Description:

Jackson Andrew 1767 - 1845 Andrew Jackson ALS to Secretary of War, J.C. Calhoun, his one-day future Vice-President and later his Brutus

Single page ALS, 7.5" x 12" on slightly brittle paper. Signed and dated by Jackson "Hermitage May 15, 1820", and signed in full signature as "Andrew Jackson". Docketed to verso. Evidence of some restoration to intact tears, including a closed tear that had affected the "son" of Jackson, and a small fill-in for paper loss along the right margin, not affecting text. Wax seal present on verso, expected folds, tiny pin holes of paper loss.

A fantastic example of an ALS signed in full by Andrew Jackson, one-day future President, to his one-day future Vice President, "J.C. Calhoun". At the time of this letter, Calhoun was the United States Secretary of War and Jackson was writing on behalf of a neophyte cadet at a "Military Academy" to make sure that a positive report on Cadet Jone's character reaches the Superintendent of that Academy.

"Dr Sir Hermitage May 15th, 1820

This will be handed you by cadet Francis Jones who gets out tomorrow to the military academy ... Cadet Jones is very young + bashfull will you have the goodness to (illegible)it to the Superintendent of the Military academy-

I am very respectfully

Your .... Servt

Andrew Jackson"

An outstanding example of a letter between these two men, before they were elected as President and Vice President, and before there later falling out. Interesting, Jackson as the seventh President of the United States from 1829 to 1837, sought to act as the direct representative of the common man. Unlike other Presidents, Jackson did not defer to Congress in policy-making but used his power of the veto and his party leadership to assume control. At one point he met head to head in a significant battle with his VP, who was the leader of forces trying to rid themselves of a high protective tariff. In an odd twist which would virtually unheard of today, Calhoun resigned the vice-presidency and took his seat in the Senate where he defended the nullification of the tariff position in South Carolina. In response to South Carolina's Nullification Ordinance, President Jackson sent several warships and hundreds of soldiers under the command of General Winfield Scott to Charleston to enforce the laws of the land. South Carolina in turn suspended the Nullification Ordinance and Congress passed a law reducing the tariffs over the course of a decade.

In the end, Jackson had proved the power of the Federal Government to enforce the laws, even when the states do not like them or feel they represent a detriment to their state or cause. Bloodshed over the issue of states rights was averted -- but only for 30 years.

So much for choosing your Vice President ... this would give the next President pause about his choice of running mate!

A fantastic example of the ultimate twists and turn of life of two historically important men

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