Cabinet Polk

James K. Polk, 11th President of the United States

The Polk Cabinet: (back from left) Cave Johnson, George Bancroft, (front from left) John Y. Mason, William L. Marcy, James K. Polk, Robert J. Walker. This picture, taken around 1845 in the State Dining Room of the White House , is believed to be the first photograph taken by a US cabinet.

James Knox Polk was elected as the Democratic Party candidate for President of the United States in 1844, prevailing over Whig politician Henry Clay . He was the first incumbent to leave the White House at his own request after a term and not seek re-election.

Polk also appointed a member of the previous government, Democrat John Y. Mason , to his cabinet . Mason had served as Minister of the Navy in the Tyler Cabinet and took this post again under Polk, after initially serving as Attorney General. These were the only two ministries in which the president made a staff change. With James Buchanan , a later President also served as Secretary of State in the cabinet.

James Polk only survived the end of his term by three months.

The Cabinet

Department / Office	Official	Period	image
President of the United States	James Knox Polk	1845-1849
Vice President of the United States	George Mifflin Dallas	1845-1849
United States Secretary of State	James Buchanan	1845-1849
United States Secretary of the Treasury	Robert John Walker	1845-1849
United States Secretary of War	William Learned Marcy	1845-1849
United States Secretary of the Navy	George Bancroft	1845-1846
	John Young Mason	1846-1849
United States Attorney General	John Young Mason	1845-1846
	Nathan Clifford	1846-1848
	Isaac Toucey	1848-1849
United States Postal Secretary	Cave Johnson	1845-1849