ANNEXATION. 131 
has of late been fast declining in wealth, if not in population ; 
_ but not to the same extent as Sonora, because she has had 
far less to contend against, both as regards hostile Indians 
| and civil wars. It is easy, therefore, to understand how it is 
that the old Santa Fé trade has almost ceased to exist; and 
until a great change takes place in these productive provinces 
| of Northern Mexico, there is little chance that commerce will 
again return to its ancient channels, and that there will be 
any permanent market for merchandise. . 
As things cannot be worse than they are, many think that 
they see in this utter state of prostration and national degra- 
dation the germs of a better future. Any change, they say, 
' must be for the better, and they look to the prosperous States 
beyond the frontier to take Sonora and her sisters under their 
_ protection, and, so to speak, to give them a chance. I did 
not expect to hear this sentiment so freely and openly 
' expressed by the Mexicans themselves; much as they were 
suffering, I supposed, until I came into their country, that 
the great jealousy they were considered to feel towards 
| foreigners would make such an ultimatum decidedly unpopular, 
but I soon found reason to alter this opinion. They seemed 
to me to look upon annexation to the United States as their 
destiny, and one to be hoped for with as little delay as 
_ possible. 
| In speaking as I have done of the present Governor, I do 
-} not complain of him as a man. On the contrary, I consider 
} him far above the average of Mexican governors, and I feel 
}conyinced that, as unity amongst the Mexican States is 
already merely fictitious, he will be willing to favour annexa- 
} tion, provided he thereby secures solid advantages for himself. 
¥ That section of the governing class which now forms the 
s} party of power, would, no doubt, follow the same course ; but 
| K2 
