History of the War Between Mexico and The United States by Brantz Mayer

Change of public feeling as to annexation -- Election of President Polk -- Mr. Clay defeated by the abolitionists -- Almonte's threat -- President Tyler attempts to soothe Mexico -- His failure to do so -- Mexican projects of reconquest -- Want of confidence in Santa Anna -- Loans -- Downfall and disgrace of Santa Anna -- His expulsion to Cuba -- Herrera made provisional president -- Congress of United States reconsiders annexation -- Joint resolution passed with an alternative of negotiation -- President Tyler adopts the first clause, and why -- European intrigues -- France and England operating on Texas and Mexico -- Mexico offers independence provided Texas will not annex herself to the United States -- Defeat of the foreign scheme.

When Congress met in December, 1844, a remarkable change had come over the political would in the United States. The extraordinary popularity of Mr. Clay induced reflective men to believe, at the close of the last session, that he would be elected president, and that the prospects of immediate annexation would probably be blighted by that event. The great body of his partizans opposed the project of President Tyler; but the Democratic convention, assembled in Baltimore, in May, inscribed the fortunes of Texas on its banner together with the name of that party's candidate. The south immediately rallied around it, whilst the north assumed strange grounds of objection to the course of Mr. Clay. The Native American and Abolition parties in New York professed to vote with the friends of that gentleman in consequence of his opposition to annexation, and yet a sufficient number to defeat his election cast their ballots in direct contradiction of their principles.