The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Kitchen Cabinet

KITCHEN CABINET, a popular name applied to certain intimate political friends of President Andrew Jackson, who were supposed to have more influence over his actions than his official advisers. They were Gen. Duff Green, editor of the United States Telegraph at Washington, the confidential organ of the administration; Maj. William B. Lewis, of Nashville, Tenn., second auditor of the Treasury; Isaac Hill, editor of the New Hampshire Patriot, and Amos Kendall (q.v) of Kentucky. He was leader of the kitchen cabinet; worked for the Jackson “second choice” movement in Kentucky; and received the office of fourth auditor of the Treasury. He was a man of exceeding ability, but of low moral perceptions, and, as a politician, was the incarnation of the worst evils of the American system. Harriet Martineau wrote of him, “I was fortunate enough once to catch a glimpse of the invisible Amos Kendall, one of the most remarkable men in America. He is supposed to be the moving spring of the whole administration.” Consult Parton, James, ‘The Life of Andrew Jackson’ (Vol. III, New York 1860).