The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 18, July 1914 - April, 1915 Page: 144
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The Southwestern Historical Quarterly
"The Texas Game."-This emigration to California, during
1845 and the first months in 1846, of which we have just been
speaking, was prompted by more than a desire for mere settle-
ment. "Once let the tide . .. flow toward California," wrote
one of Larkin's New York friends, "and the American popula-
tion will be sufficiently numerous to play the Texas game."'
"Are there not enough wild Yankees in California to take the
management of affairs in their own hands ?" asked another, adding
that the United States must eventually spread south of the 42d
parallel, "as our territory on the Pacific is too narrow altogether,
the outlet is not sufficient for the back country."37 A third be-
lieved two or three hundred Yankee riflemen, in conjunction with
the Californians, could bring about a separation from Mexico, and
suggested that as the thirty Americans taken by the British Gov-
ernment in the Canadian revolt and sent to New South Wales,
were even then at Honolulu on their way home, they might find
more congenial occupation in California than in the States."8
"We only want the Flag of the U. S. and a good lot of Yankees
and you would soon see the immense natural riches of the country
developed, and her commerce in a flourishing condition. To see
that Flag planted here would be most acceptable to the Sons of
Uncle Sam, and by no means repugnant to the native popula-
tion,"30 wrote Stephen Smith, who had recently been released, for
lack of evidence, from a charge of conspiring to declare California
independent.40 It was probably, therefore, with some idea of ful-
filling these expectations that many of the immigrants reached the
province.
Proposed union with Texas.-Aside from the plan of uniting
California with the 'United States after its separation from Mex-
ico, the idea also prevailed of making it an independent nation,
dominating the commerce of the Pacific and enriching itself from
the Asiatic trade. In the early years, as we have seen, the plan
had been broached of annexing it to Texas.41 And as late as
"Robinson to Larkin, May 20, 1845 Larkin MSS., III, No. 170. Rob.
inson added that the papers were filled with such suggestions.
'TAtherton to Larkin, March 4. 1846. Ibid., IV, No. 58.
"SHooper to Larkin (from Honolulu), April 29, 1845. Ibid., IIT.
""Smith to Calhoun, Dec. 30, 1845. Calhoun Correspondence, 1069.
4Bancroft, XXI, 601.
41 E QUARTERLY, XVTTT, 17, n. 53.144
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 18, July 1914 - April, 1915, periodical, 1915; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101064/m1/150/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.