somewhat by a commendable activity in organizing troops for the impending Texan campaign, for which he had been designated as commander-in-chief. The most striking measures were the organization of the presidial companies and the demand from the departments of 30,000 men in addition to the contingent of 15,000 required at the close of 1843,[1] made the more urgent since General Woll had received instructions in June to declare at an end the armistice with Texas,[2] agreed upon in the early part of the year with a view to bring about a peaceful settlement. Mexico then offered her practical self-government, if she would recognize the sovereignty of the republic, with representation in congress;[3] but this was not entertained. No hostile movement was undertaken by Mexico, however, for want of money, and in the following spring the chambers permitted the government to listen to proposals from the other side, based on the recognition of Texan independence, with the stipulation that the state should not annex herself to any other country.[4] Negotiations never took place owing to the infringement of the latter bases, leading to results the most memorable in modern Mexican history, as will be seen in due time.
The funds so far collected by acting President Canalizo had melted away as if by magic, during the
- ↑ On Dec. 29th; all to be tendered in successive detachments. from Chihuahua and Durango were to be retained there. The assembly had to issue the necessary orders within a fortnight. Decree of July 2, 1844. Dublan and Lozano, Leg. Mex., iv. 759. The presidio reorganization was, by decree of Mar. 29th, to be given 'toda preferencia.' Méx., Col. Ley., 1844-46, 19. Those Comments on, in Constitucional, Apr. 9, 19, etc., 1844; Bustamante, Mem. Hist. Méx., MS., i. 10-43; Voto de Son., Aug. 22, 1844.
- ↑ President Houston remonstrated at receiving such an announcement from a subordinate, but the government at Mexico deemed it undignified to treat with him.
- ↑ One of Woll's prisoners, I. W. Robinson, formerly lieutenant-governor of Texas, was sent with the proposal in 1843, and commissioners met at Salinas. Thrall's Hist. Texas, 337-8.
- ↑ Boundaries and other questions should if necessary be settled by arbitration. The Mexican government agreed on May 19th to treat on this basis. Santa Anna, Apel. al buen Criterio, 15, ap. 2-3.
16, 1844. Canalizo being absent when Santa Anna departed, Herrera, president of the council, took charge till he arrived, from Sept. 12th till 21st. Allusions to the changes in Mata y Reyes, Oracion, 1-8.
