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Show 196 LEADING OF FACTS NEW MEXICAN THE HISTORY This state of affairs continued until the republics were cordial. period covered by the troubles with the province, afterward reTo be sure there was always trouble at the cuspublic, of Texas. ‘The manner in which Texas had achieved its independtom-house. ence and thereafter become one of the states of the American union was a demonstration to the New Mexicans that the onward march of American settlement was a pronounced menace to their own They feared that American influence would finally authority. predominate, and among the officials, civil and military, a strong opposition to the continuance of further commercial relations with the United States became apparent, although among the plain people of the territory the trade with the United States was very popular. The insurrection of 1837 added much to the distrust that was then becoming apparent, for all of the foreigners in Santa Fé and other portions of New Mexico were secretly accused of having The Texas-Santa Fé expedition been friendly to the movement. also served to bring about a wider breach for again it was believed The raids that the traders were privy to the plans of the Texans. by the Texans in 1848, the attack on the village of Mora, and the the key, I delivered the same be opened save in presence to the officer commanding of the aforesaid general the escort — not to commanding. ‘From all which circumstances, from what I gathered from Robinson and from the above named officer, I conclude distinctly that the expedition of July was specially designed to conciliate the Indian tribes in behalf of the government of the United States, to make them liberal presents, and drawing them into friendship, treaty, and commerce, to place them under the Anglo- American protection — all this referring specially to the Comanche most powerful of our allies. ‘*Furthermore, that the Anglo-American within the boundaries government considers of Louisiana all the rivers that empty tribe, the as included into the Missis- sippi and all of the territories that extend to the headwaters of the Rio Colorado which rise a few leagues from the Pueblo of Taos further to the north in this province; that it is their intention this year or the next to establish forts or settlements on all these rivers, in order to monopolize all the trade and commerce carried on by a large number of tribes in this province. ‘‘The detachment of Anglo-American troops referred to went to Chihuahua to appear before the commanding general, guarded by an escort, being allowed to carry their arms and ammunition on account of the danger of hostile Apaches on the route. ; : ‘‘All of which is submitted to the general commanding, reminding him of the representation made in my communication of the fourth of January last year, concerning the necessity of placing this province on a respectable footing, and of having frontier posts and positions thrown out to oppose the ambitious views of the aforesaid Anglo-American government, exposing also the wretchedly defenseless condition at present existing and so found by whomsoever has been in command. ‘‘Santa Fé, April 1, 1807.’ WAR WITH MEXICO 197 defeat of Armijo’s forces on the Arkansas by Colonel Snively, convinced the New Mexican officials that great political changes were within the realm of probability which might result in the acquisition of the territory by the United States. Being convinced that the American government had ulterior designs upon New Mexico, the authorities immediately began to do all in their power to maintain the Mexican position as far north as the Arkansas. A policy of making great concessions of lands to settlers, other than Americans or other foreigners, across the entire northern frontier of New Mexico was initiated. The grants of land later known as the Tierra Amarilla, the Maxwell, the Mora, the St. Vrain, the Nolan, and the Montoya and Anton Chico were made for the purpose of aiding and carrying out this policy. Petitions for lands lying within the districts covered by these immense concessions were made at times by persons of American birth who had become Mexican citizens which were denied by the governor and granting authorities at Santa Fé. <A well organized system of espionage was maintained and the presence of strangers on the Arkansas, at Bent’s Fort, and in other localities, was immediately reported to the governor at Santa Fé. The tragedies growing out of the Texas-Santa Fé expedition, largely through the wide circulation of a book published by one of the men 184 who was captured, who was himself not a Texan, created a public opinion in the United States that was unfortunate in the extreme. It was readily foreseen that war with Mexico was likely to break out at any moment. No one understood this better than the authorities at Santa Fé, for it was believed that the American people would invade New Mexican territory at the first opportunity. Indeed, they were right in their apprehensions, as is disclosed by the preparations made at Washington in advance of the breaking out of hostilities on the Rio Grande.** The knowledge gained by the traders of the conditions existing in New Mexico proved of great value to the government of the United States 184 Kendall, 1844, when George it was W., determined Texas-Santa Fé to send Expedition, an army Harper over and 185 Advice given to the president of the United States by Senator H. Benton vision. in. the organization of the Army of the West and Gen. the Brothers, Thomas Wool’s di- |