The life of Andrew Jackson, President of the United States of America

Dedication

TO THE

WORKING PEOPLE OF IRELAND.

My Friends,

Preface

Among all the duties of men who meddle with public aifairs, and who have any portion of the press at their command, no one is more obligatory upon them than that of endeavouring, by all the means that they have in their power, to do justice to the character and conduct of those who, during their own time especially, have rendered eminent services in the cause of public justice and public liberty; and among all the men who have distinguished themselves in this way in the present age, I know of no one who can challenge any thing like an equality with him whose life and actions are the subject of the following pages.

There may have been men placed in situations as difficult and as dangerous as those in which he has been placed. There may have been men who have shown courage, fortitude, perseverance, and resolution, equal to those shown by him. This may be; but, at the end of pretty nearly seventy years of observing, of bewaring, and of reading, I declare most explicitly, I have never seen, never heard of, and never read of, any man equal to the

VI PREFACE.

President in these prime and admirable qualities. These pages trace him from the spade and the plough to the musket carried against invaders, aiming at the destruction of the liberties of his country; from the musket they take him back to his books: then take i)im to the bar; then place liim on the bench; then send him to the senate; afterward lead us to see him on his farm, whence, when another invasion of his country took place, they show him quitting his beloved fields, again rushing to meet hostile foes, and, having delivered his country of those foes, we are led with him back again to his farm, whence he is again called, to take upon him the chief magistracy of a great and opulent and a free country; and that, too, by the unanimous voi'^e of millions of freemen.

Thus honoured, thus confided in, thus placed in a more honourable situation than any other man upon the face of the earth, we see him acting a part worthy of his high station. The angry, the bitter, the implacable, the heretofore-deemed-allpowerful British government, he had repulsed; he had humbled; the savage tribes, the cannibal foes of his country, he had scourged with rods of scorpions; if he had not tamed them into humanity, he had made fear sheathe their hatchets and their scalping-knives: but, in his capacity of chief magistrate, in his capacity of chief guardian of the civil and political rig-hts, and of the property and lives of his countrymen, he had to deal with a monster more formidable, and more destructive to the people, than either the British or the sava-

PREFACE. Vll

ges: a monster perfectly insatiable; hypocritical as the crocodile, delusive as the syren, and deadly as the rattlesnake itself. The monster of paper-money he has now to encounter. This is his last great labour; if this monster fall beneath him, no pen, no tongue, no vehicle of praise can ever render justice to his name. Some poet has said, that the grandest spectacle that the human mind can conceive is, "a great man struggling with the storms of fate." It is a greater still to see a great man struggling — to see the greatest of men now alive struggling with the most cruel and destructive monster that ever the Almighty, in his just displeasure, permitted to be the scourge of offend-

It is with no small delight that I see, in the following pages, proofs undeniable of the superiority of nature over art, of genius over rank and over riches: it is with pride, and with just pride I trust, that I behold all that is great in the character of man springing out of the humble homestead; but it is with still greater and with inexpressible delight, that I see it spring from poor IRISH EMIGRANT PARENTS, driven from their native land by its inexorable oppressors. Ah! God is just, in spite of our ungrateful impatience. No man living ever did so much to humble England as Andrew Jackson; and these pages will show us how his zeal was sharpened, how his anger was pointed, by the lessons taught him by his ill-treated parents, and by the cruelty and insolence which he had to endure from the same

Vlll PREFACE.

source. Arrogance and injustice, when associated with power, never listen to reason or remonstrance as long as the power lasts. If they were capable of listening, I would bid the oppressors of the poor people of Ireland to read these pages; ges; and to remember that the country which produced Andrew Jackson still retains the faculty of giving life to other such men.

Wm. Cobbett.

Bolt-court, London, 21th March, 1834

Chapter 1

1767. His birth and parentage— 1781. Enters the American revolutionary army— Cruelty of a British officer — Death of his brother and mother. His sufferings — 1784. Studies the law in JVorth Carolina-Contin lies there till 1788 — 1788. Settles in Teniiessee as a barrister — Distinguishes himself in fighting the Indians — 1796. Chosen a member of the Tennessee convention — Elected a member of congress — 1797. Chosen a senator of the congress — 1798. Made major-general of Tennessee — Resigns his seat in the senate — 1799. Appointed a judge of the supreme court — Soon resigns and retires to his farm, where he remains till the breaking out of the war, in 1812, between the United States and Great Britain Page 13

Chapter II

FROM THE BEGINNING OF 1812, TO THE MONTH OF MAY OF THAT YEAR.

He was roused from his retirement by the war with Great Britain — Assembles 2500 volunteers — Descends the Misssippi 300 miles — Encamps near the Natches, to be ready to defend that part of the country from invaders — The danger of invasion appears to be removed — Is ordered to give up his stores to the regular army stationed there — Refuses to comply with the order — Fulfils his compact with his volunteers, by taking them back safely to their own liomes 24

CHAPTER HI.

FROM MAY, 1813, TO APRIL, 1814.

His Indian campaign — Battle after battle — Discontent in his army after dis' content — Proof after proof of fortitude and resolution, each meriting the admiration of all mankind 33

Chapter IV. From April, 1814, To December, 1814

Perfidious conduct of the Spanish governor of Pensacola — Jackson's remonstrance— NichoU's proclamation — Defeat of the British at Fort Bowyer, by Major Lawrence — Reduction of Pensacola, and retreat of the British — Jackson's arrival at New Orleans — Preparations made by the British for the reduction of New-Orleans 93

10 CONTENTS.

Chapter V. From The 1st Of December, 1814, To March, 1815

Pefence of New-Orleans — Jackson is beset with traitors and spies — Arms not sent to him — Enemy lands on the 23d December — He marches in the night and drives them back — Divers smaller engagements — The traitors in the assembly and in the town conspire ^-ainst him — Defeats the British with great slaughter, 8th January — Drives them out of the country — His farewell address to his army — The sneaking account given by the British government of this important transaction. .... 98

Chapter VI. From March, 1815, To February, 1834

'Becomes a senator in the congress of the United States, for the slate of Tennessee — Is a candidate for the presidentship, 1824 — Has the greatest number of votes, but is kept out by a trick of Clay and Crawlord — Is chosen president in 1899 — Declares against a renewal of the bank charter — Puts his veto on a bill to renew the charter of the bank — The bank

, forms a conspiracy against his re-election — He is re-elected in the fall of X832 — He denounces the bank, exposes its corruption and bribery, takes the deposites from the bank, and places them in the state banks — Publishes his reasons for doing this — Person and character . , 173

THE LIFE

OF

ANDREW JACKSON

THE LIFE

OF

ANDREW JACKSON.

Chapter 1

1767. His birth and parentage — 1781. Enters the American revolutionary army — Cruelty of a British officer — Death of his brother and mother His sufferings — 1784. Studies the law in JVorth Carolina-Continues there till 1788 — 1788. Settles in Tennessee as a barrister — Distinguishes himself in fighting the Indians — 1796. Chosen a member of the Tennessee convention — Elected » member of congress — 1797. Chosen a senator of the congress— 1798. M^de major-general of Tennessee — Resigns his seat in the senate — 1799. Appointed a judge of the supreme court — Soon resigns and retires to his farm, where he remains till the breaking out of the war, in 1812, between the United States and Great Britain.

1. Andrew Jackson was born on the 15th day, of , March, 1767. His father (Andrew), the youngest son of his family, emigrated to America from Ireland during the year 1765, bringing with him two sons, Hugh and Robert, both very young. Landing at Charleston, in South Carolina, he shortly afterward purchased a tract of land, in what was then called the Waxsaw settlement, about forty-five miles above Camden; at which place the subject of this history was born. Shortly after his birth, his father died, leaving three sons to be provided for by their mother. She appears to have been an exemplary woman, and to have executed the arduous duties which had devolved on her with greatest faithfulness and with much success. To the lessons she inculcated on the youthful minds of her sons was, no fter- 1 doubt, owing, in a great measure, that fixed opposi tion to British tyranny and oppression which after ward so much distinguished them. Often would she spend the winter's evenings in recounting to them the sufferings of their grandfather at the siege of Carrickfergus, and the oppressions exercised by the nobihty of Ireland over the labouring poor; impressing it upon them as a first duty, to expend their lives, if it should become necessary, in defending and supporting the natural rights of man.

2. Inheriting but a small patrimony from their father, it was impossible that all the sons could receive an expensive education. The two eldest were therefore only taught the rudiments of their mother tongue, at a common country school. But Andrew, being intended by his mother for the ministry, was sent to a flourishing academy at the Waxsaw meeting-house, superintended by Mr. Humphries. Here he was placed on the study of the dead languages, ^aEkd continued until the revolutionary war, extending its ravages into that section of South Carohna where he then was, rendered it necessary that every one should betake himself to the American standard, seek protection with the enemy, or flee his country. It was not an alternative that admitted of a tedious deliberation. The natural ardour of his temper, deriving encouragement from the recommendations of his mother, whose feelings were not less ahve on the occasion than his own, and excited by those sentiments in favour of liberty with which, by her conversation, his mind had been early endued, quickly determined him in the course to be pursued; and at the tender age of fourteen, accompanied by his brother Robert, he hastened to the American camp, and engaged actively in the service of his country. His oldest brother, who had previouslyjoined the army, had lost his life at the battle of Stono, from the excessive heat of the weather and the fatigues of the day.

3. Both Andrew and Robert were at this period pretty well acquainted with the manual exercise, and had some idea of the different evolutions of the field, having been indulged by their mother in attending the drill and general musters of the neighbourhood.

4. The Americans, being unequal, as well from the inferiority of their numbers as their discipline, to engage the British army in battle, had retired before it into the interior of North Carolina; but when they learned that lord Cornwallis had crossed the Yadkin, they returned in small detachments to their native state. On their arrival they found lord RaWdon in possession of Camden, and the whole country around in a state of desolation. The British commander being advised of the return of the settlers of Waxsaw, Major Coffin was immediately despatched thither with a corps of light drqjgeons^ a company of infantry, and a considerable numbei* of tories, for their capture and destruction. Hearing of their approach, the settlers without delay appointed the Waxsaw meeting-house as a place of rendezvous, that they might the better collect their scattered strength, and concert some system of operations. About forty of them had accordingly assembled at this point, when the enemy approached, keeping the tories, who were dressed in the common garb of the country, in front, whereby this little band of patriots were completely deceived, having taken them for captain Nisbet's company, in expectation of which they had been waiting. Eleven of them

1ft LIFE OF ANDREW JAdrffON.

were taken prisoners; the rest with difFiciiIty fled, scattering and betaking themselves to the woods for conceahnent. Of those who thus escaped, though closely pursued, were And/ew Jackson and his brother, who, entering a secret bend in a creek that was close at hand, obtained a momentary respite from danger, and avoided, for the night, the pursuit of the enemy. The next day, however, having gone to a neighbouring house for the purpose of procuring something to eat, they were broken in upon, and made prisoners, by Coffin's dragoons and a party of tories who accompanied them. Those young men, with a view to security, had placed their horses in the wood, on the margin of a small creek, and posted on the road which led by the house a sentinel, that they might have information of any approach, and in time to be able to elude it. But the tories, who were well acquainted with the country and the passes through the forest, had unfortunately passed the creek at the very point where the horses and baggage of our young soldiers were deposited, and taken possession of them. Having done this, they approached cautiously the house, and were almost at the door before they were discovered. To escape was impossible, and both were made prisoners. Being placed under guard, Andrew was ordered, in a very imperious tone, by a British officer, to clean his boots, which had became muddied in crossing the creek. This order he positively and peremptorily refused to obey; alleging that he looked for such treatment as a prisoner of war had a right to expect. Incensed at his refusal, the officer aimed a blow at his head with a drawn sword, which would very probably have termined his existence had he not parried its effects by throwing up his left hand, on

LIFE OF ANDREW JA6KS0N. 17

which he received a severe wound, the mark of which he bears to this hour. His brother, at the same time, for a similar offence, received a deep cut on the head, which subsequently occasioned his death. They were both now taken to jail, wher©^ separated and confined, they were treated with marked severity, until a few days after the battle before Camden, when, in consequence of a partial exchange, effected by the intercessions and exertions of their mother, and Captain Walker of the militia, they were both released from confinement. Captain Walker had, in a charge on the rear of the British army,succeeded in making thirteen prisoners, whom he gave in exchange for seven Americans, of which number were these two young men. Robert, during his confinement in prison, had suffered greatly; the wound on his head, all this time having never been dressed, was followed by an inflammation of the brain, which, in a few days after his liberation, brought him to his grave. To add to the afflictions of Andrew, his mother, worn down by grief and her incessant exertions to provide clothing and other comforts for the suffering prisoners who had been taken from her neighbourhood, expired in a few weeks after her son, near the lines of the enemy, in the vicinity of Charleston. Andrew, the last and only surviving child, confined to a bed of sickness, occasioned by the sufferings he had been compelled to undergo while a prisoner, and by getting wet on his return from captivity, was thus left in the wide world without a human being with whom he could claim near relationship. The small-pox, about the same time having made its appearance upon him, had well-nigh terminated his sorrows and his existence. 5. Having at length recovered from his com- 2* plicated afflictions, he entered upon the enjoyment of his estate, which, although small, would have been sufficient, under prudent management, to have completed his education on the liberal scale which his mother had designed. Unfortunately, however, he, like too many young men, sacrificing future prospects to present gratification, expended it with rather too profuse a hand. Coming, at length; to foresee that he should be finally obliged to rely on his own exertions for support and success in life, he again betook himself to his studies with increased industry. He recommenced under Mr. M'Culloch, in that part of Carolina which was then called the New Acquisition, near Hill's iron works. Here he studied the languages, devoting a portion of his time to a desultory course of studies.

6. His education being now completed, so far as his wasted patrimony and the limited opportunities then afforded in that section of the country would permit, at the age of eighteen he turned his attention to acquiring a profession, and preparing himself to enter on the busy scenes of life. The pulpit, for which he had been designed by his mother, was now abandoned for the bar; and, in the winter of 1784, he repaired to Salisbury, in North Carolina, and commenced the study of law, under Spruce M'Cay, Esq., afterwards one of the judges of that state, and subsequently continued it under Colonel John Stokes. Having remained at Salisbury until the winter of 1786, he obtained a license from the judges to practise law, and continued in the state until the spring of 1768.

7. The observations he was enabled, during this time, to make, satisfied him that this state presented few inducements to a young attorney; and recollecting that he stood a solitary individual in life, without relations to aid him in the onset, when innumerable difficulties arise and retard success, he determined to seek a new country. But for this he might have again returned to his native state; the death, however, of every relation he had had wiped away all those endearing recollections and circumstances which warp the mind to the place of its nativity. The western parts of the state of Tennessee were, about this time, often spoken of as presenting fiatlering prospects to adventurers. He immediately determined to accompany Judge M'Nairj thither, who had been appointed, and was going out, to hold the first supreme court that had ever sat in the state. Having reached the Holston, they ascertained it would be impossible to arrive at the time appointed for the session of the court; and therefore determined to remain in that section of the country until fall. They recommenced their journey in October, and passing through an extensive uninhabited country, reached Nashville in the same month. It had not been Jackson's intention certainly to make Tennessee the place of his future residence; his visit was merely experimental, and his stay remained to be determined by the advantages that might be disclosed: but finding, soon after his arrival, that a considerable opening was offered for the success of a young attorney, he determined to remain. To one of refined feelings, the prospect before him was certainly not of an encouraging cast. As in all newly-settled countries must be the case, society was loosely formed, and united by but few of those ties which

20 LrFE OF ANDREW JACKSON.

have a tendency to enforce the performance of moral duty and the right execution of justice. The young men of the place, adventurers from different sections of the country, had become indebted to the merchants; there was but one lawyer in the country, and they had so contrived as to retain him in their business; the consequence was, that the merchants were entirely deprived of the means of enforcing against those gentlemen the Ij execution of their contracts. In this state of ■ things, Jackson made his appearance at Nashville, and while the creditor class looked to it with great satisfaction, the debtors were sorely displeased. Applications were immediately made to him for his professional services, and on the morning after his arrival he issued seventy writs. To those prodigal gentlemen it was an alarming circumstance; their former security was impaired; but that it might not wholly depart, they determined to force him, in some way or other to leave the country; and to effect this, broils and quarrels with him were to be resorted to. This however, was soon abandoned; satisfirid, by the first controversy in which they had involved him, that his decision and firmness were such as to leave no hope of effecting any thing through this channel. Disregarding the opposition raised to him, he continued, with care and industry, to press forward in his professional course; and his attention soon brought him forward, and introduced him to a profitable practice. Shortly afterward, he was appointed attorney-general for the district, in which capacity he continued to act for several years. 8. Indian depredations being then frequent on

LIFE OF ANDREW JACKSON.

n the Cumberland, every man, of necessity, became a soldier. Unassisted by the government, the settlers were forced to rely for security on their own bravery and exertions. Although young, no person was more distinguished than Andrew Jackson in defending the country against these predatory incursions of the savages, who continually harrassed the frontiers, and not unfrequently approached the heart of the settlements, which were thin, but not widely extended. He aided alike in garrisoning the forts, and in pursuing and chastising the enemy.

9. In the year 1796, having, by his patriotism, firmness, and talents, secured to himself a distinguished standing with all classes, he was chosen one of the members of the convention for establishing a constitution for the state. His good conduct and zeal for the public interest, and the republican feelings and sentiments which were conspicuously disclosed in the formation and arrangement of this instrument, brought him more prominently to view; and, without proposing or soliciting, he was, in the same year, elected a member of the house of representatives, in congress, for the state of Tennessee. The following year, his reputation continuing to increase, and every bosom feeling a wish to raise him to still higher honours, he was chosen a senator of the United States' congress, and took his seat on the 2-2d day of November, 1797. About the middle of April, business of an important and private nature imposed on him the necessity of asking leave of absence, and returniiig home. Leave was granted, and, before the next session he resigned his seat. He was but a little more than thirty years of age; and hence scarcely eligible by the constitution at the time he was elected. The sedition law, about which so much concern and feeling had been manifested through the country, was introduced into the senate by Mr. Lloyd of Maryland, in June, 1798, and passed that body on the 4th of July following; hence the name of Jackson, owing to the leave of absence which had been granted him in April, does not appear on the journals. On the alien law, however, and the effort to repeal the stamp act, he was present, resting in the minority, and on the side of the republican principles of the country.

10. The state of Tennessee, on its admission into the Union, comprising but one military division, and General Conway, who commanded it as major-general, dying about this time, Jackson, without being consulted on the subject, and without the least intimation of what was in agitation, was, as the constitution of the state directs, chosen by the field-officers to succeed him; which appointment he continued to hold until May, 1814, when he was constituted a major-general in the United States' service.

11. Becoming tired of political life, for the intrigues of which he declared himself unqualified, and having for two years voted in the minority in congress, he resigned, after the first session, his seat in the senate. To this measure he was strongly induced, from a desire to make way for General Smith, who, he conjectured, would in that capacity be able to render more important services to the government than himself. His country, unwilling that his talents should remain inactive and unemployed, again demanded his services. Immediately after his resignation, he was appointed one of the judges of the supreme court of the state. Sensibly alive to the difficult duties of this station, distrusting his legal acquirements, and impressed with the great injury he might produce to suitors by erroneous decisions, he advanced to the office with reluctance, and in a short time resigned, leaving it open for those who, he believed were better qualified than himself to discharge its intricate and important duties. Unambitious of these distinctions and honours, which young men are usually proud to possess, and finding too that his circumstances and condition in life were not such as to permit his time and attention to be devoted to public matters, he determined to yield them into other hands, and to devote himself to agricultural pursuits; and accordingly settled himself on an excellent farm, ten miles from JN"ashville, on the Cumberland river; where, for several years, he enjoyed all the comforts of domestic and social intercourse. Abstracted from the busy scenes of public life, pleased with retirement, surrounded by friends whom he loved, and who entertained for him the highest veneration and respect, and blessed with an amiable and obedient wife, nothing seemed wanting to the completion of that happiness which he so anxiously desired while in office.

Chapter II

FROM THE BEGINNING OF 1812, TO THE MONTH OF MAY OF THAT YEAR.

He was roused from his retirement by the war with Great Britain — Assembles 2500 Tolunteers — Descends the Misssippi 300 miles — Encamps near the Natches, to be readjf to defend that part of the country from invaders — The danger ofinvasion appears to be removed — Is ordered to give up his stores to the regular army stationed there — Refuses to comply with the order — Fulfils his compact with his volunteers, by taking them back safely to their own homes.

12. The repose of Jackson, and the pleasures de. rived from his farm, were now destined to be abandoned for the duties of public life. After many years of negotiation and entreaty with Great Britain, — after forbearance such as no country in the world ever showed before, the congress, unanimously called upon by the sound people of that country for the purpose, declared war against Great Britain, on the grounds clearly set forth in my ^^History of the Regency and Reign of George the Foiirth,^^ and particularly in the paragraph 297 of that history.

13. The government of the United States, during the same year in which they declared the war, made preparations for calling out volunteers for the defence of the country. Jackson, then happy on his farm, in the neighbourhood of Nashville, which lies about the middle of the fine state of Tennessee, which is bounded to the north by Kentucky, to the east by the Allegany mountains, to the south by the states of Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, and to the west by the great river Mississippi, — Jackson, happy on his farm, in the midst of this fine and flourishing state, and retired, as he apparently thought, for ever, Irom all public affairs, though only forty-five years of age, — retired, as he thought, for ever.

was again roused by the insults offered lo his country, by the wrongs inflicted upon her citizens, and by the recollections, no doubt, of the death of his mother, of the death of his brother Robert, of the cause of those deaths; and, if he could have forgotten the horrid account of the injuries inflicted upon the country of his father and his mother, there was that scar on his hand, inflicted by a British officer, who had aimed a blow at his life because he had refused to clean the dirt off his boots; there was that scar to keep his virtuous resentment alive, even if he could have forgotten the wrongs of Ireland, and the ruin and extermination of every relation in the world.

14. Nevertheless, he did not seek a command in the regular army which was about to be raised; but the congress, having passed an act, in February, and another in July, 1812, authorizing the president (then Madison) to accept of the services of fifty thousand volunteers, he addressed the citizens of his division, and twenty-five hundred flocked to his standard. A tender of them having been made, and the offer accepted, in November, 1812, he received orders to place himself at their head and to descend the Mississippi, for the defence of the lower country, which was then supposed to be in danger. Accordinglj^, on the 10th of December, 1812, those troops rendezvoused at Nashville, prepared to advance to the place of their destination; and although the weather was then excessively severe, and the ground covered with snow, no troops could have displayed greater firmness. The general was every where with them inspiring them with the ardour that animated his own bosom. The cheerful spirit with which they 3 submitted to hardships and bore privations, on the very onset of their mihtary career, as well as the order and subordination they so readily observed^ were happy presages of wliat was to be expected when they should be directed to face an enemy. '^ 15. Natches is a town on the banks of the Mississippi, full three hundred miles from Nashville, and about a hundred miles from New-Orleans, which is near the mouths of the Mississippi. Natches was the place of rendezvous. He arrived there in the month of January; and, very soon afterward, there took place a transaction which gave the government of the United States a specimen of that inflexibility of character in him which has since been so fully developed, under circumstances of greater peril than any other man has ever had to encounter.