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Polk: The Diary of a President 1845-1849
Excerpt from the This volume is a selection from “The Diary of James K. Polk During His Presidency, 1845 to 1849,” edited and annotated by milo Milton Quaife, and published in four volumes in 1910 by A. C. McClurg & Company of Chicago for the Chicago Historical Society, in whose collections the original manuscript rests. Having been printed in an edition of but five hundred copies, the work is unfortunately but little known to the general public. The editor has attempted to select from it the portions most interesting and valuable to ordinary students and readers, and to knit them together by a full body of notes.
412 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1910
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About the author
James K. Polk
62 books4 followersJames Knox Polk was the eleventh President of the United States, serving from March 4, 1845 to March 4, 1849. Polk was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, but mostly lived in and represented the state of Tennessee. A Democrat, Polk served as Speaker of the House (1835–1839) and Governor of Tennessee (1839–1841) prior to becoming president.
A firm supporter of Andrew Jackson, Polk was the last "strong" pre-American Civil War president. Polk is noted for his foreign policy successes. He threatened war with Britain then backed away and split the ownership of the Northwest with Britain. He is even more famous for leading the successful Mexican–American War. He lowered the tariff and established a treasury system that lasted until 1913. A "dark horse" candidate in 1844, he was the first president who retired after one term and did not seek re-election. He died three months after his term ended.
As a Democrat committed to geographic expansion (or "Manifest Destiny"), he overrode Whig objections and was responsible for the second-largest expansion of the nation's territory. Polk secured the Oregon Territory (including Washington, Oregon and Idaho), amounting to about 285,000 square miles (738,000 km²) then purchased 525,000 square miles (1,360,000 km²) through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo that ended the Mexican–American War.
The expansion re-opened a furious debate over allowing slavery in the new territories. The controversy was inadequately arbitrated by the Compromise of 1850, and only found its ultimate resolution on the battlefields of the U. S. Civil War. Polk signed the Walker Tariff that brought an era of near free trade to the country until 1861. He oversaw the opening of the U.S. Naval Academy and the Smithsonian, the groundbreaking for the Washington Monument, and the issuance of the first postage stamps in the United States, introduced by his Postmaster General Cave Johnson. He was the first President of the United States to be photographed frequently while in office. Scholars have ranked him 8th to 12th on the list of greatest presidents for his ability to set an agenda and achieve all of it.
A firm supporter of Andrew Jackson, Polk was the last "strong" pre-American Civil War president. Polk is noted for his foreign policy successes. He threatened war with Britain then backed away and split the ownership of the Northwest with Britain. He is even more famous for leading the successful Mexican–American War. He lowered the tariff and established a treasury system that lasted until 1913. A "dark horse" candidate in 1844, he was the first president who retired after one term and did not seek re-election. He died three months after his term ended.
As a Democrat committed to geographic expansion (or "Manifest Destiny"), he overrode Whig objections and was responsible for the second-largest expansion of the nation's territory. Polk secured the Oregon Territory (including Washington, Oregon and Idaho), amounting to about 285,000 square miles (738,000 km²) then purchased 525,000 square miles (1,360,000 km²) through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo that ended the Mexican–American War.
The expansion re-opened a furious debate over allowing slavery in the new territories. The controversy was inadequately arbitrated by the Compromise of 1850, and only found its ultimate resolution on the battlefields of the U. S. Civil War. Polk signed the Walker Tariff that brought an era of near free trade to the country until 1861. He oversaw the opening of the U.S. Naval Academy and the Smithsonian, the groundbreaking for the Washington Monument, and the issuance of the first postage stamps in the United States, introduced by his Postmaster General Cave Johnson. He was the first President of the United States to be photographed frequently while in office. Scholars have ranked him 8th to 12th on the list of greatest presidents for his ability to set an agenda and achieve all of it.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 1, 2013
This book is recommended only for those who are keenly interested in Presidential history/studies or in the War with Mexico. That is because Polk displays little humor and is not a particularly well-rounded individual. Most of his diary entries contain phrases such as "Met with the Cabinet today. All members present except the Secretary of the Treasury, who was indisposed at his residence." In that sense, the diary is quite dry.
However, what I found incredibly worthwhile and interesting was his commentary on some of his contemporaries such as Secretary of State James Buchanan, who had his eye on the presidency himself and waffled on some major issues (such as the suggested treaty boundary with Mexico), and Senator Thomas Hart Benton, who originally was friendly to Polk but then turned against him due to his policy on the Mexican War and also not snuffing out the court-martial for his son-in-law Col. Fremont. Polk really does give a good sense of what it was like to sit at his desk everyday, the decisions that he faced, the personalities that he was forced to deal with, the politics that people played with him.
What I found particularly interesting is how he was forced, as was the custom at that time prior to Civil Service reform, to meet with regular citizens who petitioned him relentlessly for patronage jobs. These people would come to his office daily, some returning numerous times. Often they were wholly unqualified for any government post; some people actually begged him for money. Trying to think of people doing that to a modern-day President is almost inconceivable. Polk says many times that that was the absolute worst part of his job and that he dreaded meeting with people.
Polk also worked himself to death - literally - for he died only three short months after leaving office. He was exhausted by then. The man got up early and stayed up late virtually every day, even on frequently on Sundays, and seldom took a break from his exertions. He only left Washington three times in four years, and one of those times was a trip to the Northeast that was not considered a vacation. This was a man who never really wanted the Presidency, did not like it when he had the title, and could not wait to be rid of it. He repeatedly refused to be a candidate in 1848, and only wanted to retire to Tennessee.
His administration was also immensely successful in that he achieved his major goals: successful land acquisition (of California and New Mexico) and treaty with Mexico, satisfactory resolution of the Oregon question with Britain, an independent treasury (ultimately that was not successful but only much later) and a lower tariff bill. Based on his goals, and his achievements while in office, his administration must be considered a success. Yet, in the long-run, he left office with sectional strife between North and South as great as ever, especially concerning whether or not California and New Mexico were to be admitted to the Union as free states or slave states. Also, his management of the War with Mexico shows that it was really about a naked land grab; the same could be said of his negotiations with Britain re: Oregon territory. Had the British not been as willing to negotiate as they were, Polk might have very well had two wars to fight at the same time. And while he was at times rightfully upset with General Winfield Scott and General Zachary Taylor, he also failed to give either gentleman credit where credit was due, and at times assumed that they did certain things solely to try to mar his administration. His handling of Nicholas Trist, who he sent to Mexico to negotiate a treaty with that country to end the war, does not stand the test of time. Polk refused to even acknowledge that Trist did a good job and attained the treaty that Polk had wanted, all because Trist was somewhat vain and arrogant, and did not return home immediately when Polk decided to recall him. Polk was not aware of the whole story, as Trist had excellent reasons for remaining in Mexico and negotiating further, but that did not stop Polk from vilifying Trist.
This was much different from Ronald Reagan's diary entries. But I enjoyed reading it as it was informative and gave a very good impression of what it was like to be President in the 1840s.
However, what I found incredibly worthwhile and interesting was his commentary on some of his contemporaries such as Secretary of State James Buchanan, who had his eye on the presidency himself and waffled on some major issues (such as the suggested treaty boundary with Mexico), and Senator Thomas Hart Benton, who originally was friendly to Polk but then turned against him due to his policy on the Mexican War and also not snuffing out the court-martial for his son-in-law Col. Fremont. Polk really does give a good sense of what it was like to sit at his desk everyday, the decisions that he faced, the personalities that he was forced to deal with, the politics that people played with him.
What I found particularly interesting is how he was forced, as was the custom at that time prior to Civil Service reform, to meet with regular citizens who petitioned him relentlessly for patronage jobs. These people would come to his office daily, some returning numerous times. Often they were wholly unqualified for any government post; some people actually begged him for money. Trying to think of people doing that to a modern-day President is almost inconceivable. Polk says many times that that was the absolute worst part of his job and that he dreaded meeting with people.
Polk also worked himself to death - literally - for he died only three short months after leaving office. He was exhausted by then. The man got up early and stayed up late virtually every day, even on frequently on Sundays, and seldom took a break from his exertions. He only left Washington three times in four years, and one of those times was a trip to the Northeast that was not considered a vacation. This was a man who never really wanted the Presidency, did not like it when he had the title, and could not wait to be rid of it. He repeatedly refused to be a candidate in 1848, and only wanted to retire to Tennessee.
His administration was also immensely successful in that he achieved his major goals: successful land acquisition (of California and New Mexico) and treaty with Mexico, satisfactory resolution of the Oregon question with Britain, an independent treasury (ultimately that was not successful but only much later) and a lower tariff bill. Based on his goals, and his achievements while in office, his administration must be considered a success. Yet, in the long-run, he left office with sectional strife between North and South as great as ever, especially concerning whether or not California and New Mexico were to be admitted to the Union as free states or slave states. Also, his management of the War with Mexico shows that it was really about a naked land grab; the same could be said of his negotiations with Britain re: Oregon territory. Had the British not been as willing to negotiate as they were, Polk might have very well had two wars to fight at the same time. And while he was at times rightfully upset with General Winfield Scott and General Zachary Taylor, he also failed to give either gentleman credit where credit was due, and at times assumed that they did certain things solely to try to mar his administration. His handling of Nicholas Trist, who he sent to Mexico to negotiate a treaty with that country to end the war, does not stand the test of time. Polk refused to even acknowledge that Trist did a good job and attained the treaty that Polk had wanted, all because Trist was somewhat vain and arrogant, and did not return home immediately when Polk decided to recall him. Polk was not aware of the whole story, as Trist had excellent reasons for remaining in Mexico and negotiating further, but that did not stop Polk from vilifying Trist.
This was much different from Ronald Reagan's diary entries. But I enjoyed reading it as it was informative and gave a very good impression of what it was like to be President in the 1840s.
February 23, 2022
This is a dnf. The person who narrated this for the national library service is not very good. And the narrator just does not hold my attention. This may be something I come back to if I can find a better narrated copy or April
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews