Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-10-01
MAJOR Donelssn and Judge Oasron.

MaJor Dcneison and Judge Carron.
The attention Of the reader is directed
20 the following letter from Major Donel-
ton, in which he repeIs, as an assault upon
The memory of Gen. jackson, the state
'aent of Judge Catron, that Mr. Buchanan
was Gen. Jackson's preference foE the
Presidency in 1874. The public will thank
Major Donelson for exposing as be has
done the attempts of Judge of the Su-
preme Court to enact part in the great
drama of the Presidential contest. We
have heard it intimated that, at the period
referred to, the Judge was very busy in
endeavoring to persuade Mr. Polk to ''step
into the shoes Of Mr. Tyler" and adopt
his cabinet. He has, doubtless, had an
important agency in helping the nuIliierS
and disunionists ever since, thus treating
with ingratitude the President who gave
him his Office, and soiIing the high conserv-
atiTe character maintained by the Supreme
Court, when it was adorned by such lumi-
naries as Chief Justice Marshall and Judge
Story.
The statement of Judge Catron struck
the public with amazement; but after read
ing the letter of Major Donelson, it will be
generally acknowledged that the Judge
made great mistake in his zeal to help
his friend Buchanan in the approaching
Pennsylvania elections Van Buren, was
universally known to be the favorite of
Gen. jackson until he refused to recognize
the Texas question as a test in the Presi-
dental canvass Then and not till then,
Gen. jackson looked around for supporter
of the cause of annexation, whom he re-
garded as not deficient in moral courage or
capable of making corrupt bargains. Ten
Cent Jimmy, the old reViler of Madison,
the opponent of the second war of our
Independence, and the wire-worker with
Judge Catron for the nullifers and other
factionists. was never seriously thought Of
as leader for the Democratic party by
Gen. jackson.
Judge Catron will receive the applause
of such cronies as Butler, of South Caro-
lima, Atchison, of Mississippi, and Soule,
OF Louisiana, for what he says about Gen.
Jackson, but we think he has paid too dear
for the whistle. Buchanan will not be
elected, and will not, therefore, have the
appointment of the Chief Justice But, if
it were otherwise Judge fancy seems deter
mined not to die. The Judge would have
acted more wisely if he had refreshed his
memory, and been content to enjoy the
good opinion of his old neighborS, leaving
Buchanan to the nullifers, South; Fremont
to the nullifers, North; and Fillmore and
Donelson to the friends of jackson, Clay
and the Constitution, alike opposed to, and
opposed by, all the ultraists of both Sec
tons.
GEN. Jackson and Judge Catron-Lctter
from Major DOneIsOn.
To THE EDIroRs or THE PArRIoT:-When saw
the note OF Judge Catron, containing the subjoned
extract, gave you come memoranda showing thst
it was in direct conflict with numerous written evil
dsnces of the opinions and acts of Gen. Jackson at
that period of his life, and hence that the Judge
lad made mistake.
In the letter which you republished from the
Nashville Union, dated the 18th of May, 1874, sign
ed by Gen. Jackson, he reierstes his conf 1ence in
Nr. Van Buren,, whose position he regards one
that may be modified to meet the wish of the Dem
ocratic party, to make the annexation Of Texas
test question in the Presidential canvass of that
year. That letter on the day OF its date handed
10 me- with the understanding that was not to be
Immediately published. 1t, with other letters, ad
dressed about the same period, by Gen. Jackson,
o his confidential friends at Washington, was de-
livered to me, and was intended and used as the
Iasis of consultation with Messrs. Wright, Benton,
Butler and Others, in attempt to harmonic the
onficting views Of the party the Texas question.
At that time Mr.. Polk was as anxious to see Mr..
Van Buren, nominated as Gen. Jackson had been,
If it could be done consistently with the project Of
Hnnexing Texas. Mr.. Folks name as a candidate
for the Vice Presidency on Mr.. Van Buren's ticket
was flying at the mast head o! the organs Of the
Democratic party, and he looked to me as his friend
&c urge his claims, and see that his name was not
Withdrawn from the consideration of the Conven-
zion. His letter to this subject is now before
lIe and is at the service Of any friend of his who
asy wish to examine it. He was then the friend of
Van Buren,, and as such expected the nomination
ior the Vice Presidency.
1t is scarcely possible from these facts, that Gen.
jackson could have had the preference sscribed to
him by Judge Catron. To suppose that he had,
would make him guilty Of the folly Of coucealing
his preference from the very friends he had charged
with authority to act for him, and who did act for
aim in a sense directly the reverse Of this supposi
lion, and in q manner TO receive his warmest appro
lation These friends never thought Of presenting
Ihe name of Mr.. Buchanan as Gen. Jackson's pre-
Ierred candidate for the Presidency in 1874.
Gen. Jackson, in letter to a confidential friend
on this subject, which bears date Hermitage the
! lth May, 1874, uses the following language:
"As understand, there will be no consultation
mongst the delegates to the Baltimore Convention
ntil the members reach there At present there
., great excitement among the people and division.
hey declare that they will not vote for any one
lat will not be for annexation, and Governor Cass
cling yet silent on this subject, he is much spo
~. h IL. IL, haxra d.