government will restore them their ancient rights. Wicked men-some Americans, but chiefly Mexicans-for their own mischievous purposes, have awakened 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 character; 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 many millions of inhabitants as they have thousands. I respectfully suggest, these people should have their limits circumscribed and distinctly marked out, and their departure from said limits should be under certain prescribed 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 hardy 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 by day.

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 300 to 600, is about twenty, not including the Indians west or south of the Moques. 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, there is not the slightest analogy in language 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 qualification which follows. I have seen but a few of either of these last named tribes, and I cannot say there is as much dissimilarity in their languages as exists with the various Pueblos. As to the number of either of these tribes, I cannot 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 investigation. It may be remarked, however, that the Comanches range principally between 32° and 36° N. latitude, and longitude west from Washington 220 and 27°. From thence west, two or three hundred miles across the Rio Grande, the Apaches are found on both sides of the dividing line between the United States and the United Mexican States; and this circumstance will be fruitful of some trouble, because those on either side of the line will charge upon the other the wrongs they themselves commit. I am not prepared to say the evils alluded to would have no existence if the article 11th of the late treaty was reciprocal.

The terms by which they hold the country over which they roam is a mere possessory 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 disposition of the Utahs

is rather equivocal. They have committed no wrongs recently against Americans proper. These Indians met Colonel Beall, who had charge of the expedition ordered against them, at the same time Governor Washington marched upon the Navajoes, and agreed to all his demands-an impossibility among them, as I have reason to believe-to wit: the restora tion of ALL the Frémont 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 article was not restored, Colonel Beall would cause every one within his reach to be put to death; therefore it was, as I am informed by Colonel Beall, the Utahs did not come up at the appointed time to consummate 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.

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

3d. Military stations ought to be established at Tunicha, and the cañon of Cheille, in the Navajo county; at or near Jemez, Zunia, and Laguna; and perhaps in other places in the direction of El Paso, and w hin the Pueblo region.

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

5th. Unless this be done, emigrants and others claiming to be officers of the United States will disaffect these people by their lawless conduct.

6th. It is but fair to presume that in a year or two such improvements in public morals will take place, as to justify the discontinuance of most of the agencies that ought now 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 Navajoes, are complaining that they are not paid for their services. In New Mexico a better population than these Pueblo Indians cannot be found, and they must be treated with great delicacy. The slightest disappointment in their expectations, no matter how created, they 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 discouragement mentioned above, at least two hundred of them could be readily raised for mounted service; and, if I had the military command of this country, 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 Jeinez, on the ninth of next month, certain captives and stolen property. Although they have delivered to us sheep, horses, mules, and captives, as an earnest of their intention, we do not feel confident that they will comply 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 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.

The mail leaves to-morrow morning, and I have not been able to-day 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 transmission of intelligence shall pass me by without my advising you of my actings and doings, and my whereabouts.

I am, with great respect, your obedient servant,

Colonel MEDILL,

JAMES S. CALHOUN,

Indian Agent, Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington city, D. C.

INDIAN AGENCY, SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO,
October 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 accustomed to of late, I will attempt to day to cure some of the omissions 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 anything 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 Soste, civil governor and alcalde.
San Felipe.-Mariano Chavis, war captain.

Santa Ana.-Salvadore, war captain.

Hosea Beheale, selected captain to command all the Indians engaged in the expedition. This excellent man is without official position in the pueblo to which he belongs, and there are but few who have such a decided influence over these people generally.

Zia.-Francisco, war captain.

Santa 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 connexion I may be pardoned, I trust, for commending, in terms of decided praise, Henry Linn Dodge, captain commanding a volunteer company, also with us in the late Navajo expedition. He was at all times efficient and prompt, and commanded the admiration of Governor Wash

ington as well as others. If I mistake not, Captain Dodge has a father and brother now senators in Congress.

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

Zunia is an isolated Indian pueblo, one hundred and six miles from the cañon of Cheille, (or Chey) and eighty-eight miles west of Laguna. At Zunia we met with its governor, Pedro Pino; the captain of war, Salvadore; and the alcalde, Mariana Vaca; all intelligent men. Indeed, the citizens of this pueblo, it is believed, are, in every 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 moss. Martio Conchi, the alcalde, was at home and did the honors of the pueblo, and manifested every disposition to oblige us. This village, and another some ten or fifteen miles to its south, (Acoma,) from their location, will continue to suffer gross wrongs until they are protected 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 cannot be done until agencies are duly established.

The pueblos or civilized towns of Indians of the Territory of New Mexico, are the following:

In the county of Taos.-Taos, Picoris-283 inhabitants.

In the county of Rio Arriba-San Juan, Santa Clara-500 inhabitants. In the county of Santa Fe.-San Ildefonso, Namba, Pojoaque, Tezuque-590 inhabitants.

In the county of Santa Ana.-Cochiti, Santa Domingo, San Felipe, Santa Ana, Zia, Jemez-1,918 inhabitants.

In the county of Bernalillo.-Sandia, Gleta-883 inhabitants.

In the county of Valencia.-Laguna, Acoma, Zunia-1,800 inhabit

The above enumeration was taken from the census ordered by the legis lature of New Mexico, convened December, 1847, which includes only those of five years of age and upwards.

It is well to remember these pueblos are located from ten to near on

hundred miles apart, commencing north at Taos and running south to near El Paso, some four hundred miles or more, and running east and west two hundred miles. This statement has no reference to pueblos west of Zunia.

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 other's language, they are compelled to call to their aid Spanish 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 Navajoes into English.

The protection of these Indians in their persons and property, is of great importance. In addition to the obligation which the government of the United States has assumed for their protection, it may 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 Navajoes and others. The average price paid for corn in this Territory by our government cannot 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 insufficient quantity grown in this country, and other inconveniences, may be remedied in one yearcertainly 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 people here than they afforded to them; therefore it is I add to the recommendations above, the propriety of allowing, or rather inviting, some fifteen or twenty of these and perhaps it would be well to select a few other Indians-to visit Washington city at an 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.