History of the War Between Mexico and The United States by Brantz Mayer

Origin of the war considered -- True objects of contemporaneous history -- Motives for war -- No single act caused it -- Difference between war and hostilities -- Mexican revolution -- Federalism and Centralism -- Operation of the Constitution of 1824 -- History of our commercial and diplomatic relations -- Bad conduct of Mexico in regard to our claims, compared with that of other nations -- Commission -- Award of umpire -- Subsequent course of Mexico -- History of the seizure and surrender of Monterey, on the Pacific, by Commodore Jones in 1842 -- Secretary Upshur's censure of his conduct -- Ill feeling in Mexico towards the United States in consequence of this seizure.

An artist in portraying a face or delineating a landscape, does not imprint upon his canvass, each line and wrinkle, each blade of grass or mossy stone, yet a spectator recognizes in the complete painting, those broad characteristics of truth which establish a limner's fidelity. So it is with the historian. Whilst seeking for accuracy in all his details, he aims, chiefly, at exactness in his ruling principles and general effect, but he leaves the minute inelegances and tasteless incidents to those whose critical fervor delights in detecting them.