[26] > . 
travellers, and by the sight of the Mexican country towns through which 
we had passed. However, when J perceived before me that Eh cluster of 
low, flat roofed, mud: built, dirty houses, called Santa Fe, and resembling 
in the distance more a_prairie- oo village than a capital, I had’ to yaower 
them yet for some degrees. After a short ride, I came to the ‘ plaza,”’ or 
public square of the town, and at there with’ some of, my friends, who 
had gone in advance of me. 
The first important news which I heard in Santa Fe was an account of 
the battle of Palo Alto, that had reached Santa fe from the interior of 
Mexi 
finis ort time. J myself, unacquainted with the obstinacy of 
een character, and confident that our government would take ener- 
getic measures to finish the» war ata single blow, shared their opinion. 
Under this conviction, I started for New Mexico, and the present joyful 
news rather,confirmed me init. ‘The people in Santa Fe appeared indif- 
ferent to the defeat at Palo Alto; no excitement prevailed; only Governor 
sent over sha plains to occupy New Mexico. ll the information we could 
really give him on that account was, that such a plan had been thought 
of; shat. “a troops were ready when we left; and that if they started at all, 
they could hardly reach New Mexico in less than two months hence. In 
the meanwhile, Governor Armijo treated the traders as usual. After some 
thing went on as in perfect peace. While the traders were occupied with 
the arrangement of their mercantile business, I availed myself of this de- 
lay to take a look at the strange life in Santa Fe, to make some scientific 
observations, and to collect as much information about the e country as cir- 
cu: ces would allow, the summary of which I insert here as an abridged 
statistical account of New Mexico. My short stay, as well as the general 
want of statistical documents in this State, and the very unpropitious time 
to ask insight into the few that existed, render it impossible for me to give 
any more definite account for the present. 
Statistics of New Mexico. 
To define the Sos dives Jol New Mezico is no easy task, for the reason 
that they never seem to have been clearly defined; and the recent contro- 
versy in relation to the Boutidietes of ‘Texas, makes them ndefini 
still. To come to a clear result, we must begin with the facts, known as 
such. Towards the north and northeast, New Mexico meets with the bound- 
= of the United apes agreed upon the 22d February, 1819, between 
e United States and Spain, eB wit: that part of the line which runs from 
Red river in the 100° longitude west of Greenwich, up to the Arkansas; 
then along the Arkansas to its sources; from thence in a straight line north 
to the 42° north latitude, and following the 42° west to the The 
Gethienstenn boundary of New Mexico is pec? connected Se the still 
still und led question of the boundaries of Texas. The limits of the 
Mexican province Texas, previous to its peudiica, are generally consid- 
a 
