NMCentennialBlueBook

MEXICAN NEW MEXICO GOVERNORS
(1821-1846)
The following historical chronology of New Mexico governors under Mexican rule was
extracted from The Governors of New Mexico by Lansing B. Bloom in NMHR of April 1935.
DATES GOVERNORS
1822 Francisco Xavier Chaves
1822-1823 José Antonio Viscarra
1823-1825 Bartolomé Baca
1825-1827 Antonio Narbona
1827-1829 Manuel Armijo
1829-1832 José Antonio Chaves
1832-1833 Santiago Abreú
1833-1835 Francisco Sarracino
1835-1837 Albino Pérez
1837-1844 Manuel Armijo
1844 Mariano Chaves
1844 Felipe Sena
1844-1845 Mariano Martínez de Lejanza
1845 José Chaves y Castillo
1845-1846 Manuel Armijo
1846 Juan Bautista Vigil y Alaríd
AMERICAN NEW MEXICO GOVERNORS
(1846-Present)
American New Mexico governors have served in three different periods: pre-territorial
(1846-1851), territorial (1851-1912), and statehood (since 1912).
NEW MEXICO PRE-TERRITORIAL GOVERNORS
The following historical chronology of New Mexico’s pre-territorial governors (1846-
1851) was researched and compiled by Dan D. Chávez, Ph.D., UNM Professor Emeritus.
DATES GOVERNORS SECRETARY
1846-1847 1 Charles Bent 2 Donaciano Vigil
1847-1848 2 Donaciano Vigil (Civil)
1847-1848 2 Col. Sterling Price (Military)
1848-1849 3 Col. John M. Washington 4 Donaciano Vigil
1849-1851 3 Col. John Munroe 5 Donaciano Vigil
NOTES
1. After Brigadier General Stephen W. Kearny took possession of New Mexico on August 15,
1846, in Las Vegas, New Mexico, he appointed Charles Bent and Donaciano Vigil to the
positions of Governor and Secretary of the Territory, respectively, on September 22, 1846.
2. When Bent was assassinated on January 19, 1847, Vigil, as the second-highest civilian official,
became the acting governor (and continued to serve as the Secretary) until December
1847, when he was appointed permanent civil governor by Col. Price, who served as military
governor between December 1846 and February 1848.
3. Price abolished the office of Secretary of Territory, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Marshall after the
signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo in February 1848, which ended the Mexican-
American War - but the offices were re-established later in October 1848 when Washington
became military governor and re-appointed Vigil as Secretary.
4. After New Mexico's annexation to the United States in 1848, the civil and military
gubernatorial roles were combined and placed under the military commander: Washington
209