James A Hamilton, Secretary of State

James A Hamilton was not a supporter of Andrew Jackson during the elections of 1824 and 1828, but it is this president who called upon James’s talents the most and the one whose name has become most connected with his own. They first met when James was selected to represent the City of New York in a celebration honoring General Jackson in New Orleans shortly before the beginning of his presidency. James went, travelling the farthest west he ever would when he visited Jackson's Hermitage in Tennessee and then travelled down the Mississippi River.

During the celebration, James gave a speech honoring Jackson on behalf of New York City, and then, in a service that would become a habit, he also wrote Jackson’s response. The experience clearly left an impression on Jackson, because when Martin Van Buren could not immediately be in Washington, James was chosen to serve as Secretary of State in his temporary stead. Van Buren and Hamilton had been friends since their days as young lawyers, so Van Buren trusted Hamilton not to usurp the position permanently, which is saying something for a guy like Martin Van Buren.

Just as his father had assisted President Washington, one of James’s first duties in Washington was to amend Jackson’s inaugural address, writing later that, ‘Had it gone forth as it at first stood, it would have been absolutely disgraceful.’

President's House, Washington by Anthony St John Baker, 1827

James's term as temporary Secretary of State was only about a month, but that does not tell the true story of how much time he spent advising President Jackson. From the Nullification Crisis of the 1830s to Jackson's battle against the National Bank, James was kept busy even after returning to New York. (Spoiler Alert: James did NOT support Jackson in dissolving the Bank of the United States.) His surviving papers include many letters to and from Jackson as well as references to constant trips to Washington to see him in person.

Jackson was so pleased with James’s work as temporary Secretary of State that he appointed him District Attorney of Southern New York, an appointment that did not please Van Buren in what was perhaps the first crack in their friendship. Around the same time, Van Buren had recommended James for a judgeship, so perhaps the move simply didn't fit into his planned maneuvering. Both Jackson and Van Buren kept James in Washington far beyond his time as Secretary of State, and some, including John Quincy Adams thought Jackson might make him an undersecretary of state to keep him there. I was not able to find any documented reason why this did not occur, so James returned to New York to serve as District Attorney.

Learn more about James Alexander Hamilton in my new biography published by Pen & Sword History!