Manifest Destiny: Down the Santa Fe Trail with Susan Shelby Magoffin, 1846-1847
Overview: During the 1840s, American expansion dreamed of occupying the continent from sea to sea. The Southwest belonged to Mexico and the Northwest was jointly controlled by England and the United States, but supporters of "manifest destiny" argued that God had ordained these lands for exclusive use by American people as a showcase for liberty and democracy. Through diplomatic negotiations in 1846 the United States was able t o gain the Oregon Territory, then a wilderness. The Southwest, however, had been settled for than two centuries by immigrants from Mexico and could not be won by peaceful negotiations. In 1845 the United States annexed Texas, which had fought for its independence from Mexico in 1836, an in the next year the United States went to war with Mexico. By 1848 the United States had gained a million square miles of territory, all carved out of Mexico. The moral problem inherent in spreading democracy by the sword was evident in the experience of a trader's wife, Susan Shelby Magoffin, and other American civilians and soldiers who entered New Mexico in 1846 with Gen. Stephen Watts Kearny and the Army of the West.
Outline
1. A Journey on the Santa Fe Trail: A moment on the Kansas plains, Susan Shelby Magoffin, young bride, gathering wildflowers, barnyard sounds, not the least bit conventional, tent, freight wagons, Mexicans as well as Americans, Samuel Magoffin, merchant, Santa Fe Trail, The first American wife, "stride that I myself can scarcely realize," 1846 political events, James Polk, Manifest Destiny, Texas annexation, the Southwest, border skirmish, a pretext for war, in Mexico in the presence of a conquering army, Americans were also absorbed by Mexico, Mexican habits of speech, thought, dress, and diet, openness and ethnocentrism, The Santa Fe Trade, Samuel Magoffin as trader, James Magoffin, Chihuahua, Saltillo, wellborn woman from Chihuahua, Dona Maria Gertrudes Valdez, Gabriel Valdez, cousin Manuel Armijo, close relations, advantages to Mexican Americans in the trade, "Missouri Mule," Mexican peso, Independence-Missouri, Mexican servants and teamsters, Susan Magoffin's background, wealthy Kentuckian, photo taken in 1845, ivory medallion, November 25, 1845, interested in that remote region, table plains, mesas, cherished each other's company, "now the prairie life begins," whooping and hallowing, Santa Fe Trail was busier than usual, fifteen hundred soldiers, Mexican War, vague route, no bridges-only fords, customary resting places, no hotels, "The Lone Elm," "Council Grove," "Big John Spring," buffalo robe, prairie flowers, gooseberries, army tent, greyhound names Ring, when days of heavy rain stalled the wagons, "I breathe free," "the life of a wandering princess," "a waving sea of tall grass,""tourist attractions," Josiah Gregg, Commerce of the Prairies, Dog City, Pawnee Rock, stunning vistas and amusing curiosities, peculiar hardships, heat, muddy water, wolves, well engaged, Indians, a carriage accident, mosquitoes, "Como estande bravos," "reminded me of a hard rain," "rite of passage," no hotels-no habitation, Bent's Fort, an icehouse, the courtyard, lodging, two weeks, Gen. Stephen Watts Kearny, Arkansas River, sandhills and mirages, stupendous mountains, wild turkeys, Raton Pass.
2. Susan and the army enter New Mexico: James Magoffin, negotiating with the governor, rancheros, aguardiente, "huckster-women after a steamboat," casa grande, "little hovel," "monkey show," "a perfect state of nudity," dresses were too short, Las Vegas, New Mexico, usual crowd, "little cigarritas," supposed to dip the tortillas, "wild looking stranger," new kind of cultural contact, would the invaders recognize the Mexicans for who they were, was manifest destiny a doctrine of conquest, history of Santa Fe, established by Spain in 1610, Governor's Palace, pueblos, 1680 the Pueblo Indians rebelled, 5,000 by 1846, adobe bricks, rebosos, Manuel Armijo, Mexico City, civil disorder, Indian raids, heartless barbarians, American orbit, economic ties, social ties, Americans as "brothers, "Norte Americanos, "culmination of a process," one could predict..., negotiating with Governor Manuel Armijo, Armijo gave up without a fight, "the thousand advantageous to being conquered," cousin of the New Mexican governor, General Kearny, Las Vegas, ceremony, alcalde, addressed a crowd of 150 villagers, "protect the poor man as well as the rich man," oath of allegiance, "general shout," "mailed hand," emancipators rather than conquerors, treat Mexicans as fellow citizens, "full equivalent in cash," that soldier would walk the next day."
3. Settled in Santa Fe: Pleasure and tears, "it must be right," Santa Fe, "men with surly countenances," Americans raised their flags, "wail of grief," change from disdain to respect, less hostile, ready to accommodate herself, bonita muchachita, "very quick and intelligent people," dropping her guard, year that will always be remembered, six thousand people, "fine ornament to a city, main plaza, nuestra casa, la cocina, local customs, "short siesta," "quiet little household," occupied city, church bells, everlasting noise of the army, agreeable society, General Kearney, securing his position by tact and force, reception in the Mexican town, "making a fool of himself," gestures of good will, city's defense, army barracks, building a fort, tensions, prejudice and the fact of occupation, drunken officer, language barrier, free-holders, " the ingrediente," Albino Perez, hostility to Mexico City, "far from receiving us generally as deliverers," " grogshops do a thriving business," often obtrusive and insensitive, local millpond, water of course rushed, George Frederick Ruxton, "a Christian will sleep with us," outspoken war opponent, San Patricio Brigade, pictures of American presidents, reappointment of Mexican civil official, a sign of support, Magoffin had an advantage, learning Spanish, Susan and Samuel welcomed many Mexicans, muy buena familia, eagerness on both sides to befriend the other, "what an inquisitive quick people they are," a dress ball, American flags, "mazy dance," smoking, portrait of General Kearny, Liberdad, cousins at a large family reunion, easy mingling, U.S. and Mexico now united, liberal system of government, President Polk, give the inhabitants the privileges and immunities, viva!viva!, not every Mexican was eager for a union.
4. Moving beyond Santa Fe: Diving in the army, Santa Fe, Los Angeles, Col. Alexander William Doniphan, Chihuahua, "Lo, we are camping again," Pueblo Indians, la casa bonita, open to new people, "El marido es todo del mundo a las mujeres," San Gabriel, local doctor, "feeling of pure gratitude," preparing their dishes for a week, meeting of cultures, attached by Apaches, rumors of large Mexican army, spy, General Santa Anna, fickle people, at Brazito, Charles Bent, Governor Bent in Taos, Charles Bent shot by a Pueblo Indian, paraded their troops, looked at everyone with suspicion, lying before them, greatest enemy was the land, Jornada, Apaches, Dona Ana, cannon, El Paso, family of local priests, again at home among the Mexican people, shared a unique bond, James was a prisoner, curate himself with a hostage of Doniphan, Don Ygnacio Roquia, appearance of George Washington, with tears in his eyes, "possession of Chihuahua, "I would not for the world exult," El Senor Cura, two thousand bottles of Champagne, Gen. Zachary Taylor, Battle of Buena Vista, General Winfield Scott, Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Don Ygnacio, the principles of Washington, "never to invade the territory of another nation," no satisfactory rebuttal, Susan Magoffin's experiences, the possibilities for both prejudice and accommodation, no religious services, selling, going to the Catholic church, "it's the house of God," personal growth and flexibility, "learning a lesson.
Outline
1. A Journey on the Santa Fe Trail: A moment on the Kansas plains, Susan Shelby Magoffin, young bride, gathering wildflowers, barnyard sounds, not the least bit conventional, tent, freight wagons, Mexicans as well as Americans, Samuel Magoffin, merchant, Santa Fe Trail, The first American wife, "stride that I myself can scarcely realize," 1846 political events, James Polk, Manifest Destiny, Texas annexation, the Southwest, border skirmish, a pretext for war, in Mexico in the presence of a conquering army, Americans were also absorbed by Mexico, Mexican habits of speech, thought, dress, and diet, openness and ethnocentrism, The Santa Fe Trade, Samuel Magoffin as trader, James Magoffin, Chihuahua, Saltillo, wellborn woman from Chihuahua, Dona Maria Gertrudes Valdez, Gabriel Valdez, cousin Manuel Armijo, close relations, advantages to Mexican Americans in the trade, "Missouri Mule," Mexican peso, Independence-Missouri, Mexican servants and teamsters, Susan Magoffin's background, wealthy Kentuckian, photo taken in 1845, ivory medallion, November 25, 1845, interested in that remote region, table plains, mesas, cherished each other's company, "now the prairie life begins," whooping and hallowing, Santa Fe Trail was busier than usual, fifteen hundred soldiers, Mexican War, vague route, no bridges-only fords, customary resting places, no hotels, "The Lone Elm," "Council Grove," "Big John Spring," buffalo robe, prairie flowers, gooseberries, army tent, greyhound names Ring, when days of heavy rain stalled the wagons, "I breathe free," "the life of a wandering princess," "a waving sea of tall grass,""tourist attractions," Josiah Gregg, Commerce of the Prairies, Dog City, Pawnee Rock, stunning vistas and amusing curiosities, peculiar hardships, heat, muddy water, wolves, well engaged, Indians, a carriage accident, mosquitoes, "Como estande bravos," "reminded me of a hard rain," "rite of passage," no hotels-no habitation, Bent's Fort, an icehouse, the courtyard, lodging, two weeks, Gen. Stephen Watts Kearny, Arkansas River, sandhills and mirages, stupendous mountains, wild turkeys, Raton Pass.
2. Susan and the army enter New Mexico: James Magoffin, negotiating with the governor, rancheros, aguardiente, "huckster-women after a steamboat," casa grande, "little hovel," "monkey show," "a perfect state of nudity," dresses were too short, Las Vegas, New Mexico, usual crowd, "little cigarritas," supposed to dip the tortillas, "wild looking stranger," new kind of cultural contact, would the invaders recognize the Mexicans for who they were, was manifest destiny a doctrine of conquest, history of Santa Fe, established by Spain in 1610, Governor's Palace, pueblos, 1680 the Pueblo Indians rebelled, 5,000 by 1846, adobe bricks, rebosos, Manuel Armijo, Mexico City, civil disorder, Indian raids, heartless barbarians, American orbit, economic ties, social ties, Americans as "brothers, "Norte Americanos, "culmination of a process," one could predict..., negotiating with Governor Manuel Armijo, Armijo gave up without a fight, "the thousand advantageous to being conquered," cousin of the New Mexican governor, General Kearny, Las Vegas, ceremony, alcalde, addressed a crowd of 150 villagers, "protect the poor man as well as the rich man," oath of allegiance, "general shout," "mailed hand," emancipators rather than conquerors, treat Mexicans as fellow citizens, "full equivalent in cash," that soldier would walk the next day."
3. Settled in Santa Fe: Pleasure and tears, "it must be right," Santa Fe, "men with surly countenances," Americans raised their flags, "wail of grief," change from disdain to respect, less hostile, ready to accommodate herself, bonita muchachita, "very quick and intelligent people," dropping her guard, year that will always be remembered, six thousand people, "fine ornament to a city, main plaza, nuestra casa, la cocina, local customs, "short siesta," "quiet little household," occupied city, church bells, everlasting noise of the army, agreeable society, General Kearney, securing his position by tact and force, reception in the Mexican town, "making a fool of himself," gestures of good will, city's defense, army barracks, building a fort, tensions, prejudice and the fact of occupation, drunken officer, language barrier, free-holders, " the ingrediente," Albino Perez, hostility to Mexico City, "far from receiving us generally as deliverers," " grogshops do a thriving business," often obtrusive and insensitive, local millpond, water of course rushed, George Frederick Ruxton, "a Christian will sleep with us," outspoken war opponent, San Patricio Brigade, pictures of American presidents, reappointment of Mexican civil official, a sign of support, Magoffin had an advantage, learning Spanish, Susan and Samuel welcomed many Mexicans, muy buena familia, eagerness on both sides to befriend the other, "what an inquisitive quick people they are," a dress ball, American flags, "mazy dance," smoking, portrait of General Kearny, Liberdad, cousins at a large family reunion, easy mingling, U.S. and Mexico now united, liberal system of government, President Polk, give the inhabitants the privileges and immunities, viva!viva!, not every Mexican was eager for a union.
4. Moving beyond Santa Fe: Diving in the army, Santa Fe, Los Angeles, Col. Alexander William Doniphan, Chihuahua, "Lo, we are camping again," Pueblo Indians, la casa bonita, open to new people, "El marido es todo del mundo a las mujeres," San Gabriel, local doctor, "feeling of pure gratitude," preparing their dishes for a week, meeting of cultures, attached by Apaches, rumors of large Mexican army, spy, General Santa Anna, fickle people, at Brazito, Charles Bent, Governor Bent in Taos, Charles Bent shot by a Pueblo Indian, paraded their troops, looked at everyone with suspicion, lying before them, greatest enemy was the land, Jornada, Apaches, Dona Ana, cannon, El Paso, family of local priests, again at home among the Mexican people, shared a unique bond, James was a prisoner, curate himself with a hostage of Doniphan, Don Ygnacio Roquia, appearance of George Washington, with tears in his eyes, "possession of Chihuahua, "I would not for the world exult," El Senor Cura, two thousand bottles of Champagne, Gen. Zachary Taylor, Battle of Buena Vista, General Winfield Scott, Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Don Ygnacio, the principles of Washington, "never to invade the territory of another nation," no satisfactory rebuttal, Susan Magoffin's experiences, the possibilities for both prejudice and accommodation, no religious services, selling, going to the Catholic church, "it's the house of God," personal growth and flexibility, "learning a lesson.