Samuel Swartwout

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Samuel Swartwout (1783–1856) was an American soldier, merchant, speculator, and politician. He is best known for his role in the Swartwout-Hoyt scandal, in which he is alleged to have embezzled $1,222,705.09 in his role of collector of customs for the Port of New York.

Swartwout's close association with Andrew Jackson and his support of Jackson in the U.S. presidential election, 1828 led to his appointment by Jackson in 1829 to the position of collector of customs for the Port of New York. This position had great importance, as the collection of customs in New York was one of the largest sources of income for the Federal government of the United States. Swartwout's appointment by Jackson was strongly opposed by Jackson's Secretary of State, future president Martin Van Buren.