LAD #12: Polk's War Message

President James K. Polk

In his war message to Congress, Polk states that even though they have made efforts to resolve the conflict peacefully, the Mexicans would not cooperate and eventually invaded American territory. This was due to the leader of the government changing to a military leader after General Herrera had surrendered to rebel forces, with the new leader, General Paredes, refusing to see the American envoy. Because Mexico had threatened invasion when Texas annexed itself to the U.S., protection was given to it. Troops were later moved to protect the area near the Del Norte river, the border between Texas and Mexico. Mexican forces at nearby Matamoras demanded that the camp be broken up and troops moved back over the Nueces river, the border that was established before the land there was annexed to the U.S. as part of Texan territory. A group of 63 members of the U.S. Army went to the river to see if the Mexican forces were attempting to cross the border, where they were surrounded and had to surrender. Polk argues that these issues had gone on long enough without anything done about them and finishes by stating that because Americans were killed on their own soil, the United States was justified in going to war and should see that the rights and interests of the U.S. are carried out.