1849. adopted by the people with great unanimity. Peter H. Burnet was elected chief magistrate, and the first legislature assembled at San José on the 20th of December, 1849.

1. What is Baid of the

the legisla

Jornia?

11. While California was a prey to anarchy and conduct of misrule, incident to the mixed character of its populature of Cali- tion,-while the project of an independent republic was by some openly avowed,—and while the interests of the people were neglected by the Congress of the United States, which was violently agitated by the clause in the new constitution prohibiting slavery, the legislature of California manifested, throughout, a noble spirit of devotion to the public good, and a faithful attachment to the American Union.

2 Give an account of

the dificul arose be

ties 10hich

tween Ter.

as and New

Mexico.

12. 'In the meantime, long standing animosities between Texas and New Mexico were involving those countries, and the general government, in a complication of difficulties. Texas had ever claimed, since she gained her independence of Mexico, that her territory extended to the Rio Grande; and she was determined to extend her authority there also, although the inhabitants of the valley of Santa Fe had ever rejected her pretensions, and resisted her rule. 'In February, measures 1850, Texas sent her commissioner to organize counby Texas, ties in New Mexico, and enforce her jurisdiction over was the re- the disputed territory; but the United States civil and

1850.

3. What

were taken

and rohat

sull?

4. What is said of the

tition, and

people!

military governor at Santa Fe, disregarding the claims of Texas, and acting in accordance with instructions from Washington, favored the views of the people of New Mexico, who met in convention, and formed a constitution for a state government, which they transmitted to Washington for the approval of the American Congress. The agent of Texas was unable to accomplish his mission,

13. 'While California and New Mexico were petiMormon pe tioning for admission as states into the American the Mormon Union, a similar petition was sent up to Congress by a strange people from the very centre of the vast American wilderness. A few years before, a band of Mormons, or, as they style themselves, "Latter Day Saints," had collected at Nauvoo, in the state of Illinois, under the guidance of Joe Smith, their pretended

1849. prophet and leader; but as serious dissensions arose between them and the neighboring people, they set out, like the Israelites of old, with their flocks, their herds, and their little ones," to seek a refuge in the wilderness, far away from those who, while they pitied their fanaticism, hated them, and despised their religion.

1. Of their establishment in

-and the

this strange

14. 'Passing beyond the Rocky Mountains, they found, in the valley of the Great Salt Lake, in NorthCalifornia ern California, a delightful and fertile region, which success of they chose for their future home, and the seat of a new imposture religion, which, in its infancy, has been little less successful than that of the Arabian impostor. Not from the states only, but even from Europe, the Mormon missionaries brought in their proselytes by hundreds and by thousands: their thrifty settlements rapidly increased; and while they were scarcely thought of by "the world's people" but as a band of outcasts, we find them, in the year 1850, asking to be enumerated as a member of our confederacy, and the American Congress gravely discussing the terms of the admission of the new territory of "Utah !"

1850.

2. What is said of the

General

Taylor?

15. While Congress was still in session, engaged in death acrimonious debate on the various subjects which arose out of the connection of slavery with the new territories, the country was called to mourn the sudden loss of its chief magistrate. Zachary Taylor died at Washington on the 9th of July, after an illness of less than a week. Among his last words were, I have endeavored to do my duty. I am not afraid to die." His memory will ever be cherished by his countrymen as 3. Of the that of an able and good man. 'In the language of an character eminent political opponent," "The integrity of his mohim by Gen- tives was never assailed nor assailable. He had passed a. General through a long and active life, neither meriting nor

attributed to

sral Cass?

Cass.

meeting reproach, and, in his last hour, the conviction of the honest discharge of his duty was present to console, even when the things of this life were fast fading away."

1850.

CHAPTER XIII.

FILMORE'S ADMINISTRATION.

FROM JULY 10, 1850, TO MARCH 4, 1853.

1. 'ON the day following the decease of the president, the vice-president, Millard Filmore, proceeded to the Hall of the House of Representatives, and there, in accordance with the constitution, and in the presence of both Houses of Congress, took the oath of office as President of the United States. Without commotion, without any military parade, but with republican simplicity, the legitimate successor to the presidency was installed in office, and the wheels of government moved on as harmoniously as ever; presenting to the world a sublime spectacle of the beauty and perfection of self-government.

What period is embraced in Filmore's administration?

2.

the charac

ter

What was of the 18t the 31st Con

session of

gress? 3. What

great sub

2. The first session of the 31st Congress, which opened on the 3d of Nov. 1849, and closed on the 30th of September, 1850,- -was one of the longest and most exciting ever held. The great subjects of discussion were, the admission of California with the con- were the stitution she had adopted, and the Texas boundary fects of di question. With these was involved the long agitated. What was question of slavery, in all its various phases-respect-involved ing the extension of slavery to new territory-its abɔlition in the District of Columbia, and the restoration of fugitive slaves to their owners.

cussion?

said of Mr.

3. Early in the session, before the death of General 5. What is Taylor, Mr. Clay, at the head of a committee of thir- Clay's billi teen, had reported to the Senate a bill providing for the admission of California with the constitution she had adopted for the organization of the territories of New Mexico and Utah, and for the adjustment of the Texas boundary. "This project, which received the name of the "Omnibus bill," was strongly contested, and crippled by various amendments, until nothing remained

6.

What was

the fate of

this b

1850. but the sections organizing Utah as a separate territory, which passed both houses, and became a law.

1. What, honcever,

erare

resull

cussion?

4. 'After much discussion, however, the California was the gen- admission bill, the New Mexico Territorial bill, and the Texas boundary, all subsequently passed as separate propositions, very much as they had been proposed by the committee of which Mr. Clay was chairman. By 2. Respect, this result, 1st. "The vast territory of California, with nia in par- a sea-board corresponding in latitude to the entire Atlantic coast from Boston to Charleston, became a state of the American Union, with a constitution exThe Mor- cluding domestic slavery: 2d. "The Mormon territory mon terri of Utah, embracing the great central basin of the coun

ing Califor

ticular?

tory?

4. Ne10 Mexico?

ing the Texas Boundary bill?

try between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific, was erected into a territorial government, with the declaration that, when admitted as a state, "said territory, or any portion of the same, shall be received into the Union with or without slavery, as its constitution shall prescribe at the time of the admission:" 3d. 'New Mexico was erected into a territorial government with the same provision respecting slavery as in the case of 6. Respect Utah: 4th. 'The Texas Boundary bill (with the consent of Texas afterwards obtained), established the dividing line between Texas and New Mexico four degrees east of Santa Fe; and in consideration that Texas relinquished her claims to the territory east of the Rio Grande thus included in New Mexico, the United States agreed to pay her the sum of ten mil. The fugi lions of dollars: 5th. "An act called the "Fugitive Slave Law," was passed, providing for the more effectual and speedy delivery, to their masters, of fugitive 7. The slave- slaves escaping into the free states: and 6th. 'An act District of providing for the suppression of the slave-trade in the District of Columbia, which declares that "if any slave shall be brought into the District of Columbia for the purpose of being sold, or placed in depot there to be sold as merchandise, such slave shall thereupon become liberated and free."

tive slave law?

trade in the

Columbia?

8. Of what were these bills the results?

5. These various bills were the results of a compromise of opposing views on the subject of slavery, and in this spirit they were advocated by their supporters; but, as was to be expected, they failed to give entire