Charles Bent

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Charles Bent (born November 11, 1799 in Charleston , Virginia , † January 19, 1847 in Taos , New Mexico Territory ) was an American politician and territorial governor of New Mexico from 1846 to 1847 .

Early years

In 1806, Charles Bent, born in what is now West Virginia , moved with his family to St. Louis , Missouri . Charles Bent then briefly attended the Jefferson College in Canonsburg ( Pennsylvania ). From 1822 he worked in the fur trade. In 1825 he started a fur trading company with a partner named Josuah Pilcher. It soon became apparent, however, that this company could not compete with the powerful American Fur Company . For this reason, Bent now turned to the southwest and entered into trade relations with the area around Santa Fe around 1828 . At that time, what would later become New Mexico Territory was still part of Mexico .

Business advancement

In 1829, Charles Bent and his brother William led a trade expedition on the Santa Fe Trail to what would later become New Mexico. In 1830, Bent partnered with a Taos-based dealer named Ceran St. Vrain. The new company grew rapidly and came in second in the fur trade behind the American Fur Company . The two companies also work together at times. The company built outposts, including Bent's Old Fort on the Arkansas River . In addition, the trade was not limited to the fur business. Bent's company dealt in many goods, some of which were imported from the east coast.

personality

Charles Bent became a wealthy man over time. His behavior towards the native population in what was later to be New Mexico Territory was characterized by arrogance and arrogance. Soon his behavior got him into trouble. There were not only charges, but also violent disputes between Bent and his friends on the one hand and the local population on the other. Like his opponents, Bent also used illegal means such as threats and intimidation.

Governor of the New Mexico Territory

The outbreak of the American-Mexican War escalated the situation around Charles Bent in New Mexico. The American general Stephen W. Kearny marched into the area and, before moving on to California , appointed Charles Bent of all people as the first civilian territorial governor of the conquered province. A small force was left behind to protect the area under the command of Colonel Sterling Price . However, many residents of the country did not agree with the new rule. Some mourned the old connection with Mexico, others feared the loss of their private goods and still others hated Charles Bent because of his attitude towards the Mexicans. In December 1846, the country's influential families planned an uprising against the new rule. The governor and Colonel Price were able to uncover this conspiracy in advance. Some leaders were arrested, but the two most dangerous leaders of the movement escaped.

Soon after, it looked like the uprising was suppressed and the governor issued a proclamation to that effect, again in an arrogant and presumptuous tone. Charles Bent then traveled to his hometown of Taos in January 1847 without military protection. There he was attacked and murdered in his house by some conspirators. In the following months, Colonel Price was able to calm the country. Most of the insurgents were caught and some were executed. By July 1847 the uprising was finally crushed.

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