Statehood of Affairs

by Cillis, Daniel R., Ph.D.

• ISBN13: 9781462050857
• ISBN10: 1462050859
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2011-09-28
• Publisher: Author Solutions

Summary

In 1911, New Mexico found itself at the center of a vicious international conspiracy that threatened its proposed statehood. The unjust commitment of a woman to an insane asylum reveals a plot to ?nd a missing document, Article X of the Treaty of Mesilla-the Revert Document. Tensions rise as two nations position for legal control over the territory, and soon the United States and Mexico are on a collision course toward war. If the document emerges before Arizona and New Mexico can attain statehood, Mexico could legally recover those lost territories-thereby changing history. On a more human scale, the sibling rivalry between two sisters descends into criminal behavior, with murder and mayhem and traitorous extremes. Adobe Centori, a hero of the Spanish-American War, arrives in New Mexico and becomes a statehood delegate. A'airs of the heart complicate a'airs of state as women representing a range of political views compound Centori's challenges. His strongest opponent is Gabriella Zena- La Guerillera . They share true love but not the same side of the border as champions for New Mexico and Old Mexico. History is made by people, for people, and Statehood of A'airs invites readers into the lives and struggles of these heroes-and villains-of the American Southwest's early days.

Excerpts

"Mi Corazon, the danger lies in your country's Manifest Destiny ideology. You think this continent and maybe the entire hemisphere is a divine American right." "I don't think that way." "But your government does," she shrieks. "So you have your justification, but I have the Revert Document." "That is why I am here." Heavy showers increase the danger as torrents of rain make their words almost impossible to hear. All three are soaked through and bracing against the storm. Adobe yells, "Your plan will lead to hostilities; this document will lead to another war between the U.S. and Mexico." Reaching an inevitable conclusion she replies, "That's up to you and the government in Washington." "You are willing to risk another war?" "That never stopped me before, este soy yo." With illusions of compromise gone, Adobe asserts, "Perhaps it is my destiny to stop a war." Then Gabriella declares, "Mi Corazon, perhaps it is my destiny to start a war."