1526, English, Unpublished edition: Spanish Documents/New Mexico Collection Santa Anna, Antonio Lopez de, 1794?-1876; Fernandes de La Cueva Enriquez, Francisco; Otero, Miguel; ...

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Spanish Documents/New Mexico Collection
 
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Physical Description
  • 8 boxes (4 linear feet)
  • Receipts (Acknowledgments), Wills, Letters, Decrees, Proclamations, Certificates, Reports, Licenses, Military orders, Executive orders, Inventories, Petitions, Claims
Published
  • L. Tom Perry Special Collections
  • 1526-1924
Language
  • English

Edition details

Title
  • Spanish Documents/​New Mexico Collection
Creator
  • Santa Anna, Antonio Lopez de, 1794?-1876
  • Fernandes de La Cueva Enriquez, Francisco
  • Otero, Miguel
  • Price, Bradford L. Houghton, Joab, 1811-
  • Bent, Charles, 1799-1847
  • Anza, Juan Bautista de, 1735-1788
  • Onate, Juan de, 1549?-1624
  • Vargas, Diego de, 1643-1704
Published
  • L. Tom Perry Special Collections
  • 1526-1924
Physical Description
  • 8 boxes (4 linear feet)
  • Receipts (Acknowledgments), Wills, Letters, Decrees, Proclamations, Certificates, Reports, Licenses, Military orders, Executive orders, Inventories, Petitions, Claims
Subjects
Notes
  • Creators include: Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, president of Mexico; Francisco Fernandes de La Cueva Enriquez, 34th viceroy of New Spain; Miguel Otero, territorial representative to the United States Congress for New Mexico; Bradford L. Price, governor of New Mexico; Joab Houghton, judge in New Mexico; Charles Bend, governor of New Mexico; Juan Bautista de Anza, governor of New Mexico; Juan de Onate, a colonizer of New Mexico; and Diego de Vargas, governor of El Paso and colonizer in New Mexico. Photocopies of handwritten and printed receipts, wills, correspondence, royal decrees, proclamations, pronouncements, grants, certificates, reports, licenses, orders, inventories, petitions, claims, and requests. The materials are in Spanish some of which include translations. The items were created mainly by New Mexican government officials and persons connected with local and territorial governments of that area. The majority of the documents deal with the Mexican period (1840-1847) of New Mexico history, and the background to that era. The collection also relates to Mexican policies in New Mexico, relations with Indians (chiefly Apaches) in New Mexico and Chihuahua, the war with Mexico (1846-1848), the colonization of New Mexico, the history of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and New Mexico during its territorial period. From Northern Mexico On the Eve of the United States Invasion: Rare Imprints Concerning California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, 1821-1846, ed. by David J. Weber, New York: Arno Press, 1976. The introduction, p.7: The area now known as the Southwestern United States formed the northern frontier of independent Mexico between 1821 and 1854. The Mexican period of Southwestern history began when Mexico won its independence from Spain in 1821, and included a dramatic struggle between Indians, Mexicans, and Anglo Americans for control over the area. Anglo Americans began to enter the area in large numbers in 1821. Most settled in Texas, and soon outnumbered the Mexicans there. By 1836, Texas had revolted from Mexico and would be annexed by the United States in 1845. The next year, 1846, United States forces occupied Mexican communities in New Mexico, Arizona, and Upper California during the "Mexican" War. In 1848, the treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo officially ended the war and gave the United States title to what is now know as California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah, along with parts of Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, and Oklahoma. The United States' acquisition of northern Mexico became complete in 1854 with James Gadsden's purchase of parts of Arizona and New Mexico from President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. Between 1845 and 1854, the United States took possession of an area approximately the size of Mexico today.From Lucille Pratt's report: Most of the documents in this register are dated within the 19th century, with a substantial portion from the 17th and 18th centuries, and a small portion from the 20th century. The documents pertain to the area now known as the state of New Mexico of the United States of America. Many of the documents were created when this area was part of the Presidencia of Nueva Galicia under the Viceroyalty of New Spain, as a part of the overseas empire of the European nation of Spain. Other documents were created when control was exercised by the United States of Mexico. This political jurisdiction was changed in 1848, when the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo served to officially end the Mexican War between the United States and Mexico. The Territory of New Mexico was created in 1840 and the area became the forty-seventh state in 1912, a part of the United States of America. A large portion of these manuscripts originated during the Mexican War. Some were created by personnel assigned to the U.S. Army traveling from Fort Leavenworth via Santa Fe and San Diego to Monterey, California. Other documents were created by U.S. Army personnel assigned to work in Matamoros during the war. Matamoros is located across the Rio Grande River in the area now known as Brownsville, Texas. Other documents were created by U.S. Army officers, under the command of General Winfield Scott, during his march from the Veracruz to Mexico City in the Mexican War. A final portion of the documents pertain to the area of Chihuahua, both before and after it became the North-Central Mexican state bordering on the United States.Biographies of Important Individuals in the New Mexico Collection: (Pratt)Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana, ca. 1795-1876. Active in the independent Mexican government on numerous occasions between 1822 and 1855, Santa Ana was notable on several counts. He serviced twice as President of the Republic of Mexico; dictator in 1841 and 1853, with the title of Serene Highness in the last Epoch of his Rule (Twitchell, p.?) He changed political philosophies at will, in order to take control of the government. He also enjoyed participating in battles or physical activities or ceremonies to enhance his stature and (for the most part) left the administration of the government to subordinates. When he was not attacking or celebrating, he was usually found in retirement at his hacienda in the State of Veracruz, and the ministers (the equivalent of the United States Cabinet) would manage the government till the next crisis led to Santa Ana's re-appearance on the scene of action. He served as unofficial president more often than as official president, and was the head man about seventeen different times, often leading a revolt against the contemporary official president. He commanded the Mexican army which surrendered to General Sam Houston in 1836 in Texas. The nation of Mexico refused to recognize his terms of surrender, and in the next decade sent several armies northward to attempt to re-take Texas or else to defend New Mexico against Texan attackers. Santa Ana lost an arm in the Pastry War in 1838, and was in control of the government between 1841-1844 and 1853-1855 and served as provisional president while he commanded the Mexican army against the United States in 1846-1847, suffering defeats near Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, and at Mexico City.(Pratt) Biographical sketches of noteworthy individuals, although they aren't the major figures in originating or receiving the documents covered by this register:Francisco Fernandez de La Cueva Enriquez, Duke of Albuquerque, Marquis of Collear and of Caderyeta. The Duke of Albuquerque was the 34th viceroy of New Spain. He was the second of his title to hold the office. He arrived at Veracruz on October 6, 1702, and assumed control of the government on November 27 of the same year. He enjoyed the confidence of Felipe V, and continued in the viceroyalty until 1710, when he was succeeded by Don Fernando de Alencastre Norona y Silva, duke of Linares and marques of Valdefuentes (Twitchell, 421).Jose Antonio Chavez. Chavez and General Chavez served as representatives in the congress for many years (Twitchell, 9).Francisco Javier Chavez. Chavez was born in Beleen, Valencia county, New Mexico, in 1780. He married Ana Maria Castillo, a native of the same. They had nine children. Two of Chavez' sons served as governor of New Mexico, the first in 1835, Mariano.General Diego Archuleta. Archuleta was a deputy in the congress of the republic, but there is no official record of his election to or participation in the deliberations of that body (Twitchell, 9).Miguel Otero. A native of New Mexico, Otero served as the territorial representative to the United States Congress on several occasions. He was notable for his influence in getting funds appropriated for road-building within the area. He also served as Governor of the Territory in the early 20th century. Arizona and New Mexico areas were both originally represented by him, but the Territory of Arizona was created in 1863. During his term as governor, he faced charges brought against him by an ex-territorial governor of New Mexico, L. Bradford Prince.Bradford L. Prince. Prince was born in New York City and graduated from the law school at Columbia University. He served as both a legislator and senator within the state before he moved to the frontier areas and settled in the Territory of New Mexico. He had been offered the governorship of the Idaho area, but preferred the areas of Santa Fe and Albuquerque. He served as governor of the territory and also as the chief justice of the judicial system there. He was especially notable for his strong religious feelings, his collection of stone idols, (which is said to be the largest in the United States), and his support of schools and historical associations. He authored several books dealing with Christianity, the U.S. government system, and the history of New Mexico and its laws. He and his friends brought charges before Theodore Roosevelt against Territorial Governor Miguel Otero. By reading the letters, one may feel that racial prejudice was involved in the case.Donaciano Vigil. Vigil, a native New Mexican (1802-1877), held several public positions under the Mexican regime, both civil and military, and enjoyed the confidence of the people. He was active in the expeditions against the Navajos in 1823, 1833, 1836, and 1838. He was taken prisoner during the revolution of 1837 at La Canada. Later he was military secretary under Governor Armijo and was twice a member of the departmental assembly. He served as an officer under Armijo at the time of General Kearney's arrival. Governor Vigil after his term of office as governor expired held many positions of honor and trust under the government. He was repeatedly chosen to the territorial legislature, his last term being in 1964-65. He was a staunch Union man during the Civil War. He died in Santa Fe at the home of his son, Epifanio. He was known for his high character, his patriotism, and his sagacity, and as a firm friend of liberty and humanity (Twitchell, 264). Vigil was the first effective governor of New Mexico under American administration. He was also the first Hispanic governor. General Stephen Watts Kearny named Vigil as his secretary, or lieutenant governor, when he named Charles Bent as interim governor. After Bent was killed in the Taos rebellion in 1847, Vigil assumed gubernatorial duties, which he did through 1848. It was a difficult and transitional period in New Mexican history. Vigil's ancestry includes distinguished Spanish soldiers, such as Francisco Montes de Vigil, who became a pioneer of 17th century New Mexico. Francisco and other Vigils prospered and became one of the wealthy families in Santa Fe. Donaciano was recognized as one of the best educated, most scholarly men in Santa Fe. He led many defense attacks against the Navajos and Apaches in the Santa Fe area. Unfortunately, Vigil was provoked into committing acts of minor insubordination and jailed by a superior officer. He escaped from jail during the Pueblo Rebellion in 1837 and organized a company to defend the Mexican Governor Albino Perez. Shortly after Perez' death, Manual Armijo appointed Vigil as his secretary. During this time, he traveled around to arouse the Mexican citizens to prepare for defense against an anticipated attack by the United States. Vigil founded a newspaper in Santa Fe titled La Verdad in 1844. It was the second newspaper in the territory; the first was El Crepusculo, published by Padre Martinez in Taos. Vigil was employed by General Kearny to draft a new code of laws. He was influential in adding the provisions peculiar to New Mexico and favorable to its Hispanic people. Vigil also worked as Charles Bent's secretary, then the governor after Bent was killed. He was instrumental in his attempts to achieve statehood for New Mexico, and took action to improve the living status of the people of New Mexico, such as the following: he helped many people retain possession of land, and his investigations in this area helped to establish Spanish land grants by several Indian Pueblos. He drafted rules to establish circuit courts, helped reorganize the militia, assisted in selecting a university site and board near Santa Fe, which efforts were frustrated. He also donated his salary to help the poor. In addition, Vigil served as head of the Board of Supervisors of Education and served terms in the territorial legislature. He also helped found a village near the abandoned Pecos Pueblo, where he moved and acquired land. In summary, much of his efforts were focused on public service. He was loyal and helpful toward the new government. (From Los Patrones: Profiles of Hispanic Political Leaders in New Mexico History, by Maurilio Vigil.Joab Houghton. Houghton (1811-?), born in New York state, received a college education and worked as a civil engineer. When he was thirty-three years of age, he came to New Mexico and was then appointed United States consul at Santa Fe in 1845. At this time, he engaged in merchandising with Eugene Leitensdorfer, and from 1846 to 1848, theirs was one of the leading mercantile houses west of the Missouri. Their store was located in Santa Fe. Houghton was chief justice of the superior court by appointment of General Kearny; his associates were Carlos Beaubien and Antonio Jose Otero. He held his first term of court for Santa Fe county in December 1846, and continued to hold court regularly at the appointed terms until he retired from the bench in 1852. Judge Houghton presided at Taos in the trials of the men accused of the murder of Governor (Charles) Bent. He was not educated to the bar, and his court reors from 1846 to 1850 demonstrate crude entries. From these entries, it appears that his experience in practicing justice in those turbulent times was not satisfactory to himself or to litigants. During the Civil War he was a staunch Union man, expressing his sentiments when it required nerve to maintain his patriotism. In 1862 Judge Houghton was an acting U.S. district attorney and as such drew several indictments against prominent citizens. In the year 1865, when Judge Houghton was again appointed to the bench, he was assigned to the Third judicial district and while officiating as judge, various suits were brought to him under the act of congress of March 3, 1863, authorizing the confiscation of property in certain cases. By his rulings, he laid himself open to the severest criticism, much of which was brought about through his lack of legal knowledge. His court was called a "prize court;" and so great was the indignation in certain quarters against the judge, the U.S. attorney, and the marshal, that on December 5, 1865, they were denounced to their faces as unmitigated scoundrels. It is impossible now to realize how overwhelming was the excitement and prejudice of those days. The exercise of calm judgment seems to have been almost an impossibility. In his two official terms he appears to have filed but one written opinion; that was in the case of Archibeque vs. Miera, in 1869, in which year he was succeeded by Judge Bergen, appointed by President Grant. Houghton, along with Murray F. Tuley, worked on creating a constitution for the state of New Mexico. A convention was held at Santa Fe on May 15, 1850 for this purpose. James H. Quinn was elected president. (Twitchell, 272).Charles Bent (1798-1847). Bent was born in Charlestown, Virginia, in 1798. His father was of English ancestry; his mother was part French. He was a highly educated man and graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He resigned from the army and engaged in mercantile pursuits at St. Louis, Missouri. In 1828 he left for the far west over the Santa Fe trail, looking for a location for the establishment of business. With his brother William, he built the post known as Bent's Fort on the Arkansas. He went to Santa Fe in 1832, where the Bent brothers established a general merchandising business. Bent had six brothers. He was afterward a business partner of Colonel Ceran St. Vrain and so continued until the day of his death. The firm of Bent and St. Vrain was one of the most important engaged in the fur trade. It ranked next to the American Fur Company. They also had a fort on the South Platte. Governor Bent was married to Maria Ignacia Jaramillo, a daughter of Don Francisco and Apolonia (Vigil) Jaramillo, who died at Taos, April 13, 1883. Mrs. Bent's sister, Josefa Jaramillo, was the wife of Colonel Kit Carson. His remains are buried in the National cemetery at Santa Fe. Prince, L. Bradford, Address at ceremonies attending the unveiling of the painting of Governor Bent which hangs in the capitol at Santa Fe, said, "The leaders in the north stirred up the Indians of the pueblo of Taos, and were only waiting for the proper time to strike a decisive blow. The people were evidently very excited, and their animosity was directed not only against the Americans among them, but also against those of their own people who had accepted office under the new government. During the day Governor Bent was advised to leave town for his own safety, but he had no thought of personal danger. All through the night of January 18th the village of Taos was in an uproar. Nearly all the Indians from the pueblo were in town and the saloons and public halls were filled with people. Demagogues were haranguing the populace and inflaming their passions. Whisky and wine were flowing without stint and the excitement and tumult increased with the passing hours. Under the incendiary persuasion of Pablo Montoya, 'The Santa Ana of the North' and Tomasito Romero, an influential Pueblo Indian, the Mexicans and Indians were aroused to a condition of frenzy." The persons killed at Taos were Louis Lee, acting sheriff of Taos, Cornelio Vigil, prefect, J.W. Leal, district attorney, Pablo Jaramillo, a brother of Mrs. Bent, and Narcisco Beaubien, a son of Don Carlos Beaubien, circuit judge, and Governor Bent (Twitchell, 234).Juan de Onate. In 1595, Onate won the contract (from the Crown) for colonizing New Mexico. The contract went to the highest bidder. Onate was a personal friend of the viceroy and his wife was a descendant of Hernando Cortez, the conqueror of Mexico City. He organized a colonizing expedition in 1598. On August 18, his group named the area of the Rio Grande and the Chama River, San Juan Bautista. Onate, desiring to become rich, sent a company to explore what is now Arizona, where the captain thought he found a rich mine. Another company was sent to attack the Indians of Acoma. He led other expeditions as well. However, he was not recompensed for his efforts, and the Council of the Indies considered aconadoning New Mexico and led an investigation against Onate, who resigned from the Council. The Council decided to create a missionary settlement in the area. In 1612, a trial began that led to Onate's conviction for engaging in immoral conduct, for mistreating the Indians, for exaggerating the riches of New Mexico, and for mistreating his officers. As a result of the conviction, Onate lost his titles, was banished from Mexico City for four years, and was fined 6,000 ducats. He did however, succeed in his part of colonizing New Mexico, which became a permanent colony that antedated both Jamestown, Virginia, and Plymouth, Massachusetts.Juan Bautista de Anza. Anza was born in Sonora, joined the military and became captain of soldiers posted in Tubac, what is now southern Arizona. The other three Spanish outposts were located in Texas, New Mexico, and California. These areas needed security against the Indians and the Russians from Alaska, and French from Canada, and English from the east coast of U.S. Anza's idea to open an overland route from Tubac to California in order to transport supplies. The viceroy in Mexico City accepted the idea and gave Anza permission to take a group of volunteers to explore the trail, which he did successfully. The viceroy promoted him to the rank of lieutenant colonel and permitted him to lead a colonizing expedition to California to support the Franciscan missions and provide security against Russian aggression. Anza made the expedition and founded a colony which later became San Francisco. In 1778, Anza was appointed as governor of New Mexico, and attempted to carry out Croix plan to make allies of the Comanche Indians. In August 1779, Anza organized a large group of soldiers, settlers and Indian allies and led them to Colorado, near the Arkansas River, where they battled successfully against the Comanches. He founded a presidio at Tucson, Arizona, which became a route to California via the crossing at the Colorado River. This crossing place had been overrun by Apaches, so Anza frightened away the Apaches and encouraged expansion of the colony.Diego de Vargas. Governor of El Paso, was a wealthy Spanish landowner who was burdened by debts, including his attempt to make money in New Mexico. He subdued the hostile Indians in the El Paso area, and conquered Santa Fe, along with over 20 pueblos. He was active in several other attacks against the Indians. In 1697, he was replaced as governor by Pedro Rodriguez Cubero, who accused Vargas of many misdeeds and jailed him for three years, after which Cubero fled to Mexico. He is famous for his attacks against the hostile Indians and making the colony secure for a significant length of time. He abolished the encomienda system by which Spaniards had exacted exploitive tribute from the Indians consigned to them. He ultimately sacrificed his life for the welfare of the colony subjects and was killed by hostile Indians during a defense campaign against the latter.Pedro Bautista Pino. Spanish liberals met in Cadiz in 1810, and called for delegates to assemble there as a cortesor parliament, for drafting a constitution under which that body would become the legislative assembly in a constitutional monarchy. Bautista Pino was one of three candidates chosen to represent the Cortes. Ralph Emerson Twitchell later described Bautista Pino as "the most able statesman ever born in New Mexico during Spanish rule." He was a wealthy, well-educated, highly respected don, who was a descendant of two pioneers who had come to Santa Fe with Diego de Vargas. His wife, Ana Maria, traced her ancestry back to captain Nicolas Ortiz Nino ladron de Guevara. Pino traveled to Cadiz, where he joined in the deliberations of the Cortes, which had finished crafting the constitution. Pino's contribution was the presentation of a plea in behalf of his fellow New Mexicans, which was titled Exposicion. It includes his petition for a reorganization of the colonial military establishment, the foundation of five more forts, salaries for militia men, a bishopric for New Mexico separate from that of Durango, and support for a school system. Pino then left Spain and visited London, during which time the Spanish king Ferdinand VII returned to the throne in 1814, dissolved the Cortes, abrogated the Constitution, and jailed the liberal leaders. He also ignored Pino's petitions in the Exposicion. Pino's Exposicion was translated into English and published. It became a valuable source of historical studies of conditions in New Mexico prior to the beginning of the Mexican period in 1821.Manuel Armijo. Became governor of New Mexico in 1827, during which time he strengthened military defense. He was also a member of the Diputacion, an advisory council for the Mexican governors in Santa Fe. In 1836, he became governor of Santa Fe, but was replaced by the newly appointed Mexican governor, Albino Perez. After the latter was killed by the Pueblo Indians of Taos (Taos rebellion), Armijo joined with the Indians and formed a new government, and later defeated the same group of Indians in order to become the governor. He led a group of militia, along with Texans who had been sent to conquer New Mexico in 1841. The group ended up in Mexico. He strengthened the militia in several towns, levied taxes on wagons entering New Mexico on the Santa Fe trail, and warned of U.S. invasion. He also gave many land grants to influential residents. He collected silverware for the purchase of arms for defense in the invasion of 1846. Armijo is praised for his efforts in strengthening New Mexican defense against "dangerous foreigners," and praised by the dons whom he had given land grants. The Mexican clergy of the province praised him because of their exaggerated ideas regarding religious freedom, which they knew was espoused by the President of the United States. There are negative things about Armijo as well. He was said to have kept the silverware for himself, instead of giving it to the army. It was rumored that he gained his wealth by gambling and stealing sheep, and that after Perez replaced him in office, he worked with a secret group that led the rebellion against Perez.Antonio Jose Martinez (1798-1867). Martinez was reputed as one of the best educated and most enlightened figures in New Mexico during a period when many were illiterate. Some biographers of Jean Baptiste Lamy scorn Martinez, who engaged in rivalry with the former for almost 30 years. Martinez was born in Abiqui, New Mexico, displayed a quest for learning and scholarship that continued throughout his life. He married Maria Luz Martinez, who died in childbirth. He studied for the priesthood at the university in Durango, New Mexico. He was ordained a priest in 1824 and began work as the parish priest in Abiquiu in 1824. He was later transferred to Taos, where he spent most of his life. He established a parochial school in 1827, one of the first in the area. He educated three students who became New Mexico territorial delegates to the congress, as well as many students who became priests. Martinez had a long career in public service, which started in 1830 with his election to the fourth New Mexico Territorial Assembly under the Mexican government. He wrote many essays on human liberty, focusing on religious freedom and tolerance, an idea that was foreign to the Mexican government policy that was intolerant to all non-Catholic religions. Martinez founded the first newspaper in the territory, named El Crepusculo, which he used to express his political and social views, and to publish religious material. He published a book titled Derecho Civil (Civil Rights). Martinez was nominated in 1843 as delegate to the Mexican Congress, but Governor Manuel Armijo nominated Diego Archuleta instead, which was most likely very disappointing for Martinez. Although some Chicanos in New Mexico say that Martinez was one of the last true patriots of the Mexican cause in New Mexico, historians indicate that his viewpoint was more pragmatic, that one should adjust to the circumstances to secure the best arrangement under the new regime. Martinez was a strong advocate of education, civil rights, and religious liberty. After New Mexico became occupied by the Americans, Martinez told his students that the American system which involved separation of church and state and focus on religious freedom would result in a loss of the church's influence. Because of his statement, many of Martinez' students changed their focus of studies to other areas besides the priesthood. Historians claim that Martinez encouraged the uprisings that occurred in 1847 in Taos, Mora, and Las Vegas opposing the new American regime, but no conclusive evidence can be found to substantiate this belief. Martinez' biographers state that he gave refuge to Americans pursued by the New Mexican mob that killed Charles Bent and several others. Martinez was elected president to the territorial convention of October, 1848, and 1849. The purpose was to appeal to the U.S. government to establish the territory of New Mexico, to discourage slavery, which was a hot issue of that time, and to discourage the cut-off of New Mexico in favor of Texas. The appeal was denied (for the New Mexico territory). Statehood for New Mexico was the focus of the 1850 convention, during which Congress voted to create a territory for New Mexico. Martinez was elected as a member and president of the first territorial council of New Mexico in 1851, and re-elected in 1852, after which he retired from most political pursuits. Martinez is remembered as being a pioneer in education, in religion (for his belief in religious freedom), and in social philosophy for his ideas on civil rights and human justice, as well as a publisher and statesman.J. Francisco Chavez, 1833-1904. Chavez achieved outstanding status as an educated, wealthy man, a distinguished military officer, and in his political career. He was born in Los Padillas, which is now Bernalillo County, New Mexico. His grandfather, Francisco Javier Chavez, was governor of New Mexico shortly after Mexican independence from Spain. His father, Mariano Chavez, served as Chief of Staff to General Manuel Armijo, among his other achievements. Francisco Chavez was sent by his father to St. Louis in order to be educated and learn English. He attended St. Louis University until 1846 at the outbreak of the Mexican War. He interpreted General Kearney's proclamations. After the army, his mother sent him to New York, where he completed his education. He studied medicines at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, then returned to Mexico and managed the family ranch. He also raised sheep, which he marketed in California. In 1857, Chavez married Mary Bowie of California. Chavez led many successful military expeditions against the Navajos, who had raided the New Mexican colonies. He was elected and served partial term in the territorial legislative assembly. Chavez served as Major of a regiment to defend New Mexico against attack by Confederate forces. Chavez commanded an escort for the officials of newly-created Arizona. The officials established the capital at Granite (now Prescott) Arizona. Chavez was then honorably discharged. Chavez then became a lawyer and was active politically as a Republican territorial delegate to Congress. He also served as District Attorney for the Second Judicial District including Valancia and Bernalillo Counties. Chavez served on the territorial legislative council, of which he was president several times, and was appointed New Mexico Historian in 1903, but died before his tenure began. Unfortunately, Chavez was mysteriously assassinated, and the culprit has never been found. Chavez was highly esteemed and respected by the New Mexican public. He was reputed to be a patriot, who defended his people, and helped make New Mexico history for many years. He was brilliant, aggressive, and well-educated, a good parliamentarian and criminal lawyer, eloquent orator and very knowledgeable about New Mexico politics.Miguel A. Otero, Jr. Served as territorial governor for nine years, was one of the most efficient administrators in New Mexico political history. During that time, much groundwork was laid for the statehood of New Mexico. When President William McKinley requested Miguel Otero to recruit volunteers in the Spanish-American war, Otero did so, and many Hispanics responded to the call. Many of these Hispanics formed the group of Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders in the Battle of San Juan Hill.Notable Individuals:Governors of the Department of Mexico. Held title of Jefe (or Gefe) Politico until 1837: Antonio Viscarra, 1822; Francisco Javier Chaves, 1823; Bartolome Baca, 1823-September 1825; Antonio Narbona, 1824-May 1827; Manuel Armijo, 1827-28; Antonio Viscarra, acting, 1828; Jose Antonio Chaves, 1828-31; Santiago Abreu, 1831-33; Francisco Sarracino, 1833-35; Juan Rafael Ortiz, acting, 1834; Mariano Chaves, acting, May-July 1835; Albino Perez, 1835-37.Held title of Governor from this period onward: Pedro Munoz, acting, 1837-38; Jose Gonzales, revolutionary governor, 1837-38; Manuel Armijo, 1838-40; Antonio Sandoval, acting, 1841; Mariano Martinez de Lejanza, 1844-45; Jose Chaves, acting, 1845; Juan Bautista Vigil y Alarid, acting, 1846.Political titles: Jefe/​gefe politico; Alcalde =​ Justice of the peace, or mayor (dictionary); Ayuntamiento =​ Municipal Government; Cabildo =​ Town Council; Secretaria de Hacienda =​ Minister of Finance; Secretaria de Guerra y Marina =​ Secretary of War and Navy; Primera Secretaria de Estado =​ First Secretary of State. New Mexico:Pratt: A75-53: (Now MSS SC 167) This collection was purchased from Western Hemisphere, Inc., and the Accession Log doesn't indicate any monetary figure as an evaluation. It does summarize the collection as 39 autographed letters and signed documents plus two franked envelopes. Most of these are from ex-Colonel William Davenport, seeking compensation for expenses incurred as military governor of Matamoros between 1848 and 1849. A few of the replies are signed by Secretary of War Charles Conrad, and later by Secretary of War Jefferson Davis. Davis apparently rejected the balance of the claim in 1855, since an initial settlement had been arranged in 1852.(Pratt) A76-29: Baca/​Stapleton folder: This folder contains documents, newspaper clippings, obituaries, poems, and printed forms. The documents include the settlements arranged at the time of the marriage of Robert H. Stapleton and Paula Baca; then in 1884, documents of the divorce suit brought by Robert. Other documents indicate that Stapleton held various local offices in and around Socorro, New Mexico. Undoubtedly this folder was considered part of the manuscript collection purchased from W.P. Zundel, probably for $2,000 or less. The folder does not include translations.A74-97: The two folders contained 55 miscellaneous Santa Fe documents and deeds, ca. 1815-1850. The container list indicates that there were 62 documents, some of which originate in Mexico City, and many of which deal with purely local affairs, as well as affairs in the localities of Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and La Canada. Some documents are signed by governors of the area, while it belonged to Mexico. Other documents bear Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana's name, although they were probably signed by the contemporary (Ministry) Ministro de Hacienda.No evidence among the manuscripts exists regarding any of the Texans' military or guerrilla attacks, nor of any Mexican army being sent or gathered locally to protect the Santa Fe area against Kearney's approach. The documents do give evidence of the army led to Texas by Santa Ana, which met with initial success and was eventually defeated at the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836 by a Texas army under the command of Sam Houston. Neither is there any evidence of government knowledge (either Mexican or United States) of plans which were adopted by Houston and involved important individuals in Chihuahua, Coahuila, New Mexico, Arizona, and California, as well as several important southerns in the United States, for the creation and conquest of a greater Texan nation, stretching to the Pacific Ocean. It was projected to include all the territory later taken by the United States in the Mexican War as well as the northern edge of present-day Mexico, essentially covered by its present states of Coahuila, Chihuahua, and Sonora. The documents also fail to deal with the local or territorial feeling about the Mexican War. They do deal occasionally with cautions and military actions against local Indians.A75-133: Six Hollinger-style cartons of Spanish-Mexican documents were purchased from Rosenstock, the Denver book dealer. The documents are dated from the 1600s through the 1800s, mostly from the Spanish era when the New Mexico territory was part of the Nueva Galicia Presidencia. Others originated after Mexican independence was achieved in 1821, and some of these include Anglo names, thus indicating frontiersmen (mostly from the United States) had entered and were entering the area. Some of the documents are purely local in nature, usually from the Chimayo district. Many documents have English translations, as well as photocopies of the original documents.Box 2 acquired from W.P. Zundel contained Packet 3, with letters and documents from L. Bradford Prince and his friends addressed to Theodore Roosevelt, originally selected as Vice President but serving as President since the assassination of McKinley. Prince charged Miguel Otero, the incumbent governor of the territory of New Mexico, with doubling his salary by having the territorial legislature pass a bill giving Otero $3000 salary regularly due Otero. Prince had been a governor earlier, and felt that such dishonesty should be rectified. He indicated his intent to recommend a name for the governorship in place of Otero, but the individual has just died, so he must leave the matter to President Roosevelt.Another packet (4) contained documents which show the largest of Prince with the Normal School at Espanola, New Mexico. Other documents in the packet relate information regarding lands sold in Colfax County in 1869 to L(ucien) Maxwell, possibly the same Maxwell of Texas panhandle fame.Packet 5 contained some of the Chihuahua papers, mostly warning of Indian uprisings in the 1800s; nothing in the papers indicates the position of prominence attained in Chihuahua by Luis Terrazas by the 1840s and 1850s and increasingly thereafter. One of the papers, however, is signed by a Juan Jose Terrazas, who may be a relative of Don Luis.Another packet contained papers referred to as the Taos papers, involving the New Mexico militia occasionally, but even more involving land matters. Another packet contained reports made of prisoners being caught, their attempted escape, their pursuit and their execution. The final document is an official inquest statement, which could be a case of the Latin American "Ley Fuga" (Escape Law), whereby prisoners are executed while they attempted to escape.Although the Zundel collection does contain some valuable documents in that they give evidence of the way of life in 19th and 20th century New Mexico, many documents rarely deal with an event or person worthy of special investigation. Such documents never include enough information to provide the complete research needed; as a result, the information would need to be found elsewhere. Juan Manuel Vigil's signed many of the documents, below the signatures of other people. He was apparently a notary or someone similar who could testify that the copies were true.The documents in the New Mexican Period of New Mexico part of the collection consist of national and local political decrees and correspondence concerning the area of New Mexico between 1821 and 1834. Other papers are included, which deal with judicial cases, receipts, wills and military affairs in the northern territory of New Mexico.The papers were created principally by government officials in New Mexico, as well as by individuals not connected with the territorial or local governments.Most of the documents are originals, handwritten or printed in Spanish, and vary in size from 3" x 5" to 12" x 16". Some of the documents include transcriptions and or translations, which are indicated by TS and TL.The New Mexico part of the Collection has a geographic focus: Many decrees created in Mexico City and Santa Cruz de la Canada and sent to various officials in the New Mexico Territory.Note to researcher: The bulk of the official records of this time period and location are in the possession of the New Mexico State Records Center and Archives in Mexico (principally the Archivo General y Publico de la Nacion, the Archivo Historico de Hacienda, and the Archivo de la Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores). In addition, significant quantities of Mexican New Mexico sources are located in University of California at Berkeley's Bancroft Library, Yale University's Beinecke Library, and the Huntington Library in San Marino, California. Documents also exist in private collections, with the most famous being the papers possessed by Kenneth D. Sender. (The list of Sender papers involved in the replevin court cases includes about 120 documents for the 1821-1834 period.) The other sources of New Mexican records are noted here because BYU's collection is relatively small in comparison with the quantities of sources that exist in other archival institutions open to researchers' use. One such institution is the New Mexico State Records Center, which has microfilmed their 1821-1846 collection in forty-two reels, copies of which are available to many large libraries. The serious user of BYU's collection is advised to begin with the microfilmed collection, then use the BYU papers to supplement his or her historical studies. Patrons may borrow the microfilm collection through BYU Inter-Library Loan.Spanish Documents:The majority of documents in the Mexican period (1840-1847) of the New Mexico collection consist of handwritten copies of decrees from the various governmental departments, such as the Ministry of War and Navy, Ministry of Exterior Relations, Ministry of Interior Relations, Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Justice and Public Instruction, and the Prefectures of various districts. When the copies were sent to a city they would be copied and signed by a government official, who would then send the copy to the next city. This part of the collection did not contain the original copy of any of these decrees. The originals or other copies of these decrees can most likely be found in other archival collections. The remaining documents were signed testimonies from court cases, letters, deeds, and bills created by civilians. These documents can be found in the miscellaneous section of the collection.The greatest significance of this collection is the background it provides on the Mexican period of the history of New Mexico. The researcher can discover how the people were threatened by the "savage" Apaches, how they reacted to the invasion of the Texans, and how they profited by trade with the United States, but were afraid of being taken over by the latter. Because of this fear, the New Mexican inhabitants closed the borders, which led to disaster because they did not have the money to support the government during the time of invasion.The decrees provide information on the governing of the New Mexican territory. The court cases provide information on valuable items during that time period, one such item being mules. The collection contains information on the "common man" and his daily life.Types of documents: Real Cedula =​ Royal Decree; Bando =​ Decree, Proclamation; Pronunciamiento =​ Pronouncement; Nombramiento =​ Nomination, Appointment; Merced =​ Favor, Grant; Informe =​ Report, Account; Licencia =​ Permission, License; Carta de testamento =​ Will; Mandamiento =​ Command, Order; Fe =​ Certificate; Inventario =​ Inventory; Demanda =​ Claim, Petition; Peticion =​ Petition, Request; Padron =​ Register. A75-53: (Now MSS SC 167): The letters and documents are not in chronological order and should logically be arranged.A74-97: The documents were not arranged in any order, but it appears that chronological would be the best order.New Mexican Period of New Mexico: The papers are mostly arranged in chronological order, except when the papers of an important individual are arranged under his name, by date.Spanish documents: The original order is apparently no longer in existence. The major form of organization is chronological. Due to the variety of sources, it is apparent that this collection was not created by one body. It is rather a collection than an archive. The records contain handwritten, printed as well as typewritten materials. A large portion of photocopied documents are included. The New Mexican collection is arranged mainly by date of document, in a calender list. The document descriptions contain the name of the creator, the date, and the location, in that order. The documents are divided into three time periods: Colonial Spanish, Territorial New Mexico, and .
  • No documents in the BYU collection of 1821-1834 papers appear in the first ten reels of the microfilm set of papers belonging to the New Mexico State Records Center. A document-by-document check of two years of microfilmed papers revealed no duplicates. A cursory examination of the rest of the ten reels indicated the same result. The bulk of the microfilmed collection first focuses on military records, then executive papers in New Mexico. However, BYU's 17 documents for this 14-year period (1821-1834) contain little information regarding New Mexico's military affairs. For both the Kenneth D. Sender documents and the Manuel Alvarez papers, two copies each of BYU papers appear suspect. The BYU documents dated May 2nd and August 13, 1827 fit the descriptions of Sender documents #84 and #85 of the same dates. While no other BYU papers of the 1821-1834 time period match the Sender list, any future discussion of the provenance of this collection should include Sender's relationship to it, if any. In regards to the Manuel Alvarez papers, several of the documents in BYU's collection are stamped "Alvarez papers." More information is needed concerning the Alvarez papers before any judgments may be made in regards to BYU's possession of them.
  • MSS 1509
Terms of Use
  • Collection is open to public use. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.Permission to publish material from Spanish Documents/​New Mexico Collection must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/​or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.
Language
  • English
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