Letter: 23 March 1849
To J. W. Magoffin,
Esq.
Dear Sir:
If the following statement of such of your important services as came to
my personal knowledge during the invasion of New Mexico can 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.
With high respect, sir, I remain.
Your ob. Servant,
P. St. Geo. Cooke,
Major, 2 Drags.
Washington, March 23, 1849.
