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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 William H. Ellis

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06321 Author/Creator: Jackson, Andrew (1767-1845) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 25 February 1837 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; 25.3 x 20.5 cm Order a Copy

Written six days before the end of his second term as president. Jackson "Hopes he has administered the government to the approbation of the Democratic Republicans...The only desire I have now is, to see my beloved country prosperous and happy." Presents an "Eagle of his country" to Ellis' son, named after the President, and says he will pray for the boy.

William H. Ellis was the collector of customs at New Haven, Connecticut.

Washington City Febry 25th 1837
Dear Sir,
Your kind letter of the 15th. instant approving the course of my administration has been received, and for your kind wishes for my future happiness receive my thanks.
That I should have so administered the Government as to meet the approbation of the Democratic republicans of the United States so as, to receive the reward "of well done thou faithful servant," is a great consolation to me, and will be a solace thro the very few years, that from my broken constitution and great debility, I can have to remain on earth; and the only desire I now have is, to see my beloved country prosperous and happy.
The honor you have done in [strikeout] calling your son after me is duly appreciated by me - It is the greatest evidence of your confidence in me which you could have bestowed - I present [struck: to] him thro you with the Eagle of his country. He will find it impressed on all her banners, - as his mind expands explain it to him and say, [struck: to him] that it is presented to him by one who loves his country - has often risqued his life in her defense, - and he expects, should a kind providence preserve him to the years of manhood, [2] he will be found supporting the Eagles of his country against all enemies from without, as well as the triators within, who may dare to seperate our glorious union, upon which depends, the perpetuity of our liberties and our happy republican system - Impress these things upon his youthful mind, and they will strengthen with his growth.
Kiss the dear boy for me, and present him with my blessing - May he grow & prosper and become an ornament to that society in which he [inserted: may] be placed and be a blessing to his parents in their declining years; and after a long and well [inserted and struck: spent & long life] [inserted: spent life] a happy immortality, is the prayers I shall often offer up for him.
I write in haste surrounded & pressed by business & have no time to copy this scroll -
I am very respectfully
your mo, obt servt
Andrew Jackson
William H. Ellis Esqr
[docket]
(Written 6 days before his last
term of the Presidency expired)
[address leaf]
Wm. H. Ellis Esqr -
of New Haven

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845
Ellis, William H., fl. 1837-1838

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