State journal & flag. [volume] (Tuscaloosa, Ala.) 1843-1846, 1846-10-16
GEN. Kerney,s Proclamation

Gen. Kerney's Proclamation.
To the inhabitants of Nev Merico By Bri.
gadier General S. w. Kerney, command
ing the troops of the United States in the
same.
shy the act of the Republic of Mexico
state Of war exists between that Govern.
ment and the United States, and as the un-
dersigned at the head of his troops on the
18th inst. took possession OF Santa Fe, the
Capital of the Department of New Mexico,
he now announces his intention to hold the
Department with its original boundaries ION
both sides of The Del Norie) as part of the
United States, and under the name of New
Mexico.
The undersigned has come to New Mex
co with strong military force, and an
equally strong one follows close in his rear
lie has more troops than necessary to put
down any opposition that can possibly be
brought against hun, and therefore 1t would
be but folly or madness for any dissatisfied
or discontinued person 10 think Of resisting
him.
The Undersigned has instructions from
his government to respect the religious in
stitutlons of New Mexico. to protect the
property of the Church, TO cause the wor.
ship of those who belong to it to be unds-
turbed, and their religious rights in the am.
plest manner preserved to them. Also. to
protect the persons and property of all quiet
and peaceable inhabitants within its bounda.
RES, against their enemies the Eutaws, No.
vahoes and others, and while he assures all,
that 1t will be bis pleasure as we'll as his
duty TO comply with those Instructions, he
calls upon them to exert themselves in pre-
serving order, in promoting concord. an0 in
maintaining the authority and efficiency of
the laws; and TO require those who have
lett their homes and taken up arms against
the troops of the United States, to return
forthwith TO them, or they will be considered
as enemies and traitors, subjecting their per.
sons TO punishment and their property TO
seizure and con6scation, for the benefit of
the public treasury,
1t is the wish and intention of the United
States TO provide for New Mexico free
government with the least possible delay,
similar to those in the U. States and The
people OF New Mexico will then be called
on 10 exercise the rights of freemen in elect
ing their own representatives to the terri
torial Legislature, but until this can be done
the laws hitherto in existence will be con-
tinued until changed or modified by CON.
potent authority, and those persons holding
office will continue in the same for the pres.
en, provided they will consider themselves
good citizens, and willing to take the oath
Of allegiance to the United States.
The undersigned hereby absolves all per-
sons residing within the boundary OF New
Mexico, from further allegiance to the Re-
public of Mexico. and hereby claims them
as citizens of the United State-.-Those
who remain quiet and peaceable will be con
considered as good citizens, and receive
pro,ection.-Those who are found in arms,
or insiigating others against the United
States, will be considered as traitors and
treated accordingly. Don Manuel Amigo,
the late Governor of this Department, ha.
fled from ii. The undersigned has taken
possession Of it without firing gun or spill
ing drop of blood, in which he most truly
rejoices, and for the present will be consider
ed as Governor OF the territory.
Given at Santa Fe, the Capital ofthe ter.
rtory of New Mexico. this 22nd day of Au-
gust, le46, and in the list year of the indie.
pendence Of the U. States.
By the Governor.
S. w. KEARNEY, Brig. Gen'l.