Loco Foco persecution, or custom house, versus caricatures
A satire on the publisher's own troubles with the Democratic establishment in New York. In his print shop Henry R. Robinson is confronted by an unidentified man (center, arms crossed) who says, "I am determined... More
"Sober second thought". Book illustration from Library of Congress
Another of HD's portrayals of the New York tradesman's "sober second thoughts" about his support of Democratic hard-money fiscal policies. (See also "Specie Claws," no. 1838-14.) Both prints touch upon the the ... More
Symptoms of a duel - Public domain portrait drawing
The second of two particularly well-drawn caricatures by the same artist, on the subject of the 1839 congressional probe of Van Buren's Treasury Department. (See above, nos. 1839-6 through -9.) The inquiry was ... More
The cut direct. Or a scene in high life at Saratoga Springs
One of two prints by "HD" (identified by Weitenkampf and others tentatively as Henry Dacre) based on incidents during President Van Buren's visit to the resort at Saratoga Springs, New York, during the summer o... More
Abolition frowned down. Book illustration from Library of Congress
A satire on enforcement of the "gag-rule" in the House of Representatives, prohibiting discussion of the question of slavery. Growing antislavery sentiment in the North coincided with increased resentment by so... More
Democratic simplicity or the arrival of our favourite son
A satirical attack on alleged excesses in the Van Buren administration and on the President's Loco Foco or radical Democratic supporters in New York. Martin Van Buren rides past New York's Tammany Hall in a lu... More
The North Bend farmer and his visitors
A slanderous portrayal of Democratic tactics against Whig presidential candidate William Henry Harrison. The supposedly insidious and high-living Van Buren and his minions suffer by comparison to the Whig cand... More
A bivouack in safety or Florida troops preventing a surprise
Another parody of Van Buren administration efforts to end the long and costly Second Seminole War in Florida. The War Department was regularly subjected to public and congressional attacks for cruelty, waste, a... More
Rats quitting the ship - Public domain book illustration, Library of C...
Postmaster general Amos Kendall's 1840 resignation prompted the artist's speculation on the desertion of other Van Buren cabinet members. Kendall resigned on May 16, to concentrate on editing the "Extra Globe,"... More
A political movement. Book illustration from Library of Congress
The artist forecasts with obvious relish the ouster of Van Buren and his cronies from office by William Henry Harrison. Van Buren is shown leaving Washington in a large cart drawn by supporters (left to right) ... More
Granny Harrison delivering the country of the executive Federalist
A satire on the Van Buren administration challenged by Whig presidential candidate William Henry Harrison. Harrison, dressed as a woman, tries to remove Van Buren from his throne with a midwife's forceps. Van... More
Full tilt for the Capitol - Public domain book illustration
The artist envisions public repudiation of Democratic hard-money policies, and the triumph of administration opponent Nathaniel P. Tallmadge, a conservative Democrat. Tallmadge, on horseback and armed with a l... More
Gov. Seward's letter or the triumph of liberality and justice
A dramatic prison scene, intended to contrast the clemency of New York's Whig governor William H. Seward with the vindictiveness of the Democrat-controlled New York City prison administration. In the interior o... More
The meeting at Saratoga. "Like boxers thus before the fight, their ha...
The second of two prints by "HD" portraying scenes from President Van Buren's visit to the resort at Saratoga Springs, New York, during the summer of 1839. (See also "The Cut Direct," no. 1839-3.) The satire co... More
The meeting at Saratoga. "Like boxers thus before the fight, their ha...
The second of two prints by "HD" portraying scenes from President Van Buren's visit to the resort at Saratoga Springs, New York, during the summer of 1839. (See also "The Cut Direct," no. 1839-3.) The satire co... More
The main question. Book illustration from Library of Congress
Satire on the escalation of tensions during the Maine-New Brunswick border conflict in February and March 1839. The dispute involved the claim to valuable, timber-rich territory in the Aroostook region. The are... More
The main question - Victorian era public domain image
Satire on the escalation of tensions during the Maine-New Brunswick border conflict in February and March 1839. The dispute involved the claim to valuable, timber-rich territory in the Aroostook region. The are... More
Specie claws. Book illustration from Library of Congress
A melodramatic portrayal of the plight of the tradesman during the Panic of 1837, whose financial distress the artist ascribes to Loco Foco politics and the effects of the Specie Circular, or "Specie Clause." T... More
Specie claws - Public domain dedication image
A melodramatic portrayal of the plight of the tradesman during the Panic of 1837, whose financial distress the artist ascribes to Loco Foco politics and the effects of the Specie Circular, or "Specie Clause." T... More
The rebound of the ball - Public domain book illustration
A satire on the Democrats' defeat in the fall New York state elections, here viewed as a referendum on Van Buren's independent treasury, or "Sub-treasury" system. A large ball labeled "Sub Treasury" is pushed d... More
The rebound of the ball - Public domain book illustration
A satire on the Democrats' defeat in the fall New York state elections, here viewed as a referendum on Van Buren's independent treasury, or "Sub-treasury" system. A large ball labeled "Sub Treasury" is pushed d... More