William Henry Harrison (1773-1841; see entry in volume 2) rode into the presidency on a wave of popularity over his legendary military background and a colorful campaign. Aged sixty-eight at his inaugural, he was the nation's oldest president until Ronald Reagan (1911-; see entry in volume 5) took office 140 years later. Harrison gave his inaugural address —the longest of any president—on a terribly cold day. Showing his hardiness, Harrison dressed lightly for the occasion. Within a month, he caught a cold that soon killed him.

Though he had very little time to act on what he stated in his address, the speech remains significant as a statement on limited presidential authority. Harrison indicated that he generally planned to follow the lead of Congress. Two powerful congressmen of his Whig Party—Daniel Webster (1782-1852; see box in John Tyler entry in volume 2) and...