Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-02-05
THE FIRST LEGISLATURE OF NEW MEXICO

\
MISSOURI REPUBLIcAs.
Letters from correspondent at Independence announce
the arrival that place AuBREr merchant of Santa
in the incredibly short period of fourteen days between the
two points.
In the papers forwarded find the proceedings Of
the Legislature of Neao Mereo That body assembled at
Santa Fe on the 9th Of December. Captain AsGsEr
elected Speaker Of the House of Representatives AsroSrA
SASDIvAL Speaker of the Senate. In the Lower House.
JAMES GDDiNes elected Clerk, and GEoneE K GrBsoS
engrossing and enrolling Clerk, and Z. j. VAUGHN Door
keeper In the Senate, HEsRr HESRr elected Clerk
HuBBLE Doorkeeper and JOSH ABnAS Enrolling Clerk.
At o'clock the message Of Governor VIsIL was sent
the Legislature by Mr. SMITH, the Attorney General and
| read.
On Tuesday the various and usual standing committees
appointed We recognise the of few Amer-
among them. bill regulating marriages, regu-
latng cemeteries, and bill for taking the census read
and ordered to be engrossed, in the House.
resolution offered by Mr. ORTIz, Of Taos, 10 adjourn
until next summer, negatved Many other bills
under consideration involving almost every conceivable subject
of legislation.
Among them was bill calling contention TO take into
consideration The annexation Of the territory of N0 Mrco
to the United States. This bill provides
l. That election shall be held in the several counties
(teen days after this Legislature adouns) for the election
of delegates take into consideration the annexation of this
Territory TO the United States and In it with
approbaon devise such and adopt such
will most speedily effect the same.
Sec prescrbes the number representatives each county
shall send
Section pescribes the mode Of holding the elections.
Sec. prescribes the returns, and whom they shall be
made of the election, and how certificate of election shall
be given.
ernor. The Convention is to meet in February.
The Santa Fe Republican remarks of the proceedings Of
the Legislature
This body has been very dlgent the past week in the
discharge of their dutes and have disposed of deal Of
business which should like tonoice specially and pacu
lay. Many bills Of Importance to all New Mexico have
passed both Houses and feel highly grafed at the indus
Of the members well the spirit manifested to frame
code Of laws which will prove beneficial and wholesome and
lead the improvement of the country and the ameoraon
of the condition Of the people.
The proceedings in both houses conducted with dig
nifty and decoum, and in manner highly cedtable to
unaccustomed system of legislation All that swaned
is little time and little labor to make New Mexico
thy and respectable portion of the United States"
Governor VreILs message fills nearly three columns of the
Santa Fe Republican, but of such general interest
require its publication at length We give its opening para
1 graphs:
In assembling the first time legislative body chosen
by the free and unbiased of the people, of my d-
ties imposed upon by the constitution and laws under
which have lived for the past year. inform the Gene
raj Assembly of the condition of the country and TO
necessary
nal government of the Territory. becomes us in thus first
assembling the functions of free government,
sincere thanks for the prosperity attending the gen.
ea abundance Of agricultural productions and the usual
health of the people but especially does it become
be thankful that whilst the nations of which
pose part engaged in bloody and unfortunate war;
left to pursue the quiet occupations of life and cultivate
those pursuits which conduce only comfort regret
that congratulate you cessation of hosies
between the United States and Mexico The restoration
peace much to be desired by will certainly exercise
important influence upon prosperity and happiness.
sComing you do from all parts Of the Territory, you
able speak and judge OF the operation of code of
laws-to them with the laws and administration Of
justice previously in force in counyto appreciate the
which crimes have been punished, property pro-
teced aud contracts enforced and appreciate the
sal participation which every citizen enjoys in executing the
laws throughout the country though the anomalous stua
ton in which find Territory present. that of exerc
sing civil rights the time that the country held
by military occupation, necessarily produces embauass
ments in the enjoying the fullest civil privileges"
Local objects of legislation specially referred in the
remainder Of the message The encouragement of education
recommended the Governor stating that there only
school in the Territory.
On the day that Mr. A. left Santa Fe the Senatorial branch
of the Legislature adjourned die, and debate
going in the House the right Of the Senate oun
without the leave Of the House. As there constitutional
provision regulating the action Of the Legislature il doubt
full how the question would he decided Several Of the Sena
had left Santa Fe for their homes The of the ad
oumen is said to have been the unusual provisions Of bill
in relation marriages BY this bill judges of the courts,
Justices &C. authorized to marry persons authority
which the Senator's all Mexcans but one, regarded in
novaon upon their religion. Some of Gen. PRIcEs orders
had produced dissatisfaction the above the
chief cause.
coRREsPoNDENcE OF THE RErUBLIcAN
SANTA FE, IN. M Dec. 80 ls47.
MEssRs. EDIrons Although there is nothing OF thrilling
interest concerning the dongs Of the army Of the We
yet may not prove entirely unineestng you to be in
formed of the in which things done up" in this
military department The position occupied by this Territory
is both interesting and novel, The military authorities Of
course claim preemnence power daily issuing orders a
fectng the actions and requiring the obedience of citizen
well soldier whe at the time, the cu government
is in complete operation, having jurisdiction all offences
committed upon the person and property Of all nhe Terri
tory whether in military civil lie. While "Head-
quarters order is being prepared, intended for all 10
,co may come" the Legislature taking tho ayes and
noes upon act relating TO the same thing and often
otherwise, in direct collision with the order aforesaid The
Of executing military regulations being the most speedy
and direct the chief burden Of duty falls upon this limb Of the
Government have had sight at the Territorial Legsa-
.ure and really disappointed in finding intelligent
looking assembly Of Mexicans. certain they
just representatives of their constituents, for more ignorant
and degraded people up pretensons to civilization
than large majority Of the population Of this Territory
is gratifying the friends OF the republican form govern
to the foundation being laid here for such an one
nd of