1. Diplomatic Recognition:
- Jones aimed to gain international recognition for Texas, particularly from Mexico, which still considered Texas as a renegade province.
- He sent diplomatic missions to Mexico in an effort to establish diplomatic ties and negotiate a peace treaty.
2. Boundary Disputes:
- One of the main points of contention between Texas and Mexico was the issue of their shared border.
- Jones tried to negotiate a boundary agreement with Mexico but faced challenges due to differing claims and conflicts.
3. Trade and Commerce:
- Jones recognized the economic importance of trade with Mexico and sought to establish commercial relations.
- He entered into negotiations to reopen the port of Galveston to Mexican trade, which had been closed since the Texas Revolution.
4. Annexation by the United States:
- Jones realized that Texas could not sustain its independence indefinitely and explored the possibility of annexation by the United States.
- He conducted negotiations with the United States government, which eventually led to the annexation of Texas in 1845.
5. Mexican Reaction and War:
- Mexico vehemently opposed Texas's annexation by the United States and considered it an act of aggression.
- The annexation triggered the Mexican-American War, which began in 1846 and resulted in the United States gaining control over much of what is now the southwestern United States.
6. Jones's Role:
- Jones's handling of relations with Mexico was met with criticism from some contemporaries, who accused him of being too conciliatory and not doing enough to defend Texan interests.
- However, he sought to avoid outright conflict with Mexico while pursuing annexation by the United States, which he saw as the best option for Texas's future.
Overall, Anson Jones's relations with Mexico were complex, marked by periods of negotiation, disputes, and the ultimate decision to join the United States, leading to the outbreak of the Mexican-American War.
