122 ARMY ON THE NORTHERN FRONTIER MILITARY COLONIES. 



a mathematical line of seventy leagues between these streams, is 

 six hundred and forty-six leagues or about nineteen hundred miles 

 in length. Three-fourths of this line pass through an uninhabited 

 region, and, consequently, the savages have free access across it to 

 the few and small settlements on the bortler. Such an extent of 

 frontier, though considerably reduced from the former line ' anterior 

 to the treaty, became at once an object of concern to the govern- 

 ment, especially as the people of the United States immediately 

 opened communications through the Indian country with the 

 Pacific, and would probably soon control the important passes 

 through the whole region north of the boundary. Accordingly on 

 the 20th of July, 1848, it was decreed that eighteen Military 

 Colonies should be created, and. placed within easy communica- 

 tion, so as to protect the southern settlers in some degree, or to 

 encounter and punish the savages in their forays. The greater 

 portions of the most warlike tribes were transferred by the treaty to 

 the United States, and, by one of its articles, we bound ourselves 

 to aid, at least, in saving the Mexicans from their plunder if we 

 could not totally destroy their inimical power. In the neighbor- 

 hood of the boundary, from near the mouth of the Gila to the com- 

 mencement of the mathematical line, before alluded to, we find the 

 tribes known as Coyotes, Mimbrenos and Gilenos, the former of 

 whom wage war against Sonora, whilst the latter attack Chihua- 

 hua. The Apaches and Cumanches spread their numerous hordes 

 from the vicinity of Chihuahua to the sources of the Nueces, 

 twenty-five leagues beyond the Rio Grande. Besides these, there 

 are, throughout this district many savage bands, supporting them- 

 selves entirely by the chase, and it is probable, according to 

 the opinion of soldiers and captives, who have been among the 

 tribes, that all these clans can unite thirty thousand warriors, whilst 

 they still leave a sufficient number to protect their wigwams and 

 villages. 



Fortunately for the white races, these barbarians are not able to 

 maintain peace among themselves. The Apaches and Cumanches 

 are in continual strife, and never return from the "war path" with- 

 out serious losses. It is not to be feared, therefore, that they will 

 voluntarily join in a general rising against our pioneers ; yet a 

 common danger, or a common attack, might soon cement their 

 hatred against the supposed usurper, and, directed by a man of 

 capacity, produce even a more disastrous war than that with the 

 Seminoles of Florida. 



The Cumanches are numerous and active. They are divided 



