The Attorney-general was Reverdy Johnson of Maryland, an ardent Whig partisan, distinguished in his profession, born and living in a slave State, but firmly devoted to the Union, as in later life he abundantly proved.

The pronounced Southern sentiment, as represented by Toombs and Stephens, had but two representatives in the cabinet,--George W.Crawford of Georgia (nephew of the eminent William H.Crawford), Secretary of War; and William Ballard Preston of Virginia, Secretary of the Navy,--able and upright men, but less distinguished than their associates.
The country was in an expectant and restless condition.

The pro- slavery leaders, who had counted upon large political gain to their section by the acquisition of territory from Mexico, were somewhat discouraged, and began to fear that the South had sown, and that the North would reap.

They had hoped to establish their right by positive legislation to enter all the territories with slave property.

If they should fail in this, they believed with all confidence, and had good reason at the time for their faith, that they would be able to carry the line of 36 deg.