find from my reasons stated, that in consulting my own feelings I have not been unmindful of or influenced by considerations connected with the best interests of my country, which I trust have heretofore and shall always govern my conduct. Had the affairs of Mexico been in a different condition, had the voice of the people governed, my conclusions would have been different; for I believe it the true principles of our government, that every man's services belong to the nation when they are required by the unsolicited voice of his country; and the appointment, being made without consulting me, embraced what I believe ought to be the governing rule of the President in making his nominations. Had I accepted this mission, it would have been among the first of my wishes to have had you with me. Should I ever be again brought by the unsolicited call of my country on the public or political theatre, I should calculate to have you near me; but on such an event I do not calculate. I am no intriguer. I would not act in one single instance that character for all the public favor that could be bestowed. My country has brought my name before the American nation, and the people must decide. The presidential chair is a situation which ought not to be sought for, nor ought it to be declined when offered by the unsolicited voice of the people. To their choice the Constitution has left it, and happy for the permanency of the constitutional government and the perpetuation of our Union, if designing demagogues will let the people excerise this, their constitutional privilege, without attempting to thwart it by subtile intrigue and management.

"On the receipt of this, if leisure permit, I would thank you for your views of the correctness of my decision and the ground I have assumed and on which I have always practiced, and, I would add, I have grown too old in the practice ever to change.

"Present myself and Mrs. J. respectfully to your lady and daughter, and to Major Davezac, and accept assurances of my friendship and esteem. "Andrew Jackson.

"Edward Livingston, Esq."

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CHAPTER 4.

Correspondence between President James Monroe and Andrew Jackson in October, November and December, 1816.

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THE FAMOUS JACKSON-MONROE CORRESPONDENCE

The Presidential election of 1824 witnessed five American citizens, respectively, asking the American electorate to prefer them for a residence of four years in the White House. They were, William H. Crawford, of Georgia, John Quincy Adams, of Massachusetts, John C. Calhoun, of South Carolina, Henry Clay, of Kentucky, and Andrew Jackson, of Tennessee.

There was a general conviction over the Country that the battle of New Orleans had predestined Jackson to be President sooner or later. All of his friends took this view and began, soon after the battle, each in his own way, to mould public opinion to the desired end.

Jackson himself was politician enough to promulgate a great slogan and to live up to it; namely, never to seek a public office, and never to decline one. This slogan was a masterpiece of its kind. It comprehended in its meaning complete political unselfishness, idealism in fact, 'never to seek public office,' and, on the other hand, it demonstrated patriotism wide as the world and overflowing with undying love for the people, 'never to decline one,' that is, never to decline to serve the people. But his friends did not know the meaning of idealism, and did not wish to know. When they wanted something in politics, either for themselves or for General Jackson, they went after it with all the adroitness, force, and invincibility that finally landed Jackson in the White House, and themselves into any office they wanted at the President's disposal; or, if no office was wanted, then into the rank of those who are powers behind the throne, a status sought by all politicians.

Historical writers seem to be in accord on the proposition, that Major William B. Lewis was the most valuable political asset Jackson had among his friends. Major Lewis was always looking

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ahead-far ahead. Jackson did not always agree with him, but had far too much good sense to fall out with him. Old Hickory's intuitions were perfect in estimating and selecting the men on whose judgment and loyalty to himself he could implicitly rely. This faculty was as highly developed in him as the same faculty in Napoleon Bonepart.

Nature's contributions to men are sometimes more lavish and prodigal in natural efficiency than can be learned in all the books or taught in all the schools. Jackson's career seems absolutely marvelous in selecting the right man to carry out the plans and movements of the hour.

What is known as "The Monroe Correspondence' produced below, proves the foresight of Major Lewis in attaching the old supporters of the dismantled Federal party to the cause of Jackson in his race for the Presidency, into which this correspondence and a thousand other devices of Jackson's friends were putting him. This correspondence attracted prompt and favorable attention, and had a great deal to do with making Jackson President. The letters in Jackson's name are the product of Major Lewis, who said that the principal one was sent in his own hand writing to Monroe.

Major John H. Eaton, on May 10, 1824, at what was thought to be the psychological moment in the Presidential Election of 1824, gave the letters to the public, accompanied by a communication to Messrs Gales & Seaton, publishers of the National Intelligencer, of Washington, D. C. The letter of Major Eaton is set out below.

Writing these letters in 1816 and having them made public eight years later, in 1824, and ready in the mean-time to be made public should the proper occasion came about, is a familiar illustration of the habit of Major Lewis and other far-sighted politicians of cultivating public opinion from day to day and month to month, to the end that the benefits of the cultivation shall be garnered when the clock should strike the proper hour in the future.

EATON TO GALES AND SEATON.

"Washington City, May 10, 1824. "Messrs. Gales & Seaton: I send you for publication the letters which heretofore passed between Mr. Monroe and Gen. Jackson, on the subject of forming his Executive Cabinet in 1817. Mr.