The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-11-14

Democrats who had frequented Erskine's
house did not call on him. When he
came to read over Erskine's papers Ne
concluded that his predecessor was an
unspeakable fool Erskine had permitted
those vulgar Americans TO address him
in a most unbecoming fashion. Every
third word in their diplomatic communion
tons was Il declaration Of war. Jackson
meant TO change all that.
Early in October the President returned
to Washington and Mr.. Jackson was in
troduced TO him by the Secretary OF
State. Robert Smith. who walked TO the
White House in dusty boots, carrying his
round topped hat in his hand. Minister
Jackson found the President OF the United
States a rather mean-looklng little
man" with great simplicity of manners.
The minister had been told that Mr..
Madison disliked ceremony, and that the
presentation would be only as If one
gentleman were made acquainted with
another. No particular costume was In
dictated. and Minister Jackson went In a
frock coat. which was just the garment
worn by the President.
II was a very ticklish situation. for
peace or war seemed 70 hang upon Jack
sons mission. Late in October the new
minister was pleased 20 find that a ridicu-
louS old question OF etiquette that had
made trouble I'm Merry's day was settled
pleasantly enough by the President, who
took Mrs. jackson in to dinner. and asked
Minister Jackson to give his arm TO Mrs.
Madison
Two weeks before this pleasant little
incident the Secretary of State had noti-
fed Mr. jackson that from that time
forward ali communications between him
and the State Department would be con-
Quoted in writing Secretary Smith gave
as excuse for this move that his memory
was so bad that he could not trust him
self 90 report conversations TO the Presi-
dent Jackson did not like this arrange
meut, and he would have liked II less
had he known that II was "a sign that
Madison had taken the negotiations out
of Smiths hands and into his own.
Robert Smith, though for many years a
man Of great influence. was altogether
unfit 10 be Secretary Of State. a post 10
which he had been promoted by Madison
instead of that far ADLER man, Albert
Gallatln Madison wrote all Smiths inn
portant State papers, and ne intended %
write all those that should go 20 Minister
Jackson.
The truth is that Jackson was now 10
fight a diplomatic duel with the mean
looking little man" VINO was President
OF the United states. Jackson was an
able man and courageous. but In Madison
he met his match.
Perhaps II was illness that had spoiled
Jacksons temper. at any rate he fought
under the disadvantage that comes OF
irritabiHty and Madison never lost a
chance to vex his adversary IN few
days Madison's letters had driven Jack
son into a corner, and he had responded
twice with the insulting assertion that
the government Of the United States haC
accepted Erskine's concessions knowing
that they would be repudiated by the
/ British government Madison passed
/ over the offense the first time. but the
/ second he sent through Secretary Smith
a brief note telling Minister Jackson
/ that the State Department would re
ceive no further communications from
| him.
He had never treated a minister thu:
/ before. we have not done it since. Jack
/ son. whose courage did not desert him
/ Travelled about the country for a time
ana was entertained by some New Eng
| land Federalists, who were glad 10 Do
aught to embarass Madison. Then hS
/ was recalled. lie died five years later
/ but Erskine. whom he thought a fool
| lived until 1855 and had a new dlplo
matte career.