Martin Van Buren and the Great Resignation

They called him The Little Magician .

MVB: Dutch Politician

Martin Van Buren (1782-1862) was born in Kinderhook, near Albany New York, to a tavern keeper and his second wife. Originally from The Netherlands, their first language – and that of their son – was Dutch. His basic schooling was local, and by fourteen, was complete. He worked at the tavern and did chores.

But he was bright and ambitious. When the opportunity to read law arose, Matty jumped at the chance. His mentor, Peter Silvester liked him, and provided not merely a legal education, but the social graces and bearing that the up-and-coming attorney would need. That included proper dress, behavior, and the paramount necessity of listening before speaking, and taking the middle ground. He also advised his young charge to finish his law education with William Van Ness, more prominent, more successful and more political. He passed the…