Meeting President Jackson

Soon after Santa Anna arrived in Washington, Secretary of State John Forsyth arrived to escort the Mexican leader to the White House, a block away. There Santa Anna and Almonte met with President Andrew Jackson.

This represented a meeting of two of the most prominent leaders in North America during the early 19th century. Both from military backgrounds, both known for taking charge, Santa Anna and Jackson lent their names to eras of their countries’ histories.

According to secondhand sources that recounted the two men’s conversations during the first and subsequent days, they discussed the situation in Texas. Jackson asked Santa Anna of his actions at the Alamo and Goliad; Santa Anna replied that he was merely following the Tornel Decree. Meanwhile, Santa Anna emphasized that he was in no position to offer Texas to the United States. Some reports indicated that he was willing to take financial compensation to persuade the Mexican government to recognize Texas independence and its annexation to the United States, however.

Andrew Jackson, seventh President of the United States. When Santa Anna arrived in Washington, Jackson was close to finishing his second and final term.

The Italian traveler Carlo Beneditti later met Jackson at the Hermitage. He asked Jackson of his meeting with Santa Anna.

Santa Anna wrote to President Jackson as he was about to leave Washington, thanking him for their meeting.

Vice President Martin Van Buren had recently been elected President when Santa Anna arrived in Washington. Van Buren met with Santa Anna and Almonte.

Almonte reported in his journal that he and Santa Anna met with John Bell, a Tennessee representative and future Secretary of War, senator, and presidential candidate. No record has been found of the conversation during their meeting.

Soon after Santa Anna arrived in Washington, Secretary of State John Forsyth arrived at Hannah Ulrich’s boarding house to escort the Mexican leader to meet President Jackson.