#jameskpolk

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James K Polk #illustration #art #drawing #sketch #penandink #watercolor #portrait #jameskpolk #uspresidents #younghickory #napoleonofthestump

[digitalpresidentsproject]

James K. Polk

James K. Polk

Basic Info

b. November 2, 1795 - d. June 15, 1849

Term: March 4, 1845 – March 4, 1849

Party: Democratic

VP: George M. Dallas

From: Mecklenburg County, North Carolina

Known for being called the “dark horse” president, the ideals that Polk campaigned with as well as the years of experience in law and politics made him unique to the election of 1844. He was once Governor of Texas and even Speaker of the House during Andrew Jackson’s presidency. Unbeknownst to the public, he was the last Jacksonian president and the influence of Jackson helped him with the expansionist policies which helped with the capture of Texas, California, and Hawaii.

Main Points of Inaugural (Link)

To preserve slavery must be religiously observed or else it will lead to the most ruinous and disastrous consequences. This was a core democratic viewpoint through the Civil War.

Abolitionists are dangerous, and their work can lead to the dissolution of our happiness and union. We must preserve slavery in order preserve the principles of the Constitution which the Founding Fathers created to unite and protect us all.

Need no national banks or extra institutions around the government because they cause more problems than good.

Each state is a complete sovereignty within the sphere of its reserved powers. The Federal government is also a complete sovereignty. Each of these governments should stay within their limits and respect the boundaries already created for them.

In terms of foreign affairs and foreigners, these policies have no reform on the States and all those who live upon American soil, native or foreign, of every shade of opinion, are protected with the laws created in the United States. Minorities have a right to appeal to the constitution as a shield against those who are encroaching upon their rights.

Although our government is not perfect, it is a success. To preserve it the compromises which helped the Founding Fathers form the Constitution must be sacredly and religiously observed. Otherwise, everything will be ruined and come with the worst consequences.

Polk intends to have a strict economy that goes with public interest. The national debt has grown rapidly and it is due to unnecessary spending. The nation needs adjustment of revenue laws and the levy of taxes necessary for the support of Government.

The power “to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises” is indispensable to the Federal Government and without it, there would be no means of providing support to the nation. Our citizens will submit to the payment of taxes as needed, during peace or war.

Polk mentions the welcoming of Texas and looks forward to its decision to enter the Union and the importance of Texas’ resources to the nation. His mention about the foreign nations having no right to interfere with them stems from the ideals of the Monroe Doctrine. This also applies to Oregon.

All officers are expected to preform a strict duty of "care that the laws be faithfully executed" or else they will be terminated.

Main Conflicts

The map above shows the growth of US geography over the course of John K. Polk's presidency.

Media

Political Cock Fighters by James Baillie in 1844. This is a political cartoon depicting the fights between Henry Clay and James Polk during the 1844 election as important figures of the current and past make remarks about the waning Polk bird. It is archived in the Library of Congress.

Presidential Commentary

The beginning of Polk’s presidency began with negative comments from the Whigs but he proved to them his real strengths after winning the Mexican-American War, expanding the US to have easy access to the Pacific Ocean, and settling the issues with the US-Canadian border once and for all.

There were plenty of strengths within the presidency of James Polk. First, the strength of having the courage to assert his stance on the Texas annexation issue while both Clay and Van Buren tried to avoid speaking about it. Taking advice from his mentor, Jackson was able to help Polk secure the presidency by encouraging the use of expansionist rhetoric and ideology. Instead of hiding behind the curtain about his wishes, he asserted them even in his inaugural speech. This assertion and dare to be different led him in his success of settling the border of Oregon as well as the acquisition of California (which later proved to be a very valuable state in terms of gold), and finally the acquisition of Texas which later became a state in the Union. Without his tenacity, the issue of Texas would have not been addressed and the issue of whether the United States should go after it to claim the very precious and fertile land would have continued. It also influenced the future acquisition of territories. Future events like the Gold Rush and the transcontinental railroad would not have occurred either. These events were able to shape the demographics of the US and changed the economy tremendously as well as the living standard. Without this trait, the US would have looked completely different.

Another strength of this president was his re-establishment of the independent US treasury system. Although there were many that tried to prevent the independent treasury, his presidency was the one that reopened it until the early 20th century. In other terms of financial and economic policies, his care for the reduction of tariff rates helped him gain popularity and showed his truth in what he promised to do in his campaign. The strength of making sure the treasury opened and doing what he said he would do made him a great president for the people.

Yet, there are weaknesses that are seen throughout Polk’s presidency. The first being starting another war which all people wish to avoid if not necessary. His first weakness was bringing in Gen. Zachary Taylor to “pressure” the Mexican people. Unsurprisingly, the Mexicans took this as an indirect declaration of war and attacked the troops. This could have been avoided if the president did not use these troops to “pressure” the Mexican government into selling the land. Although it could have been worse, since the US could have also been fighting the British over land near Oregon at the same time, it was still a conflict that weakened the nation’s trust in him and increased the debt he promised to get rid of in his speech. The $15 million dollar price tag did serve well to the people as California is a prosperous state today.

Citations/Links

https://avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/polk.asp

https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/james-k-polk/

https://picryl.com/media/political-cock-fighters

[susanelizabethjonesart]

“Polk Urn of Geraniums” 5 x 7 watercolor on paper Day Two of the “Gardens of Columbia” tour to benefit the @polkhome in #Columbiatn, the cool side of the brick courtyard wall and shade of a large tree was calling my name. This is where I set up to paint. This beautiful chalice urn has a history of its own. It originally decorated Polk Place Mansion, the home on Vine Street in East Nashville where President and Mrs Polk retired after leaving the @whitehouse in 1849. Sadly, President Polk only lived here a few days. He passed away from cholera a month after settling in. Sarah remained in the home until her death in 1891. The home was demolished in 1901. This urn is only one of a few surviving pieces from their time at Polk Place. The other surviving pieces are the iron fountain and gate, also at the @polkhome. #jameskpolk #uspresident #tennessee #tennesseehistory #polkplace #eastnashville #geraniums #garden #jardin #blooms (at President James K. Polk Home & Museum) https://www.instagram.com/p/CP0m2pvBrU_/?utm_medium=tumblr

[susanelizabethjonesart]

James K Polk Home, Columbia 5 x 7 watercolor on paper #watercolor #watercolorpainting #uspresident #onetermpresident #jameskpolk #jameskpolkhome #columbiatn (at Columbia, Tennessee) https://www.instagram.com/p/CJxKVruhEfp/?igshid=1l7ulgl02m1s

[susanelizabethjonesart]

Working on a watercolor painting of the James K Polk home that will be turned into a post card for the January 2021 issue of “Postcards from the Dimple of the Universe” subscription available through Etsy. This is one of my favorite projects I look forward to each month. Included is a 5 x7 print suitable for framing, a handwritten note, and a fact sheet with the history of the historic building depicted in the painting. #postcard #dimpleoftheuniverse #polkhome #jameskpolk #columbiatn #downtowncolumbia #watercolor #subscription #snailmail (at Columbia, Tennessee) https://www.instagram.com/p/CJxJ8yLhpFw/?igshid=1zs85pvd0sxr

[susanelizabethjonesart]

Just completed the commissioned Christmas ornament for the Tennessee governor’s mansion to be displayed this year during the holidays. So thrilled to be asked to participate! Hope to make my Maury Co Friends and neighbors proud. #christmasornament #tennessee #maurycountytn #jameskpolk #bestpresidentever #artcommission #tennesseegovernorsmansion #artist #columbiatn #doingwhatilove #inspiration #creativity (at Carriage House Studio of Windy Acre Cottage) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHnhvnDBov7/?igshid=10o72dzxr0imj

[susanelizabethjonesart]

Lovely afternoon spent at the pole presidential hall of the James K Polk museum enjoying the current exhibit of 1830 Audubon bird prints from his watercolors on loan from the Dupont collection . . . . #jameskpolk #audubon #audubonprints #columbiatn #historygeek (at President James K. Polk Home & Museum) https://www.instagram.com/p/B90fdDPHCth/?igshid=15721q3cz2jlc

[susanelizabethjonesart]

@bjones1108 and I enjoyed a lovely afternoon perusing the beautiful and historic Audubon prints on exhibit at #polkpresidentialhall #columbiatn . . . . #jameskpolk #audubon #audubonprints #columbiatn #historygeek (at President James K. Polk Home & Museum) https://www.instagram.com/p/B90fHB-HVjj/?igshid=832a35idocho