by H. W. Brands
“Have your hogs put up early . . . average 200 round”: Jackson to Andrew Jackson Jr., October 21, 1832, CAJ, 4:482–83.
“Knowing the merit of his blood . . . and turf horse”: Jackson to Cryer, January 10, 1830, CAJ, 4:117.
“I was truly mortified . . . gallop on it”: Jackson to Andrew Jackson Jr., May 13, 1832, CAJ, 4:438.
36. ATTACK AND COUNTERATTACK
“The majority is always right”: Undated entry, Tocqueville, Journey, 58–59.
“Several men came . . . new privileges”: Entry for November 3, 1831, ibid., 82–84.
“I can believe that you find it difficult . . . not over its principles”: Entry for November 18, 1831, ibid., 87–88.
“The Federalists, feeling themselves defeated . . . like everything else”: Tocqueville, Democracy, 176–78.
“the violence of party . . . intercourse of society”: Biddle to Monroe, July 6, 1807, Correspondence of Biddle, 3–4.
“The Bank is of vital importance . . . encounter much hostility”: Biddle to Monroe, January 31, 1819, ibid., 12.
“talent for business . . . to be collected”: Biddle to unidentified recipient (evidently another director), October 29, 1822, ibid., 26–28.
“I have been so anxious”: Biddle to Webster, February 16, 1826, ibid., 39.
“There is no one principle . . . only a bank”: Biddle to Samuel Smith, December 29, 1828, ibid., 62–63.
“They should be treated”: Biddle to Alexander Hamilton, December 12, 1829, ibid., 91.
“I think it right . . . afraid of banks”: Memorandum by Biddle, undated (between October 1829 and January 1830), ibid., 93.
“As such it is far less dangerous”: Biddle to Smith, January 2, 1830, ibid., 94.
“What would he do with it? . . . United States hereafter?”: Clay to Biddle, September 11, 1830, Papers of Clay, 8:263–64.
“inexpedient to apply at present”: Biddle to Clay, November 3, 1830, Correspondence of Biddle, 115.
Jackson’s annual message of December 1830: Second annual message, December 6, 1830, Compilation of Messages and Papers, 3:1091–92.
“In respect of General Jackson . . . than they are”: Biddle to Mr. Robinson, December 20, 1830, Correspondence of Biddle, 122.
“It is obvious that a great effort . . . might be misconstrued”: Biddle to William Lawrence, February 8, 1831, ibid., 123–24.
“The President is now perfectly confident . . . dared to do it”: Biddle memorandum, October 19, 1831, ibid., 131.
“Have you come to any decision . . . would be different”: Clay to Biddle, December 15, 1831, Papers of Clay, 8:432–33.
“great and beneficent institution”: Statement by National Republican convention, no date given, Parton, 3:395.
“The result of all these conversations . . . for the bank”: Webster to Biddle, December 18, 1831, Correspondence of Biddle, 145–46.
“We have determined on applying . . . of a great country”: Biddle to Smith, January 4, 1832, ibid., 161–64.
“I cannot but think . . . success next session”: Webster to Biddle, January 8, 1832, ibid., 169.
“Mr. Adams told me”: John Connell to Biddle, January 10, 1832, ibid., 169–70.
“The present is a crisis”: Biddle to Charles Ingersoll, February 6, 1832, ibid., 174.
“We set to work to disenchant the country”: Biddle to Ingersoll, February 11, 1832, ibid., 179–80. Though Biddle was writing to a friend, he crossed out these remarks before sending the letter. They remained legible, though.
“If the bill passes”: ibid., 181.
“I believe my retainer . . . the usual retainers”: Webster to Biddle, December 21, 1833, ibid., 218.
“A disordered currency is one . . . a guinea again’”: Webster speech to Senate, no date given, excerpted in Benton, Thirty Years’ View, 1:244.
“They lead to the abduction . . . come of himself!”: Benton speech to Senate, January 20, 1832, Register of Debates, 22nd Congress, 1st session, Senate, 139–41.
“Now I do not mean to say”: Taney quoted in Schlesinger, 87n.
“A bank of the United States . . . an unqualified blessing”: Jackson veto message to Congress, July 10, 1832, Compilation of Messages and Papers, 3:1139, 1143–47, 1153.
37. OR DIE WITH THE UNION
Henry Clay called the veto a vestige: Clay speech to Senate, no date given, Benton, Thirty Years’ View, 1:255.
“fearful and appalling aspect . . . poor against the rich”: Webster speech to Senate, July 11, 1832, Register of Debates, 22nd Congress, 1st session, Senate, 1240.
“A more deranging, radical . . . but little further”: Portland, Maine, Daily Advertiser, reprinted in Washington National Intelligencer, August 9, 1832, in Taylor, 33.
Niles’ Register reported: Niles’ Register, no date given, excerpted in Benton, 1:281.
“wantonly trampled upon . . . national calamity”: Resolutions adopted by Philadelphia public meeting, July 16, 1832, Niles’ Register, July 21, 1832, in Taylor, 30–32.
“It diffuses universal joy”: Randolph to Jackson, July 15, 1832, CAJ, 4:462.
“The veto works well . . . of prostrating me”: Jackson to Lewis, August 18, 1832, CAJ, 4:467.
“It was nearly a mile long . . . or nine groans”: M. Chevalier in Parton, 3:424–25.
“inconsistent with the longer continuance”: South Carolina ordinance of nullification, November 24, 1832, quoted in Freehling, 263.
“The impression on the minds . . . of the Union”: Poinsett to Jackson, October 16, 1832, CAJ, 4:481–82.
“They are to defend them to the last extremity”: Jackson to Cass, October 29, 1832, CAJ, 4:483.
“You will observe . . . surrounds the forts”: Jackson to Breathitt, November 7, 1832, CAJ, 4:484–85.
“many violent Nullifiers . . . blood is shed”: Poinsett to Jackson, November 16, 1832, CAJ, 4:486–87.
“In forty days . . . will be preserved”: Jackson to Poinsett, December 9, 1832, CAJ, 4:498.
“We must be prepared to act . . . eighteen pounders”: Jackson to Cass, December 17, 1832, CAJ, 4:502–03.
“Can any one of common sense . . . with the Union”: Jackson to Coffee, December 14, 1832, CAJ, 4:499–500.
“my native State . . . must be executed”: Jackson proclamation, December 10, 1832, Compilation of Messages and Papers, 3:1203–04, 1215–18.
“extraordinary defiance . . . devolved upon me”: Jackson special message to Congress, January 16, 1833, ibid., 3:1174, 1180, 1183–84, 1194.
“The only cause of wonder . . . has to apprehend”: Calhoun speech to Senate, January 16, 1833, Papers of Calhoun, 12:11–15. This speech was reported in the Register of Debates and in various newspapers. Different versions have slightly different wordings. Here some of Calhoun’s remarks that were reported in the past tense (in the fashion of news accounts) but are otherwise verbatim have been restored to the present tense in which they were delivered.
“Mr. Calhoun let off a little of his ire . . . demolish the monster”: Jackson to Poinsett, January 16, 1833, CAJ, 5:5–6.
“They know that I will execute . . . of his troops”: Jackson to Poinsett, January 24, 1833, CAJ, 5:11–12.
“Yes, I have . . . I can reach”: William Lewis quoting Jackson in Parton, 3:284–85.
“Until some act of force is committed . . . to suppress it”: Jackson to Poinsett, February 7, 1833, CAJ, 5:14–15.
“the preservation of the rights . . . never can be maintained”: Jackson’s second inaugural address, March 4, 1833, Compilation of Messages and Papers, 3:1222–24.
38. JUSTICE MARSHALL FOR THE DEFENSE
“the steam cars”: Jackson to Andrew Jackson Jr., June 6, 1833, CAJ, 5:107.
“And then—what a scene! . . . eluded the mob”: Washington National Intelligencer, June 20, 1833, quoted in Green, 215.
“A ludicrous scene ensued”: Ibid., 216.
“Now, Doctor . . . other is tobacco”: Jackson quoted by Nicholas Trist, no date given, in
Parton, 3:489.
“From the moment of landing”: Hone, 1:96.
“I have witnessed enthusiasms before . . . I am sure”: Jackson to Andrew Jackson Jr., June 14, 1833, CAJ, 5:109.
“The President must hasten back to Washington . . . other fifth mere fatigue”: Entries for June 25 and 27, 1833, J. Q. Adams, Memoirs, 9:4–5.
“I could not be present”: Adams to Quincy, no date given, in Nagel, 343.
“much captivated by the ease . . . reach Washington again”: Entry for June 27, 1833, J. Q. Adams, Memoirs, 9:5.
“E pluribus unum”: Moore, 433.
“I can not do that . . . a thing again”: Jackson quoted without date in Parton, 3:488.
“domestic dependent nation”: Cherokee Nation v. State of Georgia, 30 U.S. 1 (1831).
“The acts of Georgia are repugnant”: Worcester v. State of Georgia, 31 U.S. 515 (1832).
“Their example will induce . . . utter annihilation”: Jackson annual message, December 6, 1830, Compilation of Messages and Papers, 3:1082–86.
“Being more and more convinced . . . live may prescribe”: Jackson to Senate and House of Representatives, February 15, 1832, ibid., 1128–29.
“I am happy to inform you . . . their immediate acceptance”: Jackson annual message, December 4, 1832, ibid., 1167.
“John Marshall has made his decision”: Greeley quoted in Garrison, 193.
39. WEALTH VERSUS COMMONWEALTH
“They will not dare to remove them . . . cannot be recalled”: Biddle to Webster, April 8, 1833, Correspondence of Biddle, 202.
“I am informed by a gentleman . . . a sound currency”: Hamilton to Jackson, February 28, 1833, CAJ, 5:22–23.
“hydra of corruption”: Jackson to Hardy Cryer, April 7, 1833, CAJ, 5:53.
“Can any impartial and unprejudiced mind . . . and decisive measures”: Taney to Jackson, March 1833 (no day given), CAJ, 5:37–41.
“If this apprehension . . . be forever enslaved”: Jackson to Duane, June 26, 1833, CAJ, 5:122.
“Most of the banks there”: Kendall to Jackson, August 2, 1833, CAJ, 5:146.
“Some of the banks . . . or no removal”: Kendall to Jackson, August 25, 1833, CAJ, 5:169–70.
“The divine right of kings . . . enabled to issue”: Jackson message to cabinet, September 18, 1833, CAJ, 5:192–203, and Compilation of Messages and Papers, 3:1224–38. The former version is Jackson’s draft and captures more of his language; the latter is the revision by Taney, which was the version published.
“In half an hour”: Biddle to J. S. Barbour, April 16, 1833, Correspondence of Biddle, 207–08.
“nest of gamblers”: Biddle to Thomas Cooper, July 31, 1833, ibid., 214.
“It is dreadful here . . . Bank are perishing”: Swartout to Biddle, November 23, 1833, ibid., 217–18.
“absolutely frightful”: Boston Courier, January 20, 1834, in Catterall, 326.
“My own view of the matter . . . inevitably be prostrated”: Biddle to William Appleton, January 27, 1834, Correspondence of Biddle, 219.
“The whole future is full of gloom . . . shall not break”: Biddle to John Watmough, February 8, 1834, ibid., 221.
“You may rely on it . . . to the country”: Biddle to Joseph Hopkinson, February 21, 1834, ibid., 222.
“This worthy President thinks . . . lodgings in Arabia”: Ibid.
“The Bank, Mr. Van Buren”: Van Buren, Autobiography, 625.
“We have got the Bank in Baltimore . . . in six weeks”: Jackson to Van Buren, October 5, 1833, CAJ, 5:216.
“Were all the worshippers”: Jackson to Van Buren, January 3, 1834, CAJ, 5:238.
“My conscience told me . . . and my country”: Jackson to Andrew Jackson Jr., October 11, 1833, CAJ, 5:217.
“There is no real general distress . . . were put down”: Jackson to James Hamilton, February 2, 1834, CAJ, 5:244.
“Relief, sir! . . . you from breaking”: Niles’ Register, March 1, 1834, in Catterall, 351–52; unidentified informant to Parton, no date given, Parton, 3:549–50.
“Didn’t I manage them well?”: Ibid.
“The storm in Congress is still raging . . . monster must perish”: Jackson to Andrew Jackson Jr., February 16, 1834, CAJ, 5:249.
“Nicholas Biddle now rules the Senate”: Jackson to Edward Livingston, June 27, 1834, CAJ, 5:272.
“The clamour of pressure in the money market . . . end well here”: Jackson to Swartout, March 15, 1834, CAJ, 5:255.
“After staggering along”: Weed in Albany Evening Journal, November 15, 1834, in Catterall, 357.
“The explosion of the cap . . . great crowd between”: Benton, Thirty Years’ View, 1:521.
“He replied that it had been . . . Bank of the United States”: Report by Dr. Caussin and Dr. Thomas Sewell, no date given, quoted in Benton, Thirty Years’ View, 1:522–23.
“The circumstance made a deep impression . . . the President’s heart”: Benton, Thirty Years’ View, 1:524.
40. AN OLD FRIEND AND A NEW FRONTIER
“It’s not you they are after . . . has some privileges”: Jackson quoted in Terrell, 126.
“So long as that flag shall bear aloft . . . of eternity’s waves”: Houston speech to House, May 7, 1832, Writings of Houston, 1:224.
“I was dying out . . . set me up again”: James, Raven, 172.
“the greatest act of tyranny”: Jackson to Anthony Butler, April 19, 1832, CAJ, 4:436.
“The people will inquire”: Jackson to Andrew Jackson Jr., May 13, 1832, CAJ, 4:438.
yet he was able to remit the fine: Attachment to Houston to Jackson, April 20, 1834, Writings of Houston, 1:289.
“in addition to his many merits”: Jackson to Bustamante, October 7, 1830, CAJ, 4:185.
“No contingency can authorise . . . as well as prudence”: Jackson to Butler, March 23, 1830, CAJ, 4:129.
“the desert or grand prairie”: Jackson to Butler, October 6, 1830, CAJ, 4:183.
“The grand prairie . . . best exertions”: Jackson to Butler, October 7, 1830, CAJ, 4:184.
“I feel great anxiety . . . of both countries”: Jackson to Butler, August 24, 1831, CAJ, 4:335.
“I cannot but think . . . in that quarter”: Jackson to Butler, February 15, 1831, CAJ, 4:244–45.
“This is but a drop . . . of my remark”: Butler to Jackson, February 27, 1832, CAJ, 4:413.
“The intimations you so appropriately gave . . . on foreign relations”: Jackson to Butler, April 19, 1832, CAJ, 4:435.
“He still directs the Department of Foreign Affairs . . . contemplated secret article”: Butler to Jackson, July 18, 1832, CAJ, 4:463–64.
“I still hope that General Santa Anna’s patriotism”: Jackson to Butler, October 1, 1833, CAJ, 5:213.
“a very singular conversation . . . shall not fail”: Butler to Jackson, October 28, 1833, CAJ, 5:219.
“astonishment . . . from my intention”: Jackson to Butler, November 27, 1833, CAJ, 5:228–29.
“Provided you keep within your instructions . . . their public debt”: Jackson to Butler, October 30, 1833, CAJ, 5:222.
“I admonish you . . . on our part”: Jackson to Butler, November 27, 1833, CAJ, 5:228–29.
“What you advise of being cautious . . . is more appropriate”: Butler to Jackson, February 6, 1834, CAJ, 5:244–46.
“Ask nothing but what is right”: Jackson to Livingston, June 27, 1834, CAJ, 5:272. Remini’s Andrew Jackson and the Course of American Democracy has the fullest account of the French spoliations dispute (3:201ff.).
“Begin at the Gulf of Mexico”: Jackson to Butler, September 4, 1832, CAJ, 4:472.
“I will succeed in uniting Texas to our country”: Butler to Jackson, January 2, 1833, CAJ, 5:2.
“Keep within your instructions”: Jackson to Butler, February 14, 1833, CAJ, 5:17.
“What a scamp”: Jackson note in margin of Butler to Jackson, March 7, 1834, CAJ, 5:252.
“Should the present incumbents continue”: Butler to Jackson, September 26, 1833, CAJ,
5:210.
“I must really have thought you deranged”: Jackson to Houston, June 21, 1829, Jackson papers, Library of Congress.
Jackson apparently gave Houston five hundred dollars: Haley, 89.
“all the tribes of Indians . . . aid and protection”: Houston passport, no date given, ibid., 90.
“It has been my first . . . way of St. Antone”: Houston to Henry Ellsworth, December 1, 1832, Writings of Houston, 1:267–70.
“Nineteen twentieths . . . ten millions of souls”: Houston to Jackson, February 13, 1833, ibid., 1:274–76.
“committee of vigilance and safety . . . of the country”: Houston et al. to Jackson, September 11, 1835, ibid., 1:299–300.
“You have heard of the revolt in Texas . . . to do so”: Butler to Jackson, c. November 1835, CAJ, 5:375–76.
“This country is in a perfect tempest . . . in ashes”: Butler to Jackson, December 19, 1835, CAJ, 5:381.
“sanguinary manner in which . . . language requiring force”: Gaines to Cass, March 29, 1836, Papers of the Texas Revolution, 5:231–33.
“It is not the wish of the President . . . by this Government”: Cass to Gaines, April 25, 1836, ibid., 6:53–54.
“He will maintain”: Carson to David Burnet, April 14, 1836, ibid., 5:469.
Houston kept his own counsel during the retreat: Houston’s strategy is discussed at some length in Brands, Lone Star Nation, 423ff.
“a mysterious Providence . . . danger and ruin”: Calhoun speech to Senate, January 27, 1837, Register of Debates, 24th Congress, 2nd session, Senate, 566.
“It is said that one . . . slavery and emancipation”: Adams speech to House, May 25, 1836, Register of Debates, 24th Congress, 1st session, House, 4041–47.
“I have seen a report . . . and humanity dictates”: Jackson to Houston, September 4, 1836, CAJ, 5:425.
“Let us establish mutual relations”: Santa Anna to Jackson, July 4, 1836, CAJ, 5:411–12.
“Until the existing Government”: Jackson to Santa Anna, September 4, 1836, CAJ, 5:425–26.
Jackson mentioned $3.5 million: Remini, Jackson and the Course of American Democracy, 365.
PATRIARCH OF DEMOCRACY (1837–1845)
41. THE HOME FRONT
“to tread generally in the footsteps”: Van Buren quoted in Albany Argus, June 1835, in Niven, 397.
