The two most notable events of John Tyler's presidency happened at the very beginning and the very end of his term. In between, the Tyler administration was rendered (made) largely ineffective by a hostile Congress and lack of popular support. Indeed, during his presidency Tyler was ostracized from (shut out of) his own party, endured the resignation of his Cabinet, and faced a vote of impeachment (charged with misconduct while in office). Tyler weathered those troubles with the dignity and good humor he displayed throughout his stormy political career.

Tyler had always been a strict constructionist (one who bases decisions on literal readings of the Constitution). But the constructionist approach does not work if the Constitution is unclear about a certain issue. Regarding the two major events of his presidency that had lasting significance, Tyler did not respond as a constructionist. Instead, he applied his own...