TAYLOR'S ADMINISTRATION, CONTINUED.-The Compromise Measures, or Omnibus Bill.-Henry Clay-Death of President Taylor.-Death of John C. Calhoun.

1. A PERIOD of great agitation was now at hand. California had petitioned for admission into the Union, and as her constitution prohibited slavery, many of the Southern politicians in Congress, made the most vigorous opposition to granting her request.*

2. Various other questions connected with this seemed to compli

CHAP. CCXI.-1. What of the petition of California for admission into the Union? *By the Missouri Compromise-that is, a compromise made in Congress at the time of the admission of Missouri-it was stipulated that slavery should not exist north of latitude 86.30: implying, of course, that it might exist south of that line. As a portion of California was south of 86.30, it was contended by the southern statesmen, that the admission of California, with a constitution prohibiting slavery, would be a violation of the compromise.

cate and increase the difficulty; in Congress a state of almost unexampled excitement, indeed, existed, and many persons were under the gloomy apprehension that the Union was speedily to be dissolved. In this state of things, Henry Clay, who had so often appeared in times of difficulty and danger, to assuage, the storm, in connection with other eminent senators, introduced the "Compromise Measures of 1850," popularly called the Omnibus Bill.

3. This contained the following propositions: First, That, according to the agreement made on the adoption of Texas, five new states, formed of her territory, might be admitted, with or without slavery as the people should choose; Second, That California should become a free state, according to her constitution; Third, That a territorial government should be established for New Mexico and U'-tah without any stipulation on the subject of slavery; Fourth, That Texas should surrender

2. How was the difficulty increased? What of Congress? What of Henry Clay at this timo? What bill did he introduce? 8. What propositions did the Omnibus Bill contain?

all cims to New Mexico, on condition of ten millions of dollars to be paid by the government of the United States; Fifth, That a more efficient law for the recovery of fugitive slaves should be passed; and, Sixth, That the slave-trade should be prohibited in the District of Columbia.

4. The number and variety of these several propositions, serve to show the extent of the difficulties to be overcome, and the different feelings and interests to be consulted. All these propositions, introduced as separate provisions, were finally adopted, but after a most exciting and protracted debate in Congress. The last of these bills passed September 18th, 1850.

5. But before this final result had been obtained, President Taylor had breathed his last; he died on the 9th of July, 1850, from overexertion on the celebration of the 4th. He had spent the greater part of his life in the camp, and as he had been a successful soldier, so he was also a good man, and a true patriot. President Polk, his predecessor in office, had led the way to the tomb, having died at his residence in Nashville, June 15th, 1849.

6. A few months previous to the death of President Taylor, John C. Calhoun, of South Carolina, who had filled with great distinction several high offices, had died at Washington—that is, on the 31st of March, 1850. His last public services were rendered in seeking to effect the passage of the several bills of which we have just spoken. He was a man of great abilities, high integrity, and the utmost dignity as well as suavity of manners. He was for many years the acknowledged champion of the Southern states, in respect to slavery, state rights, nulli&cation, etc.

His

4. What do the number and variety of these propositions prove? How did these pass In Congress? When did the last pass? 5. What of the death of President Taylor? pharacter? What of Ex-president Polk? 6. What of Mr. alhoun ?

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FILLMORE'S ADMINISTRATION, FROM JULY 10TH, 1850, TO MARCH 4TH, 1853.-His Accession. Signing of the Omnibus Bills.-Lopez and the Cuban Fillibusters.The Cheap-Postage Laws.-Laying the Corner-Stone of the Capitol Extension at Washington.-Kossuth in America.

1. THE day after the death of President Taylor, Mr. Fillmore, vicc president, took the oath of office and entered upon the duties of the presidency. One of the first and most important duties which devolved upon him was, to approve the several bills, which we have just described, relating to the admission of California, the organization of the territory of New Mexico, etc., and which, as we have said, received the general name of " The Compromise Measures of 1850."

CHAP. CCXII.-1. Who became president on the death of Taylor? What was one of the first and most important of Fillmore's duties?

2. It appears that many persons in this country, especially in the southern portion, were in favor of the annexation of the large and rich Spanish island of Cuba to the United States, though it is well known that Spain is wholly adverse to any such measure. So early as the commencement of Taylor's administration, some adventurous spirits, popularly called fillibusters, led by a Cuban exile named Lo'-pez, undertook to effect this object. Six hundred men landed, May 19th, 1850, on the north part of the island at Car'-de-nas, and captured that place. 8. Finding no countenance from the people of Cuba, however, they hastily re-embarked and escaped to Key West, in Florida. The following year, Lopez, with four hundred and eighty men, left New Orleans, and again landed on the northern shores of Cuba; he was, however, attacked, defeated, and captured, and, with a number of his followers, was executed at Ha-van'-a. Ninety-five of the captives, who had been taken to Spain, were liberated by order of the queen, and arrived at New York March 13th, 1852.

4. In the early part of the year 1851 Congress made important changes in the post-office laws. By the new system, the postage on prepaid letters, to all parts of the United States, was reduced to three cents, the prepayment being made by affixing stamps provided by the government. The result has been an immense facility of intercourse throughout the United States.

5. On the 4th of July, 1851, the corner-stone of a vast extension of the Capitol, at Washington, was laid by the President of the United States, with appropriate ceremonies. On this occasion, Mr. Webster, the orator of the day, made the following extraordinary statement as to the progress of the United States since 1793—that is, in fifty-seven years:

Number of the states belonging to the federal Union.

Members of Congress.

Population of the United States

Population of the city of New York..

Revenue.....

In 1793.

In 1851.

15 135 3,929,828 38,121

31

295

23,267,499

515,507

Imports..

$31,000,000 $178,138,314

Exports..

Tonnage of our vessels..

Extent of the territory of the United States in square miles.

Miles of railroad in operation....

2. What is the feeling of many persons in the United States as to the annexation of Cuba? What of filibusters? What of Lopez? 3 What did Lopez and his men do after cap turing Cardenas? What of another expedition the next year? 4. What of changes in the post-office laws in 1851? 5. What took place at Washington, July 4th, 185!? How many states in the Union in 1793? In 1851? The teacher will put such other questions us he deems proper, from the table.