Phenix Gazette

(From the Philadelphia Gazette.)

For the relief of all the Militia of the United States of America Amen.

I, Andrew Jackson, late a Major General in the service of the United States, Governor of Florida, and Senator in Congress from the State of Tennessee, being of sound mind & memory, of strong and vigorous constitution, and with great and flattering prospects of a long life, both natural and political—but more especially the latter—the signs of the times indicating my speedy elevation to the office of President of the United States. But being sensible of the uncertainty of all human affairs, and the fickleness of that description of people upon whom rests my principal hope; experience having taught me, that whatever is raised by fraud, is in danger of falling, for that reason; and knowing that my political enemies are on the alert to produce my destruction, of which there is reason to fear, notwithstanding the repeated and perpetual cries of "management, bargain, sale and corruption," kept up by myself and friends. Seeing, therefore, that my political dissolution is not only possible but extremely probable, I have thought proper to make, and do hereby make known and publish this my last will and testament.

In case I should be unsuccessful in the contest I am now busily carrying on for the Presidential chair, I do, of my political heritage, and all things thereunto belonging, make the following bequests:

Item. The hold which I have upon the affections of the good people of these United States, many of whom, God bless them, would be willing to see me successful, even were civil war necessary to accomplish the object. I derive John C. Calhoun of South Carolina, and Martin Van Buren of New York, as a joint property;—The division, when necessary, to be determined by a convention of their friends, superbly called a Congressional Caucus: the sole qualification for which trust is to be, "non committal." This mode is suggested as being in conformity with the ancient usages of party; and from the consideration, that if it is not decided to the mutual satisfaction of the parties, the winner may feel confident, that, being triumphant in this matter, he can have but one more to contend with. But it is desirable, on more accounts than one, as it cannot fail to reflect great lustre upon the genius and character of our country, to see two such distinguished men engaged in such a seemingly amicable contest. Not that kind of lustre which was shed in olden times in feats of chivalry at tilts and tournaments, which, I confess, is more to my liking, but that which displays a deep knowledge of human nature, and the means by which almost every description of men can be effectually cajoled. Were it possible for Machiavelli himself to be a spectator of such a contest, he would at once cry peccavi, when he should see that magnificent display of American genius. In short, were even Proteus here, he would blush, and own himself a novice in the art of transformation—aye, and dissimulation too.

To this bequest, however, is annexed the condition, that the successful competitor in the division shall so far extend the appearance of friendship to his Excellency Governor Clinton, as in some degree to keep up his spirits, and prevent him from falling a prey to the upbraidings of a guilty conscience, on account of his joining heart and hand with the enemies of the late war in their attempts to prevent the re-election of Mr. Madison.

Item All my influence, real and factitious, in the "ancient and venerable commonwealth of Virginia," I give and bequeath to my good old ingenious friend, W. B. Giles, in consideration of the respect which I entertain for his talents; which have been so successfully developed in the ease with which he has persuaded the people of Virginia into the belief, that good roads, and cheap and substantial articles of manufacture, would inevitably ruin them; and that their only safety from these evils is by procuring my elevation. But, more especially, am I moved to make this bequest, from a recollection of the patriotic firmness with which he persevered with me in opposition to the Address voted by the 4th Congress to President Washington, whose character and example; in public and in private life, a large majority were preposterous enough to wish to establish as a model for statesmen. But thanks to the discriminating judgment of the present age, aided by the "improvements" lately made in the press, and the new modes of construing constitutional law, the illusion is fast vanishing—so much so, that were our good friend Edmund Burke now a living witness, he would willingly take back his declaration, that "the age of chivalry is gone."

To this bequest I attach the condition, that Mr. Giles inform the public, whether Mr. Jefferson deserted Mr. Randolph, or Mr. Randolph deserted Mr. Jefferson This, he alone, is competent to do.

Item.—The guardianship of my 'true and worthy friends in the State of Pennsylvania, and all the political advantages to be derived by these means within the State; I give and bequeath to Samuel D. Ingham, Esq. but with the understanding, that G. M. Dallas, Esq. is to have a superintending care over the concern. It having been intimated to me that my first named friend, has been suspected of a strong inclination to yield to the force of circumstances; and that it was not until after he learnt that all the State was in my favour in 1824, that he then joined in, to save his bacon. This together with the fact, that he is frequently found pressing in Tennessee, is apt to 'back up the wrong tree;' has induced me to be thus particular, lest by any means, in an unlucky hour, he might be induced to divulge the means by which Pennsylvania has been kept true to her allegiance to the Richmond junto, without discovering her subserviency. Should it turn out that the key stone of the arch, should not think proper to follow the path they have allotted for her to walk in; and catch as catch can, should become law; I enjoin it upon all, that they oppose no obstacle in the way of my voucher; the high minded Buchanan, who in every thing of a political nature, allows himself to come as near the truth as circumstances will permit.

In order to make amends for the seeming incumbrance laid upon my friend Mr. Ingham, I do enjoin it on him who shall succeed to my estate, in the manner herein before provided for, that he in the event of our friends being defeated in Pennsylvania, shall direct that a contract for building a garrison or fortification, on some part of the coast, be given to him at such rate as he shall dictate, in order to compensate for the loss he sustained, in not succeeding in getting that at Mobile Point.

As my devoted friends, are so numerous. that to make particular provision for each of them, would consume more time than I can expect to live to see: I must leave the final distribution of the remaining valuables of which I am possessed; to my good and trusty friends, whom I have determined upon for my executors; and do hereby make known and declare that I have appointed the Hon. Edward Livingston, of Louisiana, the Hon Mahlon Dickerson, of New Jersey; and the Hon. Levi Woodbury, of New Hampshire; executors of my last will and testament, with full power and authority, to carry my wishes into effect, according as they know I would have done had I decided the cases in my lifetime; and I do most solemnly enjoin it on them, jointly and severally, that if at any time there should be found, any one, who should dare to mention, that the Hon. Mr L. who is a chief honor of our political pack," had at any time, been Attorney of the United States for the District of New York, and that he had mysteriously or otherwise transported himself thence to New Orleans, the seat of my former and present glory; that they forthwith, in imitation of my example deprive such miscreant of his ears; and charge the consequences to the account of official delinquencies, and defalcations. as reported annually by the first comptroller of the Treasury.

The remainder of my political stock in policies, positive or implied, I leave to my said executors, share and share alike. But should any difference of opinion take place between them in relation to that matter,—as from their well known propensities is extremely probable,—I do hereby direct, that those differences be decided by the use of a brace of 14 inch pistols. such as those presented to me not long since, as having been the property of President Washington, who in 1796, I voted as unworthy of imitation. and do hereby appoint the Hon Thomas H. Benton, and the Hon. James Hamilton, standing agents, to see that the process be conducted according to the true and well established rules of chivalry, in such cases made and provided.

Done at New Orleans amid incessant peals of artillery, and shouts of applause, on the 5th day of the first month of the 1st Jackson year, answering to the 8th of Jan. 1828

Signed in the presence of Joseph Desha, Governor of Kentucky, and M. M. Noah King of Israel.

A. JACKSON.