Alexandria Gazette

WHITE INDIANS.

From the New Orleans Bulletin.

I perceive an article is taking the rounds headed "The White Indians," represented as residing between California and Santa Fe. The writer of this article has been in that section of that country, and heard of no such nation as described as the Mawkees. The Nabahoes, or Navahoes, he has been among, but must represent them as far different from the description given. Their government is purely republican—the habits of the people pastoral and agricultural. They are far (for Indians) advanced in the arts, are more industrious, far more ingenious, &c. than their Mexican neighbors, and are much further advanced in the arts of civilized life; their mechanism appears (sui generis) singular in its kind, and savours more of Chinese or Indian origin. Their blankets are highly prized by the Mexicans, and sell at a high price. They are very chivalrous, and are considered the perpetual enemy of the Mexican-Spaniard whom they treat with the utmost contempt. They have 30,000 warriors living in valleys, surrounded by inaccessible mountains, with narrow passes. They long bid defiance to the combined power of Mexico, making frequent excursions, capturing many Mexicans, with their horses. Prisoners they make slaves of, and in return the Mexicans make slaves of them whenever taken captive. They are very ingenious and careful servants, are very uncouth—the structure of their heads gives them a very homely appearance; they are but little, if any lighter in complexion than other Indians. Their mountain fastnesses were never penetrated by hostile foot until a few years past. The Government of Mexico sent Gen. Viscaie, one of their bravest chieftains, against them, he penetrated to their strongest towns, and compelled them to sue for the first time for peace. Still a predatory warfare is carried on between them and the Mexicans. During the first revolution in Mexico, they sided ever with the republican party. An American who was in Mexico, and who had a Mexican lady for a wife, formed the rallying point for the republicans in that quarter, the town in which he lived being in a state of insurrection were overpowered by the royalists. The American was thrown into prison, and his wife condemned to die. She with three hundred other prisoners were then sent under an escort of 1100 Royalists. While the guard were at breakfast one morning, their males broke away and fled up the valley, and most of the guard imprudently went in pursuit, leaving their arms behind. This intrepid Amazon, from a distance discovered the advantage, ran among the captives, cut them loose, and called on them if they were men, to save themselves and her. She placed herself at their head, and pressed forward in the retreat. The guard having armed and secured their horses, pressed the pursuit so close, that she turned off among the Navahoes. She collected a small band of warriors, took possession of the pass in the mountain, and then cut off the whole Spanish force. She returned to her husband, who was also triumphant. They were living in 1825 at Tous, on the Del Norte; her husband was engaged in the fur trade.