volume iii. orders and decrees of the Mexican Congress, edition 1829, and the Reglamento" of 1823, defining the manner of granting vacant lands; both of which must exist in the archives of Monterey. Translation of portion of a deed for land granted according to said law and regulations, date 1840: "Conceding to him said land, declaring it his property by these presents, he subjecting himself to the following conditions, and to the approbation or disapprobation of the honorable junta de partmental : "ARTICLE 1. He can enclose it, without prejudice to the crossing roads and obligations, (servidumbres;) shall enjoy it freely and exclusively, putting it to the use or cultivation most suitable thereto; but within one year he shall build a house, and it shall be inhabited. "ART. 2. He shall solicit the proper justice to give him judicial possession, in virtue of this decree, which justice shall define the limits, in which limits, besides the landmarks, he shall set out some fruit or useful forest trees. "ART. 3. The land referred to (asked for) being of extent, more or less, according to the plan accompanying said petition, the justice who may give possession shall cause it to be measured according to regulations, the overplus (if any) remaining to the nation, for such uses as may seem fit. "ART. 4. In case he should violate any of the foregoing conditions, he shall lose his right to said land, and it may be denounced by any other." Query 5. No such special instructions known of. If any, they can be found in the archives. General Vallejo, or ex-Governor Alvarado, most likely may be able to throw some light on the subject. Query 6. From the testimony of divers residents in this pueblo, exGovernor Pio Pico left here June 18, 1846, and did not return till on or about July 21, 1816. References, Manuel Requena, A. Stearns, A. Bell, and Ygnacio Valle. It is a matter of common notoriety here, that grants of land were made by Pio Pico to the following individuals: Pliny F. Temple, W. Work. man, Antonio Cota, R. Den, Bery Wilson, H. Reid, and others, the deeds being made out and signed on or about August 9, 1846. Reference, A. Bell. Two large boxes, said to contain the archives of the departmental assembly during its sessions in this place, were delivered by Don Luis Vigues, of this place, to the order of Commodore Stockton, in August last, supposed to have been put on board the Congress. APPENDIX No. 32. SENOR SUPERIOR POLITICAL CHIEF: Antonio Maria Osio, with the greatest respect, before you says, that since the year 1830 I have petitioned to have the island of Los Angeles, in San Francisco, granted to me for the purpose of putting a house thereon and breeding horses or mules. I now again do the same, hoping that you will be pleased to grant it to me-requesting at the same time that you will please to admit this petition on commou paper, for want of the corresponding sealed paper. 1 swear, &c. ANTONIO MARIA OSIO. MONTEREY, October 7, 1837. MONTEREY, February 18, 1838. Let the military commandant of the frontier to the north of San Francisco report. ALVARADO. SENOR SUPERIOR POLITICAL CHIEF: The island of Los Angeles, mentioned in the present petition, may be granted to Don Antonio Maria Osio, as I know that he asked for it in the year 1830; but it will be well to make the provision, that when government wish to establish a fortress on the top or principal height thereof, no impediment shall be put in the way. MARIANO G. VALLEJO. MONTEREY, February 18, 1838. { Gov't seal In view of the preceding petition, the report of the military of office. commandant of the frontier of the north of San Francisco, and all the rest which was borne in mind, to facilitate by all possible means the furtherance of the mercantile interests of our ports, as is recommended by the existing laws, I have by this decree granted to Don Antonio Maria Osio the occupation of the lands comprehended in the island called Los Angeles, situated within the port of San Francisco, that he may put it to the use which best suits him, establish a house, put on cattle, and do everything respecting the furtherance of his mercantile and agricultural interests, on condition that the government shall be allowed to establish a military fortification there whenever it may see fit. The party interested shall present himself, with this decree, to the respective military commandancy, where it shall be recorded, for the neces sary purposes. Given in Monterey, department of California, the 19th of February, 1838. JUAN B. ALVARADO. APPENDIX No. 33. Juan Bautista Alvarado, governor ad interim of the department of the Californias: Being mindful of the merits of Don Antonio Maria Osio, and having in view the order addressed to this government by the supreme government of the nation, under date of the 20th of July last, authorizing the granting of the islands adjacent to the coast of this soil to natives, I have, in virtue thereof, granted to him the one which is within the port of San Francisco, known by the name of Los Angeles, with the boundaries which it naturally has, the limits of which are therefore not pointed out, as being sufficiently known. I consequently command that these presents serve the said Senor Osio for a title; and, holding it to be firm and valid, it be recorded in the cor responding book, and be delivered to the party interested, for his protection and further ends. Given in Monterey, on the 11th June, 1839. JUAN B. ALVARADO. This title has been recorded in the book of records of titles upon the adjudication of lands, on the 2d page of folio 8. ZIMENO. SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO, SIR: Having been appointed by Brigadier General Kearny governor of the Territory of New Mexico, and by virtue of that appointment ex officio superintendent of Indian affairs for said Territory, it becomes my duty to lay before you the following information in regard to the different tribes of Indians inhabiting and frequenting this Territory: First. I will mention the Apaches or Jicarillas, a band of about 100 lodges, or 500 souls. The Jicarillas have no permanent residence, but roan through the northern settlements of New Mexico. They are an indo. lent and cowardly people, living principally by theft committed on the Mexicans, there being but little game in the country through which they range, and their fear of other Indians not permitting them to venture on the plains for buffalo. Their only attempt at manufacture is a species of potter's ware, capable of tolerable resistance to fire, and much used by them and the Mexicans for culinary purposes. This they barter with the Mexicans for the necessaries of life, but in such small quantities as scarcely to deserve the name of traffic. The predatory habits of these Indians render them a great annoyance to the New Mexicans. Second. The Apaches proper, who range through the southern portion of this Territory, through the country of the Rio del Norte and its tributaries, and westward about the headwaters of the river Gila, are a warlike people, numbering about 900 lodges and from 5,000 to 6,000 souls; they know nothing of agriculture or manufactures of any description, but live almost entirely by plundering the Mexican settlements. For many years past they have been in the habit of committing constant depredations upon the lives and property of the inhabitants of this and the adjoining provinces, from which they have carried off an incredible amount of stock of all kinds. The only article of food that grows in their general range is the magney plant, and that spontaneously and in very small quantities. Several bands of the Apaches have for some years past received a bounty of so much per head per diem from the government of the State of Chihuahua, with the object of inducing the Indians to cease their depredations, but without having the desired effect. Third. The Navajoes are an industrious, intelligent, and warlike tribe of Indians, who cultivate the soil, and raise sufficient grain and fruits of various kinds for their own consumption. They are the owners of large flocks and herds of cattle, sheep, horses, mules, and asses. It is esti mated that the tribe possesses 30,000 head of horned cattle, 500,000 head of sheep, and 10,000 head of horses, mules, and asses, it not being a rare instance for one individual to possess 5.000 to 10,000 sheep, and 400 to 500 head of other stock. Their horses and sheep are said to be greatly superior to those reared by the New Mexicans. A large portion of their stock has been acquired by marauding expeditions against the settlements of this Territory. They manufacture excellent coarse blankets and coarse woollen goods for wearing apparel. They have no permanent vil lages or places of residence, but roam over the country between the river San Juan on the north and the waters of the Gila on the south. The country between these two rivers is about 150 miles wide, consisting of high table mountains, difficult of access, and affording them as yet effectual protection against their enemies. Water is scarce and difficult to be found by those not acquainted with the country, affording another natural safeguard against invasion. Their numbers are variously estimated from 1,000 to 2,000 families, or from 7,000 to 14,000 souls. The Navajoes, so far as I am informed, are the only Indians on the continent, having intercourse with white men, that are increasing in numbers. They have in their possession many prisoners, men, women, and children, taken from the settlements of this Territory, whom they hold and treat as slaves. Fourth. The Moques are neighbors of the Navajoes, and live in perma nent villages, cultivate grain and fruits, and raise all the varieties of stock. They were formerly a very numerous people, the possessors of large flocks and herds, but have been reduced in numbers and possessions by their more warlike neighbors and enemies the Navajoes. The Moques are an intelligent and industrious people; their manufactures are the same as those of the Navajoes. They number about 350 families, or about 2,450 souls. Fifth. The Utahs inhabit the country north of the Navajoes, and west of the northern settlements of this Territory. They number 800 lodges, and about 4,000 to 5,000 souls. Their range extends from the Navajo country, in about latitude 35° to 40° north. Their range of country is very moun tainous and broken, abounding in deer, elk, bear, and other wild game, which serve them for food and raiment. They are a hardy, warlike people, subsisting by the chase. Several bands of them have been carrying on a predatory war with the New Mexicans for the last two years, and have killed and taken prisoners many of the people, and driven off large amounts of stock. Since General Kearny's arrival, these Indians have sued for peace, and measures are now taking to effect a permanent treaty. Sixth. The Cheyennes and Arapahoes range through the country of the Arkansas and its tributaries, to the north of this Territory. They live al most entirely on the buffalo, and carry on a considerable trade, both with the Americans and Mexicans, in buffalo robes, for which they obtain all the necessaries not derived from the buffalo. They are a roving people, and have for many years been on friendly terms with the New Mexicans. The Arapahoes number about 400 lodges, or 2,000 souls; the Cheyennes 300 lodges, or 1,500 souls. Seventh. The Comanches range east of the mountains of New Mexicoa numerous and warlike people, subsisting entirely by the chase. Their different bands number in all about 2,500 lodges, or 12,000 souls. They have been at peace for many years with the New Mexicans, but have car. ried on an incessant and destructive war with the States of Chihuahua, Durango, and Coahuila, from which they have carried off and still hold as slaves a large number of women and children, and immense herds of horses, mules, and asses. Eighth. The Cayugas range through a part of the same country, and are similar in habits and customs, and are considered a more brave people than the Comanches. They number about 400 lodges, or 2,000 souls. Below I give a tabular statement of the population of the tribes of In. dians ranging the country within the Territory of New Mexico and its borders, made up from the most reliable information that I have been able to obtain during a residence of many years in New Mexico and its vicinity. Apaches or Jicarillas 100 lodges Apaches proper, Utahs, (southern,) Navajoes, 500 souls. 800 or 900 200 1,000 families You will perceive by the above statement that with New Mexico nearly 40,000 Indians will fall under the immediate superintendence of the United States government; and it becomes a subject of serious import how these numerous and savage tribes are to be controlled and managed. As it becomes my duty, by virtue of my office, to lay before you all the information I possess in regard to these tribes of Indians, I will also venture to make a few suggestions for your consideration. Agents and sub-agents are absolutely necessary for the regulation and control of the various tribes of Indians above named. A very desirable effect might be produced upon these Indians by send. ing a delegation from each tribe to Washington. They have no idea at this time of the power of the United States, and have been so long in the habit of waging war and committing depredations against the Mexicans with impunity, that they still show a disposition to continue the same kind of warfare, now that the Territory is in possession of the United States. I am convinced that a visit to our capital by some of the principal men of each of these nations would secure future peace and quiet to the inhabitants of this Territory. I would also suggest the propriety of sending with this delegation of uncivilized Indians a delegation from the "Pueblos," or civilized Indians, who are by law citizens of this Territory and of the United States. They compose a very considerable portion of the population of New Mexico, and, if excited so to do, might cause a good deal of difficulty. A small expenditare by the government in this manner now, might be the means of avoiding bloodshed hereafter. You are doubtless aware that presents of goods are indispensable in all friendly communications with Indians. I would respectfully suggest the necessity of goods of that kind, or the means wherewith to purchase them, |