Texas was a nearly uninhabited part of Mexico, lying between Louisiana and the Rio Grande river. It was a fertile region, with a fine climate. The Spanish possessors of Mexico, in the bigoted and bitter spirit that was traditional with the Spaniards toward protestants, and deeply hostile in feeling from the rather high-handed and vigorous proceedings of Gen. Jackson before and after the cession of Florida, did not encourage the settlement of Texas; preferring to be separated by a wilderness from the United States. In 1821 the Mexicans finally threw off the Spanish yoke and established an independent government. About this time the Americans, and especially those of the South, foreseeing the probable spread of the northern part of the Republic to the Pacific, began to look with covetous eyes on the fine Savannas of Texas, as[639] an excellent field for land speculations, and also for extending the Southern area, so as to keep its balance in the number of slave States equal to the free States of the North, as they had been provided for by the Missouri Compromise. It was believed to be the plan of Mr. Calhoun, an able and far-seeing statesman, thoroughly in earnest in the maintenance of slavery, and the political equality of the slave with the free States. A settlement was made by people from the United States. In a few years they grew to be numerous, and came in conflict with the rigid Spanish Catholic laws, still maintained by the Mexicans. The United States government made advances toward purchasing Texas, but the Mexicans were resolute in their purpose to hold it, and bring its people under the dominion of strict Mexican law. The Americans resisted this with the settled determination of ultimate separation from Mexico, and probable annexation to the United States.
The Mexicans undertook to reduce them to submission. The Texans, supported by bold and fearless adventurers from the Southern States, resisted. The war commenced Oct. 2d, 1835, by a battle at Gonzalez, followed by various others. March 2d, 1836, the Texans formally declared Independence, which they maintained by force of arms. March 3d, 1837, the United States government recognized the Independence of Texas. England did the same in 1842. Propositions of annexation had been made to Presidents Jackson, Van Buren, and Tyler, successively, by the Texas government, but as often rejected by them as tending necessarily to a war with Mexico; that power having distinctly and repeatedly declared that she should regard such a step as a declaration of war.
The Democratic party regaining the ascendency in the election of 1844, made this annexation the issue of the presidential campaign. A majority of the people were in favor of it.
The Southern view, however, was not alone in its influence on this decision. Indignities and injuries had been inflicted by the Mexicans on American citizens in that country; its haughty, exclusive, and unfriendly spirit awakened strong indignation; and the Pacific coast of California, with the mining regions of the northern interior of Mexico, both nearly uninhabited, were objects of desire to the American people. Thus a wish to extend the bounds of the Republic, and to chastise an insolent neighbor, combined with the ardent wishes of the pro-slavery interest, to lead the nation to determine on a war, somewhat ungenerously, with a neighbor notoriously too weak and disorganized for effectual resistance to the whole strength of the United States. The whole plan, as afterward carried out, was arranged in the cabinet at Washington almost before hostilities had actually commenced.
1846.
 
Mar. 28—Gen. Taylor takes position with a small army at the mouth of the Rio Grande opposite Matamoras. This the Mexican government regard as a declaration of war, for which they had prepared and were waiting.
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Apr. 24—Hostilities commence by an attack on Capt. Thornton. He loses 16 men out of 63, and surrenders.
May 8—The battle of Palo Alto. Gen. Taylor with 2,300 men defeats 6,000 Mexicans. Mexican loss 100 killed, 300 wounded; American 4 killed, 40 wounded.
” 9—The battle of Resaca de la Palma. The Mexicans are totally defeated with a loss of about 600; the Americans lose about 160. Gen. La Vega, (Mexican,) taken prisoner. The Mexicans fled in total rout across the Rio Grande. The object of the war, so far as Texas was concerned, was gained; but the Mexicans were still spirited, and California, Utah, and New Mexico were not gained. An invasion and march on the city of Mexico were the next steps.
” 12—Congress ordered the raising of 50,000 men, and voted $10,000,000 to carry on the war.
July 6—Monterey, on the California coast is taken by the American navy under Com. Sloat.
” 9—Congress re-cedes the Virginia portion of the District of Columbia to that State.
” 30—The tariff on imported goods is reduced.
Aug. 3—President Polk vetoes the River and Harbor Bill.
” 8—He vetoes the French Spoliation Bill.
” 18—Gen. Kearney takes possession of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and declared the U. S. authority established over the people.
” 22—California is at this time entirely in the possession of U. S. forces.
Sept. 5—Gen. Taylor, with 6,000 men, commences his march on Monterey.
” 21—Gen. Worth, with 650 men, fights the Mexicans near Monterey.
” 22—The “Bishops Palace,” strongly fortified, is stormed and taken.
The previous attacks were directed on the rear of Monterey. An advance is now made in front with success.
” 23—The defenses are assaulted in front and rear. The city surrenders. Gen. Ampudia, the Mexican commander, had about 10,000 men and very strong fortifications. A truce of some weeks was agreed upon. Gen. Santa Anna having recently come into power, it was thought peace would be made. This proved delusive.
Oct. 25—Tobasco bombarded by the U. S. fleet, and the Mexican vessels in the port taken or destroyed.
Nov. 14—Tampico surrenders to Com. Connor.
Dec. 25—Battle of Bracito. Col. Doniphan, with 500 men, defeats a Mexican force of 1,200. Mexican loss 200, American but 7 wounded, none killed.
1847.
 
Jan. 8—The Mexican Congress votes $15,000,000 to carry on the war, to be raised on the property of the church.
Feb. 23—The larger part of Gen. Taylor’s army was withdrawn from him to support Gen. Scott in his march from Vera Cruz on the city of[641] Mexico. Gen. Taylor, with only 4,500 men, is attacked by Santa Anna with 20,000 men. Santa Anna is completely defeated with a loss in killed and wounded of 2,000. American loss 264 killed, 450 wounded, 26 missing.
Mar. 1—Gen. Kearney proclaims California annexed to the United States.
” 3—A bill admitting Wisconsin into the union passed.
” 9—Gen. Scott landed 12,000 men at Vera Cruz.
” 18—The cannonade of Vera Cruz commences.
” 26—Vera Cruz capitulates to Gen. Scott.
Apr. 18—The battle of Cerro Gordo. Santa Anna is defeated. He had 12,000 men. Gen. Scott 8,500. The Mexicans lost 1,100 in killed and wounded, and 3,000 prisoners. Gen. Scott lost in killed and wounded, 430. The Mexicans were vigorously pursued April 19, and the city of Jalapa taken possession of.
” 22—Gen. Worth takes possession of the town and castle of Perote.
May 15—Puebla is entered. It is the second city in Mexico. Offers of peace were now made by the Americans but rejected by the Mexicans.
Aug. 11—The army advances to the neighborhood of the city of Mexico.
” 19—The battle of Contreras. Americans successful in cutting the enemy’s communications. The Americans march in the night to attack a fortified camp which is carried at sunrise. American force 4,500, Mexican 7,000. Mexican loss in killed, wounded and prisoners, about 4,000; American, 66.
” 20—Cherubusco, a fortified hill, stormed and taken by Gen. Worth with 9,000 men. An armistice is now agreed on, and peace offered, but the Mexicans still hold to their first terms, and refuse to give up territory.
Sept. 8—The Mexicans determine to yield only to absolute force, and the American army again advances. Battles of Molinos del Rey, and Casa Mata. The Mexicans are largely superior in numbers and fight with determined valor, but are overcome. American loss 800.
” 13—Battle of Chapultepec. This fortress was the last exterior defense to the City of Mexico. It was once the site of the “Palace of the Montezumas.” The Mexican force within and outside the fortress 20,000. The American force 7,180. Mexican loss in killed, wounded, prisoners and deserted, about 14,000; American, 900. A part of the army gained a foothold in the City of Mexico.
” 14—Gen. Scott enters Mexico in triumph.
Oct. 9—Battle of Huamantla. Santa Anna again defeated.
” 18—Again at Attixco, with heavy loss. Santa Anna............