great respect and sympathy for the captives, arrived at headquarters.  Abd-el-Kader, attended by Lamoriciere and Cavaignac, was presented to the son of Louis Philippe.  The Prince pledged himself that Lamoriciere’s promise and stipulation should be strictly observed.  He knew little that his father’s throne was about to fall, and that the decision as to Abd-el-Kader’s fate would, within a few weeks, rest in far different hands.  The ex-Sultan then withdrew to his deira, which had now joined the French encampment.

On the next morning, December 24th, the Governor-General held a review.  His honored prisoner and guest, riding a splendid black charger of the purest Arab breed, and surrounded by his chiefs, awaited his return from the field.  When the Prince approached, Abd-el-Kader dismounted and offered his steed as a present in testimony of his gratitude, and expressed the hope that he might always bear his new master in safety and happiness.  The Duc d’Aumale replied, “I accept it as a homage rendered to France, the protection of which country will henceforth be ever extended toward you, and as a sign that the past is forgotten.”

On December 25th the Algerian hero embarked with his family and followers in a French frigate for Toulon.  He had seen the last of his native land.  Lamoriciere accompanied him on board and supplemented his poor resources with a present of four thousand francs, receiving Abd-el-Kader’s sword in return.  The Moniteur of January 3, 1848, paid a high tribute to the genius and ascendency of the captive in these words:  “The subjugation of Abd-el-Kader is an event of immense importance to France.  It assures the tranquillity of our conquest.  To-day France can, if necessary, transport to other quarters the hundred thousand men who hold the conquered populations under her yoke.”

(1847) THE MEXICAN WAR, John Bonner

When President Polk began his Administration, the United States Government had become involved in two boundary disputes—­one relating to Oregon, the other to Texas and Mexico.  Out of the latter came the Mexican War, concerning the political causes and merits of which there were then and ever since have been wide differences of opinion among the American people.  Polk’s election by the Democrats in 1844 had turned mainly upon the question of annexing Texas.  Just before he came into office the annexation was made.

Texas claimed as her western boundary the Rio Grande.  Mexico held that the western limit was the Nueces.  Between the two rivers there was a large area of disputed territory.  The Texan claim was opposed by many American statesmen and publicists, and by some was denounced—­as the annexation of Texas had been—­as an aggressive move against Mexico.  But the United States Government supported the cause of Texas.  General Zachary Taylor, who had served in the War of 1812, and afterward in several Indian wars, took command of the army in Texas in 1845.