forward in his studies, and in less than two and a half,
years, in the autumn of 1S15, entered the sophomore|
class in the University of North Carolina, at Chapel
Hill. Here he was one of the most exemplary of
scholars, punctual in every exercise, never allowing
himself to be absent from a recitation or a religious
service.
He graduated in 1818, with the highest honors, be»
ing deemed the best scholar of his class, both in
mathematics and the classics. He was then twenty-
three years of age. Mr. Polk's health was at this
time much impaired by the assiduity with which he
had prosecuted his studies. After a short season of
rela.\ation he went to Nashville, and entered the
office of Feli.\ (irundy, to study law. Here Mr. Polk
renewed his acquaintance with Andrew Jackson, who
resided on his plantation, the Hermitage, but a few
miles from Nashville. They had probably been
slightly acquainted before.
Mr. Polk's father was a Jeffersonian Republican,
and James K. Polk ever adhered to the same politi-
cal faith. He was a ]X)pular public speaker, and was
constantly called u])on to address the meetings of his
party friends. His skill as a speaker was such that
he was [xjpularly called the NajKjleon of the stump.
He was a man of unblemished morals, genial and
6o
JAMES K. POLK.
courterus in his bearing, and with that sympathetic
nature in the jo) s and griefs of others which ever gave
him troops of friends. In 1823, Mr. Polk was elected
to the Legislature of Tennessee. Here he gave his
strong influence towards the election of his friend,
Mr. Jackson, to the Presidency of the United States.
In January, 1824, Mr. Polk married Miss Sarah
Childress, of Rutherford Co., Tenn. His bride was
altogether worthy of him, — a lady of beauty and cul-
ture. In the fall of 1825, Mr. Polk was chosen a
member of Congress. The satisfaction which he gave
to his constituents may be inferred from the fact, that
for fourteen successive years, until 1839, he was con-
tinuec' in that office. He then voluntarily withdrew,
only that he might accept the Gubernatorial chair
of Tennessee. In Congress he was a laborious
member, a frequent and a popular speaker. He was
always in his seat, always courteous ; and whenever
he spoke it was always to the point, and without any
ambitious rhetorical display.
During five sessions of Congress, Mr. Polk was
Speaker of the House. Strong passions were roused,
and stormy scenes were witnessed ; but Mr. Polk per-
formed his arduous duties to a very general satisfac-
tion, and a unanimous vote of thanks to him was
passed by the House as he withdrew on the 4th of
March, 1839.
In accordance with Southern usage, Mr. Polk, as a
candidate for Governor, canvassed the State. He was
elected by a large majority, and on the 14th of Octo-
ber, 1839,100k the oath of office at Nashville. In 1841,
his term of office expired, and he was again the can-
didate of the Democratic party, but was defeated.
On the 4th of March, 1845, Mr. Polk was inaugur-
ated President of the United States. The verdict of
the country in favor of the annexation of Texas, exerted
its influence upon Congress; and the last act of the
administration of President Tyler was to affix his sig-
nature to a joint resolution of Congress, passed on the
3d of March, approving of the annexation of Texas to
the American Union. As Mexico still claimed Texas
as one of her provinces, the Mexican minister,
Almonte, immediately demanded his passports and
left the country, declaring the act of the annexation
to be an at;t hostile to Mexico.
In his first message. President Polk urged that
Texas should immediately, by act of Congress, be re-
ceived into the Union on the same footing with the
Other States. In the meantime, Gen. Taylor was sent
with an army into Texas to hold the country. He was
sent first to Nueces, which the Mexicans said was the
western boundary of Texas. Then he was sent nearly
two hundred miles further west, to the Rio Grande,
where he erected batteries which commanded the
Mexican city of Matamoras, which was situated on
the western banks.
The anticipated collision soon took place, and wa:
was declared against Mexico by President Polk. The
war was pushed forward by Mr. Polk's administration
\v\\\\ great vigor. Gen. Taylor, whose army was first
called one of " observation," then of " occupation,'
then of " invasion, "was sent forward to Monterey. The
feeble Mexicans, in every encounter, were hopelessly
and awfully slaughtered. The day of judgement
alone can reveal the misery which this war caused.
It v/as by the ingenuity of Mr. Polk's administration
that the war was brought on.
'To the victors belong the spoils." Mexico was
prostrate before us. Her capital was in our hands.
We now consented to peace upon the condition that
Mexico should surrender to us, in addition to Texas,
all of New Me.xico, and all of Upper and Lower Cal-
ifornia. This new demand embraced, exclusive of
Texas, eight hundred thousand square miles. This
was an extent of territor)' equal to nine States of the
size of New York. Tims slavery was securing eighteen
majestic States to be added to the Union. There were
some Americans who thought it all right: there were
others who thought it all wrong. In the prosecution
of this war, we expended twenty thousand lives and
more than a hundred million of dollars. Of this
money fifteen millions were paid to Mexico.
On the 3d of March, 1849, Mr. Polk retired from
office, having served one term. The next day was
Sunday. On the sth. Gen. Taylor was inaugurated
as his successor. Mr. Polk rode to the Capitol in the
same carriage with Gen. Taylor; and the same even-
ing, with Mrs. Polk, he commenced his return to
Tennessee. He was then but fifty-four years of age.
He had ever been strictly temperate in all his habits,
and his health was good. With an ample fortune,
a choice library, a cultivated mind, and domestic ties
of tlie dearest nature, it seemed as though long years
of tranquility and happiness were before him. But the
cholera — that fearful scourge— was then sweeping up
the Valley of the Mississippi. This he contracted,
a»d died on the isth of June, 1849, in the fifty-fourth
year of his age, greatly mourned by his countrymen.
LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
UR8ANA
'ycL^^/L^-^y y^x^-y '^^ '
J
T •^''^
TU-ELFTH PRIlSIDEyf.
63
ACHARV TAYLOR, iwclfili
I'rcbident of the United States,
, "was born on the 24th of Nov.,
\ 1784, in Orange Co., Va. His
s father, Colonel Taylor, was
a Virginian of note, and a dis-
tinguished patiiot and soldier of
the Revolution. When Zachary
was an infant, his father with his
wife and two children, emigrated
to Kentucky, where he settled in
liie pathless wilderness, a few
miles from l^ouisville. In this front-
ier home, away from civilization and
all iis refinements, yjung Zachary
could enjoy but few social and educational advan-
tages. When six years of age he attended a common
school, and was then regard>-d as a bright, active boy,
"â– ather remarkable for bbmlness and decision of char-
acter He was strong, feailess and self-reliant, and
•iianifested a strong desire to enter tlie army to fight
the Indians who were ravaging the frontiers. There
is little to be recorded of the uneventful years of his
childhood on his father's large but lonely plantation.
In 1808, his father succeeded in obtaining for him
the commission of lieutenant in the United States
army ; and he joined the troops which were stationed
at New Orleans under Cien. Wilkinson. Soon after
this he married Miss Margaret Smith, a young lady
from one of the first families of Maryland.
Immediately after the declaration of war with Eng-
land, in 18 1 2, Capt. Taylor (for he had then been
|)romoted to that rank) was put in command of Fort
Harrison, on the Wabash, about fifty miles above
Vincennes. Tliis fort had been built in the wilder-
ness by Gen. Harrison. on his march to Tippecanoe.
It was one of the first jx)ints of attack by the Indians,
Jed by Tecumseh. Its garrison consisted of a broken
company of infantry numbering fifty men, many of
whom were sick.
Early in the autumn of i8t2, the Indians, stealthily,
and in large numbers, moved ujxjn the fort. Their
ai)proach was first indicated by the murder of two
soldiers just outside of the stockade. Capt. Taylor
made every jxjssible preparation to meet the antici-
pated assault. On the 4th of September, a band of
forty painted and plumed savages came to the fort,
waving a white flag, and informed Capt. Taylor that
in the morning their chief would coir.e to have a talk
with him. It was evident that their object was merely
to ascertain the state of things at the fort, and Capt.
Taylor, well versed in the wiles of the savages, kept
them at a distance.
The sun went down; the savages disappeared, the
garrison slept u[K)n their arms. One hour before
midnight the war whooi) burst from a thousand lips
in the forest around, followed by the discharge of
musketry, and the rush of the foe. Every man, sick
and well, sprang to his ix>st. Every man knew that
defeat was not merely death, but in the case of cap-
ture, death by the most agonizing and i)rolonged tor-
ture. No pen can describe, no immagination can
conceive the scenes whicli ensued. The savages suc-
ceeded in setting fire to one of the block-liouses-
Until six o'clock in the morning, this awful conflict
continued. The savages tiien, baffled at every (Mint,
and gnashing their teetli with rage, retired. Capt.
Taylor, for this gallant defence, was promoted to the
rank of major by brevet.
Until the close of the war, MajorTaylor was placed
in such situations that he saw but little more of active
service. He was sent far away into tlie depths of the
wilderness, to Fort Crawford, on Fox River, which
empties into Green Bay. Here there was but little
to be done but to wear away the tedious hours as one
best could. There were no looks, no society, no in-
64
ZACHARY TAYLOR
tellectual stimulus. Thus with him the uneventful
years rolled on Gradually he rose to the rank of
colonel. In the Black Hawk war, which resulted in
the capture of that renowned chieftain, Col Taylor
took a subordinate but a brave and efticient part.
For twenty four years Col. Taylor was engaged in
.the defence of the frontiers, in scenes so remote, and in
lemployments so obscure, that his name was unknown
^beyond the limits of his own immediate acquaintance.
In the year 1836, he was sent to Florida to com|)el
the Seminole Indians to vacate that region and re-
tire beyond the Mississii)pi, as their chiefs by treaty,
iiac' promised they should do. The services rendered
[iC'-C secured for Col. Taylor the liigh appreciation of
the Government; and as a reward, he was elevated
;c he rank of brigadier-general by brevet ; and soon
•ifter, in May, 1838, was appointed to the chief coni-
nand of the United States troops in Florida.
After two years of such wearisome employment
xmidst the everglades of the peninsula, Gen. Taylor
obtained, at his own request, a change of command,
ind was stationed over the Department of the South-
'Acst. This field embraced Louisiana, Mississippi,
Alabama and Georgia. Establishing his headquarters
Ml Fort Jessup, in Louisiana, he removed his family
ta a plantation which he purchased, near Baton Rogue.
FL';re he remained for five years, buried, as it were,"
fit.m the world, but faithfully discharging every duty
vin\posed upon him.
In 1846, (ien. Taylor was sent to guard the land
bc'.ween the Nueces and Rio (irande, the latter river
tbting tlie boundary of Texas, which was then claimed
by the United States. Soon the war with Mexico
wr. 5 brought on, and at Palo Alto and Resaca de la
Pa!ma, Gen. Taylor won brilliant victories over the
^[l^\icans. The rank of major-general by brevet
was then conferred upon Gen. Taylor, and his name
Was received with enthusiasm almost everywhere in
the Nation. Then came the battles of Monterey and
E uena Vista in which he won signal victories over
fcjrces much larger than he commanded.
His careless habits of -dress and his unaffected
si/nplicity, secured for Gen. Taylor among his troops,
\\s. sobriquet of "Old Rough and Ready.'
The tidings of the brilliant victory of Buena Vista
rj'read the wildest enthusiasm over the country. The
n.ime of Gen. Taylor was on every one's lii>s. The
n hig party decided to take advantage of this wonder-
fu/ popularity in bringing forward the unpolished, un-
•■"'■ed, honest soldier as their candidate for tiie
i^icsidency. Gen. Taylor was astonished at the an-
ncuncement, and for a time would not listen to it; de-
cbiring that he was not at all (lualified for such an
office. So little interest had he taken in jwlitics that,
foi forty years, he had not cast a vote. It was not
wiihout chagrin that several distinguished statesmen
wlio had been long years in the public service found
fil.:;ir claims set aside in behalf of one whose name
had never been heard of, save in connection with Palo
Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey and Buena
Vista. It is said that Daniel VV'ebster, in his haste re-
marked, " It is a nomination not fit to be made."
Gen. Taylor was not an eloquent spe.iker nor a fine
writer His friends took posse-ision of him, and pre-
pared such few communications as it was needful
should be presented to the public. The jwpularity of
the successful warrior swept the land. He was tri-
um]jhantly elected over two opposing candidates, —
Gen. Cass and Ex-President Martin Van Buren.
Though he selected an excellent cabinet, the good
old man found himself in a very uncongenial {X)sition,
and was, at times, sorely perplexed and harassed.
His mental sufferings were very severe, and probably
tended to hasten his death. The pro-slavery party
was pushing its claims with tireless energy , expedi-
tions were fitting out to capture Cuba ; California was
pleading for admission to the Union, while slavery
stood at the door to bar her out. Gen. Taylor found
the political conflicts in Washington to be far more
trying to the nerves than battles with Mexicans or
Indians
In the midst of all these troubles, Gen. Taylor,
after he had occupied the Presidential chair but little
over a year, took cold, and after a brief sickness of
but little over five days, died on the gih of July, 1850.
His last woids were, " I am not afraid to die. I am
ready. I have endeavored to do my duty." He died
universally respected and beloved. An honest, un-
pretending man, he had been steadily growing in the
affections of the people; and the Nation bitterly la-
mented his death.
Gen. Scott, who was thoroughly acquainted with
Gen. Taylor, gave the following graphic and truthful
description of his character: — "With a good store of
common sense, Gen. Taylor's mind had not been en- â–
larged and refreshed by reading, or much converse
with the world. Rigidity of ideas was the conse-
quence. The frontiers and small military posts had
been his home. Hence he was quite ignorant for his
rank, and quite l)igoted in his ignorance. His sim-
])licity was child-like, and with innumerable preju-
dices, amusing and incorrigible, well suited to the
tender age. Thus, if a man, however respectable,
chanced to wear a coat of an uni;sual color, or his hat
a little on one side of his head; or an officer to leave
a corner of his handkerchief dangling from an out-
side pocket, — in any such case, this critic held the
ofT.-nder to be a coxcomb (]ierhaps something worse),
whom he would not, to use his oft rei)eated jihrase,
' touch with a pair of tongs.'
"Any allusion to literature beyond good old Dil-
worth's spelling-book, on the part of one wearing a
sword, was evidence, with the same judge, of utter
unfitness for heavy marchings and combats. Inshore
few men have ever had a more comfortab^.c, ^'>vit.
saving contempt for learning of every kind."
LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
URBANA
S"^" r^
cZ^ ,^ f/ JlOfU-x^xTu)
THIRTEENTH PRESIDENT.
I ^MILLftHn FILLMHRE. ^^
i^^
'■«e
ILLARD FILLMORE, thir-
• eiUli President of the United
^t.ites, was born at Summer
Hill, Cayuga Co., N. Y ., on
the 7th of January, 1800. His
father was a farmer, and ow-
ing to misfortune, in humble cir-
rumstances. Of his mother, the
^ daughter of Dr. Abiathar Millard,
of Pittsfield, Mass., it has been
said that she [XJssessed an intellect
of very high order, united with much
personal loveliness, sweetness of dis-
jwsition, graceful manners and ex-
quisite sensibilities. She died in
1831 ; having lived to see her son a
young man of distinguished [irom-
ij-e, though she was not permitted to witness the high
dignity which he finally attained.
In consetiuence of the secluded home and limited
means of his father, Millard enjoyed but slender ad-
vantages for education in his early years. The com-
mon schools, which he occasionally attended were
very imperfect institutions; and Ixxjks were scarce
..nd ex|iensive. There was nothing then in his char-
.leter to indicate the brilliant career upon which he
was alout to enter. He was a plain farmer's boy ;
intelligent, good-looking, kind-hearted. The sacred
influences of home had taught him to revere the Bible,
and had laid the foundations of an upright character.
When fourteen years of age, his father sent him
some hundred miles from home, to tlie then wilds of
Livingston County, to learn the trade of a clothier.
Neai the mill there was a small villiage, where some
enterprising man had commenced the collection of a
village library. This proved an inestimable blessing
to young Fillmore. His evenings were spent in read-
ing. Soon every leisure moment was occupied with
books. His thirst for knowledge became insatiate
and the selections which he made were continually
more elevating and instructive. He read history,
biography, oratorj-, and tiius gradually there was en-
kindled in his heart a desire to be something more
than a mere worker with his hands; and he was be-
coming, almost unknown to himself, a well-informed,
educated man.
The young clothier had now attained the age o(
nineteen years, and was of fine i>ersonal appearance
and of gentlemanly demeanor. It so hapiiened thaf
there was a gentleman m the neighborhood of ample
pecuniary means and of benevolence, — Judge Walter
Wood, — who was struck with the i)rei)ossessing a!>
pearance of young Fillmore. He made his acquaint-
ance, and was so much impressed with his ability and
attainments that he advised him to abandon his
trade and devote himself to the study of the law. The
young man replied, that he h.id no means of his own,
no friends to help him and that his previous educa-
tion had been very imperfect. But Judge Wood had
so much confidence in him that he kindly offered to
take him into his own office, and to loan him such
money as he needed. Most gratefully the generous
offer was accepted.
There is in many minds a strange delusion al)Outf
a collegiate education. A young man is sup;x)sed to
be liberally educated if he ha.s graduated at some col-
lege. But many a l)oy loiters through university lial'
4nd then enters a law office, who is by no meang as
oi
MILLARD FILLMORE.
well prepared to prosecute his legal studies as was
Millard Fillniore when he graduated at the clothing-
mill at the end of four years of manual labor, during
which every leisure moment had been devoted to in-
tense mental culture.
In 1823, when twenty-three years of age, he v/as
admitted to the Court of Common Pleas. He then
went to the village of Aurora, and commenced the
practice of law. In this secluded, peaceful region,
his practice of course was limited, and there was no
opportunity for a sudden rise in fortune or in fame.
Here, in the year 1826, he married a lady of great
moral worth, and one capable of adorning any station
she might be called to fill,— Miss Abigail Powers.
His elevation of character, his untiring industrj',
his legal acquirements, and his skill as an advocate,
gradually attracted attention ; and he was invited to
enter into partnership under highly advantageous
circumstances, with an elder member of the bar in
Buffiilo. Just before removing to Buffalo, in 1829,
he took his seat in the House of Assembly, of the
State of New York, as a representative from Erie
County. Though he had never taken a very active
part in ix)litics, his vote and his sympathies were with
the Whig party. The State was then Democratic,
and lie found himself in a helpless minority in the
Legislature , still the testimony comes from all parlies,
that his courtesy, ability and integrity, won, to a very
unusual degrt e the respect of his associates.
In the autumn of 1832, he was elected to a seat in
the United States Congress. He entered that troubled
arena in some of the most tumultuous hours of our
national history. The great conflict respecting the
national bank and the removal of the deposits, was
then raging.
His term of two years closed ; and he returned to
his profession, which he pursued with increasing rep-
utation and success. After a lapse of two years
he again became a candidate for Congress ; was re-
elected, and took his seat in 1837. His past expe-
rience as a representative gave him stiength and
confidence. The first term of service in Congress to
any man can be but little more than an introduction.
He was now prepared for active duty. All his ener-
gies were brought to bear uixsn the public good. Every
measure received his impress.
Mr. Fillmore was now a man of wide repute, and
his ixjpularity filled the State, and in the year 1847,
he was elected Comptroller of the State.
Mr. Fillmore had attained the age of forty-seven
years. His labors at the bar, in the Legislature, in
Congress and as Comptroller, had given him very con-
siderable fame. The Whigs were casting about to
find suitable candidates for President and Vice-Presi-
dent at the approaching election. Far away, on the
waters of the Rio Grande, there was a rough old
soldier, who had fought one or two successful battles
with the Mexicans, which had caused his name to be
proclaimed in trumpet-tones all over the land. But
it was necessary to associate with him on the same
ticket some man of reputation as a statesman.
Under the influence of these considerations, the
namesofZachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore became
the rallying-cry of the Whigs, as their candidates for
President and Vice-Peesident. The Whig ticket was
signally triumphant. On the 4th of March, 1849,
Gen. Taylor was inaugurated President, and Millard
Fillmore Vice-President, of the United States.
On the 9th of July, 1850, President Taylor, but
about one year and four months after his inaugura
tion, was suddenly taken sick and died. By the Con-
stitution, Vice-President Fillmore thus became Presi-
dent. He appointed a verj^ able cabinet, of which
the illustrious Daniel Webster was Secretary of State.
Mr. Filhiiore had very serious difficulties to contend
with, since the opposition had a majority in both
Houses. He did everything in his power to conciliate
the South; but the pro-slavery party in the South felt
theinadequacyof all measuresof transient conciliation.
The population of the free States was so rapidly in-
creasing over that of the slave States that it was in-
evitable that the power of the Government should
soon pass into the hands of the free States. The
famous compromise measures were adopted under Mr.
Fillmcre's adminstration, and the Japan Expedition
was sent out. On the 4th of March, 1853, Mr Fill-
more, having served one term, retired.
In 1856, Mr. Fillmore was nominated for tiie Pres-
idency by the " Know Nothing " party, hut was lieaten
by Mr. Buchanan. After that Mr. F"illmore lived in
retirement. During the terrible conflict of civil war,
he was mostly silent. It was generally supixised iha>
his sympathies were rather with those who were en-
deavoring to overthrow our institutions. President
Fillmore kept aloof from the conflict, without any
cordial words of cheer to the one [)arty or the other.
He was thus forgotten by both. He lived to a rijjc
old age, and died in Buffalo. N. Y., March 8, 1874-
LIBRARY
UNIVERSIIY OF ILLINOIS
URBANA
c'^^^ A' M^c^
FOURTEENTH PRESIDENT.
^h^ ^FRANKLIN PIERCE.+4^
A .♦..*. .+, A .-.Ar-t. .t.«t.*,t. A
KAXKLIN PIERCE, the
loiirteenih President of tlie
United States, was bom in
Hillsborough, N. H., Nov.
^, ,. .- 23, 1804. His father was a
ilS^^255^ Revolutionary soldier, who,
with his own strong arm,