flag of the United States floated over the walls of Vera Cruz and the
castle of San Juan d'Ulloa. The regular siege of the city had continued
from the day of _investment_, the 12th of March, to the day the articles
of capitulation were signed, the 27th; making a period of _fifteen
days_, in which active, continuous, vigorous operations were carried
on. During this time, our army had thrown three thousand ten-inch
shells, two hundred howitzer shells, one thousand Paixhan shot, and two
thousand five hundred round shot, weighing, in the whole, about _half a
million pounds_! Most effective and most terrible was the disaster and
destruction they caused within the walls of the city, whose ruins and
whose mourning attested both the energy and the sadness of war.
[Illustration: The American Army in Vera Cruz.]
The surrender of the city almost necessarily led to the surrender of the
castle. By the terms of capitulation, five thousand prisoners were
surrendered on parole, and nearly five hundred pieces of fine artillery
were taken. The number of killed and wounded, on the American side, was
comparatively small. The principal officers killed were Captains
Alburtis and Vinton. The destruction of life fell heavily upon the
Mexicans, and especially upon the citizens of Vera Cruz, many of whose
females and children found their death from shells falling and bursting
in the city. This, however painful it was, was unavoidable, inasmuch as
many, who had ample time to leave the city before the bombardment
commenced, failed to take advantage of that opportunity.
The fall of Vera Cruz and its neighboring fortress was the result of
cool and determined bravery, but more, perhaps, of scientific skill
and wise calculation. The castle had long been considered impregnable,
and, by many, its reduction was deemed little short of presumption.
_Cerro Gordo._--The victories of Palo Alto, Monterey, and Buena Vista,
under General Taylor, followed, as they were, by the capture of Vera
Cruz, and the fall of that Mexican Gibraltar, San Juan d'Ulloa, although
terribly disastrous to the Mexicans, had not served to conquer them.
Nothing short of the loss of their capital, it was apparent, could
subdue them; and the occupation of that now became the one great and
controlling object of the commander-in-chief. Preparations were
accordingly made to march upon the city of Mexico, by the way of Jalapa,
Perote, and Puebla, a distance of about three hundred miles.
On the 12th of April, the American army had reached the neighborhood
of Cerro Gordo, a mountain-pass, sixty miles from Vera Cruz. Here
Santa Anna had collected about fifteen thousand men, and had made
every possible preparation to resist the progress of the Americans. He
had fortified several eminences, formidable by nature, but now still
more formidable by the batteries, which he had planted.
Perceiving that a front attack of these works would be hazardous in
the extreme, General Scott directed a road to be opened around Cerro
Gordo, which would enable the army to ascend the mountain, and gain
the rear of the Mexican works. This was a masterly movement--the work
of indescribable toil; but when accomplished, it was apparent to the
Mexicans that their fate was sealed. The consequence was, that one
position after another was obliged to yield, until, at length, but one
remained--the fortress of Cerro Gordo, the highest and most
formidable. The storming of this was intrusted to Colonel Harney,
supported from various points by Twiggs, Shields, and Pillow. It was a
desperate enterprise, but at length it was accomplished. Sergeant
Henry had the honor of hauling down the national standard of Mexico.
Of the gallant conduct of Colonel Harney, General Scott was an
immediate witness. When all was effected, approaching the colonel,
between whom and himself there had been some coolness, he thus
addressed him: "Colonel Harney, I cannot adequately express my
admiration of your gallant achievement, but, at the proper time, I
shall take great pleasure in thanking you in proper terms."
[Illustration: Colonel Harney at Cerro Gordo.]
The result of the victory was, three thousand prisoners; forty-three
pieces of brass artillery, manufactured at Seville; five thousand
stands of arms; and the five Generals Penson, Jarrero, La Vega,
Noriega, and Obando.
Meanwhile, the Mexican commander-in-chief addressed himself to his own
personal safety. In company with Generals Canalizo and Almonte, and
some six thousand men, he made his escape. But he was so hotly
pursued, that he was obliged to leave his carriage, and mount a mule
which was attached to it. Nor was there time to unharness the animal,
but he was detached by summarily cutting the harness. The carriage was
of course abandoned; and in it, or near it, was found Santa Anna's
cork leg, which, in the haste of the moment, had fallen off; and to
restore which there was now no time. And still more, his dinner, which
had been prepared, was discovered in his carriage uneaten; and which,
after the pursuit was ended, served as a grateful repast to the
several hungry and weary American officers.
_Progress of the Army._--Baffled in his attempt to arrest the march of
the American army, Santa Anna had no other course but to retreat, as
we have related. The way was now open to the American troops, who
advanced upon Perote; which having garrisoned, they proceeded to the
ancient city of Puebla, in the Spanish tongue _Puebla de los Angelos_,
the city of angels. Here, for several weeks, the army rested, waiting
for rëinforcements, the troops being deemed entirely inadequate for so
formidable an undertaking as that of marching on the capital. At
length, the anticipated forces having arrived, preparations were made
to advance. On the 6th of August, 1847, the army consisted as follows:
Scott's force at Puebla, 7,000
Cadwallader's brigade, 1,400
Pillow's brigade, 1,800
Pierce's corps brigade, 2,409
Garrison at Puebla, under Colonel Childs, 1,400
------
Total arrived at Puebla, 14,009
Deduct from this the garrison at Puebla, including sick, 3,261
------
Total marched from Puebla, 10,748
This army was arranged in four divisions, with a cavalry brigade. This
brigade was under the command of Colonel Harney. General Worth
commanded the first division; General Twiggs the second; General
Pillow the third; and General Quitman the fourth.
[Illustration: Battle of Churubusco.]
At length, on the 7th of August, the second division, under General
Twiggs, commenced its march, followed on the 8th, 9th, and 10th, by the
other divisions. No opposing foe impeded their progress. On the 17th,
the army was concentrated at San Augustine, about ten miles south of
Mexico, on the Acapulco road leading to the city. From this point, the
Americans were destined to meet with the most formidable resistance.
Every possible preparation had been made by Santa Anna to prevent their
access to and occupation of the city. On the 20th, the drama opened,
and, on that day, several distinct and severe engagements occurred
between the Mexicans and the several divisions of the American army, the
principal of which were the battles of _Contreras_ and _Churubusco_. In
these engagements, thirty-two thousand Mexicans were engaged, and were
defeated, and even routed. Three thousand prisoners were made,
including eight generals and two hundred and five other officers. Four
thousand, of all ranks, were killed and wounded; thirty-seven
field-pieces captured, besides large stores of ammunition. An easy
access to the city now presented itself, and, but for a single
circumstance, the victorious Americans would doubtless have occupied it
that same evening, or early on the ensuing morning.
Some time previously, the president of the United States, desirous of
ending the war, had deputed a commissioner, Nicholas P. Trist, Esq.,
to proceed from Washington to Mexico, there, if possible, to effect a
treaty with that government. The present was deemed a fit moment, ere
the victors entered the city; and, in order to avoid a forcible entry,
to propose an adjustment of difficulties. Accordingly, the
commander-in-chief decided to pause, and await the action of its
councils. On the 21st, an armistice was agreed upon. This was followed
by consultations between Mr. Trist and Mexican commissioners, in
relation to the terms of peace. These, however, failed; and
infractions of the armistice having occurred, the conflict was
resumed. On the 8th, the two armies were engaged in a severe action at
_Molinos del Rey_. In this action, Santa Anna commanded in person. It
continued two hours, and was attended with great loss on both sides,
but resulted in the triumph of the American arms.
[Illustration: STORMING OF CHEPULTEPEC.]
There remained yet one formidable obstacle to the entrance of the
city. This was the fortress of _Chepultepec_--a natural and isolated
mount of great elevation, strongly fortified at its base and on its
acclivities and heights. On the morning of the 12th, the bombardment
and cannonade of this fortress was commenced, and was continued on the
13th. The Mexicans resisted with stubborn obstinacy, and, at length,
yielded only by dire necessity. The officer who had the honor of
striking the Mexican flag from the walls, and planting the American
standard, was Major Seymour, of the New England regiment, soon after
he had succeeded the gallant Colonel Ransom, who fell while leading
his troops up the heights of Chepultepec.
Such was their position on the night of the 13th. On the following
day, the victorious army entered the ancient and still proud, but now
subjugated city of the Aztecs--a place celebrated for its wealth and
magnificence--for its public squares and public palaces--its churches
and other beautiful structures--from the very discovery of the
country. At the capture of Mexico, the effective force of General
Scott did not exceed six thousand.
[Illustration: The Army crossing the National Bridge near Cerro
Gordo.]
_Treaty._--The occupation of Mexico, by the American army, essentially
terminated the war. A few other engagements, between detachments of
the armies, occurred at subsequent dates; but the fate of the capital
crushed the hopes and paralyzed the efforts of the Mexicans. In this
posture of affairs, Mr. Trist renewed his proposal for a treaty
between the two republics. At length, this desirable object was
effected, and "a treaty of peace, friendship, and settlement," was
signed at Guadalupe Hidalgo. On its being submitted to the senate of
the United States by the president, a long and exciting debate ensued.
But, at length, after important amendments, it was ratified by a
constitutional majority. To facilitate its ratification by the Mexican
government, and to explain the modifications which it had undergone,
the Hon. Mr. Sevier and Hon. Nathan Clifford were dispatched to
Mexico. On their arrival at the city of Querataro, on the 25th of May,
they found that the house of deputies had already sanctioned the
treaty, and, on that day, it was adopted by the Mexican senate by a
vote of thirty-three to five.
By this treaty, Upper California and New Mexico were ceded to the
United States. The latter paying to the former fifteen millions of
dollars, in four annual instalments, and assuming such debts as were
due by Mexico to American citizens, not exceeding three millions and a
quarter of dollars.
[Illustration: Californians.]
_California and its Gold._--The territories of New Mexico and Upper
California, were known at the time of their cession to be sufficiently
large for a great empire. But, by many, they were considered of
comparatively little value to the United States, excepting the bay of
San Francisco, on the Pacific, as a place of harbor for our ships. But,
since their acquisition, California has become, from its mineral wealth,
especially its gold, an object of great interest and attraction. The
whole civilized world has been astonished by the reports which have been
put in circulation respecting its golden treasures, and thousands upon
thousands have set forth for this western El Dorado.
California is separated into two divisions by a range of mountains,
called the Sierra Nevada, or Snowy Mountains, which stretches along
the coast at the general distance of one hundred and fifty miles from
it. West of this range are the valleys of San Joaquin and the
Sacramento, which are watered by rivers of the same name. They rise at
opposite ends of these valleys, and at length meet and enter the bay
of Francisco together. The greatest point of interest in this
newly-acquired territory, is the valley of the Sacramento, which is
distinguished by its gold deposites or "_placers_," as they are
called. The recent discovery of the existence of gold in this region
was accidental. In enlarging the race-way of a water-wheel, connected
with a saw-mill just erected by a Mr. Marshall for Captain Sutter, by
letting in a strong current of water, a considerable quantity of earth
was carried to the foot of the race. Not long after, Mr. Marshall
discovered some glittering particles in this earth, which, on further
inspection, proved to be virgin gold. Further explorations ensued, and
deposites have been found to exist in various portions of this valley
for several hundred miles.
_Election of General Taylor._--The administration of Mr. Polk was
signalized by many interesting and important events. Yet, it cannot be
said to have been popular, even with the party to which he owed his
elevation. Towards the close of his term, few, if any, seriously
advocated his rëelection. At a democratic convention, held in
Baltimore May 21st, 1848, Lewis Cass, of Michigan, was nominated for
the presidency, and General W. O. Butler, of Kentucky, for the
vice-presidency. The candidates proposed by a whig convention held at
Philadelphia, June 7th, were General Zachary Taylor, of Louisiana, and
Millard Fillmore, of New York. Subsequently, a free-soil convention
assembled at Utica, and nominated Martin Van Buren. The votes of the
several electoral colleges resulted as follows:
Key: A. Zachary Taylor, of Louisiana.
B. Lewis Cass, of Michigan.
C. Millard Filmore, of New York.
D. Wm. O. Butler, of Kentucky.
---------+-----------------+----------+---------------
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 | |
6 | Lousiana, | 6 | | 6 | 6
6 | Mississippi, | | 6 | |
12 | Indiana, | | 12 | |
9 | Illinois, | | 9 | |
9 | Alabama, | | 9 | |
7 | Missouri, | | 7 | |
3 | Arkansas, | | 3 | |
5 | Michigan, | | 5 | |
3 | Florida, | 3 | | 3 | 3
4 | Texas, | | 4 | |
4 | Iowa, | | 4 | |
4 | Wisconsin, | | 4 | |
---------+-----------------+----+-----+-------+-------
290 | Whole No. of | | | |
| electors, |163 | 127 | 163 | 127
| Majority, 146 | | | |
FOOTNOTE:
[81] Life of Andrew Jackson, by John S. Jenkins.
XVII. ZACHARY TAYLOR, PRESIDENT.
[Illustration]
INAUGURATED AT WASHINGTON, MARCH 5, 1849.
MILLARD FILLMORE, VICE-PRESIDENT.
HEADS OF THE DEPARTMENTS.
John M. Clayton, Delaware, March 6, 1849, Secretary of
State.
William M. Meredith, Pennsylvania, March 6, 1849, Secretary of
the Treasury.
Thomas Ewing, Ohio, March 6, 1849, Sec'ry of Home
Department.[82]
George W. Crawford, Georgia, March 6, 1849, Secretary of
War.
William B. Preston, Virginia, March 6, 1849, Secretary of
the Navy.
Jacob Collamar, Vermont, March 6, 1849, Postmaster
General.
Reverdy Johnson, Maryland, March 6, 1849, Attorney
General.
It was an occasion of great rejoicing on Monday, the 5th of March,
when the hero of Buena Vista stood on that spot at the eastern portico
of the national capitol, where had stood Jefferson, Madison, and
others, and baring his head, took the oath prescribed, to support the
constitution, which was administered to him by Chief Justice Taney.
The inaugural address of General Taylor, like all his official
communications to government while in the field, was brief--shorter
than any similar address by any other president, except Mr. Madison's.
To a majority of the people, it proved quite satisfactory, and even in
England was pronounced an eloquent production. Previous to his
election, General Taylor had declined all pledges, excepting the
assurance to the nation, that he would never be the president of a
party, but should endeavor, if elected, to bring back the government
to the spirit of the constitution, as understood and administered by
Washington. Other pledges than this, he now declined, standing, as he
did, before God and the nation; but this pledge he was ready to renew.
"In the discharge of these duties," said he, "my guide will be the
constitution, which I this day swear to 'preserve, protect, and
defend.' For the interpretation of that instrument, I shall look to
the decisions of the judicial tribunals established by its authority,
and to the practice of the government under the earliest presidents,
who had so large a share in its formation.
"Chosen by the body of the people, under the assurance that my
administration would be devoted to the welfare of the whole country,
and not to the support of any particular section or merely local
interests, I, this day, renew the declarations I have heretofore made,
and proclaim my fixed determination to maintain, to the extent of my
ability, the government in its original purity, and to adopt, as the
basis of my public policy, those great republican doctrines which
constitute the strength of our national existence."
The ceremonies of the inauguration being over, General Taylor entered
upon the duties of his office, respected for his private worth and
public services, with many supplications, on the part of the pious and
the patriotic, that his official course might, in its issues, prove as
beneficial to his country as was Washington's, which he had presented
to himself as the model of his administration.
Taylor's administration continued on page 902.
FOOTNOTE:
[82] A new office, embracing certain portions of business heretofore
transacted in the Departments of State, Treasury, &c.
BRITISH AMERICA.
GENERAL REMARKS.
[Illustration]
British America embraces not far from one equal half of the North
American continent. The whole area amounts to about four millions of
square miles. The Arctic ocean bounds it on the north, and the
Atlantic on the east. The southern boundary is the St. Lawrence, and
the extended chain of lakes as far westward as the Lake of the Woods,
whence the dividing line between the British possessions and the
United States follows the forty-ninth parallel of latitude westward to
the Strait of Fuca, and thence along its channel south-west to the
Pacific ocean. On the west, British America is bounded in part by the
ocean, and in part by the line of the one hundred and forty-first
degree of west longitude.
The greater portion of this immense region is a waste, uninhabited,
the home of wild beasts, and the seat of eternal snow and ice. It
possesses little value, except the skins and furs which are taken from
the animals that rove there. The settlements are few, even in those
parts that have been reduced into provinces, and these embrace but an
inconsiderable portion of the whole region.
It has not been thought important to establish regular governments in
all the provinces, so called. Such governments are established only in
the Canadas, Nova Scotia and Cape Breton, New Brunswick, Prince Edward's
Island, and Newfoundland. The Canadas consist of Upper and Lower, or
Canada West and Canada East, and embrace the principal amount of the
population and productive resources of that whole northern world.
Canada East is a country of some considerable extent, measuring about
two hundred thousand square miles, but mostly hilly and rocky, and
unproductive, except on the borders of the St. Lawrence.
Canada West contains an area of one hundred and fifty thousand square
miles, if its western boundary, as is generally considered, extends no
farther than to the heads of the streams which fall into Lake
Superior. The climate of Canada West, or Upper Canada, is less severe
than that of Lower Canada. It has also some quite productive soil.
[Illustration]
I. CANADA.[83]
DISCOVERY--Settlement--Capture of Quebec--Death of
Champlain--Religious Enterprises--War made by the
Iroquois--Accessions to the Colony--Progress of the
Colony--Attempts of the English to Conquer Canada--Condition
of Canada in 1721 and 1722--General Prosperity of the
Colony--Refusal to join in the War of American
Independence--Consequences of American Independence to
Canada--Territorial Divisions and Constitution--Dissensions
after the close of the war of 1812--Disturbances and
Insurrections.
_Discovery._--Jacques Carter, of St. Malo, in France, is the
acknowledged discoverer of Canada. He was a distinguished mariner, and
was solicited by the French to conduct a voyage to Newfoundland. This
he undertook with two small vessels, of only twenty tons burden each.
On the 10th of May, 1534, he saw the shores of that island, and
steering to the south along the coast, landed at a harbor which he
named St. Catharine's. Thence, proceeding westward and northward, he
entered the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the mouth of the river of the
same name; but the unfavorableness of the weather, and the lateness of
the season, induced him to return to France. He, however, first took
possession of the country in the name of his king.
During the following year, he was invested with the command of three
ships of larger size, and well equipped with all sorts of supplies;
and making a second voyage to Newfoundland, he entered the gulf on the
day of St. Lawrence. Hence, it is supposed, is the name of the gulf
and of the river. This voyage was not completed till he reached, in a
pinnace and two boats, the present site of Montreal on the St.
Lawrence river. This was then the principal Indian settlement, named
Hochelaga, where the natives received him with great kindness. He took
formal possession of the country in the name of his sovereign, and
returned home in the spring of the following year, 1536.
Voyages of discovery were made successively by Roberval, Pontgravè,
and Champlain, down to the beginning of the seventeenth century; but
of these, no particular notice need be given.
[Illustration: Champlain's Interview with the Algonquins.]
_Settlements._--The important city of Quebec was founded by Champlain,
in 1608. On the 13th of July of that year, he fixed on a most commanding
promontory, on the north side of the River St. Lawrence, for the site of
his settlement. The choice of such a spot for "the capital of a great
trans-Atlantic empire, does him immortal honor." Here he remained
through the winter, but, as soon as the season admitted, he resumed his
voyage up the river. At a distance of twenty-five leagues above Quebec,
he met a band belonging to the celebrated nation of the Algonquins, whom
he agreed to join in their wars against the Iroquois. In this step, he
committed a fatal error. It was the means of bringing upon the French
settlements, in Canada, all the calamities of savage warfare for nearly
a hundred years. He was, however, successful at that time in an
engagement with the Iroquois.