John C. Calhoun Denounces Andrew Jackson by Name in the Controversy Over the First Bank of the United States

A great rarity, and the only letter of Calhoun relating to Jackson that we can find having reached the public sale market in the last four decades; Calhoun also references Daniel Webster

Jackson was a self-made man from the backwoods of Tennessee and a military hero. In 1828, he was elected president on a platform based on protecting the rights of the common man. Calhoun hailed from South Carolina aristocracy, his father being one of the most prosperous planters and largest slaveowners in his district. Calhoun was Vice President under John Quincy Adams, but in the 1828 election he supported Jackson and returned as Vice President under him. However, the men were suspicious of each other and the alliance was uneasy and short-lived. The first clash came over the Peggy Eaton affair right after the inauguration. Jackson appointed his friend Sen. John Eaton as Secretary of War, but Mrs. Calhoun and the cabinet wives refused to recognize the elevation to the cabinet circle of Eaton’s wife Peggy. They criticized her for allegedly having had an affair with Eaton prior to her marriage, and refused to invite her to their grand social functions.  This snub of Jackson's friend infuriated the President, who was reminded of how rudely his own wife Rachel was treated with similar accusations, defended Mrs. Eaton. A chill developed between Jackson and Calhoun, and the entire cabinet but one resigned and was replaced.

Many political issues separated Jackson from Calhoun. One was the issue of states rights and nullification, the doctrine that states could nullify Federal laws. The subtext to nullification was that if Congress made any laws limiting slavery, the slaveholding states could refuse to accept them. It was a forerunner of secession. Calhoun and his supporters sought to trap Jackson into a pro-nullification public pronouncement at a Jefferson’s birthday dinner in April 1832, but instead Jackson turned the tables on him. After some of the guests gave toasts that sought to establish a connection between a states-rights view of government and nullification, Jackson's gave a toast that challenged those present – “Our Federal Union – It Must Be Preserved.” Calhoun then rose and stated, "The Union – next to our liberty, the most dear!" And Jackson did more than give toasts – he acted to stamp out nullification. He asked Congress to empower him to use force to execute Federal law; Congress promptly enacted a Force Act. Privately, Jackson threatened to "hang every leader” who tried to accomplish nullification “irrespective of his name, or political or social position." That meant Calhoun. Jackson also dispatched a fleet of eight ships and a shipment of 5000 muskets to a Federal installation in Calhoun’s backyard – Charleston harbor.

Calhoun resigned as Vice President and resumed his seat in the Senate. By this time, he and Jackson saw each other as bitter enemies.

The Bank of the United States was chartered in 1816 for a term of 20 years. The time limitation reflected the concerns of many in Congress about the concentration of financial power in a private corporation. The Bank was a depository for Federal funds and paid national debts, but it was answerable only to its directors and stockholders and not to the electorate. Jackson had been financially damaged by speculation and a tightening of bank credit early in his business career. He retained a distrust of financial institutions throughout his life. In January 1832, Bank supporters in Congress, principally Daniel Webster and Henry Clay, introduced Bank recharter legislation. Even though the charter was not due to expire for four more years, they felt that the current Congress would recharter the Bank. Jackson opposed the Bank almost to the point of obsession. Accompanied by strong attacks against the Bank in the press, he vetoed the recharter bill. Jackson also ordered the Federal government's deposits removed from the Bank of the United States and placed in state banks. These withdrawals, authorized by the Secretary of the Treasury, began in earnest in September 1833 and continued into 1834. Opponents of Jackson were desperate to get the process stopped.

In January 1834 Calhoun gave a lengthy address on the bank deposit question in the U.S. Senate. In it he claimed to speak without any political bias, and determined that the Secretary of the Treasury “has entirely failed to make out his justification”, had exceeded his powers, and come to “disreputable” conclusions. He then attacked Jackson, saying “The President’s conduct is utterly indefensible…” Anti-Jacksonians read the speech avidly, and some sought copies. One of those was Benjamin Harrison VI, brother of future President William Henry Harrison.

Autograph letter signed, Washington, March 28, 1834, to Benjamin Harrison VI. ”I again enclose a copy of my speech on the deposit question and also a copy of one lately delivered on Mr. Webster’s motive, which I hope will reach you safely. Col. Preston’s speech has not been printed. Times are growing worse, instead of better, and I fear will continue to grow still worse before they improve. We must look to the people. Jacksonism is still too strong for patriotism in the House, and nothing will break the chain, but the indignant voice of constituents. We all look with interest to your election. Should principles triumph, all may yet be safe. Miss Page left us some time since. She appeared delighted with her visit, as all who became acquainted were with her. Present my best respects to the ladies, and believe me to be with sincere regard, Yours etc etc., J.C. Calhoun.”

A search of public records going back 40 years fails to turn up any letters of Calhoun relating to Jackson, making this letter an exceptionable rarity. We obtained it from the Harrison descendants, and it has never before been offered for sale.