1848 Treaty With Mexico

Re “Line Drawn in 1848 Shaped Who We Are,” by Frank del Olmo, Commentary, March 1:

In 1848 Mexico lost its vast northern territories to the United States and there should be no surprise that Mexicans saw (and perhaps continue to see) their northern neighbor as an imperialistic bully. But to suggest (as Del Olmo does) that in 1848 the United States got also “a whole lot of Mexican Americans,” which, in turn, shaped who we are today is simply laughable.

It is time to realize that for all practical purposes California had never really been Mexican. The independence won by Mexico from Spain in 1821 did not change much in the life of the remote province in California. The Mexican rule lasted about 20 years and it was a shaky one. As one historian wrote: “The bonds that connected California with Mexico were even looser than those with Spain had been . . . Californians identified themselves with California, not Mexico.” As late as 1849 (just before the Gold Rush) California’s population was about 29,000 people. Most were locals, many Yankees, but very few Mexicans by birth or choice.

Californians rebelled against the Mexican government several times and many Mexican governors were chased out from California. At one point in 1836 the locals proclaimed California a free and sovereign state but were defeated by Mexico. In 1845 Californians expelled another governor--Manuel Micheltorena--thus ending Mexico’s direct rule over California . . . even before the Yankees came.

MARIUSZ OZMINKOWSKI

Pasadena

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I am pleased to see Del Olmo’s reference to the 150th anniversary of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, but take exception to his comment that “activists are on shaky ground” using it with regard to bilingual education.

Del Olmo notes the treaty guarantees Mexican Americans “the right to their property, language and culture.” He should also note that as a treaty accepted by the federal government it supersedes even our Constitution. Californians have no choice but to act within the language of the treaty. Of course, as we enter the 21st century, population shifts in California will make that a moot point.

GUY ARONOFF

History Instructor

CSUN Ventura