Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1845-05-01
GENERAL JACKSON.


We mentioned some tim since, that
Commodore Elliott had deposited in
the National Institute at Washington,
a marble sarcophagus, brought by him
from Syria, which was supposed TO
have contained the mortal remains
Of Emperor Alexander Seyeras. 1t
was intended there to remain until the
death Of Gen. jackson, when if he con-,
scented, it was to be appropriated to the
reception Of his body, but the General,
IN letter to Com. Elliott, respectfully
declines the honor intended him. The
letter Itself, viii, however, be read with
iEterest.-Bon. finer
~ HERMITAGE, March 81, 1916.
Dear sar:--your letter of the 18th
inst, together with copy of the pro-
ceedlngs of the National Institute, fur
nished me by their corresponding sec
rotary, on the presentation, by you, of
the sarcophasus for their acceptance,
on condition it shall be preserved, and
IN honor Of my memory, have been re-
ceiyed, and are now before me.
:. Although laboring under great de-
bility and afflictiou, from severe at
tack from which | may not recover,
raise my pen and endeayor to reply.
The steadiness of my nerves may per-
haps lead you to conclude my prosta-
ton Of strength is not SO great as here
expressed. Strange as it may appear,
my nerves are as steady as they were
forty years gone by: whilst from de-
bility and affection, lam now gasping
for breath. .i -s'
4 have read the whole proceedings
Of the presentation, by you, Of the sar-
sophagus, and the resolution passed by
the board of directors, SO honorable
to my fame, with sensations and feel
ings more easily to be conjectured than
by me expressed. The whole procee
dings call for my most greatful thanks,
which are hereby rendered to you, and
through you to the president and direc-
tors Of the National Institute. But
with the warmest sensations that can
inspire greatful heart, must decline
accepting the honor intended to be be-
slowed. l cannot consent that my
mortal body shall be laid in reposi
tory prepared for an emperor or king.
My republican feelings and principles
forbid i; the simplicity of our system
ofgoyernment forb;ds it. Every mon
ument erected to perpetuate the mem
ory cfour heroes and statesmen ought
to bear evidence OF the economy and
simplicity ofouy republican institutions,
andethe plainness Of four republican cit
izens, who are the sorereigns of our
glorious Union, and whose virture is 10
perpetuate it. True virture cannot ex-
ist where pomp and parade are the gov
ering passions; it can only dwell with
the people--the grea: laboring and
producing classes, that form the bone
and sinew of our contederacy.
For these reasons, l cannot accept
the honor you and the president and
directors of the National Institute III
tended 10 bcstow. l cannot permit
my remains to be he first in these Uni
ted States to be deposited in sarcopha
gus made for an emperor or king
again repeat, please accept for your
self, and convey to the president and
directors ofthe National Institute, my
most profound respect for the honor you
and they intended to bestow. ! have
prepared an humble depository for my
mortal body, besides that wherein lies
my beloved wife, where, without any
pomp or parade, I 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 jugdment, when we,
hope, SHALL rise together, clothed with
that heavenly body promised TO all who
believe in our glonons Redeemer, who
died for us that we might live, and by
whose atonement Ihope for blessed
Immortality.
l am, with great respect,
Ga Your friend and fellow citizen,
ANDREW JACKSON.