CHAP. XI.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-UNION.

Whether this report be true or not, the effect of this circulation through the country at this time will be exceedingly unfortunate, and it is greatly to be apprehended that the volunteer forces already organized will melt away by desertion, and the people of New Mexico will be rendered still more apathetic than they now are, even if the disaffected of both classes are not stimulated into active opposition to the Government. The Mexican people have no affection for the institutions of the United States; they have a strong, but hitherto restrained, hatred for the Americans as a race, and there are not wanting persons who, from the commencement of their troubles, have secretly but industriously endeavored to keep alive all the elements of discontent and fan them into flames. The long deferred payment of the volunteer has given so much plausibility and coloring to their representation as to have produced a marked and pernicious influence upon these ignorant and impulsive people.

Without crediting these reports, I think it proper to state that, unless measures are taken at an early period to remove these causes of dissatisfaction, the consequence will be in the highest degree injurious to the interests of the Government.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

ED. R. S. CANBY, Colonel Nineteenth Infantry, Commanding Department.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NEW MEXICO, Santa Fe, N. Mex., January 15 (?), 1862.

Colonel G. R. PAUL, Fort Union, N. Mex.:

COLONEL: Your note of the 12th was received yesterday. The question you ask presents some difficulty, which I cannot decide at present. I had determined some time ago that, in consequence of the scarcity of officers in the department, I should not consent that any officers of the Army should be taken from their appropriate duties to accept any appointments in the volunteers, and in refusing the action taken in Colonel Roberts' case and your own, I urge as a reason for refusing it that, although it would add to your duties, it would remove you from the character of the people we have to deal with.

I have also instructed two or three of the most efficient volunteer officers now in the service that, if they would induce the men of their regiments to enter the service for three years, I would recommend them for commissions as field officers. Colonel Gallegos and Lieutenant-Colonel Valdez are among them, and until I can learn what these men are going to do, I could give no definite answer to your question, even if there were no other obstacles to a favorable answer.

Very respectfully, &c.,

ED. R. S. CANBY, Colonel Nineteenth Infantry, Commanding Department.