President John Tyler Autographs, Memorabilia & Collectibles

JOHN TYLER was an unpopular President. He had been a Democrat most of his political life and supported President Jackson for reelection in 1832. After the death of President Harrison, the Whigs, with a majority in both houses, regarded Senator Henry Clay as their leader. As a result, Tyler had few influential friends in political positions, thus his comment: "we must have friends in whom to confide." He became President because he happened to be Vice President, the first time an incumbent died in office. As a result, he was called "His Accidency" by both Democrats and Whigs. Tyler was true to Jeffersonian Republican ideals at a time when the Whig platform of nationalism and pro-business was popular. As a result, his presidential decisions were unpopular. Tyler retained all of his predecessor's Cabinet. On September 11, 1841, two days after he had vetoed legislation for a new national bank for a second time, the entire Cabinet, except for Secretary of State Daniel Webster, resigned in protest.