1848] TAYLOR'S ADMINISTRATION. 171 to the United States the disputed territory on the frontier of Texas, and the provinces of New Mexico and Upper California, which had been already conquered. The United States was to pay for these extensive tracts between fifteen and twenty millions of dollars. 10. The only other event of importance during President Polk's term, was the settlement of a boundary line in the northwest with Great Britain. A large section of country, known as Oregon, lying between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, was claimed by both nations. As it was now rapidly becoming settled, it was important to have the boundary fixed, and this was at length with some difficulty accomplished. 1. General Taylor's services in the Mexican war were rewarded with the highest office in the people's gift. He was made President in 1849; and Millard Fillmore, of New York, was at the same time elected Vice-president. 2. California, you remember, was ceded by Mexico to the United States. In 1848, a great discovery was made there. A laborer, examining some sand that caught his eye with its glitter, found it to be mixed with gold. Further search showed that the precious metal was abundant. The news spread. Thousands at once flocked to the land of gold, from all parts of the world. California became rapidly settled, and now, early in Taylor's term, asked to be admitted as a state. 3. The people of the south had negro slavery; not so, those of the north. California wanted to come in as a free state. do? State the provisions of the treaty.-10. Give an account of the settlement of a boundary line in the north-west with Great Britain. 1. How were General Taylor's services rewarded? Who was elected Vicepresident? 2. What discovery was made in California in 1848? What was the consequence of this discovery? What request was made by the people of California in Taylor's term?-3. What difficulty arose in relation to the admis Years before, an agreement had been made that slavery should be permitted in all territory south of a certain line and excluded from all north of it. Now, as part of California was south of this line, many objected to receiving it except with slavery as one of its institutions. Angry feelings were aroused, which were not allayed till Henry Clay appeared as a peacemaker. Concessions were made by both sides, and a compromise bill was passed by Congress. California was admitted without slavery. 4. While the discussion was going on, the country was called a second time to mourn for its chief magistrate. The good General Taylor died, and Fillmore became President. 5. In 1850, an unlawful expedition was secretly fitted out in the United States, against Cuba. It was thought that the people of that lovely isle were tired of Spanish rule, and would gladly seize on any chance of entering the Union. This was found to be a mistake. Six hundred adventurers from the United States landed on the island; but, finding that no welcome except a hot one from the Spanish troops awaited them, they quickly re-embarked. The next year a similar attempt was made. The adventurers this time were attacked and defeated, and several of them, including their leader, executed. 6. The only remaining events of interest during the administration of Taylor and Fillmore were, the fitting out of two expeditions for the Arctic Ocean, to aid in ascertaining the fate of Sir John Franklin, the English explorer; and the death of the three leading statesmen of America,-John C. Calhoun, of South Carolina, Henry Clay, of Kentucky, and Daniel Webster, of Massachusetts. 7. Fillmore was succeeded, on the 4th of March, 1853, by Franklin Pierce, of New Hampshire, who had served as a general in the Mexican War. sion of California? How was it settled ?-4. What sad event took place while the discussion was going on?-5. What expedition set out from the United States in 1850? With what success did it meet? What took place the next year?-6. What other events of interest took place in Fillmore's term ?-7. By whom was Fillmore succeeded? 1853] PIERCE'S ADMINISTRATION. 173 LESSON LVII. FRANKLIN PIERCE.-JAMES BUCHANAN. 1. The beginning of Pierce's term was signalized by the opening of the World's Fair. A Crystal Palace, built of iron and glass, was erected for the enterprise in New York. The different states, as well as foreign nations, contributed their products, and thousands visited the exhibition from all parts of the country. 2. One of the greatest events of Pierce's term was the opening of commerce with Japan. Japan is a great empire, consisting of several large islands in the Pacific Ocean. It is occupied by a shrewd but peculiar people, who have always avoided having anything to do with other nations. In the hope of opening a trade with this rich empire, Commodore Perry had been sent out to it with a squadron, bearing various presents and a letter from the President. By skilful management he persuaded the emperor to make a treaty and set apart two ports at which the merchants of the United States might trade. 3. There was great excitement in Pierce's term about the organizing of two territories, Kansas and Nebraska. As they lay north of the old line that had been agreed upon, some said that slavery was excluded from them. But another party claimed that the agreement had already been broken by the admission of California as a free state, and that it should be left to the people of Kansas and Nebraska to decide for themselves on the subject of slavery. The latter carried the day. Kansas soon became the scene of a bitter struggle between the pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers, and much blood was shed before the quarrel was ended. 1. By what event was the beginning of Pierce's term signalized ?-2. What was one of the greatest events of Pierce's term? What is said of Japan and its people? What had been done in the hope of opening a trade with Japan? What was the result?-3. What produced great excitement in Pierce's term? What positions were taken by opposite parties? Which prevailed? Of what 4. On the 4th of March, 1857, James Buchanan, of Pennsylvania, a distinguished statesman, was inaugurated as President. In the fall of the same year, a great revulsion took place in the mercantile world. Banks suspended, factories closed, many merchants failed, and a general panic prevailed. It was some time before business revived and the country recovered. 5. Difficulties with the Mormons obliged Mr. Buchanan to send an army into their territory. The Mormons lived in Utah, far away from the settled portions of the United States. Here they defied the general government, claiming the right of naming their own rulers. When the army, however, arrived in the neighborhood of their chief city, the Mormons changed their tone and agreed to recognize the laws and authority of the United States. 6. Paraguay [par-a-gwa'], a South American state, having given our government various causes of offence and refusing to make reparation, a strong naval force was sent out to that country towards the close of 1858. A commissioner accompanied the fleet, to settle the difficulty if possible, without recourse to violence; and he succeeded in so doing. 7. In the fall of 1859, the United States arsenal at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, was seized by John Brown and twenty-one associates, and an attempt made to excite an insurrection among the slaves. But it totally failed. The movement was put down on the second day, by United States marines. Thirteen of the party were killed in the struggle; Brown and six of his companions were hanged; only two escaped. 8. The summer of 1860 was signalized by the arrival of an embassy from Japan,-consisting of seventy-one persons. They brought the treaty which had been agreed upon, for the President's signature. The Japanese were received as guests of the did Kansas become the scene?-4. Who was inaugurated, March 4th, 1857 ? What took place in the fall of that same year?-5. With whom did difficulties now arise? Where did the Mormons live? What had they done? What steps were taken by the government, and what was the result?-6. To what South American state was a strong naval force sent? Why? How did this trouble terminate?-7. Give an account of the attempt of John Brown and his men.-8. What took place in the summer of 1860? How were the Japanese 1860] RECEPTION OF THE JAPANESE. 175 nation, and regarded with universal interest. They were much pleased with their visit, and took back with them many specimens of American art and industry. 9. Another object of interest presented itself about the same time. This was the mammoth steamship Great Eastern, the largest vessel in the world. The Great Eastern was built in England, and made its first trip to New York. It was over oneeighth of a mile long, and attracted thousands of visitors, some of whom came many miles to see this triumph of human skill. 10. In the fall of 1860, Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois, was elected President. The southern leaders, fearing for slavery, had threatened to break up the Union if he was elected. All efforts to conciliate them were vain. Within three months, received? What did they take back with them?-9. What other object of interest presented itself about the same time? Where was the Great Eastern built? How long was it?-10. Who was elected President in 1860? What |