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Show 460 LEADING FACTS OF NEW MEXICAN SPANISH HISTORY Spaniards and the Indians. The former wishing to revenge the death of Villanueve and his party, whilst the latter possessed all the suspicions of conscious villany, deserving punishment. ‘*Melgares took with him all the traders he found there from our country, some of whom, being sent to Natchitoches, were in abject poverty at that place on my arrival, and applied to me for means to return to St. Louis. Lieutenant Melgares returned to Santa Fé in October, when his militia was disbanded; but he remained in the vicinity of that place until we were brought in, when with his dragoons he became our escort to the seat of government.’’ The Spanish government at this time was undoubtedly laying claim to the portions of the country east and northeast of the boundaries of the province of New Mexico. If not actually laying claim, the action of Melgares in giving Spanish flags to the Indian chiefs would seem to indicate that by this act, if it ever became necessary to make proof, they could easily assert that they had given the protection of the Spanish government to the Indians and had driven out all of the traders and others who were citizens of, or who had come from, the territories of the United States.** 488 Major Pike says that all of the notes which he took at his own grand council with the Pawnee nation were seized by Governor Alencastre, together with all of his speeches to the several Indian nations. He says that when Melgares left the Pawnees he gave them several Spanish flags, one of which was unfurled at the door of the chief on the day of his meeting with the grand council; and that, amongst the various demands and charges that he made was flag to him one to deliver the Spanish and be States that a flag of the United Pike says that probably ‘‘this was carrying received and hoisted in its place. the pride of nations a little too far, as there had so lately been a large force of Spanish cavalry at the village, which had made a great impression on the minds of the young men, as to their power, consequence, ete.,’? which Pike’s appear ance with twenty men (infantry) was by no means caleulated to remove. The Pawnee chiefs replied to Pike’s argument, but said nothing about the flag, and Pike again demanded that the flag be given to him, saying that it was impossible for the nation to have two fathers; that they must either be children of the Spaniards or acknowledge their American father. After a silence of some time, an man old arose, brought it in and officer the flag of borne the standard Osage and Kansas cidedly avowed went to the door, and took down the flag, and Spanish laid it at the feet of Pike and received from the American his country. This was elevated on a staff which had lately This gave great satisfaction to the of his catholic majesty. Indians who were present at the council, both of whom de- themselves to be under the American protection. When Pike saw that every face in the council was clouded with sorrow, as if some great national calamity was about to befall them, he took up the contested colors, 42 told them, that as they had now shown themselves dutiful children in acknowl: edging their great American father, he had no desire to embarrass them with the Spaniards, for it was the wish of the Americans, that their red brethren should 12 any remain peaceably around their own fires, and not embroil themselves disputes between the white people; turn there in force, Pike gave and that for fear the Spaniards might te them back the Spanish flag, but with an RULE, 1700 TO 1822 461 From the standpoint of history the rule of Alencastre is one of the most important in the annals of New Mexico. From the year 1803 to 1819 the question of boundary between the possessions of the United States and Spanish territory was not determined. The American was little behind the Spaniard in making claims, the one claiming to the Arkansas and the other east to the Missouri. When the question was finally determined, in 1819, the Spanish claim that the Arkansas from the mountains down to longitude 23°, became the permanent dividing line. As a revenue producing area, at that time, the Spaniards were not favorably impressed with anything east of the Arkansas, and did not hesitate to accept the settlement as made. In 1805-6 the relations between the United States and Spain were The Louisiana Purchase had been consumunder great strain. mated, but the limits of the grant, especially toward the southwest, were disputed, and much jealousy was manifest on both sides. The American and the Spaniard both claimed Red river, and the latter, as we have seen, was claiming dominion far to the east and northeast of that stream. In the month of May, 1806, the American government sent out an expedition under command of Captain Sparks, who was instructed to ascend Red river, ‘‘to the country of the Pawnee Indians.’’ After reachTHE EXPEDITION UNDER ing the country of this tribe, he was to MAJOR ZEBULON M. PIKE purchase horses for use in transporting his command to the ‘‘top the of which, mountains,’’ be- it was lieved, lay to the west about three hundred miles. Sparks was met, while on Red river, by the Spaniards under Melgares, and compelled to turn back. Just at this time in the history of the United States, the country was much agitated over the intrigues of It was believed by many that Burr desired a secession Burr. country to the west of the Alleghenies and that an invasion General northern provinces of Spain was contemplated. injunction that it should never be hoisted during his stay. There was applause at this, and the charge was strictly attended to by the Indians. Aaron of the of the James great Pike was something of a diplomat. There were over four hundred Pawnee warriors present at this council. Pike says that at the time the Pawnees were decidedly under Spanish influence and ‘‘should a war commence tomorrow, would all be in their (Spanish) interests.’’ Pawnees to Chihuahua. Pike says that Melgares took some i |