Show CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION 1S6 Congress declared the United States In a state of war with Mexico President James K Polk reported that a Mexican army had passed Into the territory of the United States and had shed American blood on The President added in his speech to American soil Congress on the same occasion May IS 12k6 that the United States was not entering the war with any acquisitive aim but to guarantee security to our citizens and friends within the lately annexed territory of Texas At the same time it was Intimated by the President that should the United States military campaign be successful Mexico would On May 13 be unable to pay a cash indemnity Therefore the only logical way for Mexico to disengage herself from the co- nflict would be to agree to the cession of the Rio Grande to the Pacific to the Uni territory included the nresent states of Arizona and California i territories from i States This Mexico Hew speaking in this manner President Polk had happily struck the popular feeling of the citizens of the By 1 Eugene I McCormac James K Polk A Political Biography (Berkeley: University of 'California Press p Uij 1922) |