He had evidently not concealed his distrust from the outset, and had cumbered his offer of a cabinet position with conditions which seemed derogatory to the dignity of Mr.Buchanan,--conditions which a man of spirit might well have resented.

He informed Mr.Buchanan that, as he should "take no part himself between gentlemen of the Democratic party who might become aspirants to the Presidency," he desired that "no member of the cabinet should do so." He indeed expressed himself to Mr.Buchanan in a manner so peremptory as to be offensive: "Should any member of my cabinet become a candidate for the Presidency or Vice-Presidency of the United States, it will be expected on the happening of such an event that he will retire from the cabinet." Remembering that Madison, Monroe and John Quincy Adams had each been nominated for the Presidency while holding the position of Secretary of State in the cabinet of his predecessor, Mr.Polk was attaching a new and degrading condition to the incumbency of that office.
Mr.Polk did not stop with one exaction.

Addressing Mr.Buchanan as if he were about to become a department clerk, he informed him that he disapproved "the practice which has sometimes prevailed of cabinet officers absenting themselves for long periods from the seat of government," and practically demanded a pledge that Mr.
Buchanan would remain at his post, and be punctual in the discharge of his official duties.

In reading Mr.Polk's letter, the inference seems natural that he felt under some pressing obligation to tender to Mr.Buchanan the appointment of secretary of State, but desired to accompany it with conditions which would subordinate him in the general conduct of the administration.

With a spirit of docility, if not humility, altogether incomprehensible, Mr.Buchanan "accepted the position cheerfully and cordially _on the terms on which the offer was made._" It is not surprising that, after agreeing to enter Mr.Polk's cabinet on these conditions, Mr.Buchanan had abundant reason to complain afterwards that the President did not treat him with "delicacy and confidence." On several occasions he was on the point of resigning his position.