Jackson, Andrew (1767-1845) to Morven M. Jones

Hermitage
June 25 1844

Dr Sir,
I have received your letter of the 5th. of June expressing the approbation of the Democrats of central New York of the nomination recently made at Baltimore of Messrs Polk and Dallas.
These nomination were as unexpected to me as they could have been to any of our friends in New York. Up to the publication of Mr Van Buren's views on the question of annexing Texas, and even so late as the assembling of the convention at Baltimore, I entertained the belief that he would have been the nominee. The purity of his character, the ability and fidelity which distinguished not only his conduct as President but his whole career from his first entrance into public life in the legislature of his native state, as the sound and orthodox advocate of republican principles - and above all his noble bearing after the defeat of 1840, a defeat which could take nothing from him but office, and give the victors nothing but mortification [2] and disappointment - were considerations so commanding and general as to prepare me for his election as the candidate of the democratic party, notwithstanding the disagreement existing between him and a large portion of the people respecting the prosperity of annexing Texas to the Union.
It seems however, that while all the members of the convention concurred in the sentiments which I have expressed as referring to his exalted character and distinguished services, a considerable minority objected to his selection as the candidate for the Presidency on account of his position on the Texas question: and that out of deference to this minority: and from a desire to produce entire unanimity in the ranks of the party, the two candidates now before the people, Messrs. Polk & Dallas, were selected, as being equally acceptable to all the members of the convention, and possessing those general qualifications which would ensure in case of this election an administration of the Federal Government on principles of sound and orthodox Republicanism.
That a compromise of this [strikeout] [3] character should have been brought about mainly by the instrumentality of Mr Van Buren's known personal and political friends, acting on the spur of the occasion; and that their act should have been so promptly approved by him, is another proof not only of his purity and noble disinterestedness, but of the extraordinary prevalence in the party to which he belongs of the sentiment which regards men as subordinate to measures. Conduct like this will give addition lustre to his fame and brighten the page of democratic history.
I make these remarks before answering your inquiry respecting my opinion of the nominations made by the convention; because I desire not to be misunderstood, and am aware that the Texas question as an element in shaping the opinion of many of the members of that convention has been supposed to have had its origin in the unworthy motive of producing discord in the democratic ranks.
It is due to myself and to those who have corresponded with me on this subject to say that there is no ground for such an imputation. I had long entertained the opinion, when the subject was brought to my notice [4] by the Honble Mr Brown, that Texas ought to be reunited to our Territory, and I am satisfied that the policy of this steps on the [line] of national safety and peace will be acknowledged by the great body of our citizens after giving it due reflection. If the people of New York and those of the Northern States generally did not on the first view of the subject regard it as those of the south do it is not because they are less sensitive to points of national safety, but because they are less familiar with the territory in question and the dangers likely to spring up in it, if it remains independent of us, or enters into commercial alliances with European powers.
With these remarks I am prepared to say to you that I trust the Democratic party will rally cordially to the support of Messrs Polk and Dallas. They are pure, tried, competent, & honest.
Mr. Polk was raised near me. [5] He has performed his duty in evry public election that he has filled - and he has filled many requiring great talents, and consummate tact and judgment. On all the great questions from the Panama mission to the present day he has taken a prominent part and his course has been consistent, orthodox, and true to the standard of old fashioned Jeffersonian democracy. In his private life no man has been more fortunate in the practice of every virtue. Without a speck on his moral character he can defy the slanderer, and rest secure in the good esteem of all who have had the pleasure of his acquaintance whether friend or foe in politics.
I make these remarks in reply to your kind letter, feeling confident that you will make the proper use of them: and I conclude by tendering you my thanks for the friendly and respectful terms in which you are pleased to a[llu]de to my character and services.

Yr, obt. svt.
Andrew Jackson
M M Jones Er.