LAD #12: Polk's War Message

Polk's War Address identifies the causes surrounding the United States' impending involvement in war with Mexico.  Originally seeking a diplomatic and peaceful resolution to the problems, President Polk sent an envoy to peacefully negotiate terms with Mexico's head of government, General Herrera, to resolve the border disputes and numerous injustices of the Mexican Government against American settlers.  However, after a revolution in Mexico, its political and social relations with the United States shifted with its shift in power, and the government no longer sought peaceful appeasement.  They did not associate themselves with the American envoy, John Slidell, and refuted any attempts of peace.  In fact, the Mexican government actually engaged in hostile relations with American soldiers and settlers along both the Rio del Norte and the Nuces River -- these actually became part of Texas when it was annexed in 1836.  With the uneasy regards of both sides, the Mexican hostilities towards the U.S. troops provided him a complete justification against a nation already with shaky relationships.