In 2018, project staff discovered a previously unknown letter written by Andrew Jackson in 1818 published within an obscure 1899 newspaper, the Johnson City, Tennessee, Comet. This remarkable letter was found while searching for new Jackson documents within the historic newspaper archive Chronicling America, a joint venture between the National Digital Newspaper Program and the Library of Congress. According to the Comet’s editor the letter was found at “the court house in Rogersville, Tennessee,” among some papers of former Tennessee governor Joseph McMinn (1758-1824), to whom Jackson’s letter was addressed. In an effort to locate the original manuscript letter, the Papers of Andrew Jackson reached out to multiple institutions in Rogersville and in Hawkins County, where Rogersville is located, as well as to the Tennessee State Library and Archives, but to no avail. Despite the transcriber’s misdating of the letter as written in 1812—a simple mistake committed by misreading Jackson’s “8” for a “2”—the letter’s authenticity cannot be doubted. Not only do the content and style of the letter ring true, but the August 27, 1818, McMinn letter to which Jackson says he is replying survives in the Library of Congress’s collection of Jackson Papers.
The letter is historically notable for capturing Jackson’s attitudes in 1818 on both Indian Removal and the burgeoning political career of his friend John Henry Eaton (1790-1856). Eaton was elected by the Tennessee legislature on September 5, 1818, to fill a vacant U.S. senate seat and would later go on to manage Jackson’s first bid for the White House in 1824 and serve as Jackson’s first Secretary of War, from 1829 to 1831.
Andrew Jackson to Joseph McMinn
Hermitage, Sept. 3, 181[8].
Dear Sir:
I had the pleasure to receive by due course of mail your letter of the 27th ult., with its enclosures, and would have replied sooner, had not indisposition prevented me. I have read with attention the enclosures, and they meet my view of the proper course to be pursued with the Indians. I have long since told government that the policy used with the Indians would not do; that nothing short of strict and energetic measures could control them, and by taking and pursuing that course they can be managed, which will in a short time produce a good effect upon them by teaching them, that whilst our government cherishes and protects them, that they are and must be under the control of that authority, which provides for their wants and affords protection to them.
With those Indians you must pursue an energetic course, and humble the hauteur of Hicks and the Pathkiller. I ought to have said Hicks because the other is only used by Hicks to give him more importance by the semblance that he is speaking the language of the Pathkiller, when in fact, the poor old man is used as a tool. You can by taking a firm stand with Hicks, showing him the secretary of war’s letter, make him tremble. I am anxious you should make the appointment of Senator before you leave this part of the state for two reasons: First, that the ill-natured may not have it to say that you postponed it until you heard from what some great folks call the Knoxville junta. Second, that the individual selected may have time to arrange his business so that he can leave it with convenience to himself and safety to his clients. I may add lastly, if the appointment should not be conferred on Maj. Eaton, which I should regret for one hundred reasons, will endeavor to prevail on him to go with me to the treaty. I therefore would be glad to be informed, should there appear no impropriety in the matter, whether Major Eaton will receive the appointment as early as possible. On the event he should not, that I may avail myself of his services if I can prevail on him to accompany me.
Accept my best wishes for your success in the business with the Cherokees and your prosperity through life, and make a tender of Mrs. J’s and my own best respects to your lady, and believe me to be with sincere respect, Your most obedient servant,
Andrew Jackson.
Johnson City Comet, January 26, 1899.