OPERATIONS IN TEX., N. MEX., AND ARIZ. [CHAP. XI.
As pertinent to this subject, I have also the honor to call your attention to same facts connected with the Indian affairs in this country. While the difficulties with the the Navajoes have existed with varying phases almost since the original settlement of New Mexico, there is no doubt that some of the most recent, if they have not been caused by, have at least been greatly aggravated by, the unauthorized and illegal acts of have almost invariably fallen upon the well disposed Navajoes and upon the better classes of the Mexican people-those who had stock or other property to be stoked or farms which could not be cultivated in security-while the authors of these acts have profited by the division of their plunder and the sale of their captives. These acts and these principles do not apply to the Navajoes alone, but to all the tribes of Indians by which New Mexico is surrounded, and it is scarcely necessary to say that, if permitted, they can lead to but one result, that of converting all the Indians of New Mexico into robbers, and leading to a contest will be as interminable as the Maroon was of the West Indies.
The policy of the Government towards the Indians is fully indicated by its laws and by the instructions to the officers of the Indian and War Departments, and it has a right to expect that all good citizens will aid in enforcing its laws and sustaining its policy. The duty of protection involves a reciprocal obligation upon the part of the people of New Mexico, and unless the illegal acts of a few vicious individuals are denounce by the moral sense of the community and enforcement of the laws aided by all, the best efforts that can be made to control the Indians and protect the inhabitants will be utterly fruitless. I will use all the means that I may be able to control to protect the inhabitants of New Mexico from depredations and secure them in the quiet possession of their property, and I ask the co-operation of your excellency and the people of New Mexico in sustain the laws and regulations of the Government in relation to the Indians.
This policy, in my judgment, is not only the wisest, but the only one that can possibly be adopted without leading to interminable evils.
Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,
ED. R. S. CANBY, Colonel Nineteenth Infantry, Commanding Department.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NEW MEXICO, Santa Fe, N. Mex., December 1, 1861.
ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Headquarters Western Department, Saint Louis, Mo.:
SIR: I have the honor to report that there has been no material change, except the increasing hostilities of the Indians, in the state of affairs in this department since my last report. Operations are still greatly embarrassed by the want of supplies, and particularly transportation; but I hope that these difficulties will be overcome in a few days, as some of the supply trains are now near Fort Union.
Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,
ED. R. S. CANBY, Colonel Nineteenth Infantry, Commanding Department.
