CHAPTER IV. ADMISSION TO THE BAR AND EARLY POLITICAL LIFE. Law Partnership with my Brother Charles--Change in Methods of Court Practice--Obtaining the Right of Way for a Railroad--Excitement of the Mexican War and its Effect on the Country--My First Visit to Washington--At a Banquet with Daniel Webster--New York Fifty Years Ago--Marriage with Margaret Cecilia Stewart--Beginning of My Political Life--Belief in the Doctrine of Protection--Democratic and Whig Conventions of 1852--The Slavery Question--My Election to Congress in 1854. CHAPTER V. EARLY DAYS IN CONGRESS. My First Speech in the House--Struggle for the Possession of Kansas --Appointed as a Member of the Kansas Investigating Committee--The Invasion of March 30, 1855--Exciting Scenes in the Second District of Kansas--Similar Violence in Other Territorial Districts--Return and Report of the Committee--No Relief Afforded the People of Kansas --Men of Distinction in the 34th Congress--Long Intimacy with Schuyler Colfax. CHAPTER VI. BIRTH OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY. The Name Formally Adopted at Jackson, Michigan, in 1854--Nomination of John C. Fremont at Philadelphia--Democratic Convention Nominates James Buchanan--Effect of the Latter's Election on the North--My Views Concerning President Pierce and His Administration--French Spoilation Claims--First Year of Buchanan's Administration--Dred Scott Case Decision by Supreme Court--The Slavery Question Once More an Issue in Congress--Douglas' Opposition to the Lecompton Scheme--Turning Point of the Slavery Controversy. CHAPTER VII. RECOLLECTIONS OF THE FINANCIAL PANIC OF 1857. Its Effect on the State Banks--My Maiden Speech in Congress on National Finances--Appointed a Member of the Committee on Naval Affairs--Investigation of the Navy Department and its Results--Trip to Europe with Mrs. Sherman--We Visit Bracklin's Bridge, Made Famous by Sir Walter Scott--Ireland and the Irish--I Pay a Visit to Parliament and Obtain Ready Admission--Notable Places in Paris Viewed With Senator Sumner--The Battlefield of Magenta--Return Home. CHAPTER VIII. EXCITING SCENES IN CONGRESS. I am Elected for the Third Term--Invasion of Virginia by John Brown --His Trial and Execution--Spirited Contest for the Speakership-- Discussion over Helper's "Impending Crisis"--Angry Controversies and Threats of Violence in the House--Within Three Votes of Election as Speaker--My Reply to Clark's Attack--Withdrawal of my Name and Election of Mr. Pennington--Made Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means--President Buchanan Objects to Being "Investigated"-- Adoption of the Morrill Tariff Act--Views Upon the Tariff Question --My Colleagues.