THE HALF CENTURY.

CHAPTER I.

POLITICAL CHANGES AND EVENTS.

SECTION 1. In the United States.

Most of those who, fifty years ago, were the leading men in public affairs, and filled places of responsibility and influence in this nation, have been laid in their graves, or are sinking down under a weight of years. Those who now stand at the helm, both of our national and state governments, at the commencement of this century were in their boyhood, or ir early manhood; while many, who are acting important parts on the stage of life, are less than half a century old.

I propose, in this section, to present a brief outline of the changes that have been made in our geographical boundaries, and in the number of states, during the period under review, together with a brief notice of those events, which, at the time, excited the deepest and most general interest.

My object is not to enter into the minute details of these events, nor to discuss particularly the policy of different political measures, but simply to narrate, as a chronicler of the past, the leading facts, with the dates and the names of the principal actors.

I will ask the reader to compare what is with what was, and judge for himself whether any progress has been made in civilization and social reform.

Some events, which the reader may expect to find in this section, will be introduced into subsequent chapters; and some, no doubt, which ought to have a place, will be omitted.

At the commencement of the present century, the middle of the Mississippi River was the western boundary of the Union-but now the Pacific Ocean. Our southern boundary was the northern limit of the 31° of north latitude and St. Mary's River- but now the Gulf of Mexico.

The superficial area of the United States was then 1,000,000 square miles-it is now 3,250,000.

The following additions have been made to our territory, in the manner and at the times specified : In 1803, the United States bought of France all that portion of our country that is bounded north by the British possessions, east by the Mississippi River, south by the Gulf of Mexico, Texas, New Mexico, and Upper California, and west by the Pacific Ocean. The price paid for it was $15,000,000; it was called the Louisiana Territory, and contained 1,540,000 square miles.

The tract of country situated between the Iberville and Perdido Rivers, extending from the Gulf of Mexico to the northern limit of the 31° north latitude, having an area of 30,000 square miles, was claimed by our government as a part of the Louisiana purchase. It was undoubtedly the property of Spain; and though it was very desirable we should have it, we had, I suppose, no legal claim to it. Many American families had settled upon it, and, in the summer of 1810, they declared themselves an independent state; and, in October, the president issued a proclamation, declaring it to be a part of the United States.

In 1819, a treaty was concluded between the Spanish and American commissioners, by which it was stipulated that Spain should cede to the States the whole of Florida, as an indemnity for spoliations upon our commerce. The king of Spain refused at first to ratify the treaty. He finally did ratify it, and our government took formal possession of it July 10, 1821.

In 1845, Texas, having become independent, applied to be admitted as one of the United States. She was accordingly received, much against the will of a large portion of the people. The details of the history of the annexation of this territory may be found in Jay's and Livermore's Histories of the Mexican War. If Texas is understood to be bounded west by the Rio Grande, it contains 325,520 square miles.

At the conclusion of the Mexican war, Mexico

ceded to the United States New Mexico and Upper California, which contains 526,078 square miles.

In January, 1801, there were in the Union sixteen States, since which fifteen have been added:

It will be observed that the states that have been admitted have been alternately free and slave states.

An act establishing the territorial government of Oregon was approved by Congress, August 14, 1848, and another establishing the territorial government of Minesota was approved March 3, 1849. The territorial government of New Mexico and Utah was established September 7, 1850.

In the year 1800, the seat of government was removed from Philadelphia to the city of Washington, where the last session of the last Congress of John Adams's administration was holden. In his opening address, the president said, "It would be unbecoming the representatives of this nation to assemble for the first time in this solemn temple, without looking up to the Supreme Ruler of the universe, and imploring his blessing. May this territory be the residence of virtue and happiness. In this city, may that piety and virtue, that wisdom and magnanimity, that con