“General Smith’s Views of the Powers and Policy of the Government of the United States,” circa 26 January–7 February 1844, Thomas Bullock Copy
Source Note
JS, “General Smith’s Views of the Powers and Policy of the Government of the United States,” , Hancock Co., IL, ca. 26 Jan.–7 Feb. 1844. Version copied ca. 7 Feb. 1844; handwriting of with insertions in handwriting of ; dockets in handwriting of and unidentified scribe; seventeen pages; JS Collection, CHL.
advancement to fame in his inaugural address (1825) thus— candidly declares the majesty of the youthful in its increasing greatness: “The year of jubilee since the first formation of our has just elapsed; that of the declaration of Independence is at hand. The consummation of both was effected by this consitution. Since that period, a population of four millions has multiplied to twelve. A territory, bounded by the , has been extended from sea to sea. New States have been admitted to the , in numbers nearly equal to those of the first confederation. Treaties of peace, amity and commerce, have been concluded with the principal dominions of the Earth. The people of other nations, the inhabitants of regions acquired, not by conquest, but by compact, have been united with us in the participation of our rights and duties, of our burdens and blessings. The forest has fallen by the axe of our woodsmen; the soil has been made to teem by the tillage of our farmers; our commerce has whitened every ocean. The dominion of man over physical nature has been extended by the invention of our artists. Liberty and law have marched hand in hand. All the purposes of human association have been accomplished as effectively as under any other government on the globe, and at a cost little exceeding, in a whole generation, the expenditures of other nations in a single year.”
In continuation of such noble sentiments General [Andrew] Jackson, upon his ascension to the great chair of the Chief Magistracy; said, “As long as our Government is administered for the good of the people, and is regulated by their Will; as long as it secures to us the rights of person and property, liberty of conscience, and of [p. 10]