Lincoln’s Spot Resolutions

On May 11th, 1846, President James K. 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.” A freshman Whig Congressman from Illinois named Abraham Lincoln questioned whether the “spot” where blood had been shed was really U.S. soil. On December 22, 1847, he introduced the “Spot Resolutions” in protest.

Read Lincoln’s Congressional resolution below. Click on “View Primary Source Details” to see the document more closely and be able to zoom in.

After each page, make a list of his main points in the blank box that follows. Note: Pay particular attention to underlined words.