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:
Your letter of the 7th. instant, states that the S'y of N. communication of the S.N. had not been made. A letter from him of the 6th. says "that he had made the communication, and in Reply was informed that no appointment would be made in some time; and could not be made in Season for the Spring Courts, there was no necessity for acting at present: nothing was said indicating the intention... Continue Reading
Sender: Rufus King
Recipient: MVB
I have received your Letters of the 10th. & 18th. I wrote you advisedly on the 7th. but it appears I was mistaken in the impression that no definitive answer had been then received from the Secretary of the Navy. As I had reason to believe his recommendation would have great weight, I perhaps inferred, from inconclusive premises, that it had not then been given. The uncertainty after it was... Continue Reading
Sender: John Quincy Adams
Recipient: Rufus King
Whereas the period fixed for the election of a chief magistrate of the United States has so nearly approached that the members of the Legislatures of several ^of our Sister^ States have already thought it advisable to express their feelings upon the occasion, and have, thereby, rendered it proper that those who have been elected in a similar capacity to represent the State of Newyork, should have... Continue Reading
Sender: MVB
I will not pretend to tell you, how much pleasure your brief note of the 24th inst. gave me, but rely upon it, nothing will offend my "federalism ear" which augurs well of the success of my friends, more especially if you are "to share the triumph." I look upon the proceedings at Albany as a nomination of Mr. Crawford; indeed, they will be worth much more to him, if by the powerful influence of... Continue Reading
Sender: Louis McLane
Recipient: MVB
I cannot come to Washington whilst the appointment of Judge is pending, as such a step would render my situation in regard to that matter (already sufficently) unpleasant ^<it> <would> <be> too much so^. If the matter of which you would speak to me relates to yourself & I can be of service in it I will meet you at any intermediate place at any time after the 15th. July. I... Continue Reading
Sender: MVB
Enclosed I send you a copy of the final bill & Warrant of Attorney. I find on further examination that the judgment was not entered untill the day after Mr Whitbeck was buried. It is very improbable that if the bond & Warrant was given to secure a debt that such delay would have taken place on the part of one who was particularly acquainted with Whitbecks embarrassed circumstances.
I... Continue Reading
Sender: MVB
Recipient: Peter I. Hoes
I have received a letter from Mr Peck offering our former accommodations at Georgetown. Probably a similar letter has been sent to you, and to Mr. Rensselaer. I do not recollect whether time has permitted your receiving from Gadsby, an answer to the Enquiries that you intended to make respecting his house, and without the means of comparing, I feel the force of Habit, which grows stronger as ones... Continue Reading
Sender: Rufus King
Recipient: MVB
MVBurens Real estate October 182[3]
1 Lot No. 6 Hannibal Oswego.
2d. Farm at Schoharie
3d. Lot in Galen half of No. 90
4 One seventh of Farm over the Creek on which my brother
Lawrence lives
5th. House & Lot in Kinderhook called <Tanties> Place
6th. Mortgage of $5000 on the Kane place.
Sender: MVB
I thank you for your last. I read such parts of it as were proper to Mr Crawford, who is fast improving in his health and prospects. Write me often, and let some of your letters be such as it may be proper to show to him. By referring to the Journals of 1800, March, you will find that the Federalists of New York voted down in the Assembly a bill at that time introduced by the Republicans to give... Continue Reading
Sender: MVB
Recipient: Charles Edward Dudley
The course you are taking at Albany has been a source of the highest gratification to every honest democrat here. The opinion is universal that a refusal on the part of the Legislature to repeal the electoral law would settle the Presidential question and bring in the freinds of Mr Clay and Mr Adams. You can form no conception of the strong feeling excited by your prompt and firm proceedings; so... Continue Reading
Sender: MVB
Recipient: Charles Edward Dudley
As it will relieve my feelings of disappointement and mortification which I find growing rather than subsiding as I go, to think out, having nobody to talk to, you must suffer me to <meander> an hour or two in the bustle and jam of the steamboat to inflict what may perhaps be a long letter on you: for I had made up my mind to write to you as soon as I got home, and I may as well therefore... Continue Reading
Recipient: John Forsyth Sr.
The Mercury, and the Telescope, are usually regarded abroad, as exhibiting more nearly than any other papers the leading opinions of South Carolina on the passing politics of the day. A comment appeared in the Mercury of the 14th inst., on Mr. Van Buren's Inaugural Address, which I do not believe is, and I am quite sure ought not to be a fair exposition of the public sentiment in this State.
It... Continue Reading
Sender: Thomas Cooper
It will give me great pleasure to be of service to the friend of your friend Mr Hubbard notwithstanding his tenacity in refusing to recognize me when I meet him.
When you write to me again be so good as to say Mrs Dudley and Miss Sarah desire to be remembered to their friend Mr V. B. They may not have asked you to do so, but then you know I shall not be advised of that.
Sender: MVB
Recipient: Charles Edward Dudley
The responsibility you have assumed is exactly what I would have expected from you. You know I have always described the best trait in your character to be firmness in time of real difficulty. Do but complete the work and you may rest assured you will never have occasion to regret your course. The enclosed will show you what is thought of the report here. It speaks the language of every one who... Continue Reading
Sender: MVB
Recipient: Charles Edward Dudley
I understand by letters from several of our friends that a serious diversity of opinion exists amongst you at Albany on the subject of the propriety of an expression of opinion on the Presidential question. The objections to that course are certainly not without weight and if our freinds at Albany are seriously impressed with a conviction that their doing so would endanger our State elections... Continue Reading
Sender: MVB
Recipient: Charles Edward Dudley
Slave Trade
Page 6. Objection to the Treaty stated viz
I. That the establishment of a mixed tribunals in the Territories of the Respective parties is essential to the <execution> of its provisions—that the U. States could not concur in this 1st. because they have no colonies either on the coast of Africa or in the W. Indies & 2dly. because it is doubtful whether the power of the Govmt.... Continue Reading
Sender: MVB
I send you by the mail of to day Pickerings review. You will see that He <did> the asperities ^violence^ of his disposition ^political antipathies^ instead of yielding in the course of nature to the influence of time & retirement have increased with his years. There is I fear too much reason to believe that his individual case form ^furnishes^ a correct data ^criterion^ by which to... Continue Reading
Sender: MVB
Recipient: Thomas Jefferson
I have received yours the 23d. Istant of the date of 18th. Instant, ^you^ request me to inform you whether it would be convenient for me to advance you Some money, in an[sw]er I must inform you that money is very Scarse in the Country, it is impossible for me to get any from those against I have demands till after harvest, besides I am at present—building a Barn, which renders it more inconvient... Continue Reading
Recipient: MVB
Extracts of a letter from the Board of Navy Commissioners to the Honble Benjamin Crowninshield, Sec. of the Navy–dated Feb. 11th 1817—
The Commissioners of the Navy have the honor to return the list of candidates for promotion on the merits and qualifications of whom their opinion was requested in your letter of the 8th inst—
x x x x x x x x x x
The Commissioners... Continue Reading
On the subject of the last paragraph of your letter of the 11th inst. I request you will be pleased to furnish me, as early as your convenience will permit, with a list of such Midshipmen as in the opinion of the Board of Commissioners, have equal claims with those named in the list which I transmitted ^to^ you on the 8th inst.
The Commissioners have the honor to comply with your request in sending you a list of Midshipmen whose warrants were dated previous to the year 1812 and who either from their own knowledge or from their register of officers they believe to be qualified for promotion.
1810–
Edward Dowse
1811
Charles H Caldwell
“
Saml W. Downing
“
Henry Ogden
“
Wm M. Chesney
“... Continue Reading
I have been informed since my arrival in this part of the Country that you have become a zealous advocate for the Clintonian party, those ene[mie]s to the Republican interest & the general welfare. In addressing you it is unnecessary to enter into a discussion of this subject. You know that Mr Burr is the intended victim of villainy and persecution against which it is the duty of every friend... Continue Reading
Recipient: MVB
Extract from a speech delivered by Martin Van Buren, in the Senate of the United States, on the 28th December 1823, on the introduction of a proposition to amend the Constitution of the United States in relation to the choice of President and Vice President. Reported for the National Intelligencer.
Having said this much upon that branch of the subject, Mr. V. B. would proceed to state briefly,... Continue Reading
Sender: MVB
The handbill of yesterday impeaching the official conduct of John C. Hogeboom, esqr. Sheriff of this county, I consider myself the author of, and as, if I cannot substantiate the facts, I must retract them. I now call upon you to exhibit the bills of the said Sheriff, and as his friend, I have no doubt you will readily comply, if his bills in your office do not criminate him. I will thank you for... Continue Reading
Recipient: MVB
Your favor of the 2d. Inst. enclosing the order of Court came to my office while I was in Albany which has delayd. the answer. I left home with fond expectations of going to New-York, but the severity of the weather induced me to retreat, and what little business I had Mr. Foot was so good as to take the charge of.
I thank you for your remembrance of me at the Albany circuit, I assure you that... Continue Reading
Recipient: MVB
Enclosed I send you the answer of Mr. Williams to the Sheriffs Letter to which you will observe you have offered no conclusion. I spoke to you of this plan to add your hubl sert or such other as you as you think proper It was definitively agreed between Mr. W. & me that the communication should be published in the Wig & Bee at the same time without comments in either the one I was to... Continue Reading
Sender: MVB