plaza, and a salute of thirteen guns fired in honor of the bloodless conquest which had been achieved.[1]
On the 23rd of August General Kearny issued his proclamation,declaring the department of New Mexico to be a part of the United States, absolving the inhabitants from their allegiance to the Mexican republic, and claiming them as American citizens. A civil government was organized, and the proper officers appointed.[2]
The citizens of Santa Fé appeared quite downhearted and dispirited for several days after the arrival of the American army; but General Kearny took every opportunity to pacify them, and adopted the most rigorous measures to prevent the commission of any injury to their persons or property by his troops. Their apprehensions gradually disappeared, and it was not long before it seemed to be a matter of indifference what rulers exercised authority over them, provided they could dispose of their choice Muscatel grapes, their melons and peaches, their corn and red peppers, to good advantage, and be allowed to drink their wine or coffee, and smoke their cigaritos, undisturbed. In order that no excesses or outrages should be committed, and that the efficiency of the army might remain un-
- ↑ The whole distance from Fort Leavenworth to Santa Fe, travelled by the American army in six weeks, was 883 miles.
- ↑ General Kearny was authorized to establish a temporary civil government in New Mexico, and all his measures designed to promote this object were approved by the government of the United States; but so far as he attempted to confer any political rights of a permanent character, his course was disapproved. His absolving the inhabitants of New Mexico from their allegiance, if it had any effect, simply amounted to a declaration that while the authority of his government was exerted in the province, and they refrained from taking up arms, they would not be treated as enemies. — Letter of the Secretary of War to General Kearny, January ll, 1847. — Special Message of President Polk, 2nd session, 29th Congress.
