LAD #12: Polk's War Message

Summary: Due to the tense nature of U.S. relations with France during Polk's presidency, war eventually came between the two nations. One of the first signs of issues between the U.S. and Mexico was the failure of the Mexican Government to receive the American diplomat John Slidell.
                Polk began the message by stating that the American relationship with Mexico has deteriorated and should be dealt with by congress. John Slidell was sent to Mexico to discuss border disputes, among other issues, but was refused by the Mexicans. The government in Mexico had recently changed, so the militaristic revolutionary party was unwilling to discuss anything with Polk or remedy the poor relations.
                The President ordered the troops along the Neuces and Del Norte rivers to prepare for a war and possible invasion. The U.S. troops crossed the Del Norte River to protect Texas' interests and ordered to avoid conflict with the Mexicans. The Mexican General Arista ordered the Americans to leave, but they refused. Arista led a battalion of Mexican soldiers against the Americans, killing or wounding sixteen.
                Because of Mexican aggression, Polk believed war to be justified. He explicitly stated this, arguing that Mexico was unwilling to negotiate with the U.S. and was brutal and invasive towards the American South. U.S. trade with Mexico was limited, another justification and substantiation of the argument for war. The Mexican disregard for American rights had to be corrected.