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 188 FILLMOKE form their duty in its execution. Prosecutions were instituted in various instances against the rescuers, but without practical results, owing to the unpopularity of the law. Although Mr. Fillmore's administration, as a whole, was ac- knowledged to be patriotic, able, and useful; although his purity as a public man was un- questioned, and not a single other measure of his administration could be called unpopular, still, by signing the fugitive slave law, he lost the support of a very large proportion of his party in the northern states. In his message to congress in December, 1850, he recommend- ed considerable reductions in postage ; the es- tablishment of an agricultural bureau ; liberal appropriations for rivers and harbors; the es- tablishment of an asylum for the relief of dis- abled and destitute seamen; a moderate but permanent tariff, with specific duties where practicable, and discriminating in favor of American industry ; the opening of communi- cation between the Mississippi and the Pacific ; a provision for settling disputed land titles in California, and an extension of the system of land laws over the newly acquired territory ; a law to provide for the retiring of superannu- ated officers from active service in the army and navy; a board of commissioners for the adjustment of private claims against the gov- ernment; and, in conclusion, "an adherence to the adjustment established by the compro- mise measures, until time and experience should demonstrate the necessity for future legislation to guard against evasion and abuse." But his administration being in a political minority in both houses of congress, none of these recom- mendations were adopted, excepting those for the settlement of land claims in California and the survey of its public lands, and for an asylum for disabled and destitute seamen. During this session congress made an appro- priation for the extension of the capitol ac- cording to such plan as might be approved by the president. Having adopted a plan, on July 4, 1851, he laid the corner stone of the extension, amid an immense concourse of peo- ple, who were addressed by Daniel Webster. Learning that an attempt was to be made to invade Cuba by lawless citizens of the United States, the president, on April 25, 1851, issued a proclamation warning them of the consequences. ' On Aug. 4, however, an expedition under Lopez, in the steamer Pam- pero, sailed from New Orleans by the conni- vance of the collector of that port and landed in Cuba. They were there captured ; a num- ber were executed, a few pardoned, and the re- mainder sent prisoners to Spain. Those sent to Spain were finally pardoned, and congress paid their expenses home. The collector of New Orleans was removed from office, and the steamer Pampero seized by the government, and condemned and sold for a violation of the neutrality laws. In his message of 1851, be- sides reiterating the views expressed in that of 1850, the president urged a revision of the fee bill of the United States courts, a thorough revision and codification of the laws of con- gress then in force, and a law prescribing the relative rank of officers in the army and navy. Mr. Fillmore's administration is distinguished by the expedition of Commodore Perry to Ja- pan, in a squadron which sailed in the autumn of 1852, and which resulted in a favorable treaty with that country. During the years 1851 and 1852 treaties were also formed with Peru, Costa Rica, Brazil, and other South American states. A steamer was sent to ex- plore the Plata and its confluents. An ex- pedition was also ordered by the president to explore the valley of the Amazon. This ac- complished its object, and instructive reports were made by Lieuts. Herndcja and Gibbon. Mr. Fillmore carried out strictly the doctrine of non-intervention in the affairs of foreign countries, and frankly stated his views upon this subject in an interview with Kossuth. At the same time, however, it appeared clearly enough by the celebrated letter of Mr. Webster, secretary of state, to M. Hulsemann, how little the administration sympathized with Austria in its struggle with Hungary. Daniel Webster died Oct. 24, 1852, and Edward Everett was appointed his successor as secretary of state. His brief term of office was distinguished by his letter declining the proposition for a tri- partite treaty with England and France, by which each country was to disclaim then and for the future all intention to obtain possession of the island of Cuba. But in his message to congress in December, 1852, the president ex- pressed his opinion that the incorporation of Cuba into the Union would be a hazardous and impolitic measure. Mr. Fillmore retired from the presidency March 4, 1853. He left the country at peace within and without, and in the enjoyment of a high degree of prosperity in all departments of its industry. In his cabinet there had never been a dissenting voice as to any measure of his administration ; and upon his retiring from office a letter was ad- dressed to him by all its members, expressing their united appreciation of his abilities, his in- tegrity, and his devotion to the public service. At the whig convention of 1852 he was a can- didate for nomination as president ; but though his policy, the fugitive slave law included, was approved by a vote of 227 against 60, he could not command 20 votes from the free states. During the spring and summer of 1854 he made an extensive tour through the southern and western states. In the spring of 1855, after an excursion through New England, he sailed for Europe, where he remained until June, 1856. While at Rome he received the news of his nomination as candidate for the presidency by the American party. He accepted the nomi- nation, but before the close of the campaign it became evident that the real struggle was between the democrats and the republicans. Very many of those with whom he was the first choice for president cast their votes either for