In late 1839 , the Whigs held their first national convention and nominated William Henry Harrison as their presidential candidate . In March 1840 , Harrison pledged to serve only one term as President if elected , a pledge that reflected popular support for a constitutional limit to presidential terms among many in the Whig Party . Harrison went on to victory in 1840 , defeating Van Buren 's re-election bid largely as a result of the Panic of 1837 and subsequent depression . Harrison served only 31 days and became the first President to die in office . He was succeeded by John Tyler , a Virginian and states ' rights absolutist . Tyler vetoed the Whig economic legislation and was expelled from the Whig party in September 1841
first national convention
1839 Whig National Convention
Whig Party (United States)