of the younger members of the republican party at that day, he was favorably impressed in behalf of the construction of such works, and thought the power of Congress over the subject was embraced in that "to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defence and general welfare." Subsequent reflection and experience taught him his error, when his opinions were promptly corrected; but in 1816 he expressed himself in favor of the establishment of roads and opening canals in various parts of the country, for the convenience of our widely-dispersed population, and of the construction of military roads, the want of which for the transportation of munitions of war and supplies, during the war of 1812, had been attended with such disastrous consequences.

In his annual message at the first session of Congress after the close of the war, Mr. Madison called the attention of members to the subject of internal improvements, and recommended Congress to exercise all its constitutional powers in the premises, and if they were found inadequate, to take the necessary steps to amend the constitution. Acting in accordance with what he supposed to be the views and wishes of the President, Mr. Calhoun introduced a resolution into the House, on the 16th of December, 1816, directing that a committee should be appointed to inquire into the expediency of setting apart the bonus paid to the United States by the national bank, and the net annual profits on their stock, as a permanent fund for internal improvements. The resolution was adopted and the committee appointed-Mr. Calhoun being its chairman.

On the 23rd instant he reported a bill which he had prepared, setting apart and pledging the bonus and dividends as contemplated by the resolution. But little discussion was had on the bill, and after being amended, on motion of Mr. Pickering, so as to require the obtaining of the assent of a state to the construction of roads or canals within its territorial limits, it was passed by a small majority. In the Senate it was also sustained by a majority vote, and was sent to the President.

Although the bill of Mr. Calhoun did not claim for Congress the power to construct works of internal improvement within the states, or pretend in any way to define the power, it was undoubtedly taken for granted. In his speech on the bill, Mr. Calhoun did not examine the constitutional question, notwithstanding he was urged to do so, but contented himself with saying that he believed the power existed, though he was not prepared to say to what extent. The bill was laid before the President a few days prior to the adjournment of Congress and the close of his administration, and when Mr. Calhoun called to take his leave, the latter learned for the first time, much to his regret and chagrin, that it did not meet with the approbation of the executive. On the 3rd day of March, 1817, the bill was returned to the House with the objections of the President, based mainly upon the want of power in Congress until the constitution was amended as he had suggested. The bill was now lost,-not two thirds of the members voting in its favor. Mr. Calhoun, however, with Mr. Forsyth, and his colleague, Mr. Huger, still supported the measure.

No actual appropriation of money was made by this bill, nor were any particular works of internal improvement authorized to be constructed, yet the constitutional principle was probably involved in it, at least indirectly. The views of Mr. Calhoun upon the question subsequently underwent a material change, as the reader will discover.

CHAPTER VI.

Expiration of his Service in the House of Representatives-Appointed Secretary of War-Management of the Affairs of the DepartmentFinancial System--Other Improvements introduced-Reörganization of the Army-System of Fortifications-Medical Statistics--Missouri Compromise-Tariff Act of 1824-Internal Improvements.

WITH the 3rd day of March, 1817, closed the period of Mr. Calhoun's service in the popular branch of Congress. The trust confided to him was now returned to those whom he had represented-in such a spirit of devotion to their interests, and with such credit to himself,—not diminished or impaired in aught, but rendered more valuable by the fidelity with which it had been guarded, and the enviable reputation he had won in its defence. He had been chosen for another term, but at the time of his reëlection he did not anticipate the honors which Fortune had in store for him.

Although he had been in Congress but for the short period of six years, his character was known and under stood in every part of the country. His friends and admirers were numerous, and the new President entertained a high opinion of his talents and integrity. "Shortly before the meeting of Congress at the next session, [in December, 1817,] he received an invitation. from Mr. Monroe to take a place in his cabinet as Secretary of War.* It was unsolicited and unexpected.

* Mr. Calhoun was appointed in the place of Governor Shelby, of

His friends, with some exceptions, advised against his acceptance, on the ground that Congress was the proper theatre for his talents; Mr. Lowndes concurred in this advice, and, among other reasons, urged that his improvement in speaking had been such that he was desirous to see the degree of eminence he would reach by practice. Indeed, the prevailing opinion at the time was, that his talent lay more in the power of thought than action. His great powers of analysis and generalization were calculated to make the impression, which was not uncommon at that time, that his mind was more metaphysical than practical, and that he would lose reputation in taking charge of a department, especially one in a state of such disorder and confusion as the war department was then. The reasons assigned by his friends served but to confirm Mr. Calhoun in the opinion that he ought to accept. He believed the impression of his friends was erroneous as to the character of his mind; but if not, if his powers lay rather in thinking and speaking than in execution, it was but the more necessary he should exercise them in the latter, and thereby strengthen them where they were naturally the weakest. He also believed that he could. render more service to the country in reforming that great disbursing department of government, admitted to be in a state of much disorder, than he could possibly do by continuing in Congress, where most of the great questions growing out of a return to a state of peace had been discussed and settled. Under the influence of these motives, he accepted the proffered ap

Kentucky, who had declined the appointment tendered to him by Mr. Monroe.