2. It appears that many persons in this country, especially in the southern portion, were in favor of the annexation of the large and rich Spanish island of Cuba to the United States, though it is well known that Spain is wholly adverse to any such measure. So early as the commencement of Taylor's administration, some adventurous spirits, popularly called fillibusters, led by a Cuban exile named Lo'-pez, undertook to effect this object. Six hundred men landed, May 19th, 1850, on the north part of the island at Car'-de-nas, and captured that place. 8. Finding no countenance from the people of Cuba, however, they hastily re-embarked and escaped to Key West, in Florida. The following year, Lopez, with four hundred and eighty men, left New Orleans, and again landed on the northern shores of Cuba; he was, however, attacked, defeated, and captured, and, with a number of his followers, was executed at Ha-van'-a. Ninety-five of the captives, who had been taken to Spain, were liberated by order of the queen, and arrived at New York March 13th, 1852.

4. In the early part of the year 1851, Congress made important changes in the post-office laws. By the new system, the postage on prepaid letters, to all parts of the United States, was reduced to three cents, the prepayment being made by affixing stamps provided by the government. The result has been an immense facility of intercourse throughout the United States.

5. On the 4th of July, 1851, the corner-stone of a vast extension of the Capitol, at Washington, was laid by the President of the United States, with appropriate ceremonies. On this occasion, Mr. Webster, the orator of the day, made the following extraordinary statement as to the progress of the United States since 1793-that is, in fifty-s years:

Number of the states belonging to the federal Union.

Members of Congress.

Population of the United States

Population of the city of New York.

Revenue.....

-seven

In 1851.

In 1793.

15 135 3,929,328

31 295

28,267,499

Imports..

Exports..

Tonnage of our vessels...

Extent of the territory of the United States in square miles.

Miles of railroad in operation....

Colleges...

2. What is the feeling of many persons in the United States as to the annexation of Cuba? What of fillibusters? What of Lopez? 3 What did Lopez and his men do after capturing Cardenas? What of another expedition the next year? 4. What of changes in the post-office laws in 1851? 5. What took place at Washington, July 4th, 1851? How many states in the Union in 1798? In 1851? The teacher will put such other questions us he deems proper, from the table.

DEATH OF HENRY CLAY.

423

6. In December, 1851, Louis Kos'-suth, the ex-governor of Hungary, arrived in New York, by way of England. His efforts in behalf of the liberty and independence of his native country had excited general admiration, and he was everywhere received with enthusiasm by the people. He made numerous addresses to the assembled multitudes, his remarkable eloquence being listened to with delight.

7. Kossuth visited Washington, and was publicly received by Congress. As his avowed object was to promote the cause of Hungarian liberation from the tyranny of Austria, Chevalier Hulsemann,* the ambassador of the latter country, protested against this reception, and as his protest was not heeded, he left his post for a time, the duties of his office being confided to Mr. Belmont, of New York.

CHAPTER CCXIII.

FILLMORE'S ADMINISTRATION, CONTINUED.-Death of Henry Clay-Of Daniel Webster.-Difficulty as to the Northern Fisheries with Great Britain.-The Tripartite Treaty.-Everett's Reply.

1. On the 29th of June, 1852, Henry Clay, then a member of the Senate, died at Washington, being seventy-five years of age. He had been long in the public service, and had filled various high offices. For thirty years he had taken a prominent part in the affairs of our national government, and few measures of importance had been adopted by Congress upon which he did not exercise a commanding influence.

2. Tall in his person, slender in form, and of light complexion; possessing a fine voice, a countenance of great animation, and a personal action of remarkable ease and power of expression-he was one of the most effective debaters the country has ever produced. He

6. What of Kossuth? 7 What of the Austrian ambassador?

CHAP. CCXIII-1. What of Henry Clay? 2. Personal appearance and character of Mr. Clay?

* In February, 1848, Louis Philippe, king of the French, was driven from his throne by a revolution, which resulted in the establishment of a republic, in France. A sympathetic spirit of revolt against the despotisms of Europe, spread rapidly on all sides. Many of the kings and princes were forced to fly, or to grant liberal charters to their subjects. The Hungarians, who had long been subject to the emperor of Austria, made a gallant effort to throw off the yoke, and would doubtless have succeeded, had not Russia sent large armies to the aid of the Austrians, by means of which the Hungarians were finally defeated. In this struggle Kossuth took a leading part. When the last of the Hungarian army capitulated, and all hope was gone, he fled into the adjacent territory of Turkey. He was kept as a prisoner for some time in that country, but was liberated in 1851, and came to America as above related.

was also ardent, dauntless, and full of hope, and, we may add, full of high ambition. He was twice a candidate for the presidency, and twice defeated. Nevertheless, his death was mourned by an immense number of personal and attached friends, and indeed by a large portion of the people of the United States.

3. A few months later, that is, on the 24th of October, Daniel Web ster departed this life, at his residence in Marshfield, Massachusetts. He was a native of New Hampshire, and was seventy years of age. In person and mind, he presented a striking contrast to the great Kentucky orator. He was of a large, stout frame, and swarthy complexion; his movements were slow and ponderous. In his appear ance, indeed, there was something singularly grand and imposing.

4. His intellect was of similar largeness and power. In argument, he was almost invincible. The depth of his reasoning and the force of his logic, made him the acknowledged master of debate in the Senate of the United States. His language was simple but chaste, and the speeches and documents he has left behind are not only among the finest models of composition, but they are a rich legacy of truth, knowledge, wisdom, and patriotism, to his countrymen.

5. In the summer of 1852, the public mind was disturbed by difficulties with Great Britain as to the fisheries along the Atlantic coast of her American colonies. It was alleged that our fishermen habitually violated the treaty of 1818, which stipulated that they should not cast their nets or lines, in the British bays, nearer than three miles from the shores. An armed naval force was sent by the British government to enforce these views, and our government, deeming them to be inadmissible, dispatched two war-steamers to the same stations. The dispute was very threatening for a time, but in October, 1853, concessions on both sides being made, the difficulty was happily adjusted.

6. In consequence of the expeditions of Lopez against Cuba, and the evident disposition on the part of many persons in the United States to obtain possession of that island, the idea became common in Europe that our government might actually seek to realize this object, and, by possessing Cuba, obtain command of the entrance to the Gulf of Mexico. As a means of preventing such an event, France and England sought to engage the United States in a mutual obligation called the "Tripartite Treaty," which should bind us, as well as the other parties, to resist and discountenance all attempts to disturb Spain in the possession of Cuba.

3. What of Daniel Webster? How did he compare with Mr. Clay? What of his appearance? 4. What of his intellectual character? 5. What of difficulties with Great Britain as to the fisheries? 6. What of the Tripartite treaty ?

THE TRIPARTITE TREATY.

425

7. On the 1st of December, 1852, Edward Everett, who had suc ceeded Mr. Webster as secretary of state, by direction of the president, answered this proposition in a very able dispatch, in which he declared that the position of Cuba rendered that island one of peculiar interest to this country; and that, while we should not violate any of the laws of neutrality, we should act in respect to it without dictation from European powers. He also added, significantly, that we should not see Cuba pass from the hands of Spain to any transatlantic govern ment with indifference.

8. Mr. Everett also took occasion, in this dispatch, to vindicate our country from the constant charges heaped upon us in Europe, of an aggressive spirit, in the acquisition of territory. He appealed to history against such accusations, and showed, with impressive eloquence, the great work that had been done, for the civilized world, by the American nation, in having, within two centuries, converted three millions of square miles of wilderness, into a habitation fit for thirty millions of people!

7 Wha: of Mr Everett's reply? 8. How did Mr. Everett vindicate our country!

86*

PIERCE'S ADMINISTRATION, FROM MARCH 4TH, 1853, TO MARCH 4TH, 1857.-His Inauguration. -The Mesila Valley Dispute.-Captain Ringgold's Exploring Expedition.-Surveys for a Pacific Railroad.-The Arrest of Martin Koszta by the Austrians.-The Japan Expedition.-The Nebraska-Kansas Act, and Repeal of the Missouri Compromise.-The Seizure of the Black Warrior.-The Ostend Conference.-Mr. Soulé stopped at Calais by the French Authorities. - The Crystal Palace Exhibition.

1. In the election of 1852, Franklin Pierce, of New Hampshire, the Democratic candidate. was elected president, over General Winfield

CHAP. CCXIV.-1. Who was elected president to succeed Mr. Fillmore? When was President Pierce inaugurated? Who was the Whig candidate opposed to President Pierce? What of William R. King?