Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-07-17
EFFORTS To MOVE
CAPITAL STARTED
Z CENTURIES AGO
Spanish Archives Reveal That
Our Ancestors Wanted the
Seat of State Government
Located Elsewhere,

ESPECIAL coRREsPoApGacr TO MORNING JOURNAL
Santa Fe, July 16.-That there were
efforts 22O years ago already to move
the capital of New Mexico. is appar-
ent from a Spanish archive just pre-
scented to the state museum by Cover
nor 0. A. Larrazolo. From it also APP
pears that there were accusations OF
graft in those days against high Off
Gals, in this instance no less per-
son than De Vargas, the conquerof'
and that the educational proutem was
TO the fore just as now ana mat the
authorities refused 10 do any more
for the capital city because II talled
to do things for itself. The archlVe is
an order by the viceroy OF New Spalh'
Count of Montezuma to the governor
of New Mexico, Don Pedro rodriguez
Cubero, TO abide by the resolutions Of
the Royal Audiencia of Mexico, passed
in its meeting of July 80, 1878. and
to comply with the directions and in
structions formulated at said meeting:
/. In regard to the people of santa
Fe petitioning for a removal OF the
capital TO the banks of the Rio
Grande, between Bernalillo and So
structions are given to select place
for additional settlements; this to be
done secretly and with special reTer-
ence to the water supply.
2. l answer to repeated petitions
presented on behalf of the inhabitants
of santa Fe, praying for further as
sistance in grain, clothing and other
means of subsistence refused-on the
ground that enough has already been
given to them. Mention is also MADE
of the complaints against Diego de
Vargas. which complaints will be Civ
en- consideration, and if proven, the
moneys recovered from Vargas are to
be applied to the assistance of the
settlers whom he is accused OF nav
ing defrauded.
3. orders that the church in New
Mexico receive small assistance IN
the shape of eight vestments, four
chalces, etc.
4. order thatt2OO firearms be sent
to New Mexico and distributed among
the settlers.
). Directs that Indians may be en-
Moved with their free will and consent
and with due compensation Of their
services, for the cultivation of lands,
etc.
6. Allows the governor to perpetu-
ate the dignities OF the Cabildo, If
deemed advisable, but refuses to sal
airy the officers.
7. Declares the impossibility of
sending a teacher at present, owing to
the unstable condition of New Mex
leo but promises to arrange with the
father custodian to have the children
taught reading and writing by the
parish priests without cost to the set
tiers until it may become possible to
establish secular schools.
s. Authorizes the governor of New
Mexico to gather the Indians still dis
Dersed and to settle them somewhere
in the vicinity of Santa lTe, provided
It be not detrimental to the interests
! of these Indians.
The servant question was a prob
| lem even in those days; evidently the
| salary question doomed important
| Another archive tells of an official
vie't to Albuquerque and all the other
villas and pueblos in New Mexico by
/ Governor and Captain General Gaspar
| Domingo de Mendoza in 1742. The Of
| fetal inspection trip which every gov
rvnor was REQUIRED to make during his
! term, took the months of April, May
June and July. It was toward the END
! Of Nnndo2a's administration and his
| signature, as well as that of his secre'
tary, with their rubrics occur after
tho roport on each place visited These
piaces were Taos, picuris, San Juan
| santa Clara, san Ildefonso, Nambe
Tesuuue. Santa Cruz, which, witt
Santa Fe and Albuquerque, were thu
c0i,. villas in New Mexico: Pojoaque
Galisteo Pecos Cochiti. Santo Domin
go, san Felipe, santa Ana. Iia, Jemez
Iaguna, Acoma Zuni and finally olt
Albuuueruue. The report gives goot
idea of Spanish administration ii
thos DAYS and enumerates many case
and feuds that the governor heard ant
decided on the visit.
The archives are annotated b.