The fact is, annexationists wanted more territory than they could possibly lay any claim to, as part of the new acquisition.

Texas, as an independent State, never had exercised jurisdiction over the territory between the Nueces River and the Rio Grande.

Mexico had never recognized the independence of Texas, and maintained that, even if independent, the State had no claim south of the Nueces.

I am aware that a treaty, made by the Texans with Santa Anna while he was under duress, ceded all the territory between the Nueces and the Rio Grande--, but he was a prisoner of war when the treaty was made, and his life was in jeopardy.

He knew, too, that he deserved execution at the hands of the Texans, if they should ever capture him.