Captain Lewis and Mr. Van Ness,
Secretary of the Commissioners, both of whom spoke Spanish,
were directed to proceed to San Miguel to confer with the
authorities, having instructions and letters setting forth
that a large trading party of Texans were approaching and that
their intentions were in every way pacific; by request, two of
the principal merchants and Mr. Kendall accompanied them with
a Mexican servant. On their road they came up with two Mexican
muleteers, from whom they learned that their approach was
known and that great excitement existed among the inhabitants
in consequence of the Governor, Armijo, informing them that
the Texans intended to burn, slay and destroy as they went;
the Mexican servant was sent back with a letter conveying the
intelligence.
Before reaching San Miguel they were
suddenly surrounded by more than a hundred well armed and
mounted soldiers. The leader, Salezar, stated to them with the
utmost blandness, that it was contrary to their laws for bands
of men to enter their territory with arms, and hoped they
would have no objection to placing their rifles and pistols in
his keeping, and labeled so the owner might know it again,
until the business they had with the authorities might be
arranged. Finding themselves completely surrounded, without
the remotest chance to escape, and completely imposed upon by
the apparent fairness of Salezar's conduct, they reluctantly
gave up their arms.
Mr. Kendall told him that he was a
citizen of the United States and merely a traveler and handed
him his passport from the Mexican Consul at New Orleans. No
sooner disarmed, than Salezar ordered their pockets to be
picked, which being done, he ordered twelve men to march in
front of them. Mr. Fitzgerald, one of the merchants, who not
only understood the Spanish language, but also the treacherous
and suspicious character of the Mexicans, with fists clenched,
exclaimed to his companions, "They're going to shoot us,
boys; let's pitch into 'em and die in hot blood; it's much
asier." They exchanged glances of singling out their men
from the guard at the moment they should level their guns; at
this critical moment an altercation ensued between Salezar and
a Mexican named Vigil, the latter contending that the
prisoners had entered the settlement openly and peaceably and
had asked to converse with Governor Armijo. Vigil prevailed
over the blood-thirsty coward Salezar.
A Lieutenant was ordered to march with
them to San Miguel, from thence they were put on the march to
Santa Fe; on the road, the Lieutenant said he was ordered to
have them tied. A thousand troops passed them on their way to
San Miguel. Meeting Governor Armijo, he saluted them as
friends and shook each by the hand. After a short conversation
he asked which of them best understood Spanish, Lewis pressed
forward and offered his services. To this time he had acted in
good faith towards all in the expedition; but seeing that he
was completely in the power of men whom he understood and from
whom he could expect neither mercy or justice, and seeing that
by betraying his former associates he might gain life and
liberty, he at once sundered all the holy ties of religion,
honor and patriotism.
Armijo, in a pompous tone, ordered the
Lieutenant to guard the prisoners back to San Miguel that
night; the Lieutenant remarked that they were not able to,
having walked nearly thirty miles that day. Armijo answered,
"They are able to walk as much more; if one of them
pretends to be sick or tired on the road, shoot him down and
bring me his ears--go." About midnight they reached a
small prairie six miles from San Miguel, when the darkness and
a heavy rain compelled them to stop, and lying upon the ground
they slept until morning. They had hardly been placed in
confinement at San Miguel, when a priest entered and told them
that one who had first been taken prisoner, while attempting
to escape had been re-taken and was then to suffer death. He
was taken about twenty yards from where they were, and after
heartlessly being pushed upon his knees with his face to the
wall, he was shot in the back. They could not recognize him,
but afterwards learned that it was Baker, who with his party,
having been placed in prison at Santa Fe, effected his escape,
and while making their way to their comrades were attacked.
Rosenberry was killed, and Baker and Howland were captured.
Scarcely was this horrible scene over,
when they were marched out of their prison and formed into
line. Armijo, from a window in the house, pointed out the
prisoners, one by one, asking of some one behind him their
names and business, but they could not hear his answers.
Armijo then came out and said, "Gentlemen, you told me
the truth yesterday: Don Samuel (Howland) has corroborated
your statements. I save your lives. Don Samuel ran away from
Santa Fe, and in attempting to reach Colonel Cooke's party,
has been retaken. I have ordered him to be shot in five
minutes." They were marched back to their prison, while
Howland was taken to the side of the body of his murdered
comrade and in a similar manner met his death. He had been, by
the tyrant Armijo, offered his life and liberty if he would
betray his companions and assist in capturing them; the brave
and noble-spirited man rejected the offer with scorn, and
notwithstanding the disgraceful mode of his execution, his
death was an honorable one.
The party under command of Colonel Cooke
halted at Anton Checo, the nearest settlement, for the purpose
of refreshment, and to await communication from their advance
party. The next day some of the men, while purchasing
provisions at a ranch on the opposite side of the creek, were
taken prisoners by Salezar, who sent one of them back
requesting the Commissioners to go over and hold a
consultation with him. They sent answer that if he wanted to
see them he must come to their camp, which he did with an
escort. The interview resulted in the liberation of the men.
Colonel Cooke asked Salezar what had become of Van Ness and
his party. He answered that he had met them and was satisfied
with the objects of the mission as explained to him; he had
treated them as friends and sent them to the Governor.
