The Careful Dutchman #8: Martin Van Buren

I learned one thing: I cannot come up with 44 facts for every President. I will make it up with other presidents. 

1. Stats: Born December 5, 1782. 
1. Married Hannah Hoes
2. 5 children. 
2. Martin was the first American-born President. 
3. Only received formal education to the age of 14. 
4. He served as the Governor of NY state for 3 months before resigning to become Jackson's Secretary of State
5. English was his second language, Dutch was his first. 
6. the phrase 'ok' became a popular expression due to Martin's nickname "old Kinderhook." 
7. His father owned a tavern and as a kid he worked there. Notable regulars: Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. 
8. His wife died in 1819 and he never remarried. 
9. when he became president, his daughter-in-law stepped in and helped with first lady duties. 
1. Angelica was a cousin of Dolley Madison. 
10. He had two pet tiger cubs (given to him by the Sultan of Oman)
11. Though he did not cause the Panic of 1837, he dealt with the fallout--he did nothing. 
1. he believed it wasn't the government's job to step in. 
12. The fallout from the financial crisis lead to another nickname: Martin van Ruin.
13. made peace with Canada over the Aroostook River.
1. Canadian and US borders (this instance in Maine) were not clearly drawn and the two countries argued over 
14. He negotiated with the Ottoman Sultan to reopen trade. 
15. who owned which parts. President VB sent a general to settle the issue.
16. He served only one term, losing badly in 1840. 
17. He ran for president again in 1844 and 1848. 
18. He was a fancy pants. He had very expensive tastes and dressed all frilly. 
19. Along with dressing fancy, he demanded to be served with gold spoons in the White House. 
20. He thought of himself as nobility and petitioned William I (Dutch King) for a coat of arms and it was granted. 
21. Blocked Texas' reentry into the US because slavery was legal. 
22. He replaced Calhoun (VP) in Jackson's second term. 
23. Helped organize the modern Democratic party. 
24. Petticoat Affair: as this was an issue of the cabinet wives not wanting to associate with wife of the Secretary of War (John Eaton), VB wasn't really involved and maintained loyal to President Jackson but to help the President with an opportunity to reorganize the cabinet, Van Buren resigned as SecState. This led to the President calling for other resignations. 
25. Was a member of the 'kitchen cabinet.' a group loyal to the President who worked as unofficial advisors to the President. 
26. Even after resigning from his actual Cabinet position; VB remained a kitchen cabinet member. 
27. After resigning, President Jackson appointed him to the position of British Ambassador but it was rejected by pro-Calhoun Democrats (Calhoun loathed VB) to make Calhoun cast the deciding vote. 

http://americanhistory.about.com/od/martinvanburen/tp/Ten-Things-To-Know-About-Martin-Van-Buren.htm

https://www.nps.gov/nama/blogs/Presidential-Pets.htm

http://facts.net/martin-van-buren/

Presidents Fact Book (2009, Martuz)