by H. W. Brands
“For four months . . . quantities of phlegm”: Jackson to Gadsden, May 2, 1822, CAJ, 3:161.
“My health is not good”: Jackson to Monroe, July 26, 1822, CAJ, 3:171–72.
“The state of our paper money”: Jackson to Gadsden, May 2, 1822, CAJ, 3:161.
“I remitted you two hundred dollars . . . within my means”: Jackson to Andrew Donelson, August 28, 1822, CAJ, 3:178.
“The very best selections . . . 6 to 8 cents”: McCoy & Co. to Jackson, December 13, 1822, CAJ, 3:180–81.
But in 1825 . . . he planted 131 acres and harvested 71 bales: Arthur Hayne to Jackson, January 14, 1826, PAJ, 6:131n.
“Tom, wife, and nine children . . . Big Sampson, wife, and child”: Inventory of slaves, January 1, 1825, CAJ, 3:271.
“If he has left the neighborhood . . . then good treatment”: Jackson to Harris, April 13, 1822, PAJ, 5:170.
As it happened, Jackson didn’t sell Gilbert: See Jackson’s slave inventory, January 1, 1825, CAJ, 3:271; note 2 to Jackson to Harris, April 13, 1822, PAJ, 5:170–71.
“I regret the drought with you . . . the continued rains”: Jackson to Coffee, August 22, 1823, CAJ, 3:204.
“I had sat down to write you . . . has been very bad”: Jackson to Coffee, May 24, 1823, CAJ, 3:197.
“Although I have ever considered . . . in excellent order”: Statement by Willie Blount, undated, CAJ, 3:226–27n.
“The subject of the next President . . . and unsettled politician”: Gadsden to Jackson, November 20, 1821, CAJ, 3:132–33.
“As to William Crawford”: Jackson to Gadsden, December 6, 1821, CAJ, 3:141.
“I believe the welfare of our country”: Jackson to Bronaugh, May 29, 1822, CAJ, 3:163.
“I have always believed . . . or Mr. Adams”: Jackson to Gibson, January 29, 1822, PAJ, 5:139.
“It appears to be the general opinion . . . likewise the North”: Bronaugh to Jackson, December 30, 1821, PAJ, 5:125.
“I am silent . . . to that call”: Jackson to Call, June 29, 1822, PAJ, 5:199.
“On this day a resolution . . . feel and act”: Houston to Jackson, August 3, 1822, Writings of Houston, 1:13–14.
“a noble minded fellow”: Jackson to Gadsden, May 2, 1822, CAJ, 3:162.
“I have received many letters . . . make it perpetual”: Jackson to Andrew Donelson, August 6, 1822, CAJ, 3:173–74.
“My undeviating rule of conduct . . . power of selection”: Jackson to H. W. Peterson, February 23, 1823, PAJ, 5:253.
29. THE DEATH RATTLE OF THE OLD REGIME
“office should be neither sought for nor declined”: Abram Maury to Jackson, September 20, 1823, PAJ, 5:298.
“There are many better qualified . . . could not decline”: Jackson to Maury, September 21, 1823, PAJ, 5:298–99.
“Thus you see me a Senator”: Jackson to Calhoun (the letter actually has no addressee, but Calhoun seems the likeliest recipient), October 4, 1823, PAJ, 5:301.
“Although tiresome and troublesome . . . in this world”: Jackson to Rachel Jackson, November 28, 1823, PAJ, 5:320.
“The President takes a proper ground”: Jackson to Overton, December 5, 1823, PAJ, 5:321.
“There is nothing done here . . . instead of diminishing”: Jackson to Rachel Jackson, December 7, 1823, CAJ, 3:216.
“We are in the family . . . in the music”: Jackson to Rachel Jackson, December 21, 1823, CAJ, 3:218.
“General Scott and myself . . . has greatly changed”: Jackson to George Martin, January 2, 1824, CAJ, 3:222.
“All things here appear . . . to follow them”: Jackson to Coffee, February 15, 1824, PAJ, 5:357.
“You ask my opinion on the tariff . . . a little more Americanized”: Jackson to L. H. Coleman, April 26, 1824, CAJ, 3:249–50.
“There must have been a thousand people there”: Senator Mills quoted in CAJ, 3:220n3.
“The family we live in . . . your affectionate husband”: Jackson to Rachel Jackson, March 27, 1824, CAJ, 3:240–41.
“I declare to you . . . my own cottage”: Jackson to Henry Baldwin, May 20, 1824, PAJ, 5:411–12.
“I have fine prospects of cotton”: Jackson to Coffee, June 18, 1824, CAJ, 3:257.
“the last hope of the friends . . . forward by it”: Jackson to Andrew Donelson, January 21, 1824, CAJ, 3:225.
“I am happy to see the good people”: Jackson to Coffee, March 28, 1824, CAJ, 3:242.
“Was I to notice the falsehoods . . . is the people”: Jackson to Wilson, August 13, 1824, PAJ, 5:434.
“To tell you of this city . . . the Marquis, twenty-three”: Rachel Jackson to Elizabeth Kingsley, December 23, 1824, PAJ, 5:456.
“To say I have nothing . . . was against it”: Jackson to Swartout, December 14, 1824, CAJ, 3:269.
“The Lord’s will be done”: Jackson to John Coffee, December 27, 1824, CAJ, 3:270.
“The President’s Administration was toasted . . . never before experienced”: Entry for January 1, 1825, J. Q. Adams, Memoirs, 6:457–58.
“Two of my friends in the Legislature”: Clay to Francis Brooke, December 22, 1824, Papers of Clay, 3:900.
“Accident alone prevented my return”: Clay to James Brown, January 23, 1825, ibid., 4:38.
“You are a looker-on . . . lies before us”: Clay to Benjamin Leigh, December 22, 1824, ibid., 3:901.
“Mr. Clay came at six . . . would be for me”: Entry for January 9, 1825, J. Q. Adams, Memoirs, 6:464–65.
“I consider whatever choice . . . support Mr. Adams”: Clay to Blair, January 8, 1825, Papers of Clay, 4:9–10.
“I can tell you nothing . . . to be made”: Clay to James Brown, January 23, 1825, ibid., 39.
“Mr. Adams, you know well”: Clay to Blair, January 29, 1825, ibid., 47.
“As a friend of liberty”: Clay to Brooke, January 28, 1825, ibid., 45–46.
“I perceive that I am unconsciously writing”: Clay to Blair, January 29, 1825, ibid., 47.
“member of the House of Representatives . . . the Republican ranks”: Letter to the editor, Philadelphia Columbian Observer, January 28, 1825, excerpted in PAJ, 6:24.
“I pronounce the member”: Clay notice in Washington Daily National Intelligencer, January 31, 1825, Papers of Clay, 4:48.
“May the blessing of God . . . placid and courteous”: Entry for February 9, 1825, J. Q. Adams, Memoirs, 6:501–02.
“The old man goes quietly on”: Eaton to John Overton, February 7, 1825, PAJ, 6:28.
“The Judas of the West”: Jackson to William Lewis, February 14, 1825, CAJ, 3:276.
30. DEMOCRACY TRIUMPHANT
“It is for an ingenuity stronger than mine . . . a ‘military chieftain’”: Jackson to Swartout, February 22, 1825, CAJ, 3:278–80. Published in New York National Advocate, March 4, 1825, and many other papers.
“I have not in my life . . . our country arrives”: Houston to Jackson, January 1827 (no day given), CAJ, 3:329; Houston to Jackson, January 5, 1827, ibid., 331.
“I must entreat to be excused”: Jackson to Tennessee legislature, October 12, 1825, CAJ, 3:295.
“the variety of dear little interests . . . increased by it”: Rachel Jackson to Katherine Duane Morgan, May 18, 1825, PAJ, 6:72.
“the combination, unheard of till then”: Randolph in Senate, March 30, 1826, Register of Debates, 19th Congress, 1st session, Senate, 401.
“The House was a perfect scene . . . Puritans and Blacklegs”: Marable to Jackson, April 3, 1826, PAJ, 6:161.
“I do not fire at you . . . is no greater”: Benton, Thirty Years’ View, 1:76–77.
“Randolph loses no opportunity . . . mighty volume on”: Eaton to Jackson, May 5, 1826, PAJ, 6:169–70.
“As soon as I arrived . . . of our countrymen”: Lee to Jackson, July 1, 1826, CAJ, 3:305–06.
“What a wonderful coincidence . . . the virtuous Jefferson?”: Jackson to Richard Call, July 26, 1826, PAJ, 6:191.
“an evidence that the Republic . . . for the Presidency”: Jefferson quoted in Niles’ Register, December 29, 182
7, in PAJ, 6:341.
“negro speculation”: National Banner and Nashville Whig, August 2, 1828, quoted in PAJ, 6:486.
“The act was as cruel as uncalled for . . . The deadly deed is done!”: “Coffin Handbill,” October 18, 1828, CAJ, 3:455–61. The most thorough account of the whole affair is Parton, 2:277–300. According to Parton, the court and Jackson were correct in asserting that the militiamen had agreed to serve for six months but the order from Governor Blount specifying the six-month term was invalid.
“COOL AND DELIBERATE MURDER”: Parton, 3:144.
“Truth is mighty, and will prevail”: Jackson to Grundy, August 15, 1828, PAJ, 6:495.
“dirty, black wench!”: Frankfort Argus, April 18, 1827, quoting Frankfort Commentator, in PAJ, 6:344n2.
“such feelings of indignation”: Jackson to Lewis, December 12, 1826, CAJ, 3:323.
“When the midnight assassin strikes you”: Jackson to Keene, June 16, 1827, PAJ, 6:344.
“It is evident . . . their just reward”: Jackson to Call, May 3, 1827, CAJ, 3:354.
“The political news from all quarters . . . test the result”: Jackson to Call, October 18, 1828, PAJ, 6:515–16.
“The suffrages of a virtuous people”: Jackson to Coffee, November 24, 1828, CAJ, 3:447.
“Still, my mind is depressed . . . more fully shortly”: Ibid.
“Providence has procured for us . . . of the fowler”: Jackson to Coffee, December 11, 1828, CAJ, 3:452.
“Picture to yourself a military-looking man . . . devotion to him”: Unidentified correspondent of the author in Parton, 3:160–62.
“I could have spent . . . fix our destiny”: Rachel Jackson to Louise Livingston, December 1, 1828, PAJ, 6:536.
“Hitherto my Saviour”: Rachel Jackson to Mrs. L. A. W. Douglas, December 3, 1828, PAJ, 6:538.
“excruciating pain”: Jackson to Francis Preston, December 18, 1828, PAJ, 6:546.
“I cannot leave her”: Jackson to Richard Call, December 22, 1828, PAJ, 6:546.
A friend recalled . . . “twenty years older in a night”: Parton, 3:163–64.
“Could I but withdraw . . . happiness here below”: Jackson to John Donelson, June 7, 1829, CAJ, 4:42.
31. DEMOCRACY RAMPANT
“General Jackson will be here”: Webster memorandum, February 1829 (no day indicated), Letters of Webster, 142.
“We have a dead calm”: Calhoun to Patrick Noble, January 10, 1829, Papers of Calhoun, 10:550.
“Our inimitable capital . . . deference to fashion!”: “A Few Days at Washington,” Philadelphia Monthly Magazine, April 1829, 419–21.
“No one who was at Washington . . . defiance on its brow”: Parton, 3:169.
“the mighty Xerxes ferried or marched”: “A Few Days at Washington,” Philadelphia Monthly Magazine, April 1829, 410–11.
He sat down directly: “The Inauguration,” National Intelligencer, March 5, 1829, reprinted in Saturday Evening Post, March 14, 1829, 2.
“free choice of the people . . . a foreign foe”: Inaugural address, United States Telegraph, March 4, 1829, reprinted in Saturday Evening Post, March 14, 1829, 2.
“Had the spectacle closed here”: M. Smith to Mrs. Kirkpatrick, March 11, 1829, M. Smith, 291.
“It was grand . . . to the President’s house”: Ibid., 290–91, 294.
“Streams of people on foot . . . out of windows”: Ibid., 294–96.
“It was a glorious day . . . for the penitentiary”: Hamilton to Martin Van Buren, March 5, 1829, Van Buren papers, Library of Congress.
“noise and tumult . . . as soon as possible”: Story to Mrs. Story, March 7, 1829, Letters of Story, 1:562–63.
“It was the People’s day”: M. Smith, 296.
32. SPOILS OF VICTORY
“Why, Major . . . bring me here?”: Jackson quoted in Parton, 3:180.
“Great exertions have been made . . . department of war well”: Jackson to Coffee, March 19, 1829, CAJ, 4:13–14.
“We lament to see so many . . . election of General Jackson”: Ritchie to Martin Van Buren, March 27, 1829, CAJ, 4:17–18n1.
“You may assure Mr. Ritchie . . . and upon principle”: Jackson to Van Buren, March 31, 1829, CAJ, 4:19.
“There are, perhaps, few men . . . by their experience”: Jackson message to Congress, December 8, 1829, Compilation of Messages and Papers, 1011–12.
“My husband, sir . . . an inhospitable wild”: Mary Barney to Jackson, June 13, 1829, CAJ, 4:46–47.
“You can have no idea”: Mrs. F. Pope to Jackson, May 30, 1829, CAJ, 4:40.
“It is a painful duty”: Jackson to Mrs. F. Pope, June 8, 1829, CAJ, 4:42–43.
“The gloom of suspicion . . . he had offended”: Mr. Stansbury quoted in Parton, 3:212–13.
“I question whether the ferreting”: unidentified correspondent in Parton, 3:213.
“cleanse the Augean stables”: Jackson to Coffee, May 30, 1829, CAJ, 4:39.
“I have been crowded with thousands . . . go away dissatisfied”: Jackson to Coffee, March 22, 1829, CAJ, 4:14.
The best estimate is that between one-tenth and one-fifth . . . Jefferson defeated John Adams: Eriksson, 529, 540.
“It may be, sir . . . belongs the spoils”: Marcy quoted in Parton, 3:378.
33. TOOLS OF WICKEDNESS
“It was a matter of infinite satisfaction . . . to be pursued”: Eaton to Jackson, December 7, 1828, PAJ, 6:541.
“Mrs. Eaton is as chaste . . . baser lie told”: Jackson to John McLemore, April 1829 (no day given), CAJ, 4:20–21.
“most unblushing and unfounded slanders”: Jackson to Coffee, May 30, 1829, CAJ, 4:38.
“I would sink with honor”: Jackson to McLemore, May 3, 1829, CAJ, 4:31.
“ridiculous attitude . . . in their own”: Jackson to Call, July 5, 1829, CAJ, 4:52–53.
“I did not come here to make a cabinet”: Jackson to McLemore, April 1829 (no day given), CAJ, 4:21.
“I have found the President affectionate . . . entertain for me”: Van Buren to Jesse Hoyt, c. April 1829, in Parton, 3:292.
“I have found him every thing . . . I ever saw”: Jackson to Overton, December 31, 1829, CAJ, 4:108–09.
“That my nephew and niece . . . mortifying to me”: Jackson to Lewis, July 28, 1830, CAJ, 4:167.
“I never knew any thing but disgrace”: Jackson to Andrew Donelson, May 5, 1831, CAJ, 4:277.
“He is wholly wrong . . . to bear irritation”: McLemore to Andrew Donelson, November 10, 1830, CAJ, 4:197n2.
“I have this moment heard”: Ibid.
“overwhelmed by sudden calamities”: Houston to William Hall, April 16, 1829, Writings of Houston, 1:131.
“Tho’ an unfortunate . . . most profound veneration!”: Houston to Jackson, May 11, 1829, ibid., 132–33.
“His conduct has filled me . . . am truly distressed”: Jackson to Coffee, July 21, 1829, CAJ, 4:54–55.
“I pray you, my son . . . dismiss him”: Jackson to Andrew Jackson Jr., July 4, 1829, CAJ, 4:49–50.
“He has been reared in the paths of virtue . . . steadily in them”: Jackson to Francis Smith, May 19, 1829, CAJ, 4:36.
“My son, having your happiness . . . answer at once”: Jackson to Andrew Jackson Jr., July 26, 1829, CAJ, 4:56–57.
“You have many years yet . . . my grave in sorrow”: Jackson to Andrew Jackson Jr., August 20, 1829, CAJ, 4:63.
34. JACKSONIAN THEORY
“With Great Britain . . . our free institutions”: Jackson’s annual message to Congress, December 8, 1829, Compilation of Messages and Papers, 3:1005–25.
“Were we in the place of Isaac Hill . . . and your peer’”: New York Courier and Enquirer, no date given, in Parton, 3:276.
“Were it not for the fear”: Webster to Dutton, May 9, 1830, Parton, 3: 276–77.
35. FALSE COLORS
“It is true that the third . . . the General Government”: South Carolina Exposition, December 19, 1828, Papers of Calhoun, 10:445, 457–59, 493, 497, 507.
“The
next two or three years”: Calhoun to Patrick Noble, January 10, 1829, ibid., 550.
“Sir, let me tell that gentleman . . . the bitter fruit”: Hayne speech, January 25, 1830, Register of Debates, 21st Congress, 1st session, Senate, 46–50.
“It is to the Union that we owe . . . one and inseparable!”: Webster’s reply to Hayne, January 26–27, 1830, ibid., 80.
“It is come to this”: Maxcy to Calhoun, April 6, 1829, Papers of Calhoun, 11:17.
“There was a full assemblage . . . Jefferson its father”: Benton, Thirty Years’ View, 1:148.
“that the celebration was to be . . . into the fire”: Lewis quoted in Parton, 3:284.
“But the company was still numerous . . . burden of the Union”: Benton, Thirty Years’ View, 1:148.
“The submission, you will perceive . . . to your consideration”: Jackson to Calhoun, May 13, 1830, Papers of Calhoun, 11:159–60.
“I cannot repress the expression . . . leisure may permit”: Calhoun to Jackson, May 13, 1830, ibid., 162–63.
“However high my respect . . . my country only”: Calhoun to Jackson, May 29, 1830, ibid., 173, 187, 189.
“It must be admitted to be”: Ingham to Jackson, November 27, 1829, CAJ, 4:93–94.
“Whenever that subject”: Berrien to Jackson, November 27, 1829, CAJ, 4:95.
“The combination and coalition believed . . . presidents at will”: Jackson to Donelson, May 5, 1831, CAJ, 4:277.
“How little do they know me”: Jackson to Coffee, April 24, 1831, CAJ, 4:269.
“I have changed my cabinet . . . What a contrast!!”: Jackson to Coffee, May 13, 1831, CAJ, 4:281.
“The first intimation I have received . . . religion are incompatible”: Jackson to William Conway, April 4, 1831, CAJ, 4:256.
“Whilst I concur with the synod . . . their own consideration”: Jackson to the Synod of the Reformed Church, June 12, 1832, CAJ, 4:447.
“His whole physical system . . . a confirmed dropsy”: Lewis attachment (from some indefinite later time) to Jackson to John Overton, December 31, 1829, CAJ, 4:109.
“I cannot yet determine . . . clear and fine”: Jackson to Andrew Donelson, August 22, 1829, CAJ, 4:66.
“white Valencia vest . . . Virginia drawers”: Statements from Tucker & Thompson, January 3 and December 22, 1831, CAJ, 4:221, 388.
“This year, with the bad season . . . part with her”: Jackson to Chester, November 7, 1830, CAJ, 4:198–99.
