| OCR Text |
Show 178 INDIANS OR NEW MEXICO. Policy upon the part of the government, as well as humanity towards these Indians, would seem alike to require the contracting of the space now occupied by them. The experiment that was made last summer with a portion of these Indians to induce them to engage in agricultural pursuits on the Rio Puerco, west of Abiquin, authorizes the hope and belief that these Indians could be induced to form pueblos, and to maintain themselves by their own labor, if the proper attention and encouragement was extended to them. In the com-mencement of this policy it would require some increase of expendi-ture, but would, in the series of five or ten years, it is believed; prove to be economy. It would, at the same time, relieve the New Mex-icans of their thefts, and better their condition. The Utahs are a separate and distinct tribe of Indiana, divided.into six bands, each with a head chief, as follows : the Menaches-chief, Cone-a-che; the Capotes-chief, A-oh-ka-sach; the Tabe-naches-chief, Aug-ka-power-bran ; the Ciba-riches-chief, In-sagra-poo-yah-the Tem-pan-ah-gos-chief, Wah-ka; the Pi-u-chas--chief, Chu-woo-pah. All speak the same language, and are characterized substantially by the same habits and manners, but occupy different localities in their country, which is west of the Rio del Norte, and north of the Navajo country. The Utah is a hardy and athletic Indian, accustomed to endnre much hardship and fatigue. They are brave, impudent, and warlike, and are reputed to be the best fighters in the Territory, both as it regards skill and courage. They are of a revengeful disposi-tion, and believe in the doctrine of retaliation in all its length .and breadth, and never forget an injury. They are well skilled in the use of fire-arms, and are generally well supplied with rifles, which they handle with great dexterity, and shoot with accuracy. Whilst these Indians use the rifle principally in both peace and war, the other wild tribes in New Mexico rely mainly upon the bow and ar-row. The male Utahs wear long braided cues reaching to the ground, while the females wear short hair. The Utahs have no idea of labor, especially of agricultural pursuits, and regard it as beneath the dignity of a warrior. They raise good horses, but scarcely any beyond their own wants. They are expert in horsemanship;heing excelled by no Indians in New Mexico. They carry on a limited tra5c with the New Mexicans in the barter of skins.of various kinds, both manu-factured and unmanufactured. Beyond this they depend exclusively upon the chase and the hunt for a subsistence. When this fails them, t.hey have no scruples in plundering the New Mexicans in order to make up any deficiency, or any others who may be journeyingin their vicinity. I am induced to believe that they are well disposed towards the government and the people of New Mexico. They profess pacific intentions towards both. This tribe of Indians are not wealthy, though they are well supplied with arms, and have a sufficiency of horses. This tribe number from six to seven thousand souls, and from eight h&i&red to a thousand lodges. It is supposed that there are upwards of five hundred warriors belonging to the different hands. These Indians dwell in a rugged and mountainous country, generally well supplied, however, with wild game, consisting in part of deer, elk, and bear. A11 species of game, however, are gradually diminishing, |
