DR. HENRY CONNELLY [From Photograph owned by William E. Connelley]

Always found him determined to make all possible resistance having in his Command 1000 soldiers, the best New Mexico could produce. On the arrival of Capt. Cook and J. W. Magoffin August 13 was requested by Mr. M. to give him my opinion respecting the intentions of Genl. Armijo, and particularly that of Col. Archulette which I did, informing him that the Genl. was not determined but the Col. was decided in making all possible defence and his opinion would be adhered to by a majority of the officers. I then left Santafe with many other Americans by permit of Genl. Armijo, believing it would be unsafe to remain in the City, leaving behind Magoffin who remained for what purpose I knew not believing a strong resistance would be made a few miles from the city must say that I was much astonished as well as gratified to find that Genl. K. met with no opposition on his entry into Santafe. on the contrary was received with much courtesy, by the acting Governor of the city and the rest of the authorities, Mr. Magoffin being one of the number on his reception at the Palace. The day before Genl. K. entrance, some few leagues distant, Genl. A. called his officers around him in order to consult what would be the best measure to adopt. Col. Archulette being second in command gave as his opinion that it was unnecessary to make a defence, This was adopted by all. The troops were then disbanded and Genl. A. retreated with a Company of Dragoons to Chiha. Col. Archulette retired to his country residence. The opinion of Col. Archulette was surprising to many; knowing his previous determination was entirely contrary, Mr. Manos and Palacios, Mexicans of the first standing in this city being in New Mexico before and on the arrival of Genl. K. and knowing the positive intention of Genl. Armijo and particularly of Col. Archulette was to defend the place, retired immediately to this city and reported to the Governor that J. W. Magoffin had been the cause of non resistance and that he had bought over Genl. Armijo and Col. Archulette this information with others led to the imprisonment of Magoffin on his arrival at el Paso. I was also imprisoned on my arrival there a few days. Afterwards I brought down in Company with Magoffin to this city in October. This is in substance what occurred under my knowledge.

Chihuhua, Sept. 20th, 1848.

Deal Sir:

If the following statement of such of your important services as came to my personal knowledge during the invasion of New Mexico call serve to elucidate your sacrifices and risks during the war, it gives me pleasure to make it.

I shall not easily forget the pleasure which your company give me when I preceded the army with a flag, from Bent's Fort to Santa Fe, nor the advantages of your knowledge of the country and its language.

I am strongly impressed with the skill you exhibited not to compromise your old influence over the Mexican General, by an appearance of your real connextion with myself. (even furnishing an interpreter, rather than appear on the official occasion;) At night, however, you accompanied Genl. Armijo to my quarters, when, by your aid, we had a secret conference. I then understood the Mexican Governor's real disinclination to actual resistance, to which, I believe, according to our instructions, you gave important encouragement particularly in neutralizing the contrary influence of young Colonel Archulette, by suggesting to his ambition the part of bringing about a pronunciamento of Western New Mexico in favour of annexation; (Genl. Kearney's first proclamation claiming only to the Rio Grande.)

I had personal knowledge of the high opinion which that General entertained of your discretion and services; and, that it may well be considered a piece of good fortune. that at the expense of a large bribe, you were suffered to destroy the General's own written statement of them, only shows how narrowly you escaped with your life, in your further efforts to serve our Government in Chihuahua.

Sir:

In a conversation with the late President of the United States, Mr. Polk, he informed that Co. Megoffin was introduced to him by my colleague Col. Thomas H. Benton, and from Col. Mcgoffins intimate knowledge of the Mexican affairs and his intimate acquaintance with the leading men in New Mexico and Chihuahua, he deemed it important to secure his services for the government of the United States in that quarters during the war and engaged his services accordingly.

He further said that he was reddy[sic] and willing to make a just allowances for such services, but that there was no appropriation of money for that purpose.

An appropriation was made at the last session for such services growing out of this claim.

I further certify that Mr. Samuel Magoffin would not have disposed of this property at a rate so ruinous to his brother's interest, but for the utter impossibility of removing it from Chihuahua and the fear of its being seized by the authorities of Mexico, to which danger he was much exposed from the precipitate retirement of Col. Donaphan from this city, who had no sooner withdrawn his forces than the Mexican government called on me to pay duties on the same which amounted to fifteen thousand nine hundred and sixty-eight dollars 96c, $15,968.96, which I was compelled to satisfy and which sum has been refunded to me lately by Mr. James Magoffin.

Chihuahua, Mint.
MEXICO, 1ST OCT. 1848.