Brent and Lynae sat at home on facing couches, each wrapped in a favorite blanket, waiting out the unusual winter rainstorm. “Brent, listen to this. This is for my next report for American History.[1] I think my teacher doesn’t believe New Mexico is part of American History.
“Why don’t you use one of the ones you wrote last year? No one would know about it.”
“I think I’m a better writer now, and besides, this stuff is pretty interesting now that I am more experienced.” Lynae began to read out loud from the New Mexico History book pages.
The cause of most of New Mexico's trouble during the eighteenth century was the Comanche migration southward. By 1706 this most warlike of all Plains tribes began driving the Apaches out of the northeastern part of the province.
“You’re not going to get me involved in another massacre, are you?” Brent said pushing the paper back toward Lynae.
“No way. Just read it and help me out here.”
By 1746 the Comanches were undisputed masters of the eastern plains regions, having driven their hereditary enemies, the Apaches, westward and southward. Hence, the Spaniard were forced to fight the Comanches and the Apaches as well as the Utes and the Navajos on occasion. Either the Comanches were at war or at peace with the Spaniards in New Mexico, depending upon which course was most advantageous to them at the time. Hardly a decade passed without their making a raid upon one of the Indian pueblos, Spanish ranchos or even populous settlements.
“When they were not trading with the Comanches the Spaniards were engaged in trying to exterminate them. In 1717 an expedition led by don Juan de Padella handed the tribe a crushing defeat. A similar setback was metered out in 1747. A consistent campaign against the Comanches was difficult to conduct because many Spanish settlers desired periods of peace so that they could trade with them.
“ In addition, it was not always certain who was responsible for the outrages supposedly committed by the Comanches. The wily Apaches and other tribes littered the trail with Comanche gear after raiding the white settlements. Thus made it look like it was the Comanches who raided the settlement. More important, the presence of the warlike Comanches in the Plains established an effective buffer between the Spanish hold in New Mexico and the French far to the east. Hence, a complete removal of this hostile tribe might not be in the best interest of Spain."
“Although usually enemies, the Comanches could also be friends. During their periods of good behavior they'd came to the Taos Fair bringing with them some of their loot in the form of livestock, Indian slaves, or other goods to be traded for Spanish wares.
"How does that sound?"
“Work on it. When you totally understand it, then you can write in your own words for a report. At least leave out all the hences.”
“OK, I’ll rewrite it in my own words, but listen to this part, anyway.[2] Lynae read again directly from the photo-copied pages.
“Among the Spanish settlements in New Mexico far more than the threat of the hostile Indians was the persistent fear of a French invasion during the eighteenth century. Throughout the long period of domination in the Western Hemisphere Spain had to fight the French and the English as well as the Dutch to maintain control of her holdings in the Western Hemisphere. Fear that the French were prepared to take over the northern outpost was very real and greatly concerned officials at Santa Fé, although there was never any actual possibility of such a venture by the French.
“As early as 1695 reports reached Vargas that traders from New Orleans had penetrated the wilderness uncomfortably close to New Mexico. These reports were carried by Apaches who hoped to obtain help from the Spaniards against their foes, who had been armed with French rifles. Such rumors continued to circulate and every decade was to be marked by a virtual panic over an impending French invasion. It was not until 1762 when the Louisiana Territory was turned over to Spain that this threat was removed.”
Lynae became more animated as she read, emphasizing the exciting parts by changing her tone of voice.
“An expedition commanded by Pedro de Villasur was sent out in 1720 to investigate the truth of these usually exaggerated reports. A force of some forty soldiers accompanied by perhaps sixty Indians went northeastward from Santa Fé looking for the French intruders. In August this expedition was attacked by a force of Pawnees and, except for about a dozen survivors, was completely destroyed. The Spaniards claimed that the French directed the Indian attack, but verification of the charge is lacking.
“During the 1720's France made an effort to reach New Mexico. The reasons for this action stemmed from disappointment with the Louisiana Territory. The bursting of the Mississippi bubble showed that quick fortunes were not to be made in this vast wilderness. In an effort to derive some gains from their possession Louisiana, the French turned their longing eyes toward the Spanish colonies. The mirage of wealthy Spanish gold and silver mines was a primary factor behind such intrigues. Then, too, the French were accomplished traders and they believed that a profitable commerce could be developed between the French outposts and Santa Fé.
“Attempts to establish such trade were a dismal failure in 1724, and again in 1739. The geography of the area was little understood; for example, one French party believed that New Mexico could be reached by ascending the Missouri River.
‘Well, I could write about this part for a marketing class.” Brent mimicked Lynae sarcastically grabbing the papers from her and holding them high above her reach. Soon sarcastic mimicking gave way to true interest as he read more of the fairs at Taos.
“At the end of Spain's rule in New Mexico most of the people continued to be engaged in the difficult task of wresting a living from the soil. The self-sufficient economy was built around the raising of crops in the valley lands through irrigation. They consisted mainly of corn, wheat and beans. Sheep were the most important type of livestock, with both wool and animals being shipped southward to the Mexican markets. What little manufacturing existed was for domestic consumption.
“As is usual in such an isolated community, trade was the primary economic activity. During the eighteenth century the annual fair at Taos held in late summer, was the most important activity of the trading world. This small village became the center of trade because of its location and was easily accessible through he valleys in several directions, and also because trade there could be carried on without the official scrutiny at Santa Fé.
“Attending these fairs were the Pueblo Indians, the Spanish settlers from surrounding areas, and even the hostile Plains Indians, who took time out from lifting Spanish scalps to do business with their possessors. Indians brought hides, captives, and stolen livestock to trade for the necessary knives and horses and a wide variety of trinkets. The merchants of Chihuahua, who had gained control of the former mission caravans about the middle of the century, dominated the commerce of New Mexico in the eighteenth century. Their annual caravans brought the goods to be bartered at Taos and returned with the raw materials of the province. Their monopoly enabled them to engage in sharp practices that oppressed the inhabitants in the frontier settlements.”[3]
Brent puzzled over that statement, then dismissed it with a wave of his hand. Beckoning to Lynae he began pinning on the same pin he had used to travel to Santa Fe for their earliest time line adventure. He handed the rose shaped pin to his sister.
"I think I want to go to the Fair at Taos, Lynae. Wanna come with?"
[1] New Mexico p 95 direct quote
[2] New Mexico p95-95 direct quote
New Mexico 96-98
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