THE

AMERICAN MANUAL
-----AND-----

PATRIOT'S HANDBOOK,
For the Home, the School, and the

Office,

BY

THE RT. REV. SAMUEL FALLOWS, A, M. D.

D.,

Author of "Liberty and Union," "Synonyms and Antonyms," "The Home
"The Progressive Supplemental Dictionary," Etc., Etc.

CHICAGO:

UNIVERSAL PUBLISHING CO.,
87

THIRD

AVENUE.

Beyond,"

Who is unacquainted with the geography of the country, will obtain
much valuable information and profitable experience by making a trip
(or
a series of
them)
over
any
or
all the . main
lines
branches and extensions, ea^t and west of the Missouri river of t h e
as the CHICAGO, ROCK ISLAND & P A C I F I C R A I L WAY is universally called, on account of the vast
territory covered by its more than 3,000 miles of
steel track; the enormous volume of its traffic > nd the
magnitude of its business operations. It is 1 he DIRECT
ROUTE to and from Chicago, Joliet, Ottawa, Peoria,
La Salle, Moline, Rock Island, in ILLINOIS—Davenport, Muscatine,
Ottumwa, Oskaloosa, West Liberty, Iowa City, Desmoines, Knoxville,
Atlantic, Winterset, Audubon, Harlan,' Guthrie Centre and Council Bluffs,
in I O W A - Minneapolis and St. Paul, in MINNESOTA—Watertown and Sioux
Falls, in DAKOTA—Gallatin, Trenton, Cameron, St. Joseph and Kansas City,
in MISSOURI—Omaha, Fairbury and Nelson, in NEBRASKA—Horton,
Topeka, Hutchinson, Wichita, Belleville, Norton, Abilene, Caldwell, in K A N SAS -Pond Creek, Kingfisher, Fort Reno, in the I N D I A N TERRITORY—and
Colorado Springs, Denver, Pueblo, in COLORADO. Traverses new and vast
areas of ri^' ! farm.in<y and grazing lands, affording the best facilities of intercommunication to older. States and to all towns and cities west, northwest and
southwest from Chicago, - .and Pacific coast and trans-oceanic seaports.

Magnificent Vestibule Express Trains,
Leading all competitors in splendor of equipment (cool .well ventilated, free
from all dust in summer, warmed by steam from tlieT locomotive in winter),
DAILY between Chicago and Council Bluffs (Omaha), Chicago and St. Josep'- ,
Chicago and Kansas City, Chicago and Colorado Springs, Denver and Puefoio.
Elegant Day Coaches, Sleeping Cars, and (east of Missouri river) D i n i n g Cars,
with F R E E Reclining Chair Cars (through) between Chicago wui St. Joseph,
Atchison, Leavenworth, Kansas City, Caldwell, Colorado Springs, Denver and
Pueblo. Splendid Dining Hotels west of St. Josc^'i" n' 1 llansas City. California Excursions daily, with CHOICE OP R O L T E b 10 and from Salt Lake
-^^-r-j^aiilan^jjos Angeles..San Diego and San.. K^inoisco 1 he DIRECT
L I N E to and i r o a r ^ ^ ^ i; pake's Peak, Garden 6-c'ihe"(itfs, Green Mountain
Falls, the Mountain PM-U,
__ ,^ HmiU^m^.
ma\ • SceiT- Grandeurs of
Colorado.

Yia the Albert .Lee. . t i ^ T ^
Solid Express trains daily between Chicago and Minneapolis and. V \ - • j w ^ i ,
T H R O U G H Reclining Chair Cars (FREE) to and from those points a. v -,.„'
Through Chair Car and Sleeper between Peoria, Spirit Lake, and
8 as Cii.y.
Sioux Falls, via Rock Island, The Favorite line to Pipestone, Watertown,
Sioux Falls, and the Summer Resorts and H a u l i n g and Fishing Grounds of
the Northwest.
For Tickets, Maps, Folders or desired i n f o r m a t i o n - a p p l y to any Ticket
Office in the United States or Canada, or address
E . ST. J O H N ,
JOHN SEBASTIAN,
General Manar/er.
GenH. Ticket & Pass Agent.

OBICAQO,

Xlili.

AMERICAN MANUAL
AND

PATRIOT'S HANDBOOK,
BY

THE RT. REY. SAMUEL FALLOWS, A. M., D. D.,
Author of "Liberty and Union," "Synonyms and Antonyms," "The Home Beyond," " The
Progressive

Supplemental Dictionary," Etc., Etc.

CHICAGO:

UNIVERSAL PUBLISHING CO.,
87 THIRD AVENUE.

COPYRIGHT 1888
BY

SAMUEL FALLOWS.

THE

AMERICAN

MANUAL

INDEX.
A.
A Compendious History of the United States
Adams, John
Adams, J o h n
Quincy
Adams, Samuel
Aggregate Banking Capital and Deposits in the United States
Agriculture, Department of
190,
Allen, E t h a n
America and England,—Hon. Thos. A. Hendricks
America, Meaning of
American Union and Constitution, The,—Judge Elliot
America's Highest Mountain
America's Lucky
Day
Amounts expended for pensions
Analysis of the Constitution of the United States
Appointments by the President
Armstrong, Biography o f . .
Army, The United States
Arnold, Benedict
Arthur, Chester A
Articles of Confederation
150
Ashe, John, Biogtaphy of
Atkinson, Henry
Attorney-General
A Young Hero
Bainbridge, William
Banner, T h e Star Spangled
Barney, Commodore, Biography
Brooks, J o h n A., Life of
Brown, Jacob, Biography of

of

....

177

.

3
72
244
214
72
320 289
............305
287
281
242
188 72
206
72
66 72
72
231
289
72
308
72
418
72

THE

AMERICAN

Biography
John, Origin of the Song of
James .
on, Biography o f . . . .
Lebulon, Biography of

MANUAL.
of

72
287
54 72
72

C.
ates, Presidential
A Historical
_ n of the Northwest Territory
>
dler, John
.
istian Commission, The United States,—Rev. J. O. Foster
•k, George Rogers, Biography of
y, Green, Biography
of
Henry, Biography of
and, Grover, Life of
te of the United States, The
nton, James, Biography of
fee, Gen. John, Biography of
11s of the United States
nmission, The United States Christian,—Rev. J . O . Foster, A. M. D. D
nmittees, Republican and Democratic National
iposition, A Unique
ifederate Relics
lfederation, The
nfederation, Articles of
150
nfederation of the Original States
ngress, Length of Sessions
'stitution of the United States .
Constitution of the United States, Amendments to the
Constitution of the United States, Analysis of the
Constitutionof the United States, Comments on the,—Justice Samuel Miller
Constitution, the American Union and,—Judge
Elliot
Construction, Railway
Conventions, National
wdrey, Robt. H., Life of

398
314
315 - 317
74
254 - 264
74
74
74
68, 69 - 410
224
74
74
252 - 253
254 - 264
342 - 343
286
309
134
155
133
233 - 235
162 - 169
169 - 176
177 - 178
179 - 184
305
389
389
420

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

D.
Dates of the birth and death of our Presidents
Day, America's
Dearborn, Henry, Biography of
Decatur, Stephen, Biography of
Declaration of Independence, Facsimile of signatures to the
Declaration of Independence in a New Light, The
Declaration of Independence, The
Declaration of Independence, The Mecklenburg,—Hon. Jno. M. Bright
Department, Agriculture
190,
" Executive
"
Interior
189,
"
Justice
190,
"
Legislative
"
Navy
189,
"
Post-office
190,
"
State
"
Treasury .
"
War
Diplomatic and Consular offices
Doodle, Origin of Yankee
Duel, A Congressional

Lucky

19
21
18
212
219
191
2C
21
188, 190
188, 2c
189, 20
22
288
. 285

E.
Educational, Statistics, etc
Election Laws of different Slates
Elections, History of Presidential
Electorial Vote, Legislature, etc
England and America,—Hon. Thos. Hendricks
Evacuation of New York, The
Executive Department, The
Expenditures in the District of Columbia

249 241 238 241 320 290
185 251

250
249
240
242
321
187

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

P.
the Signatures of the Declaration of Independence
^els Captured or destroyed by Confederate "Cruisers"
iistoric
Millard
d of the Revolution
. last things of the Civil War
nton B., Life of
he President's
, Robert, Biography of

.

•

147-148
242
284
, . 50 - 51
296
, .265-273
413-417
291
74

G.
JS, Edmund P., Biography of
ield, James A., Life of
*• •
, Horatio, Biography of
.nd Silver produced in the United States from 1845 to i886inclusive
timental Instructor
Ulysses S., Life of
Nathaniel, Biography of

74
64-65
74
251
., 130 - 135
60 - 61
74
t

H.
ock, John, Biography of
son, Benjamin, Life of
rison, Wm. Henry, Biography of
ayes, Rutherford B., Life of
lenry, Patrick, Biography of
"ero, A Young
Heroes of the Revolution and War of 1812
• ••
Heroic Figure, A
Historical Cane, A
/Historical Notes
Historical Trees
r
iistory of Political Conventions, Brief
••
'istory of Presidential Elections
story of the Civil War must not be Ignored—The Rt. Rev. Dr. Sam'l Fallows . . ,

74
399 - 408
42 - 43
62 - 63
74
289
72 - 81
284
314
126 -129
293
344 - 346
238 - 240
. 318 - 319

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

•story df the United States, A Compendious
ory, Population, etc., of the States and Territories
-v, Tariff of the United States,—Henry J. Philpott, Esq
of Representatives
rd, John Eager, Biography of
1, Isaac, Biography of
.all, William, Biography of

I.
Immigration for 1887
292
Independence, Declaration of
142 - 14}
Independence, The Mecklenburg Declaration of,—Hon. John M. Bright . . . . . . . 137 - 141
Instructor, Governmental
. . . . 130 - 135
*iterior Department
189, 212 - 214
^ard, George, Biography of
76
J.
ackson, Andrew, Life of
ay, John, Biography o f . . . . *
Jefferson, Thomas, Life of
Jesup, Thomas S., Biography of
Johnson, Andrew, Life of
Jones, John Paul, Biography of
Judiciary
Justice, Department of

. . . . .

190,

38 - 39
76
30 - 31
76
58-59
76
190
219

K.
Kearney, Stephen W., Biography

of

76

L.
Lady who rejected Washington's hand, The
La Fayette, Marquis de, Biography of
Land-office, The original
Land we live in, The
Lawrence, James, Biography of
Lee, Charles, Biog raphy of

283
76
287
306
76
76

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

of

78

.ography of
States
.nent
jrial Votes, etc, . ,
.is of Congress from 1789 to 1888
•

V76
3.r
ic,
241
233132

aham, Life <?/\
, benjamin, BiographjKof
,ives of Democratic Candidates .'
" " Industrial Reform Candidates
•
" " Prohibition Candidates
" " Republican Candidates
" " Union Labor Candidates
" " United Labor Candidates
f* " Woman's RightsCandidates
" " the Presidents
Lockwood, Belva A., Life of
Losses of the Government for every administiation from 1789 to 1876

56 78
410-412
420
413 - 418
399 - 40c
420
420
418
25 - t
41S
222

M.
Macomb, Alexander, Biogtaphy of
Madison, James, Life of
Mather, Cotton and Salem Witchcraft
McClellan's letter of acceptance
McDonough, Thomas
Meaning of America
Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, The,—Hon. Jno. M. Bright
Mercer, Hugh, Biography of
Mifflin, Thomas, Biography
of
Monarchist, Van Buren a
Monroe, James, Life of
Montgomery, Richard
Morgan, Daniel, Biography of
Morton, Levi P., Life of
,

78
32 303 328 76
289
137 78
78
285
34 78
78
, . 408 -

33
304
329

141

35

409

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

'story of the United States, A Compendious
ory, Population, etc., of the States and Territories
-v, Tariff of the United States,—Henry J. Philpott, Ksq
of Representatives
rd, John Eager, Biography of
1, Isaac, Biography of
.all, William, Biography of

I.
Immigration for 1887
.
. .
. 292
Independence, Declaration of . . .
,
142 - 14*
Independence, The Mecklenburg Declaration of,—Hon. John M. Bright . . . . . . . 1 3 7 - 1 4 1
Instructor, Governmental
* ' • . . . . 130 - 135
^terior Department
.
189, 212 - 214
.^ard, George, Biography of
. . . .
76

J.
ackson, Andrew, Life of. . . . .
ay, John, Biography o f . . . . ,
Jefferson, Thomas, Life of
Jesup, Thomas S., Biography
of
Johnson, Andrew, Life of
Jones, John Paul, Biography of
Judiciary .
Justice, Department o f . . .

,
. . . . .

190,

38 - 39
76
30-31
76
58-59
76
190
219

K.
Kearney, Stephen W., Biography

of.

. .

.76

L.
Lady who rejected Washington's hand, The
La Fayette, Marquis de, Biography of
Land-office, The original
Land we live in, The
Lawrence, James, Biography of
Lee, Charles, Biography of'. ,

283
76
287
306
76
76

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

of

78

.ography of
States
.aient
jrial Votes, etc, . ,
as of Congress from 1739 to 1888
•

¥76
3p
19
241
233132

,aham, Life of K
, benjamin, BiographjKpf
,rves of Democratic Candidates
" " Industrial Reform Candidates
•
" " Prohibition Candidates
" " Republican Candidates
" " Union Labor Candidates
" " "United Labor Candidates
a
" Woman's RightsCandidates
" " the Presidents
Lockwood, Belva A., Life of
Losses of the Government for every admiuistiation from 1789 to 1S76

5678
410-412
.420
413 - 418
399 - 40c
420
420
418
25 - £
4TS
222

if.
Macomb, Alexander, Biogtaphy of
Madison, James, Life of
Mather, Cotton and Salem Witchcraft
„
McClellan's letter of acceptance
McDonough, Thomas
Meaning of America
Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, The,—Hon. Jno. M. Bright
Mercer, Hugh, Biography of
Mifflin, Thomas, Biography
of
Monarchist, Van Buren a
Monroe, James, Life of
Montgomery, Richard
Morgan, Daniel, Biography of
Morton, Levi P., Life of
,

78
32 303 328 76
289
137 78
78
285
34 78
78
408 -

33
304
329

141

35

409

THE

AMERICAN

Moultrie, William, Biogtaphy of . .
Mountain, America's highest . . . .

MANUAL.

u
78
287

6

Names of the States,—Hamilton B, Staples
National Conventions
Nativity of soldiers in our Civil War
Navy Department
s
Newspapers and Periodicals in the United States, 1870—1880
New York, The Evacuation]of
Nolan, Philip,—Bdward Everett Hale
Notes, Historical
'

274 - 280
' . 389
389
189, 209 - 211
250
290
312 - 313
126 - 129

Offenses for which States Disfranchise
Officers, Diplomatic and Consular
Ordinance of 1787
Origin of the Song of "John Brown's Body"
Origin of Yankee Doodle
Otis, James, Biography of

332 - 333
220
156 - 161
287
288
78

F.
Patent-Office Business
Pensions, Amount expended for
Pickens, Andrew
Pierce, Franklin, Life of
Pike, Zebulou M., Biography of
Platforms from i860 to 1888, Political
Polk, James K., Life of
Population, History, etc., of the States and Territories
Population of the principal cities of the United States
Population of the United States by Races in 1870 and 1880
Population, Our Foreign,—The Rev. Geo. C. korimer, D. D
Porter, Commodore David, Biography of
Postal Rates in 1792
Postmaster-General
Post-office Department
Prayer of Cardinal James Gibbons
Prescott, William, Biography of
Presidency, The
President, Appointments by the

190,

243
242
78
52 - 53
78
348 - 396
46-37
244-245
247 - 248
246 - 247
322 - 327
78
311
232
215
310
78
281
188 - 19P

12

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

Presidential Candidates
Presidential Tickets for 1888
President's Cabinet, The
President's Flag, The
Presidents, Lives of the
;
Presidents, The dates of birth and death of our
Presidents, The
President, The, (Executive Department)
Prohibition, The Republican and Democratic Parties on
Property Rights of Wives
Public Debt of the United States
Putnam, Gen., Biography of

•

398
398
187
291
25 - 79
241
283
185
336 - 341
294 - 296
243
78

Q.
Qualifications required for suffrage in each of the 38 States

R.

Railway Construction
Redfield, Life of
Relics, Confederate
Religious Denominations of the U. S. Statistics
Representatives, House of
Representatives, Speakers of the House of
Republicanism, The Wedge of
Revolution, First blood of the
Revolution, Heroes of the War of 1812 and of the
Rutledge, John, Biography of

330 - 331
389
420
309
221 - 222
193
236 - 237
288
296
72 - 81
78

S.
Salaiies of officers and clerks, etc., in the Executive offices
Salem Witchcraft and Cotton Mather
Schuyler, Richard, Biography of
Scott, Winfield, Biopaphy
of
Secretaries of Interior
"
" Navy
" State
"
" Treasury
• •
'<
" War
Senate, The
Shelby, Isaac, Biography of
Smith, Samuel, Biography of
Soldiers in the Civil War, Nativity of
Speakers of the House of Representatives

187
303 - 304
80
80
232
230
226
228
230
191
80
80
398
236 - 237

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

State Department
States, Confederation of the original
States, Legal Holidays of the
States, Names of the
Statesmen, Titles of
Statistics of Religious Denominations in the United States
Star Spangled Banner, The
Steubens, Baron, Biography of
.
Stirling, Wm. A., Biography of
Streeter, A. J., Life of
Sullivan, John, Biography of
Sumpter, Thomas, Biography of
Supreme Court of the United States
Survey, United States Coast

13
188,

196 - 199
135 - 136
307
274 280
398
221-222
308
80
80
420
80
80
223 - 224
219

T.
Tariff History of the United States,—Henry J. Philpott, Esq
Taylor, Zachary
Territory, Cession of the Northwest
Texas, The oldest structure in
Thomas, Gen., Biography of
Thomson, Charles, Biography of
Thurman, Allen G., Life of
Tickets, Presidential for 1888
Titles of our Statesmen
Treasury Department
Trees, Historical
Twiggs, David E., Biography of. .
Tyler, John, Life of

188,

421-423
48-49
315 - 317
289
80
g0
412-413
397
398
200 - 202
293
80
44-45

U.
Union,
United
United
U lited
United
United
United
United

The Existence of the,—A. Hamilton
States, A Compendious History of the
States, Analysis of the Constitution of the
States Christian Commission, Rev. J. O. Foster, A. M. B. D
States, Comment on the Constitution of the,—Justice S. F . Miller
States, Constitution of the
.......
States Patent-office Business
States Survey

160 - 161
17 - 2 4
177 -178
254 - 264
179 - 184
162 - 176
243
219

H

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

V.
Van Buren, a Monarchist
285
Van Buren, Martin
40-41
Vessels captured or destroyed by Confederate "Cruisers"
242
Vessels captured or destroyed for viotation of the blockade or in battle from May 1861
to May 1865
242
Vote, Legislatures, electoral
242

War Department
War, First and Last things of the Civil
War, History of Civil, must not be ignored,— Rt. Rev. Samuel Fallows, D. D
War, Nativity of Soldiers in our Civil
Warren, Joseph, Biography of
Washington, George, Life of
Washington's hand, The Lady who rejected
Washington, Wm., Biogtaphy
of
Widows of the Revolutionary Soldiers
Wives, Property Rights o f . . .

189,

203 265 318 398
80
26 283
80
292
294

Y.
Yankee Doodle, Origin of

288

208
273
319
27

A PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION

THE AMERICAN

A COMPENDIOUS

HISTORY
STATES.

17

MANUAL.

OF

THE

UNITED

PERIODS.

THE ABORIGINAL PERIOD.

1 A b o r i g i n a l . 2 P e r i o d of Discovery. 3 Colo*
nfia* P e r i o d . 4 Revolutionary P e r i o d . 5
3 H85k^nal P e r i o d .
S

The Indians were called such because of their resemblance to the people of India and because Columbus thought he had probably discovered a portion of
India. Nothing is known of their o r i g i n , although
some have supposed they were descended from the
Israelites., The Indians inhabiting the greater
part of theUnited States east of the Missouri river
were Algoiicjiiins. The H u r o n and I r o q u o i s
lived around the shores of E a k e E r i e and O n t a r i o .
South of the A l g o n q u i n s were the C h e r o k e e s and
the JSIobilian Nations. The Mobilian N a t i o n
embraced the Y a m a s e e s , C r e e k s , Seminoles,
Choctaws and Chickasaws. The tribes west of
the Mississippi River were the Dakotas, Conianches, Slioshones and the Aztecs. Among the
tribes now extant are the C h o c t a w s , C h e r o k e e s ,
Creeks and C h i c k a s a w s in the Indian Territory.

1. A b o r i g i n a l P e r i o d .
The time from the first peopling of America to its
discovery by Columbus A. D. 1492.

2. T h e P e r i o d of Discovery.
The time from 1492 to 1607. A. D.

3. The Colonial Period,
The time from 1607 to 1755. A. D.
T H E PERIOD OF DISCOVERT.
4. The Revolutionary Period.
The time from 1775 to 1789.

5. The National Period.
From the organization of the Government under the
Constitution, to the present time.

The western Continent was first seen by Herjulfson, an Icelander, in the year 986, A. D. The actual
discovery of America was made by I*ief Erickson,
a Greenlander, fifteen years later, and during the
twelfth, thirteenth, and fourteenth centuries other
voyages were made to this continent but without result.
In the year 1492, Christopher Columbus, a Genoese,

13

THE AMERICAN

under the patronage of F e r d i n a n d , King of Spain,
sailed from the port of Palos, and landed on the Island
which he named San S a l v a d o r . This navigator
made three more voyages to the new land, but beyond
its discovery little was done to render it of much value
to Europe.
The first ones to discover the Continent af America
proper, were JFolin C a b o t , a Venetian, and his son
S e b a s t i a n , who, sailing under English colors, in
1497 reached the coast of North America and explored
it from what is now New England to Labrador. The
Greater Antilles were occupied and settled by the
S p a n i a r d s , from whence they sent out many expeditions to the main land.
S U M M A R Y OF S P A N I S H EXPEDITIONS.
O j e d a , 1510, settled Darien ; from which place.
B a l b o a , 1513, started and discovered the Pacific.
P o n c e d e E e o n , 1512, discovered Florida.
C o r d o v a , 1517, discovered Yucatan.
O r i j a l v a , 1518, explored Mexico.
C o r t e z , 1519-21, conquered Mexico.
D e S o t o , Governor of Cuba, landed in Florida, and
going north and west discovered the Mississippi, 1539.
M e l e n d e z , attempted to settle Florida, where, 1565,
he founded St. Augustine, the oldest city in the U. S.
In the meantime other nations were also engaged in
exploring the new world, chief among which were the
F r e n c h and E n g l i s h .

PROMINENT FRENCH EXPLORERS.
T e r a z a n i , 1524, sailed along the eastern coast from
North Carolina to Newfoundland. This was made one
of the grounds of the French claim during the French
and Indian war.
C a r t i e r , 1534, sailed up the St. Lawrence, and tried
to form a settlement on Orleans Island, but failed; he
tried it again in 1541, but again was unsuccessful.
R i b a u t , 1562, tried to start a Huguenot colony at
Port Royal (N. C), but failed. Two years later,
I j a u d o n n i e r r e , 1564, came for the same purpose,
but the settlers were attacked by the Spaniards and
nearly all put to death.
D e M o n t s , 1603, obtained the grant of Acadia and

MANUAL.

settled it at Port Royal, 1605.
C h a m p l a i n , 1608, founded Quebec and, 1609, discovered the lake called after him.
PROMINENT

ENGLISH

EXPLORERS.

F r o b i s h e r , 1576, in search of a northwesterly
route to India, cruised around northern British America.
D r a k e , 1579, while on a plundering expedition,
entered San Francisco harbor, and named the California coast New Albion.
G i l b e r t , 1583, took possession of Newfoundland for
Ejngland, but his ship was lost on the homeward voyage
and all peiished.
R a l e i g m , 1584, received a grant of territory from
Queen FJizabeth, and sent out an exploring expedition
under Atnidas and Barlow who named the tract they
explored Virginia.
O o s n o i d , 1602, explored the Massachusetts coast
and named Cape Cod.
NAMES GIVEN

BY EXPLORERS.

A e a d i a , which consisted of Cape Breton Island, Nova
Scotia, and New Brunswick; C a n a d a , which included
the tract along the St. Lawrence and great lakes; V i r g i n i a , the district from the St. Lawrence to Albemarle
Sound; N e w S p a i n , or Mexico and Central America;
N e w F r a n c e , including Acadia, Canada, and much
other territory, overlapping the English claims; N e w
E n g l a n d , a name given later to the northern part of
V i r g i n i a ; and N e w N e t n e r l a n d , the name of
the Dutch claim.
From these facts we find that the c l a i m s of the
four strongest powers were:
France:—Canada and Acadia and t h e district north
of New York Bay, besides a portion in the south called
Carolina.
E n g l a n d : — F r o m Labrador to Florida, extending
indefinitely westward.
Spain:—The region bordering on the Gulf of Mexico
including Florida.

THE AMERICAN
H o l l a n d : — B e t w e e n the mouth of Delaware Bay
md Acadia.

T H E COIiOSTIAIi P E R I O » .

VIRGINIA.
In 1607, the F i r s t P e r m a n e n t E n g l i s h Colo n y was established by the London Company in Virginia, and was called J a m e s t o w n .
The President of the Colonial first Council was
Wing'field.
C a p t a i n . T o h n S m i t h was first a member of the
Council, and afterwards President of it. He made several explorations, and was finally captured by the tribe
of Indians of whom P o w h a t a n was the chief. Being
condemned to death, he was rescued by P o c a h o n t a s
the chief's daugher and restored to his Colony.
In 1615, the Colonists commenced the cultivation of
t o f o a e c o and through its means the Colony began to
prosper.
In 1619, the F i r s t R e p r e s e n t a t i v e A s s e m b l y
ever convened in America met at Jamestown, under
the name of " B u r g e s s e s . "
In the same year n e g r o s l a v e r y was introduced,
and about the same time the c u l t i v a t i o n o f c o t t o n
was attempted.
In 1622, the Colony was nearly destroyed by an In dian war. The C o m p a n y , much displeased with its
want of success, began to quarrel. The king thereupon
assumed the Government, and Virginia remained a
r o y a l p r o v i n c e until the Revolutionary War.
Incited by the tyranny of B e r k e l y the Colonial
Governor, the people, in 1676, rose in rebellion under
the leadership of B a c o n , but were soon reduced to
subjection by the Governor.
NEW YORK.
New York was the only American Colony settled by
the B u t c h , who based their claim on H e n r y
H u d s o n ' s voyage up the river which bears his name.
To the territory thus claimed the name M e w N e t h e r l a n d s was given. Upon Manhattan Island at t i e

MANUAL.

19

mouth of the Hudson, a city was built which was
named N e w A m s t e r d a m .
In 1664, the country fell into the hands of the English, and the name of the town, and the whole region
was changed to M e w Y o r k , in honor of the B u k e
o f Y o r k , brother of Charles 11.
MASSACHUSETTS.
The P l y m o u t h Colony.
The first attempt at settlement in this region was
made in 1607, but it proved a failure.
The f i r s t s u c c e s s f u l s e t t l e m e n t was made in
1620 by a body of P i l g r i m s , and the name Plymouth
was given to it. They experienced great suffering during the first year, and but for the friendly aid of the
Indians the colony would have proved a failure.
The P l y m o u t h C o l o n y remained independent
for seventy two years, when it was united with the
M a s s a c h u s e t t s B a y C o l o n y by order of the king.
The Massachusetts Bay Colony.
In 1628, a grant was obtained by several P u r i t a n s
from the Council for New England, stretching from
Boston Harbor to the Merrimack, in which a settlement called S a l e m was established. In the following
year C h a r l e s t o w n was founded, and in 1630 a large
number of P u r i t a n s settled at Boston. These and
other settlements in the same grant received the name
Massachusetts Bay Colony.
In 1668 the N a v i g a t i o n A c t was seriously resisted
in Boston, because it greatly interfered with the New
England Colonies. As a punishment, the colony was
deprived of its Charter, and S i r E d m u n d A n d r o s
sent over as Royal Governor. The colony remained a
royal province until the Revolution.

NEW HAMPSHIRE;
In 1622. G o r g e s and M a s o n received a grant of
land from the Council for New England north of that
given to the Pilgrims, to which the name New Hampshire was given by C a p t a i n J o h n M a s o n , because
he had been governor of Hampshire, England. The
first settlements were made near Portsmouth in 1623,
and shortly after, in the same year, at Dover,
T h r e e t i m e s the Colony joined Massachusetts and

20

THE AMERICAN

as many times became separated. Finally, in 1741, it
became independent and remained so until 1776.
CONNECTICUT.
Connecticut was settled by people from Massachusetts. In 1635, the settlements of W i n d s o r and S a y b r o o k were established on the Connecticut River.
In 1636, H a r t f o r d and W e t f e e r s f i e l d were settled.
The four settlements above mentioned were called the
C o n n e c t i c u t C o l o n y . Its government was democratic, all the governing officers being chosen by the
people. The colony of H e w H a v e n was founded in
1638 by settlers from England, and remained separate
until 1662, when it became a part of the Connecticut
Colony.
R H O D E ISLAND.
In 1635, S o g e r W i l l i a m s being driven from the
colony of Massachusetts Bay on account of his religious
views, finally settled on the Pawtucket River in 1636,
with a few comrades. The settlement he named
P r o v i d e n c e . Soon after, he was joined by others
who had also suffered for their religious beliefs, and in
1639, N e w p o r t was settled.
After some difficulties with the Massachusetts Colony
regarding the proprietorship of the district, in 1644
J&og-er W i l l i a m s succeeded in obtaining a Charter
This colony like all the others in New England, was
under the rule of Andros while he was in power.
MARYLAND.
In 1632, a tract of land lying north of the Potomac
River was obtained by L o r t l B a l t i m o r e for the purpose of affording a refuge for Catholics. The charter
gave the people the right to choose their own form of
government and to make their own laws; it was the
first cliarter $ to allow that right. The first settlement was S t . M a r y ' s in 1634. Baltimore was founded
in 1730.
The T o l e r a t i o n A c t was passed by the Colonial
legislature in 1649, which provided that all who came
to the colony should be permitted to enjoy their religious opinions unmolested.
The government remained in the family of Lord.
B a l t i m o r e till 1691, when a Royal Governor was appointed; but in 1715 the grant was given to the fourth

MANUAL.

L o r d B a l t i m o r e , and it continued under rule of
the family until 1776.
PENNSYLVANIA.
In 1681 W i l l i a m P e n 11, a Quaker, received from
Charles 11., a grant of territory extending without
limit from the Delaware River westward, and in the
following year obtained from the D u k e o f Y o r k
that part of the Duke's grant which forms the piesent
State of Delaware. P e n n ' s intention was to found a
colony for persecuted Quakers.
I683 P h i l a d e l p h i a was founded, and by the purchase of the territory from the Indians, all trouble with
them was averted.
DELAWARE.
The colonists who had settled in the territory which
P e n n obtained from the D u k e of Y o r k , became dissatisfied with the general government, and wished to
govern themselves.
In 1703 P e n n allowed them to
form a separate government, but they remained under
his governorship, and that of his heirs after his death.
Pennsylvania and Delaware were the only two colonies which at sometime, did not become royal provinces. They remained under the control of the P e n n
f a m i l y until the Revolution.
NEW JERSEY.
The territory of New Jersey originally formed part of
New Netherlands. When this district passed into the
hands of the D u k e of Y o r k , he ceded the southern
part to Sir G e o r g e C a r t e r e t and L o r d B e r k e l y , and
the name New Jersey was given to it.
In 1664 JE^lizabethtown was founded by the English. In
1674 B e r k e l y sold his right to two Quakers, and New
Jersey was divided into E a s t and W e s t J e r s e y —
C a r t e r e t retaining the eastern part, the Quakers holding the western.
W i l l i a m P e n n and others bought out C a r t e r e t ' s
right in 1682, and the territory became wholly a Quaker
region.
N O R T H A N D SOUTH CAROLINA.
A large tract of land lying south of the 1+ondon Company's grant was given to L o r d C l a r e n d o n and others in 1663. They named it Carolina after the king.

THE AMERICAN
In 1664, a settlement was made called the A l b e m a r l e Colony, The next year Wilmington was founded and received the name of C l a r e n d o n Colony.
Charleston was founded in 1680.
K i n g G e o r g e 11. assumed the government in 1729,
and Carolina was divided into two Colonies, N o r t h
and S o u t h C a r o l i n a , each under its own governor,
and so remained until the Revolution.
GEORGIA.
K i n g G e o r g e 11. gave a large portion of South Carolina to J a m e s O g l e t h o r p e in 1732, to which the name
Georgia was given in honor of the king. O g l e t h o r p e ' s
idea was to afford a home for the oppressed and the
poor. In 1733 he founded Savannah. On account of
the dissatisfaction of the colonists Georgia was made
a royal province in 1752,
This was the last founded of the thirteen colonies.
T H E UNION OF T H E T H I R T E E N
COLONIES.
The first step toward the union was made in 1643.
" M a s s a c h u s e t t s B a y , " " N e w H a v e n , " and " C o n n e c t i c u t , " formed a league for the purpose of defence
against the Indians, French, and Dutch, which was
called T h e U n i t e d Colonies of N e w E n g l a n d .
INTERCOLONIAL WARS.
The colonies were involved in four wars called respectively K i n g "William's "War, Q u e e n A n n e ' s
W a r , K i n g G e o r g e ' s W a r , and the F r e n c h a n d
Indian W a r .
K I N G WILLIAM'S WAR.
The reign of J a m e s I I . , who succeeded C h a r l e s
I I . , was very unpopular, resulting finally in his being
driven from the throne. He fled from France, and the
F r e n c h G o v e r n m e n t taking up his cause, declared
war against E n g l a n d , 1639. War between the French
and English at once followed. It was fought chiefly
in N e w Y o r k , N e w H a m p s h i r e , and A c a d i a .
The French, aided by the Indians, burned Schenectady,
N. Y,, and destroyed many small settlements. The

MANUAL.

21

E n g l i s h captured P o r t R o y a l , Acadia, which was
given back by the T R E A T Y O F R Y S W I C K , which
closed the war, in 1697.
QUEEN ANNE'S WAR.
Peace lasted but l i v e y e a r s . In 1701 a war regard*
iug the S p a n i s h S u c c e s s i o n broke out in Europe,
and, as one result, Q U E E N A N N E declared war
against France in 1702. The war lasted eleven years.
Again N e w H a m p s h i r e and M a s s a c h u s e t t s
suffered, and again F o r t R o y a l was captured. The
T R E A T Y O F U T R E C M T ended the war in 1713,
this time giving A c a d i a to Great Britain.
KIM© GEOR&E'S WAR.
This was called in Europe the W A R O F T H E
A U S T R I A N S U C C E S S I O N , because it arose out of
a dispute as to who should ascend the Austrian throne,
in 1744. G r e a t B r i t a i n took one side and F r a n c e
became the ally of the other. L o u i s b u r g , on Cape
Breton Island, was captured by the E n g l i s h in 1745,
but was restored to F r a n c e by the T R E A T Y O F
A I X - L A - C H A P E L L E , which ended the war in
1748. JL,ouisburg became a very important point of attack in the F r e n c h and I n d i a n W a r .
FRENCH AN® INDIAN WAR.
This war was caused by disputes in regard to territory,
thereby differing from the three previous I n t e r c o l o n i a l W a r s , which took their rise in E u r o p e . During the first four years the E n g l i s h were unsuccessful, chiefly as a result of poor management. The
F r e n c h acted almost entirely on the defensive, and
during the last three years were gradually driven north
by being forced to abandon L o u i s h u r g and F o r t s
© u Q u e s n e , T i c o n d e r o g a , C r o w n P o i n t , and
N i a g a r a . They made their last great stand at
Q u e b e c , where t h e d e c i s i v e b a t t l e o f t h e w a r
was fought. During the war the F r e n c h were greatly
assisted by the Indians; the E n g l i s h scarcely at all.
The treaty of 1763 made G r e a t B r i t a i n sole possessor of everything east of the Mississippi, even F l o r i d a ,
which later, was given back to S p a i n .

22

THE AMERICAN
T H E REVOLUTIONARY PEBIOB.

Causes of the R e v o l u t i o n .
The French and Indian War left G r e a t B r i t a i n
with a largely increased debt. To pay it the Government proposed to tax the colonies. This the colonies
would not agree to, because not allowed a voice in the
matter. The first t a x - b i l l was passed in 1764; the
Stamp Act followed it in 1765. Both were repealed in
1766 owing to the determined resistance of the people.
1767 a n e w t a x - b i l l was passed taxing tea, paint,
paper, lead, and glass; repealed 1773 except so far as
the tax on tea. In 1768 G e n e r a l G a g e was ordered
to Boston; in 1770 occurred the B o s t o n M a s s a c r e , s o
called. 1773 B o s t o n T e a P a r t y , and, as a result,
the closing of the port of Boston, and appointment of
Gag-e as military governor of Massachusetts. Sept.
5, 1744, F i r s t C o n t i n e n t a l C o n g r e s s met at Philadelphia. September, 1774, G a g e fortified Boston
Neck, and both sides began to prepare for war.
I m p o r t a n t Events—1775.
The Americans had collected stores at C o n c o r d
which G a g e sent a force to destroy. This resulted in
the B a t t l e o f L e x i n g t o n , April 19, which caused
the militia to gather about Boston. Gage's army was
also reinforced. The A m e r i c a n s endeavored to pen
the B r i t i s h in Boston by fortifying B r e e d ' s M i l l .
Result: B a t t l e of B i t n h e r M i l l , June 17, British
successful. In the meantime T i c o n d e r o g a and
C r o w n P o i n t were captured by A r n o l d and W a r n e r , May 10. An expedition against Q u e b e c was
planned as a result. M o n t g o m e r y captured M o n t r e a l , November 13, but the expedition failed to
capture Q u e b e c after a severe battle, December 31st.
S e c o n d C o n t i n e n t a l C o n g r e s s met May 10; they
appointed W a s h i n g t o n Commander-in-Chief, June
15, two days before the Battle of Bunker Hill.
I m p o r t a n t Events—1776,
In January E o r d H o w e sent C l i n t o n to attack
New York. W a s h i n g t o n sent E e e to head him off,
and C l i n t o n sailed for the south to attack Charleston.

MANUAL.

He failed in this, being repulsed! at F o r t M o u l t r i e ,
June 28, and came north to Staten Island, where he
joined H o w e . March 17, W a s h i n g t o n compelled
H o w e to evacuate Boston. H o w e went to Halifax,
but shortly after sailed to Staten Island to attack New
York. W a s h i n g t o n ' s troops were sent to Long Island. On August 27 the B a t t l e of L o n g I s l a n d
was fought in which the Americans were badly defeated.
W a s h i n g t o n withdrew his troops to New York,
thence to W h i t e P l a i n s , where he was defeated,
and then crossed the Hudson. He abandoned Ft. I^ee
November 20, and C o r n w a l l i s pursued him across
New Jersey to the Delaware. W a s h i n g t o n crossed
the Delaware December 8, but on Christmas night recrossed and surprised a body of Hessian soldiers at
T r e n t o n , capturing 1000. Congress this year passed
the I > e c l a r a t i o n o f I n d e p e n d e n c e and applied
to France for aid.
I m p o r t a n t Events—1777,
The campaign divides itself into two parts: 1st. The
B r i t i s h o p e r a t i o n s against Philadelphia; and 2d,
Bwrgoyne's Expedition.
(1) C o r n w a l l i s
moved from Princeton to attack W a s h i n g t o n at
Trenton, but the latter slipped away, and getting behind C o r n w a l l i s defeated a British force at P r i n c e t o n , January 3. Most of the British troops were withdrawn from New Jersey and taken to the Chesapeake
to attack Philadelphia. W a s h i n g t o n moved south
to oppose this, and the B a t t l e of C h a d ' s F o r d , on
the Brandywine, was fought in defense of the city,
the Americans being defeated, September 11. The
B r i t i s h entered Philadelphia fifteen days after, but
most of the troops were stationed at Germantown.
Here W a s h i n g t o n attacked them, but was defeated,
October 4. To open communication the British attacked
and captured F o r t s M i f f l i n and M e r c e r , on the
Delaware, November 15 and 17. (2) B u r g o y n e , with
an army of 9000 men, entered New York by way of
I^ake Champlain. He captured T i c o n d e r o g a , July
2, defeated the retreating garrison at H u b b a r d t o n ,
July 7, and proceeded against Fort Kdward. This was
abandoned on his approach, July 29, and S c h u y l e r ,
the commandant, moved to Stillwater. A branch

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

23

British expedition besieged F o r t S c h u y l e r , but
withdrew upon Arnold's approach. G a t e s superseded
S c h u y l e r and was attacked by the British, Sept. 19,
near S t i l l w a t e r , where an indecisive battle was
fought. On October 7 another was fought and the
British defeated. Finally B w r g o y n e surrendered on
October 17.

sacked New Haven. In central New York the Indians
were severely punished for the massacres of W y o m i n g - and C h e r r y V a l l e y in 1778, at the battle of
C h e m u n g (F^lmira), Aug. 29, by Gen. Sullivan. At
sea P a u l J o n e s attacked and captured two British
vessels, Sept. 23.

I m p o r t a n t Events—1778.

SOUTH: C l i n t o n sailed south, captured C h a r l e s t o n May 12, overran South Carolina, and leaving
C o r n w a l l i s in command returned to New York.
Congress appointed G a t e s to raise an army in the
south. This was no sooner done than the forces were
attacked by C o r n w a l l i s and defeated, August 6, at
C a m d e n , S. C. (Sanders' Creek.) On Aug. 16 S u m t e r defeated a force of British at H a n g i n g R o c k ,
but two days after was attacked and his force utterly
destroyed. On October 7 a detachment of Cornwallis's
troops was defeated at K i n g ' s M o u n t a i n . NORTH:
In May a portion of the American army at M o r r i s t o w n , being unable to endure their suffering, mutinied, but being aided by R o b e r t M o r r i s , and
appealed to by W a s h i n g t o n , came again under authority. In July a French fleet arrived, but was
blockaded in M a r r a g a n s e t t B a y by a British fleet
and rendered useless. In September, A r n o l d , who
had fallen into disgrace, offered to surrender W e s t
P o i n t to the British, but the plot failed, though he
escaped.

This year was marked by two important events: 1st.
The o f f e r s o f p e a c e from Great Britain, which were
rejected; and 2d. The T r e a t y o f A l l i a n c e with
France. Both resulted from the surrender of B u r g o y n e the year before. The British did not plan any
special campaign this year. On June 18, P h i l a d e l p h i a was evacuated on account of the expected arrival of the French fleet in the Delaware. W a s h i n g t o n pursued the British and the battle of M o n m o u t h
was fought, June 28. The French fleet arrived in July
and an expedition was planned against G e n . P i g o t
in Rhode Island; S u l l i v a n was to act with the fleet,
A storm interfered and S u l l i v a n withdrew after
fighting the battle of Q , u a h e r M i l l , Aug. 29. In
July the massacre at W y o m i n g * , Pa., occurred, and
in November that at C h e r r y V a l l e y , N. Y. The
British then turned their attention to the south, and
on Dec. 29, S a v a n n a h , Ga., surrendered to C a m p h e l l . After this the chief events occurred in the
south.

I m p o r t a n t Events—1780.

I m p o r t a n t Events—1779.

I m p o r t a n t Events—1781.

This year the seat of war was changed to the south
and remained there until the end of the war. On Jan.
9, S u n f r u r y , Ga., was captured, and shortly Georgia
was overrun with British. P r e v o s t , in command of
the British, moved on C h a r l e s t o n , but abandoned
the attack, and shortly defeated Lincoln, who opposed
him, at S t o n o F e r r y , June 20. In September, L i n c o l n , assisted by C o u n t D ' E s t a i n g ' s fleet, endeavored to retake Savannah, but was repulsed. Though the
chiet events occurred in the south there was still more
or less warfare in the north. An expedition against a
British force on the P e n o b s c o t failed, and the American fleet was destroyed. C l i n t o n sent T y r o n into
Conn., who bufned N o r w a l k and F a i r f i e l d , and

The campaign was entirely in the south this year.
A r n o l d entered Virginia on a plundering expedition
and burned Richmond, Jan. 5. The Pennsylvania soldiers, unable to endure further suffering, mutinied,
Jan. 1, marched to get aid from Congress, but were
finally pacified. C o r n w a l l i s still in charge in S. C.
sent T a r l e t o n to attack M o r g a n . Morgan defeated him at the battle of the C o w p e n s , Jan. 17. C o r n w a l l i s pursued M o r g a n , who was shortly joined by
G r e e n e , who took command. Greene retreated
across N. C. into Va., where the pursuit ended. C o r n w a l l i s started to return, followed by G r e e n e , whom
he attacked at G u i l f o r d C. H „ March 15. G r e e n e
was defeated and went south to S. C. where he attacked

24

THE AMERICAN

Rawdon at Hoblcirk's H i l l , but was defeated
again, April 24. Cornwallis went to Wilmington,
and thence to Yorktown, Va. Washington and the
French forces attacked him there, while the French
fleet closed the harbor. Cornwallis surrendered
his army Oct. 19, 1781.
I m p o r t a n t Events—1781-1789.
The war left the Colonies Independent States,
but almost as independent of one another as of Great
Britain. Articles of Confederation accepted in
1781. They did not form a strong enough government.
In 1786 Shay's Rebellion broke out in Massachusetts, in resistance to the Government tax, requiring
force of arms to subdue it. A Convention to frame
a stronger plan of government met in Philadelphia in
1787, and in the same year drew up the present Cons t i t u t i o n . This was accepted by eleven States
by the end of 1788, and went into operation the next
year, 1789.

THE STATIOXAE PERIOD.
This period relates to the Government under the
Constitution, and is the most i m p o r t a n t of all,
inasmuch as our country now becomes the United
States.
Under the Constitution the powers of our Government are arranged under three heads, l e g i s l a tive, Executive, and Judicial.
The l e g i s l a t i v e power is vested in Congress,
composed of a Senate and a H o u s e of Representatives. The Senators are chosen for a term of six
years by the I^egislatuies of the several States. F^ach

MANUAL.

State is allowed two Senators. The Representat i v e s are elected by the people for two years only,
each State being entitled to a number of Representatives proportionate to its population.
The Executive power is vested in a President,
elected by what is called the Electoral College,
for a term of four years.
The Electoral College is composed of electors,
chosen by the people. I£ach State is entitled to as
many electors as there are Senators and Representatives from that State in Congress.
The duty of the P r e s i d e n t is to enforce the laws
of Congress in accordance with the Constitution.
He is Commander-in-chief of the armies and navies of
the United States.
The Judicial power of the United States is vested
in a Supreme Court and Inferior Courts established by Congress.
To enable the business of the Executive to be better attended to, Congress established four Executive
Departments, those of War, State, T r e a s u r y and
l a w . L,ater these were increased in number until
now there are seven, the Interior and the Postoffice being subsequently formed as the necessities of
the Government demanded. The chiefs of these Departments, called Secretary's, (excepting the heads
of the Post Office and I,aw departments who are respectively styled, P o s t Master General and the
Attorney General), form the President's Cabinet.
The i m p o r t a n t e v e n t s of the National Period
will be found in connection with the lives and adm i n i s t r a t i o n s of the Presidents of ib,<t United
States.

swjs

OF TH£

TJ3STITED S T A T E S ,
WITH

Tlie 3?rominent .Measures
OF

Tlieir Administrations.

26

THE AMERICAN
G E O R O E WASBEIHrOTOJSr.

G e o r g e W a s h i n g t o n was born on the Potomac river, in Westmoreland county, Virginia,
February 22d, 1732, and died December, 14,
1799. I n x 754 ^ e w a s made Lieutenant Colonel of the militia, and accompanied Braddock
in his expedition against Fort Duquesne in
1755. I n the same year he was made Commander-in-chief of the military forces of the
Colony of Va., and in 1787 he was unanimously chosen President of the Convention that
met to frame a Constitution. In early life h e
followed the occupation of an engineer. H e
was married to Mirs Martha Custis,in January,
1759. Congress unanimously elected him commander of the revolutionary forces, and h e
took active command July, 2, 1775, and h e
held supreme military control throughout the
struggle for independence.
Washington was left fatherless at eleven
years of age; his education was directed by
his mother, a woman of strong character, who
kindly, but firmly, exacted the most implicit
obedience. Of her Washington learned h i s
first lessons of self-command. His favorite
amusements were of a military character: h e
made soldiers of his playmates; and officered
all the mock parades. His inherited wealth
was great, and the antiquity of his family gave
h i m high social rank. As a President, he carefully weighed his decisions, but, his policy
once settled, he pursued it with steadiness and
dignity, however great might be the opposition. As an officer,he was brave, enterprising
and cautious. His campaigns were rarely

MANUAL.
startling, but they were always judicious. H e
was capable of great endurance. Calm in defeat, sober in victory, commanding at all times
but irresistible when aroused, h e exercised
equal authority over himself and his army.
His last illness was brief, and his closing
hours w7ere marked by his usual calmness and
dignity. " I die h a r d , " h e said, "but I am not
afraid to g o . " Washington left no children.
It has been beautifully said "Providence left
him childless that his country might call him
Father."
Administration.
Washington was inaugurated April 30, 1789,
in New York, the first capital.-A great deal of
labor fell upon this administration.-The country was suffering severely from the effect of
the war.-At Hamilton's suggestion a plan for
improving the public credit was accepted, 1790.
—The capital was in that year changed to
Phila.—In 1792 Washington was re-elected.—
In 1793 Fli Whitney invented the cotton-gin,
a machine for separating the cotton-seed from
the fiber; this proved of immense importance
in the country's history.—In 1794 difficulties
arose with France through an endeavor of the
French minister, Genet, to obtain aid from
France, which was then at war with Great
Britain.—In 1794 a disturbance broke out in
Pennsylvania, called the Whiskey Rebellion,
arising from an endeavor to resist the excise
tax, which had been (1790) recommended by
Hamilton as a means of obtaining funds.—In
1794 a treaty was signed with Great Britain
which arranged several disputed points,—particularly the surrender of certain western territory.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

28

THE AMERICAN
JOIOT A D A M S .

J o h n Adams was born in Braintree, Mass.,
October 1735, and died in 1826. He graduated
at Harvard College in 1755, and, abandoning
t h e idea of becoming a minister of the gospel,
was admitted to the bar in 1758. H e was one
of the delegates first sent to the Continental
Congress from Massachusetts. In 1776 he was
made President of the Board of War, and was
sent to France as a Commissioner in 1777, H e
was a member of the first and second Congresses, and nominated Washington as commander-in-chief. Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, but Adams secured its
adoption in a three-days debate. H e was a
tireless worker, and had the reputation of having the clearest head and firmest heart of any
man in Congress. In his position as President
h e lost the reputation he had gained as Congressman. His enemies accused him of being
a bad judge of men; of clinging to old and unpopular notions, and of having little control
over his temper. They also ridiculed his
egotism, which they declared to be inordinate.

MANUAL.
H e lived, however, to see the prejudice against
his administration give place to a more just
estimate of his great worth and exalted integrity. As a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, he was honored as one of the fathers
of the Republic. Adams and Jefferson were
firm friends during the Revolution, but political strife alienated them. On their return to
private life they became reconciled. They
died on the same day—the fiftieth anniversary
of American Independence. Adam's last words
were, "Thomas Jefferson still survives." Jefferson was, however, already lying dead in
his Virginia home. Thus, by the passing away
of these two remarkable men, was made memorable the 4th of July, 1826.
Administration.
J o h n Adams succeeded Washington as
President.
H e belonged to t h e Federalist
Party.—The event of greatest national interest
in his administration was the death of Washington, on Dec. 14, 1799.—In t h e same year,
previous to his death, war h a d been declared
against France, and fighting had - even begun
at sea when a treaty of peace was made.

JOHN ADAMS.

30

THE AMERICAN
T H O M A S JEFFERSOST.

T h o m a s Jefferson was born at Shadwell,
Virginia, April 2d, 1743, and died July 4, 1826.
After graduating from William and Mary College, he adopted the profession of law.
"Of all the public men who have figured in
the United States," says Parton, " h e was incomparably the best scholar and the most variously accomplished m a n . " H e was a bold
horseman, a skillful hunter, an elegant penman, a fine violinist, a brilliant talker, a superior classical scholar, and a proficient in the
modern languages. On account of his talent,
he was styled "The Sage of Monticello." T h e
immortal document, the Declaration of Independence, was, with the exception of a few
words, entirely his work. H e was an ardent
supporter of the doctrine of State rights, and
led the opposition of the Federalists. Iyike
Washington, he was of aristocratic birth, but
his principles were intensely democratic. H e
hated ceremonies and titles; even " M r . " was
distasteful to him. These traits were the more
remarkable to one of his superior birth and
education, and peculiarly endeared him to t h e
common people. Coming into power on a
wave of popularity, h e studiously sought to
retain this favor. There were no more brilliant
levees or courtly ceremonies as in the days of
Washington and Adams. On his inauguration
day,he rode down to Congress unattended,and
leaping from his horse, hitched it, and went
into the chamber dressed in plain clothes, to
read his fifteen-minutes' inaugural. Some of

MANUAL.

the sentences of that short but memorable
address have passed into proverbs. The unostentatious example then set by the Nation's
President was wise in its effects. Soon the
public debt was diminished, the army and
navy reduced, and the Treasury replenished.
A man of such marked character necessarily
made bitter enemies, but Jefferson commanded the respect of even his opponents, while
the admiration of his friends was unbounded.
The last seventeen years of his life were spent
at Monticello, near the place of his birth. By
his profound hospitality, he had, before his
death, spent his vast estates. H e died poor in
money but rich in honor. His last words were,
"This is the fourth day of J u l y . "
Administration.
Jefferson was a candidate of the Republican
party.—In 1803 h e arranged with the French
government for the purchase of the territory
of Louisiana; this nearly doubled the area of
U.S. possessions.—In 1801 a war broke out
with the Barbary powers resulting from the
conduct of those governments, particularly
that of Tripoli, in imposing a tax on foreign
merchant vessels in the Mediterranean.—It resulted in the Tripolitan government being
compelled to guarantee no further cause of
trouble.—In 1804 Alexander Hamilton was
shot by Aaron Burr in a duel.-During the administration there were growing troubles with
Great Britain on account of the treatment of
American merchant vessels by British men-ofwar.-These led the way to the war of 1812.—
I n 1808 the exportation of slaves was forbidden
by law.

THOMAS JEFFERSON.

THE AMERICAN

32
JAMES

MADISON.

J a m e s Madison was born in King George
county, Virginia, March 16, 1751, and died in
1836. He graduated at Princeton College in
1778, after which he studied law. In Congress
in 1789 he became one of the strongest advocates of the Constitution and did much to secure its adoption. From his political principles he was obliged, though reluctantly, to
oppose Washington's administration, which
h e did in a courteous and temperate manner.
H e led his party in Congress, where he remained till 1797. The next year he drafted
t h e famous "1798-99 Resolutions," enunciating the doctrines of State Rights, which, with
the accompanying "Report" in their defense,
have been the great text-book of the Democratic party. He was Secretary of State to
Jefierson. After his Presidential services, he
retired from public station. Madison's success
was not so much the result of a great natural
ability as of intense application and severe
accuracy. His mind was strong, clear, and
well balanced, and his memory was wonderful.
I/ike John Quincy Adams, he had laid up a
great store of learning, which he used in the
most skillful manner. He always exhausted
t h e subject upon which he spoke. "When h e
had finished, nothing remained to be said."
His private character was spotless. His man-

MANUAL.

ner was simple, modest, and uniformly courteous to his opponents. H e enjoyed wit and
humor, and told a story admirably. His sunny temper remained with him to t h e last.
Some friends coming to visit him during his
last illness, he sank smilingly back on his
couch, saying, " I always talk better when I
lie." It has been said of him, "It was his rare
good fortune to have a whole nation for his
friends."
Administration.
I n 1811 two events occurred that greatly irritated the country against Great Britain: The
firing on the President by the Little Belt, and
the Indian war in the northwest, brought on
by British agents.-In 1812, war was declared
with Great Britainjuly 19. The war was fought
mainly in the North and at sea.-The Americans were most successful when acting on the
defensive.-Towards the end the war changed
to the South, but was interrupted by the treaty
of peace, Dec. 24, 1814.-After the treaty the
battle of New Orleans was fought, Jan. 8,1815.
-A second war with the Barbary powers took
place during the administration, resulting in a
final stoppage of the abuses of those governments, as far as our commerce was concerned.
- I n 1814 a body of opponents of the war met
at Hartford and protested against it; this was
called the Hartford Convention, and so injured
the Federal party that it soon afterwards disappeared.

JAMES MADISON.

34

THE AMERICAN
JAMES MOSTROE.

J a m e s M o n r o e was born in Westmoreland
county, Virginia, April 28, 1758, and died in
t h e city of New York, July 4, 1831. He filled
t h e office of President of the United States
from the year 1817 to 1825. As a soldier under
General Washington h e bore a brave record,
and especially distinguished himself in the
battles of Brandywine, Germantown, and
Monmouth. Afterwards he studied law, and
entered political life. Having been sent by
Washington as Minister to France, he showed
such marked sympathy with that country as
to displease the President and his cabinet,who
were just concluding a treaty with England,
and wished to preserve a strictly neutral policy. H e was therefore recalled. Under Jefferson, who was his warm friend, he was again
sent to France in 1803, when he secured the
purchase of Louisiana. He is said to have always taken particular pride in this transaction, regarding his part of it as among the
most important of his public services. Soon
after his inauguration as President, he visited
t h e military posts in the north and east, with a
view to thorough acquaintance with the capabilities of the country in the event of future
hostilities. This tour was a great success. H e
wore a blue military coat of home-spun, lightcolored breeches, and a cocked hat, being the
undress uniform of a Revolutionary officer.

MANUAL.
Thus was the nation reminded of his former
military services. Monroe was a man more
prudent than brilliant, who acted with a single
eye to the welfare of the country. Jefferson
said of him:"If his soul were turned inside
out, not a spot could be found on it."
Like
that beloved friend, he died, "poor in money,
but rich in honor,"and like him also, h e
passed away on the anniversary of the Independence of the Country he served so faithfully.
Administration.
Monroe became President in i 8 i 7 . - I n 1817,
the Seminole Indians becoming troublesome,
Jackson invaded Florida and put an end to
the matter.-This brought on trouble with
Spain, the result of which was that Florida
was purchased by the U. S. for $5,000,000 in
1821.-In 1820 Missouri asked to be admitted
to the Union.-There was at once a great contest in congress as to whether it should be a
free or a slave state.-This was finally terminated by the passage of a bill admitting it as
a slave state ; but forbidding slavery north of 36 0
30N N. Lat. in any future state.-In 1820 Monroe was re-elected.-In 1822 the famous Monroe
Doctrine was announced.-This was a protest
against further European occupation of American territory.-There was no choice for President resulting from the election in 1834, and
the duty of selecting a President fell to the
House of Representatives, which elected J. Q.
Adams to the office.

JAMES MONROE,

36

THE AMERICAN
J O H N QTJIBrCY A D A M S .

J o h n Qwimey A d a m s was born at Braintree, Mass., July n , 1767, and died at Washington, February 23, 1848. H e was President
from 1825 to 1829.
John Q. Adams was a man of learning, of
blameless reputation and unquestioned patriotism. As President he was hardly more successful than his father.
This was, doubtless,
owing greatly to the fierce opposition which
assailed him from the friends of disappointed
candidates, who at once combined to weaken
his measures and prevent his re-election.
Their candidate was Andrew Jackson, a man
whose dashing boldness,energy and decision attracted the popular masses, and hid the more
quiet virtues of Adams. To add to his perplexities, a majority of the House, and one-half of
t h e Senate, favored the new party; and his
own Vice President, J o h n C. Calhoun, was
also the candidate of the opposition, and of
course committed to it. To stem such a tide
was a hopeless effort. In two years Adams
was returned to Congress, where he remained
until his death, over sixteen years afterwards.

MANUAL.
Ten year** of public service were thus rendered
after he had passed his ' 'three-score years and
t e n , " and so great was his ability in debate afc
this extreme age, that he was called "the old
man e l o q u e n t " Like his father, h e was a
wonderful worker, and his mind was a complete store-house of facts.
H e lived econom*
ically, and left a large estate. He was the Congressional advocate of anti-slavery, and a
bitter opponent of secret societies. His fame
increased with his age, and h e died a trusted
and revered champion of popular rights. H e
was seized with paralysis while occupying
his seat in Congress, after which he lingered
two days in partial unconsciousness. His last
words were, "This is the last of earth; I am
content."
Administration.
In 1826, by a singular coincidence, J o h n
Adams and Thos. Jefferson both died on the
same day, and that day the anniversary of American Independence, July 4.-The great measure
of J. Q. Adams* administration was the Tariff
Act of 1828, which was distasteful to the South
and led to serious trouble in the next administration.

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.

38

THE AMERICAN
ANDREW JACKSOUT.

Andrew J a c k s o n was born in Waxhaw
settlement, North or South Carolina, March
15, I767,and died at the Hermitage,near Nashville, June 8, 1845. He served as President of
t h e United States from 1829 to 1837.
Jackson was of Scotch-Irish descent. His
father died before he was born, and his mother was very poor. As a boy, Andrew was brave
and impetuous, passionately fond of athletic
sports, but not at all addicted to books. His
life was crowded with excitement and adventure. At fourteen, being captured by the
British, he was ordered to clean the commander's boots. Showing the true American spirit
in his refusal, he was sent to prison with a
wound on head and arm. Here he had t h e
small-pox, which kept him ill for several
months. Soon after his mother had effected his
exchange, she died of ship-fever while caring
for t h e imprisoned Americans at Charleston.
Iveft entirely destitute, young Jackson tried
various employments, but finally settled down
to law, and in 1796 was elected to Congress.
Jackson first distinguished himself as a military officer in the war against the Creek Indians
which he made a signal victory. His dashing
successes in the war of 1812 completed his
reputation, and ultimately won him the Presidency. His nomination was at first received

MANUAL.

in many States with ridicule, as, whatever
might be his military prowess, neither his
temper nor his ability seemed to recommend
him as a statesman. However, his re-election
proved his popular success as a President His
chief intellectual gifts were energy and intuitive judgment. H e was thoroughly honest,
intensely warm-hearted, and had an instinctive horror of debts. His moral courage was
as great as his physical,and his patriotism was
undoubted. H e died at the ''Hermitage,'' his
home near Nashville, Tennessee.
Administration.
General Jackson the candidate of the Democratic Party, was President from 1829 to 1837.
His administration was marked by energy and
decision.-In 1832 he vetoed the bill to recharter the U. S. Bank.-France was induced to
promise the payment of $5,000,000 for damages done to our commerce, and failing t o
fulfill the promise was threatened with war,
and speedily paid over the balance due
(1833).-In 1832 South Carolina voted t h e
Tariff Act of 1828 unconstitutional, and for
that reason not binding on the people; and
threaten d that the state would leave t h e
Union if the law was enforced.-Jackson
promptly put down these "Nullifiers" by force.
-Two Indian wars, the Black Hawk, 1832, and
the Seminole, 1835, disturbed this administration, which taken all in all was a vexy eventful one.

ANDREW JACKSON.

40

THE AMERICAN
M A 1 T I N VAST BUBEW.

M a r t i n T a n B u r e n was born at Kinderhook, New York, December 5, 1782, and died,
at the same place, July 24, 1862. H e studied
law and was admitted to practice in 1803, was
elected President of the United States, and
served four years, from 1837 to 1841. H e early
took an interest in politics, and in 1818 started
a new organization of the Democratic party in
New York, his native State, which had the
power for over twenty years. In 1831 he was
appointed Minister to England, whither he
went in September, but when the nomination came before the Senate in December
it was rejected, on the ground that he had
sided with England against the United States,
on certain matters, and had carried party contests and their results into foreign neogotiations.
His party regarded this as an extreme political
persecution, and the next year elected him to
t h e Vice-Presidency. H e thus became head of
the Senate which a few months before had condemned him, and where he now performed

MANUAL.

his duties with*'dignity,courtesy and impartiality."
As a President, Van Buren was the subject
of much partisan censure. The Country was
passing through a peculiar crisis, and his was
a difficult position to fill with satisfaction to
all. That he pleased his own party is proved
from the fact of his re-nomination in 1840
against Harrison. In 1844 he was once more
urged by his friends, but failed to get a twothirds vote in the convention on account of
his opposition to the annexation of Texas. In
1848 he became a candidate of the "Free Democracy," a new party advocating anti-slavery
principles. After this he retired to his estate
in Kinderhook, N.Y., where he died.
Administration.
Over-speculation in trade in Jackson's term
had brought on great business troubles, ending in the panic of 1837.-To remedy this the
Sub-Treasury Bill was passed, at Van Buren's
desire, but it helped matters very little, and
resulted in Van Buren being defeated w his
second canvass for the Presidency,

MARTIN VAN BUREN.

42

THE AMERICAN
WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON.

W i l l i a m H e n r y Harrison was born in
Charles City county, Virginia, February 9th,
1773. H e entered the army in 1791, after
graduating from Hampden-Sydney College.
After reaching the grade of Captain he resigned
in 1797; was chosen delegate to Congress from
the North-western Territory in 1797; appointed
Governor of Indiana in 1801. and continued to
1813. H e was elected President of the United
States in 1840, and had scarcely entered upon
the duties of his office when he died at Washington, April 4, 1841. I n 1812 he distinguished
himself during the war, especially in the battle
of the Thames. His military reputation made
h i m available as a Presidential candidate. His
character was unimpeachable, and the chief
slur cast upon h i m by his opponents was that

MANUAL.

he had lived in a "log cabin" with nothing to
drink but "hard cider." His friends turned
this to good account
The campaign was
noted for immense mass-meetings, long processions, song-singing and general enthusiasm.
" H a r d cider" became a party watch-word, and
"log cabins" a regular feature in the popular
parades. H e was elected by a very large majority, and great hopes were entertained of his
administration.
Though advanced in years,
he gave promise of endurance. But "he was
beset by office-seekers; he was anxious to gratify the numerous friends and supporters who
flocked about him; he gave himself incessantly
to public business; and at the close of the
month h e was on a sick bed." His illness
was of eight days' duration. His last words
were, " T h e principles of the Government, I
wish them carried out. I ask nothing m o r e . "

WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON.

u

THE AMERICAN
JOBLNT T Y M S R .

J o h n Tyler was born in Charles City county,
Virginia, March 20, 1790, and died at Richmond, Va., January 17, 1862. H e studied law,
and was elected to Congress in 1816, and
served some five years; was elected U. S. Senator in 1827; re-elected in 1833, and was Pres.
of the Peace Convention at Washington in 1861.
Mr. Tyler became President upon the death
of Mr. Harrison as his constitutional successor
as Vice President of the United States. John
Tyler was in early life a great admirer of Henry
Clay, and is said to have* wept with sorrow
when the Whigs in convention rejected his
favorite candidate for the Presidency, and selected Harrison.
H e was nominated VicePresident by a unanimous vote, and was a
great favorite with his party. In the popular
refrain,' 'Tippecanoe and Tyler too,'' the people
sung praises to him as heartily as to Harrison
himself. The death of Harrison and the succession of Tyler, was the first instance of the
kind in our history.
Tyler's administration was not successful.
H e opposed the measures of his party and
made free use of the veto power. His former
political friends denounced him as a renegade,

MANUAL.
to which he replied that he had never professed
to endorse the measures which he opposed.
T h e feeling increased in bitterness. All his
cabinet, except Webster, resigned. H e was,
however, nominated by a convention composed
chiefly of office-holders, for the next Presidency;
he accepted, but, finding no popular support,
soon withdrew from the canvass. In 1861 he
became the presiding officer of the Peace
Convention in Washington. All efforts at reconciliation proving futile, he renounced his
allegiance to the United States and followed
the Confederate fortunes. He died in Richmond, where he was in attendance as a member of the Confederate Congress.
Administration.
Tyler became President on the death of Harrison. He greatly offended his party by vetoing the Bank of the U. S. bill, 1841, and thus
lost the nomination in 1845.—In 1842 a rebellion broke out in Rhode Island resulting from
party feeling.—Dorr, claiming to be governor,
was the leader.—It was put down by military
force and Dorr was imprisoned.—In 1844 Texas
applied for admission to the Union.—This was
at first refused, but the Democratic party, which
favored its admission, being successful in the
election of 1844, the bill passed next spring,
and Texas became a state March I, 1845.

JOHN TYLER.

46

THE AMERICAN
JAMES K. POLK.

J a m e s K. P6llc was born in Mecklinbur^
county, North Carolina, November 2, 1795,
and died at Nashville, June 15, 1849. H e graduated from the University of North Carolina
in 1816, and studied law: was elected to Congress in 1825, and several terms subsequently;
chosen speaker of the House, 1835 and 1837,
and Governor of Tennessee in 1839. Mr. Polk
was very unexpectedly nominated for President, in Baltimore, on the 27th day of May,
1844. H e pleased his party as a candidate, and
justified their fondest expectations as a m a n
well worthy and well qualified to fill the office
of Chief Magistrate of the United States, who
surrounded himself with an able body of counsellors. H e served as President from 1845 to
1849.
Mr. Polk was one of the most conspicious
opposers of the administration of J.Q. Adams,
and a warm supporter of Jackson. In 1839,
having served fourteen years in Congress, he
declined a re-election and was chosen Governor of Tennessee. His Presidential nomination,
in connection with that of George M. Dallas,
of Pennsylvania, as Vice-President, had the
effect of uniting the Democratic party, which
had been disturbed by dissensions between the
friends and opponents of Martin Van Buren.
However, the Mexican war, which in m a n y
States was strongly opposed, the enactment of a

MANUAL.

tariff based on a revenue principle instead of a
protective one, and the agitation caused by
the "Wilmot Proviso," all conspired to affect
his popularity before the end of his term. H e
had, however, previously pledged himself not
to be a candidate for re-election. H e died
about three months after his retirement from
office.
Administration.
Polk was inaugurated President in 1845.Trouble arose with Mexico about the admission and the boundary of Texas, Mexico
claiming to the Nueces River, while Texas
claimed to the Rio Grande.-This brought on
the war (May 11, 1846). Mexico was at once
invaded by three armies: one in California
under Gen. Kearney; one on the Rio Grande
and in what is now northern Mexico; while a
third, under Gen. Scott, marched on Mexico
city.-These expeditions were all successful,
t h e United States forces winning every battle.
-By the end of 1847 Mexico was conquered
and the capital in Gen. Scott's hands.-20,000
men had conquered 50,000 and taken possession of a country containing more than 7,000,
000 inhabitants.-The Treaty of Peace was
signed at Guadaloupe Hidalgo, Feb. 2, 1848;
Mexico by it acknowledged the Rio Grande
as boundary and ceded California and New
Mexico to the United States for $15,000,000.—
I n 1848 gold was discovered in California,
causing much excitement, and great emigration thither.

JAMES K, POLK.

4S

THE AMERICAN
Z A C H A S Y TAY3LOK.

Zacliary Taylor was born in Orange County
Virginia, November 24, 1784. H e entered upon
}he duties of President in 1849, and died at the
Presidential Mansion July 9, 1850, after an
illness of five days. Soon after his birth his
parents moved to Kentucky. His means of
education were of the scantiest kind, and until
h e was twenty-four years of age he worked on
his father's plantation. Madison, who was a
relative, and at that time Secretary of State,
then secured for him an appointment in the
army as lieutenant. From this time he rose
by regular and rapid degrees to a major generalship. His triumphant battles at Palo Alto,
Resaca de la Palma, Monterey, and Buena
Vista, won him great applause. Pie was the
popular hero of a successful war. The soldiers
admiringly called h i m ' 'Old Rough and Ready.''

MANUAL.
Having been offered the nomination for President, he published several letters defining hisposition as "a Whig but not an Ultra-whig,"
and declaring that he would not be a party
candidate or the exponent of party doctrines.
Many of the whig leaders violently opposed
his nomination. Daniel Webster called him
"an ignorant frontier colonel." The fact that
he was a slaveholder was warmly urged against
him. He knew nothing of civil affairs, and
had taken so little interest in politics that he
had not voted in forty years But he was
nominated and elected. His nomination caused
a secession from the Whigs, resulting in t h e
formation of the Free-soil party. H e felt his
want of qualifications for the position, and
sometimes expressed his regret that he h a d
accepted it; yet he maintained as President
the popularity which had led to his election,
and was personally one of the most esteemed
who have filled that office.

ZACHARY TAYLOR.

50

THE AMERICAN
MII,I,AItl> FILLMORE,

Millard F i l l m o r e , being elected Vice-President to President Taylor, became his constitutional successor, and served the unexpired term
from 1850 to 1853. Very exciting questions
arose during his term of office: among them
t h e slavery question, t h e admission of California into the Union as a free State, and the
passage of the Fugitive Slave Law—providing
for the return to their owners of slaves escaping to a free State. During the debate of these
questions, for awhile it seemed as if the Union
would be rent asunder. Mr. Fillmore treated
them with dignity, if not with statesmanship,
till finally conciliatory measures prevailed, and
the questions were amicably settled. In every
respect Mr. Fillmore discharged the duties of
President as a conscientious, sensible man,
thoroughly acquainted with legislative and
general political principles.
President Fillmore was born in Cayuga co.,
New York, January 7, 1800, and died March 8,

MANUAL.

1874. H e had not a very liberal education,
and, when young, served as an apprentice to
t h e fuller's trade. I n the year 1821, h e was
admitted to the bar and practiced law with
success. From 1832 to 1840 he was a member
of Congress; in 1842 h e was nominated by the
Whigs of New York for Governor, and was
defeated; and in 1856 the Native American
party run him for President, and h e received
only the electoral vote of Maryland.
Upon the death of President Taylor, the entire Cabinet resigned.
Administration.
On the death of General Taylor, Fillmore
became President. During his administration
the Omnibus Bill was passed, 1850.—This admitted California as a free state and settled a
number of other questions.—It also provided
for the capture of runaway slaves (FugitiveSlave Law), a measure which caused much
trouble in the North.—A Fisheries Treaty was
concluded with Great Britain.—Franklin
Pierce was elected President in 1852.

MILLARD FILLMORE.

m

THE

AMERICAN

FRANKLIN PIERCE.
F r a n k l i n P i e r c e was born at Hillsborough,
New Hampshire, on the 23d of November,
1804, and died in 1869. H e graduated at Bowdoin College, Maine, in 1824; studied law and
was admitted to the bar in 1827. H e was President from 1853 to 1857.
Mr. Pierce had barely attained the requisite
legal age when he was elected to the Senate.
H e found there such men as Clay, Webster,
Calhoun,Thomas H. Benton,and Silas Wright.
Nathaniel Hawthorn says in his biography of
Mr. Pierce: "With his usual tact and exquisite
sense of propriety, he saw it was not the time
for him to step forward prominently on this
highest theatre in the land. He beheld these
great combatants doing battle before the eyes
of the Nation, and engrossing its whole regards.
There was hardly an avenue to reputation save
what was occupied by one or another of those
gigantic figures." During Tyler's administration, he resigned. When the Mexican war
broke out, he enlisted as a volunteer, but soon
rose to the office of brigadier-general. H e dis-

MANUAL.
tinguished himself under General Scott, against
whom he afterwards successfully ran for t h e
Presidency,and upon whom,during his administration, he conferred the title of lieutenantgeneral. On the question of slavery,Mr. Pierce
always sided with the South,and opposed antislavery measures in every shape. I n a message to Congress in 1856, h e characterized the
formation of a free State government in Kansas
as an act of rebellion, and justified the principles
of the Kansas and Nebraska act. He,however,
espoused the National cause at the opening of
the civil War, and urged a cordial support of
the administration at Washington.
Administration.
The Gladstone Purchase from Mexico gave
us a large piece of territory (1853). l n x ^54 a
Treaty of Commerce was concluded with
Japan.—In 1858 the Kansas and Nebraska Bill
was passed, though opposed by the North.—
This allowed the people of those territories to
choose whether they should come in as free
or slave states when they applied for admission.—The South and North both sent emigrants to Kansas, where a bloody civil war
began, which lasted till 1861.

FRANKLIN PIERCE.

54

THE AMERICAN
JAMES BUCHANAN.

J a m e s B u c h a n a n was born in Franklin
county, Pennsylvania, April 13, 1791, and died
at Wheatland, J u n e 1, 1868. H e was a graduate of Dickinson College and was admitted to
the bar in 1812. H e was President from 1857
to 1861, and was so constantly in office from
1820 up to that time that he was known by the
sobriquet of ' 'Public Functionary."
T h e "bachelor-President," as Mr. Buchanan
was sometimes called, was sixty-six years old
when he was called to the Bxecutive chair.
H e had just returned to his native Country after an absence of four years as Minister to
England. Previously to that he had been well
known in public life as Congressman, Senator,
and as Secretary of State under President Polk.
As Senator in Jackson's time, he heartily supported his administration. With Van Buren,
he warmly advocated the idea of an independent
treasury against the opposition of Clay, Webster, and others. Under Tyler, he was urgently in favor of the annexation of Texas, thus

MANUAL.

again coming in conflict with Clay and Webster. However, he cordially agreed with them
in the compromise of 1850, and urged its favor
upon the people. Much was hoped from his
election, as he avowed the object of his administration to be "to destroy any sectional party,
whether North or South, and to restore, if possible, that National fraternal feeling between
the different States that had existed during the
early days of the Republic." But popular
passion and sectional jealousy were too strong
to yield to pleasant persuasion. W h e n Mr.
Buchanan's administration closed, the fearful
conflict was close at hand. H e retired to his
estate in Pennsylvania, where he died.
Administration.
Buchanan was inaugurated March 4, 1857.—
In 1859 J o h n Brown seized the arsenal at
Harper's Ferry, and was h u n g for it, an event
which caused a great deal of excitement.—
Lincoln, the anti-slavery candidate, was elected
President in i860, whereupon South Carolina
and six other states seceded, December i860.
Five others seceded in 1861.

JAMES BUCHANAN.

56

THE AMERICAN
ABRAHAM LIJfCOLX.

A b r a h a m Lincoln was born in Hardin
county, Kentucky, on the 12th day of February, 1809. H e was elected President in 18 So,
and was re-elected in 1864, and had entered
upon the duties of his office for the second
time, when he was assassinated by John Wilkes
Booth, April 14th 1865, and died the following
day.
His father was unable to read or write.
Abraham's education consisted of one y e a r ' s
schooling. W h e n he was eight years old, his
father moved to Indiana, the family floating
down the Ohio on a raft.
W h e n nineteen
years of age, t h e future President hired out as
a hand on a flat-boat at$10 a month,and made
a trip to New Orleans. On his return he accompanied the family to Illinois, driving the
cattle on the journey, and on reaching their
destination helped them to build a cabin and
split rails to enclose the farm. H e was now in
succession a flat-boat hand, clerk, captain of a
company of volunteers in the Black H a w k
War, country store-keeper, postmaster and
purveyor, yet he managed to get a knowledge
of law by borrowing books at an office, before
it closed at night, and returning them at its
opening in the morning. On being admitted
to the bar, he rapidly rose to distinction. At

MANUAL.

twenty-five he was sent to the Legislature, and
was thrice re-elected. Turning his attention
to politics, he soon became a leader. H e was
sent to Congress; h e canvassed the State, haranguing the people daily on great National
questions; and, in 1858, he was a candidate for
Senator, a second time, against Stephen A.
Douglass. T h e two rivals stumped t h e State
together.
The debate, unrivalled for its
statesmanship, logic and wit, won for Lincoln
a National reputation. H e lost the election in
the Legislature, as his party was in the minority. After his accession to the Presidency, his
history, like Washington's, is identified with
that of his Country. H e was a tall, ungainly
man, little versed in the refinements of society, but gifted by nature with great common
sense, and everywhere known as "Honest
Abe." Kind, earnest, sympathetic, faithful,
democratic, h e was only anxious to serve his
Country. His wan, fatigued face, and his bent
form, told of the cares h e bore and the grief
he felt.
Administration.
Lincoln was inaugurated March 4, i86i.-Fort
Sumter was evacuated April 14, 1861.—Civil
war ensued, lasting from 1861 to 1865, termin a t i n g in the surrender of Lee at AppQmattox
C.H., Va,, April 9, 1865, and of Johnston at
Raleigh, N. C , April 26.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

58

THE AMERICAN
ANDREW JOHNSON.

A n d r e w J o h n s o n was born near Raleigh,
North Carolina, December 22, 1808. H e was
Vice-President when Abraham Lincoln was
assassinated, and by his death Mr. Johnson
became the constitutional President of the
United States. He died in 1875, while serving
as United States Senator from Tennessee.
W h e n only ten years of age, Mr. Johnson
was bound apprentice to a tailor of Raleigh.
Never having been a day at school in his life,
he yet determined to secure an education.
From a fellow-workman he learned the alphabet, and from a friend something of spelling.
Thenceforth,after working ten or twelve hours
per day at his trade, he spent two or three every night in study. In 1826, he went West to
•seek his fortune, with true filial affection carrying with him his mother,who was dependent
©n his labor for support. After his marriage
at Greenville, Tenn., he continued his studies
under the instruction of his wife, pursuing his
trade as before by day. His political life commenced with his election as alderman. H e
was successively chosen mayor, member of the
Legislature, Presidential elector, State Sen-

MANUAL.

ator, twice Governor, and for fifteen years
United States Senator. Remaining true to t h e
Union when his State seceded, his loyalty attracted general attention. A life-time Democrat, he was elected on the Republican ticket
as Vice-President, in reward for his faithfulness. Coming into office with a Republican
Congress, it is not strange that his way was
hedged with difficulties, and his Presidential
career a most unhappy one.
Administ ration.
Johnson was inaugurated April 15, 1865.-He
proceeded to reorganize the South on his own
plan, but presently found himself strongly opposed by Congress.—He vetoed several measures, but they were promptly repassed over
his vetoes; one of these was the Tenure-ofOffice Bill.—Later, Congress passed a bill settling the terms on which the seceding States
might be readmitted.—This was also vetoed
and repassed.—At length an attempt on Johnson's part to remove Secretary Stanton without consent of Congress led to his impeachment, which failed after a long trial.—In 1867
Alaska was purchased from Russia for $7,590,
000.

ANDREW JOHNSON.

00

THE AMERICAN
U3LYSSES S. GRAWT.

Ulysses 8. & r a n t was born at Point Pleasant,
Clermont county, Ohio, April 27, 1822. H e
r
w as very unwilling to follow his father's trade,
which was that of a tanner, and, at seventeen,
an appointment was secured for him at West
Point. His name having been wrongly registered, Grant vainly attempted to set the matter
right, but finally accepted his "manifest destiny,' ' assumed the change thus forced upon
him, and thenceforth signed himself "Ulysses
Simpson," the latter being his mother's family
name. Two years after completing his four
years course as cadet, the Mexican war broke
out, in which Grant conducted himself with
great gallantry, receiving especial mention
'and promotion. I n 1847 h e was made firstlieutenant, captain in 1853, and in 1854 he resigned his commission, and entered the leather
and saddlery business at Galena, Illinois, in
1859, where h e remained until the opening of
the war in 1861, when he immediately offered
his services in behalf of the Union. His modesty and diffidence delayed their acceptance,
and Governor Yates, of Illinois, was the first
to avail himself of them. Grant finally took
the field as Colonel of the Twenty-first Regim e n t Illinois Volunteers. In February, 1862,
he was made a major-general, and commanded
the armies of the South-west. On the 12th of
March, 1864, he was made lieutenant-general
and put in command of all the armies, and

MANUAL,
took personal direction of the military operations in Virginia, and, on the 9th of April, 1865,
General Lee surrendered the Confederate armies to him, at Appomattox Court House, and
hostilities were en ded.
H e was nominated and elected by the Republicans President of the United States in
1868, and re-elected by the same party in 1872.
H e died amid the regrets of the civilized world,
and was borne to his last resting place by t h e
gallant Union officers he had commanded, and
the brave Confederate officers who had fought
against him.
Administration*
In 1868 Grant was elected President. I n
1869 the Pacific Railroad was completed, and
in 1870 the 15th Amendment guaranteeing the
right of suffrage to Negroes became a law. I n
1873 the Court of Arbitration, to which the
Alabama claims and other questions had been
referred, decided nearly everything in favor of
the United States, and ordered that Great
Britain pay #15,000,000 to this Government.—
In 1872 Grant was re-elected.—In 1876 the
Centennial of American Independence was
celebrated by a great international exhibition
at Philadelphia.—The same year the election
for President took place.—This resulted doubtfully, and the question was referred to an
Electoral Commission, which decided that
Gov. Hayes, the Republican nominee, had been
elected.

U. S. GRANT.

62

THE AMERICAN
B I J T H E B F O l l B B. MAYES.

R u t h e r f o r d B . M a y e s was born at Delaware, Ohio, October 4, 1822. H e graduated
at Kenyon College, Ohio. H e commenced the
practice of law in Cincinnati in his thirty-fourth
year, when he received his first official position
as the City Solicitor, which h e held till the
war broke out in 1861. Very near its opening
he enlisted in the Twenty-third Ohio Volunteers, and served with t h e regiment till h e
received the command of a brigade in 1864.
His first appointment was as Major, his first
promotion came within less than a year, and
in September of 1862 h e held a commission as
Lieutenant-Colonel, and was in command of
his regiment, which he led into the battle of
South Mountain.
During the battles of the
Army of the Potomac, Col. Hayes received a
severe wound in the arm, but remained with
his regiment to the last, and was the first officer whose command established a position at
South Mountain. Two years later h e had become Brigadier-General Hayes, and was elected
to Congress from the second Ohio district by
t h e Republicans. In the fall of 1866, Mr.
Hayes was nominated and elected to Congress
a second time by the Republicans, but Congress had held but one session, when he was

fcr

MANUAL.

nominated and elected Governor of Ohio by the
same party. During his political career, h e
was three times elected Governor of Ohio, and
twice a Member of Congress. By a reference to
the "Important E v e n t s " in 1876-77, will be
found the particulars of his election to the
Presidency of the United States in 1877. Mr.
Hayes took the oath of office on Saturday the
3d of March, and was inaugurated President
of the United States, Monday the 5th of March.
Pending the time of the election and before the
meeting of the electoral commission, the country was greatly agitated and seemed threatened with civil war, but immediately after his
inauguration quiet and confidence were restored and peace reigned throughout t h e
United States.
Administration.
Hayes was inaugurated March 5, 1877.—In
1877 a railroad strike occurred, which resulted
in considerable rioting and bloodshed.-A commission to settle the fisheries question w7hich
had arisen with Great Britain decided against
the U. S. in 1877, and ordered the payireut of
$5>5 00 > 000 to Great Britain, for d a m a g e s —
Silver money was made a legal tender for all
debts by a bill passed over the President's veto
early in 1878.

R U T H E R F O R D B. HAYES.

04

THE AMERICAN
JAMES A. O A R F I E I J D .

James Abram Garfield, the twentieth President of the United States, was born in Orange,
Cuyahoga county, Ohio, November, 1831, and
died in 3B£lberon, New Jersey, September 19th,
1881.
Born amid a life of poverty and strug gles,
h e acquired a good common school education;
drove some months for a boat on the Ohio
canal; obtained a seminary education, and
further instruction at the Hiram Institute, O.,
and graduated at Williams College with the
highest honors in 1856.
I n 1857 h e was elected President of t h e
Hiram Institute. I n 1859 he was elected to
the Senate of Ohio.
H e was appointed Colonel of the 42 Regi-

MANUAL.

ment of Ohio Volunteers in 1861.
For his
bravery and skill in defeating General Marshall at Middle Creek, January 10, 1862, h e was
commissioned Brigadier-General. H e was
made a Major-General for gallantry at Chicamauga September 19, 1863. H e entered Congress as Representative in December, 1863. H e
was chosen United States Senator from Ohio,
January 13, 1880.
H e was nominated for President by the Republican National Convention in Chicago,
J u n e 8, 1880, on the thirty-sixth ballot, and
was elected President in the November following. H e was shot by the infamous lunatic
Guiteau, July 2, 1881, and died ten weeks after, exhibiting the greatest fortitude and
bravery.

JAMES A. GARFIELD,

66

THE AMERICAN
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

Chester Alan Arthur, twenty-first President
of the United States was born in Fairfield,
Franklin County, Vermont, October 5, 1830.
H e was the oldest of nine children of the Rev.
Win. Arthur D. D., a Baptist clergyman and
an author on antiquarian subjects, who emigrated from Ireland at the age of eighteen.
Chester Arthur was graduated at Union College in 1845. I n 1853 k e entered the law office
of Brastus D. Culver, New York City,and soon
thereafter was admitted to the bar. Mr. Arthur was a firm friend of the slave and took
part in defending t h e m in several suits brought
to re-enslave them after being on free soil.
In 1861 he was a Brigadier-General and acting Quartermaster-General on the staff of
Governor Morgan of New York.
In 1862 he
was appointed Inspector-General of New York
troops in the field. I n 1871 he was appointed
by President Grant, Collector of the port of
New York. In 1880, at Chicago, he was nominated by the Republican National Convention for Vice-President.
On the death of
President Garfield, September 19, 1881, Gen-

MANUAL.
eral Arthur succeeded to the Pr esidency. T h e
general verdict upon his administration was
favorable.
Administration.
The bill placing Ulysses S. Grant on the retired list of the army with full pay, May 3d,
1884.—Bureau of Annual Industry established, May 29, 1884.—Bureau of Labor Statistics established, June 28, 1884.—The bill on
Chinese Immigration, July 5, 1884.—The bill
on the American Merchant Marine, J u n e 28,
1884.—The Bureau of Navigation established,
October 5, 1884.—The bill on the French Spoliation Claims, January 20, 1885.—The bill on
Forfeited Land Grants approved March 2,
1885.—The bill prohibiting Foreign Contract
Labor, March 2, 1885.—^ n e M l prohibiting
the unlawful occupancy of Public Lands, February 25, 1885.—The bill on the Chinese Indemnity Fund, March 3, 1885.—The reduction
of letter postage from three to two cents,
March, 1883.—The making of the unit of
weight one ounce instead of half an ounce,
March, 1885.

68

THE AMERICAN
CtROTER CliEVEI^tflK

Grover Cleveland, twenty-second President
of the United States, was born in Caldwell,
Essex county, New Jersey, March 18, 1837.
On the paternal side he is of English origin.
H e was educated at a seminary taught by
his father at Fayettville, near Syracuse, New
York. At the age of seventeen he was assistant
teacher in the New York Institution for the
blind, in New York City. H e was admitted
to the bar in Buffalo, N. Y. in 1859. H e
served as Assistant District Attorney of Erie
County for three years from January 1, 1863.
H e was the Democratic candidate for District Attorney of Erie County in 1865, but was
defeated.
I n the Autumn of 1881 h e was elected Mayor
of Buffalo by a majority of 3,530, the largest
ever given to a candidate in that city.
H e became known as the "Veto Mayor"
for checking what he deemed unwise, illegal

MANUAL.

or extravagant expenditure of the public
money.
On September 22, 1882, he was nominated
by the Democratic State Convention at Syracuse for Governor and was elected the November following by a large majority.
H e was nominated for President by the
Democratic National Convention at Chicago,
July 10, 1884, and was elected President in
the following November. On the 8th of July,
1888, he was unanimously re-nominated for
President, at St. Louis, by the Democratic
National Convention.
Administration.
Removal from office of persons for "offensive
partisanship," March 13, 1885.—Proclamation
to remove from the Oklahoma country, in t h e
Indian Territory, all white intruders, August
10, 1885.—Bill regulating the Presidential
succession, January, 19, 1886.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

< CLARA BARTON.

72

THE

AMERICAN'

MANUAL.

IJEI^OBS OP THE REVOLUTION AND THE
W&A\ OP 1812.
S a m u e l A d a m s was born in Boston in 1722. He
was one of the signers of the declai ation of Independence; was afterwards Governor of Massachusetts, and
died in 1803. It is also believed that he was one of the
leaders of the patriots in the Boston massacre, March
5, 1770.
£ t h a n A l l e n was a colonel in the patriot army.
He was born in I^itchfield county, Conn. He attacked
the English at Montreal, was defeated, taken prisoner,
and sent to England in irons. He was never engaged
in active military service after his capture. He died in
Vermont in 1799, and his remains lie in a cemetery two
miles from Burlington.
s
G e n e r a l A r m s t r o n g was born in Pennsylvania
in 1758; served in the War of the Revolution; was Secretary of the State of Pennsylvania; Minister to France
in 1804: Secretary of War in 1813, and diedin Duchess
county, N. Y., in 1843.
B e n e d i c t A r n o l d was a native of Norwich, Conn.,
where he was born in January , 1740. He fought nobly
for freedom until 1778, when his passions got the better of his judgment and conscience, and he became a
traitor and joined the British army.
He went to
England after the war, and died in I,ondon, June 14,
1801.
J o h n A s l i e was born in England in 1721, and came
to America when a child. He was engaged in the
Regulator war in North Carolina in 1771, and was a
general in the Continental army. He died of smallpox in 1781.
H e n r y A t k i n s o n was a native of South Carolina
and entered the army as a captain in 1808. He was retained in the army after the War of 1812, was made adjutant-general, and finally appointed to the command

of the Western Army. He diedin Jefferson Barracks,
in June, 1842.
W i l l i a m B a i n f o r i d g e (Commodore) was born in
New Jersey in 1774. He was the captain of a merchant
vessel at the age of 19, and entered the naval service in
1798. He was distinguished during the War of 1812,
and died in 1833.
C o m m o d o r e B a r n e y was born in Baltimore in
1759. He entered the naval service of the Revolution
in 1775, and was active during the whole war. He
bore the American flag to the French National Convention in 1796, and entered the French service. He
returned to America in 1800, and took part in the War
of 1812, and died at Pittsburg in 1818.
J a c o b B r o w n was born in Pennsylvania in 1775.
He engaged in his Country's service in 1813, and soon
became distinguished He was made major-general in
1814. He was Commander-in-chief of the United States
army in 1821, and held that rank and office when he
died, in 1838.
M a j o r B r o w n was born in Massachusetts in 1788;
was in the War of 1812, and was promoted to major in
1843. He was wounded in the Mexican War by the
bursting of bomshelli and died on the 9th of May, 1846.
He was 58 years of age.
A a r o n B u r r was born in New Jersey in 1756. I n
his twentieth year he joined the Continental army,
and accompanied Arnold in his expedition against
Quebec. Ill health compelled him to leave the army
in 1779, and he became a distinguished lawyer and an
active public man. He died on Staten Island, N. Y.,
in 1836.
Z e b u l o n B u t l e r was born in Connecticut in 1731.
Served in the Revolution as a colonel, and died in

74

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

Wyoming in 1795.
dore, and during the War of 1812 he was distinguished
J o h n O B a m i lei* was a native of Massachusetts, for his skill and bravery. He afterward humbled t h e
and served as a general in the War of 1812. Some Barbary powers, and after returning home he was
years after the War he was a United States Senator killed in a duel with Commodore Barron, in March,
from Maine. He died at Augusta, in that State, in 1844. 1820.
R o b e r t F u l t o n , the inventor and discoverer of
A r t h u r S t . C l a i r was a native of Scotland, and
steam navigation, was born in Pennsylvania, and was
came to America in May, 1755. He served under Wolfe,
and when the Revolution broke out he entered the a student of West, the great painter, for several years.
American army. He served as a general during the He had more genius for mechanics than for the fine
arts, and he turned his efforts in that direction. He
War, and died in 1818 at the age of 84.
died in 1815, soon after launching a steamship-of-war,
G e o r g e R o g e r s C l a r k e was a native of Virginia,
at the age of 50 years.
and was born in 1752. He was one of the most accomE d m u n d P . G a i n e s was born in Virginia in 1777.
plished and useful officers of the Western pioneers
during the Revolution. He died near I^ouisville, Ky., He entered the army in 1799, and rose gradually until
he was made major-general for his gallantry at Fort
in 1848.
£rie in 1814. He remained in the army until his death,
G r e e n C l a y was born in Virginia in 1756, and was
in 1849.
made a brigadier of Kentucky volunteers early in 1813/
He commanded at Fort Meigs, in 1813. He died in 1S26.
H o r a t i o G a t e s was a native of England, and was
H e n r y C l a y was born in Virginia in 1772. He be- educated for military life. He was the first adjutantcame a lawyer at Richmond, and at the age of 21 he general in the Continental army, and was made majorestablished himself in his profession at Lexington, Ky. general in 1776. He retired to his estate in Virginia at
He first appeared in Congress, as Senator, in 1806, and the close of the War, and finally took up his abode
from that period his life was chiefly devoted to the pub- in New York, where he died in 1806 at the age of 78
lic service. F,e died in Washington City, while United years.
States Senator, in 1852.
N a t h a n i e l G r e e n e was born of Quaker parents,
G e n e r a l J o h n Coffee was a native of Virginia. in Rhode Island, in 1840. He was an anchorsmith, and
He did good service in the War of 1812, and in subse- was pursuing his trade when the Revolution broke out.
quent campaigns among the Indians. He died in 1834. He hastened to Boston after the skirmish at lyexingJ a m e s C l i n t o n was born in Ulster county, N. Y., ton, and from that time until the close of the War he
in 1736. He was a captain in the French and Indian was one of the most useful generals in the army. He
War, and an active general in the Revolutionary army. died near Savannah in 1786, and was buried in a vault
in that city. His sepulchre can not be identified.
He died in 1812.
J o b n H a n c o c k was born at Quincy, Mass., in
H e n r y D e a r b o r n was an officer of the Revolution, and, in the war of 1812, was appointed major-gen- 1737. He was an early and popular opponent of Briteral and Commander-in-chief of the armies. He was ish power, and was chosen the second President of
born in New Hampshire. He returned to private life Congress. He was afterwards Governor of Massachuin 1815, and died at Roxbury, near Boston, in 1829, at setts, and died in 1793.
the age of 78 years.
P a t r i c k H e n r y was born in Hanover county,
Virginia, in 1736. He appeared suddenly in public life
S t e p h e n D e c a t u r was born in Maryland in 1779.
He entered the navy at the age of 19. After his last , when almost thirty years of age. He was an active
cruise in the Mediterranean he superintended the public man during the Revolution, was Governor of
building of gunboats. He rose to the r a n k of commo- Virginia, and died in 1799.

76

THE AMERICAN

J o i n t E a g e r H o w a r d , of the Maryland line, was
born in Baltimore county in 1752. He went into military service at the commencement of the War. He
was a colonel, and was in all the principal battles of
the Revolution; was chosen Governor of Maryland in
1778, and was afterward a United States Senator. He
died in 1827.
W i l l i a m H u l l was born in Connecticut in 1753.
He rose to the r a n k of major in the Continental army.
Though severely censured for his surrender of Detroit
in 1812, he was a good man, and distinguished for his
bravery. He was appointed Governor of the Michigan
Territory in 1805. After the close of his unfortunate
campaign he never appeared in public life. He died,
near Boston, in 1825.
I s a a c H u l l was made a lieutenant in the navy in
1798, and in 1812 was commodore, in command of the
United States frigate, Constitution. He died in Philadelphia in Februrary, 1843.
O e o r g e I z a r d was born in South Carolina in
1777. He was a general, and made military life his
profession. After the War he left the army. He was
Governor of Arkansas Territory in 1825, and died at l i t tle Rock, Ark., in 1828.
J o h n J a y was a descendant of a Huguenot family,
and was born in the city of New York in 1745. He was
early in the ranks of patriots, and rendered very important services during the Revolution. He retired
from public life in 1801, and died in 1829, at the age of
84 years. His residence was at Bedford, Westchester
county, N. Y.
T h o m a s S. J e s u p was born in Virginia in 1778. He
was a brave and useful officer during the War of 1812,
and was retained in the army. He was breveted major-general in 1828, and was succeeded in command in
Florida by Col. Zachary Taylor in 1838. He died in
Washington City.
J o h n P a u l J o n e s was born in Scotland in 1747, and
came to Virginia in boyhood. He entered the American navy in 1775, and served as commodore during the
War. He was an intrepid and daring officer. He was
afterwards rear-admiral in the Russian service. He

MANUAL.

died in Paris in 1782.
B a r o n d e K a l b was a native of Alsace, a G e n u u ^
province ceded to France. He had been in America a&
a secret French agent, about fifteen years before. H e
came to America with Lafayette in 1777, and Congress
commissioned him a Major-General. He died of
wounds received at the battle of Camden in 1780.
S t e p h e n W . K e a r n e y was a native of New Jersey. He was a gallant soldier in the war of 1812. He
was breveted a brigadier in 1846, and major-general in
December the same year, for gallant conduct in the
Mexican War. He died at Vera Cruz, in October, 1848,
at the age of 54 years.
M a r q u i s d e I*a F a y e t t e was born in France in
1757. He was an active patriot during the Revolution,
and contributed men and money to the patriot cause.
He was commissioned major-geneial by the Continental Congress July 31, 1777. He died in Fiance in 1S34,
at the age of 77.
J a m e s L a w r e n c e was a native of New Jersey^
and received a midshipman's warrant at the age of 16.
He is remembered by every American as the author of
those brave words: "Don't give up the ship." On
this occasion he was wounded while commanding t h e
United States frigate Chesapeake, and the engagement took place in 1814. He died four days after receiving the wound, at the age of 31 years.
C h a r l e s I*ee was born in Wales in 1731. He was
a brave officer in the British army. He settled in Virginia in 1773, and was one of the first brigadiers of the
Continental army. He was arrested and tried by a
court-martial for disobedience of orders and disrespect
to Washington at the battle of Monmouth. He was
found guilty, and was suspended from command for
one year. He never entered the army again, and died
in obscurity in Philadelphia in 1782.
R i c h a r d H e n r y L e e was born in Westmoreland
county, Virginia, in 1732. He was much in public life,
signed the Declaration of Independence, was a U. S.
Senator, and died in 1794.

78

THE AMERICAN

H e n r y I^ee was born in Virginia in 1756. He
entered the military service as a captain of a Virginia
company m 1776, and in 1777 joined the Continental
army. At the head of a legon, as a colonel, he performed extraordinary services during the War, especially in the South. He was afterward Govei nq^ of
Virginia, and a member of Congress. He died in 1818.
J S e n j a m i n L i n c o l n was born in Massachusetts
in 1733. He was a farmer. He joined the Continental
army in 1779, and rose rapidly to the position of major-general. He died in 1810.
A l e x a n d e r M a c o m b was born in Detroit in 1782,
and entered the army at the age of 17 years. He was
made a brigadier in 1814. In 1S35 he was cdminanderin-chief of the arniiee of the United States, and died
in 1841.
T S i o m a s M e B o n o n g ' l i was a native of Delaware,
and a commodore in the navy, He was 28 years of age
at the time of the engagement at Plattsburg. The
State of New York gave him one thousand aeras of land
on Plattsburg Bay for his services. He died m 1622 at
t h e age of 39 years.
O e n e r a l McJftougrad was born in Scotland, and
came to America in early childhood. He rose to the
r a n k of major-general, was a New York State Senator^
and died iu 1786.
MȤ*n M e r c e r , a geto^ral in the Continental army,
was killed at the battle of Princeton. He was a native
of Scotland, and was practicing medicine at Fredericksburg, Va., when the Revolution broke out. He was 56
years of age when he died.
T l a o n i a s M i f f l i n was born in Philadelphia in 1744,
He was a Quaker, but joined the patriot army in 1775,
and rapidly rose to the r a n k of major-general. He was
a member of Congress after the War, and also Governor of Pennsylvania. He died in January, i8oo.
SSieliarc! Montg-ojtnes'y was born in Ireland in
1737. He was with Wolfe at Quebec, in 1759; afterward
married and settled in the State of New York. He was
a general in the patriot army, and was killed at the
battle of Quebec, in 1775.
H a n i e l M o r g a n was born in New Jersey in 1736,
and was im the humble sphere of a wagoner when

MANUAL.

called to the field. He had been a soldier under Braddock, and joined Washington at Cambi^dge in 1775,
and became a general. He was a farmer in Virginia
after the War, where he died in 1802.
W i l l i a m M o u l t r i e was born in South Carolina in
1730, and died in 1805. He was a general in the Revolution, and an active officer until made prisoner m
1780, when for two years he was not allowed to bear
arms.
J a m e s O t i s was born at Barnstable, Mass., 1725.
He was the leader of the Revolutionary party in Massachusetts at the beginning. He was wounded by a
British official in 1769, and never entirely recovered.
He was killed by lightning in 1772.
A n d r e w P i c f e e n s was born in Pennsylvania in
1739, and served as a general in the Revolution. In
childhood he went to South Carolina, and was one of
the first in the field for liberty. He died in 1817.
S e o u l o m M . P i k e was born in 1779. While pressing toward the capture of York (Toronto), in 1813, the
powder magazine of the fort blew up, and General
Pike was mortally wounded. He was carried on board
the flagship of Commodore Chauncey, where he died,
with the captured British flag und«r his head, at the
age of 34 years.
C o m m o d o r e B a v i d P o r t e r wae among the
most distinguished of the American naval commanders. He was a resident Minister of the United States
in Turkey, and died near Constantinople, in March,
1843.
W i l l i a m P r e s c o t t was born at Groton, Mass,,;
was a colonel at the battle of Bunker Hill, and served
under Gates until the surrender of Burgoyne, when he
left the array. He died in 1795.
O e n e r a l F u t n a m was born at Salem, Mass., in
1718. He was a very useful officer during the Frencfa
and Indian War, and was in active service in the G021tinental army, commencing with the battle of Bunker
Hi*l until 1779, when bodily infirmity compelled him
to retire. He died in 1790 at the age of 72.
J o n n K o t l e c l g ' e was born in Ireland, and came
to South Carolina when a child, and was Governor of
that State in 1780. After the Revolutionary War h«

80

THE AMERICAN

was made a judge of the Supreme Court of the United
States, and also Chief Justice of South Carolina. He
died in 1800.
R i c h a r d S c h u y l e r was born in Albany, N. Y., in
'LlZZ, and died in 1804 He was a captain under Sir
William Johnson, and was in active public service until the Revolution. He was a general in the patriot
army, and was a legislator after the War.
"Winfield S c o t t was born in Virginia in 1786. He
was admitted to law practice at the age of 21 years.
He joined the army in 1808, was made lieutenant colonel in 1812, and passed through the War that ensued
with great honor to himself and his company. He
was breveted major-general in 1814, and was made general-in-chief of the army in 1841. His success in Mexico greatly added to his laurels, and he was considered
one of the greatest captains of the age. He was made
lieutenant-general in 1855. He died May 29, 1866, at
West Point, aged 80 years.
I s a a c S h e l b y was born in Maryland m 1750. He
entered military life in 1774, and went to Kentucky as
a land surveyor in 1775. He engaged in the War of the
Revolution, and was distinguished in the battle of
King's Mountain, in October, 1780. He was made
Governor of Kentucky in 1792, and soon afterward retired to private life, from which he was drawn in 1813.
He died in 1826.
S a m u e l S m i t h , the commander of Fort Mifflin in
1777, was born in Pennsylvania in 1752. He entered
the Revolutionary army in 1776; served as a general in
command when Ross attacked Baltimore in 1814; afterward represented Baltimore in Congress, and died in
April, 1S39.
B a r o n S t e u b e n came to America in 1777, and
joined the Continental army at Valley Forge. He was
a veteran from the armies of Frederick the Great, of
Prussia. He was made Inspector General of the American army. He died in the interior of New York in
1795.
W i l l i a m A l e x a n d e r S t i r l i n g was a descendant
of the Scotch E)arl of Stisli n g. He was born in the city
of New York in 1726. He became attached to the
patriot cause and served as a faithful officer during the

MANUAL.

War. He was made prisoner at the battle of I^ong
Island. He died in 1783.
J o h n S u l l i v a n was born in Maine in 1740. He was
a delegate to the first Continental Congress in 1774, and
was one of the first eight brigadiers in the Continental
army. He resigned his commission of general in 1779;
was afterward member of Congress and Governor of
New Hampshire, and died in 1795.
T h o m a s S u m t e r was a native of South Carolina
and was early in the field. Ill health compelled him
to leave the army just before the close of the War in
1781. He was afterward Congressman and died on the
high hills of Santee, S. C. in 1832, at 98 years of age.
G e n e r a l T h o m a s was a native of Plymouth,
Mass., and was one of the first eight brigadiers appointed by Congress in 1775. H ^ died with the smallpox in 1776, at Chambly, in Canada.
C h a r l e s T h o m s o n was born in Ireland in 1730,
and came to America when he was only eleven years
of age. He settled in Pennsylvania, and was Secretary
of Congress perpetually fiom 1774 until the adoption of
the Federal Constitution, and tue organi2ation of the
new government iu 1789. He died in 1824 at the age
of 94.
I > a v i d E. Tnlg-g'S was born in Georgia in 1790.
He was a majoi at the close of the War of 1812, and was
retained in the army. He was breveted major-general
after the battle of Monterey, and for his gallantry
there he received a gift of a sword from Congress.
J o s e p h W a r r e n was born at Roxbury, Mass., in
1740. He was killed by a musket ball at the battle of
Bunker Hill, while retreating, and was buried where
he fell, near the redoubt. The tall Bunker Hill monument stands on the very spot where he fell, commemorates his death, as well as the patriotism of his countrymen. He was a physician, and was 35 years of age
when he died. His remains now rest in St. Paul's
Church, Boston. A statue to his honor was inaugurated on the 17th of June, 1857.
W i l l i a m W a s h i n g - t o n , a relative of the General, was born in Stafford county, Va. He entered the
army under Mercer, and greatly distinguished himself
at the South as a commander ot a corps of cavalry.

THE AMERICAN
Taken prisoner at the battle of Eutaw Springs, he remained a captive until the close of the war, and died
in Charleston in 1810. In a personal combat with the
British Colonel Tarleton, at the battle of Cowpens,
Washington wounded his antagonist in the hand.
Some months afterward, Tarleton said, sneeringly, to
Mrs. Willie Jones, a witty American lady, "that Colonel
Washington, I am told, is illiterate, and cannot write
his own name." "Ah! Colonel," said Mrs. Jones, "you
ouglit to know better, for you bear evidence that he
can make his m a r k . " At another time he expressed a
desire to see Colonel Washington. Mrs. Jones' sister
instantly replied, *'Hdd you looked behind at the Cowpens, you might have had that pleasure."
A n t h o n y W a y n e was born m Pennsylvania in
1745. He was a professional surveyor, then a provincial legislator, and became a soldier in 1775. He was
very active during the whole War, and was successful
in subduing the Indians in the Ohio country in 1795.
He died on his way home, at Erie, Pa., near the close
of 1796.
D a n i e l W e b s t e r was born in Salisbury, New
Hampshire, in 1782. He was admitted to the bar in
Boston in 1805. He commenced his political career in
Congress in 1818. He was in public emploj'tnent a
greater portion of the remainder of his life, and was

MANUAL.

81

the most distinguished statesman of his time. He died
at Marshfield, Mass., in October, 1852.
titeneral
W i l k i n s o n was born in Maryland in
1757, and studied medicine. He joined the Conti uental
army at Cambridge, in 1775, and continued in service
during the War. He died near the city of Mekico, in
1825, at the age of 68 years.
J a n i o s W i n c h e s t e r was born in Maryland in
1756. He was made a brigadier in 1812; resigned his
commission in 1815, and died in Tennessee in 1826.
J o h n E l l i s W o o l (Genettil) was a native of New
York. He entered the army in 1812, and soon rose to
the rank of lieutenant-colonel, for gallant conduct on
Queenstown Heights, in 1812. He was breveted brigadier in 1825, and for gallant conduct at Buena Vista, in
1S47, was breveted major-general.
W i l l i a m J . W o r t h (General) was born in Columbia county,New York, in 1794; was a gallant soldier
during the War of 1812; was retained in the army, and
for his gallantry at Monterey, during the Mexican
War, he was made a major-general, by brevet, and received the gift of a sword from Congress. He was of
great service during the whole war with Mexico. He
died in Teatas, in May, 1849. ... - - -

82

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.
Bee. 8. The Death of Father
Matthew, aged 67, occurs.

E/BOOBD
—OF—

1857.
J a n . 4. The Lecompton Constitution is rejected by Kansas.
Feb. 12. $300,000 is donated by George
Peabody, to establish a free literary and scientific
Institute at Baltimore.

Theobald

1858.
Feb. 14. The Mormons in an engagement
at Eco Cannains are defeated by the United
States army.
March 28. Nicaragua places herself under
the protection of the United States.
May 1 1 . Minnesota is admitted as a State.
J u l y . The remains of President Monroe
are removed from New York City to Richmond, Virginia.

GOV. W I S E .

JAMES BUCHANAN.

March 4. James Buchanan is inaugurated
President, and John C. Breckinridge Vice-President.

Aug. 5. Atlantic telegraph cable is laid.
President Buchanan's message to Queen Victoria was sent on the 16th, but cable proves
failure.
1859.
Feb. 14. Oregon is admitted as a State.
Oct. 16. J o h n Brown, fifteen white men and
five negroes, seized Harper's Ferry Arsenal.

THE AMERICAN
Oct. 17. The armory captured by Colonel
(afterward the Rebel General) Lee. One marine and twelve of Brown's men killed. Brown
and four men taken prisoners.
Oct. The death of J. Y . Slidell, U. S. Minister to France, occurs at Paris.
NOT. Gen. Scott is sent to protect American
interests in San Juan.
Nov. 28. Death of Washington Irving, the
American novelist and historical writer.
Dec. 2. John Brown and two negroes hung,
under the authority of Gov. Wise.

MANUAL.

83

April 23. The Democratic National Convention assembles at Charleston, S. C
April 30. The Cincinnati Platform rejected
by the National Democratic Convention, and,
upon the adopting of a platform, the Southern
delegates secede.
May 4. The National Democratic Convention adjourns until June 18.
May 16. The National Republican Convention assembles at Chicago.

JOHN C. BRECKINBIDGB.

HANNIBAL HAMLIN.

1860.
Feb. 1. Pennington, of New Jersey, is elected
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
March 16. Stevens and Hazlitt hung at
Charlestown, Va
March 27. Japanese Embassy, the first to
leave Japan, arrived at San Francisco.

May 18. The Republican Convention nominates Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois, for President, and Hannibal Hamlin, of Maine, for VicePresident.
May 19. The Constitutional Union Convention, at Baltimore, nominates John Bell for
President, and Edward Everett for Vice-President.
June 23. The National Democratic Convention meets at Baltimore, and nominates

THE AMERICAN

84

Douglas and Johnson; the seceders also meet,
and nominate Breckinridge and Lane.*
Nov. 6. Abraham Lincoln of Illinois, and
Hannibal Hamlin, of Maine, are elected President
and Vice-President of the United States. Lincoln and Hamlin, 108 electoral votes; Bell and
Everett, 39; Breckinridge and Lane, 72 ; Douglas and Johnson, 12.
Nov. 7. The news of Mr. Lincoln's election
received at Charleston, South Carolina, with
cheers for a Southern Confederacy,

ROBERT TOOMBS.

Nov. 9. An attempt is made to seize the
arms at Fort Moultrie.
Nov. 18. Major Anderson is sent to Fort
Moultrie to relieve Colonel Gardner.
Dec. 1. The Great Kebellion. Florida Legislature ordered the election of a convention.
Great secession meeting in Memphis.
Dec. 3. Congress Meets. The President
denies the right of a State to secede, and asserts

MANUAL.

the right of the general government to coerce a
seceding State.
Dec. 10. Howell Cobb, Secretary of the
Treasury, resigns. Senator Clay, of Alabama,
also resigns.
Dec. 14. Lewis Cass, Secretary of State resigned because the President would not send reinforcements South.
Dec. 18. The "Crittenden Compromise," settling the difference between the North and the
South, is rejected by the United States.

A. H. STEPHENS.

Dec. 26. General Anderson evacuates Fort
Moultrie, Charleston, and occupies Fort Sumter.
Dec. 20. South Carolina secedes from the
Union.
Dec. 30. President Buchanan declines to
receive any delegates from South Carolina.
Deaths this Year. The death of Samuel G.
Goodrich, "Peter Parley," author, aged 67 years,
occurs.

THE AMERICAN
1861.
Jan. 4. F o r t Morgan, Mobile Harbor, seized
by State troops.
J a n . 5. The Star of the W e s t chartered and
sent to Fort Sumter to reinforce Major Anderson.
Jan. 8. Forts Johnson and Caswell, N. C ,
seized by the rebels. Secretary Thompson resigns from the Interior Department.

R O B E R T B . B.HETT O F SOUTH C A R O L I N A .

Jan. 9. Mississippi Secedes. The first gun
of the rebellion fired; the forts on Morris Island
fire on the "Star of the West," and she puts to
sea.
Jan. 10. Florida Secedes.
Jan. 11. Alabama Secedes. U. S. Arsenal
at Baton Rouge, Ports Philip and Jackson, below New Orleans, and Fort Pickens, on Lake
Ponchartrain, seized by Louisiana.

85

MANUAL.

Jan. 12. The Pensacola Navy Yard seized
by rebels, and the cutter " Lewis Cass " seized
at New Orleans.
J a n . 14. The Senators from Mississippi withdraw from Congress.
J a n . 17. Batteries commanding the Mississippi erected at Vicksburg.
J a n . 19. Georgia Secedes. Fort Ncale, at
Little Washington, N. C , captured by the rebels.
J a n . 20. The fort at Ship Island captured
by the rebels.

COL.

ELLSWORTH.

J a n . 2 1 . The Alabama delegation in • Congress leave.
J a n . 2 3 . Georgia members of Congress resign, among them Robert Toombs.
J a n . 24. The United States arsenal at Augusta, Georgia, is seized by the Confederate
State troops.
J a n . 26. The Louisiana Legislature passed
secession ordinance by a vote of 113 to 17.

THE

86

AMERICAN

Feb. 1. Texas Convention passed an ordinance of secession. Mint and Custom House at
New Orleans seized.
F e b . 4. Delegates from the seceded States
met at Montgomery, Alabama, to organize a
Confederate government.
PeaGe Congress met at Washington.
F e b . 8. The United States arsenal at Little
Rock surrenders to Arkansas.
Feb. 9. Jefferson Davis and A. H. Stephens
are elected Provisional President and VicePresident of the Southern Confederacy.

" PARSON ' '

Lincoln

Feb. 19. F o r t Kearney, Kansas, is seized by
the Confederates.
Feb. 2 1 . Jeff Davis appointed his Cabinet—
Toombs, Sec. State; Memminger, Treasury, and
L. P. Walker, War.
F e b 22. President Lincoln's night journey
from Harrisburg to Washington, in order to
prevent an anticipated outrage in Baltimore.
F e b . 2 3 . Gen. Twiggs surrendered Government property in Texas valued at $1,200,000 to
the Confederacy.

GEN, M'CLELLAN.

BROWNLOW.

F e b . 1 1 . President
Washington.

MANUAL.

started

for

F e b . 1 3 . Electoral vote counted; Lincoln
and Hamlin officially declared elected.
F e b . 18. Jefferson Davis inaugurated President of the Confederate States of America.
Twiggs surrenders the military posts in Texas.

Feb. 25. News received of the surrender
***>d treason of Major General Twiggs in Texas.
Feb. 26. Capt. Hill refused to surrender Fort
Brown, Texas.
March 1. Gen. Twiggs is expelled from the
army.
March 4. The inauguration of President Lincoln takes place.

THE AMERICAN
The State Convention declared Texas out of
the Union.
March 5. Gen. Beauregard took command
of the troops of Charleston.
March 6. Fort Brown on the Rio Grande,
was surrendered by special agreement. The
Federal troops evacuated the fort and sailed for
Key West and Tortugas.
March 28. "Vote of Louisiana on secession
made public. For secession, 20,448; against, 17,926.

MANUAL.

87

T h e steamer Atlantic sailed from New York
with troops and supplies.
April 12. Bombardment of Fort Sumter
was commenced by the Confederates.
April 13. The bombardment of Fort Sumter was continued; Gen. Wigfall coming with a
flag of truce, arrangements were made for evacuating the fort.
April 14. Major Anderson and his men
sailed for New York.

GEN. M'DOWELL,
GEN. BUTLER.

March 30. Mississippi Convention ratified
the Confederate Constitution by a vote of 78 to 70.
April 3. South Carolina Convention ratified
the Confederate Constitution by a vote of 114 to
16.

April 7. All intercourse between Fort Sumter and Charleston stopped by order of Beauregard

April 15. The President issues a proclamation commanding all persons in arms against
the United States to disperse within twenty
days. He also called for 75,000 volunteers.
The New York Legislature authorizes the raising of $3,000,000 for their equipment and support.
April 16. The Governors of Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, and Missouri refuse to furnish
troops under the President's proclamation. 32,-

THE AMERICAN

83

coo men are called for by the Confederate Government.
April 17. "Virginia Convention adopted secession ordinance.
Jefferson Davis issued proclamation offering
to all who wished to engage in privateering, letters of marque and reprisal.
April 18. Lieut. Jones destroys U. S. arsenal at Harper's Ferry to prevent its falling into the hands of the enemy. T h e first troops to
enter Washington for its defense were 400 sol-

MANUAL.
April 20. The Confederates seize the U. S
arsenal at Liberty, Mo.
Confederates seize Norfolk Navy Yard.
The 4th Massachusetts Regiment arrive at
Fortress Monroe.
April 21. Federal Government takes possession of the Philadelphia & Baltimore Railroad.
Harper's Ferry arsenal was burned by its
garrison.

MAJ. WINTHROP.

diers of the 25th Penn. Regiment, under Col.
Cope.
April 19. Steamer Star of the West seized
by Confederates at Indianola, Texas.
Attack on 6th Massachusetts Regiment in
Baltimore.
President Lincoln issued a proclamation by
which ports of South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas are de*
clared to be in a state of blockade.

GEN. FREMONT.

April 22. Confederate troops seize U. S. arsenal at Fayetteville, N. C. The arsenal at Napoleon is seized by ArkansasApril 24. The Confederates under Senator
Boland seize Fort Smith, Ark.
A.pril25. Maj. Sibley surrenders 440 U. S.
troops to the Confederate Colonel Van Dorn, at
Salaria, Texas.

THE AMERICAN
Virginia is proclaimed a member of the
Southern Confederacy by Governor Letcher
April 27. Virginia and Worth Carolina included in the blockade.
All Officers of the Army were required to
take the oath of allegiance.
April 29. The Maryland House of Delegates voted against secession, 63 to 13.
May 1. Worth Carolina Legislature passed
a bill calling a State Convention to meet on the
20th of May;

GEN. D I X .

The Legislature of Tennessee passed an act
in secret session by which the Governor is authorized to form a league with the Southern
Confederacy.
President Lincoln called for 42,000 three
years' volunteers; 22,000 troops for the regular
army, and 18,000 seamen.
May 4. The Department of Ohio, comprising the States of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, put
under command of Gen. McClellan.

89

MANUAL.

May 6. Tennessee secedes. Tennessee Legislature passes a secession ordinance to be submitted to the people.
May 9. Lieut. Col. Beeve and 313 men surrender to Van Dorn, at San Antonio, Texas.
May 10. Gen. L y o n captures Frost's brigade at St. Louis, Mo.
The rebel schooner Atwater captured off Apalachicola.
Gen. Lee assumes command of the rebel army
of Virginia.

GEN. LYON.

May 1 1 . Blockade of Charleston, S. C.
May 1 3 . Queen Victoria issues proclamation of neutrality.
May 16. General Scott fortifies Arlington
Heights.
May 17. Bebels fortify Harper's Ferry.
May 18. General Butler assigned to the
command of the Military Department of Virginia, created, comprising Eastern Virginia,

THE AMERICAN

90

North and South Carolina, with headquarters at
Fortress Monroe.
May 19. Engagement
between Sewall's
Point Battery and four gunboats.
May 20. Worth Carolina secedes.
Governor Magoffin proclaims the neutrality
of Kentucky.
May 2 1 . Tennessee seceded.
May 22. Fortifications of Ship Island destroyed to keep them from the enemy.
May 24. Thirteen thousand troops crossed
the Potomac into Virginia. Alexandria occupied by Federal troops.
Col. "Ellsworth shot by Jackson at Alexandria, Va.; the murderer was instantly killed.

GEN. PIKE.

Arlington Heights occupied by Union troops.
Gen. Butler declared slaves contraband of
war.
May 25. Federal troops destroy bridges on
the Alexandria and Leesburg Railroad.
Ellsworth's funeral in Washington.
May 26. Alexandria put under martial law.
The port of New Orleans blockaded by the
sloop-of-war Brooklyn. All postal service in
the seceded States suspended.

MANUAL.
May 27. Mississippi River blockaded.
Gen. McDowell took command at Washington.
Mobile blockaded.
May 28. Gen. Butler captures Newport
News.
J u n e 1. Lieut. Tompkins, with forty-seven
men, attacks the Confederates at Fairfax Court
House.

GEN. PEMBERTON.

The steamers Freeborn and Anacosta engaged the batteries at Acquia Creek the second
time.
J u n e 3. Hon. S. A. Douglas died in Chicago. Born at Brandon, Vt., April 23, 1813.
Gen. Beauregard assumes command of the
Confederate forces at Manassas Junction, Va.
J u n e 10. Battle of Big Bethel. Major Winthrop, a brilliant scholar, a graduate of Harvard,
killed.

THE AMERICAN
Neutrality in the American conflict is proclaimed by Napoleon I I I .
J u n e 14. Confederates evacuate Harper's
Ferry, after destroying all available property.
J u n e 15. Brig P e r r y arrived at New York
with the privateer Savannah.
J u n e 17. Wheeling Convention unanimously declare Western Virginia independent
of the Confederate portion of the State.

MANUAL.

91

J u n e 29. The Confederate privateer Sumter escaped from New Orleans.
J u l y 1. F i r s t "War Loan of the United States
Government, $250,000,000, is made.
J u l y 4. Congress meets in extra session.
J u l y 6. The W e s t e r n Department, consisting of the State of Illinois and the States and
Territories west of the Mississippi, and east of
the Rocky Mountains, was put under command
of Gen. J. C. Fremont, with headouarters at St.
Louis.

GEN. HOWARD.

J u n e 20, Gen. McClellan assumes command
in person of the army in Western Virginia
J u n e 2 3 . Forty-eight locomotives belonging to the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, valued
at $4,000,000, destroyed by the Confederates.
J u n e 26. The "Wheeling Government of
West Virginia was acknowledged by the President.

J u l y 1 1 . J . M. Mason and R. M. Hunter, of
Virginia; T. L. Clingman and Thomas Bragg,
of North Carolina; L. T. Wigfall and J. U.
Hemphill, of Texas; C. B. Mitchell and W. K.
Sebastian, of Arkansas, and A. O. S. Nicholson,
of Tennessee, were expelled from the United
States Senate.
J u l y 13. The Federals under Col. Lowe
were defeated.

THE AMERICAN

92

President Lincoln is authorized to call out
the militia, and accept the services of 500,000
men.
J u l y 18. Gen. J o h n A. Dix placed in command of the Department of Maryland; headquarters at Baltimore.
J u l y 19. Gen. Banks supersedes Gen. Patterson.
J u l y 20. The Confederate Congress meets
at Richmond.

MANUAL.

Aug. 6. The extra session of Congress
closes.
Aug. 7. The Confederates destroyed the
village of Hampton, Virginia.
Aug. 10. Gen. Lyon killed at Wilson Creek,
Mo.
Aug. 12. President Lincoln appointed the
30th of September as a fast day.

GOV. Y A T E S .

GOV. R A M S E Y .

J u l y 2 2 . Gen. MeClellan takes command
of the Army of the Potomac.
Three-months volunteers begin to return
home.
Aug. 1. The Confederates retreat from Harpe r ^ Ferry to Leesburg.
Aug. 3 . Congress passed the Confiscation
bill, and bill for raising $20,000,000 by direct
taxation.

Aug. 14. Gen. F r e m o n t declares martial law
in St. Louis.
Aug. 16. Gen. "Wool takes command at
Fortress Monroe.
President Lincoln interdicts all commercial
relations with the seceded States.
Sept. 1. The Confederates were defeated at
Booneville.
Sept. 6. Gen. Grant enters Paducah, Ky.
Sept. 1 1 . President Lincoln modifies Gen.
Fremont's emancipation proclamation.
Sept. 18. The Provost Marshal closes the

THE AMERICAN
Maryland Legislature and sends the secession
members to Fort McHenry.
Sept. 2 1 . J o h n C. Breckinridge departs
from Frankfort, Ky., and joins the Confederates.
Oct. 7. The Confederate iron-clad steamer
Merrimac makes its first appearance within
sight of Fortress Monroe.
Oct. 1 1 . Confederate steamer Theodore escapes from Charleston, S. C . with Mason and
Slidell on board.

GEN. S H E R I D A N .

Oct. 29. The second naval expedition, consisting of 8o vessels and 15,000 men, sails from
Fortress Monroe. The naval force under Commodore Dupont; the land forces under Gen.
Sherman.
Nov. 1. G-en. Scott resigns as commanderin-chief of the armies of the United States. Gen.
McClellan appointed in his place.

MANUAL.

98

Nov. 2. Gen. H u n t e r supersedes Gen. Fremont in the command of the Western Department.
The Confederate schooner, Bermuda, runs
the blockade at Savannah.
Nov. 1 1 . Gen. Halleck takes command of
the Western Department.
Nov. 18. Confederate Congress meets.

Nov. 2 1 . The privateer Royal Yacht was
captured by the U. S. vessel Santee, off Galveston, Texas.
Nov. 27. Gen. McClellan directs the observance of the Sabbath in all the camps of the
U. S. army.
Nov. 30. Lord Lyons, the British minister
at Washington, was instructed from Earl Russell
to leave America within seven days, unless the
United States government consent to the unconditional liberation of Messrs. Mason and Slidell.

THE AMERICAN

94

Jefferson Davis was elected President of the
Confederate States.
Dee. 3. Congress meets.
Dec. 4. John C. Breckinridge expelled from
the United States Senate. *
Dec. 9. The Confederate Congress passes a
bill by which Kentucky is admitted into the
Southern Confederacy.

MANUAL.

Feb. 3. The Federal government decided
that the crews of the captured privateers were to
be considered as prisoners of war.
Feb. 6. Commodore Foote with 7 gunboats,
attacked Fort Henry on the Tennessee River.
An unconditional surrender was made by the
Confederate commander, General Tilghman.

SIMON

LORD LYONS.

Dec. 23. Troops sent to Canada by the British government as a precaution against possible
aggression by the U. S.
Dec. 30. Cash payments were suspended by
the New York banks
1862.
J a n . 1. Mason and Slidell leave Fort Warren for England in the British steamer Rinaldo.
Jan. 11. Simon Cameron resigns his position as Secretary of War. E. M. Stanton is
appointed in his place.

CAMERON.

Feb. 8. Gen. Burnside captures six forts on
Roanoke Island.
Feb. 10. Elizabeth City, N. C , surrendered
to Gen. Burnside.
Feb. 13. G-en. Curtis takes possession of
Springfield, Mo.
Feb. 14. Com. Foote attacked Fort Donelson with the gunboats, and was compelled to
withdraw.
Feb. 2 1 . The Federals weie defeated at Fort
Craig, New Mexico, by the Texans.
Feb. 22. Jefferson Davis inaugurated Presi-

THE AMERICAN
dent, and A. H. Stephens Vice-President, of the
Southern Confederacy.
Feb. 24. The Union troops occupied Nashville, Tenn.
Feb. 27. Columbus was evacuated by the
Confederates.
March 1. Two Union gunboats and a Confederate battery have a fight at Pittsburgh Landing.

MANUAL.

95

March 1 1 . G-en. McOlellan takes command
of the Army of the Potomac; Gen. Fremont, of
the Mountain Department; Gen. Halleck, of the
Department of the Mississippi.
March 12. Com. Dupont takes possession of
Jacksonville, Fla.
April 1 1 . Gen. Mitchell occupies Huntsville, Ala., taking 200 prisoners, 15 locomotives,
and a large number of cars.

EDWIN M. STANTON.

GEN. BURNSIDE.

March 4. Andrew Johnson was appointed
military governor of Tennessee.
Pike's Opera House, Cincinnati, burned.
March 6. President Lincoln proposed a plan
of pecuniary assistance for the emancipation of
the slaves in any States adopting an abolition
policy.
March 9. Battle between the Confederate
iron-clad, Merrimac, and the Federal floating
battery, Monitor; the former compelled to retire.

Congress passed a bill abolishing slavery in the
District of Columbia.
April 28. Forts Jackson and St. Philip surrender.
May 3. The Confederates evacuate Yorktown, Jamestown, and Mulberry and Gloucester
islands, leaving ammunition, camp equipage,
and 100 guns behind.
May 9. The Confederates evacuated Pensacola, and destroyed the Navy Yard.

THE AMERICAN

96

May 10. The Federal forces took possession
of Norfolk, Va., Gosport Navy Yard destroyed by the Confederates. Gunboat fight on
the Mississippi, near Fort Wright; the Confederates were repulsed, losing two vessels.
May 1 1 . The Confederates blow up their
iron-clad Merrimac, to prevent its capture by
the United States forces.
May 12. Natchez, Miss., surrendered to
Com. Farragut.

MANUAL.

June 9. The United States Senate decree
the abolition of slavery in all the Territories of
the Union.
June 17. Col. Fitch destroyed a Confederate
battery at St. Charles, Ark.
June 18. Union troops occupy Cumberland
Gap.
J u n e 26. General Pope assigned to the
command of the Army of Virginia. The Con-

HUMPHREY MARSHALL.
GOV. C. P . M O R T O N .

May 17. Confederates driven across the
Chickahominy, at Bottom Bridge.
May 18. Gen. Cox engages the Confederate
General Humphrey Marshall, at Princeton, Va.
May 29. Confederates evacuated Corinth,
Miss.
Corinth taken.
June 6. After a naval battle, Memphis surrendered to the Union troops.

federates under Gen. Robert E. Lee attacked
McClellan's right wing at Mechanicsville. Battle undecided.
July 1. President Lincoln calls for 300,000
additional volunteers.
July 11. Gen. Halleck appointed commander of all the land forces of the United States.
July 17. President Lincoln sanctions a bill
confiscating the property and emancipating the
slaves of all persons who shall continue in arms
against the Union for 60 days.

THE AMERICAN
J u l y 19. Severe skirmish at Memphis, Tennessee ; Union loss, 6 killed and 32 wounded.
J u l y 2 1 . J o h n S. Phelps appointed military
Governor of Arkansas.
Aug. 3. G-en. Halleek orders Gen. McClellan to evacuate the Peninsula of Virginia.
A.ug. 4. The Secretary of W a r orders a draft
of 300,000 men.
Aug. 5. Gf-en. Robert McOook murdered by

MANUAL.

97

Aug. 25. Confederates made an unsuccessful attack at Fort Donelson.
Sept. 2. G-en. McClellan appointed to the
command of the troops for the defense of Washington.
Sept. 5. Confederates begin crossing the
Potomac into Maryland.
Sept. 7- Gen. Banks is assigned to the command of the fortifications in and around Wash-

GEN. HALLECK.
GENERAL LEE.

the Confederates while wounded, and riding in
an ambulance. The Confederate General J. C.
Breckinridge made an unsuccessful attack on
Baton Rouge, La.
Aug. 7. Col. Oanby engages the Confederate
General Sibley at Fort Filmore, N. M.
Aug. 16. Gren. McClellan evacuates Harrison's Landing.
Aug. 19. Gen "Wright placed in command
of the Department of the Ohio.

ington. General McClellan takes the field at
the head of the Army of the Potomac.
Cumberland Gap evacuated by the Federals.
Sept. 18. The Confederates recrossed the
Potomac into Virginia, having been in Maryland two weeks. Evacuated Harper's Ferry.
President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation issued.
Sept. 25. Habeas corpus suspended by the
United States Government.

THE AMERICAN

98

Sept, 29. Gen. Nelson was shot by Gen.
Jeff C. Davis, at Louisville, Ky.
Oct. 18. The Confederate Gen. Morgan
occupies Lexington, Ky.
Oct. 19. The Confederate Gen. Forrest defeated near Gallatin, Tenn.
Oct. 22. Confederate salt works in Florida
destroyed.
Oct. 30. Gen. Bosecrans assumes command
of the Army of the Cumberland.

GEN. FORREST.

Gen. Mitchell dies at Port Royal, S. C.
Nov. 5. Gen. McClellan relieved of the command of the Army of the Potomac, and Gen.
Burnside succeeds him.
Nov. 16. President Lincoln enjoins on the
United States forces the orderly observance of
the Sabbath.
Nov. 22. The Political State prisoners released.

MANUAL.

Dec. 6. Gen. Banks' Expedition sails for
New Orleans.
Dec. 7- The Confederates were defeated
with heavy loss.
Dec. 11. The City of Fredericksburg bombarded by the Union troops, under cover of
which they crossed the Rappahannock.
Dec. 13. Gen. Thomas Francis Meagher engages in the battle of Fredericksburg.

GEN, MEAGHER.

Dec. 14. Gen Banks supersedes Gen. Butler
at New Orleans.
Dec. 16. Gen. Burnside's army removed
to the north side of the Rappahannock.
Dec. 17. The Union troops occupy Baton
Rouge, La.
Dec. 19. The Confederates recapture Holly
Springs, Miss., taking the garrison prisoners.

THE AMERICAN
Dec. 2 3 . The Confederates repulsed by
Gen. Sigel at Dumphries, Va.
Dec. 2 8 . Second Attack on Vicksburg.
The Federals drive the Confederates from the
first and second lines of defense and advance to
within two and a half miles of Vicksburg.
Gen. Blunt entered Van Buren, Ark., capturing four steamboats laden with provisions.
Dec. 29. The Confederates attack Gen.

99

MANUAL.

The Westfleld destroyed to keep it from falling into the hands of the enemy. Commodore
Renshaw perishes with his vessel.
President Lincoln publishes a proclamation
confirming his manifesto of Sept. 22, 1862, and
declares all the slaves in the Confederate States
free, and under the military protection of the
United States.
1863.
Jan. 3. On the night of Jan. 3, the rebels
commence their retreat from Murfreesboro.

GEN. SIBLEY.

Sherman with their whole force, and drive him
back to the first line of defense.
Dec. 31. Battle of Murfreesboro, or Stone
River.
The Union army numbers 45,000
men under Gen. Rosecrans.
Deaths in the United States in 1862. Cornelius C. Felton, scholar and critic, President of
Harvard University, aged 55 years. Theodore
Frelinghuysen, statesman, aged 75 years.

GEN. SIGEL.

The Federal army withdraws from before
Vicksburg.
Jan. 28. Gen. Burnside relieved of the command of the Army of the Potomac, and Gen
Hooker appointed in his place.
Gens. Sumner and Franklin relieved from duty in the Army of the Potomac.
Feb. 2. The Federal ram Queen of the

THE AMERICAN

100

West ran the blockade at Vicksburg, but was
captured a few days after by the Confederates.
The negro brigade take Jacksonville, Florida.
Major General Burnside appointed to command the Department of the Ohio.
May 1. Gen. Carter, with 5,000 men, attacked
the Confederate forces at Monticello, under
Pegram, and drove them from the field.
Battle of Fort G-ibson. Gen. Grant defeated
Gen. Bowen.

GEN.

HOOKER.

May 2. On the morning of the 17th of
April, 1863, the 6th and 7th Illinois cavalry,
900 strong, under command of Col. Grierson, of
the 6th Illinois, set out from Lagrange, Tenn.,
marched through the center of Mississippi, destroying as they went railroads, bridges and
stores of all kinds belonging to the Confederates,
in immense quantities. They reached Baton
Rouge, La., on the evening of the 2d of May.

MANUAL.

They had traveled nearly 800 miles in 16 days.
At several points the enemy made great attempts
to capture them, but failed. They brought into
Baton Rouge over 1,000 horses and a large
number of cattle; 500 negroes followed them.
May 8. Col. Streight's command of 1,700
men were captured by Forest's cavalry, two
miles from Cedar Bluff Ga., after severe fighting.

COL.

GRIERSON.

The Confederate General, Van Dorn, killed
by Dr. Peters in Manny county, Tenn.
May 9. Col. Jacobs routed a guerilla force
near Horse Shoe Bend on the Cumberland River.
May 10. The Confederate General, Stonewall (Thos. J.) Jackson, died at Richmond, Va.,
of wounds and pneumonia.
May 12. G-en. McPherson attacks Raymond ?
Miss.

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

101

May 18. Investment of Vicksburg by the
Federals under Gen. Grant and Admiral Porter.
May 25. Confederate navy yard destroyed
at Yazoo City.
May 27. Gen. Banks commences the siege
of the forts at Port Hudson, Miss.
June 1. Gen. Hunter removed from the v
command of the Department of the South
Gen. Gilmore succeeds him.

July 8. Major General Gardner surrendered.
July 13-16. Riots take place in New York,
Boston, and other Union cities, in consequence
of the enforcement of a conscription decree.
July 13, 14, 15. Draft Riots in New York
City. Mobs have possession of the city for
three days. Offices where the draft was going
on were demolished, and the buildings were
burned. Several negroes were murdered. The

June 17. Federal cavalry under Col. Kilpatrick encountered Gen. Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry brigade near Aldie, Va.
June 21. Gen. MeClernard removed by
Grant, and Gen. Ord succeeds him.
June 26. Rear Admiral Poote died in New
York City.
June 29. Gen. Hooker relieved of his command of the Army of the Potomac at his own
request. Gen. Meade succeeds him.
Rosecrans drives Bragg from Tullahoma.

colored orphan asylum on Fifth Avenue was
pillaged and burnt down. Several persons were
killed during the prevalence of the riot. The
city paid above' $1,500,000 as indemnity for
losses that occurred during the riot.
July 22 Chattanooga was shelled by Col.
Wilder of Rosecrans' advance.
July 23. Eight H u n d r e d men of Gen. Spinola's brigade utterly routed twice their number

GEN. KILPATRICK.

102

THE AMERICAN

of Georgia and North Carolina troops at Manassas Gap.
Kentucky again invaded. Kit Carson, with a
part of the first New Mexico regiment, defeats
the Navajoe Indians in a severe fight beyond
Fort Canby.
Aug. 7. President Lincoln rejects the demand for the suppression of the conscription in
the State of New York.

REAR ADMIRAL FOOTE.

Aug. 17. Lieut. Col. Phillips attacked the
Confederate forces at Grenada, Miss., under
command of Gen. Slimmer, and drove them
from the place.
Aug. 20. The town of Lawrence, Kan., was
surprised in the middle of the night by 300
guerillas under the leadership of Quantrell.
The town was set on fire and 182 buildings
burned to the ground, and $2,000,000 worth of

MANUAL.
property destroyed; 191 persons were killed,
many of whom were helpless women and children; 581 were wounded, many of them mortally. About 80 of the murderers were killed.
Sept. 4. Burnside occupies Knoxville, Tenn.
Sept. 9. General Crittenden's division of
Rosecrans' army enters Chattanooga.
Sept. 10. Gen. Steele takes possession of Little Rock, Ark.

GEN. MEADE.

Sept. 15. President Lincoln suspends the
Habeas Corpus act.
Oct. 9. "Wheeler's Confederate cavalry was
defeated with considerable loss at Farmington,
Tennessee, and again near Shelbyville.
Oct. 20. The Departments of the Cumberland and Mississippi consolidated and placed
under the command of General Grant.
Gen. Rosecrans removed, and Gen. Thompson appointed in his place.

THE AMERICAN
Nov. 5. Brownsville, Texas, captured.
Nov. 25. The Confederate army under
Bragg defeated near Chattanooga.
Nov. The First Fenian convention assembled at Chicago. According to tradition the
Fenians or Finians were a national militia established in Ireland by Fin or Fionn, the son of
Cumbal.
Dec. 4. Gen. Longstreet commences the
siege of Knoxville, Nov. 17.

MA

WUAL.

103

Feb. 2 2 . A skirmish between Union troops
and the Confederates under Gen. Mosby.
March 8. Gen. Grant formally presented
by the President with his commission as Lieut.
General, and on the 12th assigned to the command of the armies of the United States.
April 12. General Forrest captures Fort
Pillow, and immediately after commences an indiscriminate massacre of our wounded soldiers*

GEN. BRAGG.

G E N . MOSBY.

1864.
Feb. 1. President Lincoln orders a draft
for 500,000 men.
Feb. 9. A large number of prisoners, including Col. Streight, escape from Libby Prison,
Richmond.
Feb. 15. Gen. W . T. Sherman with his
troops arrives at Meridian, Miss., on his great
raid into the heart of the enemy's country.

both colored and white, not excepting women
and children who had taken refuge in the fort.
April 23. The Governors of Ohio, Illinois,
Iowa, Wisconsin, and Indiana offer to raise for
the general Government 85,000 men for one
hundred days.
April 26. Government accepts services of
one-hundred day men, and appropriates $20,000,000 for their payment.

THE AMERICAN

104

May 5. Draft ordered in Massachusetts,
New Jersey, Ohio, Minnesota, Kentucky a n d
Maryland.
Gen. Butler lands on the south side of t h e
James.
May 8. Sherman occupies Dalton.
May 16. Nathaniel Hawthorne, American
novelist, died, aged 55 years.
May 2 3 . Confederates forced to evacuate
their fortifications near Spottsylvania C. H.

MANUAL.
J u n e 12. Gen. Hancock drives the Confederates from Bottom Bridge at the point of the
bayonet.
J u n e 14. Gen. Leonidas Polk killed at Pine
Mountain, Ga.
J u n e 30. Secretary Chase resigns, and Hon.
Wm. Fessenden was appointed to fill the vacancy.
J u l y 5. The Confederates under Early invaded Maryland.

GEN. POLK.

GEN. SHERMAN.

John Morgan enters Kentucky with 4,000 men.
May 27. Grant crosses the Pamunkey, and
occupies Hanovertown.
May 30. Gen. Grant reaches Mechanicsville.
J u n e 8. Abraham Lincoln and Andrew
Johnson nominated for President and VicePresident.

J u l y 22. Gen. McPherson killed at the battle of Atlanta.
J u l y 30. A mine containing six tons of
powder, under a Confederate fort at Petersburg,
explodes, destroying the fort and garrison.
Chambersburg, P a . , burned by the Confederates.
Aug. 5. Commodore Farragut's fleet passes
Forts Morgan and Gaines. The Confederate
ram Tennessee is captured, and several other ves-

THE AMERICAN
sels destroyed. Shortly after Fort Gaines surrenders, and Fort Powell is evacuated.
j
Aug, 18. The Weldon Railroad is seized
by Gen. Grant.
Aug. 23. Fort Morgan surrenders.
Sept. 2. The Federal troops take possession
of Atlanta.
Sept. 7. The Confederate General John
Morgan killed near Greenville, Tennessee.

MANUAL.

Oct. 31. Union troops recapture Plymouth,
N. C.
Nov. 8. The Presidential election takes
place.
Lincoln and Johnson receive 212,
McClellan and Pendleton twenty-one electoral
votes.
McClellan resigns his command in the
trmy.

DAVID
GEN.

MACPHERSON.

Sept. 16. Engagement between Gens. Gregg
and Kantz, and Confederate General Wade
Hampton.
Sept. 28. Gen. Grant advanced his lines on
the north side of the James River to within
seven miles of Richmond. The Confederates
under General Sterling Price invade Missouri.
Oct. 7. The pirate vessel Florida captured
hy the United States steamship Wachusett.

lo5

G. F A R R A G U T .

Nov. 16. General Sherman leaves Atlanta and begins his great march to the Atlantic.
Dec. 29. Hood's army crosses the Tennessee River, thus ending the Tennessee campaign.
1865.
Jan. 3. Massachusetts ratified the Constitutional amendment.
Jan. 8. General Butler removed from the

106

THE AMERICAN

command of the Army of the James. He was
succeeded by Gen. Ord.
J a n . 15. Edward Everett, American Statesman and distinguished orator, dies, aged 71
years.
J a n . 20. Confederates evacuate Corinth.
Jan. 27. Confederate incendiaries set fire to
the city of Savannah.
Feb. 1. Congress abolishes slavery in the
United States.
Illinois ratifies the Constitutional amendment.

MANUAL,
Gen. Sherman's victorious columns enter
Columbia, S. C , and burn the city.
Feb. 18. Gen. Lee assumes supreme command of the Confederate armies, and recommends arming of the blacks.
Charleston, S. C , evacuated, and taken possession of by Gen. Gilmore. Six thousand
bales of cotton destroyed. Ammunition stored
in the railroad depot explodes, and many lives

GEN. WADE HAMPTON.

Feb. 2. Maryland, Michigan, New York
and Rhode Island ratify the Constitutional
amendment.
F e b . 4. Illinois black laws are repealed.
Feb. 7. Maine ratifies the Constitutional
amendment.
Feb. 12. Gen. Sherman occupies Branchville, S. C.
F e b . 13. Indiana ratifies the Constitutional
amendment.
Feb. 17. Louisiana ratifies the Constitutional amendment

STERLING PRICE.

were lost. Gen. Gilmore hoists the U. S. nag
over Fort Sumter.
Feb. 19. Fort Anderson, N. C , is taken.
Feb. 2 1 . "Wisconsin ratines the Constitutional amendment. Fort Armstrong, N. C ,
taken.
F e b , 22. Confederate Congress decrees that
the slaves shall be armed.
Feb. 23. Kaleigh, K". C , was captured.
Governor Vance captured.
March 4. Inauguration of Abraham Lin-

THE AMERICAN
coin and Andrew Johnson as President and
Vice-President of the United States.
Gen. Sherman occupies Fayetteville, N. C.
March 13. Gen. Schofield occupies Kingston.
March 16. Confederate Gen. Hardee was defeated at Averysboro, N. C.
March 17. Confederate Congress adjourns
"sine die."

MANUAL.

107

April 14. President Lincoln shot by J.
Wilkes Booth in Ford's Theater, Washington;
Mr. Seward and his son wounded.
April 15. Death of President Lincoln. VicePresident Johnson sworn in as President of the
United States.
April 26. Gen. Johnson surrenders.
April 27. Booth, the murderer of President
Lincoln, mortally wounded and captured.

ANDREW JOHNSON.

March 19. Confederate Gen. Johnson defeated at Bentonville, N. C.
March 25. Confederates attack Gen. Grant,
and are severely defeated.
April 3. Bichmond taken.
April 8. Surrender of Gen. Lee and his
whole army at Appomattox Court House, Va.
April 12. The Union flag hoisted at Fort
Sumter.
April 13. Drafting and recruiting stopped.

DR. BELLOWS.

May 4. General Dick Taylor surrenders.
May 10. Jefferson Davis captured at Irwinville, 75 miles southwest of 3\iaeon, Ga., by the
4th Michigan cavalry, under Col. Pritchard, of
Gen. Wilson's command; also his wife, mother.
Postmaster-General Regan, Col. Harrison, private secretary, Col. Johnson, and other military
characters.

103

WHE AMERICAN

May 19. Confederate Gov. Watts, of Alabama, was arrested.
May 2 1 . Confederate Gov. Letcher, of Virginia, is arrested.
May 24. Grand Review of Gen. Sherman's
army occurs at Washington.
Jefferson Davis indicted for treason.
May 26. Kirby Smith surrenders. The last
a*-med Confederate organization succumbs.

S T E P H E N A. D O U G L A S .

May 3 1 . Confederate Gen. Hood and staff
surrender.
J u n e 22. President Johnson rescinded order
requiring passports from all travelers entering
the United States, and opened Southern ports.
J u l y 7. Execution of Payne, Atzerott, Harold, and Mrs. Surratt, for complicity in the assassination of President Lincoln.
Oct. 1 1 . Pardon of Alexander Stephens and
other Southern officials.

MANUAL.
Nov. 9. Confederate privateer Shenandoah
surrendered at Liverpool, having destroyed
about 30 vessels; crew released.
35Tov. 10. Execution of Wirz, the Confederate prison-keeper, for cruelty to Union prisoners.
1866.
Jan. 28. Hon. Thomas Chandler died.
Feb. 19. President vetoed. Freedmen's
Bureau bill. This bill required the Govern-

J O H N ROSS.

ment to take care of the emancipated slaves and
destitute whites of the South.
March 14. J a r e d Sparks, historian, dies.
March 27. President Johnson vetoed Civil
Rights bill. This bill guaranteed the same
rights to the negro, in every particular, as those
enjoyed by the white man.
April 2. President Johnson issued a proclamation declaring that the insurrection which
heretofore existed in the States of Georgia,

THE AMERICAN
South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi and Florida, is at an end, and henceforth
to be so regarded.
April 9. Civil Bights Bill was passed over
the President's veto.
April 12. Hon. Daniel S. Dickinson dies.
May 16. President Johnson vetoed the admission of Colorado as a State.

100

MANUAL.

July 16. Freedmen's Bureau bill became a
law.
J u l y 30. Major-General Lysander Cutler
dies.
Aug. 14. National Union Convention assembles in Philadelphia wigwam.
Sept. 1. Southern Unionists Convention assembles in Philadelphia.
Sept. 7. Matthias W . Baldwin, pioneer ir»
American locomotives, dies.

GIDEON WELLES.

May 29. Death of General Winfleld Scott,
aged So years,
J u n e 7 • President Johnson issued a proclamation against the Fenian movement in the
United States.
Fenians from the United States made a raid
into Canada.
J u n e 17. Hon. Lewis Cass dies.
J u l y 13-27. The Atlantic Telegraph is successfully laid between Great Britain and America.

GEN. PLEASONTON.

Oct. 13. " P r i n c e ' ' John Van Buren, son of
Martin, dies.
Dec. 13. Congress passes a bill giving negroes the right to vote in the District of Columbia.
Dec. 26.
dies.

Major-General Samuel R. Curtis

110

THE AMERICAN

1867.
J a n . 9. Virginia rejected the Fourteenth
Amendment.
This amendment guaranteed
civil rights to all, regardless of race or color.
Jan. 10. Congress passed a bill providing
for "universal suffrage" in the Territories.
Jan. 29. The bill to admit Nebraska is vetoed by President Johnson.
F e b . 6. Delaware and Louisiana rejected
Constitutional amendment.

MANUAL.
May 9. General strike of working men
throughout the States.
May 13. Jefferson Davis was admitted to
bail at Richmond, Va.
J u n e 3. Gen. Sheridan removed Gen.
Welles, of Louisiana, and on the 6th appointed
B. F . Flanders, Governor.
J u l y 1 1 . Keciprocity treaty between the
United States and the Hawaiian Islands.

CASSIUS M . CLAY.

GEN.

MITCHELL.

F e b . 8. Nebraska is admitted as a State.
Feb. 25. Tenure of Office bill was passed
over President's veto. This bill makes the consent of the Senate necessary before the President can remove any person from a civil office.
Feb. 30. I t was announced at Washington
that Russia cedes Alaska to the United States.
May 3. Eight-hour riots in Chicago.

J u l y 24. KTew York State Constitutional
Convention rejects the proposition of woman
suffrage.
J u l y 30. General Sheridan removed Governor Throckmorton, of Texas.
Aug. 5. Secretary Stanton was requested by
the President to resign, but refused.
Aug. 12. Stanton is suspended, and Gen.
Grant is appointed Secretary of War ad interim.
Aug. 17. General Sheridan was relieved at
New Orleans.

THE AMERICAN
Aug. 10. National Labor Congress met at
Chicago.
Sept. 8. President issued amnesty proclamation.
Sept. 30. Negro riots in Savannah, Ga.
Oct. 3. "Whisky riot in Philadelphia.
Nov. 2. General Sherman announces Indian war to be at an end.
Nov. 14. Denmark concluded a treaty by
which the islands of St. Thomas, San Juan, and

MANUAL.

Ill

J a n . 6. Congress Met. The President is censured in the House for removing General Sheridan.
Gen. Meade assumes command of the third
military district, consisting oi Alabama, Georgia and Florida.
House of Representatives passes a bill making eight hours a day's work for Government
laborers.

J O H N CALDWELL CALHOUN.

Santa Cruz were ceded and sold to the United
States
Nov. 22. Jefferson Davis returned to Richmond, Va.
Dee. 7. Resolution of Judiciary Committee
to impeach President Johnson was voted down
in the House—102 to 57.
1868.
Jan. 2. Governor Flanders of Louisiana
resigns, and Joshua Baker is appointed his successor by Gen. Hancock.

JOSEPH H 0 0 K B B .

Jan. 10. Secretary Seward announced to
the House that 21 States had ratified the 14th
article of the amendment to the Constitution
Jan. 11. The Chinese Government appointed Anson Burlingame, formerly United States
Minister in Pekin, its special envoy to all the
treaty powers, at a salary of $40,000.
Jan. 13. The United States House of Representatives passes a bill declaring that five
members shall constitute a quorum of the Su-

112

THE AMERICAN

preme Court, and that a concurrence of twothirds of all the members shall be necessary to
a decision adverse to the validity of any law
passed by Congress.
T h e Senate reinstated Stanton.
J a n . 14. The Virginia Constitutional Convention declares that Virginia shall forever remain in the Union, and that slavery is forever
abolished in the State.

MANUAL.

Feb. 5. Congress passed a bill authorizing
the Secretary of War to employ counsel to defend Generals or other persons intrusted with
reconstruction in cases brought against them for
their acts under the reconstruction laws.
Thermometer 51 degrees below zero in Wisconsin.
Feb. 13. Another attempt
impeach President Johnson.

is made

to

GOV. C U R T I N .

j . p. BENJAMIN.

General Grant vacated War Office in favor of
Secretary Stanton.
Jan. 15. Gen. Pope was assigned to the
command of the Department of the Lakes with
neadquarters at Detroit.
J a n . 24. Fifty, thousand American breechloading rifles were ordered by the Spanish Minister of War.
Jan. 29. The President instructs Gen.
Grant in writing, not to obey any orders from the
War Department, unless authorized by himself.,

Feb. 18. Senate bill is passed for the reduction of the army.
Feb. 21. The President ordered the removal of Secretary Stanton from the war office, and
authorized Gen. Thomas to act as Secretary of
War ad interim. Stanton decided to retain personal possession of the office until action ,in the
matter be taken by the Senate. The Senate
disapproved the action of the President, declaring it to be unconstitutional.
Feb. 22. Adjutant-General Thomas arrest-

THE AMERICAN
ed for violation of the tenure of office bill on
complaint of Secretary Stanton. He is released
on $10,000 bail.

Feb. 2 3 . Conclusion of a treaty between
the North German Confederation and the
United States, concerning the nationality of persons emigrating from one of the two countries
to the other.

Feb. 24. The United States House of Representatives resolve by a vote of 126 to 47, that
"Andrew Johnson, President of the United
States, be impeached of high crimes and misdemeanors." The President sends a message to
the Senate vindicating his position.
Feb. 25. The Committee of the House appoints Boutwell, Stevens, Bingham and Wilson,
a sub-committee to take evidence and prepare
articles of impeachment.
T h e Florida Convention adopts the new Constitution.

MANUAL.

113

The House informs the Senate and presents
their action in regard to the impeachment of
President Johnson.
Governor Ward of New Jersey, vetoes resolution of Legislature withdrawing ratification of
Fourteenth Amendment.
Feb. 26. G-en. L. Thomas discharged from
arrest and began a suit against Secretary Stanton for false imprisonment and malicious prosecution, setting his damages at $150,000.

T. J. PORTER.

An amendatory reconstruction bill passes
Congress, providing that any election in the
Southern States should be decided by a majority of the votes actually cast.
March 2. The Senate adopts a code of procedure for an impeachment trial.
The House adopts nine articles of impeachment, and appoints seven managers of the impeachment trial.

114

THE

AMERICAN

March 5. New Jersey Senate passes over
Gov. Ward's veto as to amendment; the lower
House does the same.
March 6. President Johnson was summoned to appear before the courts of impeachment, on the i8th of March.
March 12. The House passes the bill to
abolish the tax on manufacturers.
Trial of Jeff Davis is postponed until April
14th.

March 13. The President asks forty days'
time to prepare his answer to the articles of impeachment. The Senate extends the time till
March 23.
March 18. The House passes the bill providing that in case of the death or removal of
the Chief-Justice, the senior Associate Justice of
the Supreme Court shall perform the duties of
Chief-Justice.
March 23. The High Court of Impeach-

MANUAL.
ment opens for the trial of President Johnson.
The President filed his answer to the articles of
impeachment. His counsel asks for further delay.
March 26. The Senate passes the Habeas
Corpus appeal bill over the President's veto.
They also ratify the treaty with the North German Confederation, recognizing the rights of
naturalized citizens.

COM. GOLDSBOROUGH.

March 27- The House passes the Supreme
Court bill over the President's veto.
March 28. A new indictment is found
against Jeff Davis by the United States Grand
Jury at Richmond.
March 30. G-. A. Ashburn, a member of the
Constitutional Convention, was assassinated at
Columbus, Ga.
Gen. B. F . Butler of Massachusetts, opens in

THE

AMERICAN

the Court of Impeachment, the prosecution on
the part of the managers.
April 2. N o r t h Q-erman Parliament passes
the neutralization treaty with the United States*
April 4. The case for the prosecution in the
Court of Impeachment is closed.
General Schofield appoints Henry H. Wells
Governor of Virginia.
April 6. Michigan votes against negro suffrage.

MANUAL.

115

May 2 1 . U. S. Grant was nominated by the
Republicans at Chicago as candidate for President, and Schuyler Colfax for Vice-President
May 22. Arrival of Chinese Embassy in
New York.
May 26. Impeachment trial concluded, and
the President found not guilty.
May 30. The Grand Army of the Republic
decorated with flowers the graves of the Union
soldiers in the cemeteries throughout the
country.

JOHN TYLER.

April 9. The counsel for President Johnson
opens the argument for the defense in the Court
of Impeachment.
April 20. Evidence in the impeachment
case closed.
April 2 3 . Charles Dickens left the United
States.
April 24. A treaty of peace was concluded
with the Sioux Indians.
May 6. Argument in the impeachment trial
/was closed.

G. P. T. BEAUREGARD.

J u n e 1. Ex-President James Buchanan
died.
J u n e 3. Trial of Jeff Davis again postponed
till November.
J u n e 4. Ex-President Buchanan buried at
Wheatland, Penn.
J u n e 10. The Senate passes a bill for the
admission of the Southern States with only five
negative votes.

THE

116

AMERICAN

J u n e 12. Reverdy Johnson confirmed as
Minister to England.
J u n e 16. Governor Humphreys, of Mississippi, removed by G-en. McDowell, Gen.
Ames appointed military governor in his stead.
J u n e 19. The House passes the Senate bill
giving thanks to Secretary Stanton.
J u n e 20. The House passes the bill for the
admission of Arkansas over the President's veto
without debate.

MANUAL.
gaged in the late rebellion except those alreadyindicted for treason or other felony.
J u l y 2 1 . Congress passes a resolution declaring the 14th article ratified. The Senate
passes a resolution appealing to the Turkish
government in behalf of the Cretans.
Aug. 1. General Jeff C. Davis is assigned
to the command of the military district of
Alaska.

JERE S. BLACK.
GEN. MEIGS.

June 22. King of Belgium reviewed United
States squadron under Farragut off Ostend.
J u n e 24. The Senate ratines the Chinese
treaty. The House passes a bill for the immediate reorganization of the States of Virginia,
Mississippi and Texas.
June 25. The Freedmen's Bureau bift
passed over the President's vote.
July 4. President Johnson issues a proclamation of general amnesty and pardon to all en-

Sept. 18. Gen. Hindman was assassinated
at Helena, Arkansas.
Oct. 7. Death of Gen. Adam J. Slemmer
oceurs at Fort Laramie.
James Hind, member of Congress from Arkansas, is assassinated.
Nov, 3. Iowa and Minnesota vote in favor
of negro suffrage, and Missouri against it.
Nov. 23. Gen. Howard issues an order for
the discontinuance of the Freedmen's Bureau

THE AMERICAN
after January i, except the educational department, and the collection of money due to
soldiers.
Dec. 25. President Johnson issues a universal amnesty proclamation.
Dee. 29. Mosby Clark, a revolutionary
soldier, died at Richmond, Va., at the advanced
age of i2i years.
Dec. 3 1 . General Sheridan captures the Indian chiefs, Santanta and Lone Wolf.

MANUAL.

117

T h e Secretary of trie Navy accepts the transfer of League Island by the city of Philadelphia
to the Government for a navy yard.
1869.
Feb. 20. Martial law is declared in Tennessee.
F e b . 22-26.
Congress passed Fifteenth
Amendment. Kansas was the first State (Feb.
27), to ratify it, though imperfectly, and Delaware the first to reject it.

L. WALLACE.
GENT. H A N C O C K .

The house passes the bill repealing an act
prohibiting the organization of militia in all the
reconstructed States except Georgia; also a resolution allowing women in the government employ the wages of men for the same work.
The Senate denounces the views of President
Johnson on the national debt; also passes a resolution disapproving the President's financial
recommendations.

March 25. Pennsylvania ratified Fifteenth
Amendment.
April 13. Senate rejected Alabama treaty
with Great Britain.
May 13. "Woman Suffrage Convention in
New York city.
May 19. President Grant proclaimed that
there be no reduction in Government laborers'
wages because of reduction of hours.
J u n e 18. Hon. H e n r y J . Raymond, of N.
T. Times, dies.

118

THE AMERICAN

July 13. Completion of Atlantic cable from
Brest to St. Pierre; thence to Duxbury, Mass.
Aug 16. National Labor Convention, Philadelphia.
Sept. 1. National Temperance Convention,
Chicago.
Sept. 8. Hon. William Pitt Fessenden dies.
Sept. 10. Hon. John Bell dies.
Sept. 16. Hon. John Minor Botts dies.

MANUAL.
Dec. 24.

Jan.
Union.
Feb.
Act of
Feb.

26.

Hon. Edwin M. Stanton died.
1870.
Virginia is re-admitted into the

9. U. S. Signal Bureau established by
Congress.
17. Mississippi was re-admitted into the

GEN. PICKETT.

REVERDY JOHNSON.

Sept, 24. Black Friday. So named on account of the losses on gold speculations, etc.
Oct. 8. Virginia ratifies Fourteenth and
Fifteenth Amendments.
Ex-President Franklin Pierce died.
Nov. 4. George Peabody died.
Nov. 6. Admiral Charles Stewart dies.
Nov. 24. National Woman-suffrage Convention, Cleveland, Ohio; Henry Ward Beecher
was chosen President.

Feb. 23. Hon. Anson Burlingame dies.
March 28. Maj or-General George H. Thomas died.
March 29. Texas is re-admitted to representation in Congress, thus completing the work of
reconstruction.
March 30. President G-rant announced the
adoption of the Fifteenth Amendment.
July 12. Admiral John A. Dahlgren died.
Aug. 14. Admiral David G. Farragut died.

THE AMERICAN
Aug;. 15» N a t i o n a l I^abor Congress, Cincinnati.
A u g . 2 2 . P r e s i d e n t G r a n t issued a proclamation enjoining neutrality as to war between France
and Prussia.
Aug:. 2 3 . I r i s h N a t i o n a l Congress convenes,
Cincinnati.
O c t . 4 . S e c o n d S o u t h e r n Commercial convention, Cincinnati.
1871.
J a n . 2 0 . M o t i o n t o s t r i f e e out the word "male"
in the section of the Fourteenth Amendment giving
the elective franchise to all male citizens, was defeated
in the House of Representatives; vote, 55 to 117.
J a n . 2 6 . T h e i n c o m e tax was repealed.
F e b , 2 2 . A r r i v a l in New York of the British
members of the Joint High Commission.
M a r c h 2 4 . P r e s i d e n t G r a n t , by proclamation
orders certain bands of armed men in South Carolina
to disperse within thirty days.
A p r i l 2 6 . T h e U n i t e d S t a t e s Supreme Court
decides that the general government cannot tax the
salaries of State officials.
J u n e 17. T h e r a t i f i c a t i o n of the treaty of
Washington was exchanged in I,ondon.
J u n e 2 4 . C o r n e r s t o n e of the Capitol was laid
in Albany.
J u l y 4 . P r e s i d e n t G r a n t proclaimed the complete ratification of the Treaty of Washington.
J u l y 1 2 . O r a n g e m e n r i o t . On the occasion
of a procession of Protestant Orangemen in New York,
they were attacked by the Roman Catholic Irish.
Threats of assault having been given the Orangemen
were protected by the military. Stones, pistols, and
guns, being discharged at the militia, several were
killed and wounded, when an order was given to the
soldiers to fire on the rioters. Five soldiers and about
a hundred rioters were killed.
J u l y 3 0 . T h e W e s t f i e l d H o r r o r . The steamer's boiler explodes; 40 persons killed outright, and 63
injured—subsequently died.
S e p t . 2 7 . C h i e f J u s t i c e K c f i e a n , of Utah,

MANUAL,

119

decided against Mormons serving as grand jurors in
Federal courts.
O c t . 2 . B r i g h a m Y o u n g 1 was arrested by the
United States Marshal for Mormon proclivities.
O c t . 3 . B a n i e l H . W e l l s , Mayor of Salt I^ake,
City, and a Mormon bishop, is arrested by the United.*
States Marshal for Mormon proclivities.
O c t . 7 . T h e first of the great fires in Chicago
breaks out; loss, $300,000.
O c t . 8. T h e g r e a t fire by which Chicago was
desolated broke out at 10 o'clock at night; loss $190,526,
000.

The great forest fires: Peshtigo, Wisconsin, destroyed by fire, 600 of its inhabitants perish; Manistee, Williamsonville, Menekaumee, Marinette, and Brussels,
Wis., burned; a number of inhabitants perish.
O c t . 9. T h e g r e a t Chicago fire continued to rage
and destroy.
O c t . 1 2 . P r e s i d e n t G r a n t summoned the KuKlux-Klan of South Carolina to disband and deliver up
their arms and ammunition.
O c t . 17. P r e s i d e n t G r a n t suspended the writ
of habeas corpus in nine counties of South Carolina.
O c t . 2 4 . R i o t i n Iyos Angeles, Cal.; a mob attacks
the Chinese quarter, and captures and hangs eighteen
Chinamen.
O c t . 2 6 . A w a r r a n t is issued for the arrest of
Wm. M. Tweed, James H. Ingersoll, A. J. Garvey, and'
F). A. Woodward at the suit of Attorney-General Chamberlain.
O c t . 2 7 . Wm. M. Tweed arrested and bailed.
N o v . 1 9 . G r a n d D o k e A l e x i s , son of the Czar
of Russia, arrived in New York.
S"ov. 2 3 . G r a n d D u k e A l e x i s was formally
received by President Grant.
1872.
J a n . 2 . I B r i g h a m "Young returned to Salt I^ake
City and surrendered to an indictment for the murder
of Richard Yates; bail is refused, and he is ordered into
the custody of the law officers.
F e b . 1 0 . T h e G r a n d J u r y of the Court of Gen-

120

THE AMERICAN

eral Sessions of New York City present indictments
against Mayor A. O. Hall, R. B. Connelly, Wm. M.
Tweed, Nathaniel Sands, and others.
F e b . 2 9 . T l i e J a p a n e s e Embassy arrived in
Washington.
M a r c h 4. P r e s i d e n t G r a n t received the Japanese Embassy.
A p r i l 1 0 . P h i l i p K l i n g o n S m i t h , of Lincoln
county, Nevada, a former Mormon bishop, charges the
Mormons with the "Mountain Meadow Massacre" of
immigrants in 1857, and exonerated the Indians.
A p r i l 15. T h e c o u n s e l of the U. S. and the
English arbitrators on the Alabama claims met in
Geneva, Switzerland. The "cases" were exchanged,
and the British Consul presented a protest against the
claims for indirect damages.
The British authorities at Kingston, Jamaica, seize
the American steamer Kdgar Stuart as a Cuban privateer.
M a y 2 9 . C a n a d i a n authorities seize the American fishing schooner, PJnola C , for violating the fishery laws.
J u n e 6. T h e U n i t e d s t a t e s Minister at Madrid demands the release of Dr. Houard.
J u n e 1 5 . T h e m e m b e r s of the Tribunal of Arbitration assemble in Geneva, Switzerland, and organize; after a short session, the tribunal adjourns until
t h e 17th inst.
J u n e 17. T h e W o r l d ' s Peace Jubilee opens in
Boston.

MANUAL.

conducted through Richmond, Va., in mournful procession.
J u l y 7. T h e C u b a n privateer, Pioneer, was captured by the U. S. Revenue cutter, Moccasin, off
Newport, R. I., and brought into that port.
Aug". 3 . T h e C u b a n privateer, Pioneer, is formally seized by the U. S. Marshal at Newport, R. I.,
for violation of the neutrality laws.
Aug'. 1 9 . J u d g e Cr. Cr. B a r n a r d , of the Supreme Court, found guilty by the Court of Impeachment, at Albany, of high crimes and misdemeanors,
removed from the bench, and declared ineligible ever
to hold office in the State.
A u g . 2 0 . P r i n c e P h i l i p , of Coburg-Gotha,
arrives in New York city to join his brother, the Duke
of Saxe.
Dr. Houard arrived in New York City from Cadiz,
Spain.
S e p t . 7. T h e C u b a n steamer Virginius escapes
from the blockade of the Spanish war vessels at Puerto
Cabello, Venezuela.
S e p t . 1 4 . T h e G e n e v a , Switzerland, Tribunal
of Arbitration on the Alabama claims awards $16,250,
000 to the United States.
O c t . 2 2 . T h e E m p e r o r W i l l i a m , of Germany,
communicates his decision on the San Juan dispute to
the representatives of England and the United States.
It approves the claims of the United States Government.
N o v . 9. T h e g r e a t e s t fiie that ever raged in
Boston breaks out early this evening, and continues
all night.

J u n e 18. M e x i c a n s o l d i e r s at Matamoras fire
on and arrest the American occupants of a pleasure
boat on the Rio Grande, between that city and Brownsville, Texas.
The Canadian cutter, Stella Marie, seizes the America*! fishing schooner, James Bliss, for violating the
fishery laws; the American flag is insulted by being
turned Union down under the Dominion flag on the
captured vessel.

N o v . 10. T h e g r e a t fire in Boston is got under
control about 3 p. M.. after having burned over an area
of 200 acres, in the business center of the city; again
at about 12 p. M., the flames appear near the place of
origin of the first fire, and spread rapidly to buildings
that had escaped them before; an explosion of gas
produced this second conflagration.

J u n e 2 0 . T h e b o d i e s of Confederate soldiers
killed and buried at Gettysburg, were removed and

N o v . 2 0 . M e n r y M . S t a n l e y , the discoverer of
Livingstone, arrives in New York from E)ngland.

THE AMERICAN
N O T . 2 2 . T h e E r i e Railroad Co. begins an action
against Jay Gould for the recovery of $9,726,551; Gould
is arrested, but immediately after bailed in $1,000,000.
D e e . 17. J a y O o u l d restores $9,000,000 worth of
property to the K. R. R. Co., for the sake of peace.
I>ec. 2 6 . O r e a t s t o r m throughout the country
and along the coast; many shipping disasters result.
1873.
M a r c h 4 . S e c o n d i n a u g u r a t i o n of President
Grant.
M a r c h 3 0 . W r e c k o f the White Star steamship
Atlantic, off the coast of Halifax; 700 lives lost.
A p r i l 11. G e n . C a n b y and Rev. Dr. Thomas
treacherously murdered by the Modocs on the lava
beds.
A p r i l 1 8 . A t t a c h : o n t h e Modoc lava beds.
Second battle with the Modocs.
A p r i l 2 7 . T h e M o d o c s surprise and destroy a
detachment of troops.
M a y 1 0 . T h e M o d o c s evacuate the lava beds.
M a y 2 0 . S u r r e n d e r o f M o t - C r e e h s and Modocs to Gen. Davis.
M a y 2 2 . G e n . M c l t e n z i e ' s excursion into Mexico.
M a y 3 0 . T h e g r e a t Boston fire No. 2.
J u n e 1. M o d o c J a e f c ' s surrender.
J u n e 17. I n d i a n s attack the Northern Pacific
surveying party; four Indians killed.
J u n e 2 7 . T h e w o r k , of laying the new Atlantic
cable completed.
Aug*. 14. S a n g u i n a r y battle occurs between the
Pawnees and Sioux in the Republican Valley; reported.
S e p t . 9 . T h e s e t t l e m e n t of the Geneva award
was consummated.
S e p t . 1 8 . F a i l u r e s occur on Wall street, New
York—Jay Cooke & Co,, and others.
Oct. 3 . E x e c u t i o n o f the Modocs, Capt. Jack,
Sconchin, Boston Charley, and Black Jim, for the murder of Gen. Canby and Rev. Dr. Thomas, at Fort Kla-

MANUAL.

121

math, Oregon.
First business session of the Evangelical Alliance
held.
O c t . 4 . C a p t . B u d d i n g t o n and ten other survivors of the Polaris expedition, arrive in New York
by the steamship City of Antwerp.
1874.
W m . M. T w e e d sentenced to twelve years' imprisonment, and to pay a fine of $12,500.
M a y 1 6 . T h e M i l l R i v e r Reservoir disaster near
Northampton, Mass. Fearful loss of life.
J u l y 1. A b d u c t i o n of Charley Ross at Germantown, Pa.
O c t . 5 . F i r s t a n n u a l meeting of the Episcopal
Church Congress of the United States.
1875.
J u n e 17. T h e B u n k e r H i l l Centennial Celebration.
Nov. 2 2 . H o n . H e n r y W i l s o n , Vice President
of the United States, dies at Washington, D. C , aged
64 years.
D e c . 4 . E s c a p e of Wm. M. Tweed.
D e c . 1 1 . T h e D y n a m i t e explosion at Bremerhaven; 60 persons killed; the steamship Mosal injured
and detained.
1876.
J a n 1. O n S t a t e n I s l a n d the Rev. Henry Boehm,
the venerable patriarch of the Methodist church, dies,
aged one hundred and one years.
J a n . 9 . I n S o u t h B o s t o n , Dr. Samuel Gridley
Howe, the distinguished philanthropist, dies, aged 74
years.
Feh. 11. T h e C e n t e n n i a l Appropriation bill was
passed by the Senate. The President, on the 16th,
signed the bill with a quill from the wing of an American eagle shot near Mount Hope, Oregon.
F e h . 1 5 . T h e h i s t o r i c e l m , above 200 years old,
on Boston Common, was blown down by a high wind
Tuesday evening.
A p r i l 1 5 . A r r i v a l o f Dom Pedro, Emperor of

122

THE AMERICAN

Brazil, at New York.
A p r i l 1 8 . P r e s i d e n t G r a n t vetoed the bill passed
by Congress, reducing his successor's salary to $25,000
per annum.
M a y 1 0 . O p e n i n g o f Centennial Exposition at
Philadelphia.
J u n e 1 6 . T h e N a t i o n a l Republican Convention
at Cincinnati, nominated Governor Rutherford B.
Hayes of Ohio, for President of the United States, and
the Hon. William A. Wheeler, of New York, for VicePresident.
J u n e 2 5 . G e n . C u s t e r ' s force was overpowered
and annihilated. Gen. Custer, his two brothers and
nephew, were killed. Not one of the command escaped. Col. Reno's force was surrounded and sustained
severe losses, but was finally rescued by Gen. Gibbons'
command. The entire loss was 261 killed and 50
wounded.
J u n e 2 7 . T h e B e m o e r a t i e National Convention
met at St. I^ouis, and on the 28th of June, nominated
Governor Samuel J. Tilden, of New York, for President,
and Hon. Thomas A. Hendricks, of Indiana, for VicePresident.
J u l y 1 6 . C o n g r e s s unanimously passed the Senate joint resolution for the completion of the Washington Monument.
J u l y 2 6 . A r g u m e n t o f t l i e Belknap impeachment case closed. The result was a failure to convict.
A u g u s t 1. P r e s i d e n t G r a n t issued a proclamation declaring Colorado to be a State of the Union.
A u g . 1 4 . T h e first wire stretched across East
River for the great suspension bridge, to connect New
York and Brooklyn.
S e p t . 2 4 . H e l l G a t e , or the mine under Hallett's
Point Reef, Astoria, I^ong Island, was exploded by
General Newton.
5 o v . 7. E l e c t i o n of President of the United States.
H O T . 1 0 . C l o s i n g o f t l i e great Centennial Exhibition, Philadelphia.
© e c . 5 . F i r s t c r e m a t i o n in the United States
was performed at Washington, Pa. It was the body of

MANUAL.

Baron De Palm, who was born in Augsburg, Southern
Germany, in the year 1809.
B e e . 2 9 . T e r r i b l e r a i l r o a d accident at Ashtabula, Ohio, over 100 lives lost. Among them, P. P.
Bliss, the singer, and wife.
1877.
T h e m o n o p o l y of sewing machines expired this
year, reducing the prices of these machines to about
one-half their original cost.
T l i e l a s t of the troops that were left in the South,
the result of the rebellion, were withdrawn this year
from all the Southern States, and thus, virtually, these
States became free for the first time since the rebellion.
J a n . 4 . C o r n e l i u s V a n d e r o i l t died at his residence in New York City, aged 83 years, He was the
richest man in the United States, his wealth being
estimated at $80,000,000.
J a n . 17. M o u s e o f R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s ordered
the arrest of the Louisiana Returning Board for refusing to furnish papers to the investigating committee
in relation to the Presidental election in Louisiana.
J a n . 18. T h e C o n g r e s s i o n a l joint committee
reported to both Houses in the shape of a bill, a plan
for counting the electoral vote.
J a n . 2 5 . S e n a t e passed the Electoral bill. Yeas
47; nays 17.
J a n . 2 6 . T l i e M o u s e passed the Electoral bill by
a vote of 191 to 96.
J a n . 3 0 . T h e S e n a t e a n d M o u s e each elected
five members to serve on the Electoral Commission as
follows: Senators Edmunds, Morton, Frelinghuysen,
Thurman and Bayard, and Representatives Payne,
Hunton, Abbott, Garfield and Hoar.
J a n . 3 1 . T h e f o u r United States Associate Justices to serve on the Electoral Tribunal—Clifford, Miller, Field and Strong, chose as the fifth member of the
Tribunal Justice Joseph P. Bradley. Colorado declared
a State.
M a r c h 2 . T h e E l e c t o r a l count finished, and
Hayes and Wheeler declared President and Vice-President of the United States by a vote of 8 to 7.

THE AMERICAN
M a r c h 5 . P r e s i d e n t H a y e s and Vice-President
Wheeler inaugurated.
M a r c h 2 3 . E x e c u t i o n of John D. I^ee, Mormon
Bishop, convicted of being the main instigator in the
Mountain Meadows massacre in 1857.
A p r i l 2 . T h e southwestern portion of Chicago was
covered with water to the extent of nearly seven miles
square.
A p r i l 11. T h e Southern hotel, one of the largest
and finest in St. I^ouis, destroyed by fire. Fourteen
lives lost.
J u l y 1 6 . T h e firemen and brakemen of the
freight trains on the Baltimore & Ohio R'y at Baltimore,
Md., struck on account of reduction of wages.
J u l y 2 0 . T h e s t r i k e s on the Baltimore and Ohio
and Pennsylvania Railroads continue, and a strike
took place on the Erie Railway, stopping all trains.
J u l y 2 2 . T h e r a i l r o a d strikers continue their
riotous work at Pittsburgh.
J u l y 2 6 . R i o t i n g * took place in Chicago, 111 , the
police and troops fighting the mob nearly all day.
Fifteen persons were known to have been killed, and
many wounded.
Aug 1 . 11. A b a t t l e b e t w e e n Gen. Gibbons' command and the Nez Perces Indians, on the Big Hole
River, M. T., Aug. 9. Among the killed were Captain
Wm. IyOgan, and Iyieut. James H. Bradley.
Aug-. 1 6 . T h e C e n t e n a r y of the battle of Bennington, Vt., was celebrated.
Aug 1 . 2 9 . B r i g h a m Y o u n g ; died at Salt Lake
City. He had nineteen wives, and was considered
w o r t h $6,000,000.

1878.
N o v . 2 1 . P a y m e n t of fisheries award under protest by Minister Welsh in IyOndon.
D e c . 1 1 . D i s c o v e r y of rich silver miles, I^eadville, Col.
1879.
J a n . 1. S p e c i e payments resumed.

MANUAL.

123

1880.
J u n e 8. J a m e s A . G a r f i e l d nominated for
President, and Chester A. Arthur for Vice-President,
by the Republican National Convention in Chicago.
J u n e 2 4 . W i n l i e l d S c o t t H a n c o c k nominated
for President, and W. H. English for Vice-President by
the Democrat National Convention in Cincinnati.
l o v . 2 . J a m e s A . G a r f i e l d and Chester A. Arthur elected President and Vice-President, receiving
214 of the 369 electoral votes.
1881.
J u l y 2 . P r e s i d e n t G a r f i e l d shot by Charles J.
Guiteau.
S e p t . 1 9 . P r e s i d e n t G a r f i e l d dies.
1882.
J u n e 3 0 . C h a r l e s J . G u i t e a u , assassin of
President Garfield, hung.
1883.
F e b . 9 . W m . E . B o d g e , philanthropist, died,
New York, aged 78 years.
A p r i l 14. P e t e r C o o p e r , founder of Cooper Institute, died, aged 92,
May 24. The
opened.

Brooklyn

Bridge

formally

O c t . 1 5 . T h e V. S. S u p r e m e C o u r t set aside
the Civil Rights Act as unconstitutional.
1884.
F e b . 2 . W e n d e l l P h i l l i p s died, aged 73
M a r c h . 3 . V a l i d i t y of the I,egal Tender Act reaffirmed by the U. S. Supreme Court.
J u n e 2 . B l a i n e a n d I L o g a n nominated for President and Vice-President by the Republican National
Convention in Chicago.
J u l y 10. D e m o c r a t i c N a t i o n a l C o n v e n t i o n
nominated Cleveland and Hendricks for President and
Vice-President at Chicago.
J u l y 2 4 . T h e P r o h i b i t i o n i s t s at Pittsburgh
nominated Gov. J. P. St. John for President.

THE AMERICAN 31A NUAL.

134

Sept. 13. Robert Hoe, inventor of the Hoe press,
1887.
died in New York, aged 70.
Jan. 11. Bill creating: Department of Agriculture and I,abor passed by the National House of RepreKTov. 4. Cleveland and H e n d r i c k s elected.
sentatives.
1885.
J a n . 14. The U. S. Senate passed the Inter-State
.Tan. 1. The W a s h i n g t o n Monument ded- , Commerce Bill.
icated at Washington, D. C. Schuyler Colfax died at
Feb. 4. P r e s i d e n t Cleveland signs the InterMankato, Minn., aged 62.
State Commerce Bill.
Feb. 5. Terrible R. B. accident near White
March 4. Grover Cleveland inaugurated PresRiver Junction, Vt. Forty-six persons killed and many
ident.
injured.
J u l y 23. Gen. IT. S. Grant died at Mt. McGregMarch 8. Bev. Henry Ward Beecher dies.
or, N. Y., aged 65 years.
March 31. J o h n G. Saxe, humorous poet, dies.
Aug. 8. Gen. Grant buried, New York.
May. 9. The American E x h i b i t i o n formally
Oct. 29. Gen. Geo. B. McClellan died at Or- opened in I^ondon, England.
ange, N. J.
May 19. The s t a e m r Celtic and Britannic, of
Nov. 25. Vice-President H e n d r i c k s died at the White Star I^ine,e collidesnear Sandy Hook.
Indianapolis, Ind., aged 66.
J u n e 4. Fx-Vice-President Wheeler died at
1886.
Mai one, N. Y,, aged 68.
Feb. 9. Gen. W. S. H a n c o c k died at Governor's
Aug. 10. Fearful R. R. accident near ChatIsland, N. Y., aged 62.
worth, 111. More than 100 killed and 300 injured.
Feb. 12. Ex-Governor H o r a t i o S e y m o u r
August 28. Ute I n d i a n War in Colorado at an
died at Utica, N. Y., aged 76.
end.
May 4. Anarchist riots in Chicago.
Oct. 29. P r o p e l l e r Ternon lost near Manitowoc
J u n e 26. H o n . B a v i d JDavis died at Blooming- Wis. Fifty lives lost.
ton, 111., aged 74.
STov. 11. Anarchists Spies, Parsons, Fischer,
Aug. 14. H o n . S a m u e l J. Tilden died at Grey- and Eagle executed at Chicago.
stone, N. Y., aged 72.
Bee. 24. B a n i e l J. Manning, ex-Secretary of
Bee. 27. Gen. J o h n A. XtOgan died, aged o*.
the U. S. Treasury, died at Albany, N. Y., aged 56.

JOHN A. LOGAN.

126

THE

AMERICAN

MANUAL.

Jrjismoi^iGAii HOJUES.
' H E Constitution of the United States
was adopted in 1789. It was framed
*by delegates from twelve of the
"thirteen" states which declared
themselves independent of the Government of Great Britain, in 1776. A
Convention was called by the Continental
Congress for the purpose of framing a Constitution, and all the states sent delegates except
Rhode Island.
The American Colonies were planted along
the Atlantic coast under various climates from
the rugged north to the sunny south.
They
were not settled by an entirely homogeneous
race, there being Dutch, (Hollanders) Swedes,
and persons of other nationalities as well as
English among the immigrants. The English
settlers differed widely in religious and political views, and in the motives which prompted them to seek a new country. The Colonies
were also originally organized and governed
in three different modes, known as "Charter,"
"Proprietary" and "Royal" or "Provincial,,
governments.

These diversities, however, were advantageous in the end, as giving rise to a diversity of
ideas, experiences and pursuits; and did not
prevent the rise and development of a common
nationality. Common dangers, hardships and
interests, suggested, at a very early period, the
necessity of some bond of union, and of some
common government.
I n 1643, the four Colonies of Plymouth,
Massachusetts, New Haven and Connecticut,
formed a league under the title of the United
Colonies of New England. This confederation
had its Congress of Delegates from each of
these Colonies, and continued forty years.
In 1754, commissioners representing New
Hampshire* Massachusetts, Rhode Island,
Connecticut, New York and Maryland met at
Albany, and resolved that a union of all t h e
Colonies was necessary, and recommended a
plan of Federal Government.
In 1765, a Convention of Delegates representing nine of the Colonies met in New York,
and drew up a document on the subject of taxation, known as a "Declaration of the Rights

127

THE

AMERICAN

MANUAL.

several States for their consideration and
adoption. Delays and objections arose, in some
of the States, and as the form of government
I n 1774, the Second Colonial Congress as- proposed could not go into operation until the
sembled in Philadelphia, being composed of consent of all the States was obtained, the
delegates from all the Colonies, except Geor- Confederation was not established till March,
gia. This was the great Congress of the Rev- 1781, when the consent of Maryland, the last
olution. I t assembled again in May, 1775, of the States, was finally given.
Scarcely however had this confederation of
(Georgia being then represented), and after
watching anxiously the progress of t h e Rev- the States taken effect, when its weakness and
olutionary struggle for more than a year, it defect as a frame of government began to be
assumed the responsibility of severing the seen. When we remember that the leading poconnection between t h e Thirteen Colonies and litical sentiment of the colonies for a whole
the Government of Great Britain, by the mem- generation had been a feeling of jealousy and
orable Declaration of Independence, adopted a sense of resistance in regard to external government, we shall not wonder that they framed
on the 4th of July, 1776.
This step of course involved the adoption of a General Government for themselves of very
some settled plan of general government for little force or efficiency. It was devised in
the Colonies in place of the one thus cast off, time of war, and met many of its exigencies,
and deliberations upon this subject were co- but was very poorly adapted to a time of peace.
I t will assist us in understanding and apeval with the Declaration of Independence. A
committee appointed for the purpose reported preciating the Constitution, afterwards adopta scheme of government for the "United ed, and the reasons for its adoption, if we note
States of America"—which the Colonies had the limited and inoperative powers conferred
now become—known as the * Articles of Con- by the Articles of Confederation upon the
federation.5> After considerable discussion, at Continental Congress as the depository and
'different sessions, the scheme was agreed to executor of the functions of a General Govby the Continental Congress, in November, ernment for the States: Congress could make
treaties, but could not enforce their observance;
1777.
The Articles were immediately sent to t h e it could appoint embassadors, but could not
and Grievances of the Colonies." This may be
regarded as the First Colonial Congress of
signal importance.

128

THE

AMERICAN

provide for their salaries or expenses; it could
borrow money, but was not empowered to pay
it; it could oo?& money, but could not import
bullion for the purpose; it could declare war,
and determine how many troops were necessary to carry it on, but could not raise the
troops. It could not legislate directly upon
persons and could only recommend the States
what action to take; it could punish no one
for a breach of neglect of its own enactments;
it could levy no taxes and collect no revenue.
In short, it could merely recommend what
should be done, but was entirely without power to enforce any law or recommendation; and
it was soon found that it was in vain to expect that thirteen different States would voluntarily accede to mere recommendations,
with any sufficient degree of readiness or unanimity. Efforts were made, without success,
to prove an enlargement of the powers of Congress, and it soon became apparent that the
Confederation must dissolve from its own
weakness, unless a more efficient government
were substituted in its place.
In 1785, Commissioners from Maryland and
Virginia met to regulate the navigation of waters common to both States, and feeling the
want of suitable power to act, recommended a
Convention of a larger scope. In 1786, the Legislature of Virginia therefore proposed a gen-

MANUAL.

eral Convention of Commissioners from-, the
States, to consider matters of general interest.
Commissioners were appointed, in five States,
who met at Annapolis and drew up a report to
be laid before the Continental Congress. In
this report it was advised that a General Convention of Delegates should meet and revise
the Articles of Confederation.
In February, 1787, Congress acted upon the
recommendation and called a Convention to
meet in Philadelphia in May following. All the
States were represented except Rhode Island.
After a long deliberation, attended with much
difference of opinion, a Constitution w7as adopted, and Congress was recommended to lay
it before the several States, in Conventions to
be held for that purpose, that it might be considered and ratified. This was done; Conventions were held in all the States but Rhode Island, and after warm discussions, the Constitution was ratified by all the States except
Rhode Island and North Carolina.
As it required the assent of only nine of the
States to give effect to the Constitution, Congress, having been informed of the ratification
by twelve of the States, took measures, in September, 1788, to put the new form of Government into operation. The first President and
Vice President were chosen, and t h e first Congress, under the Constitution, assembled in

THE

AMERICAN

New York, on the 4th of March, 1789, for the
transaction of business.
Although t h e Constitution was thus happily
ratified, and had become the fundamental law
of the land, it was not satisfactory to a large
body of the people. The old jealousy of the
powers of a general or central Government
continued, and it was loudly demanded that
the Constitution should embrace a Bill of
Rights. Hence, at the first session of Congress under the Constitution, twelve different
Amendments were proposed, ten of which

MANUAL.

"29

were ratified by three-fourths of the States,
and became a part of the Constitution from
and after the 15th of December, 1791. Most
of these amendments were intended to allay
the fears of the people that the General Government might encroach upon their individual
rights and liberties.
The Eleventh Article of Amendment took
effect in 1798, the Twelfth in 1804, the Thirteenth in 1865, the Fourteenth in 1868, the
Fifteenth and last in 1870.

THE

AMERICAN

MANUAL.

-

KoTerQntental Instructor.
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GOYRRNMRNT.
T h e n e c e s s i t y o f g o v e r n m e n t is furnished in
I. The R i g h t s o f P e r s o n a l Security.—The
man's s o c i a l and m o r a l nature. As a reasonable
right from injury to l i f e , body, h e a l t h , r e p u t a and dependent being-, he is fitted for s o c i e t y and l a w .
tion.
] L a w is a r u l e of a c t i o n . Government is the emII. T h e R i g h t s o f P e r s o n a l liberty.—The
bodiment, the defender, and the enforcer of law.
right to go where one chooses.
The other two classes of absolute rights are:
RIGHTS.
I. The R i g h t o f P r i v a t e Property.—The
right to acquire property and enjoy it, without molestaA r i g h t is either a j u s t claim or a j u s t and l a w tion.
f u l claim.
(2.) R e l i g i o u s R i g h t s . — T h e rights of men to
H i g h t s are p o l i t i c a l and c i v i l .
worship God according to the dictates of their own conP o l i t i c a l r i g h t s are those which belong* to the sciences.
citizen in his relation to government.
II. R e l a t i v e C i v i l R i g h t s are those which men
C i v i l r i g h t s are those which are not political and
possess in relation to particular persons or classes.
which are often termed n a t u r a l or i n a l i e n a b l e
These are either P u b l i c or P r i v a t e . P u b l i c
rights.
C i v i l R i g h t s are those man possesses in his relations
They include:
to the government (except the right to participate in it).
I. A b s o l u t e r i g h t s and
It includes the right of the government and its officers to
II. Relative rights.
our respect and obedience.
I. Absolute civil rights are those which man possesses
P r i v a t e C i v i l R i g h t s embrace those in relation
#s an individual, in his relation as a member of society to
of
-pther members of society.
(1.) Husband and Wife.
T w o classes of these rights are often termed p e r (2.) Parent and child.
g o n a l r i g h t s , or t h e r i g h t s o f p e r s o n s .
(3.) Guardian and ward.
They embrace:
(4.) Employer and employed.

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

HON. E. B. WASHBURN.

132

THE

AMERICAAr

LIBERTY.
£ d b e r t y is the freedom man possesses to enjoy his
rights.
It embraces:

(a.)
(b.)
(c.)
(d.)

Natural [Liberty.
P o l i t i c a l Liberty.
C i v i l Liberty.
R e l i g i o u s Liberty.

LAW.
Law.—The object of Law is to defend and secure
man in the enjoyment of his right.
It includes:

i. P o l i t i c a l X*aw.
2. Civil or Municipal L a w .
T h e M o r a l L a w prescribes man's duties to his fellow man and to God. It is contained in the Ten Commandments, to love God with all our hearts, and our
neighbor as ourselves. It is b r o a d e r and more comprehensive than Political or Civil Law.

DIFFERENT FORMS OF GOVERNMENT.
I. P a t r i a r c h a l . — I n the early stages of the world.
II. T h e o c r a t i c a l . — T h e direct government of the
Jews by Jehovah.
III. M o n a r c h i c a l . — T h e government by a King,
Emperor or Prince. This may be
(a.") A b s o l u t e , when all the power rests in the
one governing, or
(b.) J L i m i t e d , when the power of the monarch is
abridged bylaw, legislative bodies, or other power..
A M o n a r c h y may be either
(a.) H e r e d i t a r y , as when it passes from father to
son, or from a monarch to his successor, or
(b.) E l e c t i v e . — W h e n on the death of a monarch
his successor is chosen by an election. (Rare).
IV. A r i s t o c r a t i c a l . — W h e n the government is
administered by a few persons distinguished by birth,
rank, wealth, etc.
V. D e m o e r a t i c a l or R e p u b l i c a n . — W h e n the
government is administered by the people. This may be
(a.) P u r e d e m o c r a c y . — W h e n the people meet

MANUAL.
in one body to make laws and appoint officers, or

(b.) A Republican or R e p r e s e n t a t i v e d e mocracy, often called a C o m m o n w e a l t h ; when
the people through d e l e g a t e s or r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s
enact laws and choose officers.

.)
OUR NATIONAL GOVERNMENT.
T h e Government of t h e United S t a t e s .
There have been three stages in the G o v e r n m e n t
of our country; the C o l o n i a l Government; the C o n f e d e r a t i o n and the N a t i o n a l G o v e r n m e n t .
The C o l o n i a l G o v e r n m e n t s were the governments of the different colonies when the inhabitants were
British subjects.
There were originally three different forms of government in the colonies, viz: T h e C h a r t e r , the P r o p r i e t a r y , and R o y a l G o v e r n m e n t s . The Charter Governments were confined to New England; the
middle and southern colonies were divided between the
Proprietary or Royal Governments.

The Charter G o v e r n m e n t s were composed of a
Governor, Deputy-governor, and Assistants, elected by
the people,'these, with the freemen, i. e., citizens of the
colony, were to compose the " G e n e r a l C o u r t s , "
which were authorized to appoint such officers, and make
such laws and ordinances for the welfare of the colony
as to them might seem meet. These first forms of government in New England contained the same principles
as, and were doubtless the origin of, our Republican system.

The P r o p r i e t a r y G o v e r n m e n t s were those of
Maryland, Pennsylvania, the Carolinas and Jersey. Part
of these soon became Royal Governments. In the Proprietary governments, the power of appointing officers
and making laws rested in the proprietors, by the advice
and assent, generally, of the freemen. In some of them,
as in the Carolinas, singular irregularities were found. In
all, great confusion took place.

In the Royal G o v e r n m e n t s , which were New
York, Virginia, Georgia and Delaware, the Governor
and Council were appointed by the crown / and the peopie elected representatives to the Colonial legislature.
The Governor had a n e g a t i v e in both houses of th»

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

:

m
'<mm
^-<-

m»

SENATOR GEORGE F. EDMUNDS.

133

134

THE

AMERICAN

legislature; and most of the officers were appointed by
the king-.
The colonists had no representatives in Parliament, and
when an obnoxious act was passed by that body, layingduties on all tea, glass, paper, etc., imported into the colonies, the American people resisted it justly, claiming
there should be no t a x a t i o n without r e p r e s e n t a t i o n . Their petition for a repeal of the unjust proceeding- being- of no avail, they resisted the tax.
Troops were sent to enforce it. The colonies beg-an to
arm to meet them. On the 4th of July, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was made by the delegates from
the several colonies, whieh was followed by a war of
several years, resulting in their complete separation from
the throne of Great Britain.
Under the Colonial Governments several efforts were
made to effect a u n i o n of the colonies in whole or in
part.

I. A r t i c l e s of Confederation were made in
1 6 4 3 between the colonies of Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Haven, which was expressly declared to be
a league, under the name of the U n i t e d . C o l o n i e s
of M e w E n g l a n d . This league declared:
1 s t . That each colony shall have peculiar jurisdiction
and government vrithhi its own limits.
2d.. That the quotas of men and money were to be
furnished in proportion to the population, for ivhich purpose a census was to be taken from time to time of such
as were able to bear arms.
3 d . That to manage such matters as concerned the
whole confederation, a congress of two commissioners
from each colony should meet annually, with power to
weigh and determine all affairs of war and pea> <?, leagues t
aids, charges, and whatever else were proper concomitants of a confederation offensive and defensive; and that
to determine any question, three-fourths of these commissioners must agree, or the matter is to be referred to
the general courts.
4 t h . That these commissioners may choose a president; but that such president has no power over the business or proceedings.
5 t h . That neither of the colonies should engage
m any war without consent of the geneial commissioners

MANUAL,

6 t h . That if any of the confederates should break
any of these articles, or otherwise injure any of the other
confederates, then such breach should be considered and
ordered by the commissioners of the other colonies.
II. A C o n g r e s s of C o m m i s s i o n e r s , representing New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island,
Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland,
was held at Albany in 1754. This convention unanimously resolved that a u n i o n of the colonies was necessary for their preservation. They proposed a general
plan of federal government, which provided,
1. That the general government should be administered by a president-general appointed by the crown, and
a grand council chosen by the representatives of the people in their general assemblies.
2. That the council should be chosen every three
years, and shall meet once each year.
3. That the assent of the President be necessary to all
acts of the council, and that it is his duty to see them executed.
4. That the President and council may hold treaties,
make peace, and declare war with the several Indian,
tribes.
5. That for these purposes they have power to levy
and collect such duties, imposts and taxes as to them
shall seem just.
This plan was not adopted.

THE CONFEDERATION.
In the year 1774 the colonies united in the plan of a
Congress to consult on the common good, and to resist the
claims of the English Parliament. It was to be composed
of delegates from the different colonies.

T h e Continental Congress assembled in May,
1775, which carried on tbe affairs of the country until the
vvar had almost closed.
But in order to form a more efficient union, a C o n f e d e r a t i o n of the States was formed tinder certain

a r t i c l e s called " A r t i c l e s of Confederation
and P e r p e t u a l U n i o n between the S t a t e s . " They
were to go into effect when the assent of all the States
was gained. Maiyland delayed consent until March,,

THE

AMERICAN

1781. They were therefore not effective until about two
years before the revolutionary war closed.
(See articles of Confederation.)
This C o n f e d e r a t i o n was found to be radically
d e f e c t i v e , having reference mainly to the condition of
the country in the time of w a r instead of p e a c e . It
was inherently w e a k , in that it had merely a L e g i s l a t i v e d e p a r t m e n t and no E x e c u t i v e and J u d i c i a l D e p a r t m e n t . It could do but little more
than r e c o m m e n d measures. It could borrow money
but it had no means of raising money to pay the debts
contracted. It could determine what number of troops
the several States should furnish, but it could not enforce
its demands. It could levy no T a x e s or D u t i e s , that
power being reserved to the. several States. Each State
imposed such duties with foreign countries and with the
other States, as it saw fit. Hence arose d i s c o r d and
Jealousies.
C o n v e n t i o n of i y 8 6 . — T h e Legislature of Virginia in January, 1786, proposed a convention of commissioners to take into account the subject of trade and commercial regulations. The commissioners of five States

MANUAL.

135

only, S e w Y o r k , U e w J e r s e y , P e n n s y l v a n i a *
- D e l a w a r e , and V i r g i n i a met pursuant to the call at
Annapolis, Maryland, in September, 17S6. These com*
missioners recommended a general convention of all the
Stites to meet in Philadelphia in May, 1787, to consider,
not the regulations of commerce, but amendments to the
articles of confederation to make the union of the States
more effective.
C o n v e n t i o n of 1787.—In accordance with this
recommendation, in February, 1787, Congress passed a
resolution calling for a convention. All the States, ex*
cept R h o d e I s l a n d , sent delegates, who met and
framed the present C o n s t i t u t i o n of the U n i t e d
S t a t e s , and recommended Congress to submit it to the
several States for their adoption.
A d o p t i o n of Constitution.—As soon as' n i n e
States ratified the Constitution it was to go into effect as
far as those States were concerned. In July, 1788, the
ninth State, ]tfew H a m p s h i r e , sent in its ratification.
Worth Carolina and R h o d e I s l a n d did not send
their ratification until one year after the government \va*
organized.

~$%k~*r

CONFEDERATION OF THE ORIGINAL STATES.

jgggjjfeN Monday, the $th of September,
/r
~^ ' *774> there were assembled at Carpenter's Hall, in the city of Philadelphia, a number of men who had been
chosen and appointed by the several
i&colonies in North America to hold a Congress for the purpose of discussing certain
grievances imputed against the mother
country. This Congress resolved, on the
next day, that each colony should have
vote only.
On Tuesday, the 2d o f

United Colonies are, and of right ought t0
be, Free and Independent States," etc., etc.;.
and on Thursday, the 4th July, the whole
Declaration of Independence having been agreed
upon, it was publicly read to the people. Shortly
after, on the 9th of September, it was resolved
that the words " United Colonies" should be no
longer used, and that the "United States o f
A m e r i c a " should thenceforward be the style
and title of the Union. On Saturday, the 15th
of November, 1777, "Articles of Confederation
and Perpetual Union of the United States df
America" were agreed to by the State delegated

136
THE AMERICAN
MANUAL.
5th N o v . , 1781.
subject to the ratification of the State legisla- J o h n Hanson,: M a r y l a n d
J
E l i a s Boudinot, N e w J e r s e y
^ i m "
7^ 2 »
tures severally Eight of the States ratified
T h o m a s Mifflin, P e n n s y l v a n i a
3d **' "
1783.
these articles on the 9th July, 1778; one on the R i c h a r d H e n r y L e e , V i r g i n i a
30th "
1784.
Nathaniel Gorham, Massachusetts
6th J a n . , 1786.
2ist J u l y ; o n e on the 24th J u l y ; one on the 26th
A r t h u r St. Clair, P e n n s y l v a n i a
2d F e b . , 1787.
November of the same year; one on the 22d
C y r u s Griffin, V i r g i n i a
,
2 2 d j a n . , 1788.
February, 1779; and the last one on the 1st
March, 1781. Here was a bonil of union beThe seat of government was established as
tween thirteen independent States, whose delefollows: At Philadelphia, Pa., commencing
gates in Congress legislated for the general wel- September 5, 1774, and May 10, 1775; at Baltifare, and executed certain powers so far as they more, Md., December 20,1776; at Philadelphia,
were permitted by the articles aforesaid. The
Pa., March 4, 1777; at Lancaster, Pa., Septemfollowing are the names of the Presidents of ber 27, 1777; at York, Pa., September 30, 1777;
the Continental Congress from 1774 to 1788:
at Philadelphia, Pa., July 2, 1778; at Princeton,
N. J., June 30, 1783; at Annapolis, Md., Novenv
P e y t o n R a n d o l p h . V i r g i n i a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5th Sept., 1774.
ber 26, 1783; at Trenton, N . J., November 1,
H e n r y Middleton, South Carolina
22d Oct., 1774,
1784; and at New York City, N. Y., January 11,
Peyton Randolph, Virginia
10th M a y , 1775.
John Hancock, Massachusetts
24th M a y , 1776.
1785.
H e n r y Laurens, South Carolina
1st N o v . , 1777.
On the 4th March, 1789, the present ConstiJohn Jay, N e w York
10th D e c , 1778.
Samuel Huntington, Connecticut
28th Sept, 1779.
tution, which had been adopted by a convention
Thomas McKean, Delaware
10th July, 1781,
and ratified by the requisite number of States,
went into operation.

THE

AMERICAN

MANUAL

137

THE MEEKLENEIIEE IIEELftEfiTIim DF INHEFENIIENEE*
HON. JOHN M. BRIGHT, TENNESSEE.

(Mov 20, 1775.)
[ H E news of the passage of the stamp "hunters of Kentucky, who, on receiving the
! act fell upon North Carolina like a news named their camping-ground Lexington,
now the site of a flourishing city, in memory o r
ftCjiMa^=aEife spark into a powder magazine. The
5
the battle-ground which had been consecrated
^ypp-vT ^ explosion of indignation shook the
by the blood of the patriots. Upon receiving
}&S\ colony to its center, while John Ashe,
the news, the patriots of Mecklenburg swarmed
yfc speaker of the General Assembly, rung
from the " Hornet's Nest." They met in con«F the articulate echo in the ear of Gov. Tryvention on the 19th, and continued their session
on : " This law will be resisted to blood
into the 20th of May, 1775, on which day they
and death!" When the sloop of war Diligence anchored off Cape Fear with stamped pa- gave to the world the Mecklenburg declaration of independence. This declaration was
per for the use of the colony, the brave men of
Hanover and Brunswick, headed by the heroic not the child of a patriotic frenzy which was
Ashe and Waddell, prohibited the terrified cap- not expected to outlive the paroxysm which
tain from landing the cargo. From thence they gave it birth. It was the result of profound wismarched to Wilmington, besieged the governor's dom, sagacity, and statesmanship.
palace, and extorted from him a pledge, and
With faith in God, they saw no path of escape,
swore his stamp-master not to attempt the exeexcept that which was illuminated by the light
cution of the law. Here the king, parliament,
which flashed from the patriot's sword. They
and viceroy were all defied. Here we have an
saw no sovereign remedy for their direful woes,
act far transcending in daring the Boston tea except in absolute and unconditional independparty, who were disguised as Indians to escape ence. And they were the first to reach the
identification, while here the act was performed
height of this conclusion, and the first to embody
in open day, the parties were without disguise, in it a high resolve upon the American contiand known, and it was because they were known,
nent.
that the governor capitulated in his castle.
In full view of the gibbets of Alamance—with
And yet the feat of tumbling the tea into Bos- a full conviction that they would have to toil up
ton harbor is known to every school-boy in the a path slippery with blood to the grandeur of inland, and the last celebration of the event was dependence, yet their patriotism and courage
held in the rotunda of the national capital.
towered and expanded before the danger, and
*
#
*
*
*
#
* burning the bridge behind them, l ' they hung
The news of the battle of Lexington re- their banners on the outer walls." All honor to
sounded from Nova Scotia to Florida. It was the twenty-seven noble signers of the Mecklenborne by the relays of heralds, day and night, all burg Declaration of Independence! Eulogy
along the coast of the Atlantic, and from the cannot overdraw their praise, nor admiration
surpass their merit. Let each name be consecoast to the mountains, the Alleghanies shouted
it to the Cumberland, awakening the settlers on crated to Freedom, and each find a sanctuary in
Watauga, and sending the echoes far beyond the every patriot's heart. But some would make the

138

THE

AMERICAN

disparaging insinuation that their declaration
was only the expression of the prevailing sentiment at the time. The facts of history do not
sustain the position. Washington "abhorred
the idea of independence " when he took command of the army, and he had rolled the tide o£
war about one year before he was committed to
the idea. Mr. Jefferson, in a letter dated 25th of
August, 1771), said he would "rather be in dependence on Great Britain, properly limited,
than on any other nation upon earth," but added,
"rather than submit to the right of legislating for
us, assumed in the British Parliament, I would
lend my hand to sink the whole island in the
ocean." * * * On the 8th of July, 1775, every member of the continental congress signed
a petition to the king, stating that they have not
"raised armies with the ambitious"design of
separating from Great Britain and establishing
independence." Other evidence might be multiplied to the same effect. None of these had
the ring of the old Mecklenburg declaration; bat
they show the fact that up to the 4th of July, '76,
the continental war was waged for the redress of
grievances, and not for independence. Thus, it
is clear that the morning star of American independence first rose upon the field of Mecklenburg. * * *
(The orator here discusses tne authenticity of
the declaration at length, but we need not go
over it with him.)
The voice of Mecklenburg now became the
voice of the whole colony, and the voice of the
colony soon became the voice of the united colonies, which proclaimed the united Declaration
of Independence to the nations of the earth.
The provincial assembly of North Carolina on
the 12th of April, 1776, was first to instruct her
delegates in the continental congress to " concur with the other colonies in declaring independence."
Virginia, that grand old State,
menaced by a similar diabolical scheme of
massacre and insurrection, planned by Gov.
Dunmore, next instructed her delegates to vote

MANUAL.

for independence, on the 15th of May. As remarked by an impartial writer: " No members
of that body (the continental congress) brought
with them credentials of a bolder stamp than the
delegates of North Carolina."
THE MECKLENBURG DECLARATION
OF INDEPENDENCE.
(Charlotte, North Carolina, May 20, 177$.)
There are few facts better attested in all history than the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence.
That questions may be raised that cannot be
fully answered in regard to it, matters little; for
that, as any candid person must admit, may not
only occur' with regard to any historical fact, but
with regard to any, the most recent affair even,
the actors and witnesses in which are all living.
Many living men have conversed with those
who either participated in making the Mecklenburg declaration or were present when it was
made. Well-authenticated copies of the original
declaration are in existence, made by a survivor
of the Mecklenburg committee into whose hands
all the records passed; and if the original document itself be not forthcoming, that is well accounted for by the fact that it was burned when
the house in which it was kept was destroyed by
fire. Moreover, the legislature of North Carolina, years ago, when the question was first
mooted, appointed a commission to inquire into
the authenticity of the declaration, and this commission found fourteen survivors, respectable
and intelligent, who all made solemn affidavit
that a declaration of independence was made at
Charlotte, Mecklenburg county, during the
month of May, 1775, they being present, some
of them members of the county committee, and
seven were positive that the date was the 20th 01
May.
Any one who glances at the colonial history 01

THE AMERICAN
Korth Carolina will be' struck with one prominent fact, and that is the impatience of her
people under wrong and oppression of any kindThere is scarcely a decade in her chronicles,
from the first settlement to 1776, that is not'
marked by a struggle against usurped or improperly exercised authority, or what the people
thought to be so, which amounts, as far as
regards them, to the same thing. No wonder,
then, that when the greater abuses arose, the
people of North Carolina were the first, or
among the first, to resent them They signalized
their resistance to the stamp act by refusing to
allow a sheet of the stamped paper to be landed
from the ship which brought it, and they made
the stamo-distributor swear that he would not
attempt to exercise his office in the State On
the 23d of October, 1769, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted by the house of
assembly:
That the sole right of imposing taxes on the inhabitants
of North Carolina has evei bixn vested, in Ihe house of
assembly;
That the inhabitants have the undoubted right of petitioning for a redress of grievances;
That trials for treason, committed in the colony, ought
to be had here; and
That removing suspected persons, to be tried beyond the
sea, is derogatory to the rights of a British subject.

The same body prepared a petition to the king
containing the same sentiments.
Gov. Tryon at once dissolved the assembly.
The regulators themselves, much misunderstood and much villified, were organized as much
to resist the stamp act and the other usurpations
of parliament as they were the local fees and
taxes illegally exacted by the State and county
officers, backed by Gov Tryon; and the battle
of Alamance, fought May 16, 1771, was as much
a battle for American freedom and independence
as that of Lexington, which occurred four years
later.
There were special reasons, too, why the declaration should be made in Mecklenburg. Gov.
Tryon, having his palace in the East, at Newbern, so contrived as to pit that section against

MANUAL.
139
the West; and from the eastern portions of the
State, as being nearest to him and more directly
subject to his control, he drew his forces to coerce
the western and other sections of the State.
Thus it happened in those turbulent and troublous times that the people of Mecklenburg
county, under the lead of able and patriotic, men,
formed a sort of committee of safety, composed
of delegates, two elected from each militia district. Col. Thomas Polk was elected chairman
of the committee, with authority to call it together when he saw sufficient cause. In May,
1775, Col. Polk had learned that the then governor of North Carolina (Martin) had dissolved
the house of assembly, after a session of only a
few days, and that he had issued his proclamation forbidding the assembling of the provincial
congress of the State. He thereupon called the
committee to meet at Charlotte on the 19th of
May; and on that day, accordingly, not only
were the greater portion of the committee men
present in the town, but large numbers of the
people from all sections of the county, anxious
to hear the latest news, and to learn what action
the committee Avould take
The committee found itself a mass-meeting, by
reason of the attendance of the people, and
therefore organized as a convention, with Abraham Alexander, president, and John McKnitt
Alexander and Ephraim Brevard, secretaries.
Soon after the actual business had been broached
which caused the assemblage, a messenger arrived with a printed circular, conveying the first
news of the battle of Lexington, which had
occurred precisely one month before. This
created the most intense wrath and excitement.
Speeches were made by Rev. Hezekiah James
Balch, Dr. Ephraim Brevard, and Wm. Kennon,
a lawyer. These added fuel to the flames, and
the cry was unanimous for separation and independence. On motion, Messrs. Balch, Brevard
and Kennon were appointed a committee to prepare appropriate resolutions to express the sense
of the meeting. The resolutions, however (of
which Dr. Brevard is the accredited authorJb

140

THE AMERICAN

were not presented to the committee until next
day (the twentieth), when they were unanimously
adopted. It was then proposed and carried that
they be read to the people from the court-house
door, and Col. Thomas Polk was deputed as
reader
It took but a short while to gather the
multitude then in Charlotte before the courthouse door to hear a document in which all were
so deeply concerned. Col. Polk read in a loud,
emphatic voice, and the people heard in complete
and solemn silence until the reading was done.
Then arose an enthusiastic shout of ratification,
women and children joining with the men in the
approving acclamation.
The resolutions so
adopted and so ratified were as follows:
Resolved, i. That whosoever directly or indirectly
abetted, or in any way, form, or manner, countenanced the
unchartered and dangerous invasion of our rights, as
claimed by Great Britain, is an enemy to this country, to
America, and to the independent and inalienable rights oi
man.
Resolved, 2. That we, the citizens of Mecklenburg
county, do hereby dissolve the political bonds which have
connected us with the mother country, and hereby absolve
ourselves from all allegiance to the British crown, and
adjure all political connection, contract, or association
with that nation who have wantonly trampled on our
rights and liberties, and inhumanly shed the blood of
American patriots at Lexington.
Resolved, 3. That we do hereby declare ourselves a
free and independent people; are, and of right ought to
be, a sovereign and self-governing association, under the
control of no power other than that of our God and the
general government of the congress, to the maintenance
of which independence we solemnly pledge to each other
o\ar mutual co-operation, our lives, our fortunes, and our
most sacred honor.
Resolved, 4. That as we acknowledge the existence and
control of no law, nor legal office, civil or military, within
this country, we do hereby ordain and adopt, as a rule of
life, all, each, and every of our former laws; wherein,
nevertheless, the crown of Great Britain never can be considered as holding rights, privileges, immunities, or
authority therein.
Resolved, 5. That it is further decreed that all, each,
and every military officer in this county is hereby retained
in his former command and authority, he acting conformably to the.se regulations. And that every member
present of this delegation shall henceforth be a civil officer,
viz.. A justice of the peace, in the character of a committee-man, to issue process, hear and determine all
matters of controversy according to said adopted laws,
and to preserve peace, union, and harmony in said county;
and to use ever3' exertion to spread the love of country and

MANUAL.

fire of freedom throughout America, until a general oTgSmized government be established in this province.
Ten days afterward, on the 30th of May, the
Mecklenburg committee met again at Charlotte,
and adopted 20 other resolutions; but as all from
the 4th to the 15th, both inclusive, merely enter
into the details of the temporary government
established for the county, they need not be repeated here. The remainder of these resolutions
on May 30 are as follows:
CHARLOTTE, MECKLENBURG COUNTY, May 30, 1775.—

This day the committee of the county met and passed the
following resolves:
Whereas, By an address presented to his majesty by
both houses of parliament, in February last, the American
colonies are declared to be in a state of actual rebellion,
we conceive that all laws and commissions confirmed by
or derived from the king and parliament are annulled and
vacated, and the former civil constitution of these colonies
for the present wholly suspended: To provide in some
degree for the exigencies of this county in the present
alarming period, we deem it proper and necessary to pass
the following resolves, viz.:
1. That all commissions, civil and military, heretofore
granted by the crown to be exercised in these colonies,
are null and void, and the constitution of each particular
colony wholly suspended.
2. That the provincial congress of each province, under
the direction of the great continental congress, is invested
with all legislative and executive powers within their respective provinces, and that no other legislative or executive power does or can exist at this time in any of these
colonies.
3. As all former laws are now suspended in this province, and the congress has not yet provided others, we
judge it necessaiy for the better preservation of good order9
to form certain rules and regulations for the internal government of this county, until laws shall be provided for us
by the congress.
16. That whatever person shall hereafter receive a commission f om the irorvn, or attempt to exercise any such
commission heretofore received, shall be deemed an enemy
to tins country ,' and upon confirmation being made to the
captain of the company in which he resides, the said company shall cause him to be apprehended and conveyed
before two selectmen, who, upon proof of the fact, shall
commit said offender to safe custody, until the next sitting
of the committee, who shall deal with him as prudence
may direct.
17. That any person refusing to yield obedience to the
above rules shall be considered equally criminal, and liable
to the same punishment as the offenders above last mentioned.
18. That these resolves be in full force and virtue until
instructions from the provincial congress regulating the

THE AMERICAN
jurisprudence of t h e p r o v i n c e shall p r o v i d e o t h e r w i s e , o r
t h e legislative body of G r e a t B r i t a i n r e s i g n its unjust a n d
a r b i t r a r y pretensions w i t h r e g a r d t o A m e r i c a .
19. T h a t t h e e i g h t militia companies of this county provide t h e m s e l v e s w i t h p r o p e r a r m s a n d accoutrements, a n d
hold themselves in r e a d i n e s s to execute t h e c o m m a n d s a n d
directions of t h e g e n e r a l c o n g r e s s of this province a n d
t h i s committee.
20. T h a t t h e committee a p p o i n t Col. T h o m a s P o l k a n d
D r . J o s e p h K e n n e d y t o p u r c h a s e 300 p o u n d s of p o w d e r ,
600 pounds of lead, a n d 1,000 flints, for t h e u s e of t h e
militia of this county, a n d deposit the s a m e in such place
a s t h e committee m a y hereafter direct.
S i g n e d b y order of t h e committee.
E P H R A I M B R E V A R D , C l e r k of t h e C o m m i t t e e .

About these resolutions there is no dispute
whatever, for they were extensively published,
soon after their date, in North Carolina, South
Carolina, New York, Massachusetts, etc., and
were the subject of a denunciatory proclamation
from Gov. Martin himself W h y these should

MANUAL,

141

have been published and those of the 20th ot
May suppressed, is easy to understand, for at
that time the earlier resolutions, known as the
declaration of independence, were considered
generally unadvised and premature, while the
later ones were fully warranted by the situation,
and were, indeed, necessary to the preservation
of order It is barely possible that the two sets
of resolutions were once embodied together, and
that prudential or other considerations caused
them to be subsequently separated. However
that may be, both sets of resolutions are really
declarations of independence, full and complete,
with only ten days between them—the difference
being that those of May 30 are more guarded
than those of the 20th.

142

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
IN CONGRESS, TUESDAY, JULY 4 , 1776.

" G R E E A B L Y to the order of the
day, the Congress resolved itself
rm into a committee of the whole,
' to take into their further consideration the Declaration; and after some
time, the President resumed the
1 chair, and Mr. Harrison reported
that the Committee had agreed to a Declaration, which they desired him to report. (The committee consisted of Jeferson, Franklin, J o h n A d a m s , Sherman,
and R . R . Livingston.)
T h e Declaration, being read, was
agreed to, as follows:
A DECLARATION BY THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED.

W h e n , in the course of human events,
it becomes necessary for one people to
dissolve the political bands which have
connected them with one another, and to
assume among the powers of the earth
the separate and equal station to which
the laws of nature and of nature's God
entitle them, a decent respect for the
opinions of mankind requires that they
should declare the causes which impel
them to the separation.
W e hold these truths to be self-evident:

T h a t all men are created equal; that
they are endowed by their Creator w i t h
certain inalienable rights; that among
these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness. That, to secure these rights,
governments are instituted among men 5
deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that, whenever
any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of
the people to alter or abolish it, and to
institute a new government, laying its
foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them
shall seem most likely to effect thelt
safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed,
will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light
and transient causes; and, accordingly,
all experience hath shown that mankind
are more disposed to suffer, while evils
are sufFerable, than to right themselves
by abolishing the forms to which they
are accustomed. But, when a long train
of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design
to reduce them under absolute despotism,
it is their right, it is their duty, to throwoff such government, and to provide new
guards for their future security. Such

THE AMERICAAT
has been the patient sufferance of these
colonies, and such is now the necessity
which constrains them to alter their
former systems of government.
The
history of the present K i n g of Great
Britain is a history of repeated injuries
and usurpations, all having in direct
object the establishment of an absolute
tyranny over these States. T o prove
this, let facts be submitted to a candid
world:
H e has refused his assent to laws the
most wholesome and necessary for the
public good.
H e has forbidden his Governors to pass
laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation
till his assent should be obtained; and,
when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
H e has refused to pass other laws for
the accommodation of large districts of
people unless those people would relinquish the right of representation in the
legislature—a right inestimable to them,
and formidable to tyrants only.
H e has called together legislative
bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable,
and distant from the depository of their
public records, for the sole purpose of
fatiguing them into compliance with his
measures.
H e has dissolved representative houses
repeatedly for opposing, with manly
firmness, his invasions on the rights of
the people-

MANUAL.

143

H e has refused, for a long time after
such dissolutions, to cause others to be
elected; whereby the legislative powers,
incapable of annihilation, have returned
to the people at large for their exercise,
the State remaining, in the meantime,
exposed to all the danger of invasion
from without, and convulsions within.
H e has endeavored to prevent the
population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners; refusing to pass others
to encourage their emigration hither, and
raising the conditions of new appropriat i o n of lands.
H e has obstructed the administration
of justice, by refusing his assent to laws
for establishing judiciary powers.
H e has made Judges dependent on his
will alone for the tenure of their offices
and the amount and payment of their
salaries.
H e has erected a multitude of new
offices, and sent hither swarms of officers
to harass our people, and eat out their
substance.
H e has kept among us, m times of
peace, standing armies, without the consent of our legislature.
H e has affected to render the military
independent of, and superior to, the civil
power.
H e has combined, with others, to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our
constitution, and unacknowledged by our
law?;; giving his assent to their acts of

144

THE AMERICAN
MANUAL.
pretended legislation:
armies of foreign mercenaries to comF o r quartering large bodies of armed plete the works of death, desolation and
troops among us;
tyranny, already begun, with circumF o r protecting them, by mock trial, stances of cruelty and perfidy, scarcely
from punishment for any murders which paralleled in the most barbarous ages,
they should commit on the inhabitants and totally unworthy the head of a civilof these States; F o r cutting off our trade lized nation.
with all parts of the world;
H e has constrained our fellow-citizens
F o r imposing taxes on us without our taken captive on the high seas, to bear
arms against their country, to become the
consent;
F o r depriving us, in many cases, of executioners of their friends and brethren,
or to fall themselves by their hands.
the benefits of trial by j u r y ;
He has excited domestic insurrections
F o r transporting us beyond seas to be
amongst us, and has endeavored to bring
tried for pretended offenses;
F o r abolishing the free system of on the inhabitants of our frontiers the
English laws in a neighboring province, merciless Indian savages, whose known
establishing therein an arbitrary govern- rule of warfare is an undistinguished dement, and enlarging its boundaries, so as struction of all ages, sexes, and conditions.
In every stage of these oppressions,
to render it at once an example and fit
instrument for introducing the same we have petitioned for redress in the
most humble terms; our repeated petiabsolute rule into these colonies;
F o r taking away our charters, abolish- tions have been answered only by reing our most valuable laws and altering, peated injury. A prince, whose character
fundamentally, the powers of our gov- is thus marked by every act which m a y
define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of
ernments ;
F o r suspending our own legislature, a free people.
N o r have we been wanting in attention
and declaring themselves invested with
W e have
p o w e r to legislate for us in all cases to our British brethren.
warned them, from time to time, of
whatsoever.
H e has abdicated government here, by attempts made by their legislature to
declaring us out of his protection, and extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction
over us. W e have reminded them of
w a g i n g war against us.
H e has plundered our seas, ravaged the circumstances of our emigration and
our coast, burnt our towns, and destroyed settlement here. W e have appealed to
their native justice and magnanimity, and
the lives of our people.
H e is, at this time, transporting large we have conjured them by the ties of

THE AMERICAN
our common kindred, to disavow these
usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. T h e y , t o o , have been deaf to the
voice of justice and consanguinity. W e
must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity
which denounces our separation, and
hold them as w e hold the rest of
mankind, enemies in war—in peace,
friends.
We, therefore, the representatives of
the U N I T E D S T A T E S O F A M E R I C A , in G E N E R A L
CONGRESS
assembled, appealing to the Supreme
J u d g e of the W o r l d for the rectitude of
our intentions, do in the name, and by
the authority of the good people of these
colonies, solemnly publish and declare,
That these United Colonies are, and of
right ought to be, F R E E A N D I N D E P E N D E N T S T A T E S ; t h a t they are ab-

solved from all allegiance to the British
crown, and that all political connections
between them and the State of Great
Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved; and that as FREE
AND

INDEPENDENT

STATES,

they

have full power to levy war, conclude
peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things
which I N D E P E N D E N T
STATES
may of right do. A n d for the support
of this Declaration, with a firm reliance
on the protection of D I V I N E P R O V I D E N C E , w e mutually pledge to each

145
MANUAL.
other, our lives, our fortunes, and our
sacred honor.
T h e foregoing Declaration was, b y
order of Congress, engrossed, and signed
by the following members:

JOHN HANCOCK.
New

Hampshire.

JOSIAH BARTLETT,
WILLIAM WHIPPLE,
M A T T H E W THORNTON,

Massachusetts

Bay*

SAMUEL ADAMS,
JOHN ADAMS,
ROBERT T R E A T PAYNE,
ELBRIDGE GERRY.

New

Torko

WILLIAM FLOYD,
P H I L I P LIVINGSTON.
FRANCIS LEWIS,
LEWIS MORRIS.

Connecticut.
ROGER SHERMAN,
SAMUEL HUNTINGTON?
WILLIAM WILLIAMS,
OLIVER WOLCOTT.

Rhode
STEPHEN

Island.

HOPKINS,

46

THE AMERICAN
WILLIAM ELLERY.

Pennsylvania,
ROBERT M O R R I S ,
BENJAMIN R U S H ,
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN^
J O H N MORTON,
GEORGE CLYMER,
J A M E S SMITH,
GEORGE TAYLOR,
JAMES WILSON,
GEORGE R O S S .

New

Jersey*

RICHARD STOCKTON,
JOHN WITHERSPOON,
FRANCIS HOPKINSON,
JOHN H A R T ,
ABRAHAM CLARK.

Maryland.
SAMUEL CHASE,
WILLIAM PACA,
THOMAS STONE,
CHARLES CARROLL, of

ton.

MANUAL.

North

Carolina.

W I L L I A M HOOPER,
JOSEPH H E W E S ,
JOHN P E N N .

South

Carolina.

EDWARD RUTLEDGE,
THOMAS H E Y W A R D , J R . ?
THOMAS LYNCH, J R . ,
A R T H U R MIDDLETON.

Virginia.
GEORGE W Y T H E ,
RICHARD HENRY L E E ,
THOMAS J E F F E R S O N ,
BENJAMIN HARRISON,
THOMAS NELSON, J R . ,
F R A N C I S LIGHTFOOT L E E ^
C A R T E R BRAXTON.

Delaware.
CAESAR RODNEY,
GEORGE R E A D ,
THOMAS M ' K E A N .

Georgia.
BUTTON G W I N N E T T ,
LYMAN H A L L ,
GEORGE W A L T O N .

THE AMERICAN

147

MANUAL.

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148

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

•^^^^^•f'^i^^i-f

150

THE

AMERICAN-

MANUAL.

ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION AND PERPETUAL UNION
BETWEEN THE STATES.
The Articles of Confederation reported July 12, '76, and debated from day to day, and time to time, for two years,
Vvere ratified July 9, ,78, by ten States; by New Jersey on the 26th of November of the same year; and by Delaware on
the 23d of February following-. Maryland, alone, held off two years more, acceding- to them March 1, 'Si, and
thus closing- the obligation. The following- are the Articles:

* O all who?n these Presents shall come,
We, the undersigned Delegates of the
States affixed to our names send greet** iug—Whereas, the Delegates of the
United States of America, in Congress
^v- .assembled, did, on the 15th day of NoGp vember, in the year of our Lord, 1777,
and in the Second Year of the Independence of America, agree to certain
articles of Confederation and Perpetual
Union between the States of New Hampshire,
Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New
Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland,
Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and
Georgia, in the wrords following, viz:
*' Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union
between the States of Nczv Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rtiode Island and Providence
Plantations, Coiinecticut, New Torh, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland,
Virgi?iia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and
Georgia.
A R T I C L E I. The style of this Confederacy
shall be " T h e United States of America."
A R T . 2. Each State retains its sovereignty,
freedom and independence, and every power,
jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this
confederation expressly delegated to the United
States in Congress assembled.
A R T . 3. The said States hereby severally
enter into a firm league of friendship with
each other for their common defense, the security
of their liberties, and their mutual and general
welfare, binding themselves to assist each other

against all force offered to, or attacks made upon
them, or any of them, on account of religion,
sovereignty, trade, or any other pretense whatever.
A R T . 4. The better to secure and perpetuate mutual friendship and intercourse among
the people of the different States in this Union,the free inhabitants of each Of these States—paupers, vagabonds, and fugitives from justice excepted—shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of free citizens in the several States; and
the people of each State shall have free ingressand
egress to and from any other State, and shall
enjoy therein all the privileges of trade and
commerce, subject to the same duties, impositions and restrictions, as the inhabitants thereof
lespectively, provided that such restriction shall
not extend so far as to prevent the removal of property, imported into any State, to any other State
of which the owner is an inhabitant; provided
also, that no imposition, duties or restriction
shall be laid by any State on the property of the
United States, or either of them.
If any person guilty of or charged with
treason, felony, or other high misdemeanor in
any State, shall flee from justice, and be found
in any of the United States, he shall, upon demand of the Governor, or executive power of
the State from which he fled, be delivered up
and removed to the State having jurisdiction of
his offense.
Full faith and credit shall be given in each
of these States, to the records, acts, and judicial
proceedings of the courts and magistrates of
every other State.
A R T . 5. For the more convenient manage-

THE AMERICAN
ment of the general interest of the United
States, Delegates shall be annually appointed
in such manner as the legislature of each State
shall direct, to meet in Congress on the first
Monday in November, in every year, with a
power reserved to each State, to recall its Delegates, or any of them, at any time within the
year, and to send others in their stead, for the
remainder of the year.
<No State shall be represented in Congress by
less than two, nor by more than seven members;
and no person shall be capable of being a Delegate for more than three years in any term of
six years; nor shall any person, being a Delegate, be capable of holding any office under the
United States, for which he, or another for his
benefit, receives any salary, fees, or emolument
of any kind.
Each State shall maintain its own Delegates
in any meeting of the States, and while they
act as members of the Committee of the States.
In determining questions in the United States
in Congress assembled, each State sha'l have
one vote.
Freedom of speech and debate in Congress
shall not be impeached or questioned in any
court or place> out of Congress, and the members of Congress shall be protected in their persons from arrests and imprisonments, during the
time of their going to and from, and attendance
on Congress, except for treason, felony, or
breach of the peace.
A R T . 6. No State, without the consent of
the United States in Congress assembled,
shall send an embassy to, or receive an embassy
from, or enter into any conference, agreement,
alliance, or treaty with any King, Prince or
State; nor shall any person holding office of
profit or trust under the United States, or any
of them, accept of any present, emolument,
office or title of any kind whatever from any
King, Prince, or Foreign State; nor shall the
United States in Congress assembled, or any of
them, grant any title of nobility.
No two or more States shall enter into any
treaty, confederation or alliance whatever be-

MANUAL.

151

tween them, without the consent of the United
States in Congress assembled, specifying accurately the purposes for which the same is to be
entered into, and how long it shall continue.
No State shall lay any imposts or duties which
may interfere with any stipulations in treaties
entered into by the United States in Congress
assembled, with any King, Prince or State, in
pursuance of any treaties already proposed by
Congress, to the Courts of France and Spain.
No vessels of war shall be kept up in time of
peace by any State except such number only,
as shall be deemed necessary by the United
States in Congress assembled, for the defense of
such State, or its trade; nor shall any body of
forces be kept up by any State, in time of peace,
except such number only, as in the judgment of
the United States in Congress assembled, shall
be deemed requisite to garrison the forts necessary for the defense of such State; but every
State shall always keep up a well regulated and
disciplined militia, sufficiently armed and accoutred, and shall provide and have constantly ready
for use, in public stores, a due number of fieldpieces and tents, and a proper quantity of arms,
ammunition and camp equipage.
No State shall engage in any war without the
consent of the United States in Congress assembled, unless such State be actually invaded
by enemies, or shall have received cei tain advice of a resolution being formed by some nation
of Indians to invade such a State, and the danger is so imminent as not to admit of a delay,
till the United States in Congress assembled can
be consulted; nor shall any State grant commissions to any ships or vessels of war, nor letters
of marque'or reprisal, except it be after a declaration of war by the United States in Congress
assembled, and then only against the Kingdom
or State, and the subjects thereof, against which
war has been so declared, and under such regulations as shall be established by the United
States in Congress assembled, unless such State
be infested by pirates, in which case vessels of
war may be fitted out for that occasion, and kept

152

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so long as the danger shall continue, or until the
United States in Congress assembled, shall
determine otherwise.
A R T . 7. When land forces are raised by
any State for the common defense, all officers of
or under the rank of colonel, shall be appointed
by the legislature of each State respectively, by
whom such forces shall be raised, or in such
manner as such State shall direct, and all vacancies shall be rilled up by the State which first
made the appointment.
A R T . 8. All charges of war, and all other
expenses that shall be incurred for the common
defense or general welfare, and allowed by the
United States in Congress assembled, shall be
defrayed out of a common treasury, which shall
be supplied by the several States, in proportion
to the value of all land within each State,
granted to or surveyed for any person, as such
land and the buildings and improvements thereon shall be est'm 1 ted according to such mode as
the United States in Congresss assembled shall
from time to time, direct and appoint. The taxes
for paying that proportion shall be laid and
levied by the authority and direction of the legislatures of the several States within the time
agreed upon by the United States in Congress
assembled.
A R T I C L E 9. The United States in Congress
assembled shall have the sole and exclusive
right and power of determining on peace and
war, except in the cases mentioned in the 6th article—of sending and receiving embassadors—
entering into treaties and alliances, provided
that no treaty of commerce shall be made
whereby the legislative power of the respective
States shall be restrained from imposing such
imposts and duties on foreigners, as their own
people are subjected to, or from prohibiting the
exportation 1 or importation of any species of
goods or commodities whatsoever—of establishing rules for deciding in all cases what captures
on land or water shall be legal, and in what
manner prizes taken by land or naval forces in
the service of the United States shall be divided

MANUAL.

or appropriated—of granting letters of marque
and reprisal in times of peace—appointing courts
for the trial of piracies and felonies committed
on the high seas and establishing courts for receiving and determining finally appeals in all
cases of captures, provided that no member of
Congress shall be appointed a judge of any of
the said courts.
The United States in Congress assembled
shall also be the last resort on appeal in all disputes and differences now subsisting or that
hereafter may arise between two or more States
concerning boundary, j urisdiction, or any other
cause whatever; which authority shall always
be exercised in the manner following:—Whenever the legislative or executive authority or
lawful agent of any State in controversy with
another shall present a petition to Congress,
stating the matter in question, and praying for a
hearing, notice thereof shall be given by order
of Congress, to the legislative or executive authority of the other State in controversy, and a
day assigned for the appearance of the parties by
their lawful agents, who shall then be directed
to appoint, by joint consent, commissioners or
judges to constitute a court for hearing and determining the matter in question; but if they
cannot agree, Congress shall name three persons out of each of the United States, and from
the list of such persons each party shall alternately strike out one, the petitioners beginning,
until the number shall be reduced to thirteen;
and from that number not less than seven, nor
more than nine names, as Congress shall direct,
shall in the presence of Congress be drawn out
by lot, and the persons whose names shall be so
drawn or any five of them, shall be commissioners or judges, to hear and finally determine
the controversy, so always as a major part of the
judges who shall hear the cause shall agree in
the determination: and if either party shall neglect to attend at the day appointed,® without
showing reasons which Congress shall judge
sufficient, or being present shall refuse to strike,
the Congress shall proceed to nominate three

THE AMERICAN
persons out of each State, and the Secretary of
Congress shall strike in behalf of such party absent or refusing; and the judgment and sentence of the court to be appointed, in the manner above prescribed, shall be final and conclusive; and if any of the parties shall refuse to submit to the authority of such court, or to appear
or defend their claim or cause, the court shall,
nevertheless, proceed to pronounce sentence or
judgment, which shall in like manner be final
and decisive,^ the judgment or sentence and
other proceedings being in either case transmitted to Congress and lodged among the acts of
Congress for the security of the parties concerned : provided that every commissioner, before he sits in judgment, shall take an oath, to
be administered by one of the judges of the Supreme or Superior Court of the State where the
cause shall be tried, "well and truly to hear and
determine the matter in question, according to
the best of his judgment, without favor, affection, or hope of reward:" provided also that no
State shall be deprived of territory for the benefit of the United States.
All controversies concerning the private right
of soil claimed under different grants of two or
more States, whose jurisdictions as they may
respect such lands, and the States which passed
such grants, are adjusted; the said grants or
either of them being at the same time claimed
to have originated antecedent to such settlement of jurisdiction, shall, on the petition of
either party to the Congress of the United
States, be finally determined as near as may be
in the same manner as is before prescribed for
deciding disputes respecting territorial jurisdiction between different States.
The United States in Congress assembled
shall also have the sole exclusive right and power of regulating the alloy and value of coin
struck by their own authority, or by that of the
respective States—fixing the stindard of weights
and measures throughout the United States —
regulating the trade and managing all affairs
with the Indians, not members of any of the

MANUAL.

158

States; provided that the legislative right of any
State within its own limits be not infringed or
violated—establishing or regulating post-offices
from one State to another, throughout all the
United States, and exacting such postage on the
papers passing through the same as may be
requisite to defray the expenses of the said office—
appointing all officers of the land forces in the
service ot the United States, excepting regimental officers—appointing all the officers of the
naval forces, and commissioning all officers
whatever in the service of the United States—
making rules for the government and regulation of the said land and naval forces, and directing their operations.
The United States in Congress assembled
shall have authority to appoint a committee, to sit in the recess of Congress, to be denominated "A Committee of the States," and to
consist of one delegate from each State; and to
appoint such other committees and civil officers
as may be necessary for managing the general
affairs of the United States, under their direction—-to appoint one of their number to preside;
provided that no person be allowed to serve in
the office of president more than one year in any
term of three years—to ascertain the necessary
sums of money to be raised for the service of
the United States, and to appropriate and apply
the same for defraying the public expenses—to
borrow money, or emit bills on the credit of the
United States, transmitting every half year to
the respective States an account of the sums of
money so borrowed or emitted—to build and
equip a navy—to agree upon the number of land
forces, and to make requisitions from each State
for its quota, in proportion to the number of
white inhabitants in such State; which requisition shall be binding; and thereupon the legislatures of each State shall appoint the regimental
officers, raise the men, and clothe, arm, and
equip them in a soldier-like manner, at the expense of the United States; and the officers and
men so clothed, armed, and equipped, shall
march to the place appointed, and within the

154
THE AMERICAN
MANUAL.
judgment require secresy; and the yeas and
time agreed on by the United States in Congress
nays of the delegates of each State on any quesassembled; but if the United States in Congress
tion shall be entered on the journal when it is
assembled shalloon consideration of circumdesired by any delegate; and the delegates of a
stances, judge proper that any State should not
State, or any of them, at his or their request,
raise men, or should raise a smaller number than
shall be furnished with a transcript of the said
its quota, and that any oiher State should raise a
journal, except such parts as are above excepted,
greater number of men than the quota thereof,
to lay before the legislatures of the several
such extra number shall be raised, officered,
States.
clothed, armed, and equipped in the &ame man.
ner as the quota of such State, unless the legisA R T I C L E IO. The committee of the States,
lature of such State shall judge that such extra
or any nine of them, shall be authorized to exenumber cannot be safely spared cut of the
cute, in the recess of Congress, such of the
same; in which case they shall raise, officer,
powers of Congress as the United States in Conclothe, arm, and equip as many of such extra
gress assembled, by the consent of nine States,
number as they judge can be safely spared.
shall, from time to time, think expedient to vest
And the officers and men so clothed, armed, and
them with; provided that no power be delegated
equipped, shall march to the place appointed,
to the said committee; for the exercise of which,
and within the time agreed on by the United
by the Articles of Confederation, the voice of
States in Congress assembled.
nine States in the Congress of the United States
assembled is requisite.
/The United States in Congress assembled
shall never engage in a war, nor grant letters of
A R T I C L E I I . Canada, acceding to this conmarque and reprisal in time of peace, nor enter
federation and joining in the measures of the
into any treaties or alliances, nor coin money,
United States, shall be admitted into, and ennor regulate the value thereof, nor ascertain the
titled to all the advantages of this union; but no
sums and expenses necessary for the defense
other colony shall be admitted into the same
and welfare of the United States, or any of them,
unless such admission be agreed to by nine
nor emit bills, nor borrow money on the credit
States.
of the United States, nor appropriate money, nor
A R T I C L E 12. All bills of credit emitted,
agree upon the number of vessels of war to be
moneys borrowed, and debts contracted by, or
built or purchased, or the number of land or sea
under the authority of Congress, before the asforces to be raised, nor appoint a commander-insembling of the United States, in pursuance of
chief of the army or navy unless nine States asthe present confederation, shall be deemed and
sent to the same; nor shall a question on any
considered as a charge against the United States
other point, except for adjourning from day to
—for payment and satisfaction whereof, the said
day, be determined, unless by the votes of
United States and the public faith are hereby
a majority of the United States in Congress
solemnly pledged.
assembled.
A R T I C L E 13. Every State shall abide by the
©The Congress of the United States shall have
determinations of the United States in Congress
power to adjourn to any time within the year,
assembled on all questions which, by this conand to any place within the United States, so
federation, are submitted to them. And the arthat no period of adjournment be for a longer
ticles of ,this confederation shall be inviolably
duration than the space of six months, and shall
observed by every State, and the union shall be
publish the journal of their proceedings monthperpetual; nor shall any alteration at any time
ly, except such parts thereof relating to treaties,
hereafter be made in any of them, unless such
alliances, or military operations, as in their
alteration be agreed to in a Congress of the

THE AMERICAN
United States, and be afterward confirmed by
the legislatures of every State.
And Whereas, It hath pleased the Great Governor of the World to incline the hearts of the
legislatures we respectively represent in Congress, to approve of and to authorize us to ratify
the said Articles of Confederation and perpetual
union: Know Y e that we, the undersigned
delegates, by virtue of the power and authority
to us given for that purpose, do, by these presents, in the name and in behalf of our respective constituents, fully and entirely ratify and
confirm each and every of the said Articles of
Confederation and perpetual Union, and all and
singular the matters and things therein con-

MANUAL.

155

tained. And we do further solemnly plight and
engage the faith of our respective constituents,
that they shall abide by the determinations of
the United States in Congress assembled on all
questions which, by the said confederation, are
submitted to them. And that the articles thereof shall be inviolably observed by the States we
respectively represent, and that the union shall
be perpetual. In witness whereof we have
hereunto set our hands in Congress. Done at
Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, the
9th day of July, in the year of our Lord 1778,
and in the 3d year of the Independence of
America.

156

THE

AMERICAN

MANUAL.

O R D I N A N C E O F 1787,
IN CONGRESS, JULY 1 3 , 1 7 8 7 .

Jin Ordinance for the Government of the Territory of the United
Northwest of the River Ohio.
E it ordained, by the United States in
Congress assembled, that the said
Territory, for the purpose of tempo^ rary government, be one district;
subject, however, to be divided into
two districts, as future circumstances
may, in the opinion of Congress, make
it expedient.
Be it ordained, by the authority aforesaid, that the estates both of resident and
non-resident proprietors in the said Terri,
tory, dying intestate, shall descend to, and
be distributed among their children, and the
descendants of a deceased child in equal
parts ; the descendants of a deceased child or
grandchild, to take the share of their deceased
parent, in equal parts, among them, and where
there shall be no children or descendants,
then in equal parts to the next of kin, in
equal degree ; and among collaterals, the children of a deceased brother or sister of the intestate shall have, in equal parts, among them, their
deceased parent's share; and there shall in no
case be a distinction between kindred of the
whole and half blood ; saving in all cases to the
widow of the intestate her third part of the real
estate for life, and one-third part of the personal
estate; and, this law relative to descents and
dowei shall remain in full force until altered by
the Legislature of the district. And until the
Governor and judges shall adopt laws as hereinafter mentioned, estates in the said territory
may be devised or bequeathed by wills in writing, signed and sealed by him or her, in whom

States,

the estate may be (being of full age), and attested by three witnesses ; and real estates may be
conveyed by please or release, or bargain and
sale, signed, sealed, and delivered by the person,
being of full age, in whom the estate-mayv
and attested by two witnesses, provided such
wills be duly proved, and such conveyances be
acknowledged, or the execution thereof duly
proved, and be recorded within one year after
proper magistrates, courts and registers shall be
appointed for that purpose, and personal property majr be transferred by delivery, saving, however, to the French and Canadian inhabitants,
and other settlers of the Kaskaskias, Saint Vincents, and the neighboring villages, who have
heretofore professed themselves citizens of Virginia, their laws and customs now in force
among them, relative to descent and conveyance
of property.
Be it ordained, by the authority aforesaid, that
there shall be appointed, from time to time, by
Congress, a Governor, whose commission shall
continue in force for the term of three years, unless sooner revoked by Congress; he shall reside
in the district and have a freehold ( state therein,
in one thousand acres of land, while in the exercise of his office. There shall be appointed,
from time to time, by Congress, a Secretary,
whose commission shall continue in force for
four years, unless sooner revoked ; he shall reside therein, and have a freehold estate therein,
in five hundred acres of land, while in the exercise of his office; it shall be his duty to keep and
preserve the acts and laws passed by the Legis-

THE AMERICAN
lature, and the public records of the district, and
the proceedings of the Governor in his executive department, and transmit authentic copies
of such acts and proceedings, every six months,
to the Secretary of Congress. There shall also
be appointed a court, to consist of three judges,
any two of whom to form a court,which shall
have a common law jurisdiction, and reside in
the district, and have each therein a freehold
estate in five hundred acres of land, while in the
exercise of their offices ; and their commissions
shall continue in force during good behavior.
The Governor and judges, or a majority of
them, shall adopt and publish in the district such
laws of the original States, criminal and civil, as
may be necessary, and best suited to the circumstances of the district, and report them to Congress, from time to time, which laws shall be in
force in the district until the organization of the
General Assembly therein, unless disapproved
by Congress ; but afterward, the Legislature
shall have authority to alter them as they shall
think fit.
The Governor, for the time being, shall be
commander-in-chief of the militia, appoint and
commission all officers in the same, below the
rank of general officers. All general officers
shall be appointed and commissioned by Congress.
Previous to the organization of the General
Assembly, the Governor shall appoint such mag.
istrates and other civil officers in each county or
township, as he shall find necessary for the preservation of the peace and good order in the
same. After the General Assembly shall be
organized, the powers and duties of magistrates
and other civil officers shall be regulated and
defined by the said Assembly; but all magistrates
and other civil officers, not herein otherwise directed, shall, during the continuance of this
temporary government, be appointed by the
Governor.
For the prevention of crimes and injuries, the
laws to be adopted or made, shall have force in
all parts of the district, and for the execution of

MANUAL,

157

process, criminal and civil, the Governor shall
make proper divisions thereof; and shall proceed, from time to time, as circumstances may
require, to lay out the parts of the district in
which the Indian titles shall have been extinguished, into counties and townships, subject,
however, to such alterations as may hereafter be
made by the Legislature.
So soon as there shall be five thousand free
male inhabitants, of full age, in the district, upon
giving proof thereof to the Governor, they shall
receive authority, with time and place, to elect
representatives from their counties or townships,
to represent them in the General Assembly;
Provided, That for every five hundred free male
inhabitants there shall be one representative, and
so on progressively with the numberot free male
inhabitants, shall the right of representation increase, until the number of representatives shall
amount to twenty-five, after which the number
and proportion of representatives shall be regu-.
lated by the Legislature ; Provided, That no
person be eligible or qualified to act as a representative, unless he shall have been a citizen of
one of the United States three years and be a
resident in the district, or unless he shall have
resided in the district three years, and in either
case shall likewise hold in his own right, in fee
simple, two hundred acres of land within the
same ; Provided, also, that a freehold in fifty
acres of land in the district, having been a citizen of one of the States, and being resident in
the district, or the like freehold and two years'
residence in the district, shall be necessary to
qualify a man as an elector of a representative.
The representative thus elected, shall serve
for the term of two years, and in case of the
death of a representative, or removal from office,
the Governor shall issue a writ to the county or
township for which he was a member, to elect
another in his stead, to serve for the residue of
the term.
>
The General Assembly, or Legislature, shall
consist of the Governor, Legislative Council,
and a House of Representatives. The Legisla-

158

THE

AMERICAN

tive C6uncil shall consist of five members, to
continue in office five years, unless sooner removed by Congress, any three of whom to be a
quorum, and the members of the Council shall
be nominated and appointed in the following
manner, to wit: As soon as representatives shall
be elected, the Governor shall appoint a time
and place for them to meet together, and, when
met, they shall nominate ten persons, residents
in the district and each possessed of a freehold
in five hundred acres of land, and return their
names to Congress, five of whom Congress shall
appoint and commission to serve as aforesaid ;
and whenever a vacancy shall happen in the
Council, by death or removal from office, the
House of Representatives shall nominate two
persons qualified as aforesaid, for each vacancy,
and return their names to Congress, one of
whom Congress shall appoint and commission
for the residue of the term ; and every five
years, four months at least before the expiration
of the time of service of the Council, the said
House shall nominate ten persons qualified as
aforesaid, and return their names to Congress,
five of whom Congress shall appoint and commission to serve as members of the Council five
years, unless sooner removed. And the Governor, Legislative Council, and House of Representatives, shall have authority to make laws in
all cases for the good government of the district,
not repugnant to the principles and articles in
this ordinance established and declared. And
all bills having passed by a majority in the
House, and by a majority in the Council, shall
be referred to the Governor for his assent ; but
no bill or legislative act whatever, shall be of any
force without his assent. The Governor shall
have power to convene, prorogue, and dissolve
the assembly, when in his opinion it shall be
expedient.
The Governor, Judges, Legislative Council,
Secretary, and such other officers as Congress
shall appoint in the district, shall take an oath or
affirmation of fidelity, and of office—the Governor before the President of Congress, and all oth-

MANUAL.

er officers before the Governor. As soon as a
Legislature shall be formed in the District, the
Council and House, assembled in one room,
shall have authority, by joint ballot, to elect a
delegate to Congress, who shall have a seat in
Congress, with the right of debating, but not of
voting, during this temporary government.
And for extending the fundamental principles
of civil and religious liberty, which form the basis whereon these republics, their laws and constitutions, are elected ; to fix and establish those
principles as the basis of all laws, constitutions, and
governments, whieh FOREVER hereafter shall be
formed in the said Territory; to provide also for
the establishment of States, and for their admission to a share in the Federal Council on an
equal footing with the original States, at as early
periods as may be consistent with the general
interest :
It is hereby ordained and declared, by the authority aforesaid, that the following articles shall
be considered as articles of compact between the
original States and the people and States in the
said Territory, and forever remain unalterable,
unless by common consent; viz.:
A R T I C L E I. No person, demeaning himself
in a peaceable and orderly manner, shall ever be
molested on account of his mode of worship or
religious sentiments in the said Territory.
A R T . I I . The inhabitants of the said Territory shall always be entitled to the benefit of the
writ of habeas corpus and of the trial by jury ; of
a proportionate representation of the people in
the Legislature, and of judicial proceedings according to the course of the common law ; all
persons shall be bailable unless for capital offenses, where the proof shall be evident, or the
presumption great; all fines shall be moderate,
and no cruel or unusual punishments shall be
inflicted; no man shall be deprived of his liberty
or property but by the judgment of his peers or
the law of the land ; and should the public exigencies make it necessary for the common preservation to take any person's property, or to
demand his particular services, full compensation

THE AMERICAN
shall be made for the same ; and, in the just
preservation of rights and property, it is understood and declared, that no law ought ever to be
made, or have force in the said territory, that
shall, in any manner whatever, interfere with
or affect private contracts or engagements, bona
fide, and, without fraud, previously formed.
A R T . I I I . Religion, morality,and knowledge
being necessary to good government and the
happiness of mankind, schools and the means of
education shall forever be encouraged. The
utmost good faith shall always be observed toward the Indians; their lands and property shall
never be taken from them without their consent;
and in their property, rights, and liberty, they
never shall be invaded or disturbed, unless in
just and lawful wars authorized by Congress;
but laws founded in justice and humanity shall,
from time to time, be made, for preventing
wrongs being done to them, and for preserving
peace and friendship with them.
A R T . IV. The said Territory, and the States
which may be formed therein, shall forever remain a part of this Confederacy of the United
States of America, subject to the Articles of
Confederation,* and to such alterations therein
as shall be constitutionally made; and to all the
acts and ordinances of the United States in Congress assembled, conformable thereto. The inhabitants and settlers in the said Territory shall
be subject to pay a part of the Federal debts
contracted, or to be contracted, and a proportional part of the expenses of government, to be
apportioned on them by Congress, according to
the same common rule and measure by which
apportionments thereof shall be made on the
other States; and the taxes for paying their proportion shall be laid and levied by the authority
and direction of the Legislatures of the District,
or Districts, or new States, as in the original
States, within the time agreed upon by the
United States in Congress assembled. The
Legislatures ofjthose Districts, or new States,
* This 01 dinance was drawn up before the Constitution
was formed.

MANUAL.

159

shall never interfere with the primary disposal
of the soil by the United States in Congress
assembled, nor with any regulations Congress
may find necessary for securing the title in such
soil to the bona fide purchasers. ^ No tax shall be
imposed on lands the property of the United
Stites; and in no case shall non-resident proprietors be taxed higher than residents. The navigable waters leading into the Mississippi and iSt
Lawrence, and the carrying places between the
same, shall be common highways, and forever
free, as well to the inhabitants of the said Territory as to the citizens of the United States, and
those of any other States that may be admitted
into the confederacy, without any tax, impost, or
duty therefor.
A R T . V. There shall be formed in the said
Territory not less than three, nor more than five
States; and the boundaries of the States, as soon
as Virginia shall alter her act of session and
consent to the same, shall become fixed and established as follows, to wit : The Western State
shall be bounded by the Mississippi, the Ohio,
and Wabash Rivers ; a direct line drawn from
the Wabash and Post Vincents due north to the
territorial line between the United States and
Canada, and by the said territorial line to the
Lake of the Woods and Mississippi. The Middle
State shall be bounded by the said direct line,
the Wabash from Post Vincents to the Ohio, by
the Ohio, by direct line drawn due north from
the mouth of the Great Miami to the said territorial line, and by said territorial line. T h e
Eastern State shall be bounded by the last mentioned direct line, the Ohio, Pennsylvania, and
the said territorial line; Provided, however, and
it is further understood and declared, that the
boundaries of these three States shall be subject
so far to be altered, and, if Congress shall hereafter find it expedient, they shall have authority
to form one or two States in that part of the
said Territory which lies north of an east and
west line diawn through the southerly bend or
extreme of Lake Michigan ; and whenever any
of the said States shall have sixty thousand free

THE

1(50

AMERICAN

inhabitants therein, such States shail be admitted, by their delegates, into the Congress of the
United States, on an equal footing with the
original States in all respects whatsoever ; and
shall be at liberty to form a permanent constitution and State government ; Provided, the constitution and government so to be foimed shall
be republ can, and in conformity to the principles
contained in these articles; and, so far as it can
be consistent with the general interest of the
confederacy, such admission shall be allowed at
an earlier period, and when there may be a less

MANUAL.
number of free inhabitants in the State than
sixty thousand.
A R T . V I . There shall be neither slavery rror
involuntary servitude in the said Territory, otherwise than in the punishment of crimes whereof the party shall have been duly convicted ;
Provided, always, that any person escaping into
the same, from whom labor or service is lawfully claimed in any of the original States, such
fugitive may be lawfully reclaimed and conveyed
to the person claiming his or her labor or service as aforesaid.

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THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

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THE AMERICAN

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EHHSTITnTinH HF THE HSITEII STATES HF AHEHIEA/
We, the People of the United States, in Order
to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for
the common defence, promote the general
Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty
to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and
establish this Constitution for the United
States of America.

jiwieitE i.
SECTION I . All legislative Powers herein
granted shall be vested in a Congress of the
United States, which shall consist of a Senate
and House of Representatives.
S E C T I O N 2. The House of Representatives
shall be composed of Members chosen every sec-

ond Year by the people of the several States,
and the Electors in each State shall have the
Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most
numerous Branch of the State Legislature.
No person shall be a Representative who shall
not have attained to the Age of twenty-five
Vears, and been seven Years a Citizen of the
United States, and who shall not, when elected,
be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall
be chosen.
Representative and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may
be included within this Union, according to their
'respective Numbers, which shall be determined
by adding to the whole Number of free Persons,
including those bound to Service for a Term of
Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three-

THE AMERICAN
fifths of all other Persons. The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the
first meeting of the Congress of the United
States, and within every subsequent Term of
ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law
direct. T h e Number of Representatives shall
not exceed one for every thirty Thousand but
each State shall have at Least one Representative ; and until such enumeration shall be made,
the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to
chuse three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode Island
and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut
five, New York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five. South Carolina
five, and Georgia three.
When vacancies happen in the Representation
from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.
The House of Representatives shall chuse
their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have
the sole Power of Impeachment.
SECTION 3. The Senate of the United States
shall be composed of two Senators from each
State, chosen by the Legislature thereof, for six
Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.
Immediately after they shall be assembled in
Consequence of the first Election, they shall be
divided as equally as may be into three Classes.
The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall
be vacated at the Expiration of the second
Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of
the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the
Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one-third
may be chosen every second Year; and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise,
during the Recess of the Legislature of any
State, the Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of
the Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies.
No Person shall be a Senator who shall not
have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and
been nine Years a Citizen of the United States,

MANUAL.

163

and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.
The Vice-President of the United States shall
be President of the Senate, but shall have no
Vote, unless they be equally divided.
The Senate shall chuse their other Officers,
and also a President fro tempore, in the Absence
of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise
the Office of President of the United States.
The Senate shall have the sole Power to try
all Impeachments. When sitting for that purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation.
When the President of the United States is tried,
the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person
shall be convicted without the Concurrence of
two thirds of the Members present.
Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not
extend further than to removal from Office, and
disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of
honor, Trust or Profit under the United States;
but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be
liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment, and Punishment, according to Law.
SECTION 4. T h e Times, Places and Manner
of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the
Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at
time by Law make or alter such Regulations,
except as to the Places of chusing Senators.
The Congress shall assemble at least once in
every Year, and such meeting shall be on the
first Monday in December, unless they shall by
Law appoint a different Day.
SECTION 5. Each House shall be the Judge
of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of
its own Members, and a Majority of each shall
constitute a Quorum to do business; but a smaller
Number may adjourn from day to day, and may
be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such
Penalties as each House may provide.
Each House may determine the Rules of its
Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly
Behavior, and, with the Concurrence of twothirds, expel a Member.
Each House shall keep a Journal of its Pro-

164

THE

AMERICAN

ceedings, and from time to time publish the
same, excepting such Parts as may in their
Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and
Nays of the Members of either House on any
question shall, at the Desire of one-fifth of those
Present, be entered on the Journal.
Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other,
adjourn for more than three days, nor to any
other Place than that in which the two Houses
shall be sitting.
SECTION 6. The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of
the Treasury of the United States. They shall
in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and
Breach of the Peace; be privileged from Arrest
during their Attendance at the Session of their
respective Houses, and in going to and returning
from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in
either House, they shall not be questioned in
any other Place.
No Senator or Representative shall, during
the Time for which he was elected, be appointed
to any civil Office under the Authority of the
United States, which shall have been created, or
the Emoluments whereof shall have been increased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be
-a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.
SECTION 7. All Bills for raising Revenue
shall originate in the House of Representatives;
but the Senate may propose or concur with
Amendments as on other Bills.
Every Bill which shall have passed the House
t>f Representatives and the Senate, shall, before
it become a L a w , be presented to the President
of the United States; if he approve he shall sign
it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have origin a t e d , who shall enter the Objections at large
on their J ournal, and proceed to reconsider it. If
after such Reconsideration two thirds of that

MANUAL.

House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be
sent, together with the Objections, to the other
House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two-thirds of that
House, it shall become a Law. But in all such
Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by Yeas and Nays, and the Names of the
Persons voting- for and against the Bill shall be
entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the
President within ten days (Sundays excepted)
after it shall have been presented to him, the
Same shall be a law, in like manner as if he had
signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which case it shall
not be a Law.
Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which
the Concurrence of the Senate and House of
Representatives may be necessary (except on a
question of Adjournment) shall be presented to
the President of the United States; and before
the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by
him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two-thirds of the Senate and House of
Representatives, according to the Rules and
Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.
SECTION 8. The Congress shall have Power:
To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts, and
Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the
common Defence and general Welfare of the
United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United
States;
To borrow Money on the credit of the United
States;
To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations,
and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;
^
To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;
To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof
and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of
Weights and Measures;

THE AMERICAN
To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United
States;
To establish Post Offices and post Roads;
To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the Exclusive Right to their
respective Writings and Discoveries;
To constitute Tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court;
To define and punish Piracies and Felonies
committed on the high Seas, and Offences
against the Law of Nations;
To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and
Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures
on Land and Water;
To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a
longer Term than two Years;
To provide and maintain a Navy ;
To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;
To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;
To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such
Part of them as may be employed in the Service
of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and
the Authority of training the Militia according
to the discipline prescribed by Congress;
To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases
whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding
ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United
States, and to exercise like Authority over all
Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be,
for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals,
dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;—And
To make all Laws which shall be necessary
and proper for carrying into Execution the fore-

MANUAL.

165

going Powers, and all other P6wers vested by
this Constitution in the Government of the
United States, or in any Department or any Officer thereof.
SECTION 9. The Migration or Importation
of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one
thousand eight hundred and eight\ but a Tax or
duty may be imposed on suoh Importation, not
exceeding ten dollars for each Person.
The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus
shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of
Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.
No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall
be passed.
No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be
laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or Enumeration hereinbefore directed to be taken.
No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.
No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of
one State over those of another: nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to
enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.
No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury,
but in Consequence of Appropriations made by
Law; and a regular Statement and Account of
the Receipts and Expenditures of all public
Money shall be published from time to ti?ne.
No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the
United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any
Present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any
kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.
SECTION 10. No State shall enter into any
Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money;
emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold
and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts;
pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post fa^to Law, or

166

THE AMERICAN

Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or
grant any Title of Nobility.
No State shall, without the Consent of the
Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely
necessary for executing its inspection Laws: and
the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid
by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for
the Uses of the Treasury of the United States;
and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Control of the Congress.
No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops,
or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any
Agreement or Compact with another State, or
with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless
actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger
as will not admit of delay.

TI^FIOIiE II.
SECTION I . The executive Power shall be
vested in a President of the United States of
America. He shall hold his Office during the
Term of four Years, and, together with the
Vice President chosen for the same Term, be
elected, as follows
Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as
the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of
Electors, equal to the whole number of Senators
and Representatives to which the State may be
entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of
Trust or Profit under the United States, shall
be appointed an Elector.
[The Electors shall meet in their respective
States, and vote by Ballot for two Persons, of
whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of
the same State with themselves. And they
shall make a List of all the Persons voted for,
and of the Number of Votes for each; which
List they shall sign and certify, and transmit
sealed to the Seat of the Government of the
United States, directed to the President of the
Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in

MANUAL.

the Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the Certificates, and the
Votes shall then be counted.©The Person having the greatest Number of Votes shall be the
President, if such Number be a Majority of the
whole Number of Electors appointed; and if
there be more than one who have such Majority, and have a?i equal Number of Votes, then
the House of Representatives shall immediately
chuse by Ballot one of them for President; and
if no Person have a Majority, then from the five
highest on the List the said House shall in like
Manner chuse the President; but in chusing the
President, the Votes shall be taken by States,
the Representation from each State having one
Vote; A quorum for this Purpose shall consist
of a Member or Members from two thirds of the
States, and a Majority of all the States shall be
necessary to a Choice. In every Case, after the
Choice of the President, the Person having the
greatest Number of Votes of the Electors shall
be the Vice President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal Votes, the
Senate shall chuse from them by Ballot the
Vice President^
The Congress may determine the Time of
chusing the Electors, and the Day on which
they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be
the same throughout the United States.
No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a
Citizen of the United States, at the time of the
Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to
the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have
attained to the Age of thirty-five Years, and
been fourteen Years a Resident within the
United States.
In Case of the Removal of the President from
Office, or his Death, Resignation, or Inability
to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said
Office, the Same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress*may by Law provide
for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation,
or Inability both of the President and Vice Pres-

THE AMERICAN
ident, declaring what Officer shall then act as
President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.
^>
The President shall, at stated Times receive
for his Services, a Compensation, which shall
be neither increased nor diminished during the
Period for which he shall have been elected,
and he shall not i eceive within that Period any
other Emolument from the United States, or any
of them.
Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation :— -$
" I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will
faithfully execute the Office of President of
the United States, and will to the best of my
Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
SECTION 2. The President shall be Comma?ider in Chief of the Army and Navy of the
United States, and of the Militia of the several
States, when called into the actual Service of the
United States; he may require the Opinion, in
writing, of the piincipal Officer in each of the
executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and
he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and
Pardons for Offenses against the United States,
except in Cases of Impeachment. Q
He shall have Power, by and with the Advice
and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties,
provided two-thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with
the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other Public Ministers and
Consuls, Judges of the Supreme Court, and all
other Officeis of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided
for, and which shall be established by L a w ; but
the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment
of such inferior" Officers, as they mav think
proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of
Law, or in the Heads of Departments.
£
The President shall have Power to fill up all

167

MANUAL.

Vacancies that may happen during the Recess
of the Senate, by granting Commissions which
shall expire at the End of their next Session. $
SECTION 3. He shall from time to time give
to the Congress Information of the State of the
Union, and recommend to their Consideration
such Measures as he shall judge necessary and
expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions,
convene both Houses, or either of them, and in
Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think
proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other
public Ministers; he shall take Care that the
Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all officers of the United States.
S E C T I O N 4. The President, Vice-President
and all civil Officers of the United States, shall
be removed from Office on Impeachment for,
and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other
high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

TII^FICIiE HI.
SECTION I . The judicial Power of the United
States shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and
in such inferior Courts as the Congress may
from time to time ordain and establish. T h e
Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts,
shall hold their Offices during good Behavior,
and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services, a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.^
SECTION 2. The judicial Power shall extend
to all Cases in Law and Equity, arising under
this Constitution, the Laws of the United States,
and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under
their Authority;—to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers, and Consuls;—to
all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction;—to Controversies to which the United
States shall be a Party;—to Controversies between two or more States;—between a State and
Citizens of another State;—-between Citizens of
different States,—between Citizens of the same

168

THE AMERICAN

State claiming Lands under Grants of different
States, and between a State, or Citizens thereof,
and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.
In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a
State shall be a Party, the Supreme Court shall
have original Jurisdiction. In all the other
Cases before mentioned, the Supreme Court shall
have appellate Jurisdictien, both as to Law and
Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such
Regulations as the Congress shall make.
T h e Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of
Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial
shall be held in the State where the said Crimes
shall have been committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at
such Place or Places as the Congress may by
L a w have directed.
SECTION 3. Treason against the United States,
shall consist only in levying War against them,
or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them
Aid and Comfort. No person shall be convicted
of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession
in open Court.
T h e Congress shall have Power to declare the
Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of
Treason shall work Corruptio7i of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.

MANUAL.

W¥I0ItE IY.

mand of the executive Authority of the State from
which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed
to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime.
N o Person held to Service or Labour in one
State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any L a w or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service
or Labour, but shall be delivered up on Claim of
the Party to whom such Service or Labour may
be due.
SECTION 3. New States may be admitted by
the Congress into this Union; but no new State
shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed
by the Junction of two or more States, or Parts
of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the
Congress.
The Congress shall have Power to dispose ot
and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this
Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any claims of the United States, or of any
particular State.
SECTION 4. The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican
Form of Government, and shall protect each of
them against Invasion; and on Application of
the Legislature or of the Executive (when the
Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.

SECTION I . Full Faith and Credit shall be
given in each State to the public Acts, Records,
and judicial Proceedings of every other State.
A n d the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records
and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect
thereof.
SECTION 2. The Citizens of each State shall
be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of
Citizens of the several States.
A Person charged in any State with Treason,
Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State, shall on De-

The Congress, whenever two thirds of both
Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose
Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of the several
States, shall call a Convention for proposing
Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be
valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this
Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures
of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or
the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed

WFICItE Y.

THE AMERICAN
by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment
which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the
Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no
State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of
its equal Suffrage in the Senate.

OTICItE YI.
All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States
under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.
This Constitution, and the Laws of the United
States which shall be made in pursuance thereof;
and all Treaties made, or which shall be made,
under the Authority of the United States, shall
be the supreme Law of the Land: and the
Judges in every State shall be bound thereby,
any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any
State to the Contrary notwithstanding.
The Senators and Representatives before
mentioned, and the Members of the several
State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial
Officers, both of the United Spates and of the
several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no re-

169

MANUAL.

ligious Test shall ever be required as a qualification to any Office or public Trust under the
United States.

OTIOfcE YII.
The Ratifications of the Conventions of
nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so
ratifying the Same.
bot^e in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth
Day of September in the Tear of our Lord
one thousand seven hundred and Eighty
seven and of the Independence of the
United States of America the Twelfth 3™.
•Witney whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names,
GEO. WASHINGTON—
President and Deputy from
Virginia.
*[This edition of the Constitution of the United States
has been taken from the edition published by Joseph Bartlett Burleigh LL. D. from his script imitation of the Constitution which was compared with the original in the
Department of State, and also found to be correct in capitals, orthography, text, and punctuation. In every particular, as to capitals, orthography, text, and punctuation,
this edition follows Dr. Burleigh's.]

flMENHMENTS TO THE EnHSTITHTIIIN HF THE UHITEH STATES.
[The following amendments were proposed at
the^ first session of the first congress of the
United States, which was begun and held at the
city of New York on the 4th of March, 1789,
and were adopted by the requisite number of
States. Laws of the U. S., vol. 1, page 82.]
[The following preamble and resolution preceded the original proposition of the amendments, and as they have been supposed by a
high equity judge (8th Wendell's Reports, p.
100) to have an important bearing on the construction of those amendments, they are here

inserted. They will be found in the journals of
the first session of the first congress.

CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES.
Begun and held at t/ie city of New York, on Wednesday, the 4th day of March, 1789.
The conventions of a number of the States
having, at the time of their adopting the constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent
misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should

170

THE AMERICAN

be added, and as extending the ground of public
confidence in the government will best insure
the beneficent ends of its institution :
Resolved, By the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United States of America, in congress assembled,
two-thirds of both houses concurring, that the following
articles be proposed to the legislatures of the several
states, as amendments to the constitution of the United
States; all or any of which articles, whematified by three fourths of the said legislatures, to be valid to all intents
and purposes, as part of the said constitution, namely:]

OTICM

I.

Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of
speech or of the press; or the right of the people
peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

WFICIiE II.
A well regulated militia being necessary to
the security of a free state, the right of the
people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

WFI0LE III.
No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered
in any house without the consent of the owner,
nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

^IICIJE

IY.

The light of the people to be secure in their
persons, houses, paper and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be
violated; and no warrants shall issue but upon
probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation,
and particularly describing the place to be
searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

^sFICIiE Y.
No person shall be held to answer for a capital or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a pre-

MANUAL.

sentment or indictment of a grand jury, except
in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in
the militia, when in actual service in time of
war or public danger; nor shall any person be
subject for the same offense to be twice put in
jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled
in any criminal case, to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty or property,
without due process of law; nor shall private
property be taken for public use without just
compensation.

nw ioitE YI.
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall
enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by
an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which
district shall have been previously ascertained
by law; and to be informed of the nature and
cause of the accusation; to be confronted with
the witnes-es against him; to have compulsory
process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and
to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

H^IOItE YII.
In suits at common law, where the value in
controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the
right of trial hy jurj shall be preserved; and no
fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

^ I C I i E YIU.
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual
punishments inflicted.

WHCItE IX.
The enumeration in the constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

THE AMERICAN
The powers not delegated to the United States
by the constitution, nor prohibited to it by
the states, are reserved to the states respectively,
or to the people.
[The following amendment was proposed at
the second session of the tfiird congress. It is
printed in the Laws of the United States, vol. i,
p . 73, as article n . ]

TUptlOliE XI.
The judicial power of the United States shall
not be construed to extend to any suit in law or
equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of
the United States by citizens of another state, or
by citizens or subjects of any foreign state.
[The three following sections were proposed
as amendments at the first session of the eighth
congress. They are printed in the Laws of the
United States as article 12.]

TiipiciiE xn.
I. The electors shall meet in their respective
states, and vote by ballot for president and vicepresident, one of whom at least shall not be an
inhabitant of the same state with themselves.
They shall name in their ballots the person
voted for as president, and in distinct ballots the
person voted for as vice-president; and they shall
make distinct lists of all persons voted for as
president, and of all persons voted for as vicepresident, and of the number of votes for each;
which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the
United States, directed to the president of the
senate. The president of the senate shall, in the
presence of the senate and house of representatives, open all the certificates, and the votes shall
then be counted. The person having the greatest
number of votes for president shall be the president, if such number be a majority of the whole

MANUAL.

171

number of electors appointed; and if no person
have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers, not exceeding three,
on the list of those voted for as president, the
house of representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the president. But in choosing
the president, the votes shall be taken by states,
the representation from each state having one
vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist 01
a member or members from two-thirds of the
states, and a majority of all the states shall be
necessary to a choice. And if the house of representatives shall not choose a president, whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon
them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the vice president shall act as president, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of the president.
2. The person having the"greatest number of
votes as vice-president shall be the vice-president,
if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed, and if no person have
a majority, then from the two highest numbers
on the list the senate shall choose the vice-president. A quorum for the purpose shall consist
of two-thirds of the whole number of senators,
and a majority of the whole number shall be
necessary to a choice.
3. But no person constitutionally ineligible to
the office of president shall be eligible to that of
vice-president of the United States.

W¥ICl£E XIII.
S E C T I O N I.

Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime, whereof the
party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist
within the United States, or any place subject tv>
their jurisdiction.
SECTION 2.

Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

172

THE

AMERICAN

MANUAL.

The following is the certificate of the secretary of state of the United States, announcing
the ratification of the foregoing article:

^ I C I i M ?QY.

WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State of the United
States :

All persons born or naturalized in the United
States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are
citizens of the United States and of the state
wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges
or immunities of citizens of the United States;
nor shall any state deprive any person of life,
liberty or property, without due process of law,
nor deny to any "person within its jurisdiction
the equal protection of the laws.

T O ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS MAY COME,
GREETING :

KNOW Y E , That, whereas the congress of the United
States, on the first of February last, passed a resolution,
which is in the words following-, namely: " A Resolution
submitting to the legislatures of the several states a proposition to amend the constitution of the United States.
"Resolved, By the senate and house of representatives
of the United States of America in congress assembled
(two-thirds of both houses concurring), that the following article be proposed to the legislatures of the several
states as an amendment to the constitution of the United
States, which, when ratified by three-fourths of said
legislatures, shall be valid, to all intents and purposes, as
a part of the said constitution, namely: "
(See Article XIII, above.)
And whereas it appears from official documents on file
in this department, that the amendment to the constitution of the United States proposed as aforesaid, has been
ratified by the legislatures of the States of Illinois, Rhode
Island, Michigan, Maryland, New York, West Virginia,
Maine, Kansas, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia,
Ohio, Missouri, Nevada, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota,
Wisconsin, Vermont, Tennessee, Arkansas, Connecticut,
New Hampshire, South Carolina, Alabama, North Carolina and Georgia; in all twenty-seven states.
And whereas, the whole number of states in the
United States is thirty-six; and whereas, the before specially-named states, whose legislatures have ratified the
said proposed amendment, constitute three-fourths of the
whole number of states in the United States:
Now, therefore, be it known, that I, WILLIAM H.
SEWARD, Secretary of State of the United States, by virtue
and in pursuance of the second section of the act of congress, approved the twentieth of April, eighteen hundred
and eighteen, entitled, "An act to provide for the publication of the laws of the United States, and for other purposes," do hereby certify, that the amendment aforesaid
has become valid, to all intents and purposes, as a part of
the constitution of the United States.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and
caused the seal of the department of state to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this eighteenth day of
A
December, in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and sixty-five, and of the Inde[L. S.] pendenee of the United States of America the
ninetieth.
WILLIAM H. SEWARD,
Secretary of State.

SECTION I .

S E C T I O N 2.

Representatives shall be apportioned among
the several states according to their respective
numbers, counting the whole number of persons
in each state, excluding Indians not taxed. But
when the right to vote at any election for the
choice of electors for president and vice-president of the United States, representatives in
congress, the executive and judicial officers of a
state, or the members of the legislature thereof,
is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such
state, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens
of the United States, or in any way abridged,
except for participation in rebellion or other
crime, the basis of representation therein shall
be reduced in the proportion which the number
of such male citizens shall bear to the whole
number of male citizens twenty-one years of age
in such state.
S E C T I O N 3.

No person shall be a senator or representative
in congress, or elector of president and vicepresident, or hold any office, civil or military,
under the United States, or under any state, who,
having previously taken an oath as a member
of congress, or as an officer of the United States,
or as a member of any state legislature, or as an
executive or judicial officer of any state, to support the constitution of the United States, shall

THE

AMERICAN

have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against
the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies
thereof. But congress may, by a vote of twothirds of each house, remove such disability.
SECTION 4.
T h e validity of the public debt of the United
States authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for
services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion,
shall not be questioned. But neither the United
States nor any state shall assume or pay any
debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection
or rebellion against the United States, or any
claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave f*
but all such debts, obligations, and claims shall
be held illegal and void.
r*

SECTION 5.

The congress shall have power to enforce, by
appropriate legislation, the provisions of this
article.
The following are the certificates of the secretary of state of the United States, announcing
the ratification of the foregoing article:
WILLIAM H . SEWARD, Secretary of State of the United
States :
T O ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS
GREETING :

MAY COME,

WHEREAS, the congress of the United States, on or
about the sixteenth of June, in the year one thousand
eight hundred and sixty-six, passed a resolution, which
is in the words and figures following, to wit:
"Joint Resolution proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
"Be it Resolved, By the senate and house of representatives of the United States of America in congress assembled (two-thirds of both houses concurring), That the following article be proposed to the legislatures of the
several states as an amendment to the constitution of the
United States, which, when ratified by three-fourths of
.said legislatures, shall be valid as part of the constitution,
namely:"
(See Article XIV, above.)
And whereas, by the second section of the act of congiess, approved the twentieth of April, one thousand
eight hundred and eighteen, entitled " A n act to provide

MANUAL,

17b

for the publication of the laws of the United States, and
for other purposes," it is made the duty of the secretary
of state forthwith to cause any amendment to the constitution of tne United States, which has been adopted according- t o t h e provisions of the said constitution, to be
published in the newspapers authorized to promulgate the
laws, witLt his certificate specifying the states by which
the same LDay have been adopted, and that the same has
become vfcdid, to all intents and purposes, as a part of the
constitution of the United States;
(0
And whereas, neither the act just quoted from, nor any
other law*, expressly or by conclusive implication, authorizes the secretary 01 state to determine and decide doubtful questions as to the authenticity of the organization of
state legislatures, or as to the power of any state legislature to recall a previous act or resolution of ratification
of any amendment proposed to the constitution;
And whereas, it appears from official documents on file
in this department, that the amendment to the constitution of the United States, proposed as aforesaid, has been
ratified by the legislatures of the states of Connecticut,
New Hampshire, Tennessee, New Jersey, Oregon, Vermont, iVew York, Ohio, Illinois, West Virginia, Kansas,
Maine, Nevada, Missouri, Indiana, Minnesota, Rhode
Island, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Massachusetts, Nebraska, and Iowa;
And whereas, it further appears, from documents on file
in this department, that the amendment to the constitu
tion of the United States, proposed as aforesaid, has also
been ratified by newly constituted and newly established
bodies, avowing themselves to be, and acting as, the
legislatures, respectively, of the states of Arkansas, Florida, North Carolina, Louisiana, South Carolina, and
Alabama; (
And whereas, it further appears, from official docu
ments on file in this department, that the legislatures of
two of the states first above enumerated, to wit: Ohio and
New Jersey, have since passed resolutions, respectively,
withdrawing the consent of each of said states to the
aforesaid amendment;
And whereas, it is deemed a matter of doubt and uncertainty whether such resolutions are not irregular, invalid, and, therefore, ineffectual, for withdrawing the con'
sent of the said two states, or of either of them, to the
aforesaid amendment;
©
And whereas, the whoie number of states in the United
States is thirty-seven, to wit: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Newj
Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia,
North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Vermont, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Louisiana, Indiana, Mississippi,
Illinois, Alabama, Maine, Missouri, Arkansas, Michigan,
Florida, Texas, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, California,
Oregon, Kansas, West Virginia, Nevada and Nebraska;
And whereas, the twenty-three states first hereinbefore
named, whose legislatures have ratified the said proposed
amendment, and the six states next thereafter named, as
having ratified the said proposed amendment by nevvly
constituted and established legislative bodies, together

THE AMERICAiV

174

constitute three-fourths of the whole number of states in
the United States:
# N o w , therefore, be it known, that I, WILLIAM H.
SEWARD, secretary of state of the United States, by virtue
and in persuance of the second section of the act of congress, approved the twentieth of April, eighteen hundred
and eighteen, hereinbefore cited, do hereby certify, that,
if the resolutions of the legislatures of Ohio and New
Jersey, ratifying the aforesaid amendment, are to be
deemed as remaining of full force and effect, notwithstanding the subsequent resolutions of the legislatures of
those states, which purport to withdraw the consent of
said states from such ratification, then the aforesaid
amendment has been ratified in the manner hereinbefore
mentioned, and so has become valid, to all intents and
purposes, as a part of the constitution of the United
States.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and
caused the seal of the department of state to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, the twentieth day of
July, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and sixty-eight, and of the Indepen[L. S,] dence of the United States of America the
ninety-third.
WILLIAM H. SEWARD,
Secretary of State.
"WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State of the United
States :
TO

ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS MAY COME,
GREETING :

WHEREAS, by an act of congress, passed on the twentieth of April, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen,
entitled "An act to provide for the publication of the laws
of the United States, and for other purposes," it is declared that, whenever official notice shall have been received at the department of state that any amendment
•which heretofore has been and hereafter may be proposed
to the constitution of the United States has been adopted
according to the provisions of the constitution, it shall be
the duty of the said secretary of state, forthwith, to cause
the said amendment to be published in the newspapers
authorized to promulgate the laws, with his certificate,
specifying the states by which the same may have been
adopted, and that the same has become valid, to all intents
and purposes, as a part of the constitution of the United
States.
And whereas, the congress of the United States, on or
about tbe sixteenth day of June, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, submitted to the legislatures of the
several states a proposed amendment to the constitution,
in the following words, to wit:
"Joint Resolution proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
'*Be it Resolved, By the senate and house of representatives of the United States of America, in congress assembled (two-thirds of both houses concurring), That the

MANUAL.

following article be proposed to the legislatures of the
several states as an amendment to the constitution of the
United States, which, when ratified by three-fourths of
said legislatures, shall be valid as part of the constitution,
namely: "
(See Article XIV, above.)
And whereas, the senate and house of representatives
of the congress of the United States, on the twenty-first
day of July, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight,
adopted and transmitted to the department of state a concurrent resolution, which concurrent resolution is in the
words and figures following, to wit:
"IN

SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES,

\

"July 21, 1868.
)
" W H E R E A S , the legislatures of the states of Connecticut, Tennessee, New Jersey, Oregon, Vermont, West
Virginia, Kansas, Missouri, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Rhode
Island, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Maine, Iowa, Arkansas, Florida, North
Carolina, Alabama, South Carolina and Louisiana, being
three-fourths and more of the several states of the Union,
have ratified the fourteenth article of amendment to the
constitution of the United States, duly proposed by twothirds of each house of the thirty-ninth congress; therefore,
Resolved, By the senate (the house of representatives
concurring), That said fourteenth article is hereby declared to be a part of the constitution of the United States,
and it shall be duly promulgated as such, by the secretary
of state.
"Attest:
GEO. C. GORHAM, Secretary."
"IN

THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

>

July 21, 186S.
J
Resolved, That the house of representatives concur in
the foregoing concurrent resolution of the senate, 'declaring the ratification of the fourteenth article of amendment
of the constitution of the United States.'
"Attest:
ED WD. McPHERSON, Clerk."
And whereas, official notice has been received at the
department of f tate that the legislatures of the several
states next hereinafter named, have, at the times respectively herein mentioned, taken the proceedings hereinafter recited, upon or in relation to the ratification of the
said proposed amendment, called article fourteenth,
namely: The legislature of Connecticut ratified the amendment June 30th, i865; the legislature of New Hampshire
ratified it July 7th, 1866; the legislature of Tennessee ratified it July ioth, 1866; the legislature of New Jersey ratified it September n t h , 1866, and the legislature of the
same state passed a resolution in April, 1868, to withdraw
its consent to it; the legislature of Oregon ratified it September 19th, 1S66; the legislature of Texas rejected it
November 1st, 1866; the legislature of Vermont ratified it
on or previous to November 9th, 1866; the legislature of
Georgia rejected it November 13th, 1866; and the legisli

THE

AMERICAN'

lature of the same state ratified' it July 21st, 1868; the
legislature of North Carolina rejected it December 4th,
1S66, and the legislature of the same state ratified it July
4th, 1868; the legislature of South Carolina rejected it
Decern! er 20th, 1866, and the legislature of the same state
ratified it July 9th, 1868; the legislature of Virginia rejected
it January 9th, 1867; the legislature of Kentucky rejected
it January ioth, 1867; the legislature of New York ratified it January ioth, 1867; the legislature of Ohio ratified
it January iith, 1867, and the legislature of the same state
passed a resolution in January, 1868, to withdraw its consent to it; the legislature of Illinois ratified it January
15th, 1867; the legislature of West Virginia ratified it
January 16th, 1S67; the legislature of Kansas ratified it
January 18th, 1S67; the legislature of Maine ratified it
January 19th, 1867; the legislature °f Nevada ratified it
January 22d, 1867; the legislature of Missouri ratified it
on or previous to January 26th, 1867; the legislature of Indiana ratified it January 29th, 1S67; the legislature of Minnesota ratified it February 1st, 1867; the legislature of
Rhode Island ratified it'February 7th, 1867'; the legislature
of Delawjre rejected it February 7th, 1867; the legislature
of Wisconsin ratified it February 13th, 1867; the legislature of Pennsylvania ratified it February 13th, 1867; th&
legislature of Michigan ratified it February 15th, 1867; the
legislature of Massachusetts ratified it March 20th, 1867;
:
the legislature of Maryland rejected it March 23d, 1867;
the legislature of Nebraska ratified it June 15th, 1867; the
legislature1 of Iowa ratified it April 3d, 1868; the legislature of Arkansas ratified it April 6th, 186S; the legislature of Florida ratified it June 9th, 1868; the legislature
1
of Louisiana ratified it July 9th, 1868; and the legislature
' of Alabama ratified it July 13th, 1868:
w Now, therefore, be it known, that I, WILLIAM H. SEWARD, secretary of state of the United States, in execution
'! of the aforesaid act, and of the aforesaid concurrent resolution of the 21st of July, 1868, and in conformance there:
to, do hereby direct the said proposed amendment to the
constitution of the United States to be published in the
newspapers authorized to ^promulgate the laws of the
United States, and I do hereby certify, that the said proposed amendment has been adopted in the; manner hereinbefore mentioned by the states specified in the said concurrent resolution, namely: The States of Connecticut,
New Hampshire, Tennessee, New Jersey, Oregon, Vermont, New York, Ohio, Illinois, West Virginia-, Kansas,
Maine, Nevada, Missouri, Indiana, Minnesota, Rhode
Island, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Iowa, Arkansas, Florida, North Carolina, Louisiana, South Carolina, Alabama, and also by the
legislature of the State of Georgia, the States thus specified being more than three-fourths of the 'States of the
United States.
And I do further certify, that the said amendment has
become valid to all intents and purposes, as a part of the
Constitution of the United States.
In testim6ny whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and
caused the seal of the department of state to be affixed. .
D o h e a t the city of Washington, this -twenty-eighth

175

MANUAL.

day of July r in the year of our Lord one thousand eight'hundred and sixty-eight, and of the
[L. S-3 Independence of the United States of America
the ninety-third.
WILLIAM H. SEWARD,
Secretary of State.

A R T I C L E XV.
SECTION I .

The right of citizens of the United States tovote shall not be denied or abridged by the
United States or by any state on account of race,,
color, or previous condition of servitude.
SECTION 2.

The congress shall have power to enforce this
article by appropriate legislation.
The following is the certificate of the secretary
of state of the United States, announcing the
ratification of the foregoing article:
HAMILTON FISH, Secretary of State of the United States r
T O A L L TO W H O M
GREETING :

THESE

P R E S E N T S M A Y COME.

KNOW Y E , That the congress of the United States, on
or about the twenty-seventh day of February, in the year
one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, passed a
resolution in the words and figures following, to wit:
" A resolution proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
"Resolved, By the senate and house of representatives
of the United States of America, in congress assembled
(two-thirds of both houses concurring), That the following article be proposed to the legislatures of the several
states as an amendment to the constitution of the United
States, which, when ratified by three-fourths of said legislatures, shall be valid as part of the constitution, namely:"
(See Article XV, above.)
And, further, that it appears from official documents on
file in this department, that the amendment to the constitution of the United States, proposed as aforesaid, has
been ratified by the legislatures of the states of North
Carolina, West Virginia, Massachusetts, Wisconsin,
Maine, Louisiana, Michigan, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana,
New York, New Hampshire, Nevada, Vermont, Virginia, Alabama, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Rhode Island, Nebraska, and Texas; in
all, twenty-nine states;
And, further, that the states whose legislatures have so
ratified the said proposed amendment constitute three-

176

THE AMERICAN

fourths of the whole number of states in the United
States;
And, further, that it appears, from an official document
on file in this department, that the legislature of the state
of New York has since passed resolutions claiming to
withdraw the said ratification of the said amendment
which had been made by the legislature of that state, and
of which official notice had been filed in this department;
And further, that it appears, from an official document
on file in this department, that the legislature of Georgia
has, by resolution, ratified the said proposed amendment:
Now, therefore, be it known, that I, HAMILTON F I S H ,
secretary of state of the United States, by virtue and in
pursuance of the second section of the act of congress ap-

MANUAL.

proved the twentieth day of April, in the year eighteen
hundred and eighteen, entitled "An act to provide for the
publication of the laws of the United States, and for other
purposes," do hereby certify, that the amendment aforesaid has become valid to all intents and purposes as part
of the constitution of the United States.
\
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, ana
caused the seal of the department of state to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this thirtieth day of
March, in the year of our Lord one thousand
[L. S.] eight hundred and seventy, and of the Inde*
pendence of the United States the ninety-fourth.
HAMILTON FISH.^i

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

IT;

FLNALYSIS OP THE (©0N5TITUTI0N OP THE
UNITED S T A T E S .
ARTICLE I
SECTION I . legislative powers; in whom vested.
SEC. 2. House of Representatives, how and by whom
*hosen—Qualifications of a Representative—Representatives and direct taxes, how apportioned—Census—
Vacancies to be filled—Power of choosing officers, and
of impeachment.
SEC. 3. Senators, how and by whom chosen—How
classified—State Executive to make tempoary appointments, in case, etc.—Qualifications of a Senator—President of the Senate, his right to vote—President pro
tern., and other officers of the Senate, how c h o s e n Power to try impeachments—When President is tried,
Chief Justice to preside—Sentence.
SEC. 4. Times, etc., of holding elections, how prescribed—One Session in each year.
SEC. 5.
Membership—Quorum—AdjournmentsRules—Power to punish or expel—Journal—Time of
adjournments limited, unless> etc.
SEC. 6. Compensation—Privileges—Disqualifications
in certain cases.
SEC. 7. House to originate all revenue bills—VetoBill may be passed by two-thirds of each house, notwithstanding, etc.—Bill not returned in ten d a y s Provisions as to all orders, etc., except, etc.
SEC. 8. Powers of Congress.
SEC. 9. Provision as to migration or importation of
certain persons—Habeas Corpus—Bills of attainder,
etc.—Taxes, how apportioned—No export duty—No
commercial preferences—No money drawn from
treasury, unless, etc —No titular nobility—-Officers not
t o receive presents, unless, etc.

SEC. 10. States prohibited from the exercise of certain powers.
ARTICLE II.
SECTION I . President; his term of office—Electors of
President; number and how appointed—Electors to
vote on the same day—Qualification of President—on
whom his duties devolve in case of his removal, death,
etc.—President's compensation—His oath.
SEC. 2. President to be commander-in-chief—He
may require opinion of, etc., and may pardon—Treatymaking power—Nomination of certain officers,—When
President may fill vacancies.
SEC. 3. President shall communicate to C o n g r e s s He may convene and adjourn Congress, in case, etc.;
shall receive embassadors, execute laws, and commission officers.
SEC. 4. All civil offices forfeited for certain crimes.
ARTICLE HI.
SECTION I. Judicial power—Tenure—Compensation.
SEC. 2. Judicial power; to what cases it extends—
Original jurisdiction of Supreme Court—AppellateTrial by jury, except, etc.—Trial, where.
SEC. 3. Treason defined—Proof of—Punishment of.
ARTICLE IV.
SEC. 1 ' Each State to give credit to the public acts,
etc , of every other State.
SEO. 2. Privileges of citizens of each State—Fugitives irom justice to be delivered up—Persons held to
service having escaped, to be delivered up.
SEC. 3. Admission of new States—%Power of Congress
over territory and other property.
SEC. 4. Republican iform of government guaranteed—
Each State to be protected.

178

THE AMERICAN

ARTICLE V.
Constitution; how amended—Proviso.
ARTICLE VI.
Certain debts, etc., adopted—Supremacy of Constitution, treaties, and laws of the United States—Oath
to support Constitution, by whom taken —No religious
test.
ARTICLE VII.
What ratification shall establish Constitution.
AMENDMENTS.
I. Religious establishment prohibited— Freedom
of speech, of the press, and rig-lit to uelition.
II. Right to keep and bear arms
III. No soldier to be quartered in any house, unless,
etc.
IV. Right of search and seizure regulated.
V. Provisions concerning prosecution, trial and
punishment—Private property not to be used
for public use, without, etc.
VI. Further provision respecting criminal prosecution,

MANUAL.

VlT. Right of trial by jury secured.
VIII. Excessive bail or fines and ci nel punishments
prohibited.
IX' Rule of construction.
X. Same subject.
XI. Same subject.
XII. Manner of choosing President and Vice President.
XIII Slavery abolished.
XIV. Citizenship.
XV. Rights of citizens to vote.
The first T e n A m e n d m e n t s became a part of
the Constitution on and after I>ec. 1 5 , 1 7 9 1 .
The E l e v e n t h A m e n d m e n t took effect in 1798.
The T w e l f t h A m e n d m e n t in 1804.
The T h i r t e e n t h A m e n d m e n t in 1865.
The F o u r t e e n t h A m e n d m e n t in 1868.
The F i f t e e n t h and last A m e n d m e n t in 1870.

179

THE

COMMENTS OK

AMERICAN

MANUAL.

urns (SONSTIHIUTION OP WHS

UNITED S T A T E S .
JUSTICE SAM'L F MILLER.
(Senior Justice, United States Supreme Court.)

HISTORY.
?lIPSei S ^ o o n a s ! t became apparent to the Conf E l l J I {jm stitutional Convention of 1787 that the new
•SjyiaiyM government must be a n a t i o n resting
j ^ l l l ^ g ^ for its support upon the people over whom.
,^$i§£r
** exercised authority, and not a l e a g u e
illA
of i n d e p e n d e n t Statesforought together
JJ£
under a compact on which each State
1
Should place its own construction, the question of the relative power of those States in
the new government became a subject of serious difference. There were those in the convention who insisted that in the legislative body, where the most
important powers must necessarily reside, the states
should, as in the articles of confederation, stand upon
a perfect equality, each State having but one vote; and
this feature was finally retained in that part of the
Constitution which vested in Congress the election of
President, when there should be a failure to elect by
the electoral college in the regular mode prescribed
by that instrument.
T h e Composition of t h e Senate.
The contest in t h e convention became narrowed to
the composition of the Senate, after it had been determined that the legislature should consist of two
distinct bodies, sitting apart from each other, and
voting separately. One of these was to be a popular
body elected directly by the people at short intervals.
The other was to be a body more limited in numbers,
with longer term of office; and this, with the manner

of their appointment, was designed to give stability to
the policy of the government, and to be in some sense a
restraint upon sudden impulses of popular will.
The House of Representatives.
With regard to the popular branches of the legislature, there did not seem to be much difficulty in establishing the proposition, that in some general way
each State should be represented in it in proportion to
its population, and that each member of the body
should vote with equal effect on all questions before it.
But when it was sought by the larger and more populous States, as Virginia, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, to apply this principle to the composition of the
Senate, the resistance of the smaller States became
stubborn, and they refused to yield. The feeling arising
under t h e discussion of this subject came nearer
causing the disruption of the convention than a n y
which agitated its deliberations. It was finally settled
by an agreement that every State, however small,
should have two representatives in the Senate of t h e
United States, and no State should have any more; and
that no amendment of the Constitution should deprive
any State of its equal suffrage without its consent. A s
the Senate has the same power in enacting laws as the
House of Representatives, and as each State has i t s
two votes in that body, it will be seen that the smaller
States secured, when they are in a united majority, t h e
practical power of defeating all legislation which w a s
unacceptable to them.

180

THE AMERICAN
The Flan Mas Worked Well.

What has the experience of a century taught us on
this question? It is certainly true that there have been
many expressions of dissatisfaction with the operation
of a principle which gives to each of the six New
England States, situated compactly together, as much
power in the Senate in making laws, in ratifying
treaties, and in confirming or rejecting appointment
to office, as is given to the great State of New York,
which, both in population and wealth, exceeds all the
New England States, and nearly if not quite equals
them in territory.
But if we are to form an opinion from demonstrations against, or attempts to modify, this feature of
the Constitution, or any future which concerns exclusively the functions of the Senate, we shall be compelled to say that the ablest ;of our public men, and
the wisdom of the Nation, are in the main satisfied
with the work of the convention on this point after a
hundred years of observation. And it is believed that
the existence of an important body in our system of
government, not wholly the mere representative of
population, has exercised a wholesome conservatism
on many occasions in our history.
THE EXECUTIVE.
It was urged against our Constitution by many
liberty-loving men, both in the Convention and out of
it, that it conferred upon theexecutive,a single individual, whose election for a term of four years was carefully removed from the direct vote of the people,
powers dangerous to the existence of free government.
It was said that with the appointment of all the
officers of the government, civil and military, the
sword and the purse of the Nation in his hands, the
power to prevent the enactment of laws to which he
did not assent—unless they could be passed over his
objection by a vote of two-thirds in each of the two
legislative houses—and the actual use of this power for
four years without interruption, an ambitious man of
great personal popularity, could establish his power
during his own life, and transmit it to his family as a
perpetual dynasty. Perhaps of all objections made to important features of the Constitution this one had more
plausibilty, and was urged with most force, But if the

MANUAL*

century of our experience has demonstrated a n y t h i n g
it is the fallacy of this objection and of all the reasons
urged in its support.
T H E ELECTORAL COLLEGE.
The objection that the electoral college was a contrivance to remove the appointment of the President
from the control of proper suffrage, was, if it had any
merit, speedily overcome without any in|raction of
the Constitution by the democratic tendencies of the
people. The electors composing the college, who it
was supposed would each exercise an independent
judgment in casting his vote for President, soon came
to be elected themselves on distinct pledges made beforehand, that they wd „ Id vote for some person designated as a popular favorite for that office. So that at the
present time the electors of each State, in sending to the
capital their votes for President, do but record the instruction of a majo -ity of the citizens voting in their
State. The term of four years for the Presidential office is now deemed too long for any one, while there
are many who would desire that it should be made
longer, say seven or ten years.
A p p o i n t m e n t t o Ofiiee.
The power of appointment to office requires the consent of the S e n a t e to its exercise; and that body has
asserted its right of refusing that assent so courageously and so freely that there can be no real fear of its
successful use by the President in a manner to endanger the liberty of the country, unless the Senate
itself shall be utterly corrupted. Nor can the means
for such corruption be obtained from the public treasury until Congress in both branches shall become so
degenerate as to consent to such use.
Nor ha\ e we had in this country any want of ambitious men, who have earnestly desired the Presidency, or having it once, have longed for the continuation
of it at the end of the lawful term. And it may be said
that it is almost a custom when a President has filled
his office for one term acceptably, that he is to be reelected, if his political party continues to be a popular
majority. Our people have also shown the usual hero
worship of successful military chieftains, and rewarded them by the election to the Presidency, In proof

THE AMERICAN
of this it is only necessary to mention the names of
Washington, Jackson, Harrison, Taylor, and Grant.
In some of them there has been no want of ambition,
nor of the domineering disposition, which is often engendered by the use of military power. Yet none of
these men have had more than two terms of office.
Csesarism.
And though a few years ago one of the most largely
circulated newspapers of the United States wrote in its
paper day after day articles headed "Csesarism,"
charging danger to the Republic from one of its greatest benefactors and military chiefs, it excited no attention but derision, and deserved no other.

No clanger from t h e President.
There is no danger in this country from the power
reposed in the Presidential office. There is, as sad experience shows, far more danger from nihilism and
assassination, than from ambition in our public servants. So far have the incumbents of the Presidency,
during the hundred years of its history, been from
grasping, or attempting to grasp, powers not warranted by the Constitution, and so far from exercising
the admitted power of that office in a despotic manner
a candid student of our political history during that
time cannot fail to perceive that no one of the three
great departments of the government—the legislative,
the Executive, and the Judicial—has been more shorn
of its just powers, or crippled in the exercise of them,
than the Presidency.
In regard to the function of appointment to office—
perhaps the most important of the executive duties—
the spirit of the Constitution requires that the President shall exercise freely his best judgment and follow its most sincere conviction in selecting proper
men.

The Purpose of the Constitution Defeated.
It is undeniable that for many years past, by the
gradual growth of custom, it has come to pass that in
the nomination of officers by the President, he has so
far submitted to be governed by the wishes and recommendations of interested members of the two
houses of Congress, that the purpose of the Constitution investing this power in him, and the right of the
public to hold him personally responsible for each and

MANUAL.

181

every appointment he makes, is largely defeated. In;
other words, the great principle lying at the foundation of all free governments, that the legislative and
executive departments shall be kept separate, is invaded by the participation of the members of Congress
in the exercise of the appointing powers.
History teaches us in no mistaken language how
oftenj customs and practices, which were originated
without lawful warrant and opposed to the sound construction of the law, have come to overload and pervert it, as commentators on the text of ^Holy Scriptures have established doctrines wholly at variance
with its true spirit.

T H E CENTRAL POINT OF CONTEST—A
CONFEDERACY OR A NATION.
Without considering many minor objections made
to the Constitution during the process of its formation
and adoption, let us proceed to that one which was
the central point of contest then, and which, transferred to the question of construing that instrument,
has continued to divide statesmen and politicians to
the present time. The convention was divided in
opinion between those who desired a strong National
government, capable of sustaining itself by the exercise of suitable powers, and invested by the Constitution with such powers, and those who, regarding the
articles of confederation as a basis, proposed to
strengthen the General Government in a very few
particulars, leaving it chiefly dependent on the action
of the States themselves for its support and for the
enforcement of its laws.
Let us deal tenderly with the a r t i c l e s o f c o n f e d e r a t i o n . "We should "feel grateful for any instrumentality which helped us in the day of our earliest
struggle. Very few are now found to say anything for
these articles, yet they constituted the nominal bond
which held the States together during the war of Independence. It must be confessed that the sense of
common cause and a common danger probably did
more to produce this united effort than other motives.
But the articles served their purpose for the occasion;
and though, when the pressure of imminent danger
was removed they were soon discovered to be a rope
of sand, let them rest in a peaceful, honorable remembrance.

182

THE AMERICAN

Between those who favored a strong government of
the Union and those who were willing to grant it but
little power at the expense of the states, there were
various shades of opinion; and while it was the prevailing sentiment of the convention that '"the greatest
interest of every true American was the consolidation
of the Union" there were many who were unwilling
to attain this subject by detaching the necessary powers from the States and conferring them on the National Government.
These divergent views had their effect, both in the
constitutional convention and in those held for its
ratification.
Compromises a n d Concessions.
Around this central point the contest raged, and it
was only by compromises and concessions, dictated
by the necessity of each yielding something for the
common good—so touching\y mentioned in the letter
of the convention to Congress—that the result was
reached. The p a t r i o t i s m and the l o v e o f l i b e r t y
o f e a c h p a r t y were undisputed. The anxiety for
a government which would best reconcile the possession of powers essential to the State government with
those necessary to the existence and efficiency of the
government of the Union, was equal, and the long
struggle since the adoption of the Constitution on the
same line of thought, in its construction, shows how
firmly these different views are imbedded in our political theories.
T h e P a r t y of S t a t e R i g h t s .
The party which came to be called the party of
State rights had always dreaded that the alleged supremacy of the National power would overthrow the
State governments, or control them to an extent incompatible with any useful existence. Their opponents have been equally confident that powers essential to the successful conduct of the General Government, which either expressly or by implication are
conferred on it by the Constitution, were denied to it
by the State Right party. The one believed in danger
to the States, from the theory which construed with
a free and liberal rule the grants of power to the General Government,and the other believed that such a construction of the constitution was consistent with the

MANUAL.

purpose and spirit of that instrument and essential td
the perpetuity of the Nation.
The T e a c h i n g of E x p e r i e n c e i n t h e Civil
War.
If experience can teach anything on the subject of
theories of government the late civil war teaches unmistakably that those who believed the source of danger to be in the strong powers of the Federal Government were in error, and that those who believed that
such powers were necessary to its safe conduct and
continued existence were in the right. The attempted;
destruction of the Union by eleven States, which were
part of it, and the apparent temporary success of thes
effort was undoubtedly due to the capacity of the
States under the Constitution for concerted action, by
organized movements, with all the machinery ready
at hand to raise armies and establish a central government. And the ultimate failure of the attempt is
attributed with equal clearness to the exercise oi)
those powers of the General Government under the1
Constitution, which were denied to it by extreme ad->
vocates of State Rights. And that this might no
longer be matter of dispute, t h r e e n e w a m e n d *
n i e n t s t o t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n were adopted at the
close of the struggle, which, while keeping in view the
principles of our complex form of State and Federal
government, and seeking to disturb the distribution
of powers among them as little as consistent with the
wisdom acquired by a sorrowful experience, these
amendments confer additional powers on the government of the Union, and place additional restraints
upon the States. May it be long before such an awful
lesson is again needed to decide upon disputed ques-j
tions of Constitutional law.
A Possible Danger.
It is not out of place to remark that while the pendulum of public opinion has swung with much force
away from the extreme point of State Rights doctrine,
there may be danger of its reaching an extreme point
on the other side. In my opinion, the just and equal
observance of the rights of the States, and of the G e n e r a l G o v e r n m e n t , as defined by the present Con<*
stitution, is as necessary to the permanent prosperity
Of the country, said to its existence for another cea-

THE AMERICAN
tury, as it has been for the one whose close we are
now celebrating.
OUR CONSTITUTION U N I Q U E .
Other nations speak of their constitutions, which
are the growth of centuries of government, and the
maxims of experience and the traditions of ages. Many
of them deserve the veneration they receive. But a
constitution, in the American sense of the word, as
accepted in all the states of North and South America,
means an instrument in writing, defining the powers
of government, and distributing those powers among
different bodies of magistrates for their more judicious
exercise.
The constitution of the United States not only did
this as regards a National government, but it established a federation of many States by the same instrument, in which the usual fatal defects in such unions
have been corrected, with such felicity that during the
ioo years of its existence the union of the States has
grown stronger, and has received within that Union
other States exceeding in number those of the original federation,
T h e F i r s t I m p o r t a n t Written Constitution.
It is not only the first important written Constitution found in history, but is the first one which contained the principles necessary to the successful confederation of numerous powerful States. I do not forget,
nor do I mean to disparage, our sister, the federal
republic of Switzerland. But her continuance as an
independent power in Europe is so largely due to her
compact territory, her inaccessible mountains, her
knowledge of the necessity of union to safety, and
the policy of her powerful neighbors, which demands
of each other the recognition of her rights, that she
hardly forms an exception, But Switzerland stands
to-day—may she ever stand—as the o l d e s t w i t n e s s
to the capacity of a republican federation of States for
sound g®vernment, for the security of freedom, and
resistance to disintegrating tendencies.
Its Results Remarkable.
But when we look to the results of confederation in
the Olympic Council, and the Achaian l e a g u e of

MANUAL.

ISO

ancient history, and in modern times to the States of
Holland and the old German Empire, we must admit
that the U n i t e d S t a t e s presents t h e m o s t r e m a r f c a b i e , if not the only successful, happy, and
prosperous, federated government of the world. I^et
us consider for a moment the evidence of this. When
the Constitution was finally ratified, and Rhode Island
also accepted it, the government was composed of
thirteen States. It now numbers t h i r t y - e i g ' h t ,
The inhabited area of those States was found between
the Alleghany Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, a
region which, when we now look over a map of the
United States, seems to be but the eastern border of
the great Republic. Its area now includes all the territory between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans—a
distance of over three thousand miles east and west—
and between the St. Lawrence and the great lakes on
the north, and the Gulf and States of Mexico on the
south. Besides these thirty-eight states, the remainder of this great region is divided into 8 Territories,
with an o r g a n i z e d g o v e r n m e n t in each, several
of which are ready to be admitted into the Union as
States, under a provision of the Constitution on that
subject, and in accordance with the settled policy of
the Nation. The Thirteen States which originally organized this government had a population believed
to be, in round numbers, 3,000,000, many of whom
were slaves. To-day it seems probable that 60,000,000
are embraced in the United States, in which there
breathes no soul who owns any man master.
T h e I m p o v e r i s h e d Condition of t h e Country at t h e Close of t h e R e v o l u t i o n a r y
War.
To-day I do not h e s i t a t e to make the a s s e r t i o n ,
that if you count only that which is real wealth, and
not accumulated capital in the shape of evidences of
debt—which is but a burden upon such property—I
mean, if you count lands and houses and furniture,
and horses and cattle and jewels—all that is tangible
and contributes to the comfort and pleasure of life, the
U n i t e d S t a t e s is to-day the w e a l t h i e s t c o u n t r y
upon the face of the globe, and is the only great government which is so rapidly paying off its National
debt that it is besieging its creditors to accept their

184

THE AMERICAN

money not yet due, with a reasonable rebate for
interest.
THREE IMPORTANT WARS.
Under the government established by this Constitution we have, in the century we are now overlooking,
had three important wars, such as are always accompanied by hazardous shocks to all governments.
T h e War With England.
In the first of these we encountered the British
Empire, the most powerful nation on the globe—a nation which had s u c c e s s f u l l y r e s i s t e d STapoleom,
with all the power of Europe at his back. If we did
not attain all we fought for in that contest, we displayed an energy and courage which commanded for
us an honorable stand among the nations of the earth.
The War W i t h Mexico.
In the second—the war with Mexico—while our reputation as a warlike people suffered no diminution, we
made large accessions of valuable territory, out of
which States have been since made members of the
Union.
T h e Civil War.
The last war—the recent civil war—in the number
of men engaged in it, in the capacity of the weapons
and instruments of destruction brought into operation,
and in the importance of the result to humanity at
large, must be esteemed the g r e a t e s t w a r that the
history of the world presents. It was brought about
by the attempt of eleven of the States to destroy the
Union. This was resisted by the government of that
Union under the powers granted to it by the Constitution.
Results of t h e Civil War.
Its results were the emancipation of 3,000,000 of slaves,
the suppression of the attempt to dissever the Union,
the resumption of an accelerated march in the growth,
prosperity, and happiness of this country. It also
taught the lesson of the i n d e s t r u c t i b i l i t y o f t h e
U n i o n , of the wisdom of the principles on which it
is founded, and it astonished the nations of the world,
and inspired them with a respect which they had
never before entertained for our country.

MANUAL.
Europe to ILearn a Wesson.

I venture to hope that with the earnest gaze of the
wisest and ablest minds of the age turned with profound inteiest to the experiment of the federative system, under our American Constitution, it may suggest
something to relieve the nations of Europe from burdens so heavy that if not soon removed they must
crush the social fabric. Those great nations can not
go on forever adding millions upon millions to their
public debts, mainly for the support of permanent
standing armies, while those armies make such heavy
drafts upon the able-bodied men whose productive industry is necessary to the support of the people
and of the government. I need not dwell on this
unpleasant subject further than to say, that these
standing armies are rendered necessary by the perpetual dread of war with neighboring nations.
In the principles of our Constitution by which the
autonomy and domestic government of each State are
preserved, while the s u p r e m a c y of the G e n e r a l
G o v e r n m e n t at once forbids war between the
States, and enables it to enforce peace among them,
we may discern the elements of political forces sufficient for the rescue of European civilization from this
great disaster.
T h e C o n s t i t u t i o n Wot t h e S o l e R e a s o n
of o u r G r o w t h .
Do I claim for the Constitution, whose creation we
have been celebrating, the sole merit of the wonderful
epitome which I have presented of the progress of
this country to greatness, to prosperity, to happiness
and honor? Nay, I do not; though language used by
men of powerful intellect and great knowledge of history might be my justification if I did.
Mr. B a n c r o f t .
Mr. Bancroft, the venerable historian, who has
devoted a long and laborious life to a history of his
country that is a monument to his genius and his
learning, says of the closing hours of the Convention:
"The members were awe-struck at the result of their
councils; the Constitution was a nobler work than any
one of them believed it possible to devise."

THE AMERICAN

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185

MANUAL.

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THE EXEEHTI¥E HEFHITMEIT

THE.

PRESIDENT.

" ~ " O W CHOSEN. —Elections for President and Vice-President are held on
|§pivt the Tuesday next after the first Mon
ed^ day in November in every fourth year, at
4w which Electors are chosen.
The number of Presidential Electors is

equal to the whole number of Senators
and Representatives in Congress.
DUTIES OW ELECTOKS.—The Electors of
each State must meet and give their votes on the
first Wednesday in December after the election.
The electors must make and sign three certifi-

THE WHITE HOUSE-

186

THE

AMERICA

cates of all the votes given by them, each of
which certificates must contain two distinct lists;
one of the votes for President, and the other of
the votes for Vice-President; they must then
seal up the certificates, and certify upon each
that the lists of all the votes given are contained
therein. The certificates are disposed of as
follows:
The Electors in each State appoint a person
to ts.ke charge of and deliver to the President
of the Senate at the seat of Government, before
the first Wednesday in Tanuary next ensuing,
one of the certificates.
They shall forthwith forward by the postoffice
to the President of the Senate at the seat of
Government, one other of the certificates.
They shall forthwith cause the other of the
certificates to be delivered to the judge of that
district in which the electors shall assemble.
Congress shall be in session on the second
Wednesday in February, succeeding every
meeting of the electors, and the certificates shall
then be opened, the votes counted, and the persons to fill the offices of President and VicePresident ascertained and declared, agreeable to
the Constitution.
VACANCIES.—In case of removal, death, or
resignation of the President, his powers and
duties devolve upon the Vice-President. In case
of removal, death, or resignation of both President and Vice-President, the President of the
Senate, or if there is none, then the Speaker of
the House of Representatives, for the time
being, shall act as President until the disability
is removed, or a President elected.
NOTIFICATION.—Whenever the offices of

1ST

MANUAL.

President and Vice-President both become vacant, the Secretary of State issues a notice of the
election to the Executive of every State of the
fact.
VACANCY. — Electors will be appointed or
chosen in the several States as follows: In case
the notification is made two months previous to
the first Wednesday in December then next ensuing, the electors shall be appointed or chosen
within thirty-four days preceding such first
Wednesday.
If there shall not be the space of two months
between the date of such notification and such
first Wednesday in December, and if the term
for which the President and Vice-President last
in office were elected will not expire on the third
day of March next ensuing, the electors shall be
chosen within thirty-four days preceding the
first Wednesday in December in the next year
ensuing. But if there shall not be the space of
two months between the date of such notification and the first Wednesday in December then
next ensuing, and if the term for which the
President and Vice-President last in office were
elected will expire on the third day of March
next ensuing, no electors are to be chosen.
TERM AND SALARY OF THE PRESIDENT.— The President holds office for four
years. His salary is $50,000 a year, with free
residence in the White House, and sundry perquisites pertaining thereto.
POWERS AITD DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT.—The President is Commander-in-Chief
of the Army and Navy of the United States; he
has powei to grant pardons and reprieves for

THE

AMERICAN

offences against the United States; he makes
treaties by and with the advice and consent of the
Senate; he nominates, and with the consent of
the Senate, appoints all Cabinet, Diplomatic,
Judicial, and Executive officers; he has power to
convene Congress, or the Senate only; he communicates to Congress by message at every
session, the condition of the Union, and recommends such measures as he deems expedient;
he receives all Ambassadors, and other Foreign
Ministers; he takes care that the laws are
faithfully executed, and the public business
transacted.

5DKE P^EjSIDEJW$ CABINET.
The heads of the^ seven principal departments
constitute, according to custom, the President's
cabinet, which are as follows:
The Secretary of State, the Secretary of the
Treasury, the Secretary of "War, the Secretary
of the Navy, the Secretary of the Interior, the
Postmaster-General, and the Attorney-G-eneral.

MANUAL.

187

They are appointed by the President, by and
with the advice and consent of the Senate, and
are removable at pleasure. Each one has in
general, the appointment of the subordinate officers, clerks, employes, agents, etc., in his Department. T h e salary of each Cabinet officer is
$8,000 a year.
S A L A R I E S O F O F F I C E R S , C L E R K S , AND
EMPLOYES IN THE EXECUTIVE
OFFICES.
Private Secretary to the President, $3,250;
Assistant secretary, $2,250; two executive
clerks, each $2,000; Stenographer, Steward, and
one clerk, each, $1,800; Messenger and Usher,
$1,200; one clerk, $1,400; one clerk and four
messengers (two mounted) each, $1,200.
SALARIES O F E M P L O Y E S AT E X E C U T I V E MANSION.
Furnace-keeper, $864; one night watchman,
$900; one night usher, one day usher at Secretary's door, and two doorkeepers, each, $1,200;
one day usher at President's door, $1,400.

mm^

THE

188

AMERICAN

MANUAL.

HFPniMTMBHTS BY THE FKESIHEMT,
OT1E DEPOT|ffi]W.
By and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, for
ati Unlimited Term, or during the pleasure of the
President.

The Secretary of State; the Assistant Secretaries of State; Envoys Extraordinary and Ministers Plenipotentiary;
Ministers Resident:
Charges d' Affaires; Secretaries of Legation;
Consuls-General; Consuls; Commercial Agents.
By the President Alone. — Interpreters and
Consular Clerks.

3DWOT?

DKPOTMEJW.

By and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate—FOR
AN UNLIMITED
TERM.
The Secretary of the Treasury. The Assistant Secretaries. Supervising Inspector-General of Steam Vessels.
Supervising- Surgeon-General of the Marine Hospital
Service. First Comptroller. Second Comptroller. Commissioner of Customs. First Auditor. Second Auditor.
Third Auditor. Fourth Auditor. Fifth Auditor. Sixth
Auditor. Treasurer. Register. Commissioner of Internal Revenue. Deputy First Comptroller. Deputy Second
Comptroller. Deputy Commissioner of Customs.* Deputy
First Auditor. Deputy Second Auditor. Deputy Third
Auditor. Deputy Fourth Auditor. Deputy Fifth Auditor. Deputy Sixth Auditor. Assistant Treasurer. Assistant Registrar. Deputy Comptroller of the Currency.
Deputy Commissioner of Internal Revenue. Superintendent of the Life-saving Service.
REVENUE MARINE SERVICE.
Captains. First Lieutenants. Second Lieutenants.
Third Lieutenants. Chief Engineers.

ASSAY OFFICERS.
Superintendent, New York, New York. Assayer, NewYork, New York. Melter and Refiner, New York, New
York. Assayer and Melter, Charlotte, North Carolina,
Assayer, Boise City, Idaho. Assayer in charge, Helsna?
Montana. Melter, Helena, Montana.
MINT OFFICERS.
Philadelphia, Penn.-^Superintendent, Assayer, Coiner,
Engraver, Melter and Refiner.
San Francisco, Cal.—'Superintendent, Assayer, Coiner,
Melter and Refiner.
N e w Orleans, La.—Superintendent, Assayer, Coiner,
Melter and Refiner.
Carson,Nev.—Superintendent, Assayer, Coiner, Melter,
and Refiner.
"Denver, Col.—Assayer in charge, Melter and Refiner.
COLLECTORS OF CUSTOMS.
Assistant Collectors of Customs. Appraisers of Customs. Collectors of Internal Revenue.
MISCELLANEOUS OFFICERS.
Examiners of Drugs. Supervising Inspectors of Steam
Vessels. The members of the National Board of Health,
three of whom are officers detailed from Departments.
By and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate—FOR
FIVE
TEARS.
Director of the Mint. Comptroller of the Currency.
By and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate—FOR
FOUR
TEARS.
Assistant Treasurers at Baltimore, Maryland; Boston,
Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; Cincinnati, Ohio; New
Orleans, Louisiana; New York City, New York; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; St. Louis, Missouri; San Francisco, California.
Collectors, Surveyors, and Naval Officers of Customs.
By the President alone.
The Superintendent of the Coast and Geodetic Survey*

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

189

WW DEPTO¥M¥.

Captains, Commanders, Lieutenant-Commanders, Lieutenants, Masters, Ensigns, Midshipmen.

By and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate—FOR
LIFE OR GOOD BEHA VIOR.
The President makes Appointments of Officers of the
United States Navy.
To fill vacancies in the lowest grade of Commissioned
Officers in the Army, as follows:
One-fourth of the number from non-commissioned officers in the Army. The remaining- vacancies not filled by
the graduates from the Military Academy, are appointed
from civil life.

STAFF OFFICERS.
Medical Corps.—Medical Directors, Medical Inspectors,
Surgeons, Assistant Surgeons.
Pay Corps.—Pay Directors, Pay Inspectors, Paymasters, Passed Assistant Paymasters, Assistant Paymasters.
Engineer Corps.—Chief Engineers of the three grades,
viz.: Captains, Commanders, Lieutenant-Commanders,
or Lieutenants; First Assistant Engineers, with rank of
Lieutenants or Masters; Second Assistant Engineers,
with rank of Masters or Ensigns. Chaplains. Naval
Constructors and Assistant Naval Constructors. Civil
Engineers and Naval Storekeepers. Professors of Mathematics.

By and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate—FOR
FOUR
YEARS.
Chiefs of seven bureaus of the Department, embracing-.
Yards and Docks, Equipment and Recruiting-, Navigation, Ordnance, Construction and Repair, Steam Engineering, Provisions and Clothing, Medicines and Surgery.
The first five officers are selected from the list of officers
of the navy, -not below the grade of commander. The
chief of the Bureau of Construction and Repair must be
a skillful naval constructor. The chief of the Bureau of
Steam Engineering is appointed from the chief engineers
of the navy. The chief of the Bureau of Provisions and
Clothing- is taken from the list of paymasters of the navy
of not less than ten years' standing. The chief of the
Bureau of Medicines and Surgery from the list of surgeons of the navy. These chiefs of Bureaus have the
rank and pay of commodore while serving- as such.
APPOINTMENTS IN THE UNITED STATES
NAVY.
By and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate—
OFFICES HELD DURING GOOD BEHA VIOR,
OR UNTIL
RETIRED.
All line officers on the active list, and all officers in
the several staff corps of the navy are appointed as follows:
LINE OFFICERS.
_: Admiral, Vice-Admiral, Rear-Admirals, Commodores,

IJWEBflei^ DEP^¥MEJW.
By and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate—
TERM
UNLIMITED.
Secretary of the Interior. Assistant Secretary of the
Interior. Architect of the Capitol Extension. Assistant
Commissioner of Patents. Assistant Inspector of Gas
Meters in the District of Columbia. Auditor of Railroad
Accounts. Commissioner of Education. Commissioner
of General Land Office. Commissioner of Indian Affairs
Commissioner of Patents. Commissioner of Pensions.
Deputy Commissioner of Pensions. Director of Geological Survey. Examiners-in-Chief of Patent Office. Inspector of Gas Meters in the District of Columbia. Principal Clerk of Private Land Claims. Principal Clerk of
Public Lands. Principal Clerk of Surveys. Recorder of
Deeds for the District of Columbia. Recorder of General
Land Office. Register of Wills for the District of Columbia. Superintendent of the Census. Supervisors of
the Census.
By and with the Advi.e and Consent of the Senate—
TERM OF FOUR
TEARS.
Governors of Territoiies. Indian Agents. Indian Inspectors. Pension Agents. Receivers of Public Moneys.
Registers of Land Offices. Secretaries of Territories.
Surveyors - General.

190

THE AMERICAN

By and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate—
TERM OF ONE TEAR.
Members of the Hot Spring- Commission (Arkansas).
By the President.
Commissioners to Codify the Land Laws, for an unlimited term. Members of Board of Indian Commissioners,
for an unlimited term. Government Directors of the
Union Pacific Railroad Company, for a term of one year.
Visitors to the Government Hospital for the Insane, for a
term of six years.

P0JS¥-@KKIOE D E P ^ J I E J W .
By and -with the Advice and Consent of the Senate.
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL,
who serves for and during- the term of the President who
appoints him, and for one month thereupon, thus differing
from the terms of the other cabinet officers.
By and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate—
TERM
UNLIMITED.
First, Second, and Third Assistant Postmasters-General.
By and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate—
TERM OF FOUR TEARS, UNLESS
SOONER
REMOVED.
The Postmaster at New York City.
Postmasters of the first, second, and third, classes.
The commissions of all Postmasters appointed by the
President, by and with the advice and consent of the
Senate, are made out and recorded in the Post-Office
Department, and are under the seal of the Department,
and countersigned by the Postmaster-General.

MANUAL.

DEP^^¥JIES¥ 0E JHjS¥ICE.
By and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate—
TERM
UNLIMITED.
The Attorney-General of the United States. Assistant
Attorneys-General, of which there are three. SolicitorGeneral. Examiner of Claims in the Department of
State. Solicitor of Internal Revenue. Solicitor of the
Treasury. Assistant Solicitor of the Treasury.

DEPTO^JsIEJW 0E ^ I C U M D l H p .
By and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate-—
TERM
UNLIMITED.
The Commissioner of Agriculture.

jaDICI^Y.
By and vnth the Advice and Consent of the Senate—TO
HOLD THEIR OFFICES DURING GOOD BE*
HA VIOR..
The Chief-Justice and the Associate Justices of the
Supreme Court of the United States. Circuit Judges of
the United States. District Judges of the United States.
Chief-Justice and Judges of the Court of Claims. ChiefJustice, and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of
the District of Columbia.
By and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate—
TERM OF FOUR
TEARS.
Chief-Justice and Associate Justices of the Supreme
Courts of the Territories. District Attorneys of the United
States. Marshals of the United States Courts. Attorneys
of the United States in the Territories, Marshals of the
United States in the Territories.

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P r i n c i p a l Officers ©f t h e S e n a t e .
HIS Department consists of a Senate
and House of Representatives.
P P ? ^ Two Senators represent each State,
uioj a n j there being now thirty-eight States,
the Senate is composed of seventy-six
Senators.

THE SENATE.
T i m e a n d Manner of E l e c t i n g S e n a t o r s .
T h e L e g i s l a t u r e of each S t a t e w h i c h is c h o s e n n e x t
preceding - t h e e x p i r a t i o n of t h e t i m e for w h i c h a n y S e n a tor w a s elected, o n t h e second T u e s d a y after meeting-,
proceeds t o elect a S e n a t o r . A v i v a - v o c e vote is t a k e n i n
e a c h H o u s e of t h e L e g i s l a t u r e , a n d t h e n a m e of t h e p e r s o n r e c e i v i n g a majority of t h e w h o l e n u m b e r of votes
cast, is e n t e r e d on' t h e j o u r n a l .
A t t w e l v e o'clock, n e x t d a y , t h e m e m b e r s of each
h o u s e convene in j o i n t assembly, a n d if t h e s a m e p e r s o n
h a s received a majority of votes i n b o t h h o u s e s h e is d e clared elected. B u t if n o t , t h e j o i n t a s s e m b l y p r o c e e d s
to choose, a n d t h e p e r s o n r e c e i v i n g a majority of all t h e
v o t e s , a majority of all t h e m e m b e r s elected t o b o t h
h o u s e s b e i n g p r e s e n t a n d v o t i n g , is elected.
If on t h e first d a y n o election is m a d e , t h e j o i n t a s s e m bly meets on each succeeding day, a n d m u s t t a k e a t least
one vote until a Senator is elected.

A P r e s i d e n t (the V i c e - P r e s i d e n t of t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s ,
or a Senator, elected P r e s i d e n t pro tern), a S e c r e t a r y , a
Chief Clerk, a S e r g e a n t a t A r m s , a C h a p l a i n .

COMPENSATION.
S e n a t o r s , each
'.
Secretary
Chief Clerk
5 P r i n c i p a l Clerks
Librarian
Assistant Librarian
6 C l e r k s i n S e c r e t a r y ' s office
5 Clerks i n S e c r e t a r y ' s office
Stationery Keeper
Assistant
2 M e s s e n g e r s , each
1 Special P o l i c e m a n
4 L a b o r e r s i n S e c r e t a r y ' s office
C h a p l a i n of S e n a t e
„
Secretary to Vice-President
Sergeant-at-Arms and Doorkeeper
Clerk to the Sergeant-at-Arms
Assistant Doorkeeper
Acting Assistant Doorkeeper.
3 A c t i n g A s s i s t a n t D o o r k e e p e r s , each
Postmaster to the Senate
A s s i s t a n t P o s t m a s t e r a n d M a i l Carrier
4 Mail Carriers, each
Messenger to the Vice-President's room
Clerk to Committee on Appropriations
A s s i s t a n t Clerk on A p p r o p r i a t i o n s
Clerk of P r i n t i n g R e c o r d s

$5,ooo
4,896
3,000
2,592
2,220
1,800
2,220
2,100
2,102
1,800
1,296
1,296
720
* 900
2.102
4,320
2,000
2,592
$2,592
1,800
2,250
2,088
1,200
1,440
2,500
1,600
2,220

192

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

H A L L OF R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S ? W A S H I N G T O N .

THE AMERICAN
Clerk to C o m m i t t e e on F i n a n c e
- 2,220
Clerk to C o m m i t t e e on Claims
2,220
Clerk to C o m m i t t e e on C o m m e r c e
2,220
Clerk to C o m m i t t e e on t h e J u d i c i a r y
2,220
Clerk t o C o m m i t t e e on P r i v a t e L a n d Claims
2,220
Clerk to C o m m i t t e e on N a v a l Affairs
2,220
Clerk to C o m m i t t e e on P e n s i o n s
2,220
C l e r k to C o m m i t t e e o n M i l i t a r y Affairs
2.220
C l e r k t o C o m m i t t e e o n Post-Offices a n d P o s t Roads
.
2,220
Clerk to C o m m i t t e e on D i s t r i c t of C o l u m b i a . . . . 2,220
Clerk to J o i n t C o m m i t t e e on t h e L i b r a r y
2,220
C l e r k t o C o m m i t t e e on t h e C e n s u s
2,220
Superintendent Document-Room
2,l6o
2 A s s i s t a n t s in D o c u m e n t - R o o m , each
1,440
i P a g e in Document-Room
720
2,l6o
S u p e r i n t e n d e n t of F o l d i n g - R o o m
I,200
i A s s i s t a n t in F o l d i n g - R o o m
1,440
24 M e s s e n g e r s ( A s s i s t a n t D o o r k e e p e r s ) , each
1,440
1 M e s s e n g e r to C o m m i t t e e o n A p p r o p r i a t i o n s
I,20O
M e s s e n g e r in c h a r g e of S t o r e - R o o m
1,200
M e s s e n g e r in Official R e p o r t e r ' s R o o m
2,l6b
Chief E n g i n e e r
1,440
3 A s s i s t a n t E n g i n e e r s , each
2 F i r e m e n , each
1,095
3 L a b o r e r s in E n g i n e e r ' s D e p a r t m e n t , each
720
2 Telegraph Operators
1,200
22 Clerks to C o m m i t t e e s d u r i n g Sessions, each a t
%6 per diem.
14 P a g e s t o r t h e Senate C h a m b e r ;
3 Riding P a g e s ; and
" P a g e for the Office of t h e Secretary, a t t h e r a t e
1
of $2.50 per day, each, w h e n employed.
4 F o l d e r s , a t $3 per d a y , each, w h e n e m p l o y e d .
C o n d u c t o r of t h e E l e v a t o r ".
1,200
8 Skilled L a b o r e r s , each
1,000
12 L a b o r e r s , each
720
12 L a b o r e r s d u r i n g Session, at t h e r a t e of, e a c h . . . .
1 L a b o r e r in C h a r g e of P r i v a t e P a s s a g e
1 F e m a l e A t t e n d a n t in C h a r g e of L a d i e s ' R e t i r i n g Room
720
R e p o r t e r s of D e b a t e s , p a y i n g o w n A s s i s t a n t s , . 25,000

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
T h e H o u s e o f R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s consists of t w o
hundred a n d n i n e t y - t h r e e R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s a n d e i g h t D e l egates, a p p o r t i o n e d a m o n g t h e S t a t e s a n d T e r r i t o r i e s a s
follows: M a i n e , 5; N e w H a m p s h i r e , 3 ; V e r m o n t , 3 ;
M a s s a c h u s e t t s , 11; R h o d e I s l a n d , 2 ; C o n n e c t i c u t , 4 ;
N e w Y o r k , 33; N e w Jersey, 7; P e n n s y l v a n i a , 27; D e l a w a r e 1; M a r y l a n d , 6; V i r g i n i a , 9/, N o r t h C a r o l i n a , 8;
S o u t h Carolina, 5; G e o r g i a , 9 ; A l a b a m a , 8; M i s s i s s i p p i ,
6; L o u i s i a n a , 6; O h i o , 20; K e n t u c k y , 10; T e n n e s s e e , 10;
I n d i a n a , 13; Illinois, 19; M i s s o u r i , 13; A r k a n s a s , 4 ;
MirTiioran n- THnriAo o • Tnvoo A- TV.,,^ ~. VVisCOnsin,

MANUAL

193

i u e i e i s o n e JL> n e g a t e from each of t h e f o l l o w i n g -territ o r i e s : A r i z o n a , D a k o t a , I d a h o , M o n t a n a , N e w Mexico,
Utah, W a s h i n g t o n , and W y o m i n g .

Time and Manner of Election.
R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s i n C o n g r e s s a r e elected b y ballot in
districts composed of c o n t i g u o u s t e r r i t o r y . T h e d a y for
electing C o n g r e s s m e n is t h e T u e s d a y n e x t after t h e first
M o n d a y in N o v e m b e r e v e r y second year.
Delegates
from t h e T e r r i t o r i e s art elected b y a majority or t h e
votes of t h e qualified voters of t h e T e r r i t o r i e s , r e s p e c tively. T h e y h a v e seats in t h e h o u s e w i t h t h e r i g h t of
d e b a t i n g , b u t n o t of voting

Officers.
A Speaker, a Clerk of t h e H o u s e , a Chief C l e r k , a
Chaplain.

COMPENSATION.
Speaker
$S,,ooo
Representatives and Delegates
5,,000
C l e r k of H o u s e
, 4,>So°
Chief Clerk
3,,000
J o u r n a l Clerk
3.,000
2 R e a d i n g Clerks
3.,000
T a l l y Clerk
3,,ooo
P r i n t i n g Clerk
2, ,500
<
3 Clerks, D i s b u r s i n g , F i l e , P r i n t i n g , E n r o l l i n g
each
2, 250
A s s i s t a n t to Chief C l e r k . 2,,000
\ s s i s t a n t Disbursing^ Clerk
2,,000
Resolution a n d P e t i t i o n Clerk
2,,ooo
N e w s p a p e r Clerk
2,,000
S u p e r i n t e n d e n t of D o c u m e n t - R o o m
2,,000
I n d e x Clerk
2,,000
Librarian
2,,000
D i s t r i b u t i n g Clerk
1,,800
S t a t i o n e r y Clerk
1,,800
900
Chaplain
D o c u m e n t Clerk
1,,440
Upholsterer
1,.440
Locksmith
1,.440
2 A s s i s t a n t L i b r a r i a n s , each
1,,440
1 Book-keeper
1,,600
4 Clerks, each
1, 600
C l e r k to C o m m i t t e e on Claims
2,,ooo
Clerk to C o m m i t t e e on P u b l i c L a n d s
2,,000
C l e r k to C o m m i t t e e on W a r Claims
2,,000
C l e r k to C o m m i t t e e on Invalid P e n s i o n s
2,,ooo
C l e r k to C o m m i t t e e on J u d i c i a r y
2,,000
C l e r k to C o m m i t t e e on District of Columbia
2,,000
C l e r k t o C o m m i t t e e on A p p r o p r i a t i o n s
2, 500
C l e r k to C o m m i t t e e o n W a y s a n d M e a n s
2, 500
S e r g e a n t - a t - A r m s of t h e H o u s e
4,,ooo
Clerk to S e r g e a n t - a t - A r m s of the H o u s e
2,,100
P a y i n g T e l l e r for S e r g e a n t - a t - A r m s of
the

194

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MANUAL

THE SENATE CHAMBER.

THE AMERICAN
House,,,,,,„v„,
M e s s e n g e r for S e r g e a n t - a t - A r m s of t h e H o u s e .
i Messenger to Committee on Appropriations
A s s i s t a n t Clerk to C o m m i t t e e on A p p r o p r i a t i o n s .
A s s i s t a n t Clerk t o C o m m i t t e e on W a r C l a i m s . .
P r i v a t e S e c r e t a r y to t h e S p e a k e r
Clerk at Speaker's Table
Clerk to the Speaker
A s s i s t a n t Clerk t o C o m m i t t e e on W a y s and
Means
i M e s s e n g e r to Committee on W a y s a n d M e a n s . . .
14 M e s s e n g e r s on " S o l d i e r s ' R o l l , " provided said
M e s s e n g e r s served in t h e U n i o n Arm}'-, and
Postmaster
First Assistant Postmaster
8 M e s s e n g e r s , each
4 M e s s e n g e r s d u r i n g t h e Session, a t e t h e r a t e of,
each
1 L a b o r e r in B a t h - R o o m
2r L a b o r e r s , each
1 Telegraph Operator
10 M e s s e n g e r s , e a c h
10 L a b o r e r s d u r i n g the Session, a t t h e r a t e of,
each
1 Laborer
2 Laborers, each
8 L a b o r e r s , " C l o a k - R o o m m e n , " each, per m o n t h
d u r i n g t h e Session
11 F e m a l e Attendant, L a d i e s ' R e t i r i n g - R o o m
S u p e r i n t e n d e n t of F o l d i n g - R o o m
1 Clerk i n F o l d i n g - R o o m
2 Clerks i n F o l d i n g - R o o m
S u p e r i n t e n d e n t of D o c u m e n t - R o o m
Chief A s s i s t a n t in D o c u m e n t - R o o m
D o c u m e n t F i l e Clerk. .. '
2 S t e n o g r a p h e r s for Committees, each . . .

2,000
1,200
1 000
r,6oo
1,600
1,800
1,600
1,400
1,200
1,000
2,500
2,000
T,200

800
720
720
720
1,000
720
840
600
600
2,000
1,800
1,200
2,000
2,000
1,400
5,000

MANUAL.

105

5 Official R e p o r t e r s of t h e P r o c e e d i n g s a n d D e bates ox t h e H o u s e , each
5>ooo
Compiler of t h e G e n e r a l I n d e x of t h e J o u r n a l s
of C o n g r e s s
2,500
32 Clerks t o C o m m i t t e e s , d u r i n g t h e Session, $6 per
day, each.
1 J o u r n a l Clerk for p r e p a r i n g D i g e s t of t h e R u l e s . 1,000
29 P a g e s , w h e n e m p l o y e d , p e r d a y , each, $2.50.
1 F o r e m a n of F o l d i n g - R o o m
,
1,500
15 F o l d e r s , each
720
10 F o l d e r s , each
900
5 F o l d e r s , each
S40
1 Messenger
1,200
1 F o l d e r in Sealing - R o o m
1,200
1 Page
500
1 Laborer
400
1 Laborer
660
1 P a g e , per m o n t h
60
Doorkeeper
2,500
Assistant Doorkeeper
2,000
Clerk for D o o r k e e p e r . . .
.
1,200
Janitor
1,200
Chief E n g i n e e r
1,700
2 A s s i s t a n t ^ E n g i n e e r s , each
1,200
1 Electrician
M50
1 Laborer
820
5 F i r e m e n , each
900
2 M e s s e n g e r s in the H o u s e L i b r a r v , per day, $3.60.

Capitol Police,
1
3
21
8

Captain
L i e u t e n a n t s , each
P r i v a t e s , each
W a t c h m e n , each

,

$1,600
1,220
1,100
90a

196

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MANUAL.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
ORGANIZATION. — This Department, established July 27, 1789, was originally styled the
Department of Foreign Affairs, the principal
officer being called the Secretary for the Department of Foreign Affairs, but its name was
changed by an act of Congress. Sept. 15, 1789,
to the Department of State.
The principal officer by that act was called
The Secretary of State.
P O W E B S A N D D U T I E S O F SECBET A R Y O F S T A T E . — T h e Secretary of State
conducts al1 correspondence and issues instructions to the public ministers and consuls from
the United States, negotiates with public ministers from foreign states or princes, and has
charge, under the direction of the President, of
all matters pertaining to foreign affairs,
He takes charge of the seal of the United
States, and of the seal of the Department of
State. It is his duty to affix the seal of the
United States to all civil commissions (except
for revenue officers), for officers of the United
States appointed by the President, by and with
the advice and consent of the Senate, or by the
President alone.
The originals of all bills, orders, and resold
tions of the Senate and House of Representatives are received and preserved by this Department. It is the duty of the Secretary to promulgate and publish the laws, amendments to
the Constitution of the United States, and to
make known commercial information communicated by diplomatic and consular officers.
It is the duty of the Secretary of State to

procure from time tu time such of the statutes
of the several States as may not be in his office.
He must, within ten days after the commencement of each regular session of Congress, lay
before that body a statement containing an abstract of all returns made to him pursuant to
law by collectors of the different ports of the
seamen registered by them, together with an
account of such impressments and detentions as
may appear by the protest of the masters of
vessels to have taken place.
He must annually lay before Congress the
following reports:
I.—A statement, in a compendious form, of
all such changes and modifications in the commercial systems of other nations, whether by
treaties, duties on imports and exports, or other
regulations, as shall have been communicated to
the Department, including information contained in official publications of other Governments, which he may deem of sufficient importance.
II.—A synopsis of so much of the information which may have been communicated to
him by diplomatic and consular officers, during
the 2>receding year, as he may deem valuable
for public information.
T H E C H I E F C L E R K . — T h e Chief Clerk
has general supervision of the clerks, and of the
business of the Department.
T H E FOUR BUREAUS O F T H E DEP A R T M E N T are the following, with the business pertaining to each:

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

lifflM
jlrfflfli
^HSiiias^ssi ateaisitais •
;

NEW STATE DEPARTMENT,

197

198

THE

AMERICAN

The Diplomatic Bureau has charge of all
correspondence between the Department and
other diplomatic agents of the United States
abroad, and those of foreign powers accredited
to this government.

MANUAL.

The Consular Bureau has charge of the correspondence, etc., between the department and
the consuls, and commercial agents of tke
United States.

CABINET CHAMBER.

THE

AMERICAN

The Bureau of Rolls, Indices, and Archives,
has charge of the enrolled acts and resolutions
of Congress, as they are received from the
President; prepares authenticated copies thereof;
superintends their publication, and that of
treaties; attends to their distribution, and that of
ail documents and publications in regard to
which this duty is assigned to the department;
writing and answering all letters connected
therewith; answering calls of the principal
officers for correspondence; and has charge of
all Indian treaties, and business relating thereto.
The Bureau of Accounts has charge of all
matters connected wi;h accounts relating to any
fund disbursed by the department; indemnity
fundo and bonds; care of building and property.

BRANCHES OR DIVISIONS.
STATISTICAL DIVISION.—The Clerk of
this Division has the administration of the collection, analyzing, publication, and distribution
of commercial information.
AUTHENTICATIONS.—The Clerk of Authentications has charge of the seals of the
United States and of the department, and prepares and attaches certificates to papers presented for authentication: receives and accounts
for the fees; and records all letters from the department, other than the diplomatic and consular.
PARDONS A N D COMMISSIONS. — The
Clerk of Pardons and Commissions prepares and
records pardons and remissions, and registers and
files the papers on which they are founded, and
attends to applications for office.
TRANSLATIONS.— T h e Translator furnishes such translations as the department may

199

MANUAL,

require by the Secretary, Assistant Secretary,
or Chief Clerk, and records the commissions of
consuls and vice-consuls, when not in English,
upon which exequaturs are issued.
LIBRARIANS.—The Librarian has the custody of the rolls, treaties, etc., the promulgation
of the laws, the care and superintendence of the
library and public documents, the care of the
Revolutionary archives and archives of international commissions.

Salaries and Pay of the Officers and Employes of the Department of State.
Secretary, $8,000. Three Assistant Secretaries, each, $3,500. Chief Clerk, $2,500. Translator and four Chiefs of Bureaus, each $2,100.
Eleven Clerks, each, $1,800. Four clerks, each,
$1,600. Two Clerks, each, $1,400. Ten Clerks,
each, $1,200. Two Clerks, each, $1,000. Ten
Clerks, each, $900. Engineer, $ j , 200. Assistant Engineer, $1,000. Two Superintendents of
Watch, each, $1,000. Six Watchmen, Six Firemen, Assistant Messenger, Elevator Tender,
each, $720. Twelve Laborers, each, $660. Ten
Charwomen, each, $180. A small number of
extra clerks, messengers, and laborers are employed from time to time.
APPOINTMENTS BY THE SECRETARY
OF S T A T E .
UNLIMITED TERM.

Chief clerks, chiefs of bureaus, translator, clerks of the
several classes, messengers, watchmen, laborers, and
other employes of the Department.
Vice-consuls-general, vice-consuls, deputy consuls-general, vice-commercial agents, deputy consuls, and deputy
commercial agents are appointsd under regulations prescribed by the President in the following manner: by the
Secretary of State, on the nomination of the principal consular officer, approved by the consul-general, or if there
be no consul-general, then by the minister.

200

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MANUAL,

^TREASURY HEFfiHTMENT,^
Office of the Secretary, including eight regular divisions ; besides the Chief Clerk's Office, the office of the
Custodian of the building; and Special Agents' Division;
the Secret Service, and the Division ol Captured and
Abandoned Property, Lands, etc.; Bureau of Engraving
and Printing; Bureau of the Mint; Office of the Supervising Architect; Supervising Inspector-General of Steam
Vessels; Office of the Superintendent of the Life-Saving
Service; Office of the Lighthouse Board; Supervising Surgeon-General of Marine Hospitals; First Comptroller;
Second Comptroller; Commissioner of Customs; First
Auditor, Second Auditor, Third Auditor, Fourth Auditor,
Fifth Auditor, Sixth Auditor; Treasurer; Register;
Comptroller of the Currency; Commissioner of Internal
Revenue; Coast Survey.
DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY.
The Secretary prepares plans for the improvement and
management of the revenue, and for the support o£ the
public credit. He prescribes the forms of keeping and
rendering all accounts; grants all warrants for moneys to
be issued from the Treasury in pursuance of appropriations made by Congress; reports to the Senate and House,
in person or in writing, information required by them appertaining to his office, and performs all duties relative to
the finances that he shall be directed to perform.
The Secretary orders the collection, the deposit, the
transfer, the safe-keeping, and the disbursement of the
revenue; and directs the auditing and settling the accounts, respectively.
Secretary's Office.—The Secretary of the Treasury is
charged with the general supervision of the fiscal transactions of the government, and the execution of the laws
concerning commerce and navigation; the survey of the
coast; the lighthouse establishment the marine hospitals of the United States, and the construction of certain
public buildings for custom-house and other purposes.
The First Comptroller prescribes the mode of keeping
and rendering accounts for the civil and diplomatic service, as well as the public lands, and revises and certifies
the balances arising thereon.
The Second Comptroller prescribes the mode of keeping and rendering the accounts of the army, navy, and
Indian departments of the public service, ana revises and
certifies the balances arising thereon.
The Commissioner of the Customs prescribes the mode
of keeping and rendering the accounts of the customs,
revenue, and disbursement, and for the building and repairing custom-houses, etc., and revises and certifies the
balances arising thereon.
The First Auditor receives and adjusts the accounts o<

the customs, revenue and disbursements, appropriations,
and expenditures on account of the civil list, and under
private acts of Congress, and reports the balances to the
Commissioner of the Customs and the First Comptroller
respectively, for their decision thereon.
The Second Auditor receives and adjusts all accounts
relating to the pay, clothing, and recruiting of the army,
as well as the armories, arsenals, and ordnance, and all
accounts relating to the Indian department, and reports
the balances to the Second Comptroller for his decision
thereon.
The Third Auditor receives and adjusts all accounts
for subsistence of the army, fortifications, military academy, military roads, and the quartermaster's department,
pensions, and claims arising from military services previous to 1816, and for horses and other property lost m the
military service, and reports the balances to the Second
Comptroller for his decision thereon.
The Fourth Auditor adjusts all accounts for the service
of the Navy Department, and reports the balances to the
Second Comptroller for his decision thereon.
The Fifth Auditor adjusts all accounts for diplomatic
and similar services performed under the direction of the
State department, and reports the balances to the First
Comptroller for his decision thereon.
The Sixth Auditor adjusts all accounts arising ^ from
the service of the Postoffice Department. His decisions
are final, unless an appeal is taken within twelve months
to the First Comptroller. He superintends the collection
of all debts due the Postoffice Department, and all penalties imposed on postmasters and mail contractors for
failing to do their duty. He directs suits and legal proceedings, civil and criminal, and takes legal measures to
enforce the prompt payment of money due to the department; instructing attorneys, marshals, and clerks relative
thereto; and receives returns from each term of the
United States Courts of the condition and progress of
such suits and legal proceedings; has charge of all lands
and other property assigned to the United States in payment of debts due to the Postoffice Department, and has
power to sell and dispose oi the same for the benefit of
the United States.
_
The Treasurer receives and keeps the moneys of the
United States in his own office, and that of the depositories, and pays out the same upon warrants drawn by the
Secretary of the Treasury, countersigned by the First
Comptroller, and upon warrants drawn by the Postmaster-General, and countersigned by the Sixth Auditor, and
recorded by the Register. He also holds public moneys
advanced by warrant to disbursing officers, and pays out
the same upon their checks.

THE

AMERICAN

The Register keeps the accounts of public receipts and
expenditures; receives the returns, and makes out the official statement of commerce and navigation of the United
States; and receives from the First Comptroller and
Commissioner of Customs all accounts and vouchers decided by them, and is charged by law with their safekeeping.
The Solicitor superintends all civil suits commenced
by the United States {except those arising- in the Postoffice
Department), and instructs the United States attorneys,
marshals and clerks in all matters relating to them, and
their results. He receives returns from each term of the
United States Courts, showing the progress and condition of such suits; has charge of all lands and other property assigned to the United States in payment of debts
{except those assigned in payment of debts due to the Postoffice Department), and has power to sell and dispose of
the same for the benefit of the United States.
The Lighthouse Board.—The Secretary of the Treas ury is ex officio president of the board. It directs the
building and repairing of lighthouses, light-vessels,
buoys, and beacons, contracts for supplies of oil, etc.
"United States Coast Survey.—The coast survey officer
is charged with the superintendence of the survey of the
coast of the United States, and its superintendent is the
superintendent of weights and measures.
The Comptroller of the Currency has charge of
everything connected with the issue of money.
The Commissioner of Internal Revenue has charge
of all matters connected with the Tax Laws.
The Supervising Architect has charge of the construction of public buildings.
The Special Commissioner of Revenue is required by
law to investigate the sources of national revenue, the
best methods of collecting revenue, the administration of
existing revenue laws, and the relation of foreign trade
to domestic industry.
P A Y OF EMPLOYES I N THE OFFICE OF THE
,.
SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY.
Force in Secretary's Office.—Chief clerk (of the Department), $3,000; chief of Division of Warrants, etc.,
chief of Division of Customs, each, $2,750; 6 chiefs of
division, 2 disbursing clerks, each, $2,500; assistant
chief of division of Warrants. $2,400; 2 assistant chiefs
of Division, $2,100; 6 assistant chiefs of Division, stenographer to the Secretary, $2,000; 192 clerks, from $900 to
$1,900; 14 messengers and assistants, from $720 to $840;
2 conductors of elevators, each, $720; 43 laborers, each,
$660; 2 lieutenants, each, $900; 58 watchmen, each, $720;
1 engineer, $1,400; 1 assistant engineer, $1,000; 1 machinist and gas-fitter, 1 storekeeper, captain of the watch,
$1,200; 6 firemen, each, $720575 charwomen or cleaners,
each, $180.

MANUAL,

201

Internal Revenue Bureau.—Commissioner, $6,000;
deputy, $3,200; 2 chiefs of Division, $2,500; 5 chiefs of
Division, $2,250; stenographer, $1,800; 169 clerks, from
$000 to $1,800; 4 messengers, $720; 10 laborers, $660.
About 30 clerks and 6 messengers are employed temporarily, and paid at rates varying from $720 to $2,100 per
year.
Treasury of the United States.—Treasurer, $6,000;
assistant treasurer,cashier, $3,600; assistant, $3,200; superintendent National Bank Agency, $3,500; chief clerk, 5
chiefs of division, 2 bookkeepers, 3 tellers, $2,500; 2 assistants, $2,400; 2 assistants, $2,250; assistant, $2,000; 223
clerks, from $900 to $i,8oo; 7 messengers, $840; 10 assistants, $720; 33 laborers, from $240 to $660.
Registry of the Treasury.—Register, $4,000; assistant,
$2,250; 5 chiefs of Division, disbursing clerk, $2,000; 113
clerks, from $900 to $1,800; messenger, $840; 4 assistants,
$720; 7 laborers, $660.
Accounting Offices.—2 comptrollers, $5,000; 2 deputies.
$2,700; commissioner of customs, $4,000; 7 deputies, $2,350; 6 auditors, $3,600; 38 chiefs of division, from $2,000
to $2,100; 1 disbursing clerk, $2,000; 693 clerks, from $900
to $1,800; 11 messengers, from $660 to $840; 56 laborers,
male and female, from $180 to $660.
Bureau of the Mint.—Director, $4,500; examiner, $2,300; computer, $2,200; 3 clerks, from $1,400 to $1,800;
translator, $1,200; copyist, $900; messenger, $720; laborer,
$660.
Bureau of National Currency.—Comptroller of currency, $5,000; deputy, $2,800; 4 chiefs of division, $2,200;
superintendent of currency, teller, 2 bookkeepers, bond
clerk, $2,000; 76 clerks, from $900 to $1,800; stenographer,
$1,600; messenger. $840; 3 assistants, $720; 2 watchmen,
$720; 3 laborers, $660.
PAY OF OFFICERS AND EMPLOYES I N THE
DIFFERENT DIVISIONS OF THE TREASURY
DEPARTMENT.
Bureau of P r i n t i n g and Engraving.—Chief. $4,500;
Assistant, $2,250; Accountant, $2,000; Stenographer, $1,600; 7 Clerks from $1,000 to $1,600; 3 Copyists, each, $900;
3 Messengers, each, $720; 4 Laborers, each, $660. Large
numbers of engravers, plate printers, skilled and unskilled workmen and workwomen, etc., are employed by
the day or piece, permanently or temporarily, at wages
varying from $1 to $12, the whole force sometimes reaching nearly to one thousand.
Construction Bureau.—Supervising Architect, $4,500;
Assistant, $2,250; Photographer, $2,250; 8 Clerks from
$900 to $2,000; Messenger, $720. About 90 civil engineers; architects, draughtsmen, computers, clerks, messengers, etc., are also steadily employed in tnis office, and
paid by the day at rates yielding from $600 to $3,600 per
year.
Bureau of Statistics.—Chief, $2,400; 25 Clerks from
$900 to $2,00; 5 Copyists, each, $000; Messenger, $7->o;

202

THE AMERICAN

Laborer, $660; Laborer, $480. Kxperts are tempoi^'iiy
employed by this bureau to furnish statistics relative to
internal and foreign commerce.
Light-House Bureau.—Chief Clerk, $2,400; 22 Clerks
from $900 to $1,800; 2 Messengers, each, $720; Laborer,
$660. A few engineers and draughtsmen are employed,
and paid by the month from $1,200 to $2,400 per annum.
MISCELLANEOUS,
Coast and Geodetic Survey.—Superintendent, $6,000;
Assistant, $4,200; Consulting Geometer, $4,000; Disbursing Agent, $2,500. There are generally employed upward of 50 so-called assistants, with salaries varying
from $3,750 to $1,100, and about 100 clerks, computers,
draughtsmen, printers, engravers, etc., at compensations
varying from $2,000 per year down to $1.50 per day.
Revenue Marine Service.—34 Captains, each, $2,500;
34 First Lieutenants, 23 Chief Engineers, each, $1,800;
34 Second Lieutenants, 18 Assistants, each $1,500; 22
Teird Lieutenants, each, $1,200; 12 Cadets, each, $900;
27 Assistants, each, $1,200.
Life-Saving Service.—General Superintendent, $4,000;
Assistant, $2,500; Accountant, $1,800; 9 Clerks from $900to $1,600; Messenger, $720; Superintendent of Construction, $2,000; 6 Assistants, each, per month from $75 to
$POO; 11 District Superintendents, each from $1,000 to
$1,500; Assistant, $500; 170 Keepers, each, $400; 1,400
Surfmen, per month, each, $40.
National Board of Health.—7 Members of Board, per
day, each $10; Chief Clerk, $2,300; 5 Clerks, from $1,200
to $1,800; Messenger, per month, $60; Assistant, per
month, $25; Laborer, per day, $1.25; 12 Inspectors, each,
per day, $10; 2 Inspectors, each per month, from $200 to
$300. The force is variable, both as to numbers and pay.
Marine Hospital Service.—Supervising Surgeon-General, $4,000; 65 medical officers, with salaries ranging
from $3,000 down to $100 per year; about X clerks at
O

MANUAL.

headquarters, with the usual clerical salaries paid at
Washington, and about 150 stewards, nurses, and other
employes, paid at rates ranging from $720 to $100 per
year.
Steamboat Inspecting Service.—Supervising Inspector-General, $3,500; 12 Supervising Inspectors, $3,000; 40
Inspectors of Hulls, each, from $800 to $2,200; 53 Inspectors of Boilers, each from $800 to $2,200; 9 clerks, each,
from $900 to $1,200.
Internal Revenue Agencies.—Supervising Agent, per
day, $12; 34 Agents, each, per day, from $6 to $8.
National Bank Examiners.—This force is variable in
number and compensation, the banks examined paying
the fees for examination, and the examiners being chosen
by the Comptroller of the Currency at will.
Secret Service.—Chief, $2,500. The force is variable,
but tisually consists of about 40 detectives and a few
clerks, paid at various rates according to time employed
and service rendered. The leading duty is suppression of
counterfeiting.
Special Agencies of Customs.—28 Special Agents, each,
per day from $6 to $8; 4 Seal-Island Agents in Alaska,
each, from $2,190 to $3,650. Each seal-island agent is allowed $600 per year for traveling to and from Alaska; 2
Isthmus Inspectors., $2,500.
APPOINTMENTS.
By the Secretary of tke Treasury.
Chief Clerk, Disbursing Clerks. Chiefs of Divisions.
Chief of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Assistant Superintendent Life-Saving Service.
Assistant
Chief of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Supervising Architect. Assistant Supervising Architect,
Chief Clerk. Clerks of the several classes, fourth, thirA,
second, first, $1,000 and $900.

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

203

«N>WflR SEF&STMEIT^
T h e S e c r e t a r y of W a r h a s c h a r g e of all t h e duties conn e c t e d w i t h t h e a r m y of t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , fortifications,
etc., i s s u e s c o m m i s s i o n s , directs t h e m o v e m e n t of t r o o p s ,
s u p e r i n t e n d s their p a y m e n t , s t o r e s , c l o t h i n g , a r m s a n d
e q u i p m e n t s , a n d o r d n a n c e , a n d c o n d u c t s w o r k s of military
engineering.
T h e f o l l o w i n g b u r e a u s a r e a t t a c h e d to this department:
„ "..
,.
.,
__.
—,,
~ •
,.
C o m m a n d i n g General's Office.-The Commanding
G e n e r a h a s c h a r g e of t h e a r r a n g e m e n t of t h e m i l i t a r y
forces, t h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n c e of t h e r e c r u i t i n g service, a n d
t h e discipline of t h e a r m y . H e is t o see t h a t t h e l a w s a n d
s a t i o n s of t h e a r m y a r e enforced. T h e office is a t
W a s h i n g t o n , a n d is called t h e H e a d q u a r t e r s of t h e a r m y .
A d j u t a n t - G e n e r a l ' s Office.—In t h i s office a r e k e p t all
t h e r e c o r d s w h i c h r e f e r t o t h e persoimel of t h e a r m y , p a y roll, etc., a n d all m i l i t a r y c o m m i s s i o n s a r e m a d e out.
A l l o r d e r s w h i c h e m a n a t e from H e a d q u a r t e r s , or t h e
W a r D e p a r t m e n t p r o p e r , p a s s t h r o u g h t h i s office, a n d
t h e a n n u a l r e t u r n s f r o m t h e a r m y a r e received b y it.
T h e Q u a r t e r m a s t e r - G e n e r a l ' s Office p r o v i d e s q u a r t e r s , s t o r a g e , a n d t r a n s p o r t a t i o n for t h e a r m y , a a d h a s
c h a r g e of t h e b a r r a c k s a n d t h e n a t i o n a l cemeteries.
««_ T>
«
,, ^^
t
1r. ^
JAT h e P a y m a s t e r - G e n e r a l ' s Office h a s c h a r g e of t h e disb u r s e m e n t s to t h e r e g u l a r a r m y a n d t h e M i l i t a r y A c a d emv
*
T h e C o m m i s s a r y - G e n e r a l ' s Office p r o v i d e s subsistence stores for t h e t r o o p s a n d m i l i t a r y forts.
T h e O r d n a n c e B u r e a u h a s c h a r g e of t h e o r d n a n c e
stores, and the various arsenals and armories.
T h e E n g i n e e r ' s Office h a s c h a r g e of t h e m i l i t a r y d e f e n s e s of t h e c o u n t r y , t h e i m p r o v e m e n t of r i v e r s , t h e
s u r v e y s r e l a t i n g t h e r e t o , a n d t h e care of t h e M i l i t a r y
Academy.
S u r g e o n - G e n e r a l ' s Office.—All m a t t e r s connected w i t h
medicine a n d s u r g e r y , t h e m a n a g e m e n t of t h e sick a n d
w o u n d e d , a n d the^hospitals, a r e u n d e r t h e control of t h i s
office.
T o p o g r r a p h i c a l B u r e a u . — T h i s b u r e a u h a s c h a r g e of all
topographical operations a n d surveys for military purpose?, a n d for p u r p o s e s of i n t e r n a l i m p r o v e m e n t , a n d o^ all
maps, drawings, and documents relating to those duties.
««.«
* *. „
-^
-,
J A - ^ J
J
T h e B u r e a u of R e f u g e e s , F r e e d m e n , a n d A b a n d o n e d
L a n d s , t h e B u r e a u of M i l i t a r y J u s t i c e , t h e I n s p e c t o r G e n e r a l ' s Office, a n d t h e S i g n a l C o r p s of t h e A r m y a r e
also connected w i t h t h e W a r D e p a r t m e n t .
SALARIES A N D COMPENSATION OF OFFICERS
AND EMPLOYES I N T H E VARIOUS DIVISIONS
OF T H E W A R D E P A R T M E N T .
Chief clerk, $2,750; d i s b u r s i n g clerk, 7 chief clerks of

b u r e a u s , $2,000; 199 clerks, from $1,400 to $i,Soo;
d r a u g h t s m a n , $1,800; a n a t o m i s t , f o r e m a n of p r i n t i n g ,
$1,000; e n g i n e e r , $1,400; 513 clerks, f r o m $900 t o $1,200;
e n g i n e e r s , p r e s s m a n , $1,200; 6 c o m p o s i t o r s , $1,000;
m e s s e n g e r , §840; 64 m e s s e n g e r s , w a t c h m e n a n d firemen,
$ 7 2 ° j 5° l a b o r e r s , $660; 8 c h a r w o m e n , $iSo.
,_ T h e r e is, i n a d d i t i o n t o t h e a b o v e force, a l a r g e n u m Der
of officers a n d e m p l o y e s of different k i n d s , c o n s i s t i n g
of a b o u t 90 n a t i o n a l c e m e t e r y k e e p e r s , p a i d f r o m $720 t o
$900 p e r y e a r , w i t h r e s i d e n c e s ; a b o u t 4S0 w e a t h e r o b s £ ^ £ s i r / t h e ' S i g n a l C o r p s f r o m $2$ t o §100 per m o n t h ,
w i t h a U o w a n c e s ; a b o u t 125 p r i v a t e p h y s i c i a n s e m p l o y e d
a t W a s h i n g t o n and various military posts, at a compens a t i o n o f ^lQQ
m o n t h
w i t h q u a ^ r s a'nd fuel;
a£out
l 8 s h o s p i f a l s t e w a r d s , w i t h p a y of from $20 to $35 p e r
m o n t h , w i t h r a t i o n s , q u a r t e r s , fuel, a n d c l o t h i n g ; a b o u t
50 p a y m a s t e r ' s c l e r k s , a t $1,200 p e r y e a r ; a b o u t 500 e m ployes of all s o r t s a t a r m o r i e s a n d a r s e n a l s ; a b o u t 450
clerks, s u p e r i n t e n d e n t s , a n d o t h e r e m p l o y e s , a t r a t e s
f r o m $40 t o $200 p e r m o n t h , e n g a g e d i n m o v i n g t h e a r m y
a n d its s u p p l i e s b y land a n d w a t e r , a n d t a k i n g care of its
b a r r a c k s , s t o r e h o u s e s , a n d c l o t h i n g ; a l a r g e force of
c l e r k s , d r a u g h t s m e n , civil e n g i n e e r s , skilled w o r k m e n ,
et
c-> e m p l o y e d a t v a r i o u s r a t e s u p o n t h e public b u i l d i n g s ,
g r o u n d s , a n d w o r k s a t t h e s e a t of g o v e r n m e n t a n d e l s e ^ h
u'nder c h
o f t h e Engineer Buieau, including
f o r t s a ^ d r i v e r a n d i a r b o r i m p r o v e m e n t s ; a b o u t 100 similar
employes engaged upon the army subsistence supplies.

2

ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE.
Officers of t h e A r m y ,
T h e A d j u t a n t - G e n e r a l , w i t h r a n k of b r i g a d i e r - g e n e r a l ,
I. a s s i s t a n t a d j u t a n t - g e n e r a l , w i t h r a n k of colonel, 3 a s s i s t a n t a d j u t a n t s - g e n e r a l , w i t h r a n k of major, r e c e i v i n g
army pay.
Enlisted Men.
,. , ,
.
.
. ,
.
,.i„„i,„
7§ enlisted m e n ( g e n e r a l s e r v i c e ) , s e r v i n g as c l e r k s .
60 enlisted m e n ( g e n e r a l s e r v i c e ) , s e r v i n g a s m e s s e n g e r s a n v>
.
,. N o T E . - T h e p a y a n d a l l o w a n c e s p e r a n n u m of e n listed m e n s e r v i n g in t h e A d m t a n t - G e n e r a l s Office, a n d
o t h e r b r a n c h e s of t h e W a r D e p a r t m e n t , as clerks a n d
messengers, amount as follows:
&

,
Pay
Clothing
Total

CLERKS.
*
Sergeants.
$1,055.25
37-78
91,093.03

MESSENGERS.
Privates.
$1,007.25
3<5.09

$893.50
3&09

$ 1,043.34

$928.59

T h e a b o v e a m o u n t s a r e p a i d d u r i n g t h e first a n d second
y e a r s of service. D u r i n g t h e t h i r d y e a r each g r a d e r e -

204

THE AMERICA X MAX UAL.

GENERAL P. H. SHERIDAN.

THE AMERICAN
ceives %iz additional; tourth year, $24; and lifth year,
$36. For each year of a second enlistment, for a period
of five years, each grade receives $60 additional; for a
third enlistment of five years, $72; and for a fourth enlistment of five years, $84; and $13 a year additional to $84tf or
every succeeding- enlistment.
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR-GENERAL.
Inspector-General, with rank of brigadier general, 1 assistant inspector-general, with rank 01 colonel, receiving
army pay.
BUREAU OF MILITARY JUSTICE.
Judge-Advocate-General, with rank of brigadier-general, 2 judge-advocates, with rank of major, receivingarmy pay.

205

MANUAL.

PAY OF THE ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES.
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PAYMASTER-GENERAL'S OFFICE.
Army Officers.
Paymaster-General, wiih rank of brigadier-general,
4 paymasters, with rank of major, receiving army pay.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE.
Army Officers.
_ Surgeon-General, with rank of brigadier-general, 1 assistant surgeon-general, with rank of colonel, 1 chief
medical purveyor, with rank of colonel, 3 surgeons, with
rank of major, 1 assistant surgeon, with rank of captain,
receiving army pay.
OFFICE OF CHIEF OF ORDNANCE.
Army Officers.
Chief of Ordnance, with rank of brigadier-general, x
major of ordance, receiving army pay.
SIGNAL OFFICE AND SERVICE.
Army Officers.
Chief Signal Officer, with rank of brigadier-general, 4
first lieutenants of artillery, 1 first lieutenant o f cavalry,
1 first lieutenant of infantry, receiving army pay.
Enlisted Men.
150 sergeants, 30 corporals, and 320 privates, receiving
pay as in adjutant-general's office.
QUARTERMASTER'S DEPARTMENT.
Army Officers.
Quartermaster-General, with rank of brigadier-general,
1 assistant quartermaster-general, with rank of colonel,
2 deputy quartermasters general, with rank of lieutenantcolonel, 1 quartermaster, with rank of major, 1 assistant
quartermaster, with rank of captain Cmounted), receiving
army pay.

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*The maximum pay ot colonels is limited to $4,500, and
of lieutenant-colonels to $4,000.

£06

THE

AMERICAN

OOMSOSSART GENERAL.
Army Officers.
CommiSSSiry-General of Subsistence, with rank of brigadier-general, 2 commissaries of subsistence, with rank
of major of cavalry, 1 commissary of subsistence, with
rank of c ptain of cavalry, receiving; army pay.
OFFICE OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS OF THE
ARMY.
Army Officers.
Chief of Engineers, witn rank of brigadier-general, 1
lieutenant-colonel of engineers, 1 major of engineers, 1
captain, receiving army pay.

¥ P E UJ9FPED JSJREBBjS

MW$>

The Army of the United States consists of the following:
One genera].
One lieutenant-general.
Three major-generals.
Six brigadier-generals.
Five regiments of artillery.
Ten regiments of cavalry.
Twenty-Ave regiments of infantry.
An Adjutant-General's Department.
An Inspector-General's Department.
A Quartermaster's Department.
A corps of engineers.
A battalion of engineer soldiers.
An Ordnance Department.
The enlisted men of the Ordnance Department.
The Medical Department.
The hospital stewards of the Medical Department.
A Pay Department.
A chief signal officer.
A Bureau of Military Justice.
Eight judge-advocates.
Thirty post chaplains.
Four regimental chaplains.
An ordnance sergeant and an hospital steward for each
military post.
One band stationed at the Military Academy.
A force of Indian scouts, not exceeding 1,000.
The officers of the army on the retired list.
The professors and corps of cadets at the United States
Military Academy at West Point.
The offices of "general and lieutenant-general expire
with the present incumbent.
GENERAL PROVISIONS.
No person who has served in any capacity in the military, naval, or civil service of the so-called Confederate

MANUAL,
States, or of either of the States in insurrection during
the Rebellion of 1861, can be appointed to any position in
the Army of the United States.
All officers who served during the Rebellion as volunteers in the Army of the United States, honorably mustered out of the service, are entitled to bear the official
title, and upon occasions of ceremony to wear the uniform
of the highest grade they held, by brevet or other commissions, in the volunteer service.
The use by officers of private soldiei's as servants is
prohibited by law.
Four women to each company are allowed as laundresses.
RETIREMENT.
An officer who has served thirty years may, on his own
application, in the discretion of the President, be placed
on the retired list. One who has served forty-five years,
or is sixty-two years old, may be retired from active
service in the discretion of the President. He must be
retired when sixty-three years old.
ARTICLES OF WAR.
The army is governed by what are called Articles of
War, one hundred and twenty-eight in number, prescribed by act of Congress. They are read to every enlisted man at the time of his enlistment, and must be read
to every regiment once in six month*. Every officer
must subscribe to these rules and articles before entering
on duty.
*

-QUARTERS, FUEL, AND FORAGE ALLOWED TO
ARMY OFFICERS.
By act of June 18, igy8, all allowance or commutation
for fuel was prohibited, but wood is furnished at $3 per
cord, out of the pay of officers. Forage is furnished
only in kind, and only to officers actually in the field or
west of the Mississippi, on the basis of five horses for the
General of the army, four for the Lieutenant-General,
three each for a major or brigadier-general, and two each
for a colonel, lieutenant-colonel, major, mounted captain
or lieutenant, adjutant, and regimental quartermaster.
Quarters are furnished on the following basis: General
(commutation for quarters), $125 per month; lieutenanteneral, $70 per month; major-general, six rooms; brigaier-general or colonel, five rooms; lieutenant-colonel or
major, four rooms; captain or chaplain, three rooms; and
first or second lieutenant, two rooms—all of which may
be commuted at $10 per room per month.
NOTE.—The law provides that no allowances shall be
made to officers in addition to their pay, except quarters
and forage furnished in kind.
Mileage at the rate of eight cents per mile is allowed
for travel under orders.
The pay of cadets at the U. S. Military Academy,
West Point, was placed at $450 per annum, by Act of

f

THE AMERICAN
Aug. 7, 1876, instead of $500 and one ration per diem
(equivalent to $609.50), by former laws.
The pay of privates runs from $156 ($13 a month and
rations) for first two years, to $21 a month after twenty
years' service.
A retired chaplain receives three-fourths of the pay
(salary and increase) of his rank (captain, not mounted).
The officer in charge of the public buildings and
grounds (Washington) has, while so serving, the rank,
pay, and emoluments of a colonel.
The aides-de-camp to the general, selected by him from
the army, have, while so serving, the rank and pay of
colonel.
The aides-de-camp and military secretary to the lieutenant-general, selected l>y him from the army, have,
while so serving, the rank and pay of lieutenant-colonel.
Officers of the army and of volunteers, assigned to
duty which requires them to be mounted, shall, during
the time they are employed on such duty, receive the pay,
emoluments, and allowances of cavalry officers of the
same grade, respectively.
REMARKS.
Mileage, at the rate of eight cents per mile, is allowed to
officers for travel under orders. Regulations governing
the subject of mileage are contained, entire, in General
Orders No. 97, Adjutant-General's Office, series of 1876.

MANUAL.

207

Commutation of quarters, to be paid by Pay Department, as follows: General, $125 per month; lieutenant feneral, $70 per month; all other grades not to exceed
ioper month per room. General Orders No. 37 and 66,
Adjutant-General's Office, series of 1878.
FORAGE FOR HORSES.
Forage for horses is allowed to officers as follows:
General, for five; lieutenant-general, for four; majorgeneral, for three; brigadier-general, for three;
colonel, lieutenant-colonel, major, captain, and lieutenant
(mounted) ; adjutant, regimental quartermaster, chaplain,
and storekeeper, each for two horses. Forage is now issued only to those officers on duty at posts west of the
Mississippi River.
PAY OF OFFICERS AND CADETS AT THE
M I L I T A R Y ACADEMY.
Superintendent, pay of colonel; commandant of cadets,
pay of lieutenant-colonel; adjutant, pay of regimental
adjutant; Quartermaster and commissary of the battalion
of cadets, pay of his grade in the army; treasurer, pay of
his grade in the army; surgeon, pay of his grade in the

208

THE AMERICAN

army; assistant surgeon, pay of his grade in the army;
professor, of more than ten years' service at the Academy, pay of colonel; professor, of less than ten years'
service, pay of lieutenant-colonel; assistant professor,
pay of captain, mounted; senior assistant instructor of
tactics, pay of captain, mounted; assistant instructor of
tactics, commanding- a company of cadets, pay of captain,
mounted; acting-assistant professor, pay of his grade in
the army; acting assistant Instructor of tactics, pay of his
grade in the army; instructors of ordnance and science of
gunnery, and of practical engineering, pay of major;
sword-master, $1,500 per annum; cadet, $540 per annum.
PAY OE ENLISTED MEN.
Enlisted men receive from $13 to $18 per month, according to the time served in the army, with clothes and
rations; non-commissioned officers, from $17 to $41, with
clothes and rations.
APPOINTMENTS MADE BY THE SECRETARY
OF WAR EOR AN UNLIMITED TERM, OK
DURING HIS PLEASURE.
Agent for collection of Confederate records.
Anatomist, Surgeon-General's office.
Chief clerk of department.
Chief clerks of bureaus and divisions.
Clerks of the several grades in all the bureaus.
Copyists.
Disbursing clerk.
Draughtsmen.
Engineers.
Firemen.
Laborers.
Messengers.
Superintendents of buildings.
Watchmen.
Superintendents of National cemeteries.
ORDNANCE STATIONS.
Ordnance Office, Washington, D. C.
Ordnance Board, New York, N. Y.
Ordnance Agency, New York, N . Y.
The Proving Ground, Sandy Hook, N . J.
The Department of Ordnance and Gunnery at the Military Academy, West Point, N . Y.
Saint Louis Powder Depot, Jefferson Barracks, Mo.
National Armory, Springfield, Mass.
Augusta Arsenal, Augusta, Ga.
Benicia Arsenal, Benicia, Cal.
Fort Monroe Arsenal, Fort Monroe, Va«
Fort Union Arsenal, Fort Union, N. M.
Frankford Arsenal, Philadelphia, Pa.

MANUAL.
Indianapolis Arsenal, Indianapolis, Ind.
Kennebec Arsenal, Augusta, Me.
New York Arsenal, New York, N . Y.
Pikesville Arsenal, Pikesville, Md.
Rock Island Arsenal, Rock Island, 111.
San Antonio Arsenal, San Antonio, Texas.
Vancouver Arsenal, Vancouver, Washington Ty.
Washington Arsenal, Washington, D. C.
Watertown Arsenal, Watertown, N . Y.
Waterville Arsenal, West Troy, N. Y.
UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY.

The United States Military Academy at West Point
was founded by Act of March 16, 1802, constituting the
corps of engineers of the army a military academy, with
fifty students or cadets, who were to receive instruction
under the senior engineer officer, as superintendent.
Later acts established professorships of mathematics, engineering, philosoplw, etc , and made the academy a
military body, subject'to the rules and articles of war. In
1815 a permanent superintendent was appointed, and a
year later an annual board of visitors was provided for, to
be named by the President, the Speaker of the House,
and the President of the Senate. In 1843 the present system of the appointment of cadets was instituted, which
assigns one cadet to each Congressional District and
Territory in the Union, to be named by the Representative in Congress for the time being, and ten appointments
at large, specially conferred by the President of the
United States. The number of students is thus limited to
312. A large proportion of those appointed fail to pass
the examination, and many others to complete the course,
the proportion being stated at fully one half hitherto.
The course of instruction requires four years, and is
largely mathematical and professional. The discipline is
very strict, even more so than in the army, and the enforcement of penalties for offences is inflexible rather
than severe. The whole number of graduates from 1803
to 1877 was about 2,700, of whom 1,200 are deceased and
about 1,500 living- Of those surviving, 800 are still in the
army, and about 700 out of service.
Appointees to the Military Academy must be between
17 and 22 years of age, at least five feet in height, and free
from infirmity, and able to pass a careful examination in
various branches of knowledge. Each cadet admitted
must bind himself to serve the United States eight years
from the time of admission to the academy. The pay of
cadets, formerly fifty dollars per month and rations, was
fixed at $540 per year, with no allowance for rations, by
the act of 1876. The aggregate amount of money appro •
priated by the United States for the Military Academy
from 1S02 to 1877, inclusive, was $11,306,125, being an
average of about $149,949 annually. The number of
actuafmembers of the academy, by the official register of
June, 1881, was 192.

THE AMERICAN MANUAL.

20&

CHATTY HEFflHTMENT,^
Secretary's Office. The Secretary of the Navy has
charge of everything- connected with the naval establishment, and the execution of all laws relating thereto
under the general direction of the President. All instructions to commanders of squadrons and commanders
of vessels; all orders to officers; commissions of officers,
both in the navy and marine corps; appointments of
commissioned and warrant officers, and orders for the enlistment and discharge of seamen, emanate from the Secretary's office. All the duties of the different bureaus are
performed under the authority of the Secretary, and their
orders are considered as emanating from him. He has a
general superintendence of the marine corps, and all the
orders of the commandant of that corps are approved by
him. The chief of this Bureau has the rank of Commomodore, navy pay.
The Bureau of Navy Yards and Docks has charge of
all the navy yards, docks and wharves, buildings and
machinery in navy yards, and everything immediately
connected, with them. It is also charged with the management of the Naval Asylum.
The Bureau of Navigation has charge of the Naval
Observatory and Hydrographical Office. It fvirnishes
vessels with maps, charts, chronometers, etc., together
with such books as are allowed to ships of war. The
Naval Academy, Naval Observatory, and Nautical Almanac are attached to this bureau. The chief of this
bureau has the rank of Commodore, navy pay.
The Bureau of Ordnance has charge of all ordnance
and ordnance stores, the manufacture or purchase of
cannon, guns, powder, shot, shells, etc., and the equipment of vessels of war, with everything connected therewith. Chief of Bureau, with rank of Commodore, navy
pay.
The Bureau of Construction and Repair has charge
of the building and repair of all vessels of war and purchase of material. Chief of Bureau, Chief Constructor,
with rank of Commodore, navy pay.
The Bureau of Equipment and Recruiting" has charge
of providing all vessels with their equipments, as sails,
anchors, water tanks, etc., also, charge of the recruiting
service. The chief of this bureau has the rank of Commodore, navy pay. ^
The Bureau of Steam Engineering has charge of the
construction, repair, etc., of the machinery of steam vessels of war. The Engineer-in-Chief superintends the
construction of all marine steam engines for the navy,
and, with the approval of the Secretary, decides upon
plans for their construction. Chief of Bureau, Engineerjn-Chief, with rank of Commodore, navy pay.
The Bureau of Provisions and Clothing contracts for
all provisions and clothing for the use of the navy, Chief

of Bureau, Paymaster-General, with the rank of Commodore, navy pay
The Bureau of Medicine and Surgery manages everything relating to medicine and medical stores, treatment
of sick and wounded, and management of hospitals.
Chief of Bureau, Surgeon-General, with rank of Commodore, navy pay.
P A Y OF OEEICERS AND EMPLOYES OP T H E
NAVY DEPARTMENT
Chief clerk, $2,500; disbursing clerk and superintendent, $2,200; 15 chief clerks of bureaus, $1,800; 4 draughtsmen, $1,800; 25 clerks from $1,000 to $1,600; stenographer
and draughtsman, $1,600; 1 engineer, $1,200: 1 assistant
engineer, $1,000; 11 messengers from $660 to $840; 3 firemen and 9 watchmen, $720; 14 laborers, $660; 8 charwomen, $180.
NAVAL OBSERVATORY.
1 Clerk, $1,600; 3 civilian astronomers, 1 instrument
maker, $1,500; keeper of grounds, per month, $So; 3
watchmen, per month, $60; 1 messenger, 1 porter, per
month, $53.22.
HYDROGRAPHIC OEEICE.
1 Clerk, per month, $120; 12 draughtsmen, per month,
from $50 to $191.66; 2 writers, 1 painter of charts, per
month, $75; i file clerk, per month, $60; 6 laborers, per
month, from $40 to $55; 2 printers, per day, $4; 5 engravers, per day, from $3 to $4.
NAUTICAL ALMANAC OFFICE.
7 computers, $1,200 to $1,600; messenger, $720.
The remaining civil force of the Navy Department consists of a large number of clerks, draughtsmen, mechanical foremen, and skilled and unskilled operatives at the
several yards and stations of the navy. Admissions of
civilians to the commissioned force are restricted to naval
cadets, cadet-engineers, assistant engineers, second lieutenants of marines, assistant sturgeons, assistant paymasters, chaplains, and naval constructors, and to professors of mathematics, for the scientific branches of the
service. Boatswains, gunners, sailmakers and carpenters, are also taken from civil life.
APPOINTMENTS BY TB31 SECRETARY OF T H E
NAVY.
For an Unlimited Term, or during" his pleasure*
Assistant astronomers, Naval Observatory.
Chief clerk of the Department.
Chief clerks of the bureaus.
Clerks of the several grades.

210

THE AMERICAN-

NAVAL ACADEMY, ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND.
P r o f e s s o r s of d r a w i n g , l a n g u a g e s , p h y s i c s , chemistry,
etc., t h e s e c r e t a r y , b o x i n g - m a s t e r s , clerks, a n d o t h e r offic e r s , s e r v a n t s , a n d e m p l o y e s , b y t h e Secretary of t h e N a v y ,
o n t h e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n of t h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t thereof.
P A Y T A B L E OF T H E N A V Y .
On
Shore
Duty.

MANUAL.

F i r s t five y e a r s after elate of
commission
Second five y e a r s
T h i r d five y e a r s
F o u r t h five y e a r s
After twenty years
Passed
Assistant
Surgeons,
Passed Assistant Paymasters, and Passed Assistant
Engineefs—
F i r s t five y e a r s after date of
appointment

C o m p u t e d in H y d r o g r a p h i c Office.
Disbursing- clerk.
Draughtsmen.
Engravers.
I n s t r u m e n t - m a k e r s , N a u t i c a l A l m a n a c Office
Laborers.
M e s s e n g e r s and a s s i s t a n t m e s s e n g e r s
Porters.
P r i n t e r s , H y d r o g r a p h i c Office.
Stenographer.
Watchmen.
W r i t e r s , H y d r o g r a p h i c Office.

On
leave or
waiting
Orders.

$13,000 $13,000 p 13,000
Admiral
8,000
9,000
Vice-Admiral
6,000
5,ooo|
6,000
Rear-Admiral
4,000
4,000
5»ooo|
Commodores
3,000
3,5oo
4,5oo
Captains
2,800
3,000
3,5oo
2,300
Commanders
Lieutenant-Commander—
F i r s t four y e a r s after date of
2,400!
commission
2,800
2,000
A f t e r four y e a r s from d a t e of]
2,600 j
3,ooo
2,200
commission
Lieutenants—
2,00
2,400
1,600
F i r s t five y e a r s
2,600
A f t e r five years
1,800
2,200]
Masters—
ij5oo
1,500
F i r s t five y e a r s * * * *
1,200
1,700
2,000
A f t e r five y e a r s
1,400
Ensigns—
1,000
1,200
F i r s t five y e a r s
1,200
1,400
A f t e r five y e a r s
1,000
800
1,000
Midshipmen
600
5oo
Cadet Midshipmen
5oo
5oo
700
900
Mates
goo
M e d i c a l a n d P a y D i r e c t o r s and
Medical and P a y Inspectors
§f a n d Chief E n g i n e e r s , h a v i n g ;
t h e s a m e r a n k a t sea
4,400
Fleet Surgeons, Fleet Paymast e r s , and F l e e t E n g i n e e r s . . . .
4,400
Surgeons, Paymasters,
and
Chief E n g i n e e r s — •.*$
\

2,800
3,200
3,5oo
3,7oo
4,200

2,4O0
2,8oO
3,200
3,6oO
4,O0O

2,000
2,400
2,600
2,800
3,000

2,030
2,200

1,80?,
2,000

1,500
1,700

I,7O0
1,900

1,400
1,600

.,000
1,200

2,500
2,800

2,000
2,300

1,600
1,900

1,200
I,3O0
1,400
I,600
I,800

800
1,000
1,300
1,300
1,600

700
800
1,000
1,200

IjOOO

800

600

Assistant Surgeons, Assistant
Paymasters, and Assistant
Engineers—
E i r s t five y e a r s after d a t e of
A f t e r five y e a r s
Chaplains—
F i r s t five y e a r s
A f t e r five y e a r s
Boatswains, Gunners, Carpenters and Sailmakers—
F i r s t three years
Second three years
Third three years
After twelve years
C a d e t E n g i n e e r s (after e x a m i n -

900

On
O n l e a v e or
shore duty, waiting orders.
N a v a l Constructors
$2,200
F i r s t five y e a r s $3,200
2,400
Second five yeai s
3»40O
2,700
T h i r i five y e a r s
3,700
3,000
F o u r t h five y e a r s
4,000
3,200
After twenty years
4,200
Assistant N a v a l Constructors—
1,500
F i r s t four y e a r s
2,000
1,700
Second four y e a r s
2,200
1,900
After eight years
2,600
Secretary to A d m i r a l a n d V i c e - A d m i r a l
$2,500
Secretaries to C o m m a n d e r s of S q u a d r o n s
2,000
Secretary to N a v a l A c a d e m y
1,800
Clerks t o C o m m a n d e r s of S q u a d r o n s a n d V e s s e l s . .
75°
F i r s t Clerks to C o m m a n d a n t s of N a v y Y a r d s
1,500
Second Clerks t o C o m m a n d a n t s of N a v y Y a r d s
1,200
Clerk, M a r e I s l a n d N a v y Y a r d
i,Soo
Clerk to C o m m a n d a n t s N a v a l Stations
i>5°°
Clerks t o P a y m a s t e r s a t N a v y Y a r d s —
Boston, M e w Y o r k , P h i l a d e l p h i a a n d W a s h ington
1,600
Mare Island
1,800
K i t t e r y , N o r f o l k , and P e n s a c o l a
1,400
A t other Stations
,
1,300

THM AMERICAN
The pay of seamen is $2g3, and of ordinary seamen $210
per annum.
NOTE —The navy ration is commuted at 30 cents per
dav. The navy spirit ration was totally abolished July 1,
1870.
Navy officers are retired after forty years' service, on
their own application; and they are retired in any case
after 62 ye^rs of age, with some exceptions. The compensation of retired officers is 75 per cent, of the active pay
of the same rank, or 50 per cent, (according to the causes
of retirement.)
THE TJNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY AT
ANNAPOLIS.
The United States Naval Academy was opened October 10, 1845, and the credit of its foundation is attributed
to Hon. George Bancroft, the Secretary of the Navy
under President Polk. The course of instruction, designed to train midshipmen for the navy, at first occupied five years, of which three were passed at sea. Various changes have been made in the course of instruction, which was made seven years in 18^0, four years in
1851, and six years (the two last of which are spent at
sea) March 3, 1873, where it now remains. The Naval
Academy, first located at Annapolis, Maryland, was removed to Newport, R. I., in May, 1861, but re-established
at Annapolis in September, 1865, where it now is, occupying lands formerly known as Fort Severn. The academy is under the direct care and supervision of the Navy
Department. There are to be allowed in the academy
one cadet-midshipman for every member or delegate in the

MANUAL.

211

House of Representatives, appointed at his nomination,
one for the District of Columbia, and ten appointed at
large by the President. l h c number of appointments
which can be made is limited by law to twenty-five eack
year, named by the Secretary of the Navy after competitive examination, the cadets being from 14 to 18 years of
age. The successful candidates become students of the
academy, and receive the pay of cadet-midshipmen, $500
per annum. Besides the cadet-midshipmen, 25 cadet engineers may be appointed each year, from 16 to 20 years
of age, on competitive examination involving a higher
standard of knowledge. The course for cadet-engineers
is four years at the academy, and two additional years at
sea. All cadets who graduate are appointed assistant
engineers in the navy as fast as vacancies occur. The
course of instruction is thorough, involving a close pursuit of mathematics, steam engineering, physics, mechanics, seamanship, ordnance, history, law, etc. The
whole number of students in 1881 was: Cadet-midshiomen, 161; cadet-engineers, 100; total, 261. The graduating classes of 1881 numbered 72 cadet-midshipmen, and
24 cadet-engineers.
UNITED STATES NAVAL HOSPITALS.
The sum of $50,000 is appropriated yearly for Naval
Hospitals at Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Chelsea,
Massachusetts; Brooklyn, New York; Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania; Annapolis, Maryland; Washington, District of Columbia; Norfolk, Virginia: Pensacola, Florida;
Mare Island, California; Yokohama, Japan.

212

THE

AMERICAN

MANUAL.

^HEPfiHTMEHT HF THE IHTEEfflK.**

This department was established by an act of Congress,
approved March 3, 1S49. To its supervision and management are committed the folio-wing- branches of the
public service :
1 st. The Public Lands.—Its head is the Commissioner
of the General Land Office. The Land Bureau is charged
with the survey, management, and sale of the public domain, the revision of Virginia military bounty-land
claims, and the issuing of scrip in lieu thereof.
2d. Pensions.—The, Commissioner of this bureau is
charged with the examination and adjudication of all
claims arising under the various and numerous laws
passed by Congress, granting bounty land or pensions for
the military or naval service in the revolutionary or subsequent wars.
3d. The Indian Office has charge of all matters connected with the Indians.
4th. The Patent Office is charged with the performance of all " acts and things touching and respecting the
granting and issuing of patents for new and useful discoveries, inventions, and improvements."
The Department of the Interior has, besides, the supervision of the accounts of the United States marshals and attorneys, and of the clerks of the
United States Courts, and the management of the
lead and other mines of the United States, the duty of
taking and returning the censuses of the United States,
and the management of the affairs of public institutions
in the District of Columbia.
OTJK, PUBLIC LAND SYSTEM.
The public lands of the United States which are still
undisposed of and open to settlement, lie in nineteen
States and eight Territories. In each case, except Ohio,
Indiana, Illinois, the Indian Territory and Alaska, land
offices are established, in charge of an officer known as
Register of the Land Office, where the records of all surveyed lands are kept, and all applications concerning
lands in each district are filed, and inquiries answered.
The public lands are divided into two great classes. The
one class have a dollar and a quarter an acre designated
as the minimum wice, and the other, two dollars and a
half an acre, the latter being the alternate sections, reserved by the United States in land grants to railroads,
etc. Titles to these lands may be acquired by private entry or location under the homestead, pre-emption, and
timber culture laws, or, as to some classes, by purchase
for cash, in the case of lands which may be purchased at
private sale, or such as have not been reserved under any
law. Such tracts are sold on application to the Land
Register, who issues a certificate of purchase, the receiver
giving a receipt for the money paid, subject to the issue
of a patent, or complete title, if the proceedings are
found regular, by the Commissioner of the General Land

Office, at Washington.
Entries under land warrants (given mostly for military
services under acts of Congress) have fallen off very
largely by the absorption of such warrants, there having
been no military bounty land warrants provided for on
account of services in the late war.
Entries under the pre-emption law are restricted to
heads of families, or citizens over twenty-one, who may
settle upon any quarter-section (or 160 acres), and have
the right of prior claim to purchase on complying with
certain regulations.
^ The homestead laws give the right to one hundred and
sixty acres of a dollar-and-a-quarter lands, or to eighty
acres of two-dollar-and-a-half lands, to any citizen or applicant for citizenship over twenty-one who will actually
settle upon and cultivate the land. This privilege extends only to the surveyed lands, and the title is perfected
by the issue of a patent after five years of actual settlement. The only charges in the case of homestead entries
are fees and commissions, varying from a minimum of
$7 to a maximum of $34 for the whole tract entered, according to the size, value, or place of record.
Another large class of free entries of public lands is
that provided for under the timber culture acts of 1S73'78. The purpose of these laws is to promote the growth
of forest trees on the public lands. They give the right
to any settler who has cultivated for two years as much
as five acres in trees to an eighty-acre homestead, or, if
ten acres, to a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres,
and a free patent for his land is given him at the end or
three years, instead of five. The limitation of the homestead laws to one hundred and sixty acres for each settler is extended in the case of timber culture, so as to
grant as many quarter sections of one hundred and sixty
acres each as have been improved by the culture, for ten
years, of forty acres of timber thereon; but the quartersections must not lie immediately contiguous. The fees
and commissions in timber culture entries vary from $13
to $18 for the tract.
UNITED STATES LAND OEEICES.
Alabama—Huntsville, Montgomery.
Arkansas—Little Rock, Camden, Harrison, Dardanelle.
Arizona Territory—Prescott, Florence.
California-San Francisco, Marysville, Humboldt,
Stockton, Visalia, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Shasta,
Susanville, Bodie.
Colorado—Denver City, Leadville, Central City,
Pueblo, Del Norte, Lake City.
Dakota Territory—Mitchell, Watertown, Fargo, Yankton, Bismarck, Deadwood, Grand Forks; Aberdeen.
Florida—Gaine sville.
Idaho Territory—Boise City, Lewiston, Oxford.
Iowa—Des Moines.

THE AMERICAN
Kansas—Topeka, Salina, Independence, Wichita, Kirwin, Concordia, Larned, Wa-Keeny.
Louisiana—New Orleans, Natchitoches.
Michigan—Detroit, East Saginaw, Reed City, Marquette.
Minnesota—Taylor's Falls, St. Cloud, Duluth, Fergus
Falls, Worthington, Crookston, Benson, Tracy, Redwood Falls.
Mississippi—Jackson.
Missouri—Boonville, fronton, Springfield.
Montana Territory—Helena, Bozeman, Miles Citv.
Nebraska—Norfolk, Beatrice, Lincoln, Niobrara,
Grand Island, North Platte, Bloomington, Neligh.
Nevada—Carson City, Eureka.
New Mexico Territory—Santa Fe, La Mesilla.
Oregon—Oregon City, Roseburg, Le Grand, Lake
View, The Dalles.
Utah Territory—Salt Lake City.
Washington Territory—Olympia, Vancouver, Walla
Walla, Colfax, Yakima.
Wisconsin—Menasha, Falls of St. Croix, Wausau, La
Crosse, Bayfield, Eau Claire.
Wyoming Territory—Chej^enne, Evanston.
BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
Congress, by act of July 9, 1832, authorized the President to appoint a Commissioner of Indian Affairs, to
have the direction and management of all matters arising
out of Indian relations, subject to the Revision of the
Secretary of War (now Secretary of the Interior).
The duties of the Bureau are administered by the Commissioner, Chief Clerk, and assistants at Washington,
and by a number of superintendents, agents, farmers,
schoolteachers, and other appointees in the Indian
country.
The estimated number of Indians is about three hundred thousand, spreading from Lake Superior to the
Pacific Ocean. Those east of the Mississippi, with few
exceptions, are on reservations; so also are the tribes in
Kansas north of the Arkansas, and those located between,
the western border of Arkansas and the country known
as the "leased lands."
PATENT OFFICE.
The Constitution, Art. 1, Sec. 8, confers upon Congress the power to promote the progress of science and
useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and
inventors the exclusive right to their writings and discoveries. The rights of the latter class are secured by
letters patent issued from the Patent Office in accordance
with acts of Congress. The office as now organized was
established by act of July 4, 1836.
The building erected under the authority of that act it
one of the most imposing in the city of Washington. la
extends over two entire blocks, and is usea for storing
and preserving models, as well as for offices for the Commissioner, clerks, and examiners.

MANUAL.

213

PATENT OFFICE LIBEARY.
The library of the Patent Office has vastly grown in
importance within the last few years. It is not only
needed and used as an absolute necessity by the examiners
in the performance of theii duties, but it is now much
consulted by inventors and those engaged in their interest. It is not an uncommon thing for persons to come
from distant parts of the United States to consult books
which can only be found in the Patent Office. The collection is now one of the best technical libraries in the
world.
PAY OF OFFICERS, EMPLOYES, ETC., I N T H E
DIFFERENT DIVISIONS OF THE INTERIOR
DEPARTMENT.
Assistant secretary, $3,500; chief clerk, $2,700; law
clerk, $2,250; 6 chiefs of division, $2,000; 3 law clerks,
$2,000; superintendent of documents, 1.900; stenographer,
$1,800; captain of watch, $1,000; 5 government directors
Union Pacific Railroad, honorary; director of geological
survey, $6,000; superintendent of census, $5,000; chief
clerk of census, $2,000.
Patent Office.—Commissioner of patents, $4,500; assistant commissioner of patents, $3,000; chief clerk of
patents, $2,250; 3 chief examiners, $3,000; examiner of interferences, $2,500; examiner of trademarks, $2,400; 88
examiners of patents, from $1,400 to $2,400; finance clerk
of patents, librarian of patents, $2,000; machinist of
patents, $1,600; 3 draug-fitsmen of patents, $1 200; commissioner of land office, $4,000; chief clerk, recorder, law
clerk, $2,000; 3 principal clerks, public lands, $1,800;
draughtsman, land office, $1,600; assistant, $1,400; secretary, to sign land patents, $1,500.
Pension Office.—Commissioner of pensions, $4,000;
deputy commissioner of pensions, $2,400; medical referee
of pensions, $2,250; chief clerk of pensions, $2/00;
auditor of railroad accounts, $3,600: bookkeeper of railroad accounts, $2,400; assistant, $2,000; railroad engineer,
$2,000.

Bureau of Indian Affairs.—Commissioner of Indian
affairs, $3,600; chief clerk of Indian affairs, $2,000; stenographer, $1,600.
Bureau of Education.—Commissioner of education,
$3,000; chief clerk of education, $1,800; statistician of education, $1,800; translator of education, $1,600.
Employes, etc., in General.—634 department clerks,
from $900 lo $1,800; messenger, $840; 10 attendants in
model-room, $800; 76 laborers, from $480 to $660; 2 engineers, skilled workmen, $1,200; 2 assistant engineers,
$1,000; 6 firemen, 42 watchmen; 34 messengers, $720.
This department emoloys a considerable force of temporary clerks, draughtsmen, etc.; also three Indian inspectors at $3,000, two special agents for Indian service
at $2,000, three entomologists at $3,000, temporarily, and
a considerable number of geologists and other skilled and
unskilled persons on the geological surveys, at varying
rates of pay.

214

THE AMERICAN

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
The Department of Agriculture was established by an
act of Congress, approved May 15, 1862. The act provides that the department shall be located at the seat of
government of the United States, and that its designs and
duties shall be to acquire and to diffuse among the people
of the United States, useful information on subjects connected with agriculture, in the most general and comprehensive sense of that word, and to procure, propagate,
and distribute among the people new and valuable seeds
and plants.
The chief executive offieer is the "Commissioner of
Agriculture," who holds his office by a tenure similar to
that of other civil officers appointed by the President.
The Commissioner is to acquire and preserve in his department all information concerning agriculture which he
can obtain by means of books and correspondence, and by
practical and scientific experiments (accurate records of
which experiments shall be kept in his office)^ by the collection of statistics, and by any other appropriate means
within his power; to collect, as he may be able, new seeds
and plants; to test, by cultivation, the value of such of
them as may require'such tests; to propagate such as
may be worthy of propagation, and to distribute them
among agriculturists. He annually makes a general re-

MANUAL.

port in writing of his acts to the^ President and to Con>
gress, and he also makes special reports on particular
subjects whenever required to do so by the President or
either house of Congress, or whenever he thinks the subject in his charge requires it. He directs and superintends
the expenditure of all money appropriated by Congress to
the department, and renders accounts thereof.
The chief clerk, in the necessary absence of the Commissioner, or whenever the office becomes vacant, performs the duties of the office. The Commissioner, under
the provisions of Congress, appoints and employs chemists, botanists, entomologists, and other persons skilled in
the natural sciences pertaining to agriculture.
PAY OF OFFICERS AND EMPLOYES INT THE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
Commissioner of agriculture, $3,500; chief clerk, superintendent of gardens, entomologist, statistician, $2,000;
chemist, $3,000; 2 assistants, $1,200 and $1,600; superintendent of seed division, botanist, microscopist, $1,800;
27 clerks, from $r,ooo to $i,Soo; superintendent foldingroom, engineer, $1,200; lady superintendent seed-room,
$000.

A small number of extra clerks, and of copyists, mechanics, laborers, and occasional experts are employed.

PATENT OFFICE.

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

215

^PHST - HFFIEE DEPARTMENT. «^
THE POSTMASTER-GENERAD.
The Postmaster-General has the direction and management of the Postoffice Department. He appoints all
officers and employes of the Department, except the three
Assistants Postmaster-General, who are appointed by
the President, by and with the advice arid consent of the
Senate; appoints all postmasters whose compensation
does not exceed one thousand dollars; makes postal
treaties with foreign governments, by and with the advice
and consent of the President; awards and executes contracts, and direcfs the management of the domestic and
foreign mail service.
THE FIRST ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL.
The First Assistant Postmaster-General has charge of
the Appointment Office, which includes five divisions,
viz.:
• Appointment Division.—The duty of preparing all
cases for the establishment, discontinuance, and change
of name or site of postoffices, and for the appointment of
all postmasters, agents, postal clerks, mail messengers,
and department employes, and attending to all correspondence consequent thereto.
Bond Division.—The duty of receiving and recording
appointments; sending out papers for postmasters and
their assistants to qualify; receiving, entering, and filing
their bonds and oaths, and issuing the commissions for
postmasters.

Salary and Allowance Division.—-The auty of readjusting the salaries of postmasters, and the considera-tion of allowances for rent, fuel, light, clerk-hire, and
other expenditures.
Eree Delivery.—-The duty of preparing cases for the inauguration of the system in cities, the appointment of
letter-carriers, and the general supervision of the system.
Blank Agency Division.—The duty of sending out the
blanks, wrapping-paper and twine, letter-balances, and
cancelin-g-starnps to offices entitled to receive the same.
THE SECOND ASSISTANT POSTMASTER GEN*
EEAL.
The Second Assistant Postmaster-General has charge
of the Contract Office, mail equipments, etc., including
the following three divisions:
Contract Division.—The arrangement of the mail service of the United States, and placing the same under contract, embracing all correspondence and proceedings
respecting the frequency of trips, mode of conveyance,
and times of departures and arrivals on all the routes, the
course of the mails between the different sections of the
country, the points of mail distribution, and the regulations for the government of the domestic mail service. It
prepares the advertisements for mail proposals, receives
the bids, and has charge of the annual and occasional
mail lettings, and the adjustment and execution of the contracts. All applications for the establishment or alteration

UNITED STATES POST OFFICE.

216

THE

AMERICAN

of mail'arrangements, and for mail'messengers, should" be
sent to this office. All claims should be submitted to it
for transportation service not under contract. From this
office all postmasters at the end of routes receive the
statement of mail arrang-ements prescribed for the
respective routes. It reports weekly to the Auditor all
contracts executed, and all orders affecting the accounts
for mail transportation; prepares the statistical exhibits
of the mail serviee, and the reports to Congress of the
mail lettings, giving a statement of each bid; also of the
contracts made, the new service originated, the curtailments ordered, and the additional allowances granted
within the year.
Inspection Division.—The duty of receiving and ex*
aminingthe registers of the arrivals and departures of the
mails, certificates of the service of route agents, and reports of mail failures; noting the delinquencies of contractors, and preparing cases thereon for the action of the
Postmaster-General; furnishing blanks for mail registers,
reports of mail failures, and other duties which may be
necessary to secure a faithful and exact performance of all
mail service.
Mail Equipment Division.—The issuing of mail locks
and keys, mail pouches and sacks, and the construction of
maiUbag catchers.
THE THIRD ASSISTANT POSTMASTER GENERAL.
The Third Assistant Postmaster-General has charge of
the Finance Office, etc., embracing the following four
divisions'
Division of Finance.—The duty of issuing drafts and
warrants in payment of balances reported by the Auditor
to be due to mail contractors or other persons; the superintendence of the collection of revenue at depository,
draft, and depositing offices, and the accounts between
the Department and the Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers and special designated depositories of the United
States. This division receives all accounts, monthly or
quarterly, of the depository and draft offices, and certificates of deposit from depositing offices.
«* Division of Postage Stamps and Stamped Envelopes,
—The issuing of postage-stamps, stamped envelopes,
newspaper-wrappers and postal cards; also the supplying,
of postmasters with envelopes for their official use, and
registered-package envelopes and seals.
Division of Registered Letters.—The duty of preparing instructions for the guidance of postmasters relative
to registered letters, and all correspondence connected
therewith; also the compilation of statistics as to the
transactions of the business.
Division of Dead Letters.—The examination and return to the writers of dead letters and all correspondence
relating thereto.
The Superintendent of Foreign Mails has charge ot
all foreign postal arrangements, and the supervision ot
the ocean mail steamship service.

MANUAL.

The Superintendent of the Money Order System has
the general supervision and control of the postal money
order system throughout the United States, and the supervision of the international money order correspondence
with foreign countries.
P A T OF OFFICERS AND EMPLOYES OF THE POST
OFFICE DEPARTMENT.
Postofiice Department.—3 assistant postmasters-general, $3,500; chief clerk, 4 chiefs of bureaus, chief of
division, $2,000; 3 chief clerks»of division, law clerk, topographer, $2,350; 20 clerks, 1 stenographer, $i,Soo; 65
clerks, $1,600; 53 clerks, $1,400; 7S clerks, 1 carpenter,
$1,200; 14 clerks, $1,000; 61 clerks, $900; superintendent
of free delivery, disbursing clerk, $2,100; superintendent of
foreign mails, superintendent of money order service, $3,000; engineer, $1,403; assistant, $900; fireman and blacksmith, $900; fireman and steam-fitter, $720; assistant
carpenter, captain of watch $1,000; 15 watchmen, 11 messengers, $720; 35 laborers, $660; 3 female laborers, $480.
Inspection Service.—9 inspectors, $2,500; 9 inspectors,
$1,600 and $5 per day for expenses; 6 inspectors, $1,600
and $4 per day for expenses; 18 inspectors, $1,500 and $4
per day for expenses; 7 inspectors, $1,200 and $4 per day
for expenses; 4 inspectors, $1,400 and $4 per day for expenses; inspector, $1,400; inspector, $1,200.
Railway Mail Service.—General superintendent, $3,500; 9 assistants, $2,500; assistant superintendent, $1,600
and $5 per day for expenses; assistant superintendent,
$1,600 and $4 per day for expenses; assistant superintendent, $1,500 and $4 per day for expenses; assistant superintendent, $1,200 and $5 per day for expenses; assistant
superintendent, $ 1,200 and $4 per day for expenses; 72 route
agents, $t,ooo; 3 route agents, $980; 49 route agents,
$960; 85 route agents, $940; 26 route agents, $920; 894
route agents, $900; 41 railway postal clerks, $1,400; 356
railway postal clerks, $1,300; 443 postal clerks, $1,150; 178
railway postal clerks, $1,000; 69 railway postal clerks,
$900.
Supply Service.—3 distributing agents for stamped envelopes, postage stamps, and postal cards, $2,500; 15
clerks, $1,000to $1,800; delete clerk, $1,800.
In addition to the above there are at present some 130
local mail agents, with salaries from $100 to $1,800 per
year, and a larger amount of mail route messengers, with
salaries from $100 to $8So per year. Besides these are the
mail contractors, 5,600 or 5,700 in number.
UNITED STATES POSTAL REGULATIONS.
First-Class Mail Matter.—LETTERS.—This class includes letters and anything of which the Postmaster cannot ascertain the contents without destroying the wrapper,
or anything unsealed which may be wholly or partly in
writing, except manuscript for publication accompanied
by proof-sheets. Postage, 3 cents each half ounce, or for

THE

AMERICAN

each fraction above half an ounce. - On local or dropletters, at free delivery offices, 2 cents. At offices where
no free delivery by carriers, 1 cent.
Postal cards, 1 cent. Postal cards and letters go to
Canada same as in United States.
Registered letters, 10 cents in addition to the proper
postage.
The Postoffice Department or its revenue is not by law
liable for the loss of any registered or other mail matter.
Second Class.—REGULAR PUBLICATIONS.—This class
includes all newspapers, periodicals, or matter exclusively
in print and regularly issued at stated periods from a
known office of publication or news agency. Postage, 2
cents a pound or fraction thereof.
Third Class.—MISCELLANEOUS PRINTED

MATTER.—

Mailable matter of the third class includes books, transient newspapers and periodicals, circulars, and other
matter wholly in print (not of the second class), proofsheets, corrected proof-sheets, and manuscript copy accompanying the same; and postage shall be paid at the
rate of 1 cent for each two ounces or fractional part
thereof, and shall fully be prepaid by postage stamps
affixed to said matter.
Upon matter of the third class, or upon the wrapper
inclosing the same, the sender may write his own name
or address thereon, with the word "from"above and
preceding the same, and in either case may make simple
marks intended to design a word or passage of the text to
which it is desired to call attention. There may be placed
upon the cover or blank leaves of any book, or of any
printed matter of the third class, a simple manuscript
dedication or inscription that does not partake of the na-;
ture of a personal correspondence. Address, date, and
signature may be written in printed circulars; but bills,
statements, and other commercial papers, partly in
writing, must be prepaid at letter rates.
All packages of matter of the third class must be so
wrapped or enveloped that their contents may be readily
and thoroughly examined by postmasters without destroying the wrappers.
Matter of the third class inclosed in sealed envelopes,
notched at the ends or sides, or with the corners cut off,
cannot be mailed except at letter postage rates.
Packages of matter of this class may weigh not exceeding four pounds, except in case of single books weighing
in excess of that amount.
"Printed matter" is denned to be the reproduction
upon paper, by any process except that of handwriting, of
any words, letters, characters, figures, or images, or of
any combination thereof, not having the character of an
actual and personal correspondence. This includes photographs and matter produced by the hektograph or
electric pen.
Fourth Class.—MERCHANDISE, SAMPLES, ETC.—Mailable matter of the fourth class includes all matter not embraced in the first, second, or third class, which is not in
its form or nature liable to destroy, deface, or otherwise

MANUAL.

217

damage the contents of the mail-bag, or harm the person
of any one engaged in the postal service.
All matter of the fourth class is subject to a postage
charge at the rate of 1 cent an ounce or fraction thereof, to
be prepaid by stamps affixed.
Upon any package of matter of the fourth class the
sender may write or print his own name and address, preceded by the word "from," and there may also be
written or printed the number and names of the articles
inclosed; and the sender thereof may write upon, or attach to any such article, by tag or label, a single mark,
number, name, or letter, for purpose of identification
only.
All packages of matter of the fourth class must be so
wrapped or enveloped that their contents may be readily
and thoroughly examined by postmasters without destroying the wrappers; but seeds or other articles liable,
from their form or nature, to loss or damage unless
specially protected, may be inclosed in unsealed bags pr
boxes which can readily be opened for examination of the
contents, and re-closed; or sealed b2gs made of material
sufficiently transparent to show the contents clearly without opening, may be used for such matters.
Packages of matter of this class may weigh not exceeding four pounds.
Miscellaneous.—Newspapers to persons not subscribers from office of publication, or from one persom to another, to be prepaid by stamps—one cent for two ounces
or fraction thereof.
One or more newspapers may be inclosed in the same
package and sent at the same rate.
Letters can be forwarded from one postoffice to another
(as in the case of removal, etc.) at the request of the party
addressed, without extra charge. "Return letters" are
also sent back to the writers, free, on expiration of days
named in request.
All letters not claimed in one month from their receipt,
or returned to writer, are forwarded to the Dead Letter
Office.
No packages forwarded in mails weighing over four
pounds, except single books weighing in excess thereof.
To inclose or conceal a letter or written matter in a
newspaper, magazine, or other print, subjects the entire
package to letter postage, and the sender to a fine of $10.
All communications from private citizens to Government officers, and to members of Congress, are required to
be prepaid by stamps.
Foreign Postage.—Letters at 5 cents per half ounce,
prepayment optional (postal cards, 2 cents each), and
printed matter and samples, 1 cent per 2 ounces to all
countries belonging to the " Universal Postal Union,"
which embraces all parts of Europe and the colonies of
the principal European powers; also Mexico, Cuba,
Ecuador, Brazil, Uraguay, Venezuela, Argentine Republic, Chili, Peru, Japan, Hong Kong, Egypt, Liberia,
Hayti, Newfoundland, Canada, and other places of less
importance. (Postage to Canada is 3 cents per half
ounce for letters, and 1 cent per 2 ounces for printed matter.)

218

THE AMERICAN
APPOINTMENTS TSY THE POSTMASTER
GENERAL.

For an U?ilimited Term*
Appointment Clerk, Assistant Attorney-General for
Postoffice Department, carpenters, chief clerk to the
Postmaster-General, chief clerks to Assistant Postmasters-General, chief clerk to Superintendent of Foreign
Mails, chief clerk to Superintendent of Money Order
System, Chief of Division of Dead Letters, Chief of
Division of Inspection, Chief of Division of Mail Depredations, Chief of Division of Postage Stamps, Chief of
Special Agents, clerks (fourth, third, second, first classes
—$1,000 and $900 classes), disbursing clerk and superintendent of the building, engineers, firemen, fireman and
blacksmith, fireman and steam-fitter, laborers (male and
female), law clerk.
Letter-Carriers.—Letter-carriers are appointed by the
Postmaster-General, on the nomination and recommendation of the local postmaster.
LocalMail Agents.—By the Postmaster-General, on
the nomination of the local postmaster: Messengers, postmasters of the fourth class, railway postal clerks, route
agents, special agents, stenographer to the PostmasterGeneral, superintendent of the Blank Agency, assistant
superintendents of the Blank Agency, superintendent of
free delivery, superintendent of money order system,
superintendent of railway mail service, topographer,
watchmen. Clerks and other employes in postoffices are
appointed by the postmasters.
Superintendents of Mails.—Clerks in Postoffices of
the first and second classes to superintend the distribution
of the mail, are appointed by the Postmaster-General, on
th:j nomination of the General Superintendent of the
Railway Mail Service.

THE JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT.
UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT.
The Supreme Court consists of a Chief-Justice and
eight Associate Justices.
A Clerk and a Marshal are appointed by the Court.
The Clerk receives fees for the performance of the
duii s of his office, and, unlike other court clerks, there is
no maximum fixed of the amount of fees to be retained by
him.
The Supreme Court must hold one regular term a year,
commencing on the second Monday in October, and such
special terms as may be necessary.
JURISDICTION OF THE SUPREME COURT.
Exclusive jurisdiction of all controversies of a civil
nature where a State is a part-:', exc^-1- between a State

MANUAL.

and its citizens, or between a State and citizens of other
States, or aliens, in which latter cases it shall have
original, but not exclusive jurisdiction.
Exclusively of suits or proceedings against ambassadors
or other public ministers, ortheis domestic servants; and
original but not exclusive jurisdiction of all suits brought
by ambassadors or other public ministers, or in which a
consul or vice-consul is a party.
It has power to issue writs of prohibition in the District
Courts when proceeding as courts of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction, and writs of mandamus in cases warranted by the principles and usages of law, to any United
States courts, or to persons holding office under the
United States, where a State or an ambassador or other
public minister or consul or vice-consul is a party.
Appeals from the Circuit and District Courts.
UNITED STATES CIRCUIT COURTS.
The judicial districts of the United States are divided
into nine circuits, as follows:
The first circuit includes the districts of Rhode Island,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine.
The second, Vermont, Connecticut, and New York,
The third, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.
The fourth, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North
Carolina, and South Carolina.
The fifth, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi,
Louisiana, and Texas.
The sixth, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
The seventh, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
The eighth, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri,
Kansas, and Arkansas.
The ninth, California, Oregon and Nevada.
ALLOTMENTS.
The Chief-Justice and Associate Justices of the Supreme
Court are allotted among the circuits by an order of the
Court.
For each circuit a circuit judge is appointed, with a salary of $6,000 a year.
Circuit courts are held by the circuit justice or by the
circuit judge of the circuit, or by the district judge sitting
alone, or by any two of the said judges sitting together.
The ChiefJustice and each Justice of the Supreme Court
must attend at least one term of the Circuit Court in each
district of the Circuit to which he is allotted during every
two years.
A clerk is appointed for each Circuit Court by the Circuit Judge.
SALARIES OF OFFICERS, ETC., OF THE JUDICIAL
DEPARTMENT.
Supreme Court.—Chief-justice, $10,500; eight associates, $10,000; clerk (esiimated emoluments), $25,000; reporter, about $4,000; marshal, $3,500; clerks, messengers,
bailiffs, etc., at varying r.ites.

THE AMERICAN
Court of Claims.—Chief-Justice, $4,500; 4 associates.
$4,500; clerk, $3,000; assistant, $2,000; bailiffs, messengers, etc.
Supreme Court of District of Columbia.—Chief-justice, $4,500; 5 associates, $4,000; clerk, district attorney,
marshal, register of wills, fees; deputy clerks and marshals, bailiffs, attendants, etc., in varying- number and
rate, from $2,500 to $500 per year.
npnADTiiriiT
UtrAnlmtfln

AP moTinr
Ur JUolllsb.

The ordinary business of this office may be classified
under the following heads:
1. Official opinions on the current business of the g-overnment, as called for by the President, by any head of
department, or by the Solicitor of the Treasury".
2. Examination of the titles of all land purchased, as
the sites of arsenals, custom-houses, lighthouses, and all
other public works of the United States.
3. Applications for pardons in all cases of conviction in
the courts of the United States.
4. Application for appointment in all the judicial and
legal business of the government.
5. The conduct and argument of all suits in the Supreme
Court of the United States in which the g-overnment is
concerned.
6. The supervision of all other suits arising in any of
the departments, when referred by the head thereof to the
Attorney General.
To these ordinary heads of the business of the office is
added at the present time the direction of all appeals on
land claims in California.
PAY OF OFFICERS AND EMPLOYES IN" THE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
Solicitor-general, $7,000; 3 assistant attorneys-general,
$5,000; solicitor of the treasury, solicitor of internal revenue, $4,500; assistant attorney-general for postoffice department, $4,000; examiner of claims in department of
state, $^,500; law clerk, $2,700; chief clerk, $2,200; 9
clerks, from $1,200 to $2,000; stenographer, $1,800; telegraph operator, $1,000; 5 copyists, $'900; 2 messengers, a
watchmen, $720; 2 laborers, $660.

UNITED STATES MINT.
The Constitution {article 1; section 8) gives Congress
the sole power to coin money, and regulate the value
thereof. The act of April 2, 1792, provided that a mint
for the purpose of national coinage should be established
and carried on at the seat of government of the United
States, which was then at Philadelphia. Subsequent
acts continued the mint at the same place temporarily,
until by act of May 19. 1828, its location was permanently
fixed in that city.
The officers of the mint are—a Director, a Treasurer, an
Assa\ er, a Melter and Refiner, a Chief Coiner, and an

MANUAL.

219

Engraver. These officers are appointed by the President
of the United States, by and with the advice and consent
of the Senate.
The Director has the control and management of the
mint, the superintendence of the officers and persons employed,and the general regulation and supervision of the
several branches,
The Treasurer receives all moneys for the use or support of the mint, and all bullion brought to the mint for
coinage; he has the custody ot the same, except while
legally in the hands of other officers; and on the warrant
of the director, he pays all moneys due by the mint, and
delivers all coins struck at the mint to the persons to
whom they are legally payable,
The Assayer assays all metals used in coinage, and all
coins, whenever required by the operations of the mint, or
instructed by the Director.
The Melter and Refiner conducts the operations necessary to form ingots of standard silver and gold suitable for
the Chief Coiner.
The Chief Coiner conducts the operations necessary to
form coins from the ingots, etc., delivered to him for the
purpose.
The Engraver prepares and engraves with the legal
device and inscription all the dies used in the coinage of
the mint and its branches.
Besides the mint at Philadelphia, Congress has, from
time to time, established branches and an Assay Office at
the following places:
At New Orleans, for the coinage of gold
and silver
March 3, 1835
At Charlotte, North Carolina, for the coinage of gold only
March 3, 1835
At Dahlonega, Georgia, for gold only.... March 3, 1835
A t S a n
Francisco, California, for gold and
S
fc^toado'
T ^ t o ^ , ' to goid J U ' y
and silver
April
t
. Carson City, Nevada, for gold and
silver
March
t N e w Y o r k Cit
y , an Assay Office for
the receipt, melting, refining, parting,
and assaying of gold and silver bullion
and foreign coin, and for casting the
same into bars, ingots, or disks
March

At
A
A

At D a iiasc i t v

O W B O n , f e ,„ 1 d.nd.iv W ,

UNITED

STATES

COAST

juiy

* ^
21, 1862
3, 1803

3, 1853

4 , l86+

SURVEY.

The coast survey has for its object the production of
accurate charts of the coasts and harbors of the United
States. With a shore line, including bays and islands,
and exclusive of Alaska, of more than 21,000 miles in
length, and with a commerce extending to all parts of the
world, and rapidly increasing, the importance to the country of this branch of the public service will be readily appreciated.
The work was commenced on the Eastern or Atlantic

220

THE AMERICAN

coast in 1822, under the superintendence of Professor F.
R. Hassler, and after his death in 1843, was continued
under the superintendence of late Prof essor Alexander D.
Bache, and extended to the Gulf of Mexico. On the acquisition of California, the Pacific coast was included in
the survev, and since the treaty with Russia, by which
Alaska was brought under the Government of the United
States, the survey has been extended to that Territory.
The whole work is under the administrative direction of
the Treasury Department. Upon the superintendent devolves the duty or planning- its operations, for the scientific
accuracy of which he is responsible. The corps of assistants is composed of three classes—civilians, and army and
navy officers. The work is divided into three branches
—the g-eodetic survey accurately determines the relative
positions on the surface of the earth of a great number of
prominent points, by a system of triangulation and observation of the true meridian lines, and of latitude and
longitude. The positions fixed by the triangulation form
the groundwork of the topographic survey, which delineates the shore-line of the coasts, bays, and rivers; the
shape and heights of the hills; the position of the roads,
houses, woods, marshes, and fields—in short, all noteworthy features of the country.
The hydrographic
survey, based upon the points and shore-lines furnished
by the triangulation and topography, delineates the hidden configuration of the sea bottom, discovers channels,
shoals, and rocks, assigns their true position, and shows
the depth of water and character of the bottom over the
whole extent of the chart.
The observations made in the progress of the survey are
arranged and published with illustrative plates, topographic maps, and hydrographic charts.

FREEDMAN'S BUREAU.
The Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned
Lands was established March 3, 1865, and attached to the
War Department. By its terms the law was limited to
one year after the close of the rebellion. On the 16th day
of July, A. D. 1866, the law was amended and continued
in force for two years, and again, on the 25th of ?uly,
1868, an act was passed continuing the educati nal department of the Bureau, and the collections and paymer ts of
money due soldiers and sailors or their heirs, until otherwise ordered by Congress, but the other operations of the
Bureau were to be withdrawn from the reconstructed
States on the 1st of January, 1868.
Major-General O. O. Howard was appointed Commissioner of the Bureau on the 12th of May, 1865, and entered upon his duties on the 15th. Ten assistant commissioners were appointed in the different States embraced
under the Bureau. With one exception, these were
officers in the army, who were changed from time to time'
as changes were made in the different military departments.
The Bureau was organized with four departments, embracing that of Lands, Records^ Financial Affairs, and

MANUAL,

the Medical Department. The Claim Division was subsequently organized under the head of the Land Department.
The Bureau at first had supervision of farming property
only, but the orders issued under the act by the President
on the 2d day of July, 1865, and by the Secretary of the
Treasury soon after, placed the Bureau in charge of all
real property which bad been abandoned, captured, or
confiscated, including building lots in cities and towns, as
well as plantations and farms.
As soon as possible after its organization, the Land
Division proceeded to ascertain as accurately as possible
the amount and character of the property committed to its
charge,.

DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR OFFICERS.
Diplomatic and consular officers must not be absent
from their posts more than ten days in one year, without
leave obtained from the President, and then only for sixty
days, not including the time spent in the round journey if
the officer visits his home.
The pay of a diplomatic or consular officer is calculated
from the "time when he begins to receive his instructions;
but not more than thirty da}^ time is allowed to this
business, and he must take the most direct route to his
station. On his return home, time is allowed for the
return journey by the most direct route, unless he has
resigned, or been recalled, because of official misconduct.
Allowances for clerical service are made to a considerable number of the larger consulates.
The thirteen consular clerks hold office during good
behavior after appointment.
The consular offices compensated only by fees, are
usually sought and filled by persons who desire to hold
the offices and live at the sta'tions for purposes of business,
health, or pleasure, and not for the emoluments of the
offices themselves.

DIPLOMATIC SEKVICE.
Ministers to France, Germany, Great Britain and
Russia
$i7»5°°
Ministers to Austria, Brazil, China, Italy, japan,
Mexico, and Spain
12,000
Ministers to Central America, Chili, and Peru
10,000
Ministers to Argentine Confederation, Belgium,
Colombia, Hawaiian Islands, Hayti, Netherlands, Sweden, Turkey, and Venezuela
$7,5°°
Ministers to Bolivia, Denmark, Paraguay, Portugal,
and Switzerland
S?000
Minister to Liberia
4,000
Secretary and Interpreter of Legation at Pekin
5,000
Secretary of Legation at Constantinople
3>°°°
Secretaries of Legation at Paris, Berlin, London,
and St. Petersburg
2,625
Secretary of Legation at Yeddo
2,500
Interpreter at Yeddo
2,500
Second Secretaries at Paris^ Berlin, and London... 2,000

THE

AMERICAN

S e c r e t a r i e s of L e g a t i o n a t M a d r i d , M e x i c o , R i o de
Janeiro, Rome, and Vienna.
,

COHSTJLAK

1,800

SEBVICE.

CON ULS NOT PERMITTED TO TRADE.
H a v a n a , Liverpool, L o n d o n , P a r i s , R i o de J a n e i r o $6,000
C a l c u t t a and S h a n g h a i
5,ooo
Melbourne
4>5oo
Berlin, B u c h a r e s t , C a i r o , H o n g - K o n g - , H o n o l u l u ,
Montreal
„....
4,000
Amoy, Callao, Canton, Chin-Kiang, Foo-Chow,
H a n k o w , N i n g p o , and T i e n - T s i n
3>5°°
A s p i n w a l l , B a n g k o k , Bradford, Buenos A y r e s , D e merara, Frankfort, Glasgow, Havre, Hiogo,
Manchester, Matanzas, Nagasaki,
Osaka,
P a n a m a , Rome, Tangiers, Tripoli, Tunis, Valparaiso, V e r a Cruz, Vienna
3J000
A n t w e r p , Belfast, B i r m i n g h a m , B o r d e a u x , Bremen,
B r u s s e l s , Cienfuegos, D r e s d e n ,
Hamburg,
L y o n s , M a r s e i l l e s , S a n t i a g o d e C u b a , Saint
T h o m a s , Sheffield, S i n g a p o r e , T u n s t a l l
2,500
A c a p u l c o , B a r m e n , Basle, Beirut, Cardiff, C h e m nitz, Coaticook, Cologne, Cork, D u b l i n , D u n dee, Halifax, Hamilton, Kingston, Leeds, Leipsic, L e i t h , Lisbon, M a t a m o r a s , M e x i c o City,
Montevideo, N a s s a u , N u r e m b e r g , Odessa, P e r n a m b u c o , P o r t Loiiis, P r a g u e , R o t t e r d a m , St.
John, St. P e t e r s b u r g , S a n J u a n , S m y r n a , Sonneb e r g , T a m a t a v e , T o r o n t o , Trieste, Z u r i c h
2,000
A m s t e r d a m , A u c k l a n d , Barbadoes, Barcelona,
B a h i a , B e r m u d a , Bristol, Cadiz, Capetown,
C h a r l o t t e t o w n , Clifton, C o p e n h a g e n , ' F a y a l ,
F l o r e n c e , F o r t E r i e , F u n c h a l , Geneva, Genoa,
Gibraltar,
Goderich, J e r u s a l e m ,
Kingston
( C a n a d a ) , L a g u a y r a , Leghorn, L i e g e , M a h e ,
Malaga, Mannheim, Martinique, Messina, Munich, Naples, Newcastle, Nice, Palermo, Pictou, P o r t S a r n i a , P o r t Stanley, Prescott, Q u e bec, S t . H e l e n a , St. J o h n ' s ( C a n a d a ) , S a n
Domingo, Stuttgart, Tampico, Verviers, Windsor, W i n n i p e g
i»500
CONSULS

P E R M I T T E D TO T R A D E .

A p i a , B a t a v i a , C a p e H a y t i e n , Ceylon, Gaspi-Basin,
Guayaquil, Guaymas, Honduras, Nantes, Para,
R i o G r a n d e d e Sul, S a b a n i l l a , S a n t i a g o , T a h i t i ,
T a l c a h u a n a , Utilla, Venice, W i n d s o r ( N o v a
Scotia), Zanzibar
,
CONSULS AND C O M M E R C I A L

AGENTS

TRADE, AND COMPENSATED
FEES

PERMITTED
ONLY BY

COLLECTED.

A l g i e r s , Alicante, A m a p a l a , A n t i g u a , A r c h a n g e l ,
B a r a c o a , Bathurst, Belize, B e r g e n , Bogota,
B o m b a y , Breslau, B r u n s w i c k , B u e n a V e n t u r a ,
C a m a r g o , C a r r a r a , C a s t e l a m a r e , Carthap-ena,

1,000
TO

MANUAL.

221

C h i h u a h u a , C h r i s t i a n a , C i u d a d , B o l i v a r , Colonia, Coquimbo, Cordoba, C o r u n n a , Crefeld,
Curacoa, Denia, F a l m o u t h , Galatz, Garrucha,
Geestetnund, G h e n t , G o t t e n b u r g , G r a n d B a s s o ,
Guerrero, Guadaloupe, Guatemala, Helsingfors, H o b a r t - T o w n , Iloilo, L a g u n a , L a m b a y e q u e , L a P a z , L a Rochelle, L a Union, Londonderry, M a l t a , M a n i l a , M a n z a n i l l o , M a z a t l a n ,
M a r a c a i b o , Medellin, M e r i d a , M i e r , M i l a n ,
Minatitlan, Monterey, Moscow, N e w C h w a n g ,
N o t t i n g h a m , N u e v o L a r e d o , Oajaca, O t t a w a ,
P u d a n g , P a g o - P a g o , P a r a m a r i b o , P a s o del
- Norte, Patras, Pesth, Piedras Nigras, Plym o u t h , P o n c e , P o r t Stanley, P r e s i d i o del N o r t e ,
P u e r t o Cabello, R h e i m s , R i o H a c h a , R o s a r i o ,
Rouen, Sagua la Grande, St. Bartholomew,
St. Christopher, St. Galle, St. G e o r g e ' s , S t .
H e l e n ' s , St. J o h n ' s , St. M a r c , St. M a r t i n , St.
Pierre, Samana, San Andres, San Bias, San
J o s e , S a n J u a n del S u r , S a n t a M a r t h a , Santander, S a n t o s , S i e r r a L e o n e , S o n s o n a t e , S t a n bridge, Stockholm, Sydney, Teneriffe, T e t u a n ,
Trinidad, Victoria, W a r s a w , Zacatecas.

MISCELLANEOUS.
13 Consular Clerks
,
$1,000
Interpreter at Shanghai
2,000
Interpreter at F o o - C h o w , K a n a g a w a , a n d T i e n Tsin
1,500
I n t e r p r e t e r s at A m o y , Canton, H a n k o w , a n d
Hong-Kong
75°
12 I n t e r p r e t e r s in China, J a p a n , Siam, a n d T u r k e y
500
S M a r s h a l s of C o n s u l a r C o u r t s in C h i n a , J a p a n ,
and Turkey
F e e s a n d 1,000
Dispatch Agent at N e w York
1,000
D i s p a t c h A g e n t at L o n d o n
2,000

Statistics of Religious Denominations in the
United States.
R o m a n Catholic
Baptist
Methodist
M . E . South
Lutheran
Presbyterian
,
Christian
Congregational
Protestant Episcopal
United Brethren
R e f o r m e d C h u r c h in U . S
United Evangelical
Presbyterian South
P r o t e s t a n t Methodist
Cumberland Presbyterian
Mormon
E v a n g e l i c a l Association

'.

6,174,204
2,133,049
1,680,773
82S,oio
^84,577
573,37^
5 6 7,445
383,686
323,877
I55.43 3
i54>74°
144,000
iiQ>97°
118,175
in>S57
110,377
99,600

222

THE AMERICAN

T h e Brethren
United Presbyterian
R e f o r m e d C h u r c h in A m e r i c a
Freewill Baptists
Friends
Second A d v e n t i s t
Anti-Mission Baptist
Universalist.
C h u r c h of God
Wesleyan Methodist
Moravian
Seventh Day Adventist
Tews

90,006
80,237
78,916
76,703
67,640
63,500
40,000
37,945
20,224
17,847
16,115
14,732
I3» 68 3

,

MANUAL.

Free Methodist
Adventist
Reformed Episcopal
Seventh D a y Baptist
Reformed Presbyterian
N e w Jerusalem
Primitive Methodist
N e w Mennonite
A m e r i c a n Communities
S h a k e r .'
Independent Methodist
Six P r i n c i p l e B a p t i s t

12,: 20
11,100
10,459
8,606
6,020
4,734
3,370
2,990
2,838
2,400
2,103
2,07c

,

->CTrareLOSSES OF THE GOVERNMENT FOR EVERY ADMINISTRATION FROM 1789 TO 1876.
T h e f o l l o w i n g table exhibits t h e losses of t h e G o v e r n m e n t t h r o u g h f r a u d s , carelessness, a n d from all causes, a n d
t h e a m o u n t of loss o n e a c h t h o u s a n d d o l l a r s , for e v e r v a d m i n i s t r a t i o n from t h e b e g i n n i n g of t h e g o v e r n m e n t till t h e end
of P r e s i d e n t G r a n t ' s a d m i n i s t r a t i o n , a s f o l l o w s :
Period
of service.
Washington
Adams
Jefferson
Madison
Monroe
Adams
Jackson
V a n Buren .
Harrison ...
Tyler

Total
Losses.
$

250,970
335*411
603,467
2,191,660
3,229,787
885,374
3,761,111
3.343,792
1,565,003

Period
. sc-

L o s s on|

$

2.22

2-59
2-75
4.16
8.58
4-39
7o2
11.71
6 40

rotal
Losses.

L o s s on

14 vears.
4
"

$1,732,851
1,814,409
2,167,982
2,659,107
7,200,984
4,6i9,599
2,846,192

i 4.08

of

$1,000.

Polk
Taylor
Fillmore..
Pierce
Buchanan
Lincoln...
Johnson .
Grant
Total ...

4
4
4

"
"
"

$39,108,605

$1,000.

4.19
3.56
3.8i
76
57
34
$1.29

THE AMERICAN

228

MANUAL.

SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES.
Chief-Justices.

1

Associate Justices.

John Jayf.
J o h n Rutledgef
William Cushimg...
James Wilson
JohnBlarf
Robert H. Harrison.
J a m e s Iredell
Thomas Johnsonf...
William Patterson..
J o h n Rutledg-e4

Salmon P . Chase.

Oliver E l l s w o r t h f .
B u s h r o d Washing-ton.
A l f r e d Mooref..."
John Marshall
William Johnson
B r o c k h ' t Living-ston..
Thomas Todd
J o s e p h Story
,
Gabriel Duvalf
Smith T h o m p s o n
Robert Trimble
John McLean
Henry Baldwyn
James M. W a y n e § . . . .
Roger B . T a n e y . .
P h i l i p PVBarbour*.'. *'.
John Catron
John McKinley
Peter V . Daniel
S a m u e l N e l s o n . f. . . .
Levi Woodbury
R o b e r t C. G r i e r f . . . . . .
Benjamin R . Curtisf.
John A. Campbellf...
N a t h a n Clifford
Noah H . Swayne
S a m u e l F . Miller
David D a v i s f
Stephen J. Field
Salmon P . C h a s e . . .

Morrison R . W a i t e ,

William Strongf..
Joseph P. Bradley.
Ward Hunt
39 I J o h n M . H a r l a n
40
William B . W o o d s . . .

State W h e n c e
Appointed.

Term of
Service.

N e w York
South Carolina..
Massachusetts...
Pennsylvania . . .
Virginia
Maryland
N o r t h Carolina.,
Maryland
,
New Jersey
South Carolina...
Maryland
,
Connecticut
,
Virginia
,
N o r t h Carolina ..
Virginia
,.,
South Carolina..,
N e w York
Kentucky
Massachusetts . ,
Maryland
N e w York
Kentucky
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Georgia
Maryland
Virginia
Tennessee
Alabama
Virginia
New York
New Hampshire.
Pennsylvania
Massachusetts....
Alabama
Maine
Ohio
Iowa
Illinois
California
Ohio
Pennsylvania
N e w Jersey
N e w York
Ohio
Kentucky
Georgia

17S9-1795
1789-1791
17S9-1810
1789-179S
17S9-1796
1789-1790
i7oo-1799
17*91-1793
1793-1806
I795-I79S
1796-1811
1796-1801
179S-1S29
1799-1804
1801-1835
1804-1834
1806-1823
1807-I826
1811-1845
1811-1836
1823-1845
1826-1828
1829-1861
1830-1846
1835-1867
1836-1864
1836-1841
1837-1865
1837-1852
1841-1S60
1845-1872
1845-1851
1846-1869
1851-1857
1853-186:
I858-..
1861-..
1862-..
1862-1877
1866-...
1864-1S7
1870-188
1870-...
1872-...
1874-...
i88o-*AA

Died.

1745
1739
1733
1742
1732
1745

5
31

5
34
30
i7
*9
34
25
32
16
3

2

28

5
28
15
J
9

1
23
6

H

1732
1745
1739
1741
1745
1762
1755
i755
1771
i757
1765
1779
i752
1767
1777
i785
1779
1790
1777
1783
1778
1780
1785
1792
1789
i794
1S09

1800
1810
1800
1790
1799
1819
1806
1800
18n
1807
1829
1810
1835
1834
1823
1826
1845
1844
1S45
1828
1S61
1846
1867
1864
1841
1S65
1852
i860
1S73
1851
1870
1874

I8JI

1S03
1805
1816
1815
1816
1808
1S08
1813
1811
1S16

1S73
1886
1888

if33
1S26

1887

THE AMERICAN

224

MANUAL.

SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES—Concluded.
Stanley Matthews
Horace Gray
S a m u e l Blatchford
LuciusQ. C.Lamar
8

I
|

32
31
38
40

I

f Melville W . F u l l e r .

Ohio
Massachusetts
N e w York . .
Mississippi
I Illinois

* T h e figures before t h e n a m e s of t h e Associate Justices indicate t h e order of their a p p o i n t m e n t . T h e n u m b e r s foll o w i n g refer to t h e same n u m b e r s in the first column, and s h o w the v a c a n c y filled b y each a p p o i n t m e n t .
t Resigned.
\ P r e s i d e d one term of t h e C o u r t ; a p p o i n t m e n t not confirmed by t h e S e n a f e .
§ T h e S u p r e m e Court, at its first session in 1790, consisted of a Chief J u s t i c e a n d five A s s o c i a t e s . T h e n u m b e r of
A s s o c i a t e J u s t i c e s w a s i n c r e a s e d to six in 1S07, b y t h e a p p o i n t m e n t of T h o m a s T o d d ; increased to e i g h t in 1837, b y t h e
a p p o i n t m e n t of J o h n C a t r o n and J o h n M c K i n l e y ; iucreased to nine i n 1863, b y t h e a p p o i n t m e n t of S t e p h e n J . F i e l d ;
d e c r e a s e d to e i g h t on t h e death of J o h n Catron i n 1855; decreased to s e v e n o n t h e d e a t h of J a m e s M . W a y n e , i n 1S67;
a n d a g a i n increased to e i g h t in 1870.

THE CLIMATE OF THE UNITED STATES.
S t a t e or T e r r i t o r y .

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut . . . .
Dakota
Delaware «
District Columbia...
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Indian Territory
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
.Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota

P l a c e of

Mean
annual
O b s e r v a t i o n . temperature,
degreesj

Mobile
Sitka
Tucson
Little R o c k . . .
San Francisco
Denver
Hartford
Fort Randall..
Wilmington ..
Washington ..
J a c k s o n v i l l e ..
Atlanta
F o r t Boise
Springfield . . .
I n d i a n a p o l i s ..
Fort Gibson..
Des M o i n e s . . .
Leavenworth .
Louisville . . . .
N e w Orleans..
Augusta
Baltimore
Boston
Detroit
St. P a u l

66
46
69
63
55
48
50
47
53
69
58
52
5o
5i
60
49

P

69
45
54
48
47

State or T e r r i t o r y

Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
,
•Nebraska
Nevada
[New H a m p s h i r e
New Jersey.
N e w Mexico
New York
North Carolina.,
'Ohio
[Oregon
,
PennsylAania
Rhode Island....
jSouth C a r o l i n a , . .
[Tennessee
[Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington Ter.
W e s t A^irginia...
Wisconsin
Wyoming

P l a c e of

Mean
annual
Observation. temperature,
degrees

Jackson
St. L o t u s
Helena
Omaha
C a p e Winfield Scott,
Concord
Trenton
Santa F e
Albany
Raleigh
Columbus
Portland
Harrisburg
Providence
Columbia
Nashville
Austin
S a l t L a k e City
Montpeher
Richmond
Steilacoom
Romney
Madison
Fort Bridger

64

55
43
49
5o
46
53

l*

59
53
S3
54
48
62
52
43

57

51
52
45
41

1*HE I,ATE CHIEF JUSTICE MORRISON R. WAIT!?,,

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

SECRETARIES OP STATE.

Term No.
1
2

I
2

S
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11

3
4
5
6
7
8

12

Q
10
II
12

13
M

14

13

NAME.

T h o m a s Jefferson
T h o m a s Jefferson
Edmund Randolph
Timothy Pickering
Timothy Pickering
John Marshall . .
James Madison .
James Madison .
Robert Smith . .
James Monroe . .
[James Monroe . .
[John Quincy A d a m s
J o h n Quincy A d a m s
H e n r y Clay
. . . .
Martin Van Buren .
Edward Livingston
Louis McLane . . .
John Forsyth . . .
John Forsyth . . .
|D a n i e l W e b s t e r . .

Term No.

APPOINTED.

jSept.
26,
M a r c h 4,
I J a n u a r y 2,
|Dec.
10,
M a r c h 4,
May
13,
M a r c h 5,
M a r c h 4,
M a r c h 6,
[April
2,
M a r c h 4,
[March
I March
.March
IMarch
May
May
June
_,,
M a r c h 4,

I March

14a

1793
1794
17951
1797
1800J
1801
18051
1809
1811
1813I
1817I
1821
1825!1
1S29J
1831.
1833!
1834!!
1837 1
5, 1841

Daniel Webster

17
18

18
19
20
21
22

23

19 24
20
20a
21
22

2S
26

S 3 27
28
24
2 4 a 2Q

II 2 5

. .
. .
|A b e l P . U p s h u r . . .
J
1 o h n C. C a l h o u n . .
James Buchanan
.
J o h n M. C l a y t o n . .
Daniel Webster . „
Edward Everett . .
W i l l i a m L. M a r c y .
Lewis Cass
J e r e m i a h S. B l a c k .
William H. Seward
William H. Seward
William H. Seward
E l i h u B. W a s h b u r n e
Hamilton Fish . . .
Hamilton Fish . . .
William M. E v a r t s .
J a m e s G. B l a i n e . .
F. T. F r e l i n g h u y s e n
|T h o m a s F . B a y a r d .

15 H u g h S. L e g a r e
16
17

15
16
16a

APPOINTED.

30

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
,
.
.
.
,
,
.
,
,
,

April
May
July
March
March
March
(July
Nov.
March
March
Dec.
March
March
April
iMarch
March
March
March
March
Dec.
March

6.
9,
24,
6,
6.
7,
22,
6,
7,
6,
17,
5,
4,
15,
5,
ii,
4,
12,
5,
12,
6,

1841
1843
1843
1844
1845
1849
185O
1852
1853
1857
i860
1861
1865
1865
1869
1869
1873
1877
1881
1881
1885

T h e l a r g e r figures m a r k t h e P r e s i d e n t i a l t e r m i n w h i c h e a c h C a b i n e t Officer h e l d h i s a p p o i n t ment.

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

'•^m

T

JAMES G. BLAINE.

221

7 HE AMERICAN

228

MANUAL.

SECRETARIES OF THE TREASURY.
Appointed.
Alexander Hamilton.
Oliver Wolcott
Samuel Dexter
Albert Gallatin
George W. Campbell..
Alexander J. Dallas
William H. Crawford.
Richard Rush
Samuel D. Ingham
Louis McLane
,
William J. Duane..
Roger B. Taney....
Levi Woodbury....

Sept. n , 1789
March 4, 1793
Feb. 2, 1795
March 4, 1797
Jan.
1, 1801

'\ p
"
>
<
H
14a

Appointed

d
A

X

1
(
>
16
17
18
19

Thomas Ewing
Walter Forward
John C. Speacer
George M. Bibb
Robert J. Walker
William M. Meredith...
Thomas Cor win
James Guthrie
Howell Cobb
Philip F , Thomas
John A. Dix
Salmon P. Chase
William Pitt Fessenden..
Hugh McCullough

15
14, ISOI
16
March 4, 1809 16a 20
March 4, 1813 1 17 21
Feb. 9, 1814
1 22
8
Oct. 6, 1814
23
Oct. 22, 1816
March 5, 1817 19 24
21?
March 5, 1821
26
March 7, 1825 20 27
March 6, 1829 20a
Aug. 2, 1831 21 28 George S. Boutwell
May 29. 1S33 22 2 9 William A, Richardson.
Sept. 23, 1833
Benjamin H. Bristow....
30
June 27, 1834
L o t M . Morrill
31
March 4, 1837
March 5, 1S41 23 32 John Sherman
May

1

April 2, 1841
Sept. 13, 1841
March 3, 1843
June 15, 1844,
March 6, 1845
March 8, 1S49
July 23, 1850
March 7, 1853
March 6, 1857
Dae. 12, i860
Jan. 11, 1861
March 7, 1861
July
1, 1864.
March 7, 1865
April 15, 1863
March 11,1869
March 17,1873
June 4, 1874.
July
7, 1876
March 8, 1877

Thomas Evving.
Secretaries of the Treasury.—Term 24, No. 33, William Windom, appointed March 5, 1881; Term 24a, No. 34, Charles
J. Folger, appointed October 27, 1881; No. 35, Walter Q. Gresham, appointed September 24, 1884 ; No. 36, Hugh
McCullojCh, appointed October 28, 1884; Term 25, No. 37, Daniel Manning, appointed March 6, 1885: No. 38,
Charles S. Fairchild, April 1,1887.

GSNIRAL MEADF.S HEADQUARTERS AT GETTYSBURG.

THE AMERICAN

HON. JOHN

MANUAL

SHERMAN.

229

»

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

SECRETARIES OF WAR.
1

2

%
4
5
6
l

?

&

1

Henry Knox

T i m o t h y Pickering-.
3 James McHenry

2

6

•
>

Samuel D e x t e r . . .
Roger Griswold..
Henry Dearborn.

I

William E u s t i s . . .
J o h n Armstrong-.

4

9 James Monroe
10
11
12

William H. Crawford.
George Graham
J o h n C. C a i h o u n

9
10 13 J a m e s B a r b o u r . . ,
H Peter B. Porter.

n

I*

16

John H . E a t o n . .
L e w i s Cass

12

Sept. 12, 1789 1 14a
M a r c h 4, 1793
Jan.
2, 1795
J a n . 37, 1796
M a r c h 4, 1797
15
M a y 13, 1800
16
Feb.
3, 1801
16a
M a r c h 5, 1S01
17
M a r c h 4, 1805
18
M a r c h 7, 1809
Jan.
13, 18'3
19
M a r c h 4, 1813
Sept. 27, 1S14
20
A u g u s t 1, 1815
20a
ad interim.
Oct.
8, 1817
M a r c h 5,1821
M a r c h 7, 1825
21
May 26, 1S28
M a r c h 9, 1829
22
A u g u s t 1, 1831
M a r c h 4, 1S33
M a r c h 7, 1S37
*6
M a r c h 5, 1841

19
20
21
22

23
24
2<;

26
27
28
29

J o h n Bell
J o h n C Spencer
James M. Porter
William Wilkins
William L. M a r c y . . . .
George W . Crawford.
Charles M. Conrad
Jefferson D a v i s
John B . F l o y d
Joseph Holt
Simon C a m e r o n
E d w i n M. Stanton . . .

U . S. Grant, ad interim.
L. Thomas, "
"
J o h n M . Schofield
John A . Rawlins
32 W i l l i a m W . B e l k n a p . . .

30
31

33 A l p h o n s o T a f t
3+ J a m e s D . C a m e r o n . . .

A p r i l 6,1841
Oct. 12, i84r
M a r c h 8, 1843
F e b . 15, 1844
M a r c h 6, 1845
M a r c h 8, 1849
A u g . 1 $, 1850
M a r c h 5, 1853
M a r c h 6, 1857
Jan.
18, i86r
March 5. 1861
Jan.
15. 1862
M a r c h 4, 1865
A p r i l 115, 1865
A u g . 12, 1867
F e b . 21, 1868
M a y 28, 1868
M a r c h 11,1869
Oct. 25, 1869
M a r c h 4, 1873
M a r c h 8, 1876
M a y 22, 1870
M a r c h 12,1877
D e c . 10, 1879

3=; G e o r g e W . M c C r a r y .
36 A l e x a n d e r R a m s e y . . .
Secretaries of War.—Term 24, N o . 38, R o b e r t T . L i n c o l n , a p p o i n t e d M a r c h 5, ii
T e r m 25, N o . 39, W i l l i a m C
E n d i c o t t , a p p o i n t e d M a r c h 6, 1885.
N O T E . — W i l l i a m T . S h e r m a n w a s S e c r e t a r y of W a r from S e p t e m b e r 9, 1869, t o O c t o b e r 25,1869,

13
14

i7 J o e R . P o i n s e t t .
18 J o h n Bell

SECRETARIES OF THE NAVY.

3
4

1

Benjamin S t o d d e r t .

Robert Smith . . . .
3 J. Crowninshield.
4 Paul Hamilton...
S William Jones...,
2

5
6
7

6

B. W . Crowninshield .

7

Smith T h o m p s o n .

8

Samuel L, S outhard...

8

%
10
11

9 John Branch
10

Levi W o o d b u - y .

11

Mahlon Dickerson.

22
13
U

12 J a m e s K.
13 1 George E

Paulding.
Badger..

M a y 21, 17931 1 14a
M a r c h 4, IS01
July
1-, 1S01
M a r c h 3, 1805
M a r c h 7, 1809
Jan.
12, 1813
15
M a r c h 4, 1813
D e c . 19, iSldL
16
M a r c h 4, ISI7 16a
N o v . 9, l8l8 |
M a r c h 5, I82I
17
Sept. 16, l823
18
M a r c h 4, I82S
19
M a r c h 9, 1829
20
M a y 23, iS^I
20a
M a r c h 4, 1833
21
J u n e 30, i*34
M a r c h 4, 18 <7
2^
J u n e 25, 18^8
2i
;
M a r c h 5,
1841

George E . B a d g e r . . .
Abel P . U p s h u r
David I lenshaw
16 T h o m a s W . G i l m e r . .
17 J o h n Y. M a s o n
18
G e o r g e Bancroft
John V . Mason
William B. Preston .
IQ
20
William A . Graham.
21
J hn P . Kennedy
22 J a m e s C. D o b b i n
23 I s a a c Toucey
24 Gideon W e l l e s . . . . . . .

H

!•>

26

A d o l p h E . Borie
George M. Robeson.

27
2S

Richard W . T h o m p s o n .
N a t h a n Gofi.Jr.,

2i,

A p r i l 6,
S e p t . 13, 1841
J u l y 24, 1843
F e b . 15, 1844
M a r c h 14, i844
M a r c h 10, 1845
Sept. 9,
M a r c h 8,
J u l y 22, 1850
J u l y 22, 1S50
M a r c h 7, I8S3
M a r c h 6, 1857
M a r c h 5, 1S61
M a r c h 4, 1865
A p r i l 15, 1865
M a r c h 5, 1869
J u n e 25, 1869
M a r c h 4, 1873
M a r c h 12,
7
Jan.
6, 18S1

*S

Secretaries of the Navy.—Term 24, N o . 28, W i l l i a m H . H u n t , a p p o i n t e d M a r c h 5, 1881; T e r m 24a, N o . 29, William E .
xhandler, a p p o i n t e d April 1, 1882 ; T e r m 25, N o . 30, W i l l i a m C. Whitney, a p p o i n t e d M a r c h 6, 1885.

THE AMERICAN

S3t

MANUAL,

ATTORNEYS-GENERAL.
Edmund Randolph.
William Bradford..
Charles Lee
Theophilus Parsons..
Levi Lincoln
Robert Smith
John Breckinridge...
Cassar A. Rodney,...
William Pinckney.,
Richard Rush
William Wirt

,

John M. Berrien.
Roger B. Taney.,
Benjamin F . Butler.

14
14a

Felix Grundy
Henry D. Gilpin
John J. Crittenden.,

^ept. 26, 1789 1
J
18
Hugh S. Legare
March 4, 1793
"
19 John Nelson
Jan. 27, J 794 15 20 John Y. Mason
Dec. 10, 1795
21
Nathan Clifford
March 4, 1797
22
Isaac Toucey
Feb. 20, 1801
16 23 Reverdy Johnson
March 5, 1801
John J. Crittenden
16a
March 3, 1805
,
17 24 Caleb Cushing
Aug. 7, 1805
1
Id 2<> Jeremiah S. Black
Jan. 28, 1S07
i
26
Edwin M. Stanton
March 4, 1809
19 27 Edward Bates... ;
Dec. 11, 1S11
T. J. Coffey, ad interim.
March 4, 1813 i
28 James Speed
F eb. 10, 1814
20
March 4, 1S17 | 20a
Nov. 13, 1817
Henry Stanberry
29
March 5, 1821 j
William M. Evarts..
30
March 4, 1S25
21 31 E. Rockwood Hoar..
March 9, 1829
V Amos T. Akerman .
July 20, 1831
33 George H. Williams.
March 4,
22
Nov. 15, 1833
1
1833
34 Edwards Pierrepont
March 4, )1837
3S Alphonso Taft..
July
5,
23 36 Charles Devens
Jan. 11, 183S
24 37 Wayne McVeagh
March 5, 1840
24a 38 Benjamin H. Brewster.
April 6, 1841
1841

Attorney-General.—Term 25, No. 39, Augustus H. Garland, appointed March 6, 1885.

Sept. 13, 1841
March 6, 1845
Oct. 17, 1846
June 21, 1848
March 8, 1849
2

1
>
^
March 7, 1855
March 6, 1857
Dec. 20, i$oo
March g, 1861
June 22, 1863
Dec. 2, 1864
March 4, 1S65
April 15, 1865
July 23, i860
July 15, 1868
March 8, 1869
June 23, 1870
Dec. 14, 187J
March 4, 1873
April 26, 1875
May 22, 187S
March 12,1877
March 5, 1881
Dec. 19, i83r
&

THE AMERICAN

232

MANUAL.

Name.

No.

16

1
2

17
18

3
4
5
6

Robert McClelland

7
8

James Harlan
O. H. Browning

19

20
20a

Caleb B. Smith..'
John P. Usher
H

t

11

Appointed.

Term

Term 1

SECRETARIES OF THE INTERIOR,
Name.

No.

21
March 8, 1849
9
10
Sept. 12, 1850
22
March 7, 1853
11
March 6, 1867
23 12
March 5, 1861
13
Jan.
8, 1863
24a 14
March 4, 1865
April 15, 1865
25 15
16
May 15, 1865
July 27, 1866 |

Columbus Delano
Zachariah Chandler
Carl Schurz
Samuel J. Kirkwood
Henry M. Teller
William~F. Vilas

Appointed.
March
Nov.
March
Oct.
March
March
April
March
Jan.

5, 1860
1, 1870
4, 1873
19, 1875
12, 1877
5, 1881
6, 1882
6, 1885
16, 1888

POSTMASTERS-GENERAL.
Sept. 26, 1789 1 1 5 1 2 Cave Johnson
March 6, 1845
Aug. 12, 1791
March 8,-1849
16 13 Jacob Collamer
March 4, 1793
July 23, 1850
Nathan K. Hall
2
16a H
Feb. 25, 1795
Aug. 31, 1852
Samuel D. Hubbard..
3 1
March 4, 1707
March 5, 1853
ib
Joseph Habersham..
17 ^ James Campbell
3
March 4, 1801
March 6, 1857
IS
4
i7 Aaron V. Brown....
Nov. 28, 1801
March 14,1859
18 Joseph Holt
4
March 4, 1805
Feb. 12, 1861
Horatio King
Gideon Granger
IQ
5
March 4, 1809
March 5, 1861
Montgomery Blair...
7
19 2 0
March 17, 1S14
Sept. 24, 1864
William Dennison. .
21
7
•
>
March 4, 1S17
March 4, 1865
Return J. Meigs, Jr.
20
8
March 5, 1821
April is', 1865
9
20a
June 26, 1823
July 25, 1866
22
Alexander W. Randall.
6 John McLean
March 4, 1825
March 5, 1869
10
21 23 John A. J. Creswell
March 9, 1S29
March 4, 1873
11
22
7 William T. Barry.'
March 4, 1833
Aug. 24, 1S74
12
24 Marshall Jewell
May 1, 1835
July 12, 1876
James N. Tyner
8 Amos Kendall
2^
March 4, 1837
March 12,1877
13
David McK. Key..
23 2 6
May 5, 1840
June 2, 1880
Q John M. Niles.. .
27 Horace Mayn'ird..,
March 6, 1841
March 5, 1881
14 1 0 Francis Granger.
24 2 > Thomas I-,. James..
April 6, 1841
Dec. 20, 1881
Ida
24a 29 Timothy O. Howe.,
Sept. 13, 1S41
n 1Charles A. Wickliffe.
Postmasters-General,—No. 31, Walter Q. Gresham, appointed April 3, i!
No. 32, Frank Hatton, appointed October 14, 1884 ; Term 25, No. 33, William F. Vilas, appointed March 6, 1
No. j 4* Don M. Dickinson, appointed
January 16, 1888.
1

1 1
2

Sam'i Osgood
Timothy Pickering..

THE AMERICAN

233

MANUAL.

LENGTH OF SESSIONS OF CONGRESS, 1 7 8 9 - 1 8 8 8 .
N o . of
Congress.
1st
A

,d

6

Ath
4U1

5th
f-+u

Dtn
Ht t,
71x1

«fl_
otn
_.,
9in
T^,
I0tn

nth
,
I2tn

13th
,AtU
Htn
,.
*5th
Tftrt ,

IOLn

„.,
7tn
T8f,

3

I8th

. .,
}9th
,
20tn

2Ist

N o . of
bession.
{ ist
K 2d
(3d
j ist
I 2d
J ist
( 2d
J ist
j 2d
(ist
• 2d
<
(3d
J ist
( 2d
j ist
(2d
j ist
"j 2d
J 1st
(2d
\ ist
"J 2d
( ist.
K 2d
(3d
j ist
I 2d
£ ist
• 2d
<
"(3d
»
list
j - 2 d
( ist
-J2d
j ist
j 2d
j ist
"j 2 d
j 1st
"jad
ist
j2d
j ist
"} 2 d
j ist
" 2d
I

T i m e

f

Session#

S?ssio°nf,

M a r c h 4, 1789—Sept. 29, 789.
Jan.
4, 1790—Aug-. 12, 790
D e c . 6, 1790—March 3,
791
Oct. 24, 1791—May 8,
792
Nov.
5, x 79 2 —March 2,
D e c . 2, 1795—June
9, 793
Nov.
5, 1794—March 3, 794
Dec.
7, 1795—June
1, 795
Dec.
5, 1796—March 3, 796
M a y 15, 1797—July 10, 797
797
N o v . 13, 1797—July 16, 790
Dec.
3, 1798—March 3, 799
Dec.
2, 1799—May 14, 800
N o v . 17, 1800—March 3, 801
Dec.
7, 1801—May
3, S02
Dec.
6, 1802—March 3, 803
Oct. 17, 1803—March 27, 804
N o v . 5, 1S04—March 3, 805
Dec.
2, 1S05—April 21, 806
Dec.
1, 1806—March 3, :8o7
Oct. 26, 1807—April 25, 808
N o v . 7, i 8 o S - M a r c h 3 , S09
M a y 22, 1809—June 28, 809
N o v . 27, 1809—May
1, 810
Dec.
3, 1S10—March 3 , 811
N o v . 4, 1811—July
6, 812
N o v . 2, 1812—March 3, 813
M a y 24,1813—Aug-. 2, 13
Dec.
6, 1813—April 18, 814
Sept. 19, 1814—March 3, SiS
D e c . 4, 1815—April 30, 816
2, 1816—March 3, 817
Dec.
Dec.
1, 1817—April 20, 818
N o v . 16, 1818—March 3, 819
D e c . 6, 1819—May 15, 820
N o v . 13, 1820—March 3, 821
Dec.
3, 1821—May 8, 822
Dec.
2, 1822—March 3, 823
Dec.
1, 1823—May 27,
D e c . 6, 1824—March 3,
D e c . 5, 1825—May 22, 826
D e c . 4, 1825—March 3, 827
D e c . 3 , 1S27—May 26, 828
Dec.
1, 1S28—March 3, 829
Dec. 7,1829—May 31, 830
Dec. 6, 1830—March 3, 831

?

j ist.... ,
I 2d
( ist
J 2d
fist
I 2d
( ist
< 2d
(3d
(ist
(2d
ist,

! 2d
3d
j ist
\ 2d
(ist
(2d
/ist
(2d
(ist
(2d
S ist
( 2d
j ist
(2d
I ist
< 2d
(3d
j ist
(2d
j ist
(2d
ist

i

2d
3d
j ist
(2d
j ist
( 2d
f ist
"
< "
j 2d
[3d

,
,
'

T i m e

D e c . 5,
D e c . 3,
Dec. 2
Dec.
1,
Dec.
7,
Dec.
5,
Sept, 4,
Dec.
4,
D e c . 3,
D e c . 2,
D e c . 7,
M a y 31,

of

Session.

1831—July 16,
1832—March 3,
1833—June 3°»
1S34—March 3,
1835-July
4,
1836—March 3,
l6
1837—Oct.
»
1S37—July
9,
1838—March 3,
1839—July 21,
1840—March 3,
1841—Sept. 13,

D e c . 6, 1841—Aug-, 31,
D e c . 5, 1842—March 3,
D e c . 4, 1843—June 17,
D e c . 2, 1844—March 3,
D e c . 1, 1845—Aug-. 10>
D e c . 7, 1847—March 3,
D e c . 6,1847—Aug-. 14,
D e c . 4, 184S—March 3,
D e c . 3, 1849—Sept. 30,
D e c . 2, 1850—March'3,
D e c . 1, 1851—Aug-. 31,
D e c . 6, 1852—March 3,
D e c . 5, 1853—Aug-. 7,
D e c . 4, 1854—March 3,
D e c , 3, 1855—Aug. 18,
A u g . 21, 1856—Aug-. 30,
D e c . 1, 1856—March 3,
. . D e c . 7, 1857-^June 14,
D e c . 6, 1858—March 3,
D e c . £ 1859—June 25,
D e c , 3, i860—March 4,
July
4, 1S61—Aug. 6,

832
833
834
835
836
837
837
838
839
84a
841
841
842
845
844
845
846
847
848
849
850
:8Si
852
853
854
855
856
856
SS7
858
859
S60861
861
862
86$
864
865
866
867
867
867

D e c . 2, 1861—July 17,
D e c . 1, 1862—March 4,
D e c . 7, 1S63—July
4,
D e c . 5, 1864- M a r c h 4,
D e c . 4, 1865—July 28,
D e c . 3, 1866—March 4,
M a r c h 4, 1867—March 30,
July
3, 1867—July 20,
N o v . 21, 1867—Dec.
2, 869
D e c . 2, 1S67—July 27,
...Dec.
7, 1S68—March 4,

234
41st.

42d.
43d..
44th.
45th.

46th.

THE
( 1st
. •< 2d
(3d
\ i1st
st
A 2d..
2d.
(3d
j 1st
* 1 2d
list
' { 2d
( 1st
st
.•<2d
(3d
( 1st
.K2d
(3d

i

,

AMERICAN'

M a r c h 4, 1869—Aptil 23, 1869
D e c . 6, 1869—July
15, 1S70
D e c . 5, 1870—March 4, 1S71
M a r c h 4, 1871—April 20, 1871
Dec.
4, 1871—June 10,1872
.Dec.
2, 1872—March 4, 1873
.Dec. .
Dec
1, 1873—June 23, 1874
. D ee .c . 7, 1874—March 4, 1875
Dc
. D ee c . 6, 1875—-Aug. 15,1876
D c.
D e c . 4, 1876—March 4, 1877
Oct. 15, 1877—Dec.
3 , 1877
.Dec.
3> I §77~J u _ n e 204, l1879
> 8 78
.Dec.
8—March
M a r c h 18, 1879—July
i , 1S79
Dec.
i, 1879—June
16,1880
D e c . 6, 1880—March 4, 1883

47th.
48th.
49th.,
50th.,

MANUAL.
j 1st.
•(2d.
i 1st
' i 2d
j 1st
I 2d
• 1 1st . . . . ,

Dec.
Dec.
Dec.
Dec.
Dec.
Dec.
Dec.

5, 1881—Aug.
4, 1882—Mar.
3, 1883—July
1, 1884—Mar.
7, 1885—Aug.
6, 1886—Mar.
5, 1887

8,
4,
7,
4,
5,
4,

1882
1883
1884
1885
1886
1887
....

N O T E . — T o d e t e r m i n e t h e y e a r s covered by a g i v e n C o n g r e s s , double the n u m b e r of t h e C o n g r e s s a n d a d d t h e produ c t to 1789; t h e r e s u l t w i l l b e t h e y e a r in w h i c h t h e C o n g r e s s closed. T h u s , t h e 35th C o n g r e s s = 7 o * 1789=1859, t h a t
b e i n g t h e y e a r w h i c h t e r m i n a t e d t h e 35th C o n g r e s s o n t h e 4th of M a r c h . T o find t h e n u m b e r of a C o n g r e s s s i t t i n g in
a n y g i v e n year, s u b t r a c t 1789 from t h e y e a r ; if t h e r e s u l t is a n e v e n n u m b e r , h a l f t h a t n u m b e r w i l l g i v e t h e C o n g r e s s ,
6f w h i c h fhe y e a r in q u e s t i o n will be t h e c l o s i n g year. I f t h e r e s u l t is a n odd n u m b e r , a d d o n e t o it, a n d h a l f t h e r e s u l t
w i l l g i v e t h e C o n g r e s s , of w h i c h t h e y e a r in q u e s t i o n will be t h e first y e a r .

^»Sf;-

THE REV. FRANK HARDIN, D. D.

236

THE

AMERICAN

MANUAL.

SPEAKERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
State.

Name.
F . A. Muhlenberg-...
Jonathan Trumbull...
F . A . Muhlenberg-...

P e n n s y l v a n i a ..
Connecticut....
P e n n s y l v a n i a ..
New Jersey....

4
5

Theodore Sedgwick..
Nathaniel Macon....

Massachusetts..
N o r t h Carolina.

6

Joseph B. V a r n u m . . .

7

H e n r y Clay
uy • *,y

8

Langdon Cheves... <
H e n r y Clay

S. Carolina, )
2d Session, f

9
10

J o h n W . T a y l o r . . . . -j

New York... )
2d Session, f

11

Andrew Stevenson...

1
2
3

it

u

"

««

<f

Massachusetts .

;

Philip P . B a r b o u r . . . .
H e n r y Clay
<(

<t
t<

12
13

(<

J o h n Bell.'.
James K. Polk

''

"

i

....

14
15
16
1Y
18
19
20

Rob't M . T . Hunter..
John White

21
Wi
23
24
25

Nathaniel P . Banks..
James L. Orr
Wm. Pennington....
Galusha A. Grow

tfti

R o b e r t C. W i n t h r o p . .
Howell C o b b . . . . . . . . .
Ct

U

<<
"

(<
"

Tennessee...
2d Session,

"

)
f

....

Massachusetts .

"

Massachusetts..
South C a r o l i n a .
N e w Jersey
Pennsylvania...

'•

Maine

T e r m of Service.

Congress.
ist
2d
3d
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th
9th
10th
nth
12th
13th
13th
14th
15th
16th
16th
17th
iSth
19th
20th
21st
22d
23d
23d
24th
25th
26th
27th
28th
29th
30th
31st
32d
33d
34th
35th
36th
37th
38th
39th
40th
41st
42d
43d

Congress
Congress
Congress
Congress
Congress
Congress
Congress
Congress
Congress
Congress
Congress
Congress
Congress
Congress
Congress
Congress
Congress
Congress
Congress
Congress
Congress
Congress
Cong-ress
Congress
Congress
Congress
Cong-ress
Congress
Congress
Congress
Cong-ress
Congress
Congress
Congress
Congress
Congress
Congress
Congress
Congress
Congress
Congress
Cong-ress
Congress
Cougress
Congress
Congress

April
Oct.
Dec.
Dec.
May
Dec.
Dec.
Oct.
Dec,
Oct.
May

1, 1 7 8 9 ^
24, 1791, to
2, 1793, to
7J J795« to
15, 1797, to
2, 1799, to
7, i S o i , t o
17, 1803,10
2, 1801;, to
36, 1807, to
22, 1S09, to
4, 1S11. to
M a y 24, 1813, to
Janu
19, 1814, to
Dec,
4, 1815, t o
Deco
1, 1817, to
Dec.
6, 1819, to
N o v . 15, 1820, to
Dec.
4, 18211 to
Dec.
1, 1823, to
Dec.
5, 1825, t o
Dec.
3, 1827. to
Dec.
7, 1829, to
5, 1 S31, to
Dec.
2, 1833, to
Dec.
2, 1834, to
June
7, 1835, to
Dec,
Sept. 5, 1837, io
D e c . 16, 1839, t o
M a y 31, 1841, to
Dec.
4, 1843, to
Dec.
1, 1845, to
Dec.
6, 1847, to
Dec. 22, 1849, to
Dec.
1, 1851, to
Dec.
5, 18153, to
Feb.
2, 1856, to
7, 1857, to
Dec.
1, i860, to
Feb.
4, 1861, to
July
7, 1863, to
Dec.
4, 1865, to
Dec.
M a r c h 4, 1867, t o
M a r c h 4, 1869, to
M a r c h 4, 1871, to
Dec.
1, 1873, to

Born.

M a r c h 4, 1791
M a r c h 4, 1793
M a r c h 4, 1795
M a r c h 4, 1797
M a r c h 3, 1799
M a r c h 4, 1S01
M a r c h 4, 1803
M a r c h 4, 1805
M a r c h 4, 1807
M a r c h 4, 1809
M a r c h 4, 1811
M a r c h 4, 1813
J a n . 19, 1814
M a r c h 4, 1815
M a r c h 4, 1817
M a r c h 4, 1819
M a y 15, 1820
M a r c h 4, 1821
M a r c h 4, 1823
M a r c h 4 , 1825
M a r c h 4, 1827
M a r c h 4, 1829
M a r c h 4, 1831
M a r c h 4, 1833
June
2, 1S34
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
March

4,
4,
4,
4,
4,
4,
4,
4,
4,
4,
4,
4,
4,
4,
4,
4,
4,
4,
4,
4,
4,

1835
1837
1839
1841
184?
1845
1847
1849
1851 .
1853
1855
1857
1859
1861
J863
1865
1867
1869
1S71
1873
1875

Died.

i75o
1740

1801
1809

1760

1824

1746
i7S7

i»ia
1837

i7So

1821

1777

1852

1776

1857

1784
1783

1854
1S41

1784

1857

1797

1869

I79S

1849

....

1S09
1805
1805
1709
1809
181«;
1800
.... ]
1816
1822
1796
1823
1823
1830

184I
1850
186S
1859
1873
1862

...*

THE

AMERICAN

237

MANUAL

SPEAKERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
trcifliiyta.—uununuea.
M i c h a e l C. K e r r .

38

Samuel J. R a n d a l l
• \

30

J . W a r r e n Keifer,
J o h n G . Carlisle,

Indiana.........
Pennsylvania \
2d Session. )
Pennsylvania

Ohio
Kentucky.

44th C o n g r e s s

Dec.

6, 1875, to A u g .

20, 1876

1827

44th C o n g r e s s

Dec.

4, 1876, to M a r c h 4, 1877

45th C o n g r e s s

Oct.

1876

1828

15, 1877, to M a r c h 4, 1879

46th C o n g r e s s
47th C o n g r e s s
48th C o n g r e s s
49th C o n g r e s s
50th C o n g r e s s

M a r c h iS, 1879, to
Dec.
5, 1881, tto
5, 1881, o
—D e c . 3,1883, to M a r c h 4,
M a r c h 4, 1885.
D e c . 7' 1885, t o M a r c h 4,
D e c . 5, 1887, to

N O T E . — S p e a k e r s elected pro tempore are noi included l a t h e a b o v e taoie.
of S p e a k e r s , n o t t h e sequence of their official terms*

1836
1835

i'ne figures prelixea xuUicate t h e numbc*

THE AMERICAN

238

MANUAL.

*%>

* PRESIDENTS

Yearof Elec. N
States. Total Eh

to"

* V. - P R E S I D E N T S .

Vote.

6 ^

Candidates.

: Popular.

Candidates.
u

>

1•}j

0

>

0

u
<D

r

Geo. W a s h i n g t o n .

69

73

James Armstrong .
4
1792 F . Geo. W a s h i n g t o n .
15 F .
13=; R .

132

Year of Elec. No. of
States. Total Elec. V.

History of Presidential Elections, Giving a Summary of Popular and Electoral Votes for President and
Vice-President of the United States, 1789-1884.
|

PRESIDENTS.

f

Candidates.

Popular.
u
0

"3
"o

j 706 F .
16 R .
'38 F.
R.

7*

Oliver E l l s w o r t h . .

Geo. W a s h i n g t o n .

R. Aaron Burr
138 F . J o h n A d a m s .
F.
T6

*73

3
162 G e o r g e Clinton
14 R u f u s K i n g

14

G e o r g e Clinton " 3
47 R u f vis K i n g .
47
6 John Langdon
9
James Madison 3
James Monroe. 3

122

1

128 E l b r i d g e G e r r v 135
89 J a r e d I n g e r s o l l

1816 R . J a m e s M o n r o e . . . 16
77 19 F . R u f u s K i n g . .
3
50 221
4

183 D . D . T o m p k i n s 183
34 J n o . E . H o w a r d 2 2
James Ross.... 5
John Marshall. 4
Robt.G. Harper 3
4
4

3

1

1820 R . J a m e s M o n r o e . . . 24
68 24 O.
59
30 235
15
ii
Vacancies
7 1824 R . A n d r e w J a c k s o n . 10 I
5 24 C . J o h n Q . A d a m s . . 8
3 261 R . W. H . C r a w f o r d . 3 I
2
R.
3

231 D . D . T o m p k i n s 218
«?
1 Rich. Stockton.
Daniel Rodney. 4
Robt.G. Harper
Richard Rush.
3
I99 J o h n C . C a l h o u n 182
155,872
105,321 84 N a t h . Sanford.. 3^
1
44,282 4 N a t h . M a c o n . . . 2 4
46,587 37 A . J a c k s o n
*3
M. Van Buren. 9
Henry Clay....

1828J D A n d r e w J a c k s o n . . 15
24 O J o h n Q. A d a m s . . 9
65 261
64

647,231
J . C . C a l h o u n . . 171
509,097 83 R i c h a r d R u s h . . 1 8^
Win. Smith....j 7

2
2
1

8no R.

I

1812 R . J a m e s M a d i s o n . . 1 1
18 F . D e W i t t C l i n t o n . . 7
21S

1

3

Candidates.

tn

1804 R. T h o s . J e f f e r s o n . . . 15
F . C. C. P i n c k n e y . . . 2
34
9 'I
6 176 R. J a m e s M a d i s o n , . 12
6 i8oS F . C. C. P i n c k n e y . . . 5
4 176
3
2
2
1
1
1
4

1VICE-PRESIDED S

Vote.

1

THE AMERICAN

239

MANUAL.

History of Presidential Elections, giving a Summary of Popular and Electoral Votes for President And
Vice-President of the United States, 1789-1884.—Continued.
PRESIDENTS.

VICE-PRESIDENTS.

PRESIDENTS.

"3>

VICE-PRESIDENTS*

0 £

O u

Popular,

Candidates.

r,3 •b
3^ PH
2

Candidates.

"8 8

u d

J*

!*

Popular.

Candidates.

** %V
oli

Candidates.

fcl

A n d r e w j ackson.
H e n r y Clay
John Floyd.... )
AM W i l l i a m W i r t . . \

687,502!
530^89
33»Jo8

M. V a n Buren.
Jno. Sergeant..
Henry Lee
A. Eilmaker...
Wm. Wilkins..

761,549

2R. M . J o h n s o n ;
F . Granger
John Tyler
I
Wm. Smith....

V a c a n c i e s . -,
1836
261
294

M . V a n Buren,
W. H. Harrison
Hugh L. White
Daniel Webster
W. P. Mangum

1840
26
294

|W. H . H a r r i s o n . .
M . V a n B u r e n .,
J a m e s G. Birney,

736,656

1,275,017!
1,128;
7,o59|

John Tyler
R. M.Johnson,
L. W . Tazewell
James K. Polk.

[844
26
275

J a m e s fc. P o l k . . ,
j H e n r y Clay
J a m e s G. B i r n e y

i,337, 2 43
1,299,068
62,300]

Geo. M . D a l l a s .
T.Frelinghuy'n

30
290

Zachary Taylor.,
L e w i s Cass
M. V a n Buren..

1,360,101
1,220,544
291,263

M. Fillmore.
163
W m . O. Butler|
C. F . A d a m s . . .

Franklin Pierce.
Winfield S c o t t . . ,
TohnP. Hale

1,601,474
1,386,574
156,149

W m . R. King..
W . A . vjraham.
Geo. W . Julian.

James Buchanan,
J n o . C. F r e m o n t .
Millard F i l l m o r e .

1,838,1691
i,34i, '
874,534

J. C . B r e c k i n ' g e
W . L. Dayton.
A . J . Donelson

[Abraham Lincolnl
J . C.Breckinridge
John Bell....
IS. A . D o u g l a s ,

1,866,352!
845,763
589,58
i,375,i57

H. Hamlin
Joseph L a n e . . .
Ed. Everett
H . V. Johnson.

1852!
296

i860
33
303

1864 R.ll A b r a h a m L i n c o l n
a 3 6 DA I Geo. B . McClellan|
Vacancies
,
3H
1868 R . lUlysses S. Grant,
D Horatio Seymour.
*37
Vacancies
3i7
1872 R . lUlysses S. Grant.
•M i)L H o r a c e G r e e l e y . .
366 D . C h a r l e s O'Connor]
T . J a m e s B l a c k . .. .
T. A. Hendricks
B. G r a t z B r o w n . .
C h a s . J. J e n k i n s . ,
David Davis
cNot Counted..
Ruth. B. H a y e s . .
S a m u e l J. Tilden,
P e t e r Cooper
G. Clay S m i t h . ..
Scattering. . . . . . .
J. A . G a r f i e l d . . . .
jW. S. H a n c o c k . .
J. B . W e a v e r
[Scattering
Grover Cleveland
J a m e s G. B l a i n e . .
John P . St. J o h n .
Benj. F . Butler..
Scattering

2,2l6,

A. Johnson.
G.H.Pendleton. I

3,oi5>
2,709,

S. Colfax
, 214
F . P . Blair, J r . 80

3,597,
2,834,
29,
5,

H e n r y W i l s o n . 286
B . G r a t z B r o w n j 47
Geo. W . J u l i a n . 5
!A. H . Colquitt,
5
J. M. Palmer.
3
T . E . Bramlette
W . S . Groesbe'k|
W . B. Machen
N. P. Banks..
14
W . A. Wheeler
| T . A . H e n d r i c k s 184

4,033:
4,284.

4 ,442 :

4,442;
306,
i2,576|
4,911,017
4,848,334
151,809!
133,825
11,362!

|C. A . A r t h u r . . 214
W . H . E n g l i s h . *55
B . J. C h a m b e r s .
T . A, H e n d r i c k s 219
J o h n A . L o g a n . 182
Wm. Daniel.
A. M. W e s t . .

240

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

A b b r e v i a t i o n s — A . , A m e r i c a n ; A . M . , A n t i - M a s o n ; C. U . , Constitutional U n i o n ; D . , D e m o c r a t ; D . L „ D e m o c r a t L i b e r a l ; F . , F e d e r a l i s t ; F . D . , F r e e D e m o c r a t ; F . S., F r e e S o i l ; G., G r e e n b a c k ; I. D . , I n d e p e n d e n t D e m o c r a t ; L . , L i b e r t y ;
N . R . , N a t i o n a l R e p u b l i c a n ; O., O p p o s i t i o n ; P . , P r o h i b i t i o n ; R . , R e p u b l i c a n ; T . T e m p e r a n c e ; W . , W h i g .
* P r e v i o u s to_ t h e election of 1804 e a c h elector voted for t w o candidates for P r e s i d e n t ; t h e one r e c e i v i n g - t h e h i g h e s t
n u m b e r of votes, if a majority, w a s declared elected P r e s i d e n t ; a n d t h e n e x t h i g h e s t V i c e - P r e s i d e n t .
f T h r e e States out of t h i r t e e n did n o t vote, v i z : N e w Y o r k , w h i c h h a d n o t p a s s e d a n electoral l a w ; a n d N o r t h C a r olina a n d R h o d e I s l a n d , w h i c h h a d n o t a d o p t e d t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n .
% T h e r e h a v i n g been a tie vote, t h e choice devolved u p o n t h e H o u s e of R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s .
A choice w a s m a d e «n t h e
t h i r t y - s i x t h ballot, w h i c h w a s a s f o l l o w s : Jefferson—Georgia, K e n t u c k y , M a r y l a n d , N e w J e r s e y , N e w Y o r k , N o r t h
Carolina, P e n n s y l v a n i a , T e n n e s s e e , V e r m o n t , a n d Virginia—10 S t a t e s . Burr—Connecticut, M a s s a c h u s e t t s , N e w H a m p *
s h i r e and R h o d e Island—4 S t a t e s . B l a n k — D e l a w a r e a n d S o u t h Carolina—2 S t a t e s .
j
x
) i&No choice h a v i n g been m a d e b y t h e E l e c t o r a l College, t h e choice devolved u p o n t h e H o u s e of R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s . A
choice w a s m a d e on t h e first ballot, w h i c h w a s as f o l l o w s : A d a m s — C o n n e c t i c u t , Illinois, K e n t u c k y , L o u i s i a n a , M a i n e ,
M a r y l a n d , M a s s a c h u s e t t s , M i s s o u r i , N e w H a m p s h i r e , N e w Y o r k , Ohio, R h o d e I s l a n d , a n d Vermont—13 S t a t e s . J a c k s o n — A l a b a m a , I n d i a n a , M i s s i s s i p p i , N e w J e r s e y , P e n n s y l v a n i a , S o u t h Carolina, a n d Tennessee—7 S t a t e s .
CrawfordD e l a w a r e , G e o r g i a , N o r t h Carolina, a n d V i r g i n i a — 4 S t a t e s .
2) N o c a n d i d a t e h a v i n g received a majority of t h e votes of t h e E l e c t o r a l College, t h e S e n a t e elected R . M . J o h n s o n
V i c e - P r e s i d e n t , w h o received 33 v o t e s ; F r a n c i s G r a n g e r received 16.
a) E l e v e n States did n o t v o t e , v i z : A l a b a m a , A r k a n s a s , F l o r i d a , G e o r g i a , L o u i s i a n a , M i s s i s s i p p i , N o r t h Carolina,
S o u t h Carolina, T e n n e s s e e , T e x a s , a n d V i r g i n i a .
b) T h r e e States did n o t vote, v i z : M i s s i s s i p p i , T e x a s , a n d V i r g i n i a .
c) T h r e e electoral votes of G e o r g i a cast for H o r a c e Greeley, and t h e votes of A r k a n s a s , 6, a n d L o u i s i a n a , 8, cast f os
V. S. G r a n t , w e r e rejected. If all h a d been included in t h e count, t h e electoral vote w o u l d h a v e been 300 for U . S, Grant
ftnd 66 for o p p o s i n g c a n d i d a t e .

THE AMERICAN

241

MANUAL.

THE DATES OF THE BIRTH AND DEATH OF OUR PRESIDENTS.
Presidents.
Washington
Adams
Jefferson
Madison
Monroe.
Adams
,
Jackson
VanBuren
Harrison...
Tyler
Polk

Died.
D e c . 14, 1799
J u l y 4, 1826
J u l y 4, 1826
J u n e 28, 1S36
July4> 1831
F e b . 23, 1848
J u n e 8, 1845
J u l y 24, 1862
A p r i l 4, 1841
J a n . 17, 1862
J u n e 15, 1849

Born.
F e b . 22, 1732,,
O c t . 30, 1735
A p r i l 2, 1743
M a r c h 16,1751
, . A p r i l 28, 1758
J u l y 11, 1767
March.115,1767....
D e c . 5, 1782
F e b . 9, 1773
M a r c h 29, 1790
N o v . 2, 1795

LEGISLATURES, ELECTORAL VOTE, RATES OF IN-

td |
Legislatures.
(5* 1 Biennially or Annu ally.
Term of State Re
sentatives. Year
1 Term of State Sena-F" 1 tors. Years.
•g | Limit of Session. Eays.
j No. of Representa tives]
00
j in Congress.
3 | No. of Electoral Votes.l
When promissory note!
outlaws. Years.
j When open accc mnt
-» | outlaws. Years.
{ Rate of Interest on con00
j tract.
Legal rate of Interest.l
Per cent.

TEREST, ETC , OF STATES AND TERRITORIES.

9<m

I

STATES.

2

Bie.
Bie.
Bie.
An.
Bie.
Bie.
Florida
Bie.
Illinois
Bie.
Bie.
Bie.
Bie.
Bie.
Bie.
Bie.
Maine
Maryland
Bie.
Massachusetts... An.
Bie.
M i n n e s o t a . . . . . Bie.
Bie.
Bie.
Bie.
Nevada
Bie.
N e w H a m p s h i r e Bie.
An.
An.

2

4 60
4 60
4 40
2
N
4 N
4 60
4 40
4 N
4 60
4 N
4 So
4 60
4 00
2 N
4 90
1 N
2
N
2
fio
4 N
4 70

2

2

2
i

4 60
2
N
3 N

1

2

2

4
2
1
2

2
2
2

2
2
2

4

2
2
1
2
1
2

2

4°
NI

4
4
1

4
i

2

9
19

6
6
3
6
3
4
11
21

s

4
•6
6
6
S
6

10

13 1*5 2 0
9 11 10
3
s
10 12 is
6 1 8

I 'I
11

n

s

20

3
20

6
66

9

11

3
6

8

13

iS

10

I

3
3
S

6
6

3

[^

s

3
2

6
6
3
4
4
S
6
S
3
2

3
6
3
6
6
6
3
S
4
4
6
6

7 rf> 6
6 161

33 3S!

10

8
6

* 17
0
* 6
* 6
6
* 8
8
8
8
10
12

6
8

7
6
6
6"

I

s
6
* 6
6
1*
0
7
10
6

7

10

6

10
10

6

*

6
6
6

7

10

6
6
6

Presidents.
Taylor
Fillmore
Pierce
Buchanan
Lincoln
Johnson
Grant
c
Hayes
Garfield
Arthur
Cleveland

Born.
N o v . 24, 1784
J a n 7, 1800
N o v . 23, 1804
A p r i l 23, 1791
F e b . 12, 1809
D e c . 29, 1808
April 27, 1822
O c t . 4, 1822
N o v . 19, 1831
O c t . 15,1830
1837

Died.
J u n e 9, 1850
M a r c h 8, 1874
Oct. 8,1869
J u n e 1, 186S
A p r i l 15, 1865
J u l y 31, 1875
J u l y 23, 1885
S e p t . 19, 1881
N o v . 15, 1886

ELECTION LAWS OF THE DIFFERENT STATES,
L e n g t h of time r e q u i r e d i n State, c o u n t y a n d t o w n t o b e t
voter.
State, 1 y e a r ; county, 3 m o n t h s ; w a r d o r
precinct, 30 d a y s . / .
State, 1 y e a r ; county, 6 m o n t h s ; p r e c i n c t o»
w a r d , 30 d a y s . j .
S t a t e , 1 3'ear; county, 90 d a y s ; precinct, 30
California....
d a y s . h.
State, 6 months. W o m e n vote at school
Colorado
V
elections. / .
Connecticut
State, 1 y e a r ; t o w n , 6 m o n t h s , b e h.
Delaware
S t a t e , 1 y e a r ; county, 1 m o n t h , a d h.
State, 1 y e a r ; county, 6 m o n t h s . / .
Florida
State, 1 y e a r ; c o u n t y , 6 m o n t h s , cj.
Georgia
State, 1 year,; county, 90 d a y s ; election dis«
Illinois
I
trict, 30 d a y s . h.
I n d i a n a . . . . . . > State, 6 m o n t h s ; t o w n , 60 d a y s ; w a r d or
precinct, 30 d a y s . / dj.
State, 6 m o n t h s ; county, 60 d a y s ; t o w n o r
Iowa
[
• w a r d , 10 d a y s . j .
Kansas
State 6 m o n t h s , t o w n o r w a r d , 30 d a y s . / .
K e n t u c k y . . . . V State, t w o y e a r s ; c o u n t y , t o w n o r city, 1
y e a r ; precinct, 60 d a y s , h d.
Louisiana
State, 1 y e a r ; p a r i s h , 10 d a y s . h.
State, 3 m o n t h s , h a .
Maine . . . . . . . . .
State, 1 y e a r ; city o r county, 6 m o n t h s , h.
Maryland
State, 1 y e a r ; t o w n , 6 m o n t h s ; w o m e n v o t e
M a s s a c h u s ' t s j- a t school elections, h e a c.
State, 3 m o s . ; t o w n or w a r d , 10 d a y s , g dj.
Michigan
State, 4 m o s . ; election dist., 10 d a y s . / / .
M i n n e s o t a . . . . State, 6 m o n t h s , county, 1 m o n t h , h.
Mississippi
State, 1 y r . ; county, city o r t o w n , 60 d a y s . /
Missouri
State, 6 m o n t h s ; county, 40 d a y s ; w a r d of
Nebraska
I
precinct, 10 d a y s . / .
State, 6 m o n t h s ; c o u n t y o r district, 30 dys.A
Nevada
N . H a m p s h i r e . T o w n , 6 m o n t h s , b h.
State, 1 y e a r ; county, 5 m o n t h s , h.
N e w Jersey
.State, 1 y e a r ; county, 4 m o n t h s ; district*
New York... V
t o w n o r w a r d , 30 d a y s . k.
N o r t h Carolina: State, 1 y e a r ; county, 30 d a y s , b j .
Alabama . . . .

Arkansas . . . .

THE

242

AMERICAN

LEGISLATURES, ELECTORAL VOTE, Etc.

MANUAL,

ELECTION LAWS OF THE DIFFERENT STATES.

CONCLUDED.
^ J o r t h C a r o l i n a . IBfe. f 3
Ohio
2
An.
Oregon
2
Bie.
P e n n s y l v a n i a . . . Bie.
2
Rhode Island... An.
I
South Carolina.. A n . 2
Tennessee
2
Bie.
Texas
JBie. 2
Vermont
2
Bie.
Virginia
2
Bie.
W e s t V i r g i n i a . . Bie.
2
Wisconsin..
I
Bie.
TERRITORIES.

Arizona
Dakota
Idaho
,
Montana
N e w Mexico....
Utah
Washing-ton
Wyoming1

6o 8
N 20
40 I
4
4 N 27
I
2
N
4 N
2
2

3

7*

4 6o
2
N
4 go
4
2

t

10
22

3
2Q

4

« 17
> 2

IO

6
3
9
3
8

8
K
II

^

10

Bie.
Bie.
Bie.
Bie.
Bie.
Bie.
Bie.
Bie.

(Bie., A n . ) Biennially or A n n u a l l y .
A n y rate.
E a c h State h a s t w o S e n a t o r s .

3

*5

6
6
6
6
6
4
14
5
IO

6

3
6
6
6
6
6
6

8
8

Ohio

Oregon
Pennsylvania...
Rhode Island..
S o u t h Carolina.
Tennessee

State, 6 m o s . ; c o u n t y or district, 90 d a y s . J.
State, 1 y e a r ; election district, 2 m o s . c h.
State, 1 3'ear; t o w n o r city, 6 m o n t h s ,
b h
State, 1 y e a r ; c o u n t y , 60 d a y s . h.
State, 1 y e a r ; county, 6 m o n t h s , f h d.
Texas
y State, 1 y e a r ; county or election district, 6
m o n t h s , a dj.
Vermont
S t a t e , 1 y e a r ; t o w n , 3 m o n t h s , k d.
Virginia
State, 1 y r ; c o u n t y , city or t o w n , 6 m o s . h a
W e s t V i r g i n i a , State, 1 y e a r ; county, 30 d a y s . // a.
Wisconsin
State, 1 3'-ear. a J.

12

6

*
7
6

2

12

6

6
6
6

S
<
?

6

10

[ a d a y a n d 20c
mileage.

(N.) None.

CONCLUDED.
a
t State,e 1 y ew r ;r d county,y s30 d a y s ; t o w n , vill a g o r a , 20 d a . h.

(*)|

AMOUNT EXPENDED FOR PENSIONS.
T h e a m o u n t of m o n e y e x p e n d e d each y e a r since 1856 fori
p e n s i o n s is a s f o l l o w s :
'
1856
$ 1,296,2291, G 7 2
28,533,40.
1857
1,310,380yp3
29,359,426
185S
1,219,7681
29,038,414
1859
1,222,222 1074
29,456,216
i860
1,100,802> 61.875."
yp
28,257,395
1
1861
1,034,599!1877
27,963,752
1862
852,17011878
27,137,019
1863
1,078,51$; 1879...
35,121,482
J364
4,985,473 ~°°~
.56,777,174!
1865
16,347,621 . QO
50,059,278;
2
61,345,194
1866
15,605,549 ™
iy
66,012,574
1867
20,936,551 | o3
„ . .„ >i*884
55,429,228
1868
23.782,386
1S89
28,476,621:1885
56,102,267
1870
$28,340,2021886
63,404,864
1871...:34,443,894 *$87-75,029,102
i 1 otal,
974,714,106

(a) P a u p e r s n o t allowed t o vote, (b) P r o p e r t y qualifications r e q u i r e d , (c) V o t e r s m u s t h a v e paid t h e i r t a x e s .
id) N o r e g i s t r a t i o n r e q u i r e d .
(<?) M u s t be a b l e t o r e a d
a n d w r i t e . ( / ) M u s t p a y p o l l - t a x . (g) F o r e i g n e r s m u s t
b e r e s i d e n t s 01 t b e S t a t e t w o y e a r s a n d s i x m o n t h s . (/*)
F o r e i g n e r s m u s t h a v e lived i n t h e U . S. five y e a r s a n d b e
n a t u r a l i z e d . ( / } F o r e i g n e r s m u s t b e r e s i d e n t s of t h e U .
S. o n e y e a r . ( / ) F o r e i g n e r s c a n v o t e if t h e y h a v e d e clared t h e i r i n t e n t i o n t o become citizens.

Federal Vessels Captured or Destroyed by Conledfederate " Cruisers/'
Ships
Brigs
Barks
Schooners .

Steamboats.
Gunboats...
Cutter
Tug

Vessels Captured or Destroyed for Violation of the
Blockade, or in Battle, from [Way, 1861, to May,
1865.
S c h o o n e r s , 735; sloops, 155; s t e a m e r s , 262; b a r k s , 27;
brigs, 30; s h i p s , 13; ironclads a n d r a m s , 16; b r i g a n t i n e s , 2 ;
g-unboats, 3 ; propellors, 4 ; pilot b o a t s , 2 ; b o a t s , 8 ; y a c h t s ,
2; t u g s , 3 ; b a r k a t i n e , 1 p u n g y , 1; m i s c e l l a n e o u s , 86.

THE AMERICAN

United States Patent Office Business.

MANUAL.

243

1 Public Debt of the United States, 1791-87.

C o m p a r a t i v e S t a t e m e n t of t h e b u s i n e s s of t h e office from
S t a t e m e n t of O u t s t a n d i n g P r i n c i p a l of Pviblic D e b t of t h #
1837 t o 1886, inclusive.
U n i t e d S t a t e s on t h e 1st of J a n u a r y of e a c h y e a r from
F r o m t h e R e p o r t of t h e C o m m i s s i o n e r of P a t e n t s , J a n . 31,
1791 t o 1842 , i n c l u s i v e ; a n d on t h e 1st of J u l y of e a c h y e a r
1881.
from 1843 to I 8 8 I S inclusive.
F r o m t h e A n n u a l R e p o r t of th e Secretary Df t h e T r e a s u r y
Patents
Caveats
ApplicaCALENDAR Y E A R .
on Finances.Issued.
Filed.
tions.
1837..
1838..
1839.
1840.
1841.
1842.
18431844.
1845.

1848..
1849.,
1850.,
1851.,
1852..
1853-•
1854..
1855..
1856..
1857..
1858.
1859.
i860.,
1861.
1862..
1863.,
1864..
1865..
1866..
1867..
1S68..
1869..
1870..
1871..
1872..
1873..
1874..
1875..
1876..
1877..
18'-"
1S79.
1S80.
1881.
1882.

Total.

435
520
425

735
847
761
819
i»045
1,246
1,272
1,628
1,955
2,193
2,25s
2,639
2,673
3,324
4,435
4,960
4.77i
5,364
6,225
7,653
4,643
5,038
6,014
6,93 2
10,664
15,269
21,276
20,420
19,271
19,171
19,472
18,246
20,414
21,602
2i ? 6 3 S
21,425
20,308
20,260
20,059
23,012
26,059
3^522
35,577
35,600
35,7i7
35,968
59i,9n

312
39i
3

o5

3S0
452
448
553
607
595
602
760
996
901
868
906
1,024
1,010

934
1,097
1,084
700
824
787
1,063
*,937
2,723
3,597
3,7o5
3,624
3,273
3,366
3,090
3,248
3,I8I

475
495
5i7
53i
502
502
619
572
660
1,070
995
869
1,020
958
1,902
2,024
2,502
2,910

3,7io
4,538
4,819
3,340
3,52i
4,170
5,020
6,616
9,45o
13,015
13,378
13,986
13,321
13,033
i3,59o
12,864
13,599
10,288
17,026
13,619
12,935
12,725

3,094
2,697
2,809
2,755
2,620
2,490
2,406
2,553
2,741
2,582
2,552
2,513

13,947
16,584
19,267
22,383
20,413
24,233
22,508

8i,393

384,399

[i79i
1792
1793
h79*

U795
1796
1797
1798
*799
1800
1801
1802
1803
iS°4

k° 5
1800

1807
180S
1809
1810
i8n
1812.
*8l3
1814

^5

1816
1S17
1S18.
1819
1820
1821
1S22
1823
1824
1825
1826
1827
1S2S
1829
1S30
1831
1183a
1833
1834
1835
1836
!iS 3 7

.....

1
13,594,4^0.73
$75,463,4-76.S2 [1841
77,227,924.66
20,601,226.28
80,352,634.04 1 1843
32,742,922,00
23,461,652.50
78,427,404.77
i5»9 2 5,3°3.oi
8o,747>587.39 ^ 4 5
83,762,172.07 1846
15,550,202.97
82,064,479.33 i847
38,826,534.77
79,228,529.12 1848
47,044,862.23
78,408,069.77 1849
63,061 858.69
82,976,294.35
63,452,773.55
83,038,050.80 *&
68,304^96.02
86,712,632,25 1852
66,i99,34i.7i
77,054,686.30 1853
59,803,117-70
86,427,120.88 1854
42,242 222.42
82,312,150.50 1855
35,586'858.56
75,723,270.66 1S56
31,972.537.90
69,218,398.64 1857
28,699831.85
44,911,881,03
65, I 96-3i7-97 1858
58,496,837.88
57,023,192-09 1859
64,842,287.88
53,i73,2i7.52 i860
48,005,587.76 1861
90,580,873.72
45,209,737.90 1862
524,176,412.13
55,962,827.57 1S03
1,119,772,138.63
81,487,846.24 1864
i>8i5,784,37o.57
2,680,647,869.74
99,833,660.15 1865
2,773,236,173.69
127,334,933.74 1866
123,491,965.16 1867
2,678,126,103.87
103,466,633.83 1868..
2,611,687,851.19
95,529,648.28 1869
2,588,452,214.94.
91,015,566.15 1870
2,480,672,427.81
89,987,427.66 1871
2,353,211,332.32
93,546,676.98
2,253,251,328.78
90,875,877.28 1 8 7 3 . . . . . . . . 2,234,482,994.20
90,269,777.77 ' 1874
2,251,690,468.43
83,788,432.71
j 2,232,284,531.95
1875
1876
! 2,180,395,067.1$
81,054,059.99
73,987,357-2o [1877
2,205,301,392.10
l 2,256,205,892.53
67,475,043.87 !i878
58,421,413.67 I1879
1 2,349,567,232 04
48,565,206.50
2,128,791,054 63.
39,123,191.68
1881
2,077,389,253 58
24,322,235.1s
1882
1,926,688,678 03
1,892,547,412 07
7,001,698.83 '1883
4,760,082.08
1,838,904,607 57
1,872,340,557 14
37,5T3-o5
1,783,438,697 78
3365957.83 J1886
3,308,124.07 I1887
1 1,700,771,948 68
10,434,221.14
$3,573,343-82
5,25os875-54

244

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

Aggregate Banking Capital and Deposits in the United States, June, 1 8 8 2 .
COMPARED W I T H 1876, 1877, 1S78, 1879 A N D 1SS0.
From the Report of the Comptroller of the Currency, December, 1881.

S
I
i*

National Banks.

No.

2,091
3,076
2,056
2,048
2,076
2,115
2,308

DeCapital. posits.
Mill.
Mill.

State Banks, private
b a n k e r s , etc.
Capital
Mill.

No.

Deposits.
Mill.
480.0
47o.5
4I3-3
397.0
501.4
627.5
779-o

Savings Banks
w i t h capital.

No.

26
26
23
29
29
36
42

Saving B a n k s
without
Capital.
Capi- DeDetal. posits N o .
posits.
Mill. Mill.
Mill.

Total.

No.

DeCapital.
posits.
Mill.
Mill.

691
S44.6
719.4 2,075.3
6,611
676
704.5 2,120.1
843.2
6,579
668
675.8 1,920.0
26.2
803.3
6,456
656.5 1,893.5
747-1
36.1
6,360
644
650.0 2,219.9
1880
629
783.0
34.6
6,529
1881
629
862.3
670.9 2,667.3
6,796
37-6
1882*
950.2
625!
7,448
43-5
717.3 2,902.6
•To November 30,1882 ; after which date, the tax on bank capital and deposits being repealed, the Comptrolle u has
no returns furnishing data for continuing this table.
1876
1877
1878

5oo,4
4S1.0
470.4
455-3
456.0
460.2
484.9

76S.2
677.2
713.4
900.8
1,139.9
1,119.8

3,803
3,799
3,709
3,639
3,798
4,016
4.473

214 0
218.6
202.2
197.0
190.1
206.5
228.4

5.o
4 9
3 2
4.2
4.0
4.2
4.0

3S."2

^e£j2j2^^^K*^^>'-^^/2r2r^Vv

Florida

1711
1685
1769
1S58
^33
1627 S w e d e s a n d F i n n s
1565 S p a n i a r d s . . . 0 . . . .
'733
1720
1090
1S33
1850

Mobile
Arkansas Post.
San Diego. . . .
Cape Henlopen
St. A u g u s t i n e . .

Burlington
Ft. Leavenw'th

50,722
52,198
188,981
104,500
4,674
2,120
59,26S
58,000
55',4io
33,809

1814
1836
1850
1S76
1788
1787
1S45
178b
181S
1816
1846
81,318 1861

Montgomery...
Little R o c k . .
Sacramento..
Denver
Hartford
Dover
Tallahassee..
Springfield . .
Indianapolis .
Des Moines..

1,262,505 2 y r s .
802,525 2 "
864,694 4 "
i94>327 2 "
622,700 2 «
146,608 4 "
269,493 4 "
1,542,180 2 "
3,077,871 4 "
i,978,3 0 1 4 "
"
1,624,615 2 "
2
996,096

Pay of Members of the
State Legislature.

Salary of Gov-I
ernor of Each |
State.
j

Term of Officel
of Governor.

C a p i t a l of E a c h
State.

Population of
Each State in j
1880.

When Admitt'dl
to the Union. ||

Where Each
By W h o m F i r s t State w a s First
Settled.
Settled.

Area in Square
Miles.

STATES.

Year settled.

HISTORY, POPULATION, ETC., OF THE STATES AND TERRITORIES.

$3,000 $4 pr. day
3,5oo J * F € <
"
6,000 8
"
3,000 4
2,000 300 p r s e s
3
d
2,000 6 p r . " a y .
3,500
"
4,000 4
"
6,000 5
"
6,000 6
3,ooo 550 pr. ses
3 p r . day.
3,ooo

THE
Kentucky
1775
Louisiana
1699 F r e n c h
Maine
1625 E n g l i s h
Maryland
1634I
M a s s a c h u s e t t s . . . 1620
Michigan
1670 F r e n c h
Minnesota . . .
1846
Mississippi
1716J
Missouri
1764 F r e n c h
Nebraska
1854
Nevada
1861
N e w H a m p s h i r e 1623
1624 D u t c h a n d D a n e s
N e w Jersey
N e w Y o r k . . . . . . 1614J D u t c h
N o r t h C a r o l i n a . 1663
Ohio
Americans
Oregon
Pennsylvania ... j
R h o d e I s l a n d . . . 1636
S o u t h C a r o l i n a . . 1670 E n g l i s h
Tennessee
17571
Texas
1690
Vermont
i725|
Virginia
T607 E n g l i s h .
W e s t V i r g i n i a . . 1862 A m e r i c a n s
Wisconsin
I 16691
TERRITORIES.
1590 S p a n i a r d s . .
1859 A m e r i c a n s .
1842 A m e r i c a n s . ,
1852I A m e r i c a n s . ,
i837 S p a n i a r d s .
1847 A m e r i c a n s .
iS45,A m e r i c a n s .
1867 A m e r i c a n s .

Arizona.
Dakota
Idaho
Montana
N e w Mexico
Utah
Washington
Wyoming
Dist. Columbia.
Indian Ter..
Alaska

English

•Indicates the year organized.

AMERICAN
37,6oo|
4i,346
3i,776

Bristol

11,184
7,800

Detroit
St. P a u l

....

N e w Y o r k City
Albemarle . . . .
Philadelphia...
Providence
Port Royal
Ft. London
St. A n t o n i o
Ft. Dummer ...
See V i r g i n i a . . .

56,45i
83,531
47,i56
65,350,
75,995]
112,090
9,280
8,320
47,000
50,704
39 964
95,244
46,000
1,306
29,385
45,600
274,356
10,212
40,904
23,000

53,924

MANUAL.

245

Frankfort
Baton R o u g e . . .
Augusta
Annapolis
Boston
Lansing
St. P a u l
IJ a c k s o n
Jefferson C i t y . .
Lincoln
C a r s o n City
Concord
Trenton
Albany
Raleigh
Columbus
Salem
Harrisburg . . . .
Prov. & N'port
Columbia .,
Nashville..
Austin
Montpelier,
Richmond .
Charleston.
84SI M a d i s o n .

&

jlTucson
113,916
150,932 1861[ Y a n k t o n

,

}
86,294 1863 Boise City
.
143,776 1864[ H e l e n a
>
,
121,201 1850 S a n t a F e
>
84,476 1850 Salt L a k e City.
n
69,994 185 < O l y m p i a
$
,
97,883 1868 C h e y e n n e
64 1700
68,991 1834
577,390 1868

1,648,690 [4 "
939,946 4 "
648,936 2 "
934,943 4 w<
"
i,7S3,o85 1
1,636,937 2 "
78o,773 2 "
i,i3i,597 4 "
2,168,380 4
"
452,402 2
62,266 4
346,991 2
1,131,116 3

5,082,871
i,399,75o
3,198,062
174,768
4,282,091

3
4

39,157
118,430
143,907;
75.120
20,788
177,683

"
"

"
'u
"

2

"

4
4

"
"

276,531 1
995,577 2
1,542,359 2
i,59i 749 2
332,280 2
1,512,565 4
618,457 4
i,3i5,497 2
40,441
134,500
32,641

"

"
u

"
"
"

"
"
"

5

' 5,000
4,000 4
1,500 150

r

"
pr. ses
4,5oo 5 pr. day.
5 , 0 0 0 050 pr. ses
1,000 3 pr. d a y .
3,000
4,000
5,000
2,500
6,000
1,000

5

300 pr. ses
5 pi-, day.
3
S
3
S,ooo 500 pr. s e s
10 0 0 0 1500 "
3 , 0 0 0 4 pr. day„
4,000
1,500
10,000
4,000

5

3
iooopr s e s
1 pr. day.

4,5oo 5
"
4,000 4
4,000 5
"
1,000 3
"
5 0 0 0 540 pr ses»
2 , 7 0 0 4 pr. d a y .
5,000 350 pr s e s
2,6001
2,600
2,600I
2,600
2,600
2,600]
2,600;
2,600

H3

<U

3 IP
<L>

si

THE

246

AMERICAN

MANUAL.

Population of the United States, by Races, in 1 8 7 0 and 1880.
F r o m t h e Official R e t u r n s o f t h e N i n t h a n d T e n t h C e n s u s .

STATES

AND

TERRI

TORIES.

Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Dakota
Delaware
Dist. of Columbia
Florida
Georgia....,
Idaho
Illinois
.
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
,
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
,
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri:
Montana
Nebraska

Total
Populat'n|

1,262,

J°'

803,

864!
622,
146,

TO
269,
1,542:
32:
3,077
1,978,
1,624,
996,
1,648,
939,
648;
934:
i,783:
1,636,
780
i>i3*,
2,168,
39,
4S2i

White
1880.

662,185
35,l6°
59^531
767,181
194,126
610,769]
i33, H 7
120,160
118,906]
H3,6os
816,906
29,013
i,938,798
1,614,600!
952,i55l
i,377, i79|
454,954,
646,852
724,693
1,763,782
1,614,560
776,8a
479,39^ ,
2,922,8261
35,385
449,764

Colored
1880.

600,103
155
210,6661
6,oi8|
2,435
n,547
401
26,442
59,596
126,690
725,133
53
46,368
39,22S
9,5i6
43,107
271,451
483,655
M51
210,230
16,697
15,100
, 1,564
650,291
H5,35o|
346
2,385

Chinese
1880.

Indians
civ. or
taxed,

. 4
1,632
133,
75,2i8|
612
129I
238
11

%
18
i7|
3,379
2I2|
29J
33j
19

5
237
28
25
5^
91
1,765:

213

3,493
195
16,277
i54|
255
i>39i

5
5,

1801
124
165140
246
466
815
50]
848'
625

"5,

369
7,249;
2,300;
i.857j
'13
1,663
235

White.
1870.

521,384
9,58i
362,115
499,424
39.221

527,5491
12,887'
102,221
88,278!
96,057
638,926
io,6i8|
2,511,096!
1.655,837
1,188,207

346,377!
1,098,692
362,065
624,809
605,497
i,443,i56
1,167,282!
438,257
382,896
1,603,146
18,306
122,117

Colored.
1S70.

475,5io
26
122,169
4,272
456
9,668
94
22,794
43,4° K
91,689)
545. H * .
601
28,762
24-560!
5,762
17,108
222,210
364,210
1 606J
175,391
i3,947|
11,849
759
444,20if
118,071)
183
^89)

Indians
C h i n e s e civ. o r
1870.
taxed.

49>3io

98
31
89
7,24i
180
235
1,200

4,274

97)
16)
3|
i,949

2
40
47
3^
240
748
914
108
569
499
4
151
4,292
690
809

75

THE
Nevada
N e w Hampshire
N e w Jersey
N e w Mexico
N e w York
N o r t h Carolina
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
R h o d e Island
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
W . Virgjnia
Wisconsin
Wyoming-

r

62,266
346,991
I,I3I,Il6
119,565
5,082,871
1,390,750
3,198,062
174,768
4,282,891
276, S3*

995,577
i,542,359
M9i,749
H3,963
332,286
1,5^2,565

7S,i*6
618,457
!,3i5.497
20,789

Total United States

AMERICAN
53,566
346,229
1,092, ©47
108,721
5,016,022
867,242
3,117,920
163,075
4,197,016
269,939
391,105
1,138,831
i,i97,237
142,423
33i.2r8
880,858
67,199
592,537
1,309,618
19,437

50,155,783 4^,402,970

247

MANUAL.
48S

o?5

38,853

1.015
65,104

531,277
79,900

487
85,535

6,488
604,332

403,151

393,384

232
1,057

5>4i9 f

H
172

57
926
1
112
, 9>5i2

156
27
9
25
136
5oi

631,616

6

325

3,187

25,886
2,702

5

298

16
914

6,580,793

105,618

2,803 f

38,9591
317,697
875,407
9,772
90,393
819 4,330,210
1,230
678,470 s
no 2,601,946
1,694
86,929
184 3,456,609
77 212,219
289,667
I31
352
936,119
992
564,700
86,044
807
11
329,613,
712,089
85
22,195
4,405
29
424,033
3,i6i 1.051,351
8,726
140

63\
74

357]

3 5 i52|

36,658|

""isl

3

52,081
39i,65o]
63,2131

29I

439

346J

3.33o

1,241
100

65,294.
4,980
4iS,8i4|
322,331

3i8
34
154
124

445

70
379
179
H

234

,3i9

25

253,4751

118
924
512,841
207]
17,980
2,fi3
18
66,4071
66,407133,592,245! 4>886,387l

23

229
1
1,206

143

66

63,254

25,73i

P E R C E N T . O F I N C R E A S E F R O M 1870 T O 1880.
Total Population
W h i t e Population

30.08 p e r cent. I Colored P o p u l a t i o n
29.26 "
"
j Chinese Population

34»67 p e r c e n t
66.73 "
"

N O T E . — T h e i n h a b i t a n t s of A l a s k a a n d t h e I n d i a n T e r r i t o r y (both u n o r g a n i z e d a s yet) are n o t included in the
a b o v e total. T h e censvis of A l a s k a in 1880 s h o w e d :
W h i t e , 392; Creoles (issue of i n t e r m a r r i a g e b e t w e e n t h e w h i t e s
a n d n a t i v e s ) , 1,683; A l e u t s , 1,960; I n n u i t s , 17,488; I n d i a n s , 8,655; total, 30,178.
T h e I n d i a n T e r r i t o r y is estimated to c o n t a i n 60,000 to 75,000 i n h a b i t a n t s .
T h e I n d i a n s included in t h e c e n s u s in each S t a t e a n d T e r r i t o r y a r e t h o s e r e c k o n e d a s civilized, or outside of t r i b a l
o r g a n i z a t i o n s . I n d i a n s , n o t t a x e d , a r e b y l a w e x c l u d e d from the c e n s u s .
E s t i m a t e s of t h e i r n u m b e r v a r y widely—
from 200,000 t o 350,001 (the l a t t e r as e s t i m a t e d in t h e c e n s u s of 1870), w h i l e t h e latest c e n s u s or e s t i m a t e of the I n d i a n
a g e n c i e s , a s r e p o r t e d in 1881 to t h e C o m m i s s i o n e r of I n d i a n Affairs, g i v e s 246,417 I n d i a n s , e x c l u d i n g A l a s k a .
The
w h o l e p o p u l a t i o n of t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s e x c e e d s 50,000,000, i n c l u d i n g I n d i a n s a n d A l a s k a n s .
I n t h e C h i n e s e c o l u m n a r e included 1,148 J a p a n e s e .

POPULATION OF PRINCIPAL CITIES OF THE UNITED STATES,
Having 10,000 Inhabitants and over^ as Gathered from the Latest Census Returns.
A k r o n , Ohio
.,-,
Albany, N . Y
Allegheny, P a
Allentown, P a
Alexandria, V a . . . .

16,512
90,903
78,681
^,063
13,658

Elizabeth, N . J
Erie, P a
Elmira, N . Y
E a s t Saginaw, Mich.
Easton, P a

28,229
27,730
20,541
19,016
ll
,9^

Memphis, Tenn
Manchester, N . H . . .
Mobile, A l a
Meriden, Conn
Montgomery, A l a . . .

33,593
32,630
3i,*205
18,340
16,714

Richmond, Ind
Rutland, Vt
Rome, N . Y
R o c k I s l a n d , 111
St. L o u i s , M o

i 2 »74i
12,149
12,04.5;
11,660
-T5o.c?s

248

THE AMERICAN

10,118
Altoona, Pa
19,7*6 I Eau Ciaire, Wis
49,006
Amsterdam, N. Y . . . 11,711 Fall River, Mass
Atchison, Kan
15,106 Fort Wayne, I n d . . . . 26,880
I
5,9 I 9
Atlanta, Ga
34,39S Flushing, N . Y
Attleboro, Mass
n , m Fond du Lac, Wis... 13,091
12,405
Auburn, N . Y
12,924 Fitchburg, Mass
10,732
Augusta, Ga
23,023 Fishkill, N. Y
Aurora, 111
11,825 Georgetown, D. C... 12,578
Austin, Texas
, 10,960 Grand Rapids, Mich. 32,015
22,253
Baltimore, Md
332,190 Galveston, Texas
Bangor, Maine
16,857 Gloucester, M a s s . . . . 19,329
11,446
Bay "City, Mich
20,693 Galesburg, 111
Belleville, 111
10,682 Hempsted, N. Y . . . . 18,160
42,553
Biddeford, Maine.. 12,652 Hartford, Com
Binghamton, N . Y . . 17,315 Hoboken, N . J
3°,999
30,762
Bloomington, 111
17,184 Harrisburg, Pa
21,851
Boston, Mass
362,535 Holyoke, Mass
18,646
Bridgeport, Conn.... 29,14-8 Houston, Texas
18,475
Brockton, Mass
T3,6o8 Haverhill, Mass
15,716
Brooklyn, N. Y
566,689 Hyde Park, 111
12,122
Buffalo, N . Y
155,127 Hamilton, 0
11,074
Burlington, Vt
11,364 Hannibal, Mo
75,°74
Burlington, la
19,450 Indianapolis, Ind
120,728
Brookhaven, N. Y . . 11,544 Jersey City, N. J
Cambridge, Mass... 52,740 Johnstown, N . Y . . . . 16,626
16,145
Camden, N. J
41,658 Joliet, 111
16,105
Canton, Ohio
12,258 Jackson, Mich
10,927
Castleton, N. Y
12,679 Jacksonville, 111
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, IO.IOJ. Jeffersonville, I n d . . . 10,422
10,086
Charleston, S. C . . . 49,999 Jamaica, N . Y
Chattanooga, Tenn.. 12,892 Kansas City, Mo
55,8i3
18,342
Chelsea, Mass
21,785 Kingston, N . Y
12,117
Chester, Pa
14,996 Keokuk, l a . . ,
11,937
Chicago, 111
503,304 Kalamazoo, Mich
123,645
Cincinnati, O
255,703 j Lo isville, Ky
59,485
Cleveland, O
160,142 Lowell, Mass
39,178
Columbia, S. C
10,040 Lawrence, Mass
38,284
Columbus, 0
51,665 Lynn, Mass
25,765
Covington, Ky
29,720 Lancaster, Pa
19,083
Cohoes, N. Y
. . . 19,4*7 Lewiston, Me
Council Bluffs, la
18,059 Long Island City,N.Y 17,117
16,656
Concord, N. H
13,838 Lexington, Ky
Cortland, N . Y
12,664 [ Leavenworth, Kan.. 16,550
15,959
Chicopee, Mass
n,3 3 5 Lynchburg, Va
14,860
Chillicothe, 0
10,938 Lafayette, Ind
14,820
Detroit, Mich
116,342 Leadville, Col
14,505
Dayton, 0
38,677 La Crosse, Wis
Lincoln, R. 1
13,765
Denver, Col
35,630
13 522
Des Moines, la
22,408 Lockport, N. Y
Duluque, la
22,254 Little Rock, A r k . . . . 13,185
13,004
Dover, N . H
11,687 Lincoln, Neb
Danbury, Conn
11,669 Los Angeles, Cal.... 11,311
11,198
Derby, Conn
11,649 Logansport, Ind
10,249
Dallas, Texas
10,358 Lenox, N . Y
Davenport, la
21,834 Milwaukee, W i s . . . . 115,578
I Minneapolis, Minn.. 46,887
Evans ville, Ind
29,280

MANUAL.

Macon, Ga
12,748 I San Francisco, Cal.. 232,956
Maiden, Mass
12,017 Syracuse, N. Y
5 I ,79 I
Middletown, Conn.. 11,731 Scranton, Pa
45,850
Muskegon, Mich.... J
11,262 St. Paul, Minn
41,498
Madison, Wis
o,325 Springfield, Mass... 33,340
Marlboro, Mass
10,126 St. Joseph, Mo
32,484
30,681
Newburyport, Mass. 13,537 Savannah, Ga
2
New York, N. Y . . 1,206,590 Salem, Mass
7,598
New Orleans, La
216,140 Somerville, Mass
24,985
Newark, N. J
136,400 Sacramento, Cal
21,420
New Haven, Conn.. 62,882 Salt Lake City, Utah 20,768
New Bedford, Mass. 26,875 Springfield. 0
20,729
Norfolk, Va
21,966 j San Antonio, Texas. 20,561
Norwich, Conn
21,141 Springfield, 111
*9,749
Newport, Ky
20,433 Sandusky, 0
15,838
Newburgh, N. Y
18,050 Schenectady, N. Y . . 13,675
New Brunswick,N.J. 17,167 South Bend, Ind
13,279
Newton, Mass
16,995 San Jose, Cal
12.567
New Albany, Ind
16,422 Steuben ville, 0
12,093
11,298
Newport, R. 1
15,693 Stamford, Conn
New Britain, Conn.. 13,978 Shreveport, La
11,017
Norwalk, Conn..:... 13,956 Saratogas prings,N.Yio,8:2
New Lots, N. Y . . . . 13,681 Saugerties, N. Y
10 375
10,525
Nashua, N . H
*3,397 Saginaw, Mich
10,287
Norristown, Pa
13,064 Stockton, Cal
10,148
Northampton, Mass. 12,172 Shenandoah, Pa
56,747
New London, Conn. 10,529 Trov, N. Y
North Adams, Mass. 10,192 Toledo, O
50,143
Nashville, Tenn
43,461 Trenton, N . J
29,910
26,040
Oakland, Cal
34,556 Terre Haute, Ind
21,213
Omaha, Neb
30,518 Taunton, Mass
I
Oswego, N . Y
21,117 Topeka, Kan
5,45I
^?3,9i3
Oshkosh, Wis
15-749 Utica, N. Y
Orange, N. J
13,206 Virginia City, Nev.. 13,705
11,8 4
Oyster Bay, N. Y . . . 11,923 j Vicksburg, Miss
Ogdenburg, N. Y . . . 10,340 Washington, D. C...147,307
12,163
Pittsburg, Pa
156,381 Warwick, R. 1
Providence, R. 1
104,850 Worcester, Mass
58,295
42,499
Paterson, N . J
50,887 Wilmington, Del
Portland, Me
33,810 Wheeling, W. V a . . . 31,^66
23,339
Peoria, 111
29,315 Wilkesbarre, Pa
Petersburg, Va
21,656 Watervliet, N. Y
22,220
Poughkeepsie, N . Y. 20,207 Waterbury, Conn.... 202,69
Pawtucket, R. 1
19,030 Williamsport, P a . . . . 18,934
Pittsfield, Mass
13,367 Wilmington, N. C... 17,361
Pottsville, Pa
13,253 Woonsocket, R. I.... 10,053
11,483
Portsmouth, Va
11,388 Wallkill, N. Y
10,938
Portsmouth, 0
11,314 Woburn, Mass
Philadelphia, P a . . . . 846,984 Watertown, N. Y . . . 10,697
Quincy, 111
27,275 Weymouth, Mass... 10,571
10,208
Quincy, Mass
10,529 Winona, Minn
Rochester, N . Y
89,363 Waltham, Mass
u,7ii
Richmond, Va .. .. 63,803 Yonkers, N. Y
18,892
Reading, Pa
43,280 Youngstown, O . . . . 15,431
Racine, Wis
16,031 York, Pa
i3,94o
i8,i2 0
Rockford, 111
i3>136 I Zanesville. O

THE AMERICAN

5349

MANUAL.

EDUCATIONAL.
Tables, Showing, According to Report of 1 8 8 0 , School Population, School Age, Enrollment, Attendance, Salaries of Teachers, etc., of Public Schools.

STATUS AND T E R R I TORIES.

Alabama
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
;
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts . . .
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Nebraska
Nevada
, .
N e w Hampshire.
N e w Jersey
N e w York
North Carolina...
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
R h o d e Island
South Carolina....
Tennessee
Texas
,
Vermont...
Virginia
W e s t Virginia
Wisconsin
,
Total.

School
Age.

Number
Average
School
E n r o l l e d ii
Daily
Population.
Public
Attendance
Schools.

7-21
0-21

353,003
247,547
215,978

35,5^6

6-21
4-16
6-21
4-21
6-18
6-21
6-21
5-21
5-21
46-20
6-l8
4-21
5-20

140,235
35.459
88,677
3
433,444
1,010,851
703,558
536,556
340,647

545,I6I

273,845
214,666
276,120
307,321
506,221
6271,428
426,689
723,484
142,348
10,592
171,132
330,685
1,64.1,173
4

5^5

5-20
5-21
5-2i
6-20
5-21
6-18
5-18
6-21
6-21
4-20
6-21

til
6-21
8-14
5-20
5-2i
6-21
4-20

179,490
70,972
158,765
22,119
119,694
27,823
39,3i5
236,533
704,041
5*1,283
426,057
231,434
265,581
68,440
149,827
162,431
306,777
362,556
180,248
236,704
476,376
92,549
9,o45

22S,I28
544,862
230,527
6
92,831
555,807
2IO,II3
483,229

64,341
204,961
1,031,593
225,606
747,^8
37,533
937,3io
44,780
134,072
290,141
186,786
75,238
220,736
142,850
299,258

15,127,4o5

9,680,403

459,324
31,043,320
59,6i5
7
1,200,000
0

8

Average
School
D a y s in
the Year.

117,978
100,906
12,618
278,421
27,046
145,190
431,638
321,659
259,836
137,667
1193,874
45,626
103,113
85,778
233,127
1213,898
1

146.6
39
179.02
I2r 5 8

136
148
107

102
118
120
13,76
177

141

94
77-5
3iOO
109
I42.8
IO5.3
192
179

54
!5o
89.06
184

u

191,461
48,606"
128,404
91,704
i97,5io
,5,744,188

1362,593
192,665
2,207,044
186,426
1,011,730
138,819

97, "5

II7,I6I

156,761
1219,132
200,156
5,4° 1
48,966
U5,i94
573,o89
147,802
476,279
27,435
601,627
29,065

Salaries of
Teachers.

68
73
125
113
99
162.5

13

4,587,015
3,365,046
12,901,948
i,oS8,<o4
736,590
948,090
i,i4i,753
24,491,225
1,909,941
993,205
669,393
2,218,037
532,304
83,706
414,590
1,446,178
7,638,922
3*8,453
5,oi7,542
210,429
4.5*0,197
405,605
287,403
596,680
674,869
360,320
714,783
522,483
1,568,692
54,551,201

Dakota

3
4
5
6 Montana
7
8 Utah
o Washington

4-21
07-18
6-18
9
5-21
37-21

Total

MANUAL.

4,212
8,042
26,439
6,758
116,098
3,97o
9
5, x 5i
24,326
3
14,032
32,090

7. MS
12,030
43,558

Mil

?

6-21
S-2I
6-17
5-21

2,847
3,J70
20,037
n

3,944
2,506
17,178
3
9,585
3i,2S7

109
88
193

6l,l73
124,483
438,567
38,8l2
2186,359

HI

THE AMERICAN

£50

96
0132
128
3
S7.5

4

*5>432
100,343
94,oi9
5
22,I20

fi

5

4i8,'8oo
132,194
i H,379

175,457

101,118

6i,i54

607,088

i,i96,439

15,302,862

9,781,521

' 5,805,342

55,158,289

80,732,838

(1) E s t i m a t e d , (2) F o r t h e w i n t e r . (3) I n 1S79. (4) F o r w h i t e s ; for colored, 6-16. (5) C e n s u s of 1870. (6) I n
1S78. (7) I n 1873. (8) In 1S77. (9) I n 1875. (10) I n t h e Cherokee, C h o c t a w a n d C r e e k N a t i o n s .
(11) I n t h e five
civilized t r i b e s . (12) F o r w h i t e schools only. (13) I n t h e c o u n t i e s .

Number of Newspapers and Periodicals in the United States, 1870-1880.
F r o m t h e Official R e t u r n s of t h e N i n t h a n d T e n t h C e n s u s .
1879.

1870.
S T A T E S AND T E R R I
TORIES.

No.
Alabama
,
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Dakota
Delaware
.
D i s t . of C o l u m b i a
Florida
Georgia
,
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas:
,
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri:

Circulation.
91,165
280

56

29,830!
201
491,903
H
i2,75o|
7i
203,725
3
1,652
i7
20,860
22
Si,4oo|
23
io,545
no|
150,987
6
2,75oj
505 1,722,541
293
363,542]
233
219,0901
96,803
89
i97,i3o|
92
84,165'
65
170,690,
88
2
259!
35>45oj
211
1,692,124
95
253,774
111
110,778
279!
71,868;
522,866!

3*

o

u <tf

85:

4
237

39|

121

24I
22

28 J
35
i37
5
627
376|
390
171
i53j
891
93
112

345
2911
i34

1878.
STATES AND T E R R I TORIES.

on?
114
19
103

286
61
"5.

3To

42
20
31
38

67
24

81
128
39
40
i86|
11

792
416
454|
235
162

95
103

1231
3611
3641
180]

103

102

2971

395

863I
429
5i8
303
183
100
103

138
392
41S
209
106

471II

No.
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
N e w Hampshire...
N e w Jersey
N e w Mexico
N e w York
N o r t h Carolina
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
W . Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Circulation.

,° n 5

19,580
31,6001
11,300

5i
122

i

i73,9i9|
205,5001
!,525

7,561,497
64,820

1879.

113
25
68|

137

198

184
12;

9,

29)

M75| i,i74|
104

112

16
179

¥

82
200
18
1,241
121

64 1,388,367
635| 648
660
395
49
45,750
64
57
35 3,419,765
765
866
793
5401
32
82,050
37
32
*x,
80,900)
77
146
55
225,952
76
170
91
197
55,25oj
'79
254
112
229
14,250
l
10
lOj
7J,390
47!
163
H3,840
76
114
23,
25|
14
6,785,
i77
74
59
88'
54,432
27
236
343,385
99
307
7
i,950(
3i9
JO
T o t a l U n i t e d States! 5,871 20,842,475 8,133 9,147 10,101

H\

T

l

THE
ESTIMATE OF GOLD AND SILVER

AMERICAN

251

MANUAL.

PRODUCED IN THE UNITED STATES, FROfifi 1845 TO 1886
INCLUSIVE.

( F r o m Official R e p o r t s b y t h e D i r e c t o r of t h e M i n t of t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s . )
Year.

1845
1846
1847
1848
*849
1850
1851
1852
i853
1854

Gold.

6.

18SS

1856
i8S7
1858
i8|9
i860
1861
1862
1863
1864
1865
1866
J867

,
,

Silver.

Total.

$1,008,327 F r o m 1849 to
$1,008,327
1S5S.
i>239>357
1,239,357
Estimated
889,085
889,085
product :
10,000,000
10,000,000
40,000,000 $50,000 p e r
40,000,000
annum.
50,000,000
50,000,000
55,000,000
55,000,000
60,000,000 ( T h e silver
60,000,000
65,000,000 m i n e s of thej
65,000,000
U . S. w e r e
60,000,000
60,000,000
55,000,000 discovered in|
55,000,000
55,000,000
55,000,000
1859.)
55,000,000
55,000,000
50,000,000
$500,000
50,500,000
50,000,000
100,000
50,100,000
46,000,000
150,000
46,150,000
43,000,000
2,000,000
45,000,000
39,200,000
4,500,000
43,700,000
40,000,000
8,500,000
48,500,000
$46,100,000
$11,000,000 " $57,100,00a #
53,225,000
11,250,000
64,475,000
53,500,000
10,000,000
63,500,000
51,725,000
13,500,000
65,225,000

Year.
T363

1869.
1870.,
1S71.
1872.
1873.
1874.
1876.,
ft 877.,
"1878.
'1879.
1880.
J1881.:
1882..

Total

Gold.

48,000,000
49,500,000
50,000,000
43,500,000
36,000,000
36,000,000
33>49o,902
33>467,856
39,929,166
46,897,390
51,206,360
38,899,858
36,000,000
34,700,000
32,500,000
30,000,000
30,800,000
*, 31,801,000
34,869,000
40 years! £1,718,348,301

Silver

Total.

12,000,000
12,000,000
16,000,000
23,000,000
28,750,000
35,750,000
37,324>594
31,727,560
38,783,016
39,793,573
45,281,3^5
40,812,132
38,450,000
43,000,000
46,800,000
46,200,000
48,800,000
51,600,000
51,321,500
$748,893,760

60,000,000
61,500,000
66,000,000
66,500,000
64,750,000
71,750,000
70,815,496
78,712,182
(.6,690,963
96,487,745
79,711,990
77,700,000
79,300,000
76,200,000
79,600,000
83,401,000
86,190,500
^479,236,971

Expenditures in the District of Columbia from 1790 to 1876.
T h e total a m o u n t of m o n e y e x p e n d e d b y t h e G o v e r n m e n t i n t h e D i s t r i c t of C o l u m b i a for a l l p u r p o s e s from
J u l y 16, 1790, t o J u l y 30, 1876, is $92,112,395. T h i s s u m
w a s divided a s f o l l o w s :
Capitol
L i b r a r y of C o n g r e s s *
White House
P u r c h a s e of w o r k s of a r t
Botanic Garden
D e p a r t m e n t of State, e t c
Treasury Department
W a r Department
N a v y Department
Post-Office D e p a r t m e n t

$ i7,184,691
I
,575»847
1,640,449
602,569
722,813
4,989,948
7,062,942
2,044,065
3,899,136
2,124,504

* F i r s t a p p r o p r i a t i o n for C o n g r e s s i o n a l L i b r a r y , 1S00.

D e p a r t m e n t of A g r i c u l t u r e .
Smithsonian Institution.
P a t e n t Office
Benevolent institutions
Penal institutions
Courts
Aqueduct
Fire Department
Canals
Bridges
Public grounds
,
Streets a n d a v e n u e s
Loans, reimbursements, etc
Miscellaneous!

••»....

3,174, 192
2,305,420
i3»r97:,908
4»732!.448
4>4I8,.329
,486
7s,
4,000,,822
J04,,299
597 <418
2,290,,563
i»867. 537
5,975 ,2K>4
4s927<, 2 9 9
3>5°5' 4OO

f F i r s t a p p r o p r i a t i o n for t h e s u p p o r t of P u b l i c S c h o o l s ,
1866.

253

THE AMERICAN'

MANUAL.

COINS OF THE UNITED STATES, AUTHORITY FOR COINING, AND CHANGES IN
WEIGHT AND FINENESS.
Double-Eagie=«$20.
Authorized to be coined", Act of March 3, 1849.
Weight, $\6 grains; fineness, 900.
Total amount coined to June 30, 1877. $814,598,440
Eagle=$10.
Authorized to be coined. Act of Apiil 2, 1792.
Weight, 270 grains; fineness, 916%.
Weight changed Act of June 28, 1834, to 258 grains.
Fineness changed, Act of June 28, 1834, to 899.2215.
Fineness changed, Act of January 18, 1837, to 900.
Total amount coined to June 30, 1877, $56,707,220.
Half-Eagle=$5.
Authorized to be coined, Act of April 2, 1792.
Weight, 135 grains; fineness, 916%.
Weight changed Act ofjune 28, 1834, to 129 grains.
Fineness changed, Act ofjune 28, 1834, to 899,225.
Fineness changed, Act ofJanuary 18, 1837,to 9 0 0 '
Total amount coined to June 30, 1877, $69,412,815.
Quarter-Eagle=«$2.50.
Authorized to be coined, Act of April 2, 1792.
Weight, 67.5 grains; fineness, 916%.
Weight changed, Act ofJune 28, 1834, to 64.5 grains.
Fineness changed, Act ofjune 28, 1834, to 899.225.
Fineness changed, Act ofJanuary 18, 1837, to 900.
Total amount coined to June 30, 1877, 126,795,750.
Three-Dollar Piece.
Authorized to be coined, Act of February 21, 1853.
Weight, 77.4 grains; fineness, 900.
Total amount coined to June 30, 1877, $1,300,032.
One Dollar.
Authorized to be coined, Act of March 3, 1849.
Weight, 25.8 grains; fineness, 900.
Total amount coined to June 30, 1877, $19,345,438.
Silver Dollar.
Authorized to be coined, Act of April 2, 1792.
Weight, 416 grains; fineness,892.4.
Weight changed, Act of January 18, 1837, to 412 J£ grains.
Fineness changed, Act of January 18, 1837, t o 9°°Coinage discontinued, Act of February 12, 1873.
Total amount coined, $8,045,838.

Trade-Dollar.
Authorized to be coined, Act of February 12, 1873.
Weight, 420 grains; fineness, 900.
Total amount coined to June 30, 1S77, $24,581,350.
Half-Dollar.
Authorized to be coined, Act of April 2, 1792.
Weight, 208 grains; fineness, 892.4.
Weight changed Act ofJanuary 18,1837, to 206% grains.
Fineness changed, Act of January 18, 1837, to 900.
Weight changed, Act of February 21, 1853, to 192 grains.
Weight changed, Act of February 12, 1873, to 12^ gr .ms,
or 192.9 grains.
Total amount coined to June 30, 1877, $118,869,540.50.
Quarter-Dollar.
Authorized to be coined, Act of April 2, 1793.
Weight, 104 grains; fineness, 892.4.
Weight changed, Act of January 18, 1837, to 103^ grains.
Fineness changed, Act of January 18, 1837, to 900.
Weight changed, Act of Feb ruary 21, 1853, to 96 grains.
"W eight changed, Act of February 12,1S73, to 6% grams,
or 96.45 grains.
Total amount coined to June 30, 1877, $34,774,121.50.
Twenty-cent Piece.
Authorized to be coined, Act of March 3, 1875.
Weight, 5 grams, or 77.16 grains; fineness, 900.
Total amount coined to June 30, 1877, $279,418.
Dime,
Authorized to be coined, Act of April 2, 1792.
Weight, 41.6 grains; fineness,892.4.
Weight changed, Act ofJanuary 18, 1837, to 4 1 ^ grains.
Fineness changed, Act ofJanuary 18, 1837, to 900.
Weight changed, Act of February 21,1853^038.4 grains.
Weight changed, Act of February 12, 1873, to 2%
grams, or 38.58 grains.
Total amount coined to June 30, 1877, $16,141,786.30.
Half Dime.
Authorized to be coined, Act of April 2, 1792.
Weight, 20.8 grains; fineness, 892.4.
Weight changed, Act of January 18, 1837, to 20^ grains,.
Fineness changed, Act ofJanuary 18, 1837, t o 9°°Weight changed, Act of February 21, 1853, to i9.2grainse.
Coinage discontinued, Act of February 12, 1873.
Total amount coined, $4,906,946.90.

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

253

COINS OF THE UNITED STATES, AUTHORITY FOR COINING, AND CHANGES IN
WEIGHT AND FINENESS—Concluded.
Three-cent Piece,
Authorized to be coined, Act of March 3, 1851.
Weight, 12% grains; fineness 750.
Weight changed, Act of March 3, 1853, to 11.52 grains.
Fineness changed, Act of March 3, 1853, to 900.
Coinage discontinued, Act of February 12, 1873.
Total amount coined, $1,281,850,20.
MINOR COINS.

Cent (Copper).
Authorized to be coined, Act of April 2, 1792.
Weight. 264 grains.
Weight changed, Act of January 14, 1793, to 20S grains.
Weight changed by proclamation of the President, January 20, 1796, in conformity with Act of March 3, 179S, to
168 grains.
Coinage discontinued, Act of February 21, 1857.
Total amount coined, $1,562,887.44.

Cent
(N,cke,)'
Authorized to be coined, Act of February 21, 1857.
Weight, 72 grains, composed of 88 per cent, copper and
12 per cent, nickel,
Coinage discontinued, Act of April 22, 1864.
Total amount coined, $2,007,720.
Cent (Bronze).
Coinage authorized, Act of April 22, 1864.
Weight 48 grains, composed of 9 5 per cent, copper and
5 R^1! c , ent * tin and zinc.
Total amount coined to June 30, 1877, $1,733,980.
Half-cent (Copper)
Authorized to be coined, Act of April 2, 1792.
Weight, 132 grains.
™ e ! f f K Ranged,, Act of January 14 1793, to 104 grains.
Weight changed by proclamation of the President, Janai 2
g T <?> J796, in conformity with Act of March 3, 1795, to
84 grains.
£ T ^ e discontinued, Act of February 21, 1857
Total amount coined, $39,926.10.
Coinage of the U.S. Mints during the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 1882.
Gold Coinage
$ 89,413,447.So
;
Silver Coinage:—Silver Dollars
27,772,075.00
Halves, Quarters and Dimes..
..
_
'
' n',313^5
Minor Coinage:—Five, Three, Two, and One Cent pieces
•..— . • . „ . . . . . . . .
°44>757.75
Total Coinage
$117,841,594,00
* A large amount of Silver Dollars, Half Dollars, etc., have been coined since 1873,

Five-cent (Nickel)
n v e cent ^iCKei;.
Authorized to be coined, Act of May 16, 1866.
Weight, 77.16 grains, composed of 75 per cent, copper
and 25 per cent, nickel.
Total amount coined to June 30, 1877, $5,773,090.
_.
. ,... , 1N
Three-cent (Nickel).
Authorized to be coined, Act of March 3, 1865.
Weight, 30 grains, composed of 75 percent, copper and
25 per cent, nickel.
Total amount coined to June 30, 1877, $855,090.
_
. ,_
x
Two-cent (Bronze).
Authorized to be coined, Act of April 22, 1864.
Weight, 9 5 grains, composed of 95 per cent, copper and <
per cent, tin and zinc.
Coinage discontinued, Act of February 12, 1873.
Total amount coined, $912,020.

254

THE

AMERICAN

MANUAL.

<QHE U N I T E D S T A T E S (©HI^ISTIAN (©OMMISSION.
T H E REV. JOHN O. FOSTER, A. M. B. D.
(The Present Secretary.)

| | UT of the heart of the Young Men's
| | Christian Association, t h e United
^ | States Christian Commission was
fXM[? born. The call for such an organizajfr
ation was issued Oct. 28th, 1861, and
signed by George H . Stuart, J o h n
Vannamaker, James Grant, J o h n
Sexton and George Cookman.
The
first meeting was held in the Bible
Ho'use, N. Y., Nov. 14th, 1861, at 3 P.M., and
fifteen cities were represented. The Commission was soon organized and two days after. wards, Nov. 16, issued the notices of its object,
the ''spiritual good of the soldiers in the army,
intellectual improvement and social and physical comforts."
President Lincoln, Simon
Cameron and George B. McClellan the commanding General of the U. S. army, each
heartily approved of the object, and Dec. 17,
1861, the Executive Committee, appointed by
the meeting, elected George H. Stuart, President during "its existence."
The f 'Address to the Public" was issued Jan.
13, 1862, The first Delegate was t h e Rev.
George Bringhurst, of Philadelphia, and t h e
second was (said to be) the Rev. George J.
Mingins, D. D., now of New York.
The first few months of its existence the
office was moved four times, and for lack of
means, seemed to be an itinerant concern destined to a speedy death. But prayers were
offered in its behalf, and by and by it was laid

on the hearts of the Christian People of the
Nation. President Stuart converted his store
in Philadelphia into a depot of supplies, his
time, talents and fortune were all consecrated
as a free-will offering for his Country, the suffering soldiers and their spiritual good.
Money at last began to pour in. Men were
already working for the soldiers without pay
and hardly receiving their expenses, while the
demand for their services exceeded the supply
ten fold.
The Secretary of War, Edwin M.
Stanton, issued an order saying: "Every facility consistent with the exigencies of the service will be afforded to the Christian Commission, for the performance of their religious
and benevolent purposes in the Armies of the
United States.
The duties of the Delegates were varied.
Some were regular ministers who felt called to
preach whenever there was an opportunity;
but they were also instructed to render all
temporal aid to the suffering men within their
power. Others were teamsters, book keepers,
shipping clerks, librarians, cooks, office men
and visitors. There was also a large and excellent Delegation of physicians and surgeons,
besides a score of other agencies,—all necessary for the immense work. With the agreement before him each Delegate bound himself
to work under instructions of the Agent for
"not less than six weeks." H e went cheerfully
to his work, and with memorandum book took
notes of necessitous cases, reported the same.

GEORGE H. STUART.
President of Reunion of Christian and Sanitary
Commissions, etc.

THE REV. J. O. FOSTER, A. M.
Secretary of Reunion of Christian and Sanitary
Commissions, etc.

256

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

wrote letters to the soldiers' friends at home, said, " I n as much as ye have done it unto one
"visited, instructed, distributed stores, circu- the least of these my brethren, ye have done
lated religious publications, aided Chaplains it unto m e . " Never in t h e History of t h e
in their ministrations and influence for the World was there witnessed such stupendous
spiritual and temporal welfare of the men un- benevolence as came from the sorrow wrung
der their care, held meetings for prayer in the souls of millions during this terrible War.
field and in the hospitals, attended to the cor- Homes were stripped of their comforts to suprespondence of disabled men, encouraged ply the wants of the men in the armies, and
every right way, discouraged every vice, the last dollar was sent to the loved one in the
cheered men to duty, and above all persuaded trenches, in the field or hospital, to secure a
moiety of comfort, and make the sad work a
men to become "reconciled to God."
They were further instructed to aid the Sur- little less hideous and barbarous. Despite t h e
geons on the battle field in the care and re- fearful demoralization to both armies, yet there
moval of the wounded, giving them food and were rifts in the clouds of darkness where t h e
drink and everything needed to mitigate suf- light of Christianity shone as brightly as t h e
fering and aid recovery; or if dying to point World has ever known.
We are indebted to Mr. F r a n k W. Smith for
them with prayer to Jesus, and give them a
Christian burial. I n short, they were to do all the facts and figures of the Christian Commisthat man could do to meet the wants of breth- sion as exhibiting in some degree the work of
the Christian Commission.
We have comren "far from home and kindred."
Was it any wonder, that, under such in- pared them with the official report and in the
structions, the Delegate would do his part main, they are correct.
There were about 5,000 Delegates commisfaithfully, and that from thousands of altars
prayers went up to heaven in his or her behalf? sioned. Cash raised and distributed $2,524,512.
For in this work t h e women had a most con- Value of stores, a multitude of articles, $2,839,spicuous part.
They shunned no legitimate 445. Value of Bibles, H y m n Books, papers,
duty, but the best of care takers and nurses, magazines, etc., known as publications, $185,they were in the hospitals and diet kitchens; 252. An estimation of Donations, Delegates'
they were directing the coffee wagons and dis- Services, Telegraph and Rail Road facilities
tributing needed literature; and none were granted, Offices and Rooms donated would
more welcome by the side of the sick and suf- make with the above over $6,250,000.
fering soldier.
They confronted drunken
"Each Delegate labored, on an average,
officers, shamed them to duty, made friends thirty-eight days, at a cost for incidental exout of foes, and sang, and prayed, and spoke penses of $36.10.
The field service of Delefor the Master, wherever and whenever the gates was equal to the continuous labor of one
,way was open.
man for five hundred and eighty years, or,
And this Godly work was not done alone in with the added services of the permanent
the Federal Armies, for similar Relief Associa- Agents, six hundred and fifty-eight years,"
tions and "colporters" moved to and fro among
As items of the general wants of the soldiers,
t h e distressed sufferers of the Confederate we give a few more facts. There were 58,308
Forces.
sermons preached by the Delegates, 77,744
These noble men and women in both armies meetings held, 92,321 letters written for the
may not appear prominently in history, but sick or dying soldiers to the loved ones at
their record is faithfully kept by Him, who home, using 7,067,000 sheets of paper and as

SCENES DURING T H E CIVII, WAR.

258

THE AMERICAN

m a n y envelopes, and these were all given
away. T h e stationery and stamps cost $66,342.
T h e New York Tract Society prepared 247 distinct tracts and circulated 6,570,000 copies.
The Publishers of the American Messenger
issued 2,790,000 copies for the army.
T h e Christian Commission knew no color,
whether blue or gray, white or black. T h e
prisoner of war was waited upon with the same
care as the soldier. The starving poor in captured cities received rations like those the
Delegates used, and the colored refugees were
fed by the same hands that ministered to the
wants of the dying.
T h e following important paper is a fair sample of the many commendations given from
time to time:
"Depot for prisoners, Johnson's Island, near
Sandusky, Ohio, October 31, 1863.
T h e undersigned prisoners of War at Johnson's Island do hereby certify that from their
personal knowledge and experience, the Delegates of the United States Christian Commission, in their Christian efforts to relieve the
sick and wounded of the various battle fields,
m a k e no difference or discrimination between
t h e contending parties, relieving alike the sufferings and wants of the Confederate and
Federal, men and Officers, and we therefore
sincerely trust the Authorities at Richmond
and elsewhere, will treat any of the said Delegates that may fall into their hands, with the
kindness justly due them, and grant them a
speedy return to their Christian work."
Signed by 48 Confederate soldiers, mostly
Officers.
One or two instances should appear here before we finish the sketch. Chaplain W. H.
Rogers, of New York, said: "The fierce conflict which ended the nine mile Battle of the
Boynton Plank Road, left the field covered
with the Gray and the Blue, in about equal
.numbers, wounded and dying.
Soon the

MANUAL.
Sanitary Commission of the Fifth Corps arrived and wrent to work.
One of the grandest
visions that ever came to my gladdened eyes
was the Christian Commission Brigade. There
came over that muddy road, six sleek white
horses, and following them the store, or rather
coffee wagon, with its kindlings all ready, and
its three boilers containing tea, coffee and beef
tea. Twelve Christian Commission men went
to work, and soon the cries of the wounded
and requests for help had some repose. Then
I saw how Christianity, in the spirit of Jesus,
had united the Chaplaincy, the Christian Commission and the Sanitar}' Commission in that
supreme glory of imitating,Christ in helping
the needy in the extremities of life.
It is necessary to say that the Sanitary Commission handled more supplies, had more
money, men and agencies than the Christian
Commission. Vast volumes are in print containing the records of that Grand Movement,
which had for its object, to bring needed supplies to the wounded, bury the dead, register
the evidence of burials, furnish intelligence of
lost ones, and in fact, do all it could for men
in field and hospital and prison.
There were two great centres for gathering
and distributing supplies. One in the Bast,
another in the West. There were over three
thousand tributaries in the West alone, and
over thirty thousand women helped in the
Western work.
The effort in the Bast was still larger. Great
Sanitary Fairs were held, and immense sums
were raised.
The two Commissions worked in harmony.
The Christian Commission was largely composed of Ministers and active Christian workers, and hence their distinctive appellation.
If either Commission needed anything, work
or supplies and the other could grant it, it was
sure to do so. The Chaplains went often to the
Sanitary Commission for things they could

SCENES DURING T H E CIVIL WAR.

260

THE AMERICAN

not find temporarily in the Christian Commission.
I remember two brown and bronzed
men called on us one day, asking for ten barrels of pickles or saurkraut. We had none,
but our requisition on the noble Sanitary men
was speedily answered by an Army wagon load
ordered to the front and placed under the directions of these greatly gratified Chaplains.
There is no question but that the timely aid
of these vast supplies kept myriads of people
from starvation.
Just after the capture of
Richmond, Va., April 3d, 1865, when all
articles of food were consumed, the sight of the
starving poor of that City was heart rending.
Our Commission gave out supplies for forty days,
at times over 10,000 rations a day, and the Sanitary Commission in another part of the City,
was doing even more, of the same blessed
work. The Government at last opened stores
and sold fresh bread and meat at cost, and by
and by the relief reached all the suffering ones.
The total supplies of moneys, stores, medicines, transportation, publications, tents and
assistance, if paid for at the regular rates, by
t h e two Commissions would have amounted to
more than 125,000,000.
W e have purposely omitted the names of
nearly all the prominent workers.
Their
records can never be written. Not a tithe is in
print, though many volumes have been published.
We shall only mention one name
with which to close the sketch.
George H. Stuart, the Originator of the
Christian Commission, has well been named,
" T h e Great Christian Chieftain."
H e threw a live soul, a business man's power, and a Christian's zeal into the spiritual and
relief work. Nothing was too sacred for the
good cause.
A hotel dining-room filled with
guests, would be called to silence while he
read a telegram, and took up a subscription of
thousands of dollars. Ordained by the Good
Samaritan of the Skies, he entered pulpits,
thrilled gathered throngs, and demanded help

MANUAL.

in the name of his Master. A poor woman
in England desired to send something to the
soldiers and forwarded a five pound note
worth then over $25, to President Lincoln. H e
turned it over to Stuart saying its design was
doubtless for the Christian Commission. It
was held up before great audiences, sold, given
back, and re-sold again and again until the
poor widow's gift netted more than a hundred
thousand dollars.
A piece of Jewelry "with a history" would
sell for $500. Wealthy ladies threw into the
collections, bracelets, diamond rings and other
jewelry, for the choicest treasures were not
withheld.
The first year of t h e Christian
Commission Mr. Stuart and his Assistants
raised $356,000, but during the last four months
$2,260,000 came in as free will offerings,
Broken in health, being a great sufferer
from life long asthma, Mr. Stuart was often
carried to the field, where the wounded were
lying, where he gave personal directions in relief work, or led the gospel meetings. He has
been so frequently before the Public as a Trustee, Chairman, Director or officer of some kind
that he has really been loaded with honors for
more than half a century.
The esteem of the Nation for him has been
marked by Presidents calling upon him for
counsel, and by a pressing invitation to take
a seat in the Cabinet. All the Churches claim
him as a brother beloved, and no Assembly has
been under his direction but has felt itself
honored by his presence.
Born April 2, 1816, God has spared him to
a good old age, to see the fruits of his benevolent works. ,
In speaking of the Merchants' National
Bank in Philadelphia, the Record of that city
says of its President, Mr. Stuart.
" H e is a
gentleman whose name has become a household word throughout our land and across the
seas. Who that passed through the soulstir-

SCENES DURING THE) CIVII, WAR.

262

THE AMERICAN

ring time of the late War can forget the service that Mr. Stuart rendered his Country, as
President of the United States Christian Commission, devoting his time that might have
been occupied in amassing a fortune, to the
needs of the sick and wounded soldiers in our
Armies?
President Stuart's personal career
as a merchant is a conspicuous feature in the
history of Philadelphia, and his name is inseparably associated with the highest ideal of
commercial enterprise and business integrity."
The

Work, of tlie C h r i s t i a n
Not Done.

Commission

T h e Christian Commission felt that its special work was done when the War closed,
hence it disbanded from the active duties
of relief work. The Senate Chamber at Washington held a vast throng Jan. ist, 1866, when
the brethren said good bye.
Fifteen years passed, and no effort for a
Reunion seemed to avail. The Delegates were
widely scattered and yet felt the tenderest regard for one another and often expressed a
wish that some one would call them together.
T h e Rev. J o h n H. Vincent, D. D., answered
a letter from the writer, that Chautauqua
would gladly set aside a whole day to listen to
the story of the War, as told by Delegates and
Chaplains from both sides. The first Reunion
was held at Chautauqua Aug. 7, 1880, and was
an immense gathering. President Stuart presided and the enthusiasm was wonderful. The
throng was so delighted that Dr. Vincent publicly invited the Second Reunion to meet there
again in 1881, which was accordingly done. At
this gathering the crowd was still larger, and
the audience seemed as much delighted as before.
The Third Reunion was held J u l y 5, 1882, at
Lake Bluff, 111., near Chicago.
The meeting
was one of remarkable interest and made a

MANUAL.
deep impression.
The Fourth Reunion was held at Ocean
Grove, New Jersey, July 22-24, 1883.
From
the time the speakers began, to the close oi
the two days not a moment passed without intense interest, and Dr. Stokes, the President
of the Board of Trustees, publicly invited the
Reunion to come back the following year.
The Fifth Reunion was accordingly held at
Ocean Grove, Aug. 1-3, 1884, and was in one
respect the most remarkable gathering ever
held by these good Samaritans.
The Delegates were informed that General Grant was
at his cottage only six miles away, at Long
Branch. President Stuart directed the Secretary to invite him to a Public Reception.
In answer to the telegram, he came next day
and appeared on the platform in the afternoon.
The Rev. A. J. Palmer delivered one of the
most telling speeches of welcome we ever
heard.
General Grant was assisted to the
front, for he was quite lame from a fall, causing a broken tendon, and after the tumultuous
greeting, waving of handkerchiefs and cheering had subsided he said.
' 'Ladies and Gentlemen, under the circumstances it is difficult for me to speak. An hour
ago I might have made a speech, but now I
am almost afraid to do so. I know, as few can,
the good that these Chaplains and Members of
the Commission have done—writing letters for
the sick and wounded, to the friends at home,
to anxious, sorrowing mothers and fathers. I
have not words to express my t h a n k s for this
welcome. I appreciate"
and here his voice
failed, the sentence was never finished, he sank
to his chair, sobbing and weeping profusely.
It was the only time the great hero was known
to weep, and the vast throng was also bathed
in tears. The Audience was spell bound, and
for some moments silence prevailed. This was

SCENES DURING T H E CIVII, WAR,

264

THE AMERICAN

General Grant's last speech before the Public.

MANUAL.

sion (de facto) is hereby ordered announced in
the Official Report; and that it is now ready
for Relief Work at t h e call of the Officers.'>

T h e Sixth Reunion was held at Old Orchard,
Maine, June 26-30, 1885. T h e Sabbath services
drew an immense crowd, and the welcome and
good feeling were very marked.

Ocean Grove sent a pressing invitation to
return there again, and the Eighth Reunion
was held at that famous resort, Aug. 4-7, 1887.
The attendance was simply immense and the
T h e Seventh Reunion was held at Valley interest for four days continued as strong as
Many pressing invitations came from
Camp, near Pittsburg, Pa., July 29, Aug. 1, ever.
different parts of the Country, for future meet1886.
ings, and Round I^ake, Saratoga Co., N. Y.,
Action was taken at this meeting ^ for a per- was chosen for Aug. 15-20, 1888.
manent Organization by the adoption of the
No great Public sorrow has called the Chrisfollowing order.
tian Commission to active service, thus far, but
"The publication of the continued Organi- with a live organization it stands ready to reszation of the Unite?! States Christian Comiuis- pond, should occasion require.

w

THE

AMERICAN

MANUAL.

265

F l ^ S K AND LlASJIi (9HINGS OP THE (glVIL fr5AI^.

The first hostile shot of the war was fired at
Fort Sumter, by Captain George S. James,
of South Carolina.
The first shot fired in the defense of the
Union, was fired at Fort Sumter, by Captain
(General) Abner Doubleday, of New York.
Probably the first gun fired in the war was
o n t h e i 6 t h of February, 1861, (before the attack on Sumter,) when the rebel General
Ben. McCullough, captured San Antonio, Texas, and Twiggs surrendered.
The first to fire a hostile shot in the valley o^
the Mississippi, was battery A, 1st Illinois
Light Artillery.
The first shot fired in defense of Fort Sumter, in 1861, was fired by the istU.S. Artillery,
and the last shot fired at Appomattox Court
House, was by the same Regiment.
The opening shot at the battle of Gettysburg
wras fired by the Confederates at 10 A. M., July
i, 1863, against Buford's picket line.
The first overt act of the war in Virginia, in
its inception, was the attack on Harper's Ferry by the Confederates-simultaneous, though,
in its consummation, with the capture of the
navy yard at Portsmouth.
The first Confederate gun fired at the battle
of Bull Run in 1861, was fired by Ivieut. George
S. Davidson of Lathams Battery.
A two hundred pound Parrot gun was
brought to bear against Fort Sumter August
1, 1863, for the first time in the history of
siege operations.

Louisiana was the first of the Seceding
States that returned to her allegiance of her
own free will and accord.
The first military movement of the war in
the West was under the Illinois militia to
Cairo. Defenses were thrown up and Gen.
Prentiss was placed in command. For eight
months Fort Defiance was our most Southern
point.
The first successful military movement of
the war took place in July, 1861, when Gen.
Dix sent Gen. Lockwood into Accomac and
Northampton counties, Virginia, with instructions to drive the confederates out
The last g r e a t c h a r g e on the third day of
the battle of Gettysburg was made by the
confederates on the Brigade commanded by
Gen. Alexander S. Webb, but the skill and
bravery of Gen. Webb and the valor of his
Brigade caused the repulse and route of the
assailants in irretrievable confusion.
Gen.
Webb is now President of the College of New
York.
T h e m o s t i*emai*fcable i n s t a n c e perhaps,
of a small baud of heroes successfuly opposing
a vastly superior force, occurred at the very
close of the battle of Gettysburg. ''The enemy wTere temporarily checked," says Gen.
Doubleday in his history of the battle, * 'by a desperate charge on their flanks made by only
sixteen men under Captains Treichel and
Rogers and Chaplain Newhall of Gen. Mcintosh's Staff. This little band were every one
killed or disabled, but they succeeded in delaying the enemy until Gen. Custer came up
with the 7th Michigan Regiment.

266

THE AMERICAN

The Battle of Chancellorsrille was opened
by an attack of Confederate skirmishers, 2 h
Virginia Infantry, not the n t h as appears in
Swinton's History.
T h e first Secession Speech made in the l e g islature of Tennessee, was made by a man
named Bennett, who afterwards joined Morgan's guerrilla band.
Gov. L e t c h e r of Virginia, was the first man,
who, as a candidate for office, openly advocated secession on the stump in Virginia.
The first Union blood shed in the war was
that of a New Yorker-Daniel Hough, mortally
wounded at Fort Sumter in 1861, and Col.
Elmer E. Ellsworth, of the New York Fire
Zouaves, shot dead at t h e Marshall House,
Alexandria, Va.
The first to spill their blood on the breast
works of the enemy at Yorktown, were the
soldiers of the 40th New York Regiment, and
they were the first to plant t h e New York
State colors on the battlements of Fort Magruder.
The first innocent blood shed in the war is
said to have been that of Mr. Robert B. Scott,
of Fauquier Co. Va., killed by Gen. Blenker's
men.
The first blood of a colored man shed in the
war was that of Nicholas Biddle, of Pennsylvania. He was with the first company that passed
through Baltimore in 1861, where h e was
wounded.
The first Confederate victim of the war, Henry S. Wyatt of N. C , was reported to have
been the first, and was killed at Big Bethel.
But it has been claimed in other quarters that
Mr. Bailey Brown of Virginia, killed on t h e
night of May 22, '6i, was the first man. Henry
St. George Tucker of the *iGovernors Guard,"
Richmond, however, died of disease contracted
while on duty, twelve days before Mr. Brown
was killed.

MANUAL.

The first Cavalryman killed in the war was
Jacob Erwin of Philadelphia, a member of a
Company commanded by Captain Wm. H.
Boyd, and was killed in a charge on the Black
Plorse Cavalry near Ponic Church, Va., Aug.
1861. This was the first charge of the war
made by the Volunteer Cavalry.
The first to hoist the old flag over the Confederate fort at Roanoke Island, was the 51st
New York Regiment, and the colors of the 51st
were also the first to wave over the Capitol at
Jackson, Mississippi.
The Stars and Stripes were first raised over
the Capitol of the Confederate States, when the
Union troops entered the City of Richmond in
1865, by Lieutenant Johnston Livingstone de
Peyster, of New York.
The first flag planted on the ruins of the
Confederate fort, at the explosion of the mine
in front of Petersburg, July 30, 1864, was that
of the 14th New York Artillery. Col. Houghton led the charge.
The only flag taken at the battle of Fair Oaks
by our troops was the flag of the 22d North
Carolina, captured by the 65th New York.
The first Union flag hoisted in Georgia, was
the flag of the 7th Connecticut Regiment, Col.
Terry, and was raised in Tybee l i g h t h o u s e .
The first Union flag found in Alabama was
found nailed to a staff upon the housetop of
the Hon. George W. Lane, in Huntsville.
Ohio had the most beautiful flags in the service.
The only Confederate colors taken in t h e
battle of Chickamauga, were the colors of the
22d Alabama Regiment, and were captured by
the 121st Ohio Regiment.
More bayonet wounds were inflicted upon
our soldiers at the battle of Gaines Mills, than
i n any other battle of the war.

THE AMERICAN
The B a t t l e of P l e a s a n t H i l l , ]La., was,
probably the first time when the confederates
manifested any desire to meet our soldiers in
an open field fight, and particularly when they
were the attacking party.
Tlie first t i m e a n e n t i r e Confederate Brig*
a d e was driven from the field by a single Regiment, was on the third day of the battle of
Gettysburg when the ist Michigan Cavalry
Regiment, engaged and defeated Hampton's
Brigade.
E1K Creek was the first battle of the war
fought south of the Arkansas river.
T h e first a c t u a l conflict of the war was in
St. Louis, o n t h e i o t h of May, 1861, on the occasion of the coup d' elfet of Gen. I/yons—capture of the confederate camp Jackson.
The first soldier mustered into the military service of New Jersey, at the commencement of the
war, was J. Hudson Drake, of Elizabeth; and
he was the first soldier. to unfurl the Star§
and Stripes on the soil of Virginia.
Oen. Kirfoy S m i t h , in speaking of the
battle of Milliken's Bend, said: " I saw black
and white men lying side by side on the
ground, killed by the bayonet—the first instance, to my knowledge, in the war, where
bayonets had crossed."
Gen. Meade said that the 1st A r m y Corps
on the first day of the battle of Gettysburg
saved the position, and with it the country.
The F i r s t F o r t T a k e n in the war was at
Selma, Ala., and Serg't John A. Bnnis was
killed in taking the colors upon the ramparts.
T h e oldest volunteer in the war was Mr.
Davis of La Porte, Indiana, eighty-four year,
of age. H e passed himself off for sixty-fives
and with his three sons enlisted in an Illinois
Regiment
H e had served in the Mexican
war.

MANUAL.

267

The Knoxville Whig of January 30, 1863,
said; For the first time since the war began
each Southern army is held at bay by a superior abolition force,
The battle of B e v e r l y F o r d June 9, '63 was
the first occasion when the Cavalry of the
Army of the Potomac went into action as a
body.
The Siege of F o r t S u m t e r in 1863 was
probably the first attempt in the military history of the world, where a distant fortification
was literal)^ besieged over the heads of the
garrisons of two other fortifications in direct
line with the point attacked.
The only guns the Union forces lost in the
battles of the Wilderness were two pieces belonging to Battery D, ist New York Artillery.
Tiie 56th Ohio and 34th Indiana Regiments,
captured the first Battery, at the battle of
Fort jjibson, which was the first victory of
the Vieksburg campaign.
The youngest soldier in the army (.1864)—
Sergeant John Clem, 22d Michigan Regiment
—twelve years of age. His home was Newark^ Ohio.
Illinois was the only State in March, 1864,
that had furnished all the men called for by
the Government. The State had about twelve
thousand to her credit above all demands.
Massachusetts furnished tfoe first company
of Sharpshooters. They were called the ' 'Andrew Sharpshooters,'' and were attached to
her 15th Regiment.
The first Company to respond to the call
for troops in 1865, was a company of for fry
men from Chambersburg, Pa., commanded by
Captain T. S. $tumbaugh.
The first soldier to respond to the call of
duty from the State of Tennessee, was Joseph
A. Cooper, who rose to the rank of Brigadiet
General.

288

THE AMERICAN

The i 7 « i New Yorlt was the first Veteran
Regiment organized in the United States.
The i 0 2 d New Yorlt R e g i m e n t was the first
to dash across the crest in the attack on Lookout Mountain, ''which made t h e m , " said Gov.
Geary of Pennsylvania, "the heroes of that
battle."
The 16tli New Y o r k H e a v y A r t i l l e r y was
the largest Regiment ever recruited in the
United States.
The i s i s t New Y o r k , are said to have saved
the fortunes of the day at the battle of Winchester, September 19. 1864.
The first v o l u n t e e r C a v a l r y R e g i m e n t
mustered into the service was the ist New
York Mounted Rifles, and this was the last one
mustered out at the close of the war.
The first Confederate officer killed in battle was Gen. Garnet, of Essex, Virginia.
S t o n e w a l l J a c k s o n was the first to recognize Surgeons as non-combatants, and unconditionally entitled to exchange.
The first Confederate officers hung as spies
during the war, were Col. Lawrence A. Williams, and Lieut. Peters.
The last Confederate to lay down his arms
was Blias Hapner, a Tennessee guerrilla. Hapner committed murder in 1881 and was shot at
Leadville, Colorado, and killed.
The first a r r e s t by t h e Confederates for
treason was that of J. W. Merriam, Collector
of the Port of Georgetown, S. C , January 7,
1861.
But o n e m a n w a s e x e c u t e d in the Army of
the Potomac up to February, 1863, for a flagrant crime, and that was a case of attempted
desertion to the enemy.
The first a c t of p i r a c y i n t h e w a r was committed J u n e 30, 1861, by Marylanders, led
by Zarvona Thomas, called t h e * 'French

MANUAL.

Lady," assisted by George N. Hallins. In the
expedition was a man named Martin, who
kept a liquor store in Baltimore. This man,
Martin, gave John Wilkes Booth, who shot
the President, letters of introduction to this
region of Maryland where he was a native. So
here at Point Lookout in 1861 began the crime
which led to the assassination in 1865.
The first d e c i s i o n u n d e r t h e E m a n c i p a t i o n
P r o c l a m a t i o n was the State of Missouri against
Benjamin Williams, a black man.
The first case of e m a n c i p a t i o n under the
President's proclamation was that of three negro boys escaping from Kirby Smith's army,
and appearing before Lieut. Col. Spies, Military Governor of the towns of Covington and
Newport, Ky., September 23, 1862, who gave
them free papers.
The term " C o n t r a b a n d " as applied to the
negroes, did not originate with Ben. Butler as
is generally supposed. The expression was
made use of in 1863 by the Hon. George Opdv ke of New York, in a published treatise on
political economy.
The first i d e a of r a i s i n g c o l o r e d Regim e n t s , publicly expressed, was made by Gen.
Watts D. Peyster of New York, and was published in the Poughkeepsie Eagle in the winter
of 1859-'60.
The first d e t a c t i m e n t of n e g r o t r o o p s furnished by the State of New York was recruited
at Hudson by J. M. Edwards of that place, in
March, 1863. They joined the 64th Massachusetts Regiment.
The Confederates were the first to arm negroes. They did so at the very outset of the
rebellion. They did so in Mobile before the
battle of Bull Run. They did so in Louisiana
before one negro had been allowed to put on
a uniform of a United States soldier.
They
did so in Tennessee even before the State had
openly seceded from the Union.

THE AMERICAN
Although New Jersey was the only State
which did not cast its electoral vote as a unit
for Mr. Lincoln, she was the first of all States
to send into the field her full quota of troops
under the first three several calls from the
Government.
The credit of originating the first movement
for the raising of volunteers has been awarded
to Gen. Butler, who issued a call for a meeting
of the officers of the 6th Massachusetts Regiment to be held at Lowell, on the 21st day
of January, 1861, but the records show that the
honor is justly due to Captain (General) Allen
Rutherford of New York City, (now of Washington.) Captain Rutherford issued a call for
a meeting which was to be held at the Mercer
House in New York on the 9th of January
twelve days before the meeting at Lowell for
the purpose of organizing for the protection of
the United States and the enforcement of t h e
laws.
The first Confederate flag captured on the
battlefield, was captured by Lieut. John Coyne
of the 70th New York Volunteers, the first
Regiment of the Excelsior Brigade at the battle of Williamsburg on the 5th of May, 1862.
The Brigade had been severely engaged most
of the afternoon. A great many officers had
fallen and the Brigade was sorely pressed. At
this point the Confederates brought up a fresh
Brigade and they were formed in line on the
edge of a dense wood immediately in front of
the Excelsior Brigade. Through the smoke of
battle could be seen their colors advancing,
until the colors of one of their Regiments was
advanced within 100 yards of the 70th Regiment. Lieut. Coyne then asked for volunteers
to follow him and take those Confederate colors. Sixteen brave fellows, among whom were
Serg't Cook and Corporal Bateman sprang forward. It seemed only a second of time when
they found themselves struggling with the
Confederate Color Guard.
L,ie«t. Coyne

MANUAL.

269

could not remember an incident of the struggle, except his effort to wrest the colors from
the grasp of the Confederate who held them.
The glare of the eyes, and the uplifted muskets, and the exclamation of Serg-t. c o o k
(who was lying at his feet shot through the
body), "don't let them get it back, Lieut."
The brave Coyne had torn the flag from the
staff and was t y i n g i t a r o u n d h i s b o d y , when
the appealing words of the dying Serg't came
out of that storm of lead and desperate encounter. H e turned to look where his men
were. All had faded away like mist. Not a
man was standing, and he alone reached our
lines, fainting and exhausted. This is the
story of the capture of the first Confederate
flag and well might Gen. Heintzelman in his
letter to the Secretary of War recommending
that the brave Lieutenant be promoted to
Brevet-Colonel, say-''At Williamsburg with
undaunted bravery and after a severe contest,
he captured the colorsof a Confederate Kegi n t e n t and was mentioned by me in general
orders for his gallantry.
N a p o l e o n , Arkansas, was t h e first to fire on
an unarmed boat in the history of t h e war.
The first p o i n t a t w h i c h t h e r e b e l s commenced the erection of works blockading the
Mississippi river was Vicksburg.
The first vessel of w a r destroyed by a torpedo, was the iron-clad vessel "Cairo/* on the
Yazoo river.
The first vessel t o m a k e a h o s t i l e d e m o n s t r a t i o n against the enemy was the "Powhatt a n / ' c o m m a n d e d by Admiral Porter.
The l o n g e s t p o n t o o n b r i d g e ever constructed in this country was built by Co. F . 15th
New York Volunteers. It extended across
the Chickahominy, and was used on the occasion of McClellan's withdrawing his troops
from Harrison's Landing.

270

THE AMERICAN

Oen. M c P h e r s o n was the youngest man confirmed by Congress a Brigadier General. H e
was thirty-one years of age.
Gen. G r a n t held more commissions for
brave and meritorious conduct than probably
any other m a n ever did. H e had been commissioned at least thirteen times.
Col. <F. J . W i l d e r , of the 17th Indiana Regiment, had the honor of giving the City of
Chattanooga the first hostile salute it received,
at the time Rosecrans marched on that city in
August, 1864.
The first i n t i m a t i o n t h a t Gen. G r a n t was to
take command of the Army of the Potomac,
came from the New Orleans correspondent of
the New York Daily News, in a letter to that
paper, dated August 1, 1763.
The first i n s t a n c e w h e r e t h e r e g u l a r
t r o o p s were commanded by a volunteer officer
was when Gen. Joseph Hayes, formerly of the
18th Massachusetts Regiment, was appointed
to the command of the 1st Brigade, 2d Division of the 5th Corps.
Col. B. T. D a v i s , 8th New York Cavalry,
killed at Beverly Ford in June, 1863, was a Mississippian, and is said to have been, up to that
time, the only Cavalry officer of Southern
birth, in the Union Army.
Gen. P h i l K e a r n e y was the first American
officer ever decorated with the Region of Honor by the Emperor Napoleon.
The first West P o i n t officer of artillery to
fall in the war was I^ieut. Greble, killed at Big
Bethel.
Col. J a c q u e s of the 73d Illinois Regiment
was the first man to enter the rebel entrenchments on the height of Mission Ridge.
This
is the Col Jacques who visited Jeff Davis in
Richmond with the hope of bringing about
peace.

MANUAL.
The first p u b l i c i n t i m a t i o n t h a t Gen.
G r a n t had attempted to undermine Petersburg, Va., July 1864, came from Charles J.
Browne of Petersburg, who wrote a letter on
the subject to the Richmond Whig, July 16,
1864.
The first officer to r e s i g n h i s p o s i t i o n in
the United States Army for the purpose of participating in the rebellion was Win. H. T.
Walker of Georgia., who subsequently became
a Major-General and was killed in battle before
Atlanta, July 22, 1864.
The first fully a r m e d R e g i m e n t to enter
Washington when it was beleaguered by the
Confederates in 1861, was the 6th Massachusetts, Col. Jones.
The F i r s t New Y o r k C a v a l r y R e g i m e n t
claim to have captured more prisoners and
property up to 1864, than any other Cavalry
Regiment in the service. They had taken
three thousand prisoners.
B a t t e r y I>, 1st l e w Y o r k A r t i l l e r y , IS
credited with more battles than any other in
the army. In May 1864 when Gen. Meade
called for the reports of all the battles the
regiments and batteries had been engaged in,
that they might have them inscribed on their
flags, Battery D bore off the palm.
T h e first R e g i m e n t t o e n t e r Y o r k t o w n ,
and plant the old flag on the ramparts of the
rebel forts, was the 73d New York—known as
the 4th Excelsior Regiment.
The 12th New Y o r k R e g i m e n t was the first
Regiment to set foot on the soil of the Old Dominion, and the first to receive an attack after
t h e army of invasion crossed into Virginia.
The f o r t u n e s of t h e clay at the battle of the
Fair Oaks, were decided by a brilliant charge
of t h e 37th New York Volunteers, led by General Kearney.

THE AMERICAN
The first of the M o n i t o r s t o see a c t i v e service was the Montauk, Captain John S. W o r den, and her first service was in the attack on
Fort McAllister.
The first vessel c a p t u r e d by the Confederate cruisers was t h e Harvey Burch.
She belonged to Mr. John Brown, of New York.
The first s t o p p a g e of n a v i g a t i o n was by
the Confederates at Memphis, Tenn., and almost simultaneously at Napoleon and Helerfa,
Ark.
The first b o a t t o d e s c e n d t o New O r l e a n s
after the capture of Vicksburg, was the "Imperial."
The first fight i n tlie h i s t o r y of t h e w o r l d
between iron clad ships was between the Monitor and the Merrimac.
The first to suggest the l&atteras e x p e d i t i o n of 1861, was Capt. R. D. L,owry, U.S.N.
The first b o a t c a p t u r e d by the Confederates
was the steamer Ocean Belle, captured at
Helena, Ark.
The first t w o p r i s o n e r s c a p t u r e d by the
army of the Potomac were taken by the 25th
New York State Militia Regiment.
The first U n i o n p r i s o n e r in the war was
J. S. Worden, who afterwards commanded the
Montauk, and subsequently commanded the
"Monitor" in her fight with the "Merrimac."
The first p a r d o n under the President's proclamation—he exempts Brig. E. W. Gantt of
Arkansas from t h e penalty of treason.
The first U n i o n s o l d i e r who crossed the
threshold of the Iyibby Prison, was Capt. John
Downey, of the New York Fire Zouaves.
P o r t s m o u t h , ¥ a . , was probably the first
instance of an important place being confided
exclusively to the care of Colored troops—ist

MANUAL,

271

U. S. Colored Infantry, January, 1864.
Lieut., A. S. S a n b o r n , of the 1st District of
Columbia colored Regiment, murdered by Dr.
Wright at Norfolk, Va., was probably the first
officer of a colored Regiment who died in defense of the Union.
On the 7th of March, 1864, the first n e g r o
p r i s o n e r s of vyar were received at Libby
prison.
They were James W. Corn, P. T.
L,ewis, R. P. Armstead and John Thomas.
L o u i s i a n a was the first State to institute
the system of compensated labor.
The first c o l o r e d p r o v o s t M a r s h a l was
Major W. O. Fiske, of the ist Louisiana Volunteers, appointed by Gen. Banks.
The first official r e c o g n i t i o n of n e g r o
t r o o p s as equals by the Confederates was
December, 1863, when a flag of truce borne by
Major John Calhoun, a grandson of John C.
Calhoun, was received at Hilton Head by Major Trowbridge of the ist South Carolina Negro Regiment.
S e n a t o r Conness, of California, appears
to have been the first man to publicly recommend that Gen. Grant be placed in command
of the army of the Potomac.
The first United S t a t e s G o v e r n m e n t B o n d s
were purchased by Messrs. R. S. and A.
Stewart, of New York. Bond No. 1, being in
possession of the late Mr. Alexander Stewart
at the time of his death.
The first m e e t i n g held i n N o r t h C a r o l i n a
to oppose the action of the Confederate authorities was caused by the appointment of
Major Bradford, of Virginia, to collect the
tithes in that State.
S e c r e t a r y S e w a r d ' s l e t t e r of October 6,
1861, was the first official document laid before the people of England in which the British Government was notified that it would be

272

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MANUAL.

held responsible for damages done by the privateer Alabama.

York to march to the defense of ike
was the 7th Militia Regiment.

The first m o t i o n m a d e i n P a r l i a m e n t for
an investigation into the legality of the sailing
of the Alabama, Florida and other privateers,
was made by Mr. J. Shaw Lefevre, Member of
Reading, son of the late speaker.
S e n a t o r . S u m n e r was the first person to urge
upon President Lincoln to make public the
Confiscation Proclamation.

The first Mew Y o r k .Regiment raised for
three years or the war was the 70th, the first
Reg't. of the Bxcelsior Brigade, raised by Col.
(now Gen.) Daniel B). Sickles.

l i o n . H s r a a a W a l b r i d g e , of New York,
was the first person to recommend to President Lincoln the importance of securing Beauport and Port Royal, S. C.
T h e first case under the Confiscation Act
came up July 23d, 1863. It was that of the
property of Dr. Garnett, a son-in-law of Henry
A. Wise.
The first d r a f t since the war of 1812, took
place at Hartford, Conn., 011 the 10th of September, 1862.
The first a t t e m p t a t r e s i s t a n c e t o t h e d r a f t
occurred in Fulton Co., Penn., about the 8th
of June, 1863.
The first time the b o d y of a C o n f e d e r a t e
s o l d i e r was returned to his kindred and friends
with the honors of war, was on the 9th of January, 1863. It was the body of Colonel Lawton, who was wounded and captured at the
battle of Fredericksburg.
The 2d New Y o r h S t a t e M i l i t i a (82d Vols.)
is the oldest Regiment in the State of New
York, and was the first to volunteer from New
York for the war.
The first R e g i m e n t in the State of New
York to offer its services to the Government, is
said by Col. Adams, of the 67th, to be the Regiment he commanded.
The first R e g i m e n t from the State of New

Capitol

The first M a s s a c h u s e t t s R e g i m e n t furnished the first Gen. to command colored
troops—Capt. Edward A. Wild, who commanded the Brigade known as "Wild's African
Brigade."
The 13th C o n n e c t i c u t R e g i m e n t was the
first to ascend the Mississippi river after the
capture of forts Phillips and Jackson.
The 5 t h V e r m o n t was the first New England regiment to enlist for three years.
The first H u s s a r Keg-iment raised in the
country for real service in the war was organized at Trenton, N. J., by Col. Andrew J. Morrison.
Commodore Vanderbilt's name stands first
on the list for magnificent donations to the
United States Government.
H e presented
the steamer "Vanderbilt," which cost $8oo,000.

The first contribution made by a private citizen for the defense of the Nation, was made
by Col. John Jacob Astor, of New York, when
he liberally furnished the means to purchase
the gunboat " Y a n k e e , " which was sent to the
relief of the garrison at Fort Sumter.
The National Banking Law was first suggested to the Secretary of the Treasury by the
Hon. Elridge T. Spaulding, of Buffalo, N. Y.
The Treasury Note or Greenback system
was first suggested by the late Mr. Silas M.
Stillwell, of New York. Mr. Stillwell and not
the late Secretary Chase, should have been
called the "Father of Greenbacks."

THE AMERICAN
The highest bid for the first Government Loan
February, 1861, was made by the Bank of the
Republic in New York City.
The Southern Bank of New Orleans in 1863,
was the only bank North or South, that had
made coin payments in full.
The last Union paper printed in the South
was edited by Gen. A. B. Norton, formerly Adj.
Gen. of the State of Texas. H e was the only
man in the South who published the inaugural
message of President Lincoln.
The first time during the war that a passenger train was captured and robbed, was in
February, 1864, when the Confederates captured the Baltimore express train for Wheeling. The capture was made near Kearneysville, Western Virginia.
The first printing press and type ever bought
for the sole purpose of printing anti-slavery
sentiments in Tennessee, arrived in Nashville,
Februray 15, 1864.
The first time in which a balloon reconoissance was successfully made during a battle is
believed to have been at the battle of Fair
Oaks.
Certainly the first time in which a
telegraph station was established in the air to
report the movements of the enemy.

MANUAL.

273

The first gleam of fraternal light which
beamed upon the dark feelings ruling the
great contest was brought forth by a letter
from the officers of the 12th Arkansas Regiment, to the officers of the 165th New York, at
the time of the capture of Port Hudson in 1863.
The only representative of the Empire of
China in the army of the Potomac was John
Tommy, of the Excelsior Brigade (probably
in the 70th New York Regiment). H e was
killed at Gettysburg.
The first cargo from New Orleans after the
commencement of the war arrived North in
June, 1862.
The first public exhibition of loyalty to the
U. S. Government on the part of the citizens
of Memphis, Tenn., was on the 25th of August
1863, when a grand entertainment was given.
to Gen. Grant.
The first soldiers cemetery dedicated during
the war was dedicated by the Rev. Dr. New-.
man, at New Orleans, in May, 1864.
The first allusion to the subject through the
press, favoring the assassination of President
Lincoln, was made by
of West Feliciana
in a letter to the editor of the "Mississippian,"
and dated February 21,1863.

274

THE

AMERICAN

MANUAL.

HAMBS OP THE STATES,
HAMILTON B. STAPLES.
New

Wamjisliive.

T H E origin of the name New Hampshire is very
^simple. The original territory, conveyed by patent of
the Plymouth Company to John Mason in 1629, was
named by him after Hampshire County in England.

Massachusetts.
T H E life of Massachusetts as an autonomic State
begins with the charter of 1691, which merged into one
province the Plymouth and the Massachusetts Bay
jurisdictions, and also the Province of Maine. The
present name of the State is derived from the bay of
that name. In fact, the word "Bay" was a part of the
name of the younger colony which alone had received
a charter from the crown, and was retained in the name
of the new province, and afterward in the name of the
State, till the constitution of 1780 went into operation.
T h e Massachusetts Bay received its name from the
Massachusetts Indians, who peopled its shores at the
time of John Smith's visit in 1614. The word Massachusetts is an anglicized plural of Massachusett,
jneaning "at or near the great hills," "at or near the
great hill country," from massa, "great," wadchu (in
composition) adchu—plural wadchuash, "mountains,"
,or "hills," and the suffix et, "at or near."

Rhode Island.
T H E origin of the name of Rhode Island is quite obscure. A writer in the Providence Journal says: "Some
ancient authors write the name Island of Rhodes. Some
have believed that the name was to be derived from the
Dutch Roode Eylandt, which signifies Red Island, and
which the first Dutch explorers of the bay gave to the
island. Others have written the name Rod Island.
Perhaps it could also be Road Island (the island of the
roadstead, or harbor island). In the early history of

the State persons of the family name Rhodes are also
mentioned. Could not one Mr. Rhodes have been
among the first English settlers?" Mr. Schoolcraft, in
his history of the Indian tribes, adopts the Dutch origin
of the name. Mr. Arnold, in a note to his valuable
"History of Rhode Island," says that the celebrated
Dutch navigator, Adrian Block, who gave his name to
Block Island, sailed into Narragansett Bay, "where he
commemorated the fiery aspect of the place caused by
the red clay in some portion of its shores by giving it
the name of Roode Eylandt, the Red Island, and by
easy transposition, Rhode Island." In support of the
theory that the State was named after the island in the
Mediterranean Sea we have the authority of Peterson's
"History of Rhode Island." We also have the commanding authority of the public act by which the name
was given.

Connecticut.
T H E name Connecticut, spelled Quin-neh-tukqut signifies "land on a long tidal river." The name is so
spelled in "Cotton's Vocabulary," and in the "Cambridge Records" it appears as Quinetuckquet. This
explanation rests upon the authority of Dr. Trumbull.

New York.
T H E territory of New York was comprised in the
royal grant to the Duke of York in 1664, of all the land
"from the west side of the Connecticut River to the east
side of the Delaware Bay." In 1664 the Duke fitted out
an expedition which took possession of New Amsterdam
and the place was thereafter called New York in honor
of the Duke. The same name was applied to the State.
By a strange caprice of history the greatest State in the
Union bears the name of the last and the most tyrannical of the Stuarts.

THE AMERICAN
New Jersey.
T H E State of New Jersey, granted by the I > u h e o f
Y o r k to S i r G e o r g e C a r t e r e t and L o r d B e r k e l e y in 1664, received its name in the grant in commemoration of the brave defense of the Isle of Jersey
by Carteret, its Governor, against the Parliamentary
forces in the great Civil war.
Pennsylvania.
PENNSYLVANIA owes its name to its founder,
W i l l i a m P e n n . The name given by Penn himself
was Sylvania, but King Charles II. insisted that the
name of Penn should be prefixed. It is the only State
in the Union named after its founder.
Delaware.
T H E Counties of Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex"upon
Delaware," granted by the l ) u k e o f Y o r k to P e n n
in 1682, were known as the territories of Pennsylvania.
In 1701 Penn granted them a certain autonomy. The
State was named after the bay of that name, and the
bay after L o r d D e - l a - w a r , who explored it. It has
been claimed that the bay and the river were named
after the Delaware Indians, who in 1660 dwelt upon
their shores. This claim is unfounded. The Delaware
name of the river was Iyenapehittuk, meaning Lenape
River.
Maryland.
MARYLAND was settled under a charter granted in
1632 by King Charles I. to L o r d B a l t i m o r e . The
State was named after Q u e e n H e n r i e t t e M a r i a .
I n the charter the county is called "Terra Mariete—
Anglice, Maryland."
Virginia.
T H E first step in the colonization of America by
England was the charter granted in 1584 by Queen
Elizabeth to S i r W a l t e r R a l e i g h . Under this
charter Raleigh took possession of the country west
of the Roanoke, and called it V i r g i n i a in honor of
the Virgin Queen. This is the only State in the Union
whose name appears in literature associated with the
royal title. Spenser dedicated the Faerie Queen to
"Elizabeth, by the Grace of God, Queene of England,
France, and Ireland, and of Virginia." The nearest
approach to this in a public act is the order of the

MANUAL.

275

English Privy Council to the Virginia colony after the
revolution ot 1688 to proclaim W i l l i a m and M a r y as*
*%ord and I^ady of Virginia,"
West Virginia.
T H E name of West Virginia, a new State formed
within the jurisdiction of Virginia, needs no separateconsideration.
IVorili C a r o l i n a a n d S o u t h C a r o l i n a .
NORTH Carolina and South Carolina may be considered under one head. A l l e n , in his History of
Kentucky, ascribes the origin of the name Carolina
to the French settlers of Port Royal, who named it after
C h a r l e s I X . , of France. This is the popular impression, but there is reason to question its accuracy. I n
the charter of Carolina granted to the Lords Proprietors
by C h a r l e s I I . in 1663, the name of Carolina is recognized. More than thirty years before, C h a r l e s I .
had granted a tract of territory south of the Chesapeake
to S i r R o b e r t H e a t h , naming it Carolina after
himself. This grant became forfeited by non-user. The
name, however, so given to the territory, was doubtless
revived in the new charter of 1663. It would not be a
pleasant reflection that two States of the Union derived
their name from the King who commanded the massacre of St. Bartholomew.
Georgia,
T H E name of Georgia, after K i n g G e o r g e I I . ,
was by the terms of the charter conferred upon the
territory granted to the company organized by O g l e t h o r p e in 1732.
Maine.
MAINE owes its name to its being supposed to be
the main or chief portion of the New England territory.
The origin of the name is disclosed in an extract from
the grant of C h a r l e s I . to S i r F e r n a n d o G o r g e s ,
in 1639, confirmatory of a patent given by the Plymouth
Company in 1622, which grant the grandson of Gorges,
through J o h n U s h e r , assigned to the Massachusetts'
Bay Colony "all that Parte, Purparte and Porcon of the
Mayne I,ande of New England aforesaid, beginning
att the entrance of Pascatway Harbor" (then follows
the description), "all which Parte, Purparte or Porcon
of the Mayne I^ande and all and every the Dremises

276

THE AMERICAN

hereinbefore named wee doe for us, our heires and
successors create and incorporate into one Province or
Countie. And wee doe name, ordayne, and appoynt
t h a t the Porcon of the Mayne I^ande and Premises
aforesaid shall forever hereafter bee called and named
T h e Province or Countie of Mayne."

Vermont.
T H E Territory of Vermont was so named from the
French words v e r d m o n t , "Green Mountain," the
" d " being dropped in composition. The legal history
of the name is a curious one. At a convention of the
people held at Westminster, January 15, 1777, it was
declared that the district was a State, "to be forever
hereafter called, known, and distinguished by the
name of 3§Few C o n n e c t i c u t , alias Vermont." The
convention met by adjournment, July 2, 1777, and having in the meantime ascertained that the name of New
Connecticut had already been applied to a district on
t h e banks of the Susquehanna, it was declared that
instead of New Connecticut the State should "ever be
known by the name of V e r m o n t . " Hall, in his
"I£arly History of Vermont," appendex No. 9, claims
t h a t the words "alias Vermont" did not belong in the
n a m e as adopted in January, and that they must have
been inconsiderately added to the journal, or an early
copy of it, by way of explanation after the name Vermont had been adopted in lieu of New,Connecticut and
afterward in transcribing, erroneously taken as a part
of the original. M r . M a l l gives various reasons in
support of this claim. In opposition to Mr. Hall's
theory the words are found in Slade's "State Papers."
page 70, in Williams' "History of Vermont," and in a
manuscript copy of the journal of the convention, the
original being lost, in the possession of J a m e s M .
i P n e l p s . Further, all accounts concur that the name
of Vermont was given to the State by B r . T S i o n a a s
Y o u n g , and we find a letter of his dated April 11, 1777,
addressed to "the inhabitants of Vermont, a free and
independent State," which implies that at that date
the State had already received its name of Vermont,
although under an alias.

Kentucky.
AU/BJN, in his "History of Kentucky," says it was

MANUAL.

named "from its principal river, which is an Indian
name for 'dark and bloody ground,' " Moulton, in his
"History of New York," says Kentuckee signifies 'river of blood.' " In Haywood's ' 'History of Tennessee,' *
€ r e n . C l a r l t is the authority for the assertion that in
the Indian language Kentuke signifies"river of blood."
R a m s e y , in his "History of Tennessee," alludes to
the name of Kentucky as signifying "the dark and
bloody land." In J o l m s o H ' s C y c l o p e d i a the
name is given as signifying "the dark and bloody
ground." In opposition to all this it appears from
Johnson's "Account of the Present State of the Indian
Tribes of Ohio," I., page 271—that Kentucky is a Shawanoese or Shawnoese word, signifying "at the head
of a river;" that the Kentucky River was in former
times often used by the Shawanoese in their migrations north and south, and hence the whole country
took its name. This theory of the name is quoted approvingly in Gallatin's "Synopsis of Indian Tribes."
M r . H i g g i n s o n , in his "Young Folks' History,"
says the name first applied to the river means "The
Long River." It lessens the weight of the authorities
first cited that some of them counect the evil signification of the word with land, and some with water. It is
also highly improbable that a name clothed with associations of terror should be adopted as the civic
designation of a people. On the whole, it may be
safely asserted that the weight of the evidence is in
favor of the more peaceful origin of the name.

Tennessee.
TENNKSSE^ formed a part of the grant of the Carolinas. Its name is derived from its principal river,
though formerly the name Tennessee did not apply to
the main river, but to one of the small southerly branches thereof. There is authority for saying that the
name of the river was derived from the V i l l a g e o €
T a n a s s e e , the chief village of the Cherokee tribe,
and situated on its bank. H a y w o o d , in his "Natural and Aboriginal History of Tennessee," attempts to
trace the origin of the name Tanasse as an Indian river name to the ancient River Tanais, and on this
discovery, as well as on other similar resemblances,
he founds the argument that the ancient Cherokees

THE AMERICAN
migrated from the western part of Asia. M r . A l l e n
claims that the name is derived from an Indian name
signifying "a curved spoon;" and there is authority
for still another derivation from an Indian word signifying "a bend in the river," in allusion to the course
of the river. I am not aware that in either case the
Indian wordlias been given, nor is it believed that any
such word exists.
Ohio.
OHIO is named after the beautiful river, its southern
boundary. From J o h n s o n ' s "Account of the Indian
Tribes," the word Ohio, as applied to the river, in the
Wyandot language is O - h e - z u h , signifying "something great." The name was called by the Senecas
dwelling on the shores of I^ake F)rie the Oheo. M r .
S c h o o l c r a f t observes that the termination io in
Ohio implies admiration. On the old French maps
the name is sometimes "the Ochio," and sometimes
"the Ovo."
Indiana.
INDIANA derived its name from one of the old anteRevolutionary land companies which had claims in
that region.
Illinois.
THE) State of Illinois is named from its principal river, the Illinois. The river is named from that confederacy of Indian tribes called the I l l i n o i s C o n f e d e r a c y , which had its seat in the central part of the
State. G a l l a t i n gives the definition of the word
"Illinois," "real men," "superior men," from the
Delaware word Lerio, Leni, Illin, Illini, as it is variously
written. The termination ois is that by which the
French softened the local inflexion when they adopted an Indian word.
Michigan.
LANMAN, in his "Red Book of Michigan," derives
the name of the State from the Indian word Michsaugyegan, signifying Lake Country. J o h n s o n ' s
C y c l o p a e d i a derives the name from the Indian
words, Mitchi, Saugyegan, meaning Lake Country.
t regard this as a questionable derivation. There are
£ood reasons for supposing that the State derived its

MANUAL.

271 >

name from Lake Michigan, and not from its being
nearly inclosed by lakes. If the word Michigan signifies Lake Country, why should it have been applied to
the lake at all? In support of the theory that the name
Michigan was descriptive, signifying "great lake,"
and was first given to the lake, I call attention to the
fact that on the earliest maps the lake bears the name,
while the peninsula, both upper and lower, bears no
name whatever. Besides, the name, as applied to the
lake, has a simple Indian derivation. The A l g o n q u i n r a c e s , at the head of which was the Chippewa
tribe, dwelt on the northwestern shores of the lake.
In the old Algonquin language the syllable " g a n "
meant lake. Iu the Chippewa language, "mitcha"
means great.

Missouri.
T H E Slate of Missouri was named from the river of
that name, and the river itself from the J t l i s s o u r i s ,
a tribe once living near its mouth, and afterwards
driven into the interior There 1 another theory in
&
respect to the name of the river that it is descriptive.
Col. Hig-g-inson, in his "Young Folks' History,"
says Missouri means "muddy water," The Dacotahs
called the Missouri Minneshoshay, "muddy water," a
word which might easily become Missouri. In an
article on Indian migrations, by L e w i s H . M o r g a n ,
in the North American Review, vol. ex., it is stated as
a matter of tradition that the Kansas Indians were
formerly established on the banks of the Mississippi,
above the Missouri, and that they called the Missouri
Ne-sho-ja ''muddy river," a name in which the present name can be traced.
Colorado.
COLORADO is named after the great R i o C o l o r a d o ,
which rises in the Rocky Mountains and falls into the
Gulf of California. The name signifies in Spanish
"ruddy," "blood red," :in a secondary sense "colored,"
in allusion to the color of its waters. The river is not j
within the limits of the State, and only belongs to it by \
some of its tributaries.

THE AMERICAN

;278

Texas.
- T H E State of Texas, formerly Spanish territory, then
Mexican, and later an independent State, is the only
S t a t e acquired by annexation. There is a conflict of
opinion as to the origin of its name, Johnson's Cyclopedia, article Texas, states that "it is now proved con
clusively to be of Indian derivation, the generic title
of numerous tribes known to & a S a l l e on his visit in
1685." On Seale's map, 1750, the center of the territory
is occupied by Indians called the Tecas, which may be
the generic title referred to. But M r . B r y a n t , in
;
his "History of the United States, Vol. II., page 518,
note, says: "It is supposed that the name of Texas is
from the Spanish Tejas, in allusion to the covered
houses" found by I^a Salle on his visit in 1685. I n
M o r p l i i s ' "History of Texas" the name is given as of
doubtful origin. He states, in substance, that some
refer the name to the capital village of the Nassonite
tribe, others refer it to the Spanish word "teger," to
weave, in reference to placing the grass over the cottages; others derive it from "tejas," meaning "cobwebs," the account being that the Spaniards encamped
in an expedition into to the country, and one morning
the commander seeing many spider webs between
! him self and the rising sun exclaimed: "Mira ins tejas!"
a n d named the land Texas. The cobweb theory may
well be dismissed as legendary.
Florida.
THE) origin of the name of Florida is a matter of
general agreement among historians. The story of
P o n c e d e )Leon sailing to the West in 1512 in search
of the fountain of youth, seeing land on Pascua Florida, or "Flowery Easter," and on account of its profusion of flowers named it Florida, is familiar to all.
Oregon,
T H E name of Oregon was the first applied to the
C o l u m b i a R i v e r , then to the Territory, and lastly
to the State. The origin of the name is conjectural.
The earliest printed mention of it is in Carver's travels
in 1763. C a r v e r explored the sources of the Mississippi River, and states that by his residence among the
Indians, especially the Sioux, he obtained a general
knowledge of the situation of the R i v e r O r e g o n , or
"the river of the West that >falls into the Pacific Ocean
at the Straits ofAnian." By that which he calls the

MANUAL,

Oregon, the sources of which he placed not far from
the headwaters of the Missouri, he may have referred
to some one of the sources of the Missouri or to one of
the two rivers which, rising in the Rocky Mountains,
formed the principal eastern tributaries of the Oregon.
C a r v e r was misled as to the locality of the river of the
West, and the supposed sources of it he may have
confounded with the sources of the Missouri or one of
t h e tributaries in question. But this much the publication of his travels accomplished—the establishment
of a belief in the existence of a great river emptying
into the Pacific Ocean. He designated by the name
O r e g o n a great river flowing into the Pacific, and
when in after times such a river was discovered the
name was ready at hand.

California.
T H E name of California appears to have been taken
from a Spanish romance, "£<as S e r g u s d e £ s p l a n d i a n , " in which is described "the great Island of
California where a great abundance of gold and precious stones is found." This worthless romance was
published in 1510, and generally read. Probably the
name of California engaged the fancy of some of the officers of Cortes, and was given by them to the country
discovered by him in 1535. It is strange that the name
accidently given should have proved so exactly descriptive.
Nevada.
T H E State of Nevada takes its name from the S i e r r a
N e v a d a M o u n t a i n s , which line its western frontier, the mountains in their turn being named from
the Sierra Nevadas of Granada, which they are said to
resemble in the serrated line of their summits.
Minnesota.
MINNESOTA is named from the M i n n e s o t a or S t .
P e t e r ' s R i v e r , the principal tributary of the Mississippi within its limits. The Indian word is Minisotah, signifying "slightly turbid water," or, "as the
Minnesota historian more fancifully puts it, "sky tinted water.
Jfeorasfca.
NEBRASKA is named from the N e b r a s k a R i v e r *
A writer in the North American Review, on "the Missouri Valley," says the name is Indian, and is com-

THE AMERICAN
pounded of nee, "river," andbraska, "shallow." M o r g a n , in his article on Indian Migrations, North
American Review, says: "The name of the P l a t t e
R i v e r in the Kaw dialect is Ne-blas-ka, signifying
'over-spreading flats with shallow water.' "J>r. H a l e
says the; name undoubtedly refers to the flatness of the
country.

Kansas.
T H E State of Kansas is named from its principal river.
The latter is named from the tribe of Indians called the
K o u z a s , who lived upon its shores. M r . S c h o o l c r a f t uses the name Kansas to designate the tribe.
D e S o t o marched southerly to the northern limit of
his expedition in search of a rich province called
Gayas. This points to the original name of the tribe,
the Kaws. The present name has, therefore, an Indian root varied by French orthoepy.
Mississippi.
THE State of Mississippi is named after the great
river. M r . A t w a t e r , a member of this society, gives
the Indian name of the river Meesyseepee, "the great
water." That the Indian word signifies the "father of
waters" is clearly erroneous. According to M r . G a l l a t i n ' s "Synopsis of Indian tribes", "Missi" never
means "father" but "all"—"whole." The word "sipi"
means in the Chippewa, "river." Thus the words
united mean "the whole river, because many streams
unite to form it.

Alabama.
I N considering the name of Alabama we go back to
the expedition of » e S o t o in 1541. His last battle was
at Alibamo, on the Yazoo River. This was the famous
fortress of the brave tribe somtimes called the Alibamons, and sometimes the Alabamas. JLe C l e r e , who
resided in the Creek Nation twenty years, and wrote a
history published in Paris in 1802, says that the Alabamos came to the Yazoo from the north part of Mexico, and that after the battle with I>e S o t o they removed to the river which now bears their name; that they
are the same people as the Alibainos, who fought De
Soto. J P i c k e t t , in his 'History of Alabama,' states that
"from these people the river and State took their
names." A l l e n ' s 'History of Kentucky* says Alabama is an Indian name signifying "here we rest." M r .

MANUAL.

279

S c h o o l c r a f t says cautiously that the name has been
interpreted "here we rest." We have not been able to
discover anything very restful in the history of the Alabamos, which is one of migrations. M r . M e e k s , a
good authority in that State thinks that the word Alaba
is only the name Hillaba, the Ullibahallee of De Soto, a
theory at variance with that of l i e C l e r e , and referring
the origin of the name to a different tribe.

Iowa.
T H E State of Iowa is named from the river of that
name, and the river from the I o w a y I n d i a n s , who
after many migrations settled on its banks. In the
same article in the Atlantic Monthly to which I have
already alluded, it is intimated that the name Ioway
is contracted from Ah-hee-oo-ba, meaning "sleepers/
which perhaps, explains why the Sioux nearly extirpated them.
Wisconsin.
WISCONSIN was named after its principal river.
Until quite a recent period the river was called the
O u i s c o n s i n , which is said to mean "westward flowing." Ouis is evidently shortened from the French
"ouest." M r . S c h o o l c r a f t says, that "locality was
given in the Algonquin by 'ing,' meaning at, in, or by,
as Wisconsing." The name is probably of mixed origin.
IiOnisiana.
T H E name of I^ouisiana, now confined to a State of
the Union, was originally given to the entire French
possessions on the west bank of the Mississippi, by I*a
S a l l e , in 1682, in honor of I<ouis XIV.
Arkansas.
T H E State of Arkansas takes its name from its principal river; the river from the tribe of Indians formerly
living near its mouth. Till quite a recent period the
river was called Arkansas, and the tribe the Arkansas
tribe. M r , S c h o o l c r a f t says that both the names
Arkansas and Missouri embrace aboriginal roots, but
we hear the sounds as modified by French orthoepy
and enunciation. The same author further relates
that there is a species of acacia found in Arkansas,
from which the Indians, on the arrival of the French,
made for themselves bows. It is light yellow, solid
and flexible. "This is thought to have led to the ap-

280

THE AMERICAN

pellation of Arc or Bow Indians. As they belonged to
the Kansa race, which had lately separated from them,
that term would naturally be adopted by the French
as the generic name. In the " C o n t r i b u t o r s ' Clwfe"
of the Atlantic Monthly, May, 1881, in reference to the
name Arkansas, occurs this curious passage: * 'Does not
the name come from the arc-ensang of the early French
traders, its likeness to Kansas being accidental?
Whether the bloody bow was a special weapon like
the medicine-bow that gave its name to a creek, mountain range, and railway station in Wyoming, or the
bloody bows were a band like the Sans Arcs, cannot
now be determined."
T h e N a m i n g o f Mew S t a t e s .
THE)R3$ is no State of the Union which bears the u a n e

MANUAL.

of Cabot or Coronado, or of De Soto, or of Iva Salle.
And there is F a t h e r M a r q u e t t e , whose form rises
before us, dazzling and immortal as we open the pages
of our early history. Was there no State to feel itself
honored to be called after his name? But the wrong
may yet be righted. In the naming of the new States
which yet remain to be formed from our western domain, the last opportunity will be given to do justice
to these g r e a t d i s c o v e r e r s , and it would be a
graceful and appropriate office of this society, as cases
arise, to exert its influence by correspondence with t h e
local authorities, and by memorial to Congress in favor
of rendering to them even at this late day this exalted
tribute.

THE

AMERICAN

MANUAL.

281

(SHE R E S I D E N C Y .
How We Got Along For Several Years Without a President.

EW people appear to be conscious that
the American people passed through the
a most trying period of our National life
c
^ * without any President at all, the Executive head being Congress when in session
and a committee of Congress when that
body was not in session, the entire Revolutionary War being conducted without
any President—that war practically ending with the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown,
October 19, 1781, and legally by the Treaty of Paris,
which was communicated to the American army April
*9> *783> J u s t eight years after the day on which the
conflict was opened by the battle of Lexington. Not
only for these eight eventful years were the American
people, the American Nation, the United States of
America, without any President, but for six years longer
the American people managed to worry along without
any President at all. After such a long experience
without a President it is reasonably certain that if
Cleveland had died the same day that Hendricks did
the American people would have managed to worry
along without any great difficulty or excitement.
When the Revolutionary War ended, In 1783, Washington retired to his country residence at Mt. Vernon,
and took no part officially in public affairs until he was
chosen by his native State—Virginia—as a delegate to
the convention that formulated and proposed for adoption the Constitution of the United States, which
assembled at Philadelphia in 1787, when Washington
was elected presiding officer of the convention. That
Constitution provided for the election of a President and
Vice-President, and defined their duties. I n the con-

vention the committee had reported that the President
should be called "His Excellency"; but that did not
suit the plain notions of plain old Ben Franklin, and h e
squelched it in a bit of sarcasm by immediately proposing as an amendment "And the Vice-President shall be
styled 'His Most Superfluous Highness.'" And so it
was decided that the President should have no other
title than "The President." A North Carolina Democrat applying recently to President Cleveland for a
post-office, addressed the President as "His Majesty."
The Constitution did not provide for the election of
the Electoral College—"Presidential Electors" as nowcalled—by a direct vote of the people; it left the various
legislatures of the States to provide a method of electing*
them; and the Legislatures proceeded to elect them hy
a vote in t h e Legislature without any popular election.
There were no political conventions, or nominations
made. The theory of the Electoral College was model
ed after the Republics of Venice in the Middle Ages,
that were governed by an oligarchy, the best and foremost citizens selecting the ruler. So, as many of the
foremost citizens of the American Republic as there
were Congressmen and Senators were chosen by t h e
various State Legislatures as members of the Electoral
College, who, in their wisdom, without being instructed by political conventions, voted for a candidate for
President of the United States; but did not vote for a
Vice-President—the one having the largest vote, if a
majority, was to be the President and the one having
the next largest was to be the Vice-President. Every
one knows that "George Washington, Esq." was chosen
President, and almost every one supposes by the unanimous vote of the people; but the people did not vote

282

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

at all, and his support was by no means unanimous in
the Electoral College, there being no less than twelve
distinguished gentlemen with "Esq." attached to
their names who received one or more Electoral
votes for the honorable office of President of the United
States. The first Congress under the Constitution assembled in New York City, Wednesday, March 4, 1789,
and, there being no quorum present, adjourned from
day to day until Monday, April 6. 1789, when the Senate elected John Langdon President, "for the sole
purpose of opening and counting the vote for President of the United States." In joint session on Ibe
same day the vote was announced as follows:
<T>
O

B* P

O O
3* £3*

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5

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States.

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en

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8

Benjamin Lincoln, Esq.

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9 4 6 3 6 2

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New Hampshire . . . 5 5
Massachusetts . . . . 10 10
7 5 2
6 1
5
10 8
3
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South Carolina . . . .

5

1

I

7
5
69 34

6
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2

3
6

"Whereby it appeared that George Washington,
Esq., was elected President, and John Adams, Esq.,
Vice President of the United States of America." The
States of New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island
had not given their consent to the adoption of the Con*
stitution of the United States, and had no voice in t h e
first Presidential election.

THE AMERICAN
T H E IiADY W H O REJECTED
TON'S H A N D .

WASHING-

B i s h o p M e a d e , in his "Old Churches and Families of Virginia," tells the following. The elder sister
of M i s s M a r y C a r y married George Wm. Fairfax,
at whose house she was on a visit, when she captivated
a y o u n g m a n who paid her his addresses. His affection, however, was not returned, and the o f f e r o f
h i s h a n d was rejected by Miss Cary. This young
man was afterward known to the world as G e o r g e
W a s h i n g t o n , the first President of the United
States of America. Young Washington a s k e d p e r m i s s i o n of old Mr. Cary to address his daughter, before he ventured to speak to herself. T h e r e p l y |of
the old gentleman was, "if that is your business here,
sir, I wish you to leave the house, for my daughter has
been accustomed to riding in her own coach." It has
subsequently been said that t h i s a n s w e r of Mr.
Cary to the stripling Washington produced the I n d e p e n d e n c e of the United States, and laid the foundation of the f u t u r e f a m e of the first of heroes
and best of men, o u r i m m o r t a l W a s h i n g t o n , as
it was more than probable that, had he obtained the
possession of the large fortune which it was known
M i s s C a r y would carry to the altar with her, he
would have passed the remainder of his life in i n g l o r i o u s e a s e . It was an anecdote of the day that
this lady, many years after she had become the wife of
E d w a r d A m b l e r , happened to be in Williamsburg
when G e n . W a s h i n g t o n passed through that city
at the head of the American army, c r o w n e d with
never-fading laurels and a d o r e d by his countrymen.
Having distinguished her among the crowd, his sword
waved toward her a m i l i t a r y s a l u t e , whereupon
she is said to have fainted. But this wants c o n f i r m a t i o n , for her whole life tended to show that she
never r e g r e t t e d the choice she had made. It may
be added as a c u r i o u s f a c t that the lady General
Washington afterwards married resembled Miss Cary
as much as one twin sister ever did another.

MANUAL.
THE

How

283
PRESIDENTS.

They Died, Their East Words and
Their Beliefs.
J o h n A d a m s and T h o m a s J e f f e r s o n both
died on the same day, and that the 4th of July, 1826.
They were friends during their latter years, and
A d a m s 9 last words were: " T h o m a s J e f f e r s o n
s t i l l l i v e s , " but history shows that he was mistaken.
J e f f e r s o n had died an hour before, exclaiming:
*%ord, nowlettest thou thy servant depart in peace,"
and "I resign my soul to God—and my daughter to my
Country." J o h n Q u i n c y A d a m s gave his last
breath in the Capitol at Washington, saying: "This
is the end of earth, I am content," and G e n e r a l
H a r r i s o n , who died in the White House said: "Sir,
I wish you to understand the principles of government.
I wish them carried out. I ask nothing more.
G a r f i e l d ' s last reported words, as he lay racked by
his terrible wound, were: "Oh, that pain!" But
L i n c o l n became unconscious when he was shot, and
remained so till he died. G e o r g e W a s h i n g t o n
was sane during his last hours, and he spent them in
calmly arranging his affairs. He told his wife to bring
two wills which he had made, and to burn one of them.
He then grasped his pulse with one hand and counted
the beats until he dropped back dead. W a s h i n g t o n
died of quinsy, P o l k of malaria, A n d r e w J o h n s o n of paralysis and G e n e r a l H a r r i s o n of pleurisy, owing to his exposure during the inaugural ceremonies.
P r e s i d e n t J a c k s o n , was for thirty-one years a
diseased man, and the latter part of his life was spent
in almost continuous pain. I^ven on his d e a t h - h e d
he was besieged by office-seekers. " I am dying," said
he "as fast as I can, and they all know it; but they
k e e p s w a r m i n g about me in crowds, seeking for
office—intriguing for office." His death-bed scene was
a most affecting one. A half an hour before his death
his children and friends were standing around his bedside, and his adopted son A n d r e w had taken his
hand and whispered in his ear:
"Father, how do you feel? Do you know me?"

284

THE AMERICAN

"Know you? Yes, I should know you all if I could
see. Bring me my specta^ s."
These were brought and put on him and he said:
* 'Where is my daughter and Marian? God will take
care of you for me. I a m m y G o d ' s . I belong to
him. I go but a short time before you, and I wish to
meet you all, white and black, in heaven.
At this all burst into tears, and the General said:
"What is the matter with you, my dear children?
Oil, d o n ' t c r y . Be good children and we will all
meet in heaven.
These were J a c k s o n ' s l a s t w o r d s .
A short
time after this he passed peacefully away. He died a
Christian and a Presbyterian.
T h o m a s J e f f e r s o n was more of a deist than anything else, and when he died he said he would be glad
to see a preacher who called "as a g o o d n e i g h b o r , "
thereby intimating that he did not care to see him
professionally.
There was no preacher present at
W a s h i n g t o n ' s death-bed. He was an Episcopalian
and for many years was a vestryman of Christ Church,
Alexandria, Va. The t w o A d a m s ' believed in Unitarian doctrines, and it is said that J o h n Q u i n c y
A d a m s , during his last years, never went to sleep
without repeating that little child's prayer:
"Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray Thee, IyOrd, my soul to keep;
If I should die before I wake,
I pray Thee, I^ord, my soul to take.
There is considerable doubt as to L i n c o l n ' s Christianity, but his best friends believe him to have been
a believer. He was certainly a great B i b l e - r e a d e r ,
and understood it thoroughly. F r a n k P i e r c e was
an Episcopalian and a church member. G e n e r a l s
G r a n t and H a y e s attended the Methodist Church
while in the White House, and G a r f i e l d spent
his Sundays at the chapel of the Disciples.
John
T y l e r was, I think, a Presbyterian, though his second wife was a Catholic. B o l l y M a d i s o n was an
Episcopalian, whatever her husband may have been,
and the o l d c h u r c h which she attended years ago
still stands, and in it P r e s i d e n t A r t h u r worshiped.

MANUAL.
A HEROIC FIGURE.

Sergeant Jasper and Some of the Grand
Weeds P e r f o r m e d b y H i m .
r ^ y ^ I r N the history of the State of Georgia one of
the most heroic figures is that of a S e r g e a n t J a s p e r , who served in the war of
the Revolution in the Second South Carolina Regiment, under G e n e r a l M o u l trie.
J a s p e r was a freckled, red-haired, unedu.
cated country lad of singularly-quiet but
firm bearing. In the attack made on S u l l i v a n ' s I s l a n d by the British, a flag staff,
cut by a ball, fell outside of the works. J a s p e r
sprang forward, and, under a s h o w e r o f b u l l e t s ,
nailed his own colors to the parapet. For this act of
gallantry he was offered promotion, but he d e c l i n e d
i t , saying. " I have not the education nor manners befitting an officer."
G e n e r a l M o u l t r i e then granted him a roving
commission and placed six men under him who were
known during the war as " J a s p e r ' s C o m m a n d . "
Scarcely a week passed that this troop did not bring
in prisoners captured by the most reckless daring.
On one occasion, Jasper, with one comrade, N e w t o n ,
entered the British lines in disguise. In Savannah he
overheard a woman, American, with a child in her
arms, b i t t e r l y l a m e n t i n g the condition of her
husband who was held a prisoner in irons for desertion of the royal cause. He was d e e p l y t o u c h e d
with her distress and with his comrade resolved to free
her husband. They l a y i n w a i t near a spring about
two miles from the town, which the guard who had
the prisoners in charge had to pass. The g u a r d ,
consisting of two officers and eight privates, arrived
about noon, with five prisoners in irons. The day being hot, they l e f t t h e p r i s o n e r s , as Jasper had expected they would, and hurried to the spring for water t
having previously stacked their guns by the roadsides
J a s p e r and N e w t o n crept out from the thicket^
seized their arms, knocked the irons from the prison-

THE AMERICAN
ers, and b r o u g h t t h e g u a r d into the American
camp.
A few months after this feat, during the attack on
S a v a n n a h , the country lad fell, mortally wounded,
while trying to place his c o l o r s on a redoubt. For
one of his many bold exploits a s w o r d had been given
to Jasper by G o v e r n o r B u t l e d g e . He now unbuckled his sword and gave it to Newton, saying:
"Take it to my father, and tell him I n a v e n o t d i s h o n o r e d i t . " A county in Georgia is named for
this hero.

MANUAL.

285

wealthy South Carolina lady, who had been educated
at Philadelphia, and who had passed the preceding
winter at Washington, in the family of her relative,
S e n a t o r P r e s t o n . On the New Year's day succeeding the wedding, M r s . V a n B n r e n assisted by
the wives of the cabinet officers, received with her
father-in-law, the President. Her rare accomplishments, superior education, beauty of face and figure,
grace of manner, and vivacity in conversation insured
social success. The W h i t e H o u s e was refurnished
in the most expensive manner, and a code of etiquette
was established which rivaled that of a German principality.—Ben: Perley Poore.

VAST B T O E I A M O N A R C H I S T .
*ARTOT V a n B u r e n was the first
, President who had not been born a
, B r i t i s h s u b j e c t ; yet he was at heart
£a monarchist, opposed to universal suf^
frage and in favor of a s t r o n g 1 c e n n $ ' M L t r a l g o v e r n m e n t , although he had
rdh^
reached his exalted position by loud professions of democracy. He endeavored to
establish a p e r s o n a l i n t i m a c y with
every one presented to him, and he
ostensibly opened his heart for inspection. The t o n e
o f h i s v o i c e was that of thorough frankness, accompanied by a pleasant smile, but a f i x e d e x p r e s s i o n at the corner of his mouth, and the searching
look of his keen eye showed that he believed with
T a l l e y r a n d that language was given to conceal
thought.
P r e s i d e n t V a n B u r e n ' s wife (by birth Miss
Hannah Hoes, of Columbia county, New York,) had
been dead nineteen years when he took possession of
the "White H o u s e accompanied by his four sons, and
presided over the official receptions and dinner parties
with his w e l l - k n o w n t a c t and politeness. In the
November following his inauguration, his eldest son
and private secretary, C o l . A b r a h a m V a n B u r e n
(who was a graduate of the military academy at West
Point, and who had served on the staff of Gen. Worth)
was married to M i s s A n g e l i n e S i n g l e t o n , a

A COSTGRESSIOiKAIi B U E & .
'MONG other evidences of the bitter and
• ferocious spirit which c h a r a c t e r i z e d
political contests in those days was the
j& duel between M r . C i l l e y , of Maine, and
M r . G r a v e s , of Kentucky, in which the
former fell. Mr. Cilley, in a speech delivered in the House of Representatives,
criticised a charge of corruption brought
against some unmarried congressman in a
letter published in The New York Courier
and Enquirer, over the signature of " A S p y i n
W a s h i n g t o n , " and indorsed in the editorial columns of that paper. M r . J a m e s W a t s o n W e b b ,
the editor of The Courier and Enquirer, immediately
visited Washington and s e n t a c h a l l e n g e to Mr.
Cilley by Mr. Graves, with whom he had but a slight
acquaintance. Mr. Cilley declined to receive the h o s t i l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n from Mr. Graves, without
making any reflections on the personal character of
Mr. Webb. Mr. Graves then felt himself bound, by
the u n w r i t t e n c o d e of honor, to espouse the cause
of Mr. Webb, and challenged Mr. Cilley himself. The
challenge was accepted and the preliminaries were
arranged between M r , H e n r y A . W i s e , as the second of Mr. Graves, and M r . G e o r g e W . J o n e s as

286

THE AMERICAN

the second of Mr. Cilley. Rifles were selected for the
weapons, and Mr. Graves found difficulty in obtaining
one, but was finally supplied by his friend, Mr. R i v e s ,
of The Globe. The parties met, the ground was measured, and the c o m b a t a n t s were placed; on the
fourth fire Mr. Cilley fell, shot through the body, and
died almost instantly. Mr. Graves, on seeing his antagonist fall, e x p r e s s e d a d e s i r e to render him
some assistance, but was told by Mr. Jones, " M y
f r i e n d i s d e a d , Sir!" Mr. Cilley, who left a wife
and three young children, was a p o p u l a r f a v o r i t e
and his tragic end caused great excitement all over the
country. Mr. Webb was generally b l a m e d for having i n s t i g a t e d the fatal encounter; certainly he did
not endeavor to prevent it. Mr. Graves was n e v e r
a f t e r w a r d r e - e l e c t e d — i n d e e d , no man who has
killed another in duel has ever been elected to office in
Kentucky.—Ben: Perley Poore.

A UNIQUE COMPOSITION.
i ^ p H I S unique composition was originally
published in a Philadelphia paper over a
§IIL§>1I! n u n ( ^ r e d years ago. It may be read three
0?||B&K^gk different ways. First, let the whole be read
in the order in which it is written; second,
read the line downwards on the left of each
comma in every line: third, in a like manner on the right of each comma. In the
first reading the Revolutionary cause is
condemned, and, by the others, encouraged and
lauded:
Hark! Hark! the trumpet sounds, the din of war's
alarms;
O'er seas and solid grounds, doth call us all to arms.
Who for King George do stand, their honors soon shall
shine;
Their ruin is at hand, who with the Congress join.
The acts of Parliament, in them I much delight,
I hate their cursed intent, who for the Congress fight.
T h e Tories of the day, they are my daily toast;

MANUAL.

They soon will sneak away, who Independence boast;
Who non-resistance hold, they have my hand and
heart,
May they for slaves be sold, who act a Whiggish part;
On Mansfield, North and Bute, may daily blessings
pour;
Confusion and dispute, on Congress evermore;
To North and British lords, may honor still be done.
I wish a block of cord, to General Washington.

AMERICA'S M C K T

BAY.

«=-N Europe and the eastern part of the
world F r i d a y is generally regarded as
an u n l u c k y d a y , and those who are
any way superstitious will object to commence any new enterprise or to do anything of importance on that day, Strange
to say, F r i d a y n a s e x e r c i s e d the
most important and beneficial effects on
America, and may be regarded as her
l u c k y d a y . There are many citizens,
mostly those of foreign birth, who still abhor Friday,
although it is shown that the m o s t i m p o r t a n t
e v e n t s connected with the discoverery of the New
World and the independence of the United States all
happened on a Friday.
It was on F r i d a y , the 3d of August, 1492, that
C h r i s t o p h e r C o l u m b u s set sail from the port of
Palos on his voyage of discovery. On F r i d a y , the
12th of October, of the same year, he sighted land.
On F r i d a y , the 4th of January, 1493, he set out for
Spain to announce his glorious discovery. H e l a n d e d in Andalusia on Friday, the 15th of March, 1593.
On F r i d a y June 13, 1494, he discovered the c o n t i n e n t of America.
On Friday, March 5, 1497,
Henry VII, King of England, sent J e a n C a b o t on a
mission which led to the discovery of North America.
On F r i d a y , November 10, 1565, M e l e n d e z founded
St. Augustine, the oldest city in the United States. On
F r i d a y , November 10, 1620, the Mayflower landed the

THE AMERICAN
P i l g r i m F a l i t e r s at Princetown. On F r i d a y ,
December 21, 1620, the immigrants reached Plymouth
Rock. On F r i d a y Feb. 22, 1732 W a s h i n g t o n was
born. On F r i d a y June 27, 1775, the battle of B u n k e r H i l l was fought. On F r i d a y , October 8, 1778,
B u r g o y n e surrendered at Saratoga,
Arnold's
treason plot was discovered on F r i d a y September 23,
1780—Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown on F r i d a y , in October, 1781.

T H E ORIGIJNAX* E A K T V O F F I C E .
, OW many people know that the Surveyorr
General's office in Minnesota is t h e o r i g i n a l office established in the United
' States? And yet the original time-worn
documents are on file at the State-House
e s t a b l i s h i n g t h a t fact.
The office
was originally located by authority of Congress and under commission of G e o r g e
W a s h i n g t o n at Marietta, O., in 1797.
As the lands became disposed of and the territory became partitioned off, the office moved gradually westward, halted a brief space at this and that place, until
it reached a final resting-place, many years ago at S t .
P a u l , where all the records now are. These records
are e >pecially interesting to the antiquarians, covering
as they do, the h i s t o r y o f l a n d t r a n s a c t i o n s in
this Country for over 100 years. Among them are
su graph letters from W a s h i n g t o n and J e f f e r s o n and other Presidents, all showing the quaint
official phraseology of that bygone day, and winding
up with the pecular signature, **Your honorable and
most h u m l l e obedient servant." There is also among
the reco ds the first s u r v e y o r ' s c h a i n used in the
West, and accompanying it was a personal letter from
the Secretary of the Treasury, under whose jurisdiction
the office then was, expressing the belief that "it was
a good chain indeed, as the maker had assured him to
that effect." Official guilelessness that seldom exists
nowadays.—St. Paul Globe.

MANUAL.

287

A M E R I C A ' S H I G H E S T MOUWTAIItf.
H B highest mountain in America must
now be changed from Mount St. Klias to
M o u n t W r a n g e l , a little to the north.
, Several of these mountains have been
newly measured. M o u n t H o o d , once
"roughly" estimated at 17,000 feet, then
'.'closely" at 16,000, was brought down by
triangulation to 13,000; an aneroid barometer made it 12,000 and a mercurial barometer made it 11,255. M o u n t S t . E l i a s
estimated by D'Agelet to be 12,672 feet, is triangulated
by M r . B a k e r to 19,500. It now appears that M o u n t
"Wrangel, lying to the north, r i s e s 1 8 , 4 0 0 f e e t
above Copper river, which is in turn 2,000 feet above
the sea at that point. If this holds true, M o u n t
W r a n g e l is at least 1,000 f e e t h i g h e r than any
other peak in North America. It lies within the
United States boundary.—Nature.

O R I t t l t f O F T H E SOWO " J O H N
BODY."

BROWtf'S

F O S T E R S W E E T S E R , in his late
book on "Boston Harbor and Fort War,ren," relates the o r i g i n of the s o n g of
' f r e e d o m . It happened, therefore, that
from this happy garrison (Fort Warren,
Boston Harbor) proceeded one of the
-.i n o s t p o w e r f u l i n f l u e n c e s which
$>
made themselves felt in the National
armies during that long and weary war.
The f a m o u s s o n g of the National armies, "John
Brown's body lies a mouldering in the grave," was
c o m p o s e d and first s u n g at Fort Warren by the
glee clnb of the Second Battallion of I4ght Infantry in
the year 1862. It was adapted to an old M e t h o d i s t
camp-meeting tune, somewhat altered in form, and
t h e b r i g a d e h a n d at the fort was the first t h a t

288

THE AMERICAN

p l a y e d i t . The singers entered the Twelfth Regiment, which marched through Boston, New York and
Baltimore, to tliis g r a n d c h o r u s from 1,000 throats
and the music ran through the A r m y of t h e P o t o m a c , nor ceased until grim powdered, blackened
choirs had c h a n t e d i t in T e x a s and A l a b a m a ,
and down the great Mississippi, and on all the
flowery coasts of the Gnlf, and through the Carol i n a s , and along the streets of conquered Richm o n d . From Fort Warren came the M a r s e i l l a i s e
of our emancipating revolution. As Admiral Preble
says: *'Few people aside from those who Kept s t e p
t o i t s s t r a i n s whenleaving home for the battle field
and s a n g i t round the smoky camp-fires during the
long dull nights and days of army life knew the ext e n t of i t s p o p u l a r i t y and the deep hold it took
upon the soldiers' hearts. It s p r e a d from regiment
to regiment like wild-fire."
ORIGIN OF YANKEE DOODLE.
|&ANKFyFy DOODIvK.—This popular song was
IP introduced into this Country during the
\ French and Indian War by one Dr. S h a c h b u r g , of the British army. The origin of
the tune can be traced Dack to the reign of
C h a r l e s I. When the British army was
encamped on the shores of the Hudson, recruits from the provinces c a m e p o u r i n g
i n in strange dress and equipments. As
described by one writer, "Some with long coats, some
with short coats, and some with no coats at all, some
with cropped hair, and others with flowing wigs."
Their s i n g u l a r a p p e a r a n c e naturally excited
mirth among the well-trained British regulars; and Dr.
Shackburg wrote out " Y a n k e e D o o d l e , " and recommended it to the new officers as one of the m o s t
c e l e b r a t e d a i r s of martial music. About a quarter
of a century later L o r d C o r n w a l l i s and his troops
marched into the American lines to this same tune of
" Y a n k e e D o o d l e . " A recent writer trying to
prove this our national air, quotes the following anecdote related by J o h n O^uincy A d a m s to sustain

MANUAL.

him. "After the Ministers Plenipotentiary of Great
Britain and the United States had nearly concluded
their pacific labors at G h e n t , the burghers of the
quaint old Dutch city resolved to give an entertainment in their honor, and desired to have t h e Nat i o n a l a i r s of the two treaty-making powers performed as a part of the programme. So the musical
director was requested to call upon the A m e r i c a n
M i n i s t e r s and obtain the music of the National air
of the United States. No one knew exactly what to
give, and a consultation ensued, at which B a y a r d
and G a l l a t i n favored 'Hail Columbia,' while Clay,
R u s s e l l and Attains were decidedly in favor of
'Yankee Doodle.' The director then inquired if any
of the gentlemen hatl t h e m u s i c , and receiving a
negative reply, suggested that perhaps o n e of t h e m
could sing or whistle the air. 'I can.t,' said Mr.
Clay; 'I never whistled or sung a tune in my life.
Perhaps Mr. B a y a r d can.' 'Neither can I,' replied.
Mr. Bayard. 'Perhaps Mr. R u s s e l l can.' Each
confessed his lack'of musical ability. 'I have it,' exclaimed Mr. Clay, and ringing the bell he summoned
his c o l o r e d b o d y - s e r v a n t . 'John,' said Mr. Clay,
'whistle "Yankee Doodle" for this gentleman.' John
did so, the chief musician took down the notes, and at.
the entertainment the Crhent B u r g h e r s ' B a n d
played the National air of the United States, with variations, in grand style."

T H E WEDGE OF REPUBLICANISM.
| S I S H O P WARREN, of the Methodist
|g church, is enthusiastic over American
^ progress. He proudly declares that o u r
C o u n t r y is one that in a hundred years
has taken a r e s p e c t a b l e r a n k in literature; that has made fourteen inventions,
which have gone wherever c i v i l i z a t i o n
has gone, while all the rest of the world
has not made h a l f t h a t n u m b e r of
equal importance; that has revolutionized land w a r fare once and n a v a l w a r f a r e twice; that has solved.

THE AMERICAN
social problems which the world has b l u n d e r e d
o v e r for ages; that has abolished a feudalism and
serfdom; that, taking the B i b l e d e c l a r a t i o n that
God has made of o n e b l o o d all the nations, has
made o n e f a m i l y out of representatives of every
kindred and tongue and people and nation; that has
f o u n d e d i t s i n s t i t u t i o n s on the rights of man and
the laws of God, and that has already driven a wedge
of R e p u b l i c a n i s m nearly to the heart of Europe.

A YOUSTG H E R O .
T the first battle of Bull Run, J o h n
M e i g s , a son of G e n e r a l M e i g s , and a
West Point cadet, seeing no Generals about,
^ ' a s s u m e d and for some time d i r e c t e d
the movement of the troops, the officers supposing he was an a i d - d e - c a m p , and that
the orders came from the generals. Seeing
the enemy massing in the woods to take
Green's battery, Meigs ordered C o l o n e l
M a t h e w s o n to move quickly with his
regiment to the support of the battery. The movement
was promptly executed by the F i r s t C a l i f o r n i a ,
and then two other regiments were brought up, I
t h i n k the Thirty-first and Thirty-second New York.
I,ater in the day the y o u t h f u l G e n e r a l , seeing the
field was lost, said to Colonel Mathewson: "You had
better fall back toward Centerville." "And by whose
authority do you give me such an order as that?" inquired the Colonel. ''Well, sir," said young Meigs,
'.'the truth is for the l a s t t w o h o u r s I have been
unable to find any generals and have been commanding myself." I saw young Meigs o n t h e field, and
he was wounded through the knee, but r e m a i n e d
o n d u t y , although in terrible pain and faint from
the loss of blood. He was afterwards killed by the
Confederates in the Shenandoah Valley.

MANUAL.
The Oldest Structure i n Texas.

I>e S o t o took up his line of march into Mexico,
leaving only an Old s t o n e f o r t in Texas to show to
coming dusky generations that the tales of their grandsires were true. A century and more rolled on, when
again the w h i t e m a n came and passed by, and in
scarce thirty years more, lo! two g r e a t n a t i o n s
claimed the land where stood the old stone fort. Then
Spanish rule began, and for 106 years the f l a g o f
S p a i n on its wall streamed in the breeze. In 1821
that emblem gave place to the e a g l e , s n a k e and
c a c t u s of Mexico, which remained until the battle of
!San J a c i n t o made Texas a republic and presented
a new b a n n e r — " T h e L o n e S t a r " — t o the world.
Then for nine years that flag fluttered, till annexation
made T e x a s one of the United States, and the s t a r s
and s t r i p e s waved over the hoary walls. But 1861
brought yet another change, and during four short;
years the ensign of the C o n f e d e r a c y greeted the
morning sun, until the spring of 1865 once more placed,
the fort under the c o l o r s o f t h e U n i t e d States.—..
American Magazine.

MEANING- O F A M E R I C A .

£HE meaning of the name A m e r i g o has>
often been discussed, the only thing certain
being that it is one of those names of T e u t o n i c origin, like H u m b e r t o , A l f o n so Grimaldi,orGaribaldi,socommor£
^
in northern Italy, which testify to t h e
SSi"
G o t h i c or JLombard conquest. Americ, ,
^
which occurs as early as 744 A. D., is probably a contracted form of the name Amalaric, borne by a king of the V i s i g o t h s ,
who died in 531. A B i s h o p E m r i c h was p resent at
the council of Salisbury in 807, and an A m e r i c u s
B a l i s t a r i u s is mentioned in the Close rolls (thir-

THE AMERICAN

290

teenth century.)
It has been conjectured that the stem is ina from
which we get the name Emma. T h e meaning of this
is not known with certainty, though F e r g u s o n
thinks it may denote "strife" or "noise." Since, however, the name is probably of G o t h i c origin, and
since the A m a l u i i g s were the royal race of the
O s t r o g o t h s , it is more likely that the stem is amal,
which was formerly thought to mean "without spot,"
&>ut is now more plausibly connected with the old
Norse a m i , "labor," "work." The suffix r i c , cognate
with r e x , r e i c l i , and r i c k , means "rich" or powerful," and theretore the most probable signification of
A m e r i g o is "strong for labor."—Isaac Taylor in
Notes and Queries.

T H E E V A C U A T I O N O F N E W Y O R K . *.

j ; E W Y O R K does well to celebrate
| | - t h e Anniversary of the Day when
Uhe British troops evacuated the
City; for it was in truth the birthday
of all that we now mean by the City
of New York.
One hundred and
seventy-four years had elapsed since
Hendrick Hudson landed upon the shores of
Manhattan; but the Town could only boast a
population of twenty-three thousand. In ten
years the population doubled; in twenty years
trebled. Washington Irving was a baby
seven months old, at his father's house in
William Street, on Evacuation Day, the 25
of November, 1783. On coming of age h e
found himself the inhabitant of a City containt

MANUAL.
ing a population of seventy thousand. W h e n
h e died, at the age of seventy-five, more than
a million of people inhabited the congregation
of Cities which form the Metropolis of America.
The beginnings of great things are always
interesting to us. New Yorkers, at least, can
not read without emotion the plain, matter-offact accounts in the old newspapers of the
manner in which the City of their pride changed
masters. Journalism has altered its modes of
procedure since that memorable day. No array of headings in large type called the attention of readers to the details of this great event
in the History of their Town, and no editorial
article in extra leads commented upon it. The
newspapers printed the merest programme of
the proceedings, with scarce a comment of
their own; and, having done that, they felt
t h a t their duty was done, for no subsequent
issue contains an allusion to the subject. All
will be gratified by a perusal of the account of
the Evacuation as given in Rivington's
Gazette of November 26, 1783.
N E W YORK November 26:—Yesterday in the Morning
the American Troops marched from Haerlem to the
Bowery-I^ane—They remained there until about One
o'Clock, when the British Troops left their Posts im the
Bowery, and the American Troops marched into and
took Possession of the City in the following order, viz.
1. A Corps of Dragoons.
2. Advance Guard of I/iglit Infantry.
3. A Corps of Artillery.
4. Battalion of I/ight Infantry.
5. Battalion of Massachusetts Troops.
6. Rear Guard.
After the Troops had taken Possession of the City,
the GENERAL [Washington] and GOVERNOR [George

THE

AMERICAN

Clinton] made their Public Entry in the following
Manner:
i. Their Excellencies t h e General a n d Governor,
with their Suites, on Horseback.
2. T h e Lieutenant-Governor, and t h e Members of
the Council, for t h e Temporary Government of t h e
Southern District, four a-breast.
3. Major General Knox, and t h e Officers of the Army,
eight a-breast.
4. Citizens on Horseback, eight a-breast.
5. T h e Speaker of t h e Assembly, a n d Citizens, on
Foot, eight a-breast.
Their Excellencies the Governo and Commander in
Chief were escorted by a Body of West-Chester Iyight
Horse, under the command of Captain Delavan.
The Procession proceeded down Queen-Street [now
Pearl], and through the Broadway, to Cape's Tavern.
The Governor gave a public Dinner at Fraunces's
Tavern; at which the Commander in Chief a n d other
General Officers were present.
After Dinner, the following Toasts were drank by t h e
Company:
1. T h e United States of America.
2. His most Christian Majesty.
3. The United Netherlands.
4. The King of Sweden.
5. The American Army.
6. T h e Fleet and Armies of France, which have
served in America.
7. The Memory of those Heroes, who have fallen for
our Freedom.
8. May our Country be grateful to her military children.
9. May Justice support what Courage has gained.
10. The Vindicators of the Rights of Mankind in
every Quarter of the Globe,

MANUAL,

291

11. May America be an Asylum to the persecuted of
the Earth.
12. May a close Union of the States guard t h e Temple they have erected to l i b e r t y .
13. May the Remembrance of T H I S DAY be a Lesson
to Princes.
The arrangement and whole conduct ot this march,
with the tranquillity which succeeded it, through the
day and night, was admirable! and the grateful citizens
will ever feel t h e most affectionate impressions, from
that elegant and efficient disposition which prevailed
through t h e whole event.

T H E PRESIDENT'S FLAG.

f H E United States have existed for
more t h a n a h u n d r e d years without
>tbe President's ever having had a
flag to call his own. But t h e administration of President Arthur made a
reputation for observing t h e proprieties of office. Accordingly a private
and peculiar standard was invented for t h e
President. It consists of a blue ground with
t h e arms of the United States in t h e center, is
of t h e dimensions of the Admiral's flag No. 1,
whatever they are, and is to be carried at t h e
main of vessels of war while t h e President is
on board, and in t h e bow of his boat.

292

THE AMERICAN

Widows of the R e v o l u t i o n a r y Soldiers.

Thirty-eight relicts of R e v o l u t i o n a r y soldiers
were drawing pensions at the beginning of the year
i888, on account of their husbands' services in that
historical struggle. The average age of the old ladies
is about 85 years. Their husbands have long since
p a s s e d o v e r to the silent majority, It is very probable that the v e t e r a u s married their wives when
they themselves were well advanced in years, while
t h e latter were comparatively young women. The list
of these R e v o l u t i o n a r y pensioners, with their ages
and addresses, is as follows:
NAME.

AGE,

RESIDENCES.

Margaret T. Brooks. 81 . Howells Cross Roads, Ga.
Meredy Smith . . . 82 . Newman, Ga,
I^ucinda Whitmond . 81 , Marietta, Ga.
Sarah Dabney . . . . 87 ., Barry, 111.
J a n e Harbison . . . 81 , Pinckneyville, 111.
Fanny Chance . . . . 79 . Winslow, Ind.
Nancy A. Green . . . 69 . Versailles, Ind.
Sarah Crutcher . . . 87 . Pitts Point, Ky.
Sally Heath
82 . Tatesville. Ky.
Susan Curtis
95 . Topsham, Maine.
lyovey Aldrich
, .87 . Iyeslie, Mich.
Olive C. Morton
.76 . Elva, Mich.
Betsy Wallingford . . 9 1 . Mankato, Minn.
Sally Mallory . . . .86 . Mardsville, Neb,
Jane Dunmore . . . 86 . Broadalbin, N. Y.
Asenath Turner . . 8 2 . Manchester, N. Y.
Elizabeth Boston . • 94 . Valleytown, N. C.
Nancy Gragg . . . .76 . Collettville, N. C.
Mahala Hoagland . 75 . Charlotte, N. C.
Judah Harris . . . 87 . Rogers, N. C.
Nancy Weatherman 77 . Iyineback, N. C.
Elizabeth Davis . . . 84 . Morgan sville, O.
Elizabeth Betz . . . 84 . Harrisburg, Pa.
Sarah Neal
88 . Doreville, Pa.
Mary Brown . . . . 82 . Knoxville, Tenn.
Nancy Jones . . . . 73 . Jonesboro, Tenn.
Nancy Rains . . . . 95 . Carter's Furnace, Tenn.
Nancy Robertson . . 84 . Cates Cross Roads, Tenn.

MANUAL.

Maria Walker . . . . 92 . Waco, Texas.
Eleanor I^owe . . . . 70 . Smith's Creek, Tenn.
Rebecca Mayo . . . . 74 . Newbern, Tenn.
Mary Snead . . . . . 71 . Accomac Creek, Tenn.
Susan Tulloh . . . . 79 . Mount Carmel, Va.
Esther S. Damon . . 73 . Plymouth, Vt.
I^ucy Morse
76 . Barnard, Vt.
Patty Richardson . . 86 . Bethel, Vt.
Nancy Bunton . . . . 84 . Paris, Tenn.
Mary Carey . . . . . 79 . Sunnyside, O.

IMMIGRATION FOR 1887.
During the year 1887 there arrived at New York
about 405,000 immigrants from foreign parts. The vari
ous nationalities of these people are shown by the fol
lowing table, compiled by the Castle Garden authorities:
German Empire . . . 81,8641 Armenia
171
Ireland
56,860 Iceland
158
England
45,696 Mexico
151
Italy
44,271 South America
144
Sweden
37,802 Central America . . . . 131
Russia
33,203 Portugal
75
Hungary
17,719 China
64
Scotland
14,864 Australia
36
Norway
13,011 Arabia
22
15
Austria
11,762 Novia Scotia
"
13
Denmark
8,375 Japan
Bohemia
6,4491I British East Indies . . . n
France
5,999] South Africa . . . . . . 11
Netherlands
5,5°° New Zealand
11
Wales
5,549! Brazil
9
Switzerland
4,537 India
8
Finland
4,03* Africa
6
Belgium
2,362 Egypt
Roumania
834J Sandw
Sandwich Islands . . . 4
Quebec & Ontario . . . . 711 New Brunswick . . . . 3
Greece
612I Prince Edward Island 3
IyUxembourg . . . . . . 572 British Columbia . . . 2
1
Spain
485 Java
1
West Indies
466! Morocco
Malta
298J St. Helena
1
1
Syria
175 Peru
Burmah
1701
Turkey
160]

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

293

P?ISJFO^IGAL Sl^BBS.

?

p S Boston Tree which had most of a hisj tory was the old liberty tree. At the
1 corner of Washington and Essex streets
\ stands a building in whose w a l l is insert"
ed a tablet bearing the form of a tree in
bas relief. This building covers the ground
where the l i b e r t y tree grew. The tree
was said to have been planted in 1646. A
century and a quarter later the Sons of
l i b e r t y held meetings under its branches, and in
the days preceding the outbreak of the Re v o l u t i o n
the ground on which it stood was a place of assembly for the men who conspired to throw off the Briti s h y o k e . In 1773 an anti-tea p a r t y was held
beneath it, and it became so obnoxious to the B r i t i s h
that in 1775 it was cut d o w n by a detachment of soldiers of the invading army, one of whom was killed.
The Gates Weeping Willow.
The poet P o p e had sent to him from Smyrna a
drum of figs. In it was a s m a l l twig", which he
stuck in the ground near his Twickenham villa. It
t o o k root and grew rapidly and was the admiration
of himself and his friends, and it proved to be the
S a l i x Babylonica, or weeping willow, and it was
the parent of all its kind in England and America.
A British officer who came to this Country in 1775
brought with him, wrapped in oiled silk, a t w i g from
Pope's willow, intending to plant it himself in
American soil. The young officer became acquainted with Custis, Washington's step-son, and he gave
him the willow twig. Custis planted it at Abingdon, in Virginia, where it grew vigorously. In 1790
Gen. Gates brought from Abingdon a shoot of the
Curtis willow and planted it at the entrance gate to
his estate at Manhattan island, and it was known

as Gate's w e e p i n g w i l l o w .
The Charter Oak.
The Charter Oak of Hartford, Conn., was estimated to
be about 600 years old when H o o k e r laid the foundation for a common-wealth there. It was at one time
known as Wyllys' tree, as it stood in front of the
house occupied by the H o n . Samuel W y l l y s . It
measured twenty-six feet in circumference a foot
from the ground. The cavity in which the charter
was placed on the night of October 31, 1637, was near
the root and large e n o u g h to admit a child. The
cavity gradually became smaller, until it would scarcely admit a hand. The o a k was prostrated in August,
1854, and nearly every particle of it was worked into
some p l e a s i n g form and cherished as a m e m e n t o
of a singular incident in colonial history.
The Treaty Tree.
The Treaty Tree was a large e l m which stood
on the banks of the Delaware River, near what is
known as K e n s i n g t o n precinct, Philadelphia. It
was under this tree that W i l l i a m P e n n formed his
treaty with the I n d i a n s in 1682. Voltaire said, "it
was the o n l y treaty between these nations and the
Christians which was never sworn to and never broken." The tree then became an object ol interest
and veneration, and when P e n n contemplated
making his permanent home in P e n n s y l v a n i a he
tried to purchase the land near the tree, considering it
one of the finest situations on the river. The
tree was long protected with care, but was at last
b l o w n d o w n in a gale on March 3, 1810. It was
found to be 283 years old, and its trunk measured
twenty-three feet in circumference. The P e n n
society erected a monument, with proper inscriptions
upon its site.

294

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

^^OPE^IBY FJlGHiPS OP &5IYE5.

P

OW^R is the interest for her lifetime
which a widow has in o n e - t h i r d of all
the real estate owned in possession or
right of possession by her husband from
the date of the m a r r i a g e till his d e a t h ,
and which could by any possibility have
^
been i n h e r i t e d by a child of the mar*
riage. It is not necessary, however, that
'
a child should have been born.
C u r t e s y is the interest for his lifetime which a widower has in all the r e a l e s t a t e owned in possession
by his wife from the d a t e of her m a r r i a g e till her
d e a t h . But this right of curtesy does not attach unless a c h i l d of the m a r r i a g e shall have been born
during the life of the mother.
Neither husband nor wife can d e p r i v e the other of
d o w e r or c u r t e s y by will, or by any conveyance or
sale or mortgage on the property. If sold or mortgaged without the signature of wife or husband releasing d o w e r or c u r t e s y , these rights still a t t a c h to
it and may be e n f o r c e d against the property in the
hands of any subsequent owner.
The c o m m u n i t y s y s t e m as it prevails in some
States, briefly stated, preserves to both h u s b a n d and
w i f e , as his and her separate property, a l l t h e
p r o p e r t y , real and personal, owned by either at
m a r r i a g e and all gained by either during the mar*
riage by I n h e r i t a n c e , g i f t , or through the w i l l
of any deceased person; and gives no share to the surviving spouse in such s e p a r a t e p r o p e r t y of the
deceased spouse unless he or she die intestate, that is,
without a will. But a l l p r o p e r t y gained during the
marriage by either party in any other way t h a n those
named, constitutes the c o m m u n i t y or common
property of both, and belongs to b o t h e q u a l l y , and
at the death of either party, the s u r v i v o r becomes
the absolute owner of the w h o l e or of o n e - h a l f ,

according as the l a w of the particular State may provide.
It may also be mentioned that in States where c u r t e s y and d o w e r are abolished, s t a t u t e s give to the
widow or widower a c e r t a i n s h a r e in the estate of
the deceased spouse, in case he or she has died intestate. And everywhere different p r o v i s i o n may be
made for the survivor by the w i l l of the deceased, b u t
generally a widow must elect to take such p r o v i s i o n ,
or to take her d o w e r or statutory share. Both cannot be taken unless the will d i s t i n c t l y s h o w s such
an intention. But the same restriction as to e l e c t i o n
does not seem to prevail concerning widowers in a
State where c u r t e s y is given.
Whenever children are referred to in the following
summary, g r a n d c h i l d r e n of any degree of descent
are included in the term.
ABSTRACT OF I A W S OF CURTESY A N B
OOWRR.
i. Alabama.—Common law curtesy. Common law
dower, but if h u s b a n d dies solvent and childless,
dower is one-half interest instead of one-third.
2. Arizona.—Community system. Survivor takes
the w h o l e of the community property if there are no
children; o n e - h a l f if there are children.
3. A r k a n s a s . — C o m m o n law curtesy. Common law
dower, but if there are no c h i l d r e n , one-half instead
of one-third.
4. California.—Community system. Surviving
husband takes the w h o l e of the community property;
surviving wife o n e - h a l f of it.
5. Colorado.—No curtesy or dower.
6. Connecticut.—Survivor takes one-third interest
for life in a l l p r o p e r t y owned by deceased at his or
her death.
7. © a h o t a . — N o curtesy or dower.

THE AMERICAN
8. D e l a w a r e . — C o m m o n law curtesy. If no child
was born, w i d o w e r takes life interest in one-half
wife's realty. Common law dower. If one child survives, w i d o w takes life interest in one-half of husband's realty, instead of one-third.
9. D i s t r i c t o f Columbia.—-Common law dower.
Curtesy also in r e a l t y acquired before 1869; the better
opinion seems to be that no c u r t e s y has attached to
property acquired later.
10. Florida.—Common law dower. No curtesy.
11. Oeorgia.—Common law dower. No curtesy.
12. Idaho.—Community system. Survivor takes
the entire c o m m u n i t y property if there are no children; otherwise, one-half.
13. I l l i n o i s . — N o curtesy. Either survivor takes a
l i f e i n t e r e s t in one-third of the realty of the deceased,
including equitable estates in land.
14. I n d i a n a . — N o curtesy or dower. Either survivor takes o n e - t h i r d of all realty of deceased spouse
absolutely—that is, the entire t i t l e , instead of a life
estate merely. »
15. Iowa.—No curtesy* or dower. Either survivor
takes o n e - t h i r d of all realty of deceased absolutely,
including equitable estates in land. If there are no
children, the share is o n e - h a l f .
16. Kansas.-—No curtesy or dower. Either survivor
takes o n e - h a l f absolutely of all property of the
deceased.
17. K e n t u c k y . — C o m m o n law curtesy and dower.
18. IiOuisiana.—Community system. Survivor
takes o n e - h a l f of the common property.
19. Maine.—No curtesy. Either survivor takes
o n e - t h i r d for life of the land of deceased spouse, if
the estate is solvent. If there are no children, the
share is o n e - h a l f .
20. Maryland.—Common law curtesy and dower,
including equitable estates. But it seems that, b y
h e r w i l l , a wife may deprive her husband of curtesy.
21. M a s s a c h u s e t t s . — C o m m o n law curtesy and
dower. If no c h i l d has been born, so that the husband's right of curtesy does not a c c r u e , he is entitled

MANUAL.

295

to hold o n e - h a l f of his deceased wife's real estate for
his life, and she cannot deprive him of this right by
her will. If either husband or wife, leaving no surviving child, t h e w i d o w or w i d o w e r takes the real
estate of the deceased to an amount not exceeding
$5,000 in value, absolutely; and the widower takes also
his curtesy (or other life interest as above described)
in his wife's remaining real estate which her husband
owned at his death. The statute expressly provides
that the w i f e cannot deprive her h u s b a n d of his
claim to her real estate by her will; and though it does
not so provide in regard to the husband, a recent d e c i s i o n of the Supreme Court declared the right of the
wife to elect to take her s t a t u t o r y s h a r e instead
of such share as his will may have given her.
22. M i c h i g a n . — C o m m o n law dower. No curtesy.
23. M i n n e s o t a . — N o curtesy or dower. Either survivor takes o n e - t h i r d absolutely of t h e realty of the
deceased spouse.
24. M i s s i s s i p p i . — N o curtesy or dower.
25. Missouri.—Common law curtesy and dower.
26. Montana.—Community system. Widowertakes
the e n t i r e common property,'the widow o n e - h a l f
of it.
27. N e b r a s h a . — C o m m o n law dower. Common
law curtesy if no c h i l d survives. If children only by
former husband survive, no curtesy; if children by surviving husband, or by both, husband takes a life
i n t e r e s t in one-third of the inheritance of his own
children.
28. Nevada.—Community system. Entire common
property goes to surviving h u s b a n d . Also a surviving w i f e , if the husband dies without a will or children.
29. JTew H a m p s h i r e . — C o m m o n law curtesy and
dower; but either survivor may elect to take o n e - h a l f
absolutely, if no children survive; otherwise, o n e t h i r d absolutely; unless the wife leaves children by
a former husband and no child by surviving husband
has been born, in which case he takes only a life in*
terest in o n e - t h i r d of her realty.
30. N e w Jersey.—Common law curtesy and dower.

296

THE

AMERICAN

31. K e w M e x i c o . — N o curtesy or dower.
32. N e w York.—Common law dower. Curtesy
also in land owned by wife at her death, unless otherwise provided by her will.
33. N o r t h C a r o l i n a . — C o m m o n law curtesy and
dower.
34. Ohio.—Either survivor has a life interest in
o n e - t h i r d of the realty of the deceased, whether in
possession, in reversion or remainder, or held by a
lease.
35. Oregon.—Common law curtesy and dower; but
c u r t e s y is not dependent on the birth of a child.
36. P e n n s y l v a n i a . — C o m m o n law curtesy and
dower. But c u r t e s y is not dependent on the birth of
a child, and dower is lost by sale of land for debt.
37. H h o d e I s l a n d . — C o m m o n law curtesy and
dower.
38. S o u t h C a r o l i n a . — C o m m o n law dower.
curtesy.

No

39. T e n n e s s e e . — C o m m o n law curtesy and dower.
40. Texas.—Community system. Survivor t a k e s
a l l the common property if there are no children.
41. U t a h . — N o curtesy or dower.
42. V e r m o n t . — C o m m o n law curtesy. Also dower
in r e a l t y owned by husband at death.
43. V i r g i n i a . — C o m m o n law curtesy and dower.
44. W a s h i n g t o n . — C o m m u n i t y system. Survivor
takes o n e - h a l f of the common property, and if there
are no children or will, the w h o l e of it.
45. W e s t
dower.

V i r g i n i a . — C o m m o n law curtesy and

46. W i s c o n s i n . — C o m m o n law dower. Also, c u r t e s y in land of which w i f e dies possessed, unless
otherwise disposed of by will, or unless she leaves
children by a former husband.

MANUAL.
T H E F I R S T BLOOD OF T H E R E V O L U TION.

I CORRESPONDENT of the Hartford Times ,\vh.o has recently been
'to East Westminster, Vt., gives t h e
following historical sketch which he
derived from Mr. Richmond, a sexton, whom h e met in the cemetery at
that place:
"Mr. Richmond said that in i874-'5, the
Whigs and Tories were about equally divided,
the Judges and juries being appointed by the
King. The British authorities attempted to
hold a court in the Court-House, then standing about 40 rods north of the cemetery. T h e
colonists were bound that no court should be
held—so they armed themselves and attacked
and drove the court from the Court-House. In
return, the British soldiers attacked the colonists, and a man named William French fell
dead from the fire of the soldiers, and Daniel
Houghton was fatally wounded. This was the
first bloodshed of the Revolution. I n 1872
the State of Vermont appropriated $600 for a
monument, which now stands about 6 feet
from the place where French was buried.
A
gentleman by the name of William C, Bradley
(formerly Congressman from Vermont) a few
years ago erected a tomb to tell the exact
spot of the grave, and on it is the following inscription:
In memory of William French,
Son of Nathaniel French,
Who was shot at Westminster,

THE AMERICAN
March ye 13th, 1775
by the hands of Cruel Ministerial tools of
George ye 3d
In the Courthouse at 11 O' Clock at Night,
in the 22nd year of his age.
Below this are the following lines:
Here William French his body lies
For murder his blood for Vengeance cries
King George the third his Tory crew
that with a bawl his heart shot threw,
For Liberty and his Countrys Good,
he lost his Life, his Dearest blood.
"The above is an exact copy, capitals and
all. As a good m a n y think that the first blood
flowed at the battle of Lexington, this may be
interesting to them, for it certainly was to me.
A building erected in 1770, five years before
the battle, is still standing. It was erected as
a Congregational church, but is now used as a
town-house, and is in good repair."

MANUAL.

297

solved from all allegiance to the British Crown
and that all political connection between them
and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to
be, totally dissolved.'' Three days later, on t h e
10th—the day when the first debate on Lee's
Resolution was closed—six of the Colonies
being unprepared to vote, a postponement was
h a d until t h e 1st of July, in t h e expectation
that by that time there would be entire unanimity. On the evening of the i s t j o h n Adams
wrote to Samuel Chase that t h e debate took
up most of the day. Jefferson in 1787 stated
that the debate lasted "nine hours, until evening, without refreshment and without pause.''
At the close of the debate, however, no definite action was taken, and the final voting was
postponed until the following day. Accordingly, on the 2d of July, the first formal and
final vote was taken on independence, all of
t h e Thirteen Colonies voting for it except
New York.
A Great Error.

T H E I>ECI<ARATI©N OF INDEPENDENCE
IN A NEW LIGHT.
^ F S n t N t h e 15th of May, 1776, the Second
S J k l I J i ! Continental Congress voted to rec*ommend all the Colonies to adopt
new forms of government. On the
7th of J u n e Richard H e n r y Lee, of
Virginia, obeying the instructions of
that Colony, moved " t h a t these
United Colonies are, and of right ought to be,
free and independent States; that they are ab-

I t has been stated by a high authority that
the New York delegates, during the entire debate on Lee's Resolution, "remained passive,
neither opposing nor helping, as they deemed
the whole subject of separation as outside of
their instructions.'' There could be no greater error. To suppose that George Clinton, who
had been elected a Delegate to the Continental
Congress from New York chiefly on account
of his pronounced views against the Crown, or
that Robert R. Livingston, one of the five who
reported the Declaration, remained"passive,"
instead of each using all his influence in moul-

298

THE AMERICAN

ding the sentiments of Congress in the right
direction,is to accuse both of those gentlemen
of grave inconsistency.
On May 15, 1776, as we have seen, a Resolution was passed by t h e Continental Congress and ordered to be published. If either
Clinton or Livingston was present and voted
for it at that time, it could fairly be said that
h e not only favored\ but voted for independence. One of the phrases of the preamble to
the Resolution is, " I t is necessary that the exercise of every kind of authority under t h e
said Crown should be totally suppressed, and
all the Powers of Government exerted under
t h e authority of the People of the Colonies."
J o h n Adams at t h e time called this Act or Resolution "independence itself." The Colonies
were recommended by it to establish popular
governments where they had not already done
so. Indeed the independence of t h e Colonies
took place in fact, if not in name, before the
general independence of the whole was declared.
Bancroft says that all the New York Delegates
except Alsop were personally ready to vote
for independence, and were confident of their
constituents. J o h n Adams says that even
Duane favored it, and h e had been a half Tory
all along; how m u c h more, then,must Clinton
and Livingston have been for it! The Documentary Declaration was debated in Committee of the Whole before being reported to t h e
House; and there is not much doubt that in
such Committee the New-Yorkers voted for
it. Wisner, one of the New York Delegates,

MANUAL.
we know did.
A Disparaging S t a t e m e n t
But it has been further stated to the disparagement of New York that on t h e 2d of July,
when the vote on Independence was actually
taken, New York (the vote was by Colonies,
not by individuals,) did not vote, t h e Delegates from that Colony, over their own signatures, with Clinton at their head, officially reporting as follows: " T h e important question of
independence was agitated yesterday in a
Committee of the whole Congress, and this
day will be finally determined in the House.
We know the line of our conduct on this occasion; we have your instructions, and will
faithfully pursue t h e m . "
The P r o p e r Coitrs»e.
But this course was entirely proper, and for
the Delegates to have acted otherwise would
have been to disobey the express commands
of the New York Provincial Congress, which
they represented. Upon the passage of the
Resolution of May 15 by the Continental Congress the New York Delegates, on J u n e 8,
wrote home to ascertain the sentiments of their
constituents on the question of independence,
which was expected to come up shortly in
that Body. Meanwhile, on the 19th of J u n e ,
a new Provincial Congress was elected by New
York for the express purpose of acting on the
question of independence, as the previous one,
to whom the letter of the Delegates was addressed, did not consider itself authorized so
to do. T h e old Provincial Congress continued
to sit for some days after the new one was
chosen, but of course can be excused for not

THE

AMERICAN

authorizing their Delegates in the Continental
Congress to vote for independence. They purposely left it to the new Provincial Congress,
which met at White Plains July 8, 1776, and
which the very next day passed unanimously
a Resolution approving the Declaration of Inlependence.* The fact, therefore, upon which
considerable stress has been laid—that the
New York Delegates in the Continental Congress were not the voters for the adhesion of
New York—is a purely private and local affair
between them and their constituents; nor does
it in the slightest degree affect the willingness
of New York to declare itself independent.
There was very little Toryism that dared to
show itself to the Public at this late day.
Most of the leading Loyalists had either left
t h e State or were in hiding; and indeed, as a
matter of fact, New York was as nearly unanimous at the time as either New Jersey or
Pennsylvania. Finally, when on the 2d of July
t h e vote was taken for formal independence,
t h e New York Delegates, who for local reasons
could not act for their State, were probably
m u c h better disposed than those of Pennsylvania, who could act, and yet were intending
to vote four against independence and three
for it; and it was only by great persuasion
that two of t h e four were induced to absent
themselves, so as to turn the minority into a
majority. Though the Colony of New York,
for the above reasons, failed to vote, the State
failed not to act, for liberty and independence.
The Official Record.
The official record of the momentous pro-

MANUAL.

299

ceedings of the 2d is in these words:
TUESDAY, J u l y 2,

1776.

"The Congress resumed the consideration
of the Resolution from the Committee of t h e
Whole, which was agreed to, as follows:
"'Resolved', That the United Colonies are,
and of right ought ought to be, free and independent States; that they are absolved from
all allegiance to the British Crown; and that
all political connection between them and t h e
State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.*
" F r o m the hour when that vote was taken
and that record m a d e , " says Mr. McKean,
very justly in his Centennial Address, " t h e
United States of America assumed among the
powers of the earth the separate and equal
station to which the laws of Nature and of
Nature's God entitle t h e m . "
The Second of J u l y Should be Celebrated.
I n fact, the Second of July and not the
Fourth should be the Day for the celebration
of our Independence. T h a t it would be was
the opinion of the prominent men of that day.
On the morning of the First of July, J o h n
Adams, anticipating Independence in that
day's vote, wrote from Pennsylvania to Archibald Bullock, "May Heaven prosper the Newborn Republic, and m a k e it more glorious
*The Resolution reads as follows: "Resolved, unanimously, that the reason assigned by the Continental
Congress for declaring the United Colonies free and independent States are cogent and conclusive; and that
while we lament the cruel necessity which has rendered that measure unavoidable,we approve the same,
and will, at the risk of our lives and fortunes, join
with the other Colonies in supporting it,"

300

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

Resolution of the 2d was passed in private
Session, and remained unknown to the people generally until it and the Declaration were
publicly proclaimed together. ' 'There was
nothing in the phrasing of the Resolution to
cause it to live in the popular memory, whilst
there was everything in the Declaration to
give it a vital hold upon the affection of the
American People." But there was still another cause for this. It has been well said
that "the great importance, the decisive and
controlling character of the Resolution of Independence adopted on the 2d of July, 1776,
have been obscured to the popular vision by
the splendor of Jefferson's immortal Declaration of the Reasons for t h e adoption of the
Resolution. Yet Jefferson himself never allowed the one to overshadow in his estimation
the importance of the other. The Declaration
in his mind was intended to be an appeal to
the tribunal of the World, as a justification of
what had already been done. It was intended
h e says, 'to be an expression of the American
mind, and to give that expression the proper
tone and spirit called for by the occasion, to
place before m a n k i n d t h e common-sense of
the subject in terms so plain and firm as to
command their assent. Yet the Declaration
of Independence has dislodged the Resolution
of Independence from the place of precedence
Why t h e F o u r t h of J u l y i s C o m m e m o in the Popular mind, and the f o u r t h of July
rated.
If, however, it be asked how has it come to has displaced the Second as the Nation's Holipass that the 4th of July has been substituted day and the Patriot's High Festival."
as a Day of Celebration for the 2d, the real
We are now prepared to speak of the signDate of the Birth of the United States as an ing of the Document known as the DeclaraIndependent Nation, the answer is that the tion of Independence, and which so many of

t h a n any former Republics have been!" and
on the 3rd, after the adoption of the Resolution of Independence, h e wrote to his wife,
Mrs. Adams, as follows; ''Yesterday the greatest question was decided that was ever debated
in America; and a greater, perhaps, never was
nor will be decided among men. That will
live as Truth among all Americans who know
and value the History of their Country." And
in the course of the same letter h e adds, "The
Second Day of July 1776, will be the most
memorable Bpocha in the History of America, I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the
Great Anniversary
Festival; be solemnized
with pomp and parade, with shows, games,
sports, guns, bonfires, and illuminations from
one end of the Continent to the other, from
this time forward for evermore. I t ought also
to be commemorated as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty . . . Through all the gloom I can see
t h e rays of ravishing light and glory; and Posterity will triumph in this Day's transactions.
At length on the 4th of July, 1776, the Declaration of Independence—the complement
of the Act of the 2d—having been drafted by
Jefferson, was formally submitted to the Delegates present.

THE AMERICAN
us have seen and examined in Independence
Hall, Philadelphia.
In thinking of that Instrument one is apt
to call up before him an August Assemblage
gravely seated around a table, with the Declaration spread out upon it, and each member
of the Continental Congress in turn taking a
pen and with great dignity affixing to it his
name. Nothing, however, can be further
from that which actually took place. Very
few of the Delegates, if indeed any, signed the
Original Document on t h e 4th, and none
signed the present one now in Independence
Hall, for the very good reason that it was not
then in existence.
On July 19, Congress voted that the Declaration be engrossed on parchment. Jefferson,
however, says that New York signed on July
15. Consequently New York must have signed
the Original Copy of the Declaration before it
had gone into the hands of the engrosser. On
what day the work was done by the copyist is
not known. All that is certainly known is
that on the 2d of August Congress had the
Document as engrossed. This is the Document
now in existence in Independence Hall. It is
on parchment, or something that the trade calls
parchment. On that day (August 2) it was
signed by all the Members present. The original Declaration is lost, or rather was purposely destroyed by Congress. All the signatures
were made anew. W h e n the business of signing was ended is not known. One, Matthew
Thornton, from New Hampshire signed it in
November, when he became a Member for
the first time; and Thomas McKean, from Del-

MANUAL.

301

aware, as he says himself, did not sign till
January, 1777. Indeed, this signing was, in
effect, what at the present day would be called
a ( , test oath." The principles of m a n y of the
new Delegates coming into Congress from the
different States were not known with certainty
—some of them might be Tories in disguise—
and thus each one was required on first entering
Congress to sign the Declaration. I n January,
1777, an authenticated Copy with the names
of all the Signers, was sent to each State for
signatures—a fact which may have put a stop
to the business of signing. It shows, however,
the little importance that was attached to this
ceremony, that Robert R. Livingston was one
of the Committee of five that reported t h e
Declaration, and yet did not sign it, unless his
signature is lost with the original Document.
But I am not delving in t h e field of conjecture. The same questions seem to have occurred as early as 1813, when Thomas Rodney
wrote to Governor Thomas McLean—a Delegate from Delaware, and afterward President
of Congress and Governor of Pennsylvania—
asking why his name was not among the list
of the Signers in the Journal of Congress. To
this letter Governor McKean replied, under
the date of August 22, 1813, as follows;
"Now that I anion this subject, I will tell
you something not generally known. In the
printed Public Journal of Congress for 1776, Vol.
II., it would appear that the Declaration of
Independence was signed on the 4th of July
by the Members whose names are there inserted. But the fact is not so, for no person signed
it on that day, nor for many days after;and

302

THE

AMERICAN

a m o n g t h e names subscribed one was against
it, Mr. Reed, and seven others were not in
Congress on t h a t day, viz., Messrs. Morris,
Rush, Clymer, Smith, Taylor, and ^Ross, of
Pennsylvania, and Mr. Thornton, of New
H a m p s h i r e . Nor were t h e six gentlemen last
n a m e d at t h a t time Members. T h e five for
Pennsylvania were appointed Delegates by t h e
Convention of t h a t State on t h e 26th of J u l y ;
and Mr. Thornton entered Congress for t h e
first time on t h e 4th of November following'
when t h e names of H e n r y Wisner, of New
York, and Thomas McKean, of Delaware,
were not printed as Subscribers, t h o u g h both
were present and voted for I n d e p e n d e n c e . " *
T h e T r u t h of t o e M a t t e r .
T h e t r u t h is, t h e Declaration of

Independ-

ence was considered at t h a t time of m u c h
less importance t h a n now; nor did the Signers
dream of its becoming

a

shrine

worship at t h e present day.
incident,

and

attention on it.

naturally

almost

I t is a

of

dramatic

concentrates

men's

I n t h e Public m i n d at

the

time, Provincial Congresses were more import a n t than t h e General Congress.

The

latter

was a Body of Agents, and was endowed with
n o sovereignty except for war purposes.
real Sovereigns

were

the

The

States.—Harper's

Magazine.
* The following is t h e full text of the letter. If Dickinson drafted t h e Declaration of 1775, as Mr. Moore
seems to think, it is singular that he should have v o t e d a g a i n s t the one of 1776, as this letter—most excellent authority—asserts.
PHILADELPHIA, Aug 22,1813.

" D E A R SIR,—Your favor of t h e 22d last month with
Copy of the J o u r n a l o f t l i e C o n g r e s s at New

MANUAL.
York in October, 1765, printed in the Baltimore Register, came safe to hand. Not having heard of this publication, I had the p r o c e e d i n g s of that Body (not
the whole) reprinted here about 2 months ago from a
Copy I found in t h e 1 s t v o l u m e of American Tracts,
contained in four volumes octavo, edited by J. Almon,
of London, in 1767. Such a n i m p o r t a n t t r a n s a c t i o n should not be unknown to t h e future historian.
" I recollect w h a t p a s s e d in Congress in t h e beginning of July, 1776, respecting Independence; i t
w a s n o t a s y o n n a v e c o n c e i v e d . On Monday
the 1st of July, the question was taken in the Committee of the Whole, when the S t a t e o f P e n n s y l v a n i a , represented by seven gentlemen then present,
voted against it; D e l a w a r e , then having only two
Representatives present, was divided; all the o t h e r
S t a t e s voted in favor of it. Whereupon without delay I sent a n express (at my private expense) for your
honored uncle, Caesar Rodney, Esquire, t h e remaining
Member from D e l a w a r e , whom I met a t the Statehouse door in his boots and spurs as t h e Members
were assembling; after a friendly salutation (without
a word on the business) we went in t h e H a l l o f C o n g r e s s together, and found we were among t h e latest.
Proceedings immediately commenced, and after a few
minutes t h e g r e a t q u e s t i o n was putjwhen the vote
for D e l a w a r e was called your uncle arose and said,
"As I believe t h e voice of my c o n s t i t u e n t s and of
all s e n s i b l e and h o n e s t m e n is in favor of Independence, my own judgment concurs with them,I vote
for I n d e p e n d e n c e , " or in words to t h e same effect.
The State of P e n n s y l v a n i a on the 4th of July,there
being only five Members present,(Messrs. D i c k i n s o n and M o r r i s , who had, in t h e Committee of the
Whole, voted against Independence, were absent),
voted for it, three to two, Messrs W i l l i n g * and
H u m p h r e y s in the negative. Unanimity in
the Thirteen States, an a l l i m p o r t a n t p o i n t on
so great an occasion, was thus obtained; the dissension
of a s i n g l e S t a t e might have produced very dangerous consequences.
"Now that I am on this subject/' e t c

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MANUAL.

303

S A L E M ^ I T G H G ^ A P ^ AND (COTTON QAJFHEI^
H A T there were witches in the time of
Cotton Mather was agreed to by every
^body. The English law provided a
punishment for witchcraft, and a
famous case, tried by Sir Matthew
Hale ("than v h o m , " says Mather,
quoting the venerable Baxter, "no
man was more backward to condemn a witch
without full evidence"), was a weighty precedent with the New England Judges.
The
witches were condemned and executed.
This whole matter seems to us only a hideous
nightmare as we look at it in our lights of today—as many of our doings, let us hope, will
seem to our posterity. But while it is common
enough to talk about witchcraft, perhaps you
do not know exactly what a witch was supposed to be.
Cotton Mather believed, and he is the great
authority upon witches:
i. That the devils have in their natures a
power to work wonders.
2. That to assert this power makes most
for the glory of God in preserving man from
its effects.
3. T h a t this power is restrained by the Almighty as he pleases.
4. That a witch is one that makes a covenant with the Devil.
5. That by virtue of such covenant she has
a power to comission him.
6. That when the Devil is called upon by
the witch, though he were before restrained by
the Almighty, the desired mischief shall be

performed.
7. That to have a familiar spirit is to be
able to cause the Devil to take bodily shapes.
This is the account which R. C. gives us of
the doctrines of Mather, as laid down in a manuscript which he allowed R. C. to read but
not to copy. R. C.'s strong point in all his
comments and replies is, that, although witches may be possible, since they are mentioned
in the Bible, yet that no sufficient means of
determining who is a witch are indicated; and
he sees and states very clearly that the course
of the Reverend Cotton Mather tends to bring
Christianity and pure religion into extreme
disrepute.
The whole business is so shallow and sad,
that a man at this day can only pity and be
humble. In all the accounts of wonders, and
all the evidence upon t h e trials, nothing appears that is not susceptible of the most obvious interpretation. For instance: upon t h e
trial of Susanna Martin, June 29, 1692, Robert
Douver testified that this person being some
years ago prosecuted at court for a witch, h e
then said unto her he believed she was a witch*
Whereat she being dissatisfied said, that some
she-devil would shortly fetch him away; which
words were heard by others as well as himself.
The night following, as he lay in his bed,
there came in at the window the likeness of a
cat, which flew upon him, and took fast hold
of his throat, lay on him a considerable while,
and almost killed him; at length he remembered what Susanna Martin had threatened
the day before, and with much striving h e
cried out, Avoid, thou she-devil, in the name
of God, the Father, the Son, and the
Holy

304

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Ghost, avoid! where upon it left him, leaped
on the floor, and flew out at the window.
Poor Susanna was executed; and upon such
grounds as these the lives of the friendless old
women in New England were taken, while the
Reverend Cotton Mather cried, Amen. The
burnings and tortures of the Inquisition were
tolerable in comparison, for an ecclesaistical
was very likely to prove a political heretic.
But the forlorn old women of Salem could be
dangerous to nobody in the world. Men also
were accused, and children; but the complete
list of persons charged with witchcraft includes
thirty-five men and two boys, ninety women and seven girls. Of these, twenty were put
to death, thirteen women and seven men; and
eleven were condemned, but did not suffer, all
of whom were women.
These are the chapters of history that should

MANUAL.

teach us charity. Possibly old Mather, and
Noyes, and t h e Salem magistrates, thought
they were doing God service; and they shall
have the credit which belongs to honest intention. But the whole history shows us, as we
are constantly shown, that the man who invades the sacred natural rights of other people,
however honestly he may do it, must pay the
penalty of actual punishment, if he is living,
and of a public reprobation of his memory, if
he be dead, before his guilt is understood.
The name of Cotton Mather will be always
clouded with the shame of the witchcraft massacres, as the fame of Isabella is disfigured by
the Inquisition. To respect the rights of
others just as firmly as we insist upon our
own, is the only path of peace.

THE

<<5HE

AMERICAN

MANUAL.

305

flMBi^iGAN UNION AND (SONSWIWUWION.
Address of Judge Elliot, of Tennessee, to President Cleveland.

$ £ | | s ^ ^ | K R. PRESIDENT: You have recently par^ U M P ^ W T S ticipated in a celebration of the one^fSfeSSM! h u n d r e ^ t l 1 anniversary of the formation
d f e i ^ f H p d o f the Constitution of the United States,
i l l v ^ 3 " * ^ a n c * y o u b e h e l < * t ^ i e multitudes of our
J ^pw^T
fellow-countrymen flocking from every
yjPs. ^
direction to the spot where that instru*jT*
ment was fashioned, and renewing their
ijr
vows of fealty at the shrine of that
"
grandest monument of human wisdom.
I^et me say, sir, that the Southern heart was in full
sympathy with that interesting occasion and that nowhere in all this broad land will you find more loyalty
to the Constitution of the United States and to the Government created by it than among the people of these
Southern States. Differences of opinion as to its true
theory and its proper construction in some points existed from its very creation, and controversy has often
been angry and bitter. One great and important inter*
est in the progress of things became sectionalized, and
out of it arose questions of constitutional interpretation
which were regarded by the Southern people as so
vital to their rights and interests that they committed
their solution to the arbitrament of arms.
The Stern Logic of Events.
But, Mr. President, they have bowed to the stern logic of events, and they have in a frank and manly way
accepted the result of the struggle as a final settlement
of all the questions in dispute, and they have since
labored with rare courage, fortitude, and cheerfulness
to accommodate themselves to their new conditions, to
reconstruct their broken fortunes, and to contribute

as far as possible to the general prosperity and happiness of the whole country. And one practical result
accomplished by the conflict, the theory of the right of
a State to withdraw from the Federal compact, was
overthrown, and the indestructibility of the American
Union was established on the firmest foundations.
Tine C h i e f E l e m e n t s o f D i s c o r d f&emovecl.
The chief element of discord has been removed forever, and though questions will continue to arise about
which men may differ, and differ earnestly, it is settled
beyond appeal that in all abuses and grievances that
may arise from the action of the General Government,
the remedy must hereafter be sought within the pale
of the Union and under the forms of established law.
We have all come to realize that American liberty, the
highest type of human freedom, can only be fully enjoyed in the American Union and under the American
Constitution. Indeed, the sentiment uttered by Mr. Webster on a memorable occasion may be said to have become imbedded in the constitutional law of America,
" l i b e r t y and union, now and forever, one and inseparable." It has seemed to me to be proper that you as
President of the United States should hear these sentiments expressed here in the heart of the Southern
States and in the presence of this concourse of Southern people. No one of this multitude will repudiate
them. All of us, indeed, feel that this Union is our
Union, that its bright and starry banner is our flag,
and that its destiny for weal or woe is to be our destiny.
This was the last word Judge Elliot spoke. Ten
minutes later he was dead.

806

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

<5HE LCAND &5E
H E fathers of Massachusetts Bay once decided that population was never likely to be
very dense west of N e w t o n (a suburb of
%, Boston), and the founders of L.ynn, after
exploring ten or fifteen miles, doubted
whether the country was good for anything
farther west than that. Until recent times,
only less inadequate has been the popular
conception of the T r a n s n i i s s o u r i r e g i o n and the millions destined to inhabit it. Though
astonishing comparisons have ceased to astonish, I
know of no means more effective or more just by which
to present our physical basis of empire.
What, then, should we say of a R e p u b l i c of
eighteen States, each as large as Spain; or one of thirtyone States, each as large as Italy; or one of sixty States,
each as large as England and Wales? What a c o n f e d e r a t i o n o f n a t i o n s ! Take five of the six first-class
Powers of Europe, Great Britain, and Ireland, France,
Germany, Austria, and Italy; then add Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Denmark, and Greece. I,et some
one greater than N a p o l e o n weld them into one
mighty empire; and you could l a y i t a l l d o w n in
the United States west of the Hudson River, once
and again; and again—three times. Well may M r .
G l a d s t o n e say that we have "a natural base for the
greatest continuous empire ever established by man;"
and well may the English Premier add: "And the
distinction between c o n t i n u o u s e m p i r e and the
empire severed and dispersed over sea is vital." With
the exception of Alaska our territory is compact, and
though so vast, is unified by railways and an equalled
system of rivers and lakes. The latter, occupying a
l a r g e r a r e a than Great Britain and Ireland are said
to contain nearly o n e - h a l f of all the fresh water on
the globe. We are told that east of the Rocky Mountains we have a river-flow of more than 4 0 , 0 0 0 m i l e s
(i. e., 80,000 miles of river bank), counting no stream
less than a hundred miles in length; while Europe in

Lavs IN.

a larger space has but 17,000. It is estimated that the
Mississippi with its affluents, affords 3 5 , 0 0 0 m i l e s
to navigation. A steamboat may pass up the Mississippi and Missouri 3,900 miles from the Gulf—"as far
as from New York to Constantinople." Thus a " v a s t
s y s t e m o f n a t u r a l c a n a l s " carries our sea-board
into the very heart of the continent,—our c o u n t r y .

ORIOItf OF T H E TERM " Y A N K E E . "
HERE are comparatively few people who
know the origin and meaning of the term
" Y a n k e e , " by which the English people
sl^ are accustomed more or less affectionately
to designate their American cousins born in
the United States. In view of the A m e r i can Exhibition of the Arts, Inventions, Manufactures, and Products
of the United States, held at Earl's Court,
Kensington, and which has been nicknamed in some
quarters " T h e Y a n k e r i e s , " it may be of interest
to readers to know what the word means. When the
P i l g r i m F a t h e r s landed on Plymouth Rock, the
friendly Indians asked of what people they were, to
which query they replied, "English." But the red
man could not twist his tongue around that word, and
" Y e n g e e s e " was as near as he could get to it. It
was but a very short time, and by a natural and easy
transition, before "Yengeese" became transformed into
" Y a n l k e e s . " The use of this word also is peculiar.
The people of the Southern States call all Northerners,
both east and west, " Y a n k e e s , " as will be remembered by those familiar with the great Civil War. The
people of the Western States call only those living in
the Eastern States, or east of the Hudson River,
" Y a n k e e s , " and these are the only people who acknowledge the name, and always so describe themselves. On the other hand, all the English colonists
and the people of Great Britain invariably call all citizens of the United States " Y a n k e e s , " and when
abroad they cheerfully accept, and are generally proud
of the title, which, as we have seen, means, and is only
a corruption of the word, " E n g l i s h . "

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MANUAL.

307

IIEGAL HOLIDAYS OF THE STATES.
Christmas and the Fourth of July Celebrated by all.
Curious Combinations.

r k a n s a s stands at the foot of the lists in
number of holidays, observing only Christ. mas, and independence day. To these two
U t A l a b a m a and M i s s i s s i p p i , add new
year's, while Delaware adds thanksgiving
day instead. I n d i a n a , K a n s a s and
T e n n e s s e e celebrate the four days hitherto named, to which I o w a and V e r m o n t
add decoration day; K e n t u c k y , M a i n e ,
N e b r a s k a , N e v a d a and W e s t V i r g i n i a add Washington's birth day; while R h o d e I s l a n d
observes the latter two days, but omits new year's.
All the days named thus far are holidays in C o l o r a d o , I l l i n o i s , O h i o , S o u t h C a r o l i n a , and the
D i s t r i c t o f C o l u m b i a , As many are kept also by
F l o r i d a , M i s s o u r i and W i s c o n s i n , which, however, omit decoration day, and make election day a
holiday; by G e o r g i a , which keeps memorial day
and not election day; by M i c h i g a n and V i r g i n i a ,
which omit decoration day in favor of fast day, as
M i n n e s o t a substitutes for it good Friday; and by
N e w H a m p s h i r e , which keeps fast day and not
new year's.
Of States which keep seven holidays in the year,
C a l i f o r n i a and N e w J e r s e y add election day to
the six principal occasions, C o n n e c t i c u t adds fast
day instead, M a s s a c h u s e t t s puts fast day and labor

day in place of new year's and election. M i s s o u r i
drops decoration day for good Friday. L o u i s i a n a ' s
list is more peculiar, consisting of new year's, the battle of New Orleans. Washington's birthday, shrove
Tuesday, good Friday, the fourth of July, and Christmas day. P e n n s y l v a n i a observes good Friday, and
not election day; and N o r t h C a r o l i n a keeps memorial day; and instead of election day celebrates May
10. N e w Y o r k , O r e g o n and T e x a s are the only
States which recognize so many as eight holidays,
N e w Y o r k adding labor day to the occasions most
commonly observed, O r e g o n observing fast day instead, and T e x a s putting the celebration of Texan
independence (March 2,) and the battle of San Jacinto
(April 2if) in place of labor day and decoration day,
Christmas and the fourth of July are the only holidays everywhere. Thanksgiving comes next—in
thirty-five States; then new year's in thirty-four; then
Washington's birthday in thirty. There is then a sudden drop to decoration day, which we think readers
will wonder to find a holiday only in fourteen States
and the D i s t r i c t o f C o l u m b i a , helped out, moreover, by only two memorial days in southern States.
We suspect some error about this. The figures then
trail off to fast day or good Friday in ten States, election day in ten, and labor day in only two. Then succeed the scattering singles.

308

THE

AMERICAN'

MANUAL.

©HE STAI^ SPANGLED BANKER.

f UR national lyric had its birth durJr ing the bombardment of Ba.timore
fj^^fSby the British fleet,Sep. 13, 1814. Dr.
Beans of Upper Marlborough, had
been taken prisoner and carried on
ship-board by the Biitish when their
troops had finished their raid upon
Washington.
H e was universally esteemed,
and there was a great desire to obtain his release. It was finally arranged that Mr, Francis
S. Key should visit the British vessels and
Mr. Skinner of Baltim a k e the request,
The remore, accompanied Mr. Key.
quest was granted, but the three Americans were detained on board because of
t h e coming attack on Baltimore Jt can be
faintly imagined what their feelings were during the furious cannonade of Fort McHenry.
The darkness wore on interminably. The roar

of guns made the night tremble, and the
flashes at their discharge threw a lurid gleam
across the water. The fort did not reply, and
it could not be told whether the old flag was
still flying in its place. The dawn was anxiously awaited. Mr. Key walked up and down the
vessel's deck and composed the song which
has had a national acceptance. When the
light of morning was sufficient it revealed to
his eyes the fact that "our flag was still t h e r e . "
The long suspeuse was passed, and the country had a possession of great value. At the
close of the ineffectual bombardment the three
friends went ashore, and the British sailed
away. Since then, every part of our country
has known and sung that
"The Star Spangled Banner in triumph doth wave
O'ei the laud of the free, and the home of the brave."

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MANUAL.

309

<90NFEDE^AJHE FjELIGS.
Descriptions of the Great Seal and the Treasury Seat

I HE) archives of the Confederate Government
I form perhaps the most interesting set of
H historical relics in the possession of the government. They were take a at Richmond
and were handed over to the war department. They have been carefully arranged,
and are now packed away from view in two
or three rooms of the big state, war, and navy
building. They are never shown to strangers and the greatest care is taken in regard to them.
Among these relics is the seal of the Confederate
treasury. It is an iron affair with a heavy handle, and
its emblem is the palmetto tree of South Carolina.
The die is a little larger around than a trade dollar,
and around the outside of it run the words,''Confederate
States of America," while inside and ju-Jt ovei the palmetro tree reads: ''The Treasury Departmeot."
The great seal of the Confederacy was made shortly
before its fall, and after that it mysteriouslv disappeared.
One of its authors wss Col. A. R. Botelar, now of the
attorney general's office, who gave the design for the
seal. This was sent off to the Confederate minister at
London, and the great seal was made of pure silver by
Wyatt, the man who has for years made the great seals
of .England. When the Confederate Government left
Richmond this seal was taken along, and I saw a letter
from Abbeville. S. C , recently, which states that it was
thrown into a well along the way and that the well had
since caved in. Whether this be true or not I do not
know.
The Confederate Government had very little bullion,
and the war department has possession ofoneoftheonly
4 silver half-dollars which were coined by it at the Louis-

iana mint. This mint was turned over to the Confederate
Government in February, 1861, and in April Mi. Memtninger, Confederate treasurer, sent out asking for
designs for silvei half-dollars. Several were received,
but the one approved Lore on one side a representation
of the Goddess ot Liberty surrounded by thirteen stars,
denoting the thirteen slates of the confederacy, and on
the lowet rim tb<* figures "r86T." On the other side
was a shield with seven stars, represent ins the seceding
states, and above the shield there is a helmet cap, and
entwined around it are stalks, of sugar cane and cotton.
The inscription is "Confederate States of America."
After foti pieces had been struck, an order was received
from the Secretary of the Treasury s-jspendiug operations on account ii me difficulty of obtaining bullion,
and the mini was closed on Apnl 30, 1861. Of these
four pieces coined one is in possession ot the Government here, one was presented to 1'rof. Riddle, of the
University of Louisiana, one to Dr.E. Ames, of New Orleans, and the other retained by Di. D F. Taylor, the
coiner, who now resides in Louisiana.
As to Confedetate paper money che archives contained
a great quantity when thty weie captured. Among
them were half a million dollars m Confederate bonds,
two large chests and five bags containing millions of
dollars of Confederate money, and, in fact, papers giving almost a complete history of the Confederacy.
Specimens of this money have been collected into a
scrap-book by the clerks of the War Department, and
this scrap-book, which is filled with blank orders
of the Confederate Government, with money and other
curiosities, is now worth more than its weight in gold.

310

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MANUAL.

E?I^AYEI^ OP (SAI^DINAL sJAMES GlBBONS.
At The Centennial Of The Constitution, Philadelphia.
K pf ay Thee, oh God of might, wisdom,
and justice, through Whom authority is
rightly administered, laws are enacted,
and judgment decreed, assist with Thy
holy spirit of counsel and fortitude the
President of these United States, that his
administration may be conducted in righteousness and be eminently useful to Thy
people over whom he presides, by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion,
by a faithful execution of the laws injustice and mercy,
and by restraining vice and immorality.
Ivet the light of Thy divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress and shine forth in all their proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government,
so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the
promotion of national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful knowledge, and may perpetuate to us the blessings of equal liberty.
We pray Thee for all judges, magistrates, and other
officers who are appointed to guard our political welfare; that they may be enabled by Thy powerful protection to discharge the duties of their respective stations with honesty and ability.
We pray Thee especially for the judges of our Supreme court, that they may interpret the laws with
even-handed justice. May they ever be the faithful
guardians of the temple of the constitution whose construction and solemn dedication to our country's liberties we commemorate to-day. May they stand as
watchful and incorruptible sentinels at the portals of

this temple, shielding it from profanation and hostile
invasion.
May this glorious charter of our civil rights be deeply
imprinted on the hearts and memories of our people.
May it foster in them a spirit of patriotism.
May it weld together and assimilate in national 1
brotherhood the diverse races that come to seek a home
among us. May the reverence paid to it conduce to
the promotion of social stability and order, and may it
hold the aegis of its protection over us and generations
yet unborn, so that the temporal blessings which we
enjoy may be perpetuated.
Grant, oh I^ord, that our republic, unexampled in the
history of the world in material prosperity and growth
of population, may be also under Thy over-ruling
providence a model to all nations in upholding liberty
without license, and in wielding authority without
despotism.
Finally, we recommend to Thy unbounded mercy
all our brethren and fellow-citizens throughout the
United States, that they may be blessed in the knowl.
edge and sanctified in the observance of Thy most holy
law; that they may be preserved in union and in that
peace which the world cannot give, and, after enjoying
the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which
are eternal.
May the blessing of Almighty God, Father, Son, and
Holy Ghost, descend upon our beloved country and
upon all her people, and abide with them forever.
Amen.

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MANUAL,

POSTAL FJAJFES IN

OW that :he *two-cent postage law
has gone into effect, the following
^ p r o v i s i o n s of the first law of Congress on the subject will be read
with interest:
February 20, 1792, was the date
of the first act fixing rates of postage
on domestic letters, and established the following rates, to take effect J u n e 1, 1792:
Act February 20, 1792, Section 9, by land:
F o r every single sixty miles, eight cents.
For every single letter over thirty miles and
not exceeding sixty miles, eight cents.
For every single letter over sixty miles and
not exceeding 100 miles, 10 cents.
For every single letter over 100 miles and
not exceeding 150 miles, I2j^ cents.

. 311

nm

For every single letter over 150 miles and
not exceeding 200 miles, 15 cents.
For every single letter over 200 miles and
not exceeding 250 miles, 17 cents.
For every single letter over 250 miles and
not exceeding 350 miles, 20 cents.
For every single letter over 350 miles and
not exceeding 450 miles, 22 cents.
For every single lettei over 450 mMes, 25
cents.
For every double letter, double the said
rates.
For every triple letter, triple the said rates,
For every packet weighing one ounce avoirdupois, to pay at the rate of four single letters for each ounce, and in that proportion foi
any greater weight.

<^gC<-*.

'r+

312

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MANUAL,

H>HIIiIP HOLAN.
The Original Agent in t h e Independence of Texas.
EDWARD E Y E R E T T HALE.

> l | S I | l f H E settlement of the west began as
I B S ! eaI "ly a s I775* ^ n e CU T of Lexington
^fe&T ^ ^ ' , w a s n a m e ( ^ ^y ^ e e a r r y settlers
ffiefv
who had just heard of the news of
m
the battle of Lexington, in 1775. At
J
this time the adventurous Daniel
Boone and his companions were pressing
their discoveries in the west and attracting
the attention of the continent. It was about
this time that Philip Nolan was born in the
town of Frankfort, a little town in Kentucky.
H e grew up to be a spirited, brave young fellow, under the patronage of Wycliffe.
When
the independence of the United States had
been secured h e was a boy not old enough to
know what had occurred. H e took to military adventure early in life. He would tell
them, as well as h e could, what an adventurous life was. We had gained by treaty the
right to the eastern shore of the Mississippi
River. Kentucky planters, and Tennessee

planters, and Ohio farmers at that time were
not inclined to be circumscribed by the route
to the sea by the way of the Mississippi, jwhich
was denied them by the Spanish government,
which held the supremacy in the south. From
the beginning of his career Philip Nolan was
identified with honest and earnest efforts to
secure a passage to the sea, unimpeded by
any royal embargo, There were various negotiations and intrigues and interviews set on
foot by Kuropean governments to maintain
their power here.
Philip Nolan first appeared in history in
1791. He was then acting as a merchant, and
was thoroughly acquainted with Indian life.
Pie loved the woods, and was well pleased
with a life of adventure. H e was fond of
horses, and traveled far into the wilds of Texas to secure wild horses, which h e brought to
New Orleans and sold. He longed for a campaign, and was animated by military ardor.

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The life of Nolan was mostly spent in
the depths of the wilderness west of the Mississippi. H e had once been encountered and
challenged by a company of SpanishMexicans,
who had halted and then followed him, and
this was the beginning of that feeling which
resulted finally in the independence of Texas.
T h e language of signs which Nolan greatly relied upon in communicating with the savages
was explained. Nolan had said that by this means
everything could be expressed but the Declaration of Independence. All bread-and-butter
talk could be understood. The earth, the sky,
and the rain could be easily expressed.
Nolan in his wanderings had obtained considerable influence among the savages, and a traitor in his band had given an exaggerated
account of the plan and purposes of his expeditions to the Spanish governor. A company
of dragoons numbering 150 men, well armed
-and equipped were sent against him. Nolan
was sleeping in his corral with his little band
of 12 men, where he was surprised and surrounded by these dragoons in the night. When
daylight came the Spaniards opened fire on
the little camp, and the first man that fell
was Philip Nolan, who was shot in the head
by a musket ball. The little band held out,
and finally concluded to retreat All day long
they protected themselves from a force 16

MANUAL.

313

times their number, bearing two wounded
men with them.
When night came, a white flag was exhibited by the Americans, and the party surrendered prisoners of war. They were conveyed
to Nachitoches and disarmed. There they remained six years, when tardy orders were
received from Madrid to decimate the
prisoners. They had become, in the meantime, endeared to their captors, and the
Spanish officers humanely construed the
order to mean that one of them should be
shot. One quiet Sabbath morning, Bphraim
Blackman, upon whom the lot had fallen, was
taken out and executed. At that time the
United States was a weak nation. Spain was
strong. Twelve American citizens had crossed into Spanish lands under the protection of
the Spanish governor, and some of them had
lost their lives and all their liberty in so doing. Yet the United States never made the
least complaint of that violation of hospitality.
Nothing now remained as a m o n u m e n t ' t o
the memory of this brave man, but the river
which bore his name. Yet his fame was not
forgotten, and it has been proposed to erect a
monument to perpetuate his fame, at Washington, so that the deeds of this brave m a n
should not be forgotten.

314

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MANUAL.

fl I^ISJFOI^IGAIi (i>ANE.
The Composition of Mr. Robert Yale's Wonderful Walking Stick.

I f O B E R T YALH of Norwich, N. Y.,
£ has a historical cane which probably
is the oddest walking-stick ever
built in this or any other country.
It contains 2,000 pieces of wood; and
each inlaid piece is given an artistic
and symbolic form, so that the cane by its various colored woods is given a most artistic
look, although no color is used upon it. Sixty
of the 2,000 pieces of wood are relics of great
value to the relic-hunter, and comprise a piece
of wood from the oldest tenantable house in
America, the Fairbank residence, built in 1620
and now occupied by the seventh generation.
The head of the cane is from the tree at Crown
Point to which Gen. Putnam was tied after
being condemned to death by burning by the
Indians. Set in the cane is a wreath of hair
from the head of Rebecca Bates, one of the
heroines whose strategy drove the British to
their shipping after landing to attack Scituate,

Mass. There is a piece of wood from t h e
Charter Oak; another from the house of Hancock, the first signer of the Declaration of
Independence; another from the house where
witchcraft originated in Salem, and another
from the house where the victims of that craze
were tried. Set in the cane is a small piece
of Plymouth Rock, and also a piece of wood
from the Mayflower; also wood from five different forts on Lake Champlain, from Hawthorne's residence at Salem, from the church
where Roger Williams preached, and from the
tree beneath which Jonathan Edwards preached to the Indians at Stockbridge, Conn.; also
a piece from the curbing of the well commemorated by Wadsworth in his poem, "The Old
Oaken Bucket," etc. The only foreign relic
in the collection is a piece of wood from the
Tasso Oak. The cane is a unique and attractive piece of work and is valued at $500 by its
owner.

315

THE

AMERICAN

MANUAL.

(SESSION OP THE nor^PHWESTP (QEI^ITOI^Y.

• H B three centennial celebrations of
the first settlement of Ohio which
^k will be held this year at Marietta,
Columbus, and Cincinnati have been
made the basis of an article in the
March number of the Magazine of
American History by Mr. Douglas Campbell
in which he corrects an error that appears not
only in school-books but in American histories
relative to the cession of the Northwest territory, including the present States of Ohio,
Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin,
to the Union, and Kentucky, which was otherwise disposed of.
I t has been generally assumed that this
cession was made by the State of Virginia.
Neither Bancroft nor Hildreth makes any
mention of the real facts in the case. Mr.
Blaine, in his ''Twenty Years of Congress,"
leaves the reader with this general impression,
and Gen. Walker, the Superintendent of the
census, in his "Statistical Atlas," published
by the Government, also allows Virginia's
claim to go unchallenged.
Mr. Campbell,
however, brings forward an overwhelming ar-

ray of proofs showing that the cession was
made by New York and that the credit which
Virginia had enjoyed so long does not belong
to her. The question is one of great historical
importance, as the cession led to the formation
of the confederation and thus to our present
Union. A brief statement of Mr. Campbell's
evidence will therefore be of as much interest
in Illinois as in Ohio, since Illinois was part
of the territory conveyed.
I n 1780, it was apparent that the Revolutionary War would be successful, and the question
of the ownership of the vast area west of the
Appalachian Mountains and east of the Mississippi River came up. New York put in h e r
claim for the whole of it, and so did Virginia,
while Massachusetts and Connecticut asserted
ownership over a strip of the northern portion.
The other States, however, protested on the
ground that it was common property wrested
from the enemy, and the contention became
so hot that Maryland refused to join the confederation until some settlement was made,
and other States threatened to withdraw.
New York

at

once

came

forward

and

316

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ceded the whole area to the
Government, which pacified Maryland, and she
joined the Confederation,
thus
making
the union complete. Virginia, Massachusetts,
a n d Connecticut also proposed deeds of concession, accompanied by certain conditions.
The next year all these propositions were referred to a Congressional committee of five
members. After a long and careful investigation this committee reported that the territory
belonged to New York, advised the acceptance
of her offer and the rejection of the others,
suggesting, however, that Virginia, Massachusetts, and Connecticut should make releases to
t h e Government so as not to invalidate the
title. The report was adopted by Congress
and its recommendations carried out. The releases were subsequently made, with these
exceptions; that Virginia retained Kentucky,
which she subsequently sold, while Connecticut did the same with about 4,000,000 acres in
Ohio, now known as the Western Reserve.
Mr. Campbell not only states results but
accompanies them with a strong array of
proofs. When the Congressional committee
was appointed Virginia refused to lay any evidence before it to establish her claim. As a
matter of fact she had none, except the charter of 1609 granted by James I., and conveying
"a tract of land along the seacoast extending

MANUAL.

for two hundred miles in each direction north
and south from Old Point Comfort, and all
that space and circuit of land lying from the
seacoast of the precinct aforesaid up into the
land throughout from sea to sea, west and
northwest"—a description so vague that it
would have carried Virginia's ownership to
the Pacific Ocean. The description was not
only vague but, even if valid, it could not by
any rule of legal construction be made to embrace the area of the present Western States.
Further than this, the charter was annulled
by legal proceeding in 1624, and thenceforward Virginia continued a royal province.
More fatal still to her claim is it that when
the charter was granted ' 'England did not
own the region in dispute, and only gained it
afterwards by a title derived through the Province of New Y o r k , " whose title in turn came
through tha Six Nations, which were appendant to its government and lived in Central
New York. In closing his interesting article
Mr. Campbell said:
' 'How well this report is sustained by the
facts is shown in the preceeding pages; its
conclusions of law are likewise unassailable.
By the Revolution, which severed the connection between the colonies and the mother
country, each State succeeded to the title of
Great Britain to all public or crown property

THE

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within its limits. The confederation was simply a league owning nothing and succeeding
to no rights. It was the individual State which
took to itself the quit rents of the crown, with
all the other crown property, such as forts,
court-houses, and the unsold or unappropriated lands. In the same way New York succeeded to Great Britain's jurisdiction over t h e
Six Nations and their tributaries, and thereby
secured the exclusive privilege of buying or
conquering their land, a right which as to the
Indians residing in the other States was never
questioned.
Her title to the soil was not absolute, for it was subject to the occupation of
the natives, but it was the only one claimed at
that time by the European Powers to any land

MANUAL.

317

on this continent, and tinder it the Indian
lands in the West are held by the United
States to-day.''
It is a little remarkable that so important a
matter as the action of Congress upon the
deeds of cession, bearing directly upon the
formation of the Union, should be passed over
without notice by the historians. Mr. Campbell has done good service in supplying their
omissions, and the contribution comes at an
important time, for it establishes a bond of
sisterhood not only between Ohio and New
York but also Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and
Wisconsin, for the proofs in the one case are
th° nroofs in all.— The Chicago Tribune,

318

THE

AMERICAN

MANUAL,

<§HE F?I5T0^Y OP THE dlYlh

&5AI^ 0}UST XlON

B E IGNORED.
THE BT. KEY. SAMUEL FALLOWS, D. D.

ITERATURB is joined with monuments and historical reminiscences
as a potent factor in securing needed
unity, and this needed literature in
our own country the war has given
us.
However well intentioned may be the suggestions or the design to eliminate from the
history of the United States, as studied in our
public schools, the account of the civil war, we
cannot afford seriously to entertain a thought
in that direction. I know that the desire lying
back of the feeler just thrown out in this city
speedily as possible a full reconciliation between the North and South. But we cannot
conveniently drop out of history, the record of
a conflict that shook the globe, and wrought
the most momentous social and political
changes in our land. The memories of the
brave boys who fought against each other are
not so treacherous that they can forget what
they did on some of the bloodiest battle fields

of history. Reconciliation never" will come
by ignoring, but by accepting the situation.
The principles for which the Union armies contended are as permanent as the Republic itself.
It would be the most stupendous act of historical
hari-kari ever known, for the North and the
South to attempt to take out of the national
record, in order that the children of the Republic may know nothing of it, the history of
the struggle which emancipated four millions
of men and demonstrated to the world that we
were one nation.
Keep forever before our youth the heroic
deeds of the men who served the Republic,
and those of the equally heroic deeds of the
misguided men who sought to disrupt it. Add,
in the successive editions of your common
school histories, if you choose, that hundreds
of Con federate officers, since the war has closed,
have been members of the national Congress.
Relate how the gallant heroes who opposed
each other in that terrible, decisive battle of

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Gettysburg, have been arm in arm over the
fateful field, to find out the exact location of
their regiments, brigades and divisions, so
that the simple truth relating to the conflict
might be told; narrate how, when the appeal
was made in Richmond and in New York for
a home for disabled Confederate soldiers, Corporal Tanner, the eloquent United States District Attorney for Brooklyn, representing
scores of thousands of Union soldiers, stumped
about on his wooden legs and made the most
glowing effort of his life, in order that the required help might be given. Let it be told,
and I hope it may be soon told, that an Amer-

MANUAL.

819

ican Westminister Abbey or Walhalla has
been erected to the memory of our distinguihed
dead, where, ranged within, may be found the
sculptured busts and statues of Washington
and Franklin, Adams and Jefferson, of Webster and Clay, of Lincoln and Garfield, Mcpherson and Rawlins, of Thomas and Hooker,
of Stonewall Jackson and Polk, of Lee and
Stephens; but do not commit the supreme
folly of trying to wink out of existence the
conflict which has given our country its undisputed nationality, and the world the prophetic assurance of ultimate and universal
Freedom.

320

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MANUAL,

ENGLAND AND ^ M E ^ I G A .
A Common System of Jurisprudence Must Cement National Friendship,
T H E HON. THOMAS A. HENDEICKS.

j§L DO not know how a free and intelli; gent people may more emphatically
express their respect and regard for
another free and intelligent people
than by an adoption of their laws.
It is to say you are virtuous, and wise*
and strong, and we will trust for our future to
the influences that have made you so. National
and artificial boundaries may mark political
divisions, and standing armies and hostile a t titudes may maintain established political relations, but a jurisprudence common to both
is an assurance of mutual sympathy and perpetual peace. Both people bow to the authority of the same laws, and if there must come
between them trouble, and strife, and bloodshed, it shall be charged to the folly of a vicious
diplomacy or to the gratification of a reckless
ambition, and not to the pacifying influence
of a common jurisprudence. It was in 1807
when this great region of t h e Northwest was

as yet in a territorial condition, that the Territorial legislature adopted the common law oi
England, and the general statutes passed in
aid thereof prior to the fourth year of James L,
excepting three or four statutes, perhaps, of
Henry VIII. and Elizabeth, and excepting
also certain provisions of the law and statutes
as might be in conflict with our Constitution
and laws. It may be that this was unnecessary
—that we need not have adopted the laws of
England, but, lest there might be uncertainty
as to the extent of their application in our
country, this Territorial legislature, composed
of men not cultured in the laws, representing
scattered settlements, adopted them. It may
be, and I dare say it would have been so, that
these laws would have been ours anyhow, so
far as they were suited to our condition and
consistent with our institutions; but by their
adoption certainty was secured, and such laws
as were not suited to our condition were ex-

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eluded. When the Iyord-Chief-Justice, of England visited our country it was not to seek the
gratification of curiosity amid scenes and populations to which he is a stranger, but he came
here to observe and to contemplate the development of the liberal element of the institutions
of his own country upon an area and among a
people in the highest degree adapted to such
development. He could but be gratified when
he saw enormous commerce regulated in a
large degree by the usages of the merchants
as they existed long before the brilliant policy
of I/ord Mansfield. He saw that the common
law as he administers it at home has overtaken
the railroad train, and the rules for the government of the common carrier have become
the law of their control. The passenger has
the protection of the same rule of law, requiring care and diligence on the part of railroad
employees from Bdinburg to lyondon and from
Chicago to New York.
The American who
has just arrived in Iyondon knows his legal
rights quite as well as if he were at home, while

MANUAL.

321

the Englishman just landed at New York,
knows his legal rights as well also as if h e
were in London. Perhaps one of these parties
—I need not say which—is more disposed than
the other to stand upon his rights to the very
uttermost. If the Chief-Justice of England
and the Chief-Justice of the United States
should exchange places the judicial machinery
of the two great nations would move on without interruption or disturbance.
I have made visits to courts in England,
where I heard the same arguments used as
here and the same appeals to justice, and I
felt that every man I saw was an American,
because I heard t h e language of the law common to both countries. And I heard discussed
in the House of Commons the cause of human-r
ity against the power and strength of one high
in position, who had murdered a subordinate,
and had not been tried for it: and I felt that I
might be proud of the country from which my
ancestors in part have come,

322

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Our^ FOREIGN

MANUAL.

POPULATION.

KEY. GEO. C. LOEIMER, D. Da

alien on our shores is of the same
i 9 | origin with ourselves, and however
t)5|[lfe|§| one may be disposed to criticize his
jpj\
influence, it has never been as prejudicial to native American interests as
has been the native American's and
that of their fathers on the destiny of the red
man. Few persons are familiar with the facts
concerning immigration, and as a consequence
there are many faulty generalizations current
leading to unwarranted fears on the one hand
and to groundless hopes on the other. It is
therefore necessary, if these erroneous conclusions are to be questioned, and if we are to
form a just estimate of the relations which
foreigners sustain to America and to American
institutions, that we ascertain with proximate
accuracy their numbers and the rate of their
increase.
S t a t i s t i c s of I m m i g r a t i o n .
No statistics of immigration were kept before 1820; but from those subsequently given

to the public we learn that from September 30,
1819, to December 30, i860, there arrived by
sea from other lands a total of 5,062,414 souls,
2,977,603 males, and 2,035,536 females. The
author of the census report, C. G. Kennedy,
reminds us "that the distribution is materially
different from that of a settled population; the
females are less than the males in the ratio of
two to three; almost precisely one-half of the
total passengers are between fifteen and thirty
years of age." In alluding to the "disproportion between the rate of gain in the north and
south respectively,'' he says that it is manifestly
to some extent caused by the more congenial
climate of the former section, combined with
the variety of occupations open to the people,
and the dignity wherewith respectable employment is there invested. During the stormy
period of our history—1861-1865—we gather
from the American Almanac that 793,903 persons arrived in the United States; and from
the same source, in its issue for the year 1881,

THE

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we learn that the forthcoming census will
show that the total number of alien-born people in this country is 10,138,758, among a population of 50,152,866, of whom the Chinese
form the inconsiderable portion of 105,679,
and the civilized and taxed Indians even lesssome 65,880 souls; that is, the foreign population is about one to every five of the native.
T h e K a t e Of I n c r e a s e Will Ko-t IMminish.
Nor does this rate of increase promise to
diminish. Dr. Boyd, of St. Louis, in a valuable paper on this subject, states that recently
"on one day in the single port of New York
almost 5,000 immigrants were landed; and that
one steamship line has contracted to bring
over 80,000 more from Norway and Sweden."
He adds that there is a decided tendency on
the part of these new comers to settle in the
larger towns; that "New York city is the third
German city in the world. Vienna is first;
Berlin, second; New York, third;" and that
"with the Germans of New York a city could
be formed wThose population would exceed that
of Hamburg and Bremen put together." Other
great centers of wealth and activity, such as
Cincinnati, St. Louis, and Chicago, exhibit a
similar state of things; and we have every reason for believing that foreigu influence in
these centers will not decline for many a day.
T h e S t a b i l i t y of A m e r i c a n Institution:*.

MANUAL.

323

Now it is not unnatural in view of this tremendous influx that apprehensions should be
felt regarding the stability of American institutions. Many of these strangers are socialists,
communists, infidels, many are ignorant and
superstitious, and but few are prepared to appreciate the spirit and genius of our government.
Can it be, the timid ask, that the
United States can endure this strain? Has the
country a digestive system of such ostrich-like
capacity as to assimilate such a heterogeneous
mass? And is it not probable that the invisible destinies mean to reenact the history of
the past and permit our civilization to fall before the alien, as the savages were swept before
our sires? We shall be Romanized,
cries one
party; we shall be rationalized, cries another;
we shall be Germanized,
responds a third;
and that we shall become something unnamably bad these fluttering ones at least very confidently believe. I do not share in this alarm;
perhaps as one not native born, it is impossible
that I should. But my convictions on this
subject are not the result of race prejudice;
they have grown with my study of the facts
involved, and out of the philosophy of history.
LORD MACATJHUAY says: "Ever since I began
to observe I have been seeing nothing but
growth, and hearing of nothing but decay.''
Such has also been my own experience.

In

324

THE

AMERICAN

m y boyhood I was told that England with her
Chartist riots, and her monster Irish demonstrations, was hastening to destruction; in my
youth I was assured that the union and prosperity of these states were drawing to a close;
and in manhood I half believed that the utter
ruin of France was inevitable, and yet these
nations survive and are tolerably vigorous

still,
S u s p i c i o u s of A l a r m i s t s .
I have, therefore, become suspicious of
alarmists, with their direful prophecies of approaching social and political cataclysms.
Nor is there anything I know of in history that
imparts to those which are now being uttered the least color of probability. The movem e n t of the ancient Aryans to the banks
of the Indus is not analogous to the inflow
of foreigners into America, the incursions
of the Huns, Goths, and Vandals into
Italy were of a tolerably different character;
they were warlike invasions, not peaceful migrations; but whenever large bodies of people
have emigrated from one country to another,
as the Huguenots from France into England,
they have uniformly contributed to the prosperity of their adopted land and have gradually been assimilated to its people. Hegel, in
his "Philosophy of History," calls attention
to t h e arrival of colonies in ancient Greece;

MANUAL,

an Egyptian, Cecrops, founding Athens; t h e
Phoenician, Cadmus, founding Thebes, while
other individual aliens, such as Danaus and
Pelops, were the means of advancing the civilization of that favored country. And wherever similar instances are found, the same
beneficial effects may be traced; and, in view
of such cases, I shall not despair while I admit
the difficulties in the way and the perils to be
encountered of the ultimate homogeneousness
of the various nationalities which compose our
population,
ffiopeful View.
There are also facts not generally weighed,
but which deserve to be noted, and which in
my judgment are fitted to inspire the most
skeptical with this feeling of hope.
An eastern paper, The Watchman, of Boston,
states in a recent editorial that of the multiplied thousands who seek our shores, not less
than 15 per cent, fall out by death or return,
and Dr. Boyd, in the paper already alluded to,
says: "The last census shows that owing to
the large death rate among our foreign population, while the aggregate population of the
country increased twelve million during the
last period, the addition of the foreign population was but a little more than a million;"and
he endorses the statement made by The
Watchman, that the ratio or percentage of

THE

AMERICAN

foreign horn to native inhabitants is steadily
diminishing. The ravages of mortality, induced probably by change of climate, by
strange and exhausting methods of life, and
by out-door labors in malarious districts, act
as a check on the undue enlargement of the
.alien element. Thus a providential arrangement seems to shield our institutions, and reproves the alarm which oversensitive nationalists have expressed.
Immigrants Patriotic.
Supt. Kennedy, in the census for i860, bears
this testimony—"the great mass of the immigrants are found to cherish true patriotism for
the land of their adoption;" a testimony that
has been confirmed by many acts of devotion
in peace and war. It would be unnatural for
'.them to feel otherwise. Having escaped from
the scepter of rulers unlike the heathen monarch, Demophoon in the tragedy of Euripides,
•who would not treat his people as barbarians,
and who felt himself liable if he did unjustly
to suffer justly, they must surely be inspired
by sentiments of loyalty to a government that
not only offers them an asylum, but admits
them to share in its administration. While
anarchists among them may fret at the restraints of law and clamor for revolution, the
great mass must feel that principles which
tiave done so much for them are sacred, and

MANUAL.

325

should be shielded from a profane assault.
Moreover, the avenues that are open to their
ambition under our democratic forms can
hardly fail to increase their attachment. In free
America, as in free Athens, where the armorer's
son, Demosthenes, rose to commanding power:
where the courier, Diodorus, rose to the dignity of embassador; and where the commedian,
Aristophanes, exerted marked influence in the
affairs of state, all are permitted to contend for
the highest offices—with two exceptions—in
the gift of the people. No barrier has been
reared by class prejudice, no restrictions have
been imposed, and persons of any nationality
can achieve the place of honors to which their
merits entitle them. This is a powerful stimulant to loyalty, and must tend to convert our
most tigerish radicals into the most lamb-like
conservatives. Nor should it be overlooked, in
judging the effect of foreign immigration on
American institutions, that we have the records of the past to aid us in shaping our horoscope of the future
N u m b e r of Alien B i r t h i n I860.
In i860 we had of alien birth among us, 463
704 merchants, 1,529,674 farmers, 8155048 mechanics, 8,652 clergymen, 5,352 lawyers, 14,
218 physicians, and a fair porportion of other
callings, most of whom lived in northern
states. These strangers could have seriously

326

THE

AMERICAN

embarrassed the national cause, if not totally
impeded it, had they been so minded.
Never
was a nation more helpless, and never was the
time more favorable to plots, counterplots and
revolutions. And yet, with the exceptions of
a few riots in connection with the draft, our
foreign population was as patriotic and as
self-sacrificing as the native. No obligation
did they shun, no danger did they shrink from
and no exaction did they refuse to bear for the
sake of their adopted country. Is it not, therefore, ungenerous to suspect them now of unfriendly intentions towards a government in
whose behalf they spent their treasures and
shed their blood? And is it not more probable
from the course they pursued when the ship
of state was tossed on the mad billows of internal strife, that should rebellion, in the name
of socialism, communism, or nihilism, ever rear
its serpent head they would be among the first
to resist its attacks, even though weapons in
its defense should be borne by misguided rascals from the old world? Consult the annals of
a grateful nation, and observe how foreigners
have felt and acted towards her; note the esteem in which they have been held, and then
answer whether we should not be slow to challenge the fealty of their kindred to the institutions of America?
Revolutionary Heroes of Foreign Birth.
During the Revolutionary war there were

MANUAL.
distinguished generals of foreign birth, whose
heroism and whose devotion to liberty may
be mentioned in the same breath with
names of Washington and Putnam.

the

There

was the Welshman, Charles Lee, by

some

persons credited with the authorship of the
celebrated "Letters of Junius," not

without

blame, but an ardent friend of the colonies;
there was the Englishman, Gen. Gates, who
received the sword of Burgo}me, and who was
publicly honored by
the

Scotchmen, Hugh

congress;

there were

Mercer, Arthur

St.

Clair, both distinguished soldiers, and John
Paul Jones, the first of our naval heroes, and
the last to be forgotten; there were the Irishmen, Commodore Barry and Maj. Gen. Richard Montgomery, the second of whom had
fought under Wolfe at Quebec, and incurred
the personal spite of England's prime minister
on account of his devotion to liberty; there
was the Prussian, Baron Steuben, who was
with Washington at Valley Forge, and whose
vast military knowledge was of eminent service to the Revolutionary army; there was the
Polish patriot, Kosciusko, who, after consecrating his genius to the American
among

other

achievements

cause,

executing

the

works at West Point, returned to his own
country and was wounded when struggling
against the tyranny of Russia—

THE

AMERICAN

Hope for a season bade the world farewell,
And freedom shrieked as Kosciusko fell;

and there was the Frenchmen, Baron de Kalb,
who gloriously fell at the battle of Camden,
dying a soldier's death, as h e h a d desired to
die, "for the rights of the people," and the
immortal Lafayette, who not only with the
sword won for himself a place in the affection of
our people, but with the pen expressed such
sentiments as must endear his name to all future time—for it was he who said: "American
interests will always be more dear to me than
my own,'' and in a letter written to his wife,
"intimately allied to the happiness of the
whole human family is that of America, destined to become the respectable and sure
asylum of virtue, honesty, toleration, equality,
and of a tranquil liberty."
]Loyal Citizens of Foreign Birth.
I n days more recent, but less trying to loyalty and valor, we find in positions of grave
trust prominent representatives of alien nationalties, who bore themselves nobly in the
strife. I need not recall their names—they are
familiar to us all. The 24th Illinois volunteers, composed largelv of Germans, was heard

MANUAL.

327

from on many a field, and they and their gallant coirrmander bear witness to the enduring
affection of the foreign citizen for the land of
his adoption. Other professions likewise furnish illustrious instances of laborers from,the
cation on that subject, is to bring about as
of Chicago by a member of the board of eduold world, through whose enlightenment, energy, enterprise, and sagacity the fortunes of
the new have been promoted. It is perhaps
impossible to decide how much of our business
prosperity and how much of our educational
and religious growth are traceable directly to
their influence. The Swiss, Louis Agazziz, reflected undying luster on fair Harvard; the
Englishman, Dr. Harper, won golden opinions
for American science; and as for our naturalized merchants, all that I can say is that when
one of the leaders among them, like the lamented Geo. Armour, sinks quietly into the
arms of death, the entire community is made
conscious of a loss which requires more than
ordinary integrity, virtue, common sense and
piety to fill.

828

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

&G(9LEIiIiAN'3 liETrFEI^ OP flGGEPTANGB.
ORANGE, N E W J E R S E Y , Sept. 8th,

1864.

GENTLEMEN:—

I have the honor to acknowledge the r e c e i p t of
your letter, informing me of my nomination by the
D e m o c r a t i c N a t i o n a l C o n v e n t i o n , recently
held at Chicago, as their c a n d i d a t e at the next election for President of the United States.
It is unnecessary for me to say to you that this n o m i n a t i o n comes to nie unsought.
I am happy to know that when the nomination was
made, the r e c o r d of my life was kept in view. The
e f f e c t of long and varied service in the A r m y , during
war and peace, has been to strengthen and make i n d e l i b l e in my mind and heart, the love and reverence
for the U n i o n , C o n s t i t u t i o n , L a w s and Flag- of
o u r c o u n t r y , impressed upon me in early youth.
These feelings have thus far g u i d e d the course of
my life and must continue to do so to its end. The existence of m o r e t l i a n o n e G o v e r n m e n t over the
r e g i o n which once owned our flag1 is inadampatible
with the p e a c e , the p o w e r and the h a p p i n e s s of
the people. The p r e s e r v a t i o n of o u r U n i o n was
the sole avowed object for which the W a r was commenced. It should have been conducted for t h a t o b j e c t only and in accordance with those principles
which I took occasion to d e c l a r e when in active service. Thus conducted, the w o r k o f r e c o n c i l i a t i o n would have been easy, and we might have reaped
the benefits of our many victories on land and sea.
The U n i o n was originally formed by the exercise of
a spirit of c o n c i l i a t i o n and c o m p r o m i s e .
To
restore and preserve it, the same spirit m u s t p r e v a i l in our Councils and in the hearts of the people.
The r e - e s t a b l i s h m e n t of the Union in all its i n t e g r i t y , is, and must continue to be, the indispensable c o n d i t i o n in any settlement. So soon as it is
clear and even probable, that our present adversaries

are ready for p e a c e , upon the basis of the U n i o n ,
we should exhaust all the resources of Statesmanship
practiced by c i v i l i z e d n a t i o n s , and taught by the
traditions of the A m e r i c a n p e o p l e , consistent with
the honor and interests of the Country t o s e c u r e
such peace, e s t a b l i s h the Union, and g u a r a n t e e
for the future the C o n s t i t u t i o n a l r i g h t s of every
S t a t e . The Union is the one condition of peace, we
ask no more.
I^et me add what I doubt not was, although unexpressed, t h e s e n t i m e n t of the Convention, as it is
of the people they represent, that when any one S t a t e
is willing to return to the U n i o n , it shouldbe received
at once, with a f u l l g u a r a n t e e of all its Constitutional rights.
If a frank, earnest and persistent e f f o r t to obtain
those objects s h o u l d f a i l , the responsibility for
further consequences w i l l f a l l on those who remain
in arms against the Union. But t h e U n i o n must be
preserved a t a l l h a z a r d s .
I could notlook in the face of my gallant c o m r a d e s
of the army and navy, who have survived so many
bloody battles, and tell them that their l a b o r s and the
s a c r i f i c e of so many of our slain and wounded brethren had been i n v a i n ; that we had abandoned that
U n i o n for which we have so often periled our lives.
A v a s t m a j o r i t y of our people, whether in the
army and navy or at home, would, as I would, hail with
unbounded j o y the permanent restoration of peace
on the b a s i s of the U n i o n under the C o n s t i t u t i o n
without the effusion of another drop of blood. But n o
p e a c e can be p e r m a n e n t without U n i o n .
As to the other subjects presented in the r e s o l u t i o n s of the Convention, I need only say that I should
seek, in the C o n s t i t u t i o n of the United States, and
the l a w s framed in accordance therewith, the r u l e
of my duty, and the l i m i t a t i o n s of Executive power,
endeavor to restore e c o n o m y in public expenditure,

THE AMERICAN
re-establish the s u p r e m a c y of law, and by the operation of a more rigorous n a t i o n a l i t y , resume our
commanding p o s i t i o n among the nations of the
earth.
The c o n d i t i o n of out* finances, the d e p r e c i a t i o n of our paper money, and the b u r d e n s thereby
imposed on labor and capital, urge upon us the n e c e s s i t y of a return to a sound financial s y s t e m , while the
rights of c i t i z e n s and the rights of S t a t e s , and the
binding a n t l i o r i t y of law over P r e s i d e n t , A r m y
and P e o p l e , are subjects of not less rival importance
in w a r than in p e a c e .
Believing that the views here expressed are those of

MANUAL.

329

the c o n v e n t i o n and the p e o p l e you represent, I
accept the nomination. I realize the w e i g h t of the
responsibility t o b e b o r n e , should the people ratify
your choice. Conscious of my own w e a k n e s s , I can
only seek fervently the g u i d a n c e of the Rulerof the
Universe, and r e l y i n g on his all powerful aid, do my
best to restore U n i o n and P e a c e to a suffering people, and to establish and guard their l i b e r t i e s and
ri&hts.
I am, Gentlemen, Very Respectfully, Your obedient
Servant,
GEO. B. MCCLEIXAN,
HON. HORATIO SEYMOUR and Others; Committee.

330

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

QUALIFICATIONS R E Q U I R E D FOR S U F F R A G E I N E A C H OF T H E 38 STATES.

Registration.
Alabama. .
Arkansas.
California.
Colorado, .
Connecticut
Delaware.
Florida. .
Georgia. .
Illinois.
Indiana. .
Iowa. . . .
Kansas. .
Kentucky.
Louisiana.
Maine. . .
Maryland.
Massachusetts.
Michigan. . .
Minnesota. . .
Mississippi. .
Missouri. . . .
Nebraska. . .
Nevada. . . .
N. Hampshire.
New Jersey. .
New York. . .
North Carolina
Ohio
Oregon. . . .
Pennsylvania.
Rhode Island.
South Carolina
Tennessee.
Texas. .
Vermont.
Virginia.
West Virginia.
Wisconsin. . .

Excluded from Voting.

Idiots, Indians, convicted of crime.
Leg. may regulate . . .
Prohibited as a bar to sufj Idiots, Indians, convicted of crime.
Reg. required by law . . Idiots, Indians, convicts, Chinese.
Required by Constitution Persons in prison.
Those unable to read and convicts.
Required by law
No registration required Idiots, insane, paupers, criminals.
insane,
Required by Constitution \f Idiots, duellists. criminals, bettors on elections,
Leg. may regulate, no act! Idiots, insane, criminals and non-tax-payers.
Required by law . . . . ' Convicts.
No law for registration . Fraudulent voters and bribers.
Required by law
. . . . Idiots, insane, criminals.
Required in cities only . Idiots, insane, convicts, rebels.
No registration required Bribery, robbery forgery, &c.
Leg. may regulate . . . Idiots, insane, criminals.
Required \>y law
. . . . Paupers, Indians not taxed.
Required by Constitution Lunatics, convicts and guilty of bribery.
under
Required by law
. . . . / Paupers, persons unable guardians, non-tax\ payers and men
to read and write.
Required by law
. . . . Duellists.
Required by law
. . . . Idiots, insane, convicts.
Required by Constitution Idiots, insane, criminals.
f Required by Constitu- \ ["Inmates of asylums, poorhouses and pris-»
\ tion in cities only. J [ ons, U. vS. array.
Required by law
. . . . Idiots, convicts, U. S. army.
Required by Constitution Idiots, insane, convicts.
Required by law
. . . . Paupers.
Req'd in cities of 10,000 . Paupers, idiots, insane, convicts.
Req d in cities of 10,000 . Election bettors or bribers, convicts.
Required by Constitution Convicts.
No registration required Idiots, insane.
Idiots, insane, convicts, U. S. army, Chinese.
Required by Constitution Non-taxpayers, political bribers.
Required by law
. . . . Persons without property to value of $134.
of asylums, almshouses
Required by Constitution flnsane ; inmates, army, duellists.
[and prisons, U. S.
No registration required Non-payers of poll-tax.
Prohibited by Constitu'n Lunatics, idiots, paupers, convicts, U. S. army,
Required hy law
. . . . Bribers.
Required by law . . . . j ["Lunatics, idiots, convicts ; duellists, U. S.
[ army.
Prohibited by Constitu'n Lunatics, paupers, convicts.
Required by law . . . . Insane,idiots,conv'ts,bribers,bettors, duellists

NOTE.—All the 38 States limit suffrage to male citizens, but in Colorado, Massachusetts and some other States women may vote at school-district elections.

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

3S1

Q U A L I F I C A T I O N S R E Q U I R E D F O R S U F F R A G E IN EACH OF T H E 38 STATES.

STATES.

Alabama. . . .
Arkansas. . .
California. . .
Colorado, . . .
Connecticut. .
Delaware. . .
Florida. . . .
Georgia. . . .
Illinois. . . .
Indiana. . . .
Iowa
Kansas. . . ,
Kentucky. . .
Ivouisiana. . .
Maine
Maryland. . .
Massachusetts.
Michigan. . .
Minnesota. . .
Mississippi. .
Missouri. . . .
Nebraska. . .
Nevada. . . .
N. Hampshire.
New Jersey. .
New York. . .
North Carolina
Ohio
Oregon. . . .
Pennsylvania.
Rhode Island.
South Carolina
Tennessee,
Texas. .
Vermont.
Virginia.
West Virginia.
Wisconsin. . .
NOTE.—All the
setts and

Requirement
as to
Citizenship.

R E S I D E N C E IN

State.

| County.

I

^ " 1

Citizens or declared intention, i year. . , 3 months .
Citizens or declared intention i year. . , 6 months .
Actual citizens
i year. . . 90 days . .
Citizens or declared intention, 6 months.
Actual citizens
i year. . , 6 months 6 months .
Actual County taxpayers. . . i year. . . 1 month
(United States citizens or") i year. . . 6 months
\ declared intention.
j
i year. . . 6 months
Actual citizens
i year. . . 90 days .
30 days .
Actual citizens
Citizens or declared intention. 6 months 60 days . , 30 days .
6 months 60 days . ,
Actual citizens
30 days .
Citizens or declared intention. 6 months
60 days .
2 years
Free white male citizens. .
i year
Citizens or declared intention. i year . . 6 months 30 days .
3 mouths
Actual citizens
i year . . 6 months
Actual citizens
i year . .
Citizens
6 months
10 days .
Citizens or declared intention. 3 months
10 days .
Citizens or declared intention. 4 months
Actual citizens
6 months i month
Citizens or declared intention. i yeai . . 60 days .
Citizens or declared intention. 6 months
Citizens or declared intention. 6 months 30 days
Actual citizens
Town 6 mos
Actual citizens
i year . . 5 months .
Actual citizens
i 5'ear . . 4 months . 30 days
Actual citizens
12 months 90 days . .
Actual citizens
i year . .
Citizens or declared intention. 6 months
2 months .
Actual citizens
i year . .
Town 6 mos
Actual tax-paying citizens. . i year . .
i year . .
Actual citizens
Actual citizens
12 months 6 months
Citizens or declared intention. i year . . 6 months 6 months .
Actual citizens
i year . .
Town 3 mos
Actual citizens
12 months
i year . . 60 days
Actual citizens
Citizens or declared intention. i year . .
38 States limit suffrage to male citizens, but in Colorado, Massachusome other States women may vote at school-district elections.

332

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

OFFENCES FOR W H I C H STATES D I S F R A N C H I S E B Y T H E E X P R E S S TERMS OF
T H E I R C O N S T I T U T I O N S , OR F O R W H I C H T H E I R L E G I S L A T U R E S M A Y
MAKE DISFRANCHISEMENT A PENALTY.
STATES.

Treason.

Felony.

Bribery.

Perjury.

Alabama . . Treason . Felony (1) . Bribery . .
Felony . .
Arkansas
B r i b e r * . Perjury*
California .
Connecticut
Delaw ire (4)
Georgia

. . Treason

Forgery.

Murder.

Robbery.

.

Duelling.

Duelling

Bribery . . Perjury . .

.

Duelling .

Felony . . Bribery . .
. Felony . .

Duelling .
Duelling .

Iowa . . . .
Kansas (5) . Treason . Felony . . Bribery . .
Bribery . . Perjury . . Forgery . .
Kentucky .
X/Ouisiana (20 Treason . Felony (1) . Bribery . . Perj ury . .
Bribery (6)
Maine . . .
Mass
Michigan
Minnesota . Treason
Mississippi .

. Felony . . Bribery . . Perjury . .
Bribery . . Perjury . .
T* I .
0

] V

Duelling .

i

Duelling (7)

Treason . Felony (8) .
Nebraska
Duelling
Nevada . . . Treason (9) Felony (9) . Bribery (ro)
New Hamp,
New Jersey Treason(n)
Bribery . , jPerjury (11) Forgery (11) Murder (11) Robbery(n)
Bribery . . Perjury . .

Ohio . . . .
Oregon . .
Penn. . . .
S. Carolina .
"Virginia . . Treason
"W. Vir. (18)
"Wisconsin . Treason

.

Bribery (12)
Bribery (14)
Felony (15) Bribery . . Perjury . .
Bribery (16)
. Felony . .
. Felony . .

Murder . . Robberv

. Duelling

.

Duelling

.

Duelling .
Duelling (7)

1. A crime punishable by death or imprisonment in a State prison.
2.* The constitution adopted by California in 1879 expressly disfranchises for any infamous crime, embezzlement
or misappropriation of public money, and duelling, and says that laws shall be made to exclude from. the_ right of
suffrage persons convicted of the above starred crimes.
3. Theft is the term used in the constitution of Connecticut.

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

333

4. The legislature may make the forfeiture of the right of suffrage a punishment for crime.
5. No person who has been dishonorably discharged from the service of the United States, or who has voluntarily borne arms against the Government of the United States, is qualified to vote or hold office in Kansas.
6. Since 1876 "the legislature may enact laws excluding from the right of suffrage for a term not exceeding ten
years" for this crime.
7. These crimes forever disqualify for voting.
8. "Under the law of the State or of the United States unless restored to civil rights."
9. "In any State or Territory of the United States unless restored to civil rights."
10. The constitution of Nevada, Art. 4, sec. 10, makes ineligible for office persons convicted of embezzlement
or defalcation of public funds or bribery, and empowers the legislature to make these crimes punishable as felonies; and by Art. 2, sec. i, felony disfranchises.
11. The constitution of New Jersey, Art. 2, sec. 1, says that "no person convicted of a crime which now excludes
him from being a witness, unless pardoned or restored by law to the right of suffrage, shall enjoy the right of an
elector." The laws of the State make persons convicted of the above tabulated crimes incompetent as witnesses,
and if the crime is perjury or subornation of perjury a pardon does not remove the incompetency.
12. Disfranchise at such election, as do all corrupt offers to give or receive money or other valuable thing for a
vote in both New York and Pennsylvania.

334

THE AMERICAN

STATES.

Embezzlement
of Public Funds.
Fraud.

Electoral
Misdemeanors.

MANUAL.

Infamous
Crimes.

I^arceny

Alabama . .

Embezzlement
of public funds
Arkansas
California . Embezzlement or
misappropriation
of pub. moneys (2)

(2)

Illegal voting (7)

Infamous crimes Ivarceny (3)
(19)
Infamous crimes Iyarceny

Missouri . .

Election misdemeanor

Malfeasance in office

Other crimes or high
misdemeanors
Infamous crimes I^arceny
Other high crimes and
misdemeanors

Infamous crimes

Embezzlement or
defalcation of
public funds (10)
Iyarceny

New Jersey

N. Carolina
Ohio . . . .
Penn.

Malfeasance in office

Infamous crimes
Infamous crimes
Infamous crimes

Infamous crimes
Infamous crimes

Minnesota .
Mississippi .

Other Offences.

Malfeasance in office or
other high crimes*

Infamous crimes

Fraudulent bankruptcy
Delaware (4)
Florida . . .
Election wager
Georgia . . Embezzlement of
public funds
Illinois . . .
Indiana . .
Iowa . . . .
Kansas (5) .
or any of the
States thereof

Nebraska

I^arceny. '

. . .

Tennessee .
Texas . . .
Virginia . . Embezzlement of
public funds
W. Vir. (18)

Subornation of perjury,
blasphem3", piracy, arson,
rape, sodomy, polygamy,
conspiracy

Election wager (12) Infamous crimes
Infamous crimes
Infamous crimes
Wilful violation
of the Election
laws (13)

Infamous crimes
Infamous crimes

Other high crimes
Larc'y (17)

Election wager (12); Infamous crimes Ivarceny

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

335

13 Any person convicted of this offense "shall, in addition to any penalties provided by law, be deprived of the
right of suffrage absolutely for a term of four years."
14 "Any elector who shall receive any gift or reward for his vote, in meat, drink, money, or otherwise, shall
suffer such punishment as the laws .shall direct."
15 "Subject to such exceptions as the legislature may make."
16 '"Any elector who shall receive any gift or reward for his vote in meat, drink, money, or otherwise, shall
forfeit his right to elect at that time, and suffer such other penalty as the law shall direct."
17 "Petit larceny."
18 "No person who is under the conviction of treason, felony, or bribery in an election shall be permitted to
vote while such disability continues." (Con. of West Va., art 4, sec. 1.) This phrase "while disability continues"
has not received judicial interpretation in West Virginia, but is construed by election officers to mean during
imprisonment.
19 "These crimes are treason, felony, and the crimen falsi"—which term includes crimes which involve a
charge of such falsehood as may injuriously affect the public administration of justice by the introduction i therein of falsehood and fraud, such as forgery, perjurj', subornation of perjury, or conspiracy to procure the absence
of a witness.
20 A n d p e r s o n s " w h o m a y b e u n d e r i n t e r d i c t i o n . "

836

THE

AMERICAN

MANUAL.

<9HE REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC
ON PROHIBITION.
*LABAIA.
Republican.—The
organization of temperance men in Alabama meets our hearty approval, and we recognize in it the spirit of
Him who came among us and taught, "A new
command I give." I would that ye love one
another. (Adopted by State committe.)
Democratic.—No mention.
ARKANSAS.
Rep.—We recognize the fundamental principles of Government that all power is in the
People, and we therefore favor a submission to
the people of the State of an amendment to
the Constitution, prohibiting the manufacture
and sale of alcoholic liquors in the State.
Dent.—No mention.
CALIFORNIA.
Rep.—That the property of our viticultural
and horticultural industries is of paramount
importance to this State. I n order to encourage their rapid improvement and freer extension of trade in domestic and foreign markets,
and to prevent unjust discrimination in favor
of foreign products, a revision of the internal
revenue laws and amendments to the tariff are
demanded as of immediate necessity to our
People; and the Legislature should by suitable
legislation provide for the extermination of
fruit pests.

I? ANNIES

from taxation of spirits used in the fortification of sweet wines, and the piotection of our
wine industries from the injurious effects of
fraud and the unrestricted sale of spurious
wines, and we also favor Legislation providing for the protection of the wine industry.
That we re-affirm the principles contained in
the National Democratic platforms, declaring
that the Democratic party is unalterably opposed to all Sumptuary Legislation.
COIiORABO.
Rep.—That we shall, in the future as in the
past stand firm in our advocacy of temperance
and sobriety, and to the advancement of morality and virtue, and pledge ourselves to further the adoption of laws tending to control vice,
and lift this People to higher planes of
thought and action.
Dem.—No mention.
CONNECTICUT.
Rep.—The traffic in intoxicating liquors is
justly chargeable with being a great cause of
poverty, ignorance and crime. Our existing
local option laws are in accord with the State's
ancient theories of local government, and the
Republican party is ready, as it always has
been, for the enactment of such laws, tending
to eradicate the evils of intemperance, as may
be demanded by public sentiment.
Dem.—In Legislative enactments the DemDem.—That in view of the brilliant future ocratic party pays due regard to the fullest
that awaits California, in the development of liberty of the individual consistent with law
its wine interests, we most heartily favor the and order. We recognize the fact that no law
bills now pending in Congress for the release to prevent the abuse in the use of alcoholic

THE AMERICAN
liquors can be enforced against public sentiment; and we adhere to the views heretofore
expressed by the Democratic party that a wellregulated License Law, thoroughly executed,
will best promote the cause of temperance and
good order in society. But a License Law under
t h e control of an exclusively partisan board of
County Commissioners, who act for their party
rather than the welfare of society, will fail of
its primary object.
DELAWARE.
Rep.—No convention.
Dem.—No
mention.
FLORIDA*
Rep—No convention.
Dem.—No mention.
G£OROIA.
Rep.—No convention.
Dem.—No mention.
ILLINOIS.
Rep.—No mention.
Dem.—That while we have no purpose to
interfere with just laws for the regulation of
t h e traffic in intoxicating liquors and for t h e
prevention or correction of the evils to society,
growing out of abuses in their rule, we declare
that it is out of the legitimate province of Government to control the habits, tastes, appetites,
and liberties of the People so long as they are
orderly and peaceable, and do not encroach
upon the rights of others or of society W e
therefore declare that the Prohibition by Constitution or by general law of the manufacture
or sale of vinous, malt, or spiritous liquors,
would be in violation of individual and personal rights and contrary to t h e fundamental
principles of free Government.
INDIANA.
Rep.—The domination by^ the liquor league
of political parties and Legislation is a menace to free institutions which must be met and
defeated. The traffic in intoxicating liquors

MANUAL.

337

has always been under Legislative restraint,
and we favor such laws as will permit the People in their several localities to invoke such
measures of restriction as they may deem wise
to compel the traffic to compensate for the
burdens it imposes on society and relieve the
oppressions of local taxation.
Dem. —That the Democratic party of Indiana
is now, as it has always been, opposed in
principle to all Sumptuary Laws and Prohibitory Legislation, but it is in favor of just and
proper measures for regulating the traffic in
spiritous and intoxicating liquors, under a license system designed to repress the evils ofintemperance, and it favors a reasonable increase of the license tax, discriminating between malt liquors and wines and distilled
spirits, so as to place the highest license on
distilled spirits, the proceeds of such tax to be
applied to the support of common schools.
IOWA.
Rep.— Iowa has no compromise to hold
with the saloon. We declare in favor of the
vigorous and faithful enforcement in all parts
of the State, of the Prohibitory Law.
The
Pharmacy Law and the County Permit Law
should be so amended as to prevent the drug
store or wholesale liquor store from becoming
in any manner the substitute or successor of
the saloon.
Dem.
We are opposed to all Sumptuary
Legislation and in favor of t h e repeal of the
presentProhibitory liquor I^aw, and substitution in its stead of a local option and carefully
guarded License Law with a minimum licenserfee for better control of the liquor traffic.
KANSAS.
Rep. The People of Kansas have adopted"
Prohibition as the settled policy of this State,
and have deliberately decided that the saloon
with its corrupt and demoralizing influences
aud associations, whereby every form of vice
immorality and crime is fostered, must go, and

388

THE AMERICAN

we are in favor of carrying into effect this verdict of the People by such amendments of the
present law as practical experience has shown
to be necessary, and by the election of law
officers who will so firmly and faithfully enforce it as to render it impossible to sell intoxicating liquors in the State, except for purposes
specified in the Prohibition Amendment to the
Constitution.
Dem.—That we are in accord with the National Democracy in opposition to all Sumptuary Legislation, either State or National;
that we are opposed to the principle of Constitutional Prohibition; and demand t h e resubmission of the Prohibitory Amendment in
this State to a vote of the Electors, so that the
question may be finally and intelligently settled and whereby the interests of true temperance may be promoted and the individual liberty and manhood of citizens respected and
restored. Instead of Constitutional or Statutory Prohibition, we favor a well-regulated
and just License System.
KEISTUCKX.
Rep.—No mention.
Dem.—We are opposed to all Sumptuary
Laws. We contend that there are already on
our statute books sufficient general laws having local application to protect the public
morals without infringing on private rights.
LOUISIANA.
Rep.—No mention.
Dem.—No mention.
MAINE.
Rep.—Resolved,
That the Republicans of
Maine now, as heretofore,indorse and approve
the Law for the prohibition of the sale of intoxicating liquors. The Law and its several
amendments were enacted by "Republican
Legislators, and this Convention now declares
i n answer to misrepresentations in many

MANUAL,
quarters, that the general effect of the Prohibitory Law has been beneficent, and has proved
in a marked degree helpful to the cause of
temperance in Maine. It has largely reduced
the consumption of alcoholic liquors, and has
in many ways contributed to the moral and
material welfare of the State.
Dem,—No mention.
MARYLAND.
Rep.—No mention.
Dem.—No mention.
MASSACHUSETTS.
Rep.—Recognizing
intemperance as the
most fruitful source of pauperism, crime, etc.,
in politics and social degradation, we affirm
our belief in the most thorough restriction of
the Liquor Traffic and the enforcement of the
laws for its suppression. We approve the
action of the last Legislature in enacting so
many temperance statutes, and demand the
continued enactment of progressive temperance measures as the policy of our Party. We
repeat the recommendation of last year's
Convention, as follows: "Believing, also, that
whenever a great public question demands settlement an opportunity should be given the
People to express their opinion thereon; W e
favor the submission to the People of an
Amendment to our Constitution prohibiting
the manufacture and sale of alcoholic liquors
to be used as a beverage. I n order to have
the matter placed before the People, we call
upon all those who are opposed to the political
control of the grog-shops to unite with the Republican party in electing Senators and Representatives who will vote for the submission
of this Amendment."
Dem.—We, the Democrats of Massachusetts
in Convention assembled, renew our adherence
to the principles of Democracy declared by
the last National Convention, at Chicago.

THE AMERICAN
MI€HIOAIT.
Rep.—-The Republican party has redeemed
its promise made in its platform of 1882, and
reiterated in subsequent State platforms, by
submitting to the People an Amendment to
the Constitution prohibiting the manufacture
and sale of intoxicating liquors, and the adoption or rejection of the Amendment is now
with the people, where it belongs.
Dem.—No mention.
MINNESOTA.
Rep.—The Republican party of Minnesota
is in favor of high License, local option and a
rigid enforcement of existing laws relating
to the Liquor Traffic.
Dem.—The
traditions of the Democratic
party being in favor of personal liberty, therefore, be it Resolved, t h a t this party is opposed
to all Class and Sumptuary Legislation.
MISSISSIPPI.
Rep.—No convention.
Dem.—No mention.
MISSOURI.
Rep.—That when a respectable number of
t h e citizens of t h e State shall petition the
Legislature for the submission of any proposition to amend, change or modify the Constitution in any matter which is a proper subject of organic law, their request should be
granted.
Dem.—No mention.
NEBRASKA.
Rep.—That the Republican party of Nebraska is in favor of submitting t h e question
of an Amendment to the State Constitution
prohibiting the manufacture, sale and importation of any malt, spiritous or vinous liquor
in the State.
Dem.—We denounce Prohibition and regard
the attempt of the Prohibitory party to force

MANUAL,

339

Sumptuary Laws on this State as dangerous to
the liberty of the citizen, and hostile to the
welfare of the People.
NEVADA.
Rep.—No mention.
Dem.—Heartily endorses the National Democratic Platform.
NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Rep.—We believe that the principle of Prohibition, which has prevailed as the policy of
this State for thirty years, has done much to
render the Liquor Traffic odious, built up the
temperance sentiment of the State and reduced to the minimum the unmitigated evil of
the sale and use of intoxicating liquors. To
supplant this principle by license would overthrow for a paltry revenue all that has been
gained in moral advance and substantial progress in this reform, and we call on all wellwishers of their State and of their fellow-men
to join us in preventing the restoration of a
License Policy as proclaimed by the Democratic party of New Hampshire, and to the
faithful enforcement of the law.
Dem.—We recognize the evils of intemperance, and we profoundly sympathize with all
well-directed efforts to eradicate these evils,
and, in view of past experience, we are convinced that a judicious License Law, properly
enforced, is the best remedy therefor, and will
really promote the cause of temperance.
NEW JERSEY.
Rep—The Republican party had its foundation in the belief in the virtue and intelligence
of the People; it has always held with its great
leader, Abraham Lincoln, that it is a Government of the People, by the People, and for the
People; we therefore declare that the Republican party of New Jersey is in favor of the submission of the question of the regulation,
control or prohibition of the Liquor Traffic to
the votes of the People, at elections specially

340

THE AMERICAN

provided for that purpose.
Dem.—indorses
the National Democratic
Platform.
NEW YORK.
Rep.—We heartily endorse the purpose of
the Republican majority of the Legislature in
passing the bills to limit and restrict the Liquor Traffic, and we condemn the vetoes of the
Governor as hostile to that purpose. We recommend comprehensive and efficient Legislation by giving local option by counties, towns
and cities, and restriction by taxation in such
localities as do not by their option exclude absolutely the Traffic.
Dem.—We favor a revised Excise Law, applicable without unjust discrimination,through
out the State. We oppose all Sumptuary
Laws, needlessly interfering with the personal
liberties and reasonable habits and customs of
any portion of our citizens. We believe t h a t
excise revenues, like other proper local revenues, should be applied in lessening local
burdens, and to the reduction of local taxation.
N O R T H CAEOLINA.
Rep.—No mention.
Dem.—No mention.
OHIO.
Rep—We point with just pride to the enactment of the Dow Law in fulfillment of the
promises of the Republican party, and we
pledge ourselves to such further Legislation
as may be necessary to keep abreast of enlightened public sentiment on this question,
to the end that the evils resulting from t h e
Liquor Traffic be restrained to the utmost
possible extent in all parts of the State.
Dem.—We declare in favor of the proper
regulation of the Liquor Traffic, and believe
it to be the duty of all good citizens to aid in
reducing to a minimum the evils resulting
therefrom, and to this end favor the submission of an Amendment to the Constitution
providing for the license of such Traffic.

MANUAL.
ORISON.
Rep.—Resolution in favor of submitting the
Prohibitory Amendment.
Dem.—That we favor the submission to the
voters of the State of Oregon, of the pendingAmendment to the Constitution of our State
regulating the Liquor Traffic.
PENNSYLVANIA.
Rep.—That they reaffirm their declaration
of 1886 in favor of submitting to a vote of the
People the Prohibitory Constitutional Amendment.
Dem.—We renew our allegiance to the principles and declaration of the platform adopted
at Chicago in 1884.
R H O D E ISIiAHTD.
Rep.—We recognize the fact that the adoption of the Fifth Amendment to our State Constitution was not a partisan measure, and that
such Amendment has become a part of our
Fundamental Law, in obedience to the will of
the Constitutional majority. We demand the
enactment of Laws adequate to carry this
Amendment into effect, and such laws shall be
rigidly enforced, recognizing at the same time
the right of the People to agitate for the repeal of this or any other Constitutional provision which time may prove to be unwise or
ineffectual.
Dem.—No mention.
SOUTH CAROLINA.
Rep.—No convention.
Dem.—No mention.
TENNESSEE.
Rep.—That we, recognizing the sovereignty
of the People, do, in response to the demand
made through their Representatives in the
last Legislature, pronounce in favor of submission to them, for their adoption or rejection, the proposed Constitutional Amendment.
Dem.—Recognizing
the sovereignty of the
People, and in -response to their demands
through their Representatives in the last General Assembly, we favor submitting to them

THE AMERICAN
for their adoption or rejection, the proposed
Constitutional Amendment prohibiting the
manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquor as
a beverage in Tennessee.
TEXAS.
Rep.—The People in a republic being the
source of power, we believe it to be the duty
of the Legislature to submit to the People, for
their ratification or rejection, such Amendments to our Organic Laws as they may ask,
such submission, when petitioned by a sufficient number, being in accordance with t h e
bill of rights.
Dem.—We do not believe that the views of
any citizen upon t h e question of local option
should interfere with his standing in t h e Democratic party; and we declare the question to
be one on which every Democrat m a y indulge
his own views without affecting his Democracy.
VERMONT.
Rep.—That we deplore the evils of intemperance. We reaffirm the position of the Republican party in this State upon that question,
and declare that in our opinion t h e Prohibition of t h e Liquor Traffic, as expressed in our
statutes, be and should remain the settled policy of the State; that the influence of the liquor saloon is as debasing in politics as it is
baleful in social life. The Republican party
should everywhere reject all overtures for open
or secret alliance with it.
Dem.—We favor such Legislation as shall
control the traffic in intoxicating liquors and
increase the revenue rather than the burden of
taxation, and, though opposed to Sumptuary
Laws, we demand the enforcement of existing
laws until repealed, whenever practicable.
VIRGINIA.
Rep.—For a general law providing that
every County, city, town and district in this
Commonwealth may determine for itself, by a
majority of all votes cast, at a special election
held for the purpose under due regulations,

MANUAL.

3^.

whether or not the sale of spiritous liquors
shall be allowed within its limits.
Dem.—Reaffirming
t h e traditional opposition of the Democratic party to all Sumptuary
Laws, or laws unduly interfering with individual liberty, we recommend to the General
Assembly to pass such laws as will permit each
County or District, at a special election held
for that purpose, under proper regulations for
ascertaining the popular will, to determine for
itself whether the sale of spiritous liquors shall
be legally permitted within its limits.
WEST VIRGINIA.
Rep.—A State Conference favored the submission of a Prohibitory Constitutional Amendment.
Dem.—No mention.
WISCONSIN.
Rep.—Recognizing the evils of intemperance,
the Republican party desires to adopt the most
effective means for its suppression. But we
recognize the fact that the statute regulations
which are not supported by public opinion are
inoperative, and tend to bring all law into disrepute, and we believe that in the present condition of public sentiment t h e existing laws of
this State, which permit communities, according to the sentiment prevailing in them, to
prohibit the Traffic in intoxicating liquors or
to control it by police regulations and to limit
it by High License, offer the best and most
practical means of dealing with the evils resulting from the Liquor Traffic.
Dem,—That the intemperate and excessive
use of intoxicating liquors is earnestly to be
deplored, and we believe that the Liquor Traffic
should be regulated by reasonable and liberal
laws. Laws, whether general or local, designed
exclusivly for arbitrary regulation of the
personal habits of citizens, as an exercise of
Legislative power, are unwarranted by the
Constitution, contrary to the fundamental
principles of all free governments, and are
justified by no practical results yet attained in
the experience of mankind.

THE AMERICAN

342

DEMOCRATIC
NATIONAL, COMMITTEE.
1888.
W M . H. BARNUM, Chairman,
Lime Rock, Gonn.
F. O. PRINCE, Secretary,
Boston, Mass.

MNUAL.
REPUBLICAN
N A T I O N A L COMMITTEE.
1888.
B. F. JONES, Chairman,
and Treasurer, ex-officio,
Pittsburgh, Pa.
SAMUEL F E S S E N D E N , Secretary,

CHARLES J. CANDA, Treasurer,

52 Williams St., New York City.
Henry C. Semple . . . Montgomery . ,
S. R. Cockrill, Jr. . . Little Rock . .
M. F . Tarpey . . . . East Oakland
Charles S. Thomas . . Denver . . . .
Wm. H. Barnum . . . Lime Rock .
Ignatius C. Grubb . . Wilmington .
Samuel Pasco . . . . Monticello . .
Patrick Walsh . . . . Augusta . . .
S. Corning Judd . . . Chicago . . .
Austin H. Brown . . . Indianapolis .
Dubuque . . .
M. M. Ham . . .
Charles W. Blair . . . Leavenworth .
Henry D. McHenry . Hartford . . .
New Orleans .
B. F. Jonas
Arthur P. Gorman .
Fred'k O. Prince .
Don M. Dickinson .
P. H. Kelly
C. A. Johnston . . .
John G. Prather . .
James E. Boyd . . .
John H. Denning .
Alvah W. Sulloway .
Miles Ross
M. W. Ransom . .
Wm. W. Armstrong
A. Noltner
Wm. A. Wallace . .
J. B. Barnaby . . .
F. W. Dawson . . .
R. F. Iyooney . . . .
O. T. Holt
Bradley B. Smalley
John S. Barbour . .
Lewis Baker . . . . ,
William F. Vilas . . ,
W- K. Mead
M. H. Day
William Dickson . . .
John Hailey
W. J. McCormick . . .
Geo. W. Fox
J. B. Roseborough . .
J. H. Kuhn
M. E. Post

A l a b a m a . . . . Theo. Youngblood .
A r k a n s a s . . . . Powell Clayton . . .
C a l i f o r n i a . . . . Horace Davis . . .
C o l o r a d o . . . . William A. Hamill .
C o n n e c t i c u t . . Samuel Fessenden .
D e l a w a r e . . . . Daniel J. Layton . .
F l o r i d a . . . . . Jesse D. Cole . . . .
F. H. Putner . . . .
Georgia
Illinois
D. T. Littler . . . .
Indiana
John C. New . . . .
Iowa
J. S. Clarkson . . .
Kansas
Cyrus Leland Jr. . .
K e n t u c k y . . . . J. B. Moore . . . .
L o u i s i a n a . . . . Frank Morey . . .
Maine
J. M. Haynes . . .
M a r y l a n d . . . . James A. Gary . . .
Laurel
M a s s a c h u s e t t s . William W. Crapo .
Boston
M i c h i g a n . . . . John P. Sanborn . .
Detroit
St. Paul . . . . M i n n e s o t a . . . Robert G. Evans . .
M i s s i s s i p p i . . . John R. Lynch . . .
Columbus . . .
St. Louis . . . . M i s s o u r i
R. T. Van Horn . .
N e b r a s k a . . . . Church Howe . . .
Omaha
Nevada
Tuscarora . . .
Thomas Wren . . .
Franklin . . . . N e w H a m p s h i r e I Edward H. Rollins .
New Brunswick N e w J e r s e y . . . Garret H. Hobart .
New York City
N e w Y o r k . . . . . John D. Lawson . .
Weldon . . . . N o r t h C a r o l i n a R. W. Humphrey .
Cleveland . . .
Ohio
A. L. Conger . . . .
Portland . . . . O r e g o n
J. T. Apperson . . .
Clearfield . . .
P e n n s y l v a n i a . B. F. Jones
Providence . . R h o d e I s l a n d . . Horace A. Jenks . .
Charleston . . . S o u t h C a r o l i n a E. M. Bray ton . . .
Memphis . . .
T e n n e s s e e . . . . W. P. Brownlow . .
Houston . . . . j T e x a s
N. W. Cuney . . .
Burlington . . . V e r m o n t
George W. Hooker .
Alexandria . . V i r g i n i a
Frank S. Blair . . .
Wheeling . . .
W e s t V i r g i n i a . John W. Mason . .
Madison . . . . W i s c o n s i n . . . . Edward Sanderson
Tombstone . . A r i z o n a
Clark Churchill . .
Springfield . . D a k o t a
John E. Bennett . .
Washington . . D i s t . C o l u m b i a Perry H. Carson . .
Idaho City . . . , I d a h o
Sherman M. Coffin .
Missoula . . . . , M o n t a n a
James H. Mills . .
Socorro . . .
N e w M e x i c o . . Stephen B. Elkins .
Salt Lake City . U t a h
C. W. Bennett . . .
Ft. Townsend .
Washington . .
T.
Laramie City . W y o m i n g . . . . IThomas M. Miner . ..
Joseph
Carey

Stamford, Conn.
[Union Springs.
Eureka Springs.
San Francisco.
Georgetown.
Stamford.
Georgetown,
[Monticello.
iHardaway.
Springfield.
Indianapolis.
IDes Moines.
Troy.
Owensboro'.
Dalton.
Augusta.
|Baltimore.
New Bedford.
jPort Huron.
Minneapolis.
Natchetz.
Kansas City.
Auburn.
Eureka.
[Dover.
|Paterson.
J New York City.
iGoldboro'.
'Akron.
I Oregon City.
Pittsburgh.
Woonsocket.
Columbia.
Jonesboro*.
Galveston.
Brattleboro'.
Richmond.
Grafton.
Milwaukee.
Prescott.
Clark.
Washington.
Boise City.
Deer Lodge.
92 B'way. N. Y.
Salt Lake City.
Pt. Townsend.
ICheyenne.

THE AMERICAN
E x e c u t i v e Committee of t h e N a t i o n a l Bernocratic Committee.
William H. Barnum,
A. P. Gorman,
Win. A. Wallace,
William F. Vilas,
John S. Barbour,
B. F. Jonas,
P. H. Kelly,
Austin H. Brown,
Henry D. McHenry,

Alvah W. Sulloway,
M. W. Ransom,
M. M. Ham.
Wm. W. Armstrong,
Bradley B. Smalley,
F. W. Dawson,
Miles Ross,
S. Corning Judd,
J. B. Barnaby,
John G. Prather.

MANUAL.

343

E x e c u t i v e Committee of t h e National Re*
p u b l i c a n Committee.
John C. New,
Stephen B. Faluns,
John W. Mason,
B. H. Rollins,
J. M. Haynes,
W. W. Crapo,
B. Sanderson,
G. A. Hobart,
Eeo. W. Hooker,
John W. I,awson,

Frank S. Blair,
R. W. Humphrey,
Powell Clayton,
Frank Morey,
A. I,. Conger,
John P. Sanborn,
Church Howe,
Cyrus Iceland, Jr.
John R. I^ynch,
J. S. Clarkson,
T>. J. X,ayton.

344

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

BRIEF HISTORY OF NATIONAL POLITICAL CONVENTIONS,
NATIONAL CONVENTIONS for the nomination ot candidates for President and Vice-President are of comparatively recent origin. In the earlier political history of the
United States, under the Federal Constitution, candidates
for President and Vice-President were nominated by congressional and legislative caucuses. Washington was
elected as first President under the Constitution, and reeled ed for :t second term by a unanimous or nearly unanimous concurrence of the American people; but an opposition party gradually grew up in Congress, which became formidable during its second term, and which ultimately crystalized into what was then called the Republican party. John Adams, of Massachusetts, was prominent among the leading Federalists, while Thomas Jefferson, of Virginia, W2S pre-eminently the author and oracle
of the Republican party, and, by common consent, they
were the opposing candidates for the Presidency, on
Washington's retirement in 1796-7,
The first Congressional caucus to nominate candidates
fnr President and Vice-President, is said to have been
held in Philadelphia, in the year 1800, and to have
nominated Mr. Jefferson for the first office and Aaron
Burr for the second. These candidates were elected after
a desperate struggle, beating John Adams, and Charles C.
Pinckney, of South Carolina. In 1804, Mr. Jefferson was
re-elected President, with George Clinton, of New York,
for Vice, encountering but slight opposition; Messrs.
Charles C. Pinckney and Rufus King, the opposing candidates, receiving only 14 out of 776 electoral votes. We
have been unable to find any record as to the manner of
their nomination.
In January, 1808, when Mr. Jefferson's second term was
about to close, a Republican Congressional Caucus was
held at Washington to decide as to the relative claims of
Madison and Monroe for the succession, the Legislature
of Virginia, which had been said to exert a potent
influence over such questions, being, on this occasion, unable to agree as to which of her favored sons should have
the preference. Ninety-four cut of the 136 Republican
members of Congress attended this caucus, aud declared
their preference of Mr. Madison, who received 83 votes,
the remaining 11 votes being divided between Mr. Monroe and George Clinton. The opposition supported Mr,
Pinckney, but Mr. Madison was elected by a* large majority.
Toward the close of Mr. Madison's earlier term he was
nominated for re-election by a Congressional Caucus, held
at Washington in May, 1812. In September of the
same year, a convention of the opposition, representing
eleven States, was held in the city of New York, which
nominated De Witt Clinton, of New York, for President.
He was also pnt in nomination hy the Republican Legislature of New York. The ensuing canvass resulted in
the re-election of Mr. Madison, who received 128 electoral
votes to 89 for De Witt Clinton.
In 1816, the Republican Congressional Caucus nominated James Monroe, who received in the caucus 6^yotes,
to 54 for Wm. H. Crawford, of Georgia. The opposition,
or Federalists, named Rufus King", of New York, who

received only 34 electoral votes out of 217. There was no
opposition to there-election of Mr. Monroe in 1820, a single
(Republican) vote being cast against him, and for John
Quincy Adams.
«»In 1824, the Republican party could not be induced to
abide by_ the decision of a Cougressional Caucus. A
large majority of the Republican members formally refused to participate in such a gathering, or be governed
by its decision; still a caucus was called, and attended by
the friends of Mr. Crawford alone. Of the 261 members
of Congress at this time, 216 were Democrats or Republicans; yet only 66 responded to their names at roll call, 64
of whom voted for Mr. Crawford as the Republican nominee for President. This nomination was very extensively
repudiated throughout the country, and three competing
Republican candidates were brought into the field through
legislative and other machinery, viz.: Andrew Jackson,
Henry Clay and John Quincy Adams. The result of this
famous " scrub race " for the Presidency, was that no one
was elected by the people, Gen. Jackson receiving 09
electoral votes, Mr. Adams 84, Mr. Crawford 41, and Mr.
Clay 37. The election then devolved upon the House of
Representatives, when Mr. Adams was chosen, receiving
the votes of 13 States, against 7 for Gen. Jackson, and 4
for Mr. Crawford. This was the end of' King Caucus."
Gen. Jackson was immediately thereafter put in nomination for the ensuing term by the Legislature of Tennessee, having only Mr. Adams for an opponent in 1828,
when he was elected by a decided majority, receiving 178
electoral votes, to 83 fo"r Mr, Adams,
The first political National Convention in this country
of which we have any record was held at Philadelphia in
September, 1830, styled the United States Anti-Masonic
Convention. It was composed of 96 delegates. Francis
Granger, of New York, presided, but no business was
transacted.
In compliance with its call, a National Anti-Masonic
Convention was held at Baltimore in September, 1831,
which nominated William Wirt, of Maryland, for President, and Amos Ellmaker, of Pennsylvania, for VicePresident.
The candidates accepted the nomination, and received
the electoral vote of Vermont only.
There was no open opposition in the Democratic Party
to the nomination of Gen. Jackson for a second term in
1832, but the party was not so well satisfied with Mr. Calhoun, the Vice-President, so a convention was called to
meet at Baltimore, in May, 1832, to nominate a candidate
for the second office.
Mr. Van Buren received more than two-thirds of all the
votes cast, and was declared nominated.
The National Republicans met in convention at Baltimore, December 12, 1831. Seventeen States and the
District of Columbia were represented by 157 delegates,
who cast a unanimous vote for Henry Clay, of Kentucky,
for President. a
In May, 1835, Democratic National Convention, representing twenty-one States, assembled at Baltimore. A

THE AMERICAN
rule was adopted that two-thirds of the whole number of
votes should be necessary to make a nomination, or to decide any question connected therewith. On the first ballot for President Mr. Van Buren was nominated unanimously, receiving- 265 votes.
In 1835, Gen. William H. Harrison was nominated for
President, with Francis Granger for Vice-President, by a
Whig State Convention at Harrisburg, Pa. Gen. Harrison also received nomination in Maryland, New York,
Ohio and other States.
A Whig National Convention, representing twenty-one
States, met at Harrisburg, Pa., December 4,1839. James
Barbour, of Virginia, presided, and the result of the
first ballot was the nomination of Gen. William H. Harrison, of Ohio, who received 148 votes to 90 for Henry Clay,
and 16 for Gen. Winfield Scott. John Tyler, of Virginia,
was unanimously nominated as the Whig candidate for
Vice-President.
A Convention of Abolitionists was held at Warsaw, N .
Y., on the 13th of November, 1839, and nominated for
President James G. Birney, of New York, and for VicePresident, Francis J. Lemoyne, of Pennsylvania. These
gentlemen declined the nomination. Nevertheless they
received a total of 7,609 votes in various Free States.
A Democratic National Convention met at Baltimore,
May 5, 1840, to nominate candidates for President and
Vice-President. The Convention then unanimously nominated Mr. Van Buren for re-election as President.
A Whig National Convention assembled in Baltimore
on the 1 st of May, 1844, at which every State in the Union
was represented, and Mr. Clay was nominated for President by acclamation.
A Democratic National Convention assembled at Baltimore on the 27th of May, 1844, adopted the two-thirds
rule, and, after a stormy session of three days, James
K. Polk, of Tennessee, was nominated for President, and
Silas Wright, of New York, far Vice-President. Mr.
Wright declined the nomination, and George M. Dallas,
of Pennsylvania, was selected.
The Liberty Party National Convention met at Buffalo
on the 30II1 of August, 1843. James G. Birney, of Michigan, was unanimously nominated for President, with
Thomas Morris, of Ohio, for Vice-President.
A Whig National Convention met at Philadelphia on
the 7th of June, 1848. After a rather stormy session of
three days, Gen. Zachary Taylor, of Louisiana, was nominated for President, and Millard Fillmore, of New York,
for Vice-President.
The Democratic National Convention for 1848 assembled in Baltimore on the 22d of May. The two-thirds
rule was adopted, and Gen. Lewis Cass was nominated
for President on the fourth ballot.
On the 9th of August. 184S. a free Democratic or Free
Soil Couvention was heid at Buffalo, which was attended
by delegates from seventeen States. Charles Francis
Adams, of Massachusetts, presided, and the Convention
nominated Messrs. Van Buren and Adams as candidates
for President and Vice-President.
The Whig National Convention of 1852 assembled at

MANUAL.

345

Baltimore on the 16th of June, and after an exciting session
of six days, nominated Gen. Winfield Scott as President,
on the fifty-third ballot.
The Democratic Convention of 1852 assembled at Baltimore on the 1st of June, and the two-thirds rule was
adopted. Gen. Franklin Pierce, of New Hampshire , was
nominated for President on the forty-ninth ballot.
The Free Soil Democracy held a National Convention
at Pittsburg, on the n t h of August, 1852, Henry Wilson,
of Massachusetts, presiding. All the Free States were
represented, with Delaware, Virginia. Kentucky and
Maryland. John P . Hale, of New Hampshire, was nominated for President, with George W. Julian, of Indiana,
for Vice-President.
The Republican National Convention of 1856 met at
Philadelphia on the 17th of June. Col. John C. Fremont
Was uuanimousiy nominated, having received 359 votes on
the first ballot against 196 for John McLean.
On February 22d, 1856, the American National Nominating- Convention organized at Philadelphia, with 227
delegates in attendance. Mllard Fillmore was declared
to be the nominee, with Andrew Jackson Donelson, of
Tennessee, for Vice-President.
The Democratic National Convention of 1856 met at
Cincinnati on the 2d of June, and nominated James Buchanan on the seventeenth ballot. John C. Breckinridge,
of Kentucky, was unanimously nominated for VicePresident.
A Republican National Convention assembled at Chicago on May 16, i860, delegates being- in attendance
from allthe Free States, as also from Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky and Missouri. Abraham Ltncoln was nominated for the Presidency on the third ballot, receiving 3^4 out of 466 votes; his principal competitors being William H. Seward, Salmon P. Chase, and
Edward Bates.
A Democratic National Convention assembled at
Charleston, S. C , on the 23d of April, i860, with full delegations present from every State. Dissensions arising,
chiefly out of questions of slavery in the Territories, too
great to be reconciled, the delegations from seven Southern
Staies withdrew, and the convention adjourned, after
fifty-seven ineffectual ballots for a candidate, to meet at
Baltimore, June 18. Here Stephen A. Douglas was
nominated for President, and B. Fitzpatrick for VicePresident. The latter declined, and H. V. Johnson was
substituted by the National Committee. The Convention
of Seceders nominated John C. Breckinridge and Joseph
Lane.
A "Constitutional Union" Convention irom twenty
States met at Baltimore, May 9, i860, and nominated
John Bell and Edward Everett for the Presidency and
Vice-Presidency.
1864.
The Republican National Couvention met^ at Baltimore, June 7. The renomination, for President, of
Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois, was made unanimous, he
having received the votes of all the States except Missouri,

346

THE AMERICAN

cast for Gen. Grant. For Vice-President, Andrew Johnson, of Tennessee, was nominated en the second ballot,
his principal competitors being1 D. S. Dickinson and H.
Hamlin.
The Democratic National Convention met at Chicago,
111., August 29. Nominations—President, George B.
McClellan, of New Jersey; Vice-President. George H.
Pendleton, of Ohio.
1868.
The Republican National Convention met at Chicago,
111., May 20th. Nominations—President, Ulysses S.
Grant, of Illinois; Vice-President, Schuyler Colfax, of
Indiana.
The Democratic National Convention met at New
York, July 4th. Nominations—President, Horatio Seymour, of New York: Vice-President, Francis P. Blair,
Jr., of Missouri.
The Liberal Republican Convention met at Cincinnati,
Ohio, May 1st. Nominations—President, Horace Greeley, of New York, on the sixth ballot, by 482 votes,
against 187 for David Davis, of Illinois; Vice-President,
B. Gratz Brown, of Missouri, on the second ballot.
The Republican National Convention met at Philadelphia, Pa., June 5th. Nominations—Ulysses S. Grant, on
the first ballot, unanimously; Vice-President, Henry Wilson, of Massachusetts, receiving 364% votes against 3215^
for Schuyler Colfax.
The Democratic National Convention met at Baltimore,
Maryland, July 9th. Nominations—President, Horace
Greeley, on the first ballot, receiving 686 votes to 38 scattering; Vice-President, B. Gratz Brown, who received
713 votes.
The Democratic ("Straight Out"). Convention met at
Louisville, Ky., September 3d. Nominations—President,
Charles O'Connor, of New York; Vice-President, John
Q, Adams, of Massachusetts. The nominations were declined.
1876.
The Republican National Convention met at Cincinnati,
Ohio, June 14. Nominations—President, Rutherford B.
Hayes, of Ohio, on the 7th ballot, receiving 384 votes, to
351 for J. G. Blaine, and 21 for B. H. Bristow; Vice-President, William A. Wheeler, of New York.
The Democratic National Convention met at St. Louis,
Mo., June 27th. Nominations—President, Samuel J. Tilden, of New York, on the second ballot, receiving 535
votes, against 85 for Hendricks, 54 for Wm. Allen, 58 for
W. S. Hancock, and 6 scattering; Vice-President, Thomas A. Hendricks, of Indiana.
A " National Gr««<jback Convention," composed of
men opposed to specifjsesumption and in favor of national paper money to take the place of bank issues, met a;
Indianapolis, May 17, with nineteen States represented
Peter Cooper, of New York, and Samuel F . Cary, of Ohto,
were nominated for President and Vice-President.
" A Prohibition Reform P a r t y " Convention m^r ?t

MANUAL.

Cleveland, May 17th, and nominated Green Clav Snath
of Kentucky, and R. T. Stewart, of Ohio.
1880.
The Republican National Convention met at Ch'icago,
June 2,1880. Nominations—President, James A. Garfield,
of Ohio, on the 36th ballot, received 399 votes to 306 for
Ulysses S. Grant, 42 for James G. Blaine, 5 for E. B.
Washburne, and 3 for John Sherman; Vice-President,
Chester A. Arthur, of New York.
The Democratic National Convention met at Cincinnati, Ohio, June 22, 1880. Winfield Scott Hancock was
nominated for President.
The National Greenback Convention met at Chicago,
June 9. 1880, and nominated General J. B. Weaver, of
Iowa, tor President, and B. J. Chambers, of Texas, for
Vice-President.
The Prohibition Reform Party met at Cleveland, Ohio,
June 17,1880, and Nominated General Neal Dow of Maine,
for President, and the Rev. Dr. Thompson, of Ohio, for
Vice-President.
The American Party's condidates for 1880, were General John W. Phelps, of Vermont, for President, and Hon.
S. C. Pomeroy, of Kansas, for Vice-President.
The Republican National Convention met at Chicago,
June 3, 1884. Nominations—President, James G. Blaine,
of Maine, on the 4th ballot received 541 to 207 for Arthur,
40 for Edmunds, 15 for Hawley, 7 for Logan, 2 for Lincoln, Vice-President, John A. Logan, of Illinois.
The Democratic National Convention met at Chicago,
July 8, 1884, Nominations—President, Grover Cleveland,
of New York, on the second ballot received 683 votes to
Bayard 81%, Hendricks 45^1 Thurman 4 Randall 4,
McDonald 2; Vice-President, 'Thomas A. Hendricks, of
Indiana.
The Prohibition National Convention met at Pittsburg,
July 23, 1884. Nominations—President, John P . St. John,
of Kansas, on the first ballot, received 602 votes ; VicePresident, William Daniel, of Maryland.
The National Greenback Convention met at Indianapolis. Nominations—President, Benj. F . Butler; VicePresident, General A. M. West.
1888."
The Prohibition National Convention met at Indianapolis, May 31, 18S8. Nominations—President, Clinton B.
Fisk, of New Jersey, and John A. Biooks, of Missouri,
for Vice-President.
The Democratic National Convention met at St. Louis,
Mo., June 6, 1888. Nominations—President, Grover
Cleveland, of New York, on the first ballot, by acclamation, Vice-President, Allen G. Thurman, of Ohio.
The Republican National Convention met at Chicago,
June 19, 1888. Nominations—President, Benjamin Harrison, of Indiana, on the eighth ballot received 544 votes
to 118 for John Sherman, 100 for Alger 59 for Grtsham, 5
for Blaine, 4 for McKinley; Vice-President, Levi P.
Morton, of New York.

HON. LEONARD SW^TT.

348

THE

AMERICAN

MANUAL.

^OLUPIGAIi ^LAJPPOl^MS Fl^OM 18^0 WO 1888.
I860.—Co i n s t i t u t i o n a l U n i o n P l a t f o r m .
Baltimore,
May g.
Wheteas, Experience has demonstrated that
platforms adopted by the partisan conventions
of the Country have had the effect to mislead
and deceive the people, and at the same time
to widen the political divisions of the Country,
by the creation and encouragement of geographical and sectional parties; therefore,
Resolved, That it is both the part of patriotism and of duty to recognize no political principles other than T H E CONSTITUTION OP I H E
C O U N T R Y , T H E U N I O N O F T H E S T A T E S , AND
T H E E N F O R C E M E N T O E T H E L A W S ; and t h a t

as representatives of the Constitutional Union
men of the Country, in National Convention
assembled, we hereby pledge ourselves to maintain, protect, and defend, separately and
unitedly, those great principles of public liberty
and national safety against all enemies at home
and abroad, believing that thereby peace may
once more be restored to the Country, the
rights of the people and of the States re-established, and the Government again placed in
that condition of justice, fraternity, and equality, which, under the example and constitution
of our fathers, has solemnly bound every citizen of the United States to maintain a more
perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic
tranquillity, provide for t h e common defense,
promote the general welfare, and secure the
blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.
i860. - R e p u b l i c a n Platform.

Chicago, May 77.
Resolved, That we, the delegated representatives of the. Republican electors of the United
States, in convention assembled, in discharge
of the duty we owe to our constituents and our
Country, unite in ihe following declarations:
1. That the history of the Nation, during t h e
last four years, has fully established the propriety and necessity of the organization and
perpetuation of the Republican party, and that
the causes which called it into existence are
permanent in their nature, and now, more than
ever before, demand its peaceful and constitutional triumph.
2. That the maintenance of the principles
promulgated in the Declaration of Independence and embodied in the Federal Constitution,
*'That all men are created equal; that they are
endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty,
and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure
these rights, governments are instituted among
men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed," is essential to the
preservation of our Republican institutions;
and that the Federal Constitution, the rights of
the States, and the union of the States, must
and shall be preserved.
3. That to the union of the States this Nation owes its unprecedented increase in population, its surprising development of material
resources, its r^pid augmentation of wealth,
itshappines*at home and its honor abroad; and
we hold ip abhorrence all schemes for disunion,
come from whatever source they may; and we

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

349

congratulate the Country that no Republican of frauds and corruptions at the Federal metropmember of Congress has uttered or counten- olis, show that an entire change of administraanced the threats of disunion so often made by tion is imperatively demanded.
Democratic members, without rebuke and with
7. That the new dogma, that the Constitution,
applause from their political associates; and of its own force, carries slavery into any or all
we denounce those threats of disunion, in of the territories of the United States, is a dancase of a popular overthrow of their ascend- gerous political heresy, at variance with the
ency, as denying the vital principles of a free explicit provisions of that instrument itself,
government, and as an avowal of contemplated with contemporaneous exposition, and with
treason, which it is the imperative duty of an legislative and judicial precedent—is revoluindignant people sternly to rebuke and forever tionary in its tendency, and subversive of t h e
silence.
peace and harmony of the country.
4. That the maintenance inviolate of the
8. That the normal condition of all the terrights of the States, and especially the right of ritory of the United States is that of freedom;
each State to order and control its own domes- that as our republican lathers, when they had
tic institutions according to its own judgment abolished slavery in all our national territory,
exclusively, is essential to that balance of pow- ordained that "no person shall be deprived of
ers on which the perfection and endurance of life, liberty, or property, without due process
our political fabric depends; and we denounce of law,'' it becomes our duty, by legislation,
the lawless invasion, by armed force, of the whenever such legislation is necessary, to
soil of any state or territory, no matter under maintain this provision of the Constitution
what pretext, as among the gravest of crimes. against all attempts to violate it; and we deny
5. That the present Democratic administra- the authority of Congress, of a territorial legistion has far exceeded our worst apprehensions, lature, or of any individuals, to give legal
in its measureless subserviency to the exac- existence to slavery in any territory of the
tions of a sectional interest, as especially United States.
evinced in its desperate exertions to force the
9. That we brand the recent reopening of the
infamous L,ecompton constitution upon the African slave trade, under the cover of our naprotesting people of Kansas; in construing the tional flag, aided by perversions of judicial
personal relations between master and servant power, as a crime against humanity and a burnto involve an unqualified property in persons; ing shame to our Country and age; and we call
in its attempted enforcement, everywhere, on upon Congress to take prompt and efficient
land and sea, through the intervention of Con- measures for the suppression of that execrable
gress and of the Federal courts, of the extreme traffic.
pretensions of a purely local interest; and in its
general and unvarying abuse of the power - 10. That in the recent vetoes, by their Federal governors, of the acts of the legislatures of
entrusted to it by a confiding people.
Kansas and Nebraska, prohibiting slavery in
6. That the people justly view with alarm those territories, we find a practical illustration
the reckless extravagance which pervades ev- of the boasted Democratic principle of nonery department of the Federal Government; intervention and popular sovereignty, embod that a return to rigid economy and accounta- ied in the Kansas-Nebraska bill, and a demonbility is indispensable to arrest the systematic stration of the deception and fraud involved
plunder of the public treasury by favored par- therein.
tisans; while the recent startling developments

350

THE AMERICAN

IT. That Kansas should, of right, be immediately admitted as a state under the constitution recently formed and adopted by her
people, and accepted by the House of Representatives.
12. That, wiiile providing revenue for the
support of the General GoveT.tnen* b}' duties
upon imports, sound policy requires such an
adjustment of these imports as to encourage
the development of clae industrial interest of
the whole country; and we commend that
policy of natiotial exchanges which secures to
the working m*«i liberal wages, to agriculture
remunerative prices, to mechauics *nd manufacturers an adequate reward for their skill,
labor, and enterprise, and to the Nation commercial prosperity and independence.
13. That we protest against any sale or alienation to others of the public lands held by
actual settlers, and against any view of the
homestead policy which regards the settlers as
paupers or suppliants for public bounty; and we
demand t h e passage by Congress of the complete and satisfactory homestead measure which
has already passed the House.
14. That the Republican party is opposed to
any change in our. naturalization laws, or any
state legislation by which the rights of citizenship hitherto accorded to immigrants from
foreign lands shall be abridged or impaired;
and in favor of giving a full and efficient protection to the rights of all classes of citizens,
whether native or naturalized, both at home and
abroad.
15. That appropriations by Congress for river and harbor improvements of a national
character, required for the accommodation and
security of an existing commerce, are authorized by the Constitution and justified by the
obligations of Government to protect t h e lives
and property of its citizens.
16. That a railroad to the Pacific ocean is
imperatively demanded by the interest of the

MANUAL.

whole country; that the Federal Government!
ought to render immediate and efficient aid in
its construction; and that as a preliminary
thereto, a daily overland mail should be promptly established.
17. Finaliy, having thus? j-et forth QUI distinctive principles and views we invite the
co-operation of ail citizens, however differing
on other questions wbc substantially agree
with us in their affirmance and support.

1 S60.~ D e m o c r a t i c (OUIWIASJB) P l a t f o r m .
Charleston, April 2j, and Baltimore, June 18.
1. Re wived, That we, the Democracy of the
Union, in convention assembled, hereby declare our affirmance of the resolutions unanimously adopted and declared as a Platform of
principles by the Democratic convention at
Cincinnati, in the year 1856, believing that
democratic principles are unchangeable in their
nature when applied to the same subject-matters; and we recommend, as the only further
resolutions, the following:
Inasmuch as differences of opinion exist in
the Democratic party as to the nature and
extent of a territorial legislature, and as to the
powers and duties of Congress, under the
Constitution of the United States, over the institution of slavery within the Territories:
2. Resolved, That the Democratic party will
abide by the decisions of the Supreme Court
of the United States on the questions of constitutional law,
3. Resolved, That it is the duty of the United
States to afford ampie and complete protection
to all its citizens, whethei at home or abroad,
and whether native or foreign.
4. Resolved, That one of the necessities of
the age, in a military, commercial, and postal

THE AMERICAN
point of view, is speedy communication between the Atlantic and Pacific states; and the
Democratic party pledge such constitutional
government aid as will insure the construction
of a railroad to the Pacific coast at the earliest
practicable moment.
5. Resolved^ That the Democratic party are
in favor of the acquisition of the island of Cuba,
on such terms as shall be honorable to ourselves and just to Spain.
6. Resolved^ That the enactments of State
legislatures to defeat the faithful execution of
the Fugitive Slave Law are hostile in character,
subversive of the Constitution, and revolutionary in their effect.
7. Resolved^ That it is in accordance with
the true interpretation of the Cincinnati platform, that, during the existence of the territorial governments, the measure of restriction,
whatever it may be, imposed by the Federal
Constitution on the power of the territorial
legislature over the subject of domestic relations, as the same has been, or shall hereafter
be, finally^ determined by the Supreme Court
of the United States, shall be respected by all
good citizens, and enforced with promptness
and fidelity by every branch of the General
Government.

I860.—»emocratie(Brecl$iiii*iclge) Platform.
Charleston and
Baltimore.
Resolved, That the platform adopted by the
Democratic party at Cincinnati be affirmed,
with the following explanatory resolutions:
1. That the government of a territory, organized by an act of Congress, is provisional
and temporary; and, during its existence, all
citizens of the United States have an equal
right to settle, with their property in the Territory, without their rights, either of person

MANUAL.

351

or property, being destroyed or impaired by
congressional or territorial legislation.
2. That it is the duty of the Federal Government, in all its departments, to protect, when
necessary, the rights of persons and property
in the Territories, and wherever else its constitutional authority extends.
3. That when the settlers in a territory having an adequate population form a State constitution in pursuance of law, the right of
sovereignty commences,and,being consumated
by admission into the Union, they stand on
an equal footing with the people of other
States, and the State thus organized ought to
be admitte.d into the Federal Union, whether
its constitution prohibits or recognizes the institution of slavery.
4. That the Democratic party are in favor
of the acquisition of the Island of Cuba, on
such terms as shall be honorable to ourselves
and just to Spain, at the earliest practicable
moment.
5. That the enactments of State legislatures
to defeat the faithful execution of the Fugitive
Slave Law are hostile in character, subversive
of the Constitution, and revolutionary in their
effect.
6. That the Democracy of the United States
recognize it as the imperative duty of this
Government to protect the naturalized citizen
in all his rights,whether at home or in foreign
lands, to the same extent as its native-born
citizens.
WhereaS) One of the greatest necessities of
the age, in a political, commercial, postal, and
military point of view, is a speedy communication between the Pacific and Atlantic coasts;
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Democratic party do
hereby pledge themselves to use every means
in their power to secure the passage of some
bill, to the extent of the constitutional authority of Congress, for the construction of a Pa-

kill

QliJL&tuxt

(/A^^-OUUAJ

THE AMERICAN
ciflc railroad from the Mississippi river to the
Pacific ocean, at t h e earliest practicable moment

1864.—Radical Platform.
Cleveland, May si.
1. That the Federal Union shall be preserved.
2. That the constitution and laws of the
United States must be observed and obeyed.
3. That the Rebellion must be suppressed
by force of arms, and without compromise.
4. That the rights of free speech, free press
and the habeas corpus be held inviolate, save
in districts where martial law has been proclaimed.
5. That the Rebellion has destroyed slavery:
and the Federal Constitution should be so
amended as to prohibit its re-establishment,
and to secure to all men absolute equality before the law.
6. That integrity and economy are demanded, at all times in t h e administration of
the government, and that in time of war the
want of them is criminal.
7. That t h e right of asylum, except for
crime and subject to law, is a recognized principle of American liberty; and that any violation of it can not be overlooked, and must
not go unrebuked.
8. That the National policy known as the
"Monroe Doctrine," has become a recognized
principle;and t h a t t h e establishment of an antirepublican government on this continent by
any foreign power can not be tolerated.
9. That the gratitude and support of the Nation
are due to the faithful soldiers and the earnest
leaders of the Union army and navy, for their
heroic achievements and deathless valor in de-

MANUAL.

353

fense of our imperiled Country and of civil
liberty.
10. T h a t t h e one-term policy for the presi-j
dency, adopted by the people, is strengthened'
by the force of the existing crisis, and should'
be maintained by constitutional amendment.
11. That the Constitution should be so
amended that the President and Vice President shall be elected by a direct vote of the,
people.
12. That the question of the reconstruction
of the rebellious States belongs to the people,
through their representatives in Congress,
and not to the Executive.
13. That the confiscation of the lands of the
rebels, and their distribution among the soldiers and actual settlers, is a measure of
justice.

1864.—Republican P l a t f o r m ,
Baltimore, June 7.
Resolved, That it is the highest duty of
every American citizen to maintain, against
all their enemies, the integrity of the Union
and the paramount authority of the Constitution and laws of the United States; and that,
laying aside all differences of political opinions, we pledge ourselves, as Union men, animated by a common sentiment and aiming at
a common object, to do everything in o u r
power to aid the Government in quelling, byforce of arms, the Rebellion now raging;
against its authority, and in bringing to t h e
punishment due to their crimes the rebels a n d
traitors arrayed against it.
Resolved, That we approve the determination of the Government of the United States
not to compromise with the rebels, nor to offer,
them any terms of peace, except such as may
be based upon an "unconditional surrender'*

354

THE AMERICAN

of their hostility and a return to their allegiance to the Constitution and laws of the
United States; and that we call upon the Government to maintain this position, and to
prosecute the war with the utmost possible
vigor to the complete suppression of the Rebellion, in full reliance upon the self-sacrificing patriotism, the heroic valor, and the
undying devotion of the American people to
the Country and its free institutions.
Resolved, That as slavery wTas the cause,
and now constitutes the strength, of this Rebellion, and as it must be always and everywhere hostile to the principles of republican
government, justice and the National safety
demand its utter and complete extirpation
from the soil of the Republic; and that we uphold and maintain the acts and proclamations
by which the Government, in its own defense,
has aimed a death-blow at the gigantic evil.
We are in favor, futhermore, of such an
amendment to the Constitution, to be made
jby the people in conformity with its provis• ions, as shall terminate and forever prohibit
I the existence of slavery within the limits or
i jurisdiction of the United States.

MANUAL,

circumstances of unparalleled difficulty, the
great duties and responsibilities of the presidential office; that we approve and indorse,
as demanded by the emergency and essential
to the preservation of the Nation, and as within the provisions of the Constitution, the
measures and acts which he has adopted to
defend the Nation against its open and secret
foes; that we approve, especially, the Proclamation of Emancipation, and the employment
as Union soldiers, of men heretofore held in
slavery ;and that we have full confidence in his
determination to carry these, and all other
constitutional measures essential to the salvation of the Country, into full and complete
effect.
Resolved, That we deem it essential to the
general welfare that harmonv should prevail!
in the National councils, and we regard as
worthy of public confidence and official trust'
those only who cordially indorse the principles^
proclaimed in these resolutions, and which'
should characterize the administration of the
Government.
Resolved, That the Government owes to all,
men employed in its armies, without regard
to distinction of color, the full protection of
the laws of war; and that any violation of
these laws, or of the usages of civilized nations'
in the time of war, by the rebels now in arms, j
should be made t h e subject of prompt and'
full redress.
Resolved, That foreign immigration, which
in the past, has added so much to the wealth, i
development of resources, and increase of
power to this Nation—the asylum of the op-pressed of all nations-should be fostered and'
encouraged by a liberal and just policy.

Resolved, That the t h a n k s of the American
people are due to the soldiers and sailors of
the army and navy, who have periled their
; lives in defense of their country and in vindication of the honor of its flag; that the Nation
owes to them some permanent recognition of
their patriotism and their valor, and ample
and permanent provision for those of their
survivors who have received disabling and
honorable wounds in the service of the Count r y ; and that the memories of those who have
(fallen in its defense shall be held in grateful
and everlasting remembrance.
Resolved, That we are in favor of the speedy
Resolved, That we approve and applaud the construction of the railroad to the Pacific
practical wisdom, the unselfish patriotism, and coast.
:the unswerving fidelity to the Constitution
;
Resolved, That the National faith, pledged
and the principles of American liberty with
which Abraham Lincoln has discharged,under for the redemption of the public debt, must be

THE AMERICAN
kept inviolate; and that, for this purpose, we
recommend economy and rigid responsibility
in the public expenditures and a vigorous and
'just system of taxation; and that it is the duty
of every loyal state to sustain the credit and
promote the use of the National currency.
Resolved, That we approve the position taken by the Government, that the people of the
United States can never regard with indifference the attempt of any European power to
overthrow by force, or to supplant by fraud,
the institutions of any republican government
on the western continent, and that they will
view with extreme jealousy, as menacing to
the peace and independence of this, our Country, the efforts of any such power to obtain
new footholds for monarchical governments,
sustained by a foreign military force, in near
proximity to the United States.

1864,—Democratic Platform.
Chicago, August, 29.
Resolved, That in the future, as in the past,
we will adhere with unswerving fidelity to the
Union under the Constitution, as the only solid
foundation of our strength, security, and happiness as a people, and as a frame-work of
Government equally conducive to the welfare
and prosperity of all the States, both northern
and southern.
Resolved,th.sk this convention does explicitly declare, as the sense of the American people, that after four years of failure to restore
the Union by the experiment of war, during
which, under the pretense of a military necessity of a war power higher than the Constitution, the Constitution itself has been
disregarded in every part, and public liberty
and private right alike trodden down, and the
material prosperity of the Country essentially

MANUAL.

355

impaired, justice, humanity, liberty, and t h e
public welfare demand that immediate efforts
be made for a cessation of hostilities, with a
view to an ultimate' convention of all t h e
States, or other peaceable means, to the end
that, at the earliest practicable moment, peace
may be restored on the basis of the federal
union of all the States.
Resolved, That the direct interference of
the military authority of the United States
in the recent elections held in Kentucky,
Maryland, Missouri and Delaware, was a
shameful violation of the Constitution; and
the repetition of such acts in the approaching
election will be held as revolutionary, and resisted with all the means and power under our
control.
Resolved, That the aim and object of t h e
Democratic party is to preserve the Federal
Union and the rights of the States unimpaired;
and they hereby declare that they consider t h e
administrative unsurpation of extraordinary
and dangerous powers not granted by the Constitution, the subversion of the civil by t h e
military law in states not in insurrection, t h e
arbitrary military arrest, imprisonment, trial,
and sentence of American citizens in States
where civil law e x i s t i p i full force, the suppression of freedom of speech ahd of the press,
the denial of the right of asylum, the open
and avowed disregard of state rights, the employment of unusual test-oaths, and the interference with and denial of the right of t h e
people to bear arms in their defense, as calculated to prevent a restoration of the Union
and the perpetuation of a government deriving
its just powers from the consent of the governed.
Resolved, That the shameful disregard of
the administration of its duty in respect to our
fellow-citizens who now are, and long have
been, prisoners of war,in a suffering cc edition,
deserves the severest reprobatibn on the

356

THE AMERICAN

score alike of public policy and common humanity.
Resolved, That the sympathy of the Democratic party is heartily and earnestly extended
to the soldiery of our army and the sailors of
our navy, who are and have been in the field
and on the sea under the fla^ of their Country;
and, in the event of our attaining power, they
will receive all the care and protection, regard
and kindness, that the brave soldiers of the
Republic have so nobly earned.

1868.—Republican Platform.
Chicago, May 20.
1. We congratulate the Country on the assured success of the reconstruction policy of
Congress,as evinced by theadoption,in the majority of the States lately in rebellion, of constitutions securing equal civil and political
rights to all; and it is the duty of the Governm e n t to sustain those institutions and to prevent the people of such States from being
remitted to a state of anarchy.
2. The guarantee by Congress of equal suffrage to all loyal men at the south was demanded by every consideration of public
safety, of gratitude, and of justice, and must
be maintained; while the question of suffrage
in all the loyal States properly belongs to the
people of those States.
3. We denounce all forms of repudiation as
a National crime; and the National honor requires the payment of the public indebtedness
in the uttermost good faith to all creditors at
home and abroad, not only according to the
letter but the spirit of the laws under which it
was contracted.
4. It is due to the labor of the Nation that
taxation should be equalized and reduced as
rapidly as the National faith will p e r m i t

MANUAL.
5. The National debt, contracted as it h a s
been for the preservation of the Union for all
time to come, should be extended over a fair
period for redemption; and it is the duty 01
Congress to reduce the rate of interest thereon
whenever it can be honestly done.

6. That the best policy to diminish our burden of debts is to so improve our credit that
capitalists will seek to loan us money at lower rates of interest than we now pay, and must
continue to pay so long as repudiation,partial or
total, open or covert, islthreatened or suspected.
7. The Government of the United States
should be administered with the strictest economy; and the corruptions which have been sa
shamefully nursed and fostered by Andrew
Johnson call loudly for radical reform.
8. We profoundly deplore the tragic death
of Abraham Lincoln, and regret the accession
to the Presidency of Andrew Johnson, who has
acted treacherously to the people who elected
h i m and the cause he was pledged to support;
who has usurped high legislative and judicial
functions;who has refused to execute the laws;
who has used his high office to induce other
officers to ignore and violate the laws; who has
employed his executive powers to render insecure the property, the peace, liberty, and life
of the citizen; who has abused t h e pardoning
power; who has denounced the National legislature as unconstitutional ;who has persistently
and corruptly resisted, by every means in his
power, every proper attempt at the reconstruction of the States lately in rebellion; who has
perverted the public patronage into an engine
of wholesale corruption; and who has been
justly impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors, and properly pronounced guilty
thereof by the vote of thirty-five Senators.
9. The doctrine of Great Britain and other
European powers, that because a man is once J
a subject h e is always so, must be resisted at
every hazard by the United States, as a relie

THE AMERICAN
of feudal times, not authorized by the laws of
nations, and at war with our National honor
and independence. Naturalized citizens are
entitled to protection in all their rights of
citizenship as though they were native-born;
and no citizen of the United States, native or
naturalized, must be liable to arrest and imprisonment by any foreign power for acts
done or words spoken in this Country; and,
if so arrested and imprisoned, it is the duty of
the Government to interfere in his behalf.
10. Of all who were faithful in the trials of
the late war, there were none entitled to
more special honor than the brave soldiers
and seamen who endured t h e hardships of
campaign and cruise, and imperiled their
lives in the service of the Country. The bounties and pensions provided by the laws for
these brave defenders of the Nation are obligations never to be forgotten; the widows and
orphans of the gallant dead are the wards of
the people—a sacred legacy bequeathed to the
Nation's protecting care.
11. Foreign immigration, which in the past
h a s added so much to the wealth, development, and resources, and increase of power to
this Republic, the asylum of the oppressed of
all nations, should be fostered and encouraged by a liberal and just policy.
12. This convention declares itself in sympathy with all oppressed people who are
struggling for their rights.
13. That we highly commend the spirit of
magnanimity and forbearance with which
men who have served in the Rebellion, but
who now frankly and honestly co-operate
with us in restoring t h e peace of the Country
and reconstructing the Southern state governments upon the basis of impartial justice and
equal rights, arereceived back into the communion of the loyal people ;and we favor the removal of the disqualifications and restrictions imposed upon the late rebels, in t h e same meas-

MANUAL.

357

ure as the spirit of disloyalty shall die out, and
as may be consistent with the safety of t h e
loyal people.
14. That we recognize the great principles
laid down in t h e immortal Declaration of Independence, as the true foundation of
democratic government; and we hail with;
gladness every effort towards m a k i n g these:
principles a living reality on every inch of;
American soil.

1868.—democratic Platform.
New York) July 4.
T h e Democratic party, in National convention assembled, reposing its trust in the intelligence, patriotism, and discriminating justice
of the people, standing upon the Constitution'
as the foundation and limitation of the powers:
of the Government and the guarantee of the
liberties of the citizen, and recognizing the;
questions of slavery and secession as having
been settled, for all time to come, by the war
or voluntary action of the Southern States in
constitutional conventions assembled, and
never to be revived or reagitated, do, with t h e
return of peace, demand—
1. Immediate restoration of all the States to
their rights in the Union under the Constitution, and of civil government to t h e American
people.
2. Amnesty for all past political offenses,
and the regulation of the elective franchise in
the States by their citizens.
3. Payment of all the public debt of the
United States as rapidly as practicable—all
money drawn from t i e people by taxation, except so much as is requisite for t h e
necessities of the Government, economically
administered, being honestly applied to sucrt
payment; and where the obligations of the!

358

THE AMERICAN

Government do not expressly state upon their
face, or the law under which they were issued
does not provide that they shall be paid in
coin, they ought, in right and in justice, to
be paid in the lawful money of the United
States.
4. Equal taxation of every species of property according to its real value, including Government bonds and other public securities.
5. One currency for the Government and
the people, the laborer and the office holder,
t h e pensioner and the soldier, the producer
and tlie bondholder.
6. Economy in the administration of the
Government; the reduction of the standing
army and navy; the abolition of the Freedm a n ' s Bureau and all political instrumentalities designed to secure negro supremacy; simplification of the system and discontinuance
of inquisitorial modes of assessing and collecting internal revenue; that the burden of
taxation may by equalized and lessened, and
the credit of the Government and the currency
made good; the repeal of all enactments for
enrolling the state militia into National forces
in time of peace; and a tariff for revenue upon
foreign imports, and such equal taxation
under the internal revenue laws as will afford
incidental protection to domestic manufactures,
and as will, without impairing the revenue,
impose the least burden upon, and best promote and encourage, the great industrial interests of the Country.
7. Reform of abuses in the administration;
the expulsion of corrupt men from office; t h e
abrogation of useless offices; the restoration of
rightml authority to, and the independence
of, the Executive and Judicial departments of
the Government; the subordination of the military to the civil power, to the end that the
usurpations of Congress and the despotism
of the sword may cease.
8. Equal rights and protection for naturalized and native-born citizens, at home and

MANUAL.
abroad; the assertion of American nationality
which shall command the respect of foreign,
powers, and furnish an example and encouragement to people struggling for national integrity, constitutional liberty and individual
rights; and the maintenance of the rights of
naturalized citizens against the absolute doctrine of immutable allegiance and the claims
of foreign powers to punish them for alleged
crimes committed beyond their jurisdiction.
In demanding these measures and reforms,
we arraign the Radical party for its disregard
of right and the unparalleled oppression and
tyranny which have marked its career. After
the most solemn and unanimous pledge of
both Houses of Congress to prosecute the war,
exclusively for the maintenance of the Government and preservation of the Union under
the Constitution, it has repeatedly violated t h e
most sacred pledge under which alone was
rallied that noble volunteer army which carw
ried our flag to victory. Instead of restoring
the Union, it has, so far as in its power, dissolved it, and subjected ten states, in time of
profound peace, to military despotism and negro supremacy. It has nullified there t h e right
of trial by jury; it has abolished the habeas
cot pus, that most sacred writ of liberty; it h a s
overthrown the freedom of speech and press;
it has substituted arbitrary seizures and arrests,
and military trials and secret star-chamber
requisitions, for the constitutional tribunals; it
has disregarded, in time of peace, the right
of the people to be free from searches and
seizures; it has entered the post and telegraph
offices, and even t h e private rooms of individuals, and seized their private papers and let *
ters, without any specific charge or notice of
affidavit, as required by the organic law. I t
has converted the American capitol into a
bastile; it has established a system of spies
and official espionage to which no constitutional monarchy of Europe would now dare to
resort. It has abolished the right of appeal,
on important constitutional questions, to the

THE AMERICAN
supreme judicial tribunals, and threatens to
curtail or destroy its original jurisdiction,
which is irrevocably vested by t h e Constitution; while the learned Chief Justice has been
.subjected to the most atrocious calumnies,
merely because h e would not prostitute his
high office to t h e support of t h e false and
partisan charges preferred against the President. Its corruption and extravagance have
iexceeded anything known in history; and, by
fraud and monopolies, it has nearly doubled
t h e burden of the debt created by the war. I t
has stripped the President of his constitutional power of appointment, even of his own cabinet. Under its repeated assaults, the pillars
of the Government are rocking on their base;
and should it succeed in November next, and
inaugurate its President, we will meet, as a
subjected and conquered people, amid the
ruins of liberty and the scattered fragments of
t h e Constitution.
And we do declare and resolve that ever
since the people of the United States threw off
all subjection to the British crown, the privilege and trust of suffrage have belonged to
l
the several States, and have been granted,
regulated, and controlled exclusively by the
political power of each State respectively; and
that any attempt by Congress, on any pretext
whatever, to deprive any State of this right, or
interfere with its exercise, is a flagrant usurpation of power which can find no warrant in
the Constitution, and,if sanctioned by the people, will subvert our form of government, and
can only end in a single, centralized, and consolidated, government, in which the separate
existence of the States will be entirely absorbed, and an unqualified despotism be established in place of a federal union of co-equal
States. And that we regard the construction
acts (so called) of Congress as usurpations, and
unconstitutional, revolutionary, and void.
That our soldiers and sailors, who carried
the flag of our Country to victory against the

MANUAL.

859

most gallant and determined foe, must ever be:
gratefully remembered, and all the guarantees!
given in their favor must be faithfully carried
into execution.
That the public lands should be distributed
as widely as possible among t h e people, a n d
should be disposed of either under t h e pre-;
emption of homestead lands or sold in reasonable quantities, and to none but actual occupants, at the minimum price established by the
Government. When grants of public lands,
may be allowed, necessary for the encourage-*
ment of important public improvements, t h e
proceeds of the sale of such lands, and not the
lands themselves, should be so applied.
That the President of the United States,
Andrew Johnson, in exercising the power of
his high office in resisting the aggressions of
Congress upon the constitutional rights of the
States and the people, is entitled to the gratitude of the whole American people; and, on
behalf of the Democratic party, we tender him
our thanks for his patriotic efforts in that re-,
gard.
Upon this platform, the Democratic party
appeal to every patriot, including all the conservative element and all who desire to support the Constitution and restore the Union,
forgetting all past differences of opinion,
to unite with us in the present great struggle
for the liberties of the people; and that to all
such, to whatever party they may have heretofore belonged, we extend the right hand of
fellowship, and hail all such, co-operating
with us, as friends and brethren.
Resolved^ That this convention sympathizes
cordially with the working men of the United
States in their efforts to protect the rights and
interests of the laboring classes of the Country.
Resolved, That the t h a n k s of the convention are tendered to Chief Justice Salmon P.
Chase, for the justice, dignity,and impartiality

360

THE

AMERICAN

with which h e presided over the court of impeachment on t h e trial of President Andrew
Johnson.

MANUAL.

out mortgaging the property of the people or
the future exigencies of labor to enrich a few^
capitalists at home and abroad.
3. That justice demands that the burdens ofj
Government should be so adjusted as to bear;
equally on all classes, and the exemption fromi
taxation of government bonds bearing extrav-;
1872.—tabor Reform Platform.
agant rates of interest, is a violation of all
Columbus^ February', 21.
just principles of revenue laws.
W e hold that all political power is inherent
4. That the Public lands of the Unitedin the people, and free government founded States belong to the people, and should not be
ion their authority and established for their sold to individuals nor granted to corporations;
jbenefit; that all citizens are equal in political but should be held as a sacred trust for the'
rights, entitled to the largest religious and benefit of the people, and should be granted
:political liberty compatible with the good or- to landless settlers only, in amounts not exder of society, as also the use and enjoyment ceeding one hundred and sixty acres of land.
of the fruits of their labor and talents: and no
5. That Congress should modify the tariff
mian or set of men is entitled to exclusive ser> so as to admit free such articles of common
j
arable endowments and privileges or immuni- use as we can neither produce nor grow, and
Ities from the Government,but in consideration lay duties for revenue mainly upon articles of
jof public services, and any laws destructive of luxury and upon such articles of manufacture
these fundamental principles are without mor- as will, we having the raw materials, assist
al binding force, and should be repealed. And in further developing the resources of the
."believing that all the evils resulting from un- Country.
j u s t legislation now affecting the industrial
6. That the presence in our Country of;
'classes can be removed by the adoption of the
^principles contained in the following declara- Chinese laborers, imported by capitalists inj
large numbers for servile use is an evil entailtion: therefore.
ing want and its attendant train of misery,
Resolved, That it is t h e duty of the Govern- and crime on all classes of American people,
m e n t to establish a just standard of distribution and should be prohibited by legislation.
•of capital and labor, by providing a purely
7. That we ask for the enactment of a law
jnational circulating medium, based on the
jfaith and resources of the Nation, issued di- by which all mechanics and day-laborers emIrectly to the people without the intervention ployed by, or on behalf of the Government,
'of any system of banking corporations, whether directly or indirectly,through persons,which money shall be legal tender in the pay- firms, or corporations, contracting with the.
m e n t of all debts, public and private and State shall conform to the reduced standard?
[interchangeable, at the option of the holder, of eight hours a day, recently adopted by
(for government bonds bearing a rate of inter- Congress for National employes; and also for
e s t not to exceed 3.65 per c e n t , subject to fu- an amendment to the acts of incorporation for;
cities and towns, by which all laborers and}
ture legislation by Congress.
mechanics employed at their expense shall 5
2. That the national debt should be paid in conform to t h e same number of hours.
good faith, according to the original contract,
8. That the enlightened spirit ot the age de, at the earliest option of the Government, with-

THE AMERICAN
inands the abolition of t h e system of contract
labor in our prisons and other reformatory institutions.
9. That t h e protection of life, liberty, and
property are the three cardinal principles of
government, and the first two are more sacred
t h a n the latter; therefore, money needed for
prosecuting wars, should, as it is required, be
assessed and collected from the wealthy of t h e
Country, and not entailed as a burden on posterity.
10. That it is t h e duty of the Government to
exercise its power over railroads and telegraph
corporations, that they shall not in any case be
privileged to exact such rates of freight, transportation, or charges, by whatever name, as
may bear unduly or unequally on the producer or consumer.
TI. That there should be such a reform in
t h e civil service of the National Government
as will remove it beyond all partisan influence
and place it in the charge and under the direction of intelligent and competent business
men.
12. That as both history and experience
teach us that power ever seeks to perpetuate
itself by every and all means, and that its
prolonged possession in the hands of one person is always dangerous to the interests of a
free people, and believing that the spirit of
our organic laws, and stability and safety of
our free institutions are best obeyed on the
one hand, and secured on the other, by a regular constitutional change in the chief of the
Country at each election; therefore, we are in
favor of limiting the occupancy of the Presidential chair to one term.
13. That we are in favor of granting general
amnesty and restoring the Union at once on
the basis of equality of rights and privileges
to all, the impartial administration of justice
being the only true bond of union to bind the

MANUAL.

361

States together and restore the government of
t h e people.
14. T h a t we demand the subjection of t h e
military to the civil authorities, and the con-,
finement of its operations to national purposes 1
alone.
15. That we deem it expedient for Congress
to supervise the patent laws so as to give labor
more fully the benefit of its own ideas and inventions.
16. That fitness, and not political or personal considerations, should be the only recommendation to public office, either appointive
or elective; and any and all laws looking to \
the establishment of this principle are heart-i
ily approved.

1872.—Prohibition P l a t f o r m .
Columbus, Ohio, February 22\
The preamble recites that protection and
allegiance are reciprocal duties; and every citizen who yields obediently to the full commands of Government should be protected in
all the enjoyment of personal security,personal
liberty, and private property. That the traffic
in intoxicating drinks greatly impairs t h e personal security and personal liberties of a great
mass of citizens, and renders private property
insecure. That all political parties are hopelessly unwilling to adopt an adequate policy
on this question: therefore, as a National Convention, we adopt the following declaration of
principles:
That while we acknowledge the true patriotism and profound statesmanship of those patriots who laid the foundation of this Government, securing at once the rights of the States
severally in their inseparable union by the
federal constitution, we would not merely garnish the sepulchres of our republican lathers,
but we do hereby renew our pledges of solemn

362

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.fealty to the imperishable principles of civil
:
and religious liberty embodied in the Declaration of Independence and our Federal Constitution.
That the traffic in intoxicating beverages is
a dishonor to Christain civilization, a political
wrong of unequalled enormity, subversive of
ordinary objects of government, not capable
of being regulated or restrained by any system
of license whatever, and imperatively demands, for its suppression, effective legal
prohibition, both by State and National legislation.
That there can be no greater peril to a nation
t h a n existing party competition for the liquor
vote. That any party not opposed to the traffic, experience shows will engage in this competition—will court the favor of criminal
classes-will barter away the public morals, the
purity of the ballot, and every object of good
government, for party success.
That, as prohibitionists, we will individually
use all efforts to persuade men from the use of
intoxicating liquors; and we invite all persons
to assist in this movement.
That competence, honesty, and sobriety are
indispensable qualifications for holding office.
That removals from public office for mere
political differences of opinion are wrong.
That fixed and moderate salaries of public
officers should take the place of fees and perquisites; and that all means should be taken
to prevent corruption and encourage economy.
That the President and Vice President
should be elected directly by the people.
That we are in favor of a sound National
currency, adequate to the demands of business,
and convertible into gold and silver at the will
of the holder, and the adoption of every measure compatible with justice and public safety
to appreciate our present currency to the gold
standard.
That the rates of ocean and inland postage,

MANUAL.
and railroad telegraph lines and water transportation, should be made as low as possible
by s law.
That we are opposed to all discrimination^
in favor of capital against labor, as well as all'
monopoly and class legislation.
That the removal of the burdens imposed in
the traffic of intoxicating drinks will emancipate labor, and will practically promote labor
reform.
That suffrage should be granted to all persons, without regard to sex.
That the fostering and extension of common
schools is a primary duty of the Government.
That a liberal policy should be pursued to
promote foreign immigration.

1872.—Liberal Republican Platform.
Cincinnati, May i.
We, the Liberal Republicans of the United
States, in National Convention assembled at
Cincinnati, proclaim the following principles
as essential to just government.
i. We recognize the equality of all men before the lawV-and hold that it is the duty of j
Government, ih< its dealings with the people, j
to mete out equal and exact justice to all, of)
whatever nativity, race, color, or persuasion,
religious or political.
2. We pledge ourselves to maintain the
Union of these States, emancipation, and enfranchisement, and to oppose any reopening)
of the questions settled by the thirteenth,
fourteenth, and fifteenth amendments of the
Constitution.
3. We demand the immediate and absolute)
removal of all disabilities imposed on account
of the Rebellion which was finally subdued
seven years ago, believing that universal am-

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nesty will result in complete pacification in all
sections of the Country.
4. Local self-government, with impartial
suffrage, will guard t h e rights of all citizens
more securely than any centralized power.
T h e public welfare requires t h e supremacy of
the civil over the military authority, and the
freedom of person under the protection of the
habeas corpus. We demand for the individual
the largest liberty consistent with public order,
for the State self-government, and for the Nation a return to the methods of peace and the
constitutional limitations of power.

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363

Executive interference or dictation.
7. The public credit must be sacredly maintained, and we denounce repudiation in every \
form and guise.
8. A speedy return to specie payment is demanded alike by the highest considerations of
commercial morality and honest government.
9. We remember with gratitude the heroism
and sacrifices of the soldiers and sailors of t h e
Republic; and no act of ours shall ever detract
from their justly earned fame or the full rewards of their patriotism.
10. We are opposed to all further grants of
lands to railroads or other corporations. T h e
public domain should be held sacred to actual
settlers.
11. We hold that it is the duty of the Government, in its intercourse with foreign nations,
to cultivate the friendships of peace, by treating all on fair and equal terms, regarding it
alike dishonorable either to demand what is
not right or submit to what is wrong.

5. The civil service of the Government has
become a mere instrument of partisan tyranny
and personal ambition, and an object of selfish
greed. I t is a scandal and reproach upon free
institutions, and breeds a demoralization dangerous to the perpetuity of republican government. We, therefore, regard a thorough reform
of the civil service as one of the most pressing
necessities of the hour; that honesty, capacity,
and fidelity constitute the only valid claims to
public employment; that the offices of t h e
Government cease to be a matter of arbitrary
favoritism and patronage, and that public station shall become again a post of honor. To
this end, it is imperatively required that no
President shall be a candidate for re-election.

12. For the promotion and success of these
vital principles and the support of the candidates nominated by this Convention, we invite
and cordially welcome the co-operation of all
patriotic citizens, without regard to previous
political affiliations.

6. We demand a system of federal taxation
which shall not unnecessarily interfere with the
industry of the people, and which shall provide
t h e means necessary to pay the expenses of the
Government, economically administered, the
pensions, the interest on the public debt,
and a moderate reduction annually of the
principal thereof; and recognizing that there
are in our midst honest but irreconcilable
differences of opinion with regard to the respective systems of protection and free trade,
we remit the discussion of t h e subject to the
ipeople in their Congressional districts and the
decision of Congress thereon, wholly free from

1872.—Democratic Platform.
Baltimore, July p.
We, the Democratic electors of the United
States, in convention assembled, do present
the following principles, already adopted at
Cincinnati, as essential to just government:
[Here followed the "Liberal Republican
Platform;" which see above.]

364

THE

AMERICAN

1873.—Republican Platform.

MANUAL.

.

the future. We believe the people will n o t
intrust the Government to any party or combi*
nation of men composed chiefly of those who
have resisted every step of this beneficent pro-*
gress.
2. The recent amendments to the National!
Constitution should be cordially sustained;
because they are right, not merely tolerated
because they are law, and should be carried out
1. During eleven years of supremacy it has according to their spirit by appropriate legislaaccepted, with grand courage, the solemn tion, the enforcement of which can safely b e
duties of the time. It suppressed a gigantic intrusted only to the party that secured these
rebellion, emancipated four millions of slaves, amendments.
decreed the equal citizenship of all, and estab3. Complete liberty and exact equality in
lished universal suffrage. Exhibiting unparal- t h e enjoyment of all civil, political, and public
leled magnanimity, it criminally punished no rights should be established and effectually;
m a n for political offences, and warmly wel- maintained throughout the Union by efficient
comed all who proved their loyalty by obeying and appropriate State and Federal legislation.;
t h e laws and dealing justly with their neigh- Neither the law nor its administration should!
bors. It has steadily decreased, with firm hand, admit any discrimination in respect to citizens'
t h e resultant disorders of a great war, and ini- by reason of race, creed, color, or previous*
tiated a wise and humane policy toward the condition of servitude.
(
Indians. The Pacific railroad and other simi4. The National Government should seek to!
lar vast enterprises have been generously aided maintain honorable peace with all nations,!
and successfully conducted, the public lands protecting its citizens everywhere, and sym-i
freely given to actual settlers, immigration pathizing with all peoples who strive for great- ;
protected and encouraged, and a full acknowl- er liberty.
edgment of the naturalized citizen's rights
5. Any system of civil service under which!
secured from European powers. A uniform
National currency has been provided, repudia- the subordinate positions of the Governments
are considered rewards for mere party zeal
tion frowned down, the National credit sus- fatally demoralizing; and we, therefore favor is
a>
tained under the most extraordinary burdens, reform of the system, by laws which shall abol-1
a n d new bonds negotiated at lower rates. T h e ish the evils of patronage, and m a k e honesty,]
revenues have been carefully collected and efficiency, and fidelity the essential qualifica-'
honestly applied. Despite annual large reduc- tions for public positions, without practically;
tions of the rates of taxation, the public debt creating a life tenure of office.
h a s been reduced during General Grant's
6. We are opposed to further grants of the.
presidency at the rate of a hundred millions a
year, great financial crises have been avoided, public lands to corporations and monopolies,!
and peace and plenty prevail throughout the and demand that the National domain be seti
land. Menacing foreign difficulties have been apart for free homes for the people.
peacefully and honorably compromised, and
7. The annual revenue, after paying current
the honor and power of the Nation kept in high expenditures, pensions, and the interest on t h e
respect throughout the world. This glorious public debt, should furnish a moderate balrecord of the past is the party's best pledge for ance for t h e reduction of t h e principal; a n d

Philadelphia^ Junes.
The Republican party of the United States,
assembled in National Convention in the city
of Philadelphia, on the 5th and 6th days of
J u n e , 1872; again declares its faith, appeals to
its history, and announces its position upon
t h e questions before t h e country:

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that revenue, except so m u c h as may be derived from a tax upon tobacco and liquors,
should be raised by duties upon importations,
t h e details of which should be so adjusted as
to aid in securing remunerative wages to labor,
and promote the industries, prosperity, and
growth of the whole Country.
8. We hold in undying honor the soldiers
and sailors whose valor saved the Union.
Their pensions are a sacred debt of the Nation,
and the widows and orphans of those who died
for their country are entitled to the care of a
generous and grateful people. We favor such
additional legislation as will extend the bounty of the Government to all our soldiers and
sailors who were honorably discharged, and
who in the line of duty became disabled, without regard to the length of service or the cause
of such discharge.
9. The doctrine of Great Britain and other
European powers concerning allegiance-*'once
a subject always a subject"—having at last,
through the efforts of the Republican party,
been abandoned, and the American idea of
the individual's right to transfer allegiance
having been accepted by European nations, it
is the duty of our Government to guard with
jealous care the rights of adopted citizens
against the assumption of unauthorized claims
by their former governments, and we urge
continued careful encouragement and protection of voluntary immigration.
10. The franking privilege ought to be abolished, and a way prepared for a speedy reduction in the rates of postage.
11. Among t h e questions which press for
attention is that which concerns the relations
of capital and labor; and the Republican
party recognizes the duty of so shaping legislation as to secure full protection and the
amplest field for capital, and for labor, t h e
creator of capital, the largest opportunities a n d
a just share of the mutual profits of these two

MANUAL.

365

great servants of civilization.
12. We hold that Congress and the President
have only fulfilled an imperative duty in their
measures for the suppression of violence and
treasonable organizations in certain lately rebellious regions, and for the protection of the
ballot-box; and, therefore, they are entitled to
the thanks of the Nation.
13. We denounce repudiation of the public
debt, in any form or disguise, as a National,
crime. We witness with pride the reduction
of the principal of the debt, and of the rates of*
interest upon the balance, and confidently expect that our excellent National currency will'
be perfected by a speedy resumption of specie
payment.
14. The Republican party is mindful of itsl
obligations to the loyal women of America for}
their noble devotion to the cause of freedom..1
Their admission to wider fields of usefulness!
is viewed with satisfaction; and the honest de-j
mand of any class of citizens for additional]
rights should be treated with respectful con-'
sideration.
\
15. We heartily approve the action of Con-1
gress in extending amnesty to those lately in
rebellion, and rejoice in the growth of peace I
and fraternal feeling throughout the land.
j
16. The Republican party proposes to respect
the rights reserved by the people to themselves
as carefully as the powers delegated by them!
to the States and to the Federal Government.
I t disapproves of the resort to unconstitutional;
laws for the purpose of removing evils, by in-|
terference with rights not surrendered by the]
people to either the State or t h e National Government.
17. It is the duty of the General Government'
to adopt such measures as may tend to encourage and restore American commerce and shipbuilding.
18. We believe that the modest patriotism,

366

THE AMERICAN

the earnest purpose, the. sound judgment, the
practical wisdom, the incorruptible integrity,
and t h e illustrious services of Ulysses S. Grant
have commended him to the heart of the American People; and with him at our head, we
start to-day upon a new march to victory.
19. Henry Wilson, nominated for the VicePresidency, known to the whole land from the
early days of the great struggle for liberty as
an indefatigable laborer in all campaigns, an
incorruptible legislator and representative
man of American institutions, is worthy to associate with our great leader and share the
honors which we pledge our best efforts to bestow upon them.

1872.—Democratic (Straight-out) Platform.
Louisville, Kentucky, September 3.
Whereas, A frequent recurrence to first principles and eternal vigilance against abuses are
the wisest provisions for liberty, which is the
source of progress, and fidelity to our constitutional system is the only protection for either:
therefore,
Resolved, That the original basis of our whole
political structure is consent in every part
thereof. The people of each State voluntarily
created their State, and the States voluntarily
formed the Union; and each State provided by
its written constitution for everything a State
could do for the protection of life, liberty, and
property within it; and each State, jointly with
the others, provided a federal union for foreign
and inter-state relations.
Resolved, That all governmental powers,
whether State or Federal, are trust powers
coming from the people of each State, and that
they are limited to the written letter of the
Constitution and the laws passed in pursuance

MANUAL,

of it; which powers must be exercised in the:
utmost good faith, the Constitution itself s t a t ing in what manner they may be altered and'
amended.
Resolved, That the interests of labor and
capital should not be permitted to conflict, but
should be harmonized by judicious legislation..
While such a conflict continues, labor, which/
is the parent of wealth, is entitled to paramount
consideration.
Resolved, That we proclaim to the world
that principle is to be preferred to power; that
the Democratic party is held together by t h e
cohesion of time honored principles, which
they will never surrender in exchange for all
the offices which Presidents can confer. T h e
pangs of the minorities are doubtless excruciating; but we welcome an eternal minority, under the banner inscribed with our principles,
rather than an almighty and everlasting majority, purchased by their abandonment.
Resolved, That having been betrayed at
Baltimore into a false creed and a false leadership by the Convention, we repudiate both,
and appeal to the people to approve our platform, and to rally to the polls and- support t h e
true platform and the candidates who embody
it.

1875.—Tlie American National Platform.
Adopted in Mass Meeting, Pittsbmg, June 9,
W e hold:
1. That ours is a Christian and not a heathen
nation, and that the God of the Christian
Scriptures is the author of civil government.
2. That God requires and man needs a Sabbath.
3. That the prohibition of the importation,
manufacture, and sale of intoxicating drinks

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MANUAL,

367

as a beverage, is the true policy on the temperance question.
4. The charters of all secret lodges granted
by our Federal and State legislatures should
be withdrawn, and their oaths prohibited by
law.
5. That the civil equality secured to all
American citizens by articles. 13th, 14th, and
15th of our amended constitution should be
preserved inviolate.
6. That arbitration of differences with nations
is the most direct and sure method of securing
and perpetuating a permanent peace.
7. That to cultivate the intellect without improving the morals of men is to m a k e mere
adepts and experts: therefore, the Bible should
be associated with books of science and literature in all our educational institutions.
8. That land and other monopolies should
be discountenanced.
9. That the Government should furnish the
people with an ample and sound currency and
a return to specie payment, as soon as practicable.
10. That the maintenance of the public
credit, protection to all loyal citizens, and justice to Indians are essential to the honor and
safety of our Nation.
11. And, finally, we demand for the American people the abolition of electoral colleges,
and a direct vote for President and Vice-President of the United States.
[Their Candidates were James B. Walker,
Wheaton, Illinois, for President; and Donald
Kirkpatrick, Syracuse, New York, for VicePresident.]

States, organized in the name of the people, to
revive, enforce, and perpetuate in the Government the doctrines of the Declaration of Independence, submit, in this centennial year of the
republic, for the suffrages of all good citizens,
the following platform of National reforms and
measures:
Fust. The legal prohibition in the District
of Columbia, the territories, and in every other
place subject to the laws of Congress, of the
importation, exportation, manufacture, and
traffic of all alcoholic beverages, as high crimes
against society; an amendment of the National
Constitution, to render these prohibitory measures universal and permanent; and the adoption
of treaty stipulations with foreign powers, to
prevent the importation and exportation of all
alcoholic beverages.
Second. The abolition of class legislation and
of special privileges in the Government, and
the adoption of equal suffrage and eligibility
to office, without distinction of race, religious
creed, property, or sex.
Third. The appropriation of the public lands,
in limited quantities, to actual settlers only;
the reduction of the rates of inland and ocean
postage; of telegraphic communication; of
railroad and water transportation and travel,
to the lowest practical point, by force
of laws, wisely and justly framed, with
reference, not only to t h e interest of capital
employed, but to the higher claims of the general good.

1876.—Prohibition Reform Platform.
Cleveland, Ohio, May 77.
The Prohibition Reform party of the United

Fifth. The abolition of those foul enormities, polygamy and the social evil; and the
protection of purity, peace, and happiness of
homes, by ample and efficient legislation.

Fourth. The suppression, by laws, of lotteries
and gambling in gold, stocks, produce, and
every form of money and property, and the
penal inhibition of the use of the public mails
for advertising schemes of gambling and lotteries.

368

THE AMERICAN

The National observance of the Chris# Sixth.
tian Sabbath, established by laws prohibiting
ordinary labor and business in all departments
of public service and private employment
(works of necessity, charity, and religion excepted) on that day.
Seventh. T h e establishment, by mandatory
provisions in National and State constitutions,
and by all necessary legislation, of a system of
free public schools, for the universal and forced
education of all the youth of the land.
Eighth. The free use of the Bible, not as a
ground of religious creeds, but as a text-book
of the purest morality, the best liberty, and
t h e noblest literature in our public schools,
that our children may grow up in its light, and
t h a t its spirit and principles may pervade our
Nation.
Ninth.
The separation of the Government
in all its departments and institutions,including
the public schools and all funds for their maintenance, from the control of every religious
sect or other association, and the protection
alike of all sects by equal laws, with entire
freedom of religious faith and worship.
Tenth. The introduction into all treaties
hereafter negotiated with foreign governments
of a provision for the amicable settlement of
international difficulties by arbitration.
Eleventh.
The abolition of all barbarous
modes and instruments of punishment; the
recognition of the laws of God and the claims
of humanity in the discipline of jails and prisons, and of that higher and wiser civilization
worthy of our age and Nation, which regards
the reform of criminals as a means for the prevention of crime.
Twelfth. The abolition of executive and legislative patronage, and the election of President,
Vice-President, United States Senators, and of
all civil officers, so far as practicable, by t h e
direct vote of the people.
Thirteenth.

The practice of a friendly and

MANUAL.
liberal policy to immigrants from all nations,
the guaranty to them of ample protection, and
of equal rights and privileges.
Fourteenth. The separation of the money of
Government from all banking institutions.
The National Government, only, should exercise the high prerogative of issuing paper money, and that should be subject to prompt
redemption on "demand, in gold and silver, the
only equal standards of value recognized by
the civilized world.
Fifteenth. The reduction of the salaries of
public officers in a just ratio with the decline
of wages and market prices; the abolition of
sinecures, unnecessary offices, and official fees
and perquisites; the practice of strict economy
in government expenses; and a free and
thorough investigation into any and all alleged abuses of public trusts.

1S76.—-Independent (Greenback.) Platform*
Indianapolis', Ind., May 17.
T h e Independent party is called into existence by the necessities of the people, whose
industries are prostrated, whose labor is deprived of its just reward by a ruinous policy
which the Republican and Democratic parties
refuse to change; and, in view of the failure of
these parties to furnish relief to the depressed
industries of the Country, thereby disappointing t h e j u s t hopes and expectations of t h e
suffering -people, we declare our principles,
and invite all independent and patriotic men
to join our ranks in this movement for financial reform and industrial emancipation.
First. W e demand the immediate and unconditional repeal of the specie resumption
act of January, 14, 1875, and the rescue of our
industries from ruin and disaster resulting
from its enforcement; and we call upon all.

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patriotic men to organize in every congressional district of t h e Country, with a view of
electing representatives to Congress who will
carry out the wishes of the people in this regard and stop the present suicidal and destructive policy of contraction.
Second, We believe t h a t a United States
note, issued directly by the Government, and
convertible, on demand, into United States
obligations, bearing a rate of interest not exceeding one cent a day on *each one hundred
dollars, and exchangeable for United States
notes at par, will afford the best circulating
medium ever devised. Such United States
notes should be full legal tenders for all purposes, except for the payment of such obligations as are, by existing contracts, especially
made payable in coin; and we hold that it is
t h e duty of the Government to provide such
a circulating medium, and insist, in the language of Thomas Jefferson, that "bank paper
must be suppressed, and the circulation restored to the Nation, to whom it belongs."
Third. I t is the paramount duty of the
Government, in all its legislation, to keep in
view the full development of all legitimate
business, agricultural, mining, manufacturing,
and commercial.
Fourth,
W e most earnestly protest against
any further issue of gold bonds for sale in foreign markets, by which we would be made,for
a long period, * 'hewers of wood and drawers of
water," to foreigners especially as the American people would gladly and promptly take
at par all bonds the Government may need to
sell, provided they are made payable at the
option of the holder, and bearing interest at
3,65 per cent, per annum or even a lower rate.
Fifth. We further protest against the sale of
government bonds for the purpose of purchasing silver to be used as a substitute for our
more convenient and less'fluctuating fractional
currency, which, although well calculated^ to
enrich owners of silver mines, yet in operation

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389

it will still further oppress, in taxation, an already overburdened people.

1876.—Republican P l a t f o r m .
Cincinnati, Ohio, fune 14.
When, in the economy of Providence, this
land was to be purged of human slavery, and
when the strength of the Government of the
people, by the people, and for the people, was
to be demonstrated, the Republican party
came into power. Its deeds have passed into
history, and we look back to them with pride.
Incited by their memories to high aims for
t h e good of our Country and mankind, and
looking to the future with unfaltering courage,
hope, and purpose, we, the representatives of.
the party, in National Convention assembled,,
m a k e the following declaration of principles:
1. The United States of America is a Nation,
not a league. By the combined workings of
the National and State governments, under
their respective constitutions, the rights of
every citizen are secured, at home and abroad,
and the common welfare promoted.
2. The Republican party has preserved
these governments to the hundredth anniversary of the Nation's birth, and they are now
embodiments of the great truths spoken at its
cradle—"That all men are created equal; t h a t
they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among which are life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness ;that for the
attainment of these ends governments have
been instituted among men, deriving their
just powers from the consent of the governed.' 1 '
Until these truths are cheerfully obeyed, or,
if need be, vigorously enforced, the work of
the Republican party is unfinished.
3. The permanent pacification of the southern section of the Union, and the complete

370

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protection of all its citizens in the free enjoyment of all their rights, is a duty to which the
Republican party stands sacredly pledged.
T h e power to provide far the enforcement of
the principles embodied in the recent constitutional amendments is vested, by those
amendments, in t h e Congress of the United
States; and we declare it to be the solemn obligation of the Legislative and Executive departments of t h e Government to put into immediate and vigorous exercise all their constitutional powers for removing any just causes
of discontent on the part of any class, and for
securing to every American citizen complete
liberty and exact equality in the exercise of
all civil, political, and public rights. To this
end we imperatively demand a Congress and
a Chief Executive whose courage and fidelity
to these duties shall not falter until these results are placed beyond dispute or recall.
4. I n the first act of Congress signed by
President Grant, the National Government
assumed to remove any doubt of its purpose
to discharge all j u s t obligations to the public
creditors, and ' 'solemnly pledged its faith to
make provision at the earliest practicable period for the redemption of the United States
notes in coin." Commercial prosperity, public
morals, and National credit demand that this
promise be fulfilled by a continuous and steady
progress to specie payment.
5. Under the Constitution, the President
and heads of departments are to make nominations for office, the Senate is to advise and
consent to appointments, and the House of
Representatives is to accuse and prosecute
faithless officers. The best interests of the
public service demand that these distinctions
be respected;that Senators and Representatives
who may be judges and accusers should not
dictate appointments to office. The invariable
ru 1 ~ in appointments should have reference
to Lhe honesty, fidelity, and capacity of the
appointees, giving to the party in power those

MANUAL.

places where harmony and vigor of administration require its policy to be represented, but
permitting all others to be filled by persons
selected with sole reference to the efficiency
of the public service, and the right of all citizens to share in the honor of rendering faithful service to the Country.
6. We rejoice in the quickened conscience
of the people concerning political affairs, and
will hold all public officers to a rigid responsibility, and engage that the prosecution and
punishment of all who betray official trusts
shall be swift, thorough, and unsparing.
7. The public school system of the several
States is the bulwark of the American Republic; and, with a view to its security and
permanence,we recommend an amendment to
the Constitution of the United States, forbidding the application of any public funds or
property for the benefit of any schools or institutions under sectarian control.
8. The revenue necessary for current expenditures, and the obligations of the public
debt, must be largely derived from duties upon
importations, which, so far as possible, should
be adjusted to promote the interests of American labor and advance the prosperity of the
whole Country.
9. We reaffirm our opposition to further grants
of public lands to corporations and monopolies, and demand that the National domain
be devoted to free homes for the people.
10. It is the imperative duty of the Government, so to modify existing treaties with
European governments, that the same protection shall be afforded to the adopted American
citizen that is given to the native-born; and
that all necessary laws should be passed to
protect emigrants in the absence of power in
the States for that purpose.
11. It is the immediate duty of Congress to
fully investigate the effect of the immigration

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MANUAL.

371

and importation of Mongolians upon the mor- control of the House of Representatives t h e
triumph and opportunity of the Nation's real and material interests of the Country.
12. T h e Republican party recognizes, with cent foes; with reasserting and applauding, in
approval, the substantial advances recently the National capital, the sentiments of unremade towards the establishment of equal pentant rebellion; with sending Union soldiers
rights for women by the many important to the rear, and promoting Confederate solamendments effected by Republican legisla- diers to the front; with deliberately proposing
tures in the laws which concern the personal to repudiate the plighted faith of the Governa n d property relations of wives, mothers, and ment; with being equally false and imbecile
widows, and by the appointment and election upon the overshadowing financial questions;
of women to the superintendence of education, with thwarting the ends of justice by its particharities, and other public trusts. The honest san mismanagement and obstruction of invesdemands of this class of citizens for additional tigation; with proving itself through the perirights, privileges, and immunities, should be od of its ascendency in the lower House of
Congress, utterly incompetent to administer
treated with respectful consideration.
the government; and we warn the Country
13. The Constitution confers upon Congress against trusting a party thus alike unworthy,
sovereign power over the Territories of the recreant, and incapable.
United States for their government; and in
17. The National administration merits
the exercise of this power it is the right and
duty of Congress to prohibit and extirpate, in commendation for its honorable work in the
t h e territories, that relic of barbarism-poly- management of domestic and foreign affairs,
gamy; and we demand such legislation as shall and President Grant deserves the continued
secure this end and the supremacy of Ameri- hearty gratitude of the American people for
his patriotism and his eminent services in war
can institutions in all the Territories.
and in peace.
14. T h e pledges which the Nation has given
18. We present, as our candidates for Presito her soldiers and sailors must be fulfilled,
and a grateful people will always hold those dent and Vice President of the United States,
who imperiled their lives for the Country's two distinguished statesmen, of eminent ability and character, and conspiciously fitted for
preservation in the kindest remembrance.
those high offices, and we confidently appeal
15. We sincerely deprecate all sectional to the American people to intrust the adminisfeeling and tendencies. We, therefore, note tration of their public affairs to Rutherford B.
with deep solicitude that the Democratic party Hayes and William A. Wheeler.
counts, as its chief hope of success, upon the
electoral vote of a united South, secured
through the efforts of those who were recently
arrayed against the Nation; and we invoke the
earnest attention of the Country to the. grave
1876.—democratic Platform.
truth that a success thus achieved would reSt. Louis Mo., June 27.
open sectional strife, and imperil National
We, the delegates of the Democratic party
h o n o r and human rights.
16. We charge the Democratic party with of the United States, in National convention
being the same in character and spirit as when assembled, do hereby declare the administrait sympathized with treason; with making its tion of t h e Federal Government to be in urg-

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ent need of immediate reform: do hereby enjoin upon the nominees of this convention,
and of the Democratic party in each State, a
zealous effort and co-operation to this end;
and do hereby appeal to our fellow-citizens of
every former political connection to undertake
with us, this first and most pressing patriotic
duty.
For the Democracy of the whole Country,
•we do here reaffirm our faith in the permanence of the Federal Union, our devotion to
t h e Constitution of the United States, with its
amendments universally accepted as a final
settlement of the controversies that engendered civil war, and do here record our steadfast confidence in the perpetuity of republican
self-government.
In absolute acquiescence in the will of the
majority—the vital principle of republics; in
the supremacy of the civil over the military
authority; in the total separation of church
and state, for the sake alike of civil and religious freedom; in the equality of all citizens before just laws of their own enactment; in the
liberty of individual conduct, unvexed by
sumptuary laws; in the faithful education of
the rising generation, that they may preserve,
enjoy, and transmit these best conditions of
h u m a n happiness and hope—we behold the
noblest product of a hundred years of changeful history; but while upholding the bond of
our Union and great charter of these our rights,
it behooves a free people to practice also that
eternal vigilance which is the price of liberty.
Reform is necessary to rebuild and establish
in the hearts of the whole people the Union,
eleven years ago happily rescued from t h e
danger of a secession of States, but now to be
saved from a corrupt centralism which, after
inflicting upon ten States the rapacity of carpet-bag tyranny, has honey-combed the offices
of the Federal Government itself, with incapacity, waste and fraud; infected States and
municipalities with the contagion of misrule;

MANUAL.

and locked fast the prosperity of an industri*
ous people in the paralysis of ''hard times."
Reform is necessary to establish a sound
currency, restore the public credit, and maintain the National honor.
We denounce the failure, for all these eleven
years of peace, to make good the promise of
the legal tender notes, which are a changing
standard of value in the hands of the people,
and the non-payment of which is a disregard
of the plighted faith of the Nation.
We denounce the improvidence which, in
eleven years of peace, has taken from the people, in Federal taxes, thirteen times the whole
amount of the legal-tender notes, and squandered four times their sum in useless expense
without accumulating any reserve for their
redemption.
We denounce the financial imbecility and
immorality of that party which, during eleven
years of peace, has made no advance toward
resumption, no preparation for resumption,
but, instead, has obstructed resumption, by
wasting our resources and exhausting all our
surplus income; and, while annually professing to intend a speedy return to specie payments, has annually enacted fresh hinderances thereto. As such hinderance we denounce
the resumption clause of 1875, and we do demand its repeal.
We demand a judicious system of preparation, by public economies, by official retrenchments, and by wise finance, which shall enable the Nation soon to assure the whole
world of its perfect ability and of its perfect
readiness to meet any of its promises at t h e
call of the creditor entitled to payment. W e
believe such a system, well devised, and,above
all, intrusted to competent hands for execution, creating, at no time, an artificial scarcity
of currency, and at no time alarming the
public mind into a withdrawal of the vaster
machinery of credit by which ninety-five per
cent, of all business transactions are performed*

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MANUAL.

373

A system open, public, and inspiring general debt, and more than twice that sum for the
confidence, would, from the day of its adop- Federal Government alone. We demand a
tion, bring healing on its wings to all our har- rigorous frugality in every department and
assed industries—set in motion the wheels of from every officer of the Government.
commerce, manufactures, and the mechanic
Reform is necessary to put a stop to the
arts—restore employment to labor—and, re- profligate waste of public lands, and their dinew, in all its natural sources, the prosperity version from actual settlers, by the party in
of the people.
power, which has squandered 200,000,000 of
Reform is necessary in t h e sum and modes acres upon railroads alone, and, out of more
of Federal taxation, to the end that capital than thrice that aggregate, has disposed of
may be set free from distrust and labor lightly less than one-sixth directly to tillers of t h e
soil.
burdened.
Reform is necessary to correct the omission
We denounce the present tariff, levied upon
nearly four thousand articles, as a master- of a Republican Congress, and the errors of
piece of injustice, inequality, and false pre- our treaties and our diplomacy which have
tense. It yields a dwindling,not a yearly rising stripped our fellow-citizens of foreign birth
revenue. It has impoverished many industries and kindred race, recrossing the Atlantic, of
to subsidize a few. It prohibits imports that the shield of American citizenship, and
might purchase the products of American la- have exposed our brethren of the Pacific coast
bor. It has degraded American commerce to the incursions of a race not sprung from
from the first to an inferior rank on the high the same great parent stock, and in fact now,
seas. It has cut down the sales of American by law, denied citizenship through naturalizamanufactures at home and abroad, and deplet- tion, as being neither accustomed to the traed the returns of American agriculture—an ditions of a progressive civilization nor exerWe deindustry followed by half our people. It costs cised in liberty under equal laws.
t h e people five times more than it produces to nounce the policy which thus discards the
t h e treasury, obstructs the processes of pro- liberty-loving German and tolerates a revival
du ction, and wastes the fruits of labor. It pro- of the coolie trade in Mongolian women, immotes fraud, fosters smuggling, enriches dis- ported for immoral purposes, and Mongolian
honest officials, and bankrupts honest mer- men, held to perform servile labor contracts
chants. We demand that all custom house and demand such modifications of the treaty
with the Chinese Empire, or such legislation
taxation shall be only for revenue.
within constitutional limitations, as shall preReform is necessary in the scale of public vent further importation or immigration of
expense—Federal, State and municipal. Our the Mongolian race.
Federal taxation has swollen from sixty milReform is necessary, and can never be eflions gold, in i860, to four hundred and fifty
millions currency, in 1870; our aggregate tax- fected but by making it the controlling issue
ation from one hundred and fifty-four millions of the elections, and lifting it above the two
gold, in i860, to seven hundred and thirty false issues with which the officeholding class
millions currency, in 1870—or, in one decade, and the party in power seek to smother it.
from less than five dollars per head to more
1. The false issue with which they would
t h a n eighteen dollars per head. ^ Since the enkindle sectarian strife in respect to the pubpeace, the people have paid to their tax-gath- lic schools, of which the establishment and
erers more than thrice file sum of the National support belongs exclusively to the several

374

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states, and which the Democratic party has
cherished from their foundation, and is resolved to maintain, without prejudice or preference for any class, sect, or creed, and without
largesses from the treasury to any.
2. The false issue by which they seek to
light anew the dying embers of sectional hate
between kindred peoples once estranged, but
now reunited in one indivisbile Republic and
a common destiny.
Reform is necessary in the civil service. Experience proves that efficient, economical conduct of the governmental business is not possible if its civil service be subject to change
at every election, be a prize fought for at the
ballot-box, be a brief reward of party zeal, instead of posts of honor assigned for proved
competency, and held for fidelity in public
employ; that the dispensing of patronage
should neither be a tax upon the time of all
our public men, nor the instrument of their
ambition. Here,again,promises,falsified in the
performance, attest that the party in power
can work out no practical or salutary reform.

MANUAL.
with his department; an Ambassador to England concerned in a dishonorable speculation;
the President's private secretary barely escaping conviction upon the trial for guilty complicity in frauds upon the revenue: a Secretary
of War impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors—the demonstration is complete, that
the first step in reform must be the people's
choice of honest men from another party, lest
the disease of one political organization infect
the body politic, and lest by making n o
change of men or parties we get no change
of measures and no real reform.
All these abuses, wrongs and crimes—the
product of sixteen years' ascendency of the
Republican party—create a necessity for reform, confessed by the Republicans themselves;
but their reformers are voted down in convention and displaced from the cabinet.
The
party's mass of honest voters is powerless to
resist the 8o,ooo office-holders, its leaders and
guides.

Reform can only be had by a peaceful civic
revolution. We demand a change of system,
a change of administration^ change of parties,
Reform is necessary, even more, in the that we may have a change of measures and of
higher grades of the public service. President, men.
Vice-President, Judges, Senators, RepresentaResolved, That this convention, representtives, Cabinet officers—these, and all others
in authority—are the people's servants. Their ing the Democratic party of the United States,
offices are not a private perquisite; they are a do cordially endorse the action of the present
public trust. When the annals of this Repub- House of Representatives, in reducing and
lic show the disgrace and censure of a Vice- curtailing the expenses of the Federal GovernPresident; a late Speaker of the House of Rep- ment, in cutting down salaries and extravaresentatives marketing his rulings as a presid- gant appropriations, and in abolishing useless
offices and
not required
the public
ing officer; three Senators profiting secretly necessities; places we shall trust by the firmness
and
to
by their votes as law-makers; five chairmen of of the Democratic members of the House that
the leading committees of the late House of no committee of conference and no misinterRepresentatives exposed in jobbery; a late pretation of the rules will be allowed to defeat
Secretary of the Treasury forcing balances in these wholesome measures of economy depublic accounts; a late Attorney-General mis- manded by the Country.
appropriating public funds; a Secretary of the
Navy enriched, or enriching friends, by perResolved, That the soldiers and sailors of
centages levied off the profits of contrators the Republic, and the widows and orphans of

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those who have fallen in battle, have a just
claim upon the care, protection, and gratitude
of their fellow-citizens.

1878.—National Platform.
Toledo, Ohio, February 22.
Whereas, Throughout our entire country
the value of real estate is depreciated, industry
paralyzed, trade depressed, business incomes
and wages reduced, unparalleled distress inflicted upon the poorer and middle ranks of
our people, the land filled with fraud, embezzlement, bankruptcy, crime, suffering, pauperism, and starvation; and
Whereas, This state of things has been
brought about by legislation in the interest of,
and dictated by, money-lenders, bankers and
bondholders; and
Whereas, While we recognize the fact that
t h e men in Congress connected with the old
political parties have stood up manfully for
the rights of the people, and met the threats
of the money power, and the ridicule of an ignorant and subsidized press, yet neither the
Republican nor the Democratic parties, in
their policies, propose remedies for the existing evils; and
Whereas,
T h e Independent Greendack
party, and other associations more or less effective, have been unable, hitherto, to make a
formidable opposition to old party organizations; and
Whereas, The limiting of the legal-tender
quality of the greenbacks, the changing of
currency bonds into coin bonds, the demonetization of the silver dollar, the exempting of
bonds from taxation, the contraction of the
circulating medium, the proposed forced resumption of specie payments, and the prodigal waste of the public lands, were crimes

MANUAL.

375

against the people; and, as far as possible, the
results of these criminal acts must be counteracted by judicious legislation:
Therefore, We assemble in National Convention and make a declaration of our principles, and invite all patriotic citizens to unite
in an effort to secure financial reform and industrial emancipation. The organization shall
be known as the "National Party,'* and under
this same we will perfect, without delay, National, State, and local associations, to secure
the election to office of such men only as will
pledge themselves to do all in their power to
establish these principles:
First,
It is the exclusive function of the
General Government to coin and create money
and regulate its value.
All bank issues designed to circulate as money should be suppressed. The circulating medium, whether of
metal or paper, shall be issued by the Government, and made a full legal tender for all debts,
duties, and taxes in the United States,
at its stamped value.
Second, There shall be no privileged class of
creditors. Official salaries, pensions, bonds,
and all other debts and obligations, public and
private, shall be discharged in the legal-tender
money of the United States strictly according
to the stipulations of the laws under which
they were contracted.
Third, The coinage of silver shall be placed
on the same footing as that of gold.
Fourth.
Congress shall provide said money
adequate to the full employment of labor, the
equitable distribution of its products, and the
requirement of business, fixing a minimum
amount pet capita of the population as near as
may be, and otherwise regulating its value by
wise and equitable provisions of law, so that
the rate of interest will secure to labor its just
reward.
Fifth.

It is inconsistent with the genius of

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popular government that any species of private property should be exempt from bearing
its proper share of the public burdens. Government bonds and money should be taxed
precisely as other property, and a graduated
income tax should be levied for the support of
t h e Government and the payment of its debts.
Sixth.
Public lands are the common property of the whole people, and should not be
sold to speculators nor granted to railroads or
other corporations, but should be donated to
actual settlers, in limited quantities.
Seventh. The Government should, by general enactments, encourage the development
of our agricultural, mineral,
mechanical,
manufacturing, and commercial resources, to
t h e end that labor may be fully and profitably
employed; but no monopolies should be legalized.
Eighth.
All useless offices should be abolished, the most rigid economy favored in every
branch of the public service, and severe punishment inflicted upon officers who betray the
trusts reposed in them.
Ninth.
As educated labor has devised
means for multiplying productions by inventions and discoveries, and as their use requires
t h e exercise of mind as well as body, such legislation should be had that the number of
hours of daily toil will be reduced, giving the
working classes more leisure for mental improvement and their several enjoyments, and
saving them from premature decay and death.
Tenth. The adoption of an American monetary system, as proposed herein, will harmonize all differences with regard to tariff and federal taxation, reduced and equalize the cost of
transportation by land and water, distribute
equitably the joint earnings of capital and labor, secure to the producers of wealth the results of their labor and skill, andmuster out of
service the vast army of idlers, who, under the
existing system, grow rich upon the earnings
of others, that every man and woman may, by

MANUAL.

their own efforts, secure a competency, so that
overgrown fortunes and extreme poverty w : l)
be seldom found within the limits of our Rep.
ublic.
Eleventh.
Both National and State Governments should establish bureaus of labor and
industrial statistics, clothed with the power
of gathering and publishing the same.
Twelfth.
That the contract system of employing labor in our prisons and reformatory
institutions works great injustice to our mechanics and artisans, and should be prohibited.
Thirteenth.
The importation of servile labor into the United States from China is a
problem of the most serious importance, and
we recommend legislation looking to its suppression.
Fourteenth.
We believe in the supremacy
of law over and above all perishable material,
and in the necessity of a party of united people
that will rise above old party lines and prejudices. We will not affiliate in any degree with
any of the old parties, but, in all cases and localities, will organize anew, as united National
men—nominate for office and official positions
only such persons as are clearly believers in
and identified with this our sacred cause; and
irrespective of creed, color, place of birth, or
past condition of political or other servitude,
vote only for men who entirely abandon old
party lines and organizations.

1879.—National l i b e r a l P l a t f o r m .
Cincinnati, Ohio, September 14.
I. Total separation of Church and State, cO
be guaranteed by amendment of the United
States Constitution; including the equitable
taxation of church property, secularization of
the public schools, abrogation of Sabbatarian
laws, abolition of chaplaincies, prohibition of

THE

AMERICAN

public appropriations for religious purposes,
and all measures necessary to the same general
end.
2. National protection for National citizens
in their equal civil, political, and. religious
rights to be guaranteed by amendment of the
United States Constitution and afforded through
t h e United States courts.
3. Universal education,the basis of universal suffrage in this secular Republic, to be guaranteed by amendment of the United States
Constitution, requiring every state to maintain
a thoroughly secularized public school system, and to permit no child within its limits
to grow up without a good" elementary education.

1880.—Independent Republican P r i n c i p l e s .
I Independent Republicans adhere to the Republican principles of National supremacy,
sound finances, and civil service reform, expressed in the Republican platform of 1876, in
t h e letter of acceptance of President Hayes,
and in his message of 1879; a n ^ they seek the
realization of those principles in practical laws
and their efficient administration. This requires,
1. The continuance on the statute-book of
laws protecting the rights of voters at National
elections. But National supremacy affords no
pretext for interference with the local rights
of communities; and the development of the
South from its present defective civilization
can be secured only under constitutional methods, such as those of President Hayes.
2. The passage of laws which shall deprive
greenbacks of their legal-tender quality, as a
first step toward their ultimate withdrawal and
cancellation, and shall maintain all coins made
legal-tender at such weight and fineness as

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377

will enable them to be used without discount
in the commercial transactions of t h e world.
3. The repeal of the act, which limits the
terms of office of certain Government officials
to four years; the repeal of the tenure-of-office
acts, which limit the power of the Executive
to remove for cause; the establishment of a
permanent civil service commissioner equivalent measures to ascertain, by open competition, and certify to the President or other appointing power the fitness of applicants for
nomination or appointment to all non-political offices.
i r . Independent Republicans believe that
local issues should be independent of party.
The words Republican and Democrat should
have no weight in determining whether a
school or city shall be administered on business principles by capable men. With a view
to this, legislation is asked which shall prescribe for the voting for local and for state officers upon separate ballots.
i n . Independent Republicans assert that
a political party is a co-operation of voters to
secure the practical enactment into legislation
of political convictions set forth as its platform.
Kvery voter accepting that platform is a member of that party; any representative of that
party opposing the principles or evading the
promises of its platform forfeits the support of
its voters. No voter should be held by the action or nomination of any caucus or convention of his partv against his private judgment.
It is his duty to vote against bad measures and
unfit men, as the only means of obtaining
good ones; if his party no longer represents its
professed principles in its practical workings,
it is his duty to vote against it.
iv. Independent Republicans seek good
nominations through participation in the primaries and through the defeat of bad nominees; they will labor for the defeat of any local
Republican candidate, and, in co-operation

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THE AMERICAN

•with those holding like views elsewhere, for
t h e defeat of any general Republican candidate
whom they do not deem fit.

1880. R e p u b l i c a n Platform.
Chicago, Illinois, June 2.
The Republican party, in National convention assembled, at the end of twenty years
since the Federal Government was first committed to its charge, submits to the people of
t h e United States its brief report of its administration:
I t suppressed a rebellion which had armed
nearly a million of men to subvert the National authority. It reconstructed the Union of the
States with freedom, instead of slavery, as its
corner-stone. It transformed four million of
h u m a n beings from the likeness of things to
the rank of citizens. It relieved Congress
from the infamous work of hunting fugitive
slaves and charged it to see that slavery does
not exist.

MANUAL.

than our imports in 1879.
Without resorting to loans, it has, since t h e
war closed, defrayed the ordinary expenses of
the Government,besides the accruing interest
on the public debt, and disbursed, annually,
over $30,000,000 for soldiers' pensions. It has
paid $888,000,000 of the public debt, and, by
refunding the balance at lower rates, has reduced the annual interest charge from nearly
$151,000,000 to less than $89,000,000.
All the industries of the Country have revived,labor is in demand,wageshave increased
and throughout the entire country there is
evidence of a coming prosperity greater than
we have ever enjoyed.
Upon this record, the Republican party
asks for the continued confidence and support
of the people; and this convention submits for
their approval the following statement of the
principles and purposes which will continue
to guide and inspire its efforts;

Under its administration railways have increased from 31,000 miles in i860, to more
than 82,000 miles in 1879,

1. We affirm that the work of the last twenty
years has been such as to commend itself to
the favor of the Nation, and that the fruits of
the costly victories which we have achieved,
through immense difficulties, should be preserved; that the peace we regained should be
cherished; that the dissevered Union, now
happily restored, should be perpetuated, and
that the liberties secured to this generation
should be transmitted, undiminished,to future
generations; that the order established and
the credit acquired should never be impaired;
that the pensions promised should be paid;
that the debt so much reduced should be extinguished by the full payment of every dollar
thereof; that the reviving industries should be
further promoted; and that the commerce, already so great, should be steadily encouraged.

Our foreign trade has increased from $700,
000,000 to $1,150,000,000 in the same time;and
our exports, which were $20,000,000 less than
our imports in i860, were $264,000,000 more

2. The Constitution of the United States is a
supreme law, and not a mere contract; out of
Confederate States it made a sovereign Nation.
Some powers are denied to the Nation, while

I t has raised t h e value of our paper currency
from thirty-eight per cent, to the par of gold.
It has restored, upon a solid basis, payment in
coin for all the National obligations, and has
given us a currency absolutely good and equal
in every part of our extended Country. It has
lifted the credit of the Nation from the point
where six per cent, bonds sold at eighty-six to
that where four per cent, bonds are eagerl}*songht as a premium.

THE AMERICAN
others are denied to States; but the boundary
between the powers delegated and those reserved is to be determined by the National
and not the State tribunals.
3. The work of popular education is one left
to the care of the several States, but it is the
duty of the National Government to aid that
work to the extent of its constitutional ability.
T h e intelligence of the Nation is but the aggregate of the intelligence in the several
States; and the destiny of the Nation must be
guided, not by the genius of any one State,
but by the average genius of all.
4. The Constitution wisely forbids Congress to make any law respecting an establishment of religion; but it is idle to hope that the
Nation can be protected against the influence
of sectarianism while each State is exposed to
its domination. We, therefore, recommend
that the Constitution be so amended as to lay
the same prohibition upon the legislature of
each State, to forbid the appropriation of public funds to the support of sectarian schools.
5. We reaffirm the belief, avowed in 1876,
that the duties levied for the purpose of revenue should so discriminate as to favor American laborjthat no further grant of the public domain should be made to any railways or
other corporation; that slavery having perished in the States, its twin barbarity—polygamy—must die in the territories; that everywhere the protection accorded to citizens of
American birth must be secured to citizens by
American adoption. That we esteem it the
duty of Congress to develop and improve our
water-courses and harbors, but insist that
further subsidies to private persons or corporations must cease. That the obligations of the
Republic to the men who preserved its integrity in the day of battle are undiminished by
the lapse of fifteen years since their final victory—to do them perpetual honor is, and
shall forever be, the grateful privilege and sa-

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379

cred duty of the American people.
6. Since the authority to regulate immigration and intercourse between the United
States and foreign nations rests with the Congress of the United States and its treatymaking powers, the Republican party, regarding the unrestricted immigration of t h e
Chinese as an evil of great magnitude, invoke
the exercise of that power to restrain and limit
that immigration by the enactment of such
just, humane, and reasonable provisions as
will produce that result.
7. That the purity and patriotism which
characterized the early career of Rutherford
B. Hayes in peace and war, and which guided
the thoughts of our immediate predecessors to
select him as a presidential candidate, have
continued to inspire him in his career as
Chief Executive, and that history will accord
to his administration the honors which are
due to an efficient, just, and courteous discharge of the public business, and will honor
his interposition between the people and
proposed partisan laws.
8. We charge upon the Democratic party
the habitual sacrifice of patriotism and justice
to a supreme and insatiable lust for office
and patronage. That to obtain possession of
the National and State Governments, and the
control of place and position, they have obstructed all efforts to promote the purity and
to conserve the freedom of suffrage; have devised fraudulent certifications and returns;
have labored to unseat lawfully-elected members of Congress, to secure, at all hazards, the
vote of the majority of the States in the House
of Representatives;have endeavored to occupy,,
by force and fraud the places of trust given to
others by the people of Maine, and rescued by
the courageous action of Maine's patriotic
sons; have, by methods vicious in principle
and tyrannical in practice, attached partisan
legislation to appropriation bills, upon whose

380

THE AMERICAN

passage the very movements of Government
depend; have crushed the rights of the individual; have advocated the principle and sought
t h e favor of rebellion against the Nation, and have endeavored to obliterate the
sacred memories of the war, and to overcome its
inestimably valuable results of nationalty,
personal freedom, and individual equality.
Equal, steady, and complete enforcement of
the laws, and protection of all our citizens in
t h e enjoyment of all the privileges and immunities guaranteed by the Constitution, are
the first duties of the Nation. The danger of a
solid South can only be averted by the faithful performance of every promise which the
Nation made to the citizen. The execution of
the laws, and the punishment of all those who
violate them, are the only safe methods by
which an enduring peace can be secured, and
genuine prosperity established throughout the
South, Whatever promises the Nation makes,
the Nation must perform; and the Nation can
not with safety relegate this duty to the States.
T h e solid South must be divided by the peaceful agencies of t h e ballot, and all opinions
must there find free expression; and to this
end honest voters must be protected against
terrorism, violence, or fraud. And we affirm
it to be the duty and the purpose of the Republican party to use all legitimate means to
restore all the States of this Union to the most
perfect harmony which may be practicable;
and we submit to the practical, sensible people of t h e United States to say whether it
would not be dangerous to the dearest interests
of our Country, at this time to surrender the
administration of the National Government to
a party which seeks to overthrow the existing
policy, under which we are so prosperous, and
thus bring distrust and confusion where there
are now order, confidence, and hope.
9. The Republican party, adhering to a
principle affirmed by the last National Convention, of respect for the Constitutional rule

MANUAL.

covering appointments? to office, adopts the
declaration of President Hayes,that the reform
of the civil service should be thorough, radical
and complete. To this end we demand the cooperation of the Legislative and Executive
departments of the Government, and that
Congress shall so legislate that fitness, ascertained by proper practical tests, shall admit to
the public service; and that the power of removal for cause, with due responsibility for
the good conduct of subordinates, shall accompany the power of appointment.

N a t i o n a l (Greenback) P l a t f o r m .
Chicago, Illinoisy June 9.
The Civil Government should guarantee the
divine right of every laborer to the results of
his toil, thus enabling the producers of wealth
to provide themselves with the means for
physical comfort, and facilities for mental,
social, and moral culture; and we condemn,
as unworthy of our civilization, the barbarism
which imposes upon wealth-producers a state
of drudgery as the price of a bare animal existence. Notwithstanding the enormous increase
of wealth, the task of the laborer is scarcely
lightened, the hours of toil are but little shortened, and few producers are lifted from poverty into comfort and pecuniary independence.
The associated monopolies, the international
syndicates, and other income classes demand
dear money, cheap labor, and a strong Government, and, hence, a weak people. Corporate control of the volume of money has been
the means of dividing society into hostile
classes, of an unjust distribution of the products of labor, and of building up monopolies
of associated capital, endowed with power to
confiscate private property. It has kept money
scarce; and the scarcity of money enforces
debt-trade, and public and corporate loans;

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debt engenders usury, and usury ends in the
bankruptcy of the borrower. Other results are
—deranged markets, uncertainty in manufacturing enterprises and agriculture, precarious
and intermittent employment for the laborer,
industrial war, increasing pauperism and
crime, and the consequent intimidation and
disfranchisement of the producer, and a rapid
declension into corporate feudalism. Therefore
we declare—
First. That the right to make and issue
money is a sovereign power, to be maintained
by the people for their common benefit. The
delegation of this right to corporations is a
surrender of the central attribute of sovereignty
void of Constitutional sanction, and conferring upon a subordinate and irresponsible
power an absolute dominion over industry and
commerce. All money, whether metallic or
paper, should be issued, and its volume controlled, by the Government, and not by or
through banking corporations; and, when so
issued, should be a full legal tender for all
debts, public and private.
Second. That the bonds of the United States
should not be refunded, but paid as rapidly as
practicable, according to contract. To enable
the Government to meet these obligations,
legal tender currency should be substituted
for the notes of the National banks, the National banking system abolished, and the unlimited coinage of silver, as well as gold, established by law.
Third. That labor should be so protected by
National and State authority as to equalize its
burdens and insure a just distribution of its results. The eight hour law of Congress should be
enforced, the sanitary condition of industrial
establishments placed under its rigid control,
the competition of contract convict labor
abolished, a bureau of labor statistics established, factories, mines, and workshops inspected, the employment of children under
fourteen years of age forbidden, and wages

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381

paid in cash.
Fourth. Slavery being simply cheap labor,
and cheap labor being simply slavery, the importation and presence of Chinese serfs necessarily tend to brutalize and degrade American labor; therefore immediate steps should
be taken to abrogate the Burlingame treaty.
Fifth. Railroad land grants forfeited by
reason of non-fulfillment of contract should
be immediately reclaimed by the Government
and, henceforth, the public domain reserved
exclusively as homes for actual settlers.
Sixth. It is the duty of Congress to regulate
inter-state commerce. All lines of communication and transportation should be brought
under such legislative control as shall secure
moderate, fair, and uniform rates for passenger and freight traffic.
Seventh. We denounce as destructive to
property and dangerous to liberty the action
of the old parties in fostering and sustaining
gigantic land, railroad, and money corporations, and monopolies invested with and exercising powers belonging to the Government,
and yet not responsible to it for the manner
of their exercise.
Eighth.
That the Constitution, in giving
Congress the power to borrow money, to declare war, to raise and support armies, to provide and maintain a navy, never intended
that the men who loaned their money for an
interest-consideration should be preferred to
the soldiers and sailors who imperiled their
lives and shed their blood on land and
sea in defense of their Country; and we condemn the cruel class legislation of the Republican party, which, while professing great
gratitude to the soldier, has most unjustly
discriminated against him and in favor of the
bondholder.
Ninth. All property should bear its just
proportion of taxation, and we demand a
graduated income tax.

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Tenth. We denounce as dangerous the efforts
everywhere manifest to restrict the right of
suffrage.
Eleventh. We are opposed to an increase of
t h e standing army in time of peace, and the
insidious scheme to establish an enormous
military power under the guise of militia
laws.
Twelfth. We demand absolute democratic
rules for the Government of Congress, placing
all representatives of the people upon an equal
footing, and taking away from the committees
a. veto power greater t h a n that of the President.
Thirteenth. We demand a Government of
t h e people, by the people, and for the people
instead of a Government of the bondholder,
b y the bondholder, and for the bondholder;
and we denounce every attempt to stir up sectional strife as an effort to conceal monstrous
crimes against the people.
Fourteenth,
In the furtherance of these
ends we ask the co-operation of all fair-minded
people. We have no quarrel with individuals,
wage no war on classes, but only against vicious institutions. We are not content to endure further discipline from our present actual
rulers, who, having dominion over money,
over transportation, over land and labor, over
the press and the machinery of the Government, wield unwarrantable power over our
institutions and over life and property.

1S80.—Prohibition Reform P l a t f o r m .
Cleveland, Ohio, June / / .
The prohibition Reform party of the United
States, organized, in the name of the people,
to revive, enforce, and perpetuate in the Government, the doctrines of the Declaration of
Independence, submit, for the suffrage of all

MANUAL.

good citizens, the following platform of National reforms and measures:
In the examination and discussion of the
temperance question, it has been proven, and
is an accepted truth, that alchoholic drinks,
whether fermented, brewred, or distilled, are
poisonous to the healthy human body, t h e
drinking of which is not only needless but
hurtful, necessarily tending to form intemperate
habits, increasing greatly the number, severity,
and fatal termination of diseases, weakening
and deranging the intellect, polluting the affections, hardening the heart and corrupting
the morals, depriving many of reason and
still more of its heathful exercise, and annually bringing down large numbers to untimely
graves, producing, in the children of many
who drink, a predisposition to intemperance,
insanity, and various bodily and mental diseases, causing diminution of strength, feebleness of vision, fickleness of purpose, and premature old age, and inducing, in all future
generations,detonation of moral and physical
character. Alcoholic drinks are thus the implacable foe of man as an individual.
First. The legalized importation, manufacture, and sale of intoxicating drinks minister
to their use, and teach the erroneous and destructive sentiment that such use is right, thus
tending to produce and perpetuate the above
mentioned evils.
Second. To the home it is an enemy—proving itself to be a disturber and destroyer of its
peace, prosperity, and happiness; taking from
it the earnings of the husband; depriving the
dependent wife and children of essential food
clothing, and education; bringing into it profanity, abuse and violence; setting at naught
the vows of t h e marriage altar; breaking up
the family and sundering the children from
the parents, and thus destroying one of the
most beneficent institutions of our Creator, and
removing the sure foundation of good Government, National prosperity, and welfare.

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Third. To the community it is equally an
enemy—producing vice, demoralization, and
wickedness; its places of sale being resorts of
gaming, lewdness, and debauchery, and the
hiding-place of those who prey upon society;
counteracting the efficacy of religious effort,
and of all means of intellectual elevation,
moral purity, social happiness, and the eternal
good of mankind, without rendering any
counteracting or compensating benefits: being
in its influence and effect evil and only evil,
and that continually.
Fourth. To the State it is equally an enemy—
legislative inquiries, judicial investigations,
and official reports of all penal, reformatory,
and dependent institutions, showing that the
manufacture and sale of such beverages is the
promoting cause of intemperance, crime, and
pauperism and of demands upon the public and
private charity, imposing the larger part of taxation, paralyzingthrift, industry, manufactures,
and commercial life; which, but for it, would
be unnecessary: disturbing the peace of streets
and highways; filling prisons and poor-houses;
corrupting politics, legislation, and t h e execution of the laws; shortening lives; diminishing
health, industry, and productive power in manufactures and art; and is manifestly unjust as
well as injurious to the community upon which
it is imposed, and is contrary to all just views
of civil liberty, as well as a violation of t h e
fundamental maxim of our common law, to
use your own property or liberty so as not to
injure others.
Fifth.
I t is neither right nor politic for the
State to afford legal protection to any traffic
or any system which tends to waste the resources, to corrupt the social habits, and to
destroy the health and lives of the people; that
the importation, manufacture, and sale of intoxicating beverages is proven to be inimical
to the true interests of the individual home,
community, and state, and destructive to the
order and welfare of society, and ought, there-

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38<i

fore, to be classed among crimes to be prohibited.
Sixth.
In this time of profound peace at
home and abroad, the entire separation of the
General Government from the drink-traffic,
and its prohibition in the District of Columbia,
territories, and in all places and ways over
which, under the Constitution, Congress has
control and power, is a political issue of the first
importance to the peace and prosperity of t h e
Nation. There can be no stable peace and
protection to personal liberty, life, and property, until secured by National or State constitutional provisions, enforced by adequate
laws.
Seventh.
All legitimate industries require
deliverance from t h e taxation and loss which
the liquor traffic imposes upon them; and financial or other legislation could not accomplish so much to increase production and cause
a demand for labor, and, as a result, for the
comforts of living, as the suppression of this
traffic would bring to thousands of homes as
one of its blessings.
Eighth.
The administration of the Government and the execution of the laws are
through political parties; and we arraign the
Republican party, which has been in continuous power in the Nation for twenty years, as
being false to duty, as false to loudly-proclaimed principles of equal justice to all and
special favors to none, and of protection to the
weak and dependent, insensible to the mischief which the trade in liquor has constantly
inflicted upon industry, trade, commerce, and
the social happiness of the people; that 5,652
distilleries, 3,830 breweries, and 175,266 places
for the sale of these poisonous liquors, involving an annual waste to the Nation of one million five hundred thousand dollars, and the
sacrifice of one hundred thousand lives, have,
under its legislation, grown up and been fostered
as a legitimate source of revenue; that dur-

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THE AMERICAN

ing its history, six Territories have been organized and five States been admitted into the
Union, with constitutions provided and approved by Congress, but the prohibition of this
debasing and destructive traffic has not been
provided, nor even the people given, at the
time of admission, power to forbid it in a n y o n e
of them. Its history further shows, that not
in a single instance has an original prohibitory
lawrbeen passed by any State that was controlled
by it, while in four States, so governed, the
laws found on its advent to power have been
repealed. At its National convention in 1872,
it declared, as part of its party faith, that "it
disapproves of the resort to unconstitutional
laws for the purpose of removing evils, by interference with rights not surrendered by the
people to either the State or National Governm e n t , " which, t h e author of this p l a n k
says, was adopted by the platform committee
with t h e full and implicit understanding that
its purpose was the discountenancing of all socalled temperance, prohibitory, and Sunday
laws.
Ninth. We arraign, also,the Democratic party
as unfaithful and unworthy of reliance on this
question; for, although not clothed with power,
but occupying the relation of an opposition
party during twenty years past, stiong in
numbers and organization, it has allied itself
with liquor-traffickers, and become, in all t h e
States of the Union, their special political defenders, and its National convention in 1876,
as an article of its political faith, declared
against prohibition and j u s t laws in restraint
of the trade in drink, by saying it was opposed
to what it was pleased to call "all sumptuary
laws." The National party has been dumb on
this question.
Tenth. Drink-traffickers, having t h e history and experience of all ages, climes, ^ and
conditions of men, declaring their business
destructive of all good—finding no support in
the Bible, morals, or reason—appeal to mis-

MANUAL.
applied law for their justification, and intrench
themselves behind the evil elements of political party for defense, party tactics and party
inertia become battling forces, protecting this
evil.
Eleventh.
I n view of the foregoing facts
and history, we cordially invite all voters,
without regard to former party affiliations, to
unite with us in the use of the ballot for the
abolition of the drinking system, under the
authority of our National and State Governments. We also demand, as a right, that
women, having the privileges of citizens in
other respects, be clothed with the ballot for
their protection, and as a rightful means for
the proper settlement of the liquor question.
Twelfth.
To remove the apprehension of
some who allege that a loss of public revenue
would follow the suppression of the direct
trade, we confidently point to the experience
of governments abroad and at home, which
shows that thrift and revenue from the consumption of legitimate manufactures and commerce have so largely followed the abolition of
drink as to fully supply all loss of liquor taxes.
Thirteenth
We recognize the good providence of Almighty God, who has preserved
and prospered us as a Nation; and, asking for
His Spirit to guide us to ultimate success, we
all look for it, relying upon His omnipotent
arm.

1880.—Democratic Platform,
Cincinnati, Ohio, June 22.
The Democrats of the United States, in convention assembled, declare:
First.
We pledge ourselves anew to the
Constitutional doctrines and traditions of t h e
Democratic party, as illustrated by the teachings and examples of a long line of Democratic
statesmen and patriots, and embodied in the

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platform of the last National Convention of
the party.
Second, Opposition to centralization, and to
the dangerous spirit of encroachment which
tends to consolidate the powers of all the departments in one, and thus to create, whatever
the form of government, a real despotism; no
sumptuary laws; separation of the church and
state for the good of each; common schools fostered and protected.
Third. Home rule; honest money, consisting of gold and silver, and paper, convertible
into coin on demand; the strict maintenance
of the public faith, State and National; and a
tariff for revenue only; the subordination of
the military to the civil power; and a general
and thorough reform of the civil service.
Fourth,
The right to a free ballot is a right
preservative of all rights; and must and shall
be maintained in every part of the United
States.
Fifth,
The existing administration is the
representative of conspiracy only; and its claim
of right to surround the ballot boxes with
troops and deputy marshals, to intimidate and
obstruct the elections, and the unprecedented
use of the veto to maintain its corrupt and despotic power, insults the people and imperils
their institutions. We execrate the course of
this administration in making places in the
civil service a reward for political crime; and
demand a reform by statute, which shall make
it forever impossible for a defeated candidate
to bribe his way to the seat of a usurper by
billeting villains upon the people.
Sixth.
The great fraud of 1876—7, by
which, upon a false count of the electoral
votes of two States, the candidate defeated at
the polls was declared to be President, and, for
the first time in American history, the will of
the people was set aside under a threat of military violence, struck a deadly blow at our system of Representative Government. The Dem-

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385

ocratic party, to preserve the Country from the
horrors of civil war, submitted for the time, in
the firm and patriotic belief that the people
would punish the crime in 1880. This issue
precedes and dwarfs every other. It imposes
a more sacred duty upon the people of the
Union than ever addressed the consciences of
a Nation of freemen.
Seventh.
The resolution of Samuel J. Tilden, not again to be a candidate for the exalted place to which he was elected by a majority of his countrymen, and from which h e
was excluded by the leaders of the Republican
party, is received by the Democrats of the
United States with deep sensibility; and
they declare their confidence in his wisdom,
patriotism, and integrity unshaken by the assaults of the common enemy; and they further
assure him that he is followed into the retire-,
ment he has chosen for himself by the sympa-thy and respect of his fellow-citizens, who regard him as one who, by elevating the standard of the public morality, and adorning and
purifying the public service, merits the lasting
gratitude of his Country and his party.
Eighth. Free ships, and a living chance fof
American commerce upon the seas; and on
the land, no discrimination in favor of transportation lines, corporations, or monopolies.
Ninth. Amendments of the
Burlingame
treaty: no more Chinese immigration, except
for travel, education, and foreign commerce^
and, therein, carefully guarded.
Tenth. Public money and public credit:
for public purposes solely, and public land for
actual settlers.
Eleventh. The Democratic party is the friend
of labor and the laboring man, and pledges
itself to protect him alike against the cormorants and the commune.
Twelfth.
We congratulate the Country
upon the honesty and thrift of a Democratic
Congress, which has reduced the public ex-

386

THE

AMERICAN

penditure $10,000,000 a year; upon the continuation of prosperity at home and the National
honor abroad; and, above all, upon the promise of such a change in the administration of
t h e Government as shall insure a genuine
and lasting reform in every department of the
public service.
V i r g i n i a I&epwMican.
[Adopted A ugust / / . ]
Whereas, It is proper that when the people
assemble in Convention they should avow
distinctly the principles of Government on
which they stand; now, therefore, be it,
Resolved, That we, the Republicans of Virginia, hereby m a k e a declaration of our allegiance and adhesion to the principles of the
Republican party of the Country, and our
determination to stand squarely by the organization of the Republican party of Virginia,
always defending it against the assaults of all
persons or parties whatsoever.
Second. That amongst the principles of the
Republican party none is of more vital importance to the welfare and interest of the Country
in all its parts than that which pertains to the
sancity of Government contracts. It therefore
becomes the special duty and province of the
Republican party of Virginia to guard and
protect the credit of our time-honored State,
which has been besmirched with repudiation,
or received with distrust, by the gross mismanagement of various factions of the Democratic
party, which have controlled the legislation
of the State.
Third. That the Republican party of Virginia hereby pledges itself to redeem the
State from the discredit that now hangs over
her,in regard to her just obligations for money
loaned her for constructing her internal improvements and charitable institutions, which,
permeating every quarter of the State, bring
benefits of far greater value than their cost to

MANUAL.
our whole people, and we in the most solemn
form pledge the Republican party of the State
to the full payment of the whole debt of the
State, less the one-third set aside as justly
falling on West Virginia; that the industries
of the Country should be fostered through
protective laws, so as to develop our own resources, employ our own labor, create a home
market, enhance values, and promote t h e
happiness and prosperity of the people.
Fourth. That the public school system of
Virginia is the creature of the Republican
party, and we demand that every dollar the
Constitution dedicates to it shall be sacredly
applied thereto as a means of educating the
children of the State, without regard to condition or race.
Fifth. That the elective franchise as an
equal right should be based on manhood
qualification, and that we favor the repeal of
the requirements of the prepayment of the capitation tax as a prerequisite to the franchise as
opposed to the Constitution of the United
States,and in violation of the condition whereby the State was readmitted as a member of
our Constitutional Union, as well as against
the spirit of the Constitution; but demand the
imposition of the capitation tax as a source of
revenue for the support of the public schools
without its disfranchising effects.
Sixth. That we favor the repeal of the disqualification for the elective franchise by a
conviction of petty larceny, and of the infamous laws which place it in the power of a single justice of the peace (oft times being more
corrupt than the criminal before him) to disfranchise his fellow-man.
Seventh. Finally, that we urge the repeal
of the barbarous law permitting the imposition
of stripes as degrading and inhuman, contrary
to the genius of a true and enlightened people,
and a relic of barbarism.
[The Convention considered it inexpedient
to nominate candidates for State officers.]

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Virginia Readjuster.
\_ Adopted June <?.]
First, We recognize our obligation to support the institution for the deaf, dumb, and
blind, the lunatic asylum, the public free
schools and the Government out of the revenues of the State; and we do deprecate and
denounce that policy of ring rule and subordinated sovereignty which for years borrowed
money out of the banks at high rates of interest for the discharge of these paramount
trusts, while our revenues were left the prey of
commercial exchanges, available to the State
only at the option of speculators and syndicates.
Second. W e reassert our purpose to settle
and adjust our State obligations on the principles of the "Bill to re-establish public credit,''
known as the "Riddleberger bill," passed by
the last General Assembly and vetoed by the
Governor. We maintain that this measure recognizes the just debt of Virginia,in this,that it
assumes two-thirds of all the money Virginia
borrowed, and sets aside the other third to
West Virginia to be dealt with by her in her
own way and at her own pleasure; that it
places those of her creditors who have received
but six per cent, installments of interest in
nine years upon an exact equality with those
who by corrupt agencies were enabled to absorb and monopolize our means of payment;
that it agrees to pay such rate of interest on
our securities as can with certainty be met out
of the revenues of the State, and that it contains all the essential features of finality.
Third. We reassert our adherence to the
Constitutional requirements for t h e ''equal
and uniform" taxation of property, exempting
none except that specified by the Constitution
and used exclusively for "religious, charitable
and educational purposes."
Fourth. We reassert that the paramount
obligation of the various works of internal im-

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387

provement is to the people of the State, by
whose authority they were created, by whose
money they were constructed, and by whose
grace they live; and it is enjoined upon our
Representative and Executive officers to enforce the discharge of that duty; to insure to
our people such rates, facilities and connections as will protect every industry and interest against discrimination, tend to the development of our agricultural and mineral resources, encourage the investment of active
capital in manufactures and the profitable
employment of labor in industrial enterprises,
grasp for our city and our whole State those
advantages to which by their geographical
position they are entitled, and fulfil all the
great public ends for which they were designed.
Fifth. The Readjusters hold the right to a
free ballot to be the right preservative of all
rights, and that it should be maintained in
every State in the Union. We believe the
capitation tax restriction upon the suffrage in
Virginia to be in conflict with the X l V t h
Amendment to the Constitution of the United
States. We believe that it is a violation of
that condition of reconstruction wherein t h e
pledge was given not so to amend our State
Constitution as to deprive any citizen or class
of citizens of a right to vote, except as punishment for such crimes as are felony at common law. We believe such a prerequisite to
voting to be contrary to the genius of our institutions, the very foundation of which is
representation as antecedent to taxation. We
know that it has been a failure as a measure
for the collection of revenue, the pretended
reason for its invention in 1876, and we know
the base, demoralizing and dangerous uses to
which it has been prostituted. We know it
contributes to the increase of monopoly power, and to corrupting the voter. For these
and other reasons we adhere to the purpose
hitherto expressed to provide more effectual

388

THE AMERICAN

legistation for the collection of this tax, dedicated by the Constitution to the public free
schools, and to abolish it as a qualification for
and restriction upon suffrage.
Sixth.
The Readjusters congratulate the
whole people of Virginia on the progress of
t h e last few years in developing mineral resources and promoting manufacturing enterprises in the State, and they declare their purpose to aid these great and growing industries
by all proper and essential legislation, State
and Federal. To this end they will continue
their efforts in behalf of more cordial and fraternal relations between the sections and States
and especially for that concord and harmony
which will m a k e the Country to know how
earnestly and sincerely Virginia invites all
men into her borders as visitors or to become
citizens without fear of social or political ostracism; that every man,from whatever section
of the Country, shall enjoy the fullest freedom
of thought, speech, politics, and religion, and
t h a t the State which first formulated these
principles as fundamental in free Government
is yet the citadel for their exercise and protection.

V i r g i n i a ^Democratic.
[Adopted August ^.]
The Conservative Democratic party of Virginia—Democratic in its Federal relations and
Conservative in its State policy—assembled, in
convention, in view of the present condition
of the Union and of this Commonwealth, for the
clear and distinct assertion of its political
principles, doth declare that we adopt the following articles of political faith:
First. • Equality of right and exact justice to
all men, special privileges to none; freedom of
religion, freedom of the press, and freedom of

MANUAL,
the person under the protection of the habeas
corpus; of trial by juries impartially selected,
and of a pure, upright and non-partisan judiciary; elections by the people, free from force
or fraud of citizens or of the military and civil
officers of Government; and the selection for
public offices of those who are honest and best
fitted to fill them; the support of the State
Governments in all their rights as the most
competent administrations of our domestic
concerns and the surest bulwarks against antirepublican tendencies; and the preservation of
the General Government in its whole Constitutional vigor as the best sheet-anchor of our
peace at home and our safety abroad.
Second. That the maintenance of the public
credit of Virginia is an essential means to the
promotion of her prosperity. We condemn
repudiation in every shape and form as a blot
upon her honor, a blow at her permanent
welfare, and an obstacle to her progress in
wealth, influence and powrer; and that we will
make every effort to secure a settlement of the
public debt, with the consent of her creditors,
which is consistent with her honor and dictated by justice and sound public policy; that
it is eminently desirable and proper that the
several classes of the debt now existing should
be unified, so that equality, which is equity,
may control in the annual payment of interest
and the ultimate redemption of the principal;
that, with a view of securing such equality, we
pledge our party to use all lawful authority to
secure a settlement of the State debt so that
there shall be but one class of the public
debt; that we will use all lawful and Constitutional means in our power to secure a settlement of the State debt upon the basis of a 3
per cent, bond, and that the ConservativeDemocratic party pledges itself, as a part of its
policy, not to increase the present rate of
taxation.
Third. That we will uphold, in its full Constitutional integrity and efficiency, our public-

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school system for the education of both white
and colored children—a system inaugurated
by the Constitution of the State and established by the action of the Conservative party
years before it was required by the Constitution; and will take the most effectual means
for the faithful execution of the same by applying to its support all the revenues set apart
for that object by the Constitution or otherwise.
Fourth. Upon this declaration of principles
we cordially invite the co-operation of all
Conservative Democrats, whatever may have
been or now are their views upon the public
debt, in the election of the nominees of this
Convention and in the maintenance of the
supremacy of the Democratic party in this
State.
Resolved, furthet,
That any intimation,
coming from any quarter, that the Conservative-Democratic party of Virginia has been, is
now, or proposes to be, opposed to an honest
ballot, and a fair count, is a calumny upon
the State of Virginia as unfounded in fact as it
is dishonorable to its authors.
That special efforts have been made to foster
and encourage the agricultural, mechanical,
mining, manufacturing, and other industrial
interests of the State.
That, in common with all good citizens of
t h e Union, we reflect with deep abhorrence
upon the crime of the man who aimed a blow
a t the life of the eminent citizen who was
called by the Constitutional voice of fifty
millions of people to be the President of the
United States; and we tender to him and to his
friends the sympathy and respect of this Convention and of those we represent, in this
great calamity, and our hearty desire for his
complete restoration to health and return to'
the discharge of his important duties, for the
welfare and honor of our common Country.

MANUAL.

389

National Conventions.
Republican.
1856—Philadelphia.
i860—Chicago.
1864—Baltimore.
1868—Chicago.
1872—Philadelphia.
1876—Cincinnati.
1880—Chicago.
1884—Chicago.
1888—Chicago.

RAILWAY

Democrat
1856—Cincinnati.
i860—Charleston.
1864—Chicago.
1868—New York.
1872—Cincinnati.
1876—St. Louis.
1880—Cincinnati.
1884—Chicago.
1888—St. Louis.

CONSTRUCTION

N E W I , I N E S F O R 1887—1888.

T h e E n g i n e e r i n g N e w s s a y s : T h e m i l e a g e of t h e newr a i l w a y l i n e s c o m p l e t e d a n d u n d e r w a y in t h e S t a t e s
a n d T e r r i t o r i e s of t h e R o c k y M o u n t a i n r e g i o n a n d
Pacific c o a s t is s u m m a r i z e d i n t h e f o l l o w i n g t a b l e :

States.

In p?oLocated
Track laid gress of and under Pro1886-188/. construction, way. jected.

W y o m i n g . . . 131,115
M o n t a n a . . . 16,616
Idaho
11,440
W a s h i n g t o n . 171,975
O r e g o n . . . . . 4,345
C a l i f o r n i a . . 274,377
Nevada
Utah
6
C o l o r a d o . . . 43,948
N e w M e x i c o . . 3,553

m

. . .
157
19
136
161
598
. . .
15
39
71

Q5
55
47
315
295
715
160
330
638
294

. . .
150
80
560
400
546
, . .
20a
865
. . .

390

THE AMERICAN

1888.—Republican Platform.
Chicago^ June 21st
The Republicans of the United States, assembled by their delegates in National Convention, pause on the threshold of their proceedings to honor the memory of their first
great leader, the immortal champion of liberty and the rights of the People—Abraham
lyincoln; and to cover also with wreaths of
imperishable remembrance and gratitude the
heroic names of later leaders, who have been
more recently called away from our c o u n c i l s Grant, Garfield, Arthur, L,ogan,Conkling. May
their memories be faithfully cherished.
We also recall with our greetings and with
prayer for his recovery the name of one of our
living heroes whose memory will be treasured
in the history both of Republicans and of the
Republic—the name of that noble soldier and
favorite child of victory, Philip H. Sheridan.
In the spirit of those great leaders, and our
own devotion to human liberty; and with that
hostility to all forms of despotism and oppression which is the fundamental idea.of the Republican party, we send fraternal congratulations to our fellow Americans of Brazil upon
their great act of emancipation, which completed the abolition of slavery throughout the
two American continents. We earnestly hope
that we may soon congratulate our fellow-citizens of Irish birth upon the peaceful recovery
of home rule for Ireland.
We affirm our unswerving devotion to the
National Constitution and to the indissoluble
Union of the States; to the autonomy reserved
to the States under the Constitution: to the
personal rights and liberties of citizens in all
the States and Territories in the Union; and
especially to the supreme and sovereign right
of every lawful citizen, rich or poor, native or
foreign born, white or black, to cast one free
ballot in public elections, and to have that
ballot duly counted. We hold a free and honest popular ballot, and the just and equal rep-

MANUAL.

resentation of all the People, to be the foundation of our Republican Government, and
demand effective legislation to secure the integrity and purity of elections, which are the
foundation of all public authority. We charge
that the present Administration and the Democratic majority in Congress owe their existence to the suppression of the ballot by a
criminal nullification of the Constitution and
laws of the United States.
We are uncompromisingly in favor of the
American system of protection. We protest
against its destruction proposed by the President and his party. They serve the interests
of Europe: we will support the interests of
America. We accept the issue and confidently
appeal to the People for their judgment. The
protective system must be maintained. Its
abandonment has always been followed by
general disaster to all interests, except those
of the usurer and the sheriff. We denounce the
Mills bill as destructive to the general business, the labor and t h e farming interests of
the Country, and we heartily indorse the consistent and patriotic actions of the Republican
Representatives in Congress in opposing its
passage.
We condemn the proposition of the Democratic party to place wool on the free list, and
we insist that the duties thereon shall be adjusted and maintained so as to furnish full
and adequate protection to that industry.
The Republican party would affect all needed reduction of the National revenue by repealing the taxes on tobacco, which are an
annoyance and burden to agriculture, and the
tax upon spirits used in the arts and for mechanical purposes; and by such revision of
the tariff laws as will tend to check imports of
such articles as are produced by our People,
the production of which gives employment to
our labor,and release from import duties those
articles of foreign production (except luxuries)
the like of which can not be produced at
home. If there shall still remain a larger

THE AMERICAN
revenue than is requisite for the wants of the
Government, we favor the entire repeal of internal taxes, rather than the surrender of any
part of our protective system at the joint behest of the whisky trusts and the agents of
foreign manufacturers.
We declare our hostility to the introduction into this Country of foreign contract labor, and of Chinese labor, alien to our civilization and our Constitution, and we demand
the rigid enforcement of the existing laws
against it, and favor such immediate Legislation as will exclude such labor from our
shores.
We declare our opposition to all combinations of capital organized in trusts or otherwise, to control arbitrarily the condition of
trade among our citizens; and we recommend
to Congress, and the State Legislatures, in
their respective jurisdictions, such Legislation
as will prevent the execution of all schemes
to oppress the People by undue charges on
their supplies, or by unjust rates for the
transportation of their products to market. We
approve the Legislation by Congress to prevent alike unjust burdens and unfair discriminations between the States.
We reaffirm the policy of appropriating the
public lands of the United States to be homesteads for American citizens and settlers, not
aliens, which the Republican party established
in 1862, against the persistent opposition of
the Democrats in Congress, and which has
brought our great Western domain into such
magnificent development. T h e restoration of
unearned land grants to the public domain
for the use of actual settlers, which was begun
under the Administration of President Arthur,
should be continued. We deny that the Democratic party has ever restored one acre to the
People, but declare that by the joint action of
Republicans and Democrats about fifty million
of acres of unearned lands originally granted
for the construction of railroads have been re-

MANUAL.

391

stored to the public domain, in pursuance of
the conditions inserted by the Republican
party in the original grants. We charge the
Democratic Administration with failure to execute the laws securing to settlers titles to
their homesteads, and with using appropriations made for that purpose to harass the innocent settlers with spies and prosecutions
under false pretense of exposing frauds and
vindicating the law.
The Government by Congress of the Territories is based upon necessity only, to the end
that they may become States in the Union;
therefore, whenever the conditions of population, material resources, public intelligence
and morality are such as to secure a stable local Government therein, the People of such
Territories should be permitted, as a right inherent in them, to form for themselves constitutions and State Governments and be admitted into the Union. Pending the preparation for Statehood, all officers thereof should
be selected from the bona fide residents and
citizens of the Territory wherein they are to
serve. South Dakota should of right be immediately admitted as a State in the Union,
under the Constitution framed and adopted by
the People, and we heartily indorse the action
of the Republican Senate in twice passing hills
for her admission. The refusal of the Democratic House of Representatives, for partisan
purposes, to favorably consider these bills, is
a. willful violation of the sacred American
principle of local self-government, and merits
the condemnation of all just men. The pending bills in the Senate for acts to enable the
People of Washington, North Dakota, and
Montana Territories to form Constitutions and
establish State Governments should be passed
without unnecessary delay. The Republican
party pledges itself to do all in its power to
facilitate the admission of the Territories of
New Mexico, Wyoming, Idaho, and Arizona
to the enjoyment of self-government as States,

392

THE AMERICAN

such of them as are now qualified, as soon as
possible, and the others as soon as they may
become so.
The political power of the Mormon Church
in t h e Territories, as exercised in the past, is a
menace to free institutions too dangerous to be
long suffered. Therefore, we pledge the Republican party to appropriate Legislation asserting the sovereignty of the Nation in all
Territories where the same is questioned, and
in furtherance of that end to place upon the
statute books Legislation stringent enough to
divorce the political from the ecclesiastical
power, and thus stamp out the attendant
wickedness of polygamy.
The Republican party is in favor of the use
of both gold and silver as money, and condemns
the policy of the Democratic Administration
in its efforts to demonetize silver.
We demand the. reduction of letter postage
to one cent per ounce.
In a Republic like ours, where the citizen is
the sovereign and the official the servant,
where no power is exercised except by the will
of the People, it is important that the sovereign—the People—should possess intelligence.
The free school is the promoter of that intelligence which is to preserve us a free Nation;
therefore, the State or Natian, or both combined, should support free institutions of
learning, sufficient to afford to every child
growing up in the land the opportunity of a
good common school education.
We earnestly recommend that prompt action
be taken by Congress in the enactment of such
Legislation as will best secure t h e rehabilitation of our American Merchant Marine, and
we protest against the passage by Congress of
a free ship bill, as calculated to work injustice
to 1 abor b > lessening the wages of those en*
gaged in preparing the materials, as well as
those directly employed in our ship-yards. We
demand appropriations for the early rebuild-

MANUAL.

ing of our Navy; for the construction of coast
fortifications and modern ordnance, and other
approved modern means of defense for t h e
protection of our defenseless harbors and
cities; for the payment of just pensions to our
soldiers; for necessary works of National importance in the improvement of harbors and
channels of internal, coastwise, and foreign
commerce; for the encouragement of the shipping interests of the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific States, as well as for the payment of the
maturing public debt. This policy will give
employment to our labor, activity to our various industries, increase the security of our
Country, promote trade, open new and direct
markets for our produce, and cheapen the cost
of transportation. We affirm this to be far
better for our Country than the Democratic
policy of loaning the Government money
without interest to ' 'pet banks.''
The conduct of foreign affairs by the present Administration has been distinguished by
its inefficiency and its cowardice. Having
withdrawn from the Senate all pending treaties
effected by Republican Administration for the
removal of foreign burdens and restrictions
upon our commerce and for its extension into
better markets, it has neither effected nor proposed any others in their stead. Professing
adherence to the Monroe doctrine, it has seen
with idle complacency the extension of foreign
influence in Central America, and of foreign
trade everywhere among our neighbors. It has
refused to charter, sanction, or encourage any
American organization for constructing t h e
Nicaragua Canal, a work of vital importance to
the maintenance of the Monroe doctrine, and
• of our National influence in Central and South
America, and necessary for the development
of trade with our Pacific Territory, with South
America, and with the Islands and further
coasts of the Pacific Ocean.
We arraign the present Democratic Administration for its weak and unpatriotic treat-

THE AMERICAN
ment of the fisheries question, and its pusillanimous surrender of the essential privileges
to which our fishing vessels are entitled in
Canadian ports under the treaty of 1818, the
reciprocal maritime Legislation of 1830, and
t h e comity of Nations, and which Canadian
fishing vessels receive in the ports of the United
States. We condemn the policy of the present
Administration and the Democratic majority
in Congress toward our fisheries as unfriendly,
and conspicuously unpatriotic, and as tending
to destroy a valuable National industry, and
an indispensable resource of defense against a
foreign enemy.
The name of American applies alike to all
citizens of the Republic, and imposes upon all
alike the same obligations of obedience to the
laws. At the same time that citizenship is
and must be the panoply and safeguard of
him who wears it, and protect him, whether
high or low, rich or poor, in his civil rights.
It should and must afford him protection at
home, and follow and protect him abroad in
whatever land he may be on a lawful errand.
T h e men who abandoned the Republican
party in 1884, and continue to adhere to the
Democratic party, have deserted not only the
ca,use of honest Government, of sound finances, of freedom and purity of the ballot, but
especially have deserted the cause of reform
in the civil service. We will not fail to keep
our pledges because they have broken theirs,
or because their candidate has broken his.
We, therefore, repeat our declaration of 1884,
to-wit: ' 'The reform of the civil service, auspiciously begun under the Republican Administration, should be completed by the further
extension of the reform system already established by law, to all the grades of the service
to which it is applicable. The spirit and purpose of the reform should be observed in all
Executive appointments, and all laws at variance with the object of existing reform Legislation should be repealed, to the end that the

MANUAL.

393

danger to free institutions which lurk in t h e
power of official patronage may be wisely and
effectively avoided."
The gratitude of the Nation to the defenders
of the Union can not be measured by laws.
The Legislation of Congress should conform
to the pledges made by a loyal People, and
be so enlarged and extended as to provide
against the possibility that any man who honorably wore the Federal uniform shall become
an inmate of an almshouse, or dependent upon
private charity. In the presence of an overflowing Treasury it would be a public scandal
to do less for those whose valorous service
preserved the Government. We denounce the
hostile spirit shown by President Cleveland in
his numerous vetoes of measures for pension
relief and the action of the Democratic House
of Representatives in refusing even a consideration of general pension Legislation.
In support of the principles herewith enunciated we invite the co-operation of patriotic
men of all parties, and especially of all workingmen whose prosperity is seriously threatened by the free-trade policy of the present
Administration.
The first concern of all good government is
the virtue and sobriety of the People and the
purity of the home. The Republican party
cordially sympathizes with all wise and wtdldirected efforts for the promotion of temperance and morality.

1888.—Prohibition P l a t f o r m .
Indianapolis, May 31.
"Preamble-. The Prohibition party, in National Convention assembled, acknowledging
Almighty God as the source of all power in
government, do hereby declare:
" 1 . That the manufacture, importation, exportation, transportation and sale of alcohol-

394

THE AMERICAN

ic beverages should be made public crimes,
a n d prohibited as such.
"2. That such Prohibition must be secured
through Amendments of our National and
State Constitutions, enforced by adequate laws
adequately supported by Administrative Authority; and to this end the organization of
the Prohibition party is imperatively demanded in State and Nation,
" 3 . That any form of license, taxation, or
regulation of the Liquor Traffic is contrary to
good Government; that any party which supports regulation, license, or taxation, enters
into alliance with such Traffic and becomes
the actual foe of the State's welfare; and that
we arraign the Republican and Democratic
parties for their persistent attitude in favor of
the license iniquity, whereby they-oppose the
demand of the People for Prohibition, and,
through open complicity with the Liquor
Crime, defeat the enforcement of law.
"4. For the immediate abolition of the Internal Revenue system, whereby our National
Government is deriving support from our
greatest National vice.
"5. That an adequate public revenue being
necessary, it may properly be raised by import
duties by an equitable assessment upon the
property and legitimate business of the Country; but import duties should be so reduced
that no surplus shall be accumulated in the
Treasury, and that t h e burdens of taxation
shall be removed from foods, clothing, and
other comforts and necessaries of life.
"6. That the right of suffrage rests on no
mere accident of race, color, sex, or nationality; and that where, from any cause, it has
been withheld from citizens who are of suitable age and mentally and moralfy qualified
for the exercise of an intelligent ballot, it
should be restored by the People through the
Legislatures of the several States on such educational basis as they may deem wise.
"7. That Civil Service appointment for all
civil offices, chiefly clerical in their duties,
should be based upon moral, intellectual and

MANUAL.

physical qualifications, and not upon any party
service or party necessity.
"8. For the abolition of polygamy and t h e
establishment of uniform laws governing marriage and divorce.
"9. For prohibiting all combinations of
capital to control and to increase the cost of
products for popular consumption.
"10. For the preservation and defense of
the Sabbath as a civil institution, without oppression of any who religiously observe the
same on any other than the first day of the
week.
"11. That arbitration is the Christian, wise
and economic method of settling National
differences, and the same method should, by
judicious Legislation, be applied to the settlement of disputes between large bodies of employes and employers. That the abolition of
the saloon would remove burdens, moral,
physical, pecuniary and social, which now oppress labor and rob it of its earnings, and
would prove to be a wise and successful way
of promoting labor reform; and we invite labor and capital to unite with us for the accomplishment thereof. That monopoly in
land is a wrong to the People, and the public
lands should be reserved for actual settlers;
and that men and women should receive equal
wages for equal work.
"12. That our immigration laws should be
so enforced as to prevent t h e introduction into our Country of all convicts, inmates of
other dependent institutions and all others
physically incapacitated for self-support; and
that no person should have the ballot in any
State who is not a citizen of the United States.
"Recognizing and declaring that Prohibition
of the Liquor Traffic has become the dominant
issue in National politics, we invite to full
party fellowship all who on this one dominant
issue are with us agreed in full belief that this
party can and will remove sectional differences, and promote National unity, and insure
the best welfare of our entire land."

THE AMERICAN
1888.—Democratic P l a t f o r m .
St. Louis, June 7.
T h e Democratic party of the United States
in National Convention assembled renews the
pledge of its fidelity to the Democratic faith
and reaffirms the platform adopted by its representatives in the convention of 1884, and
indorses the views adopted by President Cleveland i n his last earnest message to Congress
as the correct interpretation of that platform
upon the question of tariff reduction; and also
indorses the efforts of our Democratic Representatives in Congress to secure a reduction of
excessive taxation.
Chief among its principles of party faith are
the maintenance of an indissoluble Union of
free and indestructible States, now about to
enter upon its second century of unexampled
progress and renown; devotion to a plan of
government regulated by a written constitution strictly specifying every granted power
and expressly reserving to the States or people
the entire ungranted residue of powrer; the encouragement of a jealous popular vigilance
directed to all who have been chosen for brief
terms to enact and execute the laws and are
charged with the duty of preserving the peace,
insuring equality, and establishing justice.
The Democratic party welcomes an exacting
scrutiny of the administration of the executive
power, which four years ago was committed to
its trust in the election of Grover Cleveland,
President of the United States, and it challenges the most searching inquiry concerning
its fidelity and devotion to the pledges which
then invited the suffrages of the People. During a most critical period of our financial
affairs—resulting from over taxation, the
anomalous condition of our currency, and a
public debt unmatured-it has by the adoption
of a wise and statesmanlike course not only
averted disaster, but greatly promoted the
prosperity of the People.
I t has revised the improvident and unwise

MANUAL.

395

policy of the Republican party touching the
public domain, and has reclaimed from corporations and syndicates, alien and domestic,
and restored to the People nearly 100,000,000
of acres of valuable land, to be sacredly held
as homesteads for our citizens.
While carefully guarding the interests of the
people, consistent with the principles of justice and equity, it has paid out more for pensions and bounties to the soldiers and sailors
of the Republic than was ever paid before
during an equal period.
It has adopted and consistently pursued a
firm and prudent foreign policy, preserving
peace with all nations while scrupulously
maintaining all the rights and interests of our
own Government and People at home and
abroad.
The exclusion from our shores of Chinese
laborers has been effectually secured under
the provision of a treaty, the operation of
which has been postponed by the action of a
Republican majority in the Senate.
Honest reform in the civil service has been
inaugurated and maintained by President
Cleveland, and he has brought the public service to the highest standard of efficiency, not
only by rule and precept, but by the example
of his own untiring and unselfish administration of public affairs.
In every branch and department of the
Government under Democratic control the
rights and the welfare of all the People have
been guarded and defended; every public interest has been protected, and the equity of
all our citizens before the law, without regard
to race or color, has been steadfastly maintained.
Upon this record thus exhibited and upon
the pledge of a continuance to the People of
the benefits of Democracy it invokes a renewal of popular trust by the reelection of a
Chief Magistrate who has been faithful, able,

396

THE AMERICAN

a n d prudent, and invokes in addition to t h a t
trust the transfer also to the Democracy of the
entire legislative Power.
The Republican party, controlling the Senate and resisting in both Houses of Congress a
reformation of unjust and unequal tax laws—
which have outlasted the necessities of war
and are now undermining the abundance of a
long period of peace—deny to the people
equality before the law, and the fairness and
the justice which are their right. The cry of
American labor for a better share in the rewards of industry is stifled with false pretences,
enterprise is fettered and bound down to home
markets; capital is discouraged with doubt,
and unequal, unjust laws can neither be properly amended nor repealed. The Democratic
party will continue, with all the power confided to it, the struggle to reform these laws
in accordance with the pledges of its last platform, indorsed at the ballot-box by the suffrages of the people. Of all the industrious
freemen of our land, the immense majority,
including the tiller of the soil, gain no advantage from excessive t a x laws, but the price of
nearly everything they buy is increased by
the favoritism of an unequal system of tax
legislation.
All unnecessary taxation is unjust taxation.
I t is repugnant to the creed of Democracy
that by such taxation the cost of the necessaries of life should be unjustifiably increased
to all our people. Judged by the Democratic
principles the interests of the People are betrayed when, by unnecessary taxation, trusts
and combinations are permitted to exist which,
while unduly enriching the few that combine,
rob the body of our citizens by depriving
them of the benefits of natural competition.
Every rule of governmental action is violated
when, through unnecessary taxation, a vast
s u m of money—far beyond the needs of an

MANUAL.

economical administration—is drawn from
the People,the channels of trade, and accumulated as a demoralizing surplus in the National Treasury.
Tne money now lying idle in the Federal
Treasury resulting from superfluous taxation
amounts to more than $i25,000,000, and the
surplus collected is reaching the sum of more
than $60,000,000 annually. Debauched by this
immense temptation, the remedy of the Republican party is to meet and exhaust by
extravagant appropriations and expenses,
whether Constitutional or not, the accumulation of extravagant taxation. The Democratic policy is to enforce frugality in public
expense and abolish unnecessary taxation.
Our established domestic industries and
enterprises should not and need not be endangered by the reduction and correction of
the burdens of taxation. On the contrary, a
fair and careful revision of our tax laws, with
due allowance for the difference between the
wages of American and foreign labor, must
promote and encourage every branch of such
industries and enterprises by giving them assurance of an extended market and continuous
operations. In the interests of American labor,
which should in no event be neglected, t h e
revision of our tax laws contemplated by the
Democratic party should promote the advantage of such labor by cheapening the cost of
necessaries of life in the home of every workingman and at the same time secure to him
steady and remunerative employment.
Upon this question of tariff reform, so closely
concerning every phase of our National life,
and upon every question involved in the problem of good government, the Democratic
party submits its principles and professions
to the intelligent suffrages of the American
People.

THE AMERICAN
PRESIDENTIAL TICKETS FOR 1888.
Republican.
President, Benjamin Harrison, of Indiana;
Vice President, Levi P. Morton, of New York.
Democrat.
President, Grover Cleveland, of New York;
Vice President, Allen G. Thurman, of Ohio.
Prohibition.
President, Clinton B. Fisk, of New Jersey;
Vice President, John A. Brooks, of Missouri.
Union Labor.
President, A. J. Streeter, of Illinois; Vice
President, Charles B. Cunnkigham, of Arkansas.

MANUAL.

397

Industrial Reform.
President, Albert B. Redstone, of California;
Vice President, J o h n Colvin, of Kansas.
United Labor.
President, Robert H. Cowdry, of Illinois;
Vice President, W. H. T. Wakefield, of Kansas.
W o m a n Suffragists.
President, Belva A. Lockwood, of Washington; Vice President, Albert H . I^ove, of
Pennsylvania.

398

THE AMERICAN
T I T L E S O F ©TJSfc S T A T E S M E N .

" O l d " and " U t i l e " are two favorite prefixes
which admirers use in conferring a s o b r i q u e t on
their hero.
" U U m e s t . O l d A b e " was the plain title that was
shouted at the head of R i i n c o l n ' s columns.
M a r t i n V a n B u r e t i , who succeeded A n d r e w
J a c k s o n , was called " T h e L i t t l e M a g i c i a n . "
His enemies dubbed him " W h i s k y V a n . "
" T h e JLittle G i a n t * ' is the suggestive, historical,
and catching sobriquet that was worn by the great
statesman, S t e p h e n A . D o u g J a s .
Many of F o l k ' s ardent admirers called him
" Y o u n g ' H i c k o r y " hoping to win for him some of
the warm support that " O l d H i c k o r y " commanded.
A n d r e w J a c k s o n was called by his friends " O l d
H i c k o r y , " because of his sturdy qualities. " O l d
H i c k o r y " is one of the historical nicknames of the
world^
"IiOg* C a b i n " H a r r i s o n was the way campaign
orators used to speak of the " T i p p e c a n o e " statesman. " H a r d t / i d e r " was another appellation of
his, while some talked of him as " O l d T i p . "
G e n e r a l T a y l o r was. not wanting in campaign
titles. He was called " O l d Z a c h " and " O l d B u e u a
V i s t a . " But the title that the people most liked and
t h e one that is historical is " i i o i i g h a n d R e a d y . "
H e n r y C l a y always had flashing nicknames.
Three have gone with Clay in history. " T h e G a l l a n t H a r r y o f t h e W e s t , " " T h e Yonng* C o m m o n e r , " and " T h e M i l i f o o y o f t h e S l a s h e s , "
are titles that the great statesman him-self delighted to
apply.—Philadelphia News.

N A T I V I T Y O F S O X i B I E R S 1ST O U R C I V I I i
WAR.
The nationality of soldiers in the F e d e r a l a r m y
during the War of the Rebellion is as follows:
Native American
i,523,300
British American
53,500
'English
45,500
Irish
144,200
German
,. 176,800
Other foreigners
\ . 48,400
Nativity unknown, mostly foreign
26,500
Total
2,018,200
The s u m t o t a l does not equal the n u m b e r given
by Phisterer's Statistical Record of the U n i t e d
j S t a t e s a r m y , as enlisted during the War of the Rebellion. This work, probably the most c o r r e c t
r e c o r d ever completed, makes^ no attempt to group

MANUAL.

the soldiers by nationalities. In fact, it could not be
a c c u r a t e l y done, as in many instances the n a t i o n a l i t y was not entered in the record of enlistment.
But the above t a b l e is no doubt a p p r o x i m a t e l y
correct: and the estimate of 75 per cent, rather under
than over states the number of n a t i v e - b o r n A m e r i c a n s in our great volunteer Army.

PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES.
liist o f All t h e L e a d i n g C a n d i d a t e s for t h e
P r e s i d e n c y from the Beginning?.
Below is a table in which are arranged the P r e s i d e n t i a l c a n d i d a t e s of the two great p a r t i e s —
the first column of names giving the s u c c e s s f u l
candidate, the other his u n s u c c e s s f u l opponent.
It is a valuable tabulation of facts:
1789. George Washington . . No opposition
1792. George Washington . . No opposition
1796. John Adams
Thomas Jefferson
1800. Thomas Jefferson . . . John Adams
1804. Thomas Jefferson . . . C. C. Piuckney
1808. James Madison . . . . C. C. Pinckney
1812. James Madison
De Witt Clinton
1816. James Monroe . . . . . Rutus King
1820. James Monroe
No opposition
1824. John Q. Adams
Andrew Jackson
1828. Andrew Jackson . . . John Q. Adams
1832. Andrew Jackson . . . Henry Clay
1836. Martin Van Buren . . . Wm. H. Harrison
1840. Wm. H. Harrison . . . Martin Van Buren
1844. James K. Polk
Henry Clay
1848. Zachary Taylor . . . . Lewis Cass
1852. Franklin Pierce . . . . Winfield Scott
1856. James Buchanan . . . John C. Fremont
1S60. Abraham Lincoln . . . S. A. Douglas
1864. Abraham Lincoln . . . G. B. McClellan
1S68. U. S. Grant
Horatio Seymour
1872. U. S. Grant
Horace Greeley
1876. R. B. Hayes
S. J. Tilden
1880. James A. Garfield . . . W. S Hancock
1884. Grover Cleveland . . . James G. Blaine
This t a b l e is made the subject of a good deal of figuring on P r e s i d e n t i a l p o s s i b i l i t i e s . It is
pointed out that three times therein is shown the renomination and success of the p r i n c i p a l c a n d i d a t e who was defeated at the election next before.
This happened in the instances of J e f f e r s o n in 1800,
J a c k s o n in 1828, and H a r r i s o n in 1840. Once, in
the instance of P i n c k n e y , in 1804, there was such
a renomination and a repeated defeat.
On the other hand the fact is equally p a t e n t that
in seven cases there have been re-elections to the
P r e s i d e n c y for a second term—in the instances or
W a s h i n g t o n , Jefferson, Madison, Monroe*
J a c k s o n , JUiwcoin, and G r a n t .

THE

IiiVBS

AMERICAN

MANUAL.

O P R E P U B L I C A N ^ANDIDAJPBJ

GENERAL BEN.IAMIX H A R R I S O N ,
Tlie Republican Candidate for President.
Ancestry.
|f E N B R A L Benjamin Harrison is the
^ descendant of one of the historical
^ families of this Country. The head
K
of the family was a Maj. Gen. Harrison, one of Oliver Cromwell's
trusted followers and fighters. I n
the zenith of Cromwell's power it
became the duty of this Harrison to
participate in the trial of Charles I.
and afterwards to sign the death warrant of
the King. H e subsequently paid for this with
his life, by being hanged Oct. 13, 1660. His
descendants emigrated to America, and the
next of the family that appears in history is
Benjamin Harrison of Virginia, great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch and after
whom he was named. Benjamin Harrison
wTas a member of the Continental Congress
during the years 1774, 1775, and 1776.
He was the brother-in-law of Peyton Randolph, the first President of the American
Congress. W h e n Randolph d k d the Southern
Members united upon Harrison to succeed
him; but the latter, to secure harmony between the North and the South, withdrew his
claims in favor of John Hancock of Massachusetts. Harrison was one of the original signers of the Declaration of Independence and
Chairman of the Committee which reported
the Declaration to the Continental Congress,
was three times elected Governor of Virginia,

and was a member of the Convention that
ratified the Constitution.
Gen. William Henry Harrison, the son of
this distinguished patriot of the Revolution,
after a successful career as a soldier during the
War of 1812, and with a clean record as a
Governor of the enormous Northwest Territory,
known then as Indiana, was elected President
of the United States in 1846. His career was
cut short by death within one month after his
inauguration.
John Scott Harrison, the son of William
Henry Harrison, and the father of the subject
of this sketch, was all his life a farmer in
Southern Ohio. H e served four years in Congress, from 1852 to 1856, as a member from the
Cincinnati district.
H e died about twelve
years ago.
P e r s o n a l Appearance.
Benjamin Harrison, the Republican party's
nominee for President, is a man slightly under the medium hight. His figure, however,
is very broad and compact. His large head is
set well down between his broad, high shoulders, as his neck is very short. His face is of
an almost deadly pallor, although he enjoys
excellent health. It is the complexion of a
recluse. His eyes are a grayish-blue, deeply
set under a very prominent, bulging forehead.
His nose is straight, slightly curving outward,
and square at the end. His thin-lipped mouth
is shaded by a very light, long, curling mustache, while the lower part of his face is hid.
den in a long, sandy, gray beard. The hair
upon his head is of the same color, and is
combed v^ry smoothly and tight to his head,
so as to show plainly the outline of the skull.

BENJAMIN HARRISON.

LEVI P. MORTON,

THE AMERICAN
H e always dresses plainly in black. H e is
a reserved men, and keeps much to himself.
H e does not appear to have many social
traits. H e is not in any sense of the word
what one would call "a good fellow." ^ H e is
a m a n who would prefer any day a quiet corner in his own library to the best company in
t h e world outside of it. H e is domestic in his
habits, and thoroughly devoted to his handsome, delicate-featured, black-eyed wife, who
began with him a struggle for a place and a
h o m e in the then F a r West when he was only
20 years of age. Those who know Mr. Harrison, however, say that he is a devoted friend,
and that underneath his reserve he has a most
kindly heart.
His record as a soldier during the War and
his life in his Indiana home will bear the
closest inspection. H e was one of t h e most
conservative members of the Senate; and,
while he made no attempts at brilliant display
in that body, he built up a solid reputation as
a man of positive convictions, with a facility
for clearly expressing himself. W h e n he
comes to speak, his voice is somewhat too
harsh and high-keyed to please strangers, but
after one becomes used to his manner, one soon
learns to recognize with pleasure his blunt
common-sense and the trained .manner of a
successful lawyer. H e is at his best in a personal debate, as he has more than ordinary
powers of sarcasm and invective. H e has occasionally come into sharp contact with the
silver-tongued orator of the Wabash, Dan
Voorhees; and the silver-tongued Daniel has
in each instance been sorely discomfited. The
cold, quiet face of Harrison in such a debate
lights up with a flame of almost fierce energy,
and for the time being h e is entirely transformed.
In the Senate he was third on the Committee on Military affairs, third on the Committee
on Indian affairs, and Chairman of the Committee on Territories. H e followed in the

MANUAL.

401

footsteps of his grandfather in his committee
work at least, for William Henry Harrison
was a master h a n d at solving military and Indian problems, while his record as the Gov.
of the Territory of Indiana was one of the
best. One of the local chronicles of that time
alludes to the astonishing fact that some $600,
000 had passed through the Governor's hands
without a single dollar of his accounts being
called in question.
^ Gen. Harrison is not rich. His law practice is large, but he appears disinclined to set
his fees high enough to meet the modern
standard. H e owns a handsome home where
his wife receives much company. They have
a married daughter, and a son who is becoming prominent in the politics of Montana Territory. General Harrison is a member of t h e
Indianapolis Literary Club, and occasionally
takes part in the debates and exercises. H e
is also an active member of the First Presbyterian Church, and some years ago taught a
Bible class in the Sunday school.
E a r l y Life ancl S t r u g g l e s .
General Harrison was born at North Bend,
Hamilton County, Ohio, the 20th of August,
1833. His life, up to the time of his graduation from the Miami University, at Oxford, in
that State, was the comparatively uneventful
one of a country lad belonging to a family of
small means. His father was able to give him
a good education and nothing more.
He
graduated from college when he was 18 years
of age. His teachers and classmates have
borne testimony to the ease with which he
held his own in all college contests and his
early promise of future success.
Prof. David Swing says that Harrison, while
at Oxford, though young, was a studious
scholar, and early gave evidence of being
foremost in whatever he might undertake. H e
there acquired the habits of study and mental
discipline which have characterized him

402

THE AMERICAN

through life, enabling him to grapple with
any subject on short notice, to concentrate his
intellectual forces and give his mental energies that sort of direct and effective operation
that indicates the trained and disciplined mind.
H e became engaged while at college to the
daughter of the Rev. Dr. Scott, Principal of a
female school at Oxford, Ohio. After graduating he decided to enter upon the study of the
law. H e went to Cincinnati and studied there
in the office of the Hon. Bellamy S. Storer for
two years. At the expiration of that time Mr.
Harrison received the only inheritance of his
life. His aunt, dying, left him a lot in Cincinnati, which was valued at $800. Young
Harrison regarded this legacy as a fortune.
H e decided to be married at once, to take this
money and go to some Western town and begin the practice of law—he having been admitted to the bar in this year. There was,
however, one difficulty in his way. H e was
not yet 21, and could not therefore execute a
deed of sale for the lot. But he found a Cincinnati friend who was willing to go on a bond
to guarantee that he would execute a deed
when h e reached his majority; and so, with
this guarantee, the sale was made.
With $800 in his pocket h e started out, with
a young wife upon his arm, to fight for a place
in the world and a footing in one of the most
difficult of the learned professions.
H e decided to go to Indianapolis, which was even at
that time (1854) a town of promise.
H e met
with but little encouragement at first. The
work he obtained during the first year
amounted to almost nothing. But the $800 carried the young folks over'their first year. By
the time the second year was reached Harrison began to make enough through collections
and trial of cases before Justices of the Peace
to support himself and family.
H i s F i r s t I m p o r t a n t Case.
About this time he was enabled, through
fortunate accident, to have an opportunity to

MANUAL.
appear before a jury in an important case,
which attracted at that time a great deal of attention. It was the trial of a burglar.
The
Prosecuting Attorney, Maj. J. W. Gordon, was
desirous of attending a lecture during the evening of the closing day of the trial, and so he
looked about for some one to take his place
in making the closing address to the jury. It
was evident that this portion of his argument
could not be reached before evening. H e knew
Harrison as as a patient, painstaking, energetic young man, seeking to make his way in
the legal profession. H e told him early in
the day that he should rely upon him for assistance in closing the case, giving him his
reasons for his desire to be absent during the
evening.
Gov. Wallace, one of the leading lawyers at
the bar of Indianapolis at that time, was the
counsel for the defense. H e was an old friend
of Harrison's grandfather, and was by him
appointed a cadet at West Point.
In the
almanacs of 1840 there is a quaint cut illustrating the legend of William Henry Harrison
preferring the son of an old friend to his own
son. Ben Harrison's father was anxious for a
West Point cadetship, but his father appointed
Wallace, the son of his friend, instead. Wallace graduated from West Point, but after a
time left the army and entered upon the practice of law at Indianapolis.
Young Harrison, when notified of his good
fortune in being called in to assist the Prosecuting Attorney, was both dismayed and overjoyed at his opportunity. During the afternoon,
when the witnesses were being examined, h e
eagerly noted every point, writing down with
great fullness notes of everything which he
thought could be used with advantage in his
maiden argument of the evening.
Evening came. The court house was packed.
The court room was feebly lighted with tallow
candles. When Harrison sat down in the dim,
uncertain light of the court-room he observed,

THE AMERICAN
greatly to his disgust, that the pencil that he
had employed to write with during the day
was so hard that his notes, in the uncertain
light of the evening, were perfectly illegible.
This greatly embarrassed him. At the outset
of his speech he made one attempt to use
some of the fragments of his paper; but seeing that they were obstacles instead of aids to
a free expression of his thought, he, with the
energy of despair, threw the notes boldly to
one side. With the memory of his wife a n d
baby at home he confronted the jury, grimly
determined not to m a k e a failure. T h e loss
of his notes probably saved him. His memory
retained enough of the details of the case,
without being fretted with the superfluous
parts of it. He made such an effective plea to
the jury that, when he had completed, Governor Wallace went up to him and patted him
upon the shoulder, giving him warm words of
encouragement and approval.
Tme Beginning* Of Mis P o l i t i c a l C a r e e r .
Governor Wallace had a son who had just
established himself in the practice of law in
Indianapolis. Ben Harrison's first appearance
before a jury and the approval of his address
by General Wallace led to the formation of a
business partnership between young Wallace
and himself. The two young men worked
along together, not much more than making
a living, until i860, when Wallace became
candidate for Clerk of the Circuit Court, and
Harrison for Reporter of the Supreme Court,
t h e salary of which was $2,500 a year.
Then
began his first experience as a stump speaker.
H e canvassed the State thoroughly and was
elected by a handsome majority.
The most noticeable incident of t h e campaign was his famous encounter with Hendricks at Rockville.
Harrison was then in
his 28th year, and rather boyish in appearance.
H e was, however, gifted with that fluency of
speech which comes to even young lawyers
after a few years of moderate success. At

MANUAL.

40B

Rockville Harrison was advertised to speak at
the the court-house. When he arrived there
he found that Hendricks, who was then one
of the most notable of the Democratic leaders
of the State, was billed to speak at nearly the
same time and place. The Republicans of
Rockville were anxious to counteract t h e
effect of Hendricks' speech. They came to
Harrison and asked him if he would undertake
a joint discussion with Hendricks. This was
a large undertaking for a young campaign
speaker; but Harrison pluckily said that he
would cheerfully undertake it if it was thought
best by the Republicans. The matter was
submitted to Hendricks; but he would not
dignify his youthful opponent by engaging in
a joint discussion with him. H e said that he
would speak two hours first himself, and then
young Mr. Harrison might say what he pleased
in the two hours following.
The court-house
was crowded, and, from the applause and approval which followed nearly every sentence
of Hendricks' speech, Harrison at times feared
that there was not a single Republican in the
building.
The issues of that campaign were largely
local ones, with which Harrison was thoroughly familiar.
T h e swamp-land frauds were
then subjects of eager inquiry among the
people. This was a subject that the young
lawyer had carefully studied. H e had with
him all of the official documents bearing upon
these frauds. These papers had been carefully digested by him, and appropriate places
marked, so that he had with him an arsenal
of ready weapons. H e began with such a
sharp reply to Hendricks that before he had
uttered half a dozen sentences Dan Voorhees,
who was seated in the front row of spectators,
arose to interrupt him.
But the blood of
young Harrison was up. He came back at
Voorhees so savagely that the silver-tongued
orator of the Wabash was quite willing to subside. The cheers and applause which marked
this aggressive beginning convinced Harrison

404

THE AMERICAN

that he h?:d plenty of friends in the audience.
This insf ired him to make an especially*vigorous effort.
His powers of sarcasm and invective are greats
H e punished Hendricks
with such severity that that gentleman afterwards said to Harrison that he would never
again agree to a similar discussion and give
Harrison the opportunity of an uninterrupted
closing argument.
This episode at Rockville did much to establish Harrison's reputation as a political speaker. From that day to this h e has taken part
in every campaign in the State, and is regarded as one of the most effective pillars of his
party in Indiana.
Mis Valiant War R e c o r d .
When the War broke out Mr. Harrison had
just begun keeping house in a home of his
own. He had purchased a cottage for $2,900.
Upon this house he had made but a small
payment, the balance being secured by a
deed of trust upon the house. H e had then
two small children. The pay of his position
as Reporter of the Supreme Court, joined to
his practice, secured him a modest liviug, with
the promise of saving enough soon to pay for
his home. H e was working in his library,
reading proofs and preparing an index of the
first volume of his reports, when h e first heard
of the fall of Fort Sumter and Lincoln's proclamation calling for 75,000 men.
It did not
seem possible to him at that time that he
could go into the army. There seemed to be
no special necessity for a man in his situation,
with a young family upon his hands, in an
unpaid-for home, to leave them and respond
to Lincoln's first call. But in 1862 the situation was altogether different. It was the time
of the year when Lincoln had called for 500,
000 men. The Rebellion had become formidable.
Governor Morton was doing his best
to fill out the quota of Indiana.
Harrison
went one day to call upon Morton with a
friend, William Wallace, for the purpose of

MANUAL.
asking him to appoint a cousin of Wallace to
the position of Second Lieutenant in one of
the regiments then being recruited to meet
Lincoln's call.
They found Morton gloomy and discouraged.
H e took his visitors into the back room of his
office, where, after closing the door, h e said:
"Gentlemen, there is absolutely no response
to Mr. Lincoln's last call for troops.
The
people do not appear to realize the necessities
of the situation. Something must be done to
break the spirit of apathy and indifference
which now prevails. See h e r e " and h e drew
them to the window.
"Look at those workmen across the way toiling to put up a new
building, as if such things could be possible
when the Country itself is in danger of destruction. ''
Mr. Harrison at once responded by saying
to the Governor that he felt certain that h e
could raise a regiment for service and that he
would go to work that day to make up the
quota of the State.
Morton said: " I feel certain that you can
raise a regiment; but I would not ask you to
do more than that.
I know your situation,
and would not t h i n k of asking you to go yourself."
T o this Harrison said: "Of course I shall
go. I would not put myself in the ridiculous
position of going out to make war-speeches
and to urge my neighbors to go where I would
not go myself."
H e instantly left the room. W h a t followed
shows his decision of character in an emergency. Without consulting his wife, or without asking the judgment of a single friend, h e
walked straight from the Governor's office to
a h a t store. Throwing off his black slouch
h a t he called for a blue military cap. Purchasing it he placed it upon his head, and by
this simple change in his head decoration
walked out of the hat store a Union soldier
who stood by the army of the Union from that

THE AMERICAN
day to the close of the War. After purchasing
the cap he went out and hired a soul-stirring
fifer and a patriotic drummer, and stationed
them in front of his law-office, from the windows of which were soon unfurled the StarSpangled Banner as t h e sign of a recruiting
station.
The fifer piped such shrill blasts of patriotism and the drum rattled such a stirring accompaniment that the town was soon alive
with excitement.
Harrison's example was
speedily followed by many others.
Military
caps began to appear upon the streets in every
direction. Within a brief time Company A of
the Seventieth Indiana regiment was raised
by Harrison, and in a few weeks a full regiment was organized. H e was elected Colonel
of this regiment. Within thirty days from
the time that Ben Harrison cocked the
military cap over his right ear he was at the
head of a full regiment of troops at Bowling
Green, Kentucky, to assist in the repulse of
General Kirby Smith, who had been threatening Southern Indiana with a guerrilla raid.
The Seventieth Indiana was composed of a
fine lot of men, but they were all of the rawest material. There was scarcely a man in the
regiment who knew how to properly load his
gun when they first received their arms at
Louisville.
Before leaving Louisville for Bowling Green
news had been received of guerrilla raids
along the line of the railway. The soldiers of
Harrison's regiment were armed with Springfield and Enfield muskets. They were all
muzzle-loaders. Colonel Harrison ordered his
men to load these guns in the Louisville depot
before boarding the train. Then followed a
most ridiculous scene, which afforded great
amusement for the Confederate symphathizers
about the depot. The men, when they first
received their guns, began snapping caps
upon them like a pack of children with new
toys. When the order came to load the great-

MANUAL.

405

est awkwardness was shown in carrying out
the order. A number of the soldiers did not
bite off enough of the paper of the cartridge,
and the result was that numerous balls were
wedged fast midway in the barrels of the guns.
The unfortunate men began hammering their
steel ramrods against the walls of the depot
to drive the balls home; and it was a great
wonder that a number of fatal accidents did
not occur then and there.
At Bowling Green this regiment was put
into a brigade under the command of General
Ward of Kentucky, who was a great favorite
of General Thomas. The brigade was under
General Rosecrans. Ward was a poor executive m a n although a brave soldier; and it was
largely through his lack of management that
the regiment of which Harrison was commander did not see better service, although it was
constantly on duty in Kentucky and Tennessee until the march to the sea was planned.
The regiment was in repeated small affairs,
but its first brilliant record was made upon
Sherman's march. Its history in that famous
march is one of the best. For a number of
months the regiment was almost constantly
under fire, and never swerved from its line of
courageous duty.
Harrison employed all his time when h e
first went into the army in mastering military
tactics. When he came to move towards the
Bast with Sherman his regiment was one of
the best drilled and organized in the army.
Mis G a l l a n t r y i n t h e F i e l d .
It was at Resaca that Col. Harrison's courage as a soldier was tested to its fullest extent.
His brigade was under the cover of the woods.
Orders were received during the afternoon of
one day to break that cover and charge through
a stretch of open field to the crest of a hill a
quarter of a mile away to take a battery which
was being used with terrible effect upon t h e
National forces. Colonel Harrison's regiment
was in advance, and he, as the ranking Colo-

406

THE AMERICAN

nel, was at the head. The orders were peremptory to charge at once. The officers were
to dismount and go on foot with the men.
Colonel Harrison only asked one question of
the aide-de-camp who brought him the order.
H e said to him: "You are familiar with the
field outside. I am not. Will you go ahead
with me alone and show me the direction of
this battery, for if I were to charge out now
I would be as apt to charge flank on to it as
any other way."
Colonel Harrison walked
out of the woods then with this officer. When
they had barely left the cover a puff of smoke
from a neighboring hill and a screaming projectile emphasized the. indication swiftly made
by the guide. Harrison instantly waved his
sword to his men behind him, shouting, "Come
on, boys!" and, with the four regiments yelling at his heels, he ran towards the hill, which
now concentrated upon his column a most
murderous fire. Between the woods and the
crest of the hill the brigade lost one-third of
its men in killed and wounded. After a spurt
of savage fighting the Union forces succeeded
in capturing the outside line of the breastworks; but between them and the battery itself was a line of insurmountable stakes and
brushwood.
Night fell before the battery
itself was taken; but during the night Harrison's men tunneled up through to the guns
and captured them, lowering them into the
tunnel. At break of day they expected the
contest for the crest of the hill to be renewed ;
but the Confederates had withdrawn in the
night, greatly to t h e disappointment of General Sherman; though not a member of Harrison's brigade was disappointed at t h e result.
It was at Peachtree Creek that Col. Harrison
won the profane and fiery approval of the hotblooded Fighting Joe Hooker. While waiting
with his men in reserve, Harrison saw a detachment of Hood's forces coming towards
him. The crest of a hill was between them.
Harrison saw instantly that it would not do to

MANUAL.

wait and receive this attack at the foot of the
hill. Without an order he assumed the responsibility of charging his reserves up t h e
hill to meet the Confederates half way. This
was done with so much impetuosity and courage that the Confederates were sharply repulsed. It was for this that General Joe
Hooker roared out to Harrison, after it was
over: "By —, Sir, I will have you made Brigadier General for this."
His word of mouth on the battle-field was
supplemented by the following hearty letter
of commendation writteu to the Secretary of
War a few months later.
HEADQUARTERS N O R T H E R N D E P A R T M E N T , CINCIN-

NATI, O., October 31, 1864.— The Hon. E. M. Stanton,
Secretary 0/ War: I desire to call the attention of the
Department to the claims of Col. Benjamin Harrison
of the Seventieth Indiana Volunteers for promotion to
the rank of Brigadier-General Volunteers.
Colonel Harrison first joined me in command of a
brigade of Ward's division in L,ookout Valley preparatory to entering upon what is called the Campaign of
Atlanta. My attention was first attracted to this young
officer by the superior excellence of his brigade in
discipline and instruction, the result of his labor, skill
and devotion. With more foresight than I have witnessed in any officer of his experience, he seemed to
act upon the principle that success depended upon the
thorough preparation in discipline and esprit of his
command for conflict more than on any influence that
could be exerted on the field itself, and when the collision came his command vindicated his wisdom as
much as his valor. In the achievements of the Twentieth Corps in that Campaign Colonel Harrison bore a
conspicuous part. At Resaca and Peach-Tree Creek
the conduct of himself and command was especially
distinguished.
Colonel Harrison is an officer of
superior abilities and of great professional and personal worth. It gives me great favor to commend him
favorably to the honorable Secretary with the assurance that his preferment will be a just recognition of
his services and martial accomplishments. Respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOSEPH HOOKER, Major-General Commanding.

During the absence of General Harrison in
the field the Democratic Supreme Court declared t h e office of the Supreme Court Reporter vacant and another person was elected to
the position. From the time of leaving Indiana with his regiment until the fall of 1864,

THE AMERICAN
after the capture of Atlanta, General Harrison
had taken no leave absence, but having been
nominated by t h e State Convention of that
year for t h e office from which he had been
ousted he took a thirty-day leave of absence,
and, under orders from the War Department,
reported to Governor Morton for duty. During
t h a t thirty-days' leave h e again made a brilliant canvass of the State and was elected for
another term. After t h e campaign was over,
during the winter of i864-'65, h e was ordered
to join Sherman at Savannah. With his wife
and two children, accompanied by an orderly,
h e set out for Savannah by the way of New
York. Upon the road he was stricken down
with scarlet-fever and forced to get off the
train in the snows of midwinter at Narrowsburg, an obscure station upon the New York
& Brie Railroad.
Fortunately the orderly
who was with him was an experienced hospital-nurse. The doctor who attended him had
to come seventeen miles over the snow. The
man who had escaped death from every variety of Confederate bullet had a hard struggle
in the snow-banks of frigid New York. Finally
the hospital-nurse himself was attacked by the
fever, and Mr. Harrison's children were also
taken down. But the pluck of Mrs. Harrison
and her untiring care enabled them all to subdue the fever.
Harrison lost all the hair off
his head and several coats of cuticle. But he
rallied rapidly when he once did begin to recover, and reached Sherman in time to participate in the closing incidents of the War.
H e was with him at the surrender of Johnston,
and did not return home until the War was
over. .
H i s Political a n d P e r s o n a l Career since
the War.
I n 1868 General Harrison declined a reelection as Reporter and resumed the practice of
law. I n 1876 he became a candidate for Governor under peculiar circumstances, having
been placed on the ticket by the State Central

MANUAL.

40?

Committee while absent from the State, to fill
a vacancy caused by the declination of the
regular nominee. H e had before the Convention declined to take t h e nomination, but the
action of the Committee was in deference to
the popular demand. In tendering it to General Harrison the Committee said: "The nomination was made for no other purpose than to
subserve the best interests of the Republican
party in Indiana, and in tendering it to you
we do so with the assurance that you will receive the earnest aud united vote of the entire
party.''
The nomination was entirely unsought and
undesired, but it was accepted in terms that
indicated a sense of public duty. Having accepted it, General Harrison threw himself into
the campaign with his usual energy. H e made
a great campaign, canvassing the entire State
and addressing immense audiences, but was
not elected. The vis inertice of the Democratic party, strengthened by the candidacy
of the most popular Democratic leader in t h e
State, could not be overcome, and, in addition,
the corruption fund and tactics of W. H. Barnum were too powerful.
The campaign, though unsuccessful, greatly
extended General Harrison's acquaintance
and reputation among t h e People, and from
this time he was recognized as the coming
man among the Republican leaders of the
State. H e polled nearly 2,000 more votes
than the general average of his ticket.
His
brilliant campaign had been watched from
without the State, and after the October election he was in great demand for speeches in
the Bast, where he added to the high estimate
the People had formed of him as a speaker.
In 1880, as usual, h e took an active part in
the campaign, and when it was found the Republicans had carried the legislature he became at once the leading candidate for United
States Senator.
Efforts were made to create
diversions in favor of others, but the voice of

408

THE AMERICAN

the party was practically unanimous for the
man who had been fighting the party battles
for so many years, and had been a conspicuous
figure in every campaign since 1856. His
nomination was plainly foreshadowed before
t h e Legislature convened, and before the caucus met all other names had been withdrawn.
His election gave the greatest satisfaction to
Republicans throughout the State.
General Harrison's service of six years in
the Senate gave him a National reputation as
one of the ablest men, best lawyers, and strongest debaters in that body. During this period
h e grew rapidly in public estimation and
proved himself fully equal to the requirements
of the place and the expectations of his friends.
His Dakota report and speeches, and his
speech on t h e Bdmunds Resolution regarding
civil-service reform in general, and on the
President's appointments in Indiana are especially remembered.
His Senatorial term expired March 4, 1887,
and the Legislature to choose his successor
was to be elected in the fall of 1886. The history of that campaign is still fresh in the public mind. It was in a large degree General
Harrison's campaign. Though others were
good seconds and able assistants he was foremost in the fight. W h e n others wavered, he
advanced; when they lost heart he expressed
confidence. The result attested General Harrison's wisdom and his work. The Republicans
carried the State and came within a hair's
breadth of carrying the Legislature, though
t h e apportionment had been gerrymandered
so as to give the Democrats at least forty-six
majority on joint ballot, and Senator Voorhees
said he should feel personally disgraced if
that was not the result.
With the expiration of his Senatorial term
General Harrison returned to the practice of
his profession, being now and for many years
past at the head of one of the strongest law
firms in the State. As has been said, he is

MANUAL.

preeminently a lawyer.
Politics is a side
issue with him, but when he practices politics
h e practices as he does the law, with all he
his might.
In his private life and personal character
General Harrison has the good fortune to be
unassailable. Neither political opposition nor
personal malice has ever dared to attack h i m
in this regard. His character as a citizen,
neighbor, and friend is invulnerable.

l i E T I F . MORTOST.
C a n d i d a t e for Vice P r e s i d e n t .
Birtli a n d P a r e n t a g e .
fflfelAUA
KVI P. Morton was born in Shoreman, Vt., May 10th, 1824. On the
|Y very threshold of life he was made
acquainted with the meaning of t h e
word labor. His parents were of
New Bngland stock, and, although
they were thrifty, as was the character of the New Bnglanders, they
did not accumulate much wealth.
When
young Mr. Morton became a clerk in a country store he applied himself so closely to his
duties and developed a capacity for business
that he soon gained the confidence of his employers and was rapidly advanced in his position.
Business Enterprise*
At the age of 26 Mr. Morton had gained
such a business reputation that he was given
a partnership in the firm of Beebe, Morgan &
Co., of Boston, then a well-known mercantile house. H e remained there for four years,

THE AMERICAN
and then, seeking a wider field, came to New
York and established the firm of Morton &
Grinnell. The young and prosperous merchant remained at the head of this firm till
1863, when he founded the banking house of
Morton, Bliss & Co., of which he is the senior member. At the same time the house of Morton, Rose & Co. was established in London as
the English correspondents of the New York
house. From 1873 to 1884 + he London firm
acted as financial agents of the United States
Government. The two firms took a leading
position as members of the syndicate that negotiated United States bonds in payment of
the Geneva award of $15,000,000 and t h e
Halifax fishery award of 15,500,000.
Political Career.
Mr. Morton has always taken an active interest in politics, and though he has never
been known as an office-seeker he has at the
call of his fellow-citizens filled with honor
several public positions. In 1878 he was appointed Honorary Commissioner to the Paris
Exposition, and in the fall of the same year
h e was nominated and elected by the Republican party to Congress. H e was re-elected
in 1880. During his service in the House of
Representatives Mr. Morton was known as a
careful and conservative thinker on all public
questions, and his opinions were much respected by his fellow-members. In the Republican National Convention of 1880 Mr.
Morton was a staunch ally of Roscoe Conkling, an advocate of the renomination of Gen.

MANUAL.

409

Grant for a third term to the Presidency.
When the split came and President Garfield
wras nominated, Mr. Morton was offered t h e
second place on the ticket. He declined t h e
honor, and after the triumphant success of the
ticket President Garfield offered him the portfolio of Secretary of the Navy. Mr. Morton
also declined the Cabinet offer, saying he preferred to accept the appointment of Minister
to France, in which office h e was confirmed
by the Senate soon after President Garfield
was inaugurated.
Mr. Morton's career as representative of the
American Government to the French Republic was one of which he may justly feel proud.
No American Minister was ever more respected
abroad. Through his intercessions the restrictions on the importation of American
pork into France were removed and American
corporations received a legal status in France.
Since the expiration of his term as Minister
to France Mr. Morton has had no official position.
P r i v a t e Iiife.
Mr. Morton's private life is exemplary. In
the winter h e occupies a large mansion at No.
85 Fifth Avenue, now the residence of Allen
Thorndike Rice. I n the summer he resides
at his summer seat Etnlerslie, at Rhinebeck
on the Hudson. His wife, a remarkably
beautiful and accomplished woman, is several
years his junior. She has always been most
popular in society. Levi P. Morton is a typical American and a protectionist to the core.

LCIYES OP DEMOCRATIC (SANDIDAHIBS.
GROVEE CLEVELAND.
D e m o c r a t i c C a n d i d a t e for P r e s i d e n t .
Grover Cleveland was born in Caldwell,
Essex county, New York, March 18, 1837.
H e is the son of a Presbyterian minister, and
was named in honor of Rev. Stephen Grover,
t h e former occupant of his father's parsonage.
W h e n Grover was four years old his father
had a call to Fayetteville, near Syracuse, N. Y.,
where the young boy received an academic
"education. H e afterward served as a clerk in
a country store.
The removal of the family to Clinton,
Oneida county, gave Grover additional educational advantages in the academy there.
H e taught school at seventeen and aided his
uncle, Lewis T. Allen, in the compilation of a
volume of the "American Herd-Book'*
In
1855 he began the study of the law with the
firm of Rogers, Bowen & Rogers, in Buffalo,
and was admitted to the bar in 1859, but remained with the firm for three more years,
acting as managing clerk at a salary of $1000.
Being the sole support of his sister and widowed mother, he was unable to enlist and fight
for his country in her time of need; but h e
borrowed money to pay a substitute, and it
was n o t until long after the war that he was
enabled to repay the loan.
I n 1869 h e became a partner in the law firm

of f a n n i n g , Cleveland & Folsora. H e continued a successful practice until 1870, when he
was elected sheriff of Erie county, N. Y.
I n rapid succession he was elected by a majority of 3,530, Mayor of Buffalo in 1881; Governor of New York in 1882, receiving a majority of 151, 742; and President of the United
States in 1884. T h e total popular vote in
the United States was 10,067,610, divided as
follows:
Cleveland
4,874,986.
Blaine
4,851,981.
Butler
175,370.
St. John
^
150,369.
Blank, defective and scattering
14,904.
Total
10,067,610.
Cleveland receiving a majority of 37 electoral
votes.
Having entered the White House a bachelor,
h e found solitude too much for him, so, casting his eyes around on the host of his pretty
and gentle admirers, they fell upon—Miss
Frances Folsom, as the one to be sought,
wooed and won. She became Frances Cleveland and the young and handsome mistress of
the White House at one and the same time,
J u n e 2d, 1886.
She was t h e daughter of President Cleveland's deceased friend and partner, Oscar
Folsom of the Buffalo bar. Except the wife
of Madison, Mrs. Cleveland is the youngest of

THE AMERICAN
the many mistresses of the White House, having been born in Buffalo, N. Y., in 1864.
Grover Cleveland enjoys the renown of being the first bachelor President, and also, of
being the first President married in the White
House,

D e m o c r a t i c C a n d i d a t e for V i c e - P r e s i d e n t .
Kx-Senator Allen G. Thurman is a native
of Virginia, having been born at Lynchburg,
November 13, 1813. In the year 1819 his parents removed West to Ohio. W h e n the lad
grew to be a young m a n h e studied law with
his uncle, Senator William Allen, who afterward became Governor, and with Noah H.
Swayne, subsequently, a member of the United
States Supreme Court. At the age of 22 he
came to the bar, and was elected a member of
t h e Twenty-ninth Congress, which began December 1, 1845, and ended March 3, 1847. H e
was not re-elected to Congress, and retired to
the practice of his profession.
I n 1851 he
was elected a Judge of the State Supreme
Court of Ohio, and served one term of four
years, the last two years serving as Chief J u s tice. A long interval ensued between his single term on the bench and his appearance
again as a nominee on the Democratic State
ticket of Ohio. In 1851 h e had led his ticket
' y about 2,000 which indicated that h e

MANUAL.

411

was the strong man in his party. On J u n e 8,
1867, he was nominated at Columbus for Governor. The Republicans held their State
convention on June 29, and nominated General R. B. Hayes.
T h e election for State officers was held in
October, 1867, and the total vote was 484,603.
General Hayes was elected by 2,983 majority
over Judge Thurman. The Democratic Legislature of 1868 elected Mr. T h u r m a n to the
United States Senate to succeed Senator Ben
Wade, for the term beginning in 1869 and
ending in 1875, and, then he was elected for
the term ending 1881. In the year 1876 Mr.
Thurman was a candidate in the National
Democratic Convention for the nomination for
President, but then, as in 1880, the Ohio dele-.
gation was not for him. In 1884 he was once
morti a candidate for the same office, and, like
the late Vice President Hendricks, he has
been given second place on the Presidential
ticket.
Mr. Thurman has distinguished himself as
a lawyer and jurist. H e rendered valuable
services as a member of the judiciary committee of the House of Representatives.
H e represented the American Government
in the International Congress at Paris in
1881, and afterwards visited France, Switzerland, the Rhine, Belgium and England.
H e has been confessedly pure and upright
in public life, and in personal character is
amiable and lovable.

SENATOR ALLEN G. THURMAN,

THE

AMERICAN

MANUAL.

413

l i l Y B S OP Js>^OHIBIWION (gANDIDAJTES.

M A J O l l - G E A K I t AIL CMBTTOW B . F I S K .

T H E REV. R I C H A R D W H E A T L E Y , D . D.

f

jl LINTON Bowen Fisk, one of the
gr most prominent and influential ad| | vocates of the great Temperance
'" Reform, is a winter resident of
New York, at No. 175 West 58th
street. His home is at Seabright,
N. J., where he is a citizen and
laborer with God for men.
Born in the town of York, Livingston County, New York, on the 8th day of
December, 1828, he derived physical being
from the best type of New England ancestry.
His earliest American progenitor emigrated
hither from the Dano-Saxon county of Lincoln, on the east coast of England, somewhere about the year 1700. Bacon's Genesis
of the New England
Churches conclusively
shows that in that section were born the mightiest movements of modern civilization.
Linconshire is not only the remote parent of the
American Republic, but of the great Methodistic revival, which is its strongest conservative force. True to the patriotic and military
instincts of his forefathers, the great-grandfather of Clinton B. Fisk entered the Revolutionary army under General Washington,
served with great efficiency, and rose to the
r a n k of Major-General. His descendants have
distinguished themselves in other fields of
warfare than that of the sword. Wilbur Fisk,

the profound theologian, and able President
of the Wesley an University, Middletown, Conn.,
was a first cousin of Benjamin B., and father
of Clinton B. Fisk. The latter married Lydia
Aldrich, a New England lady of Linconshire
descent, and by her became the father of six
sons, of whom Clinton B. was the fifth. A
manufacturer and contractor by occupation,
he was an intimate friend of Governor De
Witt Clinton, whom he assisted in building
the Erie Canal, and whose patronymic he bestowed upon his fifth child to serve &s a given
designation. Removing to Michigan in 1830,
he there established the town of Clinton, Lenawee County, naming it after his friend and
son. There, too, he died in the prime of life
—cut off by the malarial fevers incident to t h e
settlement of a new country.
E a r l y 3Life.

In the struggles and hardships necessary to
life in primitive surroundings, Clinton B. grew
up to a sturdy and resolute manhood. His
parents were of Baptist antecedents, but t h e
training of their children, through the presence and labors of itinerant preachers, was
Methodistic. At the early age of nine years
he was converted to God, and duly received
into the membership of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Educated in the common schools
of the neighborhood until he had reached his
sixteenth year, he then repaired to Albion
Wesleyan Seminary, and there prepared to
enter the Sophomore Class of Michigan University. Greek and Latin were studied while
engaged in agricultural labors, with such diligence as to threaten the total loss of eyes'ght. Health failed, and a collegiate career
was, therefore, abandoned. Commercial pur-

CLINTON B. FJSK.

JOHN A. BROOKS.

THE AMERICAN
suits next enlisted his energies.
Entering
into the employment of L. D. Crippin & Co.,
proprietors of a country store, mill and bank
at Coldwater, Mich., he married Jeannette A.,
only daughter of the senior partner, on the
20th day of February, 1850, and was also admitted to the firm.
Crippin & Fisk continued in associate relations until 1858, when the firm was dissolved,
and the latter removed to St. Louis.
There
he established a successful insurance and
banking business, and was numbered among
the rising men of the city at the outbreak of
the War for the preservation of the National
Union. No series of biographies furnished
more impressive illustrations of the biological
facts than that of the old New England families.
Habits ofthought, feeling, and action, organized in the constitution of consecutive generations, and apparently dormant in the piping
times of peace, became vigorously active
amid the rude clarions of wrar. The echoes of
the guns that fired upon Fort Sumter the 13th
of April, 1861, awoke at once the hereditary
instinct, and on the day following, Clinton B.
Fisk was among the first of Missouri's loyal
citizens to enlist as a private in a three months'
regiment for services to the United States of
America.
Eecoi'd ©siring* tlie W a r .
In January, 1862, he was conspicuous
among those who led the revolution that created the Union Merchants' Exchange in opposition to the disloyal Chamber of Commerce.
His activity as one of the Executive Officers of
the new association pointed him out as a fitting commander of the* 'Merchants' Regiment,"
better known perhaps as the T h i r t y - T h i r d
Regiment of Missouri Volunteer Infantry. A
humorous story is told of the compact between
himself and the soldiers, according to which
he was to do all the profane swearing for t h e
regiment. This compact seems to have been

MANUAL.

415

pretty well observed by general abstinence
from a shockingly bad habit, until a teamster,
provoked beyond common endurance by irritating stumps, broken wagon poles and kicking mules, fairly made the night air blue with
sesquipedalian oaths. Astounded by this explosion, the Colonel reminded the swearer of
the compact. But the latter w7as equal to the
occasion. Recounting his grievances, he
insisted that as the Colonel was not on hand
to do the necessary swearing, he had to do it
himself. This story,with variations,was one of
President Lincoln's favorites, and was often
used "to point a moral, or adorn a tale."
Having raised a brigade of troops, Colonel
Fisk received the Commission of Brigadier in
November, 1862. Subsequently he commanded
a division in the Army of the Tennessee at
the memorable siege of Vicksburg. Thence
h e was sent to take command of the military
districts of Missouri and North Missouri. I n
that capacity he defeated Rice's attempt to
capture Jefferson City, the Capital of the
State.
Xiife aunt Services a f t e r tlie W a r .
Resigning his position at the close of the
Civil War, he found that Mr. Lincoln was unwilling to dispense with his services. Requesting General Fisk's presence at Washington, the
martyr President assigned him to duty in
Kentucky and Tennessee. H e was Commissioner of the Freedmen's Bureau for all the
Central South. The conjoint office of Military
Commander and Commissioner for Freedmen
sought the man, and in t h e exercise of its
functions the incumbent did the noblest work
in his life. It was pre-eminently a work of
pacification and reconstruction. H e was in reality the Military Governor of Kentucky,
Tennessee, Eastern Arkansas, and the northern portion of the Gulf States. Under his
Administration social order was restored, industry resumed its avocations, goodly fel-

416

THE AMERICAN

lowship was established, and civil law regained
supremacy. Peaceably if possible, but if not,
forcibly, these ends were assiduously sought.
Peaceably they were accomplished. Church,
school-house, and judicial court supplanted
the camp and battle-field. All parties were
eminently satisfied with the progress of events.
People whose wealth was estimated at a hundred million dollars, and who had been largely identified with the Rebellion, petitioned
President Johnson to detain General Fisk at
his post of duty until the beneficent task of
reconstruction was completely done. Since
then he has deservedly been one of the most
popular and trusted of all men in the regions,
and with all the classes, that he served so
well. The Methodist Episcopal Church, in
particular, justly regards him with friendliest
feeling.
He was commissioned as Major-General by
the state of Missouri in 1864. ^ n March, 1865,
h e received a commission as Brevet MajorGeneral in the army of the "United States. Resigning all soldierly offices in September,
1866, he again returned to St. Louis, and embarked in business to retrieve the temporal
fortunes previously sacrificed on the altar of
his Country's unity. Accepting a position as
one of the State Railroad Commissioners, he
further became identified with the Missouri
Pacific and Atlantic & Pacific lines. To these
he held the relation of Vice President and
Treasurer from 1867 to 1876.
With the educational development of the
South, and also of m a n y of the portions of the
North, General Fisk has been, and is, most
efficiently connected. During his labors in
the South he instituted the Fisk School for
Colored People. This has since expanded,
under the auspices of the American Missionary Association, into the Fisk University at
Nashville, Tennessee. It is fairly entitled to
the honor of being the first, and perhaps the
best, learned institution hitherto founded for

MANUAL.
the benefit of the Africo-American race. Undoubtedly it is one of the most successful. Its
celebrated Jubilee Singers have made it familiar to immense multitudes in two hemispheres.
Many of the best colored teachers, preachers,
and missionaries have graduated from its
halls. P\>ur hundred students, at least, are
now in attendance. Well-equipped colleges
of liberal arts, science, theology and law justify its claim to the title of University. Jubilee
Hall and Livingstone Hall are two of the finest
educational edifices in the entire South.
Rarely does it fall to the lot of any citizen
t o enter so thoroughly into the great philanthropic undertakings of the Age. Appointed
by President Grant to the Board of Indian
Commissioners in 1874, he was then elected
to its Presidency, and still holds that office.
Working in harmony with the Department of
the Interior, the Board has been singularly
effective in the civilization of the Indian tribes.
It has secured the organization of Industrial
Schools at Hampton, Va.; Carlisle, Pa.; Lawrence, Kan.; Chilocco, in the Indian territory;
Genoa, Neb.; and Salem, Oregon.
About
two thousand Indian children are trained in
these institutions. Local schools are also
maintained on the reservations of the aborigines. Along the lines indicated by these
seminaries lies the way to satisfactory solution
of the vexed Indian problem. Ultimate absorption into the American body politic is the
most fitting disposition of the original possessors of the soil, and certainly the most
Christian. Trustee of Fisk University, Tennessee; of Dickinson College, Pennsylvania;
of Pennington Seminary, New Jersey; of Albion College, Michigan; and of Drew Theological Seminary, Madison, N.J., his personal
influence touches society at its tenderest and
most pervasive points.
In the Methodist Episcopal Church General Fisk holds, or has held, the several offices
of Sunday school superintendent, steward,

THE AMERICAN
trustee and class leader. License as exhorter
or local preacher he has persistently declined,
and that from the conviction that laymen—
distinctively such—have more power for good
outside either office. Of the General Conference of his Church, held quadrennially, he
was a lay member from Missouri in 1876, and
from New Jersey in 1880 and 1884. In that
body he officiated as Chairman of the Committee on the state of the Church, and also of
the Committee on the Book Concern. For the
past twenty years he has been a member of
the Missionary Board of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Chairman of its Committee
on missions in Japan and Corea. H e is also
Chairman of the eastern section of the Book
Committee of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
under whose supervision its stupendous publishing work is carried on.
Averse to practical politics, and declining
personal participation in their procedures, he
yet accepted the Prohibitionists' nomination
for the Gubernatorial Chair of New Jersey in
1886. Pure sense of duty compelled candidacy. Twenty thousand voters cast their ballots for his election. H e failed of the popular
choice, as was expected, but was rewarded by
an increase of 500 per cent, on any previous
vote, and by the strengthening of moral principles in his adopted Commonwealth. All
corrupt proffers of aid, or of coalition, were
emphatically yet politely refused. Giving five
months of time, 5,000 miles of travel, 125
speeches, and money without stint in prosecution of a wholly legitimate canvass, he created
no political antagonisms, but said more and
better things in behalf of the Republicans

MANUAL.

m

than they could say for themselves. Of their
great historic party he is one of the founders,
and has marched with its leaders from the
days of Fremont to those of Garfield. For
ten years he pleaded with its guiding minds
to take up the burning question of saloon control of politics, and to combine with all genuine philanthropists in the effort to dethrone
King Alcohol.
Since 1876 General Fisk has been in the
banking and investment business in New
York, and naturally commands the confidence
and support of a large clientage. But neither
pressing financial affairs, nor love of literature,
nor participation in great reformatory enterprises, is allowed to deprive him of tl|p luxury
of immediate toil for the spiritual and temporal welfare of the masses. As Vice President
of the New York City Church Extension and
Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, his form and voice are familiar,
alike in public or private meetings held for
the promotion of its interests, and in the garrets and cellars of the poorest of the poor. As
an impromptu speaker he is remarkably forceful and felicitous. The whole range of British
and American poetry is intimately known to
him, and from its choicest products he plucks
at will what will most adorn the sentiment on
which he lays special stress. Still in the zenith of physical and intellectual power, the
cause of total abstinence, of prohibition, and
above all of that Christianity in earnest from
which each receives its most fitting support,
may expect to receive from him, under God,
yet more efficient aid in the future-

4?8

THE AMERICAN
THE RET. J O H i \ A. BROOKS, ©. » .

P r o h i b i t i o n C a n d i d a t e for Vice P r e s i d e n t .
John A. Brooks was born in Mason county,
Kentucky, June 8, 1836. His ancestors were
of the old Virginia stock, sturdy, self-reliant
and honest.
Young Brooks entered Bethany College,
Virginia, at a comparatively early age, and
graduated from that institution with high
honors in 1856.
After graduation h e was elected President
of Planningsbury College, Kentucky, which
position he occupied two years; then, resigning the position he entered the active ministry.
During the civil war Dr. Brooks was identified
•wiUi the south and struggled bravely for

MANUAL.

the Confederacy. "Accepting t i e situation**
heartily, he is now an ardent supporter of
the stars and stripes.
H e has been at the head of the Prohibition
Movement in Missouri from its inception, assisting in the orginization of the -party at Sedalia, in 1880. H e was the Prohibition candidate for Governor of Missouri in 1884, and
made a vigorous canvass of the State.
Since 1884 he has been the General Agent of
the Prohibition Lecture Bureau and spent
much time in its interests in the Southern
States. H e is a man of powerful physique
and possessed of robust health. H e is a forceful, earnest speaker, and having "the courage
of his convictions," makes a strong impression
upon his audiences.

LCIYBS OP O T H E R (©ANDIDATES.
BELVA ANN tOCBLWOOB.
Equal R i g h t s C a n d i d a t e for President.
T h e National Convention of the Kqnal
Rights party met at Des Moines, Iowa. May
15, 1888, and nominated Mrs. Belva Ann Bennett Lock wood for President, and Albert H.
Love for Vice President.
Mrs. Belva Lockwood was born in Royalton,
New York, October 24th, 1820. She was educated in district schools, and taught at the age
of fourteen.
In 1838 she married Uriah H.
McNall, a farmer, who died in 1853, and in
1868 she married Dr. EJzekiel Lockwood, who
died in 1877.
She has taught school in New York State
and Washington, D. C.
Having early turned her attention and aid
to the relief of her oppressed and down-trodden sisters, she secured, in 1870, the passage
of a bilj. "to secure to women employes of the

government equal pay with men for equal
work.''
In 1879 she obtained the passage of a bill
"authorizing the admission of properly qualified women to practice in the Supreme and
Circuit Courts.
She has been an active advocate of woman
suffrage, and in 1884 was nominated by the
Woman's National Rights Party in California
for the Presidency of the United States.
Mrs. Lockwood graduated in 1857 from the
Syracuse University. I n 1870 she began the
study of law. She was admitted to the bar,
and has gained prominence in the lower
courts. She is one of the foremost women
lawyers in the United States. In 1879 s n e w a s
permitted to practice before the Supreme
Court of the United States and the Court of
Claims, and enjoys the distinction of being
the only woman ever admitted to practice before the Supreme Court at Washington, D. C.

A. J. STREETER.

ROBT. H. COWDRAY.
BELVA A. LOCKWOOD.

430

THE AMERICAN

A. J. STREETER.
Union Iialbor C a n d i d a t e for P r e s i d e n t .
The Union Labor Party met at Cincinnati,
Ohio, February 22. 1887, and nominated A. J.
Streeter, of Illinois, for President, and Charles
K. Cunningham, of Arkansas, for Vice-President.
A. J. Streeter was born Jan. 18, 1823, in
Rensselaer county, New York.
H e moved
with his father to Ivee county, Illinois, in 1836.
Ije helped build the log school house where
he deceived his first lessons in reading, writing
anca arithmetic. This school he attended two
whiter terms. At the age of twenty-three he
fe\f the need of an education. Having no
means but a pair of hands and an iron constitution and twenty dollars in his pocket, he
made his way across the open prairie to Galesburg, Illinois, and entered K n o x College. Here
he paid for one term's tuition, and worked
every spare hour and Saturdays to pay his
way. H e lived in a garret and cooked his
own meals. In this way he lived two years
and a half.
Being industrious h e soon won success.
H e now lives in New Windsor, Illinois, where
he does a large business in farming and stock
raising.
His political life began soon after his location at New Windsor, where he served several
terms on the Board of Supervisors. In 1872

MANUAL.

he was elected to the Illinois State Legislature.
In 1878 he was a candidate for Congress on
the Greenback Labor ticket and received a
large number of votes. The same party made
him their candidate for Governor of Illinois
in 1880. H e was elected to the State Senate
in 1884, and succeeded in having a bill passed
to prevent the sale of tobacco to minors.

ROBEOT H . COWDBET.
U n i t e d L a b o r C a n d i d a t e for P r e s i d e n t .
The United Labor party met at Cincinnati,
1888, and nominated Robert H. Cowdrey, of
Illinois, for President, and W. H. T. Wakefield, of Kansas, for Vice-President.
Robert H. Cowdrey was born in 1852 at Lafayette, Indiana. H e was educated in the village schools, where he soon mastered all that
was to be learned there. In 1871 he went to
Chicago to seek a wider field. H e entered
the Chicago Pharmaceutical College from
which he graduated in due course of time with
honors. He wras editor of the Pharmacist and
Chemist for seven years.
For a comparatively young man he has superior attainments, marked capabilities, notable as a orator, and stands high in position
and estimation among Labor Unions.

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

421

TARIFF HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
[ Henry J. Philpott, Esq.]
In this article I propose to compile the shortest possible complete history of the American
tariff sytem. The first tariff was passed the 4th of July, 1789; the last one the 3d of March, 1883.
Including these two, there have been fifty-five Tariff acts passed in ninety-nine years. Most of
t h e m did not make radical changes in the tariff. The tariffs usually considered the ir»oct'
important by historians, were passed as follows, and they have all been named, also as follows:
Hamilton tariff
J789! Abominations tariff . . . i828|Walker tariff
1846
Calhoun tariff
1816 Compromise tariff . . . . 1833! Morrill tariff
1861
Clay tariff
1824IWhig tariff
1842!
The general effects of these various tariffs, and of the modifications made in them between
times, may be traced in the following table, which shows the average rate of tax paid on all
imports for each year since 1791. There was always a free list—always absolute free trade in
many things—but here are the average rates for the year on the things actually taxed:
Percent\ Year
Per cent\ Year
Year.
Per cent Year
Per cent Year
Per cent
. I5.34;i8rr . .
. 35.62:1831 .
. 26.63 1871 . . . .
43.95
. • 47.38 1851 . .
1791 • •
1792 .
1793 •
1794 .
1795 •
1796.
1797 •
1798.
1799*
1800 .
1801 .
1802 .
1803.
1804 .
1805 .
1806 .
1807 .
1808 .
1809 .
1810 .

.
•
.
.
.
•
•
•
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

11.54 1812 .
14.68 1 8 1 3 .
17.1011814 .
11.21J1815 .
12.02J816 .
15.60J1817 .
19.99:1818 .
19.70U819 .
17.42 1820 .
16.61 1821 .
30-67 1822 .
20.52 1823 .
22.76 1824 .
19.19 1825 .
21.22 1826 .
20.09 1827 .
37-22 1828 .
18.80 1829 .
14.07 1 8 3 0 .

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

. . 13.0711832 .
. . 42.96 1852 .
. 69.03 1833 .
. . 38.25 1853 •
. 46.79; 1834 .
. . 40.19 '54 •
. .
6.841835.
. . 40.38 '55«
. . 27.94:1836 . > . . 34-94 ' 5 6 .
. . 32.90,1837 .
. . 29.18 ' 5 7 .
. . 16.78:1838.
• • 41.33 ' 5 8 .
. . 29.81 1839 . . . . 31.77 ' 5 9 . 26.69'1840 .
• . 34-39 '60 .
. . 34-56 '61 .
. • 3o.99 J1841 •
. 27.i3!i842 .
. . 25.81 '62 .
. . 39.21 1843 .
. . 29.19 ' 6 3 .
. 50.2111844 .
. . 36.88 ' 6 4 .
. 50.2411845 .
. • 34.45 ' 6 5 .

.
•

.
.
.
.
.
•
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

0
•
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

27.38
25.93
25.61
26.82
26.05
22.45
22.43
19.56
19.67
18.84
36.20
32.62 •

'72

'73
'74
'75
'76
'77
'78
'79
'80
'81
'82

41.35
38.07

38.53

40.68

44-74

42.89
42.75

44.87
43-48
43 20
42.66

'83
45-45
41.61
36.69 '84
47.56 ' 8 5
45-86
,
. 49.26J1846 .
. • 33.35 '66 .
48.35 '86
45-55
. . 28.02 ' 6 7 .
47.10
. 53.76J1847.
46.67 '87
,
. 47.59:1848.
. . 26.28 ,68 .
48.63 Bstim'td aver, rate
. 54.1811849.
. . 26.11 ' 6 9 .
. 47.22 under Mill's
. 61.69 1850 . , . . 27.14 '70 . .
. 47.08 bill
.
. . . 40.00
The reader will be surprised to observe that the highest average rate was in 1813 and the
lowest in 1815, although there intervened no important change in the law, and that the rate for
1813 was ten times as high as for 1815. Washington never lived to see the tariff as high as 20
per (cenWhalf the rate left by the Mills' bill—though the year before h e died, 1798, shaved it
•
.
.
.

422

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

pretty close. It was not until 1813, when the Government was 24 years old, and was in the
midst of war, that the average rate reached the point proposed in the Mills bill. I t has passed
that point in only thirty-three of the ninety-nine years of our National life, and twenty-one of
these have been under the present tariff. The average rate collected in 1887 has been exceeded
but thirteen times in our history, and eight of these were before the war. T h e highest series of
rates collected for any term of seven j^ears was from 1824 to 1830, inclusive. It actually averaged for the seven years more than 52 per cent. Numerous other interesting comparisons will
•oooiir to the student.
So much for the general average rate collected on all dutiable goods. Now let us tabulate
as best we can briefly the history of rates enacted on certain selected articles of common use.
This is a herculean task, for the reason that there are two kinds of tariff taxes—specific and
ad valorem. A specific tax or duty is so much on the pound, yard, gallon, barrel, or bushel, etc.
An ad valorem duty is so much on the dollar's worth. How can we compare these? How can
we compare a tax of 10 cents a yard, under one tariff, with a tax of 20 per cent on the cost price,
under another tariff? If we knew the foreign cost of the cloth taxed 10 cents a yard, we could
do it, but it is only within recent years that the Government has told us that—or even instructed
" custom-house officers to find it out. To confuse matters still more, the present tariff often
*
levies both kinds of duties on the same article. Thus on one of the six classes into which
women's and children's dress goods are divided, the tax is six cents a square yard (specific) and
35 per cent (ad valorem). But this is not the oddest nor most confusing feature about it, for if
the goods weigh over four ounces to the square yard the tax is levied in a still different way,
and instead of six or eight cents a yard it is 50 cents a pound, plus the 35 per cent. If past
tariffs were as intricate as the present one our task would indeed be hopeless. But in all tariffs
there are clauses stating what the taxes shall be on all articles of the several great classes "not
otherwise provided for" (n. o. p.). Into these n. o. p. clauses are dumped the articles of each
great class which the tax-layers couldn't think of or were afraid they couldn't with sufficient
accuracy describe in their proper places. The taxes they laid on these were of necessity simple and usually ad valorem, and furnished a key to the mind of the legislator. If he laid a tax
of 20 per cent on cottons "11. o. p . , " you may well guess that he thought h e was putting about
an average of 20 per cent on the cottons he did provide for. In the following table I occasionally
make this use of the n. o. p. classes, but always with the letters attached: See table, page 423.
The history of the wool tariff needs to be elaborated a little.
Down to 1824 wool was free
and cotton was taxed. Then wool wras divided into two classes, according to value, and if valued at less than 10 cents a pound the tax was 15 per cent, otherwise 20, and afterwards 30. In
1828 t h e tax on high-grade wool was enormously increased.
For eight years it remained at
four cents a pound and 40 per cent, and then the compromise tariff began to reduce it a little.
T h e maximum figures I have given from 1828 to 1842 are tbe highest that could possibly be
collected under the complex law, and doubtless far higher than the average actually collected,
though that was probably 50 per cent. I n 1832 low-grade wool was again made free, and has
never since been heavily taxed. Wool is now (since 1867) divided into three classes, "clothi n g , " "combing" and "carpet," and they paid last year 55 per cent, 43 per cent and 25 per cent
respectively.
The first tariff was the lightest. I t was gradually raised until the war of 1812 broke out,
and then it was doubled at a stroke. The genuine high protective system was adopted in 1S16,

THE AMERICAN

MANUAL.

An

tinder t h e influence of Calhoun, who bitterly regretted it. Webster was a free trader when t h e
tariff was raised in 1824, but faced about and helped to raise it again in 1828. This was called
the Tariff of Abominations, because the free traders tried to kill it by loading it down with
abominations, but to their great surprise it passed with all its sins upon it. It almost led to
war, and did lead t o the Compromise Tariff of 1833, which proposed a gradual horizontal reduction. I n 1842 t h e Whigs raised the tariff; in 1846 the Democrats reduced it; in 1857 t h e new
i ^publican party had got control over the Lower House and with Democratic help reduced t h e
riff again to t h e lowest point reached since 1816. Four years later they adopted t h e Morrill,
r W a r Tariff, and gradually raised it until 1867; its extremest features being adopted after t h e
war was over. I n 1872 they passed a horizontal reduction of 10 per cent, which they repealed
two years later. I n 1882 they appointed a tariff commission, and it recommended a reduction
which would have left t h e average rate about 30 per cent on dutiable goods. On the 3d of March
1883, they passed a law which reduced some duties and raised others, among them, as will be
seen by the table, those on glass and earthenware, but leaving the general average about t h e
same. All subsequent reduction bills have failed to pass the Lower House until Saturday,
July 21, 1888, wijen t h e Mills bill, freeing wool, lumber, and some other things, and calculated
to reduce the average rate on dutiable imports to 40 per cent, was passed by a vote of 162 to 149.

free
free
free
free
free
free
free
30
24

30
30
30
25
24
23
30
30
24

20

30

12^

5 ,
7%
10
15
J
5 ,
i7 x / 2
35

5
5
10
15
15
175*
35

20

20

25
25
25
24
23
30
30
24

25
25
25
24
23
30
30
24

25
25
25
25
24
23
25
20
15

30

30

5
5
7%
12K
15
30

\Earthenware .

15
30

t

Glass, n. 0. p. .

5
5

Flax manufactures, n. 0. p.

5

Steel manufactures, n. 0. p.

a

5

free
free
free
free
free

Iron manufactures, n. 0. p

1867

5 1
5
5T/ 1
5 ,
7%
10
12%
10
15
12% 1 12%
,
17^2
15
15
30
35
30 •
n. o.p.
n. o.p.
25
3C 20
free
25
, 25
3C 25
I5@30 30-33M
3C 25
I5®50 4o@45
35
o@8o
3c 25
25
50
o@78
3C 24
24
44
3C 23
0@72
23
3*
25
30
5@6o
40
20
free
30
25
30
free
24
15
19
0@24
12c a
free
5@20 l b a n d
30
25prct
50c &
3C 35
#40 3 5 p r c t
35C &
free
35 1 * 3 6 35@40 *7i

W
7H

Wood
manufactured, n.

1842
1846
1857

free
free
free
free
free
free
free

Wood unman'fctured, n. 0.
P-

MZ:::::::

Woolen blan-

1832

Woolen goods
per cent . . .

.
free
3C
3C
3C
3C
3C
6c

Raw wool
per cent. , .

year.

Cotton goods,
per cent. . .

act of the

Raw cotton
per lb . . .

Tariff

10
12K
15
20
20
22^

45
20

£ oN| T

s

S«S,

10
10
10

15
15
YJ%
35
20
20
20
20
20
20

25
30
24

30
30
24

30

30

20@25

20

35

35

45

40

40

25(0)40

20

35

45

45

40

45

25@6o

The figures marked with a * are t h e average rates collected on t h e next year's imports. All
others are t h e rates embodied in t h e law.

THE

ilillll; IftIDBK CiPI
ORGANIZED NEARLY ONE-THIRD OF

For Each $100 of Liability,

Being tin' Strongest Life Company in the World.

THE

HOlstfE
FOR THE NEXT

Millers Old Book Store,
No. 2 ARCADE COURT,
Rear of 155 La Salle Street,

C H I C A G O .

CASH FAIB FOR

AND MAGAZINES.
10,000 Boois in StocL

20,000 Baci lumbers of Magazines.
Til AT

At 25c. 30c, 40c. and 50c per Pound
Are admitted to be the best value ever offered to the
public. The best Uncolored and sun dried
Teas that grow,

60c

per

Pound.

The pith of Pyrity5 the spirit of Strength, the fullness of
Flavor, the force of Fragrance, the Vigor of
Value, the weight of Worth.

No. 328 West Madison Street,
COR.

ABBRDSBS,

1682.

1889.

JOHN HANCOCK

Mill Li Insurance Com
-OF-

BOSTON, MASS.

T

HE T W E N T Y - S I X T H A N N U A L R E P O R T ot the Directors of the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company of Boston, Mass., ior 1888, shows as follows:

Whole amount of Insurance in torce Jan. 1, 1888. . . .$32,836,000
Whole amount of Insurance in force Jan. 1, 1889. . . . 39,311,000
Amount of Assets January 1. 1888
. 3,071,000
Amount of Assets January 1, 1889
3.318,000
Net Surplus, January 1, 1888
240,133
Net Surplus, January 1,1889
274,486
The Whole amount of Insurance in force January 1, 1885. was

$17,864,700.00, showing a gain in new business of $21,446,300
in four years.
It issues a policy that is a fair straightforward contract)
containing nothing that is not easily understood, and no conditions that anyone would be unwilling to comply with.
On each policy issued after December, 1880, is printed a copy
of the Massachussetts law relating to the non-forfeiture of policies,
and all policies contain the incontestable clause.

ALL CLAIMS PAID PROMPTLY.
Cash Surrender Values, fixed by law, are a special feature of
this Company.

A. L. CHETLAIN, Agent,
R o o m s 14—15

101 WASHINGTON STREET,