The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-07-11
Major NeIshbor.' Report.

M Major Neighbour Report.
Cry or AusTIs, June 4. 1850.
Sri have the honor TO inform you that ] ar
rived in this city Yesterday, having Alelt Santa Fe
on the 24th April, and FL Paso the ! Tn of May.
Herewith enclose for your especial consideration
copy OF proclamation issued ON the 23d OF April
by Col. john Monroe, U. >. A.. commanding the
ninth military department BY il you will per
ceive that the people of New Mexico about TO go
into a separate State organization. THE move
ment, am induced 10 believe, has been brought
about by the encouragement given them by the
President of the United States through his nstruc-
tions Col. Mccall, u. $. A., they pub
lished and very generally circulated through that
Territory.
Having, since my arrival, been informed that
you did not receive my letter of the 18th April,
which forwn rded with other documents and let
tiers to you by the military mail via ri Paso, deem
it proper to call your attention to my movements
after the organization of the county of FL Paso.
Having received copy Of Governor Monroc's cir
cular letter to the commanding officers of the sew
enth military department, ordering 'strict non
Interference with me in the discharge OF my du-
ties and several letters from private individuals in
Santa Fe, advising me 10 come on to Santa Re,
lost time, and arrived at that place on the Sth of
April under the impression that should be able TO
effect organization. | was well and courtepusly
received by the inhabitants. As soon as possible
after my arrival commenced an investigation of
public sentiment, and endeavored to ascertain the
practicabty OF organizing.
deemed il my first duty 10 call upon Colonel
Monroe, the military governor. found by his
conversation that he would give me encourage
nent nor adopt any measures of policy that would
forward the views or wishes of Texas; the
trary he expressed himself highly favorable to
the thcn existing state Of affairs, and believed II
best that the present government with the Mexican
laws now in force should be maintained until Con-
greas shall establish some other During the con
| vcrsaton. asked him the plain question, "Are you
willing to acknowledge the jurisdiction Of Texas
provided hold the elections and qualify the proper
yia ,F,H
to say have no right to abolish the present
government. The judges and other officers are
! commissioned by the United States Government
and have power them unless in
, structed to do SO by my Government called
his attention to the probability of the Executive of
the State-in the event of my failure to organize
extending our jurisdiction by proclamation, and
enforcing the laws by military force.
His reply ''l'hat would be the proper course
for Texas to pursue; there will in that case be no
opposition
/ also called on Judge Houghon, Supreme Judge
of the Territory, who expressed his determination
TO maintain the existing government and TO I'M
prison any person who should attempt TO enforce
the laws of the State of Texas.
The civil jurisdiction Of the Territory rests
tircly with three individuals, viz: Judge Hough-
ton chief justice, and two Mexican district
judges Otero and Bobino They own and fully
. contro! the only press in New Mexico, 1.-THE -N',o
MeTican,) and no document can be printed or IN
formation diilused by it, except what is approved
by committee OF supervisors, at the head of Which
stands Judge Houghton the chief justice OF the
Territory; and the kept entirely unin-
formed or nisnforued in regard to the Texas nd
and every other question, except the particular
views of the party IN power. This is the party that
opposes the claim OF Texas-a party that complete
y and absolutely controls the whole Mexican pop
uation above the Jouruardo del Muerto- party
SO Void Of principle that they would excite the Puo-
bio Indians TO hostility. or resort To nyoher me
sure whatever to prevent the extension of the urs
diction of Texas. ] was informed that those In
dams had already been tainpered with the sub ]
jcct OF Texas
Enclosed you will find copy of one OF Judge
Houghtons circulars TO Ihe Mcxeans. his j. OF
the original decumeHts, and bears Hougbton's own
signature. This party had ALEC circulated many 4
prejudiciai reports, such as the enormous amount
of taxes that Texas would require them 10 pay, &c,
and some of the Mexican population were excited
Ia IL considerable degree against Texas
The party most favorable W the Organization
were the original State party. A few evenings
after my arrival at Santa Fc met considerable
party of gentlemen, principally of that party, and
amongst them some OF the most distinguished
members of the bar, for consultation The sub
jcct of organization. AT the time that they
willing To 60 into organization, and pied ge
themselves TO carry the vote of what is now Santa
Fc county they were decidedly II iho opinion that
IL would be necessary iar the State 10 send mill
lary crac before she could exercise jurisdiction
The party proposing TO organize are OF course I'M
der The operations of the existing government III
the minority, and the organization would have
been partial and incomplete.
Having authority TO pledge the State 10 main
tain her jurisdiction, and not being informed as to
the action Of the legislature of the State the sub
leci,. was compelled, contrary 10 the wishes Of
many TO doicr the election until could be better
informed In the mean time notices had been
posted up in Santa Fe calling public meeting for
the purpose OF taking into consideration the pro
priety of organizing State government. On the Z
both of April considerable number OF persons as
scmbed at the court house, and resolutions passed
in favor Of State organization A eommit,ee was
appointed TO wait ON the t,qyernor and request him
20 order convention. Having no means Of OPP
posing this measure, deemed II proper TO protest
against il, copy of which protest and tb. Gov
ernor's Acknowledgements of ii have the honor 10
enclose FOE your consideration.
deem il proper to call your attention particu,
arly TO the official character OF the muyelneut in
the Territory OF New Mexico ~ favor pf q State
government AZ the meeling IN Santa Re Major
Cunningham, United States paymaster, presided. /
aud Mr.. Ellison, the Governors private secretary
and interpreter, acted secretary, and Judge
Houghton was the principal spokesman; and out Of
or two hundred persons present large portion
were the employees Of the Government in the quar-
termaster's and other departments.
have no hesitation In saying that this saoye-
mcnt is entirely got up by the officials ia that
Territory. and MT spontaneous movement of the
ciIiSeps. J ain informed that the reported meet
ings in other places were OF The same cast Orders
were Issued 10 the projects by Judge Hougbton.
and the petitions for convention were the result
In my intercourse with the citizens of that Terri
tory, became fully convinced of the fact and
DentNc tncft ~ nJN pcfsOn III NtN Ntthltt, ~ ui
vested Of prepdice, bat what would fppcide with
me in the belief, that q dg away with the oppos
ton ard inhye.,ee cs~cised by tho United States
authorities, Texas could Mt once and without diff
Guilty establish and exercise jurisdiction the
whole of that Territory find many of the lead.
ing citizens willing 10 acknowledge claim, aud
a large portion OF those most opposed To us have
and now hold large tracts OF land that they &c
CURED from the Mc.Hican government short time
before the wac.
50 soon ss ! asccrlaincd that Col Monroe &C.. /
gardloss OF The claims of Texas, had issued his
proclamation Tor Convention, deemed IL unnc-
cessary to remain longer in that Territory, A. |
could in no way benefit the State by doing, and
finding my means nearly exhausted, determined
at once to return home. On my arrival al vi faso
found that the Indians held complete possession
of the Rio Grapie oeow that point, and were com
prtupg many deprcdatons on the Mexican settle 4
mept OF Guadalupe; and even II bad the means,
IL would be impossible visit Prcsidia del Nortc
without "A strong escort, as all communication with i
that point was cut OIL by the Apsohes.
My duty commissioner having been Gxesuted l.
to the best of my ability, hope lhsi my action in
the premises wnl prove satisfactory TO the State.
te