The full content of this document is only available to subscribing institutions. More information can be found via www.amdigital.co.uk

Collection Reference Number GLC00097
From Archive Folder Documents Relating to 1843 
Title Martin Van Buren to William C. Bouck about a scandal in Albany, how to conduct the executive branch of government and political gossip in Washington
Date 17 January 1843
Author Van Buren, Martin (1782-1862)  
Recipient Bouck, William C.  
Document Type Correspondence
Content Description Advises Bouck to make a speedy decision one way or the other to resolve a scandal in Albany involving the state's printing. Remarks that it would be far worse to delay a decision. Discusses at length how to conduct the executive branch of the government based upon his own experiences as President. Brings up an incident from his presidency where a man came to him wanting to inform him of a conspiracy being formed to destroy him politically. Van Buren states he refused to hear such gossip. "The consequence was that although Washington is perhaps the most gossiping place in the world, I escaped its contamination altogether, had no trouble accept such as unavoidably grew out of my public duties, and although I had perhaps a more vexatious time than any of my predecessors in most respects, I was the only man, they all say, who grew fat in that office ... " Written from his farm called Lindenwald in Kinderhook, New York. Marked confidential.
Subjects President  Politics  Corruption and Scandal  Printing  Government and Civics  
People Van Buren, Martin (1782-1862)  Bouck, William Christian (1786-1859)  
Place written Kinderhook, New York
Theme The Presidency; Government & Politics
Sub-collection The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859
Additional Information Bouck was governor of New York 1842-1846.
Copyright The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859