...documents accompanying the resolution. They then deftly attached a preamble to the war bill that read, "By the act of the Republic of Mexico, a state of...exists between that government and the United States." As stunned, outmaneuvered Whigs protested, the amendment was swiftly put to a vote and approved, 123-67....

...misleading. Many who voted for the bill did so reluctantly, still morally opposed to the wording, "Whereas, by the act of the Republic of Mexico, a state of war exists between the United States and that Republic," while others disagreed with Polk's provocative orders to Taylor....