Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 08.djvu/376

 POLK

POLK

response to the Mexican proposition to treat, at this time, " involved the abandonment of all this territory." lie also publicly proposed extending the Missouri compromise line across to the Pacific, but the adjustment did not pass congress. He favored the settlement of the slavery question in California by the people of that territory, and the annexation of Cuba by purchase from Spain. In June, 1840, a bill was passed in the house for the repeal of the obnoxious tariff of 1843, but it was tied in the senate and the vote of Mr. Dallas, the vice president, became necessary for the decision. The bill finally passed, June 28, 184G, establisliing a new tariff to produce a revenue necessary to meet the expenses of the govern- ment only. At the beginning of Polk's administra- tion, a thorough system of internal improvements was favored by congress, but was not approved of by him, and he vetoed the bill for the improve- ment of harbors and rivers, Aug. 3, 1846, and again, Dec. 15, 1847. Congress having deter- mined vigorously to prosecute the war with Mexico, General Scott with 10,000 men landed at Vera Cruz under cover of the fleet of Commodore David Conner, March 9, 1847, and the castle of San Juan de UUoa was bombarded by the naval fleet, tlien under Commodore M. C. Perry, in co- operation with the army which had entrenched and laid siege to the city. The bombardment ended with the capitulation of the city, March 29, 1847. Scott's victorious army then took up the march to the city of Mexico, and after fight- ing several desperate battles en route, the Stars and Stripes were planted in the capital city, Sept. 13-14, 1847, and peace soon resulted with a treaty that defined the boundary between the two re- publics. Then followed the agitation of the ques- tion of slavery in the newly acquired territory, which was raised by David Wilmot of Penn- sylvania, who on behalf of the Whigs and northern Democrats offered an amendment to the U.S. constitution, prohibiting slavery in any such ter- ritory. The passage of this bill was secured in the house, but it was sent to the senate too late to be acted upon. The Oregon boundary ques- tion now caused a dispute with England, and the Democratic national convention of 1844 demand- ed the occupation of Oregon up to the line of the .54^40' north latitude, regardless of consequences. Tiie President issued the required twelvemonths' notice to Great Britain, and negotiations followed, resulting in a compromise, Great Britain yield- ing her claim to the territory between the 49th parallel and the Columbia river. The treaty was signed, June 15, 1840, and Oregon became a free state. During President Polk's administration con- gress adopted, on his recommendation, the public warehousing system; the 35th article of the treaty with Grenada was ratified, June 10, 1848;

the postal treaty with Great Britain was negoti- ated, Dec. 15, 1848, and commercial treaties were formed with the secondary states of Germany. At the close of his term of office lie refused to become a candidate for renomination, his health, never rugged, having been undermined by his labors as President, and he retired to his home near Nashville. He was a trustee of the Uni- versity of Nashville, ex-offlcio, 1837-41, and re- ceived'the honorary degree of LL.D. from the University of North Carolina in 1845. He died in Nashville, Tenn., June 15, 1849.

POLK, Leonidas, first bishop of Louisiana and 33d in succession in the American episco- pate, was born in Raleigh, N.C., April 10, 1800; son of Gen. William (q.v.) and Sarah (Hawkins) Polk. He matriculated at the University of North Carolina in 1821, and was graduated from the U.S. Military academy as brevet 2d lieutenant of artillery in 1827. He resigned his commission, Dec. 1, 1827, in order to study for the Protestant Episcopal ministry; was ordained deacon in 1830, priest in 1831; was assistant rector of the aionumental church, Richmond, Va., 1831-32, and rector of St. Peter's church, Columbia, Tenn., 1833-38. He was clerical deputy to the general convention of the P.E. church, 1834-35; served on the standing committee of the diocese in 1835, and was consecrated 1st missionary bishop of Arkansas, Dec. 9, 1838, by Bishops Meade of Virginia; Smith of Kentucky; Mcll- vaine of Ohio, and Otey of Tennessee. The charge comprised the dioceses of Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, and the Episcopal missions in Texas. In 1841 he was chosen first bishop of Louisiana. He was one of the founders of the University of the South at Sewanee, Tenn., in 1860, and in 1861 joined the Confed- erate army as major-general. He commanded the territory from the mouth of the Red river to Cairo, on the Ohio, with headquarters at Memphis, Tenn., and engaged in constructing elaborate fortifica- tions at New Madrid, Fort Pillow, Columbus, Ky., Island No. 10, and Memphis, transfer- ring his headquarters to Columbus, Sept. 4,

1801. He commanded the Confederate troops in the battle of Belmont, Mo., Nov. 7, 1861; joined Johnston's and Beauregard's army at Corinth, Miss., and commanded the 1st army corps in the battle of Sliiloh, Tenn., April 6,

1802, and the siege of Corinth, Miss., April-May, 1802. He commanded the Army of the Missis- sippi in the invasion of Kentucky, and at thfe battle of Perry ville, Ky., Oct. 8, 1802, and the armies of Kentucky and Mississippi in the Con- federate retreat from Kentucky. He was pro-