36 



MUHLENPFORDt's CHARACTER OF THE INDIANS. 



the inferior secular priests and the monks who have the greatest 

 influence over the Indians, find their account in declining to pro- 

 mote, if they do not positively retard, their intellectual develop- 

 ment. Time only can inform us what advantages will accrue to 

 the Indians from the new order of things. Up to this period the 

 introduction of the boasted civilization of Europe, as well as of the 

 Catholic religion, has been of but trifling benefit to them, and only 

 a trace here and there of progress to an amelioration of their con- 

 dition is to be remarked. 



" The Mexican Indian of the present day is generally grave and 

 taciturn, and almost sullen, when not excited by music and intoxi- 

 cating drinks to loquacity and pleasure. This serious character 

 may be remarked even in the children, who appear more knowing 

 at the age of five or six, than those of northern Europeans at that 

 of nine or ten. But this appearance of steadiness is by no means 

 consequent on a quicker development of mind, and the looks of 

 these young people, dejected and void of all the cheerfulness and 

 confidence of children, have nothing that gladdens the observer. 

 Gruffhess and reserve appear to be essential features of the Indian 

 character, and it cannot, I think, be assumed that these qualities 

 were implanted in them only by the long oppression that weighed 

 down the Mexican race, first under their native rulers, and after- 

 wards under the Spaniards ; inasmuch as they occur among the 

 aborigines almost universally throughout America, even when these 

 have never suffered any curtailment of political liberty. To that 

 cause may be rather attributed the stubbornness and selfishness 

 which constitute a striking trait in the character of the present In- 

 dians. It is almost impossible to move any Indian to do a thing 

 which they have resolved not to do. Vehemence, threats, even 

 corporal punishment, are of as little avail as the offer of gold or 

 reward ; persuasion, coaxing, entreaties help as little. The Mexi- 

 can Indian loves to give an appearance of mystery and importance 

 to his most indifferent actions. If stirred up by weighty interests, 

 he breaks his accustomed silence, and speaks with energy but never 

 with fire. Jokes are as rare with him as raillery and laughter. I 

 never heard an Indian laugh heartily, even when excited by spirit- 

 uous liquors. His uncommon hardness of character allows him 

 long to conceal the passions of indignation and vengeance. No 

 sign betrays externally the fire that rages within until it suddenly 

 breaks out with uncontrollable violence. In this condition the 

 Indian is most likely inclined to commit the most dreadful cruelties 

 and the most fearful crimes. The Mexican aborigines bear with 



