Harrison, William Henry (1773-1841) to John Cleves Short
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00632 Author/Creator: Harrison, William Henry (1773-1841) Place Written: Bogota, Colombia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 3 August 1829 Pagination: 4 p. ; 25 x 21 cm. Order a Copy
Written after recall by Jackson as U.S. Minister to Colombia. Attacks Andrew Jackson and Simon Bolivar in some detail, and accuses them both of being ruthless men. Worries that Colombia will soon be very unstable, and that with his departure the United States will lack a capable man there during these troubled times. John Quincy Adams appointed Harrison the first Minister to Colombia on 19 May 1828. Harrison did not arrive until February 5, 1829. One month later Jackson replaced Adams as President, and four days into office relieved Harrison of his duties and recalled him to the United States.
John Cleves Short was Harrison's nephew, the son of his wife's sister. He also married Harrison's oldest daughter Elizabeth, and thus became his son-in-law.
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