Rare Book Monthly
Book Catalogue Reviews - October - 2004 Issue
America's Paper Trail: Amazing Manuscripts<br>From The Raab Collection
Lincoln orders blockade of southern ports in 1861.
It was certainly a wonderful time for the young nation, and yet by 1824, the rancor of the Quincy Adams-Jackson election would be splitting the nation, and by the end of the 1820s, the North-South divide would begin to grow wide and Jackson would be treating the Indians in ways not exactly designed to "promote their happiness." We could certainly use Monroe today. $29,000.
The election of 1824 would end on a contentious note, and not surprisingly. It was one of only four in American history where the candidate with the largest share of the popular vote was not elected (the others being Hayes-Tilden, Harrison-Cleveland, and Bush-Gore). Andrew Jackson believed that back door dealings between the successful John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay deprived him of earned victory. However, on the eve of the election, before anyone knew what was about to happen, the situation was more cordial. In 1824, James Tallmadge, a New York State assemblyman and former congressman, wrote Adams and Jackson about the possibility that the election might be thrown into the House of Representatives (there were also two other serious candidates) and his proposals to deal with it. Both Adams and Jackson, like good politicians, refused to take positions on Tallmadge's suggestions. For Adams, they were a "decision for others," for Jackson, he would "rest contented" with whatever decision others made. Jackson's letter is particularly interesting because he emphasizes how little interest he has personally in being president. He only ran because, "A portion of my country, however, & not through any solicitation of mine, have thought proper to consider me worthy of this high post..." And, if he lost, Jackson assures, "should the choice fall on any other, believe me, my dear sir, that not one moment's displeasure shall be felt by me." No, not one moment's displeasure, but four years' worth. Jackson would be quite displeased with the election being "stolen" from him, and would work for his revenge, four years later, when he would sweep Quincy Adams from office. $25,000 and $28,000.
One of those major constitutional issues would be decided in 1833 when President Jackson sought to remove treasury Secretary William Duane from office. Jackson, an opponent of the National Bank, wanted to remove federal funds from it. However, he needed to have his Treasury Secretary perform the operation, and Secretary Duane both refused to cooperate or resign. As this was a position that had originally required the consent of the Senate, it was not clear whether the Executive had the authority to fire such an official. That uncertainty would not stop Jackson, who would accomplish his goals by simply making the change. Less remembered is that Secretary Duane was not the first official Jackson removed. His first removal of a confirmed official was General Samuel Milroy, the obscure Register of the Land Office at Crawfordsville, Indiana. This document is Jackson's signed appointment of Charles Tyler to replace the "removed" General Milroy. Tyler was evidently no great celebrity either, as Jackson left a blank space for his first name, which Jackson evidently did not know, and which was never filled in. $7,000.
