Mexico Miscalulates!

President Polk knew that Mexico wanted war, and he also knew many in Congress didn't, so he made moves to insure that Mexico would strike first, insuring his support in Congress. 

First he sent General Zachery Taylor with 4000 men into the disputed area between the Nueces  and Rio Grande Rivers.  He had the American consul in Monterey arouse the American Californians in the patriotic love of liberty and independence.  Polk also advised U.S. Pacific fleet commander, John D. Sloan to possess and blockade California ports as he saw fit.  Meanwhile, Captain John Charles Fremont who was on a supposedly scientific mission, moved into California armed with 60 men. 

Mexican officials felt that their army was more than a match for the American forces and that the United States was too divided in their opinion of war to be effective.  These proved fatal miscalculations! 

On April 25, 1846, Mexican troops moved into the disputed Texas border and opened fire on Taylor's forces.  This gave Polk what he wanted and in his war message to Congress, he said, "Mexico has invaded our territory and shed American blood on American soil."  Congress agreed and war was declared.

There were dissenting opinions, however, as the South was eager for war which many antislavery forces thought proved that they didn't want to extend democracy as much as they wanted to extend "slavocracy" all the way to the Pacific Coast.  Nevertheless, we were at war with Mexico and time and other forces would solve the slavery question in the West.

Next time...The Conquest of California
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On This Day in Pioneer History:  "On April 13, 1866, Butch Cassidy, the last of the great western train-robbers, is born in Beaver, Utah Territory.Born Robert Leroy Parker, he was the son of Mormon parents who had answered Brigham Young’s call for young couples to help build communities of Latter Day Saints on the Utah frontier.

It's Just a Rumor!

In September 1842 while President Tyler was negotiating the purchase of California, Commodore Thomas ap Catesby Jones, an American commander, was aboard his ship in Peruvian waters when he heard a rumor that the United States and Mexico were at war and Britain had claimed California.  Jones went northward immediately, reaching Monterey Bay on October 18.  He  landed a force and seized the capital, raising the Star and Stripes.

Two days later, Jones learned there was no war and the flag was hauled down, apologies were made, and Jones remained in Monterey 32 days protecting the Americans living there, after which he sailed off to Los Angeles. 

In 1845 Texas was annexed to the United States. Americans removed the President, Jose Joaquin Herrera and began preparing for war.  John Slidell, (the new) President Polk's emissary had been authorized to purchase New Mexico and California and settle all outstanding disputes with Mexico. 

All had been ignored. Mexico was in no mood for negotiations...they wanted war!

Next time...Mexico Miscalculates
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Today in Pioneer History:  On April 10, 1866, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is founded in New York City by philanthropist and diplomat Henry Bergh.