The Powerful Missouri Senator Associated With Manifest Destiny
Senator Thomas Hart Benton was one of the most influential American politicians in the period preceding the Civil War, and his expansionist views made him one of the most prominent supporters of Manifest Destiny.
Benton, who represented Missouri in the United States Senate for 30 years, as a perennial advocate for the interests of the West.
During his decades in Washington Benton was widely regarded as a colorful character.
To the American public he was generally considered as important as the men who became known as the Great Triumvirate: Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, and John C. Calhoun.
In his youth he had participated in a famous brawl with Andrew Jackson that escalated into an exchange of gunfire. But in later years he became a powerful ally of Jackson in the Senate.
Thomas Hart Benton was born March 14, 1782, at Hillsboro, North Carolina. He received some education and worked in business as a young man. He became a state senator in 1809, and was admitted to the bar in 1811.
As a young man Benton was involved in a violent brawl with Andrew Jackson. The incident began as a confrontation between Jackson and Benton's brother, Jesse. In the fighting Jackson was wounded with a pistol shot, possibly fired by Thomas Benton, and he carried the ball in his body for many years.
Despite that altercation, Benton, in later years, would sometimes ally himself with Jackson on political issues.
In 1815, following the conclusion of the War of 1812, Benton moved to Missouri, apparently sensing opportunity.On September 27, 1817, Benton was involved in a duel in which he killed his opponent, Charles Lucas, a federal district attorney.
Benton's conduct in the duel with Lucas was often criticized, but he escaped prosecution and the incident seemed to have no tangible effect on his life.
Benton was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1820, and took his seat in the Capitol in 1821. His Senate career was often focused on two main issues, financial stability of the government, and the expansion of the United States westward.
At a time when many Americans did not comprehend any reason to settle the West, Benton was advocating for the annexation of Oregon.Â
On financial matters, Benton was generally aligned with Jackson against the Bank of the United States. Benton's preference was for "hard money," as opposed to paper money. He picked up the nickname "Old Bullion Benton."
After 30 years in the Senate, much of it near the pinnacle of power, Benton lost his seat in the election of 1850. He later was elected to the House of Representatives, but the power he had once wielded was gone. He died in 1858.
To many Americans of his time, Benton was the leading advocate of westward expansion. And he was perhaps the one politician most closely associated with the concept of manifest destiny.
The 20th century American painter, Thomas Hart Benton, was Senator Benton's great-nephew, and was named for him.Â
Benton, who represented Missouri in the United States Senate for 30 years, as a perennial advocate for the interests of the West.
During his decades in Washington Benton was widely regarded as a colorful character.
To the American public he was generally considered as important as the men who became known as the Great Triumvirate: Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, and John C. Calhoun.
In his youth he had participated in a famous brawl with Andrew Jackson that escalated into an exchange of gunfire. But in later years he became a powerful ally of Jackson in the Senate.
Early Life
Thomas Hart Benton was born March 14, 1782, at Hillsboro, North Carolina. He received some education and worked in business as a young man. He became a state senator in 1809, and was admitted to the bar in 1811.
As a young man Benton was involved in a violent brawl with Andrew Jackson. The incident began as a confrontation between Jackson and Benton's brother, Jesse. In the fighting Jackson was wounded with a pistol shot, possibly fired by Thomas Benton, and he carried the ball in his body for many years.
Despite that altercation, Benton, in later years, would sometimes ally himself with Jackson on political issues.
In 1815, following the conclusion of the War of 1812, Benton moved to Missouri, apparently sensing opportunity.On September 27, 1817, Benton was involved in a duel in which he killed his opponent, Charles Lucas, a federal district attorney.
Benton's conduct in the duel with Lucas was often criticized, but he escaped prosecution and the incident seemed to have no tangible effect on his life.
Senate Career
Benton was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1820, and took his seat in the Capitol in 1821. His Senate career was often focused on two main issues, financial stability of the government, and the expansion of the United States westward.
At a time when many Americans did not comprehend any reason to settle the West, Benton was advocating for the annexation of Oregon.Â
On financial matters, Benton was generally aligned with Jackson against the Bank of the United States. Benton's preference was for "hard money," as opposed to paper money. He picked up the nickname "Old Bullion Benton."
After 30 years in the Senate, much of it near the pinnacle of power, Benton lost his seat in the election of 1850. He later was elected to the House of Representatives, but the power he had once wielded was gone. He died in 1858.
Significance of Thomas Hart Benton
To many Americans of his time, Benton was the leading advocate of westward expansion. And he was perhaps the one politician most closely associated with the concept of manifest destiny.
The 20th century American painter, Thomas Hart Benton, was Senator Benton's great-nephew, and was named for him.Â