The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 18, July 1914 - April, 1915 Page: 38
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The Southwestern Historical Quarterly
California.8" But early in the fall, Calhoun made a further attempt
to open negotiations for the acquisition of that province in con-
nection with the annexation of Texas. Duff Green, a close friend,
was sent to Galveston nominally with the exequatur of consul, but
in reality as Calhoun's special agent to join with Ben E. Green,
his son, "in conducting the negotiation for the acquisition of Texas,
New Mexico, and California."
Green arrived at Galveston shortly before the second of October,87
but apparently did not tarry long at his supposed destination as
we find him writing Calhoun on the 28th from Mexico City.
This communication deserves special mention, not merely because
it showed the futility of any immediate attempt to secure a cession
of Mexican territory but because the reason given in this particular
instance explains very effectually the consistent rejection of sim-
ilar proposals made by the United States, from that of Poinsett
in 1825 to the final offer of Slidell in 1846.
"I am convinced," wrote Green, "that it is impossible to obtain
the consent of this Government to the cession to the United States
of Texas, California or any part of the public domain of Mexico
whatever." Then followed a long dissertation on Santa Anna's
hostile policy toward the United States, pursued since 1825 for
his own selfish interests; a description of the chaotic state into
which the government had fallen; and certain remarks upon the
constant factional strife with which the land was cursed. "In
such a state of things," he continued,
in the midst of a civil conflict where each party is seeking pre-
tences to murder and confiscate the property of their opponents,
and where the principle [is maintained] that it is treason to sell
any part of the public domain to the United States, it is worse
than folly to suppose that either party can alienate any part of
Texas or California.88
"During the year 1844 a California representative, by name of Casta-
flares, was in Mexico. pleading for aid for the department, warning the
government against American designs, and prophesying the loss of Cali-
fornia unless active measures were taken to prevent its falling into the
hands -of the United States. Bancroft, XXI, 413 et seq.
87Facts and Suggestions, 85. Green says elsewhere that Calhoun told
him success in the negotiation would mean a more valuable commerce on
the Pacific within a few years than on the Atlantic. Tyler's Letters and
Times of the Tylers, III, 174-175.
sMemucan Hunt to Calhoun, Oct. 2, 1844. Calhoun Correspondence,
975. Mention is here made of Green's consular position.
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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/m1/44/?rotate=180: accessed May 21, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.