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 James W. Breedlove

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 #: GLC06789.06 Author/Creator: Jackson, Andrew (1767-1845) Place Written: Hermitage, Tennessee Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 17 February 1843 Pagination: 4 p. : free frank ; 25.5 x 20 cm Order a Copy

Jackson believes Clay is the author of "The Kentuckian on Martial Law". "Can anyone doubt but that Clay is.... 'Behind' ....This dirty, unmanly, and unjust proceeding?" A pencil note on p. 3 "in relation to my asking to be named as Coll[ector]" (see .07).

Hermitage
February 17th 1843 -
My dear Sir,
I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 27,,th ultimo, with its enclosure - for your kind attention to my request in my letter of the 11.th January last I Sincerely that you. The evidence of the time of the death of Judge Hall & Leiuellir, is all sufficient for my purpose. Should I regain my health and strength sufficiently, I will place the Kentuckian on Martial law, and Mr Clays White Charles, who edits his paper in Neworleans, in their proper characters before the american people. The Kentuckian, just after Mr. Clay had left Louisville Ky, lets fly his parthian arrow, - sends it on to Conrad, secretely without having the manly courage to furnish me a copy - Clays Charleys, soon after his arrival at Neworleans; [inserted and struck: his thoughts] opens [struck: them] their columns of abuse against me as I am informed, for I have not seen their paper, - can any one doubt but that Clay is the secrete wi[text loss] working in this dirty, unmanly, & unjust proceeding.
[2] - confidential -
I have opened a way, by which, if I am truly informed, that will lead to the restoration of our mutual friend Col Pier to his former office - was not the Col, removed to make way for M.r Clays son in law - please inform me - and to restore the former collector or yourself to the collectors office - It is probable the collector who was removed, having now a good office may not wish a restoration, in that case, I have no doubt, with proper recommendations, you can obtain the appointment. As I am advised both the present collector & Naval officer are Claymen, and the Naval officer Clay,s son in law. Now, what will be necessary, will be to get up quietly, a recommendation, stating the services of Col Pier in the late war - his faithful performance of his duties as Naval officer, & against whom, there was not, could be in truth [inserted: any complaint] and have some good Whiggs to sign such, with as many good democrats as may be convenient - and the same with regard to the removed collector - Then stating your faithful services in that office & the desire that you should be placed in that office again Have it stated, that those now in office are [3] Clay men - Mr. Tyler has an invincible hatred against Clay, as I am just informed, by letter, from Washington. - Let me have these documents as early as you can, for I suppose the month of March will be the month of reconing with the Claysters - I haste yr friend
Andrew Jackson -
James. W. Breedlove Esqr

[4] P.S.
I wrote, some time ago, to my friend Major Grimes, under cover to John Clarbourne Esqr for some information I wanted of him, will you inquire whether he has received my letter & inform me A. J.

[free frank]
- free -
Andrew Jackson

James. W. Breedlove -
- Esqr
Neworleans -

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845
Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources