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Show VIII. BILAGAANANINAAD44': THE COMING OF THE WHITEMEN A New Invader New Mexicans and Navajos were in a state of constant warfare by 1846. Neither side could hope for a clear victory. Then, on May 13, 1846, the United States Congress declared war with the Republic of Mexico. By August Colonel Stephen W. Kearny stood on the borders of New Mexico with an American army, ready to conquer the enemy's northern provinces. This new force was to break the deadlock between the New Mexicans and the hostile Indians. Kearny's trooops entered the New Mexican town of Las Vegas on August 15. Speaking from the roof of one of the town buildings, General Kearny told a crowd that he had taken control of the province. It was his duty to protect the New Mexicans. The Navajos, he said, posed a threat to the country's peace. His government, he promised, would stop the Indians from taking women and sheep. He did not understand that, in this centuries-old conflict, Navajos also needed protection from the New Mexicans. Our War, Your Treaty Kearny quickly took action. He ordered Colonel Alexander Doniphan to lead the army into Navajo country. The army was to bring back all prisoners and property taken from the New Mexicans. Kearny also told his officers to make peace among the Navajos, Mexicans, Pueblos, and Americans. If no treaty could be signed, the army would go to war with the Navajos. The army sent the Navajo headman Sandoval to discuss the possibility of a peace treaty with other Navajo leaders. At the time, Sandoval and his people, who lived at Cebolleta, had a unique friendship with the New Mexicans. Their fellow tribesmen called them "Enemy Navajos" because they often sided with the New Mexicans in war. After two weeks, Sandoval reported that the Navajo headmen wanted peace, but first they wanted to meet with the Americans in 101 |
