to pay, these claims were not settled.

So much bad

feeling had been created by the boundary dispute and the question of debts that the declaration of war against Mexico by Congress (May, 1846) was welcomed by most of the American people.

Texas' Record in the War.— The legislature authorized General Henderson to take command of all Texas troops called upon to serve in the war. The United States asked for two regiments of cavalry and two of infantry from Texas. The Governor left his civil duties in charge of Lieutenant-Governor Horton, and took his place in the army. He was made a major-general of the Texas militia, and so distinguished himself at Monterey that congress voted him a sword. President Polk offered Houston and Rusk the rank of brigadier-general in the United States army, but they remained in the senate, in obedience to the wishes of their countrymen. It is estimated that about eight thousand Texans served as volunteers during this war. The gallant Rangers, under Colonel John Hays, won lasting fame. Among prominent Texans who served as officers were: Lamar, Burleson, Clark, Wood, Bell, Kinney, Bee, the McCullochs, Scurry, Chevalie, Walker, Buchel, and Albert Sidney Johnston.

Results. The war with Mexico belongs to United States history and only two important battles, Palo Alto (pä'-lō äl'-tō) and Resaca de la Palma (rā-sä'-kä dā läh pähl-mä)) were fought east of the Rio Grande. Therefore no attempt is made here to give an account of the conflict..

Under the leadership of General Winfield Scott and General Zachary Taylor, the war was one continued triumph for the Americans. September, 1847, the City of Mexico, notwithstanding her strong fortifications, sur

rendered to General Scott. The Stars and Stripes waved over the Halls of the Montezumas and Mexico was forced to give up every claim to Texas. As Mexico had no money to pay the war indemnity, the United States agreed to take land. The Rio Grande was established as the boundary between Texas and Mexico; California, Utah, Nevada, a part of Colorado, New Mexico, Wyomming, and the most of Arizona, making a territory four times as large as France, were ceded to the United States. In return for this, the United States paid Mexico $15,000,000, and assumed the debts she owed in the United States.

[John A. Greer and J. W. Henderson, Lieutenant

Governors]

(1849-1853.)

The Boundary Between Texas and New Mexico.As has been stated, Texas claimed the Rio Grande from mouth to source as her western boundary, but had never been able to establish her authority over the country about Santa Fé. At the close of the Mexican war, certain prominent men in the United States took the position that this disputed strip of country was really a portion of New Mexico and should be organized as a part of the territory of New Mexico. Underneath all the discussion that followed was the question of slavery,

which entered at this time every question of public interest. The free states opposed Texas' claims, because as Texas was a slave state, the granting her claims would increase slave

territory; the southern states

naturally sided

with Texas as

they wished to extend the power of the slave states. Late in 1848 the people of New Mexico including those about Santa Fé declared against slavery and against becoming a part of Texas. This action disturbed the Tex

Governor Wood

ans. Some favored taking Santa Fé by force; among these were Governor Wood and later Governor Bell. Others wished to withdraw from the Union.

The Compromise of 1850.- The United States Congress passed in 1850 a series of bills yielding certain rights both to free and to slave states, hoping thus to quiet the bitter strife that threatened the very life of our country.5 One of these bills, known as the Boundary Bill, offered Texas $10,000,000 for the portion of New Mexico claimed by her. One-half the purchase money was to be kept in the United States treasury, to pay certain debts made by the Republic of Texas, and for the payment of which her custom-house receipts had

been pledged. Texas was required to accept or reject the proposition by December, 1850.

Texas Accepts the Boundary Bill.- Public feeling in Texas was at a high pitch. Some denounced the keeping half the money in the United States treasury as an insult to Texas; they declared that it was equivalent. to saying, "Texas is dishonest: she will not pay her

those devoted to the best interests of the state argued that Texas had already as much land as she could manage; that she was deeply in debt, and her creditors were daily growing more pressing. A special session of the legislature was called, and the offer of the United States was accepted by an overwhelming majority (November 25).

The Gold Fever.- The year 1849 was marked by a