LAD #12: Polk

Polk opens up his War Message to Congress by stating that he had tried to make peace with the Mexican government, but it was unsuccessful. When the American envoy landed in Mexico, ready to make peace, the Mexican Government refused to even listen to him, and even attacked some American settlements. Polk goes on to discuss that the MExican government and its officials had originally approved the American envoy, but when he arrived, he was rejected. Those who had at first approved the envoy, John Slidell from Louisiana, were from General Herrera's army, but a revolutionary party had just taken control. This new revolutionary government of General Paredes had no intent to negotiate with the United States and follow the actions of the previous government. Polk explains that he placed troops positioned around Texas, mainly in Corpus Christi, in order to protect the Texans' rights, but Texas had already become part of the Union. He addresses that Mexico was unable to stably communicate with America and did not execute its treaties like it should have. Polk reminds Congress that the American economy, specifically commerce, was greatly harmed by this situation, and that American had been working towards peace with Mexico for a long time. He finishes his War Message by stating that American must declare war against Mexico because of the many Mexican hostilities against America.