USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -A freshman Whig Congressman from Illinois, Abraham Lincoln (National Archives Identifier: 528389), questioned whether the “spot” where blood had been shed was really U.S. soil. On December 22, 1847, he introduced the “Spot Resolutions, ” of which the second and third pages of Lincoln’s handwritten copy are shown.

Detailed explanation-2: -Polk asked Congress for a declaration of war against Mexico following a skirmish between U.S. and Mexican troops in disputed territory. In his message to Congress, Polk claimed “Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has invaded our territory and shed American blood upon American soil."

Detailed explanation-3: -Illinois representative Abraham Lincoln and other members of Congress issued the “Spot Resolutions” in which they demanded to know the precise spot on U.S. soil where American blood had been spilled.

Detailed explanation-4: -Resolution Introduced by Congressman Abraham Lincoln to ‘establish whether the particular spot of soil which the blood of our citizens was so shed was, or was not, our own soil.

Detailed explanation-5: -When the Mexicans fired on American troops in April 25, 1846, Polk had the excuse he needed. He declared, “[Mexico] has invaded our territory and shed American blood upon American soil, ” and sent the order for war to Congress on May 11.