XVI. ADMINISTRATION OF ZACHARY TAYLOR (1849-50) AND OF MILLARD FILLMORE (1S50-53). Cabinet.—Seeretary of State. John 11. Clayton, Delaware, March 7. 1S49; Daniel Webster. Massa ehusetts, December 6. 1852. Secretary of the Treasury, W. M. Meredith, Pennsylvania, March S. 1849; Thomas Corwin, Ohio, July 23, 1850. Secretary of liar, George W. Crawford, Georgia, March 8, 1849; Winfield Scott (ad interim), July 23, 1850: Charles 51. Conrad, Louisiana, August 15, 1850. Secretary of the Nary, William B. Pres ton, Virginia, March 8, 1849; William A. Gra ham, North Carolina, July 22, 1850; J. P. Ken nedy, Maryland, July 22, 1852. Secretary of the haerior, Thomas H. Ewing, Ohio, March 8, 1849; A. IL II. Stuart, Virginia, September 12, 1850. Attorney-General, Reverdy Johnson, Maryland, March 3, 1849; John J. Crittenden, Kentucky, July 22. 1850. Postmaster-Genera], Jacob Col lamer, Vermont, March 8, 1849: Nathan K. Hall, New York, July 23, 1850; S. D. Hubbard, Con necticut, August 31, 1852.
The course of American political history from the beginning of this administration down to the Civil War i-s marked by a gradual disintegra tion of the old Whig Party (q.v.). the increase in importance of the free-soil movement, culminating in the formation of the Republican Party, and the development of the Democratic Party into an or ganization whose foremost object, in so far as it was under the control of the Southern wing, was the maintenance of slavery and the perpetuation of the political power in the slave States. The in crease of territory out of which new- States might be created made the South anxious to prevent these new States from inhibiting slavery, as would probably be done in some of them, especially in California. if the question were left to the in habitants. The contest began actively in 1S46, while the acquisition of the land in question was still doubtful. In that year David Wilmot, a Representative from Pennsylvania, brought for ward a resolution providing that slavery should be excluded from all territories that might be acquired from Mexico. This, commonly called the 'Wilmot Proviso,' was carried in 'the House of Representatives, but was defeated in the Senate. (See WILMOT PROVISO.) So fierce did the strife become that many of the most thoughtful states men began to fear secession or civil war. In this crisis Clay. now a man of seventy-two and in broken health, came forward in 1850 as a peace maker. Like Webster• who now vigorously sup
ported him, Clay had always held a moderate position between the two extreme parties in the slavery controversy. His proposal was that no legislation concerning slavery in California, about to be admitted as a State, and in the new Terri tories should be enacted by Congress. He also proposed that the slave trade should be abolished in the District of Columbia, but that a stricter law for the rendition of fugitive slaves should be enacted. In September, 1850, Clay's scheme, with important changes, was put into effect by Congress by the enactment of the so-called 'Compromise Measures of 1850.' The passage, however, of the new Fugitive Slave Law excited at the North feel ings of repugnance and disgust : and several of the State Legislatures even passed laws, commonly known as 'Personal Liberty Laws,' intended es pecially for the protection of negroes. (See COMPROMISE MEASURES OF 1850; FUGITIVE SLAVE LAw.) Such incidents as the rescue of the negro named `•Terry' at Syracuse, N. Y., and the in creased activity of the `Underground Railroad' (q.v.) emphasized the difficulty of the situation and embittered the feelings of the South.
President Taylor died on July 9, 1850. His successor, Millard Fillmore, strictly carried out the policy of his party. The Compromise Meas ures were approved by the new President and their final adoption caused a temporary lull in the contest over the question of slavery.
During this administration was concluded (April 19. 1350) the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty (q.v.), respecting an interoceanie canal.
In June, 1852, the two great parties made their Presidential nominations. The candidates of the Democracy were Franklin Pierce, of New Hampshire, and William R. King, of Alabama ; the Whigs nominated General Winfield Scott. of Virginia, and William A. Graham. of North Carolina. Each of the leading parties adopted a platform which recognized the 'finality' of the Compromise of 1S50. In August the Free-Soil Party nominated John I'. hale, of New Hamp shire, and George W. Johan, of Indiana. The election resulted in the success of the Demo cratic ticket, which received 254 electoral votes, against 42 cast for the Whig nominees. The years of this administration were marked by the deaths of tln•ee of the most influential political leaders, Calhoun (March 31. 1850), Clay (June 29, 1S50), and Webster (October 23, 1352).