moneys, and sanctioned the issue of Treasury notes to the extent of $10,000,000.

The interest of the session was heightened by Calhoun's resolutions in the Senate against interference with slavery in the States, and to the effect "that it would be inexpedient and impolitic to abolish or control it in the District of Columbia or the Territories." He was loud in his praise of the Missouri Compromise of 1820. From this time on the subject of slavery came up in nearly every session of Congress, till 1863. Congress adjourned, Oct. 16, 1837.

GRES

TWENTY-FIFTH CONGRESS-First Regular Session.Met Dec. 4, 1837. The coalition between the Whigs and Conservative Democrats still prevailed, and it defeated in the House the Senate bill to establish an Independent Treasury, though it came to the relief of that department by authorizing it to accept as current the notes of specie-paying banks. This innocentlooking measure really permitted the Administration to get away from the hampering effects of Jackson's Specie Order without the humiliation of formally withdrawing it.

The determination of the Southern States to regain Texas came boldly forth this session by a bill for annexation, which did not pass. It will be curious now to watch the growth of this idea of enlarged slave territory, first by direct acquisition, and then by the doctrine that, notwithstanding the Missouri Compromise, all Government territory was open to slavery; and to note that the idea kept even pace in its growth with the loss of political power occasioned by a preponderance of free States and the rapid growth of the Anti-Slavery sentiment. Congress adjourned, July 9, 1838.

TWENTY-FIFTH CONGRESS-Second Session. - Met Dec. 3, 1838. There was no political legislation of moment during this session. The Administration was as if wrapped up in a hard Democratic shell, and the drift of sentiment in Congress and the country was away from it and toward the Whigs, or some element equally liberal in its interpretation of the Constitution and willing to propound and risk something for the relief of the country. Congress adjourned sine die, March 3, 1839.

TWENTY-SIXTH CONGRESS-First Session. Met Dec. 2, 1839. The organization of the House was delayed by a closely contested Congressional election in New Jersey. Five Democrats contested the seats of five Whigs. Neither set was admitted until after the choice of a Speaker, which fell to Robert M. T. Hunter, Va., a Whig, and in favor of the Sub-Treasury plan. The Whigs in this instance were aided by a few regular Democrats and by the friends of Calhoun, who for several sessions had swung free lances in both House and Senate. The final decision of the case was not had till in March, 1840, when the Democratic contestants were seated, making the full Democratic strength 122, and the Whig strength 113. The leading act of the session was one providing for the "collection, safe-keeping and disbursing of the public money." It was simply Monroe's Independent Treasury plan, and it was passed by a small majority in both Houses and signed by the President. The Whigs opposed it under the lead of Clay, but some of them, as Cushing, favored it. A heavy blow was aimed at the system of Internal Improvement by an act suspending all appropriations therefor. The practice of " pairing off" began during this session. J. Q. Adams introduced a resolution to censure it, but it was not put on its passage. The practice has grown ever since-grown to be a nuisance. John Tyler, Va., an ultra Democrat of the Calhoun school, won his way to the Vice-Presidency on the Whig ticket by his opposition to the Administration during this session. Congress adjourned, July 21, 1840.

ELECTION OF 1840.-The Whigs took the lead in National Convention at Harrisburg, Pa., Dec. 4, 1839. Clay, the ablest and most pronounced Whig in the country, was not deemed available as a candidate owing to a desire to conciliate the AntiMason and other opposing elements, and to the thought that one of military prowess would go through, as Jackson had done. The nomination for President was, therefore, conferred on William Henry Harrison, Ohio, and for Vice-President on John Tyler, Va. No platform.

The Democratic Convention met at Baltimore, May 5, 1840, and unanimously renominated Van Buren, leaving the States to

fill up the Vice-Presidency. A lengthy platform was adopted, affirming (1) "That the Federal Government was one of limited powers; " (2) "That the Constitution does not confer the right on the Government to carry on a system of internal improvement;" (3) nor to assume the debts of the States contracted for internal improvement; (4) "Justice and sound policy forbids the Government to foster one branch of industry to the detriment of another or one section to the injury of another;" (5) urged economy; (6) Congress has no power to charter a U. S. bank; (7) and no power to interfere with the domestic institutions of the States; (8) Government money must be separated from banking institutions; (9) this country is the asylum of the oppressed of all nations.

The Abolition or Liberty party nominated, Nov. 13, 1839, James G. Birney, N. Y., for President, and Francis Lemoyne, Pa., for Vice-President. Its platform favored (1) The abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia and Territories; (2) Stoppage of the inter-State salve trade; (3) General opposition to slavery to the full extent of constitutional power.

All parties were now ready. The campaign was the liveliest on record. The October elections inspired the Whigs. Their attack on Van Buren's financial policy was telling all along the line. The furore was intensified by the introduction of the spectacular. Log-cabins with the latch-strings hanging out, and barrels of hard cider, were made the type of " out West" generosity and happy pioneer life. The meetings were frequent and extended into every county and town. The result was a Whig victory of astounding magnitude, Van Buren carrying but five Southern and two Northern States.

TWENTY-SIXTH CONGRESS-Second Session.—Met Dec. 7, 1840. A quiet session and no work of political moment. Electoral vote counted in February, 1841, showing Harrison 234 and Van Buren 60 for President; for Vice-President, Tyler, 234; Johnson, 48; L. W. Tazewell, Va., 11; and James K. Polk, Tenn., 1. Congress adjourned sine die, March 3, 1841, and on March 4 Harrison and Tyler were sworn into office.

XIV.

HARRISON'S AND TYLER'S ADMINISTRATION.

March 4, 1841-March 3, 1845.

WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON, OHIO, President. JOHN TYLER, Va., Vice-President.

(Harrison died April 4, 1841, having served one month.)

* L. W. Tazewell got the 11 votes of South Carolina for Vice-President, and James K. Polk got 1 vote out of the column of States set down as for Johnson. The popular vote was: Harrison, 1,275,017-19 States; Van Buren, 1,128,702–7 States; Birney, 7,059.

THE CABINET.

Secretary of State...

Secretary of Treasury..
Secretary of War
Secretary of Navy.
Attorney-General.

Postmaster-General..

Daniel Webster, Mass.
.Thomas Ewing, Ohio.
.John Bell, Tenn.
G. E. Badger, N. C.
John J. Crittenden, Ky.
Francis Granger, N. Y.

THE INAUGURAL.-Harrison's Inaugural was a genial, assuring paper, with a blow at Jackson's excessive use of the veto power and his "to the victor belong the spoils" theory, and at both his and Van Buren's attempts to make political capital out of the currency question. On March 17 he called an extra session of Congress, to convene May 31, to consider the revenue and financial situation. He died April 4, and John Tyler succeeded. This was the first time a Vice-President succeeded to the Presidency on the death of the President.

TWENTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS-Extra Session.-Met, pursuant to call, May 31, 1841. House organized by electing John White, Ky., Whig, Speaker. Whig majority in Senate 6; in House 25. The Whig majority was harmonious and had a plain duty to fulfil, as they thought, for their promises to the country had been explicit during the campaign and their policy well outlined. They therefore began by repealing the Independent Treasury Act, passing a Bankrupt Law, and an act to distribute certain proceeds of public lands among the States, all of which were signed by President Tyler. But when they came to substitute for the Independent Treasury a U. S. Fiscal Bank, even though it was an acknowledged improvement on the old U. S. Bank, the President interposed with a veto, his reason being that it was unconstitutional. This sudden swing to the President's old strict construction notions alarmed the Whigs. Not wishing to break with him they asked him to frame a bill which he could sign. After consulting his Cabinet, he presented one which was passed by both Houses, but which, to the astonishment of the Whigs and the country, he also vetoed. The Cabinet felt they had been insulted, and, with the exception of Webster, resigned. The Whigs grew indignant over their betrayal, and in an address to the country declared the President an impediment to their work of reform and repudiated him as