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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 James Monroe

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07985 Author/Creator: Jackson, Andrew (1767-1845) Place Written: Camp 4 miles below [New] Orleans Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 13 January 1815 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 24.7 cm x 19.2 cm Order a Copy

Five days after battle of New Orleans, criticizes delayed supplies:
"The want of them continues to expose me to great hazard. How unfortunate it is that our preparations are always so far behind the events that make them necessary!"

Recipient identified as James Monroe by the Papers of Andrew Jackson. The National Archives RG106 registry entry/abstract for this item identifies Monroe as the recipient as does the Papers of James Monroe.

Head Quarters Camp 4 Miles below Orleans
7:th M. District }
13.th Jan: 1815.
Once more I feel it my duty to apprise you that the arms we have been so long expecting & of which we stand so much in need, have not yet arrived. Had they been with us in the morning of the 8th. I think I should have been able to have rendered you an account with which you would have been greatly pleased. The want of them continues to expose me to great hazard. How unfortunate it is, that our preparations are always so far behind the events which make them necessary!
Allow me to say Sir that so far as regards the supplies of the army, the agents whom government ha[struck: ve][inserted: s] employed, have, in a great many instances, most egregiously deceived them; & that in making those appointments, above all others, the utmost circumspection should be used - I would not make this statement, if I did not feel myself urged to it by the best of motives
With great respect I have the honor
to be very respectfully yr &c.
Andrew Jackson
[docket]
Camp 4 miles below New
Orleans 13th January 1815
Genl Jackson
Advice that the arms not
yet arrived - had they been
there the 8th would have
given a better measurement
of the battle

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845
Monroe, James, 1758-1831

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