friends of the administration viewed the causes of the depression of
business and the consequent distress, to be overaction in business,
arising from exclusive issues of bank paper, and other facilities for
the acquirement and enlargement of credit; the contraction of a large
foreign debt, investment in unproductive lands, and vast internal
improvements; and they naturally wished the separation of the
government from the banks, in which project they were for the present
disappointed. The opponents of the administration traced the causes of
the pecuniary difficulties of the country to the veto of the national
bank; the removal of the deposites, with the earnest injunction of the
secretary of the treasury upon the banks to enlarge their
accommodations; the gold bill and the demand of gold for the foreign
indemnities; the imperfect execution of the deposite law; and the
treasury order of July, 1836: and they naturally desired some
modification or counteraction of these measures by legislative
interference. Disappointment was felt among the mass of the people,
that the government had taken care of itself, while their plans must
be impeded, and the labors of industry go unrewarded.
_Issue of the Treasury Circular._--This was a communication from the
secretary of the treasury to the several collectors and receivers of
the public money, containing instructions in respect to the safe
keeping of the same. The instructions were as follows: "Congress
having adjourned without making any additional provisions for the
security and safe keeping of the public money, it is obvious that, in
the present state of the laws and of the banks, an unusual
responsibility devolves upon those who collect the revenues of the
general government. The president expects that exertions,
corresponding to the occasion, will cheerfully be made by every
officer, and that no effort will be spared to have all the laws, as
well as the regulations and instructions of the treasury department,
scrupulously enforced. Accuracy in your accounts, punctuality in your
returns, promptness in your deposites and payments, and entire
forbearance to use any part of the public funds for private purposes,
will, it is hoped, characterize the whole class of collecting offices
hereafter. In the present condition of things, if any departure should
unfortunately occur, it will be much regretted; and, however
unpleasant the task, an exemplary and severe notice of the
irregularity will become necessary, in order to secure the great
public interests involved in this subject. The duty on the part of
public officers to abstain from the employment of the public moneys
for private advantage, is so apparent, that no excuse whatever for it
can be deemed admissible."
_Continuance of the War in Florida._--The war in Florida continued to
be prosecuted during the administration of President Van Buren. Large
sums of money were expended in maintaining it. Three millions and a
half of dollars had been appropriated on its account, during the years
1836 and 1837, under General Jackson; and at the extra session in
October, 1837, one million and six hundred thousand dollars were
appropriated; and in 1838, the expenses for supporting the war in that
quarter against the Indians, amounted to as large a sum as in either
of the two preceding years. "When the difficulty arose with these
Indians, President Jackson supposed that it would be soon terminated.
And no one, at that time, had any reason to suppose it would continue
for years, and have cost the government eight or ten millions. Other
measures than those of force, would probably have terminated the
difficulty at an early period. It would certainly have saved many
valuable lives now lost to the country, and been far more satisfactory
to the friends of humanity throughout the Union."
_Internal Improvements._--During Mr. Van Buren's administration, large
sums were appropriated for internal improvements, although the
president was generally opposed to the policy. The expenditures were,
however, for purposes which the advocates of state rights, for the
most part, believed to be legitimate, such as repairs on the
Cumberland road and its continuance through the states of Indiana and
Illinois; for light-houses, life-boats, buoys, and monuments, in
behalf of the interests of navigation. In reference to these objects,
there was always far more agreement among the different parties in
congress, than in reference to any thing that seemed less essential to
the nation's benefit.
_Public Expenses._--The expenses of the government had been increasing
to a considerable extent, from year to year. During the year 1837 and
1838, they amounted to nearly thirty-two millions each. The number of
public agents was greatly multiplied, and the compensation for their
services was, in many cases, greatly increased. The federal officers
into whose hands moneys were placed, frequently appropriated them for
improper purposes, and thus loss ensued. Extra services were often
charged, through some pretext, and thus the compensation allowed by
law was largely exceeded. The public printing for congress, and for
the departments under the executive, occasioned a large and frequently
a needless expenditure, as it was found, in many cases, that the work
could have been performed at a far cheaper rate. Such was the tendency
of high party feeling towards an abuse of government patronage.
_Difficulties in the State of Maine._--The North-eastern boundary had
long been a source of difficulty between the United States and
England. The question had seemed on the eve of a decision by arms
between the British authorities in New Brunswick and the state of
Maine. Armed bands had been sent out on both sides to the territory in
dispute. General Scott had been sent to the scene of contention by the
president, and the affair, through the general's exertions, was, for
the time, quieted, yet not settled. The danger attending this state of
things, induced Mr. Van Buren, on the 26th of February, 1839, to
communicate to congress a message on this subject, which resulted in
an act of congress, giving the president additional power for the
defence of the country, in certain cases, against invasion, or any
attempt on the part of Great Britain to exercise exclusive
jurisdiction over the disputed territory.
He was authorized, in this event, to accept the services of any number
of volunteers, not exceeding fifty thousand. The sum of ten millions
was appropriated for the president to employ in executing the
provisions of this act. At the same time, an appropriation was made
for the sending of a special minister to England, should it be
expedient in the opinion of the president.
_The Border Troubles on the Northern Frontier._--The Canada rebellion,
so called, which broke out during the years 1837 and 1838, strongly
enlisted the sympathies of many of the Americans, especially in the
northern parts of the states of New York and Vermont. They viewed it
as the sacred cause of liberty and human rights. The consequence was,
that they assumed the name of _patriots_, and formed secret
associations, which they called Hunter's Lodges, with the object of
rendering assistance to the insurgents in their efforts to establish
independence in Canada.
"In the prosecution of this well-meant, but illegal interference in
the concerns of a foreign power, a daring party of adventurers took
possession of Navy island, a small spot of ground, containing about
three hundred and fifty acres, and situated in the Niagara river,
about two miles above the falls, and lying within the jurisdiction of
Upper Canada. It was fortified so strongly by the adventurers, as to
resist an attack upon it by Sir James Head, the commander of the
British forces. The president of the United States and the governor of
the state of New York both issued proclamations, enjoining upon the
inhabitants of the frontier to observe a strict neutrality.
"Notwithstanding these injunctions, arms and ammunition were procured,
either by purchase or by stealth, and kept for the use of the
insurgents. The party upon Navy island fired upon the opposite shore
of Canada, and boats were destroyed by the force of their shot. The
persons who were in possession of the island, amounting to seven
hundred, were fully supplied with provisions, and had collected twenty
pieces of cannon.
"These measures, on the part of the Americans, produced great
excitement among the provincial authorities in Canada. A small
steamboat, called the Caroline, was hired by the insurgents, to ply
between Navy Island and Schlosser, on the American shore, in order to
furnish the islanders with the means of carrying on the war. It began
to run on the morning of the 29th of December, and, during the evening
of that day, a detachment of one hundred and fifty armed men from the
Canada side, in five boats, with muffled oars, proceeded to Schlosser,
drove the men who were on board the Caroline ashore, cut her loose
from her fastenings to the wharf, and, setting the boat on fire, let
her float over the falls. In this enterprise, a man by the name of
Durfee was killed; and it is said that one or two more were left in
the steamboat when she went over the cataract."[78]
The Americans, in their turn, were greatly excited, and the threatened
serious consequences to the peace existing between our government and
that of Great Britain, were, with difficulty averted. The president,
however, by proclamation and other measures, succeeded, at length, in
checking the belligerent movements of our people on the frontier.
[Illustration: Burning of the Caroline.]
_Changes of Opinion among the People._--Although the president, during
his visit to his native state in the summer of 1839, for the first
time since his inauguration, was every where greeted with enthusiasm
by his political friends, and with great personal respect by his
opponents, yet it was evident that the political horizon wore a
different aspect from what it formerly had done. The derangement of
the currency and prostration of trade, attributed by many to the
mal-administration of government, had caused great political changes.
Of the representatives in the twenty-sixth congress, there were one
hundred and nineteen democrats and one hundred and eighteen whigs,
leaving out of view five representatives from New Jersey, whose seats
were contested. After several fierce debates, the democratic members
from this state were admitted.
Mr. Van Buren, in 1840, being a candidate for rëelection, failed to
carry the suffrages of the people. The great political changes, from
causes already intimated, as shown in the state elections, gave, at
the outset, but little hope of his success.
_Character of the Administration._--Mr. Van Buren's administration,
which closed on the 3rd of March, 1841, was an exciting one; and its
character, even at this day, cannot, in all respects, be properly
estimated. The verdict of posterity will be given with more justice than
that of the present generation, in respect to its real benefit to the
country. The great event of his administration, as has been remarked, by
which it "will hereafter be known and designated, is the divorce of bank
and state in the fiscal affairs of the federal government, and the
return, after half a century of deviation, to the original design of the
constitution." The caution, however, which history must necessarily
observe on this subject, is well exhibited in the following remarks:
"The full results of the peculiar and experimental policy of President
Jackson and President Van Buren, respecting banks and the currency, in
their influence on the condition of the country, for good or for evil,
for succeeding years, cannot be correctly estimated. The immediate
consequences were a general disturbance of the trade and monetary
affairs of the nation, and an unprecedented check to the accustomed
pursuits of a people so enterprising in their spirit, and so desirous
of improving their condition, as are the citizens of the United
States. The sub-treasury scheme also gave alarm to the friends of the
constitution generally, and to men of settled republican sentiments,
who perceived in it a deviation from the essential elements of liberty
recognized in the constitution, and a weakness of the responsibility
of public agents, who should always be controlled by the authority of
law. They knew that power was corrupting; that it was necessary to
impose checks on those who were clothed with political authority, and
to make them constantly amenable to their constituents. The
developments and effects of this fearful experiment, must be left for
narration to a distant day. The only just hope of the perpetuity and
future purity of the republic, rest on the intelligence and virtue of
the people, and on their wisdom in the choice of men for places of
public trust; who, like Washington, shall make the constitution their
guide, and, under the controlling influence of its doctrines and
requisitions, shall seek to preserve the integrity of the Union, and
the rights and welfare of individuals."
_Canvass for the Presidency._--Unusual efforts had been put forth in
the election of Mr. Van Buren's successor. Never before had greater
activity been manifested by the leading political parties of the
nation. The country had been convulsed with the strife for many
months. The whole political press had exerted its utmost influences on
the one side or the other, and that, in many instances, in the most
unscrupulous manner. Considerations of great interest and importance
were urged by the respective parties; much truth was uttered and
widely disseminated, but more falsehood and detraction. Popular
meetings--in numbers, character, and enthusiasm, never before
assembled on the American soil for this or any other purpose--were
held towards the conclusion of the political contest in every state,
and in almost every county. The most distinguished men in the nation
addressed thousands and tens of thousands, by night and by day. Said
an eminent statesman, on one occasion, "If, on the occurrence of our
presidential elections in future, our contests must be so severe, so
early begun, and so long continued, human nature will fail. The
energies of man are not equal to the conflict." The question, which
had been actually determined before, was _officially_ decided on the
10th of February, 1841, when the ceremony of counting and announcing
the votes of the electoral colleges for president and vice-president
took place. The result was as follows:
Key: A. W. H. Harrison, of Ohio.
B. M. Van Buren, of New York.
C. John Tyler, of Virginia.
D. R. M. Johnson, of Kentucky.
E. L. W. Tazewell, of Virginia.
F. James K. Polk, of Tennessee.
---------+-----------------+----------+-------------------
No. of | |PRESIDENT.| VICE-PRESIDENT.
Electors | STATES. |----------+-------------------
from each| | A. | B. | C. | D. | E. | F.
State. | | | | | | |
---------+-----------------+----+-----+----+----+----+----
10 | Maine, | 10 | | 10 | | |
7 | New Hampshire, | | 7 | | 7 | |
14 | Massachusetts, | 14 | | 14 | | |
4 | Rhode Island, | 4 | | 4 | | |
8 | Connecticut, | 8 | | 8 | | |
7 | Vermont, | 7 | | 7 | | |
42 | New York, | 42 | | 42 | | |
8 | New Jersey, | 8 | | 8 | | |
30 | Pennsylvania, | 30 | | 30 | | |
3 | Delaware, | 3 | | 3 | | |
10 | Maryland, | 10 | | 10 | | |
23 | Virginia, | | 23 | | 22 | | 1
15 | North Carolina, | 15 | | 15 | | |
11 | South Carolina, | | 11 | | | 11 |
11 | Georgia, | 11 | | 11 | | |
15 | Kentucky, | 15 | | 15 | | |
15 | Tennessee, | 15 | | 15 | | |
21 | Ohio, | 21 | | 21 | | |
5 | Lousiana, | 5 | | 5 | | |
4 | Mississippi, | 4 | | 4 | | |
9 | Indiana, | 9 | | 9 | | |
5 | Illinois, | | 5 | | 5 | |
7 | Alabama, | | 7 | | 7 | |
4 | Missouri, | | 4 | | 4 | |
3 | Arkansas, | | 3 | | 3 | |
3 | Michigan, | 3 | | 3 | | |
---------+-----------------+----+-----+----+----+----+----
294 | Whole No. of | | | | | |
| electors, | 234| 60 | 234| 48 | 11 | 1
| Majority, 148 | | | | | |
FOOTNOTE:
[78] Willard's History of the United States.
XIV. WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON, PRESIDENT.
[Illustration]
INAUGURATED AT WASHINGTON, MARCH 4, 1841.
JOHN TYLER, VICE-PRESIDENT.
HEADS OF THE DEPARTMENTS.
Daniel Webster, Massachusetts, March 5, 1841, Secretary of
State.
Thomas Ewing, Ohio, March 5, 1841, Secretary of
Treasury.
John Bell, Tennessee, March 5, 1841, Secretary of
War.
George E. Badger, North Carolina, March 5, 1841, Secretary of
the Navy.
Francis Granger, New York, March 6, 1841, Postmaster
General.
J. J. Crittenden, Kentucky, March 5, 1841, Attorney
General.
SPEAKERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
John White, Kentucky, Twenty-eighth Congress, 1841.
John W. Jones, Virginia, Twenty-ninth do. 1843.
The unwonted efforts put forth in the presidential canvass, had
prepared a majority of the people for an unusual exultation of feeling
on the accession of General Harrison; but, in the providence of God,
that exultation was destined to be transitory. Just one month from the
day of his inauguration, after a brief sickness, he died. The nation,
it may well be believed, was surprised by this most unexpected
calamity. It was difficult to conceive that the recent august
spectacle of his introduction into the highest office in the gift of
his countrymen, should be so nearly associated with his funeral
honors. The loss seemed severe, in proportion to the expectations that
had been indulged. A suitable commemoration of the distressing event
was observed throughout the United States, by public bodies, and
especially by Christian worshiping assemblies. Political opponents, in
many instances, were not slow to render homage to the memory of the
deceased president. There had been time for no particular development
of principles or course of policy, on the part of the administration.
The cabinet had been formed, and things were proceeding prosperously,
and the future was full of promises, when this bereavement came to
quench the hopes of millions.
This brief notice of a brief administration may be closed by an
extract from the circular issued by the members of the cabinet,
immediately after the president's decease, and which alludes to his
dying, as well as his living example: "The people of the United
States, overwhelmed, like ourselves, by an event so unexpected and so
melancholy, will derive consolation from knowing that his death was
calm and resigned, as his life had been patriotic, useful, and
distinguished; and that the last utterance of his lips expressed a
firm desire for the perpetuity of the constitution,[79] and the
preservation of its true principles. In death, as in life, the
happiness of his country was uppermost in his thoughts."
Upon the demise of General Harrison, Mr. Tyler, the vice-president, in
accordance with the provisions of the constitution, as they were
construed by himself, and were acquiesced in by the nation, became
president of the United States.
FOOTNOTE:
[79] His last words were, as if addressing his successor, "Sir, I wish
you to understand the principles of the government. I want them
carried out. I ask nothing more."
XV. JOHN TYLER, PRESIDENT.
[Illustration]
ASSUMED THE GOVERNMENT APRIL 4, 1841
[The cabinet of General Harrison continued in office under Mr. Tyler
till September, when they all resigned, excepting Mr. Webster, who
remained till the 8th of May, 1843, when the department of state was
temporarily filled by the attorney general, Hugh S. Legare.]
HEADS OF THE DEPARTMENTS.
Abel P. Upshur, Virginia, January 2, 1844,} Secretaries
John C. Calhoun, South Carolina, March 6, 1844,} of State.
Walter Forward, Pennsylvania, September 13, 1841,} Secretaries
John C. Spencer, New York, March 3, 1843,} of Treasury.
George M. Bibb, Kentucky, June 15, 1844,}
John C. Spencer, New York, December 20, 1841,} Secretaries
James M. Porter, Pennsylvania, March 8, 1843,} of War
William Wilkins, Pennsylvania, February 15, 1844,}
Abel P. Upshur, Virginia, September 13, 1841,}
David Henshaw, Massachusetts, July 24, 1843,} Secretaries
Thomas W. Gilmer, Virginia, February 15, 1844,} of the Navy.
John Y. Mason, Virginia, March 14, 1844,}
Charles A. Postmaster
Wickliffe, Kentucky, September 13, 1841, General
Hugh S. Legare, South Carolina, September 13, 1841,} Attorneys
John Nelson, Maryland, January 2, 1844,} General
John Y. Mason, Virginia, March 5, 1845,}
The bereavement which the nation had experienced, seemed to demand from
it a solemn recognition of the Divine Providence in the sad event.
Accordingly, Mr. Tyler very properly appointed a day of public
humiliation, fasting, and prayer, to be observed throughout the land, in
token of its sense of the Divine judgment, and, as a means of securing
the continuance of the Divine favor. This was well received, and the day
was religiously observed throughout our widely-extended country.
In the room of an inaugural address, President Tyler made an official
declaration, in a published document, of the principles and general
course of policy which he intended should mark his administration.
These, as summarily expressed, were generally satisfactory to his
political friends.
The principal measures and events of President Tyler's administration
will be noticed in the following order:
Extra Session of Congress, Annexation of Texas,
Relations with Great Britain, Character of Mr. Tyler's
Settlement of the N. E. Boundary, Administrat'n,
Difficulties in Rhode Island, Celebration of Bunker's hill
Modification of the Tariff, Monument,
Treaties, Presidential Canvass.
_Extra Session of Congress._--A few days before his death, General
Harrison had issued his proclamation for an extra session of congress,
to be held on the 31st of May, 1841, principally on account of the
condition of the revenue and finances of the country. These were
suffering, in consequence of the character of the events that had
taken place. The revenue was insufficient to support the government,
and the currency of the country was greatly disordered. Congress
assembled, in conformity to the proclamation, and engaged in the grave
and urgent business to which their attention had been called.
Several important acts were passed at this session, among which
were--the _establishment of a uniform system of bankruptcy_, a measure
which seemed imperiously required for the relief of more than half a
million of debtors, who otherwise had no prospect of paying their
debts--a bill providing for the _distribution of the net proceeds of the
public lands among the states_, according to their respective population
on the federal representative scale--also, the _repeal of the
sub-treasury law_, which had been adopted towards the close of Mr. Van
Buren's administration--and an act _imposing duties of twenty per cent.
on the value of all articles of import not expressly excepted therein_.
Congress, at this time, passed a bill having in view the establishment
of a national bank, which, however, Mr. Tyler saw fit to veto,
notwithstanding, in his first message, he had recommended a bank of
some kind. The bill, which the president set aside, chiefly, as he
alleged, from his doubts as to its accordance with the constitution,
contained, in the view of its framers, a compromise sufficient to
overcome his constitutional objections to a bank. But having, in his
veto-message, shadowed forth a fiscal agent, such as was believed he
might approve, a bill, in agreement therewith, was framed and adopted;
yet this also he vetoed; and there not being a constitutional majority
in its favor, it was lost. This was a result, in both cases,
sufficiently mortifying to the political party which had raised him to
power. To the friends of a national bank, the disappointment was
extreme. Great excitement prevailed, and all of Mr. Tyler's cabinet,
except Mr. Webster, resigned.
_Relations with Great Britain._--A communication was made to the
American government, on the part of that of Great Britain, as
announced by the president in his message of the 6th of December,
1841, respecting the destruction of the steamboat Caroline. That
affair, it was alleged, was undertaken by orders from the authorities
of the British government. Under this sanction, the release of
Alexander McLeod, a British subject, who had been indicted for the
murder of an American citizen, on that occasion, was demanded by the
English authorities. It happened, however, favorably for the peace of
the two countries, that McLeod had previously been tried in the state
of New York, and acquitted. The excitement and anxiety, among all
parties, had been intense during the trial, and the result was
awaited, with no little foreboding, on the part of the peaceably
disposed. It was now only left that the affair of the Caroline should,
in some way, be adjusted by negotiation.