OCR Text |
Show 94 VII. NAHONZHOOD^A' upset as much as those in Mexico City. The weak and bankrupt Mexican government gave the Navajos new chances to raid. But it also had less control over persons who trespassed on Navajo lands or raided for slaves and booty. Once Spain was pushed out of North America, Anglo-Americans found themselves free to visit New Mexico. Traders and trappers soon moved out of the New Mexican towns onto Indian lands. To keep safe, these traders had to maintain good relations with the Indians when possible. Still, they had little real respect for Indian rights. If they knew that they had greater strength, they often fought or injured their Indian hosts. Most of the Anglo-Americans did not like the rules New Mexicans made to control their actions. So the trappers and traders often aroused the Indians against the settlers of the Rio Grande. Overall, the Anglo-Americans' presence caused more attacks on the New Mexicans. Governors and the Slave Trade The New Mexicans themselves did much to anger the Indians. At one point, a group of Navajos, including some leaders, were killed at Cochiti after being invited to make a treaty. The Navajos reacted with fury. In 1822 the strength of their attacks forced New Mexican officials to warn all persons trying to reach Santa Fe. Many of the Mexican governors at Santa Fe showed more concern for getting rich than for bringing peace. Slaves and the loot which could be taken during "wars" with the Navajos gave these men a welcome addition to their wages. Jose Antonio Vizcarra, who took o/ffice in 1823, conspired to force the Navajos into such a war. At the same time, he pretended to seek a new treaty. The Navajos had been quiet since the treaty with Governor Melgares in the fall of 1822, but Vizcarra demanded that they agree to new terms in February 1823. He proposed a treaty that the Navajos could not accept. It required the Indians to turn over all captives. The New Mexicans, on the other hand, would give up only captives who wished to leave. Any captives who wanted to be Catholics would not be asked to return to their people. And the New Mexicans would be urged to convert the captives and convince them to stay. Vizcarra also wanted the Navajos to hand over all stock and goods they had stolen. The most difficult demand was that all the Navajos become Catholic and settle in pueblos! |