Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1860-03-15

Tie Dying Wish Of Andrew Jackson
The subject Of the removal OF the re-
mains OF General Jackson from the 'iet-
mi,aye to Nashville. and tie election OF
a suitable monument to his memory, was
recently entertained by the Legislature
Of Tennessee. But, on the representa-
ton OF Andrew Jackson, Jr., that SUCH y
pr cecd.ny would be in direct violation
Of the latcs: recorded wish Of the illus
,,iuus deceased, 10 further action was
taken in the matter. As dclnonstrativc
of Gen. Jackson's wishcs with regard to
the disposal Of his body, the Hon. J. N.
Quarcs, Representative in Congress
from the Nashville District, caused to be
communicated to the Legislature Of his
State the folio wing correspondence. 1t
is presented to the public now for the
frat time, and will be found Of exceeding
interest. The truly republican charac-
ter of the old hero shines out in every
line Of his noble reply:
This Sarcophagus was the Repository
OF tho Roman Emperor, Alexander Sew
erus. procured at Beyroo', III Syria, by
Commodore Jesse y. Elliott, who
brought i. to the United States in the
wear 1899, on board the trigate Constr
tuition, and presented it to the National
Institute, AS a restlng-place for the re-
mains of General Jackson. The Com
modore at the same time presented the
accompanying marble slab, a portion OF
the temple erected by Mltiades on the
plains of Marathon, after his famous VIC
tory over the Persians, in the year 500
i. c., where it was procured by the
Commodore in person.
COMMODORE ELLIoTr's LETTER OF PREsEN-
TATIoN.
NAVY YARD, PHILADELPHIA,
April s, lo4s.
GlNrLEMEN:-The interest which the
National Institute has been pleased to
take in the eventual bestowment of the
remains of the Honorable Andrew
Jackson, in the Sarcophagus which l
brought from abroad and deposited IN
your Institute, makes 1t my bus
mess now to communicate to you
copy of his letter of the 9th ulti-
mo, lately received on this subject.
With sentiments SO congenlal to his
strict republicanism. and in accordance,
indeed, with the republican feelings
common to ourselves, he takes the
ground of repugnance to connecting his
name and fame in any way with impe-
rial associations.
We cannot but honor the sentiments
which have ruled his Judgment in the
case, for they are such as must add to
the lustre of his character. We sub.
to them ourselves; aud while we yield
to their force, we may still be permitted
to continue our regard to the enduring
marble, as to an ancient and classic relic,
a curiosity itself, and particularly in this
country, as the first Of this kind seen
in our western hemisphere. From
it we would deduce the moral, that
while We would disclaim the pride,
pomp and circumstances Of imperial
pageantry, as uniting our institutions
and professions, We would sedulously
cherish the simple republican principles
Of reposing our fame and honors in the
hearts and affections Of our countrymen.
l have now, in conclusion, to say that
as the Sarcophagus was originally pre-
sentcd with the suggestion of using it
a. above mentioned, / now commit it
wholly to the Institute, as their whole
and sole property, exempt from any con-
dition.
am, very respectfully, yours, &c,
JESSIE DUNCAN ELLIOTT.
To the President and Directors of the
National Institute at Washington.