What did John Slidell try to negotiate with Mexico in 1845?

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In September 1845, U.S. President James K. Polk dispatched John Slidell on a secret diplomatic mission to Mexico City to address escalating tensions between the two nations.1

Slidell’s primary objectives were to:
* Negotiate the disputed border between Texas and Mexico.1
* Settle outstanding U.S. financial claims against the Mexican government.1
* Purchase New Mexico and California for up to $30 million.1

Mexican President José Joaquín Herrera, recognizing that the mission was intended to facilitate the dismemberment of Mexican territory, refused to receive Slidell officially. This diplomatic failure, combined with the ongoing border dispute, served as a key justification for President Polk when he later sought congressional support for the Mexican-American War.123