ribunals, but it has
happened that some of them preferred having their difficulties with
peasants settled by municipal judges rather than by the usual tribunals.
This jurisdiction, established merely for peasants, had great
importance, owing chiefly to the privilege of deciding not only
according to general law, but also according to local customs.
Opportunities were not wanting for the good sense of the peasants to
show itself in these municipal tribunals and councils, and the success
of the institution was clear to everyone.

(1844-1861) CHRONOLOGY OF UNIVERSAL HISTORY, Embracing the period
covered in this volume, Daniel Edwin Wheeler

Events treated at length are here indicated in large type; the numerals
following give volume and page.

Separate chronologies or the various nations, and of the careers of
famous persons, will be found in the INDEX VOLUME, with references
showing where the several events are fully treated.

1844 - "INVENTION OF THE TELEGRAPH."

1845 - Florida and Texas admitted to the United States; beginning of
President Folk's Administration.

- Sir John Franklin sails on his last search for the Northwest
Passage.

- England and France war on the Argentine Confederation.

1846 - War between the United States and Mexico; General Taylor
captures Monterey; California and New Mexico occupied by United
States troops. See "THE ACQUISITION OF CALIFORNIA."

- Treaty with England arranges the Oregon boundary.

- Elias Howe patents the sewing-machine.

- "THE DISCOVERY OF NEPTUNE."

- Great Famine begins in Ireland. Corn-Law agitation at its
height in England, "REPEAL OF THE ENGLISH CORN LAWS."

- Unsuccessful uprising of the Poles. Cracow annexed to Austria.
Election of Pope Pius IX; his reforms. See "THE REFORMS OF Pius
IX."

1847 - General Taylor conquers Northern Mexico; Battle of Buena Vista.
General Scott captures Vera Cruz, marches on the city of
Mexico, wins repeated battles, and enters the capital in
triumph, September 14th. See "THE MEXICAN WAR."

- "FAMINE IN IRELAND."

- Tumult occasioned in Italy by the papal reforms; civil war of
the _Sonderbund_ in Switzerland; France finally subjugates
Morocco. See "THE FALL OF ABD-EL-KADER."

1848 - Peace signed between Mexico and the United States; cession of
large territory by Mexico.

- "DISCOVERY OF GOLD IN