Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-08-09
DEPARTMENT or STATE.

VT -
WAsmiSoros, AuGusT ), 1850. !
To his Erc,Pency i. H. Bel, Gorernor Of Ieras:
S.R: \ leitsr addressed by you to the late President of thc
United States, and dated on the l;h Of June last, has, since
his lamcated decease, been transferred TO The hands Of his
successor, by whom am directed 10 address to you the fol.
lowing answer:
In that letter you say that by the authority Of The Lcrisla.
turc of Texas, the executive of that State, in February last
despatched 4 special commissioner, with full power and
instructions 10 extend the civil jurisdiction of that State
over tle nnorsahizsd counties of FL Paso, Worth, Preside,
aud Santa Fc. situated upon is northwestern limits; and
that The commissioner has reported TO yo'. in an oficiai form,
that tho military officers employed in '!c service OF liz Uni
ted States, stationed a. Santa Fl, inicrnoscd adversely with
The inhabitants 10 tie iuliilpent ot his object, by employing
thei: influence in !avo: Of he establishment Of a separate
State government ca< ii he Rio Grade, and within the
rshtiul limits Of Tie State .. Texas. You also transmit a
copy Of the proclamation Of Col. John Mmnroe, acting IN
der the designation of Civil and Military Governor of the
Territory of New Mexico, and respectfully request the prcsi-
dent To- cause you to be informed whether or not this officer
has acted III lhs matter alde. the orders of his Government,
and vhe;h { his proclamation meets with the approval OF
the presiden, Of the United States.
In The events which nave occurrcd, the President hardly
knows whether your EXcelicncy would naturally EXPECT an
answer Ia this letter from him. His predecessor in office,
TO whom II was addressed, ind Under whose authority and
direction the proclamation Of Colonel Munrcc was issued, il
no mole; and at lhis time, tina! proclamation. whatever may
be regarded IS lis true character, has ceased to have inllu-
ence Of effect. The meeting Of the people of New Mexico,
by their representatives, which il invited. is understood 10
have taken place, although this Government has as We, receiv-
ed no Official information oft.
Partaking, however, in the fullcs, degree in that high res
u HLU1u lHC uUNtIIInCUlu I the United state
always enterIGirs towards the Governors and the govern
ments of the States, the President thinks il his duty never
theloss to manifest that feeling Of respect by acknowledging
aud answering your letter. And this duty. let me assure
your cyccllcncy, has been so long DELAYED, only hy uncon-
trol'aJ!c circumstances, and is now performed at tile earliest
practicable moment after the appointment, Of those heads of
departments, and their acceptance of office, with whomi il is
usual, on Important occasions, for the President of The Uni
ted States TO advise.
In answer, therefore, 10 your first interrogatory, viz: wheth-
CT Colonc! Nunroe, in issuing the proclamation referred 10.
acted under the orders of this Government. the President
directs mc to state that Colonel Munroe's proclamation ap.
pears TO nave been issued in pursuance or in consequence of
an OFGcr or letter .: instructions given by the late Secretary
of War. under lhe authority OF the late President 10 { i'm
tenant Colonel Mccall. Ofthis order. which, bears doin IN
the 18TH OF November, lSi9, your cxcel!ency was unJoub,ed-
ly informed at the date OF your letter. 4 fall and accurate,
copy, however, Is attached TO this communication. Colon
e. Mc,ai Is therein Instructed, that if the people of New
Mexico, TOR whom Congress has provided no government
should manifest Ii wish TO take any steps 10 establish = nov.
cInilient ;o. themselves, and apply for admission into The
Union, II VIII DC his duty and the duty Of others with whom
he IS associated, not 10 thwart but to advance their wishes
ms order does not appear 10 authorize any eyer,ion of
military authority, or OF any official or or even personal in
reference 10 control or affect in any way the primary action
oil HE people, IN the formation of a Government,
nor TO permit any such Interference by subordina,e
offlccrs. Col Mccall and his associates were moi call
cd upon to take a lead in any measure, or even 10 recon-.
mend anything IS I'll TO be adopted by the people. Their
whole duty was confined 10 what they might be ab, 10 nor.
iornI, subordinate 10 the wishes of the people. In This maj
Ter 1t was evidently contemplated tina; .hey were 10 oct "a
the agents OF the inhabitants, and not as officers Of this ro-
ysrnnent- II must be recollccted that the only aovcrnment
then existing IN the territory was 4 quasi military govern
ment and as Congress has made no provision for the es.
Of any form Of civil government, and a. the Pre-