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 the people to bear arms, 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 to its duty in respect to our fellow-citizens who now and long have been prisoners of war in a suffering condition, deserves the severest reprobation, on the score alike of public interest and common humanity.

Resolved, That the sympathy of the Democratic party is heartily and earnestly extended to the soldiery of our army, who are and have been in the field under the flag of our 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.

THE MONROE DOCTRINE.

WE copy from the Seventh Annual Message of Mr. Monroe, dated December 2, 1823:

"It was stated, at the commencement of the last session, that a great effort was then making in Spain and Portugal to improve the condition of the people of those countries, and that it appeared to be conducted with extraordinary moderation. It need scarcely be remarked that the result has been, so far, very different from what was then anticipated. Of events in that quarter of the globe, with which we have so much intercourse, and from which we derive our origin, we have always been anxious and interested spectators. The citizens of the United States cherish sentiments the most friendly in favor of the liberty and happiness of their fellow-men on that side of the Atlantic. In the wars of the European powers, in matters relating to themselves, we have never taken any part, nor does it comport with our policy so to do. It is only when our rights are invaded or seriously menaced, that we resent injuries or make preparation for our defense. With the movements in this hemisphere we are of necessity more immediately connected, and by causes which must be obvious to all enlightened and impartial observers. The political system of the allied powers is essentially different in this respect from that of America. This difference proceeds from that which exists in their respective governments. And to the defense of our own, which has been achieved by the loss of so much blood and treasure, and matured by the wisdom of their most enlightened citizens, and under which we have enjoyed unexampled felicity, this whole nation is devoted. We owe it, therefore, to candor, and to the amicable relations existing between the United States and those powers to declare, that we should consider any attempt on their part to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and safety. With the existing colonies or dependencies of any European power we have not interfered, and shall not interfere. But with the governments who have declared their independence, and maintained it, and whose independence we have, on great consideration, and on just principles, acknowledged, we could not view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing them, or controlling in any other manner their destiny, by any European power, in any other light than as the manifestation of an unfriendly disposition toward the United States. In the war between these new governments and Spain, we declared our neutrality at the time of their recognition, and to this we have adhered, and shall continue to adhere, provided no change shall occur, which in the judgment of the competent authorities of this Government, shall make a corresponding change on the part of the United States indispensable to their security. The late events in Spain and Portugal show that Europe is still unsettled. Of this important fact no stronger proof can be adduced than that the allied powers should have thought it proper, on a principle satisfactory to themselves, to have interposed by force in the internal concerns of Spain. To what extent such interposition may be carried, on the same principle, is a question to which all independent powers, whose governments differ from theirs, are interested-even those most remote, and surely none more so than the United States. Our policy in regard to Europe, which was adopted at an early stage of the wars which have so long agitated that quarter of the globe, nevertheless remains the same, which is, 'not to interfere in the internal concerns of any of its powers; to consider the Government, de facto, as the legitimate Government for us; to cultivate friendly relations with it, and to preserve those relations by a frank, firm, and manly policy; meeting, in all instances, the just claims of every power, submitting to injuries from none. But in regard to these continents, circumstances are eminently and conspicuously different. It is impossible that the allied powers should extend their political system to any portion of either continent without endangering our peace and happiness; nor can any one believe that our Southern brethren, if left to themselves, would adopt it of their own accord. It is equally impossible, therefore, that we should behold such interposition, in any form, with indifference. If we look to the comparative strength and resources of Spain and those new Governments, and their distance from each other, it must be obvious that she can never subdue them. It is still the true policy of the United States to leave the parties to themselves, in the hope that other powers will pursue the same course."

258

CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY OF UNITED STATES.

NOTE.

[See Chapter vii., pp. 60--64.]

THE thirteen colonies derived their titles through grants (charters) from the crown, purchases from the Indians, the right of occupancy and vacancy (3 Kent's Comm., pp. 481--488; Vol. I., pp. 271-2). The United States derive their title to the public lands as follows:

"The whole territory north of the river Ohio, and west of the State of Pennsylvania, extending northwardly to the northern boundary of the United States, and westwardly to the Mississippi, was claimed by Virginia, and that State was in possession of the French settlements of Vincennes and Illinois, which she had occupied and defended during the revolutionary war. The States of Massachusetts and Connecticut claimed all that part which was within the breadth of their respective charters; and the State of New York had also an indeterminate claim to the country. The United States have obtained cessions from the four States, and thus acquired an indis putable title to the whole.' **"The State of Connecticut reserved a tract on lake Erie, bounded on the south by the 41st degree of North latitude, and extending westwardly one hundred and twenty miles from the western boundary of the State of Pennsylvania. The cessions of Massachusetts and New York included an insulated tract, commonly called 'the triangle,' lying on lake Erie, west of the State of New York, and north of that of Pennsylvania; and which has since been sold by the United States to Pennsylvania."

"North Carolina has ceded to the United States all her vacant lands beyond the Alleghany chain of mountains, within the breadth of her charter, that is to say, between the 35th degree and 36th degree, 30 minutes of North latitude, the last parallel being the southern boundary of the States of Virginia and Kentucky. That territory, which now forms the State of Tennessee, was, however, subject to a great variety of claims described in the Act of cession. And Congress has, by the Act of April 18, 1806, ceded to the last mentioned State the claim of the United States to all the lands east of a line described in the Act, leaving the lands west of that line still liable to satisfy such of the claims secured by the cession from North Carolina as cannot be located in the eastern division."

"South Carolina and Georgia were the only States which had a claim to the lands lying south of the 35th degree of North latitude. By the cessions from those two States, the United States have acquired the title of both to the tract of country now forming the Mississippi territory, extending from the 31st to the 35th degree of latitude, and bounded on the West by the river Mississippi, and on the East by the river Chatahouche, and by a line drawn from a place on that river, near the mouth of Uchee creek, to Nickajack, on the river Tennessee." * * "Cessions having thus been obtained from all the States claiming any part of the 'public lands,' it is now immaterial, so far as relates to those States, to examine the foundations of their respective titles."** (Lands in West Florida, that portion of territory between the 31st degree and about 32d degree, 30 minutes of latitude)" appears therefore to have been acquired, not by any of the States as lying within its boundaries, but by the United States as part of West Florida, and for the benefit of the whole Union." **"In several instances the same land will be found to have been purchased from different tribes, the purchase not being considered complete until all their conflicting claims have been acquired." ** See the volume of Land Laws, compiled in virtue of a resolution of Con

gress, of the 27th of April, 1810. Laws of the United States (published 1815) Vol. I., p. 452.

"The treaties with foreign nations by which territory has been acquired, or which relate to boundaries, are those of 1783 and 1794 with Great Britain, of 1795 with Spain, and of 1803 with France," and of 1848 with Mexico. See treaty with Great Britain, respecting the N. E. boundary, signed at Washington by Lord Ashburton and Mr. Webster, ratified by the Senate, August 20, 1842. Laws of the United States (published 1815) Vol. I. p. 435. For the mode of passing a title of lands from a State to the United States, we insert the following:

An Act of the Legislature of the State of New York was read in Congress, 7th of March, 1780, which was certified as follows:

"State of New York, ss.:

I do hereby certify, that the aforegoing is a true copy of the original Act, passed the 19th of February, 1780, and lodged in the Secretarie's office. ROBERT HARPUR,

Deputy Secretary of State." "The delegates for the State of New York executed in Congress the following Act or declaration, to wit:

To all people who shall see these presents, we James Duane, William Floyd, and Alexander M. Dougall, the underwritten delegates for the State of New York in the honorable Congress of the United States of America, send greeting:

Whereas, it is stipulated as one of the conditions of the cession of territory, made for the benefit of the United States by the Legislature **

"The foregoing being executed, the delegates aforesaid, in virtue of the powers vested in them by the Act of their Legislature above recited, proceeded and executed in due form in behalf of their State, the following instrument, viz. :

To all who shall see these presents, we James Duane, William Floyd and Alexander M. Dougall, the underwritten delegates, etc. **

In testimony, etc.

JAMES DUANE,
WM. FLOYD,

[L. S.] [L. S.

ALEXANDER M. DOUGALL. [L. S.]

Sealed and delivered in presence of

CHARLES THOMSON,

CHARLES MORSE,

EBENEZER SMITH."

Journals of Congress, March 1, 1781, Laws of Congress (published 1815) Vol. I, pp. 467-469.

See cessions of lands from the States of Virginia, Massachusetts, Connecticut, South Carolina, and Articles of agreement and cession of land or territory between the United States and the State of Georgia.

CHAPTER I.-PAGE 5.

Colony of Virginia-French and Spanish settlements-New EnglandLondon company-Plymouth-First Government of Virginia-PuritansChurch of England-Tithes-Parishes--Slavery-Church and State-Penal laws-Normans and Saxons-Right of suffrage-Carolinas-Maryland settled-Lord Baltimore-Irishmen--Liberty of conscience-Delaware settled -New York settled-Military governors-Holland Dutch-English ruleNew Jersey settled-Quakers and Dutch-Pennsylvania settled-SwedesProprietary governors-Suffrage-Georgia settled.

CHAPTER II.-PAGE 9.

Passengers in the Mayflower--New Plymouth-Clergy elected-The Puritans a joint stock company-Town meeting-All power in the people-All officers elected by the people-Vote by ballot-The people sovereign-English laws repudiated-Property qualification-Religious test-Judicial sanction of British common law-Public schools--Plymouth united with Massachusetts-The authority of the Church of England repudiated-Marriage-Laws against Quakers-Rhode Island-Roger Williams-Liberty of conscience-No toleration--Witchcraft.

CHAPTER III.-PAGE 17.

Town meeting-Parish-Town officers-Schools-Vacancies and resignations in offices--County officers—Vacancies and resignations--Removal from office-Property qualification.

CHAPTER IV.-PAGE 22.-STATE GOVERNMENT.

Judiciary--Church and State-Compulsory education-Naturalization laws-Oath of objuration--Aliens-Natural born Citizens-Alien enemy— Alien purchaser-Alien sucable-Allegiance-Naturalization-State laws-State sovereignty-English courts--Native born-Free speech and free press--Martial law-Banishment-Property qualification-Resignation-Oath of office--Legislative powers--Territorial government.

CHAPTER V.-PAGE 36.-THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

Restriction on States-Recall of delegates in Congress--Reserved powers --Express powers--Co-ordinate_powers--Checks and balances--Veto—Judiciary--Conflict of authority--Limitation of power-Unconstitutional laws -Congress-Electors-Vacancies and Resignation-Impeachment-Oath of office--Revenue--Restriction on the powers of the States--Jury--Common law--Commerce--President--Presidential elections-Contested electionsTreaties-Removal from office--Appointments--Public lands-Neutrality laws--Courts-martial -- Insurrection -- Executive-State rights-Suit between two States--Jurisdiction--Taxation--Railroads-Banks-Legal tender--State laws.

CHAPTER VI.-PAGE 50.

Foreigners-Alien laws-Ten dollars taxes on emigrants-Mayor Clark's letter against emigration--Report of Council--14 years residence before naturalization--Jefferson-21 years before naturalization-Laws against emigration-Pre-emption laws.

1

CHAPTER VII.-PAGE 60.

Soldiers' bounty-Military land warrants-Pre-emption law-Land grants -Railroad lands-Homestead laws--Declaration of independence-Revolution-Native Americans.

CHAPTER VIII.-PAGE 68.

First continental Congress--Charter of Massachusetts annulled-Church and State-Congress at New York--Secession of Vermont-Nullification-Monarchy-men-Revolution 1776--Unjust taxation--Washington-" Cincinnati"-Struggle between democracy and monarchy--The Cincinnati society held its organization against the wishes of Washington--Convention of the Middle States--The Convention at Philadelphia-Monarchy-men-British constitution-Jersey plan-Plan of the Monarchy-men--Virginia plan Monarchy-men join in defeating the Jersey plan-Abolition of the States proposed--Election for life-Monarchy-men favor British laws--Federalism -Foreigners excluded from office-Landed interest-Foreigners--Purse and sword-Parties.

CHAPTER IX.-PAGE 77.

The new constitution--Complexion of the cabinet--Washington neutral in politics--Hamilton's financial system--Funding system-Secession-Public debt-United States bank-Monarchy-men-Federalists--British influence-Election for life--United States bank--Hostility to France--British interest-Parties-Centralization of power--Administration of John Adams --Monarchy-British constitution--Federalists and Democrats--Alien and sedition laws--Free speech and free press suppressed--Democrats withdraw from Congress --Massachusetts favors secession-Jefferson's administration-Federalists and Democrats--Madison's Administration--War of 1812--New England opposed to the war--Hartford convention--Abolition.

CHAPTER X.-PAGE 85.

Missouri compromise--Tariff--Internal improvements-Webster and Jackson--Bank-Veto-Local banks--Tariff--Calhoun and Nullification--Secession--Democratic principles--Administration of Van Buren--Slavery--Texas -Public lands--Native Americans--Sub-treasury-Money panic--United States bank--Veto-Tyler and the Whigs--Wilmot proviso-Sectional party.

CHAPTER XI.-PAGE 91.

Democratic rupture in 1848--Cass and Van Buren--Buffalo platformCompromise 1850--Fugitive slave law--Personal liberty bills-Nashville Convention--Whig political suicide--Kansas and Nebraska bill--Slavery-Repeal of Missouri compromise bill--Anti-Nebraska men--Democrats defeated--Armed emigration to Kansas--Emigrant aid societies--Know-Nothings-Dred Scott decision--Split in the Democratic party.

CHAPTER XII.-PAGE 95.

John Brown raid--His provisional government--Capture of Harper's Ferry -Abolitionist--John Brown raid the beginning of the war.

CHAPTER XIII.—PAGE 99.-LINCOLN'S ELECTION.

South Carolina secedes--Anderson evacuates Fort Moultrie--Lincoln refused to disclose his policy--Fort Sumter-Cause of the war-Crittenden compromise-Cotton States secede-National convention-Buchanan's mes

sage.

2