The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1879-04-15
Gen. Iackson's Letter.

Looking over some old documents
the other day we CHANGED 10 light
upon copy OF the letter Gen. An
drew Jackson wrote 10 Commodore
Elliott in reply TO one which the
Commodore wrote in regard TO
sarcophagus he had brought from
abroad-it having once been the
tomb of the Eastern king or emper-
or. The Commodore presented it TO
the National Institute at Washington,
tina. through that Institute it might
be presented TO Gen. jackson, for the
purpose of inclosing his remains al
ter death. On presenting this mar
bic tomb to the Institute the officer
said: at is believed TO have once
held the remains of Alexander Seve-
rus, and it is fit resting-place of all
that is mortal of Andrew Jackson"
The old Generals reply was as fol-
lows:
HERMITAGE, March 81, 1915.
DEAR SIR: Your letter OF the 18th
inst, together with the copy of the
proceedings of the National Institute,
furnished me by their corresponding
secretary, on the presentation by you
of the Sarcophagus for their accep-
lance, OH condition it shall be pre-
served, and in honor Of my memory,
have been received and are now be-
fore me.
although laboring under great
debility and affection from a severe
attack, from which l may never re-
cover, | raise my pen anu endeavor
to reply. The steadiness of my nerves
may, perhaps, lead you to conclude
my prostitution of strength is not SO
great us here expressed. Strange as
it may appear, my nerves are as
steady as they were forty years gone
by, whilst from debility and affection
am gasping for breath.
81 have read the whole proceed
ings Of the presentation by you of the
sarcophagus, and the resolution pass
ed by the board of directors, so hon
orable to my fame, with sensations
and feelings moro easily conjecturet
than by rue expressed. The Who'll,
proceedings call for my most CRATE
full thanks, which are hereby lender
ed 10 you, and, through you, to tn,
president and directors OF the Ma
iional Institute. But, with the warm
est sensations that can inspire CRATE
full heart, / must decline accepting
the honor intended to be bestowed
can not consent that my mortal bod.
shall be laid in a repository intended
for an emperor or a king. My re
publican feeling and principles for
bid il; the simplicity of our system o
government forbids it. Every mon
ument erected 10 perpetuate the mem
DRY Of our heroes and Statesmen
ought TO bear evidence Of the econO
my aud simplicity of our republica
institutions and the plainness of OF
republican citizens, who are the SOY
ereigns of our glorious union, an
whose virtue is 10 perpetuate
True virtue can not exist whel
pomp and parade are the governil
passions; it can only dwell with Il
people-the great laboring and pr
ducing classes that form the Dol
aud sinew of our confederacy.
"For these reasons | cannot acce
the honor you and the president al
directors of tho National Institute
tended TO bcstow. | cannot perm
my remains TO be the first in the
United States to be deposited in
sarcophagus made for an emperor
a king. l again repeat, please acc'
for yourself and convey to the pre-
dent and directors of the National
stitute, my most profound respe
for the honor you and they intent
10 bestow. l have prepared all In
Bile depository for my mortal boz
beside that wherein lies my bclo,
wife, where, without any pomp
parade, ! have requested, when
God calls me 10 sleep with my
theirs, 10 be laid-for both of us H.
to remain until the last trum
= sounds Is call the dead to judgme
when we, hope, shall rise togetl
clothed with that heavenly b,
-, promised TO all who believe in
Xxx glorious Redeemer, who died fol
'pu that we migt live, and by WI
a.onement / hope for blessed
mortality.
al am, with great respect, y
friend fellow-c citizen,
"ANDREw JAcKso
"To Com. j. D. Elliott, United st
3 Navy"
NC, A very great contrast between
lien and the letters, acts aud doing
:. some presidents since Jackson's
- and contrast that does not show
lo.t t. e. ~ I'll