The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 18, July 1914 - April, 1915 Page: 27

Early Sentiment for Annexation of California

go and come as they pleased.36 While the reception of those arriving
by the southern route, though tinged somewhat with suspicion,
was equally free from any manifestations of hostility.37
Efforts of Waddy Thompson.-A period of renewed activity
in the efforts of the United States to gain possession of California,
began with the accession of Tyler to the presidency. Shortly be-
fore his recall from Mexico, Powhatan Ellis had written to
Webster, then Secretary of State, urging the necessity of securing
certain ports on the Pacific on account of the increase of American
commerce and the growing importance of the whale fisheries.38
While with the coming of Waddy Thompson as United States
minister, a very definite movement was set on foot looking to the
purchase of the territory.39
In his first despatch to the home government, Thompson showed
himself a surprising enthusiast for such an acquisition. Mexico,
he thought, would be willing to cede both California and Texas
in return for a cancellation of the American claims against her."
But of the two, Texas was by far the less desirable, having no
comparison in value with California-"the richest, the most beau-
tiful, and healthiest country in the world." Control of Upper
California, continued Thompson, would eventually mean the as-
cendency of the United States over the whole Pacific. The bay
of San Francisco was "capacious enough to receive the navies of
all the world," while the neighboring forests could supply timber
sufficient "to build all the ships of these navies." With this bay
in her possession, and the harbors of San Diego and Monterey,
the nation would have not only necessary ports for her whaling
31A second party numbering twenty-five, organized partly in Missouri
and partly from Americans in New Mexico, had reached Los Angeles via
the Santa Fd Trail about the time the Bartleson company arrived in the
north. The Californians at first were afraid that these had been con-
cerned in the Texan expedition against Santa 6 (Bancroft, XXI, 276-
287).
T"Ibid., 274-275.
"8Ellis to Webster, Jan. 22, 1842 (MS., State Department). On March
10th, Thomas Carlile was appointed consul at San Francisco. by Tyler.
Webster to Thompson, April 8, 1842. MS., State Department.
"Thompson reached Vcra Cruz April 10, 1842. See Waddy Thompson,
Recollections of Mexico (New York and London. Wiley and Putnam.
1847), 1.
"This was the only way in which Thompson saw any hope of Mexican
creditors receiving satisfaction.