13 
EXTRACTS FROM [ PRELIMINARY] REPORT. 
The more direct route, via Carnuel Pass, would require labor of excavation and steeper grades. 
It passes, however, through an out-crop of coal, and leads to Albuquerque, or to the remaining 
narrow gorge of the Del Norte at Isleta, where the river cuts through banks of diluvial drift, 
which, rising perpendicularly twenty feet above the water, form natural abutments for a bridge. 
The valley of Eio Grande del Norte is well known. The bottom land that can be irrigated 
is very extensive. One-fifth of it is probably under cultivation, producing wheat, maize, fruits 
and vegetables. The soil and climate seem particularly adapted to the culture of grapes, which 
grow luxuriantly and to perfection. The wine produced is finely flavored, and, with an easy 
communication with a market, may become an article of commerce and a source of wealth to 
New Mexico. But the resources of this Territory are not confined to the belt which may be 
flooded by the waters of the Rio del Norte. Numerous springs and streams chequer this region, 
with i'ertile spots among the mountains. 
Colonel McCall, inspector general of the army, in his report dated July 15, 1850, estimates 
“ the land now cultivated” in New Mexico at about two hundred square miles. “Land cultivable 
now vacant,” exclusive of the vast regions occupied by the Navajoes, Moquis, Zuhians, and 
wilder tribes of Indians, is estimated at about four hundred and ninety square miles. He asserts 
“with confidence” that “the figures are not too high.” Judging from those portions I have 
myself visited, I am inclined to the opinion that the estimate falls below the actual amount. 
Seven hundred square miles, however, watered by acequias and cultivated as usual like one vast 
garden, will produce supplies sufficient to support a numerous population. 
The high mesas, which extend in various directions from the foot of the Rocky Mountains 
and Sierra Madre, although from the want of sufficient rains unfit for cultivation, are by no 
means valueless. They are covered with a thick carpet of curled grama—the most nutritious 
grass that grows—affording abundant and unfailing pasturage, during every season of the year, 
to unlimited herds of cattle and flocks of sheep. The expense of raising them is but a trifle. 
Within the past few years merchants have transported wool to St. Louis, and made handsome 
profits. Heretofore it was esteemed nearly valueless. With an improved breed of sheep and 
railway transportation, wool-growers of New Mexico might control the eastern markets. 
Colonel McCall, in relation to Indian depredations, states that, “as far as” he “could 
ascertain positively, by summing up individual cases, forty-seven thousand and three hundred 
sheep were driven off by these Indians” (from New Mexico) within eighteen months prior to 
the 1st of September, 1850. Doubtless, the Indians took many flocks from shepherds in the 
mountains that were not officially reported. 
“ Some twenty or twenty-five years ago, before the hand of the red man had fallen so heavily 
upon them, the people of this State, as well as of Chihuahua, sent annually to the city of 
Mexico vast numbers of sheep, as well as cattle and mules. At this day, not one thousand are 
sent from districts that formerly furnished their hundreds of thousands, such has been the 
rapacity and the relentless spirit of the Navajoes and Apaches.” 
Notwithstanding the extent of these depredations, and the drain since 1846, for the support 
of the army and of emigrants, vast numbers of sheep have been annually driven to California 
markets. 
I believe we are beginning better to understand our “ red brethren,” and soon will accord to 
them some of the rights due to true “native Americans.” Based upon such principles, it 
would not be difficult to civilize all the wild tribes I have ever met with in my wanderings. 
They would then, like the Pueblo Indians of New Mexico, have a community of interests with 
the whites—tilling patches of fertile soil among the mountains, and grazing flocks and herds 
upon the illimitable plains over which they roam ; thus acquiring a surplus with which to trade 
for such clothing and other necessaries as they may need. Savage warfare will then cease, and 
the resources of New Mexico—agricultural, pastural, and mineral—will be developed, and, if 
they choose, the people may build cities and aqueducts in the deserts, as did the Spaniards two 
centuries since at Gran Quevira. 
