The United States had won an easy victory, partly because
Mexico, torn by civil strife, could not present a united front
to face the invader. The Mexican presidency had changed hands a
number of times during the war, and some Mexican states had
refused to cooperate with the central government. Peace
negotiations were conducted on behalf of the United States by
Nicholas P. Trist, a secret envoy, whose relations with General
Scott were at first strained. Although recalled by President
Polk, Trist decided to ignore the order and continue his
negotiations, which resulted in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
(Feb. 2, 1848). By the terms of the treaty, Mexico ceded to the
United States two fifths of its territory and received an
indemnity of million and the assumption of American claims
against Mexico by the U.S. government. The boundary between the
two countries, as outlined, was to follow the Rio Grande from
its mouth to the New Mexico line, then run west to the Gila
River, follow the Gila to the Colorado River and