WI: Jackson's Loyalty Oath to Spain Exposed?

In the 1990s, it was discovered that as a young man on July 15, 1789, Andrew Jackson signed a loyalty oath to Spain, "pledging to report all conspiracies against its sovereign and to support him in battle if necessary"[1]. At the time, such an oath was required to do business or own property in Spanish Natchez, and "Like other American farmers, merchants and professionals, Jackson did not hesitate to obey Spanish law". Jackson signed it most likely just to get a formality out of the way, and any patriotism or loyalty to Spain is extremely doubtful. At the same time, such dirt could have been great potential for mudslinging. It is pledging allegiance to a foreign nation, as well as a Catholic crown, putting it at odds with the needs of independent determination as president, calling into question loyalty and patriotism to the United States, and creating questions of possible loyalty to the Papacy and Catholicism at a time when such bigotry and fear of conspiracy was common.

What if Andrew Jackson's loyalty oath to Spain had been discovered and used against him by his political adversaries in 1824 or 1828, or during his presidency?
 
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Nothing much. Almost all the founding fathers had sworn oaths of loyalty to the British crown at various points. No one suggested that made them ineligible to hold office.
 
well in the case of the Founding Fathers, it had been made abundantly clear that they would not be following those oaths because of the Revolution. Jackson, on the other hand, would have done so after the US became independent and would thus probably be subject to some suspicion by the rest of the country, unless it was made clear (and accepted by other Americans) that he had only taken the oath so that he could do what he did in Florida
 
Nothing much. Almost all the founding fathers had sworn oaths of loyalty to the British crown at various points. No one suggested that made them ineligible to hold office.

This is a great deal different. They were British citizens who later seceded from the British crown and attained independence. This is a declaration of loyalty to a nation he was not previously a citizen of made after the United States was already in existence. As well as being a Catholic nation.
 
On the southern frontier, this wouldn't hurt his chances. As it was stated, this was considered just part of doing business. However, farther up north or more eastward, if this was twisted the right way, it could hurt Jackson.
 
But it also raises the question on if people away from that area believe he took such an oath.

Is it credible? Can it be presented as if it is credible?

I'm not familiar enough with the political climate to answer, but it's not as if saying it is true will mean people believe it - documents can be forged and so on.
 

Japhy

Banned
This is a great deal different. They were British citizens who later seceded from the British crown and attained independence. This is a declaration of loyalty to a nation he was not previously a citizen of made after the United States was already in existence. As well as being a Catholic nation.

No he's right its not that different.

There were plenty of Americans who spent time living in Spanish Louisiana and they all went though this, just as later men who went to Texas had to pledge similar oaths to the Spanish or Mexican authorities. There's no political capital in attacking Jackson on this, as it was so commonplace in the Southwest at the time. Plus its a bit ridiculous to accuse the Hero of New Orleans of divided loyalties. Had he made a Wilkinson-like pledge you'd have grounds for mudslinging but not this one.
 
No big deal. Think about all the so called citizens of Texas who swore an oath to Mexico and even became catholics. It was just a price to do business or own land. . None of them stopped being Americans.
 

Flubber

Banned
Plus its a bit ridiculous to accuse the Hero of New Orleans of divided loyalties.


Or the man who invaded Spanish East Florida during the 1st Seminole War and captured several Spanish forts.

Othrsyde has it right. Such oaths were just a part of doing business in the Old Southwest during the period. No one took them seriously.
 
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