On February 22, 1819, the United States formally renounced its claims to Texas through the signing of the Adams-OnĂs Treaty by Secretary of State John Quincy Adams and Spanish diplomat LuĂs de OnĂs.
This significant treaty established the western boundary of the Louisiana Purchase, starting at the Sabine River’s mouth and extending along complex geographical lines including the Red River and Arkansas River. The boundary was officially mapped according to Melish’s map of the United States.
While this treaty seemed to settle the territorial dispute between Spain and the United States, history had other plans. Spain’s delayed ratification until 1821 coincided with Mexico’s declaration of independence, and the newly independent Mexico refused to recognize the treaty’s boundary lines.
