nected with all bills for the establishment of terri-
torial governments during that administration. In
* " The memorialists are citizens of the United States. They express
ardenl attachment to their native land, and in their present perilous and
distressed situation, they earnestly invoke the aid and protection of their
Government."
'â– The population of Oregon is believed to exceed twelve thousand
souls, and it is known that it will be increased by a large number of emi-
grants during the present season. The facts set forth in the accompany-
in" memorial and papers, show that the dangers to which our fellow-citi-
zen- are exposed are so imminent, that I deem it my duty again to impress
on ( Congress the strong claim which the inhabitants of that distant country
have to the benefit of our laws, and the protection of our Government."
'• I therefore again invite the attention of Congress to the subject, and
recommend that laws be promptly passed establishing a Territorial Govern-
ment, and granting authority to raise an adequate volunteer force for the
defence and protection of its inhabitants." — Message of Mr. Polk to Con-
gress, May 2!V/i, 1848.
POLK ADMINISTRATION. 459
his approval of the Oregon bill, the President as-
signed his reasons for doing so, and laid down cer-
tain principles for the control of the General Go-
vernment in future.*
On the 2d of August, 1848, the Oregon bill
passed the House of Representatives. The Wilinot
proviso was inserted in it by a vote of 114 to 88.f
In the Senate it was moved to amend the bill, by
assigning as a reason for ingrafting in it the ordi-
nance of 1787, the fact, that the country lay north
of 36° 30'. This proposition only received two
votes .J It was then proposed to amend it by ap-
plying the principles of the Missouri compromise
* Message of Mr. Polk to the House of Representatives, August
14th, 1848. Congressional Globe, 1st session 30th Congress, p. 1081.
f Congressional Globe, 1st session 30th Congress, p. 1027.
I " Mr. Webster addressed the Senate. He admitted the propriety of
the establishment of a Territorial Government in Oregon, and he was
willing to vote for this bill as it came from the House. If amended as
now proposed, he would not be able to vote for it. He recited the words
of the section, and said, the amendment proposed gave a reason for the
application of the principle of the ordinance of 1787 to the Territory of
Oregon. When a single reason was given for any act, it was intended to
be inferred that there were no other reasons. The Territory of Oregon
was above the line of the Missouri compromise. His objection to slavery
was irrespective of lines and points of latitude : it took in the whole coun-
try and the whole question. He was opposed to it in every shape and in
every qualification ; and was against any compromise of the question."
Speech of Mr. Webster, in the Senate, August 10th, 1848.
" Mr. Calhoun said he should vote against the amendment, because he
regarded it as ambiguous, and he was against all ambiguity. Again, he
opposed it because the North could not be more determined to exclude the
South than he was to resist such exclusion. He would be as firm in
maintaining his ground as Northern Senators were in maintaining theirs.
A majority would always be able to carry their views ; but here a minor-
ity, aided by a few of the majority, attempted to impose on the South
restrictions which could not be submitted to." — Speech of Mr. Calhoun
in the Senate, August 10th, 1848.
4(30 HISTOEY OF THE
to the territories of the United States, and this was
agreed to by a vote of 33 to 21* The bill was
returned to the House, and this amendment of the
Senate was rejected by a vote of 121 to 82. The
Senate then receded from their amendment running
the Missouri compromise line west to the Pacific
Ocean, by a vote of 29 to 25.+ Attempts were
made during the same session of Congress, to es-
tablish territorial governments for Oregon, New
Mexico, and California, but they all failed with the
exception of the Oregon bill.
A military Governor was appointed for Califor-
nia, with the authority to exercise civil functions,
and he was continued in office when the administra-
tion of General Taylor came into power. J The
* " That the line of thirty-six degrees and thirty minutes north lati-
tude, known as the Missouri compromise line, as defined by the eighth
section of an act entitled ' An act to authorize the people of Missouri Ter-
ritory to form a Constitution and State Government, and for the admission
of such State into the Union on an equal footing with the original States,
and to prohibit slavery in certain Territories,' approved March 6th, 1820,
bo, and the same is hereby declared to extend to the Pacific Ocean ; and
the said eighth section, together with the compromise therein effected, is
hereby revised and declared to be in full force and binding for the future
organization of the Territories of the United States, in the same sense,
and with the same understanding with which it was originally adopted." —
Conqrt ssi, mal Globe, 1st session 30th Congress, p. 1062.
f Congressional Globe, 1st session 30th Congress, p. 1078.
X " The immediate establishment of Territorial Governments, and the
extension of our laws over these valuable possessions, are deemed to be
not only important, but indispensable to preserve order and the du^ ad-
ministration of justice within their limits, to afford protection to the inhab-
itants, and to facilitate the development of the vast resources and wealth
which their acquisition has added to our country.
"The war with Mexico having terminated, the power of the Executive
|jsh or continue temporary civil Governments over these territories,
which existed under the laws of nations, whilst they were regarded as
POLK ADMINISTRATION. 461
people of New Mexico enjoyed the benefit of their
municipal laws after their annexation to the United
States, and a military force was sent to protect
them against the Indians.
During the administration of Mr. Polk two new
States, Iowa and Wisconsin, were admitted into the
Union. The inhabitants of Iowa, through their
delegates, framed a Constitution, which was signed
on the 18th of May, 1846, and a law was approved
on the 28th of December of the same year, admit-
ting her to the sisterhood of States. Iowa was set-
tled by a hardy, industrious and enterprising pop-
ulation, and having the advantage of a rich and
productive soil, its resources were rapidly developed.
Many of the citizens of Iowa were from the slave
States, and made their way thither up the Missis-
sippi river, and located upon its banks.
Wisconsin was admitted on the 3d of March,
1847. This State is inhabited principally by north-
ern men, but there may be found within her bor-
conquered provinces in our military occupation, has ceased. By their
cession to the United States, Mexico has no longer any power over them ;
and, until Congress shall act, the inhabitants will be without any organ-
ized Government. Should they be left in this condition, confusion and
anarchy will be likely to prevail." — Message of Mr. Polk to Congress.
July 6th, 1848.
It will be observed that Mr. Polk was willing to surrender the power
to Congress to govern the territory acquired, as soon as the war ceased.
But Congress did not, during his administration, establish Territorial Go-
vernments ; and he was forced therefore to appoint General Riley military
Governor of California, to prevent anarchy and bloodshed in that territory.
His powers were enlarged by the succeeding administration, as will be seen
by the message of General Taylor, and the accompanying documents,
which were transmitted to the House of Representatives January 21st,
1850.
462 HISTORY OF THE
ders very many foreigners. The agricultural re-
sources of Wisconsin are even greater than those of
Iowa, and the energies of her people are making this
young commonwealth one of the most nourishing
in the Union. The productions of both States are
easily conveyed away. The eastern boundary of
Wisconsin is washed by the transparent waters of
Lake Michiaran, while the western limits of Iowa
arc bathed by the father of rivers. The surplus
produce of one finds its egress along the lakes to
the Atlantic coast, and that of the other floats down
the Mississippi to the great southern mart. The
mind can scarcely realize, that these two prosperous
sovereignties are furnishing homes for an industri-
ous and happy people. But a few years have
elapsed since the aborigines roamed undisturbed by
the white man through these western wilds, and
the sharp twang of the bow, the rush of the arrow,
and the piercing war-whoop, alone disturbed their
solitudes. Cities have arisen in the midst of forests
with a celerity unequalled, except by those which
have been created almost by the hand of magic upon
the -1 to res of the Pacific. Within the memory of
our yoHinj men, first western New- York, and then
Ohio, was regarded as t\\Q far toest, but now our
relations have converted the vast forests which sur-
rounded our inland seas and western rivers into
ih^ peaceful and happy abodes of civilization.
On the 9th day of July, 184(5, the President
approved a bill retroceding the county and town
of Alexandria to the State of Virginia. This bill
re-conveyed to that State all the territory which
POLK ADMINISTRATION. 463
had been ceded by her to the General Government,
with the exception of the public buildings belong-
ing to the United States. This measure encoun-
tered very little serious opposition in either House
of Congress ; and when we take into consideration
the uselessness of the territory to the General Gov-
ernment, and the vexed question of slavery, it was
perhaps a movement dictated by wisdom upon the
part of Congress.
We might pause here to consider the advance
which had been made during the administration of
Mr. Polk, in the development of the arts and sci-
ences, the state of American literature and educa-
tion, the increase or decline of morality, the pro-
gress of religion, and the prevalence of fanaticism,
the existence of energy and enterprise among our
citizens, as well as the acquisition of that influence
and power as a nation, which commands the re-
spect and challenges the admiration of the civilized
world.
There are many circumstances in the history of
a people which are regarded of secondary import-
ance, that seem, nevertheless, to illustrate their
career, and indicate the destiny which awaits them.
Such events signalized each year of Mr. Polk's admin-
istration, and a brief space will now be devoted to
their analysis.
In former years labor was performed by hand,
with the most simple agencies. The earth was pre-
pared for seed with wooden ploughs, and harrows
with wooden teeth. Produce was wheeled to mar-
ket along rough and miry roads, or taken in flat-
4G4 HISTORY OF THE
boats down our rivers, while merchandise, in keel-
boats, was warped against the current to its place
of destination* Yam was spun with hand-wheels,
and cloth was manufactured in hand-looms. And,
indeed, all the implements of husbandry were of
the roughest and most unwieldy description. Time,
which is so important with all, was wasted in tra-
velling by tardy conveyances, and persons divided
b\ a few hundred miles, rarely met. Within the
lasl half century, great and radical changes have
been made in all that relates to the comfort and
happiness of man. The power of steam has be-
come an important agent in our operations. Along
our lakes and rivers, and even upon the turbulent
ocean itself, steamboats are bearing the rapidly ac-
cumulating commerce of the United States, while
across streams, over valleys, and through mountains,
rushes the iron-horse, and intelligence with the
rapidity of thought is transmitted from pole to
pole.f New improvements are yearly being made
in the engines which move our floating palaces,
and in the shape of the vessels, that they maybe
forced through the water with greater ease. Steam
presses, which are substituted for the small and in-
formed ones that were moved by human power,
* But a few years have elapsed since a trip down the tributaries of
the Mississippi to New Orleans and back required nearly half a year.
Merchandise was placed in keel-boats, and with long poles was pushed
up the river. When th<> Davigators arrived at a spot where the current
waE veT y r:i| ,;,i. it was warped, which operation consisted in attaching a
rope to a tree or rock, far up the stream, and then winding it up.
f The foreign news was lately sent from Halifax to New Orleans in
thirty-six hours, a distance of 2,800 miles. January, 1850.
POLK ADMINISTRATION. 465
enable our enterprising publishers to spread infor-
mation and intelligence, with greater facility, before
the reading world. In almost every kind of man-
ufacturing the agency of steam is employed. The
complicated machinery of cotton, carpet, and wool-
len corporations, the iron foundry, and the furnace,*
the steamship and the tow-boat, the flour-mill and
the factory, all move in obedience to that power
which the genius of Fulton enabled him to subject
to our control.f
The formation of our ships, the structure of the
machinery used in manufacturing, farming uten-
sils ; in short, every article employed by man, has
been wonderfully improved within the last few
* To show the power which art enables man to employ in his service,
it is only necessary to recur to the operations of some of our iron masters.
Steam is employed for the purpose of moving the bellows attached to the
stack. This is something like a shot tower, only not so high, built of
rock, into which is put iron ore, charcoal, and limestone. The bellows is
applied to an aperture in the lower part of the stack for the purpose of
producing heat. At first the boilers were placed upon the ground, and
the steam was generated by large quantities of wood. But subsequently
the boilers were elevated upon the top of the stack, and steam was produced
by the flame which came out of it. The boilers moved the bellows, and
that operated upon the fire within the stack, and the heat created thereby
generated the steam.
f While Robert Fulton was employed in convincing an incredulous
community of the practicability of applying steam power to water craft,
he asked countenance and support from one of the wealthiest citizens of
New-York, who responded to him that he was then engaged in preparing
for the press a learned dissertation upon the influence which preserved
Daniel unharmed in the lion's den. He was not prepared, therefore, to
devote either time or attention to the " visionary scheme" which Fulton
was endeavoring to perfect. The work which the millionaire supposed
would startle the literary world, only made its appearance to find that
oblivion which it no doubt deserved, and its enthusiastic author sleeps with
his fathers, and his name perished almost with his existence, while Fulton,
the despised and villified, won a deathless and immortal reputation.
30
466 HISTOBT OF THE
years, until nature and art arc combined in yielding
to the Lords of creation comfort and happiness.
Science has also made rapid strides within the
last fifty years ; and at the present day, speculative
reasoning, and metaphysical disquisitions character-
ize thought and argumentation. Researches upon
dry and a kst ruse questions seem to afford particular
pleasure to investigating intellects, and the fruits
which reward mental toil, elevate to a still higher
pedestal that knowledge which the human mind
can grasp and retain.
American literature is each year becoming more
and more appreciated at home and abroad, until
our authors stand in the front rank of historians,
poets, and novelists. Education, the advance guard
of liberty and the rights of man, has keen extended
to our youth. Facilities are afforded to the rising
generation which were unknown to our fathers, and
all obstacles are removed from the path which leads
to the temple of knowledge. This subject presents
itself in the double aspect of a guarantee for the
stability of our institutions, and a passport to that
happiness which mental culture cannot fail to he-
Btow. Volumes could be written upon the advan-
tages to be obtained by nations, as well as indivi-
dual-, from a general system of education.-' I) qua-
lifies mm for the high and ennobling destiny which
freemen can command, and renders the domestic
circle peaceful and interesting. Each step taken
by the white man fr om the Atlantic coast into the
* It was a true savin**, tint if •• the \v:it_ r <^ of the schoolmaster are re-
ducedj the pay of the recruiting sergeant musl be increased."
POLK ADMINISTRATION. 467
wilcls of the West, has been the precursor ot educa-
tion and refinement, and the school-house, the acad-
emy, and the college, have been erected upon the
confines of civilization. That energy which could
successfully encounter the solitude and perils of a
wilderness, was prepared to dissipate its gloom by
mental improvement and social intercourse. To
New England are the other States indebted for
much of that well-directed zeal in the cause of edu-
cation which signalizes the present age. The ce-
lebrity of her system of common schools has found
favor elsewhere, and in many instances has been
greatly improved upon.
It had been a prevailing opinion in Europe, that
the Americans were a nation of traders, not over
scrupulous about the means of acquiring wealth, and
consequently, that a high state of morality could
not exist among us. The Mexican war, by illustra-
ting the chivalrous gallantry of the citizen soldier,
went far towards removing this prejudice. It was
proved that a much higher degree of patriotism
animated our people than Europe ever exhibited.
And where that is a prominent attribute of national
character, morality must be found. I do not mean
a thirst for slaughter, or a spirit which riots in car-
nage and blood, as an avocation ; but that enthu-
siastic love of country which induces an estimable
citizen to leave his kindred and his home, to vindi-
cate the honor of his native land, and when that
end is attained, to return to his quiet fireside, blest
with a nation's gratitude.
It is a subject as gratifying to the patriot as to
4G8 HISTOKY OF THE
the Christian, that morality is wielding yearly a
more enlarged and liberal influence upon the people
of this confederacy. Religion is exercising its mild
and gentle sway, with less of that bigotry which
hitherto marked its progress. Charity is extended
to foreigners with a liberal hand, while the poor
and degraded are snatched from the haunts of
wretchedness and vice, where crime has not inclosed
them too closely in its folds. Religious fanaticism
does not rage with the same violence as formerly,
and therefore possesses more of that spirit which
was inculcated by our Saviour. Many new sects
are springing up, but their secession is not visited
with that unforgiving spirit which punished free-
dom of opinion in former days. As they serve to
prevent a concentration of power in one church,
which during its early history proved not only
quite inconvenient, but oftentimes dangerous, they
are to be encouraged, rather than condemned.
There is a political fanaticism, however, which has
increased in violence within the last few years, to
an alarming degree. Thedanger to be apprehended
from that kind of zeal, which borders upon frenzy,
is, that its efforts are uncontrolled by a proper re-
gard for the difficulties it seeks to overcome. When
passion, instead of reason guides its career, a due
respect is not paid to the Constitution and the laws*
* "All this is just and sound. But assuming the same premises, to
wit, that all men are equal by the law of nations, the right of propert) in
Blaves falls to the ground, lor one who is equal to another cannot be the
owner or property of thai other. Bui yon answer that the Constitution
recognizes property in slaves. It would be sufficient then to reply, that
thie constitutional recognition must be void, because it is repugnant to the
POLK ADMINISTRATION. 469
The abolition excitement is produced by religious
zealots and unscrupulous politicians. The latter
make concessions to its demands, for the purpose of
obtaining place and power. Its decrees are pro-
mulgated from the pulpit and the hustings, with an
ardor equal to that which prompted the crusaders
to drive the infidel from the Holy Land. Where it
will terminate no one can tell, unless all who respect
the guaranties of the Constitution arrest its progress.
If the zeal which is now employed upon distant
objects, was directed with as much fervor to the re-
lief of suffering at our doors, our motives would not
so often be subject to a just criticism.
The overthrow of the popular cause in Hungary
and Italy has, for a period, destroyed the hopes of
republicanism in that portion of the world. France
may stay the tide of absolutism, on the one hand,
and socialism, on the other ; and, emerging from the
difficulties which assail her from without and with-
in, yet illustrate the principles of free government.
Upon the soil of Europe all is uncertainty; the
spark of liberty which still lingers may light up
into a blaze, and spread from land to land, until
despotism and misrule shall nowhere find a spot to
exercise its ruthless sway ; or it may go out, leaving
continental Europe surrounded with the darkness
of the middle ages.
But here no such doubt and uncertainty exists.
That Constitution which was framed by the wisdom
law of nature and of nations." " But there is a higher law than the Consti-
tution which regulates our authority overthe domain, and devotes it t" the
same noble purposes." — Speech of Mr. H. Seward, U. S. Senate, March,
1850.
470 HISTOEY OF THE
of those who passed through the fiery ordeal of the
Revolution, stands the test of scrutiny and of time.
Every assault which taction makes against it only
has the effect of eliciting the veneration and regard
entertained for its provisions by the American peo-
ple. And wherefore should it not be so? The basis
of that Constitution is the immutable principles of
justice and truth. It guaranties the largest liberty
to the citizen consistent with a well-ordered and
well-regulated society. We choose our own public
servants, who are accountable to us for their actions.
All grievances can be redressed at the ballot-box.
The private citizen, unawed by power, and uncon-
trolled by a superior, possesses all the attributes and
privileges of a freeman.
We have a country of vast and illimitable re-
sources, possessing every variety of soil and climate
which the heart can desire; while national justice,
unmingled with pride, will enable us to say that no
country is blessed with inhabitants so gallant, patri-
otic, enterprising, scientific, and moral, as those
within the borders of the American Union.
Here the husband is not torn from the bosom of
his family, reluctantly to fight a tyrant's battles;
but at the call of his country, when her honor is as-
Bailed, he vohmteers to redress her wrongs. Con-
Bcious of possessing the power of a slumbering giant,
there is ao manifestation of constanl alarm indicated
b\ the existence of large standing armies. On the
contrary, unawed by tin- formidable array presented
by foreign powers, our citizens peacefully pursue
their usual avocations, confident in their ability to
POLK ADMINISTRATION. 471
repel every aggression upon their rights, and to pre-
serve unsullied the national honor.
With all these elements of domestic happiness
and national greatness, where is the cause for dis-
content ? If we were ' disposed to appreciate the
blessings which we enjoy, instead of seeking some
imaginary evil as a source of dissatisfaction, it would
be far more conducive to our happiness. We should
not for a moment forget that we have the most per-
fect form of government ever devised by the wit of
man. This idea should daily be a subject of rejoic-
ing. We should then be prepared to estimate the
horrors of a dissolution of the Union. That terrible
event should not for a moment be entertained ; and
the monster who could have the hardihood to pro-
pose an encroachment upon the Constitution, or re-
sist its requirements, should be held up to the un-
mitigated scorn and contempt of every patriot in
the land ; and whoever attempt* the treason should
be made a fearful example to all who would shun
the traitor's doom.