Previous: Towards Statehood

The people of New Mexico went right to work to establish their new government. Governor Donaciano Vigíl called a Convention for that purpose in October of 1848 in Santa Fe. A formal Petition was drawn up sent to Washington requesting the U.S. Congress “for the speedy organization of a territorial civil government” and “respectfully, but firmly,” protesting “against the dismemberment of our territory in favor of Texas or from any cause.”

Among other requests in the short Petition was one that amplified the new territory’s desire not to allow domestic slavery. This one sentence had major repercussions back in Washington where the slave issue was under intense debate. Pro-slavery senators were reportedly astounded at the insolence of the Petition and the request was not acted upon and New Mexico remained under military rule.

At the buildup to the Civil War, New Mexico was caught between the south’s struggle to adhere to the Missouri Compromise and maintain a balance between pro and anti-slavery states in Congress. California was under consideration for statehood and would be admitted as an anti-slavery state and it appeared that the only way to keep the balance was to admit New Mexico as a slave state.  But the stubborn people of New Mexico refused to go along.

Undeterred, they held another Convention in 1849 and in 1850, ratified a Constitution requesting Congress to immediately approve statehood as an anti-slave state.  California was admitted in the Compromise of 1850, but New Mexico remained a territory.

In 1869, a movement outside of the state attempted to have New Mexico Territory become the State of Lincoln, but this move was defeated in the Senate.

Next: Handshakes and Name-Calling

 Claude Stephenson is the New Mexico State Folklorist

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If the Territory hadn't been named the state of "New Mexico" what should its name had been? Let us know on the NM Centennial Facebook Fan Page.

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Photo: Early 20th century New Mexico rural life, Flick/Library of Congress.