President James Polk delivered the following message to Congress on July 4, 1848. Polk announces that the treaty ending the Mexican-American War was ratified and that he “made public” the treaty to ensure that it would be followed by the… Read More ›
History
January 25, 1892: Message Regarding Valparaiso Incident
In a message to Congress on January 25, 1892, President Benjamin Harrison details the assault of US sailors in Valparaiso, Chile, on October 16, 1861, as well as his administration’s response to the attack. To the Senate and House of… Read More ›
August 8, 1846: Message Regarding Settlement with Mexico
President James Polk delivered the following message to Congress on August 8, 1846. Polk asks the Congress to appropriate two million dollars to his administration in order to pay Mexico for any territory transferred to the United States and more… Read More ›
Gadsden Purchase, 1853–1854
The Gadsden Purchase, or Treaty, was an agreement between the United States and Mexico, finalized in 1854, in which the United States agreed to pay Mexico $10 million for a 29,670 square mile portion of Mexico that later became part of Arizonaand New Mexico. Gadsden’s… Read More ›
The Annexation of Texas, the Mexican-American War, and the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, 1845–1848
During his tenure, U.S. President James K. Polk oversaw the greatest territorial expansion of the United States to date. Polk accomplished this through the annexation of Texas in 1845, the negotiation of the Oregon Treaty with Great Britain in 1846, and the conclusion of… Read More ›
May 13, 1846: Announcement of War with Mexico
President James Polk issued the following proclamation on May 13, 1846, announcing Congress’ declaration of war against Mexico. By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Whereas the Congress of the United States, by virtue of the… Read More ›
May 11, 1846: War Message to Congress
President James Polk delivered the following speech on May 11, 1846. Polk lays out his administration’s case for Congress to pass a declaration of war against Mexico. Hostilities between the US and Mexico began in earnest after Polk ordered the… Read More ›
