Page 58 - Cooke's Peak - Pasaron Por Aqui

territory; disputes and near-war would ensue over the proposed new boundary; sectionalism and slavery would become crucial issues; and the men trained in battle would later use that knowledge to destroy their former comrades.
The initial goals of the conflict had been to conquer and hold the isolated provinces of northern Mexico and to end the war quickly by taking Mexico City. This was achieved. General Zachary Taylor, “Old Rough and Ready,” with the aid of Doniphan and others, defeated and held northern Mexico (these and other military exploits would lead directly to his Presidency in a few years). Leading the “Army of the West,” Kearny (and Cooke) won New Mexico and California. And General Winfield Scott, capitalizing on a massive amphibious assault, cap- tured Mexico City, forcing the Mexicans to sue for
peace.
An accord was negotiated by discredited
American agent Nicholas P. Trist, who acquired only the minimum demands of his government, and on February 2, 1848, a thoroughly defeated Mexico signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. To ac- complish what Slidell had failed to achieve with an olive branch (albeit extended in a mailed fist) and $25 million, it had required $100 million and more
occupation forces to the Mexican army and re- quested that the United States forces remain until this could be safely accomplished. This was granted, and it was not until June 12 that the Stars and Stripes were lowered over the capital city. The signed copy of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo arrived in Washington, DC on July 4, 1848, and was immedi- ately proclaimed by the president, thereby officially
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It had required only 76 years from the Declaration of Independence from
England to achieve Manifest Destiny.
Peace had been established, settling all differences
between the two republics — or so everyone thought. Yet within five years, the two nations would again be at the brink of war because of disputes developing from nationalistic misinterpretations of the “Treaty of Peace, Friendship, Limits, and Settlement.” The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo had ended the war with Mexico and gave the United States most of the present Southwest. But, the boundary had to be surveyed. Not until several years had passed, a new treaty negotiated, and nearly a $1 million expended would the line finally be agreed on and marked.
Unfortunately, the treaty terms had drawn part of the boundary line at the Gila River, much too far north to include the wagon road laid out by Cooke and the Mormon Battalion. Cooke had noted in his journal that his men had driven out the garrison at
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However, accord- ing to the agreement, that isolated installation was soon reoccupied by Mexican forces who remained until shortly before their American replacements
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To those who desired a United States southern route to California, the uncontested surrender of a key por- tion of the newly established wagon road, and poten-
tial railroad route, was totally unacceptable.
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than 12,000 American lives.
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inces of New Mexico and California were ceded,
and the Rio Grande was recognized as the boundary
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of Texas.
United States was to pay Mexico $15 million and assume responsibility for her own citizens’ claims of
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an additional $3.5 million.
The exchange of treaty ratifications took place in
Mexico City on May 30, 1848. The Mexican Govern- ment was concerned that there might be some dis- orders during the transfer of authority from the
Tucson without firing a shot.
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
The Mexican prov-
Under terms of the agreement, the
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ending the War with Mexico.
arrived from Fort Thorn in the fall of 1856.