Year: 1860

ruled bis Judgment In the case for they are such a
must add TO the lustrc OF his character. We sub
scribe TO them ourselves; and while we yield Il
their force, we may still be permitted to confirm,
our regard 10 the enduring marble, as 10 an ancient
and classic relic, curiousity ITSELF and particularly
in tbis country as the first Of this kind in
western hemisphere. From il we should deducs
the moral that while we would disclaim the pride
pomp, and circumstances of imperial pageantry, as
uniting our institutions and professions We would
seduously cherish the simple republican principles
of reposing our fame and honors in the hearts and
affections Of our countrymen. have now, in con-
cluson, TO say that as the Arcophagus was origin
ally presented with the suggestion Of using il as
above mentioned, l now commit Il wholly to the
Institute as their own and sole property, exempt
from any condition.


am, very respectfully, yours, &c.,


JESSE DUNCAN ELLIOTT
To the PRESIDENT AND DIREcroRs of the National


Institute at Washington.





GENERAL JACKSoN'S'REPLY


0Gtr made him Of the Sareophqgas for his


Burial Place


HERMIrAeK March 21th ls45.


Dear Sir Your letter Of the 18th instant to-
getheT with the copy of the proceedings Of the Ma
TiosAL INSTITUTE furnishedme by their correspond
ing secretary, on the presentation by you Of the
Sarcophagus for their acceptance, on condition It
shall be preserved, and in honor Of my memory,
have been received and are now before me. Al
though laboring under great debility and affection
from a severe attack from which may not recover,
I raise my pen and endeavor TO reply. The steadi-
ness of my nerves may perhaps lead you to con-
clude my prostraton of strength is not so great as
here expressed Strange as il may appear, my
nerves are steady as they were forty years gone
by whilst from debility and afliction am gasping
for breath. have read the whole proceedings of
the presentation by you of the Sarcophagus, and
the resolutions passed by the Board of Directors
honorable to my fame, with sensations and feelings
more easily to be conjectured than by me expressed.
The whole proceedings call for my most grateful
thanks which are hereby rendered to you and
through you to the President of the National Insti
tute. But with the warmest sensations that can
inspire grateful heart MUST DECLINE ACCEPTING
THE HONOR INTENDED TO BE BEsTowED.-I cannot
consent that my mortal body shall be laid in a re-
pository prepared for an Emperor or Kiug-my
feelings and principles forbid 1.-THE
simplicity of our system of government forbds it.
Every monument erected to perpetuate the memory
of our heroes and statesmen ought TO bear evidence
of the economy and simplicity of our republican
and the painness Of our republican cit
izens who the sovereigns Of this glorious Unon
and whose virtue is to perpetuate u. True virtue
cannot exist where pomp and parade are the gov
erning passions. II only dwell with the people
the great laboring and producing classes that form
the bone and sinew of our confederacy. For these
reasons | cannot accept the honor you and the
President and Directors Of the NAfioSAL INSTITUTE
to bestow. | cannot permit my remains
to be the first in these United States be deposited
in Sarcophagus made for Emperor or a King.
! again repeat please accept for yourself and con-
vey to the Presiden, and Directors of the National
Institute, my profound respects for the honor you
and they intended TO bestow.


have prepared humble depository for my
mortal body beside that wherein lies my beloved
wife, where, without any pomp or parade, I have
when my God calls me to sleep with my
fathers to be laid for both of us there to remain
until the last trumpet sounds to call the dead to
judgment, when we, I hope, shall rise together,
clothed with that heavenly body promised to all
who believe in our glorious Redeemer, who died
for that we might live, and by whose attonement
| hope for blessed immortality


am, with great respect, your friend and fellow
citizen, ANDREW JACKSON.


To Hon. J. d. ELLIOTT, U. s. Nary