They Resort Almost Exclusively
To The Mexicans, Who, Themselves, Purchase From Us Whatever The
Indians Most Seek For.
In this point of view, therefore, coeteris
paribus, it would be an easy matter for us to monopolize the
whole traffic.
All that is wanted is some location more
convenient for the natives than that offered by the Mexicans, to
give us the undisputed superiority; and the selection of such a
point requires but a knowledge of the single fact, that these
nations invariably winter upon the head waters of the Arkansas,
and there prepare all their buffalo robes for trade. These robes
are heavy, and, to the Indian, very difficult of transportation.
Nothing but necessity induces them to travel any great distance
with such inconvenient baggage. A post, therefore, established
upon the head waters of the Arkansas, must infallibly secure an
uncontested preference over that of the Mexicans; even at their
prices and rates of barter. Then let the dragoons occasionally
move about among these people in large parties, impressing them
with the proper estimate of our power to protect and to punish,
and at once we have complete and assured security for all
citizens whose enterprise may lead them beyond the border, and an
end to the outrages and depredations which now dog the footsteps
of the traveller, in the prairies, and arrest and depress the
most advantageous commerce. Such a post need not be stronger than
fifty men; twenty-five to be employed as hunters, to supply the
garrison, and the residue as a defense against any hostility.
Situated here upon the good lands of the Arkansas, in the midst
of abundance of timber, while it might be kept up at a most
inconsiderable expense, such an establishment within ninety miles
of Santa Fe or Taos would be more than justified by the other and
more important advantages before alluded to, leaving the
protection of the traders with the Indian tribes entirely out of
the question.
"This great trade, carried on by caravans to Santa Fe, annually
loads one hundred wagons with merchandise, which is bartered in
the northern provinces or Mexico for cash and for beaver furs.
The numerous articles excluded as contraband, and the exorbitant
duties laid upon all those that are admitted by the Mexican
government, present so many obstacles to commerce, that I am well
persuaded, that if a post, such as is here suggested, should be
established on the Arkansas, it would become the place of
deposit, not only for the present trade, but for one infinitely
more extended. Here the Mexicans might purchase their supplies,
and might well afford to sell them at prices which would silence
all competition from any other quarter.
"These two trades, with the Mexicans and the Indians, centring at
this post, would give rise to a large village of traders and
laborers, and would undoubtedly be hailed, by all that section of
country, as a permanent and invaluable advantage. A few pack-
horses would carry all the clothing and ammunition necessary for
the post during the first year, and two light field-pieces would
be all the artillery required for its defense. Afterwards, all
the horses required for the use of the establishment might be
purchased from the Mexicans at the low price of ten dollars each;
and, at the same time, whatever animals might be needed to supply
the losses among the dragoons traversing the neighborhood, could
be readily procured. The Upper Missouri Indians can furnish
horses, at very cheap rates, to any number of the same troops who
might be detailed for the defense of the northern frontier; and,
in other respects, a very limited outlay of money would suffice
to maintain a post in that section of the country.
"From these considerations, and my own personal observations, I
am, therefore, disposed to believe that two posts established by
the government, one at the mouth of the Yellowstone River, and
one on the Arkansas, would completely protect all our people in
every section of the great wilderness of the West; while other
advantages, at least with regard to one of them, confirm and urge
the suggestion. A fort at the mouth of the Yellowstone,
garrisoned by fifty men would be perfectly safe. The
establishment might be constructed simply with a view to the
stores, stables for the dragoons' horses, and quarters for the
regular garrison; the rest being provided with sheds or lodges,
erected in the vicinity, for their residence during the winter
months."
End of Astoria, by Washinton Irving
Enter page number
Previous
Page 163 of 163
Words from 164896 to 165649
of 165649
