On the 23rd instant he reported a bill which he had prepared, setting apart and pledging the bonus and dividends as contemplated by the resolution. But little discussion was had on the bill, and after being amended, on motion of Mr. Pickering, so as to require the obtaining of the assent of a state to the construction of roads or canals within its territorial limits, it was passed by a small majority. In the Senate it was also sustained by a majority vote, and was sent to the President.

Although the bill of Mr. Calhoun did not claim for Congress the power to construct works of internal improvement within the states, or pretend in any way to define the power, it was undoubtedly taken for granted. In his speech on the bill, Mr. Calhoun did not examine the constitutional question, notwithstanding he was urged to do so, but contented himself with saying that he believed the power existed, though he was not prepared to say to what extent. The bill was laid before the President a few days prior to the adjournment of Congress and the close of his administration, and when Mr. Calhoun called to take his leave, the latter learned for the first time, much to his regret and chagrin, that it did not meet with the approbation of the executive. On the 3rd day of March, 1817, the bill was returned to the House with the objections of the President, based mainly upon the want of power in Congress until the constitution was amended as he had suggested. The bill was now lost,-not two thirds of the members voting in its favor. Mr. Calhoun, however, with Mr. Forsyth, and his colleague, Mr. Huger, still supported the measure.

No actual appropriation of money was made by this bill, nor were any particular works of internal improvement authorized to be constructed, yet the constitutional principle was probably involved in it, at least indirectly. The views of Mr. Calhoun upon the question subsequently underwent a material change, as the reader will discover.

CHAPTER VI.

Expiration of his Service in the House of Representatives-Appointed Secretary of War-Management of the Affairs of the Department-Financial System-Other Improvements introduced-Reörganization of the Army-System of Fortifications-Medical Statistics--Missouri Compromise-Tariff Act of 1824-Internal Improvements.

WITH the 3rd day of March, 1817, closed the period of Mr. Calhoun's service in the popular branch of Congress. The trust confided to him was now returned to those whom he had represented-in such a spirit of devotion to their interests, and with such credit to himself,-not diminished or impaired in aught, but rendered more valuable by the fidelity with which it had been guarded, and the enviable reputation he had won in its defence. He had been chosen for another term, but at the time of his reëlection he did not anticipate the honors which Fortune had in store for him.

Although he had been in Congress but for the short period of six years, his character was known and understood in every part of the country. His friends and admirers were numerous, and the new President entertained a high opinion of his talents and integrity.

Shortly before the meeting of Congress at the next session, [in December, 1817,] he received an invitation from Mr. Monroe to take a place in his cabinet as Secretary of War. It was unsolicited and unexpected.

* Mr. Calhoun was appointed in the place of Governor Shelby, of

His friends, with some exceptions, advised against his acceptance, on the ground that Congress was the proper theatre for his talents; Mr. Lowndes concurred in this advice, and, among other reasons, urged that his improvement in speaking had been such that he was desirous to see the degree of eminence he would reach by practice. Indeed, the prevailing opinion at the time was, that his talent lay more in the power of thought than action. His great powers of analysis and generalization were calculated to make the impression, which was not uncommon at that time, that his mind was more metaphysical than practical, and that he would lose reputation in taking charge of a department, especially one in a state of such disorder and confusion as the war department was then. The reasons assigned by his friends served but to confirm Mr. Calhoun in the opinion that he ought to accept. He believed the impression of his friends was erroneous as to the character of his mind; but if not, if his powers lay rather in thinking and speaking than in execution, it was but the more necessary he should exercise them in the latter, and thereby strengthen them where they were naturally the weakest. He also believed that he could render more service to the country in reforming that great disbursing department of government, admitted to be in a state of much disorder, than he could possibly do by continuing in Congress, where most of the great questions growing out of a return to a state of peace had been discussed and settled. Under the influence of these motives, he accepted the proffered ap

Kentucky, who had declined the appointment tendered to him by Mr. Monroe.

pointment, and entered on the duties of the department early in December, 1817.

"Thus, after six years of distinguished services in Congress, during which Mr. Calhoun bore a prominent and efficient part in originating and supporting all the measures necessary to carry the country through one of the most trying and difficult periods of its existence, and had displayed throughout great ability as a legislator and a speaker, we find him in a new scene, where his talents for business and administration for the first time are to be tried. He took possession of his department at the most unfavorable period. Congress was in session, when much of the time of the secretary is necessarily occupied in meeting the various calls for information from the two Houses, and attending to the personal application of the members on the business of their constituents. Mr. Graham, the chief clerk, an able and experienced officer, retired shortly afterward, and a new and totally inexperienced successor had to be appointed in his place. The department was almost literally without organization, and everything in a state of confusion. Mr. Calhoun had paid but little attention to military subjects in any of their various branches. He had never read a treatise on the subject, except a small volume on the Staff.

"In this absence of information, he determined at once to do as little as possible at first, and to be a good listener and a close observer till he could form a just conception of the actual state of the department and what was necessary to be done. Acting on this prudent rule, he heard all and observed everything, and reflected on and digested all that he heard and saw.