,  and  in  case  you  may  not  have  them  at  your 

lA.  G.  O.,  Files  S  576  of  1851;  C  17  of  1815;  Department  of  New  Mexico,  Old  Book, 
No.  1. 

•Enclosure  of  Calhoun  to  Sumner,  November  9,  1851. 


446  COERESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES  S.    CALHOUN. 

command  to  request  Col :  Sumner  the  Mil  commander  of  this  Dept. 
to  supply  us  with  the  necessary  arms,  from  the  surplus  arms  in  his 
possession. 

Very  Respy, 

Your  Obt  Servants 

(Signed)  Preston  Beck,  Jr.  Gapt. 

J.  E.  Sabine  1st  Lt. 
Elias  Brevourt  2nd  do 
D.  V.  Whiting  3rd  Lt.&  Adjt 
H.  E. 

J.  S.  Calhoun, 

Govr.  of  the  Territory 
New  Mexico 

A  true  Copy. 
J  C  McFerran 

Ut  Lt  3d  Inf 

A.  A.  A.  G 
[Related  Correspondence.] 

[Mcferran  to  SHOEMAKER.i] 

Head  Quarters  9th   Mil  Dept 

Santa  ¥t,  N.  Mex: 

November  10,  1851. 
Sib: 

The  Colonel  commanding  the  Dept :  directs  that  you  turn  over  to  His  Excel- 
lency Govr.  J.  S.  Calhoun  of  this  territory,  seventy  five  flmt  lock  muskets,  with 
the  same  uumher  of  cartridge  boxes,  bayonet  scabbards,  belts  and  plates  and  a 
few  screw  drivers  and  wipers,  for  which  he  will  furnish  you  with  receipts. 

This  Ordnance  is  turned  over  at  the  solicitation  of  the  Governor  to  aid  him 
in  organising  some  companies  of  the  Territorial  mulitia,  and  will  be  turned 
over  to  the  General  Government. 

The  Arms  &c  are  to  be  used  by  a  Company  organised  in  this  place,  and  of 
which  Mr  Prestin  Beck  is  captain. 
I  am,  Sir,  respectfully 
Tour  obt.  Svt. 

J.  C.  McFekban 

1st  Lt  3d  Inf 

A.  A.  A.  O. 
To  Capt.  W  R  Shoemaker 
Mil.  U.  8.  A. 

Fort  Union, 
N  M 


A.  G.  O.,  Department  of  New  Mexico,  Old  Book,  No.  1. 


COREESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  447 

[CALHOUN  TO  SUMNER.'] 

Executive  Department 
Santa  Fe',  New  Mexico 

Novemher  P,  1851. 
Sir. 

It  escaped  my  recollection  to  enquire  concerning  the  San  Felipe 
claim  for  injuries  inflicted  by  the  animals  belonging  to  Maj  Euckers 
train,  and  you  will  pardon  me  for  calling  your  attention  to  the 
subject — 

I  also,  omitted  to  enquire  whether  you  consider  us  at  War  or  peace 
with  the  Cayatores  Apaches. 
With  great  respect 

Your  Obt  Servant 

(Signed)  J.  S.  Calhoun 

Col :  E.  V.  Sumner, 

Gomdg  9th  Mil:  Dept. 

Santa  Fe\ 

N.  Mexico. 

A  true  copy. 
J.  C.  McFerran 

1st  Lt  3d  Inf 

A.  A.  A.  a 

[CAIiHOUN  TO  SUMNER.'] 

t .  Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe',  New  Mexico, 

November  10th  1851. 
Sir: 

Tlie  numerous  murders  and  depredations  recently  committed  by 
Navajo,  and  perhaps  other  Indians,  in  this  Territory,  call  for  an 
effectual  interposition.  The  winter  is  at  hand,  and  ruthless  invaders 
are  in  our  midst,  and,  unless  adequate  protection  is  afforded,  our 
firesides  must  be  rendered  desolate  before  the  spring  season  of  the 
ensuing  year  is  reached.  For  more  than  twelve  months  past  the 
people  have  continued  to  ask  for  permission  to  protect  themselves, 
and  have  not  obtained  it.  Justice  and  humanity  forbid  that  I 
should  interfere  further  in  their  wishes  to  protect  themselves —  On 
the  contrary,  as  the  Governor  of  the  Territory,  the  solemn  duty  is 
imposed  upon  me,  to  assist  them  in  every  proper  measure  of  defense — 
and  that  duty  I  am  called  upon  to  discharge,  and  that  duty  I  shall 
proceed,  to  enter  upon,  unless  I  perceive  the  distribution  of  your 
troops  have  secured  the  end  desired  to  be  attained.    The  small  number 


lA.  G.  O.,  Files,  S  576  of  1851,  No.  7. 
>  Ibid.,  No.  9. 


448  COKKEsPONDENCE    OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

of  troops  at  your  disposal,  and  the  condition  of  your  horses  I  ap- 
prehend, renders  such  a  result  impracticable.  Hence  it  may  be 
absolutely  necessary  to  allow  the  people  to  defend  themselves  against 
the  Navajo  assaults.  I  have  anxiously  considered  this  subject,  and 
weighed,  to  the  best  of  my  ability,  the  observations  which  you  sub- 
mited  to  me  in  conversations  on  yesterday,  and  the  preceding  day, 
and  it  is  my  well  considered  opinion  that  your  positions  are  utterly 
untenable —  You  seem  to  overlook  the  fact,  that  the  Navajo  Country 
is  in  New  Mexico^  and  a  part  of  its  Territory,  and  that  the  supposed 
line  between  New  Mexico  and  the  Navajo  Country  is  purely  an 
imaginary  one,  and  must  so  remain  until  the  Government  of  the 
United  States  shall  otherwise  order.  The  right  which  you  claim  of 
interposing  United  States  troops,  to  prevent  the  ingress,  and  to  punish 
such  troops  as  I  may  order,  or  authorize  to  go  into  that  part  of 
New  Mexico,  over  which  the  Navajos  now  roam,  is  not,  m  my  opinion 
more  tenable  than  would  be  your  claim  to  interpose  between  the  suffer- 
ing people  of  this  Territory,  and  the  Navajoes  who  are  in  our  settle- 
ments committing  murders,  seizing  and  carrying  off  captives,  and 
committing  every  species  of  depredations. 

Is  it  possible,  that  the  murderers  of  our  people  are  to  go  unpunished 
our  women  and  children  to  be  carried  off,  and  our  property  taken 
away,  and  the  people  are  not  to  be  permitted  to  go  in  pursuit  of  those 
demons  who  have  possession  of  their  wives  and  children  and  prop- 
erty beyond  a  purely  imaginary  line,  without  incurring  the  risk  of 
having  pointed  at  them,  by  the  troops  of  tlie  U.  S.  the  very  arms 
placed  in  their  hands  for  our  defense  and  protection — AVliat!  that 
arm  of  the  public  service  sent  to  New  Mexico  to  chastise  the  blood 
thirsty  Indians  because  of  their  depredations  upon  our  people,  to 
become  the  defenders  of  the  Indians  and  chastise  new  Mexican  troops 
because  they  are  authorized  to  seek  and  attempt  redress  and  secure 
that  protection  due  to  the  people,  but  which  has  not  as  yet  been 
afforded  to  them  by  that  power  from  whence  it  should  come. 

I  hold,  that  it  is  right  and  lawful  to  allow  the  people  of  this  ter- 
ritorj'^,  throughout  its  broad  limits  to  protect  themselves  against 
Indian  incursions,  when  the  law  of  the  land,  and  the  military  arm  of 
the  government,  are  inadequate  to  prevent  and  punish  the  Navajo 
fiends  who  have  fattened  and  luxuriated  upon  the  miseries,  which  the 

upon 
have  inflicted  the  people  of  this  Territory. 

I  pray  you  reflect  upon  this  subject  again,  and  if  you  can  with  pro- 
priety, withdraw  the  intimation  that  the  United  States  troops  will 
be  used  against  troops  that  I  may  authorize,  by  authority  of  the  Leg- 
islature of  this  Territory,  to  avenge  their  own  wrongs  we  have  not, 
as  yet,  subdued  our  enemies,  that  will  give  us  labor  enough,  and  if 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.   CALHOUN.  449 

we  cannot  agree  in  all  things,  let  us  not,  unnecesarily,  vail  out  by  the 
wayside — I  am  determined  to  harmonize  if  possible,  but  never  can 
consent  to  fold  my  arms,  and  quietly  look  on  such  scenes  of  desolation 
as  we  have  recently  witnessed  in  this  Territory,  without  making  an 
effort  to  remedy  it. 

I  have  frankly  stated  my  views,  that  I  may  not  be  misunderstood, 
and  shall  be  happy  to  hear  from  you. 
I  am  with  great  respect 


(Signed)  J.  S.  Calhoun 


Your  obt  Servt 

Col :  E.  V.  Sumner 

Comdg  9th  Mil  Dept. 
Santa  Fe\  N.  M. 

A  true  Copy. 
J  C  McFerran 

1st  Lt  3d  Inf. 

A.A.A.G 

[SUMNER  TO  CALHOUN.^] 

Head  Qrs  9th  Mily  Dept 

Santa  Fe  N  M 
Now  10th  1851 
Governor 

I  have  received  your  two  letters  dated  yesterday.    With  regard  to 
think 
the  San  Felipe  claim  I  that  matter  had  better  be  deferred  a 

short  time.     I  shall  see  Maj  Rucker  at  Fort  Conrad  and  can  then 

least  suspicious 
learn  something  more  about  it     It  is  at  feesfe-stwpi^isift^  that  those 
people  did  not  apply  to  the  officer  in  command  of  the  train 

I  do  not  know  which  band  of  Apachies  you  refer  to,  if  j^ou  mean 
that  with  which  you  have  treated,  I  consider  it  at  peace,  as  I  know 

been 
of  no  depredations  that  have  committed  by  that  band  since  I 

have  been  in  the  Territory 

I  accede  cheerfully  to  your  request  for  the  loan  of  arms  for  a 
Volunteer  Company  in  this  town  and  orders  have  been  given  accord- 
ingly I  must  affix  two  conditions  to  this  loan  viz.  that  these  arms 
will  be  immediately  returned  whenever  demanded  by  the  Command- 
ing officer  of  the  9th  Dept. — and  secondly  that  they  are  never  to 
be  used  in  making  hostile  incursions  into  the  Indian  Country  unless 
this  volunteer  company  is  acting  in  conjunction  with  the  regular 

1  a.  G.  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  1,  also  Department  of  New  Mexico,  vol.  8,  pp.  70-71,  also 
Flies,  S  576  of  1851,  No.  1. 

5021—15 29 


450  CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN, 

troops     Will  you  do  me  the  favor  to  inform  me  at  your  earliest 
convenience  what  decision  you  have  come  to  in  relation  to  the  ma- 
rauding parties  that  desire  to  go  into  the  Navajo  Country. 
With  high  Respect 


Your  obt  svt 


(Signed)  '  E.  V  Sumner 

Bvt  Col.  Lt  Col  1st  Dgs 

Comdg  Dept 
His  Excellency 
J.  S.  Calhoun 

Santa  Fe 
N.M. 

[SUMNER  TO  CALHOUN.'] 

Head  Qrs  9th  Mh,y  Dept 

Santa  Fe  N  M 
Now  10th  1851. 
Governor. 

Will  you  please  state  to  me  the  scenes  of  desolation  that  have 
been  recently  witnessed  in  this  territory  before  I  reply  to  your  letter 
of  this  date. 


With  high  respect 
Your  ob't  servt 


sgd  *  E.  V.  Sumner 

Bvt  Col  Lt  Col  1st  Dgs 

Cmdg  Dept 
His  Excellency 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Santa  Fe 
N  M 

[CALHOUN  TO  SUMNER.'] 

Executive  Department 
Santa  Fe',  New  Mexico 

November  10^  1851. 

Sir, 

Your  very  brief  note  of  enquiry,  of  this  date,  is  before  me,  and, 
I  think,  I  have  not  failed  to  appreciate  its  spirit.  But,  Sir,  I  hasten 
to  reply  to  the  enquiry,  "  Please  state  to  me,"  "  the  scenes  of  desola- 
tion that  have  been  recently  witnessed  in  this  Territory  ".     I  really 

1  A.  G.  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  1,  also  Department  of  New  Mexico,  vol.  8,  p.  72,  also  In  Files 
S  576  of  1851,  No.  2. 

2  A.  G.  O.,  Files,  S  576  of  1851,  No.  10. 


COEBESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  451 

supposed,  the  letters  which  I  submitted  to  you  on  the  evening  of  the 
8th  would  have  satisfied  you  upon  this  subject — But  as  I  am  disap- 
pointed in  this  supposition,  I  answer,  the  Greenhorn  letter,  which 
you  have  seen,  shows  that  a  murder  and  depredations  have  been 
committed  in  that  neighbourhood.  You  are  aware  that  depreda- 
tions have  been  committed,  near  Taos,  and  two  women  and  four 
children,  (Utahs)  were  captured  and  carried  off.  Those  people  we 
are  bound  by  treaty  to  take  care  of.  Two  Indians  have  been  recently 
killed  in  the  immediate  neighbourhood  of  Taos — one  a  Pueblo,  and 
the  other  an  Apache — About  the  same  tinie,  a  Mexican  was  killed 
near  Anton  Chico,  by  an  Indian  so  I  am  informed  and  believe. 
These  murders,  I  mentioned  to  j'^ou  on  yesterday;  and,  I  fear  they 
may  be  attributed  to  our  difference  of  opinions  as  to  the  proper 
policy  to  be  pursued.  My  policy  is  to  keep  them,  for  the  present, 
beyond  the  line  of  our  settlements;  and  yours,  if  I  understand  it 
correctly,  is,  to  invite  them  to  come  into  our  settlements —  In  the 
above  connexion,  I  omitted  to  mention  the  murder  at  the  Moro, 
which  you  will  remember.  Recently,  on  the  Jornado,  two  men  were 
killed,  one  a  Mexican,  and  the  other  an  American.     About  the  last 

Aba  jo 
of  September,  at  San  Antonio,  in  the  Rio  Arbass,  If  I  mistake  not, 
three  Indians  were  killed  by  a  Mexican,  and  we  may  expect  a  con- 
tinuation of  these  scenes,  so  long  as  we  are  wanting  in  a  fixed  policy 
for  the  conduct  of  our  Indian  affairs  in  this  Territory. 

While  you  were  in  the  Navajo  Country,  the  Navajos  visited  a  Cabal- 
lado  near  Pena  Blanca,  drove  off  animals,  and  killed  a  little  girl — 
more  recently,  the  have  been  on  this  side  of  the  Rio  del  Norte,  within 
Eighteen  miles  of  this  place,  and  drove  off  a  large  number  of  ani- 
mals. You  are  aware,  I  suppose,  for,  I  regard  Capt  Dodge  as  re- 
liable authority,  that  many  animals  have  been  driven  from  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  Cibolletta  during  the  last  two  months — I  suppose  you 
remember  the  murders  committed  at  Owensby  Camp  of  Hay  Cut- 
ters, near  Laguna — There,  three  or  four  men  are  said  to  have  been 
killed,  animals  driven  off,  and  property  destroyed — About  the  same 
time,  Nesbits  Caballada,  in  the  Valle  grande,  were  carried,  or  driven 
off,  and  one  or  more  of  his  n  en  wounded. 

Here,  I  rest,  and  respectfully  enquire,  if  the  foregoing  communi- 
cation is  not  sufficient  to  justify  the  declaration  that  "  scenes  of  deso- 
lation have  been  recently  witnessed  in  this  Territory  ". 

During  the  same  period,  many  other  depredations  have  been  com- 
mitted; and  immediately  in  your  rear,  on  your  return  from  your 
Navajo  Expedition,  Captain  Walkers  California  party  was  attacked 


452  COKRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN. 

by  the  Navajos,  in  which,  the  party  lost  several  animals,  had  two 
men  -wounded,  and  finall}'^,  retired  upon  Albuquerque  to  recuperate. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be. 

Your  Obedient  Servant, 

(Signed)  J.  S.  Calhoun 

Col.  E.  V.  Sumner 

Comdg  9.  Mil  Dept. 

Santa  Fe' 

N.  Mex: 

(A  true  Copy) 

J.  C.  McFerran 

1st  Lt  3d  Inf 

A.  A.  A,  G 

[SUMNER  TO  CALHOUN.*] 

Head  Qrs.  9th  IMily  Dept 

Santa  Fe  N  ^I 
Novr.  10th  1S51. 

Go^'ERNOR. 

I  have  received  your  letter  of  this  date.  You  misunderstand  me 
entirely  if  you  suppose  that  I  wish  to  place  any  obstacle  in  the  way 
of  the  people  of  this  territory  in  defending  themselves  against  the 
Indians.  So  far  from  this  I  highly  approve  of  their  doing  so,  and 
think  the  militia  should  be  organised  and  armed  with  a  view  to  this 
defence.  This  policy  would  net  only  make  them  more  secure,  but 
would  make  them  more  respectable  citizens.  This  however  is  a  very 
different  matter  from  organising  marauding  parties  to  traverse  the 
Indian  Countr3^  This  is  not  the  kind  of  warfare  that  our  govern- 
ment has  hitherto  condecended  to  engage  in — In  conclusion  I  will 
remark  that  it  will  give  me  the  highest  satisfaction,  to  cooperate  with 
you  in  all  measures  for  the  protection  of  the  people  of  this  territory 
that  are  not  in  direct  violation  of  law  and  the  express  orders  of  the 
War  Department. 

I  enclose  an  extract  from  my  orders  from  the  Secretary  of  War 
and  I  would  particularly  call  your  attention  to  the  first  two  lines. 
With  high  respect, 
Your  obt  svt 

sgd  E.  V.  Sumner 

Bvt  Col  Lt  Col  1st  Dgs 
His  Excely.  Cmdg  Dept 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Santa  Fe 

N.M. 

»  a.  (}.  ()..  OUl  liook.  No.  1,  also  Department  of  New  Mexico,  vol.  8,  pp.  71-72,  also  In 
Files,  S  576  of  1851,  No.  4. 


COKKESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.   CALHOUN.  453 

[CALHOUN  TO  SUMNER.'] 

Executi\t;  Department 
'  Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico, 

November  10^  ISol. 

7  O  Clk.  P.  M. 
Sir: 

I  have  now  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  in  reply  to 
mine  of  this  morning,  and  the  points  to  which  I  desired  to  call  your 
attention,  you  have  not  noticed — As  to  the  matter  to  which  our  gov- 
ernment has  not  "  condescended  to  engage  in  "  I  leave  for  others  to 
determine — 

I  pray  to  be  pardoned  for  placing  before  you,  the  following  enquiry 
which  I  copy  from  your  second  note  of  this  date. 

"  Will  you  please  state  to  me  "  the  scenes  of  desolation  that  has 
been  recently  witnessed  in  this  Territory  "  before  I  reply  to  your 
letter  of  this  date."     I  answered  your  enquiry,  and  you  have  not 
"  condescended  "  to  notice  it,  in  your  "  reply  " — 
With  Great  respect 

Your  Obt  Servant 

(Signed)  J.  S.  Calhoun 

Col.  E.  V.  Sumner 

Gomdg  9  Mil  Dept. 

Santa  Fe  N  M, 

A  true  Copy. 
J  C  McFerran 

1st  Lt  3d  Inf 

A.  A.  A.  a 

[BECK  AND  OTHERS  TO  CALHOUN.'] 

Santa  Fe,  N.  M.  Novr  11  1851 
Sir, 

Your  communication  of  yesterday  in  reply  to  a  requisition  made  by 
us  a  day  previous  on  Your  Excellency  for  arms  for  an  Independent 
Military  Company,  lately  organized  in  this  city,  together  with  an  ex- 
tract from  Col.  Sumner  letter  to  you  on  the  subject,  wherein  he  states 
that  arms  may  be  obtained  on  "  Two  conditions  alone  "  has  been  re- 
ceived and  is  now  before  us. 

In  reply  to  which  we  have  to  state,  that  we  very  respectfully  decline 
the 
accepting  arms  upon         conditions  imposed  by  Col.  Sumner. 

First,  Because  we  would  not  be  an  Independent  Company,  but 
liable  to  have  our  arms  taken  away  from  us  at  a  moments  notice,  and, 

1  a.  G.  O.,  Files,  S  576  of  1851,  No.  11. 

2  Enclosure  of  Calhoun  to  Sumner,  November  11,  1851,  A.  G.  O.,  Files,  S  576  of  1S5L 
No.  12.    Transcribed  from  copy ;  original  not  in  file. 


454  CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

2nd  Because,  we  do  not  wish  to  be  restricted  in  our  incursions  by 
tlie  Commander  of  the  9th  Department,  but  held  subject  only  to  Your 
Excellency's  orders  as  commander  in  chief  of  the  Militia  of  this 
1'erritory. 

And  to  obtain  arms  with  such  privileges,  we  ask  Your  Excellency 
to  make  the  proper  application  for  them,  of  the  Secretary  of  War. 
With  high  consideration 
of  respect  We  are 

Your  Obedient  Servants 

(Signed)  Preston  Beck  Jr. 

Jas.  E.  Sabine 
Elias  Brevourt 
D.  V.  Whiting 
To 

His  Excellency 
J.  S.  Calhoun 
Govr.  of  the  Territory 
of  New  Meadco, 

A  true  Copy. 

[CALHOUN   TO   SUMNER] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe',  New  Mexico 

Noi^emher  11.  1851. 

Sir, 

If  I  am  wrong  in  the  us*^  nf  the  words  "  scenes  of  desolation."  the 
fault  is  properly  chargeable  to  the  learned  Noah  Webster,  L.  L.  D. 

Will  you  oblige  me  so  far  as  to  inform  me,  ichether  it  is  your  fixed 
purpose^  as  you  have,  lieretofore,  distinctly  intimated,  to  cause  the 
United  States  troops  to  be  employed  in  expelling  and  punishing 
such  troops  as  may  be  ordered,  according  to  the  laios  of  this  Terri- 
tory., into  that  portion  of  the  Territory  of  New  Mexico  over  Avhich 
the  Navajos  roam? 

Unless  Ma  jr.  Rucker  can  be  conferred  with  at  a  very  early  day, 
public  considerations  will  compel  me  to  assume  the  responsibility  of 
paying  the  San  Felipe  claims.  The  six  steers,  supposed  to  have  been 
left  by  Majr.  Ruckers  Teamsters,  are  yet  in  the  possession  of  the 
San  Felipe  Indians  at  a  daily  expense  to  them — Various  individuals 
have  claimed  the  steers,  and  they  Indians  appealed  to  me  for  advice 
as  to  what  they  should  in  the  matter — I  directed  them  the  animals  to 
my  order  only — will  you  advise  me  in  relation  to  your  wishes  in  the 
premises  ? 


1  a,  G.  C,  Piles.  S  576  of  1851,  No.  12. 


CORKESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  455 

In  reference  to  the  arms  applied  for,  the  accompanying-  copy  of  a 
letter  ^  from  Capt  Beck  and  others,  will  answer  your  enquiry. 
I  am. 

With  great  respect 

Your  Obedient  Servant 

(Signed)  J.  S.  Calhoun: 

Col  E.  V.  Sumner, 

Comdg.  9th  Mil  Dept. 

Santa  Fe\ 

New  Mexico. 

A  true  Copy. 
J  C  McFerran 

1st  Lt  3d  Inf 

A.  A.  A.  G 

[SUMNER  TO  CALHOUN.'] 

Head  Qrs  9th  Mily  Dept 

Santa  Fe  N  M 

Now  nth  1851 
Governor 

I  have  received  your  letter  of  this  date.  After  mature  reflections, 
I  have  determined  that  I  shall  not  use  the  regular  troops,  to  expel 
from  the  Indian  Country  the  marauding  parties,  that  your  Excel- 
lency may  think  proper  to  commission,  as  it  will  not  be  their  fault. 
I  hereby  protest  against  any  such  action  on  your  part,  as  an  inter- 
ferance  with  my  duties,  and  contrary  to  the  express  orders  of  the 
War  Department. 

With  high  respect  _ 

Your  obt  svt 

[E.  V.  Sumner] 
His  Excely 

J  S  Calhoun 

[SUMNER  TO  CALHOUN.''] 

Head  Quarters,  9th  Dept. 

Santa  7^6,  Novemher  11th  1851 
Governor  : 

I  have  received  your  letter  of  last  evening.  I  have  also  to  acknowl- 
edge the  receipt  of  your  letter  detailing  the  depredations  that  have 
been  committed  in  this  territory  for  some  time  past.     As  we  have 

1  See  p.  453. 

2  A.  G.  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  1,  also  Department  of  New  Mexico,  vol.  8,  pp.  74-75;  also  in 
Files,  S  576  of  1851,  No.  5. 

«  A.  G.  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  1,  also  Department  of  New  Mexico,  vol.  8,  p.  73 ;  also  in  Files, 
S  576  of  1851,  No.  3. 


456  CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN. 

conversed  freely  on  this  subject,  I  have  nothmg  to  say  in  reply  to 
this  letter,  but  this,  that  we  differ  widely  as  to  the  signification  of  the 
term,  "  scenes  of  desolation," 

Will  you  please  inform  me  whether  you  have  decided  to  receive  the 
arms  for  the  volunteer  company  in  this  town,  on  the  terms  that  I  pro- 
posed to  loan  them.  Will  you  also  please  inform  me,  if,  you  will 
consent  to  delay  action  in  the  San  Felipe  claim,  till  I  can  confer  with 
Major  Eucker,  the  officer  who  commanded  the  party,  that  caused  this 
damage. 

With  high  respect 

Your  Obt.  Servt. 

[E.  V.  Sumner] 
His  Excely 

J,  S.  Calhoun 

[CALHOUN  TO  SUMNER.'] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe',  New  Mexico. 

November  11^  1851. 
Sir, 

I  have  this  moment  received  your  letter  in  reply  to  my  enquiry  as 
to  your  final  purpose  in  reference  to  employing  the  troops,  under  your 
command  to  expel  the  troops  that  the  law  of  the  Territory  has,  or 
may  authorize  me  to  send  to  chastise  the  Navajos.  T  think  you  are 
discreet  in  your  determination;  but  not  wise  in  your  application  of 
the  term  "  marauding  parties  " — which  you  point  to  me,  as  an  epithet 
of  approbrium — Be  it  so,  such  measures  will  not  deter  me  from  the 
discharge  of  my  duties,  and  I  thank  you  for  withdrawing  the  epi- 
thet from  the  citizens  of  the  territory,  and  applying  it  to  me,  their 
Governor. 

Allow  me  to  remind  you,  you  have  not  advised  me  in  relation  to  the 
six  steers  at  San  Felipe. 
With  high  respect 

Your  Obedient  Servant 

(Signed)  J.  S.  Calhoun 

Col.  E.  V.  Sumner, 

Comdg  9  Mil.  Dept. 

Santa  Fc%  N  Mex. 

A  true  Copy, 
J  C  McFerran 

1st  Lt  3d  Inf 

A.  A.  A.  G 

1  a.  G.  O.,  Files,  S  576  of  1851,  No.  13. 


COKEESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUK.  457 

[STJMNER  TO   CALHOUN/] 

Head  Qrs  9th  Mil  Dept 

Algadonis  N  M 
Now.  13th  1S51. 
Governor. 

I  fe!t¥©  received  your  ojjicial  communication  of  the  11th  Inst,  after 
I  left  Santa  Fe',  and  I  have  given  it  all  the  consideration,  that  I 
think  it  is  entitled  to. 

With  great  Respect 

Your  Obt.  Servt. 

[E.  V.  Sumner] 
His  Excelly. 

J-  S.  Calhoun. 

[LEA  TO  CALHOUN.  ==] 

Department  of  the  Interior 

Office  Indian  Affairs 

Nov.  19.  1S51 
Calhoun,  His  Excy  J  S. 

Santa  Fe 

Neuo  Mexico 
Sir: 

Your  letter  of  the  1st  ultimo,  has  been  received,  and  the  draft  for 
$150  in  favor  of  G.  Baker,  of  which  it  gives  notice,  has  been  pre- 
sented and  paid. 

Very  respectfully,  Your  Obt.  Servt 

L  Lea 

Comr.. 

[LEA  TO  CALHOUN.'] 

Department  of  the  Interior. 

Office  Indian  Affairs 

Nov.  W.  1S51, 
Calhoun,  His  Excy  J.  S. 

Santa  Fe 

New  Mexico 
Sir: 

Your  draft  for  $742  38/100,  in  favor  of  E  H  Wingfield,  Indian 
Agent,  alluded  to  in  your  letter  of  the  30th  September  last,  has  been 
presented  and  paid. 

Very  respectfully.  Your  Obt.  Sert 

L  Lea 

Comr 

1  A.  G.  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  1,  also  Department  of  New  Mexico,  vol.  8,  pp.  75-76 ;  also  In 
Files,  S  576  of  1851,  No.  6. 

2  O.  I.  A.,  L.  B.,  No.  45,  p.  229. 
•Ibid.,  p.  232. 


458  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[WEBSTER  TO   CALHOUN.'] 

Department  of  State 
Washington  Nov.  25th  1851. 
To  His  Excellency 

James  S.  Calhoun, 

Governor  of  the  Territory  of  New  Mexico. 

Santa  Fe. 
Sir, 

I  have  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  Excellencys  letter  of 
the  23d  September,  relating  to  the  arrival  of  four  boxes  of  books 
transmitted  from  this  Department,  and  the  charge  of  ninety-nine  dol- 
lars and  fifty  cents,  $99,  50/100  paid  by  you  for  transportation  of  the 
same.  For  the  reimbursement  of  this  amount  or  of  any  other  ex- 
penses that  have  been,  or  may  be  hereafter  incurred,  for  the  trans- 
portation of  any  packages  of  Public  Documents,  transmitted  from 
i^his  Department,  you  are  authorized  to  draw  upon  this  office,  enclos- 
ing with  your  draft  a  voucher  for  the  same,  and  the  amount  will  be 
immediately  paid.  Accompanying  your  letter  and  its  enclosed  cata- 
logue of  books  received,  was  a  memorandum  noticing  the  omission 
of  the  7  and  10  volumes  of  United  States  Laws, — the  Acts  of  1828— 
and  certain  copies  of  the  American  State  Papers.  As  you  acknowl- 
edge the  receipt  of  but  four  boxes  of  books,  instead  of  -fi,ve  as  for- 
warded by  the  Department,  it  is  probable  that  the  missing  volumes 
are  with  others,  contained  in  the  box  which  at  the  time  of  your 
writing,  had  not  been  received.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  this  box  is 
not  lost :  but  if  after  proper  enquiry,  it  cannot  be  found,  the  Depart- 
ment will  endeavor,  as  far  as  is  in  its  power,  to  replace  the  volumes 
necessary  to  complete  the  different  sets  of  documents  transmitted. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be. 

D.  W. 

[CALHOUN  TO  LEA.^1 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe',  New  Mexico 

Novr.  28,  1851. 
Sir: 

Your  letter  of  September  15th,  received  during  the  night  of  27th 
inst,  in  reference  to  the  substitution  of  the  draft  for  $1441.^Vioo  for 
the  draft  for  $1241.56  is  before  me,  and  I  have  the  honor  to  inform 
you,  that  the  interrogatory  contained  in  the  conclusion  of  your  letter, 
suggests  the  truth  in  relation  to  the  $1441.56.    The  substitution  was 


B.  I.  A.,  D.  L.,  vol.  39,  pp.  371-372. 
■  O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  N  3. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  459 

caused  by  an  error  in  the  addition  of  my  accounts,  amounting  to  the 
sum  of  $200,  which  was  explained  to  you  on  the  25th  of  July  last. 
I  am, 

With  great  respect, 

Your  Obt.  Servt. 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Supt.  Ind.  Afffi 
Hon:  L.  Lea 

Comr.  Ind.  Affs. 

Washington  City, 

D.  C. 

[LEA  TO   CALHOUN.'] 

Department  of  the  Interior, 

Office  Indian  Affairs 

Dec.  4  1851 
Calhoun,  His  Excy  Govr. 

Santa  Fe 

New  Mexico 
Sir: 

Your  letter  of  Oct  2,  1851,  enquiring:  whetlier  you  have  "  the  right 
to  fill  vacancies,  temporarily,  in  Indian  Agencies  within  your  Super- 
intendency,"  has  been  received. 

The  3d  Section  of  the  "Act  for  the  organization  of  the  Department 
of  Indian  Affairs  "  provides  "  that  Superintendents  of  Indian  Affairs 
shall  within  their  several  superintendencies,  exercise  a  general  super- 
vision and  control  over  the  official  conduct  and  accounts  of  all  officers 
and  persons  employed  by  the  Government  in  the  Indian  Department 
under  such  regulations  as  shall  be  established  by  the  President  of 
the  United  States;  and  may  suspend  such  officers  and  persons  from 
their  office  and  employments  " — the  reasons  for  suspension  to  be 
forthwith  communicated  to  this  office  " — from  which  you  will  per- 
ceive that  while  you  possess  the  right  to  suspend .^  you  have  no  legal 
authority  to  appoint;  an  exigency  may,  however,  exist  in  which  a 
proper  regard  for  the  public  interests  may  require  such  procedure  on 
your  part ;  and  in  an  emergency  of  this  character,  should  you  appoint 
a  special  Agent  temporarily,  with  the  understanding  that  his  relation 
will  terminate  so  soon  as  the  object  of  his  appointment  shall  have 
been  attained,  this  Department  will  interpose  no  objection. 
Very  respectfully,  Your  Obt.  Servt 

L  Lea 

Comr. 

■  O.  I.  a.,  L.  B.,  No.  45,  p.  250. 


460  COEKESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[LEA  TO   CALHOUN.'] 

Department  of  the  Interior, 

Office  Indian  Affairs, 

Dec.  10.1851 
Calhoun,  His  Excy  J.  S. 

Santa  Fe 

New  Mexico. 
Sir 

An  application  ^  has  been  made  to  this  office  to  examine  into  the 
claim  of  the  late  Genl  Cyrus  Choice  for  services  rendered  the  Indian 
Department  in  New  Mexico. 

The  Hon  J.  L.  Orr,  has  been  this  day  addressed  upon  the  subject 
and  informed  that  you  would  be  written  to,  to  ascertain  what  you 
consider  to  be  a  liberal  compensation  for  the  services  rendered  by 
Genl.  Choice  from  the  9th  of  December  1849,  to  the  14th  of  Sep- 
tember 1850,  the  date  of  his  death,  as  well  as  the  application  of  the 
amounts  received  from  you  at  various  times  amounting  to  $388.78 
(all  of  which  has  been  allowed  to  you  on  settlement)  only  $50.  of 
which  is  specified  as  being  on  account  of  pay — in  order  that  an  appli- 
cation for  a  special  appropriation  may  be  made  to  Congress  to  liqui- 
date the  same. 

You  will  report  in  reference  to  this  subject  at  your  earliest  con- 
venience. 

Very  respectfully.  Your  Obt.  Servt 

L.  Lea 

Comr 

[LEA  TO  CALHOUN.'] 

Department  of  the  Interior, 

Office  Indian  Affairs 

Dec.  17  1851 
Calhottn,  His  Excy  Jas.  S. 

Santa  Fe 

New  Mexico 
Sir: 

Your  draft  in  favor  of  Messrs  Gans,  Leberman  &  Co.  for  $8000,  of 
which  you  advised  this  office  in  your  letter  of  the  31.  Oct:  last,  has 
been  presented  and  paid. 

Very  respectfully.  Your  Obt.  Servt. 

L  Lea 

GoTnr. 


1  O.  I.  A.,  L.  B.,  No.  45,  p.  267. 
^See  Stuart  to  Lea,  December  4,  1851,  O.  T.  A  ,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  I  790. 
«0.  I.  A.,  L.  B.,  No.  45,  p.   288 


COKRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.   CALHOUN.  461 

[LEA  TO  CALHOITN.^] 

Department  of  the  iNTr.Rio*^, 

Office  Indian  Affairs, 

Dec.  17  J  Sol 
Calhoun,  His  Excy  J.  S. 

Santa  Fe 
New  Mexico. 
Sir: 

Agent  Greiner's  draft  on  this  office,  of  31.  Oct.  last,  in  favor  of 
Samuel  Galloway,  for  $500,  referred  to  in  your  letter  of  the  same 
date,  has  been  presented  and  paid. 

Very  respectfully,  Your  Obt,  Servt 

L.  Lea 

Comr. 

[LEA  TO  CALHOUN.'] 

Department  of  the  Interior, 

Office  Indian  Affairs, 

Dec.  18.  1851 
Calhoun,  His  Excy  Jas.  S. 

Santa  Fe 

New  Mexico 
Sir: 

Your  draft  in  favor  of  D  Waldo  &  Co,  for  $1500,  of  which  you 
advised  this  office,  in  your  letter  of  the  31st  October  last,  has  this 
day  been  presented  and  paid. 

Very  respectfully,  Your  Obt.  Servt 

L  Lea 

Comr. 

[LEA  TO  CALHOUN."] 

Department  of  the  Interior, 

Office  Indian  Affairs, 

Dec.  18.  1851 
Calhoun,  His  Excy  Jas  S. 

Santa  Fe 

New  Mexico. 
Sra: 

Your  draft  in  favor  of  William  S  McKnight,  for  $25G2  35/100, 
of  which  you  advised  this  office  in  your  letter  of  the  30th  September 
last,  has  been  presented  and  paid 

Very  respectfully,  Your  Obt.  Servt 

L  Lea 

Comr 

lO.   I.  a.,  L.   R.,  No.  45,  p.  280. 
■  n)id.,   p.   2!)(t. 
•Ibid.,   p.   2!)1. 


462  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CAL,HOUN. 

[LEA   TO   CALHOUN.'] 

Department  of  the  Interior. 

Omcfi  Indian  Affairs, 

Dec  W.  1851 
Calhoun,  H'/s  Excy  Gov. 

Santa  Fe 

Neiv  Mexico 
Sir: 

Your  letter  of  1st  ultimo  transmitting  Report  of  Agent  Greiner 
in  relation  to  the  condition  of  the  Indian  tribes  included  in  his 
Agency,  has  been  received;  and  the  Department  is  highly  gratified 
with  the  information  it  communicates. 

Very  respectfully,  Your  Obt  Servt 

L.  Lea 

Comr. 

ILEA  TO  CALHOUN.  : 

Department  of  the  Interior, 

Office  Indian  Affairs, 

Dee.  29.  1851. 
Calhoun,  His  Excy.  Jas.  S. 

/Santa  Fe 

New  Mexico 
Sm: 

Your  letter  of  the  28th  July  last,  in  which  you  recommend  the  pay- 
ment of  $75.  to  the  Hon.  J.  R.  Tullis,  for  services  rendered  by  your 
direction  in  settling  difficulties  between  the  pueblos  of  Acoma  and 
Laguna  in  reference  to  their  lands,  has  been  received,  and  the  amount 
recommended  by  you  has  this  day  been  paid  to  Mr.  Tullis 
Very  respectfully.  Your  Obt  Servt 

L.  Lea 

Comr. 

\  LEA  TO  CALHOUN/] 

Department  of  the  Interior, 

Office  Indian  Affairs, 

Dec.  29.  1851. 
Calhoun,  His  Excy  Jas  S. 

Santa  Fe 

New  Mexico 
Sir: 

Your  drafts  in  favor  of  Alex  Majors  for  $1000,  of  which  you  ad- 
vised this'  office  on  the  31st  October  last,  &  one  drawn  by  Agent 


1  O.  I.  a.,  L.  B.,  No.  45,  p.  297. 
"Ibid.,   p.   315. 
••'  Ibid.,   p.   .317. 


COBEESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN".  463 

Greiner,  in  favor  of  W.  S.  McKnight,  for  $798  27/100  referred  to  in 
your  letter  of  the  30  Sept,  last,  has  been  presented  &  paid. 
Very  respectfully,  Your  obt  Servt 

L  Lea 

Gomr. 

[GREINER  TO  CALHOUN.'] 

Santa  Fe  N.  M.  Jany  5  1852 
To  his  Excellency  Gov  Calhcun 

Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs  New  Mexico 
Sir 

The  Pueblo  Indians  of  Santo  Domingo,  San  Felipe  Santa  Anna, 
Nambe,  Cochiti,  &  Silla,  numbering  over  500  wishing  to  express  their 
approbation  of  the  course  adopted  by  your  Excellency  towards  the 
Navajoes,  assembled  together  at  this  place  on  New  Years  day  and 
gave  an  exhibition  of  a  Grand  Peace  Dance. 

As  no  notice  had  been  received  of  their  visit  until  their  arrival, 
it  was  found  to  be  very  difficult  to  procure  suitable  quarters  for  their 

od 
accomm     ation. 

The  Pueblos  have  never  received  any  thing  from  our  Government 
in  the  shape  of  presents — and  as  it  is  of  the  utmost  importance  to 
secure  their  good  will,  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  make  their  stay  as 
pleasant  as  possible — to  this  end  an  abundant  supply  of  provisions 
was  purchased  for  them — the  most  rigid  economy  governing  the 
expenditures. 

Kepresentations  of  Indian  fights — Corn  dances — Deer  dances  & 
Moqui  dances  were  given  with  much  pleasure  to  themselves — and  the 
delight  of  crowds  of  Spectators,  who  witnessed  their  performances. 
Nothing  occurred  to  mar  the  festivities  of  the  day  and  the  Indians 
left  for  their  homes  the  next  day — grateful  for  the  kindness  by  which 
they  had  been  received,  and  flattered  at  the  success  of  their  exhibitions. 
With  the  concurrence  of  your  Excellency  I  shall  discourage  the 
embodying  of  so  large  a  number  of  Indians  in  future  to  say  nothing 
of  the  trouble  and  expense  attending  such  meetings — the  danger  of 
dissensions  springing  up  between  them  and  our  Citizen  population 
would  alone  forbid  such  gatherings. 
Very  Respectfully 

Your  Ob-t\Sevt 

John  Greiner 

Indian  Agent 

New  Mexico 
His  Excellency  Gov  Calhoun 


Enclosure  of  Calhoun  to  Lea,  January  30,  1852,  O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  N  17. 


464  COKKESPONDENCE    OP   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[LEA   TO   CALHOUN.'] 

Departime^'t  of  the  Interior, 

Office  Indian  Affairs, 

J  any:  7.  1852. 

Govenor  c&c 

Santa  Fe 

New  Mexico.^ 
Sir, 

Your  letter  of  the  29:  October  last  in  which  you  call  my  attention 
to  the  inadequacy  of  the  amount  allowed  your  Superintendency,  on 
account  of  "  contingencies  ",  and  ask  for  an  increased  sum ;  and  also  in 
which  you  state  that  "  in  the  absence  of  Agents  Weightman  and 
Wingfield,  it  it  become  necessary,"  you  will  assume  the  responsibility 
of  drawing  the  $500 — allowed  to  each  of  them ",  on  the  same 
account — has  been  received  and  duly  considered. 

From  the  limited  appropriations  upon  which  this  Office  could  draw 
for  the  purposes  to  which  you  refer,  is  allotted  to  your  Superintend- 
ency as  large  an  amount  for  "contingencies",  as  was  in  its  power 
under  the  circumstances,  but  not  as  large,  it  felt  at  the  time,  as  would 
be  required,  necessarily  by  you.  Neither  then  had  the  Office,  nor  has 
it  the  power  now,  to  increase  the  sum.  Congress,  however,  will,  at 
its  present  session,  be  urged  to  make  increased  and  liberal  appropria- 
tions, particularly  with  reference  to  your  Superintendency,  and  it  is 
hoped  by  doing  so.  the  embarrassments  of  the  past,  under  which  you 
have  labored,  will,  for  the  future,  be  avoided. 

AVith  regard  to  that  part  of  your  letter,  in  which  you  apprize  me 
of  your  intention,  in  the  absence  of  Agents  Weightman  and  Wing- 
field,  to  draw  for  the  $500 — allowed  to  each  of  them  for  "  contin- 
gencies" I  have  to  state,  that,  should  you  do  so,  it  will  meet  the 
approbation  of  this  office. 

Very  respectfully,  Your  Obt.  Servant, 

L.  Lea 

Comr: 

'  ().  I.  a.,  L.  B.,  iNo.  4o,  pp.  3:{9-340. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  465 

[LEA  TO   CALHOUN.'] 

Department  of  the  Interior, 

Office  Indian  Affairs 

Jany:  12.1852. 
Calhoun,  His  Excy :  J.  S. 

Governor  tGc 

Santa  Fe 
New  Mexico. 
Sir, 

Your  own,  and  the  accounts  of  Agent  Woolley,  for  the  quarter 
ending  30th  September  last,  have  been  received,  with  your  letters  of 
the  16th  Octo :  and  1st  November  transmitting  them. 

Two  copies  of  the  regulations  of  the  Department,  have  already 
been  sent  to  you. 

Very  respectfully.  Your  Obt  Servant 

L.  Lea 
Commr: 
[LEA  TO  CALHOUN.-] 

Department  of  the  Interior, 

Office  Indian  Affairs 

J  any:  16.  1852 
Calhoun,  His  Excy:  Gov: 

Santa  Fe 

New  Mexico. 
Sir, 

Your  letter  of  1st  ultimo,  transmitting  Eeport  of  Agent  Greiner 
in  relation  to  grievances  complained  of  by  Pueblo  Indians  has  been 
received. 

Very  respectfully,  Your  Obt  Servant. 


L.  Lea 

Gow/mr 


[LEA  TO   CALHOUN,    ETC.'] 
(Circular.) 


Department  of  the  Interior, 

Office  Indian  Affairs 

J  any:  28.  1852. 
Sir, 

To  enable  this  Office  to  comply  fully  with  the  provisions  of  the 
laws  of  Congress,  which  require  a  statement  of  all  persons  in  what- 
ever grade  of  employment  under  the  Government  to  be  furnished  to 


O.  I.  a.,  L.  B.,  No.  45,  p.  353.  » Ibid.,  p.  368.  "Ibid.,  p.  401. 

.W21— 15 30 


466  CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

the  proper  authorities — You  are  herebj'^  directed  to  prepare  a  com- 
plete list,  in  abstract  form  of  the  employees  other  than  Agents  in 
your  superintendency  on  the  1st  day  of  Jany:  1852:  Specifying  the 
Offices  they  respectively  hold,  or  the  employments  in  which  they 
are  engaged — the  dates  of  their  appointments — where  employed — 
the  Tribe  or  Tribes  for  which  they  Avere  appointed — their  compensa- 
tion,— and  also  as  far  as  practicable,  the  places  of  their  births,  and 
their  residences  at  the  time  they  received  their  appointments,  and 
forward  it  to  this  Office  without  avoidable  delay. 

You  will  observe  the  directions  in  regard  to  places  of  birth  and 
residence,  in  making  future  nominations. 

Very  respectfully,  Your  Obt  Servant. 

L.  Lea 
Gomm/r: 

[CALHOTJIsr   TO  LEA'] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

January  28th  1852 
Sir 

I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  on  the  31st  of  December  last, 
I  approved  two  drafts  drawn  by  Col  A.  E.  Woolley,  in  favor  of 
W.  S  McKnight,  the  one  for  $540.54.  to  close  up  his  accounts  up  to 
the  31st  December,  and  the  other  $500.  authorized  to  be  drawn,  for 
contingencies,  by  the  Indian  Department.  I  have  also  approved  a 
draft  drawn  by  John  Greiner,  for  $G58.09  in  favor  of  the  same  per- 
son, dated  31st  Dec.  to  close  his  accounts  up  to  that  date.  The  Ab- 
stracts and  Accounts  current  of  those  gentlemen  will  show  more 
fully  the  objects  for  which  they  were  drawn. 
Your  Obedient  Servant 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Supt.  Ind.  Afs 
Hon  Luke  Lea 

Commr  Ind  Afs 

Washington  City 

D.  C. 

[GREINER   TO   CALHOUN.'] 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico  Jany  31 — 1852 
To  his  Excellency  Gov.  J.  S.  Calhoun 

Superintendant  of  Indian  Affairs 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico  January  29th/52 
Dear  Sir 

According  to  the  agreement  made  with  your  Excellency  at  Jemes 
a  number  of  Navajoes  came  in  on  the  27th  inst.  bringing  with  them 

1  O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  N  21. 

2  Enclosure  of  Calhoun  to  Lea,  January  31,  1852,  O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  N  25. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S,   CALHOUN.  467 

Mexican 
three  Captive  boys  two  of  them  having  been  taken  prison- 

ers while  herding  cattle  on  the  west  side  of  the  Rio  Grande  opposite  : 
the  Ranches  of  Albuquerque  last  July  and  one  of  them  w-as  -taken  yi 
from  the  Caiion  near  Jemes  five  years  ago. 

The  names  of  the  Chiefs  present  were  Armijo — Raffaille  Charvis — 
Luke  Lea — Black  Eagle  Barbon  and  Hosea  Miguel. 

One  of  the  young  Chiefs  had  not  yet  received  a  name — and  as  he 
was  over  Six  feet  high  and  of  a  fine  commanding  figure  he  was 

he 
christened  Wingfield  Scott  with  which  name       appeared  to  be  de- 
lighted. 

Armijo  was  the  principal  Speaker,  and  is  the  big  Chief  of  the 
Navajoes.  After  all  were  seated  in  Council  he  said  "  I  have  been  a 
Captain  ever  since  I  was  a  young  man.  I  have  come  to  tell  my  Great 
Father  that  my  people  wish  to  live  in  peace  &  quiet.  We  wish  to 
cultivate  the  soil,  as  our  Fathers  did  before  us — to  have  the  water 
run  through  our  Acequias  so  that  we  may  irrigate  our  lands — ^^Ve 
do  not  wish  to  be  molested — We  have  to  depend  upon  our  finger  nails 
and  our  toe  nails  for  support.  By  the  labour  of  our  own  hands  we 
wish  to  raise  our  own  crops — and  like  the  Sun  we  wish  to  follow 
the  course  of  nature.  The  bows  &  arrows  we  carry  are  to  shoot 
game  with,  the  deer  the  antelope  &  the  Rabbit.  But  little  rain  fell 
from  the  clouds  last  year  our  crops  failed — and  our  young  men  have 
to  support  our  families  by  hunting 

I  have  lost  my  Grandfather  and  two  other  members  of  my  family 
who  were  all  killed  by  Mexicans 

I  have  never  sought  revenge — My  hair  is  beginning  to  get  gray — 
I  wish  to  live  in  peace  with  every  one — I  want  to  see  my  cattle  & 
horses  to  be  well  grazed  and  my  sheep  to  be  safely  herded — and  to 
get  fat — which  can  never  be  done  while  my  people  are  at  war 

We  like  the  Americans — We  have  eaten  their  bread  &  meat — 
smoked  their  tobacco^the  clothing  they  have  given  us  has  kept  us 
warm  in  the  cold  winter  and  the  snow — With  the  hoes  they  have 
given  us  we  will  cultivate  our  land 

We  are  struck  dead  with  gratitude 

I  am  now  before  you — you  can  all  see  me  My  name  is  well  known 
every  where — My  people  are  better  dressed  than  I  am  myself — and 
although  I  am  ashamed  to  appear  before  you  so  poorly  clad — I 
wished  you  to  see  me  just  as  I  am — to  tell  you  I  can  plant  corn  & 
wheat — and  raise  food  for  my  people  to  eat. 

If  the  Lord  will  supply  us  with  ])lenty  of  clouds^we  shall  walk 
about  our  lands— and  feel  satisfied 

Agent.  My  Brothers  Let  us  tnlk  plain  so  that  we  may  understand 
each  other — 


/ 


468  COREESPONDEFCE   OP   JAMES   S.   CALHOUN. 

The  people  living  in  the  Rio  Abajo  con^plain  that,  the  Navajos 
have  captured  their  children— stolen  their  stock — that  their  fields 
have  to  be  idle  for  they  cannot  work  them  for  fear  of  your  people — 
Is  this  not  so? 

Armijo — My  people  are  all  crying  in  the  same  way  three  of  our 
Chiefs  now  sitting  before  you  h-we-lest  mourn  for  their  children — Avhc 
have  been  taken  from  their  homes  by  the  Mexicans — More  than  200  of 
our  children  have  been  carried  off  and  we  know  not  where  they  are — 
The  Mexicans  have  lost  but  few  children  in  comparison  with  what 
they  have  stolen  from  us.  Three  years  ago  they  took  from  my  people 
nearly  all  their  Cavalladas — Two  3^ears  ago  my  Brother  lost  700 
animals  How  shall  we  get  them  again — We  leave  our  Great  Father 
to  decide — From  the  time  of  Col.  Newby  we  have  been  trying  to  get 
our  children  back  again — Eleven  times  have  we  given  up  our  Cap- 
tives— only  once  have  they  given  us  ours — My  people  are  yet  crying 
for  the  children  they  have  lost. 

Is  it  American  justice  that  we  must  give  up  every  thing  and  receive 
nothing? 

Agent.  You  have  never  told  us  this  before — the  Great  Father  at 
Washington  shall  hear  of  it — and  you  shall  hear  what  he  says 

Hereafter  no  more  Captives  must  be  taken  on  either  side  depreda- 
tions must  no  longer  be  committed  by  either  party — Should  our 
people  injure  you — instead  of  injuring  them  you  must  send  one 
of  your  young  men  and  let  the  Govenor  or  Agent  know — -justice  will 
be  done — and  the  offenders  shall  be  punished — -If  any  property  is 
stolen  on  either  side  it  must  be  restored  to  the  proper  owners.  The 
Chiefs  will  be  held  responsible  for  the  conduct  of  the  young  men — 

Armijo  is  considered  as  speaking  for  all  his  people 

Armijo. — V/e  are  satisfied  with  any  arrangement  our  Father  may 
make — We  will  do  as  he  says — Armijo  speaks  for  all  his  people. 
In  the  time  of  the  Mexican  Government  our  Captains  received  Staffs 
of  Office — and  Commissions — and  they  were  murdered  the  first  oppor- 
tunity. We  do  not  know  hoAV  it  will  be  now — if  what  is  past  is 
settled  our  people  will  be  satisfied — we  shall  abide  by  what  we  say 
without  turning  one  side  or  the  other. 

When  we  get  home  we  Avill  recollect  our  Great  Father — We  will 
come  &  see  him  &  smoke  with  him — We  will  come  not  only  on  busi- 
ness— but  to  inquire  after  his  health — 

Agent.  I  am  happy  to  hear  your  talk — You  and  your  people  will 
find  that  the  Americans  never  promise  nor  threaten  as  much  as  they 
mean  to  do. 

The  Council  broke  up  with  the  greatest  good  feeling  and  after 
receiving  a  number  of  Blankets  flannel  shirts  hoes  and  a  few  other 
presents  they  mounted  their  horses  and  started  for  home. 


COKEESPONDENCB   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  469 

There  is  too  much  truth  in  what  these  Indians  complain  of — It 
was  the  custom  of  the  Mexicans  to  fit  out  expeditions  against  them 

every  one  claiming  what  he  stole  as  his  plunder, 
every  year  They 

own  large  flocks  of  sheep,  &  goats,  horses,  mules,  &  cattle.  They  are 
a  very  industrious,  hard  working  people,  they  not  only  till  their 
lands  themselves,  but  they  manufacture  their  own  clothing — and  a 
Navajo  Blanket  will  at  any  time  command  the  price  of  a  Mule.     It 

have 
is  not  to  be  wondered  at  if  they  should  retaliate — -when  they 
so  repeatedly  suffered  by  these  marauding  expeditions 

These  Indians  are  now  what  the  U.  S.  Govement  is  striving  to 
make  of  all  the  Wild  Indian  tribes— A  farming  community — I  was 
so  well  convinced  with  the  truth  of  the  remarks  of  Armijo — that  I 
confess  I  had  but  little  to  say — If  the  Indians  must  return  all  the 
Captives  &  property  taken  from  the  Mexicans — is  it  any  thing  but 

have 
just  that  they  should  elmm  what  has  been  stolen  from  them  ?    I  think 
not. 

Very  respectfully 

Your  Obt  Sv't 

J  Greiner 
Indian  Agent 

New  Mexico 
His  Excellency 

Gov.  J.  S.  Calhoun 

Supe'^  Ind  Affs 

[Related  Correspondence.] 
[WINGFIELD   TO    LEA  ^] 

Washington  D.  C  February  6th  1852 
Hon  Luke  Lea 

Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairi^: 

SlE 

Gov.  Calhoun  has  been  so  full  in  his  recent  communications  to  your  Depart- 
ment and  has  presented  the  exigencies  of  the  Indian  service  in  New  Mexico, 
so  much  in  detail,  that  any  communication  from  me  on  the  same  subject  may  be 
deemed  almost  superfluous.  With  a  view  however  to  aid  the  Department  in  sug- 
gesting such  legislation,  as  the  circumstances  and  condition  of  that  territory 
may  require,  allow  me  respectfully  to  offer  the  following  statement  of  my  own 
views  in  relation  to  it. 

As  explanatory  of  my  presence  at  this  time  In  this  City,  and  the  reasons 
Inducing  the  step,  please  allow  me  to  refer  you,  to  the  letter  of  Governor  Cal- 
houn addressed  to  myself,  but  which  I  recently  had  the  honor  to  submit  to  your 


1  O.   I    A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  W  64. 


470  COKKESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

Department,  and  which  is  there  on  file — which  will  obviate  the  necessity  of  a 
detailed  repetition  of  them  in  this  communication. 

I  would  observe  in  the  outset  that  on  account  of  the  remoteness  of  New 
Mexico,  and  the  want  of  frequent  conuuunicalions  with  your  Department — to 
make  that  branch  of  the  public  service  efficient — much  will  have  to  be  confided 
to  the  sound  discretion  intelligence  and  integrity  of  the  Superintendent  of  Indian 
Affairs  for  the  Territory. 

The  Act  of  Congress  passed  June  30th  1834  entitled  "'An  Act  to  regulate  trade 
and  intercourse  with  the  Indian  Tribes  and  to  preserve  peace  on  the  frontiers" 
contemplates  the  harmonious  co-operation  of  the  Military  and  Indian  Agents, 
to  carry  out  the  legislation  of  the  Government  in  relation  thereto.  It  has  been 
found  by  experience  that  this  harmony  does  not  exist  and  I  would  consequently 
suggest — that  proper  orders  should  be  issued  to  these  functionaries  from  the 
Departments  or  if  need  be,  obtain  further  legislation  to  accomplish  the  desired 
objects. 

Permit  me  to  call  the  special  attention  of  the  Department  to  the  17th  section 
of  the  above  recited  act.  and  the  11th  article  of  the  Treaty  of  Guadalupe 
Hidalgo  between  Mexico  and  the  United  States  which,  I  desire  may  be  consid- 
ered in  connexion.  It  api)ears  from  both  of  the  sections  above  referred  to  that 
the  Government  is  ultimately  liable  for  all  spoliations  committed  upon  property, 
by  the  Indians  within  the  Territory  of  the  United  States  not  only  to  our  citizens, 
but  to  those  also  of  the  adjoining  States  of  Mexico,  wherein  spoliations  have 
been  conunitled.  The  Proviso  to  the  Act  above  referred  to,  excludes  from  the 
benefits  of  the  Act  all  those  who  take  the  redress  of  their  injuries  into  their 
own  hands  For  over  two  hundred  years  in  fact  ever  since  the  settlement  of 
the  country  there  has  been  a  war  of  depredation — between  the  two  races — 
the  Mexican  and  the  Indian,  and  all  of  the  difficulties  and  embarrassments  in 
that  country  may  with  truth  be  traced  to  that  source,  and  until  these  depreda- 
tions cease — nothing  like  quiet  can  be  expected  in  that  country.  The  claims 
for  spoliations — arising  under  the  Act  and  Treaty  above  referred  to^are 
numerous  and  of  great  miignitude  and  I  would  therefore  submit  to  the  Depart- 
ment the  importance  of  recommending  to  Congress  the  immediate  appointment 
of  a  Commission  to  investigate  on  the  spot — the  claims  arising  under  this  Act, 
&  the  Treaty  referred  to.  Such  a  commission,  would  in  my  humb'e  judgment 
anticipate  much  future  legislation  and  the  numerous  difficulties  proceeding  from 
the  presentation  of  claims  hereafter.  Wisdom  indeed  sanctions  this  recommen- 
dation on  the  score  of  economy  alone. 

I  desire  to  submit  to  the  consideration  of  the  Department,  some  remarks 
about  the  condition  of  the  Pueblo  Indians — a  very  interesting  tribe,  possessing 
many  of  the  amiable  elements  of  character,  without  the  savage  features  of 
other  races — and  well  worthy  the  consideration  of  the  Government  of  the  United 
States.  Their  history  is  invested  with  peculiar  interest — being  as  they  are— 
the  last  relics  on  this  continent  of  the  famous  Aztecs  and  the  descendants  of 
the  Montezumas — and  now  displaying  in  their  present  appearance  not  a  few 
traces  of  the  same  elevation  of  character  for  which  their  ancestors  are  renowned. 
The  traveller  will  still  find  the  vestiges  of  splendid  architecture  in  the  ruined 
temples,  palaces  and  monuments  scattered  over  their  country.  They  approach 
nearer  to  civilization,  than  any  of  the  Indian  Races.  They  hold  the  lands  on 
which  they  live  by  virtue  of  Spanish  grants.  Industrious  in  their  habits  intel- 
ligent in  their  communications  and  honest  in  their  transactions,  this  peoi)le,  have 
forsaken  the  common  occupations  of  the  Indian  in  order  to  cultivate  assiduously 
the  soil  which  they  possess.  The  Pueblo  Indians  occupy  a  truly  anomalous 
position  in  the  country.     They  are  regarded  as  quasi  corporations  liable  to 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.   CALHOUN.  471 

sue  &  be  sued  in  all  our  courts.  From  tliese  circumstances,  it  will  be  evident 
to  you  that  this  race  should  be  regarded  by  us  either  as  Indians,  or  like  our- 
selves as  citizens  of  the  United  States — &  entitled  to  all  the  privileges  springing 
from  that  relation.  But  as  the  latter  position  would  be  obnoxious  to  their  own 
wishes — the  Government  should  view  them  as  Indians  in  all  future  legislation. 
As  they  are  often  involved  in  serious  difficulties  arising  from  constant  tres- 
passes on  their  domain,  by  citizens  of  the  United  States — it  is  but  due  to  them 
that  an  appropriation  should  be  made  by  our  Government  to  compensate  in 
some  measure,  for  the  frequent  depredations  and  injuries  which  they  have 
sustained. 

To  carry  out  such  remedial  measures  as  may  be  deemed  necessary,  I  would 
suggest,  that,  should  the  Commission  already  referred  to  be  appointed — it 
should  be  vested  with  power  to  settle  the  boundaries  of  the  country  belonging 
to  the  Pueblos — to  examine  the  titles  to  their  lands,  translate  them  from  the 
Spanish  into  English,  and  make  a  permanent  record  of  them — for  future  ref- 
erence. It  occurs  to  me  that  if  our  Government  will  encourage  the  advance- 
ment &  improvement  of  this  race — it  will  present  to  the  wilder  tribes  around 
them  a  worthy  example,  and  these  may  in  time  be  induced  to  settle  in  villages 
and  cultivate  the  lauds,  as  the  Pueblos  now  do. 

At  the  last  session  of  Congress  appropriations  amounting  in  all  to  thirty  six 
thousand  dollars  ($36,000)  were  made  to  carry  out  the  Treaties  between  the 
United  States  and  the  Navajos  and  Utahs.  The  question  arises — how  can  this 
fund  be  best  disbursed  for  the  benefit  of  these  tribes.  As  the  duty  of  prescrib- 
ing the  mode  is  vested  in  the  President  of  the  United  States  and  your  Depart- 
ment— permit  me  to  request  for  the  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs — definite 
instructions  on  this  point  and  also  respectfully  to  suggest  whether  it  would 
not  be  better  to  take  mechanics  artisans  and  agriculturists — together  with  im- 
plements of  husbandrj- — tools — seeds  «S:c  from  the  United  States,  rather  than 
rely  on  obtaining  them  in  New  Mexico. 

All  of  which  is  very  respectfully  submitted  by 
Your  obedient  servt 

E.    H.    WINGFIELD 

Indian  Agent  New  Mexico. 
[CALHOUN  TO  LEA.'] 

Executive  Department 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 

Jany.  30,  1852. 
Sir, 

The  accompanying  report  ^  to  me,  made  by  Jno.  Greiner  Esqr.  Ind. 
Agt.  &c.  dated  Jany.  5th.  1852,  is  a  very  brief,  (but  sufficient)  state- 
ment of  the  occurrences  of  the  Navajo  event  which  it  was  designed 
to  celebrate. 

The  continuous  and  severe  services  to  which  1  had  been  subjected 
for  months  anterior  to  this  Pueblo  demonstration,  and  the  over- 
whelming and  mournful  intelligence  Avhich  I  received  from  Georgia, 
announcing  the  death  of  my  younger  daughter,^  rendered  it  necessary 
that  the  duties  of  the  occasion  should  be  confided  to  another,  and  it 

1  O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  N  17. 

2  See  p.  463. 

^Martha  Ann   [Mrs.  Jno.   H.   Davis]. 


472  COEEESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN. 

was  my  good  fortune  to  have  near  \ne,  John  Greiner  Esqr.  Ind.  Agt. 
and  I  am  persuaded  no  one  could  have  discharged  the  duties  with 
more  fidelity  and  satisfaction  than  Mr.  Greiner  did  on  that  occasion. 
I  am, 

With  great  respect, 

Your  obedient  Servant, 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

/Supt.  Ind.  Afs 
Hon :  L.  Lea, 

Comr.  Ind.  Affs. 

Washington  City 
D.G. 

[CALHOUN  TO   LEA.'] 

Executive  Department 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico. 

January  30th  1852. 
Sir, 

In  the  late  papers  received  from  the  States,  I  notice  a  report,  to 
the  effect,  that  Treaties  had  been  made  with  certain  Indians,  and 
among  them  New  Mexico  is  put  down,  with  a  statement  that  the 
Treaties  had  not  been  received  at  the  Department.  Although  I  beleive 
this  to  be  a  mistake,  in  reference  to  this  Territory,  yet  I  deem  it  ad- 
visable to  forward  to  you  the  triplicate  of  a  Treaty  made  with  the 
Apache  Indians  east  of  the  Rio  del  Norte,  in  the  City  of  Santa  Fe, 
New  Mexico,  on  the  2d  day  of  April  1851  and  on  the  same  day  was 
sent  off  to  Washington,  to  the  address,  improperly  I  acknowledge, 

of  the 
te-the  Hon :  A.  H.  H.  Stuart,  Secretary  of  the  Interior.     Unless, 

my  letter  of  that  date  failed  to  reach  you,  you  will  perceive  by  a  reffer- 
rence  to  it,  that  I  deemed  it  important  to  receive  early  advice  in  rela- 
tion to  the  Treaty.  I  beg  you  to  examine  said  letter.  The  receipt  at 
Washington,  of  the  Treaty,  has  not  been  acknowledged. 

I  must  now  remark,  that  since  the  making  of  that  treaty,  no  In- 
dians could  have  behaved  better  than  the  Apaches  east  of  the  Rio  del 
Norte.  There  are  eight  who  came  to  this  Superintendency  this  morn- 
ing, and  all  who  come  uniformly  enquire  what  the  President  intends 

upon 
to  do  with  them,  and  that  thej'^  supposed  they  were  to  be  placed 
terms  of  equality  with  other  Indians,  and  receive  presents.    The  im- 
portance of  having  this  matter  attended  to  can  not  be  felt  at  Wash- 
ington. 

Again;  you  will,  perhaps,  remember,  that  in  July  1850, 1  negotiated 
treaties  with  the  Indians  of  certain  Pueblos,  by  authority  of  your 

1  O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  N  22 ;  see  File-box,  "  Treaties,  Copies." 


COERESPONDENCE    OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  473 

Department,  which  authority  bears  date  24th  April  1850.  The  De- 
partment has  given  me  no  information  concerning  the  Pueblo  treaty 
or  treaties,  and  I  am  sorely  annoyed  when  they  call  upon  me  for 
information  in  relation  to  them. 

These  matters  should  not  be  overlooked,  or  postponed. 
With  great  respect. 

Your  obedient  Servant, 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Supt.  Ind.  Aff. 
Hon:  L.  Lea, 

Gomr.  Ind.  Afs. 

Washington  City, 
D.  C. 

[LEA  TO  CALHOUN.'] 

Department  of  the  Interior, 

Office  Indian  Affairs 

Jany:  31.  1852, 
Calhoun,  His  Excy:  Jas:  S. 
Gov :  and  Ex  o-fflcio 
Supt  Ind:  Affairs 

Santa  Fe.  N .  Mexico. 
Sir, 

I  have  this  day  transmitted  to  Spence  M.  Baird,  his  Commission 
as  agent  for  the  Indians  in  New  Mexico:  Should  he  accept  the  ap- 
pointment he  has  been  directed  to  report  to  you  for  the  instructions 
necessary  for  his  government  and  to  file  his  bond  with  you,  which  you 
will  forward  to  this  Office. 

Very  respectfully,  Your  Obt  Servant, 

L.  Lea 
Gommr'. 

[CALHOUN  TO   LEA.^'] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico, 

January  31st  1852 
Sir, 

During  this  entire  month  I  have  been  laboring  under  the  united 
attacks  of  Catarrh  and  Jaundice,  and  you  may  w^ell  suppose  I  have 
not  been  well  qualified  for  duty  during  the  period  alluded  to.  I  am 
happy  to  state,  however,  that  I  have  been  able  to  attend  to  the  daily 
routine  of  business,  with  the  aid  and  assistance  of  that  worthy  and 
most  useful  public  officer,  John  Greiner,  Esqr,  Ind.  Agt. 

With  the  exception  of  the  Gila  Apaches,  perfect  tranquility  pre- 
vails among  our  Indians — 

10.  I.  A.,  L.  B.,  No.  45,  p.  412.  2  O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  N  25. 


474  COEEESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

The  Apaches. 

Since  the  2d  day  of  April  1851,  not  a  depredation  committed  by 

been 
them  have  come  to  our  knowledge^  although  there  have  instances 

were 
in  which  they -have  beee-  suspected.     You  will  remember,  I  made  a 
treaty  with  them  on  tiie  day  and  year  above  named,  which  certainly 
should  receive  the  early  consideration  of  the  Government. 

The  Apaches  of  the  West  Side  of  the  Rio  del  Norte  continue  to  com- 
mit numerous  murders  and  depredations.^  On  the  25th  of  the  pres- 
ent month,  I  am  informed,  and  do  not  doubt  the  accuracy  of  my  in- 

officer, 
formation,  that  a  non-commissioned  and  twelve  privates,  all 

mounted,  and  a  teamster,  who  was  also  a  soldier,  in  marching  north 
across  the  Jornado,  was  attacked  by  a  large  band  of  Apaches,  six 
miles  north  of  the  Laguna,  at  the  very  place  where  the  Hon.  R.  T. 
Brent  was  killed.  The  Indians,  it  is  said,  killed  four  soldiers, 
wounded  three,  killed  one  mule,  and  carried  off  five  and  one  horse, 
and  every  thing  else  in  or  outside  of  the  wagon,  which  they  de- 
sired— The  soldiers  think  they  killed  nine  Indians — Several  other 
murders  have  been  committed  on  that  line  of  military  operations 
during  the  month,  and  a  large  number  of  animals,  (public  and  pri- 
vate property,)  have  been  run  off.  How  long  are  these  things  to 
continue,  and  to  what  degree  of  contempt  shall  we  descend,  in  the 

the 
estimation  of  our  will  Indians  before  we  illustrate  the  fact,  that 
vigor  and  determination  of  our  fathers  have  been  transmitted  to  their 
sons?  In  vain  have  I  applied  for  munitions  of  war,  and  for  leave 
to  call  out  the  Militia  of  the  Territory,  and  the  means  to  subsist  them. 
But  this  has  not  been  accorded  to  me.  And  what  have  been  the  con- 
sequences? Murders  after  murders,  depredations  upon  depredations, 
and  innumerable  other  evils  to  the  people  of  this  Territory.  I  make 
bold  to  declare,  if  I  had  the  authority  as  indicated  above,  I  could  and 
would  quiet  the  western  Apaches  within  ninety  days — I  would  go  in 
person,  and  direct  the  operations  against  them,  and  know  for  myself 
they  were  properly  subdued,  and  correct  other  disorders  in  that 
region.  I  am  not  ignorant  of  the  impressions  which  the  tone  of  tliis 
letter  may  make.  I  regard  them  not.  Nor  do  I  intend  to  cast  the 
slightest  reproach  upon  the  troops  in  this  Territory.  But  Sir,  it  is 
notorious,  if  you  were  to  select  the  best  horses  from  each  company, 
you  could  not  from  them,  make  up  one  efficient  company.  The  horses 
are  poor,  weak,  and  starved.  What  kind  of  efficiency  is  this?  and 
who  so  unreasonable  as  to  expect  protection  to  come  from  troops  so 

1  See  documents  on  pp.  475-477. 


COEEESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.   CALHOUN.  475 

inefficiently  mounted?  None  but  well  mounted  troops,  for  general 
service,  against  the  Indians,  are  worth  one  cent  in  this  Territory.  A 
contrary  opinion,  I  am  aware,  is  now  being  disseminated,  not  only 
here,  but  perhaps  in  the  States — Upon  this  subject  it  is  not  necessary 
to  say  more — 

The  Utahs  manifest  every  proper  feeling  of  submission,  and  many 
who  claim  to  be  their  superiors,  are  wanting  in  their  Virtues,  and 
nothing  is  to  be  apprehended  from  them  which  does  not  immediately 
proceed  from  the  malign  influences,  or  conduct,  of  the  evil  disposed 
in  this  Territory.  I  fear,  in  spite  of  all  of  my  efforts  to  the  contrary, 
that  a  number  of  persons  will  attempt  a  forcible  seizure  of  lands  in 

during  the  spring 
the  Utah  Country  and  this  will  necessarily  bring 

about  other  outrages  and  murders;  and  which  can  not  be  prevented 
unless  you  place  at  the  disposal  of  the  Superintendent  a  proper  Mili- 
tary force — 

The  Navajos,  say,  "  they  are  struck  dead  with  gratitude^  I  beg 
to  refer  you  to,  and  request  you  to  adopt  as  a  part  of  this  letter,  the 
report  of  a  conversation  held  with  the  Navajos  on  yesterday,  by 
John  Greiner  Esqr.  Ind.  Agt.  The  truth,  you  will  perceive,  is  boldly 
stated,  and  must  make  the  just  man  pause.  Every  suggestion  made 
by  them  is  true,  and  is  worthy  of  consideration. 

I  beg  to  impress  upon  you,  in  conclusion,  all  that  is  absolutely 
necessary,  at  this  moment,  in  addition  to  troops  &c.  are  Blacksmiths, 
Blacksmiths  implements  and  Iron,  and  these  can  not  be  procured 
here — I  have  referrence  to  the  Navajos  and  Utahs;  and  also,  the 
Apaches  east  of  the  Rio  del  Norte,  and  the  Pueblos,  if  it  is  the  in- 
tention of  the  Government  to  do  any  thing  for  the  two  latter. 
I  am, 

With  great  respect. 

Your  obedient  Servant, 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Supt.  Ind.  Afs 
Hon:  L.  Lea, 

Comr.  Ind.  Afs 

Washington  City, 

B.C. 

[Related  Correspondence.] 

[HOWE  TO  McFERRAN.i] 

Fort  Conrad,  N.  M. 

January  25:  1852 

10:  P.  M. 
Lieut: 

On  Fridny  morning  Inst  I  ordered  an  escort  of  one  non.  com  officer  and  ten 
privates,  to  escort  the  members  of  the  Court  on  to  the  "  Journada  "  until  it  met 

»A.  G.  C,  Files,  S  92  of  1852. 


47()  CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

the  mail  party  bound  up:  this  evening  the  Corporal  Couinianding  the  party 
returned  and  reported  to  me  that  yesterday  they  met  an  escort  from  Fort  Fill- 
more, at  Laguna,  where  they  transferred  the  baggage  &c  to  the  wagon  from 
below  and  then  by  order  of  Col :  Miles,  encamped  at  I.aguna,  that  owing  to  the 
barking  of  the  dogs  during  the  night  he  sui)posotl  that  Indians  were  near,  and 
this  morning  started  at  sun  rise  with  nuiskotoons  loaded  and  shinz  and  pre- 
pared for  the  Indians,  that  at  the  spot  where  JNlr  Brent,  was  shot  they  received 
a  volley  from  both  sides  of  the  road  without  seeing  any  one,  the  saddle  mule 
to  the  wagon  and  three  men  killed  and  during  the  aftray  which  lasted  some 
twenty  minutes  one  other  was  killed  and  one  wounded,  the  latter  they  brought 
into  this  Post  this  evening,  the  teamster  caught  a  horse  of  one  of  the  men 
killed  and  escapetl.  The  Corporal  reports  that  the  Indians  at  the  (irst  lire  were 
laying  concealed  in  soap  weeds,  but  soon  some  forty  api)cared  mounted,  and 
followed  the  six  men  some  three  miles.  The  Corporal  reports  two  Indians 
killed  and  one  wounded  most  men  says  some  nine  were  killed.  The  Cori)oral 
is  sure  that  there  were  white  men  among  the  number  as  they  had  large  whis- 
kers and  curly  hair  that  he  was  so  well  satistied,  that  he  cursed  them  in  eng- 
lisli.  I  immediately  ordered  all  the  available  men  of  '  D,'  '  E,'  and  'K'  com- 
panies under  the  command  of  Lieut.  Evans,  in  pursuit  113  of  the  command 
mounted  on  mules. 

I  would  respectfully  suggest  that  the  mounted  men  belonging  to  this  Post 
now  absent  at  Galisteo  and  Pcna  Blanco,  be  ordered  to  return  as  soon  as  they 
can  be  spared  they  having  taken  with  them  all  the  serviceable  horses  of  '  E,' 
and  '  D,'  companies,  and  if  the  companies  at  Galisteo  have  no  duty  to  perform, 
a  company  having  good  horses  could  be  employed  on  good  service,  by  sending 
them  to  this  Post.  I  learn  unotlicially  that  at  a  distance  of  some  SO.  to  100. 
miles  west  of  this  is  a  large  camp  of  Indians  which  if  trooi)s  could  be  spared 
for  the  purpose  might  be  well  to  make  them  a  visit,  having  sent  all  the  service- 
able horses  of  Co  '  K,'  on  scout  this  evening.  I  shall  not  be  able  to  send  the 
comi)any  as  ordered  on  the  first  of  the  month  to  Abiquin.  I  have  not  a  horse 
at  the  Post  to  send  out  if  any  call  should  be  made  from  another  quarter,  and 
I  think  this  is  the  Post  for  calls  3  horses  &  team  captured  by  Indians. 
I  aai  Sir 


Very  respectfully 

Your  obt:  Servt: 


J.  C.  McFerkan 
3d  Infy:  A.  A.  A.  Genl: 
Alhiqucrque. 


(Sgd)  M.  S.  IIowE 

Maj:  2d  Drags; 

Coininanding 


Head  Quarters  9th  Mily  Dept. 
Fokt  Union  N.  M.  Fchy  Sd  1852 
otHcial 

J.  C.  JMcFerran 

1st  Lt  3d  Inf 

A.  A.  A.  a 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  477 

[SUMNER  TO  CARLETON.^] 

Head  QuartI' ks,  Dth  Dept  : 

Fort  Union,  N.  M. 

January  28",  1852. 
Bv't :  Major  J.  H.  Cableton, 

/fft  Dragoons. 
Major, 

You  will  move  with  your  Comiuuiy  towards  Auton  Chico,  on  the  2d  proximo, 
aud  after  remaining  at  that  i)lace  a  day  or  two,  you  will  proceed  in  the  direction 
of  "Bosque  Ivedoudo"  for  the  purpose  of  mnliing  a  reconnoissance  in  that 
section  of  country,  and  opening  a  communication  with  the  Muscalaro  Apaches. 
In  the  latter  duty  you  will  act  in  concert  with  Col:  Wooley,  Indian  Agent,  if 
he  thinks  proper  to  accompany  you.  If  you  should  meet  these  Indians,  it  is 
important  that  you  should  impress  upon  them  the  necessity  of  their  abstaining 
from  all  depredations  upon  the  Whites.  Say  to  them  plainly,  that  we  wish  to 
be  at  peace,  but  that  we  are  always  prepared  for  war  and  that  the  President 
of  the  United  States  has  said  that  whenever  an  Indian  tribe  commits  any 
depredations,  that  a  military  post  shall  be  established  immediately  in  the  heart 
of  their  country,  to  compel  them  to  remain  at  peace.  You  will  find  govern- 
ment corn  at  Anton  Chico,  aud  while  there  feed  your  horses  full  rations,  and 
take  as  much  as  you  can  when  you  go  beyond.  If  you  can  buy  fodder  or  hay 
at  reasonable  prices  you  will  do  so,  if  not  you  will  have  to  trust  to  grazing. 
This  tour  of  duty  will  continue  for  twenty  days  or  longer  if  necessary. 
Very  respectfully 

Your  ob't:  Serv't : 

E  V  Sum  NEB 

Bvt:  Col:  U.  8.  A. 
Comdg:    Dept: 


[SUMNER   TO   CARLETOJs\-] 


Hd  Qurs  :  9th  Dept 
Neab  Albuquerque  N.  M. 

March  J,  JS52 
Major, 

I  have  received  your  report  and  letter.  I  have  ordered  a  Court  of  Inquiry 
on  your  application  I  hardly  think  it  was  necessary  in  this  case,  but  perhaps 
it  is  as  well,  to  have  such  cases  investigated,  and  thus  shut  the  mouths  of 
ill-disposed  persons.  I  regret  that  you  did  not  see  any  Indians  but  I  am  glad 
that  you  made  the  excursion. 

I  had  no  idea  it  was  so  fine  a  country  down  there.  If  I  had  troops  to  spare, 
I  should  establish  a  post  there  immediately.  I  have  no  objection  to  your  asking 
Maj  Ogden,  to  send  you  a  little  corn,  to  be  used  on  the  Arkansas,  but  Major, 
you  cannot  expect  to  haul  corn  to  use  on  the  march,  after  the  grass  is  up. 

Every  thing  is  very  uncertain  at  the  south,  I  may  have  to  make  a  campaign 
against  the  Apaches.    We  are  very  much  pressed  for  transportation  this  spring, 
and  therefore,  it  will  not  be  in  Maj.  Sibleys  power  to  give  you  another  team. 
Very  resply  Yours 

Sgd.  E  V  Sumner 

livt:  Col: 
Maj  Cableton 

1  A.  G.  O.,  Department  of  New  Mexico,  vol.  8,  p.  125. 
»  A.  G.  O..  Old  Book.  No.  5A. 


478  COKRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN. 

[CALHOUN  TO  LEA/] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe'  New  Mexico 

Fehy  1, 1852 
Sm 

I  have  this  day  approved  a  draft  in  favor  of  Preston  Beck  Jr  at 
Sixty  days  after  date  for  Three  hundred  and  Eighty  Seven  ^Vioo 
Dollars,  being  one  quarter  salary  due  Col  A  E  WooUey  Ind  Agent, 
on  the  31st  March  next. 

Your  Obedient  Servant 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Supt.  Ind.  A-ffs. 
Hon  Luke  Lea 

Commr  Ind  Affs 

Washington 
D.C 

r  SUMNER    TO    CALHOUN.'] 

Head  Quarters  9th  Mily  Dept 

Near  Alburquerque  N.  M. 

Feby  11th  1S52. 
Governor. 

I  have  just  Received  your  letter  dated  this  day — On  the  3d  inst 
Major  Howe  with  a  Command  of  three  Companies  of  horse,  and  one 
of  footj  was  Ordered  to  March  into  the  Apache  Country,^  to  Chastise 
those  Indians  for  their  recent  depredations,  and  this  Command  will 
move  in  a  few  days  from  Fort  Conrad.  There  will  be  two  Compa- 
nies of  horse  left  at  Conrad,  and  one  at  Las  Lunas,  to  protect  this 
frontier — Under  these  Circumstances  T  do  not  feel  at  liberty  to  issue 
arms  to  the  Militia. 


With  high  Respect 
Your  Obt  Svt 


His  Excellency 
J.  S.  Calhoun 

A  Iburquerque 

N.M. 


E.  V.  Sumner 
Brvt  Col  Lt  (lol  1  Dgs 

Comg  Dept 


10.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  N  32. 

^B.  I.  A.,  M.  L.,  March,  1852,  enclosure  of  Snmner  to  Jones,  February  3,  1852;  O.  I.  A., 
New  Mexico  Supy.,  N  H4  :  A.  G.  O..  Old  Boole.  No.  1  ;  also  in  Department  of  New  Mexico, 
vol.   8,   pp.   134-135. 

s  See  Sumner  to  .Tones,  p.  479. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  479 

[Belated  Correspondence.] 
[SUMNER    TO    JONES.^] 

Hd  Qrs  9th  Deft 

Fort  Union  N  M. 

Feby  3,  1852. 
General 

I  regret  extremely  to  be  obliged  to  communicate  tlie  intelligence,  contained 
in  the  inclosed  letter. 

I  have  hoped  that  Fort  Webster  would  check  the  hostility  of  those  Gila 
Apaches  at  once,  and  I  still  think  it  will  do  it  in  a  short  time. 

I  have  ordered  a  concentration  of  troops  at  Fort  Conrad,  and  have  directed 
Maj.  Howe  to  move  immediately  into  the  Apaches  country,  with  three  com- 
panies of  horse,  and  one  of  foot,  and,  if  possible,  to  inflict  upon  those  Indians 
a  signal  chastisement.     He  is  ordered  to  continue  the  scout  for  one  month. 

The  hostility  of  these  Indians  arises  from  the  remissness  of  the  civil  authority 
in  this  Territory.  Some  time  last  fall,  a  Mexican  at  the  little  town  of  San 
Antonio,  assailed  and  killed  two  Apaches  and  dangerously  wounded  a  third, 
while  they  were  gambling  together. 

The  Indians  came  in  the  next  day  and  demanded  that  the  man  should  be  con- 
fined for  trial — this  was  done,  and  the  Indians  left  satisfied,  but  as  soon  as 
they  were  gone,  the  murderer  was  permitted  to  go  at  large  again,  and  when  the 
Indians  heard  of  it,  they  became  furious. 

I  brought  this  affair,  particularly  to  the  notice  of  the  Governor  of  this  Terri- 
tory in  December  last,  and  expressed  the  opinion  that  that  villain  should  be 
arrested  &  tried,  I  have  heard  of  no  action  of  the  Governor  in  this  matter. 
I  am  Sir 

Very  respectfully 

Yr.  Obt.  Srvt 

E.  V.  Sum  NEB 
Bt  Col.  Lt.  Col.  J.H  Drag.^ 

Coyng  Depi 
Maj  Genl  R.  Jones 

Adjt  Genl. 

[CALHOUN    TO    SUMNER.'] 

Abburquerque  N  Mexico 

Feby  11  1852 
Sir 

On  Yesterday,  a  paper  Signed  by  the  inhabitants  of  two  towns  of 
the  County  of  Socorro,  Was  handed  to  Me,  Setting  forth  the  Condi- 
tion of  the  people  of  that  portion  of  the  Territory,  and  asking  Me  as 
their  Own,  and  the  Nations  representative  for  relief. 

This  paper  Set  forth  Well  Authenticated  facts,  Which  Call  for 
my  Warmest  Comisaration  and  Most  Active  intervention 

To  Say  that  Communications  between  the  different  Towns  in  this 
Country  is  in  a  great  Measure  Cut  off  Unless,  to  Strong  And  Well 
Armed  parties,  Would  be  Merely  Stating  a  fact  Which  We  presume 

1  B.  I.  A.,  M.  L.,  March,  1852  ;  A.  G.  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  1. 

2  0.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy..  N  34  ;  B.  I.  A.,  M.  L.,  February.  1S52. 


480  COREESPONDENCE    OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

IS  already  Well  Known  To  Your  Excellency,  And  the  Territory  at 
large:  but  to  Say  that  Our  Very  towns  are  frequently  insulted  by 
the  presence  of  the  Savages — that  lives  Are  Sacrificed  and  property 
dispoiled  in  their  inmost  Square  and  in  the  light  of  day,  Would 
probably  present  To  You  Excellency  Our  truly  helpless  Condition 
in  a  New  and  pitiable  light.  In  no  part  of  all  the  Vast  Territory 
our  Government  holds;  is  her  great  Name  insulted  So  Constantly, 
And  With  Such  perfect  impunity  as  here  in  this,  Our  County  of 
Socorro  and  our  feelings  as  Citizens  As  Well  as  our  Mere  Selfish  in- 
terests as  holders  of  property  Are  Alike  insulted.  Unredressed  and 
unrevanged."  Such  Sir  is  the  language  of  this  paper  endorsed  by 
One  hundred  and  forty  three  residents  of  Socorro  County,  Among 
Which  I  recognize  the  Names  of  Some  of  its  Most  inteligent  and 
estimable  Citizens.  The  fact  Which  it  Sets  forth,  painful  and 
Startling  as  they  Are,  Are  but  To  Well  Corroborated  from  other 
Sources  of  a  reliable  character;  And  Occupying  As  I  do  the  parental 
relations  to  this  people,  I  Cannot  listen  to  the  representations  of 
their  helpless. and  unarmed  Condition  unmoved.  Nor  disregard  their 
petition  for  relief 

I  theirfore  renew  my  application  to  You  for  Arms  And  Equip- 
ments; And  have  to  request  that  You  Will  furnish  Me  with  Five 
hundred  Stand  of  Arms,  for  the  purpose  of  holding  in  Check  and 
Chastising  the  Apache  Indians,  by  an  immediate  expedition  to  their 
Country  Witli  the  Militia  of  the  Territory 

In  making  this  application  to  You,  I  do  So  With  the  Most  perfect 
respect  for.  Your  professional  Capacity  and  untiring  exertions  as  an 
Officer. 

I  Am  Aware  that  We  have  entertained  different  Views  as  to  the 
Sufficiency  of  the  number  of  Your  Troops  to  restrain  and  Chastise 
the  Indians  And  I  am  still  reluctantly  Compelled  to  adhere  To  My 
Original  Convictions  on  this  Subject,  the  disabled  Condition  of 
Your  Animals — the  Slaughter  of  Our  Citizens  and  the  Spoliation  of 
their  property.  Not  only  Confirm  my  first  impressions  in  the  effi- 
ciency of  Your  Command,  but  irresistibly  Appears  to  my  most 
humane  impulses.  As  a  Man,  And  patriotic  exertions  As  an  officer 
of  the  Government,  under  those  feelings  I  must  earnestly  and  re- 
spectfully renew  My  application  for  Arms  and  equipments 

Will  You  oblige  me  So  far  as  to  favor  Me  With  a  reply  this 
evening 

I  have  the  honor  to  be 

Your  Obedient  Servant 

J  S  Calhoun 

Col  E  V  Sumner 

Commanding  9"  mily  Dept 

Alhurquerque  N  M 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  481 

[CITIZENS   OF   SOCOERO   TO  CALHOUN.^] 

Petition 

of  the  Citizens  of  Socorro  County  to 

His  Excellency  the  Governor  of  N.  M. 
Santa  Fe' 
Humbly  sheweth, 

That  a  deep  sence  of  the  injuries  that  we  the  undersigned  Citizens 
of  Socorro  County  have  for  some  time  past  sustained  at  the  hands  of 
the  Indians,  induce  us  to  make  to  your  Ex^".  a  representation  of  our 
greivances  and  to  look  to  your  Exc^.  for  that  redress  and  assistance 
\vhich  has  become  so  essencial  to  the  preservation  of  our  most  ordi- 
nary interests.  To  say  that  communication  between  the  different 
Towns  in  this  County  is  in  a  great  measure  cut  off  unless  to  strong 
and  well  armed  parties,  would  be  merely  stating  a  fact  which  we  pre- 
sume is  already  well  known  to  your  Excell^,  and  the  Territory  at 
large,  but  to  say  that  our  very  Towns  are  frequently  insulted  by  the 
presence  of  the  savages  that  lives  are  sacrificed  and  property  de- 
spoiled in  their  inmost  squares  and  in  the  light  of  day,  would  prob- 
ably present  to  your  Excell^.  our  truly  helpless  condition  in  a  new 
and  pitiable  light.  Our  claims  upon  your  ExcelK  and  the  Territory 
at  large  are  many  and  strong  more  so  than  those  of  any  other  people 
over  whom  the  United  States  Government  holds  sway.  In  no  part  of 
all  the  vast  Territory;  our  Government  holds  is  her  great  name  in- 
sulted so  constantly  and  with  such  perfect  impunity  as  Tiere^  in  this 
our  County  of  Socorro,  and  our  feelings  as  Citizens,  as  well  as  our 
more  selfish  interests  as  holders  of  property  are  alike  insulted, 
wronged  and  unrevenged. 

The  shallow  hope  with  which  we  have  been  so  often  deceived,  that 
of  efficient  protection  on  the  part  of  the  U.  S.  Troops  has  also  de- 
serted us,  for  recent  circumstances  have  proved  them  both  at  Fort 
Conrad  and  Fort  Fillmore  to  be  incapable  of  affording  the  necessary 
protection  to  their  own  lives  and  property.  The  partial  destruction 
and  complete  rout  of  the  Dragoon  Escort  on  the  Jornada,  the  driv- 
ing off  of  Dr.  M  Stake's  mules  within  one  mile  of  Conrad  and  a 
similar  occurrance  at  Fort  Fillmore  together  with  many  other  in- 
f-lances  of  murder  and  rapine  that  have  made  the  last  few  weeks  a 
time  of  Terror,  have  utterly  destroyed  the  little  hope  we  ever  derived 
from  the  presence  of  Troops  in  this  Country,  the  more  so  as  none  of 
these  indignities  have  been  followed  by  a  single  instance  of  chastiz- 
ment. 

If  such  is  the  state  of  things  with  regard  to  the  well  armed  and  well 
fed  Troops  upon  whom  we  have  hitherto  relied  as  upon  a  broken 

1  Enclosure  of  Calhoun  to  Sumner,  February  11,  1852. 
5021—15 31 


482  COEEESPONDEKCE    OF    JAMES   S.   CALHOUN. 

reed,  your  Excl^.  can  imagine  the  condition  of  an  unarmed  and  de- 
fenceless population  situated  many  miles  away  from  the  far  scattered 
Fort.a.  There  is  not  a  Town  or  Villiage  in  this  County  that  has  not 
lately  suffered  to  a  greater  or  less  extent  losses  of  Animals,  princip- 
ally Beasts  of  Burthen  and  animals  used  in  Agriculture,  and  to  such 
an  alarming  height  has  this  state  of  things  arisen,  that  it  has  become 
the  universal  cry  of  a  dispairing  people,  that  unless  a  sudden  and 
stringent  remedy  be  found,  the  Demon  of  Famine  will  follow  in  the 
hideous  footsteps  of  the  savage  and  fill  the  bitter  measure  of  our 
greifs  to  overflowing  ...  To  your  Excel^.  as  our  only  remaining 
hope  and  stay,  as  the  only  Beacon  to  which  we  look  from  amids't  our 
many  calamities  we  now  direct  our  earnest  prayer  that  your  Excel^'s. 
earnest  attention  may  be  directed  to  our  immediate  and  effectual  re- 
leif  and  that  the  Knowledge  of  our  deplorable  condition  may  be  the 
cause  of  measures  that  may  bring  about  the  chastisement  of  a  bar- 
barous enimy,  pampered  by  long  impunity  and  restore  to  a  people 
from  whom  all  sence  of  security  has  fled  a  firm  and  lasting  peace. 

The  binding  Laws,  consequent  upon  impressions  officially  conveyed, 
that  we  w^ere  at  peace  with  all  the  Indian  Tribes  by  whom  our  Ter- 
ritory is  surrounded,  and  the  unarmed  state  of  a  great  portion  of 
our  people,  render  us  by  ourselves  entirely  helpless  and  incapable  of 
action,  but  these  difficulties  once  removed  we  could  quickly  prove 
our  Title  as  Citizens  of  the  Great  Nation  to  which  we  belong  and 
by  prompt  action  against  the  Indians  at  once  redress  our  Injuries 
and  once  more  call  our  Homes  our  own.  In  the  sincere  hope  and 
trust  that  through  your  Ecel^s.  instrumentality  a  remidy  for  our 
many  misfortunes  may  at  length  be  found  and  what  be  otherwise  a 
flourishing  Country  saved  from  utter  ruin. 

Your  Petitioners  will  ever  pray  &c. 

By  a  referrance  to  the  Original  Petition  your  Excels,  will  find 
but  a  small  number  of  signatures  in  comparison  with  the  inhabitants 
of  the  County,  this  is  explained  by  the  fact  that  but  2  Towns  have 
:^igned,  it  being  considered  unnecessary  to  obtain  a  greater  number. 
Among  them,  your  Excels,  will  recognize  the  names  of  almost  all 
the  leading  people  of  the  County.  Since  the  Petition  has  been 
signed  it  has  come  to  our  Knowledge  that  the  ravages  of  the  Indians 
are  being  carried  on  to  as  daring  an  extent  as  ever.  In  Valencia 
County  three  extensive  herds  of  Animals  have  been  carried  off,  and 
in  this  County  a  Team  belonging  to  Mr.  A  Constante  recently  return- 
ing from  the  Copper  Mines  has  been  completely  destroyed. — 
Signed  bv  143  residents  of  Socorro  County. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES    S.    CALHOUN.  483 

[CALHOUN  TO   OVERMAN.^] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

Feb  25th  1852 
Sir 

Reposing  special  trust  and  confidence  in  you  as  a  worthy  and  in- 
teligent  Citizen  you  are  hereby  appointed  Special  Indian  Agent  and 
you  will  for  the  present  establish  yourself  at  Socorro,  or  other  more 
convenient  point  where  you  will  be  able  to  watch  the  movements  of 
the  Apache  Indians  and  ascertain  if  possible  their  purposes  towards 
the  people  of  this  Territory  and  keep  me  frequently  advised  in  rela- 
tion to  all  matters  that  may  come  to  your  Knowledge  of  importance. 
There  are  no  traders  allowed  to  go  into  the  Apache  Country,  west 
of  the  Rio  del  Norte,  and  as  such  you  will  use  eviy  effort  in  your 
power  to  inforce  the  laws  of  the  United  States,  regulating  trade  and 
intercourse  with  the  Indians  under  the  jurisdiction  of  said  States. 
A  copy  in  English  and  Spanish  of  the  laws  alluded  to  above  are  here- 
with enclosed. 

You  will  also  report  to  me  at  evry  convenient  opportunity,  the 
movements  of  the  United  States  troops,  and  their  successes  against 
the  aforesaid  Apache  Indians  and  the  probability  of  their  chastising 
and  subduing  them.  As  an  officer  of  the  Government,  it  becomes 
your  duty,  to  notify  the  Executive  of  all  infractions  of  the  law  and 
of  all  evidences  you  may  obtain  in  refference  to  combinations  that 
you  may  suppose  ar  designed  to  disturb  the  public  tranquility. 

You  will  be  allowed  one  hundred  and  twenty  nine  dollars  and  six- 
teen and  two  third  cents  per  month  as  compensation  for  your  serv- 
ices. You  will  also  be  allowed  Forage  for  one  animal,  and  you  will 
be  careful  to  take  Duplicate  Vouchers  for  all  purchases  of  forage. 
Should  you  deem  it  adviseable  to  send  an  Express  to  me,  make  a  con- 
tract with  the  Expressman  stating  the  precise  amount  to  be  paid, 
and  if  he  arrives  in  the  time  contracted  for  he  shall  be  paid  here. 

If  it  should  be  discovered  that  the  aforesaid  Indians  have  been 
severely  and  sufficiently  chastised  to  authorise  the  superintendent  of 
Indian  affairs  in  this  Territory  to  open  negociations  with  said  In- 
dians you  will  without  a  moments  delay  advise  me  of  the  fact. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be 

Your  Obedient  Servant 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Supt.  Ind.  Afrs. 
Mr,  Chas.  Overman 

Socon^o, 

Neio  Mexico 


iQ.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  N  34. 


.$25.  00 
30.00 
13.13 

68. 18 

$167.  37 
60.00 

484  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[CALHOUN  TO  LEA.'] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fb'  New  Mexico 

February  28,  1862. 
Sir 

Your  letter  of  the  10th  of  December  in  reference  to  Genl  Choice 
has  been  received. 

At  the  time  of  Genl  Choice's  death  I  had  advanced  to  him  the  sum 
of  $388.78.  which  were  allowed  to  me  by  the  Department  on  the  settle- 
ment of  my  accounts,  all  of  this  money  I  am  satisfied  that  the 
amount  above  mentioned  was  laid  out  by  Genl  Choice  in  travelling 
and  other  necessary  expenses  connected  with  the  Agency,  and  in  my 
opinion  should  not  be  included  as  a  portion  of  his  compensation.  The 
following  account  will  show  the  state  of  his  affairs  after  his  death. 
Sale  of  the  effects  of  Genl  Choice,  amounting  to  $235.  50 

Amt  paid  E.  M.  Kern,  of  Abiquin 
"         "      Dr  Wiits5 

"      Beck  &  Brent,  Santa  Fe' 

Amount  due  estate  of  Genl  Choice 
One  Gold  watch  on  hand  valued  at 

$227.  37 
In  my  opinion  General  Choice  should  be  compensated  for  his  serv- 
ices at  the  highest  rates  that  are  paid  to  Indian  Agents  in  this  Terri- 
tory. From  "the  9th  of  Decbr  1849  to  the  14th  Septr  1850,  the  date 
of  his  death  he  performed  the  duties  of  his  office  in  a  manner  which 
was  satisfactory  to  all,  and  deserves  an  adequate  comjDensation  for 
his  labors. 

The  within  account  shows  the  balance  due  the  estate  of  Genl  Choice, 
after  deducting  the  amount  of  $388  78  allowed  me  by  the  Department 
Very  Respectfully 

Your  Obedt  Servant  J.  S.  Calhoun 

Hon  Luke  Lea 

Commr  Ind  Affs 

Washingt07i  City 
D  C. 

[CALHOUN   TO    LEA.'] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe'  New  Mexico 

February  28.  1852 
Sir 

Your  four  letters  of  the  17th  &  18th  and  one  of  the  29th  of  Decem- 
ber 1851,  acknowledging  the  receipt  and  payment  of  certain  drafts 
drawn  on  you  in  favor  of  various  persons,  have  been  received. 

I  O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Snpy.,  X  I'G.  =  Ibid.,  N  30. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S:  CALHOUN.  485 

With  many  thanks  for  _your  kindness  and  promptitude  in  honoring 
them,  I  beg  leave 
to  remain 

Your  Obedt  Servant  J,  S.  Calhoun 

Hon  L.  Lea 

Commr  of  Ind  Afs. 

Washington  City  i 

D.  'C.  I 

[CALHOUN   TO  WEBSTER.']  1 

Executive  Department  i 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

February  29, 1852. 
Sir 

I  deem  it  my  duty  to  enclose  to  you  the  accompanying  petition 
from  the  Citizens  of  Socorro,  and  a  correspondence  in  reference  to 
its  contents,  with  Col.  Sumner.  It  gives  me  pain  to  have  to  forward 
you  the  above  mentioned  documents,  but  the  condition  of  the  in- 
habitants of  this  Territory  absolutely  demands  that  the  Government 
of  the  United  States  should  be  made  aware  of  the  evil  and  the  con- 
stant dangers  which  surround  us.  The  troops  of  the  United  States 
are  at  present  totaly  useless,  on  account  of  the  inability  of  the  of  the 
mounted  men  to  perform  their  duty,  the  feeble  and  half  starved  con- 
dition of  their  horses  will  not  allow  them  to  travel,  and  Infantry  is 
of  no  use  whatever  in  checking  Indians  who  are  Avell  mounted  and 
whose  animals  are  in  the  best  order,  Since  the  date  of  the  above 
correspondence  the  Indians  have  become  bolder  and  bolder,  and  not 
content  with  the  murders  and  robberies  they  have  already  committed, 
we  receive  daily  information  of  new  outrages  and  murders  com- 
mitted by  them.  Such  is  the  daring  of  the  Apache  Indians  that  they 
openly  attack  our  truops  and  force  them  to  retreat,  or  become  vic- 
tims to  the  scalping  knife  of  the  savages.  Parties  are  being  entirely 
cut  off  on  the  Jornada,  between  Fort  Conrad  and  Fort  Fillmore; 
between  these  points  an  Escort  affords  no  longer  any  protection. 
The  mail  from  San  Elizario,  which  reached  here  last  evening,  was 
attacked  on  the  Jornada,  by  the  Apaches,  an  Escort  of  ten  men  was 
furnished  them  from  Fort  Conrad,  of  which  one  man  was  killed  and 
two  wounded  in  the  encounter.  The  San  Antonio  mail  is  entirely 
cut  off,  to  a  man,  the  only  remains  found  of  the  bloody  struggle, 
were  the  irons  of  the  carriage  and  the  bones  of  the  men  in  charge. 
Such  Sir,  are  the  reports  which  reach  us  from  day  to  day,  and  it  is  a 
lamentable  fact  that  they  are  increasing  rapidly,  to  such  an  extent, 
that  if  such  outrages  continue  much  longer,  our  Territory,  instead 


IB.  I.  A.,  M.  L.,  February,  1852.     The  signature  only  of  this  letter  is  in  the  hand- 
writing of  Calhoun. 


486  CORKESrONDKXCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

of  becoining  settled  with  an  industrious  and  thriving  popuhition. 
will  be  left  a  howling  wilderness,  with  no  other  inhabitants  than 
the  wolf,  and  the  birds  of  prey  hovering  over  the  mangled  remains 
cf  our  murdered  countrymen.  It  would  not  be  improper  to  inform 
you  that  a  train  of  wagons  loaded  with  government  freight  from 
Fort  Fillmore  to  the  Copper  Mines,  has  also  been  cut  off,  the  team- 
sters alone  escaping;  it  is  also  rumored  that  an  exploring  expedition 
which  started  from  this  place  on  the  25th  of  January,  to  the  Gila 
river,  has  also  been  cut  off,  of  this  rumor  we  have  as  yet  no  con- 
firmation, and  we  all  sincerely  hope  that  it  may  prove  nothing  more 
than  a  rumor.  What  is  most  to  be  regretted  is,  that  not  one  single 
act  of  the  Indians  has  been  chastised,  while  all  these  sad  occurrences 
are  being  committed  in  the  immediate  vecinity  of  where  the  U.  S. 
troops  are  stationed.  You  are  aware,  Sir  that  our  Territory  is  sur- 
I'ounded  by  Indians,  on  all  sides,  and  that  with  the  exception  of  the 
Gila  Apaches,  they  are  in  a  perfect  state  of  quietude,  and  bid  fair  to 
become  useful  and  valuable  neighbors,  but  if  these  Gila  Indians  are 
not  chastised,  for  their  depredations  and  murders,  and  that  at  a  verj^ 
early  day,  the  consequence  will  be,  that  all  our  neighboring  Indians 
will  follow  in  their  footsteps,  and  you  will  easily  imagine  the  results. 
In  conclusion.  Sir,  your  better  judgement  will  suggest  the  means  by 
which  the  heart  rending  calamity,  which  hangs  over  us,  may  be 
averted,  and  we  feel  confident  that  the  Administration  will  promptly 
use  all  the  means  at  its  command,  to  afford  us  all  the  protection  we 
require,  and  secure  for  us  a  lasting  peace  with  our  Indian  neighbors. 
With  the  highest  consideration 
I  have  the  honor  to  be 

Very  Respectfully 

Your  Obedient  Servant, 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Hon  Daniel  Websfer 

Seerefary  of  State 

Washington  City 
B.C. 

[CALHOUN  TO   LEA.'] 

;  Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe'  New  Mexico 

Fehruary  W  1852 

Sir 

It  is  with  sincere  regret  that  I  have  to  continue  enumerating  deeds 
of  murder  and  rapine  committed  by  the  Apache  Indians  on  the 
western  borders  of  the  Rio  del  Norte     During  the  early  part  of  this 


O.  I.  a.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  N  84. 


\ 


COKRESPONDENOE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  487 

month  a  train  of  Wagons  belonging  to  Mr  Constante,  loaded  with 
stores  for  Fort  Webster,  at  the  Copper  Mines  was  attacked  by  the 
Indians,  the  mules  all  Killed  or  driven  off,  the  wagons  plundered  of 
their  contents,  and  destroyed,  the  teamsters  alone  escaping  after 
making  all  the  resistance  in  their  power.  A  few  da^^s  after,  a  party 
of  men,  it  is  said  under  the  command  of  Maj  Eichardson  started  in 
pursuit  of  the  Indians,  who  had  murdered  a  Mexican  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  El  Paso,  two  sergeants  and  a  Corporal  were  in  advance  of 
the  company  when  the  Indians  sprung  from  an  ambush,  butchered 
them  before  the  eyes  of  the  men.  and  forced  the  Company  to  retreat. 
The  Rev  Juan  F.  Ortiz,  Vicar  of  the  Territory,  while  on  his  way  to 
this  place  from  the  State  of  Durango  had  all  his  animals  stolen  from 
him,  at  the  Pass.  The  mail  from  El  Paso  was  attacked  on  the  Jor- 
nada, while  in  company  with  an  Escort  from  Fort  Fillmore,  two  of 
the  soldiers  were  Killed  and  one  wounded,  a  mexican  who  was  in  the 
party  started  back  to  convey  information  to  the  post,  but  he  was 
overtaken  by  the  Indians,  Killed  and  scalped.  The  Pass  mail  also 
reports  that  the  San  Antonio  mail  is  entirely  cut  off  and  not  one  man 
remaining  to  tell  the  sad  tale.  Several  animals  have  been  driven  off 
from  Mr.  Whites  plantation  at  Frontera.  It  is  also  rumored  that 
an  exploring  expedition  which  started  from  this  place  on  the  25th  of 
Jany  for  the  Gila  has  also  been  completely  destroyed,  a  mexican 
alone  escaping,  this  rumor  however  is  not  confirmed  and  may  turn 
out  to  be  false.  These  wholesale  robberies  and  murders  are  of  such 
uninten-upted  continuance,  that  the  inhabitants  of  this  Territory 
are  in  a  state  bordering  on  despair,  and  Know  not  where  to  ask  for 
aid.  They  have  no  arms  or  other  means  to  defend  themselves,  their 
only  remedy  is  in  flight,  or  submit  patiently  to  see  their  firesides  re- 
duced to  ashes,  their  wives  and  children  borne  away  into  captivity 
and  themselves  submitted  to  the  horrid  death  of  the  Scalping  Knife. 

I  was  informed  by  the  Hon  Secretary  of  State  that  until  I  should 
receive  further  instructions,  my  correspondence  as  Governor  of  the 
Territory'  should  be  addressed  to  that  Department.  I  have  for- 
warded to  liim  this  day  a  petition  addressed  to  me  by  the  Citi- 
zens of  Socorro,  and  my  correspondence  with  Col.  Sumner  on  the 
subject,  and  as  I  desire  you  to  be  fully  informed  of  the  condition  of 
our  Indian  relations,  I  beg  leave  to  accompany  a  copy  of  the  above 
mentioned  documents. 

If  Col.  Sumner  had  furnished  me  with  the  arms  and  necessary  ac- 
coutrements requested  in  my  letter  to  him,  it  was  my  intention  to 
have  armed  the  Militia,  take  the  feild  in  person  and  see  for  myself 
that  the  hostile  Indians  were  chastised  into  obedience  or  have  them 
entirelv  exterminated. 


488  COKEESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES    S.    CALHOUN. 

The  Apaches  east  of  the  Kio  del  Norte  have  committed  no  depre- 
dations that  we  can  complain  of  since  May  1851,  at  which  time  I 
celebrated  a  treaty  with  them.  I  am  however  advised  that  these  In- 
dians are  being  tampered  with,  and  are  becoming  restless.  They  have 
been  taught  to  beleive  that  the  Government  of  the  United  States  and 
especially  their  Superintendent  who  should  take  care  of  and  provide 
for  them,  consider  them  a  poor,  worthless  and  degraded  race  of  be- 
ings, unworthy  of  presents  or  notice,  that  the  Utah  Indians  are  a  great 
people  and  that  the  Navajoes  are  a  great  people,  and  that  on  that 
account  large  presents  are  being  made  to  them.  I  have,  therefore, 
determined,  rather  than  to  have  the  road  to  the  United  States  closed 
against  ingress  or  egress,  to  call  these  Indians  together  on  or  about 
the  15th  of  March  and  assume  the  responsibility  of  giving  them 
provisions  and  presents  to  as  limited  an  extent  as  possible  without 
endangering  the  end  to  be  attained. 

No  Indians  could  have  behaved  better  for  the  last  two  years,  than 
the  Utahs,  they  are  desirous  and  are  constantly  inviting,  all  Ameri- 
cans, except  those  who  are  endeavouring  to  take  forcible  possession 
of  their  lands  to  come  out  and  trade  with  them. 

The  Navajos  seem  to  be  perfectly  tranquil  and  contented,  they 
have  not  committed  a  depredation,  that  I  know  of  since  the  18th  of 
October  last.  Traders  are  now  travelling  alone,  or  in  parties  of  two 
and  three  in  every  direction  of  their  Territory,  and  report  that  the 
Indians  are  Kind,  generous  and  hospitable,  and  manifest  every  feel- 
ing of  friendship. 

On  the  1st  inst,  in  consequence  of  the  efforts  of  mischevious  and 
evil  intentioned  persons  at  Jemez  and  its  vicinity,  to  interfere  with 
the  Navajo  Indians,  I  deemed  it  advisable  to  appoint  Major  General 
S.  M.  Baird  Special  Agent  for  the  Navajo  Indians,  to  be  located  at 
Jemez,  he  is  allowed  an  Interpreter,  and  forage  for  two  animals  and 
the  pay  authorized  by  law  to  Agents  and  Interpreters  in  this  Terri- 
tory. The  vigorous  measures  adopted  by  him  have  already  produced 
their  fruit,  these  mischevious  persons  are  now  doubtless  afloat  in 
some  other  quarters. 

In  consequence  of  my  inability  to  receive  any  Official  information, 
and  deeming  it  of  the  utmost  importance  to  be  well  advised  of  the 
circumstances  transpiring  in  the  lower  portion  of  this  Territory,  I 
have  appointed  Mr  Charles  Overman,  Special  Agent  for  that  region, 
he  is  to  receive  the  same  pay  as  other  Agents,  he  is  not  allowed  an 
Interpreter,  as  he  stands  in  no  need  of  any,  but  I  have  allowed  him 
forage  for  one  animal.  I  herewith  accompany  a  copy  of  his  commis- 
sion and  the  instructions  given  him. 

The  Pueblo  Indians  continue  in  their  usual  state  of  quietude,  and 
none  are  disturbed  but  those  complaining  of  wrongs  committed  by 


COERESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  489 

Mexicans  and  Americans,  differences  between  the  Pueblos  and  the 
Mexicans  will  continue  until  the  end  of  time  unless  t]ie  Government 
of  the  United  States  shall  provide  for  their  adjustment.  I  allude  in 
part  to  questions  of  land :  I  am  compelled  almost  daily  to  hear  com- 
plaints of  Mexicans  against  the  Indians,  in  regard  to  property,  and 
deem  it  of  the  utmost  importance  that  the  Government  of  the  United 
States  should  take  the  proper  steps  to  bring  about  a  speedy  adjust- 
ment of  these  vexed  questions. 

In  conclusion  allow  me  to  inform  you,  that  for  the  last  two  months, 
I  have  been  scarcely  able,  and  at  times  utterly  unable  to  discharge 
my  duties,  and  even  now  I  am  compelled  to  employ  a  friend  to  assist 
me  as  an  amanuensis.  My  physician  has  informed  me,  that  in  my 
feeble  and  exhausted  condition  I  must  leave  the  annoyances,  vexa- 
tions  and  duties  of  my  post  for  the  present,  and  consequently,  un- 
less the  next  mail  should  bring  peremptory  orders  or  instructions 
requiring  my  immediate  presence  I  shall  leave  this  place  on  or  about 
the  1st  of  April  next  for  the  United  States. 
Very  Respectfully 

Your  Obedient  Servant. 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Hon  L.  Lea. 

Gonimr  Ind  AJfs. 

Washington  City 

D  C. 

[CALHOUN  TO   LEA.'] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe  Neav  Mexico 

February  29,  1852 
Sir 

On  yesterday  I  received  a  note  from  John  Greiner  Esq  Indian 
Agent,  notifying  me  that  he  had  been  advised,  by  you  that  his  returns 
for  the  quarter  ending  September  30  1851,  had  not  been  received  by 
you,  within  the  time  prescribed  by  law,  and  that  in  consequence  of 
which  he  had  been  reported  to  the  President  &c 

A  few  words  of  explanation,  will  be  sufficient  to  exhonerate  Mr. 
Greiner  from  an}^  blame  that  may  be  attached  to  him  in  reference  to 
the  matter.  In  consequence  of  not  receiving  any  funds  from  the  De- 
partment for  Contingencies,  he  was  supplied  by  me,  from  the  funds 
in  my  hands  applicable  to  that  purpose,  at  the  end  of  the  quarter  his 
returns  were  handed  to  me.  By  referring  to  my  abstract  for  the 
quarter  ending  Septbr  30th  you  will  perceive  that  his,  as  well  as 
Agent  Wingfields  returns  are  included  as  vouchers  in  my  Abstract, 


O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  N  28. 


490  CORRESPONDEXCE    OF    JAMES    S.    CALHOUN. 

;md  accounts  for  money  drawn  on  the  Department  for  contingencies. 
In  the  absence  of  instructions  from  the  Department  I  deemed  this  the 
most  advisable  course  to  pursue.  If  there  was  any  error  in  the  affair 
it  was  mine,  not  Mr.  Greiners.  and  pray  you  that  the  information 
conveyed  to  the  President  may  be  immediately  recalled.  Mr. 
Greiners  services  as  Indian  Agent,  have  been  of  the  greatest  service 
m  this  Territory,  indeed,  without  him,  I  could  not  have  discharged 
with  satisfaction,  my  duties  as  Indian  Superintdt. 

I  trust  therefore  that  the  matter  will  be  adjusted  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible, and  Mr  Greiner  be  informed  that  the  complaint  has  been  with- 
drawn, and  that  his  returns  have  given  entire  satisfaction. 
Very  Respectfully 

Your  Obedient  Servant 

J.  S.  Cai.houn 
Hon.  L.  I^KA 

Com/rm\  Ind  Affs. 

^V  ashing  ton  City 
D.  6'. 

[CALHOUN  TO   LEA.'] 

ExECDTiVE  Department 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

February  29, 1852. 
Sir 

Your  letter  of  the  20th  Decbr  1851,  acknowledging  the  receipt  of 
Agent  Greiners  report,  that  of  the  29th  advising  me  that  the  Hon. 
J.  R  Tullis  account  has  been  settled,  and  that  of  the  7th  of  January 
1852  acknowledging  the  receipt  of  my  letter  of  the  21)th  October 
1851,  and  authorizing  me  to  draw  on  you  for  the  $500  allowed  to 
Agents  Weightman  and  Wingfeild,  have  been  received,  and  shall 
avail  myself  of  the  authority  theirin  contained. 
Very  Respectfully 

Your  Obedt  Servant 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Hon  L.  Lea 

Commr  Ind  Affs 

Washington  City 

[CALHOUN    TO    LEA.] 

Executive  Depart^ient 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

February  29,  1852. 
Sir 

I  have  this  day  drawn  on  you,  in  favor  of  Wm  S  McKnight  Esq. 
for  Six  hundred  and  Sixty  three  08/100  Dollars,  payable  at  sight. 

^  O.  I.  A..  New  Mexico  Supy.,  N  29.  =  Ibid.,  N  31. 


COEEESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUX.  491 

The  amount  of  this  draft  is  the  balance  due  this  Superintendency 
on  the  quarter  ending  December  31.  1851,  and  of  which  I  advised  you 
in  my  letter  of  the  2d  inst. 

Hoping  it  may  be  duly  honored  and  paid,  I  beg  leave  to  remain 
Very  Respectfully 

Your  Obedient  Servant 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Supt.  Ind.  Aifa 
Hon  L.  Lea 

Gommr  Ind  Affs 

Washington  City 
D.  C 

[LEA  TO  CALHOUN.'] 

Department  of  the  Interior, 

Office  Indian  Affairs 

Marclx  U:  1852. 
Calhoun,  His  Excy :  J.  S. 

Gov.  C&G 
Santa  Fe  N.  Mexico 
Sir, 

The  accounts,  for  the  4th  quarter  of  the  past  year,  of  Agents  Grei- 
ner  &  Woolley,  transmitted  with  your  letters  of  the  28th  January, 
have  been  received,  together  with  your  communication  of  the  31st, 
respecting  the  double  payment  of  salary  to  the  latter. 
Very  respectfully.  Your  Obt  Svt 

L.  Lea 
Commr: 

[CALHOUN    TO    LEA."] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

March  17, 1852. 
Sir 

I  have  this  day  drawn  on  you  in  favor  of  M""  John  R  Wells,  or 
order,  for  Five  hundred  Dollars  payable  at  sight,  being  amount  for 
contingencies  allowed  to  E.  H.  Wingfield  Esq,  and  authorized  to  be 
drawn  by  me,  in  your  letter  of  the  7th  January  1852 
Very  Respectfully 

Your  Obedient  Servant 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Hon.  L.  Lea 

Gomm/  of  Ind  Afs 

Washington  City 

D.G. 


«  O.  I.  a.,  L.  B.,  No.  45,  p.  480.  « O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  C  109. 


492  CORRESPONDENCE   OE    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[CALHOUN   TO   LEA.^] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

March  17,  ISdH. 
Sib 

I  have  this  day  drawn  on  you  in  favor  of  M""  John  R.  Wells,  or 
order,  for  Five  hundred  Dollars  payable  at  sight,  being  amount  of 
contingencies  allowed  to  Major  R.  H.  Weightman,  and  authorized  to 
be  drawn  by  me,  in  your  letter  of  the  Tth  of  January  1852. 
Very  respectfully 

Your  Obedient  Servant 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Hon.  L.  Lea 

GomrrV'  of  hid  Ajfs. 

Washington  City 

D.C. 

[LEA  TO  CALHOUN.'] 

Department  of  the  Intk 

Office  Indian  Affairs 

March  18th  185'^. 
Calhoun,  His  Exey,  J.  S. 

Governor  &c. 

Santa  Fe, 

New  Mexico. 
Sir, 

The  accounts  transmitted  with  your  two  letters  of  the  31st  Janu- 
ary, and  one  of  the  2d.  February,  have  been  received. 
Very  respectfully. 

Your  Obt  Svt 

L.  Lea 
Comm/r: 

[SUMNER  TO  CALHOUN.'] 

Copy 

Hd  Qrs  9th  Department 
NEAR  Albuquerque  New  Mexico 

March  ?Ast  1852. 
Governor 

I  regret  to  learn  from  Mr.  Merritt  *  that  the  Gila  Apaches  have  been 
committing  depredations  at  San  Antonio,  the  place  where  this  war 
originated,  and  thereabout.     I  have  ordered  a  movement  of  troops 


1  O.  I..  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  C  90. 

«0.  I.  A.,  L.  B.,  No.  45,  p.  494. 

3  A.  G.  O.,  Department  of  New  Mexico,  vol.  8,  p.  180. 

*  Probably  C.  H.  Merritt,  the  same  who,  on  September  9,  1851,  applied  to  Secretary 
Stuart  for  the  position  of  Indian  Agent  in  the  place  of  R.  H.  Weightman.  See  O.  I.  A., 
New  Mexico  Supn,  M  1542. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN.  493 

in  that  direction,  and  I  will  issue  to  you  100  stands  of  arms,  with 
ammunition,  for  the  use  of  the  people  in  that  vicinity,  if  you  think 
proper  to  receive  them.  As  I  can  have  no  control  over  these  arms 
after  they  are  put  into  the  hands  of  citizens,  I  shall,  of  course,  be 
obliged  to  turn  them  over  to  you.  Colonel  Brooks  has  been  ordered  ^ 
to  make  the  issue,  on  your  application 
With  high  respect 

Your  obt  Serv*^ 

E.  V.  Sumner 
Bvt  Col  U.  S.  A. 

Comg  Deft. 
His  Excy 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

[Related  Correspondence.] 

[SUMNER  TO  BROOKS.^] 

Head  Qrs  9th  Dept 
Near  AlbuquerquS  N.  M 

Mar  21/52 

«30L 

If  the  Governor  should  apply  to  you  for  arms,  I  wish  you  to  issue  to  him 
SOO  flint  lock  muskets,  in  good  firing  order,  100  cartridge  boxes  &  belts   (old 
pattern)  and  5000  buk  and  ball  cartridges    My  express  will  go  up  on  the  24th. 
The  Govr  will,  of  course,  receipt  to  you  for  these  things,  as  I  can  have  no 
<"ontrol  over  them  after  they  are  put  into  the  hands  of  citizens. 
Very  Respectfully 
Yours 

[E.  V.  Sumner! 
Lt  Col  H  Brooks 

Cornel g  at 

Santa  Fe 
(Give  them  300  flints) 

[SUMNER    TO    BROOKS."] 

Head  Quarters,  9th  Dept: 

Near  Albuquerque  N.  M. 

April  3d  1852. 
Lieut.  Col.  H.  Brooks 
Colonel, 

Please  say  to  the  Governor  that  I  will  have  the  100  old  pattern  muskets 
brought  from  Fort  Union  as  soon  as  possible  if  he  wants  them.  I  presume 
these  muskets  will  be  much  better  for  the  Mexicans  than  the  others,  as  they  are 
imaccustomed  to  the  percussion  lock. 

If  the  Governor  wants  these  arms,  please  write  immediately  to  Cap't:  Shoe- 
maker and  say  to  him,  from  me,  that  I  wish  him  to  send  them  to  you. 
Very  respectfully 

B  V  Sumner 
Bvt:  Col:  USA 

Comdg.  Dept: 

1  See  Sumner  to  Brooks.  March  21,  1852,  and  also  April  3,  1852. 

"  A.  G.  A.,  Old  Book,  No.  5A. 

« A.  G.  O.,  Department  of  New  Mexico,  Dp.  202-203. 


r. 


494  COERESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[GREINER  TO  CALHOUN.^] 

1852 
Santa  P'p:  New  Mexico  31  arch  £6 
Hon.  J.  S.  Calhoun 

Governor  &  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs  New  Mexico 
Sir 

Since  my  last  Keport  on  the  condition  of  the  Pueblo  ^  Indians  lo- 
cated in  the  Rio  Abajo  * — I  have  visited  the  Pueblos  on  the  Rio 
Arriba.* 

The  Taos, — Pieuris, — San  Juan, — Santa  Clara— San  Ildefonso — 
Pojoaque,— Nambe,  &  Tesiique,  Pueblos  have  all  been  erected  within, 
or  near  the  Valley  of  the  Rio  Del  Norte  North  of  Santa  Fe. 

It  Avill  be  unnecessary  to  enter  into  the  particulars  of  the  many 
complaints  made  in  the  different  Councils  held  with  these  people — as 
they  are  of  the  same  character  made  in  my  former  Report. 

They  respectfully  ask  that  the  Documents  relating  to  the  owner- 
ship of  their  lands  may  be  translated,  and  investigated — their  boun 
daries  fixed — and  that  they  may  be  protected  from  the  depredations 
of  their  Mexican  Neighbors. 

The  Pueblo  of  Taos  lies  in  the  Taos  Valley  80  miles  north  of  Santa 
Fe  and  is  one  of  the  best  in  the  Territory.  The  population  is  about 
five  or  Six  hundred  and  althougli  they  have  been  much  annoyed  by  the 
Mexicans  taking  water  from  their  Acequias — and  grazing  their  Stock 
upon  the  Pueblo  pasture  lands,  they  have  but  few  complaints  to  make, 
and  appear  prosperous  contented  and  happy. 

Col.  Sumner  kindly  furnished  me  with  an  order  for  "  a  Sack  of 
winter  wheat — some  barley — and  a  few  garden  seeds"  for  plant- 
ing— which  order  I  have  transferred  to  the  principal  Men  of  thi? 
Pueblo,  as  being  the  most  competent  to  make  the  experiment. 

A  Spanish  school  for  children  is  now  in  successful  operation — 
about  twenty  five  children  being  in  daily  attendance  nearly  all  of 
whom  know  their  letters — and  several  of  them  can  read. 

I  have  furnished  Books  for  the  use  of  this  school— (as  well  as  for 
several  others) — and  have  promised  to  pay  for  the  schooling  of  such 
Indian  children,  whose  parents  are  too  poor  to  bear  the  expense. 

I  trust  your  P^xcellency  will  consider  this  item  of  my  contingent 
fund  well  expended. 

If  a  Smith  Shop  could  be  established  here  for  the  use  of  this  and 
the  Pieuris  Pueblos,  it  would  be  of  much  service  to  the  Indians. 

The  Eutaws  regard  the  people  of  the  Taos  Pueblo  as  their  especial 
friends— and  place  the  most  implicit  confidence  in  them. 


»  O.  1.  A.,  New  Mexico  Sup^.,  N  30. 
-  Note  also  Greiner's  report  to  Lea. 

*  Rio  Abajo,   tlie  country  below   Santa   F'o. 

*  Rio  .\rriba,  the  country  above  Santa  Fe. 


OOKRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  495 

The  Pueblo  of  Picuris  lies  at  the  South  East  side  of  the  Taos 
Mountain  in  a  snug  little  Valley  on  the  L.  Embuda  Creek,  about  15 
miles  East  of  the  Kio  Del  Norte  and  is  a  favorite  resort  of  the  Jica- 
rillas  Apaches. 

This  Pueblo  is  in  a  ruinous  condition,  many  of  the  Buildings  are 
falling  down,  and  it  will  be  but  a  few  years  untill  they  cease  to  exist 
as  a  people. 

The  population  at  present  is  about  100  and  decreasing  rapidly. 

The  Pueblo  of  San  Juan  is  built  on  the  road  leading  from  Santa  Fe 
to  Taos — about  half  way  from  either  place — and  about  one  mile  from 
the  Rio  Del  Norte. 

Thei*  Acequias  are  in  good  order  — thei^=  lands  under  line  cultiva- 
people  have 
tion — and  they  have  but  few  grievances   to  complaio 

of.    The  population  is  about  400,  and  is  one  of  the  few  Pueblos  that 
is 
ttfe  increasing  in  numbers. 

During  the  summer  season  the  children  are  engaged  in  herding  the 
stock,  in  which  capacity  their  services  cannot  be  dispensed  with — 
But  next  winter  it  is  the  intention  of  the  Principal  Men  in  the  Pueblo 
to  establish  a  school.  This  is  an  excellent  Pueblo,  and  every  thing 
in  connection  with  it  is  well  conducted 

Santa  Clara  lies  on  the  West  Bank  of  the  Rio  Del  Norte  30  miles 
north  of  Santa  Fe,  is  well  built  and  has  a  population  of  about  350 

The  lands  are  too  high  to  be  irrigated  from  the  Del  ^orte  and  they 
have  to  depend  upon  a  small  creek  that  flows  from  the  Mountains 
west  of  the  Pueblo  for  sufficient  water  to  fill  their  Acequias 

A  Settlement  near  the  head  of  this  Stream,  was  about  being  made, 
which  would  have  rendered  all  the  Pueblo  lands  worthless  by  cutting 
off  the  water — but  as  those  who  wished  to  occupy  the  land  had  no 
right  or  title  whatever  orders  were  given  that  no  settlement  should  be 
made,  by  which  the  Indian  lands  would  be  injured. 

San  Ildefonso  is  located  on  the  East  Bank  of  the  Rio  Del  Norte 
three  miles  below  Santa  Clara  at  the  base  of  a  high  Mesa.  This 
Pueblo  has  a  fine  large  Plaza — the  buildings  are  in  good  order — but 
nearly  half  the  houses  are  occupied  by  Mexicans.  Vexatious  ques- 
tions are  continually  rising  between  the  two  parties,  and  the  Indians 

kept 
are  continually  in  trouble. 

The  population  is  about  250,  and  decreasing. 

Pojoaque  is  built  on  the  road  from  Santa  Fe  to  Taos,  about  three 

East 

miles  from  San  Ildefonso  on  the  Pojoaque  Creek,  and  although 

once  the  owners  of  much  fine  land — the  people  have  been  so  crowded 

out  by  the  Mexicans — that  their  number  has  been  reduced  to  48  and 


496  COKEESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES    S.    CALHOUN. 

in  a  few  years  their  rights  as  a  Pueblo  will  be  no  longer  recognized. 
It  is  now  the  smallest  in  the  Territory. 

Nambe  lies  3  miles  East  of  Pojoaque  on  the  same  Creek  which  runs 
into  the  Del  Norte  6  miles  below  has  a  population  of  about  200  and 
is  in  pretty  good  condition 

Tesuque  is  9  miles  north  of  Santa  Fe  is  well  built  its  lands  are  well 
watered  from  the  Tesuque  Creek  and  the  people  are  very  industrious 
population  about  250 — 

Much  has  been  said  about  the  ruins  of  the  Pueblo  of  Pecos^  and 
"  speculation  has  been  rife  "  as  to  the  "  Old  Aztec  ruins  "  "  the  sacred 
fire  "  "  Montezuma— worshipping  the  rising  sun  &c  &c     The  Pueblo 

South 
of  Pecos  is  about  25  miles  East  of  Santa   Fe  and  was  the 

only  one  of  all  the  Pueblos  that  kept  what  was  called  the  "  Sacred  fire 
of  Montezuma  "'  continually  burning.  Like  Taos  it  was  one  of  the 
oldest  Pueblos  and  the  one  can  make  as  much  pretensions  to  being 
an 

Aztec  Buildinojs  as  the  other. 

The  smouldering  fire  that  was  kept  alive  in  the  E-sfeuffa  Estufa,  was 
not  worshipped  by  the  Pecos  Indians — nor  any  of  the  Indians — as  has 
been  generally  supposed.  Neither  did  they  or  any  other  of  the 
Pueblo  Indians  worship  the  rising  sun.  They  are  devoted  adherents 
to  the  Catholic  Faith  and  no  other. 

The  Indians  of  Pecos  give  as  their  only  reason  for  keeping  up  a 
continual  fire — that  it  was  their  custom — and  commanded  by  Mon- 
tezuma to  be  observed. 

This  Pueblo  has  gone  to  ruins  for  the  same  reasons  so  many  of  the 
others  are  so  rapidly  declining. 

The  lands  on  the  Pecos  river  all  belonged  to  these  people— but 
annoyed  beyond  endurance  by  the  Mexicans  living  in  their  houses 
and  seizing  their  property  by  piecemeal, — they  continued  to  decrease 
in  numbers  until  Seven  years  ago — when  reduced  to  only  four  fami- 

re 
lies — they      moved  to  the  Pueblo  of  Jemes  Sixty  miles  due  west, 
whose  people  speak  the  same  langiiage. 

There  are  four  ditferent  languages  spoken  by  the  Pueblos  in  the 
Territory  in  which  the  San  Juan,  Santa  Clara— Nambe,  Pojoaque  & 
Tesuque  Pueblos  speak  what  is  called  the  Teguas  language— The 
Cochiti,  Santo  Domingo,  San  Felipe,  Silla  Santa  Anna,  Acoma  & 
Laguna,  the  Quiguas  language — Taos,  Picuris,  Sandia  &  Isletta,  the 
Moqui  language. — &  Jemes  &  Pecos  the  Pecos  language. 

It  will  be  observed  that  Taos  &  Picuris  the  two  Northern  Pueblos 
speak  the  same  language  as  the  Isletta  &  Sandia  Pueblo  the  two 
Southern— and  Pecos  the  Eastern  Pueblo  the  same  as  Jemes  the 
Western. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES    S.    CALHOUN.  497 

Each  language  is  entirely  different  from  the  other  the  people  not 
understanding  any  other  Pueblo  language  than  their  own — Nearly  all 
the  Indians  speak,  and  understand  Mexican,  being  taught  it  in  their 
childhood  soon  after  they  lisp  their  own  tongue. 

None  of  the  Mexicans  can  understand  the  Pueblo  language  All 
of  the  Pueblos  have  great  reverence  for  the  name  of  Montezuma — 
who  probably  acted  in  the  double  capacity  of  Priest  &  Agent,  ap- 
pointed by  the  Spanish  government  to  look  after  the  interests  of  the 
Pueblos  to  give  them  good  counsel,  and  through  whose  instrumen- 
tality they  gave  up  the  chase — to  support  themselves  by  cultivating 
the  earth. 

Supposing  every  thing  relating  to  the  "  History  and  Reduction  of 
the  Indians  to  Pueblos,"  would  be  of  interest  to  the  Department,  I 
have  through  the  kindness  of  Dr.  Thomas  E  Massey  of  this  place — 
been  able  to  obtain  a  translation  of  some  of  the  Edicts  &  Laws  of  the 
Kings  of  Spain  in  relation  to  this  people  which  may  probably  throw 
some  light  upon  their  interesting  seb^eet  history. 
Very  respectfully 

Your  Obt  Servant 

John  Greiner 

Indian  Agent 

New  Mexico 
[inglosuee] 

Land  and  water  stattites. 

By  Mariana  Galvan  Rivera. 


On  the  founding  of  Indian  Pueblos — Requisites  they  must  have — Limits  pre- 
scribed to  them — How  they  are  to  be  measured — Their  Privileges  &c. 

The  first  disposition  of  these  matters  found  in  our  code  of  Laws,  is  that  of 
the  Emi^eror  Charles  V,  made  at  Cigales  on  the  21st.  March  1551,  and  after- 
wards readopted  by  King  Phillip  II  (vid  "La  Ley  I,  Tit  III  Lib  6.  de  la 
Recopilacion  de  Indias")  which  literally  reads  as  follows:  "The  effort  has 
ever  been  made,  with  much  care  and  particular  attention,  to  make  use  of 
such  means  as  are  most  suitable  for  the  instruction  of  the  Indians  in  the  Holy 
Catholic  Faith,  and  Scriptural  Law.  to  the  end  that,  forgetting  their  ancient 
rites  and  ceremonies,  they  might  live  in  fellowship  under  established  rule; 
and  in  order  that  this  object  might  be  attained  with  the  greater  certainty,  the 
members  of  our  Council  of  the  Indias  and  other  religious  persons,  on  dif- 
ferent occasions,  met  together,  and  in  the  year  1546,  by  order  of  the  Emperor 
Charles  V,  of  glorious  memory,  there  convened  the  Prelates  of  New  Spain ;  who 
desiring  to  render  service  to  God  and  ourself,  resolved  that  the  Indians  should 
be  brought  to  settle  (reduced  to  Pueblos)  and  that  they  should  not  live  divided 
and  separated  by  mountains  and  hills,  depriving  themselves  of  all  benefit 
spiritual  and  temporal,  without  aid  from  our  agents  and  that  assistance  which 
5021—1.5^—32 


498  COKKESPONDENCE    Of    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

human  wants  require  men  mutually  to  render  one  another;  and  in  order  that 
the  propriety  of  this  resolution  might  be  recognized,  the  Hon.  Judges,  Presi- 
dents and  Governors,  were  charged  and  commanded  by  different  orders  of 
the  Kings,  our  predecessors,  that,  with  much  mildness  and  moderation  they 
should  carry  into  effect  the  reduction,  settlement,  and  instruction  of  the  In- 
dians— acting  with  so  much  justice  and  delicacy,  that,  without  causing  any 
difficulties,  t4ir+  a  motive  might  be  presented  to  those  that  could  not  be  brought 
to  settle,  in  the  hope  that  as  soon  as  they  witnessed  the  good  treatment  and 
protection  of  such  as  had  been  reduced  to  pueblos,  they  might  consent  to  offer 
themselves  of  their  own  accord;  and  order  was  given  that  they  should  not 
pay  higher  duties  than  what  was  established  by  law;  and  whereas  the  above 
was  executed  in  the  larger  part  of  our  Indians:  Therefore  we  Ordain  and 
Command,  That  in  all  the  other  portions  care  be  taken  that  it  be  carried  into 
effect,  and  the  agents  shall  urge  it  according  to,  and  in  the  form  declared  by 
the  laws  of  this  Title. 

Phillip  II,  in  consequence  of  the  intentions  of  the  Emperor  Charles,  pub- 
lished a  statute  on  the  founding  of  settlements,  and  in  Articles  34,  35,  and  36 
(which  are  found  inserted  in  "  Ley  1.  tit  V,  lib  4  de  la  Recopilacion  de  Indias") 
he  says  expressly  "  We  ordain  that,  when  it  is  determined  to  settle  any  prov- 
ince or  territory,  of  those  which  are  now  under  our  authority  or  may  hereafter 
be  discovered,  the  settlers  shall  take  care  and  observe  that  the  country  is 
healthy — ascertaining  whether  theyre  may  live  in  it  men  of  great  age,  and  youths 
of  a  good  complexion,  disposition,  and  color — whether  the  animals  and  flocks 
are  healthy  and  of  ample  size,  the  fruits  and  articles  of  food  good,  the  lands 
suitable  for  sowing  and  harvesting  abundant — whether  there  grow  things 
poisonous  and  hurtful — whether  the  skies  have  a  good  and  happy  constilla- 
tion,  clear  and  benignant;  the  air  pure  and  soft  without  objection  or  altera- 
tion; the  temperature  free  from  excess  in  heat  or  cold  (and  having  an  inclina- 
tion to  the  one  or  the  other  state,  selecting  the  cold)  ; — whether  there  is  pas- 
turage for  the  growth  of  flocks,  mountains  and  trees  for  wood,  materials  for 
houses  and  other  buildings,  and  water  abundant  and  suitable  for  drinking, 
and  irrigation.  Indians  and  natives  to  whom  the  Gospel  mny  he  preached,  as 
the  Chief  motive  of  our  intention :  Finding  a  concurrence  of  these  qualities, 
or  the  principal  of  them,  they  may  proceed  to  a  settlement,  observing  the  laws 
of  this  book." 

It  was  likewise  found  ordered  by  the  Emperor  Charles  in  the  decree  of  the 
26  June  1523  ("Ley  1.  tit  XII  lib  12)  "That  the  Viceroys  and  Governors  who 
might  possess  the  authority,  should  mark  out  to  each  town  and  place  which 
might  be  founded  and  settled  for  the  first  time,  the  lands  and  building  lots 
that  might  be  requisite;  and  they  shall  donate  them  for  possessions,  without 
injury  to  a  third  person,  and  let  them  send  us  an  account  of  what  may  have 
been  assigned  and  given  to  each  one.  so  that  we  may  command  the  confirma- 
tion of  it."  And  in  the  same  manner  other  rules  had  been  established  touching 
the  administration  and  preservation  of  the  common  property  and  common 
revenues  (arbitrios)  of  the  Pueblos,  or  settlements  themselves,  as  may  be 
seen  in  the  same  Code  of  Laws.  But  King  Phillip  TI,  in  order  to  supply  the 
deficiency,  which  was  observed  in  the  laws  of  the  Emperor  Charles,  ordered, 
by  another  decree  which  was  published  in  Pardo  on  1st.  Deer:  1573,  ("Ley  8. 
tit  III.  lib  6)  that  the  sites  on  which  Pueblos  and  settlements  were  to  be 
formed,  should  have  water  privileges,  lands  and  mountains,  entrances  and 
exits,  fai'ming  lands,  and  a  common  (egido)  of  a  league  in  extent,  where  the 
Indians  might  keep  their  herds  without  mixing  with  those  of  the  Spaniards. 

Another  decree  of  Charles  V,  of  the  year  1533  ("Ley  7,  tit  IV,  lib  17  de  la 
Recopilacion  de  Indias")   likewise  ordered  that  the  mountains,  pastures,  and 


COEEESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  499 

waters  of  Die  places  Jind  mountains  contained  in  the  grants  of  lands  which  had 
been  or  should  be  made  in  the  Indias,  had  to  be  common  to  the  Spaniards  and 
Indios.  "And  so  we  order  the  Viceroys  and  Courts  to  take  care  and  see  that 
it  is  done."  And  in  the  subsequent  year.  1541,  the  same  Emi>ei'or  commanded 
("Ley  5.  tit  7  lib.  citado)  :  "That  the  pastures,  mountains  and  waters  should 
be  common  in  the  Indias."  And  inasmuch  as  some  persons,  without  a  title 
from  His  Majesty  had  occupied  a  very  great  portion  of  limits  and  lands,  it 
should  not  be  permitted  to  any  one  to  mal<e  an  inclosure  or  cabin,  nor  to  carry 
their  herds  there,  except  they  should  be  common  io  all  the  neighbors,  notwith- 
standing whatever  statutes  may  have  been  made  to  the  contrary. 

And  lastly,  by  the  Royal  decree  of  20th.  Oct.  ]538.  ("Ley  14.  tit  III  lib.  6 
De  la  Recopilacion  de  Indias)  King  Phillip  II  ordered:  That  if.  in  carrying 
into  effect  the  fulfilment  and  execution  of  the  reduction  (of  the  Indians  to 
Pueblos),  which  was  commanded  to  be  done  according  to  the  design  of  the 
Emperor,  the  Viceroys,  Presidents  and  Governors,  should  provide  and  deter- 
mine and  any  persons  should  be  aggrieved  and  should  appeal,  it  should  be 
adjusted  before  the  Council  of  the  Indias,  and  no  other  tribunal,  nevertheless 
the  sentence  had  to  be  so  executed  as  that  the  reductions  should  take  effect. 
And  inasmuch  as  the  Indians  had  to  have  lands  waters  and  mountains  assigned 
and  given  them,  should  they  be  taken  away  from  the  Spaniards,  a  just  return 
should  be  made  them  in  another  place,  and  in   such  an  event  a  commission 

any 
of  three  of   the  ministers  of   llie   Court   shall   be   held,   in   order   that  if   some 
should  suffer  damage,  they  might  hear  their  appeal  and  cause  redress  to  be 
made,  on  the  subject  inhibited  in  the  Courts. 

In  virtue  then  of  the  above  mentioned  laws,  and  for  their  more  thorough 
and  exact  fulfillment,  the  statutes  which  still  bear  his  name,  were  published 
and  ordered  to  be  put  into  practice  by  His  Excellency,  the  Marquis  de  Falces, 
Viceroy  of  New  Spain,  and  they  were  corrected  and  confirmed  by  the  Royal 
Edict  of  4th  June  1687.  And,  as,  in  this  arrangement,  there  has  been  readopted, 
lu  the  clearest  manner,  what  was  charged  in  them  regarding  the  founding 
and  measures  of  Indian  pueblos,  we  may  be  excused  the  literal  copying  of 
them.  This  Royal  order,  and  that  which  follows  has  been  recently  published 
in  the  Hispano-Mexican  Pandects  Vol.  2.  Nos.  2478  and  2479,  and  the  tenor  is 
;is  follows: 

THE  7t/AG.— Whereas  in  my  Royal  Council  of  the  Indias,  they  are  advised 
that  the  Marquis  of  Falces,  Count  of  Saint  Stephen,  Viceroy  of  the  Provinces 
of  New  Spain,  issued  an  ordenance  on  the  26th.  May  1567  by  which  he  ordered 
that  such  of  the  Indian  pueblos  as  might  need  lands  upon  which  to  live  and 
sow  should  have  given  to  them  five  hundred  varas  and  more  should  it  be  nec- 
essary, and  that  from  that  time  forward  tliere  should  not  be  granted  to  any 
one  any  lands  or  grounds,  unless  they  should  be  located  a  thousand  varas, 
cloth  or  silk  measure,  away  from  and  seperated  from  the  pueblos  and  houses 
of  the  Indians,  And  the  lands  five  hundred  varas  removed  from  said  settle- 
ment, as  is  obvious  from  the  evidence  of  said  ordenance,  which  has  reached 
the  Council,  have  been  contrary  to  custom,  order,  and  practice,  have  been 
encroached  upon  by  the  owners  of  estates  and  lands,  thereby  depriving  the 
Indians  of  them  and  seizing  upon  them,  sometimes  violently  sometimes  fraud- 
idently,  for  which  cause  the  miserable  Indians  leave  their  houses  and  town, 
which  is  what  the  Spaniards  seek  for  and  desire,  and  obtaining  these  thousand 
or  five  hundred  varas,  which  have  to  be  .ipart  from  the  towns,  they  measure 
irom  the  Church,  or  public  house  (ermita)  which  the  people  generally  have  in 


OOO  COREESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

the  center  of  the  place,  and  which  happens  to  comprehend  in  them  the  whole 
plot  of  the  town,  whereby  they  lose  what  had  been  given  them,  it  being  neces- 
sary to  understand  the  last  five  hmidred  varas,  by  the  four  winds,  which  is 
arranged  and  commanded  in  the  Laws  12  and  18  tit.  XII  lib.  4.  de  la  "  Nueva 
Recopilacion  de  ludias,"  and  on  account  of  the  many  difficulties,  losses,  and 
injuries,  which  thus  befall  these  poor  natives,  it  has  been  thought  proper  to 
command,  that  such  Indian  pueblos  as  might  need  lands  to  live  upon  and  cul- 
tivate should  have  given  to  them  not  only  five  hundred  varas,  as  the  said 
ordenance  provides,  but  whatever  might  be  necessary,  measuring  them  from 
the  farthest  limits  and  houses  of  the  place  outward  by  the  four  winds— these 
five  hundred  varas  East,  as  many  more  West,  North,  and  South,  leaving  always 
the  plot  of  the  pueblos  unincluded,  or  a  vacant  space,  giving  these  five  hundred 
varas  of  lands  not  only  to  the  chief  or  capital  pueblo,  but  all  the  rest  that  may 
ask  for  and  need  them,  as  well  in  the  pueblos  already  inhabited  as  in  those 
which  might  hereafter  be  founded  and  peopled,  since  thus  all  will  have  lands 
to  cultivate,  and  upon  which  their  flocks  may  graze  and  feed,  it  being  just  and 
of  my  Royal  Charity  to  have  a  regard  for  the  Indians,  who,  I  am  informed 
suffer  so  much  injustice  and  trouble,  in  view  of  their  being  those  who  pay 
more,  render  services  and  enrich  my  royal  crown  and  all  my  vassals.  With 
which  design,  and  seeing  what  in  view  of  them,  and  the  said  testimony  and 
Laws  12  &  18  of  the  "  Nueva  Recopilaciou  de  Indias,"  the  Attorney  General  of 
my  said  Council  of  Indias  has  said  and  alleged,  I  have  thought  it  best  to  order 
and  command,  as  by  these  presents  I  do,  that  in  conformity  with  the  ordenance 
which  the  Viceroy,  Count  Saint  Stephen  formed  and  decreed  on  the  2Gth  May 
1567,  and  the  compiled  laws  referred  to,  that  there  shall  be  given  and  assigned, 
generally  to  all  the  Indian  pueblos  of  New  Spain  for  their  farming  grounds  no( 
only  the  five  hundred  varas  around  the  place  of  settlement,  and  these  meas- 
ured from  the  church,  but  from  the  farthest  house  of  the  place,  as  well.  East- 
ward and  Westward,  as  North  and  South;  and  not  only  the  said  five  hundred 
varas,  but  a  hundred  varas  more  up  to  full  Six  hundred  varas;  and  should  the 
place  of  settlement  be  more  than  ordinarily  contracted,  and  should  not  seem 
sufficient  for  all,  my  Viceroy  of  New  Spain  and  my  Royal  Court  of  Mexico 
shall  take  care,  as  I  now  charge  and  command  them  to  do,  to  set  them  apart  a 
much  larger  quantity,  and  that  they  shall  mark  off  and  assign  to  the  said 
places  and  settlements  as  many  more  varas  of  land  as  shall  appear  to  them 
necessary  without  limitation. — And  in  regard  to  the  pastujce-huids.  .it  is  my 
will  and  order,  that  there  shall  not  only  be  separated  from  the  settlements  and 
Indian  places  the  thousand  varas  mentioned  in  the  said  ordenance  of  26th  May 
1567,  but  even  a  hundred  varas  more,  and  that  these  one  thousand  one  hun- 
dred varas  shall  be  measured  from  the  last  house  of  the  settlement  or  place, 
and  not  from  the  Church;  and  if  it  should  seem  to  my  Viceroys  of  New  Spain 
that  the  pasture  grounds  are  at  greater  distances  than  within  the  said  one 
thousand  one  hundred  varas,  it  shall  be  declared  as  soon  as  this  dispatch  is 
received  or  is  made  known,  that  in  relation  to  all  the  above,  I  give  to  my  Royal 
Court  of  Mexico  power  and  authority  to  order  to  be  done  and  executed  what- 
ever may  be  necessary  without  limitation  whatever,  enjoining  them  as  I  now 
do,  that  they  shall  seek  by  all  possible  means  improvement  in  the  treatment 
and  preservation  of  the  Indians,  not  only  the  maintenance  and  preservation  of 
them,  as  ordered  and  decreed  by  the  Ordenance  of  26th.  May  1567  and  laws  12 
and  18  of  the  "  Nueva  Recopilaciou  de  Indias,"  which  have  been  cited,  but 
this  shall  be  with  the  increase  of  varas  made  in  this  dispatch,  as  well  touch- 
ing the  lands  to  be  given  to  and  held  by  the  Indians  to  live  upon  and  cultivate, 
as  touching  the  distance  the  pasture  lands  are  to  be — having  the  same  quan- 
tity of  varas  which  the  said  Viceroy  and   Roy.'il   Court  of  Mexico  might  feel 


COKRESPONUENCE    OE    JAMES    S.    CALHOUN.  501 

couvinced  they  need,  aud  they  shall  be  seperated  and  assigned  them,  as  such 
is  my  pleasure  and  suits  my  service:  and  of  whatever  of  this  may  be  executed, 
a  general  and  particular  account  shall  be  given  me  on  all  occasions,  because  I 
desire  to  be  informed  of  whatever  may  be  done  for  the  benefit  of  the  Indians. 
Done  in  Madrid  4th.  June  16S7.  I  THE  KING.  By  command  of  the  King, 
our  Master.     D.  Antonio  Ortiz  de  Otitalora.     Sealed  with  four  rubrics. 

This  Royal  Decree  was  confirmed  by  that  which  follows,  of  King  Ferdinand 
VI,  directed  to  the  Chief  Alcalde  of  Texcoco,  and  gained  by  Captain  Augustine 
Muiioz  de  Sandoval,  in  consequence  of  a  law  suit  which  he  sustained  with  the 
natives  of  Coatepec  Chalco  and  others  near  to  and  joining  his  possessions  of 
Acuautla  &c,  in  that  .lurisdiction.  It  is  found  among  the  papers  aud  titles 
appertaining  to  the  Marquisate  of  Castaiiiza,  whose  last  possessor  was  the 
Illustrious  Juan  Francisco  de  Castailiz-a,  Most  Worthy  Bishop  of  Durango,  now 
deceased : — 

THE  KING— President  and  Judges  of  my  Royal  Court  of  Mexico:  On  the 
part  of  the  laborers  of  New  Spain  it  has  been  represented  to  me  that  there  are 
many  vexations  and  troubles  which  they  receive  and  suffer,  in  consequence  of 
the  law  suits  which  the  Indians  are  continually  bringing  against  them,  whence 
damage  results  not  only  to  their  estates  but  mine,  to  remedy  which  they  pray 
that  I  would  be  pleased  to  command  their  privileges  to  be  protected,  which  have 
been  conceded  them  by  the  Kings  my  predecessors,  observing  them  to  the  letter 
and  not  by  interpretation — that  a  protector  of  their  cause  shall  be  conceded 
them,  and  that  he  may  be  a  Minister  of  the  Court — that  in  respect  to  the  man- 
ner of  the  Indians  depriving  them  of  their  farming  and  pastoral  lands,  they 
avail  themselves  of  the  building  of  huts  of  grass  wood  and  stone,  and  with  this 
pretext  apply  to  the  court,  in  order  that  (conformably  to  the  Ordinance  of  the 
Marquis  de  Falces,  Count  of  Saint  Stephen,  of  26th.  May  1457 ^  there  may  be 
measured  to  them  the  five  hundred  varas  which  have  to  be  from  their  estates 
to  those  of  the  Indians,  these  latter  by  this  means,  obtaining  an  entrance  upon 
their  lands,  and  that  although  this  injury  is  one  of  great  importance,  that  is 
still  greater  which  results  from  the  decree  of  4th.  June  1687,  since  there  is 
given  to  the  Indians  an  additional  hundred  varas  over  and  above  the  five  hun- 
dred, commanding  that  they  shall  be  measured  by  the  four  winds,  from  the  last 
house  leaving  free  the  plot  of  the  town ;  and  this  being  so  much  to  the  detri- 
ment of  the  laborers,  they  petition  that  it  shall  not  be  put  into  practice,  and 
that  the  meaning  of  the  Ordinance  may  be  understood  as  regarding  those  pueblos 
which  may  have  been  settled,  before  the  granting  and  founding  of  their  estates 
(haciendas),  and  that  the  measures  may  be  understood  not  from  the  last  house 
of  the  pueblo,  but  from  the  centre  of  the'  church  which  is  in  the  middle ;  and 
that  this  shall  apply  only  to  such  as  may  be  chief  or  capital  towns,  where  is  the 
Most  Holy  Sacrament,  the  Governors  aud  Chief  Alcaldes ;  since,  a  good  reason 
why  the  said  varas  should  be  measured  to  the  Indians  from  the  cent-re  of  the 
church,  as  prayed  for,  is  found  in  the  fact  viz  that  they  have  not  their  houses 
in  a  regular  form,  as  some  are  distant  from  the  others,  thirty  or  forty  varas, 
and  some  even  the  fourth  of  a  league,  whereby  their  estates  are  damaged. — that 
the  Indians  shall  not  be  allowed  to  make  huts  ( jacales)  not  hermitages  (ermitas) 
on  their  working  lands,  since  by  this  pretext  exciting  a  false  impression,  they 
build  a  pueblo  and  lands  are  measured  and  given  them,  aud  they  (the  laborers) 
are  despoiled  of  their  estates  and  other  matters,  by  the  sales  which  the  Indians 
iiiade  of  them,  and  other  stocks  and  values  which  the  laborers  may  advance  the 
Indian  day-laborers,  the  felling  and  burning  which  are  done  in  the  mountains, 
and  the  visits  which  the  Governors  and  Chief  Alcaldes  make  upon  their  estates 

1  Date  evidently  wrong. 


502  COERESl'OXDENCE    OF    JAMES    S.    CALHOUN. 

jiDd  pasture  grounds  for  private  ends  and  interests,  carrying  off  exorbitant 
salaries — wliicli  subject  being  investigated  in  my  Council  of  Indias,  with  the 
attention  whicli  the  matter  required,  what  you  reported  about  it  in  your  letter 
of  17  January,  and  what  as  regards  the  whole  the  Attorney  General  said,  I  have 
resolved,  that  the  Decree  issued  on  the  4th.  June  1687  and  above  cited  shall  be 
carefully  complied  with  and  executed,  the  receipt  of  which  you  have  informed 
me,  and  that  it  is  understood  that  the  distance  which  has  to  be  of  six  hundred 
varas  must  be  thro'  the  lands  and  fields  of  the  Indians  of  that  jurisdiction,  to 
those  of  the  laborers;  they  shall  be  counted  from  the  center  of  the  Pueblos, 
understanding  this  to  be  from  their  church,  and  not  from  the  last  house:  and 
tiifttlet  the  same  be  done  as  regards  the  thousand  and  one  hundred  varas  which 
have  to  be  between  the  pueblo  and  the  pasture  grounds,  let  them  be  counted  in 
the  proper  manner :  and  if  injury  should  thus  be  done,  as  well  to  the  lands  of 
tbe  Indian  division  as  to  that  of  the  laborers,  the  one  and  the  other  shall  bo 
compensated,  enlarging  their  distances  in  the  place  which  may  be  recognized 
as  the  most  appropriate,  and  the  least  prejudicial  to  either  of  the  parties;  and 
if  there  be  no  lands,  as  well  of  the  Indian  divisions  as  of  the  laborers'  adjust- 
ments (composiciones)  wherewith  to  compensate  the  damage,  let  it  be  done 
with  those  that  belong  to  me;  and  you  will  be  very  careful  to  see  this  done,  ii^ 
so  just  a  manner,  that  no  cause  of  complaint  shall  be  given  either  to  the  Indians 
or  the  laborers,  and  that  no  law  suits  may  be  raised  between  them,  the  rather 
let  there  be  practiced  so  much  equity,  that  each  one  may  be  encouraged  to 
confine  himself  to  the  limits  which  may  belong  to  him ;  and  you  will  pay  especial 
attention  to  the  well-being  and  improvement  of  the  Indians  as  I  have  com- 
manded, so  that,  so  far  as  may  be,  shall  be  benefitted,  as  such  is  my  will ;  ami 
of  the  receipt  of  this  dispatch  and  the  observance  of  its  dispositions,  you  will 
inform  me  on  the  first  occasion. 

Dated  Madrid  12  July  1695  I  THE  KING.  By  Command  of  the  King  our 
master.  Dn.  Bernardino  Antonio  de  Pardinas  y  Vilhir  de  Franco.  Signed  with 
three   rubies. 

Lastly,  we  subjoin  in  continuation  the  Laws  to  which  the  two  above  royal 
decrees  refer  which  should  he  remembered  in  cases  which  may  occur  touchiiii: 
this  matter. 


Law  12.  Tit  XII  Lib.  4  De  Recopilacion  de  Indias. 
Given  by  the  Emperor  Charles  in  Madrid  12  March  1550     In  it  is  commanded 
that  the  pasture  grounds  shall  be  given  apart  from  the  Pueblos  and  seed  grounds 
of  the  Indians. 

"Whereas  the  pasture  grounds  of  cattle,  mares,  hogs,  and  other  stock 
large  and  small  cause  great  damage  to  the  corn  fields  of  the  Indians,  especially 
such  as  run  loose,  without  being  guarded.  We  Command  that  no  pasture  lands 
shall  be  granted  in  parts  or  places  where  injury  can  re.sult,  and  where  it  cannot 
be  avoided,  they  shall  be  remote  from  the  settlements  and  fields  of  the  Indians, 
since  there  are  lands,  and  grasses  apart  upon  which  the  flock  may  graze  and 
feed  without  damage;  if  krt.  and  that  justice  may  be  done  let  the  owners  of 
flocks  and  those  interested  in  the  public  welfare,  place  as  many  sheppards 
».uu  guards  as  may  suffice  to  prevent  damage,  and  in  the  event  that  any 
should  occur  let  satisfaction  be  made." 

Law  20.  Tit.  HI.  Book  6.     Same  Code. 

Given  by  King  Phillip  III  10th.  Oct.  1618. 

It  is  commanded  in  it  that  near  to  the  Indian  settlements   ( Reducciones ) 
there   shall   not  be   any   pasture  grounds.     "  We   command   that   the   grazing 


COEEESPONDENCE    OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  503 

grounds  of  large  stock  shall  not  be  within  a  league  and  a  half  of  the  old 
settlements  (reducciones  antiques)  and  those  of  small  stock  less  than  half  a 
league ;  and  in  the  new  settlements  that  may  be  made,  the  limits  shall  be  twice 
as  great,  under  penalty  of  losing  the  pasture  grounds  and  one  half  of  the 
stock  which  may  be  upon  them,  and  all  owners  shall  keep  a  good  guard  under 
penalty  of  paying  the  damage  they  may  do;  and  the  Indians  may  kill  the 
stock  that  may  enter  upon  their  lands,  without  any  penalty;  and  let  in  all 
things  the  law  be  observed  12.  tit.  XII  lib.  4th." 


Law  19.  tit.  IX  Book  6  of  Same  Code. 

(Given  by  the  Emperor  Charles  in  Valladolid  May  2nd.  1549.) 
That  the   Superintendants    (Encomenderos)    shall  not  grow   swine  in  their 
pueblos,  and  shall  observe  the  laws. 

"  We  command,  that  it  shall  not  be  allowed  and  permitted  to  the  Spaniards 
to  raise  hogs  in  the  pueblos  under  their  superintendence  (de  sus  encomiendas) 
tior  within  the  limits  of  the  Indian  farming  lands,  or  others  in  which  injury 
might  result,  but  shall  place  them  upon  such  ««*  lands  as  may  be  vacant,  with- 
out injuring  the  Indians  or  other  grounds ;  and  observe  the  provisions  of  Laws 
12.  Tit.  XII,  Book  4,  and  20  tit  III  of  This  " 


Law  8.  Tit.  12.  Book  4.  of  Same  Code. 

(Given  by  King  Phillip  IV  in  Madrid  16th.  March  1642) 

That  lands  be  left  to  the  Indians. 

"We  ordain  that  the  sale,  improvement  and  arrangement  (composicion)  of 
lands  shall  be  made  with  regard  to  the  Indians,  that  there  may  be  left  to  them 
all  the  lands  which  may  belong  to  them,  even  more  (con  sobra)  as  well  to  in- 
dividuals as  to  communities,  also  waters,  and  aqueducts;  and  the  lands  upon 
which  aqueducts  (acequias)  may  have  been  made  or  any  other  improvement, 
whereby  thro'  their  personal  industry  they  may  have  been  enhanced,  shall  be 
in  the  first  place  reserved  for  them,  and  in  no  event  shall  they  sell  or  alienate 
them ;  and  the  judges  whose  business  it  is,  shall  specify  the  Indians  that  may 
be  found  on  the  lands,  and  the  lands  that  may  remain  to  each  one  of  the  tribu- 
taries (tributaries)  old  men,  reserved  men,  caciques,  governors,  absentees  and 
communities." 


Law  14  Tit  III  Book  6  of  Same  Code 

(Given  by  King  Phillip  III  20th.  October  159S.) 

That  in  lawsuits  about  the  settlements  (reducciones)  of  the  Indians,  the 
provisions  of  this  law  shall  be  observed. 

"If  in  the  accomplishmont  and  execution  of  the  settlements  (reducciones) 
the  Viceroys,  Presidents  and  Governors  should  provide  and  determine  and  any 
persons  should  be  aggrieved,  and  should  put  in  an  appeal,  it  shall  he  brought 
before  our  Council  of  Indias,  and  no  other  triburia!,  !»«vertheless  judgement  is 
to  be  so  executed  as  that  the  settlements  (reduccion)  may  take  effect.  And,  i.. 
asmuch  as  the  Indians  had  to  have  lands  waters  &  mountains  assigned  and 
given  them,  should  the  Spaniards  be  despoiled  of  them,  there  shall  be  given 
them  a  just  equivalent  (recompensa)  in  another  place;  and  in  such  a  case,  a 
convention  (junta)  of  two  or  three  ministers  of  th^  rk»iirt  £Andiencia)  should 


504  COKRESPOXDENCE    OF    JAMES    S.    CALHOUN. 

be  formed  in  order  that  if  any  persons  should  be  aggrieved  their  appeal  should 
be  heard,  and  they  should  cause  the  injury  to  be  redressed,  wherein  we  have 
injoined  our  Courts  (Sobro  qua  inhibimos  nuestras  audiencias)" 

The  privileges  which  the  graziers  and  farmers  enjoy  likewise  shall  be  ex- 
pressed farther  on  in  a  different  chapter.  Keeping  then  in  view  whatever  may 
have  been  arranged  in  relation  to  the  establishment,  measures  and  preserva- 
tion of  the  Indian  pueblos,  it  follows  that  we  should  likewise  make  mention  of 
whatever  else  the  Spanish  Monarchs  provided  and  determined  in  order  to  avoid 
the  inconveniences  that  might  result  from  the  giving  and  selling  of  "  cabal- 
lerias,  peonias  "  and  other  descriptions  of  lands  to  the  Spaniards  to  the  injury 
of  the  Indians.  To  this  end  the  selling  and  purchasing  of  lands  for  the  future 
was  expressly  prohibited  except  by  summoning  (aon  citacion)  the  officers  of 
the  courts  (de  los  fiscales  de  los  audiencias)  ;  and  that  the  beneficieut  inten- 
tions of  the  legislator  might  be  the  better  fulfilled  there  were  given  by  Charles 
V  Phillip  III  and  Phillip  IV,  as  is  seen  in  laws  16,  17,  IS,  and  19  del  tit.  XII 
Book  4.  "  de  la  Recopilacion  de  Indias  "  the  most  appropriate  and  suitable  rules 
in  respect  to  these  matters,  and  to  the  end  that  the  Indians  might  never  be 
left  without  lands,  nor  illegally  despoiled  of  them,  or  embarrassed  in  the  free 
use  and  improvement  of  their  possessions.  In  virtue  of  which  and  for  the 
better  and  more  exact  observance  of  the  laws  mentioned,  there  was  given  by 
the  Royal  Audience  of  Mexico,  and  commanded  to  be  observed  whilst  the  Court 
of  Madrid  confirmed  it,  or  determined  upon  something  else,  the  following: — 

Instruction  on  the  Sale  and  Alienation  of  Indian  Lands. 

Mexico  February  23rd.  1781.  The  general  abuse  having  been  learned  in  which 
there  have  lived  and  continue  to  live  the  nearest  and  remote  Indian  Pueblos 
which  this  government  embraces,  in  the  baleful  alienation  of  their  lands,  lots 
and  houses,  as  well  of  private  acquisition,  as  of  the  community  and  division, 
contracting  intolerable  injuries,  even  the  most  unhappy — that  of  having 
novphere  to  live,  nor  of  having  left  upon  their  grazing  grounds  (potreros)  even 
that  small  advantage  of  spots  or  huts  answering  the  preservation  of  human 
life;  and  having  attended  to  this  matter  with  due  compassion,  there  have  been 
taken  the  most  appropriate  steps  issued  generally  (por  punto  general)  in  the 
above  decrees  of  20  July  78,  and  23rd.  December  1780,  by  myself  and  my 
predecessor  His  Excellency  Bailio  Frey  Antonio  Maria  Bucareli,  for  the  entire 
removal  (exterminio)  of  this  great  and  extended  abuse  (perjuicio)  which  the 
beforementioned  provisions  (determinaciones)  have  not  been  sufficient  to  cor- 
rect, as  there  have  not  ceased  the  complaints  of  the  miserable  Indians  who  feel 
the  evils  of  loans,  contracts  and  rents,  and  in  the  sales  which  they  make 
whether  voluntarily  or  compelled  by  necessity  or  compulsion,  not  only  to  one 
another,  but  to  strangers,  Spaniards,  Mestizos,  and  other  classes  who  live  in 
their  pueblos,  by  small  quantities,  without  regard  (calificacion)  to  the  necessity 
and  utility  which  is  provided  for  in  laws  of  the  Recopilation  of  these  Kingdoms 
and  principally  in  Law  27,  tit.  I  Book  6;  and  moreover  without  the  previous 
license  which  is  required  in  it,  making  them  silly  and  private  tools  among 
themselves  and  often  before  the  justices  of  the  parishes  (justicias  de  partidos) 
and  notaries,  as  has  been  shown  in  some  of  the  papers  (expedientes)  of  this 
genex'al  court,  being  to  one  another  not  only  illegal  but  prohibited,  at  least 
without  the  intervention  of  the  aforesaid  solemnities  and  antecedent  licenses; 
And  whereas  this  disorder  goes  on  from  day  to  day  increasing  more  and  more, 
the  fear  is  justified  that  by  allowing  it,  the  Indians  will  come  to  the  most 
wretched  state,  as  not  to  have  a  place  in  which  to  live,  nor  lands  to  cultivate, 
whereon  to  divert  their  leisure,  and  wherewith  to  be  enabled  to  provide  for 


CORKESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  505 

their  maintenauce,  church  dues,  (obveuciones)  and  taxes  (cargas),  leaving 
thereby  unfulfilled  and  inaccessible  the  merciful  royal  intentions,  carefully 
established  and  repeated  for  the  preservation,  increase  and  propagation  of  the 
Indians,  all  directed  to  their  benefit,  according  to  Laws  16,  17,  and  18  Book  4 
Tit  XII,  in  evasion  whereof  (en  cuyo  fraude)  the  Indians  being  counseled  by 
the  purchasers  make  them  conceal  its  nature,  taking  the  intervention  (diversa) 
of  mestizos,  castizos,  and  other  classes  of  persons  to  facilitate  the  sales,  com- 
mitting thus  the  transgression  which  looks  to  the  alienation  of  their  poor  goods, 
lots  and  huts,  of  which  seeing  themselves  deprived,  they  abandon  themselves  to 
ease  and  a  vagabond  life  to  which  they  are  naturally  prone,  and  separated  they 
leave  their  settlements,  and  going  about  fugitives  and  vagabonds,  they  defraud 
in  great  part  the  Royal  Branch  (of  govt)  of  tributes,  the  diminution  whereof 
has  been  often  experienced  in  their  new  accounts  and  lists  from  these  principal 
causes  of  flight  and  absence,  there  resulting  another  (evil)  not  less  grave  than 
a  failure  to  comply  with  the  precepts  of  the  church,  by  not  having  a  sure  resi- 
dence and  not  knowing  a  fixed  habitation  (filigresia),  living  without  subordina- 
tion to  the  justices  and  without  subjection  to  the  curates  to  which  is  added  the 
consequent  evil  of  associating  with  vicious  people  of  distinct  natures  as 
molattoes  (lobos)  crossed  breeds  (coyotes)  and  such  like  whose  malice  and 
perversity  easily  carry  away  the  Indians  thro'  their  simplicity  (rusticidad)  and 
ignorance,  inducing  them  to  rob,  murder,  and  perpetrate  other  crimes,  which 
they  commit  within  the  settlements  (poblaciones)  and  out  of  them,  infesting 
the  roads,  sometimes  with  petty  thieving,  sometimes  with  excessive  robberies; 
and  being  abandoned  with  the  greatest  freedom  to  the  incorrigible  vice  of 
intoxication,  which  infuses  into  them  greater  licentiousness,  and  what  is  the 
most  painful  ("sensible")  that  with  such  abandonment  the  families  of  these 
unhappy  people  should  be  brought  up  without  political  and  Christian  culture 
and  learning,  depriving  themselves  of  due  instruction  in  necessary  and  liberal 
duties,  which  with  facility  and  by  their  natural  aptitude,  and  by  the  zeal  and 
vigilant  care  with  which  in  these  times  more  than  ever  aid  has  been  rendered 
to  the  youth  of  both  sexes  they  might  and  can  save  themselves  from  the  great 
wrongs  which  they  suffer  among  themselves,  and  extend  to  the  state  with 
haughtiness,  idleness  and  vice,  whereas  they  should  abound  in  all  conven- 
iences in  the  permanent  fixedness  to  their  houses  and  towns,  improving  the 
time  by  personal  labor  in  the  cultivation  of  the  fields,  working  in  the  mines, 
dedication   to   their   duties   and  application   to   other   arts,   which   their   goo4 

c 
instruction  as  well  as  capa  ity  opens  up  to  them  (les  franquea)  ;  and  whereas 
as  has  been  said,  the  common  steps  to  remedy  these  evils  have  not  sufficed  to 
destroy  the  abuse  and  render  assistance  to  this  commendable  people  (nacion) 
It  is  commanded:  That  in  no  case,  nor  under  any  pretext  may  sales,  loans, 
pawns,  rents  nor  any  other  kind  of  alienation  of  Indian  lands  be  executed,  nor 
only  such  as  have  been  laid  off  to  them  by  communities  for  the  laudable  and 
charitable  purpose  of  habitations  benefit  and  cultivation;  but  likewise  those 
which  they  have  acquired  or  may  acquire  by  individual  proper  (propios)  by 
title  of  inheritance,  donation,  or  other  kind  of  acquisition  from  their  fore- 
fathers, such  prohibition  being  understood  as  referring  not  only  to  the  Indians 
among  themselves;  but  especially  to  the  Spaniards,  mestizos,  mulattoes  and 
all  the  classes  and  families  residing  in  the  Indian  pueblos,  hacenderos,  rancheros 
and  all  others  who  may  have  city  or  country  mortgages  in  their  settlements, 
except,  in  order  to  effect  the  sales,  rents  or  other  kind  of  alienation,  license 
be  obtained  from  my  superior  government,  the  general  court  of  natives  or 
Royal  Audience,  having  certified  (calificada)  the  necessity  and  utility,  and  fol- 
lowed all  the  steps  (tramites)  required  by  the  laws,  with  the  antecedent  Court 


506  CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

of  the  Hon.  Attorney-general  (Sn.  Fiscal)  ;  and  whereas,  having  interpreted 
or  incorrectly  understood  law  27,  tit  I.  Book  6,  the  Magistrates  (justicias)  of 
the  divisions  which  this  goverumeent  comprehend,  do  proceed  to  grant  instru- 
ments of  sale  and  rent  without  the  aforesaid  formalities,  and  the  notaries, 
not  only  of  said  divisions  (partidos)  but  even  those  of  this  court,  do  execute 
the  same,  both  the  one  and  the  other  are  prohibited  in  future  from  proceeding 
lo  grant  such  instruments  of  sale  and  rent  without  the  aforesaid  licenses, 
under  a  penalty  of  five  hundred  dollars  and  loss  of  their  offices,  and  the  can- 
celling of  those  that  they  may  grant,  the  purchasers  or  renters,  at  once,  losing 
the  value  of  the  sales,  and  rents  of  the  lands  under  the  proper  dominion  of  the 
Indians,  and  those  of  the  ^equitable  benefit  (beueficio  equitativo),  as  are  those 
of  the  (repartimientos)  in  which  the  said  natives  have  no  direct  authority,  and 
the  sellers,  renters  and  (pignorantes)   and  the  purchasers,  lessees 

and  (pignoratorios)  are  condemned  shall  be  condemned  to  lose  the 

lands  and,  &  they  shall  be  applied  to  others  who  need  them,  and  will  preserve 
and  use  them. 

And  that  all  concerned  may  observe  and  fulfill  the  contents  of  this  law 
{determinacion)  proof  of  it  shall  be  despatched  by  chains  of  courriers  (por 
Cordilleras)  to  all  the  justices  of  the  government,  in  order  that,  as  soon  as 
they  receive  it.  they  may  cause  it  to  be  published  by  law  (bando)  in  the 
Spanish  language,  and  in  the  vernacular  of  the  natives  of  the  tribunal  (juzgado), 
in  order  that  the  express  may  proceed  on  (para  que  siga  la  cordillera)  and 
that  each  one  of  the  chief  alcaldes  may  repeat  the  publication  on  its  arrival 
(en  su  ingreso). 

And  whereas  the  s.ime  abuse  has  been  observed  even  within  this  capital, 
the  same  law 

tt  is  likewise  ordered  to  be  published  in   the  (parciali- 

dades)  of  Son  Juan  and  Santiago,  placing  in  the  public  offices  of 

the  province  and  city  similar  testimony,  in  order  that  the  resi^ective  notaries, 
and  all  royal  ones  (notarus)  may  know  the  prohibitions  and  penalties  which  it 
Imposes  upon  them  for  its  observance,  addressed  to  the  correction  of  such  great 
evils;  and  for  the  purpose  of  eradicating  them  in  every  possible  manner,  it  is 
commanded  that,  with  the  evidence  of  the  present  and  antecedent  resolutions  a 
statement  shall  be  given  to  His  Majesty,  in  order  that  it  might  merit  his  royal 
approbation,  or  that  his  sovereign  justice  (justiflcacion)  would  condescend  to 
apply  the  wisest  and  most  suitable  measures,  that  might  be  thought  applicable 
to  such  important  ends. 
Martin  de  Mayorga — 
Diego  Antonio  Fernandez     Madrid. 

"According  to  the  copy  of  the  above  (superios)  decree  to  which  it  refers, 
and  there  is  in  the  budget  of  documents  of  this  chief  office  at  my  charge  to 
which  I  refer,  from  whence  in  fulfillment  of  the  superior  decree  of  24th.  ult". 
provided  on  the  dispatch  of  nullity  (espediante  de  nulidad)  of  the  sale  of 
the  rancho  of  Fifia  Blanca,  which  the  natives  of  the  pueblo  of  Cochiti  made 
that  is  sent  to  the  Royal  Audience  of  Guadalnjasa,  there  to  operate  in  the 
superior  tribunal  I  caused  to  be  drawn  and  did  draw  the  present  in  Mexico 
2nd.  Nov'' :  1816     Francisco  Arteaga  "  * 

"A  copy,  which  this  royal  Audience  commanded  to  be  printed,  in  order  that 
It  may  be  circulated,  published  and  observed  in  all  the  pueblos  of  the  district. 
Guadalajasa.     April  19th.  1S17.  Rafeal  Cuentes." 

*  I.  e.,  The  proceeds  of  such  lands  as  are  cultivated  on  shares  to  be  equitably  distrib- 
uted— Alvarez. 

*  Translated  by  Mr.  Alvarez  ;  but  I  cannot  see  any  sense  in  it — Th.  E  Massie — 


COERESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.   CALHOUN.  507 

This  chapter  is  concluded  by  placing  in  continuation  the  law  27  tit  VI  Book  1. 
de  la  Recopilacion  de  Indias,  the  understanding  whereof  is  fixed  hy  the  before- 
inserted  instruction  ;  and  the  tenor  whereof  is  as  follows  : — 
King  Phillip  II  in  Aranjuez  24  May  1571. 

It  is  commanded  that  the  Indians  shall  have  power  to  sell  their  lands  by  the 
authority  of  the  justice. 

"When    the    Indians   would    sell    them    landed    and    personal    property,    let 

them  bring, 
T-—^ — l.:m:;;I:t  by  the  crier,  into  the  public  auction,  in  presence  of  the  justice, 
their  real  estate  for  the  space  of  thirty  days,  and  the  personal  property  for 
nine  days;  and  whatever  may  be  sold  in  a  different  manner  shall  be  of  no 
value  nor  effect;  and,  if  it  should  appear  to  the  judge  for  just  cause,  proper  to 
shorten  the  term  as  regards  personal  property,  he  shall  have  power  to  do  so. 
And  whereas  the  goods  which  the  Indians  ordinarily  sell  are  of  little  value,  and 
if  in  al!  the  sales,  they  had  to  take  the  preceding  steps  it  would  cost  them  as 
much  as  the  principal  is  worth;  Therefore  we  ordain  that  this  law  shall  be 
observed  and  executed  in  whatever  exceeds  thirty  dollars  of  common  gold  and 
of  no  less  quantity ;  In  this  case  it  will  be  sufficient  for  the  Indian  seller  to 
appear  before  some  ordinary  Judge  to  ask  iiermission  to  make  the  sale;  and  it 
being  made  evident  by  some  proof  that  what  he  wishes  to  sell  is  his  own,  and 
that  to  sell  it  would  not  be  to  his  prejudice,  he  may  give  him  permission, 
putting  his  authority  in  the  writing  which  the  purchaser  may  give,  that  he  is 
of  age  and  competent." 

[CALHOUN  TO   SUMNER.'] 

Copy. 

Executive  Department 
Santa  Fe,  N.  M.  March  27th  1852. 
Sir 

Your  note  of  the  21st  inst  informing  me  that  Col.  H.  Brooks  has 
been  ordered  to  issue  one  hundred  stands  of  arms  and  ammunition, 
upon  my  application  for  the  same,  came  duly  to  hand,  and  I  have 
this  day  accepted  your  offer,  and  issued  a  requisition  upon  Col. 
Brooks  for  said  arms  and  ammunition  to  be  delivered  at  the  town  of 
San  Antonio,  to  the  care  of  Estanislas  Montoya. 
Very  respectfully 

Your  obedient  Servt. 

By  order  of  H,  E.  J.  S.  Calhoun 
D.  V.  Whiting 


S.  E.  D. 


Col.  E.  V.  Sumner 

Command.  Deft. 

Albuquerque.,- 

N.M. 


B.  I.  A.,  M.  L.,  March,  1852. 


508  CORKESPONDENCE    OE    JAMES    S.    CALHOUN. 

[CALHOUN  TO  BROOKS.'] 

Copy. 

Executive  Departmejst 
Santa  Fe,  N.  M.  March  'B7/52. 
Sir 

I  have  been  advised  by  the  Commanding  Officer  of  the  9th  Military 
Department,  that  you  have  been  directed  to  issue  one  hundred  stands 
of  arms  upon  my  application  for  the  same.  You  are  therefore  re- 
quested, by  virtue  of  said  order,  to  have  the  said  arms  and  anmiuni- 
tion  delivered  at  the  town  of  San  Antonio,  betv^^een  Valverde  and 
Socorro,  to  the  care  of  Estanislas  Montoya,  as  early  as  convenient. 
Very  respectfully 

Your  obdt.  Servt. 

By  order  of  H.  E.  J.  S.  Calhoun 

D.  V.  Whiting,  S.  E.  D. 
Col  H.  Brooks 

Coming  Post 

Santa  Fe  N.  M. 

[BROOKS  TO   CALHOUN.*] 

Copy. 

Santa  Fe  N.  M.  March  ^7,  5^. 
His  Excellency  J.  S.  Calhoun 

Gov.  Terry  of  New  Mexico 
Sir, 

Permit  me  to  state,  that  the  instructions,  which  I  have  received 
from  the  colonel  commanding  this  Department,  do  not  require  me 
to  send  arms  and  ammunitions,  to  the  care  of  Estanislas  Montoya,  at 
San  Antonio  New  Mexico. 

I  am  Sir,  very  respectfully 

Your  obedient  Servant 

Horace  Brooks 

Brt.  Lt.  Col. 

IB.  I.  A.,  M.  L.,  March,  1852. 
^  Ibid. 


COERESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  509 

[CALHOUN   TO  BROOKS.'] 
Copy. 

Executive  Department 
Santa  Fe,  N.  M.  March  28,  1852. 
.Sir 

Will  you  do  me  the  favor,  to  state  to  me  at  what  point  the  arms 
and  ammunition,  which  I  have  authorized  to  make  a  requisition  upon 
you  for,  will  be  delivered  to  me  ?  and  at  what  time  ? 
I  have  the  honor  to  be  very  respectfully 
Your  obdt.  Servt. 

J.  S.  Calhoun. 
\A.  Col.  H.  Brooks 

Gomdg  Post 

Santa  Fe.  N.  M. 

[CALHOUN   TO   SUMNER.=] 

Copy. 

Executive  Department 
Santa  Fe,  N.  M.  March  28,  1862 
Sir 

I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  to  you  a  copy  of  a  letter  of  this  date 
from  Col.  Brooks,  refusing  to  comply  with  my  requisition  for  one 
hundred  stands  of  arms  et  cet.  on  your  authority  to  be  delivered  at 
San  Antonio. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  very  respectfully, 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Bvt  Col.  E.  V.  Sumner 
Comdg  9th  Milit.  Dept 

Albuquerque  N.  M. 

[Inclosure.] 

VERBAL   STATEMENT  OF    COL.    BROOKS. 

Col.  Brooks  states,  that  he  had  no  flint  muskets,  such  as  he  was 
required  to  issue,  but  that  he  has  between  94  and  100  carbines,  he  will 
examine  the  store  personally  tomorrow  and  see  if  there  are  any  cart- 
ridges, he  is  required  to  issue  100,  and  the  carbines  would  be  of  no 
use  without  cartridges.  He  could  not  afford  transportation  even 
were  he  ordered  so  to  do,  as  he  has  not  teams  sufficient  to  supply  the 
post  with  wood  and  forage. 

The  above  information  was  given  by  Col.  Brooks  in  my  presence, 
to  Gov.  Calhoun  on  Sunday  March  28th  1852  at  half  past  2  o'clock. 
P.  M. 

D.  V.  Whiting. 

»B.  L  A.,  M.  L.,  March,  1852. 
2  Ibid. 


510  CORRESPONDENCE   OE   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[SUMNER  TO   CALHOUN.'] 

Head  Qurs:  9  Dept. 
Near  Albuquerque,  N.  M. 

March  30, 1862. 
Governor, 

I  have  received  your  letter  of  the  27th  inst.  I  did  not  expect  to 
deliver  the  arms  at  San  Antonio,  but  directed  Lt:  Col:  Brooks  to 
turn  them  over  to  you,  if  you  wanted  them.  I  understood  Mr  Mer- 
rit  to  say,  that  the  people  below  had  said  to  him,  that  they  would  pay 
the  expense  of  getting  them  down. 

I  enclose  a  copy  of  Capt:  Ewell's  report  from  which  you  will  see 
how  little  dei^endence  we  can  place  upon  these  flying  rumors. 
With  high  respect 

Your  ob't:  Servt: 

(Sgd)  E.  V.  Sumner, 

BvH.  Col.  Lt.  Col.  1  Dgs 

Comdg.  Dept. 
His  Exc'y.  J.  S.  Calhoun 

[CALHOUN  TO  WEBSTER.'] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe  New  JMexico 

March  31,  1862. 

Sir 

I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  to  you  copies  of  a  correspondence  be- 
tween Col  E.  y.  Sumner  Commdg  9th  Military  Department  and 
myself,  and  also  a  statement  and  refusal  of  Col  Brooks,  in  reference 
to  100  stands  of  arms  &c.  which  I  submit  for  your  consideration 
without  further  comments. 
Very  Respectfully 

Your  Obedient  Servant 

James  S.  Calhoun 
by  David  V.  Whiting 

S.  E.  D. 
Hon  Daniel  AVebster 

Secretary  of  State 

Washington  City 
D.  C. 

1  A.  G.  O.,  Department  of  New  Mexico,  vol.  8,  p.  193  ;  O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  N.  44. 
"B.   1.  A.,  M.   L.,   1852. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  51  i 

[CALHOUN  TO  LEA/] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

March  31,  1852. 
Sir 

I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  I  have  this  day  approved  the 
following  drafts  drawn  on  you,  at  sight,  by  the  several  Indian  Agents, 
viz 

John  Greiner  Esq  iu  favor  of  Joseph  D.  Ellis  for  $280  09 

Maj  Gen  S  M  Baird "       "       "       "         "       "        "  380  5(i 

Chas  Overman  Esq  "       "       "       "         "       "        "  211  21 

Which  amounts  close  their  respective  quarterly  accounts  as  may  be 
seen  by  their  Abstracts  and  Accounts  Current  for  the  quarter  ending 
March  31,  1852 

Very  Respectfully 

Your  Obedt  Servant 

James  S   Calhoun 
by  David  V.  Whiting 
Hon  L.  Lea 

Commr  of  Ind  Ajfs 

Washington  City 
D.C. 

[CALHOUN  TO  LEA.'] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe'  New  Mexico 

March  31,  1852, 
Sib 

I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  to  you  the  quarterly  accounts  of  Maj. 
Genl  S.  M.  Baird  and  Chas  Overman  Esq.  These  gentlemen  were 
appointed  by  me  as  Special  Agents,  under  your  authority,  the  first 
for  the  Navajo  and  the  second  for  the  Southern  Indians.  Maj  Genl 
Bairds  services  have  had  a  very  beneficial  effect  in  preventing 
Mexicans  and  others  from  trading  with  the  Navajo  Indians  without 
license  and  also  in  adjusting  difficulties  among  the  Pueblos.  In  his 
reports  to  this  Department  he  has  made  many  valuable  suggestions, 
which,  for  want  of  time  I  do  not  lay  before  the  Department,  but  by 
the  first  convenient  opportunity  I  shall  have  the  honor  of  so  doing 
and  hope  the  Department  will  provide  the  means  of  adopting  and 
carrying  his  suggestions  into  effect.  Owing  to  the  dangers  incurred 
in  travelling  Mr.  Overman  has  not  as  yet  been  able  to  accomplish 
much,  but  I  sincerely  hope  that  the  time  is  not  far  distant  when  he 
will  be  enabled  to  announce  that  the  Indians  in  that  region  have 

^  O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  N  37.  ^  Ibid.,  N  39. 


512  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

become  pacified  and  friendly  towards  the  inhabitants  of  this  Terri- 
tory 

Very  Eespectfiilly 

Your  Obedt  Servt 

James  S  Calhoun 
pr  David  V  Whiting 
Hon  L.  Lea 

Commr  &c. 

Washington  City 

[CALHOUN  TO  LEA/] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe'  New  Mexico 

March  31st  1852 
Sir 

I  have  this  day  drawn  on  you  at  sight  in  favor  of  Manuel  Alva- 
rez Esq.  for  One  thousand  thirty  seven  ^^^^^  Dollars,  on  account  of 
disbursements  for  the  quarter  ending  this  day,  as  you  will  perceive 
by  referring  to  my  Abstract  and  account  current  which  I  forward  by 
this  mail. 

Very  Respectfully 

Your  Obedient  Servant 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Supt.  Ind.  Ajfs. 
Hon  L.  Lea 

Commr.  of  Ind.  Affairs 

Washington  City, 
D.  C. 

[CALHOUN  TO  LEA,'] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

March  SI,  1852. 
Sm 

I  have  this  day  drawn  on  you,  at  sight  in  favor  of  Joseph  D. 
Ellis  Esq  for  One  Thousand  Dollars  on  account  of  disbursements  for 
the  quarter  ending  this  day,  as  you  will  perceive  by  referring  to  ray 
Abstract  and  account  current  which  I  forward  by  this  mail. 
Very  ResjDect fully 

Your  Obedient  Servant 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
t 
Superint    Ind.  Affairs 
Hon.  L.  Lea 

Comm''  of  Ind.  Affs 

Washington  City 

B.C. 


O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  N  41.  ="  Ibid.,  S  93. 


COEKESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  513 

[CALHOUN  TO  LEA/] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe'  Neav  Mexico 

March  SI,  1851. 
Sir 

Your  favor  of  January  16th  acknowledging  the  receipt  of  Agent 
Greiners  report,  and  yours  of  the  31st  January  advising  me  of  the 
appointment  of  Spence  M.  Baird  as  Agent  for  the  Indians  of  New 
Mexico  and  requiring  him  to  report  to  this  Department  and  file  his 
bond  have  been  received. 

I  take  great  pleasure  in  informing  you  that  Genl  Baird  has  ac- 
cepted the  appointment  and  reported  himself  to  this  Department, 
he  has  also  filed  his  bond  with  me,  which  I  herewith  enclose,  in  com- 
pliance with  your  instructions 
Very  Respectfully 

Your  Obedt  Servt 


Hon  L  Lea 

Commr  of  Ind  A-ffs 

Washington  City 
D.G. 


James  S  Calhoun 
By  David  V  Whiting 


[CALHOUN  TO  LEA.*] 

Executive  Department 
Santa  Fe'  New  Mexico 

March  31, 1862. 
Sm 

I  herewith  have  the  honor  to  transmit  to  you  my  accounts  for  the 
quarter  ending  March  31,  1852.  To  close  my  accounts  for  current 
expenses  during  the  quarter  ending  to  day  I  have  drawn  on  you  in 
favor  of  Jos  D.  Ellis  for  $1,000  and  Manuel  Alvarez  for  $1037.36, 
which  drafts  I  trust  will  be  duly  honored. 

I  am  just  recovering  from  a  severe  attack  of  the  scurvy^  which 
came  near  laying  me  in  my  grave.  I  am  so  extremely  weak  and 
prostrated  that  I  was  compelled  to  authorize  the  writer  of  this  to 
sign  all  my  accounts  for  me.  I  have  the  honor  of  enclosing  a  certifi- 
cate duly  signed  and  subscribed  showing  his  authority  so  to  do  in 
order  that  no  difficulty  may  arise,  in  this  respect,  in  adjusting  my 


iQ.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  N  35. 
2  Ibid.,  N  37. 

»  Various  War  Department  letters  show  that  scurvy  was  extremely  bad  among  the  troops 
in  New  Mexico. 

5021—15 33 


514  CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

accounts;  had  I  not  followed  this  course  it  would  have  been  utterly 
impossible  for  me  to  have  forwarded  my  accounts. 
Very  Respectfully 

Your  Obedt  Servt 

James  S.  Calhoun 
pr  David  V.  Whiting 
Hon  L.  Lea 

Comm/  of  Ind  Ajfs 

Washington  City 

D.C. 

[CALHOUN  TO  LEA.] 

Executive  Department 
Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

Apnl  1st  1852. 
Sir 

I  have  this  day  approved  a  draft  in  favor  of  Thomas  D  Russell  Esq 
drawn  by  Col  A  R.  Woolley  at  ninety  days  for  387  ^Vioo  Dollars, 
being  for  this  quarters  salary  due  June  30th  1852. 
Very  Respectfully 

Your  Obedient  Servant 

J.  S.  Calhoun 

Swpt.  Ind.  Affs. 
Hon  Luke  Lea 

CorrmV  of  Ind  Affs 

W ashington  City 

D.  C. 

[CALHOUN  TO  LEA.^] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

ApHl  6th  1852. 
Sm 

I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  to  you  a  letter  received  from  Col  Sum- 
ner in  reference  to  furnishing  arms  for  the  protection  of  the  inhabi- 
tants of  the  Territory  against  the  wild  Indians.  I  need  make  no  com- 
ments in  reference  to  said  letter  as  it  is  sufficiently  clear  to  explain 
itself. 

Our  Territory  is  in  a  more  critical  condition  than  it  has  ever  been 
before,  a  combination  of  the  wild  Indians  who  surround  us  is  threat- 
ened and  I  am  not  very  far  wrong  when  I  assert  that  after  the  first 
of  May  or  June  the  road  to  the  States  will  become  so  infested  with 
Indians  that  it  will  be  unsafe  to  travel  except  with  large  and  well 
provided  escorts.    I  further  assert  that  the  lives  of  the  citizens  of  the 


O.   I.   A..  New  Mexico  Supy.,   N  44. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  515 

Territory  are  in  eminent  danger  if  Col  Simmer  insists  in  carrying 
out  his  views  to  withdraw  his  main  force  from  the  settlements  for 
the  purpose  of  making  a  campaign  in  person  to  the  Apache  Country, 
and  should  he  not  be  able  to  chastise  the  Indians  at  once,  that  he  will 
remain  there  during  the  winter.  Seeing  that  all  available  military 
force  is  drawn  off  from  the  country,  a  more  favorable  opportunity 
could  not  present  itself.  Such  have  been  my  apprehensions  and  being 
corroborated  and  increased  by  reports  which  come  daily  to  our  ears 
from  the  most  reliable  sources  that  I  have  deemed  it  advisable  for 
every  American  female  to  leave  the  country  with  as  little  delay  as 
possible,  while  on  the  contrary  were  the  country  in  a  quiet  state  I 
would  urge  every  married  man  who  intends  remaining  here  for  any 
length  of  time,  to  bring  his  family  with  him. 

If  the  Government  of  the  United  States  intends  doing  any  thing 
for  our  protection  for  Heavens  sake  let  us  know  it  or  give  us  an  op- 
portunity for  each  one  to  look  out  for  himself  and  allow  us  an  oppor- 
tunity to  leave  as  soon  as  possible. 

Although  I  have  been  lying  at  the  point  of  death  and  forbidden 
by  my  physicians  to  attend  to  my  public  duties  and  even  now  have 
to  be  propped  up  in  my  bed  in  order  to  sign  my  name,  I  have  re- 
quested the  writer  of  this  to  give  you  the  facts  so  that  if  the  Govern- 
ment is  going  to  afford  us  any  assistance  they  may  do  so  at  once,  as 
every  moments  delay  brings  us  nearer  to  destruction  and  all  assistance 
may  arrive  too  late  to  be  of  any  avail. 

It  has  been  utterly  impossible  for  me  to  discharge  the  duties  of 
Superintendent,  and  Mr  Greiner  has  been  detailed  to  perform  the 
duties  of  the  office  during  my  sickness. 

I  pray  you  give  the  enclosed  letter  and  information  its  proper 
course,  so  that  if  any  action  i?  to  be  taken  by  the  proper  authorities 
it  may  be  done  immediately 
Very  Respectfully 

Your  Obedt  Servt 

James  S  Calhoun 
by  DAvro  V  Whiting 

Hon  L.  Lea 

Commr  of  Ind  Afls 
Washington  City 
DC. 


516  COBBESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[Related  Correspondence.] 

[SUMNER  TO  CONRAD.^] 

Head  Quarters,  9ti£  Depi': 

Near  Albuquerque  N.  M. 

March  27th  1852 
The  Hon  C.  M.  Conrad 

Secretary  of  War 
Sib, 

I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of  the  4th  of  Feb- 
ruary 1852,  covering  a  copy  of  your  letter  to  the  Texas  delegation  and  the 
remonstrance  of  the  people  of  El  Paso,  against  the  removal  of  the  troops  from 
that  vicinity.  I  feel  much  gratified  sir,  at  the  action  you  have  thought  proper 
to  take  in  this  matter,  it  is  undoubtedly  true  that  the  people  of  the  town  re- 
quire less  protection,  than  the  people  of  the  country  indeed  it  is  not  too  much  to 
Bay,  that  if  these  Mexicans  when  banded  together  in  large  numbers,  have  not 
the  manliness  to  defend  themselves  fi'om  small  parties  of  roving  Indians,  they 
deserve  to  suffer.  It  is  not  generally  their  fear  so  much  as  their  cupidity, 
that  makes  them  desire  to  have  troops  stationed  among  them,  they  want  the 
government  money.  We  were  paying  nbout  $4000  a  year  rent  at  the  post 
opposite  El  Paso,  and  Mr  Hart,  who  has  made  himself  so  conspicuous  in  this 
afifair  was  the  flour  contractor  at  12  1/2  cents  per  pound.  It  is  not  unreason- 
able to  suppose  that  the  removal  of  the  troops  interfered  very  much  with  his 
Interests  and  expectations.  I  am  convinced  that  the  only  way  to  subdue  In- 
dians effectually  aud  permanently,  is  to  improve  their  condition,  and  the  best 
way  to  do  this,  is  to  establish  posts  in  the  heart  of  their  country,  where  we 
can  bring  them  about  us,  and  instruct  them  in  agriculture  and  other  useful 
arts.  The  Navajoes  continue  perfectly  quiet  and  have  commenced  planting  ex- 
tensively this  spring.  I  have  directed  that  various  seeds  be  given  to  them, 
and  that  they  be  instructed  how  to  raise  them.  It  is  too  much,  however,  to 
expect  that  an  entire  stop,  can  be  put  at  once,  to  all  Indian  depredations.  They 
are  educated  to  believe  that  the  stealing  of  horses,  is  an  act  of  prowess,  and 
a  few  young  men  may  occasionnlly  band  together  for  this  purpose,  but  this 
propensity  will  soon  wear  out. 
I  am  Sir 

With  high  respect 

Your  ob't  Servant, 

E  V  Sumner 
livt:  Col:  Lt:  Col: 

1st  Drags 
Comdg:  Dept: 


[ SUMNER  TO   MORRIS.^] 


Head  Qurs  9th   DePt. 
Near  Albuquerque  N.  M. 

Aprd  1,  1852. 
Major, 

I  have  received  your  letter  of  March  16th,  and  I  appreciate  your  zeal,  and 
thank  you  for  it.    Under  existing  circumstances,  I  cannot  spare  troops  to  make 


lA.  G.  O..  Department  of  New  Mexico,  vol.  8,  pp.  186-187. 
»A.  G.  O.,  Old  Book,  No.  5A. 


COKEESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  5l7 

another  scout  immediately  against  the  Gila  Apaches,  and  I  do  not  think  It 
advisable  to  employ  volunteers.  If  with  the  means  you  have,  you  can  make 
Any  movements  that  you  think  would  be  prudent  and  beneficial,  I  wish  you  to 
do  so,  but  this  is  a  matter  I  must  leave  entirely  to  your  own  judgement.  It  Is 
a  very  great  object  to  get  into  communication  with  those  Indians,  and,  in  some 
way,  to  induce  them  to  surrender  to  you  the  White  Men  that  are  among  them. 
These  villains  are  at  the  bottom  of  all  the  mischief.  I  am  informed  that 
Mangas  Colerado  the  principal  Chief,  desires  to  make  peace,  and  disdains  the 
acts  of  the  hostile  band.  Perhaps  if  you  could  induce  him  to  come  in,  you 
might  through  him,  get  into  communication  with  the  others.  You  know  this 
thing  commenced  by  the  unprovoked  murder  of  two  Apaches  at  San  Antonio 
last  fall.  The  Indians  came  in  and  demanded  that  the  murderer  should  be 
confined  for  trial,  this  was  done,  but  as  soon  as  the  Indians  were  gone,  the 
villain  was  released,  and  when  the  Indians  heard  of  it  they  became  furious. 

The  Navajos  continue  perfectly  quiet,  and  are  planting  extensively  this 
Spring — Maj  Backus  keeps  up  a  constant  intercourse  with  the  principal  men, 
and  through  them  he  manages  the  whole  tribe — I  have  no  doubt  but  you  will 
have  the  same  influence  over  the  Apaches,  after  you  once  get  your  hand 
upon  them — 

I  am  obliged  to  go  into  the  Utah  Country  this  Spring  to  establish  a  post. 
When  I  return  I  intend  to  go  to  Fort  Defiance  and  Fort  Webster —  I  wish 
to  know  your  opinion  about  your  having  another  Infantry  Company,  in  the 
place  of  the  Company  of  horse,  for  I  understand  that  it  will  be  difficult  and 
expensive  to  subsist  horse  at  your  post —  I  could  give  you  20  horses  for 
detached  service,  escort  duty  and  the  like —  Uet  me  hear  from  you  on  this 
subject  by  the  first  opportunity. 
Very  respectfully 

Major    Your  ob't :  Serv't 

Sgd  E   V    Sumner 

Bvt:  Col:  Lt:  Col. 
J  St  Dg's  Comd'g:  Dept. 
Major  G.  Morris. 

Comd'g: 

Fnrt  Webster 

[CALHOUN  TO   SUMNER.'] 

Copy. 

Executive  Department 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico  April  7  1862. 
Sir 

Having  learned  that  you  contemplate  an  Expedition  against  the 
Southern  Apaches  at  an  early  period,  and  that  you  intend  to  take 
the  field  in  person  with  a  strong  force,  thereby  weakening  the  Mili- 
tary posts,  in  the  more  settled  parts  of  the  TeiTitory,  I  have  deemed 
it  advisable  to  inform  you  respectfully  that  facts  have  lately  come 
under  my  observation  that  induces  me  to  believe,  that  plans  are  afoot 
to  unite  the  several  tribes  of  Wild  Indians,  by  whom  we  are  sur- 
rounded against  this  Government. 

1  A.  G.  O.,  Piles,  S  202  of  1852,  No.  1. 


518  CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

P'rom  various  quarters  reports  have  reached  here — all  tending  to 
confirm  the  statement. 

Should  the  troops  be  withdrawn  to  the  more  distant  parts  of  the 
Territory,  serious  apprehensions  must  be  felt,  and  fears  will  be  enter- 
tained as  to  the  result,  should  difficulties  of  the  kind  occur.  An  agent 
whom  I  have  had  travelling  for  the  last  two  or  three  months  among 
the  tribes  East  and  South  East  of  this  place  and  who  is  in  the  confi- 
dence of  these  Indians,  and  who  understands  and  speaks  their  lan- 
guage, has  just  returned  from  their  Country,  and  were  his  statements 
to  be  made  public  it  would  greatly  alarm  our  Citizens.  I  assure  you 
Colonel  that  it  is  not  my  desire,  nor  purpose  to  interfere  with  duties 
exclusively  yours,  in  my  public  position. —  but  only  desire  as  far  as 
in  my  power  to  contribute  to  the  public  safety,  for  I  am  perfectly 
assured  that  troubles  are  thickening  around  us,  that  you  and  you 
only  can  disperse. 

You  have  done  much  in  establishing  Fort  Defiance  in  the  Navajo 
Country  for  the  safety  of  our  Citizens  and  when  the  post  in  the 
Eutaw  Country  is  formed,  it  will  still  add  to  our  security,  by  thwart- 
ing the  purposes  of  the  Wild  Indians,  and  all  who  are  interested  in 
urging  them  on.  By  selecting  a  Central  position,  where  your  animals 
could  be  recruited  and  be  ready  to  move  at  a  moments  notice,  and 
where  facts  could  be  obtained  more  readily — necessary  to  the  peace 
of  the  Territory  and  where  you  could  be  put  in  direct  communica- 
tion with  the  principal  Pueblos — you  would  in  my  humble  opinion 
do  more  to  protect  the  lives  and  property  of  our  people  at  this  time 
than  by  heading  an  expedition  to  the  Apache  Country. 

So  fearful  and  perilous  do  I  deem  the  Crisis,  that  I  have  sent 
runners  into  the  Navajo  Country  to  induce  three  of  the  principal 
Chiefs  to  meet  me  here,  and  to-morrow  I  intend  to  send  to  the  Eutaw 
Country  for  some  of  the  Captains  of  that  tribe  to  hold  a  consultation 
and  to  learn  whether  they  themselves  are  reliable  and  to  counteract 
any  mischievous  designs  that  may  have  been  devised  against  the  resi- 
dents of  this  Territory. 

You  are  perhaps  advised  of  my  weak,  feeble,  and  almost  hopeless 
condition — and  I  feel  that  I  am  speaking  almost  as  a  dying  man. — 
yet  I  feel  desirous  of  doing  all  in  my  power  to  promote  the  public 
weal. 

But  for  my  utter  inability,  I  should  mount  my  horse  and  visit  you 
at  your  quarters.  For  the  last  four  weeks  I  have  been  unable  to  stand 
alone  without  assistance,  and  for  the  same  period  have  been  con- 
stantly confined  to  my  bed.  I  beg  to  assure  you  that  I  appreciate  the 
absolute  &  unqualified  necessity  of  making  a  demonstration  against 
the  Apaches,  and  signal  chastisement  should  be  visit<5d  upon  them, 
but  I  am  under  the  impression  that  it  is  more  important  at  present  to 
look  to  the  well  being,  and  safety  of  oui'  Citizens 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  519 

Praying  to  be  allowed  to  assure  you  again,  that  it  is  scarcely  my 
privilege  to  speak  to  you  of  the  defenses  of  this  Territory,  and  that 
I  know  it  to  be  your  duty,  and  your  duty  alone,  and  after  asking  to 
be  pardoned  for  this  gratuitous  communication,  I  have  the 
honor  to  be 

Your  obedient  servant, 

(Sgd)  J.  S.  Calhoun. 

Bvt.  Col :  E  V  Sumner 

Col:  Com  Dept  New  Mexico 

P.  S.  Having  been  appointed  acting  Superintendent  of  Indian 
Affairs  during  the  illness  of  Gov  Calhoun  I  would  respectfully  add 
my  testimony — from  the  facts  gathered  from  reliable  sources  that 
there  is  every  reason  to  fear  the  apprehensions  expressed  by  him  in 
this  letter  are  well  founded 


Very  Kespectfully 

Your  obt :  Svt. 


(Sgd)  John  Greiner, 


Head  Qurs  :  9  Mil  :  Dept. 

Near  Albuquerque  N  M. 
April  9th  1852 

A  true  Copy 

J.  C.  MgFerran 
1st  Lt  3d  Inf 
A.  A.  A.  G. 

[Related  Correspondence.] 

[oREINER  to  SUMNER.^] 

Private 

Santa  Fe  Apnl  4  1%52 
My  Dear  Gen'l 

An  Indian  from  Cochito  Pueblo  whose  name  is  Juan  Antonio  Baca  has  been 
traveling  among  the  several  Pueblos  in  the  Rio  Arriba,  and  is  now  in  the  Rio 
Ajujo  He  needs  watching  closely — there  is  some  devilment  afoot — In  what 
shape  I  dont  know. 

I  wish  you  would  'ferret '  out  his  business  and  what  he  is  after. 

By  interrogating  some  of  our  friendly  Indians  you  may  discover  the  object. 

I  suggested  this  matter  to  Mr  Keithley  just  as  he  was  leaving — but  thought 
there  was  but  little  reality  in  it  Circumstances  since  has  confirmed  the  sus- 
picions— and  the  Agents  are  the  proper  persons  to  \earn  the  truth  of  the  rumors. 

Don  Carlos  a  reliable  Indian  from  Tesuque  has  just  come  in  from  the  Coman- 
che Country — and  he  is  evidently  impressed  with  the  fact  that  there  is  a 
'  League '  being  entered  into  between  the  Comanches  &  Mexicans  to  attack  New 

&  Mexicans 
Mexico— and  to  unite  all  the  Wild  tribes  against  the  Americans. 

1  O.    I.   A.,   New   Mexico   Letter   Tress  Book,   vol.   I,   p   .6.S. 


520  CORKESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

The  President  of  Mexico  has  sent  for  one  of  the  Chiefs  of  the  Comanches  who 
has  a  "  Document  "  from  the  Prist  inviting  them  all  to  join  the  Mexicans. 

Be  on  the  alert.  Get  all  the  information  you  can  in  regard  to  the  matter — 
and  please  drop  me  a  line. 

Yours  &c  J.  Greineb 

P  S.  The  Governors  health  is  improving — to  day. 

You  will  please  keep  us  regularly  advised  of  every  thing  going  on — The  Gov- 
ernor wishes  1o  see  "  Hosta  "  and  the  Navajo  Chiefs  sent  for  must  be  treated 
with  the  utmost  kindness  while  under  your  care. 

Should  any  "  contingencies  "  arise  making  it  necssary  to  make  a  few  presents 
the  '  vouchers  '  will  be  cheerfully  approved  by  the  Governor. 
Respectfully 

Yours  J.  Greineb 

[greiner  to  baird  ?  ^] 

Confidential) 

Santa  Fe  April  1-1852. 
Deab  General 

Fearing  that  a  letter  from  the  Governor  written  last  night  to  Albuquerque 
may  not  have  reached  you  I  write  by  Mr.  Bray  to  you  at  Jemes  so  that  there 
can  be  no  mistake  in  a  letter  reaching  you. 

The  importance  of  every  agent  being  at  his  Post  at  the  present  time  must  be 
paramount  to  every  other  consideration 

Should  any  "accidental  circumstances"  occur  in  any  of  our  Indian  relations 
the  blame  must  not  be  at  our  doors.     The  responsibility  must  rest  where  It 

to  shew 
belongs  and  we  must  be  careful — let  what  will  happen  that  whatever 

danger  may  threaten  our  Citizens  that  every  precaution  was  taken  to  avoid 
it  by  the  Indian  Department. 

You  must  see  &  judge  for  yourself  if  there  is  anything  brewing  among  the 
Pueblos — at  the  same  time  care  must  be  taken  that  you  shew  them  every  confi- 
dence is  placed  in  them  by  you. 

Talk  around  among  the  wild  Indians  and  judge  for  yourself  if  there  is  any 
"  diplomacy  "  carried  on  between  them  &  other  tribes.  But  say  nothing — do 
nothing — to  excite  suspicion  in  the  breast  of  any  one — 

Much  depends  on  keeping  evei*y  thing  dark 

The  Governor's  health  is  imi)roving  vei-y  slowly 
Yours  truly 

John  Greiner  Act  Supt  Ind  Af. 

[SUMNER   TO   CALHOUN.'] 

Copy, 

Head  Qrs  9th  Dept 

Near  Albuquerque  N  M. 

April  8/52. 
Governor 

I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  dated 
yesterday. — I  am  much  surprised  at  the  information  you  have  just 

1 0.  I.   A.,  New  Mexico  Letter  Press  Book,  vol,  I,  p.  84. 
2  A.  G.  O.,  Piles,  S  202  of  1852,  No.  3. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  521 

received  about  the  Indians,  and  I  can  not  think  that  we  should  give 
full  credence  to  it. — Nevertheless,  I  shall  postpone  my  contemplated 
movement  against  the  Apaches,  and  shall  quietly,  but  promptly,  make 
such  arrangements,  that  I  can  rapidly  concentrate  a  sufficient  force 
for  any  emergency. — -This  will  not  interfere  with  the  establishment 
of  the  post  in  the  Utah  Country,  nor  will  it  prevent  the  movements 
against  the  Apaches. — 

I  shall  send  two  small  columns  against  that  band,  one  to  the  Gila 
Country,  and  one  to  the  "VVliite  Mountains — I  can  safely  do  this,  and 
leave  myself  sufficient  troops  for  any  exigency. — 

I  regret  very  much  to  hear  of  your  extreme  illness,  and  I  would 
respectfully  suggest,  whether  you  ought  not  to  dismiss  all  care  about 
these  public  matters  until  you  are  better. — Rest  assured,  Sir.  that  I 
will  take  such  measures,  that  whoever  expects  to  find  me  unprepared, 
will  find  himself  mistaken. — ^ 
Hoping  to  hear  that  you  are  better. — 
I  am  Sir 

With  high  respect 

Your  obt  Servt 

E  V  Sumner 
Bvt  Col  USA 

Oomg  Dept 
His  Excy 

J  S  Calhoun 

true  copy 

E  V  Sumner 

Brf  Col 

[Related  Correspondence.] 

[SUMNER  TO  JONES.] 

Hd  Qrs  9th  Dept  • 
NEAR  Albuquerque  N  M 

April  91  h  52.— 
General 

On  the  6tli  inst  the  Attorney  General  uf  this  Territury.  Mr  Johnson,  came 
down  from  Santa  Fe  and  informed  me  that  Govr  Calhoun  was  at  the  iwint  of 
death,  and  that  the  Secretary  Mr  Allen  had  determined  to  go  to  the  States  in 
a  few  days,  and  that  the  civil  government  would  be  left  without  n  head. — 
He  stated  to  me  that  it  was  the  opinion  of  Judge  Mower,  and  decidedly  his  own, 
that  the  government  should  devolve  upon  me. — On  the  following  morning  I 
handed  him  my  written  decision,  a  copy  of  which  is  inclosed. — Yesterday  I 
received  a  letter  from  Govr  Calhoun,  which  I  also  inclose,  together  with  my 
reply.     I  do  not  think  there  is  ground  for  so  much  alarm. — The  report  is,  that 


See  Letter  of  Sumner,  April  9,  1852. 


522  CORKESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

ageuts  of  the  Mexictm  goveruuient  have  been  tamperiug  with  the  Indians,  to 
induce  them  to  form  an  extensive  coalition  against  us,  both  here  and  in  Texas. — 
It  seems  to  me  impossible  that  that  government  would  thus  throw  away  all 
claim  for  indemnity,  for  if  there  is  a  shadow  of  truth  in  this  report,  I  presume 
it  would  speedily  settle  that  question. — In  addition  to  this  report,  there  are 
constant  rumors  of  disaffection  in  the  Mexican  population,  until  any  one  not 
conversant  with  affairs  here,  would  suppose  that  we  were  on  the  eve  of  a  rebel- 
lion.— The  Governor  and  I,  although  differing  on  many  points,  have  agreed 
upon  this,  that  there  is  nothing  whatever  to  apprehend  from  the  Mexicans  if 
they  are  treated  justly  and  properly — As  a  proof  that  we  are  right,  several  of 
the  principal  and  most  influential  Mexicans  have  sent  large  trains  to  the 
United  States  this  spring  for  goods,  while  others  are  preparing  to  go  to  Cali- 
fornia intending  to  leave  their  families  and  property  here. — I  believe  that  most 
of  these  stories  originate  with  some  unprincipled  Americans,  or  if  they  do  not 
create  them,  they  distort  and  exaggerate  them  for  the  purpose  of  keeping  up 
this  excitement. — It  is  my  deliberate  opinion  that  there  are  some  men  in  this 
Territory  who  would  stick  at  nothing  to  increase  the  expenditures  of  the 
government.  All  this  would  be  of  no  consequence,  except  that  such  reports 
sometimes  have  a  tendency  to  verify  themselves,  by  creating  distrust,  and  serv- 
ing to  alienate  the  different  classes  from  each  other. — If  from  this  cause,  or 
any  other,  a  difficulty  should  arise  with  the  Mexicans,  (luring  an  interregnum  in 
the  office  of  Governor,  I  should  be  compelled  to  assume  the  function  of  that 
office,  for  it  would  then  be  indispensably  necessary,  that  all  the  powers  of 
the  general  government  in  this  territory,  should  be  put  in  vigorous  execution. 
I  have  no  desire  to  do  this,  and  shall  never  resort  to  it,  but  from  a  sense  of 
imperative  necessity.  I  would  resiiectfully  ask  the  views  of  the  government 
under  such  a  contingency. — 
Very  respectfully 

Your  obt   Servt 

E  V  Sumner 
Bvt  Col  Lt  Col  1  Orgs 

Comg  Dept 
Majr  Gen  R.  Jones 

Adjt  Genrl 

[in  CLOSURE.^] 

Copy. 

In  the  event  of  an  Interregnum  in  the  office  of  Governor  in  this  territory,  I 
am  fully  aware  that  the  people  and  government  of  the  United  States,  would 
justly  hold  me  accountable  for  the  preservation  of  law  and  orders — At  the 
same  time,  it  is  so  entirely  inconsistent  with  all  the  institutions  of  our  country, 
for  a  military  man  to  assume  the  functions  of  a  Governor,  that  I  should  decline 
to  do  it,  not  to  shun  responsibility,  but  from  a  sense  that  it  would  not  be  right. 

Can  these  two  positions  be  made  to  harmonize — I  think  so. 

If  the  two  highest  civil  officers  (Judges  Mower  and  Watts)  will  decide 
between  themselves  which  shall  take  precedence,  I  will  recognize  and  support 
the  superior  at;  acting  Governor. — If  they  cannot  do  this,  I  will  protect  the 
interregnum,  in  other  words,  I  will  protect  all  the  civil  officers  in  the  perform- 
ance of  their  several  duties,  they  being  responsible  to  the  authority  from  which 


A.  (}.  O..  Files,  S  202  of  1852,  No.  2 ;  O.  I.  A.,  Miscellaneous  Files,  April,  1852. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  523 

they   derived   their  powers. — The  office  of   Governor   to   remain  vacant,    until 
orders  are  received  from  the  general  government. 

E  V  Sumner 
Bvt  Col  V  8  A 


Comg  Dept 


Hi)  Qrs  9th  Dept 

Near  Albuquerque  N  M 

April  7th 


true  copy 

E  V   Sumner 

Bvt  Col 

[CALHOUN   TO   DAWSON.'] 

Received  b}"  Telegraph  from  Independence  Mo  8th  from  Executive 
Department  Santa  Fe  New  Mexico  April  12th  3  o'clock  A.  M. 

To  Hon  W  C  Daavson  U  S  Senator 

Washington  City. 

Continuing  to  improve — -Immediately  after  closing  my  last  Tele- 
graphic Dispatch  Revolutionary  reports  came  rapidly  upon  us  after 
twelve  oclock  at  night  while  I  firmly  believe  that  evil  disposed  per- 
sons are  hoping  now  to  accomplish  their  fiendish  purposes  of  Revolu- 
tion which  they  have  been  attempting  for  more  than  twelve  months 
past. 

We  are  not  able  to  fight  against  the  infamous  Combination  that 
has  been  so  long  &  so  stealthily  at  work  to  bathe  this  Territory  in 
blood.  I  have  no  means  am  without  arms  &  a  hopeless  task  &  with- 
out these  afforded  to  me  the  end  is  not  yet.  It  is  proper  however  to 
remark  that  Col  Sumner  I  think  is  about  to  adopt  a  course  that  may 
prevent  for  a  time  the  dreadful  horrors  of  a  civil  war.  Col  Brooks 
Commanding  this  post  has  within  the  last  day  &  night  accomplished 
more  for  the  protection  of  this  City  than  it  was  supposed  to  be  pos- 
sible for  any  ese  man  to  have  done  in  the  same  length  of  time  & 
this  entitles  him  to  the  Plaudit  of  gyea*  "Well  done  good  &  faith- 
ful Servant "  The  coming  in  of  rumors  has  not  ee*se  abated.  I 
vouch  for  nothing  but  for  the  angry  condition  of  the  elements  in  this 
territory  and  cannot  &  do  not  believe  that  it  is  a  contest  between  races 
but  give  me  the  power  &  with  the  proper  energy  strength  which  God 
only  can  give  &  I  will  strip  this  thing  of  all  its  mystery  This  is 
but  the  second  chapter  of  a  book  of  1851. 

This  despatch  is  not  for  publication  it  is  for  information  from  a 
man  who  has  narrowly  escaped  from  the  grave  &  at  this  hour  is  obliged 
to  employ  an  amanuensis  to  record  what  he  now  wishes  to  state  to 

>  0.  I.  A.,  Miscellaneous  Piles,  April,  1852. 


524  CORKESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

you  I  can  only  sign  my  name  by  being  propped  up.  Of  course  I 
expect  the  President  &  others  inclu-  Weightman  &  such  individuals 
as  you  may  deem  it  advisable  to  exhibit  this  despatch  to  have  an 
opportunity  of  reading  it. 

I  am  your  friend  &  Servant 


J  S  Calhoun 


I  CALHOUN  TO  SUMNEB. 

Copy. 


Executive  Department, 

Santa  Fe',  New  Mexico 

April  m,h  1852. 
Colonel 

I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of  the 
8th  inst  which  was  handed  to  me  on  the  10th  by  Col.  Brooks. 

From  information  which  has  reached  me  from  various  quarters  I 
am  satisfied  that  there  is  a  rebellious  feeling  among  the  people,  and 
that  they  now  only  await  a  favorable  opportunity  to  attempt  carrying 
their  treasonable  purposes  into  effect.  Under  this  conviction  it 
afforded  me  great  relief  to  learn  that  you  have  postponed  your  con- 
templated movement  against  the  Apaches,  and  that  you  will  promptly 
make  such  arrangements  as  will  enable  you  rapidly  to  concentrate  a 
sufficient  force  for  a/iy  emergency.  In  a  dispatch  which  I  this  day 
availed  myself  of  an  opportunity  of  sending  to  the  States  I  took 
occasion  to  refer  in  appropriate  terms  of  approbation  of  your  readi- 
ness and  determination  to  meet  "  any  exigency  "  which  may  arise, 
and  at  the  same  time,  as  a  matter  of  justice  to  Col.  Brooks  I  ex- 
pressed my  admiration  of  the  astonishing  alacrity  and  skill  with 
which  he  quietly  put  all  his  stores  and  ammunitions  of  war  as  well 
as  the  Palace  in  a  complete  state  of  defence. 

In  doing  this,  the  Colonel  has  without  any  expense  and  almost 
without  observation  performed  a  work  which  should  have  been  com- 
pleted years  since.  Even  if  there  should  be  no  present  difficulty  the 
result  of  the  Colonel's  labors  will  be  most  happy  in  affording  a  rally- 
ing point  to  all  good  citizens,  and  restraining  by  its  invulnerability 
any  overt  acts  of  the  treasonable  and  vicious. 

If  it  can  be  made  to  harmonize  with  your  policy,  I  would  respect- 
fully suggest  that  an  additional  artillery  force  be  for  a  time  at  least 
stationed  at  this  place. — It  is  my  impression  that  the  better  informed 
portion  of  the  mexican  population  will  not  encourage  any  revolu- 
tionary movements  but  I  fear,  that  there  are  some  of  this  class  who 
writhing  under  disappointments  of  cupidity  and  political  ambition 
will  not  admonish  their  more  benighted  countrymen  of  what  is  for 


A.  G.  O.,  Files,  S  217  of  1852,  No.  1. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  525 

their  true  interest.  From  information  on  file  in  my  department  I 
think  our  most  imminent  danger  is  from  the  savages  surrounding  us 
and  who  are  now  being  excited  against  us  by  emissaries  and  traitor- 
ous persons.  So  important  has  this  danger  become,  that  I  feel  it 
incumbent  upon  me,  to  give  it  my  most  unremitting  attention.  I 
pray  you  to  accept  of  my  most  heartfelt  thanks  for  your  commisera- 
tion for  my  enfeebled  state  of  health.  It  has  pleased  Divine  Provi- 
dence to  bring  me  through  the  crisis  of  my  disease  and  place  me  in 
what  according  to  my  own  opinion  and  that  of  my  physicians  is  a 
state  of  rapid  recovery. 

Hoping  that  you  will  make  my  family  circle  your  home  immedi- 
ately upon  your  arrival  here 
I  remain  yours  truly 

(signed)  J.  S.  Calhoun 

Col.  E.  V.  Sumner 

CoTnmdg  9th  mil:  Dept. 

near  Albuquerque 
N.  M. 
true  copy 

E  V  Sumner 
Bvt  GolU  S  A 

[Related  Correspondence.] 

I  SUMNER  TO  JONES. ^] 

Hd  Qrs  9th  Dept 

Santa  Fe  N  M 

April  22  '52. 
General 

On  the  14th  inst  I  received  at  niy  head  quarters  at  Albuquerque  the  euclosed 
letter  *  from  Governor  Calhoun,  No.  1,  and  immediately  sent  the  reply '  annexed 
to  it. —  As  the  Governor  was  extremely  ill  and  evidently  very  apprehensive  of 
serious  difflculty,  I  thought  proper  to  come  up  here  at  once. — I  saw  no  appear- 
ance of  disaffection  as  I  passed  through  the  country,  and  I  think  if  there  is  any 
thing  in  these  rumors,  it  is  confined  to  the  lower  classes,  instigated,  perhaps,  by 
a  few  desperate,  unprincipled,  gamblers  and  speculators,  who  have  every  thing 
to  gain  and  nothing  to  lose  by  fomenting  commotions. —  There  are  several 
desperadoes  here  who  were  conspicuous  in  the  revolution  of  1847. —  These  men 
will  be  closely  watched. —  On  my  arrival  in  this  town  I  was  surprised  to  find 
it  in  a  state  of  anarchy.  All  prisoners  had  been  released  for  want  of  means 
to  subsist  them,  and  all  law  seemed  to  be  set  at  naught. —  At  the  same  time 
there  was  a  constant  dread  of  revolution,  which  kept  up  a  feverish  excitement, 
that  was  likely,  every  moment,  to  lead  to  some  collision  with  the  Mexicans. — 
I  saw  that  it  was  indispensably  necessary  to  take  measures  immediately,  to 
suppress  all  this  disorder,  and  I  said  to  the  Governor  that  if  he  thought  proper 

1  a.  G.  O.,  Files,  S  217  of  1852 ;  Department  of  New  Mexico,  vol.  8,  pp.  219-221. 
•See  p.  524. 
•See  p.  526. 


526  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

to  ask  for  military  aid,  that  I  would  give  it  at  once. —  He  then  sent  me  the 
enclosed  letter/  No.  2, — my  reply*  is  annexed  to  it. —  I  have  established  a  mili- 
tary police  to  act  in  support  of  the  civil  authorities. —  I  mount  a  strong  guard 
at  the  Governors  house  on  the  Plaza,  and  I  have  added  to  this  garrison  a  large 
company  of  Infantry.—  These  measures  I  think  will  secure  the  quiet  of  this 
town. —  The  extreme  illness  of  the  Governor  and  the  absence  of  the  Secretary 
of  the  territory,  have  had  some  influence  in  producing  this  unsettled  state  of 
things,  and  it  was  evidently  necessary  to  announce  to  the  public  that  there 
would  be  no  interregnum. —  In  a  conversation  with  the  Governor  on  this  sub- 
ject, we  determined  to  publish  the  enclosed  paper.  No.  3,  which  I  think  will 
effectually  crush  the  hopes  of  all  intriguers. —  I  am  fully  aware  that  I  am 
placing  myself  in  a  most  crticial  position,  but  the  path  of  duty  seems  to  me 
plain,  and  I  shal'l  take  the  risk. —  It  will  be  observed  that  the  safety  of  my 
own  command,  as  well  as  the  lives  and  property  of  the  American  citizens,  de- 
pends upon  my  action  at  this  crisis. — My  command  is  very  much  dispersed,  at 
distant  posts  in  the  Indian  country,  and  I  cannot,  without  endangering  those 
posts,  concentrate  more  than  seven  companies. —  This  would  be  a  small  force 
if  there  should  be  a  general  outbreak  of  this  people,  and  even  in  that  event,  I 
could  not  abandon  my  posts  in  the  indian  country,  for  they  hold  the  Indians  in 
check,  and  if  that  check  were  removed  we  should  have  both  Indians  and  Mexi- 
cans upon  us. —  Although  I  think  that  affairs  here  are  assuming  a  threatening 
aspect,  I  do  not  think  that  the  danger  is  so  imminent  that  I  should  be  justified 
in  asking  for  a  reenforcement. —  I  wish  to  convey  to  the  Secretary  of  War  and 
General  in  Chief  an  exact  knowledge  of  the  state  of  things  in  this  territory,  and 
leave  the  question  for  them  to  decide,  whether  or  not,  it  is  advisable  to  increase 
the  force. —  If  any  regiment  is  sent  out,  I  should  be  very  glad  if  it  should 
happen  to  be  the  4th  Infantry. —  Any  troops  that  come,  will  have  to  bring  one 
years  supplies,  as  all  my  calculations  and  estimates  have  been  made  for  my 
present  command. 
I  am  Sir 

very  respectfully 

Your  obt  Servt 

E  V  Sumner 
Bvt  Col  Lt  Col  1st  Orgs 

Comg  Dept 
■    Maj  Gen  K  Jones 
Adjt  Oenrl 

[SUMNER   TO   CALHOUN.'] 

Hd  Qrs  9th  Dept 
NEAR  Albuquerque 

Ai)Hl  lJf/.52 
Governor 

I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of  the 
12th  inst. 

I  have  ordered  a  company  of  infantry  now  on  the  march  from  Fort. 
Union,  to  this  place  to  proceed  direct  to  Santa  Fe,  and  report  to 
Col.  Brooks 

I  have  S!()  donbt  but  there  is  some  ill  will  towards  us  on  the  part 
of  the  Mexicans  this  is  perfectly  natural  with  a  conquered  people  but 


Soe  p.  .-527.  2  Sfie  p.  528.  »  A.  G.  O.,  Filp.s,  S  217  of  1852,  No.  1. 


COEEESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES    S.    CALHOUN.  527 

I  think  in  this  case,  it  has  been  considerably  aggravated  by  our  dis- 
trust of  them. 

It  seems  to  me  impossible  that  they  can  be  so  stupidly  ignorant,  as 
to  suppose  they  can  throw  off  our  government.  There  is  not  a  man 
among  them  of  the  least  intelligence,  who  does  not  know  that  we 
could  have  troops  enough  here  in  sixty  days  to  grind  them  all  into 
dust. 

******* 

As  soon  as  I  can  complete  some  arrangements,  I  am  now  engaged 
in  I  will  visit  you  at  Santa  Fe. 

I  am  truly  happy  to  hear  of  your  recovery — I  would  take  the  lib- 
erty of  cautioning  you,  not  to  exert  yourself  too  soon,  after  having 
been  so  very  ill. 
I  am  Sir 

With  high  respect 

Your  Obt  Servant 

E  V  Summer 
But  Col.  U.S.A. 
His  Excellency  Comg.  Deft. 

J  S  Calhoun 

true  copy 

E  V  SUMNEB 

BvtColV  S  A 

[CALHOUN  TO   SUMNER/] 

Executive  Depaktmeist 

Santa  Fe  N.  M.  Afril  IS  1852 
Col.  E.  V.  Sumner 

Comniandiny  9"  Mil.  Dep.  U.  S.  A. 
Sir 

I  feel  it  my  duty  on  behalf  of  the  people  of  this  city^  to  make  ap- 
plication to  3^ou  to  furnish  such  aid.^  as  may  be  necessary  to  assist  the 
civil  authorities  in  maintaining  peace  &  good  order,  which  they  are 
utterly  unable  to  do,  at  this  time,  in  consequence  of  a  want  of  suf- 
ficient power  to  enforce  the  police  regulations,  and  without  Avhich  a 
more  wretched  state  of  things  must  ensue  in  this  City. 

The  feeble  attemps  made  to  administer  the  laws,  and  the  turning 
loose  of  the  criminals  who  cannot  be  kept  in  confinement,  owing  to  the 
want  of  means  to  furnish  them  with  the  necessary  food — lias  brought 
about  the  present  alarming  state  of  affairs. 
Yei-y  Respectfully 

Your  Obdt  Servt 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
true  copy 

E  V  Sumner 

Bvt  Col  V  S  A 

'  a.  G.  O.,  Files,  S  217  of  1852.,  No  :.". 


528  CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[SUMNER  TO  CALHOUN.'] 

Head  Quarters  9"  Dept. 

Santa  Fe 
A2)nl  W  1852 

GOVNE, 

I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  dated 
yesterday. — I  will  instantly  take  the  necessary  measures  to  sustain 
you  in  preserving  law  and  order.  If  it  is  at  all  possible,  I  should  be 
glad  if  you  could  make  some  arrangement  to  subsist  the  citizen 
prisoners,  that  will  be  held  by  my  guards. 
I  am  Sir 

with  high  respect 

Your  Obdt.  Servt. 

E.  V.  Sumner 
Bvt  Col  U.S  A 

Gorndg  Dept 


His  Exlcy 

J.  S.  Calhoun 


true  copy 

E.  V.  Sumner 
Bvt  ColU  S  A 


[CALHOUN  AND  SUMNER  TO  THE  PUBLIC^"] 

To  the  Public. 

It  is  hereby  announced  that  no  interregnum  will  take  place  in  the 
office  of  Governor  of  this  Territory.  If  Governor  Calhoun  should  be 
obliged  to  leave  for  the  States  before  the  arrival  of  the  Hon.  Secre- 
tary of  the  Territory,  the  Military  authority  of  this  Department  will 
so  far  take  charge  of  the  Executive  Office  as  to  make  the  preservation 
of  law  and  order,  absolutely  certain. 

Given  at  Santa  Fe,  this  21st  day  of  April,  1852. 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
Governor  of  the  Territory  of  New  Mexico 
E.  V.  Sumner 
Brevet  Col.  U.  S.  A.  Commanding  9th  Mil.  Department, 


»A.  G.  O.,  Department  of  New  Mexico,  vol.  8,  p.  218;  also  Piles,  S  217  of  1852,  No.  2. 
*0.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  1852. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN.  529 

[GREINER  TO  LEA.'] 
SUPERINTENDENCY   OF   InDIAN    AfFAIRS 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico  April  30  1852 
Hon.  Luke  Lea 

Commissioner  Indian  Affairs 
Sir 

By  the  direction  of  Governor  Calhoun,  who  is  yet  lying  seriously 
ill,^  I  send  you  an  account  of  the  condition  of  the  several  tribes  of 
Indians  in  this  Territory 

Not  a  single  complaint  has  been  entered  against  any  of  the  Indians 
during  the  month  just  past,  a  remarkable  fact. 

The  Camanches  have  not  been  in  this  vicinity,  and  we  hear  but 
little  of  them,  except  that  they  are  gathering  upon  the  Arkansas,  for 
the  purpose  of  trading — hunting  Buffalo  &c  as  is  their  usual  practice 
in  the  Spring. 

A  Pueblo  Indian  who  had  been  trading  with  them,  and  who  speaks 
their  language  fluently  states — that  one  of  their  principal  Chiefs  had 
just  returned  from  the  City  of  Mexico,  and  appeared  to  be  very  solic- 
itous of  forming  a  League  with  the  other  wild  tribes  of  Texas  & 
New  Mexico  for  the  alleged  purpose  o^f  uniting  them  with  the  Mexi- 
cans, to  expel,  or  exterminate,  the  Americans  now  in  this  Country. 

This  Chief  also  made  overtures  to  the  Pueblos  to  join  the  League — 
very 
but  there  is  b«t    little  danger  of  these  people  trying  so  foolish  an 
experiment.    In  October  next  this  Chief  is  to  return,  and  report  to 
the  President  of  Mexico  the  success  of  his  undertaking. 

realized — 

Although  this  wild  and  visionary  scheme  can  never  be  eariied  o«t 
a  sharp  look  out  will  be  kept  upon  the  movements  of  these  7'ed  gentle- 
men. 

The  Pueblo  Indian  who  gives  this  information,  is  a  very  intelligent 
and  reliable  man. 

The  Gila  Apaches  are  very  quiet,  and  desirous  of  being  on  more 
friendly  terms  than  heretofore. 

Nearly  one  hundred  Jicarillas  Apaches  have  been  at  this  Superin- 
tendency  this  week,  being  on  a  moving  expedition  from  Los  Truches 
to  the  Rio  Pecos. 

The  facility  with  which  they  could  get  liquor  at  the  groceries,  and 
their  fondness  for  it  occasioned  much  trouble 


1  O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Superintendency,  G  11. 

*  This  was  Calhoun's  last  illness.  He  prepared  to  return  to  the  States,  apparently 
knowing,  however,  that  he  was  a  dying  man.  He  died  on  the  plains.  (Mix  to  Stuart, 
August  6,  1852,  O.  I.  A.,  R.  B.,  No.  7,  p.  140.)  Most  of  the  documents  on  the  following 
pages  bear  upon  the  work  of  Greiner,  who  assumed  the  duties  of  the  Indian  superintend- 
ency, and  upon  that  of  Sumi\er  who,  presumably,  filled  the  executive  chair. 

5021—15 34 


530  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

These  Indians  are  very  poor,  very  hard  to  govern,  and  from  their 
continually  roaming  through  the  settlements,  there  is  danger  to  be 
apprehended  from  collissions  between  them  and  the  Citizens. 

The  talk  held  with  them  at  Pecos,  and  the  presents  there  dis- 
tributed, has  produced  the  most  beneficial  results. — They  intend  to 
settle  down  and  manufacture  Tenajos  ^  and  baskets  to  trade  with  and 
a  number  of  them  are  beginning  to  plant.  Chacone  their  head  Chief 
has  strongly  recommended  them  to  cultivate  the  land,  and  this  year 
has  set  them  the  example  himself. 

The  Navajoes  are  attending  to  their  farms,  and  behaving  like  good 
people  ought  to  do. 

Sixty  of  them  under  Sandoval  their  Captain  arrived  here  last  week, 
and  entered  a  complaint  against  the  Laguna  Pueblo  Indians,  for 
taking  the  water  needed  by  them  to  irrigate  their  lands. 

This  question  of  right  to  water,  is  one  of  the  most  difficult  to  settle 
that  we  meet  with,  especially  with  the  Pueblos.  For  instance  take 
this  one  case,  and  it  is  but  one  of  many. 

The  Navajoes  owned  a  fine  piece  of  land,  and  they  had  sowed  it 
with  wheat.  The  grain  was  growing  finely  and  they  looked  forward 
to  gather  a  plentiful  harvest. 

The  Lagima  Indians  claim  the  ground  above  them  as  theirs,  and  in 
irrigating  their  fields  they  cut  off  the  water  from  the  Navajoes,  whose 
crop  is  at  once  destroyed — This  case  has  been  referred  to  Gen'l  Baird 
the  Agent  to  investigate  and  to  decide. 

The  Eutaws  are  the'  easiest  managed  of  any  Indians  in  the  Terri- 
tory and  with  good  treatment  can  always  be  relied  upon 

They  are  much  pleased  that  the  Mexicans  have  not  been  allowed  to 
e 
settle  upon  their  Con  jo-lands,  and  they  feel  that  they  are  under  the 
protection  of  the  government  of  the  United  States 

They  have  also  expressed  their  approbation  of  the  Military  post, 
that  Col.  Sumner  intends  to  establish  in  their  Country.  They  look 
to  it  for  protection  from  the  marauding  tribes  of  the  Praries,  who 
have  during  the  past  year  stolen  most  of  their  stock. 

They  have  their  domestic  troubles  h6wever  as  other  people  have. 

One  of  the  Band  of  Capote  Eutaws,  was  taken  sick — not  long  ago — 
and  a  Doctor  belonging  to  the  Sieveritch  EutaAvs  was  called  in  to  at- 
tend him. — In  a  few  days  the  patient  died.. 

A  Council  of  the  Capotes  was  called  and  the  Doctor  was  tried.  His 
sentence  was  "  to  be  shot  and  scalped, — his  wife's  hair  to  be  cut  off — 
all  his  animals  killed — and  his  house  to  be  burned,  all  of  which  was 
instantly  carried  into  effect. 

The  Sieveritch  Band  not  relishing  this  method  of  paying  off  the 
Docter — have  called  the  Capotes  to  an  account— and  the  "  end  is  not 

yet"  

*         1  Water-jars. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  531 

Tamouchi  the  War  Captain  of  the  Capotes  had  a  beautiful  woman 
for  a  wife — Last  week  she  was  taken  sick— A  Doctor  belonging  to  her 
own  Band  was  called  in — and  either  the  disease,  or  the  Medicine  was 
the  death  of  her.  Tamouchi  paid  off  the  Doctor  by  putting  a  bullet 
through  him 

Thus  leaving  another  vacancy  in  the  Medical  Department  of  the 
Eutaw  nation. 

Every  body  loved  the  AVife  of  Tamouchi  and  as  it  was  strongly 
suspected  the  Doctor  had  j^oisoned  her — the  Indians  considered  he 
deserved  his  fate. 

All  the  horses  &  mules  belonging  to  Tamouchi  were  killed  in  order 
that  his  Wife  might  not  be  left  afoot  in  the  happy  hunting  grounds, 
and  for  fear  that  her  loss  might  not  make  a  lasting  impression  upon 
his  mind. 

A  charge  has  been  made  against  Govenor  Calhoun  for  licensing 
traders  to  go  to  the  Salt  Lake  Country — for  the  purpose  of  buying  & 
selling  L^tah  children.  There  is  no  truth  whatever  in  the  charge — 
By  the  next  mail  all  the  facts  in  relation  to  the  '  Pedro  Leon  '  case 
will  be  sent  to  the  Department  as  well  as  the  "  Mexican  custim  "  of 
trading  for  the  Payutah's 

The  Pueblo  Indians  are  planting  their  grounds — digging  their 
Acequias — herding  their  stock,  and  making  every  etfort  to  support 
themselves  by  their  own  industry.  Could  they  be  protected  from 
the  depredations  of  the  Mexicans  they  would  not  only  be  examples 
for  their  rerl  brethren — but  for  some  other  people  of  a  lighter  com- 
plexion. 

If  a  mounted  force  could  be  placed  at  the  disposition  of  the 
Govenor  who  is  Sup't  Ind  AfF.  to  be  used  in  cases  of  emergency — to 
protect  the  Indians  in  their  rights — and  to  punish  them  when  neces- 
sary— it  would  be  of  great  service  to  the  TerritoiT 

The  Agents  are  unable  to  enforce  any  decision  they  may  be  called 
upon  to  make  and  of  necessity  they  have  been  compelled  to  resort  to 
a  temporizing  policy  which  may  soon  bring  them  into  disrepute. 

Governor  Calhoun  although  unable  to  stand  alone  will  leave  here 
for  the  States  on  thursday  next.  His  Physicians  Dr  Byrnes  of  the 
Army — and  Dr  Massey  of  this  place — have  strongly  advised  him  to 
do  so — and  if  the  trip  across  the  Plains  restores  his  health,  he  will  at 
an  early  day  call  upon  the  Department  and  furnish  all  the  facts  neces- 
sary to  a  proper  understanding  of  the  wants  and  condition  of  the 
Indians  in  New  Mexico. 
Ver\'  Respectfully 

Your  Ob't'Sv't 

John  (jreiner 
Acfg  Svp't  Ind.  Af.  Neiv  Mexico 


532  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[Related  Correspondence.] 
[order    OF   GREINER.^] 

Executive  Office, 
Santa  Fe  N.  M.  April  15—1852 
"By  Virtue  of  ;iii  Unler  issuod  Iruiii  this  Department  on  the  29th  March  ult. 
All  communications  or  correspondence  with  his  Excellency  James  S.  Calhoun 
■Governor  &  Ex  Officio  Superintendeut  of  Indian  Affairs  relating  to  Indian  Affairs 
In  this  Territory,  is  from  and  after  the  date  of  said  Order  to  be  addressed  to 
John  Greiner  Act'g  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs  until  otherwise  ordered  " 

The  severe  illness  of  Gov.  Calhoun  has  rendered  it  advisable  to  lighten  as 
much  as  possible  the  arduous  duties  devolving  upon  him  as  Governor  of  the 
Territory  and  for  this  purpose  the  above  order  has  been  issued. 

The  undersigned  will  therefore  attend  to  all  business  connected  with  this 
Superintendency  at  the  Palace  in  Santa  Fe. 

John  Greiner, 
AcVg  Superintendent  of 

Indian  Affairs 

New  Mexico 

[SUMNER  TO  J0NES.2] 

Head  Quarters,  9th  Dep't  : 

Albuquerque  N.  M. 

April  28th  1852. 
Major  General  K.  Jones 

Ad  ft:  General. 
General, 

Since  my  last  letter  of  the  24th  inst :  1  have,  returned  to  my  head  quarters, 
and  I  shall  remain  here  till  Governor  Calhoun  leaves  for  the  States,  when  I 
shall  repair  to  Santa  Fe,  and  take  charge  of  the  Executive  ofl3ce  until  I  receive 
orders  from  the  Government  in  relation  to  this  matter. 

There  is  strong  reason  to  believe  that  efforts  are  being  made  by  some  unprin- 
cipled men  to  subvert  our  government  in  this  territory,  but  I  do  not  think  they 
can  force  the  people  into  an  outbreak,  especially  when  they  see  we  are  ready 
for  them.  I  have  determined  to  establish  a  large  camp  at  this  place,  being  the 
central  point  of  the  territory,  it  will  consist  of  four  companies  of  horse  and  two 
of  foot,  and  I  think  it  will  have  a  great  effect  in  repressing  all  insurrectional 
spirit  in  the  peoiile.  I  received  by  the  last  mail,  leaves  of  absence  for  three 
Officers  which  would  make  thirty  four  absent  out  of  the  sixty  six,  that  belong  to 
the  companies  in  this  department.  I  am  compelled  to  take  the  responsibility 
of  withdrawing  these  three  leaves,  until  other  officers  join. 

I  trust  this  action  will  be  approved.     I  would  earnestly  ask  the  attention  of 
the  General  in  chief  to  the  great  number  of  Officers  that  are  absent  from  my 
command,  and  I  would  respectfully  remark,  that  it  is  utterly  impossible  for 
mie  to  carry  on  the  affairs  of  the  departuient  without  more  officers. 
I  am  Sir 

Very  respectfully 

Your  ob't :  Servt : 

E  V  Sumner 
}ivt:  Col:  Lt:  Col  1st  Drag-s 

Comdg:  Dept: 


1 0.  1.  A.,  New  Mexico  Letter  Press  Book,  vol.  I,  p.  69  of  inserted  pages. 
*  A.  0.  O.,  Department  of  New  Mexico,  vol.  8.  pp.  230-231. 


CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES    S.    CALHUUN.  583 

[merritt  to  STXTART  ^] 

Santa  Fe  April  30th  1852 
Dear  Sib 

Enclosed  you  will  find  a  Notice  issued  by  the  Gov  and  Commandant  of  this 
Territory  and  by  it  you  will  see  that  we  will  be  out  of  a  Govt  in  a  short  time. 
Gov  Calhoun  leaves  here  on  Monday  next  the  3rd  of  May  the  Secy  left  here 
about  three  weeks  since,  neither  of  thein  expect  to  return — We  are  or  will  be 
soon  without  a  Govei-nor,  a  Secretary  a  Chief  Justice  and  two  Indian  Agents^ 
of  the  appointments  of  the  President.  We  have  several  persons  acting  as  agents 
by  appointment  of  the  Govemoi' — Can  not  the  Govt  send  men  here  to  fill  the 
various  oflices  who  will  at  least  live  here  until  their  successors  arrive  The 
country  is  ripe  for  a  revolution  to  overturn  the  Govt  here  and  they  openly  ex- 
press their  intention  of  putting  in  a  Gov  of  their  own  upon  the  departure  of 
Gov.  Calhoun  What  will  come  of  it  time  will  shew.  The  Indians  still  commit 
their  outrages  in  the  southern  portion  of  the  Territory  and  murders  and  robbery 
almost  daily  take  place  under  the  very  window  of  the  Governor  of  the  Territory 
and  he  is  unable  to  suppress  it.  Our  jails  are  empty  not  from  the  want  of 
prisoners  to  fill  them  but  from  the  want  of  money  to  buy  food  for  them  when 
In :  The  Legislature  refused  to  pass  a  Tax  law  at  their  last  Session  consequently 
the  Treasury  is  bare — the  reason  assigned  for  not  taxing  was  that  the  people 
tpould  not  snhmit  to  it. 

These  are  facts  Sir  which  no  one  (let  him  be  who  he  may)  will  dare  to  con- 
tradict 

I  have  written  you  several  letters  but  as  yet  have  received  nothing  to  say 
whether  or  not  they  were  ngree;ible. 

I  am  Sony  I  could  not  have  received  the  Agency  given  to  Mr.  Baird.  As 
while  you  were  giving  it  to  a  democrat  I  think  you  could  have  given  it  to  me 
Please  send  me  any  documents  that  you  may  think  interesting — by  papers  I 
send  by  this  mail  you  will  see  the  state  of  the  Country  as  regards  murders  rob- 
beries &c  &c 

T  have  the  honor  to  be 
Sir  Respectfully 

Your  Obt  Senant 

C  H  Mebbitt 

Hon  Ai:Ex  H.  H.  Stuart 

Washington 

D.  C. 

[SUMNER  TO   SIBLEY.2] 

Head  Quarters,  9th  Dlp't  : 

Albuquerque,  N.  M. 

May  S'  1852. 
Major  B.  S.  Siblet 

A.  Q.  M. 
Major, 

I  regret  extremely  that  I  cannot  wait  here  till  your  arrival,  but  tis  impossible. 
The  Governor  leaves  on  thursday,  and  I  must  go  to  Santa  F&,  to  morrow.  I 
must  therefore  leave  the  Fort  Defiance  train  entirely  under  your  charge,  both  as 
it  regards  getting  It  over  the  river,  and  starting  it,  as  well  as  its  contents.    See 

»  B.  I.  A.,  M.  L.,  April,  1852. 

»  A.  G.  O.,  Department  of  New  Mexico,  vol.  8,  pp.  236-238. 


534  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

yourself  that  all  the  subsistence  stores  are  forwarded.  I  regret  that  their  esti- 
mates for  Qr:  Master's  stores  was  not  received  in  time  for  this  train.  Write 
to  Major  Backus  and  say  to  hiru,  that  if  any  of  those  articles  are  indispensable, 
(that  he  cannot  do  without  them)  I  will  send  them  out  by  mule  wagons. 

Five  hundred  sheep  will  be  sent  out.  employ  two  Mexican  herders,  these  sheep 
will  be  bought  by  Lieut :  Robertson.  There  are  some  hoes  and  spades  here  for 
the  Navajos,  these  must  go  without  fail,  and  say  to  Major  Backus,  that  I  wish 
him  to  give  them  to  the  Indians  in  the  name  of  the  Governor  of  the  territory. 

You  will  have  a  terrible  job  in  getting  the  train  over  the  river.  It  will  be 
necessary  to  take  every  thing  out  of  the  wagons.  Bv't :  Cap't :  Taylor  with  a 
detachment  of  20  dismounted  men  will  take  the  train  out,  till  he  meets  the 
escort  to  be  sent  by  Major  Backus.  As  soon  as  you  see  it  started  from  the 
other  side  of  the  river,  make  the  best  of  your  time  in  getting  down  to  Dona 
Ana,  and  I  want  you  to  accomplish  that  business ,as  soon  as  possible  and  come 
directly  to  Santa  Fe,  on  your  way  to  Fort  Union.  Inspect  closely  the  affairs 
of  your  department,  at  Forts  Fillmore,  and  Conrad.  Apply  to  Major  Blake  for 
a  few  men  to  go  with  you  to  Conrad.  Major  Howe  is  ordered  to  send  a  sufficient 
escort  across  the  '  Jomnada ',  to  make  it  perfectly  safe. 

Some  arms  and  ammunition  (150  ritles,)  for  the  Boundary  Commission  are 
to  go  down  at  the  same  time.  I  wish  you  to  see  about  this,  I  have  ordered 
Major  Rucker  to  this  place.  I  must  have  his  experience  and  energy  in  supplying 
this  large  camp 

truly  &  resijectfully  Yours  E  V  Sumner 

Bvt:  Col:  U  8.  A. 

Comdg:  Dept: 
Note, 

The  tools  for  the  Navajo  Indians  are  in  the  rear  of  this  office 

[SUMNER   TO   CARLETON  ^] 

Head  Quarteks,  9th  Dep't  : 

Santa  Fe,  N.  M. 

May  5th  1852. 
Major  J.  H.  Carleton 

Capt  1st  Dragoons. 
Major, 

You  will  please  send  25  men  lo  the  Arkansas  under  Lieut :  Johnston  instead 
of  20  as  previously  ordered,  and  I  wish  you  to  send  ten  of  your  riflemen  as  a 
part  of  the  detachment.  The  Governor  is  very  ill  and  I  wish  you  to  instruct 
Lieut :  Johnston,  particularly  to  do  all  he  can  for  his  comfort  and  convenience. 
I  have  advised  the  Governor  to  rest  for  some  days  at  Fort  Union,  and  have 
told  him  he  had  better  take  my  house.  I  will  thank  you  to  do  what  you  can 
for  him  while  he  is  there.  Instruct  Lieut  Johnston,  about  sending  a  part  of 
his  detail  as  far  as  Pawnee  fork  if  the  Governor  desires  it.  I  do  not  think  you 
will  find  it  necessary  to  leave  any  men  at  Vegas,  but  I  wish  you  to  go  up  there 
and  enquire  into  the  cause  of  the  disturbances. 

I  have  determined  to  extend  the  reserves  at  Fort  Union  to  eight  miles  square 
as  soon  as  Lieut :  McFerran  arrives.     I  have  the  order  and  instructions  made  out 
Respectfully  Your  oh't :   Serv't : 

B  V  Sumner 
Bvt:  Col:  U.  S.  A. 

Comdg:  Dept: 


A.  G.  O.,  Department  of  New  Mexico,  vol.  8,  p.  245. 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES    S.    CALHOUN.  535 

[SUMNER  TO  WEBSTER  ^] 

Head  Quarters,  9th  Mil  :  Dept  : 

Santa  Fe,  N.  M. 

May  8th  1852. 
The  Hou :  Daniel  Webster 

Secretary  of  State. 
Sib, 

I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  Governor  Calhoun  left  this  for  the  United 
States  day  before  yesterday,  and  the  Secretary  Mr.  Allen  haveing  previously 
gone  in,  this  civil  government  is  left  without  a  head. 

Under  these  circumstances,  and  especially  as  it  is  known,  that  efforts  are 
being  made  at  this  time  by  some  designing  Mexicans  to  throw  off  our  Govern- 
fully 
ment,  I  have  felt  it  to  be  my  duty,  in  which  Governor  Calhoun  concurred 

with  me,  to  assume  the  duties  of  the  executive  office  so  far  as  to  insure  the 
maintainance  of  law  and  order.  I  have  established  a  strong  military  police  in 
this  city  to  act  in  support  of  the  civil  authorities,  and  I  have  formed  a  large 
camp  at  Albuquerque,  the  central  point  of  the  Territory.  These  measures 
will  I  have  no  doubt,  repress  all  insurrectional  feeling,  indeed  the  excitement 
seems  to  be  passing  away.  I  would  respectfully  inform  you  that  no  funds 
have  been  left  here  for  the  support  of  the  civil  government,  except  a  few  hun- 
dred dollars  belonging  to  the  Indian  department.  There  are  some  expenses  that 
cannot  be  postponed,  such  as  the  subsistence  of  citizen  prisoners.  I  am  now 
obliged  to  issue  army  rations  to  these  criminals  as  it  is  iudisi>ensably  neces- 
sary to  keep  them  in  confinement.  I  would  beg  leave  to  ask  that  I  may  be 
apprised,  as  early  as  convenient,  of  the  views  of  the  Government  relating  to 
these  affairs. 

I  am  Sir  with  high  respect 
Your  ob't :  Serv't : 

E   V   Sumner 
Bvt:   Col:  Lt:   Col:   1st   Drags 

Comdg:  Dept: 

[SUMNER  TO  J0NES.2] 

Head  Quarters,  9th   Dep't  : 

Santa  Fe,  N.  M. 

May  8,  1852. 
Major  General  R.  Jones 

Adft:  Qen'l: 
General, 

I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  Governor  Calhoun  has  left  for  the  United 
States,  and  in  conformity  with  the  public  notice  given  by  the  Governor  and 
myself,  which  I  sent  to  you  on  the  22d  Ulto.  I  have  removed  my  Head  Quarters 
to  this  place  and  have  assumed  the  direction  of  the  civil  government.  I  have 
the  satisfaction  to  report  that  no  further  disaffection  on  the  part  of  the  Mexi- 
cans has  recently  appeared,  and  I  think  the  excitement  is  passing  away. 
I  am  Sir  Very  respectfully 
Your  Ob't :  Serv't : 

E  V  Sumner 
Bvt:  Col:  Lt:  Col:  1st  Orgs 

Comdg:  Dept: 

1  A.  G.  O.,  Department  of  New  Mexico,  vol.  8,  p.  246.  *  Ibid.,  p.  247. 


536  CORRESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S,    CALHOUN. 

[greiner  to  LEA^] 

superintendency  of  indian  affairs 

Santa  Fe  N.  M.  May  19  1852 
Hon.  L  Lea 

Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs 
Sib 

As  a  number  of  the  Newspapers  in  the  United  States,  have  published  charges 
against  bis  Excellency  Governor  Calhoun  for  "  licensing  traders  to  buy  and 
sell  Indian  children,"  I  take  the  liberty  of  laying  before  you  the  statement  of 
Pedro  Loon  a  Mexican  Citizen  living  in  Abiqui  who  obtained  a  license  from 
Governor  Calhoun  to  trade  with  the  Utah  Indians,  giving  Bond  and  security 
"  to  comply  with  all  the  rules  and  regulations,  adopted  by  the  authority  of 
the  United  States  for  the  regulation  of  trade  and  intercourse  with  the  Indian 
tribes  " 

Leon  with  a  party  of  about  twenty  men  arrived  in  the  Utah  Territory  in 
September  last  where  he  was  informed  that  permission  would  not  be  granted 
him,  nor  his  party  to  trade  with  the  Indians,  unless  he  procured  a  license 
from  Governor  Young. 

He  at  once  applied  to  the  Governor  for  such  license,  but  his  application  was 
refused  on  the  ground  that  he  was  not  a  Mormon,  but  leave  was  granted  him 
to  trade  with  the  Mormon  people. 

After  trading  with  them  eight  days,  he  returned  to  his  CamiJ — and  learned 
that  the  Payutah  Indians  had  stolen  eighteen  of  his  animals. 

He  applied  to  the  Mormon  Authorities  for  liberty  to  pursue  the  Indians,  and 
recover  his  property — which  leave  was  granted  him  After  following  them 
seven  days,  he  discovered  them  in  Camp  about  three  hundred  strong 

They  refused  to  give  back  the  animals,  but  in  lien  thereof — agreed  to  give 
him  nine  of  their  children — four  girls  and  five  boys, 
do 

Seeing  that  he  could  nothing  else,  he  agreed  to  take  the  children  intending 
to  lay  the  whole  matter  before  Govenor  Calhoun,  and  claim  indemnity  for  the 
loss  of  his  animals — and  place  the  children  at  the  disposal  of  the  government. 

After  he  bad  left  the  Camp  of  the  Indians — a  complaint  was  lodged  before  a 
Mormon  Alcalde  that  he  had  stolen  the  Indian  children. 

The  Alcalde  at  the  head  of  forty  men  pursued  him — and  took  the  whole  party 
prisoners — and  lodged  them  in  jail  where  they  remained  two  months 

The  case  was  then  investigated  by  the  Courts  and  Leon  &  party  were  set  at 
liberty  with  a  flue  of  fifty  dollars— which  fine  was  at  once  remitted. 

Leon  then  sued  the  Mormons  for  his  property  and  for  false  imprisonment, 
and  was  referred  by  Gov.  Young  to  Washington  for  satisfaction. 

The  Indian  children  were  sold  to  the  Mormons  as  servants,  by  the  Mormon 
Authorities. 

Governor  Young  treated  the  whole  party  with  the  greatest  kindness,  while 
they  were  in  the  Country — and  when  they  were  ready  to  return  home — he  sup- 
plied them  with  flour,  meat,  and  butter  suflicient  for  the  journey. 

They  left  on  the  6th  February  on  foot  and  arrived  at  Abiqui  on  the  4th  of 
April  having  suffered  a  great  deal  from  being  caught  in  the  snows  in  the  Moun- 
tiiius — sometimes  being  compelled  to  wade  in  the  snow  to  their  armpits." 
Such  is  Leons  statement  of  the  case  and  I  have  every  confldence  in  its  truth 

The  Payutahs  are  a  Band  of  Utahs  speak  the  Utah  language,  and  are  the  most 
destitute  and  degraded  of  all  the  Indian  tribes,  and  they  have  ever  been  in  the 
habit  of  trading  off  their  children,  for  the  means  of  subsistence. 

10.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  G  42. 


COERESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  537 

They  go  nearly  naked — live  upon  snakes,  toads  lizards  "and  such  small 
gear,"  and  by  way  of  variety  sometimes  made  'Atole'^  of  grasshoppers — bugs, 
fish  worms, — &c  &c  &c 

The  Mexicans  in  time  past  carried  on  quite  an  extensive  trade  with  these 
Indians  for  their  children  who  make  excellent  house  servants,  but  of  late  years 

has 
the  custom        been  almost  discontinued. 

As  soon  as  a  Payutah  child  Is  brought  into  a  Mexican  family,  he  is  taught 
the  Mexican  language — *beft  the  Lords  prayer,  is  baptized — considered  a 
Christian  and  adopted  the  heads  of  the  family  standing  Godfather  and  God- 

mother for  him  in  Baptism. 

The  Mexican  laws  know  no  slavery,  and  any  person  offering  to  sell  an  Indian, 
after  being  baptized,  not  only  violates  the  laws  of  the  land — but  the  laws  of 
the  Church. 

The  Indian  has  a  right  to  choose  a  guardian  and  upon  an  order  from  the 
Prefect  can  be  released  at  any  time  should  they  complain  of  ill  treatment. 

These  Indians  are  remarkable  for  their  honesty  and  fidelity,  and  after  being 
a 
adopted  into  tfee    family  have  seldom  if  ever  been  known  to  return  to  their  own 
Country  and  people. 

The  state  of  Governor  Calhoun's  health  being  such  that  he  has  been  unable 
to  attend  to  this  matter  himself  I  have  felt  it  incumbent  upon  me  to  forward 
to  the  Department  the  true  state  of  the  case 
Very  Respectfully 

John  Greinee 
Actg  Sup't  Ind.  Aff.  New  Mexico 


[SUMNER  TO  CARLET0N.2] 


Head  Quarters.  9th  Dep't  : 

Santa  Fe, 
May  20th  1852. 
Major  J.  H.  Carleton 

Comdg:  Fort  Union,  N.  M. 
Major, 

I  have  your  letter  of  the  17th  instant.  I  have  told  the  Governor,  that  it  is 
impossible  to  furnish  him  with  subsistence  stores,  under  existing  orders.  I 
wish  you  to  let  him  have  two  wall  tents,  two  water  tanks,  and  second  hand 
harness  for  8  mules.  Take  the  Governors  or  Mr  Whitings  receipt  for  these 
articles  and  enclose  them  to  Major  Ogden,  to  whom  these  articles  will  be  turned 
over. 

Give  what  assistance  you  can  in  making  repairs  &c.  preparitory  to  their 
starting.     You  cannot  of  course  furnish  any  corn.     You  should  address  your 
letters  to  the  Ass't:  Adj't:  General. 
Very  respectfully 
Yours. 

E  V  Sumner, 
Bvt:  Col:  U.  S.  A. 

Comdg:  Dept: 


A-to-Ie,  porridge  made  of  Indian  corn. 

'A.  G.  O.,  Department  of  New  Mexico,  vol.  S,  p.  268. 


638  COREESPONDENCE    OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

]<iote.  Did  you  not  receive  a    message  from   me  by  Capt:   Bowen,   to  send 
prv't  Oldham,  to  reiX)rt  to  me.    You  will  send  this  man  up  immediately. 
Respectfully  Yours, 

E  V  Sumner 
Bvt:  Col:  U.  S.  A. 

Comdg:  Dept: 

[WINGFIELD  TO   LEA.'] 

Washington  D.  C. 

22nd  May  1852 
To 

Hon  Luke  Lea 

Comynissioner 
Sir 

I  duly  received  your  communication  of  the  21st  inst,  and  hasten  to  reply  to  it. 
I  have  to  assure  you,  that  my  stay  in  Washington  has  not  been  congenial  to 
my  own  feelings  and  desires,  and  that  I  have  been  extremely  anxious,  for  some 
time  to  return  to  my  post.  The  latest  intelligence  from  New  Mexico,  up  to 
the  11th  of  April  last,  is  truly  discouraging,  and  strengthens  my  anxious  solici- 
tude to  resume  my  official  duties  in  the  Territory — Yon  have  of  course  seen  that 
the  Governor  is  on  a  sick-bed,  that  he  is  entirely  without  the  means  essential  to 
carry  on  the  Government,  that  tlie  Secretary  has  resigned  and  left  the  Terri- 
tory— that  the  military  on  that  station  are  also  destitute  of  the  resources,  neces- 
sary to  enable  them  to  protect  the  inhabitants,  again.st  the  daily  incursions  & 
depredations  of  the  Indians — &  that  the  people  themselves  are  almost  in  a 
state  of  civil  revolution.  All  these  circumstances  present  to  the  Department  a 
very  serious  &  alarming  state  of  affairs  &  strongly  appeal  to  Congress,  to  take 
such  immediate  action,  as  may  in  their  judgment  be  necessary  for  the  peace 
&  protection  of  the  people  of  New  Mexico. 

I  respectfully  suggest  to  the  Department,  if  it  be  not  advisable,  that  I  should 
await  the  arrival  of  the  next  mail  from  Santa  Fe,  which  is  daily  expected 
here,  that  I  may  then  be  the  bearer  of  such  intelligence  &  instructions,  as  may 
be  deemed  applicable  to  the  distracted  condition  of  the  Territory. 

If  this  be  agreeable  to  you  I  propose  to  return  to  Santa  Fe  by  the  stage  which 
leaves  Independence  on  the  first  of  July  next— 
I  am  Sir 

Very  respectfully  Edward  H.  Wingfield. 


[greiner  to  lea,-] 


SurERINTENDENCY   OF    INDIAN   AFFAIRS 

Santa  Fe  N.  M.  May  31  1852 
Hon.  L  Lea 

Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs 
Sir 

On  Wednesday  last  Governor  Calhoun  left  Fort  Union  for  the  States  with  very 
little  probability  of  ever  reaching  there  alive — He  takes  his  Coffin  in  along  with 
him    Mr.  Love  his  Son  in  Law  &  Mr  Whiting  his  Private  Secretary  are  in  com- 


'  O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  W  87. 

2  O.   I.  A.,   New  Mexico  Supy..  G  38  :   New  Mexico   Letter  Press  Book,   Vol.   I,  p.   70   of 
inserted  pages. 


f 


COERESPONDENCE    OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  539 

pauy  with  him — and  should  he  die  on  the  road — will  take  charge  of  all  his 
effects— the  Books  &  papers  belonging  to  this  Office  and  deliver  them  at  the 
Department  for  the  purpose  of  settling  up  all  the  Governors  accounts  at 
Washington. 

I  have  heard  nothing  from  Agent  Woolley  himself — but  I  learn  he  has  also 
gone  to  the  States  with  the  Governors  party. 

A  party  of  four  or  five  Pueblo  Indians  from  Tesuqui  accompanies  the 
Governor. 

No  Indian  depredations  have  been  committed  within  this  Territory  for  the 
last  two  months. 

The  Apaches  are  desirous  of  making  peace  and  have  sent  in  for  the  purpose 
of  making  a  treaty. 

Very  respectfully  Your  Ob't  Svt 

John  Greiner  Actg  Supt 

Ind.  Aff.  New  Mexico. 

No  letters  from  the  Department  have  been  received  by  the  May  Mails 

[greiner  to  lea.^] 

superintendency  of  indian  affairs 

Santa  Fe  N.  M.  June  30—1852 
Hon.  Luke  Lea 

Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs 
Sir 

I  have  this  day  sent  to  Washington  the  vouchers  abstracts  &c  for  the  ex- 
penses incurred  by  this  Superintendency  during  this  quarter. 

I  have  also  drawn  a  draft  in  favour  of  Win.  S.  McKnight  for  one  thousand 

nearly 
dollars — the  amount  of  which  I  have  expended  during  the  month. 

I  have  also  approved  a  draft  drawn  by  S.  M.  Baird  Indian  Agent  for  eight 
hundred  deHafa  and  thirty  dollars  sixty  seven  cents  which  I  hope  may  all  prove 
satisfactory  to  the  Department. 

I  did  not  know  how  far  I  should  be  justified  in  approving  a  draft  for  the 
amount  of  Mr.  Overmans  vouchers — and  at  his  request  I  send  them  for  the 
approval  of  Gov.  Calhoun.     I  was  not  sure  whether  he  was  allowed  an  Inter- 
not 
preter  and  I  did  wish  to  approve  a  Draft,  where  there  might  be  the  least 

danger  of  a  Protest. 

Mr.  Overman  is  well  satisfied  with  the  course  I  have  adopted. 

Owing  to  the  absence  of  Col.  Woolley  and  Major  Wiugfield  the  duties  of  the 
Superintendency  has  been  very  arduous.  Nearly  all  the  Pueblo  Indians  bring 
their  troubles  here  for  settlement,  and  while  here  they  have  to  be  provided  with 
food  for  themselves  &  their  animals.  Large  Bands  of  Navjoes  and  Jicarillas 
have  also  been  provided  for  during  this  quarter. 

The  alarming  reports  that  the  Camanches  were  about  forming  a  Union  with 
the  other  tribes  for  the  purpose  of  attacking  our  Citizens  upon  the  Plains  and 
in  New  Mexico  rendered  it  very  necessary  that  every  exertion  should  be  made 
to  counteract  such  a  movement. 

This  design  if  ever  entertained  has  been  entirely  frustrated.  I  send  you  a 
Report  from  Gen'l  Baird  on  the  condition  of  the  Navajoes. 


O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  G  24. 


540  COERESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

Not  a  single  depredation  lias  been  committed  by  any  of  the  Indians  in  New 
Mexico  for  three  months.  The  "  oldest  inhabitant  "  cannot  recollect  the  time 
when  this  could  have  been  said  with  truth  before. 

The  Southern  Apaches  have  come  in  to  make  peace  with  the  United  States. 
I  have  sent  runners  all  through  their  Country  to  bring  their  principal  Chiefs — 
Thirty  of  them  have  been  here  for  three  days  and  to  morrow  we  are  to  hold 
a  grand  Council  to  make  the  Treaty.  We  shall  submit  the  Treaty  made  by 
Gov.  Calhoun  with  the  Navajos  and  Utahs  with  as  little  alteration  as  possible — 
and  insert  a  clause  prohibiting  them  from  troubling  the  Mexicans  on  the 
other  side  of  the  Rio  Grande  accoi'ding  to  the  treaty  with  Mexico. 

1  hope  to  be  able  to  forward  the  treaty  signed  by  all  the  principal  Chiefs 
next  Mail. 

Col  Sumner  upon  my  Application  has  consented  to  furnish  rations  of  Bread 
Meat  &  Sugar  to  these  Apaches  while  making  the  treaty — This  will  lessen  the 
expenses 

Owing  to  the  long  and  serious  illness  of  Gov.  Calhoun,  and  his  departure 
for  the  States,  I  have  been  compelled  to  assume  responsibilities,  that  I  would 
have  gladly  avoided. 

Not  a  line  has  been  received  from  the  Department  for  two  months.     I  shall 
send  to  the  Department  my  accounts  monthly,  and  draw  for  the  amount  ex- 
pended during  the  month.     I  have  written  a  long  letter  to  Gov.  Calhoun,  to 
many  "  items  "  to  which  I  would  respectfully  refer. 
Very  truly  yours  &c 

John  Greiner 

Actg  Siipt  Ind  Aff 

New  Mex 

[whiting  to  ijea  ^] 

Independence  Mo  July  5,  1852. 
Sir 

You  have  been,  no  doubt,  apprized  by  this  time  of  the  death  of  H.  E.  Gov- 
ernor Calhoun,  who  was  on  his  way  to  Washington  City.  His  remains  have 
been  interred  at  Kansas,''  Mo.,  until  the  body  shall  decompose  sufficiently  to 
enable  his  friends  to  take  him  home  and  place  him  along  side  of  his  wife  and 
daughter. 

We  brought  in  five  Pueblo  Indians  with  us,  to  visit  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  they  are  now  at  Kansas,  awaiting  the  arrival  of  a  boat  to  conduct  them 
to  Washington.  It  was  Governor  Calhoun's  wish,  that,  in  case  he  should  die, 
they  should  be  carried  on,  and  if  you  approve  of  this  course,  I  shall  proceed  on 
my  journey  with  them  with  all  possible  despatch.  It  is  probable  I  may  not 
have  a  sufficient  amount  of  funds  to  carry  me  clear  through,  if  I  have  not,  will 
you  be  so  kind  as  to  inform  me  by  telegraph  to  St  Louis,  if  you  will  approve 
of  my  drawing  on  you  for  the  amount  I  may  need,  and  if  a  draft  drawn  on  you. 
by  me,  will  be  honored  when  presented  for  payment. 

Governor  Calhoun  deemed  it  of  the  utmost  importance  that  a  delegation  of 
Pueblo  Indians  should  visit  the  States  at  this  time,  not  only  for  the  purpose  of 
carrying  out  the  policy  of  the  Government  towards  them,  but  also  to  secure 

10.  I.  A.,  >pw  Mexico  Supy.,  W  120.     See  also  W  124,  W  126,  W  138,  W  175. 

2  A  stateni'  it  received  from  Mrs.  Joe  Arnold,  great-granddaughter  of  Governor  Calbonn, 
is  to  the  effect   that  the  body  was  buried  at   Independence. 


COKRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  541 

more  firmly  their  confidence  and  esteem  towards  our  people.  Evil  disposed 
Mexicans  and  others  have  been  tampering  with  them  and  endeavouring  to  induce 
them  to  join  in  a  scheme  for  the  purpose  of  overthrowing  the  present  govern- 
ment. If  these  Indians  are  turned  back,  the  consequences  will  be  injurious  to 
the  Government  and  the  Territory  alike. 

I  shall  proceed  to  St  Louis  with  them  with  all  possible  speed  and  shall  there 
await  your  answer. 

Very  Respectfully 

Your  Obedient  Servant 

David  V.  Whiting 

Sec.  Exec.  Dept 
Hon  L.  Lea 

Convmr  0/  Ind  Affs 

Washington  City 

D.  C. 

[whiting  to  lea^] 

By  Telegraph 

St  Louis  Mo  July  loth  1852. 
Hon  L  Lea 

Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs 

Wash  D.  C. 
Db  Sir 

We  are  here  with  five  (5)  Pueblo  Indians  brought  in  by  Gov  Calhoun  shall 
we  take  them  on — If  so  will  you  honor  a  Draft  to  pay  their  expenses  should  I 
need  money  to  pay  them     reply 

David  V.  Whiting. 

St  Louis  July  17th  1852. 
Hon.  L.  Lea 

Telegraphed  on  fourteenth     no  answer  as  yet     Please  answer  immediately 

David  V.  Whiting 
[entry  in  greiner's  journal.^] 

Santa  Ft  Tuesday,  July  21,  1852. 
Mail  arrived  to  day  from  the  States  and  by  it  we  learned  the  death  of  H.  B. 
James  S.  Calhoun,  near  Independence  Mo. — Few  Pueblos  here  to  day     Expenses 
$1.25. 

John  Greineb 
[greiner  to  lea  ^] 

Superintendency  of  Indian  Affairs 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

July  31st  1852 
Hon  Luke  Lea 

Commissioner  of  Ind.  Affs. 
Sib 

The  melancholy  intelligence  of  the  death  of  Governor  Calhoun  reached  here 
by  this  mail,  and  his  loss  is  deeply  felt  by  the  Citizens  of  New  Mexico. 

1  O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  W  120. 

2  0.  I.  A.,  Greiner's  Journal,  p,  65. 

3  0.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.  G  43,  Piled  with  "Treaties,  Copies." 


542  CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

You  are  already  aware  that  in  order  to  ligliten  Ms  labors  during  liis  long 
sickness,  I  assumed  the  duties  of  Acting  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs  at 
his  request.  Had  he  have  lived  to  reach  Washington,  you  would  have  been  put 
in  the  possession  of  facts  that  would  have  given  you  a  fair  conception  of  the 
condition  of  this  Territory 

As  some  little  misunderstanding  has  occurred  between  Col.  Sumner  and  myself 
in  relation  to  our  official  duties,  I  deem  it  necessary  to  submit  to  you  for  your 
decision  the  question  at  issue.  When  Gov.  Calhoun  left  for  the  States— it  was 
with  the  understanding  that  Col.  Sumner  was  not  to  interfere  with  the  business 
of  the  Indian  Department. 

When  Col.  Sumner  came  to  Santa  Fe  he  said   (I  quote  his  own  words) 

'•  In  the  event  of  an  interregnum  in  the  office  of  Governor  in  this  Territory,  I  am  fully 
aware  that  the  people  and  government  of  the  United  States  would  justly  hold  me  ac 
countable  for  the  preservation  of  law  and  order.  At  the  same  time,  it  is  so  entirely  in- 
consistent with  all  the  institutions  of  our  Country  for  a  Military  Man  to  assume  the 
functions  of  a  Governor  that  I  should  decline  to  do  it,  not  to  shun  responsibility,  but 
from  a  sense  that  it  would  not  be  right. 

Can  these  two  positions  be  made  to  harmonize — I  think  so.  If  the  two  highest  civil 
officers  (Judges  Mower  &  Watts)  will  decide  between  themselves  which  shall  take  prece- 
dence, I  will  recognize  and  support  the  superior  as  acting  Governor.  If  they  cannot  do 
this  I  will  protect  the  interregnum  in  other  words.  I  will  protect  all  the  civil  officers  in 
the  performance  of  their  several  duties,  they  being  responsible  to  the  authority  from  which 
they  derive  their  power.  The  office  of  Governor  to  remain  vacant  until!  orders  are  re- 
ceived from  the  general  government 

Signed  E.  V.  Sumner 

Bvt.  Col.   U.  -S.  A. 

Cotng.  T>ep't 
Hd  Qrs.  9th  Dpt 

Near  Albcqdbrque 

ApHl  7  '5S 

This  was  the  position  of  Col.  Sumner  when  he  came  to  Santa  Fe— and  this 
was  the  ground  that  Gov.  Calhoun  understood  him  to  stand  upon  when  he  left 
for  the  States. 

Soon  after  the  Governor  left,  word  was  sent  to  this  Office  that  the  Southern 
Apaches  were  anxious  to  make  peace — Runners  were  sent  through  their  Coun- 
uy — and  the  Captains  of  the  several  Bands  were  requested  to  come  in  to  Santa 
Fe  if  such  was  their  desire — The  Mescularos  came  in,  and  the  Treaties  between 
the  Eutaws  &  Navajoes  and  the  United  States  was  taken  as  a  Copy  f'u-  thp 
A  paches. 

Then  for  the  first  time  I  discovered  that  Col.  Sumner  claimed  to  be  th« 
Acting  Governor  of  New  Mexico  and  by  virtue  of  that  office  Sup't  of  Indian 
Affairs.  I  objected  to  his  pretensions  but  was  given  to  understand  he  had  th«» 
power  to  assume  the  responsibility  and  would  assume  it.  Supposing  that  tho 
public  service  would  not  be  much  benefitted  with  a  controversy  between  the 
Col.  and  myself  I  submitted  to  his  authority  having  no  other  alternative  than 
risking  making  a  peace  with  the  Indians — At  the  same  time  not  being  entirely 
sure  that  the  Colonel  was  not  right. 

The  Gila  Apaches  afraid  of  coming  to  Santa  Fe  proposed  to  meet  at  the 
Pueblo  of  Acoma  and  in  order  that  I  might  have  no  misunderstanding  with  the 
Colonel  in  connection  with  Judge  Baird  we  addressed  him  the  following  note 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  543 

supibintbndbnct  of  indian  affairs 

Santa   Fh   New   Mexico 

July  Srd  1852 
Sir 

From  iufoniuv  .on  received  at  tliis  office,  from  the  Governor  of  the  Pueblo  of  Acoma, 
we  learn  that  a  large  body  of  the  Gila  Apaches,  will  be  at  or  near  the  said  Pueblo  on 
Sunday  the  11th  iustant  for  the  purpose  of  consummating  a  peace  with  the  Government  of 
ihe  United  States. 

As  a  large  body  of  Indians  is  expected  to  be  in  attendance  we  would  respectfully  apply 
to  you  as  Commander  of  the  9th  Military  Dep't  for  such  a  force  as  you  may  deem  neces- 
sary for  the  protection  of  ourselves,  and  for  the  benefit  of  the  public  service. 

.ToHN  Greiner 
Acf'g  Sup't  Ind.  Aff  N  M. 
S.  M.  Baird 

Ind.  Agt.  N  M. 
Col  E  V.  Sdmner 

Com.  9th  MiUty  Dept 

Santa  Fe  N  M 
In  answer  to  this  we  receive<l  the  following  reply 

Executive  Office^   N.   M. 

Santa  1'e 

J  nil/  3  '52 
Gentlemen 

In  reply  to  your  note  of  this  date  asking  for  the  protection  of  troops  to  meet  the 
Apache  Indians,  I  have  to  inform  you  that  I  am  going  myself  to  meet  and  treat  with  the 
Gila  Apaches  at  Acoma  on  the  11th  inst.  in  conjunction  (if  he  chooses  to  accompany  me) 
with  the  senior  Indian  Agent  in  this  lerritory.  T  shall  take  such  military  as  I  may 
deem  necessary 

Very  respectfully 

E.     V.     SUMNBE 

Bvt.  Col.,  U.  ,S'.  J 

Com  9th  Dept 
And  in  Charge  of  Executive  Office 
Messrs  J  Greiner  and  S.  M.  Baird 

Ind.  Agents 

With  the  following  onr  correspondence  clo.'-ed. 

SUPERINTENDENCy    OF     IND.     AFF. 

Santa  Fe  N  M.  July  ith  '52 
Sir 

We  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  note  of  yesterday  and  respectfully 
reply 

That  the  Agents  appointed  by  the  President  of  the  United  States  for  the  Indians  In 
New  Mexico  "  will  choose  "  (as  suggested)  to  accompany  Col.  Sumner  to  treat  with  the 
Gila  Apaches  at  Acoma. 

No  unwarrantable  assumption  of  arbitrary  power  on  the  part  of  the  military  commander 
will  for  a  moment  cause  them  to  swerve  from  their  ofBcial  duties. 

Having  manifested  every  disposition  on  their  part  to  act  in  "  concert  "  and  harmony 
with  the  Military  they  protest  against  the  right  assumed  by  Col.  Sumner  in  the  framing 
of  this  treaty — and  object  to  the  assumption  of  power  expressed  in  his  letter  of  "  going 
himself  to  meet  and  treat  with  the  Oila  Apaches  " 

They  intend  to  witness  the  consummation  of  the  Peace  for  which  they  have  so  long  and 
ardently  labored,  and  will  not  be  drawn  into  any  minor  questions,  but  will  respectfully 
submit  to  the  Department  at  Washington  if  they  are  not  the  proper  porccna  Officers  to 
negotiate  Indian  Treaties  in  New  Mexico. 
Very  Respectfully 

Your  Obt  Sv'ts  John   Greiner 

Acting  Sup't  Ind.  Aff.  N.  M. 
S.  M.  Baird 
Col.  E.  V.  Somner  Ind.  Agt  New  Mex 

Comg  9th  Mil.  Dep 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 
With  this  nnderstnndiug  we  accompanied  Col.  Sunnier  to  Acoma,  made  every 
effort  to  make  the  Indians  feel  that  it  was  their  interest  to  make  peace  with 
our  Government,   returned  well   pleased  with   the  trip — and  now  respectfully 


544  CORRESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.    CALHOUN, 

submit  to  the  Department  "  Whether  it  was  not  the  duty  of  the  Indian  Agents 
to  negotiate  this  Treaty  without  the  interference  of  Col.  Sumner. 

The  question  is  one  of  some  importance  as  a  "  precedent "  and  I  would  be 
much  gratified  if  the  Department  would  give  it  some  consideration,  in  order 
that  I  may  know  how  to  be  governed  under  similar  circumstances  hereafter. 
The  kindest  feelings  exist  I  believe  between  Col.  Sumner  and  myself — and 
I  am  inclined  to  believe  he  acted  from  a  conviction  of  duty — I  know  that  I  did. 

We  are  now  at  peace  with  all  the  Indians  in  New  Mexico — and  another 
month  has  rolled  around  with  scarcely  a  complaint  lodged  against  them. 
People  in  small  parties — even  single  persons  travel  through  their  Country, 
without  being  molested,  and  I  think  they  can  be  kept  so  if  the  people  of  New 
Mexico  will  only  let  tliem  alone. 

Col.  Sumner  has  taken  the  responsibility  of  sendiug  the  Treaty  with  the 
Apaches  to  Washington  by  one  of  his  officers  which  will  account  for  its  not 
accompanying  this  Report  to  the  Indian  Oflice. 

I  trust  it  may  be  ratified,  and  the  same  Appropriation  made  for  them  as 
for  the  other  tribes  in  New   Mexico     The  Navajoes  and   Eutaws.     This  has 
been  partly  promised  them,  and  you  may  be  sure  it  will  be  better  expended  by 
the  Indian  Department  than  by  the  War  Department  in  powder  and  bullets. 
Very  Respectfully 

Your  Oht  Sv't  John  Greineb 

AcVg  8up't  Ind  Aff.  N  M. 

Hon.  L  Lea 

Com.  Ind  Aff. 

Wosirton  at II  D.  C. 

[CALHOUN  TO  JONES.'] 

[  Copy  of  Warrant.  ] 

Fort  Union  New  Mexico 

May  1st,  1852 
To  R.  M.  Stephens  Deputy  United  States  Marshal  for  the  Territory  of  New 

Mexico     Greeting — 

You  are  hereby  Commanded  to  proceed  under  the  direction  of  the  Command- 
ing Officer  at  this  Post,  to  arrest  and  take  into  Custody  the  following  named 
persons,  to  wit;  Morris  Miller,  Hugh  G.  Hutchinson,  John  Woland,  Calvin  D. 
Scofield,  Arthur  Morrison,  Samuel  Sias,  William  Reynolds,  Samuel  Morey,  Jacob 
Meador,  and  William  Halsted,  and  turn  them  over  to  Col  Sumner  at  Santa  F6, — 
You  will  also  take  charge  of  whatever  property  you  may  find  on  the  premises, 
under  the  direction  of  the  Commanding  Officer  at  this  Post,  and  have  the  same 
delivered  to  the  Quarter  Master  at  this  place, — You  will  also  proceed  under  the 
direction  of  the  Commanding  Officer  to  burn  and  destroy  whatever  shanties  you 
may  find, — The  above  persons  you  will  take  into  Custody  upon  the  Charges  of 
gelling  liquor  in  the  Indian  Country,  and  for  having  purchased  and  concealed 
stolen  property. 

Given  under  my  hand  on  the  day  and  year  above  written — 

(Signed)  James  S.  Calhoun 

(Witness)  Governor  and  Suj)t  of  Ind  Affs 

(Signed  David  D  Whiting) 
John  Jones 

US.  Marshal 
By  R.  M.  Stephens 

Dept  US  Marshal 


O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.  N  111. 


COBKESPOI^DEJSrCE   OF   JAMES  S.   CALHOUN.  545 

[Inclosure.] 
The  United  States 

To  John  Jones  United  States  Marshal  for  the  Territory  of  New 
Mexico — for  the  following  services  rendered  in  obedience  to  the  Man- 
dates of  a  Writ  from  and  under  the  hand  of  James  S.  Calhoun  Gov- 
ernor and  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs  in  New  Mexico. 

(Viz.) Dr_. 

1852  United  States 

f  For  selling  Liquor  in  the  Indian  Country  and  for  purchasing  & 
ay  V.  fc>.|     receiving  stolen  property  of  the  United  States — 

Morris  Miller  ]  To  Arresting  Defts  at  $2.  each  20  00 

Hugh  G.  Hutchinson     "  Burning  5  Shanties  at  $2^  each  12  50 

John  Woland  "  10  prs  hand  Cuffs  a  $3.  each  30  00 

Calvin  D.  Scofield  "  Transportation    for    prisoners    from    Fort 

Arthur  Morrison        I  Union  to  Santa  Fe  50  00 

Samuel  Sias  [   "  Suhsisteuee  for  prisoners  on  road  for  seven 

William  Reynolds  days  at  $1.  per  diem  each  70  00 

Samuel  Morey  "  Rent  of  Quarters  for  prisoners  for  3  nights 

Jacob  Meador  at  $0  per  night  15  00 

William  Halsted  "  foraging    12    Animals    for    transportation 

from    Fort    Union    to    Santa    Fe,    and 
back— 12  Fanagers  Corn  a  $5  =  $G0.  & 
6  loads  Fodder  at  $4.  84  00 

To  Fire  Wood  purchased  for  Comfort  of  prisoners  3  loads  at  $4 — 

each  12  00 

"  Committing  prisoners  to  Jail  In  Santa  Fe  a  $1.  each  10  00 

"  Mileage  from  Santa  Fe  to  Fort  Union  and  back — 105  miles  at 

5  cts  each  way  of  travel  pr  mile  10  50 

"  Making  Invoice  and  storing  Goods  and  Chattels  of  the  Defend- 
ants, taken  possession  off  25  00 


$338  00 
Examined  and  allowed 
Grafton  Baker 

Gh.  Justice  &c 

[lane  to  lea.^] 

Executive  Department, 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico, 

February  2S,  185S. 
Sib 

The  enclosed  account  of  John  Jones,  Marshal  of  this  Territory  has  been  pre- 
sented to  me  for  payment,  but  as  I  do  not  feel  authorized  to  pay  it,  myself,  I 

1  O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy,  N  111. 
5021—15 35 


546  COERESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

forward  it  to  your  Office.  The  service  was  performed,  and  the  endorsal  (which 
was  made  in  my  presence)  is  intended  for  a  receipt,  should  a  draft  be  sent  for 
the  amount. 

Very  Respectfully 

Your  Obedt  Servant 

Wm  Care  Lane 

8ui)t  Ind  Affrs 
Hon  L.  Lea 

Commr.  Ind  Affrs 

Washington  City 

D.  C. 

[SUMNER  TO   CALHOUN.M 

Head  Quarters,  9th  Del^'t: 

Albuquerque  N.  M. 

Mai/  2'  1852. 
His  Exy  J.  S.  Calhoun 
Governor, 

I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  the  two  letters 
written  by  your  direction  dated  April  oOth  1852,  I  cordially  recip- 
rocate your  kind  feelings,  and  trust  that  you  will  reach  your  home 
in  safety. 

I  will  be  in  Santa  Fe,  on  Wednesday  night,  as  I  wish  much  to  see 
you  before  you  leave.  I  would  propose  to  you  to  go  to  Fort  Union, 
and  rest  there  for  a  few  days.  You  wdll  be  very  comfortable  in  my 
house,  and  it  is  entirely  at  your  service.  Under  existing  circum- 
stances in  this  territory,  instead  of  sending  Major  Carleton's  whole 
company  to  the  Arkansas,  I  shall  send  a  platoon  only,  under  Lieu- 
tenant Johnson,  I  will  direct  this  Officer  to  regulate  liis  marches  to 
suit  your  convenience. 
I  am  Sir 

With  high  respect 

Your  ob't :  Serv't  : 

E  V  Sumner 
Bvt:  Cnl:  Lt.  Col:  Ut  Digs 

Comdf):  Dcpt: 


»A.  G.  0.,  Department  of  New  Mexico,  vol.  8.  p.  235. 


COERESPONDENCE   OF   JAMES   S.   CALHOUN.  547 

[CALHOUN  TO  LEA/] 

Executive  Department 

Santa  Fe  New  Mexico 

May  5th  1852 
Sir 

I  have  this  day  drawn  on  you  in  favor  of  Joseph  D  Ellis  Esq  at 
sight  for  Two  thousand  Eighty  seven  50/100  Dollars,  which  amount 
will  be  duly  accounted  for  at  the  end  of  the  present  quarter. 
Very  Respectfully 

Your  Obedient  Servant 

J  S  Calhoun 

Supt  hid  Afs. 
By  David  V.  Whiting 
Hon  LuitE  Lea 

Commr  of  Ind  Affs. 

Washington  City 

D.  G. 

[LEA   TO   CALHOUN."] 

Department  of  the  Interior, 

Office  Indian  Affairs, 

May  6th,  1852. 
Calhoun,  His  Excy  Jas.  S. 

Gov.  c&c 

Santa  Fe, 

New  Mexico. 
Sir, 

Your  own,  and  the  accounts  of  Agent  Greiner,  and  of  Special 
Agents  S.  M.  Baird  and  C.  Overman,  transmitted  with  Mr.  Whitings 
three  letters  of  the  31st  March  have  been  received. 
Very  respectfully. 

Your  Obt.  Svt.  L.  Lea, 

Gomr. 

[LEA  TO  CALHOUN.n 

Department  of  the  Intr. 

Office  Indian  Affrs  : 

May  6:  52. 
Calhoun,  His  Excy.  Jas.  S. 
Santa  Fe, 

New  Mexico. 
Sir, 

I  have  received  your  letter  of  the  31st  of  last  March,  enclosing 
the  Official  bond  of  S.  M.  Baird,  Esq,  Indian  Agent  in  New  Mexico, 
which  is  approved. 

Very  respectfully,  Your  Obt.  Svt.  .  L.  Lea, 

Gomr: 

*  O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy,  N  64.  »  O.  I.  A.,  L.  B.,  No.  46.  p.  74.         •  Ibid. 


648  CORBESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[CALHOUN  TO  LEA.'] 

Executive  Department 

Las  Vegas  N.  Mexico 

Mmj  11,  1852 
Sir 

I  have  this  day  approved  a  draft  drawn  by  Col  A  R  Woolley, 
•  Indian  Agent,  at  sight,  for  One  hundred  DoUars,  in  favor  of  Michael 
Gleason  vv^hich  will  be  duly  accounted  for  in  his  accounts  for  this 
quarter. 

Very  Respectfully 

Your  Obed*  Servant 

J.  S.  Calhoun 
J)y  David  V.  Whiting 
Hon  L.  Lea 

Comm''  of  Ind  Affs 

Washington  City 
D.G. 

[SUMNEB  TO   CALHOUN.'] 

Head  Quarters  9th  Dep't: 

Santa  Fe, 
May  20th  1852 
His  Exy :  J.  S.  Calhoun 

Fort  Union,  N.  M. 
Governor, 

I  have  received  the  two  letters  written  by  your  direction  on  the 
16th  and  17th  inst :  Every  thing  will  be  done  to  insure  the  due  course 
of  law  in  the  case  of  the  prisoners  arrested  by  your  order.  Dr  Byrne 
informs  me  that  he  does  not  wish  to  go  to  the  States,  and  requests 
that  Dr  McParlin,  may  be  ordered  to  accompaii}^  you.  As  I  pre- 
sume 3^ou  would  not  wish  Dr  Byrne  to  go  unwillingly,  I  have  sent 
the  order  to  Dr  McParlin.  I  regret  that  I  can  not  furnish  you  with 
the  subsistence  stores.  Owing  to  the  great  abuses  here  and  else- 
where very  stringent  orders  have  been  is.sued  on  this  subject.  OflEi- 
cers  are  now  obliged  to  certify  to  the  number  in  their  families,  and 
that  the  provisions  are  not  used  for  any  other  purpose.  You  may  be 
able  to  make  some  arrangement  with  the  Agent  of  the  flour  con- 
tractor for  the  flour,  with  regard  to  the  Quarter  Master's  stores,  I 
have  directed  Major  Carleton,  to  furnish  you  with  two  wall  tents, 
two  water  tanks,  and  harness  for  eight  mules,  to  be  turned  over  to 
Major  Ogden  at  Fort  Leavenworth. 

I  regret  extremely  that  you  do  not  think  proper  to  leave  the  Indian 
funds  in  this  Territory. 

There  will  never  be  a  time  when  the  judicious  expenditure  of  a 
part  of  this  money  will  do  more  good  than  during  this  season.     In- 


1  O.  I.  a.,  New  Mexico  Supy,  H  122. 

«A.  G.  C,  Department  of  New  Mexico,  vol.  8,  pp.  266-268;  O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Snpy, 
S151. 


I 


CORRESPONDENCE   OF    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN.  549 

deed  I  consider  it  so  vitally  important  to  meet  the  reasonable  ex- 
pectations of  the  Navajos  and  Utahs,  who  resort  here  on  business, 
that  I  foresee  that  I  shall  be  obliged  to  use  military  funds,  for  this 
purpose,  and  in  order  to  justify  my  doing  this  I  must  be  able  to 
show,  that  I  left  nothing  undone  to  obtain,  the  funds  that  had  been 
specially  appropriated  by  Congress  for  their  benefit.  I  am  very 
happy  to  hear  of  the  improvement  in  your  health,  as  you  can  now 
begin  to  take  nourishment.  I  have  no  doubt  but  you  will  recover 
rapidly. 
Wishing  you  a  comfortable  and  pleasant  journey 
I  am  Sir 

With  high  respect. 

Your  ob't :  Serv't  : 

E  V  Sumner 
Bvt:  Col:  Lt:  Col:  1st  Drags 

Comdg:  Dept: 

[SUMNER   TO    LEA.^] 

Hd  Qrs  9th  Dept 

Santa  Fe  N  M 

May  26/52. 
Sir, 

I  regret  to  iuforru  you  that  Govi-  J  S  Calhoun  has  not  thought  proper,  before 
leaving  this  territory,  to  turn  over  the  funds  belonging  to  the  Navajos  and 
Utahs. — From  information  I  have  received  from  Mr  Greiner  Indian  Agent,  and 
temporarily  charged  with  the  Superintendency  of  Indian  Affairs.  I  suppose 
there  must  be  at  least  $25000,  of  those  funds  unexpended. — There  will  never  be  a 
time  when  a  part  of  this  money  can  be  so  judiciously  used  as  during  this  season. — 
These  Indians  are  now  perfectly  quiet  and  friendly  and  it  is  a  great  object  to 
furnish  them  with  tools,  and  other  useful  things,  in  order  to  encourage  them  in 
extending  their  agriculture  &c  as  much  as  possible — 

Besides,  parties  of  them  frequently  come  here  on  business,  and  it  is  indis- 
pensably necessary  to  feed  them  while  here. — 

So  vitally  important  do  I  consider  it,  just  at  this  time,  to  equal  the  reasonable 
expectations  of  these  Indians,  that  I  foresee  that  I  shall  be  obliged  to  use 
military  funds  for  this  purpose — I  would  therefore,  earnestly  request  that 
measures  may  be  taken  to  restore  to  the  territory,  as  soon  as  possible,  the 
money  that  belongs  here — The  Secretary  Mr  Allen  also  carried  away  all  the 
public  money  in  his  possession,  amounting  to  about  $9000,  so  that  I  am  left  in 
charge  of  this  civil  government,  the  direction  of  which  I  was  compelled  to  as- 
sume under  peculiar  circumstances,  without  the  means  of  carrying  it  on,  al- 
though Congress  has  made  all  the  necessary  appropriations. — 
With  high  respect 

Your  obt  Servt  E  V  Sumneb 

Bvt  Col  Lt  Col  1st  Digs 

Comg  Dept 
Hon  In  charge  of  Executive  Office 

Luke  Lea 

Commr  of  Indian  Affairs 
Note  May  29/    I  would  state  that  Mr  Greiner  Actg  Supt  Indian  Affairs  has 
already  been  obliged  to  borrow  $200,  to  meet  the  wants  of  that  d^pt. 

1  O.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  S  151. 


550  CORRESPONDENCE   OP    JAMES   S.    CALHOUN. 

[whiting  to   SUMNER.^] 

Copy. 

Executive  Department 

Fort  Union  N.   M. 

May  2Gth  1852. 
Colonel, 

I  am  directed  by  H.  E.  the  Governor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter 
of  the  20th  inst,  in  which  you  make  inquiries  concerning  certain  Indian  funds, 
and  I  am  directed  by  him  to  inform  you  that  if  there  are  any  such  funds  in  the 
Territory  he  is  not  aware  of  their  existence.  It  is  true  that  $36,000  were  appro- 
priated by  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  in  fulfilment  of  Navajo  and  Utah 
Treaty  stipulations,  a  portion  of  that  amount  has  been  drawn  and  expended, 
a  full  report  of  which  will  be  given  at  Washington  upon  the  arrival  of  H.  E.  at 
that  place.  There  are  over  $20,000  now  lying  at  Washington,  which  have  not 
been  drawn  as  H.  E.  did  not  deem  it  expedient  for  him  to  do  so,  as  he  did-  not 
consider  the  wants  of  said  two  tribes  demanded  it.  nor  does  he  consider  they 
demand  it  at  the  present  time 
Very  Respectfully 

Your  Obt;   Servt, 

(Sgd)  David  V,  Whiting. 

Col  E.  V,  Sumner 

Comdg  9th  Mil;  De't; 

Santa  Fe', 
N  M 

Head  Qurs  9th  Mil;  Dep't; 

Santa  Fe',  N  M 

May  20th  1852 
A  true  copy 

J.  C.  McFerran 

1st  Lt  3d  Inf 

Actg  Ast  Adj  Oenl 
[LEA  TO  CALHOUN. '^l 

Department  of  the  Interior, 

Office  Indian  Affairs, 

3/mj  26: 1852. 
Calhoun,  His  Excy.  J.  S. 

Gov  d'-c.  Santa  Fe.,  New  Mexico. 
Sir: 

Agent  WooJley's  accounts  for  the  qr.  ending  31st  March  last,  with 
Mr.  Baldwin's  letter  of  8th  ulto,  transmitting  them,  have  been 
received. 

Very  respectfully, 

Your  Obt  Svt.  L.  Lea, 

Comr. 

lO.  I.  A.,  New  Mexico  Supy.,  S  151. 
8  0.  I.  A.,  L.  B.,  No,  46,  p.  116. 


INDEX 


Page. 

Abert,  J.W 5 

Albuquerque 31 

Capt.    Walker's  California  party  retire 

to 451-452 

Sumner  moves  his  headquarters  from 

Fort  Union  to 434 

Allen,  William  S 364 

Alvarez 218, 242, 305n2 

Apaches 6,8,32,34,54,266 

And  others  prepare  to  make  treaty  with 

United  States 212 

Associated  with  Kiowas  and  Comanches.      270 

Attack  upon 262-263 

Bands  of 266 

Depredations 215, 255, 284, 486, 492 

Gila,  have  many  captives  and  animals...      401 
In  camp  near  San  Miguel,  La  Cuesta,  and 

Anton  Chico 350 

Living  east  of  the  Rio  Grande,  treaty 

with 314-316, 327-328, 472 

Murders  by 63, 155, 216, 259, 341 

Sumner  has  established  a  new  post  at  the 

"copper  mines"  in  the  country  of. . .      433 
Treaty  should  be  made  with  the,  west  of 

the  Del  Norte 394 

Want  to  know  about  future  location 353 

Arapahoes 7, 8, 18 

Attack  of,  and  Kiowas  upon  a  Utah  vil- 
lage       438 

Archibille,  a  Navajo  chief 312 

Arkansas  Crossing 18 

Armijo 467 

Augney,  W.  Z.,  letter  of 256-257 

Baker,  Grafton,  to  visit  Washington.. 431 

Baird,  Spence  M.: 

Accounts 511 

Commission 473 

Special  agent  for  Navajos 488 

Bartlett,  John  Russell ^ 404, 405 

BeaU,  Benjamm  Lloyd 35n,  59,152 

Beaubien,  Charles 133, 135, 136, 137 

Artillery  force  sent  to  Taos  on  recommen- 
dation of 360 

Circuit  judge 358 

No  confidence  in  the  Mexican  popula- 
tion       358 

Bent,  Charles 5, 9, 56 

Bent's  Fort 32, 42 

Black  Eagle  Barbon 467 

Blumner,  Charles,  takes  census  of  Indians  of 

New  Mexico 280 

Boundary  Commission: 

An  agent  of  Interior  Department  ought 

to  be  with 414 

Calhoun  intends  visiting 394 

Citizens  of  Mesilla  find  fault  with  the 

placing  of  the  initial  point 404 


Page. 

Brooke,  George  Mercer 14,17,99 

Burnside,  Ambrose  E..  60, 61, 99n,  188, 196, 197, 198 
Calhoun,  James  S.: 

Accompanied  by  five  Pueblo  Indians 540 

Accounts 332, 337, 379 

And  Sumner  go  to  Jemez  to  meet  Nava- 

joes 434 

Appointment  as  governor  of  New  Mex- 
ico   295,296 

Asks  leave  of  absence  to  visit  Washington 

and  Georgia 365,399 

Attacked  by  catarrh  and  jaundice 473 

Bond 16, 67, 74,334 

Brooks  will  furnish  escort  to,  to  the  Utah 

country 439 

Comments  upon  report 190 

Commission 2, 3, 262 

Compensation 3 

Complains  that  he  is  still  ignorant  of  late 

laws  affecting  New  Mexico 354 

Constitution  proposed  for  State  govern- 
ment   213,217,253 

Death  of 541 

Death  of  younger  daughter 471 

Departure  from  Georgia 1 

Disbursements 156 

During  illness  of,  Greiner  to  act  as  super- 
intendent       519 

Estimates 175 

Informs  Sumner  of  apprehensions  as  to 
effects  of  his  changes  in  Ninth  Mili- 
tary Department 396 

Intends  to  visit  the  Boundary  Commis- 
sion        394 

Interior    Department    should    have    an 

agent  with  Boundary  Commission. . .      414 

Interview  wi  Ih  agen  tsofPueblos 340 

Inquires  if  he  has  power  to  fill  vacancies 

in  Indian  agencies  temporarily 436 

Is  gratified  that  Judge  Grafton  Baker  will 
advocate  changes  in  New  Mexican 

organic  law 431 

Leaves  Fort  Union 538 

Proclamation  Mar.  18,  1851,  touching  the 

formation  of  volunteer  corps 300-301 

Report  on  Pueblos 172 

Reported  to  be  at  the  point  of  death 521 

Sons-in-law 48 

Suggestions 82, 139, 148 

Thinks  not  less  than  two  mounted  regi- 
ments can  maintain  peace  in  New 

Mexico 431, 433 

Transmits  petition 157 

Unfounded  charges  against 536 

Wants  military  escort  to  the  Utah  coun- 
try       434 

Will  leave  for  the  States 531 

551 


552 


INDEX. 


Cafion  Bonito,  post  establ  ished  at 439 

Captives 29, 

51,  63,  60,  73,  161.  181,  184,  345, 
349, 390-391, 401, 405-406, 414, 451 

Cayugas 7, 8 

Chacon: 

And  other  Indians  ordered  to  be  at  Anton 

Chico  by  May  15,  1851 351 

Brought  in  by  Lieut.  Holliday 310, 317 

Carrying  out  of  treaty 328, 330 

Signs  treaty 314 

Superior  chief  of  Apaches  east  of  Del 

Norte 308 

Chihuahua: 

Department  of 7,34n 

"Will  be  a  perpetual  scene  of  robbery 

and  bloodshed" 428 

Chapitone 22, 49 

Cheille,  Canon  of 21,26,27,28,35.38 

Cheyennes 7, 8, 18 

Uneasiness  among 417 

Chippewa In2 

Choice,  Cyrus 48,90,91,121,187,208 

Compensation  due 336, 460 

Death 259 

Payment  to 335 

Cito,  Jose,  a  mescalero 319 

Clayton,  John  M Inl 

Coahuila,  department  of 7 

Collins,  James 5 

Colquitt,  W.J 11 

Comanches 8, 18, 32, 34 

Assembling 342,345 

Carlos  Vigil   reports   "decidedly  peace- 
fully purposed  " 389 

Decamped  during  night 342, 

343, 344, 355, 356, 363, 368, 378 

Depredations 347 

Location 394 

On  the  way  to  fight  Navajos 379 

Proposed  disposition  of 55 

Want  to  know  about  their  future  location.      353 

Connelly,  Dr.  Henry 218,255,281,305 

Cooke,  P.  St.  George 5 

Council  Blufls 1  n2,2 

Cunningham,  Francis  A 217, 305  n  2 

Davis,  John  H 48,61,249 

Dawson,  W.  C 75,384 

Disurnell,  map  of 1 

Dodge,  Henry  Lane 38 

Doniphan,  A.  W 9 

Dunn,  Isaac  B 95,271 

Dunn,   James   H.,   inquires  concerning  his 

relatives 272-273 

Durango,  Department  of 7 

Eagle  Feathers: 

Cattle  killed  by 349 

Pays  a  visit  to  Calhoun 368 

Principal  chief  of  Comanches 343, 345 

Emory,  W.  H 5 

Ewing,  Thomas 10 

Fitzpatrick,  Thomas 18  and  notes 

Fort  Conrad 433,449,479,485 

Fort  Defiance 434,445,518 

Fort  Fillmore 4.33, 485 


f'age. 

Fort  Leavenworth 17 

Fort  Union: 

Calhoun  leaves 538 

Established  by  Sumner 417 

Headquarters  of  Sumner  moved  from,  to 

Albuquerque 434 

Fort  Webster,  establishment  of,  and  effect 

upon  Gila  Apaches 290,479 

Storesfor 487 

Fremont,  John  C 5 

Grand  council  of  Apaches  and  Comanches 

planned 345 

Greiner,  John 321, 388 

Talk  with  Navajos 475 

Will  be  stationed  near  Taos 393 

Grier,  William  N 88, 107 

Haralson,  H.  A 12 

Hays,  John  C 34 

Holliday,  J.  P 308,310,317 

Houghton,  Joab 18, 39, 49 

Houston,  Sam,  letter  of. 211 

Iverson,  A 11, 12 

Jemez 35, 36 

Calhoun  and   Sumner  meet  Navajos  in 

council  at 434 

S.  M.  Baird  to  be  located  at 488 

Visit  of  Calhoun  to 44 

Jicarillas 6,8 

Daughter  of  Mrs.  J.  M.  White  supposed  to 

be  captive  among 269 

Depredations  of 299 

Have  chief  and  four  warriors  at  Santa  Fe.      308 

In  the  neighborhood  of  Manzana 281 

Must  keep  beyond  aU  settlements 359 

Obtain  whisky  of  the  Mexicans 357 

Threaten  hostilities 357 

Jones,  John  G 48 

Judd,  Henry  B Ill,  146, 184 

Kearny  code,  salaries  under 437 

Kearny,  Stephen  W 5,6,9,32, 120 

Kendrick,  Henry  Lane 26, 48, 59, 310, 358 

Kiowas 18,32 

Attack  with  Arapahoes,  a  Utah  village..      438 
Lacome,  Auguste: 

Mission  of 167, 271 

Report 169, 239 

Laguna,  Valley  of 31,38 

Latz,  Benjamin  J 297,310,318,330,345,352 

Lea,  Luke,  Navajo  chief 467 

Lee,  Andrew 48 

Lee,  Benjamin  F 48 

Legislature: 

Members  of,  memorialize  Calhoun 386-387 

Memorial  of  certain  members,  Jime  30, 

1851 366-368 

Room  needed  for 352 

Love,  William  E 249 

Lumpkin,  John  H 11 

Lima,  Ramon,  e.xpedition  to  Navajo  country.     283, 
284-286 
Lobo: 

A  Jicarilla 319 

Chief  of  the  Mescaleros 317 

Signs  treaty... 314 

Mail,  attack  upon 47 

Manuel,  Simon,  Apache  chief 260 


INDEX. 


553 


Page. 


Jicarillas  in  the  neighborhood  of 281 

Lieut.    HoUiday    pursues   Indians    who 

committed  depredations  near 308 

Navaj  OS  drive  stocl;;  from  near 307 

Marcy,  William  L 9,11,13,14 

Martinez,  Marians 22 

May,  Charles  A 80,91,121 

Mescaleros  have  chief  and  four  warriors  at 

^-     -aFe 308 

Miguel,  Hosea 467 

Mitchell,  VViUiam  H 49 

Moquis  ( Hopi) - 7, 8, 52 

Visit  Callioim 415 

Mower,  Horace " 364,388,407 

Munroe,  John 43,61,64 

Calling  legislature 218 

For  continuing  military  occupation 242, 253 

Proclamatijns  of— 

May  6,  1850 213 

May  28,  1850 219-220 

Refuses  to  furnish  Indian  superintend- 

ency  with  subsistence 324, 328 

6, 7, 8, 21, 32 

Calhoun  and  Sumner  meet  at  Jemez 434 

Citizens  of  Taos  and  Rio  Ariba  want  to 

go  against 427 

Divided  into  two  groups,  hostile  to  each 

other , 309 

Depredations 211, 

217, 239, 200, 264, 268, 283, 288, 289, 
291,  303,  307.  312, 380, 389, 414, 447 
Fort  Defiance  established  in  theii-  coun- 


try. 


518 


Land  title 340 

Make  assaults  upon  Zuni 250, 260 

Murders  committed 47, 299, 414 

Post  established  at  Canyon  Bonito  ui  their 

country 439 

Resources 55 

S.  M.  Baird,  special  agent  for 488 

Sumner  makes  expedition  to  theii'  coun- 
try    113,414,418 

Treaty  with 21-25 

New  Mexico: 

Act  establishmg  the  seat  of  government. .  435 

Aflairs  in  a  critical  condition 514 

Census  of  Indians 280 

Citizens  growing  increasingly  apprehen- 
sive   430 

Citizens  opposed  to  a  State  government 

cU-aw  up  declaration  of  principles. .  370-375 
Defeated    faction    stirring    up    trouble 

among  the  Indians 362 

Defective  character  of  organic  law 432 

Factious  citizens  influencing  Pueblo  In- 
dians to  take  up  arms 369 

Mischievous  element  among  people  of. . . .  361 

Traitorous 364 

Not  500  citizens  can  read  English  language  413 
Not  less  than  two  mounted  regiments  can 

maintain  peace  in 431 

Sumner  regrets  laws  not  strong  enough  to 

repress  lawlessness 397 

Treasury  empty 425 

Unprincipled  men  trying  to  subvert  the 

government 532 


Overman,  Charles,  accounts 511 

Pah-hah-you-co 211 

Pleasanton,  Lieut.  Alfred  H.,  ordered  to  pur- 
sue Navajos 289, 292, 310, 346 

Porode,  Simon,  Apache  chief 260 

Pueblos: 

Council 369 

Want  to  know  views  of  Government  re- 
specting them 267 

Quitman,  John  A 111,146 

Reynolds,  A.  W.,  leader  of  disaflected  New 

Mexicans 362 

Rio  Ariba,  citizens  of  Taos  and  of,  want  to  go 

against  Navajos 427 

Robinson,  James  D 89,90 

Sandra,  governor  of,  draws  up  a  declaration .      369 

Sandoval 307 

Navajo  chief,  on  visit  to  Santa  Fe 309 

San  Felipe,  claim  of 447,449,454,456 

San  Illdefonso 57, 99 

St.  VrainCeran 42 

Simpson,!.  H 205,204 

Smith,  Hugh  N 42,53,59,68,69,113,222,224-226 

Socorro,  petition  from  citizens  of 479,481-482 

Spanish  land  and  water  statutes 497-507 

Steen,  Enoch 73,188 

Steptoe,  E.  J 118,148 

Sumner,  Edwin  V.: 

And  Calhorm  go  to  Jemez  to  meet  Nava- 
jos       434 

Assigned  to  command  of  Ninth  Military 

Department : 383 

Breaks  up  military  post  at  Santa  Fe 417 

Expects  to  leave  Fort  Leavenworth  for 

Santa  Fe  by  May  1, 1851 384,385 

Expeditions  to  the  Navajo  country 413, 

414,418,421,430,441.451 

Is  to  cooperate  with  Calhoun 416 

Makes  changes  in  Ninth  Military  Depart- 
ment        382 

Moves  headquarters  from  Fort  Union  to 

A  Ibuquerque 434 

Tamucha 256 

Taos: 

Citizens  of,  and  of  Rio  Ariba,  want  to  go 

against  Navajos 427 

Company  of  infantry  at 433 

Petition  of  citizens 240 

Pueblo  of 494 

Voting  by  Indians 132 

Texas,  relations  with  New  Mexico 70, 

220,221,244,252-263 

The'Palace 435 

Thomas,  Carroll 89,90 

Thomas,  Francis  John 110,146,184 

Traders, 71, 104, 108, 196, 246, 251, 282, 348, 483 

Tunicha: 

Murders  committed  near 47 

Valley  of 27,35 

Twiggs,  D.E Ill 

Utahs 7,8,18,20,35,92,201.202.205 

Depredations 217,239,288 

Have  had  secret  council  with  Taos 358 

In  force  in  the  valley  of  La  Costillo 358 

Lands  claimed,  in  tho  valley  of  the  Los 

Conejos 438 

Mexicans  arrangingto  seize  lands  ol 441 


554 


U I  ahs— Coil ;  iuu  ed . 

Treaty  with ail,  125, 127, 252, 33-''. 

Village  of,  attat-ked  byKiowasand  Arap- 

ahoes 438 

Wagon  Mound,  murders  at 206, 207, 209 

Washington,  John  Macrae 19^ 

20, 21, 31, 35, 36, 37, 42, 18S,  203 

Watts,  Johns 364,388,407 

Weightman,  Richard  H 53, 

133n,  217, 305n2, 321, 388, 393, 464 

White,  J.  M 63' 

131,  160,  170,  239,  247,  269,  271' 
272, 273-274, 287, 293, 297, 308, 328 


Wliiting,  D.V .' 292 

W  ilMi.,  John 5, 1,  M) 

Wingfield,E.  H -in 

Absent 434 

Arrives  in  Santa  Fe >32 

Will  accompany  Sumr.er  to  Navajo  coun- 
try   93 

Woolley,  A.  R .21 

Arrives  at  Santa  Fe .92 

Will  be.  stationed   on   tl\n   L.;j.    '    '  .c 

road i93 

Zunl,  pueblo  of 30, 35, 3.-',  50 

Deputa lion  from 50 


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