Note 9 — VI THE AMERICAN ATTITUDE ON THE EVE OF WAR 1845

Delta, Mar. 27: the pending difficulties must be settled effectually. La. Courier, Mar. 6: “The time has arrived when the U. S. must decide to act firmly and put an end to the uncertainty of our relations with Mexico.” Picayune, Jan. 24: “While our relations remain in this miserable condition, our territory is liable to sudden invasion and our citizens to arbitrary exactions ... the intrigues of trans-Atlantic states demand to be counteracted, and the hostile purposes of Mexico need to be met with peremptory measures.” St. Louis Reporter, Jan. 31: “Delay on our part to bring to a positive settlement all existing difficulties with Mexico would be mere madness and folly.” Picayune, May 5: “There is no proposition in mathematics more absolutely demonstrable than the impossibility of having a good understanding with Mexico before giving her a sound drubbing.” (Designs) Id., Dec. 30, 1845; Feb. 5, 1846. 52Consul Campbell, Jan. 7, 1846.