PREFACE. UPON the suggestion of numerous friends, preparations for the publication of the speeches of Mr. Dickinson were commenced some five years since, during his lifetime. The material for the purpose was then placed in my hands, and some progress made with the earlier portions. My removal from New York, and consequently from the convenience of intercourse with him, and the stirring and absorbing events then claiming his attention, occasioned a postponement of the design, intended, however, to be only temporary. Since his sudden and lamented death, their publication, on many accounts, has been thought desirable and proper; embracing, as they do, discussions of most of the great questions, events, and policies of government, that for the last twenty years have agitated the country, divided parties, produced and subdued a rebellion. of gigantic dimensions; and having, it is believed, had their full influence upon public sentiment and affairs, they are presented, with only the apology that is due to the manner in which the duties of editor have been discharged. The political speeches of Mr. Dickinson were rarely, if ever, written out or even read by him before their introduction to the public in print, being mostly the reproduction of the reporter's hasty draft from his short-hand notes. While this has made the task of preparation for the press much more difficult, it will account in some degree for such deficiencies as may appear in its execution. The addition of a collection of private correspondence and poems did not enter into the original plan, but was adopted on later consideration. I am happy that the idea originated and has been carried out. It supplements the mere outline of biography attempted, showing the habits of thought and action, the motives of conduct, the cares, joys, labors, purposes, and aspirations; the beginnings, efforts, and progress of a life of ceaseless and diversified activity, in a manner that no biography, however elaborate, could supply. The correspondence (aside from the political portions) has been collected and prepared for the press by Mrs. Dickinson, with the assistance of her daughters, Mrs. Courtney and Mrs. Mygatt; the poems have been arranged by Mrs. Mygatt, and arrangements for the publication made and supervised in New York by Mrs. Courtney. It will thus be seen that the work, in its several parts and as a whole, is designed as a tribute of affection and reverence-a memorial to one who, however high he may have stood in the estimation of his countrymen, was most esteemed by those who knew him most intimately. CHICAGO, August, 1867. J. R. D. CONTENTS OF VOLUME I. PAGE SPEECH upon the joint resolution providing for the annexation of Texas, delivered in the Senate of the United States, February 22d, 1845. 127 SPEECH on the Acquisition of Territory, and the formation of Gov- ernments for the Territories-the doctrine of "Popular Sov- SPEECH on the bill to establish Territorial Governments in Oregon, California, and New Mexico, delivered in the Senate of the United States, July 22, July 28, and August 13, 1848........ 248 SPEECH upon the issues and candidates of the Presidential campaign, delivered in Tammany Hall, New York, August 19, 1848.... SPEECH on establishing a Government for California and New Mexico, and in reply to Mr. Dix on the "Wilmot Proviso," delivered in the Senate of the United States, February 28, 1849.... 267 283 SPEECH delivered at a Democratic State Convention, held at Rome, N. Y., on the 15th, 16th, and 17th days of August, 1849.... 307 SPEECH upon the resolution of Mr. Clemens, of Alabama, calling upon the President for information in reference to the appointment of a military Governor for California, etc., and SPEECH delivered at a complimentary public dinner, given to Mr. Dickinson by the Democrats of the Counties of New York, ORATION on the celebration of the Anniversary of American In- dependence, delivered at Syracuse, N. Y., July 4, 1853...... 372 ADDRESS to the jury in the case of the United States vs. James Collier, late Collector at San Francisco, California, delivered ADDRESS delivered at the laying of the corner-stone of the Susque- hannah Seminary, at Binghamton, N. Y., August 17, 1854.. 479 SPEECH delivered at Delhi, Delaware County, N. Y., at a meeting SPEECH On the Main Law question, delivered at a Democratic Rati- SPEECH at a mass meeting held to ratify the nominations of the EXTRACT. A picture of disunion, from a speech delivered at a |