The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 18, July 1914 - April, 1915 Page: 39
438 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Early Sentiment for Annexation of California
Farther along in his despatch, Green again laid emphasis upon
the fact-which Americans, eager for territory and cognizant of
Mexico's need of funds and the easy virtue of some of her officials,
were slow to grasp--that any party venturing to sell Texas or
California would surely be overthrown, its leaders shot and their
property taken over by a rival faction. Out of this difficulty only
one way lay open to the United States government; and that,
though it promised all the administration could ask, Green refused
to specify in writing, reserving his explanation for a personal in-
terview after visiting Texas.89
Following Duff Green's departure from Mexico, little concerning
California occurs in the correspondence that passed between Wilson
Shannon, the American minister who succeeded Thompson, and
Calhoun. One important despatch respecting English designs,
which will be noticed later, was sent early in January, 1845;9O
while on the 16th of the same month Shannon wrote that there
might be a bare possibility of reopening negotiations with the new
government of Paredes and Herrera9 because of their desperate
need of funds.92 But the breaking off of diplomatic relations, fol-
lowing the annexation of Texas soon after this, put an effectual
stop to all attempts at negotiation for California until Slidell
entered the field under Polk's direction.
It should be noted, however, in any discussion of the diplomacy
of this period that it was during Tyler's administration that the
first hint of Polk's subsequent policy regarding the internal affairs
of California is to be found. Larkin, after his appointment as
89Duff Green to Calhoun, Oct. 28, 1844. Ibid., 975-980. It is more than
probable that Green had reference to the movement he afterwards en-
deavored to stir up in Texas looking to the revolt of several of the Mexi-
can provinces, including California. Anson Jones, Republic of Texas,
412-414; Donelson to Calhoun, Jan. 27, 1845, Calhoun Co7rrespondence,
1019-1020.
90Green also had something to say in his despatches about England's
hold on California.
O9Shannon to Calhoun, Jan. 16, 1845. MS., State Departmout. Ben
Green asserted that the Herrera government was favorably inclined to
cede New Mexico and California to the United States, and that he and
the United States consul, J. D. Marks, at Matamoras came to Washing-
ton to acquaint Tyler with the fact and arrange the negotiation. The
appointment of Slidell as minister, according to Green, brought their
plans to a standstill (Tylers Letters and Times of the Tylers, III,
174-177).
"'Santa Anna's overthrow took place about the middle of January.
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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/m1/45/?rotate=90: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.