So8 E. C. Barker known desire of Texas to become a part of our system ... is calculated to expose our conduct to misconstruction in the eyes of the world ".' And again on December 22 he recommended delay in recognizing the independence of Texas, " at least until the lapse of time or the course of events shall have proved beyond cavil or dispute the ability of the people of that country to maintain their separate sovereignty, and to uphold the government constituted by them ".- Finally, when Santa Anna, just released from his chains in Texas, visited Washington in January, 1837, and pro- posed a cession of Texas to the United States for a " fair con- sideration ", he was answered that as matters now stood, the U. S. could not act in the matter until we were placed in a situation to know the disposition of the Texians, when we would with pleasure when asked by the two powers interpose with our good offices to restore harmony between them. Until Texas is acknowl- edged Independent we cannot receive her minister or hold any corre- spondence with her as a nation. And as the Genl thro his Minister here cannot act^ We can only instruct our Minister at Mexico to re- ceive any proposition her Government may make on the subject — Until we hear her views we cannot speak to Texas. Having then outlined to Santa Anna a proposal which under certain conditions the United States might make for an extension of her boundary to include Texas and northern California, the Presi- dent continued. But it must be understood that this proposition is made to meet the views of the Genl, and not by the U. States to acquire Territory or take advantage of the disturbed state of Mexico but to meet the wishes of her Government and secure peace and tranquility on our respective borders and lay the foundation of a permanent tranquility between the U. S. and Mexico that has so happily existed, and which has been like to have been interrupted by the civil war in Texas.* ' Richardson, Messages and Papers of the Presidents, III. 237-23S. 2 Ibid., 265-269. It is likely that Van Buren helped the President to frame this message. At least, so much is indicated by the following memorandum (copy), found among the Van Buren MSS. : "The great and delicate question of, shall we acknowledge the Independence of Texas, — is the evidence contained in the report of our confidential agent Mr Moffet [Morfit], sufficient to shew that Texas has a de facto Govt, and the means to support it. See the Resolutions of Congress and compare the facts contained in the report with it — see report on which the independence of So America was acknowledged." 'On May 20, 1836, the Mexican Congress passed a resolution not to recognize any act of Santa Anna's while he was a prisoner. Gorostiza transmitted a copy of this to President Jackson, July 9, 1836, 24 Cong., 2 sess., Scyi. Doc, No. i, Vol. I., p. 37. < Memorandum among the Jackson MSS., no date.
