[54] The Apaches, previous to this date, had committed but few depredations upon foreigners--restrained either by fear or respect. Small parties of the latter were permitted to pass the highways of the wilderness unmolested, while large caravans of Mexicans suffered frequent attacks. This apparent partiality produced unfounded jealousies, and the Americans were openly accused of holding secret treaties with the enemy, and even of supplying them with arms and ammunition. Although an occasional foreigner engaged in this clandestine and culpable traffic, yet the natives themselves embarked in it beyond comparison more extensively, as has been noted in another place. This unjust impression against Americans was partially effaced as well by the catastrophes mentioned in the text, as by the defeat and robbery (in which, however, no American lives were lost), of a small party of our people, about the same period, in _La Jornada del Muerto_, on their way from Chihuahua to Santa Fé.--GREGG. [55] For Socorro, consult Pattie's _Narrative_, in our volume xviii, p. 86, note 52.--ED. [56] Don Juan Andrés Archuleta, who commanded at the capture of Gen. McLeod's division of the Texans.--GREGG. [57] For the placer mines, see our volume xix, p. 304, note 128 (Gregg).--ED. [58] Ocaté Creek is in Mora County, New Mexico, a tributary of the upper waters of the Canadian, one of the several streams called Colorado by the Mexicans. Because of this name, it was thought (until Long's expedition in 1820) to be the headwaters of Red River.--ED. [59] Having crossed the Prairies between Independence and Santa Fé six times, I can now present a table of the most notable camping sites, and their respective intermediate distances, with approximate accuracy--which may prove acceptable to some future travellers. The whole distance has been variously estimated at from 750 to 800 miles, yet I feel confident that the aggregate here presented is very nearly the true distance.