The politicians and lovers of availability had judged wisely, and Taylor was triumphantly elected.
Before the new President was inaugurated, in the winter of 1848-49, the struggle began in Congress, which led to the delivery of the 7th of March speech by Mr.Webster in the following year.

At this point, therefore, it becomes necessary to turn back and review briefly and rapidly Mr.Webster's course in regard to the question of slavery.
His first important utterance on this momentous question was in 1819, when the land was distracted with the conflict which had suddenly arisen over the admission of Missouri.

Massachusetts was strongly in favor of the exclusion of slavery from the new States, and utterly averse to any compromise.

A meeting was held in the state-house at Boston, and a committee was appointed to draft a memorial to Congress, on the subject of the prohibition of slavery in the territories.

This memorial,--which was afterwards adopted,--was drawn by Mr.Webster, as chairman of the committee.