1844, Clay vs. Polk: His Accidency

American Elections: Wicked Game

Airship

History

4.8 • 3.2K Ratings

🗓️ 7 January 2020

⏱️ 42 minutes

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Summary

After President Harrison passes away just one month into his term, Vice President John Tyler becomes the first accidental president in US History. While Tyler fights for the legitimacy of his presidency and sets precedents for future succession, the Whigs and Democrats fight it out on the campaign trail. Whig candidate Henry Clay and Democrat candidate James K Polk go head to head over the issue of Texas and the expansion of slavery.

Created, hosted and executive produced by Lindsay Graham for Airship. Sound design by Derek Behrens. Co-Executive produced by Steven Walters in association with Ritual Productions. Written and researched by Steven Walters. Fact checking by Gregory Jackson and Cielle Salazar from the podcast History That Doesn’t Suck. Music by Lindsay Graham.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	It's February 24th, 1841. The Supreme Court is packed with spectators who've come to hear
0:18.7	what will become a notorious case. United States, the Schooner Amestad.
0:23.8	Order, order. I said order. The Court must decide the future of 36 souls.
0:32.2	Primarily, Mendy West Africans who were illegally captured and taken to Cuba by Spanish slave
0:38.1	traders. During their voyage, the West Africans revolted against their captors and
0:42.8	commandeered the ship. But as they tried to sail home to Africa, they were captured by
0:47.4	U.S. authorities. Now, the highest court in America must decide their fate. The judge
0:52.7	turns to the West African's attorney and gives him the floor. Mr. Adams, you may proceed.
0:58.5	That's former President John Quincy Adams, son of America's second president. While
1:03.7	half the room reveres him, the other half are ready to burn him in effigy for his abolitionist
1:08.6	views. Adams addresses the room. May it please your honors.
1:15.1	I will have order in this chamber, gentlemen. Just a story glairs out across the audience.
1:20.8	Another word out of you, Lot, and I will clear this courtroom.
1:25.0	Proceed, Mr. Adams. Thank you, Your Honor.
1:29.0	Adams takes breath. The weight of the moment clearly working on him. He's spoken in the
1:33.6	court before, but never for a cause such as this. He hopes his age will not betray his
1:38.6	passion. This court is a court of justice. I ask the court to consider what justice is.
1:45.5	The constant and perpetual will to secure to everyone his own right. I appear here on
1:51.0	behalf of 36 individuals whose life and liberty depend on the decision of this court.
1:57.6	In defense of the West Africans, Adams doesn't hold back. He launches a pointed attack against
2:02.6	his political rival, outgoing President Martin Vamburin. Vamburin had tried to send the
2:07.6	West Africans to Spain, hoping to win southern support in the 1840 contest, but Vamburin
	...

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