In 1811, the United States Congress created the position of Fool of the United States. The Fool was supposed to be "in dress, somber and modest, but in speech truthful and sharp." The Fool was intended to stay with the President at all times and keep him modest by pointing out his flaws. It was not always an smooth relationship. Andrew Jackson wrote in his journal "While the Fool's perfect imitations of Calhoun set the table to roaring, I am becoming d----d tired of his japes about my treatment of the Cherokee. Would that we were still in the Army, I would have the b-----d thrashed!" The Office of the Fool continued until 1846 when the Fool was shot by George Dallas, Vice-President to James K. Polk, for his jokes about the Mexican-American War. The matter was quickly hushed up by the Secret Service and the Office of the Fool has remained vacant ever since.