FOREIGN RELATIONS.--We have seen how during this period our country was expanded by the annexation of Texas (1845) and by two cessions of territory from Mexico (1848 and 1853). But this was not enough to satisfy the South, and attempts were made to buy Cuba. Polk (1848) offered Spain $100,000,000 for it. Filibusters tried to capture it (in 1851), and Pierce (1853) urged its annexation. With this end in view our ministers to Great Britain, France, and Spain met at Ostend in Belgium in 1854 and issued what was called the Ostend Manifesto. This set forth that Cuba must be annexed to protect slavery, and if Spain would not sell for a fair price, "then by every law, human and divine, we shall be justified in wresting it from Spain if we possess the power." Buchanan also (1858) urged the purchase of Cuba; but in vain. CHINA AND JAPAN.--More pleasing to recall are our relations with China and Japan. Our flag was first seen in China in 1784, when the trading vessel _Empress of China_ reached Canton. Washington (1790) appointed a consul to reside in that city, the only one in China, then open to foreign trade; but no minister from the United States was sent to China till Caleb Gushing went in 1844. By him our first treaty was negotiated with China, under which five ports were opened to American trade and two very important concessions secured: (1) American citizens charged with any criminal act were to be tried and punished only by the American consul. (2) All privileges which China might give to any other nation were likewise to be given to the United States. At that time Japan was a "hermit nation." In 1853, however, Commodore M. C. Perry went to that country with a fleet, and sent to the emperor a message expressing the wish of the United States to enter into trade relations with Japan. Then he sailed away; but returned in 1854 and made a treaty (the first entered into by Japan) which resulted in opening that country to the United States. Other nations followed, and Japan was thus opened to trade with the civilized world. SUMMARY 1. Between 1840 and 1860 the population increased from 17,000,000 to 31,000,000. 2. During this period millions of immigrants had come. 3. As population continued to move westward new states and territories were formed. 4. In one of these new territories, Utah, were the Mormons who had been driven from Illinois. 5. The rise of a new state on the Pacific coast revived the old demand for a railroad across the plains, and surveys were ordered. 6. East of the Mississippi thousands of miles of railroads were built, and the East, the West, and the far South were connected. 7. This period is marked by many great inventions and discoveries, including the telegraph, the sewing machine, and the reaper. 8. It was in this period that trade relations were begun with China and Japan. [Illustration: MODERN HARVESTER.] FOOTNOTES