of the Cabinet, still his grasp of intellect and sound practical common sense, enabled him to seize upon the strong points of a question with remarkable facility. He possessed a thorough knowledge of the masses, and was, therefore, a safe Cabinet counsellor.

Messrs. Clifford of Maine, and Toucey of Connecticut, also occupied the position of Attorney General in Mr. Polk's Cabinet, and proved safe and wise counsellors, and profound and able lawyers. The former gentleman was appointed a Commissioner to Mexico, and the latter continued in office until the close of the administration.

CHAPTER II.

First Annual Message of Mr. Polk.-Annexation of Texas.-Adjustment of the Oregon Question.

On the first day of December, 1845, the members of the 29th Congress assembled at Washington. The Hon. John W. Davis of Indiana was elected Speaker of the House, and the accomplished Vice President of the United States presided over the deliberations of the Senate. On the following day, Mr. Polk delivered his first annual message to Congress. At that time, although many difficulties were unadjusted between the United States and several foreign powers, still our country was at peace with all the world.* The policy which governed the administration was that upon which alone the honor of the country can be maintained. To do exact justice to all nations, wins their good

* "In calling the attention of Congress to our relations with foreign powers, I am gratified to be able to state that, though with some of them there have existed since your last Session serious causes of irritation and misunderstanding, yet no actual hostilities have taken place."-Message of Mr. POLK to Congress, December 2d, 1845.

"Adopting the maxim in the conduct of foreign affairs, to 'ask nothing that is not right, and submit to nothing that is wrong,' it has been my anxious desire to preserve peace with all nations, but at the same time, to be prepared to resist aggression, and to maintain all our just rights."-Ibid. For this message see Appendix.

opinion, while a determination to enforce it in return, commands their respect.

The message called the attention of Congress to the question of the annexation of Texas, and informed that body that he had approved the selection made by his predecessor of the 1st and 2d sections of the resolution for annexing Texas to the United States. It only remained for Congress to admit that State into the Union under the constitution which had been established by the people, and a bill for that purpose was enrolled on the 27th of December, 1845. A liberal course towards that State was recommended by the President, that her citizens might never regret a re-union with the land of their nativity.

The settlement of the boundary between the United States and Great Britain, occupied the attention of the administration at an early day. The bold and decisive language used by Mr. Polk in his inaugural address,* produced quite a sensation in England, and the British ministry were satisfied that the period for procrastination and delay had passed, and that the question must be promptly

met.

The attention of Congress was called to the subject by Mr. Polk in his first annual message, and

* "Nor will it become in a less degree my duty to assert and maintain by all constitutional means, the right of the United States to that portion of our territory which lies beyond the Rocky Mountains. Our title to the country of Oregon is clear and unquestionable,' and already are our people preparing to perfect that title by occupying it with their wives and children."-Mr. POLK's Inaugural Address.

the speedy adjustment of the boundary was strongly recommended.*

In connection with the Oregon question, Mr. Polk committed a fatal error, amounting to what Talleyrand would call a "blunder," and which, having the effect of alienating some of his warmest friends, greatly embarrassed his administration throughout. In his first communication to the American people, he proclaimed to the world, that our title to the country of the Oregon was "clear and unquestionable." In that assertion he was but reiterating the opinions of his constituents, solemnly expressed at the ballot-box. The statement was still more solemnly uttered in his message to Congress. In the same communication he announced a principle which should control the Government of the United States. If it is the un

* "All attempts at compromise having failed, it becomes the duty of Congress to consider what measures it may be proper to adopt for the security and protection of our citizens now inhabiting, or who may hereafter inhabit Oregon, and for the maintenance of our just title to that territory. This notice it would, in my judgment, be proper to give, and I recommend that provision be made by law for giving it accordingly, and terminating, in this manner, the convention of the 6th of August, 1827."-Message of Mr. POLK to Congress, December, 1845.

"With this conviction the proposition of compromise which had been made and rejected, was by my direction, subsequently withdrawn, and our title to the whole Oregon territory asserted, and as is believed, maintained by irrefragable facts and arguments.”—Ibid.

"Near a quarter of a century ago, the principle was distinctly announced to the world in the annual message of one of my predecessors, that the American continents, by the free and independent condition which they have assumed and maintained, are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European power.' This principle will apply with greatly increased force, should any European power attempt to establish any new colony in North America. In

changeable policy of this country to prevent Europeans from colonizing any portion of this continent, it applies to territory to which we have no claim, as well as to that which belongs to us; and if we cannot suffer them to colonize parts of the American continent to which we have no claim, how can we surrender territory to which our title is "clear and unquestionable?"*

It is true, Mr. Polk stated that he proposed to the British Government to settle the boundary upon the 49th of north latitude, in deference to what his predecessors had done; yet by that offer he agreed to surrender nearly 200,000,000 acres of land which rightfully belonged to the United States. It is difficult to reconcile this course of

the existing circumstances of the world, the present is deemed a proper occasion to reiterate and reaffirm the principle avowed by Mr. Monroe, and to state my cordial concurrence in its wisdom and sound policy. The re-assertion of this principle, especially in reference to North America, is at this day but the promulgation of a policy which no European power should cherish the disposition to resist."-Message of Mr. POLK to Congress, December, 1845.

* "The proposition thus offered and rejected, repeated the offer of the parallel of 49° of north latitude, which had been made by two preceding administrations, but without proposing to surrender to Great Britain, as they had done, the free navigation of the Columbia River.”—Ibid.

"Upon the whole: From the most careful and ample examination which the undersigned has been able to bestow upon the subject, he is satisfied that the Spanish American title, now held by the United States, embracing the whole territory between the parallels of 42° and 54° 40′, is the best title in existence to this entire region; and that the claim of Great Britain to any portion of it has no sufficient foundation. Even British Geographers have not doubted our title to the territory in dispute. There is a large and splendid globe now in the Department of State, recently received from London, and published by Malby and Company,