1830 Mexican View of Relations with the United States and Texas

"[Texas] "The Mexicans, in 1830. By a Mexican Citizen" [in] Atkinson's Casket, Gems of Literature, Wit & Sentiment",

This volume contains the monthly issues of the Atkinson's Casket, Gems of Literature, Wit & Sentiment for the period January 1831 to June 1832. Within the April 1831 issue is a 10-page article that was summarized by Constantine Rafinesque as “a very interesting Spanish manuscript, upon the Mexican Confederation” from a source he does not identify other than as “an impartial and well informed [Mexican] man.”

The document describes in some detail Mexico’s attitude toward the United States: “Toward the North Americans, the [government] bears no good will, but rather distrust and dislike.” It goes on to describe how the Mexicans were insulted when Poinsett offered to buy Texas for six cents per acre while the wild lands of Texas were being sold by the Mexican government for 40 cents per acre. Moreover, when the offer was rejected, he insulted the Mexicans further by “offering a loan of 10 millions, as a pawnbroker would, upon the pawning of Texas until repaid.” A total of nine complaints against the U.S. are listed. In addition, the author claims that the British offered “two millions” for Mexico to “invade Louisiana, declare all negroes free, and expel all the American settlers from Texas.” The document continues that in the future contest with the U.S. “the Mexicans think they will be quite a match for their northern neighbors” because the slaves in the neighboring states and the Indians would join with the Mexicans. The document also outlines how the Mexicans plan to secure Texas. The volume also includes a poem by E.A. Poe. There is surprisingly no reference to this report in Streeter (Texas). 863 total pages plus index. Hardbound in quarter leather and tips over marbled boards.

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Condition: B+

Text has scattered foxing. Front free endpaper is loose. Handsome binding has light shelf wear.