The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-05-16
WASHINGTON, 18th May, l845.
To THOMAS RrrcHIE, esq,
Editor of the Union


To THOMAS RITcHIE, esq,
Editor ofthe Union.
Sir: observe in last nights Union letter from
Major Thomas l.. Gaines, of Nashville Tennessee,
to S. Fl. Laughlin, ESQ.,, Recorder of the General
Land Office of this city, dated the 4th instant, in
forming him Of the rapid decline Of Gen. Jackson.
You add editorially, that Mr.. Blair had received a
few lines from the General dated ''as late the 7th
instant, stating that he had attempted to write to
him. but his great feebleness had prevented his fin
ishing his letter." This information you derived
from me yesterday evening. l find that was mis-
taken in the date of Gen. Jacksons letter to Mr..
Blair: it is dated the 3d. and po,maked the It'll inst
noticed the date Of the postmaster only. The letter
was given to one of Mr. Blair's servants to take to
him in the country, which he failed to do, and now
have time to read it carefully and correct the err
roneous date which | gave to you.
As majority of the people of this country
perhaps majority of the civilized people Of the
gobe-feel lively interest in whatever relates to
this great and good man, and as this is probably
the last letter he will write, will take the lib
erty Of sitting the substance Of it to you, feeling
confident that neither General Jackson nor Mr..
Blair, under the circumstances, will blame me for
doing so Instead of giving the substance in my
words, as promised above will give extracts in the
generals own words, which, no doubt, will be much
more satisfactory than my condensation. He COM
mences as follows;
"HERMrrAcE, May 3, 1s45.
"MY DEAR Mn. BLAIR:
"This is the third effort | make to acknowledge
the receipt Of your kind and much-esteemed favor
of the 18th uitimo | read in every word of il
your sincere friendship and regard--l esteem it a
legacy beyond price.
ave are all cheered at the Hermitage with the
the hope Of seeing kind friend Mrs. Blair with
you and family, at the Hermitage. Relieved, as
you are, from the incessan; labor Of editor Of
the Globe, journey with Mrs. Blair as far as the
Hermitage would renew your health, and be OF
great benefit to you. w hat pleasure this would give
us ALL and our dear little Rachel is in ecstasy that
she will see her dear friend Mrs. Blair. 1t would
be great treat to have hours chat before go
hence"
Here follow several sentences concerning his pa
pers, concluding with these words: 81 wish them
handed over TO you, to whom l will them for
the defence Of my reputation. There are many pri-
vate papers that ought to 60 into no other hands but
a confidential friends"
.'Our friend Col. Polk will now
to meet the braggadocia and buster Of Peel and
RUSSELL put forth at this time to alarm the timid and
spur up the American traitors. My dear friend,
am exhausted, and must close. am blubber OF
water from the toes to the crown of my head, and,
every line write must pause, for breath. May the
choicest blessings Of Heaven be bestowed on you
and every branch of your family, is the united
PRAYER ofthe inmates Of the Hermitage"
This letter occupies little more than two pages
of letter paper. The handwriting is good as he
ever wrote--no sign Of tremor, and not word
scratched out, or interlined. Respectfully,
JOHN c. RIvEs.