Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-06-09
A VOICE FROM THE PAST.
An Interesting and Characteristic
Letter from GEN. jackson.

An interesting and Characteristic
Letter from Gen. Jackson.
From the Knoxville (Tenn.) Press and Herald.
Among the letters which recently came
into the possession of Mr.. j. w. Paulett, OF
this city, is the following one, written by
sold Hickory" to Mrs. Decatur, a widow
of Commodore Stephen Decatur By a
careful reading of the letter it will be seen
that Gen. Jackson was somewhat more par
ticular in appointing men to places OF trust
than is customary in these latter days. The
question with him was not "What viii you
give me for an office ?' but, care you a
competent man for the place." Offices
were not then, as now, regarded as mer-
chandise to be battered for money. How
sadly have the times changed, and how
true it is that the present incumbent Of the
Presidential chair does not resemble Jack
son, or Washington or any of those honest
old WoIthies Of the past?
WASHINGTON June "A, 1S3l.-"My DeaE
Madame: Your letter of the 22d inst, is
just received and 1 hasten 10 reply 20 It.
"You do me great injustice in your re-
marks of my neglect. The vacancy created
in the State Department required the tai
ents of Mr.. Vail TO FL it; the request made
by Mr.. Livingston for Mr.. Vail to be
transferred to his Department produced
vacancy in the General Land Office. This
vacancy, on inquiry of the Commissioner,
required very experienced examiner and
correct accountant to fn it, and | could not
deprive him of so able au examiner and
clerk to accommodate Mr.. Livingston, with
out replacing him by one Of known and
equal capacity. Upon a personal interview
| had with Judge Haywood and DR.. Jones,
it appeared satisfactory and proper to give
the vacated Office to Mr.. Tier, who was an
old and experienced clerk, who has large
family, and has been ten years in that Office,
and TO give DR.. Jones the situation Mr..
Tier so long held. 1t is very mortifgiEg,
you know, for an old and competent clerk
to be overseed by placing young and mex
perienced gentlemen over them, however
talented they may be. l assure you the
duties assigned TO Mr.. Val required the
most exact experienced calculations, and
accountant who can detect the most minute
errors, that would throw everything into
confusion, to great public as well as indi-
vidual injury. l could not hazard the re-
sponsibility of placing clerk in that situa-
ton contrary to the consent of the commits
sioner, who is responsible for the faithful
performance of all the duties appertaining
to his bureau, without first being informed
that Mr.. Jones from actual experience was
competent to fulfil the DELEGATE and import
ant duty that had been assigned to Mr..
Vail. 1t was, therefore, proposed that DR..
Jones should be employed in the place from
whence Mr.. Tier was promoted, unit, from
short experience, it might be discovered
hat ,.Fiae ho o-r,lA E ICy
for your benefit, he might be promoted or
transferred to some more lucrative office.
"YOu are badly advised as to Mr.. Wat
son; his change was urged upon Inc from
protested feelings Of humanity, to his wild
owed mother and his large family that be
might be able TO remove them TO some
place from this city. You mistake me
very much when you believe me to be Ca
pable of soliciting fayOrs from dismissed
officers, or any one else, where L have the
power to command, or that am capable to
do any act Of improperly, as to the publ
cation of your letter. beg leave to bring
to your recollection that it was made pub
lie by yourself, as an act of justice to me,
and the memory of your gallant husband,
for which you received my warmest graft
tude, and will retain a lively recollection
OF 1t as long as live.
'I'll again bring to the view of Messrs.
Livingston and Woodbury. your dis.resses,
your claims and your wishes, who, am
sure, as well as myself will seize the first
opportunity that can be done with proprie-
ty, keeping in view the public interest, to
meet your views, and relieve your distress.
"Having to get out to Rip Raps to-day l
shall not have the pleasure of seeing you
until you return from the manor, unless 1
should be so fortunate as to be able to visit
my friend, MIR. Carroll and his amiable fam
lily, to whom l pray you to present my
kind salutations.
81 am, with great respect, your most
Obedient servant, ANDREW JACKSON.
"DIRS. l. DECATUR