Presidential Biographies | Fillmore Administration - Fillmore's Advisers

Fillmore's Advisers

When Fillmore became president, he knew that Taylor's cabinet was fundamentally opposed to what became known as the Compromise of 1850 being worked on by Massachusetts senator Daniel Webster. Upon taking office he accepted the resignations of all seven members of the Taylor cabinet and appointed his own members, who would not interfere with the compromise efforts.

Fillmore's key advisers were members of his cabinet, with Secretary of State Daniel Webster being closest to the president. Another well-known cabinet member was Attorney General John J. Crittenden who had served in the U.S. Senate and as attorney general in the William Henry Harrison and John Tyler administrations. Crittenden promoted compromise between the North and the South on slavery.