PREFACE. vii 



tunlties for observation, upon the subjects of which I have 

 ventured to treat, superior to those enjoyed by any writ- 

 ers who have preceded me. . But not even an attempt has 

 before been made to present any full account of the origin 

 of the Santa Fe Trade and modes of conducti] 

 the early history and present condition of the people of 

 Kew Mexico; nor of the Indian tribes by w^hich the wild 

 and unreclaimed regions of that department are inhabited. 

 I think I may also assure my readers that most of the facts 

 presented in my sketch of the natural history of the Prai- 

 riesj and of the Indian tribes who inhabit them, are now 

 published for the first time. As I have not sought to make 

 a treatise upon these subjects, I have not felt compelled, 

 for the purpose of giving my papers symmetry and com- 

 pleteness, to enter to any extent upon grounds which have 

 already been occupied by other travellers ; but have con- 

 tented myself with presenting such matters and observa- 

 tions as I thought least likely to have come before under 

 the notice of my readers. 



I am perfectly sensible, however, that, in the selection 

 of matter, and in the execution of my work, it is very 

 far from being what it should be, and what, in more capable 

 hands, it might have been. I only trust, that, with all its 

 imperfections, it may be found to contain some new and not 

 unimportant facts, which may be thouo-ht, in some measure. 



appearance 



respects 



ery 



This work has been prepared chiefly from a journal 



ha\ 



