SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF GEN. ANDREW JACKSON. ANDREW JACKSON, the subject of the following sketch, was born in 1767, at a place in South Carolina called the Waxsaw settlement, situated near Camden. His father, who had emigrated from Ireland some two years previous, died during his infancy, leaving him with two elder brothers, to the care of a widowed mother. To the lessons of patriotism which he learned from her lips and the ardent impressions he received from her simple narration of her country's wrongs, may undoubtedly be attributed much of that patriotic zeal which his subsequent career has exhibited. Having been intended by his mother for the ministry, Andrew enjoyed all the advantages for education, which the infant settlement could afford. He was at an early period sent to an academy at the Waxsaw meeting house, where he commenced the study of the languages, and here he remained, till the war then raging between this country and Britain, extended its ravages into the immediate vicinity. At that period, though scarcely fourteen years of age, young Jackson was seen taking up arms, and rallying with his fellow citizens, under the flag of his country. This humble commencement of his military career, was as unfortunate, as its subsequent course was splendid and successful. Having been captured together with his brother, by a party of British and tories, they were both of them severely wounded for refusing to obey the insolent commands of a British officer, and then thrown into jail, confined in separate cells and treated with inhuman severity. The effects of this treatment were fatal to Robert Jackson, and Andrew no doubt left the prison behind him, confirmed in his devotion to his country, and his hatred of its enemies. The death of his mother soon followed-his eldest brother had died some time before at the battle of Stono, and Andrew, left without one surviving relative, was stretched on a bed of sickness and brought to the verge of the grave. Little did he think at that dismal period, of the retribution he was destined to inflict upon the enemies of his country and the spoilers of his family, or the distinguished honors reserved for him, by a nation of which he was so humble a citizen. After some little delay, he recommenced his studies, and after pursuing them as far as his limited means would permit, entered upon the study of law, under Judge Mc Cay at Salisbury, North Carolina, and finished it under Col. John Stokes of the same place. In 1786, he was licensed to practise law, and being satisfied after an experiment of a few months, that this State presented few inducements to a young attorney, he determined to try his fortune in some of the new settlements then springing up in the western wilds. Accordingly, in 1788, he accompanied Judge McNairy who was going out to hold the first court in the South-West territory, which now constitutes the State of Tennessee. After innumerable difficulties, they arrived at Nashville in October, where Jackson immediately opened an office, and soon gained by his industrious attention to the duties of his profession, an exten sive and profitable practice. He was soon after appointed Attorney General of the district, an office which he held for several years. In 1796, the South-West Territory having been admitted into the Union as a sovereign State by the name of Tennessee, Jackson was elected a member of the convention which framed its Constitution, and attracting the notice of his fellow citizens by his services in that body, in 1797, they elected him a member of Congress, and he soon after appeared in that body as the first Representative from the State of Tennessee. In 1798, he was elected a member of the United States' Senate. This period has been aptly styled the "reign of terror," and the candid patriot of the present day, when he looks back upon the usurpations of the federal government, which distinguished it, cannot think it strange that the purest patriots of those times, should have trembled for the fate of their country. His course in the Senate at that juncture, was marked by a steady adherence to republican principles, and he had with nine others, the honor of voting for a repeal of the alien law. Disgusted however at the unconstitutional and extravagant measures which characterized the times, he soon resigned his seat. So warmly were his political friends attached to him, and so entirely did they approve of his conduct in the different stations in which they had placed him, that he had no sooner resigned his seat in the Senate than he was appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court. This'office he also resigned, after holding it a short time, and retired to his farm on the banks of the Cumberland. Having distinguished himself in those conflicts which are incident to a new settlement, springing up in the midst of a wilderness filled with savages, Jackson had at an early period been appointed Major General of the only division of militia in Tennessee. This office he held |