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In foreign relations Lamar bent all his energies to secure recogni- tion of Texas as an independent nation. He was against annexation, and his efforts met with considerable success. During his administra- tion the Republic of Texas was recognized by France, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Belgium, and the Vatican. He not only opposed annexation but also dreamed of the expansion of Texas westward to the Pacific at the expense of Mexico. As a means of strengthening the frontier along the Rio Grande against attack and as a base for future advance, several colonization schemes were given serious consideration, chief among them the Franco-Texienne Company Bill, in which the young but able French envoy, the Count of Saligny, was highly interested. Although the bill, providing for the settlement of 8,000 French colonists along the Rio Grande, passed the House, it was killed in the Senate. The first Congress had laid claim to a large part of New Mexico. This, Lamar was anxious to bring under Texas jurisdiction, especially after he learned that Mexico's hold on this distant region was weak and that many of the old inhabitants desired to be annexed to Texas. Lamar hastened to organize an expedition to Santa Fe. Congress, how- ever, refused authorization. Aided by a group of merchants who were desirous of opening a lu- crative trade between Texas and Santa Fe, Lamar proceeded with his plans. The ill-starred caravan of adventurers and merchants gathered near Austin and Lamar personally bade it goodbye and good luck on June 21, 1841. They were instructed to take possession of Santa Fe and to set up a government under the authority of Texas. Colonel Hugh McLeod was in command of the military escort of 270 men. Three commissioners accompanied the expedition: Dr. Richard F. Brenham, Jose Antonio Navarro, and William G. Cooke. The venture turned out a desperate experience. George Wilkins Kendall, who went along for an outing, left a vivid description of the terrible sufferings, disappoint- ments, and hardships endured on the way to New Mexico by the poorly prepared expedition, the capture of the survivors, and their imprison- ment in Perote, where many were kept two years and more. 2 The administration of Lamar was characterized by a merciless Indian policy of extermination. Lamar, his Secretary of War, ~d the Com- missioner of Indian Affairs agreed there was no good in an Indian. 2 The best account of the incident still is by George W. Kendall, Narratizl1 of IJ,e Texan Santa Fe Expedition. Another good study is that of Frederick C. Chabot, Perote Prisoners.
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