Jay (son of John Jay) was a prominent New York judge and abolitionist leader; he bitterly criticized the war as a conspiracy to seize new territory for slaveholders.

Early efforts to wrest Texas from Mexico -- Independence of Texas -- Professions of the Federal Government in reference to the war between Mexico and Texas -- Efforts of the administration to excite war with Mexico -- Claims on Mexico, and war recommended -- Acknowledgement of the independence of Texas -- New claims made against Mexico -- Treaty of annexation proposed and rejected -- Treaty of arbitration- action of the slaveholders -- Seizure and surrender of Monterey in California, by Commodore Jones -- Negotiation and rejection of the Tyler treaty of annexation -- More attempts to irritate Mexico -- Election of Mr. Polk -- Annexation by joint resolution -- Annexation of California determined on -- Slidell's mission to Mexico -- Western boundary of Texas -- Commencement of war against Mexico -- Conquest of California -- Declaration of war against Mexico -- The war prosecuted for conquest -- Extent of territory required from Mexico -- Motive for acquiring territory-the Wilmot Proviso -- Unworthy expedients for facilitating conquest -- Conduct of American officers in Mexico -- American Army in Mexico -- Sufferings inflicted on Mexico by the war -- Cost of the war to the United States -- Political evils of the war -- Moral evils of the war -- Acquisition of territory -- Glory -- Patriotism.