Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1859-06-10

in New Mexico and vicinity, and is still
resident. It is a reliable letter, written for
the purpose of giving information; and 1t is !
important so far as it throws light on the ex
ercise Of Popular Sovereignty" by the Ter
ritoriAl assembly, in passing laws for the pro-
tecsion of Slavery, and indicates that this
Pto-slavery movement was ISsrrGATED BY
~rBE POWERS THAT he AT W1sHINGroN.
Cause of tho Pro- Slavery La,os--Federol Of
fcers propogatipg Slavern-PotScat cond'-
lion Of he Tcrritory-f outroqes toler-
ated Jy government o6fc'dls--the Gold Hum
bug
FoRr UNION. New Eerico, Apyl %.
Dear SIR 1T may not be uninteresting TO
you to learn in what way the passage of those
stringent laws for the protection of property
in Slaves in this Territory was brought about
in the last Legislature if so, can satisfy
your curiosity in that particular, as ] was as
tonshed myself nj their passage and have
taken some trouble TO inform myself on the
subject, and have learned. through members
of the Legislature who should kRo,e, that let
ter was received from our Delegate in Con-
grcss stating that unless such laws were passed
his influence at Washington with ''the powers
that be- would be at end. and that all his
efforts to secure anything for the protection of
tire Territory would be powerless. This be-
ing with them matter of life and death. had
a tremendous effect in addition the ignorant
were told that the passage Of these laws was
desirable only to secure the safe passage Of
Slaves belonging TO emigrants through the
country, who would otherwise be forced to
pursue some other route and they were as
sured that they would have no real effect on
this Territory; and IN this manner they sue
ceeded in rushing them through the Legsla-
tture, without giving any time for reflection or
consultation on the subject, and the first no.
tce the people" had of the matter, was that
the laws had been passed, and | am sorry to
say that this was effected by a few Office
holders. who care nothing for the interests of
the Territory when they conflict with their
own private interests The civil and military
officers are leagued together, and as they have
the Gazette in their hands the only paper in
the Territory they have everything their own
way. The people are ignorant, never having
possessed the advantages which we have en-
joyed, and this clique have avaed themselves
of the circumstance to the utmost for their
own momeniary benefit regardless of the in
furious consequences to those who. confiding
in their superior knowledge, have in all sim
plicity and truth followed their guidance to
the very brink of ruin. These men have
much to answer for and | trust the day is not
far distant when they will be forced to ac-
knowledge by sad experience the truth of the
old proverb that "honesty is the best policy.
A tree press would change the whole aspect
of things in this Territory at once, and should
States, the reign of misrule would be short
indeed. The destinies of New Mexico have
unfortunately, up to the present time, rested
in the hands of individuals who come here to
advance their fortunes, and who desire to &C
complish their purpose in as short time as
possible. and then return to the States to en-
Joy it; not caring rcd what disastrous
effects the course they may have pursued t.
obtain it, may have upon this poor Territor!
and its inhabitants. The Mexican population
are beginning to look with dstrust on Amer
cans, and it is not strange that such should
be the case. considering the deplorable con
dition to which they have been brough
through their shameful policy
d.. Al. - a.. To- 80,
there is already an awakening amongst the PEG
pie that cannot fail to produce beneficial
effects, and the course pursued by the wire
workers with regard to the above mentioned
laws, may recoil on themselves with tremen
dous effect. The people have always ex
pressed themselves on the subject of SLAYER
in the most unequvocal manner, and shall
never believe their views have undergone
change until there is further evidence of i
than the fraudulent passage of these law
affords.
The people Of New Mexico favor the Dem
ocratic party because they hear nothing ex
cept what the Gazette chooses; not understand
ing English, they are kept in the dark, an
see and hear only what the elect approx
Of
You can judge something of the freedo'
of the Gazette when inform you that it re
fuses to publish an account of Indian outrage'
and even passes the murders committed b
them unnoticed so far as possible, and eve
abuses those correspondents who notify ther
of their commission, fearing that the publica
ton of such things would cause the Militar
Department or the Superintendent of India
Affairs to be censured. speak of thes
things knowingly, because | am continual
hearing of their occurrence without seein
them noticed in the Gasette, and not long sine
/ sent in an account of what was done b
these Government pets" in this neighbor
hood for publication, and only received abus
for my trouble.
There is no other people on the face of tn
earth who would have borne what the peopl
of this Territory have done, and even The,
natienca is well nigh exhausted natiant IN