March 2, 1836, by people’s convention the Mexican province of Texas
declares its independence and its intention to become a republic.
April 21, 1836, by the decisive battle of San Jacinto, Texas wins its
war for independence, in which it has been assisted by many volunteers
from the United States.
May 14, 1836, Santa Anna, the Mexican President and general who had
been captured after the battle, signs a treaty acknowledging the Texas
Republic, extending to the Rio Grande River.
September, 1836, in its first election Texas favors annexation to the
United States.
December, 1836, the Texas Congress declares that the southwestern and
western boundaries of the republic are the Rio Grande River, from its
mouth to its source.
The government of Mexico refuses to recognize the independence of
Texas, and claims that as a province its boundary extends only to the
Nueces River, which empties into the Gulf of Mexico, about 120 miles
from the mouth of the Rio Grande.
This spring and summer petitions have been circulated through the
United States in favor of recognizing the Republic of Texas. Congress
has debated upon that and upon annexation. The South especially desires
the annexation, in order to add Texas to the number of slave-holding
States.
February, 1837, President Andrew Jackson, by message to Congress,
relates that Mexico has not observed a treaty of friendship signed in
1831, and has committed many outrages upon the Flag and the citizens
of the United States; has refused to make payments for damages and
deserves “immediate war” but should be given another chance.
March, 1837, the United States recognizes the independence of the Texas
Republic.
Mexico has resented the support granted to Texas by the United States
and by American citizens; she insists that Texas is still a part of
her territory; and from this time onward there is constant friction
between her on the one side and Texas and the United States on the
other.
In August, 1837, the Texas minister at Washington presents a proposition
from the new republic for annexation to the United States. This being
declined by President Martin Van Buren in order to avoid war with
Mexico, Texas decides to wait.
Mexico continues to evade treaties by which she should pay claims
against her by the United States for damages. In December, 1842,
President John Tyler informs Congress that the rightful claims of
United States citizens have been summed at $2,026,079, with many not
yet included.
Several Southern States consider resolutions favoring the annexation of
Texas. The sympathies of both North and South are with Texas against
Mexico.
In August, and again in November, 1843, Mexico notifies the United
States that the annexation of Texas, which is still looked upon as only
a rebellious province, will be regarded as an act of war.
October, 1843, the United States Secretary of State invites Texas to
present proposals for annexation.
In December, 1843, President Tyler recommends to Congress that the
United States should assist Texas by force of arms.
April 12, 1844, John C. Calhoun, the Secretary of State, concludes a
treaty with Texas, providing for annexation. There is fear that Great
Britain is about to gain control of Texas by arbitrating between it and
Mexico. The treaty is voted down by the Senate on the ground that it
would mean war with Mexico, would bring on a boundary dispute, and that
to make a new State out of foreign territory was unconstitutional.
Throughout 1844 the annexation of Texas is a burning question, debated
in Congress and by the public. In the presidential election this fall
the annexation is supported by the Democratic party and opposed by the
Whig party. The Democrats had nominated James K. Polk for President,
George M. Dallas for Vice-President; the Democrats’ campaign banners
read: “Polk, Dallas and Texas!” Polk and Dallas are elected.
March 1, 1845, a joint resolution of Congress inviting Texas into the
Union as a State is signed by President Tyler just before he gives way
to President-elect Polk. The boundaries of Texas are not named.
March 6 General Almonte, Mexican minister to the United States,
denounces the resolution as an act of injustice to a friendly nation
and prepares to leave Washington.
March 21 orders are issued by President Polk to General Zachary Taylor
to make ready for marching the troops at Fort Jesup, western Louisiana,
into Texas.
This same month the Texas Secretary of State has submitted to Mexico a
treaty of peace by which Mexico shall recognize the republic of Texas,
if Texas shall not unite with any other power.
In May, this 1845, Mexico signs the treaty with Texas.
May 28 the President of the United States directs General Taylor to
prepare his command for a prompt defence of Texas.
June 4 President Anson Jones, of the Texas Republic, proclaims that
by the treaty with Mexico hostilities between the two countries have
ended. But――
June 15 President Polk, through the Secretary of War, directs General
Taylor to move his troops at once, as a “corps of observation,” into
Texas and establish headquarters at a point convenient for a further
advance to the Rio Grande River. A strong squadron of the navy also is
ordered to the Mexican coast. And――
June 21 the Texas Congress unanimously rejects the treaty with Mexico,
and on June 23 unanimously accepts annexation to the United States.
July 4, this 1845, in public convention the people of Texas draw up an
annexation ordinance and a State constitution.
On July 7 Texas asks the United States to protect her ports and to send
an army for her defence.
August 3 General Zachary Taylor lands an army of 1500 men at the mouth
of the Nueces River, and presently makes his encampment at Corpus
Christi, on the farther shore.
In October the Mexican Government, under President Herrera, agrees to
receive a commissioner sent by the United States to discuss the dispute
over Texas, and President Polk withdraws the ships that have been
stationed at Vera Cruz.
December 6, 1845, John Slidell, the envoy from the United States,
arrives in the City of Mexico to adjust the matter of Texas and also
the claims held by American citizens against Mexico.
The Mexican Republic is in the throes of another revolution. It
declines to include the claims in the proposed discussion; December
30 President Herrera is ousted and Don Maria Paredes, who favors war
rather than the loss of Texas, becomes head of the republic. Minister
Slidell finally has to return home, in March, 1846. But long before
this President Polk had decided to seize the disputed Texas boundary
strip.