Timeline
1846 War with Mexico
The political season started early as the State Democratic Convention nominated Robert
Ward Johnson, another "dynasty" member, for Arkansas's seat in the House. Anticipating a
strong challenge to his own reelection by Congressman Yell, Senator Ashley turned to Woodruff
for assistance. Ashley sent letters to the newspapers through Woodruff and Woodruff himself
began a series of letters to the Arkansas Banner. When the editor of the Banner declined to
publish one of Woodruff's letters, due to objectionable passages, Woodruff paid for its publication
and took the opportunity to suggest the establishment of a new paper "which no power on earth
can MUZZLE." Ill feelings reached Washington as Yell attempted to have Woodruff removed as
postmaster, a position he took in 1845, but Woodruff retained the support of the postmaster
general. Woodruff continued "PAID FOR" articles and after unsuccessfully attempting to buy
back the Gazette, he announced he would start his own paper, the Arkansas Democrat.
War with Mexico suddenly overshadowed the political situation in Arkansas. Mexico
had broken off diplomatic relations with the United States and a border skirmish on April 25 was
followed by two victories of the United States Army under the command of General Zachary
Taylor.
Arkansas volunteers for the Mexican War included editor Solon Borland, S.H. Tucker,
John Selden Roane, C.C. Danley, Albert Pike's Little Rock Guards (including Woodruff's oldest
son, Alden) and, surprisingly, Congressman Yell. Yell, therefore, was not in the state during the
fall so could not campaign for the Senate. Further, news of a serious quarrel between Yell and his
former ally, Solon Borland, reached Little Rock prior to the senatorial election in the General
Assembly. Ashley won reelection handily and Yell lost his seat in Congress when Governor
Drew, realizing Arkansas's best interests required a congressman in Washington, declared the seat
vacant. Since Robert Ward Johnson had been elected to the term beginning in March 1847, a
special election had to be held in December to pick a temporary congressman. Thomas Newton
became the first Whig to win a statewide race in Arkansas through he only served for a few
weeks.
The legislature changed the method of casting a vote in Arkansas elections from voice to
paper ballot, a more private form of voting and dealt with the general economic depression by
reducing the expenses of government. Woodruff requested and again was denied, relief from his
1837 debt to the state.
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