Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-08-16
SATURDAY, AUGUST IS, 1855.
Andrew jackson DOneIsOn.
CONCLUDED.

Mr.. Donelson was invited by number o
the confidential friends of the President t.
assume the editorial management of thu
Washington Union, a position, which h,
declined, but afterwards accepted, in April
1851. A greater compliment could no
have been paid the talents and intelligence
of Mr. Donelson by the President and biz
party, than thus to invite him to conduct
the organ of the administration.
On the 18th of March, 1916, he was
appointed by Mr.. Polk and the U. s. Senate,
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Pleni,
potentiary to Prussia, with which govern,
ment our relations at that time were of the
most important character, and demanding
the exercise Of the highest powers of diplo-
macy He was resident at that court dur
ing the popular revolutions in most of the
countries Of continental Europe, period
the most eventful of all modern history.
His dispatches to his own government dis
play a thorough knowledge Of the COM
mercial necessities and policy Of our peo-
pie, and show that these great interests
were in safe and able hands. One of the
most important results of the Revolution
of lS48 was the formation of new CEN
trail government for the German States
upon a system analogous to that of the
United States. This government was i'm
mediately recognized by Mr. Donelson,
and he was soon after commissioned as
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Pleni-
potentiary to it. This commission bears
date Aug. 9th, 1848. From this date to
the 9th of June, l849, he represented this
government both at Berlin and Frankfort,
, dividing his time as best he could between
these Courts The business of both was
Heavy and responsible, and the duties could
ave been discharged only by man Of
consummate abilities and great power Of
endurance. But the Central Government
proved failure, and it was deemed 70
longer necessary to continue our relations
with it. Our Minister was, therefore re-
called. This was done by the adminiStra-
ton of Gen. Taylor. The following extract
from the letter of recall will show the
high estimation, in which he was held by the
President and his Cabinet:
al am directed by the President to ex.
press to you his entire appreciation of your
conduct, and | cannot take leave OF you in
yoGr public character without adding my
testimony to that of the President, TO the
ability and faithfulneSs with which you have
discharged the ardnous and delicate duties
which your mission imposed upon you"
Signed, JOHN NJ CLAYTON.
1t is needless to say, that Mr.. Donelson's
views have always been eminently conserv-
alive on the subject of slavery in the Ter
ritories. In fact, he was one Of the earlf
lest and a5iest advocates of the doctrine 0 }
non-intervention by Congress While in
Europe he wrote to number of his friends
at Washington, urging this as the only
safe, constitutional doctrine for the country
Among Others, he wrote to Mr. Calhoun
in letter dated at Berlin, Jan. 5, lS4S, as
follows:
"My hope and belief is that Gen. Taylor
will dispose of the slavery question, on the
principles of the Senate bill of the last
session. or at least leaving the subject with
the people of the Territories acquired from
Mexico, uninfuenced by the action of Con-
greSS. If he does, we, of the South, may
we'll give him in advance all the confidence
which is due to his eminent services, and TO
his spOtless character as an honest man,
who will have no motive to mislead him as
the President of the country"
This doctrine he has never ceased to
maintain and defend at all times aud in all
positions.
1t will be interesting to know in what
estimation Mr.. Donelson was held by Gen.
jackson, by whom he was better known
than by all other men, up to the very hour
of his death. The following extract from
the Generals last will and testament will
exhibit this feeling more perfectly than any
other fact that can be stated:
HERurAGE, June I, ls43.
In the name Of God, Amen:-I, Andrew
jackson, ST., being sound Of mind, memory
and understanding, aud impressed with the
great uncertainty of life and the certainty
of death, and being DESTROYS of disposing
of my temporary affairs so that after my
death no contention may arise relative TO
the same; sad, whereas. since executing
my will Of the 30th of September, 1888,
my estate has become greatly involved by
my liabilities for the debts of my well be-
loved and adopted son, Andrew jackson,
ir., which makes il necessary to alter the
same: Therefore, /, Andrew jackson, ST.,
of the County of Davidson, aud the State
of Tennessee, do make, ordain, publish and
declare this my last will and testament, re,
yoking all other wills by me heretofore
made.
beoueath my body TO the dust whence
il came, and my soul TO God who gave il.
hoping for happy Immortality through
the atoaing mercy Of our Lord Jesus Christ.
the Savior of the world. My desire is that
my body be buried by the side Of my dear
departed wife, in the garden Of the Hermit
tsge In the vault prepared IN The garden,