OCR Text |
Show THE COMING OF THE WHITEMEN 107 within Navajoland. The Americans also agreed to set boundaries for the Navajos and provide gifts for the tribe. In return the Navajos granted free and safe passage to Americans crossing their lands. They also had to return all captives and stolen property to Jemez by October 9. Calhoun and Washington should have known that this treaty would have little effect. Navajo leaders had already signed many papers, but no leader could control all of the tribesmen. Although many Navajos truly thought that the time had come for peace, the tribe was divided. The death of Narbona gave Navajos more reason to seek revenge. And most of those who signed treaties werericos, men with large herds. Peace gave them security. But for many of thepobres, who did not have large herds, raiding was the easiest way to become ricos. The Navajos did not come to Jemez on October 9 as promised. They had planned to come and return all stolen goods and captives, but Mexican traders told them that the Pueblos, Mexicans, and American soldiers planned to kill them all. Throughout October, Calhoun tried to get the Navajos to comply with the treaty. But then he gave up. He began to urge war. The United States, he said, should conquer and confine the Navajos. Little changed through 1850, a year of constant war on the frontier. In early 1851, Calhoun took on the duties of governor as well as those of the superintendent of Indian affairs. The Indian problem frustrated him, and he took stronger action against the Navajos. He had already outlawed trade with them in late 1849, hoping to stop the damage done by some of the traders. Now he allowed volunteer companies to attack the Indians. As payment, the volunteers were allowed to take anything they could capture or steal. One more great Navajo leader, Chapitone of the San Juan Navajos, was brutally murdered. Such acts and policies only angered the People further. Fort Defiance In July Colonel Edwin Sumner took over command of the army in New Mexico. He quickly began new efforts against the Navajos. Sumner marched to Canyon de Chelly, pushing several miles into the Navajo stronghold. The Navajos harassed the |