Blog #13 Polk's War Message 1864

Summary of Polk's War Message
Polk begins his address by stating that America wished to establish peace with Mexico so that both countries could be good neighbors and to settle the issues of border disputes. However, when America first sent an envoy over to Mexico to begin political discussion, they refused to receive him or listen to any of his propositions and also invaded US territory shedding blood in the process. Polk proceeds by accounting how John Slidell was sent over to Mexico on friendly terms to promote discussion about new areas of tension between two countries. The Mexican Government led by General Herrera denied Slidell any discussion. Continuing, Polk describes how shortly after this event, Herrera yielded the government to a new leader General Paredes however Paredes also rejected diplomatic talks with the US. As tensions were rising, military troops were sent in at the Texan Border to prepare if Mexico were to invade Texas, which was now becoming an integral part on the union. Mexican troops also lined their side of the border and eventually fighting broke out when 63 American troops became engaged in a skirmish with Mexican troops on the Rio del Norte. Polk finishes by stating how war with Mexico is inevitable and that the war is necessary to maitain American pride and to retaliate against Mexico's unruly actions with diplomacy and the border.


The XYZ affair was another instance in which diplomacy was refused between American and France which led to further tension.