Diplomacy
Although Santa Anna and Jackson likely discussed the status of Texas during the former’s time in Washington, little transpired on the diplomatic front with that portion of the journey.
Although U.S. citizens overwhelmingly had supported Texas independence, and even annexation (a stance shared by the Texas government), the Jackson administration had treaded cautiously. Texas’s commissioners in Washington, joined by Hockley, Patton, and Bee, were to press for recognition and even annexation. But they were only to press for annexation after recognition. They were to oppose any attempt to have Mexico simply cede Texas to the United States, as that would negate the Texas Revolution.
Santa Anna’s journey in Washington spurred the U.S. Congress to debate the government’s stance. Less than a week before Santa Anna’s arrival, Congress took up the issue. The newspapers over the next several days contained short blurbs on Santa Anna's presence, and much longer reviews of the debates in Congress. Much of the debate centered around one question: Was Texas free from the threat of reconquest by Mexico? The United States had used this criterion in the previous two decades when deciding whether to recognize the independence of Latin American countries from Spain.
Further complicating the issue was a rumor that a large Mexican army was gathering at Matamoros, and a break in relations between the United States and Mexico over the Texas issue. Also, incoming President Martin Van Buren was known to oppose annexing Texas.
In the end, President Jackson chose to recognize Texas independence on March 3, 1837, one day before he left office. Annexation, however, would wait until 1845.
