there was a strong desire to annex it to the United States. On the other hand, the free States were generally much opposed to its admission, as it was frankly admitted by Mr. Calhoun, the great leader of the proslavery party, that the object of the measure was "to uphold the interests of slavery, extend its influence, and secure its permanent duration.” This seemed very likely to prove true, because Texas was an immense region, including three hundred and eighteen. thousand square miles, and being thus one-third as large as the original thirteen States combined, forty times as large as Massachusetts, and more than twice as large as the great States of New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio put together. If, now, all this were to be admitted as slave territory, it seemed as if freedom would be entirely outvoted in the government forever. This accounts for the great opposition that was made to the annexation of Texas, which, however, finally took place at the end of Mr. Tyler's administration. A joint resolution for this purpose passed the United States House of Representatives Feb. 25, 1845, and the United States Senate March 1; and it was approved by the president on the very day it passed the Senate,

three days before he went out of office. A great territory was thus added to the nation, in return for which the United States assumed the Texas debt of seven and a half million dollars. This seemed to many people, at that time, to be a great sum to pay for a very doubtful advantage; and it was often said that the word "Texas" was only "Taxes" with the letters differently arranged.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

POLK AND THE MEXICAN WAR.

J

AMES K. POLK of Tennessee was president of the
United States for the next four years (1845-1849);

and the report of his nomination was the first news ever transmitted by telegraph in America, being sent on the new line which Professor Morse had just completed between Washington and Baltimore. Mr. Polk was the candidate of the Democratic party; and he was opposed by the Whig party and the new party called the "Liberty" party, which was formed to resist the influence of slavery. Mr. Polk's election turned mainly on the question of the annexation of Texas, though this was finally settled just before he came into power. There was also a question, which, for a time, caused much anxiety, as to the possession of Oregon.

The American Government had made claim to Oregon, because an American captain had discovered. the Columbia River, and an American expedition, Lewis and Clark's, had explored it. But that whole region had been practically under control of the British fur companies; and, though many Americans had settled there, it had always been disputed territory. In 1846, however, under President Polk, a treaty was made which divided this great region. The United

States had claimed as far north as 54° 40′ north latitude; and "Fifty-four forty, or fight," was a favorite electioneering motto in the presidential campaign. But it was finally agreed that the line should be drawn at 49°. All north of this was given to Great Britain; and all south, including more than three hundred thousand (308,052) square miles, to the United States. Thus the western boundary question was peacefully settled, as the north-eastern boundary question had been settled. just before; and this did much credit to Mr. Polk's administration, and gave satisfaction to almost all.

But the other great event of Mr. Polk's administration was something about which people were not at all agreed, and which many, especially in the Northern States, regarded as a great calamity, the Mexican War. When the United States had annexed Texas, the nation found that it had still another question of boundary on its hands. Texas claimed that its western boundary was the Rio Grande, and Mexico claimed that it was the River Nueces; and, as these rivers were a hundred miles apart, there was a wide range of disputed territory between. The United States took up the cause of Texas; and General Taylor was sent to the disputed ground with a small army. The Mexicans, also, sent troops thither; and fighting soon began, first in a small way, then in some larger battles, at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, in which the Americans were successful. Then General Taylor crossed the Rio Grande, and took Matamoras, which was within undisputed Mexican territory.

There was much excitement in Washington on hearing this news. Congress voted thus, May 11, 1846

"By the act of the Republic of Mexico, war exists between that government and the United States;" though the Whig members declared that the war was not really begun by Mexico, but by General Taylor. Congress also voted ten million dollars for the war, and resolved to raise fifty thousand volunteers. There was not much sympathy for the war in the Eastern States; but the South-western States, which were nearest the scene of excitement, sent many volunteers to the aid of General Taylor. At last his army reached nearly seven thousand men ; and with this he took, in three days, the fortified town of Monterey, garrisoned by ten thousand Mexi

cans. Then General Santa Anna, who had formerly

been President of Mexico, and was regarded as the

best soldier of that Republic, took command of the Mexican army, but was beaten by General Taylor, with a much smaller force, at Buena Vista. Then General Scott was sent, with an addi

GENERAL SCOTT.

the capital of the country, and "conquering a peace." He, accordingly, with twelve thousand men, bombarded Vera Cruz; and it was surrendered, with the fortress of San Juan d'Ulloa, the strongest fortress on the continent, except that of Quebec. A fleet under Commodore Matthew C. Perry also assisted in this attack. Then the American army advanced toward the capital, over

coming all difficulties, and winning a series of daring victories on the way, always against great superiority of numbers. Among these battles were those of Cerro Gordo, Churubusco, El Molino del Rey, and Chapultepec; and the Americans finally took possession of the city of Mexico, Sept. 14, 1847. It was a city of a hundred and forty thousand inhabitants; and the