Donaciano Vigil
Donaciano Vigil
The Life of a Nuevomexicano Soldier, Statesman, and Territorial Governor
Born in Santa Fe in 1802, Donaciano Vigil was an active participant in many of the critical events in New Mexico's history in the nineteenth century. Vigil was witness to New Mexico's transition from a Spanish province (1802-1821) to a Mexican department (1821-1846) and eventually to an American territory (1846-1877), and he was a key player in most of the events of that era. As a Hispano soldier and officer in the New Mexico Militia, he was instrumental in the Navajo Wars, the Rio Arriba insurrection of 1837, the Texas invasion of 1841, and the American invasion of 1846. As a Mexican statesman in New Mexico, he was one of the most active assemblymen. Following the American occupation, he joined the civil government, first as secretary, then as governor. It was in these roles that Donaciano left an enduring impact and legacy on the territory.
In this gripping biography of a remarkable man, Maurilio E. Vigil and Helene Boudreau fill the gap within the scholarship on Hispanics in nineteenth-century New Mexico.
'The volume presents the life of Donaciano Vigil and sheds valuable light on the Spanish settlement of New Mexico, the institutional character of Mexican New Mexico, the experience of New Mexico becoming a part of the United States, and early aspects of the American Territory of New Mexico.'--Phillip B. Gonzales, author of Poliítica: Nuevomexicanos and American Political Incorporation, 1821-1910
Maurilio E. Vigil is a professor emeritus at New Mexico Highlands University. He is the author or coauthor of Hispanics in American Politics: The Search for Political Power, Hispanics in Congress: A Historical and Political Survey, New Mexico Government and Politics, and The Hispanics of New Mexico: Essays on History and Culture.
Helene Boudreau teaches courses in history and political science at New Mexico Highlands University. Her scholarly research includes the political and historical study of charter schools in New Mexico and the sociological implications of prosecuting juveniles as adults.
List of Illustrations
Preface
Introduction
Chapter One. Spanish Origins: Donaciano Vigil as a Link in the Chain of New Mexico History
Chapter Two. New Mexico Beckons: Restoring the Colony
Chapter Three. Conditions in Santa Fe During Donaciano's Youth
Chapter Four. The Soldier
Chapter Five. A Political Leader in the Department of New Mexico under the Mexican Regime
Chapter Six. The Winds of War in North America
Chapter Seven. An American Political Leader: Preserving a Civil Government amid an Insurrection
Chapter Eight. The Formalization of the American Territorial Civil Government of New Mexico
Chapter Nine. At Last, the Territory of New Mexico: The Legal, Political, and Cultural Transformation
Chapter Ten. Assault on a Giant, Part I: Donaciano Vigil and Spanish/Mexican/Pueblo Land Grants
Chapter Eleven. Assault on a Giant, Part II: The Los Trigos Land Grant
Chapter Twelve. Assault on a Giant, Part III: The Cruzate Land Grants
Conclusion
Notes
Bibliography
Index
