1845.—Anti-rent riots in New York. The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November on which to hold Presidential elections. Treaty made with China. Speech of Mr. Cass on NorthWestern boundary of Oregon. Annexation of Texas, and war with Mexico.
1846.—Hostilities commence with Mexico. New Mexico annexed to the United States, 10,000,000 voted; and 50,000 men called out, to carry on the war. The Wilmot Proviso, Tariff on Imports reduced. Treaty settling Northwestern boundary. Congress declared the war “existed by act of Mexico.”
1847.—The city of Mexico taken by Americans under General Scott. War rages with Mexico.
1848.—Congress ratifies Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Postal Treaty with England negotiated; concluded in 1849. Peace with Mexico declared, July 4th. Zachary Taylor, Whig, elected President. Upper California ceded to United States. First deposit of California gold in the mint.
1849.—The French Embassador dismissed from Washington. Taylor inaugurated, dies; Fillmore succeeds him.
1850.—The Fugitive Slave Act passed. Texas boundary settled by payment of $10,000,000 to Texas. New Mexico and Utah admitted as territories. Slave trade abolished in the District of Columbia. Webster’s great speech on the Union delivered in reply to Hayne. Treaty of Amity and Commerce with Switzerland. Treaty with England securing a transit over Panama. Seventh census; population 23,191,876.
1851.—Southern Rights Convention at South Carolina. A Cheap Postage Law enacted. Kossuth visits United States.
1852.—Ratio of Representation fixed at 93,423; members, 237. Dispute with England in regard to fisheries. Henry Clay and Daniel Webster died this year. Franklin Pierce, Democrat, elected President.
1853.—Pierce inaugurated. A partisan inaugural address.
1854.—Congress passes the Kansas-Nebraska bill. United States Neutral on the Eastern Question.