Buchanan, James

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'''James Buchanan''' (April 23, 1791 – June 1, 1868) was the 15th president of the United States (1857–1861). He was the only bachelor president and the only resident of Pennsylvania to hold the office of President. He has been criticized for failing to prevent the country from sliding into the [[American Civil War]]. On Buchanan's final day as president, he remarked to the incoming [[Abraham Lincoln]], "If you are as happy entering the presidency as I am in leaving it, then you are truly a happy man."   
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'''James Buchanan''' (April 23, 1791 – June 1, 1868) was the fifteenth president of the United States (1857–1861). He was the only bachelor president and the only resident of Pennsylvania to hold the office of President. He has been criticized for failing to prevent the country from sliding into the [[American Civil War]]. On Buchanan's final day as president, he remarked to the incoming [[Abraham Lincoln]], "If you are as happy entering the presidency as I am in leaving it, then you are truly a happy man."   
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{{toc}}
 
==Early Life==
 
==Early Life==
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He was born in a log cabin at Cove Gap, near Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, on April 23, 1791, to James Buchanan and Elizabeth Spear as the second of ten children. The Buchanan family are also direct descendents of [[James I of Scotland|James I]], King of [[Scotland]]. James Buchanan was the eldest of eleven children. His father, James Buchanan Sr., an Irish immigrant who operated the trading post, was a demanding parent who offered his children little praise. James Buchanan's more indulgent mother, Elizabeth Speer Buchanan of Lancaster, was a self-educated and very religious woman who could recite long passages from the classics and the Bible. In 1796 his father moved the family to Mercersburg where they lived on the second floor above the family store. Young James Buchanan assisted his father in the store, where he mastered the kind of meticulous bookkeeping his father demanded. His formal education began at the Old Stone Academy in Mercersburg where he studied Greek and Latin.
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He was born in a log cabin at Cove Gap, near Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, on April 23, 1791, to James Buchanan and Elizabeth Spear as the second of ten children. The Buchanan family are also direct descendants of [[James I of Scotland|James I, King of Scotland]]. James Buchanan was the eldest of 11 children. His father operated the trading post and had little time for his children. His mother, Elizabeth Speer Buchanan, was a religious woman who studied the[[Bible]] and practiced her Christian faith. In 1796 the family moved to Mercersburg where they lived on the second floor above the family store. Buchanan's father demanded his son James learn bookkeeping skills. His formal education began at the Old Stone Academy in Mercersburg where he studied Greek and Latin.
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At age sixteen, James Buchanan was admitted to Dickinson College in Carlisle where he proved a conscientious and popular student. He was also, however, given to disruptive antics, and he was expelled from the school. Fortunately, an influential family friend intervened on his behalf and Buchanan was readmitted, graduating with distinction in 1809. At the urging of his father, Buchanan traveled to Lancaster to study law with James Hopkins and was admitted to the bar in Lancaster in 1812. After practicing law for two years, he was nominated as a Federalist candidate for the Pennsylvania Assembly on August 24, 1814, the same day that British forces burned the city of Washington, D.C. during the War of 1812. Although he at first opposed the war, Buchanan served several weeks in a volunteer cavalry unit during the siege of Baltimore. He was subsequently elected to two terms in the Pennsylvania Assembly.
 
  
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During this period, Buchanan fell in love and became engaged to be married. However, his fiancee, Ann Coleman, died suddenly after breaking off the engagement, and he remained a bachelor all his life.
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At age sixteen, James Buchanan was admitted to [[Dickinson College]] in Carlisle where he proved to be a conscientious and popular student. He was also, however, given to disruptive antics, and he was expelled from the school. Fortunately, an influential family friend intervened on his behalf and Buchanan was readmitted, graduating with distinction in 1809. At the urging of his father, Buchanan traveled to Lancaster to study law with James Hopkins and was admitted to the bar in Lancaster in 1812. After serving in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (1814-1816), Buchanan devoted attention to his law practice, which soon prospered. In 1819 he became engaged to Ann Coleman, daughter of a wealthy Lancaster iron manufacturer, but as a result of a misunderstanding the engagement was ended. Her sudden death shortly thereafter left Buchanan desolate. He never married.
  
 
==Political career==
 
==Political career==
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He was elected to the Seventeenth and to the four succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1821 - March 3, 1831). He was chairman of the [[U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary]] (Twenty-first Congress). He was not a candidate for renomination in 1830. Buchanan served as one of the managers appointed by the House of Representatives in 1830 to conduct the [[impeachment]] proceedings against [[James H. Peck]], judge of the [[United States District Court]] for the District of [[Missouri]]. Buchanan served as minister to [[Russia]] from 1832 to 1834.
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He was elected to the Seventeenth and to the four succeeding Congresses on March 4, 1821 until March 3, 1831. He was chairman of the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1830. Buchanan served as one of the managers appointed by the House of Representatives in 1830 to conduct the impeachment proceedings against James H. Peck, judge of the United States District Court for the District of Missouri. Buchanan served as Minister to [[Russia]] from 1832 to 1834.
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Buchanan was elected as a [[United States Democratic Party|Democrat]] to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of [[William Wilkins (U.S. Senator)|William Wilkins]]. He served from December 6, 1834, was reelected in 1837 and 1843, and resigned on March 5, 1845, to accept a Cabinet portfolio. He was chairman of the [[Committee on Foreign Relations]] (Twenty-fourth through Twenty-sixth Congresses).
 
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Buchanan served as [[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]] in the Cabinet of President [[James K. Polk]] from 1845 to 1849, during which he negotiated the 1846 [[Oregon Treaty]] establishing the [[49th parallel]] as the northern boundary in the western U.S. No Secretary of State has become President since James Buchanan.
 
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In 1853, Buchanan was named president of the Board of Trustees of [[Franklin and Marshall College]] in his hometown of [[Lancaster, Pennsylvania|Lancaster]]. He served in this capacity until 1865.
 
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He served as minister to the [[United Kingdom]] from 1853 to 1856, during which time he helped to draft the [[Ostend Manifesto]], which proposed the purchase of [[Cuba]] under the threat of force.
 
  
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An active [[Freemason]] during his lifetime, he was master of a [[Masonic]] Lodge in Lancaster and a District Deputy [[Freemasonry#Degrees|Grand Master]] of the [[Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania]].
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Buchanan was elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of William Wilkins. He served from December 6, 1834, was reelected in 1837 and 1843, and resigned on March 5, 1845, to accept a Cabinet portfolio. He was chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations.
  
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Three counties are named in his honor:  [[Buchanan County]] in [[Iowa]], [[Missouri]], and [[Virginia]].
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Buchanan served as Secretary of State in the Cabinet of President [[James K. Polk]] from 1845 to 1849, during which he negotiated the 1846 [[Oregon Treaty]] establishing the 49th parallel as the northern boundary in the western U.S. No Secretary of State has become President since James Buchanan.
  
 
==Election of 1856==
 
==Election of 1856==
 
[[Image:ElectoralCollege1856-Large.png|300px|thumb|right|The electoral map of the 1856 election.]]
 
[[Image:ElectoralCollege1856-Large.png|300px|thumb|right|The electoral map of the 1856 election.]]
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{{main|U.S. presidential election, 1856}}
 
  
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The Democrats nominated Buchanan in [[U.S. presidential election, 1856|1856]] largely because he was in [[England]] during the [[Kansas-Nebraska Act|Kansas-Nebraska]] debate and thus remained untainted by either side of the issue. He was nominated on the 17th ballot. Although he didn't want to run, he accepted the nomination.
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The Democrats nominated Buchanan in 1856 largely because he was in [[England]] during the Kansas-Nebraska debate and thus remained untainted by either side of the issue. He was nominated on the seventeenth ballot. Although he didn't want to run, he accepted the nomination.
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[[Millard Fillmore]]'s "[[Know-Nothing]]" candidacy helped Buchanan defeat [[John C. Frémont]], the first Republican candidate for president in [[U.S. presidential election, 1856|1856]], and he served from March 4, 1857 to March 3, 1861.   
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[[Millard Fillmore]]'s "Know-Nothing" candidacy helped Buchanan defeat John C. Fremont, the first Republican candidate for president in 1856. James Buchanan served from March 4, 1857 to March 3, 1861.   
  
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In regard to the growing schism in the country, as [[President-elect]] he intended to sit out the crisis by maintaining a sectional balance in his appointments and persuading the people to accept constitutional law as the [[Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court]] interpreted it. The court was considering the legality of restricting [[slavery]] in the territories, and two justices hinted to Buchanan what the decision would be.
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In regard to the growing disharmony in the country, as President-elect he intended to sit out the crisis by maintaining a sectional balance in his appointments and persuading the people to accept constitutional law as the Supreme Court interpreted it. The Court was considering the legality of restricting [[slavery]] in the territories, and two justices hinted to Buchanan what the decision would be.
  
 
==Presidency 1857-1861==
 
==Presidency 1857-1861==
 
===Policies===
 
===Policies===
 
[[Image:2003001r.jpg|thumb|right|Inauguration of James Buchanan]]
 
[[Image:2003001r.jpg|thumb|right|Inauguration of James Buchanan]]
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In his [[inaugural address]], besides promising not to run again, Buchanan referred to the territorial question as "happily, a matter of but little practical importance" since the Supreme Court was about to settle it "speedily and finally." Two days later, Chief Justice [[Roger B. Taney]] delivered the [[Dred Scott v. Sandford|Dred Scott Decision]], asserting that Congress had no constitutional power to exclude slavery in the territories. Much of Taney’s written judgment is widely interpreted as ''[[obiter dictum]]'' — statements made by a judge that are unnecessary to the outcome of the case, which in this case, while they delighted Southerners, created a furor in the North. Buchanan was widely believed to have been personally involved in the outcome of the case, with many Northerners recalling Taney whispering to Buchanan during Buchanan's inauguration. Buchanan wished to see the territorial question resolved by the Supreme Court. To further this, Buchanan personally lobbied his fellow Pennsylvanian Justice [[Robert Cooper Grier]] to vote with the majority in that case to uphold the right of owning slave property. [[Abraham Lincoln]] denounced him as an accomplice of the [[Slave Power]], which Lincoln saw as a conspiracy of slave owners to seize control of the federal government and nationalize slavery. Buchanan's friends did a poor job defending him.
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In his inaugural address, along with promising not to run again, Buchanan referred to the territorial question as "happily, a matter of but little practical importance" since the Supreme Court was about to settle it "speedily and finally." Two days later, Chief Justice Roger B. Taney delivered the [[Dred Scott]] Decision, asserting that Congress had no constitutional power to exclude slavery in the territories. Much of Taney’s written judgment is widely interpreted as ''obiter dictum''—statements made by a judge that are unnecessary to the outcome of the case, which in this case, while they delighted Southerners, created a furor in the North. Buchanan was widely believed to have been personally involved in the outcome of the case. Many Northerners in attendance at Buchanan's inauguration claimed to have seen Justice Taney whispering at length to Buchanan before and during his address. Buchanan adhered to his desire to see the territorial question resolved by the Supreme Court. To further this, Buchanan personally lobbied his fellow Pennsylvanian Justice Robert Cooper Grier to vote with the majority in that case to uphold the right of owning slave property. [[Abraham Lincoln]] denounced him as an accomplice of the Slave Power, which Lincoln saw as a conspiracy of slave owners to seize control of the federal government and nationalize slavery. Buchanan's friends did a poor job defending him.
  
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Buchanan, however, faced further trouble on the territorial question. Buchanan threw the full prestige of his administration behind congressional approval of the [[Lecompton Constitution]] in [[Kansas]], which would have admitted Kansas as a slave state, going so far as to offer patronage appointments and even cash bribes in exchange for votes. The Lecompton government was unpopular to Northerners, as it was dominated by slaveholders who had enacted laws curtailing the rights of non-slaveholders. Even though the voters in Kansas had rejected the Lecompton Constitution, Buchanan managed to pass his bill through the House, but it was blocked in the Senate by Northerners led by [[Stephen A. Douglas]]. Eventually, Congress voted to call a new vote on the Lecompton Constitution, a move which infuriated Southerners. Buchanan and Douglas engaged in an all-out struggle for control of the party in 1859-60, with Buchanan using his patronage powers and Douglas rallying the grass roots; Buchanan lost control of the greatly weakened party.
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Buchanan, however, faced further trouble on the territorial question. He threw the full prestige of his administration behind congressional approval of the Lecompton Constitution in [[Kansas]], which would have admitted Kansas as a slave state, going so far as to offer patronage appointments and even cash bribes in exchange for votes. The Lecompton government of Kansas was unpopular to Northerners, as it was dominated by slaveholders who had enacted laws curtailing the rights of non-slaveholders. Even though the voters in Kansas had rejected the Lecompton Constitution, Buchanan managed to pass his bill through the House, but it was blocked in the Senate by Northerners led by [[Stephen A. Douglas]]. Eventually, Congress voted to call a new vote on the Lecompton Constitution, a move which infuriated Southerners. Buchanan and Douglas engaged in an all-out struggle for control of the Democratic party during 1859 - 1860, with Buchanan using his patronage powers and Douglas rallying the grassroots. Buchanan lost control of the greatly weakened party.
  
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Economic troubles also plagued Buchanan's administration with the outbreak of the [[Panic of 1857]]. The government suddenly faced a shortfall of revenue, partly because of the Democrats' successful push to lower the [[tariff]]. Buchanan's administration, at the behest of Treasury Secretary [[Howell Cobb]], began issuing deficit financing for the government, a move which flew in the face of two decades of Democratic support for hard-money policies and allowed Republicans to attack Buchanan for financial mismanagement.
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Economic troubles also plagued Buchanan's administration with the outbreak of the Panic of 1857. The government suddenly faced a shortfall of revenue, partly because of the Democrats' successful push to lower the [[tariff]]. Buchanan's administration, at the behest of Treasury Secretary Howell Cobb, began issuing deficit financing for the government, a move which flew in the face of two decades of Democratic support for hard-money policies and allowed Republicans to attack Buchanan for financial mismanagement.
  
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When Republicans won a plurality in the House in 1858, every significant bill they passed fell before southern votes in the Senate or a Presidential [[veto]]. The Federal Government reached a stalemate. Bitter hostility between Republicans and Southern members prevailed on the floor of Congress.  
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When Republicans won a plurality in the House in 1858, every significant bill they passed fell before southern votes in the Senate or a Presidential veto. The Federal Government reached a stalemate. Bitter hostility between Republicans and Southern members prevailed on the floor of Congress.  
  
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Sectional strife rose to such a pitch in 1860 that the Democratic Party split. Buchanan played little part as the national convention meeting in Charleston deadlocked. The southern wing walked out of the Charleston convention and nominated its own candidate for the presidency, incumbent Vice President [[John C. Breckinridge]], whom Buchanan refused to support. The remainder of the party finally nominated Buchanan's archenemy, Douglas. Consequently, when the Republicans nominated [[Abraham Lincoln]], it was a foregone conclusion that he would be elected even though his name appeared on no southern ballot. Buchanan watched silently as South Carolina seceded on December 20, followed by six other [[cotton]] states, and by February, they formed the [[Confederate States of America]]. Eight slave states refused to join.  
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Sectional strife rose to such a pitch in 1860 that the Democratic Party split. Buchanan played little part as the national convention meeting in Charleston deadlocked. The southern wing walked out of the Charleston convention and nominated its own candidate for the presidency, incumbent Vice President John C. Breckinridge, whom Buchanan refused to support. The remainder of the party finally nominated Buchanan's archenemy, Douglas. Consequently, when the Republicans nominated [[Abraham Lincoln]], it was a foregone conclusion that he would be elected even though his name appeared on no southern ballot. Buchanan watched silently as South Carolina seceded on December 20, followed by six other cotton states, and by February, they formed the [[Confederate States of America]]. Eight slave states refused to join.  
  
 
[[Image:eagle.JPG|thumb|left|350px|Editorial cartoon in Republican newspapers, 1861]]
 
[[Image:eagle.JPG|thumb|left|350px|Editorial cartoon in Republican newspapers, 1861]]
 
In Buchanan's Message to Congress (December 3, 1860), he denied the legal right of states to secede but held that the Federal Government legally could not prevent them. He hoped for compromise, but secessionist leaders did not want it.  
 
In Buchanan's Message to Congress (December 3, 1860), he denied the legal right of states to secede but held that the Federal Government legally could not prevent them. He hoped for compromise, but secessionist leaders did not want it.  
  
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Beginning in late December, Buchanan reorganized his cabinet, ousting Confederate sympathizers and replacing them with hard-line nationalists [[Jeremiah S. Black]], [[Edwin M. Stanton]], [[Joseph Holt]], and [[John Adams Dix]]. These conservative Democrats strongly believed in American nationalism and refused to countenance secession. At one point, Treasury Secretary Dix ordered Treasury agents in New Orleans, "If any man pulls down the American flag, shoot him on the spot".
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Beginning in late December, Buchanan reorganized his cabinet, ousting Confederate sympathizers and replacing them with hard-line nationalists Jeremiah S. Black, Edwin M. Stanton, Joseph Holt, and John Adams Dix. These conservative Democrats strongly believed in American nationalism and refused to countenance secession. At one point, Treasury Secretary Dix ordered Treasury agents in New Orleans, "If any man pulls down the American flag, shoot him on the spot."  
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Before Buchanan left office, seven [[slave states]] seceded, the Confederacy was formed, all arsenals and forts were lost (except [[Fort Sumter]] and two remote ones), and a fourth of all federal soldiers surrendered to [[Texas]] troops. The government decided to hold on to Fort Sumter, which was located in the center of [[Charleston, South Carolina|Charleston]], the most visible spot in the Confederacy. On January 5, Buchanan sent a civilian steamer ''[[Star of the West]]'' to carry reinforcements and supplies to [[Fort Sumter]]. On January 9, 1861, [[South Carolina]] state batteries opened fire on the ''Star of the West'', which returned to [[New York]]. Paralyzed, Buchanan made no further moves to prepare for war.
 
  
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Historians in 2006 voted his failure to deal with secession the #1 presidential mistake ever made.[http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060218/presidential_errors_060218/20060218?hub=World]
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Before Buchanan left office, seven slave states seceded, the Confederacy was formed, all arsenals and forts were lost except Fort Sumter and two remote ones, and a fourth of all federal soldiers surrendered to Texas troops. The government decided to hold on to Fort Sumter, which was located in the center of [[Charleston]], [[South Carolina]], the most visible spot in the Confederacy. On January 5, Buchanan sent a civilian steamer ''Star of the West'' to carry reinforcements and supplies to Fort Sumter. On January 9, 1861, South Carolina state batteries opened fire on the ''Star of the West,'' which returned to New York. Politically paralyzed, Buchanan made no further moves to prepare for war.
  
 
===Administration and Cabinet===
 
===Administration and Cabinet===
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[[Image:jb15.gif|thumb|right|Official [[White House]] potrait of James Buchanan]]
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[[Image:jb15.gif|thumb|right|Official [[White House]] portrait of James Buchanan]]
 
{| cellpadding="1" cellspacing="4" style="margin:3px; border:3px solid #000000;" align="left"
 
{| cellpadding="1" cellspacing="4" style="margin:3px; border:3px solid #000000;" align="left"
 
!bgcolor="#000000" colspan="3"|
 
!bgcolor="#000000" colspan="3"|
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!bgcolor="#000000" colspan="3"|
 
!bgcolor="#000000" colspan="3"|
 
|-
 
|-
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|align="left"|President||align="left" |'''James Buchanan'''||align="left"|1857–1861
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|align="left"|President||align="left" |'''James Buchanan'''||align="left"|1857–1861
 
|-
 
|-
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|align="left"|Vice President||align="left"|'''John C. Breckinridge'''||align="left"|1857–1861
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|align="left"|Vice President||align="left"|'''John C. Breckinridge'''||align="left"|1857–1861
 
|-
 
|-
 
!bgcolor="#000000" colspan="3"|
 
!bgcolor="#000000" colspan="3"|
 
|-
 
|-
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|align="left"|Secretary of State||align="left"|'''Lewis Cass'''||align="left"|1857–1860
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|align="left"|Secretary of State||align="left"|'''Lewis Cass'''||align="left"|1857–1860
 
|-
 
|-
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|align="left"| ||align="left"|'''Jeremiah S. Black'''||align="left"|1860–1861
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|align="left"| ||align="left"|'''Jeremiah S. Black'''||align="left"|1860–1861
 
|-
 
|-
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|align="left"|Secretary of the Treasury||align="left"|'''Howell Cobb'''||align="left"|1857–1860
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|align="left"|Secretary of the Treasury||align="left"|'''Howell Cobb'''||align="left"|1857–1860
 
|-
 
|-
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|align="left"| ||align="left"|'''Philip Thomas'''||align="left"|1860–1861
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|align="left"| ||align="left"|'''Philip Thomas'''||align="left"|1860–1861
 
|-
 
|-
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|align="left"| ||align="left"|'''John A. Dix'''||align="left"|1861
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|align="left"| ||align="left"|'''John A. Dix'''||align="left"|1861
 
|-
 
|-
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|align="left"|Secretary of War||align="left"|'''John B. Floyd'''||align="left"|1857–1861
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|align="left"|Secretary of War||align="left"|'''John B. Floyd'''||align="left"|1857–1861
 
|-
 
|-
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|align="left"| ||align="left"|'''Joseph Holt'''||align="left"|1861
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|align="left"| ||align="left"|'''Joseph Holt'''||align="left"|1861
 
|-
 
|-
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|align="left"|Attorney General||align="left"|'''Jeremiah S. Black'''||align="left"|1857–1860
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|align="left"|Attorney General||align="left"|'''Jeremiah S. Black'''||align="left"|1857–1860
 
|-
 
|-
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|align="left"| ||align="left"|'''Edwin M. Stanton'''||align="left"|1860–1861
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|align="left"| ||align="left"|'''Edwin M. Stanton'''||align="left"|1860–1861
 
|-
 
|-
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|align="left"|Postmaster General||align="left"|'''Aaron V. Brown'''||align="left"|1857–1859
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|align="left"|Postmaster General||align="left"|'''Aaron V. Brown'''||align="left"|1857–1859
 
|-
 
|-
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|align="left"| ||align="left"|'''Joseph Holt'''||align="left"|1859–1861
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|align="left"| ||align="left"|'''Joseph Holt'''||align="left"|1859–1861
 
|-
 
|-
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|align="left"| ||align="left"|'''Horatio King'''||align="left"|1861
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|align="left"| ||align="left"|'''Horatio King'''||align="left"|1861
 
|-
 
|-
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|align="left"|Secretary of the Navy||align="left"|'''Isaac Toucey'''||align="left"|1857–1861
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|align="left"|Secretary of the Navy||align="left"|'''Isaac Toucey'''||align="left"|1857–1861
 
|-
 
|-
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|align="left"|Secretary of the Interior||align="left"|'''Jacob Thompson'''||align="left"|1857–1861
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|align="left"|Secretary of the Interior||align="left"|'''Jacob Thompson'''||align="left"|1857–1861
 
|}
 
|}
 
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=== Supreme Court appointments ===
 
=== Supreme Court appointments ===
 
Buchanan appointed the following Justice to the Supreme Court of the United States:
 
Buchanan appointed the following Justice to the Supreme Court of the United States:
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*'''Nathan Clifford''' &ndash; 1858
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*'''Nathan Clifford''' – 1858
  
 
=== States admitted to the Union ===
 
=== States admitted to the Union ===
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*'''Minnesota''' &ndash; 1858
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*'''Minnesota''' – 1858
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*'''Oregon''' &ndash; 1859
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*'''Oregon''' – 1859
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*'''Kansas''' &ndash; 1861
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*'''Kansas''' – 1861
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==Post-presidency and Death==
  
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==Post-presidency and Death==
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In 1866 Buchanan published ''Mr Buchanan's Administration on the Eve of the Rebellion''- the first presidential memoir. He died June 1, 1868, at the age of 77 at his home at Wheatland. He was interred in Woodward Hill Cemetery, in Lancaster. On the day before his death, he predicted that "history will vindicate my memory," but historians continue mainly to emphasize his failure to deal with secession.
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[[Image:JBWheatland.jpg|thumb|right|[[Wheatland (Lancaster)|Wheatland]], home of James Buchanan]]
 
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In 1866 Buchanan published ''Mr Buchanan's Administration on the Eve of the Rebellion''- the first presidential memoir. He died June 1, 1868, at the age of 77 at his home at [[Wheatland (Lancaster)|Wheatland]]. He was interred in Woodward Hill Cemetery, in Lancaster. On the day before his death, he predicted that "history will vindicate my memory," but historians continue mainly to emphasize his failure to deal with secession.
 
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
  
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* Baker, Jean H. ''James Buchanan''. New York : Times Books, 2004 ISBN 0805069461  
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* Baker, Jean H. ''James Buchanan.'' New York: Times Books, 2004. ISBN 0805069461  
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* Binder, Frederick Moore. "James Buchanan: Jacksonian Expansionist." ''Historian; a Journal of History'' Kingston, RI, etc.: Phi Alpha Theta, 55(1) (1992): 69-84. ISSN 0018-2370. Fulltext: in Ebsco  
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* Binder, Frederick Moore. "James Buchanan: Jacksonian Expansionist" ''Historian; a Journal of History''. Kingston, R.I., etc.: Phi Alpha Theta 1992 55(1): pp. 69-84. Issn 0018-2370. Fulltext: in Ebsco  
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* Binder, Frederick Moore. ''James Buchanan and the American Empire.'' Susquehanna University Press: London; Cranbury, NJ: Associated University Presses, 1994. ISBN 0945636644  
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* Birkner, Michael J., ed. ''James Buchanan and the Political Crisis of the 1850s.'' Selinsgrove, PA: Susquehanna University Press; London : Associated University Presses, 1996. ISBN 094563689X  
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* Binder, Frederick Moore. ''James Buchanan and the American Empire''. Susquehanna University Press ; London ; Cranbury, NJ : Associated University Presses, c1994 ISBN 0945636644  
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* Buchanan, James. ''Mr Buchanan's Administration on the Eve of the Rebellion.'' Freeport, NY: Books for Libraries Press, 1970. ISBN 083695212X (Presidential memoirs)
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* Nevins, Allan. ''The Emergence of Lincoln.'' Scribner, 1950. ISBN 0684104156, v. 1  ISBN 0684104164; v. 2.  v. 1 ''Douglas, Buchanan, and Party Chaos, 1857-1859.'' v. 2 ''Prologue to Civil War, 1859-1861.''
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* Birkner, Michael J., ed. ''James Buchanan and the Political Crisis of the 1850s''. Selinsgrove, Pa. : Susquehanna University Press ; London : Associated University Presses, c1996 ISBN 094563689X  
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* Meerse, David E. "Buchanan, the Patronage, and the Lecompton Constitution: a Case Study." ''Civil War History'' Kent, Ohio: Kent State University Press, 41(4)(1995): pp. 291-312. ISSN: 0009-8078  
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* Potter, David Morris. ''The Impending Crisis, 1848-1861.'' NY: Harper & Row, 1976. ISBN 0060134038
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* Nevins, Allan. ''The Emergence of Lincoln''. Scribner, 1950 ISBN 0684104156, v. 1  ISBN 0684104164, v. 2.  v. 1 ''Douglas, Buchanan, and Party Chaos, 1857-1859'' — v. 2 ''Prologue to Civil War, 1859-1861''
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* Rhodes, James Ford. ''History of the United States from the Compromise of 1850 to the McKinley-Bryan Campaign of 1896.'' Port Washington, NY: Kennikat Press, 1967., c1892-1919 Volume: 2.
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* Smith, Elbert B. ''The Presidency of James Buchanan.'' Lawrence, KS: University Press of Kansas, 1975. ISBN  0700601325 (Standard history of his administration)
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* Meerse, David E. "Buchanan, the Patronage, and the Lecompton Constitution: a Case Study" ''Civil War History''. Kent, Ohio : Kent State University Press 1995 41(4): pp. 291-312. Issn 0009-8078.
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* Stampp, Kenneth M. ''America in 1857: A Nation on the Brink.'' NY: Oxford University Press, 1990. ISBN 0195039025
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* Potter, David Morris. ''The Impending Crisis, 1848-1861''. Harper & Row, 1976 ISBN 0060134038
 
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* Rhodes, James Ford ''History of the United States from the Compromise of 1850 to the McKinley-Bryan Campaign of 1896''. Port Washington, N.Y., Kennikat Press, 1967, c1892-1919 Volume: 2.
 
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* Smith, Elbert B. ''The Presidency of James Buchanan''. Lawrence : University Press of Kansas, 1975 ISBN  0700601325 Standard history of his administration
 
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* Stampp, Kenneth M. ''America in 1857: A Nation on the Brink''. New York : Oxford University Press, 1990 ISBN 0195039025
 
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* Buchanan, James. ''Mr Buchanan's Administration on the Eve of the Rebellion''. Freeport, N.Y., Books for Libraries Press, 1970 ISBN 083695212X
 
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
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*[http://www.usa-presidents.info/inaugural/buchanan.html Inaugural Address James Buchanan].
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*[http://www.usa-presidents.info/inaugural/buchanan.html Inaugural Address]
 
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*[http://tompaine.com/Archive/scontent/2458.html The Other Buchanan Controversy]
 
 
*[http://www.usa-presidents.info/union/buchanan-1.html First State of the Union Address of James Buchanan]
 
*[http://www.usa-presidents.info/union/buchanan-1.html First State of the Union Address of James Buchanan]
 
*[http://www.usa-presidents.info/union/buchanan-2.html Second State of the Union Address of James Buchanan]
 
*[http://www.usa-presidents.info/union/buchanan-2.html Second State of the Union Address of James Buchanan]
 
*[http://www.usa-presidents.info/union/buchanan-3.html Third State of the Union Address of James Buchanan]
 
*[http://www.usa-presidents.info/union/buchanan-3.html Third State of the Union Address of James Buchanan]
 
*[http://www.usa-presidents.info/union/buchanan-4.html Fourth State of the Union Address of James Buchanan]
 
*[http://www.usa-presidents.info/union/buchanan-4.html Fourth State of the Union Address of James Buchanan]
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*[http://www.americanpresident.org/history/jamesbuchanan University of Virginia article: Buchanan biography]
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*[http://www.americanpresident.org/history/jamesbuchanan University of Virginia: Buchanan biography]
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*[http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/jb15.html White House Biography]
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*[http://www.wheatland.org/ Wheatland]
 
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*[http://kdl.kyvl.org/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=kyetexts;cc=kyetexts;xc=1&idno=B96-16-36620125&view=toc Mr. Buchanans Administration on the Eve of the Rebellion. President Buchanans memoirs.]
 
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Latest revision as of 21:06, 20 March 2024


James Buchanan
James Buchanan
15th President of the United States
Term of office March 4, 1857 – March 3, 1861
Preceded by Franklin Pierce
Succeeded by Abraham Lincoln
Date of birth April 23, 1791
Place of birth Cove Gap, Pennsylvania
Date of death June 1, 1868
Place of death Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Spouse Never Married
Political party Democratic

James Buchanan (April 23, 1791 – June 1, 1868) was the fifteenth president of the United States (1857–1861). He was the only bachelor president and the only resident of Pennsylvania to hold the office of President. He has been criticized for failing to prevent the country from sliding into the American Civil War. On Buchanan's final day as president, he remarked to the incoming Abraham Lincoln, "If you are as happy entering the presidency as I am in leaving it, then you are truly a happy man."

Early Life

He was born in a log cabin at Cove Gap, near Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, on April 23, 1791, to James Buchanan and Elizabeth Spear as the second of ten children. The Buchanan family are also direct descendants of James I, King of Scotland. James Buchanan was the eldest of 11 children. His father operated the trading post and had little time for his children. His mother, Elizabeth Speer Buchanan, was a religious woman who studied theBible and practiced her Christian faith. In 1796 the family moved to Mercersburg where they lived on the second floor above the family store. Buchanan's father demanded his son James learn bookkeeping skills. His formal education began at the Old Stone Academy in Mercersburg where he studied Greek and Latin.

At age sixteen, James Buchanan was admitted to Dickinson College in Carlisle where he proved to be a conscientious and popular student. He was also, however, given to disruptive antics, and he was expelled from the school. Fortunately, an influential family friend intervened on his behalf and Buchanan was readmitted, graduating with distinction in 1809. At the urging of his father, Buchanan traveled to Lancaster to study law with James Hopkins and was admitted to the bar in Lancaster in 1812. After serving in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (1814-1816), Buchanan devoted attention to his law practice, which soon prospered. In 1819 he became engaged to Ann Coleman, daughter of a wealthy Lancaster iron manufacturer, but as a result of a misunderstanding the engagement was ended. Her sudden death shortly thereafter left Buchanan desolate. He never married.

Political career

He was elected to the Seventeenth and to the four succeeding Congresses on March 4, 1821 until March 3, 1831. He was chairman of the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1830. Buchanan served as one of the managers appointed by the House of Representatives in 1830 to conduct the impeachment proceedings against James H. Peck, judge of the United States District Court for the District of Missouri. Buchanan served as Minister to Russia from 1832 to 1834.

Buchanan was elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of William Wilkins. He served from December 6, 1834, was reelected in 1837 and 1843, and resigned on March 5, 1845, to accept a Cabinet portfolio. He was chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Buchanan served as Secretary of State in the Cabinet of President James K. Polk from 1845 to 1849, during which he negotiated the 1846 Oregon Treaty establishing the 49th parallel as the northern boundary in the western U.S. No Secretary of State has become President since James Buchanan.

Election of 1856

The electoral map of the 1856 election.

The Democrats nominated Buchanan in 1856 largely because he was in England during the Kansas-Nebraska debate and thus remained untainted by either side of the issue. He was nominated on the seventeenth ballot. Although he didn't want to run, he accepted the nomination.

Millard Fillmore's "Know-Nothing" candidacy helped Buchanan defeat John C. Fremont, the first Republican candidate for president in 1856. James Buchanan served from March 4, 1857 to March 3, 1861.

In regard to the growing disharmony in the country, as President-elect he intended to sit out the crisis by maintaining a sectional balance in his appointments and persuading the people to accept constitutional law as the Supreme Court interpreted it. The Court was considering the legality of restricting slavery in the territories, and two justices hinted to Buchanan what the decision would be.

Presidency 1857-1861

Policies

Inauguration of James Buchanan

In his inaugural address, along with promising not to run again, Buchanan referred to the territorial question as "happily, a matter of but little practical importance" since the Supreme Court was about to settle it "speedily and finally." Two days later, Chief Justice Roger B. Taney delivered the Dred Scott Decision, asserting that Congress had no constitutional power to exclude slavery in the territories. Much of Taney’s written judgment is widely interpreted as obiter dictum—statements made by a judge that are unnecessary to the outcome of the case, which in this case, while they delighted Southerners, created a furor in the North. Buchanan was widely believed to have been personally involved in the outcome of the case. Many Northerners in attendance at Buchanan's inauguration claimed to have seen Justice Taney whispering at length to Buchanan before and during his address. Buchanan adhered to his desire to see the territorial question resolved by the Supreme Court. To further this, Buchanan personally lobbied his fellow Pennsylvanian Justice Robert Cooper Grier to vote with the majority in that case to uphold the right of owning slave property. Abraham Lincoln denounced him as an accomplice of the Slave Power, which Lincoln saw as a conspiracy of slave owners to seize control of the federal government and nationalize slavery. Buchanan's friends did a poor job defending him.

Buchanan, however, faced further trouble on the territorial question. He threw the full prestige of his administration behind congressional approval of the Lecompton Constitution in Kansas, which would have admitted Kansas as a slave state, going so far as to offer patronage appointments and even cash bribes in exchange for votes. The Lecompton government of Kansas was unpopular to Northerners, as it was dominated by slaveholders who had enacted laws curtailing the rights of non-slaveholders. Even though the voters in Kansas had rejected the Lecompton Constitution, Buchanan managed to pass his bill through the House, but it was blocked in the Senate by Northerners led by Stephen A. Douglas. Eventually, Congress voted to call a new vote on the Lecompton Constitution, a move which infuriated Southerners. Buchanan and Douglas engaged in an all-out struggle for control of the Democratic party during 1859 - 1860, with Buchanan using his patronage powers and Douglas rallying the grassroots. Buchanan lost control of the greatly weakened party.

Economic troubles also plagued Buchanan's administration with the outbreak of the Panic of 1857. The government suddenly faced a shortfall of revenue, partly because of the Democrats' successful push to lower the tariff. Buchanan's administration, at the behest of Treasury Secretary Howell Cobb, began issuing deficit financing for the government, a move which flew in the face of two decades of Democratic support for hard-money policies and allowed Republicans to attack Buchanan for financial mismanagement.

When Republicans won a plurality in the House in 1858, every significant bill they passed fell before southern votes in the Senate or a Presidential veto. The Federal Government reached a stalemate. Bitter hostility between Republicans and Southern members prevailed on the floor of Congress.

Sectional strife rose to such a pitch in 1860 that the Democratic Party split. Buchanan played little part as the national convention meeting in Charleston deadlocked. The southern wing walked out of the Charleston convention and nominated its own candidate for the presidency, incumbent Vice President John C. Breckinridge, whom Buchanan refused to support. The remainder of the party finally nominated Buchanan's archenemy, Douglas. Consequently, when the Republicans nominated Abraham Lincoln, it was a foregone conclusion that he would be elected even though his name appeared on no southern ballot. Buchanan watched silently as South Carolina seceded on December 20, followed by six other cotton states, and by February, they formed the Confederate States of America. Eight slave states refused to join.

Editorial cartoon in Republican newspapers, 1861

In Buchanan's Message to Congress (December 3, 1860), he denied the legal right of states to secede but held that the Federal Government legally could not prevent them. He hoped for compromise, but secessionist leaders did not want it.

Beginning in late December, Buchanan reorganized his cabinet, ousting Confederate sympathizers and replacing them with hard-line nationalists Jeremiah S. Black, Edwin M. Stanton, Joseph Holt, and John Adams Dix. These conservative Democrats strongly believed in American nationalism and refused to countenance secession. At one point, Treasury Secretary Dix ordered Treasury agents in New Orleans, "If any man pulls down the American flag, shoot him on the spot."

Before Buchanan left office, seven slave states seceded, the Confederacy was formed, all arsenals and forts were lost except Fort Sumter and two remote ones, and a fourth of all federal soldiers surrendered to Texas troops. The government decided to hold on to Fort Sumter, which was located in the center of Charleston, South Carolina, the most visible spot in the Confederacy. On January 5, Buchanan sent a civilian steamer Star of the West to carry reinforcements and supplies to Fort Sumter. On January 9, 1861, South Carolina state batteries opened fire on the Star of the West, which returned to New York. Politically paralyzed, Buchanan made no further moves to prepare for war.

Administration and Cabinet

Official White House portrait of James Buchanan
OFFICE NAME TERM
President James Buchanan 1857–1861
Vice President John C. Breckinridge 1857–1861
Secretary of State Lewis Cass 1857–1860
Jeremiah S. Black 1860–1861
Secretary of the Treasury Howell Cobb 1857–1860
Philip Thomas 1860–1861
John A. Dix 1861
Secretary of War John B. Floyd 1857–1861
Joseph Holt 1861
Attorney General Jeremiah S. Black 1857–1860
Edwin M. Stanton 1860–1861
Postmaster General Aaron V. Brown 1857–1859
Joseph Holt 1859–1861
Horatio King 1861
Secretary of the Navy Isaac Toucey 1857–1861
Secretary of the Interior Jacob Thompson 1857–1861


Supreme Court appointments

Buchanan appointed the following Justice to the Supreme Court of the United States:

  • Nathan Clifford – 1858

States admitted to the Union

  • Minnesota – 1858
  • Oregon – 1859
  • Kansas – 1861

Post-presidency and Death

In 1866 Buchanan published Mr Buchanan's Administration on the Eve of the Rebellion- the first presidential memoir. He died June 1, 1868, at the age of 77 at his home at Wheatland. He was interred in Woodward Hill Cemetery, in Lancaster. On the day before his death, he predicted that "history will vindicate my memory," but historians continue mainly to emphasize his failure to deal with secession.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Baker, Jean H. James Buchanan. New York: Times Books, 2004. ISBN 0805069461
  • Binder, Frederick Moore. "James Buchanan: Jacksonian Expansionist." Historian; a Journal of History Kingston, RI, etc.: Phi Alpha Theta, 55(1) (1992): 69-84. ISSN 0018-2370. Fulltext: in Ebsco
  • Binder, Frederick Moore. James Buchanan and the American Empire. Susquehanna University Press: London; Cranbury, NJ: Associated University Presses, 1994. ISBN 0945636644
  • Birkner, Michael J., ed. James Buchanan and the Political Crisis of the 1850s. Selinsgrove, PA: Susquehanna University Press; London : Associated University Presses, 1996. ISBN 094563689X
  • Buchanan, James. Mr Buchanan's Administration on the Eve of the Rebellion. Freeport, NY: Books for Libraries Press, 1970. ISBN 083695212X (Presidential memoirs)
  • Nevins, Allan. The Emergence of Lincoln. Scribner, 1950. ISBN 0684104156, v. 1 ISBN 0684104164; v. 2. v. 1 Douglas, Buchanan, and Party Chaos, 1857-1859. v. 2 Prologue to Civil War, 1859-1861.
  • Meerse, David E. "Buchanan, the Patronage, and the Lecompton Constitution: a Case Study." Civil War History Kent, Ohio: Kent State University Press, 41(4)(1995): pp. 291-312. ISSN: 0009-8078
  • Potter, David Morris. The Impending Crisis, 1848-1861. NY: Harper & Row, 1976. ISBN 0060134038
  • Rhodes, James Ford. History of the United States from the Compromise of 1850 to the McKinley-Bryan Campaign of 1896. Port Washington, NY: Kennikat Press, 1967., c1892-1919 Volume: 2.
  • Smith, Elbert B. The Presidency of James Buchanan. Lawrence, KS: University Press of Kansas, 1975. ISBN 0700601325 (Standard history of his administration)
  • Stampp, Kenneth M. America in 1857: A Nation on the Brink. NY: Oxford University Press, 1990. ISBN 0195039025

External links

All links retrieved March 15, 2018.


Preceded by:
Jacob Hibshman 		U.S. Congressman for the 3rd District of Pennsylvania
1821 – 1823 		Succeeded by:
John Phillips
Preceded by:
James S. Mitchell 		U.S. Congressman for the 4th District of Pennsylvania
1823 – 1831 		Succeeded by:
William Hiester
Preceded by:
Philip P. Barbour 		'
1829 – 1831 		Succeeded by:
Warren R. Davis
Preceded by:
John Randolph 		U.S. Minister to Russia
1832 – 1833 		Succeeded by:
Mahlon Dickerson
Preceded by:
William Wilkins 		U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania
1834 – 1845 		Succeeded by:
Simon Cameron
Preceded by:
John C. Calhoun 		United States Secretary of State
March 10, 1845 – March 7, 1849 		Succeeded by:
John M. Clayton
Preceded by:
Joseph R. Ingersoll 		U.S. Minister to Britain
1853 – 1856 		Succeeded by:
George M. Dallas
Preceded by:
Franklin Pierce 		Democratic Party presidential nominees
1856 (won) 		Succeeded by:
Stephen A. Douglas (northern candidate)
John C. Breckinridge (southern candidate)
Preceded by:
Franklin Pierce 		President of the United States
March 4, 1857 – March 3, 1861 		Succeeded by:
Abraham Lincoln


United States Secretaries of State
Jefferson • Randolph • Pickering • J Marshall • Madison • Smith • Monroe • Adams • Clay • Van Buren • Livingston • McLane • Forsyth • Webster • Upshur • Calhoun • Buchanan • Clayton • Webster • Everett • Marcy • Cass • Black • Seward • Washburne • Fish • Evarts • Blaine • Frelinghuysen • Bayard • Blaine • Foster • Gresham • Olney • Sherman • Day • Hay • Root • Bacon • Knox • Bryan • Lansing • Colby • Hughes • Kellogg • Stimson • Hull • Stettinius • Byrnes • G Marshall • Acheson • Dulles • Herter • Rusk • Rogers • Kissinger • Vance • Muskie • Haig • Shultz • Baker • Eagleburger • Christopher • Albright • Powell • Rice • Clinton • Kerry • Tillerson • Pompeo • Blinken
Seal of the United States Department of State

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