------------------------------------------------------------------------ Transcriber’s Note: This version of the text cannot represent certain typographical effects. Italics are delimited with the ‘_’ character as _italic_. Footnotes have been moved to follow the paragraphs in which they are referenced. Please see the transcriber’s note at the end of this text for details regarding the handling of any textual issues encountered during its preparation. [Illustration: JAMES BUCHANAN] LIFE OF JAMES BUCHANAN FIFTEENTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES BY GEORGE TICKNOR CURTIS _IN TWO VOLUMES_ VOL. II. NEW YORK HARPER & BROTHERS, FRANKLIN SQUARE 1883 Copyright, 1883, by GEORGE TICKNOR CURTIS. _All rights reserved._ _Stereotyped by Smith & McDougal._ CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. 1848-1852. PAGE Purchase of Wheatland—Nomination and Election of General 1 Taylor—His Death and the Accession of President Fillmore—The Compromise Measures of 1850—Letters to Miss Lane—Public Letters on Political Topics CHAPTER II. 1852. The Presidential Nominations of 1852—Election of General 34 Franklin Pierce to the Presidency—Buchanan’s Course in regard to the Nomination and the Election—His Efforts to defeat the Whig Candidate CHAPTER III. 1852-1853. Personal and Political Relations with the President—Elect 68 and with Mr. Marcy, his Secretary of State—Buchanan is offered the Mission to England—His own Account of the Offer, and his Reasons for accepting it—Parting with his Friends and Neighbors in Lancaster—Correspondence with his Niece CHAPTER IV. 1853-1856. Arrival in London—Presentation to the Queen at Osborne—The 99 Ministry of Lord Aberdeen—Mr. Marcy’s Circular about Court Costumes, and the Dress Question at the English Court—Letters to Miss Lane CHAPTER V. 1853-1856. Negotiations with Lord Clarendon—The Clayton-Bulwer Treaty 126 and Affairs in Central America—The Crimean War and the new British Doctrine respecting the Property of Neutrals CHAPTER VI. 1853-1856.