John Kintzing Kane

John K. Kane
Portrait, 1824, by Thomas Sully
Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
In office June 17, 1846 – February 21, 1858
Appointed by	James K. Polk
Preceded by	Archibald Randall
Succeeded by	John Cadwalader
21st Attorney General of Pennsylvania
In office January 21, 1845 – June 17, 1846
Preceded by	Ovid F. Johnson
Succeeded by	John M. Read
Personal details
Born	May 16, 1795 Albany, New York
Died	February 21, 1858(1858-02-21) (aged 62) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Spouse(s)	Jane Duval Leiper
Relations	Robert Van Rensselaer (grandfather)
Children	7, including Elisha, Thomas
Parents	Elisha Kane Alida Van Rensselaer
Alma mater	Yale College
Profession	Attorney, Judge

John Kintzing Kane (May 16, 1795 – February 21, 1858) was an American politician, attorney and jurist. Kane was noted for his political affiliation with President Andrew Jackson and for an 1855 pro-slavery legal decision related to the freeing of Jane Johnson and application of the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850.

Kane was born in Albany, New York in 1795, the son of Elisha Kane and Alida (née Van Rensselaer), daughter of Brigadier General Robert Van Rensselaer and Cornelia Rutsen. When his mother Alida died in 1799, Elisha married Elizabeth Kintzing, and it was she who raised John and his siblings.

He graduated from Yale College in 1814, studied law with Joseph Hopkinson, and was admitted to the bar on April 18, 1817. He established a legal practice in Philadelphia.

Intensely interested in politics and public affairs, Kane was a member of the Federalist party as a young man and served in the Pennsylvania legislature in 1823. Shortly afterward, he moved his allegiance to the Democratic party. He filled the office of solicitor of Philadelphia in 1828-1830.

Kane supported Andrew Jackson in 1828, and received a number of appointments and honors during Jackson's administration. In 1832, Kane was appointed as one of three commissioners under the "Convention of Indemnity with France of 4 July of 1831." This commission was charged with collecting reparations paid by France to the United States for damages the country had received to its shipping and trade during recent European wars. He was a primary author of the commission's report, and prepared the record of "Notes" on questions decided by the board. This material was published after the conclusion of the board's activities in 1836.

Kane drafted the first printed attack on the United States Bank, and is credited with preparing written materials and speeches on the topic which were used by President Jackson. His friendship with the President led to a period of social difficulty in Philadelphia, which was a stronghold of the "bank" party. A memorable letter addressed by Jackson to James K. Polk during the campaign of 1844 was written by Kane, and he was an effective manager of the Democratic party during what is known as the Buckshot War in Pennsylvania.