Mexico, U.S. Interventions in,1806-1876
From "Instances of the Use of United States Armed Forces Abroad,
1798-1945," Hearing before the Committee on Foreign Relations and the
Committee on Armed Services, 87th Congress, 2nd Session, Mon., Sept.
17, 1962.
1806--Mexico (Spanish territory). Capt. Z.M. Pike, with a platoon
of troops, invaded Spanish territory at the headwaters of the Rio
Grande deliberately and on orders from Gen. James Wilkinson. He was
made prisoner without resistance at a fort he constructed in
present-day Colorado, taken to Mexico, later released after seizure of
his papers. There was a political purpose, still a mystery.
1810--West Florida (Spanish territory). Gov. Claiborne of
Louisiana, on orders of the president, occupied with troops territory
in dispute east of the Mississippi as far as the Pearl River, later
the eastern boundary of Louisiana. He was authorized to seize as far
east as the Perdido River. No armed clash.
1812--Amelia Island and other parts of east Florida, then under
Spain. Temporary possession was authorized by President Madison and by
Congress, to prevent occupation by any other power; but possession was
obtained by Gen. George Matthews in so irregular a manner that his
measures were disavowed by the President.
1813--West Florida (Spanish territory). On authority given by
Congress, General Wilkinson seized Mobile Bay in April with 600
soldiers. A small Spanish garrison gave way. Thus we advanced into
disputed territory to the Perdido River, as project in 1810. No
fighting.
1814--Spanish Florida. Gen. Andrew Jackson took Pensacola and
drove out the British with whom the United States was at war.
1816--Spanish Florida. United States forces destroyed Nichols
Fort, called also Negro Fort, because it harbored raiders into United
States territory.
1816-1818--Spanish Florida: First Seminole War. The Seminole
Indians, whose area was a resort for escaped slaves and border
ruffians, were attacked by troops under Generals Jackson and Gaines
and pursued into northern Florida. Spanish posts were attacked and
occupied, British citizens executed. There was neither a declaration
of war nor any congressional authorization, but the Executive was
sustained.
1817--Amelia Island (Spanish territory off Florida). Under orders
of President Monroe, United States forces landed and expelled a group
of smugglers, adventurers, and freebooters.
1836--Mexico. General Gaines occupied Nacogdoches (Texas),
disputed territory, from July to December during the Texan war for
independence, under orders to cross the "imaginary boundary line" if
an Indian outbreak threatened.
1842--Mexico. Commodore T.A.C. Jones, in command of a squadron
long cruising off California, occupied Monterey, Calif., on October
19, believing war had come. He discovered peace, withdrew, and
saluted. A similar incident occurred a week later at San Diego.
1844--Mexico. President Tyler deployed our forces to protect Texas
against Mexico, pending Senate approval of treaty of annexation.
(Later rejected.) He defended his action against a Senate resolution
of inquiry. This was a demonstration or preparation.
1846-1848--Mexico, the Mexican War. President Polk's occupation of
disputed territory precipitated it. War formally declared.
1846-1848--Mexico, the Mexican War. President Polk's occupation of
disputed territory precipitated it. War formally declared.
Two hundred United States soldiers crossed the Rio
Grande in pursuit of the Mexican bandit Cortina.
1866--Mexico. To protect American residents, General Sedgwick and
100 men in November obtained surrender of Matamoras. After three days,
he was ordered by our government to withdraw. His act was repudiated by
the President.
1870--Mexico, June 17 and 18. To destroy the pirate ship Forward,
which had been run aground about 40 miles up the Rio Tecapan.
1873--Mexico. United States troops crossed the Mexican border
repeatedly in pursuit of cattle and other thieves. There were some
reciprocal pursuits by Mexican troops into our border territory. The
cases were only technically invasions, if that, although Mexico
protested constantly. Notable cases were at Remolina in May 1873 and
at Las Cuevas in 1875. Washington orders often supported these
excursions. Agreements between Mexico and the United States, the first
in 1882, finally legitimized such raids. They continued
intermittently, with minor disputes, until 1896.
1876--Mexico, May 18. To police the town of Matamoros temporarily,
while it was without other government.
