REPORT 
 
 OF 
 
 THE SECRETARY OF WAR, 
 
 COMMUXICATIKG, 
 
 In compliance with a resolution of the Senate, Colonel Me Call" 1 s reports in 
 relation to Neio Mexico. 
 
 FEBRUARY 10, 1851. 
 
 Referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. 
 
 FEBRUARY 11, 1851. 
 Ordered to be printed. 
 
 WAR DEPARTMENT, 
 Washington , February J , 1 85 1 . 
 
 SIR: In compliance with the resolution of the Senate of the 6th instant, 
 I have the honor herewith to transmit copies of Colonel McCall's report, 
 made to this department from Santa Fe, under date of the 15th July, 
 1850, and also of his report made to the Adjutant General, on the 26th 
 December, 1850. 
 
 With great respect, your obedient servant, 
 
 0. M. CONRAD, 
 
 Secretary of War. 
 Hon.'Wivi. II. KING, 
 
 President of the Senate. 
 
 SANTA FE ; NEW MEXICO, 
 
 July 15, 1850. 
 
 SIR: Since my arrival in New Mexico, having kept in view the instruc- 
 tions with which I was honored, contained in your letter of November 19, 
 IS49, to wit: "It will be instructive (and probably necessary informa- 
 tion, when the people of New Mexico form a constitution and seek ad- 
 on into the confederacy of the States,) to have your observations and 
 views on their probable numbers, habits, customs, and pursuits of life;" 
 and the people of New Mexico having formed and adopted a State consti- 
 tution, and transmitted it to the Executive, to be laid before the Congress 
 of the United States; I have now to submit, in compliance with your in- 
 structions, a few remarks, the result of much inquiry, and of such per- 
 sonal observation as could be made while in the regular discharge o 
 military duties, 
 
[ 26 ] 2 
 
 First. The population of New Mexico is, 1 am satisfied, less than has- 
 been represented. 
 
 According to the statistics presented by Governor Martinez, at the di- 
 vision of the Department of New Mexico into districts, in the year 1844. 
 the population, including the Pueblos or civilized Indians, amounted to 
 one hundred thousand. 
 
 If at the period alluded to the number of inhabitants was not overrated, 
 which is more than probable, it has certainly since then diminished in a 
 most unaccountable manner. I have taken pains to ascertain the number 
 of Mexicans, residents of this Department, who at the time of its cession 
 to the United States declared their adhesion to the republic of Mexico; 
 and of these, how many afterwards withdrew their declaration and re- 
 mained here, and how many actually left our territory > and of the latter, 
 how many have since returned to make it their permanent home; and I 
 am satisfied that the loss in numbers does not exceed one thousand, or, 
 at the most, twelve hundred souls. In addition to those above mentioned, 
 a few men of wealth, with their peons, have within the past year removed 
 to Guadalupo, a settlement on the right bank of the Rio Grande, twenty- 
 five miles below El Paso del Norte, where inducements have been held 
 out by the Mexican government to bring over to their side the rich and 
 better class of people. The numerical loss thus sustained is scarcely ap- 
 preciable. In fact, there is no known cause that could have materially 
 reduced the population, of New Mexico within the last six years; yet, from 
 positive data, it is very clear that it does not now amount to the number 
 above stated. 
 
 Where but little is known, and where, in seeking that little, connecting 
 statements are frequently encountered, it is no easy matter to arrive at the 
 truth; therefore, I will not venture the assertion that the population of 
 New Mexico, at the present time, greatly exceeds the quota required to 
 give one seat in the House of Representatives of the United States; and, 
 indeed, so great a portion of the face of the country is made up of rugged 
 mountains and waste plains, that it cannot be expected soon, if- ever, to 
 receive and support a population in numbers and wealth at all proportioned 
 to its extent of territory. 
 
 Besides the native Mexicans, the present population includes, of persons 
 born in the United States and in Europe, who have become citizens of 
 the State, at the extent twelve hundred. And of the natives, besides 
 those whom strictly speaking w,e call Mexicans, there is another distinct 
 and numerous class which seems to invite particular attention. I mean 
 the Pueblo Indians. 
 
 Having embraced Christianity under the Spanish rule, the Pueblos were 
 admitted to the rights of citizenship by the Mexican government under 
 Iturbide; and these rights, which they have enjoyed to the present time, 
 (at least in name) are confirmed to them by the State constitution. Under 
 this they are subject to taxation (by legislation) in common with other in- 
 habitants. It is to be hoped, however, the legislature will, in its wisdom, 
 adopt a mild and conciliatory policy towards these people. Under the 
 present change of government the impressions first made it will be difficult 
 to remove from their minds; and dissatisfaction produced at the outset, 
 may ultimately lead to more serious results than would at first glance ap- 
 pear. To explain this, it will be necessary to state in what way the 
 Pueblos may be made an element of much good or evil to the State. 
 
3 [26] 
 
 These Indians still carry on an occasional traffic, and are careful to main- 
 tain a good understanding with the wild Indians. Not only, then, may 
 their influence be used to advantage in controlling, and, indeed, in re- 
 claiming, several of the least savage of these tribes; but if at any time the 
 United States find it necessary to chastise an open declaration f hostili- 
 ties by several of the border tribes a thing not impossible when a decided 
 effort to restrain their predatory habits comes to be made they will find 
 valuable auxiliaries in the Pueblos, who count at least twenty-five hundred 
 warriors. On the other hand , should the latter from any cause become dis- 
 satisfied, either from what they might conceive to be the oppressive bearing 
 of a law of the State, or its maladministration by the petty authorities, (for 
 they still look upon the Mexicans with distrust,) it would be easy for their 
 parties at d inherent points to unite with the enemy for marauds or for battle 
 without fear of detection. 
 
 They have twenty towns or settlements, which contain at least two 
 thousand four hundred families. These, at the moderate computation of 
 four to each family, gives a total of nine thousand six hundred souls; but 
 they probably exceed ten thousand. Each town is a distinct community, 
 having its guhernador^ or chief, and council; and each community (as a 
 corporation) owns the soil it cultivates. This, a grant from the Spanish 
 crown, is embraced within a circle whose radius is a league the town its 
 centre. The Pueblos are intelligent, moral, sober, and industrious; and, 
 
 fenerally speaking, they are better off than the lower class of Mexicans. 
 lany of them in each town speak the Spanish intelligibly, and some of the 
 principal men read and even write the language as far as is required in 
 their simple business transactions. 
 
 The " habits and customs" of the Mexican portion of the inhabitants 
 do not differ materially from those of Mexicans elsewhere; yet, in some 
 particulars, changes, the effect of intercourse Avith our people, have 
 already begun to show themselves. An impression has been made, and 
 perhaps the first step towards better things has already been accomplished. 
 Here in Santa Fe the diminution of filth in the streets, and the improved 
 dress and personal cleanliness of the people, together with the cloaking of 
 immorality, show that precept and example are not altogether thrown 
 away upon them. 
 
 The number who are of Spanish blood, unmixed, is small: in the mass 
 that of the Indian predominates so in the mass the character and dispo- 
 sition of the latter are to a greater or less degree inherited. This is 
 evinced in more than one trait; but it is sufficient to cite their extreme 
 aversion to continued labor. If a Mexican has not inextricably involved 
 himself as the debtor of his employer, and, through the action of the law 
 (Mexican) against debtors, become a peon for life, it is with difficulty he 
 can be kept at work longer than is requisite to earn a few dollars; and 
 while this lasts, he indulges to the full the luxury of lounging away the 
 hours of the day with his cigarito, and perhaps the evening in the more 
 exciting amusements of the fandango and the monte table; nor does he 
 resume his task until compelled by want. Being moderate in his appe- 
 tites, he requires but little to subsist on, aud therefore is constrained to 
 labor but little. 
 
 The lower class are as ignorant as idle; and even among their superiors 
 education is wo fully neglected. From this it may be inferred that no 
 great improvement in the moral condition of the present generation can 
 
[26] 4 
 
 be expected from the introduction of our institutions, which they can 
 neither understand nor appreciate. It is to the coming generation we 
 must look for this; and therefore the introduction of primary schools at as 
 early a day as practicable is a consideration of much interest. 
 
 Of their "pursuits of life," their manufactures, perhaps, stand lowest 
 on the scale: they are certainly primitive in their character. Yet this is 
 not so much to be attributed to a deficiency of aptness and manual skill 
 or dexterity as to the want of proper instruction and better models, with 
 more continued and systematic application. Gradual improvement in 
 this branch may, therefore, be looked for, if their natural indolence can 
 be overcome, or their love of gain be stimulated through the influence of 
 our own enterprising countrymen. The establishment of manufactories 
 would do much to accomplish both, and, by fixing the price of labor at a 
 fair rate, would probably prove to be the greatest lever that could be used 
 in overturning the present system (A- peonage. 
 
 The cheapness of wool (which in time will be improved in quality as 
 well as reduced in price) will at once lead to the erection of factories for 
 making carpets, blankets, and the coarser cloths; and they will not 
 only supply the wants of the State itself, but to some extent the adjoining 
 departments of Mexico. These fabrics will likewise eventually become 
 important articles of traffic with the large tribes of mountain and prairie 
 Indians. The coarse woollens, if, with the exception of the head workmen, 
 Mexican operatives can be used, may be afforded here at prices to pre- 
 clude competition; for, independently of the cost of transportation, the 
 price of wool and the price of labor are here from one third to one-half 
 less than in the United States. 
 
 To a moderate extent iron works may also be profitably established. 
 Iron is abundant, and of fair quality, as is the coal, which is more or les 
 bituminous, and will answer to reduce the ore. The heavy cost of trans- 
 portation from the United States will, it is probable, soon call attention to 
 this subject. 
 
 At present but little attention is paid to mining, for two reasons a want 
 of capital, if not a want of enterprise, among the people, and an inherent 
 fear of u los Indios." There is, however, reason to believe that the 
 mines may hereafter become the principal source of wealth to the State. 
 The mines of New Mexico have always been represented as rich in gold, 
 and immensely productive to the Spaniards until repeated incursions of 
 hostile Indians caused them to be abandoned. The localities of these 
 mines are at this time for the greater part unknown the wild tribes who 
 inhabit the supposed gold regions having prevented their exploration. 
 And for the same reason, under present circumstances, their exploration 
 is beyond the reach of private enterprise. Nothing, therefore, can be sat- 
 isfactorily known of the richness or poverty of the State in this respect 
 until its vast mountain regions are thoroughly and scientifically explored. 
 With this view, it would be well if a topographical engineer were associ- 
 ated with an able, practical geologist, in order that the government might 
 receive full reports, with accurate maps., both geographical and geological, 
 of the whole country. For this purpose there would be required a mili- 
 tary escort of sufficient strength to enable the party to push its examina- 
 tions to the most remote parts of the State, now the constant haunts of 
 Indians. 
 
 Kormerly, of the profitable pursuits of New Mexico, "stock raising" 
 
5 [26] 
 
 stood high upon the list, and although now sadly reduced by the con- 
 tinued inroads of the Navajoes and Apaches, it will again, when pro- 
 tected from their marauds, yield large profits to the proprietors. There 
 are in New Mexico grazing lands of great extent, where countless flocks 
 and herds may be reared at a very trifling expense. They require neither 
 stabling nor forage during the winter; the nutritious "gramma" a species 
 of grass found on the mountain sides and the adjoining uplands, affording 
 abundant sustenance during that season. The climate, too, is well 
 adapted to all kinds of stock, particularly sheep, which, owing to the 
 dryness of the atmosphere, are almost exempt from "rot," and other dis- 
 eases common in low countries. Some twenty or five-and twenty years 
 ago, before the hand of the red man had fallen so heavily upon them, the 
 people of this State, as well as Chihuahua, sent annually to the city of 
 Mexico vast numbers of sheep,* as well as cattle and mules. At this day 
 not one thousand are sent from districts that formerly furnished their 
 hundreds of thousands, such has been the rapacity and the relentless 
 spirit of hostility of the Navajoes arid Apaches. 
 
 The hill sides and the plains that were in days past covered with sheep 
 and cattle, are now bare in many parts of the State; yet the work of plun- 
 der still goes on. The predatory operations of the two tribes just men- 
 tioned are even now carried on in the close vicinity of our military posts; 
 the shepherds are pounced upon and shot with arrows to prevent their 
 carrying information, and, with their spoil, the Indians dash at speed to 
 the mountains, and are beyond reach before the loss is known. In this 
 way they (I mean now the Apaches only) run the flocks from seventy to 
 one hundred miles in twenty-four hours. And, consequently, out of ten 
 thousand sheep that may be started, probably not more than one thou- 
 sand will reach their destination. As the over-driven animals faulter 
 from exhaustion, those that do not fall dead by the way-side are lanced, 
 as the Indians pass, to prevent their falling again into the hands of the 
 Mexico. Thus the destruction is usually ten-fold the gain of the Indians. 
 The Apache is satisfied with that, because all his care is to supply his 
 present wants. The more provident Navajoe is more careful, because his 
 principal object is to increase his stock at home. Within no more than 
 three months past, between fifteen and twenty thousand sheep and seve- 
 ral hundred head of cattle and mules have been driven from the Rio 
 Grande, above Socorro, and from the vicinity of Vegos, and several shep- 
 herds killed, with entire impunity, by the two tribes already named. f 
 They were on several occasions pursued by the troops, but without 
 success. 
 
 It is only necessary to free the mountains bounding the valley of the 
 Rio Grande from the incursions of these Indians, in order to increase 
 again in a few years the stock to its former numbers. 
 
 Then wool of improved quality, besides supplying the home consump- 
 tion, would be sent to Missouri, and bring large returns; and horned 
 cattle, mules, &c., raised at little or no expense, would secure large 
 profifcs at the same market. 
 
 * The Chavez connexion, consisting of three or four families, residing 1 below Albuquerque 
 are known to have sent as many as 200,600 sheep to the city in one ye.tr. 
 
 f Since t.he above was written, an official report ruts been received tnat a fiock of sixteen thou- 
 sand had been carried off from the Puerco, opposite Ciboiletta. 
 
 
[26] 
 
 6 
 
 I place agriculture last, or as the least productive of wealth of the three 
 principal industrial pursuits of New Mexico, (viz: mining, stock raising, 
 and agriculture,) but I do so rather in reference to the past history and the 
 future prospects of the State than its present circumstances. Formerly, 
 under the Spanish government, mines were the most productive of wealth; 
 towards the close of that era, and during the early period of the inde- 
 pendence of Mexico, the immense droves of horses and mules, the herds 
 and flocks which covered the face of the country, constituted the chief 
 riches of this department. Of both these, in succession, the inhabitants 
 of New Mexico have been despoiled by their more warlike borderers, 
 and therefore at this day their soil is almost all that remains to them. Its 
 produce, through sufferance of the Indians,* has saved them from starva- 
 tion during the infliction of a two-fold scourge; but it has not, nor will it 
 ever make them rich: such is the history of the past and the present. 
 
 The future of New Mexico, it is to be hoped, will disclose another pic- 
 ture: the Indians subdued; the hill-sides white with flocks; and the neg- 
 lected mines again yielding up their hoard s-of the precious metals; and 
 tit en the cultivation of the soil, although I believe it will always supply 
 the wants of the inhabitants, will be productive of less wealth to the State 
 than either of the other pursuits; because, were its products ten times 
 what they ever can be, the isolated position of the State, and its entire 
 want of the common arid requisite facilities of transportation, either by 
 water communication or otherwise, would render the products of agricul- 
 ture, in whatever excess above the home consumption, unavailable for 
 exportation. And here it may not be inappropriate to give the opinion of 
 many persons here with whom I have conversed respecting the navigable- 
 ness of the Rio Grande. Although no accurate knowledge is professed 
 to have been derived from close examinations of the great bend of the 
 Jornada, yet its course has, with extreme difficulty, been followed through- 
 out, over steep mountains and rugged cliffs that overhang the water; and 
 judging from the appearance of the river in its rapid and irregular descent 
 through this pass, a distance of near one hundred and fifty miles, the 
 opinion entertained was very decided that loaded boats would not be able 
 to make the passage in safety even at the highest stage of water; at low 
 water it would be perfectly impracticable. And above the Jornada, it 
 will be borne in mind, lie more than three-fourths of the arable [land] of 
 the river, or at least nine tenths of that of the State at large. 
 
 In future, as heretofore, it is probable that to the narrow valley of the 
 Rio Grande (the "river bottom") will be confined the greater part of the 
 strictly agricultural portion of the State. The affluents of the great river, 
 the Pecos on the east, and the Puerco on the west, have along their 
 courses large tracts of good land, but the want of timber on the first, and 
 the too frequent occurrence of a partial or total want of water on the last, 
 are serious hindrances to their improvement. 
 
 There are spots on each, where, but for the danger to be encountered 
 from Indians, isolated settlements might be made to advantage; but these 
 would add .but little to the total amount. 
 
 The best lands on the Rio Grande are between Pina Blanca and the 
 Jornada del Muerto in a narrow strip on either bank of the river, that 
 
 *Tbe Navejoet faia, on a rerert occasion, thnt th- ir only reason for not. exterminating the 
 
 Kew Mexicans lorg ago was, that il was their interest to keep them as thur slu^herus. 
 
7 [26] 
 
 would measure, following its meanders, about oe hundred and eighty 
 miles. These lands the bottomlands vary in depth from one-half of a 
 mile to two miles and a half, but probably do riot exceed on an average 
 one mile. 
 
 The soil is light, but where within reach of irrigation is enriched by 
 the fructifying waters of the river, and produces abundant and almost un- 
 failing crops of wheat, corn, beans and onions. 
 
 The uplands, even on the very borders of the river, and although the 
 soil be good, are unproductive, for the reason that irrigation is impractica- 
 ble in the ordinary way. If, by barms', water in sufficient quantity for 
 irrigation could be got, many large tracts of uplands, now worthless except 
 for grazing, would possibly become as productive as the bottoms; but 
 this in both respects is problematical. 
 
 At points where bodies of this land are found sufficiently large to war- 
 rant the expense, another mode more eligible may be adopted. The fall 
 of the river in its passage through this part of the State being about two 
 and a half feet to the mile, the distance it may be necessary to bring the 
 water from above is easily calculated; thus, a large " acequia" or canal, 
 opened five or eight miles above, would throw its branches in every direc- 
 tion over land from twelve to twenty feet above the level of the river, at 
 the point cultivated. 
 
 On the march from El Paso del Norte to Santa Fe the river lands were 
 ^carefully noted, and a rough estimate made of the amount at present in 
 cultivation, &c., &c.: it is given here, and may be regarded as an ap- 
 proximation. 
 
 On the left or east bank of the river, on the line above indicated, from 
 E( Paso to Don Ana, there is but little land under cultivation, say thirty- 
 two hundred acres, and as much more cultivable still vacant, while 
 there is along the river bank at least forty-five thousand acres worthless 
 for agricultural purposes. 
 
 Twelve miles above Don Ana commences the noted Jornada, crossing 
 the high table-land that fills the great western bend of the river a stretch 
 of ninety miles without water. At a point twenty-five miles from the 
 tiortto end of the Jornada, by taking a trail, (impracticable for wagons,) is 
 found at the -distance of six miles westward the Ojo del Muerto, or Dead 
 Man's spring, where there is running water; but the fatigue of the animals - 
 occasioned by this extra march of twelve miles is not compensated by the 
 draught of water; and most trains, unless they can command time to lie 
 by here, push on to the end of the journey without halting. During the 
 rainy season two or three pools may be found, containing perhaps water 
 enough for 250 or 30(1 animals not more; and this may not last three 
 weeks after the rain ceases. 
 
 Around this bend impassable mountains close in upon the river banks 
 as far as Fray Cristobal, eighteen miles below Valverde; and from Don 
 Ana to Lopez, a distance of one hundred and forty miles, there is not a 
 human habitation; that of Vtilverde having been abandoned many years 
 since in consequence of overflow. 
 
 From the north end of Jornada to Pina Blanca there is atpresent under 
 cultivation about sixty miles of bottom land, with an average depth of one 
 mile, giving sixty square miles, or thirty-eight thousand four hundred 
 acres; of cultivable land unimproved about fifty square miles, or thirty- 
 two thousand acres; and of land uncul livable" -the greater part entirely 
 
[26] 
 
 8 
 
 sterile about seventy square miles, or forty-four thousand eight hundred 
 acres. 
 
 The different qualities of land (it will be understood) are in greater or 
 less bodies interposed amongst each other along the whole line, though 
 the best lands, and in the largest bodies, lie between Lopez and Algo- 
 dones. 
 
 On the right or west bank of the river, following its meanders, there 
 may be from El Paso to Pina Blanca about forty-seven square miles, or 
 thirty thousand two hundred and eighty acres, now under cultivation; of 
 good land vacant, one hundred and eighty miles, or one hundred and fif- 
 teen thousand two hundred acres; and of land waste, and fit only for 
 grazing, two hundred and three square miles, or one hundred and thirty 
 thousand acres. 
 
 Here also, on the right bank of the river, the good, bad, and indifferent 
 lands are intermixed in tracts of various sizes along the route. 
 
 In addition to the foregoing there are, in insolated tracts, many consider- 
 able bodies of arable land, the principal of which are here enumerated. 
 
 First, the beautiful valley of Taos, begirt almost by (he Rocky mount- 
 ains, their spurs and other detached peaks. The valley may be from 
 twenty-five to thirty miles in circumference, and may contain, immedi- 
 ately on the margins of the several streams that unite near the town of 
 (San Fernandez de) Taos, forming the Rio de Taos, and thence to its de- 
 bouch e into the Rio Grande, about fifteen thousand acres now in cultiva- 
 tion, and ten thousand acres arable vacant. The remainder, though the 
 soil is generally good, lies too high for irrigation in the ordinary way, even 
 supposing that the streams afforded water enough, which is doubtiul. 
 
 Passing from the valley, a spur of the Rocky mountains, there is from 
 La Joya to Canada a stretch along the Rio Grande of about fifteen miles r 
 with an average depth of two miles, say twenty thousand acres of good 
 cultivable land, little of which is improved. 
 
 Crossing the Rio Grande at Canada, we ascend the Rio Chamas to the 
 town of Abiquiu, adjoining which the river bottom is cultivated for about 
 three miles, with an average width of one and a half, or twenty-eight hun 
 dred and eighty acres. The unimproved lands on this stream, equally 
 good in quality and position, amount to thrice that quantity; in this esti- 
 mate both banks of the river are included. 
 
 Recrossing the Rio Grande there will be found, at Rayado and Moro- 
 town, some twenty thousand acres of good land, about one-tenth of which 
 is improved; at the former a portion of the land lies high, but may be 
 irrigated by bringing the water some miles. 
 
 Around Las Yegas, Upper and Lower Tecolete and Barclay's Trading- 
 bouse, there may be one hundred thousand acres, of which nearly one- 
 fifth is improved. 
 
 On the Pecos river, at the towns of Pecos, San Jose, San Miguel, Anton 
 Chico, &c., probably six thousand acres in cultivation, and thrice that 
 amount of arable land vacant. 
 
 Of several of the last named bodies of land it should be remarked that 
 doubt exists whether the streams on which they lie will afford a suffi- 
 ciency to irrigate the whole of what is actually within reach of their 
 waters. 
 
 Returning westward, we have on the Rio de Santa Fe, below the town, 
 not more than five thousand acres in cultivation: all that around still va- 
 
9 [26] 
 
 cant, is worthless for agricultural purposes. And from Canada to Peiia 
 Blanca, along the river, there is but little good land on this side. The 
 lands on the Pecos, as far as yet settled, are included in the above esti- 
 mates. Below the settlements there is timber at but two points. These 
 are the Basque liedondo, or round forest, and the Basque Grande, or 
 great forest. The latter, in or about the parallel of Valverde, extends 
 along the river for fifteen miles, with a breadth of eight or ten miles, in- 
 cluding both banks. Sixty miles above is the former, lying equally on 
 both banks, with a diameter of ten miles. Each has good timber in 
 abundance, but it is impossible to say what quantity of land adjoining 
 either is fit for the plough; and they are the only points on the Pecos below 
 the Anton Chico settlement where wood enough even for fuel is found. 
 
 The Puerco and its west tributary, the Rio San Jose, the Rio de Jemez, 
 and the country thence along the Rio Grande to the mouth of the Rio 
 Charnas, have some small tracts of land in cultivation, principally by Pue- 
 blos. I have been unable to ascertain the amount from any reliable source, 
 and therefore have not included it in the estimate. But it is believed, as 
 mentioned above, that the frequent sinking of the Puerco in deep sands, 
 under which, upon a hard clay, it follows its course for miles, reappearing 
 *at intervals in the form of pools, until finally lost entirely before reaching 
 the Rio Grande, will prevent its ever adding much to the agricultural pro- 
 duce of the State. 
 
 On the headwaters of the Arkansas, I have been told by old trapper?, 
 there is a beautiful country of great extent, where the land, well watered 
 and well timbered, is sufficiently level for farming. They expressed the 
 belief that good crops of wheat and corn might be raised here without irri- 
 gation, the rains being seasonable and sufficient. 
 
 More minute examination of this country will be necessary to deter- 
 mine its character and value. 
 
 1 shall now proceed to recapitulate and sum up what maybe considered 
 the agricultural districts of New Mexico; not including any portion of 
 the State now held by wild Indians. 
 
 Land now in cul- Land cultivable 
 tivation now vacant r 
 acres. acres. 
 
 Left or east bank of Rio Grande 
 
 From El Paso to Don Ana - - - 3,200 3,200 
 
 From Fray Cristobal to Pena Blanca - - 38,600 32,000 
 
 Right or west bank of Rio Grande 
 
 From El Paso to Peiia Blanca - - 30,280 115,200 
 
 Valley of Taos 15,000 10,000 
 
 On Rio Grande 
 
 From* La Joya to Canada - - - 2,000 18,000 
 
 Valley of Chamas 
 
 At Abiquiu - - - 2,8SO 8,84: 
 
 Rayado and Morotown - 2,000 18,000 
 
 Las Vegas, Upper and Lower Tecolete, and Bar- 
 clay's Trading-house - 20,000 80,000 
 Pecos, San Jose, San Miguel, and Anton Chico 6,000 18,000 
 Santa Fe ----- 5,000 
 
 Total number of acres - - 124,760 303,240 
 
[26] 
 
 10 
 
 From the foregoing statement, based upon close personal observations 
 and much minute inquiry, it would appear that more than one half of the 
 arable land, either improved or vacant, as far as now known with any 
 degree of certainty, lies in the immediate valley of the Rio Grande. 
 
 The method adopted in estimating, it is true, is rude, but neither time 
 nor opportunity admitted of a more regular and satisfactory examination. 
 The figures, I may assert with confidence, are not too high; nor do I be- 
 lieve they will be found very greatly below the truth with respect to the 
 lands specified; what amount of farming lands there may be in addition 
 to these, further examination will determine. 
 
 In looking at the past, in the history of New Mexico, it is clear that the 
 fruits of labor in the principal pursuits of life above mentioned, have, up 
 to the time of the cession of the territory to the United Stales, been 
 blighted by the presence of formidable tribes of Indians, who still infest 
 the country; and it would from certain indications appear that the future 
 prosperity of the State to arise from the steady, uninterrupted prosecution 
 of these pursuits, will in a great measure depend on the impression now 
 to be made on these Indians. 
 
 It may be apprehended, that if they are not in the beginning impressed 
 with the ability and the settled purpose of the United Slates to chastise 
 those who plunder and murder its citizens if acts of this kind, now of 
 almost monthly occurrence and utterly beyond the power of the present 
 military force to check, are continued longer unpunished, the Indians will 
 hold us in the contempt with which they now look upon the Mexicans, 
 whom they have wantonly robbed and murdered for two centuries past. 
 And the inevitable consequence will be, sooner or later, a war, more or 
 less general, with the surrounding tribes. 
 
 This subject appears to be so closely blended with those to which my 
 attention has bsen directed, 1 trust a few remarks on the present strength 
 and tamper of these Indians may not be unacceptable to the department. 
 The information has been gathered piecemeal, and therefore may be re- 
 garded as the collective knowledge of several persons who have seen 
 much of the different tribes. 
 
 Of the eight tribes of wild Indians who inhabit the mountains and 
 plains of New Mexico and the contiguous country, the Navajoes and 
 Apaches are the most formidable as enemies, the most troublesome as 
 neighbors. 
 
 The first are, with the exception of the Moqui, the most civilized: they 
 are without exception the most wealthy of all. They are not so warlike 
 nor so bold in attack as the Apaches; but they are numerous, well 
 equipped, and occupy a country well fortified by nature. Their country, 
 extending from the San Juan tn the Gila, with a breadth of 15(^rniies, 
 consists chiefly of rroun tains and high tablelands, and is full of fast- 
 nesses. Their possessions consist of large stocks of horses, mules, horned 
 cattle and sheep, which are perhaps extravagantly represented, by persons 
 who have had intercourse with them, as numerous beyond calculation 
 many times more so than those of all New Mexico at present. There 
 may be great extravagance in all this, but it is well known that these 
 Indians do possess stock, more or less. If such be the case, and they 
 are supposed to have retained one out of ten, or even one out of every 
 twenty, of the countless flocks and herds they have driven off from 
 the Rio Grande within the last twenty years, to increase their own stock, 
 
11 [26] 
 
 their progeny would in less time have swelled the amount to extrava- 
 gant numbers. Although they have no permanent villages, they culti- 
 vate the soil to a considerable extent, making periodical visits to their 
 fields at planting and harvest times. In this way they make a sufficiency 
 of grain for all their wants, besides a few vegetables and fruits. They 
 are said to be intelligent and industrious, and their manufactures (blankets 
 and coarse cloths,) in their neatness and finish, go far to prove this; these 
 articles being made (of wool of their own growing) not only for their 
 own use, but for traffic also to a large amount. 
 
 For some years past they are believed to have steadily increased in 
 numbers, and to count now about eighteen hundred lodges, which, at six 
 per lodge, would give ten thousand eight hundred souls. 
 
 From the aptness of these Indians and the advancement they have 
 made in the arts of civilization, it occurs to the mind that they might 
 with proper management be induced to settle themselves permanently, as 
 the Pueblos have done; after which they might be advantageously em- 
 ployed in an attempt to reclaim their more wild and savage neighbors. 
 And the accomplishment of an object so important would sesm worthy of 
 notice. 
 
 The forays which the Apaches make upon the Mexicans are incited by 
 want; they have nothing of their own, and must plunder or starve. This 
 is not the case with the Navajoes they have enriched themselves by ap- 
 propriating the flocks and herds of an unresisting people, arid cannot offer 
 the plea of necessity. 
 
 In the first place, before anything can be done with this people, it is 
 believed it will be indispensable to open the communication with them in 
 their own country, in the presence of a sufficient military force to impress 
 them seriously with the weight and importance of the conference; that the 
 object is not an idle "<//" a treaty such as they have been in the habit 
 from year to year of making with the New Mexicans, to be continued in 
 force only until their own immediate objects are quietly attained but a 
 treaty, the violation of which will bring upon them war in all its severity. 
 Then (the treaty being concluded) let the first offence be so punished as 
 to prove that we are in earnest. Forbearance exercised towards the Nava- 
 joes would be mistaken humanity; and the blood of our -own citizens 
 would be the fruits of it. It would be dealing with them too much in the 
 style they have been accustomed to; and the only effect would be to excite 
 their contempt for us. 
 
 But I am satisfied that the presence of a strong military force in their 
 country (the Navajoes muster over two thousand warriors) would 
 insure the observance of any treaty it might be important to make with 
 them. Their thievish propensities could then be controlled; and they 
 might in a short time, by judicious management, be induced to give up 
 their roving habits and settle themselves in permanent towns, in the 
 vicinity of their, fields. They could, with little labor, live well on the 
 increase of their flocks, sand the bountiful product of their soil, which, 
 with little attention, gives growth to noble crops of wheat, as well as corn. 
 Nor would the change of life to them be very great. 
 
 If the Navajoes are first secured, and their chiefs enlisted in our cause, 
 their influence may at once be brought to bear upon the other tribes. 
 They entertain the most friendly relations with their northern neighbors, 
 the Utahs; as do the latter with the tribe adjoining on the east, the Jica- 
 
[26] 
 
 12 
 
 rilla Apaches: and by the last the communication is kept up with the 
 several bands of their own tribes on the east of the State, and so on to the 
 Gila bands on the south. And here if the Gila Apaches prove refractory, 
 the Navajoes may be brought against them without difficulty, for they are 
 far from friendly now, and frequently have a brush when they meet. 
 
 To an end so desirable, the Pueblos of the State might in the first place 
 be well employed in bringing about the reformation of the Navajoes; al- 
 though at present they are not friendly. 
 
 The Moqui Indians, who live to the southwest of the Navajoes, are 
 weak in numbers, and are too remote to give annoyance to the State, 
 were they so disposed. They have, however, no such disposition; but 
 on the contrary are pacific, honest, and hospitable; and are, besides, the 
 most civilized of the western Indians. They always proved themselves 
 good warriors in their former contests with the Navajoes and Apaches; 
 and though much reduced in numbers by their more powerful enemies, 
 were never subdued. 
 
 The cultivation of a friendly understanding with them might be repaid 
 at some future day, by their services in various ways, as guides, &c., in 
 the event of a war with either of their old enemies. The Moqui Jive in 
 permanent villages; cultivate large farms; have a large amount of stock; 
 and make blankets and cloths from wool of their own growing. The 
 number of their lodges is about three hundred and fifty, which, at seven 
 per lodge, would give a population of twenty four hundred and fifty souls. 
 
 On the north of the Navajoes are the Utahs, occupying the territory be- 
 tween the San Juan and the head of the Arkansas a rugged country, but 
 well stocked with game. They have neither permanent villages nor culti- 
 vated fields, and subsist chiefly on game. They are a warlike people, 
 and much attached to a wandering life, frequently extending their excur- 
 sions to California. Altogether they amount to four or five thousand, 
 though there are rarely at a time more than one thousand immediately on 
 the borders of the State. These people do not extend their forays further 
 south than Abiquiu, Taos, and Morotown; and in these they are very 
 often united with the Jicarilla Apaches. In event of an active campaign 
 being set on foot for the purpose of punishing the outrages committed 
 recently by the latter, the Utahs would undoubtedly render them great 
 assistance, covertly, and at the same time send in to inform us of their 
 determination to remain neutral. It is not probable, however, they would 
 openly join them. 
 
 Adjoining the Utahs on the northeast are the Sheyennes and Arrapahoes, 
 who range from the headwaters of the Arkansas eastward upon the plains. 
 They subsist entirely upon the buffalo; commit no depredations; are 
 friendly to the white man though in the event of a war with other tribes, 
 could not perhaps be depended upon. Together, they amount to about 
 three thousand five hundred souls. 
 
 The eastern part of New Mexico (up to the Rio Pecos) is a part of the 
 range of the Comanches, and they visit these grounds at least once a year, 
 generally after the breaking up of their winter quarters near the sources of 
 the Brazos and Trinity rivers of Texas. They rarely commit depreda- 
 tions in New Mexico; and their movements are principally ol interest to 
 the State, from their intimate connexion with the Apaches. They meet 
 the latter on the Pecos, and there concert their campaigns into Chihuahua 
 and Sonora. From these departments they annually bring off large 
 
13 [ 28 ] 
 
 numbers of mules ; and often from Durango, into the centre of which they 
 sometimes make their way in company with the Mescaleros, (Apaches.) 
 And from these departments they also bring offmanyprisoners. 
 
 Again, on their return they halt at the Pecos, and are now met by the 
 New Mexican traders. Their mules are many of them exchanged with 
 the latter for arms and ammunition, cloths, and paint, &c. &c. ; the re- 
 mainder are driven with them on their return, and their meat eaten imtil 
 they again enter the buffalo range. 
 
 Their prisoners are said to amount to large numbers; they consist prin- 
 cipally of women and children, though men also are often brought over. 
 A New Mexican, living at 'San Miguel, recently returned from a large 
 camp of Comanches and Apaches, on the Pecos, stated that in the camp 
 of the former there were almost as many Mexican slaves women and 
 children as Indians. It will be a difficult matter to induce them to re- 
 store these prisoners. And until this unlicensed trade is broken up, their 
 predatory incursions into Mexico can never be checked. 
 
 The Comanches, divided into three bands, have in all upwards of 
 twelve thousand souls. 
 
 The Kayuguas, who occupy the country west of the Brasos, are rarely 
 seen on the borders of New Mexico. They do not exceed two thousand 
 souls. 
 
 Lastly, the several bands of the Aprtchcs. These Indians, owing to 
 their numerical strength, their bold and independent character, and their 
 immemorial predatory habits, will, it is to be apprehended, prove more 
 difficult to reclaim or subdue than any other of the (strictly speaking) New 
 Mexican tribes. 
 
 From the earliest accounts we have of them, they have been regarded 
 by their kindred tribes as mountain robbers. On the Gila, at the period 
 of the Spanish conquest, they were in the habit of despoiling the fields of 
 their more industrious and pacific neighbors, the Moqui. By these they 
 have latterly been successfully resisted'. But the inhabitants of Chihua- 
 hua and Sonora are still groaning under their relentless spoliations. They 
 complain bitterly; but continue to submit without resistance. 
 
 The Apaches, divided into six bands, inhabit the country enclosed be- 
 tween the eastern chain of the Rio Grande mountains and the river Pecos, 
 from the northern to the southern boundary of New Mexico, and on the 
 south the country bordering on the Gila river thus completing the chain 
 by uniting with the Utahs on the north, and with the territory of the 
 Navajoes on the west. 
 
 Of the different bands, the Jicaritta Apaches, on the -extreme north, 
 are one of the smallest, but, at the same time, one of the most troublesome 
 of the tribe. They have latterly committed more murders on our people 
 than all the others together. Ranging from the upper Arkansas' to the 
 Canadian, their trail crosses the Independence and Santa Feroad between 
 the " Point of Rocks " and the " Wagon Mound " or Santa Clara spring, 
 and this ground is known as the scene of several recent and deplorable, 
 tragedies. They have suffered severely in two or three conflicts with 
 our troops during the past year, and are supposed now to number less than 
 one hundred warriors four hundred souls. They (as well as all the other 
 bands of this tribe) have no permanent villages no fields of grain; and 
 fearing collision with the stronger tribes that roam the buffalo plains, the 
 
[26] 
 
 14 
 
 Jirarillas depend for their subsistence chiefly on the success of their ma- 
 rauding parties. 
 
 This band is considered as incorrigible; and it is believed they will 
 continue to rob and murder our citizens until 'they are exterminated. I 
 know of no means that could be employed to reclaim them. 
 
 Next in succession, southwardly, are the White Mountain Apaches, 
 numbering one hundred and fifty warriors; they are in close communica- 
 tion with the Sacramento Apaches, who have about the same number of 
 warriors. These two bands inhabit the White and Sacramento mountains, 
 and together they range the country extending north and south from the 
 junction of the Gallinos with the Pecos to {he lower end of the Jornada del 
 Muerto. They continue to drive off the stock and to kill the Mexican 
 shepherds both in the vicinity of Vegas and along the Rio Grande from 
 Sandival's to Don Ana. 
 
 Next come the Apaches Mcrcaleros, consisting of two bands, under the 
 chiefs Marco and Gomez; the former (the more northerly) having two 
 hundred warriors; the latter, four hundred. They hold the country east 
 of the Rio Grande from the Gaudalupe mountains to Presidio del Norte. 
 
 These two bands are the strongest and the most warlike and learless of 
 their tribe. They have rarely molested the inhabitants of New Mexico 
 north of El Paso; nor were they unfriendly to Utiited States citizens 
 whom they met on the road, until a feeling of hostility was aroused by 
 the infamous attack of Glanton, an American citizen in the pay of the 
 government of Chihuahua, on a part of Gomez's band in 1849 They 
 have, however, for years, in conjunction with the Comanches, committed 
 fearful havoc in Chihuahua and Sonora, and like them have carried off 
 women and children, though not by any means to the same extent 
 
 These bands have no manufactures whatever; and having no agricul- 
 ture and but little game in their own country, they subsist in a great 
 measure on the meat of horses, mules, and sometimes cattle, driven from 
 Mexico by their foraging parties. They are not, however, altogether with- 
 out a farinaceous food. A kind of cake or paste is made from the mez- 
 quite bean, and the root of the maguay plant is roasted and eaten. 
 
 The Gila Apaches, subdivided into three or four smaller bands make 
 their home if an Apache can be said to have a home on the Gila 
 river. 
 
 Their foraging parties sometimes make their appearance on the Rio 
 Grande, near Don Ana; but, by far the greater portion of their supplies 
 are brought from Chihuahua. They are bold and independent, and to- 
 gether muster about four hundred warriors. 
 
 To take in'to view the different bands collectively as a tribe, and the 
 extent of country held by the tribe; to consider their restless habits, their 
 aversion to permanent villages and the labor of agriculture; at the same 
 time bearing in mind the scarcity of game throughout a great part of their 
 country, and therefore the temptation, in fact the almost necessity, to 
 poach upon their neighbors, and it would seem like the undertaking of a 
 tedious task to attempt to reclaim the Apaches. It is true, it will require 
 time to subdue their propensity to plunder, to control their movements, 
 to settle them in permanent villages, and* to induce them to commence 
 the cultivation of the soil; and until this is effected,, they must continue to 
 31! under, or they must starve; still, it may be possible to accomplish all 
 this, by judicious management, in a few years' time. During at least 
 
15 [ 26 ] 
 
 the early part of this period it would, of course, be necessary to feed these 
 Indians; to give them cattle and sheep, and to encourage the rearing of 
 them; to employ suitable persons New Mexicans would be the best, as 
 the Apaches understand their language to teach them how to prepare 
 their fields and plant their corn for the first year or two. And the great- 
 est difficulty, perhaps, would be found, in carrying out this part of the 
 scheme, to overcome the pride of the Apache warriors, who think any 
 pursuits but those of war and the chase beneath their dignity. 
 
 From the following little incident may be drawn very fair conclusions 
 as to the present condition and temper of the Apaches. 
 
 In March last Mr. F. X. Aubrey, on his way from San Antonio to El 
 Paso with a train of wagons, fell in with Marco^s b*md near the Limpia 
 river. The former had with him near sixty men, which perhaps had 
 some influence on the character of h*is reception. An amicable meeting, 
 however, took place, and some mules were obtained from the Indians. 
 
 In the "talk" held between the parties, Mr. Aubrey told Marco that the 
 United States desired to be on friendly terms with him; and that, con- 
 sequently, he must not allow his people to kill our citizens, or carry off 
 their stock. This he promised to do. He was then told he must also 
 give up plundering the Mexicans. After a long pause he replied, "I had 
 supposed that my brother was a man of good sense. Has he, then, seen 
 between the Pecos and the Limpia game enough to feed 3,000 people? 
 We have had for a long time no other food than the meat of Mexican 
 cattle and mules, and we must make use of it still, or perish." He said 
 subsequently, "If your people will give us cattle to feed our families, we 
 will no longer take from, the Mexicans.'.' 
 
 If these people were maintained in idleness, they would, perhaps, re- 
 main quiet; but whether they could be induced to take upon themselves 
 the task of providing for their future subsistence, by their own manual 
 labor, is a question that nothing but actual experiment will solve. 
 
 The whole of the Indians of the country are ignorant of the power of 
 the United States, and also of its views as regards themselves. And it 
 would do much to enlighten them as to the policy of our government if 
 delegations from the Pueblos and the principal wild tribes were called to 
 the United States. A journey through the States, and a visit to our prin- 
 cipal cities, would likewise impress them as to the means and resources 
 of the country to carry on a war. If, however, by such means as have 
 been referred to, these people may not be reclaimed, it is very certain that 
 a considerable augmentation of the armed 'force will be required to control 
 them. 
 
 Within the last hour, information of a perfectly reliable character has 
 been received that near Padillas, about seventy miles south of Santa Fe, 
 seven thousand sheep were driven off by Navajoes a few days since; and 
 a few miles lower on .the river, six hundred; the shepherd of the fast 
 flock being pierced with fourteen arrows. 
 
 I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient seivawt, 
 
 GEO. A. Me CALL, 
 Major 3d Infantry, Brevet Lieutenant Colonel. 
 
 Hon. GEO. W. CRAWFORD, Secretary of War. 
 
 [Copies of the State constitution, m the Spanish and the English lan- 
 guage, enclosed he ; ewith.] 
 
[26] 
 
 16 
 
 P. S. The returns in the office of the secretary of the Territory show 
 the following number of votes polled at the recent elections. No estimate 
 of the population can be made from them, as the number entitled to vote, 
 who did not vote, is unknown. 
 
 Number of votes polled for the constitution - - 8, 371 
 
 Number of votes polled against the constitution - 39 
 
 For Governor Connelly- 
 Baca - 
 
 Lieutenant Governor Alvarez 
 St. Vrain 
 
 8,410 
 
 - 4, 604 votes. 
 
 - 2,706 u 
 
 7, 310 
 
 - 4,586 votes, 
 
 - 3,465 " 
 
 8,051 " 
 
 N. B. The following is believed to be a pretty accurate estimate of the 
 strength of the Apaches, and also of the other New Mexican Indians. I 
 am aware that the Apaches and Utahs are by some persons set down as 
 above 10,000 each; of the Pueblos at from 12,000 to 15,000; but I feel 
 confident they have been overrated: 
 
 Apaches , Jicarillas - - - 
 
 White mountains 
 
 Sacramento mountains - - 
 
 Mercaleros 
 
 Marco's band, 200 warriors, 1, 000 souls 
 Gomez's band, 400 warriors, I, 800 souls 
 
 Gila band three or four subdivisions 
 
 Warriors. 
 
 1 00 
 150 
 150 
 
 Souls. 
 
 400 
 600 
 600 
 
 400 
 
 Total of Apaches 
 
 - 1, 400 6, 000 
 
 Wild Indians of New Mexico. 
 
 West of Rio Grande: 1. Navajoes 
 
 2. Moq'ni 
 
 North ,of the State: 3. Utah, on the State line 
 
 far west 
 
 4. S hey en nes 
 
 5. Arrapahoes 
 East of Pecos: 6. Comanches - 
 
 7. Hayaguias 
 West of Pccos, and 
 
 south of the State: 8. Apaches, warriors 1,400 
 
 Grand total 
 
 Not including W. Utahs 
 
 Lodges. 
 
 Souls. 
 
 1,500 
 
 10.000 
 
 350 
 
 2, 500 
 
 _ 
 
 1,000 
 
 - 
 
 4,000 
 
 300 
 
 2,000 
 
 300 
 
 1,500 
 
 2,500 
 
 12, 000 
 
 400 
 
 2,000 
 
 6,000 
 41,000 
 37, 500 
 G. A. McC. 
 
17 [ 28 ] 
 
 INSPECTOR- GEXERAL'S OFFICE, 
 Philadelphia^ December 26, 1850. 
 
 GENERAL: In obedience to instructions from the War Department, em- 
 braced in a letter from your office dated the 24th June, 1850, I have now 
 the honor to submit a report on the several subjects therein referred to, viz: 
 
 "1. The probable number of lives lost and of persons taken captives 
 by the Indians, within the last eighteen months, in New Mexico; also the 
 probable value of property stolen or destroyed within the same period." 
 
 In pursuing my inquiries on this subject I found it extremely difficult, 
 although I visited towns or settlements where, or in the neigborhood of 
 which, depredations had been committed by the Navajoes, Utahs, or 
 Apaches within 12 or 18 months previous, to collect from the people in- 
 formation at all explicit or reliable; while the cases reported at the head- 
 quartos of the.department, or the office of the Secretary of State, do not cover 
 two thirds, perhaps not one-half, of all that occurred. However, on the 
 northern frontier, from Albiquiis. to Las Yegas, there were enumerated to me 
 about 53 peueons who have been killed on that line within twelvemonths, 
 from September 1, 1849, to September 1 , 1850. In the six months prece- 
 ding there were some shepherds killed at different points along that line, 
 probably 10 or 12, though I could not arrive at the number with any pre- 
 cision. These murders were committed by the Navajoes, Utahs, and Jica- 
 rilla Apaches, but principally by the latter. In the lower country, and along 
 the Rio Grande, from Santa Fe to El Paso, about 2(J persons have been 
 Stilted within eighteen months these were by the Navajoes, and White 
 Mountain an'd Sacramento Mountain Apaches, The number of captives 
 carried off from New Mexico within the same period amount in all to 13 
 that are known and enumerated. The probability, however, is, that many 
 obscure persons have been killed and children carried off besides those 
 named . 
 
 If we assume the total ascertained of killed to be 83, and of captives to 
 be 13, I incline to the belief that from 15to 30 per cent, might be safely 
 added to these figures without exceeding the truth. -*#*-' . 
 
 As far as I could ascertain positively, tjy summing up individual cases, 
 the number of animals driven off by these Indians within eighteen months 
 prior to the 1st September, 1SK>), is as follows: 
 
 Horses 181 , which at $40 each is - $7,240 
 
 Mules 402, which at $50 each is - 
 
 Horned caldo, (many of them work oxeu.) 788, at &>($ 15,760 
 
 Sheep, 47,300, at $1 50 - - 70,95 
 
 Total "4,050 
 
 To this amount 50 per cent, may be added. Aud when it is taken into 
 consideration that for twenty years past the flocks and herds of this people 
 have been yearly diminishing under the constant ravages of the wild 
 tribes, and that districts which formerly were covered with stock are 
 now almost bare, the above amounts must be setdow-n as heavy losses 
 For further information on this point I beg leave to refer to my report of 
 the 15th July last, now on file at the department. 
 
 "2 The capacity of the people of New Mexico to resist the incursions , 
 of the Indians, and the necessary military force to secure protection." 
 Ex. 2 
 
[26J 18 
 
 With regard to the first clause of the inquiry, the history of the country 
 during the period of 200 years past illustrates the fact which impresses 
 itself on every one who visits New Mexico, that the people within them- 
 selves are altogether incapable of resisting the inroads of the Indians into 
 the very heart of their territory. They have been from generation to 
 generation so deeply imbued with the fear of their savage neighbors, that 
 it is only necessary to raise the cry of u los Indies," and a dozen of them 
 will run from a couple of Apaches armed with lance and bow. On seve- 
 ral expeditions against these Indians they have been organized into com- 
 panies, and have marched with the regular troops, but their chief exploits 
 have been to secure the booty after the enemy had been attacked and 
 routed by the regulars. In most of these instances they have been al- 
 lowed, as an encouragement, to possess themselves of the entire spoil ; but 
 while this continues to be their sole object, as it does now seem to be, 
 they will not greatly expose their persons in the conflict; and I should 
 therefore rate their capacity for Indian warfare at very little above "zero." 
 
 Better auxiliaries may be found in the Pueblo (or civilized) Indians of 
 the Territory; and I would here respectfully repeat what I had the honor 
 to present to the notice of the department in my report of the loth July, 
 viz: that advantages may accrue from extending to these people a marked 
 kindness, and securing their confidence in the friendship and justice of 
 our government. 
 
 In replying to the latter clause of the second query, I would in the first 
 place beg leave to invite attention to the facts stated in a preceding para- 
 graph, i. e. the known losses sustained yearly and monthly by the inhab- 
 itants of this Territory from the inroads of large tribes ot wild Indians, 
 whose country enieelopes the Territory without interval on the north, 
 south, east, and west. From the facts to which I refer, it must appear 
 either that the military force at present in New Mexico is idle and inefficient, 
 or that the extent of frontier intrusted to its protection is out of proportion 
 to its strength and the character of its organization. 
 
 A single glance at the map, and a reference to the total number of troops 
 for duty, as stated in the last report from the ninth department headquar- 
 ters, will clearly demonstrate the truth of the last position. The question 
 is, what (at the lowest calculation) is "the necessary military force to se- 
 cure protection?'* 
 
 In stationing a military force here, there are, apparently, two objects in 
 view, requiring separate fields of action. The first is to afford present 
 protection to the lives and property of the inhabitants; the second, to ef- 
 fectually check the marauding spirit of the Indians, and, at a subsequent 
 period, to induce them to dwell in fixed habitations, to cultivate the soil 
 to some extent, and to raise their own stock. The first must be effected, 
 as far as practicable, by stationing small bodies of troops in the principal 
 settlements. The second can only be accomplished by the permanent 
 establishment of a strong force within the Indian country. To do this, 
 I should answer that, for present service, the lowest figure at which this 
 force can be put is 2,200 (two thousand two hundred) effective men; of 
 whom, at least, 1,400 (fourteen hundred) should be mounted. 
 
 The question may, perhaps, be more satisfactorily answered by an illus- 
 tration of the mode of warfare and pillage pursued by the Indians against 
 vhorn the troops flire to act, and a description of the country in which 
 thty are to operate, premising that the tribes above named (independently 
 of the Comanches) count from 4,500 to 5,000 warriors. If WB take Santa 
 
19 [ 26 ] 
 
 Fe, the seat of government, and principal depot of munitions, as the cen- 
 tral point, then the northern line of posts, for defence or protection, may 
 be drawn through Abiquiu, on the northwest; Taos, Rayado, and Mora, 
 on the north, to Las Yegas on the northeast. These are all important 
 and thriving settlements; but each one is separated from the next by 
 rugged mountain regions of from 20 to 45 miles in width, running back 
 into the Indian country, and thus affording from the latter easy and con- 
 cealed approaches on the flanks of all of them. For th protection of life, 
 of the crops, of the working animals, and ail property immediately around 
 the homesteads of these people, a small force at each of the points named 
 is considered to be sufficient. But the principal wealth of the people is 
 in their flocks and herds; and these must be sent (particularly in winter) 
 into narrow mountain glades, affording fine pasturage, at the distance of 
 from five to twenty miles from the settlements, where they are left for 
 months at a time under charge of a few simple and unarmed shepherds. 
 Here they are an easy prey to the Utahs and Jicarilla Apaches, who, 
 crawling upon the listless shepherds, shoot them with arrows to prevent 
 their carrying information, awd then drive off the stock with impunity; 
 or if a shepherd, escaping, brings^ intelligence to the nearest military post, 
 experience has shown that the pursuit is almost always fruitless. 
 
 The other line of settlement that should be occupied is from Santa F6 
 southward, along the valley of the Rio Grand'e, to El Paso. Here smalf 
 garrisons at Albuquerque (or Bernallio,) Cibolletta, Socorro (or 27 miles 
 below, opposite Valverde,) Don Ana, and El Paso (or San Eiizario,) 
 would, in the same way, give security to the homesteads, but nothing 
 more. The only way in which a military force can be advantageously 
 and effectively employed to put an end to Indian spoliations in New Mexico 
 is to post them, riot in our settlements, or on our borders, but in the heart 
 of the Indian country. And here they must be in sufficient strength to 
 awe the Indians to punish them in their strongholds for the offences 
 they commit beyond their own boundaries. Three stations of this kind 
 are deemed requisite, viz: one in the Navajoe country, near the canon of 
 Chi: one in the Apache country east, somewhere on the eastern slope of 
 the Sacramento mountains, where water, grass, arid timber, of excellent 
 quality, may be found f and one in the south on the Gila river, Or near 
 the old copper mines. The latter is a very eligible position. It is a high 
 country, with a pure air, and possessing all the requisites for the estab- 
 lishment of a military post, together with abundance of game. At the first 
 two posts there should be from 450 to 500 men each; at the last 350. 
 At most of the other points named above, a single company would be 
 sufficient. 
 
 On completing the tour of the military posts in this Territory, it appears 
 to me that the following would be a proper disposition of the troops at 
 this time: 
 
 Organization. Probable effect- 
 ive strength. 
 
 Abiquiu, one company of infantry . Jo 
 
 Taos, one company of infantry '' 
 
 Rayado,* two companies of dragoons - - I TO 150 
 
 Las Ycgas, one company of infantry - -. 84 75 
 
 * Rayado and Cibolletta are positions from which operations may be fcuccessfolly curried into 
 the Indian cxuntiy. (See irspection reports, Ncs. 5 and 7.) 
 
[ 26 1 20 
 
 Organization. Probable tfftct- 
 ive strength. 
 
 Santa Fe, one company of infantry - 84 
 
 Albuquerque, one company of infantry - 84 75 
 
 Cibolletta,* one company of dragoons and one 
 
 company of infantry - - 169 150 
 
 Socorro, one company of dragoons 85 75 
 
 Don Ana, one company of dragoons and one 
 
 company of infantry - - 160 150 
 
 El Paso, one company of infantry - 84 75 
 
 Navajoe country, fbwr companies of dragoons, 
 one company of artillery with battery of moun- 
 tain howitzer, and one company of infantry - 508 450 
 
 Apache country, five companies of dragoons, and 
 one company of artillery with battery of moun- 
 tain howitzer - 509 450 
 
 Gila river, ahree companies of dragoons and one 
 
 company of infantry - - - 339 300 
 
 Grand total - .- - 2 T 453 2,175 
 
 Owing to the usual casualties of service, I do not consider that the 
 average effective strength of companies can be safely estimated at more 
 than severity -five total. 
 
 The following troops are at present in New Mexico: 
 
 Organization. Tata! present Septerw.- 
 
 ber 30, 1850. 
 
 7 companies of dragoons - 595 334 
 
 2. do artillery- - 168 99 
 
 10 do irifantiy - 849 554 
 
 1,603 987 
 
 Add to the above one full regiment 
 of dragoons or mounted riflemen 
 10 companies of riflemen - 840 (probable strength) 750 
 
 2, 443 1 , 737 
 
 The above total present in New Mexico on the 30th of September last r 
 viz: 987, would give only an average of 52 total to a company. Say 7 
 then, that each company is filled to 75 total, there will be 
 19 companies, at 75 each - - 1,425 
 
 Add 10 companies of rifles, at 75 each - - 750 
 
 This will give a total of - - 2,175 
 
 Thus, one regiment of mounted riflemen m' addition to the force now 
 in New' Mexico may be considered a sufficient or necessary military force 
 to secure protection but this is placing it at the very lowest figure at 
 which it can safely be put. 
 
21 [ -26 ] 
 
 The nature of the service in this country requires mounted troops 
 almost exclusively; the distribution of supplier and munitions from the 
 general depots to the frontier posts, the frequent visits of staff officers 
 (paymasters, quartermasters, etc.) from post to post in the necessary dis- 
 charge of their duties, the transmittal of orders and reports of constant 
 occurrence in the usual course of service, all require mounted escorts or 
 express riders. 
 
 The law authorizing the mounting of a portion of the infantry regiments 
 would in some measure supply the deficiency ef cavalry in the organiza- 
 tion of thp army, but there are many objections to this. One alone, it is 
 sufficient to cite, viz: the increased expense. This my own observation 
 satisfies me will be the result in a few years of the adoption of this system. 
 A- better one, I believe, would be to change the organization of one or two 
 of the foot regiments and convert them into mounted riflemen. 
 
 Among the advantages of adopting this "course in preference to raising 
 ne\y regiments the following may be named: The officers of the infantry 
 in general, particularly from the rank of captain descending, are fine 
 horsemen. Their lives are passed almost entirely on the frontiers: hunt- 
 ing is a favorite recreation with them, and a majority of them keep their 
 own horses; they are consequentlyegood judges of horses, and well skilled 
 in every respect in their management and treatment. They would, there- 
 fore, become at once capable and efficient cavalry officers, for they are 
 already well grounded in the tactics. Again, the experience of 25 years 
 has shown me that on an average about one-half the infantry soldiers are 
 more or less accustomed to horses, and would be at least on an equality 
 with dragoon recruits in all that regards the horse. The remainder, 
 with some exceptions^ (who might be transferred to other foot regjments,) 
 would in a few months manage their horses sufficiently well for alf service 
 on this frontier; whereas they would possess over any newly-organized 
 regiments the all-important qualifications of discipline and a knowledge 
 of the use of their arms. 
 
 I advance, General, for the consideration of the department, the propo- 
 sition to change the organization of one or two of the foot regiments; not as 
 an expedient to remove the necessity so loudly calling for an addition to 
 the army of one or more new regiments of dragoons or mounted riflemen, 
 but because I am persuaded that the nature of the service to be required 
 of the army for the next ten years will be such as to require that the cav- 
 alry arm shall greatly predominate in its organization. 
 
 "3. The best means of supplying the troops in New Mexico with 
 recruits, horses, and subsistence." 
 
 In order to keep the companies in New Mexico full at the present stand- 
 ard, recruiting in the Atlantic and middle States must be chiefly depended 
 upon; re-enlistment will do but little towards it. 
 
 While in this Territory my attention was requested by an officer of the 
 medical department to the subject of the enlistment of hospital stewards 
 especially for that office; and 1 have pleasure in submitting his views, viz: 
 that they should be enlisted or employed especially for that duty; that 
 their pay should be increased to that of paymaster's clerk. The advantages 
 would be, that they would only be removed from the hospital at the ex- 
 piration of their service; that the hazard incurred in putting men whose 
 previous education has not fitted them for the duty into the hospital is 
 very great; and that by the course recommended, the government would 
 
[26] 
 
 22 
 
 save largely in men, as well as in medicines and hospital stores; that the 
 increased pay proposed would bring into the service graduates of the 
 schools of pharmacy of good character. 
 
 With respect to horses, they cannot be procured of sufficient size and 
 strength in the Territory. It will, therefore, be necessary to purchase in 
 the middle States. But the horses from Missouri and Illinois, from 
 which States most of the horses now in the Territory have been brought, 
 are not found to stand the change of climate as well as those from a lower 
 and more temperate latitude, as Tennessee, and Kentucky. All horses, 
 however, even from the last named States, experience more or less the ill 
 effects of the change, and many droop and fall away, although not in active 
 service; so that as a general rule a twelvemonth elapses after horses are 
 brought into this country before they are acclimated, or have recovered 
 their natural vigor and endurance. The average duration of horses here, 
 I have learned from dragooirofficers, has but little exceeded three years; 
 this may be owing in some measure to their having been put upon hard 
 service too soon after their arrival. 
 
 In view of this I would recommend that grazing farms be established, 
 which I believe in ten years would save the government a large outlay 
 in horses. Let three and four-year oM colts, bought in Tennessee, be kept 
 on these farms for twelve or eighteen months before they are put in ser- 
 vice, and they will last at least twice as long as those above referred to. 
 Whilst in England, in 1848, I conversed much with cavalry officers on 
 the subject of horses and their treatment in that service. I was informed 
 that colts purchased at three years of age, and placed on duty with the 
 recruiting or depot squadrons, where they were lightly exercised for three 
 years before being put into the service squadrons, served, after joining 
 the service squadrons, on an average ten years, or to the age of sixteen. 
 This fact was established by a careful examination of the records of the 
 service during a lo^g period. 
 
 There is every probability that the service in New Mexico will for many 
 years to corne require the maintenance on the part of the United States 
 of a large mounted force. And there is little doubt that, to make this force 
 efficient, a provision of the kind recommended is advisable. On mere 
 than one occasion the Apaches have escaped from dragoons (when almost 
 within their grasp) where the fieetness of their horses was put to the test 
 by the troops on their broken-down animals. 
 
 On the subject of supplying the troops in New Mexico with subsistence 
 I had the honor to report on the 14th instant. I would only further add, 
 that it was remarked to me by Captain Bowman, regimental quartermaster 
 of the third infantry, and acting assistant commitesary of subsistence at 
 Kl Paso, that much expense in transporting subsistence across the plains 
 was incurred by packing bacon, hard bread, &c., in barrels; the bacon 
 sides being cut into square pieces (the bones were not removed) left large 
 interstices in the barrels, and these again leave intervals in the wagon 
 bodies, by which much space is lost. He recommended that square boxes 
 of convenient size, and made to fit in the wagon bodies, be used instead 
 of barrels; also that hard bread be baked in square cakes, and be packed in 
 similar boxes. I examined the weight of some of the barrels (whiskey 
 barrels) used for bread, and found they ranged from 45 to 56 pounds, while 
 the hard bread contained did not exceed from ( .K) to J12 pounds. Brxes 
 
23 [ 6 ] 
 
 would be lighter than these barrels, but it is questionable whether the 
 bread would be as well preserved. 
 
 There is no reason, however, why all the hard bread required for use 
 in New Mexico should not be made there, and for this purpose it would 
 be well to send out one or two competent bakers. 
 
 "4. The probable number of inhabitants of New Mexico Americans, 
 Mexicans, and Pueblo Indians; also the number of each class within its 
 limits whilst a territory of Mexico. " 
 
 I have answered this query in my report of the 15th July last as fully, 
 I believe, as I could possibly now, by going over the same ground again. 
 I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 GEO. A. McCALL, 
 
 Inspector General. 
 Major General R. JONES, 
 
 Adjutant General U, S. A., Washington city^D. C. 
 

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