The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1845-04-18
GENERAL JACKSON.

I GENERAL JACKSON.
II will be seen by the correspondence 10 our
columns OF to-day, thai General Jackson declines
taking his final rest in the Ssrcophagus OF
Roman Emperess, pretening, in the simplicity
of brave aud noble veteran, tomb beside the
humble grave ofhs departed consort, where the
wild daisy blooms upon the turf, and the green
briar twines around the head stone.
SO sleep the brave who sink to rest
Ia all their countIy's honors blest.
NAvY-rAxD, PH,lApELrHIA,
April 3, lo45.
GENTLEMEN: The interest which the National In
stitute has been pleased TO take in the eventual be-
stowment OF the remains OF the honored Andrew
Jackson In the sarcophsgus which brought from
abroad, and deposited in your institute, makes II
my business now TO communicate 10 you copy Oh
his letter OF the 9th utmo, lately received on that
subject.
With sentiments 50 congeniai 10 his strict repubii-
canism-snd in accordance, indeed, with the rePuo-
lcan feelings common to ourselves-hc taxes he
ground Of repugnance TO connecting his name and
fame in any way with imperial associations.
We cannot but honor the sentiments which nave
ruled his Judgment In the for they are such as
must add TO the lustre of his character. We sub
scribe to them ourselves; and, while we yield 10
their force, We may still be permitted TO continue
regard to the enduring marble, as to an ancient
and classic relica curiosity 10 ITSELF and particu-
ary in this country the first OF It's KIND seen IN
our western hemisphere.
From II VIC would deduce the moral, that, while
we would disclaIm the pride, pomP, and crcunA
stance OF imperial pageanry, as uniting our insttu
lions and professions, we would sedulousiy cherish
the simpler republican principle OF reposing our lame
and honors in the hearts and affections Of our coun
trymen.
have now in conclusion to say, that, as the sar'
cophagus was originally presented with the sugges-
ton Of using II as above mentioned, now commit u
wholly to the institute their own and sole proper
ty, exempt from any condition.
am, very respectfully, yours SC.
JESSE DUNCAN ELLIOTT
To the PREsIDEsr AND DlREcToRs oE THE NATIONAL
INSTITUTE, al Washington.
HERMITAGE, March 81, lo45
DEAR Sir; Your letter of the 18th instant, to-
gether with the copy Of the proceedings oil The Ma
lional Institute, furnished me by their corresponding
secretary, the presentation, by you, oil The safoo
phagus for their acceptance, on condition u sha DC
preserved, and in honor Of my memory, have been
received, and now before me.
Although laborng under great debility and aihic-
ton from q severe attack from which may not re-
cover raise my pen and endeavor TO reply Inc
steadiness Of my nerves may perhaps lead you 10
here expressed Strange as II may appear, my
nerves are steady they were forty years gone
by whilst from debility and atlction, am gasPing
for breath.
| have read the whole proceedings OF the presenta-
tion by you of the ssrcophagus, and the resolutions
passed by the board Of directors so honorable 10 my
fame, with sensations and feelings more easily to be
conjectured than by me expressed The whole pro-
ceedngs call for my most grateful thanks, which are
hereby rendered TO you, and through you TO the pre-
sident and directors Of the National Institute But
with the wsrmest sensations that can inspire CRATE
full heart must decline accepting the honor intended
to be bestowed. / cannot consent That my mortal
body shall be laid in repository prepared Tor an en-
peror or king. My republican feelings and princi-
Piles forbid il the simplicity OF our system OF gov
eminent forbids it. Every monument erected to per-
petuate the memory of our heroes and statesmen
ought to bear evidence of the economy and simplicity
of our republican institutions, and the pianness OF
our republican citizens who are the sovereigns Of our
glorious Union, and whose virtue IS to perpetuae H.
True virtue cannot exist where pomp and parade are
the governing passions il can only dwell with the
peope--the great laboring and producing classes
that form the bone and sinew Of our confederacy.
For these reasons cannot accept the honor you
and the president and directors OF the National lnst
tute intended to bestow. cannot permit my remains
to be the first in these United States to be deposited
in a sarcophagus made for an emperor or king. l
again repeat, please accept for YOURSELF and convey
to the president and directors of the National lnsti-
tute, my most profound respects for the honor you
and they intended TO bestow. have prepared hum
BILE depository for my mortal body beside that where
10 lies my beloved wife, where, without any pomp or
parade, have requested, when my God calls me to
sleep with my fathers to be laid for both OF us there
to remain until the last trumpet sounds to call the
dead to Judgment, when we, hope, shall rise to-
gether clothed with that heavenly body promised TO
all who believe in our glorious Redeemer, who died
for us that we might live, and by whose atonement
hope for blessed Immortality.
| am, with great respect,
Your friend and fellow-citizen,
.. ANDREW JACKSON.
To Com. J. D. ELLIOTT,
,tod Stotaa