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Mexican American War

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Perez 1
Stephanie Perez
Mr.Velluntini
United States History
22 May 2009

Mexican American War
“ As war exist, and, notwithstanding all our efforts to avoid it, exists by the act of Mexico herself, we are called upon by every consideration of duty and patriotism to vindicate with decision the honor, the rights, and the interest of our country.” - Special message of President James Polk asking Congress to declare war with Mexico on May 11, 1846.( Carey 26) Mexico was furious when Texas became part of the United States in 1845. A formal complaint was made by a Mexican ambassador to Washington, D.C. and returned to Mexico city. In turn, the American ambassador withdrew from Mexico. The two nations poised for war.( ---)
Trying to avoid any conflict, the United States tried to obtain the territory that now makes up California and New Mexico peacefully. President James Polk sent an envoy to Mexico City of $30 million or more to buy the territory for California and New Mexico. Mexico refused to consider the offer. (-----) By May of 1846, many people in the United States wanted to declare war on Mexico and grab as much territory, but the U.S. Secretaries of state and of war argued that it would be illegal. (-----) They insisted that they would not allow the country to go to war unless Mexico attacked first. (-----) At just that time, President James Polk had already ordered General Zachary Taylor to lead a detachment of American troops into western Texas, between the Nueces and the Rio Grande, to patrol the boarder.(-----) The Mexican commander ordered him to withdraw, but instead Taylor penetrated all the way to the Rio Grand, entering the Mexican Territory..(-----) While the cabinet was meeting, a skirmish broke out between Taylor's dragoons and General Mariano Arista's cavalry. (----) On the evening of May 9,
Perez 2
Taylor reported to Washington that

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