iliar with Indian habits and their mode of warfare. They were taken
from among the best hunters which the Pueblo villages could furnish.
They presented themselves provided with their own horses, rifles, and,
in most cases, with their own ammunition, and were supplied only with
their rations of food. When it was practicable, they were allowed to
kill game; and, being very expert at it, they seldom returned from
a hunt open-handed. Their peaceful mode of life prevented them from
engaging in any deep league with the hostile Indians; but yet, there
is no doubt that when the different tribes were at war with the
whites, the Pueblos harbored the warlike Indians and supplied them,
in many instances, with such articles as they stood most in need of.
Their policy in thus acting might have been to retain the friendship
of these Indians and thus prevent their committing any depredations
on themselves. The Pueblos may have taken advantage of the state of
affairs when war existed, and doubtless frequently did, under disguise
of the enemy, become guilty of crimes which could easily have been
proven against them. The Mexicans have often tried to criminate the
Pueblos for thus acting; but they have proceeded with such bungling
policy, that it has seldom happened that anything criminal has been
definitely proven against them. If a part of them have thus acted,
there is not the least doubt but that the majority are guiltless. They
are, as a body, loyal to the government of the United States; but, not
so much from love of the Americans as from being shrewd. They know it
is for self interest to keep good friends with the strongest power.
On these war scouts they rendered valuable service, and in this light,
have been long regarded with favor by the whites.

The command of these forty Mexicans and Pueblo Indians was conferred
upon James H. Quinn, a well-known and prominent citizen of New Mexico.
This gentleman became intimately associated with the Territory of New
Mexico soon after that country was annexed to the United States. In
politics, military life, farming and mercantile pursuits, he was most
actively engaged, and by his talents and industry took a prominent
position and became an influential member of society. He had some
faults; (who has not?) but his unexpected death came so suddenly
upon his friends that they could only think of him for the many good
qualities both of his head and heart. Hence, his faults were most
willingly pass