The British Question

Retaliation against Mexico so far had been a major fail except in one respect - it did revive US interest in Texas and the whole annexation question.  The best hope for Texas' survival lay in the United States and Houston knew that, but how was he to prove that to an uncertain country who often voted against anything to do with Texas?

Houston became a shrewd diplomat, creating the impression that Britain was exerting considerable influence on him in wanting Texas as a territory.  The US expansionists who were always eager for adding territory to the US would take notice, he figured.

Britain was interested in Texas but wanted Texas to remain independent.  British industrialists wanted cheap cotton and a market without US tariffs on manufactured goods.  They also wanted to persuade Texas to ban slavery.  This was the main point...In 1843 President Tyler (photo right), a southern sympathizer, heard of the slavery ban pressure by Britain and begin to get nervous.

In 1843, Santa Anna, in the middle of his own rebellion in the Yucatan sent word to Houston that he wanted to open peace negotiations.  Houston read Santa Anna's terms - Mexico would cease hostilities if Texas would acknowledge Mexico's sovereignty in controlling the internal affairs - and Houston refused.

But, he didn't tell Santa Anna right away.  he allowed the British to intercede in the negotiations.  When the peace treaty was signed in June of 1843, Houston made it a point of advertising his gratitude to the British.

Washington was alarmed.  "For the safety of New Orleans, the prosperity of the great valley of the Mississippi and our whole union, require the annexation of Texas".  President Tyler sent word to Houston that the US would not oppose annexation if Texas would submit her request to join the Union. 

Houston smiled - the plan had worked beautifully!

Next time...The Final Round
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Today in Pioneer History:  On November 10, 1808, in a decision that would eventually make them one of the wealthiest surviving Indian nations, the Osage Indians agree to abandon their lands in Missouri and Arkansas in exchange for a reservation in Oklahoma.