Jackson, Andrew (1767-1845) to Mary E. Polk re: his health, Major Donelson, presenting a miniature to Polk
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02793.019 Author/Creator: Jackson, Andrew (1767-1845) Place Written: Washington Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1836/12/22 Pagination: 4 p. 25 x 20 cm Order a Copy
Written as President. Presenting a miniature of his wife, her Aunt. Donelson's wife, Emily, was dying. Major Donelson is Andrew Jackson Donelson, the president's nephew.
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Washington Decbr 22d. 1836
My dear Mary
This mornings mail brought me your affectionate letter of the 9th. instant. I have had a very serious attack of Hemorhage from the lungs, # [inserted in margin: # I lost in less than 48 hours, by the lancet & otherwise upwards of 70. Ozs. of blood--] from which I am recovering my strength very slowly, and I hope a kind providence will prolong my life & give strength to reach my peaceful Hermitage once more, and there permit my body to be laid by the manes of my dear departed wife, who eight years gone by, this very night, was called by her dear saviour to rest & from this world of woe. Andrew & Sarah and their two little ones are with me, & all in good health and desires their kind regards to you, Mrs. Polk and your dear little ones.
Major Donelson left me on the night of the 3d. instant - poor fellow, I fear when he reached home he found his dear Emily declining fast. He remained with me [2] three days longer than I wished him, to aid me in compleating my message. The letters of Emily gave us great hopes that she was mending, but letters from William and Thomas J. Donelson [inserted: rcd] since he left me gives us forebodings of her rapid decline. He would reach home the night of the 12th or morning of the 13th and I hope that his presence would make her mind easy, & aid her recovery. I await a letter from him with great anxiety and hope for the better, whilst I fear the worst. She is in the hands of a mercifull providence who, I hope, may spare [inserted: her] to her dear little ones, restore her to health that she may long be a comfort & consolation to her dear husband. I have to labour since he left me more than my health & strength would justify, under other circumstances - but his first duty was to his dear wife, & I urged him to go. [3]
Andrew Jackson fells his plow and aids me all he can, and much more than I expected he could, until I made the experiment, and I trust we will get through the short space that remains of my offical [sic] term well.
I am happy to learn you & your dear husband & sweet little ones are well, but [inserted: am sorry that] my dear little Sarah has been afflicted with tooth ache - kiss the dear little one for me, & say to her, she must [inserted: have] them pulled out as fast as the [sic] ache. Say to her I have presented to Rachel her kiss, & Rachel returns it, & say to her that Grandpapa will, he hopes if he lives, soon see her. I am happy to hear that Leonard's health is improved - present me to him & his lady affectionately, & say to him I have shipped my african sheep but whether they will reach Nashville depends on the winds & the waves. I have preserved with care [4] the purse you gave me, with great care, & my dear Mary I did not suppose I could give you in return anything that you would prise higher as a memento of my regard than the miniature likeness of your dear departed, Aunt Jackson. I have got an artist to paint one, which Mr Earle says is a good likeness - it is in sarah's possession to get it set in a gold frame & if I should not live to see you & hand it, she will deliver it to you for me. I must close, my hand proves feeble, & may the choicest blessings of heaven be yours & family whilst here on Earth, & a happy immortality your affectionate uncle.
Andrew Jackson
Mrs. Mary Polk
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