History and government of New Mexico . ates, England, France, andother European countries -— before annexation. Mexicoinsisted that Texas was still one of her Departments. Theworn-out theory that the trouble was over some disputedterritory lying between the Nueces and the Rio Grandewas pure fiction manufactured in the United States andnever recognized by any Mexican until the armies facedeach other across the Rio Grande at Matamoros (ma-ta-moros) in April, 1846. Then, for the first time, GeneralAmpudia (am-poothya) took advantage of the Americanmyth of the disputed territory and ordered Genera
History and government of New Mexico . ates, England, France, andother European countries -— before annexation. Mexicoinsisted that Texas was still one of her Departments. Theworn-out theory that the trouble was over some disputedterritory lying between the Nueces and the Rio Grandewas pure fiction manufactured in the United States andnever recognized by any Mexican until the armies facedeach other across the Rio Grande at Matamoros (ma-ta-moros) in April, 1846. Then, for the first time, GeneralAmpudia (am-poothya) took advantage of the Americanmyth of the disputed territory and ordered GeneralTaylor back across the Nueces. The territory in actual dispute was the whole State ofTexas to the Sabine River. But Texas was already underthe Stars and Stripes; and no American, not even themost conservative Easterner, thought of discussing thatquestion. President Polk, therefore, sent Brigadier General THE AMERICAN OCCUPATION 13 Zachary Taylor with an Army of Occupation to pro-tect the southwestern boundary of Texas — A merican. territory — from invasion until such time as Mexico shouldbe ready to make a reasonable settlement. 132 THE HISTORY OF NEW MEXICO 155. The Spirit of Expansion. — This was the heroicage in the westward expansion of the American movement for New Mexico and California was rootedin the ancient land-hunger of the race and in the restless,pushing energy of the western pioneer with his feeling ofmanifest destiny to rule the continent. The Westerners,said the late Theodore Roosevelt, honestly believedthemselves to be indeed created the heirs of the earth, orat least so much of it as was known by the name, of NorthAmerica, and were prepared to struggle stoutly for theimmediate possession of their heritage. Texas was alreadyAmerican. The commerce of New Mexico was completelyAmericanized (sees. 124-127, 138, 145); and the sameprocess was going on in California. 156. The Commencement of Hostilities. — In March,1846, Mexico definitely refused
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