Page:Conspectus of the history of political parties and the federal government - Houghton - 1860.djvu/108

 1817—Internal Taxes abolished.

1818—Pension Law enacted. National Flag rearranged, so that the Stripes represent the Original Thirteen Colonies and the Stars the present number of States. Treaty of Commerce and Boundary with England.

1819—Congress ratifies the Treaty for the Cession of Florida. Beginning of the discussion on balance between the North and the South in regard to the Slavery Question.

1820—Missouri Compromise passed. Navigation Act restricting importation to United States vessels. Country agitated over the Slavery Question.

1822—Ratio of Representation fixed at 40,000; Members, 213. Commercial treaty with France.

1823—Independence of South American Republics acknowledged. Treaty with Great Britain for mutual suppression of the Slave Traffic. The “Monroe Doctrine” advanced.

1824—John Quincy Adams elected by the House. Second Protective Tariff. Lafayette arrives from France.

1825—Panama Mission discussed.

1826—Extensive Internal Improvements. The Fiftieth Anniversary of American Independence. Death of Adams and Jefferson.

1828—Tariff amended and Duties increased.

1829—Webster’s great Speech against Nullification. Treaty of Amity and Commerce with Brazil.

1830—Treaty with Turkey, securing for the United States freedom of the Black Sea.

1832—Treaty of Commerce with Russia. Treaty of Commerce and Boundary with Mexico. Bill for Rechartering United States Bank vetoed. Proclamation against Nullifiers. Resignation of John C. Calhoun. Representatives, 240.

1833—Public deposits removed from the United States Bank by the President, and distributed among certain State Banks. Secretary of Treasury, W. J. Duane, refusing to carry out the policy, is removed.

1834—France and Portugal, slow in paying for injuries done United States commerce, are brought to terms by the President.

1836—Office of Commissioner of Patents created. Treaty of Friendship and Commerce with Venezuela. Charter for United States Bank expires.

1837—Issue of $10,000,000 Treasury Notes authorized. President refuses to remit the regulation regarding the “Specie Circular.” Treaty with Sioux Indians. Financial Panic. Banks suspend Specie Payments in March, and resume them in July.

1838—President enjoins Neutrality during Canadian Rebellion.

1840—Sub-Treasury Bill passed.

1841—Imprisonment for Debts due the United States abolished. Central Bankrupt Law passed. A Loan of $12,000,000 authorized. Sub-Treasury Act repealed. Revenues received from Public Lands ordered to be distributed among the States. Two Bills for Rechartering the United States Bank vetoed. All members of the Cabinet, except Mr. Webster, resign. Failure of United States Bank under Pennsylvania Charter.

1842—Senate ratifies the Ashburton–Webster Treaty. Ratio of Representation fixed at 70,680; Representatives, 523. United States fiscal year ordered to begin with July 1st.

1843—$30,000 appropriated for the construction of Morse’s Electric Telegraph between Washington and Baltimore.

1845—The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November fixed by Congress on which to hold Presidential Elections. Treaty made with China. Speech of Mr. Cass produces great excitement concerning Northwestern Boundary of Oregon.

1846—$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.

1848—Congress ratifies Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Postal Treaty with England negotiated; concluded in 1849. Peace with Mexico declared July 4th.

1849—The French Embassador dismissed from Washington.

1850—Webster’s great Speech for the Union delivered. Fugitive Slave Law and Omnibus Bill discussed. Treaty of Amity and Commerce with Switzerland. Treaty with England securing a transit over Panama.

1851—A Cheap Postage Law enacted.

1852—Ratio of Representation fixed at 93,423; Members, 237. Dispute with England in regard to Fisheries.