Details
JACKSON, ANDREW, President. Autograph letter signed ("Andrew Jackson") to John C. Rives, Hermitage, 22 September 1843. 1 full page, 4to, 255 x 200mm. (10 x 8 in.). Fine.
"I SEE THE COALITION IS TRYING TO WRITE DOWN THE GLOBE AND VAN BUREN -- IT WILL NOT AVAIL, THE DEMOCRACY WILL SUSTAIN BOTH"
The ex-President comments on anti-Van Buren journalists and problems with his gift of a horse to F.P. Blair, managing editor of the pro-Jackson Washington Globe. Jackson had sent a horse from the Hermitage as an expression of thanks for a loan from Blair, a former member of Jackson's "Kitchen Cabinet." He explains why he sent a bill for the equipment accompanying the horse: "I am in receipt...of Mr. Blair's letter, and $23. I sincerely regret that this mon[e]y was sent me. The bill of the wardrobe of Miss Emickson [the horse] was only intended to let Mr. Blair know, as a blackman took charge of her, what was sent... [S]ince my health has been so feeble, I forget many things which I intend, when I sit down to write. Say to my friend Mr. F.P. Blair, that I do not send back the bills, but in due time, I will send him the amount in gold...I see the coalition is trying to write down the Globe & Mr. Van Buren -- it will not avail, the democracy will sustain both..."
Van Buren, Jackson's close advisor, Vice-President and hand-picked successor, was making his third and final bid for the Presidency. Regarded as the Democrat front-runner, he alienated supporters when he came out against the annexation of Texas, and in the Democratic convention in May 1844, Van Buren lost the nomination to dark-horse Polk.
"I SEE THE COALITION IS TRYING TO WRITE DOWN THE GLOBE AND VAN BUREN -- IT WILL NOT AVAIL, THE DEMOCRACY WILL SUSTAIN BOTH"
The ex-President comments on anti-Van Buren journalists and problems with his gift of a horse to F.P. Blair, managing editor of the pro-Jackson Washington Globe. Jackson had sent a horse from the Hermitage as an expression of thanks for a loan from Blair, a former member of Jackson's "Kitchen Cabinet." He explains why he sent a bill for the equipment accompanying the horse: "I am in receipt...of Mr. Blair's letter, and $23. I sincerely regret that this mon[e]y was sent me. The bill of the wardrobe of Miss Emickson [the horse] was only intended to let Mr. Blair know, as a blackman took charge of her, what was sent... [S]ince my health has been so feeble, I forget many things which I intend, when I sit down to write. Say to my friend Mr. F.P. Blair, that I do not send back the bills, but in due time, I will send him the amount in gold...I see the coalition is trying to write down the Globe & Mr. Van Buren -- it will not avail, the democracy will sustain both..."
Van Buren, Jackson's close advisor, Vice-President and hand-picked successor, was making his third and final bid for the Presidency. Regarded as the Democrat front-runner, he alienated supporters when he came out against the annexation of Texas, and in the Democratic convention in May 1844, Van Buren lost the nomination to dark-horse Polk.