On the 4th of March, 1849, General Zachary Taylor was inaugurated; his address was short but eloquent. By his own declaration "a Whig, but not an ultra Whig," the President chose from the ranks of that party the members of his cabinet-distinguished men, but not ultra partisans. He appointed as his Secretary of State, John M. Clayton, of Delaware. During the sessions of Congress in 1848-9, a new department had been created to relieve the secretaries of the State and the Treasury of a portion of their arduous duties. This was called the Home Department, and the office was filled by Thomas Ewing, of Ohio. The appointed Secretary of Treasury was William M. Meredith, of Pennsylvania; George W. Crawford, of Georgia, was appointed Secretary of War; William Ballard Preston, of North Carolina, Secretary of the Navy; Reverdy Johnson, of Maryland, Attorney-General; and Jacob Collamer, of Vermont, Postmaster-General. The chief diplomatic posts were filled by able and distinguished members of the Whig party.

On the first Monday of December, 1849, Congress assembled. Most of the President's appointments were ratified by the Senate. The short and characteristic message of the Chief Magistrate to Congress, sufficiently indicated the moderate course he intended to pursue. A great deal of exciting discussion was caused by the question of the prohibition of slavery in the Territories. The subject of slavery was introduced into every debate. The bills providing territorial governments for California and New Mexico were defeated.

A caucus of the Southern members was held in Washington after the adjournment of Congress, and an address, prepared by John C. Calhoun, was issued to the Southern States, complaining of various acts of aggression upon the rights of slave-holding people, and exhorting them to resist while they had the power. The increasing excitement upon the slavery question demonstrated the effect of this address, and threats of disunion were freely and boldly made.

In December, 1850, Congress convened. Parties had become equally balanced in the House of Representatives, by the preceding congressional election. In the Northern States, a few members had been elected, called "Free-soil” men, who were pledged to oppose the extension of slavery. The contest for the speakership continued six weeks. The principal candidates were Robert C. Winthrop, of Massachusetts, and Howell Cobb, of Georgia. The latter was elected by a small majority.

The excitement was not terminated by the choice of Speaker. Slavery was introduced into every debate by the ultras on both sides. Feeling the necessity for a more efficacious form of government than had been provided for by the national authorities, the people of California had adopted a state constitution. Slavery was for ever prohibited in the new state by a prefixed declaration of rights. When the people applied for admission into the Union, the clause relating to slavery caused a violent opposition by the members

from the Southern States. A claim to the territory of New Mexico was put forth by the Government of Texas; the question of the abolition of the slavetrade in the District of Columbia was agitated; and it soon became clear that unless there was a compromise, there would be no business done in Congress. On the motion of Mr. Foote, of Mississippi, the Senate elected by ballot a committee of thirteen, known as the Compromise Committee. Henry Clay was elected chairman. The Omnibus Bill was reported to the Senate, by this committee, on the 6th of May. The aim of the bill was to calm the public excitement, and restore harmony to the national councils. It provided for the admission of California; giving territorial governments to New Mexico and Utah; paying Texas to relinquish her claim upon New Mexico; and the abolition of the slave-trade in the District of Columbia. A display of talent rarely surpassed was called forth in the discussion of this great measure.

An expedition which had been in preparation in the Southern ports for some time, destined to attempt to revolutionize Cuba, arrived off Yucatan about the middle of May. About six hundred men were on board of the steamer Creole, commanded by General Lopez. The Creole reached Cardenas, Cuba, on the 19th of May, and the men were disembarked. Skirmishing ensued, and the town surrendered. During the day the invaders held possession of it; and in the evening, they returned to the Creole and left the island. The loss of the invaders was about forty men killed or wounded; the loss of the Cubans was much larger. The Creole was seized by the U. S. revenue officers, after disembarking her men at Key West. The people of the United States generally condemned this expedition, and several distinguished individuals were arrested and tried for violating the neutral laws of their country by aiding and abetting it. They were, however, discharged for want of evidence. The discussion of the Omnibus Bill lasted about two months. The Senate was equally divided upon the merits of the bill. Some of its provisions were generally acceptable, but, being combined with obnoxious measures, they were condemned. The bill was finally reduced to the provision of a territorial government for Utah.

On the 9th of July, the nation was suddenly called to mourn the death of the President. General Taylor's illness was very short: he died at the age of sixty-five years. His last words were expressive of the sublime simplicity of his great and good character:-"I HAVE ENDEAVOURED TO DO MY DUTY."

According to the provision of the constitution, the Vice-President, Millard Fillmore, became President, and was inaugurated immediately after the death of General Taylor. The members of the cabinet at once tendered their resignations, which were accepted. A new cabinet was immediately formed. The new Secretary of State was Daniel Webster, of Massachusetts, and the other important offices were given to men distinguished for strong Whig principles, and known to be in favour of the Compromise measures. These