FROM GEN. H.H. SIBLEY TO THE PEOPLE OF NEW MEXICO DEC. 20, 1861

An army under my command enters New Mexico to take possession of it in the name, and for the benefit of, the Confederate States. By geographical position, by similarity of institutions, by commercial interests, and by future destinies, New Mexico pertains to the Confederacy.

Upon the peaceful people of New Mexico the Confederate States wage no war. To them we come as friends, to reestablish a governmental connection agreeable and advantageous both to them and to us; to liberate them from the yoke of military despotism; to insure and to revere their religion; and to restore their civil and political liberty.

The existing war is one most wickedly waged by the United States upon the Confederate States, for the subjugation and oppression of the latter by the force of arms. It has already failed. Victory has crowned the arms of the Confederate States wherever an engagement worthy of being called a battle has been joined. Witness the battles of Bull's Run, of Manassas, of Springfield, of Lexington, of Leesburg, of Columbus, and the capture in the Mesilla Valley, of the whole force of the enemy, by scarcely half their number.

The Army under my command is ample to seize and to maintain possession of New Mexico against any force which the enemy now has or is able to place within its limits. It is my purpose to accomplish this objective without injury to the peaceful people of the country. Resume, then, quietly, your peaceful avocations, and from my forces you have nothing to fear. Your persons, your families, and your property shall be secure and safe. Such forage and supplies as my army shall require will be purchased in open market , and paid for at fair prices. If destroyed or removed to prevent me from availing of them, those who cooperate with our enemies will be treated accordingly, and must prepared to share their fate.

It is well known to me that many among you have already been forced by intimidation, or inveigled by fraud, into the ranks of our foes. The day will soon arrive when you can safely abjure their service. When it comes, throw down your arms and disperse to your homes, and you are safe. But, persist in their service, and you are lost.

When the authority of the Confederate States shall be established in New Mexico, a government of your best men, to be conducted upon principles with which you are familiar, and to which you are attached, will be inaugurated. Your religious, civil and political liberties will be re- established and maintained sacred and intact. In the meantime, by virtue of the power vested in me by the President and government of the Confederate States, I abrogate abd abolish the law ofthe United States levying taxes upon the people of New Mexico.

To my old comrades in arms, still in the ranks of the usurpers of their government and liberties, I appeal to the name of former friendship drop at once the arms which degrade you into the tools of tyrants, renounce their service, and array yourselves under the colors of Justice an Freedom! I am empowered to receive you into the service of the Confederate States - the officers upon their commissions, the enlisted men upon their enlistments. By every principle of law and morality you are exonerated from the service in the ranks of our enemies. You never engaged in the service of the Old Union to fight against your best friends. In the sight of God and Man, you are justified in renouncing a service, iniquitous in itself, and in which you never engaged.