Party: Whig
Fact One: Appointed Brigham Young as the first governor of the Utah Territory.
Fact Two: Welcomed the Hungarian revolutionary, Lajos Kossuth, to the White House for a meeting. The Hungarian revolution against Austria failed and Lajos was exiled. He wanted the president to recognize Hungary as a nation, which many German-Americans supported at the time. This president did not acquiesce to the demands and eventually Americans tired of Lajos Kossuth and he went back to Europe.
Fact Three: Signed a secret treaty with King Kamehameha III of Hawaii. This treaty said that the United States would gain sovereignty over the island in the event of war over annexation from European powers.
Fact Four: Oversaw California’s statehood, which was a major compromise between the North & South. The deal firmed up the Texas borders and left the issue of slavery in the territories of Utah & New Mexico up in the air.
Fact Five: Signed the Fugitive Slave Act into law. Despite believing slavery would one day not exist in America, this president vigorously enforced the law.
Quotes:
“God knows I detest slavery but it is an existing evil, and we must endure it and give it such protection as is guaranteed by the Constitution.”
“May God save the country, for it is evident that the people will not.”
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