There is no evidence or historical record to suggest that New Mexicans wanted slavery. In fact, New Mexico was a territory that consisted of a diverse population of Native Americans, Spanish settlers, and Mexicans, who generally did not advocate for or support the institution of slavery. Slavery was not prevalent in New Mexico as it was in the southern states, where it was largely driven by economic interests tied to the plantation system. Instead, New Mexicans relied on other labor systems such as peonage and indentured servitude.
