PKOYECTO DE GUEKRA. 299 



years ago. A band of Aj^ache warriors boldly 

 approached the town of Socorro on the south- 

 ern border, when a battle ensued between 

 them and the Mexican force, composed of a 

 company of regular troops and all the miUtia 

 of the place. The Mexicans were soon com- 

 pletely routed and chased into the very streets, 

 suffering a loss of thirty-three killed and seve- 

 ral wounded. The savages bore away their 

 slain, yet their loss was supposed to be but 

 six or seven. I happened to be in the vicmity 

 of the catastrophe the following day, when 

 the utmost consternation prevailed among the 

 inhabitants, who were in hourly expectation 

 of another descent from the savages. ^ 



Many schemes have been de\dsed frorn. 

 time to time, particularly by the people of Cln- 

 huahua, to check the ravages of the Indians, 



but 



Among 



the notorious Proyedo de Gnerra, adopted m 

 1837, stands most conspicuous. By this fa- 

 mous ' war-projecf a scale of rewards was 

 estabUshed, to be paid out of a fund raised lor 

 that purpose. A hundred dollars reward were 

 offered for the scalp of a full grown man, 

 fifty for that of a squaw, and twenty-five lor 



that of every 



' To the credit of the 



^ , however, tliis barbarous proijecto was 



m operation but a few weeks, and never re- 

 ceived the sanction of the general govern- 

 ment ; although it was strongly advocated by 

 some of the most inteUigent citizens of Chi- 

 huahua. Yet, pending its existence, it was 

 ri^dly complied with. I saw myself, on one 



