Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1850-08-29
ifEfARfSEST OF STATE
w ASNIN NEEAS Annnsi : lSln

10 HIS Ercetency p. H Bel, Governor of 1egds:
SIR: A letter addressed by YOU to the
late President of the United States, and
dated on the l4h of June last, has since
bis lamented decease, been transferred to
the hands OF his successor by whom | AIN
directed to address you the following an
swer:
In that letter you say, by the authority
of the Legislature Of Texas, the Executive
of that State in February last, dispatched i
specia! commissioner with full power
and instructions to extend the civil juris-
diction Of that State over the unorganized d
counties Of Ell Paso, Worth, Preside, and
Santa Fe, situated upon its northwestern
limits; and that Tie commissioner has re-
/ ported to you, in an official form that the
military officers employed i'll the service
OF the United States, stationed at Santa
Ie, interposed adversely with the inhab-
ltants TO the iultslment OF his object, by
employing their influence in favor Of the
establishment OF a separate State govern
ment cast of the Rio Grande and within
the righ,iul limits Of the State of Texas
on also transmit copy Of the proc!ana-
ton Of Colonel John Munroe acting un-
der orders Of the Government OF the Uni
ted States, under the designation OF Civil
and Military Governor Of the Territory OF
New Mexico, and spectiuily request the
President to cause you to be informed
whether or hot this officer has acted in
! this matter under the orders Of his gov
ernment, and whether his proclamation
meets with the approval Of the Presiden,
of the Uuted States.
| In the events which have occurred, the
President hardly knows whether your ex
celency would naturally expect an an
swer to this letter from him. His pre-
decessor in office, to whom it was ad-
dressed, and under whose authority and
direction the proclamation of Colonel
Munroe was issued is no more, and a,
this time that proclamation, whatever may
be regarded as its true character, has
ceased to have influence or effect. The
meeting Of the people of New Mexico by
their representatives., which it invited, is
understood TO have taken place, although
this Governmen, has as yet received no
| official information of it.
Partaking however, in the fullest de-
gree in that high respect which the Exc
cutive Government Of the United States
! always entertains towards the Governors
and governments of the States, the Presi-
/ dent thinks it his duty, nevertheless, to
! manifest that feeling of respect by ac-
knowletgng and answering your letter.
| And this duty, let me assure your Ex-
cellency, has been SO long delayed only by
uncomfortable circumstances and is now
performed at the earliest practicable mo-
ment after the appointment OF those heads
Of departments, and their acceptance of
Offices, with whom it is usual, on import
ant occasions, for the President of the
United States TO advise.
! In answer therefore to your first inter
rogatory, viz: whether Col. Monroe.
in issuing the proclamation referred TO, ac-
ted under the orders of this Government,
the President directs me TO state that Col.
Mnnroe's proclamation appears to have
been issued in pursuance or in conse-
quence, Of an order or letter Of instruction
given by the late Secretary of War under
! itiC au'hoti1 vi t,iS iole IftNluellt, 10
| Lieutenant Colonel Mccall. OF this or
der, which bears date on the 10Th of No.
vember 1919 your Exce'ency was un-
doubtely informed at the date of your let
, letter. A full and accurate copy howev-
er, is attached TO this communication. -
Col. Mccall is therein instructed, that il
the people Of New Mexico, for whom
Congress had provided no government,
should manifest wish tos,ase any steps
to establish a government for themselves,
and apply for admission into the Union,
it will be his duty, and the duty Of others
with whom he is associated, not to ,hwart,
but to advance their wishes. This order
does not appear TO authorize any exercise
of military authority, or Of any official or
even personal interference to control, or
affect in any way the primary action ofthe
people, in the formation of a government,
nor to permit any such interference by
subordinate officers.
Colonel Mccall and his associates were
not called upon TO take lead in any
measures, or even to recommend anything
as fit to be adopted by the people. Their
whole duty was confined TO what they
might be able to perform, subordinate to
the wishes Of the people. In this matter
= ,v,s evidently contaminated that thew