Donaciano Vigil

The term of my administration is purely transitory. Neither my qualifications nor the ad interim character, according to the organic law in which I take the reins of government, encourage me to continue in so difficult and thorny a post, the duties of which are intended for individuals of greater enterprise and talents; but I protest to you, in the utmost fervor of my heart that I will devote myself exclusively to endeavouring to secure you all the prosperity so much desired by your fellow-citizen and friend. Donaciano Vigil. January 22, 1847. ^[6]

As Acting Governor, Vigil called for the establishment of a public school system open to the poor as well as the rich. Later in 1847, he called for the first Territorial legislature to be convened. ^[1] Vigil was appointed Governor in December 1847. ^[3] He supported the territorial legislature's resolution calling for the creation of a public university. In 1848, he endorsed the legislature's request for a territorial convention to determine the formal status of New Mexico. That is, as either a state or a territory of the United States. ^[1] On 10 October 1848, Colonel John M. Washington arrived in Santa Fe at the head of four dragoon companies. The next day Washington took charge as both civil and military governor. ^[7] Vigil reverted to his former position as Territorial Secretary. He held that post until March 1851 when the new constitution took effect and the government of New Mexico was reorganized. ^[3]

In April 1849 Father Ramón Ortiz y Miera arrived in New Mexico from Chihuahua, Mexico as commissioner in charge of assisting Mexicans who wished to resettle in Chihuahua. He was welcomed by Governor Washington and Secretary Vigil who both thought he was unlikely to succeed. So, they even offered to supply transport to Mexicans seeking repatriation. Their moods changed quickly when the people of San Miguel del Vado, alone, submitted 900 requests for repatriation assistance. ^[8] Vigil said that Ortíz could not conduct recruitment in person since his presence would disturb the peace. Father Ortiz then appointed agents to recruit New Mexico families for repatriation and was still met with considerable success. ^[9] In response, Vigil cracked down further on recruitment efforts. ^[10] The United States position was that the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo did not cover repatriation. As such, Ortíz's activity was therefore illegal. ^[11]

Landowner (1851-1877)

Donaciano Vigil had been involved in land purchases for some time. He moved to Pecos in 1854, where he became a major landowner, founding East Pecos. ^[12] In 1830 the Pueblo Indians of the area had sold part of their lands to Juan Estavan Pino, and Vigil obtained the part of Pino's purchase that lay to the east of the Pecos River. ^[13] His first purchase of land in the Pecos Pueblo tract was made on 26 December 1854, for a price of $1,500, and further purchases followed over the years. ^[13] He built houses and storage rooms, and an irrigation ditch to power his grain mill. ^[14] Vigil continued to be active in public affairs, serving in the territorial legislature several times up to the end of the American Civil War. He was a school commissioner in San Miguel County from 1871–1872. A strong old man, at the age of 74 he was still capable of riding a horse from Pecos to Santa Fe, a distance of 25 miles (40 km). ^[3] He died in 1877, leaving a will that divided his land among his numerous sons. ^[12]

See also

• Donaciano Vigil House

Bibliography

• Vigil, Donaciano; Weber, David J. (1986). Arms, Indians, and the mismanagement of New Mexico. First published 1846. University of Texas at El Paso: Texas Western Press. ISBN   0874041562.

References

1. Vigil 2012.
2. Hall 1984, p. 140.
3. Weber 2012.
4. Twitchell 1909, pp. 310–321.
5. Wroth 2012.
6. Weber 2003, p. 127.
7. Simmons 2011.
8. MacIel & Gonzales-Berry 2000, p. 37-38.
9. Hernández 2012, p. 110.
10. Hernández 2012, p. 111.
11. Hernández 2012, p. 113.
12. Hall 1984, p. 111.
13. Hall 1984, p. 145.
14. Hall 1984, p. 146.

Sources

• Hall, G. Emlen (1984). Four Leagues of Pecos: A Legal History of the Pecos Grant, 1800-1933. UNM Press. ISBN   978-0-8263-0710-1 . Retrieved 2012-07-10.
• Hernández, José Angel (2012-04-30). Mexican American Colonization During the Nineteenth Century: A History of the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands. Cambridge University Press. ISBN   978-1-107-01239-4.
• MacIel, David; Gonzales-Berry, Erlinda (2000-09-01). The Contested Homeland: A Chicano History of New Mexico. UNM Press. ISBN   978-0-8263-2199-2 . Retrieved 2012-07-09.
• Simmons, Marc (November 25, 2011). "Colonel left little mark as governorTrail Dust". The New Mexican. Archived from the original on January 4, 2013. Retrieved 2012-07-10.
• Twitchell, Ralph Emerson (1909). The History of the Military Occupation of the Territory of New Mexico. Arno Press. ISBN   0405095287 . Retrieved 2015-05-21.
• Vigil, Maurilio E. (2012). "Vigil, Donaciano". Archived from the original on April 25, 2011. Retrieved 2015-05-21.
• Weber, David J. (2003-12-01). Foreigners in Their Native Land: Historical Roots of the Mexican Americans. UNM Press. ISBN   978-0-8263-3510-4 . Retrieved 2012-07-10.
• Weber, David J. (2012). "Vigil, Donaciano". New Mexico State Record Center and Archives. Archived from the original on 2013-04-15. Retrieved 2012-07-10.
• Wroth, William H. (2012). "Bent, Charles". New Mexico State Record Center and Archives. Archived from the original on 2012-03-09. Retrieved 2012-07-10.

External links

• Donaciano Vigil by David J. Weber, New Mexico Office of the State Historian

Donaciano Vigil
Governor of New Mexico
In office January 1847 –October 11, 1848

Political offices
Preceded by Charles Bent	Governor of New Mexico 1847–1848	Succeeded by John M. Washington