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Comanches of West Texas in war regalia c 1830. . . ; . Main article: Convict lease The presence of United States troops on the edge of the disputed territory farthest from the Mexican settlements was not sufficient to provoke hostilities We were sent to provoke a fight but it was essential that Mexico should commence it it was very doubtful whether Congress would declare war; but if Mexico should attack our troops the Executive could announce "Whereas war exists by the acts of etc.," and prosecute the contest with vigor Once initiated there were but few public men who would have the courage to oppose it .. 14.5 Memory and historiography Slaveholders began to refer to slavery as the "peculiar institution" to differentiate it from other examples of forced labor They justified it as less cruel than the free labor of the North, The influence of Congress on the presidency has varied from period to period depending on factors such as congressional leadership presidential political influence historical circumstances such as war and individual initiative by members of Congress the impeachment of Andrew Johnson made the presidency less powerful than Congress for a considerable period afterwards the 20th and 21st centuries have seen the rise of presidential power under politicians such as Theodore Roosevelt Woodrow Wilson Franklin D Roosevelt Richard Nixon Ronald Reagan and George W Bush. However in recent years Congress has restricted presidential power with laws such as the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 and the War Powers Resolution Nevertheless the Presidency remains considerably more powerful today than during the 19th century. Executive branch officials are often loath to reveal sensitive information to members of Congress because of concern that information could not be kept secret; in return knowing they may be in the dark about executive branch activity congressional officials are more likely to distrust their counterparts in executive agencies. Many government actions require fast coordinated effort by many agencies and this is a task that Congress is ill-suited for Congress is slow open divided and not well matched to handle more rapid executive action or do a good job of overseeing such activity according to one analysis, John L O'Sullivan a vocal proponent of Manifest Destiny later recalled:. Mexico had issued a proclamation that unnaturalized foreigners were no longer permitted to have land in California and were subject to expulsion. With rumors swirling that General Castro was massing an army against them American settlers in the Sacramento Valley banded together to meet the threat. On June 14 1846 34 American settlers seized control of the undefended Mexican government outpost of Sonoma to forestall Castro's plans. One settler created the Bear Flag and raised it over Sonoma Plaza Within a week 70 more volunteers joined the rebels' force, which grew to nearly 300 in early July. This event led by William B Ide became known as the Bear Flag Revolt, In addition nearly 200,000 African-American men served with distinction in the Union forces as soldiers and sailors Most were escaped slaves the Confederacy was outraged by armed black soldiers and refused to treat them as prisoners of war They murdered many as at the Fort Pillow Massacre and re-enslaved others, Spanish Caribbean islands 8.2% Main articles: Dred Scott v Sandford and Freedom suits.

. . On March 1 1847 Alexander W Doniphan occupied Chihuahua City British consul John Potts did not want to let Doniphan search Governor Trias's mansion and unsuccessfully asserted it was under British protection American merchants in Chihuahua wanted the American force to stay in order to protect their business Major William Gilpin advocated a march on Mexico City and convinced a majority of officers but Doniphan subverted this plan Then in late April Taylor ordered the First Missouri Mounted Volunteers to leave Chihuahua and join him at Saltillo the American merchants either followed or returned to Santa Fe Along the way the townspeople of Parras enlisted Doniphan's aid against an Indian raiding party that had taken children horses mules and money, 3.1 Powers of Congress Main article: Religious views of the American Founding Fathers!