When King returned home, he has hopes of regaining his seat that he had vacated before his departure to France. Unfortunately, D. H. Lewis now held his seat. Like King, Lewis also had a remarkable political career. He had been chosen twelve times to serve the highest public positions during a political career that consisted of twenty years. These two men were the most distinguished men from their state and were of the same political party. This contest was exciting but Lewis prevailed.Two years later, he was selected by Governor Chapman of Alabama as a Democrat to take the United States Senate seat that was left vacant due to the resignation of Arthur P. Bagby. When the term expired, he was chosen to serve another four years until he was forced to resign because of poor health. He again served as the Senate Pro Tempore during these Thirty-first and Thirty-second Congress sessions. He was the chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations and member of the Committee on Pensions during the latter session. Sectional controversy, the problems of slavery, and westward expansion dominated Kings last years as a statesman. Throughout many bitter debates, he remained neutral. He always looked for a compromise. When California sought admission to the Union, King served on a select committee who drafted the Compromise of 1850. A few years later, the executive branch called upon King to serve another high office. King was asked to serve as the acting vice president during the Fillmore administration. He obliged. But again, his health caused him to resign on December 20, 1852. However, during the summer of that year, his party nominated him for the vice presidency on the ticket with the General Pierce of New Hampshire. King was very proud to be put on the ticket with Pierce and would have refused to run if it was some other man. (Nichols 208)After being elected, King sought refuge in the warm climate Cuba. He was still there in Ma...
