USA > Arizona > History of Arizona, Volume I > Part 10
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required them not to serve against the United States during the present war until exchanged."
At the last camp, about sixteen miles from the town, a cavalryman, well mounted and armed, was met, who delivered a dispatch refusing the terms offered. He was allowed to retire without answer. The battalion made ready for engage- ment, when soon thereafter two Mexicans were met, who gave the information that the post had been evacuated, and that most of the inhabitants had been forced to leave by the military, who had also carried off two brass cannon. About a
dozen well mounted men met and accompanied the battalion into the town, some of whom were said to be soldiers. The command encamped about half a mile beyond the town. About a hundred of the perhaps five hundred inhabitants had remained. The barracks were situated upon high ground, enclosed by a wall with abut- ments and battlements in bad repair. Some provisions were brought to the camp for sale. The battalion was now without salt and only three bushels of that commodity could be ob- tained there. A quantity of wheat found in the forts was used for food, and as much as could be carried was ordered to be taken both for mules and men.
A note was left to be delivered to Captain Comaduran upon his return, enclosing a letter for the Governor of Sonora, at Ures, Don Man- uel Gandara, who was said to be well disposed to the United States. It is here given :
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"Camp at Tucson, Sonora, Dec. 18th, 1846.
"Your Excellency :- The undersigned, march- ing in command of a battalion of United States Infantry, from New Mexico to California, has found it convenient for the passage of his wagon train, to cross the frontier of Sonora. Having passed within fifteen miles of Fronteras, I have found it necessary to take this presidio in my route to the Gila.
"Be assured that I did not come as an enemy of the people whom you represent; they have received only kindness at my hands. Sonora refused to contribute to the support of the present war against my country, alleging the excellent reasons that all her resources were necessary to her defence from the incessant at- tacks of savages; that the central government gave her no protection, and was, therefore, entitled to no support. To this might have been added that Mexico supports a war upon Sonora. For I have seen the New Mexicans within her boundary trading for the spoil of her people, taken by murderous, cowardly Indians, who at- tack only to lay waste, rob and fly to the moun- tains, and I have certain information that this is the practice of many years; thus one part of Mexico allies itself against another.
"The unity of Sonora with the States of the north, now her neighbors, is necessary effectu- ally to subdue these Parthian Apaches.
"Meanwhile I make a wagon road from the streams of the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, through the valuable plains, and mountains rich with minerals, of Sonora. This, I trust, will
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prove useful to the citizens of either republic, who, if not more closely, may unite in the pur- suits of a highly beneficial commerce.
"With sentiments of esteem and respect, I am your Excellency's most obedient servant, "P. St. George Cooke,
"Lieut .- Colonel of United States Forces, to his Excel'y Sen. Don. Manuel Gandara.
"Governor of Sonora, Ures, Sonora."
On the 18th, the march was resumed, and on the 21st they struck General Kearny's route on the Gila, and there went into camp. Here they were visited by many Indians from the Pima villages, which were eight miles away. The In- dians flocked into camp, some being mounted, bringing small sacks of corn, flour, beans, etc. One brought letters from General Kearny and Major Swords, quartermaster-general, which mentioned eleven broken down mules and two bales of Indian goods left for him with the Pimas. Of the mules five had died, and the rest were, with the bales of Indian goods, turned over to the Colonel. The principal chief of the Pimas, Juan Antonio, stated to Colonel Cooke that the commander of Tucson had sent to de- mand the mules and goods left with them; that he refused to surrender them and declared that he would resist force with force. "He said I could see they were poor and naked, but they were content to live here by hard work, on the spot which God had given them, and not like others to rob or steal; that they did not fear us, and run like the Apaches, because they made it a rule to injure no one in any way, and therefore
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never expected anyone to injure them. In fact the Apaches do not molest them; but it is owing to experience of their prowess."
Colonel Cooke says: "The Pimas are large and fine looking, seem well fed, ride good horses, and are variously clothed, though many have only the center cloth; the men and women have extraordinary luxuriance and length of hair. With clean white blankets and streaming hair, they present mounted quite a fine figure. But innocence and cheerfulness are their most dis- tinctive characteristics. I am told the Mexican officers offered every persuasion, and promise of plunder, to excite hostility toward us. A few bushels of sweet corn were bought, and issued as rations."
Continuing, he says: "Several miles short of the village, groups of men, women and girls were met, coming to welcome the battalion. These last, naked generally above the hips, were of every age and pretty, walking often by twos with encircling arms; it was a gladdening sight, so much cheerfulness and happiness. One little girl, particularly, by a fancied resemblance, in- terested me very much; she was so joyous that she seemed very pretty and innocent; I could not resist tying on her head, as a turban, a bright new silk handkerchief, which I happened to wear to-day; the effect was beautiful to see-a picture of happiness."
"The camp is full of Indians, and a great many have some eatables, including water- melons, to trade; and they seem only to want clothing or cotton cloth, and beads. I am sorry they will be disappointed. It reminds me of a
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crowded New Orleans market. There must be two thousand in camp, all enjoying themselves very much; they stroll about, their arms around each other, graceful and admirable in form; their language certainly sounds like ours, their honesty is perfect."
From this picture of the Pimas, it will be seen that the first Americans received from them a warm welcome, and that friendship has been con- tinuous to the present day.
The march was resumed on the 23rd. The colonel stopped for a few moments at the house of the chief and told him that among the many Indians he had seen, the Pimas were the happi- est and most prosperous, and that as long as they adhered to their principles of industry, honesty, peace and cheerful content, they would continue so; that while they never injured their neighbors, their true safety lay in uniting to re- sist vigorously every aggression; that wishing them well he desired to add to their comfort and welfare by introducing sheep among them, and gave him for the use of his people, three ewes with young, which was the best he could do.
At this point a letter was received from Gen- eral Kearny, written at Warner's rancho, Cali- fornia, indicating that his arrival had been very important, not only to the welfare of California, but to its conquest.
The next camp was made at the village of the Maricopas, of whom this is said: "Notwith- standing a different language, all that has been said of the Pimas is applicable to them. They live in cordial amity, and their habits, agricul- ture and manufactures are the same, as also
10
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their religion, which consists in a simple belief in a great ever-ruling spirit. This seems to have proved a foundation for a most enviable practical morality. Don Jose Messio is their governor, and their population is estimated as high as ten thousand. Their dwellings are domed shape wicker work, thatched with straw or cornstalks, and from twenty to fifty feet in diameter; in front is usually a large arbor, on which is piled the cotton in the pod for drying; horses, mules, oxen, chickens and dogs seem to be the only domestic animals; they have axes, hoes, shovels and harrows. The soil is so easily pul- verized as to make the plow unnecessary."
Here, eight mules which had been abandoned by General Kearny, were picked up by the Mari- copas and delivered to Colonel Cooke, who says:
"The hospitality and generosity of these allied tribes is noted; they feed and assist in every way travellers who are in need; fortunately, perhaps, these have been few. I observe them parching grain in a basket, by throwing in live coals and keeping all in motion, by tossing into the air.
"They have the simplicity of nature, and none of the affected reserve and dignity characteristic of other Indians, before whites. At the sound of a trumpet, playing of a violin, the killing of a beef, they rush to see and hear, with delight or astonishment strongly exhibited. About a half bushel of corn was procured for each animal, and three days' rations of corn meal."
On the 8th day of January, the battalion reached the mouth of the Gila. Four or five days were spent in crossing the Colorado, where the command lost a large portion of their flour.
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Pushing on it arrived at Warner's rancho on the 21st, and bore its part in planting permanently the American flag upon the soil of California.
While General Kearny and Colonel Cooke were on their respective marches to California, Colonel Price, left in command of some two thousand men, many of them invalids, at Santa Fe, received information that efforts to excite a general revolt in New Mexico were being made. A former officer of the Mexican army was ar- rested, and a list of all the disbanded Mexican soldiers was found on his person. Many others, supposed to be implicated, were arrested, but the two leaders, Ortiz and Archuleta, made their escape to the south. A full investigation re- vealed that many influential persons in the terri- tory were involved in the insurrection, but the prompt measures taken were effective in crush- ing it before it assumed proportions which would render it a menace to the United States. In this revolt, however, the newly appointed governor and other of the officers appointed by General Kearny lost their lives, and of this por- tion of the history of the newly acquired terri- tory, St. George Cooke says :
"Charles Bent, the Governor, appointed by General Kearny, was an able man; amiable and married to a native of the country, he was con- sidered quite popular; January 14th, he left Santa Fe to visit his family at San Fernando de Taos, near the Pueblo de Taos, about seventy miles north of Santa Fe, and near the top of the great southern promontory of the Rocky Moun- tains. There, January 19th, the governor, the sheriff, the circuit attorney, the prefect, and two
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others were 'murdered in the most inhuman manner that savages could devise.' The same day, seven Americans were also murdered at Arroyo Hondo, and two others on the Rio Colo- rado. The prefect, Vigil, was a New Mexican, and the intention was apparent to murder every one who had accepted office under American rule."
Immediately upon receipt of this news, Col- onel Price commenced an active campaign against the insurrectionists. He bombarded the town of Cañada, one of their strongholds, and also had engagements with the enemy at Embudo and the Pueblo of Taos. The loss to the enemy was so great that they sued for peace, which was granted by Colonel Price on the condition that the leaders of the insurrection should be deliv- ered to him, which was done. Of the fate of these leaders, Colonel Cooke says:
"The principal leaders in this insurrection were Tafoya, Pablo Chavis, Pablo Montoya, Cortez and Tomas, a Pueblo Indian. Of these, Tafoya was killed at Cañada; Chavis was killed at Pueblo; Montoya was hanged at San Fer- nando on the 7th instant, and Tomas was shot by a private while in the guard room at the lat- ter town. Cortez is still at large. This person was at the head of the rebels in the valley of Mora."
The campaign was vigorously prosecuted by Colonel Price, and the insurrection was effectu- ally quelled, with great loss of life to the rebels, and some loss to the Americans. At the end of this chapter describing this insurrection and campaign, St. George Cooke says: "And New Mexico then submitted."
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CHAPTER X.
TREATY OF GUADALUPE HIDALGO.
UNITED STATES IN POSSESSION OF MEXICAN TER- RITORY-CIRCUMSTANCES CONCERNING WAR WITH MEXICO - THE TREATY PROTOCOL- BOUNDARIES - AREA-COST OF CESSION- DELIVERY OF THE CESSION.
On the first of January, 1848, the United States was in possession of the City of Mexico, the city of Chihuahua, and of the eastern sea- ports of Mexico, as well as of the territory now forming the States of New Mexico, Arizona and California, together with Lower California. California was the pawn which several Euro- pean countries claimed and were trying to secure, and England, in particular, had she secured California, in all probability would have held all the coast territory west of the Rocky Mountains, including what is now the States of Utah, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California and Nevada. She would probably have allowed Mexico or the United States to hold the Apache infested country of New Mexico and Arizona.
In order that my readers may be informed of the circumstances concerning the war with Mex- ico, and the subsequent acquisition by the United States of that part of the territory of Mexico in Arizona north of the Gila River, I quote here from Donaldson's "Public Domain" as follows :
"The treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, between the United States and the Republic of Mexico, February 2nd, 1848, added to the national and
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public domain the territory lying between the Rio Grande River north along the one hundred and sixth meridian of longitude west from Greenwich to the forty-second parallel north latitude, and along that parallel to the Pacific Ocean. Prior to the time that Commodore Sloat took possession of California, she had been the object of jealous attention on the part of sev- eral foreign nations. The Russians established themselves at Bodega, on the coast of Califor- nia, in the year 1812, by permission of Spain, for the purpose of fishing and obtaining furs. Then, after this, they brought cattle, raised herds, and produced wheat. Forty miles from Bodega, beyond the San Sebastian river. they built Fort Slawianski, called by the Mexicans 'Fort of Ross.' They flew the Russian flag, and the military governor appointed by the Czar of Russia was in command. During the Mexican Revolution, they assumed to be the actual own- ers of the territory thus occupied. In the year 1842, through the fostering care of the Russian home government, this colony possessed onc- sixth of the white population of California. After the United States finally acquired Califor- nia, this military colony was withdrawn.
"In the year 1835 President Jackson pro- posed to the government of Mexico to purchase the territory lying east and north of a line drawn from the Gulf of Mexico along the eastern bank of the Rio Grande, up to the thirty-seventh par- allel north latitude, and thence along that parallel to the Pacific Ocean. This would have obtained the Bay of San Francisco, but the negotiation failed. Fremont's expedition by
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land, and Wilke's exploring expedition by sea and land, all under Government auspices, gave much information to the country at large of the Pacific Coast.
"In 1841, by order of Marshal Soult, minister of war of France, an attache of the French mis- sion to Mexico, M. Duflot de Mofras, visited California and made a thorough exploration. He remained there two years.
"In 1846 an informal meeting of citizens and natives of California was held at Monterey to consider annexation. The consuls of England (Forbes), of France (Guys), and of the United States (Larkin), were working during this per- iod to encourage in the Californians a desire for annexation to one of their respective countries. Members were elected to a convention to con- sider annexation, but it never met.
"It was claimed that Great Britain intended to seize California as an equivalent for the Mex- ican debt due to British subjects. She had a fleet in the Pacific waters watching the Amer- ican fleet, and it entered the harbor of Monterey a few hours after Commodore Sloat had there raised the American flag, July 7, 1846. It is presumed from official action on the part of the naval and other officers of the United States Government, that our navy was to see that no foreign government took possession of Califor- nia. (See Mr. Buchanan's letter to Minister Slidell, April 10, 1845, as to the French and Eng- lish designs.)
"After the terms of annexation offered to Texas by the United States had been accepted by Texas, President Polk, in 1845, ordered the
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army of the United States to occupy the western portion of Texas, between the Nueces and Rio Grande rivers, and to hold it. A strong naval force in the Gulf was ordered to co-operate with the army. Under date of November 10, 1845, Mr. Buchanan, Secretary of State, instructed John Slidell, United States Minister to Mexico, to offer the Mexican Government, for the cession of New Mexico and a boundary line on the Rio Grande and to the forty-second parallel north latitude, the assumption of claims of American citizens against Mexico and $5,000,000; for the cession of the province of California, the assumption of claims of American citizens against Mexico, and $25,000,000; and for the bay and harbor of San Francisco and north of it, $20,000,000.
"On the 13th of May, 1846, Congress passed a law declaring that 'war existed by the act of Mexico,' and the war with Mexico ensued.
"April 15, 1845, President Polk commissioned Nicholas P. Trist, Esq., chief clerk of the De- partment of State, to proceed, as the confidential agent of the Government and commissioner to Mexico. He was furnished with a project of treaty stating the purchase prices to be paid for the extension of our boundary. Upon his ar- rival in Mexico, Mr. Trist opened his negotia- tions with the Mexican authorities. On the 2nd of September, 1847, he met the Mexican Commis- sioners and tried to arrange a treaty, but failed. A temporary armistice was granted. Septem- ber 6, General Scott notified Santa Anna that he would resume military operations the next day,
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as the armistice had been repeatedly broken. On the 17th, the war was resumed.
"November 22nd, proposals were received from the Mexican authorities for negotiations for a treaty.
"It was made by Nicholas Trist, Esq., on be- half of the United States (although a long time before recalled), and Luis G. Cuevas, Ber- nardo Couto and Miguel Atristain on the part of Mexico. This treaty was done at the city of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Mexico, February 2nd, 1848. Mr. Trist submitted it to Mr. Buchanan, Secretary of State, and President Polk sent it to the Senate with a message, on Wednesday, February 23rd, 1848. He recommended that the tenth article should not be ratified. The Sen- ate, after debate, amended it. It was finally adopted, with amendments, March 10, 1848, by a vote of yeas 38 nays 14.
"By and with the advice of the Senate, Presi- dent Polk appointed Hon. Ambrose H. Sevier (United States Senator), of Arkansas, and Hon. Nathaniel Clifford (Attorney-General), of Maine, commissioners to Mexico, as envoys ex- traordinary and ministers plenipotentiaries. They took with them a copy of the treaty, with the amendments of the Senate duly ratified by the President, and had full powers to ratify the same. The protocol to the treaty was their work. They arrived at the city of Queretaro May 5, 1848. The amended treaty was sub- mitted to the Mexican Senate on that day, and it passed by a vote of 33 ayes to 5 nays. It had previously passed the House of Deputies.
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"On the 30th of May, at the same city, ratifica- tions were exchanged, and afterwards the com- missioners at the city of Mexico paid over the $3,000,000 cash payment.
"Treaty of peace, friendship, limits and set- tlement, with the Republic of Mexico, con- cluded February 2, 1848; ratifications ex- changed at Queretaro, May 30, 1848; pro- claimed July 4, 1848.
"In the name of Almighty God:
"The United States of America and the United Mexican States, animated by a sincere desire to put an end to the calamities of the war which unhappily exists between the two Repub- lies, and to establish upon a solid basis relations of peace and friendship, which shall confer re- ciprocal benefits upon the citizens of both, and assure the concord, harmony and mutual confi- dence wherein the two people should live, as good neighbors, have for that purpose appointed their respective plenipotentiaries, that is to say : "The President of the United States has ap- pointed Nicholas P. Trist, a citizen of the United States, and the President of the Mexican Republic has appointed Don. Luis Gonzaga Cue- vas, Don Bernardo Couto, and Don Miguel Atristain, citizens of the said Republic;
"Who, after a reciprocal communication of their respective powers, have, under the protec- tion of Almighty God, the author of peace, ar- ranged, agreed upon, and signed the following treaty of peace, friendship, limits and settlement between the United States of America, and the Mexican Republic;
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"ARTICLE I. There shall be firm and uni- versal peace between the United States of Amer- ica and the Mexican Republic, and between their respective countries, territories, cities, towns and people, without exception of places or per- sons.
"ART. II. Immediately upon the signature of this treaty, a convention shall be entered into between a commissioner or commissioners ap- pointed by the general-in-chief of the forces of the United States, and such as may be appointed by the Mexican Government, to the end that a provisional suspension of hostilities shall take place, and that in the places occupied by the said forces, constitutional order may be re-estab- lished, as regards the political, administrative, and judicial branches, so far as this shall be per- mitted by the circumstances of military occupa- tion.
"ART. III. Immediately upon the ratifica- tion of the present treaty by the Government of the United States, orders shall be transmitted to the commanders of their land and naval forces, requiring the latter, (providing this treaty shall then have been ratified by the govern- ment of the Mexican Republic, and the ratifica- tions exchanged), immediately to desist from blockading any Mexican ports; and requiring the former, (under the same condition), to com- mence, at the earliest moment practicable, with- drawing all troops of the United States then in the interior of the Mexican Republic, to points that shall be selected by common agreement, at a distance from the seaports not exceeding thirty leagues; and such evacuation of the interior of
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the Republic shall be completed with the least possible delay ; the Mexican Government hereby binding itself to afford every facility in its power for rendering the same convenient to the troops, on their march, and in their new posi- tions, and for promoting a good understanding between them and the inhabitants. In like man- ner orders shall be dispatched to persons in charge of the custom-houses at all ports occupied by the forces of the United States, requiring them (under the same condition) immediately to deliver possession of the same to the persons au- thorized by the Mexican Government to receive it, together with all bonds and evidence of debt for duties on importations and on exportations, not yet fallen due. Moreover, a faithful and ex- act account shall be made out, showing the entire amount of all duties on imports and exports, col- lected at such custom-houses, or elsewhere in Mexico, by authority of the United States, from and after the day of ratification of this treaty, by the government of the Mexican Republic; and also an account of the cost of collection; and such entire amount, deducting only the cost of collection, shall be delivered to the Mexican Gov- ernment, at the city of Mexico, within three months after the exchange of ratifications.
"The evacuation of the capital of the Mexican Republic by the troops of the United States, in virtue of the above stipulation, shall be com- pleted in one month after the orders there stipu- lated for shall have been received by the com- mander of field troops, or sooner if possible.
"ART. IV. Immediately after the exchange of ratifications of the present treaty, all castles,
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