The Gadsden Purchase, completed in 1853, is an important land acquisition in the history of the United States. It entailed the US acquiring land from Mexico to construct a railway that would improve east-west transportation in the southern region and fulfill Manifest Destiny. This paper aims to explore the events leading up to the Gadsden Purchase and provide insights into James Gadsden’s early life.
The Gadsden Purchase is a historically and culturally rich area that remains significant in United States history. The text explores different aspects related to the purchase, including events in Gadsden’s life, future events, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, the importance and purposes of the desired land, Santa Anna’s profile, and the region’s growth after the treaty. Despite unfinished railway plans, it is widely acknowledged as the most famous land purchase in US history.
James Gadsden, born in Charleston, South Carolina on May 15th, 1788, earned his bachelor’s degree from Yale University in Connecticut in 1806. He subsequently enlisted as a commissioned officer under General Andrew Jackson, who would go on to become the President of the United States of America in 1828.
Gadsden served under General Jackson in two wars: the war of 1812 against the English and against Native Indians in Florida in 1819. While battling the Indians, he built and defended a strong fort called Fort Gadsden, which is now located in the Florida panhandle. He also helped establish Fort Brooke south of Fort Gadsden, which is now part of Tampa’s territory. Later on, James left the U.S. Army and moved to Florida with hopes of becoming a planter.
James Gadsden entered the realm of politics in Florida and was appointed commissioner in 1823. He played a role in the relocation of Native Americans from Florida and southern Georgia via the arduous “Trail of Tears”. Several cities and a county were subsequently named after him in the southern region. As railway expansion gained momentum, Gadsden returned to South Carolina and assumed the presidency of the South Carolina Railroad Company between 1840 and 1850. He then advocated for the promotion of transcontinental railway journeys spanning from the east coast to the west coast.
This railway was initially planned to begin in southern Georgia and cross through the southern states, Mexico, and finally reach California’s endpoint, San Diego. During the route planning phase, it was determined that the most optimal path after El Paso would involve crossing Mexican Boundaries. James, an avid supporter of slavery, held discussions with State Senator Thomas Jefferson Green during his visit to California. Together, they devised a scheme to split California into two distinct states and legally permit slavery in the South.
After being submitted, this proposal would quickly be rejected without any chance to resubmit. In 1853, James Gadsden was appointed by the American Government as the new U.S. minister to Mexico. His mission involved negotiating with Mexico for more land along the border, specifically in what is now Arizona and New Mexico. Furthermore, he was given the responsibility of resolving any uncertainties about the border between both nations. Gadsden effectively accomplished these government objectives by engaging in negotiations with the Mexican government in Mexico City.
The southernmost parts of New Mexico and Arizona were acquired by him from Mexico through the purchase known as the Gadsden Purchase. This transaction involved the establishment of the border between the United States and Mexico, which consisted of two elongated natural lines. One line extended from the Rio Grande, at Texas’ westernmost point, to the Colorado River, marking California’s eastern boundary.
In exchange for this land acquisition, the United States agreed to pay Mexico ten million dollars. The area purchased measured thirty-eight thousand square miles, which would be equivalent to two hundred and eighty million dollars in today’s currency.
James Gadsden’s vision of a Southern transcontinental railroad was never realized. The treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the Mexican American war in 1848, was historically significant. As part of the treaty, we allowed Mexico to keep ownership of the Mesilla Valley in exchange for the Santa Rita Mountains. This compromise was made with hopes that it would bring us profit by accessing valuable copper deposits and potentially untapped silver and gold resources. However, we were unaware that the Mesilla Valley would be crucial for building a Southern Transcontinental Railroad.
The railroad was significant to President Pierce as it covered a vast expanse of flat desert land, stretching about fifty miles north to south and 200 miles east to west. To acquire this land, President Pierce assigned Gadsden with the task of obtaining two sections – the Baja California Peninsula priced at fifty million dollars, or the thirty-eight thousand square miles of dry arid desert. Santa Ana, who desperately needed funds, intended to use this money to strengthen his army’s defense against the United States, despite them being the ones offering payment.
Santa Anna believed the optimal strategy was to sell minimal land for maximum profit. After Great Britain declined Mexico’s plea for assistance in negotiations, Santa Anna opted to accept the $15 million offer. Antonio de Padua Maria Severino Lopez de Santa Anna y Perez de Lebron, born on February 21st, 1794, is renowned as Santa Anna and has earned the nickname “The Napoleon of the West.” He served as a Mexican political figure, military leader, and ultimately became the President of Mexico.
Santa Anna, a prominent figure in the early government and politics of Mexico, held the roles of General and President for over forty years. His leadership evoked both admiration and animosity among Mexicans, with some viewing him as a courageous national leader while others attributed Mexico’s present unfavorable state to him. Santa Anna hailed from a wealthy background and received an education at a young age before enlisting in the army and pursuing a career as an infantryman.
Santa Anna, at 30 years old, became governor of Yucatan due to his quick rise in rank and connections with influential government figures. Despite being outnumbered, he gained the nickname “the Napoleon of the West” for his victory against Spanish forces. The triumph of Santa Anna’s army was aided by yellow fever which hindered the Spanish soldiers.
In his later years, Santa Anna went into exile to the island of Jamaica where he stayed in Kingston. Later, he relocated to Colombia when summoned to assist in governing. This period coincided with the Gadsden Purchase and marked his embezzlement activities. Following a prolonged exile in the United States and a meeting with President Andrew Jackson in 1837, the Mexican government authorized Santa Anna’s return to Mexico.
He arrived in Mexico aboard the USS Pioneer. The Gadsden Purchase Treaty was signed on December 13th 1853, in Mexico City. The Treaty was amended by the United State Senate and comprised nine articles written in both English and Spanish. At the outset of the Treaty, there is a concise statement that elucidates the rationale behind the treaty and the desire of the two countries to reach an agreement on their boundaries, as the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848 was not definitive in defining the boundaries.
The two countries also aimed to eliminate any animosity and commence anew. Article one details the agreement reached by the Republic of Mexico and the United States concerning boundaries and borders. The border between Mexico’s far northeast boundary and the United States is established at the Gulf of Mexico where the Rio Grande meets. Subsequently, it extends westward for one hundred miles before veering south to the parallel of 31° 20′ north latitude. From this point, the border follows the parallel of 31° 20′ until it reaches the 111th meridian of longitude west of Greenwich.
The text describes the proposed route of a dividing line between the United States and Mexico, as specified in a treaty. The line would start from a specific point on the Colorado River, pass through a certain area, and ultimately intersect with the current boundary. Following the treaty’s official announcement, both governments assigned one commissioner each, who convened in Paso del Norte to conduct a survey and mark their respective territories according to the specified dividing line mentioned in article one.
The second article states that Mexico’s government has relieved the United States from any obligation mentioned in the eleventh article of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. It is crucial to prohibit the United States from acquiring or obtaining any Mexican individuals, including foreigners living in Mexico. This includes black slaves who might have been kidnapped by Native Americans residing in either country.
They are also prohibited from acquiring or procuring horses, mules, cattle, or any type of stolen property within Mexican territory by these individuals. This article was authored on April 5th, 1831. Article three delves into the financial aspect and states that the United States Government agreed to compensate the Mexican government with ten million dollars. Seven million would be promptly paid upon the exchange of treaty ratifications, while the remaining three million would be disbursed once the boundary lines were surveyed, marked, and established.
The payment to Mexico was made in New York City. The majority of the provisions in the 6th and 7th articles of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo were considered insignificant due to the territory conceded in the first article. The ships and citizens from the United States will always have unrestricted access through the Gulf of California to and from their territories located north of the boundary line separating both nations.
The text emphasizes the importance of obtaining Mexican government approval to navigate the Gulf of California and the river Colorado, rather than traversing by land. Both governments are expected to adhere to the same requirements and restrictions pertaining to the Rio Colorado. Additionally, the eighth article highlights the Mexican Government’s approval, on February 5th 1853, for the construction of a railroad across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. The purpose is to protect the profits generated from transit for both Mexican and United States citizens and their merchandise.
The government has stated that it will not impede the movement of people and goods between both nations. It will also refrain from raising fees for the transportation of individuals and belongings owned by United States citizens. Nonetheless, charges for the transit of people and property from other foreign countries may be raised. Furthermore, any profits or interest earned will not be remitted to foreign nations.
The United States has the right to transport the mails of the United States across the Isthmus in closed bags, which are not intended for distribution along the communication line. They also have the right to transport the effects of the United States government and its citizens, which may be intended for transit on the Isthmus and not for distribution, without any charges by the Mexican government. People crossing the Isthmus and not staying in the country do not need passports or letters of security.
After completing the railroad structures, the Mexican government made the decision to establish a port of entry near the terminus of the road on the Gulf of Mexico, specifically in the port of Vera Cruz. Both governments agreed to facilitate the swift transportation of United States troops and weapons between different parts of its territory, considering their geographic separation. The final article of the treaty simply indicates the location and signatories of this treaty between the two respected countries. Following the Gadsden Purchase, the land in southern Arizona saw an influx of natural resource explorers. The Sonora Exploring and Mining Company, for example, opened silver mines in this region. They sought to recruit educated, middle-class Americans with strong work ethic and leadership skills to operate these mines. Additionally, the cattle business made a significant entry into Arizona. As the 19th century drew to a close, ranchers from various regions including the southern United States and Midwest, notably Texas, began relocating their herds to Arizona and establishing a prosperous range cattle industry.
The Texans brought both their established range methods and their problems to the newly populated land of Arizona. Texas rustlers brought lawlessness, while poor management resulted in overstocking and carelessness introduced destructive diseases. However, these challenges did lead to the creation of laws and associations in Arizona to control and bring justice to those individuals causing harm. During the Civil War in 1861, the Confederate States of America established the Confederate Territory of Arizona, which encompassed the newly acquired land from the Gadsden Purchase.
The United States acquired new territory in 1812, which became the last of the 48 lower states. This land was purchased from Mexico primarily for the Southern Pacific Railroad’s expansion. The railroad initially connected Los Angeles to Yuma, Arizona in 1877 and later extended to Tucson in March 1880, followed by El Paso in May 1881. By December 1881, this completed railroad became the second transcontinental one. While a significant portion of Arizona belonged to the Gadsden Purchase, its western part was redirected north of the Gila River to benefit Phoenix, a newly constructed city.
The disagreement over the territory, including New Mexico, between Mexico and the United States was not settled after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo but before the Gadsden Purchase. If the government had obtained the Isthmus of Tehuantepec as planned, there would have been no need to buy what is now known as New Mexico and Arizona.
The Americans were unable to secure permission to travel through a narrow strip of land in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo negotiations. This particular area serves as the shortest route from the Gulf of Mexico or Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. However, Mexican President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna did authorize the construction of a railway or canal across this isthmus in Southern Mexico back in 1842. Additionally, the agreement designated a 300-mile wide region for future development and population expansion.
In 1847, concerns arose when a British bank acquired the rights. This caused fears that the British would once again attempt to colonize in the western hemisphere, thus violating the Monroe Doctrine. The discovery of gold in California in 1848 further increased United States’ interest in the land. This created an opportunity for easy and cost-effective acquisition of land rights as well as the construction of a railway that would connect large bodies of water for efficient shipment of gold from the west coast to the east coast of the United States. Due to various reasons, there was strong advocacy within the US for purchasing this land.
Two beliefs influenced the people’s stance on the transcontinental railroad. Firstly, they believed it would not be constructed in the near future. Secondly, those residing in the gulf region supported the railroad as they believed it would alleviate the congestion of people and boats navigating the Mississippi River. The plan for acquiring this land entailed purchasing it from the Mexican government, offering them a twenty percent discount on all shipping, and granting the United States government unrestricted access to send troops whenever necessary.
The Clayton-Bulwer Treaty, also known as this treaty, was a joint effort by the United States and Great Britain to assert ownership over desired land. Its purpose was to establish a neutral stance for any potential canal construction in the region. Nonetheless, Mexican negotiators declined to accept the treaty due to concerns that it would hinder their ability to leverage the United States and United Kingdom against each other. Notably, they excluded the United States’ independent military intervention rights.
The United States Senate approved the treaty in early 1851, although it was rejected by the Mexican Congress. Despite this setback, Hargous proceeded with his plans, assuming eventual acceptance of the treaty. He directed his men to survey the land and maintained communication and cooperation with local railroad companies. Eventually, he purchased a significant amount of land, asserting that he spent $5 million at that time, equivalent to approximately one hundred and forty million in today’s currency.
President Filmore was asked for help to recover funds or proceed with the project, but he declined. Eventually, the desired land known as the Isthmus of Tehuantepec was sold to a British company. Unfortunately, the company failed to repay their bank loans, which resulted in the countries’ efforts to obtain the land coming to an end. The Gadsden Purchase took place in 1853 and is considered one of the most significant land acquisitions in U.S. history.
The land was seen as valuable for a nation’s growth, specifically for constructing a railway to transport goods from East to West in the South to fulfill Manifest Destiny. Many lives were lost on this land, which became a significant part of American history and completed the mainland. It established boundaries between two nations and created current borders. Many individuals residing in this vast area are grateful for the freedom it offers.
Both New Mexico and Arizona have a significant impact on the southwestern region of the United States, offering diverse and unique lifestyles that contribute to our nation’s cultural richness. Personally, these states have deepened my understanding and appreciation for our country’s history, and I am grateful for the new perspective they have given me.
Bibliography
1. George Griggs, “History of Mesilla Valley, or, The Gadsden Purchase : known in Mexico as the Treaty of Mesilla”, Mesilla, N. M. Bronson Print Co. 2. David Devine, “Slavery, scandal, and steel rails”, iUniverse, New York, 2004. 3. Sylvester Mowry, “Memoir of the proposed territory of Arizona”, Tucson, Ariz. : Territorial Press, 1964. 4. William S. Kiser. “Turmoil on the Rio Grande : the territorial history of the Mesilla Valley, 1846-1865”. College Station : Texas A&M University Press, c2011. Edition 1st ed. 5. J. Fred Rippy, Anglo-American Filibusters and the Gadsden Treaty, 1922, Duke University Press. 6. Louis Bernard Schmidt, Manifest Opportunity and the Gadsden Purchase, Arizona and the West, 1961, Journal of the Southwest.
