Alamo proved his last battle-field. He expired, covered with wounds, surrounded by a circle of Mexicans who had fallen by his sword.

561. On the 21st of April was fought the decisive battle of San Ja-cin'-to, in which Santa Anna, with 1,500 men, was defeated by 800 Texans under Gen. Samuel Houston [hew'stun] (since a member of the U. S. senate). The Mexican leader, taken the next day in the woods, was compelled to acknowledge the independence of Texas, but the legislature refused to ratify his act. Hostilities, however, were virtually abandoned by Mexico; and the independence of the new republic was soon acknowledged by the United States, by France, Great Britain, and other European powers. In 1837, Texas asked to be admitted into the Union; but the proposal was declined by Van Buren through fear of a war with Mexico. In the spring of 1844, the American population of Texas having increased to over 200,000, the question was re

of Crocket. [See Map, p. 426.-How is San Antonio situated?] 561. What took place April 21st, 1886? By what powers was the independence of Texas acknowledged? What proposal was made by Texas in 1837 ? How was it received? When was

1844]

MAGNETIC TELEGRAPH.

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vived; and it was proposed to test the feelings of the people of the United States on the subject at the next presidential election. The whigs, who were opposed to the admission of Texas, nominated Henry Clay; the democrats, who were in favor of its admission, supported James Knox Polk, of Tennessee. Mr. Polk was elected, and with him George M. Dallas, of Pennsylvania, as vice-president.

562. The news of Mr. Polk's nomination and other proceedings of the democratic convention were transmitted from Baltimore to Washington, May 29, 1844, by the Magnetic Telegraph, being the first dispatches ever so communicated. The principle involved in the Telegraph was known as early as 1774, but Samuel F. B. Morse, a native of Massachusetts, was the first to apply it practically. He received a patent for his invention in 1837, and after long and discouraging delay obtained from Congress an appropriation of $30,000 for the purpose of testing its utility. The first telegraphic line in the world was thus established between Baltimore and Washington; and the importance of the invention, as one of the greatest triumphs yet achieved by human ingenuity, was demonstrated to the world. Telegraph wires soon threaded the country, and there are now in the United States and Canada over 40,000 miles in operation.

CHAPTER XIII.

POLK'S ADMINISTRATION, 1845-1849.

563. JAMES K. POLK, inaugurated on the 4th of March, 1845, was born in 1795, in North Carolina. During his childhood, his father removed to Tennessee; and in the lethe question revived? How was it submitted to the people? Who were nominated for the presidency? Who were elected president and vice-president? 562. How was the news of Polk's nomination transmitted to Washington? How early was the prin ciple involved in the telegraph known? Who was the first to apply it practically! When did Morse receive his patent? How was he enabled to test his invention? What was the result? How many miles of telegraph are now in operation in the United States and Canada?

563. When was James K. Polk inaugurated? Where and when was he born? What

gislature of that state he commenced his public career. Af ter serving fourteen years in Congress, he was in 1839 elected governor of Tennessee. From that post he retired to private life, whence he was called by the voice of the nation to become its chief. He had been seated in the presidential chair but about three months, when his esteemed friend and counsellor, Gen. Jackson, died at the advanced age of 78, respected and lamented even by his political opponents. Mr. Polk made James Buchanan, of Pennsylvania, his secretary of state. 564. The success of the democratic party having shown that a majority of the people were in favor of annexing Texas, Congress had passed a bill providing for that measure a few days before the close of Tyler's term. On the 4th of July, 1845, the Texas legislature having approved of the bill, the union was consummated. Shortly afterwards, at the request of this same body, a small force of U. S. troops was dispatched to the frontier, under Gen. Zachary Taylor, who had won distinction in the Seminole War. The boundary between Texas and Mexico was still unsettled; the former looked upon the Rio Grande [re'-o grahn'-da], the latter on the Nueces [nwā'-sās], as the separating line [see Map, p. 426], the region between these two rivers being claimed by both. To prevent difficulties, the U. S. government proposed to fix on a line by negotiation, but Mexico scornfully refused all overtures. The annexation of Texas was the signal for her minister to leave Washington with threats of war. Paredes [pah-rā'-dās], a well-known enemy of the United States, was elected president. The hostility of the Mexicans, which had been displayed for years in petty insults and injuries to American citizens, was now openly and fiercely avowed. Strong forces were said to be gathering for the invasion of Texas. Under these circumstances, the U. S. government felt justified in assuming that the boundary claimed by Texas was correct; and Taylor was instructed to take a position as

is told of his previous history? Who died three months after his inauguration? Whom did Polk make secretary of state? 564. Relate the circumstances under which Texas was admitted. What precautionary measure was taken by the United States? What conflicting claims were put forth by Texas and Mexico respecting their boundary? What proposal was made by the United States? How was it received? Give an account of

1846]

THE OREGON BOUNDARY SETTLED.

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near the Rio Grande as prudence would allow. Accordingly, he encamped at Corpus Christi [kor'-poos kre'-ste], at the mouth of the Nueces, and there remained till the following spring

565. While these difficulties were pending, a rupture with Great Britain was seriously threatened. A boundary line between the U. S. and the British Possessions on the northwest never having been settled, both laid claim to an extensive region between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific, known as Oregon, which was now becoming gradually settled. The democratic party were for accepting nothing short of parallel 54° 40′ as the northern boundary of the U. S. west of the mountains; but in June, 1846, a treaty negotiated in Washington established parallel 49° and the Strait of San Juan de Fuca [san whahn da foo'-cah] as the separating line. The white population of this region was then about 4,000. Oregon was organized into a territory in 1848. In 1853, it was divided, and the northern part was formed into a new territory named Washington.

566. Mexico still refusing the overtures of the United States for a peaceable settlement, Gen. Taylor, early in 1846, was ordered to advance to the Rio Grande and occupy the disputed territory. This he proceeded to do, in spite of the protest of the Mexican authorities. Near the end of March, he reached the river, and commenced the erection of a fort on its eastern side. About the middle of April, Gen. Ampudia [ahm-poo'-de-a] arrived at Mat-a-mo-ras, opposite Taylor's position, and informed the American commander, that, unless he retired beyond the Nueces, Mexico would accept the war thus forced upon her. Taylor, of course, did not retire, and skirmishes with the enemy immediately followed.

567. Gen. Taylor had established a depot of provisions at Point Isabel, 21 miles distant, on the Gulf of Mexico, which

the proceedings of the Mexicans. What instructions did the government issue to Gen. Taylor? Where did he encamp? 565. What difficulty now arose with England? How was it settled? What was then the white population of Oregon? What is said of its subsequent history? 566. What orders did Gen. Taylor receive early in 1846? Give en account of his movements. What passed between Taylor and Ampudia? 567. Where

he had garrisoned with 450 men. Perceiving that the enemy were rapidly closing round him, and fearing for this detachment, he set out on the 1st of May for the Point, leaving 300 men under Major Brown to defend the fort he had erected (afterwards called. Fort Brown). Point Isabel

reached in safety;

himself that it was ZACATECAS

amply provided with means of defence, Taylor prepared to return to Fort Brown, with a provision-train and an army of 2,288 men. Arriving at Palo Alto [pah'-lo ahl-to] [May 8th, 1846], he found a Mexican army 6,000 strong drawn up directly in his road.

The engagement, commenced with artillery, lasted five hours, and resulted in the complete discomfiture of the enemy with a loss of about 400 men; while that of the Americans was but 9 killed and 44 wounded.

Among the brave men who fell at Palo Alto was Major

bad Gen. Taylor established a depot of provisions? How was Point Isabel situated? What did Taylor apprehend, and what movement did he consequently execute? With how large an army did he attempt to return from Point Isabel to Fort Brown? [See Map.-In what direction did he march ?] What befell him on the way? Give an ac count of the battle of Palo Alto. Relate the circumstances of Major Ringgold's fall