Jackson, Andrew (1767-1845) to Richard Keith Call
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04792 Author/Creator: Jackson, Andrew (1767-1845) Place Written: Hermitage, Tennessee Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 28 August 1822 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; 25.4 x 20.6 cm Order a Copy
Advises Call that on what he must do first if he wishes to succeed in politics, including making a good name for himself. Also counsel's him to mend a feud between Captain Easter and Judge Brekenridge. Then explains that he will never run for office, unless the majority of the people demand it, but explains what he would do if elected. "I never have been an applicant for office, I never will, I solicited retirement and to be candid with you I do not expect that, that retirement I have selected for myself, will be disturbed by the...call of a majority of the people. If in this I should be disappointed, I will have to yield (however reluctantly) to the wish of the people, and bestow upon them my best deliberations for their happiness, and the perpetuity of our happy Government...endeavoring to establish a national character upon the pure principles of republican simplicity."
General Richard K. Call was a delegate to Congress from the territory of Florida from 1823-1825, and had been a special aide to Major General Jackson in the Battle of New Orleans.
Hermitage August 28th. 1822.
Dear Coll
I have this moment recd yours of the 22nd ulto. and I am happy to learn that my advice for your abstaining from public employ that would draw you from your practice, has been approved by you, you will find on experience that I judged correctly - before things [inserted: can] settle down in your Territory - you must have a stable population, to obtain this, your land claims must be finally adjusted, and your vacant lands sold - you will then obtain a permanent population, and popularity [struck: then] will [inserted: then] be durable if bottomed upon Just principles, of right, & Justice; by this time you will have obtained a fortune, & a standing in public opinion, that cannot be shaken by [struck: the] [inserted: every] Breese, and you can come into congress with the admission of the state.
I hope Doctor Bronaugh will be successful should the quote f[a]cotions of your voters be residence, only, I have no doubt but he will - if confined to house holders, then your delegate will come from the cost - It is all important for the prosperity of Pensacola, that the Delegate should be from West Florida - & I am sure Doctor Branaugh is best calculated of the two candidates, to procure for your Territory (in Congress) Justice - It affords me great pleasure to hear of your prosperity - and will always do so - [2] Industry & application to study will insure you Success, I have the wellfare of Capt Easter greatly at heart, nothing can impede his march to greatness, and wealth, but desepation - I have give him the advice of a father on this subject,
I sincerely hope he will adopt, & pursue it - If he forms habits of industry and application, he will rise triumphant over his little misfortunes, and in alabama soon bring himself forward into public notice - present me to him affectionately -
The circumstance of the heart burning between him & Judge Brakenridge, I sincerely regret - It must have occurred through a mistake of some kind for the benefit of all, let it buried - The relative solution that has exerted between you & Brokennadge ought to lead you both to harmonise, and I hope you will. It will redound to your advantage, for rest assured I know human [inserted: nature] pretty well, and where harmony exists between the Judge & the lawyer, the people will have greater confidence in that lawyer, than where strite exists - for the respectability and benefit of all, I [inserted: therefore] sincerely wish harmony to exist with you all.
It is true, as you see from the papers, the Legislature has brought my name before the nation - I had intended to vissit the Legislature before I heard of this I intention; I [struck: therefore] declined it, [struck: on] being advised of it - [3] I have determined to let the people take their own course, as they have brought my name forward without consulting me - I am determined to let them go on in their own way uninfluenced by me any way - I never have been an applicant for office, I never will, I solicitted retirement - and to be candid with you I do not expect that, that retirement I have selected for myself, will be disturbed by the [inserted: unsolicited] call of a majority of the people - If in this I should be disappointed, I will have [inserted: to] yield (however reluctantly) to the wish of the people, and bestow upon them my best deliberations for their happiness, and the perpetuity of our happy Government - pursuing [text loss: the] independent cours I have allways do[text loss] and endeavuring to establish a national character upon the pure principles of republican simplicity - and purging the republic of corruption of every kind wherever it exists - but I fear, if the people should spontaneously call me, my health & constitution would not hold me out for four years - This is for them to Judge of, my wish & whole ambition is retirement, & if I am called from it - it shall be by the free voice of the people uninfluenced by me, this from the system of intrigue, of those aspirants for office, I have never calculated on, and therefore have declined answering all letters upon this subject -Mrs. J. James in best wishes for you & Easters wellfare & happiness - your friend
Andrew Jackson
Capt R.K. Coll-
[written on left margin of second page]
P.S. present me to Mr. Restledge & all friends
A.J.
[address leaf]
1822
Capt Richard K. Coll
pensacola
mail }
[docket]
Genl. Jackson.
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