Hannegan

On December 30, Senator Edward Hannegan of Indiana expressed the fiery western sentiment with a resolution demanding all of Oregon as “part and parcel” of the United States and declaring the government had “no power … to transfer its soil, and the allegiance of its citizens to the dominion, authority, control, and subjection of any foreign prince, state, or sovereignty.”

A Country of Vast Designs Robert W. Merry 2009

The entire exchange among Haywood, Hannegan, and Allen is taken from this account.

A Country of Vast Designs Robert W. Merry 2009

Further, it was something of a spectacle to see Daniel Webster, who favored no territorial acquisition, teaming up with Edward Hannegan, who wanted all of Mexico.

A Country of Vast Designs Robert W. Merry 2009

On March 7, Hannegan called on the president and worked himself into a state of high dudgeon.

A Country of Vast Designs Robert W. Merry 2009

“What is this, need I ask,” demanded Hannegan, “but charging upon the president conduct the most vile and infamous?”

A Country of Vast Designs Robert W. Merry 2009

All Democrats, said Hannegan, must adhere to the “declaration of party, made in solemn convention.”

A Country of Vast Designs Robert W. Merry 2009

First came Cass, who vowed to force Hannegan to “put the matter right” and do Polk justice at the next senatorial session.

A Country of Vast Designs Robert W. Merry 2009

Hannegan rose to pose a question to his colleague: “I ask him if he has the authority of the President, directly or indirectly, for saying to the Senate that it is his wish to terminate the Oregon question by compromising with Great Britain on the 49th degree of north latitude?”

A Country of Vast Designs Robert W. Merry 2009

On March 5 a Senate exchange erupted between the compromise-minded Senator Haywood and two western hawks—Senators Allen and Hannegan—that threw the party into turmoil.

A Country of Vast Designs Robert W. Merry 2009

Polk replied that what he had done thus far on Oregon was before the world and had been approved by the country and, as he thought, by Hannegan himself.

A Country of Vast Designs Robert W. Merry 2009