1814-1817: Member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives
-serves quite notable role as such
-moves to massachusetts following year without a summer, as sees that decline is imminent, builds new law career in boston
1821-1827: Member of the United States House of Representatives
-law career very successful, particularly after great defence of dartmouth at supreme court
-defeated in 1826 because pro-war in US's Wars > Luisiana War (1825-8)
1829-1835: United States Senator from Massachusetts
-debates nature of union in famous reply to Calhoun, makes him famous name
-like OTL Second Reply to Hayne
-in reaction Calhoun left very angry, and president of senate can do nothing but adjourn
-but in the end Calhoun recovers and acknowledges he has been beaten
-sort of breaks with clay over nullification, but jumps back when bank becomes major topic of controversy following 1834 panic
-after failed effort to become pres nominee pushes for appointment to plenipotentiary of british isles, gets it
1835-1837: United States Minister Plenipotentiary to the British Isles
-warm anglophilia, moderate spirit makes him popular in this position
-here, his charisma makes him known as the American version of Edmund Burke
-makes himself known to be controversial when he is derided by Daniel O'Connell
-leaves him out of the way during missouri crisis, though he does make his antislavery stance clear
1837-1845: United States Senator from Massachusetts
-secures resignation that opens the way for him to become senator
-subsequent anti-pike stance means he retains popularity in west and upper south
1845-1852: President of the United States
1845-1852: Daniel Webster (Unionist) †
1844: (with James L. Petigru Martin Van Buren/John Tyler (People's)
1848: (with James L. Petigru John C. Calhoun/David Henshaw (People's)
-son of federalist father
-served as hardcore and impressive lawyer
-elected to new hampshire house on that basis, shines in role but resigns, moves to boston after year without a summer, wins election to house afterwards
-during war scares with uk makes well-known antiwar speeches
-but has different stance with spain, desires to spread american commerce across mississippi and so when crisis begins endorses war in break with his allies
-note: in OTL webster was all for war with spain if they were to close mississippi in an essay he wrote in 1800
-makes him pseudo-republican, gets nominated by party as senator
-upon end of war he becomes allied with clay as British Wars > Popular Revolution (1827-9) ends uk issues
-as senator he's crucial clay ally
-makes famous reply to calhoun in senate, widely published speech for legendary eloquence and defence of the union
-equiv. to second reply to hayne
-makes him one of leaders of unionist party upon formation
-so dejected after clay's compromise tariff he contemplates joining anti-clay forces, decides not to as it's shown as anti-tariff decisively
-supports bank of us when it gets crit after panic of 1834
-tries to gain support from presidential run, but fails to get southern and much western support
-afterwards, sulks and get appointed to ambassador to british isles, notes that it's stepping stone
-serves role well, v. popular in this context
-when missouri compromise strikes, considers returning but avoids it because he thinks compromise imminent
-then when he realizes not, winter has come, webster cannot brave winter storms
-returns following pike's victory, successfully retains antislavery bonafides with some statements on the subject, and gets himself elected senator again
-in senate, furiously ripostes pike administration
-on gag issue, is very anti-gag, votes against all gags but clay's gag sending abolition petitions to packed committee goes through
-on jury nullification of fugitive slave act, webster defends the rights of juries in speeches, no doubt affected by british views on them
-when missouri decides to allow full importation of slaves, widespread panic and webster expresses he hoped it would not
-but nonetheless argues they are constitutional in doing so
-when south makes motions about jury nullification of fsa
-webster argues that, considering missouri permitted slave importation, south can hardly be picky about north going back on part of bargain about fsa
-"webster addendum" to missouri compromise, succeeds for most part in cooling tensions despite south carolina being miffed
-initially pro-war with france, but advocates peace with honour as it goes on too long
-doesn't run for pres though as general view is it's bound to be populist victory
-supports bank of us hardcore and his friend its president nathan appleton, secures leadership second only to clay
-name proposed in unionist convention, gets nominated, wins
-liberty party makes small breakout, surpassing 2% in popular vote
-fights against clay for a while over party leadership, clay eventually accepts smaller role as legislator
-makes nicholas biddle sos, in opposition to clay's preferred pick
-also in oppn to clay's preferred pick, makes friend james wilson sectreas
Webster Cabinet
President
-1845-1852: Daniel Webster
Vice President
-1845-1852: James L. Petigru [1]
One of the few South Carolinian supporters of the federal Union Party, selected to balance President Webster's firmly Northern status. Played conciliatory role during the Second Nullification Crisis. Following Webster's death on July 4 1852, served as president for eight months.
Secretary of State
-1845-1852: Nicholas Biddle [2]
A career diplomat with little political experience, appointed by President Webster to ensure dominance over the cabinet. Allowed Webster to sell Department of State positions to the highest bidder, and successfully negotiated an end to the Granadine War of Independence beneficial to American interests.
Secretary of Domestic Affairs
-1845-1852: Thomas Ewing [3]
Selected both to block Senator Clay from pushing desired appointments and as a linkage between Clay and Webster. Fully supported the Websterite approach to the Second Nullification Crisis, and deflected against Missourian claims on Juniper Territory.
Secretary of the Treasury
-1845-1851: James Wilson II [4]
(link
) Selected as important ally of President Webster, and allowed Webster to sell Treasury positions to the highest bidder. Resigned following revelations of widespread bribery within the Treasury Department.
-1851-1852: John C. Spencer [5]
Appointed as a New Yorker, and as an independent-minded Unionist. Sought to root out corruption within the Treasury Department.
Secretary of War
-1845-1852: Charles Wickliffe [6]
Selected for being a Unionist Kentucky rival of Senator Clay.
Attorney General
-1845-1852: Nathan Sargent [7]
The mandatory Clay dependent in Webster's cabinet, appointed to a weak advisory role.
Secretary of the Navy
-1845-1850: William A. Graham [8]
North Carolinian member of cabinet who built up navy against Spanish. Opposing the Nullification Proclamation and the Force Act, resigned from office.
-1850-1852: Jonathan Worth [9]
Anti-nullificationist from North Carolina, selected as replacement.
Postmaster General
-1845-1852: Samuel A. Eliot [10]
Close Webster ally, selected to distribute patronage. Saw the Post Office gain a monopoly over telegraphy.
President of the Bank of the United States
-1845-1851: Nathan Appleton [11]
Close Webster ally. Fought against the Panic of 1842, and due to the use of slaves as loan collateral saw the Bank become the largest slaveholder in the United States. Saw the renewal of the charter, and freed slaves and sent them to Liberia. Resigned following widespread corruption scandals.
-1851-1852: Reverdy Johnson [12]
Distant from Webster. Administered over corruption cleanup efforts in the Bank.
-restores clay’s economic policies to full extent
-establishes new tariff which causes disgruntlement in south because viewed as settled issue
-federal government takes on debts from states suffering from debt
-including from Georgia and South Carolina
-about half of the debt of the several states
-allows for new booming era of internal improvements brewing
-though some of them do still have issues
-but rising (slave-powered) industry funded by bank investment, unionist presence means more southerners are pro-tariff, also more northerners anti-tariff
-due to european warfare, trans-caribbean slave trade cut off, and slaves traded to brazil instead sold to home markets
-value of slaves collapses massively, and as south has a lot of "wealth" calculated in terms of slaves, results in "economic" crisis
-in upper south, many slaves sold southwards, in context where slaves are viewed as investment slaveholders want to get "full value"
-with economy of virginia dependent on slave breeding, ravages it, results in investment in (slave-powered) industry
-similarly across rest of south there is more use of slaves in urban area due to there being very many
-in kentucky, maryland, and delaware, where bringing in further slaves is banned, this instead causes panic and slaves being sold downstream
-out of fear of attempt to allow further slaves in, as well as lowering value of slave affecting things in general
-calhoun crushes neo-nullificationist talk in south carolina over tariff because wants to make presidential run
-with rising market for Canadian goods, Webster also gets reciprocity treaty with canada bc new england, other areas now tapping into canadian markets
-attempts to buy San Francisco, rebuffed by Spain
-south starts sabre rattling about Texas Cuba, webster says no and his party has to work to maintain southern support
-there is big northern push for acquiring columbia despite weak us claim
-Webster sees that he can't really make a claim
-after much negotiation, does get britain to agree to giving usa a perpetual lease over olympia triangle by substantial payment for it
-hopes to bring columbia under american influence as friendly state through immigration
-guarantees the us the right to make roads to olympia, with webster aiming at transcontinental railroad one day
-lays out trail to oregon as far as possible, in effort to settle it as friendly state america, results in large settlement of mostly young men
-despite many viewing this negatively as a waste of money/betrayal, american commerce immediately is boosted by this pacific port
-also, there is filibuster attempt in cuba with massive southern support, including american soldiers, in name of stopping race war, but it fails
-webster prosecutes hard those responsible, controversial in south where some support filibusters but others view spain as fellow slaver and ally
-thus in south many decide to support unionists in name of slavery international
-aligns unionists with the latter southern types more tightly, helps to ensure victory, even as worrying trends hit
-British Wars > New Granadine War of Independence (1848-52) breaks out, results in anxiety across south over it destroying slavery
-despite general support for new granadine independence
-webster anxious to avoid a british takeover of california
-british take monterey quickly, soon after war
-webster sends american ships to monterey to threaten intervention to drive them out
-after much negotiation, they leave in 1849
-ultimately, webster offers to mediate negotiations, accomplished in 1852 just before his death
-calhoun partially reverts to nationalism, builds up south west coalition in name of internal improvements and low tariff
-due in part to grand success of charleston-cincinnati railroad
-also mentions texas a lot, to bring up spectre of british controlled texas breathing down us's neck
-threatens to drive out british from monterey if necessary
-wins nomination, ticks off northeast, only barely able to conciliate burenites
-plan emerge filibuster to texas with many army members assoc with it, pending his election and suspension of neutrality act
-webster includes preemption act in platform, decisive and important despite break with traditional unionist view of land distribution
-and successfully ties this to the tariff
-election proves closer than expected, but webster wins important midwestern districts
-with calhoun southerner, webster's seeming acquiescence to slave power, liberty party surpasses 5% mark
-due to the US sending slaves to Portuguese Brazil following Bahia revolt, much of South's economy dependent on it
-and following France declaring war on Portugal and entirely cutting off slave trade during French Wars > Third French War (1847-54) , this causes a sudden crash of slave prices
-due to slaves being most valuable asset in South, causes giant crash
-due to slaves being collateral used by Bank of the United States , results in Bank quickly getting massive amounts of slaves as "assets", becoming the largest slaveholder in the US
-in general, this low price for slaves results in slaves becoming much more widespread across social classes in South
-including mass use of slaves in industry
-and also many states try to stem this by having Kentucky-style import prohibitions
-and a panic of slaves sold south
-in general, also wreaks havoc on Northern ties with slave economy as institutions which heavily invested in south, and with it the slave as commodity, wrecked badly and avoid it in the future
-which also means that slave-powered industry, and the whole slave system, is now counterpoised to compete with the north
-as part of renewal of Bank, Webster successfully achieves southern votes by promising to unofficially send slaves to Africa
-to increase price of slaves
-a lot of slaves sent there
-and crisis eventually brought under control
-additionally, also because of French Wars > Third French War (1847-54) , immigration cut off which results in labor issues in North
-to resolve this, industrialists look to poor white trash of South, recruit to bring them northwards to work in labor
-is pretty massive and South is fairly happy with this
-additionally poor whites have better lives in the North
-however, does worsen ratio between North and South
-without suspension of neutrality act, smaller filibuster attempt to texas occurs, fails
-preemption act gets passed with difficulty despite southern unhappiness
-and land-grant colleges established
-in wake of calhoun's defeat, south carolina legislature calls for organization of southern convention against tariff with calhoun support
-initial talk of forming nullification convention right away fails due to rising merchant, trader, industrial class (risen due to railroad, rising industry) which views south carolina as tied to its neighbors
-indeed, part of this class is, while not okay with rise of tariff, acquaintanced to it
-delegates sent by legislatures of missouri, mississippi, virginia, georgia, and south carolina to charleston in 1850 to organize united support
-in contrast to missouri crisis, is not united action and in all states except south carolina is done over sizeable minority
-massively controversial and webster threatens force, even getting force bill through
-issues nullification proclamation, not only condemning nullification but also secession as unconstitutional
-results in some disgruntlement by south, including pro-tariff unionists who agree with logic of secession because they think might be needed if north gets too powerful
-but ultimately only disgruntlement, and crisis is for the most part brought under control
-midway georgia and virginia depart after unionists take control of legislatures and pull delegates
-after passing some resolutions moderated by non-sc presence, charleston convention dissolves
-smaller more radical convention meets dominated by sc, threatens secession, but dissolves afterwards because lone action not possible
-though south carolina disgruntled, cowed by first nullification crisis and fact that most of south not with it
-in wake of second nullification crisis and southern disarray, Juniper (iowa) organized as territory with bill passing through congress with tight margins
-despite longstanding worry over illinois being almost surrounded by free soil
-some border southern senators reluctantly choose to abstain or vote for it, and some note it wouldn't mean total encirclement
-webster victorious, without compromise of clay
-Juniper formed as free territory in 1849, having already had a degree of settlement
-missouri congress, threatened by free territory, votes that its border reaches des moines,
-soon afterwards, missourian tax collectors come in
-federal government, intent on observing the law, declares few slaves coming in should leave or be free
-homestead act intensifies controversy, as settlers claim land both ways
-skirmishes between settlers breaks out near border
-this even includes bloodshed between Missouri militia and Juniper territorial settlers
-webster sends small military detachment, intent on enforcing the law in the territory and bringing in controversy to an end
-south being divided means it cannot support Missouri strong enough
-but Illinoians support it, bring slaves into Juniper to provoke constitutionality crisis, and though terr authorities free their slaves it provokes long court cases
-but in the end, missouri backs down and accepts a commission to demarcate boundary, votes Juniper side
-slaves brought in freed, but they find hostility in Juniper
-controversy comes to an end (not in the least because missouri divided on issue), but rising extremism in south
-talk of overturning missouri compromise, or even of federal slave code in the territories
-webster's national unity tour in south met with widespread applause, papering over this new issue
-revealed that directors of bank of us artificially inflated stock values for personal enrichment
-some claim he knew of this before renewing its charter, point to friend Samuel Appleton being president of bank
-webster initially denies this report, then when confirmed popular outrage forces him to push new appointments and replace them
-bank of us generally suffers as a result of less competent appointments, results in bank being overstretched
-crashes his popularity
-bank of us generally weakened by this, affects unionist policies
-webster revealed to be cartoonishly corrupt, including accepting massive "loans" and selling appointments to highest bidder
-accepts ludicrous gifts, sells appointments in cabinet
-unionists lose various elections in late 1851-2, due to a certain lack of confidence (but not all the way because v. personal)
-south sees some anger emerge over Juniper
-Great Shoemaker Strike of 1851 emerges, over introduction of sewing machine in 1840s
-thanks to rising industry, communication more generally
-earlier since rise of pneumatic, hydraulic tech results in these technologies getting combined earlier to use pnuematic, hydralic tech to make it better
-across Eastern Seaboard, spreading from Lynn Massachusetts across to Washington
-much of it even comes to President's Mansion
-Webster well known to be anti-strike, brings ire
-but in the end, strike comes to an end due to local opposition, police, despite some small opposition
-webster dies on july 4, 1852 of liver cirrhosis due to drinking and eating a lot
-by bizarre coincidence, dies on same day as clay on independence day
-remembered as icon of American nationalism
-during Liberty and Union War (1868-76) , Webster's name and speeches remembered forever
-specifically "Liberty and Union, Now and Forever, One and Inseparable" from his Reply to Calhoun (1830)
-and to another extent "our country, our whole country, and nothing but our country" in Bunker Hill address (1825)
-indeed, Daniel Webster's aphorisms remembered well, with a number of other ones added
Early life
-son of federalist father
-served as hardcore and impressive lawyer
-elected to new hampshire house on that basis, shines in role but resigns, moves to boston after year without a summer, wins election to house afterwards
-during war scares with uk makes well-known antiwar speeches
-but has different stance with spain, desires to spread american commerce across mississippi and so when crisis begins endorses war in break with his allies
-note: in OTL webster was all for war with spain if they were to close mississippi in an essay he wrote in 1800
-makes him pseudo-republican, gets nominated by party as senator
-upon end of war he becomes allied with clay as British Wars > Popular Revolution (1827-9) ends uk issues
-as senator he's crucial clay ally
-makes famous reply to calhoun in senate, widely published speech for legendary eloquence and defence of the union
-equiv. to second reply to hayne
-makes him one of leaders of unionist party upon formation
-so dejected after clay's compromise tariff he contemplates joining anti-clay forces, decides not to as it's shown as anti-tariff decisively
-supports bank of us when it gets crit after panic of 1834
-tries to gain support from presidential run, but fails to get southern and much western support
-afterwards, sulks and get appointed to ambassador to british isles, notes that it's stepping stone
-serves role well, v. popular in this context
-when missouri compromise strikes, considers returning but avoids it because he thinks compromise imminent
-then when he realizes not, winter has come, webster cannot brave winter storms
-returns following pike's victory, successfully retains antislavery bonafides with some statements on the subject, and gets himself elected senator again
-in senate, furiously ripostes pike administration
-on gag issue, is very anti-gag, votes against all gags but clay's gag sending abolition petitions to packed committee goes through
-on jury nullification of fugitive slave act, webster defends the rights of juries in speeches, no doubt affected by british views on them
-when missouri decides to allow full importation of slaves, widespread panic and webster expresses he hoped it would not
-but nonetheless argues they are constitutional in doing so
-when south makes motions about jury nullification of fsa
-webster argues that, considering missouri permitted slave importation, south can hardly be picky about north going back on part of bargain about fsa
-"webster addendum" to missouri compromise, succeeds for most part in cooling tensions despite south carolina being miffed
-initially pro-war with france, but advocates peace with honour as it goes on too long
-doesn't run for pres though as general view is it's bound to be populist victory
-supports bank of us hardcore and his friend its president nathan appleton, secures leadership second only to clay
Presidency
1845-1852: Daniel Webster (Unionist) †
1844: (with James L. Petigru Martin Van Buren/John Tyler (People's)
1848: (with James L. Petigru John C. Calhoun/David Henshaw (People's)
-son of federalist father
-served as hardcore and impressive lawyer
-elected to new hampshire house on that basis, shines in role but resigns, moves to boston after year without a summer, wins election to house afterwards
-during war scares with uk makes well-known antiwar speeches
-but has different stance with spain, desires to spread american commerce across mississippi and so when crisis begins endorses war in break with his allies
-note: in OTL webster was all for war with spain if they were to close mississippi in an essay he wrote in 1800
-makes him pseudo-republican, gets nominated by party as senator
-upon end of war he becomes allied with clay as British Wars > Popular Revolution (1827-9) ends uk issues
-as senator he's crucial clay ally
-makes famous reply to calhoun in senate, widely published speech for legendary eloquence and defence of the union
-equiv. to second reply to hayne
-makes him one of leaders of unionist party upon formation
-so dejected after clay's compromise tariff he contemplates joining anti-clay forces, decides not to as it's shown as anti-tariff decisively
-supports bank of us when it gets crit after panic of 1834
-tries to gain support from presidential run, but fails to get southern and much western support
-afterwards, sulks and get appointed to ambassador to british isles, notes that it's stepping stone
-serves role well, v. popular in this context
-when missouri compromise strikes, considers returning but avoids it because he thinks compromise imminent
-then when he realizes not, winter has come, webster cannot brave winter storms
-returns following pike's victory, successfully retains antislavery bonafides with some statements on the subject, and gets himself elected senator again
-in senate, furiously ripostes pike administration
-on gag issue, is very anti-gag, votes against all gags but clay's gag sending abolition petitions to packed committee goes through
-on jury nullification of fugitive slave act, webster defends the rights of juries in speeches, no doubt affected by british views on them
-when missouri decides to allow full importation of slaves, widespread panic and webster expresses he hoped it would not
-but nonetheless argues they are constitutional in doing so
-when south makes motions about jury nullification of fsa
-webster argues that, considering missouri permitted slave importation, south can hardly be picky about north going back on part of bargain about fsa
-"webster addendum" to missouri compromise, succeeds for most part in cooling tensions despite south carolina being miffed
-initially pro-war with france, but advocates peace with honour as it goes on too long
-doesn't run for pres though as general view is it's bound to be populist victory
-supports bank of us hardcore and his friend its president nathan appleton, secures leadership second only to clay
-name proposed in unionist convention, gets nominated, wins
-liberty party makes small breakout, surpassing 2% in popular vote
-fights against clay for a while over party leadership, clay eventually accepts smaller role as legislator
-makes nicholas biddle sos, in opposition to clay's preferred pick
-also in oppn to clay's preferred pick, makes friend james wilson sectreas
Webster Cabinet
President
-1845-1852: Daniel Webster
Vice President
-1845-1852: James L. Petigru [1]
One of the few South Carolinian supporters of the federal Union Party, selected to balance President Webster's firmly Northern status. Played conciliatory role during the Second Nullification Crisis. Following Webster's death on July 4 1852, served as president for eight months.
Secretary of State
-1845-1852: Nicholas Biddle [2]
A career diplomat with little political experience, appointed by President Webster to ensure dominance over the cabinet. Allowed Webster to sell Department of State positions to the highest bidder, and successfully negotiated an end to the Granadine War of Independence beneficial to American interests.
Secretary of Domestic Affairs
-1845-1852: Thomas Ewing [3]
Selected both to block Senator Clay from pushing desired appointments and as a linkage between Clay and Webster. Fully supported the Websterite approach to the Second Nullification Crisis, and deflected against Missourian claims on Juniper Territory.
Secretary of the Treasury
-1845-1851: James Wilson II [4]
(link
) Selected as important ally of President Webster, and allowed Webster to sell Treasury positions to the highest bidder. Resigned following revelations of widespread bribery within the Treasury Department.
-1851-1852: John C. Spencer [5]
Appointed as a New Yorker, and as an independent-minded Unionist. Sought to root out corruption within the Treasury Department.
Secretary of War
-1845-1852: Charles Wickliffe [6]
Selected for being a Unionist Kentucky rival of Senator Clay.
Attorney General
-1845-1852: Nathan Sargent [7]
The mandatory Clay dependent in Webster's cabinet, appointed to a weak advisory role.
Secretary of the Navy
-1845-1850: William A. Graham [8]
North Carolinian member of cabinet who built up navy against Spanish. Opposing the Nullification Proclamation and the Force Act, resigned from office.
-1850-1852: Jonathan Worth [9]
Anti-nullificationist from North Carolina, selected as replacement.
Postmaster General
-1845-1852: Samuel A. Eliot [10]
Close Webster ally, selected to distribute patronage. Saw the Post Office gain a monopoly over telegraphy.
President of the Bank of the United States
-1845-1851: Nathan Appleton [11]
Close Webster ally. Fought against the Panic of 1842, and due to the use of slaves as loan collateral saw the Bank become the largest slaveholder in the United States. Saw the renewal of the charter, and freed slaves and sent them to Liberia. Resigned following widespread corruption scandals.
-1851-1852: Reverdy Johnson [12]
Distant from Webster. Administered over corruption cleanup efforts in the Bank.
-restores clay’s economic policies to full extent
-establishes new tariff which causes disgruntlement in south because viewed as settled issue
-federal government takes on debts from states suffering from debt
-including from Georgia and South Carolina
-about half of the debt of the several states
-allows for new booming era of internal improvements brewing
-though some of them do still have issues
-but rising (slave-powered) industry funded by bank investment, unionist presence means more southerners are pro-tariff, also more northerners anti-tariff
-due to european warfare, trans-caribbean slave trade cut off, and slaves traded to brazil instead sold to home markets
-value of slaves collapses massively, and as south has a lot of "wealth" calculated in terms of slaves, results in "economic" crisis
-in upper south, many slaves sold southwards, in context where slaves are viewed as investment slaveholders want to get "full value"
-with economy of virginia dependent on slave breeding, ravages it, results in investment in (slave-powered) industry
-similarly across rest of south there is more use of slaves in urban area due to there being very many
-in kentucky, maryland, and delaware, where bringing in further slaves is banned, this instead causes panic and slaves being sold downstream
-out of fear of attempt to allow further slaves in, as well as lowering value of slave affecting things in general
-calhoun crushes neo-nullificationist talk in south carolina over tariff because wants to make presidential run
-with rising market for Canadian goods, Webster also gets reciprocity treaty with canada bc new england, other areas now tapping into canadian markets
-attempts to buy San Francisco, rebuffed by Spain
-south starts sabre rattling about Texas Cuba, webster says no and his party has to work to maintain southern support
-there is big northern push for acquiring columbia despite weak us claim
-Webster sees that he can't really make a claim
-after much negotiation, does get britain to agree to giving usa a perpetual lease over olympia triangle by substantial payment for it
-hopes to bring columbia under american influence as friendly state through immigration
-guarantees the us the right to make roads to olympia, with webster aiming at transcontinental railroad one day
-lays out trail to oregon as far as possible, in effort to settle it as friendly state america, results in large settlement of mostly young men
-despite many viewing this negatively as a waste of money/betrayal, american commerce immediately is boosted by this pacific port
-also, there is filibuster attempt in cuba with massive southern support, including american soldiers, in name of stopping race war, but it fails
-webster prosecutes hard those responsible, controversial in south where some support filibusters but others view spain as fellow slaver and ally
-thus in south many decide to support unionists in name of slavery international
-aligns unionists with the latter southern types more tightly, helps to ensure victory, even as worrying trends hit
-British Wars > New Granadine War of Independence (1848-52) breaks out, results in anxiety across south over it destroying slavery
-despite general support for new granadine independence
-webster anxious to avoid a british takeover of california
-british take monterey quickly, soon after war
-webster sends american ships to monterey to threaten intervention to drive them out
-after much negotiation, they leave in 1849
-ultimately, webster offers to mediate negotiations, accomplished in 1852 just before his death
-calhoun partially reverts to nationalism, builds up south west coalition in name of internal improvements and low tariff
-due in part to grand success of charleston-cincinnati railroad
-also mentions texas a lot, to bring up spectre of british controlled texas breathing down us's neck
-threatens to drive out british from monterey if necessary
-wins nomination, ticks off northeast, only barely able to conciliate burenites
-plan emerge filibuster to texas with many army members assoc with it, pending his election and suspension of neutrality act
-webster includes preemption act in platform, decisive and important despite break with traditional unionist view of land distribution
-and successfully ties this to the tariff
-election proves closer than expected, but webster wins important midwestern districts
-with calhoun southerner, webster's seeming acquiescence to slave power, liberty party surpasses 5% mark
-due to the US sending slaves to Portuguese Brazil following Bahia revolt, much of South's economy dependent on it
-and following France declaring war on Portugal and entirely cutting off slave trade during French Wars > Third French War (1847-54) , this causes a sudden crash of slave prices
-due to slaves being most valuable asset in South, causes giant crash
-due to slaves being collateral used by Bank of the United States , results in Bank quickly getting massive amounts of slaves as "assets", becoming the largest slaveholder in the US
-in general, this low price for slaves results in slaves becoming much more widespread across social classes in South
-including mass use of slaves in industry
-and also many states try to stem this by having Kentucky-style import prohibitions
-and a panic of slaves sold south
-in general, also wreaks havoc on Northern ties with slave economy as institutions which heavily invested in south, and with it the slave as commodity, wrecked badly and avoid it in the future
-which also means that slave-powered industry, and the whole slave system, is now counterpoised to compete with the north
-as part of renewal of Bank, Webster successfully achieves southern votes by promising to unofficially send slaves to Africa
-to increase price of slaves
-a lot of slaves sent there
-and crisis eventually brought under control
-additionally, also because of French Wars > Third French War (1847-54) , immigration cut off which results in labor issues in North
-to resolve this, industrialists look to poor white trash of South, recruit to bring them northwards to work in labor
-is pretty massive and South is fairly happy with this
-additionally poor whites have better lives in the North
-however, does worsen ratio between North and South
-without suspension of neutrality act, smaller filibuster attempt to texas occurs, fails
-preemption act gets passed with difficulty despite southern unhappiness
-and land-grant colleges established
-in wake of calhoun's defeat, south carolina legislature calls for organization of southern convention against tariff with calhoun support
-initial talk of forming nullification convention right away fails due to rising merchant, trader, industrial class (risen due to railroad, rising industry) which views south carolina as tied to its neighbors
-indeed, part of this class is, while not okay with rise of tariff, acquaintanced to it
-delegates sent by legislatures of missouri, mississippi, virginia, georgia, and south carolina to charleston in 1850 to organize united support
-in contrast to missouri crisis, is not united action and in all states except south carolina is done over sizeable minority
-massively controversial and webster threatens force, even getting force bill through
-issues nullification proclamation, not only condemning nullification but also secession as unconstitutional
-results in some disgruntlement by south, including pro-tariff unionists who agree with logic of secession because they think might be needed if north gets too powerful
-but ultimately only disgruntlement, and crisis is for the most part brought under control
-midway georgia and virginia depart after unionists take control of legislatures and pull delegates
-after passing some resolutions moderated by non-sc presence, charleston convention dissolves
-smaller more radical convention meets dominated by sc, threatens secession, but dissolves afterwards because lone action not possible
-though south carolina disgruntled, cowed by first nullification crisis and fact that most of south not with it
-in wake of second nullification crisis and southern disarray, Juniper (iowa) organized as territory with bill passing through congress with tight margins
-despite longstanding worry over illinois being almost surrounded by free soil
-some border southern senators reluctantly choose to abstain or vote for it, and some note it wouldn't mean total encirclement
-webster victorious, without compromise of clay
-Juniper formed as free territory in 1849, having already had a degree of settlement
-missouri congress, threatened by free territory, votes that its border reaches des moines,
-soon afterwards, missourian tax collectors come in
-federal government, intent on observing the law, declares few slaves coming in should leave or be free
-homestead act intensifies controversy, as settlers claim land both ways
-skirmishes between settlers breaks out near border
-this even includes bloodshed between Missouri militia and Juniper territorial settlers
-webster sends small military detachment, intent on enforcing the law in the territory and bringing in controversy to an end
-south being divided means it cannot support Missouri strong enough
-but Illinoians support it, bring slaves into Juniper to provoke constitutionality crisis, and though terr authorities free their slaves it provokes long court cases
-but in the end, missouri backs down and accepts a commission to demarcate boundary, votes Juniper side
-slaves brought in freed, but they find hostility in Juniper
-controversy comes to an end (not in the least because missouri divided on issue), but rising extremism in south
-talk of overturning missouri compromise, or even of federal slave code in the territories
-webster's national unity tour in south met with widespread applause, papering over this new issue
-revealed that directors of bank of us artificially inflated stock values for personal enrichment
-some claim he knew of this before renewing its charter, point to friend Samuel Appleton being president of bank
-webster initially denies this report, then when confirmed popular outrage forces him to push new appointments and replace them
-bank of us generally suffers as a result of less competent appointments, results in bank being overstretched
-crashes his popularity
-bank of us generally weakened by this, affects unionist policies
-webster revealed to be cartoonishly corrupt, including accepting massive "loans" and selling appointments to highest bidder
-accepts ludicrous gifts, sells appointments in cabinet
-unionists lose various elections in late 1851-2, due to a certain lack of confidence (but not all the way because v. personal)
-south sees some anger emerge over Juniper
-Great Shoemaker Strike of 1851 emerges, over introduction of sewing machine in 1840s
-thanks to rising industry, communication more generally
-earlier since rise of pneumatic, hydraulic tech results in these technologies getting combined earlier to use pnuematic, hydralic tech to make it better
-across Eastern Seaboard, spreading from Lynn Massachusetts across to Washington
-much of it even comes to President's Mansion
-Webster well known to be anti-strike, brings ire
-but in the end, strike comes to an end due to local opposition, police, despite some small opposition
-webster dies on july 4, 1852 of liver cirrhosis due to drinking and eating a lot
-by bizarre coincidence, dies on same day as clay on independence day
-remembered as icon of American nationalism
-during Liberty and Union War (1868-76) , Webster's name and speeches remembered forever
-specifically "Liberty and Union, Now and Forever, One and Inseparable" from his Reply to Calhoun (1830)
-and to another extent "our country, our whole country, and nothing but our country" in Bunker Hill address (1825)
-indeed, Daniel Webster's aphorisms remembered well, with a number of other ones added
Legacy
-remembered as icon of American nationalism
-during Liberty and Union War (1868-76) , Webster's name and speeches remembered forever
-specifically "Liberty and Union, Now and Forever, One and Inseparable" from his Reply to Calhoun (1830)
-and to another extent "our country, our whole country, and nothing but our country" in Bunker Hill address (1825)
-indeed, Daniel Webster's aphorisms remembered well, with a number of other ones added
Webster Cabinet
President
-1845-1852: Daniel Webster
Vice President
-1845-1852: James L. Petigru [1]
One of the few South Carolinian supporters of the federal Union Party, selected to balance President Webster's firmly Northern status. Played conciliatory role during the Second Nullification Crisis. Following Webster's death on July 4 1852, served as president for eight months.
Secretary of State
-1845-1852: Nicholas Biddle [2]
A career diplomat with little political experience, appointed by President Webster to ensure dominance over the cabinet. Allowed Webster to sell Department of State positions to the highest bidder, and successfully negotiated an end to the Granadine War of Independence beneficial to American interests.
Secretary of Domestic Affairs
-1845-1852: Thomas Ewing [3]
Selected both to block Senator Clay from pushing desired appointments and as a linkage between Clay and Webster. Fully supported the Websterite approach to the Second Nullification Crisis, and deflected against Missourian claims on Juniper Territory.
Secretary of the Treasury
-1845-1851: James Wilson II [4]
(link
) Selected as important ally of President Webster, and allowed Webster to sell Treasury positions to the highest bidder. Resigned following revelations of widespread bribery within the Treasury Department.
-1851-1852: John C. Spencer [5]
Appointed as a New Yorker, and as an independent-minded Unionist. Sought to root out corruption within the Treasury Department.
Secretary of War
-1845-1852: Charles Wickliffe [6]
Selected for being a Unionist Kentucky rival of Senator Clay.
Attorney General
-1845-1852: Nathan Sargent [7]
The mandatory Clay dependent in Webster's cabinet, appointed to a weak advisory role.
Secretary of the Navy
-1845-1850: William A. Graham [8]
North Carolinian member of cabinet who built up navy against Spanish. Opposing the Nullification Proclamation and the Force Act, resigned from office.
-1850-1852: Jonathan Worth [9]
Anti-nullificationist from North Carolina, selected as replacement.
Postmaster General
-1845-1852: Samuel A. Eliot [10]
Close Webster ally, selected to distribute patronage. Saw the Post Office gain a monopoly over telegraphy.
President of the Bank of the United States
-1845-1851: Nathan Appleton [11]
Close Webster ally. Fought against the Panic of 1842, and due to the use of slaves as loan collateral saw the Bank become the largest slaveholder in the United States. Saw the renewal of the charter, and freed slaves and sent them to Liberia. Resigned following widespread corruption scandals.
-1851-1852: Reverdy Johnson [12]
Distant from Webster. Administered over corruption cleanup efforts in the Bank.