from among his troops, that were already in the service of the United States, should be arrested and confined. All sorts of mean stratagems were now resorted to to frustrate Jackson's purpose, but his iron will and indomitable energy overcame every obstacle, and he had the satisfaction of marching the whole of his division to the section of country whence they had been drawn. He then dismissed them, and awaited the consequences of his bold action. It is almost unnecessary to add that when the matter was presented in its proper light to the President, he entirely approved the course adopted by the general.

The repose of General Jackson and his volunteers was of short duration. They had scarcely reached their homes when the Indian nations scattered over the territory comprising the States of Alabama and Mississippi made incursions into Tennessee and Kentucky, and committed the most savage murders and cruelties. The Creek Indians, residing in the vicinity of the Coosa and Tallapoosa Rivers, were the most implacable and hostile. On the 30th of August, 1813, these dusky rascals made a successful attack on Fort Mimms. A most dreadful slaughter took place. Mercy was shown to none. Men, women, and children fell beneath the fatal tomahawk and scalping-knife. The fort was occupied by Major Beasley, with a force of one hundred and fifty men, and a large number of women and children who had sought shelter and protection. Of this number seventeen only made their escape; the rest were mercilessly massacred.

The atrocity of this outrage was in some respects advantageous. It roused the people, and gave them a timely insight into the danger which lay at their very doors. It nerved them for one great retaliatory effort, and paved the way for a subsequent peace. The war was entered into with enthusiasm. It was prosecuted in the face of great difficulties, hardships, and reverses, but it was triumphant. The qualities displayed by General Jackson in this hazardous, energetic, and remarkable campaign proved beyond doubt that he possessed military gifts of the highest order, and in a well-balanced combination rarely found save in the greatest heroes of the world. The difficulties he had to encounter were of the most disheartening kind; discontents were everlastingly rising up in his army; the Governor of Tennessee recommended him to abandon his enterprise; a general deserted him with his entire brigade; opposition after opposition he encounter

ed from different officers, yet he proceeded to assault the bloodthirsty enemy in spite of every impediment. In this campaign he had to imprison officers, to hang a militia soldier, and to do other things which, from their daring, almost require credulity unbounded to believe to be true. Finally, however, he succeeded, subdued the savage tribes, and scattered them before him like chaff in the wind. They were glad to sue for peace, and to enter into a treaty securing it to them. The warriors returned to their homes in the early part of 1814.

In the spring of the same year Jackson received the appointment of major general in the service of the United States. The protection of the coast near the mouth of the Mississippi was intrusted to him. In pursuing the duties of this appointment, General Jackson became convinced that the Indians received assistance from the Spanish authorities at Pensacola, and from the British. He was persuaded, also, that it was the intention of the latter to make a descent on New Orleans so soon as they had perfected their arrangements at Pensacola. The general endeavored to treat with the Spanish authorities, and to point out to them the impropriety of the course they were pursuing; but the Spanish authorities prevaricated, falsified, and even flatly denied the truth of what was charged against them. Jackson dispatched Captain Gordon to see what was passing in the month of August (1814), and ascertained that from fifty to two hundred British officers and soldiers were in the garrison, with a park of artillery, and about five hundred savages under drill. A proclamation dated from "Head-quarters at Pensacola," and signed by Colonel Nicholls, of the British expedition, placed the matter beyond doubt.

General Jackson was never remarkable for being caught asleep, and he was determined not to be somnolent on this occasion. He resolved at once to march against Pensacola, and break up that rendezvous. On the 6th of November, 1814, he carried out this intention, demolished the Spanish defenses and protections, and drove out what remained of the English, Spaniards, and savages. He then made the best of his way to New Orleans, whither the English expedition had already departed. His repulse of the British on that occasion is one of the most brilliant achievements recorded in American history, and is familiar to every schoolboy. It is unnecessary to repeat a story so perfectly well known. General Jackson covered himself and his country with imperishable fame.

Peace having been declared at Ghent, the remainder of the British forces sailed away, after making a stay of about ten days in Jackson's vicinity.

Though honored and respected by the greater part of the citizens of New Orleans, General Jackson was not without his opponents, who saw in some of his actions the worst features of despotism. The decision which he was so fond of exercising, and which was perhaps necessary to a certain extent, was undoubtedly calculated, in its exaggerated form, to produce the worst apprehensions in the minds of the timid and moderate. The general's enemies made the most of this circumstance. Before the departure of the British, an anonymous article appeared in one of the newspapers, commenting on the state of things. Jackson forced the editor of the paper to divulge the name of the writer, who turned out to be a member of the State Legislature. He was flung into prison. Application was made to one of the judges for a writ of habeas corpus, which was immediately granted and issued. Jackson then imprisoned the judge for issuing the writ, and the lawyer for drawing it out. These proceedings were undoubtedly despotic and tyrannous, but we must remember that at the time they occurred the city was under the edict of martial law. When military rule was at an end, Jackson had to answer for his interference with the civil courts. He did not attempt to defend himself, but paid the penalty imposed (a fine of one thousand dollars), with the consciousness that he had done his duty thoroughly, if a little sternly.

In the month of March General Jackson returned once more to his home in Tennessee, carrying with him a larger amount of popularity than had ever been borne by any man except Washington. For two years he remained on his farm, prepared for service, if need be, but occupied with rural pleasures and labors. In 1817 fresh difficulties were experienced from the Indians, and General Jackson received orders to repair to Fort Scott, and take the command of the forces in that quarter, with authority, in case he should deem it necessary, to call upon the executives of the adjoining states for additional troops. They also authorized him to cross the Florida line, if necessary to the execution of his orders. Florida was then a Spanish possession. The power vested in Jackson shows the confidence in which he was held by the gov

ernment.

The campaign against the Seminoles was prosecuted with great vigor, and without any special delicacy concerning Spanish rights, or squeamishness about hanging and shooting British prisoners. It was brought to a successful termination, but did not contribute to the general's permanent fame.

In June, 1818, Jackson was once more at the Hermitage, but, as his conduct in the Seminole war was arraigned by the House of Representatives and by the press, he determined on visiting Washington for the purpose of defending himself. He made a kind of triumphal journey, receiving honors in every city through which he passed. No man could be more popular with the masses than the gallant defender of New Orleans. If he had been a little harsh, and a trifle unmindful of the law of nations, people were disposed to be lenient with a man whose integrity and sincere patriotism were beyond the breath of suspicion. It is almost unnecessary to add that he succeeded in clearing himself before the country.

When the Floridas were ceded by Spain to America, the President appointed General Jackson to act in the first place as commissioner for receiving the provinces, and then to assume the government of them. It was intended and expressed that the American governor should exercise all the functions belonging to the Spanish governors, captain-general, and intendants, until Congress should provide a deliberate system of administration, as in the instances of the other territories.

On the 1st of July, 1821, General Jackson entered upon his delicate office, and at once published a declaration announcing that the authority of the United States thereafter existed in the Territory. He had some difficulties to encounter with the Spanish governors, who did not cheerfully surrender the records and state papers in their possession. Jackson had to resort to arbitrary measures, and did so with success, but not without again provoking bitter complaints at Washington.

The con

On the 7th of October Jackson delegated his power to two gentlemen, his secretaries, and returned to Nashville. dition of his health was one of the reasons which induced him to take this step. On the 4th of July, 1822, the Governor of Tennessee, acting for the Legislature, presented him with a sword, as a testimonial "of the high respect" entertained by the state for his public services; and on the 20th of August of the same

year, the members of the General Assembly of Tennessee recommended him to the Union for the office of President, a recommendation which was repeated by the Legislature of Alabama, and various assemblages of private citizens in other parts of the country. In the autumn of 1823 he was elected to the Senate of the United States, and in the following year was put in regular nomination for the presidency. The election had to be decided by the House of Representatives, and Adams, who stood next to Jackson in popularity at the polls, was declared to be President. After the expiration of four years Jackson was once more entered for the grand presidential race. He distanced his rival, and was elected President (1828), and re-elected (1832), thus serving his country in the highest office within her gift for a term of eight years. The same decision which characterized his military career gave strength and vigor to his presidency. It exposed him, however, to the severest red-tape criticism, and it is not yet conceded that some of the individual actions of President Jackson were those which can be safely handed down as wholesome precedents for the future administration of the country.

On retiring from the presidency in 1836, General Jackson returned to his home in Tennessee, where he remained in honorable retirement for the residue of his life, largely respected by all classes of men, and looked up to by a great party as the oracle of its destinies. He died on the 8th of June, 1845. The heart of the nation was profoundly moved by the calamity, and some of her most eminent sons pronounced eulogiums on the departed warrior. From one of these-the splendid effort of Daniel Webster

we reproduce the following estimate of the general's character: "The character of General Jackson while he lived was presented in two relations to his country. He was a soldier, and had commanded the armies of the republic, and he has filled the office of chief magistrate. So far as regards his military reputation and merits, I partake fully in the general estimate. He was a soldier of dauntless courage, vigor, and perseverance, an officer of skill and sagacity, of quickness of perception, and of prompt and resolute execution of his purposes. There is probably no division, at home or abroad, as to his merits in these particulars.

"During the whole of his civil administration it happened that I was a member of the Senate of the United States, and it was my misfortune to be obliged to differ with him in regard to most