Early Western Travels 17481846 Volume XX Part II of Greggs Commerce of the Prairies 18311839 by Reuben Gold Thwaites

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Title: Early Western Travels 1748-1846, Volume XX
Part II of Gregg's Commerce of the Prairies, 1831-1839

Author: Various

Editor: Reuben Gold Thwaites

Release Date: November 17, 2013 [EBook #44205]

Language: English

Character set encoding: UTF-8

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Early Western Travels

1748-1846
Volume XX

Indian alarm on the Cimarron River

Illustrations List

Early Western Travels

1748-1846

A Series of Annotated Reprints of some of the best and

rarest contemporary volumes of travel, descriptive

of the Aborigines and Social and Economic

Conditions in the Middle and Far West,

during the Period of Early

American Settlement

Edited with Notes, Introductions, Index, etc., by

Reuben Gold Thwaites, LL. D.
Editor of "The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents",
"Original Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition",

"Hennepin's New Discovery," etc.

Volume XX

Part II of Gregg's Commerce of the Prairies, 1831-1839

Cleveland, Ohio

The Arthur H. Clark Company

1905

Copyright 1905, by

THE ARTHUR H. CLARK COMPANY

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

The Lakeside Press

R. R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY

CHICAGO

CONTENTS OF VOLUME XX

Commerce of the Prairies; or, The Journal of a Santa Fé Trader, during Eight Expeditions

across the Great Western Prairies, and a Residence of nearly Nine Years in Northern
Mexico. (Part II: Chapters xii-xvi of Volume I, and all of Volume II of original.)
Josiah Gregg.

Author's Table of Contents
13

Text of Part II:
21

ILLUSTRATIONS TO VOLUME XX

" Indian Alarm on the Cimarron River"
Frontispiece

" Map of the Interior of Northern Mexico"
Facing
21

Medal of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe de Mexico (text cut)
40

"Camp Comanche"
123

Mule emerging from a mine; Still Hunting (text cuts in original)
181

"'Dog Town,' or Settlement of Prairie Dogs"
279

Part II of Gregg's Commerce of the Prairies,
or The Journal of a Santa Fé Trader——1831-

1839

Reprint of chapters xii-xvi of Volume I, and all of Volume II of the

second edition: New York, 1845

CONTENTS
CHAPTER XII

Government of New Mexico — The Administration of Justice — Judicial Corruption —

Prejudices against Americans — Partiality for the English — Anecdote of Governor
Armijo and a Trapper — Outrage upon an American Physician — Violence
suffered by the American Consul and others — Arbitrary Impositions upon
Foreigners — Contribucion de Guerra — The Alcaldes and their System — The
Fueros — Mode of punishing Delinquents and Criminals — Mexican System of
Slavery — Thieves and Thieveries Outrage upon an American Merchant —
Gambling and Gambling-houses — Game of Monte — Anecdote of a Lady of
Fashion — Chuza — Cockpits — Correr el gallo — El Coleo — Fandangoes
— Cigarritos,
21

CHAPTER XIII

Military Hierarchy of Mexico — Religious Superstitions — Legend of Nuestra Señora

de Guadalupe — A profane Version of the Story — A curious Plan for
manufacturing Water — Saints and Images — Processions — How to make it Rain
— The Sacred Host — Fanaticism and Murder — Honors paid to a Bishop —
Servility to Priests — Attendance at Public Worship — New Mexicans in Church
— The Vesper Bells — Passion Week and the Ceremonies pertaining thereto —
Ridiculous Penitencia — Whitewashing of Criminals — Matrimonial Connexions
and Mode of Contracting them — Restrictions upon Lovers — Onerous Fees paid
for Marriages and Burials — Anecdote of a Ranchero — Ditto of a Servant and of
a Widow, illustrative of Priestly Extortion — Modes of Burial, and Burial Ground of
the Heretics,
37

CHAPTER XIV

The Pueblos — Their Character for Sobriety, Honesty, and Industry — Traditional

descent from Montezuma — Their Languages — Former and present Population
— The Pueblo of Pecos — Singular Habits of that ill-fated Tribe — Curious
Tradition — Montezuma and the Sun — Legend of a Serpent — Religion and
government — Secret Council — Laws and Customs — Excellent Provisions
against Demoralization — Primitive Pastimes of the Pueblos — Their Architecture
— Singular Structures of Taos, and other novel Fortifications — Primitive state of
the Arts among the Pueblos — Style of Dress, Weapons, etc. — Their Diet — The
Guayave,
54

{xvi} CHAPTER XV

The wild Tribes of New Mexico — Speculative Theories — Clavigero and the Azteques

— Pueblo Bonito and other Ruins — Probable Relationship between the Azteques
and Tribes of New Mexico — The several Nations of this Province — Navajóes
and Azteques — Manufactures of the former — Their Agriculture, Religion, etc. —
Mexican Cruelty to the Indians and its Consequences — Inroads of the Navajóes
— Exploits of a Mexican Army — How to make a Hole in a powder-keg — The
Apaches and their character — Their Food — Novel Mode of settling Disputes —
Range of their marauding Excursions — Indian Traffic and imbecile Treaties —
Devastation of the Country — Chihuahua Rodomontades — Juan José, a
celebrated Apache Chief, and his tragical End, etc. — Massacre of Americans in
Retaliation — A tragical Episode — Proyecto de Guerra and a 'gallant' Display —
The Yutas and their Hostilities — A personal Adventure with them, but no
Bloodshed — The Jicarillas,
67

CHAPTER XVI

Incidents of a Return Trip from Santa Fé — Calibre of our Party — Return Caravans —

Remittances — Death of Mr. Langham — Burial in the Desert — A sudden Attack
— Confusion in the Camp — The Pawnees — A Wolfish Escort — Scarcity of
Buffalo — Unprofitable Delusion — Arrival — Table of Camping Sites and
Distances — Condition of the Town of Independence — The Mormons — Their
Dishonesty and Immorality — Their high-handed Measures, and a Rising of the
People — A fatal Skirmish — A chivalrous Parade of the Citizens — Expulsion of
the Mormons — The Meteoric Shower, and Superstition, etc. — Wanderings and
Improprieties of the 'Latter-day Saints' — Gov. Boggs' Recipe — The City of
Nauvoo — Contemplated Retribution of the Mormons,
87

CHAPTER XVII {I of Vol. II, original ed.}

A Return to Prairie Life — Abandonment of the regular Route — The Start — A Suicide

— Arrest of a Mulatto for Debt — Cherokee 'Bankrupt Law' — Chuly, the Creek
Indian — The Muster and the Introduction — An 'Olla Podrida' — Adventure of
a 'Down-Easter' — Arrival of U. S. Dragoons — Camp Holmes, and the Road —
A Visit from a Party of Comanches — Tabba-quena, a noted Chief — His
extraordinary Geographical Talent — Indians set out for the 'Capitan Grande,' and
we through an unexplored Region — Rejoined by Tabba-quena and his 'suite' —
Spring Valley — The Buffalo Fever — The Chase — A Green-horn Scamper —
Prairie Fuel,
99

CHAPTER XVIII {II of Vol. II}

Travelling out of our Latitude — The Buffalo-gnat — A Kiawa and Squaw — Indian

crim. con. Affair — Extraordinary Mark of confidence in the White Man — A
Conflagration — An Espy Shower — Region of Gypsum — Our Latitude — A
Lilliputian Forest — A Party of Comanches — A Visit to a 'Dog-Town' — Indian
Archery — Arrival of Comanche Warriors — A 'Big Talk' and its Results —
Speech of the Capitan Mayor — Project of bringing Comanche Chiefs to
Washington — Return of Lieut. Bowman, and our March resumed — Melancholy
Reflections — Another Indian Visit — Mexican Captives — Voluntary Captivity
— A sprightly Mexican Lad — Purchase of a Captive — Comanche Trade and
Etiquette — Indians least dangerous to such as trade with them,
114

CHAPTER XIX {III of Vol. II}

Ponds and Buffalo Wallows — Valley of the Canadian, and romantic Freaks of Nature

— Formation of Ravines — Melancholy Adventure of a Party of Traders in 1832
— Fears of our being lost — Arrival of a Party of Comancheros, and their
wonderful Stories — Their Peculiarities and Traffic — Bitter Water, and the
Salitre of New Mexico — Avant-couriers for Santa Fé — Patent Fire-arms and
their Virtues — Ranchero Ideas of Distance, and their Mode of giving Directions
— The Angostura, and erroneous Notions of the Texans — A new Route
revealed — Solitary Travel — Supply of Provisions sent back — Arrival at Santa
Fé — Gov. Armijo, etc. — A 'Flare-up' with His Excellency,
132

CHAPTER XX {IV of Vol. II}

Preparations for a Start to Chihuahua — Ineptness of Married Men for the Santa Fé

Trade — Annoying Custom-house Regulations — Mails in New Mexico —
Insecurity of Correspondence — Outfit and Departure — Derecho de Consumo
— Ruins of Valverde — 'Towns without Houses' — La Jornado del Muerto —
Laguna and Ojo del Muerto — A Tradition of the Arrieros — Laborious Ferrying
and Quagmires — Arrival at Paso del Norte — Amenity of the Valley — Sierra
Blanca and Los Organos — Face of the Country — Seagrass — Médanos or
Sand-hills — An accidental River — Carrizal — Ojo Caliente — Laguna de
Encinillas — Southern Haciendas — Arrival — Character of the Route and Soil,
145

CHAPTER XXI {V of Vol. II}

Trip from Chihuahua to Aguascalientes, in 1835 — Southern Trade and Ferias —

Hacienda de la Zarca, and its innumerable Stock — Rio Nazas, and Lakes
without outlet — Perennial Cotton — Exactions for Water and Pasturage —
Village of Churches — City of Durango and its Peculiarities — Fruits, Pulque, etc.
— Persecution of Scorpions — Negro-ship in the ascendant — Robbers and their
modus operandi — City of Aguascalientes — Bathing Scene — Haste to return
to the North — Mexican Mule-shoeing — Difficulties and Perplexities — A
Friend in time of need — Reach Zacatecas — City Accommodations — Hotels
unfashionable — Locale, Fortifications, etc., of the City of Zacatecas — Siege by
Santa Anna and his easy-won Victory — At Durango again — Civil Warfare
among the 'Sovereigns' — Hairbreadth 'scapes — Troubles of the Road — Safe
Arrival at Chihuahua — Character of the Southern Country,
162

CHAPTER XXII {VI of Vol. II}

Visit to the Mining Town of Jesus-Maria — Critical Roads — Character of the Town

— Losing Speculations — Mine of Santa Juliana — Curious mining Operations
— Different Modes of working the Ore — The Crushing-mill, etc. — Barras de
Plata — Value of Bullion — The Silver Trade — Return to Chihuahua —
Resumption of the regular Narrative — Curious Wholesales — Money Table —
Redundancy of Copper Coin — City of Chihuahua and its Peculiarities —
Ecclesiastical Architecture — Hidalgo and his Monument — Public Works, and
their present Declension — Fête in honor of Iturbide — Illiberality towards
Americans — Shopping Mania — Anti-Masonic Auto de Fe,
178

CHAPTER XXIII {VII of Vol. II}

Departure for Santa Fé — Straitened for Food — Summary Effort to procure Beef —

Seizure of one of our Party — Altercation with a Rico — His pusillanimous
Procedure — Great Preparations in Chihuahua for our Arrest — Arrival of
Mexican Troops — A polite Officer — Myself with three of my Men summoned
back to Chihuahua — Amiable Conduct of Señor Artalejo — Junta
Departmental and Discussion of my Affair — Writ of Habeas Corpus not in
vogue — The Matter adjusted and Passports granted — The Morale — Impunity
of savage Depredations — Final Start — Company of Paseños with their Fruits
and Liquors — Arrival at Santa Fé,
193

CHAPTER XXIV {VIII of Vol. II}

Preparations for returning Home — Breaking out of the Small-pox — The Start — Our

Caravan — Manuel the Comanche — A new Route — The Prairie on Fire —
Danger to be apprehended from these Conflagrations — A Comanche Buffalo-
chase — A Skirmish with the Pawnees — An intrepid Mexican — The Wounded
— Value of a thick Skull — Retreat of the Enemy and their Failure — A bleak
Northwester — Loss of our Sheep — The Llano Estacado and Sources of Red
River — The Canadian River — Cruelties upon Buffalo — Feats at 'Still Hunting'
— Mr. Wethered's Adventure — Once more on our own Soil — The False
Washita — Enter our former Trail — Character of the Country over which we
had travelled — Arrival at Van Buren — The two Routes to Santa Fé — Some
Advantages of that from Arkansas — Restlessness of Prairie Travellers in civilized
Life, and Propensity for returning to the Wild Deserts,
203

CHAPTER XXV {IX of Vol. II}

CONCLUSION OF THE SANTA FE TRADE

Decline of Prices — Statistical Table — Chihuahua Trade — Its Extent — Different

Ports through which Goods are introduced to that Market — Expedition between
Chihuahua and Arkansas — The Drawback — The more recent Incidents of the
Santa Fé Caravans — Adventures of 1843 — Robbery and Murder of Chavez
— Expedition from Texas — Defeat of Gen. Armijo's Van-guard — His
precipitate Retreat — Texan Grievances — Unfortunate Results of indiscriminate
Revenge — Want of discipline among the Texans — Disarmed by Capt. Cook —
Return of the Escort of U. S. Dragoons, and of the Texans — Demands of the
Mexican Government — Closing of the Santa Fé Trade,
221

CHAPTER XXVI {X of Vol. II}

GEOGRAPHY OF THE PRAIRIES

Extent of the Prairies — Mountains — Mesas or Table-lands — El Llano Estacado

— Cañones — Their Annoyance to the early Caravans — Immense Gullies —
Coal Mines and other Geological Products — Gypsum — Metallic Minerals —
Salines — Capt. Boone's Exploration — 'Salt Plain' and 'Salt Rock' — Mr.
Sibley's Visit — Saline Exudations — Unhabitableness of the high Prairies —
Excellent Pasturage — Rich border Country sufficient for two States — Northern
Texas — Rivers of the Prairies — Their Unfitness for Navigation — Timber —
Cross Timbers — Encroachments of the Timber upon the Prairies — Fruits and
Flowers — Salubrity of Climate,

237

CHAPTER XXVII {XI of Vol. II}

ANIMALS OF THE PRAIRIES

The Mustang or Wild Horse — Capturing him by 'Creasing,' and with the Lazo —

Horse-flesh — The Buffalo — Its Appearance — Excellence of its Meat —
General Utility to the Indian and Traveller — Prospect of its Extinction — Hunting
the Buffalo with Bow and Arrows, the Lance, etc. — 'Still-hunting' — The Buffalo
ferocious only when wounded — Butchering, etc. — The Gray Wolf — Its
Modes of killing Buffalo — Their great numbers — A 'Wolf scrape' — The
Prairie Wolf, or 'Jackal of the Prairies' — The Elk, Deer and Bear — The
Antelope — The Bighorn — The Prairie Dog — Owls and Rattlesnakes — The
Horned Frog — Fowls — Bees, etc.,
259

CHAPTER XXVIII {XII of Vol. II}

ABORIGINES OF AMERICA

Indian Cosmogony — Traditions of Origin — Identity of Religious Notions —

Adoration of the Sun — Shawnee Faith — Anecdote of Tecumseh — Legendary
Traditions — Missionaries, and Success of the Catholics — The Indian's Heaven
— Burial Customs — Ancient Accounts — Depositing the Dead on Scaffolds —
Superstition and Witchcraft — Indian Philosophy — Polygamy and other
Matrimonial Affairs — Abhorrence of Incest — Difference in Character — Indian
Hospitality — Traits of the Ancient Asiatics — Names — Relationship of
Different Tribes — Dreadful Decrease of the Indians,
283

CHAPTER XXIX {XIII of Vol. II}

THE FRONTIER INDIANS

Causes of Removal West — Annuities, etc. — Dissatisfaction of the Indians — Their

Melioration by the Change — Superiority of their present Location — Lands
granted to them — Improvements, Agriculture, etc. — Their Slaves —
Manufactures — Style of Living, Dress, etc. — Literary Opportunities and
Improvements — Choctaw Academy — Harpies and Frauds — Games —
Systems of Government — Polygamy — Ancient Laws and Customs —
Intemperance — Preventive Measures — A Choctaw Enactment — Marriage
and Funeral Customs of the Choctaws — The Creeks — Their Summary
Executions — Mourning — Indian Titles — The Northern Tribes — Census of
the Frontier Nations,
299

CHAPTER XXX {XIV of Vol. II}

INDIANS OF THE PRAIRIES

System of Chiefs — Mode of Warfare — War-Council — The Scalp-dance — The

Calumet or Pipe of Peace — Treaties — Public News-criers — Arms of the
Indians — Bow and Arrows, etc. — Hunting — Dancing — Language of Signs
— Telegraphs — Wigwams or Lodges — Pack-dogs — Costumes — Painting,
Tattooing, etc. — Indian Dandies — Manufactures, and Dressing the Buffalo Rug
— Indian Diet, Fasting, etc. — Primitive Thomsonians — Their domestic Animals,
the Dog and the Horse — Wampum — Their Chronology,
318

CHAPTER XXXI {XV of Vol. II}

INDIANS OF THE PRAIRIES

Intermediate Tribes — Their Wigwams and their Hunting Excursions — Dress and Cut

of their Hair — The Pawnees — The Osages — Their Roguery — Matrimonial
Customs — Accomplished Mourners — Their Superstitions — The Indian Figure
— The 'Pawnee Picts' — Wild Tribes — Census — The Comanches — Their
Range — Their Sobriety — Their Chiefs, etc. — Female Chastity — Comanche
Marriage — Costumes — Horsemanship — Comanche Warfare — Predatory
Forays — Martial Ceremonies — Treatment of Captives — Burial and Religious
Rites,
336

GLOSSARY.

Containing such Spanish or Hispano-Mexican words as occur undefined in this work,

or recur without definition after having been once translated
353

MAP OF THE INTERIOR OF NORTHERN MEXICO.

see larger

Illustrations List

COMMERCE OF THE PRAIRIES

{PART II}