INTERESTING ITEMS 
 
 REGARDING 
 
 NEW MEXICO: 
 
 ITS 
 
 AGRICULTURAL, PASTORAL 
 
 AX I ) 
 
 MINERAL RESOURCES, 
 
 
 
 PEOPLE, CLIMATE, SOIL, SCEXERY, Etc, 
 
 By W, F, M, ARNY, Acting Governor of New Mexico. 
 
 S.A.3XTTA. FE 3 3ST. Iv. 
 
 MANDKRFIKIJ:> A; TUCKER, Printers. 
 
<7 
 
 ///* 
 
 ' a 
 
.INTERESTING ITEMS 
 
 REGARDING 
 
 NEW MEXICO: 
 
 ITS 
 
 AGRICULTURAL, PASTORAL 
 
 AND 
 
 MINERAL RESOURCES, 
 
 PEOPLE, CLIMATE, SOIL, SCENERY, Etc, 
 
 y W, F, M, ARNY, Acting Governor of New Mexico, 
 -/f - -^^ - 
 
 3 1ST. 3S. 
 
 MANDERFIELD & TUCKER, Printers. 
 1873. 
 
i -7 
 
 To THADDEUS HYATT, Esq., 
 
 66 Gloucester Gardens, Hyde Park, 
 London, England, 
 
 Our co-worker in the cause of human freedom in Kansas, 
 who in 1856, 1861-62 liberally contributed of his means 
 for the freedom, colonization, and development of the v c- 
 sources of that Slate, and who on his departure from Kan- 
 said 
 
 . "Remember me not as an individual, 
 But as the incarnation of a principle ? 
 For man is ephemeral, 
 But principles are eternal." 
 
 The following pages arc respectfully dedicated, by his old- 
 friend, who remembers him as an individual as well as the 
 incarnation of a. principle, and who subscribes himself an 
 ever, in the cause of humanity, 
 
 Truly your friend, 
 W. F. M. ARNY. 
 
I 
 
:E 
 PHYSICAL, GEOGRAPHICAL 
 
 AND 
 
 OF 
 
 NEW MEXICO. 
 
 The resources of the Rocky Mountains, especially that 
 portion which is included within the limits of New Mex- 
 ico and Arizona, being scarcely known or appreciated, I 
 propose to give a description of it as to its properties and 
 the natural laws which must eventually give it position 
 and character among the divisions of the United States, 
 believing that the vast extent of territory, and the im- 
 mense mineral wealth which it contains, will ere long jus- 
 tify its more full exploration, and the formation of a state 
 in the Union. 
 
 This country is not a Garden of Eden. On the con- 
 trary, the superficial observer would place his ideas of 
 desolation, within [its limits; yet, if he examines closely, 
 he will find an oasis amid the desert, and elements of 
 wealth such as it is the fortune of few countries to pos- 
 sess. 
 
6 
 
 I 
 
 Its evilss That it is arid, rainless ; presenting con- 
 trasts to the American, come he from what part he mav. 
 
 Its good Pastoral resources, unlimited as space ; min- 
 eral wealth, as vast as man's comprehension can span ; its 
 valleys limited, but fertile ; its climate equals Italy ; it is 
 truly the depository of wealth, and the country for health. 
 
 I propose to give, as briefly as possible, the light shades 
 and the dark shades, its advantages and disadvantages, 
 its sterile sands and glittering gems. I ask none to adopt 
 as truth what I say without close examination, and I trust 
 that some may be induced to judge and investigate by 
 personal inspection, from philanthropic as well as pec- 
 uniary motives, and be convinced as I have been. 
 
 Within this portion of the Territories of the United 
 States were the cradles of that race of whom the Monte - 
 zumas were kings, and in these mountains and valleys are 
 ruins of the Montezumas. Upon the mountains and by 
 the streams, in some places, their population, as the ruins 
 would indicate, were tens of thousands, and their tem- 
 ples are yet standing where, not many years ago, burned 
 "the eternal fires." The Montezumas were the most civ- 
 ilized of all the Indians, they were evidently advanced in 
 many arts and sciences ; had a complete system of gov- 
 ernment, and their| kings had absolute sway over an em- 
 pire whose extent was great, and much of which, since it 
 has been acquired by the United States, remains unex- 
 plored, and whose population amounted to hundreds of 
 thousands. They were an industrious people, adepts in 
 the cultivation of the soil, (by irrigation, as the remains 
 of their ditches show,) in mining, and in the manufacture 
 of woolen goods, in which latter industry some of the 
 Indians of the country excel. They built houses and 
 temples i they were a great nation of miners ; the em- 
 pire was and remains a rich extent of precious metals ; 
 
_ 7 
 
 and indications are found of their working of mines on the 
 streams and in the mountains. 
 
 The Montezumas came from the North and traveled 
 southward until the Spaniards found the center ot that 
 great empire in Mexico. The Spaniard journeyed north- 
 ward conquering on the pathway of the Montezumas, and 
 stopped in their march where the Montezumas began. 
 
 The blood of the Montezumas is to-day three-fifths of 
 the blood of Mexico ; but the iron heel of the Spaniard 
 has obliterated nearly all points of their original character, 
 aave here and there among some Indian tribes a blending 
 will be found of Roman Catholic and Indian customs. 
 However, there are yet many who expect the return of 
 Montezuma as the Jews await the advent of Christ, and 
 believe, when he comes to be their king, they will be 
 united, rich, powerful, and will regain their prestige and 
 empire. 
 
 CHARACTER OF THE COUNTRY. 
 
 There is a general similarity of character throughout 
 this whole extent of country, a similarity of climate and 
 resources, its surface being much broken and traversed by 
 chains of mountains, whtfee general direction is north and 
 south, while intervening are large scopes or areas of table 
 lands divided by occasional large and many small valleys 
 of great fertility^ the valleys having a mean elevation of 
 about four thousand feet above the sea, and the highest 
 .mountains about nine thousand feet. 
 
 WATER COURSES. 
 
 This* country is drained by the water of the Rio Grande, 
 Chama, Navajoe river, the Pecos, Red river, the Mim- 
 bres, the San Juan river, and its tributaries, which emp- 
 y into the Colorado river, and the Gulf of California ; 
 a.nd numbers -of smaller mountain streams* 
 
I 
 
 s 
 
 KAIL WAYS. 
 
 The Sierra Madre or Rocky Mountains and its spurs-, 
 or branching chains, are in this Territory broken, and con- 
 tain a multiplicity of feasible passes, admitting at many 
 points good wagon roads from the Atlantic to the Pacific 
 slopes, and over the intervening minor divides. 
 
 There are a number of railroad enterprises whose an- 
 nounced or possible objects are the construction of rail- 
 roads to and through New Mexico. The railroads now 
 being constructed or whish are projected, whose routes 
 are known to be to and transversing the territory, are lst ? 
 the Atlantic and Pacific; 2nd, Texas Pacific; 3rd, Den- 
 ver and Rio Grande ; 4th, New Mexico and Gulf. A road 
 also whose route, after leaving its present destination is 
 nbt known, if in fact it has been determined upon by the 
 gentlemen in charge of the enterprise, is the "Atchison, 
 Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad," now being rapidly push- 
 ed up to the Arkansas valley to a probable point of junc- 
 tion with the extension or branch of the Kansas Pacific 
 in the vicinity of Fort Lyon in Colorado. 
 
 The intentions and objects of the Kansas Pacific Rail- 
 way Company as to the construction of any road towards 
 our border after the completion of the extension of Fort 
 Lyons are not known, except so far as the organization 
 of a corporation called the Arkansas Valley and Cimar- 
 ron Railway Company is concerned. 
 
 This company we understand proposes to connect with 
 the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe road, starting some- 
 where in the valley of the Arkansas river : the line bears 
 in a southwesterly direction to the Cimarron Pass, near 
 the head of El Rio Cimarron Seco, which anglicized, i 
 Dry Cimarron River. This section of the route, while- 
 of comparatively small value for farming purposes, is nev- 
 ertheless not without considerable value, by reason of it* 
 
9 
 
 great advantages as a grazing district. As evidence of 
 this, for a number of years past almost countless herds 
 have been kept in this district, winter and summer, with 
 the best of success. 
 
 Leaving this section of country and continuing south- 
 westward, the line crosses the Dry Cimarron, in a beauti- 
 ful valley, much of which is already settled in anticipa- 
 tion of the time when the advent of the locomotive will 
 place them in closer communication with the outside world. 
 Thence continuing the same course it passes for a few 
 miles through the most magnificent scenery that one could 
 imagine. 
 
 From Cupulin mountain passing west, the line begins 
 to descend by Tenaja Arroya, a small stream, to the Ca- 
 nadian Valley, and thence direct across a beautiful plain , 
 well watered by the Canadian, Vermejo, Ponil and Cim- 
 arron rivers, to the town of Cimarron, which, for the 
 present, is the terminus of the located line. The last 
 thirty miles of the line passes through the property of 
 The Maxwell Land Grant and Railway Company. More 
 than ten years ago I was well informed as to this grant, 
 and traveled frequently all over it, and knew it then to be 
 a good pastoral region. Since then the mineral and ag- 
 ricultural resources have been to some extent developed. 
 
 The enterprise of the propiietors in aiding largely to 
 construct the road will be rewarded soon, by seeing their 
 lands converted fiom a pasturing ground to well tilled and 
 productive farms. Although the location surveys have as 
 yet made no progress west of Cimarron, a series ofrecon- 
 noisances and instrumental examinations were made dur- 
 ing the p'ast summer by Mr. Morley, the chief engineer 
 of the company, extending westward through the Spanish 
 range to the Valley of the Rio Grande. These examin- 
 ations while demonstrating that no less than three avail* 
 
I 
 
 10 
 
 able passes were in existence within fifty miles of Cimar- 
 ron, that one, the Taos pass was eminently practical. 
 To reach this pass a line with comparatively light work 
 and easy grades is found running directly from Cimarron 
 tip the Valley and Canon of the Cimarron River to the 
 Moreno Valley, thence keeping up the valley to the sum- 
 mit, across and down Taos creek to the city of Taos, mak- 
 ing a distance from Cimarron to Taos of only about fifty 
 miles, and by far the cheapest and best crossing of the 
 mountains between Albuquerque, Santa Fe and the Black 
 Hills, and at the same time passing the entire distance 
 through a country that will afford an immense local traf- 
 fic. Not only this, but reaching the Rio Grande Valley-, 
 it at once opens up the immense area of agricultural, 
 mineral and pastoral country to the westward. Another 
 'route is proposed from Cimarron, via Las Vegas, and en- 
 terprising town, the county city of San Miguel County, 
 and thence to the Rio Grande by way of Anton Chico, 
 or the Galisteo creek. 
 
 A railway constructed from the Arkansas river, con- 
 necting with the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe road, 
 and also with the Kansas Pacific, and running from the 
 Colorado line through Mora county and thence due west 
 into Rio Arriba county to the Rio Grande, and down that 
 river to Santa Fe thence to Albuquerque making a junc- 
 tion with the Atlantic and Pacific railroad, and then down 
 the Rio Grande parallel with the river to El Paso, Mex- 
 ico, and connecting with the 32d parallel road, in South- 
 ern New Mexico. This is a superior route to connect 
 Denver, and Santa Fe with the east, and to construct 
 railways to the Pacific and the Gulf of Mexico, because 
 the mountain elevations of the country admit of their be- 
 ing built at the least possible expense, because it traver- 
 ses a country exceedingly rich in minerals which would, 
 
-11 
 
 immediately upon their being built, make them self-sup- 
 porting ; and principally because the route presents no 
 solitary obstacle throughout the mountain portion of the 
 country in preventing its operation with the same facility 
 in winter as in summer. The construction of a road on 
 this route would benefit the Government in bringing the 
 public domain through which it would pass into market, 
 in the settlement of the Indian troubles in Colorado, New 
 Mexico and Arizona, and the opening of mineral, agri- 
 cultural and pastoral lantfs, on which thousands of fami- 
 lies could obtain happy homes, all of which would save 
 and produce more annually than the whole cost of the road. 
 
 ACEQUIAS, CANALS DITCHES. 
 
 Irrigation. The Rio Grande is the Nile of America, 
 having a most striking resemblance to this great African 
 river. It is 1,800 miles in length, and of almost equal 
 volume from the source to the mouth. It has two branch- 
 es and passes hundred of miles without receiving a trib- 
 utary. It is fed almost entirely from the Rocky Mount- 
 ains. An annual rise occurs from the melting of the snows 
 each spring. Like the Nile, it is the. sole reliance of the 
 farmer. The natives have made to each town and the ad- 
 joining lands canals for irrigation. These are often twenty 
 or thirty miles in length, affording also , considerable mill 
 power. The waters of the Rio Grande, like the Nile, are 
 exceedingly turbid, containing a large proportion of sedi- 
 ment probably, at high water, one fifth of the 
 bulk of the water. Each irrigation is, consequently, 
 a coat of manure to the soil ; and cultivation by this 
 process, instead of impoverishing the soil, enriches 
 it. The natives never use other manure. In El Paso 
 valley the Spaniards found a tribe of Indians cultivating 
 the soil 265 years ago, and it has been continually ever 
 since, yet the soil is .of undiminished fertility. 
 
12 
 
 The report of the Commissioner of the General Land 
 Office for the year 1868 says : 
 
 The lands in the valleys of the rivers are very fertile, 
 and can be successfully cultivated, though the cultivation 
 is carried on by means of irrigation. Although consider- 
 able labor and expense are at first incurred in making 
 the canals and ditches, the crops are more certain than 
 when entire dependence is placed upon the fall of rain for 
 the amount of moisture required, and the lands, enriched 
 by the detritus made up of decayed vegetation and rich 
 mould from the mountains distributed by the running wa- 
 ter, never wears out. Lands in the vicinity of Santa Fe 
 have been under annual cultivation for more than two 
 hundred years, and still produce excellent crops, without 
 ever having been enriched or restored by other means. 
 
 Aid by the Government in the construction of canals 
 nnd ditches would bring under cultivation hundreds of 
 thousands of acres of land which is now unsurveyed and 
 not cultivated, which would make happy homes for thou- 
 sands who are now living homeless and in poverty. 
 
 PUBLIC LANDS. 
 
 Of the area of the public lands in New Mexico unjur- 
 
 veved, and of course unofFered and undisposedjof, about 
 one-tenth is susceptible of cultivation, and is capable of 
 sustaining an extremely large pastoral, agricultural and 
 mining population, as the actual amount of arable land in 
 the valleys is very fertile, and where properly cultivated, 
 will produce good crops. The table-lands and plains are 
 inexhaustible in pasturage, and in the mountains are 
 treasures of vast stores of mineral wealth, It embraces a 
 country much of which is scarcely known, which has 
 been but partially explored, and, as far as metals are con- 
 cerned, to the slightest degree. 
 
13 
 
 Through the courtesy of United States Surveyor Gen- 
 eral James K. Proudfit, I have been furnished with a 
 copy of his annnal report for 1872, in advance of its publi- 
 cation, from which I quote the following, viz : 
 
 The area of 121,201 square miles in New Mexico em- 
 braces in acres, 77,568,640.00. 
 
 Of which military reserves surveyed, 189,493.44 
 
 Indian reserves surveyed, 1,302,960.00 
 
 Confirmed private grants surveyed, 3,860,582.73 
 
 Mining claims surveyed, 51.87 
 
 Townships subdivided, 3,248,463.00 
 
 8,601,551.13 
 
 Leaving acres, unsurveyed, 68,967,088.87 
 
 A considerable portion of the lands of New Mexico are 
 
 held by private parties and I now proceed to mention 
 
 them under the caption of 
 
 PRIVATE LAND CLAIMS IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 Soon after the Spanish arms in the sixteenth century 
 penetrated and occupied New Mexico as one of the ultra- 
 marine possessions of the crown of Spain, the governors 
 and captain general of the province then pertaining to the 
 vice royalty of New Mexico, were authorized to make 
 concessions of land to the settlers. Afterwards they were 
 made to individuals for distinguished loyalty to the crown 
 and important services to the state in the Indian wars then 
 harrassing the people and impediog the development and 
 progress of the country, and still subsequently these con- 
 cessions were made in numerous instances to the descend- 
 ants of those persons who had thus manifested their loy- 
 alty and contributed their services. During the Spanish 
 regime in New Mexico as elsewhere in the Mexican vice- 
 royalty, it was always the declared policy of the sovereign 
 "that the public domain should be populated and 
 
14 
 
 utilized" through the medium of grants of land to his- 
 subjects, as individuals or as communities. Afterwards 
 when the Mexican republic succeeded to the sovereignty 
 of the soil, it was the declared policy of that government 
 to "encourage agriculture" by making to its citizens and 
 communities liberal donations of the national domain for 
 cultivation and % stock raising and also for mining purposes. 
 It is said by those who ought to know, that there are very 
 few, if any, spurious grants in the Territory certainly 
 very few compared with the number brought to light in 
 California. Some of these grants of land are now held 
 by our citizens, other grants by large and flourishing 
 communities, and others have been purchased by capital- 
 ists and wealthy companies with a view to their settlement 
 and application to agricultural, stock growing and mining 
 uses. 
 
 Now that predatory incursions of the wild Indians have 
 under the policy of the present national administration 
 become less frequent and serious, and now that the ad- 
 vent of railroads is forseen in the near future, settlers are 
 beginning to search out and locate homesteads on the pub- 
 lic domain beyond the frontier under the government of 
 of the United States, and on private grants by purchase. 
 My space will allow me to mention only a few of the prin- 
 cipal landed estates of this Territory, and I will mention 
 only a portion of those denominated Mexican Grants, and 
 in doing so it is but just and proper, that I should say 
 that lam indebted for much valuable information on this 
 subject to the courtesy of David J. Miller, Esq., chief 
 clerk and translator of the U. S. Surveyor General's of- 
 fice, which was furnished from data in that office, and also 
 my thanks are due to Sam'l Ellison, Esq. clerk of the coun- 
 ty court of Santa Fe county, for information furnished to 
 me from his extensive knowledge of this special subject. 
 
15 
 
 Near the 36th parallel is the Cieneguilla Grant 'contain- 
 ing an area of about 80,000 acres of land; it lies in the 
 county of Taos, and ia not jet recognized and confirmed 
 by Congress; but as it is a community grant, and as the 
 claim has been established as valid and genuine by testi- 
 mony before the surveyor general, and approved by him ; 
 it will no doubt be confirmed by Congress, where it is now 
 pending. 
 
 In Rio Arriba county there are numerous grants, some 
 of which have been acted upon by the government, and 
 some of which yet await action. The principal are the.Era- 
 cinas grant containing about 25,000 acres, The Chama and 
 The Chamita grants, area unknown ; all upon the Chama 
 river and watered by several smaller streams. Upon that 
 river also lies The Abiquiu, The Canon de Chama, and The 
 TierraAmarilla, all extensive and valuable bodies of land, 
 and each containing many settlers. There is also the 
 large Sebastian Martin Grant, upon the Rio del Norte, 
 and various others besides the Indian Pueblos. 
 
 In the county of Santa Fe, there are also numerous 
 grants of which I have space to mention only the Bishop 
 Lamy estate, known as Our Lady of Light, and held in- 
 trust for the Roman Catholic Church. It is a surveyed 
 grant and contains about 16,500 acres of land. 
 
 The San Cristobal grant or Eaton's Ranch, upon Galia- 
 teo creek, twenty-seven miles south of Santa Fe, contain- 
 ing about 28,000 acres of agricultural and grazing land, 
 
 The Gotera Giant, owned by Nasario Gonzales, on the 
 Galisteo creek, containing about 3,000 acres of agricul- 
 tural and some grazing lands. 
 
 The Vicente Duran de< Armijo Grant, adjoining, the In- 
 dian Pueblo of Nambe, on both sides of the stream of 
 that name, and now claimed by Gaspar Ortiz. 
 
 In Santa Ana county there is The Voiles Grandes float 
 
16 
 
 owned by Don Tomas C. tie Baca, containing about 100,- 
 000 acres. This tract bears abundant and superior timber, 
 and contains excellent pasturage and is celebrated for the 
 excellent trout fishing it affords, and for its wild game. 
 
 The Canon de San Diego Grant, North east of the In- 
 dian village of Jemez, and embracing the well known 
 Jemez hot springs claimed by the Hon. Francisco Perea 
 and others, is a valuable tract of land watered by the Je- 
 mez river. In Bernalillo county is the town of Albuquer- 
 que and its ranches, which is located on the Rio Grande 
 and contains some of the best and most productive agri- 
 cultural lands in New Mexico. 
 
 There is also the Bernalillo property, a community grant 
 owned by Jose Leandro Perea and others, this is a good 
 fruit region. In this county there are also other grants 
 of character and value. 
 
 Colfax county, contains a fine body of land the three 
 towns of Elizabeth City, Cimarron City, and Rayado, 
 are in this county it is a good agricultural county and its 
 pastoral resources are considerable. Its mineral resources 
 have been partially developed, and resulted in the build- 
 ing of a fine town in the Moreno Valley. The Beaubien 
 and Miranda grant owned by The Maxwell Land Grant 
 Railway Company, and The Rayado Estate owned by our 
 enterprising citizen, Hon. Jesus G. Abreu, are located in 
 this county, 
 
 In Valencia county, the principal is the community 
 grant to the people of Belen. The tract contains about 
 150,000 acres, and has been surveyed. 
 
 In Mora county, I will mention the John Scolly or 
 Junta grant, now owned by William Kroenig, Samuel B. 
 Watrous, Tipton and others, being a body of excellent 
 and valuable land, much of it now well improved, situated 
 in the vicinity of Fort Union. 
 
--I7- 
 
 The Mora grant, a community grant northwest of the 
 La Junta estate. This tract contains a large flourishing 
 agricultural, stock growing and commercial community, 
 has been surveyed and contains more than 800,000 acres 
 of land. 
 
 "The United States Land and Improvement company" 
 own The Baca Location No. 4 in San Luis, Valley Colo- 
 rado ; and the Arrnendaris grants on the Rio Grande del 
 Norte, in Socorro county, New Mexico, which have been 
 surveyed ; and are described by the surveyor, as follows : 
 
 ARMENDARIS GRANT NO. 33 GENERAL 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 This Land Grant* owing to the location of its bound- 
 ary calls, is very irregular in shape, being long and nar- 
 row its length being some 50 miles in a generally north 
 and south direction, and its width about an average of 12 
 miles, mainly in an east and west direction. To give any 
 detailed description of such an extent of country would 
 occupy too much space for insertion here. One longest 
 side is mainly bounded by the Rio Grande River, and the 
 opposite one lies in the hills near the foot of the Rocky 
 Mountains, ^ ie Grant thus having the best possible shape 
 for containing the greatest amount of river-bottom land, 
 with sufficient upland for pasture for the settlers. Its 
 general location nny be said to be down in the immense 
 basin, which lies between two Ranges of the Rocky 
 Mountains, through which the Rio Grande flows. 
 
 The climate on this tract is one of the finest in the 
 world, being mild and equable all the year round and 
 not subject to storms or tempests of any kind, the ranges 
 of the White San Andres and Oscuro Mountains shutting 
 it in and protecting it from all changes and winds from 
 
 *The are-a -of grant is C'97.3?5.29S acre's. 
 
 
la- 
 the east with its immense open plains, and ths Magdalenav, 
 San Mateo, and Mimbres Mountains prevent any north- 
 westers or sudden changes from reaching it in force from 
 the West. 
 
 It is considered and has been proven that this portion 
 of New Mexico is the most salubrious and health-giving 
 in climate in America for invalids of all classes, but es- 
 pecially for those afflicted with consumption or other pul- 
 monary complaints, the published ratio of death of inva- 
 lids being only 3 per cent as against 4J per cent in Flo- 
 rida, the next most favorable locality, according to the 
 statistics in this regard. The survey of this Grant was 
 made in the month of November, and during the entire 
 time the surveyor was engaged in this and the adjoin-- 
 ing survey (being the whole of that month) he did not 
 experience any cold or otherwise disagreeable weather, 
 nor a single hour during any day that the sun did not 
 shine. The thermometrical observations at Fort McRae 
 and Craig, show a monthly and yearly mean approach- 
 ing that of the Madeira Islands. 
 
 The most rich and nutritious grasses abound in every 
 direction, there not being an aers ,of the Grant, moun- 
 tain or valley where fine grass is not found, and the sev- 
 eral species of the Grama grass nre.espeeially abundant. 
 This grass is self-curing and furnishes, winter and sum- 
 mer, a perfectly sure, reliable and simple food for all 
 varieties, and any quantity cf live stock., Almost any 
 part of the Grant may be said to be a hay meadow, from 
 which at any time when needed boundless, stores of hay 
 may be cut for such animals aa have to be confined at 
 home for domestic use. As already referred to in the 
 field notes the surveyor saw, in the Southern portion 
 of the grant, Mexicans cutting hay with the ; sickle which 
 they hauled to Fort McRae, a distance .of from 3 to 1* 
 
19 
 
 miles (as they moved their camp) and delivered to the 
 United States Quartermaster for a contract price of $8 50 
 per ton. A better comment on the facilities of this grant 
 for stock-raising could not be made. 
 
 The Rio Grande Valley, which forms one of the bound- 
 aries of this grant for almost its entire length, deserves 
 special notice. The River is one of the principal rivers 
 of America, and is of course the largest and most import- 
 ant in the Territory. Its soil is a rich sandy loam of the 
 finest quality, producing all varieties of grains, vegetables 
 and fruits. The vegetables grown here are of remark- 
 able size, some of the most common varieties being beets 
 of all kinds, including those beets adapted to sugar making, 
 onions averaging 2 Ibs each from the Seld, cabbages, cf 
 which one was seen at the Sutler store at Fort Craig 
 weighing 64 Ibs. Parsnips, turnips, carrots, Irish potatoes 
 sweet potatoes, pumpkins, squashes, beans, pear, water- 
 melons and nutmeg melons of a size and sweetness rarely 
 excelled ; some of the llanclwros having raised them of 
 50 Ibs weight. In fact, all kinds of vegetables grown- 
 in the United States are found here of sizes analogous 
 to those of California. Apples, pears, peaches, figs and 
 other fruits, also flourish on this tract, the apricot espec- 
 ially being of an unusual size and fine flavor. 
 
 The most valuable feature, however, of this valley is 
 its' capacity and adaptability for raising the Spanish grape 
 (some vineyards of which are found on the tract) which 
 must make the river the Rhine of America, with some, 
 day, an immense wine producing community. The wine 
 as at present made by the natives is sweet and red with 
 great body, and is of the nature of the sacrifrdial wine 
 used in the churches. 
 
 Cotton also can be grown here, of a good staple, and 
 it is not subject to frost. 
 
20 
 
 The water power is, of course, inexhaustible and aft 
 hand without cost. Mill sites are plenty where mills and 
 factories for grinding grain, manufacturing fabrics from 
 the wool of the countless sheep which even now roam 
 over the tract and from the cotton which can be raised, 
 for milling the gold, silver, lead and copper ores wnich 
 abound in the mountains in and adjacent to the grant, 
 or for any other purpose, can easily and profitably be 
 erected and supported. 
 
 The average width of the Rio Grande bottom is from 
 1 to 2 miles, but if it should at any time become neces- 
 sary to have more land under cultivation than that of the 
 bottoms, the second bottoms or benches are also compos- 
 ed of first rate soil, and of these about 150,000 acres can 
 easily and cheaply be put under cultivation by simply taking 
 out an acequia or irrigating ditch high enough up to water 
 them. A project for doing this at a point higher up on 
 the river is said to be already on foot. It is certainly 
 easy, simple and feasible, and will, no doubt, soon 
 be - done. 
 
 The Ojo del Muerto and site of the U. S. Military post 
 of Fort Me Rae in the southern portion of the grant is 
 also an important point, being the main pass from the 
 east to the west, lying between the Caballo and Fray 
 Cristobal Mountains, and must someday become one of 
 the greatest thoroughfares in southern Ne\v* Mexico. 
 
 A fine gravel bottom ford, with permanent banks, is 
 also found here on the river, which for 10 miles in a di- 
 rect line runs througji this portion of the Grant. 
 
 The famous hot springs del Caballo, or Ojos Calientes, 
 form one of the most remarkable as well os interesting, 
 and valuable features of the grant. They are situated 
 nb-out 5J miles southwest from Fort McRae near the Rio 
 Grande. They burst out from the foot of a Mesa, form 
 
21 
 
 some large natural bathing pools, and discharge into the 
 the river about J to f of a mile distant. They have a 
 temperature of about 136 Fahrenheit, and contain soda, 
 lime, magnesia, and many other chemical ingredients (a 
 full analysis never having been published) which have 
 bronght them in great repute for curing rheumatism and 
 all serofulous and cutaneous diseases. 
 
 The south east portion of the grant lying up on the 
 Jornada delMuerto, is a pasture of great extent and in- 
 exhaustible as regards fertility. It is dry at present, 
 (though covered with fine grass) but water can be easily 
 obtained by digging, as has been demonstrated by Jack 
 Martin who has obtained a fine w<ell of excellent water 
 about 9 miles south of the south boundary of the grant. 
 
 Near the Analla Spring on the eastern side of the grant 
 is an immense bed of gypsum about 10 miles in diameter, 
 where the natives and the government have been getting 
 considerable supplies for many years. This will be of 
 great value when railroad communication is established. 
 
 Mines of lead and silver abound, also iron, aud from 
 the Mai Pais to the San Pascual Mountain there is a 
 considerable deposit of bituminous coal of good quality, 
 which has been opened and" worked for several years near 
 its northern extremity, and the coal hauled to the Forts 
 for blacksmithing and fuel purposes. 
 
 Timber on the grant is plenty, both for present and 
 future use. Live oak, cedar of two varieties. Pine of 
 of 3 or 4 kinds ; pinon, maple, pecan and walnut with con- 
 siderable hackberry, mezquit,. manzanilla and tornillo, 
 were found on the lines. They were using walnut and 
 pecan for firewood at Fort McRae at the time the survey- 
 or passed. 
 
 Mines of gold have not yet been discovered on this 
 grant^ but as they have been found in the adjacent 
 
22 
 
 and Jicarilla Mountains, it is almost certain that a pros- 
 pecting tour and geological survey will discover them, as 
 well a3 many other valuable mineral deposits. 
 
 Building stone and limestone are found in various lo- 
 calities on the grant within convenient distance of the 
 river. 
 
 A species of the maguey plant grows in the Caballo 
 Monntains in the southern part of the grant, from which 
 a sweet wholesome and palatable food as well as drink is 
 made by the Mexicans and Indians, and large piles of the 
 refuse from such reduction were found in several places. 
 The food is called "Pulque" and the liquor "Mescal." 
 
 For crossing the Rio Grande there is a good ferry es- 
 tablished at Fort Craig, and fine natural roads for com- 
 munication to and fro are open in every direction. 
 
 There is one town (Parage,) of about 800 persons, on 
 the grant, and various squatters are beginning to dot the 
 valley with their intruding ranches, now that safety from 
 the wild Indians is experienced. 
 
 The principal mountains on this grant are the Fray 
 Cristobal and San Pascual. The Fray Cristobal is a re- 
 markable mountain, from the 4 fact of its receiving its name 
 and really resembling, in a remarkable manner, (when 
 seen from a distance, the profile of a human face (that of 
 a friar) and body, reposing on its back with face towards 
 the zenith. It is about thirteen miles long with a general 
 north and south trend, and from base to base some eight 
 to ten miles wide. Its sides are eloping on the east and 
 precipitous on the west. In it are also found silver mines 
 which have been worked years ago by parties unknown. 
 
 The San Pascual is of minor importance though it is 
 said to contain some good lead mines, as well as valuable 
 limestone and marble quarries. 
 
 In the San Andres Mountains adjoining the east boun- 
 
23 
 
 ftary are stoe copper mines, as appears from data in the 
 'U. S. Surveyor General's Office value or state of de- 
 velopment unknown. 
 
 In fine the productions of the temperate zone, border- 
 ing on the tropic are here intensified and increased by 
 protecting mountains, while the general climate is almost 
 perfect, the result of a fortunate combination of latitude 
 and altitude above the sea. 
 
 This grant is considered one of the most desirable spots 
 in the United States awaiting a population, where a good 
 living can be made with less labor and better average 
 health than elsewhere, while the situation, tertility and 
 extent of the grant will sustain within its boundaries a 
 population of half a million inhabitants. 
 
 ARMENDAfelS GRANT NO. 34 'GENERAL DE- 
 SCRIPTION. 
 
 This Private Land Claim* has something of a triangu- 
 lar form, and is nearly twice as long from north to south 
 as wide from east to west in its widest part which is at the 
 north. Having the Rio Grande del Norte for the entire 
 length of its eastern side and forming its eastern bounda- 
 ry and the ranges of the Magdalena and San Mateo 
 Mountains on the entire western boundary with their nu- 
 merous waters and shelters while the extensive plain be- 
 tween is covered winter and summer with the finest natu- 
 ral grasses and the bottoms of the Rio Grande averaging 
 from one to two miles in width for the entire length of the 
 grant with soil of superior quality and productiveness. 
 This property or domain may be said to have been super- 
 latively well selected by the ancient Spanish owners as a 
 stockraising, agricultural and manufacturing estate, since 
 it appears to possess in a remarkable degree every requi- 
 
 *00ntains 119,932.98 acres. 
 
24 
 
 site for these branches of profitable home industry. I- 
 found that about one-thirtieth part of the land on the riv- 
 er is now or has been under cultivation, producing all 
 grains, fruits and vegetables in great profusion and of ex- 
 traordinary size ; also a grape of fine quality from which 
 a superior wine is made of the nature and flavor of Bur- 
 gundy. 
 
 The range of the Canas Verales Hills situated in the 
 northern portion of the grant, possesses a considerable 
 number of good permanent springs of water and running 
 streams, some of which are the Canas Verales, the Coyo- 
 te, the Chupadero, the Chupadero Chiquito, the Nogales, 
 (Walnut Creek,) the Torreon, the Cienega, the Ranjel, 
 and various others mentioned by the guides as lying in the 
 interior of the grant and not seen by me. 
 
 Walnut, cedar, cottonwood, pecan, live oak, piiloru 
 hackberry, and pine timber abound in these hills and will 
 furnish for the future all the timber and firewood needed 
 by the settlers over the entire grant, These hills also 
 contain limestone and building stone in abundance ; and 
 coal also it is said has been found in them but never de- 
 veloped owing to the fine coal fields over on the opposite 
 side of the river. 
 
 The Magdalena Mountains, on the north west corner,., 
 contain great quantities of fine pine timber of large size. 
 
 Corn, watermelons still green, walnuts, pumpkins, 
 squashes,, onions and potatoes were all found at the Ca- 
 nas Verales on a small piece of land under cultivation, 
 there. The water of the Torreon is slightly warm. The 
 climate here at, this season is perfect, I not having expe- 
 rienced during the whole month of my stay in these parts- 
 a single cloudy or unpleasant day. It is mild and agree- 
 able and two crops per annum can be and are raised 
 the same ground in the bottoms of. the Rio Grande.. 
 
-23 
 
 The Rio Grande river along here is a large stream lin- 
 ed with fine bottoms and successively large groves of cot- 
 tonwood timber. It is crossed by ferry at the military 
 post though it is fordable in places at favorable seasons. 
 Its banks are low and irrigating ditches are easily and 1 
 cheaply taken out. 
 
 One town of about four hundred inhabitant is on the 
 grant and a few farms. Many irrigating ditches hava 
 been taken out and are still running. Two flouring mills 
 were seen and the water power is inexhaustable and could 
 be cheaply brought in. 
 
 The grass on the grant is mostly of the grama species 
 which is excellent and is self curing for winter making a 
 fine range for all classes of stock. Mexicans were seen 
 by me near the line, cutting hay with the sickle which 
 they delivered at Fort Craig some nine or twelve miles 
 distant at $S 50 per ton. 
 
 In the range of the Caiias Verales Hills towards their 
 southern extremity are several old shafts of silver and 
 lead mines, worked in former times- by parties unknown, 
 the ore from which promises well. There is also a silver 
 lode discovered lately by a party of Americans in. the 
 southwest part of the grant but its value is unknown. In 
 the valleys and canons coming down from the mountains, 
 gold washings have been found but not so far in paying, 
 quantities when near the water. 
 
 An immense bed of gypsum lies between the Rio 
 Grande and the Canas Verales Spring in the southern 
 portion of the grant which out-crops in many places. 
 
 The proportion of good agricultural land to that suit-- 
 able for grazing, and timber seems to be perfect in this 
 grant and it is capable of sustaining a very large manu?- 
 facturing and farming population. 
 
26 
 
 Lfncoln County contains an are of rich and very pro- 
 ductive "land susceptable of kigh cultivation and capable 
 of sustaining a large population. 
 
 In San Migul County is the town of Las Vegaa x with 
 its surrounding ranches, a flourishing town on the mail 
 route from the States, with an enterprising population; 
 die second city in the Territory. In this county is also 
 located landed property owned by The Consolidated Lend, 
 Cattle Raising and Wool Growing Company. They pos- 
 sess two grants which are described by the Surveyor's aa 
 follows : 
 
 BACA LOCATION NO. 2 
 
 lias an area of about 50,000 acres. The whole of this 
 tract of land with the exception of the northwest portion 
 is a beautiful fertile plain, well adapted for grazing pur- 
 poses. That portion immediately on the Rio Colorado 
 and tributaries, very rich and susceptible of cultivation. 
 Cottonwood timber on streams in abundance. 
 
 (Signed.) THOMAS MEANS, 
 
 Deputy Surveyor. 
 
 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PABLO 
 MONTOYA GRANT* TAKEN FROM THE 
 FIELD NOTES. 
 
 GENERAL FEATURES. 
 
 There are no mountains unless the Trinchera Range 
 \vhich only reaches an elevation of some 1500 feet above 
 the surrounding country , can be so called on this grant, 
 but its extent is agreeably diversified by open plains of 
 email extent and a great number of mesas or table-lands 
 of moderate size and of an almost uniform height of GOO 
 to 800 feet, of which the Mesa Rica (rich table land) 
 *Thisj*rant has an etrea of 655,408.07 acres. 
 
27 
 
 partly lying' within the grant in the west is the largest. 
 Rocky canons which in some cases fill the space between 
 these mesas, but generally benches or high valleys of from 
 20 chains to 3 miles in width' lie between them. 
 
 The northeast portion abounds in canons, rincons and 
 other natural places for sheltering stock. 
 
 Nutritious grasses of the grama-and buffalo classes mix - 
 with some other varieties abound in all directions and in 
 all the bottom lands of Red River and Las Conchas, the 
 "sacaton" a grass growing 6 feet high also abounds. 
 
 NATURAL PRODUCTIONS. 
 
 The natural productions of the prairies , mesas arid 
 valleys (apart from the natural grasses which are the 
 most valuable) are the same as those found in most other 
 portions of the Territory not mountainous, viz : wild flux, 
 wild oats, Indian potatos, wild onions, strawberries, mes- 
 cal, wild currant, china berries, wild grapes of a variety 
 attaining a considerable size and various other of 
 the fruit of the cactus amongst which is especially noted 
 the "Gucia" or "Datula" or Indian banana, which is 
 found in gfreat abundance in some places. 
 
 LAND. 
 
 There is more or less of irrigable land lying in the bot- 
 toms of Red River, but the greater portion of the cultiva- 
 ble land of the grant lies too high to be watered from the 
 river, rendering it necessary to procure artesian water if 
 the plains or high valleys are intended to be made produc- 
 tive for agriculture. Where the land has been cultivated 
 in the valleys the soil has proven itself to be of the most 
 superior quality. On the prairies it seem to be 2nd rate. 
 
 MINERALS. 
 The prevailing rocbis red and white sandstone in near- 
 
28 
 
 ly horizontal strata which in alternate layers in the sides- 
 of the mesas and isolated hills presents from a distance the 
 appearance of ribbons ; hence it is thought the Spanish 
 name of the "Rincon de la Cinta" or " Corner of the Rib- 
 bon" a point on the north boundary named in the grant. 
 
 Scoria, tufa, or volcanic rock, was noticed in some loc- 
 alities as also limestone ;n considerable quantities. So far 
 as observed the rocks present no fossil index or evidence of 
 mineral deposits except "yeso" a species of gypsum used 
 for whitewash, of which a good and extensive mine is 
 found in the "Mesa Huerfana." 
 
 Some evidence of a deposit of iron was found on the 
 northern boundary near the crossing of Red River. 
 
 TIMBER. 
 
 Red River is scantily fringed with cottonwood trees, a 
 few reaching a diameter of 2 to 3 feet feet and large groves 
 of small ones which are yearly destroyed by fires which 
 the tall grass in the bottoms furnishes with extra fierce- 
 
 O 
 
 ness and vigor. China trees also abound in the Valley 
 of Red River. This is a very hard and serviceable wood 
 though the trees ar not generally more than 3 to 8 inches 
 in diameter. Box elder also grows to a diameter of 10 
 inches in the bottoms. 
 
 Near Mule Spring is some excellent pine timber of 
 moderate thickness, and one or two good sites for saw 
 mills were noticed. Piiion trees which bear a very nutri- 
 tious and oily nut, and cedar trees with unusually large 
 berries abound in every portion of the grant, and to- 
 gether with the numerous groves of scrubby oak bushes 
 scattered through them, (producing a email sweet acorn 
 in considerable quantities) furnish a fine food for the 
 game. Oak of a diameter reaching 8 inches and hack- 
 berry (called "Manzanita" by natives) of 12 inches dia- 
 
meter are sometimes found in small quantities. Fire 
 wood is plenty. Timber for building purposes scarce, 
 but the place of the latter is abundantly supplied by the 
 natural quarries of hard sandstone which occur in every 
 direction and which give a building stone of admirable 
 quality for durability and ease of working. 
 
 WATER. 
 
 The Red River or Canadian Fork of the Arkansas runs 
 through this grant from N. W. to S. E. It is from 
 thirty to forty yards wide, a brisk permanent stream of 
 water which is always, muddy, except at extremely low 
 water, a good deal of which discoloring is due in sum- 
 mer to the mining in the Moreno valley some 300 miles 
 above. The banks are generally steep and difficult of 
 ascent and generally consist of rock on one side with a 
 small bo.ttom of low land on the other. This riyer fills 
 once or twice a year but is not subject to extensive or 
 damaging floods. Within the limits of the grant the 
 other water courses such as Hecate del Oso, Canon 
 Vigil', Arroyo Mestefio, Arroyo Alamosito, Arroyo 
 Zorra, Arroyo de las Majoneras, Arroyo de Antonio Hi- 
 lario, Canada Atarque, Right Fork of Arroyo Los 
 Carros, Arroyo Los Trozas, Arroyo Trinchera, and 
 Arroyo de la Cinta, are generally dry with the exception, 
 of periodical freshets, but have parmanent water stand- 
 ing in them in holes at irregular distances. To the 
 above arroyos, the Arroyo Trementina, Canon de la 
 Mula (left fork) and Rio de las Conchas are exceptions, 
 all containing good running water except the first, the 
 water in which is very highlv charged with alkali salts, 
 but is much relished by cattle. Some half a dozen 
 springs of good water are known to exist near the banks 
 
30 
 
 of Red River, and as many more near the bottoms of the 
 different mesas on each side. 
 
 GAME. 
 
 Red River and adjacent permanent streams abound in 
 catfish. Black and white tailed deer, antelope, bears, 
 wolves, coyotes, turkeys, prairie dogg and California lions, 
 with two or three species of lynx or wild cats are found in 
 all parts of the grant. And last winter and spring buf- 
 falo were seen in considerable quantities and many of them 
 killed by hunters and the adjacent settlers ! 
 
 This grant in its present state cannot be excelled as a 
 stock raising country, and was very appropriately select- 
 ed by the company who own it, for the object they have 
 in vievyy as it is well adapted to cattle, sheep <&c., and 
 would sustain hnndreds of thousands of cattle and millions 
 of s'\eep, and furnish happy homes for several thousand 
 families. 
 
 Surveyor General James K. Proudfit, a short time since 
 visited the foregoing described grant*?, and in his supple- 
 mental report to the Hon. Commissioner of the General 
 Land Office, dated Nov. 26th, 1872, he says : 
 
 "I have travelled to Fort Bascom on the Canadian 
 river near the Texan frontier, a round trip of about 350 
 miles, and to Fort Craig down the valley of the Rio 
 Grande, another journey of about the same extent. I 
 made these trips mainJy that I might learn something of 
 the characteristics of the district and its people from- 
 personal observation* Including the route from the Ter- 
 ritorial boundary near Trinidad, Colorado, to this city my 
 travels in the district amount to above 1000 miles. 
 
 I am satisfied .that this Territory deserves 'better and 
 more liberal treatment than it has ever received ; it appears 
 to be misrepresented, and generally friendless and for- 
 
Si- 
 lorn, but It has immense latent resources, I believe ii- 
 has more gold, silver and copper than Colorado or Ne- 
 vada, and there are also vast quantities of iron, lead, 
 coal and other minerals, together with plenty of good 
 timber. It has a most salubrious, mild and equable 
 climate, and cannot be excelled for graziug purposes. 
 All its fine valleys and almost endless plains are feed- 
 ing grounds, covered the year through with nutritious 
 native grasses, and stock does not require to be housed 
 at any time, the winters are so mild and stormless. Fruit, 
 especially grapes, together with vegetables and grain, 
 flourishes- in all the valleys and wherever the land can- 
 be irrigated." 
 
 INDIANS. 
 
 It has often become patent to every* person who is at 
 all acquainted with this Territory, that the greatest re- 
 tarding jnfiuenca to the development of this vast and 
 rich section of our country, has arisen from the hostility 
 of the Indians who, heretofore claimed the right to roam 
 over a large portion of it.! This, however, I am glad 
 to say is being corrected by the wise policy of the gov- 
 ernment by which the Indians are being placed on re- 
 servations, where it is proposed "to civilize, christianize, 
 and make,, them self-sustaining," and thus open for settle- 
 ment and development large tracts of very valuable public, 
 and other lands, which are held by grants. 
 
 PUEB&Q INDIANS. 
 
 Within the limits of New Mexico [there are 19 pueblos 
 (towns) entirely occupied by Indians who are civilized so 
 far as to maintain themselves. The population of these 
 towns number, as per census J,239 families, and 7,648 
 persons, of which number there are 2,084 under eighteen 
 
32 
 
 5*ears of age, Their grants or reserves contain, in all-, 
 434,864.15 acres. In regard to the time of the settle- 
 ment of these Indians, there is extant a royal decree in 
 Spain of the Emperor Charles V, dated at Cigales, March 
 21, 1551, containing the statement that, by an order 
 ef the Emperor, given in 1546, the prelates of New Spain 
 convened for the purpose, had resolved that the Indians 
 should be brought to settle, (reduced to pueblos,) and 
 that they should not live divided and separated by mount- 
 ains and hills, etc. Phillip II. in consequence of the 
 i-ntention of the Emperor Charles, published a statute on 
 the founding of settlements. Dr. M. Steck, who took 
 great interest in the Pueblo Indians says: * 'It was the 
 royal decree designed to protect the Pueblo Indians, and 
 to provide for the settlement of others at that time not 
 living in towns." 
 
 The question as to whether the Pueblo Indians were 
 found living in towns or thus settled by the early conquerors 
 is clearly settled by Cabcza dc Baca and Coronades, who 
 are the earliest authority upon the history of this country. 
 They found these Indians living in towns, many of which 
 were described by them as cities. At the time of the 
 first revolution against Spanish rule bj these 
 Indians, some of their towns were destroyed. Somo 
 of these were rebuilt upon new sites. These were tho 
 only 'towns whose settlements were made after the date 
 of the conquest. From Castanada's description in 1540 
 they were found living in towns, and in prosperous con- 
 dition ; and so far as the decree in question relates to 
 them, the object was to protect their rights from en- 
 croachment and imposition. 
 
 Previous to 1583 these Indians rebelled against the 
 Spanish Government, and drove from the country the 
 priests of the Roman Catholic Church, and we have 
 
33 
 
 'an account m Spanish of an expedition by Espejo in 
 -^hat year, in which a portion of the country was again 
 conquered and the Indians compelled to work in the 
 mines. 
 
 In 1680 the Pueblo Indians rebelled for the second 
 time against the Spaniards. "They had been whipped 
 and scourged because they would not 'bow and worship 
 the unknown God of the Spaniard, and, being compelled 
 to dig the precious metals from the bowels of the earth 
 to satisfy the avarice of their tyrants, they thirsted for 
 yengeance. "They drove the Spaniards and priests from 
 their country, and again established their own govern- 
 mant and religious "worship,," 
 
 On the 5th of November, 1631, Governor Oterman 
 unfurled his banner and marched with an army to conquer 
 New Mexico, in which he failed. 
 
 In 1692 the Spaniards succeeded in reconquering New 
 Mexico, and again took Santa Fe. I have in my office 
 three documents in Spanish which would make over a 
 hundred pages of printed matter, dated 1693 and 1694, 
 which gives a full account of the conquest of Santa Fe by 
 the Spaniards, and its reconquest by the Indians. 
 
 W. W. II. Davis, A. M., in his work entitled "The 
 Conquest of Mexico, says: "With the fall of that city 
 the pueblos in the vicinity, twelve in number, made sub- 
 mission, and were visited and taken possession of in the 
 name of the King of Spain. As was the custom in those 
 ^days with Spanish conquerors all over the world, as &ooa 
 as the Pueblos had been brought to military subjection 
 they were delivered over to the pious zeal of the priests 
 for the purpose of being reduced to spiritual obedience/ 
 
 From that period to the present great zeal has beeu 
 manifested by the Roman Catholic Church in New Mex- 
 ico, to induce these Indians to adopt the rites and cere- 
 
34 
 
 monies of that church, but Mr. John Ward, says : (See 
 his report in the report of the Commissioner of Indian Af- 
 fairs for 1864.) 
 
 "The Pueblos are all nominally Roman Catholics, and, as 
 far as can be discerned, appear to be sincere and earnestly 
 devoted to the rites of that church. Each ,to\Yn has its 
 church edifice, which is held in high respect. The peo- 
 ple esteem and obey their priests. They generally mar- 
 ry, baptize, and bury according to the rules of that 
 sect. The holy days are generally attended to. Each 
 has its patron saint, whose name the pueblo bears, (witL. 
 few exceptions,) and whose aniversary is never neglect- 
 ed. On that day a great feast takes place, and after 
 the ceremonies pertaining to the church are over, which 
 occupy the first part of the day, amusements of all kinds 
 are universally resorted to; such as foot-racing, horse- 
 racing, cock-fighting, gambling, dancing, eating and 
 drinking, with the Vi usual accompaniments. On such oc- 
 casions liberality, is an especial virtue, and no pains 
 are spared to make everybody welcome. Some of the 
 Pueblos are noted for these feasts, and great numbers 
 from distant parts of the country flock thitherto enjoy the 
 amusements and share their hospitalities." He also says r. 
 
 "Independent, of the foregoing, however, there is every 
 reason to believe that the Pueblos still adhere to their 
 native, belief and and ancient rifces. That most of them 
 have faith in Montezuma is beyond a doubt, but in 
 what Jight.it is difficult to say, as they seldom or never 
 speak of him, and avoid conversations on the subject- 
 Like other people, they do not like to be questioned 
 on subjects, which they believe to concern no one 
 but themselves." It is stated by some that the 
 Montezuma of the Pueblo Indians is not the Montezuma 
 of the conquest, but an agent of the Spanish govern- 
 
35 
 
 raent, chosen to- protect the rights and interests of the 
 Pueblos. Be this as it may, one thing is certain : that 
 this view of the subject differs entirely from that of the 
 Indians. They believe to this day that Montezuma 
 originated in New Mexico, and some go so far as to de- 
 signate his birth-place. In this they differ, however, some 
 affirming that he was bom at the old pueblo of Pecos, 
 and others that his birth-place was an old pueblo locat- 
 ed near Ojo Caliente, the ruins of which are still to be 
 seen. It is supposed that Montezuma was not the ori- 
 ginal name of this demigod, but one bestowed on him 
 after he had proved the divinity of his mission. A docu- 
 ment is now extant purporting to be copied from one of 
 the legends at the capitol of Mexico, in which it is stated 
 that Montezuma was born in "Teguayo," one of the an- 
 cient pueblos of New Mexico, in the yeor 1538. This 
 account makes him out more of a prophet than anything 
 else, He foretold events that actually came to pass, and 
 it is related of him that he performed many wonderful 
 things." From all I have been- able to4earn I am fully 
 convinced that the Monteruma who was held in such rev- 
 erence by the- pueblo Indians of New Mexico and Arizo- 
 na, was a descendant of the Montezumas, (Kings of Mex- 
 ico,) and who was looked upon both as a king and priest, 
 subordinate only to "the Great Spirit," whom they believe 
 to be represented by "the Sun, the great orb of day, and 
 the representative of light and heat." Hence they kept 
 burning upon their altars in their estitfas (places of wor- 
 ship) fire, the earthly representative of that light^and heat 
 imparted by the sun, and I have reason to believe that to 
 this day these edifices are used for this purpose. 
 
 During- the past few years, I have visited most of the 
 pneblos (Indian towns) now extant, and also the ruins of 
 others which have been abandone-1. Lieutenant Thomas 
 
36 
 
 V. Reams, Mr. W. Pell, and my son William E. Amy 
 in 1870, visited west of the Rio Grande, the ruins of some 
 of these towns now totally uninhabited, but which indi- 
 cate that in former years they were occupied by a large, 
 industrious population, who, in intelligence, must have 
 been far in advance of the present Indians of that coun- 
 try. The most interesting of these abandoned pueblos 
 that I have seen is the "Pecos Pueblo" located twenty- 
 live miles east of Santa Fe. The ruins indicate that in 
 former days this pueblo was in the possession of a numer- 
 ous and powerful race of people. 
 
 Mr, Davis, in his work, " Conquest of Mexico/' in 
 writing of "the Pecos Pueblo," says : "Many curious 
 cases are related of the superstitions customs of the 
 Pueblos, among which is the following told of the 
 Pecos Indians : 'It is said that Montezuma kindled a 
 sacred fire in the 'Estufa' of that pueblo, and commanded 
 that it should be kept burning uutil he came back to del- 
 iver them from the Spaniards. He was expected to ap- 
 pear with the rising sun, and every morning the Indians 
 ascended to the tops oi the houses and strained their eyes 
 looking to the east for the appearance of their dcliveret 
 and king. The task of watching the sacred fire was as- 
 signed to the warriors, who served by turns for a period 
 of two days and two nights without eating or drinking, 
 and some say that they remained upon duty until death 
 or exhaustion relieved them. The remains of those who 
 died from the effects of watching fire said to have been 
 carried to the den of a great serpent, which appears to 
 have lived npon such delicacies. The tradition that the 
 sacred fire was kept burning until the village was aban- 
 doned, is generally believed by both Indians and Mexi- 
 cans, but their deliverer never came and when the fire 
 went out, from what cause is cot known, the survivors of 
 
37 
 
 the Pecos found new homea west of the Rio Grande. 1 ' 
 During the period that I was acting governor of New 
 Mexico in 1863, I was visited at Santa Feon several oc- 
 casions by a venerable Pueblo Indian who, from the data 
 he gave me, was supposed to be about ninety years of age. 
 He was a Pecos Pueblo Indian, at that time living west 
 of the Rio Grande. He corroborated (from tradition) 
 the statements made in the extract from the " Conquest 
 of Mexico" except that his version was that twelve virgin 
 daughters of the head men of the town were selected 
 annually, whose duty it was to keep the fire burning 
 that the virgins fell asleep, and the fire went out that 
 these virgins were degraded by the Indians, and the town 
 deserted, believing as they did, that the loss of the fire 
 indicated the displeasure of Montezuma, so far as that 
 pueblo was concerned. He condescended to inform me 
 that all the Pueblos now in secret perform rites and cere^ 
 monies, looking still for the return of Montezuma. This- 
 is corroborated by the much lamented General Kit Car^ 
 son, who is the only person I know of, who has been- 
 permitted to enter their ESTUFAS, and witnessed on one 
 occassion their worship, which was a dance in the estufa 
 around|tfte "altar of fire." Last summer I' visited some of 
 the Pueblos at. the time of their great feasts, but was not 
 permitted to enter (He estufa. The outside worship was 
 a blending of the Roman Catholic ceremonies with some 
 of their own heathen rites, the principal of which was 
 "THE CACAINA," a dance, at which time they make offer- 
 ings of flour, corn and other articles. On the occasion 
 of their great feasts I noticed that in the morning at sun- 
 rise they were on the house tops with their faces turned 
 towards the rising sun. 
 
 JJaeh village contains an estufa, partially built under 
 ground, and so inclosed that it cannot be entered 
 
38 
 
 the consent of those in charge. It is constructed of 
 "adobes" (sun-dried brick,) and the entrance is from the 
 roof to which they ascend by a ladder. The towns are 
 built of the same material, and there is evidence in docu- 
 ments on file in the office of the Secretary of the Territo- 
 ry that some of the buildings were erected nearly two 
 hundred years ago. Many of the houses are from two to 
 five stories in height, and are entered by ladders reaching 
 to the roof, from whence admission is effected by a kind 
 of a trap-tioor to the interior this mode of entrance -was 
 evidently adopted for defence and protection from hostile 
 Indians. 
 
 Each town has a separate organized government of its 
 own, but all are nearly the same, as most of them adhere 
 to ancient customs and laws. The officers consist of a 
 governor, lieutenant governor, Cacique war captain and 
 his lieutenant, a constable, and a superintendent of 
 (asceques) ditches for irrigation. The governor, and I 
 believe, other officers, are elected annually. The caci- 
 que holds his office for life. 
 
 It cannot be denied that these Indians are deserving of 
 the fostering care of the Government. For more than 
 two hundred years it is known that they have maintained 
 themselves and sought to live in peace with all mankind, 
 and that, owing to the cupidity and avarice of those who 
 claimed to be more civilized, they are to-day in no better 
 condition than they were at the time of the discovery and 
 conquest of Mexico. 
 
 It has been considered a difficult problem what is the 
 proper disposition to be made of these Pueblo Indians? 
 The proper question is, what shall be done with them? 
 They are in the midst of and surrounded by our popula- 
 tion, without any authority to mingle in our political af- 
 fairs. These people have never received aid from the 
 
39 
 
 Government, they have always been self-sustaining, and 
 are a living evidence that Indians can sustain themselves, 
 m spite of oppression and frequent raids against them. 
 They, however, must necessarily have, and are entitled 
 to, the same protection that i,s afforded to the most favor- 
 ed. It is a, well known fact that they own portions of the 
 richest valley lands in the Territory, and that unless they 
 are protected by the Government from land sharks, they 
 will in a few years become dependent paupers and it is 
 inevitable that they must be slaves (dependents) or 
 equals. 
 
 The voluntary efforts they have made for the protec- 
 tion of our frontier citizens against the savage Indians, 
 their manifest willingness to sustain the Government of 
 the United States, and their constantly expressed desire 
 to make available all the means in their power for the im- 
 provement of their moral and political condition demand 
 that the United States Government should do something 
 for them so as to qualify them for citizenship. This can 
 only be done by a system of industrial education, which 
 can be established and carried out at a comparatively small 
 expense to the Government, and which would finally be 
 of incalculable benefit to our citizens, to the Indians, and 
 a great economy to the Government. 
 
 Were Congress to appropriate twenty thousand dollars 
 lor the first year, and ten thousand dollars per annum for 
 four succeeding years, to be expended under the direction 
 of the Secretary of the Interior in the establishment of 
 an industrial normal school, with a woolen factory, and a 
 nurseryin which to rear all kiuds of fruit trees, and place 
 in that school all the orphan children of the Pueblos, and 
 some of the orphan children of the different savage tribes, 
 there to educate and qualify them, or the most intelligent 
 of them, as teachers, so that they can keep schools in the 
 
40 
 
 pueblos and on the various reservations where the savage- 
 Indians are placed, lam satisfied that, with an appropri- 
 ation of sixty thousand dollars to be thus expended du- 
 ring the next five years, at the end of that period such an 
 institution would be self-sustaining, and that, after a few 
 years, twenty or thirty competent teachers could be sup- 
 plied from the institution annually. In these schools in. 
 my opinion, no religious denominational opinions should 
 be taught. Teach our Indians to read and write, and let 
 them learn their religion from books and missionaries sup- 
 ported by the church. 
 
 The Pueblos are industrious, and produce all the neces- 
 saries of life. The lands they possess are amply suffi- 
 cient for their maintenance, they, therefore need only as- 
 sistance in the way of education and agricultural aad me- 
 chanical implements to aid them. They are in every way 
 qualified to receive and profit by the judicious expenditure 
 of a few thousand dollars. 
 
 They can thus be elevated and made an instrument to 
 civilize the savage Indians and add to the material wealth 
 of the country, and be ultimately fitted to enjoy and har- 
 monize with the political and civil institutions of our land. 
 
 There are probably nearly thirty thousand wild Indians 
 who roam over a large portion of the vast extent of coun- 
 try comprising the Territories of Colorado, New Mexico 
 and Arizona. In 1540 the Emperor of Spain began an, 
 effort to conquer these Indians and to settle them in towns 
 as wjere the Pueblos. At that period history develops 
 the fact that there were two. classes of Indians first, 
 those who lived in towns, and secondly, those who roam- 
 ed over the country without any fixed place of abode, anu 
 history from that period to the present day shows that 
 Spain, Mexico and the United States have all failed in, 
 efforts to conquer by torce of arms thfis$ Indians ~ 
 
41 
 
 Three years ago these Indians were no more civilized, 
 christianized, and settled than they were at that period, 
 as described by Castanadas. The aggressive policy has 
 been pursued from the day of Don Juan (Dilate, in the 
 year 1595. It is now, however, hoped that the wise In-, 
 dian policy of President Grant, which is placing them otVi 
 reservations will make them peaceful citizens, and a bles- 
 ging to themselves and this country. 
 
 The Indians and theip invaders have mutually plunder- 
 ed each other, and each, has reaped the bitter fruits of this- 
 barbarous policy, a policy which, in my opinion and ex- 
 perience, wilj ever render the lives and property of our 
 citizens insecure. Millions of dollars have been expended 
 in fruitless. expeditions .tp conquer them, while one-half of 
 which, if it had been expended in feeding, clothing, and. 
 establishing schools and treating the Indians with kindness,, 
 and cultivating peaca with them, on the Christian plan, 
 w,ould have accomplished the desired object. 
 
 Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona are pastoral 
 countries unsurpased in the United States for the rearing 
 of stock, with but little expense and in great abundance; 
 the climate the nature of the country, and abundance of 
 nutritious grasses throughout th,e year fits this country, 
 peculiarly for the rearing of sheep and cattle, with no 
 expense but that of a few herders to look after them, as 
 they are never fed or housed at any, season of the year. 
 But unfortunately for the prosperity of the settlers, the 
 numerous bands of Indians who heretofore roamed over 
 this country have not until lately been collected together, 
 nor subjected to the restraints of civilized life, tjaving 
 been trained from generation to generation to steal and 
 plunder whenever necessity required them to do so, it is 
 not strange or wonderful that many outrages have been 
 Committed and much valuable property plundered from 
 
42 
 
 die people annually, nor is it strange that the people 
 should ask earnestly and often, "Is this never to cease, 
 and themnocent and helpless sufferers be protected in 
 their lives, homes, and property?" 
 
 In 1846,. when General Kearney took possession of 
 New Mexico, he promised to the people on the part of 
 the United States protection from the depredations of 
 these Indians. This promise was again made by the 
 United States Government in 1848, by the treaty of 
 Guadalupe Hidalgo. The law of reason and common 
 sense teaches us that when the people surrender to the 
 'Government their allegiance, and in all things conform to 
 the' mandates of the supreme law, that protection of life 
 and property is obligatory upon the Government in the 
 fullest degree, for without it the ends of Government are 
 not attained. It is the duty, and interest of a nation not 
 only to make itself great and powerful, but also to make 
 itself beloved ; and the rendition of speedy justice to the 
 njured and oppressed is the strongest and most enduring 
 tie of affection between the people and the nation. 
 
 The past policy of the Governments of Spain, Mexico, 
 and the United States in regard to these Indians has evi- 
 dently been a wrong one. It has cost millions of dollars 
 in military armaments and other war expenses ; millions 
 jnore in the loss of property by the depredations of these 
 Indians and thousands of lives, and till lately protection 
 has not been assured to the settlers and miners, so that 
 1 this vast and rich country can have its great resources de- 
 veloped. 
 
 It is not necessary for me to dilate upon this subject, 
 for when the present administration came into power this 
 iact was recognized by it, and another method of dealing 
 with the Indian question to a great extent was adopted, 
 and no one can doubt that the object of the administration 
 
43 
 
 N with all the past history of Indian -affairs before it, in as* 
 suming the policy it has done, intended to inaugurate *t: 
 system of treating the Indians which to it seemed best 
 calculated to promote the interests of these savage people, 
 as well as protect the rights of the citizens of the country. 
 This policy is undoubtedly the peace policy, and is in 
 accordance with the noble words of General Grant when 
 informed of his nomination to the Presidency. They 
 were "LET us HAVE PEACE." Not peace alone among 
 ourselves as citizens of the United States, but peace eve- 
 rywhere within our borders, with the red man as well as 
 the white. Taking up the matter as to Indians in this 
 light 1 , as we understand the Indian policy of the Adminis- 
 tration; it is that of benevolent humanly, and not deroga- 
 tory to Christianitv or the spirit of the age in which we 
 line. To perform its engagements with the Indians aa 
 far as possible, in strict compliance with treaty stipulations 
 where treaties have been made, to be just towards the In- 
 dians in all respects, treat them with kindness and "feed 
 them rather than fight them," and place them in a position 
 on reservations where they can have schools and be taught 
 industrial pursuits, and thus make them self-sustaining, 
 and see whether in the end such a policy will not be more 
 conducive to the future good of both the country and the 
 
 'Indians. 
 
 <I understand that it is riot the intention of the Govern- 
 ment to w r ar upon all Indians because some of them do 
 wrong; that it will punish individual Indians, bands, and 
 tribes that are hostile, while there will be discrimination 
 between the innocent and the guilty. But indiscriminate 
 slaughter of the Indians, we believe, is not the programme 
 of the Administration; but to extend the benevolent hand 
 of Christian charity, and thus winning them closer and 
 closer to the acknowledgment of that great power under 
 
44 
 
 which they live, and to which they must be in subjection,. 
 This being the policy of the government, it becomes nec- 
 essary to obtain efficient agents, men of experience, and, 
 :f possible, married men, who will take their wives and 
 iiimilies to the agencies with- them, and who should be ap- 
 pointed for life or good behavior, and, if possible, men 
 who have had long experience with, and who have the 
 confidence of the Indinns. 
 
 From a long-continued residence among, or in the im- 
 mediate vicinity of the Indians of the Rocky mountains, 
 and from a personal observation of their manners, habits 
 and customs, acquired both in private life and during the 
 transactions of official business as agent of the Federal 
 Government, I feel justified in urging the views of the 
 Indian peace commissioners, in -regard to the disposition, 
 of the Navajoes, Apaches, and Utahs, of New Mexico, as 
 also the aid necessary for the Pueblos ; the establishment^ 
 of an industrial normal school, as proposed for the quali- 
 fication of teachers for all Indians, and, as recommended, 
 by the Friends, the establishment of "a sufficient number 
 of industrial schools on each reservation to accomodate all 
 the children of bdth sexes, who are of sufficient age to 
 attend them, in which, besides school .education some will 
 be taught to be farmers, carpenters, blacksmiths, millers, 
 both grinding and sawing, <&c., and the girls instructed in 
 all kinds of household duties , to sew K use the sewing 
 machine, spin, knit, weave, &c.," will do more "to civi- 
 lize, christianize, and make self-sustaining" the Indians 
 than five times the amount of money expended in any 
 other way. 
 
 My experieace, which, is confirmed by that of my old 
 colaborer General Kit Carson has convinced me of a firm, 
 yet just, government of these Indians, which should be 
 consistent and unchangeable ; the Indian judging only by 
 
-45 
 
 the effect of that which appeals to his senses, as brought 
 directly before his observation, regards with contempt a 
 Weak and indecisive policy, as the result of hesitation and 
 cowardice, while a capricious one his apprehension and 
 distrust. Hence if* it were decided to compel the Indian 
 to submission by -military power, the force should be ade- 
 quate "to the accomplishment of that end, and would re- 
 quire an army and involve an expense of millions of dol- 
 lars to conquer the Indians of New Mexico and Arizona. 
 Believing, as I do, that it is cheaper and far more hu- 
 mane "to feed than to fight the Indians," I urge, as the 
 correct plan, to feed them largely, generously, and there 
 will be no trouble ; this is better than to have them raid- 
 ing upon settlers, destroying property, running off stock, 
 robbing mails, scalping our miners, and preventing the 
 development of the. resources of the country. We must 
 feed and clothe them before we can properly civilize and 
 christianize them. And to do this they must be placed 
 upon reservations, under the control of persons in wh'o?n 
 they have confidence, and who have the experience and 
 ability to direct their labor and instruction. 
 
 STOCK-RAISING IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 For the profitable raising of horses, mules, cattle, 
 goats and sheep, and on the most extensive scale, no por- 
 tion of the world can rival this district. Its mild climate 
 presents no rigors, while its mountain slopes, valleys, 
 and plains are unlimited extents of pasturage. The 
 grasses of the plains and mountain slopes are not the 
 least of nature's wonders. The "grama 5 ' and "mezquite" 
 varieties have a peculiar tenacity to life, and survive a sue- 
 cession of dry seasons, and, when apparently dead, a 
 few showers will bring them out in full freshness ; inde'ed, 
 
46 
 
 it "3-said they change from a single shower. These grasses 
 are, sweet and nutritious, dry or green, and cattle thrive 
 upon them and fatten. They cure> in the dry season in 
 the stalks, making a natural hay. 
 
 SHEEP. 
 
 About the, year 1540, over three hundred and thirty 
 years ago, a small lot of Spanish Merino sheep were in- 
 troduced into this country from Spain, and from this im- 
 portation the present sheep owned by our Mexican citizens 
 and the Pueblo and Navajo Indians, were derived. Ow- 
 ing to the constant " breeding in" without much change 
 in the stock, or attempts at improvement, these sheep 
 have degenerated and decreased in size and quality of wool 
 yet in various respects the mutton and wool of New Mex- 
 ico is better than that of the States ; this arises from the 
 fact that the climate and grasses are adapted to this class 
 of animals, and it shows the advantage of this country 
 over other portions of our land for the rearing of this 
 kind of stock. At the commencement of the rebellion, 
 I found, that in this,country, sheep owners were raising 
 their stock: not for the wool, but for the meat which 
 was of better flavor and more nutritious than the mutton 
 of the States. The wool was allowed to go to waste 
 and be dragged off the sheep's back while passing through 
 the brnsh* I was offered the wool of whole flocks of 
 sheep fort nothing if I would shear them. 
 
 About; this same time much complaint was made, in 
 regard to the shoddy clothing furnished to the brave de- 
 fenders of our glorious Union. I felt we Jiad the means 
 to supply the soldiers -with warm and substantial clothing 
 and good blankets, and in order to call attention to it, I 
 procurred a handsome Navajo blanket, made of the native 
 wool of. this country,. and presented it to the lady of the 
 
47 
 
 president's mansion, the wife of our much lamented mar- 
 tyred President Lincoln. I also took to the agricultural 
 department in Washington, various samples of woo! 
 which are in the cabinet of the department sewed on cards r 
 and which show the quality of the wool our sheep pro- 
 duce, without any attention to their improvement, or care 
 in their rearing. The result of this display was a de- 
 mand for our Mexican wool, which proved to be a better 
 quality of "combing wool," than could be found in the 
 States, and a gradual increase of the price of our wool 
 from nothing up fo twenty and thirty cents per pound. 
 This encouraged a number of our sheep raisers to endeav- 
 or to improve their stock, among whom was our enterpri- 
 sing fellow citizen, Lucien B. Maxwell, then of Cimar- 
 ron. He had brought from the States good fine Merino 
 bucks, and did all he could to improve his sheep ; his at- 
 tention at that time was called more to the improvement 
 of the wool than the quality and quantity of the meat. 
 Afterwards when Messrs. P. R. ;Skinner & Co. brought 
 between forty, and fifty Cotswold bucks to our Territory, 
 Maxwell did all h^ could to encourage them in : their enter- 
 prise believing it to be, of benefit not only to his stock, 
 but also that it would result in the improvement of all the 
 sheep of this country. 
 
 Two years ago they commencecLthe trial of an experi- 
 ment in crossing the full blood Cotswold buck with the 
 
 O * 
 
 native Mexican ewe. They brought from Connecticut 
 about fifty full blood Cotswold bucks, bred from imported 
 sheep by one of the most reliable and popular breeders of 
 fine, pure blood sheep in the. United States. Messrs. 
 Skinner & Co. obtained about 3,000 Mexican ewes and 
 located in the north east portion of New Mexico, in Col- 
 fax county, on Dry Cimarron. The lambs were much 
 larger and finer than their most sanguine expectations, 
 
48 
 
 and exhibit to a much greater degree, 'the leading and de- 
 sirable characteristics of the Cotar/old sheep, than was 
 expected ; gome of fhe lambs weighed at six hours old 
 from twelve to fifteen pounds each, ancr*at seven days old 
 from twenty to twenty-five pounds each ; at two months 
 old many of them are larger and heavier than their moth- 
 ers, and promise so far as can now be judged an average 
 fleece of five pounds of wool but little inferior in quality 
 'to the pure Cotswolds. The pure blooded bucks average 
 eleven pounds of wool per fleece, and the Mexican ewes 
 from one and a half to two pounds. The introduction of 
 Cotswold and other varieties of long or combing wool 
 eheep in the United States took place not very many 
 year8 ago, and its progress has been comparatively slow 
 consequently very few wool growers have learned as yet 
 their superiority for wool and mutton. In the New Eng- 
 land states, in New York. Pennsylvania and Ohio, it has 
 repeatedly been demonstrated that the Cotswold with an 
 average fleece of "ten or eleven pounds crossed with the 
 native or common ewes, with an average fleece of four 
 pounds, produces a sheep whose fleece will average nine 
 pounds', in quality very little inferior to the Cotswold. 
 
 Early in the seventeenth century the long-legged Afri- 
 can or Guinea sheep were introduced into Europe by the 
 Dutch, and distributed among the Islands near the Tex- 
 el and in Gronigen and Friesland where they were crossed 
 with the common sheep of the country producing the 
 animal known there at the present time as the "Texel" 
 or "Mouton Flandrin" breed of sheep. At the period 
 of the introduction of this breed of sheep in Europe 
 some highly exagerated accounts of them were given 
 says Youatt, by the writers of the time. 
 
 Corneille states that "they produced lambs twice in 
 the year; (this is not improbable, as tire sheep belong- 
 
49 
 
 ing to the Navajo Indians of New Mexico do,) ami 
 usually three lambs at a time, sometimes four and five 
 nml occasionally seven at one yeaning." This, continues 
 Youatt, is quite incredible, arid Corneille himself ac- 
 knowledges that it was " only on their first arrival from 
 the east that they were thus prolific, but they were, 
 and still are justly valued for their size, beauty of form 
 and abundant produce of long and fine wool, milk and 
 lambs. 
 
 The Texel sheep have not been extensively introduced 
 into the United States. American sheep breeders gen- 
 erally preferring to import the well-known and well-tried 
 British breeds of mutton sheep ; it has however been 
 stated that the late Col. Jacques of the ten hills farm of 
 Somerville, Massachusetts, imported sheep from the 
 Netherlands in 1823, and the Massachussetts Agricult- 
 ural Repository and Journal, records the importation 
 of some sheep from the same source, by the late Col. 
 Thomas H. Perkins, of Brooklyn, Massachusetts, in 
 1824. They were called the long wooled sheep of the 
 Netherlands. It is not known whether these sheep- 
 were of the true Texel breed, nor is it probable that 
 pure blooded animals descended from that importation 
 are now in existence. 
 
 An importation of a small flock of Texel sheep was 
 made by Winthrop W. Chinery, Esq.-, of Belmont Mass, 
 in the spring of 1863. They were procured in Fries- 
 land near the Texel, and shipped at Rotterdam, Holland, 
 for the port of Boston, Mass. The importation consisted 
 of one buck and seven ewes when put on board the ship, 
 but on their arrival at Boston, after a ve'yage of eighty- 
 one days, the flock was found to have increased to "seven- 
 teen animate, nine lambs having been produced 'o'n 'fhe 
 passage affording strong corroborrative evidence ef the 
 
So- 
 good qualities of the ewes as nurses and also of the 
 hardiness, of the breed. The live weight of the buck of 
 this importation in good condition was over two hundred 
 pounds and the ewes varied in weight from one hundred 
 and forty-five to one hundred and seventy-five pounds 
 each. Their fleeces averaged over ten pounds each and, 
 their wool is considered by manufacturers superior either 
 to the Cots wold or Leicester. 
 
 COTSWOLD SHEEP. 
 
 In the report of the United States Commissioner of 
 Agriculture page 340, I find the following, which I 
 believe of sufficient importance to our sheep raisers to- 
 transcribe here : 
 
 "The maple shade flock of Cotswold sheep imported 
 and owned by Mr. John D. Wing of New York'con- 
 
 sists of selected animals of the best flocks of thorough 
 
 & 
 
 bred sheep, many of them, being secured by Mr. Wing' 
 personally while in England, they are strictly pure with- 
 out a crost?, and every shsep has a reiiahle pedigree. 
 JSlost of them were bred by William Lane of Broadfield 
 his name standing at^the head of the breeders in the Cots- 
 wold hills. * * * * 
 
 These sheep are known for their heavy and valuable 
 fteece, their mutton, proportions and strong constitution. 
 The wool is very long, with bright lustre, known as comb- 
 ing wool in our markets, being the most desirable and 
 highest priced of any. It, averages over twelve inches in 
 length, sometimes as long as eighteen inches, and the 
 fleeces weigh from ten to fifteen pounds each, some bucks" 
 fleeces as high as sixteen or eighteen pounds. Mr. Wini; 
 says his flock averages twelve pounds. They are highly 
 valued for mutton , when fattened they grow to a very 
 large weight,, in, some cases, attaining three hundred and 
 
fifty pounds. They are very hardy and capable of enduring 
 much exposure. The sheep from this flock have carried 
 off the highest honors, and the prize ram < 'golden fleece" 
 was shown at Auburn fair of the New York state sheep 
 breeder and wool growers association in May, 1867, when 
 he took the first prize in the class and also the sweep-stake 
 prize, he sheared on this occasion, nineteen pounds four 
 and a half ounces of wooh H'e was purchased in Eng- 
 land for 230 guineas, (over 1200 dollars), and claimed 
 to be the highest priced Cotswold sheep ever-sold. Profes- 
 sor J. 11. Dodge, of the agricultural department, Wash- 
 ington City, very aptly says : "Profit is the golden beacon 
 which guides th farmer's course. Like other men he is 
 propelled by the pecuniary motive with the power of the 
 locomotive, and to direct him in a certain course, it is only 
 necessary to show that it will prove remunerative." I 
 propose to quote some of his facts to show how remu- 
 nerative the growing of combing wool and rearing of Cots- 
 wold sheep is, 
 
 LONG WOOL ETC. 
 
 Professor J. R. Dodges in the U. S. Agricultural re- 
 port for 1866, says, those who decry long wool, should 
 remember that long wool has been quite as rife and rapid 
 during the past generation in those breeds, as in the pam- 
 pered Merino. If a comparison be made, let it be be _ 
 tween immense numbers, and not between isolated indi- 
 viduals. The sheep of this country mainly of Merino 
 blood average fleeces of five and a half pounds ; those of 
 (j'reat Britain mostly long and middle wools average fro-m 
 four to five pounds, according to Wilson, while others 
 nrake n. higher estimate. After allowing for extra weight 
 of the latter, it will readily be seen that the boasted su- 
 periority of the Merino in proportion of wool to the live 
 
52 
 
 weight of the animal, is more mythical than real. "Whole 
 flocks of improved Cotswold sheep yield eight pounds each, 
 and the tendency of recent English improvements is still 
 to heavier weights. Large fleeces of all breeds are oc- 
 casionally noted in this country as well as England, a few 
 cases will suffice as evidence. At Auburn, New York, 
 fair May, 10th, 1867, the Cotswold ram, "golden fleece," 
 two years old owned by Mr. John D. Wing sheared nine- 
 teen pounds four and a half ounces, 383. days from the 
 previous shearing. The growth of twelve months would 
 therefore be eighteen .pounds and five and a half ounces. 
 The length of the wool was nine and a quarter inches. 
 A rarn of the same flock sheared eighteen pounds and 
 nine ounces, fourteen inches in length. Other specimens 
 forwarded to Dr. Randall to be used by the committee au- 
 thorized by the Secretary of the Treasury for the selec- 
 tion of tariff samples, represent fleeces scarcely less in 
 weight. One fleece of a ram teg thirteen months old. 
 bred by L. Converse, Bucyrus, Ohio, length ten and 
 three quarter inches, weighed ten and a half pounds. A 
 fleece of a Lincoln ram two \ears old, owned by Hon. 
 Samuel Campbell and R. Gibbon, New York, Mills, 
 Oneida county, New York, weighed seventeen and three 
 quarter pounds, another washed fleece from the same flock 
 fifteen and three quarter pounds, last year eighteen 
 pounds. The wool of these fleeces was ten and a half 
 inches in length, of the kind known as luster wool, in 
 great demand for ladies' fabrics and 'bringing high prices. 
 Beautiful samples of this wool, (says Professor Dodge,) 
 very lustrous a-nd fine, and about eleven -inches long, are 
 now before me as I write with a 'note from the owners 
 .eisuisakg -eleven pounds five ounce as the average weight 
 of tSaek eeeee, and fifteen and three-fourths pounds, and 
 seventeen ad tk/eenfoiirths pounds respectively for fleeces 
 
53 
 
 of their rams ; one ram weighs three hundred pounds 
 ewes ID good order weigh two hundred poends. All have 
 done well since their importation. 
 
 It is stated that 60 years ago, an English maiden (a 
 "spinster") spun 168,000 yards, or 95 miles of thread 
 from a pound of wool from a Lincoln ewe. A Bradford 
 (England) manufacturer states that a twenty pound Lin- 
 coln fleece used in an admixture with cotton in the finest 
 " Alpaca 5 ' fabrics is sufficient for twelve pieces of 42 yards 
 each and possibly 16 pieces of 672 yards in length, one 
 yard wide, worth at 75 cents per yard, more than $500. 
 
 The same writer, says : "I have noticed a record of 
 of the weight of five Cotswold wethers fed for the New 
 York market, as follows : 217, 222, 204, 223 243. Five 
 other wethers twenty-one months old averaged 188 pounds 
 these weights are not extraordinary but are easily attained 
 at an early age." 
 
 A writer from Carrol county, Kentucky, says : "The 
 sheep most profitable in our county are the Cotswolds and 
 their grades. They will consume probably one-fourth 
 more food than the fine wool sheep,. but are hardy, need- 
 ing no shelter, d,nd generally live the entire winter on our 
 blue grass pastures without other food, producing from 6 
 to 10 pounds of wool per sheep, and from 60 to 100 
 pounds of good mutton at one or two years old. I have 
 (he says) about 50 in my flock, of the Cotswolds and 
 grades which I have taken as sample for the above state- 
 ment. They have not eaten a single pound of hay or any- 
 thing but what they have gathered for themselves in the 
 pasture, winter or summer, for the last two years. The 
 wool is worth just as it comes from the sheep unwashed, 
 35 cents per pound ; the mutton is- worth tea cents a 
 pound." 
 
04 
 
 The experiments already made by Messrs. Skinner & 
 Co. with their Cotswold sheep on Dry Cimarron show that 
 the same results will obtain in New Mexico, and should 
 encourage our sheep owners to procure good sheep to im- 
 prove their stock and increase their wealth, and -thereby 
 benefit themselves as-well as izicrease the wealth of our 
 Territory. 
 
 Another reason for increased attention to long wools 
 (combing wools) is the fact that new fabrics are introduced 
 in great- variety, especially for the various garments of 
 ladies requiring soft or lustrous wools and are becoming 
 daily more popular and more widely disseminated. This 
 state of things has caused a scarcity of long wools, and 
 gives them an advantage in price over the most popular of 
 merino wools of this country of fifteen or twenty percent. 
 In England this change of place of long and short wools 
 by which 'the long wool -has exceeded the short woel in 
 value as much as that formerly led all others is thus re- 
 ferred to : 
 
 * 'There is a strong pecuniary inducement to use these 
 wools, notwithstanding their price. They contain little 
 oil or yolk ; in scouring the loss is rarely twenty-five per 
 cent, and often, less than twenty ; the loss in the merino 
 is forty per cent and upwards, according as it is improved, 
 the fleeces of prize bucks often reaching seventy 
 per cent, of waste. Excluding these and taking the 
 most desirable Ohio grades, a comparison will ghow the 
 juperior economy of long wool to the manufacturer, pays 
 seventy cents per pound at present prices , and loses fifty 
 per cent, in scouring, making the clean wool one dollar 
 and fifty cents. He buys Canada wool at eighty cents, 
 and losses twenty per cent, leaving the cost of cleaned 
 wool just one dollar per pound. Is it a wonder thatmanu* 
 facturers will use all the long wool they can when it can 
 
make forty per cent more cloth for the same money?" 
 By Canada wools "the manufacturer simply means Cots- 
 "wolds, Leicester, Southdown, and their grades, most of 
 which came from Canada, where few other sheep are 
 .kept. It has also been remarked that "there is a want 
 which might be met by enlarged operations in rearing 
 long wool flocks. The eastern markets with few excep- 
 tions are miserably supplied with large fat larnbs. Nor 
 can it be otherwise with our present flocks. .Merino 
 lambs will never satisfy the demand of enlightened eaters, 
 six pounds is to the quarter of lean blue meat, at twelve 
 weeks old, will never afford satisfaction to mutton con- 
 sumers, when fine fat quarters of twice that weight are 
 obtainable. Nor will it pay the sheep raiser to sell sueh 
 lambs and wethers for meat when those of double value 
 could be produced in the same at a little more expense. 
 
 It -was thought that the prices of meat would decline 
 at the close of the war, and some of our wise men in 
 New Mexico, now say^ produce sheep and wool in the 
 ratio you propose and increase the quality and quantity 
 of the meat, and- you will reduce the price so that it will 
 not pay to raise sheep in New Mexico, this cannot be 
 the case for many years to come. The demand for long 
 wool both in Europe and in this country, (for it is evident 
 that in England the supply of combing .wools is not suf- 
 ficient for the demand) will make combing wools an art- 
 icle which will be a source of wealth to the producer for 
 many years yet in the future. 
 
 In regard to the production of meat, -an intelligent 
 writer has said in language better than I can express it, 
 that "it should be remembered that the war has some- 
 what reduced our meat supply. The war being soon over 
 then a pastoral life will be quite too tame for soldiers, 
 and the waste of meats cannot soon be repaired. Many 
 
56 
 
 of the soldiers are machinists and artizans. Thousands of 
 them will repair to the minss of the Rocky Mountains ;. 
 and many will seek in trade and speculation in cities the 
 excitement which they crave. Most of them are efficient 
 consumers of meats ; very few will be producers. Then 
 our shores are swarming, and for years \vill swarm as 
 never before, with foreign immigrants, hungry for meat 9 
 however poverty may have stinted their former supply. 
 All these mouthy and those of millions unborn, are to 
 be supplied in the years of the immediate future. With 
 what shall we feed them? Not with pork, becoming vast- 
 ly dearer with the increased price of corn ; not altogether 
 with beef, while there is such a demand for wool, and 
 just precisely the kind of wool produced by mutton sheep 
 We must have mutton ; and sensible men with money in 
 their pockets will pay prices that must command good 
 mutton, and render its production highly profitable. 
 Conditions now exist favoring adequate remuneration in 
 this branch of husbandry that have never before been 
 brought together in so potent a combination. There is 
 an opportunity to achieve a fame and a success in this 
 direction in a field as yet almost entirely new, that should 
 engage the effort, capital and ambition of the enterpris- 
 iqg; and there is little doubt that it will be promptly and 
 successfully occupied by strangers if our own citizens do 
 not avail themselves of the opportunity. 
 
 Those, therefore, who now commence with judgment 
 and energy the production of real superior mutton and 
 cpmbing wools in New Mexico, will reap an abundant 
 harvest of profit, and the earlier the start the quicker the 
 reward, and that it will engage the attention of enterpri- 
 sing people and meet their j ust expectations there is no 
 2-90111 for doubt. 
 
 The adaptio3,of ttes country to the rearing of the 
 
ous kinds of stock, will m future years make New Mexi- 
 co a country from whence large supplies of meat for food, 
 and wools for manufacturing clothing, will be derived, arid 
 which will be a great source of wealth to our citizens, 
 while it will furnish healthy food for the dwellers in our 
 large cities east of the Mississippi. 
 
 The natural configuration of this vast Eocky Mountain 
 region is not the least of the many desirable advantages it 
 presents. It is situated many thousand feet above tide 
 water fanned by the purest atmosphere, and supplied with 
 Innumerable salubrious streams running from the moun- 
 tain springs, and furnishing pure water, one of the essen- 
 tial elements for the sustenance of both man and beast. 
 This country having a high and dry range so conducive to 
 the health of all animals, especially sheep, which animal, 
 I believe, if properly reared and improved, will prove a 
 greater source of wealth than even our untold and vasfc 
 mineral deposits. The one we have in the earth the 
 means of producing the other we have on the earth. The 
 succession of mountain and valley affords the most ample 
 defence against the heat of summer as well as the bleak, 
 winds of winter; artificial protection indispensable at the 
 north and necessary in many of the states ; .of this Union-, 
 which is so apt to induce disease by which whole flocks and 
 herds are sometimes lost, are rendered unnecessary in our 
 more favored country. Our mesas and mountain gorges, 
 and many portions of our valleys, are most prolific in a 
 variety of herbage suitable for all classes of animals, but; 
 especiall adapted to sheep, and during winter they afford 
 a supply of pasturage so abundant that no additional food 
 is required. The animals can have access to a continu- 
 ous supply of good food and pure water during the win- 
 ter, and by a judicious management the only expense of 
 rearing sheep and cattle in this country is the hire of her-; 
 tiers, which is comparatively a trifle. 
 
58 
 
 The constant supply ofpro|>er food by which the secre- 
 tory powers are retained in full action and -uninterrupted 
 increase of meat and fat in animals, and of growth of 
 wool on sheep, is promoted; while cases of constipation, 
 and various diseases frequently fat^l in the states by rea- 
 son of sudden changes of food, are unknown here, there 
 is scarcely a day in the year in which cattleand sheep can- 
 not h'nd sufficient food of a proper kind to keep their di- 
 gestive organs in a healthy condition. The soil in our 
 mountain regions is generally good ; and it is by no means 
 uncommon to find it fertile and producing grama grass 
 even to the tops of the mountains; and although there 
 are to be found considernble bodies of thin soil, yet even 
 are these more disposed to the production of grass than 
 lands of a better quality ir> the states. My experiencefor 
 over thirty-five years in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Illi- 
 nois, Kansas and New Mexico corrobora te, what is well 
 Irnown to all sheep raisers, that, when lands are treely 
 pastured by sheep, their capacity for producing grass is 
 much assisted, as by close grazing the more useless grass- 
 es, briers, ect., are subdued, and the desirable descript- 
 ions allowed to strengthen their hold; this together with 
 the tramping of the land and the droppings of the sheep, 
 induces a more prolific growth of good grass. 
 
 In my travels over a large expanse of country within 
 the limits of New Mexico and the eastern borders of Ari- 
 zona, I have found growing wild clover, and several vari- 
 eties of grass which indicate that they can be produced in 
 this country by cultivation. It is only a question of time 
 and the construction of railroads when this country, in 
 addition to its native grasses, which may be greatly in- 
 creased, will have large meadows and pasture grounds of 
 Cultivated grasses, and it has been for nearly forty years 
 a favorite theory of mine, confirmed by my practical ob- 
 
s<?rvation, that so far as the quality and Relative 'coarse- 
 ness and fineness of wool is concerned more depends up- 
 on the character of the grass than upon any other one 
 thing, except it may be, the constant change of the breed- 
 ing animals. A stock raiser may determine by a judi- 
 cious seleetkm of his breed and the character of grass -lie 
 allows them to uso fer food, the quality and quantity of 
 the wool his flock of sheep will produce, and of course the 
 quality of his wool will regulate tlio price he will get in 
 the market, and determine the profit arising from the in- 
 vestment of his capital. This is especially so in regard 
 to sheep, but is also to a, great extent applicable to horses, 
 cattle, goats and hogs. 
 
 CATTLE 
 
 were imported into Virginia at an earlier date'lhan into 
 Massachusetts, for as early as 1610 an edict was passed 
 by the governor prohibiting the killing of any domestic 
 animals, rtraeng which were mentioned neat cattle on pen- 
 alty of death to the principal offender, burning in the 
 hand and loss of the ears to the accessory, and twenty- 
 four hours whipping to the concealer." 
 
 Sir Thomas Gates brought into Jamestown, in 1711 a 
 krge importation of a hundred head of Devon-shire and 
 Herefordshire. Cattle were also imported into Delaware 
 by the Swedes, sent out by Gustavus Adolplius in 1627. 
 The Spaniards at a very early period introduced them in- 
 to the West Indies, whence they were afterward carried 
 to the continent, and from which the wild cattle of Texas 
 and New Mexico were derived. There is no doubt that 
 the present cattle of New Mexico are susceptible of great 
 improvement, and that there is a mine of wealth combin- 
 ed in the cattle that could be produced and the rich and 
 abundant grama and other grasses of our mesas and val- 
 
60 
 
 leys. All that is wanting is the introduction of good cat- 
 tle from Europe and our Eastern States. 
 
 The "native stock" of our cattle would be much im- 
 proved by the introduction for beef or the dairy of the 
 s-hort horn Durhams, Ayershire, Devons, Herefords, and 
 Jersey or Channel Island cattle. The short horns are 
 generally the greatest favorites for beef from their large 
 size and early maturity, though not making so fine beef as 
 the Devons or Herefords. Those of our people who wish 
 to improve their stock of cattle would do well to procure 
 the several volumes of the American Herd Book, and ac- 
 quaint themselves with the best animals to improve our 
 native breeds. In 1846, Lewis F. Allen of Black Rock, 
 New York, a laborious worker, a keen, shrewd judge of 
 stock of all kinds, published the first volume of the Amer- 
 ican Herd Book ; . Some years afterwards he continued it, 
 and has published? several volumes. This book, like the 
 English Herd Book is of great labor and corresponding 
 value. Either of them is regarded as authority, and in my 
 opinion the American Herd Book should be owned by ev- 
 ery breeder of cattle. 
 
 My opinion is that for beef the short horns are the best 
 tor New Mexico. ' The Ayershire gives the greates flow 
 of milk, the Jersey the richest,, and the Devons make the 
 best work cattle. No doubt the crossing of these breeds 
 with our native, and recrossing back,- in various ways, 
 would help very much to improve our old "native stock," 
 by adding to them .one or another of these desirable qual- 
 ities, we would then have better milkers, better beef cat- 
 tle, and better work oxen at three years than at six and 
 seven years now, and one animal would then be worth 
 more than three are now. They would fatten easier and 
 at less expense, and our work cattle would be much im- 
 proved ; though in many part*., of the country as it be- 
 
61 
 
 comes settled we find liorses are to a considerable extent 
 superseding for farm purposes the pa'tient ox. In many 
 parts however, oxen will continue to be used and appre- 
 ciated, and will be better trained. 
 
 HORSES. 
 
 No department connected with the breeding of domestic 
 animals in New Mexico has received so little attention 
 us the production of first class horses. While we have all 
 kinds of horseflesh, and some very hardy and splendid 
 riding animals, derived from California and the wild nat- 
 ive ponies of the country, "broncos" and "mustangs" we 
 have scarcely any thorough bred or blood horses, and very 
 little is known by our farmers in regard to the improve- 
 ment of our horses. There is no subject upon which 
 I cannot say probably more, than upon that of the sub- 
 ject which heads this article; as I see, however, that 
 under the head of "Lost Races," a gentleman is get- 
 ting up a list of the horses that have been beaten in the 
 the various races of the country. I may be able to say 
 something on the subject of the improvement of horses, 
 not with reference to the subject of producing fast horses 
 (as I do not approve of racing horses) but in regard to 
 animals for work and use for transportation, etc., for 
 sometime I have thought much in regard to the subject 
 of beating horses (not in races) but as it has reference 
 to the organization of "a society for the prevention of 
 cruelty to animals," as many beat and abuse their horses 
 burros and mules in New Mexico, in such a manner that 
 it is impossible to have good serviceable animals. I 
 thank Providence that to some extent I have been able 
 to correct this evil in my own immediate neighborhood 
 except with one man, and I trust ere long, he will be 
 induced >to believe that kindness to a dumb animal is fat 
 
better than a beating. He will certainly' learn a lesson 
 if he should find himself again on the roof of a house with 
 his horse, or rolling down the side of a mountain with 
 his horse-after him. There is certainly a good field of 
 labor in New Mexico for Mr. Bergh of New York or 
 m y g ooc l friend Fay of Massachusetts, and I know I 
 would rejoice to see either or both of them here, they 
 might be able to tell us of some substitute for horseflesh 
 for the Indians -of New Mexico. I --will, however, give 
 them notice in advance, that they will be compelled to 
 ascertain what is better as food and be fortified with argu- 
 ments to convince the Indians that good fat beef or mutton 
 is better than the meat of a worn-out and abused horse 
 or mule which the wild indians prefer. 
 
 In an article on "The horsea of the United States" by 
 Colonel Rifigwalt of Downington, Pennsylvania, he says : 
 
 "The United States contains a much large number of 
 horses than any European country. In 1860, we posses- 
 sed 7,431,681. A few years ago the horses in Europe 
 were supposed to number 22,430,000; of Africa 3,000,- 
 000 : of Asia 25,000,000, and of the whole world nearly 
 59,000,000. So that we have more than one eighth of 
 the whole race. Our country has proved as genial a home 
 for the horse as for his master. As we exceed all other 
 nations in the number' so we have gained the questiona- 
 ble pre-eminence of an unprecedented variety in the breeds 
 of our horses. Emigrants from Europe naturally brought 
 with them, at different times, the animal with which they 
 were most familiar. The Spaniards took to the South 
 West and to Mexico, whence they escaped into Texas, 
 California, New Mexico, Colorado and the plains, their 
 famous barbs, which were formerly regarded, as u supe- 
 rior breed, and which in their best condition are but little 
 infer* ^r to the Arabian. Some of the finest thorough 
 
63 
 
 breds of England are derived from this race, 
 The wild horses of our plains occasionlly excite the 
 warm admiration of critical observers. Washington Ir- 
 ving, in his "Tour on the Prairie," gives frequent expres- 
 pression to his feelings ; and as the race is now disappear- 
 ing as rapidly as the buffalo, one of that writer's descrip- 
 tions may be appropriately quoted : " On resuming our 
 march we eame to a little meadow surrounded by groves 
 of elms and cottonwood trees, in the midst of which was 
 a fine black horse grazing. Beattie (a half breed guide) , 
 who was in advance beckoned us to halt, and being mount- 
 ed on a mare approached the horse gently, step by step, 
 imitating the whining of an anfm-al, with admirable exact- 
 ness, The noble courser of tlie prairie gazed for a time, 
 snuffed the air, pricked up his ears, and pranced round 
 and round the mare in gallant style, but kept at too great 
 a distance for Beattie to throw the lariat. He was a mag- 
 nificent object, in all the pride and glory of 'his n/iture. 
 It was admirable to see the lofty and airy carriage of his 
 head, the freedom of every movement, the elasticity with 
 which he trod the mteadow. Finding it impossible to get 
 within noosing distance, and seeing that the horse was re- 
 ceding and growing alarmed Beattie slid down from his 
 saddle, leveled his rifle across the back of his mare, and 
 took aim with the evident intention of creasing him. I 
 
 ^ 
 
 felt a throb of anxiety for the safety of the noble animal 
 and called out to Beatte to desist. It was too late, ho 
 pulled the trigger as I spoke. Luckily, he did not shoot 
 with his usual accuracy, nnd I had the satisfaction to see 
 the coal-black steed da shroff unharmed into the forest." 
 
 In the statistics found, on page forty -seven of the Agri- 
 cultural report for 1869 is a tablfe showing the number 
 and valus of the horses in the United States which 
 shows 8,248,800 horses valued at $671,319,461; in the 
 
frl 
 
 territories it is stated there are sixty thousand horses val- 
 ued at $3,600,000. This amount could be doubled in 
 New Mexico alone in the next ten years, with care and 
 proper attention to raising and improving the horses of 
 our Torritory. 
 
 The wild Indians of New ilexico number as follows, 
 viz ; : 
 
 Navajoes, 8,500 
 
 Apaches, 4,502 
 
 Utes, 1,347 
 
 Total 14,349. 
 
 Two years a*go when I took the census of these Indians 
 1 found in their possession 10,908 horses, some of which 
 were of the best quality of "native" stock. Now suppose 
 these Indians did not eat horse flesh, and ceased to abuse 
 their animals aa they do, and were to give their attention 
 to the improvement of the breed, what would be the re- 
 sult? The natural increase of these animals would give 
 the first year about 6000, and each year thereafter 
 an increase. Take the six thousand animals of the 
 first years and keep them on the grama grass of our 
 Mesas, and at four years old, if they were not rode to 
 death before that time, and then eaten by the Indians, 
 they would be worth at least sixty dollars each, which 
 would make three hundred and sixty thousand dollars, 
 and this amount would now be greatly increased by the 
 demand for horses in consequence of the death of such 
 numbers in the cities from the epizootic. It is very clear 
 that the wild Indians of New Mexico could on their hor- 
 ses alone, (if they would deny themselves of the delica- 
 cy of horse flesh diet,) be made self sustaining. If Indi- 
 ans can do this, is it not much more -certain that our citi- 
 zens who have ranches and extent of pasture going to 
 
65 
 
 waste every year, can also do it? f know men in New 
 Mexico who have a hundred mares or more and yet they, 
 scarcely have a horse fit to ride or work, owing to their 
 neglect to improve the stock, and their abuse of the ani- 
 mals. They do ndt remember the injunction : 
 
 "Uphill bear him 
 
 Down hill spare him 
 
 On the level let him trot 
 
 And in the stable forget him not." 
 Indian warriors frequently attach a's much value to their 
 favorite steed as the Arab to his fleetest coursers. Col. 
 Ringwah says : I saw a band of the Sac and Fox at Dav- 
 enport, Iowa, some years ago, who, however ready to 
 sell their inferior horses refused tempting offers for their 
 best animals. In fixing a price one clap of the hands 
 signified ten dollars, and when asked to designate the 
 value of a superior horse, they would after innumerable 
 clappings, smile and shake their heads saying "no shones" 
 (no money) in a manner which clearly proved that they 
 regarded him above all price. Among the tribes of the 
 Northwest the turf is a favorite institution, and in the 
 official description of the Indians of Washington Terri- 
 tory, published in the first volume of Pacific railway 
 reports, it is stated that at certain seasons the Klikitats, 
 descend to the Yahkohtle, Chalaka, and Talik prairies, 
 where they are met by the Yakimas who assemble with 
 them for the purpose of gathering a late species of ber- 
 ry and of racing horses. The racing season is the grand 
 annual occasion of these tribes. A horse of proved re- 
 putation is a source of wealth or ruin to his owner. On 
 hia speed he stakes his whole stud, his household goods, 
 his clothes, and finally his wives; and a single race 
 doubles his fortune, or sends him forth an impoverished 
 adventurer. The interest, however, is not confined to 
 
the individual directly concerned ; the tribe share with 
 him, and a common pile of goods of motlev description^ 
 apportioned according to their ideas of value, is put up 
 by either party to be divided among the backers of th& 
 winner." 
 
 Similar scenes may be witnessed amongst the Indians- 
 of New Mexico and Arizona, and the losers then become- 
 "hunters;" with a lariat they "go hunting" and return 
 frequently with horses stolen from the settlements. If 
 these races were forbidden by the agents and broken up,, 
 the great incentive to horse stealing would be removed, 
 and a better class of horses among the Indians would be 
 the result. Another source of great loss in the raising 
 and keeping good horses among the Indians is the supersti- 
 tious custom of killing all the horses belonging to a war- 
 rior when he dies ; an efficient agent with patience and 
 prudence can correct this, and I care not what tribe of 
 Indians he has in charge he can in a fe\v years with 
 proper authority from the government make his Indiana 
 self-sustaining from the horses, cattle and sheep that 
 they would raise. The Indians of the Rocky Mountains 
 are more disposed to pastoral pursuits than to agricultur- 
 al labor ; they are nomadic in their habits, and all that 
 they require is to be taught economy and induced to give 
 up their superstitious notions. 
 
 As the eastern portion cf our country becomes more 
 densely settled; as manufacturers, mining commerce, and 
 all other non- producing occupations and professions multi- 
 ply; as the country becomes more thickly peopled ; as 
 villages draw in their houses around them and 
 become towns ; as towns expand their limits, 
 and become cities ; as cities pile their houses heavenward, 
 and fill them with hungry occupants ; as railroads are con- 
 btructed and being constructed, of course, a greater de- 
 
67 
 
 mand must be made on the agricultural and pastoral por- 
 tions of the country, to supply them with food. Let our 
 farmers and ranchmen prepare for this great harvest, 
 which is gradually coming to us, by an improvement and 
 increase of the horses, cattle, sheep and hogs, etc., in the 
 Territory of New Mexico, so that we may supply the in- 
 creased facilities by railroads for their transportation to 
 the Eastern States. 
 
 CLIMATE. 
 
 Its mildness of climate and remarkable healthfulness 
 has become proverbial, the dryness and purity of the at- 
 mosphere all over the Territory, and especially in the 
 valleys have induced many invalids afflicted by Pulmon- 
 ary nnd other diseases to test its salubrity with great 
 benefit to them and a prolongation of their lives. 
 
 The following report of the signal officer at Santa Fe 
 will give some idea of the pure and even temperature of the 
 atmosphere in New Mexico. 
 
 WAR DEPARTMENT. 
 
 SIGNAL SERVICE U. S. A. 
 SANTA FE/ January 6th 1872. 
 
 Although the science of Meteorology is comparatively 
 new, and moreover a difficult one because of the capri- 
 cious nature of the elements of which it treats yet it can- 
 not be denied that under the present system of local and 
 eyncronical observation adopted by our government it is 
 rapidly being developed into a perfect science with definite 
 principles and fixed laws. 
 
 Already the mariner heeds the * 'cautionary signal" and 
 rides safely in the harbor while the storm and tempest 
 pass, and we may expect soon to see the farmer plant and 
 reap with much greater profit because he anticipates the 
 prolonged rain or the blighting drouth. 
 
68 
 
 As many of our citizens are interested in tills branch 
 of science, we publish the following condensed report for 
 the year ending December 31st 1872, which is the result 
 of careful observation made with the most approved and 
 accurate instruments. 
 
 At this station the monthly mean of Barometer (cor- 
 rected for temperature and elevation) for each month was 
 as follows : January, 29,77 ; February, 29,733 ; March, 
 29,735; April, 29,725 ; May, 29,851 ; June, 29,883 ; 
 July, 29,925; August, 29,97; Sept; 29, 91; October, 
 29,90; November, 29,83; December, 29,783. Mean 
 of Barometer for the year, 29,835. 
 
 Monthly mean of Thermometer : January, 27 ; Feb- 
 ruary, 34 ; March, 38,8 ; April, 45,8 ; May, 58,1 ; 
 June, 66,9 ; July, 67,6 ; August, 87 ; September, 
 GO ; October, 49 ; November, 33 ; December 32,6 ; 
 Mean of Thermometer for the year, 48, 3. 
 
 The highest observed temperature during the year was 
 88 and the lowest 5 below zero. 
 
 Total rainfall for each month expressed inches and hun- 
 dreths : January, 34; February, 20; March, 13; April, 
 14 ; May, 45 ; June, 2,44 : July, 2,62 ; August, 2,98 ; 
 September, 27 ; October, 25 ; November, 01 ; Dec. 04. 
 The greatest single rainfall was 1,21 inches which occured 
 June 4th. Total rainfall for the year 9,87 inches. 
 
 The wind has travelled 50,220 miles with the prevail- 
 ing direction North. 
 
 JOHN P. CLUM. 
 Observer Signal Service IT. S. A. 
 
 Santa Fe, N. M. 
 
 Llany persons suppose that owing to the arid climate of 
 New Mexico and the reported small rainfall, that water 
 would be scarce. Such should remember that the reports 
 
69 
 
 are generally made in reference to the valleys, and that 
 in the mountain ranges there are during the winter gen- 
 erally heavy falls of snow, which supply our streams with 
 an abundance of water by its melting durjng the spring 
 and summer months ; besides this, there are many springs, 
 hot and impregnated with minerals, also cold springs, 
 thus we are blessed with pure air and water, both essen- 
 tial to health ; and with the Nile of America for irriga- 
 tion, we have abundance of water to cultivate the valleys 
 of RiodelNorte, Rio Grande and the tributaries of this 
 great river. 
 
 "With reference to the subject of disease I quote from a 
 letter from Lew Kennon, JV1. D., of Santa Fe, the lead- 
 ing physician of this Territory, who has had. an extensive 
 practice in New Mexico for twenty years. He says : 
 
 *' "It is certain that even when the lungs 
 were irreparably diseased very much benefit has resulted. 
 Invalids have come here with the system falling into tuber- 
 cular ruin and their lives been astonishingly prolonged 
 by the dry, bracing atmosphere. 
 
 The most amazing results, however, are produced in 
 warding off the approaches of Phthisis, and I am sure 
 there are but few cases which if sent here before the mala- 
 dy is well pronounced, would fail to be arrested. Where 
 hardening has occurred or even considerable cavities been 
 established, relief altogether astonishing takes place. 
 
 The lowest death rate from tubercular disease in Am- 
 erica is in New Mexico. The census of 1860 and 1870 
 give 25 per cent, in New England, 14 in Minnesotta, 
 from 5 to 6 in the different southern states, and 3 percent 
 in New Mexico. 
 
 I have never known a case of) bronchitis brought here 
 that was not vastly improved or altogether cured ; and 
 asthma as well. 
 
70 
 
 Rheumatism and diseases of the heart with or without a 
 rheumatic origin do badly here. Valvular difficulty in 
 that organ, is invariably made worse. But, the must as- 
 tonishing effect.of this climate is seen in those cases of 
 general debility of all the functions of body and mind. 
 That used up condition, the pestilent nuisance of physicians 
 in the great cities. People come here in a sort of debacle, 
 having little hope of living and often little desire to, and 
 the relief is so quick as to seem miraculous. 
 
 I have no doubt that when means of access to this coun- 
 try are better, and therefore it being better known, it 
 will rival or supersede Florida, Madeira, Nice or Dr. Ben- 
 nett's much vaunted paradise of Mentone as a sanitarium. 
 The country 4s far distant from either ocean ; it is utterly 
 free from all causes of disease. The atmosphere is Almost 
 as dry as that &f Egypt. The winters are so mild that 
 
 there are not ten days in the whole year an invalid cannot 
 take exercise in the open air. The summers are so cool' 
 that in midsummer one or two blankets are necessary to 
 sleep under. The whole territory has been always aston- 
 ishingly free from epidemic disease. 
 
 For weak or broken-down children there is surely nothing 
 like it on the face of the earth. With them the law of 
 survival of the strongest here seems not to obtain at all.'* 
 
 Professor Hayden in his published report for 1870, pa- 
 ges 204 and 205, says in reference to the climate, etc. : 
 
 " In order to understand properly the differences in 
 climate and productions observable in the different parts 
 of this section, it is necessary, not nly to take into con- 
 sideration the latitude, but also the variations in altitude, 
 and proximity to high mountains, Beginning at the San 
 Luis Valley, with an elevation of 7,000 feet above the 
 level of the sea, we find when we reach Santa F6 the 
 
height is still G,840 feet,* which is higher than some of the 
 valleys further north. Keeping on the same plateau, and 
 moving south, the elevations of the principal points are 
 *is follows : Galisteo Village, 6,165 ; Los Cerrillos, 5,804 ; 
 -Canon Blanco, 6,320, and a little southwest of the canon 
 near Laguna Blanca^ 6.943 feet. Moving southwest from 
 this point toward Albuquerque, wa find the elevation at 
 San Antonio is 6,408 feet. But when we descend into 
 the immediate valley of the Rio Grande, as far north as 
 Pen a Blanca, it is only 5,288 feet above the jea level, or 
 1,552 lower than at Santa Fe. At San Felipe i t is 5,220 ; 
 at Albuquerque, 5,026; at Isleta, 4,910; at Socorro, 
 4,560; at Alamosa, 4,200, and at El Paso about 3,800. 
 Strange as it may appear, when we cross the ridge east 
 of Santa Fe, to the headwaters of the Pecos, we find the 
 altitude of Pecos Village but 6,360 feet about 500 feet 
 lower than at Santa Fe ; while at Anton Chico it is only 
 5,372 feet, corresponding very nearly with that of the 
 Rio Grande Valley at Pemi Blanca. 
 
 I have given these particulars in regard to the elevation 
 <>f this region to show that, sweeping around the southern 
 terminus of the Rocky Mountain range, is an elevated 
 plateau, or extended mesa, which reaching north along 
 the inside of the basin for some distance, occupies both 
 sides of the river, but southward recedes from it. At Pen i 
 Blanca we descend into the Rio Grande Valley proper, 
 which continues along the southern course of the river 
 with little interruption throughout the rest of the territory. 
 From this {loint south, fruits and tenderer vegetables and 
 plants are grown with ease, which fail no farther north 
 than Santa Fe." &c. 
 
 *I)r. Koanon has furnished me the following in regard to Santa 
 ; : '-Average temperature i'or months of November and Decem- 
 ber, 1871, and January and February, 1872, deduced from 270 obser- 
 vations taken at 7 a. m., 12 in., niad 7 p. m. 39. Mean ol' 270 ob- 
 servations (Barometric) reduced to freezing point 23, 25.937 
 Elevation 0,837. G7 feet. 
 
72 
 
 MINES AND MININ<5, 
 
 The destruction caused by the Texan invasion, in 1861 
 62 had a most disastrous effect upon this country. The 
 invaders consumed its substance, caused the loss of al- 
 most its entire mining capital, and much injured the agri- 
 cultural interests. The Indians, seeing that the whites 
 were at war, increased in boldness and compelled the 
 abandonment of many mines and settlements. 
 
 Before the late war two copper mines were extensively 
 worked, the "Santa Rita" and the "Hanover," turning 
 out about twelve tons of copper per week, and employing 
 jointly, about five hundred hands. Other copper mines 
 had been opened, or were about to commence operations* 
 
 The mines in the placer mountain about thirty miles 
 from Santa Fe, have in former years, been productive, also 
 the "Ortiz" and "Cunningham" mines. Gold-bearing 
 quartz, in this mountain, had been worked for a number 
 of years before th,e war. When the Texans invaded 
 ]N r ew Mexico there were about forty Americans at work 
 in these mines, and in the run of the mill for twenty four 
 h.ours they obtained about $750 worth of gold. There is 
 also near these shafts a coal mine several feet in width, 
 and a short distance therefrom an extensive deposit of 
 magnetic iron. I have seen some fine specimens of gold 
 from this mountain, which indicate its value. 
 
 The silver mines on the west of this mountain are 
 very rich and easily worked. With proper machinery, 
 and a little energy these mines could be made very profit- 
 able. 
 
 At Pinos Altos some 300 miners were at work in placer 
 roining, gold quartz, and silver mining, and this new dis- 
 trict was bidding fair to be the first in richness on the 
 frontier ; new lodes were bjein^discovered daily. 
 
after the war broke out the Indians combined to destroy 
 the town of Pinos Altos. They made the assault in 
 broad day, some 600 strong, and, having surprised the- 
 population they charged through the town, and the in- 
 habitants owe their salvation to a mountain howitzer. 
 
 At San Jose a small force was engaged in quartz min- 
 ing, several companies were organized to work in this 
 district. 
 
 At the commencement of the war a placer had been dis- 
 covered in the Jicarilla Mountains in Lincoln county, 
 w.here some 300 miners, chiefly Mexicans, were at work 
 and doing well. Other companies were about to com- 
 mence operations on the silver- lodes of the "Organos"'' 
 mountain?. The Stephenson company had shipped a lot 
 of machinery and material to work extensively the Stephen- 
 son, silver mines. These reached their destination the 
 very we< k hostilities commenced>on the frontier. 
 
 In 1862 a large number of persons entered the San 
 Juan region on account of the gold excitement. (This 
 country is claimed and roamed over by the Weminutche 
 and Capote bands of Utah Indians.) They built a town on 
 the Rio Las Animas, which they were compelled to aban- 
 don, the houses now remaining unoccupied. Many of them 
 returned to the settlements in a starving, condition, al- 
 though gold and silver was found in the mountains, and 
 on all the streams tributary to the San Juan river. This 
 includes the mining operation previous to the rebellion, 
 and these were at different points in New Mexico and Ari- 
 zona. Other points have been prospected, and the pre- 
 cious metals are known to exist in abundance throughout 
 the whole mountain portion of this country. 
 
 The Comnrssioner of the General Land Office, in his re- 
 port for 1868 page 54, says ; 
 
 ^ Valuable minerals are found in, every portion of N,ew, 
 
74 
 
 Mexico. In numerous localities may now be seen shafts 
 and drifts, the work of former generations, and the only 
 monuments left of their energy, activity and industry, 
 while the almost daily -discovery of new lodes of gold and 
 silver-bearing quartz and auriferous placers indicate that 
 mining operations in the future will be as productive as 
 in the past, (as in the days of Montezuma and Cortes.) 
 
 On page 162 he says : 
 
 "New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and Southern Califor- 
 nia present an area of productive soil and genial climate 
 that promises under the stimulus of railway communica- 
 tion to attract and support a large industrial population. 
 Both the agricultural and mineral resources of these re- 
 gions are on a magnificent scale/' etc. 
 
 A small appropriation was made by Congress for a geo- 
 logical survey of Colorado and New Mexico, which was 
 made by Dr. F. V. Hay den, United States geologist, and 
 his assistants, but wh ; ch was, in consequence of the want 
 of funds, necessarily brief and imperfect, yet in an exam- 
 ination of only a few day spent in New Mexico, (no por- 
 tion of which was given to the west side of the Rio Gran- 
 de,) he reports the following "minerals of commercial valr 
 ue." 
 
 Lon Pyrites, Copper Pyrites Mostly auriferious, wide- 
 ly distributed in veins over the flanks of the Rocky Moun- 
 tains in New Mexico and in numerous lesser chains of 
 granitic nnd metamorphic rocks. 
 
 Malachite, green vitriol. Hue vitriol Principally from 
 decompositions of 'the above wherever the .ores have been 
 exposed to weathering* Widely distributed in veins over 
 the flanks of the Rocky Mountains in New Mexico, and 
 in numerous lesser chains of granitic and metamorphic 
 rocks. 
 
 ZincblcnJe, often argentiferous Sandia, &c 
 
I'd 
 
 Galena, often argentiferous Maxwell's near Mora. 
 
 Brittle Silver Maxwell's, near Mora. 
 
 Fahlcrz Maxwell's near Mora. 
 
 Specular Iron Ore Real Dolores, near Ortiz mine. 
 
 Red and Brown Hematite Widely distributed ; Old 
 Placer, &G. 
 
 Magnetic Pyrites New Placer. 
 
 Coal Raton mountains, Maxwell's, Real Dolores, 'j. 
 
 Cenissitc Maxwell's. 
 
 Anglesite Maxwell's . 
 
 Native Gold Arroyo Hondo, Moreno, Brahm Lode, 
 New Placer, &c. 
 
 Native Silver Maxwell's 
 
 Horn Silver M axwel 1's . 
 
 Titanic Iron Ore Real Dolores. 
 
 Smithsonite Sandia . 
 
 Silver G lance Moreno, New and Old Placers. 
 
 Light and dark rub ij sllcer Maxwell's. 
 
 Spathic and Mica clous Iron Ores Real Doloras. 
 
 Turquoise Cerrillos, between Santa, F6 and San Laza- 
 ro mountains. 
 
 Professor Hayden says in his report, page 130 : 
 
 "The valuable ores abound almost everywhere in the 
 granite and gneiss of the Rocky Mountains, and the eco- 
 nomic question is not to find the material, but the capital 
 and labor with which to work. That the country over 
 which these investigations were made is replete with those 
 minerals which by their decomposition are found by ex- 
 perience to most enrich the soil, as it is with the before- 
 mentioned minerals of commercial value. 
 
 MINERALS. 
 
 Gold is known to exist in over fifty different localities 
 in this country. It and silver mnst have been known 
 
76. 
 
 and extensively mined by the Aztecs, as the presence of 
 their old ruins is said to be an almost unfailing indication 
 of mines. The Spaniards mined gold, silver, and cop- 
 per in this region, and Jesuit priests more thoroughly 
 prospected it than it has been since. They reported at 
 nil points great riches, and the existence of all the pre- 
 cious metals. At the Placer Mountain the Old and New 
 Placer, quarts lodes have been opened since the war. 
 
 At Moreno mines, at Ute Creek, and other tributaries 
 of the Cimarron and Eed river, large deposits of gold 
 have been discovered and worked. The Commissioner 
 of the General Land Office, in his report of 1868, page 
 54, says : 
 
 There has recently been received at this office a speci- 
 men of ore, consisting of a silicious deposit of exceedingly 
 loose texture, through which are interspersed fibers of 
 pure gold, some oi which exceed two inches in length. It 
 is claimed that an assay (made at the Denver mint) of a 
 specimen of this ore, in which no gold was visible to the 
 eye, yielded at the rate of $19,000 to the ton. The 
 locality in which this specimen was obtained is on the 
 headwaters of the creek, a branch of Cimarron river, and 
 the existence of the deposit was hitherto unsuspected. 
 
 Several years ago gold was discovered at Arroyo 
 Hondo, Taos county, and the * Arroyo Hondo Mining and 
 Ditch Company" organized. Since then gold has been 
 found in paying quantities at Carson's Gulch, Stewart's 
 Gulch, Prospect Gulch, Seymour Gulch, Good-luck 
 Gulch, Quien Sabe Gulch, and California Gulch, formerly 
 called "Canada de la Pluma," the King William gold 
 lode, and the Henk gold lode. 
 
 The gold found in the gulches-is shot-gold mostly. Th& 
 specimens from the lodes are rich quartz^ and the gpltJ 
 
-7T 
 
 can be distinguished with the naked eye. This whole 
 section is evidently abounding in gold. 
 
 At Pinos Altos, quartz gold-mining received considera- 
 ble attention. Thirty lodes were discovered, paying from 
 forty to two hundred dollars per ton. The richest of 
 these was the "Maston lode/' called after two brothers. 
 
 In this district thirty lodes of gold quartz were work- 
 ed, ten of silver or a combination of silver and gold, and 
 three of copper. There has been picked up in one day in a 
 gulch at Pinos Altos ores of gold, silver, lead, zinc, mag* 
 netic iron, and plumbago. 
 
 Gold in quartz and fine placer gold have been found on 
 the headwaters of the Rio de Las Animas, and placer gold 
 on nearly ail the steams tributary to the San Juan river, 
 also on the Chama river. The country watered by the 
 San Pedro, Rio Las Animas, Rio Los Pinos, Rio La 
 Plata, Rio Dolores, Rio Mancos, Rio Pedro, Rio Nutra, 
 San Juan, and Navajo river, is occupied and claimed b}' 
 'the Wemenutche and Capote bands of Utahs, who refuse 
 'to allow any settlers or miners in their country. They 
 permitted me to spend a month in their country in the 
 summer of 1868. And twice since have I visited that region 
 and explored it to a considerable extent ; its scenery, past- 
 oral, agricultural and mineral resources exceed any thing 
 I have seen in any portion of New Mexico and from my 
 observations I am fully satisfied that there is not a richer 
 country for the same extent on this continent. If these 
 Indians could be induced to go to the agency on their re- 
 servation in Colorado, northeast of the San Juan mount- 
 ains, (which they refuse to do,) that country could be 
 developed, and would sustain a large agricultural, pas- 
 toral and mining population. 
 
 placer mining was quite successful before the war 
 
78 
 
 near Fort Stanton, Lincoln county. It has been found in 
 seven localities in the Sacramento mountains. 
 
 At the "San Jose Mines," in the Sierra Madre, gold 
 ijunrtz was extensively mined by the Spaniards, and 
 afterwards by the Mexicans, The quartz veins here iri.- 
 tersect each other in all directions, forming a net work of 
 veins for one mile in width and three miles in length. 
 The surface ia dotted with shafts. 
 
 On the San Francisco river, west of the Gila, in Ari- 
 zona, gold, silver, copper, and quicksilver have been 
 found ; gold prospected in the bed of the stream from 
 one cent to one dollar per pan. In 1863 I met old Cap- 
 tain Walker, ("the California miner,") with a party, on 
 the Gila river. He had explored that country, but was 
 driven out by the Indians. He reported rich gold depo- 
 sits. I obtained specimens of the gold found by his party 
 on this stream, and which are very fine, some of which 
 are in the cabinet of tho General Land Office. This is 
 the place where the Indians procured the gold to make the 
 bullets which F. X. Aubury reported he fouud among 
 the Indians, some of which were placed in the Smithson- 
 ian Institution, and others in the mineral cabinet of the 
 General Land Office. Gold placers are found through- 
 out the mountains at the head of this stream, but water 
 is scarce. 
 
 On the Mimbres river, or, rather, in the vicinity of 
 that stream, is an extensive placer. The Mexicans form- 
 erly worked it, carrying the dirt to the water. A canal, 
 a few miles in length at this point, I believe, would deve- 
 lop an extraordinary rich gold deposit. 
 
 Silver is the prominent and most abundant mineral of 
 these Territories, and the lodes ot silver, with its many 
 combinations, are the most numerous. I think it will be 
 the most profitable branch of mining in the Hocky mount- 
 
79 
 
 ain region. It would be too tedious to specify the differ- 
 ent localities where silver has been found, as these locali- 
 ties would be numberless, including almost every mount- 
 ain chain in the Territories- The principal districts known 
 nre the Placer mountains, near Santa Fe ; the Ute Creek 
 mountains, near Maxwell's ; the Organ mountains near 
 the Mesilla valley ; the Arroyo Hondo mining region in 
 Taos county; the San Juan Mountains, specially at the 
 head waters of Rio Dolores and Rio La Plata, (silver 
 river) which are west on the Utah Indian reservation, arc 
 extremely rich in silver. Vast deposits of ''Smithsonite" 
 are found at this point. The Organ mountains are ex- 
 tremely rich in silver. Over fifty mines have been dis-- 
 covered, the ore being generally argentiferous galena, 
 admitting of simple reduction by smelting the, mines 
 paying from $40 to 200 per ton. 
 
 The district near Mesilla valley, in the Organas mount- 
 ains has a mean altitude of 4,400 feet and is intersected 
 with ravines affording most favorable opportunities for 
 horizontal drifts in opening the veins. There is a belt or 
 series of veins containing six principal veins varying from 
 two to fifteen feet in width. On the largest of these veins 
 is the celebrated "Stephenson mine." This belt of veins 
 crosses the Organas at or near the San Augustine pass, 
 and both sides of the chain of mountains present similar 
 features and equal richness. 
 
 The country bordering on the north portion of Chihua- 
 hua is a rich silver district. Just over our line are the 
 mines of "Corralitos," the most succesful mines in the 
 State of Chihuahua. It has been mined for nearly fifty 
 years. Its productiveness has overcome all obstacles, 
 and it has employed annually several hundred hands. 
 
 Near the old town of El Paso tradition places the 
 locality of one of the richest silver mines known to the 
 
80 
 
 Spaniards. Its site has been lost since the expulsion 
 of the Jesuits, It is said that the Jesuits of Northern 
 Mexico, were the last to suffer the decree of expulsion 
 and had sufficient notice of the edict and carefully cover- 
 ed up the traces of the mining. In this way the loc- 
 alities of many of the richest mines of New Mexico and 
 Arizona have been lost. 
 
 West from the Mesilla valley, and the old towns of 
 La Mesilla and Las Cruces, is located Silver City. In 
 1863 I visited its location, and explored the region of the 
 Gila river ; at that time there was not a house where now 
 stands the town. Now there is a large town many good 
 houses four large two story brick stores, streets wide 
 and regular, numerous families, women and children. In 
 May 1870 the mines were discovered here, and since that 
 time/the town has sprung up and several mills are now in 
 operation and nearly all the houses have been bee;~; built 
 by the products of the mines, and the improvements made 
 here, have been paid for with the silver taken from the 
 mines in this locality. One year ago I again visited that 
 locality, and obtained specimens from over sixty mines 
 and lodss which are in the cabinets of the Agricultural 
 Department, the General Land Office and the Smithso- 
 nian Institution, at Washington. One lode called "The 
 Two Ikes," is a curiosity, being an immense bed of slate 
 with horizontal layers , the seams filled with silver of the 
 class called "horn." Between' the layers of slate are 
 sheets of this "horn silver" as thick as tissue paper. I 
 cannot attempt to describe the various quartz lodes in this 
 section they are too numerous, and are of two classes, 
 one suitable for smelting, and the other for crushing and 
 amalgamation. There appears to be a deficiency of lead 
 in the ore for smelting, which is not the case with the ores 
 from the mines in Sccorro county, and in the Organ moun* 
 
tains of Dona Ana county. I have'in my cabinet a spe- 
 cimen of considerable size sent to me by A. H. More* 
 head, Esq., of Dona Ana county and which contains 60 
 per cent, of lead and 20 per cent, of Silver, and is abun- 
 dant in that mountain. 1 quote the following from the 
 report of F. Sturenburg, metallurgist, in reference to 
 Grant' county, New Mexico, as furnished to the Surveyor 
 General of New Mexico and included in the report of the 
 Commissioner <5f the General Land Office for the year 
 871, page '153, etc: 
 
 "GRANT COUNTY, NEW MEXICO." 
 
 *The&e mines, situate very near to the dividin-g line* 
 between New Mexico and Arizona and New Mexico and 
 Chihuahua, form a direct link in the great mineral belt 
 extending from Alaska down to Central America. It may 
 from this fact, be assumed that the mineral veins are 
 most probably irue fissure-veins ; another favorable indi- 
 cation in this regard is to be found in the, great variety 
 of minerals found in this district, hardly any of the use- 
 ful or precious metals is missing and all are represented 
 in really marvelously rich ores-. 
 
 The district proper -is encompassed within a circle of 
 about twelve miles diameter, the gold, silver, and iron 
 mines of Pinos Altos fbrming the center. Of these 
 mines I have already given a short description, which was 
 embodied in the report of the commissioner on mines 
 for 1870, and I shall therefore not now refer to them. 
 Seven miles "northeast thence lie the Hanover -copper 
 mines, six miles east the San Jose and Santa Rita cop- 
 per atid lead mines, and seven miles west of the Silver 
 Flats 'and Chloride silver mines. Toward the north the 
 district has not yet been explored, on account of tbfe 
 'hostility of the Indians. 
 
82 
 
 Before entering into a particular description of the- 
 several mines, I deem it necessary to offer a few remarks- 
 in regard to the geological structure and the formation- 
 of the country. The mountain range in which these 
 mines are located consists ol spurs aad, branches of the 
 San Francisco and Mogollon ranges, .north.;* both attain- 
 ing the snow altitudes. These latter ranges- are still 
 terra incognita, the Apache Indians preventing fcfoeir be- 
 ing thoroughly prospected $ ^yet so much has been as-- 
 certained by stray prospecting parties that the country 
 is extremely rich in miije^als, principally gold. Itywas 
 in this neighborhood wheraa soldier belonging to a scouts 
 ing party under the command of the renowned Indian fight- 
 er, Colonel.. Albert , H. Pfeiifer, companion of the late 
 Kit Carson,, was shot by ,an Indian, and when the bul- 
 let was extracted it was found to be ol gold ; trappers 
 and escaped Iqdian prisoners also report that it is a 
 general custom with the warriors of the, Cbyotero- Apa>- 
 ches, wfcA Jive in- these regions, to ornament; thei* belt& 
 with gold nuggets* 
 
 Besides gold, these ranges contain very rich copper 
 ores. I assayed myself- a-^ carbonate of copper frx>ci 
 San Francisco Cano^i which gave $780 per ton silver., 
 
 Northeast of these ranges lie the : mountain chains in,, 
 which ^he Corona del Pueblo mines are located. I in- 
 tend visiting this district shortly, and shall give a full 
 description thereof. 
 
 To the west of the Pinos A&03 mining district lie the 
 Ralston silver mines, and further on the Apache .Pass 
 gold mines- 
 
 To the, south there is again .ao unexplored mountain 
 range, very near or on the Mexican boundary line, Las 
 R.qsaritas, .unquestionably rich,, to judge .from the float- 
 
83 
 
 rock that comes from thence, but inaccessible on account 
 of the redskins, and further south the Corralitos silver 
 mines, at the present time profitably worked. 
 
 I draw attention to the surroundings of these mines in 
 order to show that the district is most favorably situated 
 and even if the indications of violent volcanic action are 
 to be found almost through the entire district, I can 
 only come to the conclusion that these eruptions took 
 place long after the original formation of the metal- 
 bearing fissure-veins. 
 
 Future experience must prove the* correctness of these 
 supposition, since until now none of : these- mines have 
 been sufficiently prospected; yet not- only the geo- 
 graphical position, but also the general* character of the 
 country rock, each point to a true mineral formation 
 and fissure-veins. 
 
 Geology discloses a grand picture in these regions. 
 The immense blocks of fiae-grained granite, and the nu- 
 merous fragments of basaltic rock, place the genesis of the 
 country into the tertiary period ; but not during that period 
 the mineral deposits were formed, because the caps of the 
 veins carry rock of Silurian and Jura formations. Before 
 any material changes could have taken place, and even 
 before nature had covered the surface < with its botanical 
 ornaments to any extent, this solitary ^ island im the ante- 
 diluvial sea was again submerged, (proofs;, s absence of 
 fossils in the lower strata,) 'but was resurrected -from the 
 slumber <below the -murmuring waves by the forcible and 
 violent power of Pliito. 
 
 This second geeesis could hot have taken place, but at 
 a proportionally late period, because the plutoni<e> conglo- 
 merate breaks - through and overlies tbe< Jurassic lime- 
 rock numerous petrifi cations -.in.< the latter stone of shell? 
 
84 
 
 and mollusk and argilaceous sand are proofs of a long 
 period of inundation. 
 
 Neptunic influence however, had no considerable share 
 in the formation of the present country ; sedimentary 
 deposits are few to be found ; the bed-rock is encounter- 
 ed at depth seldom exceeding 5 to 7 feet. 
 
 That the re-elevation of the continent must have been 
 sudden and violent, is proved by the absence of the pec- 
 uliar lines and streaks traced on the mountain sides of 
 the slowly receding waves-; neither are they to be found 
 in the remarkable table rocks or pyramids, generally en- 
 countered in other parts of New Mexico, Where water 
 has had sufficient time to trace its marks : none of the 
 horizontal table mountains, standing down in straight lines 
 at angles of 45 ; no level plains of a thin layer of a de- 
 composed tufa underlaid w?th coarse gravel ; in fact, none 
 of these unmistakable proofs of long aquatic action, such 
 as New Mexico most particularly offers in so many in- 
 stances. 
 
 Most probably at that time the mineral-bearing veins 
 were formed, after which the 'Country remained undis- 
 turbed far a long period, during which the decomposed 
 rock, by the air and water, had time to be washed over 
 the veins and so cover them ; in Pinos Altos the main 
 lead from which most of the wash-gold came has not 
 been discovered yet on that account. During this period 
 the continent must have continued to be elevated but 
 slowly and imperceptibly, the same as it is rising yet this 
 very moment 1 : proof "for such is found in the traditions 
 of the inhabitants in regard to rivers which are now quite 
 dry, to springs arnd wells having become dry. -and many 
 other signs of decrease of surface waters. 
 
 But 'before the country assumed its present aspect, it 
 had to undergo another convulsion ^ volcanic action shat- 
 
85 
 
 tered and broke up some of the veins, reduced their min- 
 erals to a fiery fluid mass, and poured the same, with 
 lava and cinders, over the surface. Such is the case- at 
 the Hannover mine. Most of the copper is found in a 
 metallic state, imbedded in scon i and tufa,, and only 
 traces of the former vein , carrying mostly black sulphur- 
 ets, the same as the Santa Rita, have remained. The Han- 
 nover is, strictly speaking, no vein lode, .but a deposit 
 covering an area of some three square mites. > The same 
 must have happened* in Lone Mountain and Chloride dis- 
 tricts, where the rich chlorides have filled up crevasses 
 and seams. Pinos Altos-seems to have escaped this diV 
 turbance, since there are no traces to be found there of 
 late volaanic activity. It is, strictly speaking, also a dif- 
 ferent formation, since nowhere else iron-stone appears in 
 such heavy masses, which also accounts for the presence 
 of gold, of which there is no-trace to-be foand in the sur- 
 rounding districts. 
 
 Silver Flat district afeo shows signs of 'volcank> disturb- 
 ance, but very different from the neighboring mines. 
 Here a ferruginous conglomerate or tufa forms the cap of 
 all the veins, in fact cavers the surface of the entire dis- 
 trict; and as> this district is nearest to Binos Altos, it is 
 probable that the volcanic hearth whence that cover of lava 
 was spread was situated within tha iron- belt surrounding 
 Pinos Altos. 
 
 As regards the continuity of these mines j- no correct 
 idea can be formed as yet ; still, I am disposed to favor 
 this view ; but I believe but few of the actual true fi&sure- 
 veins have as yet been discovered. Chloride district lies 
 at the foot of higher mountains-, which* have noS as yet been 
 prospected, on account of the danger of Indians, but 
 these, in my opinion, are the many ledges whence these 
 deposits of .rich, chlorides came. 
 
86 
 
 The Ralston mines, about sixty miles southwest from 
 Silver Flat, and strictly speaking, forming quite a se- 
 parate district, show also different formation and struc- 
 ture. Here copper carbonate tufa, and most probable 
 sulphate copper further -below, forms the matrix of the 
 ore, and the contents in silver are small. 'None of these 
 ores exceeded $30 per ton. On the other hand, the district 
 offer advantages over the others in the enormous masses 
 of ore it will be able to produce, provided the vains prove 
 themselves to be fissure-reins. Although apparently 
 they bear all indications of permanency, still I would not 
 vouch for it. The volcanic or possibly plutonic con- 
 glomerate in which they run is too unreliable. There is 
 no trace of syenite or trap-rock. I consider it of vital 
 importance for this district that one of the shafts should 
 be sunk to about 50 or sixty feet ; then only can the true 
 character of the formation be ascertained. 
 
 After having given a general geological and geognostic 
 outline of this mineral region, I now propose to give a 
 detailed description ot these districts Silver Flat, Chlo- 
 ride, Lone Mountain and Ralston. Finos Altos I have 
 already described, as stated, and the Hanover, San Jose, 
 and Santa Rita copper mines have been treated upon in 
 every-pamphlet or report on the mines of this country, 
 and I particularly refer to the able and correct report of 
 Messrs. Owens and Cox, as contained in the pamphlet 
 published by Hon. C. P. Clever, when Delegate in Wash- 
 ington. That report is elaborate : &nd entirely reliable, 
 and I coincide with the complete persuasion, in the opin- 
 ion of the gentlemen, that the Hanover is the richest min- 
 eral deposit ever discovered in New Mexico. 
 
 SILVER FTAT DISTRICT 
 
 is situate in a low foot-hill, embracing an area of about 
 
' two squnre miles ; a great many claims are located here, 
 but with veiy little .judgment and practical knowledge ; in 
 most cases the r ferruginous tuf ay selling tip crevasses and 
 
 pockets, was located^aa a silver-bearing lode. There are, 
 however, a few apparently'good leads, although no defi- 
 nite opinion can be arrived at, since none of them have 
 been sufficiently opened. I examined myself the follow- 
 ing, viz : 
 
 Sample No. 1. Robert E. *Lee ; v vein not yet well de- 
 fined ; ore still mixed up with* ferruginous cap,- at the 
 'bottom of a 30 -foot shaft the ; gray ^sulphurete of silver 
 come in. 
 
 Sample N--O. 2.^~LegaI Tender; shaft 32 feet deep ; 
 goes through the esp, and shows now 3 feet of gray sul- 
 phuret. 
 
 Sample ''No. 3. -Turin No. 2 ; shaft only 10 feet deep ; 
 
 ope-ned at the side of a steep hill; shows very light cap, 
 
 ; and carries rich chlorides. I- do not consider it a vein as 
 
 yet. 
 
 Sample No. 4. Giant ; I f O-foot shaft ; light cap ; tol- 
 erably well -denned lead; no pure ore as yet. 
 
 These leads run all parallel, arid are separated by spaces 
 of 50 to 100 feet; direction northwest and southeast; 
 dip nearly vertical. 
 
 Sample No. 5. New Issue ; ''-5 -foot shaft ; shows wide 
 lead and rich ore ? but cannot as yet be relied upon. 
 
 Sample No.<'-6-. Minnehaha ; 20-foot shaft; irregular 
 ledge, but good ore ; light cap. 
 
 These two leads are cross leads, and run almost due 
 west and east, crossing the above four leads. 
 
 Sample ;; No. 7. Last Chacce ; abo-fct a mile off the 
 above ; shaft 10-feet ; wide, irrregular ledge ; ore of very 
 reduction ; chlorides. 
 
as 
 
 Sample No. 8. Ecuador; shaft five feet deep; n& 
 regular vein ; probably only a crevasse filling. 
 
 Sample No. 9. Average ore- from deepest shaft, (Le- 
 gal Tender,) and probably the one which will predomi- 
 nate in all leads i this district. I am inclined to believs 
 that a large deposit of this kind -of ore will ba found un- 
 derlying the largest portion of this 
 
 CHLORIDE DISTRICT. 
 
 There are also in this district located > a, great-many 
 claims, of 'doubtful nature; no shaft has as- yet been sunk 
 exceeding 5 feet, and the mines are in fact not prospected 
 yet; .the character of the ore is almost the same, with. -the 
 exception of the Green Mountain lead, which carries a 
 good deal of carbonate of -copper ; all others, as Gran 
 Tesorero, Hidden Treasure, Seneca, Gran Quevira, Sher- 
 man, etc., brave, until now; furnished nothing but chlo- 
 ride ; all are irregular, and in ray opinion, crevasse fill- 
 ings ; the entire hill , embracing an are of about three 
 square miles, is literally covered with the same ore, and 
 400 to 500 ton& of it could easily be mined. 
 
 Sample No. 10. Is first-class ore, two tons of which 
 were reduced and produced at the rate of about $160 per 
 ton ; about one-sixth part of the general ore is of this class. 
 
 Sample No* 11. Average second and third class ore. ;r 
 
 COPPER 
 
 has beeo found in almost every portion of New Mexico . 
 and Arizona. On the, Sar> Fr'anesico river, in JReloncillos 
 range of mountain's, at the Nacimiento, in the San Juan 
 Utah country ; in the Apache regions of Arizona, and in 
 great richness in Sierra Madre. On the spurs of the Sier- 
 ?a Madre, known a the copper mountains, there is a mul- 
 tiplicity of veins. One vein ia this mp,uatain was traced , 
 
-89 
 
 fey a mining engineer, riding over the vein on horseback 
 for eight miles. In one place, at least, it is- literally, a 
 mountain of copper, a shaft having been sunk 125 tra^, 
 verse of the lode> but failed in determining its. width. Tea 
 mines have been discovered, two have been worked. One . 
 of these "The Santa Rita del Cobre," the title of which ; 
 is derived from the King of Spain, has beep mined at r 
 intervals for over one hundred and thirty years. The other 
 'The Hanover mine" has been very extensively worked for 
 a few years before the war ; it was- opened in 18J>9. 
 
 In the abstract of the Census .Bepqr ; t of 1860, page 173, 
 New Mexico is placed second of all districts in the value 
 of its copper yield, the yield for th$ year ending June 30,, 
 1860, being 640 tons,, of the value of $415,000., This 
 was the product of the two mines before mentioned. This 
 copper district is surrounded by, every facility for success- 
 ful mining. There is a sufficiency of water, an abundance 
 of timber pine, oak, cedar and piupn while to the south 
 the plains present as fine pasturage as exists in the United 
 States, In the same range of mountains are found many 
 other precious and useful, metals ; w.hile at a convenient 
 distance are large and fertile valleys, which can furnish, 
 the supplies of flour and grain necessary for the operatives. 
 The copper is of peculiar richness, the ore averaging 35 , 
 per cent, of copper, while the metal is offeen found pure ; 
 the veins are wide, easily worked, the ore loose and easily 
 mined, and theje is no alloy, and the reduction of the ore 
 is a simple smelt. The copper on reaching market com- 
 manded the highest price, from the fact that it is the most 
 maleable and ductile, copper known to commerce. 
 
 In 1860 the cost of mining a pound of ore was about r 
 eight cents, cost of freight to European markgt ten cents 
 profit four or five cents a pound and exchange. 
 
 Peace, that is a substantial peace with the Indians such.; 
 
90 
 
 as 'President Grant is now inagurating woiild probably 
 Teduce the cost of mining a pound of orei to five cents, 
 and a railroad to the Missouri river and the eastern cities 
 would reduce freight to Europe to seven cents, leaving an 
 extraordinary margin of prdGt. 
 
 The Hanover and Santa ; Rita mines at the commence- 
 ment of the rebellion were yielding several tons of copper 
 per week, and employed about five hundred hands. At 
 the commencement of the war the rebels obtained some 
 300,000 pounds of copper from the mines, which was at 
 Port Lavaca awaiting shipment or in transitu. They 
 established two cannon foundries with capacity, it is said, 
 of two pieces per week. They confiscated that which 
 belonged to the owners, who were loya! r to : the 'CFnion, 
 and paid twenty-seven cents per pound for the portion 
 which belonged to friends of the Confederate Govern- 
 ' ment. 
 
 The abandonment of the Federal posts on the frontiers 
 led to the most immediate abandonment of the copper 
 mines. The Indians murdered many of the employes, 
 the machinery was stolen or destroyed, and most complete 
 devastation effected. 
 
 Iron Ore has been found in various forms in gulches of 
 the eastern slopes of the Sierra Madre, at the Placer 
 mountains, Raton Range, Pinos Altos, San Jose, and 
 the copper mines,. 
 
 Lead is found in almost every combination. A remark- 
 able vein is : found at the foot of the Sierra de los Cobres, 
 three' feet wide, of nearly pure lead. The Indians have 
 for tf long time obtained their supplies of lead from this 
 vein,- smelting it in the vicinity. The ore contains a small 
 portion 6f eilver. A. similar vein of lead, about five feet 
 Li -width, is located west of the Utah reservation, on-the 
 
Rio Dolores. These Indians believe it to be silver , ; *but I 
 am satisfied that it is almost pure lead. 
 
 Salt occurs in many places in New Mexico ait'd^ Ari- 
 zona, often mixed with alkali and also pure io lakes. 
 One vein is in the neighborhood of Fort Stanton. The 
 evaporation in the salt lakes makes ^an annual deposit of 
 salt several inches in thickness, coarse, strong, aiM of the 
 best quality. It has often been taken to the city of 
 Chihuahua for sale, as-the salt of that State is 5 inferior, 
 being rrtixed with alkali. The principal lakes fere in the 
 valley between the Organos and Sacramento mountains ; 
 one lake on the Texas line, and the best one sixty miles 
 northward. 
 
 Goat has been foudd in various parts of the Territory 
 a&d in considerable quantities and of good quality. As 
 to quality, &c., see report of Professor F. V. Hayden, 
 United States Geologist, page 123. 
 
 MINERALS AND SHINES . 
 
 Minerals of any kind occuring along the'iines of rail- 
 roads must obviously -attract more attention and possess a 
 greater relative value, than those found at a greater dis- 
 tance from the lines of through 'traffic. It is a notewor- 
 thy fact, that a number of the richest mineral districts of 
 New Mexico are situated upon the most practicable routes 
 for the main lines of railways that are rapidly approach- 
 ing this Territory. This is particularly the case with the 
 Pyramid Range District, situated in the southwestern por- 
 tion of New Mexico, on the line of the Texas Pacific 
 Railroad, and with that rich storehouse of various classes 
 of minerals embraced by Los Gerillos, the valley of the 
 Galiateo, the Old and New Placer mountains and the San- 
 dia mountains. 
 
 .The Pyramid Range District received a fearful 
 
92 
 
 ^ 
 
 soon after its discovery from the attempt made by Oalf- 
 fornia speculator to rush thousands of feet of lodes upon 
 the market, which were entirely unexplored and to which 
 they had no title whatever. However, enough has been 
 done in this district to prove beyond a doubt the existence 
 of mines of great richness and extent.. With the railroad 
 passing immediately by these mines, it is safe to say that 
 there are few if any places in the world where larger re- 
 turns can be derived upon tha capital necessary to their 
 proper working. 
 
 The second region spoken of above lies in the countres 
 of Santa Fe and Bernaliilo and is traversed by the line or 
 the Atlantic and Pacific railroad as located. 
 
 The description of the following mines situated in Los 
 Gerrillos, at a distance of from one to three miles from 
 the railroad line, I take from Professor Raymonds report 
 for 1870. The investigations were made by Professor 
 Bruckner, a metallurgist and mining engineer of wide 
 repute. 
 
 ' SANTA ROSA, discovered forty years ago by Alvara- 
 do, is situated in a small valley surrounded by hills. The 
 inclined shaft 50 feet deep, but mostly caved in. The 
 lode is six feet wide, strikes north 23 East and dips 80 
 northwest. The walls are granite and encase argentifer- 
 ous .galena, zincblend, iron and -copper, pyrites ia a gan- 
 gue of hard quartz," 
 
 Since the above report this mine has been reopened t>y 
 a verticl shaft, and-theoreis being reduced in a furnace 
 situated upon the Galisteo. The bullion thus fat pro- 
 duced has averaged 41 65 50 per ton in silver. 
 
 Mina Ruclena. The lode consists of two layers on the 
 surface, one of whieh is thf.ee feet, the other one foot wid6 
 It crosses the stratification of the country rock, (granite) 
 strikes north 15 east,- and dips 80- south-west. The ore 
 
93 
 
 consists of galena, zincblende, iron and copper pyrites^ 
 and the products of decomposition of these ores, all in a 
 gangue of quartz and partly decomposed feldspar. The 
 inclined shaft on this vein is 120 feet deep. 
 
 Mina del Tiro is situate on the east side of the Cerrillos 
 in the Canada de las Minas. An incline 150 feet and a 
 vertical shaft 100 feet deep, connect with extensive mon- 
 tones (drifts) of over 300 feet in length and with many 
 chambers. All are filled with water. The remains of an old 
 canoe which was used for crossing water in the mine, are 
 still there. These excavations were made by the Jesuits,* 
 probably before 1680, and the expense has been estimat- 
 ed at $100,000. Silver ore is visible in large quantities. 
 It consists of the same minerals as described in the above 
 named mines, but zinc-blende is so predominant that the 
 ore was found refractory in smelting. The proper way 
 to work it would be by chloridizing, roasting and amalga- 
 mation. Salt for this purpose can be had in large quan- 
 titiesat the salt lakes south of Santa Fe. 
 
 Many other mines and silver lodes were visited, but the 
 former were too much caved in, the latter too little open- 
 ed to admit of anything like reliable description. It may be 
 mentioned, however, in this connection, that an assay of 
 a specimen of very coars-e galena from the last mentioned 
 veins gave a result of 76 per cent, of lead, and $42 75 
 
 silver per ton. 
 
 Professor Raymond, in speaking of this locality says : 
 "The Cerrillos, 17 miles southwest of Santa Fe, contain 
 many silver bearing lodes, which have never been de- 
 scribed, although they are well worth it. They are situate 
 on an old Spanish grant belonging to the Baca y Delgado 
 family. f The Cerrillos are a series of low undulating 
 
 *This by history should be the Franciscan Friars and not 
 the Jesuits. 
 
 fThis grant has since been surveyed as public lands and sold by 
 govornmect, to citizeas who are now working the mines. 
 
94 
 
 hills, about six ni+les long and three miles wide, and 
 gist mostly of granite rocks> ;a few of them of volcanic 
 origin. From a cone made -up nf bassaltic lava near 
 Martin's ranch, a splendid view of the Old and New Pla- 
 cer Mountains in the southeast, the Bernalillo in the 
 southwest, Santa Fein th north, and Jemez Range in 
 the west, is spread before the visitor, <fec." 
 
 Profess&r-Rraymond says -of the Socorro county mines : 
 
 ' 'The M a dalena Mountains are situate about thirty 
 miles west of Socorro, a town on the Rio Grande del 
 Norte, and bne hundred and forty three south of Santa 
 Fe. Thrae years ago a California miner found a very 
 rich piece- of silver ore in these mountains, .and subse- 
 quent prospecting expeditions resulted in the discovery of 
 many lodes, most of them small, but rich in copper and- 
 silver. A specimen yielded, by assav, $100 00 silver per 
 ton ; others are reported to have assayed as high as $500. 
 
 The Santa Juliana lode is said to be- a. very large ga- 
 lena lode, which carries $9 per ton in silver. Most of 
 the veins have been but very imperfectly opened, aa will 
 be^seen from the following description of the region: 
 
 The Madalena Mountain range rises abruptly from the 
 plains to a height of over 2,000 feet. It extends about 
 forty miles in a north and south direction, and is on the 
 average three or four miles wide. The principal rocks 
 constituting it are limestones and metamorphosed sand- 
 stones. The mineral-bearing veins are found on the 
 summit and along the western slope of the range, the 
 greatest number being locatad on its northern end. Some 
 ef the canons along the sides of the mountain contain 
 placer gold, but the quantity is insufficient . for 
 profitable working. 
 
 The, Washington lode is located at the summit t)f the 
 range near its northern end,J,and forms the> crest for a 
 
D5-. 
 
 considerable distance. It strikes northwest and soutii- 
 east, and dips about 35 to the southwest. It is large 
 and well defined and carries copper, lead, silver and 
 gold ores. The first named is predominant. The open-r- 
 ings, so far, are inconsiderable, the deepest shaft being- 
 less than 30 feet. 
 
 The Chavez,: south of the Washington, on th&.8utn*, 
 mit of the range r . has nearly the same strike and dip,., 
 and appears to be its extension. It is a contact vein. 
 between the limestone and sandstone, and .carries the 
 same ores as the Washington ; the lead ores^. however,, 
 predominate. 
 
 The Santa Ji&i&na, at the base of -vth western slope 
 of the mountain, has the same, strike and dip as th 
 Chavez. It is a , very large vein, .from 10 to 20 feet 
 wide, and has been traced on the surface for a very long 
 distance. It contains, principally, carbonates of lead ; 
 besides this, copper? .silver, gold. The gangue is im- 
 pregnated throughout with mineral -, .^and the vein is un- 
 doubtedly capable of producing . extraordinarily large . 
 amounts-rof ore when properly opened. Good pine tim- 
 ber aad plenty of water are close at hand on every side 
 and the adjacent plains are covered with a luxuriant 
 growth of gramma grass. 
 
 The HMell is located in a small range of low, grassy 
 hills, about seven miles northwest of the. Santa Juliana. 
 It strikes northwest and southeast, and stands nearly ver- 
 tical. The vein is small, but its very straight course can 
 be traced on the surface far a longdistance. The ores 
 seem to be formed by the decomposition of fahlerz, and 
 consist of carbonates of copper, chloride, of .silver, &c. 
 They are very rich." 
 
 The occurrence of anthracite coal in workable beds in-; 
 &he westera Territories near the gold and silver districts 
 
-96 
 
 Is of such great importarl'ce 'that a shtfft description of the 
 anthracite mines between the Old Placer mountains and 
 the Cerillos, occurring as they do, in connection with car- 
 bonate of iron and hematite, and having numerous veins 
 of rich magnetic iron ore, within a few miles of them, 
 cannot fail to command the attention of the intelligent 
 reader. The out-croppings of coal in the district refer- 
 red to were 'first exposed in the Center of the little branch- 
 es that run 'into the Galisleo. The first one is about four 
 miles south of the Galisteo. The following section of the 
 strata was taken ascending : 
 
 1. Laminated clay, with thin seams of sand passing 
 Up into carbonaceous clay as a floor for coal. 
 
 2. Anthracite 5 to 6 feet. 
 
 3. Drab clay, indurated, 15 to 29 feet. 
 
 4. Ferruginous sandstone, passing up into a light 
 grayish sandstone 30 to 50 feet. 
 
 The mine is opened by a tunnel 90 feet in length ; the 
 dip is 15 to the east ; this coal contains 88 per cent, of 
 fixed carbon. In another locality the coal is opened by 
 three tunnels, two twenty-five feet long and one forty feet 
 long, and has a thickness of four feet of anthracite. The 
 coal from this mine contains 87.5 per cent, of fixed car- 
 bon, and when burning shows only the short blue flame 
 of carbonic o'xide. This coal has been in use in driving 
 the engine of the Ne"w Mexico Mining Company's stamp 
 mill. A hundred pounds brought to Santa Fe was used 
 by Mr. Bruckner in his assaying furnace, in order to test 
 the heating power practically. He found that a white 
 feeat was reached in a very short time, and that this heat 
 lasted about three times as long as that produced by an 
 equal weight of charcoal. As the material does not coke 
 ki the least, it is evident from this test that it is perfectly 
 adapted to use in blast -fur-Races, though i-t will require a 
 
97 
 
 higher pressure of blast on account of its density, than 
 charcoal or coke. As far as its application for all prac- 
 tical purposes is concerned, it is undoubtedly fully equal 
 to Pennsylvania anthracite and really the best fuel discov- 
 ered so far in the West. 
 
 Between these two mines exists a bed of excellent fire- 
 clay. It has been thoroughly tested and proved to be 
 fully adapted as fire-proof material for furnaces. 
 
 Coal banks have been opened at a number of points 
 to the north of the above mines and the proof is conclu- 
 sive that it exists in large quantities. Between the clay 
 and the following sandstone stratum beds of iron ore are 
 found. Both carbonate and hematite are present. Ores 
 of this kind, as well as veins of magnetic iron of great 
 purity abound in this vicinity. 
 
 The existense of mines of gold and silver, of lead, zinc, 
 copper and antimony, and of the different ores of iron 
 in almost immediate connection with deposits of anthra- 
 cite coal, snd fireproof material, indicates at once the 
 valleys of the Galisteo and Santa Fe, as points which have 
 all the natural requirements to guarantee the erection 
 upon a large scale of metallurgical works and machine 
 shops for railroads, etc. 
 
 Saltpeter is very common but rarely pure. At one 
 place near the Mexican line it is found pure near a 
 spring where regular deposits are made upon the clay 
 from which it is gathered in considerable quantities by 
 the Mexicans. The State Government of Chihuahua re- 
 gulates by law its collection and prohibits its exportation. 
 
 Gypsum beds are very common, and this valuable fer- 
 tilizer abounds in many portions of this country. The 
 natives never manure their lands, and the only use they 
 make of gypsum is to burn it and use in place of lime. 
 
 Plumbago has been found in many localities. 
 
98 
 
 Zinc, in the Sierra Madre, Sandia mountains, and ir: 
 San Juan country. 
 
 Quicksilver, virgin and e'nabar, on the San Francisco- 
 river. Old Spanish books give "theMogollon mountains 
 as the place csnabar is found." 
 
 MINERAL SPRINGS 
 
 and hot springs are found in almost every portion of this 
 country. On the San Juan river, near the eartern line 
 of the Utah reservation, is the, Pagosa Springs; the 
 main spring 1 measured and found k to be 160 yards 
 in circumference, its depth, I had no means of ascertain- 
 ing. The water was so hot that it cooked meat in a few 
 minutes. Similar springs are at Las Vegas, near Taos, 
 Ojo Caliente, Jemez, near Farts, MxiKae and Selden ; 
 on the estate of "the United States land and improve- 
 ment company/' is located the famous hot spring del 
 Caballo or Ojos Calientes, (see page 20 of this pamphlet.) 
 In Socorro county near the to\vn of Socorro is situated 
 a valuable, mineral spring; also near the Mimbres river 
 and at various other points, The curative qualitities of 
 these springs have long been known, and they will not fail 
 to become places of general resort when a railroad shall 
 furnish facilities for reaching them. 
 
 In the eouutry watered by the San Juan river and 
 Colorado Chiquito, are found great quantities and of 
 various sizes of bqautiful garnets, also a stone resemb- 
 ling the emerald. Moss agate, and various curipus and 
 interesting petrefactions, are found west of. the Rio 
 Grande river. But in my judgment they are of but 
 littlje value, and nothing that I have seen will in my 
 opinion justify "the diamond excitement," aad the ex- 
 pense of a search for precious stone in that region , 
 specimens of these stones I have in my cabinet, but 
 I do not believe, them to be of much value. 
 
Further details as to the locality of mines and min- 
 eral deposits, &c., in this Territory, would probably 
 be tedious, while to a few it would be interesting. I 
 therefore conclude this branch of the resources of our 
 Eocky Mountain country, and give my atention briefly 
 to the subject of agriculture and manufactures which isr 
 of very great interest to our people. 
 
 AGRICULTURE &c. 
 
 In the foregoing pages we have shown that the arable 
 land of a large portion of this country is admirably 
 adapted to agriculture and to the culture of the grape. 
 This is especially true of the valleys of the Rio Grande. 
 Those experienced in the cultivation of the' vine represent 
 that all the conditions of the soil humidity and tempera- 
 ture are united in these regions to produce the 7 grape in 
 the greatest perfection. The soil, composed of the 
 disintegrated matter of the older rock* and . volcanic- 
 ashes, is light, porous, and rich. The frosts in the 
 winter are just sufficiently severe to destroy the insects 
 without injuring the; plant, and the rain seldom falls in 
 the season when the pl&n&< is flowering, or when the fruit 
 is coming into, maturity, and liable to rot from exposure 
 to humidity. As a consequence of these condition of 
 things the frftit, when ripe, has a thin skin, scarsely any 
 pulp, and is devoid of the musky taste usual with Amer- 
 ican grapes. 
 
 Mr. William who was sent to this country as an agent 
 of the Interior Department to investigate the grape and 
 procure seeds and cutting styles this country "the Eden 
 of the Grape," and speaks as follows of the yield in the 
 El Paso valley, where it has been cultivated for more 
 than one hundred years. He says: "The estimate is 
 from two hundred and fifty to three hundred gallons of 
 
100 
 
 wine to the acre, but with American skill in the man- 
 agement of the vineyards, and American appliances in 
 making wine, the product muat be more than doubled." 
 
 This district of country grows many varieties of fruits 
 although no attention has been paid of scientific character. 
 Apples, peaches, pears, quinces, and apricots produce 
 well, and all sorts of vegetables can be cultivated. 
 
 It is equally well adapted to the culture of grain, 
 though in this, as well as in all other branches of agricul- 
 ture, no science is manifested by the natives ; they are in 
 this respect a hundred years behind age and tenaciously 
 adhere t<> old customs and prejudices, and have not 
 adopted the modern improvements. They scarsely ever 
 fence their lands, herding their stock instead of protecting 
 their fields ; know but little about rotation of crops ; plow 
 with oxen, the yoke fastened to the horns, and a wooden 
 plow attached of the time of Joseph. American farmers 
 would double the yield of these rich valleys. Even under 
 the rude culture that the natives bestow the crops are fine 
 The favorite variety of wheat was brought from Sonora ; 
 it is a white, plump, small grain, beardless and short 
 etalk, weighing about sixty-eight pounds to the bushel, 
 and makes a beautiful flour. Samples of this wheat I 
 have in my office from various localities in New Mexico 
 which demonstrate this to be as good a country for the 
 production of wheat as any portion of this continent. 
 
 Corn is raised to some extent barley, oats sorghum, 
 and broom corn have lately been introduced, and do well. 
 
 Potatoes do not grow in the Rio Grande valley, but 
 fine crops are raised in the mountain volleys. 
 
 Beans do well ; they are to the native what the potato- 
 is to the Irish. The valley of the Rio Grande produces 
 the finest onions, a well attended crop will often produce 
 a pound to the onion. 
 
101 
 
 The . report of the commisioner of the General Land 
 Office, page 53, for 1868, says : 
 
 Grass abounds in every portion of this territory, and 
 even in the forests grows luxuriantly the entire year. At 
 great altitudes this grass is in winter-time covered with 
 anow, though not deadened to the ground, for, as soon as 
 the snow melts, it affords excellent grazing upon the 
 mesas, (table lands,) and through the valleys grows the 
 justly celebrated gramma grass, which is cured as it 
 stands, afford abundant food for flocks and herds through- 
 out the winter. ******* 
 
 The facilities and cheapness of raising sheep and goats 
 applies equally well to the raising of horses and cattle, 
 and, when fully protected from Indian depredations, and 
 convenient transportation is afforded to the'markets of the 
 east by the construction of railroads, the hills and mount- 
 ains will be literally covered with flocks and herds. 
 
 Professor Hayden in his report for 1870 says : 
 
 " WESTERN NEW MEXICO. " 
 
 ct Although this is not embraced in the Rio Grande 
 district, it is perhaps best to add here wjiat few items I 
 laave obtained in in regard to its agricultural capacity. 
 
 The Rio San Juan, a tributary of the Colorado of the 
 West, although rising in the San Juan Mountains of Col- 
 orado Territory, bends south and traverses the northwest 
 portion of New Mexico, where it receives a number of 
 affluents.. Colonel McClure and Governor Arny inform 
 m that these valleys afford a considerable breadth o 
 very rich land, which can be irrigated, snd which will pro- 
 duce fine crops of the cerieals, vegetables, and- fruits usu- 
 ally grown in the Middle States. As this- area appears 
 to be almost, if not entirely, unoccupied, it would present 
 a good point for a colony." 
 
102 
 
 The foregoing extract from the report of Professor Hay- 
 den is in reference to a section of country on which to-day 
 (Jan. 15th 1873) there is probably not a white man, ti it 
 embraces an area of ninety miles long and about sixty 
 miles wide (which includes a large extent of public land) 
 and is claimed by insignificant bands of Weminutche 
 and Capote Indians who number only Capotes 365 and 
 Wsmenutches 650; total 1015, men, women and childre.1 
 (according to the report of the commissioner of Indian 
 Affairs for the year 1871), and who claim nearly thirty- 
 five millions of acres of land -, these Indians are roaming off 
 their reservation and are preventing the settlement of the 
 government lands contiguous to it. I allude here only to 
 the south half of the Ute reservation which is the portion 
 south of the Uncornpagre mountains, and the government 
 lands adjoining to that reservation, all of which are 
 claimed by these Utes. By the treaty of March 1868, the 
 Wemenutches and Capotes are entitled to over twenty 
 thousand acres of land for each head of a family ! ! ! ! ! 
 with this they are not satisfied, but claim the government 
 lands adjoining thereto. Let it be remembered that this 
 is in the southwest corner of Colorado and in the north- 
 east corner of New Mexico, and these Indians interfere 
 with nothing east of the Rio Grande, and south of the 
 Guinea Pass ; thousands of acres of land almost a hun- 
 dred miles northwest of Santa Fe, remain unoccupied and 
 its vast agricultural, pastoral and mineral resources re- 
 main unpossessed and a benefit to no person because a 
 few Ute Indians make claim to land that does not belong 
 to them, and which they do not occupy. 
 
 Last spring a company was organized composed of 
 persons from Europe and citizens of New Mexico and named 
 "THE FRONTIER COLONIZATION COMPANY," whose ben- 
 evolent object was to place upon lands in this San Juan 
 
103 
 
 region several thousand poor families from Europe and 
 the eastern States who are now homeless, and for this 
 purpose the company proposed to purchase from the gov- 
 ernment, a portion of the land of this paradise of Amer- 
 ica, situated over a hundred miles northwest of Santa 
 Fe, and located where the Territories of Utah, Colorado, 
 Arizona and New Mexico corner with each other. But 
 "the dog in the manger" policy of the Indians prevented 
 it. 
 
 This region, the Italy of the United States, will some 
 day be opened for settlement, it cannot be otherwise, and 
 the Indians, unless they are compelled to remain on their 
 reservation and induced to sell their unoccupied lands, will 
 by the advancement of immigration be deprived of the 
 lands they are entitled to by treaty, and receive nothing for 
 it, they will become more impoverished than they are at 
 present, unless the government compel them to remain on 
 their reservation, and quit their interference with settlers 
 on the government lands. The mines that have been dis- 
 covered on the head waters of the Rio de Las Animas, on 
 said reservation, and over ninety miles from where the 
 Frontier. Colonization company proposed to locate their 
 colony, have been taken by miners, and claims located, 
 and unless the government interferes to arrange for the 
 working of those mines by purchase of the land from the 
 Indians ; the miners will insist upon holding their claims 
 and the Indians who are now paupers with hundreds of 
 thousands of acres of land will then be unavoidably pauper* 
 without land, and dependent upon the government or rob- 
 bers stealing from whom they can, Without the wise 
 intervention of the government the Indians, citizens and 
 miners will be involved in trouble. I, however thank 
 kind Providence, that this may only be the case with the 
 Utes in the northwest corner of New Mexico, while all 
 
104 
 
 the rest of the vast and valuable territory of New Mexico 
 will be free from the Indians; and even this portion will^ 
 I trust, be opened by the prompt action of the govern- 
 ment, and these Utes be compelled to remain on their 
 own land, as may be determined by agreement, so that 
 the land that is of no use to them may be made available 
 by purchase and arrangements for settlement, the proceeds 
 to be expended by the government for '-the civilizing., 
 christianizing and making self sustaining" the Indians o 
 that region, this will be just and humane and result in 
 opening a section of country of great extent and value., 
 make self-sustaining the few Indians who are now apeet 
 to the settlements in New Mexico, and an expense to the 
 government and furnish homes to thousands of homeless- 
 families who are now living in poverty, and at the same 
 time increase the revenues of the government. 
 
 Professor Hayden further says, page 208 of-his report :. 
 
 "The upper tributaries of the Puereo of the West, a 
 branch of Flax River, are flanked by narrow belts of ara- 
 ble lands, but as the water of this river sinks as it des- 
 cends, it cannot be relied on for irrigating purposes. But 
 near the mountains here, as alog the headwaters of the 
 Zuni, crops ma^ be raised without irrigation, as the sup- 
 ply of rain is said to be generally sufficient for this pur- 
 pose. Even around Zuni, where an ample supply of wa- 
 ter can be obtained from the Zuni River, there arc no ace* 
 quias, the inhabitants relying on the rains to supply the 
 neeessary moisture. There is probably some peculiarity 
 connected with the local atmospheric currents here which 
 collects the moisture, or causes its separation and fall. 
 The evidences of a former quite numerous population,, 
 which have served to render this classic ground, when we 
 consider the fact that they are unaccompanied by the-re- 
 saains of aqueducts ,. would indicate that formerly tko 
 
105 
 
 amouut of rain was sufficient for agricultural purposes. 
 
 The Rio Mimbres runs through a beautiful valley of 
 moderate width and fertile soil, where all the productions 
 of the Central States can be raised, and where even those 
 things which belong to a more southern climate can be 
 grown without difficulty. 
 
 The Ri<> Gila, near where it leaves the Territory, hns- 
 some good bottom lands, but farther north, towards the 1 
 Sierra Santa Rita , is pebbty and inferior. In regard to 
 
 the valleys along its head-waters I know nothing." 
 
 ****** 
 
 THE CANADIAN SECTION. 
 
 [See pages 211 and 12, Hayden's Report.] 
 'This section, in a strictly systematic arrangement would 
 be included in the Arkansas rh'striet, to which it really be- 
 long; but for convenience, and that the plan of my re- 
 port of last year may remain unchanged, I describe it se- 
 parately. It includes that part of New Mexico lying be- 
 tween the Raton Mountains on the north and the Pecos 
 section, or "Llano Estacado" on the south and southwest, 
 and contains about fourteen thousand square miles. The 
 amount of arable land in this section, as heretofore stated, 
 is estimated at about four hundred square miles or nine 
 hundred thousand acres. This estimate is made on very 
 slender data, and therefore cannot be considered as very 
 reliable, but I am satisfied that it is not too large, and I 
 think it is approximately correct. 
 
 The Canadian River, rising in ,the Raton Mountains,, 
 runs southeast for about one hundred and fifty miles, to 
 Fort Bascom, where it turns east, and passes out of the 
 Territory, a pittle north of the thirty-fifth parallel its 
 whole length within the limits of the Territory being about 
 two hundred miles. Most of its tributaries of any import- 
 ance in an agricultural point of view flow in from the west, 
 
106 
 
 of which the following are the principal ones : Vermejo, 
 Little Cimarron, Ocate, Rayado, (a branch of the Ocate) 
 Mora, Rio Conchas, Pajarito Creek, and Tucumcari 
 Creek." 
 
 '" Startmg from the crest of the Raton Mountains im- 
 mediately above the source of the Canadian River, after 
 passing down through a dense forest of magnificent fire 
 and pines, we enter a beautiful little valley covered over 
 with a thick eward of luxuriant grass. Here a consider- 
 able amount is annually cut for hay and taken to Trini- 
 dad. But this valley soon terminates, and the little stream 
 and road enter a rugged canon bordered by precipitous 
 bluffs of gray sandstone, which continue to the plains at 
 the base of the mountain. Here a grand panoramic view 
 spreads out towards the south ; a broad, valley-like plain 
 slopes southward as far as the vision will reach. Scarcely 
 a tree or shrub is to be seen ; nli is one emooth, grassy. 
 carpet, which, on the distant gentle slopes, looks more 
 like pale, pea-green velvet than anything else to which I 
 can compare it. Rising up from the broad base are two 
 or three huge basaltic tables lifting their perfectly level 
 surfaces one hundred and fifty feet or more into the air, 
 and all clothed in the same velvety covering, but which 
 fails to destroy the sharp outline of circular rim. The 
 little stream, like a silvery thread, is seen winding its 
 tortuous course along the gently descending plain, joined 
 now and then by a slender rill flowing 'down from the 
 mountain on the west, near which are the estates of 
 thfe "consolidated land cattle raising and wool growing 
 company," see page 2$ of this pamphlet. It is a mag- 
 siificent pasture ground for sheep and Cattle, where thou- 
 -.sands might be grazed and tended with but little trouble." 
 
-107 
 
 MANUFACTORIES. 
 
 "There is no branch of industry that contributes more 
 to the prosperity of a people than manufacturing. Its ben- 
 eficial effects are felt throughout all the ramifications of 
 society and fill a vacuum in the body politic that nfever 
 can be filled in its absence. It furnishes the basis upon 
 which the largest portion of the world's commerce ia 
 founded. It populates large districts, gives life to the 
 business of cities, whitens the seas with the sails of all 
 * nations and administers to the comfort and convenience of 
 the world. 
 
 We in New Mexico depend entirely upon foreign mar- 
 kets for the purchase of all the [manufactured article in 
 use among us. Iron, nails, steel, leather, woolen fabrics, 
 everything indeed, is bought away from home and trans- 
 ported over the Plains when every one of the articles 
 named could be economically manufactured here. In 
 the present method of furnishing our markets with these 
 supplies millions of dollars are drained from the Territory 
 which never return and which go into the pockets of 
 manufacturers in the States, The elements of manu- 
 facturing success abound in "New Mexico. Our iron ore 
 is uncommonly rich, coal abundant and labor cheap. 
 There is not one article into the fabrication of which iron 
 enters but what could be produced as cheaply in our Ter- 
 ritory as it can in any other part of the United States. 
 The same may be said of leather, of which article there is 
 also a large amount consumed annually by nur people. 
 Our forests abound with timber which yields a bark -of 
 the best quality for tanning purposes. Thousands of hides 
 are yearly thrown away as worthless. With these induce- 
 ments before them it is strange to say that the people 
 have neglected this branch of business entirely and have 
 depended OB the States to get leather for the most ordin- 
 
108 
 
 ary uses. The wool which our elieep would give for the 
 manufacture of cloth is almost inexhaustable in quantity 
 and could be bought for a moderate price. 
 
 Capital applied to either or all of these branches ot 
 manufacturing could not but produce large incomes to the 
 capitalist and at the same time give an impetus to the ma- 
 terial progress of the Territory that would be astonishing. 
 I am fully persuaded that the absence of establishments 
 of the kind mentioned is not attributable to a want of 
 enterprise on the part of our people. In this respect they 
 do not differ materially from the inhabitants of other por- 
 tions of the country. But for reasons already mentioned, 
 their pecuniary resources have been crippled to such a, 
 degree tliat only small amounts of funds have been accu- 
 mulated- by individuals in various districts of the Terri- 
 tory^ and it has not been possible to aggregate them in 
 quantities sufficiently laxge to meet expenses which must 
 necessarily be incurred to put costly machinery in motion., 
 
 Our wool was disposed of here a few years ago to my 
 knowledge at from nothing up to 10 cents a fleece, the 
 owners of the animals being glad to get the wool from* 
 the sheep's back without trouble to themselves ; this wool, 
 was transported across the plains to the States then* 
 manufactured and probably returned here in cloth, cloth- 
 ing and blankets to be sold with all the costs of transpor- 
 tation, profits, labor etc. added. 
 
 Other illustrations could be given but enough has been 
 said to show that in this Territory we need such a system 
 of education to develope the manufacturing facilities 
 which we possess. Agriculture is the natural avocation 
 of man, when he was created and placed in "the Garden 
 of delights" he was told to cultivate it,, and so long as ho 
 did so, and violated no law of his Creator he was happy, 
 in his employment ; and if he fell and the earth was aa~ 
 
109 
 
 cursed for his sake the sentenca was not against the em- 
 ployment, but rather an argument in its favor; since in 
 consequence of the curse it became indispensably neces- 
 sary to pursue it. Tne same feelings, the same nature 
 that before the fall rejoiced in the Pomegranate and the 
 Date, that fed upon the luxury of rewarded labor, and 
 the rich fruits of happy industry were still vouchsafed to 
 him, and in the exercise of them, though there were dif- 
 ficulties in the way, thorns and briars, still there was 
 happiness. To satisfy the demands of our nature we 
 must have farmers and mechanics, and to be happy in 
 the employment they must be good farmers and mechan- 
 ics. I know there is a vulgar prejudice against such 
 callings and against labor in general, but it is truly a 
 vulgar one; the noblest powers and the noblest men of 
 all ages have given their suffrage in its favor. Kings 
 and Emperors, Philosophers and Warriors, Senators and 
 Statesmen all have paid homage to its interests, and lent 
 their patronage, power and wisdom to push forward its 
 progress. We have only to look back upon the historr 
 of agriculture and mechanic arts to see, that they have 
 not only been the best, the wisest and most honorable 
 men that in all ages have been the prime movers in its 
 advancement but also that it has been a great aid to al- 
 most all. real civilization and substantial- national improve- 
 ment. It would seem to be a work of supererogation to 
 diecuss as a controverted question the great importance 
 of agricultural, pastoral and mechanical pursuits to a 
 a people like ours, and indeed, I do not feel justified on 
 this occasion to enter into that detail of facts and argu- 
 ment which could be arrayed in its favor, and which 
 would make the balance sheet show in dollars and cents 
 the enormous net profits that a judicious system of the 
 culture of the soil, the establishment of manufactories 
 
110 
 
 and improvement of the sheep, horses and cattiS'of this 
 country would annually pour into the pocketa^of our 
 people and of capitalists who would invest their money 
 in this way. 
 
 TR2SS ETC., 
 
 The principal trees in the deep valleys are the cotton- 
 wood a brash tree which will not make lumber, but is 
 beautiful shade tree, and answers most of the requirements 
 in building and fencing. Cattle eat the bark greedily. 
 
 Willow, of which baskets, &c., are made by the Jicar- 
 illa Apaches. 
 
 Mezquite,or screw lean. This in the valleys of the 
 Gila becomes a considerable tree ; the wood has a fine 
 grain, and resembles the black walnut. It is very dura- 
 ble wood makes an intense heat, more so than any 
 with '< which we are acquainted. These trees 
 emit vast quantities of a gum resembling and possessing 
 similar qualities to the gum arable of commerce. The 
 Apache Indians eat the mezquite bean, grinding it upon 
 hand-mills into flour, and the bread is very palatable- 
 Horses fatten on the beans. On the table laad (mesas) 
 is found a peculiar variety of the mezquite. . It can hard- 
 ly be called a tree-, it is rather a stunted, -almost leafless 
 shrub, growing in the most barren places. In summer 
 they are covered with beans. 
 
 This mezquite has the most stupendous roots. Twelve 
 feet square will often produce a cord of roots. They 
 are really the fuel-beds of thet district, and nature has 
 furnished in this way thousands <of tons of fuel for the 
 smelting of minerals. .The .roots, both dead and green, 
 make most excellent .are-wood burn entirely to afche*. 
 The climate being arid, they never rot in the ground. 
 The dead roots are a natural charcoal, and instances 
 have occured where burning them in a close room haa 
 produced death. 
 
 The trees of the mountain valleys are ash, walnut, 
 hackberry, (a variety of cherry,) and on the mountains 
 pine, oak, and pinon. 
 
 B&ir-grass Plant. This plant is common all over the 
 tablelands. It is very useful. In Mexico gunny bags, 
 
Ill- 
 ropes, saddlers' and shoemakers' thread are made 
 the fiber. After the blockade ot the late war the manu- 
 facture of ropes of this plant was commenced in Texas, 
 Soap-weed, (Amolc.) This is another useful plant, and 
 is very common. The natives prefer it to soap for wash- 
 ing woolen goods. It extracts all grease and restores 
 the luster of the goods. The lather makes the best . 
 ehampoon. It is also an antidote for certain poisons.-. 
 
 The Maguey, known as the American aloes, and called > 
 by the Morthern Mexicans mezcal, is common in all 
 portions of this district. In Lower Mexico, where this* 
 plant is cultivated* they make from it a liquor, called 
 'pulqufc/'.and in, the upper country the Mexicans make 
 from it a brandy called "mezcal." The Indians esteem , 
 this plant a great delicacy ; they cook the heart of the 
 plant. 
 
 Hops -grow wild in the mountains, and are of supe- 
 rior quality. 
 
 The husbandman has drawn wealth during the past 
 years from the cultivation of our fertile vallies ; those en- 
 irnged in pastoral pursuits have realized large profits. 
 But this wealth of the soil and mountain pastures, though 
 very abundant sinksjinto insignificance when contrasted 
 with that wealth which is hidden beneath it ; those vast 
 stores of minerals which underlie a greater portion of this 
 Territory. The most superficial investigations prove the 
 existence of gold,, silver, copper, lead, iron and coal in 
 abundance which should elicit from Congress an appro- 
 pi iation to defray the expenses of a geological survey 
 of New Mexico, which would greatly aid in revealing th-3 
 untold mineral wealth of this country, and prevent the 
 diamond and other frauds, and would aid the many 
 citizens who are legitimately engaged in the Western 
 portion of New Mexico in the pursuit of gold, and givft 
 full credence to the well authenticated reports from the 
 Gila country that a new Eldorado has been opened in 
 our midst which must give an impetus to every branch , 
 of industry and make this a great commercial thorough- 
 fare f-tanding as we do midway between the Atlantic 
 and Pacific where the wealth and commerce of bolli ,. 
 
US- 
 oceans shall pay tribute to our people, the advancement 
 of this country is inevitable, with an industrious enter- 
 prising and intelligent population, who can portray the 
 fulness and prosperity of that splendid destiny which is 
 in reserve for New Mexico. 
 
 In considerable detail j|Ij|have given the advantages, 
 properties and resources possessed by this Territory, 
 and represented also the disadvantages under 
 which it labors, and have embraced the evils by which the 
 development of the resources of this country is retarded, 
 let the manifold resources, the latent and patent wealth 
 of this country, admits of a future as bright and pros- 
 perous as any equal portion of the mountain country of 
 the United States. Encouragement and aid by Congress 
 in the construction of railways for transportation, ditches 
 and canals to irrigate the millions of unproductive lands 
 will make "the country blossom and bloom as the rose." 
 And while it will furnish homes and subsistence to thou- 
 sands of poor who are now starving in our cities and 
 in Europe ; it will bring revenue into the coffers of the 
 government, and establish colonies and towns ail over those 
 now unoccupied millions of acres of unsurveyeJ and un- 
 improved lands. 
 
 As year by year the continent is being spanned by the 
 iron band, cheapening and facilitating our intercourse with 
 the world ; as the savage tribes become educated, civiliz- 
 ed, christianized, and merged- into our governmental or- 
 ganizations as citizens ; as a superabundance of gold and 
 silver from our mountains and capital from our commer- 
 cial cities will be seeking investment; as the vast miner- 
 al resources of the great west are becoming understood : 
 as emigration is ever flowing onward and westward in a 
 ceaseless tide ; a? the Government of the United States is 
 ever able and willing to extend a fortering protection 
 throughout its vast domain, this country will receive its 
 proportion of these great benefits, and once investigated 
 its claims to a most favorable consideration will wield 
 their own argument. 
 
 . T*. Jvr