Sold – A Harassed President Polk Uses Every Diplomatic Skill to Satisfy Office Seekers and Their Fri

In the days before the Civil Service, with each change in administration came a replacement of persons employed by the Federal government, from the ambassador level down to clerkships. There was a veritable feeding frenzy to get the jobs, and dispensing them was the bane of every new president. The would-be office holders were pushy, persistant, demanding (a disappointed office seeker killed President Garfield when he did not get an appointment, as he was sure he deserved), and they were everywhere. However, amidst all the applications that could be ignored or pigeon-holed, there were many backed by important people – senators, congressmen, governors, party officials and the like. They intervened to assist their friends, relatives and themselves.

This lengthy exposition sent by President Polk to Lewis Cass, U.S. Senator from Michigan and soon to be the 1848 Democratic presidential nominee, is the fullest, most comprehensive view of what presidents faced that we have seen. We only quote a portion of it.

Autograph Letter Signed as President, five pages, Washington, April 21, 1845, to . The letter, marked “private,” discusses patronage, the primary concern for newly inaugurated chief executives (Polk was in office just seven weeks at this time. ”You spoke to me on behalf of a number of your friends and among others of Mr. Norvell [John Norvell, former U.S. Senator from Michigan]. You expressed the earnest wish that Mr. Norvell might be appointed to an office worthy of him…at Washington or elsewhere out of the state. I expressed to you what I have ever felt – a strong regard for Mr. Norvell and my sincere desire to gratify the wishes of his friends. I said to you in substance that there was at that time no office in Washington  – or elsewhere out of the state – of dignity corresponding to Mr. Norvell’s former station in the Senate, and his claims, which I had the power to bestow upon him…”?Polk then quotes from a personal meeting that followed in which the President promised Norvell to name him District Attorney “to take effect upon the expiration of the term of the present incumbent.” Later, Polk received letters recommending the appointment of Mr. Bradley [Edward Bradley, then a Michigan state senator, later a U.S. Congressman] to the same post. However, he continues, “I knew Mr. Norvell personally. I esteemed him highly and had no doubt when I promised him the office that it would give general satisfaction to my friends in Michigan…As matters stand, my pledge is out to Mr. Norvell &?I must appoint him…I have no doubt Mr. Bradley is an extremely worthy man…”

Polk tell Cass that “On Saturday the 19th instant I appointed Anthony Ten Eyck Commissioner to the Sandwich Islands [in fact, by this appointment, Ten Eyck became the first American Commissioner to Hawaii], as you desired. I have directed his commission to be forwarded to him at Detroit. I have been and still am very desirous to gratify the wishes of your son but have as yet been unable to do so. The places at the Hague &?Vienna have been filled. Controlling considerations induced these appointment. Georgia had nothing, not even a clerk, in the employment of the Federal Government, out of the state. The friends of Major D__ demand that he should be restored to his old place. The place at Sweden I supposed would not be acceptable to him. Portugal has been suggested. I do not think that I can with propriety recall the charge at that court. I will have shortly to appoint a charge to New Grenada, but I suppose that place would not be desirable to him. In the course of a few months I hope something more desirable may be in my power.”

Polk finishes up by saying, “I have only to add that I have been greatly beset in the dispensation of the public patronage, and I most sincerely wish that I had not an office to bestow.”