Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-05-15
AFFAIRS IN NEW MEXICO.
or rHr MISSOURI RrruplrcAN.

SANTA FE, (NEw MExIco,) MAncH ID, ls47
When Gen. kesrny, under Mr.. Folks orders, established
the hermaphrodte government-ha military and half civil
in this country, Ga province taken from Mexico and called
il territory of the Unee States, he did foresee many
the which have since occurred Together with many
others who here with him. the General was mistaken
regard to the character OF this people, Accustomed
to population who appreciate human liberty and human
progress he did anticipate internal difficulties nor sup
pose that the boon of free and just government which he
seemed at least TO proe would be rejected by any portion
of the New Mexicans Still, as to all his strictly military
arrangements they made f for the purpose) capa
BILE OF the effect OF suppressing domestic instruction though
may have been that this capaby arose. not SO much
from an expectation that the troops would be called
such duty, as from the necessity Of posting them in the po
sons assigned in order to sustain the animals and also
protect the Mexcans, while peaceabe against their Indian
enemies.
is important, in writing Of things here that we treat all
with justice false climate of the paie of New Mexico
had prevailed in the United States, and extensively too
deceive statesmen Of the general and accurate
formation Of COL Benton for the Of this province
were greatly overraed As the in Texas before the
expedition in 1884, the character OF this people, their feel
ngs and views misunderstood the United States
it supposed that they least willing if not DESTROYS,
to under our Government And another existed
regard to the Of military which was supposed
Mexico could draw from this province during the war;
For these reasons, the military we'll political and
nomcal being all unfounded, is believed that Col
Benton advised and Mr. Polk ordered army be march
ed to this province We came-(nay be forgiven -ce
sac--ue conquered!
Possession was taken by the General in the name of the
United States 1t but military possession and was
only expected to be SUCH But the solemn farce enacted
of administering the oath Of allegiance the United
with nearly two thousand American soldiers with loaded arms
around each village, and sixteen pieces Of ordnance ready
fire into it. No wonder the Alcalde under such duress
would by the whole calendar of The Cover
had fled when reached the capital, he, too, with
Of cannon fronting his paaco, would have been made
citizen OF the United States the face of the law which de-
clares that subject of foreign Power with the Uni
ted States can, during the war, become citizen He would
have been meamorphosed by speech from the General
(and oath, probably taken with mental reservation that
should be broken as soon convenient into american
citizen by virtue of Mr. Folks orders and here foreign
SOIL himself alien enemy, would have been entitled the
protection of the United States Government fully any
duly naturazed citizen and patriot the States
Such the doctrine implied in all the Generals acts but
did not lead to its practical consequences suf
fered it to pass
There sort of nterregaum in the Government here
when reached the capital. Some civil government
necessary for the convenience of the people and very good
in fact established It right enough that
against natural laws and good morals should be punished
that rghtsciv and social rather than poEcashoud be
protected and laws for this purpose promuged by the
conquerng General We the necessity for this arrange
ment during the until our dongs here could be
ned by the peoples representatives home. The by
the General bold one, but under the
had to be made or the conquest abandoned and did
think it worthy of very serious animadversion.
There sAttorney of the United States for the dis
c of New Mexico appointed, and marshal, &c.; but
only regarded the Attorney very agreeable young gentle
man, with very hsoundng title and expected
him in the position he has since occupied We may have
thought that if the United States should have any pecuniary
claims against any delinquent officers here he might be useful
enough in enforcing them using for that purpose the machi
merry of the courts which knew be necessary for other
purposes 1t plain enough that the process of the Uni
ted States Court for Missouri could not New Mexico
that of Texas and it might do harm, may
have thought TO have for such purposes when
there serious principle involved, except that no
authority in constitution law appeared for the proceeding
But did not then regard hardly possible what is
history for since the departure of Gen Keany the aspect
OF affairs has changed very materially and the District At
torney who regarded only item of the Territorial
appendanges of great public consequence, acting
part Of little interest in the arcica though still important
proceedings here He posecute in the here ndiv
duas who were citizens of the United Sateswho
national and local allegiance Mexico-or the crime Of
treason against the United States?
The consummaiion Of the annex of this province
to the Union by Mr.. Polk is already before US One Mex
has already been convicted Of He was in
dcted before the court here few days ago. found guilty
OF counssng the late attempt at revolution, and the 10th
sentenced TO be hung True the petition OF the Judge
and Others the execution Of the has been postponed
by the acting Governor until the whole case can referred
TO President Polkhe real father Of the Government here
for his consideration. The ultimate decision of the case i'm
wolves important principles. ...
The name of this traitor is Antonio Maria Trogillo. His
counsel commended strongly that the whole proceedings were
without law TO support the but in vain The Judge thought
il his duty go on
Thus, under the orders of Mr.. Pok-so far rs the ma
chinery here DO 1.-THE political relations of this people
towards the United States changed If this conviction is
legal then annexation complete and the people Of New
Mexico must be recognised as eLoU-citizeys "A
country which, with but few exceptions is inhabited by igno
rant dishonest treacherous and by who be-
eved scarcely to know what virtue is beyond its NAME
now part Of the American Union
You, who have voices in the States, may do WELL perhaps
TO think and speak Of these things Reconcile them YOU
can, with your regard Tor awthe constitution and
ask yourselves If Mr. Polk il advancing rapidly not as
component part Of the awmakng power but as that power
ITSELF
Garry the propositions and see where they will lead
you. This people, il citizens be represented in Con
gress II they elect delegate-and have now here can
didates feeling their way-w you give him seat Will
you let him speak Nous Perhaps under the
order Of things established by Mr. Polk (and for which, as
the instrument Gen Kearny has been rather too severely
blamed, having been bound, military man. to obey or
ders, the delegate may claim poe What say you
The doctrine which susans prosecution for treason against
the United States would ene him to seat and obge
you to have him; otherwise you will sustain the al
! already consummated " annexation"
Again. we wish you to be prepared to protect the property
and lives Of all McGns born and reared in this Province or
domicatedhere, who chance be imprisoned otherwise
Improperly dealt with by foreign Power Almost the
tire population ia New Mexico bate little than they
do the devil; yet according Mr. Pok's court IL single
Of these citizens gets any unpleasant dilemma in
the hands Of any foreign Power he I've rescued Ivy the
United States This is consequence Of the positions taken
here The relations Of " citizens towards their Government
not only impose duties former but obligations