DECEMBER

December 1 (1816)-Baltimore, Md., was lighted by gas, the first municipality in America to use this illuminant, year 1816.

Dec. 1 (1842)—Hanging of Midshipman Philip Spencer, Boatswain Samuel Cromwell and Seaman Elisha Small from the yard arm of the U. S. S. Somers, a brig of war, at sea in West Indian waters, year 1842. The three were convicted by court martial of conspiring to organize a mutiny, murder the officers, and turn the ship into a pirate cruiser. This is the only instance of punishment by death for mutiny in the history of the United ⚫ States Navy.

Dec. 1 (1866)-Patent for a typewriter called the "Pterotype" issued to John Pratt, a native of South Carolina who had gone to England during the Civil War and there produced his machine, year 1866. This machine was first recognized in England and was the prototype of the English typewriters. It had a limited sale. It is claimed that Christopher L. Sholes, the inventor of the American typewriter (1867) that later became the Remington, was indebted to the "Pterotype" for his most valuable ideas.

THE "MONROE DOCTRINE"

December 2, 1823

This so-called doctrine was contained in a message by President Monroe to the Eighteenth Congress on the second day of its first session, Dec. 2, 1823. This message dealt with a number of subjects, foreign and domestic, as is usual in the annual messages of Presidents. The recent revolutions in South America and the organizations of the republics of Argentine, Chile, and Colombia in what had been Spanish territory, and the unconcealed sympathy of European governments with Spain in her wars with her South American colonies had brought

home to the people of the United States the question of national policy in the event that these European nations would, with military and naval forces, aid Spain to reconquer her lost provinces, or hold any others on this continent now in her possession. Also, the Russian government had pushed its way into Alaska and was establishing itself on this continent. Therefore, President Monroe wrote the following in his annual message:

"In the wars of the European powers in matters relating to themselves we have never taken any part, nor does it comport with our policy so to do. It is only when our rights are invaded or seriously menaced that we resent injuries or make preparation for our defense. With the movements in this hemisphere, we are, of necessity, more immediately connected, and by causes which must be obvious to all enlightened and impartial observers. The political system of the allied powers is essentially different in this respect from that of America. This difference proceeds from that which exists in their respective governments. And to the defense of our own, which has been achieved by the loss of so much blood and treasure, and matured by the wisdom of their most enlightened citizens, and under which we have enjoyed unexampled felicity, this whole nation is devoted. We owe it, therefore, to candor, and to the amicable relations existing between the United States and those powers, to declare that we should consider any attempt on their part to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and safety. With the existing colonies or dependencies of any European power we have not interfered, and shall not interfere. But with the governments who have declared their independence and maintained it, and whose independence we have, on great consideration and on just principles, acknowledged, we could not view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing them, or controlling in any other manner their destiny, by any European power, in any other light than

as the manifestation of an unfriendly disposition towards the United States."

This declaration was enthusiastically indorsed by the people of this nation. It has ever since remained as the perfect expression of an unwavering policy of the government of the United States.

Dec. 2 (1856)—First patent for a device to arrange a railway car seat as a sleeping couch, issued to Theodore T. Woodruff, the inventor, year 1856. The idea was developed by Webster Wagner on the New York Central Ry. in 1858 and by George M. Pullman in 1859.

Dec. 2 (1859)—John Brown of Ossawatomie, abolitionist leader, was hanged at Charles Town, Va., year 1859. (See May 9.)

Dec. 2 (1863)—First ground broken for the construction of the Union Pacific Railway, the first transcontinental railway, year 1863. The ceremony took place at Omaha, Neb. George Francis Train of Boston, one of the chief promoters of the enterprise, dug the first shovel full of earth.

Dec. 3 (1750)-First opera sung in America, year 1750. It was the "Beggar's Opera" by John Gay and was produced at New York.

Dec. 3 (1818)-Illinois was admitted into the Union,

year 1818.

Dec. 3 (1826)-George Brinton McClellan, soldier, born at Philadelphia, Pa., year 1826; died at West Orange, N. J., Oct. 29, 1885; buried at Trenton, N. J. Graduated from West Point in 1846. Served throughout the Mexican War. Reached the rank of captain in 1855 and, in 1857, resigned from the army. In 1859 became president of the St. Louis, Missouri and Cincinnati Ry. At the outbreak of the Civil War was commissioned major general of Ohio volunteers. A month later was made major general of the U. S. Army, and five months after was given command of all the armies of the United States. His rise from captain to commander-in-chief was

the most extraordinary in the military history of the United States. (See Birthday of U. S. Grant, April 27.) Was defeated by Gen. R. E. Lee in the Peninsula campaign of 1862. (See June 26 and July 1.) Was removed from command Aug. 3, 1862. Was restored one month later and on Sept. 14, fought the drawn battle of Antietam against Lee. On Nov. 5, 1862 he was again removed from command, and retired permanently. In 1864, he was nominated by the Democratic party for President. Was defeated. Electoral vote (25 States): Lincoln, 212; McClellan, 21. In 1878, was elected Governor of New Jersey. His popularity among the Union soldiers was extraordinary. As an engineer and military organizer his reputation remains very high. As a military strategist he is outranked by a number in both Union and Confederate armies, though he has had many enthusiastic eulogists among military authorities, who assert that he was the victim of political enmities and jealousies.

Dec. 3 (1833)-The American Anti-Slavery Society organized at a convention held in the house of Evan Lewis, a Quaker, at Philadelphia, year 1833. Between sixty and seventy delegates were present. Beriah Green, an independent clergyman of Ohio, was elected the first president. The poet John G. Whittier, and Lewis Tappan were the secretaries. Next day, Dec. 4, they adopted a "Declaration of Sentiments" which was written by William Lloyd Garrison who was the leading spirit of the movement. This "Declaration" marks the time when "Slavery" became a national political question at issue in the United States.

Dec. 4 (1783)-Washington bade farewell to his officers at the end of the Revolution, in Fraunce's Tavern, New York, year 1783. The building is preserved by the Daughters of the American Revolution..

Dec. 5 (1782)-Martin Van Buren, eighth President of the United States, born at Kinderhook, N. Y., year 1782; died at Kinderhook on July 24, 1862. Was nomi

nated for President by the Democratic party in 1836 and elected. Electoral vote (26 States): Van Buren, 170; William Henry Harrison (Whig), 73. Inaugurated March 4, 1837; served four years. The chief events of his administration were the Seminole War (1835-1842), the invention of the magnetic telegraph (1837), the "Patriot War" (1837-1838) in Canada, and the financial panic of 1837.

Dec. 6 (1864)-President Lincoln issued his fourth and last annual message to Congress.

Dec. 7 (1787)—The Constitution of the United States was ratified by Delaware and without amendments, year 1787. This was the first State to ratify. The other States ratified as follows: Pennsylvania, Dec. 12, 1787; New Jersey, Dec. 18, 1787; Georgia, Jan. 2, 1788; Connecticut, Jan. 9, 1788; Massachusetts, Feb. 6, 1788; Maryland, April 28, 1788; South Carolina, May 23, 1788; New Hampshire, June 21, 1788; Virginia, June 25, 1788; New York, July 26, 1788; North Carolina, Nov. 21, 1789; Rhode Island, May 29, 1790. The Constitution became operative when nine States had ratified, that is on June 21, 1788 when New Hampshire passed the act of ratification.

Dec. 7 (1894)—A Convention regulating Chinese immigration was ratified by the United States and China, year 1894. By the terms of this convention, the "coming, except under conditions hereinafter specified, of Chinese laborers to the United States shall be absolutely prohibited."

It was provided that the prohibition would not apply to "officials, teachers, students, merchants or travellers for curiosity or pleasure, but not laborers." All these named classes might come and reside in the United States. Also it was provided that any Chinese laborer then residing in the United States and registered, if he had a wife, child or parent in the United States, or owned $1,000 worth of property or owed that amount of debt,