[Andrew Jackson] Invoice for the Medical Care of His Slaves, including three newborn deliveries. One page, 7.5" x 10", J...

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[Andrew Jackson] Invoice for the Medical Care of His Slaves, including three newborn deliveries. One page, 7.5" x 10", July 24, 1818, Melton's Bluff [Alabama]. The invoice, sent from doctors "Crabb & Rousseau" begins, "Dr. Genl./ Nothing but an imperious want of money should serve as an apology for the presentation of the enclosed Accounts but you are aware of our situation." The "enclosed Accounts", addressed specifically to "Maj. Genl. Andw. Jackson", include the following medical services for his slaves (as written):

"To Medical att: & medicine with Black family promiscuously from [?] Octor. 1817 upto 1st May 1818 inclusive, - $60.00
To atten: & med: yellow Mary, particulary 50.00
To att: & Dr. Black Mary - Dr - 50.00
To Delivery & att: three negro women at $20 60.00
[?] 1818 To att: on six negroes this month - 40.00".

The invoice totaled $260.00 and ended, "If you possibly can oblige us . . . without considerable inconvenience you will certainly be conferring a very great favor on your friends/ Crabb & Rousseau". Andrew Jackson viewed slavery, as most Southerners of his day, as a part of Southern life sanctioned by the Bible. He was not interested in abolishing or reforming the peculiar institution. When he died, he owned well over 100 slaves, yet manumitted none. In partnership with Tennessee friends John Coffee and John Hutchings, Jackson purchased land in northern Alabama, some near Melton's Bluff, on the banks of the Tennessee River. This slave document contains irregular borders with some paper loss to the left border. Near very good. Ex. The Papers of John Coffee.