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Show 270 LEADING FACTS OF NEW MEXICAN THE HISTORY deal of excitement and ill feeling. Several large public meetings were held by the respective parties at Santa Fé. The agitation of a state government originated with the national administration. In the spring of 1849, James S. Calhoun went to New Mexico as Indian agent, but, upon his arrival, declared that he had secret instructions from the government at Washington to induce the people to form a state government.’’ The matter continued to be one of open discussion without much effect in favor of a state government until the arrival of Colonel George A. McCall, who came from the east join his regiment then in New Mexico.1% 104, i Francisco i Sarracino, who had been governor Mexican rule, was named as a ‘‘substitute’’ Session of congress admission was refused J. S., Indian Agent, Santa New ico Mexico Fé, 7 New Mexico, 16, October 16, not been able to procure a copy of the proche left fore one is not enclosed to you. Before the Honorable Hugh N. Smit a to for Washington, he informed me that Governor Washingt on had ae eon: approve, or rather to recognize officially, the actions and doings of t _ is All of which I submit to you without any additional with great respect, your obedient servant, ‘‘Hon. T. Ewing, ‘‘Secretary of the Interior, Washington, spheres of action. a duty it is considered as falling believe that the difficulties of the past is not doubted that the people of New organized. . . The question readily are still Mexico occurs, to letter Mess. theif army be ee there 1s encountered. rea to It ernment desire and want a g0V pan be how that government by the ap- and hig subordinates. Colonel McCall’s representation of the position of the government at Washington had its effect and the ' ‘territorial’? party at last yielded their preference and joined in the advocacy of a state government. At a public meeting held in the city of Santa Fé, on the 20th of April, 1850, resolutions were passed, among others declarations requesting the military and civil ci lesiag Colonel John Munroe, to issue a proclamation calling upon supplied. I have already adverted to past and still existing difficulties that have retarded and may continue to retard the action of the United States in © the part on the officers OF an riate beyond their ae to This condition has arisen from the omission of provide suitable governments, and in regard to the future The situation was aggravated be pect to this necessary and first want. J. 8. CRIT D. C.’’ . *%5 The position of the national administration is well defined in 4 from Secretary of War Crawford to Colonel McCall, Cal. and N. Mes. 1850, pp. 280-1: ‘‘Since their annexation these territories, in respect im civil government, have in a great measure depended there in command; ' gion 271 ment to the orders, wills, whims, and caprices of the military com- mander ‘‘Sir: I forward to you, for the information of whom it. may con cern It the printed Journal of the Convention of the Territory of N sacl a the is stated that the election for delegates was held ‘in conformity Ww! Aatit’ proclamation of Lieutenant Colonel Beall, civil and military CO ae ete. ete., I have vention. earliest possible moment. under 1849 MEXICO parent subserviency of the so-called judicial branch of the govern- delegate to congress. At he to a delegate elected from Deseret. Calhoun, Report: of WITH Colonel McCall found the people of New Mexico divided into two parties, as has been stated, the state party led by Calhoun, Alvarez, and Pillans, and the territorial by Colonel Céran St. Vrain, Judges Houghton, Beaubien, and others. He informed the people that there was no likelihood that a territorial form of government would be granted by congress and that President Zachary Taylor was determined that a state government should be formed so that the question of slavery and the boundary with Texas should be settled. It will be seen that affairs were in a very muddled condition. Naturally the people paid close attention to the advice given by Colonel McCall. They were anxious to be rid CONVENTION OF 1850 of the military rule which had now existed for nearly four years. The people who had come from the states of the union did not take kindly to the rule of a military commander in time of peace. To them a government of this sort was intolerable and the only question for determination for them was the securing of a strictly civil form of government at the in July, 1850, by a vote of 92 to 86 declined to admit him as a delegate. While Mr. Smith was endeavoring to secure a seat in congress, efforts were being made in New Mexico to form a state government, inasmuch as it was believed that the administration at Washington desired the admission of New Mexico at the earliest day possible. ‘* About this time,’’ says Davis, ‘‘two opposite parties sprang up, one in favor of a state, and the other of a territorial form of government, which engendered a great EFFORTS FOR STATE GOVERNMENT WAR of the duty Tk the case, has been To remove it may, in some degree, of officers of the army devolved on whom, a partial participation under the necessities in their civil affairs. th '8 therefore deemed proper that I should say that it is not believed that * People of New Mexico are required to await the movements of the Federal _ ment in relation to a plan of government for the regulation of their rite internal concerns. The constitution of the United States and the late bai with Mexico guarantee their admission in the union of our states, to the ODUY any Wish risy etto take stepsjudgment toward of congress. Should the people of New Mexico this object it will be your duty and the Ny of others Tt with whom you are associated not to thwart but to advance 3 ; ; . ‘to the union. ie 18 their right to appear before congr ess and ask for admission their Wisheg |