and endowed a broad system of education, charitable institutions for every class of the unfortunate, and a penitentiary establishment which is adopted as a model by civilized nations. It has increased four-fold the wealth of its citizens and relieved them from direct taxation; and, in addition to all this, has carried forward a stupendous enterprise of improvement, all the while diminishing its debt, magnifying its credit, and augmenting its resources" (1838).

CHAPTER XXXVI.-THE PATRIOT WAR

Causes of the War.-In 1837 Upper and Lower Canada began a revolt against British rule for popular rights. In Lower Canada Papineau was the eloquent leader of the French. Some blood was shed near Montreal, but the insurrection was soon put down (Nov.). In Upper Canada a faction wished an independent republic. Rebellion broke out near Toronto, but was soon suppressed. The leaders either fled to the United States or were captured and punished. Refugees met a warm reception in this country. One of them, Mackenzie, with a reward of $4,000 on his head, seized Navy Island in Niagara River, held it with 20 cannon and 700 men, mostly Americans, established a republic, floated a flag, used a big seal, and issued paper money.

The Destruction of the Carolire, a steamer used by Mackenzie, by Canadian militia caused great excitement (Dec. 29, 1837). The vessel was on the American shore when seized, set on fire and sent over the falls. This

was an invasion of American territory. Van Buren at once declared that he would enforce the law of neutrality. General Scott was sent to the frontier to stop all armed intervention and supplies, and Governor Marcy placed the state militia under his command.1 Raids into British territory continued all along the frontier. Arms were stolen from the state arsenal at Watertown, and a large force collected at Clayton for an invasion (Feb., 1838). Mackenzie and Van Rensselaer quarreled over the leadership, and the expedition was abandoned. The British steamer Sir Robert Peel was boarded at Wellesley Island by a band dressed as Indians and burned, with the yell," Remember the Caroline."

Battle of Windmill Point.-Finally a steamer and two schooners, loaded with a large band of sympathizers having their arms concealed, started for Prescott (Nov. 11). General John W. Birge of Cazenovia led the expedition. At Ogdensburg they were joined by others. At Windmill Point 180 patriots landed under Von Schoultz and prepared for a defense. After several days' fighting, however, they surrendered unconditionally. The signal for a general uprising in Canada had failed. The prisoners, mostly from New York, were tried, Von Schoultz and seven privates were hanged and the rest were pardoned. This practically ended the Patriot War. Van Buren was sharply criticised for his neutrality, and was called a British tool. For years northern New York voted against the Democratic party. The Presidential Campaign of 1840 was a remarkable

one.

1

The Whigs, who had now spread all over the

1 Congress voted $625,000 to protect our northern frontiers.

country, nominated Harrison and Tyler. The New York Whigs, led by Thurlow Weed, had defeated Henry Clay, the father of the party. The Democrats rallied around Van Buren. This "log-cabin and hardcider" campaign had "more enthusiasm and less thought" than any former one. All over the state processions of soldiers, accompanied by their wives, children, and friends, with banners, flags, cider-barrels, log cabins, and raccoons, were formed. Harrison, the "Cincinnatus from his plow," received 234 electoral votes to Van Buren's 60. Even New York gave the former 13,200 votes more than the latter.

The State Election reflected the spirit of the national campaign. The Whigs renominated Seward and Bradish (Aug. 12, 1840), and the Democrats were led by Bouck and Dickinson. The Abolitionists for the first time entered the field with Gerrit Smith and Shepard as candidates. Mass-meetings were held in all the towns. Seward was elected by over 5,000 majority, and the legislature was again Whig. The next year Whig extravagance enabled the Democrats to gain control of both branches of the legislature. In 1842 Seward's unpopularity prevented his renomination for governor. Bradish headed the Whig ticket and was elected over Bouck, the Democratic candidate, by 21,000 majority, but the legislature remained Democratic.

Fugitive Slaves.-About this time New York had a taste of what was to be serious trouble later. Three colored men forcibly took a slave from John G. Colley in Virginia and carried him to New York City (July 15, 1839). The governor of Virginia declared them to be

fugitives from justice, and asked Governor Seward to give them up. He refused to surrender them, and was supported in his action by the legislature. Virginia tried to retaliate, but the controversy died down, to be revived some years later.

Presidential Campaign of 1844.-In 1844 Van Buren expected the Baltimore convention (May 27) to renominate him for President. By opposing the annexation of Texas he lost the support of the slave states. He had a majority of the delegates, but could not gain the required two-thirds, and James K. Polk was nominated. A few weeks before, in the same city, the Whigs had chosen Clay as their candidate (May 1). Polk favored and Clay opposed the annexation of the Lone Star State. Clay might have been elected had not factions divided the Whigs.

The Native American Party.-The great influx of foreigners into New York and the ease by which they became voters soon gave them the balance of political power and enabled them to demand too large a share in party spoils. To prevent this the party of "Native Americans" was formed in New York City. They elected Harper mayor by a majority of 4,316 and soon became a political power in the state. The Whigs themselves divided on this question. One faction, led by Seward, Weed, and Greeley, favored "adopted" citizens; the other, supported by a paper in Buffalo and two in New York City, wished to keep foreigners out of politics.

Liberty Party. The Abolitionists organized themselves into the Liberty Party, whose "one idea " was the immediate emancipation of slaves. Most of the party

were men of wealth, talent, education, and character. The Liberty Press at Utica was their literary organ. They opposed the annexation of Texas and hence Polk. Clay was a slaveholder, so they could not support him. They nominated James G. Birney, who had freed his slaves in Kentucky and moved to Michigan. Of the 62,300 votes he received, 15,812 came from New York. This sentiment foretold great things for the future.

Political Results.—The national contest was again the state issue. The Democrats also broke into two hostile camps. The "Hunkers," followers of Van Buren and anti-Texas men, were defeated by the "Barnburners,' led by Butler, Dix, and Flagg, who nominated their candidates, Silas Wright and Gardiner, for governor and lieutenant-governor (Sept. 4, 1844). The Whigs named Fillmore and Wilkin with great unanimity (Sept. 11). The campaign was a repetition of that of 1840. Orators addressed mass-meetings all over the state. The Native Americans had candidates for Congress and the legislature, but voted as they pleased for governor and President. They carried a majority of the local elections in the metropolis. The "Antirenters" carried seven counties. The Liberty Party did not elect a single candidate. Wright was chosen governor by 10,000 votes, and Polk was elected President. Had the Liberty Party's 15,000 votes been cast for Clay he would have been the next President. The feud between the Hunkers and the Barnburners increased in bitterness and defeated the re-election of Wright (1846). John Young was placed in the executive chair by 11,000 majority, and served one term.