tions, and the evident folly of excessive fears. The Second U. S. Bank was chartered for 20 years, with a capital of $35,000,000.

Nov. 5-Governeur Morris, an eminent and excellent American statesman

died.

Dec. 11-Indiana admitted into the Union as a State. James Monroe was, this autumn, elected President.

CHAPTER XXI.

HISTORY OF THE U. S. FROM 1817 TO 1846.

MONROE'S ADMINISTRATION.

A new era for America commenced with this administration, or rather, reached its period of uninterrupted development; for the whole past history of the country had been a preparation for it, but especially so the late war and its results. The failure of the French revolution, and, finally, the failure of Napoleon Bonaparte and the re-establishment of the old monarchy in France, as a result of the excesses, first of the French republic, and then of the military interference of Bonaparte with the existing state of things in Europe, had an important influence in modifying the politics of the republican party in the United States; so that they came partially in Jefferson's administration, and completely by the close of Madison's, to follow the wise and vigorous policy pursued by Washington and the federal party; while the general government and the institutions of the country became deeply imbued with the regard to popular rights, and attention to the interests and will of the people that formed the leading idea of Jefferson and the original democrat, or, as it was then called, the republican party. Thus the two points of supreme importance, vigor in the general government, and security to the people, were happily mingled and wrought into the spirit and form of our institutions.

The leading events of Monroe's two administrations were the attention given to internal improvements-among which may be mentioned the Erie canal in New York, and the encouragements to manufactures—the acquisition of Florida from Spain, and a definite settlement of the slavery question (for the next thirty years only, as it proved,) by the Missouri com. promise. The people now began to feel and act together, as a single nation, and material progress was rapid.

1817.

Mar. 3-The observance of the neutrality laws strictly enjoined on citizens of the United States by Congress.

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4-James Monroe, the fifth President, inaugurated. With his administration commences "the era of good feeling," as it was called. The bitterness of party controversy ceased

June 24-Thos. McKean, of Del., signer of the Declaration of Independ

ence, died.

Dec. Mississippi admitted into the Union, and Alabama erected into a

territory.

-A war broke out with the Seminole Indians, on the borders of Florida. It came near involving us in a war with Spain. Internal taxes are abolished by Congress.

1818.

Mar. 18-A law enacted giving pensions to indigent officers and soldiers. April 4-The Flag of the U. S. rearranged; the stripes to represent the thir-teen original States, the stars the present number of States. 18-Illinois is authorized to form a state constitution.

May 24 Gen. Jackson took Pensacola, Fla., from the Spaniards on account of the support given by them to the Indians.

Oct. 20—A treaty of commerce and for settling boundaries is made with England.

1819.

Feb. 23-A treaty for the session of Florida ratified by Congress, but not
by the king of Spain until Oct. 20th, 1820.
Mar. 2-Arkansas organized into a territory.
Dec. 14-Alabama admitted into the Union.

In this year commenced the discussion on the balance between
the north and the south in relation to slavery. Missouri and
Maine both desire admission as States. The discussion resulted
in a settlement of the whole question Feb. 27th, 1821, by the appli-
cation of the "Missouri Compromise" to the admission of that
State.

1820.

Feb. 15-Wm. Ellery, of R. I., signer of the Declaration of Independence,

died.

Mar. 15-Maine admitted into the Union.

Aug. 23-Com. Perry, the hero of Lake Erie, died in the West Indies.
The 4th census was taken in this year.

1821.

Mar. 4 James Monroe inaugurated on his second term.

22-Com. Decatur died at Washington.

Aug. 22-Gen. Jackson takes possession of Florida as its Governor. The U. 8. government paid $5,000,000 for Florida. The Spanish officers were reluctant and dilatory in giving up their places, and Gen. Jackson had occasion for his remarkably decisive action in dealing with them. The governor, Don Cavalla, refusing to give up certain papers according to the treaty, he sent him to prison until all the papers were produced, and banished six other Spanish officers who interfered with him.

1822.

June-A commercial treaty is negotiated with France. Capt. Allen, of the U. S. schooner Alligator, engages a band of pirates in the West Indies, captures one of their schooners, and recaptures five American vessels. Capt. Allen is killed.

The ports of the West India islands are opened to American commerce by the English government.

Com. Truxton, a meritorious naval officer-Gen. Stark, the hero of Bennington, Vt.,-and Wm. Lowndes, a statesman of S. C., died this year.

A new arrangement of the ratio of Representation gives one member of Congress to 40,000 inhabitants.

1823.

Com. Porter makes a successful expedition against the West Indian pirates.

This year our government acknowledged the independence of the South American Republics, and ministers were appointed to Mexico, Columbia, Buenos Ayres, and Chili.

A treaty for the mutual suppression of the slave trade was made by Great Britain and the United States.

1824.

April -American and Russian commissioners settle the boundaries between the two countries.

Aug. 15-Lafayette arrives from France. He was everywhere received as the guest of the people with the utmost affection and reverence. He spent a year visiting all parts of the Union.

A presidential election this autumn does not result in a choice, and the House of Representatives made selection of John Quincy Adams, from the candidates, according to a provision of the Constitution, anticipating such a case. A protective tariff was made this year to encourage cotton manufactures

ADMINISTRATION OF JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.

1825.

Mar. 4-J. Q. Adams inaugurated sixth President.

"-An act of Congress establishes a navy yard at Pensacola, Fla. June 11-Dan. D. Tompkins, Vice-President with Monroe, died.

Nov. 10-Com. McDonough, the hero of Lake Champlain, died.

1826.

July 4-John Adams and Thos. Jefferson, whose lives were identified with the foundation and development of our institutions, simultaneously died on this day.

Sept. 11-Wm. Morgan, an anti-mason, mysteriously disappears, and is never again heard of.

1827.

An Anti-Mason party is formed, opposing secret societies. Much "politcal capital" is made of it.

Jan.

The first considerable railroad was begun, and completed in May. It was nine miles long, a beginning of the wonderful transformstion that was to be produced by this agent.

1828.

Feb. 11-De Witt Clinton, governor of N. Y. and originator of the Erie canal, died.

The tariff was amended and enlarged this year. This tariff was violently opposed in the South and produced the "Nullification Ordinances" of S. C., some time later.

In the fall of this year Gen. Andrew Jackson was elected President.

1829.

Feb. 29-The Virginia Legislature passes a resolution denying the right of Congress to pass a protective tariff law.

Mar. 4-Andrew Jackson inaugurated as President.

Dan. Webster makes his great speech against nullification.
JACKSON'S ADMINISTRATION.

1829.

May 19-A treaty of friendship and commerce concluded with Brazil. ""John Jay, ex-President of the Continental Congress, Chief Justice of the U. S., Governor of N. Y., etc., died. In purity of patriot ism, moderation, and soundness of judgment, he came nearer to Washington than any of his contemporaries. He was above the reach of the violent party spirit that prevailed after Washington's retirement from public life.

1830.

May 7-A treaty made with Turkey gives U. S. commerce the freedom of the Black sea. The vigorous dealing of our government with the Barbary States secured the respect and friendship of Turkey. The important movement and interests of this year were connected with the progress of railroads (the first American built locomotive was made this year,) and the rapid rise of that great interest, and with the agitation produced by the nullification proceedings of South Carolina. That State claimed the right to pronounce upon, and disregard the enactments of Congress. This was subversive of the Constitution. It drew the " Key Stone" from the arch, and the whole structure of the Union would have fallen. No decisive action was reached till the year 1832.

1830.

May 29-The office of Solicitor of the Treasury created.

1831.

Jan. 10-The King of the Netherlands, being accepted as arbitrator of the

northern boundary between the United States and the British Possessions, by the two governments, decides the question in our favor.

July 4-James Monroe, ex-President of the U. S., died, aged 73.

Oct. 1-A free trade convention meets at Philadelphia.

"26-A tariff convention meets at New York. There were over 500 delegates. It was the absorbing political topic of the time.

1832.

April 1-The Black Hawk war breaks out by the attack of the Winnebagoes, Sacs, and Foxes from the west bank of the Mississippi on the settlers in Illinois, under the Indian chief, Black Hawk. 2-The Creek Indians sell all their lands east of the Mississippi river to the U.S.

May 5-A commercial and boundary treaty concluded with Mexico. "27-A new ratio of representation based on the 5th census gives one member of Congress to 47,700 inhabitants.

"

June 1—Gen. Sumter, a South Carolina hero of the Revolution, died. 9-The cholera breaks out at Quebec, Lower Canada. It swept over the country, following the lakes and rivers and routes of travel, with fearful violence.

July-The cholera breaks up Gen. Scott's army, on the way to meet Black Hawk while in vessels on the lakes.

9-Congress creates the office of Commissioner of Indian affairs. "10-Naval hospitals established at Charlestown, Mass., Brooklyn, N. Y., and Pensacola, Fla.

66 66

-The President vetoes the bill rechartering the U. S. Bank. Aug. 27-Gen. Atkinson defeats the Indians and takes Black Hawk prisoner.

Nov. 14-Chas. Carroll, of Carrollton, Md., last surviving signer of Dec. of Ind., dies.

"19-An anti-tariff convention in S. C. issues the famous "Nullifica

tion Ordinance."

24-The Unionists of S. C. meet and protest against this ordinance. Dec. 10-President Jackson issues a proclamation against the nullifiers. He followed word with deed, garrisoning the forts, and sending vessels of war into the harbor of Charleston. His well known vigor left the nullifiers no hope of success, and they finally submitted.

"18-A commercial treaty concluded with Russia.

"20-Gov. Hayne, of S. C., defies the President in a counter procla

mation.

"28-J. C. Calhoun, of S. C., the Vice-President, resigns his office. President Jackson is reëlected this fall. His anti-nullification measures made him very popular.