Westward extension, 1841-1850, by George Pierce Garrison.

x846]

WILMOT PROVISO

257

New Mexico by a boundary readjustment which
was to be a condition of peace. Slidell's letters to
Buchanan of January 14 and February 6, i846,
dwelt upon the financial straits of the Paredes government;1 and in the latter Slidell announced that
he had contrived to convey the hint that relief
might be had if Paredes would make the proper
concession as to boundaries.2 When these letters
were received at Washington, President Polk brought
before his cabinet the question as to how to obtain
the money required as a first payment to relieve the
immediate necessities of the Mexican government,
in case it should agree to the desired boundary. The
cabinet seemed to concur in the view that a considerable amount in cash might induce Paredes to
conclude a treaty to which he would not otherwise
agree; but Buchanan did not think Congress would
make the appropriation.3
Polk then called attention to a similar appropriation made in i8o6 for the purchase of the Floridas,
and it was finally agreed that he should seek the
advice of some of the senators. He had interviews
with Allen, chairman of the Senate committee on
foreign relations, Benton, and Cass; and they concurred as to the desirability of speedy action by
Congress.4 The procedure regarded as wisest was
1 House Exec. Docs., 30 Cong., i Sess., VII., No. 6o, pp. 51, 57.
2 See p. 223, above.
3 Polk, MS. Diary, March 25, 28, I846.
4 Ibid., March 28, 29, 30, I846.
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