James Silas Calhoun: First Governor of New Mexico Territory and First Indian Agent
Veteran journalist and author Sherry Robinson presents readers with the first full biography of New Mexico’s first territorial governor, James Silas Calhoun. Robinson explores Calhoun’s early life in Georgia and his military service in the Mexican War and how they led him west. Through exhaustive research Robinson shares Calhoun’s story of arriving in New Mexico in 1849—a turbulent time in the region—to serve as its first Indian agent. Inhabitants were struggling to determine where their allegiances lay; they had historic and cultural ties with Mexico, but the United States offered an abundance of possibilities.

An accomplished attorney, judge, legislator, and businessman and an experienced speaker and negotiator who spoke Spanish, Calhoun was uniquely qualified to serve as the first territorial governor only eighteen months into his service. While his time on the New Mexico political scene was brief, he served with passion, intelligence, and goodwill, making him one of the most intriguing political figures in the history of New Mexico.
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James Silas Calhoun: First Governor of New Mexico Territory and First Indian Agent
Veteran journalist and author Sherry Robinson presents readers with the first full biography of New Mexico’s first territorial governor, James Silas Calhoun. Robinson explores Calhoun’s early life in Georgia and his military service in the Mexican War and how they led him west. Through exhaustive research Robinson shares Calhoun’s story of arriving in New Mexico in 1849—a turbulent time in the region—to serve as its first Indian agent. Inhabitants were struggling to determine where their allegiances lay; they had historic and cultural ties with Mexico, but the United States offered an abundance of possibilities.

An accomplished attorney, judge, legislator, and businessman and an experienced speaker and negotiator who spoke Spanish, Calhoun was uniquely qualified to serve as the first territorial governor only eighteen months into his service. While his time on the New Mexico political scene was brief, he served with passion, intelligence, and goodwill, making him one of the most intriguing political figures in the history of New Mexico.
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James Silas Calhoun: First Governor of New Mexico Territory and First Indian Agent

James Silas Calhoun: First Governor of New Mexico Territory and First Indian Agent

by Sherry Robinson
James Silas Calhoun: First Governor of New Mexico Territory and First Indian Agent

James Silas Calhoun: First Governor of New Mexico Territory and First Indian Agent

by Sherry Robinson

Paperback

$29.95 
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Overview

Veteran journalist and author Sherry Robinson presents readers with the first full biography of New Mexico’s first territorial governor, James Silas Calhoun. Robinson explores Calhoun’s early life in Georgia and his military service in the Mexican War and how they led him west. Through exhaustive research Robinson shares Calhoun’s story of arriving in New Mexico in 1849—a turbulent time in the region—to serve as its first Indian agent. Inhabitants were struggling to determine where their allegiances lay; they had historic and cultural ties with Mexico, but the United States offered an abundance of possibilities.

An accomplished attorney, judge, legislator, and businessman and an experienced speaker and negotiator who spoke Spanish, Calhoun was uniquely qualified to serve as the first territorial governor only eighteen months into his service. While his time on the New Mexico political scene was brief, he served with passion, intelligence, and goodwill, making him one of the most intriguing political figures in the history of New Mexico.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780826368188
Publisher: University of New Mexico Press
Publication date: 05/06/2025
Pages: 408
Product dimensions: 5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Sherry Robinson is an award-winning author and journalist. She is the author of several books including I Fought a Good Fight: A History of the Lipan Apaches and Apache Voices: Their Stories of Survival as Told to Eve Ball (UNM Press). She lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations
Introduction

Chapter One. Early Life
Chapter Two. Columbus
Chapter Three. Creek War
Chapter Four. Financial Turmoil
Chapter Five. Cuba
Chapter Six. War with Mexico
Chapter Seven. Desire to Command
Chapter Eight. Bold Adventurers
Chapter Nine. “Numerous and Savage Tribes”
Chapter Ten. All Is Not Well
Chapter Eleven. Statehood
Chapter Twelve. The Compromisers
Chapter Thirteen. His Excellency
Chapter Fourteen. Steal or Starve
Chapter Fifteen. No Quiet
Chapter Sixteen. State of Misery
Chapter Seventeen. Final Journey

Epilogue
Appendix One. James S. Calhoun Family
Appendix Two. Battalion of Georgia Mounted Volunteers, September 1847–July 1848
Appendix Three. New Mexico Factions
Appendix Four. Inaugural Speech, March 3, 1851
Appendix Five. Members of the First Territorial Legislature
Appendix Six. Appointments
Notes
Bibliography
Index

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