CROCKETT, David (1786-1836). Autograph letter signed ("David Crockett," with large flourish), to James Davison, "at Home, Weakley County," 18 August 1831. 4pp. Small separations at a few fold intersections, otherwise in good condition.
CROCKETT, David (1786-1836). Autograph letter signed ("David Crockett," with large flourish), to James Davison, "at Home, Weakley County," 18 August 1831. 4pp. Small separations at a few fold intersections, otherwise in good condition. “I WOULD RATHER BE BEATEN AND BE A MAN THAN TO BE ELECTED AND BE A LITTLE PUPPY DOG TO YELP AFTER THEIR PARTY” A lengthy, revealing letter of the famous frontier politician, in which Crockett reflects on his loss in the recent election and excoriates Andrew Jackson “...I cannot give you a full account of the result of my election however I have heard enough to satisfy me that I am beaten by something like five hundred votes....I came out...& told the people that I never would vote for General Jackson. I could not after his recommendations to Congress. He said four years or one term was as long as any man ought to weld the distances of this mighty nation. The truth is I was one of the first men that ever crossed the Tennessee river into the Creek war with him [Jackson] and I served two tours of duty with him and voted for him for President...I supported him as far as he pursued the principles he professed to possess before he was elected. I never did support men and forsake principles...” Considering the recent election, Crockett dismisses his victorious opponent: “It was not the Jackson party straight that beat me. It could not have come within two thousand votes of beating me. My competition is a little country court lawyer with verry little standing. He is what we call here a perfect lick spittle. He huzzaed for Jackson and he would write down [illegible] useful falsehoods and publish......and I had to bear the slang and [illegible] abuse...besides the little [illegible] back country lawyer was galloping from one side of the district to the other and where little [William] Fitzgerald would be present...they would give a certificate to the truth of his statement...whether true or false he had certificate makers from Circuit Judges down to Clerks of the Court and Sheriffs...The Jackson partizans here is exulting that they have me beaten. I thank God I would rather be beaten and be a man than to be elected and be a little pupy dog, to yelp after their party.” At least, he adds “I beat my opponent in the county we both live in.” He states that “I was beaten this time entirely by managemint and rascality. I came out independent and told the people of this district that I never would vote for Genl Jackson for re election after his pledges to the people...My principle is to support a man for President and support his principles as far as I like them...I am a verry plain man. I never had six months education in my life, [was] raised in obscurity with out either wealth or education. I have made my self to every station in life that I ever filled through my own exertions. I am a republican in fact not like the Jackson republicans a name without a substance....I have been made a political marter [martyr] for being an honest man. I love my country and I would not give one chaw of tobaco for a man that will not make a sacrifice of himself before he will have his country imposed on....I have no doubt but the time is not far distant when the American people will see the purity of my making. I have truth on my side...and it will prevail... This is the first act of the present administration that I condemned. I also condemned the course pursued to the Southern Indians. I live to sustain my country and I will do it while I live in or out of Congress.” Crockett was not well-known when he entered politics in 1821, winning a seat in the Tennessee legislature. He was then elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and for the next two decades was caught up in the turbulent political currents of the era, earning a reputation as an outspoken independent. He introduced legislation in favor of frontier farmers, and in 1829 strongly opposed Andrew Jackson’s policies, especially the infamous Indian Removal Act. He
CROCKETT, David (1786-1836). Autograph letter signed ("David Crockett," with large flourish), to James Davison, "at Home, Weakley County," 18 August 1831. 4pp. Small separations at a few fold intersections, otherwise in good condition.
CROCKETT, David (1786-1836). Autograph letter signed ("David Crockett," with large flourish), to James Davison, "at Home, Weakley County," 18 August 1831. 4pp. Small separations at a few fold intersections, otherwise in good condition. “I WOULD RATHER BE BEATEN AND BE A MAN THAN TO BE ELECTED AND BE A LITTLE PUPPY DOG TO YELP AFTER THEIR PARTY” A lengthy, revealing letter of the famous frontier politician, in which Crockett reflects on his loss in the recent election and excoriates Andrew Jackson “...I cannot give you a full account of the result of my election however I have heard enough to satisfy me that I am beaten by something like five hundred votes....I came out...& told the people that I never would vote for General Jackson. I could not after his recommendations to Congress. He said four years or one term was as long as any man ought to weld the distances of this mighty nation. The truth is I was one of the first men that ever crossed the Tennessee river into the Creek war with him [Jackson] and I served two tours of duty with him and voted for him for President...I supported him as far as he pursued the principles he professed to possess before he was elected. I never did support men and forsake principles...” Considering the recent election, Crockett dismisses his victorious opponent: “It was not the Jackson party straight that beat me. It could not have come within two thousand votes of beating me. My competition is a little country court lawyer with verry little standing. He is what we call here a perfect lick spittle. He huzzaed for Jackson and he would write down [illegible] useful falsehoods and publish......and I had to bear the slang and [illegible] abuse...besides the little [illegible] back country lawyer was galloping from one side of the district to the other and where little [William] Fitzgerald would be present...they would give a certificate to the truth of his statement...whether true or false he had certificate makers from Circuit Judges down to Clerks of the Court and Sheriffs...The Jackson partizans here is exulting that they have me beaten. I thank God I would rather be beaten and be a man than to be elected and be a little pupy dog, to yelp after their party.” At least, he adds “I beat my opponent in the county we both live in.” He states that “I was beaten this time entirely by managemint and rascality. I came out independent and told the people of this district that I never would vote for Genl Jackson for re election after his pledges to the people...My principle is to support a man for President and support his principles as far as I like them...I am a verry plain man. I never had six months education in my life, [was] raised in obscurity with out either wealth or education. I have made my self to every station in life that I ever filled through my own exertions. I am a republican in fact not like the Jackson republicans a name without a substance....I have been made a political marter [martyr] for being an honest man. I love my country and I would not give one chaw of tobaco for a man that will not make a sacrifice of himself before he will have his country imposed on....I have no doubt but the time is not far distant when the American people will see the purity of my making. I have truth on my side...and it will prevail... This is the first act of the present administration that I condemned. I also condemned the course pursued to the Southern Indians. I live to sustain my country and I will do it while I live in or out of Congress.” Crockett was not well-known when he entered politics in 1821, winning a seat in the Tennessee legislature. He was then elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and for the next two decades was caught up in the turbulent political currents of the era, earning a reputation as an outspoken independent. He introduced legislation in favor of frontier farmers, and in 1829 strongly opposed Andrew Jackson’s policies, especially the infamous Indian Removal Act. He
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
