Document 4
In 1847, the Massachusetts legislature passed a resolution, written by Charles Sumner, opposing the war
with Mexico. This is an excerpt from the resolution.
Resolved, That the present war with Mexico has its primary origin in the unconstitutional
annexation to the United States of the foreign State of Texas, while the same was still at war with
Mexico; that it was unconstitutionally commenced by the order of the President, to General
Taylor, to take military possession of territory in dispute between the United States and Mexico,
and in the occupation of Mexico; and that it is now waged ingloriously—by a powerful nation
against a weak neighbor—unnecessarily and without just cause, at immense cost of treasure
[money] and life, for the dismemberment of Mexico, and for the conquest of a portion of her
territory, from which slavery has already been excluded, with the triple object of extending
slavery, of strengthening the “Slave Power,” and of obtaining the control of the Free States,
under the constitution of the United States.…
Source: Massachusetts House of Representatives
4 According to this resolution, what is one reason the Massachusetts legislature was opposed to the
Mexican War?