Welcome to Part Fifteen! It’s time for America’s only bachelor president, a man who led the descent into Civil War. Let’s dive into the administration of James Buchanan:
Enters office- 4th March 1857
James Buchanan was sworn in as president on the East Portico of the US Capitol by Chief Justice Roger B. Taney. It was a mild and sunny day, hitting 49F/9C at noon. Buchanan’s election was the first to be photographed, the blurred image showing a busy balcony and large crowd. Buchanan’s inaugural address began and ended on a hopeful, promising note: ‘I shall now proceed to take the oath prescribed by the Constitution, whilst humbly invoking the blessing of Divine Providence on this great people.’ His inaugural ball was held at temporary buildings on Judiciary Square.
Dredd Scott v. Sandford is decided- 6th March 1857
On this day, Dredd Scott v. Sandford was decided. The Supreme Court, in one of its most decisions, decided 7-2 that those descended from slaves could not be citizens and would thus be unable to enjoy the privileges and protections that citizenship brought. The suit had been brought by a slave named Dred Scott and his wife Harriet, who argued that they were owed freedom as they had lived extensively in states and territories in which slavery was not legal. The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Tanney, also added that the government had no authority to ban slavery in federal territories and that the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional. Outside of slave-holding states, there was an immediate uproar regarding the ruling, and historians believe it brought the station one step closer to Civil War.
Panic of 1857 begins- 24th August 1857
The Panic of 1857 happened on this day. A number of factors, such as railroad bonds defaulting, led to the failure of several banks, beginning with the New York branch of the Ohio Life Insurance and Trust Company. The panic, which lasted throughout Buchanan’s tenure, is considered the first worldwide economic crisis. Northern states suffered greatly whilst Southern ones managed to keep going, leading to the idea that slavery was necessary for prosperity.
First State of the Union Address- 8th December 1857
Buchanan’s first State of the Union Address was delivered on this date. Monetary policy was the main issue discussed- ‘The existence of banks and the circulation of bank paper are so identified with the habits of our people that they can not at this day be suddenly abolished without much immediate injury to the country.’ He also discussed, at length, relations with Great Britain and other nations, slavery in Kansas, and Mormons.
The Lecompton Constitution is rejected- 4th January 1858
‘Bleeding Kansas’ had been a problem since Franklin Pierce had signed the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Buchanan wanted Kansas to enter as a slave state, but there was no political viability to that. Instead, Kansas residents would vote on the so-called Lecompton Constitution, a pro-slavery piece of legislation that protected slave-holders and excluded free blacks from a bill of rights. They rejected it overwhelmingly for the first time on this date.
Orders military intervention against Mormons- 6th April 1858
On this day, Buchanan ordered military intervention against the Mormons in Utah. Relations with Mormons were first mentioned in the Millard Fillmore article, but things had not got much better. Upset by rumours that the Mormons were going to rise up, Buchanan sent troops to unseat Governor Brigham Young. This particular mission was a victory for Buchanan- Young left peacefully and accepted federal law, as did the other Mormons, save for polygamy.
Signs act admitting Kansas to the Union- 4th May 1858
Buchanan signed an act admitting Kansas to the Union on this day. He still wanted it to be a slave state, so a popular vote on the Lecompton Constitution was once again suggested. This second vote would be rejected again on the 2nd August 1858.
Second State of the Union address- 6th December 1858
Buchanan’s second State of the Union address was delivered on this day. He started by promoting a positive vision of the United States- ‘When we compare the condition of the country at the present day with what it was one year ago at the meeting of Congress, we have much reason for gratitude to that Almighty Providence which has never failed to interpose for our relief at the most critical periods of our history.’ Buchanan went on to say that slavery had threatened sectarian divides a year ago, but that all was now well. Along with Kansas, Buchanan discussed Mormons, foreign relations and finances.
Wyandotte Constitution ratified- 4th October 1859
Kansas’ anti-slavery Wyandotte Constitution was ratified on this day. Having overwhelmingly rejected the Lecompton Constitution twice, Kansas residents made it clear that they wanted to be a free state. It remains the constitution of Kansas to this day.
Beginning of Harpers Ferry Raid- 16th October 1859
The infamous Harpers Ferry Raid began on this day. Led by famed abolitionist John Brown, the party attempted to instigate a slave uprising in the Southern United States. In what was then Virginia and is now West Virginia, Brown and his men captured prominent citizens such as George Washington’s grand-nephew and freed their slaves. They believed that slaves would rise up against their masters, armed with weapons taken from the local arsenal.
Harpers Ferry Raid is put down- 18th October 1859
This, however, was not to be. Whilst some slaves were certainly aware of the events beforehand and involved, most did not join Brown, likely out of fear of reprisals. A local militia pinned Brown in the arsenal’s engine house, which was broken into by a team led by Robert E. Lee. By the time the raid was put down, one Marine was dead, as were eleven raiders and six civilians. Brown was captured. Southerners felt vindicated by the fact that the slaves had not joined in and that the first casualty, a freed black man, had also not been a part of it. Harpers Ferry had failed spectacularly.
John Brown is hanged- 2nd December 1859
John Brown was executed on this day. His week-long trial had ended in November, and had seen him charged with treason, murder and slave insurrection. Thousands watched as Brown was marched to the gallows, spoke bravely during his last speech, and was hanged without fear. He is buried in New York.
Third State of the Union Address- 19th December 1859
Buchanan’s third State of the Union was delivered on this date. He discussed, among other things, Harpers Ferry, slavery, relations with Mexico and the Post Office.
House resolution to investigate the President- 5th March 1860
On this date, a House resolution was passed to investigate Buchanan. It resulted in the so-called ‘Covode Committee,’ a bipartisan group which sought to investigate Buchanan and his administration on charges of corruption among other things. There was a possibility that it could end in his impeachment. The committee concluded in August that Buchanan had not done anything that warranted an investigation.
Democratic Party fail to find a nominee- 3rd May 1860
On this day, the Democratic Party failed to find a nominee. Buchanan had promised to serve for only one term, and thus sat it out. The convention had been ongoing since the 23rd April, but failure to agree on slavery saw no nominee gain the ⅔ majority needed after fifty-seven ballots. Many Southern delegates walked out, and would eventually form their own campaign- the Southern Democrats. The remaining Democrats became the Northern Democrats, nominating Stephen A. Douglas and Hershel V. Johnson as its nominees. The Northern Democrats came fourth in the election, after the Republicans, Southern Democrats (led by John C. Breckinridge and Joseph Lane) and John Bell of the Constitutional Unionists.
Fourth State of the Union Address- 3rd December 1860
Buchanan delivered his final State of the Union Address on this day. Now a lame duck president, having only run for one term, Buchanan knew that trouble was brewing. He started the address by singing the praises of the United States, before wondering why there was so much discontent and strife. Buchanan was unapologetic in his views- ‘The long-continued and intemperate interference of the Northern people with the question of slavery in the Southern States has at length produced its natural effects. The different sections of the Union are now arrayed against each other, and the time has arrived, so much dreaded by the Father of his Country, when hostile geographical parties have been formed.I have long foreseen and often forewarned my countrymen of the now impending danger. ’ Whilst he spoke positively of foreign relations, he did speak lengthily on the impending crisis. He urged for a peace that was not to come.
Lewis Cass resigns- 12th December 1860
Secretary of State Lewis Cass resigned on this day. Cass was a prominent politician who had served under both Buchanan and Andrew Johnson. He was also a fierce advocate of slavery. Cass resigned as he disagreed with Buchanan’s actions regarding the South, especially his failure to send troops to defend forts in Charleston Harbour. Cass’ resignation followed Secretary of Treasury Howell Cobb’s quitting four days earlier. Cobb would later become one of the founders of the Confederacy.
South Carolina secedes- 20th December 1860
The first state to secede, South Carolina, did so on this day. Their legislature had responded to Lincoln’s election by calling it ‘a hostile act,’ and secession followed on the heels of this. South Carolina was the first of the eleven states to secede.
Special Message to Congress- 8th January 1861
With other states itching to follow South Carolina’s lead, Buchanan desperately attempted to patch things up before Lincoln’s inauguration in two months. He began with a call to action: ‘At the opening of your present session I called your attention to the dangers which threatened the existence of the Union. I expressed my opinion freely concerning the original causes of those dangers, and recommended such measures as I believed would have the effect of tranquilizing the country and saving it from the peril in which it had been needlessly and most unfortunately involved. Those opinions and recommendations I do not propose now to repeat. My own convictions upon the whole subject remain unchanged.’ He ended it by once again attempting to absolve himself of blame: ‘In conclusion it may be permitted to me to remark that I have often warned my countrymen of the dangers which now surround us. This may be the last time I shall refer to the subject officially. I feel that my duty has been faithfully, though it may be imperfectly performed, and, whatever the result may be, I shall carry to my grave the consciousness that I at least meant well for my country.’
Mississippi secedes- 9th January 1861
Just one day later, on this date, Mississippi became the second state to secede. Five more states would secede during Buchanan’s presidency- Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas.
Kansas is admitted to the Union- 29th January 1861
Kansas was admitted to the Union as the 34th on this day. It entered as a free state. It was a Union-supporting state during the Civil War.
First Session of the Provisional Congress of the Confederate States of America- 4th February 1861
The First Session of the Provisional Congress of the Confederate States of America convened on this day. Made up of representatives of the breakaway states, it would be the government of the Confederate States.
Jefferson Davis is selected as Confederate President- 9th February 1861
Jefferson Davis was selected as the Confederate President on this day. Davis was a prominent Southern soldier and politician whose first wife had been President Taylor’s daughter Sarah. The pair had become estranged when Sarah died early in the marriage, but Taylor and his second wife Varina had become close to the family when they entered the White House. Davis had also been Secretary of War under Franklin Pierce. Following Mississippi’s secession, Davis elected to resign his Senate seat and return home. He promised his full support to the state, but was unanimously chosen to lead the Confederacy. His vice president was Alexander H. Stephens of Georgia.
Signs Morrill Tariff- 2nd March 1861
In the closing days of his presidency, Buchanan signed the Morrill Tariff. This would increase tariffs across the nation, and would be increased twice across the Lincoln presidency to raise revenue for the Union side.
Leaves office- 4th March 1861
Under a cloud of devastation, James Buchanan handed the keys to the White House to Abraham Lincoln. He retired to Wheatland, his home in Pennsylvania, with his beloved and devoted niece Harriet Lane. For the rest of his life, Buchanan was the source of great criticism, receiving hate mail and blame for the Civil War. In return, Buchanan blamed Republicans and abolitionists, continually stating that he had done what was right. On his deathbed, Buchanan said ‘history will vindicate my memory from every unjust aspersion.’ James Buchanan died on 1st June 1868 at Wheatland, aged seventy-seven. He had asked for a private funeral, no doubt aware of his great unpopularity, but that was not the case. In a surprising turn of events, 20,000 people queued up to pay their respects- despite his unpopularity, he was a very beloved resident of Lancaster. Despite Buchanan’s assertion that history would vindicate him, he is commonly seen as the worst president of the United States by both historians and the public.
That’s it for James Buchanan! Tune in next week for Abraham Lincoln, in which we’ll see him deal with more secession, the American Civil War and a trip to the theatre.
