LAD #12 Polk's War Message

President James K. Polk starts off his war message going into the origin of the conflicts between the United States and Mexico.He then goes on to explain how he tried to make peace with the Mexican government but they rejected the offering and attacked nearby American settlements. He says he wants to make diplomatic relations with Mexico which is why he sent John Slidell to Mexico. Slidell a US diplomat was sent to Mexico to discuss the killing of Americans on US land and the Texas boundary but the Mexican government refused to listen to his ideas. The Mexicans were crossing the American border and killing US citizens and Polk decided it was time to declare war on Mexico to protect these men. He asks Congress to recognize the war and start building up troops and supplies. He states it will be a short war to settle their problems.