he Navy, and Cave Johnson, of Tennessee,
Postmaster-General.

Mr. John Y. Mason, who had been the Secretary of the Navy in Tyler's
Cabinet, was retained by Polk as his Attorney-General, having made
earnest appeals that he might not be disturbed. He wrote to an
influential friend at Washington that he desired to remain in office
on account of his financial wants. "Imprudence amounting to
infatuation," he went on to say, "while in Congress, embarrassed
me, and I am barely recovering from it. The place is congenial to
my feelings, and the salary will assist Virginia land and negroes
in educating six daughters. Although I still own a large estate,
and am perfectly temperate in my habits, I have felt that the folly
of my conduct in another respect may have led to the report that
I was a sot--an unfounded rumor, which originated with a Richmond
paper." Governor Marcy used to joke Mr. Mason a good deal on the
forwardness of the Old Dominion, the mother of Presidents, in urging
the claims of her children for Federal office--a propensity which
was amusingly illustrated at a private dinner where they were both
in attendance. "How strange it is, Mason," said he, "that out of
the thousands of fat appointments we have had to make, there is
not one that Virginia does not furnish a candidate for, and that
every candidate is backed up by the strongest testimonials that he
was expressly educated for that particular post!" Mason bore the
joke very well, contenting himself with the observation that the
people of the United States seemed to know where to look for great
men.

Mr. Polk had been elected President on the platform of "the whole
of Oregon or none" and "54 deg. 40', or fight." But Mr. McLean, who
was sent to England, negotiated a treaty fixing the boundary at 49 deg.,
and "54 deg. 40'" was abandoned without the promised fight. Another
troublesome legacy inherited by John Tyler was not so easily
arranged, and the Mexican War was inaugurated. To the more
intelligent portion of the Northern Whigs the contest was repulsive,
and the manner in which it was used for the advancement of Democratic
politicians was revolting. But few forgot their allegiance to this
country in the face of the enemy. Congress, repeatedly appealed
to by the President, voted men and money without stint to secure
the national success and to maintain the national honor. Whig
States which, like Massachusetts, had no sympathy for the war,
contribut