Under these circumstances the diplomatic intercourse between the two republics was interrupted, and a quasi state of war existed from the spring of 1845, until the commencement of actual hostilities.
The acknowledgment of the independence of Texas, admitted merely the fact of her separate existence as a nation; but in annexing her territory, the American government went one step further. It was assumed that she was independent of right, and, therefore, capable of treating, and being treated with, like all other powers. In October, 1843, Mr. Thompson, the minister in Mexico, was instructed by Mr. Upshur, to inform that government, that the United States regarded Texas as an independent and sovereign power, and that, as she had "shaken off the authority of Mexico, and successfully resisted her power for eight years," they would "not feel themselves under any obligation to respect her former relation with that country."[1] The hostile demonstrations made by Mexico, for nine years after the battle of San Jacinto, were confined, with two exceptions — when Urrea and Woll crossed the Rio Grande but were forced to retire — to the clandestine forays of rancheros[2] and Indians. Distracted by her intestine
- ↑ Senate Doc. 3-11, (p. 94), 1st session, 28th Congress.
- ↑ The rancheros of Mexico Were originally herdsmen, like the gauchos on the pampas of Buenos Ayres. They are small of stature, but wiry and muscular. Their usual costume is quite picturesque; consisting
and assure him, that the execution of such a hostile purpose, in the event of the ratification, would lead to actual hostilities. Similar orders were issued on the 27th of April to Brevet Brigadier General Zachary Taylor, of the 1st Infantry, then in command of the first military department, and stationed at Fort Jesup, Louisiana, to which post he had been transferred but a few days previous. The force under his command was largely increased, and he was instructed to communicate, confidentially, with the President of Texas — Senate Doc. 341, (p. 76), 1st session, 28th Congress.
