Page:The War with Mexico, Vol 1.djvu/232

Rh about attacking Tampico and Vera Cruz, which seemed to attest his sincerity. Mackenzie then took his leave, and, impressed by Santa Anna's military suggestions, transcended his instructions by visiting Taylor on the way home — thus rendering himself and his mission unduly conspicuous.

In these ways, combining diplomacy and force as he loved to do, Polk imagined that our Mexican crisis had been fully met.