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HE inauguration of General Harrison, which took place on the 4th. of March, 1841, was attended by many demonstrations of joy and satisfaction, and was witnessed by a larger concourse of people than had ever been assembled in Washington. The patriotism and military services of General Harrison had endeared him to the masses, and many who were opposed to his political principles believed in his honesty of purpose.

The new cabinet was composed of the following members-Daniel Webster, of Massachusetts, Secretary of State; Thomas Ewing, of Ohio, Secretary of the Treasury; John Bell, of Tennessee, Secretary of War; George C. Badger, of North Carolina, Secretary of the Navy; Francis Granger, of New York, Postmaster-General; John J. Crittenden, of Kentucky, Attorney-General. These gentlemen had all been distinguished opponents of the measures of the Van Buren administration.

On the 17th of March, the President issued his proclamation, calling an extra session of Congress, principally to consider the financial concerns of the nation, to be held on the 31st of May following. But the

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ADMINISTRATION OF HARRISON AND TYLER.

President was not destined to witness the enacting of remedial measures. He was seized with a fever, which baffled all medical skill, and terminated his virtuous and illustrious life on the 4th of April, just one month after his inauguration. He had reached the 68th year of his age. The whole nation put on mourning for its chief magistrate. He was the first President who had died while in office, and the event struck the people with surprise and dismay. All party feelings were forgotten, and throughout the Union, funeral honors and other testimonials of sorrow were paid to the memory of the illustrious dead.

By the provisions of the Constitution, the office of President devolved. on the Vice-President, Mr. Tyler. The members of the cabinet, who had been appointed by General Harrison, were retained by Mr. Tyler. The retention of this cabinet, distinguished for ability and energy, and possessing the confidence of the Whig party, tended to confirm the feelings of hope and confidence inspired by the new President's inaugural address.

The majority in favor of the administration, in the 27th Congress, was seven in the Senate, and about 50 in the House. The message of the President, though cautiously worded on the subject of a National bank, was well received by the friends of the administration. The establishment of a national bank, upon a new plan, was considered necessary to restore the financial concerns of the country to a healthful state. The bill es tablishing such a bank passed both houses, but was vetoed by the President. This veto caused considerable excitement among the Whigs. But desirous of maintaining harmony in their ranks, they proposed and succeeded in carrying another bill, which, it was thought, would meet the views of the President. This also was vetoed. The course of the President thus disappointed his friends, and showed them that they had elected a man whose political views were different from their own. He was everywhere. denounced by them, and applauded by the Democrats.

In the meantime, the sub-treasury law was repealed, and a uniform bankrupt law passed. The latter measure had been called for by an immense number of petitions from all parts of the Union. The first effects of the President's bank veto were felt at the seat of government. On the 11th of September, 1841, all the members of the cabinet, except Mr. Webster, feeling that confidence between the President and themselves was gone, resigned. It was now expected that the President would select the members of his cabinet from the ranks of the Democratic party; but he promptly made his appointments of the following distinguished Whigs and conservatives - Walter Forward, of Pennsylvania, Secretary of the Treasury; John M'Lean, of Ohio, Secretary of War; Abel P. Upshur,

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of Virginia, Secretary of the Navy; Charles A. Wickliffe, of Kentucky, Postmaster-General; Hugh S. Legare, of South Carolina, AttorneyGeneral. By this organization of the cabinet, the hopes of the Democrats were somewhat dampened.

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ONSIDERABLE excitement prevailed in the United States during 1841, in consequence of the arrest and trial of Alexander M'Leod, at the circuit court, at Utica, in the State of New York. He was charged with having murdered an American named Amos Durfee, on the 29th of December, 1837, at which time an American steam-boat, called the Caroline, was destroyed by a party from Canada, on the American side of the Niagara River. Happily, M'Leod was acquitted and discharged, and thus a vexed question between the National and State governments, and between the United States and Great Britain, was amicably settled.

The second session of the 27th Congress commenced on the 6th of December, 1841, and continued till the 31st of August, 1842, a period of 269 days. More important business was transacted during this session than at any previous one, since the formation of the government. The leading measure was a new tariff law; by which ample provision was made for the public revenue, and protection afforded to various branches of American industry.

An important treaty was negotiated in 1842, at Washington, between the United States and Great Britain, by which the northeastern boundary question was definitely settled, in a manner satisfactory to both parties. Lord Ashburton acted as the special agent of Great Britain, and Mr. Webster, on the part of the United States. Mr. Webster resigned the office of Secretary of State in May, 1843. Hugh S. Legare was appointed to succeed him; but was soon after taken ill and died. In July, Mr. Tyler re-organized his cabinet, as follows-Abel P. Upshur, of Virginia, Secretary of State; John C. Spencer, of New York, Secretary of the Treasury; James M. Porter, of Pennsylvania, Secretary of War; David Henshaw, of Massachusetts, Secretary of the Navy; Charles A. Wickliffe, of Kentucky, Postmaster-General; John Nelson, of Maryland, Attorney-General.

In consequence of a melancholy accident on board of the United States steamer Princeton, on the 28th of February, 1844, the Secretary of State

and the Secretary of the Navy lost their lives. The President then appointed John C. Calhoun Secretary of State, and John Y. Mason Secretary of the Navy.

A treaty of annexation was concluded between the United States and the Republic of Texas, at Washington, April 12th, 1844. But the Senate refused to ratify it. It soon became evident that the annexation of Texas would be made a party question at the approaching presidential election. A large majority of the Democrats were in favor of immediate annexation, while the Whigs were generally opposed to it. The National party conventions met in the spring of this year. The Whigs nominated Henry Clay, of Kentucky, for the presidency, and Theodore Frelinghuysen, of New Jersey, for the Vice-Presidency. The Democrats nominated James K. Polk, of Tennessee, and George M. Dallas of Pennsylvania, for the same high stations. The result of the election was the success of Messrs. Polk and Dallas, by a majority of 65 votes in the electoral college.

Joint resolutions for annexing Texas to the United States passed Congress, and were sanctioned by the President, on the 1st of March, 1845. Among the important acts passed by Congress during the same session were the following-To establish a uniform time for holding elections for electors of President and Vice-President, in all the States in the Union; for the admission of Iowa and Florida into the Union, and various measures for internal improvement. Mr. Tyler retired from his high office, without the regret of either of the great political parties. His course of action had alienated one without gaining the confidence of the other. Yet his administration was distinguished for energy and ability, his cabinet being composed of some of the ablest men the country could furnish.

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