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Lowell Tuttle
Wayne, I was interested in what was happening in Laredo at the time wihtin this woman's life she claimed to have been born there. I led me down the history of Laredo as well as the Mexcian American War. It's quite a wide ranging story. Basically, Mexico was approached by an envoy sent by Polk to buy N Mex, Ca, Az, and Texas for 25 million. The Mexcian government was politically so challenged at the time that there was no way they could make a decision.
Mexico was neither inclined nor able to negotiate. In 1846 alone, the presidency changed hands four times, the war ministry six times, and the finance ministry sixteen times
The political situation in the US was less "revoltin" and worked within the Constitutional guidelines. But, Northern states were not so much in favor of US expansion, wanting to have economic expansion as opposed to the alternative. (Slavery thoughts.) But, even though most were in favor of getting Ca, Oregon, etc, they wanted a War to be a defensive war (requiring Mexico to attack first) rather than being an agressor. Even so, Polk sent Zachary Taylor directly across the Nueces to Brownsville. Mexico did not fight back until the US troops actually established a fort Brown and even then, (accordiing to Grant) they wouldn't fight back.
Finally, it was war, but still in dispute who shot first.
Laredo was in Mexico, assuming the accepted border of the Nueces River was the Tx/Mx border. It was occupied by Texas Rangers as the treaty of Hildalgo was signed. Residents had a vote/referendum as to whether to cede to the US or stay in Mexico. It was overwhelmingly decided to be in Mexico, and the US was petitioned for that. It was a petition which was rejected. A large number of Laredoan's who had lived there for generations left for the other side of the border.
I was researching how the inhabitants were treated by the Rangers. Just curious as why they would vote to be Mexican rather than US citizens. Couldn't find much.
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