nexation and the assumption of her cause with all its consequences. The South was a unit on this measure. At Ashley, S. C., a meeting had been held (May, 1844), seeking to combine the Southern States in Convention, to unite themselves in a body to Texas, if Texas was not annexed as a State to the Union. The Texas treaty of annexation which had been rejected in the Senate was now substituted by a joint resolution to annex the State, through a commission, it being understood that the incoming President (Polk) would appoint such body. But at Calhoun's instance and to the surprise of everybody, the President determined to send out (March 3, 1845) a special messenger to arrange terms. Only on Calhoun's assurance that such act would not interfere with the formal commission provided for did the resolution secure the necessary support. It passed, and in pursuance of it Texas was afterwards incorporated as a State, with slavery under her own constitution, and with the proviso that slavery should not exist in any State formed from her territory North of 36° 30', and that the question of slavery in any States formed from her territory South of that line should be left to the people of such States. Her condition being that of war with Mexico, the war was assumed by the United States, it being only a question of time when the then pending armistice between Texas and Mexico should end. Calhoun did not originally favor war with Mexico. He thought Mexico could be quieted by a money consideration. As the annexation was more his act than the President's, he was, after war broke out, charged with being its author. A bill to organize Oregon into a Territory up to 54° 40′, away beyond the boundary claimed by England, was passed in the House, but the Senate failed to consider it. Harbor inprovement bills for both East and West were passed, but vetoed. The result of the electoral count in February showed 170 electoral votes for Polk and Dallas, and 105 for Clay and Frelinghuysen. March 3d, Florida became a State of the Union. Congress adjourned sine die, March 3, 1845. March 4, 1845, Polk and Dallas were sworn into office. * The popular vote was: Polk, 1,337,243-fifteen States; Clay, 1,299,068 36 36 II II 21 23 23 26 26 2 9 9 13 4 15 17 17 17 THE CABINET. Secretary of State.. Secretary of Treasury.. Postmaster-General James Buchanan, Pa. Robert J. Walker, Miss. George Bancroft, Mass. John Y. Mason, Va. PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.-The Message to Congress dwelt largely on the Texas situation, and favored war with Mexico, especially if she infringed the treaty of 1839, as to indemnity to American citizens. It referred also to the Oregon boundary, showed the public debt to be $17,000,000, condemned all slavery agitation, favored a Sub-Treasury system, and recommended a Tariff for revenue, with protection to home industry as an incident. He applied the Jackson policy of rotation in office in the construction of his Cabinet, and in the Depart ments. TWENTY-NINTH CONGRESS-First Session.-Met Dec. I, 1845. Both branches were Democratic. House organized by electing John W. Davis, Dem., Indiana, Speaker, the vote being 120 to 70, though the full Democratic strength was 142, Whig 75, and American 6.*. The relative strength in the Senate was 30 Democrat and 25 Whig. MEXICAN WAR.-A popular convention in Texas had accepted the overture for annexation made by the United States. Mexico protested and withdrew her minister to Washington. General Taylor had been sent to the east bank of the Neuces, into neutral territory, and on Dec. 31, 1845, Congress passed an act extending authority over this territory lying between the Neuces and Rio Grande. None of these acts provoked Mexico to war. She was still in negotiable mood. Even before this, Dec. 29, 1845, Texas had passed into the American Union. The President ordered General Taylor (March, 1846) to march to the Rio Grande and hold the neutral ground. He did so, and was met by Arista, at Palo Alto, where a battle was fought. The next day was fought Resaca de la Palma, which sent Arista back * This was the first appearance of the American party in National politics. Four of the above six were from New York, and two from Pennsylvania. |