MVB Papers (DLC)
"The Martin Van Buren Papers, one of twenty-three presidential collections in the Library of Congress Manuscript Division, contains more than 6,000 items dating from 1787 to circa 1910. The bulk of the material dates from the 1820s, when Van Buren (1782-1862) was a U.S. senator from New York, through his service as secretary of state and vice president in the Andrew Jackson administrations (1829-1837), to his own presidency (1837-1841) and through the decade thereafter when he made unsuccessful bids to return to the presidency with the Democratic and Free Soil parties. Included are correspondence, autobiographical materials, notes and other writings, drafts of messages to Congress in 1837 and 1838, and other speeches, legal and estate records, miscellany, and family items.
The collection primarily consists of letters received by Van Buren from other individuals, as well as copies, drafts, transcripts, and photocopies of letters written by him. Correspondents include George Bancroft, Thomas Hart Benton, Francis P. Blair, James Buchanan, law partner Benjamin F. Butler (1795-1858), Churchill C. Cambreleng, John A. Dix, John Fairfield, Azariah Cutting Flagg, Henry D. Gilpin, James Hamilton, Jr., Jesse Hoyt, Charles Jared Ingersoll, Andrew Jackson, Amos Kendall, William L. Marcy, Louis McClane, Richard Elliot Parker, James Kirke Paulding, Joel R. Poinsett, James K. Polk, Thomas Ritchie, William Cabell Rives, Andrew Stevenson, Levi Woodbury, and Silas Wright.
The Calendar of the Papers of Martin Van Buren created by Elizabeth Howard West for the Manuscript Division in 1910 provides a list and index for the general correspondence contained in the original collection up to that date. Some 150 letters received by the Library of Congress after 1910 are not represented in the calendar. These items have been interfiled within Series 2 of the collection. Typescripts of letters can also be found in Series 7, Miscellany. A finding aid to the current Van Buren Papers collection is available online.
Note that this site is limited to the Martin Van Buren Papers collection and does not include all documents by, about, or related to Van Buren in the Library of Congress. The Library’s Manuscript Division holds additional Van Buren-related documents pertaining to his family and his long and varied political career in New York and Washington, as well as his role in evolving party politics in his era. These documents are located in the collections of other individuals, including Andrew Jackson, Andrew Jackson Donelson, James K. Polk, William L. Marcy, William C. Rives, Charlotte Cushman, Duff Green, Reverdy Johnson, Andrew Stevenson, and Nicholas P. Trist, and in the family papers of the Blair, Bancroft-Bliss, Henry Clay, Samuel Smith, and Singleton families."
"This collection of Martin Van Buren Papers is arranged into eight series and oversize. Series 8 of the collection contains the newer additions. These are grouped by the year the addition was received or processed as part of the collection. The bulk of the collection was captured on 35 reels of microfilm, the scans of which comprise the bulk of this online collection. A list of the series follows.
- Series 1, Autobiography, 1854-1862 (Reels 1-3)
- Series 2, General Correspondence, 1787-1868 (Reels 4-34)
- Series 3, Additional Correspondence, 1811-1853 (Reel 34)
- Series 4, Messages, 1837-1838 (Reel 35)
- Series 5, Legal Record Book, 1807-1813 (Reel 35)
- Series 6, Estate Record Book, 1862-1863 (Reel 35)
- Series 7, Miscellany, 1814-1910 (not microfilmed; scanned from originals)
- Series 8, Addenda, 1799-1862 (Reel 36 and not filmed; some scanned from originals)
- Oversize, 1837-1839 (not microfilmed; scanned from originals)"
https://www.loc.gov/collections/martin-van-buren-papers/about-this-colle...
Print DocumentDocuments in this Collection:
I have not heard from you in a long time. I am fearful Mrs Van Burens indisposition is the cause. I have made inquiries about her whenever I could see any body from your quarter. Should have written you often but really my confinement in Court and my perplexity about what is before me have so taken up my time and attention that I could not find a moment to spare. I have received another letter... Continue Reading
Recipient: MVB
I adjourned my Court yesterday, and shall now begin to prepare as speedily as possible to set my face to the south, my appointment has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate. I have occasionally misgivings on the subject, but it is now too late to look back, but must keep a good look out ahead. My resignation as Ch. Justice will be one of my last acts, before leaving here for washington, which... Continue Reading
Recipient: MVB
I have been extremely busy for some time preparing to set my face to the south. My present calculation is to leave here on monday in company with the Vice President, Commodore Chauncy &c. Speculations and conjectures are afloat as to the Judge to be placed on the Bench. The Feds. are for some reason or other much opposed to W. They think his Excellency ought to keep ^him^ for some thing... Continue Reading
Recipient: MVB
Reflecting upon the occurrance of last evening, Mr. Mc. In[t]yres case ought to have been brought up by me in a very diferent manner from what it was, assurances ought then to have been required that he should not be amoved from his office, by the Council about to be made, I feel a strong conviction that he is an honest and upright man, ^&^ a great proportion of this Community are of the Same... Continue Reading
Recipient: MVB
You tell me, my friend, that I must excuse you for not writing; and at the same time, you refer me to your letter to our common friend. <Tho'> as kind as it is delicate. I have seen that letter, and have perused it, at length. I perceive the delicacies and perplexities of the situation, in which you have to act so important a part; and with, or without, your request, I excuse you. But let... Continue Reading
Recipient: MVB
I have just received your letter of the 17th. and feel myself justly exposed to the gentle reproof you give me for not writing before. But I do assure you, I have had my hands full here I found the business of my office some what behind hand, and being unacquainted with the details it has taken me some time to get properly under way, as we sailors say. But the current business of the office I am... Continue Reading
Recipient: MVB
The symtoms of my Daughter have for a few days been more favorable, but not to justify me to leave her any time. I <regret>
I regret that I could not have been at Albany long before this, but as the time is altogether uncertain, I have this day wrote a confidential Letter to the Gov. on the subject of yourself, and have advised him that I would by the same Mail which carries his Letter... Continue Reading
Sender: John C. Hogeboom
Recipient: MVB
I shall go to Newyork early, perhaps as early as Wednesday at all events on Saturday & may not therefore see you again as I consider you on your Journey. You must take some trusty servant with you as we will feel uneasy other wise, the expence must be managed in this way some of your friends must lend you a horse, you must pay his Wages which cannot be much & I will pay his travelling... Continue Reading
Sender: MVB
I have just received your letter giving me the result of your contest for Senator and Council of appointment. What will be the course now pursued, I have not the law at hand directing the election of Senator but I take it for granted none can be elected without a new law. Will any be passed at the present Session Can the Governor appoint in the event of your making none by the Legislature, and... Continue Reading
Recipient: MVB
Mr Butler sent you by the last mail a list of appointments made, the Council do not meet again until Saturday, the rumours afloat are that you are to be removed eventually, but not immediately: I believe that the Governor & his friends have determined on a contest, and to rely on the Judge Van Ness to secure them the federal aid on such promises as he can hold out to his party: Would it not... Continue Reading
Recipient: MVB
I understand that the US appointment of District Attorney will be resigned by Mr Fisk very soon, & as you was good enough to say you would write to the President, allow me now to ask that favor as soon as your feelings will permit you. The letter is important to me at as early a day as possible. I am suffering the most excruciating torture from a swelling in my face which has deranged my ... Continue Reading
Recipient: MVB
An application of an extraordinary character was made to me yesterday, by your guardian friend, Col Abel King. He expressed himself with considerable indignation, & peremptorily demanded, that I should institute a suit against you. Aware myself of the egregious falsehoods that are continually circulated against men in your situation by the vile & disappointed, I positively declined any... Continue Reading
Recipient: MVB
Mr Wolcott has this day started for Albany with a petition for the pardon or commutation of the punishments of Conkling, Teed & Dunning, having our friend Teed alone to be executed. A <Permant> truce including a conditional petition for the pardon of Teed is in circulation, & will be sent from here by the mail of Wednesday <illegible>, & we trust that you will prevent any... Continue Reading
Recipient: MVB
Yours of the 28th I recd yesterday; I need scarcely add with a great deal of satisfaction. As to doing things by the halves, I am entirely of your opinion. Mr Maynard, the Editor of the Patriot & Patrol & who is a partner of mine informs me that he has sent to you the two last numbers of his paper. You will see from them— If I had not already made up my mind to steer no middle course your... Continue Reading
Recipient: MVB
Your last epistle to on the subject of Newyork politics has only served to add demonstration to my former convictions that you are totally and deplorably Ignorant not only of Mr Clinton (In true Clintonian style I name him first & also out of complaisance to you) but of the State her political Interests and the Sentiments and views of her Citizens. When you meddle with politics you are as I... Continue Reading
Sender: MVB
Recipient: Gorham Akin Worth
I have not had a moment to spare, since the Council has terminated their late disgraciful proceedings or I should have dropped you a line not in the way of condolence but rather of congratulation as your removal from office will have done much good to our cause and I am fully persuaded that it can do you no harm as the Republican party will ever take pleasure in affording that protection &... Continue Reading
Sender: Mordecai Manuel Noah
Recipient: MVB
I regret my dear friend, that it should have been necessary to open the eyes of the public to Mr. Clinton['s] views & principles, that you should be removed from the office you filled so creditably to the state. Enough had already been done if the People could have been persuaded to look seriously at the subject. They were however easily lulled by fair pretences.
It now requires no reasoning... Continue Reading
Recipient: MVB
I have received your letter of yesterday ^the 3d Inst^ in which you feel yourself constrained to admit "that I may consider it extraordinary that you should set up your judgment in opposition to that of the very able and respectable counsel whose written opinion I handed to you, and that the weight of their character made you seriously distrust your own Judgment." To this you could with propriety... Continue Reading
My friend Mr Miller told me the other day that in a conversation with him you had mentioned ^suggested you regret^ that I had broken off the intimacy and friendly intercourse which heretofore subsisted between us or rather that it had been broken off. It is true that I have ^not^ had the pleasure of seeing you lately but it has been only because I have not knowingly been in ^your^ the... Continue Reading
Sender: MVB
I leave here for Washington tomorrow. Shall probably be gone nearly three weeks. I am very much embarrassed in my own mind how to manage about the District Judgeship. The applicants are numerous and most of them my particular friends. I believe I must give a faithful and impartial account of the several candidates to the President. I insisted he make any inquiry of me and leave him pretty much to... Continue Reading
Recipient: MVB
I rejoice to hear of your improvements & prospects and much approve your determination to travel, it will give me pgreat pleasure to let you have my horse. You will find travelling on him delightfull & may [. . .] for him when you please. I should like if it <is> practicable that you took some trusty servant [w]ith you, you will find it very laborious and oppressive for the first... Continue Reading
Sender: MVB
Since the receipt of yours I have been on a Jaunt to the northward partly to see the canal & partly for other purposes as you will probably see by the papers. This has prevented my writing to you before & now I have nothing to say except, that we are all well & all feel the most lively solicitude for your health, that having the most unlimited confidence in your good sense &... Continue Reading
Sender: MVB
Will you believe it I never heard untill this day a lick about your troubles although I now learn that it has been a subject of newspaper discussion (but I have my hands so full in making final disposition of your glittle great men) that I seldom look in papers out of the State), according to all appearances you have been shamefully abused. There must have been some gross misrepresentation &... Continue Reading
Sender: MVB
Recipient: Gorham Akin Worth
Shortly before I left New York I received your letter of the 30th ult, but being very much engaged in preparing to come here had not time to acknowledge it. You have doubtless seen through the public papers that Mr Skinner has been appointed the Judge and Sutherland the District Attorney. This was done before I arrived here, and I can of course give you no more information on the subject than... Continue Reading
Recipient: MVB
The state of my family has prevented my noticing your letter at an earlier day. The circular is discreet & will prove honorable and useful to the party. I am happy to learn, that our friends are "up and doing." I shall always be thankful for every early information.
As it relates to T. I have no hope, that any thing short of the grave will cover his hatred of me. My business is peace &... Continue Reading
Recipient: MVB
I have for some time been on the point of writing to you, on the subject of our State politicks. The time is approaching when concert, & a perfect understanding among those who intend to act against Mr. Clintons election should be established. The pressing calls of my family & professional business, will forbid my acting a very conspicuous part; but I have reason to believe, that my... Continue Reading
Recipient: MVB