In September 1836, Texas voted overwhelmingly in favor of annexation. The Texas minister proposed annexation to U.S. President Martin Van Buren in August 1837, but the Americans would not consider the idea. Their reasons for the rejection were that it might go against the U.S. Constitution and even start a war with Mexico. The unspoken reason was the opposition to slavery in the United States. Texas withdrew the annexation offer.

In 1843 the United States became alarmed over Great Britain’s policy toward Texas. The British were opposed to annexation and they might even use of force to prevent it. England did not want to add Texas to the British Empire, but the British did want to prevent the westward expansion of the United States. Britain also wanted to take advantage of trade with Texas, and to interfere with the American tax system and with slavery.

U.S. President John Tyler again suggested annexation. This time the United States Congress passed the annexation resolution on February 28, 1845. American diplomat Andrew Jackson Donelson went to Texas to urge acceptance of the offer.

The British hoped to prevent annexation by getting Texas to refuse the American offer. On British advice, the government of Mexico agreed to accept the independence of Texas on condition that Texas not annex herself to any country. Public opinion in Texas, encouraged by special agents from the United States, demanded acceptance of the American offer. President Anson Jones called the Texas Congress to vote for annexation or independence recognized by Mexico. Both Congress and the convention voted for annexation.

Source: Annexation
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