New York Campaign Newspaper for Reelection of Martin Van Buren in 1840

The Rough-Hewer, Devoted to the Support of the Democratic Principles of Jefferson, Albany, New York: Thomas M. Burt. February-December 1840. Stitch-bound volume of 37 issues (numbers 2-16, and 18-39), 8 pages each, 296 pp. total, 9 1/2 x 13 in. The Rough-Hewer, Devoted to the Support of the Democratic Principles of Jefferson (1840) was a campaign newspaper edited and published by Thomas M. Burt (1800-1873) in Albany, New York. It supported the reelection of President Martin Van Buren. Burt was one of the publishers of the Albany Argus newspaper from 1831 to 1840, and he was afterward a farmer in Kinderhook, where Van Buren was born and later retired. The newspaper was published weekly from February 20 through October 30, and a final issue appeared on December 24, which reported presidential election returns for each state by county. The newspaper did not include advertisements but was supported by subscriptions and contributions.Each issue of the paper is devoted entirely to campaign politics. Seven issues for the period after Richard Johnson was selected as Van Buren's vice-presidential running mate feature large electoral tickets on the front pages. ExcerptsJuly 16"Independent Treasury Act" (p1/c1-p3/c1)Andrew Jackson on the Van Buren Administration, May 9, 1840: "To think of abandoning him when he is so nobly performing his duty, would be TREACHERY TO REPUBLICAN PRINCIPLES." (p3/c3)"Final Vote on the Independent Treasury Bill"-list of yeas and nays from the House of Representatives with "Names of New-York members in italic." (p5/c3)October 30"Sound the Alarm. Freemen of New-York! Your Liberties are in Danger! Your Rights are Invaded! In the matter of the Investigation of the Charge of Fraudulent Votes at the Fall Election of 1838, in the City of New-York, before the Recorder and Justice George W. Matsell, on the 20th, 21st and 22d of Oct. 1840." (p1/c1)Details of the investigation (p1/c1-p7/c1)"To the Democracy of the State of New-York" (p7/c1-p8/c1)"We solicit your earnest and serious attention to the testimony taken before the Recorder of the city of New-York, disclosing one of the most atrocious and alarming conspiracies to elect candidates against the will and wishes of the actual resident citizens, which have distinguished the modern annals of election frauds." (p7/c1)December 24Presidential Election Results by State and County (p1/c1-p4/c1)"To the Democracy of New York" (p4/c1-p5/c2)"Although as good citizens we feel bound to acquiesce with contentment, if not with cheerfulness, in this result, as a decided expression of the voice of the American people, we will not attempt to disguise our regret and mortification that their destinies are to be entrusted to the hands of a man, who was brought forward without the pretence even that he was best qualified by his talents and knowledge of public affairs to discharge the high duties of the office for which he was nominated, but because he was deemed more likely than any other individual to command the support of the conflicting interests, which were united on the single point of hostility to Mr. Van Buren's administration, though differing widely among themselves on great questions of government and policy." (p4/c1-2)Subject Index to the Rough-Hewer (p5/c2-p8/c2)Historical BackgroundThe election of 1840 ushered in a new era of presidential campaigning. Previous candidates had discreetly stood on the sidelines while their party extolled their virtues. In contrast, Whig candidate and military hero William Henry Harrison (1773-1841) of Ohio campaigned actively. His running mate was former U.S. Senator John Tyler (1790-1862) of Virginia.A carnival atmosphere prevailed, as the parties worked to win over voters with a combination of slogans, songs, promotional memorabilia, and attacks on opposing candidates. Harrison's supporters developed the slogan of "Tippecanoe and Tyler Too" to celebrate Harrison's victory over Shawnee leader Tecumseh's . (See website for full description).…