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1835 Letter And Poem Critical of Andrew Jackson

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Political

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1835 Letter And Poem Critical of Andrew Jackson

1835, Autograph Letter, Critical of Andrew Jackson's Presidency, With an Anti-Jackson Poem, Choice Extremely Fine.
January 15, 1835, Autograph Letter Signed, "John McCoy", 1 sheet, folded, with writing on 3 pages, 10" x 8", written from West Finly (probably West Finley, PA), with integral leaf addressed to Major Joseph Lawrence at "M. H. R. Harrisburg". A tear on the envelope sheet, not affecting any content, has been archivally repaired. This long letter reads in small part:

"Your letter and the report of the Canal Commissioners was duly received .... For some time past, exertions have been made to have a celebration in honour of the Battle that made our President and of course the most of our County officers .... It is a matter of fact at least in our neighborhood and I think ought to be examined, that a majority of the intemperate, illiterate, uninformed, Antichristian, or Nothingarians are admirers of the Illustrious, Immortal, Unimpeachable, Andrew Jackson. They have like the Ancients chosen a Tree that will not. The Hickory pole or tree is now the emblem of Democracy [and] all who will come under its shade are now made the exclusive Democrats no matter what their former principles. And all who refuse to bow down when the music is proclaimed by the admirers of this magic pole or tree shall be excluded from participating in the appointments under its control ...."

The apparently original poem written in this letter reads:
"January Eighth a Brilliant thought
The 'Glorious Battle' must be fought
And all who would to office gain
Must follow in Warlike Train
Must Rally round the 'Hickory Tree'
Must Rally round cry 'Jubilee'
To sing and hear the 'Battles Fought'
By our 'Great Hero' glorious thought.

Come music strike your highest glee
This this the true 'Democracy'
This is the day we celebrate
In honour of our Potentate
Our Liberties I greatly fear
Dear Sir ere long will perish here
Since party stiffs (?) of various kind
Received, doth prejudice the Mind."

This letter ends with a curious postscript, which mentions a local investigation of secret societies, and a petition for compensation for military service by James Templeton, who recounted an encounter with Indians in 1795:

"During his enlistment in the Blackhorse company in the fall of 1795, between Fort Hamilton and Fort Washington, he says their Contractor Elliott was killed by the Indians. The body [was] found, a rough coffin made and [the body] put in. The Indians retook the body and split the coffin to pieces."

This is a great letter, full of interesting content on a variety of subjects.



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