The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 87, July 1983 - April, 1984 Page: 5
468 p. : ill. (some col.), maps (some col.), ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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American El Paso, 1848-1854
Strong opposition to Van Home's plan came also from the mer-
chants of the area. Under the leadership of James W. Magoffin,
they drew up a petition pointing out that any removal of troops would
leave the major routes through the Pass of the North completely un-
protected, expose United States citizens to Indian depredations, and
endanger property valued at $3oo,ooo. All law and order would break
down, the merchants argued, and the area would soon become vic-
timized by the large band of outlaws of all nations at that time infesting
El Paso del Norte. This point in particular was emphasized by Colonel
Emilio Langberg, the commander of the El Paso del Norte garrison,
who said that it would be impossible for the small number of troops
under his command to protect the settlers from the Indians and the
marauders. As a result, for the time being at least, the four companies
of infantry remained on the property of Benjamin F. Coons, and the
two companies at San Elizario were left at the old presidio.0o
Captain William S. Henry, the commanding officer of San Elizario,
strongly urged that it be established as a permanent post, pointing out
that the presence of troops there had given the residents a feeling of
security and had served as a tremendous impetus in increasing agri-
cultural production and stockraising. "The inhabitants are nervously
anxious to know whether this protection is to be continued," he said,
adding that many were refusing to make any improvements owing to
the uncertainty, while others were leaving and settling on the Mexican
side of the river. The old presidio, he pointed out, offered numerous
advantages for the construction of a permanent garrison for two com-
panies of infantry. But the authorization that Captain Henry sought
never came.1'
In the 1849-1851 period the four American settlements of Hart's
Mill, Coons's Ranch, Magoffinsville, and Stephenson's Ranch en-
dured, and the proprietors played roles of great importance in the
development of the area. Frontera, located about eight miles above
El Paso del Norte, did not survive. Although White established a cus-
tomhouse there and collected duties on merchandise and livestock
coming from Mexico, his hope that a military post would be estab-
lished at Frontera failed to materialize. As a result, when United States
loPetition of James W. Magoffin, et al., Nov. 20o, 1849, ibid.; Emilio Langberg to Van
Horne, Nov. 2o, 1849, ibid.
11William S. Henry to Assistant Adjutant General, 9th Military Department, Feb. 2o,
1850, ibid.
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 87, July 1983 - April, 1984, periodical, 1983/1984; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth117150/m1/25/: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.