Letters and Diaries

Title -   Diary of James K. Polk. Tuesday, 16th September, 1845

Date -   September 19, 1845

Publication Information -   The Diary of James K. Polk during his Presidency, 1845 to 1849.   Published by: A.C. McClurg, Chicago, 1910

Format -   Diaries

Collection -   The University of Texas at Arlington Library, Special Collections.

Call Number -   E415.P76 v. 1

Description -   Although Mexico had severed diplomatic relations with the United States in March, 1845 over the annexation of Texas, the Polk administration continued to maintain a dialogue with the Herrera government, having sent William S. Parrott, a former consul, as a confidential agent to Mexico City. On September 16, the administration received an encouraging report from Parrott, which seemed to indicate that Mexico was now ready to restore diplomatic relations and would receive a “Minister” from the United States. Accordingly, Polk decided to send John Slidell to Mexico City, with instructions to negotiate the boundary line between Texas and Mexico, and purchase Upper California and New Mexico.