MVB | The Papers of Martin Van Buren

Born in December 1782 in Kinderhook, New York, Martin Van Buren held a number of important political positions, including the U.S. presidency. Prior to succeeding Andrew Jackson as chief executive, Van Buren served as U.S. senator (1821-28), New York governor (1829), U.S. secretary of state (1829-31), U.S. minister to the United Kingdom (1831-32), and U.S. vice president (1833-37).

Documents

As Sender

MVB Senate remarks on relief bill for Anna Dubord, 5 January 1826

Mr. VAN BUREN, from the Committee on the Judiciary, reported a bill “for the relief of Anna Dabord;” which was read, and passed to a second reading.

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MVB Senate remarks on adjournment, 5 January 1826

Mr. VAN BUREN, for the reason that most of the business which had been introduced, was before the various committees, and very little before the Senate, and that it was desirable to give the committees all the time practicable, to digest and prepare the matters referred to them, moved that the Senate adjourn over to Monday; which motion was agreed to; and then The Senate adjourned to Monday.

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MVB Senate remarks on Florida wreckers, 10 January 1826

Mr. VAN BUREN, from the Committee on the Judiciary, to whom the subject was referred, reported a bill to annul “An act concerning wrecks and wrecked property,” passed by the Governor and Legislative Council of the Territory of Florida; which was read, and passed to a second reading.

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MVB Senate remarks on the judiciary, 10 January 1826

The bill “further to amend the judicial system of the United States;” and The bill for “altering the time of holding the session of the supreme court of the United States,” were severally read a second time, and, on motion of Mr. VAN BUREN, were postponed to, and made the order of the day for, Wednesday the 18th instant.

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MVB Senate remarks on Alabama laws, 12 January 1826

Mr. VAN BUREN, from the Committee of the Judiciary, reported a bill “declaring the consent of Congress to an act of the State of Alabama,” which was read, and passed to a second reading.

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MVB Senate remarks on naturalization memorial, 23 January 1826

Mr. VAN BUREN presented the memorial of sundry aliens in the city of Washington, praying certain alterations in the laws respecting naturalization. Referred.

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MVB Senate remarks on committee bills, 9 February 1826

Mr. VAN BUREN, from the Committee on the Judiciary, reported the following bills. a bill “to authorize the Claimants of certain lands in the Territory of Florida, known as ‘Forbes’ Purchase,’ to institute a suit against the United States.” A bill “altering the time for holding one term of the District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania” A bill “directing the Courts of the United... Continue Reading

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MVB Senate remarks on Louisiana courts, 23 February 1826

Mr. VAN BUREN, from the Committee on the Judiciary, reported a bill “to repeal the second section of the act to regulate the mode of practice in the Courts of the United States for the district of Louisiana;” which was read and passed to a second reading.

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MVB Senate remarks on Kentucky judicial districts, 13 March 1826

Mr. VAN BUREN, from the Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred a resolution on the subject, on the 2<8>th of December, reported a bill “to divide the district of Kentucky into two Judicial Districts;” and the bill was read.

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MVB Senate remarks on the judiciary, 17 March 1826

On motion of Mr. VAN BUREN, the bill to amend the Judiciary System of the United States was made the special order of the day for Wednesday next.

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MVB Senate remarks on the judiciary, 22 March 1826

Mr. VAN BUREN moved the Senate to take up, agreeably to the order of the day, the bill from the other House to amend the Judicial System of the United States, that a particular day might be assigned for its consideration. The motion prevailing—Mr. VAN BUREN said it would be recollected that when the proposed amendment to the bill (the modification of the District,) was reported by the Committee... Continue Reading

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MVB Senate remarks on district courts, 23 March 1826

Agreeably to notice, Mr. VAN BUREN asked, and having obtained leave, introduced a bill “to alter the time of holding the Circuit Court of the United States, for the District of New York, and the April term of the Circuit Court for the District of Connecticut; which was twice read, and referred.

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MVB Senate remarks on the judiciary, 12 April 1826

(Mr. VAN BUREN rose to explain, he had stated, on the part of Tennessee, that there had been no complaint—their memorials were such as they ought to have been—they stated their grievances fairly and fully, and left it to the wisdom of Congress to apply the remedy. But he had stated that complaints had been made elsewhere.

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MVB Senate remarks on relief bill for James Ross, 12 April 1826

Mr. VAN BUREN, from the Committee on the Judiciary, reported a bill “for the relief of James Ross;” which was read, and passed to a second reading.

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MVB Senate speech on the judiciary, 14 April 1826

Mr. VAN BUREN said it became those whose special duty it had been to examine into this subject, to make some reply to the views which have been taken by the gentlemen from New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Georgia. The resolution of the gentleman from New Hampshire, (Mr. WOODBURY,) Mr. V.B. said, was general in its terms, referring this matter back again to the Committee on the Judiciary, with the... Continue Reading

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MVB Senate remarks on North Carolina judicial districts, 17 April 1826

Mr. VAN BUREN, from the [C]ommittee on the Judiciary, reported the bill to alt[e]r the time of holding the District Court[s] in the district of North Carolina, without amendment.

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MVB Senate remarks on the Supreme Court, 18 April 1826

On motion of Mr. VAN BU[R]EN, the Senate took up the bill to alter the time of holding the terms of the Supreme Court of the United States; (from the first Monday in February to the seoncd Monday in January, annually.) . . . Mr. VAN BUREN observed, that the bill simply proposed to extend the term of the Supreme Court three weeks. The necessity for this, and all the reasons on the subject being so... Continue Reading

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MVB Senate remarks on public ministers, 22 April 1826

A short debate took place on this notion between Messrs. BELL, BRANCH VAN BUREN, MILLS, and BERRIEN; Mr. BRANCH claiming the privilege of being allowed to reply to the arguments which had been urged against his motion, and Mr. MILLS stating the necessity he should be under, by information that he had received from home, of absenting himself in a short time from the Senate.

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MVB Senate remarks on Jonathan Lucas' patent, 24 April 1826

Mr. VAN BUREN, from the Committee on the Judiciary, reported a bill to extend the Patent of Jonathan Lucas, Jun. (for a machine for cleaning rice) for a further period of fourteen years; which was read, and passed to a second reading.

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MVB Senate remarks on Florida divorce laws, 28 April 1826

Mr. VAN BUREN remarked, that, by the act organizing the Territorial Government of Florida, it was necessary that all the acts of the Governor and General should be approved by Congress before they become absolute[.] This regulation was well known, and as these acts granting divorces had been passed in December last, it was not probable that new connections had been formed since that time.

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MVB Senate speech on the judiciary, 3 May 1826

Mr. VAN BUREN said that he would state, in a few words, the points of difference between the two Houses. One related to the arrangement of the circuits, the other to the provision requiring the Judges to reside within their respective circuits. He had not particularly adverted to the latter when the bill was under consideration, because, at that time, he had entertained the belief that no... Continue Reading

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MVB Senate remarks on the judiciary, 6 May 1826

On motion of Mr. VAN BUREN, the Message from the House requesting a conference on the subject of the Judiciary Bill, was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

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MVB Senate remarks on district courts, 6 May 1826

The Senate then took up the bill “to alter the times of holding the Circuit Courts of the United States for the District of New York, and the April term of the Circuit Court for the District of Connecticut. (This bill changes the time of holding the Circuit Court in the District of New York to the last Mondays in May and November, and the Circuit Court of the United States for the District of... Continue Reading

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MVB Senate remarks on the judiciary, 8 May 1826

Mr. VAN BUREN, from the Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred the message from the House, requesting a conference on the subject of the Judiciary bill, made the following report: “The Judiciary Committee, on the message from the House of Representatives, proposing a conference on the subject of the disagreeing votes of the two Houses, on the amendment proposed by the Senate to the bill... Continue Reading

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MVB Senate speech on constitutional amendment, 8 May 1826

Mr. VAN BUREN said, that, being a member of the committee by whom the resolution, under consideration, had been reported, he would add a few words to the observations made by the Chairman. He concurred in the propriety of the disposition of the resolution proposed by the Chairman. The advanced period of the session, would alone furnish a sufficient inducement for the adoption of that course, but... Continue Reading

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MVB Senate remarks on court system, 11 May 1826

Mr. VAN BUREN, from the Committee on the Judiciary reported a bill regulating processes in the courts of the United States, admitted into the Union, since the 29th of February, 1789; which was ready, and passed to a second reading.

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As Recipient

Charles Jared Ingersoll to MVB, 18 January 1843

My stay at home between the Sessions was so short, all the time promising myself the pleasure of a visit to Kinderhook, as I now do for next summer, tho' every day more rebuked by the uncertainties of all future action. That I have never resumed the pen with which when we were herein the developments of 1841 I sometimes endeavoured to entertain you by their curious <outbreak> till it took... Continue Reading

Recipient: MVB

Henry Dilworth Gilpin to MVB, 14 February 1843

I scarcely know why I have so long postponed to reply to your last letter, except that I have thought from day to day that I might collect some matter of news for you which had not reached you from any other source. The inclosed letter which I got yesterday from Washington, and which comes from one in whose sincerity I have great reliance, contains some matters & speculations that may amuse... Continue Reading

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Henry Dilworth Gilpin to MVB, 5 May 1843

You see it never rains but it pours. If you complained of my silence, you may now reprove me for the reverse for this is the fourth letter—including that on behalf of my friend Cole—which I have written you within two or three weeks. I shall send with this, if I can get it in time, if not tomorrow, an Address of the Democratic Hickory Club of which (except in the part about yourself) I hope you... Continue Reading

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John Bragg to MVB, 7 May 1843

I have been intending to write you for several months but the pressure of my official duties has hitherto prevented me from doing so. My Spring Circuit is now however nearly over & a little leisure affords me the opportunity of saying a word to you on the state of politics in Alabama. Depend on it then, that Alabama is thoroughly Democratic & as thoroughly V. B. During the late winter I... Continue Reading

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Ralph Isaacs Ingersoll to MVB, 30 November 1843

I send you a short article on the tariff, in the enclosed paper. It has particular reference as you will see to the expression in your letter to a friend in Richmond—"wrong in principle & wrong in detail". It is intended principally to show the working on the act here upon the trade of this port, which is with the West Indies—the new duties being so nearly prohibitory on colonial products,... Continue Reading

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David C. Skerrett et al. to MVB, 9 December 1843

We have been appointed to address you on behalf of the Executive Committee of the Democratic citizens of the City and County of Philadelphia who are in favour of your nomination as the Democratic candidate for the Presidency and to transmit you a copy of an address which they have lately prepared for circulation among the people of the United States. In performing this duty confided to us by our... Continue Reading

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Silas Wright Jr. to MVB, 2 January 1844

Permit me in great sincerity to wish you a happy new year, and to ask you to extend that wish to every member of your family. Our day yesterday was beautiful, and the consequence was a very great press at the President's House. I was there about one oclock, and never saw more people, and never so few whom I knew. It is said that very few of the prominent whig members, or their families, presented... Continue Reading

Sender: Silas Wright Jr.

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Silas Wright Jr. to MVB, 8 January 1844

Your favor of the 2nd Int. covering the letters of Mr. Sanford and Mr. Ingersoll reached me on Saturday evening. So far from apprehending that you may be suspected of a disposition to advise me upon this difficult and responsible subject, I hope you will advise me frankly and fully upon it. Mr. Sanford’s letter is an excellent one, as I have long been aware his paper is one of the most discreet... Continue Reading

Sender: Silas Wright Jr.

Recipient: MVB

Henry Dilworth Gilpin to MVB, 16 February 1844

I have just read in the Democratic Union your very excellent letter to the Harrisburg Committee; nothing can be more appropriate to the occasion or to the persons to whom it is addressed and by whom it will be read. To the late supporters of Mr. Buchanan it will I am sure be most gratifying. I turned to your letter (to which you refer) and find it even stronger on the point alluded to than you... Continue Reading

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Alexander Gordon, Sheldon J. Kellogg, and Ezekiel Smith Haines to MVB, 28 March 1844

At a meeting of the Democratic Party, held at the Court House, in this City, on Wednesday Evening last, The following resolution was suggested, and passed by an unanimous vote – viz- "Resolved, that a Committee of Three persons be appointed, to enquire of His Excellency Martin Van Buren, whether or not, he is in favor of the Annexation of the Republic of Texas, to the United States, and to... Continue Reading

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Benjamin Franklin Butler to MVB, 29 March 1844

I propose to start, on Wednesday next, for the Hermitage in fulfillment of my long cherished purpose of visiting General Jackson. It is very difficult for me to break away for three or four weeks, from my engagements here; but our summer vacation is too late for comfort in traveling Southward, and might perhaps be to late for my great effort. During my journey, I may obtain information worth... Continue Reading

Sender: Benjamin Franklin Butler

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Silas Wright Jr. to MVB, 3 April 1844

I take a moment in my seat to write a word to you, because I am requested to state a fact, and submit to you whether you should notice it. The fact is that Mr. Clay has stated, in Georgia, that you used efforts, in 1828, to <illegible> yourself to be instructed as to your vote upon the Tariff of that year, and that he refers to my veracious colleague, N.P. Tallmadge, for his authority. This... Continue Reading

Sender: Silas Wright Jr.

Recipient: MVB

Benjamin Franklin Butler to MVB, 6 April 1844

He assented fully & explicitly to this; and I have reason to believe, that means are in operation to obtain the consent of Mexico & think it will be obtained. 6th. That the treaty of cession should contain as few points as possible—and should be as simple as possible. Above all, that it should not contain any stipulation or guaranty for the protection of slaves or Slavery. That the people... Continue Reading

Sender: Benjamin Franklin Butler

Recipient: MVB

Smith Thompson Van Buren to MVB, 23 April 1844

I returned from newyork Saturday evening, and was on the point of writing you the substance of the reports about the movements of the intriguers at washington which I learned there, when Davezac & subsequently Carr informed me of their communications with you upon the subject. So you know all that I could have told you, with ^except^ perhaps one additional fact, viz. The extraordinary talk of... Continue Reading

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William John Brown to MVB, 29 April 1844

When you read this letter I ^am^ afraid that you will decide that I am insane—and now hesitate whether I had not better throw it in the fire—dicide never to trouble myself with matters that Cant be helped, especially in politics—Calm myself down and loose ^spend^ no more sleepless nights—let results go as they will. I was elected as your friend from the Indianapolis district Ind, by a large... Continue Reading

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Amos Kendall to MVB, 29-30 April 1844

Your letter upon Texas has created great commotion. The Tylerites and a portion of the Calhoun men are using their utmost exertions to have you superseded. Every honest enemy now comes out and the utmost zeal is put in requisition. We are now realizing the points of the exasperation produced on many men early in the canvass, by needless violence. Men who have no power now so are able to put in... Continue Reading

Sender: Amos Kendall

Recipient: MVB

Benjamin Franklin Butler to MVB, 29 April-4 May 1844

I found myself so fully occupied, while at the Hermitage, that I was obliged to defer writing you, until some opportunity should present itself on my return. My detention ^today^ at this place today ^(to which I came on Saturday from Louisville)^ enables me to do it; and I am the more ready to avail myself of it, because this I am reminded by the present loens in quo, of the first of that series... Continue Reading

Sender: Benjamin Franklin Butler

Recipient: MVB

John Worth Edmonds to MVB, 30 April 1844

I right not to withold the expressions of great gratification with which I have just arisen from the perusal of your excellent letter on the annexation of Texas. Aside from all other considerations, it seemed to me, that for us to annex Texas to our territory, without the consent of Mexico, after it had been severed from its parent stock, by the efforts of our own citizens, would be marvelously... Continue Reading

Recipient: MVB

Samuel Jones Tilden to MVB, cApril 1844

I ought to find space to add that the Texas letter, in my judgment, fully & more than ever justifies the satisfied confidence with which our people shrug their shoulders, give a knowing look, & tell the Whigs to ask you as many questions as they please Perhaps they do not consider that what is so safe for them may not be to all others the most easy or agreeable thing in the world.... Continue Reading

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Samuel Jones Tilden to MVB, 4 May 1844

I am not sure whether or not I requested you to send me a copy of your plan of Democratic Associations. The disaffected of all sorts and shades take encouragement at the present aspect of the Texas question, the rogues are emboldened to speak their real sentiments, and our people here as panic stricken as in Washington. I confess I think that more of this Southern gloom will presently clear away... Continue Reading

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Azariah Cutting Flagg to MVB, 4 May 1844

The 5th and part of the 6th Chapters came to hand this morning, and I gave Smith one of the copies for you. The residue will be here by Pomeroy's Express this evening. Mr. Bockee has got up an address which as far as I can learn is unexceptionable. The committee of the assembly have not been equally successful yet in regard to the resolutions: The opponents of the Gov. are not ready to endorse... Continue Reading

Sender: Azariah Cutting Flagg

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Silas Wright Jr. to MVB, 6 May 1844

Again I write in my seat, because I cannot write at any other time. I beg you to believe that it is not because I have laid you so far on the shelf as some of our friends seem to have done, but because I cannot get the time, and that I do not want to disturb your equanimity of feeling, that I have not reported to you either the correct events here, or the communications I have received relating... Continue Reading

Sender: Silas Wright Jr.

Recipient: MVB

Benjamin Franklin Butler to MVB, 10 May 1844

I returned on Monday night, & had the pleasure of finding my whole family in ordinary health. The newspapers have <referred> ^disclosed to you^ <of> ^generally^ and private advices, doubtless, have fully unveiled, the plots & intrigues at Washn. The People will teach the members of Congress, that they have entrusted the duty of selecting candidates to other hands, who, I take... Continue Reading

Sender: Benjamin Franklin Butler

Recipient: MVB

Amos Kendall to MVB, 13 May 1844

For over a week I have been sick and cannot now write with a steady hand. Good news I have none to give; but such as has come to me in my room I shall detail for your information. I am informed and verily believe, that unless it be ascertained before the convention organizes that some person other than yourself will be nominated, it is the <proposal> of the southern delegates to propose... Continue Reading

Sender: Amos Kendall

Recipient: MVB

Amos Kendall to MVB, 16 May 1844

While writing a short address today for our Democratic Association the idea occurred to me which is embraced in the inclosed note. Judge for yourself whether it is expedient to make any reply to it, or what use shall be made of it, if you make any. Without much time for reflection, I believe an affirmative reply would disarm those who are using your <former> letter against you and that... Continue Reading

Sender: Amos Kendall

Recipient: MVB

John Holmes Prentiss to MVB, 16 May 1844

I know it will afford you gratification to hear, that the Democrats at Otsego, without a dissentient to my knowledge, highly approve of your able review of the question of immediate annexation of Texas, and should it turn out, as I cannot doubt it will, that your name shall be presented for the Presidency, the voice of Otsego will be heard the loudest of the loud in responding to it at the ballot... Continue Reading

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