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■•^ONTAIHIN'

©Or^TI^AITS AND BlOGP^APHIGAL Sl^E^TGHES
pi^onjinent and I^eprG^ei]tafciVE ditizeq^ of tlje Countif,

TOGETHER WITH PORTRAITS A!VD BIOGRAPHIES OF ALL THE GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN
AND OF THE PRESIDENTS OB THE UNITED STATES.

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ALSO CONTAINING A COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE COUNTY, FROM ITS EARLIEST SETTLEMENT

TO THE PRESENT TIME.

CHICAGO:

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traits of all the leading men and pioneers of the county.
("hicago, Dcccmher, 1883.

CHAPMAN BROTHERS.

ISHING to adhere to the time-honored but often unnecessary custom of introduc-
ing books with a preface, we now proceed to thus formally present the Portrait
AND Biographical Album of Mecosta County, Michigan. We promise, how-
ever, that the introduction shall be brief In reference to the value and import-
ance of biography, of which this work is largely composed, we wish to say a word.
It is conceded, not only by the best philosophical writers, but by intelligent
\ practical men the world over, that there is nothing which creates an aspiration so
noble and laudable within the heart and mind of the young man who is struggling
against adversity, poverty, and an humble position in society, as to read how other
men have risen to eminent and honored positions from the self-same lowly walks of
life he now occupies. It is a source of great encouragement to them. It is also a
duty that each generation owes to the succeeding ones, to record and preserve the
personal history of its leading and active men. There is no better way to preserve
the history of a nation than in the lives of the men who make such history. Our
forefathers were very largely negligent of this duty to _ posterity. We now only know
the names of our ancestors, and often not even so much has been preserved. We
know nothing of their lives, long and useful though they were.

In the preparation of the personal sketches contained in this volume, unusual

care and pains were taken to have them accurate, even in the smallest detail. Indeed,

nothing was passed lightly over or treated indifferently in the entire book, and we

flatter ourselves that it is one of the most accurate works of its nature ever published.

In reference to the history of the county, which is very fully treated, we wish to

call the attention of the reader to the extraordinarily rapid growth and development

of the county since its first settlement. But a few years ago the primeval forest was

occupied only by the wild beasts and the Red Man. To-day prosperous cities, busy

factories and mills, fine farms, school-houses and churches are to be seen everywhere throughout its

borders. Nowhere has the busy activities of our days, the march of progress, the wonderful advance of

science and art, contributed more to the rapid and remarkable development of any portion of the

Northwest than in the County of Mecosta.

As one of the most interesting features of this work, we present the portraits of numerous repre-
sentative citizens. It has been our aim to have the prominent men of to-day, as well as the pioneers,
(^ represented in this department; and we congratulate ourselves on the uniformly high character of the
gentlemen whose portraits we present. They are in the strictest sense representative men, and are
selected from all the callings and professions worthy to be represented. There are others, it is true,
who claim equal prominence with those presented, but of course it was impossible for us to give por-

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Acker man, David ... .42:

Adair, James M .421

Adair, Nelson V 241

Adams, John 53

Adams, John Quincy 39

Adams, Norman W 261

Aitken, James 555

Albro, Henry T 329

Aldrich, Forest W 4qo

Andrews, Wm, H 422

Ariss, Thomas 504

Armstrong, John V 443

Armstrong, Joseph A 284

Arthur, Chester A gq

Austin, Robert 455

B

Bacon, Barnabas 201

Eagle y, John J 157

Baker, L. S. 44Q

Baldwin, Henry P 153

Bane, Alexander 436

Barnard, Charles F 450

Bariihart, Noah 210

Barnhart, Wm z6o

Barry, John S T13

Barstow, Sumner 508

Barto, David W 303

Barto, Joseph B 242

Beebe, Nelson H 303

Bcgole, Josiah W. i6g

Bell, John A 250

Bell,Wm. A 269

Bellamy, John ... .346

Bemis, Luther 241

Benjamin, David M 538

Bennett, A.W 388

Bennett, Hasard 2S0

Benscoter, JohnW 416

Eentley, Ora F 380

Benthien, Carl 381

Bingham, Kinsley S 137

Bisbee, Jasper E 539

Blackmar, P 259

Blair, Austin 145

Blanchard, Herbert P ..290

Blossom, John 435

:^f^#'

Borst, Julius R 319

Boyd, Myron H 182

Bovay, Robert H 467

Brackett, George 363

Brady, George 433

Brander, Wm 374

Ereakey, Andrew 503

Briggs, Martin L 331

Brigham, Elisha A 5C2

Bright, John H 422

Brock way, Asa 227

Brockway, Wm 208

Eronson, Gen. Stephen 187

Broomfield, Wm 444

Brown, Dr. Benj. F. "vsiS

Brown, Benson E. 526

Brown, Harrison J 314

Brown, Henry D 272

Brown, Henry R 264

Brown, John F 556

Brown, Maria E .528

Brown, Hon. Michael 197

Brown, Silas 318

Brown, Stephen W 485

Brown, Wm. H 553

Bruce, Valorus W 480

Buchanan, James. 75

Buck, James H 555

Buck, Samuel 219

Buck, Wilber H 213

Bullcck, Danif 1 C 334

Bump, Wm. H 299

Eurdick, Eugene F 474

Burkart, Dr. John L ^86

Burrison, James 552

c

Cab ill, Joseph 223

Cahill, Peter. . : 350

Cahill, Thorr as ..283

Calkins, Charles W 282

Campbell, John R 228

Campbell, John S 214

Canaan, Asher L 330

Canaan, James S 339

Cannon, Edwin 271

Capen, Randall T 430

Carman, Mahlon 391

Carpenter, Charles D 203

Carpenter. Persons T .363

Carr, Elijah 351

Carr, John 450

Cartwright. Leroy . . . 455

Caudle, James 459

Cawthorne, fames P . 430

Chapin, Allen 479

Chipman , Lemuel F 208

Chipman, L. F 224

Chipman. S.S 191

Clark, Henry M 188

Clark, John Q. A ". 190

Clement, Aaron S 278

Clifton, Chas. W.. . 290

Clink, John 356

Coates, Nathan M 554

Colby, James M 509

Cole, Elijah '. , . . 193

Cole, Myron M ,-,261

Collins, Michael S 260

Collins, Richard .334

Compton, Bion H 330

Comstock, Chester W 540

Conner, John M 454

Corbett, Elizabeth 387

Corbett, William. 308

Corey, Benjamin F 332

Corey, Lanson F . -.320

Corneil, George P 515

Cornell, George W 550

Cota, Henry S 209

Crandell, Charles D 498

Crandell, Stephen R 491

Crane, Charles H 496

Crapo, Henry H 149

Creevey, William 453

Crocker, John M 248

Crocker, Thomas R . 312

Croswell, Charles M 161

Cunningham. Charles W 516

D

Dal/iel, Benjamin 279

Dalziel, James 280

Darrah, Charles M 337

Darrah, James M, 425

Darrah, Wilson E 440

Davenport, Byron S ■ -351

Davidson, A 376

Falardo, Joseph 456

Fairman, Ferdinand 247

Felch, Alpheus ■- 117

Ferguson, Wm- M 411

Ferris, Isaac W 281

Fillmore, Millard 67

Fitzgerald, Edward 340

Flake, John 406

Foglesang, Eli W 269

Ford Ira A 31B

Davidson, William 2gi

Davis, Bartley 344

Davis, Ellis 204

Davis, James 234

Davis, John 243

Decker, Gilbert A , 406

Decker, James N 317

Docker, John D 344

Decker, Peter S 527

Decker, Richard S 419

Degear, Michael 310

De Long, Joseph A 294

Denney, James M 486

Denney, Nathan 282

Denney, William F 538

Dewey, Elijah F 199

Dixon, James 324

Dopp, Matthew 299

Doyle, Michael 210

Dubois, Jacob M 466

Dumon, Frank 407

Dutcher, Mrs. Msry A..... 356

Dye, James R 421

Dye, Morris G 408

Eaton, John 407 V

Eaton, Noah 461

Edmonds, Timothy 214

Eldredge, A. W 420 .

Ely, Arnold 443 '

E,rikson, Patrick 277

Escott, Joseph T 519

Evans, John S 277

Evans, Henry C 289

Everhart, Joseph J. . 460

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^

VI

INDEX.

-4^^f^4i

, Foster, John H 302

<> Frederick, Eli 483

':', Fredrickson, John, Jr 498

,, Freiberg, John 323

.■^ Fribley, John B 534

* Friedel, Adam 239

f Frj'e , Solomon F 202

-J Fuller, David C 401

Fuller, Hon. C. C 177

Fuller, James W 503

Gale & Hood 244

Ganong, Albert H . . . ' 4x5

Gardner, Theodore C 349

Garfield, Jamas A 05

Garlins^ David L 338

Gates, Dr. S. A 203

Gaunt, Joseph 545

Gay, Charlie 405

Gensman, Edward 222

Gilchrist, Edward 304

Gill, John G 229

Gilmore, Henry R 238

Gingrich, John B 351

Gingrich , Peter B . 352

Glidden, Durelle F 472

Glidden, Oliver D 553

Gottshall, George M 268

Grant, Ulysses S S7

Gray, Silvester H .231

Gray, Wm . S 234

Green, George \V 270

Greenly, William L 121

Grimme, Father Henry W 486

Grimes, George 466

Griswold, L. S 200

Groner, Dr. F. J 376

Groom, James H 408

Gross, Orsemus 232

Gruher, J. K iqi

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^

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A

i^

H

Haggit, George A 340

Haist, George F 203

Hale, fieorge I 324

Hall, Reuben N 249

Hane, Caleb V 294

Haney. Edward G 380

Hanifan. Thomas 254

Hanson, Andrew 333

Hanson, Henry D 2Tg

Harmon, Edward 309

Harrington, Harvey .346

Harrington, John 230

Harrison, Wm. H 51

Haskill. Sidney 345

Haslem, Edward 362

Hatfield, George E 322

Hathaway, Eli 491

Hayes, Eli 461

Hayes, Rutherford B 91

Heald, George W 323

Hearn, Henry 240

Helms, George 302

Hendryx, Wilbur A 465

Henry, Charles H 546

Hickey, John 556

Hicks, Wm. H 508

H jgbee, Nelson 267

Hill, Eli 262

H in man, Charles 230

Hinton, John 554

Hobart, Mart E 501

Hodskey, Leister C 394

Hood & Gale 244

Hooker, A. S 537

Hopkinson, Wm. D 415

Horton, Daniel 293

Horton, Edward T 313

Horton, Seneca 279

Horton, Thomas G . ■ 522

Howd, Walter S 387

Hoynes, Stephen 555

Hudnutt, Edward W 262

Hugh, William 453

Hughes, Rassel B 545

Huling, Jared P 373

Hullinger, James 298

Hummer, J- B^ iq8

Hunt, TheophitTis C 379

Hunter, James T 304

Hunter, John 231

Hurley, Thomas K 533

Hutchinson, L- N 212

Hyatt, Leonard .... 274

Hyatt, Wm- J 509

Hyde, Hannibal 253

Jackson, Andrew 43

Jacques, Wm. M. Jr , 485

Jamieson. Robert 460

Jefferson, Thomas 27

Jerome, David H it>5

Johnson, Amos 25S

Johnson, Andrew 83

Johnson, Charles O 323

Johnson, Christian 274

Johnson, Hugh 426

Johnson, James 474

Jones, Wm. T 297

Joslin, Frederick W 273

Judkins, Capt. James 467

K

Kassner, Matthias 199

Keegan, Michael 233

Kclley, Barnabas 430

Kelley , Charles W 308

Kelley, Darwin B 503

K.el!ey, Peter - .532

Kenrick, Edwin H 495

Kent, Monroe R 416

Kent, Rufus 381

King, Darwin C 460

Kinnee, Jesse 212

Kirvan, John E 183

Knapp, -■Vbel B 513

Knettles, G. M. D 456

Ladner, Herbert 515

Ladner, Hon. Wm 489

La Douceur, Charles H 214

Ladonceur, Napoleon 394

La Grange, Ephraim 289

Lake, William O 244

Lamb, Munson 434

Langworthy, Edward 284

Lazell, Thomas 189

Le Duke, John .328

Leggett, Dr. L J 398

Lincoln, Abraham 79

Lincoln, L. C 253

Lock man, Abram 498

Lonsdale, John 397

Loop, Philet 219

Losie, Leo 271

Loucks, Jacob H 338

Lcvejoy, Benjamin T 426

Lovejoy, Charles B .426

Loveless, Loren T 521

Lowe, William 313

Ludington, Charles H 198

Luther, Fredei ick R 311

M

Madison, James 31

Maguire, John .' 314

Main, Charles 310

Main, Henry 338

Main, John M 340

Malone, George R 343

M ann, James W 454

Mann, John F 528

Manning, Rev. Wm. H 52S

M ansfield , Henry 308

Marsh, Edwin J 328

Martiny, John 398

Martz, John G 184

Mason, Alfred S 540

Mason, Stevens T 105

Maxon, Frank S 540

Mc Arthur, Charles 208

McCamley, Wm. M 264

McClelland, Robert 129

McCombs, Wm. A 420

McConnell, Asa 218

McCormick, James 504

McCormick,Malcom 484

McDuffie, Henson 4S0

McElroy, J. F 502

McFarlan, Walter 546

McFarlane, Andrew 433

McGill, Joseph 220

Mcintosh, Ira 210

McKeon, Patrick 202

McKewen, John 357

McLellan, Duncan 507

McMullen, Dr. B. H 364

McPherson, Wm H 304

Menere, Levi S 264

M ero, Gilbert 212

Merrill, John B 224

Miller, George 339

Miller, William 490

Mills, Henry 218

Mills, James A 345

Milner, Jonathan 439

Mitchell, James 357

Mitchell, Nathaniel 299

Mitchell, Samuel S 237

Mitchell, Wm. G 549

Monroe, James 35

Montague, Charles H 319

Montonye, Wm. P 486

Moody. W. D ^ 273

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<^iiii^nDi>

JLA.

Moore, Chas. S 220

Moore, Henry H 352

Moore, Robert 402

Morse, Willis 422

Mortensen, Thomas P 264

Morton, John E 194

Mosher, Dewitt C 220

Munn, Park 274

Mynning, Christian F 301

N

Nethaway, Lyman 320

Newton, Samuel L 307

Nickens, Spencer 364

Nisbett,Wm. P 552

Northrup, Clarence L 361

o

O'Brien, Dominick 283

Olin, Giles 251

O'Neil, James 201

O'Neil, John 183

Orwig, Harry I 412

Osborn, Nathan 199

Osborne, Abel C 269

Osgood, Lucius L 230

Ostrander, Chas 201

Overton, Wm- E 331

p

Palmer, Floyd 314

Palmer. Gilbert S 291

Parkill, James M 462

Parks, Clarence .233

Parks, Robert D 311

Parrott, Jacob 440

Parsons, Andrew 133

Pattison , Dr . lacob W 332

Pearson, .Silas 444

Pease, Dr. Jerome F 447

Pease, Ziba W 3S2

Peck, Whitfield H 222

Peirce, Hon. Edgar 522

Pelton, Lon. A 473

Pemberton, C. O 221

Pfistner, Frederick 367

Phelps, Edgar O 300

Phelps, Hon- Fitch 327

Philleo, Wm. C 454

Philley, James E 331

Pierce, Alfred 204

Pierce , Franklin 71

Pierce, Isaac W 248

Pike, James H 260

Pike, Lendall I rgo

Piiman, Thomas B 540

Poling, Richard W 450

Polk , James K 59

Pordon, John 392

Porter, Frank J 223

Potter, John G 232

Powers, Benj. F - -278

Precious Geo. W 289

Preston, Alonzo C 221

Pullman, Chas. W 467

Q

Quigley, David 183

Quigley, Erlward R 200

■r-^

INDEX.

VII

')

Quigley, Lysander 218

R

Ransom, Epaphro-iitiis 152

Raper, JohnM 388

Rathvon, Benj . F 233

Rathvou, Chas 33°

Rawson, Myron 382

Reed, Elias S 19^

Reed, G. W 525

Reed, Roland D 353

Reed, Thomas S 5^7

Reiter John E 250

Remus, William 401

Reynier, Julius : 37°

Reynolds, Hiram R 544

Rice, Frank G 322

Richards, Clifton D 352

Richardson Cyrus F 544

Richardson, Horace F 321

Rierdon, John 368

Rishridger, George i8i

Roach, Horace 301

Roben, Douglas 287

Roben, Matthew 357

Robinson , Jay D 539

Roe, Edwin R 25'

Rogers, Edward C 369

Rogers, James H 252

Romig Dr. E. A 259

Roof, Geo. A 268

Roosevelt, Sidney H 526

Rose, Frederick - 263

RoscJamesE 411

Rose, John A 250

Rose, Samuel W 313

Rowley, Ansel 497

Royce, Calvin 240

Ruger, Daniel H 311

Runyan, John P 292

Russ, Dr. Otto C 402

Russell, Lewis 229

s

Sales, Thomas 468

Sanford, David H 321

Schofield , Alanson R 472

Scott, Nicholas 402

Seaton, Henry... 203

Seaton,Wm. N 207

Sears, .Andrew J 484

Sebastian, Chas. W s32

Sedore, Isaac 22-?

Shankwiler, Kilward F 510

Sharpe, Thomas J 398

Shaw, Thomas, Sr 462

Shantz, Owen 282

Shields, James 334

Showers, Sidney .386

Shrouds, Benj . J 544

Shust, George 4ir

Simmons, James 213

Sims, John M 346

Skelton, Thomas 222

Slawson, Hiram H 332

Slawson, Wm. F 551

Smith, Francis 333

Smith, Frank P 214

Smith, Joseph 323

Smith, Joseph.... 44°

Smith, Wilbert W 514

Smith, Wm. W 492

Snider, Jacob 292

Snider, Silas 534

Snyder, John R 292

Sours, Lawrence 312

Sparks, George E 510

Sparks, John W 551

Squier, Wm. H 224

Staab, Gottlelb 358

Stearns, Daniel 510

Stearns, Geo. F 393

Stephens, James 3^0

Sterling, Murdoch 455

Stewart, D. W 385

Stewart, Selkirk A 288

Stickney, Edmund M 397

Stiffen, Ulrich 207

Streeter, Amos R 43^"

Streeter, Michael 221

Strong, Edward P. 4*5

Swager, N.J .408

Swarthout, Lewis 300

Sweet, John 318

Swisher, Nathan 294

T

Tagg, Benj. G 3''8

Tallman, Jacob J 473

Taylor, Zachary.'' 6^

Teachout,C.C 484

Telfer, Robert 204

Tenney, Justice W 293

Terrill,Dr. F. C 272

Thomas, John W 243

Thompson, Alexander 298

Throp, S. J 345

Thurkow, John E 217

Toan, Lewis 257

Tompkins, Alexander N 300

Tousey, G. C 209

Trussell,H. M 242

Tucker,W. S 492

Ti:ttle,Chas. L 429

Tyler, John 55

V

Van Alstine, Abraham 533

Van Alstine, Nelson 321

VanBuren, Martin 47

Vangilder, Alonzo 47^

Vandewater, Richard 291

Van Loo, Wm 53^

Verity, C A 496

Vincent, Col. Nathan H 477

Vogg, Gottlob 234

VoUnier, A . A 333

Vorce, Geo. P. . . . 211

w

Wadsworth, Wm. J 227

Wagener, Chas- H 213

Walch. Frederick 302

WaUlo, George 238

Walker, Wm. H 211

Wambold, Isaac ■*- -, 329

Waul, Luther O. R 263

Waring, Geo. F 435

Warner, Chas E 356

Warren, Chauncey 538

Warren, Geo. W 375

Warren, Wm 283

Washington, George ig

Waterman, A. H 350

Watson, Rev . R. H 370

Weaver, James P 249

Weber, Reuben J 436

Webster, Simon G 241

Webster, Wm. H 554

Weidman, John S 471

Welch, D. 1 364

Wells, M, A 254

Wendling, Joseph 532

Wernette, C.W 355

West, Joseph 543

Whitbeck, Nelson • 309

White, Jchr 440

White, Osrar T 368

Whitney, Dr. W. A 412

Whitney, W. S 374

Wilcox, L. A 462

Wilcox, Stephen S 459

Wilder, Harry M 434

Wilkinson, Chas 312

Willett, Richard 1 376

Willett, Wm 344

Williams, A. K 526

Williams, Franklin M 290

Williams, Haivey O 281

Williams, Jeste 278

Williamson, Byron B 194

Wilson, David 261

Wilson, G. F. C 192

Wilson, Martin E 228

Wiseman, John 358

Wisner, Mnses 141

Witbeck, Lucas 1 521

Wolcott, Benj. L 435

Wolcott, Henry B 304

Wolcott, S. K 309

Wood, Fred , B 468

Wood, Sanford B 193

Woodbridge, Wm icg

Woodward, Asa G 374

Woolley, Dr. Daniel F 550

Woolworth, Benj. F 49'

Wright, John H 369

Wright, Silas 228

Wylie, Thomas 4^6

z

Zettersteilt, C.nst 329

Adams, John 22

Adams, John Quincy 38

Arthur, Chester A.- 98

Bagley, John J 156

Baldwin, Henry P 152

Barry, John S 112

Begole, Josiah W 168

Bingham, Kinsley S 136

Blair, Austin 144

Brock way, Asa 226

Bronson, Stephen i86

Brown. M ig6

Buchanan. James 74

Carman , M 390

Corey, L. F 320

Crapo, Henry H 148

Croswell, Charles M 160

Darrah, CM 336

Darrah, James M 424

Decker, James N 31ft

Decker, R. S 418

■^^nmnnf^

Ely, Arnold 44=

Erikson, P. A 276

Escott, J. T 518

Fairman, F 246

Felch, .•\lpheu5 116

Frederick, Eli 482

Frederick, Mrs. Eli 48t

M^r^^^

^r|--

INDEX.

"^W--

■S"

-#t^fa^^^

Fillmore, Millard 66

Fuller, C. C 176

Gardner, T C 348

Garfield, James A 94

Grant, Ulysses S 86

(iay, Charlie 404

Greenly, William L 120

Harrison, William H 50

Hayes, Rutherford B go

Hendryx, W. A 464

Higbee, Mrs. C A 266

Higbee, Xelson 265

Hobart, M. E 500

Hooker, A. S 536

Hopkinson, W. D 414

Hugh, William 452

Huling, J. P 372

Hunt, T. C 378

Hutchinson, L. N 212

Jackson, Andrew 42

Jefferson, Thomas 26

Jerome, David H 164

Johnson, Andrew 82

Jones, W. T 296

Kenrick, E. H 494

Knapp, A B .512

Knapp, Mrs. A. B 511

Ladner, William 48S

Lincoln, Abraham 78

Madison, James 30

Malone, G. R 342

Mason, Stevens T 104

McClelland, Robert 128

McP'arlane, Andrew 432

McLellan, U .506

Milner, I 438

Mitchell, Samnel S ■ ■23'J

Mitchell, Wm. G 548

Monroe, James 34

Newton, Samuel L 306

Northriip, C. L 360

Parsons, Andrew 132

Pease, Jerome F 445

Pease, Mrs. Jerome F 446

Pfistner, F 366

Phelps. Fitch 326

Pierce, Franklin 70

Polk, James K 58

Ranson, Epaphroditus 124

Reed. G. W 524

Remus, William. . . . , 400

Roben, Douglas ,..286

Rogers, J. H •■-•252

Rose. Freeman 409

Rose, Mrs- Sally M 410 '

Seaton, Wm. N 206

Stewart, Daniel W 384/

Stickney, E. M 396

Taylor, Zachary 62

Thurkow, JohnE 216

Toan, Lewis ....256

Tuttle, Chailes L 428

Tyler, John 54

Van Buren, Martin 46

Van Loo, William 530

Vincent, Nathan H 476

Washington, George 18

Weidman, John S 470

Wernette, C. W 354

West, Joseph ";42

Wilcox, S. S ^58

Wisner, Moses 140

Woodbridge, William 108 1

llIST©iiICAE,

ca

IXTRODl'i TOKY

5r)9

Tlie Survivors

.-.'.n

TOWNSHIPS

G20

E
£

V

VALIE OF HISTORY

.-)»il

Soldier--' Reunions

592

vEtna

620

^i>'

IMIYSK'AL FEATIRES

5(i2

AGRICILITHAL

598

Austin

622

•^ •

(;poa;raphical ami T

,)).,-

The Fairs

599

Big Rapids

622

'* ■

V

Hiaphital

.-)IJ2

Farmers' In-tilulc

(;illl

Chippewa

623

K/

s

Geology

.-)63

RAILROADS

(101

I'dlfax

624

Hi

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)

Botaiiiral

5(i4

G. R. c<: I. R. R.

(;(i4

Deej-field

624

(

INDIANS

.-(On

Smash-up

Od-l

Fork

625

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FIRST PRESIDENT.

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HE Father of our Country was
^) born in Westmorland Co., \'a.,
Feb. 22, 1732. His parents
were Augustine and Mary
(Ball) Washington. The family
to which he belonged has not
been satisfactorily traced in
England. His great-grand-
father, John Washington, em-
igrated to Virginia about 1657,
and became a prosperous
lilanter. He had two sons,
Lawrence and John. The
former married Mildred Warner
and had three children, John.
Augustine and Mildred. Augus-
tine, the father of Ceorge, first
married Jane Butler, who bore
him four children, two of whom,
Lawrence and Augustine, reached
maturity. Of six children liy his
second marriage, George was the
eldest, the others beint; ]5etty,
Samuel, John Augustine, Charles
and Mildred.
Augustine Washington, the father of George, died
in 1743, leaving a large landed property. To his
eldest son, Lawrence, he bequeathed an estate on
the Patomac, afterwards known as Mount Vernon,
and to George he left the parental residence. George
received only such education as the neighborhood
schools afforded, save for a short time after he left
school, when he received private instruction in
mathematics. His spelling v/as rather defective.

The

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Remarkable stories are told of his great physical
strength and development at an early age. He was
an acknowledged leader among his companions, and
was early noted for that nobleness of character, fair-
ness and veracity which characterized his whole life.

When George was 1 4 years ol d he had a desire to go to
sea, and a midshipman's warrant was secured for him,
but through the opposition of his mother the idea was
abandoned. Two years later he was appointed
surveyor to the immense estate of Lord Fairfax. In
this business he_ spent three years in a rough frontier
life, gaining experience which afterwards proved very
essential to him. In 175 t, though only 19 years of
age, he was appointed adjutant with the rank of
major in the Virginia militia, then being trained for
active service against the French and Indians. -Soon
after this he sailed to the West Indies with hislirother
Lawrence, who went there to restore his health. They
soon returned, and in the summer of 1752 Lawrence
died, leaving a large fortune to an infant daughter
who did not long survive him. On her demise the
estate of Mount Vernon was given to George.

Upon the arrival of Robert Dinwiddle, as Lieuten-
ant-Governor of Virginia, in 1752, the militia was
reorganized, and the province divided into four mili-
tary districts, of which the northern was assigned to
Washington as adjutant general. .Shortly after this
a very perilous mission was assigned him and ac-
cepted, which others had refused. This was to pro-
ceed to the French post near Lake Erie in North-
western Pennsylvania. The distance to be traversed
was between 500 and 600 miles. Winter was at hand,
and the journey was to be made without military
escort, through a territoiy occuiiied by Indians

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GEORGE WASHINGTON.

trip was a perilous one, and several times he came near
losing his life, yet he returned in safety and furnished
a full and useful report of his expedition. A regiment
of 300 men was raised in Virginia and put in com-
mand of Col. Joshua Fry, and Major Washington was
commissioned lieutenant-colonel. Active war was
then begun against the French and Indians, in which
Washington took a most important part. In the
memorable event of July 9, 1755, known as Brad-
dock's defeat, Washington was almost the only officer
of distinction who escaped from the calamities of the
day with life and honor. The other aids of Braddock
were disabled early in the action, and Washington
alone was left in that capacity on the field. In a letter
to his brother he says : " I had four bullets through
my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet I escaped
unhurt, though death was levelino my companions
on every side." An Indian sharpshooter said he was
not born to be killed by a bullet, for he had taken
direct aim at him seventeen times, and failed to hit
him.

After having been five years in the military service,
and vainly sought promotion in the royal army, he
look advantage of the fall of Fort Duquesne and the
expulsion of the French from the valley of the Ohio,
to resign his commission. Soon after he entered the
Legislature, where, although not a leader, he look an
active and important part. January 17, 1759, he
married Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Custis, the wealthy
widow of John Parke Custis.

AVhen the British Parliament had closed the port
of Boston, the cry went up throughout the provinces
tliat "The cause of Boston is the cause of us all."
It was then, at the suggestion of Virginia, that a Con-
gress of all the colonies was called to meet at Phila-
deli)hia,Sept. 5, 1774, to secure their common liberties,
peaceably if possible. To this Congress Col. Wash-
ington was sent as a delegate. On May 10, 1775, the
Congress re-assemliled, when the hostile intentions of
England were plainly apparent. The battles of Con-
cord and Lexington had been fought. Among the
first acts of tliis Congress was the election of a com-
mander-in-chief of the colonial forces. This high and
responsible office was conferred upon Washington,
who was still a member of the Congress. He accepted
ic on June 19, but upon the express condition that he
receive no salary. He would keep an exact account
of expenses and expect Congress to pay them and
nothing more. It is not the object of this sketch to
trace the military acts of Washington, to whoin the
fortunes and liberties of the people of this country
were so long confided. The war was conducted by
him under every possible disadvantage, and while his
forces often met with reverses, yet he overcame every
obstacle, and after seven years of heroic devotion
and matchless skill he gained liberty for the greatest
nation of earth. On Dec. 23, 1783, Washington, in
a parting address of surpassing beauty, resigned his

commission as commander-in-chief of the army to
to the Continental Congress sitting at Annapolis. He
retired immediately to Mount Vernon and resumed
his occupation as a farmer and planter, shunning all
connection with public life.

In February, 1 7 89, Washington was unanimously
elected President. In his presidential career he was
subject to the peculiar trials incidental to a new
government ; trials from lack of confidence on the part
of other governments; trials from want of harmony'
between the different sections of our own country;
trials from the impoverished condition of the country,
owing to the war and want of credit; trials from the
beginnings of party strife. He was no partisan. His
clear judgment could discern the golden mean ; and
while perhaps this alone kept our government from
sinking at the very outset, it left him exposed to
attacks from both sides, which were often bitter and
very annoying.

At the expiration of his first term he was unani-
mously re-elected. At the end of this term many
were anxious that he be re-elected, but he absolutel)'
refused a third nomination. On the fourth of March,
1797, at the expiraton of his second term as Presi-
dent, he returned to his home, hoping to pass there
his few remaining yeais free from the annoyances of
public life. Later in the year, however, his repose
seemed likely to be interrupted by war with France.
At the prospect of such a war he was again urged to
take command of the armies. He chose his sub-
ordinate officers and left to them the charge of mat-
ters in the field, which he superintended from his
home. In accepting the command he made the
reservation that he was not to be in the field until
it was necessary. In the midst of these preparations
his life was suddenly cut off. December r 2, he took
a severe cold from a ride in the rain, which, settling
in his throat, produced inflammation, and terminated
fatally on the night of the fourteenth. On the eigh-
teenth his body was borne with military honors to its
final resting place, and interred in the family vault at
Mount Vernon.

Of the character of Washington it is impossible to
speak but in terms of the highest respect and ad-
miration. The more we see of the operations of
our government, and the more deeply we feel the
difficulty of uniting all opinions in a common interest,
the more highly we must estimate the force of his tal-
ent and character, which have been able to challenge
the reverence of all parties, and principles, and na-
tions, and to win a fame as extended as the limits
of the globe, and which we cannot but believe will
be as lasting as the existence of man.

The person of Washington was unusally tall, erect
and well proportioned. His muscular strength was
great. His features were of a beautiful symmetry'.
He commanded respect without any appearance of
haughtiness, and ever serious without being dull.

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SECOND PRESIDENT.

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OHN ADAMS, the second
President and the first Vice-
President of the United States,
was born in Braintree ( now
Quincy),Mass., and about ten
^ miles from Boston, Oct. 19,
1735. His great-grandfather, Henry
Adams, emigrated from England
about 1640, with a family of eight
sons, and settled at Braintree. The
parents of John were John and
Susannah (Boylston) Adams, His
father was a farmer of limited
means, to which he added the bus-
iness of shoemaking. He gave his
eldest son, John, a classical educa-
tion at Harvard College. John

V

graduated in 1755, and at once took charge of the
school in Worcester, Mass. This he found but a
"school of affliction," from which he endeavored to
gain relief by devoting himself, in addition, to the
study of law. For this purpose he placed himself
under the tuition of the only lawyer in the town. He
had thought seriously of the clerical profession
but seems to have been turned from this by what he
termed " the frightful engines of ecclesiastical coun-
cils, of diabolical malice, and Calvanistic good nature,"
of the operations of which he had been a witness in
his native town. He was well fitted for the legal
profession, possessing a clear, sonorous voice, being
ready and fluent of speech, and having quick percep-
~[ tive powers. He gradually gained practice, and in
,v?,, 1764 married Abigail Smith, a daughter of a minister,

fand a lady of superior intelligence. Shortly after his
marriage, (1765), the attempt of Parliamentary taxa-
„., tion turned him from law to politics. He took initial
v^ steps toward holding a town meeting, and the resolu-

tions he offered on the subject became very popular
throughout the Provnice, and were adopted word for
word by over forty different towns. He moved to Bos-
ton in 1768, and became one of the most courageous
and prominent advocates of the popular cause, and
was chosen a member of the General Court (the Leg-
lislature) in 1770.

Mr. Adams was chosen one of the fust delegates
from Massachusetts to the first Continental Congreas,
which met in 1774. Here he distinguished himself /S
by his capacity for business and for debate, and ad-
vocated the movement for independence against the
majority of the members. In May, 1776, he moved
and carried a resolution in Congress that the Colonies
should assume* the duties of self-government. He
was a prominent member of the committee of five
appointed June 11, to prepare a declaration of inde-
pendence. This article was drawn by Jefferson, but
on Adams devolved the task of battling it through
Congress in a three days debate.

On the day after the Declaration of Independence
was passed, while his soul was yet warm with the
glow of excited feeling, he wrote a letter to his wite,
which, as we read it now, seems to have been dictated
by the spirit of prophecy. "Yesterday," he says, "the
greatest question was decided that ever was debated
in America; and greater, [lerhaps, never was or will
be decided among men. A resolution was passed
without one dissenting colony, ' that these United
States are, and of right ought to be, free and inde-
pendent states.' The day is passed. The fourth of
July, 1776, will lie a memorable epoch in the history
of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated
by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary
festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of
deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to Almighty
God. It ought to be solemnized with pomp, shows,

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games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations
from one end of the continent to the other, from this
time forward for ever. You will think me transported
with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of
the toll, and blood and treasure, that it will cost to
maintain this declaration, and su[iport and defend
these States; yet, through all the gloom, I can see the
rays of light and glory. I can see that the end is
worth more than all the means; and that posterity
will triumph, although you and I may rue, which I
hope we shall not."

In November, 1777, Mr. Adams was appointed a
delegate to France and to co-operate with Benijamin
Franklin and Arthur Lee, who were then in Paris, in
the endeavor to obtain assistance in arms and money
from the French Government. This was a severe trial
to his patriotism, as it separated him from his home,
compelled him to cross the ocean in winter, and ex-
posed him to great peril of capture by the British cruis-
ers, wlio were seeking him. He left France June 17,
1779. In September of the same year he was again
chosen to go to Paris, and there hold himself in readi-
ness to negotiate a treaty of peace and of commerce
with Great Britian, as soon as the British Cabinet
might be found willing to listen to such proposels. He
sailed for France in November, from there he went to
Holland, where he negotiated imi)ortant loans and
formed important commercial treaties.

Finally a treaty of peace with England was signed
Jan. 21, 1783. The re-action from the excitement,
toil and anxiety through which Mr. Adams had passed
threw him into a fever. After sufTering from a con-
tinued fever and becoming feeble and emaciated he
was advised to go to England to drink tjie waters of
liath. While in England, still drooping anddes[iond-
ing, he received dispatches from his own government
urging the necessity of his going to Amsterdam to
negotiate another loan. It was winter, his health was
delicate, yet he immediately set out, and through
storm, on sea, on horseback and foot,hemade the trip.

February 24, 1785, Congress appointed Mr. Adams
envoy to the Court of St. James. Here he met, face
to face the King of England, who had so long re-
garded him as a traitor. As England did not
condescend to appoint a minister to the United
States, and as Mr. .\dams felt that he was accom-
plishing but little, he sought permission to return to
his own country, where he arrived in June, 1788.

When Washington was first chosen President, John
Adams, rendered illustiious liy his signal services at
home and abroad, was chosen Vice President. Again
at the second election of Washington as President,
Adams was chosen Vice President. In 1796, Wash-
ington retired from public life, and Mr. Adams was
elected President, though not without much opi>osition.
Serving in this office four vears,he was succeeded by
Mr. Jefferson, his opponent in politics.

While Mr. Adams was Vice President the great

French Revolution shook the continent of Europe,
and it was upon this point which he was at issue with
the majority of his countrymen led by Mr. Jefferson.
Mr. Adams felt no symiKithy with the French people
in their struggle, for he had no confidence in their
power of self-government, and he utterly abhored the
classof atheist philosophers who he claimed caused it.
On the other hand Jefferson's sympathies were strongly
enlisted in behalf of the French people. Hence or-
iginated the alienation between these distinguished
men, and two powerful parties were thus soon organ-
ized, Adams at the head of the one whose sympathies
were with England and Jefferson led the other in
sympathy with France.

The world has seldom seen a spectacle of more
moral beauty and grandeur, than was presented by the
old age of Mr. Adams. The violence of party feeling
had died away, and he had begun to receive that just
appreciation which, to most men, is not accorded till
after death. No one could look upon his venerable
form, and think of what he had done and suffered,
and how he had given up all the prime and strength
of his life to the public good, without the deepest
emotion of gratitude and respect. It was his peculiar
good fortune to witness the complete success of the
institution which he had been so active in creating and
supporting. In 1824, his cup of happiness was filled
to the brim, by seeing his son elevated to the highest
station in the gift of the people.

The fourth of July, 1826, which completed the half
century since the signing of the Declaration of Inde-
pendence, arrived, and there were but three of the
signers of that immortal instrument left upon the
earth to hail its morning light. And, as it is
well known, on that day two of these finished their
earthly pilgrimage, a coincidence so remarkable as
to seem miraculous. For a few days before Mr.
Adams had been rapidly failing, and on the morning
of the fourth he found himself too weak to rise from
his bed. On being reiiuested to name a toast for the
customary celebration of the day, he exclaimed " In-
DRPENDENCR FOREVER." When the day was ushered
in, by the ringing of bells and the firing of cannons,
he was asked by one of his attendants if he knew
what day it was? He replied, "O yes; it is the glor-
ious fourth of July — God bless it — God bless you all."
In the course of the day he said, "It is a great and
glorious day." The last words he uttered were,
" Jefferson survives." But he had, at one o'clock, re-
signed his spirit into the hands of his God.

The personal appearance and manners of Mr.
Adams were not particularly prepossessing. His face,
as his ])ortrait manifests,was intellectual and expres-
sive, but his figure was low and ungraceful, and his
manners were frequently abrupt and uncourteous.
He had neither the lofty dignity of Washington, nor
the engaging elegance and gracefulness which marked
the manners and address of Jefferson.

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THIRD F RESIDENT.

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HOMAS JEFFERSON was
born April 2, 1743, at Shad-
i^well, Albermarle county, Va.
His parents were Peter and
lane ( Randolph) Jefferson,
the former a native of Wales,
and the latter born in Lon-
don. To them were born six
daughters and two sons, of
whom Thomas was the elder.
When 14 years of age his
father died. He received a
most liberal education, hav-
ing been kept diligently at school
from the time he was five years ot
age. In 1760 he entered William
and Mary College. Williamsburg was then the seat
of the Colonial Court, and it was the obode of fashion
and splendor. Young Jefferson, who was then 17
years old, lived somewhat expensively, keeping fine
horses, and much caressed by gay society, yet he
was earnestly devoted to his studies, and irreproacha-
able in his morals. It is strange, however, under
such influences, that he was not ruined. In the sec-
ond year of his college course, moved by some un-
explained inward impulse, he discarded his horses,
society, and even his favorite violin, to which he had
previously given much time. He often devoted fifteen
hours a day to hard study, allowing himself for ex-
ercise only a run in the evening twilight of a mile out
of the city and back again. He thus attained very
high intellectual culture, alike excellence in philoso-
phy and the languages. The most difficult Latin and
Greek authors he read with facility. A more finished
scholar has seldom gone forth from college halls ; and

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there was not to be found, perhaps, in all Virginia, a
more pureminded, upright, gentlemanly young man.

Immediately upon leaving college he began the
study of law. For the short time he continued in the
practice of his profession he rose rapidly and distin-
guished himself by his energy and accuteness as a
lawyer. But the times called for greater action.
The policy of England had awakened the spirit of
resistance of the American Colonies, and the enlarged
views which Jefferson had ever entertained, soon led
him into active political life. In 1769 he was chosen
a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses. In
r 77 2 he married Mrs. Martha Skelton, a very beauti-
ful, wealthy and highly accomplished young widow.

Upon Mr. Jefferson's large estate at Shadwell, there
was a majestic swell of land, called Monticello, which
commanded a prospect of wonderful extent and
beauty. This spot Mr. Jefferson selected for his new
home; and here he reared a mansion of nrodest yet
elegant architecture, which, next to Mount Vernon,
became the most distinguished resort in our land.

In 1775 he was sent to the Colonial Congress,
where, though a silent member, his abilities as a
writer and a reasoner soon become known, and he
was placed upon a number of important committees,
and was chairman of the one appointed for the draw-
ing up of a declaration of independence. This com-
mittee consisted of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams,
Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert R.
Livingston. Jefferson, as chairman, was appointed
to draw up the paper. Franklin and Adams suggested
a few verbal changes before it was submitted to Con-
gress. On June 28, a few slight changes were made
in it by Congress, and it was [Kissed and signed July
4, 1776. What must have been the feelings of

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THOMAS JEFFERSON.

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man — what the emotions that swelled his breast —
who was charged with the preparation of that Dec-
laration, which, while it made known the wrongs of
America, was also to publish her to the world, free,
soverign and independent. It is one of the most re-
markable papers ever written ; and did no other effort
of the mind of its author exist, that alone would be
sufficient to stamp his name witli immortality.

In 1779 Mr. Jefferson was elected successor to
Patrick Henry, ,-.s Governor of Virginia. At one time
the British officer, Tarleton, sent a secret expedition to
Monlicelio, to capture the Governor. Scarcely five
minutes elapsed after the hurried escape of Mr. Jef-
ferson and his family, ere his mansion was in posses-
sion of the British troops. His wife's health, never
very good, was much injured by this excitement, and
in the summer of 1782 she died.

Mr. Jefferson was elected to Congress in 1783.
Two ye irs later he was appointed Minister Plenipo-
tentiary to France. Returning to the United States
in September, 1789, he became Secretary of State
in Washington's cabinet. This position he resigned
Jan. T, 1794. In 1797, he was chosen Vice Presi-
dent, and four years later was elected President over
Mr. Adams, with Aaron Burr as Vice President. In
1804 he was re-elected with wonderful unanimity,
and George Clinton, Vice President..

The early part of Mr. Jefferson's second adminstra-
tion was disturbed by an event which threatened the
tranquility and peace of the Union ; this was the con-
spiracy of Aaron Burr. Defeated in the late election
to the Vice Presidency, and led on by an unprincipled
ambition, this extraordinary man formed the plan of a
military expedition into the Spanish territories on our
southwestern frontier, for the purpose of forming there
a new republic. This has been generally supposed
was a mere pretext ; and although it has not been
generally known what his real plans were, there is no
doubt that they were of a far more dangerous
character.

In 1809, at the expiration of the second term for
which Mr. Jefferson had been elected, he determined
to retire from political life. For a period of nearly
forty years, he had been continually before the pub-
lic, and all that time had been employed in offices of
tlie greatest trust and responsibility. Having thus de-
voted the best part of his life to the service of his
country, he now felt desirous of that rest which his
declining years required, and upon the organization of
the new administration, in March, 1809, he bid fare-
well forever to public life, and retired to Monticello.

Mr. Jefferson was profuse in his hospitality. Whole
families came in their coaches with their horses, —
fathers and mothers, boys and girls, babies and
nurses, — and remained three and even six months.
Life at Monticello, for years, resembled that at a
fashionable watering-place.

The fourth of July, 1826, being the fiftieth anniver-

sary of the Declaration of American Independence,
great preparations were made in every part of the
Union for its celebration, as the nation's jubilee, and
the citizens of Washington, to add to the solemnity
of the occasion, invited Mr. Jefferson, as the franier,
and one of the few surviving signers of the Declara-
tion, to participate in their festivities. But an ill-
ness, which had been of several weeks duration, and
had been continually increasing, compelled him to
decline the invitation.

On the second of July, the disease under whic!i
he was laboring left him, but in such a reduced
state that his medical attendants, entertained no
hope of his recovery. From this time he was perfectly
sensible that his last hour was at hand. On the next
day, which was Monday, he asked of those around
him, the day of the month, and on being told it was
the third of July, he expressed the earnest wish that
he might be permitted to breathe the air of the fiftieth
anniversary. His prayer was heard — that day, whose
dawn was hailed with such rapture through our land,
burst upon his eyes, and then they were closed for-
ever. And what a noble consummation of a noble
life! To die on that day, — the birthday of a nation,- -
the day which his own name and his own act had
rendered glorious; to die amidst the rejoicings and
festivities of a whole nation, who looked up to him,
as the author, under God, of their greatest blessings,
was all that was wanting to fill up the record his life.

Almost at the same hour of his death, the kin-
dred spirit of the venerable Adams, as if to bear
him company, left the scene of bis earthly honors.
Hand in hand they had stood forth, the champions of
freedom; hand in hand, during the dark and desper-
ate struggle of the Revolution, they had cheered and
animated their desponding countrymen; for half a
century they had labored together for the good of
the country; and now hand in hand they depart.
In their lives they had been united in the same great
cause of liberty, and in their deaths they were not
divided.

In person Mr. Jefferson was tall and thin, rather
above six feet in height, but well formed; his eyes
were light, his hair originally red, in after life became
white and silvery ; his complexion was fair, his fore-
head broad, and his whole countenance intelligent and
thoughtful. He possessed great fortitude of mind as
well as personal courage; and his command of tem-
per was such that his oldest and most intimate friends
never recollected to have seen him in a passion.
His manners, though dignified, were simple and un-
affected, and his hospitality was so unbounded that
all found at his house a ready welcome. In conver-
sation he was fluent, eloquent and enthusiastic; and
his language was remarkably pure and correct. He
was a finished classical scholar, and in his writings is
discernable the care with which he formed his style
upon the best models of antiquity.

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e;?'iii»pr]QEs ni^Disoi].*^

AMES MADISON, "Father
M) of the Constitution," and fourth
}/'"' President of the United States,
was born March 16, 1757, and
died at his home in Virginia,
'■*® June 28, 1836. The name of
James Madison is inseparably con-
nected witli most of the important
events in that heroic period of our
country during which the founda- '
tions of this great repubUc were
laid. He was the last of the founders
of the Constitution of the United
States to be called to his eternal
reward.

The Madison family were among
the early emigrants to the New World,
anding upon the shores of the Chesa-
peake but 15 years after the settle-
ment of Jamestown. The father of
James Madison was an opulent
planter, residing upon a very fine es-
tate called "Montpelier," Orange Co.,
Va. The mansion was situated in
the midst of scenery highly pictur-
esque and romantic, on the west side
of South-west Mountain, at the foot of
Blue Ridge. It was but 25 miles from the home of
^ Jefferson at Monticello. The closest personal and
political attachment existed between these illustrious
J men, from their early youth until death.

The early education of Mr. Madison was conducted

^ mostly at home under a private tutor. At the age of

18 he was sent to Princeton College, in New Jersey.

. Here he applied himself to study with the most im-

prudent zeal; allowing himself, for months, but three
hours' sleep out of the 24. His liealtli thus became so
seriously impaired that he never recovered any vigor
of constitution. He graduated in 177 i, with a feeble
body, with a character of utmost purity, and with a
mind highly disciplined and richly stored with learning
which embellished and gave proficiency to his subse-
quent career.

Returning to Virginia, he commenced the study of
law and a course of extensive and systematic reading.
This educational course, the spirit of the times in
which he lived, and the society with which he asso-
ciated, all combined to inspire him with a strong
love of liberty, and to train him for his life-work of
a statesman. Being naturally of a religious turn of
mind, and his frail health leading him to think that
his life was not to be long, he directed especial atten-
tion to theological studies. Endowed with a mmd
singularly free from passion and prejudice, and with
almost unequalled powers of reasoning, he weighed
all the arguments for and against revealed religion,
until his faith became so established as never to
be shaken.

In the spring of 1776, when 26 years of age, he
was elected a member of the Virginia Convention, to
frame the constitution of the State. The next year
(1777), he was a candidate for the General Assembly.
He refused to treat- the whisky-lovir.g voters, and
consequently lost his election ; but those wlio had
witnessed the talent, energy and public spirit of the
modest young man, enlisted themselves in his behalf,
and he was appointed to the Executive Council.

Both Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson were
Governors of Virginia while Mr. Madison remained
member of the Council ; and their appreciation of his

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JAMES MADISON.

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intellectual, social and moral worth, contributed not
a little to his subsequent eminence. In the year
1780, he was elected a member of the Continental
Congress. Here he met the most illustrious men in
our land, and he was immediately assigned to one of
the most conspicuous positions among them.

For three years Mr. Madison continued in Con-
gress, one of its most active and influential members.
In the year 17 84, his term having expired, he was
elected a member of the Virginia Legislature.

No man felt more deeply than Mr. Madison the
utter inefficiency of the old confederacy, with no na-
tional government, with no power to form treaties
which would be binding, or to enforce law. There
was not any State more prominent than Virginia in
the declaration, that an efficient national government
must be formed. In January, 1786, Mr. Madison
carried a resolution through the General Assembly of
Virginia, inviting the other States to appoint commis-
sioners to meet in convention at Annapolis to discuss
this subject. Five States only were represented. The
convention, however, issued another call, drawn up
by Mr. Madison, urgmg all the States to send their
delegates to Philadelphia, in May, 1787, to draft
a Constitution for the United States, to take the place
of that Confederate League. The delegates met at
the time appointed. Kvery State but Rhode Island
was represented. Ceorge Washington was chosen
president of the convention; and the present Consti-
tution of the United States was then and there formed.
There was, perhaps, no mind and no pen more ac-
tive in framing this immortal document than the mind
and the pen of James Madison.

The Constitution, adopted by a vote 81 to 79, was
to be presented to the several States for acceptance.
But grave solicitude was felt. Should it be rejected
we should be left but a conglomeration of independent
States, with but little power at home and little respect
abroad. Mr. Madison was selected by the conven-
tion to draw up an address to the people of the United
States, expounding the principles of the Constitution,
and urging its adoption. There was great opposition
to it at first, Imt it at length triumphed over all, and
went into effect in 1789.

Mr. Madison was elected to the House of Repre-
sentatives in the first Congress, and soon became the
avowed leader of the Republican party. While in
New York attending Congress, he met Mrs, Todd, a
young widow of remarkable power of fascination,
whom he married. She was in person and character
ipieenly, and probably no lady has thus far occupied
so prominent a position in the very peculiar society
which has constituted our republican court as Mrs.
Madison.

Mr. Madison served as Secretary of State under
Jefferson, and at the close of his administration
was chosen President. At this time the encroach-
ments of England had brought us to the verge of war.

British orders in council destioyed our commerce, and
our flag was exposed to constant insult. Mr. Madison
was a man of peace. Scholarly in his taste, retiring
in his disposition, war had no charms for him. But the
meekest spirit can be roused. It makes one's blood
boil, even now, to think of an American ship brought
to, upon the ocean, by the guns of an English cruiser.
A young lieutenant steps on board and orders the
crew to be paraded before him. With great nonchal-
ance he selects any number whom he may please to
designate as British subjects ; orders them down the
ship's side into his boat ; and places them on the gun-
deck of liis man-of-war, to fight, by compulsion, the
battles of England. This right of search and im-
pressment, no efforts of our Government could induce
the British cabinet to relinquish.

On the tSth of June, 1812, President Madison gave
his approval to an act of Congress declaring war
against Great Britain. Notwithstanding the bitter
hostility of the Federal party to the war, the country
in general approved; and Mr. Madison, on the 4th
of March, igiji was re-elected by a large majority,
and entered upon his second term of office. 'I'his is
not the place to describe the various adventures of
this war on the land and on the water. Our infant
navy then laid the foundations of its renown in grap-
pling with the most formidable power which ever
swe[)t the seas. The contest commenced in earnest
by the appearance of a British fleet, early in February,
i8t3, in Chesapeake Bay, declaring nearly the whole
coast of the United States under blockade.

The Emperor of Russia offered his services as me
ditator. America accepted ; England refused. A Brit-
ish force of five thousand men landed on the banks
of the Patuxet River, near its entrance into Chesa-
peake Bay, and marched rapidly, by way of Bladens-
burg, upon Washington.

The straggling little city of Wasliington was thrown
into consternation. The cannon of the brief conflict
at Bladensburg echoed through the streets of the
metropolis. The whole population fled from the city.
The President, leaving Mrs. Madison in the White
House, with her carriage drawn up at the door to
await his speedy return, hurried to meet the officers
in a council of war. He met our troops utterly routed,
and he could not go back without danger of Iieing
captured. But few hours elapsed ere the Presidential
Mansion, the Capitol, and all the public buildings in
Washington were in flames.

The war closed after two years of fighting, and on
Feb. 13, 18 15, the treaty of peace was signed at Ghent.

On the 4th of March, 1817, his second term f)f
office expired, and he resigned the Presidential chair
to his friend, James Monroe. He retired to his beau-
tiful home at Montpelier, and there passed the re-
mainder of his days. On June 28, 1836, then at the
age i:)f 85 years, he fell asleep in death. Mrs. Madi-
son died July 12, 1849.

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FIFTH PRESIDENT.

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AMES MONROE, the nfth
^I'residentof The United States,
'■ was born hi Westmorc.ndCo.,
Va., April 28, 1758. Kis early
life was passed at the place of
nativity. His ancestors had for
many years resided in the prov-
ince in which he was born. When,
at 17 years of age, in the process
mHa** of completing his education at
William and Mary College, the Co-
lonial Congress assembled at Phila-
delphia to deliberate upon the un-
just and manifold oppressions of
Great Britian, declared the separa-
tion of the Colonies, and promul-
gated the Declaration of Indepen-
dence. Had he been born ten years before it is highly
jirofiable that he would have been one of the signers
of that celebrated instrument. At this time he left
school and enlisted among the patriots.

He joined the army when everything looked hope-
less and gloomy. The number of deserters increased
from day to day. The invading armies came pouring
in ; and the tones not only favored the cause of the
mother country, but disheartened the new recruits,
who were sufficiently terrified at the prospect of con-
tending with an enemy whom they had been taught
to deem invincible. To such brave spirits as James
Monroe, who went right onward, undismayed through
difficulty and danger, the United States owe their
political emancipation. The young cadet joined the
ranks, and espoused the cause of his injured country,
with a firm determination to live or die with her strife

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for liberty. Firmly yet sadly he shared in the mel-
ancholy retreat from Harleam Heights and White
Plains, and accompanied the dispirited army as it fled
before its foes through New Jersey. In four months
after the Declaration of Independence, the patriots ^
had been beaten in seven battles. At the battle of
Trenton he led the vanguard, and, in the act of charg-
ing upon the enemy he received a wound in the left
shoulder.

As a reward for his bravery, Mr. Monroe was pro-
moted a captain pf infantry ; and, having recovered
from his wound, he rejoined the army. He, however,
receded from the line of promotion, by becoming an
officer in the staff of Lord Sterling. During the cam-
paigns of 1777 and 1778, in the actions of Brandy-
wine, Oermantown and Monmouth, he continued
aid-de-camp ; but becoming desirous to regain his
position in the army, he e.xerted himself to collect a
regiment for the Virginia line. This scheme failed
owing to the exhausted condition of the State. Upon
this failure he entered the office of Mr. Jefferson, at
that period Governor, and pursued, with considerable
ardor, the study of common law. He did not, liowever,
entirely lay aside the knapsack for the green bag ;
but on the invasions of the enemy, served as a volun-
teer, during the two years of his legal pursuits.

In 1782, he was elected from King George county, A;
a member of the Leglislature of \'irginia, and by that T
body he was elevated to a seat in the Executive |
Council. He was thus honored with the confidence
of his fellow citizens at 23 years of age ; and having
at this early period displayed some of that ability
and a[)titude for legislation, wiiich were afterwards
employed with unremitting energ'y for the public good,

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JAMES MONROE.

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he was in the succeeding year chosen a member of
the Congress of the United' States.

DeeptyasMr. Monroefelt the imperfections of the old
Confederacy, he was opposed to the new Constitution,
thinking, with many others of the Republican parly,
that it gave too much power to the Central Government,
and not enough to the individual States. Still he re-
tained the esteem of his friends who were its warm
supporters, and who, notwithstanding his opposition
secured its adoption. In 1789, he became a member
of the United States Senate; which office he held for
four years. Every month the line of distinction be-
tween the two great ])arties which divided the nation,
the Federal and the Republican, was growing more
distinct. The two prominent ideas which now sep-
arated them were, that the Republican party was in
sympathy with France, and also in favor of such a
strict construction of tlie Constitution as to give the
Central Government as little power, and the State
Governments as much power, as the Constitution wo\ild
warrant. The Federalists sympathized with England,
and- were in favor of a liberal construction of the Con-
stitution, which would give as much power to the
Central Government as that document could possibly
authorize.

The leading Federalists and Republicans were
alike noble men, consecrating all their energies to the
good of the nation. Two more honest men or more
pure patriots than John Adams the Federalist, and
James Monroe the Republican, never breathed. In
building up this majestic nation, which is destined
to eclipse all Grecian and Assyrian greatness, the com-
bination of their antagonism was needed to create the
right equilibrium. And yet each in his day was de-
nounced as almost a demon.

Washington was then President. England had es-
poused the cause of the Bourbons against the princi-
ples of the French Revolution. All Europe was drawn
into the conflict. We were feeble and far away.
Washington issued a proclamation of neutrality be-
tween these contending powers. France had helped
us in the struggle for our liberties. All the despotisms
of Europe were now combined to prevent the French
from escaping from a tyranny a thousand-fold worse
than that which we had endured. Col. Monroe, more
magnanimous than prudent, was anxious that, at
whatever hazard, we should help our old allies in
their extremity. It was the impulse of a generous
and noble nature. He violently op[)osed the Pres-
ident's proclamation as ungrateful and wanting in
magnanimity.

Washington, who could appreciate such a character,
developed liis calm, serene, almost divine greatness,
by appointing that very James Monroe, who was de-
nouncing the policy of the Government, as the minister
of that Government to the Republic of France. Mr.
Monroe was welcomed by the National Convention
in France with the most enthusiastic demonstrations.

Shortly after his return to this country, Mr. Mon-
roe was elected Governor of Virginia, and held the
office for three years. He was again sent to France to
co-operate with Chancellor Livingston in obtaining
the vast territory then known as the Province of
Louisiana, which France had but shortly before ob-
tained from Spain. Their united efforts were suc-
cessful. For the comparatively small sum of fifteen
millions of dollars, the entire territory of Orleans and
district of Louisiana were added to the United States.
This was probably the largest transfer of real estate
which was ever made in all the history of the world.

From France Mr. Monroe went to England to ob-
tain from that country some recognition of our
rights as neutrals, and to remonstrate against those
odious impressments of our seamen. But Eng-
land was unrelenting. He agam returned to Eng-
land on the same mission, but could receive no
redress. He returned to his home and was again
chosen Governor of Virginia. This he soon resigned
to accept the position of Secretary of State under
Madison. While in this office war with England was
declared, the Secretary of War resigned, and during
these trj'ing times, the duties of the \\'ar Department
were also put upon him. He was truly the armor-
bearer of President Madison, and the most efficient
business man in his cabinet. Upon the return of
peace he resigned the Department of War, but con-
tinued in the office of Secretary of State until the ex-
piration of Mr. Madison's adminstration. At the elec-
tion held the previous autumn Mr. Monroe himself had
been chosen President with but little opposition, and
upon March 4, 18 17, was inaugurated. Four years
later he was elected for a second term.

Among the important measures of his Presidency
were the cession of Florida to the United States ; the
Missouri Compromise, and the " Monroe doctrine.''

This famous doctrine, since known as the "Monroe
doctrine," was enunciated by him in 1823. At that
time the United States had recognized the independ-
ence of the South American states, and did not wish
to have European powers longer attempting to sub-
due portions of the American Continent. The doctrine
is as follows: "That we should consider any attempt
on the part of European powers to extend their sys-
tem to any portion of this hemis|ihere as dangerous
to our peace and safety," and "that we could not
view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing
or controlling American govemments or provinces in
any other light than as a manifestation by European
powers of an unfriendly disposition toward the United
States." This doctrine immediatel\' affected the course
of foreign governments, and has become the approved
sentiment of the United States.

At the end of his second term Mr. Monroe retired
to his home in Virginia, where he lived until 1830,
when he went to New York to live, with his son-in-
law. In that city he died, on the 4th of July, 1831.

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SIXTH PRESIDENT.

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OHN QUINCY ADAMS, the
iiixth President of the United
L^States, was born in the rural
home of his honored father,
John Adams, in Quincy, Mass.,
on the I ith cf July, 1767. His
mother, a woman 6f exalted
worth, watched over his childhood
during the almost constant ab-
sence of his father. When l)ut
eight years of age, he stood with
iiis mother on an eminence, listen-
ing to the booming of the great l)at-
tle on Bunker's Hill, and gazing on
upon the smoke and flames Ijillow-
ing up from the conflagration of
Charlestown.

When but eleven years old he
took a tearful adieu of his mother,
to sail with his father for Europe,
through a lleet of hostile British cruisers. The bright,
animated boy spent a year and a half in Paris, where
his father was associated with Franklin and Lee as
minister plenipotentiary. His intelligence attracted
the notice of these distinguished men, and he received
from them flattering marks of attention.

Mr. John Adams had scarcely returned to this
country, in 1779, ere he was again sent abroad. Again
John Quincy accompanied his father. At Paris he
applied himself with great diligence, for six months,
to study; then accom pained his father to Holland,
where he entered, first a school in Amsterdam, then
the University at Leyden. About a year from this
time, in T781, when the manly boy was but fourteen
years of age, he was selected by Mr. Dana, our min-
ister to the Russian court, as his private secretary.

In this school of incessant labor and of enoliling
culture he spent fourteen months, and then returned
to Holland through Sweden, Denmark, Hamburg and
Bremen. This long journey he took alone, in the
winter, when in his sixteenth year. Again he resumed
his studies, under a private tutor, at Hague. Thence,

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in the spring of 1782, he accompanied his father to
Paris, traveling leisurely, and forming acquaintance
with the most distinguished men on the Continent;
examining arcfiitectural remains, galleries of paintings,
and all renowned works of art. At Paris he again
became associated with the most illustrious men of
all lands in the contemplations of the loftiest temporal
themes which can engross the human mind. After
a short visit to England he returned to Paris, and
consecrated all his energies to study until May, 1785,
when he returned to America. To a brilliant young
man of eighteen, who had seen much of the world,
and who was familiar with the etiquette of courts, a
residence with his father in London, under such cir-
cumstances, must have been extremely attractive;
but with judgment very rare in one of his age, he pre-
ferred to return to America to complete his education
in an American college. He wished then to study
law, that with an honorable profession, he might be
able to obtain an independent support.

Upon leaving Harvard College, at the age of twenty,
he studied law for three years. In June, 1794, be-
ing then but twenty-seven years of age, he was ap-
pointed by Washington, resident minister at the
Netherlands. Sailing from Boston in July, he reached
London in October, where he was immediately admit-
ted to the deliberations of Messrs. Jay and Pinckney,
assisting them in negotiating a commercial treaty with
Great Brilian. After thus spending a fortnight in
London, he proceeded to the Hague.

In July, 1797, he left the Hague to go to Portugal as
minister plenipotentiary. On his way to Portugal,
upon arriving in London, he met with despatches
directing him to the court of Berlin, but requesting
him to remain in London until he should receive his
instructions. \Vhile waiting he was niairied to an
American lady to whom he had been previously en-
gaged, — Miss Louisa Catherine Johnson, daughter
of Mr. Joshua Johnson, American consul in London;
a lady endownd with that beauty and those accom-
])lishment which eminently fitted her to move in the
elevated siihere for which she was destined.

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V^ He reached Berlin with his wife in November, 1797 ;
/w where he remained until July, 1799, when, having ful-
^ filled all the purposes of his mission, he solicited his
"^ recall.

T Soon after his return, in 1802, he was chosen to

-?,, the Senate of Massachusetts, from Boston, and then
was elected Senator of the United States for six years,
from the 4th of March, 1804. His reputation, his
ability and his experience, placed him immediately
among the most prominent and influential members
of that l)ody. Es[)ecially did he sustain the Govern-
ment in its measures of resistance to the encroach-
ments of England, destroying our commerce and in-
sulting our flag. There was no man in America more
familiar with tlie arrogance of the British court upon
these points, and no one more resolved to present
a firm resistance.

In 1809, Madison succeeded Jefferson in the Pres-
idential chair, and he immediately nominated John
Quincy Adams minister to St. Petersburg. Resign-
ing his professorship in Harvard College, he embarked
at Boston, in Augifst, 1809.

While in Russia, Mr. Adams was an intense stu-
dent. He devoted his attention to the language and
history of Russia; to the Chinese trade; to the
European system of weights, measures, and coins ; to
the climate and astronomical observations ; while he
kept up a familiar acquaintance with the Greek and
Latin classics. In all the universities of Europe, a
more accomplished scholar could scarcely be found.
All through life the Bible constituted an important
part of his studies. It was his rule to read five
chapters every day.

On the 4th of March, 1817, Mr. Monroe took the
Presidential chair, and immediately appointed Mr.
Adams Secretary of State. Taking leave of his num-
erous friends in public and private life in Europe, he
sailed in June, i8ig, for the United States. On the
i8th of August, he again crossed the threshold of his
home in Quincy. During the eight years of Mr. Mon-
roe's administration, Mr. Adams continued Secretary
of State.

Some time before the close of Mr. Monroe's second
term of office, new candidates began to be presented
for the Presidency. Tlie friends of Mr. .\dams brought
forward his name. It was an exciting campaign.
Party spirit was never more bitter. Two hundred and
sixty electoral votes were cast. Andrew Jackson re-
ceived ninety-nine; John Quincy .\danis, eighty-four;
William H. Crawford, forty-one; Henry Clay, thirty-
5' seven. As tliere was no choice by the people, the
I question went to the House of Representatives. Mr.
A, Clay gave the vote of Kentucky to Mr. Adams, and
''^ he was dected.

j/ The friends of all the disappointed candidates now

^ combined in a venomous and persistent assault iqion
'*' Mr. Adams. There is nothing more disgraceful in
^ the past histor)' of our countr\ than the abuse which

was poured in one uninterrupted stream, upon this ^
high-minded, upright, patriotic man. There never was ';■
an administration more pure in principles, more con- -4.
scientiously devoted to the best interests of the coun- "> "
try, than that of John Quincy Adams ; and never, per- 1
haps, was there an administration more unscrupu- yC^
lously and outrageously assailed.

Mr. Adams was, to a very remarkable degree, ab-
stemious and temperate in his habits; always rising
early, and taking much exercise. When at his home in
Quincy, he has been known to walk, before breakfast,
seven miles to Boston. In Washington, it was said
that he was the first man up in the city, lighting his
own fire and applying himself to work in his library
often long before dawn.

On the 4th of March, 1829, Mr. Adams retired
from the Presidency, and was succeeded by Andrew
Jackson. JohrwC. Calhoun was elected Vice Presi-
dent. The slavery question now began to assume
iwrtentous magnitude. Mr. Adams returned to
Quincy and to his studies, which he pursued with un-
abated zeal. But he was not long permitted to re-
main in retirement. In November, 1830, he was
elected representative to Congress. For seventeen
years, until his death, he occupied the post as repre-
sentative, towering above all his peers, ever ready to
do brave battle' for freedom, and winning the title of
"the old man eloquent." Upon taking his seat in
the House, he announced that he should hold him-
self bound to no party. Probably there never was a
member more devoted to his duties. He was usually
the first in his place in the morning, and the last to
leave, his seat in the evening. Not a measure could
be brought forward and escape his scrutiny. The
battle which Mr. Adams fought, almost singly, against
the proslavery party in the Government, was sublime
in Its moral daring and heroism. For persisting in
presenting petitions for the abolition of slavery, he
was threatened with indictment by the grand jury,
with expulsion from the House, with assassination;
but no threats could intimidate him, and his final
triumph was complete.

It has been said of President Adams, that when his
body was bent and his hair silvered by the lapse of
fourscore years, yielding to the simple faith of a little
child, he was accustomed to repeat every night, before
he slept, the prayer which his mother taught him in
his infant years.

On the 2ist of February, 1848, he rose on the floor
of Congress, with a paper in his hand, to address the f^
speaker. Suddenly he fell, again stricken iiy jiataly-
sis, and was caught in the arms of those around liim.
For a time he was senseless, as he was conveyed to
the sofa in the rotunda. With reviving conscious-
ness, he opened his eyes, looked calmly around and
said " This is the end of earth ;W\tx\ after a moment's
pause he added, "/ nw content" These were the
last words of the tir.iiul "Old Man Eloquent."

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SEVENTH PRESIDENT.

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NDREW JACKSON, the
seventh President of the
United States, was born in
Waxhaw settlement, N. C,
March 15, 1767, a few days
after his father's death. His
parents were poor emigrants
from Ireland, and took up
their abode in Waxhaw set-
tlement, where they lived in
deepest poverty.
Andrew, or Andy, as he was
universally called, grew up a very
rough, rude, turbulent boy. His
features were coarse, his form un-
gainly; and there was but very
little in his character, made visible, which was at-
tractive.

When only thirteen years old he joined the volun-
teers of Carolina against the British invasion. In
1781, he and his brother Robert were captured and
i imprisoned for a time at Camden. A British officer
% ordered him to brush his mud-spattered boots. " I am
■% a prisoner of war, not your servant," was the reply of
the dauntless boy.

The brute drew his sword, and aimed a desperate
blow at the head of the helpless young prisoner.
Andrew raised his hand, and thus received two fear-
""ul gashes, — one on the hand and the other upon the
lead. The officer then turned to his brother Robert
with the same demand. He also refused, and re-
ceived a blow from the keen-edged sabre, which quite
disabled him, and which probably soon after caused
his death. They suffered much other ill-treatment, and
were finally stricken with the small-pox. Their
mother was successful in obtaining their exchange.

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and took her sick boys home. After a long illness
Andrew recovered, and the death of his mother soon
left him entirely friendless.

Andrew supported himself in various ways, such as
working at the saddler's trade, teaching school and
clerking in a general store, until 1784, when he
entered a law office at Salisbury, N. C. He, however,
gave more attention to the wild amusements of the
times than to his studies. In 1788, he was appointed
solicitor for the western district of North Carolina, of
which Tennessee was then a part. This involved
many long and tedious journeys amid dangers of
every kind, but Andrew Jackson never knew fear,
and the Indians had no desire to repeat a skirmish
with the Sharp Knife.

In 179 1, Mr. Jackson was married to a woman who
supposed herself divorced from her former husband.
Great was the surprise of both parties, two years later,
to find that the ccnditionsof the divorce had just been
definitely settled by the first husband. The marriage
ceremony was performed a second time, but the occur-
rence was often used by his enemies to bring Mr.
Jackson into disfavor.

During these years he worked hard at his profes-
sion, and frequently had one or more duels on hand,
one of which, when he killed Dickenson, was espec-
ially disgraceful.

In January, 1796, the Territory of Tennessee then
containing nearly eighty thousand inhabitants, the
people met in convention at Knoxville to frame a con-
stitution. Five were sent from each of the eleven
counties. Andrew Jackson was one of the delegates.
The new State was entitled to but one member in
the National House of Representatives. Andrew Jack-
son was chosen that member. Mounting his horse he
rode to Philedelphia, where Congress then held its

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ANDRE W JACKSON.

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sessions, — a distance of about eigiit hundred miles.

Jackson was an earnest advocate of the Demo-
cratic p-irty. Jefferson was his idol. He admired
Bonaparte, loved France and hated England. As Mr.
Jackson took his seat, Gen. Washington, whose
second term of office was then e.xpiring, delivered his
last speech to Congress. A committee drew up a
comi)limentary address in reply. Andrew Jackson
did not approve of the address, and was one of the
twelve who voted against it. He was not willing to
say that Gen. Washington's adminstration had been
" wise, firm and patriotic."

Mr. Jackson was elected to the United States
Senate in 1797, but soon resigned and returned home.
Soon after he was chosen Judge of the .Supreme Court
of his State, which position he held for si.x years.

When the war of 181 2 with Great Britian com-
menced, Madison occupied the Pre^dential chair.
Aaron Burr sent word to the President that there was
an unknown man in the West, Andrew Jackson, who
would do credit to a commission if one were con-
ferred upon him. Just at that time Gen. Jackson
offered his services and those of twenty-five hundred
volunteers. His offer was accepted, and the troops
were assembled at Nashville.

As the British were hourly e.xpected to make an at-
tack upon New Orleans, where Gen. Wilkinson was
in command, he was ordered to descend the river
with fifteen hundred troops to aid Wilkinson. The
expedition reached Natchez; and afteradelay of sev-
eral weeks there, without accomplishing anything,
the men were ordered back to their homes. But the
energy Gen. Jackson had displayed, and his entire
devotion to the comrfort of his soldiers, won him
golden opinions; and he became the most popular
man in the State. It was in this expedition that his
toughness gave him the nickname of " Old Hickory."

Soon after this, while attempting to horsewhip Col.
Thomas H. Benton, for a remark that gentleman
made about his taking a i)art as second in a duel, in
which a younger brother of Benton's was engaged,
he received two severe pistol wounds. While he was
lingering upon a bed of suffering news came that the
Indians, who had combined under Tecumseh from
Florida to the Lakes, to exterminate the white set-
tlers, were committing the most awful ravages. De-
cisive action became necessary. Clen. Jackson, with
his fractured bone just beginning to heal, his arm in
a sling, and unable to mount his horse without assis-
tance, gave his amazing energies to the raising of an
army to rendezvous at Fayettesvillc, Alabama.

The Creek Indians had established a strong fort on
one of the bendsof the Tallapoosa River, near the cen-
ter of Alabama, about fifty miles below Fort Strother.
With an army of two thousand men, Gen. Jackson
traversed the pathless wilderness in a march of eleven
days. He reached their fort, called l^ohojieka or
Horse-shoe, on the 27th of Man li. 1814. The bend

of the river enclosed nearly one hundred acres of ^'
tangled forest and wild ravine. Across the narrow i-.-'
neck the Indians had constructed a formidable breast- . '
work of logs and brush. Here nine hundred warriors, -
with an ample suply of arms were assembled.

The fort was stormed. The fight was utterly des- Vijp
perate. Not an Indian would accept of quarter. When
bleeding and dying, they would fight those who en-
deavored to spare their lives. From ten in the morn-
ing until dark, the battle raged. The carnage was
awful and revolting. Some threw themselves into the
river; but the unerring bullet struck their heads as
they swam. Nearly everyone of the nine hundred war-
rios were killed A few probably, in the night, swam
the river and escaped. This ended the war. The
power of the Creeks was broken forever. This bold
plunge into the wilderness, with its terriffic slaughter,
so appalled the savages, that the haggard remnants
of the bands came to the camp, beggingTor peace.

This closing of the Creek war enabled us to con-
centrate all our militia upon the British, who were the
allies of the Indians No man of less resolute will
than Gen. Jackson could have conducted this Indian
campaign to so successful an issue Immediately he
was appointed major-general.

Late in .\ugust, with an army of two thousand
men, on a rushing march, Gen. Jackson came to
Mol)ile. A British fleet came from Pensacola, landed
a force upon the beach, anchored near the little fort,
and from both ship and shore commenced a furious
assault. The battle was long and doubtful. At length
one of the ships was blown up and the rest retired.

Garrisoning Mol.)ile, where he had taken his little
army, he moved his troops, to New Orleans,
.\nd the battle of New Orleans which soon ensued,
was in reality a very arduous campaign. This won
for Gen. Jackson an imperishable name. Here his
troojjs, which numliered about four thousand men,
won a signal victory over the British army of about
nine thousand. His loss was but thirteen, while the
loss of the British was two thousand six hundred.

The name of Gen. Jackson soon began to be men-
tioned in connection with the Presidency, but, in 1824,
he was defeated by Air. Adams. He was, however,
successful in the election of 1828, and was re-elected
for a second term in 1832. In 1S29, just before he
assumed the reins of the government, he met with
the most terrible affliction of his life in the death of
his wife, whom he had loved with a devotion which has
perhaps never been surpassed. From the shock of
her death he never recovered.

His administration was one of the most memorable
in the annals of our country; applauded by one party,
condemned by the other. No man had more bitter
enemies or warmer friends. At the expiration of his
two terms of office he retired to the Hermitage, where
he died June 8, 1845. The last years of Mr. Jack-
son's life were th;il of a devoted Christian man.

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EIGHTH PRESIDENT.

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ARTIN VAN BUREN, the
ci^hth President of the
United States, was born at
Kinderhook, N. Y., Dec. 5,
1782. He died at the same
phice, July 24, 1862. His
body rests in the cemetery
at Kinderhook. Above it is
a plain granite shaft fifteen feet
high, bearing a simple inscription
about half way up on one face.
The lot is unfenced, unbordered
^ or unbounded by shrub or flower.

There is but little in the life of Martin Van Buren
of romantic interest. He fought no battles, engaged
in no wild adventures. Though his life was stormy in
political and intellectual conflicts, and he gained many
signal victories, his days passed uneventful in those
incidents which give zest to biography. His an-
cestors, as his name indicates, were of Dutch origin,
and were among the earliest emigrants from Holland
to the banks of the Hudson. His father was a farmer,
residing in the old town of Kinderhook. His mother,
also of Dutcli lineage, was a woman of superior intel-
ligence and exemplary piety.

He was decidedly a precocious boy, developing un-
usual activity, vigor and strength of mind. At the
acre of fourteen, he had finished his academic studies
I in his native village, and commenced the study of
A law. As he had not a collegiate education, seven

f years of study in a law-office were required of him
before he could be admitted to the bar. Inspired with
1^ a lofty ambition, and conscious of his powers, he pur-
.® sued his studies with indefatigable industry. After
^ spending si.x years in an office in his native village,

he went to the city of New York, and prosecuted his
studies for the seventh year.

In 1803, Mr. Van Buren, then twenty-one years of
age, commenced the practice of law in his native vil-
lage. The great conflict lietween the Federal and
Republican party was then at its height. Mr. Van
Buren was from the beginning a politician. He had,
perhaps, imbibed that spirit while listening to the
many discussions which had been carried on in his
father's hotel. He was in cordial sympathy with
Jefferson, and earnestly and eloquently espoused the
cause of State Rights ; though at that time the Fed-
eral party held the supremacy both in his town
and State.

His success and increasing ruputation led him,
after six years of practice, to remove to Hudson, the
county seat of his county. Here he spent seven years,
constantly gaining strength by contending in the
courts with some of the ablest men who have adorned
the bar of his State.

Just before leaving Kinderhook fur Hudson, Mr.
Van Buren married a lady alike distinguished for
Ijeauty and accomplishments. After twelve short
years she sank into the grave, the victim of consump-
tion, leaving her husband and four sons to weep over
her loss. For twenty-five years, JNIr. Van Buren was
an earnest, successful, assiduous lawyer. The record
of those years is barren in items of public interest.
In tS 1 2, when thirty years of age, he was cliosen to
the State Senate, and tiave his strenuous support tu
Mr. Madison's adminstration. In 1815, he was ap-
pointed Attorney-General, and the next year moved
to Albany, the capital of the State.

While he was acknowledged as one of the most
prominent leaders of the Democratic party, he had

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48

MARTIN VAN BUREN.

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the moral courage to avow that true democracy did
not require that " universal suffrage" which admits
the vile, the degraded, the ignorant, to the right of
governing the State. In true consistency with liis
democratic principles, he contended that, while the
path leading to the privilege of voting should be open
to every man without distinction, no one should be
invested with that sacred prerogative, unless he were
in some degree qualified for it by intelligence, virtue
and some property interests in the welfare of tlie
State.

In 182 1 he was elected a member of the United
States Senate; and in the same year, he took a seat
in the convention to revise the constitution of his
native State. His course in this convention secured
the approval of men of all parties. No one could
doubt the singleness of his endeavors to promote the
interests of all classes in the community. In the
Senate of the United States, he rose at once to a
conspicuous position as an active and useful legislator.

In 1827, John Quincy Adams being then in the
Presidential chair, Mr. Van Buren was re-elected to
the Senate. He had been from the beginning a de-
termined opposer of the .Administration, adopting the
"State Rights" view in opposition to what was
deemed the Federal proclivities of Mr. Adams.

Soon after this, in 1828, he was chosen Governorof
the State of New York, and accordingly resigned his
seat in the Senate. Probably no one in the United
States contributed so much towards ejecting John (J.
Adams from the Presidential cliair, and placing in it
Andrew Jackson, as did Martin Van Buren. Whether
entitled to the reputation or not, he certainly was re-
garded throughout the United States as one of the
most skillful, sagacious and cunning of politicians.
It was supposed that no one knew so well as he how
to touch the secret spiings of action; how to pull all
the wires to put his machinery in motion ; and how to
organize a political army which would, secretly and
stealthily accomplish the most gigantic results. By
these powers it is said that he outv.'itted Mr. Adams,
Mr. Clay, Mr. Webster, and secured results which
few thought then could be accomplished.

When Andrew Jackson was elected President he
appointed Mr. Van Buren Secretary of State. This
position he resigned in 1831, and was immediately
appointed Minister to England, where he went the
same autumn. The Senate, however, when it met,
refused to ratify the nomination, and he returned

home, apparently untroubled ; was nominated Vice
President in the place of Calhoun, at the re-election
of President Jackson ; and with smiles for all and
frowns for none, he took his place at tjie head of that
Senate which had refused to confirm his nomination
as ambassador.

His rejection by the Senate roused all the zeal of
President Jackson in behalf of his repudiated favor-
ite ; and this, probably more than any other cause,
secured his elevation to the chair of the Chief Execu-
tive. On the 20th of May, 1836, Mr. Van Buren re-
ceived the Democratic nomination to succeed Gen.
Jackson as President of the United States. He was
elected liy a handsome majority, to the delight of the
retiring President. " Leaving New York out of the
canvass," says Mr. Parton, "the election of Mr. Van
Buren to the Presidency was as much the act of Gen.
Jackson as though the Constitution had conferred
upon him the power to appoint a successor."

His administration was filled with exciting events.
The insurrection in Canada, which threatened to in •
volve this country in war with England, the agitation
of the slavery question, and finally the great commer-
cial panic which spread over the country, all were
trials to his wisdom. The financial distress was at-
tributed to the management of the Democratic party,
and brought the President into such disfavor that he
failed of re-election.

With the exception of being nominated for tlie
Presidency by the "Free Soil" Democrats, in 1848,
Mr. Van Buren lived ijuietly upon his estate until
his death.

He had ever been a prudent man, of frugal habits,
and living within his income, had now fortunately a
competence for his declining years. His unblemished
character, his commanding abilities, his unquestioned
patriotism, and the distinguished positions which he
had occupied in the government of our country, se-
cured to him not only the homage of his party, but
the respect ot the whole community. It was on the
4th of March, 184 1, that Mr. Van Buren retired from
the presidency. From his fine estate at Lindenwald
he still exerted a powerful influence upon the politics
of the country. From this time until his death, on
the 24th of July, 1862, at the age of eighty years, he
resided at Lindenwald, a gentleman of leisure, of
culture and of wealth; enjoying in a healthy old
age, probably far more happiness than he had before
experienced amid the stormy scenes of his active life.

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NINTH PRESIDKNT.

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WI^IjUM HEXITf maiRISON.

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ILLIAM HENRY HARRI-
SON, the ninth President of
the United States, was born
at Berkeley, Va., Feb. 9, 1773.
His father, Benjamin Harri-
son, was in comparatively op-
ulent circumstances, and was
one of the most distinguished
men of his day. He was an
intimate friend of George
Washington, w as early elected
a member of the Continental
Congress, and was consijicuous
among the patriots of Virginia in
resisting the encroachments of the
British crown. In the celebrated
Congress of 1775, Benjamin Har-
rison and John Hancock were
both candidates for the office of
s[>eaker.

Mr Harrison was subsequently
chosen Governor of Virginia, and
was twice re-elected. His son,
i William Henry, of course enjoyed

in childhood all the advantages which wealth and
intellectual and cultivated society could give. Hav-
ing received a thorough common-school education, he
entered Hampden Sidney College, where he graduated
with honor soon after the death of his father. He
then repaired to Philadelphia to study medicine under
^ the instructions of Dr. Rush and the guardianship of
Robert Morris, both of whom were, with his father,
signers of the Declaration of Independence.
11^', Upon the outbreak of the Indian troubles, and not-
withstanding the remonstrances of his friends, he
i) abandoned his medical studies and entered the army,
having obtained a commission of Ensign from Presi-

dent Washington. He was then but 19 years old.
From that time he passed gradually upward in rank
until he became aid to (General AVayne, after whose
death lie resigned his commission. He was then ap-
pointed Secretary of the North-western Territory. This
Territory was then entitled to but one member in
Congress and Capt. Harrison was chosen to fill that
position.

In the spring of 1800 the North-western Territory
was divided by Congress into two portions. The
eastern portion, comprising the region now embraced
in the State of Ohio, was called '' The Territory
north-west of the Ohio." The western [lorliuii, which
included what is now called Indiana, Illinois and
Wisconsin, was called the "Indiana Territory." Wil-
liam Henry Harrison, then 27 years of age, was a]5-
pointed by John Adams, Ciovernor of the Indiana
Territory, and immediately after, also Governor of
Upper Louisiana. He was thus ruler over almost as
extensive a realm as any sovereign upon the globe. He
was Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and was in-
vested with powers nearly dictatorial over the now
rapidly increasing white population. The ability and
fidelity with which he discharged these responsible
duties may be inferred from the fact that he was four
times appointed to tliis office — first by John Adams,
twice by Thomas Jefferson and afterwards by Presi-
dent Madison.

AVhenhe began his adminstration there were but
three white settlements in that almost boundless region,
now crowded with cities and resounding with all the
tumult of wealth and traffic. Oneof these settlements
was on the Ohio, nearly opposite Louisville; one at
Vincennes, on the Wabash, and the third a French
settlement.

The vast wilderness over which (iov. Harrison
reigned was filled with many tribes of Indians. About

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WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON.

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the year 1806, two extraordinary men, twin brothers,
of the Shawnese tribe, rose among them. One of
these was called Tecumseh, or " The Crouching
Panther;" the other, OUiwacheca, or "The Prophet."
Tecumseh was not only an Indian warrior, but a man
of great sagacity, far-reaching foresight and indomit-
able perseverance in any enterprise in which he might
engage. He was inspired with the highest enthusiasm,
and had long regarded with dread and with hatred
the encroachment of the whites upon the hunting-
grounds of his fathers. His brother, the Prophet, was
anorator, who could sway the feelings of the untutored
Indian as the gale tossed the tree-tops beneath which
they dwelt.

But the Prophet was not merely an orator: he was,
in the superstitious minds of the Indians, invested
with the superhuman dignity of a medicine-man or a
magician. With an enthusiasm unsurpassed by Peter
the Hermit rousing Europe to the crusades, he went
from tribe to tribe, assuming that he was specially sent
by the Great Spirit.

Gov. Harrison made many attempts to conciliate
the Indians, but at last the war came, and at Tippe-
canoe the Indians were routed with great slaughter.
October 28, 18 12, his army began its march. When
near the Prophet's town three Indians of rank made
their appearance and inquired why Gov. Harrison was
approaching them in so hostile an attitude. After a
short conference, arrangements were made for a meet-
ing the next day, to agree upon terms of peace.

But Gov. Harrison was too well acquainted with
the Indian character to be deceived by such protes-
tations. Selecting a favorable spot for his night's en-
campment, he took every precaution against surprise.
His troops were posted in a hollow square, and slept
upon their arms.

The troops threw themselves upon the ground for
rest; but every man had his accourtrements on, his
loaded musket by his side, and his bayonet fixed. The
wakeful Governor, between three and four o'clock in
the morning, had risen, and was sitting in conversa-
tion with his aids by the embers of a waning fire. It
was a chill, cloudy morning with a drizzling rain. In
the darkness, the Indians had crept as near as possi-
ble, and just then, with a savage yell, rushed, with all
the desperation which superstition and passion most
highly inflamed could give, upon the left flank of the
little army. The savages had been amply provided
with guns and ammunition by the English. Their
war-whoop was accompained by a shower of bullets.

The camp-fires were instantly extinguished, as the
light aided the Indians in their aim. With hide-
ous yells, the Indian bands rushed on, not doubting a
speedy and an entire victory. But Gen. Harrison's
troops stood as immovable as the rocks around them
until day dawned : they then made a simultaneous
charge with the bayonet, and swept every thing be-
fore them, and completely routing the foe.

Gov. Harrison now had all his energies tasked
to the utmost. The British descending from theCan-
adas, were of themselves a very formidable force ; but
with their savage allies, rushing like wolves from the
forest, searching out every remote farm-house, burn-
ing, plundering, scalping, torturing, the wide frontier
was plunged into a state of consternation which even
the most vivid imagination can but faintly conceive.
The war-whoop was resounding everywhere in the
forest. The horizon was illuminated with the conflagra-
tion of the cabins of the settlers. Gen Hull had made
the ignominious surrender of his forces at Detroit.
Under these despairing circumstances, Gov. Harrison
was appointed by President Madison commander-in-
chief of the North-western army, with orders to retake
Detroit, and to protect the frontiers.

It would be difficult to place a man in a situation
demanding mor' energy, sagacity and courage; but
General Harriijn was found eijual to the position,
and nobly and triumphantly did he meet all the re-
sponsibilities.

He won the love of his soldiers by always sharing
with them their fatigue. His whole baggage, while
pursuing the fo p the Thames, was carried in a
valise; and his bedding consisted of a single blanket
lashed over his saddle. Thirty-five British officers,
his prisoners of war, supped with him after the battle.
The only fare he could give them was beef roasted
liefore the fire, witlioul bread or salt.

In 18 16, Gen. Harrison was chosen a member of
the National House of Representatives, to represent
the District of Ohio. In Congress he proved an
active member; and whenever he spoke, it was with
force of reason and power of eloquence, which arrested
the attention of all the members.

In 1819, Harrison was elected to the Senate of
Ohio; and in 1824, as one of the presidential electors
of that State, he gave his vote for Henry Clay. The
same year he was chosen to the United States Senate.

In 1836, the friends of Gen. Harrison brought him
forward as a candidate for the Presidency against
Van Buren, but he was defeated. At the close of
Mr. Van Buren's term, he was re-nominated by his
party, and Mr. Harrison was unanimously nominated
by the Whigs, with John Tyler forthe Vice Presidency.
The contest was very animated. Gen. Jackson gave
all his influence to prevent Harrison's election ; but
his triumph was signal.

The cabinet which he formed, with Daniel Webster
at its head as Secretary of State, was one of the most
brilliant with which any President had ever been
surrounded. Never were the prospects of an admin-
istration more flattering, or the hopes of the country
more sanguine. In the midst of these bright and
joyous prospects, Gen. Harrison was seized by a
pleurisy-fever and after a few days of violent sick-
ness, died on tlie 4th of .April ; just one month after
his inaucruration as President of the United States.

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TENTH PRESIDENT.

OHN TYLER, the tenth
'ilf_,, Presidentof the United States.
He was born in Charles-city
Co., Va., March 29, 1790. He
was the favored child of af-
fluence and high social po-
sition. At the early age of
twelve, John entered William
and Mary College and grad-
uated with much honor when
but seventeen years old. .\fter
graduating, he devoted liim-
self with great assiduity tu the
study of law, partly with his
father and p.irtly with Edmund
Randolph, one of the most distin-
guished lawyers of Virginia.

At nineteen years of age, ne
commenced the practice of law.
His success was rapid and aston-
ishing. It is said that three
months had not elapsed ere there
was scarcely a case on the dock-
et of the court in which he was
not retained. When but twenty-one years of age, he
was almost unanimously elected to a seat in the State
Legislature. He connected himself with the Demo-
cratic party, and warmly advocated the measures of
,c^ Jefferson and Madison. For five successive years he
was elected to the Legislature, receiving nearly the
unanimous vote or his county.

When but twenty-six years of age, he was elected

v/ a member of Congress. Here he acted earnestly and

ably with the Democratic party, opposing a national

1

I

bank, internal improvements by the General Govern-

— "^^^^ — ^^-^m

ment, a protective tariff, and advocating a strict con-
struction of the Constitution, and the most careful
vigilance over State rights. His labors in Congress
were so arduous that before the close of his second
term he found it necessary to resign and retire to his
estate in Charles-city Co., to recruit his health. He,
however, soon after consented to take his seat in the
State Legislature, where his influence was powerful
in promotitig public works of great utility. With a
reputation thus canstantly increasing, he was chosen
by a very large majority of votes. Governor of his
native State. His administration was signally a suc-
cessful one. His' popularity secured his re-election.

John Randolph, a brilliant, erratic, half-crazed
man, then represented Virginia in the Senate of the
United States. A portion of the r)emocratic party
was displeased with !Mr. Randolph's wayward course,
and brought forward John Tyler as his opponent,
considering him the only man in Virginia of sufficient
popularity to succeed against the renowned orator of
Roanoke. Mr. Tyler was the victor.

Li accordance with his professions, upon taking his
seat in the Senate, he joined the ranks of the opposi-
tion. He opposed the tariff; he spoke against and
voted against the bank as unconstitutional ; he stren-
uously opposed all restrictions upon slavery, resist-
ing all projects of internal improvements by the Gen-
eral Government, and avowed his sympathy with Mr.
Calhoun's view of nullification ; he declared that Gen.
Jackson, by his opposition to th*e nuIHfiers, had
abandoned the principles of the Democratic party.
Such was Mr. Tyler's record in Congress, — a record
in perfect accordance with the principles which he
had always avowed.

Returning to Virginia, he resumed the practice of
his profession. There was a split in the Democratic

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JOHN TYLER.]

party. His friends still regarded him as a true Jef-
fersonian, gave him a dinner, and showered compli-
ments upon him. He had now attained the age of
forty-six. His career had been very brilliant. In con-
sequence of his devotion to public business, his pri-
vate affairs had fallen into some disorder; and it was
not without satisfaction that he resumed the practice
of law, and devoted himself to the culture of his plan-
tation. Soon after this he removed to Williamsburg,
for the better education of his children ; and he again
took his seat in the Legislature of Virginia.

By the Southern Whigs, he was sent to the national
convention at Harrisburg to nominate a President in
1839. The majoritv of votes were given to Gen. Har-
rison, a genuine Whig, much to the disappointment of
the South, who wished for Henry Clay. To concili-
ate the Southern Whigs and to secure their vote, the
convention then nominated John Tyler for Vice Pres-
ident. It was well known that he vvas not in sympa-
thy with the Whig party in the North : but the Vice
President has but very little power in the Govern-
ment, his main and almost only duty being to pre-
side over the meetings of the Senate. Thus it hap-
pened that a Whig President, and, in reality, a
Democratic Vice President were chosen.

In 1841, Mr. Tyler was inaugurated Vice Presi-
dent of the United States. In one short month from
that time. President Harrison died, and Mr. Tyler
thus found himself, to his own surprise and that of
the whole Nation, an occupant of the Presidential
chair. This was a new test of the stability of our
institutions, as it was the first time in the history of our
country that such an event had occured. Mr. Tyler
was at home in Williamsburg when he received the
uae.\pected tidings of the death of President Harri-
son. He hastened to Washington, and on the 6th of
April was inaugurated to the high and responsible
office. He was placed in a position of exceeding
delicacy and difficulty. All his long life he had been
opposed to the main principles of the party which had
brought him into power. He had ever been a con-
sistent, honest man, with an unblemished record,
(len. Harrison had selected a Whig cabinet. Should
he retain them, and thus surround himself with coun-
sellors whose views were antagonistic to his own? or,
on the other hand, should he turn against the party
which had elected him and select a cabinet in har-
mony with himself, and which would oppose all those
views which the Whigs deemed essential to the pub-
lic welfare? This was his fearful dilemma. He in-
vited the cabinet which President Harrison had
selected to retain their seats. He reccommended a
day of fasting and prayer, that God would guide and
bless us.

The Whigs carried through Congress a bill for the
incorporation of a fiscal bank of the United States.
The President, after ten days' delay, returned it with
his veto. He suggested, however, that he would

approve of a bill drawn up upon such a plan as he
proposed. Such a bill was accordingly prepared, and
privately submitted to him. He gave it his approval.
It was passed without alteration, and he sent it back
with his veto. Here commenced the oijen rupture.
It is said that Mr. Tyler was provoked to this meas-
ure by a published letter from the Hon. John M.
Botts, a distinguished Virginia Whig, who severely
touched the pride of the President.

The opposition now exultingly received the Presi-
dent into their arms. The party which elected him
denounced him bitterly. All the members of his
cabinet, excepting Mr. Webster, resigned. The Whigs
of Congress, both the Senate and the House, held a
meeting and issued an address to the people of the
United States, proclaiming that all political alliance
l)etween the Whigs and President Tyler were at
an end.

Still the President attempted to conciliate. He
appointed a new cabinet of distinguished Whigs and
Conservatives, carefully leaving out all strong party
men. Mr. Webster soon found it necessary to resign,
forced out by the pressure of his Whig friends. Thus
the four years of Mr. Tyler's unfortunate administra-
tion passed sadly away. No one was satisfied. The
land was filled with murmurs and vituperation. Whigs
and Democrats alike assailed him. More and more,
however, he brought himself into sympathy with his
old friends, the Democrats, until atthe close of his term,
he gave his whole influence to the support of Mr.
Polk, the Democratic candidate for his successor.

On the 4th of March, 1S45, he retired from the
harassments of office, tothe regret of neitherparty, and
probably to his own unspeakable relief. His first wife.
Miss Letitia Christian, died in Washington, in 1842;
and in June, 1844, President Tyler was again married,
at New York, to Miss Julia Gardiner, a young lady of
many personal and intellectual accomplishments.

The remainder of his days Mr. Tyler passed mainly
in retirement at his beautiful home, — Sherwood For-
est, Charles-city Co., Va. A polished gentleman in
his manners, richly furnished with information from
books and experience in the world, and possessing
brilliant powers of conversation, his family circle was
the scene of unusual attractions. With sufficient
means for the exercise of a generous hospitality, he
might have enjoyed a serene old age with the few
friends who gathered around him, were it not for the
storms of civil war which his own principles and
policy had helped to introduce.

When the great Rebellion rose, which the State-
rights and nullifying doctrines of Mr. John C. Cal-
houn had inaugurated, President Tyler renounced his
allegiance to the United States, and joined the Confed-
erates. He was chosen a member of their Congress ;
and while engaged in active measures to destroy, by
force of arms, the Government over which he had
once presided, he was taken sick and soon died.

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ELEVENTH PRESIDENT.

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AMES K. POLK, the eleventh

.^President of the United States,

was born in Mecklenburg Co.,

N. C, Nov. 2, 1795. His par-

^ ents were Samuel and Jane

(Kno.x) Polk, the former a son

^ of Col. Thomas Polk, who located

at the above place, as one of the

first pioneers, in 1735.

In the year 1S06, with his wife'
and children, and soon after fol-
lowed by most of the members bf
the Polk fainly, Samuel Polk emi-
grated some two or three hundred
miles farther west, to the rich valley
of the Duck River. Here in the
midst of the wilderness, in a region
which was subsequently called Mau-
ry Co., they reared their lot; huts,
and established their homes. In the
hard toil of a new farm in the wil-
derness, James K. Polk spent the
early years of his childhood and
youth. His father, adding the pur-
suit of a surveyor to th;itof a farmer,
gradually increased in wealth until
he became one of the leading men of the region. His
mother was a superior woman, of strong conimun
^c\ sense and earnest piety.

Very early in life, James developed a taste for
reading and expressed the strongest desire to obtain
a liberal education. His mother's training had made
'V him methodical in his habits, had taught him punct-
^ uality and industry, and had inspired him with lofty
.* principles of morality. His health was frail ; and his
^_ father, fearing that he might not be able to endure a

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sedentary life, got a situation for iiim behind the
counter, hoping to fit him for commercial pursuits.

This was to James a Ijitter disappointment. He
had no taste for these duties, and his daily tasks
were irksome in the extreme. He remained in this
uncongenial occupation but a few weeks, when at his
earnest solicitation his father removed him, and made
arrangements for him to prosecute his studies. Soon
after he sent him to Murfreesboro Academy. With
ardor which could scarcely be surpassed, he pressed
forward in his studies, and in less than two and a half
years, in the autumn of 1S15, entered the sophomore
class in the University ■of North Carolina, at Chapel
Hill. Here he was one of the most exemplary of
scholars, punctual in every exercise, never allowing
liimself to be absent from a recitation or a religious
service.

He graduated in 1818, with the liighest honors, be-
ing deemed the best scholar of his class, both in
mathematics and the classics. He was then twenty-
three years of age. Mr. Polk's health was at this
time much impaired by the assiduity with which he
had prosecuted his studies. After a short season of
relaxation he went to Nashville, and entered the
office of Felix Grundy, to study law. Here Mr. Polk
renewed his acquaintance with Andrew Jackson, who
resided on his plantation, the Hermitage, but a few
miles from Nashville. They had probably been
slightly acquainted before.

Mr. Polk's father was a Jeffersonian Republican,
and James K. Polk ever adhered to the same politi-
cal faith. He was a popular iniblic speaker, and was
constantly called upon to address the meetings of his
party friends. His skill as a speaker was such that
he was popularly called the Napoleon of the stump.
He was a man of unblemished morals, genial and

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JAMES K. POLK.

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courteous in his bearing, and with that sympathetic
,4'i nature in the jo) s and griefs of others which ever gave
him troops of friends. In 1823, Mr. Poll< was elected
to the Lcgishiture of Tennessee. Heie he gave his
strong influence towards the election of his friend,
Mr. Jackson, to the Presidency of the United States.
In January, 1824, Mr. Polk married Miss Sarah
Childress, of Rutherford Co., Tenn. His bride was
altogether worthy of him, — a lady of beauty and cul-
ture. In the fall of 1825, Mr. Polk was chosen a
J member of Congress. The satisfaction which he gave
''^ to his constituents may be inferred from the fact, that
for fourteen successive years, until 1839, he was con-
tinued in that office. He then voluntarily withdrew,
only that he might accept the Gubernatorial chair
of Tennessee. In Congress he was a laborious
member, a frequent and a popular speaker. He was
always in his seat, always courteous ; and whenever
he spoke it was always to the point, and without any
ambitious rhetorical display.

During five sessions of Congress, Mr. Polk was
Speaker of the House Strong passions were roused,
^ and stormy scenes were witnessed ; but Mr. Polk per-
«"• formed his arduous duties to a very general satisfac-
=1 tion, and a unanimous vote of thanks to him was
\y jjassed by the House as he withdrew on the 4t]i of
March, 1839.

In accordance with Southern usage, Mr. Polk, as a
candidate for Governor, canvassed the State. He was
elected by a large majority, and on the 14th of Octo-
ber, 1839, took the oath of office at Nashville. In 1841,
his term of office expired, and he was again the can-
didate of the Democratic party, but was defeated.
4 On the 4th of March, iS45,Mr. Polk was inaugur-
<^ ated President of the United States. The verdict of
^ the country in favor of the annexation of Texas, exerted
its influence upon Congress ; and the last act of the
administration of President Tyler was to affix his sig-
nature to a joint resolution of Congress, passed on the
3d of March, approving of the annexation of Texas to
the American Union. As Mexico still claimed Texas
as one of her provinces, the Mexican minister,
] Almonte, immediately demanded his passports and
*, left the country, declaring the act of the annexation
,!;g to be an act hostile to Mexico.

^ In his first inessage. President Polk urged that
''^ Texas should immediately, by act of Congress, be re-
V~^ ceived into tlie Union on the same footing with the
^ other States. In the meantime. Gen. Taylor was sent

)

with an army into Texas to hold the country. He was
sent first to Nueces, which the Mexicans said was the
western boundary of Texas. Then he was sent nearly '
two hundred miles further west, to the Rio Grande,
where he erected batteries which commanded the
Mexican city of Matamoras, which was situated on
the western banks.

The anticipated collision soon took place, and war
was declared against Mexico by President Polk. The
war was pushed forward by Mr. Polk's administration
with great vigor. Gen. Taylor, whose army was first
called one of " observation," then of " occupation,"
then of "invasion, "was sent forward to Monterey. The
feeble Mexicans, in every encounter, were hopelessly
and awfully slaughtered. The day of judgement
alone can reveal the misery which this war caused.
It v/as by the ingenuity of Mr. Polk's administration
that the war was brought on.

'Tijthe victors belong the spoils." Mexico was
prostrate before us. Her capital was in our hands.
^V'e now consented to peace upon the condition that
Mexico should surrender to us, in addition to Texas,
all of New Mexico, and all of Upper and Lower Cal-
ifornia. This new demand embraced, exclusive of
Texas, eight hundred thousand square miles. This
was an extent of territory equal to nine States of the
size of New York. Thus slavery was securing eighteen
majestic States to be added to the Union. There were
some Americans who thought it all right ; there were
others who thought it all wrong. In the prosecution
of this war, we expended twenty thousand lives and
more than a hundred million of dollars. Of this
money fifteen millions were paid to Mexico.

On the 3d of March, 1849, ^'f- ^'o"^ retired from
office, having served one term. Tiie next day was
Sunday. r)n the 5th, Gen. Taylor was inaugurated
as his successor. Mr. Polk rode to the Capitol in the
same carriage with Gen. Taylor; and the same even-
ing, with Mrs. Polk, he commenced his return to
Tennessee. He was then but fifty-four years of age.
He had ever been strictly temperate in all his haliits,
and his health was good. AVith an ample fortune,
a choice library, a cultivated mind, and domestic ties
of tlie dearest nature, it seemed as though long years
of tranquility and happiness were before him. But the
cholera — that fearful scourge — was then sweeping up
the Valley of the Mississippi. This he contracted,
and died on the igth of June, 1849,111 the fifty-fourth
year of his age, greatly mourned by his countrymen.

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TWELFTH PRESIDENT.

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ACHARY TAYLOR, twelfth
President of the United States,
was born on the 24th of Nov.,
1784, in Orange Co., Va. His
« father. Colonel Taylor, was
fy a Virginian of note, and a dis-
) tingLiished patriot and soldier of
the Revolution. When Zachary
was an infant, his father with his
wife and two children, emigrated
to Kentucky, where he settled in
the pathless wilderness, a few
miles from Louisville. Li this front-
ier home, away from civilization and
all its refinements, young Zachary
could enjoy but few social and educational advan-
tages. When six years of age he attended a common
>; ) school, and was then regarded as a bright, active boy,
rather remarkable for bluntness and decision of char-
acter He was strong, feailess and self-reliant, and
manifested a strong desire to enter tlie army to fight
the Indians who were ravaging the frontiers. There
is little to be recorded of the uneventful years of his
childhood on his father's large but lonely plantation.
In 1808, his father succeeded in obtaining for him
the commission of lieutenant in the United States
army ; and he joined the troops which were stationed
at New Orleans under Gen. Wilkinson. Soon after
this he married Miss Margaret Smith, a young lady
from one of the first families of Maryland.

Immediately after the declaration of war with Eng-
land, in 18 12, Capt. Taylor (for he had then been
promoted to that rank) was put in command of Fort
Harrison, on the Wabash, about fifty miles above
Vincennes. This fort had been built in the wilder-
ness by Gen. Harrison, on his march to Tippecanoe.
It was one of the first points of attack by the Indians,
. led by Tecumseh. Its garrison consisted of a broken

company of infantry numbering fifty men, many of
whom were sick.

Early in the autumn of 1812, the Indians, stealthily,
and in large numbers, moved upon the fort. Their
approach was first indicated by the murder of two
soldiers just outside of the stockade. Capt. Taylor
made every possible preparation to meet the antici-
pated assault. On the 4th of September, a band of
forty painted and plumed savages came to the fort,
waving a white flag, and informed Capt. Taylor that
in the morning their chief would come to have a talk
with him. It was evident that their object was merely
to ascertain the state of things at the fort, and Capt.
Taylor, well versed in the wiles of the savages, kept
them at a distance.

The sun went down ; the savages disappeared, the
garrison s