Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-01-04
THE PEOPLE OF NEW MEXICO.

We have very recently, adverted with some
particularly to the nature of the question in dis
pute between the State of Texas ON the one side
and the United States as the sponsor for the Ter
ritory of New Mexico on the other. Our readers
have seen that Texas has adopted measures to en-
force her claim, though Congress may acknow-
ledge the right of the people of New Mexico to
organize a separate Territorial or State Gov
eminent, extending over the part of that Territory
which lies East of the Rio Grande. 1t is amatter
of serious interest to know also what the New
Mexcans themselves are doing, with regardto the
disputed question of their proper allegiance.
We have before stated that Mr.. Hugh n Smith
has arrived at Washington as delegate to Con
gress, appointed by popular Convention held at
Santa Fe in the month of September. We find
the following account of the circumstances that
attended his appointment in letter from Santa Fe
to the st. Louis Republican.
After referring to the first mass meeting which
recommended the Convention, and to the procla-
nation of Lieut.. Col. Beall, acting in the absence
of COL Washington, the commanding officer of the
United States forces stationed in the Territory the
writer says:
THE issuance Of the proclamation immediately
brought two partiesinto the field las Delegate to Con-
gress was to be elected where is the wonder each one
striving to rally around its banner the greatest number Of
distinctive cognomens of the two were, Houghton and
Smith, and the Angney or Weghtman party-the ad-
herents OF the former being unanimously in favor of
the election OF Hugh N. Smith, ESQ, as Delegate to
congress, and the extension OF territorial form
OF Governmen the latter seeking the election of one Of
their tedders to represent them, and advocating the po
ut inc n1n Tho
immediately. Both parties active in their opera
TONS their emssares sent to every county in the
Territory, and the Angney party in particular brought
every thing into play which their great ingenuity could
devise to secure maoEty OF delegates in the Conven
ton favorable to their vews but they found it hard to
convince the people that Judge Houghton (who by years
OF residence among them, had secured their unlimited
confidence could be found at the head of party op
posed to their true interests the advocate ofmeasures
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
perence and knowledge of their social and political
condition better qualified him point the true policy
10 be followed than any other in the territory Six
Teen delegates therefore, out of the twenyone to be
elected, were returned to the General Convention
pledged to support the election of Hugh N Smith, and
IN favor OF territorial form OF government The Con-
vention met Santa Fe the oath Sept in accordance
with a proclamation OF Lieut. Col. Beal. The basis
OF plan tor Territorial Government adopted by
majority OF sixteen to three against Angneys pro-
lect tor State Government, and Hugh N. Smith, ESQ.,
was eocteu delegate To congress by vote OF fifteen
tour against all others-a which represents five
sxts OF the entire popular vote OF the Territory is
but justice TO Major Weghtman, for whom three votes
cast that his name was not even put in no.
mination, nor was that of Judge Houghton, on whom
one vote was thrown away So Mr. Smith goes to WASH
gton at the instance OF the people of New Mexico to
demand for US that which, but for the fell spirit of faction
we should have obtained at the last session of Con-
gress-a purely Civil Government, adequate to our
wants and condition. The Conuention | think, very
properly left the question of slaue4y aphoy untouched
Mt EolOffb o inn
pertinent intrusion Of the "Wilnot Prouiso' in our
Constitution; and to the South as we'll the North
that we desire no legislative action OF Congress upon
matter winch we can easily settle among ourselves
when the proper moment arrives to agiate it. The
election Just past and the Convention recently held
has, tor the first time since American administration
here aroused the of the people the necessity of
their taking an active part in the political affairs OF the
Territory, and guarding with vgilant eye their rights
as citizens OF our great Contederacy.
"Y GU will find in Mr.. Smith our Delegate a gentle
man well qualified to fill the high trust confded him.
and one who will, it admitted to seat the floor Of
Congress, of which doubt can be entertained do
honor to himself and the people who have chosen him.
Justice to us requires, WHICH MUST
BE HEARD that Congress take immediate steps 10 place
Inc people OF New Mexico equal footing with
other parts OF the Republic, and remains to be
seen whether that justice be accorded u.s. another
denial OF our rights be the result OF quarels between
the fanaca zeal OF the North and the Jealous and un
founded fear of the South Mr. SMITH goes stored with
large fund OF statistical knowledge in all matters of
interest relative to our Territory, and his opinions
the weight OF authority"
We have before us also the instructions adopt
ed by the Convention for the guidance of Mr.
Smith. After setting forth the intolerabe evils of
the present condition of New Mexico, for the
want of regular government and proper security
from the nelghbouring Indians, the Convention
instruct their delegate to urge upon Congress the
necessity of providing sufficient military force
for the security of the Territory, and making va
rious appropriations for its benefit. The bounda-
res are to be defined in the Territorial constitu-
ton as follows: Bounded north by the Indian
Territory, west by California south by the boun-
dairy line between Mexico and the United States,
and east by the State of Texas" The following
injunction may be thought to bear remotely upon
the question of slavery: HE shall have inserted
in said constitution provision which shall secure
the compliance with contracts between master and
servant, according to the intent of parties
KENTUCKY.
The State Convention of Kentucky, on the 2lst
ult., terminated its session, which commenced on
tlo &c otoh