” 23—John Quincy Adams expires at Washington.
May 20—The treaty having been ratified by the President and Senate of the U. S., March 10, it was followed by that of the Mexican government on this day.
” 23—Peace was proclaimed in the American camp.
The war was now over. The Mexicans relinquished all claim to Texas, and ceded Upper California and New Mexico to the United States. In return the United States gave them $18,500,000 of which $3,500,000 was due by a former treaty to citizens of this country and paid them by our government.
It will not be easy for an American to wholly condemn an act that gave us California and the fertile valleys and vast mining territory of the Pacific slope as well as New Mexico, or the chastisement which the Mexicans had merited for their barbarity; though he may blame the eagerness for the acquisition of territory and the support of slavery that led us to invade another country and humble her pride. The ability of Americans as soldiers would appear by this war to be unrivalled, and, in that view arouses our pride. The moral sense of the world must ever be shocked by war, though there seem many cases in which it is far the least of two evils. Our government was fairly generous so far as it dared be in dealing with the vanquished, as soon as its demands for territory were satisfied. It is also evident that this territory will be better developed and governed than would have been the case under Mexican rule.
Aug. 14—Oregon receives a Territorial government.
Nov.—Gen. Taylor was elected President this month and Millard Fillmore Vice President.
1849.
Jan. 26—Postal treaty with England concluded.
Mar. 3—Minnesota receives a Territorial government.