The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-12
The PROPOSED new STATES.
New Mexico and Colorado rs They
Are-Their Past History.
Mining and Agricultural Resources Of
the Two Territories.
Their Previous Efforts to
Enter the Union.


Congress having, by It's recent action. shown that
1t Is its intention to admit New Mexico and Colo
RADIO as States into the Union, description OF the
TWO Territories Is given herewith. 1t will be seen
that At very early day the administration OF Gen
eral Taylor used all It's innuence to induce the peo-
pie OF New Mexico to form State constitution.
ana promised that Congress would carry out the
design. In the case OF Colorado 1t will be observed
that repeated EFFORTS during the past nfteen years
have been made to pass from the Territorial con-
diti0n, and that Congress passed bill admitting
1t as State OF the Union. The bill was vetoed by
President Johnson.
NEW MEXICO.
~ II has been said that there is no country pro-
tected by our dag and subject to our laws OF which
so little u known TO the people generally Of the
United States as the Territory or New Mexico
Its very position precludes intimate intercourse
with other sections OF the linton, ana serves to
lock up knowledge OF the region within It's own
breast. Its natural features differ very much from
the rest OF the Republic and the manners and GUS
toms OF the inhabitants, handed down from
their Spanish ancestors are both new and
strange to our people. One hundred years
before the settlement Of New York the
Spanlards had established themselves In New
Mexico, subdued the natives, built churches ana
erected forts many Of which remain in good con.
or Texas the inhabitants have remained unchanged
since the United States acquired New Mexico from
Mexico. The Spanish language is spoken in the
Legislature, in the courts and is used in all
legal documents. 1t is the language of all the
people, Tor the Americans and Europeans who have
settled in the Territory soon acquired knowledge
Of 1t. The population in 1870 was 2OO0 but there
is no doubt that 1t has increased since then to
10000 at least three-iourths OF the number being
or mixed races. OF course Indian blood largely pre-
dominates ana 1t will not be strange or surprising
that unusual ignorance prevails. Only o small
proportion OF the population can read ana write,
but great advances have been recently made In
the cause OF education. There are now nearly $50
public schools in operation. The country has q
genial climate extensive fertile tracts and un.
bounded mineral wealth and it only requires he
application OF energy and capital to make it de-
straDle section Tor settlement. AS 1t Is there
has been considerable immigration OF people direct
from England who have located ON the Maxwell
grant. IS. tHu
DESCRIPTION OF NEW MEXICO.
The Territory occupies that central region be-
tween the rivers Arkansas on the east, and Color
ado on the west, and is bounded by Mexico on the
south, by Arizona on the west, and by the pros
porous Territory OF Colorado on the north. 1t con-
tains 207 600 square miles, on extent OF country
greater than New York. Pennsylvania. Ohio and
New England all combined. 1t was obtained from
Mexico under the Treaty OF Guadalupe Hidalgo.
The physical formation Is q type OF the whole or
that vast region known as the Great American
Central Basin, whose distinguishing features are
extensive and arid elevated plains, lofty and bar
rem mountains and narrow valleys along water
courses. The middle part Is drained by the Rio
del Norte and its branches The other principal
streams the east tributary OF the Colorado and
some of the west tributaries OF the Arkansas. A
continuation OF the great rocky chain through
the eastern part OF the Territory; and numerous
Isolated peaks are found In other sections A large
part shows evident traces OF recent volcanic &C.
lion, ana many places the surface is scanned
and cut up by immense ravines and canyons.
THE FIRST SETTLERS
we're Spanlards, who about 1880 were attracted
towards 1t by reports OF the richness OF the gold
mines. 1t was then known as the country OF the
Seven Cities" In 1888 further Information was
obtained concerning the country from De Baca,
who sailed IRON Cuba to conquer Florida, but in
consequence Of shipwreck he and hts companions
made the wonderful journey through what Is now
Alabama, Mississippi and Texas, to New Mexico,
and joined their c0untrymen on the northern bor-
ders OF New Spain. De Baca confirmed the reports
OF the great wealth OF the country in god silver,
copper, zinc, mercury and tin. The aboriginies
had then made considerable advance in the arts
OF smelling and the working OF metals for there
were on their persons ornaments or gold silver
and copper fashioned by moulding and Welding.
An expedition was despatched from Mexico in
1910 with the view OF permanently occupying the
country. The Indians were found mild and inof-
fenslve, but in consequence OF the cruel conduct
OF the Spaniards an instruction broke out; the
invaders were compelled TO retreat from Santa
Fe but they soon regained their foothold and SUBJ
dued the natives. In 1887 there was q rebellion
against the central authority In Mexico, which had
passed an obnoxious tax law. The revolt was
suppressed; not, however, without some Difficulty
and bloodshed.
THE AMERICAN CONQUEST.
Soon after the declaration OF war against Mexico
in IS46 the United States determined to organize
an expedition Tor the conquest of New Mexico.
The troops for the purpose were raised in Mis-
souri, and placed under the command OF General
stephen w. Kearney, OF the First United States
dragons. The whole force, consisting OF 1900
mounted men, with six teen pieces OF cannon,
started from Fort Leavenworth in June, and after
q march OF nfLy EIGHT days entered and took pos
session OF Santa Fe, without opposition, In the
name OF the United States. Kearney issued q
proclamation to the people, assuring them that
they would be protected In their persons. property
and religion, aud That nencefortn they would DC
considered American citizens. He Immediately
organized q Ter 'toral government had q suitable
code OF laws drafted and appointed properly quail
fed Americans and Mexlcans to administer the
same. There was O completaschange made III the
institutions Of the country without
THE SHEDDING OF A DROP OF BLOOD.
Notwithstanding the apparent submission with
good grace OF the inhabitants, some oil the wealthy
class were dissatisfied with American rule, and
entered into conspiracy for its overthrow.
The time fixed for the rising was IN January,
1s47 but the plot was discovered. Tnere was
some nghting, and a number OF Americans, includ
ing the Provisional Governor Bent were killed.
Meantime the country became agiIated. Texas
began TO assert anew her claim TO all that part OF
New Mexico east the Rio del Norte, and to carry
out THIS purpose sent agents to erect all that Sec
ton INTO the county OF santa re. The people be-
ing averse to Texan rule. disregardod this as
sumed jurisdiction and refused obedience. TWO
Parues now sprung up, one in favor oil state ana
the otner OF Territorial government, which en-
Renuered excitement and ill-wlll. Slavery was at
the DOttoM OF the trdnble The federal govern
ment, II would appear favored the state move
ment, as General Taylor and his Cabinet desired
TO avoid the responsibility OF acting on the ques