The Brothers Robidoux and the Opening of the American West by Robert J. Willoughby

Author:Robert J. Willoughby
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: University of Missouri Press

In late 1829 Antoine gave a deposition before Juan Rafael Ortiz regarding one such robbery. “Today I present to this court, how it's related to the accusation that has been set forward by the witness, Jose Tenorio. Tenorio claimed that as he was coming out of his store he saw the neighbor Manuel Lopez, Diomicio Moya, Jose Serca and Antonio Garcia coming out of my house stables with the stolen goods. Moya took asylum in the home of Polinio and this is where he stored the stolen goods. Polinio takes this opportunity to beg this court that they go to the home of Jose Serca, who has more information about the robbery. We ask this court that you please investigate the robbery and find all the facts. We trust that will tell nothing but the truth. Signed: A. Robidou.”3

Subsequently, on December 4, 1829, Ortiz responded “to all who is concerned with the robbery that took place at the stables. After an investigation and interrogating all the witnesses we have concluded that the facts were all true. After going to the house of Jose Garcia we found the goods, which have been returned in good condition to its owner. The perpetrators are awaiting trail.”4

By 1830 Antoine had made such a name for himself in the New Mexico community that he won election to the ayuntamiento or town council and served as its first alcalde or president. However his election did not come off without some question, as the records of the town council indicated.

Right after this we moved to our next issue which was that of the city Mayor Juan Garcia was kin [father of Louis's wife] to Don Antonio Robidou. Both of these citizens are residents of this community. In the end it was decided that since Mr. Robidou was nominated for city council in 1829 with 27 votes, should indeed be allowed. This decision was seconded by the president of the election offices, Jose Antonio Xircanza, who also added that Mr. Robidou had indeed papers of naturalization, but not citizenship papers. Mr. Xircanza also stated that they could all clearly see in the book of records that it was the exact papers for both, therefore it was just as good.

Mr. Jose Ortiz took his seat at the session in which the president renounced his rights and apologized for any misunderstandings and confusions that were related to the elections. Antonio Robidou patiently waited for the electors, to make their decisions, and was pleased with what they finally issued. After the misunderstanding and confusions were cleared, and a decision made, contracts were signed and officially sealed. Antonio Robidou was elected with 34 votes and was made officially the head of the council. Elected officials were informed of their duties according to the laws of the State of Mexico.5

Over the next few months Antoine's signature appears on many day-to-day documents of Santa Fe city government. Yet it is not certain he spent every day at the town hall ignoring his business ventures. We know that Antoine was in Santa Fe in October 1830, for he filed a petition to collect a debt.

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