President Andrew Jackson Autographs, Memorabilia & Collectibles

JACKSON (1767-1845), the 7th President of the United States (1829-1837) was the last President to have served in the Revolutionary War. He led US military forces in many battles with American Indians of the Southeast, and became a national hero by defeating the British Army at the Battle of New Orleans (1815). Twice a US Senator from Tennessee (1797-1798, 1823-1825), "Old Hickory" is remembered as a strong President who championed national unity. While some of his policies were controversial, such as the forcible removal of Indian populations on the "Trail of Tears," his advocacy of popular participation in government shaped the modern Democratic Party. Jackson's blunt forcefulness was apparent in his dealings with France, with whom relations were strained due to unresolved US claims arising from French capture of merchant vessels during the Napoleonic Wars. France agreed in principle to pay the claims (July 1831), but a vote to appropriate the money failed to pass the French legislature. The President told his advisors, "I know them French. They won't pay unless they're made to," and sent a stern diplomatic message threatening force if the claims were not paid. French public opinion was outraged by this demand, and there was talk of war, but King Louis Philippe used his influence, and the debt was paid in full in 1836, before Jackson left office.