OCR Text |
Show 334 LEADING FACTS OF NEW MEXICAN HISTORY THE ply, the king, by royal cédula, dated May 20, 1620, ordered the viceroy to render all possible aid to the cabildo and the settlers.**” 837 Calle, Noticias, p. 103, says that the new governor, in 1608, was ordered to live at Santa Fé, and one or two authorities say that Ofiate left Santa Fé for his western tour in 1604-05. The city of Santa Fé— the City of the Holy Faith — lies in sheltered valley about two miles from the mouth of the canyon Santa Fé, almost in the very heart of the wooded Sangre de Beyond all doubt it is the most picturesque, the most romantic town States. Blessed by nature, hallowed by romance, the center of a greatest archeological interest, it has many attractions for the the scientist. a very fertile of the Rio de Cristo range. in the United region of the sight-seer and The original and full name of New Mexico’s capital is Villa Real de Santa Fé de San Francisco. It is the see of an archbishop of the Catholic church. It is the oldest capital in the United States. The thrilling and romantic incidents composing its history, the protracted and bloody struggles with hordes of savages, the capture and pillage by the Pueblos in 1680, the general massacre of the frailes of San Francisco, the flight of Governor Otermin and a few followers in the night for El Paso, the reserving of some of the handsomest Spanish maidens for the wives of Indian warriors, the destruction and deseeration of the churches, the restoration of the worship of idols, the re-conquest by De Vargas, the terrible punishment visited upon the rebellious Pueblos, the change from Spanish to Mexican rule, the American occupation, the stirring scenes of the old Santa Fé Trail, the wild deeds of desperadoes, and the fabulous hazards at cards in those days prior to the advent of the railways, afford the material for an epic poem. The old Palace, which was the official residence of the Spanish and Mexican governors for nearly three centuries, is a very quaint structure, interest when the incidents connected with its history are known. and of great The building is now occupied by the Historical Society of New Mexico, the Museum of New Mexico, and the Santa Fé School of American Archeology. There are relics of priceless value which may be seen in the collections of these several institutions, all installed in this old building. The old San Miguel church, probably the oldest Christian church building in the United States, is situated in a part of the city, which is full of historic interest. The building is about seventy-four feet long by thirty in width, and is thirty-five feet high. The walls are built of adobe, and the roof, like those of all the old churches, was constructed of very strong rafters — vigas — sup- ported by carved timbers at each end, the whole being covered originally with straight branches of poplar or willow, surmounted by a layer of adobe soil. The building was probably constructed shortly after 1605, probably during that year, asa large number of churches were built at that period under the direction of the friars. In the revolution of 1680 it was partially destroyed, though the walls remained standing. and completed in 1710. After the conquest by De Vargas There is an inscription, plainly it was visible, on repaired the great Square vigas near the entrance which reads: ‘‘EI Sefior Marques de la Penuela ae “gh fabrica. FE] Alféres Real Don Agustin Flores Vergara su criado. Afio There are two very fine paintings in this church building, one of the Archangel St. Michael and the Dragon of the Anunciation. ke ictge gai in ae city, which is undoubtedly of Pueblo Indian conpti ae ios aoe oe - antedate the coming of the Spaniards, is situated e church of San Miguel. This building until about the bepresent century was two stories in height, the second story being CONQUEST OF NEW MEXICO 335 About this time serious controversies arose between the political and ecclesiastical authorities, the custodio assuming the right to issue very low and the floor between the upper and lower rooms being adobe. Some years ago the upper story of the eastern portion fell and the entire second story was taken down when it was repaired (?). The Cathedral of San Francisco de Assisi is a modern building. It was built upon the site of and over the former adobe parish church, under the auspices of the lamented Archbishop J. B. Lamy. There are many fine paintings in this edifice; behind the altar is a richly carved and painted reredos, erected by Governor Del Valle in 1761. Back of the altar of this cathedral are hung the old paintings, and beneath it are the remains of two Franciscan friars, who were murdered by Indians, as attested by the inscription upon a beam set into the massive wall. The remains of Archbishop Lamy also rest here. On the east side of the main road entering the city from the north stand the ruins of the Garita, the only Spanish fortifications of which any remains now exist in New Mexico. It was built with two bastions, and occupies a prominent position on a hill. Under the Mexican government it was used as a customs house, and all wagons coming into the country over the Taos Trail and the Santa Fé Trail were stopped here, where the duties were paid. On the west side of the Garita, close to the wall, the four leaders of the revolution of 1837, Desiderio Montoya, Antonio Abad Montoya, General Chopon, and Alcalde Esquibel, were executed by command of General Manuel Armijo, in 1837. Near the Garita is the second oldest cemetery of the city, the oldest being that near the San Miguel church. The one at the Garita is surrounded by a high adobe wall. Many very celebrated historical characters and personages are buried here, but there are no stones marking the exact locality. Guadalupe church is just south of the Rio Santa Fé. Owing to the modern appearance of the shingle roof and steeple, it often escapes attention, but this building is of great historical interest. The walls are very massive, and the carved supports of the vigas are the best specimens of this sort in New Mexico. Prior to the year 1883, for a long period, this church was only opened once a year, on Guadalupe day, December 12th, but in that year under the direction of Father De Fouri, it was renovated and has since been used principally by the English-speaking Catholics of the city. The altar-piece is a large group of pictures, about 14 feet high by 10 feet wide. The large central painting is of the virgin of Guadalupe, copied from the celebrated ‘‘imagen’’ in Mexico, and it is surrounded by four scenes in the well known legend, representing the appearances of the virgin to Juan Diego and the visits of the latter to the bishop; the whole surrounded by the representation of the Trinity. The church and the sacristy contain many interesting paintings, the most curious and valuable being one painted on a plate of copper, 28x18 inches in size, by Sebastian Salcedo, in 1779. This also represents the virgin of Guadalupe, a small portrait of Pope Benedict XIV being introduced. The statuette of the virgin standing in the crescent of the new moon is a beautiful specimen of wood carving. The place of the assassination of Governor Perez is about two miles southwest of the Plaza on the Agua Fria road. It is now very appropriately marked by a neat stone monument erected by the Stephen Watts Kearny chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1901. It was here that the governor in the revolution of 1837, while retreating from the capital, was killed by an arrow shot by a Pueblo Indian from Santo Domingo. Santiago Prada, by threats the insurgent encampment His assailants then forced of death, to cut off his head, which was carried to near the Rosario chapel and treated with great indignity. The Plaza, in the center of the city, is of historic interest. Here Juan de |