“Intercourse . . . of the Most Friendly Nature”: The U.S. Navy, State Power, and William Walker’s Invasion of Mexico, 1853–1854.

The article focuses on American expansionist William Walker and his "filibustering" expedition of illegally invading Northwestern Mexico in 1853. The author explains that the would-be conquerors were in violation of the U.S. Neutrality Law of 1818, discusses the response by the U.S. Navy, and examines how local interests in California undermined naval enforcement.