old government still went on, treating his election as illegal. He attempted to seize the State arsenal, but, finding it held by the militia, gave up the attempt. Dorr was afterward arrested, convicted of treason, and sentenced to imprisonment for life; but was finally pardoned. Meanwhile, a liberal constitution, which had been legally adopted, went into operation (1843).

Anti-Rent Difficulties (1844).-The tenants on some of the old "patroon estates" in New York refused to pay the rent.

It was very light,* but was considered illegal. The antirenters, as they were called, assumed the disguise of Indians, tarred and feathered those tenants who paid their rents, and even killed officers who served warrants upon them. The disturbances were suppressed only by a military force (1846).

The Mormons.-A religious sect called Mor' mons had settled at Nau voo', Ill. (1840). Here they built a city of several thousand inhabitants, and laid the foundation of a

* The rent consisted of only "a few bushels of wheat, three or four fat fowls, and a day's work with horses and wagon, per year".

costly temple. Having incurred the enmity of the people about them, their leader, Joseph Smith, was taken from the custody of the authorities, to whom he had intrusted himself, and killed (1844).* The city was bombarded for three days, and finally the inhabitants fled to Iowa (1846).

The Magnetic Telegraph was invented by Samuel F. B. Morse. The first line was built between Baltimore and Washington (1844), with $30,000 appropriated by Congress; and the first public news sent was that concerning Polk's nomination (p. 184).t

Foreign Affairs.—Annexation of Texas.-The Texans, under General Sam Houston (hu'ston), having won their independence from Mexico, applied (April, 1844) for admission into the Union. Their petition was at first rejected by Congress, but, being indorsed by the people in the fall elections, was accepted before the close of Tyler's administration.

North-west Boundary.-The north-east boundary ques

* Joseph Smith, while living at Palmyra, N. Y., claimed to have had a supernatural revelation, by which he was directed to a spot where he found buried a series of golden plates covered with inscriptions, which he translated by means of two transparent stones (Urim and Thummim) found with them. The result was the Book of Mormon, said to be the history of a race favored by God, who occupied this continent at a remote period of antiquity. The Mormons accept the Holy Bible as received by all Christian people, but believe the Book of Mormon to be an additional revelation, and also that their chief or prophet receives direct inspiration from God. Until recently they practiced plural marriage, or polygamy, claiming that the Scriptures justify it. After the death of Smith and their expulsion from Nauvoo, a company under the leadership of Brigham Young crossed the Rocky Mountains, and settled near Great Salt Lake, in Utah. They were followed by others of their sect, and, after great sufferings, succeeded in subduing the barren soil, and establishing a prosperous colony. They founded Salt Lake City, where they erected a large temple for worship. Their prophet, Brigham Young, who died August 19, 1877, is still remembered by his followers with the greatest reverence.

+ This was the grandest event of this administration, and it has largely influenced the civilization and prosperity of the country. The steamboat and the magnetic telegraph, both fruits of American liberty and industry, are among the most important inventions of all time.

There were two reasons why this measure was warmly discussed. 1. Mexico

tion had scarcely been settled, when the north-west boundary came into dispute. It was settled, during Polk's administration, by a compromise fixing the boundary line at 49° instead of 54° 40' as claimed by the United States.

Political Parties.-The question of the annexation of Texas went before the people for their decision. The whigs, who opposed its admission, nominated Henry Clay* for President. The democrats, who favored its admission, nominated James K. Polk, who, after a close contest, was elected.

claimed Texas, although that country had maintained its independence for nine years, and had been recognized by several European nations as well as by the United States. Besides, Texas claimed the Rio Grande (rē'o grän dă), while Mexico insisted upon the Nueces (nwa'sès) River as the boundary line between Texas and Mexico. The section of country between these rivers was therefore disputed territory. Thus the annexation of Texas would bring on a war with Mexico. 2. Texas held slaves. Consequently, while the South urged its admission, the North as strongly opposed it.

* Henry Clay was a man whom the nation loved, but signally failed to honor. Yet his fame and reputation remain far above any distinction which mere office can give, and unite with them an affection which stands the test of time. Respected by his opponents, he was almost idolized by his friends. In this he somewhat resembled Jefferson, but, unlike him, he had not in his early years the advantages of a liberal education. His father, a Baptist minister of very limited means, died when Henry was five years old, and at fifteen he was left to support himself. Meantime, he had received what little tuition he had, in a log-cabin school-house, from very indifferent teachers. With a rare tact for making friends, ready talent waiting to be instructed, and a strong determination seeking opportunities, he soon began to show the dawnings of the power which afterward distinguished him. He said: "I owe my success in life to a single fact, namely, that at an early age I commenced, and continued for some years, the practice of daily reading and speaking the contents of some historical or scientific book. These off-hand efforts were sometimes made in a corn-field; at others, in the forest; and not unfrequently in some distant barn, with the horse and ox for my only auditors. It is to this that I am indebted for the impulses that have shaped and molded my entire destiny." Rising rapidly by the force of his genius, he soon made himself felt in his State and in the nation. He was peculiarly winning in his manners. An eminent and stern political antagonist once refused an introduction to him expressly on the ground of a determination not to be magnetized by personal contact, as he "had known other good haters" of Clay to be. United with this suavity was a wonderful will and an inflexible honor. His political adversary, but personal admirer, John C. Breckinridge, in an oration pronounced at his death, uttered these words "If I were to write his epitaph, I would inscribe as the highest eulogy on the stone which shall mark his resting-place: 'Here lies a man who was in the public service for fifty years, and never attempted to deceive his countrymen '."

JEFFERSON.

JACKSON.

2. MONTICELLO, THE HOME OF

8 BIRTHPLACE OF WEBSTER. 4 BIRTHPLACE OF GARFIELD. 5. THE "HERMITAGE", RESIDENCE OF

6. BIRTHPLACE OF LINCOLN, AND HIS LAST RESIDENCE.