ee-trade policy and thus create a considerable market for British
goods.

As soon as it became evident that Tyler contemplated taking definite
steps toward annexation, Lord Aberdeen secured the cooeperation of the
government of Louis Philippe in opposing the absorption of Texas by the
American republic. While the treaty for the annexation of Texas was
before the Senate, Lord Aberdeen came forward with a proposition that
England and France should unite with Texas and Mexico in a diplomatic
act or perpetual treaty, securing to Texas recognition as an
independent republic, but preventing her from ever acquiring territory
beyond the Rio Grande or joining the American union. While the United
States would be invited to join in this act, it was not expected that
the government of that country would agree to it. Mexico obstinately
refused to recognize the independence of Texas. Lord Aberdeen was so
anxious to prevent the annexation of Texas that he was ready, if
supported by France, to coerce Mexico and fight the United States, but
the French Government was not willing to go this far, so the scheme was
abandoned.

The two foremost issues in the campaign of 1844 were the annexation of
Texas and the occupation of Oregon. Texas was annexed by joint
resolution a few days before the inauguration of Polk. This act, it
was foreseen, would probably provoke a war with Mexico, so Polk's first
task was to adjust the Oregon dispute in order to avoid complications
with England. The fate of California was also involved. That province
was not likely to remain long in the hands of a weak power like Mexico.
In fact, British consular agents and naval officers had for several
years been urging upon their government the great value of Upper
California. Aberdeen refused to countenance any insurrectionary
movement in California, but he directed his agents to keep vigilant
watch on the proceedings of citizens of the United States in that
province. Had England and Mexico arrived at an understanding and
joined in a war against the United States, the probabilities are that
England would have acquired not only the whole of Oregon, but
California besides. In fact, in May, 1846, just as we were on the
point of going to war with Mexico, the president of Mexico officially
proposed to transfer California to England as security for a loan.
Fortunately, the Oregon question had been adjusted and England had no
reason for wishing to go to war with th