1827, with General Manuel Mier y Teran as its chief, to ascertain the boundary line between the Mexican and American republics under the treaty of 1819.[1] Teran then had an opportunity of observing the giant springing up in that portion of his country. He went as far as Laredo and San Antonio de Béjar, and examined nearly the whole of that region. Austin's colonists were almost all Americans, and of the same nationality were those who in 1826 settled the western line of the Colorado and Nueces. For this reason the American government and people became the more anxious for the acquisition of Texas, which was made manifest in various ways; namely, by offers to purchase,[2] by throwing obstacles in the way of the treaty of limits to delay its becoming effective, and by attempting to extend the boundary of Louisiana beyond the Sabine River.[3]
The impression had meantime been gaining ground in Mexico that there was serious danger of a disruption of Texas from the republic. Indeed, there were divers good reasons for that apprehension, the chief being the class of population, with its manners and customs, language, religious toleration, and love of liberty.[4] The conquests of industry and enlighten-
- ↑ The commission performed that duty from early in 1828, and used its best endeavors to save Texas to Mexico. Tornel, Brere Reseña Hist., 171-3.
- ↑ The offers of money were made at first with the view of securing the Colorado River as the boundary line, but such propositions led only to the acceptance on the 12th of Jan. 1828, of the line designated in the treaty of 1819. However, in 1829, President Jackson caused the negotiations to be resumed, designating four distinct lines as admissible, and naming several sums of money; but they were productive of no result. The details of the negotiations present no matter of special interest. Gen. Nicolás Bravo is supposed to have used his influence against the American wishes. Similar instructions to the American minister in Mexico were repeated in 1833 and 1835. Niles' Reg., liii. 180; U. S. Govt, cong. 25, ses. 1, H. Ex. Doc. 42; Mex. Derecho Intern., 1st pt, 114-17; Mayer's Hist. Mex. War, i. 52; Jay's Rev. Mex. War, 20-1.
- ↑ Both governments at last, on the 3d of April, 1835, made a convention proroguing for another year the time to appoint commissioners for running the boundary line. Mex. Derecho Intern., 1st pt, 177-80. The president of the United States urged congress to make provision at once for carrying out that treaty; but it was never done.
- ↑ Private transactions, public acts, and newspapers were in English, which was the common language. Zavala, Revol. Méx., ii. 306; Mayer's Hist. Alex. War, 46.
