POLITICAL MOVEMENT:

Abstract

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. 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 to 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: 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.