a line which we have never pr we have often proposed gently often gently shoved aside.... lusive work is done with. The j advance and the question m judgment, or it will soon settle nine is the right line with me; of the great maxim: Submit t to no invasion or encroachme line of right, which gives to invaluable waters, and secures Columbia. It is the fighting UNION can be rallied on that

On August 25, 1845, Pre

in his cabinet with his Secre

the Mexican on the Oregon question. "

in his "Diary," just a year character, that I deemed it reduce the substance of it t cumstance which first sugge necessity, of keeping a jour actions which might occur du to do so and accordingly p purpose on the very next since noted whatever occurr The diary, filling twenty-fiv the period from August 20 kept in possession of the P

1 The Diary of James K. Polk 2 Mrs. Polk lent the manuscrip had a typewritten transcript mad used, and which, on Bancroft's

was purchased by the Chicago Historical Society, by whom it was published, with notes by M. M. Quaife, in four volumes, in 1910. We select some passages touching the Mexican War:

Friday, 29th August, 1845 - The President called a special meeting of the Cabinet at 12 O'clock, all the members present except Mr. Mason. The President brought up for consideration our relations with Mexico, and the threatened invasion of Texas with [by] that power. He submitted the following propositions which were unanimously agreed to as follows, viz., If Mexico should declare War or actual hostilities should be commenced by that power, orders to be issued to Gen'l Taylor to attack and drive her back across the Del Norte [Rio Grande].... Gen’l Taylor to be vested with discretionary authority to pursue the Mexican army to the West of the Del Norte, and take Matamoras or any other Spanish Post West of that River, but not to penetrate any great distance into the interior of Mexican territory. . . .

Tuesday, 16th September, 1845.- Despatches were read from D' Parrott, the confidential agent of the U.S. in Mexico, giving an account of another threatened Revolution. ... He gives it as his opinion that there will be no declaration of war against the U.S. and no invasion of Texas.... He is also of the opinion that the Government is desirous to re-establish Diplomatic relations with the U. States, and that a Minister from the U.S. would be received.... The President, in consultation with the Cabinet, agreed that the Hon. John Slidell of New Orleans . . . should be tendered the mission. ... One great object of the mission, as stated by the President, would be to adjust a permanent boundary between Mexico and the U. States, and that in doing this the Minister would be instructed to purchase for a pecuniary consideration Upper California and New Mexico. He said that a better boundary would be the Del Norte [Rio Grande] from its mouth to the Passo [El Paso] in latitude about 32° North, and

New York. The diary is the most detailed record of a presidential administration in our history, exceeding in fullness even the "Memoirs " of John Quincy Adams during the years of his presidency.

thence West to the Pacific Oc be had for fifteen or twenty m forty millions for it, if it coul views the Cabinet agreed with Monday, 10th November, 1 I signed the Commission Extraordinary & Minister Plen Tuesday, 13th January, 1840 of the Cabinet today.... De been received last evening were public matters not important w Tuesday, 7th April, 1846night's mail from our consul

1 Let the student compare the United States with this proposal o cant as showing the resolve of the New Mexico, even at the expense the Mexican War began.

2 This brief, colorless entry wa Polk's most fateful move in conne war message to Congress, May 1 January last, instructions were issu of these troops to occupy the left Messages and Papers, Vol. IV, p. region between the Nueces and t between Texas and Mexico, was a Polk maintained that the "despa this move necessary were rumors vasion of Texas (see his war me armed intervention scouted the Stephens said in the House, June the immediate cause of hostilities forces was the advance movemen River, to Matamoras on the Rio G had no right, no power, legally, to disputed territory on the Rio Gra ... the question of boundary (wa resolution for annexing Texas) b by negotiation, and not by arms... draw the sword for any purpose pp. 304, 316). Stephens dubbed ments, "Polk the Mendacious."

probable that Mr. Slidell, our Minister to Mexico will not be received by that Government, & will return to the U. States. The despatch was read & I stated that in the event Mr. Slidell was not accredited, and returned to the U.S., my opinion was that I should make a communication to Congress recommending that Legislative measures be adopted, to take the remedies for the injuries and wrongs we had suffered into our own hands. . . .

Tuesday, 28th April, 1846-... The Mexican question was next discussed, & it was the unanimous opinion of the Cabinet that a message should be sent to Congress laying the whole subject before them and recommending that measures be adopted to take redress into our own hands for the aggravated wrongs done to our citizens in their persons and property by Mexico.1 I requested Mr. Buchanan to prepare from the archives of the Department of State a succinct history of these wrongs as the basis of a message to Congress, at his earliest convenience. . . .

Sunday, 3rd May, 1846 – . . Col. Benton called this evening.. He expressed a decided aversion to a war with Mexico if it could be avoided consistently with the honour of the country. I told him we had ample cause of War, but that I was anxious to avoid it if it could be done honourably and consistently with the interests of our injured citizens. I told him I would delay at all events until the arrival of Mr. Slidell, who was expected daily, but that I could not permit Congress to adjourn without bringing the subject before that body.

...

Friday, 8th May, 1846-... the Hon. John Slidell, late U.S. Minister to Mexico, called in company with the Secretary of State. . . . Mr. Slidell's opinion was that but one course towards Mexico was left to the U.S. and that was to take the redress of the wrongs and injuries which we had so long borne from Mexico into our own hands, and to act with promptness and energy.

Saturday, 9th May, 1846 — The Cabinet held a regular meeting today; all the members present. I brought up the Mexican question. . . . The subject was very fully discussed. All agreed that if the Mexican forces at Matamoras committed any act of

1 Four days before this entry the Mexicans had attacked the Americans on the northern bank of the Rio Grande. See entry under May 9.

hostility on Gen'l Taylor's force message to Congress recommen of War. I stated to the Cabine knew, we had heard of no open a army, but that the danger was in committed. . . . I then propoun Cabinet and took their opinions make a message to Congress on message I should recommend Mexico. All except the Secreta their advice in the affirmative. if any act of hostility should be c he was then in favor of immedia I would feel better satisfied in his or should commit any act of ho we had ample cause of war ag assent to the measure. It was a be prepared, and submitted to tuesday. . . . The Cabinet adjo About 6 O'Clock P.M. Gen'l R. the army, called and handed t General Taylor by the Southe giving information that a part o [to] the Del Norte and attack companies of dragoons of Ge 63 officers & men. The despat day [26th April] 1 made a requis

1

1 This was two days after the N in his war message to Congress a Matamoras assumed a belligerent General Ampudia, then in comman up his camp within twenty-four ho River, and, in the event of his fai announced that arms, and arms alor open act of hostility was committed General Arista, who had succeed forces, communicated to General commenced, and should prosecute and officers were on the same day