The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 15, July 1911 - April, 1912 Page: 282
382 p. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Texas Historical Association Quarterly
tion to Thompson in which he defended the action of the United
States government. Hle assumed that Texas had been an inde-
pendent country since the battle of San Jacinto and stated that it
was impossible to stop immigration into Texas. This letter had
been on its way but a short time when Webster received a second
letter from Bocanegra. The first communication had assumed
that, though citizens of the United States were guilty of breaches
of neutrality, the government was innocent. He now openly
charged that the "very cabinet of the United States, and the sub-
altern and local authorities, do observe a conduct openly at vari-
ance with the most sacred principles of the law of nations. ."
To this Webster replied by instructing Thompson to inform
Bocanegra that the President of the United States considered the
language and tone of his letter as highly offensive, that the United
States had always been governed by a strict regard for neutrality
in regard to the war between Mexico and Texas, and that if Mex-
ico saw fit to change the existing relations, the responsibility re-
mained with her. This language could not be misunderstood; the
attitude of the American government was growing warlike.1 On
July 11 Reily informed his government that the relations between
the United States and Mexico appeared strained, and that Tyler
had remarked that he did not see how war could be averted. The
President had also told Reily that he was anxious for the imme-
diate annexation of Texas. It was feared that the Senate would
not ratify a treaty, but Reily felt certain that Tyler would act at
once if the Senate would consent. News came at this time that a
frigate for the Mexican government was about to be launched in
England. Tyler immediately ordered the frigate Mississippi to
the Gulf.2
The day after Webster's last mentioned instructions to Thomp-
son, Bocanegra wrote a letter to Thompson in which he made most
bitter complaint against the United States. The note was ex-
tremely belligerent in tone, but the disturbed condition of Mexico
and her inability to cope with Texas make it appear that the utter-
'Webster to Thompson, July 8 and 13, 1842, in Webster, Works, VI,
445-457, 459; Bocanegra to Webster, MIay 31, 1842, Ibid., VI, 457-459.
2Reily to Jones, July 11, 1842, Tex. Dipl. Corr., I, 567-569.282
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 15, July 1911 - April, 1912, periodical, 1912; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101056/m1/287/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.