FUTURE PROSPECTS. 177 
nate at least to the United States and to New 
exico—was the closing of the Northern 
ports to foreign commerce, which was doubt- 
less, to a great degree, a consequence of the 
before-mentioned expedition, and which of 
course terminated the Santa Fé Trade, at 
least for the present.* 
I am of the impression, however, that little 
apprehension need be entertained, that this 
decree of Gen. Santa Anna will be permitted 
much longer to continue, unless our peaceful 
relations with Mexico should be disturbed ; 
an event, under any circumstances, seriously 
to be deprecated. With the continuation of 
peace between us, the Mexicans will certainly 
be compelled to open their northern frontier 
ports, to avoid a revolution in New Mexico, 
with which they are continually threatened 
while this embargo continues. Should the 
obnoxious decree be repealed, the Santa Fé 
Trade will doubtless be prosecuted again with 
renewed vigor and enterprise. 
* The Sees | is the substance of Santa Anna’s decree, dated 
at his Palace of Tacubaya, August 7, 1843: 
* Article Ist. The frontier custom-houses of Taos, in the depart- 
ment of New Mexico, Paso del Norte ee del Norte in that 
of Chihuahua, are entirely closed to all com 
‘Art. 2d. This decree shall take effect within « ewrigiaie days 
y 
the a of foreign Ss was a popes Taos, tou 
