Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-01-05
AFFAIRS OF NEW MEXICO.

The following interesting account OF the recent
in New Mexico towards obtaining
civil government for that Territory is extracted from
the Santa Fe correspondence of the st. Louis Re-
publican
ssI found on my return to this city, quite political ex-
element among the citizens which very shortly spread through
The length and breadth Of the Territory II had its rise in
the proceedings of meeting Of the people OF Santa Fe
held the of August which had for its object the devils
ing Of for securing at the hands OF Congress,
form Of government and consequent relief from
the intolerabe burden Of military dominion under which
have been aborng for than three years pasta govern
ment which, since the ratification of the treaty of peace with
Mexico is alike unrecognsed by the constitution, repugnan
the spirit of Institutions and unueraby odious to all
who subjected to its bae influences In the proceedings
of that meeting resolved after much opposition to the
pan that should be recommended to the citizens of the
Territory that meetings should be held at precincts to
be designated for the appointment of Delegates to General
which should in Santa Fe the Gath Of
September to take into consideration political condition,
devise Of relief by the adoption of plan of
venmen to be submitted for approval by Congress- and the
election of delegate represent interests at ashington
The resolution of the meeting alluded to as having been
held in this city the Of August met with the approval
of the provisional commanding officer of the Territory, Lieut.
Col BEALL, who in the absence of COL M WASHINGTON,
issued his proclamation recommending the holding OF mass
meetings Of the people in their respective counties, for the
purposes indicated and ALSO that officer designated the time
and places in the several counties at which said meetings
should be held. .M
The issuance of the proclamation Immediately brought
parties into the field, Gas Delegate to Congress to
be elected where is the wonder each striving to rally
around its banner the greatest number of the Con such
occasions) dearly loved people, The distinctive cognomens
OF the two were, Houghon and Smith, and the Angney or
Weghtman pary-he adherence of the former being unani
mousy favor Of the election Of HUeH N SMITH, Esq
Delegate Congress- and the extension of terrific
rial form Of Government the latter seeking the election OF
one Of their leaders represent hem and advocating the
~ adn pipnth
aediaely Both parties active in their operations,
their emissaies sent to every county in the Territory,
and the Angney party particular brought every thing into
play which their great ingenuity could devise to secure
ory of delegates the Convention favorable to their views
but they found il hard convince the people that Judge
Houghn who, by years of residence among them, had Sc
cured their unlimited confdence could be found at the head
of party opposed their true interests the advocate of
other than having for their aim the advancement
and welfare Of the country.
The people, therefore, felt proud and safe in enrolling
themselves under his banner, confident that his great expert
ence and knowledge Of their social and political condition bet
qualified him to point out the true policy TO be followed
than any other in the Territory Sixteen Delegates,
therefore, out of the wenyone to be elected were returned
the General Convention pledged to support the election of
Hugh N Smith, and In favor Of Territorial form Of Govern
ment The Convention met in Santa Fe on the Gath Sept
in accordance with proclamation Of Lieut. COL BEALL
The basis Of plan for Territorial Government adopted
by majority of sixteen to three, against Angweys project
for State Government and HUGH N. Smith ESQ., elect
ed Delegate to Congress by vote Of fifteen to four against all
othersa vote which represents vexths of the entire popu
lar vote of the Territory 1t is but justice to Major WEIGHT
MAN. for whom three votes cast to state that his name
not put in nomination, that of Judge
HoUGHToN, on whom one vote was thrown away. So Mr.
SMITH goes to Washington at the instance of the people of
New Mexico to demand for that which, but for the fell
spirit of faction should have obtained at the last session
Of Congress- purely Civil Government adequate to
wants and condition The Convention think, very proper
left the question slavery wholly untouched ntimaton
to the North that seek not the impairment intrusion Of the
Wilmot Proviso" in Constitution and to the South
we'll the North that desire legislative action Of
Congress upon matter which easily settle among
Ourselves when the proper arrives agate it. The
election just past and the Convention recently held has, for
the first time since American administration here aroused the
of the peopeo the necessity Of their taking active
part in the pocalaa of the Territory and guarding with
vgiant eye their rights citizens Of great Conederacy
"You will fndi Mr.. SMITH, Delegate, gentleman
wellquaed to fill the high trust confaed him. and who
WILL if admitted u the floor Of Congress- of which
not doubt be entertained, do honor to himself and the
people who have chosen him.
Instructions as adopted By the Convention Of
Ne,o Nerico.
We the people of New MEXICO, in convention assem-
bled having elected Delegate represent this Territory
the Congress of the United States and urge upon the Su
preme Government redress of grievances and the pro.
lection due TO citizens of country, under
the constitution, instruct him as follows:
mat whereas Tor the last three years. we have suffered
der the paayzHg effects of Government underlined and
doubtful in its character inefficient protect the rights
people, to discharge the high and absolute duty Of every
Government the enforcement and regular administration of
its laws, consequence of which industry and enter
prise paralyz, and discomfort and confusion prevail
throughout the land The want Of proper protection against
the various barbarous tribes Of Indians that surround
every sde has prevented the extension Of settlements
valuable public domain and rendered utterly futile every
attempt explore develop the great resources of the Terri
tory. Surrounded by the Uahs, Camanches and Apaches
on the NORTH east and south, by the Navaoes hs west
with Jacarlas within limits, and without any adequate
protection against their hostile nroad ocks and herds
driven eff by thousands; fellow citizens men, women
and children, murdered carried into captivity Many
OF our citizens of all ages and sexes this moment
ing all the horrors Of barbarian bondage and it utterly
OF our power to obtain their release from condition which
death would be preferable The wealth Of our Territory
being diminished We have neither the means nor any
adopted plan by Tor the education of the rising
generation. In fne with Government temporary doubt
full uncertain and inefficient character and in operation
surrounded and despoiled by barbarian foes ruin appears
evitaby before u.s. unless speedy AID eecua protection be
fore il is
esofed, That Delegate Congress hereby instruct
ed to urge impresvey upon the Go-enmen The necessity
properly organized and efficient military force competent in
numbers to the entire subsection ofo Indian enemies that
part of said force should consist Of regiment of mounted
rangers, levied from the Territory.
Resolved That he urge upon Congress the imperative
cessy for the establishment of sufficient fund
for the education of the peoples that all sanes salt lakes
be placed in possession of the Territorial Government for the
free and benefit of the people.
Resolved That he ask the necessary appropriations em
Congress for the erection Of Territorial and County buildings
for library the capitol for the Of Government for
the erection of public highways and the extension Of post
roads throughout the Territory. N
Resolved That he ask Of Congress the appointment Of
L.