[21.] Boston Atlas, May 18, 20, 1846. Monitor Repub., Feb. 2, 1847. Nat. Intellig., May 11; Oct. 15 (Thompson), 26, 1847; Jan. 26, 1848. (Hudson) Cong. Globe, 29, 2, p. 418. N. Y. Tribune, Nov. 6, 1847. (Calhoun) Benton, Abr. Debates, xvi, 58. Wash. Union, Sept. 24, 1846; June 2, 1847. Diario, Dec. 20, 1846. Meade, Letters, i, 180. (Joy) Boston Daily Chronotype in N. Y. Globe, May 14, 1847. [137]McLane to Calhoun, Jan. 18, 1848. Richardson, Messages, iv, 473. (1813–14) Wash. Union Dec. 10, 1846. See also vol. ii, p. 125.
In the office of the sec. of relaciones was found a large collection of extracts from American speeches and newspapers (N. Y. Herald, Feb. 5, 1848: Gen. Pierce). Whig journals assured Mexico that her cause was just; that a majority of the Americans detested the war; that our treasury could not bear the cost; that our government was incompetent; that it was disloyal to our commanders; that our armies could not win the war; that soon the administration would be rebuked and its policy be reversed. The government “stand ready to yield anything that Mexico may demand as the price of peace,” asserted the N. Y. Courier and Enquirer (Wash. Union, July 10, 1847). For numerous other quotations see Cong. Globe, 30, 1, app., 347. April 27, 1847, El Progreso of Querétaro said: The peace party in the United States “have been encouraging us to sustain ourselves until we could obtain from them a satisfactory arrangement of our difficulties as soon as they should come into power” (Wash. Union, May 28, 1848).
[22.] [256]Marcy to Wetmore, Jan. 21; Dec. 5, 12, 1846. Welles papers (Review of Pol. Hist. of U. S.; 2d sess. of 29 Cong.). [253]Mower to McLean, Aug. 27, 1846. [345]Blair to Van Buren, Jan. 20; Nov. 27, 1846. [345]Gilpin to Van Buren, May 24, 1846. [345]Thompson to Van Buren, Dec. 23, 1846. [345]M. Van B., Jr., to Van Buren [Apr. 28, 1846]. Polk, Diary, July 13; Sept. 11, 1846; Jan. 5, 1847. [108]Appleton to Bancroft, Feb. 24, 1847. [108]Wescott to Bancroft, Mar. 1, 1848. [253]Reed to McLean, Oct. 26, 1846. [206]J. Graham to Gov. G., Jan. 10, 1847. Courrier des Etats Unis, Oct. 17, 1846. [379]Ewing to ——, Mar. 11, 1846. Wash. Union, Nov. 19, 1846. Niles, May 16, 1846, p. 175. [234]A. Johnson to ——, July 22, 1846, private. N. Y. Journ. of Comm., Dec. 9, 1846. N. Y. Herald, Nov. 14, 1846. Bragg to Van Buren, Mar. 10, 1847. Seward, Seward at Washington, i, 37, 68, 71. “Old Hunkers” and “Barnburners” (the Van Buren wing) were the two N. Y. factions.
[23.] Welles papers: [note 22]. [253]M. Brown to McLean, June 5, 1846. Bragg: [note 22]. [345]Gilpin to Van Buren, May 24, 1846; Apr. 6, 1847. Seward, Seward at Washington, i, 37, 51. Nat. Intellig., Jan. 6, 1847. Picayune, Feb. 26, 1848. N. Y. Journ. Comm., Jan. 7, 1847. Public Ledger, Feb. 12, 1847. N. Y. Tribune, Jan. 12, 1847. Polk, Diary, Nov. 7, 1845; Jan. 28; Mar. 22, 23, 1846; Jan. 14, 1847. [345]Blair to Van Buren, Nov. 27, 1846. Boston Atlas, Jan. 9, 1847. [345]Welles to Van Buren, July 28, 1846. [256]Marcy to Wetmore, Apr. 23, 1848. (Aspirants) [231]Jackson to Blair, Dec. 14, 1844.
[24.] The author’s remarks on Benton, Calhoun and Cass are based on sources too numerous to be specified, and will not, it is believed, raise any question. The principal out-of-the-way sources are the following: Welles papers: [note 22]. 137aCalhoun to Mathews, Sept. 19, 1847. [210]Hammond-Simms corresp., Mar.-Nov., 1847. [253]M. Brown to McLean, June 5, 1846. [345]Blair to Van Buren, Jan. 20, 1846. [345]Poinsett to Van Buren, June 4, 1847. [345]Gilpin to Van Buren, Nov. 23, 1845. London Times, Apr. 17, 1847. [206]J. Graham to brother, Jan. 10, 1847. Polk, Diary, May 21; June 22, 29, 30, 1846; Jan. 9, 14, 15, 22; Feb. 8, 13; Apr. 7, 16, 1847. [108]Appleton to Bancroft, Feb. 24, 1847. Calhoun Corresp., 707 (to T. G. C). [132]King to Buchanan, Oct. 5, 1847. Calhoun, Works, iv, 371. Boston Atlas, June 1, 1846. Boston Courier, Feb. 23, 1847. Penna. Mag., xi, 462 (Dallas, Dec. 16). [168]D. H. Lewis, May 11, 1848. Wash. Union, Feb. 13, 18; Mar. 15, 17; Apr. 5, 1847. N. Y. Journ. Comm., Feb. 15, 1847. Public Ledger, Feb. 12, 16, 1847. [210]Tucker to Hammond, Apr. 24, 1847.
Allen of Ohio, noted for vanity and a powerful voice, felt so disgusted about the outcome of the Oregon business, that at the beginning of this session he threw up the chairmanship of the committee on foreign relations and declined to serve on any committee. Niles, an excellent man, was a protectionist, like the Pennsylvania Senators. Hannegan was a man of force but a rabid westerner. He, Dickinson and Breese were distinctly Cass men. Calhoun’s partisans were Butler (So. Carolina), Lewis (Alabama) and the Florida senators, while Colquitt and Speight were thought to be guided considerably by him; but as time went on his influence over most of this group waned. Of the Whig Senators Webster spent most of his time in the practice of law. Crittenden was in general honest and sensible; but he and Clayton had induced Jarnagin to vote for Walker’s tariff, believing that it would discredit the Democrats, and the failure of this unworthy trick damaged their prestige considerably. Clayton had unusual ability and experience, but was crafty and insincere. Mangum enjoyed a deserved respect, but was not of striking ability.
Of the House Democrats, P. King stood high in the confidence of his colleagues, and had no little skill in leading. C. J. Ingersoll was the most important Pennsylvanian, but his attainments and eloquence were accompanied by erratic judgment. Thurman surpassed the other Ohio Representatives in good conduct and talents, but Brinkerhoff displayed more activity than he. Douglas ranked first in the Illinois group, and perhaps first among the supporters of the administration in the House. Dromgoole (Virginia) possessed remarkable legislative abilities and reputation; but did not care to exert himself overmuch. McKay (North Carolina) and Haralson (Georgia) were chairmen, respectively, of the ways and means and the military committees, but did not distinguish themselves. Rhett, an able and acute man, was a more consistent representative of South Carolina principles than Calhoun. Of the Whigs Severance (Maine) possessed more than average ability. Winthrop (Massachusetts) was a gentleman, a fine speaker and debater, honest, scholarly and conservative—an ideal public man. Hudson (Massachusetts) had energy and character but was too partisan. J. R. Ingersoll (Pennsylvania) had good abilities and good sense. Giddings (Ohio) has to be considered a calculating fanatic, not enthusiast, of the abolition school. Vinton (Ohio) stood among the best on either side of the House in wisdom, sincerity and good conduct.
[25.] Welles papers: [note 22]. [13]Pakenham, no. 150, 1846. Von Holst, U. S., iii, 252–4. [139]Fulton to Campbell, Jan. —, 1847. [198]Ingersoll to Gallatin, Dec. 25, 1847. (Embassy) Webster, Writings, ix, 157, see vol. ii, p. 123; Wash. Union, June 27; Oct. 1, 1846. Public Ledger, Dec. 8, 1846. (Sublimity) No. American, Jan. 11, 1847. Pierce, Sumner, iii, 111, 139. Charleston Mercury, Jan. 26, 27, 1847. [256]Marcy to Wetmore, Dec. 5, 12, 1846. (The generals, etc.) Marcy to W., Nov. 14, 1846; Greeley, Recolls., 211; Welles papers; [345]Wright to Van Buren, Jan. 28, 1847; [169]Letcher to Crittenden, Dec. 20, 1847; [13]Crampton, no. 9, 1848; Johnston and Browne, Stephens, 224; Calhoun Corresp., 713, 715–6 (to Mrs. C.); [108]Buchanan to Bancroft, June 14, 1847; [206]J. Graham to Gov. G., Jan. 10, 1847; [181]Buchanan to Donelson, May 13, 1847; Wash. Union, Jan. 30. Scott was “in” politics but inactive.
“Old Whitey,” it will be recalled, was Taylor’s favorite horse. When the author refers to the course of “the Whigs” or “the Democrats” it is to be understood, of course, that exceptions existed.
[26.] The principal speeches have been cited elsewhere. They are to be found, of course, in the Congressional Globe under the proper headings, and less fully in Benton’s Abridged Debates. Public Ledger, Feb. 25, 1847. [191]Fairfield to wife, Apr. 14, 1846.