President James K. Polk (1849)
Mathew Brady, photographer Source: Library of Congress CALL NUMBER DAG no. 391
Answer: President James K. Polk, the eleventh President of the United States in a “Special Message to Congress on Mexican Relations” (May 11, 1846)
But now, after reiterated menaces, Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has invaded our territory and shed American blood upon the American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have commenced, and that the two nations are now at war.
As war exists, and, notwithstanding all our efforts to avoid it, exists by the act of Mexico herself, we are called upon by every consideration of duty and patriotism to vindicate with decision the honor, the rights, and the interests of our country.
Source and Complete Text: Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=67907.
