"I take it you've been aware of the hostilities regarding Texas?" Polk began, his back to America as he gazed out the window.
The young Nation nodded, before realizing Polk couldn't see him. "Yes, sir," he responded instead. "I spoke with Taylor before he left. He—"
"I know what he was sent to do," Polk interrupted, turning now, expression stern, arms folded neatly behind his back. "I am the one who issued him down to protect the border in the first place. What I want for you to do is to accompany Slidell. I'm sending him to negotiate with Mexico. If I am to believe you, Mexico should have a personification, as we have you. I want you to persuade it."
"Him," America corrected, not liking the detached way his president was addressing the whole matter.
"Am I clear?" Polk intoned, ignoring the young Nation's remark.
"Yes, sir." Without a moment's hesitation, he left the room, eager to get away from Polk and onto his meeting with Slidell.
"They refuse to meet with us," Slidell informed America when he returned. The two had been in Mexico for months now, but the government was in turmoil, and only recently had they gotten a chance to speak with anyone.
"They can't," America frowned, dismayed. He himself hadn't had much luck, either, on finding Mexico. It was difficult enough trying to find a Nation, as they were often like any other person from afar and only detectable when in the close vicinity of one. But not even knowing what Mexico looked like, it was near impossible.
"We should head back," Slidell responded, shaking his head wistfully. "We aren't going to make any headway."
"We can't just give up," America remarked, appalled at the concept. "We have to keep trying…they have to at least talk with us."
"Polk wants us to go back," Slidell voiced, after a quiet stretch filled only by the clamor of people on the street outside. "I'm sorry, America, but I really don't think there's any more to be done. He sent word to Taylor to make a move, to cross the border…we need to get out of here before that happens."
"But I don't want to fight, we have to—"
"America, I'm sorry," was all Slidell would say in response, placing his hands on the Nation's shoulders.
They left for Washington the following morning.
"War exists," Polk replied flatly, when America voiced his concern at their next meeting. "Congress has already agreed to increase our troops."
"But, sir, I—"
"As your president," Polk cut in harshly, eyes narrowed. "I order you back on your way to Texas before nightfall. You said you can't be killed, correct? At least by no ordinary means. That makes you ideal for the battlefront—you can convey messages from officer to officer, or keep information for them if they fall…"
"Sir, I don't think you understand," America began again, bristling with indignation by this point. "I'm willing to do anything for my country, for my people, of course, but I don't think—"
"Exactly," Polk interrupted, expression remaining cold with just the right amount of scorn and disapproval to make America's temper flare. "Leave the thinking to me. You just get your pretty little face down to Texas. Right now. That is an order, and I better not hear of any funny business."
"Yes, sir," America gritted out between clenched teeth, not bothering to disguise the sneer that crept into his voice at the last word.
He had never been so eager to leave Washington.
Historical Notes: One reason for the success of the Oregon compromise was that America was already fighting with Mexico, and wanted no trouble with Britain. Also, Americans wanted to expand, and were confident in their overwhelming advantages of size and wealth. So when Mexico defaulted on some debts to the US, many began to suggest America take it by force.
Mexico had never recognized the independence of Texas. When the United States annexed Texas, Mexico broke off diplomatic relations with America. Polk then ordered General Zachary Taylor into Texas in order to defend the border. However, where exactly the border lay was an issue. Mexico believed the border was the Nueces River, Texas believed it was the Rio Grande. Taylor reached the Nueces River in July 1845 with about 1500 troops and crossed into disputed territory. He stopped on the southern bank at Corpus Christi, not wanting to provoke the Mexicans by continuing to march on to Rio Grande.
In November, Polk sent John Slidell on a "secret mission" to try and obtain the disputed territory throguh negotiation. He authorized Slidell to cancel Mexico's debt in return for recognition of Texas' annexation, and acceptance of the Rio Grande boundary. Also, he empowered Slidell to offer up to $30 million for all or part of new Mexico and California. The area Polk wanted lay in the path of American expansion, and was likely to be engulfed much as Texas had been, without regard for the actions of the Mexican, or even American, governments. But the Mexican government refused to so much as see Slidell.
In a wave of anti-American sentiment, a military coup occurred, General Mariano Paredes overthrowing Santa Anna, and becoming the new head of state. He promptly reaffirmed his country's claim to all of Texas, and Slidell returned to Washington, convinced the Mexicans would not relent without military intervention.
Polk had already ordered Taylor to move on to the Rio Grande. By late March 1846 the army, at about 4000 now, was near the Mexican town of Matamoras. On April 25, the Mexicans crossed the river and attacked an American mounted patrol. They were easily driven back, but when news of the fighting reached Washington, Polk asked Congress to declare war. "War exists" he told Congress. They accepted this reasoning and without actually declaring war, voted to raise and supply and additional 50,000 troops.
From the first battle, the Americans did well. At Palo Alto, north of the Rio Grande, 2300 Americans scattered a Mexican force more than twice their number. Then, pursing them, 1700 Americans routed 7500 Mexicans at Resaca de la Palma. Less than 50 Americans lost their lives in these battles, while Mexican losses in killed, wounded, and captured exceeded 1000. Within a week of the start of hostilities, the Mexicans had been driven back across the Rio Grande and General Taylor had his troops firmly established on the Southern bank.
The Mexican army was poorly equipped, and despite a multitude of high-ranking officers, poorly led. The well-supplied American forces had youthful forces, eager to make their reputations and regulars trained in Indian warfare to provide the necessary leadership to the volunteers. But Mexico was a large, rugged country with few decent roads; its defeat would not be quite so easy.
Polk's meanness in this chapter…I don't know. I wasn't too fond of him, but this was more than I anticipated. Let me know if I need to tone it down.
I wrote a bunch of story…but it just got way too long, so I split it. And I wanted to get something up for you guys. I will proofread it in the morning. Would've had this up yesterday, but I tripped…on my finger, and had to keep it iced. It's better today, and I'm a hunt-and-peck typer anyway…and it's not one of my necessary fingers.
Also, 300 reviews coming up ^^ Gift fic for the lucky 300th. Same rules as have been. Hetalia related…if you already got a fic, you can't get another.