the South Pass, in the Continental Divide. Here they raised the American flag, and after a service of prayer took possession of the Oregon country in the name of the United States. When this movement was reported to the English, new interest was aroused and some efforts were made to force the Americans out of Oregon.

Whitman's Influence in Oregon Settlement. One of the leading missionaries, Marcus Whitman, heard of this and made a memorable ride over the mountains and through heavy winter snows to the East in order to warn our government. Whitman's self-sacrificing ride was rewarded by the taking up of the cause by two of the leading missionary organizations. The American Board of Foreign Missions and the Methodist Board of Missions raised large funds to aid the work. Many volunteered to go into the West, and when Whitman started back over the Oregon trail, he was accompanied by a thousand immigrants (1843).

Boundary Fixed. — In 1844, the occupation or annexation of Oregon became a joint issue with the Texas annexation. Along with the campaign cry of "Polk and Texas" and "Clay and No Texas" was the slogan "Fifty-four Forty or Fight." After further negotiations with England a compromise was finally accepted, and the boundary between the English and American possessions fixed at the fortyninth parallel, June, 1846.

TOPICAL OUTLINE

I. Texas Revolution.

1. Spain Invites Americans to Settle in Texas.
2. Moses Austin and his Settlements.

3. Mexico Gains Independence from Spain.
4. Texas Revolts from Mexico.

5. The Alamo.

6. Goliad.

7. San Jacinto.

8. Independence of Texas.

9. Annexation of Texas.

II. Mexican War.

1. Boundary Dispute.

2. War Declared.

3. Three Campaigns.

a. Disputed Territory.

b. City of Mexico.

c. New Mexico.

4. Buena Vista.

5. End of War.

6. Treaty of Peace, Guadalupe-Hidalgo, February 2, 1848. III. Occupation of Oregon.

1. American Claim.

2. American Missionaries in Oregon.

3. English Interest Aroused.

4. Marcus Whitman's Influence.

5. Oregon Boundary Fixed.

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. Give an account of the American colonization of Texas.

2. Why did the Texans revolt from Mexico?

3. Describe the attitude of the American people in regard to the annexation of Texas to the United States.

4. What was the boundary dispute between the United States and Mexico?

5. What was the plan of campaign used by the Americans?

6. Describe the principal engagement.

7. Mention some of the leading generals in this war.

8. What were the terms of the treaty of peace?

9. Give an account of the early history of Oregon.

10. How many nations claim this country? What was the result? II. How did the Americans get control of Oregon?

REFERENCES

Garrison: Texas.

Burgess The Middle Period.

Howard: General Taylor.

Wright: General Scott.

CHAPTER XX

STATES' RIGHTS A NATIONAL ISSUE

Wilmot Proviso. During the Mexican War, many of the antislavery advocates became alarmed lest the possible acquisition of new territory on the part of the United States might lead to the extension of the institution of slavery. In order to avert this, David Wilmot, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, introduced a bill in Congress providing that slaveholding should be prohibited in all the territory that might be acquired from Mexico. At once, the question of the right of Congress to extend the Missouri Compromise line became the issue of the day. Public opinion was swayed, first on one side and then on the other, by the sharp debates in Congress and the comments of the press. The Wilmot Proviso failed to pass, but this did not settle the point.

Free Soil Party. Other phases of the slavery controversy were developed. In 1848, after the treaty with Mexico had been signed and the United States was in possession of a vast territory extending west of the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific, a new political faction was formed that took the name of the Free Soil Party. The members held a convention in Buffalo, and adopted a platform declaring that "the settled policy of the American people has been to discourage and not encourage slavery." They also announced that they opposed any interference by Congress with slavery within the limits of any state where it existed, and they advocated the prohibition of slavery

in all free territory. The Free Soil Party took as their motto: "Free Soil, Free Speech, Free Labor, and Free Men." They nominated Martin Van Buren for President and Charles Francis Adams for Vice President.

Other Nominations of 1848. In the same year, the Democrats met and nominated Lewis Cass, senator from Michigan, for the Presidency, and William O. Butler, of

ZACHARY TAYLOR.

Kentucky, for Vice President. They made no reference to slavery in their platform.

The Whigs also held a nominating convention; and, although their strongest numbers were in the North, they selected as their candidate for President, General Zachary Taylor, of Louisiana. The Whigs also omitted any reference to slavery in their platform. General Taylor, like President Jackson, had won distinction as a soldier, and his reWar gave him special popuThen the Whig policies began

Discovery of Gold in California. - On January 19, 1848, gold was discovered by some workmen at Captain Sutter's sawmill on the Sacramento River, and immediately a new interest sprang up in California. It was said that the whole population turned their attention to this discovery. Men who were engaged in farming and in cattle raising