Tyler made the annexation of Texas the main foreign policy priority of the later stages of his administration . He attempted to win ratification of an annexation treaty in 1844 , but , to Adams 's surprise and relief , the treaty was rejected by the Senate . The annexation of Texas became the central issue of the 1844 presidential election , and Southerners blocked the nomination of Van Buren at the 1844 Democratic National Convention due to the latter 's opposition to annexation ; the party instead nominated James K. Polk , an acolyte of Andrew Jackson . Though he once again did not take part in the campaigning , Adams was deeply disappointed that Polk defeated his old ally , Henry Clay , in the 1844 election . He attributed the outcome of the election partly to the Liberty Party , a small , abolitionist third party that may have siphoned votes from Clay in the crucial state of New York . After the election , Tyler , whose term would end in March 1845 , once again submitted an annexation treaty to Congress . Adams strongly attacked the treaty , arguing that the annexation of Texas would involve the United States in " a war for slavery . " Despite Adams 's opposition , both houses of Congress approved the treaty , with most Democrats voting for annexation and most Whigs voting against it . Texas thus joined the United States as a slave state in 1845
1844 Democratic National Convention
1844 Democratic National Convention
John Quincy Adams