ington Whigs marched in procession from Capitol Hill
to the White House, with torches, music, transparencies, and
fireworks, escorting a catafalque on which was a coffin labeled,
"The sub-Treasury." As the procession moved slowly along Pennsylvania
Avenue, bonfires were kindled at the intersecting streets, many
houses were illuminated, and there was general rejoicing. On the
arrival of the procession at the Executive Mansion, President Tyler
came out and made a few remarks, while Mr. Webster and the other
members of the Cabinet bowed their thanks for the cheers given
them. The hilarious crowd of mock-mourners then repaired to the
house of Mrs. Brown, at the corner of Seventh and D Streets, where
Mr. Clay boarded, and received his grateful acknowledgments for
the demonstration. The next measure on Mr. Clay's programme, the
bill for the distribution of the proceeds of the sales of the public
lands among the States, was also promptly enacted and as promptly
approved by the President. Next came the National Bankrupt Act,
which was stoutly opposed by the Democrats, but it finally passed,
and was approved by Mr. Tyler.

When Congress enacted a bill creating a National Bank, however,
and sent it to the President for his approval, he returned it with
his veto. This created much discontent among the Whigs, while the
Democrats were so rejoiced that a considerable number of their
Congressmen called at the Executive Mansion. The President received
them cordially, and treated them to champagne, in which toasts were
drunk not very complimentary to the Whig party, or to its leader,
Mr. Clay. The Kentucky Senator soon saw that it was of no use to
temporize with his vacillating chieftain, who evidently desired to
become his own successor, so he determined to force the Administration
into a hostile attitude toward the Whigs, while he himself should
step to the front as their recognized leader. Haughty and imperious,
Mr. Clay was nevertheless so fascinating in his manner when he
chose to be that he held unlimited control over nearly every member
of the party. He remembered, too, that Tyler had been nominated
for Vice-President in pursuance of a bargain made by Clay's own
friends in the Legislature of Virginia, where they had joined the
Van Buren members in electing Mr. Rives to the Senate. This bargain
Mr. Clay had hoped would secure for him the support of the State
of Virginia in the nominating convention, and although Harris