The kitchen cabinet were a coterie of intimate friends of American President Andrew Jackson, who were supposed to have more influence over his actions than his official advisers. They were: General Duff Green, editor of the United States Telegraph at Washington, the confidential organ of the administration; Major William B Lewis, of Nashville, Tennessee, Second Auditor of the Treasury, Isaac Hill, editor of the New Hampshire Patriot and Amos Kendall, of Kentucky, Fourth Auditor of the Treasury. Research Kitchen Cabinet
The Nashville Convention was a convention of delegates from the Southern States of America at Nashville, Tennessee in June, 1850, suggested by the Mississippi State Convention of the previous year. The convention was called to consider the slavery question and the encroachments of Northern abolitionists. It did not meet with universal approval. The Wilmotproviso and the Missouri Compromise were disapproved of, but resolutions of open resistance advanced by Texas, South Carolina and Mississippi were voted down. The convention met again in November, and again moderate resolutions were adopted. Research Nashville Convention
Andrew Jackson was the seventh president of the USA. He was born in 1767 and died in 1845. He began his military career at the early age of thirteen at the Battle of Hanging Rock; occupations of a miscellaneous nature followed, and in 1788 he was public prosecutor in the western district of North Carolina, now Tennessee. He was in 1796-1797 the first Congressman from the State of Tennessee, and in 1797-1798 was US Senator. From 1798 to 1804 he was a Judge of the State Supreme Court. His life as a planter, not infrequently chequered with disputes and duels, was broken by the War of 1812. Jackson, 'Old Hickory', as he was called, commanded the Southwestern troops against the Creeks, whom he overwhelmed at the Horse-Shoe Bend of the Tallapoosa, on March the 27th, 1814. He was made a major-general, stormed Pensacola, and held New Orleans against Pakenham's invasion. The sweeping victory, on January the 8th, 1815, of his riflemen over the flower of the Peninsular army, made Jackson for all time an American hero of the country in general and of the Democratic party in particular. General Jackson's actions in Florida, the capture of St. Marks in 1818, and summary execution of two British subjects, led to considerable discussion.
He was appointed Governor of Florida in 1821, and became US Senator in 1823. In 1824 he received ninety-nine electoral votes for President, but was beaten in the House of Representatives. Elected in 1828 over the President, he entered office in 1829, the first Representative of the new West and of the masses. In his Cabinet, outside of Van Buren, there were few names of note; Jackson's real advisers were a coterie of practical politicians, Lewis, Amos Kendall and others of the so-called 'Kitchen Cabinet'. In 1831 he reorganized his Cabinet, and the next year was re-elected over Clay. The chief features of his eight years, 1829-1837, were his vigorous opposition to nullification and to the United States Bank, his censure by the Senate, his introduction of the " Spoils System," his settlement of the French spoliation dispute, and his 'Specie Circular' of 1836. After his retirement he continued to be regarded as the leader of the party, and died at the 'Hermitage', near Nashville. Jackson was of heroic character, but headstrong, arbitrary, vindictive and subject to the influence of politicians. Research Andrew Jackson
Cornelius Vanderbilt (Commodore Vanderbilt) was an American capitalist. He was born in 1794 and died in 1877. The son of a small farmer he began in business at the age of sixteen by ferrying passengers and goods between New York and Staten Island. In 1851 he established a steamship line between New York and California via Nicaragua. In 1855 he established a line between New York and Havre. In 1857 he turned his attention to railways, and became one of the foremost 'railroad kings' in America. In 1867 becoming president of the New York Central Railway. He founded Vanderbilt University at Nashville, Tennessee. Research Cornelius Vanderbilt
George Henry Thomas was an American soldier. He was born in 1816 at Virginia and died in 1870. Educated at West Point, he fought against the Seminoles and served in the Mexican War being distinguished at Monterey and Buena Vista, and on the outbreak of the American Civil War, though a Southerner by birth, adhered to the Union, and was given command of a brigade. In the summer of 1861 he had charge of a brigade in Virginia, and later in the year was promoted to the command of a division in the Western army. His first success was the victory of Mill Springs in 1862. In 1865 he commanded a corps in the campaign of Middle Tennessee, and by his stand at Chickamauga neutralised the Confederate success. He succeeded Rosecrans in command of the army of the Cumberland. In 1864 he defeated Hood at Nashville. Research George H Thomas
James Knox Polk (real name James Knox Pollock) was the eleventh president of the USA. He was born in 1795 at Mecklenburg County, North Carolina and died in 1849. Educated at the University of North Carolina, he was called to the bar in 1820 he practised at Columbia, Tennessee and also took an interest in politics. In 1823 he was elected to the legislature of Tennessee and in 1825 became a member of congress. For eight years he was speaker of the House of representatives, and from 1839 until 1841 governor of Tennessee. He was elected president of the USA in 1844, standing as a Democratic candidate and defeating Henry Clay. The Mexican War, which President Polk favoured, was prosecuted successfully during his administration, and the Oregon controversy with England was peacefully settled in 1846. The revenue Walker Tariff received his approval. He vetoed river and harbour bills in 1846 and 1847. The California gold discoveries occurred near the end of his term. He died in Nashville a few months after his retirement from office in 1849. Research James Knox Polk
John Bell was an American politician and one of the founders of the Whig party. He was born in 1797 at Nashville and died in 1869. A lawyer by trade, he became a State Senator before entering the House of Representatives as member for Tennessee in 1827. He served in the House of Representatives until 1841, and was Speaker from 1835 to 1837. In 1841 he was Secretary of War, and in 1847 until 1859 the US Senator from Tennessee. Research John Bell
John Bell Hood was an American soldier. He was born in 1831 at Kentucky and died in 1879. He graduated at the US Military Academy in 1853. He enlisted in the Confederate service in 1861, and soon after was appointed brigadier-general of the Texasbrigade. He was brevetted major-general for gallant service at Games' Mill. He served in the Marylandcampaign and fought at Bull Run, Boonsboro, Fredericksburg, Antietam and Gettysburg. He reinforced General Bragg at Chickamauga, and in 1864 commanded a corps under General Johnston. He succeeded Johnston in command and attempted to crush Sherman in his march to the sea, but was unsuccessful. He was soon afterward defeated by General Thomas at Franklin and at Nashville. He was succeeded by General Richard Taylor. Research John Bell Hood
Lamar Alexander is an American politician. He was born in 1940, at Maryville, Tennessee. He has been Governor of Tennessee, president of the University of Tennessee and US Education Secretary. Governor Alexander helped Tennessee become the third largest automobile producer, the fastest growing state in family incomes and the first state to pay teachers more for teaching well. As chairman of the National Governor's Association he began 'Time for Results', the governors' five-year initiative to create better schools. He chaired President Reagan's Commission on Americans Outdoors, encouraging a 'prairie fire' of support for local land trusts and greenways and an expanded Land and Water Conservation Fund.
As the US Secretary of Education, he helped President Bush push for higher academic standards, 'break the mold schools' and a GI Bill for Kids to give poor families more choices of good schools. The Education Commission of the States and the National College Athletic Association have given him their highest honours, the James B. Conant and Teddy Roosevelt awards. In 1987, he co-founded Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Inc, (NASDAQ) which has become the nation's largest provider of worksite day care. He is an active investor in and board member of several private companies. Governor Alexander is author of seven books including Six Months Off, the story of his family's life in Australia after eight years in the Governor's residence.
An accomplished pianist, he has performed with twenty symphony orchestras and the Billy Graham Crusade and on the Grand Ole Opry. In 1996 and 2000, Governor Alexander was a candidate for the Republican nomination for president of the United States. On January the 4th 1969, Lamar Alexander married Honey Buhler in Victoria, Texas. They have four children and live in Nashville where he is chairman of the Salvation Army Initiative to help families move from welfare to work, and she is president of Family and Children's Service. Governor Alexander is also an elder in Westminster Presbyterian Church. Research Lamar Alexander
Ormsby M Mitchel was an American astronomer. He was born in 1809 and died in 1862. He secured the establishment of the observatory at Cincinnati, 0hio, in 1843. He invented numerous astronomical instruments. He made extensive observations of stars, nebulae and sun-spots. He served in the Army of the Ohio from 1861 to 1862, engaging at Bowling Green, Nashville and Bridgeport. He commanded the Department of the South in 1862, but died of yellow fever. Research Ormsby Mitchel
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Kitchen Cabinet
