ndred thousand the following
year, and did not fall below that figure again until 1856. Iowa admitted
to the Union.

Actual hostilities began between the United States and Mexico; General
Taylor successful at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, Texas, and then
invaded Mexico. A force under Colonel Philip Kearney took Santa Fe and
declared New Mexico annexed to the United States; in California Captain
Fremont took command of insurgents and set up a provisional American
government. The American Congress declared war April 26; Mexico declared
war May 23. Monterey captured by a force under General Taylor. General
Winfield Scott took command of the American army. Santa Anna, Mexico's
popular idol, put in command of the Mexicans.

Ether used for the first time in surgery. The Smithsonian Institute,
Washington, founded. Elias Howe improved the sewing machine and patented
his lock-stitch machine.

The Sikhs were defeated by the British in India, and much new territory
came under British rule. British Parliament voted fifty million dollars to
relieve distress in Ireland, and heavy contributions poured into the
country from England and America. English government repealed the Corn
Laws, Richard Cobden triumphing; Peel resigned as prime minister and was
succeeded by Lord Russell. Carbolic acid obtained by Laurent, French
chemist. Guncotton invented by Christian Schoenbein, German chemist. Planet
Neptune discovered by Leverrier in France and Adams in England. Two
attempts made on the life of Louis Philippe. Insurrections in Poland,
Italy, Austria, Hungary, Portugal; general opposition to the policy of
Metternich, which had governed Europe since the Fall of Napoleon. The
people of Schleswig and Holstein prepared to resist the attempt of the
King of Denmark to set aside the Salic law. Pope Gregory XVI died, and
Pius IX, new Pope, promised many reforms and more liberal laws. Louis
Napoleon made his sensational escape from the fortress of Ham.

Louis Bonaparte, brother of Napoleon I, and former King of Holland; Thomas
Clarkson, English anti-slavery advocate; and Otto von Kotzebue, Russian
explorer, died.

=RULERS--The same as in the previous year, except that Pius IX became
Pope.=

1847

In the war between the United States and Mexico, General Taylor defeated
the Mexicans under Santa Anna at Buena Vista; General Scott captured Vera
Cruz, and defeated Santa Anna at Cerro Gordo; Colonel Doniphan captured
Chihuahua. Scott, after