Details
JACKSON, ANDREW, President. Autograph letter signed ("Andrew Jackson") to Attorney General Benjamin Franklin Butler, Hermitage, 4 April 1839. 3 pages, 4to, 250 x 200 mm. (9¾ x 7¾ in.), integral address leaf in Jackson's hand, address leaf browned, seal hole affecting approximately 3 words.
JACKSON RECALLS HIS CABINET: "VIRTUOUS & ENLIGHTENED MEN...WHOSE SOLE AIM [WA]S TO ADMINISTER THE GOVERNMENT AGREEABLE TO THE PRINCIPLES OF THE CONSTITUTION"
The former President reminisces about his former Cabinet, their fight against the "combined money-power" and discusses his religious faith: "...[I]t affords me much pleasure to find that those sentiments of mutual friendship created by our official association...are still cherished by you...The late apostasy of many of our political friends brings often to my mind the great vallue [sic] of virtuous & enlightened men, around an administration whose sole aim is to administer the government agreeable to the principles of the Constitution, & the prosperity and happiness of the people -- it is on this light that I so highly appreciate you & some others that composed my cabinet in those intersting & trying scenes that we had to pass thro, in battling with the combined money power & all its corrupting influence. I have long desired to take upon myself those sacred relations I have assumed by joining the Church -- but upon my best reflection, I thought it best to postpone this privilege & duty until I could retire to private life...When the first of posterity presented, I took upon me the sacred relations I have done. Having thus performed this sacred duty...I am happy under all my afflictions, & regardless of all the slanders that the wicked assail me in my retirement with, and can truly now say, I regard not what man can do unto me. On the receipt of your official letter I handed it over to Major A.J. Davidson to execute the commission. He has done so. But I fear...that a clerical error has been made in the Date of the year I took my Eastern tours...in Boston; I fear the year 1834 has been inserted instead of the year 1833...[I]f this clerical error has been made...I hope I may be permitted to correct it..."
JACKSON RECALLS HIS CABINET: "VIRTUOUS & ENLIGHTENED MEN...WHOSE SOLE AIM [WA]S TO ADMINISTER THE GOVERNMENT AGREEABLE TO THE PRINCIPLES OF THE CONSTITUTION"
The former President reminisces about his former Cabinet, their fight against the "combined money-power" and discusses his religious faith: "...[I]t affords me much pleasure to find that those sentiments of mutual friendship created by our official association...are still cherished by you...The late apostasy of many of our political friends brings often to my mind the great vallue [sic] of virtuous & enlightened men, around an administration whose sole aim is to administer the government agreeable to the principles of the Constitution, & the prosperity and happiness of the people -- it is on this light that I so highly appreciate you & some others that composed my cabinet in those intersting & trying scenes that we had to pass thro, in battling with the combined money power & all its corrupting influence. I have long desired to take upon myself those sacred relations I have assumed by joining the Church -- but upon my best reflection, I thought it best to postpone this privilege & duty until I could retire to private life...When the first of posterity presented, I took upon me the sacred relations I have done. Having thus performed this sacred duty...I am happy under all my afflictions, & regardless of all the slanders that the wicked assail me in my retirement with, and can truly now say, I regard not what man can do unto me. On the receipt of your official letter I handed it over to Major A.J. Davidson to execute the commission. He has done so. But I fear...that a clerical error has been made in the Date of the year I took my Eastern tours...in Boston; I fear the year 1834 has been inserted instead of the year 1833...[I]f this clerical error has been made...I hope I may be permitted to correct it..."