246 OBSERVATIONS OF A RANCHWOMAN 



settlement, and New Mexico was governed 

 with more or less of tyranny, according to 

 the whims of the acting Governor, whether 

 Spaniard or Mexican, the changes and dis- 

 turbances in Old Mexico notably, the revolt 

 from Spanish dominion in 1831 --began 

 seriously to affect the colony. 



During the war between the United States 

 and Mexico in 1846, General Kearney was in- 

 structed to carry his forces into New Mexico 

 and take possession when, where, and how he 

 could, but peaceably if possible. By promising 

 to the Indians and colonists a greater freedom 



o 



than they had hitherto enjoyed, Kearney, in 

 spite of some opposition from Armijo, the 

 braggart Governor, carried out his instructions 

 almost to the letter, and the Stars and Stripes 

 were soon floating over the capital. But the 

 southern portion of the territory, including 

 the Mesilla Valley, did not come under 

 American jurisdiction until eight years later, 

 when it was purchased from Mexico, together 

 with the southern portion of Arizona ; and 

 not until 1863 did the protracted struggle to 

 make of Arizona a Territory separate and 

 distinct end in victory. 



