31Jackson's desire for California had been stimulated by Butler and by
Slacum. Also noteworthy is Aaron Leggett's letter to Marcy of October
16, 1846: "The Mexican Government, through General Tornel, Secy, at
War, agreed while I was there in 1835-6 to settle my claims on Mexico
by a grant of a great portion of the best part of Upper California. This
agreement which I sent home to Mr. Forsyth was frustrated, and, as I
believe, through English influence. . . . I have looked to California
as the best means that Mexico had of paying our claims and I advised
Mr. Forsyth in 1835 to seize upon that whole country to pay them."
California
Historical
Quarterly,
XI, 34.
