Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-10-11


'lstock-market, knowing very well that the removal
oft he deposites, whenever it should be ordered,
would produce great sensation and great de-
probation in stocks.
On tins subject (the removal of the deposites)
there is much of secret history, which propose,
with your appreciation, to make public. My next
and probably the succeeding letter will be devoted
to it. A CALM OBSERVER.
New York, OCTOBER Z, 1916.
In my letter of the 4th made short quotation
from morning paper Of the Sd. The writer of
the article referred to says Those connected with
: the Kitchen Cabinet dynasty at Washington hav-
ing brought Onera Jackson up to the scratch
&c. to remove the deposites from the Bank of
the United States.
Now, this is doing the General great injustice,
and full detail of the intrigues by which that
measure was so suddenly effected may not even at
this late day, be uninteresting to many of your
readers. The true history is known to but few.
General JACKSON intended to remove the deposiles
in February 1888, during the session of Congress.
but his Cabinet were all, or nearly all, opposed TO
It. The most strenuous opponent was LOUIS Nc
LANE, then Secretary of the Treasury. Mr.. Ii
vINGsToN, Secretary Of State, and General CAss
Secretary Of War, were both against the proposed
measure. Mr.. VAN buren,, who had just been
elected Vice President, also decided in his OPP
position to 1t. He was then at Albany, where he
had spent the winter, waiting for the period when
he was to repair to Washington to enter upon his
office. 1t will be recollected that it was during
that winter that NJ p. Tallmadge was elected Unit
ed States Senator against the wishes and influence
OF Mr.. Van Buren,, who preferred his friend Mr..
b. F. Butler.
Mr.. Van Buren, about the middle of February,
commenced his journey from Albany towards
Washington. Whilst stopping a few days in this
city the reports became thick and rife that General
Jackson was about removing the deposites. This
intelligence alarmed no one so much as Mr. IAN
Buren,. 1t came to him in such shape as gave
him reason to apprehend that the removal might be
made before he could reach Washington. He de-
termned, therefore, TO set out Immediately for the
capital, TO prevent it if possible. He knew that
Mr.. McI4ane was, like himself, opposed 10 it, and
that it could not be done whilst he was at the head
of the Treasury Department unless he had changed
his views. Immediately on his arrival at Washing
ton he sought an interview with Mr.. McI.ane, and
his anxiees were relieved by the assurance that no
removal would be made while he remained Secre-
tary of the Treasury. From Mr.. Verplanck he
received the same information. General Jackson
was rampant for the removal Kendall was push
ing him on, and did not despair, before the arrival
OF Mr.. Van Buren,, OF accomplishing the object.
AT this moment, too, Mr.. Verplanck, as Chairman
OF the Committee Of Ways and Means made re-
port favorable to the Bank. Such an array of OBJ
stacles made the Hero pause, while Kendall's ire
was excited, especially against Mr. Van Buren,,
whose opinion President Jackson needed more than
any one else.
Congress adjourned the Inauguration took place,
God a.. IAr~~e~ -a.,aaaAd ,aa.saAuaa An. I--i--.
was still determined on accomplishing il sooner or
later. He said Van Buren, was mistaken in his
opinion on the subject, and that he would yet dis
cover his mistake. A journey TO the North and
East was then projected for the President and de-
cided on. 1t originated with Mr.. Van Buren, in the
hope OF diverting the Generals mind from his bank
phobia and his desire to remove the depostes 1T
was arranged that the tour should commence the
latter part of May, and Mr.. Van Buren, left Wash
ngton for Albany, agreeing to join the President in
New York.
While Mr.. Van Buren, remained in Washington
he urged upon the members Of the Cabinet who
were opposed to the removal, and particularly on
Mr. McLane, to continue his efforts to defeat if pos
sible the proposed measure. The anxiety of Mr..
Van Buren, was increased when he saw the Gene
raj was about to make new cast of his Cabinet,
and was informed by Kendall that i: was to be
done with view to the accomplishment of his dar-
ling project.
McLane must be got rid Of Livingston, who
was Secretary of State, was appointed to France
McLane was transferred from the Treasury to the
State Department; and man, never dreamed of
by any one but Jackson, was called to the Treasu-
ry-Wiiam j. Duane, one of the Generals first,
and, as he supposed, firmest friends one whom he
thought could be moulded to his will This being
arranged, Kendall did not fail to warn Van Buren,,
before his departure from Washington, that his con-
tnued opposition to the Presidents wishes and de-
termination would operate injurously to his inter-
ests. Kendall's communication to him was really
in the nature Of threat, and was made so earnest
ly that added to the Cabinet changes, it rendered
him any thing but comfortable. He was, however.
so deeply committed to Mr.. McLane and others
that he could not change front.
Mr.. Van Buren, left Washington, and shortly
after the Presidential tour began. All remember
the eclat of that. The whole country through
which the President passed appeared to have for
gotten party distinctions. .A seemed to be Jack
son men. AT New York Mr.. Van Buren, met the
President. No man was so much carried away ms
was he by acclamations which every where attend
ed Jackson. Then il was that the conviction first
rushed upon his mind that Kendall's threat had
significant meaning and that there was no safety or
security for him but in ministering freely to Jack
sons wishes, prejudices, and will.
At New Haven, and through Connecticut. the
acclamatons Of the multitude as the President pro-
crossed were, if possible, increased, and with them
Mr.. Van Buren's convictions. Al Boston they be-
came irresistible. The President was i'll there a
day and confined TO his room. II was on that oc
casion that Mr. Van Buren, first announced to him
his change OF views; confessed that he had been in
error; that Kendall was right and honest about il;
that Mr.. Mclane and Mr.. Livingston were wrong;
49, L. H. I.