Treasury note, Washington, D.C., Political Cartoon
A parody of the often worthless fractional currencies or "shinplasters" issued by banks, businesses, and municipalities in lieu of coin. These fractional notes proliferated during the Panic of 1837 with the eme... More
Polk in his extremity - Political cartoon, public domain image
Henry Clay's easy ascent to the presidency here is in contrast to the serious difficulties experienced by his Democratic opponent James K. Polk. Clay has reached the top of a large pole and has the "Civic Crow... More
Union / painted By T[ompkins] H. Matteson ; engraved by H[enry] S. Sad...
A symbolic group portrait eulogizing recent legislative efforts, notably the Compromise of 1850, to preserve the Union. The work is in some respects a memorial to the triumvirate of senior American legislators:... More
The Democratic funeral of 1848 - Political cartoon, public domain imag...
Foreseeing political death for the Democrats in the election, the artist imagines a funeral of the party's standard-bearers with a procession of the faithful. Democratic senators (left to right) Sam Houston of ... More
The little magician's sleight of hand performance. An absquabulating s...
Again the theme of corruption in the Van Buren administration, here centering on the President's "Sub-Treasury" or independent treasury program, passed by Congress in July 1840. A large frigate "United States,... More
North Bend game cock - Political cartoon, public domain image
A Whig campaign print glorifying presidential candidate William Henry Harrison. The title derives from the candidate's farm on the North Bend of the Ohio River. The game cock has a dual significance: as an all... More
The death of locofocoism - Political cartoon, public domain image
In his satire Johnston celebrates the defeat of "Loco Foco," i.e., radical Democratic interests, in the presidential election of 1840. The "Loco Focos" were the largely working-class constituency who supported... More
Matty meeting the Texas question, Political Cartoon
A satire on the Democrats' approach to the delicate question of the annexation of Texas. In marked contrast to his portrayal of the issue as a beautiful woman in "Virtuous Harry" (no. 1844-27), the artist here ... More
Scene in Uncle Sam's Senate. 17th April 1850
A somewhat tongue-in-cheek dramatization of the moment during the heated debate in the Senate over the admission of California as a free state when Mississippi senator Henry S. Foote drew a pistol on Thomas Har... More
Polk in his extremity - Public domain dedication image
Henry Clay's easy ascent to the presidency here is in contrast to the serious difficulties experienced by his Democratic opponent James K. Polk. Clay has reached the top of a large pole and has the "Civic Crow... More
N. Tom o' logical studies. The great tumble bug of Missouri, bent-on r...
A caricature of Missouri senator Thomas Hart Benton, as an insect rolling a large ball "Expunging Resolution" uphill toward the Capitol. The print employs Benton's own metaphor of rolling a ball for his uphill ... More
Grand match between the Kinderhook poney and the Ohio ploughman
A satire on the presidential contest of 1836, using the metaphor of a billiards game between Whig candidate William Henry Harrison (left) and Democrat Martin Van Buren. The artist is clearly on the side of Harr... More
Union / painted By T[ompkins] H. Matteson ; engraved by H[enry] S. Sad...
A symbolic group portrait eulogizing recent legislative efforts, notably the Compromise of 1850, to preserve the Union. The work is in some respects a memorial to the triumvirate of senior American legislators:... 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
N. Tom o' logical studies. The great tumble bug of Missouri, bent-on r...
A caricature of Missouri senator Thomas Hart Benton, as an insect rolling a large ball "Expunging Resolution" uphill toward the Capitol. The print employs Benton's own metaphor of rolling a ball for his uphill ... More
Fifty cents. Shin plaster - Public domain scan / drawing
Another mock shinplaster (see also nos. 1837-9 and -10 above). Again the artist attributes the shortage of hard money to the successive monetary programs of presidents Jackson and Van Buren, particularly to the... More
The two bridges - Political cartoon, public domain image
As in "Texas Coming In" (no. 1844-28), a bridge over Salt River is the central motif, making the difference between the Whigs' successful crossing to the "Presidential Chair" and the disastrous route taken by t... More
Cass & his cabinet in 1849 - Political cartoon, public domain image
The satire imputes to the Democrats of 1848, led by candidate Lewis Cass, the corrupt practices of the Van Buren-era party. The artist also criticizes Whig repudiation of stalwart party leader Henry Clay in fav... More
[Thomas Hart Benton, head-and-shoulders portrait, facing front]
Democratic Senator from Missouri, 1821-1851. Scratched on face of plate: 85. Scratched on back of plate: 228; Thos. H. Benton. Facing the light / H. Pfister. Washington : Smithsonian Institution Press, 1978, p.... More
The Democratic platform, US Democratic party
Again the 1856 Democrats are characterized as friendly to proslavery interests. Old guard Democrats Martin Van Buren and Thomas Hart Benton are also resurrected for abuse here. Van Buren appears as a fox, lurki... More
The Democratic platform - Political cartoon, public domain image
Again the 1856 Democrats are characterized as friendly to proslavery interests. Old guard Democrats Martin Van Buren and Thomas Hart Benton are also resurrected for abuse here. Van Buren appears as a fox, lurki... More
Uncle Sam sick with la grippe - Drawing. Public domain image.
A satire attributing the dire fiscal straits of the nation to Andrew Jackson's banking policies, with specific reference to recent bank failures in New Orleans, New York, and Philadelphia. The artist blames th... More
Thomas H. Benton. Senator from Missouri
Print shows Thomas Hart Benton, head-and-shoulders portrait, facing right; includes a facsimile signature. Caption continues: Solitary & alone, and amidst the jeers and taunts of my opponents, I put this ball ... More
Caricature, An interesting family, public domain cartoon image
A caricature of Martin Van Buren as an opossum. The marsupial, with a smirking Van Buren's head, rises on its hindquarters and displays in its pouch three of its "young." They are administration insiders (left... More
The sad parting between two old friends
Senators Thomas Hart Benton and Henry S. Foote are paired here in a facetious farewell scene, as Benton departs the "Shop of the Senate." In reality Benton lost his Senate seat in a January 1851 election, large... More
All on hobbies, gee up, gee ho!
The major figures in American national politics in 1838 are gently satirized, each characterized as riding a favorite issue or "hobbyhorse." At the lead (far left) is President Martin Van Buren, riding a horse ... More