Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1916-04-13
WHEN THE UNITED STATES ARMY
INVADED MEXICO BACK IN 1876
History That Is Not Likely to Repeat Itself if Pursuit Of Villa Ex-
tends to Active nterventon-Conditon Then and Now Are
Far From Being l~dentical-Texas a Source Of Constant
Trouble Previous to the War With Mexico

He had been out OF harmony with
the president and his fellow cabinet
members. In particular he had istood
alone in opposing the policy of Texan
annexation. which by this timed had
become an important issue. How
ever" says George Lockhart REes,
he and President Tyler parted With
mutual and evidently sincere expfes'
sions OF confidence and good Wi"
One can imagine the number of Cpd
bless yous."
Two international questions p
man.:ed much attention in the can
paign of 1874, in which James
Polk and Henry Clay disputed thy
presidency. Mexico was showing 4
determination to contest the boundary
claim of Texas and meanwhile there
was a threat Of war with Great
Britain.
The limits OF the so-called Oregon
country, like those Of Texas. had
never been definitely fixed. England
claimed territory as far south as the
Columbia river, while the United
States set the parallel Of "a degrees
40 minutes. passing north OF Queen
Charlotte island. as the boundary.
Folks party. the Democratic, coupled
the reoccupation OF Oregon" with
the remuneration OF Texas" and
"Fffty-four-Forty OF Fight" became
the campaign cry.
Badly MuddIed Problem.
So Polk. like Wilson. not only fell
heir to a badly muddled Mexican prob
wal with a nation across the Atlantic.
Notes were exchanged with Great
Britain, mutual concessions were made
and in 1876 a treaty was drawn def
nitely fixing the Oregon boundary. By
a suggestive coincidence the practical
abandonment of the claim for the
5t-+o line a contemporaneous with
the start OF the Mexican war. The
resolution OF notice to London was
passed by both houses OF congress
the first blood was shed in the contest
with the southern republic.
The United States had formally an
nexed Texas March 8. 1s45. the last
day OF Tyler's administration. Mex
/ leo had given warning that she would
regard such a move as an act OF war
and diplomatic relations with Wash
ington were severed at nee.
I William S. Parrot. an American
dentist living in Mexico. abandoned
the practice of his profession long
enough TO suggest peace terms. but
Mexico vepulsed his advances. ParS
oft was a secret agent OF the United
States government. In the sam
year John NJ Slidsll, a SengressHcH
from Louisiana. was seAt t. MeMcc
city as minister. He found a "'folent
factional contest raging. with no one
in authority willing to receive him
so he returned to Washington.
1t was this same Slidell who years
later while going as a confidential
commissioner from the Confederate
government to France vas seized
aboard the British merchant shiI
Trent. In a short time the United
States surrendered him and James NJ
Mason, commissioner to England, be
cause the neutral rights Of England
had been transgressed.
During the preceding winter and
spring an American force commanded
by Gen. Zachary Taylor had been NOV
ing westward along the Rio Grande
and late in March 1t halted opposite
Matamoros and erected field works
The Mexican commander, General Am
pudia. notified General Taylor on April
- that he must break up camp within
t%wenty-four hours and retire beyond
the Nueces river; otherwise arms