Tyler, John (Administration)

DURING THE JOHN TYLER administration, three notable events occurred that are germane to the issue of poverty. In 1841, Tyler signed the Preemption Act, which gave squatters on public lands the right of first-purchase to the land they occupied. This measure ensured that settlers living at a subsistence level could not be forced off land that they had begun to develop.

In 1844, Tyler's envoy to China, Caleb Cushing, negotiated the Treaty of Wanghia, which gave the United States commercial concessions in Chinese ports and ensured that American nationals would be held accountable to U.S., and not Chinese, laws and courts. This treaty permitted the United States to compete with the European powers in the economic exploitation of China at a time when the governance of China was becoming fragmentary. The increasing instability only increased the hardships suffered by the Chinese peasantry and urban poor.

Lastly, in 1845, the United States annexed Texas, creating the first significant Latino minority in the na-tion's population. Tellingly, there was more concern over whether slavery would be permitted in the new state than over the much-reduced economic, political, and cultural standing of the new Mexican-Americans.

John Tyler was born on March 29, 1790, in Virginia and studied law at the College of William and Mary. He was raised to believe in states' rights and strict adherence to the Constitution. Tyler served in the Virginia state legislature from 1811 to 1816, and as a Congressman from 1816 to 1821. In Congress he voted against nationalist legislation for internal improvement and protective tariffs. Tyler served as governor of Virginia for two years. He then held a seat in the Senate from 1827 to 1836. As a senator, Tyler reluctantly supported Andrew Jackson for the presidency. He then joined Daniel Webster and Henry Clay to oppose Jackson in the Whig Party.

[Page 1082]Tyler lost a bid for the vice presidency in 1836. The Whigs nominated Tyler as vice president again in 1840. He and William Henry Harrison won that election. When Harrison died Tyler became the first vice president to ascend to the presidency. Initially there was some doubt about his legitimacy as president, but the House and Senate passed resolutions affirming his full authority.

Tyler soon came into conflict with his fellow Whigs. He vetoed two bills to establish a national bank. He also vetoed legislation to raise tariffs. The Whigs expelled him from the party and attempted to impeach him for misusing his veto powers. This attempt failed. Tyler later agreed to a more moderate tariff to protect northern industry from foreign competition, but for the most part his administration aligned with southern interests. John Calhoun joined his cabinet and the Tyler administration became strongly in favor of states rights. Congress later overrode his veto of a tariff increase.

Tyler retired to his plantation, but returned to politics when crisis arose. He attempted to avert the Civil War and served briefly in the provisional Confederate Congress. Tyler presided over relatively prosperous times. The issues of states' rights, tariffs, and slavery caused much controversy in these years. Tyler did not end controversy over these issues, but he did pursue the economically sound policy of free trade with great vigor. Tyler refused to allow party politics to sway his policies. This damaged his political career, but had positive results for the country.

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