Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-05-27
nesy- SEE FIRST, THIRD, AND FOURTH
New Mexico.
PAGES.

titled the 9. Declaration of Independence there
is something said about governments deriving Mea
lust pooers from the consent Of The governed; but
such absurdities had passed away from the
memory of our rulers good long time before
the ratification of the treaty of Guadalupe hi
dalro BY that treaty people numbering more
than sixty thousand were conveyed over TO the
government of the United States, not only WIN
out their consent, but also without any consuta-
ton whatever with them by either those who sold
or those who bought them. This would Ger
tainly have been very queer behaviour IN truly
democratic governments, and may possibly have
surprised such people as believe that our prefes-
sions Of democracy are all in right down earnest
But it did not surprise us in the least degree as
we had lived long enough to know that the
brightest fires do not send up the most smoke,
nor the purest republicans utter the loudest
boasts of repubicansm.
New Mexico contains 81 ,547 persons-vlz: $50
natives of the United States, 262 natives Of for
e;on countries, and go, TAT native Mexicans and
Pueblo Indians-the last named Of whom are by
all accounts represented to be worthy, INDUS
trious, and excellent people.
It would not be surprising to learn that peo-
ple thus circumstanced would, at least for time,
prove refractory, insrbordinate, and troublesome
Yet such is not the case. They have acquiesced
with a very good grace in the arrangement they
could not prevent; and although, in our civil and
military jurisdiction over them, We have commit
ted some such errors as were calculated TO as
credit our government, they have submitted to
our laws and even to their abuse, with scarcely
q murmur.
The manifestation of such spirit as this calls
for kindly feeling on the part OF our people,
and demands that we should at least begin 10 IN
dictate some regard for our own first proposition
in the science of goyernment-that governments
derive their Just powers from the consent OF the
governed. We think that every possible induce
ment should be held out to these people that can
Load them to confidence in the free character Of
our institutions, and to self-rehance IN the con-
duct of their public affairs. An opposite course
of conduct on our part will be unwise IN policy
and disreputable in its nature.
From a debate in the House of Representa-
tiyes on Saturday last, chiefly between Mr. Phelps
of Missouri, and Mr.. Weightman, of New Mexico,
We learn that there is contention between two
parties in that Territory-the co. TAI Mexicans
On the one side. and the 53S former citizens of the
limited States on the other: or this, at least, is
the general aspect of the case The proposition
before the House was to authorize the President
"to cause arms to be distributed among such
portions of the inhabitants as he may deem dd-
disable, and under such regulations and precdu-
tions as may be considered necessary" &c.
When we state that the people Of that country
are exceedingly harassed by the savage Indians
on their borders, who are constantly making in.
cursions among them, numbering their people
pilaging their houses, and driving of their liv'
stock, the above proposition will hardly appea
unreasonable to the minds of liberal public; yet
10 our astonishment, it encountered opposition
It was stated by Mr.. Phelps that :" large elias
Of those citizens have recently been oblige
to change their allegiance, by no act, wish, or WI
of their own" but shave been transferred fror
Mexico to the United States. 1t cannot be ex
pected," he said, "amopg the ignorant Mexican
population of that Territory, that any very grea
good will or kind feeling should be manifested OF
entertained towards the American citizens wht
may be residing among them" " | am aware,
he continued, "that there is some hostility exist
ing between the American citizens and the peopl
of New Mexico" "The American-born citizen
who are there need no arms to be distributed
Them s.There is no American-born citizen i
the Territory of New Mexico who is not, at thi
time. MS well armed as he would be if you pas
the first section of this bill, and distribute arm
to them"
And again he says: 81 am aware the Mex
cans are not well supplied with arms in fac
thew have but few, and those have been main
obtained since we conquered that country.
was not the policy of the Mexican government
nerbaps for the want of means-to arm its Gil
zeps ia New Mexico. The greater part Of tho
people have become citizens. They are OF thef
selves without the means of defence. They loo
entirely to the government for protection.
orms were distributed to them, they would pa
nv sale or barter from one to another, until the
might pass into the hands OF some OF the Ii
dams" Yet Mr.. Phelps is not unconscious
the dangers to which this people are exposed
for he saws that there robberies and murder
are as often committed against the Pueblo IL
dams MS against the white man. And that elias
Of people are the most quiet, peaceable, indus
trious and unofending of the citizens OF Ne'
Mexico and by some who have visited that Ter
rtory are termed its best citizens. mean
those which we have acquired BY the treaty wit
Mexico"
MIR. Phelps was replied to in becoming term
by Mr.. Weightman, who narrated o most lam
entable state Of affairs.
IT, unrarnnr of the Territory. it appears, hat