Page:Collier's New Encyclopedia v. 07.djvu/418

LEFT PEESCRIPTION 342 PRESIDENT OF THE XT. S. Italy, returned to his native country, married, and settled down to a life of literary labor. Having made himself master of the literature of France, Italy, and Spain, he contributed critical pa- pers to the "North American Review." In 1827, he selected the reign of Ferdi- nand and Isabella as the subject of a more extensive work. He devoted ten years to collecting material, and in 1838 published his great history which was re- ceived with enthusiasm in America, Eng- land, and Europe. In 1843 he published "The Conquest of Mexico" and four years later "The Conquest of Peru" which found equal praise here and abroad. Prescott was chosen corresponding mem- ber of the French Institute; and in 1850 he paid a short visit to Europe, where WILLIAM H. PRESCOTT he was received with the highest dis- tinction. On his return to America he began the composition of what he in- tended to be the greatest achievement of his latter years, "The History of Philip II." Of this work two volumes appeared in 1855, and a third in 1859, when he was suddenly attacked by paralysis. Prescott was an elegant scholar and writer, a man of cheerful humor and af- fectionate character, methodical in his habits, and persevering in his pursuits. He walked five miles regularly every day, composing as he walked. He gave one-tenth of his ample income in char- ity. He died in Boston, Jan. 28, 1859. PRESCRIPTION, in English law, a plaim or title to a thing by virtue of im- inemorial use, enjoyment, the right or title acquired by such use or by posses- sion had during the time, and in the man- ner fixed by law, as a right of way, of common, or the like. The term is also used for limitation in the recovery of money due by bond, etc. In medicine, a direction of remedies for a disease, and the manner of using them; a recipe; a written statement of the remedies or medicines to be taken by a patient, PRESENTMENT, in law, a formal re- port presented to a court by a grand jury. In commerce, the presenting a bill of exchange to the drawee for acceptance or to the acceptor for payment. PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, the chief executive of the gov- ernment. He is Commander-in-Chief of the army and navy of the country, and has the nomination of most of the execu- tive officers of the government, besides a large number of judicial and admin- istrative functionaries. He is elected for a term of four years, and is eligible for any number of re-elections, though, in conformity with the precedent set by George Washington, no President has yet been elected more than twice. The President's salary was originally $25,000 a year. In 1873 it was doubled. In 1907 an additional $25,000 was allowed for traveling expenses and in 1909 the salary was fixed at $75,000. The Presi- dent has a veto power and unlimited pardoning prerogative as to offenders against National laws. He is elected by an electoral college, which in some con- tingencies makes the choice by States. In case of his death or total disability the functions of the office devolve on the Vice-President, who is the presiding of- ficer of the Senate. The following is the list of Presidents up to the present: George Washington, 1789 and 1793; John Adams, 1797; Thomas Jefferson, 1801 and 1805; James Madison, 1809 and 1813; James Monroe, 1817 and 1821; John Quincy Adams, 1825; Andrew Jackson, 1829 and 1833; Martin Van Buren, 1837; William Henry Harrison (died April 4, 1841), 1841; John Tyler (elected as Vice- President), 1841; James Knox Polk, 1845; Zachary Taylor (died July 9, 1850), 1849; Millard Fillmore (elected as Vice-President), 1850; Franklin Pierce, 1853; James Buchanan, 1857; Abraham Lincoln (assassinated April 14, 1865), 1861 and 1865; Andrew Johnson (elected as Vice-President), 1865; Ulysses S. Grant, 1869 and 1873; Rutherford B. Hayes, 1877; James A. Garfield (died by assassination Sept. 19, 1881), 1881; Chester A. Arthur (elected as Vice- President), 1881; Grover Cleveland, 1885; Benjamin Harrison, 1889; Gro- ver Cleveland, 1893; William Mc- Kinley, 1897 and 1901 (assassinated