Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-05-16
From the National Journal.
From the National Journal
JACKSON'S MINIATURE, or, The Letter
IN w Camnbell

JACKSON's MINIATURE, or, The Letter
to G. w. Campbell.
The friends Of General Jackson claim Tor
him strong native powers Of mind. In dong
this, however, they seem not 10 be aware oil the
fatal inference which may be drawn from II. IL
General Jackson is a "slrong mindeu' man,
whence arise the fatal blunders which he so
often commits? speak not, now, OF his des.
tuition Of decenr literary aitainments; but OF
Of thought, and the wrong heanedness which
stamp their impress dot OILY upon the let er
which am considering, but upon all the gem
uine productions Of his mind. Whence, re-
peal, arises all this? Obviously from the influ-
ence Of violent, ungovernable passions. They
no, only have exerred a fatal influence in the
formation If his intellectual habits, but they
now exert controlling Influence, and, indeed,
maintain an undivided empire over the whole
man. They are not the offspring OF sudden
exCltement-now bursting with the lmpeluosI-
" OF the mountain torrent, through every OBJ
stacle--and now Welding 10 the mild and per-
sua,Ve influence Of reason: but they constitute
the strong aud iurbId, and resistless current oil
his soul, which urges its onward course in def
ance Of obstacles, and ''regardlrss OF conse-
quences." Hence the uniform lmpatlence OF
restraint-,he contempt OF law-t'e defiance oil
the constituted authorites-and the vindlctive,
prosecuting spirit which have marked 50
strongly The VIII lie course Of his life, and the
expression OF all which he has, by singular
fatality, concentrated within the narrow COM
pass Of the letter which is now before me.
The publication OF this letter has made
deep impression upon General Jatkson's
friends. Knowing hat the whole country is
alive to every thing tending TO illustrate his
character, they feel the force, and dread the
consequences Of this Development; and hence
their labored apologies TO screen him from the
scotn and Indignation of the public.
These apologies, so far as they have fallen
under nv observation, shall now be noticed.
In the first place, it has been urged that this
was private letter, written to a friend. Grant
this, and what is the inference? Why, that the
abominable sentiments he uttered were the un-
restrained illusions Of his soul. When do men
write more freely han in addressing the ear of
private friendship And what reflects more
perfect image Of the man than private cores
pondence? But it is moi true that this was, III
the strict sense, 4 private letter, though II is
not therefore, less genuine ehuson OF It's au>
thor's spirit. It's whole tenor shows that II
was intended for The eye Of the Secretary. 1T
contains the grounds on which the removal OF
The agent was demsBded; and the most ample
and varied descriptions Of the manner in which
General Jackson and his followers would effect
their removal, if that demand should not be
complied with. 1t for this reason, there's
fore, that Mr. Campbell very properly placed
1t where i, was intended 10 Lave efec:-in the
hands OF the Secretary of War.
But the violent, vindicuve language of the
letter is attempted to be excused on the ground
Of strong provocation. a writer in BaItI-
more paper, who seems TO possess no common
share OF the genuine Jackson spirit. says that
the letter was written "under feelings OF un~
common excitement, at the conduct OF an up
start Agent Of The Government, who, Clothed
with little brief authority, took upon himself
to arrest American Citizens and their property
on the highway; who did not or would moi,
condeseehd 10 produce passport. The con-
duct OF the Agent was an outrage on the feel