[BOUNDARY LINE]. Contestanciones habidas entre el supremo gobierno mexicano, el general en gefe del ejército Americano, y el comisionado de los Estados-Unidos. Mexico City: Imprenta de Vicente García Torres, Ex-convento del Espíritu Santo, 1847. [1-3] 4-36 pp. 8vo (20 x 14.7 cm), original grey printed wrappers with ornamental border, stitched. Except for some chipping at upper right, some splitting at spine (but no loss), and light age toning, very fine. Preserved in maroon cloth slipcase with printed bookplate of B.J. Norcott.

First edition, second issue (signature mark on p. 33 just to left of space between “las escoltas,” probably caused by unlocking the type from the form; p. 36 with 39 lines because of the addition of September 10, 1847, letter by Herrera concerning the interpretation of Document No. 3, as printed in this work; small floral ornament at bottom of p. 36, fist on back wrapper, which has 11 lines and simple floral border; otherwise, from same setting of type as first issue). Haferkorn, p. 26. Harper 12:355: “One of the most important books issued by the Mexican side during the war with the United States, this contains the texts of the various negotiations for an armistice in 1847 and much other documentation all printed in full and all of the utmost value for the history of this significant event, which led to the final peace of Guadalupe Hidalgo.” Howes C717. Palau 60644. Sabin 48397. Streeter Sale 259.

After the battle of Churubusco, Santa Anna, in exchange for a $10,000 down payment on a bribe said to be over $1,000,000, sent representatives to a peace conference in Coyoacán on August 21, 1847, and which lasted into the next month. Nicholas Trist represented the U.S. side. This pamphlet contains all the proposals and negotiations of the representatives of Mexico and the U.S. The armistice included provisions for establishing the western boundary of Texas at the Nueces River instead of the Rio Grande, leaving the land between as a neutral zone; ceding San Diego harbor to Mexico; and outlawing slavery. Santa Anna summarily rejected Trist’s proposals. Scott also rejected the armistice agreement, being convinced the Mexicans were not acting in good faith and simply buying time to strengthen their military position. Hostilities then resumed, resulting in much greater losses for Mexico than the terms proposed here.