t back. No decisions had to be made hastily that would result in immediate policy. The procedure followed by Madison was effective and should have set a clear precedent for future peace negotiations.
             The next war to be examined is the Mexican-American War that took place during the presidency of James K. Polk. The war had reached the heart of Mexico and Polk was beginning to think in terms of peace. After much deliberation concerning whom was to be the peace commissioner, Polk, on Buchanan's recommendation, decided on chief clerk of the Department of State Nicholas Trist. Trist was an able man, perfectly familiar with the Spanish character and language. Well-defined in
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