James Buchanan is sworn in as the …
Years: 1857 - 1857
March
James Buchanan is sworn in as the fifteenth President of the United States on March 4, 1857, taking the oath of office from Chief Justice Roger B. Taney.
In his inaugural address, Buchanan commits himself to serving only one term, though Franklin Pierce had made the same commitment.
Buchanan also deplores the growing divisions over slavery and its status in the territories.
Stating that Congress should play no role in determining the status of slavery in the states or territories, Buchanan argues for popular sovereignty.
Furthermore, Buchanan argues that a federal slave code should protect the rights of slave-owners in any federal territory.
He alludes to a pending Supreme Court case, Dred Scott v. Sandford, which he states will permanently settle the issue of slavery.
In fact, Buchanan already knows the outcome of the case, and had even played a part in its disposition.
As his inauguration approached, Buchanan had sought to establish a harmonious cabinet, as he hoped to avoid the in-fighting that had plagued Andrew Jackson's top officials.
Buchanan has chosen four southerners and three northerners, the latter of whom are all considered to be doughfaces: politicians who are perceived to be pliable and moldable.
Buchanan seeks to be the clear leader of the cabinet, and has chosen men who will agree with his views.
Anticipating that his administration will concentrate on foreign policy and that Buchanan himself will largely direct foreign policy, he has appointed the aging Lewis Cass as Secretary of State.
Buchanan's appointment of southerners and southern sympathizers alienates many in the north, and his failure to appoint any followers of Stephen Douglas divides the party.
Outside of the cabinet, Buchanan will leave in place many of Pierce's appointments, but will remove a disproportionate number of northerners who have ties to Pierce or Douglas.
Buchanan will quickly alienate his vice president, John C. Breckinridge, and the latter will play little role in the Buchanan administration
In his inaugural address, Buchanan commits himself to serving only one term, though Franklin Pierce had made the same commitment.
Buchanan also deplores the growing divisions over slavery and its status in the territories.
Stating that Congress should play no role in determining the status of slavery in the states or territories, Buchanan argues for popular sovereignty.
Furthermore, Buchanan argues that a federal slave code should protect the rights of slave-owners in any federal territory.
He alludes to a pending Supreme Court case, Dred Scott v. Sandford, which he states will permanently settle the issue of slavery.
In fact, Buchanan already knows the outcome of the case, and had even played a part in its disposition.
As his inauguration approached, Buchanan had sought to establish a harmonious cabinet, as he hoped to avoid the in-fighting that had plagued Andrew Jackson's top officials.
Buchanan has chosen four southerners and three northerners, the latter of whom are all considered to be doughfaces: politicians who are perceived to be pliable and moldable.
Buchanan seeks to be the clear leader of the cabinet, and has chosen men who will agree with his views.
Anticipating that his administration will concentrate on foreign policy and that Buchanan himself will largely direct foreign policy, he has appointed the aging Lewis Cass as Secretary of State.
Buchanan's appointment of southerners and southern sympathizers alienates many in the north, and his failure to appoint any followers of Stephen Douglas divides the party.
Outside of the cabinet, Buchanan will leave in place many of Pierce's appointments, but will remove a disproportionate number of northerners who have ties to Pierce or Douglas.
Buchanan will quickly alienate his vice president, John C. Breckinridge, and the latter will play little role in the Buchanan administration
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Years: 1857 - 1857
March
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