declared their independence of Great Britain. The seven years' war of the Revolution followed: the definitive treaty of peace was signed September 30th, 1783: the present Constitution was ratified by Congress July 14th, 1788; and on the 30th of April, 1789, Washington was Inaugurated first President of the United States. In 1803, Louisiana, embracing a vast and undefined territory west of the Mississippi, was purchased from France for fifteen millions of dollars; and in 1821 Florida was ceded to the United States by Spain. On the 4th of June, 1812, the American Congress declared war against Great Britain: peace was concluded at Ghent, Dec. 14th, 1814. In the year 1845 the Republic of Texas was annexed to the United States. In April 1848 a war with Mexico began: California was conquered by the Americans during the summer of the same year; on the 27th of March, 1847, Vera Cruz capitulated; and on the 14th of September the American army entered the city of Mexico. In February, 1848, a treaty was concluded with Mexico, by which the United States obtained a large increase of terri.ory, embracing the present New Mexico, Utah, and California.