The Bear Spring Treaty was signed between Narbona and other Navajos leaders and Colonel Alexander Doniphan on November 21, 1846 at Bear Springs in the Navajo country.
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Background
The traditional Navajo homeland spans from Arizona through western New Mexico, where the Navajo had houses and raised livestock. There was a long historical pattern in the Southwest of groups or bands raiding and trading with each other. This included Navajo, Spanish, Mexican, Apache, Comanche, Ute, and after 1846 the new settlers (Anglo-Americans). Events in the period included a cycle of treaties, raids and counter-raids by the Army, the Navajo and a civilian militia, with civilian speculators often on the fringe. Most of the militia involved were longtime enemies of the Navajo, Spanish descendants from northern New Mexico where Spain had established several settlements beginning in the late 16th century.
The Navajo raided Socorro, New Mexico near the end of September, 1846. General Stephen W. Kearny, passing nearby on his way to California after his recent conquest of Santa Fe, learned of the raid and sent a note to Col. William Doniphan, his second-in-command in Santa Fe. He ordered Doniphan to send a regiment of soldiers into Navajo country and secure a peace treaty with them.
A detachment of 30 men made contact with the Navajo and spoke to the Navajo Chief Narbona in mid-October. A second meeting between Chief Narbona with five hundred Navajo and Col. Doniphan occurred on November 21. They met at Bear Spring, Ojo del Oso, near where Fort Wingate would later be built. Doniphan informed the Navajo that all their land now belonged to the United States, and the Navajo and New Mexicans were the “children of the United States.” The Navajo signed a treaty, known as the Bear Spring Treaty, on November 21, 1846.
Treaty
The treaty declared "a firm and lasting peace and amity ... between the American people and the Navajo tribe of Indians." The New Mexicans and Pueblo peoples were included in the definition of Americans. Free trade was guaranteed by both sides, with protection of any molestation. The prisoners and property taken by both sides were to be restored.
Aftermath
After the treaty was signed, gifts were exchanged as an expression of good will.The treaty did little to end the conflict between the Navajo and the New Mexicans. The young Navajo warriors continued to raid the New Mexicans and take their cattle. Further treaties would be signed and military actions taken, culminating in the Long Walk in 1863.