CHAPTER II.
Review of events before 1860 (_continued_) .-- Early Efforts to acquire Texas .-- Course of President Tyler .-- Mr.Calhoun appointed Secretary of State .-- His Successful Management of the Texas Question.
-- His Hostility to Mr.Van Buren .-- Letters of Mr.Clay and Mr.Van Buren opposing the Annexation of Texas .-- Mr.Clay nominated as the Whig Candidate for the President in 1844 .-- Van Buren's Nomination defeated .-- Mr.Polk selected as the Democratic Candidate .-- Disquietude of Mr.Clay .-- His Change of Ground .-- His Defeat .-- Prolonged Rivalry between Mr.Clay and General Jackson .-- Texas formally annexed to the Union.
Soon after the failure of the Abolitionists to exhibit popular strength, the slavery question was forced upon public attention independently of their efforts, and by causes whose operation and effect were not distinctly forseen by those who set them in motion.
The Americans who, in a spirit of adventure, migrated to Texas after that province had revolted from Mexico, became the controlling power in the young republic, and under the lead of General Sam Houston, in the month of April, 1836, won a memorable victory over the Mexican army at San Jacinto.

Thenceforward, in differing degrees of earnestness, the annexation of Texas became a subject of consideration in the United States, but it was never incorporated in the creed of either of the great parties until the Presidential canvass of 1844.

Not long after the death of President Harrison in April, 1841, his successor, John Tyler, had serious disagreements with the leading Whigs, both in his cabinet and in Congress, respecting the establishment of a national bank.

Mr.Clay led the attack upon him openly and almost savagely, arraigning him as a traitor to the principles upon which he had been elected, and pursuing the quarrel so violently, that in September, five months after Tyler's accession, every member of his cabinet resigned except Mr.Webster.

He lingered, unwelcome if not distrusted, until July, 1843, for the purpose of conducting the negotiations in regard to the North-eastern boundary, which he brought to a termination by the Ashburton Treaty.