Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Pierce, Franklin
PIERCE, FRANKLIN, an American
statesman, 14th President of the United
States; born in Hillsboro, N. H., Nov.
23, 1804. He was educated in the

Schools of his native State and at
Bowdoin College, where he studied in
company with Longfellow, Hawthorne, and
Prentiss, graduating in 1824. He was
admitted to the bar in 1827, and in
1829 was elected to the New Hampshire
Legislature. In 1833 he entered
Congress, serving four years, and in 1837
was elected to the United States Senate,
being the youngest member of that body,
which contained such men as Webster,
Clay, Calhoun, Benton, Buchanan, and
Silas Wright. In 1842 he resigned from
the Senate and retired to private life.
He engaged in public debate with John
P. Hale on the slavery question, Pierce
advocating the constitutional right of
that institution. In 1846 he enlisted for
the Mexican War, was appointed brigadier
and fought in the battles of Contreras
and Churubusco. After the war
he continued the practice of law,
frequently advocating the political principles
of the Democratic party in public,
and favoring the compromise measures
of 1850, including the Fugitive Slave
Law. In 1852 he was nominated for the
presidency on the 49th ballot, by the
Democratic National Convention, and
was elected by an electoral majority over
General Scott of 254 to 42. During his
administration the Missouri Compromise
was repealed, a reciprocity treaty for
trade with the British American colonies
was made; a treaty with Japan was
established; and the Mexican boundary
disputes settled. After his term expired,
he traveled abroad and, returning, lived
thereafter in retirement at Concord,
where he died, Oct. 8, 1869.