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Wealth can only be accumulated by the earnings of industry and the savings of frugality... First Annual Address

First Annual Address

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Legacy

Tyler had not sought the executive office and was at his home in Virginia when a clerk arrived to break the news of President Harrison’s death. Tyler had originally been a Democrat, but later became a Whig. Being a southern Whig ensured southern votes, which was the primary reason he had been selected to run with President Harrison. The Democrats were angered that Tyler had switched sides, and the Whigs also disliked him because he most often sided with the Democrats. The Constitution was unclear regarding the nature of such a transfer of power. Tyler insisted that he intended to assume all presidential powers and authorities. As a result, all of President Harrison’s cabinet resigned, except for Secretary of State Daniel Webster who chose to remain so that he could continue his work in negotiating a treaty with the British. A year into his term, Tyler vetoed a tariff bill, which led a House committee to report that Tyler had misused the veto power and to introduce an impeachment resolution. However, the resolution did not pass.

Despite many differences with both parties, Tyler was able to enact positive legislation, such as the Log Cabin Bill. This bill encouraged settlers to move farther west across the Mississippi by providing them with public land at a minimal price. Any head of a family, widow, or single man over 18 years old could claim a tract of public land totaling 160 acres by building a log cabin on it and then later paying the federal government only $200 to finalize the sale. Tyler is also credited with negotiating a trade agreement with China and also settling a boundary dispute with Canada through the Webster-Ashburton Treaty,