It seems certain that Mexico must ultimately submit to such terms of peace as the United States shall dictate. An heterogeneous population of seven millions, with very limited resources and no credit; distracted by internal dissensions, and by the ambition of its chiefs, a prey by turns to anarchy and to military usurpers; occupying among the nations of the civilized world, either physically or mentally, whether in political education, social state, or any other respect, but an inferior position; cannot contend successfully with an energetic, intelligent, enlightened and united nation of twenty millions, possessed of unlimited resources and credit, and enjoying all the benefits of a regular, strong, and free government.

Reprint of the original.

This book is the first comprehensive study of antebellum depictions of the non-European world. Harvey proposes that U.S. cultural history cannot be fully understood without considering how Americans regarded tropical America, the Holy Land, Polynesia, and Africa.