COPPER MINES. 
311 
Jose Trinfan, ten or twelve years of age, belonged to 
Fronteras, in the same State, and had been held a pri- 
soner six years. Believing, from what they had heard ^ 
tlfe Indians say, who had visited the Copper Mines, 
that they would find protection with us, they sought 
our camp. They were both intelligent looking boys ; 
their hair was cropped short, and they were entirely 
naked. 
When these youths were brought to me, Mangus 
Colorado and Delgadito, two prominent chiefs of the 
Apaches, and a number of their tribe, were present ; 
they already knew of the escape of the prisoners, and 
at once proposed that I should purchase them. I 
declined, telling them that the Americans did not buy 
captives; and furthermore, that having sought my 
protection, I should not deliver them up. In vain I 
endeavored to make the chiefs comprehend our treaty 
with Mexico, and the principles of justice and huma- 
nity on which it was based. They did not, or would 
not, understand, and left our camp evidently much 
ofiended. I requested Mangus Colorado to come to 
me on the following day, when I would endeavor to 
satisfy him. The day arrived, but Mangus did not 
appear ; and I began to be fearful that the friendly 
feeling which existed between the Commission and 
the Indians would be terminated by this event. I 
received intimations that the boys were not safe, and 
that an attempt would probably be made to recapture 
them the first opportunity. Determined not to be 
thwarted in this way, I sent them off at night, well 
clothed, in charge of four resolute men, with direc- 
tions to take them to the camp of General Conde and 
deliver them into his hands. 
