American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House

In 1836, the presidential election dynamics shifted. Jackson was retiring after two terms, but his handpicked successor, Van Buren, faced many opponents. Jackson’s involvement was perceived as a breach of his asserted noninterference stance, leading to accusations that he was manipulating the election. Opposition papers like the Nashville Republican questioned Jackson’s integrity, suggesting he was influencing the succession undemocratically. The attacks targeted Jackson’s associates, Andrew Donelson and Francis Blair, alleging they misused Jackson’s privileges to bolster Van Buren. This strategy aimed to discredit Jackson’s administration indirectly, highlighting perceived ethical issues without directly attacking Jackson. Blair and the Globe attempted to reshape the narrative, depicting Jackson as maintaining his principles over personal preferences.

On August 16, 1835, Jackson, Emily, and the Donelson children returned to the White House to find Texas in revolt against Mexico. Jackson viewed Texas as a strategic asset and had tried to buy it from Mexico, but Mexico had refused. In December 1835, as American volunteers headed for Texas, Jackson received news from Florida: The Seminole displacement had turned violent and escalated into the Second Seminole War. Under the leadership of a man named Osceola, the Seminole had early victories over the Florida militia, which Jackson blamed on the militia’s incompetence.