Of the white persons above accounted for, the proximate composition is Spaniards about 2,600, creoles about 10,000, mixed (Indian and Spaniard) about 13,000, Puebla Indians about 27,000, and the residue Americans and other foreigners.

The above enumeration is exclusive of the independent tribes of Indians which exist in the territory. The Navajos are a powerful tribe inhabiting a fine country west of the Rio Grande, and number about 7,000; the Eutaws inhabit the north-west frontier, and number 4,000 or 5,000; the Apaches about 5,000, roam over the vast regions east of the Rio Grande and north of El Paso; the Jicorilles, a branch of the Apache family, 500 in number, are neighbors of the Eutaws, etc. To these must be added large parties of Camanches, Arrapahos, and Cheyennes, perhaps 36,000 in number, which infest the borders of the north and east, and lay the unwary traveller under contribution-frequently committing the foulest murders, or carrying off the women and children into captivity. Numerous tribes are also found in the vast territory west of the mountains.

The social and industrial statistics of New-Mexico, as exhibited in the census, are as follows: number of dwellings 13,453, and of families 13,502, or about 4.5 persons to each dwelling and family; and the number of deaths in 1849-50 was 1,157, or one in every 53.2 inhabitants. There were at the same period 3,750 farms under cultivation, and 20 productive establishments, the annual products of which were valued at $500 and upwards.

The constitution of society in New-Mexico is similar, in most respects, to that of all Indo-Spanish countries. While the rich conform to the dictates of modern fashion, the mass of the people adhere to the manners and customs of former times. The men retain their serapes, or colored blankets, and wide trousers, trimmed with glittering buttons; and the ladies, of all classes, their rebozo, or small shawl, drawn over their heads, which gives them so coquettish an appearance. Both sexes enjoy their cigarittos, their siesta, and their evening amusement at monte or fandango. Their dances are very graceful, and combine the quadrille and waltz. The prominent ingredient in the Mexican race is their Indian blood-it is visible in their features, complexion, and in all their acts and disposals. The men are illfeatured, but the women are graceful and winning. The differences in the sexes are nowhere more observable. The men are lazy, mendacious, treacherous, and cruel, while the women are affectionate, open-hearted, and active. Education is by no means common, but there is a strong common sense, and natural aptness in the people, which are frequently of more practical use than the most refined book-learning, especially in a country so circumstanced as this. Many of the evils of this condition of New-Mexican society will, no doubt, be eradicated by the contact of civilization, and education will become an indispensable requisite in order to keep up with the progress of commerce, and the influx of an educated population from the

east.

New-Mexico, previous to the late war, was a state of the Mexican Re

public, and its rulers consisted of a governor and legislature (junta depart mental); but as the latter was more an imaginary than a real power, the governor was, in fact, despotic, and subject only to the laws of revolution, which, in this state, were very freely administered by upsetting the gubernatorial chair as often as the republic did the presidential. Well knowing the favors of fortune were at all times precarious, the governors have, in general, during their terms of office, plundered the treasury and provided against contingencies. The people, credulous and easily deceived, had to submit to every outrage, and should one more courageous than his fellows assert the profligacy of the government, his doom was as certain as speedy. Thus has New-Mexico dragged on its existence-the sport of despots and the foot-ball of fortune. The judiciary was as dependent as the executive was independent, and all law succumbed to the dictates of one man. Besides these, the clergy, as well as the military classes, had their own courts of justice. In relation to the confederacy, however, New-Mexico always maintained greater independence than any other of the states-partly from its distance from the capital, but more from the spirit of opposition in the people, who derived no advantage from the connection, and suffered much from its taxation without an equivalent protection. The supreme government never succeeded here in imposing upon the people the estranquillas, or monopoly of the sale of tobacco, and New-Mexico was free from some other enormities. In the same way the people resisted the introduction of copper coin. This loose connection with the central power will aid much in the assimilation of the people with the emigrants from the United States, provided the government of the latter will bestow upon them-what the former could not-stability, safety, protection, and those just rights which are enjoyed by all persons under the ægis of American principles.

The present form of government is such as that generally applied to territories of the United States. All citizens of proper age are voters, and elect councillors and representatives, who together form the legislature. The governor and judges are appointed by the president with the consent of the senate. (See UTAH, antea.)

The principal city of New-Mexico is SANTA FE, one of the oldest Spanish settlements. Its elevation above the sea is 7,047 feet. Santa Fé is about 20 miles east, in a direct line, from Rio del Norte, and lies in a wide plain, surrounded by lofty mountains. A small creek, rising in the hills, and flowing past the city, supplies it with water. The land around is sandy, poor, and destitute of timber; but the mountains are covered with pine and cedar. No pasturage is observed about the settlements, and as a consequence stock is driven to the mountains. The climate is delightful and free from extremes. The sky is clear and cloudless, and the atmosphere dry. The houses are built of adobes, but one story high, with flat roofs. The streets are narrow and irregular. The plazza is spacious, and one side is occupied by the official residence of the executive. The palace is, with out being extraordinarily grand, a good building, and exhibits two curiosities, viz., windows of glass and festoons of Indian ears. Among the pub lic buildings there are two churches with steeples, but of an ordinary construction. There are 30 or 40 stores in the city, principally kept by Americans. The inhabitants, excepting the Americans, are Spaniards and Indians, and the castes sprung from an indefinite amalgamation of the two races. Society is in a deplorable condition. They spend their time in card-playing, drinking, smoking, and at fandangoes. They are expert thieves, and live in a miserable state of ignorance, superstition, dirt, and poverty.

The city proper contains 4,000 or 5,000 souls, and as many more are settled within its jurisdiction. Santa Fé is the depôt of a considerable commerce, carried on between Northern Mexico and the Western States, and is generally visited by the overland emigrants to California.

There are a number of other towns along the course of the Rio Grande, chiefly inhabited by Indians. These are styled Pueblos, and the inhabitants Pueblo Indians, to distinguish them from the same races that infest the open country. The principal are Taos, Canada, San Miguel, Paso del Norte, etc. None of these, however, demand more than a passing notice.

New-Mexico became known to the Spaniards about the year 1581, and formal possession was taken of the country in 1598. Christianity and slavery were early and simultaneously introduced among the Indians, and conversion and personal service enforced by the sword. The converted Indians were made to live in villages, and were distinguished from the roving bands by the title of Pueblos. Many towns, of which only the ruins now remain, were established at that time. Many mines were worked, and the occupation of the country seemed to be secured, when, quite unexpectedly, in 1680, a general insurrection of all the Indian tribes broke out against the Spanish yoke. The Spaniards were either massacred or driven southward, where they founded Paso del Norte. The country was not recovered for 10 or 12 years. Several insurrections have since occurred, but none so universal or disastrous as this one. The deep rancor of the Indian, however, bequeathed from sire to son for successive generations, still animates the race, and is often displayed in the most bloody and cruel outbreaks. This country followed the fate of Mexico after the revolution that overthrew the Spanish power, and since that period has been silently degenerating. The history of New-Mexico previous to the invasion of the Americans, has little to arrest attention. It is a continuous record of barbarism and tyranny. On the 8th of September, 1846, Santa Fé was captured by the Americans under General Kearney, and soon after several of the river towns were visited on his route to California. A civil government was now established. On the 19th of January, 1847, an insurrection broke out against the Americans, and in several pueblos many Americans were murdered; among whom was Governor Bent and Sheriff Lee. Taos, Arroya-Hondo, and Rio Colorado were the chief scenes of strife. The battles of La Canada and El Embudo also occurred in this month, and in February the battle of Taos; in all of which the Mexicans were completely vanquished. Some few skirmishes occurred after these, but none of importance. From this period the United States authorities exercised exclusive power. On the 2d of February, 1848, a treaty of peace and cession was signed at Guadalupe Hidalgo, by which New-Mexico was assigned to the Union. On the 9th of September, 1850, the country within its present limits, was erected into a Territory, the claim of Texas to the east bank of the Rio Grande having been adjusted.