JAMES KNOX POLK, Eleventh President of the United States, was of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and was born November 2d, 1795, in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Polk and Jackson are as yet the only two Presidents born of similar ancestral blood, and in the same County. His kindred had taken part in the struggle for Independence. His father was a farmer and a staunch Jeffersonian Democrat. In 1806. his family removed to Nashville, Tennessee. James was averse to mercantile pursuits, and after preliminary studies under Mr. Black, he, in 1815, entered the University of North Carolina, where he graduated with highest honors three years later. After graduating he returned to Nash ville, where he studied law, and was admitted to the bar. He was elected to the Legislature of Tennessee in 1823, and two years later was elected a Representative in Congress, where he continued for fourteen years, and served during five sessions as Speaker of the House of Representatives, presiding with a dignity and impartiality that gave him great popularity. He was elected Governor of Tennessee in 1839, but was defeated in a struggle for the same honors in 1841, and also in 1843. He was brought forward by the Democrats at their Baltimore Convention in May, 1844, as a candidate for the Presidency in opposition to that well-known statesman, Henry Clay. Mr. Polk favored the annexation of Texas, and was elected by a large majority. His inauguration was followed by trouble with the Government of Mexico, which soon developed into open war. General Taylor, with a small army, was sent to the bank of the Rio Grande to defend the claims of Texas. At a later period General Scott was sent with a large army, which cut its way through the country and captured the City of Mexico, which terminated the war. Mr. Polk retired to private life at the close of his term, and died three months later, at Nashville, June 15th, 1839, at the age of fifty-four. GEO. M. DALLAS, Vice-President, a statesman of rare ability, was born at Philadelphia, July 10, 1792. Graduated at Princeton in 1810. He filled many positions of honor and responsibility at home and abroad. CANDIDATES FOr President and VICE-PRES., 10тн ADм. Ky. Abolition. POPULAR AND ELECTORAL VOTE, 10TH ADMINISTRATION. Twenty-six States voting. Whole number of electors, 275. For President. James K. Polk, 1,335,834 votes. Electoral votes 170. Important Events of the 10th Administration. 1845 March 4. James K. Polk inaugurated President. Mexico declares war against the United States, caused by the admission into the Union of the Mexican State, Texas. See Contents for list of battles. Dec. 29. Texas admitted into the Union. 1846 April 26. Thornton's party, by order of Gen. Taylor, cross the Rio Grande, and are captured by the Mexicans. First blood of the Mexican War. 1846 May 11. Congress declares, "War existed by the act of Mexico." Mexican War.-See Contents for battles. Dec. 28. Iowa admitted into the Union. Elias Howe Sewing Machine patented. 1847 Sept. 14. The American army, under Gen. Scott, enters the City of Mexico without opposition. 1848 Feb. 2. Treaty of Peace with Mexico, signed at Gaudaloupe, which confirmed the annexation of Texas, and ceded to the United States California and New Mexico, an area of 500,000 square miles, by payment of $15,000,000 and assuming $3,500,000 debts due citizens of the United States. May 29. Wisconsin admitted into the Union. July. Gold first discovered in California. CABINET OFFICERS, TENTH ADMINISTRATION—1845–1849. Secretary of State-James Buchanan, Pa. Secretary of the Treasury-Robert J. Walker, Mississippi. Secretary of War-William L. Marcy, N. Y. Secretaries of the Navy-George Bancroft, Mass.; John Y. Mason, Va. Postmaster-General-Cave Johnson, Tenn. Attorneys-General-John Y. Mason, Va.; Nathan Clif ford, Me.; Isaac Toucey, Conn. |