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OF

THE MEXICAN WAR,

EMBRACING

THE CAUSES OF THE WAR,

THE

RESPONSIBILITY OF ITS COMMENCEMENT,

THE

PURPOSES OF THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT IN ITS PROS.
ECUTION, ITS BENEFITS AND ITS EVILS.

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Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty-nine, by

ALDEN & PARSONS,

In the Clerk's Office of the United States, for the Northern District of New-York.

FINN & ROCKWELL, PRINTERS.
AUBURN, N. Y.

PREFACE.

IT is the object of this essay to exhibit the true character of the war in which our country has lately been engaged. It aims to present in

a clear and concise manner the facts and considerations which will enable the reader to form a correct opinion concerning the causes of this contest, and the motives and the excuses for its prosecution.

It is its further design to give a view of the consequences of the war; to examine the benefits which have been attributed to it, and the evils, near and remote, of which it has been the cause; to present the duty and the true glory and ambition of the United States; and to point out the manner in which alone peace can be established among civilized nations.

war.

It contains no allusion to political parties. It is no part of its object to inquire what share belongs to each of the glory or the shame of this The subject of slavery it has been the endeavor of the author to avoid. The belief that the acquisition of territory for the sole purpose of extending and perpetuating slavery has been the undivided purpose of our government and people for twenty-five years; that for this Texas was settled; that urged by this motive alone, our citizens flew to the assistance of that State in her efforts to establish her independence, and government winked at their participation in her struggle; that for this alone Texas was annexed: that for this alone war was undertaken; that government would never have sought this contest, had it apprehended that any portion of the territory which it desired would ever be secured to freedom; this belief is one to which he cannot subscribe.

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