Title:  A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents Section 2 (of 2) of Volume 3:  Martin Van Buren

Author:  James D. Richardson

Release Date:  February 11, 2004 [EBook #11034]

Language:  English

Character set encoding:  ASCII

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A COMPILATION OF THE MESSAGES AND PAPERS OF THE PRESIDENTS

BY JAMES D. RICHARDSON

Martin Van Buren

March 4, 1837, to March 4, 1841

Martin Van Buren

Martin Van Buren was born in Kinderhook, Columbia County, N.Y., December 5, 1782.  He was the eldest son of Abraham Van Buren, a small farmer, and of Mary Hoes (originally spelled Goes), whose first husband was named Van Alen.  He studied the rudiments of English and Latin in the schools of his native village.  At the age of 14 years commenced reading law in the office of Francis Sylvester, and pursued his legal novitiate for seven years.  Combining with his professional studies a fondness for extemporaneous debate, he was early noted for his intelligent observation of public events and for his interest in politics; was chosen to participate in a nominating convention when only 18 years old.  In 1802 went to New York City and studied law with William P. Van Ness, a friend of Aaron Burr; was admitted to the bar in 1803, returned to Kinderhook, and associated himself in practice with his half-brother, James I. Van Alen.  He was a zealous adherent of Jefferson, and supported Morgan Lewis for governor of New York in 1803 against Aaron Burr.  In February, 1807, he married Hannah Hoes, a distant kinswoman.  In the winter of 1806-7 removed to Hudson, the county seat of Columbia County, and in the same year was admitted to practice in the supreme court.  In 1807 supported Daniel D. Tompkins for governor against Morgan Lewis, the latter having come to be considered less true than the former to the measures of Jefferson.  In 1808 became surrogate of Columbia County, displacing his halt-brother and partner, who belonged to the defeated faction.  In 1813, on a change of party predominance at Albany, his half-brother was restored to the office.  Early in 1811 he figured in the councils of his party at a convention held in Albany, when the proposed recharter of the United States Bank was the leading question of Federal politics.  Though Albert Gallatin, Secretary of the Treasury, had recommended a recharter, the predominant sentiment of the Republican party was adverse to the measure.  Van Buren shared in this hostility, and publicly lauded the “Spartan