Clayton, John Middleton (1796-1856), was an American political leader. He served as United States secretary of state in 1849 and 1850, under President Zachary Taylor. As secretary of state, he negotiated the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty of 1850. In this pact, the United States and Britain agreed to protect the neutrality of a canal to be built through Central America. The treaty helped the two countries avoid war over the proposed canal. See Clayton-Bulwer Treaty .
Clayton was born on July 24, 1796, in Dagsboro, Delaware. He served as chief justice of Delaware from 1837 to 1839 and represented Delaware in the U.S. Senate from 1829 to 1836, 1845 to 1849, and 1853 to 1856. For most of his career, Clayton belonged to the Whig Party. He died on Nov. 9, 1856. A statue of him represents Delaware in the U.S. Capitol.
