The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 15, July 1911 - April, 1912 Page: 281
382 p. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Diplomatic Relations of Texas and the United States 281
The question of mediation, after lying dormant for two, years,
was now brought up again. Reily proposed to Webster that the
United States, as the leading power of the continent, ought to in-
terpose with Mexico. Webster expressed a desire that the proposal
be put in writing, so that, in case of necessity, the action of the
United States might be justified. This Reily did, proposing three
alternatives for Mexican consideration; first, recognition of Texan
independence with limits as defined by the Texas Congress in
1836; if this were refused, recognition of independence, the ques-
tion of limits to be left to future negotiations, and hostilities to
cease until the settlement of the question; if this also were re-
fused, a third proposal, namely, that hostilities cease for at least
five years and then not be reopened without twelve months' notice.
The suggestion met with the favor of Tyler and his Cabinet; General
Thompson, United States Minister to Mexico, was accordingly in-
structed to offer the good offices of the government at Washington
to end the war.1
Webster's letter of instruction pointed out the differences be-
tween Texas and Mexico, in language and customs, the long period
since the battle of San Jacinto, and the recognition of Texan in-
dependence by many states; he stated that the ultimate reannexa-
tion of Texas to Mexico was very doubtful; in consequence the
United States looked upon the war as useless, and though she
could not interfere, she considered it her duty to accept the office
of mediator if desired.2
A few days after instructions were issued to Thompson, Webster
received a letter from Bocanegra, the Mexican Minister of Foreign
Relations, who complained that the citizens of the United States
were injuring Mexico by aiding Texas; he stated that, had it not
been for this aid, the Texans would have been unable to maintain
their long resistance. He assumed the position that Texas was
still an integral part of Mexico, and hence he must protest against
the assistance which came from citizens of the United States.3
Upon receipt of this letter Webster penned a long communica-
'Reily to Jones, June 24, 1842, Ibid., I, 563-566. Smith, The Annexation
of Texas, 70, says, "So far as concerned mediation we [the United States]
stood perfectly aloof."
"Yoakum, History of Texas, II, 362-363.
$Bocanegra to Webster, May 12, 1842, in Webster, Works, VI, 442-444.
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Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 15, July 1911 - April, 1912, periodical, 1912; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101056/m1/286/: accessed May 22, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.