|
Title:
|
Message of the President of the United States, communicating information of the existing relations between the United States and Mexico, and recommending the adopting of measures for repelling the invasion committed by the Mexican forces upon the territor |
|
Author:
|
United States. Congress. Senate. |
|
Abstract:
|
This document represents the culmination of tensions that had been building between the United States and Mexico for more than a decade. When the U.S. annexed Texas in 1845, there ensued a conflict regarding the placement of the Texas-Mexico border - Mexico claimed it was the Nueces River, whereas the U.S. claimed it was the Rio Grande. Meanwhile, president James K. Polk wished to acquire the territory of California for its profitable shipping cities. Polk dispatched John Slidell to Mexico to negotiate the purchase of California and New Mexico, but the Mexican government refused to discuss anything other than the border dispute. Meanwhile, Mexican forces under the leadership of Mariano Arista and U.S. forces under Zachary Taylor had gathered in the area surrounding Matamoros in anticipation of military conflict. When the Mexican cavalry stumbled upon an American patrol and opened fire, Taylor quickly sent news of the attack to Polk. Polk had realized that he could not acquire California through negotiation and was searching for an excuse to do so by force. He had been planning to propose that Congress declare war on Mexico due to its hostile diplomatic stance, but Taylor's report of a Mexican attack on American troops provided Polk with a stronger argument. On May 11th, 1846 he made the proposal that appears in this document calling for war with Mexico. Congress quickly heeded Polk's call and the Mexican American War had began. |
|
Description:
|
Printed document, 131pp. Includes correspondence by John Slidell, James Buchanan, et al. |
|
URI:
|
http://hdl.handle.net/1911/9252
|
|
Date:
|
1846 |