Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Jackson, Andrew (1767-1845) to [Charles] Lynch, re: countermanding order for troops to help Texans

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01165 Author/Creator: Jackson, Andrew (1767-1845) Place Written: Hermitage, Tennessee Type: Manuscript letter Date: 7 August 1836 Pagination: 4 p. ; 25 x 19 cm. Order a Copy

Letter in the hand of Andrew Jackson Donelson, President Jackson' s nephew and amanuensis. He penned the entire letter and signature. Jackson denies Texas U.S. aid because of neutrality. He also notes sufficiency of men to defeat the Creeks and Seminoles. Written to Gov. Charles Lynch of Mississippi. Per Papers of Jackson, 5/27/97, the President wrote a similar letter to the governors of Kentucky and Louisiana the same day.

According to the Henry Jackson papers, Andrew Jackson Donelson frequently tried to pass over signatures as Jackson's.

Hermitage
August 7h 1836
Sir
Arriving at this place on the eveningof the 5h. instant I was made acquainted with the requisition of Genl Gaines on the Governors of Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Louisiana for 1000 Men from each state. The letter of Genl Gaines, and the proclamation of Governor Cannon of Tennessee made known the basis of this requisition. Regarding the reasons assigned by Genl Gaines as not consistent with the relations which we have maintained with Mexico since the existence of the civil war in Texas, or with those which it is our duty and wish to cultivate with that Government [2] as long as it observes good faith and friendship in its intercourse with the United States, I feel myself called on to inform you that that requisition has not received my approbation, and that I trust, if the men called for have been brought to the field, you will forthwith cause them to be mustered and discharged, and await further orders from the General Government in aspect to any other requisition for the Militia.
The 10,000 volunteers authorised [sic] by the late act of Congress have been apportioned among the states and territories nearest to the theatre of actual or apprehended hostilities from the Indians. [3] They are considered sufficient, combined with the regular troops to maintain the peace of the frontier, and to terminate the war which now exists with the Creeks and the Seminoles. All of them have not been brought with the field, but Genl Gaines was notified that 1000 volunteers in Arkansas, and 1000 in Missouri had received orders to be organized and held in readiness for one years service should the emergency arise making this employment necessary on the frontier now commanded by him. This circumstance makes the present requisition of Genl Gaines still more unaccountable, particularly as it is believed that our Western frontier is now tranquil.[4] Under these circumstances you will please cause the troops called for by the requisition in question, if they have been raised, to be disbanded. They will be paid as soon as an appropriation by Congress can be obtained for this purpose.
I am very respectfully
yr. Obt. Servt
Andrew Jackson
To his excellency
Mr. Lynch
Governor of the State
of Mississippi
[Docket - horizontal on page 4]
Genl. Jackson
Hermitage
Aug 7, 1836
Countermanding
Orders of Genl
Gaines

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845
Lynch, Charles, fl. 1836

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources