LAD #12- Polk's War Message

Polk's War Message, 1846
Summary:

The relationship between the countries of the United States and Mexico had been faced with the growing threat of disputes which could lead to an outbreak of violence. James K. Polk went to Congress to discuss this issue, bringing up the fact that America wished to have peace with Mexico, but at the same time desired the annexation of more land as well. This desire had caused a rift to form between the two nations, and a band of American troops had been sent to Mexico, though the later refused to "receive him or listen to his propositions," and eventually invaded American territory.

Mexico further refused to hear from the United States, and a result more troops were issued to resolve the matter with the former. The Mexican minister, however, also refused to ignore the claims of his citizens over the boundary in question. John Slidell of Louisiana had been sent to Mexico in order to settle the boundary dispute. A revolutionary faction had seized Texas, determined to restore peaceful relations with the United States, but failed in doing so.

Polk, in an effort to maintain friendly ties with Mexico asked to met with Slidell to discuss the matter. Under orders by the president, Slidell wrote a letter to the Mexican minister of foreign relations and asked that he be met with as a government official, though this was denied to him. In essence, Mexico had outright refused the offer of peace with America.

It would soon became necessary to met the Mexican forces in Texas with military action, as the territory had agreed to join with the Union, and America felt the need to protect her new citizens. The American troops moved to the Del Norte River with the directions to protect property and citizens' rights. The Mexicans went to the river as well, though no violence broke out until April 24th. American men left the camp to see if any Mexican soldiers had begun crossing the river, which was when the fighting first broke out.

Polk saw the Mexican government unfit to run its own country, as there were many issues he saw that ought to be redressed. However, Polk is still working toward restoring the other country, even though reconciliation had failed. He concluded by claiming that the declaration of war had come from Mexico's actions, and America must follow through with this to defend its claims.