The log cabin Democrat., 1916-04-08
WHEN THE UNITED STATES ARMY
 INVADED MEXICO BACK IN l846
History That Is Not Likely to Repeat Itself Pursuit of Villa Ex- tends to Active IntevenonCondtons Then and Now Are Far From Being ldentica-Texas 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 stood alone in opposing the policy of Texan annexation, which by this time had become an important issue. How ever," says George Lockhart Rives, he and President Tyler parted with mutual and evidently sincere expres- sions of confidence and good will" One can imagine the number of God bless yous'
 Two international questions de manded much attention in the cam paign of 1844. in which James K. Polk and Henry Clay disputed the presidency. Mexico was showing a 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 54 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 'Fifty-four- Forty or Fight" became the campaign cry.
 Badly Muddled Problem.
 So Polk, like Wilson, not only fell heir to a badly muddled Mexican prob lem but was to be threatened with war with nation across the Atlantic. Notes were exchanged with Great Britain, mutual concessions were made and in 1S46 treaty was drawn defi- nitely fixing the Oregon boundary. By a suggestive coincidence the practical abandonment of the claim for the 54-40 line was contemporaneous with the start of the Mexican war The resolution of notice to London was passed by both houses of congress April 23, 1S46, and on the next day the first blood was shed in the contest with the southern republic.
 The United States had formally an neXed Texas March 3, 1S45, the last day of Tyler's administration. Mex ico had given warning that she would regard such a move as an act of war and diplomatic relations with Wash ington were severed at once.
 William s. Parrott. an American | dentist living in Mexico, abandoned the practice of his profession long 1 enough to suggest peace terms, but Mexico repulsed his advances Par rott was secret agent of the United States government. In the same year John NJ. Slidell, a congressman from Louisiana, was sent to Mexico city as minister He found violent factional contest raging. with no one in authority willing to receive him so he returned to Washington
 It was this same Slidell who years later while going as confidential | commissioner from the Confederate government to France was seized aboard the British merchant shiI | Trent. In a short time the United | States surrendered him and James M | 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 12 that he must break up camp within twentyfour hours and retire beyond the Nueces river; otherwise arms | >-~N~~-~A~o-~o~~