FRANKLIN PIERCE, Fourteenth President of the United States, was born at Hillsborough, New Hampshire, November 23d, 1804. His father, Benjamin Pierce, was a General in the Revolutionary War. After a thorough preparatory course he entered Bowdoin College at Brunswick, Maine, where he graduated in 1824. He entered the law office of Levi Woodbury, and was admitted to the bar in 1827. His success in the practice of law was not brilliant at the outset, but by unwearied industry he rose at length to the highest rank as a counsellor and advocate. When a young man he entered the political arena, and supported General Jackson. In 1829, he became a member of the State Legislature, where he remained four years, during two of which he discharged the duties of Speaker with great ability. In 1833, he was elected to Congress, and remained a member of it until 1837, when he was transferred to the Senate. In 1834, he was married to the daughter of Dr. Appleton, ex-President of Bowdoin College, and established his residence at Concord, which he never changed. President Polk tendered him the office of Attorney-General in 1846, which he declined, in favor of his own legal practice, which had grown large and lucrative. The war with Mexico, however, drew him from his office. He raised a regiment of New England volunteers, and receiving the commission of Brigadier General, he departed to the Mexican frontier. At the head of a small division he marched to Pueblo and reinforced General Scott, who immediately prepared for his attack on the City of Mexico. Pierce had his leg broken at the battle of Contreras, but refused to leave the field. On the following day he was on duty in the fierce engagement at Churubusco, where, overcome with pain and exhaustion, he fainted on the field. His army life was of the most exciting nature. In 1852 he was nominated by the Democrat's for the Presidency, and was elected over General Scott, by an overwhelming majority. He died at Concord, N. H., October 8th, 1869. WM. R. KING, Vice-President, was born in N. C. in 1785. He was elected to the U. S. Senate in 1819 and served 21 years. At the death of Pres. Harrison he was elected Pres. of the Senate. Died in Ala. April 18th, 1853, shortly after the inauguration, and never took his seat as Vice-President. CANDIDATES For President and Vice-Pres., 12th Adm. For President. From. For Vice-President. From. Politics. Ala. Democrat. Franklin Pierce, N. H. Winfield Scott, N. J. John P. Hale, N. H. Wm. R. King, Wm. A. Graham, N. Ca. Whig. Abolition. POPULAR AND ELECTORAL Vote, 12тн ADMINISTRATION. Thirty-one States voting,-California having been admitted during previous term. Whole number of Electors, 296. For President. Franklin Pierce 1,590,490 votes. Electoral votes 254. 66 66 66 42. Important Event of the 12 thAdministration. 1853 March 4. Franklin Pierce inaugurated President. July 13. Greytown, Central America, bombarded by U. S. man-of-war for Spanish insult to American Consul. July 14. World's Fair, or "Crystal Palace," opened in New York. Dr. Kane sails for the Arctic Seas. 1854 June. "Kansas-Nebraska Bill" passed. 1855 Anti-Slavery excitement in Kansas. 1856 Slavery question excites the political parties. 1856 June 24. President Pierce recognizes the Filibuster, Gen. Wm. Walker, as President of Nicaraugua, who six months after was driven from the country by the natives. July 28. Panama R. R. to Aspinwall opened. CABINET OFFICERS, 12TH ADMINISTRATION—1853-1857. Secretary of State-William M. Marcy, N. Y. NATIONAL EXPENSES AND DEBT, 12TH ADMINISTRATION. JAMES BUCHANAN, Fifteenth President of the United States, was born in Franklin County, Pa., April 23d, 1791. His parents were from the North of Ireland. He was a studious youth, and graduated with honor at Dickinson College, when but eighteen years of age. He studied law in the office of James Hopkins, of Lancaster, Pa., and was admitted in 1812. In his profession he had numerous and wealthy clients, and his practice was so extensive and remunerative, that at the age of forty he was able to retire with an ample fortune. At the age of twenty-three he was elected to the State Legislature of Pennsylvania. He vigorously supported the War of 1812-'14, and as a private soldier marched to the defense of Baltimore. In 1820, he was elected to the |