ing any effect, or even being listened to. "You would not," he said, "listen to my defence, although you were advised that it contained nothing improper. Under these circumstances, I appear before you to receive the sentence of the court, having nothing further in my defence. to offer.

"Your Honor will not understand me as intending any disrespect to the court; but as no opportunity has been afforded me of explaining the reasons and motives by which I was influenced, so it is expected, that censure or reproof, will constitute no part of that sentence which you may imagine it your duty to pronounce."

The Judge fined General Jackson one thousand dollars. The hall in which the court was held, had been crowded with anxious spectators and a feverish excitement prevailed throughout the city. The sentence was scarcely pronounced, when another loud shout arose from every part of the hall. Jackson was siezed in spite of his exertions, and borne off to his lodgings, amid the loud cheers of the citizens of New-Orleans; who seemed to act almost equally under the influence, of the very opposite sentiments, of gratitude to the preserver of their city, and indignation against the Judge who had denounced punishment on his head. Having arrived at his lodgings, he addressed the people, explaining the motives which had governed his conduct, thanking them for their manifestations of friendship and enjoining them to respect the laws, even when they inflicted punishment for deeds which they could not fail to approve.

The ladies of New-Orleans, grateful to the defender of their homes, made up a subscription to discharge the fine. But General Jackson, who had scorned to shrink from the responsibility of a collision with the civil authorities, when his country's good required it, scorned likewise to evade the consequences. He therefore anti

cipated the measure, which their gratitude had prompted, paying the fine himself, and nobly recommending a distribution of the sum which had been raised in New-Orleans for that purpose, among the widows and orphans of those who had fallen in its defence.

Having at length completed the arduous duties assigned him at New-Orleans, General Jackson returned to Nashville, leaving a grateful community behind him. Even those who had intrigued against him, during the contest in which he had been engaged, had either been silenced by his successes, or convinced by reflection of the error of their conduct.

At the close of the war, the army was disbanded and a peace establishment was substituted in its place, consisting of a northern and southern division. Of the latter of these, General Jackson was immediately appointed Commander in Chief. The appointment was received with general approbation, and it seemed to be universally admitted, that no other officer could be found, equal to the task of defending our immense extent of frontier, from the savage tribes which then inhabited the western wilds, and held sway over vast tracts of country, which are now filled with civilized inhabitants and blossoming like the rose with the charms of cultivation.

Nor was Jackson long to enjoy in repose the laurels he had won. Near the close of the year 1817, the Seminole Indians, emerging from Florida, and committing repeated massacres on the American frontiers, General Jackson was ordered to march against them and put an end to their outrages. At the head of the Tennessee volunteers and a body of troops from Georgia, he penetrated into Florida, captured St. Marks which had become the centre of the Indian hostilities, and from thence, directed his efforts wherever his skulking enemies could be found, scattering their forces, cutting off their supplies and

burning their villages. Two English incendiaries, Arbuthnot and Ambrister, principal instigators of the war, were arrested, condemned by a Court Martial and executed. Jackson had placed a garrison in St. Marks and was about returning to Tennessee, when having learned that the scattered Indians, were uniting their forces, in the neighborhood of Pensacola under the protection of its Governor, he marched, in the month of July, into the district, at the head of twelve hundred men, and took possession of Pensacola. Fort Barrancas, to which the Governor had escaped, yielded on the 28th. Two detachments were soon after sent to clear the country of fugitives, and in June 1818, General Jackson returned to Tennessee. Congress at its next session, justified his course in taking possession of the Spanish fortresses, and executing the British renegades. Soon after he made a tour of the northern cities, and was every where received with the most enthusiastic proofs of regard.

During the year 1821, Florida was ceded to the United States by Spain, and General Jackson was appointed its Governor, and invested with all the absolute powers, civil and military, which had been exercised by his predecessors, under the monarch of Spain. Having organized the new government, and for a few months, discharged his important duties with honor to himself, and advantage to his country, he resigned, at the same time, expressing a hope that Congress would never again entrust similar powers to any one man.

In the Autumn of 1822, the Legislature of Tennessee nominated General Jackson to the Chief Magistracy, as successor to Mr. Monroe, and in many parts of the Union, the nomination was favorably received. On the 23d of January, 1823, he was appointed Minister Plenipotentiary to Mexico. This appointment, unexpectedly conferred, he declined, urging as a reason, that "the appear

an American

envoy,

ance of with credentials to the tyrant Iturbide, might aid him in riveting the chains of despotism upon a country which of right ought to be free.'' But a short time afterwards, the Mexican emperor resigned his throne, and fled in disgrace from a country, which his usurpation had so nearly ruined.

The Presidential canvass in 1824, was conducted with considerable spirit, and when it is recollected, that there were four candidates in the field, all of them talented, all of them possessing great personal popularity, it will not be deemed a matter of surprise, that no choice was effected. Jackson received a plurality of votes, but the election devolving on the House of Representatives, John Quincy Adams was elected President, under circumstances, well calculated to excite suspicions of corruption.

In October 1825, Jackson was again nominated to the Presidency, by an almost unanimous vote of the Tennessee Legislature. He soon after resigned his seat in the United States' Senate.

The democratic party throughout the nation, disgusted with the manner of Mr. Adams' election, and dissatisfied with the measures which marked the commencement of his administration, no sooner saw the name of Jackson announced, a second time, as a candidate for the Presi dency, than they rallied to his support. Jackson's pru. dent course during the canvass of 1824, the remembrance of his eminent public services, and the general circulation of an opinion, that a corrupt combination had defeated his election in the House, all conspired to render him popular with the people. In conducting this Presidential campaign, Mr. Adams was supposed to possess great advantages. The patronage of government wielded by the skilful hand of Mr. Clay, and a corrupt and subsidized press, were instruments of power, which it was sup

posed, would be amply sufficient, to sustain Mr. Adams, against all opposition.

The contest was conducted with a degree of bitterness almost unparalleled. The public acts, and even the private character, of both candidates were severely criticised. Jackson in particular, was held up before the community, as a monster capable of the most horrid cruelties, and guilty of violating every principle of virtue and humanity. The good sense of the community, was alike proof to the influence of the government, and the slanders of its advocates. After a full comparison of the merits of the opposing candidates, and a candid examination of the principles upon which they were supported, the people of the United States, in the Autumn of 1828, elected Jackson to the Presidency by a majority larger than the whole number of votes received by his oppo

nent.

After entering upon the duties of his office, General Jackson, in December 1829, presented his first message to the Representatives of the nation, a paper which by the talents it exhibited and the correct sentiments it advanced, gained very general approbation.

Finding a large share of the public trusts, throughout, the whole country, monopolized by his political opponents, he removed several individuals from offices which they had held under Mr. Adams, and supplied their places with his political friends. Common justice, indeed, required that the majority, by whose suffrages he had been elevated to the head of the government, should have at least an equal share in its administration. Considerable excitement was naturally raised against the President on account of these removals. Individuals from whom they had taken situations of profit and honor, discovered in them sure indications of approaching "despotism," and there were not wanting those, who considered it a most