ELEMENTS IN THE CAMPAIGN.

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A convention of the friends of President Tyler placed him in nomination for re-election. Despairing of success, Mr. Tyler ultimately withdrew in favor of the Democratic candidates.

In addition to the Texas question, the subject of a protective tariff entered into the canvass. Vigorous efforts had just been made in Congress to modify the tariff, and a determined assault was made upon it during the entire campaign. A majority of low tariff members were returned to the ensuing Congress.

The Democratic National Convention resolved, "that our title to the whole of the territory in Oregon is clear and unquestionable; that no portion of the same ought to be ceded to England or any other power; and that the re-occupation of Oregon, and the annexation of Texas, at the earliest practicable period, are great American measures, which this convention recommends to the cordial support of the Democracy of the Union."

The Presidential canvass was animated and exciting. Texas was represented as deserving the sympathy of patriots; and the pledge of Mr. Polk to insist on "the whole of Oregon or none-with or without war,” was effective in enkindling hatred towards England as an ancient enemy.

The Whigs opposed annexation because of the evils. slavery would bring in its train. They asserted the evils of the system, and charged upon the Northern Democrats alliance with the slave interest at the South.

The Abolitionists, in turn, made inroads upon the Whigs, urging the inconsistency of voting for a slaveholder, and setting forth the duties of freemen, etc. Though without expectation of electing their candidate, they were second to none in their electioneering efforts. In New York their vote was more than double that of

1842, and more than sufficient, had it been given to Mr. Clay, to have secured to him that State, and his election. The loss of a victory so nearly within their grasp sadly aggrieved the Whigs. Their censure fell without stint upon those whom they regarded the authors of their misfortunes. Of their denunciations, the Abolitionists received a liberal allowance.

Of the electoral vote, Messrs. Polk and Dallas received 170; Clay and Frelinghuysen 105. Of the popular vote-save South Carolina, where the choice of electors is by the Legislature-1,335,834 were given for Mr. Polk; 1,297,033 for Mr. Clay, and 64,653 for Mr. Bir

ney.

At the last session of the twenty-eighth Congresswhich continued in session from December 2, 1844, to March 3, 1845-acts were passed establishing a uniform time for choosing presidential electors; for the admission of Florida and Iowa into the Union; for the establishment of mails between the United States and foreign countries; and for the reduction of postage to five cents on a single letter for a distance less than 300 miles-over that, ten cents.

Mr. Tyler retired from office without the particular regrets of any party. He had lost the confidence of those who had elevated him to power, and had failed to ingratiate himself with their opponents.

CHAPTER XII.

ADMINISTRATION OF JAMES K. POLK, 1845-1849.

PRESIDENT POLK was inaugurated March 4, 1845, with the forms and ceremonies customary on such occasions.

The inaugural address set forth at length the views of the President. He discountenanced interference with certain "domestic institutions" as an 66 attempt to disturb or destroy the compromises of the Constitution;" the consequences thereof must be "most ruinous and disastrous." He deeply regretted that "in some sections of our country, misguided persons have occasionally indulged in schemes and agitations, whose object is the destruction of domestic institutions existing in other sections," but it gave him satisfaction to believe "that there existed among the great mass of our people a devotion to the Union of the States, which would protect it against the moral treason of any who would contemplate its destruction."

He regarded the relations of the United States and Texas a matter of adjustment exclusively by the two governments. Other governments had no right to interfere or to take exceptions thereto.

Our title to the country of the Oregon "is clear and unquestionable;" and he pledged himself "to maintain

by all constitutional means, the rights of the United States to that territory." Our laws should be extended for the protection of our emigrants to that country.

"National banks and other extraneous institutions to control or strengthen the government" were disapproved by the President. The object of a tariff should be to provide a revenue.

Mr. Polk selected as his cabinet officers, James Buchanan, of Pa., Secretary of State; Robert J. Walker, of Miss., Secretary of the Treasury; William L. Marcy, of N. Y., Secretary of War; George Bancroft, of Mass., Secretary of the Navy; Cave Johnson, of Tenn., Postmaster-General; and John Y. Mason, of Va., AttorneyGeneral. Mr. Everett was recalled from England, and Louis McLane, of Md., appointed Minister to that country.

THE MEXICAN WAR.

The Mexican Minister, in a letter to the Secretary of State, dated March 6, 1845-only six days after the action of Congress-protested in the name of his government, "against the resolutions of Congress dismembering Mexico of her just territory and annexing it to the American Union." Declaring that Mexico would maintain her rights, he demanded his passport.

The Texan Congress met on the 16th of June, when the overtures of Mexico were considered and rejected, and a resolution passed accepting the terms of annexation to the United States.

The act of annexation by Congress, was regarded by Mexico as a declaration of war, which she declared it her intention to resent. At the instance of Texas, the President ordered an army into that territory.

Attempts were now made to effect an adjustment of

WAR WITH MEXICO.

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difficulties through negotiations. These failed; a revolution in the government of Mexico transpired. President Herrera was deposed, and Gen. Paredes was elevated to power.

Texas completed the act of annexation, July 4, 1845, in accepting the terms proposed by the American Congress. Knowing this would be regarded by Mexico as a declaration of war, Gen. Taylor was ordered by the President to assume such a position on the Gulf of Mexico, as would enable him to defend the western border of Texas. He was directed not to disturb the Mexican

posts and forces" so long as the relations of peace be

tween Mexico and the United States continued." His duty would be the protection of the people of Texas. In January, 1846, Gen. Taylor was ordered to the left bank of the Rio Grande. At his approach he was met by a deputation from Gen. Mejia, a Mexican commander, protesting against the invasion. On the 28th, our army took up its position opposite Matamoras. Hostilities soon President Polk announced to Congress, May 11th, that, "after a long-continued series of menaces, the Mexican forces had at last invaded our territory, and shed the blood of our fellow-citizens on our own soil." He called upon Congress to provide means by which the Executive might be enabled to defend the country.

commenced.

Congress responded in the passage of an act providing men and money-$10,000,000; in the House, by a vote of 142 to 13, and in the Senate 40 to 2. The bill was immediately signed, and the proclamation of war issued.

The preamble of this act declared the war to exist by the act of the republic of Mexico. Strong exceptions were taken to this assertion. A large portion of the Whig members in Congress were opposed to the war. They regarded it as having been initiated by the Execu