National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-02-18
ANDREW JAcKsoN,s PAPERS.
An Effort TO Secure the Documents
Left with the Late Amos Kendall
and Mont0omerv RInIr.

An Effort TO Secure the Documents
Left with the Late Amos Kendall
and Montgomery Blair.
IL would seem that the appointment of
Andrew Jackson, by the orphans court
last Monday, as administrator of tho
estate of the late President Andrew
Jackson, is likely to bring to light some
thing Of the unwritten history of tho lifo
and official character of "Old Hickory"
As such admin istrator of the late presi-
dent, and by his attorneys, Messrs. John
Paul Jones and Robert b. Lines, he yes
terday filed bill in equity against
Woodbury. Blair and Mary II. Blair for
an injunction, discovery. and relief The
bill states that the complainant is a
native Of Tennessee, residing at the Her
mitago (the homestead of Jackson, and
brings his suit as administrator. That
Andrew Jackson died June 8, 1916, at the
Hermitage, leaving n will duly probated.
BY its terms tho testator nominated his
adopted son, Andrew jackson, IT., as ex-
ecutor, and ho qualified as such. BY the
terms of the will the deceased bequeathed
to. his adopted son all his personal estate
not otherwise disposed Of. The executor
died in April, 1865, intostate, and
ON Nov. IL, 1865, letters Of admin
istration were granted to the
complainant in this cause upon the per-
sonal estate of the executor. Among tho
goods and ohattels belonging to Andrew
Jackson at tho time Of his death, and not
specifically disposed of by his will, were
large number of papers of great value,
comprising correspondence and other
documents relating TO tho private life Of
Andrew Jackson and to his public career
rs president and as member of both
branches of the congress of tho United
Statos and an officer of tho army. OF
these papers number had been intrusted
by Mr. jackson before his death to tho
Hon. Amos Kendall, of this city, for use
by him in preparing u biography of the
testator, which Mr.. Kendall had under
takon to write and publish, aud in case
of his failure TO complete the same the
papers woro to be placed in the hands Of
Hon. Francis l.. Blair, sr., in trust for q
similar purpose. Others of these papers
had been intrustcd by Mr.. Jackson before
his death to the Hon. Montgomery Blair
for delivery TO Hon. Il. II. Blair, ST., in
trust for the 5ano purpose, and to aid
MIR. Blair In certain other literary work
which no then had in contemplation.
Mr.. Kendall died on Nov. IL, 1860, with
out completing the biography, and
the papers intrusted to him were never
delivered to Mr.. Blair or came into his
possession, but they were, in fact, mislaid
for moro than twenty years, aud their
whereabouts unknown TO tho complain
ant, and as he believes to the defendants.
On the 18th OF December, 1876, Mr.. Blair
also died without completing or under
taking, SO far as tho complainant Is adj
| nh nf MH In ok
the other literary work intrusted to him
through Mr.. Montgomery Blair. None of
these papers were ever administered upon
by tho executor of the estate of Andrew
Jackson, and tho complainant learning
of their whereabouts obtained letters of
administration In Tennessee, and through
his agent made q demand upon the de-
fondants for the papers, but that they, as
he is informed and believes refused to
deliver the papers to the complainant or
his agent, and that they, either alone or
Jointly with some other person or per-
sons, claim to be the lawful owners of the
papers, or to have some right, title, or in-
terest therein, the nature of which is uu-
known to the complainant. He asserts
that they have no right, title, or interest
as claimed, but that he, rs administra-
tor, is entitled to their possession, and
| W huululotcE upon tncln rs phEt VI Jne
assets OF the estate, but cannot describe
the property with sufficient accuracy to
enable him to bring an action at law
against tho defendants for their recovery.
lie believes that unless restrained by the
court the defendants will remove the
papers from the District or make such
other disposition of them as will proven,
him from obtaining possession of them,
or that they will DO published in man.
ner not contemplated by the testator in
his life time, and to the prejudice and
rights of those interested in the estate oil
tho deceased. The complainant therefore
prays for an injunction to restrain the
defendants, their solicitors, assignees, OF
! agents from destroying any of the papers
or documents which were intrusted to
Amos Kendall or Montgomery Blair for
delivery to Francis =. Blair, sr., and from
the court, and from exercising all acts OF
ownership over the papers until the
further order of the court; also, that the
defendants furnish complete list and
description of the papers, and that re-
ceiver be appointed to hold the papers
until the final decree of the COURT further,
that the defendants be decreed to hold
the papers and documents in trust for the
complainant, and 1 restore them to him
with damages for their retention since
July 3, 1884.
Justice Hagner has issued rule on the
defendants to show cause why the injunc-
ton should not be granted, and made il
returnable on the 2d of next March.
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