THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 297 



squalls, from different points of the compass, for the whole forenoon. 

 Before we reached a little hamlet, called Valencia, fourteen miles 265 

 3^ards from our camp of yesterday, we encountered a shower of rain 

 and sleet. As in this place we could get two corrals, wherein our 

 horses could be partially sheltered, it was decided that we should en- 

 camp here for the night. The weather seems singularly unpropitious 

 for an expedition. It is said to be quite unusual to have these storms 

 in New Mexico at this season of the year. To-night, however, at nine 

 o'clock, the clouds have all left the heavens, and we have promise of 

 a fair day to-morrow. 



Three Mexican citizens of respectability, a Mr. Chavis and two of 

 his sons-in-law, came to our camp this evening, and informed Major 

 Carleton that it was their intention to establish a colony of settlers at a 

 point east of a range of mountains known as the Sierra Blanca, and 

 along some streams affluent to the Pecos, called the Seven Rivers; that 

 they proposed going with this command as far as Gran Quivira ; and that 

 from that point to the Seven Rivers they desired to be furnished with 

 an escort of dragoous. They were told that they could accompany the 

 expedition as far as Gran Quivira, but that no escort would be given 

 beyond that point. They were informed that Brevet Lieutenant Colo- 

 nel Chandler, of the army, was about to proceed from near Dona Ana, 

 with three companies, directly to the country in the neighborhood of 

 the Seven Rivers, and, if they wished to do so, they could have the ad- 

 vantage of his protection. Mr. Chavis concluded to go by the way of 

 Gran Quivira, at all hazards; and to proceed across the country, from 

 that point, even without an escort. The truth doubtless is, the old 

 gentleman fancies that the purpose lor which this squadron is going into 

 that country is to search for a great amount of treasures which are 

 said to be buried beneath the ruins there, and he hopes he may be 

 able to obtain a share of them. 



Friday, December 16, 1853. 



The weatlier became very cold last night ; all the ponds of water 



extending up and down the valley are frozen over, and the ground is 

 I hard and resounds loudly at the tread of the column. The sand-bars 

 = along the river seem to be covered with geese, ducks, and brant, which 

 i have been driven by the ice from the lagoons and sloughs. They are 



so tame they hardly fly at our approach. 

 [ We arrived at a little town, called Casa Colorada, about four o'clock 

 ! this afternoon. This place is thirty-nine miles 537 yards from Albu- 

 \ querque. Here our road leaves the river for the mountains toward the 

 ; east. As it will take two days to march to Manzana, the next and last 



point where we can procure any corn, we are encamped for the night ; 



and shall here buy, and haul in our wagons to-morrow, the forage our 



animals will require to that town. 



The citizens of Casa Colorada gave a ball this evening in honor of 



our coming. The sudden arrival amongst them of so many armed 

 ' men is a matter of great astonishment. 



The result of our observations, as regards the general appearance of 



the inhabitants of the country, made during these first forty miles of 



