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 compromise. 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.

” 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
Independence, 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 thirteen 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 application 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. S. 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 “political 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
transformation 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 patriotism, 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.

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.

” ”—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
“Nullification 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
proclamation.

” 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.

1833.

Feb. 12—Henry Clay introduces a bill on the tariff
compromising the points at issue between the manufacturing
States and the South.

Mar. 3—It becomes a law, and gives general satisfaction.

” 4—President Jackson reinaugurated on his second term.

May 20—The death of La Fayette, in France.

June 1—Oliver Wolcott, Sec. of the Treasury under Washington,
dies.

July 27—Com. Bainbridge, a famous naval commander, dies.

Sept. 30—President Jackson removes his Sec. of Treas. W. J.
Duane, for refusing to carry out his policy in regard to
the U. S. Bank. The presence of the Indians in Mississippi,
Alabama, Georgia, and Florida, produces so much conflict and
so frequent a necessity for chastising them that they are
in danger of total extermination. Gen. Jackson persuades
Congress and the Indians to arrange for their removal to
lands west of the Mississippi. Some of the Indians quietly
remove this year. Many resist, but all are finally persuaded
to this course by Gen. Scott and others, except the Seminoles
of Fla.

1834.

Mar. 28—Congress formally censures the President for his
course in regard to the U. S. Bank.

Oct. 28—A conditional treaty made with the Seminoles at
Payne’s Landing, May 9, 1832, for their removal to the Indian
Territory west of the Mississippi, was afterwards confirmed
by the chiefs but rejected by the people. Gen. Thompson was
sent, at this time, by President Jackson to insist on their
carrying out the treaty.

Dec. 28—A council of the Indians, called by Gen. Thompson,
seemingly accept the terms of the President.

1835.

Mar. 3—Congress establishes branch mints in La., N. C., and
Ga.

May 14—A treaty with the Cherokees purchases all their lands
east of the Mississippi for $5,262,251, and ample lands in
exchange in the Indian Territory.

June 3—Osceola, a Seminole chief, imprisoned by Gen. Thompson.

July 6—Chief Justice Marshall dies, aged 80.

Dec. 16—A destructive fire in New York. $17,000,000 worth of
property consumed.

” 28—The Seminoles killed their chief, Mathla, who had been
prominent in making the obnoxious treaty, and suddenly
attack a U. S. force under Maj. Dade. But one man out of 110
escaped. He was wounded and afterwards died. The same day
Gen. Thompson and others were surprised and massacred.

” 31—Gen. Clinch is attacked by the Indians at Withlacoochee.
He repulses them and retires.

1836.

Early in this year the Indians laid waste the whole country, burning the buildings and killing all who had not taken refuge in the forts.

Jan. 20—A treaty of friendship and commerce concluded with
the republic of Venezuela, South America.

Feb.—The U. S. Bank was chartered by the Legislature of Pa.

” 11—Gen. Gaines lands an army at Tampa Bay. He is surrounded
by the Indians on his march toward Fort King. He repulsed
them, but his army is nearly starved. While the army is held
here the tribe remove their families and effects into the
impenetrable swamps of the interior.

Mar. 2—The Texans proclaim their independence.

Apr. 26—Wisconsin receives a territorial government.

” 21—Battle of San Jacinto. Santa Anna taken prisoner.

June 15—Michigan erected into a State, conditionally.

” ”—Arkansas admitted into the Union.

” 23—A surplus revenue having accumulated it is loaned to the
States.

” 28—James Madison, the ex-President, dies, aged 86.

July 4—Office of Commissioner of Patents created.

Sept. 15—Aaron Burr, an able but dishonest and disloyal
statesman, formerly Vice-President, dies, aged 81.

The Creek Indians commenced hostilities in May of this year,
in their usual fierce and barbarous manner. Gen. Scott and
the State authorities of Geo. subdue them early in the summer.

In the presidential election this fall Martin Van Buren was
elected.

Dec. 15—The General Post Office and Patent Office, with many
records and articles of value, are destroyed by fire.

1837.

Jan. 16—The U. S. Senate repealed and expunged its resolution
of March 24th, 1834, censuring President Jackson, as having
exceeded his Constitutional powers when he ordered the public
funds to be withdrawn from the U. S. Bank.

Mar. 4—Van Buren inaugurated President.

Speculation having been carried to an extreme length for
some time, and somewhat arrested by the “specie circular”
requiring payments for public lands to be made in coin,
a revulsion, producing great distress, and suspension of
payments by the banks, occurred this spring.

May 3—The merchants of New York present a memorial to the
President urging him to remit the regulations of the “specie
circular.” The President declines, but calls an extra session
of Congress.

Aug. 4—Texas proposes annexation to the U. S. The President
declines to entertain the proposition.

” 13—The banks resume specie payments.

Sept. 4—Congress assembled in extra session. A portion of
the surplus revenue, which, by law of June 23d, 1836, was
to be loaned to the States, is reclaimed to meet the current
expenses of the government.

” 29—A treaty made with the Sioux Indians for the purchase of
their lands, 5,000,000 acres, for $1,000,000.

Oct. 1—The Winnebagoes sell their lands for $1,500,000.

” 12—Congress authorizes the issue of $10,000,000 in Treasury
notes.

” 21—Osceola, the Seminole chief, with 70 of his warriors,
visits the camp of Gen. Jessup. They are detained, and
Osceola was imprisoned in Ft. Moultrie, S. C., where, in a
few months, he died.

Dec. 25—The battle of Okee-cho-bee fought with the Seminoles
in the swamps of Florida, by Col. Zachary Taylor. The Indians
are defeated.

The Magnetic Telegraph was patented in this year.

1838.

Jan. 5—The President issues a proclamation enjoining
neutrality on American citizens, during the “Patriot war,” or
insurrection in Canada.

June 12—Iowa receives a Territorial government.

Aug. 19—An Arctic exploring expedition, with six vessels,
sails from Hampton Roads, Va.

The Cherokee Indians completed their emigration to the Indian
Territory this year.

1839.

Gen. Macomb makes a treaty early in this year with the Seminoles, which they very imperfectly kept.

A difficulty with England in regard to our northeast boundary narrowly avoids war, but is, at length, peaceably adjusted.

Dec. 2—Congress assembles.

” 4—A Whig Convention prepares for the contest of the coming
year by the nomination of Wm. H. Harrison for the Presidency.
Great discontent was felt with the financial policy of Van
Buren’s administration, and lively interest taken in the
coming election, which made the campaign the most stirring
and the noisiest ever experienced in this country.

1840.

May 5—The Democrats renominate Van Buren for the Presidency.

This year was chiefly memorable for the “Log Cabin and Hard
Cider” election gatherings, and the extreme interest of the
people in the elections, on financial grounds.

June 30—Congress passes the sub-treasury bill recommended by
President Van Buren, in 1837, but then rejected.

Nov.—W. H. Harrison elected President, and John Tyler
Vice-President.

1841.

Jan. 14—Imprisonment for debts due the U. S. abolished.

Mar. 4—Harrison inaugurated ninth President.

” 11—The steamer President sails from New York but is never
again heard of. She had 109 passengers.

” 17—The President calls an extra session of Congress to
consider financial questions.

Apr. 4—President Harrison died and John Tyler became acting
President.

May 31—Congress convenes.

June 25—Gen. Macomb died.

July 6—The proceeds of the public lands ordered to be
distributed to the States.

” 21—Congress orders a loan of $12,000,000.

Aug. 9—The Sub Treasury act repealed.

” 16—President Tyler vetoes the National Bank bill.

” 18—A general bankrupt law passed.

Sept. 9—A Second Banking Bill vetoed. This was the fourteenth
time the veto power had been used; by Washington twice,
Madison four times, Monroe once, Jackson five times.

Oct. 11—Failure of U. S. Bank under the Pennsylvania charter.

1842.

June 25—The new Ratio of Representation, based on the census
of 1840, gives one Member of Congress for every 70,600
inhabitants.

July 23—Bunker Hill Monument finished and dedicated. The
corner stone was laid by Lafayette 17 years before.

Aug. 20—The Ashburton treaty with England, settling the N. E.
Boundary, ratified by the U. S. Senate.

” 28—The U. S. fiscal year ordered to commence with July 1st.

Oct. 2—The U. S. sloop of war Concord wrecked on the African
coast.

” 14—The Ashburton-Webster treaty ratified in England.

1843.

Mar. 3—Congress appropriates $30,000 for building Morse’s
electric telegraph from Washington to Baltimore. It was the
beginning of that magnificent enterprise.

Com. Porter, minister to Turkey, dies in Constantinople.

Apr. 18—Commences “Dorr’s rebellion” in Rhode Island.

Aug. 26—The U. S. frigate Missouri burned, at Gibraltar,
Spain.

1844.

Feb. 28—A large cannon on board the war steamer Princeton,
bursts while the President and others are visiting the
vessel, killing Messrs. Upshur and Gilmer, secretaries of war
and navy, and others.

May 6—The “Know-nothing” or American excitement produces a
serious riot in Philadelphia.

July 7—Jo. Smith, the originator of the Mormons, killed at
Carthage, Ill.

Nov.—The Democratic party elected James K. Polk for
President. The chief question entering into the election
was on the annexation of Texas. It had been sought for some
years but had been declined as certain to bring on a war
with Mexico, which, as a sister republic, and much weaker
than ourselves, had been considered to be an unworthy act.
The Whigs, with Henry Clay as their candidate for President,
opposed it. It was carried, in great part as a pro-slavery
measure, although the bitter and barbarous conduct of the
Mexicans toward Texans and American citizens had something to
do with it.

1845.

Jan. 16—A treaty made with China, ratified by the U. S.
Senate.

” 23—An act of Congress orders presidential elections to be
held in all the States on the first Tuesday after the first
Monday in November.

Feb. 28—Congress annexes Texas to the Union, by a joint
resolution of both Houses.

Mar. 3—Florida admitted into the Union.

” 4—Mr. Polk inaugurated the tenth President.

June 18—Andrew Jackson died.

The Congress of Texas accepted the conditions of the U. S.
and it became a State in the American Union.

July 30—Gen. Taylor ordered to the frontier of Texas.

Sept. 10—Judge Joseph Story, of the U. S. Supreme Court,
died, aged 66.

Dec. 15—A misunderstanding had long existed between the U.
S. and England as to the northern boundary of Oregon. Much
excitement is now produced by a speech and resolution of Mr.
Cass, which seemed the prelude to war with Great Britain.

1846.

June 18—A treaty was negotiated by Mr. Packenham and Mr.
Buchanan settling the northwest boundary satisfactorily.