LORD BROUGHAMinquired whether the Government had received any information as to a very extraordinary transaction which was said to have taken place between the United States and Mexico. It was stated that the United States had offered a large sum to Mexico to purchase the cession of California. It was not to be supposed that Mexico would be willing to close the bargain on credit, because she had no doubt some knowledge of the American doctrine of repudiation. He had himself received the information from a source on which he felt he could rely—from a Member of a great commercial firm in the city of London.
§ The MARQUESS of LANSDOWNEhad understood that such an offer was made some time ago, but he was not aware that it had been accepted.
LORD BROUGHAMobserved, that perhaps Mexico had refused, because America had not offered ready money.