LAD #12

 

photo#1: Polk

Polks war message of 1846

President Polk felt that he needed to notify Congress of the events leading up to the current state of affairs between the United States and Mexico.  

The Government of the United States wanted to establish peace on honorable terms with Mexico and was ready to adjust the boundaries and other causes of issues between the two countries. Mr. John Slidell was commissioned as envoy and given full powers to negotiate with Mexico.The Mexican government under General Herrera agreed to receive our envoy.  Unfortunately, the government of General Herrera fell to that of General Paredes, who then refused to see him.  After trying multiple avenues unsuccessfully, Mr. Slidell was forced to return home, as the Mexican government would not see him, thus refusing the offer of peaceful adjustment of our difficulties.

President Polk had ordered a military force to take position between the Nueces and the Del Norte, to meet a threatened invasion of Texas by Mexican forces because Texas had determined to annex itself into the United States, and the United States needed to protect our citizens.  The troops were moved to the Del Norte with instructions to abstain from aggressive acts toward Mexico or Mexican citizens, and to regard the relationship with Mexico as peaceful unless Mexico should declare war or commit acts of hostility.The Mexican forces assumed a belligerent attitude, and an American scouting party was attacked with 16 killed and wounded. 

The Mexican government has committed grievous wrongs against our citizens for years.  A government unable or unwilling to enforce execution of treaties is failing to perform one of its plainest duties.

Our commerce with Mexico, which was once highly beneficial to both nations, has been annihilated.  Upon the pretext that we have taken Texas from Mexico, they have invaded United States soil and shed American blood.  Mexico has proclaimed that hostilities have commenced, and that our two nations are now at war. 

War now exists, and it it because of the actions of Mexico.  We must now protect the interests of our country. 

 

 Photo#2: Both Pearl Harbor and the incident with Mexico and Polk were not U.S. initiated.