large majority, and with him William R. King, of Alabama, as vice-president. Pierce was inaugurated on the 4th of March, 1853.

CHAPTER XV.

PIERCE'S ADMINISTRATION, 1853-1857.

600. A NATIVE of Hillsborough, New Hampshire, and a graduate of Bowdoin College, Franklin Pierce commenced life as a lawyer. Having become a successful practitioner, he was sent to the legislature of his native state, and thence to the lower house of Congress. In 1837, he was elected to the U. S. senate, being then but thirty-three years of age. After five years' service in this body, he returned to private life. The commencement of hostilities in Mexico called him into the field as a volunteer. He received from President Polk a commission as brigadier-general, and conducted himself creditably in several of the most trying battles fought during the advance upon Mexico.-Mr. King, the vicepresident, was one of the senators first elected by Alabama in 1819, and had retained his seat ever since by successive elections except for four years, during which he had been. U. S. minister at the French court. Declining health led him to visit Cuba early in 1853, and on that island he took the oath of office as vice-president. His recovery proving hopeless, he returned to Alabama, where he died April 18th, 1853.-William L. Marcy, of New York, became secretary of state under the new administration.

601. Shortly after his inauguration, Gen. Pierce was called to take part in the opening ceremonies of an "exhibition of the industry of all nations", or World's Fair. England had set the example in 1851 by erecting a magnificent building, and inviting the different nations to contribute specimens of

600. Give a sketch of the previous life of President Pierce. Give an account of Vicepresident King's previous career. When and where did Mr. King die? Who was appointed secretary of state? 601. What exhibition opened in the summer of 1853 ? Where was the first world's fair held? What were the different nations invited to con

1853]

RESCUE OF MARTIN KOSZTA.

453

their inventions, manufactures, agricultural products, and works of art. A similar enterprise was projected in the United States. A Crystal Palace, the frame of which was composed exclusively of iron and glass, was constructed by a stock company in the city of New York, filled with the choicest products of foreign and domestic labor, and opened to the public on the 14th of July, 1853. Thousands visited it, from all parts of the country; and, though in a pecuniary point of view the enterprise was unsuccessful, it had a most happy effect on the industrial interests of the new world, by producing a spirit of generous emulation, and diffusing correct ideas of the advance of art and industry abroad.

602. Difficulties with several foreign nations occurred early in Pierce's administration. The first of these was with Mexico, and grew out of the incorrectness of the maps on which the treaty with that country had been based. The boundary of the territory ceded to the United States thus became a matter of question; and Santa Anna, whom another revolution had placed at the head of affairs, proceeded to occupy the disputed district. War was averted by negotiation, and the separating line between the two countries was clearly defined.--About the same time, a diplomatic question arose with Austria. Martin Koszta [koz'-tah], a Hungarian who had been concerned in the revolution of 1848, had taken refuge in the United States, and formally declared his intention of becoming an American citizen. Having occasion to visit Smyrna, on the Mediterranean coast, he placed himself under the protection of the U. S. consul, but was seized by a lawless band and carried on board of an Austrian ship to answer for his previous conduct. Just at this time, Captain Ingraham, of the American sloop-of-war St. Louis, fortunately arrived in port. After investigating the case, and satisfying himself that Koszta was entitled to the protection of his government, he demanded his surrender, which was obtained,

tribute? What provision was made for a similar enterprise in the United States? On what day did it open? What was the success of the enterprise? What was its effect? 602. Give an account of the difficulty with Mexico carly in Pierce's administration. With what other country did a difficulty arise? State the case of Koszta. Who arrived

but not till he had threatened the Austrian vessel with attack. Koszta was placed under the care of the French cou sul, till the United States and Austria should dispose of the question. A correspondence ensued, which resulted in the release of Koszta and his return to the United States. His life was probably saved by the decided course of Capt. Ingraham, to whom a sword was voted by Congress in acknowledgment of his gallantry.

603. During Pierce's administration, important commercial relations were opened with Japan. An expedition to this distant empire, whose jealousy of foreigners had kept it comparatively shut out from all nations, had been projected by Fillmore; and a squadron was sent thither under Commodore Perry, a brother of the honored naval hero before mentioned. In the summer of 1853, Perry entered the Bay of Jeddo, his steamers being the first that ever floated on the waters of Japan. The authorities, amazed at such boldness, warned the Americans to depart, but their order was disre garded. A Japanese officer then made his appearance; to whom the desire of the United States to make a treaty with his government for purposes of traffic, was duly unfolded. The subject was referred to the emperor, who appointed the 14th of July for a further conference. On that day, the commodore, with an imposing company of officers and marines, landed and delivered the letter of the president. He was received with great pomp, and informed that an answer would be returned the following spring. In March, 1854, the desired treaty was signed. The privilege of trading with Japan was secured to the merchants of the United States, and two ports of entry were appropriated to their use.

604. The most exciting question that arose during Pierce's term related to the territorial organization of an extensive tract reaching from the western boundary of Missouri, Iowa, and Minnesota, to the Rocky Mountains, and from below the

in port about the time of this occurrence? What course was pursued by Capt. Ingra ham? What was Koszta's fate? How was Ingraham rewarded? 603. With what country were important commercial relations opened? By whom was the expedition projected? Under whose command was it placed? Give an account of Commodore Perry's proceedings. What was obtained from the Japanese? 604. Respecting what

RECEPTION OF THE AMERICAN OFFICERS IN JAPAN.

Arkansas River to British America. Though assigned in part to the Indians who had been removed from the other side of the Mississippi, this tract had not escaped the tide of civilized emigration from the east; and the thirty-third Congress, which commenced its first session in December, 1853, was called upon to provide a government for the thousands of pioneers who were clearing its forests and settling its fertile plains. The whole of this region had been obtained from France in 1803, as part of the Louisiana purchase, and, lying north of latitude 36° 30', it was cut off from slavery by the Missouri Compromise. In January, 1854, Senator Douglas presented a bill for the organization of this region into two new territories to be known as Kansas and Nebraska, with the proviso that the Missouri Compromise should not apply to them, inasmuch as it had been superseded by the compromise measures of 1850. The quesdid an exciting question arise during Pierce's term? To whom had this district been in part assigned? Who had found their way thither? What was the thirty-third Congress called on to do? How had this region been obtained? How was it cut off from slavery? What was the substance of a bill presented by Senator Douglas in January,

tion of slavery or freedom Mr. Dougias proposed to leave its occupants to decide, when they should seek admission into the Union as sovereign states. No sooner was this bill brought forward than all the stormy scenes of former years of agitation were renewed. The country was again rent, and sections were arrayed against each other with embittered feelings. The doctrine of "Popular Sovereignty”, as it is called, was violently denounced, particularly in the Eastern States; but all efforts to defeat Mr. Douglas's bill failed; and in May, 1854, having passed both houses of Congress and received the president's signature, it became a law.

605. The doctrine of "popular sovereignty" having been thus endorsed and settled, the men of the East and of the South both strove to encourage emigration, that, when admitted as a state, Kansas might have a majority of settlers in favor of their respective views. The Massachusetts legislature incorporated a company called "The Emigrants' Aid Society", which during 1855 sent out 1300 persons. Slavery men also hastened thither; and between these two classes of immigrants conflicting opinions soon engendered bitter hostility. The first election in Kansas was held in November, 1854, for a delegate to Congress; it resulted, like others, held in 1855, in the triumph of the pro-slavery party. A legislature elected by the latter proceeded to draw up a code of laws for the government of the territory; but the freestate men, declaring that the election had been controlled by parties who had crossed from Missouri for the purpose and were not residents of the state, called a new convention. This body assembled at To-pe'-ka, and drew up a constitution under which state officers and a new legislature were elected. Thus there were two sets of authorities, each claiming to be lawfully chosen. Civil war was the result. Outrages of every kind were committed, and neither life nor property was safe. Peace was not restored till the president, 1854? What followed the presentation of this bill? What was its final fate? 605. What efforts were now made in the east and south with respect to Kansas? What feelings were engendered between these two classes of settlers? When was the first election held in Kansas? Which party triumphed? Recount the circumstances which brought two sets of authorities into the field. What was the consequence? When and by