Lincoln's Spot Resolutions
Making Connections
All documents and text associated with this activity are printed below, followed by a worksheet for student responses.Introduction
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. After each page, make a list of his main points in the blank box that follows. Pay particular attention to underlined words.
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Worksheet
Lincoln's Spot Resolutions
Making Connections
Examine the documents and text included in this activity. Fill in any blanks in the sequence with your thoughts and write your conclusion response in the space provided.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." Often referred to as
Enter your response
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." Often referred to as
Enter your response
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." Often referred to as
Enter your response
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Activity Element
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." Often referred to as
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Activity Element
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." Often referred to as
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Activity Element
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." Often referred to as
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Conclusion
Lincoln's Spot Resolutions
Making Connections
- Why did Lincoln write this document?
- What evidence does he provide to support his argument?
- Why do you think he used selections from Polk's speeches?
- What words did he underline? Why do you think Lincoln emphasized those words?
- Which three resolutions do you feel are the most valid questions to ask of President Polk?
Your Response
Document
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.' Often referred to as
12/22/1847
Congressman Abraham Lincoln drafted this resolution asking President Polk to prove that the spot where American and Mexican troops clashed was really in the United States. Polk used the incident to lead the nation into war, which Lincoln opposed.
Text adapted from "Lincoln's Spot Resolutions" in the October 1988 National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) publication Social Education.
Text adapted from "Lincoln's Spot Resolutions" in the October 1988 National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) publication Social Education.
Transcript
Whereas the President of the United States, in his message of May 11th 1846, has declared that "The Mexican Government not only refused to receive him" (the envoy of the U.S.) "or listen to his proposition, but, after a long continued series of menaces, have at last invaded our territory, and shed the blood of our fellow citizens on our own soil"And again, in his message of December 8. 1846 that "We had ample cause of war against Mexico, long before the breaking out of hostilities. But even then we forbore to take redress into our own hands, until Mexico herself be-came the aggressor by invading our soil in hostile array, and shedding the blood of our citizens"
And yet again in his message of December 7-1847 that "The Mexican Government refused even to hear the terms of adjustment which he" (our minister of peace) "was authorized to propose; and finally under wholly unjustifiable pretext, involved the two countries in war, by invading the territory of the State of Texas, striking the first blow, and shedding the blood of our citizens on our own soil"
And whereas this House desires to obtain a full knowledge of all the facts which go to establish whether the particular spot of soil on which the blood of our citizens was so shed, was, or was not, our own soil, at that time; Therefore
Resolved by the House of Representatives, that the President of the United States be respectfully requested to inform the House: First: Whether the spot of soil on which the blood of our citizens was shed, as in his messages declared, was, or was not, within the territories of Spain, at least from the treaty of 1819 until the Mexican revolution.
Second: Whether that spot is, or is not, within the territory which was wrested from Spain, by the Mexican revolution.
Third: Whether that spot is, or is not, within a settlement of people, which settlement had existed even since long before the Texas revolution, until its inhabitants fled from the approach of the U.S. Army.
Fourth: Whether that settlement is, or is not, isolated from any and all other settlements, by the Gulf of Mexico, and the Rio Grande, on the South and West, and by wide uninhabited regions on the North and East.
Fifth: Whether the People of that settlement, or a majority of them, or any of them, had ever, previous to the bloodshed, mentioned in his messages, submitted themselves to the government or laws of Texas, or of the United States, by consent, or by compulsion, either by accepting office, or voting at elections, or paying taxes, or serving on juries, or having process served upon them, or in any other way.
Sixth: Whether the People of that settlement did, or did not, flee from the approach of the United States Army leaving unprotected their homes and their growing crops before the blood was shed, as in his messages stated; and whether the first blood so shed, was, or was not shed, within the enclosure of the People, or some of them, who had thus fled from it.
Seventh: Whether our Citizens, whose blood was shed, as in his messages declared, were, or were not, at that time, armed officers, and soldiers, sent into that settlement, by the military order of the President through the Secretary of War- and
Eighth: Whether the Military force of the United States, in eluding those citizens, was, or was not, so sent into that settlement, after Genl. Taylor had, more than once, intimated to the War Department that, in his opinion, so such movement was necessary to the defenses or protection of Texas—
This primary source comes from the Records of the U.S. House of Representatives.
National Archives Identifier: 306605
Full Citation: 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.' Often referred to as ; 12/22/1847; Bills and Resolutions Originating in the House of Representatives, 30th Congress; Bills and Resolutions Originating in the House, 1789 - 1974; Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, ; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/lincolns-spot-resolutions, April 19, 2024]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.' Often referred to as
Page 1
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.' Often referred to as
Page 2
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.' Often referred to as
Page 3
Document
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.' Often referred to as
12/22/1847
Congressman Abraham Lincoln drafted this resolution asking President Polk to prove that the spot where American and Mexican troops clashed was really in the United States. Polk used the incident to lead the nation into war, which Lincoln opposed.
Text adapted from "Lincoln's Spot Resolutions" in the October 1988 National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) publication Social Education.
Text adapted from "Lincoln's Spot Resolutions" in the October 1988 National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) publication Social Education.
Transcript
Whereas the President of the United States, in his message of May 11th 1846, has declared that "The Mexican Government not only refused to receive him" (the envoy of the U.S.) "or listen to his proposition, but, after a long continued series of menaces, have at last invaded our territory, and shed the blood of our fellow citizens on our own soil"And again, in his message of December 8. 1846 that "We had ample cause of war against Mexico, long before the breaking out of hostilities. But even then we forbore to take redress into our own hands, until Mexico herself be-came the aggressor by invading our soil in hostile array, and shedding the blood of our citizens"
And yet again in his message of December 7-1847 that "The Mexican Government refused even to hear the terms of adjustment which he" (our minister of peace) "was authorized to propose; and finally under wholly unjustifiable pretext, involved the two countries in war, by invading the territory of the State of Texas, striking the first blow, and shedding the blood of our citizens on our own soil"
And whereas this House desires to obtain a full knowledge of all the facts which go to establish whether the particular spot of soil on which the blood of our citizens was so shed, was, or was not, our own soil, at that time; Therefore
Resolved by the House of Representatives, that the President of the United States be respectfully requested to inform the House: First: Whether the spot of soil on which the blood of our citizens was shed, as in his messages declared, was, or was not, within the territories of Spain, at least from the treaty of 1819 until the Mexican revolution.
Second: Whether that spot is, or is not, within the territory which was wrested from Spain, by the Mexican revolution.
Third: Whether that spot is, or is not, within a settlement of people, which settlement had existed even since long before the Texas revolution, until its inhabitants fled from the approach of the U.S. Army.
Fourth: Whether that settlement is, or is not, isolated from any and all other settlements, by the Gulf of Mexico, and the Rio Grande, on the South and West, and by wide uninhabited regions on the North and East.
Fifth: Whether the People of that settlement, or a majority of them, or any of them, had ever, previous to the bloodshed, mentioned in his messages, submitted themselves to the government or laws of Texas, or of the United States, by consent, or by compulsion, either by accepting office, or voting at elections, or paying taxes, or serving on juries, or having process served upon them, or in any other way.
Sixth: Whether the People of that settlement did, or did not, flee from the approach of the United States Army leaving unprotected their homes and their growing crops before the blood was shed, as in his messages stated; and whether the first blood so shed, was, or was not shed, within the enclosure of the People, or some of them, who had thus fled from it.
Seventh: Whether our Citizens, whose blood was shed, as in his messages declared, were, or were not, at that time, armed officers, and soldiers, sent into that settlement, by the military order of the President through the Secretary of War- and
Eighth: Whether the Military force of the United States, in eluding those citizens, was, or was not, so sent into that settlement, after Genl. Taylor had, more than once, intimated to the War Department that, in his opinion, so such movement was necessary to the defenses or protection of Texas—
This primary source comes from the Records of the U.S. House of Representatives.
National Archives Identifier: 306605
Full Citation: 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.' Often referred to as ; 12/22/1847; Bills and Resolutions Originating in the House of Representatives, 30th Congress; Bills and Resolutions Originating in the House, 1789 - 1974; Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, ; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/lincolns-spot-resolutions, April 19, 2024]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.' Often referred to as
Page 1
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.' Often referred to as
Page 2
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.' Often referred to as
Page 3
Document
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.' Often referred to as
12/22/1847
Congressman Abraham Lincoln drafted this resolution asking President Polk to prove that the spot where American and Mexican troops clashed was really in the United States. Polk used the incident to lead the nation into war, which Lincoln opposed.
Text adapted from "Lincoln's Spot Resolutions" in the October 1988 National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) publication Social Education.
Text adapted from "Lincoln's Spot Resolutions" in the October 1988 National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) publication Social Education.
Transcript
Whereas the President of the United States, in his message of May 11th 1846, has declared that "The Mexican Government not only refused to receive him" (the envoy of the U.S.) "or listen to his proposition, but, after a long continued series of menaces, have at last invaded our territory, and shed the blood of our fellow citizens on our own soil"And again, in his message of December 8. 1846 that "We had ample cause of war against Mexico, long before the breaking out of hostilities. But even then we forbore to take redress into our own hands, until Mexico herself be-came the aggressor by invading our soil in hostile array, and shedding the blood of our citizens"
And yet again in his message of December 7-1847 that "The Mexican Government refused even to hear the terms of adjustment which he" (our minister of peace) "was authorized to propose; and finally under wholly unjustifiable pretext, involved the two countries in war, by invading the territory of the State of Texas, striking the first blow, and shedding the blood of our citizens on our own soil"
And whereas this House desires to obtain a full knowledge of all the facts which go to establish whether the particular spot of soil on which the blood of our citizens was so shed, was, or was not, our own soil, at that time; Therefore
Resolved by the House of Representatives, that the President of the United States be respectfully requested to inform the House: First: Whether the spot of soil on which the blood of our citizens was shed, as in his messages declared, was, or was not, within the territories of Spain, at least from the treaty of 1819 until the Mexican revolution.
Second: Whether that spot is, or is not, within the territory which was wrested from Spain, by the Mexican revolution.
Third: Whether that spot is, or is not, within a settlement of people, which settlement had existed even since long before the Texas revolution, until its inhabitants fled from the approach of the U.S. Army.
Fourth: Whether that settlement is, or is not, isolated from any and all other settlements, by the Gulf of Mexico, and the Rio Grande, on the South and West, and by wide uninhabited regions on the North and East.
Fifth: Whether the People of that settlement, or a majority of them, or any of them, had ever, previous to the bloodshed, mentioned in his messages, submitted themselves to the government or laws of Texas, or of the United States, by consent, or by compulsion, either by accepting office, or voting at elections, or paying taxes, or serving on juries, or having process served upon them, or in any other way.
Sixth: Whether the People of that settlement did, or did not, flee from the approach of the United States Army leaving unprotected their homes and their growing crops before the blood was shed, as in his messages stated; and whether the first blood so shed, was, or was not shed, within the enclosure of the People, or some of them, who had thus fled from it.
Seventh: Whether our Citizens, whose blood was shed, as in his messages declared, were, or were not, at that time, armed officers, and soldiers, sent into that settlement, by the military order of the President through the Secretary of War- and
Eighth: Whether the Military force of the United States, in eluding those citizens, was, or was not, so sent into that settlement, after Genl. Taylor had, more than once, intimated to the War Department that, in his opinion, so such movement was necessary to the defenses or protection of Texas—
This primary source comes from the Records of the U.S. House of Representatives.
National Archives Identifier: 306605
Full Citation: 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.' Often referred to as ; 12/22/1847; Bills and Resolutions Originating in the House of Representatives, 30th Congress; Bills and Resolutions Originating in the House, 1789 - 1974; Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, ; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/lincolns-spot-resolutions, April 19, 2024]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.' Often referred to as
Page 1
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.' Often referred to as
Page 2
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.' Often referred to as
Page 3