In this text, Thoreau wanted to explain why he believed that civil disobedience was sometimes an appropriate response to government actions. Thoreau deeply disagreed with the government in the topic of slavery. He also disagreed with the actions that the government had conducted during the Mexican-American War. In this text, he wanted to explain how his own principles commanded him to do what is right, and he cannot do this and also follow the laws of government. Therefore, he choses to follow his own conscience and practice civil disobedience.