The Junior Historian, Volume 28, Number 6, May 1968 Page: 28
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THE JUNIOR HISTORIAN
pects of Texas.
Talk of mediation was a recurrent
theme in diplomatic correspondence with
Texas. The first offer of mediation was
made by the then-captive president of
Mexico, Santa Anna. He proposed to
secure friendly mediation of the United
States, and wrote a letter to President
Andrew Jackson to that effect.Then a proposal of "triple interposi-
tion" was made, whereby Great Britain,
France, and the United States would to-
gether offer their services in mediation.
This proposal was quickly refused by
Great Britain. Their alleged reason for
refusal was the unfriendly relations be-
tween Mexico and the United States.
France, however, eagerly accepted the
idea of the triple interposition.
Great Britain, in lieu of a triple inter-
position, proffered a convention of me-
diation to settle the differences, and rec-
oncile the warring nations. The conven-
tion, after an interval of several years,
was concluded by Texas and Britain, sent
to Mexico, and there refused. All media-
tions met similar fates, being rejected by
one of the principals, either Texas, Mex-
ico, Britain, or France.
Most of the history of the Republic is
a result, directly or indirectly, of events
concerning annexation. Texas and parts
of the United States were annexation-
minded, especially the South and West.
In a letter to R. A. Irion, written on
July 1, 1837, Memucan Hunt stated:
In that section of the Union, indeed, so
strong is the feeling in our favour, that I ven-
ture to predict an open rupture against the
Government, if the Northern enemies of
Texas should gain the ascendency in Con-
gress.
There were frequent disputes between the
pro-annexationists, who saw no logical
obstacle to annexation, and their oppo-
nents.There did exist definite opponents to
the annexation both inside and outside
the respective governments. Texas' friends
in the United States opposed the action
on the grounds that a brighter destiny
awaited Texas. Supposedly she would be
better off independent, for under the
United States government she would be
oppressed by high taxes, high tariffs, and
a restriction of foreign trade. Texas in-
stead should go on conquering until it
rivaled the United States in size, re-
sources, and population. Texans, how-
ever, were not ambitious enough to take
such a course.
By far the largest number of American
opponents came from the anti-slavery
North. They feared Texas would bring in
a large number of pro-slavery votes that
would tip the balance of power to the
South. These Abolitionists stirred up
enough trouble to delay matters for sev-
eral years.
On January 23, 1845, the United
States House of Representatives passed a
resolution for the admission of Texas.
All of the anti-annexationists were against
it, and some of the pro-annexationists
were against it because of the supposedly
unfavorable terms. The annexationists
wanted to wait for an American proposal
having more favorable terms.
The British government officially pro-
tested the action with a stern warning
concerning their intention to enforce the
commercial treaties even if Texas was
annexed. They also tried to bring about
conditions such that Texas would find it
desirable to remain independent. Their
most vigorous measure called for recog-
nition by Mexico, mediation of boundary
disputes, and a guarantee by Texas to
remain independent. Texas could be an-
nexed only with the permission of all
principles.
The English and French ministers to
Texas, Captain Elliot and Compte de
Saligny, conferred with the Texas Presi-
dent, Anson Jones, and agreed upon
terms of a preliminary treaty. Elliot then
elected to hasten secretly to the ministers
to Mexico and impress upon them the28
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Texas State Historical Association. The Junior Historian, Volume 28, Number 6, May 1968, periodical, May 1968; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth391564/m1/30/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.