MARTIN VAN BUREN. FROM -1837 to 1841. DURATION.-One term, four years. PRINCIPAL EVENTS. - Relations with England disturbed by a rebellion in Canada for independence. The supply steamboat "Caroline,” owned by American adventurers, is seized by British authorities, fired, and sent in flames over Niagara Falls. McLeod is arrested and acquitted. Terrible financial disasters. Nearly a thousand banks engaged in land-speculations, amounting to millions monthly. Prospective cities, towns, and villages elegantly laid out on paper. Suspension of State banks. More mercantile failures in 1837 than in any previous year of the republic. The United-States Bank suspends specie payment, Oct. 9, 1839. Mississippi, and Florida Territory, repudiate their debts. An independent United-States Treasury, with sub-treasury offices in New York and other ports of collection, is organized in 1839. The Republic of Texas applies for admission to the Union. Another slavery agitation. Debate between Clay and Calhoun. North-eastern boundary question settled in 1840 (line subsequently adjusted by Lord Ashburton and Daniel Webster). Lieut. Wilkes's exploring-expedition is on its way to the Arctic regious. Gen. William Henry Harrison is elected President. 1837. March 4. Extracts from the Inaugural Address: "The last, perhaps the greatest, of the prominent sources of discord and disaster supposed to lurk in our political condition was the institution of domestic slavery. Our forefathers were deeply impressed with the delicacy of this subject; and they treated it with a forbearance so evidently wise, that, in spite of every sinister foreboding, it never, until the present period, disturbed the tranquillity of our common country. . . . I must go into the presidential chair the inflexible and uncompromising opponent of every attempt on the part of Congress to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia against the wishes of the slaveholding States; and also with a determination, equally decided, to resist the slightest interference with it in the States where it exists." ... 1837.- Sept. 4. "Banking has become a political topic of the highest interest; and trade has suffered in the conflict of parties. . . . My own views upon the subject have been repeatedly and unreservedly announced to my fellow-citizens, who, with full knowledge of them, conferred upon me the two highest offices of the government. On the last of these occasions, I felt it due to the people to apprise them distinctly, that, in the event of my election, I would not be able to co-operate in the re-establishment of a national bank. . . . The suspension of specie payments at such a time, and under such circumstances as we have lately witnessed, could not be other than a temporary measure; and we can scarcely err in believing that the period must soon arrive when all that are solvent will redeem their issues in gold and silver." 1837.-Dec. 4. First Annual Message. "We have reason to renew the expression of our devout gratitude to the Giver of all good for his benign protection. Our country presents on every side the evidences of that continued favor under whose auspices it has gradually risen from a few feeble and dependent colonies to a prosperous and powerful confederacy. We are blessed with domestic tranquillity and all the elements of national prosperity. The pestilence, which, invading for a time some flourishing portions of our Union, interrupted the general prevalence of unusual health, has, happily, been limited in extent, and arrested in its fatal career. The industry and prudence of our citizens are gradually relieving them from the pecuniary embarrassments under which portions of them have labored; judicious legislation and the natural and boundless resources of the country have afforded wise and timely aid to private enterprise; and the activity always characteristic of our people has already, in a great degree, resumed its usual and profitable channels. We remain at peace with all nations; and no effort on my part, consistent with the preservation of our rights and the honor of our country, shall be spared to maintain a position so consonant to our institutions. Of pending questions, the most important is that which exists with the gov ernment of Great Britain in respect to our northeastern boundary. It is with unfeigned regret that the people of the United States must look back upon the abortive efforts made by the Executive, for a period of more than half a century, to determine what no nation should suffer long to remain in dispute, the true line which divides its possessions from those of other powers.... Civil war yet rages in Spain, producing intense suffering to its own people, and to other nations inconvenience and regret. Notwithstanding the great embarrassments which have recently occurred in commercial affairs, it is gratifying to be able to anticipate that the treasury-notes which have been issued during the present year will be redeemed, and that the resources of the treasury, without any resort to loans or increased taxes, will prove ample for defraying all charges imposed on it during 1838. . . . The system of removing the Indians west of the Mississippi, commenced by Mr. Jefferson in 1804, has been steadily persevered in by every succeeding president, and may be considered the settled policy of the country." 1838. - Dec. 4. Second Annual Message. "I congratulate you on the favorable circumstances in the condition of our country under which you re-assemble for the performance of your official duties. . . . These blessings, which evince the care and beneficence of Providence, call for our devout and fervent gratitude. . . The most amicable dispositions continue to be exhibited by all the nations with whom the government and citizens of the United States have an habitual intercourse. At the date of my last Annual |