LAD #12 Polk's War Message

Summary of Polk's 1846 War Message:

President Polk begins by stating that he had sent a diplomat to remedy relations with Mexico earlier that year. However, he informs that Mexico had refused to accept the envoy and they caused innocent American blood to be shed. This was after the President sent John Slidell to Mexico to address any areas of tensions between the U.S. and Mexico. He went on to say that the Mexicans' response was violent. The Mexican government, under command of General Herrera, denied Slidell and any diplomatic discussion. Then another rejection occurred under the next leader, General Paredas. Herrera had been forced to surrender government control to Paredas by the military. After these rejections, Slidell was forced to return home with none of the issues resolved. The President called for the  United States to move troops to Mexico. They were placed on the Mexican side of the DelNorte River. While intended to maintain security, the troops ended up beginning an attack on the Mexican troops. Polk finishes by saying that it is crucial that Americans begin to accept and fight the now unavoidable war. He finished by stressing the importance of the war for maintaining American interests, honor, and rights that Mexico was infringing upon.