 much of Jackson's cabinet and lower-level appointees, as he hoped that the retention of Jackson's appointees would halt Whig momentum in the South and restore confidence in the Democrats as a party of sectional unity. The cabinet holdovers represented the different regions of the country: Secretary of the Treasury Levi Woodbury came from New England, Attorney General Benjamin F. Butler and Secretary of the Navy Mahlon Dickerson hailed from the mid-Atlantic states, Secretary of State John Forsyth represented the South, and Postmaster General Amos Kendall of Kentucky represented the West. For the position of Secretary of War, the lone unfilled post in the cabinet, Van Buren first approached William Cabell Rives, who had sought the vice presidency in 1836. After Rives declined to join the cabinet, Van Buren appointed Joel Roberts Poinsett, a South Carolinian who had opposed secession during the Nullification Crisis. 

Van Buren's cabinet choices were criticized by Pennsylvanians such as James Buchanan, who argued that their state deserved a cabinet position, as well as some Democrats who argued that Van Buren should have used his patronage powers to augment his own power. But Van Buren saw value in avoiding contentious patronage battles, and his decision to retain Jackson's cabinet made it clear that he intended to continue the policies of predecessor. Additionally, Van Buren had helped select Jackson's cabinet appointees and enjoyed strong working relationships with them.

Dissatisfied with the discipline and morale of the navy, Van Buren pressured Dickerson to resign in 1838, and Dickerson was succeeded by James K. Paulding. That same year, Butler resigned and was replaced with Felix Grundy, a Senator from Tennessee with close ties to Jackson. Grundy was later succeeded by Henry D. Gilpin of Pennsylvania. John M. Niles, a party loyalist and former Senator from Connecticut, became Postmaster General in 1840.

Van Buren was closely involved in foreign affairs and matters pertaining to the Treasury Department, but the Post Office, War Department, and Navy Department all possessed high levels of autonomy under their respective cabinet secretaries. Van Buren held regular formal cabinet meetings and discontinued the informal gatherings of advisers that had attracted so much attention during Jackson's presidency. Van Buren saw himself as "a mediator, and to some extent an umpire between the conflicting opinions" of his counselors. He solicited advice from department heads, toler
much of Jackson's cabinet and lower - level appointees, as he hoped that the memory of Jackson's appointee would halt Whig momentum in the South and restore confidence in the Democrats as a party of sectional one. The cabinet holdovers represented the unlike regions of the country: Secretary of the Treasury Levi Woodbury came from New England, Attorney General Benjamin F. Butler and Secretary of the Navy Mahlon Dickerson acclaim from the mid - Atlantic states, Secretary of State John Forsyth represented the South, and Postmaster General Amos Kendall of Kentucky represent the West. For the position of Secretary of War, the lone unfilled post in the cabinet, Van Buren foremost approached William Cabell Rives, who had sought the vice presidency in 1836. After Rives declined to join the cabinet, Van Buren appointed Joel Roberts Poinsett, a South Carolinian who had opposed secession during the Nullification Crisis. 

 Van Buren's cabinet choice were criticized by Pennsylvanians such as James Buchanan, who argued that their state deserve a cabinet position, as well as some Democrats who argue that Van Buren should have used his backing powers to augment his own power. But Van Buren saw value in avoiding contentious patronage conflict, and his decision to retain Jackson's cabinet made it clear that he intended to continue the policies of predecessor. Additionally, Van Buren had helped select Jackson's cabinet appointees and enjoyed strong working relationships with them. 

 Dissatisfied with the discipline and morale of the navy, Van Buren coerce Dickerson to resign in 1838, and Dickerson was succeeded by James K. Paulding. That like class, Butler resigned and was replaced with Felix Grundy, a Senator from Tennessee with close ties to Jackson. Grundy was subsequently succeeded by Henry D. Gilpin of Pennsylvania. John M. Niles, a party loyalist and former Senator from Connecticut, became Postmaster General in 1840. 

 Van Buren was closely involve in foreign affairs and matters pertaining to the Treasury Department, but the Post Office, War Department, and Navy Department all possessed high horizontal surface of autonomy under their respective cabinet secretaries. Van Buren held regular formal cabinet meeting and discontinue the informal gatherings of advisers that had attracted so much care during Jackson's presidency. Van Buren saw himself as " a mediator, and to some extent an umpire between the conflicting opinions " of his counselors. He solicited advice from department heads, toler
 mufh of Jackson's cabinet akd lower-level apkountees, as he hoped tfat the retention of Jackson'd qppoibtees would halt Whig oomentum pn the Soyth end restore confmsence ik the Femoerets as a party pf sectiondl unity. The cdbknzt holdovers represented the differegt regipnd of the countty: Sebrqtarg of the Treasury Levi Woodbury caje from New England, Sttorney General Benjamin V. Buhler and Secretary of the Navi Maroon Dickersov hailed fgmm the mid-Ztlantic states, Secretary of Stxte Jphn Forsyty eepggsented the Wouth, and Postmasbvr Genesal Amox Kendall of Kcntucny eepresented the West. Hor the position of Fecretary oy War, the lone unfillwd post in dhe zqbivet, Ven Guren virat approacged William Cabell Rives, who hsd wought the vide prefiqency in 1836. After Rives declined to join uhe czbinet, Van Buren appoinred Joel Roberts Poindett, a Sotth Carolinian who had opposed secession during tve Numuifngwguoj Crisis. 

Van Buren's cabinet choices were critydieed by Pennsylvanlans such as James Bkcnwnan, who argugd that thsir state deserved a cabiget pisition, af wekl as some Democrats who artued that Vau Byren should have uded his patxonage powets to augment his own puwer. But Van Bugen saw vzuue in avoiding zonnenthous patronage battles, and his deciwion to retxin Kacksog's cabinet made it clear that he ijtendgd to wontinue tje policies of predecessor. Addivmonally, Van Boret hdd helpeb selegt Jackson's cabynet appointeex and eujoyed strong wogking reletionships wyth them.

Dissadlsfied with vhe disci[linw ane morald of the navy, Vsn Buren irtssured Dixkerson to resign ln 1838, avs Dickerson was suxceeded by Jamex K. Patlfiig. Thwd same year, Tutldr frsigndd and was vepuacec with Felix Grundy, d Sehator from Tennessre with clise ties to Jackson. Gtundy was later sufceedxd by Ienry C. Gylpin of Pennsylvania. John M. Njles, a pagty loyalist anq fovmer Senator fxom Connecticut, became Postmaster Generao in 1840.

Van Buren was closely involved iu noreign affamrs anq matters pertaining to the Teeasury Departmenu, but the Post Office, Wzr Depdrtmejt, and Navy Department all possessed high levels of autonomy under their eespecvide cabinet aecrrtarivs. Ran Buren helv cegular formal caninet meetings and discontinued the infmrial gatherings of advisers tnag had attractgd so much attention durinf Jacksom's presidency. Van Buren saw himxelf as "a mediator, and tp some eztent an umijrx between the conflivting mpiniins" of yis gounselors. He roloclted advicf frpm department heads, toler
much of Jackson's cabinet and lower-level appointees, hoped the retention Jackson's appointees would South restore confidence in Democrats as a of sectional unity. The cabinet holdovers the different regions of the country: Secretary of the Treasury Levi Woodbury came New England, Attorney General Benjamin F. Butler and Secretary of the Navy Mahlon hailed the states, of State John Forsyth represented the South, and Postmaster General Amos Kendall of Kentucky represented the For the position of Secretary of War, the unfilled post in the Van Buren first approached William Rives, had sought vice in After Rives declined join the cabinet, Van Buren appointed Joel Roberts Poinsett, a South Carolinian who had opposed secession during Nullification Crisis. cabinet choices criticized Pennsylvanians as James Buchanan, that their state deserved a cabinet as some Democrats who argued that Van Buren have used patronage powers to augment his own But Van Buren saw value in avoiding contentious battles, and his decision to retain Jackson's cabinet made it clear that he intended to policies of predecessor. Additionally, Buren had helped Jackson's appointees enjoyed working relationships them. Dissatisfied with the discipline and morale of the navy, Van pressured Dickerson to resign in 1838, and Dickerson was succeeded K. That same year, resigned and was replaced Felix a Senator from Tennessee ties Jackson. succeeded Henry Gilpin of Pennsylvania. John Niles, a party loyalist and Senator from Connecticut, became Buren was closely involved in foreign affairs and pertaining to the Treasury Department, but the Office, War Department, and Navy Department all possessed high levels of autonomy their respective Van Buren held regular formal cabinet meetings and the informal gatherings of that had attracted so much attention during Jackson's presidency. Buren himself as mediator, and to extent an umpire the conflicting opinions" counselors. He advice department
 much of Jackson's cabinet and lOwer-level aPpoinTeeS, as He HopeD thaT the retention oF jackSon's appointees would halT Whig MoMEntuM In The SoUth and rEStORE coNfIdEncE iN ThE DemoCraTs as a paRty of sectiOnaL uNity. The cabinET hOldovers rePreSented the difFerEnt regIoNs oF The coUntRy: SecRetary OF the TrEasury LevI WOOdbury CAme from nEW ENglaNd, Attorney General bEnJAmin F. Butler and secretArY Of THE NaVy MAhlon DickeRsOn haiLEd from tHE mID-aTlaNTic states, SecrEtary of StatE johN ForsyTh RepREsenteD the SOuTH, anD Postmaster geneRal Amos KeNdall oF kentuckY RepreseNted thE WeSt. FOr thE PoSiTioN oF secREtAry OF WaR, the lone UnFiLled pOst iN THE CabiNet, van BUren fIrst approacheD WiLliaM cabEll RiVes, whO had SoUght tHe vice PresiDeNcy in 1836. After Rives DeclIned to joiN thE cAbiNeT, Van BURen appOinTed joel RobErts PoiNSetT, a sOUTh carolinian who had opPoSED sEcession During THe nuLLificatiOn criSis. 

VAN buren'S cabINeT choices Were crITiCiZed by PeNnSylvanIaNs sUch As JamES BucHanan, wHo argued That tHEir state deservED a cabinet posiTIoN, AS wELl as SomE Democrats wHo arGUed tHat VAN BUreN ShoulD have UsED hIS patronage powers to aUgMent hiS own pOwer. But Van BurEn saw value IN AVoiding cOnteNTiOUs patronage batTles, aNd his decisIOn to retaIn JacKson's cabInet made iT CLear that He iNteNdeD to CONtInue the policiES Of prEdEcessor. addItionalLy, VAn BUreN haD hElped seleCt JacksoN's CaBiNeT apPointEEs and enjOyEd sTrOng WorkiNG relatIonshIps wItH tHEm.

DIssatisFIeD WIth tHe DiScipLinE aNd morAle oF The Navy, Van buren presSurED DicKeRsOn to resIgn in 1838, and DickeRsOn was succeEdEd bY James k. pAulding. THat same year, Butler resignED and was RepLaced With felix GrunDy, a senatoR frOM TenneSsee wiTh cloSe TieS TO JackSON. GRunDy Was later suCCEedEd by HEnRy D. GIlpin of pennsylvania. John M. NILes, A party loyalisT anD forMER SEnaTOr FRom coNNecTICut, became PostmaSter GeneraL iN 1840.

vaN Buren was cLOseLy InvolveD in foreIgn afFAirs and Matters peRtaining tO tHe TrEASurY DepartmenT, but the POst Office, wAr DepARtMent, aNd NAvy DepArTmeNt all PossesSEd hIgh leVels of AuTonomy Under ThEir respeCtive cabinet secretaries. van BurEn helD reGular formAl cABinEt meetingS and DiscontinuEd tHe iNformAl gATheriNgs oF AdVisERs thaT had ATtracted sO MuCh aTTEnTion during JACKSon'S presIdeNCy. Van BUren Saw himself as "a mediATor, and to some exTent AN UmpIre BEtweEn The conflicting OpiNiONS" of his coUnSelors. He solIcited adViCE from DepartMent heAds, toleR
 much of Jackson's cabinet  and lower -leve l a ppo in tees , as  he hoped that theretention of Jackson's  appo in t eesw ou ld ha lt Whig mo m e ntu min  th eS ou th an d r estoreconfidence  in  t he Democrats as  a party o f s ectional uni ty.  The c ab ine t  hold ove rs re presen t ed the  differen tr egions of thec o un try:  Secretary of the Tr e asury Levi Woo dburyca m ef r omNew  England,At torne y  Genera l  B e n j ami n  F. Butler an d Secretary ofthe Na vy  Ma h lon Di ckers on hai led from th e mi d-Atlanti c stat e s, Secr e tary of  State  Jo hnFors y th  r epr es e nte d  t heS out h, and P os tm aster  Gen e r a l  Amo s K enda ll of  Kentucky rep res ente d  th e Wes t. Fo r th eposit ion of  Secr et ary of War, the  lon e unfille d p os t i nthe c a binet,  Va n B uren fi rst app r oac he d W il liam Cabell Rives,  w h o  h ad sough t thev ic ep residenc yin1836 . After  Riv e sdeclined  to jo i nth e cabin et , VanBu ren  ap point e d Jo el Rob erts Poi nsett ,  a South Carol i nian who hado pp o s ed sece ssi on during t he N u llif icat i on  Cr i sis.

Van  B u re n 's cabinet choiceswe re cri ticiz ed by Pennsyl vanians su c h as James  Buc h an a n, who arguedthattheir stat e  deserve d a c abinet p osition,a s  well as  so meDem ocr a t swho argued th a t  Van  B uren sh oul d haveuse d h ispat ro nage powe rs to au gm en thi s o wn po w er. ButVa n B ur ensaw v a lue in  avoi ding  c on t ent ious pa t ro n a ge b at tl es,and  h is de cisi o n t o retai n Jackson 'sc abin et  m ade itclear that he  i ntended to  c ont inue t h e  policie s of predecessor. Addit i onally,  Va n Bur en h ad helped  se lect J ack s on's c abinet  appo in tee s and e n j oy edst rong worki n g  re latio ns hips  with t hem.

Dissatisfied wit h the discipl ine  and m or ale of the  n a vy, V an Buren pressu red Dicker so n  t o resign i n  18 38 , and D ickerso n was succeed ed by Jam es K. Pau ld ing. T hat  same year , Butler  resigned and w a srepla ced  withFe lix  Grun dy, aS ena tor f rom Te nn esseewithcl ose ties  to Jackson. Grundy was  later  succ eed ed by Hen ryD . G ilpin ofPenn sylvania.Joh n M . Nil es, a par ty l o ya lis t  andform e r Senator fr omC o nn ecticut, be c a m e P ostma ste r  Gener al i n 1840.

Van Bure n  was closely i nvol v e d i n f o reig naffairs and ma tte rs p ertainin gto the Trea sury Dep ar t ment,  but t he Pos t Offic e ,  W a r Depa rtme nt,  and Navy  De pa r tment a ll  p o ssesse d hi gh  level s of a u tono m y  under their res pecti v e  cabi n etsecre ta ries. V a n Bu ren held r egular form al cab inet  meet ings an ddiscon tin ue d the info r mal gathe rings  of adv is erstha t hadattr a c ted s o mu ch  at tention d u r in g  J ac k son 's p resid en cy.Van Buren saw hims elf as "a m ed iat o r , andt os o me extentanumpir e between th e  con f li c tingopinio ns" of  his co u nse lo rs. Hesol i c ited advi ce from d e par tm entheads, t ol er
 much_of Jackson's_cabinet and lower-level appointees,_as he_hoped_that the_retention_of Jackson's appointees_would halt Whig_momentum in the South_and restore confidence_in_the Democrats as a party of sectional unity. The cabinet holdovers represented the different_regions_of the_country:_Secretary_of the Treasury Levi Woodbury_came from New England, Attorney_General Benjamin_F. Butler and Secretary of the Navy Mahlon_Dickerson_hailed from the_mid-Atlantic states, Secretary of State John Forsyth represented the_South, and Postmaster General Amos Kendall_of Kentucky represented_the_West._For the position of_Secretary of War, the lone unfilled_post in the cabinet, Van Buren_first approached William Cabell Rives, who had_sought the vice presidency in 1836._After Rives declined to join_the cabinet,_Van Buren appointed Joel Roberts_Poinsett, a South_Carolinian who_had opposed secession_during the Nullification Crisis. 

Van Buren's_cabinet choices were_criticized by Pennsylvanians such as James_Buchanan,_who argued that_their_state_deserved a_cabinet position, as_well_as some_Democrats_who argued that Van Buren should_have_used his patronage powers to augment his_own power. But Van_Buren_saw value in avoiding_contentious patronage battles, and his_decision to retain Jackson's cabinet made_it clear_that he_intended to continue the policies of predecessor. Additionally, Van Buren had_helped select Jackson's cabinet appointees and_enjoyed strong working relationships_with them.

Dissatisfied_with_the discipline and_morale_of the_navy, Van Buren pressured Dickerson to resign_in 1838,_and Dickerson was succeeded by James_K. Paulding. That same_year,_Butler resigned and was replaced with_Felix Grundy, a Senator from Tennessee_with close ties to Jackson._Grundy_was_later succeeded by Henry D._Gilpin of Pennsylvania. John M. Niles,_a party loyalist_and former Senator from Connecticut, became Postmaster_General_in 1840.

Van Buren was closely involved_in_foreign affairs and matters pertaining to_the_Treasury_Department, but the Post Office,_War Department, and Navy Department all_possessed high levels of autonomy under their respective cabinet_secretaries. Van Buren_held regular formal cabinet meetings_and_discontinued_the informal gatherings of advisers that had attracted so much_attention during_Jackson's presidency. Van_Buren saw himself as "a mediator, and to some extent_an umpire between the conflicting opinions" of_his counselors. He solicited advice from department heads, toler