THE ABSORPTION OF MEXICO 231
"because his remaining longer with the army could not probably accomplish the objects of his mission, and because his remaining longer might and probably would impress the Mexican government with the belief that the United States were so anxious for peace, that they would ultimate {sic) conclude one on the Mexican terms. Mexico must now sue for peace, and when she does we will hear her propositions."
Another month passes and Secretary Buchanan has shifted his position, presumably in response to some indications of a changing public sentiment, such as the recent Democratic victor}'- in Pennsylvania, and we are not surprised to learn that he " spoke in an unsettled tone " and " would express no opinion between these two plans," i. g., for the President in his message "to designate the part of Mexican territory, which we intended to hold as an indemnity, or to occupy all Mexico, by a largely increased force, and subdue the coun- try and promise protection to the inhabitants." Buchanan would, so Polk gathered from his utterances, favor the acquisition of Tamaulipas and the country east of the Sierra Madre Mountains and withdraw the troops to that line. This in fact Buchanan announced to the President nearly two months later, January 2. "My views," records the Pres- ident, November 9, " were in substance that we would con- tinue the prosecution of the war with an increased force, hold all the country we had conquered, or might conquer, and levy contributions upon the enemy to support the war, until a just peace was obtained, that we must have indem- nity in territory, and that as a part indemnit}-, the Califor- nias and New Mexico should under no circumstances be restored to Mexico, but that they should henceforward be considered a part of the United States and permanent ter- ritorial governments be established over them; and that if Mexico protracted the war additional territory must be acquired as further indemnity."
He adds in regard to Buchanan : " His change of opinion will not alter my views; I am fixed in
