POLK, JAMES KNOX, eleventh president of the United States of America, was born in Mecklenburg co., N. C., Nov. 2, 1795. His ancestors, who bore the name of Pollock, emigrated from the n. of Ireland early in the 18th century. Though his father was a farmer in moderate circumstances, he was educated in the university of North Carolina, and studied law with Felix Grundy of Tennessee, an eminent lawyer and statesman. Admitted to the bar in 1820, he was three years after elected a member of the legislature of Tennessee. and soon after to the federal congress by the democratic party. In 1826 he was chosen speaker of the house of representatives, a position ha filled during five with firmness and ability. After serving fourteen years in congress he was, in 1839, elected governor of Tennessee; and in 1844 unexpectedly nominated, as a compro mise candidate, for the presidency, against Henry Clay, and elected. During his term the Oregon boundary was settled by a compromise offered by England, though the party cry which helped to elect hint was a :ham for the entire territory to 54' 40' n. lat. The
annexation of Texas caused, in 1846, a war with Mexico; 50,000 volunteers, added to the small regular force, sufficed to take the capital (Sept. 14, 1847), and enabled the govern ment to dictate terms of peace, by which it acquired California and New Mexico. Hav ing pledged himself to a single term of office. Mr. Polk refused a renomination, and retired to his borne in Nashville, Tenn., where he died three months afterward, June 15, 1849. Mr. Polk was a man of respectable abilities, and of a solid, firm, honest, and religious character. He was devoted to the principles of the democratic party of Jeffer son and Jackson—state rights, a revenue tariff, independent treasury, and strict construc tion of the constitution.