ed the bravest of their sons, many of whom, like a son of
Daniel Webster, fell victims to Mexican malaria or Mexican bullets.

While President Polk endeavored to gratify each of the component
factions of the Democratic party in the composition of his Cabinet,
he ruthlessly deposed the veteran Francis P. Blair from the editorship
of the _Globe_ to gratify the chivalry of South Carolina, who made
it the condition upon which he could receive the electoral vote of
their State, then in the hands of the General Assembly, and controlled
by the politicians. Blair & Rives had loaned ten thousand dollars
to General Jackson, who was very indignant when he learned that
his old friends were to be shelved, but the Nullifiers were
inexorable. The _Globe_ ceased to be the editorial organ of the
Administration, and "Father Ritchie," who had for many years edited
the Richmond _Inquirer_, was invited to Washington, where he
established the _Union_, which became the mouthpiece of President
Polk. "The _Globe_," says Colonel Benton, "was sold and was paid
for; it was paid for out of public money--the same fifty thousand
dollars which were removed to the village bank at Middletown, in
the interior of Pennsylvania. Three annual installments made the
payment, and the Treasury did not reclaim the money for three
years."

The first congressional assembly attended by President Polk was
graced by the presence of General Felix Grundy McConnell, of Alabama,
who appeared arrayed in a blue swallow-tailed coat, light cassimere
pantaloons, and a scarlet waistcoat. His female acquaintances at
Washington not being very numerous, he had invited to accompany
him two good-looking French milliner girls from a shop in the lower
story of the house in which he boarded. The young women were
dressed as near to the Parisian style of ball dress as their means
would permit, and the trio attracted much attention as they promenaded
the hall. When the President arrived, the General marched directly
to him, and exclaimed in his stentorian voice: "Mr. Polk, allow
me the honor of introducing to you my beautiful young friend,
Mamselle--Mamselle--Mamselle--_parley vous Francais_--whose name
I have forgotten!" Then, turning to the other lady, he asked,
"Will you introduce your friend?" The President, seeing General
Mac's embarrassment, relived him by shaking hands cordially with
each of the young ladies.

[Facsimile]
James K. Polk
JAMES KNOX POLK was born in