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Show LEADING FACTS OF NEW MEXICAN HISTORY than they cerned, with the whom settlers in New Mexico for over dred years had mingled to such an extent as to produce class in which the Spanish and native blood about two hun- a mixed equally pre- ey, for themselves ALATA cared more This feeling, there is small doubt, the interdid for the people. course with the American people arising and growing out of the the Santa Fé trade did much to foster and encourage, and when American army arrived in New Mexico there were many who regarded the coming of the American as best for the interests of the Insofar as the native races were concitizens of the territory. w A that the rulers of the country i The character ces. plains for the conquest of the Internal Provin es were well distanc and and opinions of the people, the routes known at Washington. ent favorable to a There also existed in New Mexico a sentim the New Mexicans which dge change of sovereignty, and the knowle in some quarters, people, an Americ the to e had acquired relativ The constant them. had created a very friendly feeling toward total lack of almost the and s Indian ing trouble with the maraud government in the by Mexico New of people the to given nce assista American sovcontrolling these savages made many believe that was not Mexico to nce allegia Their ble. prefera be ereignty might ing indicat ions condit of They were daily witnesses overly strong. 8 Nays, Mon banhy 198 vailed, these, notwithstanding their consanguinity, had never be- come loyal supporters of either the Spanish or the Mexican rulers of the country. The power and influence of the clergy in tem- Together with the officers poral affairs was everywhere manifest. of the army and a few prominent men they were the ruling power: Although a feeble attempt was made in the days immediately succeeding the inauguration of the republican form of government, by the establishment of the ayuntamientos and the territorial and departmental deputations, and later the assembly, to establish a truly representative government, within a very few years the functions of these bodies practically were nil and the conduct of affairs was of the goveither placed in or usurped by the unrestricted will un- administered on the basis of open and money was the most powerful passport to and blushing corruption ernors. Justice was judicial and executive favors.1*° 136 Chittenden, Chi ; H. M., History of the American Fur Trade, vol. ii, p- 486. SKETCH - BATTLE OF LA CANADA GOL_PRICES DESPATCH ACCOMPANYING |