Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 14.djvu/336

* NAVAHO. 292 NAVAL ACADEMY. colonization period, but laler became so trouble- some that in 1705 and again in 1713 it was necessary to bring llioni to terms by vigorous in- vasions 01' their country. In 1744 I'lanciscan missionaries attempted to civilize them, but in a few years the effort was abandoned. In ISOo, in consc(|Uence of continued raids, a 8i)anish force penetrated their stronghold in Tseyi (Clielly) t'afion and inllicted a severe defeat, killing 115 men, women, and children. The lesson, however, was soon forgotten, and between the fall of the Spanish power about 1S15 and the American occupation of the country thirty years later they made the stealing of sheep, cattle, and horses from the Mexican settlements a steady and profitable business. With their booty they were enabled to become a pastoral tribe, and they adopted from the more civilized Pueblos a well- developed weaving art. From the Mexicans they learned the simpler forms of metal-working, espe- cially in silver. In 1S46 a number of prominent chiefs made their first treaty with the American Government, but, on account of the unfortunate killing of the principal signer three years later, the trilje again lieeame hostile. Hostilities com- tinued with but short intermissions until l.'ifiS, when it was determined to deport the entire tribe to the Bosque Redondo resei-vation on the Pecos River, near Fort Sumner, in eastern New Mexico. In the ensuing winter a mixed force of whites and Ute Indians under Kit Carson in- vaded the Navaho country and forced their caiion stronghold. Within a year nearly 8500 hud been deported to the Bosque Redondo. and it was supposed that not more than 2000 remained at large in their own country, but later develop- ments proved tluit not more than half, and these not the most troublesome, had been removed. The experiment jiroved a failuie. The stock of the Navaho died or was stolen, their crops failed, and their numbers decreased from disease, escapes, and attacks by the Plains tribes. In .June. 1S08, a new- treaty was made, under which the captives, then numbering 7.'J0O. were returned to a reservation set aside in their old country, and were given sheep and cattle with which to begin life anew. Since then they have remained quiet, steadily increasing in wealth and population. In 18S4 the reservation was extended to its present dimensions to accom- modate their rapidly increasing herds. The Navaho have a fully developed clan sys- tem, including some fifty clans, with descent in the female line. Their government is democratic and local, rather than centralized, since the nature of their country and occupation prevents the formation of large organized bodies, so that each family shifts for itself in the search for temporary ])asturage and water -upijly. They are agricultural to a limited extent. They make some pottery and baskets, but derive their main subsistence from their herds of sheep and goats, together with horses and some cattle. They arc well known for the beautiful and durable blank- ets Mliich they weave from the wool of their flocks, and for their artistic silver ornaments. Although, like ipost pastoral peoples, they are no- madic, they build at each regular halting place permanent hoiiiiiifi. or circular houses, of logs covered with earth, with a short covered entrancew.iy and smoke-hole at the top. Men and women alike are almost constantly at work caring for their herds, weaving, or labor- ing at the forge. They have elaliorate and spectacular ritual ceremonies and an abundant mythology, with hundreds of sacred songs in the keeping of their priests. Aside from the indus- tries which they have made their own they have adopted but little of the white man's civilization or teaching. They are estimated now at 20.- 000, less than half of whom arc within the reservation limits, the rest ranging on outside pastures or working in the white settlements. Consult Matthews, Xaiaho Legends (Boston, 1897). See Colored Plate of Indians. NAVAHO BLANKETS. See BL.NKBr, with Ciihired Plate. NAVAL ACADEMY, United States. The school at which are educated the executive officers of the L'nited States Navy. It was founded as the 'Naval School" in 1S45, at Annapolis, Mil., with a course fixed at five years, the first and last of which were to be spent at the school: but this plan was not strictly adhered to even at first, and was subsequently changed. In 1849 the course was changed to seven years, the first two and last two being spent at the school, and the three intervening years at sea, and the name of the instituti(m was changed to United States Naval .c:idemy. In 1S51 the four years of study were made consecutive, and annual practice cruises were commenced. In 18til the academy was removed to Newport. R. 1.. on account of the war. It returned to . napolis in 185. In 187.'? the course for cadet midshipmen was extended to six years, the last two to be spent at sea. In 1882 the title of cadet mid- siiipman was changed to naval cadet, which in 1902 was replaced by that of midslu|)man. -Appoint- ments to the different corps were made by the Seeretarv of the Navy upon recommendation of the academic board: but only enough ap])oint- ments were made to fill vacancies, all other graduates being honorably discharged. In 1889 the law provided that the cadets of the first class (seniors) shcmld be separated at the beginning of the year into two divisions, and those des- tined for the line and the engineer corps should pursue .separate courses of study during the first class year. In 1889. also, the age of candidates at date of admission, which had been from four- teen to eighteen years, was changed to fifteen to twenty years. In 1899 the act of March 3d con- solidating the engineer corps with the line abol- ished the separate line and engineer divisions at the .cademy. The same act increased slightly the numbers in all grades of the service and very much increased the lower grades. The number of graduates thus became insulficient. anil in 1900 the number of cadets at the Academy was in- crea.sed by an act authorizing appointments to the .cademy every four years instead of every six. The nuinlier of officers in service subsequent to the Spanisli-.Vmcriean War was wholly in- adequate to the increasing ilcmands of the fleet, and as the only means of adding to the number is through the Naval .Academy, an increase in the number of cadets was proposed. This increase, made by Congress in 1002. provided for the ap- pointment of a cadet every two years by each Senator. Congressman, and Delegate in Congress, and 11 by the President. The course of study and instruction at the institution is much more advanced than the term Academy would imply, and approximates that of many post-graduate technical schools. The course for the first year (fourth class) includes