The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 22, July 1918 - April, 1919 Page: 291

THE
SOUTHWESTERN HISTORICAL
QUARTERLY
VOL. XXII APRIL, 1919 No 4.
The publication committee and the editors disclaim responsibility for views expressed bU
contributors to THE QUARTERLY
MEXICAN PROJECTS OF T-IE CONFEDERATES'
J. FRED RIPPY
Throughout the Civil War there was manifested a desire on the
part of the Confederate government to form a close alliance with
its neighbor on the South. Overtures were made not only to the
Constitutionalists under Juarez and to Maximilian, but also to
the prominent Mexican leaders of the northern frontier. The
ultimate absorption of a portion of Mexican territory may have
been contemplated. At any rate, the agent of the Juirez govern-
ment at Washington, anticipating this eventually, expressed a de-
sire to negotiate with the United States a treaty guaranteeing the
Mexican Republic. It is probable, however, that the more imme-
diate interest of the South resulted from the fact that Mexico not
only served as a medium through which passed the Confederate
European trade, but also furnished a. good market for the sale of
cotton and the purchase of arms, munitions, and other supplies.
Later, as the Southern cause became more and more hopeless, a
new aspect was introduced by discontented Confederates turning
toward Mexico in search of employment and new homes. The
present article aspires only to give a brief general sketch of these
Mexican relations in the hope that the field thus opened may in
the future prove interesting and profitable.
'The writer wishes to acknowledge valuable suggestions made by Dr.
Herbert E. Bolton in the preparation of this paper.