The 7th New Mexico Territorial Legislature met in Santa Fe from December 7, 1857, to February 4, 1858. Note: The titles used in the early official publications of the legislative journals are confusing in how they number the assemblies and sessions. This article follows later convention in treating each election of the House as a new legislative body. That the cited work corresponds to the session can be seen from the dates given.
Territorial Council President: Donaciano Vigil
Name District Notes Jesus Maria Baca Santa Ana and Bernalillo Alvino Chacon Taos Henry Connelly Santa Ana and Bernalillo Seated after election contest Cesario Duran Doña Ana Nasario Gonzales Santa Fe and San Miguel Lafayette Head Taos Geronimo Jaramillo Rio Arriba Jose Benito Martinez Taos Pedro Salazar Rio Arriba Juan Jose Sanchez Valencia Miguel Sena y Romero Santa Fe and San Miguel Mariano Silva Socorro Donaciano Vigil Santa Fe and San Miguel
The election result between Connelly and J. Serafin Ramirez for one of the seats for Santa Ana and Bernalillo was disputed. Ramirez received the certificate of election, but local judges provided declarations and an abstract of the results showing that a majority of votes were for Connelly. After considering the evidence, the Council seated Connelly.
House of Representatives Speaker: Merrill Ashurst
Name District Notes Juan C. Armijo Bernalillo Pedro Arragon Rio Arriba Seat declared vacant December 16, 1857 Merrill Ashurst Santa Fe Antonio Guadalupe Cordova Rio Arriba Seat declared vacant December 16, 1857 Jose Cordova Taos Francisco Gallegos Taos José Guadalupe Gallegos San Miguel Pedro Bautista Gallegos Rio Arriba Seat declared vacant December 16, 1857 Joaquin Garcia Taos Faubian Gonzales Socorro Francisco Gonzales Taos Hilario Gonzales San Miguel Teodoro Gonzales Santa Fe Jesus Maria de Herrera Rio Arriba Seated December 17, 1857 Miguel Antonio Lovato Bernalillo Ventura Lovato Taos Jose Lueras Bernalillo Jose Maria Martinez Santa Fe Francisco Martinez y Romero Rio Arriba Died prior to session Juan Montoya Valencia Gervacio Ortega Rio Arriba Seated December 17, 1857 Francisco Ortiz y Delgado Santa Fe Seated after election contest Ramos Pacheco Rio Arriba Elected to fill Martinez y Romero vacancy Marcial Padilla Doña Ana Gabriel Rivera San Miguel Francisco Antonio Salazar y Romero Rio Arriba Seated December 17, 1857 Francisco Sandavasa Valencia Died during session Patricio Silva Santa Ana Pedro Torres Socorro Antonio Maria Vigil Rio Arriba
Ortiz y Delgado was seated by the House after consideration of an election contest with José Manuel Gallegos, of which no further details were given.
A dispute over four of the Rio Arriba seats was referred to the House Committee on Elections. The committee found that in the precinct of Servilleta, the election held on September 7, 1857, was tainted due to a lack of public notice of the nature of the election and improper conduct by an election judge. Testimony indicated that many voters believed the election was regarding formation of a state government, rather than the territorial legislature. Meanwhile, Ramos Pacheco, who had acted in a dual capacity as judge and clerk that day, admitted that he read aloud the ballots as they were received so the clerks could record the vote.
On the committee's recommendation, the House nullified the Servilleta votes along with others shown to have been cast by ineligible voters. With the election results recalculated on that basis, it concluded that Francisco Antonio Salazar y Romero had defeated Antonio Guadalupe Cordova, Jesus Maria de Herrera had defeated Pedro Arragon, and Gervacio Ortega had defeated Pedro Bautista Gallegos. Due to his greater margin of victory, Antonio Maria Vigil retained his seat over the fourth contestant, John H. Mink. And despite Pacheco's actions, the committee did not question his subsequent election to the fifth Rio Arriba seat in place of Francisco Martinez y Romero, the deceased original winner.
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