MESSAGE
FROM
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,
IN ANSWER TO
A resolution of the Senate calling for information respecting the organization
of a State government in the Territory of New Mexico.
Read.
JULY 18, 1850.
Ordered to be printed.
To the Senate of the United States:
In further answer to a resolution of the Senate of the 27th ultimo, in
reference to a proclamation issued by the military officer commanding in
New Mexico, and other matters, I herewith transmit a report from the
Secretary of War, communicating information not received at the department
until after the date of his report of the 1st instant on this subject.
MILLARD FILLMORE.
WASHINGTON, July 17, 1850.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, July 16, 1850.
SIR:
In a report to the President of the 1st instant, in reply to a resolution
of the Senate of the 27th ultimo, asking information respecting a
certain proclamation issued by Brevet Colonel John Munroe, commanding
the 9th military department, and on other subjects, it was stated that the
War Department had not received official information of the proclamation
set forth in the resolution. This information having been since received,
I have the honor to submit herewith copies of the proclamation forwarded
by Colonel Munroe, and of his report which accompanied it.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. W. CRAWFORD,
Secretary of War.
To the PRESIDENT of the United States.
HEADQUARTERS, NINTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT,
Santa Fe, New Mexico, May 13, 1850.
SIR:
The present private opportunity is the first that has presented itself
of transmitting to you the enclosed proclamation, which I made, as
governor, for the election of delegates to a convention for the formation of
a State government for New Mexico.
A sufficiently full expression had previously been made to me, both in
the form of petitions from and personal representations by the people, indicative
of their wishes on this subject.
In accordance with the proclamation, elections have been held, and
certificates of election received from all the counties, except the adjoining
county of San Miguel del Bado, which will be presented in good time.
From the result, I have no doubt but that the different constituencies
will have their sentiments fairly represented by their delegates; and I do
not apprehend any difficulties or disagreement in the convention, such as
would arise from an ill-assorted representation. I am also of opinion that
there is a fair prospect of the objects aimed at being fully accomplished.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN MUNROE,
Brevet Colonel United States army, commanding.
Major General R. JONES,
Adjutant General United States army.
Proclamation.
Whereas the people of New Mexico have, by public meeting held in the
several counties of this Territory, expressed a desire to hold a convention
for the formation of a State constitution, and to urge upon Congress the
admission of this Territory into the Union as a State: Therefore, I, John
Munroe, civil and military governor of said Territory, do hereby direct
that the qualified electors of the Territory of New Mexico shall assemble
at the precincts of their respective counties, on Monday, the 6th day of
May next, between the rising and setting of the sun, to vote by ballot
for delegates to a convention to be held at Santa Fe on Wednesday, the
15th of May next, as follows:
- For the county of Taos, three delegates.
- For the county of Rio Arriba, three delegates.
- For the county of Santa Fe, three delegates.
- For the county of San Miguel, three delegates.
- For the county of Santa Anna, two delegates.
- For the county of Bernalillo, two delegates.
- For the county of Valencia, five delegates.
The prefects shall designate convenient precints in their respective counties,
and shall appoint three discreet persons as judges of election in the
several precincts: otherwise, said elections shall be conducted in manner
and form as prescribed in the laws of the Territory, under the title of
"elections," except that the prefect's clerk of each county shall, with
the assistance of the prefect, examine and cast up the votes given to each
candidate, shall give a certificate of election to the person having the
highest number of votes, and shall transmit to the Secretary of the Territory
election.
Given under my hand, at the government house, in the city of Santa
Fe, this 23d day of April, A. D. 1850.
JOHN MUNROE,
Military and Civil Governor, Territory of New Mexico.
Proclamacion.
En cuanto que el pueblo de Nuevo Mejico, por juntas publicas convocadas
en los diferentos condados del Territorio, ha manifestado el deseo de
tener una convencion para la formacion de una constitucion de Estado,
y urgir al Congreso le admicion del Territorio como un Estado de la
Union; por esto, yo, John Munroe, gobernador militar y civil de dicho
Territorio, ordeno que los electores del ante dicho Territorio de Nuevo
Mejico haran juntas en los respectivos puntos de los candados, el Lunes,
dia seis de Mayo proximo, dentro el salir y el meterse el sol, de votar por,
boleta para los delegados de una convencion que se reunira en Santa Fe,
el Miercoles, dia quince de Mayo proximo, come segue:
- Por el condado de Taos, 3 delegados.
- Por el condado de Rio Arriba, 3 delegados.
- Por el condado de Santa Fe, 3 delegados.
- Por el condado de San Miguel, 3 delegados.
- Por el condado de Santa Aña, 2 delegados.
- Por el condado de Bernalillo, 2 delegados.
- Por el condado de Valencia, 5 delegados.
Los prefectos designaran presintos convenientes en sus condados
respectivos, y se nombraran tres personas discretas como juecas de las
elecciones de los deferentes presintos; al contrario, las dichas elecciones
seran conducidas en la manera y forma como presentes en las Leyes del
Territorio, bajo el titulo de "Elecciones," escepto que los secretarios de
los prefectos de cada condado haran, con la asistencia del prefecto, un
examen y resumen de votos dados a cada candidato, daran un certificado
de las elecciones a la persona que tenga el mayor numero de votos, y
remiteran al secretario del Territorio un resumen exacto de los votas dados,
dentro de cuatro dias despuis de las elecciones.
Dado bajo mi firma, en el Palacio de la ciudad de Santa Fe, hoy 23 de
Abril, A. D. de 1850.
JOHN MUNROE,
Gobernador Militar y Civil del Territorio de N. M.
