The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-04-24

the Virginia school OF democracy, involving princi
Piles which, IL carried cut would prove repugnant to
the views Of public policy entertained by the whig
party and defeat measures which they deemed ne
cessary TO restore the prosperity of the country.
Among the measures considered indispensable by
the wings, on coming into power, in ls4l, was the
incarceration of National Bank, and on that sub
ject. it is well known Mr.. Tyler and his cabinet
came into collision. The New YORK HERALD was
among the first Of the journals which attempted to
enlighten the public mind with regard 70 the real
state of the case and Of the political principles Of
John Tyler. The late Secretary Of the Navy Mr.
Kennedy, who was q member of the Congress which
passed the bank bills, wrote small work called
defence of the Wings" in which he attributes great
influence 10 the HERALD and its then correspondent
at Washington, in consequence Of the accuracy OF
the information obtained, and the policy and views
Of the executive Swallowed forth in our correspon-
dence and editorials.
President Tyler having returned with his vetoes,
two successive bills to charter national bank,
which had been passed by Congress- and the wing
leaders becoming satisfied that harmony and CO
operation with the President were impossible all the
members Of the cabinet, with the exception of Mr..
Webster, resigned the 18th Of September. It was
understood that Mr. Webster remained in the cabi-
net for the purpose Of completing the negotiations
with Great Britain then in progress respecting the
Northeast boundary. He also observed, in letter
dated 18th September to the editors Of the National
Inteligencer: "Lest any Misrepresentation should ex-
list as to the reasons which have led me to differ
from the course pursued by my late colleagues, !
wish to say that remain, first, because have seen
no sufficient reason for the dissolution OF the late
cabinet by the voluntary act of its own members.
Notwithstanding what has passed, have confidence
that the President will cooperate with the Legls-
lature in overcoming all difficulties" &c.
Mr.. Webster remained in the cabinet over two
years. and resigned in May, ls43 It was expected
by some that the President would select the men,
bers of his new cabinet from the ranks of the demo-
cratic party, but he promptly made his appoint.
ments of the following distinguished wings and con-
servatves, viz Walter Forward, OF Pennsylvania,
Secretary of the Treasury; John Mclean, Of Ohio,
Secretary of War; Abel P. Upshur, OF Virginia,
Secretary of the Navy; Charles A. Wicklide, of
Kentucky, Postmaster General; Hugh S. Legare, of
South Carolina Attorney General These nominations
were all confirmed by the Senate. Judge Mclean
declining the Office, John c. Spencer, of New York,
was appointed to take charge Of the War Department
tory manner to the public than had been anticipated
by the wings, while the hopes Of the democrats
were somewhat dampened.
Various changes took place in the cabinet during
the administration of John Tyler, in consequence
of deaths and designations, without having any i'm
portant influence on the politics of the country.
Hugh S. Legare succeeded Mr.. Webster as Secretary
of State, in May, and died June 20, lS43 Abel P,
Upshur succeeded Mr.. Legare and died February rs.
ls44 John C. Calhoun was appointed March 6, 1874,
and greatly contributed to the annexation of Texas.
John G. Spencer was transferred to the Treasury De-
partmept on the resignation Of Mr. Forward, in
March, 1s43 and having resigned in June, 1874, was
succeeded by George M. Bibb, Of Kentucky. James
M Porter, Of Pennsylvania, appointed to succeed
Mr.. Spencer in the War Department, but being re-
jected by the Senate, was succeeded by William
wilkins, Of the same State David Henshaw, OF
Massachusetts, appointed Secretary OF the Navy,
was rejected by the Senate, and succeeded by Thomas
w. Gilmer, who was killed on board the steamer
Princeton, as was also Mr.. Upshur, on the 25th of
February, 1914. He was succeeded by John Y.
Mason, Of Virginia John Nelson, of Maryland,
succeeded Mr. Legare as Attorney General.
These successive cabinet changes under Tyler had
very little influence on Congress the country; but
it not to be denied that the foreign relations of the
United States were ably managed during this adj
mnistraton
The cabinet appointed by President Polk was
composed as follows:-James Buchanan, Secretary
Of State; Robert J. Walker, Secretary of the Trea
snry; William L. Marcy, Secretary Of War; George
Bancroft Secretary Of the Navy; Cave Johnson
Postmaster General; John Y. Mason, Attorney Gene
NIT ~
affairs Of the country and foreign relations including
the Mexican war, with ability. Mr.. Bancroft re-
signed in September, 1916, and was appointed Minis
ter to England. John Y. Mason succeeded him, and
Nathan Clifford was appointed Attorney General
and on being appointed Commissioner to Mexico
was succeeded by Isaac Toucey, of Connecticut, in
the cabinet.
Mr.. Polk, it is well known, was greatly indebted
to the late Slas Wright and his political friends for
his election, which depended upon the electoral
votes Of the State Of New York; but their wishes
were disregarded in the formation of the cabinet
The President having informed Mr. Van Buren,
and Mr.. Wright that he had come to the con-
clusion that, either the State or the Treasury
Department should be committed to the charge
of a citizen Of the State of New York; there
upon the exPresident and Governor Wright
recommended Benjamin F. Butler for Secretary of
State A. G. Fagg for Secretary Of the Treasury.
The President, however, rendered the appointment
Of Secretary Of the Treasury to Governor Wright
himself; but he situated that even if he had
desived the office, he could not honorably accept it.
He had repeatedly pledged himself that, if elected
Governor, he would not accept any Office under the
national government. Mr.. Polk then rendered to
Mr. Butler the Office Of Secretary at War, but he de-
clined as the duties to be performed by that officer
would lead him SO far from the line Of his profession
as lawyer that the attempt to resume, successfully
its practice, would be utterly hopeless.
About the time Of this correspondence the friends
of Mr.. Marcy prepared letter to the President,
signed, as was alleged, by majority of the demo
cratic members of the Legislature, requesting that
in case New Yorker should be called to the cabi-
net, Mr.. Marcy should be selected for that place.
This recommendation was successful, and Mr.. Marcy