292 TRUCES FOR TRADING. 



their stolen property without even a shadow 

 of molestation, frequently enter into partial 

 treaties of peace with one department, while 

 they continue to wage a war of extermination 

 against the neighboring states. This arrange- 

 ment suppUes them with an ever-ready mar- 

 ket, for the disposal of their booty and the 

 purchase of munitions wherewith to prose- 

 cute their work of destruction. In 1840, I 

 witnessed the departure from Santa Fe of a 

 large trading party freighted with engines of 

 war and a great quantity of whisky, intend- 

 ed for the Apaches in exchange for mules and 

 other articles of phinder which they had stolen 

 from the people of the south. This traffic 

 was not only tolerated but openly encouraged 

 by the civil authorities, as the highest public 

 functionaries were interested in its success — 

 the governor himself not excepted. 



The Apaches, now and then, propose a 

 truce to the government of Chihuahua, which 

 is generally accepted very nearly upon their 

 OAvn terms. It has on some occasions been 

 included that the marauders should have a 

 bond fide right to all their stolen property. A 

 venta or quit-claim brand, has actually been 

 marked by the government upon large num- 

 bers of mules and horses which the Indians 

 had robbed from the citizens. It is hai'dly 

 necessary to add that these truces have rarely 

 been observed by the wily savages longer than 

 the time necessary for the disposal of their plun- 

 der. As soon as more mules were needed for 

 service or for traffic — more cattle for beef— more 



