Letters and Diaries

Title -   John Slidell, appointed United States Minister to Mexico to James Buchanan, Secretary of State of the United States. December 17, 1845

Date -   December 17, 1845

Publication Information -   Messages of the President of the United States, with the correspondence, therewith communicated, between the Secretary of War and other officers of the government, on the subject of the Mexican War.   Published by: Wendall and van Benthuysen, Washington, 1848

Format -   Letters (correspondence)

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

Call Number -   E404.U59 Library Collections Depository, Special Collections

Description -   Newly appointed U.S. minister to Mexico, John Slidell, arrived in Mexico City on December 6, 1845. Much to Slidell’s surprise, however, Peña y Peña did not allow Slidell to formally present his credentials, referring the matter instead to the council of government. The council took the view that the Herrera government had agreed only to receive a commissioner empowered to settle existing grievances, not a minister plenipotentiary. Peña y Peña urged Slidell to write to Washington to obtain new credentials.