of the fact if not informed of it; for the building has more the
appearance of having been intended for a rope-walk than for the
assemblage of _savants_ who were to discuss and arrange matters of
state and public interest. Notwithstanding the small pretensions
in the way of architecture which the Palace presents, nevertheless,
within it, there have lived old Mexican governors who ruled their
people with a rod of iron, and whose fiery impulses went forth as just
and equitable law. These tyrants--for it was very seldom that the
poor and ignorant New Mexicans were favored with a good, wise and just
governor--governed on the principle of self aggrandizement. Being far
separated from their home government, they took care to smother all
evil reports, while the good, only, were allowed to circulate; and
these, so far as the home government was concerned, solely by their
authority, in order to have the desired effect to retain them in
office. In this they were usually successful, as they generally
retained their lucrative positions until cut off by death, or until
they had amassed a fortune which made their tasks burdensome. Many of
these men might have been envied by the richest among Americans, so
far as wealth is considered. They were so envied by the wealthy men at
the capital of the republic. These provinces of Mexico were the Indies
where troublesome opponents were to be sent by government, to suck,
like leeches, the public treasury, and thus obtain their fill
to repletion. When the United States came into possession of the
territory of New Mexico, affairs were somewhat tempered to the state
of reason and justice; but, a people who had so long been kept down,
could not at once appreciate the value of the changes; consequently,
they have been slow in elevating their heads to the proper standard
of men. The legislature of New Mexico, as it has been recognized
under the constitution of the United States, resembles other forms of
territorial governments. This statement is true in theory, but not in