Details
JACKSON, ANDREW, President. Autograph letter signed ("Andrew Jackson") as President, to William H. Ellis, WRITTEN SIX DAYS BEFORE LEAVING OFFICE, Washington, D.C., 25 February 1837. 2 pages, 4to, integral address leaf, small marginal repair..
JACKSON PREPARES TO STEP DOWN: "THE ONLY DESIRE I NOW HAVE IS, TO SEE MY BELOVED COUNTRY PROSPEROUS AND HAPPY"
The two-term President, preparing to leave the White House after the inauguration of his hand-picked successor Van Buren, replies at length to a father who had named a son after Jackson to signify approval of "the course of my administration." Jackson replies with strong patriotic emotions: "That I should have so administered the Government as to merit the approbation of the Democratic Republicans...is a great consolation to me, and will be a solace thro the very few years that from my broken constitution and great debility, I can have to remain on earth, and the only desire I now have is, to see my beloved country prosperous and happy..." Ellis has named his son after Jackson, and the President sends the child the Eagle emblem: "As his mind expands, explain it to him, and say that it is presented by one who loves his country, has often risked his life in her defense, and he expects, should a kind providence preserve him, he will be found supporting the eagles of his country against all enemies from without, as well as the traitors within, who may dare to separate our glorious union, upon which depends the perpetuity of our liberties and our happy republican system. Impress these things upon his youthful mind, and they will strengthen with his growth....May he grow and prosper and...and, after a long and well spent life, find a happy immortality..."
JACKSON PREPARES TO STEP DOWN: "THE ONLY DESIRE I NOW HAVE IS, TO SEE MY BELOVED COUNTRY PROSPEROUS AND HAPPY"
The two-term President, preparing to leave the White House after the inauguration of his hand-picked successor Van Buren, replies at length to a father who had named a son after Jackson to signify approval of "the course of my administration." Jackson replies with strong patriotic emotions: "That I should have so administered the Government as to merit the approbation of the Democratic Republicans...is a great consolation to me, and will be a solace thro the very few years that from my broken constitution and great debility, I can have to remain on earth, and the only desire I now have is, to see my beloved country prosperous and happy..." Ellis has named his son after Jackson, and the President sends the child the Eagle emblem: "As his mind expands, explain it to him, and say that it is presented by one who loves his country, has often risked his life in her defense, and he expects, should a kind providence preserve him, he will be found supporting the eagles of his country against all enemies from without, as well as the traitors within, who may dare to separate our glorious union, upon which depends the perpetuity of our liberties and our happy republican system. Impress these things upon his youthful mind, and they will strengthen with his growth....May he grow and prosper and...and, after a long and well spent life, find a happy immortality..."