his country in the fortunate termination of the border wars with the savage nations on our southwestern frontier, and those of a still greater magnitude resulting from his single triumph over our civilized foes, were then almost universally appreciated by his countrymen. They saw, they felt and acknowledged, that the benefits his valor had won, were of no puerile or ordinary description, and with the fulness of their appreciation of them, their gratitude was commensu rate. The mutterings of censure were indeed occasionally heard, but they were soon silenced by the light of truth and the wholesome rebuke of public sentiment. But emotions of gratitude for favors received, are often weakened by time, or supplanted by interest or prejudice, which may account for the fact of subsequent attempts being made, to depreciate the merits of one of America's most distinguished sons, and of whom the nation may be justly proud. His acts, and the motives which prompted them, have been denounced, and before the tribunal of public opinion been subjected to the severest scrutiny and the strictest investigation; and his fame has passed the ordeal, with a lustre still brighter and more imperishable. Our object has been to present a history of his actions in the light in which this investigation has placed them; to what extent we have succeeded, an impartial public will decide. "When the community entertain different views of the conduct or motives of an individual, who has acted in a highly responsible capacity, it is extremely difficult to concentrate opinion by presenting a series of truths. Prejudice operates with peculiar force on one class, while the other, however well convinced of their error, are unwilling to be thought inconsistent, and, therefore, never acknowledge the falsity of the course of reasoning they have once adopted." We are not, therefore, unaware of our exposure to censure, in the publication of this work, from those who may not subscribe to the character delineated of its subject. But the task has been begun and completed with purity of motive and honesty of purpose, and whatever animadversion may fall to our share, we trust will be met in a becoming spirit of forbearance. We have not the vanity to believe that any thing it contains will influence a solitary individual in his opinion of the merits or demerits of Andrew Jackson for the station he now occupies; yet we have the satisfaction of reflecting, that the suspicion of being influenced by such a motive, can with no degree of justice be imputed to us, for its circulation, whatever it may be, will have only commenced before his political destiny will have been decided. For the imperfections of this work, our readers will undoubtedly exercise a proper degree of indulgence -It is before them, and will have its day-it will receive its meed of approbation and censure, and be forgotten; but the fame of the illustrious man, who is the subject of it-his exalted patriotism-his Roman virtue-his unyielding firmness when surrounded by the most disheartening and inveterate difficulties -his skill and energy in planning and completing the defence of his country, in the seasons of her greatest peril his daring courage in the day of battle— his upright and fearless discharge of the highly responsible duties appertaining to the presidency of this mighty communion of states, will live, as noble ex amples, inspiring the love of glory and virtue, long after the present generation of men, their hopes and fears, their joys and sorrows, are mingled with the dust of buried ages. For the materials which compose this work, we have availed ourselves of every thing within our reach, whether furnished by friends or enemies. For the defence of several of General Jackson's public acts, we are indebted to an able writer of Virginia. A small portion of the detail is in the language of others who have heretofore written on the same subject, and which has been used without the usual mark of credit; other characteristics, however, will readily distinguish it. An appendix had been contemplated, for an amplification of some of the parts which constitute the body of the work: the extension of the volume, however, beyond its original design, has rendered its omission necessary. THE AUTHOR. Hartford, Oct. 1st, 1832. CONTENTS. Introductory remarks-Birth of Mr. Jackson-His parentage-War of the Revolution-He engages in the war-Is taken prisoner-Re- sists the command of a British officer-Mrs. Jackson-Her virtues -Her death—Mr. Jackson an orphan-Studies law-Admitted to the bar-Removes to the South West Territory-Appointed attorney general-Member of the Tennessee convention-A representative in Mr. Jackson a major general-The war of 1812-Causes which led to it-Indian hostilities-General Harrison checks them-The South- ern tribes-Tecumseh appears among them-Excites them to hos- tility-The Creeks-Their hostile preparations-Acts of congress for raising volunteers-General Jackson addresses the militia of his division-His expedition to Natchez-Disobeys the order of the se- cretary of war-Is justified-Creek war-Massacre of Fort Mimms -General Jackson marches against the Creeks-Battle of Tallus- hatches General Jackson's and General Coffee's report of it. Tennessee forces-Message of General White-Fortress of Talladega -Its danger-General Jackson advances to its protection-General White refuses to form a junction with him-General Jackson crosses the Coosa-Battle of Talladega-Official report of it-Consequen- ces of General White's conduct-General Floyd-Battle of Autous- see-Official report of it-Difficulties of General Jackson's situation -Famine and mutiny among his troops-His firmness-Arrival of supplies-Discontent of his troops continues-Governor Blount- His instructions-General Jackson dismisses his corps-New troops Newly raised troops-They arrive at Fort Strother-Join the forces of General Jackson-He marches them to Talladega-The enemy at Emuckfaw river-General Jackson advances upon them-Attacks them-His official report of the battle-Important results of his vic- tory-Operations of the Georgia forces-General Floyd's victory- The Creeks fortify themselves at the Horse-Shoe-General Jackson attacks them-Defeats them-His account of the battle-He is cen- sured for his severity to the Creeks-Causes which justified his treat- General Jackson returns to Fort Williams-Marches to the Hickory Grounds-Prospects of the Creeks-They sue for peace-General Pinckney arrives at Fort Jackson-Interchange of courtesies be- tween him and General Jackson-General Pinckney assumes the command-Disbands the troops-General Jackson returns to Ten- nessee-His reception there-Is appointed to negotiate with the Creeks-Eloquence of the Chiefs-He concludes a peace with them -Spanish aggressions-Correspondence between General Jackson Importance of Fort Bowyer-Inadequacy of its defence-Arrival of General Coffee and Tennessee forces-General Jackson marches to Pensacola-The Spanish Governor's preparations for his reception -General Jackson sends Major Pierre with a flag-He is fired at from the forts-General Jackson attacks and subdues the place- Colonel Nicoll-His proclamation-Censure of General Jackson for his operations in the Spanish territory-The legality and justice The safety of New Orleans menaced-General Jackson commences his march for that place-Defenceless situation of Louisiana-Disaf- fection among the inhabitants-General Jackson arrives at New Orleans-Despondency of the people-His exertions in their behalf -He addresses them, and makes preparations for defence-Defec- tion of the French population-Causes that led to the proclamation of martial law-General Jackson proclaims it-Defence of the mea- |