Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1902-12-22
OPPOSED TO
SLAVERY
New Mexico Declared Upon
the Question Long Before
Other Commonwealths.
ACTION TAKEN So YEARS AGO
Petition for Territorial Govern
ment, Embodying the Decla-
ration, Was Adopted
in lo48. *

New Mexico was a pioneer in the OPP
position to slavery in this country even
though a majority Of the senate COM
mittee on territories says it is unfit for
statehood. AS early as 1S4s, the people
| of New Mexico formally declared them
selves to be in opposition to domestic
| slavery and in the convention which
was held to petition congress to estab-
| lish form of civil territorial govern
| ment, it was expressly stated that the
| desire of the people of New Mexico was
| that slavery should be prohibited
The convention was held at Santa Fe
October 10, 1S4S, under proclamation
issued by Governor Vigil, Antonio Jose
Martinez of Taos county, was presi-
dent; J. NJ. Giddings was clerk, Henry
Henrie interpreter, and Thomas White,
doorkeeper. Ex-Governor Francisco
Sarrasno, Acting Governor Donaciano
Vigil, and Messrs. Quinlin and Perea
were appointed a committee to prepare
a memorial to congress with respect to
territorial organization. The petition
presented and adopted by the conven-
tion was as follows:
eve, the people of New Mexico, res
pectfully petition congress for the
speedy organization by law of terri
torial civil government.
I'VE respectfully petition congress to
establish a government purely civil in
it's character.
I'VE respectfully represent that the
organic and statute law promulgated
under military orders of September %.
1886, with some few alterations, would
be acceptable.
1--WE desire that the following offices
be filled by appointment of the presi-
dent by and with the advice and con-
sent of the senate: The governor, secre-
tary of state, judges, U. S. attorney
and u. S. marshal.
I'VE desire to have all the usual
rights of appeal from the courts of the
territory to the supreme court of the
United States.
I'VE respectfully, but firmly protest
against the dismemberment Of our ter
ritory in favor of Texas, or from any
cause.
1--WE do not desire to have domestic
slavery within our borders; and until
the time shall arrive for admission into
the union of states, we desire to be pro-
tected by congress against the intro
duction of slaves into the territory.
I'VE desire a local legislature, such
as is prescribed by the laws Of New
Mexico, September %, 1S46, subject to
the usual vote of congress.
I'VE desire that our interests be rep
resented by delegate, admitted to q
seat in congress.
Considering that New Mexico has a
population of from $4,000 to 100000, we
believe our request to be reasonable,
and we confidently rely on congress
providing New Mexico with laws as
liberal as those enjoyed by any OF the
territories"
Signed Antonio ]. Martinez, Elias P.
West, Juan Perea, Antonio Sais, San
tiago Archuleta, James H. Quinn, Man
uel A. Otero, Donaciano Vigil, Francis
co Savacino, Gregorio Vigil, Ramon
Luna, Charles Beaubien and Jose PIey.
The resolutions were adopted October
IA, 1S4S, and copies OF the petition We're
sent to Thomas H. Benton and John M.
Clayton with the request they represent
the interests of the territory in the
United States senate
A move for state government was
made early in 1850, and in June of that
year legislative assembly, a member
of congress and state officers were cleo
ted. The state officers qualified and on
July 1 of that year the legislature met.
Pending the controversy consequent
upon the attempt to set the new state
government in order, and the existing
military government, the news arrived
of the long expected action Of congress
granting the organic act for the terri
tory of New Mexico in accord with the
wishes expressed at the convention held
in October, 1S4S. The state movement
was at once dropped and nothing came
of it except that William s. Messervy,
who had been elected member Of con-
gress, was admitted as delegate and
thus became the first delegate from
New Mexico. The organic act became
law September 5, 1850. and under Its
provisions, Hon. James s. Calhoun was
inaugurated governor on March 3, 1851.