Chapter 16: Zachary Taylor

In 1848, a hero of the Mexican War, General Zachary Taylor, becomes the fourth military man to win the presidency and the last to own slaves while in the White House. But like his Whig predecessor, Harrison, Taylor dies suddenly, in his case after one year in office. He is succeeded by Millard Fillmore, a figure marked throughout his career by mediocrity.

The global goal rush of 1848 hastens the need to have California join the Union, which it does in 1850 under a Free State Constitution. This infuriates the South and raises calls for secession. Attempts to quell the tensions are led first by Henry Clay who tries but fails to pass his Omnibus Bill. But it is picked up by the new leader of the Democrat Party, Senator Stephen A. Douglas, who rams the 1850 Compromise through in five separate pieces:

• California is admitted as a Free State by 27-18;
• The boundary of the Slave State of Texas passes by 30-20;
• Pop Sov elections will decide on slavery in Utah/New Mexico by 27-10;
• Slave trading in DC is banned by 27-19; and
• A much tougher Fugitive Slave Act becomes law by 28-12.

Neither side is happy with the 1850 Bill. Northerners rebel against the Fugitive Slave bill and Southerners hold a convention in Nashville where moderates defeat calls by “fire-eaters” for secession.