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To r.er German til'.er? of the so:l, Texas i* indebted for ilev*Iopmerr.« of great value, and which to :he Americans had oeen eonli.dered of impo-^ble producz:c-n in this climate. Portioni of the country have become valuable and productive, which had been *et aside as unfit for general use.

r*TV«i Wbrrt did an opportnr.fcy for partia: r».ir*se of trataarwl of prisoner• and '*i*-t oatrxeMt by Mexiro occur to the Texiaos * What »t- firs done by the TntUwm *iv&w*l »it the expedition * Describe their {it.-^ and Inomcr- What did their *v*lu Until of the train * What farther did they learn on the 9th of Jane? Whar was tunttn%i*i rtl tut the I7th? What occurred r'a the dfth while they were iw»itm^ he arriia] * How bad tlttry been wryriitell t What was the next report of the scout* on the 3<th? What did wtw of the men do * What did Captain Snively do? What was Captain (uhmks demand? What did Cooke do * What occurred on the -ttb of July' What wan reported liy the minim on the 8th? What di'l they find on the 13th * When did they rtfu'h Wrd'i t K"rt? What colonial enterprise was begun in l&fc£? What did Castro writttv\AlAi t Helal* the progreiw of immi^rration between and 1SI7- How was toe purpose defeated? in conseo,neTice of thin failure what wa* the fate of colonists * Into what 'otlipsfiy did Uiim enterpriae become merged' What te true of German tiller* of the noil 1

CHAPTER LV.

I'KAOK WITIf MEXICO URGED QUESTION' OF AXXEXATION—

VYAB WITH THE REGULATORS AND MODERATORS.

Tun first propositions for peace with Mexico originated with James W. Robinson, Lieutenant-Governor in the provisional government in 1835, one of the lawyers captured by (lcnoral Woll ut Sun Antonio in September, 1842, then conllnod in the Castle of Perote. Robinson ventured to open a correspondence with Santa Anna at his hacienda, where he afterwards had a personal interview with him, and made |)i'opoMals which wore so favorably received by Santa Anna that liobinson obtained his liberty, in order to offer them for the consideration of the government of Texas.

Ilobinson's plans looked to the peaceful restoration of Texas to Mexico. On his return to Texas he laid the correspondence bcl-oro President Houston, who saw in it an ingenious device for regaining Robinson's liberty, but nothing which could permanently benefit Texas. An armistice which was proposed, it was suggested, would give Texas a respite from invasion, and afford the people time to devote to her domestic industries. This was the extent of that affair, only that Texas was to become a State of Mexico.

Great Britain desired a reunion of Texas with Mexico, rather than annexation to the United States, as it would increase the area of monarchical rule on this side the ocean, diminish that of a slave-holding people, and increase her own chances for collecting debts against that country, which Mexico alone was unable to pay.

Great Britain and France both interested themselves in bringing about an armistice between the belligerent powers, Texas and Mexico. The passage of British war vessels between Vera Cruz and Galveston, bearing secret despatches, interviews between the ministers of those countries, and a known diplomatic correspondence with Texas officials, aroused the jealousy of the United States—imperilling the Monroe doctrine and the possession of the Gulf of Mexico.

"Beware of the British !" wrote Andrew Jackson, Houston's early friend and admirer, and one who never wholly acknowledged the alienation of title by the United States to the territory of Texas.

The dignity of Texas had been offended by the rejection of her first proposals for annexation. She was now waiting for the suit to be made from that quarter, while, in a quiet and unofficial way, her minister to that country was urging the question of annexation upon the favorable notice of individual congressmen.

Texas foresaw that the measure would sometime be effected, notwithstanding the invectives with which she was assailed by other parties whenever the subject was agitated.

This opposition was so far resented in Texas that quite a large party grew up opposed to annexation. At the same time there was a governing anxiety to so shape her public acts as not to diminish her chances for favorable terms when that period should arrive. Two commissioners from each of the belligerent powers met at Sabinas, and a temporary armistice was agreed upon and proclaimed on the 15th of June, 1843. On the 24th of July the Texian government was informed by the British charge d'affaires that to General Woll and the military would be submitted the question of the duration of the armistice.

In all this correspondence Texas was considered as a dependency of Mexico, and the Texian President's position in the civil government was ignored.

About this time the renewed interest on thp question of annexation became public through President Tyler's message to the United States Congress on the 5th of December, 1843, in which he plainly showed zealous solicitude that "Texas should be left free to act, especially in regard to her domestic affairs, unawed by force and unrestrained by the policy or views of other countries."

President Houston took no public action upon the armistice, but rejected it silently, merely to gain time, avoid irritating Mexico while she held the Mier prisoners, and also to retain the good will of Great Britain and France.

The recent advances by the United States were received cautiously. The party in Texas who were in favor of annexation were impatient of delay, and all were in a state of feverish anxiety. It was learned by the Texian Congress that on the 18th of December, 1843, a secret messenger had been despatched to the United States government, charged with important instructions on the subject of annexation. A demand was made by resolution, upon the President, for the immediate recall of the messenger, and that his departure be postponed until Congress should be allowed to read all correspondence with other countries on matters affecting Texas and had time for action thereon, if necessary. The President refused to make public the errand with which the messenger was charged, but suggested that the Speaker and Committee on Foreign Affairs could call at the State Department and examine the correspondence. This was done, and they were satisfied.

A repetition of her former humiliation was feared in a final rejection by the United States Senate, although General Jackson wrote January 23, 1844, his belief that more than two-thirds of the Senate would vote for annexation. President Houston had equally positive assurances from other distinguished sources.

In response to a secret message to the Congress of Texas, sent in by the President on the 20th of January, 1844, on the subject of annexation, an appropriation was made to defray the expenses of General James Pinkney Henderson, who had been appointed a special envoy to go to Washington City and be ready to cooperate with Mr. Isaac Van Zandt, Texian charge, d'affaires, should a certain point be reached by that government on the subject of annexation. Mr. Van Zandt asked if, after the treaty was signed, and before its ratification by the Senate, President Tyler would place a military and naval force at necessary points on the gulf and frontier, to protect the country in the meantime from foreign invasion. Texas received assurances of protection. All was in a state of readiness, and the business of making the treaty began.

The British minister, surprised at what now became public, demanded an explanation. He was, in respectful terms, answered that all had failed from every other source. The United States had promised protection which Texas so much needed; had promised to procure the release of her imprisoned citizens; and that the proposition was unsolicited by Texas. Mexico was cm-aged at the prospect of annexation. General Woll informed Texas that the armistice was at an end, and that hostilities would be immediately renewed.

The treaty was completed on the 12th of April, 18*4, signed by General Henderson and Mr. Van Zandt on the part of Texas, and by Mr. Calhoun, Secretary of State of the United States, sent by President Tyler to the Senate for ratification, and on the 8th of June, 1844, it was rejected by that body by a vote of sixteen to thirty-five.*

A feeling of profound mortification and resentment pervaded all parties in Texas.

The pleasure of the Mexicans was equally profound. On the 19th of June General Woll gave notice that hostilities were renewed, and that his nation had been highly indignant at the perfidious conduct of Texas. "Nothing short of disturbances of a serious character at home prevented that government from an immediate retaliation for the insult."

No official relations now existed between Texas and the United States. General Henderson was recalled and Mr. Van Zandt resigned. The "Lone Star" was the appropriate emblem for Texas, and Texas resolved to devote all her resources and energies to her own development, and in time to outlive the opprobrium falsely cast upon her by her enemies. The restless and factious spirit among the people was quieted. The Indians, their main wants supplied by trading houses along the border, and their thieving expeditions checked by an efficient ranging service, gave less trouble. Schools and religious institutions received more attention,

i The final action of the Senate was not taken as a test of the popularity of tne measure. It was affected by the opposition to annexation of the two opposing candidates for the presidency of the United States—Henry Clay, a Whig, and Martin Van Buren, a Democrat.

When the time arrived for the Whig nominating convention at Baltimore, May 1st, which nominated Mr. Clay, the question of his opposition to annexation had been settled by a public letter of April 13th.

When, on the 27th of May, the Democratic convention met to nominate their candidate, and the question of annexation was applied to Martin Van Buren, and his opposition to the measure defeated him, James K. Polk, known to be in its favor, was nominated in his stead, and "annexation" became a rallying cry of the Democratic party. It was coupled with the "re-occupation of Oregon," and the " re-anucxation of Texas."

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