A caricature of Martin Van Buren as an opossum. The marsupial, with a smirking Van Buren's head, rises on its hindquarters and displays in its pouch three of its "young." They are administration insiders (left to right): Thomas Hart Benton, John C. Calhoun, and Washington "Globe" editor Francis Preston Blair. |Drawn by Edward Williams Clay?|Printed & pubd. by H.R. Robinson, 52 Cortlandt St. N.Y.|Title appears as it is written on the item.|Weitenkampf, p. 63.|Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)|Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1840-52.

Calhoun, John C., “Speech on the Reception of Abolition Petitions, February, 1837.”

Again the theme of corruption in the Van Buren administration, here centering on the President's "Sub-Treasury" or independent treasury program, passed by Congress in July 1840. A large frigate "United States," rigged with "Sub Treasury Rags" sails, sits at anchor in a cove. From it several men empty barrels of "Treasury grains" into two dinghies. Rowing away in a third dinghy are (left to right) Martin Van Buren, John C. Calhoun, and Thomas Hart Benton. The boat is labeled "M. Von Kinder & Co. Shew Boat Absquabulation." Van Buren, sitting on the stern of the boat, declares, "I have taken Care of my self Let the People take care of themselves Heaven's for us all!" Calhoun sings as he rows:I came in your need, To serve you indeed; My views could scarcely soar higher, You must be aware, That the Plunder I'll share, Or I'll prove a staunch Nullifyer. Benton, also rowing: "I am Bent on Gulling the People to see the "promised" Gold & Silver [cropped] flowing up the Mississippi [cropped]." On the shore at left a group of people wave and hail William Henry Harrison, who leaves the bank in a boat. "Vox Populi, Vox Dei!" they cry, "Hurra Old Tip. / Dont Give up the Ship." In the background left is a log cabin, a fence, and a ploughman in a field. Though unsigned "The Little Magician" is no doubt the work of Philadelphia printmaker/satirist James Akin. In the peculiar handling of the figures and crowded composition it compares closely to his "The Massachusetts Hoar Outwitted" (no. 1845-6) and "Crib of Wolf Meat" (Quimby, no. 58). It also exhibits Akin's distinctive lettering and bordering style. "The Little Magician" is not listed in Quimby's checklist of Akin's work. |Drawn by James Akin, Philadelphia.|Title appears as it is written on the item.|Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)|Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1840-40.

Another commentary on the Texas question (see "Texas Coming In," no. 1844-28), illustrating Democratic campaign strategy as advanced by Andrew Jackson. The idea of the annexation of Texas, repudiated by many of the early presidential candidates in the field, including Henry Clay and Martin Van Buren, was embraced by Democratic nominee James K. Polk. As the campaign developed the Texas question became an important issue. The artist shows it to be a decisive weapon for the Democrats against Clay and his pro-Bank platform. The "masked battery" is a large cannon fired by Polk and the diminutive Democratic senator from Mississippi Robert J. Walker. Walker's February letter defending annexation had brought the Texas issue to the fore in the campaign. The cannon has been "masked" or hidden from the Whigs on the left by two rows of knights, among whom are Van Buren and Calhoun (carrying flags of their respective states, New York and South Carolina) and John Tyler and Richard M. Johnson. In a balloon above the scene appear Andrew Jackson's "General Orders" on the campaign strategy: "Let the enemy expend their fire on the veteran candidates in Armor [Van Buren, Calhoun, et al], drawn up before the Battery so as to hide it perfectly. Then, when the enemy is prepared to charge, open suddenly to the right and left in double quick time, and let go the big Gun charged with Texas." Polk, lighting the charge, says "Alas poor Harry! You should not have stood by that Bank and opposed our younger sister State who asks our help." At left, Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, and other Whigs are felled by the "Texas" cannonball. Clay is knocked into a column of the U.S. Bank, which breaks and topples the building. Clay: "Oh! who would have thought that behind those leaders they had a commander-in-chief & a masked battery, with my old enemy [i.e., Polk] I d--d to H--l, on the Pensylvania avenue. How did he come here? I'm a gone coon!" Clay refers to his celebrated outburst against then-Speaker of the House Polk in 1838. (On this, see "Scene in Washington," no. 1838-16). Clay's running-mate Theodore Frelinghuysen appears at the far left as a devil in clerical robes, weighed down by an immense "Bag of lies about the Loco Foco Candidates not yet paid for." He says, "The main pillar of the Bank broken! who is now to pay me for all the lies I had stored up in Washington against the Loco Foco candidates? It is too late to make up any about Polk & Dallas, & I shall never be paid unless I take my men on whom the Bank is falling." |Entered . . . 1844 by James Baillie, N.Y.|Lithography and print coloring on reasonable terms by James Baillie No. 33 Spruce St. New York.|Official records show that the print was registered for copyright on June 28, 1844. The Library's impression is inscribed with the deposit date of July 1.|Signed: H. Bucholzer.|Title appears as it is written on the item.|Weitenkampf, p. 75.|Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)|Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1844-29.

A satire on the Democrats' approach to the delicate question of the annexation of Texas. In marked contrast to his portrayal of the issue as a beautiful woman in "Virtuous Harry" (no. 1844-27), the artist here presents Texas as the ugly hag War or Chaos, brandishing a dagger, pistols, whips, and manacles. She embodies the threat of war with Mexico, feared by American opponents of annexation. The whips and manacles in her left hand may also allude to slavery, whose expansion into the new territory was desired by southern annexationists. Bucholzer parodies Van Buren's evasion of the controversial and sectionally divisive issue and Democratic candidates Polk and Dallas's motives in favoring the measure. Senators Thomas Hart Benton and John C. Calhoun confront Van Buren with Texas, whom they support on a plank across their shoulders. Calhoun says, "Come, Matty, we introduce you to the Texas Question, what do you say to her Ladyship?" Van Buren, backing away, replies, "Take any other shape but that and my firm nerves shall never tremble!" Andrew Jackson, who prods Van Buren from behind with his cane says, "Stand up to your lick-log Matty or by the Eternal you'll back into Salt River before you know it." In the background right are Polk and Dallas. Polk says, "What say you Dallas? She's not the handsomest Lady I ever saw but that $25,000 a year-- Eh! it's worth a little stretching of Conscience!" (The annual salary of a U.S. President was $25,000.)|Drawn by H. Bucholzer.|Entered . . . 1844 by James Baillie.|Lithography & print coloring on reasonable terms by James Baillie No. 33 Spruce St. N.Y.|The Library's impression of the print was deposited for copyright on July 24, 1844.|Title appears as it is written on the item.|Weitenkampf, p. 76.|Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)|Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1844-36.

Clay portrays Martin Van Buren driven from the White House by nightmares of cider barrels and Whig presidential challenger William Henry Harrison. Van Buren flees the presidential mansion in his nightshirt, dropping a purse on the steps behind him. He is pursued by the specter of a winged barrel of hard cider with the head of Harrison. Van Buren speaks in quasi-Shakespearean verse: Oh I have had a dream so horrible, Twould make the wiry stubble of your head -- Stand stiff as cabbage stalks in frozen field! Methought, whilst slumbering in my chair of state, My custom always of an afternoon, a cider barrel Rose from out the earth, and, nearly simultaneous, A horrid engine like unto a cider press; Within which press, by some invisible hand, I felt myself impelled! Oh then, methought, What pain it are to smash! and how intolerable -- Our sufferings is! as I my vital juices did pour forth. Anon a legion of foul fiends in shape Of cider barrels, did environ me, and one, With head resembling an old hero, Screamed in my ears "Remember March the 4th & Harrison", But ha! that form and voice again! See how he beckons me! I must absquatulate! March 4 was at that time the traditional inauguration day. For another use of the curious term "absquatulate" (also "absquabulate") see James Akin's "The Little Magician's Sleight of Hand Performance" (no. 1840-40). In the street Van Buren encounters two startled allies, Senators John Calhoun and Thomas Hart Benton. Calhoun exclaims, also in verse: My liege what dreadful vision has, In the lone dreary hour of night,Thus harrowed and unstrung your royal nerves? Benton, peering through his monocle, says: My liege this is the very coinage of your brain! I see no cider barrel fiend nor aught Save these few mint drops from your highness purse No doubt escaped which I within the folds of my cravat Will keep secured. The "mint drops" to which Benton refers are the coins which spill from Van Buren's purse. This is a double reference to the perennial Whig charge of corruption of the Democratic administration and to Benton's bullionist championing of hard money fiscal policy. The verse sounds Shakespearean and, given the supernatural subject matter, may allude to "MacBeth" or "Hamlet. For example, when Hamlet first meets his father's ghost in Act 1, Scene 5, the ghost says, "I could a tale unfold whose lightest word would harrow up thy soul . . . and each particular hair to stand an end, Like quills upon the fretful porpentine." Based on the subject, Weitenkampf dates "Matty's Dream" 1841. The Whigs were victorious in the 1840 election but, like "Notice to Quit" (no. 1840-59) the print represents confident but premature hopes on the artist's part, rather than post-election gloating. As the Library's impression shows, the print was deposited for copyright on August 26, 1840. "Price 25 Cents" is printed in the margin of the print.|Entered . . . 1848 by J. Childs.|Published by John Childs, no. 90 Nassau St. New York.|Signed with monogram: EWC (Edward Williams Clay).|Title appears as it is written on the item.|Davison, no. 145.|Weitenkampf, p. 70.|Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)|Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1840-54.

The artist employs Aesop's fable about the mountain which was said to be in labor, its dreadful groans attracting expectant crowds only to be disappointed when it issued forth a small mouse. Here the mountain is the "Volcano of Loco-Focoism" which spews "Repudiation" from its peak and sends out two mice, Martin Van Buren and John C. Calhoun, from its base. "Loco Foco," originally an appellation of a radical faction of New York Democrats, was by 1844 a pejorative label applied to the party in general. In "The Mountain in Labor" the artist seems to belittle Van Buren and Calhoun, the early front-runners for the Democratic presidential nomination. Van Buren says, "Don't be afeard its only us!" and Calhoun expresses his anti-tariff stance with, "Free trade!" A crowd watches from the lower right, one of them declaring, "It's the old Kinderhook mouse and his nullifying crony!" Also witnessing the event is Henry Clay (left) who comments, "The mountains labor and bring forth ridiculous mice! Here's the trap that will catch them!" At his feet is a mouse trap "National Faith." In a nearby armchair sits President John Tyler, dressed in a uniform and holding a "Veto" sword. The uniform may be an allusion to his Jacksonian policies, or the mantle inherited from his popular predecessor, Gen. William Henry Harrison. Tyler, who acceded to the presidency on Harrison's death, earned his party's wrath by repeatedly vetoing Whig efforts to reestablish a national bank. Here he reflects his determination to retain the White House, saying, "Possession being nine points in the law I must head them [the mice] both off!" The cartoon was probably published in 1843 or early in 1844. It may have been issued around the time of the late-August 1843 New York City Democratic convention, at which both Van Buren and Calhoun showed considerable strength. It must in any event predate the May 1844 Democratic national convention. By that time the range of Democratic hopefuls had widened considerably and Calhoun, appointed Tyler's secretary of state in March, was no longer a likely nominee. Weitenkampf cites an impression of the print with an H. R. Robinson imprint.|Probably drawn by Edward Williams Clay.|Title appears as it is written on the item.|Weitenkampf, p. 74.|Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)|Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1843-9.

Democratic efforts to reelect Martin Van Buren are portrayed as hopeless in the face of broad popular support for Whig candidate William Henry Harrison. Here one of Harrison's campaign emblems, a log cabin, is a trap imprisoning the incumbent. The cabin's timbers are labeled with names of twenty states and its roof with "Maine." Its chimney is a cider barrel (another Harrison campaign symbol) on which sits an eagle. Jackson tries to lift the cabin with a "Hickory" lever braced against a cotton bale "New-Orleans." This refers to the Democratic attempts to exploit the personal popularity of the "hero of New Orleans" in the western United States. To Jackson's frustration the cabin is wedged tightly against an embankment of "Clay"--Henry Clay being the Whig's drawing card for the West. Van Buren, pointing to the mound of "Clay," says, "Why General it is of no use trying, there is no hope in the "North" and "East" and don't you see the West end is all chinked up with "Clay," except one small corner where Benton sits . . . while Calhoun has nullified himself and me at the South. I have made up my mind to go to Kinderhook as soon as I get specie enough in the Sub Treasury to pay me my salary and would advise you to go to the "Deserts of Arabia . . ." ""Jackson admonishes him, "Why Matty my boy! What have you been about to let those d---d British Whigs get you in such a fix . . ." The print is signed "Boneyshanks," more than likely a pseudonym for Napoleon Sarony. The lithographer employs the distinctive broad crayon work found in signed Sarony work such as "The New Era or the Effects of a Standing Army" (no. 1840-3).|Entered . . . 1840 by H.R. Robinson.|Printed & published by H.R. Robinson, 52 Cortlandt St. Y.N. [sic] & Pennsa Avenue Washington D.C.|Signed: Boneyshanks (probably Napoleon Sarony).|The print was registered for copyright on September 21, 1840. |Title appears as it is written on the item.|Weitenkampf, p. 67.|Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)|Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1840-43.

A slanderous portrayal of Democratic tactics against Whig presidential candidate William Henry Harrison. The supposedly insidious and high-living Van Buren and his minions suffer by comparison to the Whig candidate, here portrayed as rustic and plainspoken. Harrison is shown dressed in buckskins and standing near a plough on his Ohio farm. A contingent of Democrats have arrived in an elegant coach at left. The visitors are (left to right) Francis Preston Blair, Amos Kendall, John Calhoun, and Martin Van Buren. Blair remarks to Kendall, "I will state in my paper that we found him drinking Rye Whiskey and that will kill him with the Temperance men and reading Abolition tracts settles him in the South. Our readers you know will swallow anything. I must make the most of this interview as our case is desperate indeed." Kendall responds, "Why he is quite a natural. He dont suspect us to be Spies . . . We may be able to furnish you with something clever for the Globe [i.e., Blair's newspaper the Washington "Globe]."" Calhoun protests to Van Buren, "Matty this is a dirty job. I don't like it." Van Buren says, "As I live that is old Harrison himself the old fool. After the many opportunities he has had of enriching himself to live in a log cabin and plough his own ground. Now look at me who never pulled a trigger, or chased an Indian unless by proxy: I roll in riches, and live in splendour, dine with kings, make my sons princes, enrich my friends, punish my enemies, and laugh in my sleeve at the dear People whom I gull." Harrison greets them with, "Gentlemen you seem fatigued, If you will accept of the fare of a log cabin, with a Western farmer's cheer, you are welcome. I have no champagne but can give you a mug of good cider, with some ham and eggs, and good clean beds. I am a plain backwoodsman, I have cleared some land, killed some Indians, and made the Red Coats fly in my time."|Printed & published by H.R. Robinson, no. 52 Cortlandt St. N.Y. & Pennsa. Avenue Washington D.C.|Signed with monogram: HD (Henry Dacre?).|Title appears as it is written on the item.|Weitenkampf, p. 64.|Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)|Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1840-36.

The Senate's February 1847 resolution barring reporters and editors of the "Washington Union" from the Senate floor and gallery was the basis for the artist's demeaning portrayal of the newspaper's powerful editor Thomas Ritchie. In the February 9 edition of the "Union," the mouthpiece or "organ" of the Polk administration, Ritchie strongly criticized congressional opposition to President Polk's efforts to raise additional regiments of troops for the Mexican War. His characterization of the bill's defeat as "another Mexican victory" outraged many legislators, particularly South Carolinian John C. Calhoun, who accused him of libeling the Senate. Here Ritchie, clad as a jester and holding a copy of the "Union," is literally kicked toward the left by a group of angry senators. Ritchie seems to be either kicking or falling onto a small pipe organ (double-entendre for his paper's bias) which displays sheet music for "Clar De Kitchen." The title of this popular minstrel tune is here probably a swipe at the "Kitchen Cabinet," a derisive name given by opposition critics since Jackson's time to the President's informal advisors. The organ topples to the left, alarming James K. Polk, who exclaims, "Oh my poor "Organ," I'm afraid this kicking will put you sadly out of tune!" Ritchie, thumbing his nose (one assumes toward the senators) assures him, "If [Polk's Democratic predecessors] Jackson & Van Buren survived the proscriptive edicts of the Senate, surely we have no reason to consider Ourselves demolished! "in Union is strength," Nous Verrons!!" Senators Daniel Webster and John C. Calhoun (center, each with a boot on Ritchie) exclaim: "You may say that your account with us is "footed" up!" and "We'll teach you to play more respectful tunes when in our presence!" Between them stands another senator holding a copy of the expulsion resolution; he says, "I move for the expulsion of the Kings fool from the floor of the house!" This is seconded by several others. Also present are senators David Levy Yulee and James Diament Westcott, Jr., Democrats who voted for the resolution. Yulee (to the right of Calhoun, his back to the viewer), the Florida legislator who introduced the expulsion resolution, says,"I think Wescott, we've given him a lesson he won't forget!" Westcott agrees, "Aye, aye, Yulee, you, Calhoun, Butler & Myself may look out for some big licks!" (The four Democrats were in fact the targets of particularly strong editorial attacks by Ritchie). A third man (who may be intended to be Senator Andrew P. Butler, but bears no resemblance to him) concurs, "Nous Verrons! as the poor fool says!"|Robinson Lith 142 Nassau St. N.Y.|Signed with monogram: EWC (Edward Williams Clay).|Title appears as it is written on the item.|Weitenkampf, p. 89.|Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)|Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1847-1.

A satirical view of the scramble among newly elected President James K. Polk's 1844 campaign supporters, or "patriots," for "their beans," i.e., patronage and other official favors. Polk (upper right) sits in the Presidential Chair, his hands folded and apparently oblivious to the activity around him. From behind the chair Andrew Jackson prompts him, "That's right Jemmy, Non Committal. By the Eternal you're a chip of the old block." To Polk's right a group of homely women present a petition and ask, "Can't you do something for us? we are poor weak women in great danger of being seduced! We want a proclamation in behalf of our Moral Reform Society." Below him John Beauchamp Jones and Francis Preston Blair, editors of influential rival newspapers, the "Madisonian" and the "Globe," fight for the privilege of being the administration organ. In the center an Irishman, hat in hand, approaches Polk and asks, "Plaze yer honor's worship, can't ye do somethin' for me? I was bor-r-n in Boston and rared in New-Yor-r-k, be the howly St. Patrick, and nivver a bit of an office have I had yet." Nearby, a German or Dutchman walks away in disgust shouting, "Dod rot this administration! I've lost my sittivation that Tyler give me, that was worth $15 a year! Dod rot 'em, I say!" In the foreground Secretary of State James Buchanan asks a small, ragged figure, "What Office do you expect, my man?" The man, a Rhode Islander, responds, " . . . I was an Officer with Govr. Dorr, and I should like to be an Officer agin; but I ain't perticklar, if you haint got no office may be you've got some old Clothes to give me!" Dorr was the leader of an abortive revolution in Rhode Island in 1842. (See Trouble in the Spartan Ranks, no. 1843-6). At left South Carolinian John C. Calhoun, a frustrated aspirant for the 1844 Democratic nomination, rides off on a velocipede saying, "Let this Poke manage two stools if he can, I'll cut my stick, and be off for the sunny south." Above, in the background, members of the "Empire Club" wave their hats and fire a cannon. They may represent the expansionist platform on which Polk campaigned, which many Whigs feared would provoke war with Mexico. In the left foreground is a motley militia troop carrying a banner "For Oregon!! Liberty! or Death!!!" Their leader proclaims, "Follow me brave soldiers, strike but one blow, and Oregon is ours!" Polk's campaign platform favored reannexation of the Oregon Territory.|Entered . . . 1845 by J. Baillie. |Lith. & pub. by James Baillie 118 Nassau St. N.Y.|Probably drawn by Edward Williams Clay.|The Library's impression was deposited for copyright on March 24, 1845.|Title appears as it is written on the item.|Weitenkampf, p. 85|Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)|Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1845-3.

A Whig fantasy on the supposed outcome of the 1844 election. Here Henry Clay and Theodore Frelinghuysen occupy the White House. They watch from a window as John Tyler plays a hand organ and leads a group of minstrels outside, asking "A few Pennies Gentlemen for the poor Virginny minstrels!" On the top of the organ are three tiny rats, perhaps a reference to the resignation of Tyler's cabinet or a comment on the president's betrayal of Whig interests during his tenure. (For the Cabinet-rat simile, see "The Rats Leaving a Falling House" and "Rats Quitting the Ship," nos. 1831-2 and 1840-34.) On Tyler's leash is a monkey with the head of James K. Polk. He is perched on the back of a fox with Van Buren's head. Polk says, "Well this is better than having to "carry" the Fox!" Van Buren complains, "I dont know what they want to (Polk) this Monkey on my back for." Following Tyler is John Calhoun, in a woman's dress, playing a tambourine and singing in mock-Negro minstrel style, "Ole Wirginny neber tire." He has the webbed feet of a goose. Clay comments, "These Minstrels seem to be in want, we'd better call them in and give them something to eat." Frelinghuysen responds, "Yes Henry I'll call the Butler!" Watching from the right are former president Andrew Jackson, dressed as an old woman, Thomas Hart Benton, and an unidentified man. Jackson exclaims, "Oh! dear. by the Eternal! I remember that little Fox used to play his tricks about this same old white House some years ago, caught at last eh! Well I am sorry for You!"|Drawn by H. Bucholzer.|Entered . . . 1844 by J. Baillie.|Lith & pub by James Baillie 118 Nassau St. N.Y.|The Library's impression of the print was deposited for copyright on August 4, 1844.|Title appears as it is written on the item.|Weitenkampf, p. 77.|Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)|Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1844-42.

A prediction of dire consequences to follow from Jackson's withdrawal of federal funds from the Bank of the United States, initiated late in 1833. The artist is harshly critical of Jackson's move to distribute federal treasury funds among several state or so-called "pet" banks. He also condemns the influence of both Jackson's informal circle of advisors, the "Kitchen Cabinet," and the newspapers friendly to the Administration, the "Collar Presses." Jackson declared his own personal "responsibility" for the controversial order to remove the feredal deposits from the Bank. Here a mob of farmers, laborers, and tradesmen riot, holding papers saying "Broken Bank," and shouting "Send back the deposites! Recharter the Bank!" and "Come back old responsibility." They pursue Jackson, who flees to the right carried on the back of Jack Downing. Jackson: "By the Eternal Major Downing; I find Ive been a mere tool to that Damn'd Amos [Kendall] and his set, the sooner I cut stick the better." Downing: "I told you I'd get you off Jinral but it will be a tarnel tight squeeze I guess." In the center Thomas Ellicott and Reuben Whitney, anti-Bank fiscal advisors to the administration, try to pull down the statue of Justice (here labeled "Supreme Court") resting on a pedestal "Constitution." A man in judge's robes, Supreme Court Justice John Marshall, warns "Miscreants forbear, the day of retribution is at hand and Justice shall be no longer set at defiance!" Five dogs, representing newspapers supportive of Jackson's program, including the "Globe, Albany Argus, Evening Post, Standard," and "Journal of Commerce" scamper away with their collars chained together. These are called "Collar Presses, " a derisive nickname playing on their status as newspapers or "presses" subservient to the administration. On the far left Henry Clay tells Daniel Webster and John Calhoun, "Behold Senators the fulfilment of my predictions!" Below them two blacks converse: "Hurrah Bob two or three more rows like dis and nigger free, for there will be no more Goberment." "Hurrah! for Massa Garison [i.e. abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison], den he shall be King!" On a step at lower left a sailor offers a Jewish broker a ten dollar bank-note. Sailor: "I say Moses give us some ballast for this here bit of rag." Banker: "Mine Got that ish one of the Pet Bankhs I'll give you one Dollar for the Ten."|Entered . . . Southern District of New York by T.W. Whitley 1834, and for sale at 104 Broadway.|T.W. Whitley alias Sir Joshua invt.|The print was recorded as deposited for copyright by Whitley on February 1, 1834. The print was probably printed and sold by Anthony Imbert, since his address is given in the imprint. The print is also very close in style to Imbert's "Old Nick's New Patent Plan ... (no. 1834-5).|Title appears as it is written on the item.|Weitenkampf, p. 35.|Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)|Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1834-7.

A figurative portrayal of the 1844 presidential contest as a cock-fight, in which Whig candidate Henry Clay prevails. Clay and Democratic opponent Polk battle in a pit or ring as several prominent political figures look on. The Polk bird is obviously waning, having lost many of its feathers. Clay crows, "Cock a doodle doo doo." Outside the ring some of the spectators comment on the action. Daniel Webster (far left) says: "I'll bet one of my best Chowders on the Kentucky Rooster [i.e., Clay]." Beside him Clay's running-mate Theodore Frelinghuysen watches silently. Disappointed Democratic aspirant Martin Van Buren (center) remarks, "They rejected me, let them look to their Champion!" Beside Van Buren stand (left to right) prominent Democrats John C. Calhoun, Thomas Hart Benton, Andrew Jackson, and an unidentified fourth man. Jackson comments, "By the Eternal! I doubt the pluck of that Cock from Tenessee [Polk], if he does "go for Texas."|Entered . . . 1844 by James Baillie.|Lith. & pub. by James Baillie 33 Spruce St. N.Y.|Signed with monogram: H.B. (H. Bucholzer).|The Library's impression was deposited for copyright on June 26, 1844.|Title appears as it is written on the item.|Hess and Kaplan, p. 12.|Weitenkampf, p. 79.|Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)|Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1844-25.

The artist resorts to the familiar metaphor of a card game for the presidential stakes in his rendition of the 1848 contest. The major contenders play a game of "brag" (an early form of poker). Around the table sit six players (left to right): South Carolina senator John Calhoun, Democratic presidential nominee Lewis Cass, Henry Clay, Whig candidate Zachary Taylor, Secretary of State James Buchanan, and President James K. Polk. In the center of the table is the "Presidential Ante." Displaying three aces, former Mexican War general Taylor exclaims, "Three bullets, Clay! Still at my old trade! whenever bullets are to be met I am sure to have a hand with them!" Clay, who holds three low cards behind his back, replies, "I tried my old bluffing game with a contented hand & nothing to brag with but a hand full of hearts! I'm not sorry however that old Zach has won!" Seated to the left Cass laments, "Three braggers, Calhoun, would'n't carry me through!" Calhoun, looking over Cass's shoulder agrees, "No, Cass, the Ante is too high for you! You'll have to play for smaller Stakes!" At the far right end of the table, Polk exclaims, "My knave hand, Buchanan, has lost me the game! I may as well slope!" Buchanan replies, "By Jove! Polk, Old Zack's got the documents! three natties!" The satire probably appeared shortly after the June Whig convention, at which Taylor was nominated over Henry Clay, and before the emergence of strong third-party candidate Martin Van Buren.|Published by Andrew Donnelly. Sold wholesale and retail at the Book-stand Wall Street, near the N.Y. Custom House.|Signed with monogram: C (Edward Williams Clay).|Title appears as it is written on the item.|Davison, no. 200.|Weitenkampf, p. 96.|Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)|Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1848-30.

The artist forecasts with obvious relish the ouster of Van Buren and his cronies from office by William Henry Harrison. Van Buren is shown leaving Washington in a large cart drawn by supporters (left to right) Thomas Hart Benton, Levi Woodbury, and John C. Calhoun, and pushed from behind by Francis Preston Blair. The cart is piled high with a large sphere marked "Solitary and Alone," an issue of Blair's newspaper the "Globe," a box of "Mint Drops," and a throne, scepter, and crown. Tied beneath the cart are several dogs marked "Cuba," referring to the administration's controversial use of Cuban bloodhounds against the Seminoles in Florida. (See "The Secretary of War" and "A Bivouack in Safety," nos. 1840-5 and -6.) Henry Clay (on the White House steps at right) presents Van Buren with a "notice to quit" and holds a large key in his left hand. Behind him stands William Henry Harrison. Van Buren: "Push a head Blair, let's get out of this ungrateful City. This is the reward of all my patriotic service." Blair: "Hard work to get out of this City Globe and all but go we must." Benton: "Take care of my 'mint drops' we shall want them in Missouri." "Mint drops" was a colloquialism for gold coins, referring to bullionist Benton's advocacy of a high ratio of gold to silver in circulation. Calhoun: "It's a heavy car to draw Mr. Secretary." Woodbury: Yes--but we have notice to quit and must carry off all we can." Harrison: "Softly, don't hurry the Gentleman. See him safe to his farm. Take care of his moveables." Clay: "He has fairly carried off the spoils General."|Printed & published by H.R. Robinson, no. 52 Cortlandt St. N.Y.|Signed: HD (Henry Dacre?).|Title appears as it is written on the item.|Lorant, p. 159, 175.|Weitenkampf, p. 60-61.|Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)|Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1840-37.

Henry Clay's easy ascent to the presidency here is in contrast to the serious difficulties experienced by his Democratic opponent James K. Polk. Clay has reached the top of a large pole and has the "Civic Crown" in his grasp. Below him Polk is pushed and prodded by influential supporters Andrew Jackson (left) and Thomas Hart Benton, while John C. Calhoun (far left) watches aghast. Clay: "With ease I reach the goal, when the hearts of my countrymen are with me." Polk to Jackson, who prods him with his cane in the seat of his pants: "Almighty hero! desist. I beseech you: for this courtesy is more honored in the "breech" than in the observance." Benton: "His situation Looks rather "pokerish."" Calhoun: "Ye gods! what a climber this is! The more he is "poked," the more he don't go up!"|Drawn by H. Bucholzer.|Entered . . . 1844 by James Baillie. |Lith & pub. by James Baillie 33 Spruce St. N.Y.|The Library's impression of the print was deposited for copyright on June 26, 1844.|Title appears as it is written on the item.|Weitenkampf, p. 74.|Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)|Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1844-22.

Once again Polk's handling of the Oregon territorial dispute between the United States and Great Britain is criticized. (See "Polk's Dream" and "War! or No War!" nos. 1846-2 and 1846-4). Here the artist seems to suggest political motivation behind Polk's insistence on the 54.40 parallel as the northern boundary to American territory. At the 54.40 line, two small boys bait "Donkey" Polk with a "Re-election" cabbage. The boy holding the cabbage comments, "Come here Jem, here's a animal as sees something and wont move no how you can fix it!" His friend encourages him to "Coax along with a cabbage Bill, if that wont move him put a locofoco match under his nose!" "Loco Foco" was a type of match as well as a nickname for radical Democrats of the time. Polk exclaims, "Here I am by the order or masters of the Baltimore Convention, with my nose down to this line and here I shall stick, though I fall a martyr to my devotion to the great Democratic party!" The Baltimore Convention of 1844, which nominated Polk for the presidency, also wedded the party's platform to the 54.40 parallel on the Oregon question. Three groups of men surround Polk. To the left stand the "Whig Members" of Congress, one of whom says to the expansionist Democrats in the center, "Take your own course, gentlemen, with your own animal! He is a sorry one at best, and won't be worth a copper after you've got him out of that fit. Its nothing more nor less than the blind staggers!" Lewis Cass and Ohio senators William Allen and Edward Hannegan stand in the center group behind Polk. Cass, in military uniform, says, "It's my opinion, Hannegan, that he's going to back out! His nose is not so near the line by three inches as it was a week ago!" Allen begs of Cass, "Oh don't let him flinch General. It's our only hope!" Hannegan says, "By heaven! it cannot be General! If he does he's worse than a second Arnold. We must be ready to cut him down at once! Let me have your sword?" The third group (far right) stands at the forty-ninth parallel. It includes more conservative Democrats (left to right) John Clayton, John Calhoun, Thomas Hart Benton, and William Henry Haywood, Jr. (labeled "Hayward"). Clayton inquires, "How shall we get him off? He has not budged or brayed for the last month!" John Calhoun remarks, "I see how it is gentlemen! He has got it into his head that to be great is to be silent and obstinate! Coaxing will be of no use! You might as well use force at once!" Benton adds, "In my opinion it's a very miserable imitation of old Hickory's firmness and independence." Haywood assures everyone, "I, gentlemen, am the only man in the field that knows when that jackass is going to move."|Entered . . . 1846 by J. Baillie.|Lith & pub. by James Baillie, 118, Nassau St. N.Y.|Signed with monogram: C (Edward Williams Clay).|The Library's impression was deposited for copyright on April 8, 1946, on the same day as "Polk's Dream,"also by Clay.|Title appears as it is written on the item.|Davison, no. 192.|Weitenkampf, p. 85.|Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)|Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1846-3.

Again, the race motif is used to parody election-year rivalries. (See "Footrace, Pensylvania Avenue," no. 1844-41). Here the artist portrays the candidates as horses, lining up before a stand from which several prominent political figures watch. First in line is Henry Clay, ridden by jockey Daniel Webster, who says, "My horse was Foaled in the Old Dominion, bred in Kentuck--And has beat every thing out West!" Clay is closely followed by a bucking horse with the head of James Polk and jockied by an unidentified man who exclaims, "Old Diploma I think will beat them all except the "Mill Boy" [i.e., Clay] his Rider Black Dan is such a Jockey on the Course that he will always have the inside Track!" Next is pony Martin Van Buren with a fox's tail, ridden by Thomas Hart Benton, who complains, "I am afraid my Poney has been too badly beaten by old Tip ever to run again." He refers to the 1840 election when Van Buren was defeated by William Henry Harrison, "Old Tippecanoe." Hefty Alabama senator Dixon Lewis rides John C. Calhoun exclaiming, "I am call'd one half of Alabama. I would give the other half to have my high Mettled Racer Nullify them All!" A one-armed man riding Richard M. Johnson says, "Tecumseh [i.e., Johnson] cannot begin to run against the '"Mill Boy" of the Slashes' [Clay] he is so long in the Reach, and gathers so quick!" The last contestant is the stumbling nag John Tyler, ridden by his son Robert who is holding a paper labeled "repale" (i.e., Irish repeal) and says, "My Sire has ran well with Old Tip and by St. O'Connell, I think he would distance them all if it was not for his having those Cursed "Bolts" he must die! and nothing can save him." "St. O'Connell" is the Irish patriot leader of the repeal movement Daniel O'Connell. Watching from the grandstand are (left to right): editor Francis Preston Blair, an unidentified man, John M. Botts, lieutenant governor of New York and Van Buren foe Daniel S. Dickinson, and New York senator Nathaniel P. Tallmadge.|Entered . . . 1844 by H.R. Robinson.|Litho. of H.R. Robinson 142 Nassau St. N.Y.|Signed with initials: E.W.C. (Edward Williams Clay).|Title appears as it is written on the item.|Weitenkampf, p. 79.|Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)|Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1844-45.

Senators Thomas Hart Benton and Henry S. Foote are paired here in a facetious farewell scene, as Benton departs the "Shop of the Senate." In reality Benton lost his Senate seat in a January 1851 election, largely because of his refusal to honor the Missouri Resolutions on Slavery (also known as the Jackson-Napton Resolutions of 1849). He charged that the resolutions were engineered by John C. Calhoun, Foote, and a few other Senate foes. Benton's term ended on March 3. In the center stands Benton dressed as a ragged Irishman, a stock character common in Yankee theatre productions of the New York stage at the time. He smokes a cigar, and stands near a mangy donkey which is laden with saddle, pack, and whip, a bundle marked "Life & Times of Thos H. Benton [bound] for California" at his feet. His California destination has several possible explanations. It may be an oblique allusion to Benton's antislavery stance, as Benton was embroiled in the dispute during his last Senate term, on the admission of California to the Union as a free state. He was also a prominent advocate of a transcontinental railroad. Also likely is the artist's association of the recent California Gold Rush with Benton's career-long bullionist ideology. Benton looks left and shakes the hand of Foote, who is dressed as a New York fireman or street tough, with a visored cap and boots. Foote: "So, yer goin ter leave us, ha Benton? well if I had my Pocket Hankercher about me I'de cry." Benton: "Thank yer Foote! any other time will do, the fact is I won't work in no Shop where the Boss is all the time a findin fault with me work, & the Fellers in the Shop is all the time a Laughin at me." At the far left Calhoun and two others watch from a window with the sign "Cabinet Work." Weitenkampf dates the print 1850. But it is unlikely that it appeared long before the March 3, 1851, expiration of Benton's term in the Senate.|Probably drawn by John L. Magee.|Title appears as it is written on the item.|Reilly, p. 162.|Weitenkampf, p. 101-102.|Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)|Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1851-3.