defining and agreeing upon the North-eastern boundary of the United
States, took place in 1842. The treaty made with England on this
subject, was ratified by the senate on the 20th of August, of that
year. The proper boundary, between the United States and the British
possessions in that quarter, had long been a matter of serious
controversy and difficulty. The claims of either country conflicted
with those of the other--bitter feelings were engendered among the
inhabitants dwelling on the borders, and disturbances not unfrequently
took place between them, so that the peaceful relations of the two
powers were, to some extent, constantly endangered. It was fortunate
for the country, that Mr. Webster was still a member of the cabinet,
and brought the weight of his character and official station to bear
upon this question. It was also fortunate for England that she sent so
conciliating and able a negotiator as Lord Ashburton, to treat on the
subject. In the spirit of kindness and compromise, the matter was
discussed, and, at length, settled between them--the president, at the
same time cöoperating in endeavors to the same effect.
That the states of Maine and Massachusetts, who were interested in the
division to be made between the countries, might be satisfied, their
respective legislatures appointed several gentlemen as commissioners
on the occasion. The treaty was duly ratified on the part of both
powers, in the latter part of 1842, with the public proclamation of
the same by the president; and thus ended a harassing controversy of
fifty years' standing.
_Difficulties in Rhode Island._--From a state of things which existed
in Rhode Island at this time (1842), the most serious consequences
were feared, in respect to that commonwealth, if not to the Union at
large. In attempts to set aside the ancient charter of the state, the
mode of adopting a new constitution became a matter of controversy
among the people. A portion of them proceeded, in a manner
unauthorized by the laws of the state, in erecting the fabric of the
government. This portion of the citizens, called the "suffrage party,"
actually formed and adopted a constitution of their own, made choice
of Thomas W. Dorr as governor, and elected a legislature. This was
aside from the government which was already existing in the state.
That being administered regularly at the same time, and another
portion of the citizens, called the "law and order party," upholding
it; a conflict, as to authority, necessarily ensued between the two
parties. The law and order party had chosen their governor, Samuel W.
King, at the appointed period, and both parties met to transact the
business usually attended to at the meeting of legislative bodies.
"The legally organized party then took active measures to put down
what was denominated the rebellion. Great commotion ensued, and
several arrests were made. Dorr left the state, but soon returning,
his followers assembled under arms, and a bloody struggle appeared
inevitable. The insurgents, however, dispersed on the appearance of
the government forces, and Dorr, to avoid arrest, fled from the state.
"In June, however, the insurgents again made their appearance under
arms, and were joined by Dorr. The whole state was now placed under
martial law, and a large body of armed men was sent against the
insurgents, who dispersed without any effectual resistance. Dorr
again fled; but returning, after a few months, was arrested, tried
for treason, convicted, and sentenced to be imprisoned during life. In
the mean time, a constitution for the state had been adopted,
according to the prescribed forms of law. In June, 1845, Dorr was
released, although he had refused to accept a pardon on condition of
taking the oath of allegiance to the state government."
_Modification of the Tariff._--A well-regulated tariff was believed,
by many, to be the only measure by which the financial disorders and
stagnation in business, so characteristic of the times, could be
remedied. Accordingly, before the adjournment of the second session of
the twenty-seventh congress (August 31st, 1842), a bill modifying, in
some important particulars, the existing tariff, passed both houses of
congress, and received the signature of the president. The first bill
introduced and passed, was vetoed by Mr. Tyler; and, for a time, the
friends of the measure indulged in painful apprehensions as to the
final issue. An unwonted hostility had been manifested, on the part of
a powerful party, to any modification of the law on this subject, and
every step of its progress had been most earnestly and bitterly
contested. But the imperious necessity of the measure, the wants of
the national treasury, and the suffering condition of the various
branches of industry, induced congress to yield to the prejudices of
the executive. Accordingly, such alterations were made in the bill
vetoed as comported with the president's views, and it was returned
with his signature.
_Celebration of the Bunker's hill Monument._--"In June, 1843, was
celebrated, with great pomp and appropriate ceremonies, the completion
of the Bunker's hill monument. This great public work had met with
numerous delays; but, having at length received its topmost stone, the
17th of June, the anniversary of the battle, was assigned to celebrate
the event. The president and several members of his cabinet honored
the celebration. A multitude, of all classes, and from various parts
of the country, were present. An oration was pronounced by Mr. Webster
on the occasion. The pageant was grand and imposing, and calculated to
exalt, in the hearts of assembled thousands, the virtues and
patriotism of the men who had, in by-gone years, moistened the soil on
which the monument stands with their richest blood. A sad event,
however, followed fast upon the festivities of the day--this was the
sudden decease of Mr. Legare, the recently-appointed secretary of
state. He had followed the president to witness the celebration; but
sudden sickness fell upon him, and he died at his lodgings, in Boston,
on the morning after the celebration."
_Treaties._--The treaty with _Great Britain_, fixing a boundary line
between the United States and Canada, has already been elsewhere
mentioned. But in addition to that subject, the treaty at that time
formed also stipulated, that each nation should maintain on the coast
of Africa a naval force, of vessels sufficient to carry, in all, not
less than eighty guns; to be independent of each other, but to act in
concert for the suppression of the slave trade. By another article of
the treaty, it was stipulated that fugitives from justice, found in
either country, should be delivered up by the two governments
respectively, upon complaint, and upon what should be deemed
sufficient evidence to sustain the charge.
A treaty between the United States and the _Chinese Empire_, was
ratified by a unanimous vote of the senate, during the second session
of the twenty-eighth congress. The treaty was concluded by Caleb
Cushing and Tsying, on the 3d of July, 1844. It placed our relations
with China on a new footing, and under auspices highly favorable to
the commerce and other interests of this country.
Some months previous to this time, a treaty had been negotiated with
_Texas_, respecting the annexation of that republic, as a territory,
to the United States. The annunciation of such a treaty, was made to
congress in April, 1844, by a special message from the president, and
excited much surprise throughout the country, and awakened great
anxiety in the minds of those who were opposed to the measure. They
viewed it as involving an extension of slavery, and a probable war
with Mexico, as she still laid claim to Texas as a portion of her
rightful domain. The senate, however, rejected the treaty, and thus
frustrated Mr. Tyler's designs at that period.
_Joint Resolution for the Annexation of Texas._--The rejection of the
treaty with Texas, before mentioned, seemed not to discourage the
president from attempting the annexation of that country to the United
States, in violation, as many believed, of the constitution. According
to his wishes, and it is supposed at his suggestion, a joint
resolution[80] for annexation was introduced into congress, and passed
the house of representatives, January 23d, 1845, by a vote of one
hundred and eighteen to one hundred and one. In the senate, the
resolution underwent several important amendments, particularly one by
Mr. Walker, involving the alternative of negotiation at the option of
the president, which, having been concurred in by the house, received
the sanction of the executive, and thus the way was prepared for the
annexation of the country in question.
"As these measures, in regard to the admission of Texas, were adopted at
the close of the session of congress, it was expected that Mr. Tyler
would leave it to his successor to consummate the wishes of congress,
and it was also understood that Mr. Polk had determined to negotiate a
treaty with Texas, under the alternative offered by Mr. Walker's
amendment. President Tyler, however, determined to forestall the action
of his successor, and hence dispatched an express to communicate to
Texas, that he had decided to invite Texas into the Union, under the
provisions of the resolutions as they passed the house of
representatives, without the exercise of farther treaty-making power."
_Character of Mr. Tyler's Administration._--"Of the character of Mr.
Tyler's administration, and his personal relations thereto, it is yet
too early to speak. His independent course in vetoing the bank bills
and other measures, greatly exasperated the party who had elevated him
to office, and he was denounced as a traitor; while his equally
independent course in opposing General Jackson in his measures against
the United States' bank, and also his alliance with the whigs during
Mr. Van Buren's administration, denied him the confidence of the
democrats. He himself said, 'I appeal from the vituperation of the
present day to the pen of impartial history, in the full confidence
that neither my motives nor my acts will bear the interpretation which
has, for sinister purposes, been placed upon them.' As an executive of
the people's will, he exhibited all the necessary vigor of a chief
magistrate. 'Nor is it to be denied,' says one of his political
opponents, 'that the foreign relations of the United States were ably
managed during his presidential term, and that he generally surrounded
himself with able counsellors in his cabinet.'"
_Presidential Canvass._--Mr. Tyler's presidential term expired on the
4th of March, 1845, and he was not rëelected, nor indeed was he a
candidate for rëelection, except for a short period. The candidates of
the two great political parties were now Henry Clay, of Kentucky, and
James K. Polk, of Tennessee. These had been nominated by the
respective conventions of the parties, which had assembled in the city
of Baltimore, one on the 1st, and the other on the 17th of May, 1844.
The strife and the efforts of the adherents of the respective
candidates were eager and persevering. The issue, for some time,
appeared to be doubtful; but the close of the canvass showed that the
democratic nominee had been elected.
The following table exhibits the result of the official count in the
presence of both houses of congress, February 12th:
Key: A. James K. Polk, of Tennessee.
B. Henry Clay, of Kentucky.
C. Geo. M. Dallas, of Pennsylv'a.
D. T. Frelinghuysen, of N. Jersey.
---------+-----------------+----------+---------------
No. of | |PRESIDENT.|VICE-PRESIDENT.
Electors | STATES. |----------+---------------
from each| | A. | B. | C. | D.
State. | | | | |
---------+-----------------+----+-----+-------+-------
9 | Maine, | 9 | | 9 |
6 | New Hampshire, | 6 | | 6 |
12 | Massachusetts, | | 12 | | 12
4 | Rhode Island, | | 4 | | 4
6 | Connecticut, | | 6 | | 6
6 | Vermont, | | 6 | | 6
36 | New York, | 36 | | 36 |
7 | New Jersey, | | 7 | | 7
26 | Pennsylvania, | 26 | | 26 |
3 | Delaware, | | 3 | | 3
8 | Maryland, | | 8 | | 8
17 | Virginia, | 17 | | 17 |
11 | North Carolina, | | 11 | | 11
9 | South Carolina, | 9 | | 9 |
10 | Georgia, | 10 | | 10 |
12 | Kentucky, | | 12 | | 12
13 | Tennessee, | | 13 | | 13
23 | Ohio, | | 23 | | 23
6 | Lousiana, | 6 | | 6 |
6 | Mississippi, | 6 | | 6 |
12 | Indiana, | 12 | | 12 |
9 | Illinois, | 9 | | 9 |
9 | Alabama, | 9 | | 9 |
7 | Missouri, | 7 | | 7 |
3 | Arkansas, | 3 | | 3 |
5 | Michigan, | 5 | | 5 |
---------+-----------------+----+-----+-------+-------
275 | Whole No. of | | | |
| electors, |170 | 105 | 170 | 105
| Majority, 138 | | | |
FOOTNOTE:
[80] To this resolution there were three conditions--the 1st was, that
Texas should adopt a constitution, and lay it before congress on or
before the 1st day of January, 1846. 2. That all mines, minerals,
fortifications, arms, navy, &c., should be ceded to the United States.
3. That new states might hereafter be formed out of the said
territory. The amendment of Mr. Walker allowed the president of the
United States, instead of proceeding to submit the foregoing
resolutions to the republic of Texas, as an overture on the part of
the United States for admission, to negotiate with that republic.
XVI. JAMES K. POLK, PRESIDENT.
[Illustration: J.K. POLK.]
INAUGURATED AT WASHINGTON, MARCH 4, 1845.
GEORGE M. DALLAS, VICE-PRESIDENT.
HEADS OF THE DEPARTMENTS.
James Buchanan, Pennsylvania, March 5, 1845, Secretary
of State.
Robert J. Walker, Mississippi, March 5, 1845, Secretary
of Treasury.
William L. Marcy, New York, March 5, 1845, Secretary
of War.
George Bancroft, Massachusetts, March 10, 1845,} Secretaries
John Y. Mason, Virginia, September 9, 1846,} of the Navy.
Cave Johnson, Tennessee, March 5, 1845, Postmaster
General.
John Y. Mason, Virginia, March 5, 1845,} Attorneys
Nathan Clifford, Maine, December 23, 1846,} General.
Isaac Toucey, Connecticut, June 21, 1848,}
SPEAKERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
John W. Davis, Indiana, Twenty-ninth Congress, 1845.
Robert C. Winthrop, Massachusetts, Thirtieth do. 1847.
The election of Mr. Polk to the presidency was not very strongly
anticipated by the democratic party; for besides the great popularity
of his rival, Mr. Clay, he had received the nomination of the
Baltimore Convention, held in May of the previous year, not as the
first choice of that body, but because of its inability to harmonize
on another candidate. Before the meeting of the convention, Mr. Van
Buren was expected to be the prominent candidate; but his avowed
opposition to the annexation of Texas, added to other sources of
dissatisfaction, induced the convention to abandon him, and to select
a candidate in the person of James K. Polk, whose political views were
supposed to be more in accordance with those of the democratic party,
especially at the South. During the first seven ballotings of the
convention, Mr. Polk did not receive a single vote; on the eighth
balloting, but forty-four; while on the ninth, he received every vote
of the convention, amounting to two hundred and sixty-six in number.
On the occurrence of the election, despite the efforts which were made
in favor of the whig candidate, he was elected by a strong majority.
On the occasion of his induction into office, Mr. Polk, following usage,
delivered an address, explanatory of the principles which would guide
him in the administration of the government. These were so nearly
identical with those expressed by his predecessors, that we deem it
unnecessary to detail them. It may be stated, however, that he expressed
himself opposed to a national bank--to a tariff for protection only; but
was strongly in favor of the annexation of Texas, and was satisfied of
our "clear and unquestionable title to Oregon." In official action, he
pledged himself to administer the government for the whole people,
irrespective of the party by which he was elected.
The events and measures which signalized the administration of Mr.
Polk were--
Decease of General Jackson, Battle of Buena Vista,
Admission of Texas, Capture of Vera Cruz,
Division of Oregon, Cerro Gordo,
Mexican War, Progress of the Army,
Siege of Fort Brown, Occupation of Mexico,
Battle of Palo Alto, Treaty,
Battle of Resaca de la Palma, California and its Gold,
Fall of Monterey, Election of General Taylor.
_Decease of General Jackson._--A short time previous to the
termination of his presidential career, General Jackson was attacked
with a severe hemorrhage of the lungs. He recovered, however,
sufficiently to be present at the inauguration of his successor. On
his arrival at the Hermitage, he was weak and infirm; but relaxation
from arduous duties, added to the attention of friends, at length
restored him to comparative health. His lungs, however, were from this
time feeble, if not positively diseased.
But, for several months prior to his decease, his health became
visibly worse. He was constantly cheered, however, by the visits of
his old and attached personal friends; and the consolations of
religion were a never-failing solace to his heart.
"General Jackson continued to grow more feeble until the 8th day of
June, 1845. Early in the morning of that day he swooned, and, for some
time, was supposed to be dead. On reviving from the swoon, he became
conscious that the spark of life was nearly extinguished, and,
expecting to die before another sun would set, he sent for his family
and connections to come and receive his dying benediction. His
remarks, it is said, were full of affection and Christian resignation.
His mind retained its vigor to the last, and his dying moments, even
more than his earlier years, exhibited its highest intellectual light.
His death took place on the evening of the 8th of June, in the
seventy-ninth year of his age. By his request, Dr. Edgar, of the
Presbyterian church, preached his funeral sermon."[81]
General Jackson was, doubtless, no ordinary man. For many years, he
occupied a prominent place in the affairs of his country. Whatever may
have been thought of the wisdom or constitutionality of some of his
measures, all united in awarding to him the merit of honesty, and a
true desire to promote the welfare of the nation. That he was ardent,
sometimes rash, and withal precipitate in his measures, and then
determined, may be admitted, without any meditated wrong to his
reputation. But when death laid him in the grave, political
differences were forgotten, and political opponents united in paying a
high and well-merited tribute to his memory.
_Admission of Texas._--We have already had occasion to refer (p. 721)
to the joint-resolution of congress, of the 23d of January, 1845, for
the annexation of Texas to the United States. The conditions
prescribed by that resolution were subsequently accepted by Texas,
and, in his first annual message to congress, Mr. Polk informed that
body that nothing remained to consummate that annexation but the
passage of an act by congress, admitting her into the Union upon an
equal footing with the original states.
To such a strange and summary process of admitting states, there were
loud and strong remonstrances. The unconstitutionality of the measure
was urged; but more, the probable increased disturbance of our
relations with Mexico, which still claimed the jurisdiction, whether
justly or not, over a considerable part of the territory. Besides, it
was contended that the direct effect would be to extend the
oppressions and curses of slavery.
Neither argument nor remonstrance, however, served to induce the
president or his supporters to pause. They pretended to foresee great
and signal blessings as the necessary result of thus extending the
free institutions of the United States. And, accordingly, it was, upon
the recommendation of the president, resolved by congress to admit
Texas upon an equal footing with the original states. And the grant
was made to her, which had not before been made since the adoption of
the federal constitution, to allow her two representatives, while her
population was insufficient to entitle her to one, except under the
specific provision of the constitution, that each state shall have, at
least, one representative.
In consequence of these measures, in relation to Texas, by the
American government, and at an early stage of them, the Mexican
minister demanded his passports; and, at a subsequent date, the
American minister, Mr. Slidell, was refused a reception and
recognition, as such, by the Mexican government. Thus, as had been
predicted by the opposers of annexation, a serious misunderstanding,
which already existed between the United States and Mexico, in
relation to the conduct of the latter touching other matters, was
rendered still more serious, and was rapidly tending, it was plainly
perceptible, to open hostilities between the two powers.
While such was the position of our relations with Mexico--the horizon
becoming daily more obscure, and clouds, portentous of evil, were
rising higher and higher--a single act of the president precipitated
the war which many had predicted, but which all saw reason to deplore.
This was an order issued to General Taylor to break up his encampment
at Corpus Christi, and, passing the Neuces, to concentrate his forces
on the left bank of the Rio del Norte.
_Division of Oregon._--Prior to the introduction of Mr. Polk into
office, several attempts had been made by the governments of the
United States and Great Britain to settle, by negotiations, questions
in dispute between them, as to the proprietorship and occupation of
Oregon--all of which had failed. These negotiations were conducted at
London, in the years 1818, 1824, and 1826; the first two, under the
administration of Mr. Monroe; the last, under that of Mr. Adams. The
negotiations of 1818 having failed to accomplish its object, it was
agreed, October 20th of that year, that, to the citizens of each
nation, the harbors, bays, &c., should be open for ten years. The
negotiations of 1824, left this agreement untouched, as did those of
1826; but, August 6th, 1827, it was further agreed, that it should be
competent for either party, after October 20th, 1828, to annul this
convention, by giving to the other twelve months' notice.
Subsequently, negotiations were resumed. In 1844, the British
plenipotentiaries offered to divide the Oregon territory by the
forty-ninth parallel of latitude, leaving the navigation of Columbia
river free to both nations. This proposition was immediately rejected
by the American minister; whereupon, he was invited by the British
minister to make a proposition in return.
At this stage of the negotiation, Mr. Polk took the presidential
chair; and, anxious to settle the question, he made the same offer
which had been made by the British minister, excepting the free
navigation of the Columbia river. This proposition being unacceptable,
further negotiations terminated.
On the meeting of congress, in December, 1845, the president recommended
that the notice required by the convention of August, 1827, should be
given to Great Britain, which, at the expiration of a year, would bring
the question to an issue. The subject, thus brought to the notice of
congress, excited the highest possible interest. The friends of the
executive, and perhaps others, were strongly in favor of giving the
required notice, while serious apprehensions were entertained by many,
that the _practical_ effect of such a measure would be a war between the
two nations. At length, the question was settled by the adoption of a
resolution in accordance with the executive recommendation. In the
house, the vote on the resolution was one hundred and forty-two to
forty-six; in the senate, forty-two to ten.
The official notice, thus directed, was given by the president to her
majesty Queen Victoria, on the 28th of April, 1846. Before the
delivery of this notice, however, the British minister at Washington
had received instructions to submit to the American government a new
and further proposition for a partition of the territory in dispute.