Albuquerque weekly citizen. (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1891-19??, 1903-10-31
THE 1876 CONSPIRACY.
Manuel ChavsS and Companions
Tried for Treason and Acquitted,
SAVING OF ST. VRklN'S LIFE

territory OF new McAlCO III low "hA
when II was definitely known, how
ever. that the United states forces
we're en- route 10 New Mexico some OF
the leading citizens OF the territory
held private meeting In the city OF
santa Zee, then as now the capitai OF
New Mexico. TO decide what steps
should be taKon To prevent the United
states forces nom taking possession
Of the country. The meeting was held
in the house 81 Don Miguel Estanislao
Pine son OF Don Pedro Pine
prominent citizen who had represent
ca New Mexico in the Spanish -Cortes
at Madrid ne meeting was attend
ed by prominent citizens from all over
the territory. but the prncip pal charac.
ters were the piuo brothers. Miguel
Nicolas and tacundo Manuel Chayes,
Tomas G. de- bach, Diego Archuleta
and Padre Martinez OF Taos. II was
decided that the thing to do was to
organize a volunteer army under the
command Of Don Miguel Chaves OF
Santa Pc. a prominent citizen, a cour-
ageous and successful Indian fighter.
He was known as the bravest and
most daring man in New Mexico. The
principal officers under Chaves were
10 be Miguel 4. Pino, Nicolas Pine. To
mas G. de Baca and Diego Archuleta.
After the adjournment OF the meet
ing a proposition IN writing was pre-
slnted to General Manuel Armiio,
then the governor OF New Mexico. set.
ting forth the proceedings OF the
meeting and asking the governor to
take action In accordance with the
wishes OF the meeting This paper mis-
nephew. Manuel Chavos, who promis-
ed the governor that II he was appoint
ed commander as propose TO meet
the American amy Of occupation. that
the destruction Of the Americans
would surely follow as the MeXioans
had great advantage and would
surprise them ~ the mountain passes.
The Americans were in strange
country without any knowledge Of the
surroundings ana the MeXicans would
profit by the circumstance. Don
Manuel thought that he would be able
to stampede the cavalry horses and
the mules OF tho Americans first. and
then attack them in some dangerous
canyon and destroy them.
Governor Armijo was well pleased
with the plan cud promised to give an
answer soon. However he took no &C
ton and at the last moment informed
Manuel Chavcs and his companions
that he needed no volunteers but
would start out and give battle to the
American forces with his Mexican
dragons. The result was that Ar
milo marched a few miles out OF San
Ia Fe with mis- Dragons and then like
the king OF France marched back
again and left santa Fe, the American
troops entering the city without firing
shot. The American commanding
officer, General Kearney, Immediately
oldered the arrest OF the four men
named, considering them very danger
Gus md they, Manuel Chaves, Miguel
| e Pine, Nicolas Pine and Tomas c. de
| SAGA, were so arrested and placed UNI
| der a strong guard This excited the
| people greatly as these men were all
descendants OF old and influential
families and known leaders.
! A lrumhead court martial was con.
vened and the trial Of these four men
was had Immediately on charge OF
/ treason; the evidence was strong
against them, consisting OF papers
/ signed by them and much oral testi
mony. An officer, Captain Agnew, was
/ detailed to defend the prisoners the
defense was that the prisoners had
been guilty OF no treason. quite the
contrary that they had simply entered
into a combination 20 defend their
country from invasion and that II
would be an everlasting disgrace tc
convict men ald shoot them for being
thus patriotic. Inc defense was wei
conducted AMI the prisoners were &C
sCUitted.
Immediately after their acquitta
Chaves and the Pinos held a meeting
h. determine whether TO stay at home
and remain loyal TO the United States
or go to Mexico. Just then Genera
kearney's proclamation appeared
promising protection to life and prop
erty to the people Of New Mexico anC
they concluded to remain. They de
Clarod themselves citizens Of the Uni
ted States, took the oath OF citizen
ship and only three days thereafter
there happened an occurrence tina
gave Manuel Chaves and Nicolas
Pine an opportunity TO prove thei
loyalty 20 their adopted country, Tit
revolution In Taos had broken out
and the American forces were ordered
20 march 10 that district to restore or
der Governor Bent and other prom
inent Americans had been murdered
/; was feared that the revolution
would spread all over the territory
That was in fact the plan OF the prlm,
movers OF the Taos outbreak. One o
the companies Of American trooop
was commanded by Captain Ceran 81
Nrain and Manuel Chayes and Nico
las Pine enlisted in this company a
privates and accompanied the Ameri
can forces to Taos. Both took an &C
tive part In the battle before tn
pueblo and NJ one time during tn
fight an Indian jumped from behint
! some bushes and grained he gun a