y their craving desire to gamble.

The town of Santa Fe is watered by azequias or small canals, which
are used in every section of the Territory, with which to irrigate the
soil. Near the town, and on a hill adjoining, stands the ruins of Fort
Marcy, which was used by the American Volunteers during the conquest
of the country in the year 1846. This fort commands the town; and, for
the purpose which governed its building it answered very well. There
are several good boarding-houses in Santa Fe, and one hotel, which is
well fitted up and well kept. It forms the rendezvous for the
whole town. The commanding general of the military department which
comprises the Territory of New Mexico, with his staff, makes this
town his head-quarters. There is also a garrison of American soldiers
stationed in the town. The governor of the territory, the judges,
surveyor and all the government officials of any importance, make
this place their home. The Territorial buildings, being the halls of
legislation, and such other buildings as are necessary for the State
and Territorial purposes, both finished and under process of erection,
are located in Santa Fe. On one side of the plaza there stands a long,
low building known as the Palace. No one, however, would be aware
of the fact if not informed of it; for the building has more the
appearance of having been intended for a rope-walk than for the
assemblage of _savants_ who were to discuss and arrange matters of
state and public interest. Notwithstanding the small pretensions
in the way of architecture which the Palace presents, nevertheless,
within it, there have lived old Mexican governors who ruled their
people with a rod of iron, and whose fiery impulses went forth as just
and equitable law. These tyrants--for it was very seldom that the
poor and ignorant New Mexicans were favored with a good, wise and just
governor--governed on the principle of self aggrandizement. Being far
separated from their home government, they took care to smother all
evil reports, while the good, only, were allowed to circulate; and
these, so far as the home government was concerned, solely by their
authority, in order to have the desired effect to retain them in
office. In this they were usually successful, as they generally
retained their lucrative positions until cut off by death, or until
they had amassed a fortune which made their tasks burdensome. Many of
these men might have been envied by the richest among