He was ably represented, however, by James A. Hamilton, a son
of Alexander Hamilton, to whose correspondence we owe most of what we
know about the laying of the plans for the new Administration.
The most pressing question was the personnel of the Cabinet. Upon only
one appointment was Jackson fully determined when he reached
Washington: Van Buren was to be Secretary of State. The "little
magician" had been influential in turning New York from Crawford to
Jackson; he had resigned his seat in the Senate and run for the
governorship with a view to uniting the party for Jackson's benefit;
he was the cleverest politician and, next to Calhoun, the ablest man,
in the Democratic ranks. When offered the chief place in the Cabinet
he promptly accepted. Edward Livingston was given his choice of the
remaining positions, but preferred to accept an election to the
Senate. With due regard for personal susceptibilities and sectional
interests, the list was then completed. A Pennsylvania Congressman
Samuel D. Ingham, became Secretary of the Treasury; Senator John H.
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