1849. — Struggle over admission of California. (See p. 278.)

1850. Compromise bill of 1850.

California admitted as a free state.

Lowell, Longfellow, Holmes, Hawthorne, Whittier, Bryant, Emerson, Everett, Garrison, Phillips, Greeley, Beecher, Bancroft, A gassiz, continue their work through this period.

Francis Parkman begins his works in American history.

William H. Seward, Jefferson Davis, and Charles Sumner enter Senate.

(See p. 292.)

1851.— Wells, Fargo & Company establish an overland stage express to California.

Maine law passed, prohibiting the sale and use of liquor in Maine.

1853. — Surveys for a Pacific railway ordered by Congress.

B. 1853-1857.- - Administration of Franklin Pierce, candidate of Democratic party. Whig party rapidly disappearing. William R. King, Vice-President.

1853. By the Gadsden Purchase the United States buys from Mexico that part of New Mexico and Arizona lying south of the Gila. Founding of Republican party. (See p. 300.)

1854-1858. — Civil conflict and border war in Kansas, between free-state and slave-state men. Free-state men prevail and form a state constitution forbidding slavery.

1855.- Opening of railway across

the Isthmus of Panama.

Development of gold, silver, and

copper mines in Arizona.

Walt Whitman begins work as a

poet.

1856. Charles Sumner assaulted and almost killed in the Senate on

account of his anti-slavery speeches.

Administration of James Buchanan, candidate of the
Democratic party.

John C. Breckinridge, Vice-President.