This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1845 edition. Excerpt: ...mines to the Spaniards, lest the cruelties of the original conquest be renewed towards them, and they be forced to toil and suffer in those mines as in days of yore. To the more effectual preservation of secrecy, it is also stated that they have called in the aid of superstition, by promulgating the belief ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1845 edition. Excerpt: ...mines to the Spaniards, lest the cruelties of the original conquest be renewed towards them, and they be forced to toil and suffer in those mines as in days of yore. To the more effectual preservation of secrecy, it is also stated that they have called in the aid of superstition, by promulgating the belief that the Indian who reveals the location of these hidden treasures, will surely perish by the wrath of their gods. Playing upon the credulity of the people, it sometimes happens that a roguish Indian will amuse himself at the expense of his reputed superiors in intelligence, by proffering to disclose some of these concealed treasures. I once knew a waggish savage of this kind to propose to show a valley where virgin gold could be ' scraped up by the basket-full.' On a bright Sunday morning, the time appointed for the expedition, the chuckling Indian set out with a train of Mexicans at his heels, provided with mules and horses, and a large quantity of meal-bags to carry in the golden stores; but, as the shades of evening were closing around the party, he discovered that he couldn't find the place. It is not at all probable, however, that the 164 RUINS OF GRAN QUIVIRA. aborigines possess a tenth part of the knowledge of these ancient fountains of wealth, that is generally attributed to them; but that many valuable mines were once wrought in this province, not only tradition but authenticated records and existing relics sufficiently prove. In every quarter of the territory there are still to be seen vestiges of ancient excavations, and in some places, ruins of considerable towns evidently reared for mining purposes. Among these ancient ruins the most remarkable are those of La Gran Quivira, about 100 miles southward from Santa Fe. This appears to...
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Seller's Description:
Good. No dust jacket as issued. Two volume set. Both first imprints with only the NY publisher on the title page of both volumes. Rebacked; volume one is variant as it lacks the embellished spine of volume two. Cover material on the spine of volume one is splitting parallel to the front gutter. The bindings are solid, corners rubbed through; edge wear and rubbing on the boards. Large foldout map of the Indian Territory of volume one is intact. Some damp stained pages in both volumes, foxing noted throughout each. Original owner name and date (1844) on the FFEP of volume one. Contemporary ownership info label on the top right corner of the FFEP in both volumes. xxvi, 320pp & xxi, 318pp. A classic work of Western Americana offering a unique firsthand account of life on the Santa Fe Trail.
