Taney, Roger B. (1777-1864) to Francis P. Blair
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03209.01 Author/Creator: Taney, Roger B. (1777-1864) Place Written: Baltimore, Maryland Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 29 July 1845 Pagination: 5 p. : address : 27 x 20.7 cm. Order a Copy
States that he is no longer partisan in public, but in private he retains many feelings towards those he once supported. Mentions his surprise that "young Hickory," meaning James K. Polk, dismissed many friends of the old administration. Expresses his disbelief of Louis McLane's claim that he supported Andrew Jackson's veto of the Bank of the United States and affirms his own belief in the stability of state banks provided the Treasury Department supplies "a firm & steady hand."
Roger B. Taney was the Secretary of the Treasury from 1833-1834, and then the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court from 1836-1864. He received both nominations thanks to Andrew Jackson, and was therefore a strong supporter of the President.
Francis P. Blair was a journalist and an ardent Jacksonian. Shortly before this letter was written he had been dismissed by President Polk as editor of the Washington Globe, an influential Democratic paper that he had edited for 15 years.
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