PROPOSITIONS TO MEXICO HERRERA OVERTHROWN. 331 



period in Washington, as an act of aggression "the most unjust 

 which can be found in the annals of modern history" and designed 

 to despoil a friendly nation of a considerable portion of her terri- 

 tory. He announced, in consequence, the termination of his mis- 

 sion, and demanded his passports to leave the country. Tn Mex- 

 ico, soon after, a bitter and badly conducted correspondence took 

 place between the minister of foreign affairs and Mr. Shannon, our 

 envoy. And thus, within a brief period, these two nations found 

 themselves unrepresented in each other's capital and on the eve 

 of a serious dispute. 



But the government of the United States, — still sincerely anx- 

 ious to preserve peace, or at least, willing to try every effort to 

 soothe the irritated Mexicans and keep the discussion in the cabi- 

 net rather than transfer it to the battle field, — determined to use 

 the kindly efforts of our consul, Mr. Black, who still remained in 

 the capital, to seek an opportunity for the renewal of friendly inter- 

 course. This officer was accordingly directed to visit the minister 

 of foreign affairs and ascertain from the Mexican government 

 whether it would receive an envoy from the United States, in- 

 vested with full power to adjust all the questions in dispute be- 

 tween the two governments. The invitation was received with 

 apparent good will, and in October, 1845, the Mexican govern- 

 ment agreed to receive one, commissioned with full powers to set- 

 tle the dispute in a peaceful, reasonable and honorable manner. 



As soon as this intelligence reached the United States, Mr. John 

 Slidell was dispatched as envoy extraordinary and minister pleni- 

 potentiary on the supposed mission of peace ; but when he reached 

 Vera Cruz in November, he found the aspect of affairs changed. 

 The government of Herrera, with which Mr. Black's arrangement 

 had been made, was tottering. General Paredes, a leader popular 

 with the people and the army, availing himself of the general ani- 

 mosity against Texas, and the alleged desire of Herrera's cabinet 

 to make peace with the United States, had determined to overthrow 

 the constitutional government. There is scarcely a doubt that 

 Herrera and his ministers were originally sincere in their desire to 

 settle the international difficulty, and to maintain the spirit of the 

 contract they had made. But the internal danger, with which they 

 were menaced by the army and its daring demagogue, induced 

 them to prevaricate as soon as Mr. Slidell presented his credentials 

 for reception. All their pretexts were, in reality, frivolous, when 

 we consider the serious results which were to flow from their enun- 



