chapter 10 readings

Andrew Jackson’s Veto Message Against Re-chartering the Bank of the United States, 1832

• President Andrew Jackson, influenced by Thomas Jefferson's distrust of national banks, opposed the Bank of the United States.

• Cited the Bank's role in the Panic of 1819 and political corruption as major concerns.

• When Congress renewed the bank charter, Jackson vetoed the bill and sent a message to Congress outlining his objections.

• His veto sparked controversy, with some accusing him of tyrannical behavior, while others viewed it as a fight against a corrupt, wealthy elite.

Veto Message Highlights

1. Presentation of Bill

   • Jackson presents the bill on July 4, emphasizing constitutional principles.

2. Exclusive Privilege and Monopoly

   • The Bank has a monopoly supported by the government, dominating foreign and domestic exchange.

3. Foreign Ownership

   • Over 25% of the Bank's stock is held by foreigners; only a few wealthy Americans control the rest.

4. Election Control

   • Foreigners are excluded from choosing directors, leading to concentrated power among a few wealthy American stockholders.

5. Concentration of Power

   • Jackson warns against the dangers of power being held by a small, unaccountable group.

Concerns About Liberty

• Expresses fears that a concentrated banking power tied to foreign interests threatens U.S. elections and independence.

• Emphasizes that if private citizens restrict bank powers, they would suffer consequences.

• Advocates for a purely American bank that supports the government during crises.

Constitutional Interpretation

• Disagrees with arguments about the Bank’s constitutionality being settled by precedent or Supreme Court decisions.

• Asserts that it is the duty of Congress and the President to interpret the Constitution independently.

Government and Wealth

• Critiques the tendency of the rich to shape government to their benefit.

• Warns against artificial distinctions created by laws that favor the wealthy, unjustly burdening the humble members of society.

• Stresses that government should provide equal protection under the law while allowing for societal distinctions.

• Calls out the act as a deviation from fundamental government principles.

Samuel Morse and the Catholic Conspiracy, 1835

• Samuel Morse expresses concerns that Irish immigrants represent a Catholic conspiracy against U.S. democracy.

• Claims that European governments aim to spread Catholicism in America, threatening democratic ideals.

• Remarks on the alarming rise of Catholic influence and its perceived threat to American institutions.

Warnings Against Foreign Influence

• Suggests that foreign agents and powers work covertly to undermine American freedoms.

• Believes that American society is unprepared for potential upheaval from external meddling.

Chickasaw Nation Treaty, 1830

• Overview of a treaty between the U.S. and the Chickasaw Nation regarding land cession.

• **Key Articles: **

  • Cession of Lands: Chickasaws cede lands east of the Mississippi.

  • Protection Clause: U.S. promises to protect the Chickasaw Nation.

  • Settlements and Supplies: U.S. provides resources and land reservations for Chickasaw families.

Provisions for Education and Infrastructure

• Agreement includes provisions for building schools, employing teachers, and enabling the Chickasaws to transition smoothly to their new homes.

• Recognizes certain individuals for their loyalty and establishes land reservations for peacemaking.

Rhode Islanders Protest Property Restrictions on Voting, 1834

• The struggle of poorer Rhode Islanders for suffrage during the 1830s.

• Proposed changes to voting rights due to land qualifications being viewed as inequitable.

Arguments for Universal Suffrage

• Government should promote the greatest good and protect rights, not restrict them.

• No valid reason exists to maintain landed qualifications; it hinders many from participating in democracy.

Mechanic as an Example

• Illustrates the plight of mechanics who, despite education and contributions, are barred from voting due to land ownership rules.

• Argues for the natural right to vote based on citizenship rather than wealth.

Missouri Controversy and Compromise Documents, 1819-1820

• Highlights sectional tensions over slavery as Missouri applied for statehood.

• Tallmadge Amendment: Proposed to prohibit slavery's expansion into Missouri.

• The Missouri Admission Act: Allowed Missouri to form a constitution while restricting slavery in northern territories.

Thomas Jefferson's Reflections

• Expresses deep concern about the sectional divide over slavery.

• Views the Missouri question as a critical moment for the Union that could lead to its downfall.

• Encourages careful consideration to balance self-preservation and the moral imperative of justice.

Andrew Jackson’s Veto Message Against Re-chartering the Bank of the United States, 1832

President Andrew Jackson, a prominent figure in American history, was influenced by Thomas Jefferson's distrust of national banks and firmly opposed the existence and re-chartering of the Bank of the United States. He argued that the Bank was a vehicle for political corruption and a contributor to financial instability, citing its role in the Panic of 1819 as a significant example that led to widespread economic hardship, particularly for ordinary citizens.

When Congress moved to renew the charter of the Bank, Jackson responded with a decisive veto and articulated a comprehensive message to Congress outlining his objections in detail. This action ignited a fierce debate about the balance of power within the federal government and the potential dangers of concentrated financial power. Some contemporaries accused Jackson of engaging in tyrannical behavior, while his supporters praised him for championing the interests of the common man against a corrupt and wealthy elite that dominated the Bank.

Veto Message Highlights

• Presentation of Bill: Jackson believed that the ceremony of presenting the bill on July 4 underscored the significance of examining constitutional principles, as it was a day symbolizing American independence and democratic ideals.

• Exclusive Privilege and Monopoly: The Bank of the United States was criticized for possessing a monopoly that was not just economically detrimental but also politically dangerous, being supported by the federal government and thus distorting the principles of free enterprise. It exercised significant control over foreign and domestic exchanges, hence wielding undue influence over the economy and political decisions.

• Foreign Ownership: A striking 25% of the Bank's stock was held by foreign investors, which Jackson argued compromised national sovereignty. The remainder was predominantly controlled by a handful of wealthy American elite, signaling a troubling concentration of economic power.

• Election Control: The mechanisms that governed the selection of the Bank's directors inherently excluded foreign stakeholders but allowed a few wealthy American stockholders to exert substantial control over the institution, which raised questions about democratic representation.

• Concentration of Power: Jackson warned emphatically about the dangers present when power is concentrated in the hands of a small, unaccountable group. He believed that such concentration threatened the very fabric of American liberty and governance.

• Concerns About Liberty: Jackson expressed deep-seated fears that a banking power intertwined with foreign interests posed a direct threat not only to U.S. elections but also to the nation's independence as a sovereign entity. He underscored the untenable position that private citizens might face should they seek to challenge the powers of the Bank.

• Advocacy for a Purely American Bank: In times of national crisis, Jackson argued for an institution designed specifically to serve American interests and provide support to the government rather than foreign investors.

• Constitutional Interpretation: A significant portion of Jackson's argument rested on his belief that the constitutionality of the Bank was not conclusively settled by precedent or decisions issued by the Supreme Court. He argued passionately that it was both the prerogative and duty of Congress and the presidency to engage in an independent interpretation of the Constitution.

• Government and Wealth: Jackson was a vocal critic of the tendency of the wealthy elite to manipulate governmental structures to benefit their interests, warning that such actions could create artificial distinctions that favored the privileged while unjustly burdening the less fortunate sectors of society.

• Calls for Equal Protection: He called for a government that would offer equal protection under the law to all citizens, allowing for legitimate societal distinctions without creating an environment of inequality that undermined the American democratic ethos.

Samuel Morse and the Catholic Conspiracy, 1835

Samuel Morse articulated significant concerns over the influx of Irish immigrants, framing their arrival within the context of a Catholic conspiracy aimed at undermining U.S. democracy. He posited that European governments were strategically promoting Catholicism in America, which he believed threatened to corrode the democratic principles foundational to American governance. Morse frequently remarked upon the alarming rise of Catholic influence, which he viewed as directly challenging the integrity of American institutions.

• Warnings Against Foreign Influence: Morse expressed the belief that foreign agents and powers were engaged in hidden efforts to erode American freedoms, heightening national anxieties over external meddling in domestic affairs.

• Societal Preparedness: He claimed that society was ill-equipped to deal with potential upheaval resulting from such external influences, raising alarms over the nation’s stability.

Chickasaw Nation Treaty, 1830

This treaty marked a pivotal agreement between the U.S. government and the Chickasaw Nation concerning the cession of lands.

• Key Articles:

  • Cession of Lands: The Chickasaw Nation was required to cede their territories located east of the Mississippi River to the United States, a common practice during the period of westward expansion.

  • Protection Clause: In return, the U.S. government committed to providing protection and safeguarding the Chickasaw Nation.

  • Settlements and Supplies: The agreement outlined provisions for the United States to furnish resources and land reservations intended for Chickasaw families.

• Provisions for Education and Infrastructure: An important aspect of the treaty included agreements for constructing schools and employing educators to ensure the Chickasaws could adapt effectively to their new circumstances. The treaty also acknowledged individuals who displayed loyalty to the U.S. and established designated reservations for peace negotiations.

Rhode Islanders Protest Property Restrictions on Voting, 1834

The 1830s in Rhode Island were marked by societal struggles as poorer residents contested stringent property requirements for suffrage.

• Proposed Changes: Reformers pushed for changes to voting rights, arguing that land qualifications were inequitable and prevented a significant portion of the populace from exercising their democratic right to vote.

• Arguments for Universal Suffrage: Advocates contended that the primary role of government should be to promote the well-being and protect the rights of all citizens, rather than restrict participation in the democratic process.

• Mechanic as an Example: They highlighted the plight of skilled laborers, such as mechanics, who, despite being educated and contributing to society, were systematically denied the right to vote due to these unfair land ownership stipulations.

• Natural Right to Vote: Reformers argued that voting should be granted based on citizenship rather than wealth, asserting the natural rights inherent to all individuals regardless of their financial status.

Missouri Controversy and Compromise Documents, 1819-1820

The admission of Missouri into the Union reignited intense sectional tensions surrounding the issue of slavery.

• Tallmadge Amendment: This proposal sought to prohibit the expansion of slavery into Missouri, which fueled heated debates in Congress.

• The Missouri Admission Act: Ultimately permitted Missouri to draft its constitution while placing restrictions on slavery in northern territories, attempting to maintain a balance between slave and free states.

• Thomas Jefferson's Reflections: Jefferson expressed profound concern regarding the escalating sectional divide, cautioning that the Missouri question represented a critical juncture that could potentially lead to the Union's disintegration. He urged for careful deliberation to ensure both self-preservation and adherence to morally just principles.