Synthesized answer
Van Buren's early experiences with factional changes in New York politics, such as supporting Daniel D. Tompkins for governor in 1807 against Morgan Lewis [1], and later becoming surrogate of Columbia County by displacing his half-brother from the defeated faction [1], likely provided him with a deep understanding of political alliances and rivalries. He "attentively watch[ed] the drift of political events" [1] and "figured in the councils of his party" [1] during a convention where the recharter of the United States Bank was a leading question [1].
These experiences mirrored national debates by exposing Van Buren to the "predominant sentiment of the Republican party" [1], which was adverse to the recharter, a sentiment he shared [1]. His opposition to the "Bank of America" charter, which sought to replace the United States Bank, further demonstrates his engagement with and stance on national financial institution debates [4]. The passages detail Van Buren's involvement in the complex New York political landscape characterized by "factional rivalries" [3] and a "mesh of factions" [2, 5], where he navigated shifting party predominance [1] and developed "genius for political…
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From the book
and in the same year was admitted to practice in the supreme court. In the state election of 1807 he supported Daniel D. Tompkins for governor against Morgan Lewis, the latter, in the factional changes of New York politics, having come to be considered less true than the former to the measures of Jefferson. In 1808 Van Buren became surrogate of Columbia County, displacing his half-brother and partner, who belonged to the defeated faction. He held this office till 1813, when, on a change of party predominance at Albany, his half-brother was restored. Attentively watching the drift of political…
k, a mesh of factions from the beginning of the century, were in a constant state of swirl and eddy from 1819 till 1821. The old party- formations were dissolved in the “era of good feeling.” What with “Simon-pure” Republicans, Clintonian Republicans, Clintonian Federalists, “high-minded” Federalists cleaving to Monroe, and Federalists pure and simple, the points of crystallization were too many to admit of forming a strong or compact body around any centre. No party could combine votes enough in the legislature of 1818-'19 to elect its candidate for U. S. senator. Yet out of this medley of…
mber of the state senate, he was appointed attorney-general of the state, superseding the venerable Abraham Van Vechten. In this same year De Witt Clinton, falling a prey to factional rivalries in his own party, was removed by the Albany council from the mayoralty of New York city — an act of petty proscription in which Van Buren sympathized, according to the “spoils system” then in vogue. In 1816 he was re-elected to the state senate for a further term of four years, and, removing to Albany, formed a partnership with his life-long friend, Benjamin F. Butler. In the same year he was appointed…
is casting-vote in the U. S. senate against the bank bill, February 20, 1811. From a photograph by Brady, Washington, D. C. In 1812 Van Buren was elected to the senate of New York from the middle district as a Clinton Republican, defeating Edward P. Livingston, the candidate of the “Quids,” by a majority of 200. He took his seat in November of that year and became thereby a member of the court of errors, then composed of senators in connection with the chancellor and the supreme court. As senator he strenuously opposed the charter of “the Bank of America,” which, with a large capital and with…
taneously minded to make him governor that he might preside over the execution of the Erie canal which he had projected. Van Buren acquiesced in a drift of opinion that he was powerless to check, and, on the election of Clinton, supported the canal policy; but he soon came to an open rupture with the governor on questions of public patronage, and, arraying himself in active opposition to Clinton's re-election, he was in turn subjected to the proscription of the Albany council acting in Clinton's interest. He was removed from the office of attorney-general in 1819. He opposed the election of…
More questions about this book
- How did Van Buren's "slow gradations" through his legal novitiate, combined with his "fondness for extemporaneous debate," equip him with a distinct advantage for navigating the complex political landscape of his era?
- Van Buren's "zealous adherence of Jefferson" is highlighted alongside his opposition to the US Bank recharter. Explain the core Jeffersonian principles that likely fueled this hostility and how this early stance might shape his later actions as president, particularly during an economic crisis.
- Consider Van Buren's career progression, including displacing his half-brother, then being displaced himself, and his shifting support between Lewis and Tompkins. What does this reveal about his political strategy and the balance between personal loyalty, party discipline, and pragmatic maneuvering in his early career?
- Based on the character traits and early experiences depicted—such as his "patient" pursuit of law, "intelligent observation of public events," and "attentively watching the drift of political events"—what kind of leader would you anticipate Van Buren becoming, and what potential strengths or weaknesses might these traits present during a major national crisis like the Panic of 1837 mentioned in the title?