Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1851-02-24
Andrew Jackson.
INTERESTING "REMINISCENCES.

Andrew Jackson.
INTERESTING "REMINISCENCES.
One of the productions which the print
ing controversy between Mr.. Ritchie and
Mr.. Rives has reeurrel from oblivion, is .
speech delivered some years since by MIR.
Rives, before The Democratic Association,
in Washington city. Among other per-
sonal "reminiscences it contains two or three
anecdotes Of Gen jackson, which ca9pns
fail to be read with the interest which at
taches to every thing that tends to illustrate
the character of that remarkable man. Mr..
Rives tells US that it was not only his for
tune to be spatronized by Andrew jackson,
but it was also his good luck to know more
about his writings and doings during the
last thirteen years Of his life, than those
most near and dear to him. After thus
presenting his credentials, he proceeds as
follows:
at is so generally knpwn tilsi General
Jackson was man, who above all others.
took responsibility in peace or in war,
that that word brings to the minds Of the
people Of this country his name almost as
certainly as the letters which spell it
But it is not so well known that lie made
others take it in times of profound peace
| know it WELL He made me take it and
that made me know him so well. The ue'
easion for making me take it was, his an.
nual message got ont from the office Of the
National Intellig genoer and the United States
Telegraph before it was semitic Congress
soon after came into the Globe office, the
first session Of the twenty-third Congress,
believe and afterwards, as long as he wa.
President, he gave all his messages to me
to have printed, with the admonition: II
will hold you responsible, sir, if that mes
sage gets out before Congress is ready to
receive it. Don't let any person-nct even
one of my cabinet of6cers-have copy be-
fore l send it to Congress-.
"The printer prints from the rosgh draft
of the Presidents message, and often gets
part of the copy before the messags is com.
pIeted l invariably went after the copy
and took the proofs back to the President
myself, which gave me an opportunity o4
knowing all about who wrote and who were
consulted about them. It has been said
and is no doubt believed by many, thai
Gen. jackson did NOT write his messages.
Neither be nor any other President ever
wrote those parts of their messages which
showed the condition of the several depart
znents. They are written by the heads ot
the departments respectively. Nearly the
whole of the balance Of Gen. Jackson's mes
sage was in his own hand writing. The
proclamation, which was intended to carry
out his memorable toast, 'the Uuion must
be preserved which was uttered as re-
buke to qualification, when it first showed
its front, at the celebration of Mr.. geffer-
sons birthday in Washington, was re-
written by Mr.. Livingston, then Secretary
of State. Mr.. Blair, who saw the original
paper, has frequently told his friends that
he thought it better than the finished pro-
duction, and not liabe to the objections to
some Of tie principles advanced in the lat
ter. 1t was Gen. Jackson's invariable prac-
tice to put down in writing every official
paper which he submitted TO tho public.
He was, however, always willing to admit
suggestions, and permit alterations where
be thought them Improvements.
Il will relate an anecdote, or incident,
which will lead to correct conclusion as
to who wrote Gen. Jackson's messages, and
also, who attended to them after they were
written.
eWhen went after the annual message
which demanded of the French King, Lou
is Philippe the indemnity due the citizens
of the United States by the French Govern
ment, found Major A. j. Donelson, then
Gen. Jackson's Private Secretary. and a
clerk belonging to the State Department,
fMr. Derrick, } comparing the copies to be
sent to both branches of Congress with the
rough draft. Gen. Jackson was walking
the floor some twenty Or thirty feet from
them smoking his pipe, paying no attention
to the reading, as thought. When they
read that part of the message which press
ed the demand in the strongest terms, Gen
sral Jackson said, 'Donelson, stop there,
that is not as l wrote it, Major Donelson
replied as follows, Genera, the Cabinet had
a meeting and agreed to soften this little,
and he then attempted to read on, evident
ly very much agitated.-Gen. Jackson said
again to him iDonelson! stop there; that is
not as l wrote it, Major Donslson made
a stammsring reply, saying, General, the
Cabinet had meeting and agreed to soft
en- thi, little. cannot alter it in time for
Congress, and Mr.. Rivea is here waiting
for the message, and if he does not get it
shortly, he cannot have it in time and con-
tinusd to stammer on, reading it.