Lamar, Mirabeau

In the spring of 1841, Texas sent a force of some 350 men to claim New Mexico and the lucrative Santa Fe trade route for itself, having long believed it part of her own territory.

In every way it was a disaster. The main body of the expedition was captured, prostrate from hunger and fatigue, about 50 to 75 miles east of Santa Fe. They were harshly treated, and sent to Mexico, where they were released following summer (1842) through efforts of the U.S. Government. In retrospect, this foolish enterprise did irreparable harm to Texas, damaging its reputation internationally in the worst way.

Two days after the Expedition had departed Austin, a commission of the Mexican government sent specifically to arrange an armistice, arrived in that city. When they discovered what was afoot, they quickly returned home enraged. From then on armistice was impossible; relations continued to deteriorate, culminating in General Wolls’ occupation of San Antonio in 1842.

Most of the copies of the Address were destroyed during the Santa Fe Expedition, leading Streeter to proclaim it to be one of the fifteen most desirable items of Texana.