Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-07-17
No. 314.
THE GOVERNMENT OF SANTA FEE.
FROM THE MISSOURI REPUBLICAN OF JUNE 80

MISSOURI REPUBLICAN JUNE 80.
| We suppose that among the first acts Of the new
Congress will be inquiry into the present anom-
alous condition of the Government at and of the
people of Santa Fe and New Mexico. Certainly a
more extraordinary state of things never was pre-
scented than now exists there. The town of Santa
Fe, the headquarters of the American military force
and the seat of the civil government, belonged to
or is claimed by Texas part Of her soil, and
the citizens are held to be amenable to her laws
This, we say is or was the claim set up by the
party in Congress; and although Texas never for
an hour actually exercised jurisdiction Santa
Fe, and the people of Mexico have never acknow-
lodged it, yet the constitution of Texas claims that
town as within her boundary. Were this so, Texas
ought to have given to Santa Fe, and to such por-
ton of New Mexico as goes with it, government
of laws, and the officers necessary to see them
cuted. But such thing has been done. On the
contrary, she has by no official act claimed juris-
dction there and when Gen. KEARNY instituted a
civil government in New Mexico, styling it !" ter
tory" of the United States and pomugatng such laws
necessary for the protection of the people, neither the
Representatives Congress from Texas the authorities of
that State protested against it. So far them the Govern
of Texas is concerned she has abandoned all
control Santa Fe and the territories to which her boun
diaries give her nominal jurisdiction
But the anomalous form of government instituted by Gen.
Keay and his appointments give effect to it, have
been recognised by the Administration at Washington We
have of doubt that every act of General Keamyn
taking possession of New Mexico in swearing the citizens to
aegance in actually procaiming the territory to be part
of the United States nsttuing civil government, and
in the appointment Of officers administer its aasound
in the instructions which he received from the Ad
minsaton. We say that have of doubt that
Gen Kearnys instructions will bear him out what he has
done and hence he is way answerbe for the present
condition of things But has pleased the Administration,
when scrutiny likely to be instituted into these acts to
dsown them to declare that he exercised powers which he
authorized to do and attempt the odum
from themselves him. Even this the case, Mr. Polk
has had ample time annu the of General Keamy
declare the civil government Of New Mexico at end to
revoke the powers granted particular PERSONS governor
judges of courts, sher clerks &c. But this he has not
done and either of illegal power has been
ercised by those officers or this day, Mr. Polk is respon
sbe for it, The President special message, repudiaed
the important of General Keany in establishing
civil government in New Mexico Why has he followed
the expression of that dapprobaon by putting end to the
thus created and by withdrawing his coune-
nance from those who were appointed to administer IT
Months have passed since he made familiar with all the
facs-snce he knew officially that the courts thus instituted
engaged the trial Of offences Of the graest character.
extending that Of treason citizen of Merico against
he made, instructions has he given the duration of
the powers Of this strange system of governments govern
disowned by the parent authority, yet Furnishing with
the death penalty alleged offences against that authority 1t
is well known that Mr. Polk has had before him for many
weeks the petition of nrm old man, aided by the repre-
sensations Of many Americans in New Mexico and the in
uence Of the Judge who sentenced him DEATH praying
be relieved from execution for the crime of treason whereof
he convicted although he traitor to his Govern
ment and yet knows what disposition Mr. Polk has
made of this extraordinary Is it not time that in
quy should be made into the of the powers and the
duties OF the government Of New Mexico and how far Mr.
Polk willing recognise them Officers have been
pIoyed for almost year these duies-saares have
signed by duties have been arduous
and their compensation they receive any ALL ought
to be paid to them Will Mr. Polk recommend that this be-
done by appropriations of money at the next session Of Con-
gress
When the lamened Governor Of New Mexico, CaARLEs
BEST his DEATH by nsuectonary force
datons the President favor of ndivi
duas for their appointment governor of that territory AS
yet such appointment has been made although the
siy for it. if it be right continue the office at all well
known Washington it is in Santa Fe This is the
extraordinary nasmuch person exercising the do
ties of Governor is citizen Of the United States, except
he made such by the houseop oath administered by
Gen. Keany the multitude his into the various
New Mexico, and for longer period than his
venence will permit.
We again repeat the expression of the hope that inquiry
will be made early day of the next session of Congress
into the condition of the Government Santa Fethe
power given establish tits propety and legality under
the Constitution Of the United States, and the of pro-
lection which has afforded the people Of the conquered
territory.
THE NV FREScH STEAsER-We happened to be a. the
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