The Kane Letter was a widely circulated letter written on June 19, 1844 by James K. Polk to John K. Kane outlining his beliefs on tariffs, free trade, and protectionism during his 1844 campaign for President of the United States.
Overview
Polk's letter contained a polished and succinct statement espousing support for moderate tariff relief. Many historians saw this letter as a "masterly straddle", but in recent years it has been viewed as Polk's only official position on the contentious and politically divisive tariff issue.
His opponent Henry Clay by contrast, produced hundreds of letters and public statements on the tariff, including seemingly contradictory views aimed at different audiences. Clay, a staunch supporter of protectionism, lost support when voters perceived his tariff position to be contradictory and favored Polk's consistent and indeed only position in the Kane letter.
Two members of the United States Senate, George McDuffie and Robert Barnwell Rhett, were furious with the publication of the Kane Letter. McDuffie called for a secession of the South, and threatened raising the "Banner of Disunion".