In a close election, the Free Soilers pulled enough votes away from Cass to elect Taylor.
After participating in ceremonies at the Washington Monument on a blistering July 4, Taylor fell ill; within five days he was dead.
Traditionally, people could decide whether they wanted slavery when they drew up new state constitutions.
The Law Into Their Own Hands: Immigration and the Politics of Exceptionalism.
His home was in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and he owned a plantation in Mississippi.
He told them that if necessary to enforce the laws, he personally would lead the Army.