Today, Native American communities in the US endure struggles. An examination of the country’s history reveals that throughout history, this community has endured one form of hardship or another. In 1812, Miguel Ramos de Arizpe authored a report, Anglo-American Settlement in Texas, in which he documented the experiences of Native Americans. In this report, he describes these people as “barbarous.” He proceeds to describe the different hardships that this community was enduring. The challenges that the Native Americans ranged from subjugation to being required to perform demanding tasks. Arizpe’s report allows readers to gain insights into the suffering of Native Americans and Arizpe’s call for them to be treated with respect and equality.
To gain a full understanding of Arizpe’s report, it is helpful to conduct an examination of the historical context of the report. This report was authored in 1812. During this time, there was intense interest from Anglo-Americans to settle in Texas. This region was rich with resources and the Anglo-Americans desired to reap profits. 1 In the introduction to Arizpe’s report, a mention of the wealth that Texas possessed and the favorable conditions of this region is made. It is suggested that Arizpe’s report shed light on the tremendous economic potential that Texas held. Texas’ wealth and untapped potential formed the basis for the investigation that Arizpe’s performed. He set out to examine the link between the region’s riches and the influx of Anglo-Americans.
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The immense economic potential and wealth that Texas held is not the only issue that framed the report that Arizpe’s authored. The threat from Native communities also formed part of the report’s historical context. As stated earlier, Arizpe described the communities as “barbarous”. This description was clearly intended to depict the Native communities as serious threats to the Spanish people. In their analysis of the historical issues that defined 18 th century America, Sam Haynes and Cary Witnz confirmed that the Native communities were indeed considered to be threats. They describe how Anglo-Americans joined forces with these Native communities to fight the Mexican government. 2 Arizpe’s report describes the Native people in unflattering terms. When one considers the threat that these people posed, they are able to understand why Arizpe chose to highlight the serious threat that the Mexican government faced.
The evaluation of the historical context of Arizpe’s report cannot be considered complete without an examination of the intended audience. Arizpe addressed the letter to the Spanish parliament. In the report, he describes the conditions in Texas and the character of the communities who lived here. 3 While the Spanish parliament was the primary audience that Arizpe’s report targeted, this audience can be expanded to include all individuals with an interest in the history of Native peoples and Spanish rule. The report would appeal to this audience because it sheds light on various aspects of the Native communities. For example, in the report, Arizpe noted that the Native peoples were honest and hardworking. The report states that “agriculture has in general formed their character; … and (they are) virtuously steadfast” 4 . The description that Arizpe offers of the Native communities highlights the commitment and industrious spirits. Overall, any individual who wishes to understand the heritage of the Native American communities would find Arizpe’s report to be an insightful source of information.
In his report, Arizpe explores a number of important issues. However, the resilient and committed spirits of the Native communities is the central issue of his report. He introduces his report with an overview of the richness of the land that the Native people occupy. Next, he describes how these people have embraced agriculture and work tirelessly to maximize the output of their lands. After describing the dedication of these people, Arizpe goes on to highlight their struggles. He notes that the people are of “extremely commendable character of integrity, honor and subordination” 5 . Despite their character, the Native people had endured years of suffering and were “much accustomed to the greatest privations.” Focusing on the remarkable strength and resilience of the Native communities, Arizpe urged the Spanish parliament to permit the members of these communities to serve in the army. Essentially, Arizpe set out to push for the just and equal treatment of the Native peoples. He presents solid arguments why these people should be granted rights and even allowed to serve as soldiers.
As one reads Arizpe’s report, they are able to gain insights into a number of issues that defined early 19 th century. One of these issues is that Native communities suffered discrimination and maltreatment. As already stated above, Arizpe noted that the Native communities were required to perform difficult task. Despite the commitment that they demonstrated, these people were denied basic rights and opportunities. For example, they were not permitted to serve in the army as Arizpe’s call for them to be allowed to serve as soldiers suggests. The economic activity that the Native peoples invested their effort and resources in is another issue that Arizpe’s report reveals about early 19 th century. He observed that most of these people engaged in agriculture. They worked hard “day and night in the honest and systematic cultivation of the soil” 6 . In general, the report highlights the daily struggles of the Native American communities.
For their thoughts to be considered credible, individuals need to possess some authority. When he penned his report, Arizpe must have understood that his observations would be accepted as true and accurate. This is because he held a number of influential positions which enabled him to gain a deep understanding of the Native peoples. He was a writer, diplomat, politician and a priest. 7 Arizpe was a passionate campaigner for equality and federalist government. He is among the individuals who were heavily involved in the drafting of the 1824 constitution. Based largely on the American constitution of 1787, the constitution that Arizpe helped to draft placed a focus on federalist governance. 8 Overall, the various positions that Arizpe held and his personal positions on the equality of all men must have inspired him to push for the equal treatment of the Native communities through his report.
When discussing different issues, people tend to allow their biases to influence their writing. Analyzing Arizpe’s report, it becomes evident that he held a number of biases. One of these biases concerns his admiration and respect for the Native peoples. While some of the terms that he used to describe these people are mean and unflattering, the report’s assessment of these people is overwhelmingly positive. For example, as already stated, he addressed the tremendous hardwork and resilience of these communities. The purpose of his flattering description was to persuade the Spanish parliament to redefine its view of Native communities. Instead of viewing them as barbaric, the parliament needed to recognize the unwavering commitment and industry of the Native communities. Basically, in the entire report, Arizpe makes clear his passionate belief in the equality of all men.
In conclusion, an examination of history allows individuals to understand the heritage of different peoples. The report that Arizpe authored presents interesting insights on the lives of the Native communities in Texas. In this report, he noted that these communities engaged mostly in agriculture. He also highlighted the character of integrity and hardwork that defined these communities. Arizpe used the report to support his demand to the Spanish authorities to treat the Native communities with respect. His report underscores the fact that there are numerous courageous men who fought for equality and dignity. The world needs to follow the example of Arizpe in the treatment of vulnerable and minority communities.
Bibliography
Simmons, Marc. New Mexico: An Interpretive History. Albuquerque, NM: UNM Press, 1977.
Haynes, Sam and Wintz, Cary. Major Problems in Texas History. Boston: Cengage, 2016.
Arizpe, Miguel Ramos de. Anglo-American Settlement in Texas , in Steven Mintz, Mexican
American Voices: A Documentary Reader. Hoboken: Wiley, 2009.
Tucker Spencer, Arnold James, Wiener Robert, Pierpaoli Paul, Cutrer Thomas and
Santoni Pedro. The Encyclopedia of the Mexican-American War: A Political, Social and Military History. Volume 1. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2013.
1 Marc Simmons, New Mexico: An Interpretive History (Albuquerque, NM: UNM Press, 1977), p. 10.
2 Sam Haynes and Cary Wintz, Major Problems in Texas History (Boston: Cengage, 2016), p. 88.
3 Miguel Ramos de Arizpe, Anglo-American Settlement in Texas , in Steven Mintz, Mexican American Voices: A Documentary Reader (Hoboken: Wiley, 2009), p. 44.
4 Ibid
5 Ibid
6 Ibid
7 Spencer Tucker, James Arnold, Robert Wiener, Paul Pierpaoli, Thomas Cutrer and Pedro Santoni, The Encyclopedia of the Mexican-American War: A Political, Social and Military History, Volume 1 (Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, 2013), p. 543.
8 Ibid
