President Tyler 's break with the Whig Party , combined with Webster 's continuing affiliation with Tyler , positioned Clay as the leading contender for the Whig nomination in the 1844 presidential election . By 1842 , most observers believed that Clay would face Van Buren in the 1844 presidential election . Hoping to win another term , President Tyler forged an alliance with John C. Calhoun and pursued the annexation of the Republic of Texas , which would add another slave state to the union . After President Tyler concluded an annexation treaty with Texas , Clay announced his opposition to annexation . He argued that the country needed " union , peace , and patience , " and annexation would bring tensions over slavery and war with Mexico . The same day that Clay published a letter opposing the annexation of Texas , Van Buren also came out against annexation , citing similar reasons as Clay . Clay unanimously won the presidential nomination at the 1844 Whig National Convention , but expansionist Southern Democrats blocked Van Buren 's nomination at the 1844 Democratic National Convention . The party instead nominated former Speaker of the House James K. Polk of Tennessee , who favored annexation . Following the nomination of a pro-annexation Democrat , Tyler ended his incipient independent run for president and endorsed Polk
1844 Democratic National Convention
1844 Democratic National Convention
Henry Clay