As they
glide past the willow-shaded river banks, the two Southerners become
confidential over their cigars.
Valois learns, with surprise, that President Polk sent the polished
Slidell confidentially to Mexico in 1846, and offered several
millions for a cession of California. He also wanted a quit-claim
to Texas. This juggling occurred before General Taylor opened the
campaign on the Rio Grande. In confidential relations with Sidell,
Hardin pushed over to California as soon as the result of the war
was evident. Ambitious and far-seeing, Philip Hardin unfolds the
cherished plan of extending slavery to the West. It must rule below
the line of the thirty-sixth parallel. Hardin is an Aaron Burr in
persuasiveness. By the time the new friends reach San Francisco,
Maxime has found his political mentor. Ambition spurs him on.
Wonders burst upon their eyes. Streets, business houses and hotels,
dwellings and gaudy places of resort, are spread over the rolling
slopes. Valois has written his friends at the mission to hold his
letters. He hastens away to deposit his treasures and gain news of
the old home in the magnolia land.
Hardin has the promise of the young Louisianian to accompany him to
Monterey.
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