Dec. 12 (S. Anna, Nov. 19). Republicano, May 10; June 5, 10, 15, 26. México á través, iv, 662, 664-7. Ramírez, México, 229-30, 233, 284-6. 13Bankhead, nos. 59, 60, May 29. London Times, July 9, 16; Aug. 6. 73Bermúdez de Castro, no. 517, June 29. Roa Bárcena, Recuerdos, 290-3. Bustamante, Nuevo Bernal, ii, 157, 196-204. Encarnacion Prisoners, 67. 80Guerra to gov. Méx., May 20. Diario, May 19, 21, 23-4; June 8. Boletin de la Democracia, May 25. Hitchcock, Fifty Years, 260. Ho. 60; 30, 1, p. 967. Apuntes, 201, 204. Otero, Réplica. Dublin, Legislación, v, 264. 76Bravo, May 15, 16, 24, 30. 76S. Anna to Rosa, Feb. 5, 1848. 76Valencia, June 7, 1847. 76Mora, June 5. 76To Brito, May 25. 60Bravo, proclam., May 6. 76S. Anna, May 21.
The statesmen who met S. Anna were Manuel Baranda, Ignacio Trigueros and J. F. Ramírez.
7. Asignal illustration of the incompetence of the Mexican government, particularly Congress, was afforded by its treatment of Great Britain. At the end of August, 1846, Bankhead, under the instructions of the Foreign Office (13to Bankhead, no. 20), proposed mediation to Mexico, but the offer was not welcomed. Santa Anna and Rejón believed that it proceeded wholly from self-interest, and that, in order to prevent her commerce from suffering longer from the war and other interests from becoming imperilled, England was ready to sacrifice the honor and welfare of their country (73Bermúdez de Castro, nos. 332, res., 343, res., Sept. 24, 27, 1846); and, moreover, the Mexicans still felt quite able to cope with the United States (13Bankhead, no. 130, Sept. 7, 1846). In October, under renewed instructions (13no. 11), Bankhead again submitted the proposal (13nos. 162, 180), and later he returned to the charge (Apuntes, 202). The subject was unwisely referred by the Mexican Executive to Congress, but nothing was done (ibid). After the battle of Cerro Gordo, however, the administration thought negotiations might be used to delay the American advance (ibid.; Ramírez, México, 246) and the Puros hoped the subject might be made embarrassing to the government (Ramírez, México, 224). Violent, acrimonious and dangerous debates followed in Congress and, in order to embarrass the Executive (18Bankhead, no. 45, 1847), enough Puros remained away (at the time set for voting) to destroy the quorum (ibid.). The matter was then dropped (Ramirez, México, 246, 274). The general feeling was that British mediation would signify British control and a dishonorable, disadvantageous peace (London Times, June 15; Monitor Repub., May 18). But, even if this view contained some elements of justice, trifling with a great power and throwing the vital interests of Mexico into the cockpit of party politics could not be excused.
8. The political situation after June 2. S. Anna, Apelación, app., pp. 3, 6, 8,10,etc. Id., Detall, 8. 87Coalition junta, July 7; Aug.8; etc. Republicano, June 4, 5, 9, 15, 16, 20, 22, 26. 312Baranda to S. Anna, Apr. 8. México á través, iv, 667, 704. Iniciativa que el Hon. Cong. del Estado de Zacat. Otero, Réplica. 13Bankhead, nos. 60, May 29; 64, 65, 70, June 29. Id., no. 125, Dec. 30, 1845 (Tornel has no reputation for honesty). London Times, Aug. 6. 77Gov. 8. Luis Potosí, June 19. 13Thornton to Bankhead, June 14. 52Consul Black, no. 389, Sept. 12, 1846. Encarnacion Prisoners, 68, 77-8, 86. 73Bermúdez de Castro, no. 517, June 29. 77Letter from Coatepec, June 26. 82Treas. to sec. state of Puebla, June 14; reply, June 15. 82Guerra to gov. Puebla, Aug. 2; reply, Aug. 7. 80Legisl. of Méx. state, Mar. 26; June 12. 80Id., address, Apr. 26. 80Coalition, address, Aug. 4. Verdadero Liberal, Aug. 12. 80Coal.