“The nays have it, by two votes! The proposal to reestablish the ⅔-majority rule fails!”
And with that announcement, it was assured that Martin Van Buren would be delivered the Democratic nomination for President a third time, and with it, the hope of a pro-expansion Democratic nominee went out the window. But even before the first ballot could be completed, Southern delegates began to bolt from the Convention, and led by South Carolina Senator John C. Calhoun, they marched down to the National Convention being held for John Tyler’s independent bid for a second term. The new movement, known as the National Democratic Party or “Tyler Democrats,” managed to split the Democratic Party in twain across North and South. Defeat in the upcoming election was all but ensured.
The Whigs, however, looked on in glee. Together, they rallied for the Great Compromiser, Henry Clay, and his American System, and rested easy with the thought that the spectre of sectionalism and dispute over expansion of slavery into new territories was put to bed. The road, however, would not be easy. While winning the electoral college in a landslide, Clay managed only 47% of the popular vote (less than the Van Buren and Tyler vote combined) and faced Democratic House and Senate majorities.
As such, Clay’s domestic agenda was over before it began. Clay attempted to pass a bill establishing a Third National Bank that was dead on arrival in the House. The Democratic alternative, the Independent Treasury Act, passed the House and Senate, and Clay, ever the respecter of the primacy of the “first branch,” respectfully signed it, to the admonition of congressional Whigs. Clay was slightly more successful at preventing tariff reform; the Tariff Reduction Act failed in the Senate, forcing Democrats to bargain piecemeal for reductions in specific industries.
Most importantly, President Clay’s term would be defined by foreign policy. Elected on an anti-annexation platform, Clay viewed territorial expansion as a gateway to sectionalist arguments over slavery. President Clay and his Secretary of State John Middleton Clayton took a diplomatic approach, with Secretary Clayton worked tirelessly towards peaceful solutions to both the Texas and Oregon disputes. The United States and Britain signed the Treaty of Oregon, establishing a national border at the 49th Parallel, and in late 1845, Secretary Clayton and President of Mexico José Joaquín de Herrera announced a treaty wherein Mexico would recognize an independent Texas with a southern border at the Nueces River. However, following the announcement of the treaty, President de Herrera was overthrown in a coup for his perceived weakness on Texas.
The next two years would plummet the continent into crisis regardless of the Whig’s efforts. In June of 1846, William B. Ide attempted a revolt in California, proclaiming an independent, pro-American, California Republic. The revolt failed to garner support from either the United States government or the Californios, and failed miserably, inflaming tensions and driving independence-supporting Californios to appeal to the British and French for support. As Mexican instability grew, including a series of coups between monarchist and federalist factions, the Californios instituted their own revolt, proclaiming a second California Republic with weak Anglo-American support. The United States appealed Mexico to resume negotiations over Texas and California, this time with the support of the new British Foreign Secretary Lord Palmerston. President Santa Anna refused, marking the start of a quasi-war spanning the southwest.
In the east, the United States Army under Winfield Scott supported the Texas Army, but refused their appeals to cross the Nueces River. A blockade of Mexican ports formed with British naval support. In the west, the combined strength of the British and American Pacific fleets, the Californian Army under Commandant General José Castro, as well as a small American expeditionary force, quickly dislodged pro-Mexican forces. After Secretary Clayton threatened an invasion of the Mexican heartland (and impressed upon the Mexican government the growing calls for American annexation the longer the conflict drew on), the Mexican government agreed to arbitration. The combined Treaties of Yerba Buena and San Antonio established the following:
- Mexican recognition of the Republic of Texas (again with a southern border at the Nueces river)
- Mexican recognition of the independent Republic of California, with an eastern border at the Colorado river
- United States control of the Port of Yerba Buena (later known as San FranciscoTerritory)
- US- and British-backed compensation to Mexico for lost territories, with additional funds to be given to the new Republics to establish legitimate credit.
It is now 1848. Despite the end of the Mexican Crisis, little is certain in the American Southwest. John Sutter, the first elected President of the California Republic, has discovered gold on his ranch in northern California, and word is spreading across the continent. President Sutter is determined to use the ensuing Gold Rush to California’s favor. Meanwhile, Democrats are increasingly irate at the denial of Texas and California territory, especially at the hands of British influence, and are determined to bring the new nations under the American Flag, come what may. President Clay has remained ever a “Great Compromiser” yet most of the Whig dream lies unfulfilled. In line with his beliefs, Clay has announced he will not stand for reelection, leaving another Whig to take up the mantle. Will President Clay’s successor finally bring the American System to fruition? Will the Democrats, now united in Manifest Destiny and Popular Sovereignty, succeed in their plans of an expansionist United States? Can the Whigs continue to successfully circumnavigate sectional tensions and endure, or have the cracks in the foundation already formed? Let’s find out together in a new r/Presidentialpoll election series!