The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 15, July 1911 - April, 1912 Page: 268

Texas Historical Association Quarterly

extend her trade relations by commercial treaties, to expand the
boundaries, and to establish a system of education.
It is the object of this paper to trace the diplomatic relations
of Texas and the United States during this period of nationalism
and to show their outcome in the second administration of Hous-
ton. The subject of annexation has recently received extended
treatment from several able historians;' in consequence the present
writer will treat that subject only when necessary to explain the
course of events with which this paper specifically deals.
The most important step toward the accomplishment of Lamar's
plans was to secure his country from Mexican aggression. Mexico
had not acknowledged the independence of her rebellious province
and was continuing a predatory warfare in the neighborhood of the
Rio Grande. Torn with internecine strife, assailed by France,2 and
confronted with rebellion in Yucatan, Mexico had scant means to
carry on more than guerrilla warfare against Texas.3 The time
appeared auspicious for coming to an understanding. Accordingly
the plan was conceived of sending an agent to Mexico and of in-
structing the Minister to the United States to attempt to secure
the good offices of that government in undertaking the r61e of
mediator.
On February 20, 1839, Barnard E. Bee was appointed to go to
Mexico.4 The fact that he was selected shows the importance
which the Texan government attached to the mission. Bee had oc-
cupied the positon of Secretary of War in Houston's first adminis-
tration, and resigned from the office of Secretary of State to con-
duct the negotiations in Mexico.5 He was given a double com-
mission, one as agent to the government of Mexico, the other as
Minister.6 It was not believed that he would be received in the
'Garrison, "The First Stage of the Movement for Annexation," in The
Am. Hist. Review, X, 72-96; Garrison, Westward Extension; Adams, Brit-
ish Interests and Activities in Texas; Reeves, American Diplomacy under
Tyler and Polk; Smith, The Annexation of Texas.
2Baneroft, History of Mexico, V, 186-205.
*Garrison, Westward Extension, 33; Bancroft, North Mexican States,
and Texas, II, 326-332, 351.
VWebb to Bee, February 20, 1839, Tex. Dipl. Corr., II, 432-437.
'Baker, Texas Scrap Book, 289; Texas Almanac, 1858, p. 99; Tex. Dipl.
Corr., I, 23.
6Webb to Bee, March 7, 1839, Tex. Dipl. Corr., II, 437-438.

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