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 had hoped to have the Pleasure of seeing you ^here^ before ^sunrise^ This, but as we shall without doubt adjourn next Week ^and we have no accounts of your coming <at>^ I cannot promise myself that Pleasure. The papers have informed you of all that has been done upon the Stage & if you can approve throughout you are more fortunate than myself. What has passed behind the scenes the... Continue Reading
Sender: MVB
You will recollect the strong complaints I made to you against Judge Skinner. The caucus which produced them had made so deep an impression on my mind that I had determined at New York to cut all future interocurse with him. On my arrival there my conduct appeared to me to satisfy him that such was my desire. We were however placed in the same room which I endeavored to avoid but found that I... Continue Reading
Sender: MVB
Recipient: Charles Edward Dudley
A dispute took place here a few days since between the French and British Ministers which produced considerable exictement ^and^ of which the most erroneous and extravagant accounts are in circulation. It took place at the President's dinner at which all the foreign ministers were guests. There are so many different accounts of the transaction given here that it is next to impossible to ascertain... Continue Reading
Sender: MVB
Recipient: Charles Edward Dudley
The enclosed letter was written under ^an^ expectation that the question of postponement raised by us would have been decided yesterday. It is now sent on for the purpose of apprising you of what is doing and not for you to act upon unless and until you hear farther from us me. In addition to the letters enclosed there are the following which are now in the possession of the President viz a... Continue Reading
Sender: MVB
Recipient: Charles Edward Dudley , Recipient: Benjamin Knower
The accompanying letter will show you what has been done here in regard to the post office and the present state of this question. If I could have supposed that our members could have removed ^recommended^ Mr V Rensseler, I would have exposulated with them on the subject. I have no doubt they are as much mortified about it now as I am. Before I knew about it the Post Master Gen. had committed... Continue Reading
Sender: MVB
Recipient: Charles Edward Dudley , Recipient: Benjamin Knower
The following are copies of letters which I received this morning from the Vice President. I hasten to give you their contents that you may be enabled to make use of the information in the way suggested by the Vice President. With the assurance of my great respect and esteem
Recipient: Charles Edward Dudley
The great weight which the New York delegation is now capable of having from its members in Congress, the almost absolute certainty that the presidential question will be settled in caucus and the increase ^immense^ weight her increased representation will give her there gives her an influence and consideration which you cannot so well appreciate at home as here. The disjointed state of parties... Continue Reading
Sender: MVB
Recipient: Charles Edward Dudley
Your several communications on the subject of the Post Office in this City have been received and our friends are highly satisfied with the course ^that^ the Vice President and yourself have pursued. The result has indeed been mortifying to us but it ought to be equally regretted by the members of the Republican party thoughout the State. We were glad to find that seven of the eleven members of... Continue Reading
Sender: Charles Edward Dudley
Recipient: MVB
After you have <illegible> every case having only ^<illegible>^ the best apperance of Equity & fairness—but as most of them relate to tracts of only a league square the <illegible> could not & the first section of the act of 3d March 1805 would be sufficient if the Story was true.
8th But <illegible> the evidence
1. The time it was given <illegible>
2d. Shew... Continue Reading
Sender: MVB
1st: ballot
Yates—
52
Bowne & Bronson
Young—
34
Canvassers
Porter—
3
Savage—
1
Yates Majority 13
Sanford—
1
91
Ulshoffer offered a resolution previous to balloting to approve unanimously—
After Yates nomination Bowne offered a resolution that Yates be supported unanimously, both resolutions adopted unanimously—
1st. Ballot for Lieut. Gov.
Buel—
36—
proposed... Continue Reading
Our delegates have gone to their convention to day & will probably decide on their nomination of ^for^ Senator. Owing On account of the jealousy & irritation which has grown out of an opposition of much virulence & some force started agt. Mr Dudley personally, I have ^not^ deemed it imprudent to move in furtherance of the very liberal and judicious suggestions you made to me at the... Continue Reading
Sender: MVB
Recipient: Stephen Van Rensselaer III
The Federalists of this county are very much distracted on the subject of Sheriff, Clerk, Congressman &c. The new name they assumed at their District Convention has disgusted many of their strongest men. They held their town meeting yesterday at the house where I was; the notice was directed to the Federal Republicans and several spoke to me with severity of the proceeding of the District... Continue Reading
Sender: MVB
Recipient: Charles Edward Dudley
Your conduct at Kinderhook did not precisely square with that character for sagacity, which I have always thought you entitled to. There are times & persons at which and with whom it may be profitable to talk loud & make a great flusteration, but when that is attempted with persons whose observation of the world, enables them to penetrate such artifices, they serve no good, but a bad... Continue Reading
Sender: MVB
Recipient: Peter I. Hoes
Demands assigned to Peter I Hoes by MVBuren yet unsettled with remarks thereon.
I. The demand agt Jeremiah A Strong.
This amount I am <gu>have guaranteed to be due to the amount assigned. If in that single respect it fails I am liable to the extent it so fails. On not other account & for no other reason am I or will charge myself with any responsibility in regard to it. It has always... Continue Reading
Sender: MVB
Recipient: Peter I. Hoes
I enclose you a copy of the remarks which I have forwarded to Mr. Pleasanton with my accounts. As I have the last year of my official duties charged & retained my salary without regard to the act of congress. I thought it would be best to let you know the course I have taken. As it is probable an attempt will be made to revive the act as it respects yourself perhaps it would be best for you... Continue Reading
Sender: Cornelius Peter Van Ness
Enclosures.
Remarks on the validity of the Act of Congress passed March 3rd. 1821, entitled "An act Establishing the Salaries of the Commissioners and Agents appointed under the treaty of Ghent," so far as it relates to the Amount of salary prescribed for the Commissioners.
The 8th. Article of the Treaty of Ghent provides, that the Commissioners shall be paid in such manner as shall be agreed... Continue Reading
Sender: Cornelius Peter Van Ness
I will say nothing of the severe loss we have all sustained in the death of poor Cantine, that we feel & words can do no good. To take care of the survivors is now the greatest concern & that devolves in a very great degree on us. My part shall be faithfully performed & yours I know will be also. I cannot at present see how any thing can be well saved out of the printing establishment... Continue Reading
Sender: MVB
Recipient: Peter I. Hoes
I have not yet red. an answer to the letter you speak of. In the proper time I will communicate with you on that subject. I am much relieved by Mr Ver Planks letter ^has relieved me greatly.^ If the extract had appeared in almost any other ^a^ paper the ^of doubtful^ friendship of the editor of which was in any degree doubtfull I should without hesitation ^could not but^ have regarded it as a... Continue Reading
Sender: MVB
Recipient: James Alexander Hamilton
I duly received your letter concerning the article in the American, and the Course which you would advise a young politician to pursue in reference to the Presidential Controversy. With respect to the Character of the article in question, all that I can say is, that I had neither part nor lot in the planning or execution of it. Indeed my opinion was and still is that it was not only premature as... Continue Reading
Recipient: MVB
Your communication & the enclosures I received, this flattering mark of your confidence I duly appreciate and you will believe me when I assure you that I feel a lively interest in your future promotion. I hope the Presdt will if our friend declines make the appointment which you will fill so acceptably to our State & to no one of your nfriends <illegible> will feel more gratified... Continue Reading
Sender: Stephen Van Rensselaer III
Recipient: MVB
If my friend Mr. Rochester should be nominated to the Senate for a Circuit Judge you will greatly oblige me by interesting yourself in regard to his appointment. Of his capacity and merit there is not a shadow of doubt.
Sender: MVB
Recipient: Charles Edward Dudley
In consequence of the death of Mr. Livingston, the offer of a Seat in the Supreme court has been made to the Secretary of the navy; he will decline it, and recommend the Appointment of my Colleague Mr Van Buren. A correspondence, to this effect, has taken place between these Gentlemen. The final letter goes by the mail, that carries this, and will be communicated to the President by the Secretary... Continue Reading
Sender: Rufus King
Recipient: John Quincy Adams
The death of Mr. Livingston creates a vacancy in the Supreme court, which I presume will be supplied from this State; the reasons in favor thereof, need not be enumerated; but it may be expedient seasonably, and respectfully, to communicate to the President, considerations concerning the individual, who in my opinion observes a Preference, among the persons of this State, who may be thought... Continue Reading
Sender: Rufus King
I recd. your letter of the 1st instant on the 4th. the P. received one from you this day but the definitive answer, and letter, to which you refer have not yet been given. I concur ^in opinion^ with you, and have spoken accordingly. If the ground was not positively preocupied (which I believe it was not) the Recommendations from the quarter you anticipate will be decisive.
Sender: John Quincy Adams
Recipient: Rufus King
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