Lot 17
  • 17

Jackson, Andrew, seventh President

Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 USD
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Description

Autograph letter signed, 1 page (7 1/4 x 7 7/8 in.; 184 x 200 mm), the Hermitage, 28 August 1827, to Mr. Faulkner, Coroner of Davidson County, verso with autograph address panel and endorsement in the hand of Andrew Jackson Donelson of the names of the jurors who heard the case; seal tear, short fold separations, thermal encapsulated. Framed and glazed.

Literature

The Papers of Andrew Jackson, ed. Moser & Clint, 6:384 (erroneously locating the letter at the Tennessee Historical Society; a letter from the Jackson Papers acknowledging this error accompanies the lot)

Condition

Autograph letter signed, 1 page (7 1/4 x 7 7/8 in.; 184 x 200 mm), the Hermitage, 28 August 1827, to Mr. Faulkner, Coroner of Davidson County, verso with autograph address panel and endorsement in the hand of Andrew Jackson Donelson of the names of the jurors who heard the case; seal tear, short fold separations, thermal encapsulated. Framed and glazed.
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Catalogue Note

The death of a slave at the Hermitage. The present letter illuminates one of the worst episodes in Andrew Jackson's career as a slaveholder. A man named Gilbert was among a group of slaves that Jackson purchased in Virginia in the early 1820s. Three times Gilbert sought to escape slavery, running away in March 1822, August 1824, and in June 1827. After this third attempt at freedom, Jackson ordered his overseer, Ira Walton, to whip Gilbert. Before the overseer could begin this punishment, Gilbert was able to break free and attack him. In the ensuing struggle, Walton stabbed and killed Gilbert, prompting Jackson to send this letter to the Davidson County coroner and justice of the peace:

"An unfortunate occurrence has taken place to day on my farm, between my overseer, & one of my negro men, which terminated in the death of the latter. Notwithstanding I believe the fatal stab was given in self defence, still as I wish Justice to be done, I request a coroner inquest over him, and notify you thereof."

An inquest was immediately convened and determined that Walton had killed Gilbert in self-defense. (The jurors are noted on the verso of the letter: Dr. Sanders, Edward Hobbs, Timothy Dobson, William Donelson, James Martin, William Watson, Andrew Jackson Donelson, and Levin Donelson.) Despite this verdict, Jackson dismissed Walton from his service.

Jackson's slaveholding and his inhuman treatment of Gilbert were issues in the 1828 presidential campaign. One of the leaders of the anti-Jackson faction, Andrew Erwin, wrote a long essay on the topic for The National Banner and Nashville Whig, which was subsequently published as a campaign pamphlet titled Gen Jackson's Negro Speculations, and His Traffic in Human Flesh, Examined and Established by Positive Proof.