Jackson, Andrew (1767-1845) to Tilghman Ashurst Howard

Rips Raps August 28th. 1833 -

Dear Sir,
your letter of the 27th. ultimo, reached me at this place a few days ago I thank you sincerely for the kind estimate you have made of my public life I feel very sensibly, how much I owe to the favour of that public, (which you justly call, "the greatest nation of freemen on earth") for "the the last seal of approbation with which it has stamped my career." the people have overvalued my services - greatly overpaid, in their grateful and affectionate enthusiasm all the labours of my life & have considered in their recompense what I have wished, & what I endeavoured to do, & not what I have done for my country. The high station to which I have been again called by their suffrages has no other attractions for me, than as it manifests the approbation of my fellow citizens & furnishes the opportunity to make some requite by devoting my latests energies, in the endeavour to secure, as far as it is possible for me, their power permanently over their government - if I can restore to our institutions their primitive simplicity & purity - can only succeed in banishing those extraneous corrupting influences which tend to foster monopoly & aristocray on the constitution & to make the Government an engine of oppression to the [2] people instead of the agent of their will, I may then look back to the honours confered upon me with feelings of just pride - with the consciousness that they have not been bestowed algether in vain.
I look to the overthrow of the system (which have been engrothd upon our government to bring in a new & controlling influence, not springing from the popular [inserted: will)] as the principle means of defeating the machinations of these men, from whom you apprehend future distractions to our country - It is only when they can identify themselves with privileged joint stock companies, with stockholders in a national Bank, or the log rolling system of internal improvements, squandering the tones raised on the whole people, in benefitting particular classes and maintaining a personal influence by partial legislation in congress, that these men have the power to be mischievous. It is immaterial whether artful intriguing & ambitious persons are enabled, to divert the treasures of a country to the purpose of creating a standing army or of embodying political forces, to act in concert against the unsuspecting undisciplined classes of the community - The trained band, whether of military or political [illegible], is but too apt to prevail [inserted: illegible]. And whenever political machinery is successfully imployed to destroy the great radical principles of freedom - equality among the people in the rights confered by [3] the Government - then aspiring demagogues & individuals, can avail themselves of the selfish, intrusted classes to aid in promoting an ambition which is naturally prone to multiply the advantages & increase the strength of the predatory portion of the community - my great hope of avoiding the evils of which you speak, arises from the prospect of being able to restore the equilibrium of the - government - equallity in the condition of the people, so far as it depends on legislation -
It will undoubtedly, as you observe, form a part of the policy of the disappointed as well as some of the aspiring politicians "to cut up the party" which has sustained the administration, by coalitions between distinguished individuals - creating divisions among the people as to men, is one of [inserted: the] artifices , essential to the success of the few over the many -It is therefore of the utmost importance, that the majority should adopt some means to prevent such divisions. The Democratic party of Pennsylvania, and of several other states, have adopted the plan of calling conventions of Delegates, elected by the people themselves & charged with their instructions for the purpose of selecting candidates for important trusts and thus producing concert among the friends of the same principles. This plan has had the most beneficial operation in preventing distraction amonghst the people of these states in selecting agents to give effort to their wishes, & in maintaining their controle in the Government. It strikes me that this is [4] the only way or mode by which the people, will be able long to retain in their own hands, the election of President & Vice President. It is doubtless, as you say, the design of those who are opposed to the principles and measures of the present administration, to divide the majority supporting it, by dissentions as to individuals & to bring the election of President again into the House of Representatives, in the hope, that it may there be divided by the sinister influences, to which I have already adverted. I trust the good sense of the people will prevent such result; and in reply to your question as to Pennsylvania, give it as my impression that she will be among the first states to guard against the effects of divided counsels. She has seen the advantage of her state usages at home, and the disadvantage of a contrary course in relation to the general interests; and with the sound sense & patriotism for which she has been ever distinguished, will act for the common good, from the [strikeout] conclusions she may draw from that experience.
Accept the assurance of my high respect & esteem & my best wishes for your health & prosperity
Andrew Jackson
Tilman A. Howard Esqr