Both Clay and Van Buren, the respective frontrunners for the Whig and Democratic nominations, decided in a private meeting at Van Buren's home to come out against annexation.[151] Knowing this, Tyler was pessimistic when he sent the treaty to the Senate for ratification in April 1844.[152]
Secretary of State Calhoun sent a controversial letter informing the British minister to the U.S. that the motivation for Texas annexation was to protect American slavery from British intrusion. The letter also claimed Southern slaves were better off than Northern free blacks and English white laborers.[153]

Election of 1844
Main article: 1844 United States presidential election
Further information: Tyler Party
Following Tyler's break with the Whigs in 1841, he attempted a return to his old Democratic party, but its members, especially the followers of Van Buren, were not ready to accept him. As the election of 1844 approached, Van Buren appeared to have a lock on the Democratic nomination, while Clay was certain to be the Whig candidate. [154]  With little chance of election, the only way to salvage his presidential legacy was to threaten to run for President and force public acceptance of Texas annexation. 