Richard Mentor Johnson: A Unique Figure in American Politics

Richard Mentor Johnson (October 17, 1780 – November 19, 1850) was a prominent American lawyer and politician whose career spanned several decades, deeply influencing the early Federal period of the United States. He is most distinctly remembered for his service as the ninth Vice President of the United States, holding the office from 1837 to 1841 under President Martin Van Buren. His ascent to this role was historically singular, as he remains the only Vice President ever elected by the United States Senate, a testament to the complex provisions of the Twelfth Amendment during a deadlocked Electoral College. Beyond his vice-presidency, Johnson dedicated much of his political life to representing Kentucky, serving multiple terms in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, a testament to his enduring popularity within his home state. His political journey notably began and concluded within the Kentucky House of Representatives, reflecting a career deeply rooted in state and national service.

Early Political Career and the War of 1812

Johnson's significant political career began with his election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1806. During this early Federal period, he quickly aligned himself with a dynamic group of younger, assertive politicians known as the "War Hawks," a faction predominantly led by his fellow Kentuckian, Henry Clay. This influential group passionately advocated for war with Great Britain in 1812, driven by issues such as British impressment of American sailors, restrictions on American trade, and perceived British instigation of Native American resistance against American expansion on the frontier. Their fervent calls for national honor and territorial expansion ultimately contributed to the declaration of the War of 1812.

When hostilities commenced, Johnson distinguished himself not only as a politician but also as a military leader. He was commissioned as a colonel in the Kentucky Militia, where he commanded a regiment of mounted volunteers from 1812 to 1813. Demonstrating significant bravery and leadership, he and his brother, James Johnson, served under the command of General William Henry Harrison in Upper Canada (modern-day Ontario). Johnson played a pivotal role in the decisive Battle of the Thames on October 5, 1813, a significant American victory that effectively ended British and Native American resistance in the Old Northwest. During this battle, a widely circulated and politically advantageous claim emerged that Johnson personally killed the renowned Shawnee chief Tecumseh, a powerful Native American leader who had allied with the British. While the exact circumstances remain debated by historians, Johnson shrewdly leveraged this claim throughout his subsequent political campaigns, cementing his image as a national hero.

Racial Relations and Political Controversy

Following his military service and the conclusion of the War of 1812, Johnson returned to the U.S. House of Representatives. His prominence continued to grow, leading to his appointment by the Kentucky state legislature to the U.S. Senate in 1819, filling the seat vacated by John J. Crittenden. However, as his national profile rose, so too did scrutiny of his unconventional personal life. Johnson was publicly criticized for his long-term interracial relationship with Julia Chinn, a mixed-race woman who was legally a slave but was often referred to as "octoroon," a term historically used to classify someone as having one-eighth African ancestry.

What set Johnson apart from many of his contemporaries, particularly upper-class Southern planters and political leaders who often had unacknowledged relationships with enslaved women, was his groundbreaking decision to treat Chinn as his common-law wife. In an era when such relationships were not only taboo but often legally prohibited or socially condemned, Johnson openly acknowledged their two daughters, Adaline and Imogene, as his own children, granting them his surname. This profoundly defied the social conventions and racial hierarchies of the early 19th century, causing considerable consternation and scandal among some of his constituents and political peers. It is widely believed by historians that this controversial relationship, and his open acknowledgment of his biracial family, played a significant role in the state legislature's decision not to reappoint him to the Senate in 1828, forcing his departure in 1829. Despite this setback at the state level, his popular support in his Congressional district remained strong, as voters promptly returned him to the House of Representatives in the very next election, underscoring his unique appeal to the broader electorate.

The Vice Presidency and Later Life

In 1836, Richard Mentor Johnson was selected as the Democratic nominee for Vice President, running on a ticket with presidential candidate Martin Van Buren. The campaign widely utilized his "Hero of the Thames" image, encapsulated by the memorable and somewhat crude slogan, "Rumpsey Dumpsey, Rumpsey Dumpsey, Colonel Johnson killed Tecumseh." Despite the widespread appeal of this battle cry, the election presented an unprecedented challenge. While Van Buren secured enough electoral votes to win the presidency, Johnson fell one vote shy of the required majority for the vice-presidency. This shortfall was largely due to Virginia's delegation to the Electoral College, which, likely influenced by public discomfort with Johnson's personal life, notably refused to cast their votes for him, opting instead for William Smith of South Carolina.

Consequently, for the first and only time in U.S. history, the election for Vice President was decided by the United States Senate, as stipulated by the Twelfth Amendment to the Constitution. On February 8, 1837, the Senate, by a vote of 33 to 16, elected Richard Mentor Johnson as the ninth Vice President of the United States. However, his controversial reputation and perceived liabilities, stemming primarily from his personal life and unconventional demeanor, made him a contentious figure within the Democratic Party. By the 1840 election, the Democrats, facing a tough reelection bid for President Van Buren against the popular Whig candidate William Henry Harrison (Johnson's former military commander), made the unprecedented decision not to renominate Johnson for Vice President. Van Buren therefore campaigned for reelection without a running mate, a highly unusual move that did not ultimately save his presidency, as he lost to Harrison.

After his vice-presidency, Johnson attempted to return to public office but faced several defeats. Despite these setbacks, he remained a fixture in Kentucky politics, eventually securing election to the Kentucky House of Representatives in 1850. Tragically, his final term was cut short, as he passed away on November 19, 1850, just two weeks after being sworn into office, bringing to an end the remarkable and often controversial career of one of America's most distinctive political figures.

Frequently Asked Questions About Richard Mentor Johnson

Who was Richard Mentor Johnson?

Richard Mentor Johnson was an American lawyer and politician who served as the ninth Vice President of the United States from 1837 to 1841 under President Martin Van Buren. He is also notable for his military service in the War of 1812 and his extensive career representing Kentucky in both state and federal legislatures.

Why is Richard Mentor Johnson unique among U.S. Vice Presidents?

Richard Mentor Johnson is unique because he is the only U.S. Vice President to have been elected by the United States Senate. This occurred in the 1836 election when he failed to secure an Electoral College majority, triggering a contingent election under the Twelfth Amendment.

What was Richard Mentor Johnson's role in the War of 1812?

During the War of 1812, Richard Mentor Johnson served as a colonel in the Kentucky Militia, commanding a regiment of mounted volunteers. He fought under William Henry Harrison and is famously credited, though historically debated, with personally killing the Shawnee chief Tecumseh at the Battle of the Thames.

What was the controversy surrounding Richard Mentor Johnson's personal life?

Johnson was controversial for his long-term, open interracial relationship with Julia Chinn, a woman legally enslaved. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he treated Chinn as his common-law wife and publicly acknowledged their two biracial daughters, giving them his surname, which defied the social norms and racial prejudices of the early 19th century.

Why was Richard Mentor Johnson not renominated for Vice President in 1840?

Johnson was not renominated by the Democratic Party in 1840 because his personal life and unconventional image were seen as a political liability for President Martin Van Buren's reelection campaign. This made him the first sitting Vice President not to be renominated by his party.