The class of disappointed men who gathered around the Vice-President held a political relation not unlike that of the class who in England have on several occasions formed the Prince of Wales' party--composed of malcontents of the opposition, who were on the worst possible terms with the Ministry.
John Tyler, as President Johnson well knew from personal observation, began his Executive career with an apparent intention of following in the footsteps of the lamented Harrison, to which course he had been indeed been enjoined by the dying President in words of the most solemn import.

Tyler gave assurances to his Cabinet that he desired them to retain their places.

But the suggestion--which he was too ready to adopt--was soon made, that he would earn no personal fame by submissively continuing in the pathway marked out by another.

With this uneasiness implanted in his mind, it was impossible that he should retain a Cabinet in whose original selection he had no part, and whose presence was the symbol of a political subordination which constantly fretted him.

A cause of difference was soon found; difference led to irritation, irritation to open quarrel, and quarrel ended in a dissolution of the Cabinet five months after Mr.Tyler's accession to the Executive chair.