Rachel's Death | Andrew Mourns| Retaliation
Nashville Mourns | Obituaries | Her Memory Honored

Jackson, whose devotion to his wife had been remarkable, never stopped blaming John Quincy Adams or his colleagues for his wife's death.

As was customary at the time the outgoing and incoming Presidents meet to signify a changing of the guard. Jackson refused to call on Mr. Adams because he thought, "any man who would permit a public journal, under his control, to assault the reputation of a respectable female, much less the wife of his rival and competitor for first office in the world was not entitled to the respect of any honorable man."[1] In turn, Adams, just as his father had after being defeated by Thomas Jefferson, refused to take part in his inauguration, sneaking out of Washington in the early hours of the night.

Once Jackson took office, according to Jackson Papers scholar Sharon Macpherson, he made sure his enemies paid for the death of Mrs. Jackson "in the most effective way. As soon as he had the power of the Presidency, a lot of perks that the people he held responsible for attacking his wife were taken away. And a good many of them found themselves before federal court."

Footnotes:

1. James Parton, The Life of Andrew Jackson, Volume III (New York: Mason Brothers, 1861).

Sources:

James Parton, The Life of Andrew Jackson, Volume III (New York: Mason Brothers, 1861)

The American President [website], accessed 21 August 2001;available from www.americanpresident.org/lp_goodolddays.htm; Internet

Nashville Public Television, Rachel and Andrew Jackson: A Love Story (Nashville, 2001) Excerpt from Sharon Macpherson interview.