Gilpin observer., 1914-04-23
MATTERS WHICH LED UP TO
OUR FORMER MEXICAN WAR

OUR FORMER MEXICAN WAR
The first war of the United States
with Mexico was brought on directly
by the annexation of Texas, but back
of that was a great many other trou-
bles. Mexico had been an unjust and
injurious neighbor' from the day it
adopted republican form of govern
ment in 1924. impoverished by the
civil wars which had proceeded to
the establishment of this government,
the country was greatly impoverished
and did not hesitate to plunder AM
erican shipping in the gulf and con-
fiscating the property of American
merchantme The United States re-
monstrated in vain. In 1881 a treaty
was made between the two countries
in which it was agreed that this sort
Of thing would be stopped. However
Mexico did not keep its word. Rob-
berries continued until 1910 until the
totai W oNti 2o,VVO,UOU anu
Texas was taken by the United States
in satisfaction of this claim.
Being fully aware of the hostile
feeling of Mexico, President Polk in
July, 1S45, sent General Zack Taylor
then in command of the army, to go
to Texas and take position near
the Rio Grande. This force of about
l 800 was called the Army of Occupa-
tion for the defense of Texas. At
the same time a strong naval COM
mand under Commodore Conner sail
ed for the Gulf of Mexico to protect
American shipping.
In September of that year General
Taylor formed camp at Corpus
Christi and there remained until jan
uary 13, 1916, when he moved that
camp to a point opposite the Mexi-
can town of Matamoras, where a
large number of Mexican troops were
stationed. This was disputed terri
tory and Taylor was warned that he
was on foreign ground Leaving this
point with about 45O men in charge,
Taylor abandoned to the Rio Grande
and began the erection of Ft Brown.
President Herrera, of Mexico, was
anxious for peace with the United
States, but not so the people, and
SO Herrera was deposed and General
Paredes elected in his place. The
new president sent General Ampudia
with large force to drive the Am
ericans beyond the Neucos. April 12
Ampudia ordered Taylor to withdraw.
Taylor refused, and continued to
strengthen FIT. Brown. The Mexican.
army was strongly reinforced and the
situation became critical.
On April "a party of American
soldiers were captured and Captain
Thornton killed. On May 3, after Tay.
lor had left Ft. Brown to go to the
aid of Point Isbel, the Mexicans be-
gan to surround the fort. On the 9Th
of May word was. sent to Taylor that
TIE fort was being attacked and Tay-
ior stditeu 10 return. On tne noon
of the next day he met and defeated
5000 Mexican soldiers under the COM
mand of General Arista at Palo Alto.
Next day a second battle was fought
at Resaca and again the Americans
were Victorious
On account of the lack of facilities
for quick news. and before the in
formation of these battles reached
Washington congress had, on May IL,
1886 declared that. "by tie act of the
Republic Of Mexico, a state of war
exists between that government and
the United States. At the same
time an appropriation of $4,000 900
for carrying on the war was made.
On May 23 the Mexican government
also declared war.
The treaty of peace known as the
Guadalupe-Hidalgo pact which ended
this war was signed on February 9,
1S4S. 1t stipulated the evacuation of
the city of Mexico by the American
troops, the payment of SO 100000 In
hand and S12.000.000 In four annual
installments by the United States to
Mexico for New Mexico and Califor-
mia. Later these features were chang
ed somewhat.