-- Inauguration of Franklin Pierce-His Inaugural address, cabinet, etc.-Death of Vice-president King - The Mesilla Valley - Dr. Kane's second expedition— Other expeditions-Lord John Russell's reply to Mr. Everett's letter-Case of Kostza-The thirty-third Congress-Substance of the president's message-Senator Douglas's bill-Kansas and Nebraska-Debate in the Senate-The House's course and debate-The Gadsden treaty — Commodore Perry and the Japan expedition- Political movements-Congress in session-Mr. Pierce's vetoes - Colonel Kinney and emigration to the Mosquito coast - Other acts of the session-The Ostend conferenceThe “American” party-Efforts in New York to suppress intemperance - The Sound dues question — Dr. Kane's return from the Arctic regions - His death-The Resolute sent to England-Apprehension of difficulties with Great Britain—The thirty-fourth Congress-Long contest for the speakership — Substance of the president's message — The Kansas question - Proceedings in the territory - Outbreaks, etc. — Walker and Central America Some details-Further troubles in Kansas-Efforts of parties there- Disgraceful attack on Mr. Sumner by P. S. Brooks-The democratic, republican, and whig conventions-Candidates nominated-Buchanan and Breckenridge elected president and vice-president - Congress in session-Mr. Pierce's last message -Mr. Benton's review of it-Business of the session, the tariff, etc. The Dred Scott case-Excitement Congress adjourns-End of Franklin Pierce's administration. APPENDIX TO CHAPTER VIII.-Senator Benton's views on the Missouri Compromise, etc. — II. Opinion of the Supreme Court. THE ceremonies connected with the inauguration of the fourteenth president of the United States, were such as are usual on those occasions, and need not to be again specially described. Franklin Pierce, on the 4th of March, 1853, stood up in the presence of a large concourse of his fellow-citizens, and with much dignity and propriety delivered his Inaugural address. It was expressed in clear terms, and gave a cheering outline of the spirit and proposed policy of the new administration. It was not too long, and dealt with such topics as are appropriate to the day and the audience. "The policy of my administration," said Mr. Pierce, "will not be controlled by any timid forebodings of evil from expan 1853. | sion. Indeed, it is not to be disguised, that our attitude as a nation, and our position on the globe, render the acquisition of certain possessions, not within our jurisdiction, eminently important for our protection, if not, in the future, essential for our preservation of the rights of commerce and the peace of the world. Should they be obtained, it will be through no grasping spirit, but with a view to obvious national interest and security, and in a manner entirely consistent with the strictest observance of national faith." The new president also took occasion to reiterate, that "the rights, security, and repose of this confederacy, reject the idea of interference or colonization, on this side of the ocean, by any foreign |