ment and union ever devised by man will not suffer it to perish until it shall have been peacefully instrumental, by its example, in the extension of civil and religious liberty throughout the world. . . . Our present financial condition is without a parallel in history. No nation has ever before been embarrassed from too large a surplus in its treasury. It is our glory, that, while other nations have extended their dominions by the sword, we have never acquired any territory except by fair purchase, or, as in the case of Texas, by the voluntary determination of a brave, kindred, and independent people to blend their destinies with our own. Even our acquisitions from Mexico form no exception. Unwilling to take advantage of the fortune of war against a sister republic, we purchased these possessions, under the treaty of peace, for a sum which was considered at the time a fair equivalent. Acting on this principle, no nation will have a right to interfere or to complain, if, in the progress of events, we shall still further extend our possessions. "JAMES BUCHANAN.” PRESIDENTS: 1861.- ABRAHAM LINCOLN, ILLINOIS. VICE-PRESIDENTS: 1861.- HANNIBAL HAMLIN, MAINE. 1861.-WILLIAM H. SEWARD, New York. SECRETARIES OF THE TREASURY: 1864. WILLIAM PITT FESSENDEN, Maine. Reign. Premier Lord Palmerston, to 1865. Earl Russell, to 1866. of Derby (3d time), to 1868. Mr. Disraeli and Mr. Gladstone, 1869. Death of the Prince Consort, Dec. 14, 1861. Earl Prince of Wales marries Alexandra of Denmark, March 10, 1863. Death of Mr. Cobden, April 2, 1865. Murder of Pres. Lincoln announced. Unanimous addresses, expressive of sorrow and indignation, passed in both Houses of Parliament. Death of Lord Palmerston, at eighty-one, Oct. 18. Fenian conspiracy in Ireland. Reform debates. Abyssinian War. Debates on the Irish Church. Liberal party united under Mr. Gladstone. Disestablishment of the Irish Church. Death of Lord Derby, Oct. 23, 1869. 186 ABRAHAM LINCOLN. FROM-March 4, 1861, to 1869. DURATION.-Two terms, -eight years. PARTY. - Republican. PRINCIPAL EVENTS.-Pres. Lincoln is inaugurated March 4, 1861. Gen. Scott has six hundred troops under his command at Washington; but the inauguration proceeds without difficulty. Fort Sumter is bombarded, April 12 and 13, by Gen. Beauregard; and surrenders Sunday, P.M., April 14. The President's proclamation for seventy-five thousand militia of the Union to serve three months under Gen. Scott is issued April 15. Senator Wilson telegraphs to Gov. Andrew, who at once responds to the call. At sundown, four regiments of Massachusetts troops are assembled in Boston, and "the day following," says Lossing, "are on Boston Common, mustered in regular order, with banners flying, and bayonets gleaming; each company with full ranks." Five Pennsylvania companies, without arms, reach Washington at night, April 17, and, quartered in the Capitol, are warmly welcomed by the administration of the United States, and members of the Washington Young Men's Christian Association. April 17, the day on which Jefferson Davis issues Montgomery letters of marque and reprisal to interfere with commerce, the Sixth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers leaves Boston for Washington. April 19, the anniversary of the battle at Lexington (April 19, 1775), they are attacked in the streets of Baltimore: three men are killed outright, and one is mortally wounded. The troops reach Washington on the evening of the 19th, and are the first full |