ChrisNuttall
Well-known member
I was reading A Honourable Defeat earlier, which tells the Mexican side of the story leading up to the US-Mexican War. It’s quite interesting – in theory, Mexico should have been able to put up a far stiffer fight, but inherent political corruption, state weaknesses and infighting – to say nothing of poor infrastructure – made it impossible for Mexico to leverage its manpower and maintain its forces in the field.
Anyway, one of the facts the book noted is that the Texans kept black slaves which was semi-illegal under Mexican Law (I say semi-illegal because the settlers had grandfathered in their slaveholding rights and/or Mexicans on the spot felt that trying to do something would provoke a revolt). It was impossible, even, to tell the slaves they had rights under Mexican Law.
What if the Mexicans had freed those slaves? Perhaps even set up a largely-black community, in the certain knowledge the former slaves would be more loyal to Mexico than the US?
Anyway, one of the facts the book noted is that the Texans kept black slaves which was semi-illegal under Mexican Law (I say semi-illegal because the settlers had grandfathered in their slaveholding rights and/or Mexicans on the spot felt that trying to do something would provoke a revolt). It was impossible, even, to tell the slaves they had rights under Mexican Law.
What if the Mexicans had freed those slaves? Perhaps even set up a largely-black community, in the certain knowledge the former slaves would be more loyal to Mexico than the US?