Hugh Lawson White

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This is about the 19th century Tennessee politician; for the 20th century Mississippi politician, see Hugh L. White.

Hugh Lawson White

Hugh Lawson White (October 30, 1773–April 10, 1840) was a prominent American politician during the first third of the 19th century. He succeeded General Jackson and served in the United States Senate, representing Tennessee, from 1825 until his resignation in 1840, and was a Whig candidate for President in 1836.

[edit] Military service and law

He had served in Tennessee in 1792-93 against the Native Americans. He began to practice law in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1796, and became a judge in 1801. In 1829-30, Senator White was the author of the bill to remove the Native Americans west of the Mississippi. His independent nature and his stern rectitude earned for Judge White the appellation "The Cato of the United States."

[edit] Politics

He was at first a strong supporter of President Jackson, but their relationship floundered after the Legislature of Tennessee nominated him for President in 1835. In the election of 1836, he won in Tennessee by more than 10,000 votes. Altogether, he won a total of 26 electoral votes.

Senator White resigned on January 13, 1840 after the General Assembly of Tennessee instructed him to vote for the Sub Treasury Bill, or Independent Treasury Bill. He had been a banker and the president of the Bank of Tennessee from 1812 to 1827. Alexander O. Anderson replaced him in the Senate on February 26, 1840. On April 20, 1840, in the Senate, Senator Anderson announced the death of the Honorable Hugh L. White.

[edit] External links

Official Congressional biography

Preceded by Littleton Waller Tazewell	*President pro tempore* of the United States Senate** December 3, 1832–December 15, 1833	Succeeded by George Poindexter
Preceded by (none)	Whig Party presidential candidate 1836 (lost)^(a)	Succeeded by William Henry Harrison
^(a) The Whig Party ran regional candidates in 1836. White ran in the Southern states, William Henry Harrison ran in the Northern states, and Daniel Webster ran in Massachusetts.
Preceded by Andrew Jackson	United States Senator (Class 2) from Tennessee 1825-1840 Served alongside: John Eaton, Felix Grundy, Ephraim H. Foster, Felix Grundy	Succeeded by Alexander O. Anderson