| Mexican Governor of New Mexico | |
|---|---|
.svg) Flag of theCentralist Republic of Mexico | |
| Residence | Santa Fe |
| Appointer | Emperor of Mexico(1822–1823) President of Mexico(1823–1846) |
| Precursor | Spanish Governors of New Mexico |
| Formation | January 1822; 203 years ago (1822-01) |
| First holder | Facundo Melgares |
| Final holder | Juan Bautista Vigil y Alarid |
| Abolished | September 1846; 179 years ago (1846-09) |
| Succession | Military Governors of New Mexico (U.S.) |
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Mexican governors of New Mexico were the politicalchief executives of the province and later territory ofSanta Fe de Nuevo México (New Mexico) between 1822, whenMexico gained independence from Spain, and 1846, when theUnited States occupied the territory following theMexican–American War. It was succeeded as aterritory of the United States, and as theU.S. state ofNew Mexico.
In January 1822 the last Governor under the Spanish regime,Facundo Melgares, lost the title of governor and was now calledgéfe político (political chief) andgéfe militar (military chief).[1] Melgáres left the political office on July 5, 1822, and Francisco Xavier Chavez took his place, holding office for just five months, when he was succeeded in November 1822 by ColonelJosé Antonio Vizcarra. Vizcarra had succeeded Melgáres asgéfe militar in October 1822.[2]In September 1823, a retired Militia Captain named DonBartolomé Baca was appointedgéfe politico. Eleven more men were to serve as eithergéfe político or governor before the occupation of New Mexico in 1846 by theUnited States Army during theMexican–American War.[3]
New Mexico was at first a province of theEstado interno del Norte, with capital inChihuahua. As of July 6, 1824, New Mexico was made a separate territory, withEl Paso del Norte (now called Ciudad Juárez) transferred from New Mexico to the State of Chihuahua.[4]
The political chiefs (géfe políticos) or governors were:[5]
| Start | End | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1822 | July 1822 | Facundo Melgares | |
| July 1822 | November 1822 | Francisco Xavier Chávez | |
| November 1822 | September 1823 | José Antonio Vizcarra | |
| August 1823 | September 1825 | Bartolomé Baca | |
| September 1825 | May 1827 | Antonio Narbona | |
| 1827 | 1829 | Manuel Armijo | First term |
| September 1829 | 1832 | José Antonio Chaves | |
| 1832 | 1833 | Santiago Abreú | |
| 1833 | 14 May 1835 | Francisco Sarracino | |
| July 1835 | August 1837 | Albino Pérez | Assassinated in office during theRío Arriba Rebellion |
| 10 August 1837 | September 1837 | José María González | Elected to lead theJunta Popular during theRío Arriba Rebellion. FromTaos Pueblo, only Pueblo Indian elected Governor of New Mexico. |
| Early September 1837 | 21 September 1837 | Pablo Montoya | Alcalde ofTaos Pueblo, signed armistice with Armijo ending theRío Arriba Rebellion. |
| 21 September 1837 | 1844 | Manuel Armijo | Second term, after defeating the Río Arriba Rebellion. Executed José María González. |
| 31 January 1844 | 10 April 1844 | Mariano Chaves | Acting; son ofFrancisco Xavier Chávez |
| 13 April 1844 | 29 April 1844 | Felipe Sena | Acting |
| 29 April 1844 | 1845 | Mariano Martínez de Lejanza | |
| 1 May 1845 | 16 November 1845 | José Chávez y Castillo | Acting; son ofFrancisco Xavier Chávez |
| November 1845 | August 1846 | Manuel Armijo | Third term |
| August 1846 | September 1846 | Juan Bautista Vigil y Alarid | Interim |
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