The Peace Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texas Revolution and Mexican American War (continued)

After over a decade of insults and obstinate refusals to negotiate, Mexico had finally been put into a position where it had no choice but to finally make a deal. In a country with about 7 million people, a tiny American Army had taken control of the capital city, the main port of Veracruz, many major cities and ports, arsenals, forts and even the mines in Mexico plus all the territory north of the Rio Grande River - Upper California and New Mexico.. The state of Yucatan had refused to send any men to fight the Americans. Most of the native Americans living under Mexican rule felt no desire to defend Mexico. By the end of the war, Mexico only had 8,109 men left in their army(112) and the country was broke.(113) The US could continue to occupy these cities indefinitely because the vast majority of the local population were content to live under US occupation. The truth is the average Mexican had it better living under the US military then under their own corrupt government. Some Mexicans wanted the US to annex ALL of Mexico so it would have a good government.(114a)

General Ethan Allen Hitchcock, who served superbly under General Scott, recorded in his diary on Nov 14, 1847: “During my sickness I have had many interesting interviews with intelligent Mexicans on the political relations of this country and my own. . . . three distinguished members of Congress, now sitting at Queretaro, and the editor of a liberal paper here.” They “wish that the troops of the U.S. may hold this country till the Mexican army is annihilated, in order that a proper civil government may be securely established. They are opposed to payment of money by the United States to the government of Mexico, saying it would only corrupt those in power.” “General Scott, while in command in the city of Mexico, was urged to issue a pronounciamento and declare himself dictator for six years; but he declined at once. . .”  On Nov. 26, he wrote: “. . . Another proposition was discussed at great length this morning. Dr. ----- came to see me, saying he was going to Queretaro, and wished to ask the Mexican Government to apply for admission into the Union of the United States.”(114b)

Ulysses S. Grant, later to become a general in the Union Army during the Civil War remarked: ”...the people who remained at their homes fraternized with the “Yankees” in the pleasantest manner. In fact, under the humane policy of our commander, I question whether the great majority of the Mexican people did not regret our departure as much as they had regretted our coming. Property and person were thoroughly protected, and a market was afforded for all the products of the country such as the people had never enjoyed before.” (115a) 

This realization by the ruling class in Mexico meant that it was time to make a deal so the “hated” gringos would go home.  On Oct 20, 1847, negotiations to end the war were started with Pena y Pena, the head of the interim government and a moderate who wanted peace. The negotiations continued slowly til the end of January, 1848, when the Mexican side accepted the new boundaries but demanded $30 million for the territory. The US negotiator, Trist, turned this down, but on Feb 2, 1848, agreement was reached and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed, ending the war.  The treaty gave the U.S. California, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Wyoming. In return, Mexico received $15 million and the U.S. assumed Mexican debts of $3.25 million owed to American citizens. As Bernardo Couto, one of the negotiators put it, “The present treaty does not merely prevent an increase of our losses by a continuance of the war; but it serves to recover the better part of that which was already under the control of the conquering army of the United States; it is more exactly an agreement of recovery than an agreement of cession.” By early August, 1848, U.S. troops had completely withdrawn from Mexico.

If Mexico had recognized Texas independence 10 years earlier, this war could have been avoided. In addition, Mexico refused to pay monetary compensation to Americans. While no American president would go to war over monetary claims against Mexico, once Mexico started the war, there had to be consequences. Compensation in the form of land became the policy. Polk said on Dec 7, 1847, “It is well-known that the only indemnity which it is in the power of Mexico to make in satisfaction of the just and long-deferred claims of our citizens against her and the only means by which she can reimburse the United States for the expenses of the war is a cession to the United States of a portion of her territory.”(115b)  The war cost at least $75 million. With Mexico’s hostility towards America appearing to be permanent, the new border on the Rio Grande River gave the U.S. a much shorter and more defensible border. 

The reality is that the U.S. was far more generous to Mexico then they needed to be. We paid Mexico $15 million for New Mexico and California - land we already controlled - and the U.S. gave back to Mexico the land we had conquered south of the Rio Grande. Unlike so many other conquering armies, we treated civilians with respect, paid our just bills, took care of wounded Mexican soldiers and did not pillage the riches of Mexico - primarily Catholic Churches.

Most Mexicans had little interest in California or New Mexico. Spain had numerous plans to colonize Alta California since the early 1600s. But after well over 200 years, California was sparsely settled - about 15,000 Mexicans on this land.(116) About 99% of the Mexican population (7 million people) lived on the land south of the Rio Grande with 1% living  north of the Rio Grande.