write:July: In a Democratic Review article supporting the annexation of Texas John L.O’Sullivan uses the phrase “manifest destiny” for the first time. October: People of Texas rat

and they are harassed by Texas authorities.Fall: Lieutenant Thomas ap Catesby Jones
acting on a rumor of war between theUnited States and Mexico
seizes the Mexican fortress at Monterey
California.Although he apologizes for his mistake
his actions cause further Mexican distrust ofAmericans.1844November: James K. Polk elected president aer pledging to reannex Texas andreoccupy Oregon.1845February: A simple majority of both houses of Congress approves a resolution onTexas annexation.Spring: Polk sends Envoy Extraordinaire and Minister Plenipotentiary John Slidell toMexico to negotiate the Texas border dispute.June: Texan Convention of Representatives approves the annexation resolution;Slidell returns to Mexico to attempt to buy New Mexico and California for $5 millionand $25 million
respectively; Polk instructs General Zachary Taylor to move his armyinto Corpus Christi and approach the Rio Grande.July: In a Democratic Review article supporting the annexation of Texas
John L.O’Sullivan uses the phrase “manifest destiny” for the first time.October: People of Texas ratify the annexation measure; Polk orders Taylor to move histroops south of the Nueces River into what is clearly Mexican land.December 29: Texas enters the Union.1846January: The United States sends an exploratory expedition under the command ofJohn C. Frémont into California.