Leading American Treaties Volume 4 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1922 edition. Excerpt: ...of our ships of war at Vera Cruz and in that position should demand the payment of the amount due our citizens; that it was well known the Mexican Government was unable to pay in money, and that when they saw a strong force ready to strike on their coasts and border, they would, he had no doubt, feel their danger and agree to the boundary suggested. He said that Paredes, Almonte, and General Santa Anna were all willing for such an arrangement, but that they dare not make it until it was made apparent to the Archbishop of Mexico and the people generally that it was necessary to save their country from a war with the United States. " 1 1Polk, Diary, I.: 224. On the day after each of these interviews, the President held a cabinet meeting. At the first he proposed to send a confidential agent to Santa Anna; but the cabinet did not approve, so that matter was dropped. At the second he proposed sending a strong message to Congress asking that the President be given authority to secure a redress of grievances "by aggressive measures." 1 Nothing more appears to have been done in regard to Mexico until after Slidell's return 'to Washington, May 8, 1846. In the meantime, the Oregon dispute had been as good as settled. The President did most ardently want California and he still thought that it might be had through negotiation. All the information at hand tended to show that the region was virtually independent of Mexico. The Mexicans there had gradually become degenerate. They made no new settlements. They robbed the missions. Agriculture withered under their ravages. With numerous cattle at their doors, they had neither milk, butter, nor-cheese. The trade, including that in hides, was in the hands of foreigners like Sutter;...