NM Notes

As US forces came to dominate what we now call New Mexico the Pueblos tried to revolt again. Cannon of the US artillery slaughtered them. The Indians of the Pueblos and the Mexicans did have the satisfaction of seeing US forces take over the job of fighting the Comanche, Navajo, and Apache they had defended themselves against for so long. That fighting occupied most of the US Army for half a century. American fighting men's blood has ever been offered.

Finally US forces dominated Spanish, Mexican, French, Navajo, Apache, Comanche and all who stood before them in the area.

Treaties made with Indians and with those holding Spanish land grants were pushed aside. Americans made treaties and did not honor them. The land, person, and dignity of others was callously dishonored. Our word was worthless to them.

Still, NM kept much of its beauty even as it seemed to be being exploited to death. American capital financed cattlemen, even Southern cattlemen. Mining corporations were financed. Oilmen were financed.

Even men who seemed to love only money and power came to love that land of enchantment, though not in the same way as did those who came before the Apache and Navajo.

"Land of Enchantment"

A smattering of my notions of the early history of what was to become New Mexico. As always, my hope is that this be a conversation starter.

The Pueblo revolt of 1680 probably began at the Taos Pueblo. Pope was probably an important Pueblo leader. Many of the Spaniards retreated to Mexico. Some criollos headed up river.

The 'Spanish' returned in 1692 under Diego de Vargas. A considerable number of present day NM families could trace their arrival to the time of the Vargas expedition. There are some who remember the family names of those colonists.

We could argue that New Mexico was Spain's remotest colony. Important supplies which helped to sustain the colony came over a 2000 mile mule trail from Mexico City. As Spain's power declined the colonists in NM were left more and more to sustain themselves as they could. The Indians were rapidly become fine horsemen riding decedents of good Spanish horse stock.
They raided the colonists well armed with lance, bow and war club. The colonists defended themselves with lance, bow, and long knives.

Haciendas, Missions, and Pueblos came to be abandoned before pressure from the Navajo, Apache, soon followed by Comanche. Comanche were early armed with French muscats. Colonist faced them mostly with lance and bow and few fire arms and little scarce powder.

As the above was taking place everything else was going. The Inquisition has hot. Some up-river colonists courted Apache and Apache them. Some down river colonists Pueblos and Navajo were intermarrying. 'Natives' and 'Europeans' were learning much from their close association.

Some powerful forces seemed sure that they already knew enough.