EL PASO DEL NORTE. 391 
below it, is that portion of the bottom-lands known as 
the “Mesilla Valley,” * which is now occupying the 
public attention, as connected with the boundary dis- 
* Mesilla is the derivative of the Spanish mesa, table; and, as here 
applied, means a small plateau, or table-land, to distinguish it from the 
great table-land which extends formany hundred miles on both sides of 
the Rio Grande, and which is not susceptible of cultivation. It was 
without an inhabitant until the year 1850. 
At the close of the war with Mexico, the majority of the inhabitants 
of Dofia Ana determined to leave that place, in consequence of the 
encroachments of the Americans, who endeavoured to despoil them of 
their property. Whether the Mexican occupants of the town and lands 
adjacent were the lawful owners or not, it is needless to inquire; it is 
sufficient to say that they had long been in undisturbed possession. 
With this resolution, a spot was selected on the opposite or western 
side of the river, eight or ten miles below Dofia Ana, which, it was 
believed, would be within the limits of Mexico. In the month of May, 
1850, this people established themselves there, and named the place 
“Ta Mesilla.” To increase the colony, the government of Mexico 
offered to give lands to other actual settlers; which offer induced large 
numbers of dissatisfied Mexicans living in New Mexico and in the 
small settlements along the Rio Grande, in Texas, to remove thither. 
More than half the population of Dofia Ana removed to Mesilla within 
a year. 
When the boundary line was agreed upon, in December, 1850, and 
it became certain that La Mesilla was south of it, the fears they had 
begun to entertain were removed, and a day was set apart for public re- 
joicing. After this, the population increased much on account of the 
inducements offered; and in October, 1852, the Prefect of El Paso 
stated that it numbered 1,900 souls. 
Very few Americans settled there—in fact, none but traders; and it 
is probable there never were twenty altogether. 
Last summer (1853) some speculators attempted the same imposi- 
tions as were practised when they were citizens of New Mexico, by 
claiming their lands. This created such dissatisfaction, that they threat- 
ened to leave, and again become citizens of the United States. At this 
