Henry Johnson (Louisiana)

Henry Johnson ( born September 14, 1783 in Virginia; † September 4, 1864 in Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana ) was an American politician and 1824-1828 Governor of the State of Louisiana. He also represented his country in both chambers of Congress.

Early years and political rise

After primary school, Johnson studied law. In 1809 he moved into the Orleans Territory, where he was first employed in the management of the Second Superior Court. Since 1811 he was District Judge. In 1812 he was a member of the Constituent Assembly of Louisiana. This year he applied unsuccessfully for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He then worked as a lawyer in Donaldsonville.

First term in the U.S. Senate

After the death of U.S. Senator William Charles Cole Claiborne in 1817, Johnson was then a member of the Democratic-Republican Party, was appointed his successor as Class 2 senator. In 1823 he was appointed in this position, from which he already resigned on May 27, 1824 again, because he is contrary to his 1823 promise given to wanted to advertise the post of governor of Louisiana. During his time in the Senate he was chairman of the Committee on Indian Affairs ( Committee on Indian Affairs ). He was at the Creole population of Louisiana popular because he defended their land rights in the Senate and entered for release from Federal land for Creole settlers.

Governor of Louisiana

On July 5, 1824 Johnson was then elected as the new governor of his state. He began his four-year term on 13 December of the same year. During his tenure, the development of the infrastructure of the state has been driven. Above all, the expansion of roads and canals is worth mentioning. At that time, the Bank of Louisiana, and a planter association emerged. The economic and trade took an enormous upswing in Johnson's tenure. In addition, the laws of the State has been revised. At that time, the future capital of the state was controversial. The Anglo-Americans were in favor of a transfer of the capital from New Orleans, while the Creoles would like to leave the capital there or at least wanted to have in a French- influenced area. As a compromise, the capital was temporarily shifted to Donaldsonville. In 1849, then Baton Rouge was raised to the capital. Also, during Johnson's tenure as governor existed between the Anglo-Americans and the Creole population of Louisiana large voltages.

Congressman and second term as Senator

In 1829, Johnson ran unsuccessfully for a return to the U.S. Senate. The early 1830s he became a member of the Whig party. In 1834 he was appointed as successor to the retiring Edward White deputy in the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington. After two re- elections, he remained between the September 25, 1834 and March 3, 1839, in this body.

In 1838 and 1842 Henry Johnson competed each unsuccessfully to return to the office of governor of Louisiana. After the death of U.S. Senator Alexander Porter, who retired due to illness not even begun, Johnson was determined as a Class 3 senator as his successor. His second term in the Senate began on February 12, 1844 and ended on March 3, 1849. During this time he was Chairman of the Pension Committee ( Committee on Pensions ). He advocated the annexation of Texas and called for the abolition of the import tariff law of 1846. In the next Congressional elections, he was defeated by the Democrats Pierre Soulé.

Further CV

In 1850 he applied unsuccessfully for a return to Congress. After he retired from politics. In Pointe Coupee Parish, he then worked as a lawyer. He lived to the outbreak of the Civil War and died in September 1864. Henry Johnson was married to Elizabeth Key.

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