President Henry Clay completed his term in office in March 1849 and retired to his home in Kentucky.
Looking back at his accomplishments and mixed success of his American System, he can take pride in the creation of the national bank and the many roads built under his Administration. He took a lot of flak from the South for raising tariffs to raise money for to build the roads and canals.
He also bore the brunt of criticism from the Southern states when he opposed statehood for Texas that resulted in more free states than slave states.
Clay had hoped to extend his popularity to his Vice President Daniel Webster in his campaign for President in 1848. But Lewis Cass won the election that year, thanks to the Free Soil candidacy of former President Martin Van Buren. Otherwise, Webster would have won New York and the election.
Back in 1840, the Whigs had considered Governor John Tyler of Virginia as William Henry Harrison's running mate. But the New England delegation convinced the Whigs to pick Clay instead. After Harrison died after less than a month in office, Clay became President.
What would have happened if John Tyler became Vice President instead of Clay?