Andrew Jackson - President, Lawyer, Congressman, Senator, Judge

Andrew Jackson (1767-1845), was the 7th President of the United States of America. He was also a lawyer, a Congressman, a U.S. Senator and a judge on the Tennessee Supreme Court. Andrew Jackson also has the credit for proposing the state's name, "Tennessee," while being a member of the state's first convention which adopted its constitution. Known as "Old Hickory," he was a victorious Major General in the army, winning the Battle of New Orleans as well as capturing Florida. On January 8, 1815, Andrew Jackson wrote to his friend Robert Hays regarding the victorious Battle of New Orleans, during the War of 1812:

"It appears that the unerring hand of Providence shielded my men from the shower of balls, bombs, and rockets, when every ball and bomb from our guns carried with them a mission of death." ¹

Concerning that same battle, Jackson wrote to Secretary of War James Monroe:

"Heaven, to be sure, has interposed most wonderfully in our behalf, and I am filled with gratitude, when I look back to what we have escaped." ²

Andrew Jackson wrote to Mary and Andrew Jackson Hutchings on the death of their firstborn in 1834:

"My dear Hutchings... I am truly happy to find that you both have met this severe bereavement with that Christian meekness and submission as was your duty. This charming babe was only given you from your Creator and benefactor.... He has a right to take away, and we ought humbly to submit to His will and be always ready to say, blessed be His name. We have one consolation under this severe bereavement, that this babe is now in the bosom of its Saviour." ³

On September 11, 1834, Andrew Jackson wrote a letter to his son, Andrew, Jr.:

"I nightly offer up my prayers to the throne of grace for the health and safety of you all, and that we ought all to rely with confidence on the promises of our dear Redeemer, and give Him our hearts. This is all he requires and all that we can do, and if we sincerely do this, we are sure of salvation through his atonement." 4

Andrew Jackson wrote a letter to comfort the family of General Coffee who had recently died:

"Rely on our dear Saviour. He will be father to the fatherless and husband to the widow. Trust in the mercy and goodness of Christ, and always be ready to say with heartfelt resignation, 'may the Lord's will be done.'" 5

On March 25, 1835, Andrew Jackson wrote in a letter:

"I was brought up a rigid Presbyterian, to which I have always adhered. Our excellent Constitution guarantees to every one freedom of religion, and charity tells us (and you know Charity is the real basis of all true religion)... judge the tree by its fruit.

"All who profess Christianity believe in a Saviour, and that by and through Him we must be saved. We ought, therefore, to consider all good Christians whose walks correspond with their professions, be they Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Baptist, Methodist or Roman Catholic." 6

¹ January 8, 1815, in a letter to his friend Robert Hays at the occasion of the battle of New Orleans, during the War of 1812. Burke Davis, Old Hickory: A Life of Andrew Jackson (NY: Dial Press, 1977), p. 150. Peter Marshall and David Manuel, The Glory of America (Bloomington, MN: Garborg's Heart 'N Home, Inc., 1991), 1.8. See also: Peter Marshall and David Manuel, From Sea to Shining Sea (Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1986), p. 169.

² 1815, in a letter to Secretary of War James Monroe at the occasion of the Battle of New Orleans, during the War of 1812. Burke Davis, Old Hickory: A Life of Andrew Jackson (NY: Dial Press, 1977), p. 150. Peter Marshall and David Manuel, From Sea to Shining Sea (Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1986), p. 169.

³ Robert V. Remini, Andrew Jackson and the Course of American Freedom, 1822-1832 (New York: Harper & Row, 1981), Vol. 2, p. 226. Peter Marshall and David Manuel, The Glory of America (Bloomington, MN: Garborg's Heart 'N Home, Inc., 1991), 1.25.

4 Robert V. Remini, Andrew Jackson and the Course of American Freedom, 1822-1832 (New York: Harper & Row, 1981), p. 184. Peter Marshall and David Manuel, The Glory of America (Bloomington, MN: Garborg's Heart 'N Home, Inc., 1991), 9.11.

5 Robert V. Remini, Andrew Jackson and the Course of American Freedom, 1822-1832 (New York: Harper & Row, 1981), p. 91. Peter Marshall and David Manuel, The Glory of America (Bloomington, MN: Garborg's Heart 'N Home, Inc., 1991), 11.6.

6 March 25, 1835. Robert V. Remini, Andrew Jackson and the Course of American Freedom, 1822-1832 (New York: Harper & Row, 1981), Vol. 2, p. 251. Peter Marshall and David Manuel, The Glory of America (Bloomington, MN: Garborg's Heart 'N Home, Inc., 1991), 3.25.

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