Sung by George Washington Dixon, at the tremendous War meeting, in New York. TUNE --- "Dan Tucker." The Mexicans are on our soil, In war they wish us to embroil; They've tried their best and worst to vex us, By murdering our brave men in Texas. Chorus-- We're on our way to Rio Grande, On our way to Rio Grande, On our way to Rio Grande, And with arms they'll find us handy. We are the boys who fear no noise, We'll leave behind us all our joys, To punish those half savage scamps, Who've slain our brethern in their camps. Chorus The God of War, the mighty Mars, Has smiled up our stripes and stars; And spite of any ugly rumours We'll vanquish all the Montezumas! We're on our way to Matamoras; On our way to Matamoras, On our way to Matamoras, And we'll conquer all before us!

The Issue Differences Between the Whigs and the Democrats Were Mainly on Economics. The other basic Issue, Slavery, split the Parties internally. Whigs Believed that the state had an important role in ensuring economic development. favored internal improvements to stimulate economic growth. believed in strong government which properly channeled the voice of the masses through institutions rather than direct expression. The primary enemy of society was anarchy and rebellion, not crime. Democrats Believed in popular control of government so they favored limited government, that is, they favored state and local government because they saw them as being more under popular control. T hey opposed internal improvements, high tariffs, the National Bank, and an activist federal government. They were anti-corporate and anti-capitalist – the protector of the common people. They were Agrarians. They adhered to Jefferson's yeoman ideal of the independent producer, the traditional agrarian economic model, and a distrust of the parasitic state. Democrats did not condone slavery – rather, they were pro-White.

This cartoon, clipped from a New Orleans paper in the spring of 1844, shows President Tyler presiding over the marriage of "Columbia" and Texas. The Mexican eagle hovers in the background.

Rio Grande boundary Nueces River boundary

Texas Annexation By March 1845 Congress had already approved Texas Annexation The Republic of Texas hopes annexation will solve the republic’s financial & military problems Texas becomes the 28th state in December of 1845. Mexico reacts by cutting off all diplomatic ties with the U.S.

In a satirical look at the opposition to U. S In a satirical look at the opposition to U.S. annexation of Texas during the 1844 campaign, Whig candidate and antiannexationist Henry Clay leads three groups: (1) the "Hartford Convention Blue-Lights," who shout, "God save the King!" and "Millions for Tribute! not a cent for defence Go it Strong!"; (2) the "Sunday Mail Petitioners," representing those who wished to eliminate postal service on Sundays in the United States; and (3) the "Abolition Martyrs," who have been tarred and feathered for their activism

Rio Grande boundary Nueces River boundary

Manifest Destiny . . . JOHN GAST‘S - "AMERICAN PROGRESS," (1872)

Steps to War June 1845- President Polk ordered General Zachary Taylor to take U.S. troops into disputed border region Polk claims this action is to protect Texas from possible Mexican attack

Steps to War Meanwhile, Polk sent diplomat John Slidell to Mexico City to negotiate the purchase California & New Mexico for $30 million Mexican officials refused to meet with Slidell John Slidell

Steps to War March 1846 – General Taylor’s troops made camp at the Rio Grande in disputed territory April 1846 – Mexican commander insisted U.S. troops must leave area and Taylor refused to move Mexican forces crossed the Rio Grande and attacked group of 63 U.S. soldiers 11 Americans killed

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) Forced on Santa Anna and Mexico Southern boundary of Texas set at the Rio Grande U.S. gained: Present-day states of California, Nevada, and Utah Most of Arizona and New Mexico Parts of Colorado and Wyoming U.S. agreed to pay $15 million to Mexico and pay debts of Mexico to U.S. citizens

Yankee Doodle, 1847