Webster Worked As US Secretary of State During John Tyler Term

In order to make presidential selections, Harrison sought out Webster and Clay's advice extensively, and the two Whig leaders fought to appoint their followers and allies to important offices. Harrison initially hoped that Webster would lead Harrison's economic program as secretary of the treasury, but Webster was appointed secretary of state instead, giving Harrison control over international policy. John Tyler succeeded Harrison when he passed away from illness just one month after assuming office. Despite having quite different ideologies (Tyler was a supporter of states' rights) and personalities, Tyler and Webster initially had a good working relationship because they both viewed Clay as a potential opponent for leadership in the Whig Party. They both established a close working relationship and concentrated on creating the framework for an aggressive US foreign policy.

Webster also worked for President Millard Fillmore as the nation's foreign secretary. When Tylor passed away, Fillmore took over as US President. Shortly after taking office, he disbanded Tylor's cabinet and named Webster as his secretary of state. For advice on choosing the remaining members of his cabinet, Fillmore turned to Webster. This is also the fourth fact about Daniel Webster we want to mention.