The American statesman; a political history

Front matter

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Chapter II

TAXATION OF THE COLONIES, AND OTHER CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION. — INDE- PENDENCE SECURED.

The right of colonial taxation by England denied, 33. British navigation acts, 86. Manufactures in colonies suppi-essed, 36. Stamp act, 37-39. Congress of deputies' petition for relief, 38. Franklin deputed to England, 39. Parliament asserts the right to tax in all cases, 39. Glass, paper, &c., taxed, 40. Enforcement of the laws resisted, 41. Non-importing associations, 41, 42. General court adjourned to Cambridge, 42. Boston riots, 43. Tea destroyed, 43-44. Boston port bill, 44, 45. Congresses of 1774 and 1775 ; hostilities commenced, 46. Independence declared, 47.

Chapter III

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE CONFEDERATION. — TREATY VTITH FRANCE. — NEGO- TIATION WITH GREAT BRITAIN. PEACE. CALL FOR A CONVENTION.

Nature of the confederation, 48. State governments formed. 49. Alliance with France; attempts at conciliation, 50, 51. Congress of Vienna, 51. Treaty of peace, 52. Defects of the confederation, 52. DifBculties with Great Britain and Spain, 55, 56. Shay's insurrection, 66. Movements for a convention, 67. Cession of the western lands, 58. Anti-slavery ordinance, 68, 59.

Chapter IV. Proceedings Of The Convention In Forming The Constitution

Constitutional convention organized, 60. Plans of government proposed, 61-62. Slavery and the rule of apportionment, 64-71. Compromises, 70, 71. Executive department, plan of, 71, 72. Federalists and anti-federalists 73. Constitution ratified, 73, 74.

Chapter V

MEETING OF THE FIRST CONGRESS. — A SYSTEM OF FINANCE ADOPTED. — THE FUNDING OF THE PUBLIC DEBT. THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT.

Meeting of Congress in New York ; election of Washington and Adams ; acts for the encouragement of manufactures and navigation, 75, 76. Power of removal, 76. Washington's cabinet; constitutional amendments, 77. Plans of finance • funding of the public debt, 78-86. North Carolina cedes her western lands, 8?. Scat of government, 85, 86.

VI CONTENTS.

Chapter VI

EXCISE ON DISTILLED LIQUORS. — INCORPORATION OF A NATIONAL BANE. — ^AP- PORTIONMENT BILL. — WAR WITH THE WESTERN INDIANS.

Proposed increase of duties, 86. Opposition to the administration, 87. National bank, 88-91. Kentucky admitted into the union, 92. Apportionment of representatives, 9.S. Indian hostilities, 93, 94. Tariff increased, 94.

CHAPTER VII. OPPOSITION TO Washington's administration. — differences between

SECRETARIES JEFFERSON AND HAMILTON. — WHISKY INSURRECTION. — FUGI- TIVE LAW. — CONSTITUTION AMENDED.

' jposition to the administration ; Cabinet controversy ; Jefferson and Hamilton, 95-101. Their letters to Washington, 102-104. Whisky insurrection, 105,

106. Re-election of Washington and Adam?, 106. Charges against Hamilton,

107. Fugitive slave law, 107, 108. Amendment of the constitution, 108.

Chapter VIII

OPPOSITION TO THE ADMINISTRATION. — RELATIONS WITH FRANCE. — PROCLA- MATION OF NEUTRALITY. — GENET, THE FRENCH MINISTER. — POLICY OF GREAT BRITAIN.

French revolution, 109. Our relations with France, 110. Proclamation of neutrality. 111, 112. DiflBculties with Genet, the French minister, 112-118. Democratic societies, 116. Affair of Little Democrat, 117. Genet recalled, 119. Morris recalled from France ; Monroe appointed ; Letters of Hamilton and Madison on the proclamation, 119. British policy, 119, 120.

Chapter IX

THE THIRD CONGRESS. — PRESIDENT'S RECOMMENDATIONS. — JEFFERSON'S COM- MERCIAL REPORT ; HIS RESIGNATION. — MADISON's RESOLUTIONS. — PROSPECT OF WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN. — JAY's MISSION TO ENGLAND.

The third congress meets ; president's recommendations, 121, 122. Jefferson's commercial report, 122. Resignation, 124. Madison's resolutions, 124-129, Naval force against Algiers, 129, 130. DiflBculties with Great Britain, 130-134. Jay's mission to England, 132-134. Charges against Hamilton renewed; Neutrality law, 133. Western Indians defeated by Wayne, 133.

Chapter X

DECLINE OF DEMOCRATIC SOCIETIES. — FUNDING SYSTEM CONSUMMATED. — RESIG- NATION OF HAMILTON AND KNOX. — THE JAY TREATY. — TREATIES WITH SPAIN AND ALGIERS. — MONROE RECALLED.

Washington against democratic societies, 135. Hamilton's report on the public debt, 136. Hamilton and Knox resign, 136. The Jay treaty, 137. Public sentiment respecting it, 139, 140. Randolph resigns ; Bradford dies ; Cabinet appointments, 140. Indian treaty, 140. Treaties with Spain and Algiers, 140. Presentation of French colors, 141. Debate on the Jay treaty, 142-146. France, Spain, and Holland dissatisfied with the treaty, 146, 147. Alliance of Franco and Spain, 147. Monroe succeeded by Pinckney, 148.

CONTENTS. ^rii

Chapter XI

WASHINGTON DECLINES ANOTHER REELECTION. — HIS LAST ANNUAL MESSACa. — MR. PINCKNET EXPELLED FROM FRANCE. — ELECTION OF ADAMS AND JEFFER- SON.

Washington declines another re-election, 148. His suspicions of Jefferson, 149, 150. The Mazzei letter, 160. Forged letters, 151. French minister and the election, 152. Tri-colored cockade, 153. Washington's last message, 153, 154. French government refuse to receive Pinckney, 155. Election of Adams and Jefferson, 156. Washington retires ; is denounced by the Aurora, 156.

Chapter XII

INAUGURATION OF MR. ADAMS. — RELATIONS WITH FRANCE. — SPECIAL SESSION. — MEASURES OF DEFENSE. — ALIEN AND SEDITION LAWS.

Adams' inauguration and address, 157-160. His cabinet, 160. Ministers abroad, 160. Unlawful decree of France, 160. Defense measures ; Stamp act. 161. Envoys to France, 162. Novel diplomacy, 162-165. Acts of non-intercourse and defense against France, 165. Navy department established, 166. Washington again commander-in-chief, 166. Other army appointments, 166. Opposition to the administration, 167. Jefferson's letters to Madison, 167, 168. " Black cockade federalist," 168. Mississippi territory, 169. Alien and sedition laws ; Virginia and Kentucky resolutions ; Nullification, 172-176. Case of Matthew Lyon, 176, 177.

Chapter XIII

DIFFICULTIES WITH FRANCE. TREATY NEGOTIATED. — DIVISION OF THE FEDER- ALISTS. — PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

A new mission to France ; Dissensions in the administration, 178-180. Another revolution in France, 181. Treaty negotiated, 182,183. Ratified, 184. Newspaper press, 184-186. Resistance to tax law in Pennsylvania, 186-187. Sixth congress, first session, 187. Indiana territory, 188. Rupture iu the cabinet, 188-189. Presidential election, 189-192. Jefferson and Burr, 191, 192. New judicial act, 190. Implication and vindication of Bayard and others, 192-195.

Chapter XIV

MR. Jefferson's inauguration. — ^appointments. — naturalization. — purchase OF LOUISIANA BOUNDARY TREATY WITH ENGLAND.

Inauguration of Mr. Jefferson, and address, 196-198. His cabinet, 198. Appointments and removals, 198-202. Acts passed, 1801-1802 ; Use of the port of New Orleans interrupted, 204'. Purchase of Louisiana, 203-209. Monroe succeeds Rufus King at London, 208. Spain dissatisfied with the purchase of Louisiana, 209. Division of the territory, 209. Attempt to introduce slavery into Indiana, 209, 210. Amendment of the constitution, 210. Spain refuses to ratify a treaty for indemnity, 210. Louisiana boundary, 210- 211. Spain consci s to the transfer, 211. Treaty of boundary with Great Britain, 211-212.

Tin CONTENTS.

Chapter XV

MR. Jefferson's re-election. — relations with France and England.—

TREATY WITH THE LATTER REJECTED. — AFFAIR OF THE CHESAPEAKE.— SLAVE TRADE ABOLISHED.

Re-election of Jefferson, 212. Gunboat system, 212, 213. Indiana and Orleaiui territories, 213. Jefferson's inauguration, 214-216. Relations with Spain, England, and France, 216-218. Madison's statement ; Seamen impressed, 218, 219. Two million bill, 219, 220. Randolph's defection, 219, 220. Non-intercourse with St. Domingo, 220. Retaliatory duties ; Act for defense, 220. Cumberland Road, 220. Negotiations with Spain, 221. Treaty with England rejected, 221, 222. Affair of the Chesapeake, 223-225. Slave trade prohibited, 225,226.

Chapter XVI. The Commercial Warfare Between Great Britain, France, And The

UNITED STATES. BRITISH ORDERS IN COUNCIL. FRENCH, BERLIN, AND

MILAN DECREES. — THE EMBARGO, AC — DIPLOMATIC DISCUSSIONS.

British orders in council ; Berlin and Milan decrees of France, 226-228. Embargo, &.C., 228. Suppressed documents, 229-231. Effects of embargo, 232. Non-intercourse law, 232-233. British negotiation, (Erskine and Jackson,) 233- 234 Rambouillet decree, 234. Conditional non-intercourse, 234. Conditional revocation of French decrees, 235. Non-intercourse with France revoked, 235. Diplomatic discussion between the United States and Great Britain, (Monroe and Foster,) 235-240. French restrictions still continue, 241, 242. Supposed objects of Great Britain and France, 243. Secretary Smith's resignation and

Chapter XVII

TWELFTH CONGRESS. — BRITISH PLOT. — THE WAR QUESTION IN CONGRESS.— DECLARATION OF WAR.

Early meeting of congress, 247. British plot, (John Henry,) 248-249. Measures of defense, 249. Embargo, 250. Presidential nominations, 250. War message, 251. War report, 252. French doctrine of neutral rights, 252, 253. War declaied, 254. Address of minority of congress, 254-258. Bonaparte's decree of repeal, 258, 259. Orders in council revoked, 259. Departure of British minister, (Foster) ; At Halifax; Armistice proposed and declined, 260,261. Number of impressments, 261. War measures, 262. Admission of Louisiana ; Missouri territory, 262.

Chapter XVIII

RK-ELECTION OF MR. MADISON. — CONTROVERSY WITH MASSACHUSETTS AND CONNECTICUT. RUSSIA OFFERS TO MEDIATE. DUTIES AND TAXES. EMBAR- GO. ITS SUDDEN REPEAL. OFFER TO NEGOTIATE. ACCEPTED. CAPITOI.

BURNED. — HARTFORD CONVENTION. BANK PROJECTS.

Re-election of Madison, 262. Massachusetts and Connecticut disregard war orders,

263. Loan authorized, 263. Act to relieve importers, 263. Retaliation act,

264. Russian mediation, 264-267. Negotiation for peace; Commissioners, 264-267. Duties and taxes, 264,265. Embargo, 265. New loan, 266. Embargo and non-intercourse repealed, 266. Restoration of the Bourbons, 267. Capitol at Washington burned, 268. Further war measures, 2o9. Hartford convention 2''^9-272. State of the finances, 272. National bank proposed, 272.

CONTENTS.

IZ

Chapter XIX

PXACE WITH GREAT BRITAIN. — GENERAL JACKSON AND MARTIAL LAW AT VXVT ORI 3ANS. — PROTECTIVE TARIFF. — BANK. — COMPENSATION, NAVIGATION, NEU- TRALITY, AND OTHER ACTS.

Peace concluded, 274-276. Qen. Jackson and martial law at New Orleans. 277- 279. Tariff of 1816, 279-281. Bank incorporated, 281. Indiana admitted, 282,283. Specie payments resumed, 282. Compensation of members of congress, 282. Congressional caucus, 282. Navigation act, 283.

Chapter XX

ELECTION AND INAUGURATION OF MR. MONROE. — CORRESPONDENCE WITH GEN. JACKSON. — CABINET APPOINTMENTS. PRESIDENT'S TOUR.

Election and inauguration of Monroe, 284. Monroe and Jackson correspondence 285-288. Cabinet appointments, 288. President's tour, 289.

Chapter XXI

THE SEMINOLE WAR. — OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION OF THE OCCUPATION OF FLORIDA BY GEN. JACKSON. — RATIFICATION OF A TREATY WITH SPAIN. — TREATY WITH GREAT BRITAIN. — CESSION OF FLORIDA AND THE WESTERN TERRITORY.

Seminole war, 289, &c. Ambrister and Arbuthnot, 290; Trial and executior of, 292,293. St. Marks and Pensacola taken by Jackson, 290-292. Jackson's conduct investigated by congress, 293-295. Jackson's memorial, 296- 298. Treaties with Spain and Great Britain, 299-302. Florida, &c., ceded ti the United States, 301, &c. Ratification delayed by Spain, 302,303.

Chapter XXII

INVESTIGATION OF THE AFFAIRS OF THE UNITED STATES BANK. — OPINION OF THE SUPREME COURT ON ITS CONSTITUTIONALITY. — DECISION OF THE CIRCUIT COURT. — JUDICIAL DECISION ON BANKRUPT LAWS. — QUESTION OF INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.

United States bank investigated, 304. Supreme court decides it constitutional, 306, &c. Decision on bankrupt and insolvent laws, 308, 309. Internal improvements bill vetoed by Madison, 309. Congressional report, 309-311 Cumberland road bill vetoed, (Monroe,) 811, 812.

Chapter XXIII. The Uissocri Compromise. — Admission Of Maine And Missouri Into Thb

UNION.

Admission of Missouri as a state defeated, 213. Maine and Missouri admitted ; Slavery compromise, 313-319.

Chapter XXIV

THB FINANCES. — THE TARIFF OF 1824 — SPEECHES OF CLAY AND WEBSTER. Meetii.^ of the 18th congress, 320. Tariff of 1824, 321, &c. Vote on tariff bill in 1820, 321; On tariff of 1824, 322,323. Speech of Mr Clay, 323-331 Speech of Mr. Webster, 331-340.

X ccirrENTs.

Chapter XXV

ELKC'TION OF MB. ADAMS. — THE ALLEGED COALITION BETWEEN ADAMS ANl' CLAY. PROPOSITIONS FOR RETRENOHMENT AND REFORM.

Congressional caucus, unpopular, 341. Mr. Crawford nominated, 3i2. History of caucuses, 342, 343. Mr. Adams elected, 343 ; Inaugurated, 344. His cabinet, 344. Alleged coalition of Adams and Clay, 345, &c. Investigation in congress, 346. Propositi ins for retrenchment and reform, 348, &c.

Chapter XXVI. The Panama Mission

The Panama mission proposed, 352. Commissioners nominated, 353; Confirmed, 855. Mission reported against, 354 ; Debate on, in the house, 355-360. The congress meets at Panama, 3G0. Adjourned to Tacubaya, 361.

Chapter XXVII. Controversy With Georgia, In Relation To The Removal Of The Indians

Removal of the Indians, 361. Treaty with the Creeks in Georgia, 362. Controversy between Georgia and the general government, 363, &c. Gov. Troup and Gen. Gaines, 368, 369. New treaty, 370. Georgia prepares for resistance, 871. Bill for the preservation and civilization of the Indians, 372-374.

Chapter XXVIII

RUSSIAN AND BRITISH CLAIMS ON THE PACIFIC COAST. — OCCUPATION OF COLUM- BIA RIVER. — PUBLISHING THE LAWS.

Russian claims on the Pacific, 374. Treaty with Russia, 376. Claims of Great Britain, 377. Occupation of Oregon, 377-382. Publishing the laws, 881, 382.

Chapter XXIX

WEST INDIA TRADE. — NAVIGATION OF THE ST. LAWRENCE.

Trade witTi British colonies, 382, &c. Mr. Gallatin sent to England; Negotiation cut ofiF, 384. New treaties with Great Britain, 386, North-eastern boundary, 886. Navigation of the St. Lawrence, 386-390.

Chapter XXX

NOMINATION OF GEN. JACKSON. — MORE OF THE " COALITION." — JACKSON's LET- TERS ON THE TARIFF AND INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.

Qen. Jackson nominated by the legislature of Tennessee ; Letter of resignation as senator, 391-398. Recommends amendments of constitution, 392. The " coalition" charge renewed, 393, &c. Carter Beverley's letter and Jackson's, 894. Buchanan's, Eaton's and Markley's letters, 396-399. Clay's address, 899. Adams' declaration, 400. Jackson's letter to the Indiana legislature on the tariff and internal improvements, 401-403.

Chapter XXXI

THE "woolens BILL." — HARRISBURG CONVENTION. — TARIFF OF 1828.

Additional duties on wool and woolen goods proposed, 403-405. Debate on the bill, 405 411. Tariff meeting in Philadelphia, 412. Harrisburg convention, 412-414 Tariffof 1828, 414, &c. Debate en, 415-418. Feeling at the south respecting, 419 420.

CONTENTS. XI

Chapter XXXII. Introducticn And Discussion Of Resolutions On Retrenchment And

REFORM.

Mr. Chilton's resolutions for retrenchment and reform, 421. Abuses specified, 422. Administration defended, 424-427. Union of the friends of Jackson. Crawford, and Calhoun, 427. Resolutions disposed of, 427, 428.

Chapter XXXIII

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONEERING. JEFFERSON's OPINIONS OF THE CANDIDATES.

— ADAMS AND GILES CONTROVERSY.

Mr. Jefierson's opinions of Adams and Jackson, 428, &c. Gov. Coles and Gov. Gilmer's statements, 429-430. Garret Minor's letter, 431. Mr. Jefferson's letters to Giles, 431-435. Adams and Giles controversy, 436-441.

Chapter XXXIV

POLITICS OF 1808. — MR. ADAMS AND THE BOSTON FEDERALISTS. — CHARGE OF AS ATTEMPT TO DIVIDE THE UNION.

Mr. Adams' charge against the federalists ; A specification requested, 442. Mr. Adams' reply, 443-449. Federalists' appeal, 449-455. Gov. Plumer's testimony, 455. Implication of Hamilton, 456. Judge Gould's reply to Mr. Adams, 456-458.

Chapter XXXV. Another Alleged Attempt To Divide The Union

Another disunion project charged, 459. Denial of Hayne, 460. Reply of Mitchell, 460-462. Hayne's rejoinder, 462.

*

Chapter XXXVI. Rise And Progress Of The Anti-masonic Party

Anti-masonry ; Abduction of William Morgan, 463, 464. Participators in, convicted, 464. Organization and progress of the anti-masonic party, 465, 466

Chapter XXXVII

BATTLE OF NEWT ORLEANS, AND THE SIX MILITIA MEN. FUGITIVE SLAVES AND

ABOLITION. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. ANTI-TARIFF PROTESTS. INTERNAL

IMPROVEMENT FUND. PUBLIC LANDS IN INDIANA.

Picture of the battle of New Orleans proposed, 467. The six Tennessee militiamen,

467. Attempt to procure the surrender of fugitive slaves from Great Britain,

468. Abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, 468, 469. Election of 1828, 469, 470. Protests of South Carolina and Georgia against the tariff, 470- 471. Dickerson's plan to distribute the revenue, 472. Debate on, 473. Indiana claims public lands, 474. Distribution of land sales proposed, 475. Retrenchment, 476.

Chapter Xxxviii

INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT JACKSON. — REMOVALS FROM OFFICE. — MEETING OF CONGRESS. PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.

Inauguration of Qcn. Jackson, 476, 477. His cabinet, 477. New rule of removal and appointment, 478, 479. Extent of removals, 480. Meeting of congress • Preside* t's message, 481-484. Power of removal discussed, 484-486.

Zai CONTENTS.

Chapter XXXIX

rOOl'i RESOLUTIONS ON THE PUBLIC LANDS. — GREAT DEBATE IN THE SENATE,

Foot's resolutions for a temporary limitation of land sales, 487. Speeches of Hayne and Webster, 488-496. Debate continued by Benton, Rowan, Grundy,, Woodbury, Smith, and others, 496-600.

Chapter XL

UNITED STATES BANK. — MAYSVILLE ROAD BILL, AND OTHERS. — VETOES OF THE

PRESIDENT.

M'Duffie's report on the bank of the United States, 500-500. Smith's report, 506. Maysville and Washington road bills vetoed, 506-608. Hemphill's report on vetoes, 508. River and harbor bill passed, 609, M'Duffie on revenue bill 509, 610.

Chapter XLI

GEORGIA AND THE CHEROKEES. — DEBATE ON THE " INDIAN BILL." — OPINION OF THE SUPREME COURT.

Indian policy of President Jackson; Cherokces, 510. Law of Georgia, and Cherokee memorial, 511. Opinion of attorney-general, 512-614. Bills for the removal of the Indians, 514. Bills debated, 514-524. Bill passed, 524. Treaty with the Choctaws, 524. Memorial of the Cherokees against the laws of Georgia, 525. Case carried to the supreme court, 626. Execution of Tassels, 627. Decision of the court, 527.

Chapter XLII

WEST INDIA TRADE. — MR. M LANE's ARRANGEMENT. — JOHN RANDOLPH'S MISSION

TO RUSSIA.

Mr. McLane'a arrangement respecting the West India trade, 528-530. JohB Randolph's mission to Russia, 530, 531. Post office investigation, 531. Attempt to modify the judiciary act, 532, 533. Impeachment and trial of Judge Peck, 533, 534. Attempt to revise the tariflF, 534-636, &c.

Chapter XLIII

CONTROVERSY BETWEEN MR. CALHOUN AND GEN. JACKSON IN RELATION TO OC- CURRENCES IN THE SEMINOLE WAR.

Mr. Calhoun's charge against Gen. Jackson, 536. Counter-crimination and recrimination, 537. Repetition of the Florida war controversy, 537.

Chapter XLIV

DISSOLUTION OF GEN. JACKSON's CABINET. — MR. VAN BUREN's REJECTION AS MINISTER TO ENGLAND. — CASE OF THE CHEROKEES.

Parties in Gen. Jackson's cabinet, 547. Resignation of secretaries and attorney-general ; New cabinet, 548. Supposed cause of the cabinet rupture, 549. Ingham and Eaton, 549. Conflicting statements of the cabinet officers and Col. Johnson, 550-552. Mr. Van Buren is sent as minister to England, 552. Debate on the nomination, in executive session, and his rejection, 653-655. Case of the Cherokco' 555-559.

eoNTENTs. laii

Chapter XLV

PUBLIC LANDS. — INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. — PRESIDENTIAL VETOES. — TARIFF OF 1832. — APPORTIONMENT UNDER THE FIFTH CENSUS. — PRESIDENTIAL ELEC- TIONS^ — RETURN OF THE LAND BILL.

The subject of public lands referred to committee on manufactures, 559. Clay's and King's rej^orts, 559, 560. Land bill, 560. Internal improvement and harbor bills, 561. State claims bill, 661, 562. Tariff, sundry reports and bills, 562- . 563. Apportionment under the fifth census, 563, 564. Presidential campaign ; Democratic, national republican, and anti-masonic nominations, 564. Van Buren elected, 565.

Chapter XLVI. United States Bank. — Bill Vetoed. — Affairs Of The Bank Investigated

Recharter of U. S. bank applied for, 566. Dallas and McDuflSe's reports, 566. Veto, 567, 568. Charges against the bank, 569. Reports of the committee, 569,670. Mr. Adams' report, 571-575.

Chapter XLVII

SOUTH CAROLINA NULLIFICATION. — JACKSOn's PROCLAMATION. — FORCE BILL.^ COMPROMISE TARIFF. — PEACE. — LAND BILL. — CLOSE OF JACKSON's FIRST TERM.

South Carolina prepares to resist the general government, 576, 577. President Jackson's proclamation, 577-581. Nullification act of South Carolina passed ; Proclamation denounced ; Military preparations, 582. The president authorized to enforce the collection of duties, 583. Mediation of Virginia, 583-585- 586. Clay's compromise tariff, 584,585. "Force bill" passed, 685. South Carolina boasting, 586,587. Clay's land bill vetoed, 687. New bill, 689. Close of presidential term, 590.

Chapter XLVIII. The Bank Controversv. — Removal Of Deposits. — Bank Investigation

Removal of the deposits from the bank meditated, 591, Inquiry into their security, 592. Appointment of Duane, 592. President Jackson's charges, 692. Duane's disobedience and removal, 594. The act disapproved, 595. Controversy with the directors, 595-600.

Chapter XLIX

CONTINUATION OF THE BANK AND DEPOSIT QUESTION. — CLAY's RESOLUTIONS, AND THE president's PROTEST. — POST OFFICE INVESTIGATION.

Effects of the removal of the deposits, 600. Reduction of bank loans, 601. Large drafts on the bank, 601. Parties in congress, 602. House debate, 602-605. Clay's resolutions, 605-607. President refuses to answer a call, 606. Mr. Benton's resolution, 606. President's protest, 607. Poindexter's reply, 608. President's explanatory message, 609. Poindexter's resolutions debated, 610. Reports on banks, 611, 612. Adams' resolutions, 618. Dispute about pension agency, 613, 614. Rejection of directors, 614, 615. Post office abuses, 615, 616.

XIV CONTENTS.

Chapter L

CABINET CHANGF.S.— MISSION TO ENGLAND. — BENTOn's EXPUNGING RESOLU- TION. — FRENCH INDEMNITY. POWER OF REMOVAL. BRANCH MINT.

McLane's resignation, 617. Appointment of cabinet oflScers, 617. Rejection of Stevenson, 617,618. His resignation as speaker; Election of Bell, 619. Report of bank committee, 619, 620. Calboun's reports — a deposit bill, 620. Deposit plan; Origin of sub-treasury, 620. Benton's expunging resolutioDj 621, 622. French spoliation bill, 623. Calhoun's report on executive patronage, and debate, 624-629. Branch mint, 629, 630.

Chapter LI

FRENCH SPOLIATIONS. — PROSPECT OF WAR WITH FRANCE. — DEBATE ON THE LOST FORTIFICATION BILL.

Senate report on French spoliations, 630. Adams' proposition, 631. Resentment of the French government ; Livingston's return, 632. The three million appropriation, 632-640. France demands an apology, 632. President Jackson asks for power of reprisals, 633. Debate on the message, 634, 635. Benton's proposition of defense, 635. Debate on lost fortification bill, 635-640.

Chapter LII

THE ANTI-SLAVERT QUESTION. — DISCUSSION IN CONGRESS. — INCENDIARY PUBLI- CATIONS. ATHERTON's RESOLUTIONS.

Effects of anti-slavery operations, 640. Case of Williams ; Rewards for abolitionists, 641. Opposition meetings at the north, 641, 642. Sentiments of the press, 642, 643. Secession and non-intercourse suggested, 643, 644. Violation of the mails, 644, 645. Anti-slavery address, 645-648. Action of congress on petitions, 648-650. Senate mall prohibition bill, 650. Bill to prohibit the mailing of anti-slavery papers, 650-653. Atherton's resolutions, 653, 654.

Chapter LIII

DISTRIBUTION OF THE SURPLUS REVENUE. — DEATH OF MR. MADISON. — ADMIS- SION OF ARKANSAS AND MICHIGAN INTO THE UNION. — RECOGNITION OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF TEXAS. — CLAIMS AGAINST MEXICO.

Mr. Clay's distribution bill, new plan, 654-656. Mr. Madison's death, 656. Admission of Arkansas and Michigan as states ; Long debate, 656-661. Independence of Texas recognized, 662-665. Claims against Mexico ; Authority for reprisals asked for, 665.

Chapter LIV

SPECIE CIRCULAR. MEETING OF CONGRRSS. RESOLUTION TO RESCIND THE CIR- CULAR. — VETO. — Benton's expunging resolution. — presidential election.

The specie circular of 1836, 666, 667. Meeting of congress ; President's message, 667, 668. Ewing's resolution to rescind the circular, and debate, 668- 672. Bill passed, and vetoed, 672. Mr. Benton's expunging resolution renewed, 673. Debate, and passage of the resolution, 674-676. Election of Mr. Van Buren, 676,677. *

CONTENTS. r?

Chapter LV

4fK. VAN BUREn's inauguration. — SPECIAL SESSION OF CONGRESS. — SUB- TREASURY. OTHER FINANCIAL MEASURES.

Inaaguratior of Mr. Van Buren; Address, 677. State of the country; Specie payments suspended, 678, 679. Congress specially convened, 679. Sub-treasury and other bills proposed, 680. Debate on the bill to postpone the deposits, 681-684. On the treasury note bill, 684-687. Sub-treasury bill — lost, 687, 688. Anti-slavery and Florida war propositions, 688.

Chapter LVI

INDEPENDENT TREASURY. — AGAIN DEFEATED. — TALLMADGE's SPEECH. — INCIDEN- TAL DEBATE BETWEEN CLAY, CALHOUN, AND WEBSTER. — SPECIE CIRCULAR RE- PEALED.

Sub-treasury bill— again defeated, 689-690. Speech of Mr. Tallmadge, 690-693. Personal debate between Messrs. Clay, Calhoun, and Webster, 693-702 Virtual repeal of the specie circular, 702.

Chapter LVII. Annexation Of Texas. — Speeches Of Preston And Adams. ^proposition

WITHDRAWN BY TEXAS.

Mr. Preston's resolutions for annexing Texas, 703. His speech, 704-709. Speech of Mr. Adams against annexation, 709-712, Texas withdraws her proposition, 712.

Chapter LVIII

" PATRIOT WAR." — AFFAIR OF THE CAROLINE. — TRIAL OF m'kENZIE AND VAN RENSSELAER. — TRIAL OF m'lEOD.

Insurrection in Upper Canada, 712. Affair of the Caroline, 713. Facts relating to the war, 714. Trials of M'Kcnzie and M'Lcod, 714-717. M'Leod case in congress, 717-722. Legislature of New York, 722.

Chapter LIX

THE SLAVE SCHOONER AMISTAD. — CAPTIVES LIBERATED. — MEETING OF THE TWENTY-SIXTH CONGRESS. SEATS OF THE NEW JERSEY MEMBERS CONTEST- ED. — FLORIDA WAR.

Capture of the Amistad. 723. Demand for the surrender of uhe slaves— resisted, 723. Judicial investigation, 723-726. Interposition of the British government, 726, 727. Division of the supreme court of the United States, 727. The 26th congress— great contest for seats, 728-732. Sub-treasury established, 732. Wa with the Seminole Indians, 733.

XVI CONTENTS.

Chapter LX

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 1840. — CLAIMS ON MEXICO. — CLOSE OF MR. VAN BDREN's ADMINISTRATION.

Presidential nominations. 735. Pecuniary condition of the country, 735, 736. Measures to promote the election, 736-737. Jlr. Tyler and his party, 737. Harrison and Tyler elected, 738. Claims on Mexico, 738. Close of Mr. Van Buren's term, 739.

Chapter LXI

INAUGURATION OP GENERAL HARRISON. — HIS DEATH. — INAUGURATION OF MR. TYLER. — EXTRA SESSION OF CONGRESS. — BANK VETOES. — DISSOLUTION OF THB CABINET.

President Harrison inaugurated, 740. Address, 740-744. His cabinet, 744. He convenes congress ; His death, 744. Mr. Tyler's inaugural, 745. Special session of congress, 746. Sub-treasury repealed ; Bank prepared, 747. Mr. Tyler's veto of bank bills, 748. A new bill proposed, passed, and vetoed, 749. Resignation of cabinet oflScers, 749. Statements of the retiring officers, 749- 753. Botts' letter, 753. Webster's, 754. New cabinet appointments ; Whig address, 754, 755. Bankrupt, distribution, and loan bills passed, 766,

Chapter LXII

PETITION FOR A DISSOLUTION OF THE UNION. — ATTEMPT TO CENSURE MR ADAMS. — CENSURE OF MR. GIDDINGS.

Mr. Adams and the dissolution of the union, 756-758. Resolutions of censure and expulsion proposed, 758. Debate on the same, 758-766. Mr. Qiddings presents a petition for dividing the union, 766. Case of the brig Creole, 766 768. Mr. Qiddings' resolutions, 768. Censured bv the house, 769, 770. His resignatioQ and re-electioQ, 770.

Chapter LXIII

THE TARIFF OF 1842. PRESIDENTIAL VETOES. BRITISH COLONIAL TRADE.

NORTH-EASTERN BOUNDARY QUESTION SETTLED.

Report on the tariff, 770-774. Minority report, 774-778. The revenue bill of the secretary of the treasury reported, 778, 779. Bill with a proviso against the suspension of the distribution act, 779. Vetoed by Mr, Tyler, 7£0. Dobate on veto, 780-782. The revenue bill passed and vetoed, 782. Report on veto, 782, 783. Bill without the distribution proviso passed, 783. A distribuon bill defeated by the president, 784. Petition relati>>g to West India trade, 784. North-eastera boundary question settled, 784-7 i/o.

CONTENTS. ZTU

Chapter LXIV

ANKKXATION 0¥ TEXAS. — THE PROJECT DEFEATED. — DEATH OF SECRETARIES UPSHUR AMD eiLMER.

Southern views of annexation, 786. Annexation movements, 787. Treaty correspondence, 787-790. Treaty rejected, 790. Secret debate on the treaty, 790-793. Mr. Benton's annexation bill, 793, 794. Debate on the same, 794- 798. Mr. Tyler's message to the house, 798. Explosion on tho Princeton, and death of seci'etaries Upshur and Gilmer, 799.

CHAPTER LXV. THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN OF 18*t

Messrs. Clay and Van Buren's letters on annexation, 799-808. Baltimore conventions — nomination of Clay and Polk, 809. Mr. Clay's position, 810. Oregon and Texas resolution at Baltimore, 810, 811. Confidential circolar of protesting democrats, 811-813. Election of Mr. Polk, 814.

Chapter LXVI

TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT OF OREGON. — ANNEXATION OF TEXAS. — FLORIDA AND IOWA ADMITTED. — UNIFORM TIME OF CHOOSING PRESIDENTUL ELECTORS. REDUCTION OF POSTAGE.

Bill to establish a government for Oregon, 815. Senate bills for the annexation of Texas, 816, 817. House bill passed, 817, 818. Votes classified, 818. House bill in the senate, 818. Mr. Benton's bill, 819. Debate on annexation, 819. Mr. Benton's resolutions, with Mr. Walker's amendment, adopted, 820, 821. Opinions on annexation, 822-825. Objects of annexation, 825-828. Mr. Benton's Boonville speech, 825, 826. Southern sentiment, 827. Nashville convention, 827, 828, Efifect of tarifi'on prices, 828-830. Eflects of annexation, 830. Florida and Iowa admitted, 831. Act in relation to choosing presidential electors, 831. Postage act, 831.

Chapter LXVII

INAUGURATION OF MR. POLE. — DEATH OF GEK. JACKSON.— WAR WITH MKXICO. TREATY OF PEACE.

Mr. Polk's inauguration and address, 831, 832. His cabinet, 832. Death of Gen. Jackson, 832. DiflSculties with Mexico, 833-835. Army ordered to the Rio Grande, 835. War message, 836. Adoption of war measures, 836. 0. Davis' speech, 837, 838. Eflfects of the war, 838. Two millions bill and Wilmot proviso, 839. President's message, 840. Santa Anna's pass and return to Mexico, 841. Treasury note, and loan bill, 841. Objects of the war ; Calhoun and Benton, 842-844. Clayton's disclosure, 844, 845. A mortl question, M6-847. Rhett's theory on war power, 847. Treaty of peace, 848.

XVIU CONTENTS.

Chapter LXVIII. Thb Oregon Question

Negotiation commenced, 8i9. Position of the admiustration, 849-851. Negotiation abandoned ; Various propositions, 851-853. Mr. Adams' speech, 853- 855. Debate continued, 854-860. Excitement in England, 8G0. Propositions to " give notice," 860-863. Apprehensions of fl ar revived, 860, 861. Debate in the senate, 861-863. Mr. Benton on the boundary, 863-865,

Chapter LXIX

THE TARIFF ACT OF 1846. — THE WAREHOUSE SYSTEM. — ESTABLISHMENT OF THE

SUB-TREASURY.

Attack upon the tariff of 1842; President's message, 865-867. Secretary's report, 867, 868. Mr. Stewart's reply, 80-8-871. Bill imported, 871. Mr. Bri» kerhoofs speech, 872. Bill amended and passed, 872, 873. Warehouse act, 873, Sub-treasury re-established, 874.

Chapter LXX

PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN OF 1848. — ELECTION OF GEN. TAYLOR.

General Taylor and the presidency, 874-876. Nominations of Gen. Cass and Gen. Taylor, 876-878. Proceedings in the whig convention, 878, 879. Allison letter,

879. Utica and Buffalo conventions ; Nomination of Van Buren and Adams,

880, 881. Gen. Cass' letter to Nicholson, 881, 882. Gen. Taylor's letters ; Albany meeting ; His election, 882, 883.

Chapter LXXI. Bills For California And Other Territorial Governments

Territorial government for Oregon ; Dix and Calhoun, 884-886. Mr. Clayton's bill, 886-888. Oregon bill passed, 888. Territorial government bills — again unsuccessful, 888-891. Department of the interior established, 891.

Chapter LXXII

INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT TAYLOR. CONTEST FOR THB CHOICE OF SPEAKER.

— COMPROMISE OF 1850.

Gen. Taylor inaugurated ; His cabinet, 892. Congress meets ; Long contest for speaker, 893. Message, 894. Mr. Foote's territorial bill, 894. Mr. Clay's resolutions, 895. Opposed by southern senators, 895-899. Webster's speech, 899-902. Californ'a state constitution received; Debate on admission, 902,903. Mr. Bell's resolutions; Committee of thirteen; Their report, 903,904. Defeat of the " omnibus," 904. Mr. Benton's speech, 905-909. Death of President Taylor, 910. Mr. Fillmore's accession ; His cabinet, 910. Contro\crsy with Texas, 910, 911. Passage of compromise bills, 911, 912.

CONTENTS. XIX

Chapter LXXIII

THE COMPROMISE OF I860, CONTINUED. — SPEECHES OF MESSRS. SEWARD AND

CASS.

Speech of Mr. Seward on the compromise measures of 1850, 912-930. Speech of Mr. Cass, 930-937. Death of Messrs. Calhoun, Clay, and Webster, 937.

Chapter LXXIV

PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN OF 1852. — INAUGURATION OF MR. PIERCE.

National conventions of 1852, 937. Nomination of Pierce and King, and of Scott and Graham, 937, 938. Platforms of the parties, 938, 939. Election of Gen. Pierce ; His inauguration, 939-940.

Chapter LXXV. The Territorial Governments Op Kansas And Nebraska

Congress meets, December, 1853 ; Election of speaker, 940. President's message, 940, 941. Re-agitation of the slavery question, 941. Propositions to establish a territorial government for Nebraska, 941. Mr. Douglas proposes a division of the territory ; His speech, 942-944. Mr. Chase's speech, 944- 950. Mr. Houston's speech, 950. Messrs. Badger and Cass, 951, 952. Bill passed 962.

Appendix

Declaration of Independence 95P

Articles of Confederation 959

Constitution of the United States 966

Notes 977

Statistics 996

ndex 1004

THE

AMERICAN STATESMAN.

Chapter I. The Settlement Of The Colonies, And Their Forms Of Government

The establishment of republican institutions in this country constitutes a new era in the history of civil government. To America belongs the honor of having presented to the world the first system of constitutional government founded upon political equality and the general consent of the j)eople. Most governments had been the creatures of accident, or or the concurrence of unforeseen events, rather than the result of design. Liberty was enjoyed only as it had been wrested from the grasp of tyranny, or as it had been reluctantly granted to silence the popular clamor, or to prevent rebellion. Chartered governments, called republics, had indeed existed ; but they conferred only a partial franchise and limited civil privileges. The political system of the United States is the result of forethought and mature deliberation, and derives its authority from the true source of power, the whole people : and its crowning excellence — its chief conservative principle — is its recognition of the paramount authority of the Divine will.