by H. W. Brands
“did with force and arms”: Jackson for Randolph County, March 1788, PAJ, 1:11–12.
“Paid at the battle of New Orleans”: Bassett, 1:13. Lister’s daughter presented the bill to Jackson in the White House; he denied that he owed it (ibid.).
“I often met him . . . any other young man”: Buell, 1:68–69.
4. AWAY WEST
“Took our departure from the fort . . . by Capt. Robertson and his company”: Heiskell, 1:157–65.
“Extend the sphere”: Federalist, 61.
“The people had a coffin . . . the fruits of it”: Main, 122–34.
“A neighbor might as well ask”: Franklin to John Jay, October 2, 1780, Franklin, Writings, 1029.
“The leading characters of Kentucky . . . in eternal oblivion”: Wilkinson memorial to Miró and Navarro, September 5, 1787, quoted in Shepherd, 501.
“until the Kentuckians attain the independence . . . hope of remuneration”: Summary of meeting of Spain’s Supreme Council of State, November 20, 1788, Wilkinson, “Papers,” 749–50.
“That section of the country . . . to great embarrassment”: Wilkinson to Miró, September 18, 1789, ibid., 765–66.
“The cause was going”: Parton, 1:161–62.
“When a man’s feelings”: Jackson to Avery, August 12, 1788, PAJ, 1:12.
“My father was no duelist . . . friendly ever after”: Parton, 1:162.
“I had my saddlehorse”: Buell, 1:71–72.
5. SHADOWED LOVE
“beautifully molded form”: Heiskell, 3:279.
“The old lady told me . . . to restore harmony”: Parton, 1:148–49.
“Not many months elapsed . . . reasonably be expected”: Ibid., 1:149–50.
“I had the pleasure of seeing . . . peace with the savage”: Jackson to Daniel Smith, February 13, 1789, PAJ, 1:16.
“June 2d, 1791”: Parton, 1:139.
“that the defendant hath deserted”: “An Act Concerning the Marriage of Lewis Robards,” December 20, 1790, PAJ, 1:424.
Spanish and other records reveal: Remini, Jackson and Course of American Empire, 64–65; Burstein, 243–44; Toplovich. These three sources are the basis for the reconstruction of events that follow.
At that time he had sworn the oath of allegiance to Spain: Remini, “Andrew Jackson Takes an Oath.”
“My Dearest Heart”: Jackson to Rachel Jackson, May 9, 1796, PAJ, 1:91.
“To this suggestion”: Parton, 1:152.
6. REPUBLICANS AND REVOLUTIONARIES
“to make a county”: Buell, 1:93.
“If any one attacks you”: Parton, 1:159–60.
“contingent expences”: Account of freight expenses, May–August 1795, PAJ, 1:58.
Its inventory included butcher knives: Account book, 1795, PAJ, 1:455ff.
“to bear an equal proportion”: Partnership agreement with Overton, May 12, 1794, PAJ, 1:46.
contracted to purchase 15,000 acres for 500 pounds (and subsequent details of transactions): Calendar of transactions and agreements, 1770–1803, PAJ, 1:429ff.
“candid and unreserved . . . as few difficulties”: Overton to Jackson, March 8, 1795, PAJ, 1:54.
“To my sad experience . . . almost unto death”: Jackson to Overton, June 9, 1795, PAJ, 1:59–60; agreement with David Allison, May 14, 1795, PAJ, 1:56–57.
“They have not the smallest expectation . . . forward the boat on”: Donelson to Jackson, June 29, 1795, PAJ, 1:62–63.
“We are sorry so soon”: Meeker, Cochran & Company to Jackson, August 11, 1795, PAJ, 1:64.
“His note therefore”: John B. Evans & Company to Jackson, January 4, 1796, PAJ, 1:79.
He acquired what appears to have been his first slave (and subsequent slave transactions): Calendar of Jackson transactions, PAJ, 1:432–47.
In 1796 he purchased: Deed for Hunter’s Hill, March 10, 1796 (summary), PAJ, 1:84.
“The convulsions in France”: Franklin in Brands, First American, 705–06.
“liberty of the whole earth” and following description: Brands, What America Owes the World, 3–4.
“What an alarming situation . . . consented to it”: Jackson to Macon, October 4, 1795, PAJ, 1:74.
A 1795 census: Heiskell, 1:294–95.
“counting the whole of the free persons”: Ibid.
“Jackson, though exerting . . . he was driving at”: Buell, 1:108–11.
“as sweet a flavor”: Ibid., 1:111.
“the least imperfect and most republican”: Jefferson quoted in Heiskell, 1:298.
“’Tis our true policy”: Washington’s Farewell Address, September 19, 1796, American Historical Documents, 246.
“From the president’s speech”: Jackson to Robert Hays, December 16, 1796, PAJ, 1:103.
“In my mind, this address”: Jackson quoted in Buell, 1:116.
“just and necessary . . . to take the field”: Jackson to the House of Representatives, December 29 and 30, 1796, PAJ, 1:106–08.
Congress appropriated $22,816: Buell, 1:120.
“That an equal participation”: 29th section of Tennessee bill of rights, Heiskell, 1:98.
In this letter Blount spoke vaguely . . . “decided opinion respecting it”: Blount to Carey, April 21, 1797, and Senate Committee report, no date given; both ibid., 82–86.
7. FIGHTING WORDS
“War is their principal study . . . colours among us”: William Fyffe in Woodward, 33.
“We cannot live without war”: Unidentified Cherokees in Ramsey, 83.
“They are more serviceable”: Washington in John Brown, 81.
“We proceeded”: Marion in ibid., 111.
“In a few years the Shawnees . . . and destroy them”: Cornstalk in ibid., 144–45.
“You have bought a fair land”: Dragging Canoe in ibid., 12.
“You know you began . . . compensation for it”: Heiskell, 1:316–17.
“At a crisis in the great struggle”: Roosevelt, 3:121.
“Had the destroying angel”: Ramsey, 428.
“Viewing, sir, with horror”: Jackson to Sevier, May 8, 1797, PAJ, 1:136.
“the scurrilous expressions”: Ibid.
“Why those private letters . . . feelings requires redress”: Ibid.
“The voice of calumny . . . of mild philosophy”: Sevier to Jackson, May 8, 1797, PAJ, 1:137–38.
“Facts may be misstated . . . any other person”: Jackson to Sevier, May 10, 1797, PAJ, 1:141.
“It is painful to hear the cries . . . if not its existence”: Sevier to Jackson, November 26, 1797, PAJ, 1:154–55.
“The prevention of a settlement”: Ibid.
“Bonaparte with 150,000 troops”: Jackson to Robertson, January 11, 1798, PAJ, 1:165.
“No news that can be relied on . . . the right of thinking”: Jackson to Donelson, January 18, 1798, PAJ, 1:167–68.
“Sticks and spittle are substituted . . . of Eastern quarrels”: Jackson to Blount, February 21, 1798, PAJ, 1:182–83.
8. RENDERING JUDGMENT
“His passions are terrible”: Notes of 1824 conversation with Jefferson, Webster, Papers of Webster, 1:376.
“I feel much alarmed”: Ibid.
“I mean to retire . . . your affectionate husband”: Jackson to Rachel, May 9, 1796, PAJ, 1:91–92.
“I must now beg of you”: Jackson to Hays, November 2, 1797, PAJ, 1:152.
“It is such a neglect”: Jackson to Rachel, January 26, 1798, PAJ, 1:174.
“I hold myself much indebted”: Ibid.
“I have come to a conclusion”: Jackson to Ryerson, July 5, 1801, PAJ, 1:249.
“It has been communicated to me”: Sevier to Jackson, August 29, 1798, PAJ, 1:209.
A story was told . . . “and so I did”: Parton, 1:228–29.
“during good behavior”: Commission as superior court judge, December 22, 1798, PAJ, 1:215.
“I am in possession . . . would be too great”: Jackson to Hays, August 24, 1801, PAJ, 1:252–53.
“general wish and opinion . .
. and humble servant”: Robertson to Jackson, September 7, 1803, PAJ, 1:358.
“Talents like yours . . . struggle with the loss”: Enclosure (1) in Jackson to George Roulstone, October 8, 1803, PAJ, 1:372–73.
“Retirement to private life . . . voice is obeyed”: Enclosure (2), ibid.
“if health will permit me”: Ibid.
“confined me for some days”: Jackson to John Overton, February 23, 1798, PAJ, 1:184.
“During this distressing scene”: Jackson to Rachel, March 22, 1803, PAJ, 1:326.
“To do this is not my wish . . . every good citizen in it”: Jackson to Benjamin Bradford, July 19, 1803, PAJ, 1:337–46.
“Services? . . . young men at Knoxville”: Isaac Avery in Parton, 1:165.
“The ungentlemanly expressions”: Jackson to Sevier, October 2, 1803, PAJ, 1:367–68.
“Your ungentlemanly and gasconading conduct . . . me and my meaning”: Sevier to Jackson, October 2, 1803, PAJ, 1:368.
“This, sir, I view . . . of one hour”: Jackson to Sevier, October 3, 1803, PAJ, 1:368–69.
“I am happy to find you”: Sevier to Jackson, October 3, 1803, PAJ, 1:369.
“To all who shall see”: Jackson to the public, October 10, 1803, PAJ, 1:379.
“I am again perplexed . . . for the campaign”: Sevier to Jackson, October 10, 1803, PAJ, 1:380–81.
“Sevier replied . . . protect Mr. Jackson”: Statement by Vandyke, October 16, 1803, printed in Tennessee Gazette and Mero District Advertiser, December 21, 1803, PAJ, 1:505–06.
“Judge Jackson swore”: Affidavit of Andrew Greer, October 23, 1803, PAJ, 1:489–90.
“Let us ask . . . retreat with credit”: “A citizen of Knox county” to the Knoxville Gazette, November 10, 1803, PAJ, 1:493–94.
“vulgar and ungentlemanly expressions”: “Veritas” to Tennessee Gazette, December 14, 1803, PAJ, 1:496–501.
SON OF THE WEST (1805–1814)
9. CONSPIRACY
“My own affections”: Jefferson to William Short, January 3, 1793, Selected Writings of Jefferson, 522.
“If they see their interests”: Jefferson quoted in Abernethy, 4.
“It is rare that the public sentiment”: Jefferson in Malone, 4:100.
“There is on the globe”: Jefferson to Robert Livingston, April 18, 1802, Jefferson papers.
“He is by far not so dangerous a man”: Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott Jr., December 16, 1800, Papers of Hamilton, 25:257.
“He understands as well”: Burr to Jackson, June 2, 1805, PAJ, 2:59.
“But notwithstanding . . . and your honor”: Burr to Jackson, March 24, 1806, PAJ, 2:91–92.
Jackson compiled the list: PAJ, 2:93n3.
“The certain consequence . . . of acquiring fame”: Jackson to James Winchester, October 4, 1806, PAJ, 2:110–11.
“This armed force . . . ready to march”: Jackson to brigadier generals, October 4, 1806, PAJ, 2:111–12.
“The public sentiment”: Jackson to Jefferson, c. November 5, 1806, PAJ, 2:114–15.
“Their intention was to divide . . . at the head”: Jackson to George Washington Campbell, January 15, 1807, PAJ, 2:148–49.
“There is something rotten . . . the Union disunited”: Jackson to Claiborne, November 12, 1806, PAJ, 2:116.
“A difference exists . . . to New Orleans”: Jackson to Smith, November 12, 1806, PAJ, 2:117–19.
“He is meditating the overthrow”: Anonymous letter to Jefferson, December 1, 1805, quoted in Abernethy, 38.
“Spanish intrigues”: Daviess quoted in ibid., 90.
In August Jefferson . . . from Spanish control: Ibid., 63, 184–85.
“an express pledge of honor”: Jackson to Claiborne, January 8, 1807, PAJ, 2:140–41.
“Should danger threaten you”: Ibid.
“Burr’s chief agent here . . . the national interests”: Wilkinson to Jackson, December 19, 1806, PAJ, 2:126.
“a numerous and powerful association . . . an auxiliary step”: Wilkinson to Jefferson, October 20, 1806, in Abernethy, 150–51.
“Everything internal and external . . . glory and fortune”: Burr to Wilkinson, July 22–29, 1806, Papers of Burr, 2:986–87.
“Burr’s enterprise is the most extraordinary”: Jefferson to Charles Clay, January 11, 1807, Jefferson papers.
“He might be hid”: Wilkinson to Jackson, December 19, 1806, PAJ, 2:126.
“Burr said surely”: Jackson testimony to grand jury, June 25, 1807, PAJ, 2:168–69.
“I am more convinced . . . pass with impunity”: Jackson to William Anderson, June 16, 1807, PAJ, 2:167–68.
10. AFFAIR OF HONOR
“one bay horse”: Appraisal of horse, December 12, 1783, PAJ, 1:9.
Jackson solved Verell’s financial problem: Memorandum of agreement between Jackson and Verell, May 11, 1805, PAJ, 1:57.
“a damned liar”: Swann to Jackson, January 3, 1806, PAJ, 2:78.
“The harshness of this expression”: Ibid.
“Let me, sir . . . with an anodyne”: Jackson to Swann, January 7, 1806, PAJ, 2:79–80.
“As to the word coward”: Dickinson to Jackson, January 10, 1806, PAJ, 2:81–82.
“Think not . . . receive of another”: Swann to Jackson, January 12, 1806, PAJ, 2:82.
“not suffer passion . . . avoiding a duel”: Robertson to Jackson, February 1, 1806, PAJ, 2:83–84.
“On Thursday the 3rd”: Clover Bottom race notice, March 1, 1806, PAJ, 2:90.
“the largest concourse . . . the fate of Ploughboy”: Jackson to John Hutchings, April 6, 1806, PAJ, 2:94.
“I declare him”: Dickinson to editor of Impartial Review, May 21, 1806, PAJ, 2:97.
“Your conduct and expressions . . . will point out”: Jackson to Dickinson, May 23, 1806, PAJ, 2:98.
“If you can not obtain pistols”: Overton to Catlet, May 23, 1806, PAJ, 2:99.
“For god’s sake”: Overton to Catlet, May 24, 1806, PAJ, 2:99–100.
“not now be convenient”: Catlet to Overton, May 24, 1806, PAJ, 2:100.
“It is agreed”: Statement by Overton and Catlet, May 24, 1806, PAJ, 2:100.
“I should have hit him”: Jackson quoted in Parton, 1:297. The outlines of the duel as given here follow Parton, who got details from those close to the event.
11. ALL MUST FEEL THE INJURIES
“There is a few long faces”: John Overton to Jackson, June 1, 1806, PAJ, 2:100–01.
“The thing is so novel”: Jackson to Thomas Eastin, June 6, 1806, PAJ, 2:101, and headnote to same.
“To dupe the citizens”: Jackson to Watkins, June 15, 1806, PAJ, 2:102.
“He observed that he was not”: Caffery to Jackson, August 25, 1806, excerpted in PAJ, 2:103n.
“every circumstance in the affair”: Statement by Catlet, June 25, 1806, PAJ, 2:104.
“A report arrived here . . . for better purposes”: John Overton to Jackson, September 12, 1806, PAJ, 2:108–09.
“British Outrage . . . satisfaction is not given”: Malone, 5:425.
“made up for war . . . old and the new”: Jefferson to William Duane, July 20, 1807, Jefferson papers.
“The degradation offered . . . nation is inevitable”: Jackson to Thomas Bayly, June 27, 1807, PAJ, 2:170.
he led a protest: PAJ, 2:170n. As a tactical measure, the rally endorsed Jefferson’s actions, but the mood was clearly more belligerent than the administration’s.
“Is it possible”: Jackson to McNairy, January 20, 1808, PAJ, 2:183.
to pay him $999: Headnote to Jackson to McNairy, January 20, 1808, PAJ, 2:182.
“Our enemies have long calculated . . . liberty and independence”: Jackson address, January 16, 1809, PAJ, 2:210–11.
12. MASTER AND SLAVES
“They are family Negroes”: Wade Hampton to Jackson, June 3, 1810, PAJ, 2:248.
“Fifty Dollars Reward . . . of three hundred”: Jackson advertisement in Tennessee Gazette, September 26, 1804, PAJ, 2:40–41.
“1 bottle castor oil”: Jackson
account with John Bedford, October 26, 1809, to September 29, 1812, PAJ, 2:223.
In 1810 he formed a partnership: This account is from the headnote to Jackson memorandum, May 18, 1811, PAJ, 2:261–62.
“It was well known”: Jackson to Blount, January 25, 1812, PAJ, 2:277–79.
“the said Andrew Jackson”: Jackson affidavit, February 29, 1812, PAJ, 2:286–89.
“A. Jackson amount of proportion”: Entry from Bank of Nashville account book, PAJ, 2:262n1.
promissory notes: May 18, 1811, PAJ, 2:262–63n1; Jackson to arbitrator, February 29, 1812, PAJ, 2:286–89.
But no bill . . . appears in the state records: Headnote to account with Bedford, PAJ, 2:218.
“I arrived at his house . . . not do that”: Benton, Thirty Years’ View, 1:737.
13. NOR INFAMY UPON US
“I cannot make out a statement . . . accounts are mentioned”: Jackson to Francis Preston, May 3, 1810, PAJ, 2:243–44.
“I find it impossible . . . tone of thought”: Jackson to Jenkin Whiteside, February 10, 1810, PAJ, 2:233–34.
“There is no business . . . during his pleasure”: Caffery to Jackson, May 20, 1810, PAJ, 2:246.
“The people in this country”: Caffery to Jackson, June 10, 1810, PAJ, 2:249.
“If you have never visited”: Walter Overton to Jackson, September 26, 1810, PAJ, 2:253.
“I am well aware”: Jackson to Jenkin Whiteside, February 10, 1810, PAJ, 2:233–34.
“The only two converts”: Sampson Williams to Jackson, April 25, 1808, PAJ, 2:195.
“The present Congress . . . amusement or business”: Jackson to Jenkin Whiteside, February 10, 1810, PAJ, 2:233–34.
“No man in the nation . . . at your feet”: Clay speech of February 22, 1810 (he was still in the Senate at this point), Papers of Clay, 1:449–50.
“Your Committee . . . appeal to arms”: Calhoun report for Committee on Foreign Relations, June 3, 1812, Papers of Calhoun, 1:121–22.
“with anxious expectation . . . nobly in the cause”: Jackson to brigadier generals, December 19, 1808, PAJ, 2:203.
“If he knows his duty”: Jackson to Winchester, March 15, 1809, PAJ, 2:214.
“Our independence and liberty . . . an invading foe”: Jackson to Blount, February 15, 1810, PAJ, 2:236–38.
“If the trumpet of hell”: Anderson to Jackson, November 17, 1810, PAJ, 2:255.
“My friend, Patton Anderson”: Parton, 1:344.
