p201  A Prisoner in Chihuahua

As soon as the water subsided we proceeded on our journey, unaware of any new [or] exciting cause of apprehension. Arriving at the head of the laguna,​230 we were approaching the hacienda of Encinillas on west side of the laguna, and Peñol​231 on the east side, •about forty miles from Chihuahua. We were anxious to arrive at Peñol to camp, but the road was bad, and we were much delayed, and at nine o'clock we were still •two or three miles from our intended camp. While making our way slowly in the dark, we were overtaken by a company of people who seemed to be traveling lightly loaded and as expeditiously as possible.​232 We learned that New Mexico had been taken by our troops, [that] Armijo had abandoned the territory and was on the run for safety in the low country. They passed on, and we understood they were expecting to camp at Peñol.

I was riding in the lead wagon driven by a man named Vaughn, who had driven for me the year before, [and] who had been in the country several years and talked Spanish almost as well as the natives. We were rejoicing over the news and about the speed Armijo was making, when we arrived opposite the hacienda,​233  p202 and the roof appeared covered with people watching our approach and to see the train pass. There were many more people than we expected to see, and could account for it in no other way than it was Armijo's people. A few of the wagons of the train had passed the house when the door of the corral in the rear of the house suddenly opened, and a company of soldiers filed out and in double-quick time approached. And the officer placed himself in front of Vaughn's leaders and commanded, "Halt!"

"Why halt?" said Vaughn.

"Because the commanding officer orders you."

Vaughn immediately dismounted from his mule, and with several cracks of his whip as he passed to his leaders, in ringing and defiant tones said, "Halt, hell! You Kit! Boys, jerk your guns! Here's music!" and keeping his whip popping.

Kit laid her ears back and charged. There was no stop for even a moment. Officer and soldiers made way, and every wagon moved until the wagon master appeared and ordered the lead wagons to take their positions to form the corral, when there was no stopping the advance of the teams until each had taken its proper position in the corral, and the word "whoa" was given by the drivers. The intention evidently was to halt us strung out in line, so we should have less means of defense, if we saw fit to resort to extreme measures, than we would have by forming a corral. But hungry and tired mules nearing camp, under the lead of an energetic and brave driver and a good and wicked Kit, spoiled their well-laid plans.

Mr. Speyer went to the house to learn the cause of the trouble, and found that two companies of infantry  p205 and one of dragoons were present with orders to disarm us all and march us into Chihuahua, prisoners. There were some three or four of us in consultation, and we concluded [that] the boys, if they became aware of the demand, would mount themselves and fight their way back to New Mexico. They could easily have done it, but such a course would have given us great trouble and imperiled our pecuniary interests. Mr. S. was also in a position to get correct information through Governor Armijo, as he had the goods the governor had sold him; and if any great danger overhung the interests of Speyer, his [Armijo's] interests would also become involved, and if he [Armijo] should attempt to play a grab game, the governments under whose protection he [Speyer] traveled would demand reparation for all damages. The Lion and the Unicorn commanded unquestionable respect throughout all Mexico in those days; but the American Eagle might soar aloft and screech and threaten to his full capacity, and would command no more attention than the cackling of an old hen.

(p203)

Chihuahua about 1850 From Álbum Pintoresco de la República Mexicana, Mexico, circa 1850

 (p204 is blank)  After talking the matter over, we thought the most prudent way would be to send the mules as far away from camp as we could do with prudence under all the circumstances (at least one or two miles), and wait till morning before telling the boys the news. There was but little sleep in camp that night, those knowing the demands of course feeling very suspicious in regard to personal safety, as well as anxious in regard to the pecuniary interests involved. And the men who did not know the demand, knew that something was up and possibly their personal safety might be involved. I have always felt confident that if the whole truth had  p206 been communicated to them that night, and the mules left near camp, they would have mounted and left.

The next morning word was given out that we would not start until afternoon, and [that] they could get breakfast and attend to any repairs required about harness or wagons, and as soon as we became fully aware of the true condition of affairs, we would call them together and make it known to them. Mr. Speyer, in conversation with the officers and also with Armijo, thought we might feel assured that no treachery was intended or was likely to be practiced upon us, and about ten o'clock the boys were called together and the true state of affairs made known to them. A good deal was said about the Texan prisoners and their sufferings, and many of them were much opposed to submitting to the demand. But appeals were made to them to forego all self-will and stubbornness, as we felt sure there was no cause to apprehend personal harm to any of them by submission, and resistance would be pretty sure to imperil our interests, both personal and pecuniary.

"You may succeed," [we said], "in fighting your way back to New Mexico, but it will be at the risk of great privation and suffering, and sure to bring disaster upon us. Is it not at least as safe to submit to the demand with apparent confidence and cheerfulness, as to take the chances of resistance with the certainty of much trouble to follow?"

I suggested that they should, by taking some important spring from every lock of their guns, render them so useless that they could not be used against us or our countrymen, and [then] there would be no inducement to keep them. Again:

"You see those two wagons which have never been  p207 allowed to be corralled with the other wagons, but [have] always been stationed at some distance from camp? They are loaded with Mississippi Yugers and ammunition for them. Let every man have some weapon at hand, a stretcher stick, a hatchet, an ax, or something that can be used in defense for a few minutes, and we can arm ourselves from those wagons and defend ourselves, destroy what arms we cannot use, and take whatever course may be deemed best under the circumstances."

After a considerable [amount] of arguing, they consented to the demand. And it was arranged that a few of the officers should come to camp about 2 P.M. and receive the arms, entering them all on a book with the name of each owner; and no soldiers [were] to be allowed around our camp at the time to create suspicion of bad faith.

Before the hour arrived, I told the boys I would keep a strict watch of all the proceedings, and if I saw anything wrong I would give the alarm, and we would proceed to defend ourselves. Certain individuals were designated to make a charge for the two wagons, while the balance surrounded them and defended them as best they might until the cases were opened, and they were supplied with arms. At the appointed hour the officers appeared and commenced to receive the arms and take an account of them, but were unable to finish up the whole business so as to get an early start the next morning. Everything, however, was done according to agreement, and nothing occurred to impair the confidence of good faith on the part of the Mexicans. "Old Blackfoot" was here again allowed to fall into the hands of enemies.

The next day we started as prisoners for Chihuahua,  p208 under an escort of the two companies of infantry and one of dragoons, and traveled to near Sacramento and camped for the night. It was but a short time before the boys were visiting each other in their wagons, and a soldier was acting as driver, as they preferred riding to walking; and the road [being] pretty good, the teams required but little attention except occasionally. And the mutual relief soon brought about a good understanding between prisoners and guard. One of my drivers, named Squire Rains, stuck to his team and would submit to no compromise. Seeing him still driving his team while all the rest were enjoying themselves under the relief afforded by a substitute, I said to him:

"Squire, why don't you let this man drive, and you go a‑visiting like the rest of the boys?

Manifesting great humiliation and anger, he replied, "I never expected to see the day when I should be taken prisoner and disarmed by such a damned set of greasy thieves and blackguards as these. And I tell you what 'tis: if one of them ever seats himself in this saddle, 'twill be when I'm dead, and he'll grow fast to it."

There was no use in talking to him. He was too mad to be reasonable, and too stubborn to take a little pleasure when he had the chance.

The third day as prisoners brought [us] to the bank of the river running along the northern limits of the city of Chihuahua,​234 and we were brought to a halt  p209 and showed where to camp, no one being permitted to enter town that night except Mr. Speyer and his clerk, Mr. Oliver, who was a native of Spain. There were several who were not Americans in the company, and after a day or two were allowed to go in when they desired. But all Americans were under strict guard and not permitted to leave the camp even to go to the river for a pail of water without being accompanied by an armed soldier. People were permitted to visit the camp from town to sell us provisions, etc., but we had but little communication except from those who came to supply us with necessaries.

I think the day of our arrival a detail was made from camp to go to the prefect's court and make what was called our "declaration" (which appeared to be an examination of each individual separately), where he was called upon to reply to numerous formal questions as to his age, nativity, religion, occupation at home, trade (if he had ever learned one), and why he came to Mexico; whether he had ever served in the army, and numerous other questions which I cannot now remember.

 p210  The wagons containing arms were moved into town, and our arms also being in the hands of our enemies, we felt in extreme doubt what notion they might take in regard to us, and the blues prevailed almost universally. And many were very despondent, although there was nothing in the conduct of the Mexicans towards us which led us to suspect any very oppressive measures except to retain us as prisoners until instructions should be received from Santa Anna what to do with us. We remained here about fifteen days, when we were instructed to enter the city and camp at the usual camping place in the southern suburbs near the Bull Pen.​235 Here we remained about fifteen days longer.

During this time Mr. Speyer was considering the prospects for trade in Chihuahua. And there being so much uncertainty whether he would be able to sell out before our troops from either New Mexico or Monterrey should open the trade with free goods (which of course we would be unable to stand after having paid both introduction and consumos, or inter-state duties), he concluded to proceed to the Fair of San Juan de los Lagos, which is held the first twelve days of December. Here was a new dilemma for me. What had I to hope or expect, if I should stop with my goods, but persecution and confiscation? And how much better would I be off to take my chances as I then was — my goods in Mr. Speyer's possession, and myself a prisoner and liable to be confined in prison or sent out of the country as the interest or whim of the authorities might dictate? Mr. Speyer began hiring Mexican drivers, so as to be prepared for any emergency; having two sets of drivers, so if the Americans were taken from him he would  p211 have the Mexicans, and if permitted to retain all or a portion of either nationality, he would have men enough to proceed without detention. I also hired four Mexican drivers. So we were both under double expense for hire and board of hands.

After removing camp, we could occasionally get permission to go about town. And one day I called on Mr. John Potts, an Englishman and director of the mint, and a man of a good deal of influence, and who seemed to be well posted in regard to the intentions of the governor towards us. He seemed to understand the difficulties under which I labored, and expressed himself as willing to do anything in his power by advice or influence to promote my interest.

One day he told me that he thought perhaps he had a document which I might be able to use to advantage. Mr. J. Tilghman Hoffman, of Baltimore, had crossed the plains in the same train with us the year before and proceeded to Chihuahua. On leaving, he requested Mr. Potts to procure a letter of security for him, as he expected to go out again and wanted to travel through the country to the Fair of San Juan and the City of Mexico, and leave by way of Vera Cruz. He produced the paper, and it was complete in all respects except the filling in of the personal description and the signature. Mr. Hoffman was a very small and feeble man, [of a] dark complexion, and between us [Potts and Webb] the fact that I should attempt to palm myself off for him, was exceedingly ridiculous. But the Mexicans did not know either of us, and I did not propose to assume Mr. Hoffman's position either abroad or at home. But in great difficulty, I decided to use his paper, hoping that I might be benefited, and he in no way wronged. So we filled in my personal description instead  p212 of his, and I placed the signature "J. Josiah Webb," scrawled as near as I could to appear like the name "J. Tilghman Hoffman," in the body of the paper, which I never used but once, and then with all the benefit I could desire or expect.

While camped at the Bull Pen, my mule herder came one morning and informed me that there was a man in the corral lassoing a mule which he claimed belonged to his master, Don Juan Terrazas, the prefect; and he notified me to appear at the prefect's office and explain how I came in possession of the property. In doing so, I stated that I had bought two mules of the same party and was sure everything was all right, as he was a man who would not be likely to have mules in his possession which were of doubtful owner­ship. True, the brand was not vented, but I bought them under circumstances which rendered it impracticable to fix the sale brand.

"You have two mules with this brand?" [he inquired].

"Yes, sir."

"Well, produce the other here in an hour," — which I did, and lost them both.

We were finally ordered to prepare for leaving in three days for Río Florido, on the southern border of the state and some •eight or ten miles from the boundary line between Chihuahua and Durango, where we were to remain as prisoners until some decision was arrived at, what should be done with us. Although we could see no improvement in our circumstances after a month's detention in Chihuahua as prisoners, yet a change was accepted with gladness, and the hope [?] that something would turn up to relieve us from this terrible uncertainty. When leaving Chihuahua, Mr. Speyer had  p215 all arrangements made to go to the Fair of San Juan by way of Durango, and had written to a German merchant there, named Stahlknecht, to get permission from the governor of Durango to enter the state and proceed to the capital with his train and fifty armed servants, stating that he had hired Mexican drivers. I had made no new arrangement with him and could see no other way but to proceed blindfolded (as it were) and trust in Providence; a prisoner, and all my interests in the hands of a stranger or in the power of enemies to myself and country.

(p213)

Suburbs of Chihuahua about 1850

 (p214 is blank)  We took the route by San Pablo, Santa Rosalía, Guajuquilla,​236 and Zapata to Florido, in charge of the same companies which met us at Peñuelas and guarded us as prisoners during our journey to, and our stay in, Chihuahua. There were several families [which] traveled with the train, leaving the city under the apprehension that our troops would march on Chihuahua either from the north or south, and perhaps both, and they wanted their families out of the reach of the barbarous heretic gringos when they should come. Among them were the families of the general commanding the department, the collector of customs, and two or three other of the leading families of the city. The two infantry companies were to remain at Florido to guard the prisoners who remained, and the cavalry to proceed with the train to Durango as an escort and guard. We arrived at Florido after a long drive, about 3 P.M., and  p216 corralled our wagons in front of, and quite near, the hacienda.​237

And while the men were turning out, Mr. Speyer and myself called on the proprietor to see what were the prospects before us. I had told him about the letter of security, and before leaving camp he asked me for it, stating that perhaps he could use it to my advantage, but stated no plan; and I don't think either of us had any idea how it should be produced or whether it should be produced at all. On receiving it from me, he looked it over, and as we passed along, it disappeared; and I thought the motion was like putting it up his sleeve instead of into his pocket. Yet I said nothing, and the conversation took another turn.

On entering the house, we were shown into the family room, where were the proprietor and two young ladies whom he introduced to us as his daughters. The room was a front room, and our camp was in full view from the window where the young ladies were sitting. The officer in command of the troops had already reported, and the countenances of all seemed to indicate far more anxiety as to what they could do with their prisoners than pleasure in the prospect of entertaining so many strangers. He very soon handed Mr. Speyer a package of letters, and on opening one, a paper fell to the floor which he picked up and seemed to read with much interest and pleasure, and after reading it handed it to Don ––––––––– for his perusal. He read it, and very pleasantly and heartily congratulated me upon my good fortune in having a letter of security which would give  p217 me full permission to travel anywhere in the republic. Another enclosure was permission for Mr. Albert Speyer to enter the state of Durango with his train and proceed to the city of Durango with fifty armed men as drivers and assistants.

Don ––––––––– (I very much regret that I have forgotten the name of the gentleman) had formerly held the office of governor of Chihuahua, and occupied a high position in social and political society, and expressed a good deal of surprise that Governor Trias should encumber him with the care and maintenance of so large a number of prisoners, and also with the support of the soldiers sent to guard them, there being no provision made for the support of either. Mr. Speyer suggested that if the burden was too great, and if he was willing to allow us to take them with us, we would be responsible for the good behavior and maintenance of our men while they remained in the country, and as the boundary line was but a few miles off and directly on our line of travel, we could soon put ourselves outside the jurisdiction of the governor of Durango, whose permission we already had to proceed to the capital with the full number of men in our company. Don ––––––––– replied that while he denied the right of Governor Trias to do as he had, he nevertheless felt it his duty as a good citizen and patriot to do all that lay in his power to protect the government from [any] risk or embarrassment which might occur from the unrestricted travel and intercourse of our people while the two Nations were at war.

During this conversation the men in camp were kindling fires and preparing for a dinner and supper,  p218 and having breakfasted early and made a long drive, were hungry. And it took but little to stir up a rumpus in camp, and providentially one of quite an exciting character occurred just in the nick of time. The young ladies all at once called to their father to know what was the matter in camp, and on looking out he called upon us to rise and explain. On looking out, the whole camp appeared to be in an uproar; everything was confusion and excitement. Some were in a fist-fight, and some seemed to [be] threatening each other with drawn knives, billets of wood, [and] frying pans; and the loud and bad words were plainly heard by us, if not understood by all. But few had shaved or had their hair cut since leaving "the States," and many had not washed for weeks, and at that moment it seemed to me the roughest, raggedest, and wickedest crowd I ever saw.​238 But we both kept cool and treated the matter as if it was no uncommon occurrence, and did not move to quiet matters or to interfere in any way.

Don ––––––––– wanted to know what kind of men they were, and we told him they were first class — a little rough now, but at home and cleaned up they were many of them of the first class in society (which was true). Don ––––––––– said he was instructed to allow some of them the use of their guns to kill game, and wanted to know what they would probably do in case they failed to find sufficient game to supply themselves with meat.

"Game is plenty about here, is it not Don –––––––––?" [we asked].

"Not very abundant, but there are deer and wild fowl. But they will have to hunt almost constantly and  p219 for long distances to find sufficient meat to supply so large a crowd. Would they be apt to kill my cattle or take my horses to hunt? Or if I should find it necessary to let a number have their guns to hunt, would they be likely to attempt to escape and join your people at Monclova?"

"There is no telling, Don –––––––––, what they might do. You see from their appearance that they are brave [and] daring men, and not used to going hungry where there is plenty of meat in the llano, or to go on foot when there are plenty of horses to be caught; and you may be sure they will not starve while meat of any kind is to be found within reach."

As the conversation proceeded, the young ladies frequently urged their father to adopt some plan to get rid of us. And finally they both arose and approached him, and by tender and almost tearful expressions, said,

"For God's sake, father, let them go!"

The old gentleman looked at us with a smile of doubt, indecision, and affection, as much as to say, "What shall I do?"

And finally, after several appeals in the same words, [he] told us he would think the matter over, and if we could come at eleven o'clock, when all would be quiet in camp and among his own people, he would decide what he could do. We left, and thought the prospects fair for a compromise of some sort by which the interests of all parties might be promoted.

There were several of the men who had intimated that if any opportunity offered they should mount themselves and cross the prairie and join our people at Monclova; and we tried to get all the information we could (without exciting suspicion) in regard to the  p220 country and the distance from different points on our route. We thought the nearest point from which it would be prudent to leave would be somewhere between the hacienda of La Zarca and the town of El Gallo. They could procure mules at some places intermediate, and the distance would be but four or five days' travel, and they would be able to avoid nearly if not all settlements after leaving us. We thought it better for the interest of all parties that the Americans should divide. The risk of trouble from the authorities would be less to us, and we had no doubt but those who left would in a very few days be able to work their way to our people with but little risk of danger from any source.

On returning to camp, we had a talk with the men and found that many of them were determined to avail themselves of the first opportunity that offered to attempt to escape to Monclova, whether they were to remain in Florido or were permitted to proceed on the journey with us. We told them we were to meet the Don again during the evening and would advise them early the next morning of the result of the conference; and those who had determined on the course mentioned could notify us the next morning, and we would talk over matters, and they could lay their plans according to circumstances.

At eleven o'clock we called on the Don and found him ready with his proposition. He said he was very anxious to get rid of the men, and his daughters were almost beside themselves with fear of what the consequences would be of their remaining. [He continued]:

"I have this proposition to make you. You two gentlemen give me your bond for the good behavior of these men during their stay in the country. This, of  p221 course, is not to be used except in certain emergencies. You will require tomorrow to make any arrangements you may deem necessary with the men, and I will by tomorrow evening find some excuse to send the two companies of infantry back to Chihuahua. And sometime the day after tomorrow, you must gear up and start for Durango against my earnest protestations and denunciations for the bad faith you are manifesting after your assurances that there should be no advantage taken of my returning your arms into your possession. Make haste and cross the line into Durango and out of our care and responsibility, and we will thank God for the riddance."

We returned to camp, feeling that we had a good prospect of release from one difficulty, but from the experiences [we] already had we could form no opinion of how soon new difficulties might arise. However, we went directly to bed, and I was soon sound asleep.

In the morning we arose early, and after breakfast called the boys together for consultation and to arrange plans for the future. We had heard a disturbance in the soldiers' camp very early in the morning, but took no notice of it. And as the camp was some little distance from ours, we did not observe any change, and asked no questions about them. It was not long, however, before it was noised about that the two infantry companies had very early broken camp and marched off in the direction of Chihuahua. We directed the men to make their arrangements to leave the next day, as we were near the Durango line and could in a few hours, by prompt and decisive action, release them from the jurisdiction of the Governor Trias of Chihuahua and get into Durango. [We informed them] that Mr.  p222 Speyer had a permit from the governor of Durango to enter the state and pass through the city of Durango with his train of wagons and fifty armed men; that I had received a letter of security from General government which released me from bondage as prisoner, and I was free to go wherever I pleased throughout the country; that so many Americans in one company would probably excite suspicion and possibly cause further difficulty; that our road for some days would lead us nearer to Monclova, where General Wool was stationed, and we thought by energy, prudence, and caution such of them as desired to do so might supply themselves with [an] outfit and leave the country; that they might retire for consultation, and that all who desired to leave could give us notice as soon as possible, and we would make up their accounts and settle with them, and we would furnish them some mules, and they could buy others at Cerro Gordo or La Zarca (if they thought best to go with us so far), and four or five days would enable them to place themselves under the protection of our army.

After a couple of hours a number of them (either twenty-one or twenty-three)​239 came and requested a settlement, and said they would at the proper time make a break for "the States" by way of Monclova. This was a larger number than we had expected. [There were] two who were then in my employ — Rogers and Dave McCoy — and one who crossed the plains with me but hired to Mr. Speyer in Santa Fé — a blacksmith named Jennett. After a settlement I suggested that under the circumstances, when the war closed, they might have a claim against the Mexican  p223 government, and if they chose to do so they could give Mr. Speyer a power of attorney to prosecute in their interest. They thought well of it now and wanted it done. Mr. Speyer wished me to draw [up] the document, and although I had never made the attempt to draw a legal document, yet I thought I was as well qualified to do so as I was to act as physician, which I had done on several occasions. I drew [up] the document, and they all signed and handed it to Mr. Speyer. The document was afterwards read before a military court of inquiry and pronounced to be very good work for a novice.

After finishing our arrangements with the men, we went to the hacienda and informed our friend of what we had done, withholding the information that the men intended going to Monclova, but intimating that they would probably try and get employment as drivers in some of the wagon trains freighting through the interior. He told us how he had ordered the infantry escort to Chihuahua, and the dragoons would proceed with us to Durango as guard to the families traveling with us. He would have to express some surprise and resentment that the men should leave without his permission. But as Governor Trias had given their arms in his (Speyer's) charge, he [the Don] could not help himself if he [Speyer] chose to give them to the men instead of turning them over to him [the Don]. And as the men refused to stay, and we had permission from the governor of Durango to proceed to that city with fifty armed men without any restrictions as to nationality, we must assume all responsibility; and if we allowed the men to go with us, it would be under his protest.

Returning to camp, Mr. S. informed the ladies that  p224 we should leave for Durango the next morning, and they might prepare to start as soon as possible after an early breakfast. The troops were [to act] as an escort to the Mexican families, and subject to their orders. It was their choice to travel with us as an additional protection, and we felt that their desire to do so was a manifestation of their confidence in us, and would have a conciliatory effect upon the authorities of the towns through which we passed. I am confident that their traveling with us did make a favorable impression upon the authorities at Cerro Gordo and Durango, and that our reception and treatment was far better than it would have been if they had not traveled with us.

After breakfast next morning orders were given to "catch up," and all hands were busily engaged in harnessing and arranging camp furniture to proceed on our journey in the hope of comparative freedom from annoyance and vexations through the state of Durango. When nearly ready for a start, our friend came to camp and inquired what we were doing.

"We are about to proceed on our journey to Durango by the permission of the governor of that state in the documents shown you."

"These men are sent here as prisoners under my care, and are they going also?"

"They have so decided, and they go under our responsibility."

In the presence of several of his dependents, he warned us that they left without his permission and on their own responsibility, and he should immediately advise Governor Trias of the course they had taken. We drove out and proceeded on our way, and everybody in our camp and at the hacienda was happy. Before  p225 camping, we passed the boundaries of Chihuahua and felt comparatively safe, feeling that we could fare no worse than we had for the last month.

I want to say a word in regard to the governor, Don Angel Trias. He was an unprincipled tyrant in all his bearing towards his own people in an inferior position, and considered all foreigners (especially Americans) as only worthy of his contempt. His father owned the hacienda of Peñol, •about thirty-five miles north of Chihuahua, which in olden times was celebrated for the large herds of cattle upon it; and all were bred and culled to one color, so that there were none but black allowed on the place. At one time, when young, he was at the hacienda, and falling out with the major domo, pushed him into a boiling cauldron of tallow, and left him. He was compelled to leave the country, and spent some time in the United States, and also traveled extensively in Europe. [He] could speak English fluently, and (I understood) also French and German. I never heard an American speak of him with respect, and there was no love lost [between them].​240

---

The Author's Notes:

230 Laguna de Encinillas, or Lake of Live-Oaks.

231 The haciendas of Peñol and Encinillas were the property of Don Angel Trias, governor of Chihuahua. Bartlett, op. cit., II.418.

232 This company probably included Manuel Armijo, who was fleeing from New Mexico.

233 Peñol.

234 In 1833 Chihuahua had a population of 10,602. Wislizenus described the city as it appeared in 1846: "Chihuahua has a most beauti­ful situation in a valley, open towards the north, and surrounded on the other sides by the projecting mountains of the Sierra Madre. The city is regularly built; has wide and clean streets — in some of them quite handsome and convenient houses; plenty of water from the Chihuahua creek, and from an aqueduct; fine gardens around the town; and a delight­ful public walk (Alameda), shaded with cotton trees. The finest place of the city, as usual in Mexico, is the Plaza, or public square. It is very spacious; has a public fountain in the middle, and foot walks on the side, with benches and pillars of a white porphyry, which is found in the neighborhood. Three sides of the square are occupied with public buildings and stores; on the fourth stands the cathedral, a very imposing building. . . Although the style of the building is not throughout Gothic, it shows nevertheless great finish and elegance of construction; the two equal and parallel steeples in front of it are elevated fifty‑two and one‑half varas •[one hundred and forty‑six feet] above the Plaza. Another expensive work of architecture, erected in Spanish times, is the aqueduct, built of rocks, with arches; it extends 6,533 varas •[about three and one‑half miles], and provides the southern part of the city with water, while on the north side the Chihuahua creek runs, which unites below with the 'Nombre de Dios,' and falls into the Conchos." Wislizenus, Memoir of a Tour to Northern Mexico, 60. See also Bartlett, op. cit., II.432‑435.

235 The Bull Pen, located in the suburbs of Chihuahua, was a large amphitheater where bull fights were held. Hughes, Doniphan's Expedition, 329.

236 Guajuquilla, now called Jiménez, was founded in 1752. In 1846 it had a population of six or seven thousand. "Guajuquilla is a pretty, quaint little town, with white-washed adobe houses, and looking clean and neat," wrote Ruxton in October, 1846. Ruxton, op. cit., 130. See also Hubert H. Bancroft, History of the North Mexican States and Texas (Works of H. H. Bancroft, XV, San Francisco, 1884), I.585; Wislizenus, Memoir of a Tour to Northern Mexico, 65.

237 This was "a large hacienda with a colonnade of stone," according to Bartlett, "the capitals of the columns being in the Moorish style. It stands on the margin of the plateau, over­looking the valley of the river, and has a very picturesque appearance." Bartlett, op. cit., II.463.

238 On account of the rough appearance of most Santa Fé traders, the lower classes of Mexicans thought the Americans were uncivilized and called them burros. Ruxton, op. cit., 138‑139.

239 Twenty‑one. Ibid., 110, 130.

240 Bartlett, who was favorably impressed with Trias, described him as follows: "General Trias . . . is a gentleman of large wealth and fine accomplishments. After receiving his education he went to Europe, where he spent eight years travelling in various parts, although he remained most of the time in England and France. He is well versed in several of the European languages, and speaks English with great correctness. Of English literature he told me he was very fond; and he considered no native appreciated the beauties of Shakespeare and Milton better than he. . . There is no doubt that General Trias detests the Americans as a people; yet American gentlemen and officers who stop at Chihuahua, are always treated by him with great politeness and attention." Bartlett, op. cit., II.426‑427.

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