HISTORICAL FOOTPRINTS IN AMERICA, 313 



device thus ingeniously interpreted includes an interwoven monogram 

 of European characters, and the open hand, a symbol of frequent 

 occurrence among the Indian hieroglyphics of this and other regions ; 

 though not as here, with the novel adjunct of the double thumb. It 

 is perhaps, in the simple form in which it is introduced in groups of 

 Indian symbolism, the same " Red Hand " which Stephens observed 

 with such interest wherever he wandered among the ruins of Central 

 America. Here, however, it is the work of the designer ; and the 

 monograph, which its transcriber reads as Francisco, appears more like 

 the sacred monogram I. H. S. Perhaps it is thus placed, with an 

 obvious significance, along side a native symbol of the Deity, or of 

 one of his impersonated attributes. On the same face of the rock 

 where this device occurs, is the following elaborate, though partially 

 mutilated piece of local history, somewhat in the florid style of 

 Oriental epigraphy : — 



Cr. y Cap<^^^ GenJ' de las Pro'^^ del Nuevo Mex^° por el Rey nro 

 S^ pasd por aqui de vuelta de los pueblos de Zuni & los 29 de Julio 

 del ana de 1620, los puso en paz a su pedimP^ pidien dole su favor 

 coma vasallos de su Maj'^^ y de nuevo dieron la obediencii, to do lo 

 qual hizo con el agasajo solo, y prudencia como tan christianisimo 

 . tan particular y gallardo soldado indomitable y loado 

 amemos 



Joseph Erramos -\- Diego Nunez JBellido + 



Qral y gi gapata Bartolom^ Narrso. 



Lieutenant Simpson learned from the Provincial Secretary, Don 

 Aciano Vigil, that though the conquest of the Province was originally 

 effected by Juan de Oiiate, in the year 159.5, all records preceding 

 the year 1680 have perished, as the Indians burnt the archives in an 

 insurrection against the Conquerors at that date. On this account 

 therefore, the Moro Inscriptions have even some historical value ; and 

 among these the one quoted above may be classed. The proper 

 names occur so far apart from the main inscription that their connec- 

 tion in the form assumed by the original transcriber, is doubt- 

 ful. Translated, it reads : The Governor and Captain General of 

 the Provinces of New Mexico, for our Lord the King, passed this 

 place, on his return from the Pueblo of Zuiii, on the 29th of July, of 

 the year 16 JO, and put them in peace, at their petition, asking the 

 favour to becom-^ subjects of his Majesty, and anew they gave 

 obedience ; all which they did with free consent, knowing it prudent. 



