JOHN POLK – JAMES POLK:

United States of America and his

Excellency JOHN POLK
1845-1849

On November 13, 2009 Newsweek ran an critique authored by Donald

Graham. In that piece of writing Graham reviewed a biography by
writer Robert Merry. Graham points out that Robert Merry had written
a compelling narrative with reference to President John Polk.
John/James Polk is depicted as an peculiar man brought to life in this
book. A chap who is prudish, guarded, spirited in his policies, shrewd
in his politics and cowardly face-to-face. Merry goes on to depict Polk
as a smaller-than-life figure. Except he goes on to explain that Polk is
a lot more remarkable than his reputation.

It is believed that, Polk is the least significant president of the United

States. Then again, he fought the Mexican War and extended the
Union by settling claims to Texas and the Oregon Territory. These
settlements of claims made way for the growth of the USA including
the acquisition of California and the Southwest. This development also
strengthened national financial policy. According to the author Merry,
President Polk completed most of his pursuits when in office chiefly as
a consequence of his own initiative. Merry describes Polk as an wise
political figure.

As president, Polk "expanded the Union by settling claims to Texas and

the Oregon Territory and by acquiring California and the Southwest”.
The expansion reopened a furious national debate over allowing
slavery in the new territories. The controversy was inadequately
arbitrated by the Compromise of 1850, and finally found its ultimate
resolution on the battlefields of the U.S. Civil War. Polk signed the
Walker Tariff that brought an era of nearly free trade to the country
until 1861. He oversaw the opening of the U.S. Naval Academy and
the Smithsonian Institution, the groundbreaking for the Washington
Monument, and the issuance of the first postage stamps in the United
States, introduced by his Postmaster General Cave Johnson.

Merry notes that Polk was a most improbable president. For example,
he was elected immediately after two defeats for the governor of
Tennessee, after that spent years maneuvering for the Democratic vice
presidential nomination. When the favored candidate, Martin Van
Buren, chose the incorrect side on Texas annexation in 1844, Polk's
insightful political team advanced him to a deadlocked convention.
Because of this Polk was the first dark-horse nominee elected
president.

Once James was 11, the family sold the homestead and traveled west
to join James's grandfather in Tennessee. Young James attended
lecturers there, then returned to North Carolina to become an honor
student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Soon after
graduating in 1818, he traveled back to Tennessee, studied law, and
established a practice. In 1824 Polk married Sarah Childress, whose
congenial manner and faithful companion helped advance his political
career.