Was Zachary Taylor against the expansion of slavery?
My position on slavery in the territories was clear, based on practical considerations for the Union. I believed that Congress should not try to legislate on the matter in the territories. Instead, I felt the people living in those territories should decide for themselves when they applied for statehood. This was a way to avoid divisive debate in Washington. My main concern was preventing disputes that could threaten the integrity of the Union. I made my views known, particularly in my message to Congress regarding California. Stability and the nation's future were my priorities.
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