Jun 21, 2018 - Sale 2483

Sale 2483 - Lot 150

Price Realized: $ 2,375
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 3,500 - $ 5,000
"BACK . . . TO THE ORIGINAL READING . . . OF OUR CONSTITUTION" JACKSON, ANDREW. Autograph Letter Signed, twice, to Major Edward George Washington Butler, reporting that his sister and niece have been unwell, noting that his own health is so poor that he feels "the taper of life slowly burning out," pledging his eternal friendship, sharing his enthusiasm about the recent legislative triumphs over "Modern Whiggery and Federalism," expressing indignation at the actions of Messrs. Conrad and Barrow, and berating Judge Hall. Signed at end and again with Franking Signature and holograph address on terminal page. 3 pages, 4to, written on two sheets; moderate bleed-through with scattered ink burn, moderate staining affecting text near outer margin of each page but still legible, staining touching few letters of franking signature. "Hermitage" [Nashville], 17 August 1842

Additional Details

". . . [D]emocracy . . . has triumphed, --and I add, that I hope it may always triumph in Louisiana & over the whole Union as it surely will, & our government be brought back in its administration to the original reading & true principles of our constitution. Missouri & Illinois have put down Whiggery by large majorities, & Indiana . . . and Kentucky, by electing a majority of relief members has shown symptoms of returning to her republic on principles & abandonment of Clay.
"I have just learned that Capt. Tyler has headed Capt. Botts, & the protective tariffites, by vetoing the Tariff Bill with its appendage, the distribution of the revenue from the sales of the public lands. This puts to rest all Clay's wicked proceedings of the extra session of congress, except the bankrupt law, which, in its details, throws wide open the door of corruption, perjury and fraud. This too will be repealed next session of congress.
"I was . . . prepared for the course pursued by Mr. Conrad and Mr. Barrow. It was a wanton attack on my fame & memory . . . . I regret, for your sake and that of his respectable connections, as well as for the memory of that vindictive and unprincipled judge, . . . but to let the memory of Judge Hall, with his wicked deeds, slumber in the silent grave."
From the Allyn Kellogg Ford Collection, property of the Minnesota Historical Society (see Swann 2276, April 17, 2012).
Published in the Papers of Andrew Jackson, 1770-1845, microfilm reel 35, frame 0879.