The President then nominated him as Commissioner to China, and he was promptly confirmed.

Oriental diplomatists never encountered a minister better fitted to meet them with their own weapons.
Upon his return home, Mr.Cushing found that Mr.Webster had resumed his place as the leader of the Northern Whigs.

Mr.Clay had meanwhile been defeated for the Presidency, his followers were discouraged, the administration of Mr.Polk was in power.

Mr.
Cushing at once joined the Democracy, and was made a Brigadier- General in the army raised for the war with Mexico.

From that time onward he became a partisan of the extreme State-rights school of the Southern Democracy, and was appropriately selected for Attorney- General by President Pierce in 1853.