Purpose was to : To search for gold
<span>James K. Polk’s intentions were clear from the start his famous campaign slogan, “54-40 or Fight!” indicated his intention to settle the status of the Oregon Territory with Great Britain on American terms. American naval forces arrived in Monterrey and took control of the port without firing a shot and tack over under Commodore Robert F. Stockton to capture San Francisco, San Diego, and Los Angeles without bloodshed.</span>
They attempted to make it cheaper and left out some deductions, in order to have the privilege and the pleasure of paying at least a small income tax.