Chapter XXIX: History of the U. S. From 1865 to 1874

May 13—During the week ending with this day there was
subscribed to the U. S. seven-thirty loan $98,000,000. It was
an expression of the enthusiastic confidence of the people in
the government and its resources.

” 22-23—Grand review of Gen. Sherman’s army at Washington.
There were 200,000 men.

” 26—Kirby Smith, the last leader of a Southern military
organization, surrendered his command.

” 30—The great Sanitary Fair opened at Chicago.

” 31—Gen. Hood and his staff surrendered prisoners of war.

June 1—A day of fasting and national humiliation for the
death of President Lincoln.

” 4—Toombs, of Georgia, prominent in the early days of
secession, shot himself to avoid arrest. Yet no one was
capitally punished for treason.

” 5—The four confederates of Booth, the assassin of President
Lincoln, were found guilty. They were hanged on the 6th and
7th. These were Harold, Atzerott, Powell and Mrs. Surratt.

” 11—Gen. R. E. Lee appointed president of the Washington
College, Va. It was done by Southern people as a mark of
respect, and to furnish him a support; he having lost his
property in the war.

Sept. 20—The marking of the graves of 12,000 of the
unfortunate Andersonville prisoners completed.

” 29—Cession of 1,000,000 acres of land to the government by
the Osage Indians, for $300,000.

Oct. 20—Champ Ferguson, noted for his crimes in guerilla
warfare, hung at Nashville, Tenn.

Nov. 10—Henry Wirz, the inhuman keeper of Andersonville
prison, hung, after trial and condemnation.

Dec. 18—Secretary Seward officially announces that the 13th
Amendment to the Constitution, abolishing slavery in the
United States, has been adopted by three-fourths of the
States, and it is now the law of the land.

1866.

Jan. 1—Third anniversary of Emancipation celebrated by the
colored people.

” 2—Funeral of Hon. Henry Winter Davis, U. S. Senator, at
Baltimore.

” 12—The Kentucky University purchases the homestead of Henry
Clay.

” 23—The 13th Constitutional Amendment reconsidered by the
Legislature of New Jersey and passed. It had been rejected in
the previous year.

” 25—Kentucky refused to pass the 13th Amendment.

” 31—Commissary and quartermaster warehouses burned, at Ft.
Riley, Kansas. $1,000,000 lost.

Feb. 2—The Civil Rights bill passed the Senate.

” 11—The U. S. Sanitary Commission closed with an anniversary
meeting at Washington.

” 12—Memorial services in honor of President Lincoln held in
the capitol, at Washington; address delivered by the Hon.
Geo. Bancroft, statesman and historian.

” 19—President Johnson vetoed the Freedmen’s Bureau bill.

” 22—The 134th anniversary of Washington’s birthday
celebrated.

” 26—Meeting held at Richmond to ratify President Johnson’s
policy.

Mar. 10—North Carolina passes a Negro Rights bill.

” 12—North Carolina passes a Negro Testimony bill.

Texas Convention declares their Secession ordinance null and
void.

” 13—The Civil Rights bill passed the House of
Representatives.

” 19—The Reciprocity Treaty with Canada expires.

” 27—The Civil Rights bill vetoed by President Johnson.

April 2—Gen. Hawley elected republican governor of
Connecticut.

” 4—Gen. Burnside elected governor of Rhode Island.

” 6-7—Civil Rights bill passed Congress over the veto.

” 30—Two churches of colored people burned by incendiaries in
Richmond, Va.

May 15—The President vetoes the bill admitting Colorado as a
State.

” 29—Gen. Scott died at West Point, N. Y.

June 3—Gen. Meade goes to Buffalo to prevent the Fenians
(Irish Patriots) from invading Canada.

” 6—President Johnson issues a proclamation forbidding
belligerent operations against Canada from the United States.

” 8-13—The 14th Constitutional Amendment passed by Congress.

July 4—Great fire at Portland, Me. Loss, $15,000,000. The U.
S. government a heavy loser by this fire.

” 23—Tennessee readmitted as a State in the Union, by joint
resolution of Congress. This was the first State readmitted
after the war.

” 25—Lieut. Gen. Grant nominated General—the highest grade
known in our military organization—never before occupied.
Vice Admiral Farragut nominated Admiral.

” 27—Hon. J. H. Harlan, Sec. of the Interior, resigns. O. H.
Browning appointed.

” 28—The Great Eastern reaches Hearts Content, Newfoundland,
with the Atlantic Telegraphic Cable, which proved successful.
It had failed in the previous year. Great rejoicings. It was
one of the most important events of this century.

” 30—Great riot at New Orleans, in which many were killed.
It was thought the result of President Johnson’s policy of
reconstruction, which was not in harmony with the system
adopted by Congress.

Aug. 1—Gen. Sherman commissioned as Lieut. General.

” 8—Queen Emma, wife of the late King of the Sandwich
Islands, arrives at New York, and is received as a National
Guest.

” 12—Telegraphic communication between New York and Europe
complete, by the Atlantic Cable.

” 31—American and English naval forces unite to break up
piracy by Chinese junks in the East Indies.

Sept. 6—The monument to S. A. Douglas, at Chicago,
inaugurated. President Johnson made many speeches on his
journey to attend this celebration, which were indiscreet,
and disrespectful to Congress. It was called his “Swinging
around the Circle,” in derision; a figure employed in one of
his speeches.

Oct. 9—Gen. Geary elected governor of Pennsylvania.

” 23—Dedication of The Stonewall Jackson Cemetery, at
Winchester, Va.

Nov. 6—State elections in 12 States are held to-day.

” 20—The Grand Army of the Republic, formed of the present
and previous officers of the U. S. Army serving in the late
war, hold a convention at Indianapolis, Ind.

” 22—Raphael Semmes, former Commander of the Confederate war
steamer Alabama, appointed Professor of Moral Philosophy in
the Louisiana State Seminary.

Dec. 7—The Louisiana Legislature rejects the 14th Amendment
to the Constitution.

” 13—Territorial Legislature of Colorado organized.

” 16—The U. S. frigate New Ironsides burned at League Island.

” 22—Massacre of nearly a hundred soldiers near Ft. Kearney.

” 24—U. S. Minister John A. Dix enters on his duties in
France.

1867.

Jan. 7—A suffrage bill for the Dist. of Columbia vetoed by
President Johnson, but passed over the veto by Congress.
Congress was laboring to harmonize the laws of the country
with the changes produced by the war. President Johnson
did his utmost to prevent the success of this policy.
Congress, however, succeeded in carrying its point. This is
an important and interesting history, since it shows how
the Representatives of the People may check and neutralize
the power of a President when his designs conflict with the
interests of the country and the purposes of the people.

” 8-10—14th Amendment ratified by two States (Missouri and
New York) and rejected by another (Virginia).

” 28—Nebraska bill vetoed, but passed over the veto.

Most of the Northern States ratified the 14th Amendment in
this month.

Feb. 20—Military government bill passed Congress.

Mar. 1—Nebraska proclaimed a State by the President.

” 2—The President vetoes the Military Government and Civil
Tenure of Office Bills. They are passed over his veto.

” 4—The 39th Congress ends, and the 40th is organized.

” 11—Military governors assigned to various districts in the
South.

” 30—The President announces the ratification of the treaty
with Russia, by which the United States bought all her North
American Possessions for $7,200,000.

Apr. 3—Gen. Burnside re-elected governor of Rhode Island.

May 13—Jeff. Davis admitted to bail in $100,000; Horace
Greeley and others furnish the bonds.

June 19—The Arch Duke Maximilian, Titular Emperor of Mexico,
shot by order of the Mexican Republican government. The
remonstrances of the U. S. government obliged the French to
withdraw their support from Maximilian.

July 13—The steamer Dunderberg, bought by France, sailed for
Cherbourg.

Aug. 1—Gov. Brownlow re-elected governor of Tennessee.

” 5—The President requires Mr. Stanton, Sec. of War, to
resign. He refuses, when the President suspends him and
appoints Gen. Grant.

” 23—Grand ovation to Admiral Farragut, by Russian officers
at Cronstadt.

Sept. 17—The National Cemetery at Antietam dedicated.

Dec. 4—The Patrons of Husbandry, or Farmers’ Grange,
organized, in Washington.

” 7—A resolution in the House of Representatives to impeach
President Johnson fails by three votes.

1868.

Jan. 1—Fifth Emancipation Anniversary celebrated by the
colored people in various places.

” 6—Censure of the President by Congress for removing Gen.
Sheridan from command of the 5th Military District.

Feb. 7—The resignation of U. S. Minister to England, Hon. C.
F. Adams, announced.

” 19—Senate refuse his seat to P. F. Thomas, of Maryland, on
account of disloyalty.

” 20—The Legislature of New Jersey withdraws its ratification
of the 14th Amendment. Ohio and Oregon did the same. This
action, considered as absurd as Secession, was not recognized.

” 21—President Johnson expels Mr. Stanton, Sec. of War, and
appoints Gen. Thomas. This is done in defiance of the Senate,
by whose “advice and consent” the Constitution requires it to
be supported.

” 24—The House of Representatives adopt articles of
impeachment of the President presented by Thaddeus Stephens,
of Pa., by a vote of 126 to 57. This was 12 more than the
requisite two-thirds.

Mar. 5—The Senate is organized as a Court of Impeachment,
Chief Justice Chase presiding.

May 16—The impeachment trial terminated by a vote in the
Senate of 35 for, to 19 against. As a two-thirds vote was
necessary the impeachment failed by three votes. A few
Republican Senators incurred great odium by voting for the
President’s acquittal.

” 20—Gen. Grant nominated for President by the Republican
Convention at Chicago.

” 22—A Chinese embassy, headed by Hon. Anson Burlingame, who
had been U. S. Minister to China and acquired the confidence
of the government of China to such an extent as to be chosen
by them as the leader of their embassy to this country and
the governments of Europe, arrived at New York.

” 29—Gen. Schofield appointed Sec. of War.

June 5—Mr. Burlingame and the Chinese embassy presented to
the President.

” 6—A Bill for the re-admission of Arkansas passes Congress.

” 9—Bills for the re-admission of North Carolina, South
Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana, Alabama and Florida are passed.

” 12—Hon. Reverdy Johnson appointed Minister to England.

” 20—Bill for re-admission of Ark. vetoed by the President,
but passed over his veto by a two-thirds vote.

” 24—The Bill for the admission of the other States being
vetoed by the President was likewise passed over his veto.

July 4—Horatio Seymour of N. Y. and F. P. Blair of Mo.
nominated for President and Vice-President by the Democrats.

A political amnesty proclamation issued by the President.

” 16—Admiral Farragut received with distinguished honor by
the Queen of England.

” 20—A Bill to exclude the electoral votes of the Southern
States not re-admitted vetoed by the President and passed by
Congress over the veto.

” 21—The 14th Amendment declared ratified, and a part of the
Constitution.

” 28—Military government ceases in Arkansas, North and South
Carolina, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida and Alabama.

Aug. 6—Jefferson Davis lands in Liverpool, England.

” 13—U. S. steamers Wateree and Fredonia destroyed during
an earthquake at Lima, Peru; 40,000 lives were lost in this
dreadful catastrophe.

Sept. 7—Negro members of the Georgia Legislature expelled on
account of race, contrary to the 14th Amendment.

” 18—Battle with the Indians on Republican River. Lt. Beecher
and others killed.

” 19—Riot at Camilla, Geo., caused by hostility of Southern
people to the political privileges of the blacks. Many
negroes killed.

” 29—Gen. Reynolds, military governor of Texas, forbids the
election in that State for President, Texas not having been
re-admitted. This was in accordance with the law of Congress
passed the 20th of July.

Oct. 17—The Legislature of Oregon withdraws its assent once
given to the 14th Amendment.

Nov. 3—U. S. Grant and Schuyler Colfax elected President and
Vice-President. Popular majority 309,722. Electoral votes for
Grant and Colfax, 214; for Seymour and Blair, 80. Virginia,
Mississippi and Texas did not vote, and Nevada was not
counted in. The whole popular vote was 5,722,984. In Florida
the electors were chosen by the Legislature.

” 27—The Indians defeated by Gen. Custer, on the Washita
river. Black Kettle, the chief, and more than a hundred
warriors killed.

Dec. 1—Ft. Lafayette, N. Y., destroyed by fire.

” 3—Political troubles in Arkansas, in which many murders are
committed.

” 7—Third session of the 40th Congress begins.

” 15—A social gathering of the Union soldiers at Chicago.

1869.

Jan. 7—John Minor Botts, a statesman of Va., imprisoned by
the Confederate government during the war for his Union
sentiments, died.

Feb. 27—A joint resolution of Congress recommends to the
States the adoption of the 15th Amendment to the Constitution.

Mar. 4—Gen. Grant inaugurated eighteenth President.

” ”—First session of the 41st Congress commenced.

” 13—James Guthrie, a statesman of Ky., died.

” 25—Hon. E. Bates, of Mo., Att’y Gen’l under Lincoln, died.

May 15—The Union Pacific Railroad was completed by joining
the two ends at Ogden, Utah. Distance from Omaha to San
Francisco 1904 miles. This completed the line of railroad
joining the Atlantic and Pacific. The greatest triumph of
engineering yet known was accomplished in the Nevada Mts., by
carrying the road to a height of over 7000 feet in 105 miles.

July 30—Hon. I. Toucey, of Conn., who had filled many offices
in the State and United States government, died.

Sept. 8—William B. Fessenden, of Me., a statesman of
reputation, died.

” 10—John Bell, of Ky., candidate for the Presidency in 1860,
died.

” 6—Gen. J. A. Rawlins, Sec. of War, died. He had been Gen.
Grant’s Chief of Staff during the war.

Oct. 8—Franklin Pierce, of N. H., ex-President, died.

Nov. 7—Rear Admiral Stewart, of U. S. Navy, died.

Dec. 24—Edwin M. Stanton, of Pa., Sec. of War during most of
the civil war, died.

This year closes a most important era in the history of the
United States, and of the world. The account with the civil
war was definitely closed, and the final seal set on the
policy of reconstruction by the inauguration of Gen. Grant,
and the continuance of the Republican party in power by the
people, together with the readmission of most of the Southern
States and the possibility of the reversal of the decision in
regard to slavery done away by the adoption of the fifteenth
Amendment to the Constitution, giving the elective franchise
to the colored population. Much emphasis was given to all
these things by the prosperity of the country, and the rapid
reduction of the debt, by the generally wise conduct of
the Southern people, and the slowly increasing prosperity
of that section. These results reacted in other countries
to strengthen the tendency to freer and more popular
governments, and seem, in some respects to have introduced
the Era of Republicanism. However slow may be the changes in
this direction, they are sure to be made.

1870.

Jan. 1—Ten years ago the cloud of civil war settled densely
over the country, and threatened its destruction. To-day that
tornado has been passed by nearly six years, and its ruins
are almost buried under the new and more thrifty growth of
all interests and industries even in the South.

” 20—H. R. Revels, of Miss., is chosen the first colored
Senator who ever represented a State in Congress.

” 23—The U. S. steamer Oneida sunk by collision with another
vessel on the coast of Japan. 176 lives lost.

Feb. 22—Hon. Anson Burlingame, head of the Chinese embassy to
the powers of Christendom, died at St. Petersburg, Russia.

Mar. 28—Gen. G. H. Thomas dies in San Francisco, Cal.

” 30—The Sec. of State proclaims the ratification of the 15th
Amendment to the U. S. Constitution by three-fourths of the
States.

June 15—Death of Jerome Napoleon Bonaparte, at Baltimore, Md.

July 12—Death of Admiral Dahlgren, at Washington, D. C.

” 20—Death of M. Prevost Paradol, French Minister at
Washington.

Aug. 14—Death of Admiral Farragut, at Portsmouth, N. H.

Sept. 7—Recognition of the French Republic by the U. S.
government.

Oct. 12—Death of Gen. R. E. Lee, formerly of the Confederate
army.

1871.

Great changes have been taking place in Europe. The Emperor, Napoleon III. taken prisoner by the Germans, his government was set aside by the people of France who founded a Republic.

Jan. 1—At this time the German army, under the lead of the
King of Prussia (about this time made Emperor of Germany), is
besieging Paris, the capital of France.

” 17—The San Domingo Commission sail from New York.

” 28—Paris capitulates to the Germans, which ends the
Franco-Prussian war, terms of peace being soon arranged.

Feb. 12—Alice Carey, the authoress, died at New York.

” 16—An important Japanese mission to the U. S. and other
governments arrives at San Francisco.

Mar. 1—The Germans make a triumphal entry into Paris.

” 20—British House of Commons votes $265,000 for the relief
of Paris.

Apr. 20—A Bill against the Kuklux, a secret organization of
Southern conspirators and murderers, passed in Congress.

May 1—The Legal Tender Act declared Constitutional by the U.
S. Supreme Court.

” 31—The French government does not imitate our clemency to
prisoners taken in rebellion. The soldiers of the Commune are
slaughtered by thousands, by order of the Court Martial of
the government army.

June 18—An earthquake on Long and Staten Islands, N. Y.

” 20—The first Atlantic Cable of 1865, which soon broke and
became useless, is recovered and worked.

July 5—Earthquake at Visalia, Cal.

” 12—Irish Catholic riot in New York; 51 killed, 30 wounded.

” 30—Steamer Westfield explodes, killing near 100 people.

Sept. 17—The Mont Cenis Tunnel, opening a passage for a
railroad 7⅗ths miles long through the Alps from France to
Italy, inaugurated. It had been many years building.

Oct. 2—Brigham Young, the head of the Mormons in Utah,
arrested for bigamy.

” 8—A fire nearly consumes Chicago, destroying-property worth
$200,000,000 and many lives. Fires rage in the forests of
Wisconsin and Michigan. Much property, some towns, and many
persons are burned.

” 17—South Carolina placed under martial law.

$2,050,000 received in aid of the people of Chicago.

Nov. 15—Cholera appears on vessels at New York.

” 18—The Grand Duke Alexis, of Russia, arrives at New York.
He travels through the country for some months.

Dec. 9—Commissioners of the English and U. S. governments
meet in Washington to settle the difficulties between the two
governments arising from the spoliations of the Alabama.

” 16—Catacazy, the Russian Minister, called home at the
request of our government.

” 29—Investigation of abuses in the New York city government
commences. W. M. Tweed surrenders to the sheriff.

1872.

Jan. 2—Brigham Young arrested on a charge of murder.

Mar. 7—Trial and conviction of Kuklux prisoners in Ala.; 3
sentenced to imprisonment for 20 years.

Apr. 1—The colored people celebrate the adoption of 15th
Amendment.

May 3—Horace Greeley nominated for President by a convention
at Cincinnati, O.

” 22—The General Amnesty Bill signed by the President.

” 30—Graves of the Union soldiers decorated throughout the
country.

June 6—Grant and Wilson nominated for President and
Vice-President.

” 26—Trial of Stokes for the murder of Fisk begun. After
several trials he was condemned to imprisonment for murder.

July 24—Spotted-Tail and other western Indians visit
Washington.

Aug. 16—Yellow Fever appears at New York.

Sept. 2—Father Hyacinthe, a liberal French Catholic priest,
marries an American lady.

” 14—The arbitrators of the Alabama Claims, to whom the case
had been submitted, and who had been two months sitting at
Geneva, Switzerland, announced their award. The United
States was to receive $15,500,000 in gold.

Oct. 14—Wm. H. Seward, one of our most distinguished
statesmen, is this day buried at Auburn, N. Y.

” 25—About this time the Horse disease commences, and spreads
rapidly over the whole country.

Nov. 5—In the presidential election on this day President
Grant is re-elected.

” 9—A great fire in Boston, Mass. Loss $75,000,000 in
buildings and merchandise. Insurance $50,000,000.

In this month and December following storms of extreme
severity caused great loss of life and property. An overflow
of the river Po, in Italy, rendered 40,000 persons homeless.
In the Baltic Sea 80 vessels were wrecked, some islands were
inundated, and all their inhabitants drowned. It was not less
severe on the coasts of England and Ireland.

” 29—Horace Greeley, recent candidate for President of the U.
S., died, aged 62 years.

Dec. 11—The King of the Sandwich Islands, Kamehameha V.,
died, leaving no heir.

” 12—The actor, Edwin Forrest, dies, at Philadelphia.

” 17—Edward A. Pollard, editor and author, died.

Important investigations of abuses in New York city and in
the conduct of the Pacific Railway are made this winter, and
many healthy reforms inaugurated. The order of Patrons of
Husbandry becomes popular among agriculturists, and spreads
rapidly, through the coming year.

1873.

Jan. 7, 8, 9—A dreadful snow storm occurs in Minnesota, by
which 70 lives are lost.

” 9—The ex-Emperor Napoleon III. dies at Chiselhurst, in
England, aged 64 years.

” 31—At Chicago, Ill., Joel A. Matteson, ex-governor of
Illinois, died.

Feb. 1—M. F. Maury, formerly distinguished in the U. S. Naval
service, dies at Lexington, Va.

” 9—J. W. Geary, ex-Governor of Penn., died at Harrisburg.

” 15—Steamer Henry A. Jones burned in Galveston Bay, Texas.
21 lives lost.

Mar. 3—Congress enacted a law increasing their pay, that of
the President, and various officers of the government. It
extended over the whole previous term of the 42d Congress,
commencing March 4th, 1871. This law was very offensive to
the mass of the people.

” 4—The wreck of the Alaska mail steamer, Geo. S. Wright,
is reported at Portland, Oregon. All on board, 23 persons,
perished.

” 16—The Boston steamer, Grace Irving, foundered. 8 lives
lost.

” 17—Great fire at Lawrenceburg, Ky.

” 19—San Salvador, Central America, destroyed by an
earthquake. Property destroyed estimated at from $12,000,000
to $20,000,000; and 500 lives lost.

Apr. 1—Steamer Atlantic wrecked near Halifax, N. S. 535 lives
lost.

May 5—James Orr, American Minister to Russia, died, at St.
Petersburg, aged 51.

” 4—An iron bridge at Dixon, Ill., crowded with people
witnessing a baptism, fell, killing and drowning 100 persons.

” 7—Salmon P. Chase, Chief Justice of the U. S., died in New
York, aged 65.

” 8—Hon. Oakes Ames, M. C., died at North Easton, Mass., aged
69.

John Stuart Mill, a celebrated English philosopher and
author, died at Avignon, France.

” 30—A second great fire in Boston, Mass.

June 28—Hon. Horace F. Clark, prominent in railway
enterprises, died in New York.

” 27—Hiram Powers, the distinguished American sculptor, died
in Florence, Italy.

” 29—Jesse R. Grant, father of the President, died.

July 4—Severe storm, very destructive to crops in Ohio,
Indiana, Wisconsin and Missouri. 20 persons drowned in Green
Lake, Wisconsin.

Aug. 2—Great fire at Portland, Oregon. Loss $1,500,000.

” 24—A storm of unprecedented severity raged on the coast
of British America, and, at the same time, on the coast of
Mexico. More than 100 vessels were destroyed in and near the
gulf of St. Lawrence. Some populous islands were quite laid
waste. 176 sailing vessels and 12 steamers were lost in the
Gulf of Mexico.

Sept. 15—The propeller Ironsides foundered in Lake Michigan.
31 lives lost.

The Patrons of Husbandry organize about this time at the rate
of near 1,000 granges a month.

In this month commenced a most serious financial panic at New
York, that spread over the whole country.

Oct. 26—J. C. Heenan, the prize fighter, died on the Union
Pacific R. R.

Nov. 6—Gen. Sickles, U. S. Minister to Spain, telegraphs to
Washington the capture of the Virginius by the Cubans.

” 8—Stephen R. Mallory, former Sec. of the Confederate Navy,
died, aged 63.

” 19—John P. Hale, of N. H., a statesman of some celebrity,
died.

” 22—The steamship Ville du Havre run into and sunk by the
Loch Earn in mid ocean. 226 lives lost.

” 27—Richard Yates, ex-U. S. Senator and ex-Governor of
Illinois, died at St. Louis, aged 55.

Dec. 1—The 43rd Congress assembles for its first session.

” 14—Louis Agassiz, a distinguished naturalist and man of
science, died at Cambridge, Mass.

1874.

Jan.—The U. S. government narrowly escaped a war with
Spain on account of the taking of the Virginius by Cuban
authorities. That vessel was sailing under the American
flag which was violated by its capture. 54 men were shot
as pirates, some of them American citizens. The Spanish
government disavowed the act, and gave up the vessel, Dec.
16th, 1873. It was so much damaged as to sink while on the
way to the United States.

” 2—A Revolution in Spain overthrows the government of Señor
Castelar.

” 5—The President sends a message to Congress concerning the
Spanish difficulty, now substantially settled.

” 8—U. S. Senate repeals the bill of March 3rd, 1873,
increasing the pay of members of Congress.

” 9—Hon. Caleb Cushing nominated Chief Justice of the U. S.
Supreme Court.

” 14—Nomination of Caleb Cushing recalled.

” 17—Death of the Siamese twins.

” 19—Morrison R. Waite, of Ohio, was nominated by the
President as Chief Justice and confirmed afterward by the
Senate.

” 27—Reliable intelligence of the death of David Livingstone,
the African explorer, reaches England.

Feb. 4—The seventh annual meeting of the National Grange
of the Patrons of Husbandry occurs in St. Louis, Mo. 8,000
subordinate granges have been added during the year. The
Executive Committee state that farmers had saved $8,000,000
during the year by their co-operative system.

Mar. 8—Ex-President Fillmore died, in Buffalo, N. Y.

” 11—Death of Hon. Charles Sumner, a distinguished statesman
and Senator from Mass., in Washington. He was born in
Boston, Mass., Jan. 6th, 1811, and was 63 years old. He was
of a patriotic race which originated in the county of Kent,
England. His grandfather was a Major distinguished for valor
in the Revolutionary army. Charles Sumner graduated from
Harvard College in 1830, was admitted to the bar in 1834, and
became highly distinguished as a lawyer. He succeeded Daniel
Webster in the U. S. Senate in 1851, in which he remained
till his death, being always conspicuous as one of the
foremost leaders in public affairs.

” 24—A bill increasing the currency to $400,000,000 passed in
the U. S. House of Representatives by 168 to 77.

Apr. 1—The U. S. debt officially stated to be
$2,152,690,728.62. Decrease of debt during March, 1874,
$2,189,338.46.

” 14—The Senate bill increasing the currency passes the House
of Representatives. Many protests from different parts of the
country are presented against it as injurious to the credit
and interests of the country. The discussion of this measure
has occupied much of the time of Congress for some months.

” 18—The funeral of Livingstone, the lamented African
explorer, takes place in London, England, where his remains
had arrived. He was interred in Westminster Abbey, as a mark
of distinguished honor.

” 17—Gov. Wm. B. Washburn is elected by the Mass. Legislature
to represent the State in the U. S. Senate, made vacant by
the death of Charles Sumner.

” 22—President Grant vetoes the Currency Bill increasing the
issues of paper money, which defeats the measure, its friends
in Congress not being numerous enough to pass it over the
veto.

” 24—The Congressional committee on Transportation,
after long and careful investigation, advised government
_oversight_ of Railroads, but against government _ownership_.

” 28—Congress voted $90,000 in aid of sufferers by the
inundation of the lower Mississippi.

May 7—$100,000 were added to the above sum for the same
purpose.

” 19—The system of payments to informers in customs revenue
cases, repealed. That system appeared to have been very
grossly abused.

” ”—The conflict in Arkansas ended in the retreat of Brooks
and the reinstatement of Gov. Baxter.

” ”—The New York Legislature passed a Compulsory Education
Bill, which became a law in that state.

June 1—Mr. Richardson, Secretary of the Treasury, resigned.
Gen. Benj. H. Bristow of Ky., was appointed to succeed him.

” ”—The number of subordinate Granges of the Patrons of
Husbandry is 19,492. The number of Patrons who are voters is
estimated at 1,000,000.

” 23—Congress adjourned. The sums appropriated at this
session for carrying on the government amounted to
$189,784,346.25. The largest item was for the Post Office
Department—over $41,000,000.

” 24—Postmaster-General, John A. J. Creswell resigned, and
Hon. Marshall Jewell was appointed in his place.

” 25—Telegraphic communication between the United States and
Brazil introduced by congratulatory messages between the
Emperor of Brazil and the President of the U. S.

July 8—Message of Gov. Davis of Minnesota to the Sec. of War,
announcing the entire destruction of crops in many counties
of that state by grasshoppers.

” 14—Another great fire in Chicago. Loss over $4,000,000.

Gen Custer, commanding an exploring expedition in the Black
Hills of Dacotah, reported discoveries of rich gold mines
there.

” 27—An International Congress for mitigating the sufferings
of war by means of an International Code of Laws, convened
at Brussels, in Belgium.

Aug. 19—A riot between whites and blacks in Kentucky,
resulted in several murders of blacks. The Gov. called out
the militia to restore order.

Sept. 2—400 Mormons sail from England for this country en
route to Utah.

” 5—Gen. Sherman orders Military head quarters of the U. S.
Army removed from Washington to St. Louis, Mo.

” 5—The one hundredth anniversary of the first meeting of the
Continental Congress in Philadelphia, celebrated.

” 7—Great fire at Meiningen, Germany. Loss in buildings
alone, $3,000,000.

” 13—Guizot, a celebrated French author and statesman, died,
aged 87.

” 14—The white League, a secret organization opposed to the
enfranchisement of the colored people, produced a conflict in
New Orleans. 17 were killed and 32 wounded in a street fight,
and the State government completely overthrown.

” 16—President Grant interfered by proclamation and the
government

” 18—was surrendered to the regular authorities, under
protest.

Oct. 13—Elections held in 6 states returned 12 democratic
Congressmen more than the previous number.

Nov. 3—Elections in 23 states give a strong democratic gain,
indicating a reaction against the government. A sense of
the necessity of reform in various ways, and of greater
purity and integrity of administration was wide spread. It
had caused, in part, the rapid growth of the Patrons of
Husbandry, and was again expressed by political reaction. It
was a significant rebuke to those in power. A typhoon, or
hurricane at Hong Kong, China, Sept. 22-23, destroyed 30,000
lives and $50,000,000 of property.

Europe is making great political improvements. In France,
during the last three years, out of 184 elections to
fill vacancies in the National Assembly, 152 have been
republican—only 32 monarchists, and in Russia the government
has decided to enforce compulsory education.

Dec. 1—The number of Granges in the United States is 21,472.

” 7—The last session of the forty-third Congress commenced.
The President’s Message strongly recommends early resumption
of specie payments.

” 12—Kalakaua, King of the Sandwich Islands, reached
Washington on a visit. He was received by the President on
the 15th and by Congress on the 18th.

” 21—Disturbances at Vicksburg, Miss., called out a
proclamation from the President.

” 28—Gerrit Smith, a distinguished abolitionist and
philanthropist, died in New York, aged 78.

1875.

Jan. 1—Monarchy was restored in Spain. Alphonso XII, son of
the ex-queen Isabella, was proclaimed King, and received the
support of the army and navy. It was only a few months before
that most of the European governments recognized the Spanish
Republic.

” 4—Gen. Sheridan took command of the Department of the Gulf,
at New Orleans. On that day the Legislature of Louisiana was
organized, and United States troops, acting under the orders
of the speaker and of Gov. Kellogg, ejected several members
who, it was alleged, were not entitled to seats. It produced
much excitement throughout the country, the opposition
denouncing it as an unexampled interference of the Federal
Executive with State government. Congress sustained the
action of the President, but exerted its influence to quiet
the excitement in Louisiana, and a compromise was effected
under which it gradually ebbed away.

” 12—Toung-tchi, Emperor of China, died, aged 19 years.

The emigrants arriving at the port of New York during the
year 1874, numbered 149,762; a decided falling off, the
arrivals having for some years, amounted to 250,000. The
governments of Germany are endeavoring to remove the causes
of emigration which threatens to affect their resources
seriously.

Feb. 3—A proposed reciprocity treaty with Canada, was
rejected by the Senate.

” 5—The civil rights Bill, adopted by the Senate during the
last session, was amended by an omission relating to schools
and adopted by the House. It was accepted by the Senate Feb.
27th, and signed by the President, March 1st.

” 25—A Republic was definitely recognized in France.

Mar. 2—A Bill increasing the Tariff was passed by the Senate.

Gen. Lorenzo Thomas of the U. S. army died, aged 71.

” 3—A law admitting Colorado as a state was passed.

” 4—A law, passed in haste in the last hours of the session,
restored the Franking Privilege to members of Congress until
Dec. 1, and increased the postage on newspapers and packages
for the people. The forty-third Congress came to a close.

” 5—The Senate convened in extra session in accordance with
a call previously made by the President. G. S. Orth was
confirmed U. S. Minister to Austria, and Horace Maynard U. S.
Minister to Turkey.

” 10—A new treaty with Belgium was ratified.

” 18—The Senate ratified the treaty with Hawaii, which
renders the interests of the Sandwich Islands substantially
identical with those of the United States.

” 20—A destructive tornado in Georgia caused great loss of
life and property.

” 24—The Senate, after officially approving the action of the
President in Louisiana, closed its special session.

F. E. Spinner, United States Treasurer, resigned, and John C.
New, of Ind. was appointed his successor.

Apr. 19—The centennial anniversary of the battle of Lexington
was celebrated with great interest. This battle was the
first decisive step in the War of Independence. Its scenes
and their consequences were dwelt on by some of the most
distinguished literary Americans, and honored by the presence
of the President of the United States and many of its most
eminent authorities.

” 23—Three Steamers burned at New Orleans, in which fifty
lives were lost.

” 28—A fire at Oshkosh, Wis., destroyed a square mile of the
city. Loss in property over $2,000,000.

May 7—A Bill for suppressing religious orders introduced into
the German Parliament. It subsequently became a law.

The Steamship Schiller was wrecked on the coast of Great
Britain. Three hundred and eleven lives were lost.

” 10—Centennial anniversary of the capture of Fort
Ticonderoga by Ethan Allen.

” 15—Attorney General Williams resigned and Judge Edwards
Pierrepont was appointed his successor.

” 17—John C. Breckenridge, formerly Vice President of the
United States, and a general in the Confederate army during
the Civil War, died, aged 54.

” 18—A fearful earthquake in New Granada, South America. The
city of Cucuta was completely destroyed; between two and
three thousand lives were lost and more than $8,000,000 of
property destroyed.

” 20—Celebration of the Mecklenburg, N. C., Declaration of
Independence, with great enthusiasm.

” 30—The Steamer Vicksburg, on a voyage from Canada to
England, was wrecked in a field of ice. 80 lives were lost.

June 17—Centennial anniversary of the battle of Bunker Hill
was celebrated with great eclat. Its most interesting feature
was the fraternal spirit manifested by the North and South
toward each other. Several Southern States were represented
by bodies of soldiers.

” 30—Business failures since Jan. 1, of this year reported at
3,377, with liabilities amounting in all to $74,940,869.

July 8—Gen. Frank P. Blair, Jun., died in St. Louis, aged 54.

” 18—Lady Franklin, widow of Sir John Franklin, the
unfortunate Arctic Explorer, died in England, aged 70.

Great loss of life and property has been caused in France
by floods. In two cities alone the damage is estimated at
$20,000,000, and in the south of France at $75,000,000.
Other parts of Europe have suffered heavily from the same
cause.

” 23—Isaac Merrit Singer, inventor of the Sewing Machine of
that name, died in London, England, aged 64.

The most prominent political issue of the time is hard
money and currency. A Democratic convention in Md., and a
Republican convention in Minn., each, yesterday and to-day,
adopted a hard money platform. Ohio and Pa. democratic
conventions afterwards declared for paper money.

” 31—Ex-President Andrew Johnson died in Tenn., aged 67. He
was recently elected U. S. Senator from Tennessee.

Aug.—The Gov. of Tenn. appointed Hon. D. M. Key, to fill the
vacancy in the Senate caused by Andrew Johnson’s death.

” 4—Republican government in France was strengthened by the
passage of a Bill constituting a Senate.

The census of population in Louisiana, gives 850,390, an
increase of over 15 per cent. since 1870. The excess of
increase of colored over white population has been 45,668.

The census in Wisconsin gives a population of 1,236,090,
being an increase of 17⅓ per cent. since 1870.

” 26—The Bank of California suspended payment. It has long
been the leading bank in the Pacific States.

” 27—W. C. Ralston, president of the Bank of California, was
drowned while bathing.

Sept. 1—Violent disturbances in Mississippi between whites
and blacks result in many deaths.

” 7—The Governor of Miss. called on the President for federal
aid to protect citizens and restore order.