River and territory near it was of the highest importance
to the welfare of the West, and measures looking toward the
acquisition of it began to be taken.
A large reduction was made this year in the public debt, and
the policy of economy in public expenditure became a leading
feature of the administration.
1803.
March 3—The anxiety of the people in regard to the navigation
of the Mississippi leads Congress to invest the President
with extraordinary authority to negotiate, or use force, in
his discretion. He was authorized to call on the States to
furnish 80,000 men, if need be.
April 30—A treaty is concluded with Napoleon Bonaparte for
the purchase of the whole of the Louisiana Territory for
$15,000,000.
Aug. 13—By a treaty with the Kaskaskia Indians a large part
of Illinois is opened to settlement.
Oct. 31—The U. S. frigate Philadelphia ran on a sunken rock
in the harbor of Tripoli, and was captured. The American
fleet had captured or destroyed several Tripolitan vessels of
war during the summer.
Dec. 20—The President takes possession of Louisiana.
1804.
Feb. 2—Geo. Walton, of Geo., signer of the Declaration of
Independence, died.
” 15—New Jersey passes a law freeing all the slaves born in
the State after the next 4th of July.
” 16—Lieut. Decatur, of the U. S. Navy, ran into the harbor
of Tripoli in the night and burned the Philadelphia—captured
by the Tripolitans, some time before. This done he withdrew
in safety, in the sloop he had employed for the bold
enterprise.
July 11—Alexander Hamilton, an eminent statesman, was killed
in a duel with Aaron Burr, Vice-President of the United
States. He was 48 years old and his death was considered as a
public calamity.
Aug. 3—Com. Preble attacks Tripoli, sinks two vessels,
captures three more, and bombards the city.
The city was blockaded during the remainder of the year and
through the winter.
Nov. 18—Gen. Philip Schuyler died at Albany, N. Y.
Jefferson was re-elected President in this month.
1805.
Great commercial prosperity marked this period. France and England were
at war and most of the carrying trade fell to American vessels. The
peaceful acquisition of Louisiana, and the prosperity of the west in
consequence, contributed much to the development of the country. The
grand era of progress in the United States began to dawn, though overcast
by threatening difficulties with Spain and England.
March—Chief Justice Chase having been impeached by the House
of Representatives, was acquitted by the Senate.
” 4—Jefferson’s second inauguration as President.
June 3—A treaty of peace made with Tripoli.
A Territorial Legislature is authorized in the Territory of
Orleans, and the Territory of Louisiana organized.
June 11—The Territory of Michigan is organized. It was very
thinly settled, but separated by so great a distance from the
inhabited parts of Indiana Territory as to require a separate
government.
July 4—Large cessions of land are obtained, by treaty and
purchase, from the Indians. Most of their lands in Ohio,
Indiana, and along the Ohio River were acquired in an
equitable manner. Large cessions are obtained this year from
the Creeks and Cherokees, who received a fair equivalent.
Sept. 12—Wm. Moultrie, a distinguished Revolutionary soldier,
died.
Measures are set on foot to purchase Florida from the
Spaniards. There seemed no alternative but such a purchase
or a war. Difficulties with England began to increase.
Several American vessels with valuable cargoes are seized by
the British.
1806.
Jan. 16—Two million dollars are voted that the President may
commence negotiations with Spain for Florida. The British
continue to violate our flag by impressing seamen on our
vessels.
March 26—A retaliatory law was enacted by Congress forbidding
the importation of certain English goods, to take effect in
November in order to give time for negotiation. Provision was
also made for increasing the army and navy.
The summer of this year was disturbed, in the west, by rumors
of a design to separate the Louisiana Territory and Western
States from the Union, by the establishment of an independent
government.
Apr. 10—Gen. Horatio Gates, an officer of the Revolution,
died.
Dec.—The session of Congress commencing the first of this
month was largely occupied with a law forbidding the slave
trade after 1808. There was much violent debate but the law
was enacted early in the next year.
Robt. Morris, of Pa., on the 8th of May; Geo. Wythe, of Va.,
on the 8th of June; James Smith, of Pa., on the 11th of July,
signers of the Declaration of Independence; and Gen. Henry
Knox, an officer of the Revolution, on the 25th of Oct.,
died. Gen. Knox was Secretary of War during Washington’s
administration.
1807.
Feb. 10—An act for commencing the Coast Survey, and
appropriating $50,000 for that purpose, is passed.
The English had defeated and almost annihilated the French
and Spanish navies, and became very tyrannical toward neutral
nations, which begins to injure our commerce. Bonaparte
retaliates in the same spirit which doubles the difficulty.
Mar. 18—A treaty made by American ambassadors with England
was rejected by our government because the British refused
to allow that British born citizens could become American
citizens by naturalization. These the English government
claimed the right of impressing from our vessels, which we
denied.
June 22—A British ship of war, the Leopard, fires into the
American frigate Chesapeake while unprepared to resist, and
took several men from her. Three Americans were killed, and
eighteen wounded. It greatly exasperated the Americans.
July 2—The President ordered all English ships of war to
leave American waters.
Aug. 25—Com. Preble, of the U.S. navy, died.
Sept. 15—Aaron Burr tried for treason, (he was the leader of
the conspiracy believed to have endeavored to detach the
Mississippi Valley from the Union,) was acquitted for want of
evidence, though generally believed guilty.
Nov. 26—Oliver Ellsworth, U. S. Chief Justice, died.
Dec. 17—Bonaparte’s “Milan Decree” subjects American
commercial vessels to seizure.
” 22—This and like British “Orders in Council” caused
Congress to lay an embargo, forbidding any vessels to sail
from our ports.
1808.
Jan. 1—The act of Congress, passed in the previous session,
to carry out the provision of the Constitution to abolish the
slave trade at this time, goes into effect to-day.
Apr. 17—Bonaparte orders the seizure and confiscation of all
American vessels in France, or that should afterwards arrive
there.
Nov. 7—The tenth Congress assembles again. Much discussion is
had over the embargo, but it is finally determined to make
it still more stringent and place the country in a state of
defense.
”—A presidential election this month results in the choice
of James Madison for the next term. He was a republican, or
democrat, in politics.
1809.
Jan. 9—An act is passed “more effectually to enforce the
embargo.”
Feb. 3—Illinois organized under a Territorial Government.
” 27—The embargo is partially repealed.
Mar. 3—The Tenth Congress closes, at the same time as the
Administration of Jefferson. Madison was inaugurated the
next day. He served two terms. A war with Great Britain was
commenced in his first, and ended in his second term.
” 9—Thos. Haywood, of S. C., signer of the Declaration of
Independence, died.
Apr. 19—An arrangement of the difficulties with England
concluded with the British Minister, Erskine, and, in
the expectation of permanent peace, the Embargo and
Non-intercourse acts cease by proclamation of the President.
May 22—An extra session of the eleventh Congress meets.
July 20—News arrives of the rejection by the English
government of the Erskine treaty.
Aug. 9—The President forbids, by proclamation, all
intercourse with Great Britain and France.
Nov. 8—A new English minister having been sent, his arrogant
tone causes the U. S. government to decline further
intercourse with him.
1810.
Mar. 23—Bonaparte orders the sale and confiscation of 132
American vessels (detained in France by previous decree) and
their cargoes, and the same confiscation is ordered of all
American vessels afterward entering French ports. The 132
vessels and their cargoes were worth $8,000,000.
Aug. 5—The French government announces the revocation of
their confiscation act, to take effect Nov. 1. A deadly
struggle had been, for many years, going on between Napoleon
Bonaparte and England. This hostility of France to American
commerce was in retaliation, of the British “Orders in
Council” against neutral commerce trading with France.
England had nearly destroyed the French navy and considered
herself mistress of the seas. She wished to reduce American
commerce to the condition of colonial times, which, with
impressment of seamen, was the cause of the present struggle.
Our commerce was constantly growing, our people spirited, and
resolved to have their rights and Flag respected.
1811.
Feb. 26—An act passed establishing naval hospitals.
May 16—The American frigate President, and the British sloop
of war Little Belt, fire into each other. The Little Belt
is disabled. This was a retaliation of the firing of the
British ship Leopard on the American Chesapeake, four years
before, and also of the capture of an American merchantman
bound to France, off New York, by a British vessel about
this time. Several instances of impressment, by the British,
from American vessels, had lately occurred, and there was a
feeling of great exasperation toward England. The English
government had not yet made any atonement for the attack on
the Chesapeake.
June 1—Gen. Eaton, prominent in the war with Tripoli, died.
” 19—Samuel Chase, Chief Justice of the U. S., died.
Aug. 2—Wm. Williams, of Conn., died. The two last were
signers of the Declaration of Independence.
The relief of American commerce from outrages by the French
proved delusive, and many grievous wrongs are suffered this
year.
Nov. 7—Two twin brothers of the Shawanese tribe of Indians
(Tecumseh and the Prophet) had been for some years engaged in
forming a conspiracy among a large number of Indian tribes
on the Northwestern frontier to exterminate the whites. Gen.
Harrison’s army is attacked by the Indians this day, at
Tippecanoe. They are defeated by Gen. Harrison.
Dec. 2—The ratio of Representation is revised on the census
of 1800, and fixed at 35,000.
1812.
Jan.—Various acts are passed for putting the army and navy in
a condition for war.
Apr. 4—An embargo is laid on American shipping, by act of
Congress.
” 8—Louisiana admitted into the Union as a State.
” 20—Geo. Clinton, Vice-President of the United States, died.
June 4—The Territory of Missouri organized.
” 23—The British government repeal the obnoxious “Orders
in Council,” but refuse to give up the right of search and
impressment on American vessels. The American government
refuses to be satisfied with this; besides, it had already
declared war, June 18th.
CHAPTER XX.
THE WAR OF 1812.
We have stated in connection with the appropriate events, the causes of
this war which had accumulated during the last five years at a rapid
rate. The seizure and captures of American vessels by Great Britain
amounted to 917; by France to 558. Upwards of 6,000 cases of impressments
were recorded in the American Department of State; and in all these our
Flag had been violated. It was estimated that about as many more had been
made, of which no official information had been received. The Americans
were averse to war and had long borne these injuries in the hope that
a settlement might be reached by negotiation; but they insisted on the
inviolability of our Flag, and the right of naturalization. On the
commencement of hostilities 2,500 of these impressed sailors, claiming
to be American citizens, refused to fight against America, and were
imprisoned by the English government, where most of them were kept to the
close of the war.
Aug. 24—The English government, however, had the magnanimity,
when news arrived of the Declaration of War by the United
States, to allow all American vessels then in their ports six
weeks to dispose of their lading and to depart undisturbed.
The great success of the war on the American side was on
the sea, where it was much more seriously detrimental and
mortifying to the English than victories on the land would
have been. The land forces were generally inefficiently
conducted, though the close of the war was signalized by the
victory of Gen. Jackson, at New Orleans, which was extremely
gratifying to American pride.
July 12—Gen. Hull, with 1,800 troops, invades Canada.
Aug. 8—After various mishaps, Hull retreats to Detroit.
” 9—Col. Miller defeats Tecumseh and a body of British troops
at Maguaga.
” 15—Ft. Dearborn (now Chicago) was abandoned by its small
garrison, by the orders of Hull. During their retreat they
were attacked, and most of them massacred by the Indians.
” 16—Gen. Hull surrendered Detroit and all the military
forces and stores in the territory to the British. He was
afterward sentenced to death by a court-martial, but
pardoned by the president, though degraded from all military
command.
” 19—The U. S. frigate Constitution, Capt. Hull, does great
honor to the American arms by the capture of the English
frigate Guerriere. This vessel had challenged the American
vessels in a contemptuous way. She had 79 killed and wounded,
the Constitution only 13. There were 10 impressed American
seamen on the Guerriere.
Sept. 7—The U. S. frigate Essex captures the Alert in 8
minutes.
Oct. 13—In another invasion of Canada by Gen. Van Rensselaer,
though much gallantry was displayed, an unexpected British
reinforcement obliged the surrender of 700 men after 160 had
been killed and wounded.
” 18—The U. S. sloop of war Wasp captures the British sloop
of war Frolic, which was the strongest vessel. The Frolic had
100 killed and wounded, the Wasp but 10. Both were captured
by a British 74 pounder the same day.
” 25—Capt. Decatur, of the frigate United States, captures
the Macedonian, a British frigate. British loss 104, American
only 7.
Nov. 22—The U. S. brig Vixen is captured by the English
frigate Southampton. Both were afterward shipwrecked.
A presidential election in this month secured the re-election
of Madison.
Dec. 29—The U. S. frigate Constitution, Commodore Bainbridge,
captures the British frigate Java, off the coast of Brazil.
American loss 44, British 151. These naval victories with
so little loss produced much exultation in America, and
much surprise and mortification in England. The Americans
were able seamen, and had long burned to avenge the insults
and contempt of the English navy. Americans are capable of
extraordinary vigor when thoroughly aroused. The operations
on land had been much interfered with by the strenuous and
almost treasonable opposition of the anti-war party, and
this continued to be an embarrassment during nearly its
whole course. The general disfavor with which this violent
opposition was regarded, however, and the sympathy felt for
the President, so embarrassed, procured his re-election.
1813.
Military operations this year were, in part, more creditable and
encouraging. The regular force amounted to about 55,000 men; an act had
been passed authorizing the construction of four 74 gun ships, and six
forty-fours; and for an increase of the navy on the lakes.
Jan. 22—A disastrous enterprise at Frenchtown (now Monroe,
Mich.) results in the loss of nearly 900 American troops
under Winchester. The wounded were left by Gen. Proctor, the
British commander, to be massacred by the Indians.
” 23—Geo. Clymer, of Pa., signer of the Declaration of
Independence, died.
” 26—An act of Congress authorizes the President to borrow
$16,000,000.
” 27—He is authorized to issue Treasury notes to the amount
of $5,000,000.
Feb. 24—The Hornet captures the British brig Peacock, on the
coast of South America.
The Delaware and Chesapeake bays are blockaded by the British
about this time.
Mar. 4—Madison is inaugurated for his second term.
” 8—The emperor of Russia having offered his services as
mediator between the United States and England, the President
appoints commissioners to treat for peace.
Apr. 10—The British attack Lewiston, Del., but are repulsed
after having bombarded it several days.
” 27—Americans under Gen. Pike, capture York, Upper Canada,
with a large quantity of stores. Gen. Pike is killed.
May 1—The British Gen. Proctor besieges Gen. Harrison in Fort
Meigs.
” 5—Gen. Clay coming to his assistance Proctor retreats. Col.
Dudley, making a sortie from Ft. Meigs, is drawn into an
ambuscade and loses 650 men. He is himself mortally wounded.
The British Admiral Cockburn barbarously ravages the shores
of Chesapeake bay.
” 27—Ft. George, at Niagara, surrenders to the Americans, and
Sir Geo. Prevost is repulsed from Sacketts Harbor, N. Y., by
Gen. Brown.
June 1—The U. S. frigate Chesapeake captured by the British
frigate Shannon. American loss 133; British loss about half
as many. Capt. Lawrence of the Chesapeake is mortally wounded.
” 6—Gens. Chandler and Winder surprised in the night by the
enemy they were going to attack. The two generals are taken
prisoners, but their troops repulse the enemy and retire.
” 23—Col. Boerstler, in command of an American force of 600
men, is surrounded by a superior force at Beaver Dams and
compelled to surrender.
” 25—Admiral Cockburn, failing in his attack on the American
forces at Craney Island, Va., lands at Hampton and commits
many outrages.
July 31—American Com. Chauncy lands at York, U. C., captures
and destroys stores, and the British do the same at
Plattsburg, on lake Champlain.
Aug. 2—Gen. Proctor with 1,000 British and Indians attacks
Col. Croghan with 160 men, at Ft. Stephenson, Lower Sandusky,
O., and is repulsed with a loss of 150.
About this time the American frigate Essex, Capt. Porter,
cruising in the Pacific ocean, captured 12 armed British
whalers.
” 13—The American sloop-of-war Argus, cruising in the English
Channel, captured 21 British merchantmen, but was herself
captured by the Pelican after a severe engagement.
” 30—Tecumseh had stirred up the Creek Indians to war, and
they attacked Ft. Mims, which they set on fire and captured,
massacring all but 20 out of 400 men, women and children.
Sept. 3—The American brig Enterprise captures the Boxer on
the coast of Maine.
” 10—Perry’s victory on Lake Erie. He captures the whole
fleet (6 vessels) of the enemy. His laconic dispatch to Gen.
Harrison was, “We have met the enemy, and they are ours.”
Oct. 5—Battle of the Thames (Upper Canada). Gen. Harrison,
commanding the Americans, defeated the British and Indians,
under Gen. Proctor and Tecumseh. The latter was slain. The
British lost about 600 in killed, wounded and prisoners; the
Americans 17 killed and 30 wounded.
” ”—Commodore Chauncy captures 5 British vessels on Lake
Ontario.
Nov. 2—Gen. Coffee attacks the Creek Indians at
Tallushatches, Ala. 200 warriors are killed.
” 9—Gen. Jackson defeats the Indians at Talladega, Ala.,
killing 290 of them. Two other battles with the Indians
occurred this month, and one in Dec. in which they were
defeated with great slaughter, and little loss to the
Americans. Yet so spirited and resolute were they as to
require to be almost exterminated before they would make
peace.
” 11—1,200 Americans, under Gen. Boyd, engage 2,000 British,
under Lt. Col. Morrison, and are repulsed with a loss of 339.
British loss 180.
Dec. 10—Ft. George, at Niagara, evacuated and the town of
Newark burned by the Americans.
” 19—Ft. Niagara is taken by the British and Indians who
massacre the garrison. Youngstown, Lewistown, the Tuscarora
Indian village, and Manchester, all in N. Y., are burned, in
retaliation of the destruction of Newark.
” 30—The British burn Black Rock, Buffalo, three vessels
of Perry’s fleet, and large quantities of provisions. Gen.
Proctor justifies it as a proper retaliation. The burning of
Newark was barbarous, but was avenged tenfold. Naturalized
Irishmen, taken by the British in our armies this year,
were sent to England to be tried for treason. An equal
number of English officers were imprisoned by the American
government and notice given to the governor of Canada that
they should receive the same treatment and fate as our Irish
soldiers. This had its effect, and the latter remained simply
prisoners of war. This claim, and corresponding action on
the part of the English government, which was one of the
principal causes of the war, was, from this time, practically
relinquished. In December an embargo was laid by Congress
on American goods and provisions, to prevent their being
employed to supply the British blockading force and armies.
It produced great discontent in New England, where a large
part of the people were dependent on commerce, and were
thrown into great distress. There was much factious, and even
seditious, opposition to the government.
1814.
The army operations had been unsuccessful in Canada during the last
of the campaign, owing, it was thought, to the inefficiency of the
commanders, and perhaps partly to the want of experience of their
subalterns. Changes, that were proved much for the better, were made,
and the campaign of this year, in this quarter, showed a more honorable
record. Since the commencement of the war till this year, the English
government had been carrying on an immense European war, which was
closed by the abdication of Bonaparte and his banishment to the island
of Elba. They prepared for a more vigorous effort in America, by sending
considerable armies of the veterans of Wellington, who had conquered in
Europe. They had received, the impression that the opposition to the war
and the republican party, would coöperate with them, and that they might
re-establish their dominion over their former colonies.
But they did not comprehend American character. Party politics have
always been conducted in a bitter and hostile spirit, but that hostility
has not been directed against their _institutions_. Extreme attachment
to these, and jealous care to preserve all rights guaranteed by the
Constitution, has always led the opposition to a close and sharp
criticism of all measures of the party in power differing from their
own interpretation of Constitutional rights. When these institutions
are really in danger all parties unite in a defense, the obstinacy and
vigor of which carries everything before it. It stops at no obstacles,
hesitates before no sacrifices, and counts no odds. This became apparent
to the British during the summer, dispelled forever their dream of
conquest, and led to a peace at the close of the campaign. The British
sent 14,000 troops to Canada this spring, which was supported, in July
and August, by a large reinforcement. A strong naval force, with a large
body of troops, was sent to invade the heart of the country and capture
Washington. After failing in maintaining their ground here, they were
directed against the gulf coast and the Mississippi river, ending in
their decisive defeat by Gen. Jackson, at New Orleans, Jan. 8th, 1815,
nine days before the treaty of peace, signed at Ghent, in Belgium, Dec.
24, was known in America.
Mar. 24—A loan of $25,000,000 authorized by Congress.
” 27—Gen. Jackson’s defeat of the Indians at Great Horseshoe
Bend, Ala. This battle accomplished the subjection of the
Creek Indians. Jackson had fought them on the 21st, 24th
and 27th of Jan., when they came near defeating him, but
notwithstanding their fierce and obstinate bravery, he
conquered each time, and finally, nearly exterminated them.
” 28—The brilliant career of the U. S. frigate Essex, in the
Pacific ocean, is terminated by its capture, at Valparaiso,
Chili, by the British frigate Phebe and another sloop of war.
” 30—Gen. Wilkinson is repulsed in an advance into Canada,
at La Colle, and is afterwards tried by court martial. Gen.
Brown is given the command of the Niagara frontier, and Gen.
Izard of northern N. Y.
April 21—The U. S. sloop of war Frolic captured by the
British frigate Orpheus.
” 27—The U. S. sloop of war Peacock captures the British
brig-of-war Epervier with $118,000 specie on board.
May 7—A British force captures and destroys the American fort
at Oswego, N. Y., and carries off several guns.
” 29—The Americans capture a British force at Sandy Creek, N.
Y.
June 9—The U. S. sloop of war Rattlesnake captured by a
British 50 gun ship.
” 12—The U. S. sloop Syren captured by a British 74.
” 28—The U. S. sloop of war Wasp captures the British sloop
of war Reindeer, in the British Channel.
July 3—Gen. Brown captures Ft. Erie, near Niagara, U. C.
” 5—Battle of Chippewa, Canada. Gens. Brown, Scott, and
Ripley, with about 3,000 men, were opposed by the British
Gen. Riall with an equal number of the veterans of Waterloo.
Gen. Scott attacked them with such prudence and valor as to
conquer a largely superior force before Gen. Ripley could
come up to his aid. It was a splendid test of American
mettle. Loss of the British 514, of Scott 328. The British
fall back to Ft. George.
” 11—The British make a descent on the coast of Maine.
” 25—Gen. Scott engages a British force of seven times his
number, and holds his ground for some hours when Gen. Ripley
comes to his aid, and they drive the British from the field;
but having only 1,600 men left, while the British have 5,000,
they retire next day. The British lost 878, the Americans 860.
Aug. 4—Americans besieged in Ft. Erie.
” 8—First meeting of the U. S. and English commissioners to
treat for peace, who arranged the terms at the close of this
year. The English were very high in their demands till the
failure of their much vaunted veteran troops.
” 9—The British make an unsuccessful attack on Stonington,
Conn. A treaty is made with the Creek Indians.
” 15—The British repulsed from Ft. Erie with the loss of 962
men. The Americans lost 84.
” 20—A British force landed from the fleet in the Chesapeake,
marches on Washington.
” 24—The battle of Bladensburg, near Washington. The
Americans, much inferior in numbers, were defeated. The
British, under Gen. Ross, entered Washington the same day.
They destroyed much private property, as well as public
stores, buildings and documents.
Not deeming it prudent to remain, the British retreated from
Washington to their vessels, leaving the people greatly
exasperated at conduct unworthy of the army of a civilized
nation.
” 27—Alexandria, Va., delivers up the public stores and
shipping there and much merchandise as a ransom from plunder
and burning.
Sept. 1—The U. S. sloop of war Wasp captures the British
sloop Avon. After taking three other prizes in European
waters, she disappeared and was never again heard of—supposed
to have foundered at sea. The British Gen. Prevost advances
toward Plattsburg, N. Y., with 12,000 veteran troops.
” 11—The battle of Plattsburg. Com. McDonough, American, with
4 vessels, 10 gun boats and 850 men, captures the British
Com. Downie’s fleet of 4 vessels, 12 gun boats and 1,000 men.
A simultaneous attack by Prevost on Plattsburg miscarried
by the failure of the fleet and panic of the soldiers. They
return, in disorder, to Canada.
” 12—The British who had captured Washington, appear near
Baltimore and land a force which repulses the Baltimore
militia, and, next day advances toward the city; but the
attack seems so formidable to them that they retreat in the
night to their vessels and depart. The British admiral could
not reduce Ft. M’Henry so as to co-operate in an attack on
the city by water. The patriotic song, “The Star Spangled
Banner,” was written during this bombardment of Fort M’Henry.
Gen. Ross, the British commander, was killed soon after the
landing of the troops.
About this time various attacks are made at different places
on the coast of New England, and the British pretend, by
proclamation, to take possession of all of Maine east of the
Penobscot river and annex it to New Brunswick.
” 17—A sortie is made from Ft. Erie and the works of the
enemy surprised and taken with a loss to him of 1,000 men in
killed, wounded and prisoners.
Thus, in the midst of ravages and alarms on the coast, the
destruction of our commerce, the stagnation of business,
the financial difficulties of the government that almost
amounted to bankruptcy, and the complaints of the peace
party, (which produced much alarm by the calling of a
convention of the New England States, in December of this
year, at Hartford, Conn.,) the honor of the United States
was preserved. The formidable armies in Canada had been
baffled and defeated, the capture of Washington followed
immediately by the withdrawal of the invaders, and a strong
point made which had its effect in substantially gaining the
cause that had brought on the war, for the Americans, in the
treaty negotiations in progress. The British now turned their
attention to the Mississippi river and the coast of the gulf
of Mexico.
Nov. 7—Gen. Jackson takes Pensacola from the British, who
were laboring to raise the Indians to war again.
Dec. 15—A British fleet captures the flotilla on Lake Borgne,
La.
” 22—12,000 British troops land below New Orleans, and
repulse the Americans.
” 24—The treaty of peace is signed at Ghent, but is not known
in America until Feb. following.
1815.
Jan. 8—Gen. Jackson, with only 6,000 men, had intrenched
himself in front of the British, who now made an assault on
his position. They were repulsed with great slaughter, losing
their general, Packingham, and near 2,000 men. Jackson lost
but 7 killed and 6 wounded. The British retreated to their
vessels.
” 15—The U. S. frigate President captured by four English
vessels.
Feb. 18—Ft. Bowyer, near Pensacola, Fla., invested by the
British fleet. It surrenders on the 21st.
” 17—The treaty of peace which arrived at New York on the
11th by the British sloop of war Favorite, ratified by the
American government and Peace proclaimed.
” 24—Congress authorizes the loan of $18,400,000, and the
issue of treasury notes to the amount of $25,000,000.
” 28—The naval war was continued some time longer. The U.
S. frigate Constitution captures two British vessels of
war, the frigate Cyane and the sloop Levant, off the island
of Madeira. In March the U. S. frigate Hornet captured the
British brig Penguin, on the coast of Brazil.
The British government, elated by their triumph over
Bonaparte, their large army accustomed to conquer in Europe,
and the fleets set free from the blockade of the Continent,
thought to make an easy conquest of America. But all their
attempts were defeated. Had peace been made a little later
the Americans might have obtained much better terms.
This war had been waged under many difficulties by the
American administration. The country and its institutions,
were new, and there was no such reserved fund of wealth and
credit, as is always found in an old and well organized
state. They depended largely on commerce, which was almost
destroyed by the great naval force of Great Britain, and the
embargo policy. Our navy was gallant and successful; but the
government lacked the means, and the unanimous support of the
people, requisite to increase it to the necessary strength.
The administration did not act with the vigor and efficiency
calculated to bring all sections and classes to its support,
and the people had not yet the experience and knowledge of
the value and strength of their own institutions needful to
inspire confidence, so that they were critical and difficult
to please, and this spirit impaired the efficiency of nearly
all government measures. What they undertook could be only
imperfectly done. The old soldiers of the Revolution were
dead or unfit by age for good service, and time was necessary
to train others and ascertain who had the necessary military
capacity for conducting operations with success. Yet, under
all these great difficulties, the United States came out of
the war with the respect of the world, such as it had never
before enjoyed. It became formidable to Europe as a great and
vigorous power with which it was not safe to trifle.
This was still more clear when the government declared war on
the Dey of Algiers, one of the pirate princes of the North
of Africa, which, for hundreds of years, had made war on the
commerce of all nations almost with impunity. Having violated
their treaty with us, the President sent out an adequate
naval force
June 17-19—which captured two Algerine vessels of war, and
threatened Algiers. The Dey, intimidated, immediately made
peace, giving liberty to all prisoners without ransom, and
full satisfaction for the injuries done to our commerce. No
European nation had before so humbled these pirates, and it
at once raised the credit of our government, and gained us
respect and esteem.
June 30—The last hostile act at sea took place in the Straits
of Sunda, in the East Indies, where the U. S. brig of war
Peacock captured the Nautilus, a British sloop of war. Thus
the three American vessels at sea when the war closed, each
came home crowned with laurels. The British vessels captured
during the war numbered 1,750—the American 1,683. The spirit
and energy of the Americans, under all their embarrassments,
gave an unmistakable indication of the future greatness and
power of the United States.
1816.
The last two years’ experience had taught the government and the people
many important lessons by which they hastened to profit. The coast was
fortified, the navy increased, manufactures and commerce encouraged, and
the best measures that the wisdom of the times could suggest, employed
to restore the finances. The violently factious opposition of parties
was much moderated by the confidence gained to our government and
institutions, and the evident folly of excessive fears. The Second U.S.
Bank was chartered for 20 years, with a capital of $35,000,000.
Nov. 5—Governeur Morris, an eminent and excellent American
statesman died.
Dec. 11—Indiana admitted into the Union as a State. James
Monroe was, this autumn, elected President.
CHAPTER XXI.
HISTORY OF THE U. S. FROM 1817 TO 1846.
MONROE’S ADMINISTRATION.
A new era for America commenced with this administration, or rather,
reached its period of uninterrupted development; for the whole past
history of the country had been a preparation for it, but especially so
the late war and its results. The failure of the French revolution, and,
finally, the failure of Napoleon Bonaparte and the re-establishment of
the old monarchy in France, as a result of the excesses, first of the
French republic, and then of the military interference of Bonaparte with
the existing state of things in Europe, had an important influence in
modifying the politics of the republican party in the United States; so
that they came partially in Jefferson’s administration, and completely by
the close of Madison’s, to follow the wise and vigorous policy pursued
by Washington and the federal party; while the general government and
the institutions of the country became deeply imbued with the regard to
popular rights, and attention to the interests and will of the people
that formed the leading idea of Jefferson and the original democrat,
or, as it was then called, the republican party. Thus the two points of
supreme importance, vigor in the general government, and security to the
people, were happily mingled and wrought into the spirit and form of our
institutions.
The leading events of Monroe’s two administrations were the attention
given to internal improvements—among which may be mentioned the Erie
canal in New York, and the encouragements to manufactures—the acquisition
of Florida from Spain, and a definite settlement of the slavery question
(for the next thirty years only, as it proved,) by the Missouri
compromise. The people now began to feel and act together, as a single
nation, and material progress was rapid.
1817.
Mar. 3—The observance of the neutrality laws strictly
enjoined on citizens of the United States by Congress.
” 4—James Monroe, the fifth President, inaugurated. With his
administration commences “the era of good feeling,” as it was
called. The bitterness of party controversy ceased.
June 24—Thos. McKean, of Del., signer of the Declaration of
Independence, died.
Dec.—Mississippi admitted into the Union, and Alabama erected
into a territory.
”—A war broke out with the Seminole Indians, on the borders
of Florida. It came near involving us in a war with Spain.
Internal taxes are abolished by Congress.
1818.
Mar. 18—A law enacted giving pensions to indigent officers
and soldiers.
April 4—The Flag of the U. S. rearranged; the stripes to
represent the thirteen original States, the stars the present
number of States.
” 18—Illinois is authorized to form a state constitution.
May 24—Gen. Jackson took Pensacola, Fla., from the Spaniards
on account of the support given by them to the Indians.
Oct. 20—A treaty of commerce and for settling boundaries is
made with England.
1819.
Feb. 23—A treaty for the session of Florida ratified by
Congress, but not by the king of Spain until Oct. 20th, 1820.
Mar. 2—Arkansas organized into a territory.
Dec. 14—Alabama admitted into the Union.
In this year commenced the discussion on the balance between
the north and the south in relation to slavery. Missouri
and Maine both desire admission as States. The discussion
resulted in a settlement of the whole question Feb. 27th,
1821, by the application of the “Missouri Compromise” to the
admission of that State.
1820.
Feb. 15—Wm. Ellery, of R. I., signer of the Declaration of
Independence, died.
Mar. 15—Maine admitted into the Union.
Aug. 23—Com. Perry, the hero of Lake Erie, died in the West
Indies.
The 4th census was taken in this year.
1821.
Mar. 4—James Monroe inaugurated on his second term.
” 22—Com. Decatur died at Washington.
Aug. 22—Gen. Jackson takes possession of Florida as its
Governor. The U. S. government paid $5,000,000 for Florida.
The Spanish officers were reluctant and dilatory in giving
up their places, and Gen. Jackson had occasion for his
remarkably decisive action in dealing with them. The
governor, Don Cavalla, refusing to give up certain papers
according to the treaty, he sent him to prison until all the
papers were produced, and banished six other Spanish officers
who interfered with him.
1822.
June—A commercial treaty is negotiated with France. Capt.
Allen, of the U. S. schooner Alligator, engages a band of
pirates in the West Indies, captures one of their schooners,
and recaptures five American vessels. Capt. Allen is killed.
The ports of the West India islands are opened to American
commerce by the English government.
Com. Truxton, a meritorious naval officer—Gen. Stark, the
hero of Bennington, Vt.,—and Wm. Lowndes, a statesman of S.
C., died this year.
A new arrangement of the ratio of Representation gives one
member of Congress to 40,000 inhabitants.
1823.
Com. Porter makes a successful expedition against the West Indian pirates.
This year our government acknowledged the independence of the South
American Republics, and ministers were appointed to Mexico, Columbia,
Buenos Ayres, and Chili.
A treaty for the mutual suppression of the slave trade was made by Great
Britain and the United States.
1824.
April—American and Russian commissioners settle the
boundaries between the two countries.
Aug. 15—Lafayette arrives from France. He was everywhere
received as the guest of the people with the utmost affection
and reverence. He spent a year visiting all parts of the
Union.
A presidential election this autumn does not result in a
choice, and the House of Representatives made selection
of John Quincy Adams, from the candidates, according to a
provision of the Constitution, anticipating such a case. A
protective tariff was made this year to encourage cotton
manufactures.
ADMINISTRATION OF JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.
1825.
Mar. 4—J. Q. Adams inaugurated sixth President.
” ”—An act of Congress establishes a navy yard at Pensacola,
Fla.
June 11—Dan. D. Tompkins, Vice-President with Monroe, died.
Nov. 10—Com. McDonough, the hero of Lake Champlain, died.
1826.
July 4—John Adams and Thos. Jefferson, whose lives were
identified with the foundation and development of our
institutions, simultaneously died on this day.
Sept. 11—Wm. Morgan, an anti-mason, mysteriously disappears,
and is never again heard of.
1827.
An Anti-Mason party is formed, opposing secret societies. Much “political
capital” is made of it.
Jan.—The first considerable railroad was begun, and completed
in May. It was nine miles long, a beginning of the wonderful
transformation that was to be produced by this agent.
1828.
Feb. 11—De Witt Clinton, governor of N. Y. and originator of
the Erie canal, died.
The tariff was amended and enlarged this year. This tariff
was violently opposed in the South and produced the
“Nullification Ordinances” of S. C., some time later.
In the fall of this year Gen. Andrew Jackson was elected
President.
1829.
Feb. 29—The Virginia Legislature passes a resolution denying
the right of Congress to pass a protective tariff law.
Mar. 4—Andrew Jackson inaugurated as President.
Dan. Webster makes his great speech against nullification.
JACKSON’S ADMINISTRATION.
1829.
May 19—A treaty of friendship and commerce concluded with
Brazil.
” ”—John Jay, ex-President of the Continental Congress, Chief
Justice of the U. S., Governor of N. Y., etc., died. In
purity of patriotism, moderation, and soundness of judgment,
he came nearer to Washington than any of his contemporaries.
He was above the reach of the violent party spirit that
prevailed after Washington’s retirement from public life.
1830.
May 7—A treaty made with Turkey gives U. S. commerce the
freedom of the Black sea. The vigorous dealing of our
government with the Barbary States secured the respect and
friendship of Turkey.
The important movement and interests of this year were
connected with the progress of railroads (the first American
built locomotive was made this year,) and the rapid rise
of that great interest, and with the agitation produced
by the nullification proceedings of South Carolina. That
State claimed the right to pronounce upon, and disregard
the enactments of Congress. This was subversive of the
Constitution. It drew the “Key Stone” from the arch, and the
whole structure of the Union would have fallen. No decisive
action was reached till the year 1832.
May 29—The office of Solicitor of the Treasury created.
1831.
Jan. 10—The King of the Netherlands, being accepted as
arbitrator of the northern boundary between the United
States and the British Possessions, by the two governments,
decides the question in our favor.
July 4—James Monroe, ex-President of the U. S., died, aged 73.
Oct. 1—A free trade convention meets at Philadelphia.
” 26—A tariff convention meets at New York. There were over
500 delegates. It was the absorbing political topic of the
time.
1832.
April 1—The Black Hawk war breaks out by the attack of the
Winnebagoes, Sacs, and Foxes from the west bank of the
Mississippi on the settlers in Illinois, under the Indian
chief, Black Hawk.
” 2—The Creek Indians sell all their lands east of the
Mississippi river to the U. S.
May 5—A commercial and boundary treaty concluded with Mexico.
” 27—A new ratio of representation based on the 5th census
gives one member of Congress to 47,700 inhabitants.
June 1—Gen. Sumter, a South Carolina hero of the Revolution,
died.
” 9—The cholera breaks out at Quebec, Lower Canada. It swept
over the country, following the lakes and rivers and routes
of travel, with fearful violence.
July—The cholera breaks up Gen. Scott’s army, on the way to
meet Black Hawk while in vessels on the lakes.
” 9—Congress creates the office of Commissioner of Indian
affairs.
” 10—Naval hospitals established at Charlestown, Mass.,
Brooklyn, N. Y., and Pensacola, Fla.
” ”—The President vetoes the bill rechartering the U. S. Bank.
Aug. 27—Gen. Atkinson defeats the Indians and takes Black
Hawk prisoner.
Nov. 14—Chas. Carroll, of Carrollton, Md., last surviving
signer of Dec. of Ind., dies.
” 19—An anti-tariff convention in S. C. issues the famous
“Nullification Ordinance.”
” 24—The Unionists of S. C. meet and protest against this
ordinance.
Dec. 10—President Jackson issues a proclamation against
the nullifiers. He followed word with deed, garrisoning
the forts, and sending vessels of war into the harbor of
Charleston. His well known vigor left the nullifiers no hope
of success, and they finally submitted.
” 18—A commercial treaty concluded with Russia.
” 20—Gov. Hayne, of S. C., defies the President in a counter
proclamation.
” 28—J. C. Calhoun, of S. C., the Vice-President, resigns
his office. President Jackson is reëlected this fall. His
anti-nullification measures made him very popular.
1833.
Feb. 12—Henry Clay introduces a bill on the tariff
compromising the points at issue between the manufacturing
States and the South.
Mar. 3—It becomes a law, and gives general satisfaction.
” 4—President Jackson reinaugurated on his second term.
May 20—The death of La Fayette, in France.
June 1—Oliver Wolcott, Sec. of the Treasury under Washington,
dies.
July 27—Com. Bainbridge, a famous naval commander, dies.
Sept. 30—President Jackson removes his Sec. of Treas. W. J.
Duane, for refusing to carry out his policy in regard to
the U. S. Bank. The presence of the Indians in Mississippi,
Alabama, Georgia, and Florida, produces so much conflict and
so frequent a necessity for chastising them that they are
in danger of total extermination. Gen. Jackson persuades
Congress and the Indians to arrange for their removal to
lands west of the Mississippi. Some of the Indians quietly
remove this year. Many resist, but all are finally persuaded
to this course by Gen. Scott and others, except the Seminoles
of Fla.
1834.
Mar. 28—Congress formally censures the President for his
course in regard to the U. S. Bank.
Oct. 28—A conditional treaty made with the Seminoles at
Payne’s Landing, May 9, 1832, for their removal to the Indian
Territory west of the Mississippi, was afterwards confirmed
by the chiefs but rejected by the people. Gen. Thompson was
sent, at this time, by President Jackson to insist on their
carrying out the treaty.
Dec. 28—A council of the Indians, called by Gen. Thompson,
seemingly accept the terms of the President.
1835.
Mar. 3—Congress establishes branch mints in La., N. C., and
Ga.
May 14—A treaty with the Cherokees purchases all their lands
east of the Mississippi for $5,262,251, and ample lands in
exchange in the Indian Territory.
June 3—Osceola, a Seminole chief, imprisoned by Gen. Thompson.
July 6—Chief Justice Marshall dies, aged 80.
Dec. 16—A destructive fire in New York. $17,000,000 worth of
property consumed.
” 28—The Seminoles killed their chief, Mathla, who had been
prominent in making the obnoxious treaty, and suddenly
attack a U. S. force under Maj. Dade. But one man out of 110
escaped. He was wounded and afterwards died. The same day
Gen. Thompson and others were surprised and massacred.
” 31—Gen. Clinch is attacked by the Indians at Withlacoochee.
He repulses them and retires.
1836.
Early in this year the Indians laid waste the whole country, burning the
buildings and killing all who had not taken refuge in the forts.
Jan. 20—A treaty of friendship and commerce concluded with
the republic of Venezuela, South America.
Feb.—The U. S. Bank was chartered by the Legislature of Pa.
” 11—Gen. Gaines lands an army at Tampa Bay. He is surrounded
by the Indians on his march toward Fort King. He repulsed
them, but his army is nearly starved. While the army is held
here the tribe remove their families and effects into the
impenetrable swamps of the interior.
Mar. 2—The Texans proclaim their independence.
Apr. 26—Wisconsin receives a territorial government.
” 21—Battle of San Jacinto. Santa Anna taken prisoner.
June 15—Michigan erected into a State, conditionally.
” ”—Arkansas admitted into the Union.
” 23—A surplus revenue having accumulated it is loaned to the
States.
” 28—James Madison, the ex-President, dies, aged 86.
July 4—Office of Commissioner of Patents created.
Sept. 15—Aaron Burr, an able but dishonest and disloyal
statesman, formerly Vice-President, dies, aged 81.
The Creek Indians commenced hostilities in May of this year,
in their usual fierce and barbarous manner. Gen. Scott and
the State authorities of Geo. subdue them early in the summer.
In the presidential election this fall Martin Van Buren was
elected.
Dec. 15—The General Post Office and Patent Office, with many
records and articles of value, are destroyed by fire.
1837.
Jan. 16—The U. S. Senate repealed and expunged its resolution
of March 24th, 1834, censuring President Jackson, as having
exceeded his Constitutional powers when he ordered the public
funds to be withdrawn from the U. S. Bank.
Mar. 4—Van Buren inaugurated President.
Speculation having been carried to an extreme length for
some time, and somewhat arrested by the “specie circular”
requiring payments for public lands to be made in coin,
a revulsion, producing great distress, and suspension of
payments by the banks, occurred this spring.
May 3—The merchants of New York present a memorial to the
President urging him to remit the regulations of the “specie
circular.” The President declines, but calls an extra session
of Congress.
Aug. 4—Texas proposes annexation to the U. S. The President
declines to entertain the proposition.
” 13—The banks resume specie payments.
Sept. 4—Congress assembled in extra session. A portion of
the surplus revenue, which, by law of June 23d, 1836, was
to be loaned to the States, is reclaimed to meet the current
expenses of the government.
” 29—A treaty made with the Sioux Indians for the purchase of
their lands, 5,000,000 acres, for $1,000,000.
Oct. 1—The Winnebagoes sell their lands for $1,500,000.
” 12—Congress authorizes the issue of $10,000,000 in Treasury
notes.
” 21—Osceola, the Seminole chief, with 70 of his warriors,
visits the camp of Gen. Jessup. They are detained, and
Osceola was imprisoned in Ft. Moultrie, S. C., where, in a
few months, he died.
Dec. 25—The battle of Okee-cho-bee fought with the Seminoles
in the swamps of Florida, by Col. Zachary Taylor. The Indians
are defeated.
The Magnetic Telegraph was patented in this year.
1838.
Jan. 5—The President issues a proclamation enjoining
neutrality on American citizens, during the “Patriot war,” or
insurrection in Canada.
June 12—Iowa receives a Territorial government.
Aug. 19—An Arctic exploring expedition, with six vessels,
sails from Hampton Roads, Va.
The Cherokee Indians completed their emigration to the Indian
Territory this year.
1839.
Gen. Macomb makes a treaty early in this year with the Seminoles, which
they very imperfectly kept.
A difficulty with England in regard to our northeast boundary narrowly
avoids war, but is, at length, peaceably adjusted.
Dec. 2—Congress assembles.
” 4—A Whig Convention prepares for the contest of the coming
year by the nomination of Wm. H. Harrison for the Presidency.
Great discontent was felt with the financial policy of Van
Buren’s administration, and lively interest taken in the
coming election, which made the campaign the most stirring
and the noisiest ever experienced in this country.
1840.
May 5—The Democrats renominate Van Buren for the Presidency.
This year was chiefly memorable for the “Log Cabin and Hard
Cider” election gatherings, and the extreme interest of the
people in the elections, on financial grounds.
June 30—Congress passes the sub-treasury bill recommended by
President Van Buren, in 1837, but then rejected.
Nov.—W. H. Harrison elected President, and John Tyler
Vice-President.
1841.
Jan. 14—Imprisonment for debts due the U. S. abolished.
Mar. 4—Harrison inaugurated ninth President.
” 11—The steamer President sails from New York but is never
again heard of. She had 109 passengers.
” 17—The President calls an extra session of Congress to
consider financial questions.
Apr. 4—President Harrison died and John Tyler became acting
President.
May 31—Congress convenes.
June 25—Gen. Macomb died.
July 6—The proceeds of the public lands ordered to be
distributed to the States.
” 21—Congress orders a loan of $12,000,000.
Aug. 9—The Sub Treasury act repealed.
” 16—President Tyler vetoes the National Bank bill.
” 18—A general bankrupt law passed.
Sept. 9—A Second Banking Bill vetoed. This was the fourteenth
time the veto power had been used; by Washington twice,
Madison four times, Monroe once, Jackson five times.
Oct. 11—Failure of U. S. Bank under the Pennsylvania charter.
1842.
June 25—The new Ratio of Representation, based on the census
of 1840, gives one Member of Congress for every 70,600
inhabitants.
July 23—Bunker Hill Monument finished and dedicated. The
corner stone was laid by Lafayette 17 years before.
Aug. 20—The Ashburton treaty with England, settling the N. E.
Boundary, ratified by the U. S. Senate.
” 28—The U. S. fiscal year ordered to commence with July 1st.
Oct. 2—The U. S. sloop of war Concord wrecked on the African
coast.
” 14—The Ashburton-Webster treaty ratified in England.
1843.
Mar. 3—Congress appropriates $30,000 for building Morse’s
electric telegraph from Washington to Baltimore. It was the
beginning of that magnificent enterprise.
Com. Porter, minister to Turkey, dies in Constantinople.
Apr. 18—Commences “Dorr’s rebellion” in Rhode Island.
Aug. 26—The U. S. frigate Missouri burned, at Gibraltar,
Spain.
1844.
Feb. 28—A large cannon on board the war steamer Princeton,
bursts while the President and others are visiting the
vessel, killing Messrs. Upshur and Gilmer, secretaries of war
and navy, and others.
May 6—The “Know-nothing” or American excitement produces a
serious riot in Philadelphia.
July 7—Jo. Smith, the originator of the Mormons, killed at
Carthage, Ill.
Nov.—The Democratic party elected James K. Polk for
President. The chief question entering into the election
was on the annexation of Texas. It had been sought for some
years but had been declined as certain to bring on a war
with Mexico, which, as a sister republic, and much weaker
than ourselves, had been considered to be an unworthy act.
The Whigs, with Henry Clay as their candidate for President,
opposed it. It was carried, in great part as a pro-slavery
measure, although the bitter and barbarous conduct of the
Mexicans toward Texans and American citizens had something to
do with it.
1845.
Jan. 16—A treaty made with China, ratified by the U. S.
Senate.
” 23—An act of Congress orders presidential elections to be
held in all the States on the first Tuesday after the first
Monday in November.
Feb. 28—Congress annexes Texas to the Union, by a joint
resolution of both Houses.
Mar. 3—Florida admitted into the Union.
” 4—Mr. Polk inaugurated the tenth President.
June 18—Andrew Jackson died.
The Congress of Texas accepted the conditions of the U. S.
and it became a State in the American Union.
July 30—Gen. Taylor ordered to the frontier of Texas.
Sept. 10—Judge Joseph Story, of the U. S. Supreme Court,
died, aged 66.
Dec. 15—A misunderstanding had long existed between the U.
S. and England as to the northern boundary of Oregon. Much
excitement is now produced by a speech and resolution of Mr.
Cass, which seemed the prelude to war with Great Britain.
1846.
June 18—A treaty was negotiated by Mr. Packenham and Mr.
Buchanan settling the northwest boundary satisfactorily.
CHAPTER XXII.
THE MEXICAN WAR.
Texas was a nearly uninhabited part of Mexico, lying between Louisiana
and the Rio Grande river. It was a fertile region, with a fine climate.
The Spanish possessors of Mexico, in the bigoted and bitter spirit that
was traditional with the Spaniards toward protestants, and deeply hostile
in feeling from the rather high-handed and vigorous proceedings of Gen.
Jackson before and after the cession of Florida, did not encourage the
settlement of Texas; preferring to be separated by a wilderness from the
United States. In 1821 the Mexicans finally threw off the Spanish yoke
and established an independent government.
About this time the Americans, and especially those of the South,
foreseeing the probable spread of the northern part of the Republic
to the Pacific, began to look with covetous eyes on the fine Savannas
of Texas, as an excellent field for land speculations, and also for
extending the Southern area, so as to keep its balance in the number of
slave States equal to the free States of the North, as they had been
provided for by the Missouri Compromise. It was believed to be the plan
of Mr. Calhoun, an able and far-seeing statesman, thoroughly in earnest
in the maintenance of slavery, and the political equality of the slave
with the free States. A settlement was made by people from the United
States. In a few years they grew to be numerous, and came in conflict
with the rigid Spanish Catholic laws, still maintained by the Mexicans.
The United States government made advances toward purchasing Texas, but
the Mexicans were resolute in their purpose to hold it, and bring its
people under the dominion of strict Mexican law. The Americans resisted
this with the settled determination of ultimate separation from Mexico,
and probable annexation to the United States.
The Mexicans undertook to reduce them to submission. The Texans,
supported by bold and fearless adventurers from the Southern States,
resisted. The war commenced Oct. 2d, 1835, by a battle at Gonzalez,
followed by various others. March 2d, 1836, the Texans formally declared
Independence, which they maintained by force of arms. March 3d, 1837,
the United States government recognized the Independence of Texas.
England did the same in 1842. Propositions of annexation had been made
to Presidents Jackson, Van Buren, and Tyler, successively, by the Texas
government, but as often rejected by them as tending necessarily to a war
with Mexico; that power having distinctly and repeatedly declared that
she should regard such a step as a declaration of war.
The Democratic party regaining the ascendency in the election of 1844,
made this annexation the issue of the presidential campaign. A majority
of the people were in favor of it.
The Southern view, however, was not alone in its influence on this
decision. Indignities and injuries had been inflicted by the Mexicans on
American citizens in that country; its haughty, exclusive, and unfriendly
spirit awakened strong indignation; and the Pacific coast of California,
with the mining regions of the northern interior of Mexico, both nearly
uninhabited, were objects of desire to the American people. Thus a
wish to extend the bounds of the Republic, and to chastise an insolent
neighbor, combined with the ardent wishes of the pro-slavery interest,
to lead the nation to determine on a war, somewhat ungenerously, with a
neighbor notoriously too weak and disorganized for effectual resistance
to the whole strength of the United States. The whole plan, as afterward
carried out, was arranged in the cabinet at Washington almost before
hostilities had actually commenced.
1846.
Mar. 28—Gen. Taylor takes position with a small army at the
mouth of the Rio Grande opposite Matamoras. This the Mexican
government regard as a declaration of war, for which they had
prepared and were waiting.
Apr. 24—Hostilities commence by an attack on Capt. Thornton.
He loses 16 men out of 63, and surrenders.
May 8—The battle of Palo Alto. Gen. Taylor with 2,300 men
defeats 6,000 Mexicans. Mexican loss 100 killed, 300 wounded;
American 4 killed, 40 wounded.
” 9—The battle of Resaca de la Palma. The Mexicans are
totally defeated with a loss of about 600; the Americans
lose about 160. Gen. La Vega, (Mexican,) taken prisoner. The
Mexicans fled in total rout across the Rio Grande. The object
of the war, so far as Texas was concerned, was gained; but
the Mexicans were still spirited, and California, Utah, and
New Mexico were not gained. An invasion and march on the city
of Mexico were the next steps.
” 12—Congress ordered the raising of 50,000 men, and voted
$10,000,000 to carry on the war.
July 6—Monterey, on the California coast is taken by the
American navy under Com. Sloat.
” 9—Congress re-cedes the Virginia portion of the District of
Columbia to that State.
” 30—The tariff on imported goods is reduced.
Aug. 3—President Polk vetoes the River and Harbor Bill.
” 8—He vetoes the French Spoliation Bill.
” 18—Gen. Kearney takes possession of Santa Fe, New Mexico,
and declared the U. S. authority established over the people.
” 22—California is at this time entirely in the possession of
U. S. forces.
Sept. 5—Gen. Taylor, with 6,000 men, commences his march on
Monterey.
” 21—Gen. Worth, with 650 men, fights the Mexicans near
Monterey.
” 22—The “Bishops Palace,” strongly fortified, is stormed and
taken.
The previous attacks were directed on the rear of Monterey.
An advance is now made in front with success.
” 23—The defenses are assaulted in front and rear. The city
surrenders. Gen. Ampudia, the Mexican commander, had about
10,000 men and very strong fortifications. A truce of some
weeks was agreed upon. Gen. Santa Anna having recently come
into power, it was thought peace would be made. This proved
delusive.
Oct. 25—Tobasco bombarded by the U. S. fleet, and the Mexican
vessels in the port taken or destroyed.
Nov. 14—Tampico surrenders to Com. Connor.
Dec. 25—Battle of Bracito. Col. Doniphan, with 500 men,
defeats a Mexican force of 1,200. Mexican loss 200, American
but 7 wounded, none killed.
1847.
Jan. 8—The Mexican Congress votes $15,000,000 to carry on the
war, to be raised on the property of the church.
Feb. 23—The larger part of Gen. Taylor’s army was withdrawn
from him to support Gen. Scott in his march from Vera Cruz
on the city of Mexico. Gen. Taylor, with only 4,500 men,
is attacked by Santa Anna with 20,000 men. Santa Anna is
completely defeated with a loss in killed and wounded of
2,000. American loss 264 killed, 450 wounded, 26 missing.
Mar. 1—Gen. Kearney proclaims California annexed to the
United States.
” 3—A bill admitting Wisconsin into the Union passed.
” 9—Gen. Scott landed 12,000 men at Vera Cruz.
” 18—The cannonade of Vera Cruz commences.
” 26—Vera Cruz capitulates to Gen. Scott.
Apr. 18—The battle of Cerro Gordo. Santa Anna is defeated. He
had 12,000 men. Gen. Scott 8,500. The Mexicans lost 1,100 in
killed and wounded, and 3,000 prisoners. Gen. Scott lost in
killed and wounded, 430. The Mexicans were vigorously pursued
April 19, and the city of Jalapa taken possession of.
” 22—Gen. Worth takes possession of the town and castle of
Perote.
May 15—Puebla is entered. It is the second city in Mexico.
Offers of peace were now made by the Americans but rejected
by the Mexicans.
Aug. 11—The army advances to the neighborhood of the city of
Mexico.
” 19—The battle of Contreras. Americans successful in cutting
the enemy’s communications. The Americans march in the night
to attack a fortified camp which is carried at sunrise.
American force 4,500, Mexican 7,000. Mexican loss in killed,
wounded and prisoners, about 4,000; American, 66.
” 20—Cherubusco, a fortified hill, stormed and taken by Gen.
Worth with 9,000 men. An armistice is now agreed on, and
peace offered, but the Mexicans still hold to their first
terms, and refuse to give up territory.
Sept. 8—The Mexicans determine to yield only to absolute
force, and the American army again advances. Battles of
Molinos del Rey, and Casa Mata. The Mexicans are largely
superior in numbers and fight with determined valor, but are
overcome. American loss 800.
” 13—Battle of Chapultepec. This fortress was the last
exterior defense to the City of Mexico. It was once the site
of the “Palace of the Montezumas.” The Mexican force within
and outside the fortress 20,000. The American force 7,180.
Mexican loss in killed, wounded, prisoners and deserted,
about 14,000; American, 900. A part of the army gained a
foothold in the City of Mexico.
” 14—Gen. Scott enters Mexico in triumph.
Oct. 9—Battle of Huamantla. Santa Anna again defeated.
” 18—Again at Attixco, with heavy loss. Santa Anna is now
deserted by his troops, and resigns his office.
Nov. 11—The Mexican Congress assembles, and appoints
commissioners to treat for peace.
1848.
Feb. 2—A treaty of peace signed at Guadalupe Hidalgo (a town
four miles from Mexico).
” 23—John Quincy Adams expires at Washington.
May 20—The treaty having been ratified by the President and
Senate of the U. S., March 10, it was followed by that of the
Mexican government on this day.
” 23—Peace was proclaimed in the American camp.
The war was now over. The Mexicans relinquished all claim
to Texas, and ceded Upper California and New Mexico to
the United States. In return the United States gave them
$18,500,000 of which $3,500,000 was due by a former treaty to
citizens of this country and paid them by our government.
It will not be easy for an American to wholly condemn an
act that gave us California and the fertile valleys and
vast mining territory of the Pacific slope as well as New
Mexico, or the chastisement which the Mexicans had merited
for their barbarity; though he may blame the eagerness for
the acquisition of territory and the support of slavery that
led us to invade another country and humble her pride. The
ability of Americans as soldiers would appear by this war
to be unrivalled, and, in that view arouses our pride. The
moral sense of the world must ever be shocked by war, though
there seem many cases in which it is far the least of two
evils. Our government was fairly generous so far as it dared
be in dealing with the vanquished, as soon as its demands
for territory were satisfied. It is also evident that this
territory will be better developed and governed than would
have been the case under Mexican rule.
Aug. 14—Oregon receives a Territorial government.
Nov.—Gen. Taylor was elected President this month and Millard
Fillmore Vice President.
1849.
Jan. 26—Postal treaty with England concluded.
Mar. 3—Minnesota receives a Territorial government.
” 4—Gen. Taylor inaugurated President.
May 7—Gen. Worth, a very gallant officer of the Mexican war,
died.
Sept.—A State Constitution is formed by the people of
California, which excludes slavery.
Dec. 31—The House of Representatives ballots 63 times for a
speaker, and now elects Howell Cobb, of Geo.
Gold was discovered in California, in Feb. 1848, and through
1849 emigrants—gold seekers—were arriving there by tens of
thousands. By the end of this year it was a populous region.
The mass of American immigrants were from the northern
States, and disapproved of slavery, while the special end
of the Mexican war was to procure more territory for that
institution. At this time a violent contest was waged in
Congress over that admission. It was not ended until late in
the following year.
1850.
Jan.—Gen. Twiggs obtains the consent of the Seminoles of
Florida to emigrate to the Indian Territory.
Feb. 13—President Taylor sends the constitution of California
to Congress. There were many threats of secession in case
California was admitted free.
Mar. 7—Mr. Webster’s great speech for the Union.
May 8—The “Omnibus Bill” reported by Henry Clay.
” 18—A private expedition from the south under command of
Lopez invades Cuba. They are driven off with a loss of 30
killed and executed as pirates, on the 19th. The remainder
returned to Key West on the 22d of the same month.
July 9—Death of President Taylor. Fillmore becomes acting
President.
Sept. 9-20—A committee of thirteen, of which Henry Clay was
chairman, had been appointed Apr. 19th, and they had prepared
four measures forming a compromise between the North and
South as to slavery, which were debated and passed into
laws, receiving the concurrence of the President: First,
the South conceded to the North the admission of California
as a free State, and the abolition of the slave trade in
the District of Columbia; Second, the North conceded to the
South a stringent Fugitive Slave Law, and the organization
of Territorial Governments in New Mexico and Utah without
mention of slavery, but in the understanding that they were
finally to form slave States. The real gain was to the North,
as anti-slavery was advanced two steps, while the Fugitive
Law could not be generally enforced in the North from the
invincible aversion of the people to it, and the Southern
people were not sufficiently migratory in their habits to
introduce slavery into distant regions not naturally adapted
to that institution. Still the question was laid aside for
the present.
Nov. 19—Richard M. Johnson, a former Vice-President of the U.
S., died.
Dec. 16—A treaty of Amity and Commerce ratified with
Switzerland.
1851.
Mar. 3—A cheap postage law passed by Congress.
John C. Calhoun, the most eminent of Southern Statesmen, died.
1852.
June 28—Henry Clay, orator and Statesman, died.
July 3—A branch mint established at San Francisco, Cal.
Oct. 24—Daniel Webster died. These three were the ablest and
most esteemed statesmen of their day.
Nov.—The seventeenth presidential election occurred. Franklin
Pierce was elected. He was the Democratic nominee. Gen.
Scott, Whig, was defeated.
1853.
Mar. 4—Pierce inaugurated President.
Aug. 11—Proclamation of President Pierce against the invasion
of Cuba by armed Americans.
1854.
Mar. 23—An important treaty of commerce negotiated with the
empire of Japan by Com. Perry, which opened a new era in the
progress of that country, and of United States commerce and
influence in Asia.
May 30—The failure of the compromise measures of 1850 to
realize the hopes of the South from the rapid development
of anti-slavery views in the North caused the subject to be
again agitated, and the Missouri Compromise, which stopped
the formation of slave States north of its south boundary
line, was repealed; the question of the admission of slavery
into Kansas and Nebraska, both being north of that line,
being referred by the famous “Kansas-Nebraska Bill” to the
“squatters,” or first settlers. This was called “squatter
sovereignty.” This measure gave satisfaction to the South,
but was strongly reprobated by many of the Northern people.
Both sides prepared to renew the contest there, and civil
war raged in Kansas for near three years. Each side sought
to secure its end which terminated in favor of the North.
The South could not compete with it in numbers nor drive the
extra numbers away. This was the last hope of the South for
preserving equilibrium in the general government.
The Democratic party in the North, anxious to soothe and
conciliate the South, and not holding so advanced opinions
against slavery, was still strong enough to maintain itself
in power in the administration; but the Republican party,
formed about this time by the dissolution of the Whig party,
constantly grew in numbers and influence, and, by the end
of the next administration its numbers were so large and
the ultimate result so certain that the South resolved on
secession rather than give up their favorite institution.
1855.
Feb. 24—The Court of Claims, an important relief to Congress
and to claimants against the government, was established in
Washington, by Congress.
1856.
Mar. 4—A Free State Legislature assembles in Kansas. It
adopted a constitution and prepared to apply for admission
into the Union.
Nov.—The eighteenth presidential election took place. James
Buchanan was elected against J. C. Fremont and Millard
Fillmore. Buchanan was the Democratic candidate; Fremont,
Republican, and Fillmore, American, or “know nothing”
candidate.
1857.
Feb. 2—Nathaniel Banks of Mass., a Republican, is elected
Speaker of the House of Representatives. It had required two
months and 133 ballotings to settle this point; indicating
the nearly equal balance of parties, and the final success of
the Republican element in the popular branch of Congress.
Mar. 4—Buchanan inaugurated President.
The next three years (after the decision of the Kansas
troubles) were marked by the unnatural quiet that forebodes
the storm. Anti-slavery feeling was maturing in the North,
and discontent and secession tendencies in the South.
1858.
May 11—Minnesota admitted into the Union as a State.
1859.
Feb. 14—Oregon admitted into the Union as a State. The
admission of these two without any corresponding ones in the
South indicated the strength of Northern sentiment, and that
the South had given up the struggle in that way. John Brown’s
raid on Harper’s Ferry, in this year, as showing the tone of
Northern feeling, still further estranged the South from the
Union.
CHAPTER XXIII.
THE CIVIL WAR
Was the inevitable result of an antagonism of interests, sentiments,
and social structure in the two great sections of the Union—the North
and the South. The foundation of these tendencies was laid before the
formation of the Union, in early colonial times. The conflict commenced
as soon as a close union was attempted, and the Constitution was adopted
only through the personal influence of Washington and other statesmen of
that time, and from the general conviction that it was essential to the
protection of the new nation from England and other European powers. Some
provisions of the Constitution involved a compromise between the North
and the South; and a constant series of compromises was required to be
arranged from time to time, down to this period.
The institution of slavery it was believed by many of the revolutionary
fathers, would expire of itself at no distant time; but the value of
the cotton cultivated at the South, and the intimate relations that
slavery bore to the social life, made it profitable and agreeable to
that section, and they held to it with great tenacity. Meanwhile the
compromises of the Constitution grew more and more disagreeable to the
North. The requirement of that instrument—that persons held to service
in the South, and becoming fugitives in the North, should be returned
by them—was objected to on humane and religious grounds, and they found
slavery an industrial embarrassment. The enterprise and vigor of the
northern population gave their section a more rapid growth, and its
political power became continually greater.
But three ways of peacefully avoiding the conflict were open: the North
must fully carry out the spirit of concession that gave birth to the
Union, the South must consent, sooner or later, to abolish its peculiar
institutions, or they must agree to separate. Interest, habit, and the
aristocratic pride of the South forbade the second; while, in the North,
interest, religious sentiment, and the workingman’s pride as decidedly
forbade the first. The natural relation of the two sections, especially
by the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, so essential to the commercial
interests of the Western States: the improbability of maintaining
amicable intercourse, with slavery in the South, and fugitives from it to
produce constant irritation; the apparent probability that, if the right
of dissolution were conceded, the West, and the Pacific States would
follow this example; and the conviction that the true interests of the
whole country, internal and external, required an indissoluble Union,
inspired the majority of the northern people to resist disunion at every
cost. On the other hand, the South claimed the right to depart in peace.
Thus, war was inevitable; nor can it be correctly affirmed that any
party, or any generation, or either section of the Union, was properly
responsible for so lamentable a result. Each section, generation, and
party follows the line of its own interest, ideas, and habits. It is
a law of humanity, and each sees therein its duty and pleasure. While
interests do not clash very seriously, while ideas are not sharply and
clearly defined, and while habits are yet unsettled, compromises may be
readily effected. Humanity, taken together, in the most advanced society
heretofore known to men, is not yet capable of views so high, liberal,
and far-seeing as to free it from the possibility of such conflicts. It
will, however, reach that height, in the course of time.
We could not reasonably have expected either the North or the South to
have acted differently from what they did. While so gigantic a war was
an immense evil; to allow the right of peaceable secession would have
been ruin to the enterprise and thrift of the industrious laborer, and
keen-eyed business man of the North. It would have been the greatest
calamity of the age. War was less to be feared.
The Southerner, generous, warm blooded, accustomed to rule and make his
own will the law of others in his home, courageous and fiery, could not
give way. Besides secession would be less damaging to him. He would own
the outlets to much of Northern commerce, he had a bond of union of the
Southern States in the common institution of slavery, and a monopoly of
the world’s cotton that must soon secure profitable alliances in Europe.
Secession was commenced peaceably, and the Southern government fairly
consolidated before the trumpet sounded to battle. The Democratic party,
then in possession of the administration of the general government, had
long been in close relations with the South. It was impossible for it to
realize the momentous character of the crisis, or to help sympathizing
more or less with the views and feelings of the South; it was near the
close of its period of rule; and it left the active management of the
herculean difficulties of the situation to the incoming administration of
the Republican party. The whole country was quiet, failing, perhaps, as
well as the Democrats, to realize the significance of the events taking
place. It was a period of breathless waiting for what would come next.
The signal was given by the South. Fort Sumpter in South Carolina, a
national fort, was bombarded April 12th, 1861. It was an electric shock.
The North answered the summons by a note of defiance, and mustered for
war.
The South was better prepared, more alert, more accustomed to arms, and
secured, at first, many advantages. She also had the advantage of being
on the defensive when the contest became close. But, as the months ran
into years, the courage and iron resolution of the North did not falter.
She had the advantage of numbers, of the general government, of wealth,
and of naval force. Step by step she conquered, holding all she gained,
grew skillful and wise by defeat, and, April 8th, 1865, the main army
of the Confederates surrendered, and the war was over; the gallant
South succumbed to the plucky North. It was a predestined conclusion.
The free States were necessarily the strongest, and their strength was
supported and inspired by religious sentiment and enthusiasm. The Union,
so important to the world and to civil liberty, was preserved, but at
fearful cost.
Probably 500,000 lives were sacrificed altogether, on both sides; and
eight or nine billions of dollars. The desolation of the South, which had
been mainly the theater of these mighty conflicts; the extreme change
in pecuniary circumstances and social life there; the affliction, to
freemen, of the subjection, however mild and temperate, necessary under
the circumstances to be imposed, for the time, by the federal government;
the great loss of valuable life to both sides; the immense debt of the
government, with the unavoidable demoralization of certain parts of
society, everywhere, by the license of war, and many other evils form the
dark side of the picture.
Yet, nothing could outweigh the value of the Union especially when freed
from the discordant element that now disappeared. It must be long before
all wounds can be healed. When that time shall come both North and South
will be recompensed for all they have suffered.
1860.
Nov. 6—Four parties contested this election: the Republicans
voted for Abraham Lincoln—the Democrats for Stephen A.
Douglas and J. C. Breckenridge. The old Whigs or Peace party,
ignoring the dangerous political strife, voted for John Bell.
Lincoln was elected. A simple majority of electoral votes
would have been 157. He received 180.
” 7—News of Lincoln’s election received in South Carolina
with cheers for a Southern Confederacy.
” 9—An attempt made to seize the arms in Ft. Moultrie.
” 10—South Carolina Legislature propose to raise 10,000 men.
Election of convention to consider secession ordered.
Jas. Chester, U. S. Senator from South Carolina, resigned.
” 11—Senator Hammond, of South Carolina, resigned.
” 15—Governor Letcher, of Virginia, calls an extra session of
the Legislature.
” 18—Georgia Legislature appropriate $1,000,000 to arm the
State.
Major Anderson sent to Ft. Moultrie to relieve Col. Gardiner.
” 19—Gov. Moore calls an extra session of Louisiana
Legislature.
Dec. 1—Florida Legislature order the election of a convention.
Great secession meeting in Memphis, Tennessee.
” 3—Congress assembles. President Buchanan denies the right
of a State to secede, and asserts the propriety of coercion.
” 5—Election of secession delegates to South Carolina
Convention.
” 10—Howell Cobb, U. S. Sec. of Treasury, resigned; P. F.
Thomas, of Maryland, appointed in his place. Senator Clay, of
Ala., resigned. Louisiana Legislature orders the election of
a Convention, and appropriates $500,000 to arm the State.
” 13—Extra session of the Cabinet held to consider if
Ft. Moultrie shall be reinforced. President opposed, and
reinforcements not sent.
” 14—Gen. Lewis Cass, U. S. Sec. of State, resigns. J. S.
Black, of Pa., appointed.
” 17—South Carolina Convention assembles.
” 18—Crittenden Compromise proposed in U. S. Senate.
” 19—Gov. Hicks, of Maryland, refuses to receive Mississippi
Commissioners.
” 20—South Carolina Convention unanimously adopts a Secession
Ordinance.
” 22—Crittenden Compromise rejected in Senate Committee.
” 24—People of Pittsburg, Pa., stop shipment of military
stores, from the arsenal there, to Southern forts.
Gov. Moore calls extra session of Alabama Legislature.
Election to Alabama Convention; secession majority over
50,000.
South Carolina Members of U. S. House of Representatives
resign.
” 25—Maj. Anderson abandons Ft. Moultrie for Ft. Sumter,
Charleston Harbor. He has only 111 men.
South Carolina Commissioners arrive in Washington. President
Buchanan declines to receive them.
” 28—South Carolina authorities seize Castle Pinckney, Ft.
Moultrie, U. S. Custom-House, and other government property;
at Charleston.
” 29—John B. Floyd, U. S. Sec. of War, resigns. Joseph Holt,
of Ky., appointed.
” 31—South Carolina sends Commissioners to Slave States to
arrange the organization of a Southern Confederacy.
1861.
Jan. 2—Gov. Ellis, of North Carolina, takes possession of Ft.
Macon.
Georgia troops seize Fts. Pulaski and Jackson, and U. S.
Arsenal, at Savannah.
” 4—Gov. Moore, of Ala., seizes Ft. Morgan, and U. S. Arsenal
at Mobile.
Fast Day by proclamation of President.
” 7—State Conventions of Alabama and Mississippi, and State
Legislatures of Virginia and Tennessee assemble.
” 8—Jacob Thompson, U. S. Sec. of Interior, resigns. Fts.
Johnson and Caswell, North Carolina, seized by State
authorities.
” 9—U. S. steamer, Star of the West, fired on in Charleston
Harbor and driven away.
Mississippi Convention adopt Secession Ordinance. Vote 84 to
15.
” 10—Florida Convention secedes by vote of 62 to 7. Florida
authorities seize Ft. McRae.
” 11—Alabama secedes by vote in Convention of 61 to 39. P.
F. Thomas, U. S. Sec. of Treasury, resigns. John A. Dix
appointed. The Governor of Mississippi seizes Forts Philip
and Jackson, on the Mississippi river; Forts Pike and Macomb,
on Lake Pontchartrain; and U. S. Arsenal at Baton Rouge.
” 13—Florida takes possession of Pensacola Navy Yard and Ft.
Barrancas. Lieut. Slemmer, in command of Ft. Pickens, ordered
by Com. Armstrong to deliver the Fort to Florida, refuses,
and preserves that important post to the government of the
Union.
” 16—Legislature of Arkansas calls a Convention. Col. Hayne,
of South Carolina, demands of the President the surrender
of Ft. Sumter, and is refused. Missouri Legislature order a
convention to consider secession.
” 18—The Legislature of Virginia appropriate $1,000,000 for
the defense of the State.
” 19—Georgia adopts Secession Ordinance by vote of 208 to 89.
” 21—Members of Congress from Alabama resign.
” ”—Jefferson Davis resigns his seat in the U. S. Senate.
” 23—Georgia members of Congress resign.
” 24—U. S. Arsenal, Augusta, Geo., seized.
” 26—Louisiana Legislature passes Secession Ordinance. Vote
113 to 17.
” 29—Kansas, the thirty-fourth State, admitted into the Union.
” 30—North Carolina Legislature submits the question of
calling a Convention to the people.
” ”—Revenue cutters Cass, at Mobile, and McClelland, at New
Orleans, surrendered to Southern authorities.
Feb. 1—Texas Convention passes Secession Ordinance, to be
submitted to the people. Vote, 166 to 7. Louisiana government
seize the U. S. Mint and Custom House, at New Orleans.
” 4—Peace Convention of Delegates from eighteen States,
assembles at Washington; ex-President Tyler presides.
” ”—Delegates from seceded States meet at Montgomery, Ala.,
to organize a Confederate Government.
” ”—John Slidell and Judah P. Benjamin, U. S. Senators from
Louisiana, resign their seats.
” 9—Jefferson Davis and Alexander H. Stevens elected
provisional President and Vice-President of Confederate
States, for one year.
” 13—Electoral vote counted. Abraham Lincoln received 180
votes; S. A. Douglas, 12; J. C. Breckenridge, 72; John Bell,
39. Majority required to elect, 157.
” 18—Ft. Kearney, Kansas, seized by Southern forces.
” 23—Gen. Twiggs, U. S. commander in Texas, delivered
his army prisoners of war, and U. S. property valued at
$1,200,000 to Confederate authorities.
” 28—Territorial Government organized in Colorado.
Mar. 1—Gen. Twiggs expelled from the army. Peace Congress
adjourned.
” 2—Territorial government organized in Dacotah and Nevada.
” ”—Revenue cutter Dodge surrendered to the South, at
Galveston, Texas.
” 4—Abraham Lincoln inaugurated 14th regular President of the
United States.
” ”—The people of Texas having voted for the Secession
Ordinance by 40,000 majority, the Convention declared the
State out of the Union.
” 5—Gen. Beauregard takes command of Southern forces, at
Charleston.
” 6—Ft. Brown, on the Rio Grande, surrenders to Confederate
troops. Federal troops evacuated the fort and sailed for Key
West, Florida.
” ”—Confederate Senate confirm nominations of President Davis
to his Cabinet, viz.: R. Toombs, of Geo., Sec. of State; C.
S. Memminger, of South Carolina, Sec. of Treasury; L. P.
Walker, of Ala., Sec. of War; S. R. Mallory, of Fla., Sec.
of Navy; J. H. Reagan, of Texas, Postmaster Gen.; J. P.
Benjamin, of La., Attorney General.
” 11—The Constitution of Confederate States adopted in
convention at Montgomery, Ala.; afterwards ratified by the
several States.
” 28—Vote of Louisiana on secession—20,448 for, 17,926
against—made public.
” 30—Mississippi Convention ratifies the Confederate
Constitution, by 78 to 70.
Apr. 3—South Carolina Convention ratifies Confederate
Constitution, by 114 to 6.
Apr. 4—Virginia Convention refuse to present a Secession
Ordinance to the people, by a vote of 89 to 45.
” 7—Intercourse between Ft. Sumter and Charleston stopped by
order of Gen. Beauregard.
CHAPTER XXIV.
FIRST PHASE OF THE WAR.
Each side hesitated to strike the first blow; but the South, being
best prepared, and to end a suspense that threatened to be hurtful to
their cause, opened the conflict by the bombardment of Ft. Sumter.
Each now hastened preparations with vigor. Yet so long had been the
intimate, friendly relations, that neither could believe in a long,
deadly struggle. More than three months passed, during which frequent
skirmishes occurred; but the leaders avoided bringing on a general
battle. The Southern forces advanced toward Washington, but stopped short
of an attack, sending out small bodies to make trial efforts, and get
possession of important points.
The battle of Bull Run was the first great, serious combat. The brilliant
bravery of Southern troops would have been overcome but for an opportune
reinforcement at the decisive moment. The leaders did not feel it safe to
pursue the vanquished Federals to Washington. There was a large reserve
force there. Thus, if they won a battle they lost the object sought—the
capture of the national Capital—and the Union forces, though defeated,
gained the most important point—the protection of Washington.
Both sides now recognized the magnitude of the undertaking; the
indomitable resolution of their opponents; and the need of thoroughly
disciplining their troops, of organizing all branches of the military
and naval service, and gathering stores, and distributing forces in
accordance with the plan proposed by each.
This period continued until Feb., 1862. The U. S. Navy was increased from
42 vessels at the beginning of the war to about 300 at the close of this
preparatory period. These blockaded the South and served for transport
and attack. Two series of operations were planned by the U. S. government
for the land forces: one in the Mississippi Valley and one in Virginia.
In the meantime the Confederate leaders saw that it was impossible to
invade the North as they had proposed without long preparation and large
armies. They organized with speed but were thrown on the defensive.
1861.
Apr. 7—Steamer Atlantic, with troops and supplies for Ft.
Sumter, sailed from New York.
” 8—The Federal Government notified South Carolina that
provisions would be sent to Maj. Anderson, by force, if
necessary. U. S. State Department refused to recognize the
Commissioners from the Confederate States.
” 11—Troops are gathered in Washington, and oath of
allegiance administered. Confederate Commissioners leave
Washington.
Gen. Beauregard demands the surrender of Ft. Sumter. Maj.
Anderson refuses.
BOMBARDMENT OF FT. SUMTER.
” 12—This was the real commencement of the Civil War.
Batteries were constructed on Morris and Sullivan islands,
and Cumming’s Point. The Confederate forces employ Ft.
Moultrie, and a floating battery, in addition, against Ft.
Sumter.
The South Carolina Legislature appropriate $500,000 to arm
the State.
Ft. Pickens is reinforced by the U. S. government.
” 14—Fort Sumter was reduced to a mass of ruins, its fire
silenced, and Maj. Anderson capitulated with the honors of
war, and evacuated the fort, sailing for New York.
Gov. Yates, of Illinois, called an extra session of
Legislature to meet April 22.
” 15—The President issues a proclamation commanding all in
arms against the government to disperse in 20 days; calling
also for 75,000 volunteers to defend Washington; and the New
York Legislature authorizes the raising of $3,000,000 for
their equipment and support.
The President calls an extra session of Congress, for July 4.
” 16—The governors of Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, and
Missouri refuse to furnish troops, under the President’s
proclamation.
The Confederate government calls for 32,000 men.
” 17—The Virginia Convention, in secret session, adopt a
Secession Ordinance, to be submitted to the people in May.
The vote was 60 to 53.
Virginia forces sent to seize U. S. Arsenal at Harper’s
Ferry, and Gosport Navy Yard, at Portsmouth.
All the military power of the State of Virginia placed under
the control of President Davis.
Jefferson Davis issues a proclamation offering Letters of
Marque and Reprisal to privateers against Federal commerce.
” 18—U. S. Arsenal at Harper’s Ferry destroyed by Federal
troops, to prevent its falling into the hands of the enemy.
Col. Coke, with 400 of 25th Penn. regiment, arrives in
Washington for its defense.
” 19—U. S. steamer Star of the West seized at Indianola,
Texas.
Massachusetts troops on the way to Washington, attacked by a
mob in Baltimore. Troops fired on the mob. Blood shed on both
sides.
President issues a proclamation declaring the coast from
North Carolina to Texas in a state of blockade.
Military department of Washington covering Maryland,
Delaware, and Pennsylvania, put under command of Gen.
Patterson.
City Council of Philadelphia appropriate $1,000,000 to equip
volunteers, and support their families.
” 20—Governor of North Carolina seizes U. S. Branch Mint, at
Charlotte.
Bridges and railroads in Maryland destroyed by Secessionists,
to prevent passage of troops to Washington.
U. S. Navy Yard, at Gosport, and property worth $25,000,000,
destroyed by the Federals in charge, to prevent their falling
into the hands of the enemy. Eight vessels of war were
destroyed, and one, the Cumberland, was towed out.
Massachusetts troops arrive at Fortress Monroe.
Gov. Curtin calls special meeting of Penn. Legislature, for
April 30th.
” 21—Federal government takes possession of Philadelphia and
Baltimore railroad.
Senator Andrew Johnson mobbed at Lynchburg, Va.