Details
JACKSON, ANDREW, President. Autograph letter signed ("Andrew Jackson") to Benjamin F. Butler, Hermitage, 22 February 1844. 2 3/4 pages, 4to, 200 x 250mm. (8 x 9 7/8 in.), on lined stationery, docketed on integral address leaf, a few ink spots, otherwise fine. [With:] Autograph FREE FRANK ("Free Andrew Jackson"), on integral address leaf in Jackson's hand to "B.F. Butler Esqr Attorney of Law City of N. York."
"I ACTED IN THE DEFENCE OF NEW ORLEANS WITH THE PUREST PRINCIPLES OF A PATRIOT"
A lengthy, intimate letter to his good friend and former Attorney General, concerning controversial acts during the defense of New Orleans during the War of 1812: "...The account given you by my friend...of the state of my health was very correct. I am still greatly afflicted, labouring under great debility of body, and my eyesight failing me. But I am perfectly resigned to the will of that gracious providence that has so long...preserved me...I thank you kindly for the perusal of the views you took in 1815, of the subject now before the U.S. Senate to refund the fine imposed by judge Hall for preserving the city of New Orleans from the ruthless hands of a British army, and now return it as desired. I had seen it in the public journals of that day, but from whose friendly hand I was indebted for that defence & retaliation of the slanders with which I was surrounded at that time I never knew until now, which adds to that friendship which has hitherto been cherished for you in my bosom, for your character & virtue...What the Senate may finally do in this matter I cannot tell, but nothing it can do, can deprive me of the consolation, that I acted in the defence of New Orleans with the purest principles of a patriot, adopting the only means as then [in] my power to save the city...[T]he bill is a great gratification to me, of which I cannot be deprived, let the result in the Federal Senate be what it may -- my gratitude is due to all those who have by their votes shown their willingness to shield my memory from the slander justly imposed upon it by the decision of a vindictive Judge sitting in his own cause from whose decision there was no appeal. I must not pursue this subject, it always excites me & my strength is failing me...
"I never had a doubt that Mr. [Martin] Van Buren would be the nominee for the Presidency...I am confident he will be the nominee, and that he will be triumphantly elected..."
In organizing for the defense of New Orleans, Jackson had imposed martial law, ordered the dissolution of the state legislature, executed deserters and ignored a writ of habeas corpus; Judge D.A. Hall had imposed a fine of $1,000. The Louisiana legislature finally voted to refund the fine.
"I ACTED IN THE DEFENCE OF NEW ORLEANS WITH THE PUREST PRINCIPLES OF A PATRIOT"
A lengthy, intimate letter to his good friend and former Attorney General, concerning controversial acts during the defense of New Orleans during the War of 1812: "...The account given you by my friend...of the state of my health was very correct. I am still greatly afflicted, labouring under great debility of body, and my eyesight failing me. But I am perfectly resigned to the will of that gracious providence that has so long...preserved me...I thank you kindly for the perusal of the views you took in 1815, of the subject now before the U.S. Senate to refund the fine imposed by judge Hall for preserving the city of New Orleans from the ruthless hands of a British army, and now return it as desired. I had seen it in the public journals of that day, but from whose friendly hand I was indebted for that defence & retaliation of the slanders with which I was surrounded at that time I never knew until now, which adds to that friendship which has hitherto been cherished for you in my bosom, for your character & virtue...What the Senate may finally do in this matter I cannot tell, but nothing it can do, can deprive me of the consolation, that I acted in the defence of New Orleans with the purest principles of a patriot, adopting the only means as then [in] my power to save the city...[T]he bill is a great gratification to me, of which I cannot be deprived, let the result in the Federal Senate be what it may -- my gratitude is due to all those who have by their votes shown their willingness to shield my memory from the slander justly imposed upon it by the decision of a vindictive Judge sitting in his own cause from whose decision there was no appeal. I must not pursue this subject, it always excites me & my strength is failing me...
"I never had a doubt that Mr. [Martin] Van Buren would be the nominee for the Presidency...I am confident he will be the nominee, and that he will be triumphantly elected..."
In organizing for the defense of New Orleans, Jackson had imposed martial law, ordered the dissolution of the state legislature, executed deserters and ignored a writ of habeas corpus; Judge D.A. Hall had imposed a fine of $1,000. The Louisiana legislature finally voted to refund the fine.