[Mrs. Don-o]

As I understand it, in 1810 Fr. Hidalgo started the Mexican war of independence, but it wasn't until 1821 that the Spanish finally retreated and Mexico became independent in fact.

A better case can be made that there were Spanish-speaking settlements in parts of what is now the USA, before the USA became a nation, just as there were some Franch-speaking and some Russian-speaking settlements. But small and few. The US southwest was far more Indian than Spanish. The vast, vast majority of Spanish-speaking New Spain colonists lived way south, south of the Sonoran Desert, down in central and southern Mexico.

[Constitutions Grandchild]

Look, the folks who were migratory had basically settled where they were going to stay. If people who were not among those who asked to become states are now going to allege that they somehow were excluded from the vote, I'm saying that simply isn't true. The people who settled in the SW and SE “applied” to be states. They met a long list of requirements to become states. For those who are unhappy now, it's a wee bit late to be bringing it up. We didn't force Texas, Arizona or New Mexico or Colorado or California to become states. They tried very hard to qualify to BECOME states. This is such a specious and bogus argument.

If anyone wants to give North America back to the Native Americans, fine. You'll see just how serious my Native American Ancestors were about border enforcement. Had they had the immunities, gun powder and cannons, we wouldn't be having this discussion.