Hermitage May 7th 1858-- My dear Sir, Your letter of the first of January last tendering to me the joys of the season, with a New Years gift, reached me whilst confined to my bed by a severe Hemorrhage, it was [inserted: with] others, loud away unanswered [illegible] to my then debility , where it remained until last evening when brought to mind by a note from Nashville, Tennessee, informing me that your much esteemed New Years gift had arrived. I say Much esteemed gift, because it comes from a friend - a pure patriot who stands firm & undaunted at the apostasy of the times, not terrified by the convicting influence of the great, combined money power of the day, but stands firm with the great democracy of the Union contending against this power, & for those Rights Secured to all by the constitution, and by a strict adherence to which, can alone preserve, and perpetuate our Liberty. I never have yet, my dear Sir, despaired of the Republic - my reliance is on the virtue & incorrupt Liberty, of the Sovereign people-- they may be deluded for the moment by spounting demagogues, & men [inserted: in] who they have had confidence, but who hostolity [?] been bought up by the money powers have betrayed them - the vessel of state will soon light herself. The people see that the present contest, really is, whether the combined money power shall govern, or the sovereign people, I am confident that the people will never surrender their sovereign power secured to them by the Constitution, and submit to the despotic rule, and government, of a moneyed Rogocracy; I have, therefore, no fear but that the people will triumph next October. For your kind remembrance of me, & my little family, and [struck: for] [struck: the] the approbation of my official conduct so gratefully expressed receive my thoughts and believe me to be with sincere respect your friend Andrew Jackson William M. Druce Esqr Att for the N. States City New York P.S. Mr & Mrs Jackson present their kind regards to you, wish you their best wishes for your prosperity - A.J.