Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-03-07
EVENING STAR.
PROCEEDINGS OF A PUBLIC MEETING
IN NEW MEXIco

pursuant to notice given the citizens
of Santa Fe, they assembled at the court.
house on Monday evening, January %,
to take into consideration the affairs O,
the Territory.
On motion, Preston Beck, jr., was
called TO the chair, and James E. Sabine
elected Secretary.
The chairman stated the object of the
m seting, when
Mr.. Ashurst offered the following pre-.
amble and resolutions:
Whereas, the people of New Mexico
have been for long time suffering evils
unknown to any other portion of the
country protected by the stars and stripes
of our Union and whereas, VIC are sat
istied that these evils, or at least the
most OF them, have been brought upon
us by the mal-admin stration and mis-.
representations of the Governor of this
Territory, we, a portion Of the citizens.
without distinction Of party, have adopt.
ed this mode of making our grievances
known to the Department at Washington,
and respectfully ask for some remedy.
In the first place his whole policy in
relation to the Indian department of this
Territory, has been unwiSe, impolitic.
and has well nigh brought our Territory
into utter desolation. lie has represent.
ed to the Department at Washington
that the Indians infesting our borders
were comparatively at peace, when it is
fact well known that for the last twelve
months, there has not been a town or
ranch within the limits of this territory
that has been secure from their depreda-
tiOpS. lie has, in fact, been distributing
presents to these Indians, while at the
same time portion of the same tribe
were committing their savage cruelties
and depredations. lie has been distri-
buting to these Indians, while our citi.
zens have been retaining stock stolen
by these Indians, and the stock then in
his presence, and failed to cause repara
ton to be made to these citizens for their
stolen property. lie has represented that
one person could travel alone with Sc
curly over every portion Of this terri
tory, when scarcely day passes without
bringing to our ears tie news that some
village or ranch has been attacked, the
stock driven off, and females outraged.
He has interfered to prevent the separa-
ton of the Superintendency of Indian
Affairs from the Gnbernatcrial chair OF
the territory, when it must have been
evident to him that the condition of In
dian affairs IN this territory at all times
required the efforts and services of bold
energetic and able man. A more wise
and salutary measure than the separation
Of these Offices in this territory has never
been recommended, and yet we find him
using all his means to prevent this sepa-
ration. In fact, his whole and sole OBJ
ject seems to have been to get into his
hands the disbursing and control of every
dollar appropriated to this Territory
lie has succeeded, by misrepresentation,
In obtaining control of the twenty thou
sand dollars more than two years ago ap-
lpropriahd fer the use of penitentiary,
none of which has as vet been expended
with the exception Of the purchase of a
site for the said penitentiary in a sandy
arroya, than which site no other worse
could have been selected. He has sue
ceeded, by Misrepresentation, in getting
control of the fifty thousand dollars more
than twelve months since appropriated
for the building of the capital, not one
dollar Of which has as yet been expended.
He has used his eff1rts to have the law
repealed appointing superintendent and
commissioners for said public buildings );
andswhen failed in having the law re-
pealed, he eyaded the law by refusing to
appoint said superintendent and commits
sioners. lie has also issued orders to
justices of the peace to take possession Of
Indians held in captivity in this Terrific
ry, and to turn them over to his agent,
Henry l.. Dodge. who again resold them
into slavery. lie has, in his negotiations
with the Indians, failed TO assign them
any limits, and they have been let loose
to roam at large over any portion Of our
Territory, by this means recognizing their
right to our soil and Territory. lie has
represented to the Department that the
policy recommended and commenced by
our late Governor, w. q. Lane, of@1re-
moving the Indians west of Cthe Rio
Grande-of confining them to a Rarticu-
lar section of territory, and teaching
them to cultivate the soil-impracticable
and unwlse, when he must have known,
as any one else does, that that policy
afforded the only shadow of hope for u.s.
This temporizing policy has produced a
state of things, in relation 10 Indian dep
relations, heretofore unknown in Il is
Territory, and, unl.ss some active steps
are now taken, will prove the utter ruin
and desolation Of our beloved Territory.
We are prepared to prove each and every
one of the charges here brought against
him, and others of like nature not here
recapitulated. We have suffered these
evils until forbearance ceases longer TO
be virtue. We are unwilling to believe
that the Government Cf the United States
will not afford us that protection which
they have guaranteed to us alike with
other portions Of cur Union, an can only
believe that we have been permitted so
long to suffer on account of a want OF
| knowIedpe nv our Government of our