Caruso, A: The Mexican Spy Company

James Knox Polk (1845-1849) was the first commander-in-chief to demand detailed knowledge of his administration's every action. He made audacious use of covert actions and was determined to keep these operations from the Congress. Polk authorised covert operations in both the Republic of Texas and Mexico to bribe and cajole the Texans into voting to join the Union and to cause the Republic of Texas to be at war with Mexico at the time of annexation.