George Mifflin Dallas
George Mifflin Dallas was an American politician and lawyer born on July 10, 1792, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Alexander Dallas, a prominent lawyer and public servant who held various government positions, including treasury secretary. After graduating from the College of New Jersey at Princeton in 1810, Dallas became involved in politics, serving as private secretary to Albert Gallatin and later as a legal counsel for the Second Bank of the United States. His political career included roles such as mayor of Philadelphia, attorney general of Pennsylvania, and a brief term as a U.S. Senator where he chaired the Naval Affairs Committee.
In 1844, Dallas was selected as the vice-presidential running mate for James K. Polk, and during his term, he witnessed significant events such as the Mexican-American War and the annexation of Texas. Despite his loyalty to Polk, his support for unpopular tariffs hindered his political ambitions. After leaving office, he served as minister to Great Britain before returning to private law practice. Dallas died on December 31, 1864, leaving a legacy that includes towns named after him in Texas and Oregon, reflecting his contributions to American politics during a transformative period in the nation’s history. He was married to Sophia Chew Nicklin, with whom he had eight children.
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Subject Terms
George Mifflin Dallas
Politician, lawyer
- Born: July 10, 1792
- Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Died: December 31, 1864
- Place of death: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Education: College of New Jersey at Princeton
Significance: George Mifflin Dallas was an American politician and lawyer. He was the eleventh vice president of the United States under President James K. Polk. Prior to the vice presidency, Dallas served in a number of government roles as legal counsel. He was elected mayor of Philadelphia in 1828 before becoming a member of the US Senate in 1831. Although he aspired to the presidency, Dallas never managed to garner enough support from his fellow Democrats to win a nomination. He died in December 1864 from a heart attack.
Background
George Mifflin Dallas was born on July 10, 1792, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was one of six children and the second son of Alexander Dallas and Arabella Smith. His father was an influential Philadelphia lawyer and had served as secretary for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and reporter for the opinions of the US Supreme Court. As a show of gratitude for the elder Dallas's help during his presidential campaign, Thomas Jefferson appointed him US district attorney for the eastern district of Pennsylvania. Dallas's father also served as treasury secretary and secretary of war under President James Madison.
The young Dallas attended the College of New Jersey at Princeton, graduating with honors in 1810. He continued his education studying law and was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar in 1813. Dallas did not enjoy being a lawyer very much and wanted to join the military to fight in the War of 1812. His father objected to these plans, however, so Dallas accepted a position as private secretary to Pennsylvania politician Albert Gallatin, the former treasury secretary. Gallatin took Dallas with him in his travels to Russia to initiate peace negotiations with Great Britain. He also traveled to London on diplomatic assignments. Upon his return to the United States, Dallas was appointed remitter of the treasury.
Dallas's job at the treasury afforded him time to get involved in politics. Immersing himself in high society, he spent a good deal of his early career in debt due to his extravagant spending habits and expensive tastes. He eventually regained some of his losses by accepting a position as legal counsel for the Second Bank of the United States. He also maintained his own law practice. After his father died in 1817, Dallas left the Second Bank of the United States to accept the position of attorney general of Philadelphia, where he remained until 1820.
Dallas was elected mayor of Philadelphia in 1828 and took up his father's old post as district attorney for the eastern district of Pennsylvania in 1829. In 1831, Dallas was elected to fill an unexpired term in the US Senate, a position he held for fourteen months. During this time, he chaired the Naval Affairs Committee and supported protective tariff laws. A loyal Democrat and supporter of President Andrew Jackson, Dallas grew frustrated when the president vetoed a bill to recharter the Second Bank of the United States. The disagreement persuaded Dallas not to seek reelection after his term expired in 1833. He remained active in state politics while seeing to his duties as Pennsylvania's attorney general. He also developed a rivalry with fellow Pennsylvania Democrat James Buchanan in the years to follow that intensified over the next decade.
Overview
Dallas remained the state attorney general until 1835, and in 1837 President Martin Van Buren appointed him minister to Russia. Dallas enjoyed the social aspect of the position but disliked being away from the action in Washington and his minimal status within the government. He returned to the United States in 1839 and was offered the position of US attorney general. He declined the offer, however, and returned to Philadelphia to build up his law practice.
The Democrats chose James K. Polk as their presidential nominee over the incumbent Van Buren in 1844. After several unsuccessful nomination efforts by various Democratic candidates, the party settled on Dallas to fill the slot of vice president on Polk's ticket. His nomination came as a surprise to Dallas, who showed little enthusiasm at the prospect. Polk vowed to only serve one term, however, and Dallas hoped to run for president himself in 1848.
Dallas was frustrated to learn that Polk had appointed his rival Buchanan to secretary of state after taking office. Dallas made several of his own recommendations to various posts within Polk's cabinet, but many of Polk's selections marred the vice president's chances of becoming president. Despite his frustration, Dallas did his best to be a loyal party member and support his president—at the cost of his political future. Although his tenure saw victories in the Mexican-American War and the acquisition of Texas, Dallas's decision to side with Polk on the controversial Walker Tariff, which reduced tariffs and was especially unpopular in Pennsylvania, effectively put an end to his presidential aspirations.
Following the end of his term, Dallas returned to his law practice. He served as minister to Great Britain in the administration of President Franklin Pierce from 1856 to 1861. He then returned home to a war-torn country, disappointed that his Democratic Party was unable to prevent civil war. He died on December 31, 1864, at the age of seventy-two.
Impact
Although his hopes for the presidency were crushed, Dallas gained recognition in small corners of the country for his help with the acquisition of Texas and the settlement of a boundary dispute in Oregon. Both states named towns after Dallas.
Personal Life
Dallas married Sophia Chew Nicklin in 1816. They had eight children together.
Bibliography
"Dallas, George Mifflin." Federal Judicial Center, www.fjc.gov/node/1379721. Accessed 30 Jan. 2018.
"Dallas, George Mifflin, (1792–1864)." Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=d000011. Accessed 30 Jan. 2018.
"George M. Dallas (1845–1849)." Miller Center, millercenter.org/president/polk/essays/dallas-1845-vicepresident. Accessed 30 Jan. 2018.
"George Mifflin Dallas, 11th Vice President (1845–1849)." United States Senate, www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/generic/VP‗George‗Dallas.htm. Accessed 30 Jan. 2018.
"Vice President George M. Dallas: Biography & Facts." Study.com, study.com/academy/lesson/vice-president-george-m-dallas-biography-facts.html. Accessed 30 Jan. 2018.