John Tyler

John Tyler became president after William Henry Harrison’s death in April 1841, insisting that he had succeeded to the office itself rather than merely its duties. A Virginia politician and former Democrat elected on the Whig ticket, he soon broke with congressional Whigs. His presidency lasted until 1845 and combined political isolation at home with several consequential diplomatic initiatives. ¹

Secretary of State Daniel Webster negotiated the Webster–Ashburton Treaty in 1842, settling the northeastern boundary dispute with Britain and addressing other points of friction. The agreement helped ease the danger of war that had accompanied disturbances along the Canadian frontier. Tyler’s administration also sent Caleb Cushing to China, where the Treaty of Wanghia in 1844 established formal American commercial rights and extraterritorial privileges. ²

Tyler made annexation of Texas a principal objective. Mexico had not accepted Texan independence and warned that annexation could bring war. After the Senate rejected an annexation treaty in 1844, Tyler and his allies pursued a joint resolution requiring simple majorities in both houses. He signed it shortly before leaving office; Texas entered the Union under James K. Polk later in 1845. The decision strengthened the expansionist course that led to the Mexican-American War. ³

Tyler’s opposition to a new national bank frustrated the central economic program of the Whigs, prompting cabinet resignations and his expulsion from the party. He also fought Congress over tariffs and distribution of land revenues. His use of the veto demonstrated the independent power of a president without a dependable congressional coalition. In retirement, Tyler supported Virginia’s secession and was elected to the Confederate Congress, dying before taking his seat. ^{3, 1}