visers on party affairs and on matters of general policy the
President drew about himself a heterogeneous group of men which the
public-labeled the "Kitchen Cabinet." Included in the number were the
two members of the regular Cabinet in whom Jackson had implicit
confidence, Van Buren and Eaton. Isaac Hill was a member. Amos
Kendall, a New Englander who had lately edited a Jackson paper in
Kentucky, and who now found his reward in the fourth auditorship of
the Treasury, was another. William B. Lewis, prevailed upon by Jackson
to accept another auditorship along with Kendall, rather than to
follow out his original intention to return to his Tennessee
plantation, was not only in the Kitchen Cabinet but was also a member
of the President's household. Duff Green, editor of the _Telegraph_,
and A. J. Donelson, the President's nephew and secretary, were
included in the group; as was also Francis P. Blair after, in 1830, he
became editor of the new administration organ, the _Globe_. It was the
popular impression that the influence of these men, especially of
Lewis and Kendall, was very great--that, indeed, they virtually ruled
the country. There was some truth in the supposition. In matters upon
which his mind was not fully made up, Jackson was easily swayed; and
his most intimate "Kitchen" advisers were adepts at playing upon his
likes and dislikes. He, however, always resented the insinuation that
he was not his own master, and all testimony goes to show that when he
was once resolved upon a given course his friends were just as
powerless to stop him as were his enemies.

The Jacksonians were carried into office on a great wave of popular
enthusiasm, an for the time being all the powers of government were
theirs. None the less, their position was imperiled almost from the
beginning by a breach within the administration ranks. Calhoun had
contented himself with reelection to the vice presidency in 1828 on
the understanding that, after Jackson should have had one term, the
road to the White House would be left clear for himself. Probably
Jackson, when elected, fully expected Calhoun to be his successor.
Before long, however, the South Carolinian was given ground for
apprehension. Men began to talk about a second term for Jackson, and
the White House gave no indication of disapproval. Even more
disconcerting was the large place taken in the new regime by Van
Buren. The "little magician" held the chief post in the Cabinet; he
wa