New Mexico Statutes Chapter 49. Land Grants § 49-9-11. Attorney's fees; method of payment

It is hereby made the duty of the mayor and city clerk to ascertain the amount of indebtedness outstanding on account of attorney's fees for services rendered in behalf of securing title to the land grant of such city and certify such indebtedness to the city treasurer, who shall register the same in his books, giving the description and form of such indebtedness; if in bonds, the number, the amount, rate of interest, when due and date of issue. The mayor and city clerk shall endorse on such evidences of indebtedness issued in payment of attorney's fees, hereinbefore mentioned, the following:

“The within evidence of indebtedness has been issued in payment of attorney's fees for services rendered in behalf of securing title for land grants for the city of Socorro.”

Such evidence of indebtedness shall constitute a preference claim against the said city and a lien upon its lands and the city treasurer is hereby required upon presentation of such evidence of indebtedness so certified in whatever form the same may be, to pay the interest or principal when due out of any moneys on hand, except the water interest funds, and said city is hereby authorized to sell any portion of its lands and apply the proceeds thereof to the payment of the indebtedness hereinbefore mentioned.