public, and its rulers consisted of a governor and legislature (junta departmental); but as the latter was more an imaginary than a real power, the governor was, in fact, despotic, and subject only to the laws of revolution, which, in this state, were very freely administered by upsetting the gubernatorial chair as often as the republic did the presidential. Well knowing the favors of fortune were at all times precarious, the governors have, in general, during their terms of office, plundered the treasury and provided against contingencies. The people, credulous and easily deceived, had to submit to every outrage, and should one more courageous than his fellows assert the profligacy of the government, his doom was as certain as speedy. Thus has New-Mexico dragged on its existence-the sport of despots and the foot-ball of fortune. The judiciary was as dependent as the executive was independent, and all law succumbed to the dictates of one man. Be sides these, the clergy, as well as the military classes, had their own courts of justice. In relation to the confederacy, however, New-Mexico always maintained greater independence than any other of the states-partly from its distance from the capital, but more from the spirit of opposition in the people, who derived no advantage from the connection, and suffered much from its taxation without an equivalent protection. The supreme government never succeeded here in imposing upon the people the estranquillas, or monopoly of the sale of tobacco, and New-Mexico was free from some other enormities. In the same way the people resisted the introduction of copper coin. This loose connection with the central power will aid much in the assimilation of the people with the emigrants from the United States, provided the government of the latter will bestow upon them—what the former could not-stability, safety, protection, and those just rights which are enjoyed by all persons under the ægis of American principles.

The present form of government is such as that generally applied to territories of the United States. All citizens of proper age are voters, and elect councillors and representatives, who together form the legislature. The governor and judges are appointed by the president with the consent of the senate. (See UTAH, antea.)

The principal city of New-Mexico is SANTA FE, one of the oldest Spanish settlements. Its elevation above the sea is 7,047 feet. Santa Fé is about 20 miles east, in a direct line, from Rio del Norte, and lies in a wide plain, surrounded by lofty mountains. A small creek, rising in the hills, and flowing past the city, supplies it with water. The land around is sandy, poor, and destitute of timber; but the mountains are covered with pine and cedar. No pasturage is observed about the settlements, and as a consequence stock is driven to the mountains. The climate is delightful and free from extremes. The sky is clear and cloudless, and the atmosphere dry. The houses are built of adobes, but one story high, with flat roofs. The streets are narrow and irregular. The plazza is spacious, and one side is occupied by the official residence of the executive. The palace is, with out being extraordinarily grand, a good building, and exhibits two curiosities, viz., windows of glass and festoons of Indian ears. Among the public buildings there are two churches with steeples, but of an ordinary construction. There are 30 or 40 stores in the city, principally kept by Americans. The inhabitants, excepting the Americans, are Spaniards and Indians, and the castes sprung from an indefinite amalgamation of the two races. Society is in a deplorable condition. They spend their time in card-playing, drinking, smoking, and at fandangoes. They are expert thieves, and live in a miserable state of ignorance, superstition, dirt, and poverty.

The city proper contains 4,000 or 5,000 souls, and as many more are settled within its jurisdiction. Santa Fé is the depôt of a considerable commerce, carried on between Northern Mexico and the Western States, and is generally visited by the overland emigrants to California.

etc.

There are a number of other towns along the course of the Rio Grande, chiefly inhabited by Indians. These are styled Pueblos, and the inhabitants Pueblo Indians, to distinguish them from the same races that infest the open country. The principal are Taos, Canada, San Miguel, Paso del Norte, None of these, however, demand more than a passing notice. New-Mexico became known to the Spaniards about the year 1581, and formal possession was taken of the country in 1598. Christianity and slavery were early and simultaneously introduced among the Indians, and conversion and personal service enforced by the sword. The converted Indians were made to live in villages, and were distinguished from the roving bands by the title of Pueblos. Many towns, of which only the ruins now remain, were established at that time. Many mines were worked, and the occupation of the country seemed to be secured, when, quite unexpectedly, in 1680, a general insurrection of all the Indian tribes broke out against the Spanish yoke. The Spaniards were either massacred or driven southward, where they founded Paso del Norte. The country was not recovered for 10 or 12 years. Several insurrections have since occurred, but none so universal or disastrous as this one. The deep rancor of the Indian, however, bequeathed from sire to son for successive generations, still animates the race, and is often displayed in the most bloody and cruel outbreaks. This country followed the fate of Mexico after the revolution that overthrew the Spanish power, and since that period has been silently degenerating. The history of New-Mexico previous to the invasion of the Americans, has little to arrest attention. It is a continuous record of barbarism and tyranny. On the 8th of September, 1846, Santa Fé was captured by the Americans under General Kearney, and soon after several of the river towns were visited on his route to California. A civil government was now established. On the 19th of January, 1847, an insurrection broke out against the Americans, and in several pueblos many Americans were murdered; among whom was Governor Bent and Sheriff Lee. Taos, Arroya-Hondo, and Rio Colorado were the chief scenes of strife. The bat tles of La Canada and El Embudo also occurred in this month, and in February the battle of Taos; in all of which the Mexicans were completely vanquished. Some few skirmishes occurred after these, but none of importance. From this period the United States authorities exercised exclusive power. On the 2d of February, 1848, a treaty of peace and cession was signed at Guadalupe Hidalgo, by which New-Mexico was assigned to the Union. On the 9th of September, 1850, the country within its present limits, was erected into a Territory, the claim of Texas to the east bank of the Rio Grande having been adjusted.

Rhode Island

Connecticut

Total

New York.

North Carolina