The land grant applied for by Charles Beaubien and Guadeloupe Miranda was originally intended to serve which purpose?

The land grant applied for by Charles Beaubien and Guadeloupe Miranda was originally intended to serve the purpose of fending off foreigners and Indians. During the mid-19th century, New Mexico was a region marked by tensions between different groups, including Native Americans, settlers, and competing national interests, particularly between the United States and Mexico. The establishment of land grants was a strategy to secure territory and encourage settlement in areas viewed as vulnerable to external threats. By granting land to individuals like Beaubien and Miranda, the government aimed to promote stability and establish a loyal population that would help protect the area against invasions or conflicts with Indigenous tribes and foreign powers. This perspective of utilizing land grants as a means of defense reflects the historical context of territorial expansion and the need for security in a time of significant change and uncertainty in the region.