In 1841, President Lamar dispatched a military expedition to _________________ in the hopes of extending Texas’ political and commercial ties to the northern Rio Grande river valley.

In 1841, President Lamar dispatched a military expedition to Santa Fe in the hopes of extending Texas’ political and commercial ties to the northern Rio Grande river valley.

Lamars vision of a larger, more independent Texas also created conflict with New Mexico. The Treaties of Velasco, signed by Santa Anna in 1836, set the boundary between Texas and Mexico at the Rio Grande. Lamar assumed that this included all of the Rio Grande, as far north as its headwaters in Colorado. This boundary would make Santa Fe and the Pueblo colonies part of Texas. In 1841 Lamar sought permission from Congress to send troops to New Mexico. Congress refused.

Nevertheless, Lamar sent General Hugh McLeod and a force of 270meant to Santa Fe to convince New Mexicans that they were Texans. The group traveled 1300 miles across the territory of hostile Comanches and Apaches. When they arrived, the New Mexicans refuse to become part of Texas the necessary supplies to return home, the Texans surrendered to the Mexican authorities. The Texans were March to the Mexican city of Perote, where they were kept in prison until 1842. The Santa Fe expedition wasted money that Texas did not have, increased tensions with Mexico, and resulted in the loss of lives.