The Kitchen Cabinet and Andrew Jackson's Advisory System

Abstract

EWsubjects in Jacksonian politics have been more frequently mentioned and less carefully analyzed than Andrew Jackson's cabinet. The reason is not hard to find. Influence and power, difficult enough to measure in present, are particularly resistant to historical investigation. Data concerning confidential relationships are spotty and interviewing of participants is synonymous with necromancy. The shadowy nature of presidential advising thus promotes growth of legends that obscure reality of political influence.1 By tradition, historians claim that label kitchen was first applied derogatorily by Jackson's opposition, to describe an informal group of advisers who maintained great influence over President, particularly on matters of party and patronage. Claude G. Bowers, in his popular study of Jackson's presidency, called the small but loyal and sleepless group of Kitchen Cabinet . . . first of America's great practical politicians.' Leonard White's standard administrative account of Jacksonian period reinforced this conventional view; according to him, Jackson's interest in politics and personality, rather than in administration, naturally prompted appearance of a group of personal advisers, primarily concerned with patronage and party manipulation.' References to cabinet generally imply that members worked together closely, shared similar political objectives, especially promotion of Martin Van Buren's political fortunes, and attained their greatest influence in