[1] In his lengthy inaugural address, President Buchanan referred to the "Territorial Question" of slavery spreading into the West and made it clear that he was in favor of the previously passed Kansas–Nebraska Act in 1854 which allowed for popular sovereignty to decide on the issue.

Buchanan was criticized for not taking a strong stance on the decisive issue of slavery, and made it clear that he would "cheerfully accept" the opinion of the Supreme Court in the case of Dred Scott v. Sandford.

Moreover, Buchanan discussed his strong feelings that a strict interpretation of the Constitution was the only safe manner in which to operate the federal government while simultaneously defending the appropriation of funds to a Trans-Atlantic road granted by Congress in order to protect California and other holdings on the Western Coast.

In particular, Buchanan noted the difficulties that the Rocky Mountains would present in creating such a pathway, but defending it as a necessary work for the nation to undertake.

[3][4] In fact, such consultations had taken place, but in written letters between Buchanan and Supreme Court judge John Catron in February.