The Wrong Candidate, or
Party Politics
Clay in '44, not Polk
On April 22nd, 1844, President John Tyler writes a letter to Congress declaring his support for the annexation of Texas. Days later, Martin Van Buren, former President and front runner Democratic candidate for the upcoming election, breaks with political ally and fellow former President Andrew Jackson, announcing his opposition to the annexation of Texas.
Since declaring independence in 1836, the young Republic of Texas had been campaigning to be admitted to the United States, exciting the attention of the public and politicians alike.
The debate over annexation has been raging throughout the nation. Public sentiment leans in favor of annexing the vast new nation, inhabited by American settlers. However, knowing such a move would practically guarantee a war with Mexico, many politicians are unconvinced that the benefits of annexation outweigh the possibility of war.
The call for expansion is not limited to Texas. In the Northwest, the Oregon Country beckons to Americans as well, and the average American is even more in favor of planting the Stars and Stripes here than in Texas. Together, Oregon and Texas are sweet and potentially lucrative targets for the US.
In May, America's political headmaster, Henry Clay easily secures the anti-annexation Whig nomination. But in the Democratic party, the question of Texas plagues the nomination process. Martin Van Buren comes into the nominating convention with the most support, but with considerable opposition to his anti-annexation stance. Other names hovering around the convention include Lewis Cass, John C. Calhoun, and Richard Johnson.
POD- Attempts by Robert J. Walker to reintroduce the rule of a nominee securing 2/3 support, aimed at ensuring that Van Buren can't win with only a simple majority, fails. That failure hands the Democratic nomination to Van Buren.
Meanwhile, incumbent President Tyler is selected by the National Democratic Tyler Convention as their candidate. Democrats who had opposed Van Buren at their convention turn their support to Tyler, now the only prominent candidate in favor of annexing Texas.
By August, it is becoming clear that the race between Van Buren and Clay is slipping as Tyler gains popularity in the pro-expansion West and South. On November 1st, the first states open their ballots, and on December 4th, the Electoral College makes its decision. Henry Clay is the winner, taking 141 votes, John Tyler receives 74, and Martin Van Buren is left with 58.
Meanwhile, in Texas, Anson Jones, who had been elected in September after a near silent campaign, is inaugurated in Austin. News of the election in America soon reaches Texas. With the revelation that annexation is no longer possible, it becomes clear that President Jones' task will instead be to seek greater acceptance in Europe and continue the on-off violent negotiations with Mexico.
Texian President Anson Jones
Throughout the fall, another problem has been festering in Illinois. It began with the first edition of the Nauvoo Expositor, which declared that Joseph Smith, Jr., founder of the Church Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and mayor of the town of Nauvoo, supported polygamy and, in fact, had many wives of his own. The Expositor denounced Smith for his revelation of many gods, which it claimed he had made, and for his role in the city of Nauvoo and the Mormon Church. Smith, denying the truth of the articles, called the paper a nuisance. On June 10, the city passed an ordinance against libel and disbanded the paper, destroying its press. In retaliation, another paper, the Warsaw Signal, published a call to arms to evict Smith and the Mormon Church from Nauvoo. Eight days later, martial law is declared by Smith in response to the violence. The situation does not sit well with Illinois Governor Thomas Ford, who mobilizes local militia.
On charges of inciting violence, Ford asks that the entire city council of Nauvoo stand trial in Carthage, where he says he can ensure their safety from the mobs. Smith instead goes the other direction and escapes to Iowa Territory, but returns when it is feared violence in Nauvoo will escalate further. Eventually, Smith, his brother, Hyrum, and 15 members of the city council surrender to the constable in Carthage. However, the original charge of inciting riot is replaced with treason against the State of Illinois, a capital offense, and the company is held in jail to await trial.
POD 2- Governor Ford arrives on the 27th to dispel the gathering mob. The next day, the Nauvoo Legion, a Mormon-controlled militia arrives in Carthage, prompting the mobs to reorganize and turn violent. The Legion, ignoring demands by Governor Ford, breaks into the jail and sets Smith and his company free. Smith leads the Legion north, toward the Mississippi River, hoping to cross back into Iowa. Governor Ford, who has escaped the violence in Carthage, arrives in Nauvoo only to be informed that Smith is hoping to cross the Mississippi. By the time the Warsaw militia is gathered, he is informed that Smith has escaped.
Convinced that the Mormon Church is no longer safe in Illinois, Smith calls on leaders of the Mormon church to convene in Burlington, Iowa, where it is decided to relocate to Oregon. An announcement is drafted to be sent to Nauvoo, as well as a request to Governor Ford to allow the Mormon population peacefully make preparations for travel. The remainder of the year is spent gathering materials to make the journey westward. Governor Ford informs the population of Nauvoo he cannot ensure their safety while they remain in Illinois.
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1844
February 28- Aboard the USS Princeton, President John Tyler's Secretary of State, Abel P. Upshur, and Secretary of the Navy, Thomas Gilmer, are killed in an explosion. The President is uninjured.
April 22- In a letter to Congress, President Tyler pledges his support for the annexation of Texas.
April 27- Former President Van Buren breaks with Andrew Jackson and announces his opposition to the annexation of Texas.
May 1- Henry Clay is selected by the Whig party as their presidential nominee, with Theodore Frelinghuysen as his running mate.
May 24- Samuel Morse sends the first telegraph message from Washington, D.C. to a B&O railroad depot in Burlington.
May 27- The Democratic Party selects Martin Van Buren as their Presidential nominee. Disgruntled Democrats turned to incumbent John Tyler.
June 7- The Nauvoo Expositor publishes its first and only article, attacking Joseph Smith, Jr, who calls the paper libelous.
June 10- Smith has the Expositor disbanded.
June 18- Smith declares martial law to quell the escalating violence against Mormons in Nauvoo.
June 25- Smith and company surrender in Carthage.
June 26- President Tyler marries Julia Gardiner in New York City.
June 27- Governor Thomas Ford disperses a violent mob gathering outside the Carthage Jail.
June 28- The Nauvoo Legion arrives in Carthage and Smith escapes from jail.
June 29- Governor Ford is informed that Smith and the Nauvoo Legion have escaped to Iowa.
July 3- The Treaty of Wanghia establishes trade between the US and China.
July 21- Mormon leadership meets in Burlington, Iowa and approves a plan to relocate once more, this time to Oregon.
August 2- Returning from his honeymoon in New York state, incumbent Tyler finds strong support throughout the nation and it becomes clear his power base will include Southern and Western states.
November 1- The first states open polls for the Presidential Election.
December 4- The Electoral College declares Henry Clay winner with 141 electoral votes, to Tyler's 74, and Van Buren's 58.
December 9- Anson Jones is inaugurated as President of the Republic of Texas.