Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1905-01-21
Historical Society ofNew Mexico
Procures Documents Pre-.
cious to the Pioneer An.
nails of the Territory.
ARE RARE AND UNIQUE
New Lustsr Shed Upon Those Early
Days When the Foundation of an
lmperishabIe Commonwealth
Was Laid.

| "A lew uoyo dSO luc I1lSLOIlCdI OO-
ciety of New Mexico, through it's
president, Hon. L. Bradford Prince,
purchased lot of valuable historical
documents which had been the proper
ty of Donaciono Vigil, the first secre-
tary of the Territory of New Mexico
and who for sometime was also acting
governor during the years 1S46-47.
This collection had been augmented
oy his son Epifanio Vigil who was a
very fine translator and interpreter
and q great collector of historical pa
pers and documents, ,all relating to the
history Of New Mexico. When Epifanio
Vigil died the papers passed to his
son who disposed of them to the His
torical Society at low figure because
his father had desired that this should
be done. Some very interesting, rare
and unique documents relating to New
Mexico and the time between 1846 and
1870 are contained therein The New
Mexican has had one of them trans
lated and it is such delicious bit of
history and so thoroughly descriptive
of the customs and feelings of the
times in this section sixty years ago
that this paper takes occasion to re-
publish it. The translation, and it is
an excellent one was done by Ireneo
L. Chaves, who was for many years
clerk of the U. s. Court of Private
Land Claims, and who is |
r., hot
any Spanish scholar anywhere. The
document is the proclamation issued
by the commanding general of the
Mexican forces In Durango, Jose Maria
Arlegui and is dated in Durango, May
%, 1846. The proclamation reads:
sThe Commanding Genei .af the De-
partment OF Durango, to TIE Troops
Under His Command.
"Fickle fortune has denied us it's
favors; hardly have hostilities COM
with the invading hosts when
. deadly blow, after our victory, puts
our patriotism to test. Patience, SOL
1iers! for such are the fortunes Of
war
LAG C4OOPO VI LAC OAlCCu oLdlCOI |
sent by their government to take from
Us our national independence, which
mas cost us so much blood, have gained
! momentary victory over our brave
soldiers of the northern division of
'ur army. The splendor of our arms
las been darkened in a bloody battle
through the superiority of the enemy's
lrtillery. But what matters one re-
'erse! All the nation will rise en-
nasse to avenge the outrages inflicted
lpon us by the hated Yankees
1--WE will march, comrades, to the
heaters of war If the supreme gov. l.
so disposes, as I have already
'etitioned the government In your
lames, as we'll as in my own.
"The temporary executive IS busy
Erecting energetic measures in order
o regain our lost ground and sustain q
he dignity of our country. Numerous
roops are on the way to Matamoros,
ut very soon we will have an army
here capable of blocking the daring
march of the North Americans. Heav-
n permit that we may be participant
n a victory, and that the magnani-
nous Mexican nation shall be freed
rom her enemies.
Soldiers: Meanwhile I recommend
0 you harmony and the strictest of
iscipline; these are the strongest
Weapons in war, and without them all
= lost Pierce the hreasts of the in (
amous invaders, who would dispossess
8 of our territory, with your bayo-
cts. Long live the Republic; Long
I've the Supreme Government! Long
I've Independence! Death to our ene-
1ies.
Durango, May 20, 1846. "
Jose MARIA ARLEGUI."
Printing ONCE" c