The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 47, July 1943 - April, 1944 Page: 40

Southwestern Historical Quarterly

dicate the number of troops which would be necessary for the
defense of the frontier, the type of fortifications needed, and
estimate the possible cost. Further, he was in particular to
note conditions on the present frontier and to inform the govern-
ment at once if additional measures were necessary for the
security of the interior.'" We can see evolving something of the
real purpose of the journey to Texas.
Mier y Teran went no further than the Sabine on this expedi-
tion, and all the other members of his party except Sanchez left
it before it reached Nacogdoches. By that time, its ostensible
purpose had been superseded; the Mexican officials, as we have
seen, had repeatedly insisted that it would be necessary to have
the information which this expedition was to gather before the
treaty of limits could be concluded, yet it had hardly left Mexico
City before preparations were made to renew the negotiations
immediately, and it had not even reached the province of Texas
when a treaty was signed."'
At least two preliminary meetings were held, one on October
5, and the other on October 26, 1827. It was decided what in-
formation the commission was expected to obtain. First of all
there was the need for geographical data. Information was
needed on the quality of the soil in the boundary regions, its
agricultural possibilities, and if these were not evident, the
possibilities for mining and commerce. Historical sketches of
the settlements were to accompany the reports, and recom-
mendations were to be made as to the political measures neces-
sary to occupy the uninhabited portions, and which points were
in need of military defense. All natural resources were to be
catalogued, and information on the customs, dispositions, and
habits of the native tribes together with an estimate of their
numbers was to be obtained. The necessity for pacts, alliances,
and commercial agreements with these tribes was pointed out.
The commission was to look over the possibility of populating
the uninhabited regions with Europeans "with more velocity
1'J. Pedraza to Mier y Terin, September 12, 1827, H. Ex. Does., 25c.,
ls., No. 42.
Poinsett to Clay, February 7, 1828, in H. Ex. Does., 25c., is., No. 42,
p. 26. This treaty was ratified by the Mexican Senate April 26, 1828, but
for various reasons which need not be discussed here did not go into effect.
The boundary question was an extended one and its final settlement is a
story entirely apart from the work of Mier y Terin. As late as March,
1828, Obreg6n asked Clay for passports for the members of the commission
and wrote as though they had just been appointed, intimating that they
were to proceed in the execution of the treaty. Obreg6n to Clay, March
19, 1828, Ibid., 44.

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